VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Condition-dependent adaptivity of organizational learning in Ontario's long-term care industry

Organizations learn as a consequence of operating in their environments where they, intentionally or unintentionally, gather information and acquire knowledge. While organizational learning is generally considered adaptive, research suggests that the impact of learning on firms is far more complex. Recently, it has been suggested that the adaptivity of organizational learning is condition-dependent (Miner, Raghavan and Haunschild, 1997), complementing earlier views that some types of learning extend the survival of firms in certain situations (Dutton and Freedman, 1985; March, 1991; Levinthal, 1991). My review of current theory and recent research supports the idea of condition-dependence--that learning at the organization and population levels may be differentially advantageous to organizational survival. Specifically, organizational learning may be survival-enhancing, survival-imperiling, or exert no effects, depending upon the extent of environmental uncertainty confronting organizations. My research investigates the notion of condition-dependent adaptivity of organizational learning. The dependent variable I examine is the risk of organizational failure: survival-enhancing organizational learning serves to lower the risk of failure while harmful organizational learning increases the risk of failure. I test a series of hypotheses concerning the effects of organization-level, vicarious population-level, cross-population, and congenital population-level experience, and the moderating effects of regulation-induced uncertainty--regulatory dynamism--on the risk of organizational failure. I use event history analysis to test my hypotheses in the population of charitably-funded Homes for the Aged in the Province of Ontario over the entire 160 year history of the long-term care industry. Increasing regulatory dynamism significantly increases the risk of organizational failure. I find support for condition-dependent adaptivity: under conditions of increasing regulatory dynamism, only extremes of organization experience significantly reduce the risk of organizational failure. I observe a "stuck in the middle" phenomenon, where immunity to increasing regulatory dynamism enjoyed by charitable homes with very little, or a great deal, of experience is not enjoyed by homes with a moderate amount of experience. In addition to offering insights into some of the conditions under which certain types of experiential learning are survival-enhancing, my findings challenge some of the characteristics assigned organization- and population-level learning in extant organizational learning literature.
Decolonizing the look, viewing photographic images of the Civil Rights movement

Documentary photography of the Civil Rights movement is currently being re-circulated in films, books, museums, gallery exhibits, the popular media and commercial advertising. These photographs commemorate a time of struggle over race, rights and significant moments in the African American struggle for freedom. This thesis examines how it might be possible to view these photographs through a pedagogy of respect and solidarity. The thesis uses a case study approach to viewing three images of the Civil Rights movement. Using principles of anti-racist and feminist theory, I ask how to engage with these images. The first chapter situates the look within the social history of photography in order to explore some of the structures which influence engagements with photographic images. Each of the subsequent viewing chapters is organised as a series of looks. Through these progressive looks, my viewing practices are exposed as they engage with historical material related to the struggle for liberation that the photograph commemorates. The process of decolonizing the look addresses complex and interrelated forms of meaning making because the look is situated within the psychic dynamic between the gaze and the screen and within the field of social relations. I use a theory of witnessing to direct certain choices regarding the kinds of histories that engage my look. I use autobiography to uncover the ways my look resists the learning that these testimonies and histories provide? One important aspect of building toward a pedagogy of respect and solidarity is the turning of my research look onto images closely related to my own social identity before viewing across racial boundaries. The purpose is to shift the grounds of psychic and social understanding that shape my socially located look I view first an image of Ms. Rita Schwerner who struggled against white supremacy and segregation, and second an image of a KKK woman. The third image is of Ms. Elizabeth Eckford one of the nine African American students who desegregated a high school in Little Rock Arkansas. The three case studies together form a theory and praxis for a pedagogy of solidarity and respect.
An economic evaluation of clopidogrel in patients with vascular disease

An economic evaluation was undertaken to estimate costs and survival outcomes with clopidogrel, a novel antiplatelet vs comparator drug treatment in patients with ischemic stroke (IS), myocardial infarction (MI) or peripheral arterial disease (PAD). From a decision analytic model, the use of clopidogrel ($2.47/day) vs ASA ($0.0147/day) as 1st line treatment was associated with a projected gain of 0.29 years on average per patient at a cost of $32,240 per life year (LY) gained for MI, IS and PAD populations. In the PAD population, clopidogrel vs ASA generated 0.94 LYs at $11,401 per LY gained. In 2 nd line therapy scenarios, clopidogrel vs ticlopidine ($2.18/day) generated 0.11 LYs at $19,852 per LY gained per stroke patient while clopidogrel vs placebo offered an additional 0.37 LYs at $26,084 per LY gained per MI patient. This comprehensive economic evaluation assists in quantifying the "value" and defining rational prescribing guidelines of a new therapy.
Parental authoritarianism, affect, and cognition, and child outcomes in collectivist and individualist cultural groups

Three studies were conducted to test whether collectivist groups' high levels of parental authoritarianism are associated with negative parental cognition and affect, and negative child outcomes, as research in individualist samples would suggest. Study 1 found that Egyptian-Canadian adults were more collectivist and authoritarian than Anglo-Canadians and were more angry with misbehaving children. The groups showed similar levels of warmth, negative attributions, and feelings of control with difficult children. For Egyptian-Canadians, higher levels of familial collectivism and 'higher' levels of warmth best predicted authoritarianism, for Anglo-Canadians the best predictors were higher levels of collectivism and 'lower' levels of warmth. In study 2 a heterogeneous collectivist sample scored higher than an individualist sample on familial collectivism, authoritarianism, and personal distress in emergencies, and lower on parental warmth. The groups showed similar levels of empathy, feelings of control, anger, negative attributions, and negative descriptions of children. Negative attributions and benign descriptions of children best predicted authoritarianism for collectivists; for individualists, the best predictors were higher levels of collectivism and lower levels of warmth. Study 3 examined parental authoritarianism, cognition and affect, and child outcomes (self-worth, behaviour toward peers, locus of control, and school grades) in individualists and collectivists. Collectivists scored higher on familial collectivism, authoritarianism, and personal distress; individualists made more negative attributions toward children. The groups did not differ on the remaining 8 measures of parental cognition and affect, nor did they differ on child outcomes. For collectivists, two measures of collectivism best predicted authoritarianism; for individualists, the best predictors were lower levels of warmth and higher levels of negative attitudes toward the child. Within groups, child outcomes were not associated with authoritarianism, with the exception of a negative association between assertiveness toward peers and authoritarianism for collectivists. The results suggest that collectivists' higher levels of authoritarianism do not necessarily reflect more maladaptive parental cognition and affect, and do not cause more negative child outcomes.
The household activity-travel scheduling process, computerized survey data collection and the development of a unified modelling framework

In the field of transportation, a strong argument has been made for the use of an activity-based approach to improve the behavioural foundations of travel forecasting models. Activity patterns are a complex spatial-temporal phenomenon and recent models have attempted to replicate entire activity patterns or "schedules". Through a review of the literature, it was found that existing activity schedule models lacked a strong behavioural basis that has limited their potential and contributed to the lack of development of a "unifying" modelling framework. In response, many researchers have been calling for more in-depth research into the underlying activity scheduling decision processes. This thesis proposes that insights into the scheduling process will significantly increase our understanding of complex travel patterns and our ability to model/forecast travel demand. This thesis has contributed both a data collection tool for observing activity scheduling as it occurs in reality, over time, within a household (the Computerized Household Activity SchEduling survey, or CHASE), and a conceptual model that attempts to provide a unifying framework for activity scheduling modelling. A sample of 42 households from the Hamilton, Ontario area completed the CHASE survey. Performance results showed that the CHASE survey was highly efficient, with a low respondent burden and minimal fatigue effects. This approach goes a long way towards solving the data collection problem associated with sequential decisions process models. Future applications of the CHASE program are discussed. Further empirical analysis showed that activity scheduling occurs on various time horizons, that a significant amount of rescheduling occurs during execution, and that scheduling can be opportunistic and impulsive. Based on these findings, a conceptual model of the weekly household activity scheduling process is proposed. The model attempts to deal with the complexities of activity scheduling by segmenting the problem into distinct components--agenda formation, routine "skeleton" schedule, and the weekly decision process. These components have clear interactions and behavioural interpretations that allow for the unification of past econometric and "rule-based" approaches. Long term development will require the operationalization of various components of the conceptual model using the new types of data and variables provided by the CHASE survey.
Development of a phantom for calibrating thermal therapy devices using MRI

Thermal coagulation therapy aims at treating tumors with high temperatures in the range 60-90°C. A critical requirement for effective therapy is that the heat pattern from heating devices must be matched to the tumor's contours as accurately as possible. For this matter, new devices that generate heat patterns suited to treat tumors of irregular shapes are being developed. These devices, however, need to be calibrated and tested prior to their use in therapy. This thesis describes the development of a phantom material designed to characterize heating devices in terms of the spatial extent of thermal response they produce. The material records thermal patterns from heating devices by coagulating at high temperatures and can be imaged using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to depict these patterns after a heat treatment is delivered to the phantom. Experiments were conducted that characterize its MRI properties with temperature and demonstrate its ability to record thermal patterns from microwave heating devices. Calibrations of this sort can be used for quality assurance, comparison of devices, or for designing and testing new devices.
Characterization of the interaction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 intimin with a human colonic epithelial cell line, HCT-8

Intimin, the outer membrane protein encoded by the ' eaeA' gene, is essential for the production of attaching and effacing (A/E) lesions caused by enterohemorrhagic and enteropathogenic 'Escherichia coli' (EHEC and EPEC). Previous adherence assays utilized the cloned 3-kb EHEC 'eaeA' gene on a relatively large fragment of DNA (6.1-kb, Louie et al., 1993). Thus, it was unknown whether specific virulence genes downstream were required for intracellular processing, surface expression, or maintaining the proper conformation of intimin in the membrane. The studies presented here utilized the cloned 'eaeA' gene on a 3.5-kb fragment of DNA, in plasmid pMH34. In 'E. coli' JM101, pMH34 can be induced to express a much larger quantity of intimin than wild-type EHEC and EPEC strains. A method of preincubating HCT-8 cells with EHEC or EPEC 'eaeA' mutants was developed. By this method, it was determined that intimin alone, on the surface of JM101(pMH34), is functional for the production of A/E lesions when prior signaling is provided. Furthermore, the signaling functions of EHEC and EPEC are functionally homologous, and contribute to the latent period in A/E lesion formation. Secondly, intimin alone does not function as an initial adhesin in the context of the bacterial outer membrane. Metabolic labeling of bacteria for adherence assays indicated that the intimin specified by pMH34 provided only a three-fold increase in adherence to HCT-8 cells, compared to JM101 alone. Lastly, the polarized, human colonic epithelial cell line, HCT-8, was shown to be a relevant model of EHEC infection.
Inclusive rare B decays using effective field theories

In this thesis we will discuss several properties of rare decays of ' B' mesons. First we discuss properties of the inclusive radiative decay 'B¢' [right arrow] 'Xs'ã, where 'Xs' stands for any hadronic state containing an 's' quark. We extend previous studies of this decay, which included perturbative corrections to order Ã's' and nonperturbative contributions up to order ([Lambda]QCD/' mb')2 and calculate the <math> <f> <sc>O</sc></f> </math>([Lambda]QCD/'mb')3 contributions to this decay. The values of the nonperturbative parameters entering at this order are unknown, leading to uncertainties in the standard model prediction of this decay. We estimate the size of these nonperturbative uncertainties by varying these parameters in the range suggested by dimensional analysis. We also estimate uncertainties arising from a cut on the photon energy which is required experimentally. Another decay mode investigated is 'B¢' [right arrow] ' Xs'¾+¾-. We study the <math> <f> <sc>O</sc></f> </math>([Lambda]QCD/'mb')3 contributions to the leptonic invariant mass spectrum, the forward-backward asymmetry and hadronic invariant mass moments and estimate the resulting uncertainties. We calculate how the size of these uncertainties depend on the value of an experimental cut that has to be applied to eliminate the large background from other 'B' decays. A model independent way to determinate the CKM matrix element @' Vub'@ from the dilepton invariant mass spectrum of the inclusive decay <math> <f> <a><ac>B</ac><ac>&d1;</ac></a>[right arrow]X<inf>u</inf>¾<sup>+</sup> <a><ac><g>n</g></ac><ac>&d1;</ac></a></f> </math> is presented next. We show that cuts required to eliminate the charm background still allow for a theoretically clean way to determine the CKM matrix element @'Vub'@. We also discuss the utility of the 'B¢' [right arrow] 'Xs'¾ +¾- decay rate above the <math> <f> <g>y</g></f> </math>(2'S') resonance to reduce the resulting uncertainties. Finally, we introduce a novel effective theory valid for highly energetic particles. In decays where the phase space is sufficiently restricted such that final state particles have very high energies compared to their mass, the perturbative as well as nonperturbative series diverge. The effective theory presented allows to sum perturbative Sudakov logarithms in a framework that also incorporates the nonperturbative physics in such limits of phase space.
Neuronal firing rates in motor thalamus of Parkinson's disease (PD) and essential tremor (ET) patients

Current models predict that the motor symptoms of PD result from increased inhibitory outflow from the basal ganglia to thalamic neurons in ventralis oralis posterior (Vop; VLa in monkey). In contrast, ET may result from increased excitatory inputs from cerebellum to the thalamic ventralis intermedius nucleus (Vim; VLp). We examined the firing rates of 122 neurons in motor thalamus in 5 PD, 10 ET and 6 "control" patients (chronic pain; Pain group) during microelectrode guided functional neurosurgery. The mean spontaneous firing rate (MSFR) of neurons responding best to voluntary movements, presumed in Vop, in PD patients (7.4 ± 1.0 Hz, mean ± SEM) was significantly lower (p < 0.01) than in the ET (18.1 ± 3.0 Hz) and Pain (19.0 ± 1.9Hz) groups. In contrast, the MSFR of neurons responding best to passive movements, presumed to be in Vim, was significantly greater in ET patients (25.8 ± 3.5 Hz) than in PD (14.3 ± 1.6 Hz) and Pain (16.1 ± 1.5 Hz) groups.
The introduction of a program of teacher self-evaluation, a case study of ESL teachers' use of new criteria in professional self-development

The purpose of this case study was to obtain feedback from in-service teachers' perceptions of the self-evaluation process as it was introduced within their teaching program. Eight adult ESL instructors employed by the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) volunteered to engage in the process of self-evaluation through video observation. A Video Self-Evaluation Package, developed by ESL Program Consultants with the TCDSB was distributed to each instructor to assist with this process. The findings indicated that overall, instructors perceptions of self-evaluation were positive. This process proved to be an enlightening experience that raised their awareness of their teaching practices. However, they also identified some concerns regarding the time involved and the training they felt would be necessary to successfully carry out this process. The instructors felt that the Video Self-Evaluation Package was useful in the self-evaluation process and provided suggestions for its revision to meet the different needs of teachers.
Relationship between P-glycoprotein expression and vinblastine disposition in MDCK cell epithelia

The expression of P-glycoprotein (Pgp) in renal epithelial cells has led to increased interest in Pgp-mediated transport of xenobiotics across polarized epithelia as a mechanism of drug elimination. The present study uses 'in vitro' tissue culture techniques to study the Pgp-mediated transport of a known Pgp substrate (vinblastine) across epithelia formed by a canine renal tubule cell line (MDCK). Wild-type MDCK cells are compared to Pgp over-expressing MDCK cells transfected with 'MDR1' to study the relationship between Pgp expression and function. Studies of protein expression levels (using Western blotting) and 'in vitro' drug accumulation and transepithelial transport studies, coupled with the use of our group's mathematical model to compare the wild-type and 'MDR1'-transfected MDCK cells lead to the conclusion that the correlation between cellular Pgp levels and Pgp transport function depends greatly on Pgp intracellular distribution. An interesting reaction to treatment with the imunosuppressant and known Pgp substrate, cyclosporin A in MDCK cells is also reported.
Stimulation of glucose transport, potential role of Akt1/protein kinase BÃ

Akt1/Protein Kinase BÃ (Akt1/PKBÃ) has been shown to lie downstream of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) in the insulin action pathway and has been implicated in the stimulation of glucose transport and Glut4 translocation by insulin. To obtain further insight into this role of Akt1/PKBÃ, two models were used. Vanadate and pervanadate (pV) are protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors that can stimulate glucose uptake and Glut4 translocation in L6 myotubes independently of PI3K. The present study showed that while insulin and pV increase Akt1/PKBÃ activity in a PI3K dependent manner, vanadate did not. These data suggest that Akt1/PKBÃ is important for insulin but not for vanadate or pV stimulated glucose uptake. The second model examined Akt1/PKBÃ activation in insulin resistant rat adipocytes. Rat adipocytes rendered insulin resistant by chronic exposure to hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia (High G/I) showed decreased insulin-stimulated glucose transport and Glut4 translocation and Akt1/PKBÃ activation. This was associated with normal IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and IRS-1 associated p85. Co-incubation with NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine) prevented the insulin resistance in glucose uptake, Glut4 translocation and Akt1/PKBÃ. Taken together, these findings suggest a role for Akt1/PKBÃ to mediate insulin-stimulated glucose transport. However, additional pathways must also exist that can promote glucose uptake and Glut4 translocation.
Ray tracing refraction in hardware

Graphics hardware has begun to exhibit more general mathematical functionality, suggesting that a wider range of mathematical operations can be implemented in hardware. In order to explore what can and cannot be implemented in current hardware and to study necessary hardware functionality for even more general calculations, single interaction ray-tracing is studied. The image created by refraction of light from a time-dependent height field is calculated in real-time using graphics hardware. Many of the physical parameters of the scene can be interactively modified. This demonstrates that non-trivial calculations can be performed in hardware at interactive rates.
The effect of product form and silica content of silica fume on its ability to control alkali-silica reaction

The effects that the form and silica content of silica fume (SF) have on resistance to alkali-silica reaction (ASR) expansion were investigated using: (1) concrete prism expansion, (2) accelerated mortar bar expansion, and (3) paste pore solution analysis. The mixtures, tested included (0%, 4%, 8%, and 12% silica fume replacement by mass of cement. At 4% SF replacement, performance did vary for different product forms. At higher levels of replacement (i.e. 8% and 12%), there were no differences in the results from the concrete prism expansion or paste pore solution analysis for the various silica fume forms tested. The accelerated mortar bar test results at all levels of replacement indicated that undensified and slurried SFs are significantly better at controlling ASR expansion than are densified or pelletized SFs. Preliminary results show that silica fumes with lower than standard amorphous silica, contents cannot control ASR at the levels of replacement tested in this program.
A freeze-thaw test on Halton till treated with cement kiln dust

Cement Kiln Dust (CKD) is used by the construction industry in highway projects to stabilize moist soils. However, the Ministry of Transportation for Ontario permits the use of CKD only in non-frost-susceptible zones since CKD may cause heaving due to a high proportion of silt size particles in the CKD. The objective of this thesis was to investigate the freeze-thaw behaviour of CKD-treated soils. The experimental procedure consisted of two unidirectional freeze-thaw cycles over a period of five days. The test material was Halton till treated with CKD at different dosages. The results indicate that the addition of CKD up to 30% by dry weight does not alter the frost susceptibility of CKD/soil mixtures. At 40% CKD, mixtures show an increase in frost heave.