VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
The state and the peasantry: agricultural policy, agricultural crisis and sustainability in the Igbo region of southeastern Nigeria, 1900-1995

In recent years, low agricultural productivity, food insecurity and environmental degradation have become more apparent in many African societies. These trends have threatened the ability of farmers to increase productivity and to practice sustainable agriculture. This thesis contributes to the understanding of agricultural change in the Igbo region of southeastern Nigeria from 1900 to 1995. Its principal proposition is that the stagnation of agricultural production in the region was largely the result of an excessive dependence upon export crops in the state's agricultural policies; the top-to bottom approach of government programmes, which neglected peasant initiatives; and the demographic and environmental condition of Igboland, which for the most part limited the ability of rural farmers to increase productivity. By collating data from interviews with Igbo informants and combining them with those of colonial documentary sources, this study shows how the intervention of the state in agriculture generated the agricultural crisis in a region that was already afflicted with very high population and diminishing land resources. The Igbo responded in various ways to the crisis generated not only by state intervention and high population, but also by poor soil, diminishing farmlands, the structural changes brought about by the civil war, and the development of the petroleum industry. They responded partly through large-scale migration and partly by engaging in non-agricultural income-generating activities. This study makes a significant contribution to the existing scholarship by incorporating peasant voices as agents of their own history. This dissertation demonstrates that the agricultural crisis in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa has been misunderstood because the analysis often ignores how state development ideology interacted with local ecological conditions and peasants' actions to structure the forms of changes in peasant economies. The study challenges the overwhelming macro-level focus on agricultural crisis and the neglect of regional experiences and contributes to a fuller understanding of the nature of African agricultural crisis.
Leading neutron physics at HERA using the forward neutron detector at ZEUS

Leading neutrons produced in high energy electron-proton collisions at a center-of-momentum energy of 318 GeV2 are studied with the Forward Neutron Detector of the ZEUS experiment at the HERA collider. The Forward Neutron Detector consists of the Forward Neutron Calorimeter and the newly implemented Forward Neutron Tracker. The detectors and their calibration are presented. The transverse momentum squared, p2T, distributions of leading neutrons in bins of xL, the fraction of the proton energy carried by the neutron, have been measured using the Forward Neutron Tracker. The measurements were made using data samples in deep inelastic scattering and photoproduction, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 21 pb-1 and 9.3 pb-1, respectively. The distributions are fitted with an exponential, and the slopes are presented as a function of xL. The results are compared to models of one pion exchange and to leading proton measurements. The xL distributions of the photoproduced neutrons are measured for different bins of t, the invariant momentum transfer squared. The (1 - xL) distributions satisfy a power law dN/dxL prop; (1 - xL)a (t) with the powers a(t) lying on a linear trajectory in t: a(t) = 1.08 +/- 1.08+0.40-0.42 - (2.78 +/- 0.32+0.31-0.41 GeV-2)t. This result is consistent with that expected from pion exchange and with previous measurements. The neutron energy distributions are compared for different values of momentum transfer squared between the electron and the proton and the results are discussed in the context of models of absorption.
The role of discoidin domain receptor 1 in maintaining E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell contacts in the mammary gland

Discoidin Domain Receptor 1 (DDR1) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is activated by triple-helical collagens. Defects found in DDR1-knockout mice include impaired blastocyst implantation, aberrant mammary gland morphology and in particular, complete failure of lactation. Here, we demonstrate the delocalization of adherens junction proteins E-cadherin and beta-catenin from cell-cell contacts in 2-day post partum DDR1-knockout mammary glands. Moreover, we found that DDR1 and E-cadherin form a complex by using immunofluorescence, co-immunoprecipitation, and acceptor photobleach FRET experiments. Knockdown of DDR1 by siRNA resulted in slower reformation of E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell contacts and altered cell morphology. In a 3D mammary gland morphogenesis acini model, shRNA knockdown of DDR1 expression results in acini with perturbed epithelial cell architecture. In summary, this study provides new insights into the role of the collagen receptor DDR1 in controlling epithelial cell integrity during normal mammary gland development and breast cancer formation.
Investigating a potential role for the BTG/TOB family of anti-proliferative proteins in thymocyte development

As thymocytes undergo differentiation in the thymus, they progress through distinct phases of quiescence and proliferation. Identifying cellular mechanisms that maintain thymocytes in a non-dividing state is critical to fully understanding thymocyte development. Recently, TOB1 was identified as a key mediator of the quiescent state in peripheral anergic and unstimulated T cells. We demonstrate by RT-PCR, that of the five members of the BTG/TOB family present within the mouse genome, BTG3, TIS21 and TOB2 are expressed at significant levels in thymocytes. Further analysis revealed that their expression is decreased in the DN2 and beta-selected populations where proliferation is induced; suggesting that expression of some BTG/TOB family members is required for thymocytes to remain quiescent in the absence of mitogenic signals. Overexpression of TIS21 and TOB2, with a retroviral vector, in FTOC and OP9-DL1 co-culture demonstrated that these members can prevent the expansion of thymocytes at key stages of thymocyte development.
The reliability and significance of radiologic criteria used to establish the relationship between the mandibular canal and the roots of the mandibular third molars

A survey found that Australian oral and maxillofacial (OM) surgeons use 9 panoramic radiologic criteria to determine mandibular canal (MC)-3rd molar relationship. A review of 59 panoramic images by 3 observers for these 9 criteria resulted in low levels of observer agreement. Correlation of these panoramic findings with CT findings found the use of individual panoramic radiologic criteria to determine an intimate MC-3rd molar relationship has significant limitations. CT findings also revealed a poor correlation of root grooving with intimate relationship. A review of the patient's records revealed lack of correlation between dysesthesia and intimate relationship. The results of this study indicate that the intuitive use of a combination of these criteria may be highly sensitive.
Matrix metalloproteinases in aggressive fibromatosis

Aggressive Fibromatosis (AF) is a locally invasive tumour composed of mesenchymal fibrocyte-like cells. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) mRNA levels are up-regulated in human and mouse AF. Inhibition of MMP activity using GM6001, a broad spectrum MMP inhibitor, reduced the invasiveness of murine AF cells in vitro. In addition, inhibition of MMP activity in vivo using GM6001 reduced the size of AF compared to vehicle treated mice. TIMP-1 over-expressing in vivo decreased the average tumour volume, and interestingly increased the number of AF compared to littermate controls. Our data support that MMP activity is important in AF tumour progression. Our data further suggests that MMP activity in mesenchymal neoplasia may contribute more to invasion rather than other cellular processes, such as proliferation. This study will aid in the development of new pharmacological treatments for AF and perhaps for other pathological conditions where there is an elevation of β-catenin mediated transcription.
Assessment of enzymatic deinking on mixed office waste and old magazine

Enzymatic deinking of Mixed Office Waste (MOW) was investigated with immobilized cellulase produced by an improved immobilization procedure. The impact of moisture content on the activity retention of the immobilized cellulase is significant; drying will make immobilized cellulase lose most, i.e., more than 90%, of its activity. Immobilized cellulase displays a better activity stability than soluble cellulase. Cellulase enhanced ink removal from MOW, in either soluble or immobilized form. During the enzymatic deinking process, adding an immobilization stage for cellulase preparation prior to deinking can significantly reduce enzyme use, by up to 85%, while providing equivalent or superior deinking results compared to the use of soluble cellulase. The application of alpha-amylase for Old Magazine (OMG) deinking was also studied. The results showed that alpha-amylase provides little benefit to the OMG deinking, due to the very low accessible starch content present in the material.
Molecular mechanism of protein kinase C enhancement of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor calcium-dependent inactivation

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. N-Methyl-D-aspartame receptors (NMDAR) belong to the family of ionotropic glutamate receptors, implicated in synaptic plasticity, synaptogenesis, excitotoxicity, and the induction of long term potentiation. The NMDA receptor subunit, NR1, has a large intracellular C-terminal tail that has been shown to bind both Calmodulin (CaM) and α-actinin, and has been shown to be a target of PKC and PKA phosphorylation. We proposed that PKC phosphorylation of certain serine residues on the NR1 subunit can enhance calcium-dependent inactivation of the NMDAR through the rearrangement of Calmodulin and α-actinin binding. Through the use of whole-cell recording of recombinant receptors expressed in HEK293 cells, site-directed mutagenesis of the NR1 subunit, and immuno-precipitation combined with Western blotting techniques, we conclude that the NR1 C-terminus is not involved in the PKC enhancement of calcium dependent inactivation in HEK293 cells expressing NR1-1a/NR2A subunits.
Binding due to recalcitrant organic material in pulp mill effluent and its effect on biotreatability of bound pollutants

Biological treatment of kraft mill effluents is characterized by the presence of a residual dissolved portion resistant to biodegradation and referred to as recalcitrant organic material (ROM). Recalcitrant organic material in biotreated kraft mill effluent comprises of a predominantly high molecular weight (HMW) fraction and is commonly quantified as chemical oxygen demand (COD) and colour. This research is motivated by the limitations of existing biotreatment systems in degrading ROM and a lack of understanding of the impact of ROM on the performance of biotreatment systems. Batch biodegradation tests performed on the low molecular weight (LMW) and HMW fractions of ROM under optimized microbiological conditions showed the ROM to be resistant to further biodegradation over the time frames of conventional biological treatment. Three experimental protocols, namely equilibrium dialysis, headspace analysis and MicrotoX™ toxicity assay were evaluated for their ability to demonstrate and quantify binding due to HMW ROM. Both model hydrophobic pollutants, namely benzo(a)pyrene and toluene, and pollutants found in mill effluents, namely dehydroabietic acid (DHA) and camphor were studied for binding onto HMW ROM. The ROM was also compared with dissolved humic acids for its binding characteristics. Equilibrium dialysis, the most successful technique, demonstrated and quantified the binding of benzo(a)pyrene, toluene and dehydroabietic acid onto HMW ROM. This binding, which was not readily reversible, decreased with increasing concentration of HMW ROM and was not affected by solution pH or ionic strength. This was further confirmed by the headspace analysis technique conducted with camphor. At the concentrations studied, batch biotreatability studies with dehydroabietic acid indicated no significant impact on biotreatability of DHA bound onto HMW ROM. Biotreatability studies with 14C-toluene enabled measurements at lower pollutant concentrations and demonstrated a decrease in toluene biodegradation in the presence of HMW ROM. This decrease in biotreatability was of the order of 10–5%. It is concluded that HMW ROM binds other hydrophobic pollutants in the effluent and this binding affects biotreatability. Although this effect is not substantial for pollutants existing at high concentrations, it is suggested that the impact might be significant for those pollutants in the effluent that are highly hydrophobic and exist at very low concentrations.
Identity formation and the meaning of youth participation in democratic spaces: the case of student trustees

Youth participation is on the rise with young people engaged in a range of activities aimed at improving their communities. Despite increased opportunities for youth involvement, few studies address the meaning of youth participation from the perspectives of the participants. This study offers the first comprehensive analysis of the student trustee role, a new form of youth participation within the education system. Student trustees represent their fellow high school students at the school board level. Although representation implies a form of democratic practice, student trustees are not allowed to vote at the board table and are often not elected by their peers. The main purpose of this study was to examine the perspectives of student trustees, to ascertain what was meaningful to them about their participation and to determine whether they experienced developmental change. A mixed method design included qualitative interviews with sixteen participants, field observations and quantitative questionnaires administered to 39 outgoing and 22 incoming student trustees. Bronfenbrenner's ecological model provided the main conceptual framework while theories of participatory democracy and social reproduction illuminated areas of personal transformation through democratic engagement and the effects of social class and political power. Through an integration of these theories, a comprehensive framework emerged that could address the many facets of student trustee involvement. Data analyses generated a developmental theme consisting of two models. The first model cites a developmental trajectory and identifies factors involved in fostering student participation. The most prominent factors included socio-economic status, early involvement in school governance and the significance of supportive adults. The second model presents evidence of developmental changes associated with transformative learning in political participation. This model elucidates important changes in participants' attitudes and behaviours, which in part, elicited identity formation processes. Changes were noted in participants' orientation toward future goals, an increased self-awareness, and a more expansive worldview. For this reason, participants' perceptions reflected a transcendent quality or outward looking process. Finally, the study provides a critique of the student trustee role and offers recommendations for enhancing youth participation in this democratic space such as improving representation mechanisms and ensuring more inclusive decision-making processes.

Keywords: School boards, Ontario
Student participation in administration, Ontario
Identity (Psychology)
Modulation of the aryl hydrocarbon and androgen receptors by the nuclear receptor coactivator 4

Coactivators are regulatory proteins that are able to modulate the transcriptional activity of multiple steroid receptors by affecting receptor downstream targets that might be involved in cancer initiation, progression and/or development. Coactivators may also be involved in crosstalk between different receptor signaling pathways due to lack of coactivator specificity for a particular receptor. Nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NcoA4) is a steroid receptor coactivator that interacts with and increases the transcriptional activity of multiple steroid receptors including the androgen receptor (AR). In this thesis, the differential interaction of both NcoA4 isoforms with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and modulation of the transcriptional activity of the receptor is demonstrated. The involvement of NcoA4 in the cross-talk of these receptors is also examined as it is shown that both receptors are able to compete for NcoA4 availability. To examine the modulation of AR signaling by AhR ligands, a cell model system (PC-3(AR)) was validated. PC-3(AR) cells are shown to produce and secrete endogenous prostate specific antigen (PSA) only under androgenic stimulation and were used to examine AR signaling modulation by AhR ligands. The three AhR agonists (TCDD, BaP and DMBA) and one partial agonist (alpha-NF) examined exhibited antiandrogenic effects as evidenced by suppression of androgen-induced PSA secretion. However, this effect is not mediated directly through AR or through competition for coactivators such as NcoA4 and SRC1 availability. The NcoA4-interacting proteins (AR and AhR) are known to play a role in embryo development, therefore, the expression of NcoA4 during embryo development and organogenesis was also examined. A dynamic expression profile for NcoA4 during development, particularly in cardiac, liver and lung tissue is also demonstrated. The expression of a novel mouse NcoA4 isoform was also detected during development and in some adult tissues. The important impact of NcoA4 on AR and AhR transactivation was also examined. Overall, this study indicates that receptor and coactivator availability can alter receptor action, resulting in effects on the downstream receptor targets.
Pregnant bodies and the need for privacy: An embodied reading of pregnancy

The aim of this study was to examine the function of expectations and social perceptions on the pregnant woman's embodied experience. How does body image, the exposure of the belly and expectations of privacy affect the experience of pregnancy for first time mothers? A qualitative approach was used to interview five women who participated in two in-depth semi-structured interviews. The interviews were constructed into case studies portraying each woman's embodied experience of pregnancy. Results suggest that pregnancy is a unique and complicated time for women to negotiate their changing body. Underlying emergent themes suggest that relationships and creating a close social network is essential for women to negotiate their journey through pregnancy. Body image can be influenced during pregnancy and by the growth of the belly and it is not simply a time for women to dismiss their bodily concerns.

Keywords: Pregnant women, Attitudes
Body image in women
Privacy
An empirical investigation of factors affecting Likert-type rating scale responses

Likert-type scaling has been widely used in survey and social science research. This study investigated the effects of choice of scale labels and of semantic compatibility on rating scale responses in Likert-type scaling, via three experiments. Experiment 1 estimated the scale values of four types of scale labels: evaluative, frequency, agreement and competence labels. Scale values obtained from Experiment 1 were used to construct the rating scales for Experiments 2 and 3. Using the modified magnitude estimation method, 60 education students rated evaluative, frequency, agreement and competence labels. Results showed that in general these labels were good descriptors of evaluative, frequency, agreement and competence domains. Experiment 2 examined the effects of centredness and packedness of rating scale labels on rating responses. Using frequency labels, two levels of centredness were crossed with three levels of packedness. 210 education students rated their attitudes towards university student life on a five-point scale questionnaire. Results showed that there was no significant interaction between centredness and packedness, but that there were significant main effects of centredness and packedness. Since there is limited research available on the effects of centredness and of semantic compatibility on rating scale responses, further investigations on these factors should be undertaken. Limitations of the study and directions for future research are also discussed. Experiment 3 examined the effects of semantic compatibility between item content and rating scale labels on rating responses, and the internal consistency of these responses. Using agreement and evaluative labels, two levels of packedness were crossed with two levels of type of scale labels. 160 education students rated their attitudes regarding their academic abilities on a five-point scale questionnaire. Results showed that where semantically compatibility exists between item content and rating scale labels, the mean score was higher for the equal interval scale than that for the right packed scale, but where semantic compatibility does not exist, the mean scores of the equal interval and right packed scales were equal to each other. Reliabilities for the right packed and equal interval scales in the matched condition were also not significantly different from those in the mismatched condition.

Keywords: Likert scale
Psychiatric rating scales, Design and construction
Biofilm growth in a variable aperture fracture

A laboratory apparatus for investigating flow and mass transport through natural and artificial variable fractures was designed and manufactured. An artificial—glass—replica of a fractured slate sample was produced. Hydraulic and tracer tests were conducted to characterize the glass fracture before and after inoculation of the fracture with a known consortium of microorganisms. The mass transport through the fracture was visualized and recorded. Biofilm growth reduced the hydraulic conductivity, K, of the fracture by factor of four. The type of the flow regime in the fracture after biofilm development remained the same—linear laminar. Low flow zones and channels of different size characterized the mass transport through the fracture after biofilm growth.
Ethnicity, acculturation, and physical inactivity: acomparative study between East Asian and Caucasian women in Canada

The present study examined the association between ethnicity, acculturation and leisure-time physical inactivity among East Asian and Caucasian women in Canada using the 2000--2001 Canadian Community Health Survey. The sample consisted of 762 East Asian and 31,504 Caucasian female adults aged 25 to 64 years. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to investigate the relationships. Results of the analysis showed that East Asian women were more likely to be inactive compared to Caucasian women, although not when the level of acculturation was statistically controlled. A higher level of acculturation was significantly associated with a low prevalence of physical inactivity only among East Asian women. East Asian immigrants, particularly those staying for 10 to 19 years in Canada, were likely to be inactive compared to their non-immigrant counterparts (OR = 4.5, CI = 1.81--11.1). Health promotion programs need to pay increasing attention to the cultural orientation and barriers towards physical activity among immigrant East Asian women.