VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Peripheral blood lymphocyte trafficking and natural killer cell cytolytic activity during prolonged, exhaustive aerobic exercise: a focus on cell adhesion molecules and [beta]-endorphin

The mechanisms through which acute physical exercise acts to modulate (i) changes in the peripheral blood's natural killer cell cytolytic capacity, and (ii) alterations in the concentration of peripheral blood leucocytes have not been well defined. To further this understanding, four separate studies were designed with the following objectives: Study 1: Six national-level male cyclists were examined before and after a 6 h, 250 km bicycle race to determine the effects on peripheral blood concentrations of leucocyte subsets and cytokines, Study 2: Ten recreationally-active men were examined during a double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to examine the effects of the opioid antagonist naltrexone on in vitro measured NKCA during and after 2 h of exhaustive moderate-intensity exercise (65% V˙O 2peak), Study 3: The placebo and control trials of Study 2 were examined to determine if the cell adhesion molecule profile of peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets changes during and after exercise, and Study 4: Twelve recreationally-active men were examined during and after 40 min of exhaustive, moderate-intensity exercise (65% V˙O 2peak), to determine whether predominantly naive or memory [special characters omitted] and CD8hi T lymphocytes are mobilized to the peripheral blood during exercise. Data from Study 1 demonstrates that prolonged competitive cycling leads to significant alterations in the peripheral blood concentrations of phagocytic and cytotoxic cell populations and the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. Data from Study 2 demonstrates that β-endorphin is not an important mediator of the acute augmentation of peripheral blood NKCC during prolonged, moderate- intensity exercise. Rather, much of the change in peripheral blood NKCC during prolonged exercise is mediated by concomitant changes in the peripheral blood concentration of NK cells. Data from Study 3 demonstrates that the varied expression of CD11a on lymphocyte subsets can account for their differential mobilization during exercise. Data from Study 4 demonstrates that a memory phenotype is an important determinant of the exercise-induced mobilization of [special characters omitted] but not CD8hi T cells.
Advocacy and reform in support of technical education and vocational training in Canada, 1880--1920

Technical education and vocational training became an established part of Canadian elementary and secondary schooling during the period of 1880--1920. In light of the growing reality of a new industrial and commercial order for Canada and the world during these four decades, reform of traditional curriculum, which had been directed up to this period only to a limited number of students destined for professional careers, was of critical importance to secure a place for the new nation of Canada in the twentieth century. Using a model of social change developed by Kurt Lewin, this paper examines the key roles played by the Canadian Manufacturers' Association and the Royal Commission on Technical Education and Vocational Education in advocating for such reform and reducing opinions and attitudes of resistance held by federal government leaders as well as vested interest groups within the nation's secondary and post-secondary educational structures.

Keywords: Educational change, Canada
Educational leadership, Canada
Vocational education, History
Vocational education, Canada
Technical education, History
Technical education, Canada
Education, Curricula
Education, Canada
Technical education, History
Technical education, Canada
Education, Curricula
Education, Canada
Vocational education, History
Vocational education, Canada
Vocational education, Curricula
Technical education, Curricula
The effect of pulmonary edema fluid on ion transport by adult alveolar type II epithelial cells

Previous studies show cardiogenic edema fluid (EF) increases in vitro Na+ transport by fetal distal lung epithelia (FDLE) (J. Physiol, 2002). The present study investigates the effect of EF on Na+ and fluid transport in the adult lung. EF-treated primary cultures of alveolar type II (ATII) epithelium had a dose-dependent increase in amiloride-insensitive Na+ transport. Treatment of ATII with high or low doses of EF did not alter amiloride-sensitive Na+ transport; however, moderate doses increased it. Plasma did not have a similar effect. Globulins-treated cells demonstrated a conversion of amiloride-sensitive to amiloride-insensitive current without increasing total current. Changes in ENaC mRNA levels did not always parallel changes in treatment-induced bioelectric properties. We conclude that cardiogenic EF increases ion transport by ATII, predominately via increased amiloride-insensitive Isc. These studies point towards new therapeutic approaches for patients with congestive heart failure or adult respiratory distress syndrome-induced pulmonary edema.
Runtime monitoring of Web service conversations

For a system of distributed processes, correctness can be ensured by (statically) checking whether their composition satisfies properties of interest. In contrast, web services are being designed so that each partner discovers properties of others dynamically, through published interfaces. Since the overall system may not be available statically and each process is relatively simple, we propose to use runtime monitoring of conversations between partners as means of checking behavioural correctness of the entire web service system. We identify a subset of UML 2.0 Sequence Diagrams as a specification language and show that it is sufficiently expressive for capturing safety and liveness properties. By transforming these diagrams to automata, we enable conformance checking of finite execution traces against specifications. We describe an implementation of our approach on IBMRTM WebSphere RTM platform and report on preliminary experience.
Non-native speakers of English in a Canadian teacher education program: needs, experiences, and policies

This study considered the experiences of newcomer NNES candidates in a Canadian K--12 pre-service teacher education program. Having no prior experience in the Canadian school system, these candidates confronted the challenges of learning new content, negotiating through the system, and coming to terms with a new linguistic and cultural classroom environment. Through portraiture methodology, the researcher generated profiles of three NNES candidates from China and Argentina over the course of one year. Cross-case analysis revealed that candidates required additional support in developing their oral and written proficiency skills, strategic competence, and self-confidence. Candidates also needed assistance in shifting to less familiar student-centered methodologies and learning about popular culture. In addition, candidates gained by accessing support networks, drawing explicit connections to their past experiences, and developing strategies for coping with discrimination. Suggestions are offered on how program developers, educators, and mentors, can help NNES candidates succeed in their pre-service programs.

Keywords: Student teachers, Language
Student teachers, Canada
Teachers, Training of
Teachers, Canada
Native language and education, Canada
Student teachers, Social conditions
Student teachers, Canada
Linguistic minorities, Education
Linguistic minorities, Canada
Identifying collateral minimization opportunities for a Canadian bank in the large value transfer system using process control techniques

The Large Value Transfer System (LVTS) is one of the most important payment systems in Canada with which fifteen members (including the Bank of Canada and the major Canadian bank being studied) send money to each other. The Canadian Bank studied currently processes outgoing payments on a First-In First-Out basis and only employs manual controls to manage liquidity needs for large "Jumbo" transactions (those exceeding 100 million Canadian dollars). This time consuming manual process does not optimize liquidity usage which results in excess collateral being tied up in the LVTS system at a significant cost to the Bank. This work developed a real time controller, similar to those in use in continuous process manufacturing systems, involving an engineering software package, CadSim. The Controller manages the Canadian Bank's payments process automatically to optimize its liquidity and collateral needs and to provide an overview of its role in the LVTS. The Controller's efficiency was tested with the Bank's historical data and found that collateral requirements can be reduced by 20% with minor payment delays. The reduction in liquidity needs will free up valuable collateral for the Bank and hence, reduce the opportunity cost of using the LVTS.
Identifying strategies for the production and reception of Shakespeare in Brazil and Argentina

The discussion of how Shakespearean drama is produced and received outside the Anglo-American context requires an investigation of how the texts have been translated and of the meanings that the translations can hold for the target audiences. In Brazil and Argentina, the first performances of Shakespeare's drama occurred in the early nineteenth century, and were mainly based upon Portuguese and Spanish versions of Jean François Ducis's “translations” of the plays into French. In the latter half of the century, Italian touring companies also brought some Shakespearean drama to South America, in the repertory of renowned actors, who performed the plays in their native language. The early reception of Shakespeare in Brazil and Argentina was therefore mediated through European versions of the canon. In the twentieth century, however, productions of Shakespearean plays in the two countries make use of translations written by Brazilian and Argentine authors. In fact, translations are often especially made for some productions, according to the director's vision of the text and of the themes he or she wishes to explore.
Investigation of thermal flame structure in lean turbulent premixed methane-air flames by Rayleigh scattering

Flame front structure in turbulent premixed methane-air and propane-air flames was investigated. Flame images were obtained using Rayleigh scattering on an axisymmetric Bunsen-type burner. Normalized turbulence intensity, u'/SL, was varied from 3.4 to 15.92 for methane-air flames, and 3.31 to 8.61 for propane-air flames. Instantaneous thermal flame thicknesses and gradients were found from normal temperature profiles. For methane-air flames, flame front thickness decreased as equivalence ratio increased and preheat zone and reaction zone thicknesses increased slightly as u'/SL increased. When normalized by laminar flame values, the thicknesses decreased. Strain was found to play an unimportant role in determining flame front thickness. Fewer than 30 profiles were found that exhibit a temperature Bump in the low temperature region of the profile, indicating that turbulent eddies convecting heated matter into the preheat zone probably do not cause the change in the preheat zone structure. For propane-air flames preliminary results are presented.

Keywords: Flame
Rayleigh scattering
Nucleotide-mediated intracellular and intercellular communication in spinal astrocytes

The work presented in this thesis is focused on the effects of extracellular nucleotides on dorsal spinal astrocytes. Extracellular nucleotides stimulate the elevation of intracellular Ca2+ in astrocytes. Ca 2+ signalling in astrocytes is a principal means for responding to environmental stimuli and increases in [Ca2+]i lead to growth, differentiation and release of neuroactive mediators. In addition, astrocytes are capable of homologous and heterologous intercellular signaling via the spread of Ca2+ waves. Dorsal spinal astrocytes were found to spread waves of elevated intracellular calcium to other astrocytes following mechanical stimulation. The spread of Ca2+ wave was prevented in the presence of blockers of G-protein coupled nucleotide receptors. The G-protein coupled nucleotide receptors on dorsal spinal astrocytes were identified, both molecularly and pharmacologically, as the P2Y1 and P2Y2 receptors. Heterologous expression of either of these receptors in the 1321N1 cell line was sufficient to permit the spread of Ca 2+ waves between these cells. To probe for differences in signaling between these two receptors, P2Y1 or P2Y2 receptors on spinal astrocytes were exposed to continuous application of specific agonists for each receptor. Persistent activation of the P2Y2 receptor generated a prolonged elevation of [Ca2+]i which was converted to a transient elevation in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Stimulation of P2Y1 receptors generated only a transient elevation in [Ca2+]i. These results reveal the specific role of P2Y receptors in the mechanisms underlying the spread of Ca2+ waves in spinal astrocytes and this may represent a general principle underlying gliotransmission in the CNS. The characteristics of Ca2+ waves spreading via activation of each receptor subtype were examined and a significant difference was found in the rate at which Ca2+ waves spread in cells expressing one or the other receptor. P2Y1-1321N1 cells spread Ca2+ waves slowly, whilst in P2Y2-1321N1 cells Ca2+ waves spread significantly faster. The basis of this difference was determined to be due to a difference in the rate at which P2Y1 and P2Y2 receptors generate a Ca2+ i elevation in response to stimulation by ATP. Stimulation of P2Y1 receptors with ADP, its preferred agonist, generated a rate of Ca2+ signaling comparable to that of P2Y2 receptors. This was confirmed by forcing Ca 2+ waves to propagate via ADP in cell lines expressing P2Y1 receptors only, where Ca2+ waves were observed to spread as quickly as those in P2Y2-expressing cells.
Dietary flavonoid/polyphenolic reactive metabolites and their biological properties

Flavonoids and other polyphenolics form a major part of the dietary antioxidant capacity of most plant-derived foods and beverages including fruits, vegetables, tea and wine. Besides antioxidant properties, these dietary components have also been identified as having a number of other pharmacological activities including antimutagenic and antiproliferative actions. While their antioxidant activity has been widely researched, their prooxidant activity has not been as well studied. The central hypothesis of this thesis is that some dietary antioxidants also behave as cytotoxic prooxidants which generate ROS. This property, as well as that of causing mitochondrial dysfunction, are identified as novel means by which these compounds may induce cell death. This thesis will provide evidence which, for the first time, indicates that dietary antioxidant flavonoids and other polyphenolics do show prooxidant activity in the absence of transition metals. This was shown using both a cell-free in vitro peroxidase model as well as a cellular model, utilizing isolated rat hepatocytes. The prooxidant activity of these dietary compounds seemed to correlate in part with their redox potential. Upon oxidation by peroxidase/H2O2, high redox potential phenol ring containing flavonoids, simple phenolic acids and more complex polyphenolics, were metabolized to prooxidant phenoxyl radicals which, in some cases were sufficiently reactive to cooxidize GSH to a thiyl radical, accompanied by extensive oxygen uptake and ROS formation. In contrast, low redox potential catechol and gallic acid-containing dietary compounds depleted GSH by forming GSH conjugates. Cytotoxicity catalyzed by these compounds correlated with their lipophilicity, planarity, redox potential and ability to collapse the mitochondria) membrane potential. In addition, this cytotoxicity was significantly increased in UDP-glucuronyltransferase-inhibited cells compared to control cells, suggesting a role for glucuronidation in detoxifying these dietary compounds. Liver toxicity was also associated with these dietary components in vivo as administration of these compounds to CD-1 mice significantly increased plasma alanine aminotransferase levels. The flavonoids/polyphenolics which were best at causing cell death in non-tumor cells were also best at inhibiting tumor cell proliferation. A novel anticancer mechanism for these dietary compounds is proposed which involves their prooxidant activity and mitochondria) toxicity.
Semivolatile polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: Particle/gas partitioning measurements and modelling

This thesis considers-aspects relating to the particle/gas partitioning of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the ambient atmosphere. An extensive data set collected by the Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network (IADN) was examined for insights relating to partitioning. This data set showed features not observed in previous studies. In particular, relationships between partitioning and saturated vapour pressure were observed to be less uniform among PAH species than previously noted. Furthermore, a distinct seasonality in those relationships was observed. With the greater understanding of the atmospheric variations in PAH partitioning derived from the IADN measurements, an effort to incorporate these substances in a regional air quality model was undertaken. An emissions inventory was prepared for Canada and the United States. Estimated emissions include sources not considered by the US EPA through its National Emissions Inventory. When sources missing from the NEI are considered, the agreement between the two inventories is reduced to a factor of 2.5. Environment Canada's regional air quality model (AURAMS) was adapted to include PAHs and the sorptive partitioning process to which they are subject. A pair of test simulations demonstrated that the model was functional. Results obtained using two different partitioning expressions agreed in terms of simulated PAH concentrations and partitioning coefficients, but less so between PAH particulate fractions. Results of the test simulations demonstrate that the model is ready for a full-scale evaluation though such work is outside the scope of this thesis. Ambient measurements of semivolatile organic compounds can be subject to sampling artefacts caused by variations in atmospheric conditions over the times required to collect enough air to meet analytical requirements. One such artefact caused by temperature variations was examined with a mathematical model. Results of the model showed that twenty-four-hour sampling is best conducted with start and end times that coincide with the morning occurrence of daily average temperature.
Dynamic length-restricted coding

Suppose that S is a string of length m drawn from an alphabet of n characters, d of which occur in S. Let P be the relative frequency distribution of characters in S. We present a new algorithm for dynamic coding that uses at most [lg n] + 1 bits to encode each character in S; fewer than (H(P) + 4.5)m + d lg n bits overall, where H is Shannon's entropy function; and O ((H ( P) + 1)m + d log2 n) time to encode and decode. This algorithm does not require P to be known before it encodes S. We extend recent results by Evans and Kirkpatrick for restructuring binary trees. In particular, we present a new algorithm for constructing node-oriented alphabetic minimax trees. We also describe how to efficiently implement an abstract data type that stores a dynamic list of non-negative integers and supports an operation to determine whether there exists a binary tree on nodes of those depths.
Psychological and psychiatric aspects of the fear of falling in the elderly

Background. To date, studies of fear of falling have focused on sociodemographic, physical and functional correlates. Objective. To determine whether depression, anxiety, and dysfunctional attitudes relate independently to fear of falling. Methods. A cross-sectional study of 105 inpatients 60 years or older who experienced at least one fall in the previous year was performed. Psychological variables were assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale. Additional variables previously found to be associated with fear of falling were also measured. Results. Depressive disorders, depression severity, anxiety disorders, anxiety severity, and dysfunctional attitudes each related independently to fear of falling as measured both continuously and categorically. Depressive disorders and depression severity had the strongest association with fear of falling. Conclusion. Fear of falling has important psychological correlates. Increased understanding of these correlates could lead to more effective prevention and treatment.
Creative activities and their influence on identity formation in science

Members of the dominant culture in science, such as scientists and successful science students, are often perceived as unemotional, detached and politically unbiased. Success is attributed to the maximization of objectivity and rationality. (Hodson, 1998; Letts, 2001). Unfortunately, these predominantly masculine-associated traits are often in conflict with the personal identities of many students. This conflict is a major factor in causing them to turn away from science (Brickhouse 2001). This thesis explores creative activities as a way of expanding school science identities and allowing students of diverse identities to feel confident participating in science. It investigates, using quantitative and qualitative methods, how a group of girls and a group of boys are affected by three lessons involving creative activities. It explores the effects of these activities on students' enjoyment and confidence in science and their perceptions of science and themselves as good science students.

Keywords: Science, Study and teaching
Sex differences in education
Women in science
Sex role
Black student representation in the Ivy League

The prevalence of black students at predominantly white institutions has become an important topic of research. This study relies on statistics and documents to describe the representation of black students at predominately white institutions (PWIs) of higher education, in particular that of the Ivy League. The researcher also investigated whether a glass ceiling exists in these institutions in regards to the number of black students accepted in each year. The findings of the study reveal that, there is not enough available statistics to support the claim of a glass ceiling in the Ivy League, however, although Ivy League institutions practice recruitment strategies to increase the number of black students on their campus, it appears that there is stagnation in regards to the number of black students that are accepted on campus each year, and there is no evidence that the Ivy League schools are attempting to change the trend.
Rousseau et la bible: mythocritique fondée sur les principes de northrop frye

Cette thèse est divisée en deux parties, dont la première traite des grandes structures mythiques bibliques dans l'oeuvre de Rousseau, selon les principes énoncés par Northrop Frye dans Words with Power. Il s'agit en particulier des mythes de la montagne, du jardin, du souterrain et de la fournaise, qui s'inspirent des quatre besoins primaires du genre humain: le désir d'échapper à la contrainte, le besoin d'aimer et d'être aimé,celui de se sustenter et de maitriser son environnement, et celui de faire et de créer. Parce que ces préoccupations sont universelles, les mythes avec lesquels elles sont en relation doivent forcément se retrouver dans les chefs-d'oeuvre de la littérature, et à plus forte raison, chez un auteur aussi nourri de l'Écriture sainte que Rousseau. Cette première partie tente de retrouver, dans son oeuvre, tous les grands thèmes de la perte du paradis, de l'exil, de la chute, de la rédemption et autres, et tente de faire une synthèse de tout ce que l'auteur, consciemment ou inconsciemment, doit à cet ancêtre de la littérature occidentale qu'est la Bible.