VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Teaching methodologies and assessment strategies of Ontario grade 9 mathematics teachers

This study reviews Grade 9 Ontario Mathematics teachers' practices, teaching methodologies and assessment strategies, using responses to the Grade 9 Assessment of Mathematics Teacher Questionnaire. Factor analyses found that the patterns of factors for the teaching methodologies were similar, and the patterns of factors for the assessment strategies were different, between teachers of the applied and academic program. Comparisons of composite scores based on the factors showed that the frequencies of use of teaching methodologies by teachers of the applied and academic program differ significantly.

Keywords: Mathematics, Study and teaching (Secondary)
Mathematics, Ontario
Mathematics, Study and teaching (Secondary)
Mathematics, Ontario
Mathematical ability, Testing
Mathematical ability, Ontario
Education, Secondary, Methodology
Education, Secondary, Ontario
Mathematics, Study and teaching (Secondary)
Mathematics, Ontario
Educational tests and measurements, Research
Educational tests and measurements, Ontario
Questionnaires, Research
Questionnaires, Ontario
Simulating BPEL business processes by generating XML messages

The Business Process Execution Language (BPEL) industry standard supports the specification and execution of business processes implemented as a composition of web services defined by the Web Service Definition Language (WSDL) interfaces. As BPEL adoption increases, business analysts and developers are confronted with the challenges of developing BPEL applications. A key challenge is the difficulty in simulating BPEL processes due to the unavailability of one or more of web services involved in the business process workflow. BPEL simulations have many uses. This thesis describes an Eclipse-based tool that generates a collection of realistic synthetic XML messages to simulate the existence of web services participating in a BPEL process (including support for message correlation). The tool leverages the ToXgene XML generator, WSDL tools from the Eclipse WTP project together with a concise semantic description of the desirable properties of the data to be generated.
Human kallikrein 10: genomic structure, hormonal regulation and clinical applications

Human Kallikrein 10 gene (KLK10; also known as the normal epithelial cell-specific 1, NES1) is a newly identified gene that encodes for a secreted serine protease (named as hK10). Its DNA sequence has extensive homology with all other members of the human tissue kallikrein gene family. In this study, we investigated the genomic structure, hormonal regulation and clinical applications of KLK10. We first cloned the entire KLK10 gene sequence from a genomic DNA library and established its genomic organization. Our results showed that KLK10 gene had the same intron-exon organization as all other members of the human tissue kallikrein gene family. By using fluorescence in-situ hybridization, KLK10 was localized to 19q13.4, a region which harbors all other kallikrein genes. Therefore, KLK10 was categorized as a new member of the human kallikrein gene family. We then produced recombinant hK10 in yeast and used it as immunogen to raise hK10-specific antibodies. A highly sensitive and specific immunoassay was developed for hK10, based on these antibodies. With this immunoassay, hK10 was detected in many tissue extracts and biological fluids, including serum. hK10 expression was up-regulated by estrogens, androgens, progestins, dexamethasone, and aldosterone both at the transcription and translation level, as demonstrated by using breast cancer cell lines. Functional characterization of the KLK10 promoter showed that its activity was constitutive and not modulated by steroid hormones. These data indicate that the KLK10 promoter is unlikely to harbor steroid hormone receptor response elements. Furthermore, we found that KLK10 expression was dramatically down-regulated in testicular germ cell tumors. In contrast, its expression was up-regulated in ovarian cancer, which led to elevation of serum hK10. High levels of hK10 in ovarian tumor tissues and patient serum were associated with poor prognosis. Importantly, serum hK10, in combination of CA125, can improve the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for ovarian cancer. Taken together, in this investigation, we demonstrated that hK10, a new member of the human tissue kallikrein family, was under hormonal regulation, aberrantly expressed in testicular and ovarian cancer, and a new potential biomarker for ovarian cancer.
The role of globotriaosyl ceramide in HIV infection

Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are implicated in HIV-host cell fusion, and several bind to HIV-gp120 in vitro. Furthermore, inhibiting GSL biosynthesis blocks HIV-membrane fusion and infection in cell-line models, while reconstitution with certain GSLs restores fusion. Specifically, globotriaosyl ceramide (Gb3) binds HIV gp120 and augments fusion in in vitro models using non-HIV targets; however its exact role in natural HIV infection is not defined. We proposed that soluble analogues of Gb3 would inhibit HIV membrane fusion and infection of target cells. We further proposed to investigate the precise role of cell-expressed Gb 3 in HIV infection using natural HIV targets in vitro. Soluble Gb3 was used to pre-treat R5 or X4 HIV-1, and activated peripheral blood-derived mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and Jurkat T-cells were infected. We found that soluble Gb3 inhibited productive R5 and X4 HIV-1 infection by more than 90%, with minimal effects on cell viability or HIV receptor (CD4) and co-receptor (CCR5 or CXCR4) expression. Differential Gb 3 expression effects on R5 or X4 HIV-1 infection were investigated using PBMCs with Gb3 over expression (from patients with Fabry disease or P1k blood group individuals), or lacking Gb 3 (from p blood group individuals). Target PBMCs with intracellular Gb3 accumulation (Fabry disease) were resistant to productive R5, but not X4, HIV-1 infection. Interestingly, these PBMCs presented low expression of R5 HIV-1 co-receptor, CCR5, but no significant differences in CD4 or CXCR4 expression. Target PBMCs with Gb3 over-expression (P1k) exhibited resistance to R5 and X4 HIV-1 infection. PBMCs over-expressing Gb3 showed>2-fold higher cell surface Gb 3 than control, correlating with resistance to HIV-1. CD4 and CCR5/CXCR4 levels could not account for the observed resistance. Interestingly, target PBMCs lacking Gb3 (p) were hypersensitive to both R5 and X4 HIV-1. Finally, exogenous Gb3 was introduced into Jurkat T-cells by liposome fusion, and susceptibility to X4 HIV-1 determined. Gb 3-fusion in Jurkat reduced productive HIV-1 infection by>50%, without affecting receptor/co-receptor expression levels. Our findings suggest Gb 3 inhibits HIV infection, particularly of target cells expressing high levels, and may provide natural resistance to infection. Exploiting Gb 3 inhibition or soluble Gb3 mimics may thus present novel strategies for prevention of HIV/AIDS.
The effect of muscle strength training on the bone mass of post-menopausal women

A five month study was performed to examine the effect of muscle strength training on the bone mass of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Six female subjects with a mean age of 64.5 years followed a multiple, but specific and closely supervised, muscle strength training program three times/week, one hour per session, based on the principles of progressive resistance exercise. The primary outcome anticipated was a change in bone mass at sites specifically stressed by the overloaded exercising muscles which have local attachments. To detect: a change in bone mass dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was employed both before and after the exercise program to measure the proximal femur and lumbar spine regions. A gain in muscle strength occurred as a secondary outcome and was measured in terms of a change In isotonic and isokinetic (CYBEX II) strength. Specifically, the abdominals, back extensors, hip flexors and extensors were tested. Statistical analysis using the Student's paired t-test for small samples revealed a significant gain In the bone mineral content (BMC) at the trochanteric region of the proximal femur (p < .01). A gain in bone mineral density (BMD) at the trochanteric region of the proximal femur was observed using age-adjusted data (relative to young females) at (p < .05), as well as with that of age-matched females (p < .05). No significant change was observed in the BMD of the lumbar spine. No strong correlations could be made in terms of bone mass change at any site and associated muscle strength gains. This observation seems to reflect the very different order of magnitude or rate of change capable of being effected by each structural element (bone vs. skeletal muscle).
Post-translational regulation of the sex determining protein TRA-1

Hermaphrodite development in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans requires the activity of the terminal global sex-determining gene, tra-1. In XO animals tra-1 activity is repressed to allow male development. tra-1 activity is regulated by a number of genes that act in a well defined genetic pathway: however, the molecular mechanisms of TRA-1 regulation are not understood. I report a physical interaction between TRA-1 and the protein phosphatase, FEM-2. fem-2 is one of three fem genes that act upstream of tra-1 in XO animals to repress tra-1 activity. I propose that FEM-2 acts to promote male development by dephosphorylating and repressing TRA-1 activity. Consistent with this hypothesis I have demonstrated that TRA-1 is phosphorylated in vivo. These results represent the first indication of a biochemical mechanism of TRA-1 regulation. During female somatic development the activities of three FEM proteins are inhibited by the activity of the membrane protein TRA-2 via a FEM-3/TRA-2 interaction. Thus, TRA-2 indirectly activates TRA-1. I report a direct interaction between the intracellular domain of TRA-2 and TRA-1. The TRA-1-binding domain within TRA-2 is distinct from the FEM-3-binding domain and is capable of partially feminizing XO males. Several unusual mutant alleles tra-2 specifically disrupt the TRA-2/TRA-1 interaction and eliminate the feminizing activity of the TRA-1-binding domain of TRA-2. My results suggest the TRA-2 intracellular domain can interact with TRA-1 in vivo and can increase TRA-1 feminizing activity. Consistent with a TRA-1/TRA-2 interaction in vivo, I demonstrate the ability of both TRA-1 and the TRA-2 intracellular domain to co-localize in the nucleus. My results suggest that TRA-2 plays a previously unsuspected role in sex determination by regulating TRA-1 through a physical interaction in the nucleus.
Sigma-delta DPWM controllers for 12MHz DC-DC switch-mode power supplies

The aim of this work is to develop a power efficient digital controller for DC-DC Switch-Mode Power Supplies (SMPS) operating at switching frequencies up to 12MHz. The controller should be able to achieve both fast transient response and low power consumption. The proposed controller utilizes a new power-efficient DPWM architecture based on multi-bit S-? modulation. The DPWM has a low-power low-resolution DPWM. The DPWM resolution is improved using a 2 nd order sigma-delta modulator. In addition, the conventional PID compensator is replaced by a dual-mode PID compensator. The compensator is able to "recognize" the mode of operation and adjust its parameters automatically. Finally, the new nonlinear ADC architecture for SMPS applications reduces the influence of noise, temperature and process variations on operation of SMPS. The controller is implemented on a mixed-signal IC in 0.18æm CMOS technology and it consumes 672 æA of current at a switching frequency of 12MHz.
The development and validation of the senior alcohol misuse indicator (SAMI) tool

Senior alcohol misuse can lead to adverse effects, but remains under-detected due to inadequate screening tools. The objective of this Canada-wide study was to develop and evaluate a brief screening tool, the Senior Alcohol Misuse Indicator (SAMI) to elicit alcohol-related information from seniors. A preliminary form of SAMI was prepared and a focus group of health care professionals (n = 11) was organized to obtain feedback followed by field-testing (n = 158). After SAMI was finalized, it was validated using a follow-up interview based on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV to determine problem and at-risk drinkers. Ten problem drinkers and 43 at-risk drinkers were identified from the interviews (n = 91). The sensitivity and specificity of SAMI were 78.8% and 55.3%, respectively, and the Area Under the Receiver Operating Curve was 0.706. The SAMI is effective in engaging seniors to talk about their alcohol use and may flag seniors at risk for alcohol-related problems.
Real-life working memory and inattention in a community sample of school-aged children

The objectives of this thesis were to (1) evaluate the relationship between performance on standardized measures of working memory (WM) and performance on a real-life measure of WM; and (2) examine the relationship between inattentive behaviour and both standardized and real life measures of WM. A community sample of 140 children aged 7--12 years completed three types of WM measures (standardized auditor verbal and visual-spatial WM, and real-life WM) in a naturalistic setting, while their parents completed questionnaires about their children's inattentive behaviour. Results indicated (1) performance on auditory-verbal WM and visual-spatial memory span tasks predicted performance on a real-life WM task; and (2) parent-reported inattentive behaviour predicted individual differences in visual-spatial and real-life WM, such that higher ratings of inattention were associated with poorer performance on both visual-spatial and real-life WM. It is concluded that WM abilities generalize to some extent across laboratory and real-life contexts, and are related to behavioural symptoms of inattention.

Keywords: Attention, Ability testing
Short-term memory, Ability testing
Memory in children, Ability testing
A point-of-gaze estimation system for studies of visual attention

A point-of-gaze (POG) estimation system that does not require attachment to the head was developed for studies of visual attention. The POG system calculates gaze position from the coordinates of the centers of the pupil and two corneal reflections in images captured by the system's camera. Detection algorithms for the eye that rely on the expected properties of the pupil and corneal reflections have a detection rate of over 99.6%. The pupil center is estimated by the Convex Hull algorithm and the centers of the corneal reflections are found by the Center-Of-Mass algorithm. POG measurements with a temporal resolution of 11 estimates/second, a spatial resolution of 0.5° and an accuracy of 1.2° can be obtained when subjects view stimuli on a computer monitor. Measurements of POG revealed that when challenged by oral methylphenidate, obese females spend a significantly longer time looking at pleasing imagery.
Bridging a cultural divide: strengthening similarities and managing differences in university-industry relationships

Many policy makers view universities as economic agents that drive the innovations responsible for increased productivity and economic growth. Initiatives to harness this potential currently focus on commercializing academic research by protecting, managing, and licensing intellectual property. However, many recognize that traditional academic norms and practices can impede these activities. Consequently, some view the cultural boundaries between universities and firms as obstacles to effective knowledge transfer and argue that universities should alter these boundaries by creating commercial incentives to support "entrepreneurial academics." To create the appropriate incentives, policy makers need to understand how academic culture influences the creation of useful knowledge and how the differences between universities and firms influence collaboration. This dissertation addresses this need by investigating how the cultural and physical boundaries between researchers at the University of Toronto and their industry partners influence knowledge sharing within three collaborative programs: the IBM Centre for Advanced Studies, the Nortel Institute for Telecommunications, and the Bell University Labs. This includes an investigation into the benefits that motivate collaboration and the mechanisms through which the partners create, sustain, and conclude partnerships. This study finds that firms and universities share a number of interests and practices. These similarities foster greater understanding and trust between the partners, which facilitates collaboration. Resource sharing strengthens these similarities and firms that invest personnel, knowledge, materials, and data in a partnership increase effective communication and knowledge exchange. This study also finds that academic and firm partners exhibit distinct interests and practices that strongly influence knowledge transfer. These differences are an incentive as well as an impediment to collaboration. Conflicting norms and practices can create tensions but they also promote the development of complementary resources. Universities and firms collaborate because each brings distinct, though complementary, resources into the partnership. Since the norms and practices of each partner shape these distinctions, attempts to diminish cultural differences may partially erode the incentives to collaborate. Overemphasizing commercialization within universities may also impede the valuable informal knowledge exchanges that take place between partners. Managing tensions through third-party mediation and more effective communication channels promotes knowledge transfer more effectively than minimizing cultural differences.

Keywords: Education, Higher
Science, History
Business and education
Hepatic perfusion imaging using factor analysis of contrast enhanced ultrasound

Contrast enhanced ultrasound imaging provides a real-time tool for evaluating vasculature in the liver. Primary liver cancer is perfused primarily by blood from the hepatic artery, whereas normal liver is also supplied by the portal vein. Visual separation of two different phases of enhancement is a challenge. This thesis presents a method of using factor analysis of high dimensional data as a method of extracting distinct time-intensity curves. Key components to this extraction are the clustering of measured bolus curves and their projection onto a positivity domain to obtain non-negative curves. This technique provides complementary images representing spatial loadings on each curve. A method of combining this information to display a regional hepatic perfusion image is proposed, and results are tested on a small set of patients. Region of interest analysis suggests it is possible to detect changes in the hepatic perfusion index of liver lesions relative to normal liver parenchyma using contrast ultrasound.
Ultrastructural study of the developing myocardium in calreticulin-deficient mice

Objectives. To examine the effect of calreticulin absence on cardiac tissue morphogenesis using Transmission Electron Microscopy. Methods: Calreticulin knockout and wild type mouse myocardia were compared at an ultrastructural level during progressively mature periods of embryonic development and further analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Results. Differences between calreticulin knockout and wild type embryonic mouse hearts at all periods studied were demonstrable and measurable. The ultrastructural defects present in the developing myocardium of calreticulin knockout mouse embryos included: developmental delay in ventricular myofibrillar organization, a wavy-appearance of ventricular myofibrils, reduction in width and number of both ventricular and atrial myofibrils; misalignment of ventricular Z-lines; increase in ventricular glycogen content; and increased frequency of ventricular intercalated discs running in a stepwise (rather than a linear) fashion. Conclusion. Ultrastructural myocardial defects secondary to the absence of calreticulin are, for the first time, illustrated and linked to previously shown defects in gross anatomy.
Role of cyclooxygenase-2 and fatty acid synthase in breast cancer development

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) are over-expressed in breast cancer. Inhibitors of COX-2 and FAS decrease proliferation and induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells. A previous study showed that the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib not only inhibited rat mammary carcinogenesis, but also decreased fat deposition in rats fed a high fat diet, suggesting that celecoxib may affect lipid metabolism. We demonstrated that celecoxib suppresses FAS expression, and decreases fat accumulation by down-regulating c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) in rats fed a high fat diet rich in n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). This finding suggests that not only inhibition of COX-2 but also down-regulation of FAS contribute to the chemopreventive effect of celecoxib. This observation led us to investigate the roles of both COX-2 and FAS in breast cancer development. We showed that COX-2 over-expression in breast epithelial cells inhibits proliferation, detachment-induced apoptosis and differentiation, and causes epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). This finding suggests that COX-2 over-expression disturbs the homeostatic status of mammary epithelial cells, leading to partial transformation of these cells, and predisposing the mammary gland to tumorigenesis. Malignant transformation of breast epithelial cells is associated with elevated expression of FAS. We showed that inhibition of FAS by triclosan suppresses rat mammary tumorigenesis induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU). This finding suggests that FAS is a promising molecular target for breast cancer prevention. In cancers, de novo fatty acid synthesis is functionally linked to cell proliferation by providing fatty acids for the biosynthesis of cellular membranes, but the molecular link between these two processes was not known. We demonstrated that Sp1 coordinately regulates the expression of FAS, a key enzyme of fatty acid synthesis, and CDC25A, a key cell cycle protein, in estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells. Thus, Sp1 is a molecular link between de novo lipogenesis and proliferation in these cells. Overall, findings of this thesis contribute to our knowledge relating to how COX-2 and FAS act to facilitate breast cancer development, and provide evidence that these enzymes could be potential targets for breast cancer prevention.