VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Circular concrete columns externally reinforced with pre-fabricated carbon polymer shells

The research reported here was carried out to investigate the feasibility of using prefabricated carbon fibre reinforced polymer shells as a stay-in-place formwork as well as longitudinal and lateral reinforcement for columns. A total of 11 circular columns, 356 mm in diameter and 1.52 m long, were constructed and tested under monotonic axial compression. Several test variables including the number of carbon fibre layers, orientation of the fibre layers, and longitudinal and lateral steel were studied for their effects on column behavior. A number of concrete confinement models were used in an attempt to predict the response of the columns but were found to be inappropriate for modeling the test specimens. The CFRP shells were very effective as stay-in-place forms as well as in confining the concrete and produce ductile and tough columns.
Trade and the environment, defining a role for the World Trade Organization

The purpose of this study is to define a role for the World Trade Organization (WTO) in protecting the environment. It is argued here that the WTO has a role to play in advancing environmental protection while still serving its foremost function as an institution committed to liberalizing trade: this role is to continue trade liberalization targeted at those market sectors where liberalization will be beneficial to the environment, to establish institutional mechanisms for managing both positive and negative effects of trade, and to reduce doctrinal barriers to environmental regulation. The role of the WTO in safeguarding the environment is defined by the relationship between trade and the environment. This relationship is defined in turn, for the purpose of formulating the WTO's role in environmental protection, by four elements: the economic theory of international trade, the environmental response to international trade and trade institutions, GATT and WTO jurisprudence on conflicts between trade and environmental policies, and the discussions of GATT and WTO working parties on trade and environment issues. These elements are formative in defining a role for the WTO in safeguarding the environment. Chapter 1 begins the examination of the relationship between trade and the environment by presenting the economic case for free trade and the environmental benefits of trade. Chapter 2 presents the environmental response to free trade, which focuses on the environmental hazards harboured in the economic case for free trade, in trade as an economic activity, and in the barriers that the WTO creates to environmental regulation. Chapter 3 analyses the GATT and WTO jurisprudence in the light of the concerns that environmentalists have with the multilateral trading system to determine how these concerns have been treated under GATT and WTO law. Chapter 4 examines the discussions of the WTO Committee on Trade and Environment on issues that fall into two themes: the tension between market access and trade-restricting environmental measures and the linkages between multilateral environment and trade agendas. Chapter 5 provides recommendations for defining a role for the WTO in preserving high level domestic environmental policies and in protecting global resources.
Bioinformatics identification of coding microsatellites that are mutated in mismatch repair deficient colorectal cancers

High frequency microsatellite instability (MSI-H) colorectal carcinomas (CRCs) display MMR deficiency and account for about 15% of human colorectal cancers. Gene inactivation via mononucleotide tract frameshift mutations is characteristic of the pathogenesis of MSI-H colorectal carcinomas. Frameshift mutations have only been described in selected candidate genes including ' TGFßRII, IGFIIR, BAX' and others. We developed "Kangaroo", a program capable of highly specialized searches in nucleotide and protein sequence databases. Utilizing Kangaroo, we identified genes with coding polyadenine tracts that had functional significance in cell cycle regulation. Our results revealed widespread novel mutations in mismatch repair deficient colorectal cancers, while Kangaroo provided a method for genome scanning to identify candidate mutation hot spots in evolution and human disease.
The notched strength of angle-ply laminates

The notched tensile strength of carbon-epoxy and glass-epoxy laminates with 43mm width and 20mm gauge length were studied at different fiber lay-up angles and quasi-isotropic laminates. Mostly fiber failure was observed for 15° and 30° laminates. With angles greater than 45°, fiber failure hardly occurred at all. The photoelastic method was used in the study. The fringe patterns showed that the stress distributions in angle-ply laminates were different from those for isotropic materials. The quasi-isotropic laminates were very similar to isotropic materials. The results showed that KIc can be measured for both carbon-epoxy and glass-epoxy angle-ply laminates for fiber angles at 30° or less; and for quasi-isotropic carbon-epoxy. It still had some validity at 45° or higher. KIc's of up to 86MPam1/2 were observed. Work of fracture estimated therefore would be as high as 740 kJm-2 .
Campaigning against excision in Mali, global and local hierarchies, hegemony and knowledge

This thesis is a multi-sited investigation of the campaign against excision in urban Mali and of the responses to it. Fieldwork took place in 1997-1998 through feminist action-research with a local women's association that carried out programs against excision. Part I situates the historical, structural and cultural contexts within which excision practices take place, focusing on the two largest ethnic groupings in the areas under study: the Fulbe and the Mande. Key Mande and Fulbe structural hierarchies are discussed, namely gender, age, class, and caste. In Mali, circumcisers have historically come from specific castes of artisans, in particular the Mande 'nùmuw' ("blacksmiths"). However today non-'nùmu' health practitioners also perform circumcisions. A review of the ethnographic literature on excision in Mali reveals that for most Mande groups the practice has been constructed as a rite of passage. Other hegemonic constructs that present clitoridectomy as a form of ritual purification and female sexuality as dangerous are also present, and help to explain how the practice comes to be part of 'common-sense' (in the Gramscian sense). Concepts borrowed from the sociology of knowledge are used in Part II to analyze the campaign against excision and responses to it. The discourses, fields of knowledge and practices of four competing categories of "experts" with regards to excision are presented: feminists, state agents, ' nùmu' women, and Muslim leaders. An ethnographic examination of the Malian campaign against excision reveals that it is led by the educated elite, and sustained by global currents of ideas and capital. The opinions of those targeted by the campaigns (obtained through a survey of 300 men and women) are presented next, as well as the motivations and difficulties of those among them who seek to become 'well-informed' on excision. I conclude that the debates on excision in Mali reflect broader societal changes and ideological struggles concerning the future of the caste system, the role of the state, secularism, 'traditional' health care, female sexuality, the power of elders, modernity and individualism. I also draw implications of the findings for campaigners and their supporters, and reflect on the challenges of cross-cultural feminist solidarity.
The effects of brand name fluency, attitude, and attribute accessibility on constrained and stimulus-based brand choices, the moderating role of the level of motivation and opportunity

This dissertation examines how fluency for brand names, attitude accessibility, and attribute accessibility influence brand choices that are made in different contexts. Further, the results of the dissertation demonstrate that the respective effects of these factors critically depend on the level of motivation and opportunity the consumer has when making the brand choice. Drawing on the implicit memory framework, the first study examines how exposures to brand names affect subsequent brand choices under different levels of motivation and opportunity conditions. The results show that the brand choice made under low motivation and opportunity condition are sensitive to perceptual fluency, and thus are affected by the modality of exposure. The processing mode (conceptual vs. perceptual) is found to exert no influence on brand choice. The second study extends the findings of the first study by incorporating attitude accessibility into the model of brand choice. This study finds that the attitude accessibility influences brand choices that are made under both low and high motivation and opportunity conditions, but that perceptual fluency influences brand choices made only under low motivation and opportunity condition. Finally, the results of the third study demonstrate that the stimulus-based choice is also subject to the influence of memory. Specifically, the third study shows that the stimulus-based choice is influenced by the accessibility of attribute in memory. Further, the results show that an unimportant attribute may exert disproportionate impact on the brand choice if that attribute is highly accessible in memory. The study identifies selective attention as the mechanism by which the unimportant attribute influences the brand choice.
A compiler algorithm for scheduling non-numeric code with explicitly forwarded data on a speculative multiprocessor

Thread-Level Data Speculation (TLDS) aim to improve the performance of non-numeric applications by parallelize likely independent threads. When frequently occurring thread-carried data dependences exist, the sources of the data dependences are explicitly forwarded between threads. With forwarding, the performance of the multi-processor is determined by the critical forwarding path length, which is equal to the non-overlapping portions of the thread. The compiler can schedule instructions to minimize the critical forwarding path length, and improve the performance of the parallel execution. This thesis presents a scheduling algorithm that identifies the frequently occurring thread-carried data dependences and moves the sources of these data dependences as early as possible in the thread. This scheduling algorithm aggressively moves the identified operations and computations that they depend on across a large number of instructions. This algorithm is able to exploit parallelism between threads, hence significantly improve the performance of the applications on TLDS architecture.
A notoriety-based justification for the Son of Sam legislation

"Son of Sam" legislation aims the confiscation of literary depiction of crimes committed by offender-authors, and the use of the confiscated amount to compensate the victims of crime. Such legislation can be supported by either the principle that wrongdoers should compensate their victims, or the principle that no one should be allowed to profit from her or his own wrongdoing. While the existing literature mainly concentrates on the former principle as a (possible) justification for "Son of Sam" legislation, this thesis is aimed at defending the "Son of Sam" legislation, based on the principle against profiting from one's own wrongdoing. The approach taken in this thesis is that such justification is a sufficient one while not necessarily exhaustive. The principle against profiting from wrongdoing cannot justify a blanket justification for confiscation of any profit resulting from wrongdoing due to the existence of three sets of concerns: lack of a moral need to confiscate the related profit from the underlying wrongdoing, lack of a causal connection between the underlying wrongdoing and the resultant gain, or the existence of countervailing considerations that weigh against the creation of a confiscation rule. The thesis supports a confiscation rule of notoriety-based profits. It explores the unique characteristics of financial exploitation of notoriety and shows that a notoriety-based confiscation rule adequately satisfies the requirements derived from the above three concerns. In conclusion, the thesis makes some preliminary suggestions for structuring a notoriety-based confiscation rule that would also serve several interests of victims of crime.
Linear-time encodable low-density parity-check codes

In this thesis, a class of Low-Density Parity-Check codes with the property that encoding can be performed in time linearly proportional to block length, is presented. These codes were named Linear-Time Encodable Low-Density Parity-Check codes (LE-LDPC). The necessary background theory is examined, concentrating on factor graphs and APP iterative decoding algorithms. Furthermore, the various details of the construction of LE-LDPC codes are also examined. A number of algorithmic modifications which yielded significant improvement in decoding performance are proposed. Simulation results are presented wherein code performance is examined as a function of a variety of construction parameters such as block size and graph structure. Lastly, LE-LDPC codes are shown to perform well compared with similar codes; even at the relatively short block lengths necessary for application in personal communication systems.
Impact velocity and surface temperature effects on the collision of a molten tin droplet on a solid surface

An experimental investigation was performed on the splashing and freezing of molten tin droplets on a stainless steel surface. The diameter of the droplets was 2.7 mm, and the impact velocity ranged from 1.0 m/s to 4.0 m/s. The substrate temperature was varied from 25$\sp\circ$C to 240$\sp\circ$C. Droplet impact was photographed using a 35 mm camera; both the splat diameter and liquid-solid contact angle were measured from these photographs. The substrate temperature under the impacting droplet was measured using a fast response thermocouple. The heat transfer coefficient during the first 0.5 ms of impact was obtained by matching measured surface temperature variation with an analytical solution. A simple energy conservation model was used to predict the maximum spreading of the droplet during impact. The predictions agreed well with experimental values. Instabilities were observed on the periphery of the droplet, which led to the formation of a finger pattern at velocities above 1.0 m/s. A model based on the Rayleigh-Taylor instability was used to predict the number of fingers around the periphery of the droplet.
Design and development of a pervaporation membrane separation module

This thesis contributes to the design and development of a new pervaporation membrane separation module based on axiomatic design theory and Design for X methodology. The overall design process consists of needs generation, task analysis, knowledge preparation, design methodology selection, conceptual design, detailed design, working drawings, manufacturing arrangement, prototyping and design evaluation. The conceptual design was executed on four levels to form the basic configurations and features under the guidance of axiomatic design theory. Thereafter, the detailed design was performed based on Design for X methodology. The design incorporates the customer requirements, cost, manufacturing, performance, structure, maintenance, reliability, schedule and human factor considerations, etc. Numerous innovative design features have been incorporated in the module and have been made to obtain the best combination of various design concepts which have been validated by prototyping. Recommendations for the further improvement of the module are addressed.
Food neophobia, an examination of food rejections with special reference to disgust

Rozin and Fallon (1987) have identified three motivational dimensions underlying acceptance/rejection of foods, each of which is relevant to our understanding of food neophobic (i.e., fear of unfamiliar foods) reactions. They are: (1) anticipated consequences of eating foods, (2) beliefs about the sensory-affective properties of foods, and (3) ideational reasons for acceptance/rejection, including both disgust and belief about the appropriateness of the items as food. Within this framework, three studies were conducted to identify and understand what underlies rejection of novel foods, particularly novel animal foods. Previous research suggests that neophobic reactions towards novel animal foods are mediated by disgust (a specific type of ideational rejection) (Martins et al., 1997). In Study 1 participants rated their beliefs about the properties of, their emotional reactions towards, and their willingness to try the 12 foods. For novel foods, both nonanimal and animal, it was found that participants' beliefs about the disgusting attributes, and interest experienced at the thought of eating the foods were the best predictors of willingness to try them. Study 2 exposed participants to scenarios depicting potentially disgusting foods in an effort to determine what makes foods disgusting. It was found that negative sensory/textural properties and reminders of livingness/animalness accounted for most of the variability in ratings of perceived disgustingness of the foods depicted in the scenarios. Study 3 examined the effect of a distraction/rumination manipulation on participants' experience of the disgust attributes of novel animal foods and willingness to try them. This manipulation had no effect on ratings of the foods' disgust attributes or willingness to try them. It was concluded that novel nonanimal foods can also elicit disgust reactions, although these disgust reactions may be weaker than the disgust reactions exhibited towards novel animal foods. Additionally, it is proposed that positive transvaluation (i.e., acceptance of foods based on their nature, origin, or social history--an ideational motive for acceptance) may be a fruitful technique for reducing the experience of the disgust attributes and neophobic reactions towards novel animal foods.
Mathematical theory of quantum tunneling at positive temperature

The goal of this work is to initiate mathematical theory of tunneling at positive temperatures. The mathematical framework we develop here rests on the notion of 'resonance free energy', <math> <f> F<fen lp="par"><g>b</g><rp post="par"></fen></f> </math> (where <math> <f> <g>b</g></f> </math> is inverse temperature). This quantity plays the role of the resonance energy at zero temperature. We prove that the probability of escape of the particle from a potential well due to tunneling can be expressed as ' P'('t') = 1 - 'p'('t') where roughly: <display-math> <fd> <fl>e<sup>-<fr><nu><g>G</g>t</nu><de>&plank;</de></fr></sup><= p<fen lp="par">t<rp post="par"></fen><=e<sup>-<fr><nu><g>G</g> t</nu><de>&plank;</de></fr></sup>+O<fen lp="par"><fen lp="par"> <fr><nu>t<g>G</g></nu><de>&plank;</de></fr><rp post="par"></fen><sup> 2</sup><rp post="par"></fen></fl> </fd> </display-math> modulo <math> <f> O<fen lp="par"><g>L</g><sup>2</sup><rp post="par"></fen>+O<fen lp="par"> <fen lp="par"><fr><nu>&plank;</nu><de>t</de></fr><rp post="par"></fen><sup> [infinity]</sup><rp post="par"></fen>,</f> </math> where <math> <f> <g>L</g></f> </math> is an exponentially small (in <math> <f> <fr><nu>1</nu><de>&plank;</de></fr></f> </math>) quantity specified in Section 8. Here <math> <f> &plank;</f> </math> is the Planck constant divided by 2[pi] and <display-math> <fd> <fl><g>G</g>=-2Im<fen lp="par">F<fen lp="par"><g>b</g><rp post="par"></fen> <rp post="par"></fen>,</fl> </fd> </display-math> is the "width" of the resonance free energy. Furthermore, we give a semi-classical bound on <math> <f> <g>G</g></f> </math>:<display-math> <fd> <fl>0<<g>G</g><=C&plank;<sup>-6</sup>e<sup>-<fr><nu>S<inf> <g>b</g></inf></nu><de>&plank;</de></fr></sup></fl> </fd> </display-math> for some 'C' > 0, where <math> <f> S<inf><g>b</g></inf></f> </math> is the action of the instanton of period <math> <f> &plank;<g>b</g></f> </math>.
Holocaust experience and suicide ideation in high-risk older adults

Remote stressors are associated with depression and suicide ideation, a relevant precursor of severe suicidal behaviours. The Holocaust is a remote traumatic event, which led to chronic stress, possibly predisposing survivors to psychological difficulties. Understanding the relationship between suicide ideation and Holocaust experience may help in earlier diagnosis and treatment of suicidal behaviours in high-risk older adults. This retrospective cross-sectional study was based on 530 consecutive eligible first admission data. It aimed at examining factors associated with suicide ideation in depressed older adults with emphasis on the risk in Holocaust survivors. Multivariate analyses showed that severity of depression was a powerful predictor of suicide ideation. Holocaust exposure had a strong independent association with suicide ideation, even when relevant confounders including, social support, severity of depression, past suicide attempt/s and other stressful events were controlled for. Therefore, severity of depression and past traumatic experience might increase the likelihood of suicide ideation.
Carbon metabolism and regulation in C3 plants, isolation and characterization of high CO¦2 responsive mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana

Given that atmospheric CO2 levels are expected to double during the 21st century and that crop and forest species account for two thirds of global photosynthesis, knowledge of mechanisms governing the acclimation response to high CO2 in plants is essential. The objective of this study was to better understand the mechanism of regulation affecting the response of higher plants to the availability of inorganic carbon. As genetic screens have proved useful in the understanding of physiology and signal transduction in several pathways, a genetic approach using the crucifer 'Arabidopsis thaliana' was taken. Initial characterization of conditions that elicited a response from wildtype 'Arabidopsis' plants was performed prior to screening mutagenized populations. Wildtype 'Arabidopsis' plants exhibit a stress response when exposed to elevated CO2 (0.1-0.3%). Aspects of this stress response include anthocyanin accumulation, curling of leaves, necrosis, hyper-accumulation of foliar carbohydrates and down-regulation of photosynthetic gene expression. Characterization of wildtype facilitated the isolation of mutants which showed a response differing from that of wildtype plants when exposed to elevated CO2. Mutants that resulted from this screen were placed in two general categories; CO2 non-responsive ('cnr') and CO2 hyper-responsive ('chr'). Initial characterization of representative mutants from the different groups was carried out. The largest group of mutants 'cnr' was chosen for further study. These 'cnr' mutants share varying degrees of a single combination of phenotypes which include reduced anthocyanin production, reduced or no curling of leaves, delayed senescence, and normal to vigorous growth under elevated CO2. Two non-allelic T-DNA tagged mutants, ' cnr' 1-1 and 'cnr' 2-1 were selected for genetic, molecular, biochemical and physiological analyses. 'cnr' 1-1 is a dominant mutation and the gene affected by the T-DNA insert in this mutant is a leucine rich repeat receptor kinase. The CO2 insensitive and glucose insensitive phenotype of 'cnr' 1-1 suggest a role for CNR1 in carbon metabolism and the molecular identity of CNR1 suggests a role in signal transduction. ' cnr' 2-1 is a recessive mutation and the T-DNA insert disrupts a P450 monoxygenase gene. Physiological and biochemical analyses suggest that the P450 monoxygenase is involved in the abscisic acid pathway.