This thesis takes data from the Infectious Diseases of East African Livestock (IDEAL) project. The project was a longitudinal calf cohort study based in Western Kenya. Indigenous short horn zebu calves were recruited at birth and then visited every 5 weeks through their first year of life. The aim of this thesis was to improve understanding of the epidemiology of Theileria parva, with a particular focus on variation in host response. 362 of the 548 calves in the study cohort were classified as having seroconverted to T. parva, and 381 to T. mutans before 1 year old. The diagnostic tools used to identify exposure in the calf were compared, and environmental and calf level risk factors associated with the age at seroconversion were sought. Decreased elevation of the homestead and increased size of the herd were found to be significantly associated with an increased hazard of seroconversion to T. parva. There was little variation in hazard of T. mutans captured across the study site. The outcome ‘clinical episode’ was used to classify whether the calf was ill at each routine visit. A large number of calves passed through their first year of life without clinical disease being observed, and a minority of calves experienced the majority of clinical episodes. Multiple clinical episodes were apparently related in time, suggesting that they were due either to the same or connected pathogenic processes. A low birth weight, larger herds, and older farmers were all risk factors for being a sick calf. Both high helminth burden and T. parva were found to be significantly associated with clinical disease at a population level. A lot of variation was seen in the clinical presentation of disease. The clinical signs associated with fatal East Coast Fever (ECF), the clinical disease associated with T. parva infection, were found to be very variable. Although this may have been partly due to the varying times in the disease process that calves were observed prior to death, the complication of the clinical picture was also suggested to be due to co-infections. 71% of the cohort was infected with T. parva in their first year of life, but only a fraction (8.7%) went on to die from that infection. Unmatched and matched nested case control study formats were used to investigate the risk factors associated with death following T. parva infection (ECF death) in these calves. It was found that being infected young was a risk factor for death. Calves owned by older farmers were also at higher risk of death following infection. Going out grazing was found to be protective, and equivocal evidence was found for an association between prior T. mutans exposure and reduced odds of ECF death. If these initial findings from this work are correct, it is likely that T. mutans is influencing the clinical presentation of T. parva in endemic regions.

Background: Malignant cerebral glioma is a rare cancer but has a devastating impact on patients and their families. In Scotland each year, around 450 people are diagnosed with glioma. Prognosis is generally poor and treatment is essentially palliative. There is a growing recognition that non-clinical aspects of care for both patients and their families need to be acknowledged and integrated into health care provision in line with a patient-focused ethos of care. Currently, there is relatively little research exploring the psychosocial issues and needs of this patient group. Aims: To give patients being investigated for malignant cerebral glioma and their families the opportunity to describe their shared experiences of their illness journey and voice their concerns and unmet needs. To examine how these experiences and needs change over time as the patient progresses through the illness journey. To ascertain the extent to which these needs are recognised and supported, taking into accounts professionals’ views and making suggestions for steps forward in improving patients’ psychosocial care. Methods: A total of 80 qualitative prospective longitudinal interviews (30 paired and 50 separate) were conducted with 26 people with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of malignant cerebral glioma being treated at a regional hospital and 24 primary relative/informal carers. Patients and carers were interviewed at the following five times: leading up to diagnosis; following a formal diagnosis; around the end of initial treatment (radiotherapy); at a designated six-month follow-up stage; and bereavement interviews with carers. One-off interviews were carried out with 66 health professionals (19 case-linked GPs and 47 other health, health-related and social care professionals involved in patients' care). Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and analysed using the constant comparative method from a grounded theory approach assisted by QSR NVivo Version 7. Findings: Distress, anxiety and shock were overwhelming reactions in the period leading up to a diagnosis of glioma, making it difficult for participants to make sense of their experience. Over time, participants employed a range of strategies in order to cope with their diagnosis. Social and emotional support from professionals and friends, family and other patients were vital in many cases but support often felt inadequate. The role of information and the manner in which it was communicated was closely linked to participants’ ability to cope. Information needs were variable but on the whole patients and carers did not feel well informed. Dealing with cognitive and physical symptoms of their illness and side effects of treatment inhibited patients’ ability to resume their everyday activities. The lives of relatives were also affected as they struggled to care for their loved ones. People with a diagnosis of glioma were faced with the possibility of death from an early point in their illness trajectory and awareness of this, coupled with ability to make sense of existential issues, varied across participants. Issues around support, communication, information and palliative care were considered to be important among health professionals involved in the care of people with a diagnosis of glioma but provision fell short. Conclusions: Concerns regarding information, communication and support reported elsewhere in the literature are enduring in glioma patients and their relatives. Reporting of unmet psychosocial and supportive care issues by patients and recognition by professionals of the need to improve these dimensions of care for people affected by glioma emphasises previous recommendations yet to be fully implemented into patient care.

En los últimos años se ha medido en el ámbito clínico a un número significativo de personas atractivas para desarrollar una guía estética y científica que ayude a la evaluación facial. Estos estudios nos brindan los cánones faciales de estética pero, lamentablemente, estos cánones no se pueden aplicar completamente en nuestro medio porque se desarrollaron para europeoides, caucásicos, americanos de ascendencia europea además de afroamericanos, mongoles y árabes. Considerando, que un etíope es diferente de un mongol, se pudieron realizar múltiples comparaciones. Por este motivo, se analizó dos parámetros de la sonrisa en nuestra población de carácter multiétnico que, con el paso del tiempo y con la posible base genética (evolución), manifiesta un patrón de proporción diferente, de alguna manera, a los establecidos en otras latitudes. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar si existe relación en la morfología dental y cenit gingival de las piezas dentales antero superiores en adolescentes peruanos. La muestra seleccionada, fueron modelos de estudio de 92 adolescentes de 12-17 años de edad, 46 femenino y 46 masculino, que no presenten gingivitis moderada o severa, algún tipo de restauración anterior, recesión gingival, ausencia de alguna pieza dentaria antero superior, que no hayan tenido o presenten tratamiento de ortodoncia y piezas dentarias ubicadas correctamente dentro del arco dentario. Se registró de ellos el tipo de morfología dental, cenit gingival y distancia del cenit gingival al eje longitudinal de la pieza dentaria. El promedio del cenit gingival fue para el IC, 72,8% a distal con un valor de 0,54 mm, y para el IL y canino 59,2% y 50,5% respectivamente, sobre el eje longitudinal de la pieza dentaria. El tipo de morfología fue oval con un 71,2 %, 67,9% y 73,9% en IC, IL y C, respectivamente. Solo se halló relación en los incisivos centrales y caninos con morfología oval cuyo cenit se ubica a distal y sobre el eje longitudinal, respectivamente. Los hallazgos del presente estudio pueden ser utilizados en conjunto con otros objetivos y parámetros subjetivos para ayudar al odontólogo en el manejo interdisciplinario de la estética anterior, como un gran aporte durante la planificación del tratamiento, del diseño de sonrisa, procedimiento de alargamiento de corona, durante la colocación de una corona, la selección de los dientes, la estética de implantes y cirugía periodontal. / --- In recent years it has been measured in the clinical setting to a significant number of attractive to develop an aesthetic and scientific guide to help people facial evaluation. These studies provide us with facial aesthetic canons but unfortunately, these fees can not be fully applied in our country because it developed to europeoides, Caucasians, Americans of European descent plus African Americans, Mongols and Arabs. Whereas, an Ethiopian is different from a Mongolian, they could be performed multiple comparisons. For this reason, two parameters was analyzed smile in our multiethnic population, with the passage of time and the possible genetic basis (evolution), shows a different pattern of proportion, somehow, to those established in other latitudes. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship in dental morphology and gingival zenith of the upper anterior teeth in Peruvian adolescents. The sample were 92 study models of adolescents aged 12-17 years, 46 female and 46 male, showing no moderate or severe gingivitis, any previous restoration, gingival recession, absence of a superior and anterior tooth you had orthodontic treatment or present, teeth properly located within the dental arch. The type of dental morphology, gingival zenith and gingival zenith distance from the longitudinal axis of the tooth was recorded from them. The average peak was for gingival IC, 72.8% to distal with a value of 0.54 mm, and for canine IL and 59.2% and 50.5% respectively, on the longitudinal axis of the tooth. Type morphology was oval with 71.2%, 67.9% and 73.9% in IC, IL and C, respectively. Relationship was found only in the central incisors with oval morphology which is located distal zenith. The findings of this study can be used in conjunction with other objective and subjective parameters to assist the dentist in the multidisciplinary management of anterior aesthetics, as a great contribution during treatment planning, the design of smile, crown lengthening procedure, during placement of a crown, the selection of the teeth, periodontal implants and aesthetic surgery. Keywords: gingival zenith- dental morphology-longitudinal axis

Thesis advisor: Marilyn Cochran-Smith / Teacher quality is a central concern of the profession. College-based teacher education, the core of teacher preparation in the United States, has increasingly included some form of practitioner inquiry in the pre-service program to encourage teacher candidates to be reflective, adaptive teachers who systematically and intentionally examine practice to improve pupil outcomes and continue their own professional development. While it is assumed that pre-service practitioner inquiry has a positive influence on pupils' learning, there is still little empirical evidence to support this assertion. Most empirical data on pre-service practitioner inquiry is confined to a short time period and does not examine what happens to pre-service candidates when they enter their own classrooms. Additionally, this research is generally conducted using interpretive qualitative methods. Thus, this dissertation uses a longitudinal mixed methods approach to examine what happens when teacher candidates engage in practitioner research in a pre-service program focused on inquiry with the goal of improving pupil learning. A modified sequential explanatory mixed methods design was employed as the best means of addressing this complex question. The study included data from three sources in a teacher preparation program focused on practitioner inquiry. The first analysis took a broad view of the quality and range of teacher candidates' research papers through the analysis of rubric scores for 92 teacher candidate inquiry papers in two cohorts (spring, 2006 and spring, 2007). Looking at the quality and nature of these projects, content analysis on a sample of twelve papers taken from the range of these scores was conducted. Finally, in-depth case studies of two participants were developed using data accumulated during the one-year pre-service program and through the first two years in the classroom. Findings in the quantitative analysis indicated that the rubric was reliable in differentiating among papers, but that there were fewer outstanding inquiries than expected, which were not explained by analysis of the scores. Content analysis of a sample of these papers indicated that differences were in how questions were formed; candidates' ability to interpret and use data recursively; whether and how candidates connected their learning to pupil learning; and if candidates connected their inquiry to issues of social justice in meaningful ways. The case studies showed that several factors influenced whether and how candidates moved toward the development of inquiry as stance. These factors included candidates' view of inquiry; teacher capacity; demands of curriculum planning and development; understandings of learning to teach for social justice; as well as school support and context. Overall, the three analyses in this dissertation indicated that requiring teacher candidates to engage in pre-service practitioner inquiry did not guarantee that they would understand inquiry as intended, develop an inquiry stance, or continue to inquire into practice in their own classrooms. These findings suggest implications for research, practice, and policy, which are discussed. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2009. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Teacher Education, Special Education, Curriculum and Instruction.

No description available.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disorder and the most frequent neurological cause of disability in young adults. 40-65% of MS patients experience cognitive difficulties (Bennedict et al., 2012), with problems in memory, attention and information processing speed being most frequently reported. However, visuoperceptual and language functions are much less studied in MS, but the few studies that looked into them (Vleugels, 2001; Grossman, 1995) have found prevalence of significant posterior deficits in MS. Up to today no study has investigated the domain-specificity of cognitive dysfunction in MS and its longitudinal progression. Aims: The primary aim of this project was to investigate the dimensionality of MS-related cognitive impairment longitudinally. The second aim was to determine the predictors of the observed longitudinal changes. The third aim was to investigate whether the participants themselves were aware of their cognitive changes, and what predicted the self-perception of change. Methods: To address these aims I followed a sample of MS patients and compared their performance on cognitive tests measuring five cognitive domains (verbal memory, visuospatial memory, processing speed, visuoperceptual and language) at baseline and at follow-up three years apart. Then I’ve composed separate models to explain the predictors first of the actual changes, and then of the perceived changes in performance. Moreover, as part of this project I have analysed pre-existing data to evaluate the instruments and optimized the baseline test battery for use in performing the followup assessments. Findings: I have managed to collect follow-up data on 82 MS patients and 23 matching healthy controls, acquiring high (76% and 79% respectively) recruitment rates. My MS sample (24% PPMS, 34% SPMS and 46% RRMS) was representable of the overall MS population. I found that deficits were seen in all cognitive domains (none were spared) and that new deficits were picked up sporadically, although with higher predisposition towards the information processing speed, visuoperceptual and memory domains. The new deficits showed the tendency to slowly accumulate, leading to development of major problems with longer disease duration. Interestingly it was found that even though the factors that influenced cognitive decline were specific for each of the cognitive domains, however, neurological disability, MS type and levels of depression were the most common predictors of change in cognitive functioning. I found that in general MS patients perceived longitudinal changes on the BRBN battery more accurately than on visuoperceptual and language tests, and the factors that played a role in the self-perception of change were executive dysfunction, neurological disability and MS impact. Implications: The results of this study add significant contribution to the field of longitudinal change in cognition in MS. Not only I explored the dimensionality of MS-related cognitive deficits, but also examined the factors that led to poorer performance, and the patients’ own perspective of their cognitive change. Moreover, with this project I have addressed common problems in the field of longitudinal research in MS – definition of normal variation in performance; the sensitivity of cognitive tests to pick up MS-related deficits; and heterogeneity of cognitive impairments in MS; - and I have used the performance of my own controls in attempts to account for all of that. I believe that this study will be of interest not only to those who specialize in cognitive functioning in MS, but also to those who question the methods employed in clinical research to define impairments and to account for individual differences.

Dissertação (Mestrado em Engenharia Mecânica) - Centro Universitário FEI, São Bernardo do Campo, 2016

No description available.

Objective: Variation in dental arch shape and arch relations from the primary to the permanent dentition were studied in an untreated longitudinal sample from the Iowa Fluoride Study and Growth Study data (55 females and 63 males). Methods: 3D coordinate data from 68 landmarks located on maxillary, mandibular, and occlusal dental cast scans from ages 5, 9, and 13 were submitted to a Procrustes fit prior to a Principal Component (PC) analysis to capture symmetric and asymmetric aspects of arch shape variation. Covariance pattern models were used to determine longitudinal arch shape changes from the primary to the permanent dentition and to correlate these changes with Angle class molar classification. Results: The first 3 principal components capture 52-78% of the variation in arch shape. PC1 explains 30-44% of the variance and captures changes in overall dentoalveolar height. PC2 explains 14-22% and shows mainly variation in dentoalveolar height and width at the canines. Lastly, PC3 explains 8-12% and captures overall arch width and perimeter differences and changes in anteroposterior arch relations. Results on symmetric shape variation for the occlusal data set captured significant differences (p < 0.0001) in morphology for PC2 and PC3. For PC2, initial morphology in the deciduous dentition for an individual classified as Class II was significantly different than a Class I individual. Initial shape characteristics for the Class II features stepped down maxillary incisors and an increased curve of Spee with deep overbite. For PC3, the initial morphology for both the distocclusion and Class II individuals demonstrated characteristics such as stepped up maxillary incisors and increased overjet relative to their flush terminal plane and Class I counterparts. The rate of arch shape changes at which the distal step group transitions to the mixed dentition was also significantly different from the flush terminal plane sample. Conclusions: Initial findings summarize the main aspects of arch shape variation throughout 3 dentition stages. The covariance pattern models estimated individual trajectories and dynamics of arch shape changes from the primary to the permanent dentition and correlated these changes with Angle molar classification. In the symmetric dataset, significant shape characteristic differences of both initial starting morphology and change in shape over time were discovered for two occlusal phenotypes highlighting differences primarily in the vertical and anteroposterior dimensions. The results found in the present study provide an excellent foundation for describing and identifying dental arch shape differences in the primary dentition that can aid in earlier detection, diagnosis, and treatment of malocclusion, or at a minimum warrant closer observation by the clinician.

There is a large quantity of literature available on longitudinal train dynamics and risk assessment but nothing that combines these two topics. This thesis is focused at assessing derailment risks developed due to longitudinal train dynamics. A key focus of this thesis is to identify strategies that can be field implemented to correctly manage these risks. This thesis quantifies derailment risk and allows a datum for comparison. A derailment risk assessment on longitudinal train dynamics was studied for a 107 vehicle train consist travelling along the Monto and North Coast Lines in Queensland, Australia. The train consisted of 103 wagons and 4 locomotives with locomotives positioned in groups of two in lead and mid train positions. The wagons were empty hopper wagons on a track gauge of 1067mm. The scenarios studied include: the effect of longitudinal impacts on wagon dynamics in transition curves; and the effects of longitudinal steady forces on wagon dynamics on curves. Simulation software packages VAMPIRE and CRE-LTS were used. The effects of longitudinal impacts from in-train forces on wagon dynamics in curves were studied using longitudinal train simulation and detailed wagon dynamics simulation. In-train force impacts were produced using a train control action. The resulting worst-case in-train forces resulting from these simulations were applied to the coupler pin of the wagon dynamics simulation model. The wagon model was used to study the effect of these in-train forces when applied in curves and transitions at an angle to the wagon longitudinal axis. The effects of different levels of coupler impact forces resulting from different levels of coupling slack were also studied. Maximum values for wheel unloading and L/V ratio for various curve radii and coupler slack conditions were identified. The results demonstrated that the derailment criteria for wheel unloading could be exceeded for a coupler slack of 50mm and 75mm on sharper curves, up to 400m radii. A detailed study of the effect of steady in-train forces on wagon dynamics on curves also was completed. Steady in-train forces were applied to a three wagon model using VAMPIRE. Maximum and minimum values of wheel unloading and L/V ratio were identified to demonstrate the level of vehicle stability for each scenario. The results allowed the worse cases of wheel unloading and L/V ratio to be studied in detail. Probability density functions were constructed for the occurrence of longitudinal forces and coupler angles for the Monto and North Coast Lines. Data was simulated for a coupler slack of 25, 50 and 75mm and force characteristics were further classified into the occurrences of impact and non-impact forces. These probability density functions were analysed for each track section to investigate the effects of coupler slack, track topography and gradient on wagon dynamics. The possible wagon instability in each of these scenarios was then assessed to give a measure of the potential consequences of the event. Risk assessment techniques were used to categorise levels of risk based on the consequences and likelihood of each event. It was found that for the train configuration simulated, the Monto Line has a higher derailment risk than the North Coast Line for many of the scenarios studies in this thesis. For a coupler slack of 25mm no derailment risks were identified, 50mm coupler slack derailment risks were only identified on the Monto track and the majority of derailment risks were identified for a 75mm coupler slack.