VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
The social welfare policy change process, civil society actors and the role of knowledge

This thesis examines how civil society actors in social and health policy use knowledge to influence policy change. This was done through the carrying out of two case studies concerned with social welfare policy in Ontario. The first case considers the knowledge activities used by those advocating on behalf of tenants to oppose provisions of the Tenant Protection Act during public hearings in 1997. The second case examines the use of knowledge by supporters of Women's College Hospital as it fought closure in 1996 during the hospital restructuring process. The study also considers the extent to which participants collaborate with citizens to build a case for a particular policy perspective and policy outcome. A new conceptual framework of policy change was developed that builds upon Sabatier's and Hall's learning approaches to policy change. The new framework also incorporates Foucault's power/knowledge and Habermas' typology of instrumental, interactive and critical knowledge. Interviews and document review were the prime research methods used. In the first case study, seven individuals employed in housing and non-housing fields who acted to oppose provisions of the Tenants Protection Act were interviewed. In the second case study, strategists of Women's College Hospital and others associated with Wellesley Hospital--ten in total--were interviewed about the hospital's fight to oppose closure. Findings illustrated how civil society actors use a diverse range of knowledge to influence the policy change process. Participants in both cases--professional policy analysts such as lawyers, physicians and others with professional credentials--used legal, public relations, personal stories and political-strategic approaches to convey their knowledge about an issue. The cases differed in the degree to which citizens defined the policy issues and how these issues were addressed in public activities. The results also show that the political identity (i.e. social class, sexual orientation, ethno-racial characteristics, etc.) of civil society actors affects the extent to which they are able to influence the policy change process. While political ideology played a role in government receptivity to advocates' arguments in both cases, its importance depended upon the policy area being addressed.
Wind-induced effects on the growth of young-of-the-year smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) in Lake Opeongo, Ontario

Nests of smallmouth bass in Lake Opeongo, Ontario are most abundant in a downwind nesting area facing the longest unobstructed fetch. A field study was conducted to test the hypothesis that wind-induced increases in temperature, and zooplankton abundance, increase growth rates of young-of-the-year (YOY) in downwind nesting sites. In the two basins studied the average temperatures over the growing season were higher in downwind littoral sites. Zooplankton densities were higher in downwind sites on some days suggesting a periodic effect of wind on their distribution. In the South Arm, the basin with the longest unobstructed fetch, the post metamorphosis YOY in downwind sites grew faster than those in the upwind sites. In August the body mass and length were higher in the downwind sites of the South Arm, but no difference was found during a later sampling period. Bioenergetics simulations also indicate higher growth rates and consumption for YOY in the downwind sites.
Trade and labour interface in the context of regional economic integration, the case of the Southern African Development Community

This thesis explores the normative and empirical case for the inclusion of labour standards in trade regimes using the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as a case study. It investigates the extent to which the race to the bottom thesis, unfair trade claims and human rights arguments for trade and labour linkage in the context of economic relations between developed and developing countries are valid justifications in the SADC context. The thesis assesses the implications that the prevailing socio-economic, legal, political and historical situation in SADC have for the assumptions underlying these arguments. The thesis suggests that the economic efficiency analysis of the motivations for free trade is a major conceptual obstacle to the resolution of the trade-labour debate. This analysis sees other values, besides economic efficiency and welfare, as non-trade issues whose realization should best be achieved by utilizing the benefits that flow from unhindered free trade. This is a segregated view which creates a dichotomy between economic and socio-political aspects of human development. The segregated view assumes that any meaningful exercise of labour rights depends on the attainment of economic development and so must be deferred until the later has been realized. In this thesis I propose that the best way to make a compelling normative and empirical case for trade and labour linkage both at the global level and in SADC in particular, is to adopt an integrated approach to the objectives of free trade. According to this approach, free trade and labour rights share the same normative foundation. It is the need to ensure human autonomy and freedom. The approach accordingly considers the pursuit of economic efficiency and labour rights as being the integrated purpose for the liberalization of trade. Once it is accepted that free trade and labour rights share the same normative foundation, the perceived dichotomy between "pure-trade" and "non-trade" issues, which has hitherto served as a conceptual bulwark to the establishment of the trade-labour linkage disappears. Most fundamentally, the integrated approach puts to rest the notion that there is a contradiction between free trade (and the consequent economic gains) and respect for labour rights.
Adaptive Equalization System for Data Transmission over Coaxial Cables

An adaptive equalization system for data transmission over coaxial cables is proposed. It is intended to combat intersymbol interference for 4-level baseband PAM encoded data at 311Mbits/second transmitted over a coaxial cable, the length of which can be varied from 0 to 300 meters. The equalization system is composed of an adaptive analog equalizer followed by an adaptive decision feedback equalizer in order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. The adaptive analog equalizer contains a unity-gain feedforward path and a bandpass filter, and uses one tuning parameter to provide equalization for different cable lengths. A second-order analog filter which is used to implement the adaptive analog equalizer in a 0.5$\mu$m CMOS process is presented in full detail.
Developing a rating scale for assessing culture-specific beliefs and attitudes about epilepsy

A rating scale to assess cultural diversity in North American people's understanding of epilepsy was developed and its psychometric properties were evaluated. The content of the scale was based on the hypotheses that cultural diversity and experience with epilepsy would be associated with differences in people's beliefs and attitudes about epilepsy. The sample consisted of 269 participants (Caucasians: 117 adults, 24 children; South Asians: 71 adults, 13 children; East Asians: 40 adults, 4 children) from across North America who completed the Epilepsy Beliefs and Attitudes Scale (EBAS). The scale consisted of 51 items which the participants rated on a 4-point scale ranging from "totally believe" to "not at all." Cronbach's coefficient alpha for the scale was satisfactory (Ã = .85). Principal Axis Factor Analysis yielded three factors: Neurological, Enviro-Psycho-Physical and Metaphysical. A Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) revealed that, among the adults, there was a significant main effect for culture ('p' < .0001), epilepsy-familiarity ('p' < .002), and epilepsy-status (' p' < .007). Univariate analyses revealed that South Asian children, like their adult counterparts, had higher scores on the Metaphysical subscales than Caucasian children ('p' < .01). As for the influence of moderator variables on participants' responses, it was found that South Asians with less than a university level of education were likely to rate metaphysical beliefs and attitudes higher than either East Asians or Caucasians, irrespective of their educational level. Concomitantly, a significant effect for the duration of stay in North America was found for the Neurological subscale ('p' < .01) indicating that longer residency in a Western country was associated with acknowledgment of Western understanding of the causes of epilepsy. Moreover, an examination of the role of faith in a higher power revealed that the participants may consider both the Neurological ('p' < .001) and the Metaphysical ('p' < .0001) beliefs concurrently to cope with the impact of epilepsy. An examination of group differences among the children revealed a significant effect for culture between Caucasian and South Asian children on the Metaphysical subscale ('p' < .02). The results are a step forward in assessing the cultural differences in North American people's beliefs and attitudes about epilepsy.
The degradation effects of pyrolysis liquids on metals, plastics and elastomers

A study has been conducted to determine the effect of wood pyrolysis fuels on the degradation of specific metal alloys and polymeric materials. Wood pyrolysis fuel has good combustion characteristics but is compositionally different from conventional diesel fuel. This difference requires that materials in contact with these fuels be tested for compatibility. Three types of pyrolysis fuels and blended fuels were tested for compatibility with a variety of metal alloys and polymeric materials. These tests revealed that stainless steels, such as type 430, 304L, 316L and 20Mo4 with more than 12% chromium, had corrosion rates of less than 0.15 mm/y and are suitable for use with all the fuels tested. Type 422, low chromium alloy steel, was found to be highly susceptible to the pyrolysis fuels at high temperature 80°C. In the blended fuel, at all ranges of test temperatures and in pyrolysis fuel at ambient temperature, the alloy showed good resistance. The polymeric materials showed a wide range of corrosion properties in the fuels tested. Details of the material degradation are discussed.
About Last Night: Dates, Drinks and Sex. A Study of the Association between Alcohol Use and Sexual Activity Among Heterosexuals, Including Sexual Behaviour at High Risk for the Transmission of STDs and HIV

This thesis examined whether there was an association between alcohol use and participation in unprotected intercourse (UI), the individual and situational modifiers of the relationship and the extent to which theoretical perspectives (personality, disinhibition and self-handicapping) explained the association. A convenience sample included 122 participants who were aged 19-35, unmarried, nonmonogamous, and had consumed alcohol and had sex once per week on average. Background data were collected with a face-to-face interview, and participants used daily quantitative logbooks to record all date, drinking, and sexual events over an eight-week period. Within-subject, event-based data were analyzed using multivariate GEE. 1,173 sexual events were reported. Participants drank prior to 43.2% of the events and used condoms in 40.7% of the intercourse events. Individuals were more likely to use condoms with first-time (OR = 4.2) and repeat (OR = 2.6) partners than with primary/committed partners (p < 0.001). Controlling for individual and contextual factors in sexual events with primary partners, alcohol inebriation was associated with UI (OR = 2.32, p < 0.01); however, with "mastery" considered, drinking was no longer significant. With first-time partners, individuals with low impulse-control were more likely to have UI (OR = 1.20, p < 0.01). A high "self-handicapping" score indicated that a participant believed: in the disinhibition thesis; that they had less responsibility for actions when drinking; and that their peers supported condom use and would disapprove if they had UI. "Self-handicapping" mediated the association between drinking and UI with first-time partners. Individuals prone to "self-handicapping" had a greater probability of UI in events when drinking; whereas, individuals not prone to "self-handicapping" were more likely to be safer when drinking. Little evidence was found for the physiological version of the disinhibition hypothesis linking alcohol to UI. The importance of the personality factors suggests new areas of skill development that, if altered, may lead to both decreased drinking and UI. Issues specific to drinking context, partner type, and personality must be considered in order to tailor health promotion messages and programs. Messages suggesting that people are not rational or in control when inebriated may lead people to avoid taking responsibility for their behaviour, and keep them from practicing safer sex.
Cerebrospinal fluid transport from the spinal subarachnoid compartment

Significant CSF transport occurs through the cribriform plate into the nasal submucosa where it is absorbed by cervical lymphatics. We observed that cribriform plate obstruction reduced CSF clearance. Estimates of the proportional flow through cribriform and non-cribriform routes suggested that cranial CSF absorption occurred primarily through the cribriform plate at low ICPs. Additional drainage sites appeared to be recruited only when intracranial pressures were elevated. Clearance through non-cribriform routes appeared to be greater when CSF had access to spinal absorption sites. Following this observation, we designed several experiments to quantify spinal transport and to determine the relative proportion of total CSF drainage that occurred from the cranial and spinal CSF compartments. These studies revealed that 20%-25% of the total CSF volume is cleared from the spinal subarachnoid compartment. These results challenge the conventional view on CSF dynamics and indicate that spinal subarachnoid compartment plays an important role in CSF transport.
Online assistance for problem gamblers, an examination of participant characteristics and the role of stigma

This study is among the first to examine Internet-based help for individuals with gambling problems. It is a natural extension of a growing literature which suggests that many are benefiting from online support groups. Data were derived from 50 individuals who responded to either broad or direct invitations to participate. Participants were recruited from GAweb, an internationally popular online support group for problem gamblers. Results were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Since much has been written about how the traditional treatment and self-help systems have only succeeded in helping a small percentage of those in need and that many report significant obstacles to obtaining assistance, the data were examined with these issues in mind. Seventy percent of the sample were found to have previously avoided attendance at face-to-face programs because of a variety of concerns related to stigma. Those who experienced the greatest degree of stigma tended to be individuals who had not received any care, other than GAweb. Exposure to GAweb, was associated with a greater likelihood of participation in a future program of recovery. Most participants reported that the ability to secretly lurk at GAweb contributed to the likelihood that they would disclose personal information. Very few differences between men's and women's utilization of GAweb were found despite that fact that women were much newer to GAweb than men. These findings led to the development of the Pathways Disclosure Model, which helps to explain why online assistance may be of particular utility to problem gamblers who are in a precontemplative stage of change. This model suggests that ongoing help for problem gamblers is more likely after visiting an online self-help group because individuals have complete control over the disclosure process. As a result, problem gamblers have a unique opportunity to secretly sample the helping process; this in turn, leads to a greater degree of comfort and an increased willingness to participate more actively. While the immediacy of the Internet helps to explain the initial attraction, it is the safety of absolute anonymity which likely explains the sustainability of this form of recovery. Implications of this model are discussed.
Perceptions of procedural justice, group polarization effects

The goal of the present study is to extend research on procedural justice to a consideration of group effects on individuals' perceptions of procedural justice. The group polarization literature has shown individual attitudes can be polarized to more extreme positions after individuals have interacted in groups. This is the first research of its kind to consider a shift, or polarization, in perceptions of procedural justice as a result of group effects. Using scenarios describing a disciplinary action by a university, 409 undergraduate students rated the procedural justice of the scenarios and the acceptability of the outcome. Participants were randomly assigned to conditions in which scenarios were either procedurally fair or unfair. They then rated the procedural justice of the scenarios. Participants were next exposed to polarization effects of persuasive arguments or social comparisons. After this their perceptions of procedural justice and outcome acceptability were measured a second time. In the persuasive arguments conditions participants interacted in groups with others who received the same scenarios. Results of ANOVA analyses showed a significant decrease in the perceptions of participants exposed to procedurally unjust scenarios. This was accompanied by a significant decrease in the ratings of the acceptability of the outcome. There was no significant change in the perceptions of procedural justice in those participants that were exposed to procedurally fair scenarios. In the social comparison conditions, after participants rated the procedural justice of the scenarios, they were exposed to information about the average responses of other students and then rated the procedural justice of the scenarios a second time. The average response information was manipulated to reflect high medium or low average responses. Results of ANOVA analyses showed a significant polarization of the perceptions of participants exposed to procedurally just scenarios, but only for those exposed to the high average response information. This was accompanied by a significant increase in the ratings of the acceptability of the outcome. There was no significant change in perception of procedural justice in those participants exposed to procedurally fair scenarios in combination with medium and low social comparisons. There was also no significant change in the perceptions of procedural injustice in those participants exposed to social comparisons of procedurally unfair scenarios. Implication of these finds for procedural justice theory and polarization theory are discussed.
An experimental method for characterizing black liquor fouling tendency

"Black liquor fouling tendency" is a crucial parameter in recovery boiler design and operation. The fouling tendency differs from liquor to liquor due to differences in liquor composition and swelling characteristics, and ash content and thermal properties. An experimental test method is developed to characterise and rank the fouling tendency of black liquors in recovery boilers based on the deposition rates of dried black liquor particles after in-flight combustion in the University of Toronto Entrained Flow Reactor (EFR). The results suggest that the fouling tendency primarily depends on the char content and liquid content of depositing particles. Using the test method, a data bank could be established by determining the fouling tendency of a large number of black liquor samples from various pulp mills. The information can then be used to estimate the fouling tendency for any new black liquor sample.
Effects of ANG II and its receptor blockers on nasal salt gland secretion and arterial blood pressure in conscious perkin ducks (Anas plalytrhynchos)

The vertebrate renin-angiotensin system (RAS) controls cardiovascular, renal and osmoregulatory functions. Angiotensin II (ANG II) is the most potent hormone of the RAS. However in some vertebrates, Angiotensin III ( (Val$\sp4$) -ANG III) also has significant activity. The effects of angiotensins with different amino acid sequences and mammalian ANG II receptor antagonists on nasal salt gland function and arterial blood pressure in conscious white Pekin ducks were investigated in the present study. There was a positive linear correlation: between nasal fluid (Na$\sp+$) and osmolality, between (Na$\sp+$) and (K$\sp+$) and between the rate of nasal salt gland fluid secretion (NFS) and (Na$\sp+$) and (K$\sp+$). (Asp$\sp1,$ Val$\sp5$) -ANG II (l nmol.kg$\sp{-1}$ i.v.) inhibited NFS but did not change ionic concentrations. (Val$\sp4$) -ANG III (1 or 5 nmol.kg$\sp{-1}$) and ANG I (1-7) (20 nmol.kg$\sp{-1}$) had no effect on NFS. SARILE acted as an ANG II receptor agonist and resulted in a prolonged and complete inhibition of NFS. The AT$\sb1$ receptor antagonist-losartan (DuP 753) and the AT$\sb2$ receptor antagonist-PD 123319 both failed to block the inhibitory effect of (Asp$\sp1$, Val$\sp5$) -ANG II on the nasal salt glands. (Asp$\sp1$, Val$\sp5$) -ANG II(2 nmol.kg$\sp{-1}$ i.v.) increased mean arterial blood pressure by about 40% (MABP) whereas the same dose of (Asn$\sp1$, Val$\sp5$) -ANG II (teleost) had only 30% of the pressor effect of (Asp$\sp1$, Val$\sp5$) -ANG II. Neither 1 nor 5 nmol.kg$\sp{-1}$ of (Val$\sp4$) -ANG III i.v. nor 20 nmol.kg$\sp{-1}$ of ANG I(1-7) had any measurable effect on MABP. SARILE completely blocked the pressor response to (Asp$\sp1$, Val$\sp5$) -ANG II, but the AT$\sb1$ antagonists losartan and CGP 48933 and the AT$\sb2$ antagonist PD 123319 all failed to block the pressor response to (Asp$\sp1,$ Val$\sp5$) -ANG II.
Cellular uptake of multistranded oligonucleotides, DNA Frayed Wires

Cellular uptake of this multistranded DNA species called DNA Frayed Wires were studied in HepG2 and CNE1 cell lines, in comparison with non-complex-forming single-stranded DNA. Cellular uptake of FW was greater than that of single-stranded DNA by both HepG2 and CNE1 cells with a greater difference observed in HepG2 cells. This uptake process exhibited saturation, temperature dependence, substrate concentration dependence and inhibition by metabolic inhibitors. The initial rate of FW uptake was concentration-dependent. Uptake of both FW and single-stranded DNA was reduced by heparin but more significant inhibition was observed in FW uptake. FW derived from other parent strands demonstrated similar cellular uptake pattern as those from d(A 15G15), indicating the importance of the guanine stem rather than the arms in determining cellular uptake. Electrophoretic structural analysis of extracellular and internalized FW indicated that they were not metabolized and maintained their structures after uptake.