VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Structural evolution of the Twilight-Mystery Lakes gneiss domes in the Archean Winnipeg River Subprovince, northwest Ontario

The Twilight and Mystery domes of the central Winnipeg River Subprovince comprise heterogeneous paragneisses (deposited c.2718-2695 Ma) and c.3170-2710 orthogneisses surrounded by c.2695-2685 Ma granitoid sheets of the Lount Lake batholith. The dome cores contain leucogranitoids with rafts of surrounding paragneisses; and orthogneisses. Deposition of paragneissic protoliths was contemporaneous with sedimentation in the English River and Wabigoon subprovinces. The Twilight dome is a northwest-southeast, doubly plunging antiform. The northern part of the Mystery dome plunges northwestwards and is truncated to the southeast by a northeast-trending gneissic belt. Early isoclinal intrafolial folds in the gneisses were formed by D1. D2 created the present gneissic fabric. Peak metamorphism and anatexis occurred c.2687 Ma; coeval with D3 northeastwards shortening and dome formation. Regional, D4 northwestward compression occurring c. 2650 Ma amplified northwest-trending D3 axes. The geometry of the Twilight and Mystery domes is the result of superposed orthogonal deformation events (D3 and D4).
Regulation of the cell surface expression and the function of GABA¦BR1a by GABA¦BR2

Two subunits of ã-aminobutyric acid B (GABAB) receptors have been cloned: GABABR1 and GABABR2. In the absence of GABABR2, GABABR1 is not expressed at the cell surface and is not functional. This thesis examines the motif responsible for the retention of GABABR1a in the endoplasmic reticulum and the ability of cell surface expressed GABABR1a to function independently of GABABR2. Using immunofluorescence analysis on HEK 293 cells transfected with GABABR1 mutants constructed by polymerase chain reaction, the intracellular retention motif of GABABR1a was shown to be present within residues 923-937 of the carboxyl terminus. Immunofluorescence analysis also revealed that cotransfection of the carboxyl terminus of GABA BR2 with GABABR1a resulted in the surface expression of GABA BR1a; thus, indicating that the carboxyl terminus of GABABR2 was sufficient to mask the retention motif within GABABR1a. Removal or masking of the ER retention signal in GABABR1a allowed the cell surface expression of this subunit; however, whole cell recordings revealed that surface expressed GABABR1a was not functional. Residues 890-923 within the carboxyl terminus of GABABR1a prevented the coupling of surface expressed GABABR1a with G-protein coupled inwardly rectifying potassium channels (GIRKs). Removal of the ER retention signal and the inhibition signal, allowed the cell surface expression of GABABR1a and functional coupling with GIRKs.
Divergence and domination, a feminist critique of power in medical relations

For the most part, modern medicine's capacity to cure lies in its ability to think categorically about human ailment, unfortunately medical categorization is simultaneously a harmful vehicle for the domination of patients by medical professionals. Using my own experience as a patient, my dissertation employs feminist methodology to construct a theoretical link between the powerlessness I have personally experienced when being treated in health care environments to aspects of medical history, culture and nosology. My work focuses on the tension between subjective and objective relations in the clinic. In particular, I look at the sharp divergence between patients' accounts of illness and techno-medical discussions of disease. Further, I explore medicine's use of "hysteria" (i.e., psychosomatic disease) as a diagnostic category. Its use is a poignant example of the extreme dissonance which can occur between doctors and patients. As a result of this sort of dissonance, methods of coercion and domination filter into clinical practice which bypass biomedical ethical efforts to treat patients with equality and respect. Despite the enormous structural constraints which inhibit ameliorating this situation, my dissertation discusses some possible alternatives which may revise doctor-patient relationships in the future and thereby diminish practices of domination in the clinic.
Investigations of nozzle discharge coefficients in a compliant air bearing system

A novel compliant air bearing is being developed for materials handling and low speed guided transportation systems. In a typical application the load being transported is carried on a 1 m. square platform; this platform is supported on two compliant elements, or runners, which move along shallow concave guideways, or rails. Air for bearing action is introduced from supply manifolds integrated with the underside of the rail through 0.52 mm diameter nozzles which are spaced at 152 mm intervals along the rail axis. In order to allow the use of simple flow diagnostic techniques, a first investigation of this geometry used scaled up models and incompressible flow. However, under normal operating conditions, the flow is compressible and usually gasdynamically choked so that the present work complements the previous investigation by considering this aspect. The aims are to provide data for input to a mathematical model of the system currently being developed, and to suggest alternative geometries which may be both simpler to manufacture and incur reduced fluid losses. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Curvature dependent implicit surface tiling

In order to efficiently render implicit surfaces with a projective rendering system, a polygonization must be computed. Traditionally there have been two approaches to this problem: cell-based polygonization and particle methods. The former approach is fast, but can produce degenerate triangles, and requires a grid size to be specified which can miss small features. The latter approach can be computationally expensive. This work is an implicit surface traingulator that quickly generates near equilateral triangles with sizes dependent on the local curvature of the surface. First, a seed triangle is computed. Then this polygonization is extended by adding adjacent triangles according to various rules which are based on the geometry of neighbouring triangles and an estimate of the local curvature of the surface. Finally, a set of heuristics is applied to fill the untiled seams remaining in the surface.
A risk index for sternal surgical wound infection after cardiovascular surgery

The purpose of this study was to look at factors that increase the risk of sternal surgical wound infection after cardiovascular surgery and to develop a clinical index to identify patients who are at high risk of infection. This study was based on data from 11,508 cardiac surgery patients at the Toronto Hospital and employed stepwise logistic: regression techniques. The data were split into 3 groups so that validation could be done on new, independent data sets. The study found that reoperation due to complication, diabetes, more than 3 days in the intensive care unit and use of the internal mammary artery for revascularization were significant risk factors and these factors were included in the index. Validation using 3,836 Toronto Hospital patients showed that the index had an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of 0.64. The risk index stratifies patients into four risk groups associated with an increasing risk of sternal surgical wound infection. The index may be used peri-operatively or as part of a wound infection surveillance system.
What is at stake? Corporate appropriation of personal creativity

The author argues that educators are at a decisive moment in how they understand, acknowledge and promote human creativity. Definitions and understandings of creativity can be divided into two basic groups: those which construct creativity as inherent and inalienable in all living systems, including humans; and those which construct creativity as a commodity. Emphasis is placed on the embodied nature of creative engagement, whether that is understood in terms of the new physics and complexity science, phenomenology, or passion. An analysis is offered of how corporations are appropriating personal creativity, with two case studies provided. A connection is considered between depression and the suppression/appropriation of creativity. The author concludes by proposing a fuller relational framework for understanding human creativity.
Inverse and negative DEA and their application to credit risk evaluation

With the increasing emphasis for financial institutions to deal with their exposures and risks, there has been an explosion of companies that develop risk management tools and methodologies. Market risk is a significant component of the enterprise wide risk management process, but credit risk still remains the most important goal for most financial institutions. The objective of this thesis is to develop a methodology utilizing the capabilities of Data Envelopment Analysis, that provides for an accurate means of evaluating the credit worthiness of corporations. Several DEA models were developed, and the best ones were identified and their optimal cut-off points found. The out of sample classification accuracies of the models were calculated and the Type I and Type II error trade-off examined. The DEA models outperformed the Z Score and Shumway models in the majority of the cases, and gave encouraging classification accuracy results. Out of sample accuracy was as high as 100% bankrupt classification accuracy and 82% nonbankrupt classification accuracy for one of the models one year prior to failure. This thesis introduces the concept of Negative DEA, an approach that identifies worst performers by placing them on or near the efficient frontier. The relationship between Normal, Inverse, and Negative DEA was investigated and it was found that the combined use of all three can increase the efficiency of the failure prediction process. Several theoretical advances were made in this area, developments which can be utilized in many other applications. Using Negative DEA, a layering technique was developed that does not rely on an optimal cut-off point but provides accurate classification results. In addition, the development of a DEA Search Engine is presented, which is used to estimate the market value of private companies.
Development of a temperature and pH responsive membrane system for regulated drug release

The purpose of the study is to develop a temperature and pH responsive membrane system that releases an increased amount of drug with increasing temperature, or decreasing pH. Nanoparticles of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide-co-methacrylic acid) were prepared by dispersion polymerization. The hydrodynamic size of the nanoparticles as a function of temperature, pH and salt concentration was characterized by dynamic light scattering. A composite membrane was produced by incorporating the nanoparticles into another polymer. The thermosensitivity of the membrane was then characterized by permeation experiments. The composite membrane made from hydrophilic poly(vinyl alcohol) showed insignificant thermosensitivity, largely due to the high permeability of poly(vinyl alcohol). When a hydrophobic polymer was used, the composite membrane exhibited a significant increase in drug permeation with increasing temperature. The effects of pH, ionic strength, and solute size on permeation were also investigated. As the free volume theory is inadequate to interpret the stimuh-responsive permeation, a gel-pore mechanism was proposed. The cross-sectional morphology from scanning electron micrographs evidenced the porous structure of the membrane at a dry state, supporting the gel-pore mechanism.
Rhodium catalysed asymmetric ring opening of oxabicyclic alkenes and diastereoselective ring opening of epoxides with heteroatom nucleophiles

Oxabenzonorbornadienes were shown to undergo asymmetric ring opening with a variety of alcohol, phenol and activated amine nucleophiles in the presence of catalytic amounts of [Rh(COD)Cl]2 and chiral diphosphine ligands. The product dihydronaphthalenols were produced in 73-99%ee. Extension of this methodology to 'o'-halophenols required changing the rhodium source to [Rh(CO)2Cl]2. These products were applied to the synthesis of benzodihydrofurans. In order for carboxylates and unactivated amines to induce ring opening, the addition of a proton source was required. Enantioselectivities of up to 74% and 81% were observed for the amine and the carboxylate ring opened products respectively. These products were applied towards the synthesis of 1,4-dihydronaphthalenols. Vinyl Epoxides were shown to undergo diastereoselective ring opening reaction with alcohols and aromatic amine nucleophiles in the presence of catalytic amounts of [Rh(CO)2Cl]2. The 'trans '-1,2-alkoxyalcohols and aminoalcohols were produced in >80% yield and >20:1 diastereoselectivity.
Starch media blast cleaning, properties and performance of masking tapes and aged paint films

Starch Media blast cleaning is an environmentally benign method for coating removal from aircraft. The main objective of this work was to provide a method for predicting the paint stripping rate of an aged paint system, through a knowledge of some fundamental physical properties of the paint substrate system, i.e., hardness and modulus of elasticity. It was shown that aging of aluminum panels painted with polyurethane significantly increased the hardness of the coatings, while the process did not have a significant effect on the coating modulus of elasticity. It was also shown that the coating became more erosion resistant as it aged. Finally, it was shown that it is possible to predict the paint removal rate by in situ measurement of coating dynamic hardness (coefficient of restitution) using Leeb's principle. The effectiveness of masking tapes in resisting erosion and edge lifting during media blasting was investigated. It was concluded that the erosion resistance of masking tapes depends on the coefficient of restitution; the higher the coefficient of restitution the less the plastic deformation of the tape and the greater the incident kinetic energy restored in the springback. Finally, a model was developed to explain the erosion resistance of the masking tapes and aged coatings based on two material properties, the modulus of elasticity and the dynamic hardness. It was concluded that the higher the coefficient of restitution, the more erosion resistant is the coating.
A case study approach to understanding the gifted experience, children's and parent's perceptions of labeling and placement

In this qualitative study, I consider the effect of gifted identification on preadolescents by studying participants' experiences subsequent to the labeling process. Parent and child perceptions of these experiences are discussed. Six students identified as gifted, and recently enrolled in full time gifted programs, and their parents, took part in this case study focusing on the children's emotional, social, and academic functioning. Questionnaires were distributed to participants, and individual interviews were conducted. Although the children's experiences varied greatly, the analysis suggests there are some pockets of concern. The conceptual groupings pertaining to gifted labeling and placement that are identified and studied are (a) emotional impact (including positive and negative aspects, and the sense of self), (b) social impact, (c) academic impact, and (d) individual differences and developmental diversity. The implications of the children's experiences suggest a need for counseling and educational support systems, and a number of considerations are discussed. As a result, several practical measures for facilitating the optimal development of gifted learners are presented, including a conceptual framework for a university-based resource centre for gifted development and education.
An examination of the way a group of Korean language learners prepare for the Test of English as a Foreign Language, TOEFL

The way students prepare for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) has implications for the test's validity. A review of the literature on the washback effect from TOEFL reveals that studies have focused on classroom activities but few considered students' attitudes towards TOEFL preparation and the extent to which these stem from their educational background. I surveyed through focus groups and structured interviews the attitudes of 14 Korean language learners preparing for the TOEFL in Toronto. The findings suggest: (i) participants' culture of learning seem to have an effect on the way they prepare for the TOEFL, yet their preparation is also influenced by individual motivations and experiences; (ii) TOEFL preparation manuals influenced the way they prepared for the TOEFL; (iii) participants engaged in preparation practices that seem to weaken the utility of the TOEFL; and (iv) participants' language education is affected by the TOEFL.
The use of common principal component analysis in studies of phenotypic evolution, an example from the Drosophilidae

Have covariances among characters been relatively static throughout the diversification of a group of related organisms, or has there been evolution in the relationships among characters? Common principal component (CPC) analysis, an hypothesis testing analog of principal component analysis, has been used by others to test this question. First, the efficacy of CPC is evaluated using simulated data, and shown to have important flaws. Second, CPC is applied to pomace fly (Drosophilidae) wing morphometric data. Results indicate that there are differences in the phenotypic covariance matrices of the related species, which may suggest an evolution in the genetic relationship among traits. The demonstrated limitations of CPC, however, may be overestimating these observed differences. Factor analytical methods offer an alternative approach. Additional miscellaneous observations about pomace fly wing morphology are presented.
Characterization of Gd¦2O¦3 high-K dielectric films on Si(001)

Gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3), with a dielectric constant around 16, has been successfully passivated on GaAs surface with low interface state density, which has the potential use for optical communication applications. Gd2O3 dielectric films have been deposited on Si(001) surface with electron-beam evaporation from a compressed powder Gd2O 3 target. For material analysis, the stoichiometry of the Gd2O 3 films was measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, whereas the depth profiling of the films was examined by Auger electron spectroscopy. The thickness of the film and structure were determined by conducting X-ray reflectivity measurement together with the aid of TEM micrographs. The electrical properties of the films were measured by forming Al gate capacitors. From the capacitance-voltage (CV) measurement, the dielectric constant of the films was calculated under strong accumulation at 100kHz, whereas the interface properties and the integrity of the dielectric films were investigated by the lateral shift in capacitance as a function of frequency and hysteresis, respectively. The leakage currents and their mechanisms were studied by current-voltage (IV) measurement. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Teacher-identified oral language difficulties in children with attention problems

Teachers' perceptions of the language difficulties of children with attention problems were studied by utilizing clinical files at the Child Development Clinic of the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada. Children ranging in age from 78 to 165 months were assigned to either the group of children with attention problems or learning disabilities based on their scores on IQ and achievement measures and on the DSM-III Symptom Checklist (SNAP Version) and the 10 item abbreviated Conners Teacher Questionnaire. Thirty children with attention problems and thirty-three children with learning disabilities were identified from the file search. Thirty-two children comprised the average achieving control group from the Hastings County Board of Education. Teachers' perceptions of language abilities on receptive, expressive, pragmatics and articulation language functioning were obtained from the language section of the Child Development Clinic Teachers' Questionnaire. Discussion focused on the possible relationship between language and attention difficulties in children with attention problems and their self-regulatory use of language to control their impulsivity. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Preparation of cross-linked human hemoglobin containing thiol bioconjugation sites

The introduction of a disulfide cross-link into hemoglobin has been previously accomplished with the site-directed reagent, N,N'-bis(Cbz-cystinyl)-bis(sodium methyl phosphate). Reaction of the cross-linker with deoxyhemoglobin produces two products: cross-linked hemoglobin as the bis(Cbz-cystinyl amide) of the Lys82 residues of the two ß subunits and non-cross-linked hemoglobin which is a Cbz-cystinyl amide at both Lys82 residues. The non-cross-linked product converts into the cross-linked product over time. The cross-linked product yield can also be increased by cleaving the disulfides of both products with dithiothreitol and then allowing them to oxidize in air. Oxidation converts the reduced material into the cross-linked material in good yield. Addition of a second reagent, bis(3,5-dibromosalicyl)-fumarate, introduces a fumaryl cross-link, which is the bisamide of the Lys99 residues of the Ã subunits. When the disulfides of this doubly-modified, cross-linked species are cleaved with dithiothreitol, they do not easily oxidize to reform the cross-links. Such a reduced hemoglobin species contains thiol groups available for bioconjugation for potential use as a drug-delivery agent or in a drug-delivery system.
An analysis of ERA1 function in Arabidopsis

The elaboration of multicellular structures is a complex balance between cell division, growth and differentiation. At the molecular level, this balance is maintained by a dynamic array of regulatory mechanisms which are tightly coordinated. This coordination is partly achieved through the post-translational modification of proteins by farnesyl lipid attachment. Since its initial description, protein farnesylation has figured an important mechanism for modifying protein function either by facilitating protein interaction with cell membranes or by mediating protein-protein interaction. Although a great deal of information has accumulated on the characteristics of the farnesyltransferases which catalyze the attachment of farnesyl to various proteins, the diversity of proteins that are post-translationally farnesylated has made it difficult to assess the utility of this type of modification in regulating cellular events. The common thread linking many farnesylated proteins, however, is their involvement in cell division and growth. In this regard, this study describes the isolation of an 'Arabidopsis' nucleosome assembly protein (NAP1) which is farnesylated and which interacts with ' Arabidopsis' cyclin B1. In addition, the analysis of 'era1 ' of 'Arabidopsis', which is currently the only farnesyltransferase loss-of-function mutant of any multicellular organism, has afforded the unique opportunity of assessing the role that farnesylation plays in regulating various processes during the development of a multicellular organism. This characterization indicates that farnesyltransferase activity is required for proper coordination of cell division and differentiation during 'Arabidopsis' vegetative and reproductive development. Loss of farnesylation affects both apical and axillary meristem development and these phenotypes are contingent on plant growth conditions. Farnesylation appears to negatively regulate cell-cycle gene expression in the lower central core of apical meristems. This region has been identified previously by both genetic and molecular studies to be essential for overall meristem organization. It appears farnesylation also plays a role in the organization of this center.