VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Identification and characterizaton of genes required for cell viability in the absence of the Swi6 protein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In 'Saccharomyces cerevisiae', the Swi6 protein is a component of two transcription factors, SBF and MBF, that promote gene expression in late G1 phase of the cell cycle. In SBF, Swi6 interacts with the DNA-binding protein Swi4 to promote activation of the G1 cyclin-encoding genes ' CLN1, CLN2, PCL1' and 'PCL2', the 'HO' endonuclease-coding gene and cell wall biosynthesis genes. In MIBF, Swi6 is associated with a related DNA-binding protein, Mbp1, and activates transcription of DNA synthesis genes. Although SBF and MBF are required for cell viability, ' SWI6' is not an essential gene. I performed a synthetic lethal screen to identify genes that are required for viability in the absence of 'SWI6'. I identified ten complementation groups of 's_wi6'-dependent l_ethal m_utants, designated 'SLM1' through 'SLM10'. Members of the 'SLM2' complementation group may contain mutations in ' SWI2', since a 'slm2 swi6' mutant is rescued by overexpression of 'SWI2'. SWI2 encodes a component of the Swi/Snf chromatin-remodefing complex. The 'slm10' mutants contain mutations that are allelic to the 'PHO85' gene. I was most interested in mutants showing a cell cycle arrest phenotype; ' swi6' strains carrying mutations in 'slm7' and ' slm8' arrested in G1 phase under restrictive conditions. Analysis of the transcript levels of cell cycle-regulated genes in 'slm7' mutant strains revealed defects in regulation of a subset of cyclin genes. Complementation and allelism tests showed that 'SLM7' is allelic to the 'TAF17' gene, which encodes a protein that is a component of the basal transcription factor TFIID and a histone acetyl transferase complex. Sequencing showed that the 'slm7-1' allele of 'TAF17 ' is predicted to encode a version of Taf17 that is truncated within a highly conserved region. The cell cycle and transcriptional defects caused by the 'slm7-1' allele of 'TAF17' are consistent with the role of TAFs as modulators of transcriptional activation, and may reflect a role for 'TAF17' in modulating transcriptional activation by SBF and MBF. My discovery of a genetic interaction between 'TAF17 ' and 'SWI6' may reflect a novel role for basal transcription factors in G1-specific transcription, and may implicate chromatin remodeling in cell cycle-dependent transcription
Dealing with secondary school violence, teachers speak

This study seeks to explore constructions of violence from a sampling of urban and rural setting teachers and to provide insights into current directions in teacher-based violence-response and violence-prevention strategies. The analysis draws on research findings, in the Winter/Spring of 1996/97, at two secondary schools, one urban and Catholic, the other rural and Public. This study, qualitative and descriptive in nature, used audio-taped teacher/participant interviews and classroom observation as the main strategies for data collection. Twelve experienced full-time secondary school teachers, male and female, were interviewed. The study focusses on the perceptions of teachers as those who deal with violence 'on the front line' and are the prime implementers of educational change. Interviews, seven at a large district rural high school, and five at a large urban secondary school, were often several hours in length, semi-structured, and interpretive in nature. Seven teachers were selected for more in-depth investigation by way of classroom observation. The selections satisfied a number of criteria: male and female participants, representation from both schools, and a wide range of subjects and levels taught. The teacher/participants conceptualized violence as 'any behaviour intended to be seriously hurtful or harmful, whether perpetrated by one person on another or directed towards oneself. Such behaviour can include physical or non-physical acts of psychological emotional, physical, economic, spiritual, verbal, and self abuse.' From their perspectives on violence, teachers of both settings perceived their schools as non-violent. The perception of the rural school as non-violent did not stand up. The study explored contradictions between and among: teachers' general constructions of violence in schools, teachers' ideas and images concerning violence in their schools, and teachers' particular constructions of violence in their own schools using their own articulated definitions as points of reference. Teachers' strategies for dealing with school violence fall into two categories: reactive and proactive. Reactive include: rational intervention, separation, threats, curricular penalties, expulsion, humour, professionalism, and school databases. Proactive include: interesting curriculum, focus time, extra-curricular activities, environmental concerns, positive reinforcement, counselling, Zero Tolerance, student participation, and participative democracy. In this instance, the more participative and more democratic the school culture, the less violent.
Processing of fine-cell polypropylene foams in compounding-based rotational foam molding

This thesis is intended to provide a scientific and engineering understanding of the technological potentials for processing fine-cell PP foams by using a compounding approach in rotational foam molding. The presented research includes a proposal for a process designed for transforming polypropylene (PP) resins into completely foamed, single-layer, single-piece useful products. The proposed process comprises dispersing a chemical blowing agent (CBA) in the PP matrix in a twin-screw compounder, pelletizing the obtained expandable composition, and using the pre-compounded pellets for foam production in one uninterrupted rotational foam molding cycle. Four types of PP resins were selected with melting flow rates (MFR) ranging from 5.5 to 35 dg/min. The PP resins and the CBA were characterized using thermal analysis instrumentation, a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). Using different formulations, four types of pellets were compounded with a CBA from each type of PP resin for conducting rotational foam molding experiments using an uni-axial lab-scale rotational molding machine. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to characterize the quality of the compounded PP pellets. The optimal processing strategies for six-fold and three-fold PP fine-cell foaming were identified via a systematic experimental parametric search. By using time-temperature profiles, recorded using a data acquisition device, the process was characterized and strategies for process improvements were established. Best foams were obtained by using the highest viscosity resins.
The relationship between leadership style and coping style on job stress and job satisfaction among social workers in health care

In a period of health care reform and organizational restructuring, social workers are confronted with change and uncertainty in their practice. The confident social worker is one who is able to cope and adapt to change; who is able to be creative and innovative, who can articulate a vision and translate it into action; and who is a leader in service delivery, both within the hospital and the community. Leadership appears to be an important factor in providing vision and skills that guide the efforts of social work into the next century. The present study examined the relationships between various job-related variables among social workers in health care. Using a survey design, 187 social workers completed a questionnaire measuring their perceptions of job satisfaction, job stress, upward influence, coping style, and dimensions of their manager's leadership style. Moderate to strong positive correlations were found between measures of leadership style and scores on the Job Satisfaction Scale and Job Stress Survey. No gender differences were found on job stress variables. Moreover, no differences were found between BSW and MSW trained social workers in their perceptions of job stress. Regression analysis indicated that leadership style variables were the most significant factors in explaining the variance in job satisfaction. However, for job stress, seeking social support was the-most significant coping style factor
A generalization of the Cox partial likelihood

Cox's partial likelihood for the proportional hazards model depends only on the ranks of the event and censoring times, but not on the event times directly. Our objective is to introduce the exact values of the event times, besides the ranks, into the likelihood in the hope of capturing more information from the observed data for statistical inference of linear predictors. One such likelihood, which we called the Person Year (PY) model, was derived using piecewise linear interpolation for estimating the cumulative hazard in the "full" likelihood. Simulated data sets using the Weibull probability model were used to compare the Cox and PY models. Comparisons were made of the size and power of tests of hypotheses of parameters in the Weibull model as well as survival curves associated with these estimates. Many interesting questions are raised.
Effect of matrix heat treatment condition on the fracture toughness behavior of particulate Al¦2O¦3-reinforced Al (6061) MMC

The main objective of this study was to examine the possibility of improving the fracture toughness of metal matrix composites via alteration/improvement of the ductility of the matrix through heat treatment. Tensile and fracture toughness testing, based on relevant ASTM standards, have been performed on specimens with different heat treatment conditions. Two solution treatment temperatures of 560 and 530°C were used during the heat treatment. Artificial aging of the specimens was carried out at two temperatures of 150 and 200°C as a function of time over the range of 15 minutes to 450 hours. Both conventional and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM and FE-SEM) as well as Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) have been used to study and correlate fracture mechanism(s) and microstructural aspects. Based on the results from the present project, the effect of heat treatment on fracture toughness values was found similar to that observed in the monolithic alloy. However, the rate of recovery in fracture-related properties of MMCs is lower (or in some cases zero) in the over-aged condition. This "low or no" recovery behaviour for over-aged MMCs can be explained by: (i) clear increase in the size of shear lips with increasing aging time, and (ii) a shift from particle fracture (in under-aged regime) to interface (or near interface) debonding in over-aged regime. The formation/presence of a spinel phase at the interface is recognized as the main cause of this behavior. Although, spinel products mainly form during material processing, their formation is found to continue during the solid state thermal heat treatment as well. Alternatively, the spinel/matrix bonding may go through a drastic change in the long aging process, hence affecting the fracture behaviour.
Development of a termite barrier/drainage layer for residential housing

Basements are a common source of difficulties in residential housing. Leaks through the foundation wall create an inhospitable basement environment; excess moisture can lead to mold, mildew and decay. Compounding the problems presented by water leakage, termites can infest houses through cracks in the basement wall and cause considerable damage. The cost of termite control is estimated at $1 M per year in Toronto, Ontario and $1.2B per year in the United States (Su 1994). A solution has been proposed that uses a termite barrier sand as a combination drainage layer/termite barrier. The sand is mixed with a degradable binder and installed using shotcreting technology. This thesis presents theory supporting the solution as well as results of laboratory investigations involving this barrier system. Suggestions are made for further field testing and implementation.
Measuring decisional conflict in substitute decision makers, mothers' decisions about initiating gastrostomy tube feeding in children

The Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS) (O'Connor, 1995) quantifies the construct of decisional conflict. Its subscales assess 3 postulated dimensions of decisional conflict (uncertainty, factors contributing to uncertainty, effective decision making). Although it has been evaluated with individuals making their own treatment decisions, its appropriateness with substitute decision makers is unknown. This study used a hybrid quantitative/qualitative data collection strategy to explore this issue, in the context of mothers deciding about the initiation of gastrostomy tube (G-tube) feeding for their children. At the time of their children's G-tube insertion, 53 mothers completed all 3 DCS subscales, and provided verbal reports about their uncertainty and its contributory factors. Approximately 7 weeks later, they completed the subscale about effective decision making, and verbally described the effectiveness of their decision making. Relatively high, moderate, and low sub-groups were identified, using the score distributions for overall uncertainty and each uncertainty factor; then the associated verbal reports were examined for across-sub-group differences. There were across sub-group differences in verbal reports of the "child", "mother", and "health care professional" elements that contributed to (F = 9.34, p = 0.0093; F = 25.70, p < 0.0001; F = 17.25, p = 0.0002) and mitigated (F = 7.15, p = 0.0101; F = 15.50, p = 0.0003; F = 7.92, p = 0.0070) uncertainty. There also were across-sub-group differences in verbal reports about information (X2 = 6.990, p = 0.0082). perceived pressure (X2 = 8.377, p = 0.0038), social support (X2 = 5.573, p = 0.0182), and perceived gains and losses (X2 = 3.85, p = 0.0499; X2 = 5.76, p = 0.0164). There was no across-time difference in the distribution of effective decision making scores. This is the first study applying the DCS to a substitute decision making context, using an innovative analytical strategy to map qualitative onto quantitative data. The results indicate consistency between mothers' DCS scores and their verbal reports, which implies that this hybrid approach could be clinically useful for assessing mothers' decisional conflict. Furthermore, in this particular clinical context the results imply that interventions like the systematic provision of information to foster informed consent may be of some urgency. Finally, the hybrid approach could be useful in future exploratory research investigating decisional conflict in other substitute decision making contexts.
Phenylalanine requirement in children with classical PKU determined by indicator amino acid oxidation

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a disorder of aromatic amino acid metabolism, which results from a genetic mutation of the phenylalanine hydroxylase enzyme (PAH). PAH is the rate limiting enzyme which catalyzes the initial reaction in which phenylalanine is converted to tyrosine, or completely oxidized to CO2 and H2O. Although dietary restriction of phenylalanine is the main treatment in PKU, present estimates of requirements are based on plasma phenylalanine levels and growth. The present study aimed to more precisely determine phenylalanine requirement using Indicator Amino Acid Oxidation (IAAO), with L-[1-13C]lysine as the indicator. Breath 13CO2 production (F13CO2) was used as the endpoint. The mean phenylalanine requirement was estimated using a two-phase linear regression crossover analysis, which identified a breakpoint of the F13CO2 at 14mg.kg-1.day -1. The safe population requirement was found to be 19.5 mg.kg -1.day-1. This study suggests that the current recommended phenylalanine intake for children with PKU is too high.
Herméneutique philosophique et littérature, une étude de trois concepts

Cette thèse porte sur le rapport entre l'herméneutique philosophique et l'étude des textes littéraires. La question est posée de savoir si l'on peut s'approprier l'herméneutique philosophique pour l'étude des textes littéraires. La pertinence d'une telle question est dictée par le contexte des débats actuels en herméneutique. D'aucuns disent en effet que l'herméneutique gadamérienne, qui se caractérise par sa nature philosophique, ne saurait être mise en pratique pour l'étude des textes littéraires. Pour d'autres, en revanche, ce refus de reconnaitre à l'herméneutique un certain potentiel analytique n'est pas recevable et des efforts ont été déployés pour ramener l'herméneutique de l'ontologie à la question proprement épistémologique du statut des sciences humaines. L'étude que nous entreprenons se situe à mi-chemin entre ces deux positions. Nous ne rejetons pas l'idée d'une mise en oeuvre possible de l'herméneutique gadamérienne pour l'étude des textes littéraires, car nous proposons des analyses de textes. Elle feront ressortir le fait qu'une mise en pratique de cette théorie ne dépend pas forcément d'une intégration d'un modèle d'analyse scientifique. Notre étude comprend deux parties. La première partie est consacrée à un survol du mot herméneutique et à un examen de l'herméneutique contemporaine philosophique. Dans la seconde partie, nous tâchons de définir en quoi consiste cette activité critique herméneutique. Le but de cette étude étant notamment de permettre une meilleure appréciation de l'herméneutique au sein des études littéraires, nous développons cette définition en rapport avec certaines notions utilisées pour l'analyse narratologique, féministe ou herméneutique des textes littéraires. Trois de ces concepts ont retenu notre attention: le narrataire, la lectrice et l'arc herméneutique. Chaque chapitre de cette seconde section sera accompagné d'une courte analyse textuelle. Réalisées à partir de ce qui confère à l'herméneutique son caractère philosophique ou des réserves qu'émet celle-ci à l'égard de l'attitude méthodique, ces analyses explorent les limites de la conception selon laquelle l'herméneutique ne saurait être appropriée pour l'étude des textes littéraires à cause de son caractère philosophique.
Stable neural network control of structurally flexible space manipulators, a novel approach featuring fast training and efficient memory

An artificial neural network (ANN) control method is developed for the precision control of elastic-joint robots. Both a novel training method and novel memory structure are developed. The training ensures stabilization by using the Lyapunov-stable technique of backstepping in an on-line, direct neuroadaptive scheme. A learning term is used to modify the on-line weight updates in order to improve performance through learning of the inverse dynamics. The integration of on-line stabilization and learning allows fast learning of the dynamics while maintaining computational simplicity and system stability. Albus's Cerebellar Model Arithmetic Computer (CMAC) memory algorithm is modified to work for elastic systems by utilizing radial basis functions (RBFs) to deal with the elasticity. The resulting hybrid network is referred to as CMAC-RBF Associative Memory (CRAM). Many of the properties of the CMAC for rigid robot control are kept by using CRAM for elastic-joint robots, including computational efficiency and fast convergence. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the technique. Two techniques are developed to increase the possibility of real-time implementation. The first is a robust modification. It uses a robust control term to compensate for any shortcomings of the neural network modeling, with increasing torque chatter as the price. Also, a modification to the learning term can be implemented with the robust control that results in better convergence. Simulation results demonstrate the improvement in performance. The second technique is applying the neural network control and weight updates in discrete time instead of continuous time. It is proved that stability can still be achieved. It is shown with simulation results that a larger neural network can be run at a slower (discrete) control rate and performance is improved. The result is a neural control method that is more practical than previous methods.
Action for Prevention, Feminist Practices in Transformative Learning in Women's Health and the Environment, with a Focus on Breast Cancer; A Case Study of a Participatory Research Circle

This thesis is a cam study of a feminist participatory research project on transformative learning on health and the primary prevention of environmentally linked diseases such as breast cancer. The circle of women in the study evolved from a desire to build and strengthen knowledge through critical reflection and action. They wished to contribute to theory and practice of social and political change towards environmental health consciousness and social responsibility for a safer, more just world. Believing that a clean environment and health are basic human rights, they promoted advocacy to stop polluters and their protectors in institutions of power. They also worked to shift the dominant medical paradigm from it's focus on "magic bullet cures" to include more primary prevention, holistic, complementary approaches to health promotion. They worked with compassion to support and inform each other and become more effective in their work. Three particular experiences highlighted these efforts. One, the discovery of ways of working with breast cancer survivors for primary prevention: beginning with practical things they can do in their own lives when they are emotionally ready, and refraining from mixing support and advocacy at the same time; Two, the collective process of creating the resource guide, 'Taking Action for a Healthy Future' (to accompany the video, 'Exposure': ' Environmental Links to Breast Cancer') This encompassed a community screening of the roughcut of the video with small group brainstorming ideas for content, the circle reviewing these findings, and their final editorial approval; Three, promotion of the 'Recommendations of the Ontario Task Force Report on the Primary Prevention of Cancer' which included advocacy toward policy change, with which any group can become familiar such as creating a broader community of those with similar interests including health professionals, politicians and social movement actors to engage in these concerns with decision makers. It is hoped that this study can contribute to transformative learning from feminist perspectives on primary prevention; the understanding of some findings of a feminist participatory research process; and a sense of how social movements can be more effective toward these ends. As many of these relationships are still in formative stages, further work is needed to develop such integrative transformative learning on health.