Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving access to contraception through integration of family planning services into a multidrug-resistant tuberculosis treatment programme

Objectives Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a global public health priority. The advent of the World Health Organisation’s Short Course regimen for MDR-TB, which halves treatment duration, has transformed outcomes and treatment acceptability for affected patients. Bedaquiline, a cornerstone of the Short Course regimen, has unknown teratogenicity and the WHO therefore recommends reliable contraception for all female MDR-TB patients in order to secure eligibility for bedaquiline. We were concerned that low contraceptive uptake among female patients in our rural South African MDR-TB treatment programme could jeopardise their access to bedaquiline. We therefore conducted a service delivery improvement project that aimed to audit contraceptive use in female MDR-TB patients, integrate family planning services into MDR-TB care, and increase the proportion of female patients eligible for bedaquiline therapy. Methods Contraceptive use and pregnancy rates were audited in all female patients aged 13–50 years initiated on our MDR-TB treatment programme in 2016. We then implemented an intervention consisting of procurement of depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) for the MDR-TB unit and training of specialist MDR-TB nurses in administration of DMPA. The audit cycle was repeated for all female patients aged 13–50 years initiated on the programme in January–October 2017 (post-intervention). Results The proportion of women on injectable contraceptives by the time of MDR-TB treatment initiation increased significantly in the post-intervention cohort (77.4% vs 23.9%, p<0.0001). Conclusion By integrating contraceptive services into our MDR-TB programme we significantly increased contraceptive uptake, protecting women from the obstetric risks associated with pregnancy during MDR-TB treatment and maximising their eligibility for bedaquiline therapy.
Perspectives from Singapore junior college students : what makes them good and smart?

Chia, Thien Huat Jae. 2015. Perspectives from Singapore Junior College Students: What Makes Them Good and Smart? Master’s Thesis in Education. University of Jyvaskyla. Department of Education. 65 pages. In the 21st century, character education is regaining its importance. Some studies have shown that academic excellence alone is insufficient for an individual to succeed. Character values such as resilience, determination, diligence are essential. On a macro level, character values such as empathy, integrity, respect are necessary for a gracious society. This research aims to answer the question of what platforms or programme in a school enables character development in the domains of ‘head’, ‘heart’ and ‘hands’. It seeks the answers from the perspectives of the students of a Singapore junior college. The current and former students of the junior college were invited to complete an online questionnaire consisting of 36 statements with 5-point Likert scale where the participants answered how the character education through formal, hidden, and informal curricula had enabled them to develop their character. In the questionnaire, the participants were also given a descriptive question where they described a significant experience that had helped to develop their character. The key findings of the research were summarised as follows: firstly, formal curriculum is least impactful in all domains of character development. Secondly, student-centred and social interaction experiences such as co-curricular activities, community involvement projects and academic group work have a significant impact on students’ adoption of character values and acting on them. Thirdly, co-curricular activities club is the single most impactful platform in character education although the kind of co-curricular activities does not matter.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipid A diversity and its recognition by Toll-like receptor 4

Innate immunity is an evolutionarily ancient mechanism for rapidly sensing and responding to potential pathogens. Innate immune mechanisms are induced in response to bacterial molecular signatures. A variety of bacterial surface components and secreted molecules have been demonstrated to bind to specific host receptors. Among the best characterized and most important of these signals is lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the major component of the Gram-negative bacterial envelope. LPS consists of three distinct structural elements – O-antigen, core, and lipid A. Both O-antigen and core are composed of polysaccharide chains, whereas lipid A or endotoxin is composed of fatty acids and phosphate groups attached to a central glucosamine dimer. The structure of lipid A varies between Gram-negative bacteria of different species. The environmental bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen of humans and chronically infects patients with cystic fibrosis. In such infections, P. aeruginosa modifies its lipid A structure, a process that can also be induced in vitro by growth under magnesium-limiting conditions. P. aeruginosa cystic fibrosis-specific lipid A modifications include the addition of palmitate and aminoarabinose. These modifications result in maintenance of P. aeruginosa outer membrane integrity, and resistance to host innate immune killing. Host recognition of lipid A is mediated by the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) complex. This complex consists of the TLR4 receptor and two co-receptors – MD-2 (required for TLR4 function) and CD14 (a high affinity GPI-linked LPS binding protein). Interaction of lipid A with the TLR4 receptor complex triggers a phosphorylation cascade (via TRAF6 and the signaling kinases NIK and IKK) that results in the phosphorylation and subsequent degradation
Using Molecular Gas Observations to Guide Initial Conditions for Star Cluster Simulations

The earliest evolution of star clusters involves a phase of co-existence of both newly-formed stars, and the gas from which they are forming. Observations of the gas in such regions provide a wealth of data that can inform the simulations which are needed to follow the evolution of such objects forward in time. We present a method for transforming the observed gas properties into initial conditions for simulations that include gas, stars, and ongoing star formation. We demonstrate our technique using the Orion Nebula Cluster. Since the observations cannot provide all the necessary information for our simulations, we make choices for the missing data and assess the impact of those choices. We find that the results are insensitive to the adopted choices of the gas velocity in the plane of the sky. The properties of the surrounding gas cloud (e.g. overall density and size), however, have an effect on the star formation rate and pace of assembly of the resultant star cluster. We also analyze the stellar properties of the cluster and find that the stars become more tightly clustered and in a stronger radial distribution even as new stars form in the filament.
Mass Spectrometry-based Serum Proteome Pattern Analysis in Prophylactic Oophorectomy

Background: Mass spectrometry (MS) is an analytical chemistry technique that measures the mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). A plot of the ion signal in term of the m/z ratio is called mass spectrum. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) is an ionization technique used in MS. The technique determines the mass of a molecule such as a peptide from within a heterogeneous mixture. Besides two well-known reproductive functions, producing of oocytes and reproductive hormones, the ovaries would play a vital role in other undiscovered aspects. Aim: To study role of ovary reflecting from serum proteomic pattern changes before and after prophylactic oophorectomy Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study with 20 premenopausal women diagnosed benign gynecologic condition but not ovary and scheduled for prophylactic oophorectomy was conducted. Blood was drawn and serum was centrifuged and kept at -80 degree Celsius before and at 6 weeks after oophorectomy. All serum specimens were prepared and then analyzed by MALDI-TOF. Results: Age, BMI and duration of follow up were 49.30±1.59 years, 24.56±4.07 kg/m 2 and 45.70±6.13 days, respectively. A comparison of mass spectrum intensity between before and after oophorectomy showed that five m/z 1882, 2467, 8766, 8923 and 9316 were statistically significant different (7.96 and 16.93, P < 0.001, 2.42 and 8.57, P = 0.01, 4.12 and 6.04, P =0.005, 16.06 and 18.40, P =0.002, 8.54 and 12.59 P =0.016 , respectively). Conclusions: MS revealed a significant change of serum proteomic pattern from women undergone prophylactic oophorectomy. The protein identification study is currently ongoing in order to identify the ovarian function.
A study of psoriasis : a methodological critique

This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations and Theses by an authorized administrator of PDXScholar. For more information, please contact pdxscholar@pdx.edu. Recommended Citation Ford, Prudence Craig; Ford, Roberta Jeanne; and Swanson, Susan, "A study of psoriasis : a methodological critique" (1979). Dissertations and Theses. Paper 2688.
Avaliação radiográfica do selamento de lesões cariosas proximais em molares decíduos

The aim of this split-mouth randomized clinical trial was to assess the efficacy of sealing proximal caries lesions on primary molars in cariesactive patients receiving an individualized treatment to caries activity. It also evaluated sealant retention on proximal surface by direct visual inspection and by replicas. Twenty-seven children with at least two proximal active caries lesions in a deciduous molar, detected in the bitewing radiograph in enamel or outer half of dentine and clinically diagnosed as active, participated in the study. One randomly selected lesion received a sealant and another remained as control. A replica was obtained by copying the sealed surface with an impression material and standardized bitewing radiographs were taken. All patients received caries activity treatment. After 6 months, new radiographs and proximal replicas were obtained. Sealant retention was examined by clinical evaluation and by proximal replicas evaluation in pairs. Lesion progression was radiographically assessed using three methods: conventional visual independent reading, conventional pair-wise visual reading and qualitative inspection of subtraction radiography of digitized images. Presence of lesion progression was compared between test and control lesions with McNemar test and no difference was observed in all evaluation methods. Clinical evaluation classified sealant retention as successful in 55.6% of the sealed surfaces and replica evaluation in 58.3%. Reproducibility of sealant retention analysis with the two mentioned methods was 0.66 (kappa). Sealant retention assessed clinically as successful was associated with absence of lesion progression detected by the qualitative inspection of subtraction radiography (p=0.03). Proximal sealing was not effective in reducing lesion progression in deciduous molars from caries-active patients and this can be partially explained by a failure in material retention.
Antioxidant Properties of Ethanolic Extract from Ramulus mori (Sangzhi)

The antioxidant properties and total phenolic contents of four fractions of ethanolic extract from Ramulus mori were examined. Various experimental models including superoxide radical, hydroxyl radical, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radicals (DPPH) scavenging activity, metal chelating activity, and reducing power were used for characterization of their antioxidant activity. The four fractions showed various degrees of efficacy in each assay in a dose-dependent manner. The third fraction with the highest amount of total phenolics was the most potent antioxidant in all assays used. In addition, the most powerful compound (oxyresveratrol) was isolated and identified followed by on-line HPLC method and characterized by different spectral analysis. Oxyresveratrol exhibited impressive antioxidant activities in scavenging the superoxide radical, hydroxide radical, and DPPH. On the basis of the results obtained, Ramulus mori may serve as a potential source of natural antioxidant due to its significant antioxidant activity and oxyresveratrol may be the most powerful antioxidant in ethanolic extracts of Ramulus mori.
The Academic Journeys of Students with Chronic Gastrointestinal Illness: Narratives from Daughters and Their Mothers

Today, more and more children and adolescents are surviving illnesses. There are also increases in outpatient care and continuous technological advancements, as compared to past decades. These changes give students with chronic illness greater opportunities to attend mainstream schools. The rising integration of students with chronic illness into the school setting requires educators to aptly accommodate students while the students pursue their academic journeys. This qualitative research study involves three case studies portraying students with a rare gastrointestinal chronic illness. In each of the three cases, the students and their parents were interviewed separately. The interviews focused on both the student’s and mother’s perceptions of the educational community’s response to the student’s needs. Implications rising from this study highlight how educators can work to adapt the school environment so that students with a chronic illness can better achieve their academic goals.
'We May Go, But this is My Home': Experiences of Domicide and Resistance for Palestinian Children and Families

Since the start of the occupation of Palestine in 1967, Israel has demolished approximately 27,000 Palestinian structures, most of which are family homes. Porteous and Smith (2001) coined the word domicide to mean the intentional destruction of one’s home by another, which causes distress to those who have become displaced. Domicide, or even the possibility that one’s home may be destroyed, causes significant psychological effects; nevertheless, we only know generally what these effects are and we know even less about the effects on children and families as a social system. Drawing from qualitative place-based research with 18 Palestinian families, this paper explores how loss of home or the threat of loss of home affects their everyday lives. After providing an overview of the factors that lead to domicide — Israel’s "matrix of control" and the proliferation of illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine — the paper describes the effects of domicide or the threat of domicide on Palestinian children and families and how they resist domicide through sumud (steadfastness). The paper concludes with recommendations to conceptualize home as a human right, and correspondingly, include domicide as a human rights’ violation.
Nonviral Hepatitis

Chronic liver diseases are a significant cause of death worldwide. Cirrhosis is most frequently caused by hepatitis C or alcohol abuse, but other nonviral etiologies are now recognized as important contributors to the development of hepatitis. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, caused by abnormal accumulation of lipids in hepatocytes, can progress from simple steatosis to necroimflammation and cirrhosis. It is estimated to occur in up to 40% of the general population, and its pathophysiology is closely linked to features of metabolic syndrome. There is currently no proven treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Management strategies largely address identification and treatment of associated risk factors and include drug therapy for obesity, insulin resistance (eg, metformin, thiazolidinediones), and dyslipidemia (eg, fibrates, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors). Autoimmune hepatitis is characterized by necroinflammation mediated by autoantibody attack against liver antigens in genetically predisposed patients. It is considered a rare form of chronic liver disease but can progress to cirrhosis if unrecognized and untreated. Autoimmune hepatitis usually responds well to longestablished immunosuppressive regimens with prednisone and azathioprine; however, new approaches are required for those patients who do not achieve or sustain desired outcomes or are intolerant to standard therapy.
Effects of Cognitive Processes and Task Complexity on Acquisition, Retention, and Transfer of Motor Skills

This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of cognitive problem-solving operations (termed contextual interference) and complexity of tasks on the acquisition retention and transfer of motor skills. Ninety-six children, ages 7.5-9.5 practised the task of throwing beanbags under either low contextual interference (blocked practice), high contextual interference (random practice) or medium contextual interference (combined practice). Half of the participants acquired a complex task and the other half a simple task. All participants performed 30 acquisition trials, 9 retention trials and 4 transfer trials. Results indicated that participants who practised in the blocked practice group did not differ in their performance whether they acquired complex or simple tasks. On the other hand, participants from the random and combined practice groups who acquired simple tasks performed better than those who acquired complex tasks. These findings support the hypothesis that there is a limit to the interference during practice that will benefit retention and transfer, thus creating the contextual interference effect. It seems that the complex-task condition combined with random or combined practice schedule increased the difficulty of acquisition, possibly impeding the cognitive processing during acquisition, thus impairing the learning process.
You Learn When You Teach: A Narrative Pedagogy for Faculty and Doctoral-Level Student Teaching Assistants

The purpose of this study was to understand the meaning of online co-teaching for PhD faculty and teaching assistants (TAs). Narrative pedagogy underpinned the inquiry, which was designed to advance the discourse on mentorship of PhD future faculty. A faculty member and TA authors kept concurrent weekly journals or after-the-fact written reflections. The authors analyzed data as a team using a five-phase interpretive phenomenological analysis process to interpret the meaning of co-teaching for faculty and TAs. Lines of inquiry, central concerns, exemplars, shared meanings, and paradigm cases supported the overall interpretation, “You Learn When You Teach. ” Co-mentorship should be a requirement for nursing faculty preparation programs. Five strategies for ensuring success of PhD nursing students’ development as professional nurse scholars are recommended. Doctoral programs (e.g., PhD; DNP) would benefit from a unified approach to faculty preparation, guided by theories such as narrative pedagogy.
Yet Another Comparison of Lucene and Indri Performance

We present results that compare the performance of Lucene and Indri at two points in time (2009 and 2012) using data from TREC 6 through 8. We compare indexing throughput, index size, query evaluation throughput, and retrieval effectiveness. We also examine the degree to which the results produced by the two systems overlap with an eye toward estimating the performance increase that might be expected by combining the results of the two systems.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL ROAD EXTRACTION COMBINING A STEREOSCOPIC PAIR OF LOW-RESOLUTION AERIAL IMAGES AND A DTM

This paper proposes a semiautomatic method for road extraction. The proposed method combines a stereoscopic pair of lowresolution aerial images with a polyhedron generated with a digital terrain model (DTM). The problem is formulated in object space by means of an objective function that models the object ‘road’ as a smooth curve belonging to a polyhedral surface. The proposed objective function depends on radiometric information accessed in the image space via a collinear relationship between road points in the object space and corresponding points in the image spaces of stereoscopic images. The polyline that provides the best representation of a selected road is obtained via the optimization of the objective function using a dynamic programming algorithm. The optimization process is iterative. An operator is required to supply an initial polyline approximating the selected road. The obtained results show that the proposed method is robust even when faced with anomalies along roads, such as obstructions caused by shadows and trees. * Corresponding author.
IMPROVING INTERGROUP RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE CONTACT SITUATION: THE ROLE OF COMMON INGROUP IDENTITY AND EMOTIONS OF EMPATHY AND ANXIETY

We proposed a model which explains the processes leading from contact to improved relationships with known and unknown outgroup members. The aim was to test the basic propositions of the common ingroup identity model by acknowledging the importance of emotions for the generalization of contact effects. We predicted that: (a) one-group identity would act as a mediator between contact and emotions (anxiety, empathy) felt for known outgroup members; (b) emotions toward known outgroup members would allow generalization to the whole outgroup. To test these hypotheses, a study was performed by considering working contexts. Participants were Italian nurses and Italian workers. The outgroup was the category of immigrants. Results generally supported predictions. The theoretical and practical implications of findings are discussed.
The Implication of Childhood Adultification on the Mental Health of Young Adults Among Chinese and Taiwanese Immigrant Families

The present study examined the impact of adultification on the mental health of Chinese immigrant young adults. Given the emphasis of Chinese cultural norms on interdependence and filial piety, I also explored whether family obligation attitudes influence how Chinese immigrant young adults perceive adultification experiences. Findings indicated that family obligation attitudes have a moderating effect on adultification when adultification plays a mediating role between acculturative stress and psychological distress, and on the well-being of Chinese immigrant young adults. The findings suggested that Chinese immigrant offspring who hold very traditional familial attitudes and are highly committed to family obligations tend to reinforce the effect of acculturative stress on adultification, although acculturative stress did not significantly predict adultification experiences. In addition, the findings also indicated that when adultification experiences were at the highest level, they served to strengthen the effect of acculturative stress on mental health outcomes. According to the study findings, taking the cultural value of the emphasis on Chinese family obligation into consideration when interpreting adultification experiences and its impact on the mental health outcomes among Chinese immigrant young
Semi-autonomous Robot-assisted Cooperative Therapy Exercises for a Therapist’s Interaction with a Patient

Recent increases in demand for post-stroke motor rehabilitation services together with limited time of therapist and accessibility issues, in particular for patients living in remote areas, have created a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Semi-autonomous techniques that allow for sharing the time of a therapist between multiple patients have attracted great interest. Among them Learning from Demonstration (LfD) based robots have been studied as solutions to address this growing demand. In this work, a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) and Gaussian Mixture Regression (GMR) based LfD approach are proposed to generate a versatile framework to deliver rehabilitation in the absence of the therapist. To collect data for training the models, a bilateral telerehabilitation system is used to enable patient-therapist collaborative task performance is one Degree of Freedom (DOF). The performance and generalizability of the trained model are demonstrated for a variety of patient actions.