VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Pulsed-laser deposition of silicon dioxide thin-films using the molecular fluorine laser

The short-wavelength extension of pulsed-laser deposition (PLD) to the 157-nm F$\sb2$ laser may enable low-temperature growth of silica films for electronics and photonics applications. This thesis examines the effects of laser fluence, background gas, and substrate temperature on the properties of SiO$\sb2$ films grown for the first time using the F$\sb2$-laser. The deposited films were characterized by atomic force microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The strong absorption of 157-nm radiation in fused silica enabled the growth of virtually particulate-free SiO$\sb2$ films by F$\sb2$-PLD, in contrast to results with longer wavelength lasers. Stoichiometric films were produced in ambient oxygen $(4\times10\sp{-5}$ Torr), which compensated for oxygen loss due to SiO$\sb2$ dissociation by the 7.9-eV laser photons. Although the process parameters were not fully optimized, F$\sb2$-PLD produced films with comparable properties to the best-previous PLD-grown SiO$\sb2$ films, but inferior to films deposited by VUV-assisted CVD.
Mapping normalcy, romance and the postmodern body

This thesis is a study of the normalizing practices and discourses inherent in the process of cultural production. The main focus of this thesis is an examination of the constitution of the female body within the location of popular culture, specifically Harlequin Enterprises and popular romance novels. I discuss the (re)presentation of women in popular culture, and how women's experiences of oppression are normalized within these sites and labeled as entertainment. I also interrogate how desire is normalized, and a 'normalized desire' is constructed within the context of the culture of romance action; I ask what constructs constitute the 'normal' and the 'desirable', what roles are upheld, what values and belief systems are rewarded, and consequently, what is negated.
Experimental study of laminar liquid films falling on an inclined plate

Experiments have been conducted to investigate instantaneous hydrodynamic characteristics of laminar falling films of 20 cS silicon oil on an inclined plate using a photochromic dye activation (PDA) technique over Reynolds numbers of 11-220. The film thickness was measured directly from the video pictures and the data showed good agreement with those of previous investigations. Time-averaged mean velocity data were over-predicted by classical theory, while time-averaged wall shear stress data were in reasonable agreement. Instantaneous velocity distributions indicated that the over-prediction of the time-averaged mean velocity was a result of severe over-estimations of velocity in waves. Good agreement with classical theory was obtained with instantaneous velocity profiles in non-wavy regions, while wave-front and wave-back regions exhibited limited agreement. Non-dimensionalized velocity distributions did not follow classical laminar film theory, due to the existence of interfacial fluctuations causing unsteadiness in the local velocities, or turbulent models. Waves were determined to carry between 74%-85% of the liquid mass. Comparisons of instantaneous wall shear stress to classical theory showed under-prediction in wavy regions and good agreement in non-wavy regions. A steady-state force balance suggests that wavy regions experience acceleration, non-wavy regions experience deceleration, and wave-front and wave-back regions exhibit both acceleration and deceleration.
Digital video compression for software-based real-time applications

In this thesis, vector quantization (VQ) is investigated as a technique for source encoding of digital video data for applications where the encoding is done once but the decoding process is repeated many times. Emphasis is placed on minimizing the complexity of the decoder. A VQ based video codec is implemented in software and used to encode and decode video sequences. Interframe encoding is demonstrated to yield additional compression with some loss in quality. The encoding of color video is also investigated. Techniques for generating colormaps to facilitate fast pixel-to-color mapping are proposed and implemented for displays with limited frame-buffers.
Aerosol Delivery of Cationic Lipid/Plasmid Expression Cassettes to Lung Epithelium

Effective aerosol administration of vectors should increase the effectiveness and safety of lung gene therapy. Aerosol characteristics of a suspension are different from those of a water solution. It was hypothesized that (1) suspension aerosols would have different size and output characteristics relative to solution aerosols; and (2) transfectability of cationic DODAC:DOPE:plasmid complexes would not be affected by nebulization. The objective of this study was to characterize in vitro aerosol generation systems for lung gene therapy with cationic lipid:DNA complexes. Radioactive tracer ($\rm\sp{99m}$Technetium) and fluorometric assays were adapted for the liposome and plasmid components respectively. Sodium cromoglycate was utilized as a control to compare cationic lipid:DNA outputs, and aerosol particle sizes generated from selected nebulizer systems using the 8-stage Andersen impactor. Output characteristics of a developing nebulization catheter pump system were also evaluated. After optimizing the conditions for cationic lipid:DNA complex aerosolization, the effect of nebulization on transfectability of the aerosolized complex was examined. Findings demonstrated that relative to the control, nebulized lipid:DNA complexes had a consistently larger mass median aerodynamic diameter and a higher total output in most tested nebulizers. Plasmid integrity after nebulization with the liposome was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Jet nebulization did not alter the ability of the complexes to transfect CF lung epithelial cells. The liposome and plasmid components remained associated within the complex during nebulization, while in the catheter pump, plasmid dissociation from the lipid occurred. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of nebulization of cationic lipid:DNA complexes to produce respirable particles which retain the ability to transfect cells. All nebulizers will, relative to sodium cromoglycate, deposit cationic lipid:DNA complex at different regions of the lung.
Heterotrimeric G protein signalling in neuroendocrine cells, cloning and characterization of RGS protein genes

The prolactin gene can be regulated by several G protein-coupled receptors. Dopamine inhibits prolactin gene transcription by activating several $\rm G\sb{i}/G\sb{o}$-dependent signalling pathways in lactotrophs and pituitary GH cell lines. Using G$\sb{\alpha}$-antisense expressing GH cell lines, I have shown that dopamine cannot inhibit prolactin gene expression in $\rm GH\sb4ZR\sb7$ cells that have been depleted of either G$\rm\sb{o\alpha}$ or G$\rm\sb{i\alpha2}$ protein, which suggests that both G$\sb{\alpha}$ subunits are required to transmit the dopamine signal. I have also identified several RGS protein genes expressed in lactotrophs including a novel RGS member, N-GAIP, which is also abundantly expressed in brain and other neuroendocrine cells. Two additional RGS genes, GAIP and RGS2, are also expressed in neuroendocrine cells and all three genes can be differentially regulated by various hormones. Interestingly, the RGS genes had very different patterns of basal expression and hormonal regulation. The RGS2 gene was most inducible by a variety of mitogenic agents. In contrast, N-GAIP expression was more selectively induced while GAIP was unresponsive to all agents tested. Preliminary studies of RGS function in GH4 cells suggest that both RGS1 and RGS2 can selectively attenuate TRH-induced PRL gene transcription while having no effect on dopamine-mediated inhibition. This suggests that G protein signalling pathways may be selectively regulated by distinct RGS proteins in pituitary cells.
Mothers' singing to infants and preschool children

Mothers were recorded singing the same song of their choice to their infants and preschool children. In Experiment 1, naive adult listeners accurately identified the infant-directed versions out of each pair of mothers' songs. Pitch and tempo also were measured--pitch was higher for the infant-directed versions but tempo and intensity did not differ across contexts. In Experiment 2 naive listeners judged which version out of each pair sounded more "loving" and more articulate. The preschooler-directed songs were rated as more clearly articulated than the infant-directed versions; there were no differences in "loving" tone of voice. However, the percentage of infant-directed versions rated as more "loving" in Experiment 2 was highly correlated with percentage of correct identifications in Experiment 1.
Performance analysis of a quasi-synchronous DS-CDMA wireless local loop system

In this thesis, a quasi-synchronous reverse link system is proposed as an alternative to the existing DS-CDMA system, such as the IS-95, to provide the wireless local loop services. The goal of quasi-synchronizing the reverse link transmissions is to reduce multiple access interference, which is a major factor that limits the system capacity of a CDMA system. In the thesis, a synchronization scheme is proposed to achieve the 1/2 chip synchronization in the reverse link of a wireless local loop system. Analytical expression for the reverse link synchronization time is derived. Comparison of the performance for a coherent synchronization system and a non-coherent system is given. Recommendations are presented to reduce the effect of multiple access interference on the synchronization time. In the second part of the thesis, high spectral efficiency modulation schemes are found to increase the barrier that limits the cell capacity for systems using orthogonal spreading codes. The performance in terms of frame error rate for different modulation and coding schemes is obtained through simulation. Finally, the use of receiver antenna diversity and directional transmitter antennas to increase coverage and reduce multiple access interference is also presented. Simulation results are obtained to analyze the overall capacity for the reverse link of a wireless local loop system in various situations.
Deriving determinants and dimensions of patient satisfaction to outpatient anaesthesia care

The aim of this study was to generate valid determinants and dimensions of patient satisfaction with outpatient anesthesia care. The study involved telephone interviews with twenty surgical outpatients, a Delphi technique with an international panel of anesthetists, followed by nominal rankings of determinants in each temporal phase by a second sample of thirty outpatients and the Delphi panel. Both patients and anesthetists produced detailed comprehensive taxonomies that divided determinants of satisfaction into four temporal phases of care (pre-operative, intra-operative, pre-discharge and post-discharge) and five dimensions within each temporal phase (physical structure, technical content, interpersonal behaviour, efficiency of care, and outcomes of care). Nominal rankings could not reliably identify dimensions or determinants of greater importance. The patient-derived taxonomy derived questionnaire items that are clearer, more focused and truer to the actual concerns and needs of patients than those of anesthetists.
Russian advocates in a post-Soviet world, the struggle for professional identity and efforts to redefine legal services

This dissertation examines how the Russian bar (advokatura) and its members (advocates, or advokaty) shaped and were shaped by the first years of a significant political and socioeconomic transition (1985-95). It analyzes the bar's role in the Russian legal reform process, as well as assesses the development of pluralism, civil society, and legal professions, particularly in their relations with the state. This thesis argues that, beginning under Gorbachev, significant reforms of the advokatura's organization occurred as a result of the initiatives of both state officials and advocates. The presence of competing national bar organizations, new bar associations (colleges), and various types of law offices represents a more pluralistic approach to the process of re-institutionalization in Russia. Moreover, colleges have gained more, though not complete, control over such professional issues as entrance and training, compensation, and the creation of new law offices. Historical patterns of state-profession interaction and internecine conflict have reasserted themselves, however. First, justice officials continue to interfere in the advokatura's efforts to build a professional program, particularly in the drafting of a revised law on the advokatura, and advocates have not strongly challenged the state's actions. Second, internal divisions, as well as state intervention, have prevented the advokatura from becoming a unified interest group and monopolizing its control over the legal services markets in the 1990s. Advocates failed to reach compromises over major issues of self-regulation. My dissertation has also shown how advocates now have a broader range of ways in which to represent and counsel clients. Findings on advocates' work in representing clients in appeals against state officials and agencies, in arbitration courts and business consultations, and in environmental and consumer protection cases show how advocates are enabling clients to assert their new civil and economic rights more effectively. On the other hand, revisions to the Criminal Procedure Code have not eliminated many of the traditional constraints that Soviet courts placed on defense attorneys. My findings on advocates' criminal defense work in regular courts and in jury trials in Moscow and Ivanovo indicate that advocates continue to encounter opposition to their expanded participation.
Transformation and translocation of the human aromatic hydrocarbon receptor, a comparison of 3-methylcholanthrene and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

The aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), upon binding ligand, dimerizes with the AH receptor nuclear translocator protein (ARNT) and induces transcriptional activation of many genes, including CYP1A1, by binding to specific dioxin responsive elements (DREs) upstream of the genes. Two classes of ligands, halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (HAHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), while displaying similar binding affinities, show large differences in potency for aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) induction, a selective marker for CYP1A1 activity. The reason for this difference is not fully known. 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) were compared for their ability to cause transformation and translocation of AHR, key steps in the mechanism of enzyme induction. Evidence is presented for a difference in translocation in LS180 cells. MC-treated cells show more rapid disappearance of nuclear AHR coupled with reappearance of new, functional cytosolic AHR. TCDD-treated cells also show a disappearance of nuclear AHR; however, no new cytosolic AHR protein is synthesized. Using an in vitro system, I found that cytosolic AHR transformed by MC showed a temperature-dependent loss of inducible signal when analyzed by gel retardation assay (GRA). This was not the case with TCDD. Western blot analyses of MC- and TCDD-treated cytosols, however, show no difference in total AHR and ARNT protein levels and indicate that both cytosols contain the AHR-ARNT complex, a form capable of interacting with DNA. These results show that the ability of the AHR complex to interact with DNA depends on ligand. This suggests that AHR-mediated gene expression is not as long-lived with MC as it is with TCDD as the ligand. Hence, the affinity of a ligand for its specific receptor does not necessarily determine its biological potency.
The economic costs of depressive disorders in Ontario, 1990

Objective. To estimate the direct and indirect costs of depressive disorders (major depression and dysthymia) in Ontario in the year 1990. Design. A prevalence-based cost of illness study using the Friction cost method to calculate the costs associated with premature mortality and morbidity attributable to depressive disorders. Data sources. The Mental Health Supplement to the Ontario Health Survey for prevalence rates, disability, and outpatient utilization; Statistics Canada for inpatient utilization and mortality figures. Results. The total cost of depressive disorders in Ontario in 1990 was $475.7 million dollars, or \$1583 dollars per prevalent case. 58.4% of this cost was related to morbidity and premature death. Conclusion. The indirect costs of depressive disorders are greater than the direct costs. More research is needed to obtain better estimates of morbidity costs.
The development of orthographic awareness in young children

The present study investigated young children's early orthographic and metaorthographic awareness. A total of 122 children were sampled from junior kindergarten (JK), senior kindergarten (SK), and grade 1. A script awareness task which required children to look at different languages and determine whether each language was administered. The languages included non-Latin based orthographies (e.g., Chinese), mixed orthographies (e.g., Greek), and Latin-based orthographies (e.g, French). In order to evaluate children's metaorthographic awareness, for some items, children were asked to explain how they knew the language was or was not English. The findings suggest that there is an intermediary "pre-orthographic" stage that is a precursor to children's orthographic awareness. During this visually based pre-orthographic knowledge stage, children attend to the global but not to fine-tuned visual distinctive features of each language. The findings showed that with development there is a gradual improvement in children's ability to differentiate English script from other non-English orthographies, and their explanations as to why a script is or is not English become more articulated. The extent to which children are able to articulate how they make these distinctions and how this relates to reading ability was also discussed. As well, the effect of bilingualism on the development of metaorthographic awareness was examined.
Analysis of QAM schemes in a CCI-limited environment

We consider the performance analysis of uncoded and coded QAM schemes in a cochannel interference (CCI) limited environment. Constellation and pulse shaping properties that are important for QAM schemes operating in a CCI-limited environment are studied. The modified peak-to-minimum-distance ratio, $d\sb{m}(p)/d\rm\sb{min}$, of the constellation determines the tolerable carrier to interference ratio (CIR), below which an error rate of p cannot be achieved. This parameter is independent of constellation expansion and has been termed the interference margin. When coding is used at low CIRs, the dominant error event is not the one with the minimum distance but the one with the minimum distance to code length ratio.
Vasoconstrictor effect of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in human skin, the role of et[subscript]a and et[subscript]b receptors

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been implicated in skin flap ischemia and skin vasospastic disorders but the mechanism of ET-1-induced vasoconstriction in human skin remains controversial. This information is important for drug development for treatment of ET-1-induced skin vasospasm. The objective of this thesis, therefore, was to investigate the vasoconstrictor potency of ET-1 and the functional importance of ET$\rm\sb{A}$ and ET$\rm\sb{B}$ receptors in mediating ET-1-induced vasoconstriction in human skin using the isolated human paraumbilical skin flap model perfused by Krebs buffer containing 6.5% albumin, gassed with 95% O$\sb2$ and 5% CO$\sb2$ at 37$\sp\circ$C and pH 7.4. It was observed that ET-1 $(10\sp{-10}{-}10\sp{-8}$ M) and norepinephrine (NE, $10\sp{-9}{-}10\sp{-5}$ M) caused a cumulative concentration-dependent increase in perfusion pressure with the potency of ET-1 $\sim$200-fold higher than NE. ET$\rm\sb{B}$ receptor agonists (BQ3020 and sarafotoxin S6c, $10\sp{-9}{-}10\sp{-7}$ M) had no vasoconstrictor effect. The ET-1-induced increase in perfusion pressure was blocked (p $<$ 0.01) by $5\times10\sp{-6}$ M BQ123 (ET$\rm\sb{A}$ receptor antagonist) but not by $10\sp{-6}$ M BQ788 (ET$\rm\sb{B}$ receptor antagonist). Dermofluorometry confirmed that changes in vascular reactivity were occurring in the dermal circulation. Furthermore, microsomal membrane receptor binding assays for ET$\rm\sb{A}$ and ET$\rm\sb{B}$ receptors of endothelium-denuded perforator arteries and veins in human skin, respectively, indicated the presence of 83 $\pm$ 2% and 78 $\pm$ 2% high-affinity binding ET$\rm\sb{A}$ receptors. These novel results demonstrated that ET-1 is an extremely potent vasoconstrictor in human skin and its effect is mediated by ET$\rm\sb{A}$ receptors, with no significant participation from ET$\rm\sb{B}$ receptors.
Isolation and identification of biodegradation products released from dental composite resins with varying concentrations of resin and filler

To date, dental literature has not specifically considered the role of filler content on the susceptibility of composite materials to undergo enzyme induced biodegradation. This study assesses the effect of filler content on the liberation of biodegradation products derived from commercial composites and a series of Bis-phenyl glycidyl dimethacrylate (Bis-GMA)/triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) based model materials. Composite resins were incubated with either cholesterol esterase or PBS buffer for 8, 16 and 32 days. The identified products were the same for both the commercial and the model composite resins, with the exception of a urethane-based composite resin, TPH (Caulk/Dentsply). These products included TEGDMA, 2,2-bis (4(2,3-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl) propane (Bis-HPPP), triethylene glycol methacrylate (TEGMA), and an oligomer believed to contain TEGDMA segments. The amount of isolated TEGMA and Bis-HPPP products for all composite resins was shown to be significantly higher (p $<$ 0.05) for materials incubated with enzyme than their buffer counterparts. The effect of enzyme on the surface of commercial composites was correlated with a drop in micro-hardness values. Between 8 and 16 days incubation with enzyme, significantly higher amounts of product were obtained with higher filler model materials (30% and 40% filler) than the lower filled model composites (10% and 20%), suggesting a prolonged availability of polymeric sites for further enzymatic attack. This becomes of biological relevance in light of recent studies questioning the estrogenicity of bis-phenol A derived monomers such as Bis-GMA (Olea et al, 1996) and the predisposition of TEGDMA to bacterial growth (Hansel at al., 1997).
Characterization of the interaction of human salivary proline-rich proteins with tannins

In human parotid saliva proline-rich proteins (PRPs) constitute approximately 70% of total protein. They are usually divided into acidic (APRP), basic (BPRP) and glycosylated PRPs (GPRP). To study the formation of insoluble complexes of tannin and PRPs, the BPRPs named IB-1, IB-4, IB-6, IB-9, and GPRP as well as an APRP named PIF-s were purified from parotid saliva. These proteins were chosen as representative of different types of PRPs in studies on interaction with tannin. Tryptic digest of PIF-s as well as 3 purified tryptic peptides of PIF-s and deglycosylated GPRP core were used to evaluate the effect of proteolytic digestion of PRPs and deglycosylation of GPRP on their ability to bind tannin. PRPs were incubated with varying concentrations of tannins at neutral pH, and their capacities for tannin binding were determined. Furthermore, the stability of insoluble BPRP tannin complexes under physiological conditions was studied by incubating the insoluble complexes under conditions similar to those prevailing in the alimentary canal. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)