VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Insurgency in Ethnically Divided Authoritarian-led Societies: A Comparative Study of Rebel Movements in Ethiopia, 1974-2014

Current literature on collective violence and civil war has emphasized underlying structural, psychological, geographic, informational, international and other variables in explaining insurgency. Some of these variables are indeed important to understand the phenomenon in question, but explaining level of insurgency requires putting emphasis on other variables that the literature either neglects or downplays. This dissertation amplifies the significance of rebel organizations as well as the nature of their foreign relations (foreign state leverage and interest, in addition to foreign support, a variable the existing literature stresses) in accounting for the great divergence in the intensity and durability of insurgency in authoritarian-led ethnically divided societies. In its quest for comprehending rebel organizations, it further explains the origins of organizational strength and weakness by a resort to societal and voluntarist variables, in addition to social-institutional ones that the literature already acknowledges. These arguments are illustrated by an in-depth comparative study of several insurgent groups in post-1974 Ethiopia that varied widely in their intensity and durability—both across regions and time-periods. Since the outbreak of the Ethiopian Revolution in 1974, Ethiopia has been engulfed by numerous armed movements that fought the state and one another with varying degrees of violence and persistence. The Dergue’s period witnessed high intensity, high durability; high intensity, low durability; and low intensity, high durability insurgencies. The regime that came after it, in sharp contrast to its predecessor, enjoyed relative peace, despite the physical existence of armed groups, most of which however fought low intensity, low durability insurgencies. Holding many variables more or less constant and de-emphasizing the value of others, this study underscores the significance of the internal structure of rebel organizations--whose determinants it also traces—in explaining these variations. It also equally highlights the degree of leverage foreign states have over the rebels they support and their agenda towards the state/regime that the rebels fight, besides the mere amount of support rebels get from those states.

Keywords: Collective violence
Ethiopia
Foreign leverage and interest
Insurgency
Organizational capacity
Rebel groups
Advisor: Bertrand, Jacques
Design, Modelling, and Control of Soft-Bodied Magnetic Miniature Robots

Miniature robots promise radical improvements in microengineering and disease diagnosis and therapy. Their microscopic sizes allow them to access small and constrained workspaces that cannot be reached previously and perform tasks with accuracy and delicacy. However, their minute bodies also prevent them from carrying on-board components, such as electronics, batteries, and sensors. Thus, there exist a number of unique open problems in miniature robotics, which require novel strategies other than the conventional ones for robots at a larger size scale. In particular, the design, modelling, and control of soft-bodied magnetic miniature robots, which deform in magnetic fields to realize functionalities, have not been well studied, whilst their potential significant impacts have been shown on several areas. In this research, I design, fabricate, model, and control soft-bodied magnetic miniature robots to achieve functionalities at the millimeter and submillimeter scale. A microgripper, a miniature swimmer, and a microobject sorter are developed for cargo picking-and-placing, microscopic propulsion, and microobject sorting, respectively. A global magnetic field serves as the sole medium to deliver power and signals to these small-scale devices that work as robotic end-effectors. The magnetization pattern of each robot is programmed such that it exhibits the desired reactions in the magnetic field. Models are derived to explain and predict the behavior of these devices. Feedback controllers are developed to manipulate them in autonomous robotic tasks. Moreover, novel schemes are formulated to independently and simultaneously control two devices of the same kind using a single magnetic field without additional inputs. The successful realizations of these fundamental functionalities at (sub)millimeter scale using soft-bodied magnetic miniature robots indicate their promising potentials of achieving a large variety of complex capacities and being applied to a wide range of applications. The knowledge obtained from this research could provide insights for designing miniature robots with respect to specific task requirements. Preliminary biocompatibility tests reveal no negative effect on living cells from these robots, suggesting a promising outlook of these devices in bio-related areas. Potential applications of the proposed miniature robots include targeted drug delivery, minimally invasive surgery, on-chip cell diagnosis, microassembly, and generic laboratory operations.

Keywords: magnetic elastic composite
microfluidic sorting
micrograsping
microrobotics
miniature locomotion
Advisor: Diller, Eric David
Building Home/Land: Jewish Summer Camps as Architecture of Zionism in America

Since its inception in the late 19th century, summer camping has become one of the most quintessential American activities. Jewish summer camps (camps attended by mostly Jewish patrons with varying degrees of religious and cultural programming) emerged during the same moment in American history. These camps and the culture they have produced have become so cemented in American consciousness, that even those who have not had first hand experience with Jewish summer camping, still understand its weight. This dissertation looks at the rise of the American Jewish summer camp movement in order to investigate what the role of the summer camp has been in forging a specifically American version of Jewish ethno-nationalism and identity. By looking into three aspects of Jewish summer camping – the precise relationship built to nature (both within the summer camp in the US and the Kibbutz movement in Palestine), the importance of intimacy for forging an intensity of group bonding and community-building, and the use of camp aesthetics as a disciplinary framework, rather than a liberatory one – this dissertation outlines the ways the Jewish summer camp has become an ideal site for Jewish nation-building, serving to strengthen the bonds Jewish Americans feel to the US and Israel simultaneously.

Keywords: America
Camp
Jewish
Nationalism
Summer
Zionism
Advisor: Cowen, Deborah
Solution-Processable Boron Subphthalocyanines for Organic Photovoltaics

Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) are cheaper, less energy intensive manufacturing, and solution- printable options compared to current for solar energy generation technologies and can provide solutions to the growing global energy demand. Boron subphthalocyanines (BsubPcs) are an organic material of interest for OPVs due to their strong absorption near the maximum irradiance from the Sun and ability to fine-tune their properties, such as electronic and solubility, using various straightforward organic chemistry techniques. For example, substituents in the axial (to the boron center atom) and peripheral (outside aromatic groups) positions can be altered to improve solubility for solution-deposition methods and to lower the frontier energy levels, enabling BsubPc to function as a non-fullerene acceptor. Typical fullerene electron acceptor derivatives have weak absorption in the visible spectrum, require high energy and low yielding synthetic steps, and lack the ability to fine-tune the energy levels for OPV performance optimization. By screening both soluble polymer and small molecule versions of BsubPc with the optimal energy levels, electrochemical and absorbance stability, polymer electron donor pair, and OPV device architecture type, it was found that small molecule BsubPc electron acceptors in solution-deposited BsubPcs hold promise, with performance close to a fullerene baseline. In particular, a BsubPc derivative with a phenoxy or chlorine axial ligand and peripheral chlorine substituents demonstrated ideal solubility, electrochemical oxidation and reduction reversibility, and overall OPV device results when paired with high performing benzodithiophene-based polymer electron donors in orthogonally solution-printed OPVs. These conclusions pave the way for future developments in device processing conditions for solution-deposited BsubPcs as well as for the overall OPV field.

Keywords: chemistry
organic
photovoltaics
solution deposited
Advisor: Bender, Timothy P
Efficient Algorithms on Cocomparability Graphs via Vertex Orderings

In this thesis, we give new structural and algorithmic results on cocomparability (ccp) graphs; particularly, by connecting structural properties of graph searching to those of ver- tex ordering characterizations and linear extensions of posets. To do so, we present new tools that we hope will prove useful on other applications – especially a new graph parti- tion refinement technique, and a new graph parameter that captures the linear structure exhibited by certain graph classes. The thesis consists of two main parts. In the first half, we give the first linear time algorithm to compute a LexDFS ordering of ccp graphs. Doing so, we overcome a bottleneck to achieving certifying linear time Hamilton path, max independent set and max matching algorithms on this graph class. Building on this result, we give a new simple and elegant algorithm to the classical minimum bump problem on posets. Lastly, we introduce a new graph invariant, LexCycle, which measures how linearly structured certain graph classes are, this linear structure has been a driving factor to a number of efficient algorithms. In the second half of the thesis, we lift our results to weighted ccp graphs. In particular, we give the first linear time robust algorithm for the weighted max independent set problem on this graph class; we then build on this result to give the fastest (O(mn) time) algorithm for the weighted induced matching problem on ccp graphs. In this latter work, we also give a unifying framework that captures graphs, characterized by forbidden orderings, which are closed under L2(·), the operation of computing the square of the line graph. We conclude by presenting structural properties on AT-free graphs, a superclass of ccp graphs, that we hope can be used to lift some of these results to this larger graph class.

Keywords: Cocomparability Graphs
Efficient Algorithms
Graph Searching
Graph Theory
Optimization
Posets
Advisor: Corneil, Derek G.
Borodin, Allan B.
Testing the Use of the Proxy Archive Clathromorphum compactum for Climate Reconstructions

The coralline alga Clathromorphum compactum is an important annual to sub-annual resolution archive of Arctic and Subarctic environmental conditions. Annual Mg/Ca cycles and growth measured in C. compactum’s high Mg calcite growth increments have been used as proxies for past sea surface temperatures (SST) and sea ice off North America going back more than 600 years. However, uncertainties remain with respect to environmental controls influencing growth and elemental incorporation in C. compactum. Furthermore, proxy capabilities of C. compactum crusts have never been compared to other coralline algal genera or growth morphologies or tested in Arctic regions outside North America. Following an assessment of advantages and disadvantages of different techniques used for analyzing coralline algal Mg/Ca ratios for paleoclimate reconstructions, I here compare two different growth morphologies of coralline algae: massive crusts and free-living branching algal nodules, known as rhodoliths. I tested whether either of these growth morphologies is more suitable for proxy reconstructions by comparing Mg/Ca ratios in rhodoliths of Lithothamnion glaciale and in rhodoliths as well as encrusting specimens of C. compactum. Mg/Ca ratios derived from both coralline algal growth forms can yield SST information, however, massive encrusting forms yield higher correlations to SST than rhodoliths, which only allowed for the generation of short time series due to frequent growth irregularities. To achieve a better understanding of environmental controls influencing coralline algae, I processed the data of an 11-month microcosm experiment comparing specimens of C. compactum grown under a range of temperature and light conditions. I show that both light and temperature significantly affect MgCO3 in C. compactum. For specimens grown at low temperature (2°C), the effects of light are smaller, than at higher (10°C) temperature. Finally, I demonstrate the ability of C. compactum Mg/Ca to act as a proxy for SST and glacial runoff in Greenland.

Advisor: Halfar, Jochen
Examining compositions, hydration mechanisms and properties of supersulfated cement for use in concrete

Supersulfated cement (SSC) is potentially an attractive alternative to portland cement for use in concrete as it is mainly composed of industrial by-product slag and calcium sulfate. However, SSC is currently under-utilized because of its slow early-strength development. The low-alumina content (

Keywords: alklai-lactates
Concrete
Freeze thaw
Low-alumina slag
slag-cement
Supersulfated cement
Advisor: Hooton, Doug
Mechanical Characterization of Red Blood Cells Using Microfluidic Devices

The mechanical properties of red blood cells (RBCs) have been proven to play important roles in the regulation of various biological activities and have shown clinical significance. During the past few decades, a number of research studies have been conducted to understand the relationship between RBC mechanical properties and diseases. The work described in this thesis focuses on characterizing mechanical properties of RBCs from sickle cell trait (SCT) carriers and the degradation/recovery of stored RBCs in transfusion medicine. The mechanical properties and changes of SCT RBCs under deoxygenated and acidic environments, two typical conditions present in the circulation of athletes undertaking strenuous exercise, were measured. The results revealed that SCT RBCs are inherently stiffer than RBCs from non-SCT healthy subjects, and a lower pH further stiffens the SCT cells. Furthermore, at both normal and low pH levels, deoxygenation was found to cause no change of SCT RBCs stiffness. In transfusion medicine, compromised RBC deformability can lower the transfusion efficiency or intensify transfusion complications. This thesis reports microfluidic mechanical measurement of stored RBCs under the physiological deformation mode. The results revealed that the effective stiffness of RBCs increases over the storage process. RBCs stored for one week already started to show significantly higher stiffness than fresh RBCs, and stored RBC stiffness degraded faster in the last three weeks than in the first three weeks. Although the stiffness of stored RBCs degrades over the storage process, whether the stiffness of stored RBCs can be reversed after transfusion remains unknown. A microfluidic platform was used in this thesis to measure the evolution of RBC stiffness recovery under in vivo-like conditions. RBCs stored up to 6 weeks (42 days) in the blood bank were measured, revealing that the degraded stiffness of RBCs over the storage process can be recovered in human serum within 120 minutes. However, the recovered stiffness of older RBCs (stored for 4-6 weeks) is still 1.6 – 2.1 times higher than that of fresh RBCs. Furthermore, ATP, which provides energy to keep RBC membrane mechanically functional, was also measured. The ATP concentration in stored RBCs was found to increase in human serum.

Keywords: Microfluidics
Red blood cell
Stiffness
Advisor: Sun, Yu
An Investigation of the Nature and Purpose of Critical Thinking in the Revised Intermediate Ontario Science Curricula (Grades 9 and 10): Educators’ and Administrators’ Meta-Perspectives.

Critical thinking instruction in Ontario intermediate science is poorly understood. The importance of this qualitative study is underscored since is the first to examine the importance of critical thinking instruction in secondary science following the last iteration of the Ontario intermediate science curriculum. This research employs a multi-method, single case study to encapsulate the meta-perspectives of two retired science teachers, two practicing science teachers and two secondary vice-principals and their divergent and convergent views about the nature and purpose of critical thinking and critical thinking instruction in the revised intermediate Ontario Science curricula (Grades 9 and 10). This study was viewed through the lens of Situativity (Cobb Bowers, 1999), developed from Lave and Wenger (1991) seminal work on Situated Learning Theory. Viewing knowledge from a situated learning perspective in a school setting involves studying how knowledge is being acquired, transmitted and transformed in context which promotes the application of new understandings for science teachers and administrators, their design of their lesson plans and PD activities, respectively. Data was collected from six research participants through surveys, questionnaires, observations, interview sessions (two per participant), and field notes. Additionally, this study analyzed the Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 and 10: Science (2008) and the Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 and 10, Science (1999) from the Ontario Ministry of Education and document analyses of several other sources of secondary data including board improvement plans. Four interconnected findings emerged from my research which include a need to emphasize the role of science-teacher PCK in critical thinking instruction, underscore the importance of exemplars of science lesson plans that use explicit microteaching strategies to develop students’ critical thinking, effective collaboration on developing high-quality PD on critical thinking and elevating the importance of critical thinking instruction in pre-service educational programs and in elementary science. An overarching future direction is to use in-depth longitudinal studies to enhance the generalizability of this study to foster the sustainable development of critical thinking instruction in high school science and in science teacher PD. This could inform the need to make critical thinking instruction explicit in the next iteration of science curriculum in Ontario.

Keywords: Critical Thinking in Science Education
Inservice science teachers
Ontario Intermediate Science Curriculum
Pre-Service science teachers
Professional Development
Secondary Science
Advisor: Brett, Marie C
Investigation on the processing of natural-synthetic hybrid fiber thermoplastic compositions in injection molding

During the injection molding of thermoplastics, proper control of shrinkage is critical for developing parts with an acceptable tolerance. This thesis investigated natural-synthetic hybrid fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite (hybrid-NFRC) as a potential alternative to NFRCs in structural designs such as an automotive battery tray. This research examined the material and process variables of hybrid-NFRCs to control shrinkage during injection molding (IM). Material variables such as melting, shear viscosity, polymer crystallinity and PVT (pressure-volume-temperature) relationship were investigated. Two non-linear models: Cross-WLF viscosity and 2-domain Tait equation were used to investigate the process variables such as shear rates (10s-1 to 5000 s-1), temperature (190 °C to 210 °C), pressure (10 MPa to 200 MPa) and cooling rates (5 °C/min to 20 °C/min). A Taguchi design of experiment and ANOVA (analysis-of-variance) were employed to investigate the influence of fiber hybridization on IM shrinkage. The analysis of material variables demonstrated that injection molding (IM) of hybrid-NFRCs requires special attention. An incorporation of 10 wt% synthetic fiber in hybrid-NFRCs (at 30 wt% total fiber loading) lowered the shear viscosity by 14.1 Pa.s, polymer crystallinity by 4.5% and volumetric shrinkage by 0.08% (cm3/cm3) relative to NFRCs. A further reduction in shrinkage of hybrid-NFRCs can be realized by lowering the shear viscosity during the filling phase (R2 = 0.56) and crystallinity development during the solidification phase (R2 = 0.67). The findings support the dominance of process variables over the effects of fiber hybridization in determining IM shrinkage. Overall, fiber hybridization is an effective approach to significantly improve the thermal and dimensional performance (P-value

Keywords: Biocomposites
Crystallinity
Hybrid fibers
Shear viscosity
Shrinkage
Thermoplastics
Advisor: Sain, Mohini
Tjong, Jimi
Effects of Left Heart Loading on the Right Ventricular-Pulmonary Arterial Circulatory Unit

The right ventricle (RV) and pulmonary vasculature (PV) form a circulatory unit which is sensitive to downstream left atrial (LA) function. Exercise may significantly stress the RV-PV circulatory unit, even in healthy individuals. This thesis aimed to characterize normal hemodynamic mechanisms through which RV-PV circulatory unit function is influenced in-series by LA function during exercise. Healthy males and females >45 years old were recruited. Right heart catheterization was used to measure cardiac output, RV and PV pressures, and pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP). Echocardiography was used to measure LA volumes. Participants were studied at rest and during 7-10 minute stages of Light- and Moderate-intensity cycle-ergometry. Project one described the PAWP and PV pressure response as exercise was initiated, sustained, and escalated in intensity. PAWP was 11 ± 3 mmHg at rest, increased to 22 ± 5 mmHg at early-Light exercise (p

Keywords: Cardiac Catheterization
Exercise
Healthy
Heart Function
Hemodynamics
Pulmonary Circulation
Advisor: Mak, Susanna
Goodman, Jack M
Correctional Officer Training and the Secure Containment of Risk and Dangerousness in a Canadian Provincial Jurisdiction

Researchers argue that prison systems have become increasingly punitive since the 1970s. However, the literature on Canadian provincial prisons has yet to document how punitiveness characterized by the rise of risk and concerns about dangerousness has been incorporated into penal practice. Using data collected during a 9-week participant observation study of provincial correctional officer (CO) training and semi-structured interviews with COs, this dissertation argues that CO training depicts prisoners as risky and dangerous by characterizing prisoner misconduct as antagonistic. This conceptualization helps to legitimize the use of physical forms of control. The use of force is positioned as the most important mechanism that COs use to manage antagonistic behaviour. The development of a security orientation premised on the use of force is achieved within a masculinized training regime designed to produce competent officers. I argue that competency is a gendered process where male and female recruits are differentially sanctioned when they fail to show toughness and emotionally stoicism. The amount and type of force used must be reasonable. Reasonableness is tied to how well COs document use of force incidents and how they use force in camera friendly ways. These are positioned as accountability measures designed to reduce excessive force. However, I suggest that these accountability measures actually shield COs from being responsible for the force they use. Force is conceptualized as a legitimate response to prisoner behaviour and COs are taught how to administer high levels of pain without being caught for using force. So long as a CO can justify and document his or her actions, the institution and the officer are absolved of liability associated with the use of physical force. This creates the environmental conditions necessary to keep COs in control by ignoring the social and contextual causes of antagonistic behaviour.

Keywords: antagonism
Canada
control
Correctional Officers
physical force
punitiveness
Advisor: Hannah-Moffat, Kelly