VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Characterization of pRb and TFIIB binding by hSSU72 transcription factor

Retinoblastoma protein (pRb) restricts cell cycle progression, inhibits apoptosis, and promotes cell differentiation in part by regulating the transcription of genes specific to these processes. Our lab identified human SSU72 (hSSU72) as a novel pRb-binding transcription factor. The yeast orthologue, ySSU72, interacts with TFIIB, RNAPII, and components of CPF, suggesting it functions in transcription initiation and 3′ end processing. Here, I demonstrate that ySSU72:TFIIB interaction is conserved in mammals and that binding appears to require hSSU72 residues 124–194. In addition, pRb:hSSU72 interaction does not depend on the LXCXE motif of hSSU72. However, interaction does require multiple pRb domains, including the B subdomain and C-terminal region, whereby deletion of both domains significantly decreased pRb:hSSU72 interaction. These physical associations suggest hSSU72 may have similar functions to ySSU72 and that pRb could potentially regulate expression of certain genes by effecting transcription initiation and/or mRNA 3' end processing through its interaction with hSSU72.
Cognitive origins of foreign policy behaviour: the case of Iran and the Soviet Union in the 1953--1962 period

This dissertation probes the influence of perceptions of threat (and opportunity) on Soviet-Iranian mutual behaviour in the 1953--1962 period. Further, it delves into the origins and objects of these perceptions and examines the degree of their commensuration with the external setting, endeavouring to distinguish between erroneous and accurate perceptions. The dissertation argues that whereas Iranian perceptions of threat mainly derived from affective pre-dispositions, cognitive influences, and historical memory, Soviet perceptions of threat would seem to have originated from Soviet-American global rivalry within the bipolar Cold War international system, which made Iranian military-security co-operation with the United States appear menacing and deleterious to Soviet security and strategic interests. On the basis of the above argument, the dissertation characterises Soviet behaviour as mainly contingent upon, and reactive to Iranian strategic moves, differentiating it from Iranian behaviour, which was underpinned by a more consistent level of conflict and non-co-operation vis-a-vis the Soviet Union. Iranian behaviour also proved largely impervious to either Soviet conciliatory overtures or its retaliatory and punitive actions ostensibly due to its deeply entrenched affective-cognitive origins as well the Shah's memories of Iran's negative experience with the Soviet Union during World War II. It was Iran's entry to the Baghdad Pact, and later its conclusion of a bilateral defence agreement with the United States that were mainly responsible for the gradual diminution of initial Soviet perceptions of opportunity in the aftermath of Stalin's death and the onset of the Soviet policy of peaceful co-existence, and their substitution by perceptions of threat and vulnerability, in turn triggering highly hostile Soviet behaviour towards Iran. While perceptions of opportunity were not absent from the Iranian cognitive agenda altogether, they were constrained by perceptions of threat and vulnerability. This would seem to explain the limited and cautious nature of Iran's co-operation with the Soviet Union, which altogether excluded the security-strategic dimension and only partially included the economic-technical domain. This stood in stark contrast to the more extensive Soviet co-operation agenda vis-a-vis Iran.
Mitigating alkali silica reaction in concrete with supplementary cementing materials when used in conjunction with portland cements having alkali contents in excess of 1.0%

The current CSA A23.2-27A "Use of Supplementary Cementing Materials for Counteracting Alkali-Silica Reaction" standard outlines the appropriate levels of supplementary cementing materials (SCMs) required to mitigate expansions due to alkali-silica reaction (ASR) for certain material combinations. The standard provides a maximum allowable alkali content for cement of 1.0% Na2Oeq. With increasing environmental pressure for cement producers to minimize waste kiln dust, the trend is towards higher-alkali cements, and several now exceed 1.0% Na2Oeq .The only question is whether the current minimum SCM contents in CSA A23.2-27A need to be increased to account for the use of higher alkali cements. The aim of this thesis is to determine just that. A test program was established to determine the necessary SCM levels. It was concluded that the current SCM levels are sufficient at mitigating ASR and recommendations to amend that standard are made.
Where adsorption affects the contact angle ; wetting condensation transitions

The values of the interfacial properties and the ellipsometric measurements of adsorbed film thickness are used with the isotherm expression to examine the wetting transition and the transition in adsorbate occurring in the limit of the pressure approaching the saturation pressure, PS. The contact angle relation indicates that below a limiting value of x3, denoted as xw, the contact angle has a value of zero (wetting), but for xw le; x3
International IP protection for GMO: A biotech odyssey

This paper deals with IP protection for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) under the Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs). It outlines the potential of GMOs and shows why effective patent protection is a necessary prerequisite for research in this area. It argues that the TRIPs minimum requirements do not mandate sufficient standards for GMO patents--they do not require patent protection for most biotechnological inventions. Subsequently, it explores the consequences of this lack of harmonization. Employing salient arguments for and against IP-harmonization, it demonstrates that harmonized effective patent protection for GMOs confers significant advantages on the participating countries, but hardly any disadvantages. Moreover, it indicates that effective IPRs mitigate the more widespread use of Genetic Use Restriction Technology(ies) (GURTs). It concludes with showing why multilateral harmonization is necessary and why developing countries are deterred from unilaterally raising the standard of IP protection for GMOs.

Keywords: Transgenic organisms, Patents
Transgenic organisms, Law and legislation
Bioengineering, Patents
Spirals of peace: Learning from the lives of women peacebuilders in the United States

This qualitative study uses life history research methods that are autobiographical, relational, and arts-informed to explore some of the beliefs, attitudes, values, practices, and life experiences of a small number of women in the United States who demonstrate a commitment to peace and social justice -- in other words, women peacebuilders. In particular, the study seeks to understand: (1) how women peacebuilders understand and practice peace in all aspects of their lives, and (2) some of the experiences that have been influential in shaping their paths as peacebuilders. By integrating literature on peace and peacebuilding with the women's stories, the study develops a perspective of peace that is dynamic, holistic, and integral. It also recognizes and honors the many ways women peacebuilders live and build peace in their relationships to self, others, and nature. Finally, the study shares stories that can inspire, build understanding, and provide examples to others.

Keywords: Women and peace, United States
Social justice
Women pacifists, United States
Spirals, Religious aspects
Pottery craft
Use of the threshold technique to characterize treatment decision making and assist in the prioritization of future randomized controlled trials for long term therapy for Crohn's disease

Introduction. The objective of this study was: (1) to determine if decision making for long term therapy for Crohn's disease is value sensitive and (2) to use patient preference data to prioritize future randomized controlled trials in this setting. Methods. Subjects participating in this study completed a standardized interview during which the probability trade off technique was used to obtain patient preferences for long term therapy for Crohn's disease. Each probability trade off task involved pair-wise comparison between a target medication and reference medication in order to determine: (1) the minimum treatment effect size between the target and reference medication that the subject considered worthwhile and (2) the proportion of subjects who preferred the target medication relative to the reference medication given the clinically realistic or achievable treatment effect size between these medications. Results. A convenience sample of 227 patients with documented Crohn's disease attending outpatient gastroenterology and general surgery clinics participated in the study. The distribution of the treatment effect sizes that the subjects considered worthwhile varied widely for all of the probability trade off tasks suggesting that decision making for CD is value sensitive. In addition, since each target-reference medication pair was designed to represent a future randomized controlled trial, the probability trade off tasks for which the largest proportion of subjects preferred the target medication given the clinically realistic treatment effect size were designated as high priority. These included: (1) fish oil and azathioprine relative to 5-ASA for post-operative maintenance therapy, (2) fish oil relative to azathioprine for maintenance therapy following a medically induced remission and (3) azathioprine relative to methotrexate and surgery for active therapy in chronic active Crohn's disease. Conclusions. This study revealed that decision making for long term therapy for Crohn's disease is value sensitive and prioritized future randomized controlled trials in this setting. Furthermore, this study showed that the probability trade off was a useful technique to characterize treatment decision making for long term therapy for Crohn's disease as well as to assist in the prioritization of future randomized controlled trials in this setting.
Coherent control of charge currents, spin currents and carrier density in bulk GaAs using non-degenerate transient grating techniques

Coherent control processes are studied in bulk GaAs at room temperature using nondegenerate transient grating techniques. These processes occur due to the phase dependent quantum interference between one- and two-photon absorption pathways of two non-collinear 775 and 1550 nm optical beams. Due to the beams' propagation directions, quantum interference is spatially modulated resulting in the generation of different types of gratings. Depending on the beams' polarizations and sample orientation, a current-induced grating or a directly-induced carrier density grating is observed. The grating diffraction efficiency is measured as a function of time with 830 nm probe pulses. The temporal evolution of a charge current-induced grating generated by p-polarized optical beams is investigated. The grating diffraction efficiency initially rises, as the pump pulses arrive, then decays in ∼ 400 fs to a non-zero value from which it rises again and peaks in ∼ 5 ps, followed again by a decay within ∼13 ps. A hydrodynamic model is developed to explain the temporal behavior of this grating. Evolution of the charge current grating to the carrier density and temperature grating and its subsequent decay in time are described. The role of different carrier kinetics such as carrier cooling, inter-valley scattering and ambipolar diffusion in the temporal evolution of current-induced grating are also investigated. The use of the hydrodynamic model to describe the experimental results indicates an injection of carriers with a net quasi-particle momentum during the grating generation. Generation of a spin current grating by cross-linearly polarized optical beams and its evolution to a spin density grating is also demonstrated. The grating diffraction efficiency initially rises with the pump pulses, followed by a decay within ∼3 ps, attributed to electron diffusion. Carrier density gratings are also generated directly by the quantum interference between the optical beams. For beams' polarizations and crystal orientations that permit both directly-induced density grating and charge current-induced density grating to form, interference is observed between the two types of gratings which have approximately the same amplitude despite the different processes need to form them. This interference is investigated by measuring the diffraction efficiency as a function of sample orientation.
A fine balance: Patient safety and trainee education on clinical teaching teams

Context. Clinical supervisors of medical trainees must provide supervision to ensure patient safety, while allowing enough independence to promote education. Current focus on patient safety has led to changes in supervisory practices without exploring their educational impact, creating an urgent need for an understanding of how the safety-education balance is enacted in medical training. Conclusions. This study offers an important theoretical advancement from the traditional conceptualization of the inverse relationship between safety and education in clinical training. Exposure and examination of the complexities involved in the constant trainee-supervisor negotiations about clinical independence provides a framework for changes that could simultaneously advance the patient care and educational agendas of medical education. Design. In Phase 1, 88 teaching team members from internal and emergency medicine were observed during clinical activities (216 hours), and 65 participants subsequently completed brief interviews. In Phase 2, 36 in-depth interviews were conducted using video vignettes to probe tacit influences on supervision. Data collection and analysis employed grounded theory methodology. Results. Clinical supervision practices related to patient care were found to involve routine oversight (oversight activities planned in advance), backstage oversight (oversight of which trainees are not directly aware), and responsive oversight (oversight occurring in response to trainee- or patient-specific issues). Supervisors' assessments of trainee trustworthiness for independent clinical work were found to involve consideration of trainees' knowledge and skill, discernment of clinical limitations, honesty, and conscientiousness. Supervisors' reliance on language cues as a source of trustworthiness data was revealed. Trainees' decisions about seeking help from supervisors were found to involve not only clinical factors (clinical significance, scope of practice), but also supervisor factors (availability, approachability), and trainee factors (expertise, desire for independence, evaluation). Trainees perceived that requesting frequent/inappropriate clinical support threatens credibility. The pressure on trainees to act independently was explored in light of educational and organizational theory, resulting in a new practical approach to patient safety during clinical training. Objectives. To explore the patterns of supervision currently provided by clinical supervisors, and to develop conceptual models of the factors involved in clinical teachers' decisions about supervision, and of the factors influencing trainee-supervisor communication about supervision.
Sea-level change on an ice-age Earth: theory, algorithm and applications

The response of the Earth to the surface loading associated with the Late Pleistocene glacial cycles, or glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA), involves a variety of geophysical observables. One subset of GIA data that has had widespread application to processes occurring on the surface and within the Earth's interior is site-specific relative sea-level (RSL) changes. The work presented in this thesis involves the description of a detailed theory and algorithm for predicting RSL changes on Earth models of arbitrary complexity, as well as the application of this formulation to a first assessment of the resolving power of far-field RSL highstands in inferences of the radial profile of mantle viscosity. A generalized mapping between sea-level change and ocean height that takes exact account of the evolution of shorelines was presented in Mitrovica & Milne (2003), and is extended here in three significant ways. First, an efficient theoretical formulation and numerical algorithm for solving the generalized sea-level equation (GSLE) is developed. Second, a pseudo-spectral method for solving the GSLE on spherically symmetric Earth models is derived. Finally, errors incurred in previous efforts to extend the classic sea-level equation of Farrell & Clark (1976) to include time-dependent shorelines are quantified. The GSLE was also applied to an analysis of the differential sea-level (DSL) highstands in Australia that Nakada & Lambeck (1989) used to estimate upper and lower mantle viscosity. A resolving power analysis performed via a Bayesian inversion of a synthetically-generated suite of data identified three radial regions (two within the upper mantle and the third in the middle of the lower mantle) over which the average of viscosity is well constrained. An analysis of the DSL highstands tabulated by Nakada & Lambeck (1989) showed a similar radial resolution; however the inversions of these data were significantly less stable and the radial averages of viscosity were less well constrained. The synthetic analysis demonstrated that, with an improved and expanded data set, a constraint on finer viscosity structure within the mantle is possible. A comparison between estimates derived from other regional data sets could then address the necessity of invoking lateral variations in Earth structure.
The arts as catalyst, catharsis, and crucible: towards a personal philosophy of art

This qualitative arts-based research explores the role of the arts in human development from a holistic educational perspective. The guiding question of this inquiry is: How does the artistic process facilitate holistic learning and personal transformation? With specific focus on the visual arts it examines the three levels of experience within the artistic process: the role of the artistic medium; the role of artistic representation and the imagination; and the role of the creative act. This study uses narrative portraiture as inquiry and examines the lived experiences and personal practical knowledge of three visual artist educators. It examines their ongoing narratives within the arts, key experiences of holistic learning in the visual arts and their experiences of how the artistic process facilitates personal transformation. The key experiences in the arts for each participant are varied in their biographical details however, there are three commonalities: through encountering a holistic approach to the visual arts their relationship to the artistic process changed; they valued and cultivated a profound connection to nature and spirituality; and each indicated the important connection between the spirit of play and creativity. Key emergent themes include: the development of heightened awareness; learning to perceive and discern in new ways; becoming literate with the various artistic languages; developing greater soul-spiritual capacities; and finally, the arts as crucial catalysts for personal transformation. In this study, the participants spoke repeatedly of how the artistic process facilitates personal transformation through the three active agents: the medium, the imagination and the creative act. They acknowledged the role of the artistic process in the enhancement of capacities from bodily abilities, to soul capacities to spiritual faculties. This study concludes that within the visual arts the artistic process acts on the senses like a central catalyst for change. The imagination acts as a powerful and critical agent for catharsis, and enables the creative acts of the artist to create a crucial crucible for the becoming of the artist. This study makes significant contributions to the fields of holistic education, arts education, transformative learning, teacher development, and arts-based methodology.
La redécouverte théâtrale et critique de La Commedia dell'art en Russie au cours du premier quart du XXe siècle

United in a theatrical revolt against the naturalistic productions of the leaders of Russian stage at the turn of the XXth century, Stanislavski and Nemirovich-Danchenko, a group of avant-garde artists started experiments with stylized and transposed reminiscences of Commedia dell 'arte by mirroring initially German and Austrian directors and playwrights. Three major trends characterize the theatrical and critical rediscovery of the Comedy by the representatives of Russian intelligentsia. The first trend was the rediscovery of the commedia dell 'arte of fin de siecle and of a decadent signature. This was paramount for the creative work of such artists as Evreinov, Blok, Meyerhold and Tairov, who filtered their experiments through the poetry of French poets-symbolists and the pantomimes of the Austrian dramatist Arthur Schnitzler. The second trend embraced the critical and historical rediscovery of the commedia, filtered by field research and archaeological study. The most eminent representative of this trend was Konstantin Miklashevsky. In 1913 Meyerhold opened an experimental Studio and in 1914 started to edit a Journal, Love for three oranges, which served as a text and study book for his Drama School. Vladimir Solov'ev, Sergei Radlov, Jakov Bloch wrote their own scenarios, translated plays, taught in the Studio and took active part in the archaeological rediscovery of commedia genre. The third trend was implementation of the acquired through research knowledge on theatrical scene. A further search for local theatrical roots led a part of the group to explore the Russian archives and uncover a little known original full version commedia scenarios and popular play scripts dating from the early XVIIIth century. Their discoveries and experiments with the old art had found artistic expression on the stage of many theatrical Studios and especially on the plateau of the Theatre Popular Comedy in Petrograd during the period 1920-1922. Solov'ev, Mic, Radlov, Bloch combined the high-brow style of 1733-35 commedia scenarios conceived to entertain the Russian nobility with the excentrism and buffoonery of the low-brow style popular remakes of the same scenarios aimed to reach the broad masses. This unique blend may be qualified as a true and original Russian style rediscovery of commedia dell 'arte.
Morse theory and the euler characteristic of sections of spherical varieties

A beautiful theorem due to D. Bernstein, Kušnirenko and Khovanskii states that the Euler characteristic of a hypersurface defined by a polynomial f in ([special characters omitted]\{0})n is equal (up to a sign) to n! times the volume of Newton polyhedron of f. This result is related to the algebraic torus actions and toric varieties. In this thesis, we prove that one can generalize the above result to the actions of reductive groups with spherical orbits. That is, if a reductive group acts linearly on a vector space such that the generic orbits are spherical, one can compute the Euler characteristic of generic hyperplane sections of a generic orbit in terms of combinatorial data. Main examples are computation of the Euler characteristic of hyperplane sections of SL( n, [special characters omitted]) in M(n, [special characters omitted]) and the Euler characteristic of hyperplane sections of generic orbits of standard representation of E6. Our main tool is Morse theory. We begin with developing a variant of classical Morse theory for algebraic submanifolds of [special characters omitted] and linear functionals. These Morse theoretic results are not very new and, as we show, can be obtained from stratification theory of Thom and Whitney as well as Palais-Smale generalized Morse theory. In case our submanifold in [special characters omitted] is an orbit of a Lie group, we give a direct proof for a stronger version of Morse theorems.