VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Employment disadvantage of immigrants and visible minorities: Evidence from three Canadian surveys

This thesis examines the workplace disadvantages faced by immigrant and visible minority workers in Canada. Chapter one presents a broad overview of the research context and provides background information on the characteristics of Canadian immigrants and the current state of knowledge on the employment integration of immigrants and visible minorities. It also outlines each of the three studies in the subsequent chapters. Chapter two examines the income growth of newly arrived immigrants using longitudinal data. The results from this chapter indicate that while European immigrants experience a period of 'catch up' early in their Canadian careers, visible minority immigrants do not enjoy such a catch-up. This racial difference in recent immigrants' income growth is found to be caused by the fact that visible minority immigrants receive lower returns to education, work experience and unionization. Furthermore, visible minority recent immigrants face greater penalties for speaking a non-official first language than their white counterparts. Chapter three explores the subjective side of workplace discrimination. In particular, this chapter examines how actual experiences of disadvantage and expectations for equitable treatment influence visible minority workers' perceptions of discrimination at work. The findings from this chapter suggest that while both actual experiences and expectations for equity affect perceptions of discrimination, the latter may be more important than the former. Chapter four looks at post-migration educational investment among newly arrived immigrants and examines the effect of post-migration education on new migrants' labour market integration, as measured by earnings. This chapter finds a positive relationship between pre-migration human capital and post-migration educational investment, but no relationship between financial capital and post-migration education. Furthermore, this chapter finds that post-migration education does indeed improve new immigrants' earnings, particularly for immigrants whose foreign work experience is not recognized in Canada. Chapter five concludes the thesis with a brief synopsis of the empirical analyses. Policy implications and recommendations are also provided in this final chapter.
Sodium channel expression in the developing human lung

For a successful transition from prenatal to postnatal life, lung epithelia must switch from net fluid secretion to net absorption. The amiloride-sensitive epithelial Na+ channel is the rate-limiting step for active Na+ transport, the process essential for fluid absorption. Human epithelia express two transcripts for α-hENaC, containing differing 5′-untranslated regions. To assess the relative expression of the two α-hENaC transcripts during lung development we performed non-radioactive in situ hybridization using probes specific to the alternate 5′-untranslated regions. The expression of both transcripts was observed throughout fetal development (8 to 40 wk gestation). α-hENaC mRNA expression was localized to the epithelial cells of the conductive and respiratory airways in both ciliated and non-ciliated cells. Expression was also identified in the serous cells of the submucosal glands. Both transcripts were also found in a pattern corresponding to a select population of alveolar Type II cells. The mechanism by which the human lung switches to net fluid absorption at birth is not dependent on transcriptional interchange of the 5′ untranslated regions during gestation.
The role of VPAC2 receptor in HIV-1 infection

The human VPAC2 neuroendocrine receptor belongs to the class B subgroup of seven-transmembrane (7TM) G protein-coupled receptors. Three different and specific agonists of VPAC2, but not agonists to other members of this family, could induce significant inhibition of either X4 or R5 HIV-1 productive infection in cell lines or primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells. VPAC2-mediated inhibition of HIV-1 productive infection was not due to effects on CD4 or chemokine co-receptor expression, cell growth, or apoptosis. Treatment with VPAC2 agonists also did not inhibit HIV-1 entry into the host cell. However, VPAC2 stimulation profoundly inhibited the HIV-1 proviral cDNA integration into the host genome. This block in integration was likely due to an inhibitory effect on the formation of the HIV-1 preintegration complex and/or the transport of the preintegration complex from the cytosol into the nucleus, as VPAC2 agonists also inhibited formation of 2-LTR circular DNA. Novel five transmembrane (5TM) forms of VPAC1 and VPAC2 that result from alternative-spliced mRNA were identified and characterized. The structure of the 5TM form indicated a lack of G protein binding sequences and, as predicted, the 5TM form showed a significantly decreased ability to stimulate a cAMP response to agonists. Using the 5TM and 7TM forms of VPAC2 allowed for studies of the possible signaling mechanism(s) responsible for the inhibition of HIV-1 infection due to VPAC2 stimulation. VPAC2 agonists do not result in activation of tyrosine kinases and decrease the basal level of phosphotyrosyl-containing proteins. This observation was supported by showing increased protein tyrosine phosphatase activity which correlated with the inhibition of HIV-1 infection. CD45 phosphatase was shown to be activated only when using 7TM VPAC2 transfected-cells, but not 5TM VPAC2-transfected or untreated Hut78 cells. Furthermore, inhibition of HIV-1 infection was only obtained using 7TM VPAC2-transfected transfected cells, but not 5TM or empty vector suggesting that a G-protein/cAMP dependent mechanism that activates CD45 is responsible for the inhibitory phenomenon. This research project demonstrates that stimulated VPAC2 receptor is a potent inhibitor of HIV-1 integration. These findings are novel and should lead to new pharmacologic approaches to the treatment and/or prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Keywords: Molecular biology
Pharmacology
Virology
Success stories of South Asian patients attending cardiac rehabilitation: A qualitative study

South Asians who have established cardiovascular disease could benefit from attending cardiac rehabilitation (CR) but have been identified among those least likely to attend to CR (Banerjee, Gupta, Singh, 2007). The purpose of this study was to examine the cultural relevant factors influencing South Asians' participation in CR programs. This qualitative study was based on the Precede-Proceed Framework. Data was collected through face to face semi-structured interviews with 16 South Asian participants enrolled in a CR program. Transcribed data was analyzed for common themes. Facilitators or the positive experiences of the participants mainly emerged. Various influential factors that were considered important among South Asians to readily attend CR included being informed of CR as a "medically supervised program", family and physician support and having prior knowledge of CR from other South Asian community members. This paper essentially illustrates the possibilities of CR programs for culturally diverse cardiac patients.
Direct nanometric probing of the inner workings of lasing optoelectronic devices

The external performance of quantum optoelectronic devices such as multi-quantum-well lasers is governed by their inner workings—as described by the spatial profiles of electrons, holes and potentials. Without an experimental means of probing these inner distributions, the chief mechanisms responsible for sub par device performance remain speculative at best. This work reveals through new experiments the connection between physics and function—between nanoscopic origins and macroscopic utility. New methods in scanning probe microscopy are established and deployed to probe inside lasing multi-quantum-well devices. Scanning voltage microscopy is validated and calibrated and scanning differential spreading resistance microscopy is developed. These two techniques are then applied to delineate quantitatively potentials and carrier densities inside devices under forward bias. This work yields direct observation of internal behavior of operating buried heterostructure (BH) and ridge waveguide (RWG) multi-quantum-well lasers. It addresses four important issues regarding mechanisms limiting laser performance. The first direct observation of current blocking failure in a BH laser under high current injection is reported. Diode current leakage, as opposed to thyristor current leakage, is identified as the leading cause of blocking structure failure. The first direct and quantitative observation of current spreading inside actively-biased RWG lasers is reported. The local current density at the edge is ∼40% smaller than that at the center of a 2.4 μm ridge width under a current of 150 mA. The nanoscopic origins of anomalously high series resistance in some RWG lasers are witnessed directly for the first time. The work reports the first direct experimental observation of electron overbarrier leakage in operating BH MQW lasers at room temperature. This work demonstrates and exploits the first experimental visualization of the inner workings of operating semiconductor lasers. The techniques developed and demonstrated open a new field in applied nanoscience: probing nanoscopic devices in vivo.
Defining a value map for communication technologies in the Canadian construction industry

In North America, the Construction Industry has been slow to recognize the importance of utilizing Information Communication Technologies (ICT). This research paper identifies and develops a value map based on a list of generic Information Needs and Requirements for the effective uses of ICT in the Construction Industry. A survey of 43 Canadian Construction firms specializing in the ICI/Residential and Heavy Civil sectors was conducted to collect current and relevant data of the "True" Industry needs. The paper developed a model which included three main elements; Contexts, Information Needs, and Industry Utility. Based on the analysis of the elements two additional features of ICT were defined, they were Drivers for ICT use, and a Value-Function of ICT tools. The conclusion identifies three fundamental barriers of the usability for more advanced ICT tools and discusses the attempt of providing support for the widespread use of ICT via the developed value model.
First year students' adjustment at Vilnius University in Lithuania: the role of self-orientation, locus of control, social support and demographic variables

The purpose of this study was to examine student adjustment at Vilnius University in Lithuania. Since breaking away from the Soviet Union, Lithuania has been a country undergoing profound transformation. This study sought to examine student adjustment 10 years later, in the year 2000. Of particular interest was the premise that an underlying feature of the regional changes has been movement from collectivism to individualism. This study examined the implications of the changes for student adjustment by assessing individualism and collectivism at the personality level, in terms of idiocentrism and allocentrism. This study also considered the role of internal and external locus of control and perceived and utilized social support in relation to self-orientation and adjustment (perceived wellness, anxiety, depression, psychological, physical health, grades). There were 673 students who agreed to participate of more than 1000 invited. These students completed ten measures. Prior to the administration of the main study, measures were translated, back-translated and modified for use with Lithuanian participants. Three pilot studies were conducted in the process of adaptation. Eighteen demographic variables were examined. Students were also given open-ended questionnaires. Data were analyzed using both quantitative (descriptive and inferential statistics) and qualitative methods. The results indicated that for perceived wellness, the mean for Vilnius University students fell very slightly above the normal range found for college student populations in the United States. State and trait anxiety and depression fell within the normal range. Good adjustment was related to an internal locus of control, idiocentric self-orientation and perceived social support. An internal locus of control was the best predictor of adjustment. Students' idiocentric self-orientation was moderately correlated with an internal locus of control, whereas allocentric self-orientation was modestly correlated with an external locus of control. An allocentric self-orientation was correlated with perceived and utilized social support. Based on the demographic questionnaires, about a third of students reported significant financial problems and difficult living arrangements, both of which were related to poor adjustment. Based on the quantitative and qualitative analyses, profiles were presented for well adjusted and more poorly adjusted students. Limitations, recommendations and suggestions for future directions were provided.

Keywords: Student adjustment, Lithuania
The role of basic sciences in diagnostic oral radiology

Objectives. (1) Experimentally illustrate the value of basic sciences in diagnostic radiology. (2) Test whether basic science knowledge provides conceptual coherence or a simple means for organizing feature-based knowledge. (3) Compare the educational efficacy of different teaching methods in diagnostic radiology: learning through basic disease mechanisms and learning feature lists organized in a structural algorithm. Methods. Undergraduate students (N=96) were taught 4 confusable intrabony entities. Students were taught using basic science description, structured algorithm description, or a list of features. Participants were tested with diagnostic cases and memory tests immediately after learning and 1 week later. Results. Scores on immediate and delayed tests were submitted to a 3X2 repeated measures ANOVA. The diagnostic test, participants in the basic science group outperformed those assigned to the feature list and structured algorithm groups. A main effect of learning condition was found to be significant, F (2, 87) = 3.79, P

Keywords: Dissertations, Academic
Role of working memory in lecture-based note-taking and report-writing in children

The present study examined the role of verbal working memory (WM) in lecture-based note-taking and report-writing. A sample of typically developing children in grades 4 to 6 (ages 9 to 11 years; N = 25) completed tasks indexing WM capacity, short-term memory (STM), handwriting fluency, and reading fluency. Children took notes while listening to a fictional science lecture; shortly thereafter, they composed a written summary report based on their notes. There was a significant association between both WM and STM and the number of details children included in their notes; however, there was not a significant relationship between WM and report-writing. The differences in note-taking performance between WM subgroups were not due to differences in age, gender, or handwriting fluency. Children with poor working memory skills seemed to exhibit weaknesses in managing the competing demands of comprehension and writing during note-taking, while their report-writing performance was comparatively unaffected.
The effect of automation reliability on operator monitoring performance

This thesis presents two experiments of human monitoring of an automated system in a multi-task environment, considering both sampling behaviour and subjective reports of trust and self-confidence. The second experiment investigates the effect of providing participants with information about the context-related nature of automation reliability on participants' monitoring behaviour. Results are compared against those of the first experiment where no information about automation reliability was provided. They suggest that providing context can mitigate the detrimental effect of constant and highly reliable automation on participants' behaviour. Implications for future research on human-automation interaction are described. The first experiment addresses the issue of complacency. It replicates Parasuraman et al. (1993) wherein participants were said to be lulled into complacency by unchanging automation. Results of this first experiment provide empirical support for Moray's (2003) assertion that attention allocation and psychological factors should be considered when evaluating monitoring performance and concluding about complacency.
Competent/incompetent: questioning the legal and social boundaries of personhood

Guided by methods of institutional ethnography, I examine the competent/incompetent boundary in the context of a particular legal case where competency was in question---the Clark v. Clark case. Justin Clark wants to leave the residential institution he has been confined to for most of the eighteen years of his life. However, he must first confront a legal challenge by his father who claims he is incompetent to make that decision. Examining how acts of recognition and knowledge-making practices are organized in this case help to understand how the status of people with intellectual disabilities is diminished. The study finds an institutional complex for determining incompetency that includes state institutions for making such judgements, closely linked to the science of intellectual disability, both of which are justified through a dominant bioethics narrative about personhood. Nonetheless, there are knowledge-making practices mobilized in the Clark case that run counter to the dominant positivist epistemology for knowing incompetence. The judge deploys a narrative re-construction of Justin to reveal his subjectivity and personhood as the ground for determining his competency, a challenge to the usual means by which competency is determined. Analysis of this case points to guidance principles to challenge the institutional complex that mandates determinations of incompetency. The principles suggest that those who have personal relationship to one whose competence is in question should have legal status and be able to challenge the dominant epistemologies entailed in determining competency/incompetency. Such communities of knowers should be supported to construct narrative identities of the person prior to testing decision-making capacity. Communities of knowers, the study suggests, could obtain status and legitimacy in holding to standards of ideal speech and moral conversations that question objectification of others and challenge the dominant bioethics narrative that defines persons exclusively as instrumentally rational, freely contracting agents. The social relations and legal institutions of competency-related law often determine that people with intellectual disabilities are incompetent and on this basis should have their personhood denied. This study critically examines the nature of knowledge-making practices that render such determinations, their legal mandating, their ethical justification, and searches paths to alternate practices which might better secure the personhood of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Keywords: Persons, Ontario
Mental health laws, Ontario
People with mental disabilities, Social conditions
People with mental disabilities, Ontario
Characterization of physiological Pten function in the brain, skin and prostate using tissue-specific knockout mice

PTEN is a tumour suppressor gene mutated in a wide spectrum of human cancers. Individuals with a germline mutation in PTEN develop an autosomal dominant multiple hamartoma syndrome called Cowden's disease and are highly susceptible to malignancies. PTEN is a 3'-specific phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5) trisphosphate phosphatase and functions as a negative regulator of cellular survival and proliferation mediated by phosphatidylinositol 3'kinase-protein kinase B/Akt signaling. Deletion of pten in mice results in embryonic lethality, whereas animals heterozygous for this gene have a high incidence of tumors in multiple tissues. However, skin and brain growths characteristic of Cowden's disease and related hamartoma conditions such as Lhermitte-Duclos disease were not represented in pten +/- animals. In addition, while advanced prostate carcinomas frequently harbour PTEN mutations in humans, prostate tumours in pten+/- mice had a prolonged latency and were rarely malignant. Using the Cre-loxP system, tissue-specific deletion of both pten alleles was conducted in the mouse to study this gene's role in development and tumorigenesis of the brain, skin and prostate. Deletion of pten in the murine brain resulted in neurological symptoms and abnormalities similar to those of Lhermitte-Duclos disease patients including seizures, ataxia, premature death and cerebellar lesions. pten mutant brains were enlarged as a consequence of increased neuron size, representing the first evidence for the role of Pten in mammalian cell size regulation. Inactivation of Pten in the skin and prostate resulted in overgrowth of these tissues with early onset and complete penetrance. pten mutant mice developed palmoplantar skin lesions similar to those of Cowden patients and high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia that progressed to invasive adenocarcinoma. Overgrowth of these epithelial tissues was the result of increased proliferation and, in the prostate, increased cell size. These analyses indicate that Pten is an important regulator of proliferation in the skin and a critical tumour suppressor in the prostate. Together, these studies and work from others demonstrate that Pten is an important physiological regulator of organ growth through effects on cell size and cell division. Further, Pten function and the severity of pathological consequences that ensue upon deletion of this gene appear to be tissue-specific in nature.
High frequency ultrasound scattering from microspheres and single cells

To assess the proportion of cells in a volume undergoing structural changes, such as apoptosis, using high frequency ultrasound (20--100 MHz) requires the development of a theoretical model of scattering by any arbitrary cell ensemble. A prerequisite to building such a model is to know the scattering by a single cell in different states. In this thesis, a model for the high frequency acoustic scattering by one cell is proposed. A method for deducing the backscattering frequency response from a single sub-resolution scatterer was also devised. Using this method, experimental measurements of backscatter from homogeneous microspheres and single, viable eukaryotic cells were acquired and compared with Faran-Hickling scattering theory and the proposed cell scattering model, respectively. The resonant features observed in the backscatter frequency response of microspheres corresponded accurately to theoretical predictions. The agreement was not as good between the cell model and the measured backscatter from cells.
Characterization of a murine model of duct carcinoma in situ of the breast

Duct carcinome in situ (DCIS), an alleged precursor of invasive breast cancer, is characterized by neoplastic epithelial cells growing within mammary ducts. Clinical prognostication for DCIS is challenging, as the likelihood of progression to invasion of individual lesions remains unclear. To circumvent issues surrounding the study of DCIS in humans, the MMTVneu202 mouse, previously reported to develop DCIS-like mammary lesions, was employed. Necropsied mouse mammary tumours were investigated using multiple approaches, beginning with morphological and histological assessment. A set of clinical and investigational immunohistochemical markers was applied to develop a tumour profile. Finally, DNA was extracted from fixed tumour tissue and examined using microarray comparative genomic hybridization. Results indicate that the MMTVneu202 mouse represents a useful model for the study of DCIS. Additionally, molecular differences between DCIS and invasive tumours have been identified which may be employed to further investigate the natural history and progression of DCIS.