VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Dynamic analysis of viscoelastic serpentine belt drive systems

This thesis is devoted to accurately modeling and analyzing the dynamic behavior of damped serpentine belt drive systems. A viscoelastic moving material model is proposed to describe the transverse vibration of belt spans and a hybrid (continuous/discrete components) viscoelastic system is proposed to represent the dynamics of the entire serpentine belt drive. The direct multiple scales method is applied to the nonlinear vibration analysis of free, forced and parametric vibration of viscoelastic moving belts. Nonlinear natural frequencies and near-modal nonlinear response of free vibration of viscoelastic moving belts are obtained in closed-form. The amplitude of near- and exact-resonant response is predicted for viscoelastic moving belts excited by the eccentricity of pulleys. Closed-form solutions of response amplitudes, existence conditions, and stability conditions of limit cycles are derived for parametrically excited viscoelastic moving belts. Block-by-block numerical integration method together with a Galerkin discretization using travelling eigenfunctions is proposed to calculate the transient response of moving belts with general viscoelasticity. An explicit exact characteristic equation of eigenvalues for undamped hybrid serpentine belt drives is derived, which could provide insight into effects of design parameters on the frequency spectrum of the system. A complex modal analysis method is developed for linear vibration analysis of non-self-adjoint hybrid serpentine belt drive systems for the first time. The adjoint eigenfunction can be conveniently determined from the proposed auxiliary system. Nonlinear vibrations of viscoelastic and elastic hybrid serpentine belt drive systems are analyzed using the discretization multiple scales method for the first time. This provides a basic understanding of parametric excitation threshold levels and the existence of multiple limit cycles. The direct multiple scales method is developed for the nonlinear analysis of elastic hybrid serpentine belt drive systems. Comparisons between the direct multiple scale method and the discretization multiple scales help better understand the relationship between the two approaches.
Shaftesbury's liberal critique of Locke

This thesis undertakes to examine the thought of modern liberalism's earliest liberal critic, Anthony Ashley Cooper, third Earl of Shaftesbury. In his private correspondence, Shaftesbury, a former student of John Locke's, reveals his rejection of Locke's philosophy, and explains the terms of that rejection. Shaftesbury argues that Locke's philosophy undermines the basis for moral and religious beliefs, and that it introduces a politics of individualism that proves incompatible with the true nature of human beings. He further argues that Locke's philosophy and, indeed all modern philosophy, is fundamentally flawed because it obscures the question of the human good. When we take that question seriously, we are led to a more accurate discovery of the inevitably moral character of human nature. By comparing his private criticism of Locke with the arguments advanced in Shaftesbury's now much-neglected treatise, ' Characteristics of Men, Manners, Opinions and Times', where Locke goes largely unnamed, we discover that the central components of Locke's political philosophy are the subject of a sustained critique. That critique includes an argument for religious toleration that seeks to avoid the vulgarization of piety that Locke effects in order to make toleration possible. It also includes an argument for the reality of virtue that is presented in opposition to the Lockean view. We discover Shaftesbury, who sympathizes with liberal politics, to anticipate many of our modern grievances and to identify their sources in Locke.
On inventory models with salable returns

This thesis deals with single item, periodic review, and dynamic inventory control problems subject to returns policies. The problem of managing inventories under returns is quite common in retail operations, as well as in distribution operations throughout the supply chain. However, a generalized assumption within classic inventory models requires full consumption of demanded and delivered goods, on one hand. On the other, procurement policies are based on conditions neglecting returns, otherwise ignore the returns, effect on required assumptions for optimality of such policies. In this thesis, we develop inventory models that incorporate suppliers' commitments to accept returns from their customers. We analyze the cases involving deterministic and stochastic dynamic demand, while we focus on the basic theoretical results. The dynamic of returns is studied with reference to both non-backlog and backlog situations. Our models permit the parameters to be time-dependent in the finite-horizon case; they are assumed stationary otherwise. We analyze the Dynamic Lot Size (DLS) problem with deterministic demands and returns. The system is controlled by dynamic decisions of procurement and disposal of excessive inventory; the holding, procurement and disposal cost functions are assumed concave. We show the structure of optimal policies and derive its searching algorithm, which computational complexity compares to the standard algorithms for the DLS. When backlogs (shortages) are allowed, the returns may originate from actual amount of sales, cancellation of backlogs, emergent deliveries, and sales due to fulfilling backlog. We analyze stochastic demand models of inventory systems subject to returns, with returns assumed proportional to sales in preceding periods. These models consider in addition a retailer commitment to his customers to meet all demand through either regular or "emergency" deliveries, or both. We prove 'K'--'convexity' of the stochastic functional equations to establish optimality of ('s, S') policies--a standard method in inventory theory--for both the finite and infinite horizon cases, including discounting and non-negative ordering-setup costs. We formulate each model, the control problem, and show their equivalent Dynamic Programming formulation through the analysis. Our models properly generalize classic models in the literature: our deterministic models those of Wagner-Within and our stochastic the lost sales.
Philosophie et sémantique du poème chez Paul Valéry, la métaphore aux limites du complexe valéryen

La métaphorologie connaît des dissensions depuis l'apport des sciences cognitives et leur correction novatrice des rhétoriques traditionnelles. Par ¶ quil forge très tôt des positions dissidentes quant à la conception du sens l'ideal et à celle de l'ornementation stylistique par les figures, Valéry découvre les grandes valeurs de la métaphore dans la fabrication des théories et la méthode heuristique. Pourtant les premiers 'Cahiers' de 1894-1900 visent à purifier le langage des représentations courantes et à fonder ainsi une nouvelle psychologie. Ce n'est que dans les années vingt qu'une nouvelle modélisation de la représentation intègre le corps et apporte une position moins corrective à l'égard des métaphores, postérieurement à la grande poésie de la maturité. Dans les premiers projets de sa psychologie, le Système, Valéry vise à "nettoyer" le langage. Il adopte des outils de questionnement voulus purement représentatifs, le langage mathématique notamment, parallèlement à une interrogation métalinguistique sur les outils de la pensée. La métaphore mathématique est d'abord élue pour atteindre ces buts, et permet une prise de conscience progressive du potentiel heuristique des métaphores. C'est pourquoi le travail sur les brouillons de 'La Jeune Parque ' montre que la génération du poème évolue perceptiblement vers une métaphoricité accrue, alors que le sujet du poème porte sur les variables psycho-somatiques. Une technique métaphorique originale est ébauchée en acte par le poème, comme en réaction aux vers anciens, à la fois comme coupure et comme retrouvailles avec la technique poétique mallarméenne. Cette technique proprement valéryenne perdure dans "Fragments de Narcisse" où la métaphore est un agent systématique de structuration et de mise en forme du sens--on peut remarquer un ravalement de l'axiologie traditionnelle des images luini muses. Il devient alors impossible de parler d'une allégorie lumineuse. Enfin, cette technique systématique appelle des stratégies interprétatives. Quil s'agisse de la question de l'étymologie ou de celle des néologismes valéryens, de la lecture d'un poème abscons, ou même de l'interprétation de pièces courtes, Valéry réalise par sa pratique métaphorique une métaphysique personnelle qui rend compte de la relation complémentaire du Corps, de l'esprit et du Monde dans la connaissance.
The G protein-calcium ion link in the pathophysiology of bipolar affective disorder

This study examined whether disturbances in mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) Gs/iÃ levels/function previously reported to occur in bipolar disorder (BD) are linked to the altered Ca2+ homeostasis identified in this disorder. Basal ([Ca2+]B) and agonist-stimulated ([Ca2+]S) intracellular Ca2+ concentrations were measured using fluorometry with fura-2. GsÃ, GiÃ and Gq/11Ã levels were determined by Western blotting. Isoproterenol- and sodium, fluoride (NaF)-stimulated cAMP production were assessed using radioimmunoassay. B lymphoblasts were used as a model to test whether alterations in these variables are trait-related. Higher T lymphocyte [Ca2+]B and [Ca 2+]S were found in male bipolar-I patients compared with male healthy subjects. This, together with a significant reduction in [Ca 2+]B in 'stabilized' compared with freshly isolated T lymphocytes from nude bipolar-I patients suggests that altered T lymphocyte Ca2+ homeostasis in bipolar-I is influenced by state-, hormonal- and medication-related factors. Significantly higher B lymphoblast [Ca2+]B in bipolar-I patients compared with healthy or mixed non-mood psychiatric comparison subjects, suggests abnormalities in Ca2+ homeostasis in bipolar-I are trait-related. Bipolar-II patients had significantly higher B lymphoblast GsÃ levels compared with matched healthy controls. GsÃ and GiÃ levels were not significantly different in MNL from bipolar-I, bipolar-II, and major depressive disorder patients compared with matched healthy subjects. Changes in GsÃ levels and [Ca2+]B were found in different BP subtypes and did not correlate, suggesting the alteration in these variables are dissociated from each other in BD. A trend toward significantly lower isoproterenol (10 [mu]M)-stimulated AC activity in B lymphoblast from bipolar-I patients with high [Ca 2+]B compared to bipolar-I patients with normal [Ca 2+]B and healthy subjects suggests an association between altered [Ca2+]B and disturbances in the processes regulating receptor sensitivity in bipolar-I. A significant interaction between B lymphoblast NaF-stimulated AC activity and sex did not allow an unequivocal interpretation of the results obtained with this agent However, the finding of higher basal AC activity in male bipolar-I patients with high [Ca 2+]B suggests an association between altered [C 2+]B and processes regulating basal AC activity in bipolar-I. While the current findings do not support the hypotheses that alterations in Gs/iÃ levels per se are linked to the disturbances in Ca2+ homeostasis observed in BD, preliminary evidence from G protein functional studies suggests a potential association between [Ca2+] B and G protein-mediated signaling in bipolar-I.
Remembering exhibits at museums of art, science, and sport, a longitudinal study

The present study examined adults' memories of exhibits in museums that they had visited. Exhibit memories were assessed at three sites: the Ontario Science Centre, the Hockey Hall of Fame and the Art Gallery of Ontario. Participants were asked to choose two exhibits they found interesting, and they received similar semi-structured interviews about them, at the time of the initial visit and then one month later (Science Centre) or five months later (other sites). Participants retained stable episodic memories of the exhibits they chose, regardless of exhibit type, and independently of whether or not they had discussed the exhibit in detail with the interviewer at the first interview. As to change in semantic memory (broadly defined), for some visitors the memories were enhanced between the initial and follow-up interview, for some they remained stable, and for others they deteriorated. Autobiographical memories were reported by about half of the visitors at the Hockey Hall and Art Gallery both on-site and at follow-up (not tested at the Science Centre). Enjoyment was the most common affective response reported at all sites at both interview times. Visitors from all sites described engaging in post-visit exploration activities, for instance talking to someone else about an exhibit. Visitor characteristics of personal interest and domain knowledge of the topic were not robustly associated with memory measures. Differences in the findings across museums were interpreted in terms either of self-orientation which emphasizes affective responses, or stimulus-orientation which emphasizes cognitive responses. Visits to the Hockey Hall tended to evoke self-oriented memories, visits to the Art Gallery tended to evoke stimulus-oriented memories, and visits to the Science Centre tended to evoke both self- and stimulus-oriented memories. These patterns of memory suggest that museum exhibits have varied influences on visitors, including helping them to define their personal identities.
Genotypic and phenotypic determinants of differential susceptibility to birth defects initiated by phenytoin and benzo(a)pyrene

Xenobiotics, such as phenytoin and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), may initiate teratogenesis via embryonic peroxidase-catalyzed bioactivation, leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative stress and essential macromolecular damage. Using a general peroxidase assay, both phenytoin and its major hydroxylated metabolite 5-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin were potent reducing co-substrates for horseradish peroxidase. Embryonic peroxidase activity during organogenesis was high, and was inhibited by maternal administration of the peroxidase inhibitor 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA). These results are consistent with the postulated bioactivation by embryonic peroxidases of proteratogens to teratologic reactive intermediates, and corroborate the presumptive role of embryonic peroxidase inhibition in the mechanism of ETYA protection against phenytoin teratogenicity. Using glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) mutant mice, we investigated the role of ROS-mediated oxidative stress in teratogenesis. Both untreated and vehicle-treated WD-deficient mice had more embryopathies, and were even more susceptible to phenytoin-initiated embryonic DNA oxidation and teratogenesis compared to G6PD-normal mice. A novel genotyping assay showed, for the first time, that fetal resorptions were predominantly G6PD-deficient. This is the first evidence that G6PD is embryoprotective, and that hereditary G6PD deficiencies predispose a large population of embryos to increased embryopathies as the result of both endogenous and xenobiotic-initiated oxidative stress and DNA damage. Using p53 tumour suppressor gene knockout mice, we investigated the role of ROS-mediated DNA damage in teratogenesis. We found p53-deficient mice were more susceptible to B[a]P-initiated embryopathies, and for the first time, fetal resorptions were genotyped and showed to be predominantly p53-deficient. Conversely, two anomalies and postpartum lethality initiated by B[a]P were greater in p53-normal mice, suggesting the involvement of p53-dependent apoptosis. B[a]P treatment during organogenesis caused a specific pattern of Nile blue sulphate-stained cell death that was dependent on time and treatment in CD-1 mice, but independent of embryonic p53 genotype in p53 knockout mice. This is the first evidence that teratogenesis may involve DNA damage, and that p53 may be a teratological suppressor gene, implying that most B[a]P-initiated embryopathies may be independent of p53-mediated apoptosis, and dependent on DNA damage recognition and repair.
The synthesis, novel reactivity and polymerization behavior of boron- and sulfur-nitrogen-phosphorus heterocycles

The investigation of the chemistry of the boratophosphazenes N(PCl 2NMe)2BCl2 and N(PCl2NMe)2BF 2 led to well-characterized examples of borazine-phosphazene hybrid cations [N(PCl2NMe)2BCl]+ and [N(PCl 2NMe)2BF]+, respectively, which possess planar rings. The skeletal replacement of a boron atom in an inorganic ring with a heteroelement has been observed through the treatment N(PCl2NMe) 2BCl2 with Ag[AsF6] or Ag[SbF6]. This provides a novel approach to the synthesis of heterocycles containing As(V) and Sb(V) which are difficult to prepare via conventional routes. Attempts were made to generalize the skeletal substitution reaction using Na + and K+ salts. Attempts were made to isolate the highly reactive thionylphosphazene cation [NSO(NPCl2)2]+ through ' in situ' treatment with methylphosphazenes [NPMe2]x (x = 3,4). Treatment of NSOCl(NPCl2)2 with SbCl5 or GaCl3 provides an ambient temperature route to thionylphosphazene oligomers [NSOCl(NPCl2)2]n (n = 2-6) and poly(thionylphosphazene) [NSOCl(NPCl2)2]n. These transformations presumably occur via a cationic mechanism and appear to be concentration dependent.
The Winnipeg River/Western Wabigoon subprovince boundary, Superior province, Northwestern Ontario: Structural and metamorphic gradients in the Tustin-Bridges-Vermilion Bay greenstone belt

This thesis describes the structure and metamorphism of part of the east-west trending boundary between the granite-greenstone Western Wabigoon (WWG) and metaplutonic Winnipeg River (WPR) subprovinces, Western Superior Province, Canada. The boundary is the deformed contact between 3.2-2.8 Ga WPR gneisses and 2735-2716 Ma WWG metasupracrustal rocks that has been obscured by 2710-2660 Ma tonalitic-granitic intrusions. Three deformation events affected the area. D$\sb1$ N-S shortening overturned the WPR-WWG contact, D$\sb2$ caused regional dextral transpression, and D$\sb3$ formed minor brittle structures. Metamorphism in the WWG increases over $\sim$4km from greenschist to upper amphibolite facies at the boundary, at pressures of $>$3.3 kbar. Two metamorphic events (M$\sb1$, M$\sb2$) are consistent with a clockwise P-T-t path for the area. Early high-P, followed by high-T, lower-P peak conditions (M$\sb1$) occurred during D$\sb1$, then M$\sb2$ low-P, low-T metamorphism, and fluid flow occurred during D$\sb2.$
A feasibility study of a hybrid photodiode array, cCD as a direct-conversion x-ray image detector for digital mammography

Early detection of breast cancer can potentially reduce both mortality and morbidity resulting from breast cancer. Because of certain technical limitations, film-screen mammography is not an optimal method for the detection of all types of breast cancer. This thesis is a study of a hybrid photodiode array--CCD, used as a direct-conversion x-ray image detector. Its feasibility as a digital mammography detector is investigated. Preliminary experimental results obtained from prototype devices are presented, and a detailed analysis is performed using a mathematical model of signal and noise propagation. The experimental and modeling results are used to optimize the photodiode and CCD design, and predict the performance of the proposed detector.
Molecular characterization of the proximal human endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) promoter

Understanding transcription initiation of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene appears pivotal to gaining a comprehensive view of NO biology in the blood vessel wall. The present thesis focused upon a detailed dissection of the functionally important cis-DNA elements and the multiprotein complexes implicated in the cooperative control of the constitutive expression of the human eNOS gene in vascular endothelium. Three tightly clustered cis-regulatory regions were identified in the proximal enhancer of the TATA-less eNOS promoter using deletion analysis and linker-scanning mutagenesis: positive regulatory domain I (PRD I) -104/-95 relative to transcription initiation), PRD II (-144/-115) and PRD III (-44/-25). The nucleoprotein complexes that form upon these regions in endothelial cells contained Ets family members, Sp1 and variants of Sp3, MAZ and YY1. Functional domain studies in 'Drosophila' Schneider cells and endothelial cells revealed examples of positive and negative protein-protein cooperativity involving Sp1, variants of Sp3, Ets-1, Elf-1 and MAZ. The multiprotein complexes formed on the activator recognition sites within this region of the human eNOS promoter identify the existence of a constitutively active enhanceosome in vascular endothelium. Moreover, 'in vitro' DNase I footprinting analyses and nuclear run-off studies also indicate their important contributions to preinitiation complex formation. Surprisingly, episomal expression studies performed in endothelial and non-endothelial cell types revealed that eNOS promoter/reporter constructs lacked cell-specificity, suggesting that there exist cell-specific mechanisms that repress native eNOS gene expression in non-expressing cell types. We posited that DNA methylation played a role in this cell-specific expression. Sodium bisulfite genomic sequencing revealed a different methylation pattern of the eNOS promoter in endothelial versus non-endothelial cells. Transient transfection of 'in vitro' methylated promoter/reporter constructs revealed a possible role for methylation in transcriptional repression. DNA hypomethylation studies performed with 5-azacytidine, resulted in increased expression of eNOS mRNA in cell types that do not normally express the eNOS mRNA transcript. The role of epigenetic regulation in cell-specific eNOS gene expression is a novel finding in the vascular endothelium. We have identified novel concepts with respect to protein-DNA interactions, pre-initiation complex formation and chromatin-based epigenetic mechanisms in vascular endothelium.
Casting shadows now and then, the use of photography in the observation and analysis of social change in Digby County, Nova Scotia

The potential of photography as a tool for observing and analysing social change is investigated by considering a body of photographs of Digby County, Nova Scotia taken during a two-year period in the 1950s. The photographs were produced by John Collier Jr. who is significant to the development of social documentary photography as part of the acclaimed Farm Security Administration photographic project which created powerful images of Depression-era America. Collier's 1967 book, 'Visual Anthropology', was influential in developing methodology for using the camera as a research tool in anthropology. His Digby County photographs depict a community experiencing major economic and social changes. This project considers the efficacy of the Collier collection as a tool for observing and analysing social change. The photographs are examined within the context of an inquiry into current conditions in Digby County. The theoretical framework is informed by postmodern cultural theory, an analysis of documentary and anthropological photography, and a critical perspective on the globalization of culture and economy. The dissertation includes photographs of Digby County taken in 1998. Work, community, and landscape are identified as critical locales for assessing the vitality, identity, and overall well-being of the county.