cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2014.347
title: SEXUAL HARASSMENT AMONG FEMALE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN BANGKOK THAILAND

description: The main purpose of the study was to assess the occurrences of sexual harassment and factors that influencing to sexual harassment among female undergraduate students in Bangkok, Thailand. This research was conducted as a cross-sectional study design on 440 subjects of female undergraduate students in Bangkok. The multistage sampling technique was used to recruit the participants and self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis by Fisher’s Exact, Chi-square test, and logistic regression were used. The results indicated that the occurrence of sexual harassment was 74.3% particularly, verbal harassment. In term of perception, 70% of respondents had high perception. Risk behaviors, 91.6% of them performed risk behaviors at low level. Many socio-demographic characteristics were associated to perception, risk behavior, and occurrence, particularly alcohol consumption that was related to all. Results from multivariable analysis revealed that 3 factors were associated with occurrence of sexual harassment; body shape, part-time job, and alcohol consumption were highly significant association (p &lt; 0.05). The finding from the study highlighted the campaign and awareness rising toward sexual harassment should be conducted. The academic institutions should have some effective measures or regulations to prevent sexual harassment. Penalty or punishment to the harassers should be strictly enforced. The further study should expand the survey to other universities in regions or in provincial areas since the sexual harassment occurrences was high.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2014.348
title: EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR BURMESE MIGRANT STUDENTS IN TAKUA PA DISTRICT

description: The issue of migrant education is a contested topic in the South East Asian region. The majority of migrant students in Thailand attend non-formal migrant schools which lack a standardised curriculum and cannot offer recognised accreditation, limiting students’ options for post-primary education. Integration into the formal system is essential for providing migrant students with higher education opportunities and opportunities for skilled work in the future. Without such opportunities, the struggle to escape poverty in the migrant community will continue. This research takes three different primary education models available for Burmese students in Takua Pa district, southern Thailand: 1. Thai school, 2. Burmese-run migrant learning centre, 3. Foreign-run community development centre. The research intends to examine the extent to which each model prepares its students for integration into the Thai formal system for completion of compulsory education. The research conducted was predominantly qualitative, involving semi-structured interviews with Grade 6 Burmese students and school teachers and staff. Observations of school and classroom managements were also made. A modified version of the widely-used 4As Framework which is altered to fit the Burmese migrant context is used to examine the fulfilment of the right to education in each model. The research found that some of the barriers to the formal system named by previous studies, such affordability and discrimination, did not exist in Takua Pa. Rather, the most significant barrier was the attitudes of migrant parents. Many parents with a short-term view of their lives in Thailand prioritise paid work over their children’s education. This means the decisions they make regarding their children’s future can deprive them of opportunities for higher education and skilled work. Opportunities for integration are promised with the new MEII curriculum. The MEII hope to standardise the curricula used in migrant schools and create a system of accreditation recognised by both Thailand and Myanmar. This research found that recognition would facilitate integration between the formal and non-formal systems in each country. However, the more immediate problem of poverty among migrant families means children are pulled out of school to work before completion of primary education. The success of the MEII depends on children being able to continue to the end of compulsory education. The research concludes the need for more collaboration between the Ministries of Education in the region to achieve the vision of the MEII. Migrant parents need to be better informed about the options for their children’s education and the importance of their children completing compulsory education to give them the best opportunities for the future.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2014.349
title: PRODUCTIVITY CHANGE IN SUB-DIVISIONAL HOSPITALS IN FIJI

description: The study aims to investigate the productivity and efficiency trends of Sub-Divisional Hospitals in Fiji since 2005 to 2014. The study is first of such nature in Fiji where an objective evaluation of the performance of Sub-Divisional Hospitals is investigated. The study is divided into two major parts .The first major part explores the use of the extended version of the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), the Malmquist Productivity Index to measure and evaluate the performances of the Sub-Divisional Hospitals in Fiji. The second part of the study applied the Multi Stage DEA programme to the most recent year data, 2014 to evaluate hospital performance in terms of technical and scale efficiency for the particular year. The results or scores of both parts of the study were then used as dependent variables and econometric models of a Log-Linear function and Tobit function were used to determine the key factors that were believed to have influenced the productivity and efficiency changes in Fiji's context. The results from the Malmquist Productivity Indices disclosed some concern in terms of the downward sloping trend of productivity over the period of the study. This meant that SDH's in Fiji were not utilising inputs efficiently which led to the inability of the Ministry to meet its targeted outputs. The trend in total factor productivity in summary of the period of the study fell from a positive gain in productivity of 36.3% in 2005-2006 period to a productivity loss of 14.3%. This was significantly attributed to the lowest change in technical efficiency which fell to a record low of negative score of 18.4% in the period 2013-2014. This was also reflected in the Technical Efficiency change scores where all 17 hospitals had scores below 1. The Multi Stage DEA under the output oriented model also had considerable variations of efficiency scores from the reference hospitals under the assumption of Constant and Variable Returns to scale.Only 2 out of the 17 hospitals under the study were operating on the optimal production frontier. Majority of the hospitals were producing outputs at a decreasing returns to scale implying that many hospitals were not using their inputs in the most efficient manner and needed to decrease investment in the production of outputs or they needed to produce more outputs within the inputs that was consumed.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2014.350
title: EXPANDING IMMUNIZATION COVERAGE IN PUNTLAND, SOMALIA: A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS

description: The objectives of this study are to (1) to identify strategies to improve the immunization program in order to achieve a higher and more sustainable coverage, (2) to study demand-related and supply-related factors affecting childhood immunization, (3) to explore (perceived) barriers to high, and sustainable immunization coverage, and (4) to identify how communities can contribute to increasing the coverage rate, especially in remote areas. Qualitative data were collected using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. The main findings are that: (1) the Puntland government currently does not have strategies to financially contribute to the EPI Program and is totally dependent on international donors (e.g. UNICEF and WHO) to finance the EPI program, while the donors are facing financial shortages due to ongoing crises in other countries such as Nigeria, Syria, and Yemen, for which they also provide financial support; (2) the understanding of mothers with regard to the benefits of the EPI program is relatively low, due to a low engagement level and poor awareness; (3) community involvement in the planning and consultation process of the EPI program has been limited and the Ministry of Health has not adequately involved the community in the planning process. There is a greater need for the government to generate its own funds to support the EPI program to be financially sustainable. The Government should allocate specific (earmarked) funds to the EPI program, and come up strategies to improve the EPI performance, increase coverage, as well as to restructure the program such that mothers and community members at large are encouraged to participate in the planning process in order for them to have a stronger ownership in the EPI program.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2014.351
title: Cost Effectiveness of Peer Supported Group Intervention Program Among HIV Treated Patients in Outpatient Clinics in Vietnam.

description: This paper analyzes the cost of providing a peer-support group intervention from the society’s perspective, measures the effects of the intervention among HIV infected adults and children in Vietnam, and employs the method of incremental cost effectiveness ratio to quantity the economic impact of the intervention. This study considers two study cohorts: adult and children cohorts. In the (HIV-infected) adult cohort which was already completed, the principal peer-support group intervention was the provision of home visits. Data on the adult cohort include baseline data as well as data on the subsequent 24 months of follow-up. Health outcomes of interest are the drug adherence rate, the percentage of non-viral failure cases and disability adjusted live years (DALYs). In the (HIV-infected) children cohort, which is still ongoing, the main intervention has been the provision of phone calls. Data on the children cohort include baseline data as well as data on the subsequent 16 months of follow-up. Health outcomes of interest are the drug adherence rate and the percentage of non-viral failure cases. In each cohort, enrolled patients were randomly assigned into either the control group where the peer-support group intervention is not provided or the intervention group in which the intervention is provided. The costing analysis involves expenditures from the patient’s, the provider’s and the purchaser’s perspective, where the purchaser in this case refers to NGOs who provide funding for the intervention. The total unit cost is estimated using a top-down approach with discounting techniques taken into consideration as the data analyzed span over the period of one year. Cost-effectiveness analyses are also performed, with the cost effectiveness ratio being the average total cost divided by the respective health outcome. The study finds that, for the control and the intervention groups within the adult cohort, the average unit costs are $86.95 and $72.64. The incremental cost effectiveness ratios per 1% drug adherence rate and per one DALY reduced are $2,947 and $1,706 respectively. The ratio is not significant for the percentage of non-viral failure cases. For the control and the intervention groups within the children cohort, the average unit costs are $185 and $136 respectively and the incremental cost effectiveness ratio proves to be insignificant for all health outcomes considered for the children cohort.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2014.352
title: PRESCRIPTION PATTERN AND FACTORS INFLUENCING THE PRESCRIBING PRACTICE AT PRIMARY HEALTHCARE CENTERS IN NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE FUND, SUDAN

description: Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the prescription pattern and its influencing factors in the NHIF, at Gezira State-Sudan. Method: The study followed WHO established guidelines. A cross-sectional retrospective study was carried out across six months. Controlled questionnaires were completed by 197 general practitioners representing 90% of the total study population. For each doctor, a systematic random sample of one hundred prescriptions were collected. Prescribing core indicators as dependents were regressed with the doctor, practice, patient, and drug-related factors as independent variables. Poisson, logistic, and OLS regression were conducted according to the indicator data type. Results: The mean medication per patient was 2.55±1.32; the percentage of prescriptions prescribed by generic name was 46.34%, and percentage of prescriptions contained antibiotics and injections was 54.71% and 12.84%, respectively. The percentage of medicines prescribed from the NHIF medicine list was 81.19%. The overall Index of Rational Prescribing Indicator (IRDP) was 3.39, while the average cost per prescription was 40.57 SDG. The factors had a significant influence on the prescribing indicators, IRDP, and cost. The prescription cost was inversely and significantly proportional with IRDP. The average prescription cost reduction significantly correlated with being a doctor with more education, more professional training, longer experience, job satisfaction, and exposure to peer contact and medical discussions. Moreover, older doctors tended to prescribe expensive medications. Doctor nativity, patient demand, and urban health facility were significantly correlated with prescription cost escalation. Pharmaceutical firms’ promotion visits were significantly associated with prescription cost escalation. The younger patients and female patients had less prescription cost. The chronic diseases significantly escalated the prescription cost 2.6 times. Conclusion: Promotion of general practitioners education, holding of professional and rational use of medicine training activities, providing unbiased information sources, rotation, permanent type of employment and doctor satisfaction payment mechanisms are crucial to improve the prescription quality and reduce the pharmaceutical costs.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2014.353
title: QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF ANTIBIOTICS: SELF-MEDICATION,DISPENSING AND PRESCRIBING BEHAVIOUR IN KASSALA STATE OF SUDAN

description: Back ground: The prevalent over use of antibiotics In Sudan and the eastern Kassala state requires further study of physicians’ decision-making process, pharmacists’ antibiotics dispensing pattern as well as patients’ antibiotic self-medication pattern in National Health Insurance Fund in Sudan. Objective: This study therefore seeks to explore and investigate health care professionals and patients’ knowledge and attitudes that influence their behavior of prescribing and using antibiotics in Kassala State. Materials and methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Kassala State. The data were collected from 18 participants, who from three localities i.e. (5 specialists, 6 general practitioners, 2 pharmacists, 2 medical assistants and 3 patients). The qualitative thematic analysis was done used Nvivo 10. Results: The findings reveal that; most antibiotic prescribers and pharmacists are influenced by intrinsic factors such as practice years, attitudes (i.e. confidence, fear, and responsibility) and extrinsic factors such as; patients related factors, health system factors and pharmaceutical companies. Self-medicated patients appear to have incorrect knowledge about and inappropriate behaviour towards antibiotic use. Conclusion: Interventions to overcome the challenge of antibiotic overuse in kassala state are recommended. These include education, regulation, implementation of Standard Treatment Guidelines (for health professionals) and programs to promote greater education about antibiotics usage in the general population of Kassala State.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2014.354
title: GROUND VIBRATION INDUCED BY MAN-MADE ACTIVITIES IN THAILAND

description: The sources of ground vibration frequently seen in Thailand are pile driving, road construction and blasting. The magnitude of such vibrations from these activities can be estimated by empirical formulas which were reported in literatures. However, few of them were based on studies in Thailand. This study is an attempt to validate and propose equations for estimating vibrations due to man-made activities based on field measurements. The result from this study should reflect domestic ground conditions and work practices and should be useful for preparing vibration mitigation and monitoring plans in Thailand. It was found that vibrations due to pile driving and blasting can be divided into two zones. The vibrations in the near field were dominated by body waves while the ones in the far field were dominated by surface waves. The near field for pile driving ranges between 0.6-1.9 times of pile penetration depth. For blasting, the near field condition occurred when the distance was less than 70 ~ 150 m. The geometric damping parameters for the near and far fields were found to be 1.5 and 0.5, respectively. For vibratory compaction, it was found that surface waves were the most influential wave type. The geometric damping parameter for this case was found to be 0.5. Using the prediction models proposed in this study and guidelines in DIN 4150, the recommended setback distances for residential buildings are as follows; 1) 1.6 times of pile length when driving a pile in dense sand 2) 1.1 times of pile length when driving a pile in stiff clay 3) 53, 149 and 221 m for rocky, sandy and clayey ground when blasting by 2kg explosive 4) 5.5 m for a vibratory roller with weight less than 20 tons.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2014.446
title: Emotion Detection From Faces in Image Sequences Using Facial Point Tracking with Probabilistic Model Estimation with Particles

description: Emotion detection is related to many fields such as behavioral study, rehabilitation, e-learning, etc. If computers can detect emotions, they will be able to play an important role in applications of these fields. Emotion detection process includes face detection, features extraction, and, emotion classification. Facial points are tracked using only the spacial information from the previous frame and texture information from the first frame. Texture information from the neutral face helps the tracking procedure to have accurate facial feature localization in each frame. The feature locations from the previous frame are used to predict the feature locations of the current frame. Location information from the previous frame helps the tracking procedure to track the facial feature locations of the current frame easily because the current feature locations tend to be located near the feature locations of the previous frame. Our expectation is to classify an emotion from the last frame (peak of emotion) in an image sequence. We use textures form the neutral face and the facial points from the previous frame to form a probabilistic model. After that, the facial points in each frame are assigned using the particle estimation to find the expected values of facial point locations. Then, we extract emotion from features produced by these points by using a classification. The benefit of using particles for probabilistic estimation is that finding expectation value of probabilistic model has low complexity.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2014.447
title: Existence of Global Solutions for Semilinear Pseudoparabolic Equations with Unbounded Coefficient

description: In this work, we are interested in sign-changing solutions of the Cauchy problem $\\partial_tu-\\triangle\\partial_tu=\\alpha\\triangle u+V(x) |^\\sigma u$ in $\\mathbb{R}^n\\times(0,\\infty)$, $u|_{t=0}=u_0$, where $\\alpha,\\sigma&gt;0$ are constants and $u_0,V$ are given functions. We put a rather mild assumption on the coefficient $V$ that it satisfies $ (x)|\\lesssim |^a$ as $ |\\to\\infty$ for a constant $a\\geq0$. Thus, in particular, it can be bounded. The function spaces considered are weighted Lebesgue spaces with a polynomial weight of order $b$, denoted by $L^{q,b}(\\mathbb{R}^n)$. After proving the boundedness of relevant operators, especially, the Bessel potential and the Green operators, we can establish the local existence of solutions for the Cauchy problem. Then, employing a modified interpolation estimate on the weight Lebesgue spaces, we can also prove the global existence of solutions provided the initial function $u_0$ is sufficiently small.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2014.448
title: Extensions of Virtual Stability

description: We present the notion of xed point iteration schemes, which includes concepts of various iteration processes. Then we extend the concept of virtually stable maps to virtually stable schemes. This gives a retraction result inducing contractibility criterion for xed point sets of some self-maps and set-valued maps of nonexpansive type. Moreover, we present a sequence of self-maps, which is not a xed point iteration scheme but induces a retraction result similar to virtually stable schemes, called a xed point resolution.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2014.449
title: Fixed Points in Uniform Spaces

description: We introduce notions of J-contractions and J-nonexpansive maps on a uniform space generated by a collection of pseudometrics which generalize Φ-contractions and j-nonexpansive maps, respectively. Fixed point theorems for J-contractions and J-nonexpansive maps under various conditions which cover Angelov’s results are presented, and some criteria for maps to be J-contractions and J-nonexpansive maps are also given. Furthermore, we investigate their fixed point sets using the concept of virtual stability and give some interesting examples.
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2014.450
title: Hamiltonian Decompositions of Some Hypergraphs

description: This dissertation is involved in Hamiltonian decomposition of two families of hypergraphs. We found the Hamiltonian decompositions of the prism over a complete 3-uniform hypergraph Prism (K(3) n for nε{4, 5, 8} and the Hamiltonian decompositions of the complete tripartite 3-uniform hypergraph K(3) m,m,m for all positive integer such that 3 .
DOI: 10.14457/cu.the.2014.451
title: Integrated approach to simultaneous localization and mapping with path planning algorithms for indoor mobile robots

description: This thesis investigates Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) problem in integration with path planning algorithm for an indoor mobile robot implemented in computer simulation. The first focus is on SLAM solutions using both parametric and non-parametric Bayesian filtering approach. Comparative simulations then prove pros and cons of each method as well as the feasibility to be used for the proposed integration. The second part of this work studies A* path planning algorithm combined with a proportional controller to make SLAM robot be able to follow planned paths until reaching the goal without collision along the way. Thirdly, the information gain- and minimized traveling cost-based exploration is studied in order to provide the robot the decision making capability for where to go next. In addition, map representations in forms of feature-based and occupancy grid map play important roles in reasoning the environment, which are also taken into consideration. Putting these techniques together, we introduce the whole framework for an indoor autonomous mobile robot and evaluate its effectiveness via simulations.