VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Multiple model control and maximum entropy control of flexible structures, implementation and evaluation

This thesis presents the results of an independent implementation of two control design techniques from the literature. The Maximum Entropy Method, due to Hyland, is based on the use of a time-varying plant with a minimal set of known stochastic parameters (modal decorrelation times or modal frequency variances). Robustness is achieved by minimizing the output 2-norm in a probabalistic sense, but is not guaranteed. The Multiple Model Method uses a set of ' N' specific plants and minimizes the output 2-norm over the ensemble. Both approaches are implemented with improvements for usability and efficiency. A variant of <math> <f> <sc>H<inf><rm>[infinity]</rm></inf></sc></f> </math> design is used and extended as a basis for comparison. All methods are for Linear Time-Invariant systems. The methods are applied to three control problems of increasing complexity--a mass-spring system; a single, cantilevered gyrodynamic beam; and a linear model of the DemoDICE system, a ground-based prototype of a free-flying control research facility planned for the Space Shuttle Mid-deck. Controllers are designed for each plant using the three methods, then tested for robust performance. Results indicate that the Multiple Model design technique is very promising, while the Maximum Entropy technique is useful also, though not performing as well. The <math> <f> <sc>H<inf><rm>[infinity]</rm></inf></sc></f> </math> technique was only a good competitor when the control architecture had the same input for disturbance and actuation, which is the case on the DemoDICE system. In addition to the main work on control, a number of ancillary pieces of analysis are added to the DICE/gyrodynamics canon, including a transformation to velocity control for Control Moment Gyroscopes and a Jordan Canonical Form for the DemoDICE linear model.
The role of the chantress (MaY&) in ancient Egypt

The specific nature of the title 's—m`yt' or "chantress", which occurred from the Middle Kingdom onward, is investigated through the use of a database cataloging 861 women who held the title. Sorting the data based on a variety of details has yielded patterns regarding their chronological and demographical distribution. The changes in the social status and numbers of women who bore the title indicate that the Egyptians perceived the role and status of the title differently through time. Information on the titles of the chantresses' family members has allowed the author to make inferences concerning the social status of the women who held the title "chantress". Middle Kingdom title-holders were of modest backgrounds and were quite rare. Eighteenth Dynasty women were of the highest ranking families. The number of women who held the title was also comparatively small. Nineteenth Dynasty women came from more modest backgrounds and were more numerous. Women of the Third Intermediate Period were nearly all from priestly families at Thebes and the large number indicates the strength of the cult of Amun. The title occurs sporadically after the Third Intermediate Period, but is known through the Ptolemaic era. From the earliest occurrences of the title until the latest, it is clear that the title was closely associated with the state religious hierarchy. It has been shown that during the New Kingdom the 's—m`ywt' participated in state religious rites including processions, daily temple rituals, and the 'Sed'-festival ceremony. This association with the state religious apparatus also had political implications. The author has interpreted the fluctuating numbers of women who held the title, along with their historical context, to conclude that, at times, the title may have been used by the religious authorities as a tool to involve more families in the temple systems and the local or national power structures.
2D & 3D FE Analysis of Fir-tree Joints in Aeroengine Discs

A comprehensive 2-D and 3-D finite element study is undertaken to examine the effect of the critical geometric features and interface conditions in the fir-tree region of a turbine disc upon the stress distribution at the blade/disc interface. Three aspects of the work were accordingly examined. The first was concerned with the stress analysis of the critical geometrical features and interface conditions (friction) of various fir-tree configurations, thus enabling the evaluation of the critically loaded regions in the disc. The second was concerned with the three-dimensional finite element analysis of the assembly, so as to examine the effect of the skew angle upon the triaxial state of stress and load sharing between the teeth in turbine discs. The third aspect was devoted to the validation of the FE predictions using existing photoelastic stress freezing results. The outcome of the work reveals the importance of the contact angle, upper and lower flank angles, number of teeth, and skew angle upon the stress field. Frictional conditions at the interface were also investigated and the results reveal that they play a minor role in determining the level of interface stresses.
Gender in the international criminal court negotiations

The International Criminal Court Treaty negotiated in Rome in 1998 is groundbreaking in its incorporation of international human rights standards, in particular those concerning women and matters relating to gender. The negotiations were not easy: the conflict between the principle of universality of human rights and the sanctity of state sovereignty was evident throughout the negotiations. Delegates representing 160 countries and 250 nongovernmental organizations had vastly differing views on gender, ranging from understanding gender as a natural division of individuals within society, to interpretations of gender as a social construct sometimes used as a tool of oppression. The definition of gender ultimately negotiated was creative enough to be acceptable to all delegates, and paved the way for recognition in the statute of issues with particular gender relevance. The wording used throughout the statute, however, highlights the contentious nature of gender and the uneasiness with which a compromise was negotiated.
Exploring the social organization of breastfeeding knowledge and developing strategies for promoting breastfeeding

Employing a radical new methodology put forth by feminist sociologist Dorothy E. Smith, this thesis is an empirical examination of the social production of breastfeeding knowledge. Beginning from the site of her own standpoint in the everyday/everynight world, the author encounters a three part video text whose primary subject is infant feeding. Led by disjuncture, (a term used to describe the rupture between women's knowing and fathertongue)--the author explicates the ideological practices which accomplish the following conceptual construction of the video text: the equivalency between breastmilk and infant formula; the epidemiologic homogeneity among infants regardless of diet; and the detachment of the mother, and her milk, from her baby. Finally, the author leaves the surface of the text to, in a preliminary way, discover how these concepts are socially organizing and by whom--that is, the relations of ruling, of which the author, as a nurse, is a member.
The preparation of chemically-modified Cys-tRNACys and studies on its possible use for incorporating non-natural amino acids into proteins

Biosynthetic incorporation of fluorophores into proteins can be accomplished by supplying fluorescently-tagged aminoacyl-tRNA (aa-tRNA) to the cellular protein synthesis machinery. A key step in this process is the formation of a ternary complex consisting of an elongation factor (EF-Tu in bacteria), GTP, and the aminoacyl-tRNA. In an effort to explore the range of side-chain structure that can be tolerated by EF-Tu, we prepared Cys-tRNACys and reacted the cysteinyl side-chain with a structurally diverse set of fluorescent compounds. All modified aa-tRNA tested were found to bind to EF-Tu-GTP and binding was specific as demonstrated by the lack of an interaction with immobilized EF-Tu-GDP. These results are compared with the predictions of modelling based on the recently reported X-ray structure of the Cys-tRNACys-EF-Tu-GDPNP complex. It appears that, except perhaps for certain modifications very close to the backbone of the amino acid, a very wide range of side-chain structures can be tolerated by EF-Tu. We show that reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography using a C8 column can be employed to purify fluorescently-labelled Cys-tRNA Cys from a crude mixture which also contains unaminoacylated tRNA Cys, unlabelled Cys-tRNACys, and disulphide-linked Cys-tRNACys. Towards expanding the range of methods available for site-specific protein labelling, we proposed a technique which is based on the use of chemically-modified cysteinyl-tRNACys. The synthetic tRNA is synthesized via a combination of enzymatic aminoacylation and chemical modification of the cysteinyl side-chain. When it is added to a rabbit reticulocyte lysate in vitro coupled transcription/translation system that has been programmed with the gene of interest, the non-standard amino acid should be incorporated into the target protein at positions that correspond to cysteine. We attempted to label firefly luciferase with fluorescein and a biotin derivative using fluorescein- and biotin-labelled Cys-tRNACys, respectively.
Optical code-division multiple access networks, quantifying and achieving the ultimate performance

This work reveals for the first time the ultimate spectral efficiency of incoherent optical code-division multiple access (O-CDMA) systems. It shows for the first time how to approach this ultimate limit practically. A decision rule for O-CDMA systems using unipolar codes is derived and is proven optimal. A fully general scheme is developed to transmit any bipolar code over the optical unipolar channel while maintaining the performance advantage of bipolar codes. The spectral efficiency of the proposed EOE system is shown to approach the upper limit of an optimum bipolar baseband system using a single-user detector. Optical and hybrid optical-electronic implementations of these novel systems are explored and compared. This work lays a foundation for future generations of local area networks which will provide high bandwidth and flexibility.
Listening comprehension abilities in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and language impairment

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Language Impairment (LI) are two common developmental disorders that have far-reaching effects on children's academic success and development of social skills. Although ADHD and LI frequently co-occur, relatively little is known about specific patterns of LI associated with ADHD. This study sought to examine language comprehension abilities at the discourse level in children with ADHD and LI, both alone and in combination. It was hypothesized that children with ADHD would have more difficulty than normal children in comprehending less explicit information (i.e., making inferences) and monitoring their own comprehension during challenging listening tasks involving passages in the expository genre, and that children with combined ADHD+LI would show poorer comprehension abilities than children with LI alone. Another objective was to examine verbal and spatial working memory abilities in children with ADHD and LI, and determine whether these skills are associated with listening comprehension. Standardized measures were used to classify participants into an ADHD (no LI) group, an ADHD+LI group, an LI group, and a Normal control group. Children completed two novel listening comprehension tasks designed to assess (1) comprehension of facts and inferences in expository passages, and (2) the ability to detect errors in sequence or in factual consistency. Results showed that the two LI groups had the most difficulty with listening comprehension, although contrary to expectations, performance of children with combined deficits (ADHD+LI) was not worse than that of children with LI alone on the two listening comprehension tasks. Children with ADHD (no LI) were poorer than normal children at generating inferences and monitoring comprehension of spoken expository passages, despite comparable ability to comprehend facts. Children with ADHD, ADHD+LI, and LI showed significantly poorer verbal and spatial working memory skills compared with normal children. Spatial memory span was also deficient in these children, however verbal memory span was impaired only in the two LI groups, not in the ADHD group. Regression analyses suggested that both verbal and spatial working memory predicted a significant amount of the variance in listening comprehension performance. Results are discussed with respect to theoretical, clinical, and educational implications.
Using administrative data to assemble a cohort of women infected with hepatitis C

'Objectives'. (1) To identify the optimal OHIP code for identifying women infected with HCV using ROC plot, Kappa statistic, and logistic regression. (2) To test combinations requiring more than one submission of a diagnostic code. (3) To test the combination of different codes using serial and parallel methods. 'Study design'. Cross-sectional comparative. ' Study subjects'. 2372 women. 'Primary outcome measure'. ROC plot. 'Method'. OHIP code combinations (experimental tests) of hepatitis C (reference standard). The ability of codes to identify infected women was evaluated using ROC plot, Kappa, and logistic regression. ' Results'. "Viral hepatitis" was the optimal code on ROC plot and predicted HCV infection in logistic regression. "Drug dependence/addiction" had the highest Kappa. Multiple code submissions and parallel codes improved specificity but lost sensitivity. Serial codes increased specificity but lost sensitivity. 'Conclusion'. "Viral hepatitis" best identified women infected with HCV.
The shear properties of angle ply laminates

The study was conducted using the tension-compression test, the Iosipescu test, and the short beam test for determining the through the thickness shear properties of angle ply laminates. The effects of the material systems, the specimen thickness/width ratios and the fibre orientations on the shear strength were also studied. The results of tension-compression test were found to be the same as those measured with the Iosipescu test on the same configurations. Both tests have broken massive amounts of fibres. Thus, the results are considered having a real meaning of true shear strength. However, measured strengths are much less than the singular tensile or compressive strength. It is concluded that composites are especially weak under combined tension and compression. The samples of the short beam test failed along the fibre direction or collapsed with a combination of bending and compression, so this test is doubted to be a valid method.
Feasibility study for a floatwing waterborne aircraft type

This thesis examines the floatwing waterborne aircraft concept as developed by Aquavion Systems Corporation. Unlike its seaplane predecessors, which make use of conventional floats as with "floatplanes" or a boat-like hull as with "flying boats", the float wing uses the main wing as the primary buoyant volume and the exclusive hydrodynamic surface. The concept was proven and analyzed through experimentation with a 72&inches; wing span radio-controlled prototype. The aerodynamic properties of the R/C model were studied through wind tunnel experiments conducted with a 42% scale model. Estimates of the stability derivatives were obtained from the wind tunnel test results and from analytical calculations and applied to the small disturbance theory to verify the longitudinal and lateral stability of the configuration.
Median nerve evoked potential N20-P27 amplitude, test-retest reliability and task-specific modulation

This thesis investigated the test-retest reliability of N20-P27 peak-to-peak evoked potential amplitudes in response to median nerve stimulation in a sample of 14 healthy adults. Specifically, the study ascertained the reliability of control amplitude and task related modulation to determine the utility of such indices in longitudinal studies involving stroke patients. Reliability of the N20-P27 potential, measured in two sessions approximately one week apart, was excellent (ICC, r = 0.80). The amplitude of the N20-P27 was also strongly modulated by task conditions. Amplitude decreased 55% when ipsilateral vibration was present (p = .0001) and increased 11% when the stimulus was attended (p = 0.012). Importantly, the task-specific modulation of N20-P27 amplitude by ipsilateral vibration was found to be reliable (ICC, r = 0.65). Confidence intervals were established for longitudinal changes in amplitude. A small subset of clinical stroke patients was observed to exhibit changes greater than this control confidence interval. Evoked potential amplitudes and task-specific modulation of amplitudes hold promise for evaluation of the physiology underlying sensory recovery from stroke. The present work has demonstrated that the N20-P27 component has reliability as a longitudinal measure.
Identification and characterization of differentially expressed genes following chronic lithium treatment in rat brain

The precise mechanisms underlying the therapeutic actions of lithium in bipolar disorder remain unclear, however, substantial evidence suggests alterations in gene expression may be critical to its long-term mood stabilization. The primary objectives of this study were to screen and identify genes, whose expression is altered in rat frontal cortex following chronic lithium treatment, by mRNA differential display. The pharmacospecificity of lithium's effects on gene expression was subsequently evaluated in comparison to those of anticonvulsant mood stabilizers, valproate and carbamazepine, and non-mood stabilizing psychotropic drugs, haloperidol and imipramine. Analyses by mRNA differential display and northern blotting identified two lithium regulated genes (LRG), LRG1 and LRG2. In addition, a third LRG (LRG3) was serendipitously identified by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Molecular cloning and DNA sequence analyses of LRG1, LRG2 and LRG3 revealed their identities as aldolase A, diphosphoinositol polyphosphate phosphohydrolase 2 (DIPP2) and CD151, respectively. The mRNA levels of aldolase A (and C isozyme) were significantly reduced by chronic (5 weeks) lithium or carbamazepine treatment. The DIPP2 mRNA levels were increased only by lithium, whereas CD151 mRNA levels were reduced by chronic lithium, valproate or carbamazepine treatment. No significant effect on the mRNA levels of any of these genes was evident following either short-term (1-week) lithium treatment or chronic administration of haloperidol and imipramine, demonstrating time dependence and pharmacological specificity of the lithium's effects. Chronic lithium treatment also reduced the cytosolic, but not particulate, protein levels of aldolase in rat frontal cortex. Although the pharmacotherapeutic relevance of the effects of lithium on the expression of these three genes remains to be further investigated, the observations of a potential role of these gene products in the inositol phosphoinositide metabolism and signaling suggest that lithium may act, at the level of gene expression, on different components of the phosphoinositide signaling cascades, thereby producing its therapeutic efficacy. This suggestion is consistent with the current notion that abnormalities in intracellular signaling, including phosphoinositide signaling, may contribute, at least in part, to the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder.
An analog front-end for powerline communications

Powerline communications is a networking system with great market potential. This thesis develops some of the requirements for the analog front-end of such a system, and describes the design and testing of a receive-side analog chip. This chip consists of a 3rd-order bandpass LC filter, a low-noise low-distortion switchable-gain amplifier, and a low-distortion programmable-gain amplifier. It is implemented in a 0.18[mu]m CMOS process, and packaged in a 44-pin CQFP. Test results show the difficulty of building very-high-linearity circuits by cancelling second-order transistor non-idealities.
Toward teacher inquiry when implementing classroom assessment

The study examines the process teachers use to think about and inquire into the subtleties of classroom assessment currently applied to schools in Ontario. My study is intellectually grounded in the philosophy of Habermas and applies his levels of knowledge and human interests (technical, practical, emancipatory) theory as its conceptual framework. In doing so, this study advances the concept of the teacher as reflective practitioner and conceptualizes the teacher as an inquiring practitioner. A qualitative methodology was used in this study to investigate assessment from the perspectives of eight elementary teachers. The study uses a multi-paradigm approach to analyze challenges teachers experienced. The key findings revealed that teachers' actions were frequently confined to fulfilling external mandates. In addition, teachers were influenced by external classroom factors such as students' behavior, subject matter, school timetable; their own lack of assessment literacy; and their individual experience, intuition, morals and emotions. There were incongruous understandings that existed among teachers, students and parents about the purposes of assessment and teachers' roles changed as a result of new assessment strategies. A main argument in this study is that a multi-paradigm approach is not only necessary but an integral methodological and conceptual approach for understanding the implementation process of innovations in our complex society. The study has shown that the uncertain nature of the teachers' professional world as well at the problematic nature of assessment has led teachers to internalize a unique, elaborate and possibly contradictory knowledge base. Classroom assessment is not a completely rational process. Most teachers in the study acknowledge the disarray of classroom purposes, which in some cases affected them morally and emotionally. In other words, teachers were frustrated with conflicting messages, contradictions and paradoxes in their assessment practice. What this study hopes to contribute is the potential for teacher awareness on several issues involved in assessment that go beyond the technical. The study provides a way to organize various epistemological paradigms in order to gain the most benefit in achieving solutions and suggests forms of inquiry that might prove more useful for addressing assessment issues. The results suggest that innovations can and should be viewed and applied from a variety of different perspectives.