Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a health concern that is over-represented among First Nations peoples. Optimal prenatal nutrition plays a role in the severity of FASD. Prenatal nutrition as it relates to fetal brain development and fetal alcohol exposure is an under-researched area, especially among pregnant First Nations women. Finding current dietary intake patterns of pregnant women who drink alcohol could lead to developing a nutrition provision strategy. However, there is no appropriate dietary assessment research tool that is specific to this population. This study aims to develop an effective, culturally appropriate and interactive dietary assessment research tool using participatory methods to engage with women and communities in the process. We used community health priorities forums, information sessions, volunteering, collaboration with programs, and a trauma-informed approach as methods to engage with pregnant women. To develop the research tool, top sources of fetal brain development nutrients were determined for the food frequency component, several prenatal health workers reviewed the tool, and a pre-test with 20 pregnant women of the target population was completed. Pre-test results show the tool is being well-received. All of this ground work will help pave a path for further prenatal nutrition research with First Nations women. This research will inform programs and policies which strive to improve food and nutrition security and reduce the severity of FASD. / October 2015

Thesis (M. Tech. - Dept. of Visual Arts and Design, Faculty of Human Sciences) / The aim of the study The aim of the study is to find an optimal research methodology that is both beneficial to qualitative researchers (regarding data quality and interviewee participation) and research participants (regarding enjoyment of the research process and means of expression). This takes the form of a comparison assessing the use of the visual method of photo-elicitation in qualitative interviews. Firstly, photo-elicitation interviews and standard qualitative interviews as two different methodologies are compared. In this study the research subjects are children, and as noted in Chapter 3, photo-elicitation is particularly applicable to young research subjects, as it tends to break down the communication barriers / SENEX

For the past twenty years, drawing on the Industrial Network Approach, Industrial Marketing and Purchasing Group researchers have been trying to get a better understanding of organisational networks related issues. Researchers frequently highlight that whatever the researched phenomena, it is important to consider actors’ subjective views of the world. The concept of Network Pictures as introduced in the IMP (Industrial Marketing and Purchasing) body of literature by Ford et al. (2002b), refers to those subjective views and despite its recognised importance no in-depth research had been conducted so far on the concept which has thus remained blurred. Ford et al. (2002b) brought in this concept to emphasise that the network is in fact a varying thing depending on what people see. The question is whether this can be translated into a research device, so that researchers may see in a structured and analytical way what an actor’s picture is. This is what this research project is about. The concept’s theoretical foundations are uncovered by reviewing some principles from Sense-Making Theory. This review results most importantly in the identification of a close association between actors’ views of the world and the outcome of those actors’ sense making processes or frameworks. The relevance of actors’ views to obtain a clearer understanding of organisational networks is highlighted when the relation that is believed to exist between those views and action in organisational networks is addressed. With the aim of developing Network Pictures as research tool a two-stage method is put forward and carried out. The method consisted of operationalising the construct of Network Pictures and then testing it in two different network contexts to see if it was usable and useful for carrying out research in organisational networks. The results point to the usability and usefulness of the developed device: not only does it allow for capturing what is believed to be individuals’ views of the world in a rich and comprehensive way, as it also shows diversity between individuals in different contexts. Also and interestingly, some of the identified ‘practitioner theories’ were found to be not coherent with some IMP theoretical cornerstones.

<p>There exist several methods, which can be used for evaluation of commercially available CASE-tools. Each method has its own focus and is based on specific underlying assumptions. There have been attempts to standardise evaluation of CASE-tools; however available methods differs much from each other.</p><p>One such method, named the 2G method has been proposed, which for each application, will establish a specific evaluation framework. This framework is tailored to the organisation at a specific point in time (since an organisation will change over time). The method consists of two phases which are iterated a sufficient number of times before a stable evaluation framework will be the result. The 2G method has been successfully applied on several applications in different organisations, though only for evaluation of CASE-tools before adoption. In this dissertation we report on an application of the 2G method, which aims to evaluate a CASE-tool from a company context which has already adopted a CASE-tool. As part of this method application the 2G method has also been transferred to the organisation.</p><p>An additional issue this dissertation addresses is what kind of support a general Qualitative Research Tool will offer a method user when using the tool in a 2G method application. Likewise the goal includes to establish is what is poorly or unsupported in such tool in a 2G application.</p><p>This dissertation will show that the 2G method is applicable also in a scenario where a CASE-tool has already been adopted, and therefore demonstrate that the method also is useful in evaluation studies performed after a CASE-tool has been adopted in an organisation. From the experiences of the application points will be made concerning what kind of support one would like to have in a qualitative research tool to simplify the work during the 2G applications.</p>

There exist several methods, which can be used for evaluation of commercially available CASE-tools. Each method has its own focus and is based on specific underlying assumptions. There have been attempts to standardise evaluation of CASE-tools; however available methods differs much from each other. One such method, named the 2G method has been proposed, which for each application, will establish a specific evaluation framework. This framework is tailored to the organisation at a specific point in time (since an organisation will change over time). The method consists of two phases which are iterated a sufficient number of times before a stable evaluation framework will be the result. The 2G method has been successfully applied on several applications in different organisations, though only for evaluation of CASE-tools before adoption. In this dissertation we report on an application of the 2G method, which aims to evaluate a CASE-tool from a company context which has already adopted a CASE-tool. As part of this method application the 2G method has also been transferred to the organisation. An additional issue this dissertation addresses is what kind of support a general Qualitative Research Tool will offer a method user when using the tool in a 2G method application. Likewise the goal includes to establish is what is poorly or unsupported in such tool in a 2G application. This dissertation will show that the 2G method is applicable also in a scenario where a CASE-tool has already been adopted, and therefore demonstrate that the method also is useful in evaluation studies performed after a CASE-tool has been adopted in an organisation. From the experiences of the application points will be made concerning what kind of support one would like to have in a qualitative research tool to simplify the work during the 2G applications.

我國於2002年加入世界貿易組織，市場之開放勢必對我國生技製藥產業帶來衝擊。在法制方面，為改善現有管理制度，期與國際管理規定接軌，並順應世界貿易組織「與貿易有關之智慧財產權協定」之相關規定，我國藥事法於民國94年2月5日增訂第40條之2，一則獎勵新藥研發，遵守國際義務，強化智慧財產權之保護，以符合世界醫藥法規潮流，再者兼顧國內製藥業之發展。其中藥事法第40條之2第1項係關於藥品專利登錄制度之規定，此項新規定，可能因新藥許可證申請人揭露無關該新藥之專利而衛生主管機關又無餘力審核之情況下，延誤後續學名藥之上市時程；而其中藥事法第40條之2第5項則係關於試驗例外之規定，此項新規定則與專利法試驗例外規定有關，其之適用對於以製造學名藥為主之我國藥廠亦將有相當影響。有鑑於此，本論文擬就我國生技製藥產業因前開法制規範增訂所可能面臨之爭議問題進行探討。 本文將生技製藥產業涉及專利法及競爭法之爭議問題分為二個面向討論，第一面向係上游階段，即藥品開發階段之相關專利法及競爭法爭議問題，主要包括研究工具專利試驗例外及授權等相關問題，第二面向則為下游階段，即藥品開發完成後之相關競爭法爭議問題，主要係關於藥品專利登錄制度可能衍生之競爭法相關問題。 首先，關於上游階段之研究工具專利試驗例外問題，本文認為，未經專利權人同意而實施研究工具專利之學名藥廠，其臨床試驗與申請上市許可之行為雖可主張藥事法上之試驗例外，然其尋找候選藥物之行為卻不該當專利法上之試驗例外規定，而仍構成專利權之侵害。其次，關於上游階段之研究工具專利授權問題，本文認為，針對第二種態樣之研究工具專利聯盟，由於其同時涵蓋所有互補性及替代性專利，因此，不論以產品市場、技術市場或創新市場之觀點，其皆有可能構成獨占地位之濫用以及搭售，而有違反競爭法相關規定之虞。最後，關於下游階段之藥品專利登錄制度問題，本文建議，可參酌美國鼓勵學名藥上市之立法例及司法實務，於藥事法中訂定確認訴訟及反訴之相關規定，且訂定第一個提起確認之訴者可享有180天之獨占銷售權，以鼓勵欲生產新藥學名藥版之學名藥廠，主動向法院提起確認之訴，確認其未侵害系爭專利，以除去經檢附之不適當專利。

Swirling is an emergent transfer pattern among college students. Swirlers are students who may have participated in a combination of reverse transfer, lateral transfer, or traditional transfer patterns. The available research on swirling has been predominately quantitative in nature. This study was designed to obtain qualitative data on multi-institutional transfers from a qualitative perspective. A heuristic phenomenological approach grounded in the transformational learning theory method was used to obtain data. The data were obtained via an online blog-based interview. The interview revealed six themes in regards to why students swirl. This study also addressed time-to-degree and outcomes associated with students who swirl.

The study identifies the increase in populations at risk for communication disorders world-wide and in South Africa as one the reasons for research to develop early communication intervention (ECI) services as a societal responsibility in South Africa. Since ECI is largely an unknown entity in the South African health system, but shares several mutual objectives, the dire need for data of populations at-risk validates the development of a computer-based relational data system as a 21st century research tool for ECI. Underpinnings for the development of a research database for ECI were obtained from the use of database management systems for early intervention in the USA, identified as leaders in the application of database technology in the field of Speech-Language Pathology. The aim of the study was to develop and establish a computerized database system to describe the characteristics of young children at risk for communication disorders enrolled in an existing ECI programme. Using a descriptive survey as research design, a rich description of 153 subjects and their families was obtained. The findings relating to the multiple risk profiles of the subjects revealed results not extensively described or emphasized in the literature, indicating the in-depth analysis of results that is possible when utilizing a database approach to research. The complex risk profile found in the subgroup of subjects with cleft lip and palate is an example of a need for further investigation. The results also indicated the critical importance of early identification of risk events throughout a child’s life to improve the efficacy of ECI services. Further results emphasized the important role of parents to identify the early signs of risks for communication disorders in their children, provided they are equipped with the necessary knowledge. A conceptual framework for the early identification of risks for communication disorders is proposed for best practice in ECI in South Africa. The study concluded that the CHRIB database system was successfully applied in the empirical research and is now established as a versatile 21st century research tool to be utilized in second generation research in ECI in South Africa. / Thesis (DPhil(Communication Pathology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / Unrestricted

<p dir="ltr">Individuals with typical audiometric sensitivity exhibit varying speech perception abilities in noisy environments, which may decline with age. Temporal processing plays a pivotal role in speech perception, especially in challenging listening conditions. Auditory decline due to aging involves both peripheral pathology and central auditory system changes, impacting temporal processing. To delineate the contributions of these changes, measurements of within- and across-channel temporal processing were conducted in a wide age range of normal-hearing individuals. Robust perception of within-channel temporal cues requires precise coding at both peripheral and central auditory pathway levels, while cross-channel processing relies on central mechanisms. Comprehensive data collection involved behavioral and electrophysiological measures, revealing age-related increases in behavioral thresholds, less robust cortical responses to gaps and temporal-coherence changes, and declining SPIN performance. Cross-channel measures proved to be more predictive of speech perception outcomes, emphasizing the significance of central auditory changes in age-related perceptual deficits.</p><p dir="ltr">A mini-EEG cap to record cortical EEG auditory responses to gaps in chinchillas using a new sedation protocol was validated. This advancement enhances translational potential and paves the way for exploring cortical auditory processing using complex stimuli in animal models. By facilitating simultaneous exploration of both subcortical and cortical consequences of auditory system pathologies, this development contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of auditory processes across species.</p>

本論文主要是在探討延展性權利金(reach-through royalty)條款的競爭法規制。首先，本文對於研究工具專利及延展性權利金條款的意義及概念作一說明，接著簡介目前各國之競爭法制與專利法制的權衡概況，並探討一些與延展性權利金條款有關之授權條款，以了解目前競爭法對於延展性權利金條款所可能導致之相關效應的評價，作為後續分析該條款適法性的基礎，再來整理美國實務及學說對於延展性權利金條款的看法，最後綜合檢討相關論述，提出本文見解。經研究後，本文認為，延展性權利金條款有其促進競爭效應(如提供風險分攤機制、幫助起始公司解決現金壓力問題以及提供授權雙方較佳的協商估價基礎)亦有其限制競爭效應(如降低被授權人研發誘因而有限制研發的效果及權利金堆疊效應)，因此一概禁止或一概允許此種條款皆非適當，而應視個案情形依合理原則的標準加以權衡，以決定系爭行為的適法性。 / The present article discusses the antitrust regulation for reach-through royalty provisions which mainly used in biotechnology research tool patent licensing. First, this article introduces the meanings of research tool patent and reach-through royalties. Second, it illustrates antitrust regulations for patent licensing in foreign countries specifically in U.S., European Union, together with R.O.C. and, furthermore, it also discusses provisions similar or related to reach-through royalties. Third, this article introduces the discussions about reach-through royalty provisions in U.S., including the NIH Guideline, case law regulations and other related discussions by scholars. Finally, the present article analyzes the effects of reach-through royalties more deeply based on the mentioned discussions and makes a suggestion for the regulation of reach-through royalties. This article argues: since reach-through royalties have both anti-competitive and pro-competitive effects, a total ban or allowance is not appropriate and a “rule of reason” inspection should be applied to such provisions for better efficiencies.