VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Combination of hu-PBL-SCID mice and scFv phage display library, an effective alternative for hu-mAb production

The mammalian immune system recognizes and responds to a wide spectrum of molecules, and its diversity is facilitated by V-(D)-J recombination during ontogeny. The central function of the immune system is to protect the animal from traumas, invasion of foreign agents and aberrations within the animal itself. One of the major components, which help the immune system to fulfill its functions, is the B cell. Each B cell clone expresses or produces a specific immunoglobulin molecule (Ig) that can recognize a distinct molecule or a class of related molecules. The development of the mouse hybridoma technique to produce unlimited amounts of specific mouse antibodies (Ab) in 1975 has opened doors to a wide spectrum of Ab applications, which has facilitated scientific research. Especially, the generalization of using Ab in human immunotherapy is closer than ever. The immunogenicity of the Ab molecules has, however, made human, not mouse Ab an ideal candidate for clinical uses. Currently, four approaches are studied and used to produce specific Ab for therapeutic purposes. The first two approaches are based on the availability of a vast array of ready-made specific mouse hybridomas. Chimeric human/mouse Ab is generated by replacing mouse Ig constant (C) regions by the human counterparts. Furthermore, human framework regions (FR) are grafted into the chimeric human/mouse Ab by polymerase chain reactions (PCR) to produce humanized Ab that retains the original specificity. Over the last 10 years, the generation of complete human Ab (hu-Ab) has been achieved by transgenic and recombinant approaches. Specific human immune responses (hu-IR) can be induced in transgenic mice that are carrying human Ig transgenes. Hybridomas can be easily generated from these mice and used to produce highly specific hu-Ab. Phage display library techniques have been developed and used to express large repertoires of hu-Ig genes, and specific hu-Ig genes can, in turn, be isolated from this library by simple panning steps. We previously demonstrated that, with appropriate immunization procedures, both primary and secondary hu-IR could be established in severe combined immunodeficient mice that had been engrafted with human peripheral blood lymphocytes (hu-PBL-SCID mice). These results prompted us to establish an efficient system to generate specific human monoclonal Ab (hu-mAb). By combining this animal model with a single chain antibody Fv (scFv) phage display technique, we were able to generate panels of hu-scFv specific to either self-Ag (i.e. hu-TNF-Ã) or foreign Ag (i.e. respiratory syncytial virus). Our results show that: (1) hu-PBL-SCID mice can be effectively used to generate large hu-Ig gene repertoires for the cloning of highly specific hu-mAb. (2) The combination of hu-PBL-SCID mice and scFv-library can be applied widely to generate large repertoires of hu-Ab against both foreign and self-Ag. The work presented in this thesis provides a significant step toward the generalization of specific hu-Ab production for both research and clinical purposes.
The role of oral language proficiency in the development of L1 and L2 basic reading skills in young children

The present study examined the relationship between oral language proficiency (OLP), reading comprehension, and basic reading skills (decoding and word recognition) in beginning readers. The participants included children beginning English reading instruction in their native language (L1), and Punjabi immigrant children beginning reading instruction in their second language (L2). The results showed that L1 and L2 children differed in English OLP, but not on reading skill tasks. Further investigation revealed that OLP played a greater role in predicting reading comprehension than in predicting basic reading skills. The results also showed that OLP contributed significantly to the explained variance of L2 basic reading skills, but not to L1. It appears that the L1 children are utilizing analytical skills and the L2 children are utilizing OLP skills, to achieve the same level of performance. The present findings are discussed in the context of Chall's (1996) model of reading development.
A Newton-Krylov solver for the Navier-Stokes equations on unstructured grids

A two-dimensional Newton-Krylov solver for compressible viscous flows has been developed. The Navier-Stokes equations are discretised in space using a finite-volume formulation on arbitrary polygonal meshes. Nonlinear scalar artificial dissipation is added for numerical stability. Newton's method is used to solve the discrete nonlinear algebraic equations, while an ILU-preconditioned, matrix-free GMRES method solves the resulting linear systems. RCM reordering is used to reduce bandwidth, and local implicit-Euler time stepping promotes robustness during start-up. The solver has been verified for a variety of laminar test cases. Optimal parameters have been obtained considering both speed and memory requirements. Extension to turbulent flows is discussed.
The effect of interlayers on dissimilar friction weld properties

The influence of silver interlayers on the metallurgical and mechanical properties of dissimilar aluminium alloy/stainless steel friction welds are investigated. An elastic contact model is proposed that explains the conditions at and close to the contact surface, which produce Al2O3 particle fracture in dissimilar MMC/AISI 304 stainless steel friction welds. Intermixed (IM) and particle dispersed (PD) regions are formed in Ag-containing dissimilar friction welds. These regions form very early in the joining operation and both contain Ag3Al. Therefore, an interlayer (Ag) introduced with the specific aim of preventing FexAly compound formation in MMC/AISI 304 stainless steel friction welds promotes the formation of 'another' intermetallic phase at the bondline. Since IM and PD regions are progressively removed as the friction welding operation proceeds thinner intermetallic layers are produced when long friction welding times are applied. This type of behavior is quite different from that observed in silver-free dissimilar MMC/AISI 304 stainless steel welds. Nanoparticles of silver are formed in dissimilar MMC/Ag/AISI 304 stainless steel welds produced using low friction pressures. Nanoparticle formation in dissimilar friction welds has never been previously observed or investigated. The introduction of silver interlayers decreases heat generation during welding, produces narrower softened zone regions and improved notch tensile strength properties. All research to-date has assumed 'per se' that joint mechanical properties wholly depend on the mechanical properties and width of the intermetallic layer formed at the dissimilar joint interface. However, it is shown in this thesis that the mechanical properties of MMC/AISI 304 stainless steel joints are determined by the 'combined effects ' of intermetallic formation at the bondline and softened zone formation in MMC base material immediately adjacent to the joint interface. A methodology for calculating the notch tensile strength properties of dissimilar friction welds is presented and is based on a combination of FEM with a ductile failure criterion. There is excellent correspondence between actual and calculated joint strength results.
How do inversion and contrast-reversal limit face recognition?

We analyzed the face inversion (FI) and contrast-reversal (CR) effects using a black-box model of recognition performance (Gold, Bennett, and Sekuler 1999b), which quantifies performance in terms of three independent factors. Three advantages of this approach were described. First, this quantitative description of the face effects provides new information about these effects. Second, our black-box model reveals an ambiguity in the existing research that can only be resolved by the current study. Third, the literature on perceptual learning suggests that efficiency and not noise should change with both FI and CR. This was confirmed by the results. A separate experiment employed response classification estimate observers' perceptual templates. An analysis of the changes in these templates with FI and CR verified the idea that these stimulus manipulations reduce an observer's sampling efficiency. The development of inflexible representations with learning is discussed as a possible cause of these efficiency losses.
Pressure for automorphisms of exact C*-algebras and a noncommutative variational principle

A notion of pressure with respect to a self-adjoint element is introduced for automorphisms of exact 'C'*-algebras and a number of properties are established, including a generalization of a theorem of N. Brown for entropy asserting that the pressure remains the same upon passing to the extension of an automorphism to the crossed product. A variational inequality bounding the pressure below by the CNT and Sauvageot-Thouvenot free energies is obtained in two stages via a local state approximation entropy, which is shown to be an extension of M. Choda's nuclear entropy. We prove the variational principle for certain asymptotically Abelian automorphisms and introduce the class of weakly AF 'C'*-algebras in order to describe a special subclass of these automorphisms.
The freedom, equality and dignity of human reason, a reconsideration of Cartesian dualism

This dissertation offers a new perspective on Descartes' theory of mind-body dualism by situating it at the intersection or two trajectories of thought in the 17th century: Cartesianism and feminism. At the heart of my thesis is the proposition that any coherent understanding of human being requires the assumption that sustains Descartes' dualism: freedom of the mind. In order to demonstrate the importance of Descartes' rationalist argument for human freedom of mind, I situate his work in the context of two other 17th century rationalists who argued for the emancipation of women: Marie de Gournay (1565-1645) and François Poulain de la Barre (1647-1723). In 'The Equality of Men and Women' (1622) Gournay articulates a new logic of human relations: one of perfect equality between men and women. On this basis, she contradicts two kinds of inequality: in women's historical representation and in their access to education. These arguments, I argue, are strengthened in Descartes' reformulation of mind-body dualism in his ' Meditations on First Philosophy'. Descartes' dualism supports a theory of sexual equality by arguing an equality of the freedom of mind in the power of reason. The freedom of reason does not involve negating the passions or the body, as some critics contend. This is because embodiment is an innate idea of human reason and cannot legitimately be negated. It is also because the passion and virtue of generosity, the universal standard of human virtue, does not call for negation, but for rational understanding of our passions. Generosity is the key to remedying the disorders of other passions, and, importantly, it is the basis of respect for other human beings. I argue that this respect does not merely amount to a recognition of the freedom of others, but it goes deeper than that: generosity is the basis for the promotion of human freedom. Poulain de la Barre draws on dualism, freedom and generosity in order to articulate, like Gournay, a theory of complete sexual equality. He argues that 'the mind has no sex.' Writing in the 1670s, his work thus bridges Cartesianism and earlier 17th century feminism. On his view, every human freedom, both internal and external, ought to be afforded to women.
Design and implementation of a 16kbit 1T1C ferroelectic random access memory testchip

This thesis presents design and implementation of a novel reference generation scheme and a current-steering sense amplifier. The reference generation scheme balances fatigue among memory cell capacitors and reference cell capacitors on the same row. The sense amplifier design allows a reference current to be shared among eight adjacent columns in the memory array. A 16kbit 1T1C ferroelectric random access memory (FeRAM) testchip has been designed and fabricated in a 0.35[mu]m CMOS technology with integration of planar ferroelectric capacitors. Testchip functionality was verified by both simulation and measurement results.
Differential expression analysis during pre-neoplastic stages of azoxymethane (AOM) induced colon carcinogenesis

The molecular alterations occurring during the pre-neoplastic stages of sporadic colon cancer are poorly understood. In this study, an azoxymethane (AOM) induced murine model of colon carcinogenesis was used to analyse changes in gene expression before morphological changes are present. Changes in gene expression were investigated using a cDNA array technology, testing for 1,176 murine transcripts. Results from a pair of samples showed upregulation of nine genes and downregulation of seven genes in the AOM induced colonic tissue. CD44, which is commonly overexpressed in colon cancer, was not increased in this pre-neoplastic model, using immunofluorescence and immunoblotting methods. Further investigations of candidate genes identified by the cDNA array analysis may aid in understanding the early events in colon carcinogenesis and identify potential surrogate markers of colon cancer development.
Native illness meanings, depression and suicide

Depression and suicide rates are prevalent amongst Native people living on reservations in North America. The literature indicates that the emotional difficulty termed "depression" is common among Native people (O'Nell, 1993). However, Western understandings of the term "depression" may not always be applicable in Native contexts. Studies indicate that in some Native communities the particular impact of social circumstances on mood is related to Native peoples' experiences of depressive illness. It is important to understand the meanings Native people give to the term "depression", their experience of it, and the sources they ascribe to it, both social and individual. It was the purpose of this study to assess from the Native participants' understanding, whether depression and suicide does affect those living on a reserve in Northwestern Ontario. This study's aim was to explore whether both depression and suicide, as the terms are understood in Western culture, are a problem for these Native peoples. Also, it was the aim to understand what the illness experience of depression and suicide means for these Native people, both at the social level, the contextual level and the personal one. It was intended that from this research, knowledge would be gleaned about what these Native peoples' explanatory models were regarding the sources of low mood and suicide. This exploratory narrative investigation revealed the participants' themes or meanings that they gave to their illness experience. These themes spoke to psychosocial sources for which these Native individuals attributed their experiences of psychological distress. In their understanding, both female and male participants experienced episodes of depressive mood and certain symptoms. Participants also had experienced suicidal thoughts and intentions. Importantly, participants sourced their mood difficulties to social causes and not to their own biologically-based predispositions or diseases as posited by Western medicalized perspectives as sources for mood problems. Rather, the occurrences of psychosocial stressors that began in early life and continued into adulthood were described as major contributors to the illness experience of mood difficulties by participants in this study.
Marbles and tops, the reputation of Walter de la Mare

The reputation of Walter de la Mare represents a conundrum which, when probed, reveals much about the intertwined ventures of writer, publisher, and critic. From 1912 to the late 1920s, de la Mare bad a public reputation equal to W. B. Yeats'. Like Yeats, he was a romantic and a symbolist, and he managed to embody in his work the spiritual concerns and anxieties of England in the Edwardian period and the Georgian that followed. By fusing elements from both folk and literary traditions and fully developing his extraordinary lyric gift, he found a point of coincidence between his own symbolist leanings and the demands of a reading and book-buying public, creating a singular de la Marean terrain in fiction, poetry, and criticism. He appeared in all five of the 'Georgian Poetry' anthologies and attracted unusually large audiences to his readings. Celebrated by critics like Murry, Gosse, and Priestley, he also won the devotion of Henry Newbolt, Edward Thomas, and Rupert Brooke. When Geoffrey Faber and T. S. Eliot were forging the shape of Faber & Faber in the late 1920s, they chose de la Mare as one of their key writers, using his reputation to support a bold publishing venture. However, at this same moment, he came under attack from certain critics who demanded socially relevant literature and deplored the public preference for work that seemed to them outmoded and escapist. When 1. A. Richards and F. R. Leavis effectively appropriated the evaluation of poetry as one of the functions of the academy, disenfranchising the public and condemning the poets that public celebrated, de la Mare was one of their chief targets. The pronouncements of these critics, reinforced by the development of a canon of "relevant" and innovative poets in anthologies like Michael Roberts' 'Faber Book of Modern Verse', hardened into a critical orthodoxy that still remains in effect, seventy years later, with regard to de la Mare. Because of the lack of widespread revaluation of de la Mare's work, an understanding of his subtle lyricism and symbolisms has been lost and the meaning of his earlier reputation effaced.
The Meta-Policy information base

The recent considerable growth of computer networks has revealed significant scalability and efficiency limitations in the traditional management techniques. Policy-Based Networking (PBN) has emerged as a promising paradigm for Network Management. The Common Open Policy Service (COPS) and its extension for policy provisioning (COPS-PR) are currently being developed as the protocols to implement PBN. COPS-PR has received significant attention and seems efficient for several Management areas. However, the rigidity of its policy-enforcing mechanisms constrains the intelligence that can be pushed towards the managed devices. This work attempts to relax this limitation by using meta-policies, rules that enforce the appropriate policies on the devices. Meta-policies are stored and processed by the devices, independently of their semantics, making in this way the model more efficient, scalable, distributed and robust. The additional functionality is implemented through a new Policy Information Base (PIB) that we have defined, the Meta-Policy PIB.
Errors in analysis of sulphide rich samples by x-ray fluorescence spectrometry

XRF analyses of sulphide bearing samples using pressed powder pellets are subject to large errors. Large errors, due to inhomogeneity and segregation, were found in two-component mixtures and were most severe in mixtures with low sulphide concentrations (up to 30%). Grain size is also a source of intensity errors if it is larger than the average penetration depth of the fluorescent x-rays. Fundamental parameters cannot handle the wide range of composition in sulphides without using the non-standard corrections. Accurate results may be obtained if silicate and sulphide mixtures are used for calibration or if different calibration curves are used to cover different concentration ranges. In multi component mixtures, total S analyses were correct whereas chalcophile elements were too low and lithophile elements, too high. The magnitude of errors in Cu, Zn and Fe are similar whereas those for Pb are much larger.
Evaluating the effectiveness of the accelerative integrated method for teaching French as a second language

This research project examines the effectiveness of a new approach to teaching French as a second language. The methodology involved the presentation of high frequency vocabulary through gesture, and contextualised in story and drama. The oral fluency of a sample of students taught with this method was tested with an interview and story-telling activity. The ability of the students to use the second language was compared with that of students from another school who used a thematic approach. The teachers from each school selected students with differing levels of ability. The author compared the effectiveness of each of the types of instruction in promoting fluency. Students in the group that received instruction through the new methodology were significantly more competent in both comprehension and productive use of the language. The most remarkable difference was in their ability to engage in sustained speech.
Creating order, the French Revolution in selected texts of Andre Chenier, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Novalis

An interdisciplinary study of work by three European poets at the time of the French Revolution, this thesis reads literary texts in the context of history and politics. Based on selected published writings by André Chénier, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Novalis, it establishes features of the public poetic response to the Revolution. Cycles of publication are investigated for each poet, in each case covering the period when his reaction to the Revolution would be most available to a wider public. The thesis studies the way history is "configured" (the "configuration" of history is a term employed by Paul Ricoeur, whose 'Time and Narrative ' supplies the theoretical impetus for the project). It concludes that although there is no single overriding concept linking Revolution and revolutionary poetic narrative, each text borrows from Revolutionary rhetoric in its own way. The thesis suggests that too narrow a view of "Romantic" ideology has obscured a plausible reading of the work of the poets as members of the historical communities of the 1790's. The interpretation of the poetry is different when situated in this context. Further, the "ordering" of Revolution within national and political context is a concern in all the texts. André Chénier projects a pre-Romantic heroic personality into the future to escape the chaos of Revolution, in which he is implicated mainly by his extensive adoption of Revolutionary discourse. Coleridge first attempts to reconcile a divine plan with the chaos of contemporary social inequities, but then chooses to use nature, not politics, as an ordering mechanism in his poetry. Novalis recreates history to reconcile older and newer orders, blotting out the impact of anarchic Revolution by placing it in a pattern of evolutionary cycles. These conclusions question a commonly held notion of literary history, that contemporary poets reacted to the Revolution with disgust, disowning earlier enthusiasms, and turned "back" to poetry. The poets designed their worlds continually; the Revolution was one of the elements that needed to be organised to create poetic order, and it was to this order, separately achieved and conceived within historical context, that the poets remained constant.