VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of jet impingement, drainage and compression in a forming roll of a twin-wire machine

This thesis involves analytical and experimental studies of the characteristics of jet impingement, the drainage mechanism and the compression process in the formation region of a twin-wire machine. The objective is to find the effects of operating parameters on flow and mat properties such as velocity, pressure and mat thickness, as well as their effects on sheet formation. The aim of the analytical work was to develop a physical flow model using hydrodynamic theory that could best describe the real flow behaviour in the wedge zone, the free-surface wedge zone, and the press zone. A set of governing equations was established and numerically solved for each zone. The change in wedge thickness was analytically predicted and compared with the measurements. The mean flow properties were calculated for a typical range of operating conditions. Experiments were conducted to study the resistance characteristics of fibre mat and screw. The results indicate the existence of three distinct regions in which the pressure drop through the fibre mat behaves differently. The mat resistance was estimated as a specific filtration resistance, which was compared with Darcy's law and the Kozeny-Carman equation. A relationship was established between the mat resistance and the mass concentration. To study compression of the mat, experiments were performed using three types of pulp. It was demonstrated that the well-known empirical compressibility equation was valid over a wide range of compacting pressures, but only for compression over a long time. For compression over a short time, it was observed that when the mat was suddenly subjected to high pressure, it underwent a free-fall drop type of compression. This suggests that a saturated mat would behave more like a highly viscous fluid rather than a viscoelastic solid when subjected to high compression. Hence, the free-fall drop model was proposed to predict the consistency in the press zone and was found to be in agreement with the measurements. Video Beta Radiography and the Micro-Scanner method were used to analyze formation on the experimental samples. Using the formation diagram, it was determined that the Jet/Wire speed ratio had a significant effect on formation.
Modeling solute transport in soils from Ataratiri

The Ataratiri site, in the City of Toronto, which has a long history of industrial contamination, requires remediation before redevelopment is permitted. This study will characterize the potential pathways of trace metal contaminants in contaminated soils selected by a geostatistical analysis. Effluent breakthrough curves (btc's) from laboratory column experiments were fitted in a three-step approach involving Br, cations and anions, and trace metals. The results revealed the presence of anion exclusion for Br, and nonlinear adsorption mechanisms for the cations and anions. There were no observed btc's for the trace metals, due to strong adsorption, most likely onto hydrous ferrous oxide (HFO). The results of separate adsorption experiments confirmed this. A hypothetical modeling simulation demonstrated that all the trace metals form surface complexes with HFO. This natural ability of the fill to severely retard the mobility of trace metals will be useful when considering different cleanup methods and their implications.
Transcriptional regulation of the asparagine synthetase gene in Chinese hamster ovary cells

Amino acid biosynthetic genes in mammalian cells are responsible for the biosynthesis of non-essential amino acids. Their regulation is poorly understood in spite of their physiological and pathological significance. In bacteria and yeast, amino acid synthesis genes are turned on by amino acid starvation and the molecular mechanisms in these two systems are well understood. In mammalian cells, including Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, the asparagine synthetase (AS) enzymatic activity is up-regulated in response to amino acid starvation. This indicates a conserved adaptation response. The AS gene of CHO cells has been extensively studied at the biochemical level. It provides a model system to study the underlying molecular mechanism of the cellular response to amino acid starvation. The AS gene is a housekeeping gene; its promoter region is devoid of TATA and CAAT consensus sequences, but is GC rich. To investigate AS regulation, we first analyzed a 1.1 kb 5' genomic fragment of the AS gene in wild-type CHO cells under normal growth conditions. The minimal promoter was determined to lie within the -47 to +199 region. Two upstream GC boxes and a GC box in intron 1 were found to correspond to positive cis-elements for AS transcription. Specific DNA-protein interactions were detected within the AS minimal promoter region. Transcriptional regulation of the AS promoter was studied under amino acid starvation conditions. We found that AS promoter constructs were induced by asparagine depletion and that the level of induction was parallel to the level of induced AS enzymatic activity. A novel cis-element 5'-GATGAAACTTCCC-3 ' termed AARECHO was defined by mutational analyses. Chimeric promoter analysis indicated that a 24 bp AARECHO sequence could up-regulate activity of the thymidine kinase (TK) basal promoter upon asparagine depletion. A specific nuclear protein bound to the. AARE CHO containing probe. When AS was up-regulated by amino acid depletion, the uncharged tRNAs appeared to play a role downstream of the amino acid starvation signal and lead to AS up-regulation at the transcriptional level. The data lead us to propose a model for how mammalian cells increase amino acid synthesis upon amino acid starvation.
Vowel systems in Mandarin languages

This dissertation presents a comparative study of the vowel systems in 37 Mandarin languages. I examine the phonological vowel inventory in each language based on evidence from the distribution of the surface vowels. The distribution includes where a surface vowel is found, and how it relates to other segments in the language. One striking fact which is found in all the Mandarin languages examined is that the vowel /e/ is always able to assimilate to a neighboring glide [j], and in some languages to both [j] and [w]. Some constraints are called for in order to explain the full range of data in Mandarin. These constraints include the domain, locality, and structure in /e/ assimilation, the degree of structural complexity of certain segments, the requirement of the Obligatory Contour Principle, the structure for the application of certain default rule, and the type of vowel sequences that are allowed. These are the fabric of Mandarin vowels. The study is conducted within the framework of the contrastive specification approach developed at the University of Toronto. This theory suggests that a vowel is specified for a feature either because of its phonological behavior in the language, or because of its contrast with other vowels in the language. Four types of Mandarin phonological vowel inventories have been identified depending on the number of phonemes in each system and the way each phoneme is realized on the surface. The results of feature specification in each language account for the phonology in the language. For instance, in the language Chengde, there are two vowels specified for a place feature. Both vowels are triggers of place assimilation in the language. In the language Harbin, only one vowel is specified for place feature. This is also the only vowel that acts as a trigger in place assimilation in the language. In a different approach, say full specification, where a vowel is fully specified, then would be no explanation for the fact that both vowels acting as the trigger of place assimilation in one language whereas only one in the other. Mandarin phonological vowel inventories provide insight into the issue of vowel place feature markedness. In particular, in the Harbin-type languages, the place feature [Coronal] is present in the vowel system; the place feature [Labial] is absent [Labial] is less marked than [Coronal] at least in these languages.
The lady or the tiger?, evolving Victorian perceptions of education and the private resident governess

From the first few decades of the nineteenth century to the 1860s, the governess-figure moved steadily in public estimation from embodiment of pathos to powerful subverter of order, only to revert in the last decades of the 1800s to earlier type. These changes were predicated, it was felt in the period, and often, afterwards, on the degree to which her skills were culturally relevant, especially to middle-class girls' needs. This study holds, however, that much of what was negative in Victorian views of the governess reflected a generalized dissatisfaction with education in the period, displaced onto a particularly vulnerable scapegoat. Meanwhile, in literature, the governess had long been a complex figure when she was an important character in a text. The nineteenth-century history of her literary representation thus describes a different parabola from that traced by other aspects of her image: she became a complicated and/or dangerous presence earlier, and stayed that way later in the century. This thesis explores some of the reasons for this with a view to showing how literary demands pressured the way her stereotype both weathered and accommodated itself in the translation to fictional construct.
The experiences, meanings and outcomes of studying abroad, a qualitative multiple-case study

Canadian universities are increasing the number of study abroad opportunities available for students. This increase is based on the perception of beneficial academic, personal, and career outcomes coming from study abroad programs. In this qualitative research study, I explored the in-depth experiences of fourteen study abroad students. This study's conceptual framework assumed that the curriculum of study abroad emerges from each participant's reflection on her/his lived-experience. I also assumed that studying abroad is a holistic learning process involving three temporal phases: before, during and after. Within this framework, I explored the following aspects of my participants' experience: (1) motivations for studying abroad, (2) preparing to leave, (3) experience abroad, and (4) the experience of returning home. Further, I explored their construed meanings and outcomes of the study abroad experience. The multiple-case study design used in this study considered the participants as representative cases. Embedded in this design was also my autobiographical experience. Data gathering included: (1) research conversations; (2) journal entries; (3) analysis of pertinent documents; (4) art-based images of the underlying meaning of studying abroad; and (5) graphic illustrations portraying the emotional peaks, valleys and plateaus of the study abroad experience. I found parental socialization to be the dominant influence in forming the participants' desire for studying abroad. Preparing to leave was a bittersweet time, influenced significantly by the support, or lack of it, from the home institution. Their experience abroad led to an alternative perspective on "culture shock": my participants experienced culture shock as a profound learning experience rather than a debilitating difficulty. Their re-entry experience led to an understanding of "reverse-culture shock" as: (1) a process of mourning for the loss of attachments abroad, and (2) a process of constructing relationships at home. The core outcome of studying abroad was the transformation of self and perspective. I developed a model that represents study abroad as a holistic learning process leading to transformations of self and perspective. Theoretical perspectives from cultural and cross-cultural psychology, global education, and transformational learning illuminated my findings. Based on the findings, recommendations were made for study abroad research and practice.
Reactions towards enediyne heterocycles and nitroimidazoles incorporating alkynes

In this thesis it was hypothesized that the incorporation of a 2-nitroimidazole (NIM) into an enediyne system or its functionalization with a glutathione (GSH) depleting moiety may result in a new group of more effective hypoxic cell selective radiosensitizer/chemosensitizer antitumor agents. Generation of NIM incorporating enediyne proved to be difficult and unsuccessful. Initially, the synthetic outline was to attach 2 alkynes to 4,5-diiodo-1-(methoxymethyl)-2-nitroimidazole (I2NIM) followed by a ring closure to obtain the cyclic NIM incorporating enediyne compound. However, due to the high reactivity of I2NIM at the 5 position only monoalkyne NIM was produced. As a result, the strategy was modified to synthesize a cyclic enediyne incorporating imidazole from 4,5-diiodo-1-(methoxymethyl)imidazole followed by nitration at the 2-position of imidazole. In preparation for the nitration of the imidazole in the cyclic enediyne, the procedure was tested on an acyclic precursor but failed to give the desired 2-nitro functional group. Furthermore, cyclization of the dialkyne imidazole yielded no product. GSH depletor compounds were synthesized from I2NIM utilizing optimized Sonogashira cross-coupling conditions and gave the water soluble 2-(4-ethynyl-2-nitroimidazolyl)ethanol in 6% yield. This compound was synthesized through an alternate scheme in 13% overall yield. Propynol, 3-butyn-1-ol and 4-pentyn-1-ol were also used to synthesize a series of MOM protected NIM containing GSH depletors with yields varying from 6% to 42%. Ethyl 2-(acetylamino)-4-pentynoate cross-coupled to I2NIM gave a protected amino acid GSH depletor ethyl 2-(acetylamino)-5-[1-(methoxymethyl)-2-nitroimidazol-4-yl]pent-4-ynoate in 43% yield. The propynol NIM product from above was used as the starting material for the synthesis of a 2-nitro histidine analog. Transformation of the propynol group to either propanol or to a hydroxy-ketone was necessary for the preparation of the amino acid group but under reducing conditions this starting material only gave products where the nitro group was reduced, while under strong acid conditions the compound failed to hydrolyze with catalytic or stoichiometric amounts of mercuric salts. This thesis addresses the difficulties that were encountered in the synthesis of cyclic enediyne incorporating NIM and provides the first synthetic procedure for the generation of NIM containing glutathione depletors with or without an amino acid moiety. The improved water solubility and GSH depleting property of these radiosensitizers/chemosensitizers may render them clinically more effective antitumor agents.
Schumann's piano cycles and the novels of Jean Paul, analogues in discursive strategy

Robert Schumann's enthusiasm for the works of the novelist, essayist, and satirist Jean Paul Friedrich Richter is well-documented. As yet, however, little attention has been devoted to similarities of technique and aesthetic between Jean Paul the novelist and Schumann the composer. My dissertation examines narrative discourse, self-referentiality, intertextuality, defamiliarization of stylistic models, and other discursive strategies typical of Jean Paul as they occur in Schumann's piano cycles of the 1830s. An introduction to Jean Paul's most striking literary tendencies precedes close readings of works which have received scant critical attention in the past, and none of which has been thoroughly examined in light of Jean Paul scholarship. An Introduction surveys the treatment of Jean Paul and Schumann in the secondary literature and also outlines my critical methodology. Chapter 1 introduces Jean Paul to a musicological audience. Major stylistic trends in his work are examined, particularly his digressive narrative style. Chapter 2 centres around Schumann's first two piano cycles, ' Papillons' and 'Intermezzi'. These both take Schubert's suites of waltzes for piano solo and duet as their initial structural model, which is then subverted to the point of near-unrecognizability. 'Carnaval ' is based on the idea of the waltz suite. An intensive analysis in Chapter 3 examines the extent to which Jean Paul's unusual literary techniques have infiltrated Schumann's musical style. Chapter 4 considers 'Kreisleriana', op. 16, 'Fantasiestûcke ', op. 12, 'Faschingsschwank aus Wien', op. 26, and ' Novelletten', op. 21, which also display traces of larger forms while preserving the cyclic model of 'Carnaval'. Schumann's new preoccupations parallel a similar phase in Jean Paul's career. Alongside his major novels, Jean Paul produced a number of shorter works which he dubbed "idylls", and which contain equal proportions of satire, humour, and the picturesque. Chapter 5 contains analyses of the ' Arabeske', 'Blumenstûck', and 'Humoreske ' and their resonance with Jean Paul's idyllic style.
Photogeneration of nitrenium ions of para-substituted phenyl azides by laser flash photolysis

Chapter 1 outlines the investigations carried out on a series of para-substituted phenyl azides. When 'p'-alkoxyphenyl azides were irradiated in aqueous solution, three distinct kinetic stages were observed. Using laser flash photolysis, singlet nitrenes were generated from the aryl azides. These aryl nitrenes are sufficiently basic that they become protonated in less than 20 ns by water to give nitrenium ions, with lifetimes of approximately 1 <math> <f> <g>m</g></f> </math>s. Decay of the nitrenium ion was the first kinetic stage observed. These nitrenium ions were investigated for reactivity with azide ion, ionic strength dependence, solvent dependence, and pH dependence. The next kinetic stage occurred on the millisecond time scale and was observed by conventional flash photolysis. It is believed that this stage corresponds to the conversion of a hemiacetal (formed by nucleophilic addition of water to the para-position of the nitrenium ion) to a quinone imine. The last and slowest stage occurs on the minute's timescale. This change is observed with a normal uv-visible spectrometer, and represents the conversion of quinone imine to quinone. These kinetic stages are consistent with product studies, which show only one product--quinone. The main objective of the research presented in Chapter 2 was to determine whether a nitrenium ion can be generated upon photolysis of 5-azido-8-methoxypsoralen (a derivative of 'p'-alkoxyphenyl azides) in aqueous solution. Using laser flash photolysis, conventional flash photolysis, and uv analysis, experiments were carried out to determine whether this azide behaved in a manner similar to the 'p'-alkoxyphenyl azides. Using laser flash photolysis, transients were generated in various solvents. In 100% acetonitrile and in 100% methanol, a transient was generated with maximum absorbance at 415 nm. In 80% water/20% acetonitrile, the transient generated had maximum absorbance at 500 nm. In water/acetonitrile solutions of intermediate composition, both transients were observed. The transient generated at 415 nm was assigned to the triplet nitrene, while that generated at 500 nm was assigned to the nitrenium ion. Since studies by Professor Y. Li's group showed only nucleophilic products upon photolysis in acetonitrile-rich solution, a mechanism involving conversion of triplet nitrene to nitrenium ion is proposed to explain the appearance of both transients.
The role of Ftz-F1 in the regulation of chinook salmon gonadotropin II beta subunit gene

In teleosts, pituitary gonadotropin II (GTHII) is the maturation hormone whose specificity is defined by its ß subunit (GTHIIß). Salmon GTHIIß (sGTHIIß) gene is differentially regulated, but the mechanism underlying the regulation remains poorly understood. The objective of my thesis is to identify transcription factors controlling the differential expression of sGTHIIß gene. Transient cotransfection analysis of sGTHIIß gene promoter revealed that a mouse homolog of 'Drosophila fushi tarazu' factor 1 (Ftz-F1), also known as steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1), stimulated the promoter activity. SF-1 acted in synergy with the estradiol-17ß (E2)-activated estrogen receptor (ER) to dramatically enhance sGTHIIß promoter activity. We have identified a zebrafish Ftz-F1 (zFF1A) and a C-terminally truncated variant (zFF1B). These zFF1 cDNAs are encoded by a single gene locus, ' zff1', which is mapped to linkage group 22. The expression of ' zff1' in the reproductive axis is similar to that of SF-1 in mammals. While zFF1A functionally resembled SF-1, zFF1B was found to be transactivation-deficient and antagonized the action of zFF1A 'via' competitively binding to the target promoters. The sub-domains required for the transactivation of zFF1A were characterized. Relatively, the contribution of A/B region at N-terminus was minimal. In addition to the C-terminal activation function (AF-2), a novel AF-3 in the hinge region (whose activity was dispensable from AF-2) was delineated. While the Identity box (I-box) comprises a 'dimerization surface' for heterodimeric nuclear receptors (NRs), it was insufficient to contribute to a direct zFF1A/ER interaction. Instead, AF-2 required the I-box, especially a hydrophobic heptad motif (heptad 9), to be transcriptionally active. The requirement of both AF-2 and I-box for zFF1A transactivation is relevant to studying other NRs. The differential regulation of GTHIIß gene is complex, involving both transcription activators and repressors. The current study represents the first example illustrating that vertebrate Ftz-F1 is directly involved in the regulation of a GTH ß gene. Furthermore, we show a synergy between Ftz-F1 and ER that is specific to the developmental stage-dependent expression of sGTHIIß and likely accounts for the dramatic increase of salmon pituitary GTHII during the spawning season.