Practice exercises for verbal problems in first year algebra.

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Art. XII.—Tathāgata

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A Differential Response Functioning Framework for Understanding Item, Bundle, and Test Bias

This dissertation extends the parametric sampling method and area-based statistics for differential test functioning (DTF) proposed by Chalmers, Counsell, and Flora (2016). Measures for differential item and bundle functioning are first introduced as a special case of the DTF statistics. Next, these extensions are presented in concert with the original DTF measures as a unified framework for quantifying differential response functioning (DRF) of items, bundles, and tests. To evaluate the utility of the new family of measures, the DRF framework is compared to the previously established simultaneous item bias test (SIBTEST) and differential functioning of items and tests (DFIT) frameworks. A series of Monte Carlo simulation conditions were designed to estimate the power to detect differential effects when compensatory and non-compensatory differential effects are present, as well as to evaluate Type I error control. Benefits inherent to the DRF framework are discussed, extensions are suggested, and alternative methods for generating composite-level sampling variability are presented. Finally, it is argued that the area-based measures in the DRF framework provide an intuitive and meaningful quantification of marginal and conditional response bias over and above what has been offered by the previously established statistical frameworks

Comparing Means under Heteroscedasticity and Nonnormality: Further Exploring Robust Means Modeling

Comparing the means of independent groups is a concern when the assumptions of normality and variance homogeneity are violated. Robust means modeling (RMM) was proposed as an alternative to ANOVA-type procedures when the assumptions of normality and variance homogeneity are violated. The purpose of this study is to compare the Type I error and power rates of RMM to the trimmed Welch procedure. A Monte Carlo study was used to investigate RMM and the trimmed Welch procedure under several conditions of nonnormality and variance heterogeneity. The results suggest that the trimmed Welch provides a better balance of Type I error control and power than RMM

Effects Of Vaping Nicotine Vs Traditional Cigarette Smoking On Periodontal Patients

Vaping is becoming increasingly popular as an attempt to decrease traditional smoking. Chemicals found in cigarettes are known to be harmful to the periodontium. Nicotine, found in both inhalants, is a vasoconstrictor that causes a reduction in the inflammatory response. This leads to less bleeding and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) flow in those that smoke cigarettes versus those that vape. Due to e-cigarettes new prevalence, additional research is required to understand its long-term effects on periodontitis.https://dune.une.edu/dh_studpost/1014/thumbnail.jp

The appeal of the Functional Fitness MOT to older adults and health professionals in an outpatient setting: a mixed-method feasibility study

Purpose: To understand the views and perceptions regarding the Functional Fitness MOT (FFMOT), a battery of functional tests followed by a brief motivational interview, of both the older people undergoing it and the health professionals delivering it. Patients and methods: Physically inactive older adults (n=29) underwent the FFMOT and subsequently attended focus groups to share their perceptions of it and to discuss the barriers, motivators, health behavior change, and scope to improve physical activity (PA) levels. PA levels were recorded at baseline and again at 12 weeks together with a post-intervention questionnaire concerning behavior change. Participating physiotherapists and technical instructors were interviewed. Results: Most participants felt they had learned about their abilities and comparisons with their peers, had a change in perception about the importance of good balance and strength, and felt the FFMOT helped raise their awareness of local and self-directed physical activity opportunities. Most felt their awareness of the need for PA had not changed, but 25% of participants started a new organized PA opportunity. The health professionals perceived the FFMOT as being easy to administer, educating, and motivating for participants to increase their PA. Space, time, finances, and insecurity about having the necessary skills to conduct the FFMOTs were seen as barriers in implementing the FFMOT in daily practice. Conclusion: Over half of those offered the FFMOT accepted it, suggesting it is appealing. However, most participants felt they were already active enough and that their awareness of the need for PA had not changed. There were positive perceptions of the FFMOT from both professionals and older people, but both felt the FFMOT could be held in a community venue. The overall findings suggest that the FFMOT is feasible in the clinical setting, but its effectiveness has yet to be determined

Studies of the alteration of carbohydrate, fat and brain amine metabolism in man in health and disease

1. Nine patients with Huntington's chorea and one with chorea were admitted to a double-blind cross-over trial of tetrahenazine, thiopropazate and placebo. 2. Thiopropazate (P<0.01) and tetrahenazine (P< 0.001) both significantly controlled chorea. 3. The administration of tetrahenazine was accompanied by a pronounced rise (P <0.001) in the concentration of H.V.A. in c.s.f., suggesting increased cerebral dopamine metabolism. 4. The effect of thiopropazate was much smaller and was not statistically significant. 5. It is suggested that tetrahenazine is the drug of first choice for the suppression of chorea in patients with Huntington's chorea

The effect of drugs and exercise on intermediary metabolism and on the release of growth hormone and prolactin in man

All the studies presented in this thesis involve aspects of the regulation of hGH and hPRL release. The first two sections describe studies of the effects of diphenylhydantoin (DPH) and alcohol and the third section describes studies of hypothalamic regulation of hGH and hPRL release in normal subjects and in patients with Huntington's chorea. Studies of the effects of DPH demonstrate that this drug potentiates the hGH response to exercise (Chapter 1). Glucose loading demonstrated impaired glucose tolerance and insulin release in epileptics receiving long term treatment with DPH (Chapter 2). The effect of alcohol on hypothalamic/ pituitary function was investigated by examining the effect of alcohol on hGH and hPRL release (Chapters 3, 4). Alcohol increased the hGH response to exercise in normal subjects suggesting that alcohol alters hypothalamic/pituitary regulation of hGH release. The hGH responses to exercise and insulin induced hypoglycaemia were impaired in a number of alcoholics and clinical evidence suggested that the presence of an impaired hGH response may be related to alcohol withdrawal (Chapters 5 and 6). The investigations described in Section III provide evidence that hGH and hPRL release is influenced by hypothalamic dopaminergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic receptors. The dopamine agonist bromocriptine produced significant elevation of hGH concentrations in normal subjects and suppressed both hGH and hPRL levels in a patient with acromegaly (Chapter 7). Studies of the effects of the phenothiazine derivative, fluphenazine, demonstrate that this drug elevates basal hPRL concentrations, enhances the hPRL response to insulin induced hypoglycaemia and impairs the hGH response to this stimulus (Chapters 8 and 9). These effects of fluphenazine on hGH and hPRL release are consistent with the dopamine receptor blocking properties of phenothiazine drugs. The intra-venous administration of the noradrenaline receptor agonist clonidine was associated with elevation of hGH and suppression of hPRL concentrations (Chapter 10). Administration of 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan, the precursor of serotonin, produced a significant rise in both hGH and hPRL concentrations (Chapter 11). The regulation of release of hGH and hPRL by hypothalamic peptide factors was studied by investigating the effect of somatostatin on hormonal and metabolic changes during and after exercise in normal subjects (Chapter 12). The growth hormone release inhibiting property of this peptide was confirmed and the suppression of the hGH response did not appear to have any marked effect on fat mobilisation during exercise. The presence of an earlier hGH response to insulin induced hypoglycaemia was confirmed in patients with Huntington's chorea (Chapter 13). Further studies of the hGH and hPRL responses to bromocriptine, clonidine and 5-hydroxy-L- tryptophan in patients with this disorder demonstrated significantly reduced hGH responses to these three agents and a greater hPRL response to 5-HTP. The results do not provide evidence of increased sensitivity of hypothalamic catecholaminergic or serotonergic receptors stimulating hGH release in patients with Huntington's chorea

Evergreen or deciduous? Australian trends in relation to the 'evergreening' of patents

The so-called ‘evergreening’ of pharmaceutical patents has become an issue of major public concern in the wake of the Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement and the amendments it requires to the Therapeutics Goods Act 1989 (Cth). The effect of these amendments was to place additional obligations on manufacturers of generic (unpatented) pharmaceuticals. Some additional provisions were also included in an attempt to safeguard against potentially ‘illegitimate’ patent infringement action taken by patentees against such manufacturers. This article examines these provisions and their likely effect on the patent protection strategies adopted by the pharmaceutical industry. It also considers recent responses to these strategies by the patents administration system and the courts — in particular, the decision of Arrow Pharmaceuticals Ltd v Merck & Co Inc.Robert Chalmer

Utility of routine screening for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency in patients with bronchiectasis

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a cause of bronchiectasis. Guidelines for bronchiectasis from the British Thoracic Society do not recommend to routinely test patients for AATD. In contrast, guidelines for AATD recommend routine screening. This contradiction, in part, results from the lack of data from large studies performing comprehensive screening. We screened 1600 patients with bronchiectasis at two centres in the UK from 2012 to 2016. In total, only eight individuals with AATD were identified representing 0.5% of the overall population. We conclude that routine screening for AATD in bronchiectasis in the UK has a low rate of detection. Further studies are required in different geographical regions, which may have a higher prevalence of AATD.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio