VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
The Frasnian/Famennian, mid-Late Devonian, boundary in the Long Rapids Formation, James Bay lowlands, northern Ontario, Canada

The Frasnian/Famennian (mid-Late Devonian) boundary has been located in the Long Rapids Formation, northern Ontario, utilizing conodont-based biostratigraphy and geochemistry. It was found in a black shale sequence 11 cm above a limestone bed that has many similarities to the Upper Kellwasser Limestone, a lithological marker for the F/F boundary in Germany, Belgium and France. There is no evidence for a sudden impact event, and sedimentation across the boundary is continuous, although there is an erosional discontinuity just below the boundary and part of the lower 'Palmatolepis linguiformis ' Zone is missing. Strong positive a &part;13C and &part; 18O values were identified and are interpreted as evidence of a mass mortality in anoxic waters at the time of the Frasnian/Famennian extinction, an event that was also accompanied by a temperature drop. &part;34 S values also indicate anoxia and &part;15N values provide evidence of reduced surface water productivity. No iridium anomaly was found at the boundary.
Measuring effective teaching in inclusive classrooms

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among teacher variables in general education classrooms that included students who were designated as exceptional and at-risk, through the larger contexts of Stanovich's and Roach's tested path models of inclusion effectiveness. Thirteen teachers and their 329 students from a suburban Catholic school system in southern Ontario participated in this study. Effective teaching behaviors were measured with two instruments: one that evaluated classroom management, time management, and lesson presentation skills, and another that evaluated individual student-teacher instructional interactions as instructional adaptations with students designated as exceptional and at-risk, as well as non-designated students. Two measures of teacher attitudes toward inclusion and one measure of teacher efficacy were also obtained. Intercorrelations among the five teacher variables were calculated. A significant positive relationship emerged between the two teaching behavior measures, although other correlations were not significant. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for adaptive instruction in inclusive classrooms.
Female house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) song preferences

Preferences for increased song length and complexity have been found in female songbirds, yet often these attributes are confounded. To test if female house finches 'Carpodacus mexicanus' exhibit a preference for increased song length or complexity (larger syllable repertoire), ten sexually mature females were played long and complex (large syllable repertoire), long and simple (small syllable repertoire), and short and simple songs. Two experiments used females with 17ß-estradiol implants (n = 4) and another used non-hormonally primed females and video playback of a male (n = 6). Locomotor responses were significantly higher for long, simple over other song types in hormonally primed females; no differences were found among song types in non-hormonally primed females despite video playback. Results suggest females prefer long, simple song characterized by syllable repetition and that implants are necessary to study preferences in the laboratory. No preference was found for complexity in terms of syllable repertoire in female house finches.
Why the home care referral process does not work

Medical patients discharged from hospital are often referred to home care nursing for a 'medication management service' (MMS) with the aim of preventing potential medication-related problems (MRPs) that could lead to re-hospitalization. This study collected accounts from 35 nurses providing home care to patients for MMSs upon hospital discharge. Using concepts from Dorothy Smith's (1987) work, including "relations of ruling" and the importance of textually-mediated professional control, I show how the home care referral process "orders" nurses' work. I also show how Rafael's (1998) ideas of 'ordered' and "assimilated" caring, and Broadbent and Laughlin's (1997) theory about "accounting practices" and "absorbing groups" reflect how the current home care referral process does not work. Nurses' accounts provide the stories of their struggles for decision-making autonomy in providing care to their patients. I conclude with nurses' recommendations for change.
Lipid rafts and the regulation of IL-2 receptor signalling in T cells, modulation of IL-2R function by GPI-AP and gangliosides

Lipid rafts are plasma membrane microdomains characterised by a unique lipid environment enriched in gangliosides and cholesterol, leading to their insolubility in non-ionic detergents. Many receptors are constitutively or inducibly localised in rafts, which play a role in co-ordinating the induction of signalling pathways. Results presented in this thesis characterise a role for lipid rafts in regulating signalling through IL-2R. The study presented in Chapter 3 demonstrates that mAb-mediated immobilisation of components of lipid rafts, glycosyl-phosphatidyl-inositol anchored proteins (GPI-AP), inhibited anti-TcR-induced proliferation in T cells. Neither IL-2 production, nor the effector function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes was impaired in these circumstances. Rather, the responsiveness of T cells to IL-2 was inhibited, and immobilised mAb specific for GPI-AP blocked IL-2-mediated heterotrimerisation of IL-2RÃ, ß and ã chains. The phosphorylation of JAKI and JAK3, indicative of their activation states, in response to IL-2 was correspondingly reduced. The results presented in Chapter 4 demonstrate that mAb specific for GPI-AP or ligand-mediated immobilisation of another component of lipid rafts, the GMI ganglioside, inhibited the proliferation of T cells in response to exogenous IL-2. Investigation of the subcellular localisation of components of the IL-2R complex revealed that IL-2RÃ is constitutively enriched in lipid rafts. Furthermore, the proportion of IL-2RÃ in rafts was increased in the presence of immobilised anti-Thy-1, relative to controls. In contrast, IL-2Rß and ã, as well as JAK1 and JAK3, are localised in detergent soluble membrane fractions, and their localisation is not altered in the presence of immobilised anti-Thy-1. IL-2-mediated heterotrimerisation of IL-2R chains occurs within soluble membrane fractions, as does activation of JAK1 and JAK3. These results suggest that signalling through IL-2R takes place in detergent soluble membranes, and consistent with these observations, the disruption of lipid raft integrity upon extraction of membrane cholesterol did not impair IL-2-induced signalling. Inhibition of IL-2R signalling by components of rafts appears to be due to blocking the mobility and/or intermolecular interactions of IL-2RÃ in lipid rafts with molecules outside these microdomains. The sequestration of IL-2RÃ in lipid rafts functions to decrease its association with IL-2Rß and ã chains and thus regulate IL-2-mediated signalling.
The job adjustment experience of survivors of downsizing, a case study in a hospital setting

This is a case study of survivors of downsizing in a large rehabilitative Toronto hospital. A single question frames the research, "What is the perceived experience of managers adjusting to survivor status after downsizing and organisational restructuring?" All managers who lived through the experience were invited to participate in the study. Only eight of those were eligible and participated in in-depth interviews several times until saturation was achieved, The findings of the study were formulated into a descriptive narrative that was fed back to participants for their reactions. Participants were re-interviewed to determine how well the description captured the experience and to learn any implications or impacts. A qualitative research approach was chosen. Interview data, documents, and observations were used as sources of information. The investigator developed a framework for the themes that emerged as a basis for understanding what survivors experienced. The results indicate that survivors have a variety of different reactions to the downsizing experience: fear of job loss, physical and health responses, loss and grieving, excitement, guilt, pressure from greater work demands, and loss of confidence in leaders. The study also showed that survivors adjusted primarily through a variety of personal strategies including physical self-care, supporting displaced workers, support from significant others and peers, focus on work challenges, positive self-talk, seeking information from others, focus on external opportunities and professional development. The suggestions for organisations involved in downsizing based on participant responses in this case study are summarised in four overall recommendations: Develop survivor skills and build some excitement for the future. Recognise the work and contribution of those that remain in an organisation. Demonstrate personal integrity and concern for people as key values. Provide job and organisational security to whatever extent is possible.
Impacts of fungal pathogens on seeds of old-field species in meadow and forest habitats

Seeds often suffer high levels of mortality while in the seed bank. Fungal pathogens are thought to be an important source of this mortality, but little is known about their occurrence or effects in natural communities. In this study, I explored interspecific variation in the effects of fungal pathogens on seed survival in a range of natural systems, as well as the effects of soil moisture on fungal activity. A survey of seed pathogens revealed that fungal colonists varied among host plant species and included both generalists and specialists. The impacts of these pathogens depended on the plant and fungal species involved: different levels of pathogenicity occurred depending on the particular plant-fungus combination. Finally, there was weak evidence that habitat differences, such as soil moisture, affect fungal activity. Overall, my results provide further evidence that fungal attack of seeds in the seed bank may significantly influence plant communities.
Success criteria for post incarcerate students enrolled at Loyalist College

The aim of this study was to discover the factors that led to the success or failure of post incarcerate students involved in both diploma and adult upgrading programs at Loyalist College of Applied Arts and Science, Belleville, Ontario. The study employed both objective and subjective criteria to discern what factors would be identified by the student and the author (subjective criteria) and what would correlate to success indicators found in other studies (objective criteria). Five post incarcerate students were interviewed and asked questions that were designed to examine the relationships between the student's view of his educational success and his relationship with family, peers, or partners. The results found that three of the five students had a commitment to learning, completed assignments within the required time-frames and made a concerted effort to study at home. As they became dedicated learners this further fueled their motivation to succeed. The results also found that as these three students became successful in completing their studies, not only did their self esteem improve, their relationships with others also improved. The author discovered that by employing both objective and subjective criteria, enhancers and inhibitors were identified that will ensure future post incarcerate students success in their studies.
Going beyond the theory of internal working model, an empirical study

Is the attachment behavior observed in the strange situation the manifestation of a psychological trait internal to the infant, or is it merely an artifact of the immediate caregiving context? The present study seeks to tackle this question empirically by comparing the process of distress regulation in dyads where the characteristics of the infant's real-time behavioral communication (as the infant's attachment category suggests) is not congruent with quality of the immediate caregiving context wherein reunion occurs (as inferred from the mother's state of mind). Rather than supporting the argument in either extreme, the result of this study suggests that the attachment behavior observed in the strange situation is the result of dyadic co-construction, in which contributions from both parties converge in real-time. Implication for the continuity of attachment behavior, the mediation model, and the psychometric of attachment are subsequently discussed.
A framework for experiments in CSPs

The Constraint Satisfaction Problem (CSP) is an NP-complete problem, which allows flexible and intuitive representation of real-world problems. In this thesis, we present a consistent view of existing search algorithms and variable ordering heuristics. We then examine several aspects of building a CSP solver to accommodate their requirements in a generic way. We demonstrate the feasibility of using this solver to perform experiments in common problems. Finally, we present and examine the performance of a new heuristic method to manipulate existing CSP models by conjoining constraints in order to improve their performance when used with the GAC search algorithm.
Autobiographical interview, age-related differences in episodic retrieval

Apart from observational findings, little is known about age-related changes in autobiographical remembering. This study investigated these changes using a new measure of autobiographical memory: The Autobiographical Interview. Younger and older adults recalled events from 5 lifetime periods. Memories were broken down into internal (event-related) and external (semantic, or off-target information) details. Internal details also received rating scores. We found that younger adults received higher internal detail and rating scores in contrast to older adults who received higher external detail scores. Detail groups were further broken down into detail categories to examine which ones accounted for these age differences. Younger adults recalled more perceptual and thought internal details, and older adults recalled more semantic information. Memories from the last year were examined to control for memory age, and a similar pattern of recollection was evinced. Our findings support theories of selective frontal degeneration, and inefficient inhibitory processes in older adults.
Treating chronic insomnia, a cognitive-behavioural group therapy approach

Insomnia is the most common of all sleep disorders and its chronic form is associated with significant morbidity. Treatment of insomnia has predominately focused on hypnotic and over the counter-remedies, which do not offer long term relief. Research has shown that individual cognitive-behavioural therapy has been effective in the treatment of insomnia. In comparison, there is limited research which has explored the efficacy of cognitive behavioural group therapy, in the treatment of chronic insomnia. This study examined the efficacy of cognitive behavioural group therapy (CBGT) in the treatment of chronic insomnia with 35 participants who took part in CBGT and 35 wait-list control. Measures included the Walter Reed Performance Assessment Battery (PAB), Sleep Diary, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Outcome assessment was conducted at pre-intervention, as well as two weeks, three months and six months post intervention. CBGT participants were found to score significantly better on all sleep and cognitive performance measures at two weeks post therapy and to show continued improvement up to three months post treatment, when compared to 35 participants (wait list control) who did not receive the CBGT treatment. The study suggests that CBGT may be an effective and cost-efficient alternative to individual cognitive-behavioural therapy in the treatment of chronic insomnia.
Investigations into the multiple auditory steady-state response (MASTER) technique in humans

The Multiple Auditory Steady-State Response (MASTER) technique enables the rapid and objective assessment of hearing by statistically evaluating electrophysiological responses evoked by multiple tones which are presented simultaneously. The technique offers several advantages over transient stimuli techniques used to assess hearing. Firstly, since eight stimuli may be presented simultaneously, in the time normally required to evaluate one stimulus, MASTER provides a relatively rapid assessment of hearing. Secondly, the stimuli are more frequency specific than transient stimuli since steady-state stimuli contain spectral energy only at the carrier frequency and at the sidebands, which occur at spectral frequencies equal to the difference between the carrier and modulation frequency. Lastly, the technique reduces the necessity for expert evaluation of a subject's responses since these are evaluated objectively, statistically, and automatically by a computer program. The experiments presented here build upon the original work on the technique that occurred only a short time ago (Lins, 1995), and serve to form a sufficient foundation for the technique to start to be evaluated as a viable clinical tool. Chapter 1 demonstrates some limitations of the technique that should be considered when designing test stimuli. For example, in order to insure that simultaneously presented stimuli do not interact, they should be separated by at least one octave in normal hearing subjects. Chapter 2 provides a description of the theory, design, and implementation of a Windows based data acquisition system. In Chapter 3 the use of both amplitude and frequency modulated stimuli is examined. We show that by using both of these types of modulation the technique is more efficient, even at threshold intensities. In Chapter 4, the phase values of the responses are examined and a technique is proposed for accurately converting phases into latencies. As with amplitude, steady-state phase values are stable over time, show changes with intensity that are similar to those seen with transient stimuli, and are unchanged by the presentation of multiple stimuli. The work presented here suggests the MASTER technique can function as a useful clinical tool in objective audiometry, and suggests several directions that may be useful for future research.
A dynamic pricing service for the multi-channel retail bank with applications in general E-Commerce

This research is an investigation of new tools for use in the banking industry, specifically for pricing retail products at the E-Commerce point of sale. The dynamic pricing problem is investigated considering the stated goals of a customer-centric bank: to maximize customer profitability across all sales channels. A dynamic pricing model is proposed and compared against traditional pricing models. It was hypothesized that a dynamic pricing model based on channel costs, customer profitability and the value of a new sale opportunity should result in a more profitable customer base. It was found that dynamic prices perform better from a profitability perspective than all other pricing models. It was also found that pricing strategies based on future profitability perform better than those based on past profitability. With further development, the mathematical model developed in this research can be used to determine the effect of dynamic prices on different businesses.
The relationship between trade and foreign direct investment and the implications for the WTO

This thesis challenges the conventional postulate of trade and foreign direct investment (FDI) as parallel and comparable international business modes. This thesis, based on the nature and function of FDI, argues that FDI is a neutral capital flow that underpins both international production and independent intra-firm trade, and therefore, FDI always supports trade in international production and distribution. Then, this thesis examines the impact of trade measures on FDI and FDI measures on trade respectively. It concludes that except for liberal trade and FDI measures, restrictive and incentive trade and FDI measures restrict or distort both trade and FDI and therefore reduce domestic and/or worldwide economic welfare. Therefore, governments should abandon restrictive and incentive trade and FDI measures, or endeavor to discipline these measures through multilateral arrangements. Lastly, this thesis argues for a Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) under the WTO regime, and demonstrates that the proposed MAI is compatible with the WTO regime.
Talking body talk, an analysis of feminist therapy epistemology

The central contribution of this study is its analysis of feminist therapy epistemology, an area which remains virtually unexplored. Two distinct yet related questions are pivotal to this investigation. First, how do feminist therapists formulate the relationship between eating problems and sexual violence among women? Second, what does this formulation reveal about feminist therapy epistemology? The first question serves as the entry point to the second, the focal point for this inquiry. By investigating how feminist therapists understand the relationship between eating problems and sexual violence I am investigating the construction of an account. In these accounts, the therapists interviewed necessarily invoke their epistemology. Feminist postmodern critique challenges feminism to interrogate its foundational constructs and underscores the critical importance of explicating conceptual practices as ideological features of social organization. I explore the degree to which feminist therapy epistemology challenges existing gender relations through interrogating these accounts. This thesis concludes that feminist therapy epistemology enables both the disruption and reinforcement of social relations. The use of concepts like experience and empowerment reveal that feminist therapy is rooted in standpoint epistemology. While the emphasis on women's experiences, women's voices, and on their authority to speak of their experiences has been an important contribution of feminist therapy, authorative, essentialist and ahistorical conceptual practices of women's experience are not ultimately advantageous to women. The conceptualization of empowerment remains problematically uninterrogated. An authorative expert narrative is deployed by feminist therapists in their practices of reframing client's stories. Unacknowledged contradictions with therapists' authority, knowledge and power are revealed through the trauma discourse invoked to understand the relationship between eating problems and sexual violence. At the center of a reformulated feminist therapy influenced by postmodern epistemology is a diverse female subject with multiple socially constructed and non-essentialized experiences. This reformulation is politically positioned in its women centered approach and remains committed to an empowerment based practice. Reconstructed notions of empowerment allow the therapist to acknowledge her authority, knowledge, and power, and emphasizes the interrogation of experience.