"Public opinion finds its way into the justice system and finally to the decision making platform of the courts through various channels. These include public opinion polls, legislative debates, writings of jurists, social pressures, political situations and referendum on legal issues. Regarding the death penalty, the role of public opinion becomes more debatable because as Kakooza explains, there is a difficulty of addressing death penalty issues as values, national aspirations and conditions of social intercourse vary from society to society. The death penalty touches life, which is the most important of all human rights. It, therefore, remains debatable as to whether it is the courts or the people that may decide the legality of criminal sanctions like the death penalty. Protection of judicial independence conflicts with the need for legitimacy, given that courts are occupied by un-elected judges. While sticking to legalistic and official positions, courts must keep in touch with the public since they need the latter's approval for decisions to be respected and implemented. It is also not clear whether, and if so, to what extent, courts may rely upon public opinion in making decisions, thus the importance of assessing the role it sould play and coming out with a way forward. ... Chapter one comprises the background of the study, statement of the problem, significance of the study, aims and objectives of the study, literature review, methodology and limitations of the study. Chapter two is a discussion of the role public opinion ought to play in court decisions in general, and decisions on the legality of the death penatly in particular. Chapter three is an analysis of the actual influence of public opinion on court decisions on the legality of the death penalty. It also has a comparison of court practice in Uganda and South Africa and includes a critique. Chapter four is a presentation of arguments for and against the role of pulic opinion in court decisions. Chapter five contains conclusions from the research findings and recommendations on how public opinion should be treated in court decisions generally, and the legality of the death penalty in particular." -- Introduction. / Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa)) -- University of Pretoria, 2006. / Prepared under the supervision of Dr. Raymond A. Atuguba at the Faculty of Law, University of Ghana, Legon / http://www.chr.up.ac.za/academic_pro/llm1/dissertations.html / Centre for Human Rights / LLM

Qui n’a jamais souhaité avoir des yeux derrière la tête ? Cette thèse propose d’étudier l’extension du champ visuel humain, que ce soit dans le monde réel ou dans un environnement virtuel. Nous avons d’abord conçu FlyVIZ, un dispositif qui permet d’augmenter le champ visuel. Il est composé d’une caméra catadioptrique, d’un visiocasque et d’un algorithme de traitement d’image. Lorsqu’un utilisateur porte ce dispositif, il dispose d’une vue à 360 degrés de son environnement. Le prototype a été testé avec succès dans différents scenarios, comme attraper un objet tendu dans le dos sans tourner la tête, ou passer des portes en marchant à reculons. Ensuite nous avons proposé une nouvelle méthode pour le rendu d’environnements virtuels, avec un champ visuel étendu, et en temps réel. Pour résoudre les problèmes dus à l’utilisation de projections non planes, nous avons ajouté une nouvelle étape dans le pipeline graphique. Notre méthode a ensuite été adaptée au rendu stéréoscopique avec un champ visuel de 360°. Nous avons mené une évaluation préliminaire sur l’utilisation d’un champ visuel étendu appliqué à une tache de navigation dans des environnements virtuels. Nos résultats semblent confirmer que l’utilisation d’un champ visuel étendu permet une navigation plus efficace, en diminuant le temps moyen pour effectuer une tache. Parmi les différentes projections non planes testées, une préférence pour les projections équirectangulaire et de Hammer a été exprimée. Nous avons également traité le problème de conflit d’indice de profondeurs rencontré dans les images stéréoscopiques lorsqu’un objet affiché en parallaxe négative est partiellement occulté par un bord du support d’affichage. Nous avons proposé SCVC (Stereoscopy Compatible Volume Clipping, le découpage de la scène selon le volume compatible avec la stéréoscopie) pour résoudre ce problème en n’affichant que la partie de l’espace qui n’est pas sujette au conflit d’indice de profondeur. La méthode a été évaluée et les résultats ont montrés que SCVC améliore significativement la perception de la profondeur et que les utilisateurs expriment une préférence pour cette méthode. L’extension du champ visuel humain ouvre de nouvelles perspectives pour l’exploration ou la surveillance de l’environnement d’un utilisateur. Cette extension pourrait bénéficier à diverses applications, que ce soit dans le contexte d’un environnement réel ou virtuel. Pour la sécurité des personnes ou la défense, des pompiers, des policiers ou des soldats pourraient tirer avantage d’un champ visuel étendu. Ce type de visualisation peut également profiter à l’exploration rapide d’environnements virtuels ou à la recherche d’objet dans ces derniers. / Who have never wanted to have eyes in the back of his head? This doctoral thesis proposes to study the extension of the human field-of-view (FoV) in both real and virtual environments. First we have designed FlyVIZ, a new device to increase the human FoV. It is composed of a helmet, combining a catadioptric camera, a HMD and an image processing algorithm. Wearing this device allows a user to experience 360° vision of its surroundings. The prototype is demonstrated through scenarii such as grasping an object held out behind their back without turning their head or walking backward through doorways. Then we have proposed a novel method to render virtual environments with wide FoV in real-time. To solve the rendering issue induced by usage of non-planar projections, we introduce a special stage in real-time rendering pipeline. Our method was then adapted for real-time stereoscopic rendering with 360° FoV. We have conducted a preliminary evaluation of real-time wide FoV rendering for a navigation task in virtual reality. Our results confirm that using a wide FoV rendering method could lead to more efficient navigation in terms of average task completion time. Among the different tested non-planar projection methods, the subjective preference is given to equirectangular and Hammer projections. We also address the problem of frame cancellation, generated by the conflict between two depth cues: stereo disparity and occlusion with the screen border. We have proposed the Stereoscopy Compatible Volume Clipping (SCVC), solving the problem by rendering only the part of the viewing volume free of disparity - frame occlusion conflict. The method was evaluated and results have shown that SCVC notably improved users’ depth perception and that the users expressed preference for SCVC. Wide FoV opens novel perspectives for environments exploration or monitoring. Therefore, it could benefit to several applications, both in real world context or virtual environments. In safety and security applications, firemen, policemen or soldiers could take advantage of wide FoV. Performance of searching task and fast exploration in virtual environments could also be improved with wide FoV.

The purpose of this study is to treat one aspect of Shakespeare's political views, his views on monarchy as found in the two great English history tetralogies, and to compare them to the monarchical views of his age.

This study is a historical and philosophical analysis of significant educational concepts John Wesley espoused during his lifetime from 1703-1791. Specifically this document examines Wesley's use of pedagogical and andragogical principles through the educational undertakings of the early Methodist movement.

This dissertation provides an explanation of how André Malraux, a man of great influence on twentieth century European culture, developed his political ideology, first as an anticolonial social reformer in the 1920s, then as an antifascist militant in the 1930s. Almost all of the previous studies of Malraux have focused on his literary life, and most of them are rife with errors. This dissertation focuses on the facts of his life, rather than on a fanciful recreation from his fiction. The major sources consulted are government documents, such as police reports and dispatches, the newspapers that Malraux founded with Paul Monin, other Indochinese and Parisian newspapers, and Malraux's speeches and interviews. Other sources include the memoirs of Clara Malraux, as well as other memoirs and reminiscences from people who knew Andre Malraux during the 1920s and the 1930s. The dissertation begins with a survey of Malraux's early years, followed by a detailed account of his experiences in Indochina. Then there is a survey of the period from 1926 to 1933, when Malraux won renown as a novelist and as a man with special insight into Asian affairs. The dissertation then focuses on Malraux's career as a militant antifascist during the 1930s, including an analysis of Malraux's organization of an air squadron for the Spanish Republic, and his trip to North America to raise funds. The dissertation concludes with an analysis of Malraux's evolution from an apolitical, virtually unknown writer into a committed anticolonial social reformer and an antifascist militant. The man and his political ideology were intricately interwoven. His brief career as a political journalist in Saigon was crucial in his transformation from an apolitical Parisian dandy into a political activist. Because he regarded fascism as a dire threat to European civilization, Malraux gave his full support to the Soviet Union and the Spanish Republic during the 1930s.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between dietary habits, physical activity and cognitive views and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Chinese women. Design A cross-sectional study to explore the potential risk factors of GMD through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, an FFQ and a self-designed structured questionnaire, respectively. Setting Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China. Subjects Chinese pregnant women (n 571) who underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test at their 24th to 28th gestational week. Results Thirteen per cent of the investigated women were identified as having GDM, and an increased intake of local featured foods and lower physical activity were observed in the GDM-positive group v. The GDM-negative group. Women who regarded early-pregnancy morning sickness as relevant to fetal abnormalities and those with unlimited dietary intake after the ending of morning sickness both had an increased risk for GDM (P = 0·018 and P = 0·038, respectively). After multiple logistic regression analysis, cognitive views for unlimited food intake subsequent to morning sickness, increased consumption of energy-dense snack foods and high-glycaemic-index fruits were strongly associated with the risk of GDM (OR = 1·911, P = 0·032; OR = 1·050, P = 0·001; and OR = 1·002, P = 0·017, respectively). Conclusions Local featured foods and incorrect cognitive views on pregnancy-related health were closely related to the risk of GDM in Chinese women. Intensive health education about pregnancy physiology and reasonable dietary and physical exercise behaviours should be strengthened for the control of GDM.

Religiously conservative Americans consistently demonstrate lower scientific literacy than other Americans. Some argue, however, that Americans’ scientific literacy is contingent on subcultural conflict, showing differences in scientific literacy that emerge only on religiously contested scientific claims. Building on these insights, we find that the most salient factor explaining Americans’ divergence on contested (though not on uncontested) scientific claims is not religious commitment or conservatism per se, but an ideology that seeks political—and consequently epistemic—dominance: Christian nationalism. National data show that Christian nationalism is unassociated with Americans’ answers on questions about uncontested scientific knowledge. However, Christian nationalism is the strongest predictor of incorrect answers on questions about religiously contested scientific claims. Contemporary “culture war” debates over science have little to do with outright ignorance of science, nor are they strictly about religiosity or theological conservatism. Rather, disputes over science and religion reflect politically motivated denials of scientific facts that threaten Christian nationalism’s claims to epistemic and cultural authority.

Syftet med denna studie är att bidra med mer kunskap kring förskollärares synsätt på fysik iförskolan. För att undersöka detta har halvstrukturerade kvalitativa intervjuer genomförts medfem utbildade förskollärare i olika åldrar och verksamma år inom yrket. Intervjuerna genomfördes på förskollärarnas arbetsplatser i ett enskilt rum där deltagarna inte blev störda avandra kollegor eller barn. Jag har sedan analyserat den insamlade empirin med hjälp av en fenomenografisk analysmodell för att kunna sammanställa det resultat som studien bidrag till.Resultatet av studien visar på att det finns relativt stora skillnader i hur förskollärare ser på fysik i undervisningen på förskolan. En del av de deltagande ansåg att fysik är ett svårt ämne attundervisa i och att de saknar grundläggande kunskaper i att skapa lärandesituationer kring detsamt att de känner sig osäkra på användandet av fysikaliska begrepp. Andra deltagare ansågatt fysik är ett relativt enkelt ämne och att det finns mycket möjligheter att ta vara på det i förskolans vardag. De ansåg vidare att de besitter goda kunskaper i planerandet av aktivitetersom utgår ifrån fysik och dess begrepp. Resultatet visar även på skillnader i de deltagandessvar beroende på ålder och verksamma år inom yrket. De yngre deltagarna såg mer positivt påfysik medan de äldre ansåg att det var svårt. Min huvudsakliga rekommendation för verksamheten efter denna studie är att uppmuntra förskollärare till att arbeta med fysikaliska begreppoch förklara dessa på ett begripligt sätt för barnen. / The purpose of this study is to contribute with knowledge about preschool teachers' views onphysics in the preschool. To investigate this, semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with five educated preschool teachers of different ages and active years in the profession. The interviews were conducted at the preschool teachers' workplaces in a private roomwhere the participants were not disturbed by other colleagues or children. I then analyzed thecollected data using a phenomenographic analysis model to be able to compile the results thatthe study contributed to.The results of the study show that there are relatively large differences in how preschoolteachers view physics in teaching and in the preschool. Some of the participants consideredphysics as a difficult subject to teach and that they lack basic knowledge in creating learningsituations around it and that they feel insecure about the use of physical concepts. The otherhalf of the participants considered physics as a relatively simple subject and that there aremany opportunities to take advantage of it in the preschool's everyday life. They further considered that they possess good knowledge in the planning of activities based on physics andits concepts. The results also show differences in the participants' responses depending on ageand active years. The younger participants viewed physics more positively, while the olderones found it difficult. My main recommendation after this study is to encourage preschoolteachers to work with physical concepts and explain these in a comprehensible way to thechildren.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty Of Education in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters in Educational Psychology in the Department of Educational Psychology & Special Needs Education at the University Of Zululand, 2018 / The study sought to explore and examine experiences of parents with regard to the education of their autistic children in special schools. Previous studies in this area looked at the inclusion of autistic children and focused on educators’ attitudes or perceptions. Thus this study intended to get parents’ perspectives, their ideas and views about the education of their children with autism spectrum disorder in special schools. To find out if they are satisfied, and explore what seem to be the concerns and challenges, the study adopted a qualitative case study design. Data were generated from nine mothers who had children attending special schools. They were purposively sampled from three special schools for children with intellectual impairment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with mothers regarding their views and concerns about the education of their autistic children. A thematic content analysis was used to extract common themes from the collected data. Major findings were that most parents were happy and satisfied with the education of their children, though some lacked understanding and thorough knowledge about autism and special education. Parents raised concerns about lack of therapists in special schools when their ASD children need the intervention of speech and language therapists and occupational therapists. It was also found that parents struggle to access preprimary education for their children. It is recommended that special schools create forums where parents have a platform to voice their opinions and concerns. In conclusion, the study was able to give insight into parents’ experiences, views and concerns with regard to the education of autistic children. Knowing parents’ concerns and opinions may help improve the provision of education for autistic children. With the recent release of the Draft on National Strategy for Autism (September, 2017), perhaps parents’ hope for improvement in provision of education for autistic children might be realized

Dans ce document, nous adressons le problème de la réécriture de requêtes avec des vues, en adoptant une perspective à la fois théorique et pratique. Dans le premier et principal chapitre, nous approchons le sujet de la recherche de toutes les reformulations minimales (sans atomes relationnels redondants) pour une requête relationnelle conjonctive, sous des contraintes d’intégrité qui incluent la relation entre les schémas source et cible. Nous présentons un nouvel algorithme, correct et complet, le Provenance-Aware Chase & Backchase, qui résout le problème des reformulations avec des performances significatives sur le plan pratique. Nous présentons sa caractérisation théorique détaillée, son implémentation optimisée et son évaluation, montrant des gains de performance jusqu’à deux ordres de grandeur par rapport à un SGBD commercial. Nous généralisons notre algorithme pour trouver directement des reformulations de coût minimum pour les fonctions de coût monotones, et montrons les gains de performance de cette adaptation. Avec notre algorithme, nous introduisons également un nouveau type de chase, la Provenance-Aware Chase, qui comporte son propre intérêt théorique, en tant que moyen de raisonnement sur l’interaction entre la provenance et les contraintes. Dans le deuxième chapitre, nous nous plaçons dans un contexte XML et nous revisitons le travail de Cautis, Deutsch and Onose sur problème de la réécriture de requêtes XPath par un seul niveau d’intersection de plusieurs vues. Nous étendons l’analyse de ce probleme en montrant ses connexions avec les problèmes de l’équivalence DAG-arbre et de la union-freeness d’un DAG. Nous raffinons un algorithme de réécriture proposé par Cautis, Deutsch and Onose pour obtenir une complexité polynomiale et améliorer sa complétude, et présentons un ensemble d’optimisations des procedures de réécriture, necessaires pour atteindre des performances pratiques. Nous fournissons une implementation complète comprenant ces optimizations ainsi que son evaluation experimentale extensive, montrant la performance et l’utilité de la technique polynomiale de réécriture. / In this work, we address the problem of query rewriting using views, by adopting both a theoretical and a pragmatic perspective. In the first and main chapter, we approach the topic of finding all minimal (i.e. with no redundant relational atoms) conjunctive query reformulations for a relational conjunctive query, under constraints expressed as embedded dependencies, including the relationship between the source and the target schemas. We present a novel sound and complete algorithm, the Provenance-Aware Chase & Backchase, that solves the minimal reformulations problem with practically relevant performance. We provide a detailed theoretical characterization of our algorithm. We further present the optimized implementation and the experimental evaluation thereof, and exhibit natural scenarios yielding speed-ups of up to two orders of magnitude between the execution of a best view-based rewriting found by a commercial DBMS and that of a best rewriting found by our algorithm. We generalize the Provenance-Aware Chase & Backchase towards directly finding minimum-cost reformulations for monotonic cost functions, and show the performance improvements this adaptation further enables. With our algorithm, we introduce a novel chase flavour, the Provenance-Aware Chase, which is interesting on its own, as a means of reasoning about the interaction between provenance and constraints. In the second chapter, we move to an XML context and revisit the previous work of Cautis, Deutsch and Onose on the problem of finding XPath query rewritings with a single level of intersection of multiple views. We enrich the analysis of the rewriting problem by showing its links to the problems of DAG-tree equivalence and union-freeness. We refine the rule-based rewriting technique proposed by Cautis, Deutsch and Onose to ensure its polynomial complexity and improve its completeness, and present a range of optimizations on the rewriting procedures, necessary to achieve practical performance. We provide a complete implementation comprising these optimizations and a thorough experimental evaluation thereof, showing the performanceand utility of the polynomial rewriting technique.