VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Telehealth for teaching specialized assessment techniques to physical therapists

Objective. To determine whether Telehealth is effective in teaching assessment and treatment skills to physical therapists at remote sites. Methods. A comparison of three educational formats: Teaching via Telehealth (T), Direct Teaching (DT), and Self Study (SS) was completed. Physical therapists in two Northern Ontario cities were rated on their execution of skills before and after education using a global rating scale and a general assessment of competency for each skill. The pre and post tests were completed by an evaluator who was blinded to the type of teaching. Results. Prior to education there were no differences in performance or competency levels between groups. There was no significant difference between DT and T for the post-test performance and competency scores. However, there was a significant difference in the post-test performance and competency scores between the T and SS groups for all five skills. Conclusions. It appears that Telehealth is a better teaching tool than self study and is not significantly different from direct teaching as a method for teaching specialized assessment techniques.
Dietary fiber and breast cancer risk, a prospective study

The study's main objective was to evaluate the association between intakes of dietary fiber fractions (DFF) and breast cancer risk (BCR). In this matched nested case-control study, among pre-menopausal women, the intake (difference between 10th and 90th percentile of the distribution of DFF intake) of cellulose, soluble fiber, insoluble fiber and lignin was inversely associated with BCR with odds ratios and 95%CIs of 0.30 (0.44-0.69), 0.34 (0.44-0.74), 0.58 (0.29-1.17), 0.50 (0.46-1.00), respectively. A positive family history of breast cancer was a significant effect modifier in this study, especially among pre-menopausal women. Pre-menopausal women with a positive family history of breast cancer had a 94% reduction in BCR associated with the intake of total fiber, [OR = 0.06, 95%CI (0.01-0.44)]. The results of this study suggest a possible modifying effect by menopausal status and family history status on the association between intakes of DFF and breast cancer risk.
A 1-V, CMOS on SOI, 1.9-GHz CDMA Low Noise Amplifier

This thesis deals with the design and implementation of a 1V, 1.9GHZ low noise amplifier (LNA) using a 0.5[mu]m CMOS on SOI technology with 3 levels of metal. The amplifier is optimized for CDMA applications operating in the 1.93-1.99GHz band. The inductive degeneration topology used in the LNA implementation provides low noise and low power dissipation. The use of CMOS on SOI technology may lead to an optimum single chip implementation of both the analog and digital building blocks of a 1.9GHz transceiver operating from a 1V supply. Such an implementation offers reduced cost and improved reliability. The LNA consists of two amplifying stages with on-chip inductors and capacitors. At 1.96GHz, the amplifier has a 1.9dB noise figure, a 14dB gain and a 3dBm IIP3. It also exhibits 17.4dB input and 28.3dB output return losses respectively in a 50[Omega] system without external matching networks. The circuit draws 10.6mW from a 1V supply and the chip area is 1.1 x 2.4 mm2.
Assessment of the effects of risk-counselling (Motherisk) on prescription medication self-management practices, an exploratory study

'Objectives'. To investigate the effects of Motherisk-counselling on factors hypothesized to influence attitudes towards medication usage intentions and Drug Therapy Self Management of pregnant women callers. To develop a survey instrument with quantitative and qualitative elements. 'Design'. Non-experimental, one-group pretest-posttest. 'Setting'. Motherisk teratogen information service; Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children. 'Sample'. Forty-nine women (<=28 weeks gestation) callers to Motherisk taking a prescribed chronic medication not known to increase baseline malformation risk. 'Research procedures'. Participants provided information for the Motherisk intake form then completed a self-report telephone survey before counselling and again two weeks later. 'Main outcome measures'. Change in medication usage and the effect of Motherisk counselling on Drug Therapy Self-Management. 'Results'. Motherisk counselling significantly (p < 0.05) improved the knowledge domain but not perceived legitimacy or sense of empowerment. Motherisk counselling did not increase the probability that women would return to pre-pregnancy dosage levels. 'Conclusions'. Providing information does not directly affect medication-usage behaviour.
A belief network for prediction of extra cash withdrawals for Y2K

The Y2K problem was one of the world's greatest technological challenges in the 1990s, but especially for the developed nations. In addition to the technical challenges, the Y2K problem could have brought in psychological issues for the banking system. The public's lack of knowledge of Y2K might have resulted in the wrong perception of its consequences. As a result of this ignorance, there could have been emotionally driven irrational behavior from the public resulting in a run on the banks. Since the banking system relies on public confidence, it is vulnerable to such unpredictable reactions. Belief Networks (BNs), expert systems for decision-making under uncertainty, makes an ideal tool for predicting the public's reaction towards the Y2K problem because they can address the inherent uncertainty and volatility of the public's response to the Y2K issue. A belief network model was developed to predict the amount of cash the citizenry would require to deal with the real or imagined emergencies resulting from the Y2K problem as we were approaching January 1, 2000. The final (practical) BN model proved to be a good predictor of the amount of cash withdrawals Canadians might make to deal with the Y2K. This technique might be used as a decision-making tool for future events affecting the banking system or any other situation where the public's reactions must be predicted in some way.
Detecting and imaging microbubble contrast agents with ultrasound

Ischemic heart disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Imaging techniques that detect and measure blood flow in the heart muscle (myocardium) are used routinely to aid in the diagnosis and management of this disease. With the aid of microbubble contrast agents, myocardial blood flow can now be detected with transthoracic ultrasonic imaging, but low frame rates and/or poor image properties have limited clinical applications. This thesis represents an attempt to optimize techniques for imaging microbubbles in tissue with ultrasound. To overcome the limitations of existing methods, a new technique, Pulse Inversion Doppler, has been developed. Algorithms for optimizing detection filters based upon the measured echoes from tissue and microbubbles have also been developed which facilitate comparisons with existing imaging techniques. Data from 'in vivo' experiments show that pulse inversion Doppler can significantly outperform existing harmonic and Doppler imaging techniques, enabling realtime imaging of myocardial blood flow. Variants of pulse inversion Doppler are now available on clinical ultrasound systems. Applications for these techniques are discussed.
The worth of nations, nationalism as the pursuit of a shared frame of reference

This work argues that the moral value of nations arises in their role as a cognitive mechanism for bringing together relevant information about a population's circumstances. As something that represents a shared frame of reference, nations can provide personal benefits in esteem and efficacy and can help in the management of a group's collective life. I begin by identifying and criticising six existing theory types that suggest a certain moral worth to nations and I claim that, while right in parts, they prove unworkable on some dimension. Turning to the experience with nationalism in Ireland and Quebec, I argue that in these cases there were two formulations of the nationalist claim. The first claimed that a difference in understanding between governed and governing harmed the population's interests. The second held that the loss of a unique idiom undermined the esteem and achievements of the population. Both, I argue, point to the significance of a shared frame of reference for political and personal well being. I then normatively evaluate an account of nationalism as a shared frame of reference. The national frame of reference, I argue, bundles together information on time, space, and relations with others, and given the territorialised nature of contemporary politics, this dimension sets nations apart. I also contend that nationalism is concerned with realising a good rather than establishing a condition for justice, and that is an instrumental good but one that derives from a capacity that is intrinsically good. Nations can extend personal knowledge, support expression and esteem, identify relevant local issues, and help us adapt to our dynamic environment. However, they need to keep in tune with the actual circumstances of the population. If not, the information and options they offer will become increasingly ill-suited, and may become an obstacle to knowledge and efficacy. Fortunately nations also provide a way for populations to collectively revise the options and information with which they work. Finally I ask how this account compares to the theories I outlined at the outset and I suggest that it addresses the weaknesses identified in these theories while it draws upon and complements their strengths.
Electroconvection in sheared annular fluid films

Annular electroconvection in freely suspended thin fluid films undergoing circular Couette flow is a novel nonlinear system which, in this thesis, conies under experimental and theoretical scrutiny. Its novel features, which stem from its geometry and its electrohydrodynamic character, include the superposition of an azimuthal shear flow with a radial electrically driven hydrodynamic instability in a two-dimensional, naturally periodic system. Concentric circular electrodes support a weakly conducting annular fluid film which electroconvects when a sufficiently large voltage V is applied between its inner and outer edges. Dyrotation of the inner edge, a Couette shear is imposed. The control parameters are a Rayleigh-like number R x V(2) and the Reynolds number Re of the azimuthal shear. The geometrical and material properties of the film are characterized by the radius ratio a = r1/r0, where r1(ro) is the radius of the inner (outer) electrode and a Prandtl-like number P. The electroconvective flow whose onset occurs when R = R c is described by a nonaxisym metric mode number mc and a traveling rate 7e. The dependence of Rc Mc, 7e c on a,V, R e has been investigated theoretically by linear stability analysis. Experimental measurements of current-voltage data were used to determine the onset of electroconvection over a broad range of a, P and Re.These are compared with the theoretical predictions. The current-voltage d a ta were used to infer the amplitude of convection in the weakly nonlinear regime by fitting to a steady-state amplitude equation with a lowest order cubic nonlinearity with coefficient g. Results for g as a function of a, P and Re are reported. Under various conditions, the primary bifurcation can be supercritical (g>0), tricritical (g=0) or subcritical(g<0). Above onset, numerous subcritical secondary bifurcations, that m ark transitions from one flow pattern to another, were encountered. A sampling of bifurcation scenarios is presented and their Re dependence is studied.
Implicit and explicit memory in focal epilepsy: Dissociations of epileptogenic and excised cortex in children and adults

The neurological bases of two distinct types of human memory, explicit and implicit memory, were examined. Several lines of evidence suggest that explicit memory and two kinds of implicit memory, perceptual and conceptual priming, are supported by separate cortical regions. The developmental performance trajectories of these classes of human memory also appear to diverge. To test these hypotheses, healthy children and adults, as well as pre- and post-operative patients with intractable focal epilepsy, were administered experimental implicit and explicit memory tests. Following replication of previous studies showing different effects of study conditions on implicit and explicit memory tests in healthy adults (Experiments 1 and 2), no developmental differences in performance on perceptual or conceptual priming tests were observed in children and adolescents in Experiment 3. However, consistent with previous research, reliable age differences were found for recognition and recall measures. Children and adults with temporal-lobe epilepsy tested in Experiment 4 performed significantly worse than matched controls on experimental measures of recognition and recall. Neurodevelopmental and seizure variables, including age of first seizure onset and seizure frequency, modified these results. The performance of temporal-lobe epilepsy patients on perceptual and conceptual priming tests, however, did not differ from that of controls. Contrary to Blaxton's (1992) report of impaired conceptual priming in left temporal-lobe epilepsy patients, these results suggest that intact left or right temporal cortex is not necessary for normal implicit memory performance. Furthermore, unlike Gabrieli and colleagues' (1995) report of an individual with a right occipital lesion who showed perceptual priming deficits, variability in perceptual priming, rather than clear deficits, was observed here in patients with occipital-lobe seizure foci. Together, these experiments bolster the evidence in support of two separate memory systems that can be dissociated developmentally and neurobiologically. Adult levels of performance appear earlier in development on perceptual and conceptual implicit tests compared to explicit memory tests. Implicit memory is also more resistant than explicit memory to impairment in pre- and post-operative patients with temporal and occipital epilepsy. More extensive cortical damage than found in these patients may be required for deficits of conceptual and perceptual implicit memory to emerge.
Handicap in stroke survivors

As the world's population ages and as acute disease and infections decline in prevalence, chronic conditions, such as stroke, have become predominant concerns. While stroke research has focused on outcomes such as mortality and morbidity, there is also a need to understand the impact of stroke on the meaningful lives of stroke survivors. Using the International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps (World Health Organization, 1980) as a framework, the purpose of this thesis was to investigate handicap in stroke survivors at three months and at one year after onset. The results indicate that stroke-related impairments and disabilities significantly compromise the meaningful lives of stroke survivors. Individuals who experienced motor disability and depression throughout the recovery period reported greater handicap than those who did not. Cognitive disability was a hindrance, but only at one year poststroke. Other factors, such as living arrangements, marital status, the use of rehabilitation therapy and a history of previous stroke were also influential. The findings indicate that an individual's life activities are threatened following stroke, and suggest possible resources that may be beneficial in moderating its impact.
Aquinas's theory of human self-knowledge

This thesis investigates whether Thomas Aquinas's treatment of human self-knowledge constitutes a coherent theory of self-knowledge. It concludes that a case can be made for coherence, provided Aquinas's 'ex professo ' discussions of self-knowledge supply the principles that govern the interpretation of his commentary on Aristotle's 'De anima' and exposition of the Neoplatonic 'Liber de causis.' The first chapter examines the various divisions of self-knowledge treated in the 'ex professo' discussions and argues that Aquinas requires only the twofold Aristotelian distinction between awareness of oneself as an individual and knowledge of the nature of the soul. Intuitive self-knowledge is rejected, since the soul knows itself through actualization by intelligible species. The soul's habitual self-presence and self-knowledge through the eternal exemplars also figure in Aquinas's account, but are not predominant. Chapter two examines self-reflexivity ('reflexio') and the mind's return to itself ('reditio'), which are developed in supplementary texts, and suggests that reflexivity stands to return as individual to universal self-knowledge. While 'reflexio' and ' reditio' both indicate a movement of the mind back upon itself, reflexivity is used as a premise in an argument to the soul's immateriality, while the return of the mind to its essence ('reditio completa') presupposes that the soul's nature has already been attained. Finally, chapter three examines Anthony Kenny's critique of Aquinas's treatment of self-knowledge, which argues (1) that it presupposes but cannot account for the individuation of thought, and (2) that it attributes to the soul a capacity for disembodied existence incompatible the soul's nature as the form of the body. I respond (1) by pointing to Aquinas's individuation of thinkers by their intelligible species, and (2) by investigating Aquinas's account of the disembodied soul, especially his claim that the soul will then know itself as a separate substance. On this latter point I indicate certain potential difficulties for the coherence of Aquinas's theory of self-knowledge. I conclude by suggesting that an epistemological study ultimately provides fullest sense will be attained by broadening the scope of such study to include Aquinas's moral and theological thought.
Hastening convergence of the orthotropic plate solutions of bridge deck analysis

The orthotropic plate method of bridge deck analysis is based on a series solution. The convergence of various response parameters, especially shears, is extremely slow. This study demonstrates numerically a technique of obtaining quick convergence of longitudinal responses in slab and slab-on-girder bridges. The convergence of longitudinal responses is studied for beams, slab-on-girder bridges, and slab bridges for various load configurations. Responses are also evaluated for torsionally-soft and flexurally-stiff slab-on-girder bridges. These responses are evaluated using harmonic analyses and semi-continuum modeling techniques. The results showed that the convergence of shear responses was extremely slow for multi-span bridge structures. The hastening technique used in this study, however, produced virtually complete convergence in most cases by using as few as five harmonics in the series solutions of the orthotropic plate analysis of girder and slab bridges. The orthotropic plate analysis program PLATO has been modified to obtain longitudinal moments in the edge beams of the slab-on-girder and slab bridges; the revised program is called EDGE.
Rates of elimination of carbon monoxide in males and females

'Introduction'. Carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) elimination halftime (t[one half]) is shorter in non-pregnant females than males. The reasons for this are unknown. Alveolar ventilation (V¤A) and total hemoglobin mass (HbTOT) both differ between males and females, and influence t[one half]. Therefore they may account for the differences in t[one half]. 'Methods'. 9 men and 8 women completed 3 sessions each, on separate days. For each session, the subject was exposed to CO, and then eliminated it by breathing either 100% O2 at rest or 96-99% O2 at one of two increased levels of ventilation. Normocapnia was maintained without rebreathing. t[one half] was calculated. ANOVA was used to evaluate the effect of sex on the relationship between t[one half] and V¤ A when HbTOT is also considered. 'Results'. Sex of the subject was no longer significant when HbTOT was included in the model. 'Conclusion'. Considering differences in V¤ A and HbTOT accounts for the difference in male and female t[one half].
Competency-based initiatives and their users, an exploration of competency modeling from the perspective of employees and their supervisors in three Canadian organizations

Sixty individuals in three companies were surveyed to find how front-line users felt competency practices contributed to job performance and satisfaction. Most respondents identified some positives, notably that the practice created a framework for manager/employee discussions, enhancing communication of individual strengths and development needs. General issues identified as impeding effective competency use included time required to complete competency assessments and the inadequacy/obsolescence of organizations' models. Organizational issues cited as detrimental include: distrust in how the information would be used; inadequate linkage to organizational strategies; and insufficient use of data collected through the process, engendering employee cynicism. The thesis concludes that organizations using competency processes to inform their human resource practices must ensure the effort expended on such processes is properly supported by the organizational culture. Otherwise the effort can cause organizational damage rather than benefit.
Interfacial shear strength criteria for tissue-engineered cartilage anchored to porous synthetic scaffolds

The development of tissue-engineered constructs formed 'in vitro ' for repairing defects in articular cartilage represents an exciting current research thrust. A major requirement for the success of such constructs is the development of reliable anchorage of 'in vitro'-formed cartilaginous tissues to the underlying synthetic scaffold, particularly under shear loading conditions. In this study, the effect of porous scaffold geometry on the shear deformation characteristics of 'in vitro'-formed cartilage anchored to synthetic porous scaffolds was investigated. A comparison of these properties for the tissue-engineered constructs to those of natural hyaline cartilage-bone interfaces was also performed. This study demonstrated that the shear properties of 'in vitro '-formed cartilage anchored to the porous Ti-based or porous condensed calcium polyphosphate (CCP) scaffolds are 1-2 orders of magnitude less than those of the natural cartilage-bone interface when shear tested at the same strain rate (1 mm/min).
Minimal hereditary dominating pair graphs

This thesis describes structural properties of 'hereditary dominating pair' ('HDP') and minimal HDP graphs. A ' dominating pair' ('DP') in a connected graph is a pair of vertices such that every path between them is dominating. A graph ' G' is HDP if every connected induced subgraph of 'G' has a DP. The class of HDP graphs includes all asteroidal triple-free (AT-free) graphs--already extensively studied--and some graphs containing asteroidal triples (ATs). A 'minimal' HDP graph 'H' contains an AT <math> <f> <fen lp="cub">x,y,z<rp post="cub"></fen></f> </math>, and satisfies the following: if <math> <f> <sc>P<sup><it>c</it></sup><inf><mit><it>a,b</it></mit></inf></sc> </f> </math> is the set of all induced paths between vertices 'a' and 'b' that avoid the neighborhood of a vertex 'c', then every vertex of 'H' belongs to a path in <math> <f> <sc>P<sup><it>z</it></sup><inf><it>x,y</it></inf></sc>&cup;<sc> P<sup><it>y</it></sup><inf><it>x,z</it></inf></sc>&cup;<sc>P<sup> <it>x</it></sup><inf><it>y,z</it></inf></sc></f> </math>. The position of DP vertices in minimal HDP graphs is determined, as well as some structural properties dictated by the position of DP vertices.