Purpose: This thesis addresses feasibility issues of conducting a descriptive study of pain and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in women after Cesarean section (c-section). Objectives: Feasibility issues surrounding population access, chart completeness for review, and preference for online data collection were investigated. Prevalence and prediction of postoperative pain and HRQOL at six-weeks was addressed to generate hypotheses for future study. Methods: A descriptive pilot design was used, collecting a convenience sample of 41 women recruited two hours prior to a planned c-section at Kingston General Hospital. Consenting women completed preoperative questionnaires via computerized tablet or paper and pen. Preoperative data included pain, HRQOL, anxiety, depression, somatization, HCU, and demographics. Six weeks postoperatively, women completed pain, HRQOL, and HCU questionnaires through the internet, postal mail, or telephone. A chart review was used to collect health and obstetrical history, and acute postoperative pain. Results: An average of two participants per week were recruited, with a participation rate of 83.7%. Online questionnaires were preferred by 34 women (83%) preoperatively, and 15 women (48.4%) postoperatively. Almost 40% of patient charts were incomplete, missing symptoms reported in the immediate postoperative period. Twenty-four percent of the sample was lost to follow-up. Mild postoperative pain was reported by seven women (23) within 24 hours of completing the questionnaire. Bodily pain and the physical component of HRQOL were worse both pre- and post-operatively than age- and sex-matched norms. Postoperative pain at six weeks was predicted by tubal ligation, pain expectancy, and severe postoperative acute pain. Postoperative HRQOL scores were correlated with preoperative HRQOL score, depression, somatization, and preoperative pain. HRQOL physical composite score, bodily pain scores, and trait anxiety were predictive of healthcare use. Conclusion: The planned c-section population is accessible for research purposes, however timing and mode of follow-up should be carefully considered due to the demands of newborn care. A larger study evaluating the prevalence of chronic pain after c-section is needed, in which the role of depression, anxiety, somatization, and pain expectancy in pain outcomes and the impact on healthcare use is investigated. / Thesis (Master, Nursing) -- Queen's University, 2007-10-01 13:12:33.096

Increasing obesity rates in Canadian women are at an all time high with more than 50% of Canadian women falling into one of the four overweight to obese categories. Further to this 11-21% of Canadian women who are of child-bearing age are being described as overweight or obese. Along with the increasing rates of obesity is an increase in the number of operative deliveries experienced by pregnant women in Canada. Canadian women experience cesarean section (CS) approximately 21% of the time while women in Ontario experience an even higher rate of CS (26%). While currently there are several studies examining the relationship between pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity and its association with CS, there is little research examining the relationship between excess weight gain in pregnancy and operative delivery methods. Data were collected through a retrospective chart review to examine the relationship between excess weight gain in pregnancy and operative delivery methods. Mean weight gain throughout pregnancy was measured. Data analysis was conducted using t-tests, Chi-Squared analyses and Fisher’s Exact test of significance, accepting a significance level of alpha = 0.05 with a 95% Confidence Interval of difference. The analysis conducted demonstrated no significant relationship between weight gain in pregnancy and operative delivery methods. When examining maternal weight and labour type, statistical significance was reached (p = 0.04) demonstrating increased likelihood of induction with excess weight gain in pregnancy; statistical significance was also reached with maternal age greater than 35 years and increased risk for operative delivery(p = 0.04). Further analysis demonstrated statistically significant results when examining one minute Apgar scores between the group of women with recorded weights in comparison to those women whose charts did not contain weights. The lack of findings in this study may be largely attributed to the small sample size.Important practice issues were identified. It is important that pre-pregnancy or early pregnancy weight and height be recorded on all women in hospital databases as well paper charts. Consistency in recording weight units in either pounds or kilograms is imperative. Dietary consultation is an important component of prenatal care and women who enter pregnancy overweight or obese should have immediate access to nutritional counseling. / Thesis (Master, Nursing) -- Queen's University, 2010-09-22 09:00:57.695

The coarse mesh radiation transport (COMET) code uses response functions to solve the neutron transport equation. Most nuclear codes used today have a very steep learning curve; COMET is no exception. To ease the user's onus of learning how to create correctly formatted COMET input-files, a graphical user interface (GUI) was created. The GUI allows the user to select values for all the relevant variables while simultaneously minimizing the errors a typical new user would make. To this end, the GUI creates all of the input files required to run COMET. The GUI also provides a visualization tool that the user may use to check the problem geometry before running COMET. The GUI is also responsible for post-processing the COMET output for visualization with TecPlot. In addition to the GUI, multi-group cross section libraries were generated as part of the MHTGR-350 (Modular High Temperature Gas Reactor) benchmark problem under development at Georgia Tech. This project aims to couple COMET with a thermal hydraulics code to best model the true physics of the reactor design. In order for this goal to be actualized, six-group cross sections were generated over the operational temperature range of the MHTGR using the current coupling and collision probability code HELIOS.

MANE (MCNP ACE from NJOY & ENDF), a code for generating continuous energy cross sections at arbitrary temperatures, was created. Cross sections were evaluated using NJOY99 such that they would agree with the cross sections provided by MCNP5. The MANE cross sections were found to be in very good agreement with those provided by MCNP5 with some minor exceptions caused by round-off errors and some differences in the unresolved resonance region. Differences in the resonance region are caused by differences in the random number generator used to start the cross section calculations. The MANE cross sections were verified against the MCNP5 cross sections in five unique MCNP configurations: an 8.7% enriched MOX fuel pin cell, a UO₂ assembly (controlled and uncontrolled), a MOX assembly, and a whole core configuration containing the 3 assemblies. In each of these cases, eigenvalue and tally density results were found to be in very good agreement with one another.

Thesis (M.S.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 2008. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaf 17).

Thesis (M. Mid.)--University of Sheffield, 2007. / "June, 2007." Issued as part of the Canadian electronic library documents collection. Includes bibliographical references (p. 45-55).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 60-71).

The Companies Act, 71 of 2008 repealed the Companies Act, of 61 of 1973, the former Act came into operation on the 1st May 2011.The repealing of the 1973 Act meant that a new legal dispensation was ushered in, these changes obviously affected the manner in which the law worked prior to the 1st May 2011. The repurchase of shares by the company is just but one of the many aspects which were affected by the new act. In order to understand the thought process of the legislature when enacting the current law, the history and evolution of section 48 is imperative. Section 80-90 and 46 together with 48 of the old and the new act respectively are the legislative framework behind the South African share repurchases rule. This research investigates the genesis of share repurchases in South Africa and thereafter observes the exodus from the original principle to the status quo. Prior to 1999, share repurchases were governed through the capital maintenance rule which was imported from England and other foreign jurisdictions. In terms of the capital maintenance rule the reduction of contributed share capital in any manner was prohibited. The issued share capital of the company was perceived as a guarantee fund intended for the payment of the claims of the creditors of the company in the event that the company defaults on its payments or is liquidated. In 1999, the Companies Amendment Act introduced sections 85 to 90 which was a paradigm shift from the out dated and superfluous share capital maintenance rule, this paradigm shift spared no sub rule within the capital maintenance rule and it is from these legal developments where we saw share repurchase rules including other sub-rules (which are beyond the scope this work) emerging. Section 48 of the new companies act read with other relevant sections the Act thereof prescribes the procedure and requirements for share repurchases, these sections further prescribe the consequences and remedies for non-compliance with the prescribed procedure and requirements. It is against this background that section 48 effects, impact as well as the interpretation thereof are investigated. In terms of section 48, the company may purchase shares issued by it under certain circumstances provided that it complies with the requirements laid down in the Act, furthermore section 48 transactions may under certain circumstances trigger tax liability for the parties involved. Copyright / Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Mercantile Law / unrestricted

The awarding of section twenty-one status to schools is seen as part of the democratisation of education in South Africa. The aim of this study is to determine the impact that the allocation of section-twenty one powers has on the functioning of School Governing Bodies in rural section 21 schools. A case study involving three schools; a moving school, stationary school and a promenading school was conducted. The SGB members in these schools were interviewed to elicit information and get their viewpoints. Non-participatory observation was also conducted to add on the information gathered from the respondents. Other stakeholders involved in education were also interviewed, for instance the Chairperson of the National Association of School Governing Bodies and the Section 21 co-ordinator. It has emerged from the findings of the study that many SGBs are not coping with the allocated functions thrust upon them because of lack of skills and involvement. This results in the bulk of the SGB duties being performed by the principal or educators. / Dissertation (MEd (Education Management))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Education Management and Policy Studies / unrestricted

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