VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Dissociating types of associative memory: Evidence and theoretical implications

The ability to recognize explicitly newly learned individual pieces of information (item memory) is reliant on familiarity, which is a memory process characterized by a decontextualized sense of oldness. Conversely, the ability to recognize the associations between these items (associative memory) relies on recollection, which is a memory process characterized by the retrieval of contextual information that depends on binding operations at encoding to create these associations and on recall-like operations to access these links consciously at retrieval. It remains possible, however, that some types of associative representations, like familiarity, are accessed without recourse to recall-like processes. The main goal of this study is to investigate the latter possibility and determine whether different types of associative memory rely on different memory processes and neural substrates. I demonstrated that these types of associative memory are dissociable from item memory and familiarity on the basis of their reliance on relational binding at encoding, and are dissociable from one another on the basis of their reliance on recall-like, strategic retrieval processes. Associative reinstatement does not rely on recall-like processes or recollection, but instead depends on associative familiarity. This process is distinct from that involved in item recognition and may index binding of information at encoding without involving the conscious re-experiencing characteristic of recollection at retrieval. I discuss these findings within a neuropsychological framework, in which the different types of associative memory are subserved by different MTL structures and differentially rely on frontal regions. In six experiments, I investigated two types of associative memory: (1) associative identification, which relies on recall-like processes and recollection to explicitly distinguish between studied and novel associations, and (2) associative reinstatement, which does not involve recall-like processes and represents how the reinstatement of associative information enhances item memory performance. I contrasted these measures in young adults under experimental manipulations designed to modulate relational binding at encoding (Exp. 1---levels-of-processing) and recall-like processes at retrieval (Exp. 2---response deadline; Exp. 3---speed-accuracy tradeoff; Exp. 4---overlapping pairings) and in populations with impaired binding following medial temporal lobes (MTL) lesions (Exp. 5---unilateral MTL excisions patients) or impaired recall-like abilities due to sub-optimal frontal function (Exp. 6---older adults).
The rhetoric of pluralism

This thesis examines a persistent rhetorical pattern in the political discourse of the last two centuries. It argues that political thinkers and actors with otherwise vastly different views have presented themselves as champions of diversity while painting their opponents as proponents of uniformity. The thesis examines this "rhetoric of pluralism" in the work of various political thinkers, with a special focus on Alexis de Tocqueville, John Stuart Mill, and Friedrich Nietzsche. Placed side by side, these thinkers reveal persistent themes and inherent dilemmas in pluralist rhetoric. In analysing these themes and dilemmas, the thesis reaches the following conclusions: (1) The rhetoric of pluralism is almost endlessly flexible and is now a staple of western political discourse. Political thinkers and actors with vastly different positions routinely charge their opponents with stifling diversity. (2) The rise of pluralist rhetoric was a response to the perceived dangers of egalitarianism and mass society. Tocqueville, Mill, and Nietzsche all feared that these phenomena could usher in a world of bland conformity and sameness. From the mid-19th century, however, this rhetorical tactic was deployed by many figures who did not share such misgivings. (3) Pluralists can favour global pluralism, social pluralism, or what I call "individual" pluralism (i.e., giving each man and woman a wide range of worthwhile choices). Pluralists will place different weight on each of these forms of pluralism in accordance with their particular conceptions of the best human ends. (4) Pluralist rhetoric gains much of its force by tapping into the Romantic sensibilities of our times. (5) Every political position is bound to promote homogeneity of some type. Instead of resting content with showing that their opponents promote uniformity, pluralists should argue that their own positions foster the most worthwhile forms of diversity. (6) The limits and paradoxes of the rhetoric of pluralism are of great significance to liberalism, the leading political trend of our age. While conceding that some worthy forms of diversity may be hindered by the spread of liberalism, liberals should argue that the types of pluralism fostered by liberalism are nonetheless preferable to the types fostered by competing doctrines.
Toward improved visual support for i* modelling

The i* framework (Yu, 1995) offers a graphical notation for modeling and analyzing socio-technical systems, particularly during early stage requirements engineering for software systems. A number of software tools exist to support i* modeling. Nevertheless, there is a strong need for better visual support in i* modeling. This study aimed to identify areas for improvement and to develop prototypes to address these areas. A review of existing i* tools and observation of users revealed that current tools provide inadequate support for maintaining an overall view of a model, filtering extraneous data and extracting sub-collections of the model data. Prototypes were then developed based on these needs, and an evaluation by users of i* was carried out to test the validity of the concepts and requirements included in the prototypes. User feedback suggested these prototypes would be useful when using software for i* modelling and offered suggestions for further improvements.
Available energy of symmetric circulations with application to the middle atmosphere

We present a theory of available energy for symmetric circulations of a rotating, stratified fluid. The theory is a generalization of the classical theory of available potential energy (APE), in that it accounts for both the momentum and the thermal constraints on the circulation. The generalization relies on the Hamiltonian structure of the conservative dynamics, although (as with classical APE) it still defines the energetics in a non-conservative framework. The energy budget is derived for the circulation transverse to a given balanced reference flow. For a simple example, it is shown that by including momentum constraints, the available energy of the transverse circulation to a symmetrically stable flow is zero, while the energetics of a mechanically driven symmetric circulation properly reflect its causality. The theory is then applied in the context of the primitive equations in spherical coordinates, to diagnose the available energy of the residual mean meridional circulation of the middle atmosphere. Both simulated fields from the Canadian Middle Atmosphere Model and the ERA-40 re-analysis data are used for diagnostic comparison. With the non-resting reference state constructed using the radiative equilibrium temperature the available energy diagnostic robustly identifies the circulation as being thermally damped and mechanically forced, in both the stratosphere and mesosphere, which agrees with its causality. The boundary flux term and the thermal forcing are both negative, with the mechanical forcing, due to deposition of momentum by the waves breaking in-situ, being identified as the driving agent; this agrees with the gyroscopic pumping mechanism as the driving process of the middle atmosphere meridional circulation. In contrast, with the resting (Lorenz-like) reference state the thermal forcing is seen as driving the circulation in the stratosphere (along with the boundary flux), with mechanical forcing being identified as a damping. In the mesosphere the diagnostic with the resting reference state does not encounter a causality problem, with the thermal forcing being identified as damping, and the mechanical forcing along with the boundary flux being the driving agent. However, the circulation is diagnosed as being less strongly forced compared to the non-resting reference state.
Fee-setting: a study of decision-making by the medical profession in Ontario

Physicians' fee schedules have historically been established by a process strongly influenced by the commitment of the medical profession to collegiality and rational decision-making. A study of the effects of a shift from a distributive to a re-distributive role for the medical profession in the allocation of health care resources showed that what has been traditionally seen as a model of rational public policy decision-making conforms better to an incremental model. Although the current Resource-Based Relative Value Schedule Commission of Ontario to produce a new, resource-based relative value fee schedule is significantly different in from previous RBRVS projects, the assumptions on which it is based are similar to those used by its predecessors. The fee schedule resulting from the project might reasonably be expected to resemble closely the existing fee schedule.
Heat transfer at the casting metal-mold interface during solidification

To effect this investigation a novel apparatus was developed. This apparatus was instrumented with thermocouples, displacement sensors-LVDT (Linear Variable Differential Transformer) and electrical contact detection circuit. It not only provided the base for obtaining accurate temperature profiles in casting and chill; it also recorded data that helped in characterizing mold expansion and the detection, formation and development of an air gap in the latter stage of metal solidification. This investigation focused primarily on the effect of surface roughness on heat transfer coefficient values whilst exploring the dynamics and mechanisms of heat transfer at the casting metal-mold interface during solidification of liquid metal. Several experimental, computational and analytical techniques were developed and utilized. A cylindrical and horizontally oriented casting configuration with fixed metallostatic head was used. To evaluate quantitatively the effects of Surface Roughness, Thermal Conductivity and Contact Temperature on the heat transfer coefficient at the metal mold interface during the solidification of liquid metal is the object of this study. Data collected from experiments (using commercial purity aluminum and aluminum alloys (A319 and A356) against different chill materials including steel, cast iron and copper) was used as input into an Inverse Heat Transfer Code developed in the course of this work. Different surface roughness was applied to each chill material used. Consequently, surface roughness was observed to have varying degrees of effect depending on superheat, chill and alloy materials. Heat transfer coefficient values during the development of air gap initially suffer from a drastic reduction followed by a recovery to almost constant values. Generally, an increase in surface roughness results in the decrease of heat transfer coefficient at the metal-mold interface. Further, analysis of the heat transfer data revealed that two dominant heat transfer modes occur during air gap development: 'conduction' followed by 'convection' in the same order.
Ethnic and geographic differences in suicidality in Canadian adults: A population-based study

Understanding ethnic differences in the pathways to suicidality (i.e. suicidal ideation and non-fatal attempt) is important for suicide prevention efforts in Canada. If specific ethnic groups tend to live in certain areas more so than others (i.e. rural vs. urban), it is important to investigate the intersection between ethnicity and rurality and their joint relationship with suicidality. These pathways can be conceptualized within the stress process framework. The study examined ethnic differences in the pathways to suicidality in Canadian adults and whether living rurally impacted on the pathways to suicidality for high-risk ethnic groups. Using multivariate logistic regression and path analyses, we examined the hypotheses that variations in (1) socioeconomic status, (2) social support, (3) both, and (4) the interrelatedness between sociodemographic and clinical factors could explain the relationship between ethnicity and suicidality and the impact of rurality for high-risk groups. Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 1.1 was used. Both analytic methods indicated that Francophone whites and Aboriginals had higher rates of suicidality compared to Anglophone whites. Visible minorities were less likely to suffer suicidality compared to Anglophone whites (both models) but the differences were explained by variations in the mediators (path models). Despite evidence of mediation, the high rates of suicidality found in Francophone whites and Aboriginals compared to Anglophone whites were not explained. The interrelatedness between the mediators and their effects on suicidality differed for Francophone whites and Aboriginals. Furthermore, some relationships differed if these groups were urban versus rural-dwellers. Although urban and rural-dwelling Aboriginals were most disadvantaged, which exacerbated their risk for suicidality, rural-dwelling Aboriginals had stronger sense of community belonging compared to their Anglophone whites counterparts and urban-dwelling Aboriginals. Furthermore, sense of community belonging had a significant direct effect on suicidality in rural but not urban settings. Disadvantages in education, income and sense of community belonging were observed in both urban- and rural-dwelling Francophone whites with levels being slightly lower in rural settings. The pathways to suicidality differed for Francophone whites and Aboriginals and were affected by whether the group lived in urban versus rural areas. Implications for public health interventions are discussed.
The neural and neurochemical control of spermathecal contractions in the locust, Locusta migratoria

The spermathecal muscle of Locusta migratoria receives bilateral innervation from at least three nerves which originate from the VIIIth (terminal) abdominal ganglion. The receptaculum seminis nerve innervates the anterior portion of the spermatheca, while the ductus seminalis aperture nerve and N2B4 innervate the posterior portion. Retrograde Neurobiotin and cobalt lysine fills of the receptaculum seminis and ductus seminalis aperture nerve have associated each nerve with bilaterally situated motoneurons in the terminal abdominal ganglion. Both nerves were also associated with dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurons situated in both the VIIth and terminal abdominal ganglia. Axons from sensory cells, identified in the lateral walls of the genital chamber, were also found to project to the terminal abdominal ganglion. Mechanical stimulation of the genital chamber sensory cells modified the motor activity going to the spermatheca which resulted in altered spermathecal contractions. It is theorized that during oviposition this neural loop is activated by an egg in the genital chamber and is involved in spermatozoa deposition. FMRFamide-related peptides (FaRPs), octopamine and serotonin were associated with the spermathecal muscle using immunohistochemistry, in addition to radioimmunoassay and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to electrochemical detection. The FaRPs which elicited dose-dependent physiological effects included FMRFamide, ADVGHVFLRFamide and SchistoFLRFamide (PDVDHVFLRFamide). FMRFamide increased the amplitude of neurally-evoked spermathecal contractions, while SchistoFLRFamide and ADVGHVFLRFamide had an inhibitory effect. Evidence suggests that the associated FaRP(s) are delivered to the spermatheca from the central nervous system. Octopamine elicited a dose-dependent stimulatory effect on both spontaneous and neurally-evoked spermathecal contractions. This octopamine-induced response was partially inhibited by SchistoFLRFamide. Octopaminergic DUM neurons, situated in the VIIth and terminal abdominal ganglion, are believed to be the source of octopamine at the spermatheca. The octopaminergic actions appear to be mediated through a cyclic adenosine 3′, 5′-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) pathway, since octopamine induced dose-dependent increases in spermathecal cyclic AMP levels. Serotonin also had stimulatory effects on both spontaneous and neurally-evoked spermathecal contractions. Results suggest that the serotonin-induced response may, in part, be mediated through the octopaminergic system and the activation of a cyclic AMP pathway. Serotonin is not supplied to the spermatheca from processes exiting the terminal abdominal ganglion.
Some properties of the Cuntz semigroup and an isomorphism theorem for a certain class of non-simple C*-algebras

This work contributes to Elliott's classification program for non-simple nuclear C*-algebras. We consider the C*-algebras which are inductive limits of full matrix algebras over certain one-dimensional contractible spaces, and show that for this class of C*-algebras the Cuntz semigroup together with a distinguished element of this semigroup constitutes a complete invariant. We also investigate some properties of the Cuntz semigroup and discuss several applications for non-simple C*-algebras.

Keywords: Mathematics
Delegated legislation and the duty to be fair in Canada

The duty to be fair in Canada does not apply to the process of making delegated legislation. This is despite the fact that in their everyday lives, members of the public are almost certainly impacted more often by executive rules, regulations, and Orders in Council that by primary legislation. This paper argues that the current situation, stemming from the Supreme Court case of Inuit Tapirisat is unjustifiable and must be changed. Drawing on both Canadian and international material, this paper argues that insulating delegated legislation from the duty to be fair is inconsistent both with the principles underlying the duty and the doctrinal line followed in the rest of the Anglo-Commonwealth world. An enforceable consultation obligation would enhance the legitimacy and potentially the quality of Canadian delegated legislation. The paper also makes some suggestions as to the appropriate scope and form of such a duty.
Literacy narratives: writing and relating letters and stories of teacher knowledge, identity and development

In part three, I study closely the application of related literacy narratives as a tool for collaborative teacher development and literacy education reform. I extrapolate such principles as: commitment, patience, trust, respect, compromise, community, affirmation, and relationship. Implications for the use of related literacy narratives as a tool for collaborative teacher development in other educational contexts and as applied to my research findings conclude my project. In this project, I focus on my personal and professional knowledge relationship with Jeanette, a Grade 6 teacher, over a four year span and use writing about my co-participant and me, as well as writing with Jeannette, to examine literacy teaching and learning as a product of caring, collaborative relationships in a diverse communal school landscape. Teacher knowledge, identity and development of literacy educators are explored through the primary method of letter writing, as well as other conversations, interviews, research texts, course papers, journals and diaries I have written in what I term literacy narratives . My work in this narrative inquiry is positioned in the work of Dewey's (1938) experience as education, in Connelly and Clandinin's (1988, 1994, 1999) research of teachers as curriculum makers, teacher identity, and personal practical knowledge and in Clandinin and Connelly's (1995, 1996, 2000) extensive work on teachers' professional knowledge landscapes and narrative inquiry through experience and story in qualitative research. In part two, I examine the concept of teacher identity in the development of literacy educators. I show literacy narratives, through the primary method of letter writing with Jeanette, by studying literacy narrative landscapes such as the Breakfast Club and by the examination of teachers' and students' personal literacy narratives which linked teachers' teaching and learning of literacy to students' learning and acquisition of literacy. In part one of this study, I illustrate teachers' professional knowledge by looking first at my own personal literacy narrative as I came into this research. I then look at professional knowledge landscapes through the viewpoint of Joseph, the principal, while positioning my own theories to the landscape site.
Design of an experimental star tracking payload and environmental testing of CanX-1

CanX-1 (Canadian Advanced Nanospace eXperiment), which was launched on June 30th, 2003, is the first Canadian picosatellite experiment started at the Space Flight Laboratory at the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies. CanX-1 was designed such that students design, build, test and operate the satellite within a two-year time frame. The objective of CanX-1 is to verify the functionality of several electronic technologies in orbital space. CanX-1 includes two CMOS imagers for star tracking and Earth imaging. Developing a small, low power CMOS star tracker will help future small satellites to achieve fine three axis pointing. This thesis focuses on the development and validation of the star tracker, including hardware design, star pattern recognition algorithms and attitude estimation methods. Also, this thesis describes the functional and environmental testing performed on CanX-1 to verify that the satellite can survive the launch and function in the harsh space environment.
Development of a trip reconstruction tool for GPS-based personal travel surveys

To collect travel survey data for transportation models more precisely and conveniently, Global Positioning System (GPS) has been used as an assistant tool in some recent surveys. However, the current applications still involve substantial manual data processing. This calls for new approaches that derive essential travel data through automated processing of GPS data. The purpose of this research is to develop a trip reconstruction tool, identifying used links and modes, for GPS-based personal trip surveys. The former is based on a conventional map-matching algorithm, and the latter is a rule-based algorithm using features of 4 modes (walking, bicycle, bus and passenger-car). The developed methodologies were evaluated with GPS travel data and transportation networks of downtown Toronto. Compared with records of a respondent, results of the tool show that 78.5% of all traveled links were detected, and 91.7% of modes of all trips were classified correctly.
Gene expression in the schizophrenia hippocampus and frontal cortex

To identify genes associated with schizophrenia, DNA microarray chips were used to compare schizophrenia and control hippocampus tissues, revealing six genes with elevated expression. However, using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction method, only the expression of three genes were found to be significantly altered in schizophrenia. First, the chondrex gene was found to be significantly elevated by 180% in the schizophrenia hippocampus. The altered gene expression of chondrex suggests that a disruption in neuronal migration may be involved in schizophrenia. Second, the real-time PCR found that the expression of the HRF gene was significantly reduced by 19%. This reduced expression suggests that the HRF gene may be associated with the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Third, in the schizophrenia frontal cortices, the STIP-1 gene was found to be significantly elevated by 190%. The increased expression of the STIP-1 gene suggests that altered steroid hormone action may be involved in schizophrenia.