<p> An integrating sphere system has been developed to study the optical properties of biological tissues non-invasively, over a broad spectral range with the ultimate goal of quantifying erythema resulting from external beam radiotherapy. An empirical model was defined to calculate the absorption coefficient, μa, from the normalized integrating sphere signal, R *, and the reduced scattering coefficient, μ's As erythema is associated with an increase in the apparent concentration of oxygenated haemoglobin in the skin, the potential of the technique in quantifying erythema was assessed using measurements made in homogenous tissue simulating phantoms containing whole horse blood. After system validation in this simple model, a two-layer model was investigated. Whole blood from a horse was added to the bottom layer, while the top layer was fixed at an optical thickness simulating the epidermis. Reflectance measurements were made through the top layer while the bottom layer was deoxygenated using yeast. The retrieved concentrations of oxy- and deoxygenated haemoglobin were used to calculate the total haemoglobin concentration and the haemoglobin oxygen saturation. Errors in estimating the total haemoglobin concentration ranged from 3-12%; decreasing as a broadband absorber was added to the top layer. Preliminary in vivo measurements were also performed on areas of erythema induced by a topical anesthetic. For regions of erythema there was an increase in the apparent haemoglobin oxygenation which correlates to values of the erythema index calculated from the definition established by Dawson et al. These results demonstrate that the apparent haemoglobin oxygenation has the potential to be used as a surrogate in quantifying erythema. </p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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The new federal legislation focusing on student achievement, critical reports of the public educational system, and the artificial distinction between academic and career and technical education, have combined to create an urgent need for the integration of academic and career and technical education (Finch & Crunkilton, 1999). The literature suggests that integration is one alternative to raising student achievement of all students and helps to prepare them for the workplace (Benson, 1989; Lankard, 1994; Brown, 1998; Stasz, Kaganoff, & Eden, 1994). The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which teachers and principals in HSTW sites perceive precursors (consisting of integration strategies and conditions) to integrate academic and career and technical education are present in their schools. In addition, comparisons of perceptions were examined based on school type, school size, and school location. The sample included 168 academic and career and technical education teachers and 36 principals from 36 HSTW sites in Virginia. Based on the findings from the factor analysis, precursors to integrate academic and career and technical curricula can be grouped into two relatively coherent latent factors: collaboration and academic skill preparation. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed that there were significant differences in the perceptions of teachers and principals. The multivariate analysis of variance also revealed significant differences based on school type only. Recommendations were made to assist teachers and principals to devise a plan to identify integration precursors that teachers perceive are not present in their schools. This information will be useful to principals and educational leaders for evaluating integration activities so they can provide support and guidance to increase integration activities in schools. / Ph. D.

La perception de l'islam dans les deux pays s'inscrit dans deux contextes historiques très différents, qui ont forgé des systèmes de contraintes et de ressources propres. Les dynamiques de ces contextes sont de deux natures, endogène et exogène. Endogène, d'abord, pour l'histoire migratoire et les conditions d'installation spécifiques des populations musulmanes dans les deux pays. Les dynamiques exogènes découlent de la prise en charge par les autorités publiques. En analysant l'islam sous ce prisme multidimensionnel, cette thèse sert trois objectifs respectivement épistémologique, méthodologique et heuristique. D'un point de vue théorique, la thèse montre que la perception de l'islam par les partis politiques illustre la nécessité d'articuler des processus de surdétermination structurelle et des modalités d'objectivation dans l'approche sociologique. En termes pratiques, cela implique l'exploration de nouvelles manières de trianguler les outils qualitatifs et quantitatifs pour combiner les dimensions microsociologiques, mésosociologiques et macrosociologiques, de même que diachronicité et synchronicité des constats empiriques. Ce faisant, la comparaison examine comment deux "types" de traditions légales-politiques ont modelé différentes réponses à la question de l'intégration des musulmans dans les cadres cognitifs et axiologiques du pays, et permet de mettre en perspective des discours et des représentations sur la période 2001-2015. La thèse montre la pertinence limitée de dualismes traditionnels comme l'opposition droite/gauche sur cette question et suggère des postures alternatives pour dépasser ces biais / The perception of Islam in France and Australia revolves around two very different socio-historical contexts, which produced differentiated systems of constraints and resources for political parties. The structuring dynamics of these contexts are both endogenous and exogenous. The endogenous ones include the migratory history and the specific conditions of settlement of Muslim populations in both countries. The exogenous dynamics ensue from the public authorities' management. In analysing Islam under this multidimensional prism, this thesis serves three purposes: an epistemological one, a methodological one and a heuristic one. From a theoretical point of view, it shows that the perception of Islam by political parties epitomises the necessity of articulating structural overdetermination processes and modalities of objectivation in the sociological approach. In practical terms, this involves exploring new ways to triangulate qualitative and quantitative tools for combining microsociological, mesosociological and macrosociological dimensions, as well as the diachronicity and synchronicity of empirical observations. In doing so, the comparison examines how two "types" of legal-political traditions have shaped different answers to the same question of integrating Muslims within the axiological and cognitive frameworks of the country, and further enables putting into perspective party discourses and representations on the period 2001-2015. It shows the limited relevance of traditional dualisms like the Left/Right opposition on this issue and suggests alternative analytical stances to overcome their biases

Masters of Science / Background: In Africa, traditional medicine (TM) practice has been in existence since time immemorial as the major source of pharmacotherapy. However, unlike orthodox medicines TM policies and regulations are not formalised let alone standardised. African nations have different approaches and regulatory requirements whereas in some states policies are even non-existent. Aim: The aim of the mini thesis was to assess the current policies and guidelines for regulation of TM in five selected sub-Saharan African countries relative to the WHO recommendations on traditional medicine policy. Method: The mini thesis was a desk review of current policy frameworks and guidelines for regulation of traditional medicines relative to WHO recommendations on TM policy in sub- Saharan Africa using five selected countries. Result: The results from the five selected countries showed significant difference in the current policies and guidelines on the regulation of TM, but no significant difference in the actual WHO TM policy indicators that the countries implemented. Discussion: Regularisation of TM practice by integrating it into main health systems could make it more acceptable. The complexity of TM/herbal products needs a different yet integrated approach. Harmonisation of regulatory requirements eliminates the need for redundant testing, ensures consistency across regions and improves implementation of WHO TM policy indicators.

We present a novel approach to text visualization called descriptive non-photorealistic rendering which exploits the inherent spatial and abstract dimensions in text documents to integrate 3D non-photorealistic rendering with information visualization. The visualization encodes text data onto 3D models, emphasizing the relative signi ficance of words in the text and the physical, real-world relationships between those words. Analytic exploration is supported through a collection of interactive widgets and direct multitouch interaction with the 3D models. We applied our method to analyze a collection of vehicle complaint reports from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and through a qualitative evaluation study, we demonstrate how our system can support tasks such as comparing the reliability of di fferent makes and models, finding interesting facts, and revealing possible causal relations between car parts. / UOIT

This study aims to discuss the teaching portfolio and learning efficacy gained after integrating K12 digital school information into the biology lessons of junior high school. The research method is to divide students into two groups: two classes of 7th grade junior high students are the experimental group, which receive K12 integrated teaching; and three classes of 7th grade junior high students are the control group, which receive traditional teaching. The experimental course is ¡§human digestion and circulation system,¡¨ consisting of 19 units, lasting for 6 weeks. During the experimental process, the researcher collected diverse types of evaluation information, including observations, peer reviews, student works, learning slips, review questions, and surveys, in order to give research findings greater objectivity and accuracy. Results suggest that, in terms of learning efficacy, the overall learning efficacy of the experimental group is better than that of the control group. Among all, there is a significant difference between students having moderate and low scores. Regarding learning attitudes, there is no significant difference between the experimental group and the control group. However, many students hold positive attitudes towards K12 regarding homework, unit assessment, and learning slips. Regarding teaching applications, upon first use of K12 support teaching, there were difficulties experienced in installing the digital teaching materials. However, as they become more accustomed to the use of K12, they could easily implement the ideals of diversified evaluation. In sum, the K12 digital school is a helpful auxiliary tool for teaching.

The aim of this degree thesis is to see what research says about the use of computer and video games to support upper elementary pupils’ development in English reading comprehension in Swedish schools. Other goals are to see how online and offline gaming can be integrated in the Swedish schools and what attitudes teachers have towards gaming. The method used is a systematic literature review and the purpose is to analyze chosen articles and to find relevant content that answers the research questions. Five articles were chosen from different databases and were systematically analyzed in this thesis. The results show that online gaming as support for education can be rewarding for some upper elementary pupils in English learning. However, in English reading comprehension there is not much research found which means that more research needs to be made within this area. Moreover, involving online gaming in English language learning seems to be a challenge for teachers mostly because of their lack of knowledge about the subject, even though they are positive to gaming. The lack of knowledge about the subject could be altered with more education and courses in the area.

abstract: This thesis mainly focuses on the study of quantum efficiency (QE) and its measurement, especially for nanowires (NWs). First, a brief introduction of nano-technology and nanowire is given to describe my initial research interest. Next various fundamental kinds of recombination mechanisms are described; both for radiative and non-radiative processes. This is an introduction for defining the internal quantum efficiency (IQE). A relative IQE measurement method is shown following that. Then it comes to the major part of the thesis discussing a procedure of quantum efficiency measurement using photoluminescence (PL) method and an integrating sphere, which has not been much applied to nanowires (NWs). In fact this is a convenient and useful approach for evaluating the quality of NWs since it considers not only the PL emission but also the absorption of NWs. The process is well illustrated and performed with both wavelength-dependent and power-dependent measurements. The measured PLQE is in the range of 0.3% ~ 5.4%. During the measurement, a phenomenon called photodegradation is observed and examined by a set of power-dependence measurements. This effect can be a factor for underestimating the PLQE and a procedure is introduced during the sample preparation process which managed to reduce this effect for some degree. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Electrical Engineering 2012