VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
The contribution of vascular endothelial growth factor induced angiogenesis to the progression of primary human melanoma

Early stage primary human melanomas are known to remain relatively avascular and dormant for up to a decade or longer after which they may give rise to more rapidly growing, vascular and metastatically-competent primary tumors. The clinical behavior of melanoma recapitulated experimentally by injection of cell lines established from such tumors into nude mice. WM1341B cells, which were isolated from early stage human melanoma, are non-tumorigenic and display a dormant phenotype in nude mice. These cells produce little or no vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent stimulator of angiogenesis, in culture. In order to determine whether their in vivo dormant behavior may be related to an inability to induce tumor angiogenesis, subpopulations of WM1341B cells were engineered to constitutively overexpress the VEGF$\sb{121}$ isoform. This modification was sufficient to induce overtly progressively growing tumors by several independent VEGF$\sb{121}$ producing clones and could be strongly suppressed by treatment of mice with a monoclonal anti-VEGF neutralizing (A4.6.1) antibody. These results support the notion that defective angiogenesis may, in part, account for the dormant phenotype of early stage primary melanoma lesions. Furthermore, this system may be useful as a tool to screen new anti-angiogenic agents for cancer therapy.
A perceptually adaptive JPEG coder

A perceptually adaptive JPEG coder is implemented in this research. The major part of the implementation involves the design of a perceptual model that is based on the texture masking and luminance masking properties of the human visual system (HVS). The main objective is to compute a local multiplier map that can be used to scale the quantization matrix (QM) so that fewer bits are used to represent the perceptually less important areas of an image. The texture masking model is based on a proposed block classification algorithm to differentiate between the plain, edge, and texture blocks. An adaptive luminance masking scheme is also proposed which adaptively adjusts the luminance masking strategy depending on an image's mean luminance value. Experimental results show that the adaptive coder provides savings in bit-rate over baseline JPEG, with no overall loss in perceptual quality according to a subject test.
Effect of high glucose on endothelin-1 and platelet-derived growth factor stimulation of mesangial cell protein kinase C and mitogen-activated protein kinase

The purpose was to identify whether high glucose alters mesangial cell (GMC) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation by endothelin (ET-1) or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) through a diacylglycerol-sensitive protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent mechanism. We measured PKC-$\alpha,$ -$\delta$ and -$\varepsilon$ translocation and MAPK phosphorylation by immunoblot. ET-1, but not PDGF, caused translocation of PKC-$\delta$ and -$\varepsilon.$ In HG, ET-1-stimulated PKC-$\delta$ and -$\varepsilon$ translocation was increased to the particulate yet decreased to the membrane fraction. In HG, basal and ET-1-stimulated MAPK activities were enhanced. Downregulation of PKC isoforms prevented enhanced ET-1-stimulated MAPK activity. To conclude, in HG, ET-1 stimulation of PKC-$\delta$ and -$\varepsilon$ and MAPK activation is altered, which may contribute to GMC dysfunction in diabetes. This work implies that hyperglycemia interaction with vasoactive agents may contribute to mesangial cell dysfunction in diabetic nephropathy.
Effects of passing fish on activity of larval Chironomus tentans, Diptera, chironomidae

Comparing behaviour and development of prey under constant presence versus complete absence of predators may underestimate or overestimate effects of predator presence, never the-less, a number of studies have examined prey behaviour and subsequent fitness parameters under these conditions. I designed and implemented a system that allowed exposure of larval chironomid larvae (Chironomus tenants) to a single fish pass, because underwater video tapes in various lakes across Ontario showed that fish swam through any given area quickly, rarely hovering over an area. The race-way proved successful in controlling fish passes most of the times. Overall, I was confident that the design of the raceway allowed me to study the effects of a fish pass, similar to those seen in the field, on the activity of chironomid larvae in the laboratory. Using brown bullheads (Ictalurus nebulosus) and big and small pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus), I found that larvae showed a definite decrease in activity immediately after a fish pass, however, larval responses were not affected by the size or the species of fish. Larval activity and the median activity lost was highest at the high larval hunger-level. This that while hungry larvae may compensate for low food availability by foraging more when no predators are detected, their growth and development may suffer more at high levels of fish presence than do well fed larvae.
Outsider research, how white writers explore native issues, knowledge, and experiences

This thesis explores the perceptions of six non-Aboriginal, employed knowledge producers (academics, film-makers, journalists) who are of Euro-Canadian background, and whose work is primarily on Aboriginal issues and peoples. The author, also an outsider researcher of Euro-Canadian descent, begins by noting that a cultural genocide is presently occurring in Canada with respect to Aboriginal people. Through exploring in depth Aboriginal views on knowledge production, including the concept of writing as resistance, the thesis shows how Aboriginal peoples have clearly articulated their need to 'tell their own stories' and how critical are the issues of access and appropriation to the Aboriginal communities faced with cultural genocide. Exploring the views of white knowledge producers using qualitative research methods, the thesis is able to show that, often, white writers defend their 'right' to work on Aboriginal issues through relying on a conceptual framework of cultural difference. That is, Aboriginal peoples are seen as culturally different from the mainstream, as peoples who require 'help' in telling their stories. The thesis concludes that white knowledge producers will contribute to cultural genocide unless they become critically aware of Aboriginal views, and of the impact of their own activities on a continuing cultural genocide. Relying on roles such as facilitators or bridges between cultures enables white knowledge producers to minimize the continuing oppression of Aboriginal people in which they play a part. The study is grounded in critical race theory, and is a reflection of the discourse of cultural difference and its relation to the knowledge production of dominant groups within society. The importance of social responsibility, tracing one's power and privilege as it enters into exchanges between Native and non-Native people, and recognizing one's complicity as Euro-Canadian group members in a racist society like Canada's, is emphasized.
Modeling of CBR and VBR traffic over ATM networks

In this thesis, we investigate the modeling of CBR and VBR traffic over ATM networks. First, we built a Video-on-Demand (VoD) prototype based on point-to-point connection over ATM networks. Then we collected cell-level measurements of reference traffic over the ATM networks under various network scenarios with interWATCH95000 real-time ATM analyzer. Network parameters were reference and background traffic types, reference traffic bandwidth, network utilization, and number of hop connections. From the experimental results, we calculated cell transfer delay (CTD) distributions and analyzed the results. We found that CBR reference traffic at a low utilization was adequately modeled by a gamma distribution. However, we also witnessed an increasing tail distribution as the utilization increased. Our hypothesis was that the experimental results were influenced by how background traffic was generated that may have contributed possible VC-level contention at the output port of the ATM switch. From our modeling analysis, we conclude that the CTD distribution at a high utilization is the sum of multiple gamma distributions, and give some suggestions for future work.
The implementation of industrial pollution controls in China's Xiamen special economic zone, 1979-1992

This research uses a case study method to seek answers to the following questions: How can China's mixed record in pollution control best be explained? Has their "exploratory" approach to policy making in this issue area been effective? How important is the municipal level of government in China's policy process? The study focuses on Xiamen in Fujian Province and primarily on efforts to regulate industrial water pollution. Given the organizational structure of environmental and governmental authority, mayors are in a key position to affect pollution control. However, the conditions resulting from fiscal decentralization and the rapid economic growth strategy do not provide incentives for concerned action. While previous studies attribute implementation failure largely to these factors associated with the reform era, this study argues that the Maoist legacy of environmental neglect and poor planning also hampers current implementation efforts because of the substantial resources which must be diverted away from enforcement and toward clean-up efforts. Exploratory policies sanctioned by the central government are often not true experiments; they can be attempts by top leaders or central departments to build support for particular policy directions. Because "exploration" is often dictated by the centre and is not funded sufficiently by any level of government, the ostensible benefits of this approach rarely emerge. This research also finds that often cited conditions of effective implementation are of unequal value in assessing implementation failure in China. Factors which constrain key local actors, such as a lack of leadership support or the existence of other policy objectives which are at odds with the goals in question, are far more important in this case than the exact content of legislation.
Chromophore imaging with an optimized prism-mirror-prism energy filter designed for an electron microscope

An optimized imaging electron spectrometer has been designed for a transmission electron microscope to permit high resolution imaging of molecules via valence shell excitations. The prism has been optimized by minimizing the aperture aberrations by appropriately shaping magnet boundaries. The calculation of the optical properties of a curved faced prism, incorporating the influence of the extended magnetic fringing field, permitted such an optimization. A ray trace aberration minimization procedure produced a PMP filter design with a 1 eV energy resolution, sufficient for the selection of molecular absorption signals corresponding to chromophores. Molecular maps, using such a spectrometer, have been obtained with hematin and an alcian blue stained cartilage section. Electron micrographs demonstrated the detection of chromophores in the presence of electron beam induced specimen damage. Radiation sensitivity measurements of hematin indicated a damage dose$\rm\sb{1/e}$ of 140 electrons/A$\sp2$. With this concomitant radiation damage, hematin images still provided a spatial resolution of 14A, a 100-fold improvement to light micrographs.
A GHz CMOS frequency synthesizer for mobile communication

This thesis presents an integrated solution for generating modulation frequencies in a GHz range, while providing a fine resolution by using a fractional-N approach. The synthesizer contains a phase-locked-loop that controls a four-stage ring oscillator to generate frequencies at around 700MHz. The four-stage ring oscillator provides two sets of quadrature signals to a mixer to demodulate any incoming RF at twice the oscillator's frequency. Design theories and issues are discussed in each chapter. For all building blocks, system-level and transistor-level simulations are verified and presented. A complete frequency synthesizer is fabricated in a 0.5um-CMOS process. The active area of the whole design is 1mm x 1.5mm and dissipates 32mW (simulated) at a supply voltage of 3.0 volt.
The role of the cyclooxygenase pathway in the cardiovascular and renal sympathoinhibitory effects of atrial natriuretic factor

Hypothesis. The blocking of the cyclooxygenase pathway prevents cardiovascular and renal sympathoinhibitory effects of Atrial Natriuretic Factor (ANF). It has been established that ANF can excite vagal nerve endings and invoke a Bezold-Jarisch reflex-like response causing bradycardia, a decrease in arterial blood pressure and a reduction in renal sympathetic nerve activity. This cardiac vagal depressor reflex originates, in part, in chemically sensitive 5-HT3 receptors. Others have demonstrated that ANF does not directly stimulate 5-HT3 receptors to invoke the cardiac depressor reflex. This study examined whether ANF invokes this cardiovascular reflex through the production of prostaglandins which in turn leads to the activation of chemosensitive vagal nerve endings. This question was examined by-inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis through the cyclooxygenase pathway using indomethacin. Renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), arterial blood pressure (ABP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded in anesthetized rats. The ANF-mediated decrease in ABP and RSNA, observed when prostaglandin synthesis was inhibited, did not significantly differ from the decrease observed in these parameters when prostaglandin synthesis was not inhibited. Heart rate remained unchanged. Our results suggest that ANF does not use prostaglandins as an intermediary compound to excite cardiac vagal nerve endings and cause the subsequent activation of the Bezold-Jarisch reflex.
Tweaking the eagle's beak, Canada's cultural policy in an era of trade liberalisation

This thesis examines the place of Canada's cultural policies within the context of trade liberalisation. It surveys the major federal policies in broadcasting, publishing, and film, analysing their various rationales. These policies are justified as providing some kind of cultural benefit, but this thesis argues that the policies should be amended to ensure that the promised benefit is delivered. Three cases are examined: the delisting of Country Music Television by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission; the 80% excise tax on split-run magazines, such as Sports Illustrated Canada, which was rejected by the World Trade Organisation; and the treatment of Telesat Canada by the Federal Communications Commission. These cases demonstrate that Canada's cultural policies are vulnerable despite the cultural industries exemption within the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement and the North American Free Trade Agreement. In conclusion, the thesis recommends that Canada pursue a multi-lateral agreement on the protection of genuine cultural industries.
Vibratory signalling during courtship in the meadow katydid Conocephalus nigropleurum

When a male Conocephalus nigropleurum encounters a conspecific female he initiates the interaction with a behaviour known as tremulation. The male lifts his body up from the substrate and then brings it back down again a number of times in rapid succession. This behaviour always precedes copulation. Four components of this signal were measured in a population of lab reared males: pulse duration, peak positive amplitude, the number of oscillations per pulse, and pulse interval. Of these, peak positive amplitude and pulse interval displayed high repeatability. Correlations between male weight and the four parameters revealed a strong negative relationship only to pulse interval. In playback experiments females preferred to move onto a dowel transmitting tremulation over one that did not. Furthermore, when offered simultaneous presentations of tremulation signals that differed in pulse interval, females preferred to orient towards the signal with the shorter pulse interval reflecting a large male.
A novel synthesis of 1,5-dithiocins

This thesis reports a novel synthetic method for the formation of 6,12-imino-6H,12H-dibenzo (b,f) -1,5-dithiocin. Dithiocins are a new and interesting class of conformationally rigid, cleft-shaped molecules, which may be useful in molecular recognition problems and supramolecular chemistry. These molecules are also chiral, locking two aromatic rings in an almost perpendicular fashion. The preparation of these compounds was accomplished by the formation of a requisite aldehyde through ortho-lithiation followed by treatment with ammonium acetate to form the desired bicyclic compounds in excellent yields. N-Alkylated dithiocins have also been prepared in a similar manner using a variety of different primary amines and amino acids. Functionalized derivatives of 1,5-dithiocins by methods which acylate and phenylate at the N-site are also outlined. The naphthalene analogues as well as the tricyclo compounds have been prepared, which provide even larger V-shaped cavities. Due to the chiral nature of this compound, an attempt to resolve the 1,5-dithiocin was undertaken and the results have been reported. The complexation of these compounds with heavy metals was also examined.
Formal vs. informal behavioural interventions, care provider-client interactions and client behaviour in individuals with developmental disabilities living in the community

In this study$\sp1,$ thirty-six individuals with developmental disabilities who exhibit aberrant behaviours were observed in natural situations with their care providers. Target behaviours included client positive and negative behaviours and care provider-client interactions. Comparisons were made between 22 individuals receiving formal behavioural interventions and 14 individuals participant to informal interventions. While observed levels of dangerous behaviour were generally low, participants receiving informal interventions demonstrated 4 times more dangerous behaviour than those receiving formal interventions. Formal interventions were associated with both higher rates of contingent staff positive statements and with more treatments that included positive reinforcement. Informal interventions were associated with higher levels of intrusive procedures. Fewer of the care providers who were implementing informal interventions had obtained informed consent from the individual with developmental disabilities or their substitute decision maker. Formal interventions received higher ratings on a measure of quality assurance for behavioural interventions. Implications of these findings for policy development and future research are discussed. ftn$\sp1$These data were collected as a part of the "Survey of Aberrant Behaviour and its Treatment in Persons with Developmental Disabilities in Ontario" (ABTS) by Atkinson and Feldman, and their research staff (Atkinson et al., 1994). Protocols and Measures for this study were taken directly from the final report of the p to the Ministry of Community and Social Services, through the Ontario Mental Health Foundation. Reproduction of materials is done with the express permission of the authors.
Quantitative blood flow measurement using C-mode Doppler ultrasound

A new method of non-invasive blood flow measurement using Doppler ultrasound is presented and investigated. By applying pulsed Doppler ultrasound to make local measurements of blood velocity at constant depth in tissue, a velocity profile is estimated; spatial integration yields volume flow rate. This technique, known as C-mode velocity profiling, is plagued by flow estimation errors on the order of 20-60% due to partial volume effects. The hypothesis of this thesis is that application of attenuation compensation improves the accuracy and precision of C-mode velocity profiling by correcting for the partial volume effect. Systematic and random error for the new technique is investigated using a computational model and a steady state flow experiment. Both model and experiment confirmed the hypothesis, and determined that the remaining primary source of error is due to a correctable effect of signal processing. The mean error of the new flow measurement was $-$10 mL/min with a distribution that had a standard deviation of 18 mL/min. For physiologically relevant flow rates, this corresponds to estimation of blood flow to within 5%, with 95% confidence.
The effect of vestibular stimulation on distortion product otoacoustic emissions

The use of otoacoustic emissions (OAE's) as an indicator of cochlear health and integrity of the auditory system is becoming increasingly widespread as a clinical tool. Distortion product OAE's are a particular class of OAE that possess particular clinical potential because of their frequency selectivity and ability to be detected in all normally hearing humans, which enables the audiologist to scan a patient's audiometric frequency range for possible elevated hearing thresholds. The influence of vestibular stimulation on distortion product OAE's was investigated using an air caloric stimulus lasting 40 seconds that induces dizziness in our subjects by irrigating the ear canal with air. Distortion products at frequencies of 1kHz and 4kHz were recorded while dizziness was elicited in nine subjects by an air caloric stimulus and were compared with those recorded in the same subjects before and after vestibular stimulation. During the OAE recordings that dizziness was elicited in the subjects, electronystagmography (ENG) equipment was employed to measure the level of dizziness induced by the caloric stimulus. Amplitudes of distortion products that were measured before, during, and after dizziness were compared to identify any trend in OAE amplitude behaviour. From our testing of nine normally hearing subjects, no significant change in distortion product amplitude was apparent during any period of dizziness.
The death penalty, a collision of laws?

The death penalty may not be considered an issue of purely sovereign concern. The international community has increasingly expressed its abolitionist tendencies through 'hard law' and 'soft' normativity. This thesis addresses the global trend towards abolition of the death penalty in international law and practice, and the accompanying procedural restrictions which have been placed upon its use. It then considers the capital jurisprudence of the United States and South Africa, analysing the extent of extranational influence upon their constitutionalism. It concludes that the South African Constitutional Court has proven an exemplar of cosmopolitan constitutionalism which may be favourably contrasted with the parochialism demonstrated by the United States Supreme Court.