VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Education of child garment workers in Bangladesh, a case study of the memorandum of understanding involving the International Labour Organization, UNICEF, and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association

This thesis analyzes the schools project for child garment workers under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the International Labour Organization, UNICEF, and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association. The MOU schools project is viewed as an example of a model towards the gradual elimination of child labour within a broader structure of national and international actors involved in child rights issues. In this thesis, the MOU schools are evaluated by members of the drafting and final agreement committees and the respective critics considering the main research question of whether this program is a workable solution towards educating child garment workers. The central argument is that the program will work if: (i) the anthropological considerations of childhood are considered, (ii) an understanding of the complex political economy of child labour in the garment industry is undertaken, and (iii) human rights concerns are addressed.
Evaluating user performance in nonvisual bullseye menus

Standard GUIs today rely heavily on visual feedback. Nonvisual interfaces exist, but are far less common. Many human performance models which involve visual interfaces have been developed, such as Fitts' Law, but far fewer performance models have been developed for nonvisual interfaces. This thesis explores some possible models of a nonvisual bullseye menu system. A bullseye menu is a series of concentric circles divided into sectors. We call the region between two neighbouring concentric circles a ring. The category of choice is determined by the direction in which a user moves the stylus or mouse from a relative origin, and menu item selection is determined by the distance the user moves the stylus from the origin. If a nonvisual signal is emitted whenever the stylus is rolled over a circle, then the menu can be implemented nonvisually. We implemented the interface first with auditory feedback, using a simple beep, and then with tactile feedback, using a mechanism we created for this purpose. This thesis proposes models for performance time in nonvisual bullseye menus. We performed an experiment to test these models. Results showed Fitts' Law predicted time to target less accurately than a model where performance time is a linear function of target's distance. The model was extended to include a representation of the dispersion of the results, in order to provide a more complete description of the data. We ran an analysis of variance on the data collected to see whether performance time was influenced by feedback mechanism, ring width, target direction and target ring. Finally, some qualitative results based on user preferences are given.
Subtypes of reading disability, differences in real word and pseudoword response patterns

The present study examined subtypes of developmental dyslexia using a reading-level matched design. 17 phonological and 15 surface dyslexics were identified from a sample of 68 reading-disabled 3rd-grade children by comparing them to chronological-age controls on exception word and pseudoword reading. Words and pseudowords were separated into distinct categories according to the dimensions of regularity and consistency in order to examine surface dyslexics' and phonological dyslexics' reliance on small-unit and large-unit correspondence rules. As hypothesized, phonological dyslexics were relatively less adept at using small-unit correspondences than surface dyslexics and reading-level matched controls. However, surface dyslexics were not less adept at using large-unit correspondences than phonological dyslexics and reading-level matched controls.
Just managing, systemic sources of stress and strategies for women managers of a social service organization

This study explores the experiences of women managers in a unionized social service organization. Specifically examined are the coping strategies utilized to address the stress and demands of the position and the organization's role in shaping aspects of the women's experiences. The study has three purposes: (1) to document women managers' experience of their leadership roles and the stresses induced by the organizational culture and nature of the work that can lead to burnout; (2) discuss possible solutions and coping strategies which could potentially be used by other social service organizations; and (3) contribute to the currently scarce sociological and feminist literature that explores both women leaders in social service organizations and management level burnout. An ethnographic methodology was utilized to depict the subjective views of five women managers via semi-structured interviews and participant observations. The findings illustrate the difficulties inherent in balancing competing roles and the pervasive devaluing of developmental services.
This evasive way of abuse, satiric voices in English verse satire, 1640-1700

Commencing from a recognition of the ways in which the didactic ends attributed to satire in the later seventeenth-century were frustrated by the association of the genre with motives of malice and spite, this thesis examines the means employed by satirists to evade responsibility for their invectives. The obtrusiveness of satiric voice characteristic of the genre focused attention upon the unpleasantly censorious character of the satirist, thereby accentuating the subjectivity of satire and obstructing its polemical message. Making reference to a broad range of texts from print and manuscript sources. I argue that poets of the period 1640-1700 responded to this dilemma by employing a variety of rhetorical and literary devices to conceal the satirist's voice, and generate an illusion of objectivity that enhanced the credibility of the satiric attack. My Introduction examines the inadequacy of modern responses to the theoretical problems posed by satiric topicality. Chapter 1 surveys didactic theories of satire in the seventeenth-century, and the ways in which the prominence of satiric voice undermines the genre's polemical intent: it concludes with a discussion of theories of satire that minimized the satirist's responsibility for his or her invective. Chapter 2 features a discussion of the use of prosopopaeia to conceal the satirist's voice. Chapter 3 sketches out the operations of rhetorical ethos, with particular reference to Horace, and to its use by Cowley and Dryden. Chapter 4 explores the uses of pathos in Juvenalian satire, and focuses upon John Cleveland. In Chapter 5, the use of burlesque forms as a means of projecting the voice of the satiric victim is discussed. Chapter 6 examines how allusion to the satires of the past is employed to authorize topical satire; the chapter concludes with an examination of translation as a means of satiric concealment. My Conclusion looks ahead to eighteenth-century developments in satire that tended to foreground aesthetic rather than didactic considerations.
Coating removal from fibre composites using wheat starch blast cleaning

Wheat starch blast cleaning is increasingly used to remove organic coatings from aircraft. The main goal of this thesis was to evaluate the use of wheat starch media in the removal of paint from laminated composite materials (graphite/epoxy, fiberglass/epoxy and aramid/epoxy), and provide the optimal selection of blasting parameters and particle size to minimize substrate damage at acceptable paint removal rates. A qualitative assessment of impact sites left by individual wheat starch particles on the coating was used to study the mechanism by which paint is removed from composite substrates. Relations between the speed of the particles and the particle size, flowrate and pressure were examined. The measured velocities were used to test the hypothesis that the normal component of the particle stream velocity is more important than the tangential component in determining stripping rates and substrate damage. All three composites had the same selective stripping rate (removal of topcoat alone). Fiberglass/epoxy and graphite/epoxy had the same complete stripping rate (removal of all coating layers to the underlying substrate), but showed significant differences in susceptibility to damage. Damage to aramid/epoxy always occurred during complete stripping.
The North American Agreement of Labor Cooperation, a tenuous link between trade and labour standards?

This thesis is an investigation into the usefulness of the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (NAALC) in promoting labour standards for workers. The author analyzes the relationship between free trade and international labour standards and demonstrates that an intersection exists between the theoretical and practical aspects of these matters. The connection between these subjects points the way to advancing labour standards within free trade arrangements. A review of NAALC indicates serious weaknesses in the formal ability of the agreement to promote labour standards in the context of regional free trade. However, regardless of its formal defects, the labour side agreement does have the potential to enhance labour standards within its free trade zone. Despite the serious flaws of the agreement, the NAALC has the potential to deliver concrete improvements for workers and improve labour standards reform in North America.
Analysis of CYP7A1 gene regulation in HepG2 cells by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction

The conversion of cholesterol to bile acids is the major quantitative pathway through which cholesterol is removed from the body. The initial and rate limiting step in this catabolic pathway is catalyzed by the liver-specific enzyme cholesterol 7$\alpha$-hydroxylase (CYP7A1). The regulation of human cholesterol 7$\alpha$-hydroxylase has not been extensively studied. This is due in part to the low abundant nature of CYP7A1 which has made its quantitation and analysis difficult. We have established and examined the limitations of a Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) assay that can be used to study the steady-state levels of low abundance mRNAs. Using this RT-PCR method we were able to analyze CYP7A1 gene regulation in the human hepatoma cell line HepG2. We report that CYP7A1 steady state mRNA levels are regulated by hormones, bile acids and cholesterol in these cells. Dexamethasone and thyroxine treatment increased CYP7A1 mRNA levels. Conversely, treatment of the hepatoblastoma cells with bile acids caused a concentration-dependent decrease in cholesterol 7$\alpha$-hydroxylase mRNA expression which was more pronounced with the hydrophobic bile acid, chenodeoxycholic acid. A similar reduction in CYP7A1 mRNA levels was observed following cholesterol treatment. In addition to its use as a tool for the analysis of steady-state mRNA levels, we have validated the use of the RT-PCR assay for a novel application, namely the study of mRNA decay. Using this RT-PCR assay, we report that human CYP7A1 mRNA decays with a half-life of 4.1 $\pm$ 0.5 hr. These results provide insight into the mechanisms of human CYP7A1 gene regulation.
Teaching people about people, heritage language curriculum material as seen by five Italo-Canadian students : a case study

This thesis is a case study of five Italo-Canadian students' perceptions of the Heritage/International curriculum material. The purpose of the study was to discover to what extent the curriculum material meets the needs of the Heritage Language Students. The case study involved interviewing five students who were asked to comment on three types of material. The first was on actual material used in the Heritage Language Program. The second set of material was material that I selected and aimed to include a variety of subject areas. The third type of material discussed was what the students themselves would create and include in the curriculum. The study focused on the following research questions: (1) Does the curriculum material meet the needs of the students? (2) How often is the material taught to the students? (3) Do the students find the material appropriate for their grade or age? (4) Does the curriculum cover all subject areas? (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Quantification of existing eco-regionalizations of Ontario

Three major eco-regionalization systems have been developed and used to varying degrees for many of Ontario's forest, landuse and ecosystem planning strategies. The objective was to quantify these systems with a multivariate set of geo-climatic variables, to compare the strengths and weaknesses of the trends they delineate in the variables or groups of variables (i.e. climate versus landform), and to illustrate which ecological phenomena can be delineated most effectively by each system, at each location. Analyses included descriptive statistics and principal components analysis of each regional unit, comparison of multivariate distances and geologic similarity between units, as well as an examination of the gradients of geo-climatic variables across the unit boundaries. No system was found to be superior overall; each showed strengths and weaknesses in delineating groups of variables (temperature, precipitation, geology, terrain). It was concluded that selecting a systems for use should be based on the phenomenon the user wants to regionalize and that a more flexible and reproducible regionalization system is needed.
The Adsorption and Aggregation Properties of Biological Systems

The adsorption and aggregation properties of two diverse biological systems have been examined. Adsorption of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) onto mica and highly-ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surfaces has been studied at molecular length scales through Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). It was found that BSA tended to adsorb to mica in multimolecular aggregates, aligned end-on with the solid surface. Aggregate formation has been discussed in terms of interparticle capillary forces and cooperative adsorption effects. While BSA adsorption on mica showed no particular preference for surface site defects, it was found to adsorb exclusively to step defects on HOPG. This preferential adsorption is explained in terms of oxidized carbon species known to exist on the step defects. The general utility of the AFM for generating adsorption isotherms was also examined, and a preliminary room-temperature isotherm for BSA on mica was produced. Dynamic light-scattering experiments and AFM have been used to study the self-assembly of Type I calf-skin collagen. Non-sigmoidal light-scattering curves which have not previously been reported in the literature were found at high collagen concentrations (2-5 mg/mL). The non-sigmoidal light-scattering curves could be produced over a range of temperatures. AFM analysis of the assembly mixture sampled at different stages in the process showed typical assembly intermediates, but did not provide further insight into the nature of the non-sigmoidal curves. It is proposed that the non-sigmoidal curves are the result of an assembly mechanism different than that found at low concentrations, though the nature of the new mechanism remains unclear.
Characterization of new alleles of PHO85, a cyclin-dependent kinase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The cyclin-dependent kinase Pho85 plays multiple roles in the metabolism of budding yeast. When associated with the G1 cyclins, Pcl1 and Pcl2, Pho85 regulates cell cycle progression. When associated with Pho80, Pho85 inhibits acid phosphatase expression. I characterized five PHO85 alleles to elucidate Pho85 function and to identify alleles that could be useful in suppressor screens. Overproduction of the catalytically inactive Pho85$\rm\sp{D151N}$ protein, generated by site-directed mutagenesis, led to a lethal accumulation of $pho85\Delta$ cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Four PHO85 alleles were also isolated in a strain in which Pho85 is essential $(pho85\Delta\ cln1\Delta\ cln2\Delta).$ These temperature-sensitive alleles were deficient in Pcl2-associated kinase activity at the non-permissive temperature, although two of them could repress acid phosphatase expression. The cell-cycle specific defect of some of these alleles suggests their use in genetic screens whose aim will be to identify Pho85 substrates relevant to the cell cycle.
The Ca²+/CaM-dependent phosphoprotein phosphatase calcineurin, its role in chemotaxis of axenic cells and analysis of possible substrates in dictyostelium discoideum

Characteristics affecting the chemotactic response were examined in two strains of axenic amoebae derived from wild-type NC-4, the classic axenic strain AX-3 and JH10, a thymidine auxotroph derived from AX-3. Parameters leading to a maximal response to the two major chemoattractants, cAMP and folic acid (FA) were determined. Using the radial bioassay, both AX-3 and JH10 amoebae exhibited maximal chemotaxis to cAMP when harvested in mid-log growth $(5{-}9\times10\sp6$ cell/mL for AX-3, $7{-}12\times10\sp6$ cells/mL for JH10), starved for 2 hours and exposed to 1 $\mu$M extracellular cAMP. Chemotaxis to FA was optimal in unstarved amoebae and declined sharply as starvation time increased. Migration rate was found to peak at 40 $\mu$M FA. The role of the Ca$\sp{2+}$/CaM dependent phosphatase calcineurin (CN) during chemotaxis to both cAMP and FA was investigated pharmacologically by use of the specific CN inhibitor deltamethrin. Permethrin, similar in structure to deltamethrin but non-inhibitory to CN was employed as a negative control. Chemotactic mobility to cAMP was not significantly affected by deltamethrin or permethrin. Conversely, chemotaxis to FA was increased by 82% in the presence of deltamethrin while permethrin showed no significant effects. Cell extracts of amoebae chemotactically competent to cAMP were immunoblotted with antibodies against phosphoserine in an attempt to identify possible substrates of CN. Sixteen proteins ranging in apparent molecular weight between 42.6-185.6 kD were identified based on increased levels of phosphoserine incorporation in the presence of deltamethrin. These data are discussed in relation to current knowledge and ongoing investigations.
Coming together, coming apart, identity, community and political struggle

This work seeks to understand the effects on political practice of identity conceptualized as marginality, as innocent, and as stable. We need to consider the repercussions of this identity formulation in and for political practice. I have addressed these issues through interviews with women active in a progressive political group, where conflict arose. I spoke with them to comprehend the conflict, which had to do with identity: its boundaries; who determines its contents; and how identity is represented. I asked how each woman came to her identity and how she understood the conflict. Based on my research, I have come to believe we must allow for fluidity in our identities, to avoid becoming threatened when definitions change. We must understand how we are dominant and marginalized. We must develop theoretical frameworks that account for how power is enabling and limiting. We must make these shifts for greatest political effectiveness.
Design of filter-based controllers for cross-direction control on paper machines

Cross-Directional control has been studied extensively by both academia and industry resulting in a large body of literature. However, there are few instances of industrial implementation of these advanced CD control designs due to limitations in the existing control hardware platforms. In order to address this issue, a set of methods for approximating the behaviour of advanced CD controllers with an FIR filter has been developed. These controller approximation methods use either Least Squares or Semidefinite Programming. In addition to open-loop controller approximations, a closed-loop approximation method has been developed that uses Successive Semidefinite Programming. A set of performance measures for assessing the performance degradation due to the filter approximation has been formulated. Results indicate that there is little performance or robustness degradation due to the filter approximation. These controller approximation techniques are formulated such that these methods have wider applicability to a range of controller approximation problems.
Understanding the dimensions of school culture, an investigation into educators' value orientations and value conflicts

Investigating school culture from multiple perspectives adds depth and breadth to our understanding of this complex phenomenon. In today's postmodern world, where universals and absolutes are virtually non-existent, and in light of increasing stakeholder involvement, there is a growing need for educators to distinguish between those issues which are contentious and those which are not. Without recognition of the variations in values perspectives, planned change, growth, and improvement in our educational institutions is less certain. This is particularly problematic in an era of social, political, economic, and technological upheaval. The primary purpose of this study was to inquire about the complexities and dynamics of school culture through an examination of value orientations, apparent variations in those value orientations, and consequent value conflicts. Though the investigation was an emergent one, it was guided by a multi-perspective (i.e., District; School; Teaching Teams; Individuals) conceptual framework for examining four major aspects of school culture: Educational Purpose, Curriculum Orientation, Educator Professionalism, and Leadership. This qualitative study entailed five weeks of participant observation in an urban, multi-cultural, elementary school. During this time, each of two teacher teams were separately observed for two-week periods while other school members were observed throughout the duration of the investigation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 participants and informal interactions with and among these and the other participants were recorded for analysis. This interactive process uncovered commonalities, inconsistencies, and anomalies which led to further revelations concerning teachers' underlying basic assumptions about education. The data revealed that some of these basic assumptions were compatible with the cultural manifestations in the school while others were in apparent direct conflict. Examining both the similarities and the variations in core values from different perspectives provided added insight and a more thorough understanding of the school's culture beyond that which would have been achievable through a more limited shared-values orientation.
Testing polynomial zero finders

The development at the University of Toronto of the DROOTS program for finding zeros of polynomials has led to an interest in carefully comparing zero finders. From such a comparison it should be clear whether the theoretical gains DROOTS offers are of practical value. To perform this comparison a set of test problems is selected which test for common flaws in zero finders. In addition, a program for testing a solver using these test problems is presented. Using this program, which is called ZETEST, many of the popular zero finders are examined, and some weaknesses identified. The DROOTS program is shown to be very competitive with other zero finders. Some small improvements are made to DROOTS. These improvements are based on fixing the weaknesses identified by failures on the test problems.