VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
A group intervention for adolescents with learning disabilities, a treatment-outcome study with a clinical sample

A treatment-outcome study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 10-week interpersonal group therapy intervention for clinically referred adolescents with learning disabilities (LD). The treatment was aimed at 12-18 year old males who could openly verbalize and discuss their feelings. Thirty-one adolescents were randomly assigned to a group therapy treatment, or a 'usual care' control group receiving no group treatment. Pre, post and follow-up assessments of 15 adolescents and a matched control group measured self-reported behavioral and psychological adjustment, loneliness, self-worth and interpersonal friendship variables. Parent reports of adolescents' behavioral and psychological adjustment along with friendship variables were assessed. Treatment outcome was also assessed by self and parent reports on a measure of clinical significance. A repeated measures analysis of variance for related samples was conducted for each scale to determine group differences. A consistent pattern of results in the present study offered no support for the effectiveness of this intervention. Across all measures, the group treatment did not contribute differentially to outcomes beyond a standard model of care used at the agency. Group treatment does not seem to improve clinically relevant outcomes. Specifically, both adolescents and parents reported mixed levels of satisfaction with the group experience. As the first experimental study carried out at the agency to investigate group treatment effectiveness, the no-difference findings are important because of the potential questions they raise to facilitate further research and application to clinical practice.
Determinants in attaining the position of Chief Executive Officer

The purpose of this study was to make explicit the factors that lead to the attainment of a position as a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a major corporation. In order to fulfill this purpose, qualitative research methodology was used to collect the data. Participants were nine CEOs of major Canadian corporations. The only parameters placed on the sampling process were that three CEOs were to be chosen from each of the private, public, and voluntary sectors and at least one of the three participants from each sector was to be a woman. No attempt was made to match participants on any other defining characteristic such as place of birth, age, religious faith, marital status, or the length of tenure with a corporation or as a CEO. Revenues of the corporations were to be in excess of $30,000,000. The results of the study show that self-confidence is an important factor in attaining this position, although it is developmental in nature. At some point, the participants saw themselves as being capable of handling the demands of the position. Though academic achievement is a factor in attaining positions at a less senior level, it is a reputation for consistently producing outstanding results that is a key determinant in attaining the position of CEO. Personal traits that distinguished the participants include the ability to conceptualize problems, find creative but practical solutions, and inspire others to implement them. Other characteristics include a passion for excellence, commitment and dedication to their work, personal accountability, and integrity. It would appear that prestige and money were not determinants that underpinned their occupational choices. Rather, occupational interests appear to have been the means to find a resolution to an existential problem or over-arching tension that developed during the years they were growing up. Thus, their motivation to aspire to positions of leadership was underpinned by a need for achievement, social recognition, autonomy, affiliation, change, or a combination thereof. Mentors played a role in the success of some of the CEOs. In the early stages of their careers, mentors offered encouragement and provided opportunities for practical experience in the development of their leadership skills. There is no doubt that chance events were a contributing factor in attaining a position as a CEO for about a third of the participants. However, the consequences of the event could not have happened without some previous action on their part. They had made choices that placed themselves in the right place at the right time to take advantage of these fortuitous events. Gender differences were negligible, although the women perceived that they would not have attained the position without a graduate degree. The phenomena of the glass ceiling was not an issue.
Telomeres, DNA damage signaling molecules and cellular aging

Normal human cells have a finite life span and undergo senescence after a fixed number of divisions. This process appears to involve some form of genetic memory by which normal cells count the number of divisions they undergo before senescence is reached. The telomere hypothesis proposed that loss of telomeric DNA at the end of human chromosomes acts as a mitotic clock, counting each cell division. Once a critical length of telomeric DNA is reached, senescence is initiated. Questions addressed in this thesis are: (1) How does telomere shortening cause cell cycle exit? (2) Is telomere shortening one of the factors which causes senescence? To address the first question, a model is proposed in chapter two in which telomere shortening is perceived by the cell as DNA damage and that this signal activates a DNA damage signaling pathway leading to senescence. In chapter three, we show that post-translational activation of p53 protein is one factor responsible for upregulation of p21WAF1 in aging cells and PARP (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase) is involved in the regulation of p53 protein. We found that, either inhibition of PARP or loss of p53 led to extension of life span in normal human fibroblasts. Loss of three genes in our model (PARP, p53 and p21) led to extension of cellular life span. In contrast, loss of ATM gene led to accelerated telomere shortening and premature senescence. We conclude that these DNA damage signaling molecules are involved in regulation of cellular senescence. Answering the second question required reconstitution of telomerase activity in normal human cells. We show in chapter four of this thesis that telomerase activity can be reconstituted in normal cells by forced expression of hTERT, the catalytic subunit of human telomerase. This activity is sufficient to elongate telomeric DNA and extend the replicative life span of cells. These findings provide evidence consistent with the telomere hypothesis and indicate that telomere shortening is one factor which initiates cellular senescence by activation of a DNA damage signaling cascade. Furthermore they indicate that telomere elongation may be sufficient to prevent senescence and render normal human cells immortal.
The effects of angular separation and binocular viewing on apparent visual angles

Three factors on the accuracy of relative visual angle judgments were investigated: (1) angular separation of the visual angles, (2) physical sizes of the objects, and (3) binocular versus monocular viewing. In Experiment 1, 20 subjects (12 female) monocularly judged the relative sizes of two visual angles, generated by four cylinders differing in physical size, separated by various angular separations. Accuracy decreased as angular separation increased and as the similarity in the physical sizes of the cylinders decreased Experiment 2 (5 subjects; 2 female) extended the investigation to binocular viewing. Accuracy was lower for the binocular than for monocular views. Experiment 3 (5 subjects; 3 female) investigated stimulus variables that might affect visual angle judgment accuracy (e.g., "alignment" and "comparative angular separation"). Accuracy was lower for low alignment. Implications of these findings for theories of vision, and the theory of perspective invariants in particular, are also discussed.
Molecular gas in Seyfert galaxies

In this work we examine the physical conditions of the global molecular gas reservoir in the host galaxies of Seyfert nuclei. The prime motivation is to examine if there are any large scale differences among the two types of Seyferts and whether the observed larger star formation rate in the host galaxies of type 2 Seyferts is also accompanied by a systematically larger molecular gas reservoir. For the statistical part of our study we acquired sensitive 12 CO, 13CO, j=1-0, J=2-1 observations and collected available data from the literature for a sample of 27 Seyfert galaxies. The r21=(2-1)/(1-0) line ratio for 12CO does not reveal any significant difference between the two types but Seyferts as a class seem to have systematically lower values of r21 (<math> <f> ~</f> </math>0.5-0.7) than average spirals and starbursts. Moreover for all the galaxies examined, but especially for Seyferts and starbursts, we find that r21 is likely to be smaller as the area of the galaxy sampled by the telescope beam becomes larger. We also present fully sampled 12CO, 13CO J=2-1, 3-2 maps of the inner <math> <f> ~</f> </math>1' x 1' region of NGC 1068 and combine these measurements with an interferometric map of 12CO J=1-0 that includes single dish data and hence recovers all the flux present. This allows a reliable estimate of the 12CO (J=3-2)/(J=1-0) ratio at the highest angular resolution currently possible and the use of this sensitive line ratio to probe the physical condition of the molecular gas. The observed line ratios suggest a two-component gas phase being present in the starburst region of NGC 1068. The one component is diffuse, warm (T kin <math> <f> >=</f> </math> 35 K) and not virialized, with moderate 12CO J=1-0 optical depths (<math> <f> <g>t</g>~1-2</f> </math>) and dominates the 12CO emission. The usual way of estimating molecular gas mass is from the 12 CO J=1-0 luminosity and a standard galactic conversion factor. This may overestimate the gas mass present if the gas phase dominating the emission of 12CO is not virialized. Hence, earlier suggestions that the larger 12CO J=1-0 luminosity of Seyfert 2 with respect to Seyfert 1 galaxies means a correspondingly larger molecular gas mass must be viewed with caution. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Microbial induction of programmed cell death in the gastrointestinal tract

Infection with 'Helicobacter pylori' and Shigatoxin-producing ' Escherichia coli' is associated with a number of diseases in humans. The mechanisms underlying disease pathophysiology remain unclear. Recent evidence suggests that induction of apoptosis could be a pathogenic trait of specific bacterial pathogens. Therefore, the objectives of this thesis were (1) to determine if gastrointestinal pathogens or their products induce an apoptotic response in epithelial cells following infection and (2) to delineate the mechanisms by which infection triggers the cell's apoptotic machinery. I determined if infection with the gastric pathogen, 'H. pylori ', induced apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells. 'In vivo ' studies documented that infection was associated with an increase in both proliferation and apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells in association with enhanced expression of the tumor supressor p53. These findings indicate that induction of apoptosis occurs during infection and could influence disease outcome. I began to explore the mechanisms responsible for the increase in apoptosis observed during 'H. pylori' infection 'in vivo'. I determined that the bacteria could directly trigger apoptosis of epithelial cells in vitro. In addition, infection with 'H. pylori' increased expression of the Fas death receptor on gastric epithelial cells in association with an increased sensitivity to Fas-triggered cell death. Taken together, these findings indicate that 'H. pylori'-mediated apoptosis occurs by more than one pathway. The bacterium directly stimulates apoptosis and infiltrating immune cells can induce apoptosis through the Fas signaling pathway. Finally, I demonstrated that epithelial cells expressing globotriaosylceramide undergo apoptosis following incubation with Shigatoxins produced by ' E. coli'. The induction of apoptosis is associated with an alteration in Bcl-2 family member expression. Furthermore the toxin-mediated apoptosis can be inhibited by overexpression of the anti-apoptotic homologue Bcl-2 or by inhibition of downstream caspase activation. Inhibition of the apoptotic cascades defined in these studies could ameliorate the disease complications associated with infection. These findings indicate that bacterial pathogens and their products are capable of inducing apoptosis in epithelial cells. Therefore, the induction of apoptosis could be a common mechanism by which bacteria interact with host cells.
Not at the table, an ethnography of feeding children by gastrostomy tube

Gastrostomy feeding, a nutrition intervention, has recently begun to be used in a pediatric population. This intervention has been efficacious in correcting undernutrition and minimizing the risk of aspiration in children with feeding impairments associated with neurodevelopmental impairments. However, anecdotal accounts indicate that families are ambivalent about the initiation of g-tube feeding in these children, in spite its physiologic benefits. In order to develop a broader understanding of the effects of g-tube feeding on children and their families, a critical ethnography was conducted. The mealtime contexts of eight children with neurodevelopmental impairments who were fed by g-tube were explored. Findings indicated that families attempted to normalize the feeding/eating activities of their children within structural constraints. Although mealtimes were constructed with children's well-being in mind, they sometimes placed children at physical risk and demanded tremendous sacrifices on the part of parents.
Fault diagnosis in discrete-event and hybrid systems

A framework for on-line passive fault diagnosis in discrete-event systems is proposed. In this approach, the system and the diagnoser (the fault detection system) do not have to be initialized at the same time, and no information about the state or even the condition (failure status) of the system before the initiation of diagnosis is required. First, a state-based approach for fault diagnosis in finite-state automata is presented. The design of the fault detection system has, in the worst case, exponential time complexity. A model reduction scheme with Polynomial time complexity is introduced to reduce the computational Complexity of the design. Next the use of timing information to improve the accuracy of diagnosis is considered. Instead of directly extending the framework to timed discrete-event systems, an alternative approach is taken which leads to significant reduction in on-line computing requirements, and in many cases, in the size of the diagnoser at the expense of more off-line design calculations. The issue of diagnosability of failures in this framework is also studied and necessary and sufficient conditions for diagnosability are derived. In addition, the cases where the discrete-event models used in fault issue is whether the discrete-event model contains enough information about the system for the purpose of fault diagnosis. In this regard, two different notions of consistency between high-level (discrete-event) and low-level (hybrid) models are introduced. Sufficient conditions for consistency are derived and a semi-algorithmic method for constructing suitable high-level discrete-event models from low-level hybrid systems is developed.
Paris in the epic tradition, a study in Homeric techniques of characterization

In this dissertation I argue that the characterization of Paris as an anti-heroic, erotic figure is untraditional, that it is either the work of the main composer of the 'Iliad' or that it entered the oral tradition not long before the 'Iliad' took its final shape. I begin with an overview of scholarship on techniques of characterization in oral poetry. I argue that characterization is achieved within the context of a poem's specific ethical framework. Characters act either in conformity with or in opposition to this system of values, and their 'characterization ' emerges accordingly. For the 'Iliad', the dominant ethical framework is that of the warrior. The negative characterization of Paris results from his poor performance as a warrior in Books 3 and 6. 1 go on to argue, however, that in the rest of the poem Paris acts in accordance with the value system of the warrior. This results in a figure who is characterized in a heroic manner in the rest of the poem. In the second chapter, I explore these two opposing characterizations of the same hero. I conclude, on the basis of an examination of the hero's epithets, that the anti-heroic figure enters the tradition late. The stories that are known about Paris from the epic tradition--the Judgement of Paris, the death of Achilles, and Paris' own death--indicate that he was traditionally a heroic figure. In the third chapter, I examine the type-scene of arming, for Paris receives one of only four of these scenes in the 'Iliad'. I argue that the arming scene always serves to glorify the hero who is its subject. As such, Paris' arming scene is further evidence that in the epic tradition Paris was a heroic figure. In the fourth chapter, I proceed with a similar analysis, this time of the story pattern of wrath, withdrawal, and return. I demonstrate that vestiges of this pattern exist in the scene between Hector and Paris in Book 6. I then argue that, because the purpose of this story pattern is the 'auxesis ' of the hero, it too is proof that Paris was originally a heroic figure. In short, I attempt a thorough examination of how Paris is characterized in the 'Iliad' by looking at both his place in that poem and his place in the larger tradition which gave rise to the 'Iliad'.
Methane producing status, lipids and short chain fatty acids in humans

It has been theorized that colonic production and absorption of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) is different in methane producers (MP) compared to nonproducers (MNP). Thus, it was hypothesised that MP have higher serum cholesterol concentrations than MNP, possibly, due to increased colonic acetate availability being a substrate for cholesterol synthesis. To test this, fasting serum lipids and SCFA were compared in 66 MP and 63 MNP. The MP were significantly older than MNP (49.5 ± 2.0 vs 39.6 ± 2.2y, P < 0.005) and breath methane concentrations were weakly correlated with age in MP. MP had higher serum cholesterol than MNP (5.5 ± 0.1 vs 5.0 ± 0.1 mmol/L, P = 0.02), but the difference was not significant after age adjustment. No significant differences were observed in serum SCFA between the groups. 3-day diet records revealed no difference in macronutrient intakes between MP and MNP. Dietary fiber intake in MP, 23.2 ± 1.4 g, was significantly higher than in MNP 18.1 ± 1.3g (P < 0.01), but the difference was not significant after age adjustment. Dietary fiber intake was positively correlated with breath methane in MP. In the second study in vitro production of SCFA in MP and MNP was determined. No differences were observed in the fermentation of different substrates between the groups, but there were highly significant differences between substrates in the whole group. To determine if MP have higher post-prandial serum acetate concentrations over 12-hours than MNP, 11 MP and 8 MNP with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) were studied. MP had significantly greater fasting serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol than MNP. The mean increment in serum acetate over 6-12 hours in MP was significantly higher than MNP. In summary, the study in healthy humans showed that MP had significantly higher fasting serum cholesterol than MNP, it is unclear if this is age-related. Methane producing status (MPS) is linked to age and fiber intake. in vitro production of SCFA is not affected by NIPS but the results point to increased absorption of SCFA in MP. In IGT subjects, a positive MPS increases post-prandial serum acetate which may contribute to the increased serum total cholesterol concentration.
A characteristic/finite element algorithm for 3-D unsteady advection-dominated transport phenomena using unstructured grids

The goal of this work was to develop a numerical algorithm for simulation of 3-D unsteady advection-dominated transport problems using unstructured grids, and to apply the algorithm to simulate the mass transport of some physiologically-significant species in several arterial geometries. A 3-D Characteristic Galerkin scheme for solving the hyperbolic advection equation was developed and tested. The scheme projects information from the Lagrangian (departure) grid onto the Eulerian grid at Gauss quadrature points of the Eulerian elements. This Gaussian quadrature based projection makes the scheme easily and efficiently extendible to three dimensions. A variable time step technique was devised and implemented to treat the Dirichlet inlet boundary conditions. Two efficient algorithms were devised for searching for feet of the characteristics within the finite element mesh. The properties of the Characteristic Galerkin scheme were examined by several 2-D numerical tests. The scheme exhibited good phase, Accuracy and stability behaviour. An algorithm based on operator splitting was developed for solving unsteady, advection-dominated transport problems. The algorithm incorporates the 3-D Characteristic Galerkin scheme to treat advection terms, and a standard Galerkin treatment of the diffusion terms. Up to third-order operator-splitting was implemented and validated against several analytical solutions. The algorithm showed consistent error performances and demonstrated good performance in modeling advection-dominated transport problems. Capturing the thin boundary layers formed near the walls or around objects in advection-dominated problems can be a major difficulty. It is necessary from an efficiency viewpoint to use high aspect ratio elements that are thin perpendicular to the boundary/object wall and wide along it. A general strategy was devised and implemented for generating stretched tetrahedral elements needed to efficiently capture the thin boundary layers. The algorithms described above were employed to calculate mass transfer patterns in two symmetric and asymmetric stenotic arterial models with equal cross-sectional area reduction. The complex flow field due to the stenosis in the asymmetric case resulted in mass transfer patterns which were substantially different than those exhibited by the axisymmetric stenosis. This implies that accurate representation of the arterial geometries is essential in mass transfer studies. The algorithms were also applied to calculate mass transfer in a right coronary artery model with a realistic geometry. The results suggest that anatomically correct, patient-specific arterial models are needed before any conclusion is drawn towards the existence of a link between the mass transport variations and atherosclerosis.