VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
The image of the wanton Christ-Child in the apocryphal infancy legends of late medieval England

Medievalists tend to assume that devotion to the Christ-Child in the later Middle Ages was part of a movement of affective piety that encouraged feelings of tenderness and compassion for Christ in his suffering humanity. My thesis questions the sufficiency of this generalization to account for medieval religiosity by examining apocryphal infancy gospels within the context of other religious literature in which the Christ-Child appears. Modern readers are surprised by the Middle English childhood of Jesus poems' description of Jesus as a "wanton" boy. Yet this adjective is appropriate since the boy Jesus of these legends loves to play with other children, behaves mischievously and resists the efforts of his parents and teachers to control him. The late medieval focus on the humanity and corporeality of Christ and the more positive valuation of children that emerged by the later Middle Ages help account for the apparent acceptability of the portrayal of Jesus as a "wanton" boy. Contrary to the thesis of Philippe Aries that medieval people lacked a conception of childhood as a distinct phase of life, a variety of medieval sources indicate that people were well aware of behavior peculiar to children. Medieval intellectuals had theories explaining this behavior, such as that children's love of play was derived from their natural need to exercise their growing bodies and also from their desire to avoid the burdensome task of learning. Although medieval people would not have been willing to explain the Christ-Child's behavior according to the Augustinian theory of original sin, they might have been willing to employ a physiological explanation. It is likely, too, that medieval Christians found the legends' image of a heroic, vigorous Christ-Child appealing because other devotional works of literature and art emphasized Christ's passivity as a helpless babe and suffering man. My thesis demonstrates that Christians in the later Middle Ages did not simply respond sentimentally to the Christ-Child. They imagined him as a powerful and all-knowing God and as a "wanton" child beyond the control of mere mortals.
Statistical mechanics of directed polymer models subject to forces

We consider two directed models of homopolymers in different environments. First the three-dimensional self-avoiding partially directed walk (SAPDW) model is used to consider the collapse transition of a polymer subject to forces in multiple directions. Force-extension and force-temperature curves were obtained and compared to previous work for the two-dimensional case. Next we extend the previous work of Dyck paths in a slit with attractive walls to consider a stiff polymer. First treating the single surface problem we obtain an explicit form for the critical temperature and find the order of the adsorption transition. For the slit problem we obtain small width results for the free energy and find a zero-force curve. We find consistency in both cases with the problem of a Dyck path without stiffness.
Quantitative developmental genetics of biological stability in Drosophila melanogaster

Biological stability at the level of individual organisms is reflected in the nature and degree of variation observed in phenotypic traits. In this thesis, I examine properties of biological stability within the framework of canalization of a number of morphological traits in Drosophila melanogaster. I employ a combination of both genetic and environmental perturbations to explore various measures of stability in the sternopleural bristle system, and on the pro-thoracic leg. Furthermore, I utilize the techniques from developmental genetics to explore the temporal aspects of trait stability and sensitivity using the antenna to leg homeotic transformation as a model system.
Cross sectional and postprandial phenotypes of human subjects with the T54 variant of fatty acid-binding protein 2 (FABP2) gene and the effect of different fat sources

In conclusion, the A54T polymorphism results in a diet-gene interaction with the T54 group having increased chylomicron cholesterol after the olive oil-containing test only; however, the proportions of fatty acids within chylomicrons were not affected. Nevertheless, the greater hepatic insulin clearance in T54 carriers suggests that the polymorphism may not be deleterious in nonobese subjects. Fifty-two nonobese subjects were screened for the T54 variant of FABP2 and there were no significant mean differences in body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma insulin, or lipids in the A54 and T54 groups. However, there were positive correlations between triacylglycerols (TGs) and BMI (r = 0.72) and TGs and insulin (r = 0.67), and a negative correlation between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and insulin (r = -0.63) in T54 subjects, which were not significant in the A54 homozygotes. Thus, phenotypic associations vary with FABP2 genotype in a nonobese group despite the absence of mean differences between FABP2 genotypes. Twenty-two of the above subjects, eleven A54 homozygotes and 11 T54 carriers, ingested 3 oral fat-tolerance tests (butter, safflower, and olive oils) and postprandial lipids, glucose and insulin were measured. There was no effect of FABP2 genotype for chylomicron TG, glucose, or C-peptide. Insulin area under the curve (AUC) and insulin to C-peptide ratio were lower in T54 carriers compared to A54 homozygotes, suggesting greater hepatic insulin clearance. The association of genotype with chylomicron cholesterol was seen only after olive oil, with T54 carriers having greater chylomicron cholesterol than A54 homozygotes. The main effect of fat was significant for chylomicron cholesterol and TG with safflower and olive oils producing a greater response than butter. Peak chylomicron fatty acid proportions did reflect those of the ingested fats; however, there was no effect of genotype. These results indirectly support improved intracellular trafficking, increased chylomicron formation, and decreased portal fat absorption in T54 carriers.
Continuity of care for individuals with severe mental illness: measurement and mechanisms

Continuity of care is considered an essential feature of service delivery, especially for individuals managing chronic mental illness who often have multiple and changing needs and compromised abilities to access services. Yet, there is a limited evidence base to guide efforts to improve continuity, and measurement of continuity has been criticized for being too narrowly focused on patterns of service use rather than the day-to-day experiences that create continuity. The client's view has not been considered. This dissertation project expands current continuity research through three studies. The first study examined the properties of a new, multidimensional, self-report measure of continuity of care, using data collected from users of community mental health programs. Three components of continuity were elucidated---system access, interpersonal aspects and care team function. Associations between the continuity scores and client and service use measures supported its validity. Based on these findings, areas for future continuity research are suggested. Continued testing of the self-report continuity scale is needed, including comparisons with service-based measures of continuity as well as other self-report measures of service quality, in order to establish conceptual boundaries for this service construct. Regarding determinants of continuity, testing more complex models is recommended so that a variety of potential influences such as treatment approaches (e.g., fidelity to best practice), provider variables, client informal support networks and community context can be included. Techniques such as path analysis can provide information about the chains of influence through which these various elements affect continuity of care and client outcomes. The second study identified nine elements of program structure associated with continuity of care in previous research, and assessed the relationship between these features and continuity, using the new, self-report measure. Few relationships were significant. Provider behaviours were hypothesized as being more relevant than program structure to the client's continuity experience. The third paper reviewed evidence on the association between systems integration and client continuity of care. A positive relationship was consistently demonstrated. Better results were obtained in systems with stronger management arrangements, fewer service sectors, and system wide implementation of intensive case management and centralized access to services.
Magnetars: Distances, variability and multi-wavelength observations

From these studies, I find that, despite differences among AXPs and their variability in time, some patterns emerge. Perhaps most importantly, the X-ray luminosities of AXPs are very similar, as are their X-ray to infrared flux ratios. In this way, information is starting to mount with which to confront theoretical models, and understand the underlying conditions that give rise to the emission seen. The Anomalous X-ray Pulsars (AXPs) represent our best opportunity to study in detail the physics of magnetars: neutron stars with amazingly strong magnetic fields, so strong, that they fundamentally affect their energetics, evolution and appearance. In order to constraints the processes occurring in magnetar interiors and magnetospheres, I have conducted a phenomenological study of their behaviour. I have observed AXPs in the infrared, optical and X-ray bands, and measured both their variability and global spectral energy distributions. By measuring the interstellar extinction, these spectra do not have the large uncertainties of previous works, and by measuring the distances to the objects, the spectra can be fairly compared. During this work: infrared or optical counterparts have been found for all but one AXP; the brightest source (4U 0142+61) was found to vary rapidly and significantly in each waveband over years of monitoring, yet with no apparent correlations between spectral regions; the contradictions in the previous measures of extinction were resolved; and all six Galactic AXPs had their distances determined and were placed on a map of the Galactic Plane.
Development of a portable motion capture system for biomechanical assessment of caregivers in the field

Caregivers experience back injury at alarming rates. Portable tools are needed for performing biomechanical evaluations of caregiving work in the field to determine which activities cause back injury. This work describes the design and validation of portable motion capture devices developed for this purpose. Two novel portable motion capture systems were developed. The performance of the novel systems was compared to an existing motion capture system for their ability to estimate resultant forces at the L5/S1 joint by finding the relative three dimensional positions of the L5/S1 joint and feet. The first system (FootCam) was found to estimate resultant forces with insufficient accuracy due to poor coupling of the device with the subject's body. This coupling error was due to inertial effects and bulk tissue movement. The second system (semi-portable) was found to be sufficiently accurate to serve as a portable replacement for existing motion capture systems.
Burying nuclear waste, exposing nuclear authority: Canada's nuclear waste disposal concept and expert-lay discourse

This thesis investigates Canada's debates about nuclear waste disposal, concentrating on the public inquiry into a nuclear waste disposal concept (held 1996-97). My evidence is an analysis of public inquiry transcripts, plus industry and Government documents (produced since 1954). My focus is on disputes about what the issue was that was in contention. I identify several different ways in which the issue in dispute was framed, specifically how expert and public groups enacted competing framings. I show that proponents of the waste disposal concept shifted grounds in terms of how they framed the issue: from solving the nuclear waste problem as intimately connected to ensuring a future for commercial nuclear power, to separating these two issues. Proponents also initially excluded the public from involvement in decision-making, but in contemporary times they embrace public involvement. This shift was mediated by declining support for nuclear power in general, as well as failures to retain control over the terms of debate and assessment themselves. Disposal concept supporters framed the issue as one of how to proceed in the face of technical uncertainty, and have thus marginalized deficiencies in present-day evidence for safe disposal by arguing future site-specific investigations will resolve all technical issues. This 'viable in principle' defense has been strenuously opposed by public opposition groups, who have framed the issue as involving more than just narrow questions of concept feasibility and safe disposal. Public critics have framed the issue as intimately connected with the legitimacy of present-day democratic procedures for ensuring the accountability of decisions. An analysis of the history of these competing framings suggests that much skepticism should attend recent nuclear industry claims to be accountable to public feedback. I also draw upon this history to comment upon debates about what is more salient: public capacities as experts or public rights as citizens. I show that ensuring democratic accountability, rather than just representation, has been an underlying political demand of public opposition groups, and that their main concern has been with the very ability to negotiate what the nuclear waste disposal issue ought to mean.

Keywords: History
Philosophy
Science, History
History, Modern
The role of play in transformational educational leadership

This study examines the role of play in transformational educational leadership. Eleven school principals were identified by their supervisory officers as transformational leaders, and were interviewed to determine how they defined play and playfulness, how they played as children, how they played as adults at work and in their personal lives, if and how playfulness had a role in the workplace, and how play influenced their transformational leadership practices. The data was analyzed using Strauss and Corbin's (1998) Grounded Theory. In this study, play was defined using Kane's (2004) definition, and transformational leadership was defined using Leithwood, Jantzi and Steinbach's (1999) outline. Candidates' play definitions all reflected Kane's (2004) trivial play and individual play. All candidates played as children, and they continue to play as adults in their personal lives and at work. All candidates articulated that positive personal growth and development had occurred in their lives because of play, as well as a balanced perspective toward life in general. Play enhanced their skill sets used to address life's challenges. Workplace play involved humour for each candidate, and all workplace play activities could be characterized as being engaging. Play was employed by all candidates as a tool to promote wellness, particularly through bringing a balanced perspective, and it was used to bring about change in a palatable and creative manner. Ultimately, transformational school principal leaders use personal and workplace play as tools to positively engage themselves and others in striving for balance for growth. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Role of HMG-CoA reductase in growth regulation of breast cancer cells

The rate of synthesis of mevalonate by 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase may influence the growth of breast cancer cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of mevalonate in the growth of malignant breast cells, and the contribution of mevalonate regulation to mediation of the chemoprotective effects of some dietary compounds. To study the effect of mevalonate on the growth of mammary tumors in vivo, I developed a methodology for delivery of mevalonate to the mammary glands of mice via subcutaneously implanted mini-osmotic pumps. I determined that mevalonate promotes the growth of mammary tumors derived from MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cells in nude mice. Mevalonate also increased proliferation of the cancer cells in culture, and promoted S phase entry through increased CDK 2 activity. Based on these findings, I investigated the regulation of HMG-CoA reductase in MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cells in vitro by dietary factors that have been shown to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells, and to inhibit HMG-CoA reductase activity in normal tissues. Similar to effects observed in cells treated with statins, the plant isoprenoids beta-ionone and geraniol inhibited proliferation of MCF-7 cells through decreased activity of CDK 2. Although geraniol inhibited HMG-CoA reductase activity, exogenous mevalonate did not restore proliferation in geraniol-inhibited cells. beta-Ionone did not significantly inhibit HMG-CoA reductase activity. A mevalonate-independent mechanism, therefore, mediated growth inhibition by these compounds. I next investigated the regulation of HMG-CoA reductase in MCF-7 cells by genistein, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and found that all three down-regulated reductase, primarily through post-transcriptional effects. In mevastatin-treated cells, genistein and DHA, but not EPA, abrogated the induction of reductase caused by this competitive inhibitor. Dietary genistein, DHA, and EPA may, therefore, exert anti-cancer effects through inhibition of mevalonate synthesis in the breast, and may augment the efficacy of statins. In conclusion, I have found that mevalonate promotes the growth of MDA-MB-435 cells when grown in culture or as tumors in vivo. Geraniol, genistein, DHA, and EPA all down-regulate HMG-CoA reductase in MCF-7 cells and, therefore, may mediate cancer preventive effects through this mechanism.
'Part of the solution': developing sustainable energy through co-operatives and learning

This thesis shows that green energy co-operatives, like WindShare, play an important role in advancing sustainable energy development, energy literacy and the triple bottom line. Members of WindShare expressed resounding feelings of pride, efficacy and understanding of WindShare's role in sustainable energy. WindShare Co-operative provided the structure whereby members felt a part of the solution in terms of sustainable energy development. Policies and practices at all levels of government should encourage the advancement of green energy co-operatives to support Canada's efforts at public involvement in combating climate change and pollution. After five years of development, WindShare Co-operative in Toronto, Ontario became the first urban wind turbine in North America and the first co-operatively owned and operated wind turbine in Canada. The development of WindShare Co-operative has spurred the growth of a green energy co-operative sector in Ontario. This study, which included 27 interviews and a focus group with members of WindShare Co-operative, focuses on the roles of community-based green energy co-operatives in advancing sustainable energy development and energy literacy. Sustainable energy development is firmly rooted in the triple bottom line of environmental, social and economic success, and green energy co-operatives can be a way to help achieve those successes. Green energy co-operatives are structures for providing renewable energy generation or energy conservation practices, both of which have important environmental impacts regarding climate change and pollution levels. Co-operative structures are supported by processes that include local ownership, democracy, participation, community organizing, learning and social change. These processes have a significant social impact by creating a venue for people to be directly involved in the energy industry, by involving learning through participation in a community-based organization, and by advancing energy literacy within the membership and the general public. In regards to the economic impacts, green energy co-operatives foster a local economy and local investment opportunities, which have repercussions regarding building expertise within Ontario's green energy and co-operative development future, and more generally, captures members' interest because they have a direct stake in the co-operative.

Keywords: Wind turbines, Ontario
Renewable energy sources, Ontario
Energy conservation, Ontario
Cooperative societies, Ontario
Environmental education, Ontario
Contributing factors to increased HIV infections: a qualitative investigation

Sixteen self-identified gay or bisexual men from the Greater Toronto area were interviewed to assess their attitudes towards, and knowledge of safer sex practises and negotiation. Participants were interviewed regarding seven central themes: HIV Awareness; HIV Prevention Advertising Campaigns; Safer Sex Fatigue; HIV Treatment Optimism; Sexual Practise and Negotiation; Alcohol and Drug Use; and Self-Esteem. Additional data was also gathered regarding participants' ages, ethnicity, current relationship status, and HIV status. Results indicate a great deal of awareness about safer sex practises, and HIV prevention advertising campaigns. Treatment optimism, which reduces concern about HIV, intoxication due to alcohol and drug use, and lower self-esteem were identified as factors that may serve to reduce safer sex behaviours. Safer sex fatigue (e.g. being tired of condom usage and protecting oneself from the HIV virus) was also implicated in unsafe sexual behaviour by many of the older, but few of the younger study participants.

Keywords: HIV infections
AIDS (Disease), Prevention
Social psychology
Laboratory intercomparison of ozone and nitrogen dioxide spectral intensities in the visible and infrared using SCISAT-1

Laboratory absorption spectra of ozone (O3) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were measured using SCISAT-1's MAESTRO (Measurement of Aerosol Extinction in the Stratosphere and Troposphere Retrieved by Occultation) and ACE-FTS (Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment-Fourier Transform Spectrometer) spectrometers. A novel solar simulator source was designed and constructed for these measurements. This apparatus allowed for simultaneous measurements of visible and infrared absorption spectra from a common gas cell to be taken. The analysis of these spectra allowed for a direct intercomparison between the visible cross-section data reported in the literature and the infrared line intensities compiled in the HITRAN database. For ozone, results reported here show that Chappuis band cross-section strengths are more consistent with the HITRAN 2004 4.8 mum band line strengths than with the ones reported in the HITRAN 2000 compilation. For nitrogen dioxide, results obtained using three different sets of visible cross-section data show that the Vandaele et al. temperature-dependent cross-sections from 2002 are the most consistent with the HITRAN 2004 line strengths. As well, the pressure-broadened half-width of NO2 by NO is reported, and the thermodynamic equilibrium balance of NO2 with N2O4 has been measured. The results from this work have implications for a number of satellite missions that measure ozone and nitrogen dioxide. An increased certainty in the spectral parameters implies that discrepancies in amounts retrieved by different instruments must be due to other inaccuracies.