VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Ensuring reasonable access to abortion services in Nepal

In 2002, abortion has been legalized under certain circumstances in Nepal. However, Nepalese women are still deprived of the legal and safe abortion services. By developing a framework on reasonable access to abortion services, this study basically explores on what is expected out of any state machineries to guarantee women's right to abortion. It will further examine the Nepalese government's obligation under national laws and international human rights instruments to ensure reasonable access to abortion services, and argues that by being unable to do so Nepal violates women's human rights. Finally, the study put forward recommendations to the Nepalese government for ensuring reasonable access to abortion services to Nepalese women.
The relationship between biochemical, clinical and psychosocial parameters in patients with oral mucositis arising from allogeneic bone marrow transplant therapy

OM is a debilitating sequela in BMT patients. Connective tissue destruction (CTD) is a central feature in OM development. Collagenases, measured in mouthrinse samples (MS), may be involved in CTD associated with OM. A previous report found an increase in salivary albumin levels preceding the clinical onset of OM. This may be a useful tool for assessment of preventive treatment for OM. PP in BMT patients have been investigated in a concurrent study and will be correlated with results from this study. 23 BMT patients were seen 8 times over 4 weeks post-BMT. OM was scored and MS obtained. MS were analyzed and quantified for collagenases and albumin. Collagenases didn't correlate significantly with OM scores. When the group was stratified by survival, a 0.23 correlation coefficient reached borderline significance (p = 0.057) in the dead group. Albumin levels paralleled OM scores and were positively associated with them (p < 0.001). Significant correlation was noted between PP and albumin on day 7 (p = 0.021).
The connection between teacher self-efficacy and reflective practice

This study addresses a gap in the literature by developing a theory that bridges reflective practices and self-efficacy. Since self-efficacy has been linked to student achievement, the theory is important as an explanatory mechanism linking reflective practice to student achievement. The theory was developed using primary source data from four types of reflective practice groups: Lesson study, peer coaching, mentoring and self-study. Practices within each group were structured but sufficiently flexible to facilitate the development of shared leadership and direction within each group. Data primarily from planning and debriefing meetings was analyzed using grounded theory and constant comparison to develop a substantive theory. The theory demonstrates that reflective practice is linked to self efficacy through a general theory of math teaching which implies that reflective practice can address teaching issues from pedagogical content knowledge to deeper conceptual matters. It also implies that constraints arising in reflective practice are most frequently limitations of pedagogical content knowledge which can be mitigated by a community of practice that provides appropriate resources and subject expertise. The findings of this study are of practical significance because they demonstrate that the general theory of math teaching, that is developed, and having a repertoire of pedagogical choices are key factors linking reflective practice to self-efficacy. This implies that reflective practice groups need diverse expertise within the subject area for pedagogical sharing to take place. It also implies that ongoing support for teacher experimentation that avoids staff complacency is important. The community of practice has a crucial role to play when a reflective practice group is unable to resolve specific content issues and needs to supply resources, access to expertise or specific professional development. Leadership (which is assumed not to be mandating the reflective practice) has a supporting role of facilitating release time, scheduling and assistance with administrative details. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Fractions support in a secondary school

Fraction skills were examined for students in the first three years of high school. This was done using a detailed survey of fifty items. Four versions of the survey, containing fifty items from a set of seventy one items, had overlapping sets of items and variations in order. These randomization efforts were directed at ensuring the reliability of the instrument. The instrument was administered to 528 students in the first three years of a secondary school program. The performance level was found not to change during the first three years. It was also found that students using order of operation calculators performed better than those that were not. The results show a significant decline over the last decade, suggesting that the move to problem centered learning and the use of technology has marginalized fraction skills.
An algorithmic wide-range synchronization system based on a predictive phase locked loop architecture

An algorithmic wide-range synchronization system for applications in utility and non-utility power systems and power electronics is presented. The synchronization system is based on a predictive phase locked loop (PPLL) architecture. The PPLL is fully adaptive in extracting time variant synchronization information from an input signal. The fundamental component of the input signal is extracted in the form of three equidistant samples using a fundamental sample extractor. The synchronization information includes frequency, amplitude, and phase angle with respect to a reference frame that can be altered so as to allow a real-time phase offset implementation. A set of requirements for utility and non-utility applications is developed. The PPLL can extract the synchronization information from the input signal over a wide range of frequency and amplitude in the presence of disturbances. Two methods are developed to extract the synchronization information. The strengths of each method are exploited so as to achieve high execution speed and low real estate utilization. The mathematical properties of the two methods are presented. The synchronization system is implemented on a field programmable gate array (FPGA). The operating range for frequency and amplitude are from a fraction of Hz to a few kHz and from 4% to 100% of nominal amplitude respectively. The synchronization information is extracted within two cycles of the input signal period under any realistic perturbations in frequency, amplitude, and/or phase angle. The proposed synchronization method is faster, more flexible and more robust than the currently available methods.
Necessary and sufficient conditions for global asymptotic stability of third-order conewise linear systems

In this thesis steps toward finding necessary and sufficient conditions for global asymptotic stability of a class of third-order linear switched systems called conewise linear systems are taken. The main analysis technique is to project the switched system dynamics on the sphere. Conditions for stability involve checking the radial change of trajectories of the conewise linear system over limit sets of its projection on the sphere, as well as ensuring it does not exhibit Zeno behaviour. In certain cases, the Zeno behaviour can be analyzed by first approximating the nonlinear dynamics of the projection on the sphere at a candidate Zeno point by first-order linear dynamics. In a particular case it is shown that if the approximated dynamics are Zeno, then so are the dynamics of the original conewise linear system. Conditions for asymptotic stability of third-order conewise linear systems with special properties are also given.
Spacecraft testing and operations and ground station development

The Canadian Advanced Nanospace eXperiment (CanX) focuses on small space missions involving technology demonstrations and scientific experimentation. The CanX-2 mission was designed to evaluate novel technologies and perform valuable scientific experiments. NTS was designed to demonstrate key elements of COM DEV space-born AIS detection technology. Both CanX-2 and NTS were launched in April 2008. The Generic Nanosatellite Bus (GNB) is a multi-mission design that is adaptable to a variety of payload designs. Developing GNB missions include a stellar photometry mission, BRITE, autonomous formation flying mission, CanX-4 5 and space-based AIS mission, AISSat-1. This thesis will discuss spacecraft-level environmental testing performed on CanX-2 and on-orbit commissioning and operations of the CanX-2 and NTS spacecraft. Further discussion will focus on ground station software development including automated multi-spacecraft operations adaptable for current and future missions.

Keywords: Aerospace engineering
Elucidating mechanistic interactions of pesticides with soil using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The interactions of pesticides with soil at the molecular level are central to their bioavailability, bioaccumulation, transport and toxicity in the environment. Elucidation of the mechanistic interactions of pesticides is critical to understanding and eventually predicting their behavior in the environment. Here, saturation transfer double difference (STDD) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, is employed with both solution sate and high resolution magic angle spinning (HR MAS) NMR to determine the mechanistic interactions of pesticides with humic acid (HA) and whole-soil at a molecular level. HR-MAS is also used to obtaining information regarding physicochemical factors which influence sorption. The results suggest that electronegativity and electron density play a key role in the mechanism of pesticide binding, and the predominant modes of sorption are dipole-dipole interactions, H-bonding and pi-pi interactions. Physiochemical parameters such as background electrolyte and soil moisture content, which influence soil conformation are also shown to affect sorption mechanisms.
Homotropic cooperativity in the binding of gallamine to oligomers of the M(2) muscarinic cholinergic receptor

The M2 muscarinic cholinergic receptor contains an orthosteric site and a topographically distinct, allosteric site. The former binds antagonists such as quinuclidinylbenzilate (QNB) and N-methylscopolamine (NMS); the latter binds antagonists such as gallamine. M2 receptors form oligomers that exhibit heterogeneity and cooperativity in the binding of orthosteric ligands. Gallamine therefore was used to probe for similar effects at the allosteric site in receptor extracted from porcine atria and Sf9 cells. The log dose-dependencies for the effect of gallamine on the dissociation rates of [3H]NMS and [3H]QNB were biphasic downward and bell-shaped, respectively. The log dose-dependent effect of gallamine on the binding of [3H]NMS at equilibrium was triphasic and serpentine; moreover, the Hill coefficient for the increase in binding at intermediate potency exceeded 1. Oligomers of the M2 receptor therefore contain at least four gallamine-specific sites, at least two of which exhibit cooperative interactions.
Evaluation of the effect of solder paste residues on RF signals between 5 and 10 GHz

As electronic assemblies exceed operating frequencies of 5 GHz, the need for a technique to characterize no-clean solder paste compatibility with RF circuit assemblies operating at these frequencies, requires the development of a test method that is not limited by lumped circuit parameter modelling. Furthermore, it demands a test method robust enough to discern differences between the effects of several residues and characterize their respective electrical properties. This thesis presents a new method of characterizing the effect of no-clean solder paste residues on RF signals with the use of Ansoft HFSS electromagnetic simulations and insertion loss measurements. A microstrip T-Resonator was designed as the test vehicle with resonant frequencies near 5 and 10 GHz and a low-loss substrate (Rogers 4350). Insertion loss measurements were obtained for samples processed with five different no-clean solder paste formulations, both after processing, and after aging at 85°C and 85% RH for 14 days.
Jewish conversion from the sixth through the twelfth century

Conversions between Judaism and Christianity were rare during much of the Middle Ages, yet they were an important facet of relations between Jews and Christians. This dissertation examines the changing dynamics of Jewish conversion from the sixth through the twelfth century. Among the issues under discussion are forcible baptism, religious identity, returning converts and converts' ability to integrate into Christian society, and also analyzes converts' texts. This thesis makes three, related arguments. It postulates that religious identity remained plastic throughout the early Middle Ages, allowing converts to integrate into their new communities, but became more rigid after the late eleventh century. Secondly, it argues that Christian attitudes toward converts, who returned to Judaism grew less tolerant during the twelfth century. Thirdly, it asserts that using coercion to baptize Jews during the tenth and eleventh centuries became more acceptable in the tenth and eleventh centuries. Where possible it also explores converts' experiences of and explanations for conversion in the context of these changes, arguing that there is often a gap between converts' accounts and Christian expectations. The first chapter studies the precedents left from the early Middle Ages by surveying the legislation governing and the early accounts of conversion. The second chapter investigates the plasticity of religious identity in the tenth and eleventh centuries by examining the extant references to converts, while the third chapter deals with the accounts of compulsory baptism from the tenth and eleventh century. The fourth chapter surveys twelfth-century converts, and the expectations of them articulated in Christian conversion stories. The fifth chapter turns to the texts left by three twelfth-century converts and their understandings of conversion. The sixth chapter addresses the question of adolescent conversion, revising the current assumption that most Jewish converts were adolescent males. Finally the seventh chapter examines the changing attitudes toward and treatment of Jewish converts and returning converts in the twelfth century.
Embedded system software development for a single-gimbaled control moment gyroscope and the vibration damping of a clamped-free cantilevered beam

This thesis provides the details of microprocessor software design for a single-gimbaled control moment gyroscope (SGCMG). This paper shall describe various control methods for using the SGCMG in conjunction with a collocated angular velocity sensor for active vibration damping of a clamped-free cantilevered beam. This actuator/sensor pair shall provide robust control using a strictly positive real negative feedback. Asymptotic stability is possible using a direct feedback of the beam tip angular velocity rate with a constant gain. A simple modification to the proportional law allows the final gimbal angle bias to vanish asymptotically. This property becomes desirable for CMGs with limited gimbal travel. An automated method is developed for continuously monitoring vibration and damping of flexible beams that may be implemented in practice. The various concepts were implemented into a SGCMG hardware known as the GyroDamper. The control methods are supported by experimental results.

Keywords: Damping (Mechanics)
Embedded computer systems, Programming
Gyroscopic instruments
Vibration
Using aesthetic and experiential education to promote health in the writing classroom: problems and possibilities

This autoethnography uses participant observation, the process of writing, and textual and curriculum research to consider problems and possibilities of applying aesthetic and experiential education theories in a high school writing classroom. Three sub-questions underlie the inquiry: Can experiential and aesthetic education techniques promote health? Can writing be taught using those theories? Should writing be taught in such a way? Health promotion research establishes that an understanding and assertion of one's self is a critical foundation for further healthy development. Pedagogical ideas of aesthetic and experiential education theories that support the promotion of health are presented. The researcher then considers her own experience applying the theories presented to teach writing. These reflections, understood in light of textual and document analysis, lead to a theoretical discussion of what is possible and appropriate to teach in school with regard to writing.
Moving tenuously toward lasting self-government for First Nations: Understanding differences with respect to implementing accountability

Since the late 1960s, the Government of Canada has made various attempts at repairing its historically strained relationship with First Nations. In one of the federal government's most recent initiatives, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples (RCAP) recommended a formal approach to recognizing Aboriginal self-government including the construction of a First Nations parliament that would be responsible for setting Aboriginal policy. The idea was not fully accepted, and only limited progress has been made toward this end. In practice, major improvement in First Nation-government relations continues to be stalled in large part by the persistent dominance of the federal government's administrative regime as established by the Indian Act and central agency policies related to funding and governance. Few detailed examinations of federal public administrative arrangements have been undertaken to gauge their impact on First Nations governance. One major obstacle that is standing in the way of building acceptable and tenable self-government arrangements for First Nations is the construction of effective policy and program accountability relationships and processes. The new public management (NPM), which is now the dominant administrative philosophy of the federal government, interprets accountability as focussing on results according to federal government performance indicators. It assumes that the focus on results and the shifting of government program management to First Nations will improve the relationship thereby making the transition to self-government easier. However, First Nations program management regimes must still abide by federal and provincial program standards and priorities which may differ from those that would be preferred locally. The thesis concludes that the NPM has done little to improve overall First Nation-government relations and in fact may be setting back relations in ways not found under previous traditional public administrative arrangements. It tests these conclusions by examining the experiences of three First Nation communities under different federally-imposed or negotiated funding arrangements: the Enoch Cree First Nation (Alberta), Whitecap Dakota-Sioux First Nation (Saskatchewan) and the Nisga'a Lisims Government (British Columbia). The thesis finds that even under conditions of negotiated self-government, accountability for program management rests resolutely with the federal government thereby placing into question the willingness of the federal government to embrace its 1995 commitment for respecting the inherent right of self-government.
Sleepiness, fatigue and depression

Introduction. The main objectives of this thesis were to investigate sleepiness and fatigue in shift workers and depressed patients and to observe the therapeutic effects of sedating antidepressants. I hypothesized that shift work might be related to fatigue and that a sedating antidepressant might release symptoms of sleepiness and fatigue, and improve mood, sleep and driving safety in depressed patients. Methods. This research includes several sub-studies. In a survey, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale was used to measure sleepiness and the Fatigue Severity Scale was used to measure fatigue. In treatment studies, depressive subjects took either mirtazapine or nefazodone (both are sedating antidepressants). Sleepiness, fatigue, alertness, mood, sleep and driving safety were measured using multiple instruments. In conducting these studies, I became aware of the limitation of comparing two separately developed scales. Therefore, I developed and validated a scale entitled the "Toronto Sleepiness and Fatigue Scale" (TSFS) to measure these two energy states concurrently. Results. The survey study found that fatigue severity significantly correlated with shift schedule. After taking mirtazapine for 58 days, depressed patients showed an improvement in sleepiness and fatigue. Mood improvement was indicated by decreased scores on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-17) and Beck Depression Inventory. Objective sleep improvement was identified by increased slow wave sleep and decreased wakefulness. Furthermore, mirtazapine improved road position and decreased the number of crashes. In seasonal affective disorder patients, treatment with nefazodone decreased patients mean scores of the HRSD-17 and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety. As well, nefazodone improved sleep quality. The TSFS correlated well with well recognized scales measuring sleepiness and fatigue; it has good internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Conclusions. Shift work frequency impacts on fatigue, but not sleepiness. This supports the notion that fatigue and sleepiness are distinct and independent phenomena. The severity of sleepiness and fatigue is higher in depressed patients than in normal population. Treatment of depressed patients with a sedating antidepressant may paradoxically decrease their daytime sleepiness and fatigue, and may aid in improving mood, sleep, and driving safety. The TSFS is a valid and reliable tool to measure sleepiness and fatigue simultaneously.
The exploration of youths' experiences in care of the children's aid society and their experiences with delinquent activities

In-depth interviews were conducted with six former youths in care of the Children's Aid Society, focusing on their experiences in care, delinquency, and involvement in the criminal justice system. Participants were recruited from Pape Adolescent Resource Centre (PARC), a “preparation for independence” program for youth. Instability was the primary theme emerging from the interviews. The youths reported experiencing social stigmatizations, multiple placement changes, and worker turnover. Unwanted youths relied on their peer networks for comfort, which in turn exposed them to delinquent activities.
From inventors to predators: Have brand firms crossed the line by marketing authorized generics

"Authorized generics" (AGs) is the code name for the practice whereby the innovator companies create or licence their own generic version of the drug by sticking a generic label on the product instead of a brand label. This practice may have the effect of keeping generic drug manufacturers out of the market, resulting in increased drug prices to the consumers. The crux of this debate is handling the intersection of the patent rights and consumer rights (competition regulation). I take the approach that a patent right can be limited in favour of consumer protection so long as that limitation will not substantially affect the incentive to innovate. I consider the issue of AGs in the framework of three anti-competitive acts: collusion, predatory pricing, and unfair competition/abuse of dominance. I conclude that AGs are anti-competitive and their entry times can be limited while maintaining the necessary incentives for innovators to innovate.

Keywords: Generic drugs, Law and legislation
Patent infringement
Consumer protection, Law and legislation