VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Procedural facilitation of strategic knowledge in ESL writing, longitudinal case studies of 9 Chinese-background freshman students of engineering

This study analyzed the effects of procedural facilitation (Bereiter & Scardamalia, 1987a) of strategic knowledge--in the form of five thinking prompts (from Cumming, 1995a)--on second language academic writing development and knowledge-transforming behaviors while composing for participants who received tutoring over a period of four months. A longitudinal research design with a case study approach was used. Nine Chinese-background, ESL (English as a second language) engineering students participated in the strategy training, which was conducted in a one-to-one tutoring format, as a supplement to their other courses at the university. Each student wrote two compositions (technical description of a schematic diagram on a power plant and an argumentative writing task based on an engineering article) as pre-post writing samples prior to then after the tutoring, as well as ten other compositions (2 technical reports, 2 technical descriptions, 2 letter tasks, 2 engineering definition tasks, and 2 non-engineering definition tasks) for ten tutoring sessions. Analyses assessed three aspects of their writing performance prior to and after the tutoring: (a) the quality of different aspects of compositions (global quality, communicative quality, argumentation/content, organization, language accuracy, and language appropriacy) produced, and while composing, (b) use of five heuristic search strategies (in the form of five thinking prompts) and (c) occurrences of knowledge-transforming (a dialectic process between the content space and the rhetorical space). In comparing performance on the pre-post writing tasks, students demonstrated significant improvement in the quality of their texts in the technical description task only, particularly in the categories of global quality, content, language accuracy and language appropriacy. They also demonstrated significant improvement in their strategic thinking while composing, devoting more attention to two aspects of writing that were highlighted in two of the thinking prompts, using more complex mental representations of composing tasks, and displaying more knowledge-transforming behaviors while composing. Individual differences were evident in all analyses. Task variables (i.e., argument vs. technical description task) exerted differing influences on students' writing performance. Additional case study profiles of each of the students showed, in addition to individual differences, common improvements in their evaluative, diagnostic and remedial capacities as the tutoring sessions proceeded. Findings are discussed in view of theories of procedural facilitation, second language writing development and instruction, task differences, and tutoring in the zone of proximal development (Vygotsky, 1978).
You are what you eat: eating disorders and the consumption of patriarchy

The dramatic increase of eating disorders in contemporary Western society is symptomatic of a cultural backlash against women's increased independence. At a particular historical moment when it would appear that culture has loosed its grip on the female body, many women continue a long-standing legacy of efforts to squeeze their feet into glass slippers--that is, into one impossible form or another. This situation reflects a profound contradiction in the lives women in Western patriarchal culture. As will be discussed in this work, such practices as self-starvation, laxative abuse, and excessive exercise are continuous (albeit extreme) responses to culture's perpetual glamorization of a female body that is cellulite-free, firm, and in control of its desires and impulses--precisely those desires and impulses which threaten to corrupt the stability of the patriarchal order.
The role of germline CDKN2A mutations in the development of melanoma and other malignancies

Germline mutations in the 'CDKN2A' tumor suppressor gene have been linked with the development of inherited melanoma in some families. Studies of inherited melanoma have revealed two apparent discrepancies. First, many families that are linked to the chromosome region containing the ' CDKN2A' gene do not harbor 'CDKN2A' coding mutations. I have shown that several melanoma families possess a 'CDKN2A' non-coding mutation resulting in loss of wild-type 'CDKN2A' expression. The discovery of this mutation suggests that non-coding mutations in 'CDKN2A' are important in melanoma predisposition. Second, in contrast with the predominance of 'CDKN2A' dysfunction in sporadic tumors, germline 'CDKN2A' mutations are associated with a narrow spectrum of malignancy. I performed loss of heterozygosity studies on malignant cells obtained from a multiple myeloma patient harboring a germline ' CDKN2A' mutation. I observed loss of the wild-type allele in the malignant population suggesting that germline 'CDKN2A' mutations may also predispose to multiple myeloma in some individuals.
Quality of printed education materials for women experiencing radiatio therapy for stage 1 or 2 breast cancer

This study determined the quality of 45 printed education materials (PEMs) commonly provided to Canadian women experiencing radiation therapy for stage 1 or 2 breast cancer. The instructional design was measured by the Bernier Instructional Design Scale - 2 (BIDS-2). Content was measured by the Toronto Informational Needs Evaluation Scale - Breast Cancer for Printed Education Materials (TINES-BC for PEMs). The study findings indicate that the content of the 45 PEMs poorly addressed the documented information needs of women. Treatment-related information needs were poorly addressed (mean 51.83/100, standard deviation 24.77) and information needs related to disease, psychosocial, physical and investigative tests were less well addressed. While the mean score on the BIDS-2 of 76.16/100 (standard deviation 9.77) suggests good quality instructional design, improvement would be beneficial. The commonly used PEMs in Canadian cancer contras and organizations display limited potential to reduce and/or satisfy women's information needs.
Arts education and teacher growth, the reflective practitioner in search of a song

'Arts Education and Teacher Growth: The Reflective Practitioner in Search of A Song', reviews the experiences of teachers in a large metropolitan Board of Education in southern Ontario who are participants in an arts education initiative. This five year project is intended to develop, implement and institutionalize the way in which curriculum is approached. This study explores whether and to what extent, if any, this arts initiative has influenced teachers' beliefs and practices in regards to the value of arts experiences as pathways to learning in the classroom and across the disciplines. Within frameworks suggested by relevant research and emergent theory in the literature of arts education, teacher development and educational change, the influence of this arts initiative was found to be significant. The findings presented here may provide useful information for those who are interested in advocating for arts education and those who desire improving classroom practices through teacher education.
Population biology of Sclerotium cepivorum

Population samples of 'Sclerotium cepivorum', the causal agent of white rot of 'Allium', were genotyped and grouped on the basis of mycelial compatibility and DNA sequence polymorphisms for a set of six genomic regions. 'S. cepivorum' was found to have a clonal population structure within three onion growing localities, two in Canada and one in New Zealand, as would be expected based on its asexual mode of reproduction. On the basis of incongruent gene genealogies and the presence of all expected allele combinations (Hudson's four gamete test) some evidence for recombination was detected when isolates from all three localities, plus others, were considered. Within each of the three localities sampled, however, recombination was absent or infrequent. I conclude that some recombination has likely occurred in the past, prior to colonization of these sites. The occurrence of the same genotypes in a number of geographically distinct sites indicates that 'S. cepivorum' was probably introduced to these areas. The alternative explanation, that each of these repeatedly sampled genotypes evolved multiple times, independently, in a number of locations, is unlikely. The strikingly low genotypic diversity present within each of the areas sampled may have been due to a bottleneck associated with introduction of the pathogen.
The effects of measurement error on the relation between physical activity and cardiovascular disease mortality in the Canada Fitness Survey cohort

The purposes of the present study were to examine the relation between physical activity and mortality in women and men in the Canada Fitness Survey cohort, to assess the reliability of the physical activity components of the Canada Fitness Survey questionnaire (CFSQ) and to adjust estimates of the hypothetical true associations between physical activity and mortality, using estimates of reliability for the CFSQ. Results indicate a significant inverse association between physical activity and mortality in women due mainly to the contribution of non-leisure (household chores) energy expenditure. The association between energy expenditure and mortality in men was not as strong as in women. The CFSQ is moderately reliable for most measures of physical activity. Estimates of reliability vary considerably among the various activities and components of these activities and between males and females. The adjustment procedure resulted in estimates which showed a stronger association with mortality than did the crude estimates. The change in the adjusted estimates and the width of their confidence intervals (CI) were related to the size of the measurement error. Results of simulation studies showed that when the error is too great, the adjustment procedure resulted in unpredictable estimators. Nevertheless, in the presence of moderate measurement error and large enough sample sizes, results from the current study indicate that, adjustment for measurement error is a feasible and desirable procedure.
Comparative study of Bi-In-Sn ternary eutectic cast wires

A ternary eutectic Bi-In-Sn alloy, which is brittle in nature and difficult to form by conventional methods, was successfully produced in the form of wire 2mm diameter by the Ohno Continuous Casting (OCC) process. The wire produced has several unique features for example, superior surface finish, fine microstructure, uniform distribution of phases and consistent chemical composition. In contrast statically cast samples exhibited segregation of bismuth and double binary structures consisting of BiIn-ãSn and Bi-ãSn. In OCC samples the matrix had a higher bismuth content and there was no evidence of segregation. As a consequence of microstructural differences, wire produced by the OCC technique had improved mechanical properties in terms of higher strength and ductility compared to statically cast samples.
Isolation and Russian short fiction, 1877--1890, Garshin, Chekhov and Korolenko

In this study I consider aspects of isolation in works that V. M. Garshin (1855-1888), A. P. Chekhov (1860-1904) and V. G. Korolenko (1853-1921) wrote during the period 1877-1890. I examine characters in isolation and how their characterisation is presented. My approach is analytical and comparative rather than theoretical. I base my analysis and comparison on two assumptions. The first is that, although these authors may use no equivalents to the English words 'isolate, isolated, isolation', these words and the meanings associated with them best describe particular situations presented in the texts. I regard these texts as explorations of what isolation can be because they supply perspectives that express what it means to be isolated. The second assumption is that the three young authors were concerned with the Russian short story form, with new ways by which to present their art. In order to indicate the thrust of each author's efforts, I divide the study according to authors, rather than, say, according to types of isolation or types of isolated individuals. This thematic analysis will comment both on the stories as completed wholes and the specific explorations of such a theme. It will comment on Russian literature of the 1880s and discuss its reflection on isolation as well as the reflections on isolation that appear in Russian literature before the late 1870s. My findings indicate characteristics present in the short fiction of that period, traits that may or may not be consistent with those found in short fiction of other periods and national literatures.
Asymptotic likelihood inference

In this thesis, we develop a simple general formula for approximating the 'p'-value for testing a scalar parameter in the presence of nuisance parameters. The formula covers both frequentist and Bayesian contexts and does not require explicit nuisance parameterization. Implementation is discussed in terms of computer algebra packages. A second order asymptotic method is proposed based on a sample space derivative approximation, which is used by Barndorff-Nielsen (1995), Skovgaard (1996) and Raser and Reid (1996). Comparison with other second order methods discussed by Barndorff-Nielsen and Chamberlin (1991) and DiCiccio and Martin (1993) is given. The aim here is to implement the second order inference to a standard computing software system for practical use. Numerical examples using this package are given, including inference for nonlinear regression models and generalized linear models. We also consider the recent higher order methods in the estimating function context using quasi-likelihood function. We focus on inference for a scalar parameter of interest: profile likelihood for the scalar parameter is defined and we describe a method for using this to approximate significance probabilities. Finally, some applications of the third order likelihood inference to the Gamma shape and noncentral chi-squared distribution are addressed.
Development of 3.3V flash ZE²PROM cell and array

Most of the conventional flash E2PROM cells have major limitations for low voltage applications and suffer from slow programming speeds. This thesis describes a Zener based MOS flash memory cell (ZE 2PROM), programmed by hot electrons generated by a heavily doped reverse biased p+n+ junction attached to the drain. The Zener based programming method provides a practical solution to some of the limitations of conventional channel hot electron programming method. This cell operates with a single supply of 3.3V and achieves an order of magnitude reduction of programming time compared to conventional flash memory cells. The reduced Zener breakdown current also enables many bits to be programmed simultaneously. The cell can be implemented in a NOR type memory array. It uses an orthogonal write technique to achieve fast programming with low power dissipation and reduced drain disturbance. The modeling of the charge transfer behavior of the ZE2PROM cell is investigated using 2-D device simulations to specify the charging and discharging of the floating gate during programming and erasing. Experimental ZE2PROM arrays were implemented in a 0.8<math> <f> <g>m</g></f> </math>m lithography CMOS process flow in which the n-LDD step was replaced with a one sided p+ boron implant with a doping level of <math> <f> ~</f> </math>1019cm-3. This minor change to a standard CMOS process, makes the concept highly attractive for embedded memory applications. A programming time of 850ns at 3.3V supply was achieved on fabricated test devices.
Scheduling and lot streaming in two machine no-wait openshops

Lot streaming is the process of splitting a production lot into a number of sublots, in order to allow overlapping of successive operations, in multi-machine manufacturing systems. The well documented benefits of lot streaming include reductions in lead times and work-in-process, and increases in machine utilization rates. We study the problem of minimizing the makespan in two machine no-wait openshops producing multiple products. We assume that there is a fixed maximum number of sublots for each product, and that lot streaming is possible. This intractable problem requires finding sublot sizes, a product sequence for each machine and a machine sequence for each product. We prove that optimal solutions can always be obtained for single product continuous case in polynomial time. A heuristic algorithm, Global is developed for the multi-product integer-sized sublot problem. For the multi-product case, we simultaneously find the optimal number of sublots from a given upper bound on the number of sublots, sublots sizes and the product sequence. This problem is shown to be equivalent to a Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) with a pseudo-polynomial number of cities, for which computationally efficient heuristics are tested. Finally we provide some possible extensions of our model and the results of the computational experiments on randomly generated problem instances.
New media in old urban areas, the emergence and evolution of Toronto's multimedia cluster

The Toronto region has emerged as Canada's predominant centre of multimedia activity, an (a major centre within North America. This thesis presents an empirical analysis of Toronto's multimedia industry carried out through the development of an industry database, an electronic survey of 311 multimedia firms in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and a series of nearly 80 interviews with multimedia firm principals, industry leaders, government representatives, and with representatives of related industries. A database of 418 multimedia firms in the Province of Ontario shows that 62 percent of the province's multimedia firms are located in the Greater Toronto Area; 61 percent of these firms are located in the central areas of the (former) Metropolitan Toronto. Survey results indicate that firms comprising the Toronto area multimedia industry are relatively young and small, and focus mainly on the development of customized, interactive multimedia products using a combination of media and platforms, catering to several different markets. Interviews with industry representatives further detail the industry's emergence and the atmosphere in which it operates. Interview data focuses on: the linkages between multimedia and related sectors including arts, computing, finance, media and communications; the significance of location when working in multimedia; the key role played by local demand in stimulating the industry's early development and the changing relative importance of local versus export markets; the significance of local suppliers and the labour market in supporting the industry's growth; innovative business practices that characterize interfirm relationships and enable firms of all sizes to participate in the industry; and the role of public policy, public institutions, and private forms of associational action and associative behaviour in nurturing the sector's rise to prominence. At the global scale, multimedia production is reviewed with respect to the industry's emergence in Asia/Australia, Europe and North America, with special emphasis on the experience of multimedia industries in San Francisco and New York. The revelation of similarities and differences between Toronto's multimedia industry and other prominent international multimedia industries, helps to place the local industry in the context of a global hierarchy of multimedia production.
Adaptive MLSDE Receivers for Wireless Communications

This thesis presents the structural design, performance evaluation and complexity reduction of adaptive maximum likelihood sequence detection and estimation (MLSDE) receivers for wireless communications. The receiver structure is developed based on the maximum likelihood (ML) criterion for joint channel estimation and data detection and using the expectation and maximization (EM) algorithm. Generalized MLSDE (GMLSDE) algorithm, which alternates between estimation and detection and at the same time increases the likelihood iteratively, is developed using the on-line EM algorithm. The GMLSDE provides the theoretical ML base from which per-survivor processing (using different estimators for each survivor path) and conventional channel estimation (using only one estimator for all survivor paths) can be deduced for different channel models. Numerous adaptive MLSDE receiver structures are developed for different channel models from the GMLSDE algorithm using causal estimation and detection methods which only guarantee increasing the likelihood. Although some structures are new, the method of deriving all the structures shows the power of the GMLSDE algorithm in unifying different ML-based joint channel estimation and data detection receivers. Data detection part in the adaptive MLSDE receiver is implemented by the Viterbi algorithm while its estimation part is based on a modified Titterington's stochastic approximation method. The estimation part leads to a novel RLS/Kalman-type algorithm when the channel impulse response (CIR) is a deterministic process embedded in an additive colored Gaussian noise. The bit error rate performances of the adaptive MLSDE receiver for a differentially encoded quadrature phase shift keying signal transmitted over the frequency flat and selective Rayleigh fading channels are evaluated by simulations for different fading rates when the CIR is modeled at the receiver by deterministic and Gaussian random vectors/processes. Comparison between the performances shows that in many situations using the deterministic CIR model is sufficient. The thesis proposes the adaptive state allocation (ASA) algorithm which uses adaptive threshold and adaptive state partitioning methods to reduce the receiver complexity at high and low signal-to-noise ratios respectively. In the adaptive threshold method, a threshold value is formulated to choose the more likely correct states at each time and in the adaptive state partitioning method, branch metrics of the trellis diagram are fused/diffused adaptively. Results for multipath Rayleigh fading channels show that the ASA algorithm greatly reduces the receiver complexity with negligible performance degradation.
Quantitative image analysis and polymer blend coalescence

An objective method of conducting accurate image segmentation for the measurement of objects of interest in images obtained off-line, as well as in-line, was developed. The method first entails image enhancement to eliminate noise and to enhance the edges of the objects. Next, a sample of the grayscale values that define the object boundaries in the image are selected, and are averaged to yield a global average grayscale value for image segmentation. Off-line images obtained from the Laser Confocal Fluorescence Microscope of the coarsening of quiescent polystyrene/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-PMMA) blends were analyzed by image analysis. Evidence for the occurrence of coalescence and Ostwald ripening of the PMMA droplets was found, as well as differences in coalescence for two different PS matrix viscosities. In-line images obtained using the Particle Vision Monitor (PVM), of three size classes of particles representing contaminants, added to polymer flow during extrusion, were studied by image analysis.