VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Making money, notes on technology as environment

This thesis focuses on the role of new technologies in current social transformations. It is centered around an exploratory case study of the attempted introduction of Mondex, a smartcard-based electronic cash system, in Canada between early 1997 and early 2001. The case study makes accessible the scope of social and technological transformations associated with the introduction of a new type of money. Methodologically, it is based on document analysis and interviews with key actors in Canada and the UK, as well as observation in the two communities where Mondex has been tested during this period. The aim of the thesis is twofold. First to advance our conceptual tools for framing the interrelation between technological and social change and, second, to apply these tools to assess the social and political implications of Mondex electronic cash so far. Drawing from Actor-Network Theory the concept of a 'technological environment' is developed. A technology is understood not as a set of isolated artifacts, but as a process emerging from, and impacting on, an often very extensive set of interconnected social and technological actors. An environment is the specific configuration of all those actors that are necessary for a technology to gain and maintain a particular social functionality. The role of new technologies in social dynamics is to be found in the way they contribute to changing the relationships among, and thus the characteristics of, those heterogeneous actors. This study shows how ANT can be used to map very large and distributed environments that include local and global actors. It also shows how the notion of the environment can support a critical analysis of a new technology by focusing on how actors initiate and adapt to change during the phase in which the new environment takes shape. This approach enables us to understand better why Mondex failed to achieve its initial objective: to establish itself as an alternative to physical cash. More importantly, it facilitates going beyond a simplistic analysis of success or failure of a particular technological program and capturing the gradual process of environmental change to which such a major technological project contributes even if it does not stabilize in its first incarnation. Mondex, one of the most extensive smartcard projects ever undertaken by the financial industry, has already contributed to adapting banks and smartcards to one another to a degree that smartcards are now beginning to be widely used as a new delivery platform for variety of financial services, although not (yet?) for electronic cash. As far as electronic cash is concerned, Mondex has helped to push a number of actors, particularly regulators, to accept, or at least indicate likely acceptance of, new roles that could facilitate the future creation of an environment in which private, global currency schemes for electronic cash could indeed stabilize. Mondex, then, can be seen as a small but important step in the long-term stabilization of a comprehensive global financial system.
Experience and meaning in the cathedral labyrinth pilgrimage

A medieval design based in Sacred Geometry principles, this unicursal path through concentric circles is a metaphorical container for spiritual journeying. Contemporary practice, as reflexive walking meditation, encourages personal transformations, notably physiological, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive events including release of tension, increased sense of well-being and communion, triggered early memories with related insights and conflict resolution, often revealed through symbolic imagery. Reasons for site-specificity of such events are examined through phenomenological and arts-informed inquiry into the engagement with sacred spatial "technology," referencing elements of Classical mythology, Christian mystical practice, and analytical psychology. Walking the labyrinth activates pre-Modern, "whole brain" patterns of consciousness, leading to an alternative, authentic, holistic perceptual standpoint. Using the labyrinth myth as a conceptual model of the individuation process, and the walk as embodied experiential learning, creates the opportunity to restore the balance in the relation between self, soul, society, and world, thereby "re-enchanting" contemporary life.
From non-literate to literate practice, the process and effects of introducing a writing system in a cultural community of the Republic of the Philippines

This thesis looks at the way literacy has been introduced to and applied by the Cotabato Manobo people of the southern Philippines. Literate practice for the Manobo people is set in social contexts, which help define the way literacy is used both individually and corporately. Using a model of social organization, which ranks societies on the degree of group orientation and the degree of hierarchical structures, the Manobo people can be identified as generally individualistic. This social organization model somewhat parallels, and further highlights, Scribner's three literacy metaphors. Thus, the Manobos are found to be using literacy in line with Scribner's metaphor of literacy as adaptation. By introducing literacy in ways that fit with the Manobo's social organization and ideology, literacy has had an impact on the community and has grown into literate practice. Becoming literate has had little economic impact, but has supported a move toward greater group cohesion.
Hydrological and biogeochemical controls on mercury fate and transport in a southern Ontario forested wetland

This study assessed linkages between wetland hydrology, total mercury (HgT) and methylmercury (MeHg) fate and transport in Beverly Swamp, a forested swamp in southern Ontario, Canada. The hydrologically distinct wetland reaches exhibited differences in wetland-stream connectivity. Confined reaches showed little interaction with the wetland during low water levels, but there was hydrological and biogeochemical evidence of increased interaction at high flow. The unconfined reach showed disconnected, effluent flow during periods of high flow, and an influent regime during low flow. HgT flux in both reaches was highest during connected flow. Increased flux of McHg in the confined reaches was found during high flow, high water table connected periods due to decreasing redox and soil flushing. The unconfined reach showed no relationship between McHg and discharge due to periods of flow cessation and localized McHg production in-stream. Overall, the wetland is a sink for HgT and a source for McHg.
The effect of hyperthermia on the induction of cell death and hsp70 in neural and non-neural tissues of the rat

This thesis examines the effect of hyperthermia on the induction of cell death via apoptosis, assayed by TUNEL and active caspase 3 cytochemistry, in the adult rat brain, testis and thymus. A fever-like increase in temperature triggered apoptosis in dividing cell populations of the testis and thymus, but not in mature, postmitotic cells of the adult cerebellum. Western blot and immunocytochemical analysis of these tissues demonstrated that the induction patterns of hsp70 did not correlate with the induction of apoptosis in all three tissues. Hyperthermia-induced cell death was also examined in proliferative regions of the developing brain. The embryonic neuroepithelium and the external granule layer of the postnatal cerebellum, were susceptible to heat-induced apoptosis. The heat-sensitivity of the developing brain suggests that dividing neural cells are more prone to hyperthermia-induced cell death than mature, post-mitotic neural cells, which need to be protected because they are irreplaceable.
AMPA receptor trafficking and synaptic plasticity

AMPA receptors are a subtype of glutamate receptors which are responsible for most of the fast excitatory synaptic transmissions in the mammalian central nervous system. The redistribution of postsynaptic AMPA receptors has been proposed as a mechanism for synaptic plasticities, including long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD), two cellular models for learning and memory. However, direct evidence to support this hypothesis is still lacking and the cellular mechanisms mediating AMPA receptor trafficking are poorly understood. We therefore set up to investigate the involvement of AMPA receptor trafficking in both LTD and LTP. We found that AMPA receptors undergo endocytosis via a clathrin-coated-pit pathway, and that the internalization can be accelerated by insulin in a GluR2 subunit-dependent manner. The insulin-stimulated endocytosis rapidly decreased the number of AMPA receptors in the plasma membrane, resulting in an LTD of AMPA receptor-mediated synaptic transmission in hippocampal CA1 neurons. Moreover, insulin-induced LTD and low-frequency-stimulation (LFS)-induced hippocampal CA1 homosynaptic LTD were found to mutually occlude each other and both were blocked by inhibiting postsynaptic clathrin-mediated endocytosis. These data indicate that controlling the number of postsynaptic receptors by endocytosis may be an important mechanism underlying LTD in the mammalian CNS. On the other hand, although AMPA receptor insertion is an attractive cellular model for LTP expression and is gaining increasing support in recent years, the underlying mechanisms for AMPA receptor translocation are still unknown. We found here that the phosphoinositide kinase PI3-kinase (PI3K) directly associates and co-localizes with AMPA receptors. Selective activation of synaptic NMDA receptors by the NMDA receptor co-agonist glycine activates the AMPA receptor-associated PI3K and induces long-term potentiation (LTP) of AMPA mini-EPSCs. Furthermore, brief glycine treatment induces increases in cell-surface expression of AMPA receptors and the increase is due to an enhancement in receptor plasma membrane insertion. Consistently, the glycine-induced LTP is blocked by inhibiting receptor insertion. Moreover, PI3K activation is also shown to be necessary in the expression of homosynaptic LTP in hippocampal CA1 neurons. These data provide evidence for an NMDA receptor-PI3K-AMPA receptor translocation mechanism in LTP generation.
Setting assumptions aside, exploring identity development in interracial/intercultural individuals growing up in Japan

This research attempts to understand the experience of interracial/intercultural individuals growing up in Japan. Their experiences do not fit current minority identity development models. Much of the tension in their experience appears to be between the individual's own experience and the stereotypical experience he or she is supposed to undergo as a mixed individual. Identity was not a question of either/or, but took shape from dialogues that reflected a complex relationship between community, individual, language, and culture. One factor determining the tenor of the dialogue is its grounding in commonalities or in differences. The experience was profoundly different for individuals who attended international schools or Japanese schools. The difficulty that the international school attendees articulated, in contrast to those attending Japanese schools, appears as a clash of boundaries, not values. This is reflected particularly where "Japaneseness" fits in the hierarchy and the degree of rigidity or permeability of those boundaries.
Holistic fatherhood :, a grounded theory approach to understanding fathers of children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA)

This study addresses a gap in the literature about the experiences of fathers who parent a child with a chronic health condition, specifically Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA). It was designed to gather information from fathers about their experiences of caring for their child, including the way they interpret their identity and role. The study consisted of a grounded theory design as developed by Strauss and Corbin (1998). Qualitative interviews were conducted with 22 fathers who agreed to participate in the study. In-depth information about fathers' experiences and a substantive-level theory about fathers' functioning were the primary outcomes. The study found that fathers were profoundly affected by their child's condition. The time of diagnosis was often the most difficult. Seeing their child in pain and dealing with the uncertainty that accompanies the condition were ongoing sources of stress. However, fathers were often reluctant to express the range of feelings they experienced due, in part, to their perceived need to be strong for others. Instead, they sought to adopt a positive and optimistic stance, routinely perceiving positive aspects of their child's condition in addition to the many challenges. Their child's chronic condition emerged as a catalyst that propelled fathers to greater involvement and a deeper commitment to their identity as a father. In addition, disappointments from their family of origin, notably a lack of closeness that most fathers experienced in their relationship with their own fathers, qualities of the couple relationship, and a flexible masculine identity emerged as influences that shaped their identity and role as a father. Fathers perceived themselves in a holistic manner, that is, having a variety of identities. In addition to the traditional roles of playmate, provider, and protector, fathers perceived themselves to be a caregiver and nurturer. This holistic identity required differential use of self. Fathers' identity as a parent was very meaningful; indeed, it appeared to be their most salient identity. The study findings are discussed in relation to ecology and identity theories, which provided a conceptual framework for the study. Implications for clinical practice, research, and policy development are discussed.
Experiment and theory of a novel, multiple wavelength, erbium-doped fiber laser

For the first time, four-wave mixing and intracavity spectral slicing is shown to produce simultaneous multiple wavelength laser oscillation in an erbium doped fiber laser. A key application is multiple optical carrier generation for wavelength encoded, light-wave communication systems. The experimental prototype used active modelocking for greater peak powers and thus increased four-wave mixing within the cavity. We report here the experimental demonstration of simultaneous oscillation of 6 wavelength channels with 5 dB variation in power and 45 GHz channel spacing. Numerical simulations based on a split-step Fourier method are presented, agreeing qualitatively with experiment. Simulations indicate we may expect improved temporal pulse profiles with the insertion of an all-fiber, ultrafast saturable absorber.
The development of an immunoassay to measure myelin basic protein autoantibodies in human blood and the determination of its diagnostic value in multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with possible autoimmune aetiology. Although the autoantigen responsible for MS has not been conclusively identified, myelin basic protein (MBP) has been proposed as a candidate autoantigen. Antibodies against MBP were detected in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) of MS patients and the antibody levels correlated with active MS disease status. To date, both the presence of MBP autoantibodies and their clinical utility in MS is controversial. In order to address this issue, we developed a serum/plasma assay, hence avoiding the invasive technique of lumbar puncture required for CSF collection. Using plasma from 94 patients with clinically definite MS, we have achieved a clinical sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 95% through the measurement of circulating MBP autoantibodies, alone. This simple, rapid and non-invasive assay offers a tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of the progression of MS.
Critical success factors of educators who teach students with normative exceptionalities

The purpose of this research was to conduct a case study of a school whose program is geared to meeting the needs of students with normative exceptionalities and to elicit critical success factors (CSFs) of teachers, support staff and administrators. Critical Success Factors are "key areas where things must go right in order to successfully achieve objectives and goals" (Bullen & Rockart, 1981, p.9). The four year study consisted of interviewing twenty respondents from an urban school in a large metropolitan school board. The students at the school range in age from 4 to 21 years. Many of them have physical disabilities (e.g., require wheelchairs) in addition to their cognitive challenges. All of them have been identified as exceptional, developmentally handicapped through the Identification Placement and Review Committee (IPRC) process. The research used two forms of methodologies: interviews and a technical procedure designed to help participants identify critical success factors. The results from the study document different stories of successful and unsuccessful school experiences from teachers, support staff and administrators. These stories gave rise to the following nine factors that were identified as critical to the success of students at the school: staff, program, curriculum, parents, administration, educational assistants, technology, training, and health services. The study also discussed long and short term program goals, factors that facilitate or hinder success and staff perceptions of student success. The findings indicated distinct perspectives about the respondents' purpose, roles and responsibilities at the school. This was evident from the following four major themes that emerged from the data: independence, beliefs about students with normative exceptionalities, beliefs about curriculum and beliefs about collaboration. These findings were supported by the literature in the field. The implications of this study can be used by the administrators to address areas that are critical for student success and also to implement approaches that address the disparity of assumptions and beliefs among staff at the school.
Employee participation in organizationally-maintained knowledge sharing activities

Knowledge has become increasingly important in recent years. In response to the increased value of knowledge, many organizations are implementing knowledge management technology-based tools in order to ensure knowledge is obtained from employees and distributed throughout the organization. This process depends on the sharing of knowledge by employees. This thesis is concerned with 'why employees do not fully participate in organizationally-maintained knowledge sharing activities'. There is a variety of research that supports the argument made in this thesis that employees do not share their knowledge. Three general areas are explored to examine this topic; conceptualizations of knowledge and knowledge sharing, use and implementation of technology, and the work environment. This thesis uses a qualitative methodology, to study this topic in a business organization. Results support the argument that employees do not fully participate in knowledge sharing, and the reasons for this are explored.
Colorectal cancer microsatellite instability

'Background'. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both sexes and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Canada. Microsatellite DNA sequences, common throughout the human genome, are subject to high rates of mutation in approximately 15% of colorectal cancers due to deficiency in DNA mismatch repair. Mutations of the 'Adenomatous Polyposis Coli' ('APC') gene are thought to initiate colorectal neoplasia. The 'APC I1307K' polymorphism, common in the Ashkenazi Jewish population, contains an (A)8 microsatellite repeat. The clinical relevance of mismatch repair deficiency and microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer is incompletely understood, as is the cancer risk of the 'APC I1307K' polymorphism. 'Methods'. Tumors from a population-based series of 607 young patients with colorectal cancer from were screened for microsatellite instability and 476 Ashkenazi Jewish patients with colorectal neoplasms were screened for the 'APC I1307K ' polymorphism. 'Results'. High-frequency microsatellite instability (MSI-H) was observed in 17% of the cancers from the population-based series. Patients with MSI-H colorectal cancers were found to have significantly better survival in multivariate analysis and MSI-H cancers were less likely to metastasize after controlling for the extent of tumor invasion. The ' APC I1307K' polymorphism was present in more than 10% of Ashkenazi Jewish patients with colorectal neoplasia. The (A)8 microsatellite sequence of the 'APC I1307K' polymorphism was subject to a very high rate of somatic mutation by a mechanism apparently not related to mismatch repair deficiency. An additional polymorphism, 'APC E1317Q ', was identified in this series, but did not appear to be associated with a significant risk for colorectal neoplasia. 'Conclusions'. MSI-H is relatively common in colorectal cancers and defines a distinct disease subtype with an improved survival and a decreased risk of metastasis. The ' APC I1307K' polymorphism is a risk factor for colorectal neoplasia due to somatic mutation of the (A)8 polymorphic microsatellite sequence.
Impairment and disability associated with epiphyseal dysplasia in children

The objectives of this study were to (i) develop an impairment and disability profile of children and adolescents with epiphyseal dysplasia and (ii) identify possible relationships amongst the domains of impairment and disability. A cross-sectional study of 28 subjects with epiphyseal dysplasia included evaluation of impairment and disability measures. Impairment measures included anthropometric indices, joint range of motion (ROM) and alignment, muscle strength and reports of pain. Disability was measured using the Activities Scale for Kids (ASK). Subjects presented with moderate to severe physical impairments yet with mild physical disability. ED subjects were significantly overweight for their height and presented with marked muscle weakness, findings not previously described in the literature. Few relationships were identified between the domains of impairment and disability apart from pain and physical disability. Impairment findings indicate the need for a multi-disciplinary approach to the comprehensive management of these patients. The relationship between impairment and disability is more complex than our present understanding.