VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Constituting "Asian women": Canadian gendered orientalism and multicultural nationalism in an age of "Asia rising."

This thesis examines how the Canadian nation state produces itself as both global and national through the bodies of Asian women. Focusing on the turn of the twenty-first century, it explores the parameters and frameworks in which women of Asian heritage are both incorporated as representatives of the Canadian nation, and disqualified from and included in the Canadian national imaginary as Asian women. It does so by analyzing three disparate events in which Asian women and issues of race, gender, and citizenship figured prominently: the unwelcomed arrival of approximately 600 "illegal" Chinese migrant women, children and men on four boats off the coast of British Columbia in the summer of 1999; the much desired migration of and extraordinary concern over the assaults of Asian women and girls temporarily in British Columbia to study English in the summer and fall of 2002; and the controversy over the appointment of Chinese Canadian Adrienne Clarkson as Canada's governor general from 1999 to 2005. Through these events I aim to show how western representations of Asians as "foreign labour", "foreign enemy" and "foreign capital" are gendered female as well as male. Defined as foreigners that need to be expelled as well as ideal subjects that should be welcomed, how does gender affect the contemporary ambivalence towards Asians in Canada? Apparently contradictory, I argue that dominant power structures are produced through ambivalence. Each case study reveals that Asian women are constructed in various ways in order to support both multicultural nationalism and the advancement of Canada's position in the Asia Pacific/China century. Seemingly contradictory, this research highlights the multiple ways that the processes of envelopment and abjection are imposed onto dissimilar Asian women made disparate by uneven processes of white settler colonialism and global capitalism. Thus, this research contributes to a larger body of work that inquires into how issues of difference are managed in western multicultural nation states in the neoliberal moment.
Role of the accessory proteins tapasin and Bap29/31 in the biogenesis of MHC class I molecules

Class I histocompatibility molecules, consisting of a heavy chain, a light chain (beta2-microglobulin) and peptide, are assembled in the endoplasmic reticulum before being exported to the Golgi apparatus and the cell surface where they are surveyed by cytotoxic T cells. Assembly of the heavy/light chain heterodimer with peptide occurs in the peptide loading complex, which consists of the transporter associated with antigen processing, tapasin, ERp57, calnexin and calreticulin. In the first part of this thesis, I have used a mutational approach to investigate the physical organization of the peptide loading complex with a particular emphasis on tapasin. Several residues were identified to be involved in the interaction between H-2 D d and tapasin and mutations at these positions resulted in phenotypes of low surface expression, altered endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi transport and mildly affected peptide loading. These complex observations, analyzed in the context of similar studies performed with HLA-A2 and H-2 Ld suggest that the organization of the peptide loading complex can vary depending on the specific class I molecule examined. In the second part of this thesis, I investigated later events in the biogenesis of class I molecules, namely their export from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus. I found that the putative cargo receptor Bap31 binds to two allotypes of mouse class I molecules with the interaction initiated at the time of heavy chain association with beta2-microglobulin and maintained until the class I molecule has left the endoplasmic reticulm. Consistent with an important role in recruiting class I molecules to transport vesicles, I showed that in the absence of Bap31 and its binding partner Bap29, there is a loss of class I colocalization with p137, a component of mammalian COPII coats. This observation is also associated with a delay in class I traffic from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi. These observations are consistent with the view that class I molecules are largely recruited to endoplasmic reticulum exit sites by Bap29/31 and that Bap29/31 is a cargo receptor for major histocompatibility complex class I molecules.
The validity of the certification of manner of death by Ontario coroners

The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of manner of death certification, of unnatural adult deaths, by Ontario Coroners. The study involved designing a questionnaire, conducting a census in 2002 and performing a primary analysis of the collected data. Two hundred and twenty-six Ontario Coroners participated; the manner of death certified by the Coroners was examined relative to a panel of experts. Deaths from hanging, drowning and carbon monoxide had better odds of being certified correctly. Deaths from drug intoxication and multiple injuries had decreased odds of being certified correctly. Increased proof of a decedent's intent to die was associated with improved odds of a correct manner of death. Accidental deaths were underreported when injury resulted in a 'natural' lethal complication and when there was a delay between injury and death. Only a few Coroners' characteristics affected the odds of obtaining a correct manner of death.
The application of model reference adaptive control for vapour compression systems

This thesis presents the application of model reference adaptive control for vapour compression systems. The physical models of vapour compression systems are highly nonlinear because of fluid properties and thermodynamic relations. The model uncertainties rise as state variables deviate from equilibrium during the transient phase. Such uncertainties and perturbed dynamics degrade the performance of a fixed-gain control system. The adaptive approach improves a system's response under similar conditions and perturbations. A comparative evaluation shows that the proposed approach is superior to an existing Linear-Quadratic Gaussian control in dealing with perturbations as well as input constraints. Further, by treating the existing control as a reference model, the addition of the adaptive algorithm will improve the robustness of the vapour compression systems.
Kinase-dependent adhesion signalling: Calreticulin as a regulator

Cell communication with the surrounding extracellular space is crucial for the survival of anchorage-dependent cells. This communication is accomplished through sites of cell-substratum adhesion, generally termed focal adhesions (or focal contacts). Focal contacts can mature into fibrillar adhesions, further pulling and stretching the associated extracellular matrix, especially fibronectin. While many structural proteins strengthen focal contacts, important signalling molecules are also found within these adhesive sites. Tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases and phosphatases are a major group of regulatory proteins localized to focal contacts. To add complexity, these regulatory proteins are also themselves regulated. The focus of this thesis is on calreticulin, a Ca2+-binding protein residing in the endoplasmic reticulum, shown here to be a regulator of kinase activity. By regulating tyrosine kinases such as c-Src and FAK, as well as serine/threonine kinases such as CaMKII and ERK, I show here that calreticulin affects the formation and maintenance of focal contacts. Without calreticulin, cells are unable to form robust focal contacts and are not able to fully spread out on the substratum. Because focal contact formation impinges on the deposition of the extracellular matrix proteins, calreticulin is also critical for the proper deposition and assembly (fibrillogenesis) of the fibronectin matrix. I further show that the poor adhesive phenotype of cells either lacking or underexpressing calreticulin can be rescued by plating cells on fibronectin, or by inhibiting the c-Src or calmodulin/CaMKII pathways. Increased tyrosine phosphorylation in cells underexpressing calreticulin has previously been described, but these are the first reports pinpointing specific kinases in the regulation of cell-matrix adhesion by calreticulin. By investigating the levels of activated (phosphorylated) tyrosine and serine/threonine kinases, as well as the effects of their inhibition, in cells differentially expressing calreticulin, I show that calreticulin induces focal contact formation, cell spreading, and fibronectin matrix deposition by downregulating the activities of c-Src, CaMKII and ERK. In this way, calreticulin may be regarded as a centrally located connector molecule in an ER-to-focal contact signalling pathway.
The role of the inhibitory molecule l[kappa]B[alpha] in the priming of lung injury after resuscitated hemorrhagic shock: molecular mechanisms and significance

The magnitude of an inflammatory response represents a balance between pro- and counter-inflammatory molecules. We hypothesized that altered regulation of IκBα contributes to cell signaling and inflammatory gene expression. Resuscitated hemorrhagic shock primes for an increased inflammatory response by inducing rapid degradation of IκBα. This was found to be mediated by a mechanism of increased phosphorylation by IKK. Since N-acetylcystein, a potent anti-oxidant, abrogated this increase in IKK activity, this effect was likely mediated by oxidants. Hemorrhagic shock also primes for increased NF-κB activity by inhibiting the synthesis of new IκBα protein. This was found to be mediated by a mechanism of decreased mRNA stability, and not by decreased IκBα gene transcription. Hemorrhagic shock induced decrease in mRNA stability of IκBα was reversed by the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. IL-10 increased IκBα mRNA expression by a mechanism of increased mRNA stability. This is a novel role for this cytokine.
Optical characterization of polyferrocenes and colloid crystal

The refractive index of a series of polyferrocene derivatives was determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry and was found to vary between 1.59 and 1.73. The optical dispersion described by the Abbé number was in the range of 31 to 20. Molar refraction of the backbone repeat unit (fcE) (fc = Fe(η-C 5H4)2 and E = Si, Ge, Sn or P) was found to be 56.31, 58.18, 63.37 and 61.88 cm3/mol for E = Si, Ge, Sn, and P respectively. Colloid crystal arrays were prepared from 260 nm colloid dispersions doped with various amounts of 190 nm and 300 nm colloids. SEM reveals that the number of defects increases significantly with increasing dopant fraction. The effect of 2% dopant fraction were expressed by an exponential increase in the transmittance, a 13% increase in the peak width and 4 nm blue-shift of the stopband peak that corresponds to a 1% increase in void space.
Towards a paradigm shift to an inclusionary immigration application model of the Canadian Charter the International Covenant of Civil Political Rights

The paper provides a legislative account of Canada's 'immigration health policy' and argues that it continues to constitute a legalized form of discrimination that is anathema to Canadian core constitutional values and international human rights. It further argues in favour of a paradigm shift from an exclusionary Charter application model to an inclusionary application model by using section 15 (1) of the Charter. The role of the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights is also examined in support of the proposed inclusionary paradigm shift. The principles of equality and non-discrimination espoused in Article 26 of the Covenant are analyzed and domestic case law that presumes the application of international customary and conventional law is also used in the analysis. Lastly, the Supreme Court decision in Hilewitz is used as a case study. The analysis of this decision illustrates the path dependency on earlier immigration policies.
Hierarchies and complexity results for priority algorithms

Priority Algorithms is a model of computation that generalizes on-line computation, attempting to formulate the notion of greedy algorithm. We study questions concerning Priority Algorithms for variants of Job Scheduling. In the first part of the thesis we separate the class of adaptive from the class of greedy and adaptive priority algorithms, which was an early stated open question [5]. We also compare the power of restricted classes of priority algorithms defined for the Job Scheduling and we define a memory hierarchy and show that it is robust. The second part studies questions, where given a finite set of jobs, we want to decide whether a given priority algorithm is optimal, or whether there exists, an optimal priority algorithm. For different settings of these questions we derive containment and hardness results for several complexity classes. Finally, We give an NL-completeness result for a variation of Interval Scheduling.
New concepts of cerebrospinal fluid transport in neonatal lambs: an essential role for lymphatic vessels

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) clearance from the cranium has been thought to occur through arachnoid projections with the pressure differential between the CSF and the cranial venous sinuses providing the driving force for absorption. However, arachnoid projections appear to be few or absent before birth. Experimental evidence from adults suggests that extracranial lymphatic vessels play an important role in CSF absorption. The main objective of the studies reported here was to test the hypothesis that neonatal CSF transport occurs primarily into lymphatic vessels associated with cranial and spinal nerves. The utilization of a CSF protein tracer revealed that multiple extracranial lymphatic pathways draining the cranium existed. CSF transported predominantly into submucosal lymphatic vessels associated with the olfactory epithelium (Papaiconomou et al., 2002). These results were confirmed in macroscopic and histological studies using a CSF tracer (Zakharov et al., 2003). We assessed CSF absorption from the subarachnoid compartment and determined the importance of the olfactory nerve/lymphatic pathway using an infusion protocol in which the cribriform plate was obstructed surgically. These data revealed that at relatively low pressures, the majority of CSF absorption proceeded through the cribriform plate into nasal lymphatic vessels. As pressures increased, other absorption sites were recruited (Papaiconomou et al., 2002). We confirmed that CSF could be absorbed from the spinal subarachnoid compartment in the neonate. Additional potential CSF drainage sites included extracranial lymphatics associated with other cranial nerves, lymphatics of the dura and possibly, direct CSF transport into the venous sinuses. We quantified the clearance of radioactive tracer into the superior sagittal sinus which occurred when large pressure gradients were established between the CSF and venous system (Papaiconomou et al., 2004). Therefore, arachnoid projections may represent an auxiliary system that is recruited to complement lymphatic transport when intracranial pressures are high. Finally, we observed that CSF transport parameters in fetal, neonatal and adult sheep were very similar (Mollanji et al., 2001b; Papaiconomou et al., 2002) despite the fact that arachnoid projections were abundant only in the latter. Thus, CSF absorption is primarily a function of the lymphatic circulation with perhaps secondary contributions from arachnoid projections.
Conceptions of leadership and critical spirituality in Ismailism

Education is confronting some unprecedented challenges today like the issues of social justice, equity, ethics, fairness, and diversity in the backdrop of binaries of mind, body and soul. Spiritually driven educational leadership is one of the responses to the present situation in education. Michael E. Dantley has proposed a notion of critical spirituality and faith-based leadership. This thesis argues for the connection between Dantley's notion and conceptions of spiritually motivated educational leadership in Ismailism which is based on a holistic worldview grounded injustice, inclusion, equity and spirituality. The thesis offers an account of the model of leadership based on twenty five speeches of His Highness Prince Karim Agakhan, the present Imam of the Ismailis. His leadership is a model of spiritually driven educational leadership, and the analysis presented in the thesis brings out the aspects of critical spirituality in Ismailism and its universal tenets.
Mothers of Empire: British middle-class female social and moral reformers in Hong Kong

This dissertation examines the early discourse of humanitarian aid to impoverished Chinese people in the colony of Hong Kong from its inception in 1841 to the late 1930s. It traces the increased involvement of a number of middle-class British female reformers who worked with or lobbied on behalf of Chinese women and children. Their participation in a maternalist discourse of trusteeship that negated the charitable work of native reformers and workers added weight to a growing debate about the character and purpose of British rule. This dissertation contributes to a growing body of literature on imperialism and feminism while it also explores the gendered language of colonialism and the multiple tensions between British female reformers and native men, each vying for the opportunity to protect Chinese women and children. Through the discourse of maternal protection, British middle-class female social and moral reformers were able to depict themselves as 'Mothers of Empire'.
Understanding obstacles to retroviral mediated gene therapy of globin disorders: Implications for design of therapeutic expression cassettes and retrovirus vectors

To achieve successful retroviral-mediated gene therapy of globin disorders, the transduced β-globin gene must consistently express at therapeutic levels. The Locus Control Region (LCR) controls expression of the human β-like globin gene cluster. In this thesis, transgenic mouse experiments show that full activity from human LCR/β-globin transgenes requires 5′ HS1, the distal β-globin promoter and 3′ enhancer sequences. In vitro DNaseI footprinting experiments identify multiple factors bound to 5′HS1 and the distal promoter. Based on these data a modified LCR holocomplex model is proposed where factors mediate an architectural DNA loop between 5′HS1 and the distal β-globin promoter. A second obstacle to globin gene therapy is that MSCV and HIV-1 vectors dominantly silence linked LCR/β-globin transgenes in transgenic mice. Silencing of reporter genes by retroviral sequences in transgenic Drosophila and de novo methylase null embryonic stem (ES) cells demonstrate that silencing of C-type retroviruses occurs via a conserved mechanism that is not dependent on DNA methylation. A model is proposed where the silenced state is initiated by the formation of closed chromatin on vector sequences and maintained by methylation during differentiation. These findings identify β-globin gene expression cassettes that express to full levels for use in gene therapy and strongly suggest that vector silencing can be overcome by inhibiting the spread of repressive chromatin from the vector to the therapeutic gene.
Rudolph Koenig (1832-1901), Hermann von Helmholtz (1821-1894) and the birth of modern acoustics

This thesis reconstructs the birth of modern acoustics through its research and teaching instruments. It opens with a biographical sketch of the main constructor of these instruments, Rudolph Koenig. Through Koenig's life we get a detailed case study of how an instrument maker and his instruments can help shape the development of a new science. We also obtain a portrait of one of the key participants in the famed precision instrument trade in nineteenth-century Paris. The second chapter describes the work of Hermann von Helmholtz and the conceptual and experimental development of acoustics between the years 1856 and 1863. Helmholtz revolutionised the study of sound by combining his knowledge of physics, mathematics and physiology into a novel theory of harmony. He also contributed a small number of ingenious instruments for testing these bold claims. The other half of Chapter Two considers the role Rudolph Koenig played in constructing, modifying and spreading Helmholtz's “reform of acoustics.” He was more than a mere technician and a study of his instruments reveals that even early in his career he was making original contributions to the new acoustics. The third chapter details how his life as a craftsman of sound, his innovations with graphical instruments, and his exposure to the Parisian scientific scene helped to create his unique approach to acoustics. Later in his career Koenig would combine these influences to become the main critic of Helmholtz's theory. The final chapter examines the disputes that arose involving the nature of vowels, timbre and combination tones. It shows how, through Koenig's influence, these controversies came to centre on instruments, especially the tuning fork, the focus of Koenig's most important innovations. The study of these disputes reveals the tensions that arose between physics and psychology at the end of the nineteenth century.
Riding on populist zeal: nationalist themes in the 1996 and 2000 DPP Taiwanese presidential election campaign propaganda

The 2000 presidential election victory of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taiwan has drawn world attention to this indigenous young party. Established in 1986 with the promise to realize a sovereign and independent nation-state, the DPP has relied on this nationalist declaration to expand its political territories along the journey. Its assertion that it is overturning the KMT's forty-year "One-China" legacy and re-establishing grassroots Taiwanese consciousness has been fully reflected in the party propaganda that eventually propelled it to the apex of power. To penetrate the topic of Taiwanese nationalist identity during the past decade, this thesis intends to analyze how the DPP's propaganda constructed its nationalist discourse with relevant life experiences, history, and social memories to mobilize a nationalist consensus in the 1996 and 2000 presidential elections. Materials such as pamphlets, TV ads, logos, posters, election speeches and campaign theme songs are under scrutiny to study the DPP's strategies in arguing for its governing legitimacy in the 1996 and 2000 presidential election campaigns. The questions discussed include: How does the popularly supported transformation of nationalist proposals counter-influence the presentation and essence of the DPP nationalist discourse? To what extent, does this discourse underscore the nationalist schemas of the party and reflect the change in the nationalist ecology of Taiwan's society in the second half of the 1990s? By carefully looking into the ideologies implied in this national-level election propaganda, a compare and contrast approach is undertaken that looks at the ways the DPP resorted to increasing popular support for its nationalist dogmas in order to gain political supporters, and at the embedded messages regarding the changes in nationalist framings at different phases. In this way, a fuller picture is painted of Taiwanese identity configuration in the second half of 1990s.