VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Toward an understanding and prediction of air flow in buildings

This thesis makes two fundamental arguments in the analysis of air flow in buildings: (1) buildings are complex three dimensional air flow networks driven by complex air pressure relationships; and (2) the key to understanding air flow in buildings is the building air pressure field. Under standard building analysis, interstitial air flow and interstitial air pressure fields are not often considered and exterior and interior walls, floors, and roof assemblies are either considered as monolithic or having openings resulting in flow across the specific assemblies. Buildings comprise multi-layer envelope assemblies with numerous air gaps or void spaces that are often connected to service chases. As a result, complex three dimensional flow paths and intricate air pressure relationships must be considered. The standard approaches to analysis concentrate on difficult or impossible to measure parameters--air flows and component leakage areas. This typically results in large inaccuracies in the prediction of building performance. This thesis shows that the building air pressure field is readily measurable, the building air flow field is not. This thesis argues that the building air flow field should be developed from the building air pressure field--not the other way around as in standard building analysis. By developing the flow field, the leakage areas and the flow relationships from the measured building pressure field, interstitial air pressure fields and resulting interstitial air flows are accounted for. In addition, this approach provides a powerful diagnostic tool for identifying many of the problems related to direct and indirect effects of air flows. The measured building air pressure field can be used with network analysis to solve the building flow and leakage regime as an alternative to using estimated or measured leakage areas and measured air flows to solve the building air pressure and flow regime. This inverse method of using pressures as inputs rather than leakage areas is calibrated by perturbing both the building and analytical model. The perturbation results in a pressure response unique to the building. This pressure response is used to apportion flows and leakage areas in the network analytical model thereby increasing the accuracy and the range of applicability of the model.
A structure/function analysis of the interaction of the Escherichia coli NusA protein with RNA polymerase, the phage lambda N protein, and nut site RNA

NusA is an 'E. coli' protein that controls transcription elongation, termination and antitermination. In this thesis, I show that the functions of NusA in transcription are facilitated by interactions with RNA polymerase, RNA and the [lambda] N protein. Use of a series of deletion constructs of NusA allowed me to identify specific regions of NusA involved in specific interactions and in various aspects of NusA function. Genetic evidence suggested that NusA may interact with the 'boxA ' portion of the N-utilization site ('nut' site= ' boxA, interbox,' and 'boxB'). By constructing multiple nucleotide substitutions in the 'nut' site, I showed that the identities of certain nucleotides at the 3' end of ' boxA' and in the 'interbox ' were important for NusA to associate with an N-'nut' site complex. NusA association with RNA in the presence of N is presumably facilitated by its S1 and KH homology regions, two types of RNA-binding domains in NusA. Elimination or mutation of the S1 homology region prevented the association of NusA with an N-' nut' site complex. Using affinity chromatography experiments, I found that RNA polymerase bound equally well to an amino-terminal RNA polymerase-binding region in amino acids 1-137 and a carboxy-terminal RNA polymerase-binding region in amino acids 232-495 of NusA. By contrast, the Ã subunit of RNA polymerase only bound to the carboxy-terminal RNA polymerase-binding region of NusA. N protein also bound to a carboxy-terminal region of NusA, and both N and Ã allowed NusA to associate with RNA in a gel mobility shift assay. When the carboxy-terminal region of NusA was deleted in NusA (1-348), the loss of N-binding and Ã-binding ability did not abolish NusA function in termination and antitermination assays. This minimal functional NusA protein retained the KH and S1 homology regions and the amino-terminal RNA polymerase-binding region. Unlike full length NusA (1-495), NusA (1-416) could bind RNA on its own. These observations suggest that the carboxy-terminal region of NusA inhibits RNA binding and that this inhibition can be relieved by interaction with the [lambda] N protein or the Ã subunit of RNA polymerase.
Participant-centred sport, an evaluation of community hockey coaches and the Coach Level Training Course

Sport can positively impact children's development when it is participant-centred or congruent with their developmental and motivational needs. As most Canadian coaches are untrained (Bales & Kinsman, 1997; Crowley, 1997), they may not deliver optimal sport experiences. Using Stufflebeam's (1983) CIPP evaluation approach, a qualitative study was undertaken (a) to compare the behaviour of community hockey coaches and participant-centred coaches and (b) to examine the extent to which participant-centred sport is addressed through the content of the Coach Level Training Course. Five male coaches were interviewed prior to and following the course and were observed during two practices. Fieldnotes recorded during the course and program materials were also analyzed. The results indicated that (a) discrepancies exist between the behaviours of community hockey coaches and participant-centred coaches and (b) the course provided limited information related to participant-centred sport. The findings are useful for future planning of coach education programs.
Identity: Its maintenance during downward organisational role transitions

The need to better comprehend the effects of downward work transitions requires a fuller understanding of the dynamics of self-in-work role, and specifically those factors that influence individuals connections to their job and organisation. Drawing from theories of work transition and identity, this research develops and tests a model of the effects of downward work transition attributes and identity characteristics on, identification, career success and role performance. This program of research is comprised of two field studies. I investigated Aged Care nurses in Australia because this sector has undergone considerable reform over the past couple of years. Nurses have experienced changes in their job roles as well as changes to their status. Thus, their experiences provide a naturally occurring context to investigate how a downward transition exacts its toll. In Study 1, I tested a set of predictions among a sample of 25 aged care nurses. Nurses were interviewed face to face on two occasions over a six-month period. The results revealed support for the hypotheses that intra-role job changes leads to lowered levels of role commitment, identity salience, job and organisational identification. Those nurses that perceived the intra-role job change as a threat sought to maintain their job identification, while nurses who were not threatened reported lower levels of identification. In Study 2, nurses reported a downward status change as well as changes to their job role. The results of this study provide support for the central hypothesis of this thesis. Downward transitions, assessed in terms of magnitude and status stripping, have detrimental effects on individuals and their organisations. Specifically, the findings indicate that downward transitions erode important organisational relationships, lead to decrements in efficacy perceptions and result in a reduction of the importance individuals attach to their work identity. A threat to job identity is negatively related to career success, job identification and resident care, but not organisational identification. There is evidence that identity threat acts as a mediator between downward transitions and job identification and career success. Taken together, the research has important implications for how organisations respond to regulatory and environmental changes.
Stimulant adherence in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, a 3-year prospective follow-up

The present study examined reasons for non-adherence, predictors of adherence, and clinical effects of adherence. Sixty-three children with a confirmed diagnosis of Attention - Deficit Hyperactirvity Disorder (ADHD) were prospectively followed from their first trial of stimulant for 3 years. Diagnostic, academic, and family evaluations were obtained at baseline. Stimulant adherence (defined as taking stimulant for 3 years) was documented annually through interviews from parent, teacher, and child. Behavioral and academic changes were evaluated at 3-year follow-up. Adherence to stimulant was 52%. Side effects, parents feeling medication was unnecessary or ineffective, and child reluctant to take pills were the reasons for non-adherence. Predictors of adherence included child's younger age, more ADHD symptoms, and absence of comorbid oppositional defiant disorder. Children on stimulant at evaluation improved significantly on ADHD symptoms compared to those off stimulant. Closer monitoring for side effects, educating families, involving children in treatment decisions and behavioral therapy for oppositional problems may enhance adherence.
Implementation, testing and application of PROTEST: Simulator motion expert tuning software

The tuning of motion base simulators has always been a necessity in achieving reliable motion response. Regardless of the scheme used to transform forces and rates into hardware motion response the key always remains in a set of coefficients. In the past it has been necessary to employ a tuning expert and a pilot's subjective opinion of motion to tune motion bases. However, developed in 1996, PROTEST sought to simplify the tuning process by capturing, in a computer software package, the expertise of the motion-tuning specialist. Designed to work within the UTIAS Flight Simulator Laboratory environment of the time, PROTEST was found to tune the simulator to acceptable levels. Since that time however, the laboratory hardware and software configuration has changed resulting in the need to upgrade PROTEST. The goal of this project was to adapt PROTEST to the current UTIAS Flight Simulation Laboratory environment and report the steps taken in this document. This work identified the primary adaptation requirements to lie in the communication required between the PROTEST and host system modules and in incorporating PROTEST components into the host simulator code. The above tasks completed the entire system was tested for the correct response. This was achieved by controlling the input to the washout filters and observing the response obtained by PROTEST. Once the results were deemed correct a sample tuning procedure was carried out to illustrate that the adaptation was a success. Indeed, this goal was fulfilled in the last of three test experiments when the flight conditions obtained were deemed satisfactory by the test pilot. The outcome of the project has led to a functioning version of PROTEST and a comprehensive document to aid any further adaptations of PROTEST.
Evaluating the lake management approach, applied biomanipulation techniques and progress in restoring ecological function of littoral macrophytes in Grenadier Pond, Canada

Grenadier Pond, Canada, is a shallow, eutrophied, urban pond system. Pond managers employed biomanipulation techniques in an attempt to alleviate symptoms of eutrophication. Alternate stable state theory may provide an additional or alternate approach to nutrient reduction/abatement strategies. Biomanipulation techniques apply alternate stable state theory through: macrophyte-phytoplankton competition, piscivore/grazer predation pressures and mitigation of physical disturbances. Long-term success of biomanipulation in shallow systems has been linked to intermediate nutrient levels and well-established and relatively abundant macrophyte communities. An evaluation of the aquatic macrophyte regeneration project in Grenadier Pond did not yield the expected ecological functional relationships between sediment characteristics (total phosphorus, organic content, water content) and rooted-macrophyte density. Wave-wind action may be a main mechanism of nutrient redistribution in the littoral zone in Grenadier Pond. Newly planted macrophytes seem to provide some macrobenthic invertebrate habitat. Sediment chloride may be influencing macrophyte diversity in Grenadier Pond.
The educator's role in child abuse prevention

Child abuse is a pervasive problem with roots in past societal practices. Recent examination of the problem of child abuse has resulted in revelations about the damaging consequences of abuse. The response of key professional sectors has been multi-faceted. Since it is estimated that half of all abuse victims are school-aged, educators often find themselves in the position of often being involved in child abuse cases. A community consensus regarding the integrated roles of professionals responding to child abuse is an integral component of the successful resolution of this problem. Serious barriers to service exist that result in service fragmentation. Clear models for the role of educators exist within the literature; what is unknown is how effectively such models are translated within the mosaic of local community settings within the Province of Ontario. Research into school-community collaboration may assist in highlighting factors that contribute to assisting victims by providing an effective professional response to the problem of child abuse.
Metal ligation in ZIF268, a zinc finger protein, effects on DNA binding

Zinc fingers are among the major structural motifs found in proteins that are involved in eukaryotic gene regulation. Many of these zinc finger domains are involved in DNA binding. In the first portion of this study, I focused on a metal replacement analysis of zif268, a murine DNA-binding protein which contains three (Cys)2(His)2 zinc fingers. In the second portion of this study, I tested whether the Zn-coordinating (Cys)2(His)2 motif found in the three zinc fingers of zif268 could be replaced by a (Cys)4 motif while still preserving DNA recognition. (Cys)2(His)2 to (Cys)4 mutations were generated in each of the three zinc fingers of zif268 individually, as well as in fingers 1 and 3 and fingers 2 and 3 together. The protein-DNA interaction was examined in greater detail by using a methylation-interference a methylation-interference assay. Taken together, the work presented here enhances our understanding of the relationship between metal ligation and DNA-binding by zinc fingers, and ultimately the role these processes play in gene regulation. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
A CDMA based hybrid wireless architecture for symmetric and asymmetric communications

The objective of this thesis is to study a code division multiple access (CDMA) based hybrid wireless architecture in which broadcast systems using single frequency broadcasting are spectrally underlaid in an FDD-CDMA cellular network, for the provision of symmetric and asymmetric data services. A novel duplex scheme called Space Division Duplex (SDD) is proposed to support asymmetric communications. The use of a hybrid FDD/SDD-CDMA system architecture is then explored for supporting symmetric and asymmetric data users, with the former served by a cellular network and the latter served by the broadcast systems. The cellular network utilizes FDD to provide wide area voice and low-bit-rate symmetric data services, while the broadcast systems utilize SDD to provide high-bit-rate asymmetric data services. Using per-cell capacity as the performance measure, the capacity performance of this system architecture is evaluated and compared with two other classical system architectures. The simulation results indicate that using adaptive array antenna structures at the broadcast system radio ports can improve capacity performance significantly and that more asymmetric data users can be supported at a given number of symmetric data users as the antenna beamwidth decreases. For example, when the number of symmetric data users is 30, the number of asymmetric data users increases from 16 to 32 when the antenna beamwidth decreases from 60° to 30°. Finally, an iterative SIR-based power control algorithm is studied and its performance is accessed with the use of space diversity schemes. In particular, we have modeled the symmetric data users as voice users and the asymmetric data users as Internet users. When the voice user loading per sector is 80%, iterative power control with selection combining requires on average 12 access attempts for each Internet user compared to 18 access attempts with non-iterative power control. The best performance is achieved by using iterative power control with maximum ration combining, which requires on average 4 access attempts; and no significant degradation results until the voice user loading level is so high.
Low-voltage SOI MOSFET with suppressed floating body effects

Low power electronics is critical in portable applications. Silicon on Insulator (SOI) CMOS technology appears to be the best option for low power electronics because of its reduced parasitic capacitance, low threshold voltage, sharp subthreshold slope and high current driving capability. In SOI MOSFET, the silicon film under channel region is electrically floating. This floating body causes the appearance of a kink in the output characteristics of the device, in addition, the device is subject to parasitic lateral bipolar transistor effects. The traditional remedy to the floating body effects is to provide body contacts. However, the efficiency of the body contact is limited and such contacts occupy a significant area. In this thesis, a modified SOI NMOSFET structure is proposed. The key to the structure is the introduction of an amorphous silicon layer near the channel/buried oxide interface by high dose silicon implantation. This amorphous layer is characterized by short recombination lifetime. Therefore, holes generated by impact ionization recombine very quickly in this region without accumulation, thus suppressing the floating body effects. A process used for the implementation of the proposed device was developed. The process is CMOS compatible. The fabricated devices were electrically characterized. Experimental results showed that the modified SOI MOSFET structure exhibits suppressed kink effect and parasitic lateral bipolar effects. No kink occurred below the 1 V specified maximum operating voltage. The fabricated devices exhibit a threshold voltage of 350 mV and an inverse subthreshold slope of 85 mV/decade, meeting the requirements for low power applications at 1 V supply voltage.
The use of a convertible ribonucleoside for the site-specific modification of RNA

The convertible nucleotide strategy allows for the concomitant deprotection and incorporation of a functionalized tether into an oligonucleotide. Deprotection of an RNA oligomer containing the convertible nucleoside 4-chlorophenyl uridine with cystamine disulfide allows for the introduction of a masked sulfhydryl functionality into an RNA oligonucleotide. Reduction of the masked functionality with dithiolthreitol yields a reactive sulfhydryl group that is available for further modification. Specifically, the free sulfhydryl can be derivatized with 5-(acetamido)-1,10-phenanthroline to incorporate a chemical nuclease covalently tethered to an RNA oligonucleotide. This site-specific nuclease was used to study intermolecular cleavage events of a complementary DNA molecule. In addition, the free sulfhydryl was used to create a disulfide cross-link within duplex RNA structures. The cross-link is located in the major groove of duplex RNA and reversibly constrains duplex unwinding. We tested a tRNA-like model for its ability to inhibit processing by the ribozyme RNase P. It was determined that a cross-linked tRNA model is not efficiently processed by RNase P indicating that tRNA unwinding may precede enzymatic cleavage.
State intervention in traditional family laws discriminating against women

Many democratic states face the dilemma of whether or not to intervene in cultural norms of minority groups that discriminate against women. The dilemma is often perceived as consisting of a conflict between securing gender equality and respecting cultural diversity. This conflict is especially intense in regard to traditional family laws, in which states are often reluctant to intervene. This thesis rejects the sharp distinction between state 'intervention' and 'non-intervention', and argues that in most cases there is no pure position of 'non-intervention'. The real question is, rather, 'how' to intervene in cultural norms of minority groups. Stressing that cultures are not static or absolute, but rather change and reshape constantly, the thesis advocates an approach that attempts to reconcile between culture and equality, for example by endorsing progressive interpretations to cultural norms. This approach allows both equality for women and the continuity of their group's culture.
Empowering teachers towards a darker green education, through an exploration of personal worldview

Discourses of radical ecology present us with visions of transformative environmental education. This thesis seeks to empower teachers to implement such education in ways that respect and build upon the personal worldview of teachers. A qualitative study was conducted to this end, exploring the worldviews of four teachers committed to environmental education, and how their worldviews manifested themselves in their environmental education practices. The study indicates that participants' worldviews largely influenced the extent to which their environmental education practices are transformative. Implications of this study for teacher education are explored, focusing on whether the research process--which was designed to encourage participants to clarify and reflect on their own worldviews against a diverse range of views on the environment, including those of radical ecologists--was meaningful to the participants. Participants actively assessed this process. Future directions and practical activities for teacher empowerment are suggested.