Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of St Andrews, October 2009.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1968. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (LL. M.)--University of Canterbury, 2007. / Typescript (photocopy). "February 2007." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 219-237). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.A)--East Carolina University, 2005. / Presented to the faculty of the Department of History. Advisor: Timothy Runyan. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [134]-141). Also available via the World Wide Web. Adobe reader required.

Orientador: Paulo Eduardo Martins Ribolla / Resumo: A deficiência da enzima Glicose-6-Fosfato Desidrogenase (G6PD) é uma anormalidade genética de alta prevalência populacional que resulta em uma menor reatividade do sistema de óxido-redução eritrocitário, geralmente sem repercussões clínicas; estima-se que mais de 300 milhões de pessoas são portadoras dessa alteração. A enzima é expressa em todos os tecidos e catalisa a primeira etapa da Via das Pentoses. Nas hemácias, essa via é de fundamental importância na manutenção do equilíbrio de seu estado redox e a deficiência dessa enzima pode favorecer eventos hemolíticos agudos e crônicos; e em recém nascidos, pode contribuir para o agravamento da icterícia neonatal. O diagnóstico da deficiência baseia-se na atividade enzimática, identificada através de testes quantitativos e qualitativos. Os testes qualitativos limitam-se a agrupar indivíduos em “deficientes” e “não deficientes”, já os métodos quantitativos são mais precisos na inferência dessa atividade. Estas técnicas podem necessitar de repetições dos testes para confirmação de resultados incongruentes. Por outro lado, a variante genética responsável pela deficiência pode ser precisamente reconhecida através de testes de diagnóstico molecular. O presente projeto tem como objetivo desenvolver uma metodologia de identificação molecular da variante G202A, frequentemente encontrada na população brasileira, e realizar uma comparação do custo-benefício com a metodologia de sequenciamento de Sanger. Ao todo, foram analisadas 107 amost... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency is a metabolic enzymatic defect affecting 300 million people worldwide. The enzyme is present in all tissues and catalyses the first reaction in the Pentose Phosphate pathway responsible for maintaining the redox equilibrium in red blood cell. Deficient enzyme may lead to acute and chronic haemolytic anaemia and neonatal jaundice. Diagnosis for G6PD deficiency is based on biochemical quantitative or qualitative tests. Qualitative tests only classifies subjects as “deficient” or “non-deficient”, while quantitative tests are more precise, however both biochemical approches need a confirmative assay to confirm ambiguous results. On the other hand molecular identification for the molecular variants are more accurate and precise. We developed a new molecular assay to identify the G202A molecular variant present at high frequency on Brazilian population and comparer it to Sanger sequencing. One hundred and seven peripheral blood sample were collected on filter paper. DNA extraction were performed followed by G6PD exon 4 amplification and sequencing. On-line tool “Primer1” generated allele-specific primers for TETRA-ARMS genotyping. Twenty two subjects were deficient homozygote, eighty four wild homozygote and one heterozygote. All subjects genotype were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. TETRA-ARMS costs per reaction is three times lower than Sanger sequencing. We conclude that TETRA-ARMS is a suitable protocol to detect G202A mutation on h... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

In 2008, the Supreme Court announced its decision in the landmark Second Amendment case, D.C. v. Heller. In its decision, the Court construed the scope of the right to bear arms for the first time. To that end, the Court found that the right to arms is an individual right, unconnected with military service. In this essay, I use the opinion of the Court and the dissents thereto as a lens by which to view the history and historiography of the right to bear arms, as well as the Supreme Court's jurisprudence on the subject. In the course of this analysis, I argue that there are numerous problems with the Court's reasoning, as well as that of the dissents. Further, complications and ambiguities in the historical record have contributed to the misunderstanding of the original meaning of the Second Amendment and its appropriate interpretation as part of the Constitutional text. I argue that the proper interpretation of the Second Amendment is one that construes the right as robust and individual, worthy of its place in the Bill of Rights, but certainly subject to reasonable regulation.

xi, 578 p. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / Rational deterrence theory posits that deterrence is more likely to be successful when a state credibly communicates to its adversary that it has both the capability and intent to retaliate against threats. Yet, second-generation nuclear states, which often exist in severe security environments, have largely adopted postures of nuclear ambiguity where they do not acknowledge their nuclear weapons capabilities or the circumstances under which they would use them. To date, research has been insufficiently comparative. While some existing research offers explanations for the ambiguous nuclear postures of individual countries, it does not permit us to draw inferences across cases and assess relative explanatory power. Through comparison, both within and across cases, this project develops a more general explanation of why nuclear states choose ambiguity over a visible deterrence posture. To this end, this project analyzes the nuclear postures of three countries: Israel, India, and Pakistan. Using process tracing and the congruence procedure methodology, I assess the relative validity of existing explanations for each case and then compare these findings across the three cases. This research suggests that regional security environments, characterized by disparities in power, create strong incentives for states to acquire nuclear weapons capabilities for deterrence as well as to retain an ambiguous posture. In particular, an ambiguous posture enables regional states to avoid the costs and dangers of competitive nuclear development vis-à-vis their adversaries. The three cases also suggest that patron state pressures for non-proliferation, which combine threats and incentives, are another important constraint on the nuclear posture of second-generation nuclear states. Other variables--such as the international non-proliferation regime, domestic political interests, and the personal moral reservations of some state leaders--play some role to varying degrees in individual cases. However, these effects are limited both within the broad history of individual cases as well as in cross-case comparison of the three states. Understanding these constraints is helpful for evaluating the efficacy of policy tools designed to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons as well as how to manage crises and conflicts between regional nuclear-armed states. / Committee in charge: Lars Skalnes, Chairperson, Political Science; Jane Kellett Cramer, Member, Political Science; Ronald Mitchell, Member, Political Science; Shaul Cohen, Outside Member, Geography

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Adversarial agreements, such as the nuclear weapons treaties, disarmament zones, or conventional weapons limitations, vary considerably in the information sharing provisions they include. This dissertation investigates why adversarial states sometimes choose to cooperate by creating restraining institutions, and how their choices for the form of that cooperation are constrained and motivated. I argue that uncertainties arising out of domestic political volatility, which includes leadership changes or public unrest, make arms control agreements more likely because these moments create the possibility of foreign policy change. When states consider one another as relatively cooperative, increasing uncertainty about the adversary's security incentives leads them to hedge and pursue low monitoring agreements instead of relying on informal cooperation. Conversely, under highly competitive conditions, increased uncertainty makes states more willing risk cooperation and form agreements with intrusive information provisions where no agreements were previously possible. I show support for the theory through tests using an original data set of all adversarial cooperation agreements (1816-2007) and their provisions. Controlling for other determinants of arms control, I show that both types of domestic political volatility contribute to a higher likelihood of an agreement. As expected, the effect of volatility on types of information provisions is conditional on the prior relationship between the states. A detailed study of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty (US-Soviet Union, 1987) traces how shifts created by Gorbachev's new leadership contributed to greater uncertainty among US policymakers about Soviet intentions, giving both sides the negotiating space to design an intrusively monitored treaty. I then demonstrate the generalizability of the theory across a wider range of cases by looking at the effects of domestic volatility on agreement outcomes for adversaries experiencing détente; for those engaged in post-conflict competition, and for asymmetric powers negotiating new weapons limitation. / Government

The aim of thesis is to create a complete overview of the current developments and trends in the world trade with arms. After reading this document, the reader will get a full picture about the subject of the trade with arms, global military spending, latest trends, regulation of trade with arms, Czech Republic's position in the world trade with arms and the situation on three particular markets in South America. The outcome of this study is an answer to the question whether the analyzed markets offer opportunities for the Czech importer of small arms and whether they are suitable for Czech import. The thesis works with the analysis of the current situation and development of the arms trade and therefore the long-term historical development is not mentioned.