VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
The role of erk and intracellular RHAMM on microtubule stability in transformation

The ras/erk pathway is a signaling cascade important in cell growth and motility and, consequently, deregulation of this pathway results in human malignancies including several types of cancer. RHAMMv4 is a key regulator of the ras pathway and enhances erk activation in murine fibroblasts. ' In vitro' studies have previously shown that microtubule (MT)-associated proteins (MAPs) and MT catastrophe factors are potential cytoplasmic targets of erk. Erk-mediated phosphorylation of MAPs has been reported to reduce their ability to stabilize MTs 'in vitro'. Here we show that erk, activated by the ras/MEK pathway, decreases MT stability 'in vivo', as detected by a decrease in acetylated Ã-tubulin levels, a marker for stable MT subsets. Erk decorated MTs in both parental and H-ras transformed murine 10T1/2 fibroblasts and human breast epithelial cells (MCF10a). A greater proportion of activated erk was associated with MTs in the presence of mutant active H-ras than in parental cells. Both PD 98059, a MEK1 inhibitor, and transfection of dominant negative MEK1 cDNA significantly enhanced MT stability in H-ras overexpressing cells, but had no effect in parental cells. In murine fibroblasts, we also observe an 'in vivo' and 'in vitro ' association of RHAMM with MTs in interphase and mitosis, and overexpression of the transforming intracellular isoform, RHAMMv4, causes a decrease in acetylated MTs, compared to parental 10T1/2 cells. RHAMMv4 protein alone does not have a direct destabilizing effect on MTs however the overexpression of RHAMMv4 by transfection studies does enhance erk binding to MTs. Mutations in an erk binding domain of RHAMM abolishes the enhanced MT destabilization and erk binding to MTs observed in RHAMMv4 and H-ras transformed murine fibroblasts. These results provide the first 'in vivo' evidence that active erk promotes MT destabilization in ras-transformed cells and identifies ras as a key upstream regulator of this event. These results further indicate that RHAMM may enhance erk activation and/or association with MTs, potentially bringing this kinase into closer association with MAPs that control MT stability. The resulting MT destabilization likely contributes to the enhanced invasive and proliferative abilities of cells that contain mutant active H-ras and/or overexpress RHAMMv4.
Adenoviral-mediated Gene Therapy in Lung Transplantation

Gene therapy provides the potential to modify donor organs to better withstand the process of transplantation, although successful application in this setting has yet to be realized. In vivo adenoviral-mediated gene transfer induces a host immune response producing inflammation and limiting the amount and duration of transgene expression. By administering triple-immunosuppression, as is routine in lung transplantation, transgene expression can be increased and prolonged following both initial and repeat transfection, making transplantation a viable setting for the application of gene therapy. Intratracheal adenoviral-mediated gene transfection of the donor lungs produces positive transgene expression in the lungs at the time of reperfusion and following lung transplantation. Donor transfection produces higher levels of transgene expression than ex vivo transfection of the previously harvested organ, without affecting other transplantable organs. Lung transplantation, therefore, with its obligate immunosuppression and ability to achieve local transfection, provides an unique and advantageous setting for the application of gene therapy strategies.
Methane steam reforming over LaCr¦1¦-¦xNi¦xO¦3 perovskite catalysts

The kinetics of the steam reforming of methane over perovskite catalysts with the formula LaCr1-xNixO3 (x = 0.25 & 0.40) have been examined over a wide range of temperatures (500°C to 1000°C) and atmospheric pressure. These catalysts work well from 700 to 900°C for methane conversion (space velocity = 13,500 hr-1 , and gas composition is CH4 : H2 : H2 O : Ar = 2 : 3 : 6 : 30), the higher nickel content (Ni = 0.40) catalyst is more active than the lower nickel content (Ni = 0.25) catalyst. The water-gas shift reaction is close to equilibrium, while the steam reforming reaction is not at equilibrium for the conditions studied. Activity behaviour is in agreement with 'Marko's' methane oxidation result (1 ). However, these catalysts are unstable in the reforming environment, as they partially reduce to elemental nickel at high temperatures (worked up to 1000°C. Structural changes (from orthorhombic to rhombohedral) occur at lower temperatures (investigated up to 750°C). The higher nickel content catalysts are less stable than the lower nickel content catalysts.
The campaigns of Countess Matilda of Canossa (1046-1115), an analysis of the history and social significance of a woman's military leadership

The dissertation seeks to dispel some of the mythology surrounding the issue of women's military leadership through a detailed analysis of the campaigns of Matilda of Canossa, countess of Tuscany (1046-1115). The first three chapters construct a critical, chronological narrative of her military accomplishments. The fourth chapter surveys Matilda's diplomas and assesses their value as evidence of her involvement in war. The fifth examines medieval legal responses to women's participation in warfare, while the final chapter surveys literary reactions to Matilda's command as expressed in the pamphlet literature of the so-called "Investiture Controversy". Analysis of Matilda's campaigns serves to correct several common misconceptions about war and gender in the Latin West. Matilda's flexible and intelligent generalship indicates that medieval commanders were not ignorant of the principles of strategy, maneuver and surprise. The fact that Matilda was one of the most powerful and successful leaders of her time indicates that military command remained a viable avenue of women's power in the eleventh and early twelfth centuries. Responses to Matilda's career also suggest that the perception of the high Middle Ages as a turning point towards harsher criticism of female commanders needs to be seriously reevaluated. Despite the widespread acceptance by medieval writers of a patriarchal ideology that arrogated to masculinity alone militarily useful qualities (courage, resolution, etc.), Matilda nevertheless maintained a circle of supporters both willing and able to justify her military authority.
A meta-analysis of the effectiveness of tuberculosis programs, the influence of program components on outcomes

The purposes of this meta-analysis were to identify components of TB programs, and to determine the extent to which these components affected the outcomes Factors that may influence effectiveness of TB programs were also examined. The substantive and methodological variables of 27 studies were that these particular studies could be used to subsequently address the research questions. The results of this study indicated that direct observed therapy and incentives components were most frequently evaluated and found to be effective in reducing the incidence of TB. For three studies, according to the Mantel-Haenszel method, the average effect size for adherence to and completion of TB treatment was 2.2. Overall this meta-analysis indicated that all program components produced the desired effect; however, there was limited ability to specify the effects of particular factors on the program components' effectiveness in producing the desired outcomes.
Focal exocytosis of VAMP3-containing vesicles at sites of phagosome formation

Phagocytosis involves the receptor-mediated extension of plasmalemmal protrusions, called pseudopods, which fuse at their tip to engulf a particle. Actin polymerizes under the nascent phagosome and may propel the protrusion of pseudopods. Alternatively, membrane extension could result from the localized insertion of intracellular membranes into the plasmalemma next to the particle. Here we show focal accumulation of VAMP3-containing vesicles, likely derived from recycling endosomes, in the vicinity of the nascent phagosome. Using green fluorescent protein as both a fluorescent indicator and an exofacial epitope tag, we show that polarized fusion of VAMP3 vesicles precedes phagosome sealing. It is therefore likely that targeted delivery of endomembranes contributes to the elongation of pseudopods. In addition to mediating pseudopod formation, receptor-triggered focal secretion of endosomes may contribute to polarized membrane extension in processes such as lamellipodial elongation or chemotaxis.
Shelter use by Calcinus verrilli, Bermuda's endemic hermit crab

'Calcinus verrilli', a hermit crab endemic to Bermuda, is unusual in that it inhabits both gastropod shells ('Cerithium litteratum ') and gastropod tubes ('Dendropoma irregulare' and ' Dendropoma annulatus'; 'Vermicularia knorrii' and ' Vermicularia spirata'). Field surveys found significantly more males inhabiting shells and significantly more females inhabiting tubes. In the laboratory no significant difference was shown in shelter choice for males or females. In a second choice experiment, males showed no discrimination between gastropod extract types, and females showed discrimination that related to the shelter they were collected in. In a competition between the sexes, the winner of the intact shell was found to depend upon relative shield length and relative major chela length. Overall, males were found to be better exploitative competitors than females. A significant difference in uropod asymmetry was found; tube dwellers were more symmetrical than shell dwellers. A shelter manipulation experiment found shelter type to be important in determining asymmetry. The distribution of 'C. verrilli' between shells and tubes may be an example of "making the best of a bad situation," if 'Polydora' sp. is detrimental to the reproductive success of the hermit crab.
Reduced-complexity coded GMSK systems using iterative decoding

In this thesis, a number of coded Gaussian minimum-shift keying (GMSK) transceiver systems using the Laurent representation and iterative decoding are proposed and evaluated. First, a 4-state reduced-complexity linear demodulator is shown to perform close to the optimal 16-state demodulator for BT = 0.3. This reduced-complexity receiver is used with a coded GMSK system, and a model for considering the code and modulation memory together as a serially concatenated code is proposed. Transceiver systems based on this model have no bandwidth expansion above the original coded GMSK, and are shown to have significantly better performance. The effect of SISO parameters on performance are examined. Results are presented for both additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and Rayleigh fading channels. The causes of performance loss in a Rayleigh fading environment are identified, and methods for making the system more robust to fading using an adaptive matched filter and coding are shown. Simulation results are presented demonstrating that the performance of the proposed adaptive receiver is superior to the non-adaptive receiver in a Rayleigh channel.
PIV measurements within a water analog engine

An optical water analog engine with two symmetric valves has been designed and constructed to study the mixing characteristics within a piston driven reciprocating flow field. A timing system has been designed for use with Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) to capture single exposure PIV images at pre-determined crank angles. Velocity fields were found at in the centre of the flow cell and near both walls at 3.5 valve diameters and 7.5 jet diameters away from the top of the flow cell. Two large recirculation zones were found to exist early on in the intake stroke and started to break down by 180 Crank Angle Degrees. Significant large scale mixing was seen to exist at the 3.5 valve diameter location in the centre of the flow cell. At the 7.5 valve diameter location in the centre there was relatively little large or small scale mixing. Near the walls, a boundary layer was found. The boundary layer was seen to break down near the end of the intake stroke.
Educational drama as a developer of the listening abilities of English as a second language learners

This diagnostic study is theoretic and analytic. It aims to establish theoretical parameters for the use of educational drama in developing the listening ability of adult second language learners. To effect this end, the study investigates the relationship between: (a) the fundamental requirements for the development of the listening ability of second language learners, as shown in the first and second language (L1 and L2) literature; and (b) dramatic functioning, as posited in educational drama and actor training theory. The thesis first delineates support for the use of drama to teach listening from two perspectives: an analysis of terms relevant to the study, and the use of educational drama in L1 and L2 education. Next, the L1, L2 and dramatic literature on comprehension is analyzed to establish the theoretical basis for the use of drama to teach listening. The variables and barriers influencing the development of effective listening ability in intercultural contexts are then investigated: training in dramatic functioning, as a means of dealing with these influences, is assessed. After an investigation of the skills related approaches to the teaching of listening in the L1 and L2 literature, a list of skills for the development of the effective listening ability of adult L2 learners follows. Key methodologies of educational drama approaches in second language teaching are then investigated. The thesis ends with a summary of findings and implications for curriculum development.
The production of methyl esters from vegetable oil/fatty acid mixtures

The one-phase acid- and base-catalyzed methanolysis of soybean oil and palmitic acid/soybean oil mixtures has been investigated. Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) was used as cosolvent to form the single phase. A two-step method employing acid and base catalysis sequentially has been developed for producing methyl ester from oils which have significant fatty acid content. One-phase methanolysis of pure soybean oil at room temperature using 1.0 wt.% sodium hydroxide (27:1 methanol/oil molar ratio) resulted in a 99.6% methyl ester content of the product in only 8 minutes. In contrast, one-phase methanolysis of soybean oil (30:1 methanol/oil molar ratio) with 2.0 wt.% concentrated sulfuric acid at 57°C resulted in a 96.6% methyl ester content of the product in 10 hours. In addition, one-phase acid catalyzed methanolysis of soybean oil/palmitic acid mixtures of different compositions produced a maximum 97.5% methyl ester content of the product in 10 hours. One-phase methanolysis of pure palmitic acid yielded product containing 99.8% ester after 10 hours; more importantly only 1.4 % of palmitic: acid was unreacted after 33 minutes*. A two-step methanolysis batch process in which an acid-catalyzed step was followed by a base-catalyzed step, converted a 50/50 by weight palmitic acid/soybean oil mixture to a 95.1% yield of 99.9% purity product in approximately 3.5 hours. *Dr. Samir Konar--private communication.
Investigations into the role of nitric oxide in cardiovascular development and disease, insights gained from genetically engineered mouse models of human disease

In the first experimental series, the antiatherosclerotic effects of Enalapril versus Irbesartan were compared in the LDL-R knockout mouse model. Both drugs produced similar reductions in atherosclerosis, independent of blood pressure, likely due to an increase in biologically available NO levels. In the second experimental series, the contributions of eNOS and iNOS in atherosclerosis and that of eNOS in heart development were evaluated by high cholesterol feeding and serial examination of hearts from mice deficient in the respective genes. Atherosclerotic lesions were not observed in wild type, eNOS knockout or iNOS knockout mice. Interestingly, of the 12 eNOS knockout mice examined, 5 were found to have bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), whereas none of the 26 wild type mice exhibited identifiable valvular abnormalities. These results show a strong association between eNOS deficiency and the presence of BAV and provide the first mechanistic insight into the development of this congential cardiac abnormality.
Hypoxia-induced upregulation of VEGF mRNA in cervical cancer cell lines

Malignant cells produce an angiogenesis factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is upregulated by hypoxia and may increase metastatic ability. Clinical data for cervical cancer relate oxygen levels in tumours to treatment outcome. This thesis addresses whether the presence of VEGF mRNA could be used as a marker for relevant levels of hypoxia. VEGF mRNA levels in three cervical cancer cell lines were found to be increased at oxygen concentrations well above that causing radiobiologic hypoxia, indicating that VEGF mRNA may not be useful as a direct marker for radioresistant cells. Differences in the oxygen concentration associated with an increased VEGF mRNA level, in the patterns of hypoxic upregulation of the VEGF gene, and in oxygen consumption at low oxygen concentrations were noted between the different cell lines. The results suggest a separation in the level of hypoxia which affects radiosensitivity and that which may affect increased metastatic potential.
Transformative learning and social transformation, a cross-cultural perspective

Many studies in transformation theory have placed emphasis on the micro aspects of personal change, while the intersection of the learning activity within societal structure remains unattended to. This study attempts to develop the social dimension of transformative learning: learning process in the context of social transformation and the interchange between personal transformation and social paradigm shift. A four-step model is established to analyze the individual perspective change in the process of social paradigm shift. The current educational transformation in China is presented as a case study. To facilitate transformative learning, the educator's role and the need for vision are discussed. The research holds that the cross-cultural study is significant to develop vision and transformative leaming has strong potential for a vivid dialogue between Canadian and Chinese culture because both have a rich tradition of discussion of transformative learning.
The nature of legibility conditions

This thesis investigates the nature of Legibility Conditions in the Minimalist Program. In this thesis, Legibility Conditions are considered as a set of general well-formedness conditions holding at PF and LF interfaces. Thus, they inspect not only the erasure of uninterpretable features but also non-feature-related phonological/semantic well-formedness. It is demonstrated that Legibility Conditions have the property of filtering out certain derivations, which would otherwise be convergent as far as formal feature-checking is concerned. The demonstration of the nature of Legibility Conditions involves empirical studies in Korean negation, object licensing in various languages, and numerous Case phenomena in Korean. Chapter 1 deals with the theoretical implications of Legibility Conditions in the Minimalist Program, a derivational model of grammar. Legibility Conditions, when understood correctly in a derivational grammar, are shown to be capable of filtering out certain derivations for phonological/semantic ill-formedness. In Chapter 2, we consider Legibility Conditions at the PF interface. An analysis of Korean negation is provided to demonstrate the filtering-out nature of PF Legibility Conditions. The two different forms of negation are compared to the two different forms of some adverbs. It is shown that Korean negation and these adverbs are affixal. Thus, they require affixation for PF legibility. When they fail to be properly affixed, a derivation is filtered out due to the failure of PF legibility. In Chapter 3, Legibility Conditions at the LF interface are considered. In a discussion of object licensing, we arrive at the conclusion that licensing is not due to a licensing feature such as, as is normally assumed, a Case feature. It is proposed that a Case feature of a nominal, as it is argued to be not a licensing feature, is an interpretable feature, contra Chomsky (1995). It is demonstrated that the legitimacy of a nominal crucially depends on its LF legibility. Specifically, LF legibility requires that the meaning of an object in a given position be compatible with the meaning associated with that position (e.g., telicity in direct object position). Chapter 4 provides further evidence for the validity of the conclusion drawn in Chapter 3. Various Korean Case phenomena, such as Multiple Case Constructions, Stacking, Alternation, and Deletion, are accounted for under the view that licensing of nominals is crucially sensitive to LF legibility rather than a case feature. It is shown that due to LF legibility, nominals in three different syntactic positions must be compatible with the meaning associated with their respective positions. Here again, we see that the failure to be legible at the LF Interface has a filtering effect.
Bringing the victim/victimizer co-existence to life, therapists' reflections upon their work with men who batter and who have experienced childhood trauma

This qualitative study aimed to explore therapy-related challenges experienced by therapists counselling men who batter and who had experienced childhood trauma. In particular, the study explored therapists' preferred approach to treatment, their views about addressing the batterer's victimization experiences and concerns regarding the safety of victims. Five leading therapists from community counselling agencies and private practice in the area of violence against women were interviewed. Each participant had a minimum of three years experience in counselling men who batter. This study revealed that treatment approaches for men who batter and who had experienced childhood trauma require further consideration and development. While the participants in the study agreed that the primary focus on treatment must be on the victimizing behaviour, they identified four indicators that could suggest when it may be safe to begin to address batterers' own childhood trauma in therapy. Supervision and self-reflection were seen as essential for therapists involved in this work. These therapists also indicated a need for open dialogue among therapists, agencies, and community stakeholders about conflicting values and assumptions that underly therapeutic approaches to men who batter and who had experienced childhood victimization.