VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Reinventing governance, a study of transformations in the Ontario Provincial Police

It is now widely accepted across academic and public policy circles that governance has been transformed in a variety of ways, and this is nowhere more apparent than in the area of security. A central component of this transformation process has been a profound re-thinking of the nature, roles and functions of the state. At the same time, non-state and/or quasi-state institutions and auspices have emerged as new governmental authorities, leading to an extensive pluralization of the governance of security in this province, this country and in other parts of the world. This study examines the ways in which the state governance of security has been reinvented. It takes as its institutional site the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and more broadly, the Ontario Government. It examines particular strategic, institutional and managerial shifts in the OPP over the course of the last decade, and locates these shifts within a broader political and economic environment characterized by new governmental problems and imperatives. Of particular interest is the nature of the "new right" political agenda in this province and its effects on the organization of governance. In contrast to traditional sociological accounts of public policing, this study is concerned with shifts in managerial discourse, and the ways in which managers have responded to a range of broad economic and political imperatives through various forms of organizational change. Methodologically, it draws from studies in "governmentality", which have focused on shifts in "mentalities" of state governance, and the ways in which these mentalities have colonized and transformed particular governmental programs and practices. In particular, such studies have concluded that state governance has been transformed according to a new "neo-liberal" mentality. This study assesses the adequacy of the concepts and models within this literature for explaining shifts in governmental authority, the reinvention of public policing institutions and agents, and transformations in the governance of policing. The ultimate aim of this study is to contribute to this scholarship on governmentality and neo-liberalism. by analyzing: (1) the time- and space-specific conditions which have led to the emergence of new mentalities; (2) the precise ways in which these mentalities have been appropriated and translated; and (3) the ultimate effects of these mentalities on the organization and distribution of policing across the public-private divide.
Extrusion of fine-celled plastic/wood-fiber composite foams using CO¦2 as a blowing agent

This thesis is intended to investigate the feasibility of continuous extrusion processing of fine-celled plastic/wood-fiber composite foams using CO2 as a physical blowing agent. The plastic/wood-fiber composites utilize wood-fibers as a reinforcing filler in the plastic matrix and are known to be advantageous over the neat plastics in terms of the materials cost and some improved mechanical properties such as stiffness and strength. However, these improvements are usually accompanied by sacrifices in the ductility and impact resistance. These shortcomings can be highly reduced by fine-celled and microcellular foaming of these composites to create a new class of materials with unique properties. An innovative tandem extrusion system with continuous and stable feeding, on-line moisture removal and CO2 injection was successfully developed. The effects of both wood-fibers and CO2 contents on the cell morphology and foam properties were studied. The cell morphology and foam properties modified by a coupling agent was greatly improved compared to unmodified composites. The tandem extrusion system was compared with a single extruder system to demonstrate the significant improvement in cell morphology resulting from uniform mixing and effective moisture removal. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a digital optical camera were used to characterize the cell morphology and extrudate profiles. The experimental results clearly proved that it is feasible to create fine-celled structures in the plastic/wood-fiber composite foams using environmentally-friendly CO2.
Modeling of beta conductivity in tritiated amorphous silicon

For the first time a model was developed to explain the time evolution of the electrical conductivity in tritiated amorphous silicon samples using data obtained earlier by Mr. Tome Kosteski and Dr. Franco Gaspari. The model takes into account thermally activated conductivity in the extended states, hopping conductivity in the conduction band tail localized states and beta conductivity in the extended states. The variable parameters are neutral and positively charged dangling bond concentrations, the quasi-Fermi energy for electrons and the hopping distance. Results show that the main factor affecting the conductivity is the concentration of neutral dangling bonds. The time evolution of the total dangling bond concentration is in agreement with the tritium nuclear decay process. The values found for the Fermi energy and for the hopping distance are in agreement with the literature and support the time evolution of the dangling bond concentration.
Localization of melatonin receptors in chick retina

Binding of melatonin occurs in a large number of tissues in avian species, reflecting the potent effects of this pineal hormone; implicated in many biological processes under rhythmic control. In vertebrates, melatonin is also secreted from the retina where it is thought to act locally, affecting such processes as dopamine synthesis and retinal adaptation to darkness. The existence of multiple melatonin receptor subtypes suggests different functional roles for melatonin at the cellular level. Previously, autoradiography studies using 2-[125I]iodomelatonin have revealed high affinity binding in the inner plexiform layer of the retina in chick. 'In situ' hybridization using chick cRNA probes for the Mel1a and Mel1c receptor subtypes displayed mRNA expression in the retinal inner nuclear layer in this species. Evidence of Mel1a mRNA expression was also reported in the ganglion cell layer. It was the purpose of these studies to specifically localize the Mel 1a receptors within the chick retina, and to investigate the presence of the chick Mel1b subtype in this tissue. In order to determine whether melatonin receptors colocalize with retinal dopaminergic amacrine cells, we used an anti-tyrosine hydroxylase antibody and immunocytochemistry to stain the dopaminergic cells. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Electrochemical study of the hydrogen evolution reaction on nickel-palladium-phosphorous amorphous metal alloys for use in alkaline hydrogen systems

The electrochemical study of the behaviour of Ni-Pd-P amorphous metal alloys was performed for the hydrogen evolution reaction. Crystalline nickel along with the (Ni95Pd5)80P20 , (Ni90Pd10)80P20, (Ni 85Pd15)80P20, and (Ni80Pd 20)80P20 amorphous metal alloys were tested in 1 M KOH at 30°C. The (Ni95Pd5)80P 20 amorphous metal alloy was tested in 3, 5, and 7 M KOH at 30°C and in 1 M KOH at 15, 45, and 70°C. The activity of the HER was determined using 'steady state' (Tafel) polarization tests. Polarization tests were performed on as-polished nickel and amorphous metal alloys, and on nickel and amorphous metal alloy electrodes activated by cyclic voltammetry. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the changes in surface morphologies of the crystalline nickel and Ni-Pd-P amorphous metal alloys. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Human elastin peptide-coated synthetic materials in blood-contacting applications

The goal of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using a human elastin peptide coated synthetic material in blood contacting applications. Human elastin peptide coatings on three commercially available synthetic materials: polyethylene terephthalate, polytetrafluoroethylene and CorethaneTM were prepared by both simple protein adsorption method and chemical grafting method. The peptide adsorption behaviours were affected by peptide concentration, ionic strength, and adsorption temperature. Elastin peptides were grafted on CorethaneTM surfaces by glutaraldehyde, and this grafted coating demonstrated a stronger stability against Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate and Urea washing compared to peptide adsorption coating. Coated by elastin peptide, all three synthetic materials demonstrated reduced thrombogenicities in platelet studies 'in vitro'. This was deduced from the quantitative results that a significant decrease in both percentages of microparticle release and P-selectin expression in bulk platelet rich plasma that contacted with peptide coated surfaces. Electron microscopy examination also confirmed that there were fewer adhering platelets on peptide coated surfaces than non-coated surfaces.
An introduction to Iannis Xenakis's stochastic music, four algorithmic analyses

This study, an introduction to the theoretical and practical aspects of stochastic music, focuses on three of Iannis Xenakis's early works: an excerpt for 46 strings, measures 52 to 59 from 'Pithoprakta' (1955-56); 'Achorripsis' for 21 musicians (1956-57); and 'Analogique A' for 9 strings (1958). These are the pieces which Xenakis submits as fundamental examples of stochastic music in the opening chapters of his seminal text, 'Formalized Music'. The prime objective of the study is to furnish, through analysis, a basic orientation to the term "stochastic music." In order to clarify the discussion and the analytical procedures, each of the analyses is substantiated by an algorithm which sets forth, step by step, a reworking of the compositional process. This methodology seeks to demystify the complex mathematics and demonstrates, with the aid of working models, how Xenakis implemented probability theory to forge works of art.
The fretting corrosion resistance of sol-gel and PVD surface-modified orthopaedic implant alloys

The susceptibility of modular implants to fretting corrosion has raised some concerns as metal ion release and the production of particulate debris may seriously affect implant success, particularly fixation. Two different surface modification techniques were used to deposit thin, hard, wear-resistant, ceramic overlay coatings to Ti6Al4V flats; physical vapour deposition (PVD) and sol-gel thin film processing. In addition, a unique fretting apparatus was designed and constructed. TiN and ZrN PVD films exhibited an excellent resistance to fretting and appeared well adhered as no evidence of coating failure was observed. The amorphous carbon PVD film was prone to breakdown and the generation of large, deep wear scars. This was thought to be the result of poor film cohesion.The sol-gel-formed ZrO2 coating exhibited large wear scars as a result of substrate failure and the production of ZrO2 coated 3rd body abrasives. Further experimentation with the TiN and ZrN coatings is recommended.
Experimental approaches for the structural characterization of membrane-spanning segments in proteins

The structural analyses of membrane-spanning domains of proteins have been impeded by their complexity, hydrophobicity, and the requirement of sufficient quantities of samples for biophysical studies. This thesis describes two approaches designed to circumvent these problems. Both approaches are based on the fundamental view of membrane-spanning segments as autonomous folding domains. The BL21(DE3) bacterial expression system was investigated for the generation of milligram quantities of 'four helix bundle' structural motifs of membrane proteins. We describe the use of this system to express the first four transmembrane (TM) segments of the cystic fibrosis conductance regulator (CFTR). Although we did succeed in expressing the CFTR TM1-4 fragment as a fusion protein with thioredoxin, expression did not reach milligram levels, even with the manipulation and optimization of factors such as growth temperatures, inducer concentrations and aeration levels. The second approach involved the generation of soluble peptide versions of individual TM segments. We designed and structurally characterized a soluble peptide derived from the TM segment of glycophorin A (GpA)--known to dimerize through a motif of specific TM helix-TM helix interactions. Although the peptide sequence was found to exhibit certain structural properties similar to its native analogue--including high helicity in organic and membrane phases--it was essentially monomeric in aqueous environments. Our results indicated the requirement of additional factors other than favorable helix-helix interactions for the association of soluble TM segments in the absence of a membrane-mimetic environment.
Predictive models for freshwater fish community composition

Empirical models were developed to predict fish species occurrence, richness and community composition for 286 temperate lakes located in south-central Ontario, Canada based on whole-lake measures of habitat. Detailed analysis and comparison of traditional (i.e., logistic regression, discriminant analysis) and alternative (i.e., classification trees, and artificial neural networks) modeling statistical techniques show that predictive success differs among species and approaches. Neural networks (NNs) are focused upon in subsequent chapters given their potential utility in solving non-linear problems related to pattern recognition and prediction. Details of model construction, optimization and validation are illustrated, and new methods for quantifying the explanatory value of NNs are developed. Next, the utility of NNs to aid in understanding and predicting species abundance using nearshore measures of lake habitat are illustrated. Together, my thesis provides ecological and methodological insights into modeling of fish communities, both of which have considerable value for the study, management and conservation of aquatic ecosystems.
Glutamate receptor-induced inhibition of microtubule formation in baculovirus-infected insect cells

In this study, we investigated the roles of glutamate receptors in modulating cell morphology by co-expression of glutamate receptors with the microtubule-associated protein MAP2c in the baculovirus (BVs) expression system. The infection of insect MG-1 cells with a recombinant BVs coding for MAP2c induced the formation of multiple dendrite-like processes. MAP2c-induced process formation was inhibited by co-expression with a second BVs encoding the phosphoinositide-linked mGluR1a or mGluR1b subtypes of mGluRs, but not with BVs encoding the mGluR4a or mGluR4b subtypes of mGluRs which are linked to the inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. Several protein kinase inhibitors, Ca2+ antagonists, and phospholipase C inhibitors were used to investigate the biochemical mechanisms underlying mGluR1a-mediated inhibitory effect. The lack of effects of protein kinase inhibitors including KN-62, lavendustin A and staurosporine on the mGluR1a-mediated inhibitory effect, together with the lack of effect of PKC activator phorbol ester in MAP2c-infected control cells, suggested that the inhibition of process formation by mGluR1 was not caused by the activation of endogenous protein kinase C, calcium-calmodulin kinase, or protein tyrosine kinases. Results obtained with Ca2+ antagonists (BAPTA-AM and thapsigargin) demonstrated that mGluR1a-mediated inhibition of the process formation was not dependent upon the release of calcium from intracellular stores. In contrast, inhibitors of phospholipase C partially reversed the inhibition of mGluR1a on MAP2c-induced process formation. These observations together with the lack of effects of protein kinase inhibitors and Ca2+ antagonists suggest that in addition to phosphorylation of MAPs by protein kinases, phosphoinositides generated by activation of PI-linked mGluRs cause an inhibition of microtubule formation. Based on these experimental findings, we suggest that mGluRs may play a role in defining neuronal morphology in the developing nervous system. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Effects of spike-frequency adaptation on neural models, with applications to biologically inspired robotics

Animals are impressive biological machines, and their ability to handle unstructured environments is something roboticists wish to emulate. The behavioural competence of animals derives largely from the functioning of their nervous systems. Mathematical modelling of the functioning of neurons may enable us to extract useful principles from biology to be applied in robotics. Here, several systems with relevance to biologically inspired robotics are analyzed. The qualitative dynamics of a biological property called spike-frequency adaptation are added to existing analog neural models, and analysis shows the conditions under which the augmented model can generate oscillatory solutions. A network of these augmented analog neurons is then used to generate a walking gait for a six-legged robot in such a way that the system recovers rapidly from perturbations to the legs. The dynamics of oscillations arising in two coupled populations of integrate-and-fire neurons are studied; an analysis of the system provides good predictions of the oscillatory period and the range of coupling strengths for which oscillations will occur. A signal-processing phenomenon known as noise-shaping, wherein noise in a system is shifted out of the low frequencies up into higher frequency ranges, is demonstrated in networks of integrate-and-fire and conductance-based neurons; it is shown that spike-frequency adaptation provides certain signal-processing advantages in such networks. The effect of spike-frequency adaptation on the variability in integrate-and-fire neurons' firing records is analyzed.
Expression of IGF-I and TGF[beta]-1 in cultured human myocardium insights into the role of growth factors in hypertrophic obstructive cariomyopathy

Objectives: The characterization of human myocardial explants in culture and the investigation of IGF-I and TGF$\beta$1 gene expression in cultured hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathic (HOCM) tissue. Methods: Biopsies were cultured in either a mitogenic or a minimally mitogenic medium for one week. Phenotype and growth factor gene expression were evaluated by histology and RT-PCR, respectively. Results: Cultured myocardium maintained organized sarcomeres for one week. IGF-I gene expression decreased in HOCM explants (p $<$ 0.05); this change was partially prevented by the mitogenic medium (p $<$ 0.05). IGF-I mRNA levels remained elevated compared to non-HOCM controls (p $<$ 0.05). TGF$\beta$1 gene expression increased in both HOCM and non-HOCM controls. The initial in vivo over-expression of TGF$\beta$1 was lost after seven days of culture. Conclusions: Cultured myocardium maintains cardiac characteristics for one week. In vivo factors may contribute to the up-regulation of TGF$\beta$1 and IGF-I in HOCM, however, an intrinsic factor may predispose HOCM myocardium to over-express IGF-I.
Conflict over treatment withdrawal in the intensive care unit, a description of the health care providers' experience

Conflict over treatment withdrawal between intensive care unit (ICU) staff and patients or their family members has unfortunately become a common aspect of the practice of intensive care medicine. This conflict has given rise to a large body of ethical, legal, policy and empirical literature about what has come to be known as futile treatment. This body of literature has attempted to determine when and under what circumstances health care staff are obligated to provide life sustaining treatments they believe to be futile or inappropriate. This study examines the problem of futile treatment based upon case descriptions provided by 12 ICU nurses and physicians. Qualitative methods were used to analyze the interview transcripts. The results demonstrate that conflict over treatment withdrawal is comprised of multiple interrelated facets, including the patient, family members, providers, resources considerations, palliative care, goals of the ICU and policy approaches. In order for conflict over treatment withdrawal to be effectively and humanely addressed these differing aspects need to be acknowledged and addressed. Tentative solutions and courses for future research are presented.
Continuous production of lactic acid in a membrane bioreactor

The production of lactic acid in a cell-recycle bioreactor was studied. The performance of an internal Zeeweed&trade; microfiltration membrane was evaluated. The flux through the Zeeweed&trade; module was double that of the flux in a conventional Millipore unit with the identical filtration area. The study of the rheology of the fermentation broth showed that the system changed from Newtonian to pseudoplastic behaviour at cell densities above 130 g/L. The effects of dilution rate, initial glucose concentration and agitation rate on biomass and lactic acid concentrations, substrate utilization and permeate flux were assessed using factorial experimental design. High substrate conversion (99%) was obtained in all runs operated at the lower initial substrate concentration. The highest product concentrations (44.9-52.7 g/L) were obtained at the higher substrate concentration. Higher dilution rate and lower substrate concentration resulted in high biomass concentrations (35.6 g/L). Stable steady-state operation was achieved using continuous cell bleeding.
The effect of polyethylene glycol spacer segments on the function of surface modifying macromolecules, SMMs, in polyurethanes

Polyurethane elastomers are widely used in the manufacturing of medical devices. However, following long term implantation, polyurethanes have been shown to degrade. Novel fluorinated surface modifying macromolecules (SMMs) containing hydrophilic spacer arms have been developed. When blended with a 'base' polyurethane, they reduce the rate of hydrolytic degradation in both polyether and polyester base urethanes. The SMMs were synthesized with a 3:2:2 and a 2:1:2 stoichiometry of 1,6-hexane diisocyanate (HDI), polytetramethylene oxide (PTMO) and a monofunctional fluorinated alcohol, FSO-100. Three different molecular weights of PTMO were used in the development of these additives: 2000, 1000 and 650. SMMs were synthesized with 5% and 25% excess FSO-100. It is shown in this work that all of the above synthesis parameters play an important role in defining the chemical structure of the SW and their subsequent ability to effectively reduce degradation of a polyurethane. Preliminary protein adsorption studies with polyurethanes containing specific SMMs showed a significant reduction in fibrinogen adsorption. Thermal analysis of the SMM base polymer blend showed that the presence of the additive does not appear to disrupt the microdomain structure of the base polymer. Therefore, it is anticipated that no loss in mechanical properties of the base polymer will occur in the presence of these SMMs. The preliminary results show that these additives could lead to enhanced biocompatibility of polyurethanes for blood contacting devices.