VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Procedural texture mapping on FPGAs

Procedural textures can be effectively used to enhance the visual realism of computer rendered images. Procedural textures can provide higher realism for 3-D objects than traditional hardware texture mapping methods which use memory to store 2-D texture images. This thesis investigates a new method of hardware texture mapping in which texture images are synthesized using FPGAs. This method is very efficient for texture mapping procedural textures of more than two input variables. By synthesizing these textures on the fly, the large amount of memory required to store their multidimensional texture images is eliminated, making texture mapping of 3-D textures and parameterized textures feasible in hardware. This thesis shows that using FPGAs, procedural textures can be synthesized at high speed, with a small hardware cost. Data on the performance and the hardware cost of synthesizing procedural textures in FPGAs are presented. This thesis also presents the FPGA implementations of six Perlin noise based 3-D procedural textures.
Community policing, a study of local policing, order and control

This study examines the concepts and practices of 'community policing' on the basis of a field study in a large urban centre in Canada. The focus of this inquiry was to understand 'community policing' as a governmental technology mobilized jointly by police and select social or community resources and interests, and to investigate the empirical practices through which the concept's predominant 'reform' and 'empowerment0' rhetoric materializes. Field observation and interview data have been collected with the divisional 'Community Response Unit' of the Police force under study, as well as with a number of local 'neighbourhood' acting as community in these contexts. The central findings include that on a police level, 'community policing' is established as an isolated add-on to existing police functions rather than an organizational reform effort embracing the institution of police. Traditional organizational values, performance indicators and management strategies remain unchanged, while many officers suggest a lack of clear guidance or vision on how to 'do' 'community policing' on the side of their superiors. In terms of operations, the observed 'community policing' efforts concentrate heavily on street disorder phenomena, like prostitution, drugs, liquor offenses. The main operational tools are discretionary combinations of surveillance, informal control as well as criminal and noncriminal law enforcement activities, while 'problem solving' occurs predominantly through efforts of aggressive ''problem displacement' out of the local jurisdiction. 'Community' in the socio-economically diverse study contexts consists primarily of self-organized, selectively homogenous white, middle-class and property owning residents pushing for an elimination of street disorder phenomena from their locales. For these purposes, 'community' provide 'legwork' for police in terms of surveillance, but also put into operation their own effective local control schemes through the mobilization of exclusion mechanisms, by-law licensing and regulatory schemes, etc. 'Community'/police contacts, however, predominantly limit 'community' to provide input, while decision-making on 'policing' remains a police matter. In essence, the practices observed maintain the police's central and hegemonic power role in 'community policing', while reinforcing it through marginal, facilitative and symbolic involvement of 'community'. 'Community policing' is recognized as a local governmental technology which 're-socializes' the police, and constructs 'policeable' communities.
Grain boundary character distribution and intergranular corrosion in high-purity aluminum

Corrosion tests at three different concentrations of aqueous HCl (8%, 16% and 38%) were performed in order to investigate the intergranular corrosion susceptibility of high purity aluminum (99.9999%) having different grain boundary character distributions (GBCD's). The grain boundaries in annealed aluminum were characterized according to the coincidence site lattice (CSL) model combined with Brandon's criterion for allowable deviation angles from the exact CSL relationship, using automated orientation imaging microscopy (OIMTM ) and the semi-automatic electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD) techniques in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Pole figures were also generated through OIMTM for microtexture examination. It was found that GBCD's were significantly influenced by the crystallographic texture formed in the aluminum samples. Moreover, the GBCD was shown to have a great effect on the intergranular corrosion susceptibility. The results indicated that, at high concentrations of HCl (38 and 16%), only low angle ([Sigma] 1) boundaries were shown to be resistant to corrosion while at lower acid concentration (8%), other low [Sigma] boundaries ([Sigma]3~[Sigma] 29) were also found to be less susceptible to corrosion as compared to random boundaries. A detailed analysis of corroded CSL boundaries as a function of the deviation angles showed that Brandon's criterion was not applicable for determining their susceptibility to corrosion in high acid concentrations of HCl (38% and 16%). In such cases, a more restrictive criterion such as the Palumbo-Aust criterion would be more appropriate in determining corrosion susceptibility.
Routing architecture and layout synthesis for multi-FPGA systems

Multi-FPGA systems (MFSs) are used as custom computing machines, logic emulators and rapid prototyping vehicles. A key aspect of these systems is their programmable routing architecture, which is the manner in which wires, FPGAs and Field-Programmable Interconnect Devices (FPIDs) are connected. This dissertation provides new insight into the strengths and the weaknesses of two popular existing routing architectures: the Partial Crossbar and the Mesh. New hybrid architectures, that use a mixture of hardwired and programmable connections, are proposed. The new architectures are the Hybrid Torus Partial-Crossbar (HTP), the Hybrid Complete-Graph Partial-Crossbar (HCGP) and the Hardwired Clusters Partial Crossbar (HWCP). We evaluate and compare several MFS routing architectures by using a rigorous experimental approach that employs real benchmark circuits. The circuits are mapped into the architectures using a customized set of partitioning, placement and inter-chip routing tools. The architectures are compared on the basis of cost (the total number of pins required in the system) and speed (determined by the post-inter-chip routing critical path delay). The key parameters associated with the partial crossbar and the hybrid architectures are explored. For the partial crossbar, the effect of varying the number of pins per subset (Pt), on the routability, speed, and cost is minor. For the hybrid architectures, a key parameter, the percentage of programmable connections (Pp), is explored and we experimentally determined that Pp = 60% gives good routability across all the benchmark circuits. We show that the Partial Crossbar is superior to the 8-way Mesh architecture. We show that one of the newly proposed hybrid architectures, HCGP, is superior to the Partial Crossbar. The HTP architecture is shown to be inferior to the HCGP and only marginally better than the Partial Crossbar. The HWCP architecture is evaluated compared to the HCGP architecture and gives encouraging routability and speed results. Overall, the results show that for single board MFSs, the HCGP is the best among all the MFS routing architectures evaluated.
The interdependent relationships of organizational learning and leadership practices within school cultures

This study investigated the interdependent relationships of organizational learning and leadership within school cultures and how these three variables facilitate systemic change. This field of research is particularly relevant in today's turbulent times of educational change as each of these concepts has been viewed in the literature as the "key" to organizational change. As a comparative case study, this research involved three kindergarten to grade eight schools in a large school board in southern Ontario. Data collection techniques included a focus group interview with members of each School's Growth Team (SGT), individual interviews with the principal, and individual interviews with eight staff members (three on the SGT and five not on the Team). Results from the first level of coding identified the form and content of each school's culture, the leadership practices that were in place, and examples of single and double-loop learning. A second level of coding responded to the three research questions. Which conditions associated with school culture contribute most to organizational learning? Which leadership practices influence the nature of school culture? Which types of leadership practices contribute most to organizational learning? Causal maps were drawn to illustrate the relationships among culture, leadership, and organizational learning. Data indicate that collaborative cultures were predominant in all three schools. Certain cultural conditions fostered collaboration. Specifically, norms of mutual support, risk taking, sharing of ideas and resources, students coming first in deliberations and practices, and professional development were viewed as significant features of collaborative cultures. Leadership practices which impacted on the schools' collaborative cultures were: providing support, providing a vision, building culture, and modelling expected behaviours. In addition, certain traits and capacities impacted on the schools' cultures. Further, leadership practices which influenced organizational learning were: providing support, resources, and intellectual stimulation. Although each of the constructs of this research was seen as a critical component of the change process, evidence from the study suggested that one variable alone cannot facilitate change. Instead, a systemic approach to change, where internal coherence exists among all three variables, appeared to be a more realistic explanation for the intricacies of the successful implementation of change initiatives.
Role of hydrogen sulfide in modulating the life and death of cells

Hydrogen sulfide was found to be more toxic to hippocampal slice cultures than isolated hepatocytes. Chloride ion channel blockers decreased H 2S cytotoxicity suggesting that H2S enters the cells via these channels. Intracellular H2S was formed from cysteine, metabolism as the cystathionine ã-lyase inhibitor propargylglycine prevented cystinedimethylester (CDME) toxicity towards GSH-depleted hepatocytes but not neurons. However the cystathionine ß-synthase inhibitor aminooxyacetate decreased CDME toxicity in neurons but not hepatocytes. H2S toxicity was decreased by ZnCl2 by complexing H2S or accelerating H2S oxidation. H2S also prevented Zn2+:8-hydroxyquinoline toxicity in hepatocytes. ROS scavengers DMSO and catalase, metal chelators neocuproine, TPEN and desferoxamine and endocytosis inhibitors chloroquine and methylamine also decreased Zn2+ hepatoxicity suggesting that zinc displaces Fe/Cu from storage proteins that have been endocytosed in lysosomes. Hydrogen sulfide was also protective against NO and hypoxia induced toxicity in hepatocytes.
Dynamics of harpooning studied by transition state spectroscopy

The van der Waals complexes, Na··XR (X = F, Cl, Br, R = CH3; and X = F, R = H), have been generated by crossing a beam of sodium with the expansion region of a supersonic jet of the appropriate halide in an inert-carrier gas. The complexes were identified by photoionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Depletion of the complexes was observed following photoexcitation using a broad range of wavelengths, [lambda] 1. Initial excitation of the Na chromophore within the complex is believed to be followed by charge-transfer dissociation; <display-math> <fd> <fl><rm>Na</rm>¤¤<rm>XR</rm>+h<g>n</g><inf>1</inf>[right arrow] <hsp sp="0.167"><fen lp="sqb"><rm>Na<sup>*</sup></rm>¤ ¤<rm>XR</rm><rp post="sqb"></fen><sup> The dynamics of the excited-state reaction have been probed by measuring the depletion cross-section for the ground-state complex as a function of the excitation wavelength. In addition, the lifetime of the TS was estimated by measuring an ion signal for photoionization directly from the TS. The TS is believed to dissociate via surface-hopping from the electronically-excited state into alternate channels on the ground-state PES. The surface hop occurs in the region in which the character of the TS changes from largely covalent to largely ionic, <math> <f> <rm><fen lp="sqb"><rm>Na<sup>*</sup>¤¤XR</rm><rp post="sqb"></fen><sup>
Synthesis, delocalization and reactivity in stable diaminocarbenes

The synthesis and reactivity of stable diaminocarbenes has been investigated. The synthetic routes utilized were reductive dehydrosulfurization of tetra-substituted thioureas and 1,1-elimination of HCl from carbenium salt, [N2CH] +Cl-. Synthesis of sterically crowded thioureas suffers from low yields. The dehydrosulfurization of aminals has been discovered as a new one-step synthesis for thioureas and carbenium salts. Dehydrosulfurization was also investigated for urotropin and 1,3,5-trialkyl-hexahydro-' sym'-triazines (investigated as precursors for polycarbenes). The dehydrosulfurization of 'sym'-triazines gave ring degradation products and [C2H2(NR)2CH]+SCN -. Reaction of carbenes and analogs with alcohols and alkoxides was investigated. The aromatic 6[pi]-delocalization in carbenes and related heterocycles was studied at the RBF/6-31G* and B3LYP/6-31G* level. The obtained Löwdin bond orders correlate with the aromatic ring current ( 1H-NMR) making them an excellent computational tool to study the extent of aromatic delocalization.
Curriculum development in professional education, a design model for information studies

This research study develops a process model for curriculum design in professional education that was identified from the critical analysis of a curriculum design project at a graduate faculty of library and information studies. The research study also provides a description of the curriculum design team's actions as a record for future use in other curriculum development projects by the faculty, as an account of a particular experience in information studies curriculum design, and as a guiding framework for the first phase of curriculum development in other schools with professional preparation programs. In a case study approach where the researcher was also a participant and the facilitator of the design team, a curriculum design process model was developed from an analysis of the design team's meeting transcripts, meeting notes, components of the research program, working documents, position and concept papers, the final report of recommendations, and reflection by the design team members. 'The Information Studies Curriculum Design Model', includes three phases in the design phase of curriculum development: 'project definition'--stating the curriculum problem and outlining a structure for finding a solution; 'solution design'--researching possible solutions, selecting a direction, and defining the components of a program; and 'solution presentation'--identifying the audience and purpose and then presenting the findings. Each stage of the design process model is characterized by specific ' actions' (i.e., activities or decision points that move the process toward completion), 'inputs' (i.e., information that informs the process), and 'outputs' (i.e., information produced by the process). The model also considers two factors that influence the entire curriculum design process--the aims and responsibilities of professional education and the need to construct meaning. In addition to a design process model, this research study identifies seven challenges to curriculum development in library and information studies programs and suggests four new lessons learned by the curriculum development team. The researcher participant also offers a reflection on the role of a curriculum design team facilitator.
Feasibility study of a shallow-depth penetrating radar

Penetrating radars have recently received considerable attention in the world for a variety of applications relating to civil engineering problems. Most applications of surface penetrating radar in non-destructive testing of civil engineering constructions are related to the examination of the underlying concrete. Except for few experiments in the 1980s in which specific purpose systems were designed and used, most researchers use commercially available general purpose radar systems to deal with the civil engineering problems. Applying conventional general purpose systems in a specific area such as non-destructive testing of concrete has several disadvantages. A concrete inspection device specifically designed to be applied in rapid survey of the condition of highways and bridges is proposed for this specific application and important aspects of the design of such equipment are discussed.
Canada's Coalition for Public Information, a case study of a public interest group in the information highway policy-making process

The purpose of this research was to investigate the role of Canada's Coalition for Public Information (CPI) in the federal information policy-making process for the information highway. CPI, formed in 1993, was an initiative of the Ontario Library Association that attracted a broad constituency of information professionals and individuals concerned about information and technology issues. CPI believed that information policy decisions leading to major economic and social consequences would emanate from the information highway debate and that integration of the public perspective into new information policy was therefore imperative. This study used as its framework two public policy models to build an understanding of events, context, stakeholders, strategies, and influence: the policy process model developed by John Kingdon, and the policy community model described by William Coleman and Grace Skogstad and by Paul Pross. The investigation followed the example of naturalistic methods including grounded theory, and data organization and analysis via NUD*IST software. After 21/2 years of data gathering and analysis, the researcher concluded that, despite its efforts, CPI had exercised little influence over policy outcomes. CPI remained outside the decision-making network of government officials and private sector representatives owing to its limited resources, its limited political experience, and its late entry into the policy process. Policy makers, convinced of the necessity for instituting the private sector values of market competition and deregulation, essentially ignored CPI's publicly oriented agenda in their information highway policy. However, CPI did succeed in helping to bring a perspective other than the market agenda to the public, to the policy community, and to policy makers. CPI contributed to the process by educating the public, the government, and the private sector to access and other information highway policy issues. Although CPI has learned a great deal that it can use to its advantage in the future, the group continues to work toward establishing itself as a significant player within an institutional structure that does not favour public interest groups. In order to increase its effectiveness as a public interest watchdog in such a setting, CPI must secure adequate resources and continue to increase its expertise through exposure to the policy process.
Modelling and control of switched circuits for high power applications

This thesis presents exact modelling and control techniques for high power, slowly switched circuits. Long standing continuous time circuit approximations are abandoned, and discrete time modelling techniques are developed. The discrete time modelling approach is shown to account for all harmonic interaction effects introduced by the switching events. The approach may be employed to solve for the true cyclic steady state of a switched circuit and to characterize its dynamics via a linearization about this cyclic steady state. Applications of this linearization to both stability analysis and control design are demonstrated. The exact analysis techniques developed for slow switching circuits are also expanded for application to the pulse width modulated inverter. Time averaging in the 'dq'-frame is proposed, yielding a discrete time, time varying 'dq'-frame inverter model. Averaging in the synchronous reference frame is shown to offer several benefits over established ' abc' and <math> <f> <g>a</g><g>b</g></f> </math>-frame time averaging approaches. A new 'dq'-frame control is developed based entirely on discrete time concepts. Performance is maximized by eliminating unnecessary integral components in the control algorithm. Step tracking, however, is ensured through introduction of a bias estimation procedure. Experimental results from a laboratory setup are used to validate both the proposed model and control.
Two structure theorems on tree spanners

The concept of a spanner of a graph has received a lot of attention in the last ten years due to its applications in networks, robotics, biology, and theoretical computer science. A 't'-spanner 'G '' of a connected graph 'G' is a subgraph of 'G', such that for every pair of nodes the distance between them in 'G'' is at most t times their distance in 'G'. In other words, 'G'' approximates the distances in 'G', using fewer edges. We are interested in spanners that are trees, because a tree is a minimal connected graph. Given an integer t, there are connected graphs that do not admit a tree t-spanner, but every connected graph admits a tree t-spanner for some t. Given a graph 'G' polynomial time algorithms are known that determine whether 'G' has a tree 't'-spanner for 't' = 1 or 2. For 't' > 3 the problem is NP-complete; the 't' = 3 case is still unresolved. In this thesis we present two new theorems on tree 't'-spanner admissible graphs. First, since a tree does not contain any cycles, given a graph 'G', for every cycle 'C' of ' G', and for every tree 't'-spanner 'T' of 'G', we present an exact lower bound on the number of edges of 'C' that are not in 'T'. Second, we present a characterization of tree 't'-spanner admissible graphs in terms of decomposition. This theorem has some interesting algorithmic aspects, and it is shown that it subsumes various known results.