VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Italian Canadian youth and the negotiation of identities: the discourse on italianità, language and the spaces of identity

This thesis analyzes the identity politics (Hall 1990) and multiple discourses of being and becoming Italian Canadian among second/third generation Italian Canadian youth in Toronto. Using Giddens (1991) terms centre and periphery, this thesis investigates, firstly, the Italian Canadian/Italian centre(s)' various contradictory discourses on italianita (i.e., representations of italianness), definitions of the "right" forms of cultural and linguistic capital (Bourdieu 1977), and who can legitimately claim to be and become the "right" Italian Canadian. These local and transnational discourses produced across the Italian Canadian/Italian centre(s) define italianita and its spaces. The analysis shows how those dominating the Italian Canadian/Italian centre(s) essentialize italianita, use linguistic and cultural capital (i.e., Standard Italian, Italian culture and representations of present-day Italy) as a way of controlling who is included and excluded from the Italian Canadian/Italian worlds. Along the periphery, Italian Canadian groups reproduce and contest centre-discourses in order to redefine italianita and its spaces. Italian Canadian youth manoeuvre for access to forms of linguistic and cultural capital and positionings as legitimate possessors of such capital in order to tap into symbolic and material resources and the spaces of italianita across multiple worlds. Secondly, this thesis investigates those along the periphery: Italian Canadian youth organizations and other groups, and specifically how eight second/third generation Italian Canadian youths manage, negotiate and challenge identities (e.g., ethnicity, language, religion, gender and sexuality) through the discourses on self-identification, language, culture and italianita across and within discourse sites (e.g., home, university campus, university Italian language classrooms, peer group social sites and workplace) and multiple worlds (i.e., Italian Canadian, Canadian and Italian). In sum, this research uncovers the tensions and contradictions of what it means to be and become Italian Canadian across a multi-generational immigrant community that is undergoing change and re-analysis within a globalizing world. Critical ethnography and multiple field methods were used to explore the politics of identity. The data was analyzed using discourse analysis (Chouliaraki Fairclough 1999), focusing on the discourse on language, culture and the representations of italianita and primarily examining content with references made to linguistic practices when they revealed social positionings.

Keywords: Italians, Canada
Italians, Languages
Italians, Canada
Italians, Race identity
Italians, Canada
Guidance-based on-line motion planning for autonomous highway overtaking

In the context of intelligent transportation, this Thesis presents a novel on-line trajectory-generation method for autonomous highway overtaking. The focus of this Thesis has been on two autonomy aspects of overtaking manoeuvre: (i) time optimal overtaking in the possible presence of obstacle vehicles in the passing lane, while ensuring passenger comfort, and (ii) ensuring that a safety distance is always maintained between vehicles in order to avoid any collision. The proposed scheme is guidance based, real-time applicable, and ensures safety and passenger ride comfort. The propose methodology is based on the principles of Rendezvous Guidance, the passing vehicle is guided in real-time to match the position and velocity of a shadow target (i.e., rendezvous with) during the overtaking manoeuvre. The shadow target's position and velocity are generated based on real-time sensory information gathered about the slower vehicle ahead of the passing vehicle as well as other vehicles which may be travelling in the passing lane. The guidance principle is also used to prevent any potential collision with these obstacle vehicles. The proposed method can be used as a fully autonomous system or simply as a driver-assistance tool. The proposed method was implemented in both computer simulations and experiments. The results clearly demonstrate the tangible efficiency of the proposed method.
Environmental educators as agents of change in elementary schools

Visions of transformative approaches to environmental education are informed by discourses of radical ecology. These visions help lead to the development of ecological models of change. This thesis seeks to explore how teachers relate their views of environmental education and change to their actions as change agents, predicated on the view that an exploration of significant life experiences provides insight into why teachers do what they do. A qualitative study was conducted with this goal in mind, exploring the worldviews of three teachers, and how their worldviews manifested themselves in their environmental practices and their attempts to effect change in their respective schools. The study illustrates how participants' worldviews influenced, to a significant degree, the extent that their environmental practices are transformative, and the quality and effectiveness of their attempts at change agency. Implications of this study for educational change are explored, focusing on the meaningfulness of the research process to the participants, and the development of an ecological model of change based on the research. The ecological model of change is presented as a basis for reflection.

Keywords: Environmental education
Environmental protection, Study and teaching (Elementary)
Educational change
Teachers, Attitudes
The Shariʻ al-Aʻzạm in Cairo: its topography and architecture in the Mamluk period

In addition to its being a major thoroughfare in the medieval city, the Shari` al-A`zam was also the venue of royal processions, especially in the Fatimid period. The different uses of the street, in terms of commercial activities and trade routes, royal and public processions as well as other special functions of certain nodes in the street, are also examined. This examination clarifies the status that the street enjoyed throughout its history. This status and the functions performed in the Shari` al-A`zam changed following the topographical changes that occurred in the city in different periods. This thesis examines the topographical development of the major artery of the city of Cairo, the Shari` al-A`zam, throughout its history from the beginning of the Fatimid period in 969 AD to the end of the Mamluk period in 1517 AD. The thesis focuses on the section of the street south of Bab Zuwayla. Although Cairo has been the focus of several topographical studies, none of them deals with this section of the Shari` al-A`zam, which constitutes along with the quarters Surrounding it, almost half of the city area under the Mamluks. A reconstruction of the major phases of the urban development of the street is attempted, as well as a tentative reconstruction of the monument locations in the Mamluk period. Mamluk architecture is characterized by the strong relationship that exists between its monuments and their urban setting. The number and quality of the structures built in the street reflects its status as a major axis in the city under the Mamluks. The buildings represent a varied repertoire of styles reflective of the development of Mamluk architecture over two centuries. Through the analysis of the architecture of the monuments in the street from an urban perspective, the effect the street had on the design of its monuments is evaluated. From this analysis we conclude that several factors, such as the use of the street for royal processions, the physical character of the street, and others, affected the degree of interaction of the architecture of the Shari` al-A`zam with its urban setting.
Dispersion engineering: Electronic implementations and microwave applications

Recent advances in designing media with normal or abnormal phase delay, group delay, and group delay dispersion (delay terms) have opened a new paradigm termed as "Dispersion Engineering". Under the general paradigm of Dispersion Engineering, this work focuses on designing active electronic filters with any desired combinations of delay terms and employs these filters to improve the performance of microwave systems. The use of abnormal group delays (AGDs) in removing the beam-squint from a series phased array antenna is studied. This motivated us to design a lossless circuit that demonstrates AGD. The circuit was then implemented in microstrip technology. Experimental and simulation results have verified the predicted desired operation of the circuit. The feasibility of electronically controlling delay terms of a medium was studied next. This idea was implemented as an integrated transversal filter in 0.18 mum CMOS technology. Experimental results verified the dynamic control over delay terms.
Poetics and politics: East and West. The poetries of Ahmad Shâmlu and Bertolt Brecht (Iran, Germany)

The problem of differences in poetic language and tone and mood between Persian and European poetry, even between poets sharing the same worldview and writing on similar subjects, is the main issue here. To what extent are these personal differences of individual poets and to what extent could one observe patterns that could be attributed to (however socially-conditioned) cultural differences? Modern poetry was introduced in Iran by poets who were directly influenced by European poetry. The question, then, is: How much of the old identity---all that can be associated with that image of the classical Persian poet---still persists and shows even in the works of poets who are so strongly influenced by European thought and imitate modern European poetry?While avoiding generalizations or any attempt to essentialize the already problematic concepts of East and West, or North and South, by ascribing some permanent or pre-destined essence to them, the present study compares the poetries of Ahmad Shamlu (1925--2000) and Bertolt Brecht (1898--1956) as the most representative poets of respectively Iran and Germany in the 20th century. The paper's search for an answer is done in the form of a close study of the works of these two poets with each poem bringing new aspects into focus, and gradually a pattern appears from the miniature pieces of this jigsaw puzzle as they are put together. The two poets sharing the same cause and ideology are finally seen as gravitating one (Shamlu) predominantly to pathos and humanist idealism, the other (Brecht) predominantly to logos and pragmatist rationalism. How this affects the methods they employ (Verfremdung [estrangement] method in Brecht and social symbolism in Shamlu) to achieve the desired effects, how this is manifested in their poetic language or reflected in their approach to various issues (choice of audience, portrayal of women, and so on), is demonstrated throughout the paper when discussing their poems.
An evaluation of systems for presenting, endorsing, and evaluating credentials in online communities

Credential systems play an important role in the trust building process between members of online communities like eBay, Slashdot, Epinions, etc. We assumed credentials to be either reputation- or policy-based to be presented to mediate trust between a trustor and trustee. Numerous credential systems have already been proposed and/or adopted, for different environments and contexts, incorporating diverse presenting, endorsing, and evaluating processes. This diversity has made it a difficult task for analyzers and designers to compare these systems with one another. In this work, we propose a framework based on which various credential systems in online communities could be evaluated and compared following the unified structure and comprehensive dimensions it proposes. The primary goal of this proposal is to provide the stepping stones for the better design of credential systems via the discovered relationships and design trade-offs.
The role of CD8+ T cell recognition pathways in platelet alloimmunity

It has been shown that recipient CD8+ T cells can modulate alloantibody production against transfused platelets. Using a murine model of platelet alloimmunization, we studied the role of recipient CD8+ T cell recognition pathways in platelet immunity. To test indirect allorecognition, recipient MHC class I processing pathways in BALB/c mice were blocked in-vitro by Brefeldin-A and in-vivo by Ritonavir or PS341. Direct allorecognition of donor MHC class I molecules was assessed by depleting the Ritonavir-treated mice of CD8+ T lymphocytes. Compared with control group, all three groups showed significantly higher IgG anti-donor responses after weekly platelet transfusions. However, isotype analysis of recipient sera for Ritonavir treated group and CD8 depleted group showed elevated levels of IgG2a antibodies, while IgG1 isotypes were significantly suppressed. These results suggest that CD8+ T cells significantly suppress anti-platelet MHC class I immunity via indirect recognition of donor MHC class I molecules.
Radiation-induced craniofacial bone growth inhibition: Investigation of the mechanisms and radioprotection in vitro

Radiation resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of survival and two-fold changes in osteoblast-like phenotype. Pre-treatment with Amifostine or WR-1065 (in primary and clonal cells, respectively) resulted in a significantly improved survival at clinically relevant radiation doses and drug concentrations. In this work, the cellular and functional mechanisms of radiation effects with and without radioprotection were investigated in cultured craniofacial osteoblast-like cells in order to understand the pathophysiology of radiation-induced craniofacial bone growth inhibition. Primary periosteal osteoblast-like cells were obtained from the infant rabbit orbitozygomatic complex following radiation with or without intravenous Amifostine. MC3T3-E1 mouse calvarial osteoblastic cells underwent gamma-radiation with and without WR-2721 or WR-1065 (10-3-10-7 M, 30 minutes before radiation). Survival, viability and osteoblast phenotype were assessed. This work establishes that Amifostine affords significant radioprotection of craniofacial osteoblast-like cells. This is important in devising pharmacological strategies for preventing impaired cramofacial bone growth in the survivors of head and neck cancer.
Four Blickling homilies

This thesis offers editions of four of the Old English homilies found in the Buickling manuscript, Princeton, Scheide Library ms 71. The four homilies edited are those numbered I, XIV, XV, and XVI, composed for the feasts of the Annunciation, of the birth of John the Baptist, of Saints Peter and Paul, and of Saint Michael, respectively. Each of these homilies is uniquely transmitted in the Buickling manuscript, follows known Latin sources, and presents many textual problems largely neglected in earlier editions and studies. Careful comparison of the various Latin sources, here printed together with the edited texts of the homilies, reveals the extent of these textual problems and is the basis of many of the emendations newly proposed.

Keywords: Literature, Medieval
Religion, History
The role of a court-driven reorganization scheme under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act in corporate governance

This thesis is concerned with Corporate Reorganization under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-36; the "Act"). While empirical studies fail to show conclusive results, it is argued in this paper that reorganizations under the Act may have resulted in the demise of private governance mechanisms and the subsequent increase in interest rates and monitoring costs; that management has a strong incentive to turn to reorganization in order to preserve their jobs; that the employees of the firm are not necessarily better off under the Act's regime, and concludes with stating that the creditors' consent to the plan, does not in itself justify the procedure that is deemed inefficient. Thus, this paper suggests that the free market, as a catalyst to restructure, would serve as a better solution to the problem of troubled firms and calls for the decreased use of the Act, as well as for a more narrow, rigid and self restrained interpretive approach towards the Act.

Keywords: Corporate reorganizations, Canada
Debtor and creditor, Canada
Corporate governance, Canada
Ethics of medical research and investigation in Jewish sources

Background. Bioethical questions raised by modern medicine present us with difficult and, in some cases, entirely new problems. Changes in traditional concepts are processed much more slowly than technological developments. Classical Jewish literature houses a long-standing tradition regarding the principles of bioethical behavior. The aim of my study is to present the approach of the Jewish sources to bioethical questions in a systematic manner. Results. The analysis of the classical Jewish sources demonstrates their relevance to modern bioethical questions. The positions adopted by Halakha with regard to current issues including autopsy, animal experimentation and self-endangerment, drawn from the earliest Jewish sources, demonstrate the continuous tradition that characterizes Jewish thought. Judaism stands out in its stable and unwavering basic positions, despite the tremendous upheavals that have occurred in the ethics of medical research. Discussion. The qualitative contribution of this work is the systematic presentation of the classical Jewish sources regarding issues of modern bioethics. Our quotation, analysis and discussion of the relevant Jewish sources demonstrate the fascinating historical relationship between developments in medicine and the continuity of halakhic literature. Confronting modern questions with the classical values of Jewish tradition, while carefully considering the particular circumstances of each individual case, may produce balanced solutions for contemporary bioethical issues. I believe that the unique nature of the Jewish approach in bioethics can make a significant contribution to modern bioethics, and I have pointed out areas requiring further elaboration. Methods. I have analyzed three areas related to modern medical research and investigation. After defining the bioethical problem in its clinical and historical context, I quote and analyze the relevant biblical or talmudic texts and discuss them with reference to the later authorities of the responsa literature. For each subject a historical survey of the halakhic literature is provided.
The role of the von Hippel-Lindau tumour suppressor protein in cellular adhesion

Proper regulation of the adhesive interactions of cells is crucial for cell growth, differentiation, and development. Pathological processes such as tumour invasion and metastasis can result from alterations in cell movement and signalling caused by deregulation of cell adhesion leading to a disruption of cell anchorage. Cell anchorage is mediated by both the interactions of cells with each other and with their environment. The von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumour suppressor protein regulates both the extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell-cell adhesion. Inactivation of the VHL gene is responsible for the development of VHL disease and is also the principal cause of sporadic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (CC-RCC), the most common form of kidney cancer. VHL binds to the ECM protein fibronectin, and promotes its proper deposition in the extracellular space. In this thesis I show that phosphorylation of VHL in its N-terminal acidic domain by casein kinase 2 increases its binding to fibronectin, resulting in decreased fibronectin secretion and ultimately improper fibronectin matrix deposition. This post-translational modification of VHL is required for its tumour suppressor function as phospho-defective VHL fails to suppress tumour formation in a SCID mouse xenograft assay. Recently, VHL has been shown to promote the transcription of the adhesion molecule E-cadherin. VHL forms a multi-protein E3 ubiquitin ligase that marks a-subunits of the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) transcription factor for degradation. HIF upregulates the transcription of E-cadherin transcriptional repressors, therefore upon VHL loss, E-cadherin expression is attenuated. The loss of E-cadherin correlates with the aggressiveness of numerous carcinomas and the worsening of patient prognosis. CC-RCC patient samples with negative VHL immunoreactivity are negative for E-cadherin staining. Here, I demonstrate that these patients have tumours with high Fuhrman grade and generally have poor prognosis. Additionally, I establish that CC-RCC patient samples with positive VHL immunoreactivity, albeit a mutant VHL, correlate with aberrant nuclear localization of E-cadherin. These patients generally have tumours with low Fuhrman grade and better prognosis. Therefore by regulating both the ECM and cell-cell adhesion, VHL is emerging as a central regulator of the invasive and metastatic phenotype of tumour cells.
Local melting and tool slippage during friction stir spot welding of aluminum alloys

Local melting and tool slippage during friction stir spot welding of different aluminum alloys is examined using a combination of detailed microscopy and temperature measurement. It has been widely accepted that friction stir welding is a solid-state process and does not involve melting. The present research indicates that local melting is an inherent feature when Al 7075 and Al 2024 alloys are spot welded, and produces tool slippage at the tool contact interface. In contrast, intermetallic particles contained in the Al 5754 and Al 6061 as-received materials do not melt and a no-slip condition is maintained. A combination of data acquisition of key welding parameters (axial force, torque and tool displacement), high-speed imaging, temperature measurement and metallography are employed to study the tool penetration stage and the subsequent dwell period during spot welding. A methodology is developed for reliably determining the stir zone temperature using thermocouples embedded within the tool itself. Tool slippage is investigated by determining the strain rate in stir zone material adjacent to the rotating tool. The strain rate is estimated by substituting stir zone temperature and subgrain size measurements into the Zener-Hollomon equation. Tool penetration early in the friction stir spot welding process can be explained as a progression of wear events from mild (delamination) wear, through to severe wear, and finally to melt wear in the material located immediately under the tip of the rotating pin. The stir zone peak temperature during welding is limited by either the solidus temperature of the alloy in question, or by local melting of intermetallic particles contained in the base material such as Al 7075 or Al 2024 alloys. Melted films dissolve rapidly in the high temperature stir zone, and as the weld cools to room temperature. Metallographic evidence confirming local melting and cracking is observed in Al 7075 and Al 2024 alloy friction stir spot welds made using a combination of rapid quenching, a high plunge rate and an extremely short dwell time setting. When slower plunge rates and longer dwell times are applied the dissolution of the melted films removes evidence of their occurrence.