VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Executive coaching as a leadership development strategy

This study examines the phenomenon of executive coaching, a leadership development strategy, from the perspective of executive coaches and executive clients. Grounded theory, an inductive qualitative research methodology, was used to generate a theory of executive coaching that emerged from the reported experiences of study participants. A conceptual framework, derived from the literature review, located executive coaching within a learning-centred, work-based development paradigm. A six-phase coaching model was developed to identify key stages in the coaching process. Interview questions addressed gaps brought out by the literature review. The literature failed to address properly both the conceptual framework and aspects of the executive coaching process. Nine executive coaches, nine executive clients, and one former client who had become an executive coach were located through theoretical sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted at specific points in the coaching process in order to explore participants' experiences of executive coaching and to locate its benefits, limitations, and factors that contribute to its success. Responses were analysed and coded using open, axial and selective coding. Coaches' and clients' responses were compared through the constant comparative method, and four primary categories and properties were identified. A storyline that captured the main concern of the participants was woven into a grounded theory of executive coaching. This theory states that executive coaching is a confidential partnership between a skilled coach and a willing client that is based on motivation, trust, action, and reflection, and which works through the medium of dialogue and continuous feedback. Executive coaching sets in motion a chain of learning with a broad sphere of influence. Its direct beneficiaries are the executive and the organization; but its benefits filter beyond the local arena to include the executive's personal life and the organization's employees. Interpersonal concerns such as leadership, authenticity, and self-awareness are typical coaching goals, and the effectiveness of executive coaching in achieving these goals is best measured qualitatively.

Keywords: Leadership
Management, Study and teaching
Executives, Training of
Business consultants
Mentoring in business
Organizational behavior
A classification of certain simple stably projectionless C*-algebras

Simple stably projectionless C*-algebras, which are inductive limits of certain specified non-unital algebras of matrix-valued functions over finitely many copies of the interval [0,1], are shown to be classified by their positive tracial cone together with the subset of traces with finite norm at most equal to one. This generalizes Razak's example of Elliott's conjecture on classifying stably projectionless C*-algebras, to the case of inductive limits of finite direct sums of Razak's building block algebras. The main part of the present thesis is the determination of the range of the invariant; it is shown that any topological cone, with a base consisting of a metrizable Choquet simplex, arises as the invariant of a simple C*-algebra inductive limit of single Razak building block algebras. As a result, we conclude that the C*-algebra inductive limits of basis building block algebras exhaust the whole class of C*-algebra inductive limits considered in this thesis.
William Faulkner and the testing of aestheticism

From the early stages of his career William Faulkner was intrigued by fin de siecle aestheticism. Critics agree that central authors and texts of aestheticism inform his early poetry, prose, and drawings. However, the presence of aestheticism in the fiction of the late 1920s onward has for the most part been overlooked. Faulkner's mature fiction engages with aestheticist motifs more intensively, if less obviously, than his earlier work, and reflects a deep and abiding ambivalence. To an extent this ambivalence is in keeping with the debates aestheticism inspired in the literary culture of the nineteenth- and twentieth-century American South and in the national culture wars of the 1920s. But, although it is marked by many different aspects of the literary debates of his day, Faulkner's own engagement is more complex than any of these. His treatment of aestheticism constitutes a career-long testing of its language and motifs. This testing manifests itself through his handling of three figures central to aestheticism, each of which is challenged to varying degrees: the dandy, the femme fatale, and the unnaturally beautiful boy. In Mosquitoes (1927) and The Sound and the Fury (1929) Faulkner inflicts increasingly harsh indignities upon the dandy even while he displays a growing interest in the potential of the pose. Soldiers' Pay (1926) and Flags in the Dust (1928) extend the interest in the femme fatale suggested in the poetry by alternately drawing upon the figure of the dangerous seductress and suggesting that it is a male projection. And in two later novels, Absalom, Absalom! (1936) and A Fable (1954), Faulkner qualifies stylized stories about beautiful boys through the unreliability of the narrators who speak them. Faulkner's treatment of these figures is informed by a recurring dynamic of the artificial and stylized being forced to contend with inescapable realities of the body, desire, and history. He never resolves the tension between the escape into art offered by aestheticist motifs and the ugly realities that prevent such escape. This abiding ambivalence helps illuminate the complex relationship between modernism and the aestheticism from which it grew.
A study of factors impacting Ontario police participation in higher education

This thesis presents the results and discusses the implications of research undertaken in the province of Ontario, Canada, to determine factors impacting police participation in higher education. The study involved 1150 respondents working in 20 different police services in Ontario. Drawing on previous studies relating to adult education theory, key personal and professional characteristic factors of the adult leaner involved in educational environments were examined. The study also examined six common clusters of factors identified as financial, convenience, social support, institutional culture, goal congruence and job relevance, that provided information on why police attain, do not attain, or are unable to attain higher education goals. Results from the personal and professional factors show 88% of respondents had already earned a college/university degree, or were in the process of completing one. Other findings suggest 82% of respondents plan to stay in policing until retirement, 94% were not seeking new careers and 86% reported no secondary employment activities. Results from the examination of the six common clusters of factors to measure the existence of potential barriers and motivations that influence police decisions to participate in higher education were: (1) Financial: lack of government assistance, lack of incentive pay, the high costs of education and the availability of personal finances were considered major barriers; (2) Convenience: shift work and personal time constraints were major barriers. The offering of a flexible distance education program was considered a motivator; (3) Social support: support from co-workers, family and meeting new people were considered major motivators; (4) Institutional culture: perceived non support by management was a barrier to civilian, constables and supervisors. Senior officers felt supported. Having opinions valued by students and faculty and attending university was considered a major motivator; (5) Goal congruence: motivators for attending universities were to improve the mind, learn new knowledge, improve/fulfill academic abilities and promote the profession; (6) Job relevance: motivators include: learning about law enforcement from an educational perspective, develop career and leadership skills and agreement that both formal education and police training is needed in policing.
The biochemical basis of hepatocyte cytotoxicity induced by hydrogen sulfide or allyl sulfide

Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) is a toxic gas predominantly found in the petroleum industry. The cytotoxic mechanism of H 2 S is thought to involve mitochondrial respiration inhibition as a result of H 2 S binding to heme a 3 -Cu B 2+ of cytochrome c oxidase but the following suggests the mechanism is more complex. Chapter 2 showed that H 2 S caused hepatocyte glutathione (GSH) levels to decrease. GSH was also decreased in a cell-free system containing GSH and H 2 S only. Furthermore, the iron chelator desferoxamine prevented H 2 S cytotoxicity and GSH depletion, whereas EDTA/Fe increased cellular GSH depletion. An oxygen electrode showed that NaHS added to phosphate buffer pH 7.4 formed hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by ferric iron whereas EDTA/Fe increased autoxidation. Chapter 3 showed that hydroxocobalamin (vitamin B 12a) was more effective at preventing NaHS induced mouse lethality than the currently used H2S antidote nitrite. Hydroxocobalamin also prevented hepatocyte cytotoxicity induced by NaHS. Oxygen consumption increased when hydroxocobalamin was added to buffered NaHS and NaHS disappeared.

Keywords: Toxicology
Pharmacology
The effects of overexpressing CREB in the lateral amygdala on the consolidation of auditory fear extinction memory

Fear extinction refers to the ability of organisms to adapt as circumstances change by learning to inhibit a previously learned fear. This process is characterized by a progressive reduction in the capacity of the CS to elicit fear following repeated presentations of the CS in the absence of an aversive US. Although the process by which fear memories are acquired and consolidated has been extensively studied, little is known about the neural mechanisms underlying fear extinction. One important advance made towards understanding fear extinction derives from studies showing that extinction represents a form of new learning that actively inhibits, rather than erases, the original CS-US association. As such, it is thought that fear extinction usurps similar mechanisms as fear acquisition. Here, we show that mice receiving CREB infusions in the LA exhibit less conditioned fear than GFP controls during an extinction test given 24 hours following training for extinction. In contrast, both groups of mice displayed a similar reduction in conditioned fear in a training session. Collectively, these results support the notion that overexpressing CREB in the LA facilitates the consolidation of extinction learning.
Adenovirus-mediated gene delivery of the soluble IL-13 decoy receptor inhibits hodgkin lymphoma growth in vitro and in vivo

The malignant Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) secrete and are responsive to interleukin (IL)-13. We hypothesized that over-expression of a soluble IL-13 decoy receptor (sIL-13Rα2) via adenoviral-mediated gene transfer would inhibit IL-13 induced RS cell proliferation. Treatment of two HL-derived cell lines, HDLM-2 and L-1236, with AdsIL-13Rα2 conditioned media resulted in the inhibition of cell proliferation, and down-regulated the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6). Gene expression profiling on HDLM-2 cells treated with sIL-13Rα2 revealed 63 differentially expressed genes including MFG-E8, ITK, IκBα, IL-9, TRAIL, and CISH. Intravenous delivery of AdsIL-13Rα2 in tumour challenged NOD/SLID mice delayed tumour onset and growth, while enhancing survival compared to control mice. Intratumoural administration of AdsIL-13Rα2 led to the regression or stabilization of established tumours and was associated with decreased STAT6 phosphorylation. These results demonstrate that AdsIL-13Rα2 can suppress Hodgkin lymphoma growth in vitro and in vivo.
Design and development of dielectric elastomer transducers with dual actuation and sensory functionality

The modeling, design and development of a dielectric elastomer based transducer is presented. This device is augmented with a sensory feedback and control system to achieve dual actuation and sensory functionality of the transducer. The design of devices based on the transduction of dielectric elastomers is complicated by the nonlinear properties of the material and strong nonlinear coupling between the electrical and mechanical response of the device. Furthermore, research on the design of such devices has not been addressed in the literature. To fulfill this deficit, this thesis presents the systematic detailed design of a dielectric elastomer transducer (DET) complete with formal model-based prediction of the device performance. After tailoring the design requirements for general dielectric elastomer transducers using the model developed herein, a suitable prototype transducer is fabricated using methods developed in the course of this research for the purpose of the design theory evaluation, experimental validation and characterization of the transducer. After fabricating a series of DET prototypes, the global electrical properties of the devices are characterized experimentally. The electrical properties are found to vary with strain. In light of this observation, a sensory feedback system has been created to make electrical real-time property measurements from the DET prototype. After verifying the successful operation of the sensory feedback and control system, it is used to characterize the stretched planar DET prototypes. Close correlation between the model response and that of the DET prototype is confirmed. Furthermore, the model demonstrates the capability of elucidating the abnormal behavior of the DET prototype. Finally, the sensory feedback and control system is shown to perform accurately as a means of strain inference by comparison to experimentally determined data.
Genetic variation in CD36 and dietary fat intake

Free fatty acid sensor CD36 has been proposed as a putative 'fat taste' sensor. CD36 is expressed on rodent taste buds, and CD36-null mice consume less fat than wildtype littermates. The objective of this study was to determine whether common variations in the CD36 gene are associated with fat intake in humans, using a Caucasian and an Asian population. Habitual diet was measured with a food frequency questionnaire, and CD36 genotypes (rs1984112A>G, rs1761667G>A, rs1527483G>A, rs1049673G>C) were determined using real time-PCR. Differences in fat intake between genotypes were assessed using generalized linear models. Among Caucasians (n= 387), %energy from fat differed between genotypes for rs1984112A>G and rs1761667G>A polymorphisms, primarily at the expense of carbohydrate. Among Asians (n= 259), no differences in %energy from fat were observed, however, %energy from carbohydrate differed for the rs1049673G>C polymorphism. These results demonstrate that variation in CD36 is associated with habitual fat intake in humans.
Zebrafish genomics and its applications: vertebrate model system for understanding human cardiovascular development

The zebrafish, Danio rerio is an excellent model for vertebrate developmental genetics. In order to characterize gene expression patterns of the zebrafish during embryonic development, a genomic resource of data and clones was initiated by large-scale partial sequencing of randomly selected cDNA clones to generate expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from zebrafish embryonic (3-day) heart cDNA library. Generation of 5,102 ESTs from the zebrafish embryonic heart cDNA library, representing the first and only catalogue of genes expressed in the embryonic zebrafish cardiovascular system. Clustering of all ESTs identified approximately 3,690 unique transcripts. Radiation hybrid mapping was performed for 102 ESTs and comparison of map positions between zebrafish and human identified new synteny groups. Further acquisition of ESTs from zebrafish adult heart and skeletal muscles cDNA libraries, coupled with the development of the 4,700 unique genes zebrafish cDNA microarray, allowed for large-scale gene expression analysis of the zebrafish during development and to the study of the effects of hypoxia on the zebrafish. In the former analysis, a total of 801 genes were identified to be differentially expressed during 5 different stages of development, including many novel developmentally regulated genes. In the latter analysis, expression profiling reveals the adaptive mechanisms of how zebrafish embryos survive under hypoxia. Hypoxia induces changes in gene expression patterns in the zebrafish embryos and these patterns are reverted back upon re-exposure to normoxia (20.8% O2). Characterizations of novel developmentally regulated genes as determined through the microarray analysis identified a novel zebrafish helix-loop-helix gene. Subsequent in situ hybridization and RT-PCR analysis confirmed that the Id7 gene is developmentally regulated. Overall, these results illustrate the power of ESTs and cDNA microarray as genomic tools for large-scale analyses of gene expression of the zebrafish during development and its responses to hypoxia. This study demonstrates the powerful utility of the EST database and the potential of cDNA microarray for the analysis of zebrafish mutants that affect various aspects of zebrafish development. Further utilizations of current resources, coupled with further additions of clones on the array should increase the power and sensitivity of this technology.
Distribution of bacteria in a PCE-contaminated pilot aquifer during bioremediation

This research characterized bacterial distribution in a side-by-side pilot aquifer comparison of natural attenuation (NA), biostimulation with lactate and methanol (ST), and bioaugmentation with a dechlorinating culture (AU) for the remediation of tetrachloroethene-contaminated groundwater. Quantitative PCR methods were used to evaluate the fate of a dechlorinating species, Dehalococcoides, more than two years post-inoculation, once a starvation period finished through tetrachloroethene-sources replenishment. Greater and more widespread growth of Dehalococcoides in AU than ST emphasized its persistence and quick recovery through fluctuating environmental conditions. Geobacter, another dechlorinating species, presented a more limited distribution in ST than AU. Neither species were present in NA. PCR-DGGE patterns were used to evaluate the impact of the treatments on the planktonic/sessile microbial communities. Biostimulation affected the planktonic community composition nearest the feeding site, whereas bioaugmentation affected both sessile and planktonic community compositions nearest the injection/feeding site. Finally, NA did not affect either microbial community significantly.
Determination of iron absorption from intrinsically labeled microencapsulated ferrous fumarate (sprinkles) in infants with 'low' versus 'high' hemoglobin using a dual stable isotope method

Microencapsulated ferrous fumarate plus vitamins A and C (Sprinkles) in powder form is a new approach for ‘home-fortification’ of complementary foods. To determine iron (Fe) absorption from Sprinkles, 44 infants with hemoglobin concentration (Hb) < 100g/L/L and 46 with Hb ≥ 100g/L were randomized to receive 30 or 45 mg of elemental Fe as 57Fe-labeled Sprinkles on 3 consecutive days. Additionally, a 58Fe tracer (0.2 mg as ferrous citrate) was infused intravenously (n = 46). Blood was drawn at baseline and 14 days later. Geometric mean Fe absorption was 8.7 and 7.0% in infants with Hb < 100g/L, and 4.6 and 4.5% in infants with Hb ≥ 100g/L for the 30 and 45 mg doses, respectively. Percent Fe absorption was significantly higher in infants with Hb <100g/L as compared to infants with Hb ≥ 100g/L (p < 0.0001), however there was no significant effect of dose (p = 0.35). Fe absorption from Sprinkles is regulated according to Fe needs.
Polynomial divisor problems

Asymptotic formulae for the following expressions are found and proved: [Special characters omitted.] and [Special characters omitted.] First, the convolution is opened. and the expression is re-written as a sum over arithmetic progressions of various lengths; then Poisson's summation formula is applied, which introduces an expected main term and an expected error term. The main term is evaluated using standard techniques, while the error term is shown to be negligible by applying a large sieve inequality. The methods used develop the methods in a paper by Friedlander and Iwaniec, where they give the asymptotic formula for [Special characters omitted.].

Keywords: Mathematics
Inspiriting relationship: exploring the educative significance of connecting with one's spirit

This narrative qualitative research explores the ways in which spirituality informs and impacts the professional practices of educators. It inquires into the spiritual guidance involved in the active relationship required for the development of the holistic individual in answering the guiding research question: What is the educative significance of connecting with one's spirit?. In this text, the term spirit is used to recognize those experiences where a deeper and richer learning is encountered. An experience of spirit is the state of mindfulness where there is no separation between self and other, nature and organism. This study inquires into the professional practices of three leading spiritual educators (those that explicitly teach meditation, contemplative and spiritual healing practices) and their encouragement of developing this connection with spirit within the learner. Areas of exploration include both the individual and educative experiences of connecting with spirit that touch on the curriculum choices of these educators. The research participants are outside of formal school models. Each individual was selected for his/her curriculum focussed on connecting with spirit as personal development. For each participant the curriculum areas involved: connecting with spirit as areas of spiritual healing and its manifestations in different forms (bodywork, alternative therapies, mediumship, sacred space); the practice of spiritual healing in the personal and professional life of the educator; and curriculum choices of visualization, intuition, contemplative practices including meditation and mindfulness. By inquiring into the professional lives and practices of three leading educationalists this research has broached the central thesis question involving the significance of spirituality in education by examining key areas of interest, including the connection with spirit, knowing one's inner wisdom, and the educative experience of personal transformation. The three emergent themes in this qualitative inquiry explore issues of inner wisdom within the context of education through (1) the development of Spiritual Identity, (2) the Integration of self and spirit, and (3) the Inner Sustenance required to nurture this connection. This study makes contributions to the literature of field of holistic education, transformative learning, and to professional practices in teacher education development.