VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Functional organization of auditory cortex revealed by optical imaging of intrinsic signals

We have developed and implemented a protocol for mapping responses to acoustic stimuli in primary and secondary auditory cortex of the anesthetized chinchilla using optical imaging of intrinsic signals (OI). OI detects small changes in the optical properties of active neural tissue resulting from changes in blood volume and flow in the active region. Temporal cortex was exposed via a 10mm craniotomy. The cortical surface was illuminated with 540nm wavelength light and video images captured in 0.3s bins. An acoustic stimulus consisting of either gated pure tones or broad band noise was presented to the contralateral ear for 3s. Hemodynamic changes were detected as early as 0.3s after stimulus onset, peaked 2-3s later and decayed in a process lasting 2-4 s. Three separate auditory areas were revealed. These areas correlate with primary auditory cortex (AI) and two secondary areas, AII and the anterior auditory field (AAF). We have distinguished AI on the basis of concurrent single unit electrophysiological recording; neurons within AI have shorter (<15ms) onset response latencies compared to neurons in AII and AAF. Within AI, AII and AAF we have been able to define a tonotopic organization from the differences in intrinsic signal areas evoked by octave spaced pure tone stimuli. We suggest a model for the functional organization of the three auditory fields describing both their tonotopic organization and their spatial arrangement with respect to each other. We have explored the time-course of the hemodynamic events associated with each area, and found that AI has a faster onset and recovery process than AII and AAF. A positive correlation between stimulus intensity and intrinsic signal amplitude was found. At high levels of stimulation a saturation effect was noted. We have successfully recorded intrinsic signals elicited by stimuli between 20-80 dB SPL. Optical imaging in auditory cortex reveals considerable detail about spatial patterns of activity, which cannot easily be ascertained using the point-mapping techniques of microelectrode studies. In addition, OI can reveal differences in the hemodynamic properties of intrinsic signals arising from distinct auditory fields, which could imply differences in the underlying neuronal activity.
The Active Movement Scale, an Evaluative Tool for Infants with Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Palsy

'Objective', To determine the reliability of the Active Movement Scale for the evaluation of infants with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy. 'Methods'. Two complementary studies were conducted. Part A was an inter-rater reliability study in which two physiotherapists, experienced in using the Active Movement Scale, assessed 63 infants with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy. Part B examined the dispersion of Active Movement Scale scores of infants with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy who were evaluated by trained physiotherapists. 'Results'. The overall quadratic weighted kappa analysis in Part A demonstrated that the rater's scores were in the highest level of agreement (Kquad = 0.89). Part B established that the variability of scores due to rater factors was low compared with patient factors and that variation in scores due to rater experience was minimal. 'Conclusions'. The Active Movement scale is a reliable tool for the evaluation of infants up to one year of age with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy when raters are trained in the use of the scale.
Alkenyl- and dienylboronate tethered intramolecular diels-alder reactions

This thesis is a summary of research conducted since May 1995. A new tethering strategy (C-B-O linkage) involving readily accessible boronic acids and esters as dienophilic components in an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction is described. Reaction of the boronic acids and esters with various dienyl alcohols under thermal conditions lead to intermediate boracycles. Oxidation of the C-B bond in the boracycles resulted in the formation of functionalized cyclohexene diols in good yields. The endo/exo diastereoselectivity of the cycloaddition depended on the length of the tether and substituents present. The cyclohexene diols are not readily accessible using existing Diels-Alder methodology. An X-ray structure of an intermediate boracycle was also determined. Preliminary results suggest that dienylboronates can also participate in C-B-O tethered intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions in a similar manner.
Towards the graceful tree conjecture

In this thesis we present several results about graceful and near-graceful labellings of trees. Various modifications of the conditions for graceful and bipartite graceful labellings are probed; we conjecture that much stronger assumptions about graceful labellings than previously considered can be applied to all trees, and we provide evidence towards these conjectures. The most significant result of this thesis concerns a strengthening of the graceful labelling condition which requires that the centre vertex of a tree be assigned the label 0; labellings which satisfy this extra constraint are called '0-centred graceful'. Empirical results are presented which indicate that non-0-centred graceful trees constitute a very small and easily characterized subset of diameter 4 trees; it is shown that for all orders no member of this subset has a 0-centred graceful labelling, and that all other trees of diameter < 4 do have one. These results are extended to 0-labellings of arbitrary vertices via the notion of '0-ubiquitously graceful' trees; similar results (both empirical and theoretical) are obtained with respect to these. As well, some bounds are presented for certain relaxed graceful labellings of trees, empirical data concerning the prevalence of bipartite graceful trees is analyzed, and a weakened form of bipartite labelling called 'locally bipartite' is investigated.
Flowers of grace, a philosophical study of Real presences by George Steiner

George Steiner is a contemporary literary critic and scholar whose work touches substantively upon philosophical and theological themes. Haunted by the 'Shoah', much of his writing explores the possible correlation between language and the inhuman, unravelling the connections between the experienced 'absence' of God during and after the 'Shoah ' and the cultural and semantic implications of living in a time of "epilogue." The original "covenant" between word and world which secured the truth-claims of language has been broken, such that the meaning of meaning itself is in doubt. The theoretical structure of Steiner's work supports its ideological tenor. The ontological proximity of the reader and the epistemological distance of the critic are matched by his distinction between 'old' and 'new' criticism. The former, which Steiner favours, argues for the organic contextuality of literature as a "central humanity," and encourages a hermeneutic of mysterious textual 'presence.' The latter, especially in the deconstruction theory of Jacques Derrida, proposes a theory of absolute, self-referential textuality which is radically free to dissolve and re-determine meaning. Steiner perceives the ethical implications of such ideas in the relation between Nazi-speak and genocide and in the need to preserve the meaningfulness of victims' suffering cries. To minimize the dangers of the 'new' criticism, Steiner makes a "wager on God" as the one who continues to underwrite the grammar of the world. These themes are made explicit and coincide in Steiner's book ' Real Presences' which is the focus of this thesis. My aims are to assess Steiner's wager and to discriminate between hermeneutic practice and deconstruction theory. After initially accepting and exploring Steiner's either-or approach, making particular note of the influence of Martin Heidegger, I critique his dichotomous thinking with reference to the mediating phenomenology of Paul Ricoeur. Ricoeur's "ethic of the word" translates into a criterion with which to assess the claims of hermeneutics and deconstruction theory. I include an insight into the Greek influences upon Steiner's thought, mediated by the Hebrew God as their paradoxical 'other.' Deconstruction theory falls short of the ethical criterion and Steiner's wager is weakened by ambiguity and equivocation.
A hybrid colour image segmentation scheme

An autonomous, hybrid-based segmentation scheme has been developed that efficiently and robustly partitions a colour image into different regions that we homogeneous with respect to colour. As with human visual perception, image segmentation is an important aspect of any type of image or scene analysis. The scheme is band on the HSI colour space. It combines both region- and pixel-based techniques. A pixel classification algorithm is used to categorise the pixels in the image as either chromatic or achromatic. A seed determination algorithm is then used to find geed pixels in the image. The region growing algorithm starts with the set of seed pixels and from these grow regions by appending to each seed pixel those neighbouring pixels that satisfy a homegeneity criterion. After regions are grown they are further processed with a region merging algorithm. Regions that an similar in colour are merged.
Football athletes' experiences with a psychological intervention programme aimed at reducing stress and injury

The purpose of this study was to determine football athletes' experiences with a mental skills training programme and subsequently explore the effects of this programme on stress and injury. Twenty-two football players from a major Canadian university were divided into an intervention (N = 10) and control group (N = 12). The mental skills training programme involved the basic behavioural and cognitive strategies of relaxation, goal-setting, imagery, and cognitive appraisal. Qualitative analysis determined if and how athletes used mental skills and thus addressed the limitations of past research which failed to identify the specific use and benefits of various elements of multi-component mental skills programmes. Stress inventories did not demonstrate individual differences in stress levels after participation in the mental skills training programme. Although the control group experienced more injuries than the intervention group, this finding was not statistically significant. Empirical and theoretical implications are noted and practical implications for the development and implementation of psychological intervention programmes are discussed.
Modification of the disynaptic vestibulo-ocular reflex pathway after a unilateral canal plug in the cat

The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) stabilizes gaze by making smooth compensatory eye movements during head rotations. The VOR can recalibrate itself. This occurs when the visual input is magnified or miniaturized, or after peripheral damage such as a blocking of the fluid flow in the semicircular canals. I hypothesized the disynaptic VOR pathway was modifiable after plugging a canal and the pathway transmitted high frequency signals. Horizontal eye movements were recorded when the cats were rotated about a vertical axis or by electrically activating the primary vestibular afferents through electrodes. One cat had one horizontal semicircular canal plugged and two cats wore either x2.0 and/or x0.25 spectacles continuously for 4-day periods. After the canal plug surgery and while the cats wore spectacles, consistent changes in the earliest portion of the evoked eye movement occurred as the VOR gain (eye velocity/head velocity) changed. The earliest portion of the eye movement was probably caused by the activation of the disynaptic pathway. Larger changes were seen after the canal plug than during adaptation to spectacles. The disynaptic pathway was modifiable at all frequencies and did not show a preference for high frequencies after the canal plug surgery. The disynaptic pathway may contain a site of learning that is revealed after an injury.
Sintering temperature effects on the mechanical properties of porous-coated Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy

Cementless fixation of orthopaedic implants through bone ingrowth allows long-term implant anchorage in bone. Sintering of metallic particles onto the substrate of an orthopaedic implant results in a porous surface structure with a 3-dimensional interconnected pore geometry into which bone tissue can attach. Shedding of sinter-bonded particles from the substrate due to loading of the implant can result in unacceptable third-body wear and loosening of the implant. This study examined the shear strength of the particle/substrate interface for specimens sintered at different temperatures. Fatigue properties of sintered porous coated Ti-6Al-4V ELI rotating beam fatigue specimens and notched, as-sintered Ti-6Al-4V ELI axial fatigue specimens were studied as a function of sintering temperature to ensure that increased sintering temperature did not adversely affect the fatigue endurance strength. The alloy studied was Ti-6Al-4V ELI. The particles used were atomized spherical particles approximately 150[mu]m to 250[mu]m in diameter (-60/+80 mesh). Sintering, and heat treatment to simulate sintering, was done at 1250°C, 1275°C, 1300°C, and 1315°C in a vacuum (<10 -5 Torr) furnace. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
The differential migration of blood and lymph lymphocytes

In sheep, a pool of lymphocytes resides in the blood that does not recirculate as efficiently as lymph lymphocytes. However, there is limited information on the differential migration of blood and lymph lymphocytes into nonlymphoid tissues or during inflammation. Therefore, experiments in this thesis were designed to investigate the migration of blood and lymph lymphocytes after splenectomy, antigen challenge to a single lymph node, into normal cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), and after TNF-Ã induced inflammation. Following neonatal splenectomy, no difference in the number or phenotype of lymphocytes was observed. However, splenectomy did result in an increased migration of lymph lymphocytes into lymph nodes and a trend towards a longer residence time in blood for the blood pool of lymphocytes. While splenectomy has little effect on the development or distribution of lymphocyte subsets in blood and lymph, evidence was obtained that it affects the rate of lymphocyte recirculation. Lymph node shutdown was induced by PPD in a BCG immunised sheep. Both lymph and blood pool CD4 lymphocytes increased in efferent lymph during lymph node shutdown. IFN-ã and IL-6 levels were increased in efferent lymph plasma during lymph node shutdown and may have a role in both the recruitment and retention of lymphocytes. Lymph lymphocytes preferentially migrate into CSF and afferent lymph under normal conditions, implying that lymph lymphocytes have a greater role in immune surveillance as compared to blood lymphocytes. After the intracerebroventricular infusion of TNF-Ã, blood lymphocytes are found in a greater percentage as compared to lymph lymphocytes. In both CSF and the perivascular spaces of the brain, an inflammatory infiltrate composed of CD4, CD8 and ã[delta] lymphocytes was observed. Together these data demonstrate that under inflammatory conditions and following splenectomy there are differences in the migration of blood and lymph lymphocytes. The results in this thesis provide some basic data into the migration of the blood and lymph pools of lymphocytes and provides the background for further investigations into the migration and functional differences between blood and lymph lymphocytes.
The use of the Internet by Japanese new religious movements

This paper examines the use of the Internet by Japanese new religious movements. Both the Internet and new religions are relatively new to Japanese society. New religious movements first started in 1872, but experienced a great deal of growth in the post war years. The Internet was adopted relatively late in Japan (15 to 20 years later than most other industrialized nations), but is now experiencing an explosion in popularity in Japan. The content and presentation of the web sites maintained by Japanese new religions are examined, and some trends have been proposed. This paper explores several general issues which arise when examining the Internet and Japanese new religions, including the speed of adoption of new technology, capitalization of the Internet's ability to foster interactivity, attitudes regarding the Internet as a medium of communication, and the distribution and control of information.
Attitudes to astrology in early Christianity, a study based on selected sources

Astrology was fundamental to the cultural and religious "furniture", as it were, of Greco-Roman society. The teachings and practice of astrology, its persistent popularity, and its close connections with other forms of pagan religion posed numerous challenges for early Christianity. It is therefore not surprising that the early Christians responded to astrology in a variety of ways. As in its dealings with other elements of Greco-Roman paganism, the range of early Christian responses to astrology was broad and multi-faceted. The object of the present study is to explore this variety by focussing on the treatment of astrology in a number of early Christian sources. Part A examines the Christians' negative reaction. On the one hand, they made use of stock anti-fatalist arguments which were available from Greco-Roman tradition such as criticisms of the precision of astrologers' techniques; the argument that people with the same horoscope have different destinies; the argument that people with different horoscopes have common destinies; the argument from animals; and the moral argument. On the other hand the early Christians also generated new arguments against astrology which arose out of Christian belief and practice per se; a number of these are surveyed in Part A as well. The last section of Part A looks at how early church authorities addressed the pastoral problem of people in the church who were consulting astrologers and/or practicing astrology. Part B goes on to examine evidence of more benign and positive responses to astrology among the early Christians. Astrological themes are shown to convey Christian theological meanings in the Matthean story of the Magi and the star (Matt 2.1-12) and in passages from the book of Revelation. The accommodations made to astrology by certain early Christian writers (Bardaisan, Tertullian, Pseudo-Clement, Origen, Zeno of Verona) and groups (the allegorizers of Aratus, the Peratae, the Elchasaites, and the Priscillianists) are also discussed in Part B.
The complementarity of law

Theories of law have been traditionally classified as positivist or anti-positivist based on how they try to understand the nature of law. This understanding can be advanced by distinguishing between descriptive and prescriptive theories of law, while realizing that both types of legal theory are necessary for the formulation of this answer. Descriptive theories of law such as H. L. A. Hart's theory of law or Inclusive Positivism see law's distinctive features in its social structure and mechanism. They attempt to explain law's distinctiveness regardless of whatever purpose law may have. Prescriptive theories of law such as those of Ronald Dworkin and Joseph Raz argue that law has a purpose, and that law's distinctiveness is a result of its purpose. Both descriptive and prescriptive theories agree that law is a social system of norms which is necessarily receptive to normative change. Descriptive legal theories describe this receptiveness as part of law's distinctive features while prescriptive legal theories advocate normative change that would promote the purpose they take law to have. However, as a result of this normative change, the building blocks of descriptive theory are constantly altered by prescriptive theory, and those of prescriptive theory, based on descriptive theory's accounts, are constantly altered as well. Furthermore, this normative change is unpredictable and non-negligible. It therefore prevents descriptive theory and prescriptive theory from relying on one another, as is regularly the case in other disciplines. This situation is known as a Problem of Observation. Complementarity is the theoretical solution to the Problem of Observation. Complementarity insists that the mutual reliance of descriptive and prescriptive theories prevails over the Problem of Observation, despite the apparent breakdown of this reliance. Consequently, complementarity insists that descriptive and prescriptive legal theory are both necessary in order to answer the question of law's nature, despite what appear to be irreconcilable differences between positivist and anti-positivist positions. Traditionally seen as a paradigm of positivism, the theory of John Austin understood in this light serves as an example of the way in which a theory built on the complementarity of law may develop.
Effect of chronic haloperidol, endogenous dopamine, and selective D¦1 competitors on in vivo D¦1 receptor binding in rat brain

'Rationale'. The dopamine (DA) D1 receptor (D1R) exists in two interconvertible high- (D1 HIGH) and low-affinity affinity states. Only agonists can differentiate them, antagonists cannot. The D1HIGH was altered in disease studies in which the total density was unchanged. Yet, endogenous DA may not reach the extrasynaptic D1R. 'Objectives'. The overall objective of this project is to utilize the D1 agonist R-[11C]SKF 82957 to assess D1R changes in humans using PET, and in animal models. 'Methods'. Binding of R-[ 11C]SKF 82957 and [11C]SCH 23390 was assessed in rats following chronic 21-day haloperidol treatment; acute manipulation of endogenous DA with cocaine, amphetamine, and GBR 12909; and acute administration of direct D1R ligands SCH 23390, SKF 38393, SKF 81297, and SKF 82958. 'Results'. Radioligand uptake was greatest in D 1-rich striatum and olfactory tubercles. Neither haloperidol nor increased DA altered radiotracer binding. Direct D1R ligands significantly decreased the binding of both radioligands in D1-rich regions, in correlation with binding affinity for the D1HIGH. ' Conclusions'. The binding of R-[11C]SKF 82957 or [ 11C]SCH 23390 was not affected by haloperidol or DA, but was significantly decreased by direct D1R ligands based on affinity for the D 1HIGH.
Flow visualization for a micro air vehicle

In the development of a flapping-wing micro air vehicle (MAV), the need for research in the field of flapping-wing flight is evident. One tool which can give insight into this field is flow visualization. The purpose of this thesis is to obtain a qualitative and quantitative presentation of the flow-field created by a MAV. This was accomplished using smoke flow visualization and hot-wire anemometry. The results have indicated that strong leading-edge vortices and the clap-fling effect are the high-lift mechanism of a MAV.
The doctor's dilemma, the capacity of Ontario's self-governing health professions to regulate conflict of interest ; a study of the College of Physicians and Surgeons

Focussing on the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and its regulatory approach to financial conflict of interest, this thesis examines the capacity of the self-governing professions under Ontario's ' Regulated Health Professions Act', '1991' to regulate themselves for the benefit of the public interest rather than competing professional concerns. Without proper self-government, conflict of interest in medicine threatens the quality and integrity of patient care as well as public trust in the College and its members. The author discusses the College's conflict of interest regulation, arguing it is insufficient for various reasons. The thesis proposes and analyses reforms designed to better protect patients and society. The author concludes that the solution to the problem of potential conflicting interests in professional self-governance or practice lies in a regulatory system founded on an ethical commitment by the College and practitioners to set aside self-interest and act altruistically on behalf of others.