VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Faire maide or venomous serpente: the cultural significance of the Saracen Princess Floripas in France and England, 1200-1500

This thesis seeks to account for the enduring and wide spread appeal of Floripas, the unconventional Saracen heroine of the enormously popular twelfth-century French poem Fierabras and its many adaptations and translations. It concludes that the parodic nature of much of the text both reflected and responded in multivalent ways to certain contemporary European societal anxieties, namely anxieties about Islam and about the role and nature of women. On the surface, Floripas fits into the popular Saracen princess convention that features conventionally beautiful Saracen heroines who rescue Christian knights imprisoned by their fathers, choose to convert to Christianity, and often marry one of the knights. The explosively volatile temperament of this “Faire Maide,” however, sets her apart from other Saracen princesses. In the Fierabras text, the poet presents his audiences with a heroine who proceeds to swear, threaten, and murder, anytime anyone interferes with her plans. Yet, in spite of her dramatically unconventional behaviour, the text never censures her and she ultimately achieves her goal of marriage to one of the Twelve Peers, along with half of her father's former Spanish kingdom. What can explain the popularity of such a story throughout period in which courtly society was thought to favour women who were passive, silent, chaste, obedient and self-controlled? Chapter One provides a summary of the essential historical context in which these texts were written and remained popular, and discusses the possible origins of the Saracen princess convention. Chapter Two discusses the nine versions of the text used in this thesis and their possible audiences. It also assesses the scholarship that exists on the Saracen princess convention and establishes the ways in which Floripas does and does not fit into this convention. Chapter Three accounts for why her unconventional behaviour was accepted by audiences, namely her safe identification as “other” and the fact that her deeds ultimately benefit the Christians. Chapter Four explores her appeal, concluding that the parodic nature of the text both entertained and addressed audience anxieties about Islam and women's natures. Chapter Five deals specifically with her most unconventional characteristics: her volatile temper and penchant for violence.
Efficiency of market mechanisms in mutual fund trusts

Mutual fund governance has received a lot of attention lately, and the Canadian Securities Administrators have put forward a proposal that would implement independent governance agencies to monitor fund managers. It is argued that managers face conflicts of interests that are not solved by traditional market mechanisms. This thesis proposes to review the types of conflicts supposedly inherent to the legal structure of mutual fund trusts, and to examine whether investors can rely on market mechanisms for their protection. I will suggest that common sale practices of the industry are not necessarily impediments to market mechanisms. Rather, the problem faced by the mutual fund industry is not one of investor protection, but one of competitiveness with other financial sectors. The proposed reform will be relevant only to the extent that it deals with this latter problem.

Keywords: Mutual funds, Law and legislation
Mutual funds, Canada
New evidence concerning the role of oxygen free radicals and nitric oxide synthase dysfunction in the development of nitrate tolerance

Nitroglycerin and other organic nitrates have been commonly used in the therapy of ischemic heart disease and congestive heart failure for more than a century. Although organic nitrates are widely employed for clinical use, the applicability of this class of drugs is significantly limited by the phenomenon denominated nitrate tolerance, i.e. the loss of clinical and hemodynamic effect of the nitrate upon continuous administration. The experiments presented herein were designed to investigate the effect of nitrate therapy on multiple endpoints related to vascular homeostasis in humans. Our results demonstrate that continuous administration of nitroglycerin is associated with increases in plasma markers of oxidative stress and with impaired endothelium-dependent control of blood flow in the forearm. We also demonstrate that continuous treatment with pentaerithrytol tetranitrate, another organic nitrate, is not associated with either phenomenon. In further studies, we demonstrate that, through a mechanism that is likely mediated by increased regeneration of a cofactor for the endothelial enzyme nitric oxide synthase, folic acid is able to prevent tolerance in resistance arteries but not in veins. We believe that this demonstrates that an abnormality in nitric oxide synthase might play an important role in the pathogenesis of tolerance, at least in resistance arteries. In conductance arteries, while continuous nitroglycerin treatment was associated with a similar impairment in endothelium-dependent vasodilation, nitrate tolerance did not develop, a demonstration that tolerance is a complex phenomenon with a multifactorial pathophysiology. Finally, chronic treatment with nitroglycerin appears to reduce baroreflex sensitivity and heart rate variability, two important parameters of the autonomic control of heart rate. In conclusion, these studies investigate the mechanism of nitrate tolerance and of other side effects induced by chronic nitroglycerin treatment. In the general discussion, a “unifying” hypothesis for the mechanism of these observations is proposed.
The characterization and physiological activity of neuropeptide F-related peptides in the blood-feeding hemipteran, Rhodnius prolixus

The vertebrate neuropeptide Y (NPY) homolog, invertebrate neuropeptide F (NPF), has been characterized for a wide range of invertebrate phyla. At present it is believed that NPF may play a role in regulating physiological responses related to nutritional status and feeding. The work presented in this thesis describes the first series of experiments demonstrating the distribution and potential physiological effects of NPF-related peptides in Rhodnius prolixus. Using an antibody raised against Drosophila NPF, NPF-like immunoreactive cell bodies and processes were found in both the central and peripheral nervous systems and were compared pre and post-feeding. The results suggest that NPF-like material is present in 5th instar R. prolixus and potentially released into the haemolymph following a blood meal. An investigation into the effects of Drosophila NPF, Anopheles gambiae NPF, and native R. prolixus NPF-like factors on leucokinin 1-induced hindgut contractions suggests a myoinhibitory role for this peptide.
Zomepirac and nevirapine: Bioactivation involving the sulfation pathway

Idiosyncratic drug reactions (IDRs), although rare, can be life-threatening. The patho-mechanisms of IDRs are unclear; however, reactive metabolites of drugs and the immune system are thought to be involved. For carboxylate drugs, their acyl glucuronide metabolites have been implicated as the mediators of the adverse effects; however, a direct link has yet to be established. For the carboxylate drug zomepirac (ZP), this study aimed to explore the sulfation pathway involving the conversion of the metabolite hydroxy-ZP to ZP 4-methylsulfate. The role of ZP 4-methylsulfate as a reactive metabolite was unclear, as it was not isolated and characterized, either synthetically or enzymatically. For the drug nevirapine (NVP), it was proposed that its metabolite 12-hydroxy-NVP is converted to NVP 12-sulfate, which could form a reactive iminoquinone. This project is still in progress, but with the help of the animal model, the role of the 12-hydroxy-NVP should be elucidated more clearly.
Examining the relationship between therapist traits and empathy on the development of therapist empathic skills

This study investigated relationships between empathy and the therapist traits of perspective taking, susceptibility to emotional contagion, and valuing and acceptance of emotional experiences, comparing masters- (N = 14) and doctoral-level (N = 5) counselling trainees. Three measures of state empathy were used: the BLRI self-report forms for client and therapist (Barrett-Lennard, 1962), and the observer-rated Measure of Expressed Empathy (Watson Prosser, 2002). Participants also completed the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (Davis, 1983), the Emotional Contagion Scale (Doherty, 1997), and the Scales for Emotional Experiencing (Behr Becker, 2004). The study's purpose was to further current understanding of the relationship between training and empathy. A significant effect of training on state but not trait empathy was found, as well as support for relationships among training, state empathy, and the therapist traits of perspective taking and emotional experiencing. Results suggest training helps trainees develop and manage affective reactions related to empathy.
Work, care and belonging: A feminist critique of the 'duties discourse' in Israel

Like many other countries, Israel has recently reformed its welfare system and introduced its citizens to the requirement to enter the labour market. I refer to this requirement as the 'duty to work'. Israeli citizens are required to become economically independent rather than a burden on society, and only those who fulfill this requirement and find a paid job, are entitled to welfare benefits. This development signalled an important change in the interplay between rights and obligations of citizenship. If in the past, social citizenship was built upon holding social rights, today, social citizenship is conditioned upon fulfilling a social obligation: the duty to work. In practice, however, not everyone can easily enter the labour market and find a paid job that meets all their needs. Women, especially single mothers, usually face significant difficulties in balancing family responsibilities and labour market participation. In light of these difficulties, many of them might not be able to fulfill the duty to work, and therefore might not reach full membership in the Israeli society. How do we understand the duty to work? How do women, and in particular single mothers, cope with the new requirement? What are the sanctions they face if they do not work? How does the duty affect the practice of motherhood and care? My thesis is aimed to answer these questions. The central argument that runs through the thesis is that the 'duty to work' is structured according to gendered norms that do not allow all women, especially single mothers, to fulfill the new duty thus limiting their ability to contribute to society and establish their belonging to the national collective. This new duty adds to women's problematic position in society as their previous main citizenship duty was that of motherhood--a practice that paved their route into the collective but was structured in a way that provided them with merely second-class citizenship. A possible solution to this gendered structure of citizenship duties is recognizing care as an active citizenship responsibility and allowing women to stay outside the labour market without marginalizing their standing in society.

Keywords: Law
Women's studies
Political science
Mothers' mental state language and emotional availability in clinical vs. nonclinical populations

This study examined emotional availability and mothers' mental state language, and the relationship between the two in the clinical and nonclinical groups. The effect of context on mothers' mental state language also was considered. The participants included 78 mothers and their children aged 12 to 30 months old. Emotional availability and mothers' mental state language were coded from videotaped samples of spontaneously occurring interactions between mother-child dyads. Results indicated that mother-child dyads in both groups did not differ in emotional availability toward each other. However, the clinical and nonclinical groups differed in the use of mothers' mental state language. More specifically, they differed in mothers' use of cognition terms referring to themselves. Additionally, before controlling the effect of children's age, language competence and mothers' language on mothers' mental state language, there was a trend for group differences in mothers' use of cognition terms referring to their children. Moreover, mothers' use of cognition terms referring to their children was moderately associated with emotional availability. Findings also indicated a significant context effect on most of the mothers' use of mental state language terms. The results demonstrate the importance of considering mothers' use of mental state language when examining the quality of the relationship between mother-child dyads.

Keywords: Mothers, Psychology
Mothers, Language
Mother and child
Sensitivity (Personality trait)
Bone engineering in a rabbit craniotomy defect using a composite biodegradable scaffold

This thesis presents investigation of OsteoScaf™, a macroporous composite biodegradable scaffold of poly (lactide-co-glycolide) and calcium phosphate. Pilot work demonstrated in vitro adhesion of cells to OsteoScaf™, and in vivo bone growth within scaffolds. The main project investigated scaffold combined with autologous platelets and marrow derived cells in rabbit craniotomies. There was bone growth within implanted scaffolds, some likely attributable to seeded cells, and an exaggerated foreign body giant cell (FBGC) response. In treatment groups bone growth was not different from controls. Post-hoc studies showed that composite scaffold had limited pore interconnectivity. Current OsteoScaf™ is contaminated with endotoxins and bacteria, levels of which correlate with in vitro cytotoxicity. It is thus hypothesized that there is a causative link between contamination and FBGC response, which may impair healing. Future work will focus on reducing contamination, preserving interconnected architecture, and optimizing preparation of marrow derived cells as adjuncts for OsteoScaf™.
Glenn Gould's philosophy of recording its implications for a theory of active musical listening

In 1966, Glenn Gould declared that the public concert was approaching obsolescence. Gould envisioned a new musical aesthetic to which was recording technology was central. This he believed was the “self-evident” solution to the various musical, aesthetic and ethical problems endemic to public performance, yet audiences have not heeded Gould's call. One might ask, then, why revisit Gould's claims now? There are various grounds on which one might profitably explore Gould's theories, none of which depend on the accuracy of his prediction. In what follows, I interpret Glenn Gould's philosophy of recording as an educational proposition, my concern being how well Gould's ideas serve the listener. I conclude that whether we agree with Gould's philosophy of recording or not, consideration of his theories can lead us to greater insight into our relationship with music as well as move us one step closer to a theory of active musical listening.

Keywords: Music, Philosophy and aesthetics
Piano music
Pianists, Canada
Combining physical rehabilitation and pharmacotherapy for the treatment of hemiparetic stroke

Results. Baseline hemiparesis was severe overall (mean FM score: 27.7 +/- 20.0). Motor scores improved during treatment in both groups (mean change, baseline to 3 months: 29.5 +/- 16.6). Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed no significant differences in recovery between the treatment groups for the entire cohort (n=67), or for subgroups with a severe hemiparesis (n=43), moderate hemiparesis (n=24), or cortically-based stroke (n=26). In the moderate subgroup, there was a significant drug x time interaction for upper extremity motor recovery (F=5.14, p
Citizenship learning and political participation of immigrants: the case of Latin Americans in Toronto

This research project applies qualitative and quantitative techniques to empirically analyze the civic and political participation of a group of Latin American immigrants in the city of Toronto, Canada. The study, which included interviews with 100 adult immigrants to Toronto and focus groups, addressed two main dimensions. The first of which being the differences in the type and intensity of the participatory levels between the home and host societies and the second being the civic and political learning processes generated as a consequence of emigrating from Latin America to Canada. Using Bourdieu's and Putnam's conceptualizations on social capital, I explored the ability of this group of immigrants to exchange the cultural, social and political capital brought from their home countries in the Canadian political system. More specifically, my research analyzed the factors that enable and inhibit the political participation of Latin American Canadians, paying particular attention to the differences that occur in the fields of grassroots and electoral politics. Although community networks and previous political experience promote political involvement, several obstacles, such as limited command of English, discrimination and an insufficient knowledge of the Canadian political system seriously undermine the chances of Latin Americans to attain higher political participatory levels. Interestingly, the results also show that these barriers become more visible in electoral rather than in grassroots politics. The findings also suggest that several immigrants underwent a variety of civic and political transformative learning processes, many of which led them to challenge and question old assumptions and values. Moreover, participating in the Canadian political system proved to be significant to modify immigrants' stance towards the political scene in their home countries. New experiences, interaction with other cultures and the possibility of examining facts from a distant perspective, motivated many immigrants to re-assess the political situation in their countries of origin as well as develop intense transnational political, cultural and solidarity activities.
Repeat and multiple mating in an Australian scaly cricket, Ornebius aperta (Orthoptera: Mogoplistidae)

Repeated mating (multiple copulations with the same mate) is rare among polygamous species and difficult to explain because the benefits of this behaviour are not immediately obvious. I examine repeated mating by Australian scaly crickets, Ornebius aperta, that, remarkably, can involve over 50 copulations. In Chapter 1, I report various aspects of O. aperta natural history. In Chapter 2, I review the possible benefits of repeated mating for each sex, along with the theoretical and empirical evidence supporting each hypothesis. In Chapter 3, I provide evidence that repeated mating increases total sperm transfer, which may benefit males through paternity assurance since very few sperm are transferred in a single copulation. I also show that complete sperm transfer likely occurs despite rapid spermatophore removal by females and suggest how this female behaviour may set the conditions favouring repeated mating by males. In Chapter 4, I discuss findings that males found in copula were in better condition than their nearest solitary neighbour in nature. However, when male condition was manipulated in the lab, there was no evidence for phenotype-dependent male mating success.
Patterns of use and adverse events associated with cholinesterase inhibitors in older adults with dementia

Cholinesterase inhibitors have been widely adopted to manage the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Cholinesterase inhibitors can precipitate urinary incontinence, but this adverse drug effect may go undetected because incontinence is also seen in the natural progression of dementia. This thesis documents a possible prescribing cascade, in which the use of cholinesterase inhibitors leads to the dispensation of anticholinergic drugs to manage incontinence. This prescribing cascade is important, as anticholinergic drugs may exacerbate cognitive decline in patients with dementia. In a population-based cohort study of older adults with dementia, those who were dispensed cholinesterase inhibitors were found to have a higher risk of subsequently receiving an anticholinergic drug (4.5% vs. 3.1%, p
Mechanisms of dopamine D4-mediated MAPK activation

The dopamine D4 receptor-stimulates MAPK activation and depresses NMDAR ion channel activity in CHO cells and hippocampal slices, respectively. In both of these systems, the D4 receptor recruits PDGFR-beta activity via a process known as 'transactivation.' However, the mechanism by which the D4 receptor activates the PDGFR-beta is unknown. In this thesis, molecular and pharmacological methods were used to examine the participation of the PDGFR-beta and possible D4-PDGFR-beta transactivation candidates in the Gi-mediated D4-MAPK cascade. Experiments with a series of PDGFR-beta mutants revealed an importance for PI3K and SHP-2, but not PLCgamma or RasGAP. Results from pharmacological experiments eliminated metalloproteases and reactive oxygen species as potential transactivation candidates. Finally, studies involving PKC inhibitors suggests a role for the novel, calcium-independent PKCdelta isozyme. Although the present work further implicates the PDGFR-beta and proteins such as PI3K and PKC in the D4-MAPK pathway, the revelation of the transactivation intermediate(s) will rely on future experiments.
Deconstructing hippocampal EEG rhythms using time-frequency analysis

An intact hippocampal preparation exhibits spontaneous rhythmic field potentials in the 3 Hz range due to synchronous discharges in the inhibitory interneuron population. This study analyzed the field recordings of this nonstationary rhythm using time-frequency techniques including the spectrogram, Wigner, Exponential and Wavelet transforms. The distinct high amplitude regions of the time-frequency domain were then characterized in terms of duration and mean frequency. These characteristics were interpreted as arising from statistical populations which were identified using mixture distribution analysis. This allowed the deconstruction of the signal in terms of the identified statistical distributions, which may be related to the diverse populations of interneurons that exist in the hippocampus.
A core taxonomy for privatized infrastructure finance

With the increasing interest in privatized infrastructure around the world, it has been realized that lack of effective communication between project participants, and poor management of project information has contributed significantly to the failure of many privatized infrastructure projects (PIPs). Keeping this in view, the research team launched a comprehensive research project with the ultimate aim of developing a web-based information sharing and management system for PIPS. The author has worked on a portion of this research project, and has developed a taxonomy (FinTax) for PIPs, and modeled basic processes of PIPs. FinTax has been built on top of e-COGNOS taxonomy, which is aimed at addressing the knowledge management needs of construction industry. FinTax was validated by carrying out a comprehensive survey, and by interviewing experienced industry professionals. All experts agreed that this is a much needed research initiative, especially considering the growing interest in P3s in Canada.