VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
The style and rhetoric of the Vercelli Homilies

This dissertation explores the style and rhetoric of the Vercelli Homilies through a series of analyses of features such as verbal repetition, adaptation of Latin sources, recurring themes, connected metaphors, and mixed genres. Chapter 2 considers the sequence of the Vercelli Homilies as a collection, and challenges the current assumption that there is no discernible principle to their arrangement. Two homilies are treated in detail, since there is replication of most of Vercelli II, on Judgment Day, within the larger Vercelli XXI, which is designated for Rogationtide. Commentary to date has almost entirely viewed this repetition as a “mistake” on the part of the compiler. Chapter 3 explores aspects of Old English prose stylistics in relation to the kinds of rhetorical techniques exemplified by both Latin source-texts and vernacular poetry. An analysis is offered of various types of verbal repetition, such as “envelope patterning” and anaphora, which have generally been considered “poetic” rhetorical devices. Chapter 4 examines thematic links between the Vercelli homilies and some of the poetry contained in the same collection. Discussion focuses on Vercelli XXII which contains considerable thematic and verbal parallels with all eleven surviving Old English versions of the address spoken by the soul to the body after death. Chapter 5 investigates the use of metaphor and simile in the Vercelli Book. The chapter explores the occurrence of a single rhetorical feature in the collection, namely that of figurative tropes, not so much as a constant gauge of diversity with respect to other collections (since the richness of figurative expression in the homilies speaks for itself), but rather as a means of reflecting on both the style and rhetoric of one highly adaptable feature in the collection itself. Chapter 6 examines the various genres within the Vercelli Book. Most editions and analyses of the collection distinguish two main genres: prose homilies (both exegetical and catechetical) and poetry. However, the collection also contains two saints' lives (Vercelli XVIII and XXIII), which do not fit comfortably into the category of prose to which the other twenty-one homilies seem to belong. The version of the life of St. Guthlac contained in the Vercelli manuscript in particular presents an interesting overlap between the genres contained elsewhere in the Vercelli manuscript. The persistently narrative style of the piece, and its relative lack of traditional homiletic cues, renders it an interesting case-study in this respect, as do its thematic and verbal connections with the Old English poems found in the Exeter book. Chapter 7 briefly draws together the conclusions of all the preceding chapters, and ends with a recapitulation of the precise ways in which the study of the style and rhetoric of Old English prose, a comparatively neglected field by comparison with the study of that of the verse, might both benefit from and, crucially, be of benefit to recent critical approaches to Old English poetry. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Microstructural and mechanical property evolution in cold-rolled electrodeposited nanocrystalline nickel

The goal of the present study was to determine the effect of cold-rolling on microstructural and mechanical properties in electrodeposited nanocrystalline nickel with an average grain size of approximately 29 nm. Samples were cold-rolled to strains of up to 80% elongation without signs of failure. Microstructural changes were evaluated using XRD and TEM while mechanical property evolution was investigated via microhardness and tensile testing. Average grain size and crystallographic texture were found to remain relatively unchanged after cold-rolling. Similarly, hardness remained constant after a small initial increase. Tensile testing results showed relatively constant strain hardening coefficients and an increase in yield strength (sigma y), ultimate tensile strength (sigmaUTS), and fracture stress (sigmaf). A marked decrease in fracture strain (epsilon f) was noted, attributed to the possible development of cavitation in the microstructure. Grain boundary sliding and/or rotation are proposed as the dominant deformation mechanisms active in nanocrystalline nickel during cold-rolling.
Peacemaking circles: a case of participatory decision-making among teachers

Interactions among elementary teachers can facilitate the development of professional communities, in which teachers make decisions about peacemaking education in their schools. The study shows that working together in small teams that make decisions around shared concerns can help teachers to develop professional community, under certain conditions. The opportunity to choose their agendas for discussion increased the commitment of teachers in this study to implement innovation. Also, working together to develop a process and decision-making procedure that created a safe structure for interacting seemed to support the inclusion of more voices and encouraged teacher learning in working group interactions. The constructive dissent that emerged in the conversations encouraged teachers to share the kinds of information about their own instructional practices that teachers often keep to themselves, to reflect on school and classroom approaches to peacemaking, and to implement some actual changes in practice.

Keywords: Discussion
Teaching, Decision making
Conflict management, Decision making
Teachers, Professional relationships
Group problem solving
Towards sustainable homes through optimization: an approach to balancing life cycle environmental impacts and life cycle costs in residential buildings

In this study an optimisation model that is intended to minimise life cycle cost, subject to a set of environmental impact constraints, was put forward as a design support tool that embraces the principles of both inter-generational and intra-generational equity and has the potential to move the residential building industry towards sustainability. A literature review, which laid the foundation for the research, revealed eight key foci of current attempts at sustainable architecture: (i) site selection and building orientation; (ii) material selection; (iii) construction methodology; (iv) energy consumption; (v) water consumption; (vi) waste management; (vii) indoor environmental quality; and (viii) cost. With the aid of a case study, two of the structural components (walls and floors) and three of the envelope components (insulation, windows and cladding) were compared on the basis of six environmental indicators to demonstrate the mechanics of the model. The indicators used were embodied energy, solid waste generated, an air pollution index, a water pollution index, global warming potential and ecologically weighted raw resource use. The life cycle cost for each of the alternatives was also compared. It was found that the structural changes had an overall negative environmental impact at an increased cost and thus were not considered feasible alternatives. Changes to the envelope components produced more interesting results. There were two main conclusions from the case study results: (i) more innovative components are needed in order to improve upon the base house and (ii) operational energy is the main issue that needs to be addressed if lower life cycle environmental impacts are to be achieved at lower costs under prevailing conditions. Thus, energy efficiency in the use phase and the quest for low cost energy sources that have lower environmental impacts become critical. The main strengths of the model are its flexibility and ease of use. The greatest limitation is lack of environmental impact data on (i) more innovative component options and (ii) mechanical systems choices. With the improvements outlined, the full potential of the model as an effective design tool geared towards increased sustainability in the residential building industry may be realised.
Influence of linker molecules on charge transport through self-assembled single-nanoparticle devices

We investigate electrical characteristics of single-electron electrode/nano-island/electrode devices formed by alkanedithiol assisted self-assembly. Contrary to predictions of the Orthodox model for double tunnel junction devices, we find a significant ( sim;5 fold) discrepancy in single electron charging energies determined by Coulomb blockade (CB) voltage thresholds in current-voltage measurements vs. those determined by an Arrhenius analysis of conductance in the CB region. The energies do, however, scale with particle sizes, consistent with single electron charging phenomena. We propose that the discrepancy is caused by a multi-barrier junction potential that leads to a voltage divider effect. Temperature and voltage dependent conductance measurements performed outside the blockade region probe the junctions directly and are consistent with this picture. We simulated our data using a suitably modified Orthodox model.
The role of pitch structures in auditory imagery: Investigating psychological representations of the tonal hierarchy in imagined contexts

Two experiments investigated the nature of the representation of tonal structures in musical imagery. In Experiment 1, participants heard a cue tone (E.G. A4) accompanied by a cue function (E.G. tonic). Participants had to generate an image of the indicated key based on this information, and then heard a probe tone and rated this probe for belongingness in the context of their imaged key. Results suggested that participants are indeed able to mentally image tonal information. Effects of cue on imagery performance were found; these effects were based on the cue's pitch and tonal distance from the tonic of the to-be-imaged key. The experimental task was the same in Experiment 2, except that participants had 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 seconds to image the required key. Results replicated those from Experiment 1, with an additional effect of image time, whereby different combinations of image time and cue function yielded different strengths of tonal image. These results are discussed in the context of the cognitive literature on imagery and future directions are proposed.
A model for neurotransduction mechanism, Part I. Carbocationic polymerization of styrene, Part II

Part I. This is a study of the conformational space of three neurotransmitters: dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine, a helix of twelve alanines, and their complexes. It was found that there are intermediate helices with mixed 3-10 and 4-13 types of helical turns when the helix back bone was hydrogen bonded to the neurotransmitter. On this basis a hypothetical model for the molecular mechanism of neurotransduction is proposed via a spring like conformational change in one of the helices of a neuroreceptor to whose extension the G protein is holding on. The change is a stepwise rearrangement among the hydrogen bonds in the helix back bone induced by the neurotransmitter and resulting in shortening, lengthening or bending of the helix, and consequently detachment of the G protein. Part II. Although it appears to be no fundamental difference between the structures of cations involved in the polymerization of styrene, experimental data indicate that the rate constant k1 for the first step, dimerization, is a few orders of magnitude greater then the rate constant, k2 for the subsequent propagation steps. It had been proposed in literature that the difference may result from intramolecular and intermolecular stabilizing interactions of the reactants and solvent. In this study these interactions and the differences in energy barriers for each corresponding step are calculated to account for the differences between k1 and k2. However all calculated results are showing that there should be no differences between the rate constants for the first and the second step of the cationic polymerization of styrene.
Neurotransduction mechanism

In this study, four separate projects were attempted with the motivation to understand the molecular processes underlying the dysfunction of the dopamine receptors as the main cause for the symptoms of schizophrenia. The brain's neurotransmitter dopamine, as an [special characters omitted] for dopamine receptors, was subjected to conformational analysis to determine if the geometry of its minima gives insight into the cavity shape of the active site within the receptor. For synthetic drugs clozapine and olanzapine, both [special characters omitted] for the receptors, a new mechanism for the formation of nitrenium ion as a reactive intermediate was proposed and demonstrated that the lack of lethal side effects with olanzapine compared to clozapine is due to its smaller therapeutic dosage. The naturally occurring compound stepholidine was investigated to establish the grounds for its [special characters omitted] as an agonist and an antagonist. Finally a mechanism of nerve signal transduction was proposed and supporting evidence for it presented.
ICOS, CD40 and lymphotoxin-beta receptors signal sequentially and interdependently to initiate a germinal centre reaction

Studies using gene-targeted mice have identified ICOS, a costimulatory molecule expressed on activated T cells, as an important molecule in the development of Germinal Centres (GCs). In the absence of ICOS, humoral immune responses are impaired and GC formation is defective. Although it is known that ICOS stimulation has multiple downstream consequences such as cytokine production, expression of CD40L on Th cells, and differentiation of CD4 + T cells into CXCR5+ follicular Th cells, the reasons for a defect in the architectural microenvironment of the GC itself remains obscure. Given that the Lymphotoxin (LT) pathway plays an essential role in maintaining GC niches and that both ICOS-/- and LTbeta-/- mice have similar GC defects, we investigated if the LT pathway is activated downstream of ICOS in order to induce the formation of a GC microenvironment. Here, we show that GC-B cells from ICOS-/- mice express lower levels of LTalphabeta compared with WT GC-B cells in vivo, and stimulation of ICOS on T cells induces LTalphabeta expression on B cells in vitro. Enforced signaling through the LTbetaR was unable to restore the GC response in ICOS-/- mice, suggesting that additional input from another pathway is involved for optimal GC generation. In contrast, treatment with agonistic anti-CD40 Ab in vivo recovered GC networks and restored LTalphabeta expression on GC-B cells in ICOS-/- mice. Recovery of GC networks by anti-CD40 Ab treatment however, can be annulled by simultaneous treatment with an LT-pathway inhibitor, LTbetaR-Ig, demonstrating that rescue of the GC microenvironment in ICOS-/- mice not only depends on CD40 signaling but also on LTbetaR signaling. Collectively, these data show signaling by both LTbetaR and CD40 downstream of ICOS activation promotes GC formation.
The association between socioeconomic status and mortality after community-acquired pneumonia in the elderly in Ontario: a population-based cohort study using frequentist and bayesian statistical methods

This thesis examined the relationship between socioeconomic status and mortality after admission for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the elderly population of Ontario. Using administrative data, odds of death for short-term and long-term mortality were determined for socioeconomic classes, adjusted for age, sex, comorbidity, hospital and physician characteristics. There was no statistically significant change in odds of death due to socioeconomic class. Increasing age, presence of comorbidity and male sex were all, however, strong risk factors for mortality after CAP admission.
Role of telomere length and chromosomal instability in prostatic carcinogenesis

Prostate cancer (CaP) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in North America. To date, treatment and diagnosis of CaP is still problematic. Major challenges include reliable early detection of the disease, and identification of prognostic factors that accurately predict outcome. Studies of genetic alterations in early precursor lesions (atypical adenomatous hyperplasia and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN)), suggest a multistep model of prostatic carcinogenesis, emphasizing accumulation of genetic hits, affecting key pathways. To account for the genotypic heterogeneity and multifocality evident in CaP, a model where one of the affected cell mechanisms is involved in maintenance of chromosomal stability has gained acceptance through numerous cytogenetic studies. Telomere related chromosomal instability (CIN) has generated attention in recent years due to its emerging role in carcinogenesis, and prostate cancer has been suggested as a likely target for telomere dysregulation. To improve our knowledge of telomere length erosion as the mechanism contributing to CIN generation during prostatic carcinogenesis, I have developed a quantitative FISH method of analysis of telomere length on the paraffin samples. A significant decrease in telomere length was observed in both high grade PIN and early invasive carcinoma in comparison with benign epithelium, and was paralleled by increased levels of numerical chromosomal aberrations and proliferation rate, suggesting telomere related chromosomal instability as a feature of CaP oncogenesis. To demonstrate the in vitro evidence of a CIN mechanism in karyotype evolution in CaP, I have used prostate cancer cell lines, derived from primary and metastatic tumors. The CIN mechanism, in the form of a Bridge-fusion-breakage (BFB) cycle, was shown to contribute to generation of complex structural abnormalities as evidenced by cytogenetic analysis of mitotic and chromosomal structures. Lastly, telomere erosion did not seem to be limited to early stages of CaP initiation and was further observed in hormone-refractory prostate cancer and in highly proliferative neuroendocrine form of prostate cancer arising after prolonged androgen deprivation treatment. Overall, these results emphasize the importance of telomere erosion in prostatic oncogenesis and implicate a telomere related chromosomal instability as a mechanism for generation of genotypic heterogeneity that characterizes both preneoplastic lesions and prostate cancer.
Characterization of the biological roles for Tek

Tek/Tie-2 is a receptor tyrosine kinase predominantly expressed on the surface of endothelial cells that plays a critical role in angiogenesis during development and in the adult in physiological and pathological settings. The Angiopoietins are a family of ligands known to bind and activate the receptor. Previously, in vitro roles for Tie-2 have been described in endothelial cell migration and survival. Using a double transgenic system, the goal of this study was to further characterize in vivo roles for Tie-2 during development and in the adult. Tie-2-null mice die during early development due to abnormal associations between endocardial and myocardial cells in the heart and endothelial and peri-endothelial cells in the vasculature. We utilized a tetracycline-responsive double transgenic system to overcome the early lethal cardiovascular defects associated with the Tie-2-null allele and investigate the role of the receptor during later stages of vascular growth. Using this approach, we demonstrated that synchronized loss of Tie-2 expression results in rapid endothelial cell apoptosis in the embryo, demonstrating an ongoing requirement for Tie-2 signaling in endothelial cell survival and vascular maintenance during development.

Keywords: Molecular biology
Genetics
Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of benzo[a]pyrene-mediated inhibition of osteoclastogenesis

Exposure to polycyclic aryl hydrocarbons is linked to cancer, immunosuppression and other numerous health problems. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant present in high concentrations in urban smog and cigarette smoke. The focus of this thesis was to examine the effects of BaP on osteoclasts, the bone resorbing cells, and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of these effects. Results obtained from the experiments using the authentic rabbit osteoclasts demonstrated that BaP was most likely affecting osteoclasts indirectly via the stromal cells present in the cultures. Depending on initial seeding cell density, BaP had either an inhibitory (high cell density) or a stimulatory (low cell density) effect. To examine the direct effects of BaP on osteoclastogenesis, RAW 264.7 cells, a mouse macrophage cell line capable of differentiating into osteoclasts in the presence of receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), were used. The results demonstrated that BaP inhibited both osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. This inhibition of osteoclastogenesis was reversed by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) antagonist resveratrol as well as by high concentrations of RANKL. Moreover, high concentrations of RANKL also inhibited BaP-induced cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) gene expression. These observations lead to a hypothesis that there is a crosstalk between RANKL and BaP signaling cascades competing for common transcription factors. To elucidate which transcription factors could be involved in the signaling cross-talk, the roles of NF-κB, NFATc1, c-Myc in both signaling cascades were investigated. Studies using transcription factor inhibitors demonstrated that NF-κB and not NFATc1 is involved in BaP-induced CYP1B1 expression. Moreover, BaP inhibited RANKL-induced NF-κB activation and nuclear translocation, confirming that NF-κB is the transcription factor responsible for the signaling cross-talk. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that AhR is present in a complex with NF-κB/p65 and NκBα; however, the presence of RANKL disrupted this interaction. Finally, both BaP and RANKL induced luciferase reporter gene transcription under the control of NF-κB. These results support the hypothesis that BaP-mediated inhibition of osteoclastogenesis is a consequence of crosstalk between BaP and RANKL signaling pathways competing for NF-κB.

Keywords: Molecular biology
Cytology
Pharmacology
Affective factors in kindergarten teacher's use of phonics programs

This research focused on affective factors that influence kindergarten teachers' use of phonics programs. The study was designed to find out which components—in two commercially available phonics programs—impact on teachers' use and enjoyment of the programs, and thus, indirectly, influence how they teach children to read. Fourteen kindergarten teachers were interviewed about their experiences using the programs. They reported on how much and why they like specific materials and activities within each program. Through the use of qualitative methodology, the data was analyzed and seven themes emerged. Specific program factors, administration and children factors, and personal teacher beliefs and attitudes were identified as extrinsic and intrinsic motivators for teachers to implement and use phonics instruction within the classroom. The results indicated that teachers preferred programs that contained components they perceived to be more enjoyable to teach and fun for children.

Keywords: Reading (Kindergarten), Phonetic method
Phonetics
Language arts (Preschool)
Reading (Kindergarten), Language Experience approach
Kindergarten teachers