An analysis of two Boston University tests: (1) an applied phonics test, (2) a reading attitude scale

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Hour of Parting

[verse 1]Sad hour of parting! too quickly here!Spirits to sever link\u27d by each thoughtBringing thy anguise! they bitter tear,... thy bitter tear!Lonely we\u27ll wander through the day, Hopeless must weep through night\u27s delay;Our hearts are breaking, with this fare-well!.... with this fare-well!Fare-well! Oh! must we say farewell! Fare-well! Oh! must we say farewell! [verse 2]Oh thou bless\u27d spirit! bend kindly down,Drooping, behold us! neath adverse fate,Shelter us from its withering frown, ... its with\u27ring frown.To thy protection now we flee,Safe in the shadow let us be;In sorrow parted, by fate\u27s compel!... by stern compel!Fare-well! It is our last fare-well!Fare-well! It is our last fare-well

Feasibility of the use of capillary electrophoresis for the study of vldl assembly intermediates

The chicken has long been a model used for the study of plasma lipoproteins due to the ability to increase VLDL production by administration of estrogen. In this study we were able to demonstrate successful isolation of VLDL assembly intermediates from the livers of hens, roosters, and estrogen treated rosters. Particle diameter of first step particles, as determined by dynamic laser light scattering, was decreased from an average diameter of 31.5 nm in untreated birds, to 16.1 nm 12 hours after estrogen treatment. Effects of estrogen waned after 24 hours and particle diameter of first step particles increased to an average of 23.9 nm. These assembly intermediates, as well as plasma VLDL and VLDLy, were successfully studied using capillary electrophoresis (CE). Effective mobilities of intact plasma VLDL and first step particles decreased after estrogen administration. Hen VLDL showed a single uniform peak whereas rooster VLDL separated into distinct ÂsubclassesÂ. Delipidated VLDL, VLDLy and first step assembly intermediates were also successfully separated using CE. This thesis is dedicated to my family who always encouraged me through this process

Challenges to generating political prioritization for adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Kenya: A qualitative study.

BackgroundDespite the high burden of adverse adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes, it has remained a low political priority in Kenya. We examined factors that have shaped the lack of current political prioritization of adolescent SRH service provision.MethodsWe used the Shiffman and Smith policy framework consisting of four categories-actor power, ideas, political contexts, and issue characteristics-to analyse factors that have shaped political prioritization of adolescent SRH. We undertook semi-structured interviews with 14 members of adolescent SRH networks between February and April 2019 at the national level and conducted thematic analysis of the interviews.FindingsSeveral factors hinder the attainment of political priority for adolescent SRH in Kenya. On actor power, the adolescent SRH community was diverse and united in adoption of international norms and policies, but lacked policy entrepreneurs to provide strong leadership, and policy windows were often missed. Regarding ideas, community members lacked consensus on a cohesive public positioning of the problem. On issue characteristics, the perception of adolescents as lacking political power made politicians reluctant to act on the existing data on the severity of adolescent SRH. There was also a lack of consensus on the nature of interventions to be implemented. Pertaining to political contexts, sectoral funding by donors and government treasury brought about tension within the different government ministries resulting in siloed approaches, lack of coordination and overall inefficiency. However, the SRH community has several strengths that augur well for future political support. These include the diverse multi-sectoral background of its members, commitment to improving adolescent SRH, and the potential to link with other health priorities such as maternal health and HIV/AIDS.ConclusionIn order to increase political attention to adolescent SRH in Kenya, there is an urgent need for policy actors to: 1) create a more cohesive community of advocates across sectors, 2) develop a clearer public positioning of adolescent SRH, 3) agree on a set of precise approaches that will resonate with the political system, and 4) identify and nurture policy entrepreneurs to facilitate the coupling of adolescent SRH with potential solutions when windows of opportunity arise

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Sex Differences in Social Contact Patterns and Implications for Tuberculosis Transmission and Control.

Social contact patterns might contribute to excess burden of tuberculosis in men. We conducted a study of social contact surveys to evaluate contact patterns relevant to tuberculosis transmission. Available data describe 21 surveys in 17 countries and show profound differences in sex-based and age-based patterns of contact. Adults reported more adult contacts than children. Children preferentially mixed with women in all surveys (median sex assortativity 58%, interquartile range [IQR] 57%-59% for boys, 61% [IQR 60%-63%] for girls). Men and women reported sex-assortative mixing in 80% and 95% of surveys (median sex assortativity 56% [IQR 54%-58%] for men, 59% [IQR 57%-63%] for women). Sex-specific patterns of contact with adults were similar at home and outside the home for children; adults reported greater sex assortativity outside the home in most surveys. Sex assortativity in adult contacts likely contributes to sex disparities in adult tuberculosis burden by amplifying incidence among men

Making sense of a diagnosis of incurable cancer: The importance of communication

Purpose:  Patients diagnosed with incurable cancer may experience existential distressand difficulty in re-appraising their lives because of uncertainty about the future. Objectives: This study sought to understand how patients living with incurable cancer made sense of their diagnosis, how they prepared for the future and what support they wanted from their health professionals.  Subjects:  27 patients were recruited from the oncology and palliative care service at three metropolitan hospitals. Methods:  A qualitative research approach was used. Semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted. Interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim.  Data was analyzed using the constant-comparative method.  Results:  Participants did not express a need to make sense of their diagnosis nor always ascribe to a particular religious belief; rather, many relied on a personal spirituality or philosophy to bring meaning to their experience. Importance was placed on their doctor keeping up with technology, being honest, and being confident and positive. Conclusion:  Participants in this study had incurable cancer but making sense of their current situation was not a conscious priority. For these patients, uncertainty was a positive, as certainty for them indicates death is approaching. What these interviews suggest, from the patient’s perspective, is that there is an implied contract between doctor and patient during this period which involves the doctor managing the flow of difficult information so that the patient can maintain normality for as long as possible. Understanding this helps to explain the difficulty of having advance care planning conversations within this setting, despite the many opportunities that a longer disease trajectory would seem to offer.

Using the arts to consult a community about their health and wellbeing needs.

Local commissioners of services require information to make decisions about what needs a community has and how these can best be met with limited funds. Traditionally decisions have been made based upon available written data such as population information and other records of service take-up. An innovative project sought to find a new way of establishing local needs. The project was developed through a partnership between local commissioners, charities and the arts and evaluated by researchers from Bournemouth University. This presentation will offer insights to how effective the arts can be when seeking to explore the health and wellbeing needs of a community