VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Symbolic mediation and preschoolers' performance on prudent decision-making tasks

Sixty-three 3 1/2--5 1/2 year-olds were assigned to one of four conditions: the Standard condition, in which participants were presented with the option of having one reward immediately, or having two or more rewards at the end of the task (about 15 minutes later); the Symbol condition, in which participants were shown cards depicting asterisks that stood for the different quantities of rewards; the Hidden condition, in which the rewards were covered with opaque bowls; and the Hidden Symbol condition, in which the rewards were covered with opaque bowls that had asterisk cards affixed to them. Analyses revealed no hiding effects for any sample of participants, but the subset of participants who received stickers as rewards (N = 51) showed a marginally significant labeling effect. I propose that the symbolic stimuli reallocated participants' attention from the attractive properties of the rewards to the rewards' quantities, allowing them to delay self-gratification.

Keywords: Learning, Psychology of
Reward (Psychology) in children
Decision making in children
Perception in children
Exploring pathways that maintain genome stability by preventing the formation of gross chromosomal rearrangements

Genetic instability is a hallmark of cancer. A commonly observed class of genetic alterations in tumor cells is termed gross chromosomal rearrangements (GCRs) that encompass translocations, large-scale interstitial deletions and chromosome arm deletions. To identify novel GCR regulators, the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was used as a model system. Using unbiased large-scale and candidate approaches, I have identified at least ten novel regulators of chromosome stability. Firstly, from a small screen of putative genome regulators, I identified the GCR suppressor, ELG1. Further study of this gene showed that Elg1 forms an alternative replication factor C complex that interacts with PCNA with a possible role in Okazaki fragment maturation. Secondly, I executed a systematic genome-wide screen for GCR suppressors utilizing the non-essential haploid yeast deletion mutants and SGA methodology. From this comprehensive screen, I identified nine novel GCR suppressors including ZIP1, RML2, BUD16, WSS1, SLX8, HEX3, RAD5, RMI1 and ESC2. Initial characterization of WSS1, ESC2, and SLX8/HEX3 suggests that some of these genes may affect DNA repair and/or DNA replication. Thirdly, I characterized the highly conserved vitamin B6 enzyme, pyridoxal kinase (Bud16/Pdxk), which I found to be a potent suppressor of GCRs. This enzyme plays a critical role in maintaining adequate levels of pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP) or vitamin B6, which prevents the formation of DNA lesions. Through the identification of various regulators involved during S phase, this work has expanded our current knowledge of DNA replication, DNA repair and chromosome stability. In the long-term, efforts to identify GCR suppressors from the budding yeast may lead to the identification of human homologs, which may function as 'genome caretakers' in human cancers.
Glutathione and riboflavin status in patients undergoing home nocturnal hemodialysis versus standard hemodialysis

A cross-sectional study with thirty patients, in two hemodialysis (HD) regimens, and fifteen healthy controls (HC) examined whether improved plasma total cysteine (tCys) clearance, observed in home nocturnal hemodialysis (HNHD) (6-8 hours/session, 5-7 nights/week) patients, influenced their erythrocyte (RBC) glutathione (GSH) and riboflavin status, compared to standard hemodialysis (SHD) (4 hours/session, 3 times/week) patients. Dietary protein, tCys, vitamins C, E, and plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were also determined. There were no significant differences (NS) among the groups in RBC GSH and riboflavin status. SHD patients had significantly higher tCys compared to HNHD patients and HC, and significantly higher CRP levels compared to HC participants. Serum vitamin E was NS among the groups, and vitamin C concentration was significantly lower in HD patients compared to HC. These results suggest RBC GSH concentrations and riboflavin status are not related to uremic clearance in well nourished HD patients.
A three-dimensional Newton-Krylov Navier-Stokes flow solver using a one-equation turbulence model

A three-dimensional Navier-Stokes flow solver for structured grids is developed using a Newton-Krylov algorithm. Turbulence is modelled using the Spalart-Allmaras one-equation model. Spatial derivatives are approximated using centered-differences with second and fourth-difference dissipation. The equations are transformed into curvilinear coordinates and linearized using Newton's method. The reverse Cuthill-McKee method is applied to reorder the equations, and a preconditioner is formed based on an incomplete lower-upper factorization of a first-order approximate Jacobian. The linear system at each Newton iteration is then solved using a generalized minimal residual method. An approximate-Newton startup phase is followed by a Jacobian-free inexact-Newton phase. Various aspects of the code are studied in this work. A parametric study attempting to optimize the performance of the code was performed on the following variables: ILU fill-levels, inexact-Newton convergence parameter, residual reduction tolerance parameter for switching to the inexact-Newton phase, and a preconditioning parameter used in the formation of the approximate Jacobian. The solver was validated by comparing with a well-validated flow solver, OPTIMA2D, and a grid convergence study is presented for laminar and turbulent flows about the ONERA M6 wing.
Assessing pancreatic enzyme efficacy in patients with cystic fibrosis ; evaluation of a combination approach using unprotected pancreatic enzymes and pH-sensitive enteric-coated microspheres

Enzyme therapy rarely completely corrects nutrient malabsorption in CF. Dissolution of pH-sensitive, enteric-coated microspheres (ECM) is impaired by the acidic duodenal pH, resulting in their delayed release in the distal small intestine. Unprotected powder enzymes that survive the gastric acid milieu, begin digestion of nutrients in the duodenum. Our hypothesis is that a combination of these enzymes will improve nutrient digestion. Seventy-two hour stool collections were completed at the end of each 2-week randomized phase, which included ECM alone and ECM plus powder enzymes. Fecal fat, energy and nitrogen output were compared to intake. Fourteen subjects (5.7 ± 3.2 years) completed the study. There was no difference in absorption of fat, energy, or nitrogen between the two phases. We conclude that the replacement of ECM with powder did not improve nutrient digestion and absorption in our subjects, at the enzyme doses provided.
The syntax of sentential stress

This thesis explores the nature of sentential stress, how it is assigned and its interaction with information structure. The central thesis is that the position of sentential or nuclear stress, the element with the highest prominence in the sentence, is determined syntactically and that cross-linguistic differences in this respect follow from syntactic variations. In particular, it is proposed that the Sentential Stress Rule applies in a phase-based manner (Chomsky 2000, 2001 and subsequent work) and assigns stress to the highest element in the spelled out constituent. This proposal provides a systematic way of accounting for a wide range of cross-linguistic facts, with data taken from Persian, English, German, Eastern Armenian and some Romance languages. An additional rule, namely the Focus Stress Rule, is proposed to handle the interaction between sentential stress and information structure. The Focus Stress Rule, which is also proposed to apply in a phase-based manner, ensures that a focussed constituent receives the highest clausal prominence in languages which mark focus prosodically. It is shown that sentential stress is determined in an interplay between the default Sentential Stress Rule and the Focus Stress Rule. It is argued that the relationship between syntax and phonology is unidirectional, always from syntax to phonology, thereby arguing against syntactic phenomena being triggered by phonological or prosodic motivations (contra Zubizarreta 1998). It is also shown that, from a conceptual and empirical perspective, the proposed account of the interaction between focus and sentential stress is preferable to the theories based on the focus projection algorithm (Selkirk 1995).
Predictors of self-esteem in children with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

The purpose of this study was to investigate differences between children with and without ADHD in self-esteem (also known as global self-worth) and domain-specific self-concepts, to explore the role of gender, development, and comorbidity with oppositional symptoms on these differences, and to examine predictors of self-esteem. The sample was comprised of 89 children with ADHD and 54 children without ADHD. All of the children were between 9--14 years of age. Using the Self-Perception Scale for Children (SPPC; Harter, 1985), results confirmed those of previous studies that children with ADHD have lower self-perceptions of global self-worth, scholastic competence, behavioural conduct, and social acceptance than children without ADHD. Children with ADHD who had clinical levels of oppositional symptoms scored lower than children without ADHD on behavioural conduct and global self-worth. Children with ADHD with and without clinical levels of oppositional symptoms did not differ from each other on global self-worth or any of the domain-specific self-concept scales. Young adolescents (age 12--14) reported lower levels of global self-worth, physical appearance, and scholastic competence than children (age 9--11). There were no gender differences, ADHD by gender, or ADHD by age interaction effects. Harter's (1990) model and labelling theory (Link Phelan, 1999; Scheff, 1966) were the basis for exploration of the structure and predictors of self-esteem or global self-worth in children with and without ADHD, specifically with regard to domain-specific self-concepts, perceived social support, and perceived stigmatization. The pattern of predictors for children without ADHD was consistent with Harter's (1999) model; domain-specific self-concepts, perceived social support, and the interactions between them predicted 64% of the variance in global self-worth. Perceived stigmatization was also a significant predictor. Among children with ADHD, however, domain-specific self-concepts were the sole predictors of global self-worth, accounting for 42% of the variance; perceived social support and perceived stigmatization did not offer any additional predictive power. Theoretical and clinical implications for these findings are discussed.

Keywords: Self-esteem in children
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Determining the optimal SNR-resolution tradeoff in MR imaging at fixed scan times

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is unique compared to other imaging modalities in that it offers a multitude of imaging modes, while being inherently three-dimensional and offering excellent in vivo soft tissue contrast. Also unique to MR imaging is the tradeoff between image signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and spatial resolution for a fixed imaging time. To facilitate the most effective use of scan time, the SNR-resolution tradeoff for a given fixed time needs to be optimized for different applications. In this thesis, the imaging tradeoff between SNR and spatial resolution was investigated to obtain the most appropriate image quality for human visual preference and automated registration, using images simulated from a set of high-quality mouse brain data acquired experimentally.
Politics of immigration in East-Central Europe

This study focuses on the challenges presented by immigration policies in four East-Central European countries (ECE): the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland. Its main goal is to provide empirical information about and a normative evaluation of some of the most controversial areas of the regional migration frameworks. The main question driving this work is whether the current ECE policies granting rights and duties to immigrants provide for a fair treatment within the normative framework of liberal democracy. My answer to this question is that the length of immigrants' residence matters morally more than their legal status in determining migrants' membership and rights in a given community of residence. This principle of residence is an extension of established liberal democratic principles, such as respect for private and family life, equal compensation, and democratic self-determination. If a country aspires to remain true to its liberal democratic commitments, it is morally bound to provide immigrants with political membership, residential security and other rights equal to those of native citizens. Consequently, the ECE countries' current policies need several reforms to meet their liberal democratic obligations.
On the spatio-temporal dynamics of boundary forced open reactive flows

This thesis investigates the effect of constant or periodic boundary forcing on the spatio-temporal dynamics of open flows of media whose kinetics can be oscillatory, bistable or excitable. The systems investigated are those where the flow profile is uniform (“plug-flow”) and the flow coefficients are equal. Oscillatory and excitable media are investigated experimentally using the ferroin-catalysed Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction medium. Given appropriate flow conditions, stationary space-periodic structures are observed. I refer to them as “flow-distributed oscillations” (FDO) and “flow-stabilised dissipative structures” in oscillatory and excitable media, respectively. Periodic forcing of oscillatory media leads to travelling waves. They propagate upstream or downstream with either constant or oscillatory velocity. The constant velocity waves are in quantitative agreement with predictions from spatio-temporal phase dynamics. The oscillatory waves are also phase waves. The effect of periodic forcing on bistable and excitable media or on media having a Hopf or Turing unstable steady state is discussed in the context of persistent, downstream advected space-periodic structures. These waves have velocities that are equal to that of the flow and wavelengths that are equal to the product of the flow velocity and the period of the boundary forcing. The relevance of open reactive flow to biological morphogenesis is discussed. In many organisms, space-periodic structures are formed sequentially, one after the other, during axial growth of the embryo. Axial growth is shown to be equivalent to an open flow. Relative to the growth/flow boundary, the space-periodic structure has a velocity that is equal to the growth/flow velocity. Recent experiments established the operation of a cell-autonomous oscillator in early vertebrate development and showed that the formation of space-periodic structure is preceded by gene expression waves with an intricate spatio-temporal dynamics. They are mimicked in a chemical flow system, which reproduces four of the principal features of the developmental process. The predictions of an FDO-based model are compared to experimental observations and different kinetic schemes are investigated. This reveals a powerful mechanism of wave pattern formation that captures the essence of the regulation of morphogenesis during early development.
Molecular mechanism of priming of exocytosis of insulin-containing granules

Exocytosis of insulin secretory granules (SGs) in the pancreatic beta-cell involves a sequence of regulated exocytotic events, whose normal function and adaptation to increase in demand are essential for the maintenance of glucose homeostasis. These events comprise the trafficking and docking of SGs to the plasma membrane (PM), followed by fusion triggered by Ca 2+. Studies have unraveled post-docking steps mediated by novel factors, which by their interactions with SNARE- and SNARE-associated proteins, confer the docked SGs fusion competence. These priming steps define the releasable pool of SGs which accounts for the first insulin secretion phase, and controls the rate at which SGs are replenished for the second secretion phase. One aspect of this thesis is to examine the role of Munc13-1 protein in the regulation of priming of SGs. Studies employing transgenic mouse models suggest that Munc13-1 is important for the maintenance of glucose homeostasis. Electrophysiological studies show that Munc 13-1 regulates the priming and refilling of primed releasable SGs. The second aspect of the thesis is to investigate the mechanism, at the levels of fusion between the PM and SG membrane and that between SG, which underlie cAMP-induced potentiation of insulin secretion. Microscopy studies suggest that cAMP/Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) stimulation potentiates insulin secretion in part by promoting the number of docked SGs and sequential exocytotic events. It is further indicated that Exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac)-catalyzed signaling pathway and Protein-kinase A (PKA)-catalyzed signaling pathway intersect in common and distinct steps in the potentiation; Epac activation primarily regulates the number of PM exocytotic events, whereas PKA activation stimulates fusion of oncoming SGs with SGs already undergoing exocytosis. The two pathways act synergistically to effect the full potentiating effect of cAMP stimulation. In Munc 13-1-deficient mouse models, Epac activation exerts a synergistic action in assisting PKA activation to rescue the exocytotic defects caused by Munc13-1 deficiency by promoting the priming actions of Munc13-1 via Rim2 to Munc 13-1 interaction.
Defence gene expression and the effects of leaf age and day length on the nonhost resistance of Arabidopsis to the cowpen rust fungus

Mutant and transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants deficient in defence signalling pathways were grown under 16 h days and used to demonstrate that the nonhost resistance of this species to the cowpea rust fungus required the presence of the salicylic acid signalling pathway. Under these conditions, resistance was affected by leaf age and associated with the expression of PR (pathogenesis-related) genes 2 and 5, but not PR-1, plant defensin 1.2 and basic-chitinase. However, data from wildtype plants grown under different day lengths suggested that PR-2 and PR-5 expression may not be the main factors contributing to nonhost resistance in this system.
Digital authorship: achieving copyright's goals

The Internet and the digitisation of content have allowed new pathways to production and distribution. This is positive from one perspective, as it allows many once-excluded individuals access to the creative process. However, technological innovation has also lowered "natural" barriers to widespread copyright infringement. Copyright owners have sought expanded copyright protection as a result. Different interests groups have variously responded. Some have declared copyright of little relevance. Others advocate recognition of "users' rights;" the view articulated in CCH Canadian Ltd v. Law Society of Upper Canada. I argue that while unchecked copyright expansion could be undesirable when thinking about the public domain, it may not be necessary to conceive of an extra layer of users' rights in order to achieve a balanced copyright. A workable compromise can be found in further consideration of authorship in copyright, a concept which dictates the nuances of copyright as a whole.

Keywords: Copyright, Electronic information resources
Copyright and electronic data processing
Intellectual property
Producing the native informant: third world immigrant women's activism and self-making practices in the immigrant services sector

Through the use of interviews supplemented by an analysis of community reports, this dissertation examines the production and self-making practices of Third World immigrant activist women who are managers of immigrant community organizations. Accounting for transnational and historical relationships, the concept of the native informant enables the examination of the ongoing inequalities and unevenness between First and Third Worlds, and connections and disconnections among spaces and histories. Immigrant women are only recognizable as activists and managers when they accept the native informant position; however, it is argued that immigrant women shift the boundaries of their native informant selves by reconstructing their activism and utilizing any openings they are able to find in their performance of the script. Mapping out the experiences of race, class and gender among immigrant women in their attempt to establish their career in helping professions, it is argued that their positions as racialized middle-class immigrant women make them appropriate managers and activists in the immigrant services sector, given the multicultural politics that reduces differences to culture and essentializes Third World identities. Immigrant women's accounts of their pathways to a career in the immigrant services sector are used to historicize and spatialize their activism, understood in the specificities of individual women's life histories and changing multicultural terrain. This reveals that activist identities differ among immigrant women, depending on what site they enter, when and how they engage with the political space. Although hailed as native informants, the interviewees do not follow the script rigidly. Instead, their activism fundamentally transforms their managerial role, making the two inseparable and focusing their strategies on creating better futures for their communities. Nevertheless, in order to be “heard,” immigrant women have to claim an insider status, their closeness with their communities and an unmediated relationship between themselves and the communities for which they advocate, using strategies that both reproduce and transcend the native informant position. Ultimately, this study makes visible the creative strategies that subjects employ within the confines of their positions to make positive change possible, and to challenge the limits of knowledge and identity production.

Keywords: Women immigrants, Social aspects
Women immigrants, Psychology
Educational equalization
Minorities, Canada