VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Mindfulness, Empathy, and Embodied Experience: A Qualitative Study of Practitioner Experience in the Client/Therapist Dyad

This study explores the experience of eight psychotherapists, each with a substantial personal practice of mindfulness meditation. The purpose of the study was to investigate the nature, effects, and specific contributions of mindfulness to the participants' experience of empathy. Semi-structured interviews were used as the method of data collection and a qualitative, phenomenological analysis provides the framework within which the lived experience of study participants is richly described, categorized, organized thematically, and reviewed in the context of current literature. The study identifies four experiential categories, each containing secondary themes that offer refinement and differentiation of the data. In the subsequent discussion, the elucidation of participant experience is furthered by the identification of: receptivity as an underlying and unifying intention; and three core themes, each describing an aspect of receptivity found within the data set. The discussion includes an exploration of these core themes, and their relationship to relevant literature. Drawing on the field of affective neuroscience, and a neurobiological account of intersubjectivity, a tentative conceptualization is presented in which study findings are combined with mirror neuron theory and the Buddhist teaching on shenpa. Embodied simulation, and a shared intersubjective field are theorized to create the opportunity for a therapeutic intervention that combines shared affect with the attitudinal stance of `shenpa work.' Characterized by the essential features of mindfulness and capacities developed through a therapist's personal practice of meditation, shenpa work in the bi-personal field is proposed as a viable model of intersubjective, affective, therapeutic exchange. Though this conceptualization bears some similarity to other formulations of psychotherapeutic process, including some found within traditional psychoanalytic theory, it is differentiated from these by its faithfulness to the essential elements of mindfulness including unconditional receptivity, the absence of an interpretive framework, and an intentional stance that maintains an independent consciousness and a compassionate resolve to `turn toward' discomfort. Concluding with a consideration of research strengths, limitations, clinical implications, and possibilities for future research, the study lends support to the growing body of theoretical and empirically based arguments in favour of the inclusion of mindfulness training as a component in the formal education of candidates preparing for clinical practice.

Keywords: Buddhism
Embodiment
Mindfulness
Psychotherapy
Shenpa
Advisor: Roy, Moodley
Evaluating Peer Instruction in First-year University Computer Science Courses

Computer Science 1 (CS1) is the first Computer Science (CS) course taken by those interested in post-secondary CS study. The research community has long lamented high failure rates that seem to be common across schools and countries. In addition, much research over the past several decades suggests that students are not learning what we hope for them to learn.In this thesis, I investigate Peer Instruction (PI) as a new pedagogical approach for teaching CS1. PI is an active learning pedagogy developed by physics education researchers where students discuss conceptual material in groups and respond to questions using clickers. PI has been taken up by CS educators in the past few years.I begin by identifying the components of PI and how they might be appropriated to a CS (rather than physics) context. I then offer a quasi-experiment of a PI class and a lecture class: a ``learning competition'' to determine which pedagogical approach wins. I use a variety of outcome measures, in addition to grade, to gain a deeper understanding into the effect that the pedagogical shift has on particular types of students. I find that students in the PI section score 4.4% higher on a common final exam than students in the lecture section. Though this is substantial in terms of grades, the non-significant statistical result means that we cannot infer that similar gains can be expected in other situations. In addition, PI increases students' self-efficacy (a construct known to be closely linked to performance accomplishment and persistence) and enjoyment. Further, using achievement goal theory, I show that PI increases interest for those students oriented toward interpersonal achievement but not for those oriented toward intrapersonal improvement. Taken together, my findings offer evidence for the utility of PI as a CS1 pedagogy that not only leads to better grades but also to enhanced sociocognitive and socioemotional investment.

Keywords: CS1
Computer Science 1
Peer Instruction
Computer Science Education
Advisor: Jim, Hewitt
Layered Reading Through Literary Narrative Structures

My research investigated how teachers could develop students' literary framework, and build on their experience of fiction by studying what is typical and enduring about reading. I outline an original narrative framework that was brought to bear on the study of literature and was easily and readily taught to primary students. This approach analyzes stories by means of the fictional literary codes (or narrative structures) we use to organize stories and convey meaning. To ensure that this approach was of practical use to educators, I conducted a formative experiment to address the following questions: 1) How do elementary students' interact with and respond to stories by means of these literary structures? 2) How can teachers work with children to analyze how a story is coded to convey meaning? I collaborated with five primary teachers to first analyze stories by means of their literary narrative structures and then to develop questions to be used to guide instruction and classroom reading discussions and interactions. The teachers and I planned instructional strategies and put these into action. Approximately once a week for the entire school year, I visited the grade 1 and 2 teachers and their students during their language instruction periods and then reflected on my observations with the teachers. To analyze how these students engaged with and responded to stories, I gathered qualitative data through observations, interviews and student writing samples. Results show that by using the literary structural framework, grade 1 and 2 students engaged in critical text analyses, demonstrated a deep comprehension of stories, transferred the structural framework to understand new texts, contributed meaningfully in dialogues about literature, related the content of stories to their structures, and engaged in processes associated with scientific and creative thinking. The conceptual narrative framework of this research was shown to be an effective way to deepen students literary comprehension and develop critical relational thinking.

Keywords: Fiction
Literary Codes
Narrative Framework
Narrative Structures
Reading Comprehension
Relational Thinking
Advisor: Shelley, S Peterson
Youth Participation in Internationally Supported Programs of the Post-Earthquake Haitian Reconstruction

This thesis explores how youth participation was socially constructed and conceptualized during an internationally dominated reconstruction of Haiti following the earthquake of 2010. Grounded within critical, constructivist, and post-colonial theoretical perspectives, this research uses mixed methods to analyze youth programs and conceptualizations of participation within them. Among its frameworks is a theoretical lens of social spaces for participation that juxtaposes binary qualities such as international and local origins, market and social orientations, and invited and claimed spaces for participation.In the first phase this research uses conceptual mapping and cluster analysis techniques to survey and plot the landscape of youth programs operating in Haiti after the earthquake. Of the programs surveyed, a relatively equal distribution emerged between those with local and those with international origins. However, a comparatively large group of those programs with local origins also had a curriculum with a primary social orientation.In the second phase it draws on qualitative and ethnographic methods to examine social constructions of participation in three case study programs with activities ranging from rural farming and entrepreneurship, to democratic education and debate competitions, to human rights and radio broadcasting. The findings suggest that geography and language have a bearing on

Keywords: Democracy
Education
Haiti
NGOs
Participation
Youth
Advisor: Karen, E Mundy
Development of Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane Bead Foams and Their Sintering Mechanism

Polymer bead foaming technology represents a breakthrough in the production of low density plastic foamed components that have a complex geometrical structure and has helped to expand the market for plastic foams by broadening their applications. In this research, the unique microstructure of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) consisting of phase-separated hard segment (HS) domains dispersed in the soft segment (SS) matrix has been utilized to develop expanded TPU (E-TPU) bead foam with microcellular morphologies and also to create inter-bead sintering into three dimensional products using steam-chest molding machine. The phase-separation and crystallization behavior of the HS chains in the TPU microstructure was systematically studied in the presence of dissolved gases and also by changing the microstructure of TPU by melt-processing and addition of nano-/micro-sized additives. It was observed that the presence of gas improved the phase separation (i.e. crystallization) of HSs and increased the overall crystallinity of the TPU. It was also shown that by utilizing the HS crystalline domains, the overall foaming behavior of TPU (i.e. cell nucleation and expansion ratio) can be significantly improved. Moreover, the HS crystalline domains can be effective for both sintering of the beads as well strengthening the individual beads to improve the property of the moulded part. It was also observed that unlike other polymer bead foaming technologies, the E-TPU bead foaming sintering does not require formation of double melting-peak. The original broad melting peak existing in the TPU microstructure due to the wide size distribution of HS crystallites can be effectively utilized for the purpose of sintering as well as maintenance of the overall dimensional stability of the moulded part.

Keywords: Bead Foaming Technology
Crystallization
Heterogeneous Nucleation
Phase Separation
Steam-chest Molding Technology
Thermoplastic Polyurethane
Advisor: Chul, B Park
Historicizing Liberal American Transnormativities: Media, Medicine, Activism, 1960-1990

Historicizing Liberal American Transnormativities: Medicine, Media, Activism, 1960-1990Nicholas MatteDoctor of PhilosophyGraduate Department of HistoryUniversity of Toronto2014AbstractHow did trans people emerge as a minority group in the United States between 1960 and 1990? Trans people and advocates have been articulating ways to improve the social lives of trans people throughout the second half of the twentieth century by drawing on discourses of American liberalism. "Historicizing Liberal American Transnormativities" provides insight into the norms, definitions, expectations and tactics developed by trans advocates in social and cultural conditions not of their choosing. It draws on trans-centric primary sources including conference proceedings, newsletters and magazines produced by, for, or about trans people, as well as mainstream media coverage of trans people and issues. These sources enrich existing accounts of pathologization, gay liberation, employment discrimination, sex activism, and other topics of broad concern.The first two chapters show that the Erickson Educational Foundation (EEF) worked with trans advocates and "helping professionals" in fields such as medicine, law, religion, and social work to promote social acceptance on the basis of medicalized notions of transsexuality, gender dysphoria, and various diagnostic and treatment options. The third chapter looks at the worlds of female impersonators, transvestites, and the Queens Liberation Front to argue that trans people like Lee Brewster and Sandy Mesics developed their politics in the contexts of commercial and entertainment cultures, gay liberation, feminism, and pornography. The final chapter looks at a series of cases in which a number of white transsexuals, including Paula Grossman, Steve Dain, Joanna Clark, Karen Ulane, and Bobbie Lea Bennett, each fought against the discrimination they faced in employment and health care. They asked the courts to apply the Civil Rights Act and the Rehabilitation Act to their situations and they became galvanizing public figures in social debates about the nature of gendered participation in American economy and society. Overall, "Historicizing Liberal American Transnormativities" shows that American liberalism has been central to trans advocacy and the formation of trans people as a minority group in the United States between 1960 and 1990.

Keywords: discrimination
liberalism
queen
rehabilitation
transgender
transsexual
Advisor: Elspeth, H. Brown
Development and Validation of the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Competency Assessment Tools for Adult and Pediatric Colonoscopy

Rigorously developed and psychometrically sound assessment tools are required to support competency-based education and demonstrate trainees are progressing toward proficiency. This PhD dissertation aims to develop and examine reliability and validity evidence of the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Competency Assessment Tool (GiECAT) for colonoscopy as well as a pediatric-specific version of the tool, the GiECATKIDS.Initially, a conceptual model for procedural competence was formulated from a literature review. Procedural competence was conceptualized as requiring demonstrated proficiency in 3 domains: (1) technical; (2) cognitive; and (3) integrative competencies required for safe, intelligent performance in varied contexts. In the first and second studies the GiECAT and GiECATKIDS were developed using Delphi methodology. Two independent international panels of adult and pediatric endoscopy experts each participated in five iterative rounds of Delphi surveys to determine expert consensus regarding items required on a global rating scale and checklist designed to assess the competence of clinicians performing colonoscopy on adult and pediatric patients, respectively. Subsequently, using psychometric methodology, multiple sources of reliability and validity evidence for the GiECAT and GiECATKIDS were gathered in separate prospective multicenter studies in the context of novice, intermediate and advanced adult and pediatric endoscopist performing colonoscopy in the clinical setting. Both direct observational assessment tools were feasible to use, had high internal consistency, inter-rater and test-retest reliability, and demonstrated evidence of construct and discriminative validity for use in evaluating the competence of clinicians performing colonoscopy within the clinical setting. Together, the studies in this dissertation have contributed to the rigorous development and comprehensive evaluation of two novel, direct observational assessment tools designed to assess competence in performing adult and pediatric colonoscopy within the clinical environment. This dissertation provides a framework educators can use to comprehensively and systematically develop and examine reliability and validity evidence for direct observational tools designed to assess the full breadth of technical, cognitive and integrative competencies required to perform procedures safely and proficiently.

Keywords: Clinical Competence
Competency-based education
Delphi technique
Educational Measurement
Education
Medical
Graduate/standards
Endoscopy
Gastrointestinal
Advisor: Heather, Carnahan
Synthesis and Utility of New Ynamide and Organo-allyltrifluoroborate Reagents: Application to the Total Synthesis of Geralcin A, Hydrazidomycins A-B, CPC-1, Alline, Splenocin-B, and the Potent Cancer Cell Growth Inhibitors Kitastatin and Respirantin

This thesis is presented in two parts and summarizes work carried out in the laboratory of Professor Robert A. Batey at the University of Toronto from September 2010 through July 2014. Part 1 of this thesis covers the development and synthetic utility of new ynamide reagents toward nitrogen heterocycle generation and natural product synthetic applications (Chapters 1-4). Part 2 of this thesis outlines work related to the synthesis of new organo-allyltrifluoroborate reagents and their application in the synthesis of biologically active depsipeptide natural products (Chapters 5-7).Part 1 begins with an introductory chapter (Chapter 1) to familiarize the reader with previous important ynamide reagent scientific contributions. Next, Chapter 2 describes our discovery of a previously unexplored ynehydrazide alkyne class including their application in the synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant nitrogen heterocycles.Chapter 3 then describes an ynehydrazide approach to the total synthesis of the hydrazide natural product geralcin A and Z-enehydrazides. Also presented is the discovery of a Boc-carbazate epoxide ring opening/Peterson olefination sequence to stereospecifically prepare Z-enehydrazides. Importantly, this methodology was used to prepare the structurally unique Z-enehydrazide containing natural products hydrazidomycins A-B and elaiomycin B.In Chapter 4, our synthetic studies using a terminal N,N-di-Boc ynimide as an aminoethylating reagent and precursor for regioselective synthesis of imide-functionalized heterocycles is outlined. Included are new examples of ynamide-acetylide reactivity and an ynimide approach to the total synthesis of pyrrolidinoindoline alkaloids (±)-CPC-1 and (±)-Alline.Part 2 of this thesis begins with an introduction to allyltrifluoroborates and their synthetic utility (Chapter 5). Chapter 6 then describes our results concerning the synthesis of a prenyltrifluoroborate reagent and its use to gamma-prenylate aldehydes and ketones. In particular, a diastereoselective prenyltrifluoroborate addition to the N-Boc-L-leucinal is featured as a strategy to install the key di-methyl-beta-keto-ester fragment in the total synthesis of the potent cancer cell growth inhibitory depsipeptides kitastatin and respirantin.Finally, Chapter 7 details the total synthesis of the potent cytokine inhibitory natural product splenocin-B. The chapter features a Z-benzyl-allyltrifluoroborate approach to construct the key stereotriad as well as studies on a new Wittig approach to synthesize Z-allyl-functionalized organotrifluoroborates.

Keywords: Alkaloids
Depsipeptides
Heterocycles
Hydrazides
Ynamides
Advisor: Robert, A. Batey
Three Performances of the Postmetropolis: Youth, Drama, Theatre, and Pedagogy

Three Performances of the Postmetropolis: Youth, Drama, Theatre, and PedagogyAnne Elizabeth WesselsOntario Institute for Studies in Education,University of Toronto2014ABSTRACTThis Canadian arts-infused ethnography inquires into youth and their social relations in a Mississauga secondary school and in the rehearsals of a production of Concord Floral at Theatre Passe Muraille in Toronto. This study analyzes three performances of the suburb for what they suggest regarding the lives of youth, drama, and theatre pedagogy and the changing geography of the suburb. The first performance is a production of Concord Floral by Jordan Tannahill enacted by eight youth from the suburbs. The second set of performances is composed of place-based rituals of schooling presented by students in the spaces of the school where they originally occurred. The final performance takes place on the same school grounds where I conduct walking interviews with youth. Our walks are interrupted and we become spectators to a third performance of the suburb orchestrated by the nonhuman. The social relations observed in this study suggest both normalized privilege and reaction against it. Drama and theatre are used methodologically to produce data rich with affect, including pleasure in rehearsal and the frustrations of a tension-ridden class. Drama and theatre, however, are analyzed for more than their methodological use. This research offers aesthetic approaches that open notions of both drama and theatre pedagogy as they are practiced with youth as ethical, social and environmental art forms Social geographers Edward Soja (2011) and Doreen Massey's (2005) spatial theory and Gilles Deleuze's concepts of the "minor" (1997) and "difference" (1968/94) frame the study theoretically (1997, p. 141). The findings suggest multiple diversities ranging from artists-in-the-making to the nonhuman. Methodologically, doing drama enhances focus groups and conducting the interviews while walking results in the creation of hybridized methods. The analysis attempts to find what Patti Lather (2013) calls a "difference driven analytic" (p. 639). This study analyzes theatre rehearsal, school, and suburban spaces for their potential to become increasingly heterogeneous and equitable (Sibley, 2011, p.131). It closes with an analysis of the school grounds and its potential as a place for socially-engaged artistic practices working with, and alongside, the community to address issues of inadequate infrastructure, environmental concerns, and the quandaries associated with being young in the contemporary suburb.

Keywords: Drama
Ethnography
Performing Place
Place-based performance
Suburb
Youth
Advisor: Kathleen, M Gallagher
Music, Somatics, and Transformation: My Personal Journey through the 24 Debussy Préludes and Yoga

Three subject areas, music, Somatics, and transformation, were investigated to glean an understanding of how the researcher’s personal experience has been transformed through repertoire study of the 24 Debussy Préludes and yoga practice. This research employed Anderson’s Intuitive Inquiry approach. The study of the cultural and artistic climate of Debussy’s era was the researcher’s starting point to comprehending the composer’s sources of inspiration. A perusal of Debussy’s piano output and specific literature on the 24 Préludes was made to gain familiarity with the extra-musical associations in the subtitles of these compositions. From this foundation, the researcher proceeded with a personal exploration of Debussy’s non-music inspirations and examined how such knowledge could be incorporated into formation of her own musical interpretation. To study the manifold layers of this transformational process, the researcher narrated a selfreflection on her musical, physical, and psychological experiences of preparing eight Debussy Préludes for performance. The researcher observed how a musical focal point came into existence during her musical, pianistic, and performance preparation of each of these eight pieces. Three sound recordings of Ce qu’a vu le vent d’Ouest, Bruyères, and Ondine from the researcher’s past recitals were analyzed to report the transformation from one performance to another in the projection of her musical conception through tempi, dynamics, textures, phrasing, harmony, characters, and tonal imagery. By observing her experience of hearing past executions, the researcher gave an account of how her attitude of music listening has changed. A further analysis of these same three Préludes by three different artists was given to relate the researcher’s experience of hearing and comprehending unfamiliar musical interpretations from a new perspective. Through her score study, enrichment of personal experience, introspection, and recording analyses, the researcher elucidated her personal process of musical maturation, structural comprehension, and artistic realization of the Debussy Préludes.

Keywords: Debussy
Music
Préludes
Somatics
Transformation
Yoga
Advisor: Midori, Koga