cometadata/datacite-rtg-text-other-reclassification-records huggingface dataset:
An Investigation into the Use of Digital Sketching during the Early-Middle Design Phases in Industrial Design Practice
Creators: name: Zhang, Wenwen
Publisher: name: Swinburne
Year: 2024

description: An increasing number of new and emerging digital design tools are available for designers to employ in industrial design. Digital Sketching, as one of these tools, shows great potential to improve the way designers practice. Through an investigation with practising designers, the thesis shows Digital Sketching can be used in a more diverse applications, facilitating industrial designers to achieve effective design outcomes in a timely manner and at the same time freeing up design resources in the community. In addition the thesis also proposes a more comprehensive Design Tool Characteristics framework to analyse and understand other design visualisation tools in the industrial design field.
Source code for Morse-Spark and Pure-Spark
Creators: name: Qian, Yuehui
Publisher: name: figshare
Year: 2024
Subjects: classificationCode: 401302
subject: Geospatial information systems and geospatial data modelling
classificationCode: 460605
subject: Distributed systems and algorithms
classificationCode: 490412
subject: Topology

description: # Morse_Spark framework
## IntroductionTerrain topology plays an important role in simulations and segmentation. A widely used terrain representation is the Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN). However, topological analysis on TINs is challenging due to high time and memory requirements, which limit the size of the terrain that can be analyzed.
We address this problem by introducing a novel framework for efficient and scalable analysis of large TINs based on Morse theory using Apache Spark. The proposed framework, named Morse-Spark, is based on a novel data structure for encoding the minimal information of a TIN, and integrates efficient algorithms for computing terrain morphology. To evaluate the effectiveness and scalability of such a framework, we compare Morse-Spark against a vanilla Spark implementation and three well-established software libraries for the topological analysis of TINs through a comprehensive set of experiments. Our experimental evaluation with real-world TINs shows that Morse-Spark can effectively handle datasets at least 20 times larger than existing approaches.
## Mesh encodingMorse-Spark encodes two DataFrames, called $DF_V$ and $DF_T$.## Connectivity relations extractionMorse-Spark supports two strategies for extracting connectivity relations: *global* methods and *local* methods. Global methods work on an entire DataFrame by using native operations provided in Spark. *Local methods* offer a more efficient approach by applying *user-defined functions (UDFs)* to a DataFrame.
+ Boundary relation * TV relation * TE relation * EV relation+ Coboundary relation * VT relation * VE relation * ET relation+ Adjacent relation * VV relation * EE relation * TT relation ## Topological features computationMorse-Spark supports the computation of Forman gradient and Morse manifolds:+ Forman gradient+ descending 2-manifolds (influence regions of maxima)+ ascending 2-manifolds (influence regions of minima)+ descending 1-manifolds (Separatrix $V_1$-paths)+ ascending 1-manifolds (Separatrix $V_2$-paths)
### Supported File Formats ###
Morse-Spark supports files in `.off` format, which are simple ASCII files containing the explicit representation of vertices and triangles```nV mT 0 - number of vertices (nV) and triangles (mT)x1 y1 f1 - x y z coordinates for each vertex and its field valuex2 y2 f2. . .xn yn fn
v11 v21 v31 - vertices (v11 v21 v31) of the first trianglev12 v22 v32. . . v1m v2m v3m
Timing of delivery in a high-risk obstetric population: a clinical prediction model
Creators: name: De Silva, Dane A.
name: Lisonkova, Sarka
name: Von Dadelszen, Peter
name: Synnes, Anne
name: Magee, Laura A.
Publisher: name: BioMed Central
Year: 2018

description: Background: The efficacy of antenatal corticosteroid treatment for women with threatened preterm birth depends on timely administration within 7 days before delivery. We modelled the probability of delivery within 7 days of admission to hospital among women presenting with threatened preterm birth, using routinely collected clinical characteristics. Methods: Data from the Canadian Perinatal Network (CPN) were used, 2005–11, including women admitted to hospital with preterm labour, preterm pre-labour rupture of membranes, short cervix without contractions, or dilated cervix or prolapsed membranes without contractions at preterm gestation. Women with fetal anomaly, intrauterine fetal demise, twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, and quadruplets were excluded. Logistic regression was undertaken to create a predictive model that was assessed for its calibration capacity, stratification ability, and classification accuracy (ROC curve). Results: We included 3012 women admitted at 24–28 weeks gestation, or readmitted at up to 34 weeks gestation, to 16 tertiary-care CPN hospitals. Of these, 1473 (48.9%) delivered within 7 days of admission. Significant predictors of early delivery included maternal age, parity, gestational age at admission, smoking, preterm labour, prolapsed membranes, preterm pre-labour rupture of membranes, and antepartum haemorrhage. The area under the ROC curve was 0.724 (95% CI 0.706–0.742). Conclusion: We propose a useful tool to improve prediction of delivery within 7 days after admission among women with threatened preterm birth. This information is important for optimal corticosteroid treatment.
Examining Reentry in Massachusetts: Perspectives from System-Impacted People and Those Working in Reentry
Creators: name: Anderson, Adah Grace
Publisher: name: Brandeis University
Year: 2024
Subjects: Incarceration

description: Living in the nation that incarcerates the most in the world presents a crucial question, what happens when these individuals are released? In Massachusetts, 1,360 people were released from correctional facilities in 2022 (Massachusetts DOC 2023). It is vital to consider the perspectives of those most impacted by the reentry system if the system and public safety are ever to be improved. No existing study relies on qualitative data from people with justice system involvement across Massachusetts, including currently and previously incarcerated individuals and professionals working in this field. Current research on reentry largely neglects the perspectives of those involved in this process. This work sought to determine whether there is an agreement between system actors and system-impacted people regarding what returning citizens need to be successful in their reentry. In this thesis, I use interviews to demonstrate how the ideas of those most involved in the reentry process can provide insight into four major debates: the definition of successful reentry, the success of current programming, who is most responsible for reentry, and what, if any, changes are needed. This research shows that many of their perspectives, especially concerning systemic success, who is most accountable for reentry outcomes, and necessary reforms, were distinct based on the participant’s background. Incarcerated respondents were the most negative about the success of current reentry resources, while those working in reentry were the most neutral, and previously incarcerated people had the most varied ideas. Incarcerated participants believed the Department of Corrections/the state is most responsible for reentry, while previously incarcerated respondents uniquely emphasized the importance of having self-discipline in this process. Participants who are incarcerated cited the most drastic reforms as being necessary to reform the system of any group. Overall, ideological differences based on which group respondents belonged to were evident. 
Enantioselective Thiolation of Imines
Creators: name: Kim, Sohjeong
Publisher: name: Brandeis University
Year: 2025
Subjects: Natural Products

description: In the field of pharmaceuticals and natural product synthesis, enantioselective synthesis is particularly important because different enantiomers of a molecule often display vastly different biological activities. In this project, I aim to devise a synthetic pathway to access enantioenriched thioaminals, 3-Thiaglutamate (1) and its structural analog 3-Thiahomoleucine (2), found in nature. Due to the unstable nature of the products, 3-Thiaamino acids have never been isolated in a pure form. It is suspected that 3-thiaamino acids mimic the function of normal glutamates as a defense signaling molecule in plants. This research will overcome the previous synthetic challenge and prepare the pure products to verify their functions. Also, enantioenriched thioaminals and thioaminoketal functional groups are commonly found in natural product classes such as epithiodiketopiperazines (ETPs). ETPs exhibit biological properties including antiviral, antiproliferative, and antibacterial activities. Expanding on the research of ETP synthesis will facilitate the study of their biological properties to broaden their applications as new antibiotics, and this research will ease the ambiguity in establishing the essential functional groups.  Figure 1. Known structures of Pearlin natural products. 
The penetration of electromagnetic fields through open and loaded apertures.
Creators: name: Gardner, Christopher L.
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 1993
Subjects: subject: Engineering, Electronics and Electrical.

description: To ensure that an electronic system will work properly under all conditions, its designer must control the flow of electromagnetic (EM) fields to and from the system. The principal method of control is the use of a metallic enclosure or shield. In many cases, the effectiveness of the shield is determined, not by the bulk material properties, but by apertures that exist in the shield. These apertures may be introduced intentionally, as in the case of windows in the skin of an aircraft, or unintentionally, as in the case of an improperly welded seam of poorly gasketed door. To minimize the penetration of EM fields through a large aperture, the aperture is sometimes loaded with a conductive material. Previous workers have shown that the penetration of EM fields through open or loaded apertures can be calculated by determining the equivalent magnetic surface currents, $\vec M\sb{s}$, that exist over the surface of the aperture. For small apertures, the equivalent magnetic and electric dipole moments (and polarizabilities) are related to the irrotational and solenoidal components of $\vec M\sb{\rm s}$ respectively. In this thesis, the relevant integro-differential equations are solved using the Method of Moments to determine $\vec M\sb{s}$ and to calculate the equivalent polarizabilities and shielding effectiveness of a small, square aperture loaded with an impedance sheet. Results of measurements of the penetration of EM fields through an aperture loaded with conductive material made using a dual transverse electromagnetic (TEM) cell over a frequency range of 2 to 200 MHz are presented and compared with the numerical results. The conductive materials examined include carbon, hybrid and non-carbon composite materials, and metallic grids and meshes. The composite samples were fabricated to study the effects of fibre orientation, conductivity, sample lay-up, and degree of hybridization on the electromagnetic shielding properties. Wire grids and meshes were fabricated to study the effect of wire spacing on shielding properties.
Preparation and optimisation of encapsulated capsaicin in controlled release carriers for oral delivery
Creators: name: Li, Lingyun
Publisher: name: Swinburne
Year: 2024

description: Capsaicin's poor water solubility, lower oral bioavailability and strong gastrointestinal irritations limited its application as chemotherapeutic agent. Current study investigated the feasibility and suitability of employing yeast and solid-lipid-nanoparticles as capsaicin carrier. Capsaicin-nanoparticle encapsulations possessed the shorter production time, prolonged storage stability and higher capsaicin encapsulation efficiency as compared to capsaicin-yeast encapsulation. The capsaicin release profiles suggested solid-lipid-nanoparticle is more stable with the external environments fluctuations, while yeast encapsulation is more susceptible to changes. As an oral therapeutic regime with reduced irritation, yeast-carried capsaicin is suggested to intake with or after meal while solid-lipid-nanoparticles can be administered on empty stomach.
title: Suburban Protest and Social Conflict
title: An Analysis of Social Movement Dynamics in Four Boston Area Suburbs During the 2020 George Floyd Protests
titleType: Subtitle
Creators: name: Bolduc, Andrea C
Publisher: name: Brandeis University
Year: 2021
Subjects: Suburban protest
lack Lives Matter
George Floyd
2020
American politics
Neighborhoods
Police
Civil Rights Movement
Greater Boston
African Americans
Racial Issues

description: Abstract conversations regarding systemic racism and inequity at the national level sometimes become tangible local struggles over specific institutions, policies, and individuals’ reputations. The nuances of specific local contexts, this research argues, reflects and reshapes the dynamics in the wider national polity. In that same vein, examining processes of local policy change provides greater insight into the challenges and mechanisms involved in national reforms. This research project seeks to answer three interrelated questions regarding suburban protest in the summer of 2020: what varying factors shaped protest forms in suburban communities in particular; what changes did suburban protests cause in local institutions and policy, and in the development of indigenous social movement organizing; and, what implications, if any, does the suburban protest phenomenon have for the national movement for racial justice, and for wider sociopolitical shifts in American politics? With nearly 10 percent of American adults who attended a protest in solidarity with George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement self-identifying as political independents, the suburban protest phenomenon is indicative of a potential shift in the wider national sociopolitical climate, which, if sustained, could affect future elections.
Clinical and cognitive implications of mrna and protein-based buccal cell biomarkers for schizophrenia
Creators: name: Crosta, Christen
Publisher: name: No Publisher Supplied
Year: 2025

description: Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a debilitating and chronic neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by the presence of positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms. SCZ pathogenesis is heterogenous and polygenic in nature, making it difficult to diagnose and treat. This is unsurprising as the diagnostic criteria are solely based on behavioral markers. Thus, there is a critical need for easy-to-collect biomarkers that aid in the treatment of patients with SCZ. To identify novel biomarkers, we recruited a cohort of patients with SCZ (n=27) and age-, race-, and gender-matched control subjects (n=27). Using lysates from buccal cells, we performed real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and identified significant differences in SP4 mRNA expression between patients and control subjects as well as significant differences in NOS1AP mRNA expression between Asian patients and control subjects. We then performed label-free quantitative proteomic analysis on extracts from a subset of patients and found decreased abundance of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) proteins, mitochondrial dysfunction, and immune activation in patient samples. Using targeted mass spectrometry, we identified increased protein abundance of heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) in samples from patients with SCZ. To determine the utility of NOS1AP mRNA, SP4 mRNA, and HSP60 protein as biomarkers, we evaluated their relationship with symptom severity and aberrant cognitive processes. Correlational analyses revealed that both SP4 and HSP60 are significantly associated with symptomology, impairments in response speed on a working memory task, and poorer short-term verbal memory. However, NOS1AP was only significantly associated with symptomology amongst Asian individuals. Cumulatively, these data support the use of buccal cell SP4 mRNA and HSP60 protein as easy-to-collect, novel SCZ biomarkers. These biomarkers have the potential to facilitate the use of biologically relevant criteria in the diagnosis and treatment of SCZ.
Le droit de résistance à la tyrannie : deux lectures divergentes de l'islamisme politique.
Creators: name: Sayed, Baba.
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2002
Subjects: subject: Political Science, General.

description: Nous traitons des approches divergentes du droit de résistance, en terre d'Islam, face à la tyrannie, de deux figures emblématiques de l'islamisme politique. Nous démontrons que si les deux penseurs sont d'accord pour admettre, le bien-fondé du dit-droit, chacun en définit, cependant, les modalités d'exercice tant selon une compréhension spécifique du phénomène de la fitna que d'une perception particulière des origines de celle-ci qui les distinguent, souvent, l'un de l'autre. En mettant l'accent sur les tenants et les aboutissants des profondes divergences qui opposent les deux leaders de l'islamisme politique sur le droit de résistance, nous soulignons comment elles ont pu alimenter au sein du Monde musulman des affrontements meurtriers qui mettent en péril son unité et sa cohésion. Nous montrons, en conclusion de notre thèse, que la communauté musulmane ne peut, réellement, relever les graves défis auxquels elle est confrontée que par la restauration du Califat.
Design and implementation of a mobile agent management and tracking system.
Creators: name: Karboubi, Amal.
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2000
Subjects: subject: Engineering, Electronics and Electrical.

description: In the age of information overflow, the mobile agent technology has become an important paradigm. They are supposed to address many problems such as reducing network traffic, surmounting network latencies and improving robustness and fault-tolerant capabilities of distributed systems. Mobile agents are deployed in different areas such as industrial manufacturing, Internet searching, electronic commerce, on-line shopping, network management, software distribution and many others. However in order to take full advantage from this technology we still need to address and solve some significant problems related to mobile agent namely those in the areas of agent's identification and addressing, communication, security, tracking, location control, resource discovery and scalability. In the context of this thesis, we propose a global mobile agent management and tracking system that addresses the above problems and also attempts to address the particular issues resulting from the mobile agent paradigm itself with respect to client server paradigm. This framework encourages widespread use of agent technology by providing basic support for control and monitoring agents within the distributed environment through a graphical user interface for better interaction with the mobile agent system. The system also includes a directory assistance service for mobile agents that can help them finding relevant services to achieve the requirements of their mission.
Identification and Tumour-Binding Properties of a Peptide with High Affinity to the Disialoganglioside GD2
Creators: name: Mueller, Jan
name: Reichel, Robin
name: Vogt, Sebastian
name: Mueller, Stefan P.
name: Sauerwein, Wolfgang
name: Brandau, Wolfgang
name: Eggert, Angelika
name: Schramm, Alexander
Publisher: name: Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Year: 2016
Subjects: subject: 600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften::610 Medizin und Gesundheit

description: Neuroectodermal tumours are characterized by aberrant processing of disialogangliosides concomitant with high expression of GD2 or GD3 on cell surfaces. Antibodies targeting GD2 are already in clinical use for therapy of neuroblastoma, a solid tumour of early childhood. Here, we set out to identify peptides with high affinity to human disialoganglioside GD2. To this end, we performed a combined in vivo and in vitro screen using a recombinant phage displayed peptide library. We isolated a phage displaying the peptide sequence WHWRLPS that specifically binds to the human disialoganglioside GD2. Binding specificity was confirmed by mutational scanning and by comparative analyses using structurally related disialogangliosides. In vivo, significant enrichment of phage binding to xenografts of human neuroblastoma cells in mice was observed. Tumour-specific phage accumulation could be blocked by intravenous coinjection of the corresponding peptide. Comparative pharmacokinetic analyses revealed higher specific accumulation of 68Ga- labelled GD2-binding peptide compared to 111In-labelled peptide in xenografts of human neuroblastoma. In contrast to 124I-MIBG, which is currently evaluated as a neuroblastoma marker in PET/CT, 68Ga-labelled GD2-specific peptide spared the thyroid but was enriched in the kidneys, which could be partially blocked by infusion of amino acids.In summary, we here report on a novel tumour-homing peptide that specifically binds to the disialoganglioside GD2, accumulates in xenografts of neuroblastoma cells in mice and bears the potential for tumour detection using PET/CT. Thus, this peptide may serve as a new scaffold for diagnosing GD2-positive tumours of neuroectodermal origin.
Maturity and its assessment for admission into religious life with particular reference to institutes in Zimbabwe.
Creators: name: Maminimini, Helen Tendayi.
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2001
Subjects: subject: Religion, Clergy.

description: Religious profession, by which certain Catholics publicly profess the three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience according to ecclesial law, is a juridic act. Consequently, professed members assume certain obligations and rights in the Church. The serious nature of the obligations of religious profession, obliges superiors of religious institutes to be vigilant in admitting into their institutes only those candidates who meet certain requirements. Canon 642 specifies some of these requirements. These are, the required age, health, suitable disposition and sufficient maturity to embrace the proper life of an institute. While it recommends the use of experts in determining the presence of these qualities, if necessary, the canon, also cautions superiors to respect individual privacy (c. 220) in the process. Apart from age which is easy to ascertain, each of the other listed requirements is so abstract, broad and difficult to define that the deliberate choice was made to simply focus our study on "sufficient maturity." The thesis attempts to define religious life and maturity and also explores methods of assessing the maturity required for admission in the novitiate of an institute. Even then, although maturity is mentioned several times in the Code, it is nowhere defined in clear terms seemingly because the law lacks the language and the tools to elaborate on its complex nature. As a result, an analytical inter-dialogue between theology, spirituality, canon law and psychology is used to bridge the gap between the legal requirements and the psychological concepts. The first chapter of the thesis presents a brief description of the essential elements of religious life, based on magisterial documents since the Second Vatican Council. It also defines personal maturity in its several aspects primarily from a psychological point of view. In order to reveal the relationship between the obligations of religious life and the personal maturity that is required for the life in its ideal state, chapter two examines in detail the role maturity plays in living out the three vows, common life and prayer life. In chapter three, the thesis analyses the methods currently used to assess the maturity of candidates admitted into religious life. The two main methods of psychological assessment identified in this study are psychological testing and behavioural assessment. Necessary measures to guard against unlawful violation of individual privacy of candidates during assessment are also discussed. The content of chapter four is centred on the applicability or suitability of the conclusions of our study to religious life in Zimbabwe.
Entomology Newsletter for County Agents: Sept. 1992, No. 2
Creators: name: Mayer, Daniel F
name: Thomasson, Gary L.
name: Anonelli, Arthur  L
name: Beers, Elizabeth Hull
Publisher: name: Washington State University
Year: 1992
Subjects: WSU Extension
Entomology

description: The “Entomology Newsletter for County Agents” is published on an irregular basis as relevant information for agent education accumulates. It is prepared by the Extension entomology faculty with inputs from all faculty from the Department of Entomology at Washington State University. Useful information from elsewhere will also appear as it becomes available. The newsletter is exclusively for Washington county agents, and the information therein may be used by them in respective educational programs (unless otherwise stated).
Immigrant selection and Section 15 of the "Charter": A study of the equality rights of applicants for admission to Canada.
Creators: name: Tie-Ten-Quee, Chantal.
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 1995
Subjects: subject: Canadian Studies.

description: This paper argues that non-white applicants for immigration to Canada are a historically disadvantaged group entitled to protection under Section 15 of The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It is argued that this group has been discriminated against on the basis of colour, race, ethnic and national origin, in that they were historically denied the advantages of admission to Canada. The current immigrant profile reveals that these historically disadvantaged groups now make up the majority of new immigrants to Canada. This paper argues, however, that when these new immigrants have sought to use equality legislation to challenge immigration selection decisions, that the legislation and the Courts have perpetuated the historic discrimination against them by declining jurisdiction, thereby denying new immigrants the protections of equality legislation. It is proposed that a proper application of basic human rights and Charter principles should provide equality rights and Section 15 protection to applicants for immigration. In order to support this argument the paper takes a historic look at Canadian immigration policy and practice, to illustrate that non-white immigrants to Canada are a historically disadvantaged and powerless group. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
A comparative analysis of causal attribution between post-secondary students diagnosed with a mild to moderate traumatic brain injury and students without a mild to moderate traumatic brain injury.
Creators: name: Logan, Martin C.
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 1996
Subjects: subject: Education, Educational Psychology.

description: The focus of the study consisted of a comparative analysis of the causal attributions of students who have, and have not, been diagnosed with a mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (M/MTBI). The experimental and control groups were matched on age, gender, and educational setting. Brain injury was measured by diagnosis and medical assessment. Causal attribution was ascertained through personal responses to a scenario-oriented dimension scale. Causal attribution in a failure situation was examined using three dimension: locus, stability and controllability. Controllability was further divided into personal and external control. Students with a M/MTBI attribute the cause of failure significantly more to an internal, stable and uncontrollable cause; however, there was no significant difference with external control. Attributing failure to an internal, stable and uncontrollable cause can create a sense of helplessness and emotional distress. It is important for counsellors, instructors and peers to develop a better understanding and acceptance of students diagnosed with a M/MTBI. With deeper understanding comes acceptance and the opportunity for students to succeed and learn new ways to cope with the diagnosis of an injury. This research will broaden the domain of causal attribution and advance the theory where there is currently no attributional research. Through the completion of this study other researchers should be able to replicate and expand future exploration in the area of causal attribution as it relates to M/MTBI.
The freedom of man in the works of Marx and Engels.
Creators: name: Mullowney, Mary Thaddeus.
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 1964
Subjects: subject: Philosophy.

description: According to the Thomistic concept of freedom, human freedom has its source in freedom of choice, which may be used for the development of man's spiritual and temporal potentialities in keeping with his eternal destiny. Man, who always seeks some good, must seek the perfect good. This is the only necessity or determination that affects man's will. Towards the middle of the nineteenth century, Karl Marx became concerned about the lack of freedom for the worker in the increasingly industrialized society that resulted from the Industrial Revolution. With the collaboration of Frederick Engels, he took upon himself the task of improving the lot of the toiling masses. This was to be accomplished by a combination of economic laws, materialism, and the dialectic, in such a way as to supply a complete way of life for man.
A theoretical investigation of the relaxation of random linear polymers and of the elasticity of single polymer chains
Creators: name: Crisan, Simona Silvia
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2003
Subjects: subject: Physics, Molecular.

description: Polymeric and biological disordered materials are characterized by unique dynamical features. Although the details of the physical dynamical mechanisms are different, the disorder seems to be a common cause for non-exponential relaxation in these materials. The numerous experimental results which reveal a rather universal form of relaxation, namely a KWW or stretched exponential type function ( e-t/tb , beta < 1) have not yet been adequately explained by a unified theory. Such a disordered polymeric system is studied in this thesis and its relaxation is analysed in the framework of the well known Rouse model. This model allows for exact solutions and different types of disorder are analysed here. Exact solution and a good control over the disorder provide us with a fundamental description of the transition towards KWW behaviour. Our results favor a theory of relaxation based on parallel relaxation modes. The second part of the thesis focuses on the elasticity of a single polymer chain. The correct statistical mechanical ensemble associated with an experimental measurement probing single chain properties is an issue of great interest given the breakthroughs in the development of methods which can directly probe single chain mechanics. The complicated force-extension expressions obtained for a chain subjected to spatial constraints are available only as approximations, even for ideal models. The use of such relations in theoretical studies as well as in computer simulations is cumbersome and time consuming. A systematic method to construct simpler but still accurate expressions for the force function is given. As we demonstrate, these approximations can provide expressions with an arbitrary degree of accuracy and the proper mean statistical properties.
Evolution of strigolactone receptors by gradual neo-functionalization of KAI2 paralogues
Creators: name: Bythell-Douglas, Rohan
name: Rothfels, Carl J.
name: Stevenson, Dennis W.
name: Graham, Sean W.
name: Wong, Gane K.
name: Nelson, David C.
name: Bennett, Tom
Publisher: name: BioMed Central
Year: 2018

description: Background: Strigolactones (SLs) are a class of plant hormones that control many aspects of plant growth. The SL signalling mechanism is homologous to that of karrikins (KARs), smoke-derived compounds that stimulate seed germination. In angiosperms, the SL receptor is an α/β-hydrolase known as DWARF14 (D14); its close homologue, KARRIKIN INSENSITIVE2 (KAI2), functions as a KAR receptor and likely recognizes an uncharacterized, endogenous signal (‘KL’). Previous phylogenetic analyses have suggested that the KAI2 lineage is ancestral in land plants, and that canonical D14-type SL receptors only arose in seed plants; this is paradoxical, however, as non-vascular plants synthesize and respond to SLs. Results: We have used a combination of phylogenetic and structural approaches to re-assess the evolution of the D14/KAI2 family in land plants. We analysed 339 members of the D14/KAI2 family from land plants and charophyte algae. Our phylogenetic analyses show that the divergence between the eu-KAI2 lineage and the DDK (D14/DLK2/KAI2) lineage that includes D14 occurred very early in land plant evolution. We show that eu-KAI2 proteins are highly conserved, and have unique features not found in DDK proteins. Conversely, we show that DDK proteins show considerable sequence and structural variation to each other, and lack clearly definable characteristics. We use homology modelling to show that the earliest members of the DDK lineage structurally resemble KAI2 and that SL receptors in non-seed plants likely do not have D14-like structure. We also show that certain groups of DDK proteins lack the otherwise conserved MORE AXILLARY GROWTH2 (MAX2) interface, and may thus function independently of MAX2, which we show is highly conserved throughout land plant evolution. Conclusions: Our results suggest that D14-like structure is not required for SL perception, and that SL perception has relatively relaxed structural requirements compared to KAI2-mediated signalling. We suggest that SL perception gradually evolved by neo-functionalization within the DDK lineage, and that the transition from KAI2-like to D14-like protein may have been driven by interactions with protein partners, rather than being required for SL perception per se.
Assessment of Gustatory Cortex Response to Monosodium Glutamate (Umami)
Creators: name: Lin, Lucas
Publisher: name: Brandeis University
Year: 2022
Subjects: gustatory cortex
monosodium glutamate
umami
Taste or Gustatory System

description: The “nature” of umami – i.e., whether it should be considered a “basic taste” or a “mixture” of sweet and salty – has been a source of controversy among chemosensory neuroscientists. We decided to approach this problem by observing the firing of Gustatory Cortical (GC) neurons, which is well known for processing the physical properties and palatabilities of tastes, to sucrose (0.1M), NaCl (0.1M), MSG (0.1M), and a mixture of sucrose (0.1M) and NaCl (0.1M). We hypothesized that if umami is a mixture, then responses to MSG should pattern similarly to that of the sucrose/NaCl mix. Our results suggest that GC neurons process MSG and mixtures similarly in terms of both individual and population coding.
Guillaume de Machaut's "Messe de Nostre Dame" in the context of fourteenth-century polyphonic music for the Mass Ordinary.
Creators: name: Linklater, Christina.
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2000
Subjects: subject: Music.

description: It is widely held in the scholarly literature of music history that the Messe de Nostre Dame of Guillaume de Machaut is unique. While several other examples of polyphonic settings of the Mass Ordinary dating from approximately the same era do survive, they are distinct from Machaut's Mass in at least two respects. The Messe de Nostre Dame is attributed to a single, named composer, whereas most fourteenth-century Mass cycles are anonymous, or are thought to have been assembled from the repertories of several composers, or both. Further, few contemporary medieval cycles are copied as such, preserving instead the traditional organization of the kyriale, in which several Kyrie movements are grouped in one section, followed by a group of Gloria movements, and so on; Machaut's Mass, however, survives complete in five manuscript versions, all of which present its six movements in uninterrupted succession. Despite the comparative difficulty of assembling cycles from the largely anonymous and physically separate movements described above, though, a convincing case may be made (and has been) for the existence of several pre-modern polyphonic cycles besides the Messe de Nostre Dame. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Facilitators and Barriers to Adherence to Anti-Retroviral Treatment Among Pregnant or Breastfeeding Women Living with HIV and Perinatally Infected Infants: A Scoping Review
Creators: name: Hunt, Joanne H.
name: Peay, Holly L.
name: Henderson, Gail E.
Publisher: name: Springer Nature
Year: 2024

description: In 2022, 54% of 1.5 million children (age 0–14) living with HIV had access to anti-retroviral medication (ART). Adherence to ART for pregnant or breastfeeding HIV + women is critical for maintaining their personal health and to prevent mother-to-child-transmission (MTCT). For HIV + infants, adherence is essential to establish early viremic control and is contingent on caregiver administration. We conducted a scoping review to systematically identify and categorize the influences on ART adherence for pregnant or breastfeeding HIV + women and their HIV + infants. We searched databases in June 2023 and employed the Social-Ecological Model (SEM) to organize facilitators and barriers to adherence referenced in published articles. All articles published before 2016 were excluded due to updated guidelines from WHO on MTCT and ART. Our analysis included 52 articles. 50/52 took place in Africa and used cross-sectional and mixed-methods design. Barriers to adherence for pregnant or breastfeeding HIV + women included maternal education, self-efficacy, social support, and social/economic context. Barriers to infant adherence included development, nutrition, age of treatment initiation, disclosure, and ART side effects. Additional facilitators and barriers to adherence are presented at family, extra-familial, and socio-cultural SEM levels. Stigma was the most salient barrier referenced across the entire continuum of HIV care and all SEM levels. This review revealed a dearth of literature focusing on HIV + infants who are dependent on their caregivers for ART adherence and lack of a standard adherence measure. We identified multi-leveled influences on adherence impacting both the mother and infant and are amenable to public health intervention.
An experimental study and numerical analysis of interface behaviour
Creators: name: Edde, Carla
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2003
Subjects: subject: Engineering, Civil.

description: The development of a mathematical model for the mechanical behaviour of soil-structure interfaces requires a full knowledge of both the stress and strain states within the laboratory soil samples. It is difficult, however, to measure all components of stresses and strains experimentally everywhere in a sample. Considering the stresses, only the average values of the normal stress and shear stress acting on the contact surface are determined from the measured normal and tangential forces. In the direct shear interface tests, the tangential displacement of the interface plate and the displacement in the direction perpendicular to the top of the soil sample are measured. It is also possible to measure the amount of slip between the interface plate and soil sample if a simple shear type of apparatus is used in the experiments. The main objective of the present investigation is to determine stresses and strains numerically in both the direct shear type and simple shear type of interface tests. The finite element method of analysis is used for this purpose. A commercial finite element program, Plaxis, is employed in the calculations. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Modern distribution of freshwater ostracodes in the southwest Yukon Territory and northern British Columbia, Canada
Creators: name: Bunbury, Joan
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2004
Subjects: subject: Biology, Ecology.
subject: Physical Geography.
subject: Biology, Limnology.

description: This biogeographical study documents the modern distribution of ostracodes in the southwest Yukon Territory and northern British Columbia, Canada. The study tested the hypothesis that dissolved ion composition and concentrations of the lake water are the primary determinants of the distribution of modern ostracodes in this region. A total of 28 freshwater species representing 8 genera were identified in the 33 study lakes. Species common in the southwest Yukon are widely distributed throughout North America, and include Cyclocypris ampla, Candona candida, Cypria turneri, Cypria ophtalmica, and Candona protzi. Concentrations of ostracode valves were highest in four lakes with moderate conductivity values ranging between 330 and 397 muS/cm. Rarefaction estimated species richness was low (3 to 8), and the highest estimated species richness was found in four lakes, three of which were within 1 km of each other. Conductivities in these lakes ranged between 320 and 397 muS/cm. There is little geographic pattern in either species richness or in the distribution of common species. The dissolved ion composition is the primary control determining the species that will be present in a particular lake.
Cellular Immune Responses of Older Adults to Four Influenza Vaccines : Results of a Randomized, Controlled Comparison
Creators: name: Kumar, Arun
name: McElhaney, Janet E.
name: Kollmann, Tobias R.
name: Halperin, Scott A.
name: Scheifele, David W.
Publisher: name: The University of British Columbia
Year: 2018

description: Cellular immunity is important for protection against the serious complications of influenza in older adults. As it is unclear if newer influenza vaccines elicit greater cellular responses than standard vaccines, we compared responses to two standard and two newer licensed trivalent inactivated vaccines (TIVs) in a randomized trial in older adults. Non-frail adults ≥65 years old were randomly assigned to receive standard subunit, MF59-adjuvanted subunit, standard split-virus or intradermal split-virus TIV. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) harvested pre- and 3-weeks post-vaccination were stimulated with live A/H3N2 virus. PBMC supernatants were tested for interleukin 10 (IL-10) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and lysates for granzyme B (GrB). Flow cytometry identified CD4+ and CD8+ T- cells expressing intracellular IL-2, IL-10, IFN-γ, GrB, or perforin. Differences following immunization were assessed for paired subjects and among groups. 120 seniors participated, 29-31 per group, which were well matched demographically. Virus-stimulated PBMCs were GrB-rich before and after vaccination, with minimal increases evident. Immunization did not increase secretion of IFN-γ or IL-10. However, cytolytic effector T-cells (CD8+GrB+perforin+) increased in proportion post-vaccination in all groups (significantly in 2), to similar mean values across groups. CD4+GrB+perforin+ T-cells also increased slightly after each vaccine, to similar mean values per group. Vaccinations did not increase the low baseline percentages of IFN-γ+, IL-2+ or IL-10+ CD4+ or CD8+ T-cells. In conclusion, participants had pre-existing cellular immunity to H3N2 virus. All four vaccines boosted cellular responses to a similar but limited extent, including cytolytic effector CD8+ T-cells associated with clinical protection against influenza.
Heterotrimeric G(i/o) proteins regulate stretch-stimulated ANF secretion in isolated rat atria.
Creators: name: Bensimon, Michael A.
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 2002
Subjects: subject: Biology, Animal Physiology.

description: Atrial wall stretch plays an important role in regulating the secretion of ANF, a cardiac peptide hormone that regulates water and salt balance, as well as blood pressure. Yet the precise cellular mechanism that couples mechanical stretch to ANF secretion is unknown. In order to elucidate this mechanism, we investigated the role of heterotrimeric Gi/o proteins in mechanically-stimulated ANF secretion. G proteins act as molecular switches that have been implicated in the control of intracellular protein transport, and stretch-secretion coupling. We utilized a pharmalogical agent, pertussis toxin (PTX), to inhibit Gi/o proteins in male Sprague Dawley rats. The effect of stimulating Gi/o proteins was also investigated using Mastoparan-7 (MAS-7; 10-5 M). Infusion with MAS-7 for 30 minutes potently stimulated ANF secretion; a response attenuated by. Results suggest that Gi/o proteins couple atrial muscle stretch to ANF secretion in an acute setting, and that there exist two mechanisms, which control natriuretic peptide secretion. The first mechanism controls stretch-stimulated ANF secretion and is PTX-sensitive, while the second regulates basal ANF release and is PTX-insensitive. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Modulation of cyclic AMP levels by EGF and effect of cAMP on the mitogenicity of serum and EGF.
Creators: name: Pandey, Sanjay Kumar.
Publisher: name: Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa
Year: 1993
Subjects: subject: Biology, Molecular.

description: Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) modulates cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels in non-neoplastic T51B rat liver epithelial cells induced by the $\beta$-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (IPR) and by forskolin (FSK). In general the effect obtained depends upon whether pretreatment has taken place in the presence of serum (stimulation) or hepes (inhibition) on the duration of the pretreatment and on whether EGF was added before or after IPR or FSK. Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by the tumor promoting phorbol ester, TPA, potentiated cAMP synthesis stimulated by FSK in both EGF pretreated cells and untreated cells although EGF pretreatment partially attenuated the effect of TPA. Cyclic AMP secretion is one method by which cells regulate the changes in intracellular cAMP. It was observed that cAMP secretion gradually increased with time when untreated and EGF pretreated cells were stimulated with FSK or IPR. The increase in cAMP secretion did not account for all the changes in intracellular cAMP. In fact, although all treatments resulted in some accumulation of external cAMP, there was no correlation between the level of internal cAMP obtained or the decrease in internal cAMP and the amount secreted. DNA synthesis was induced in serum deprived (0.2% BCS) cells by EGF or serum (10% BCS). This induction was inhibited by most cAMP elevating agents except isoproterenol and pertussis toxin. A combination of forskolin and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, RO 201724 was most effective in inhibiting the DNA synthesis stimulated by EGF. Forskolin and RO 201724 inhibited DNA synthesis in a time dependent manner whereas maximum isoproterenol inhibition (approximately 22%) was observed regardless of time of isoproterenol addition. Genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, also inhibited EGF induced DNA synthesis. The inhibitory effect of genistein and cAMP elevating agents were not additive. These results suggest that EGF modulates cAMP levels and the mitogenic effect of serum and EGF is inhibited by cAMP elevating agents.