952 research outputs found
Supplemental Material - Cannabis in Cancer Survivors Who Report High Impact Chronic Pain: Findings from a 1500+ Patient Survey
No full textSupplemental Material for Cannabis in Cancer Survivors Who Report High Impact Chronic Pain: Findings from a 1500+ Patient Survey by Lindsey M. Philpot, Priya Ramar, Aminah Jatoi, Jordan Rosedahl, Rachel Canning, and Jon O. Ebbert in American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®</p
Cycling on the Verge? Exploring the Place of Utility Cycling in Contemporary New Zealand Transport Policy
No full textEfforts to increase cycling as a mode of transport (utility cycling) occur at central, regional and local levels of government through a range of supportive strategies, research, and guidelines. Despite these efforts, utility cycling levels in New Zealand have remained persistently low. This thesis examines the apparent disparity between policy intent and policy result, using a discourse analytical approach. It examines how cycling is positioned in contemporary New Zealand transport policy documents, and explores whose priorities are shaping transport policy with what implications for utility cycling.
This study uses a critical discourse analysis (CDA) approach to analyse the land transport documents from across the institutions of government. The CDA approach, grounded in the work of van Dijk and Fairclough, draws on ideas from the interpretive tradition of discourse analysis, inspired by Foucault’s concepts of knowledge and power. This approach reveals the position of utility cycling by exposing the framing, dominant discourses, and discursive strategies that privilege certain transport objectives and activities over others.
The findings show transport is promoted almost exclusively by central government as an activity to facilitate economic growth and efficiency, despite its potential (and actual) impacts on health and well-being, social justice, and environmental sustainability. The discursive practices of the government privilege private motor vehicle use, helping to both legitimate and maintain that privilege at all levels of government, while positioning utility cycling as a marginalised mode of transport.
This thesis contributes to scholarship on utility cycling and land transport policy in New Zealand by identifying how the discursive strategies of government control the position of utility cycling in New Zealand. This study underscores the need for a central government-led, long-term strategic vision for a genuinely integrated, multi-modal transport system, in order for the benefits of utility cycling to be fully maximised
sj-docx-1-dhj-10.1177_20552076231216404 - Supplemental material for Implementation of eLearning solutions for patients with chronic pain conditions
No full textSupplemental material, sj-docx-1-dhj-10.1177_20552076231216404 for Implementation of eLearning solutions for patients with chronic pain conditions by Lindsey M. Philpot, Desiree J. Ahrens, Ryan J. Eastman, Arya B. Mohabbat, Elton A. Mosman, Priya Ramar, Karen J. Reinschmidt, Daniel L. Roellinger and Jon O. Ebbert in DIGITAL HEALTH</p
Development of Nutritionally Enriched Dried Fruits (Apple and Pineapple) by Vacuum Impregnation and Dehydration
No full textThis Dissertation / Report is the outcome of investigation carried out by the creator(s) / author(s) at the department/division of Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore mentioned below in this page
Mononuclear and heterodinuclear transition metal complexes of functionalized phosphines. Crystal and molecular structures of [Mo(CO)5(RPC6H4OCH2OCH3-o)] (R = Ph, C6H4OCH2OCH3-o), [Ru(Ph2PC6H4O-o)3], [Pd(Ph2PC6H4O-o)2] and [PdCl(Ph2PC6H4O-o)(Ph2PC6H4OH-o)]
No full textTransition metal complexes of phosphine ethers (Ph2PC6H4OCH2OCH3-o and PhP(C6H4OCH2OCH3-o)2) and phosphinophenol, Ph2PC6H4OH-o are described. Phosphine ethers react with Group 6 metal carbonyls to form complexes of the type [M(CO)4L2] and [M(CO)5L] (M = Mo, Cr, W). The reaction of Ph2PC6H4OCH2OCH3-o with RuCl3· 3H2O gave ruthenium(III) complex, [Ru(Ph2PC6H4O-o)3] through the elimination of CH3OCH2Cl whereas the reaction with CpRu(PPh3)2Cl resulted in the formation of [CpRu(Ph2PC6H4O-o)PPh3]. Treatment of Ph2PC6H4OCH2OCH3-o with rhodium(I) derivatives resulted in the formation of complexes with the phosphine exhibiting both mono- and bidentate modes of coordination involving the phosphorus center and the phenolic oxygen. The reaction of Ph2PC6H4OCH2OCH3-o with [PdCl2(COD)] led to the isolation of two mononuclear complexes, [PdCl(Ph2PC6H4O-o)(Ph2PC6H4OH-o)] cocrystallized with phosphonium salt, [Ph2P(CH2OCH3)C6H4OH-o]Cl and [Pd(Ph2PC6H4O-o)2] as confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies. The former shows extensive hydrogen bonding interactions between the complex and the phosphonium salt. The metalloligand, Cp2Zr(OC6H4PPh2-o)2 obtained by the reaction of Cp2ZrCl2 with Ph2PC6H4OH-o form heterobimetallic complexes with Mo(0), Re(I) and Ni(0) carbonyl derivatives. The reactions of Cp2Zr(OC6H4PPh2-o)2 with metal halides such as M(COD)Cl2 (M = Pd, Pt) and CpRuCl(PPh3)2 afforded metallacycles, [M(Ph2PC6H4O-o)2] and [CpRu(PPh2C6H4OH-o)(PPh2C6H4O-o)], respectively via transmetallation.© Elsevie
Agricultural trade liberalization in the Uruguay Round : one step forward, one step back?
Get PDFAfter evaluating the Uruguay Round's impact on agriculture and border protection in the next decade, the author concludes that while there was significant reform of the rules - particularly the conversion of nontariff barriers into tariffs and the reduction and binding of all tariffs - in practice, trade will probably be liberalized less than expected. The objective of the Round was to reverse protectionism and remove trade distortions. This may not be achieved in practice, at least not until further reductions are carried out in future rounds of negotiations. The major exception to this conclusion is in high-income Asian countries, where protection for major commodities will be significantly reduced. The tariffication and binding of all tariffs on agricultural products represents a significant step forward. Liberalization is implicit because countries are prohhibited from arbitrarily raising tariffs to new higher levels. But many of the newly established tariffs are so high in many countries as to effectively prohibit trade. Patterns of liberalization vary considerably by commodity and by country. Generally, the extent of liberalization was diminished by binding tariffs to the base period of 1986-88, when border protection was at a high point. In most OECD countries, this was worsened by"dirty tariffication:"the new base tariffs offered even greater protection than the nontariff barriers they replaced. Even after the commitments to tariff reductions in the Round, the ad valorem measure of the final binding tariffs will remain higher than the average rate of protection in 1982-93. A number of developing countries in East Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East chose to lock in prior liberalization efforts on some products. But for most commodities, there will be little actual liberalization, since most developing countries chose to bind their tariffs at a maximum level. Even when countries reduced already-bound rates, bound tariffs remained significantly higher than current applied rates, giving countries the flexibility to raise tariffs later. The high level of bound tariffs may allow countries to apply variable tariffs below the bound level, thus failing to stabilize tariffs and improve market access. Moreover, the Round did not touch many of the worst distortions in developing countries, such as import subsidies, export taxes, state-trading monopolies, and domestic policies that implicitly tax agriculture.Trade Policy,Environmental Economics&Policies,Economic Theory&Research,Export Competitiveness,Rules of Origin,Trade Policy,Rules of Origin,TF054105-DONOR FUNDED OPERATION ADMINISTRATION FEE INCOME AND EXPENSE ACCOUNT,Environmental Economics&Policies,Economic Theory&Research
Tino rangatiratanga in health policies and practises
No full textThe purpose of my doctoral research was to investigate tino rangatiratanga in health policies and practises in Aotearoa. My research involved defining tino rangatiratanga and exploring the expression of tino rangatiratanga in health policy and practises. A kaupapa Māori analysis of the 1996 National Cervical Screening Programme’s Policy document was at the core of the policy investigation. The analysis involved developing a kaupapa Māori analysing framework and then analysing the 1996 National Cervical Screening Policy document for empirical and normative judgements at four discursive levels, health gains, health objectives, health goals and fundamental underlying values. A Kaupapa Māori research design drew on interdisciplinary scholarship on colonisation, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, community psychology, public policy, disability theory, feminist theory and discourse theory.
I argue that the dominance of Western cultural norms and state-directed policies were made possible by the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The signing of Te Tiriti saw Crown sovereignty being implemented and tino rangatiratanga ignored. The consequences for Māori have been disastrous with loss of land and economic base which has resulted in poor health status. I also argue that tino rangatiratanga has the potential to transform the social and political context that frame Aotearoa society. Such an approach raises a critical dilemma for the state as meaningful recognition of tino rangatiratanga requires waiving full and absolute sovereignty which currently resides in the state. Hence some scholars argue that tino rangatiratanga is a site for constructive engagement where state and Māori relationships can be renegotiated. The extent to which this potential for constructive engagement is being realised in however is inadequately explored in the scholarly literature. Exploring the relationships between tino rangatiratanga and health policies and practises as undertaken in my thesis will therefore contribute to scholarly knowledge on the subject.
The findings from the research show that tino rangatiratanga is indeed a complex, fluid, multi-faceted and context related concept. Within the context of my research, tino rangatiratanga is defined as Māori sovereignty, self determination, and positive Māori development. As a Māori value it is about mana and tapu of rangatira or leadership personified. Within policies, tino rangatiratanga has emerged through resistance and demonstration and is actualised through Tiriti legislation and policies.
The legitimation of tino rangatiratanga in cervical screening services sees Māori leadership at national, regional and local levels and Māori involvement through wide ranging consultation but the Crown still controls the policy process and therefore the outcomes. Most cervical screening services are still owned and operated by the Crown or Crown agencies.
One of the consequences of Crown control is that Māori women are still twice as likely to get cervical cancer and four times more likely to die from it. To some degree this may be the result of resource allocation and the result of discriminatory service practices but also the result of resistance to the procedure itself.
Tino rangatiratanga within cervical screening services could be strengthened through iwi ownership of some cervical screening register sites. At the time of my field work (2000) there were 14 sites, all owned and operated by Crown agents. Tino rangatiratanga could also be strengthened through funding criteria that ensure practitioners are safe to practise, through the adoption of less invasive procedures and through the legitimation of Māori healing practises such as rongoā and karakia.
Overall if tino rangatiratanga is to be given full effect within the policy domain Māori must have a well established asset base, they must be in control of the decision making making process including resource allocation, service delivery must address the diversities of Māori realities and Māori must be the recipients of policy decisions made
D‐amino acid oxidase as a chemogenetic tool for spatiotemporally controlled hydrogen peroxide production: The oxygen connection
No full textAbstract Background and Purpose D‐amino acid oxidase (DAO) has been developed as a chemogenetic tool, to precisely manipulate redox levels in tissues and cells by generating H 2 O 2 in the presence of D‐amino acids. The enzyme's significant oxygen consumption during H 2 O 2 production may influence cellular oxygen levels. We set out to explore if DAO activation results in hypoxia, which in turn alters the activity of cellular oxygen sensors such as prolyl‐4‐hydroxylase domain enzymes, and thus the activation of the hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF) pathway. Experimental Approach We analysed oxygen the consumption rate (OCR), pericellular oxygen concentration and HIF‐1α stabilisation in the cytoplasm or mitochondrial matrix of HEK293 cells stably overexpressing DAO. The obtained experimental data were used to test whether a simple mathematical model can be used to predict oxygen levels. Key Results For HEK293 cells expressing DAO in either the cytoplasm or mitochondrial matrix, we found a dose‐dependent increase in OCR upon stimulating the DAO reaction, which resulted in a decreased pericellular oxygen concentration. Correspondingly, HIF‐1α protein levels were stabilised over time, reflecting the biological cellular response to DAO‐induced hypoxia. Furthermore, we provide a simplified diffusion model that allows users to input experimental parameters and assess the risk of hypoxic conditions in cell cultures. Conclusions and Implications High DAO activity can induce hypoxia because of increased oxygen consumption. Caution should be taken to prevent hypoxic conditions in cell culture experiments when using DAO. A provided spreadsheet is intended to help estimate oxygen levels in combination with OCR measurements.Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung https://doi.org/10.13039/501100001711Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung https://doi.org/10.13039/501100002347Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft https://doi.org/10.13039/501100001659China Scholarship Council https://doi.org/10.13039/50110000454
Synthesis of domain specific Clause Normal Form encoders for bit-vector solvers
No full textThesis: M. Eng., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2016.This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (pages 61-66).SMT solvers are at the heart of a number of software engineering tools. These SMT solvers use a SAT solver as the back-end and convert the high-level constraints given by the user down to low-level boolean formulas that can be efficiently mapped to CNF clauses and fed into a SAT solver. Current SMT solvers are designed to be general purpose solvers that are suited to a wide range of problems. However, SAT solvers are very non-deterministic and hence, it is difficult to optimize a general purpose solver across all different problems. In this thesis, we propose a system that can automatically generate parts of SMT solvers in a way that is tailored to particular problem domains. In particular, we target the translation from high-level constraints to CNF clauses which is one of the crucial parts of all SMT solvers. We achieve this goal by using a combination of program synthesis and machine learning techniques. We use a program synthesis tool called Sketch to generate optimal encoding rules for this translation and then use auto-tuning to only select the subset of these encodings that actually improve the performance for a particular class of problems. Using this technique, the thesis shows that we can improve upon the basic encoding strategy used by CVC4 (a state of the art SMT solver). We can automatically generate variants of the solver tailored to different domains of problems represented in the bit-vector benchmark suite from the SMT competition 2015.by Jeevana Priya Inala.M. Eng
An Evaluation of Public Participation in the Environmental Impact Assessment Process of the Maldives
No full textEnvironmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a proactive tool that assesses and addresses the environmental and social impacts of development projects. It has been identified as a process that can potentially deliver the goal of sustainable development. Public participation is an important aspect of both EIA and sustainable development. In many countries EIA provides the only opportunity for the public to participate in decision-making processes. Nevertheless, research reveals that meaningful public participation in EIA in most countries remains a false promise, with consultations undertaken only as an administrative necessity and with the public having no real power to influence the decisions. It is argued here that, in order for public participation in the EIA process to be effective and promote sustainable development, the process needs to follow participatory principles promoted by deliberative democracy.
This research investigates the EIA process of the Maldives, a developing island nation in the Indian Ocean. The low-lying nature of the country makes it extremely vulnerable to environmental change and, therefore, sustainable development is high on the agenda for the Maldives. It is a worthwhile case to study as the political context of the country is changing with the Maldives’ recent embracing of democracy. Moreover, the EIA regulations of the country were recently amended in an attempt to make the process more robust. These changes provide an interesting context for the research. In addition, there is very little prior literature on EIA in the Maldives and hence this research is an opportunity to contribute to a still limited body of scholarship.
An interpretive phenomenological research paradigm was adopted in designing the research. A multimethod qualitative research design was selected, with documents and semi-structured interview being the primary data sources. A conceptual framework based on the reviewed literature was developed and used to direct the research design. In this respect, four aspects that ensure a deliberative participatory process were investigated: fairness, competence, willingness, and capacity.
The findings reveal that the participatory procedure in the Maldives is neither fair nor competent. Moreover, several socioeconomic barriers that affect the capacity and willingness of the actors to participate were identified: namely, political influence, a lack of human and financial capacity, gender gap, a loss of community spirit, and a lack of environmental and procedural awareness.
This thesis contributes to the scholarship on public participation in the EIA process. It specifically helps to identify key challenges for effective public participation in the Maldives EIA process. In this regard, both procedural and socioeconomic barriers were identified. The recommendations proposed are based on the findings of the research, and, if adopted, can lead to more meaningful public participation and thus potentially help to achieve the goal of sustainable development through the EIA process
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