Intimate Relationship Satisfaction and Demand-Withdraw Trajectories: Understanding Development in Newlywed Couples

A low level of relationship satisfaction is one of the best predictors of divorce in married couples, yet research has yet to clarify how relationship satisfaction changes during the first few years of marriage. This study sought to model the developmental trajectory of relationship satisfaction and demand-withdraw communication in newly married couples. Structural equation modeling was used to model the association of both variables within-person and cross-partner. Engaged couples (N = 93) completed a pre-marital intervention and were followed for a period of 5 years. Results indicated that higher levels of relationship satisfaction at the outset of the study for both husbands and wives predicted fewer declines in relationship satisfaction for husbands only. In addition, both within-person and cross-partner, relationship satisfaction and demand-withdraw were negatively related at the outset, but were unrelated over time. Results were discussed in light of relationship theory and an agenda for future research was proposed.Master of Art

Evaluating the Couples Health CoOp in South African Couples: Understanding Sexual Concurrency, Long-Term Skill Retention, and Relationship Dynamics

Incident rates of HIV infection continue to be unacceptably high in South Africa, where HIV is primarily transmitted through sexual contact. Couple-based HIV prevention programs, which focus on the dyad as the point of intervention, are shown to be efficacious in improving safe sex behaviors. However, not all individuals show improvement through this type of intervention, suggesting an opportunity to improve these programs. Therefore, the current study has three aims tied to improving couple-based HIV prevention programs in South Africa: (a) use individual and relationship predictors to better understand why individuals engage in outside sexual relationships, known as sexual concurrency; (b) examine the long-term effects of a particular couple-based HIV prevention program, the Couples Health CoOp; and (c) develop and initially evaluate a theory of adaptive couple functioning for Black South African couples, which can improve the relationship focus of couple-based HIV prevention programs. A quantitative investigation using a structural equation modeling framework was carried out for Study 1 using data collected from 286 South African heterosexual couples. Results show that alcohol use for both sexes, relationship satisfaction among men, and mistrust among women were predictive of different types of sexual concurrency. Study 2 used qualitative methods, specifically focus group discussions with men and women, to investigate the second and third aims. Results of Aim 2 indicated that the most salient information learned by men and women related to communication and problem-solving, safe sexual behaviors, and negative effects of alcohol. Long-term changes were reported in the areas of communication and healthier sexual behavior, but alcohol use for many participants was still an area of struggle. Finally, Aim 3 of this investigation revealed four major components associated with adaptive relationship functioning: active relationship building behaviors, emotional support/display, communication, and problem-solving. Overall, this study provides evidence that relationship factors are central to the lives of South African men and women, and it identifies a number of ways in which couple-based HIV prevention programs might be improved through enhancing various relationship factors.Doctor of Philosoph

Corpo e voz : estilo k-pop

Trabalho de conclusão de curso (graduação)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Comunicação, Departamento de Audiovisuais e Publicidade, 2016.Corpo e Voz: Estilo K-Pop é um documentário de curta-metragem que apresenta movimento K-Pop Cover no Brasil: Jovens brasileiros amantes de K-Pop (pop sul coreano), que se apropriaram da música como um “estilo de vida”, que envolve, sobretudo, a expressão artística por meio da dança e do canto através dos covers

Casas Lares Humberto de Campos : design orientado para estabilidade no fornecimento de refeições balanceadas

Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso (graduação)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Artes, Departamento de Desenho Industrial, 2017.Este projeto acadêmico foi desenvolvido para o Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso do Design em dupla habilitação e seu tema partiu de uma necessidade do Centro de Convivência e Fortalecimento de Vínculos Casas Lares Humberto de Campos. As Casas Lares são uma instituição sem fins lucrativos que tem por objetivo assistir crianças de 6 a 12 em situação de vulnerabilidade social no contra turno escolar oferecendo atividades pedagógicas, artísticas, culturais, além de prover refeições balanceadas diariamente. Atualmente, a instituição vem passando por dificuldades financeiras que põe em risco a continuidade e manutenção do serviço oferecido às crianças e suas famílias. Tendo isto em vista, o projeto passou por diversas etapas do processo de Design como: pesquisa teórica, observação exploratória, entrevistas formais e informais, workshops com stakeholders internos, visualização de fluxos, geração de alternativas, desenvolvimento e conclusão. Durante o processo ficou claro que seria necessário desenvolver um conjunto de soluções estratégicas que coletivamente conseguissem atingir os objetivos geral e específicos, sendo elas: estruturação da identidade de marca, planejamento estratégico, identidade visual, site, sistema auxiliar de gestão e planejamento de uma horta piloto. Considera-se que, dentro das limitações do projeto, chegou-se a um resultado satisfatório que cumpre os objetivos esperados e espera-se que as soluções aqui apresentadas possam ser implementadas futuramente a fim de efetivamente auxiliarem as Casas Lares Humberto de Campos

Supporting Treatment for Anti-Retroviral Therapy (START) together: protocol for a pilot, randomized, couple-based intervention to promote women's ART adherence and men's engagement in HIV care in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Background: South Africa currently has the greatest number of people with HIV globally. The country has not yet met its 95-95-95 goals, with different gaps in the HIV care cascade for women and men. This paper reports on a protocol to pilot test a couple-based intervention designed to improve women's antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and men's engagement in care in heterosexual couples living in the Vulindlela area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Study goals are two-fold: (1) assess the acceptability, feasibility, and fidelity of the experimental intervention, START Together, and (2) collect efficacy data on START Together for women's ART adherence, men's engagement in HIV care, and the couple's relationship functioning. Methods: Women (N = 20) who were not engaged with ART adherence (defined via self-reported ART difficulties, record of missed clinic visits, or viral non-suppression) are the target patients; male partners are not required to know or disclose their HIV status to be part of the study. Couples are randomized 1:1 to the experimental treatment (START Together) or treatment as usual (referrals to the local clinic to support ART adherence or any other HIV-related care). START Together is a 5-session intervention based in cognitive-behavioral couple therapy, which is a skill-based intervention focusing on communication and problem-solving skills, and Life Steps, a problem-solving intervention identifying barriers and solutions to medication adherence. Couples are assessed at baseline, post-treatment (8 weeks post-randomization), and follow-up (12 weeks post-randomization). Conclusion: This study will provide preliminary implementation and efficacy data on whether this novel approach has potential to improve women and men's HIV and healthcare-related needs

Community-based models of care for management of type 2 diabetes mellitus among non-pregnant adults in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review protocol

Background:; The burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing in low- and middle-income countries, including sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). However, awareness of and access to T2DM diagnosis and care remain low in SSA, leading to delayed treatment, early morbidity, and mortality. Particularly in rural settings with long distances to health care facilities, community-based care models may contribute to increased timely diagnosis and care. This scoping review aims to summarize and categorize existing models of community-based care for T2DM among non-pregnant adults in SSA, and to synthesize the evidence on acceptance, clinical outcomes, and engagement in care.; Method and analysis:; This review will follow the framework suggested by Arskey and O'Malley, which has been further refined by Levac; et al.; and the Joanna Briggs Institute. Electronic searches will be performed in Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and Scopus, supplemented with backward and forward citation searches. We will include cohort studies, randomized trials and case-control studies that report cases of non-pregnant individuals diagnosed with T2DM in SSA who receive a substantial part of care in the community. Our outcomes of interest will be model acceptability, blood sugar control, end organ damage, and patient engagement in care. A narrative analysis will be conducted, and comparisons made between community-based and facility-based models, where within-study comparison is reported.; Conclusion:; Care for T2DM has become a global health priority. Community-based care may be an important add-on approach especially in populations with poor access to health care facilities. This review will inform policy makers and program implementers on different community-based models for care of T2DM in SSA, and critically appraise their acceptability and clinical outcomes. It will further identify evidence gaps and future research priorities in community-based T2DM care

Effects of Chronic Atrial Fibrillation on Active and Passive Force Generation in Human Atrial Myofibrils

Rationale: Chronic atrial fibrillation (cAF) is associated with atrial contractile dysfunction. Sarcomere remodeling may contribute to this contractile disorder. Objective: Here, we use single atrial myofibrils and fast solution switching techniques to directly investigate the impact of cAF on myofilament mechanical function eliminating changes induced by the arrhythmia in atrial myocytes membranes and extracellular components. Remodeling of sarcomere proteins potentially related to the observed mechanical changes is also investigated. Methods and Results: Myofibrils were isolated from atrial samples of 15 patients in sinus rhythm and 16 patients with cAF. Active tension changes following fast increase and decrease in [Ca2+] and the sarcomere length\u2013passive tension relation were determined in the 2 groups of myofibrils. Compared to sinus rhythm myofibrils, cAF myofibrils showed (1) a reduction in maximum tension and in the rates of tension activation and relaxation; (2) an increase in myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity; (3) a reduction in myofibril passive tension. The slow \u3b2-myosin heavy chain isoform and the more compliant titin isoform N2BA were up regulated in cAF myofibrils. Phosphorylation of multiple myofilament proteins was increased in cAF as compared to sinus rhythm atrial myocardium. Conclusions: Alterations in active and passive tension generation at the sarcomere level, explained by translational and post-translational changes of multiple myofilament proteins, are part of the contractile dysfunction of human cAF and may contribute to the self-perpetuation of the arrhythmia and the development of atrial dilatation

Solar UV radiation in Saint-Denis, La Réunion and Cape Town, South Africa: 10 years climatology and human exposure assessment at altitude

International audienceSolar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) monitoring is important since it depends on several atmospheric parameters which are associated with climate change and since excess solar UVR exposure and has significant impacts on human health and wellbeing. The objective of this study was to investigate the trends in solar UVR during a decade (2009-2018) in Saint-Denis, Reunion Island (20.9°S, 55.5°E, 85 m ASL) and Cape Town, South Africa (33.97°S, 18.6°E, 42 m ASL). This comparison was done using total daily erythema exposure as derived from UVR sensors continuously at both sites. Climatology over the 10-year period showed extreme UVR exposure for both sites. Slight changes with opposite trends were found, +3.6% at Saint-Denis and −3.7% at Cape Town. However, these two sites often experience extreme weather conditions thereby making the trend evaluation difficult. Human exposure assessment was performed for hiking activities at two popular high-altitude hiking trails on the Maïdo-Grand Bénare (Reunion) and Table Mountain (Cape Town) with a handheld radiometer. Extreme exposure doses of 64 SED and 40 SED (Standard Erythemal Dose, 1 SED = 100 J.m −2) were recorded, respectively. These high exposure doses highlight the importance of raising public awareness on the risk related to excess UVR exposure at tourist sites, especially those at high altitude