VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Do populations of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum across temperate and subtropical areas of the Americas share a common history?

Isolates of S. sclerotiorum from lettuce, peanut and soybean in South America (SA) were compared with samples from lettuce from California (CA) and Ontario (total 640 isolates). Recombination over the entire population history in SA and CA was evidenced by high diversity, lack of association of markers, and net-like coalescent genealogies of DNA sequences from two loci. In contrast, Ontario samples, like previous samples from North America (NA), Europe and New Zealand, were less diverse and highly clonal, with association of independent markers and little contemporary recombination. All isolates from NA and SA were homothallic; each isolate had both mating type loci. Two new populations were identified, one comprising samples from peanut and lettuce in SA and lettuce in CA and the second comprising samples from lettuce, tomato and eggplant from SA. The coalescent analysis of a combined dataset of the samples in this study and samples from North Carolina, New York, Louisiana, Alberta and Norway from a previous study supported a genealogy with the haplotype with the longest coalescence to the most recent common ancestor from NA samples (North Carolina and Alberta), followed by a haplotype from the SA-California population. Our preferred hypothesis for the origin of the species in the Americas is two introductions, one via Northern European human immigration to NA and the other via Southern European immigration to SA. We suggest that S. sclerotiorum was introduced to California from SA during the Gold Rush, ca. 1850. But where did the species originate? If the species evolved in the Old World, for example in Asia, introduction from Asia to NA or SA is possible, perhaps via Europe. A more ancient, alternative hypothesis is origin of the species in the Americas, with escape from Pleistocene refugia in both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere. This hypothesis is consistent with the relationship of the two oldest haplotypes to the boundaries of Pleistocene glaciation.
Mutational analysis in the Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene: frame-shift deletions resulting in a mild phenotype

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and its less severe form, Becker muscular Genetics dystrophy (BMD), are allelic disorders. These phenotypic differences might be explained by the ‘reading frame hypothesis’ which states that in mutations resulting in BMD, the translational reading frame is maintained and a smaller but partially functional protein is produced, whereas in mutations resulting in DMD, the translational reading frame is disrupted and no functional protein is produced. A test of the hypothesis required knowledge of the exon-intron borders of the DMD gene. Exon-containing fragments containing the first ten exons were subcloned and the exon-intron boundaries were precisely determined. In a survey of deletions at the 5′ end of the gene, only 29 individuals (from a total of 511 affected individuals) showed deletions confined to the first ten exons of the gene. Of these 6 mild BMD patients and 5 severe BMD were shown to have frame-shifting deletions of exons 3 to 7. This observation suggested that, the reading frame hypothesis does not hold true for a sub-group of affected individuals with deletions at the 5′ end of the dystrophin gene. Dystrophin and dystrophin mRNA from muscle biopsies of seven patients with deletion of exons 3 to 7 and displaying either mild or severe BMD phenotypes were examined. In each of these cases, a dystrophin molecule of slightly lower molecular weight and at levels 12–15% of normal was detected. Sequencing of the PCR-amplified dystrophin mRNA isolated from patient muscle samples revealed that exon 2 is spliced to exon 8, resulting in a frame-shifted mRNA. No evidence could be found for a low-level alternative splice event that could restore the reading frame in patients with mild phenotype. Secondly, in these patients the exon 2-exon 8 splice junction is not altered, ruling out the possibility that RNA editing restores the translational reading frame. Thirdly, no correlation was observed between the positions of the 3′ deletion end-points and the severity of disease. These results suggest that other transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms might be responsible for the restoration of reading frame, (such as cryptic promoter, ribosomal frame-shifting and re-initiation) in patients displaying mild phenotype.
An exploration of multi-finger interaction on multi-touch surfaces

Recent advances in touch sensing technologies have made it possible to interact with computers in a device-free manner, allowing for arguably more natural and intuitive input using multiple hands and fingers. Unfortunately, existing multi-point touch-sensitive devices have a number of sensor limitations which restrict the types of manipulations that can be performed. Additionally, while many well-studied techniques from the bimanual interaction literature are applicable to these emerging multi-point devices, there remain many unanswered questions as to how multiple fingers from a single hand can best be utilized on these touch-sensitive surfaces. This dissertation attempts to address some of these open issues. We first develop the Visual Touchpad, a low-cost vision-based input device that allows for detecting multiple hands and fingertips over a constrained planar surface. Unlike existing multi-point devices, the Visual Touchpad extracts a reliable 2D image of the entire hand that can be used to extract more detailed information about the fingers such as labels, orientation, and hover. We then design and implement three systems that leverage the capabilities of the Visual Touchpad to explore how multiple fingers could be used in real-world interface scenarios. Next we propose and experimentally validate a fluid interaction style that uses the thumb and index finger of a single hand in an asymmetric-dependent manner to control bi-digit widgets, where the index finger performs the primary and more frequent 2D tasks and the thumb performs secondary and less frequent tasks to support the index finger's manipulations. We then investigate the impact of visual feedback on the perception of finger span when using bi-digit widgets to merge command selection and direct manipulation. Results suggest that users are capable of selecting from up to 4 discrete commands with the thumb without any visual feedback, which allows us to design a set of more advanced bidigit widgets that facilitate smooth transitioning from novice to expert usage.
Development and validation of a food frequency questionnaire to assess the diet glycemic index of adults in trinidad tobago

The objectives of this thesis were to develop a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) that is able to assess diet glycemic index (GI), and compare estimates of nutrient intake with those collected from 7-day food records (FR) in Trinidad. 152 healthy adults completed the FFQ either before or after the FR's. Differences between means estimated by the FFQ and FR's are significant for all macronutrients except GI and cholesterol. Correlation coefficients between the FFQ and FR data for fat, available carbohydrate, fibre and GI are; 0.50 (p < 0.05), 0.40 (p < 0.05), 0.25 (p < 0.05), and 0.25 (p < 0.05) respectively. The principal criterion for validity for the FFQ is correlation coefficients ≥0.5. These results show that intake assessed by the FFQ is acceptable for measuring some nutrients but not particularly good for measuring GI. Additional administrations of the FFQ and FR are needed to improve FFQ precision and complete the validation process.
Ecology and sustainable management of African mahoganies and other selected timber species in northeastern Congo Basin, Democratic Republic of Congo

This thesis reports on a study that assessed management options for African mahoganies and other major timber species in the Ituri region through analyses of regeneration ecology and the performance of these species in disturbed and undisturbed forests, and the impacts of selective logging and shifting cultivation on forest structure, tree diversity and composition. The main hypotheses tested were: (1) insufficient seed availability and dispersal limit seedling recruitment in logged forests; (2) soil disturbance promotes seedling establishment; (3) single tree harvesting provides insufficient light levels for the successful recruitment of African mahoganies; and (4) the combined effects of selective logging and agriculture result in severe degradation and impoverishment of natural forests. The first three hypotheses were tested using a factorial split-plot experiment involving seed addition, litter removal, and canopy cover (gap vs. understory). The fourth hypothesis was evaluated by comparing forest structure, tree diversity and composition between secondary and mature forest stands in logged and unlogged forests. In addition, long-term ecological data were used to examine whether size distributions and wood density were correlated with the life history parameters of common timber species in the region. These findings suggest that intensive silviculture, perhaps involving the use of shifting cultivation in a taungya-like system, appear necessary to achieve sustainable management of African mahoganies and other disturbance-adapted timber species. In this context, biodiversity conservation will likely be assured by the zoning of forests into multiple-use, timber production and strict protection areas. The results showed that timber species in the Ituri region varied widely in their regeneration requirements and their performance in natural forests. There was a strong dispersal limitation effect on seedling establishment and seed addition greatly increased seedling recruitment. Litter removal did not improve seedling establishment. However, the combined occurrence of canopy gaps and litter removal offered the best conditions for seedling survival and growth. Secondary forests had lower diversity of large trees than mature forests and the dominant species of mature forest were poorly represented in them. The regeneration of African mahoganies was 10 times greater in secondary forests than in adjacent mature forest stands.
The use of biological analogies for problem solving in engineering design

Biomimetic design draws from nature for design ideas. For engineers, it is not always feasible to rely on personal knowledge of biology to recognize the potential for application. As a result, prior work in the Biomimetics for Design and Innovation Laboratory has produced a process that identifies relevant phenomena from biological knowledge as stimuli for biomimetic design. Inherent to the biomimetic design process is the use of analogy, in which knowledge from biology is transferred to the problem of interest. One difficulty observed is the inability to recognize relevant phenomena that can be applied to the problem. The work in this thesis examines the use of biological analogies within the context of three studies. The first study surveyed the concepts generated from the Biomimetic search process. The second study investigated the use of mapping support and fixation effects. The third study examined representations of biological knowledge to facilitate concept generation.
A risk management approach to ensuring reliable transmissions of co-located wireless systems in the healthcare environment

Healthcare environments are increasingly becoming wireless. Often multiple systems, such as medical telemetry and wireless local area networks, must be co-located. If these wireless systems share a common bandwidth, interference due to coexistence is possible. Once a physical space is highly loaded with wireless transmitters, reliable digital transmissions must be ensured. As the wireless environment becomes more complex, risk management techniques should be employed to evaluate the benefit-to-risk ratio of multiple co-located systems. Coexistence testing and computer simulations are valid techniques to estimate the risk of radio frequency interference. Coexistence testing is a practical method of determining whether a system will function adequately, but testing is limited in its scope to defined physical parameters. Computer simulations can compute the bit error rates of co-located wireless systems. Should a bit error rate be determined by a simulation to fall above the threshold of 10-3, a physical coexistence test may be required.
Zimbabwean women in the informal economic sector: A manifestation of African feminism

African academics are theorising about an African feminism, yet those advocating for a universal feminist identity are reluctant to acknowledge the need for such a stance. The following thesis will attempt to illustrate an elemental concern for women of colour and women proposing racialised feminist philosophies---that women are not the same world over and thus their different realities cannot be addressed by mainstream feminism as it stands today. To demonstrate the individuality of African women's lives, a study will explore the realities of Zimbabwean women with a focus on their activities within the informal economic sector. Attention is also paid to women's organising activities because it is proposed in this study, that organisation is a particular skill of African women, and is one of the ways in which they express their feminism. Overall, illuminating the differences between Western and African women will fundamentally justify a feminism that is African.
An exploratory study of pharmacists as patients/caregivers

Context. There is a lack of literature describing the process of adaptation pharmacists undergo when they use the healthcare system as a patient/caregiver. Design, setting and participants. 13 pharmacists were studied (2 pilot; 11 non-pilot) who had recent use of Ontario's healthcare system as a patient/caregiver. Methods. Using a grounded theory approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted asking questions about their experience and their general opinion about Ontario's healthcare system. Results. Five descriptive categories were grounded in the data: role ambiguity (core category), emotional response, perception of current role, ideals for their professional role and communication strategies. Conclusion. Results suggest pharmacists' general unwillingness to leverage their professional education/experience during times of personal crisis is at odds with their expressed ideals comparing pharmaceutical care and their current scope of practice. Purpose. The aim of this qualitative study was to explain pharmacists' experiences as patients/caregivers using Ontario's healthcare system.
Adolescent beliefs about issues of social justice

The goal of this study was to gather preliminary information concerning adolescent beliefs about various social justice themes (i.e., race, gender, and social class). Further, this study explored whether adolescent beliefs were associated with other constructs, including moral reasoning, thinking dispositions, self-concept, and empathy. A 12-item questionnaire, the Personal Belief Questionnaire (PBQ), was developed to assess adolescent beliefs. A total of 161 participants in Grades 9 and 12 took part in the study. There was a significant (but modest) difference between mean scores for PBQ themes about race and gender only. PBQ scores did not differ significantly by grade, but did differ by gender on the PBQ Gender theme, and a significant grade by gender interaction was found for this theme. There was a significant correlation between empathy and the PBQ total, Gender and Social Class scores, but none of the other constructs yielded significant findings. Finally, Grade 12 students had higher empathy scores than Grade 9 students, and females had higher empathy scores than males.
Portal imaging with amorphous selenium: a signal and noise analysis and comparison with fluoroscopic systems

Conformal radiation therapy is being developed to increase cancer patient survival by closely tailoring the radiation dose distribution to match the shape of the tumour. For conformal therapy to be effective, improved patient position verification through portal imaging is required. Existing portal imaging systems produce poor images. By increasing the optical coupling, the x-ray quantum noise in a fluoroscopic portal imaging system was measured for the first time and compared to other sources of noise. It is shown that fluoroscopic systems are dominated by noise in the vacuum tube camera and although significant improvements in the SNR can be made by reducing this source of noise, practical clinical systems can only be made quantum noise limited up to a spatial frequency which is too low to optimize the dose distribution. Flat panel imaging systems currently show promise for improving image quality beyond that possible for fluoroscopic systems. Some of these systems use a photoconductor known as amorphous selenium (a-Se) as the sensor. Thus the signal and noise properties of a-Se for portal imaging are explored. Measurements of the charge signal produced by a-Se irradiated by x-rays showed that the x-ray sensitivity (charge produced per energy absorbed) increased somewhat with energy. This was interpreted as a linear energy transfer (LET) dependence. Two recombination models (geminate and columnar) were compared with the data but neither mechanism alone could explain the results. It was concluded that both mechanisms were occurring at high LET but only geminate was present at low LET. This was shown to be consistent with an existing microdosimeuic model. Next, a Monte Carlo code that simulates photon-electron transpon was used to model the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a metal plate + a-Se layer. The model was verified by measuring the SNR-of the a-Se target of a vidicon directly irradiated by $\sp{60}$Co $\gamma$-rays. The model a-Se detector was found to be capable of producing images with better SNR than a fluoroscopic system or a metal plate + phosphor primary detector. Finally, the image quality of the latent image on a-Se is demonstrated by using a photoinduced discharge readout of an a-Se layer.
The social transformation of Iraqi jewry 1831-1931

This study is about the social transformation of Iraqi Jewry over the period 1831–1931. It focuses on political, economic, religious and educational changes within the Jewish community, and its resulting evolution from a traditional society dominated by a few wealthy notables to a secular middle class community with modern institutions. Iraqi Jewry thrived in Young Turk Iraq and under the British Mandate, only to decline in independent Iraq. Religious prejudice inherited from the Muslim conception of dhimmi, combined with a newer ideology of cultural nationalism, hampered the Jews' social emancipation. This study concludes that the social decline of Iraqi Jewry was a result of two dynamics, the Muslims and the Jewish community, running forever in opposition to each other, and Iraq was never truly willing to emancipate its Jewry.
Guiding nerve fibres in a 3D p(HEMA) Scaffold

Spinal cord injury leads to a non-permissive environment for axonal regeneration. Nerve growth factor (NGF) promotes regeneration because of its action through tyrosine kinase receptors, which results in targeted innervation. We previously demonstrated that in vitro (1) a soluble NGF concentration gradient of 133 ng/ml/mm guides primary dorsal root ganglion axons and (2) a surface immobilized NGF concentration gradient of 357 ng/ml/mm guides pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cell neurites, yet neither of these provide a cell-invasive matrix. Concentration gradients of NGF were synthesized within a 3-D poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) [p(HEMA)] scaffold that promoted cell-adhesion and cell invasion. Using a direct ELISA technique, we were able to prove that the gradients inside of the p(HEMA) gel were stable, predictable, and reproducible. The neurites of both PC-12 and DRG cells were guided by NGF concentration gradients. This was at a concentration of 350 ng/ml/mm NGF and 298 ng/ml/mm and 350 ng/ml/mm NGF, respectively.
The X-Ray Light Valve: Determination of the modulation transfer function

An X-Ray Light Valve (XLV) coupled with an optical scanner has the potential to meet the need for a low cost, high quality digital imaging system for general radiography. The XLV/scanner concept combines three well-established and hence low-cost technologies: an amorphous selenium (a-Se) layer as an x-ray-to-charge transducer, a liquid crystal (LC) cell as an analogue display, and an optical scanner for image digitization. A theoretical model of spatial resolution of an XLV is presented based on calculations of the modulation transfer function (MTF) for a-Se and a LC cell. The model was validated by experiments on a prototype XLV/scanner system. The experimental MTF of the XLV was compared with the MTF of three clinical systems and was shown to have the capability to exceed the resolution of commercial flat-panel detectors. From this, we can conclude that the XLV has an adequate resolution for general radiography.
Parallel importation: A framework for a Canadian position on exhaustion of intellectual property rights

The Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights Agreement (the Agreement) negotiated during the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) resulted in an 'agreement to disagree' on the issue of exhaustion of intellectual property rights. Article 6 provides that nothing in the Agreement shall be used to address the issue of exhaustion of intellectual property rights, thereby leaving each Member free to establish its own regime for exhaustion. Canada has not exercised its discretion to establish a regime for exhaustion. As well, Canada's highest court ignored this important issue in its decision in Euro-Excellence Inc. v. Kraft Canada Inc. 1 where four separate and conflicting judgements considered whether copyright could be used to prevent parallel importation. This thesis adopts a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on methodologies developed through international economic law, political science and business strategy to argue that Canada ought to proceed with a national and global welfare analysis of alternative regimes for exhaustion. This thesis contributes to this analysis by arguing that reduced incentives to innovate and free rider problems that may flow from allowing parallel imports do not provide sufficient justification for the use of Canada's intellectual property regime to control parallel importation. This leads to the conclusion that domestic intellectual property rights should not protect vertical distribution arrangements that facilitate territorial price discrimination. The debate over exhaustion policy is critical to resolve problems of access to essential medicines in developing countries. Article 31 bis, the only amendment to a core World Trade Organization Agreement, and Canada's Bill C-9, the Jean Chretien Pledge to Africa, are designed to enhance access to essential medicines, while controlling diversion. This thesis concludes that a policy of national exhaustion is not necessary to prevent diversion of essential medicines from developing countries to developed countries and recommends that Canada's competition policy, trade policy and intellectual property regime ought to adopt a unified approach towards parallel importation by endorsing a policy of international exhaustion of intellectual property rights. 1Euro-Excellence Inc. v. Kraft Canada Inc. [2007] S.C.C. 37; Kraft Canada Inc. v. Euro-Excellence Inc., [2006] 3 F.C.R. 91 (F.C.A.); [2004] 4 F.C.R. 410 (F.C.) [Kraft Canada].