VictorJuiz/thesis huggingface dataset:
Hepatic iron quantitation and liver biopsy in sickle cell disease and thalassemia major, impact on monitoring and preventing the progression of iron overload due to regular transfusion therapy

Iron accumulates and becomes toxic in transfused patients with SCD or TM. Quantitative hepatic iron concentration (HIC) using liver biopsy tissue optimizes accuracy of iron measures. The objectives of this study include determining the safety of liver biopsies, rates of iron accumulation, reliability of serum ferritin concentrations (SFC), incidence of liver damage, and efficiency of chelation therapy. From a series of 911 biopsies, 98% captured adequate tissue for analysis, and only 7 minor complications occurred (0.77%). In a second series of 18 SCD and 22 TM children, biopsies and SFCs following an initial period of transfusions revealed similar rates of iron accumulation and liver damage in both disorders. HIC exceeded thresholds of risk following 13 months of transfusions, or 110-130ccRBC/kg. A poor HIC/SFC correlation was observed. In a third series, records from 35 TM patients treated with deferoxamine or deferiprone were used to calculate chelation efficiency, revealed to be 15.1% and 2.6%, respectively.
Deuterium retention in tungsten

For deuterium implantation of pure W foil at 300 K, the amount of D trapped in the material approaches a saturation level of ${\sim}6\times 10\sp{20}$ D/m$\sp2$ for incident fluence ${\ge}10\sp{23}$ D/m$\sp2,$ independent of ion energy or specimen history. For temperatures between 350 and 550 K, higher retention levels are observed, but these levels depend on ion energy, fluence and implantation history. Fluence dependence measurements at 500 K show no sign of saturation below $3 \times 10\sp{24}$ D/m$\sp2$ and the amount retained appears to be diffusion limited. Experiments with pure W foil related to the effect of ion-induced damage on deuterium retention showed that ion-induced surface modifications could affect D-retention. The D retention characteristics of a W-1% La$\sb2$O$\sb3$ tungsten alloy are similar to that of pure W foils, except the amount retained tends to saturate at fluences $>$10$\sp{24}$ D/m$\sp2$ (500 eV/D$\sp+$) and 500 K.
CMOS optical preamplifier design using graphical circuit analysis

New requirements on optical receivers are being driven by the rapid expansion of optical communications beyond traditional fiber-optic links. This thesis discusses the design of transimpedance amplifiers that are used in the preamplifier stage of optical receivers. The three specific requirements that are addressed here are a wide dynamic range, ambient light rejection, and low-voltage operation. To achieve a wide dynamic range, we present a fully-differential, variable-gain CMOS transimpedance amplifier. The proposed topology is simpler than previous designs and has improved stability. The implemented design consumes 8mW at 3V, and provides 70 MHz bandwidth with a dynamic range of 77dB, a maximum transimpedance gain of 19k[Omega] and a gain range of 32dB. To reject ambient light, we place an active feedback loop around the transimpedance amplifier. This topology eliminates the need for large passive components and improves the regulation of the photodiode bias voltage. However, the lower-frequency limit of this topology is dependent on the ambient light level. We experimentally verify this technique, and analyze the stability requirements of the feedback loop. To achieve low-voltage operation, we develop a CMOS transimpedance amplifier capable of IV operation without the use of low-threshold MOS transistors. The design has a wide output swing and maximizes the available bias voltage for the photodiode. The biasing of the MOS feedback resistor is performed using a charge pump to generate a stable gate voltage--a technique called dynamic gate biasing (DGB). The proposed design was implemented as part of an optical receiver front-end which also included two post amplifiers. The resulting front-end consumes 1mW from a 1V supply and provides 210k[Omega] transimpedance gain over a 50MHz bandwidth. Also included in this thesis is the development and application of a graphical circuit analysis technique called DPI/SFG analysis that is based on driving-point impedances (DPI) and signal-flow graphs (SFG). We develop a general formulation of the technique, illustrate its use on a number of circuit examples, and apply it to the design and optimization of the low-voltage transimpedance amplifier.
Ligand effects on the structures of Rh¦6(CO)¦1¦5L clusters, the novel coordination of a new bisthiophosphorus ligand to a triosmium carbonyl cluster

Determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography, the structures of Rh6(CO)15L (L = P(OPh)3, 1, P(4-XC6H4)3, (X = CF3, 2, Cl, 3, F, 4,OMe, 5); P(' n'Bu)3, 6; Me2SO, 7; MeCN, 8, C8H14, 9) differ from that of the parental Rh6(CO)16 cluster ( 10, redetermined) via the substitution of a terminal CO. A group of P-donors and cyclooctene substituents all show local stereoselective distortions. Rh(L)CO showed a shortening of Rh-CO(L) and a smaller lengthening of Rh(L)C-O; other terminal carbonyls were unaffected. The trisrhodium face containing RhL shows lengthening of Rh-Rh 'cis' to, and an equally pronounced shortening of the Rh-Rh across the face from, the suprafacial heteroligand L. Triply bridging COs attached to RhL are displaced, almost doubly bridging Rh-Rh ' cis' to RhL. These localized effects are associable with increased electron density on RhL. Common trends in substituent-induced structural distortions are not seen in other clusters bearing varied terminal neutral and anionic heteromonosubstituents.
Non-blocking implementations of Queues in asynchronous distributed shared-memory systems

We study non-blocking linearizable implementations of objects shared concurrently by multiple asynchronous processes. In a non-blocking implementation, 'some' process is guaranteed to complete its access to the object, regardless of the other processes' speed. A particular case of non-blocking implementations is a wait-free implementation, in which ' every' process is guaranteed to complete its access to the object. In particular, we investigate implementations of Queue objects from a set of commonly supported types, including Test&Set, Fetch&Add and Swap. We exhibit and prove correct a non-blocking implementation that works for any number of processes, where each process can perform both enqueue and dequeue operations; and a wait-free implementation that works when at most two processes can perform dequeue operations concurrently, while an arbitrary number of processes can perform enqueue operations. We conjecture that when more than two processes can perform dequeue operations concurrently, a wait-free and linearizable Queue implementation is not possible.
"I heard him say...": Jurors' ability to determine the value of hearsay testimony in a criminal murder trial

In order to examine the veracity of the court's concerns regarding the potential overvaluation of hearsay testimony, the ability of jurors to (a) recognize hearsay testimony during a trial, (b) realize the potential unreliability of this evidence, and (c) apply appropriate weight to such testimony when deciding a verdict, were investigated. Mock jurors (N = 135) read one of six versions of a trial that included either pro-prosecution or pro-defense hearsay evidence, which was presented alone, with disregarding instructions, or with a complete cross-examination of the hearsay witness. Also included were conditions in which (1) the evidence was presented as nonhearsay (first-hand) and (2) no hearsay was presented. Results indicated that jurors were quite capable of performing each of the cognitive tasks above. Eighty-seven percent of jurors correctly identified the hearsay evidence, and this evidence was used significantly less than and rated significantly less strong and credible than identical direct testimony. This pattern was especially predominant when either disregarding instructions or a cross-examination were utilized. The ability of a complete cross-examination of the hearsay witness to make jurors' impressions of the evidence more accurate is discussed, as is the potential lack of justification for present hearsay laws.
REM sleep and aggressive behaviour in children with Tourette's syndrome (TS), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and comorbid TS and ADHD

'Introduction'. Many children with Tourette's Syndrome (TS) present clinically with aggressive behaviour and sleep difficulties. Behavioural difficulties are often more problematic than tics, and can disrupt school progress, family relationships and social development. 'Objective'. This study examined the relationship between polysomnographic sleep parameters, serotonin (5HT), testosterone (T), Executive Functioning (EF) and aggressive behavior at home and school in children/adolescents. 'Method'. 80 subjects (57 male/23 female), were assessed using a semi-structured clinical interview (20 TS, 20 TS + ADHD, 20 ADHD and 20 Controls). All were medication free and between 6-16 years of age (mean 10.31 years, SD 2.35). Subjects participated m a 2-night sleep study and neuropsychological testing. The primary sleep variables were REM sleep latency and percentage REM sleep. Urine and saliva samples were used to measure 5HT and T levels. Pubertal maturity was assessed and parents and teachers completed behavioural questionnaires. 'Results'. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), revealed significant group differences in % REM and REM latency variables (p < .018 and p < .004), T (p < .006), and ratings of aggressive behaviour (p < .020 and p < .006 respectively). Both the TS only and ADHD groups showed increases in REM sleep latency (p < .029) and reductions in percent REM sleep vs. Controls (p < .037). Ratings of aggressive behaviour in the TS + ADHD and ADHD groups were significantly higher than Controls. No significant differences were found on measures of EF. 'Discussion'. Differences among groups of children with TS, ADHD, TS + ADHD, and Controls were found in REM activity, ratings of aggressive behaviour, and T levels, Children with TS were significantly more aggressive than Controls when also comorbid for ADHD, supporting heterogeneity within the population of children with TS, and the importance of considering comorbid psychiatric diagnoses. A linear combination of physiological and cognitive variables accounted for a significant amount of variance in parental ratings of aggressive behaviour after diagnostic classification had been accounted for in the regression mode4 consistent with a 'spectrum' notion of psychopathology in which differences among diagnostic groups are better explained by including variables that may serve as putative markers of underlying pathophysiological processes.
Positive commutator method in non-equilibrium statistical mechanics

The main goal of this thesis is to develop the method of positive commutators in the context of quantum statistical mechanics. Over the last twenty years, this method has been powering progress in spectral analysis of Hamiltonians of quantum mechanical systems. It has recently been applied to the problem of radiation, which is formulated in terms of quantum field theory. In this work, we extend the applicability of the positive commutator method to positive temperature quantum field theory. More precisely, we study an atom (an 'N'-level system) interacting with an infinitely extended photon-field (a massless Bose field) at temperature 'T' > 0. In a GNS representation of the 'C'*-algebra of (quasi-local) observables for the quantum system in question, the dynamics of the system is generated by a Liouville operator acting on a positive temperature Hilbert space. Many key properties of the system, such as return to equilibrium (which is the fact that a system perturbed from its equilibrium state converges back to it as time goes to infinity), can be expressed in terms of the spectral characteristics of this operator. We apply the positive commutator method to the Liouville operators of systems in question. Using this method, we obtain rather detailed spectral information about these operators. This allows us to recover, with a partial improvement, a recent fundamental result by several authors on return to equilibrium for systems under consideration.
Design of an apparatus to measure gas solubilities in polymers

The design for an apparatus to measure the solubility of gases in polymers is presented. The apparatus is based on a pressure decay method, and utilizes a three-chamber configuration for achieving multiple experimental pressures with the same sample. The design was tested using polystyrene (PS) and (CO 2) at temperatures of 100 and 160°C and pressures up to 12 MPa. The pressure-specific volume-temperature (PVT) data of the PS-CO2 combination were used to correct the solubility data for the swelling effect of the polymer. The results indicated that the solubility increased with increasing pressure and decreased with increasing temperature. However, the data did not compare favorably with the literature, since the typical Henry's law behavior was not observed. The main source of error was believed to be due to the pressure transducer setup in which the transducer, because of its limited temperature range, was placed external to the main experimental setup.
Prolegomena to the study of biomorphic Modernism, biocentrism, Laszlo Moholy-Nagy's New vision and Erno Kallai's Bioromantik

Focusing on Weimar Germany, I ground the study of biomorphic Modernism in Ernö Kállai's 1932 identification of a trend he termed ' Bioromantik'. Kállai wrote from a 'biocentric' position, an amalgam of Nature Romanticism and biologism espoused by Nietzsche, Ernst Haeckel, Ludwig Klages, Oswald Spengler, Raoul Francé and Hans Prinzhorn in the early 20th century, here established as a politically-charged category of intellectual history. Kállai characterized 'Bioromantik ' as art, the imagery, forms or themes of which express Monist, Neo-Vitalist, ' lebensphilosophisch' and Organicist, i.e. 'biocentric' concepts such as the life-force, creative/destructive aspects of nature, and our unity with it. The work of artists he cited (Arp, Klee, Moore, Kandinsky, Ernst, etc.) is biomorphic Modernist in style. Kállai's conception derives from his realization of the similarity between biomorphic art and scientific photography, here termed the "naturamorphic analogy," a 'topos' traceable to Kandinsky's pre-war writing. Probably inspired by Walter Benjamin's review of Karl Blossfeldt's photographs, Kállai's epiphany occurred in the Moholy-Nagy-curated "Raum-1" of the 1929 ' Film and Foto' show in Stuttgart; in effect a three-dimensional statement of his "New Vision" that aestheticized scientific photography, and that--like Moholy's entire pedagogical project--I show to be rooted in biocentrism. Thus, the profound effect biocentric thinkers had on the milieux Moholy emerged from is discussed: The 'fin-de-siècle ' Haeckelian tradition of normative aestheticized scientific imagery is shown to underlie New Vision; the biocentric wing of the 'Jugendbewegung ' is revealed as a source of Moholy's biocentric pedagogy; inspired by Francé, "Biocentric Constructivism" is identified as a discourse engaged in by Mies, Moholy, Lissitzky, Hausmann and Meyer; the Bauhaus, with attention to Gropius, Klee, Kandinsky, Schlemmer and Meyer, is recast as a locus of biocentric ideas. Like others, Kállai proposed a "psychobiological" explanation for the naturamorphic analogy: the artists' identity with nature and their consequent intuitive imaging of its unseen aspects also revealed by science. I show how the aestheticization of scientific images effected by New Vision enabled Modernist artists and critics to be exposed to such imagery--an historical alternative to the essentialist explanation that constitutes a basis for research on biomorphic Modernist art.
Combustion of the fuel/air mixture in the vicinity of a cantilevered ramp fuel injector in a hypervelocity flow

The flow field in the immediate vicinity of a cantilevered ramp fuel injector is investigated in order to determine whether premature ingition occurs while the fuel/air mixing process is taking place. Two configurations of cantilevered ramp injectors are studied: the "A" configuration injector (with non-zero compression and expansion angles), and the "B" configuration injector (with zero compression angle and non-zero expansion angle). The study was conducted using a laminar, three-dimensional, multispecies flowsolver developed in generalized coordinates to solve the Navier-Stokes equations with hydrogen/air finite rate chemistry. The method consists of an upwind TVD scheme for the discretization of the convective fluxes coupled with a semi-implicit LU-SGS scheme for temporal discretization. The finite-rate chemistry model chosen for the present study includes 9 species (H2, O2, H, O, OH, H2O, HO2, and N2) and 20 reactions. The chemical solver assumes that the nitrogen is inert, which is a valid assumption when the static temperatures do not exceed 3000 K. The analysis of the numerical solutions shows that premature ignition occurs for both configurations considered in the present study. The fuel is ignited by the hot air which is raising from the boundary layers corresponding to the lower wall of the channel that contains the fuel injectors.
Revisiting euthanasia and assisted suicide, the issue of suffering

The purpose of this doctoral thesis is to revisit the debate on euthanasia and assisted suicide through an analysis of the issue of suffering, which is one important element underpinning most requests for voluntary termination of a human life. The thesis aims at making a contribution by analyzing a specific type of suffering, which is described as "overwhelming unpleasant experience", and by reflecting on its ethical implications. Its contention is to develop a rationale supporting the view that there could be living states worse than death; to suggest criteria that could contribute to our understanding of how suicide may be rational and ethical; and to revisit why the legalization of voluntary termination of human life may be a reasonable option within the Canadian context, especially under the provisions made by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. 'Chapter 1' gives a historical overview of the debate on euthanasia and assisted suicide; reviews its status in other countries (especially the Netherlands and the U.S.); situates it within the Canadian legal context; and analyzes important events that occurred in the last decade. 'Chapter 2' develops an analysis of the suffering experience, which narrows the definition of suffering to an "overwhelming unpleasant experience". As a result, suffering's assertiveness on the sufferer's life becomes idiosyncratic and the implications of such an influence are analyzed. 'Chapter 3' discusses how the narrowed concept of suffering may be valued. It establishes that suffering may have three different values: intrinsically negative and instrumentally positive and negative. It is argued that suffering's instrumental value may be determined according to how the state affects the sufferer's "personhood". 'Chapter 4' analyzes the ethical implications of chapters 2 and 3. The ethical analysis is articulated within a consequentialist framework and the theoretical issues stemming from such an approach are discussed. 'Chapter 5' argues that, within the specific context of the debate on euthanasia and assisted suicide, the possible opposition between the right to self-determination and the right to life embedded in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms could be mediated by a right to die, which is an idea that may be supported by the arguments that stem from this thesis.
Digital video watermarking principles for resistance to collusion and interpolation attacks

In this thesis, we propose two video watermarks based on the novel ideas of 'statistical invisibility' and ' content-synchronized placement'. We present a mathematical framework designed to facilitate collusion analysis and thereby enable protection from this important class of attacks. We define statistical invisibility and show that it is not only a property that supports the desired resistance to such attacks, but that it can also be easily induced using a spatially localized image-dependent approach. To construct the watermark, the notion of a watermark's ' footprint', the spatial locations over which its energy is spread, is introduced. By defining localized footprints with regular structures, e.g., sets of subframes within each frame, current image watermarks can immediately be applied at the subframe level. Results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithms. Comparisons are made with the well-known JAWS and CDMA video watermarks, as well as the StirMark 3.1 benchmarking suite.
An in vivo study on the skeletal effects of BaP/DMBA and resveratrol in estrogen-repleted OVX aged rats

Epidemiological studies have suggested that cigarette smoking is a risk factor in osteoporosis. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) are toxins found in the tar fraction of cigarette. We hypothesized that BaP/DMBA is responsible for cigarette-induced bone loss and that resveratrol, a substance found in wine, could counteract this effect. Nine month-old rats were ovariectomized (OVX) and given estrogen pellets, in order to study the direct effect of BaP/DMBA on the skeleton while preventing OVX-related bone loss. The animals were given 250[mu]g/kg BaP/DMBA and/or 1250[mu]g/kg resveratrol, weekly for 15 weeks. A significant (p < 0.05) decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) in both trabecular and cortical bone was seen in the OVX and BaP/DMBA-treated animals versus intact rats. Bone formation parameters were also significantly increased (p < 0.05) in OVX and BaP/DMBA-treated rats versus intact rats. These results demonstrated that although BaP/DMBA induced bone loss through an increase in bone turnover, resveratrol was only partially successful in preventing this bone loss.
The vision music of Casanova, the personal transformation of a music educator

This narrative inquiry responds to the research question, 'How does an education in holistic and transformative learning positively influence the personal/professional transformation and the personal mythology of a composer-educator as he struggles to create a meaningful operatic musical?' As a response to the question, I offer this qualitative study of my own experience as a student of transformative learning and as a composer engaged in the writing of a 'transformative' operatic musical, 'Casanova.' By 'Vision Music,' I mean that the resulting work, influenced by principles learned through various forms of values education, offers far-reaching educational lessons about 'the meaning of life' that attempt to go beyond the mere entertainment-centered values of mainstream musical theatre. In this values education context, the term 'vision' is derived from its progressive usage by ecological philosophers Thomas Berry and Edmund O'Sullivan, who use 'vision' to describe proactive educational future visualization and action dedicated to global changes in values and behaviours, and a shift towards cooperative 'communion' with fellow human beings. 'Casanova' endeavours to be an operatic musical that offers gentle yet powerful metaphorical models in values education, gender equity education, holistic learning, and communitarianism. 'The Vision Music of Casanova' is the story of how one composer-educator internalized these values, transformed himself, and along with a thorough musical education, went on to write (with the lyrical collaboration of his partner) a meaningful and important, educationally transformative contribution to the field of musical theatre.