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Effects Of Achilles Tendon Stretching In Individuals With Plantar Fasciitis, Phoomchai Engkananuwat

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Background and rationale: Since the plantar fascia and the Achilles tendon are anatomically connected, it is therefore plausible that stretching of both structures simultaneously will result in a better outcome. Methods: Fifty participants aged 40-60 years with a history of plantar heel pain greater than one month were recruited. They were randomly assigned into two groups. Group 1 was instructed to stretch the Achilles tendon while Group 2 simultaneous stretched the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia. The stretching interventions were performed for four weeks and the outcome measures were recorded at baseline, at the end of the 4th week, and …

Cross-Cultural Adaptation And Psychometric Properties Of The Thai Version Of The University Of Washington - Concerns About Pain Scale 6 (Uw-Cap6), Sukhonwaroch Youprasart

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Background: Pain catastrophizing has been shown to be an important psychosocial factor that predicts disability and other important pain-related outcomes in individuals with chronic pain. The University of Washington - Concerns about Pain scale (UW-CAP6) is the brief version of a new item bank that assesses pain-related catastrophizing. Objective: To cross-culturally adapt the UW-CAP6 items into Thai and to evaluate its psychometric properties. Methods: The original UW-CAP6 instructions and items were cross-culturally adapted into Thai using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy translation methodology. Chronic low back pain individuals completed the Thai version of UW-CAP6 (T-UW-CAP6), Thai Fear Avoidance …

Curling Probe Measurement In Plasma, Chatchai Sirithipvanich

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The curling probe is one of the active resonance absorption spectroscopic methods, the methods utilized the probe reflection coefficient spectrum to determine the plasma density. The proposed model of the curling probe uses the deviation of the most matched frequency, the frequency in which the minimum reflection coefficient occurs, when the probe is submerged in different mediums. The probe structure is simple and claimed to be robust and efficient. The experiments of a curling probe were performed and the simulations for the probe reflection coefficient for both previously reported probe and the constructed probe configuration have been conducted. The previously …

Ads₄/Cft₃ Holography From Four-Dimensional Gauged Supergravity, Khem Upathambhakul

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

We study holographic RG flows from N = 3 and N = 4 gauged supergravities in four dimensions. The scalar manifold of N = 3 gauged supergravity is in the form of the coset space G/H = SU(3, n)/SU(3) × SU(n) × U(1). Possible gauge groups, in this study, are given by SO(3) × SO(3), SO(3, 1), SO(2, 2), SO(2, 1) × SO(2, 2), and SL(3, R). We then study N = 4 gauged supergravity from type II compactification on T⁶/Z₂ × Z₂ with non-semisimple gaugings. The scalar manifold of N = 4 gauged supergravity is in the form of …

Multipole Resonance Probe Measurement In Plasma, Natthapong Jampaiboon

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Active plasma resonance spectroscopy (APRS) is one of the interesting methods which could avoid plasma contamination problem occurs in a conventional Langmuir probe measurement. It is because the probe conductors are covered by a dielectric material. The APRS probe can be of any shape. A multipole resonance probe is a hemisphere APRS probe since a sphere imposes the simplest way to find an analytical solution by solving the Laplace equation in the spherical coordinates with the azimuthal symmetry. In this study, the APRS probes in the hemisphere, microstrip, and parallel rod shapes were constructed. Plasma density was obtained by using …

Effects Of Magnesium Substitution On Electronic Properties Of Calcium Difluoride, Natthasart Chintananon

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

We use density functional theory to find the phase transitions of CaF2. The results show that CaF2 adopts the fluorite structure, with the space group Fm-3m, in the range 0f 0-8 GPa and transforms into the cotunnite structure, with the space group Pnma, above 8 GPa. The electronic band structure of the Pnma-CaF2 structure expresses an insulating phase, and the bandgap collapses under pressure above 70 GPa. In this work, we proposed a new decoration of Ca/Mg-substituted fluorides MgxCa1-xF2, using the cluster expansion technique which is commonly used to study alloys. We found that the Mg0.25Ca0.75F2, with a Pm structure, …

Effects Of Non-Albicans Candida Species On Biofilm Formation And Acidogenicity Of Dual-Species Biofilms And On Cariogenic Virulence Gene Expression Of Streptococcus Mutans, Wirunphat Sansanoa

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Early childhood caries is a common oral disease found in children which could affect their general health. Streptococcus mutans is an important cariogenic pathogen since it possesses cariogenic properties, which are acid production, acid tolerance and biofilm formation. Recent studies showed that Candida albicans, which is frequently found together with S. mutans in plaques of children with dental caries, enhances cariogenicity. At the same time, increasing prevalence of non-albicans Candida species (NACs) in children and immune-compromised patients has been reported. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of NACs when co-cultured with S. mutans on cariogenic properties and virulence …

The Incidence Of Antibiotic-Resistant Staphylococcus Spp. Colonization And Infection In Children And Adults With Atopic Dermatitis, Matchima Laowansiri

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by chronic and recurrent eczematous rash. AD occurs in both children and adults, but children are more affected. An important aggravating factor is caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection. Therefore, topical (beta-lactam, macrolides, clindamycin) and systemic (mupirocin and fusidic acid) antibiotics are essential for treatment of AD. However, frequent use of antibiotics results in an increase in the incidence of antibiotic-resistant S. aureus. Methicillin resistance S. aureus (MRSA) becomes a problem in the treatment of skin diseases. It’s found that the change from penicillin binding protein (PBP) to PBP2a with …

Effects Of Polyaniline Thickness On Photovoltaic Properties Of Pani/Tio2 Photovoltaic Cells, Akkharaphak Auisakul

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Polyaniline (PANI) is a cheap conducting polymer that exhibits p-type properties with high conductivity and unique redox properties. In this work, PANI was synthesized directly on TiO2/FTO substrates by electropolymerisation from acidic aqueous solutions of aniline to form PANI/TiO2 p-n junctions with photovoltaic properties. The thickness of the PANI layer was varied by varying electrodeposition time: 15, 30, and 45 min at the same current density of 2 mA cm-2. The thicknesses of the deposited PANI layers were examined with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Short-circuit currents (ISC) and open-circuit voltages (VOC) of fabricated Pt/PANI/TiO2/FTO cells are investigated. It was found …

The Visegrád Group And The European Migrant Crisis : Cause Factors And The Case Of Hungary, Onvara Vadhanavisala

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The European migrant crisis has propelled the European Union (EU) to face many challenges, starting from the division of different ideas on how to manage a high number of refugees and migrants. The crisis is marked as a turning point for right-wing populism to gain its strength in modern European politics. The European Member States (EMS) have started to lose their trust in European institutions because of their unclear strategic direction on solving the refugee and migrant crisis. Correspondingly, Euroscepticism is spreading all over Europe. The situation has been worsened as more refugees are continuously entering Europe. Therefore, populists and …

Prediction Of Lncrna-Protein Interactions Based On Deep Learning Model, Natsuda Navamajiti

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

One main function of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is to act as a scaffold facilitating multiple proteins to form complexes. Most of available prediction models for protein-RNA interactions, however, were proposed as a binary classifier, which limited on predicting the interaction between the non-coding RNAs and each individual RNA-binding protein (RBP). Hence, to predict if a lncRNA is acting as a scaffold, we consider this problem as a multiclass multilabel classification problem. To solve this problem, the high confident CLIP-seq data were selected from the POSTAR2 database with an augmentation of the data for the RBP classes with a small …

Effects Of Microplastic Accumulation On Floc Characteristics And Fouling Mechanism In Sequencing Batch Membrane Bioreactor, Thitiwut Maliwan

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This research investigated the effects of microplastic accumulation on the floc characteristics and mechanism of membrane fouling in a sequencing batch membrane bioreactor (SB-MBR). At first, the jar test experiment was performed for 120 min. The results indicate that spiking microplastics of 100-1,000 MPs/L resulted in an increase in floc size by 27.9±9.2% to 70.9±5.1%, while the control set (without microplastic) showed a greater increase in the floc size at 113.3±5.6% of the initial floc size. Afterwards, the SB-MBR, which was equipped with a flat-sheet microfiltration membrane, was operated at 24 hours/cycle with 4 reactors at the influent COD of …

Elastic Half-Plane Under Surface Excitations With Consideration Of Couple Stress And Surface Stress Effects, Toan Minh Le

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This thesis presents the modeling and analysis of an elastic half-plane under the surface loading and the frictionless contact of a rigid indentor by taking the influence of both surface and couple stresses into account. The corresponding boundary value problem is formulated by adopting the surface elasticity and couple stress theories. The method of Fourier integral transform is employed together with the boundary conditions on the top surface to derive the complete elastic field of the half-plane subjected to arbitrary surface loadings. The proposed solution scheme is also applied to construct a set of fundamental solutions associated with a normal …

Front Cover, North American Bird Bander

North American Bird Bander

No abstract provided.

Front Cover, North American Bird Bander

North American Bird Bander

No abstract provided.

Back Cover, North American Bird Bander

North American Bird Bander

No abstract provided.

Back Cover, North American Bird Bander

North American Bird Bander

No abstract provided.

Msg-Fast: Metagenomic Shotgun Data Fast Annotation Using Microbial Gene Catalogs, Stuart M. Brown, Hao Chen, Yuhan Hao, Bobby P. Laungani, Thahmina A. Ali, Changsu Dong, Carlos Lijeron, Baekdoo Kim, Claudia Wultsch, Zhiheng Pei, Konstantinos Krampis

Publications and Research

Background: Current methods used for annotating metagenomics shotgun sequencing (MGS) data rely on a computationally intensive and low-stringency approach of mapping each read to a generic database of proteins or reference microbial genomes.

Results: We developed MGS-Fast, an analysis approach for shotgun whole-genome metagenomic data utilizing Bowtie2 DNA-DNA alignment of reads that is an alternative to using the integrated catalog of reference genes database of well-annotated genes compiled from human microbiome data. This method is rapid and provides high-stringency matches (>90% DNA sequence identity) of the metagenomics reads to genes with annotated functions. We demonstrate the use of this …

Temperamental! Prints In The Collection Of Bryn Mawr College

Books, pamphlets, catalogues, and scrapbooks

Brochure for an exhibition held at Bryn Mawr College March 22, 2019-June 2, 2019, organized by Tessa Haas (A.B./M.A. student), Anya Prussin (Class of 2019), Talia Shiroma (Class of 2019), and Maeve White (A.B./M.A. student): the students in a Fall 2018 exhibition seminar taught by Professor Christiane Hertel and Carrie Robbins (Bryn Mawr College Ph.D. 2013, Curator/Academic Liaison). Brochure design by Nathanael Roesch (Bryn Mawr College Ph.D. 2017).

Care After Lymphoma (Caly) Trial: A Phase Ii Pilot Pragmatic Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Nurse-Led Model Of Survivorship Care, Karen Taylor, Paola Chivers, Caroline Bulsara, David Joske, Max Bulsara, Leanne Monterosso

Nursing Papers and Journal Articles

Purpose: Post-treatment follow-up for lymphoma potentially fails to address the supportive care needs of survivors. A nurse-led lymphoma survivorship model of care was developed and tested in a phase II pilot pragmatic randomised controlled trial (RCT). The intervention comprised three face-to-face appointments, delivery of tailored resources and an individualised survivorship care plan and treatment summary (SCPTS), shared with the general practitioner (GP).

Method: Three months’ post-treatment completion, eligible lymphoma patients were randomised 1:1 to usual care (control) or usual care plus intervention. Survivorship unmet needs (Short-Form Survivor Unmet Needs Survey), distress (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21), adjustment to cancer (Mini-Mental …

Complementary Medicine Use And Health Literacy In Older Australians, Caroline A. Smith, Esther Chang, Gisselle Gallego

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Objectives: To investigate whether complementary medicine (CAM) use is associated with health literacy levels and decision self-efficacy.

Design: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to men and women aged 65 years and older who participated in a randomised control trial (N = 153) in Sydney, Australia.

Results: One hundred and fifty-three people completed the survey of those 66% were females and the mean age was 76 years. Most participants used or were currently using CAM in the past 12 months (75%). The most common source of CAM information were GPs. Participants with higher levels of social support were found more likely …

The Impact Of Mandatory Iodine Fortification And Supplementation On Pregnant And Lactating Women In Australia, Stephen Hurley, Creswell J. Eastman, Gisselle Gallego

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background and Objectives: In Australia, two public health measures were introduced between 2009 and 2010 to reduce iodine deficiency. However there has been a shortage of information regarding their effectiveness and the ongoing prevalence of iodine deficiency in Australia. The primary aim of this study was to assess the extent to which these public health measures have reduced rates of iodine deficiency among pregnant and lactating women.

Methods and Study Design: A review was conducted to identify all studies published since January 2010 that quantitatively measured the iodine status of pregnant and/or lactating women in Australia.

Results: We found 25 …

Exploring Assessment Of Medical Students' Competencies In Pain Medicine - A Review, Elspeth Shipton, Carole Steketee, Frank Bate, Eric J. Visser

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Introduction: Considering the continuing high prevalence and public health burden of pain, it is critical that medical students are equipped with competencies in the field of pain medicine. Robust assessment of student expertise is integral for effective implementation of competency-based medical education.

Objective: The aim of this review was to describe the literature regarding methods for assessing pain medicine competencies in medical students.

Method: PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, ERIC, and Google Scholar, and BEME data bases were searched for empirical studies primarily focusing on assessment of any domain of pain medicine competencies in medical students published between January 1997 and December …

Bioethics In The News: The Values At Stake. Why Are Conservative Values So Difficult To Communicate In The Public Square And Progressive Values So Easy?, Margaret Somerville

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Bioethical issues are complex, often involve factual uncertainty, and have broad and long-term potential consequences for individuals, institutions and society. Simplification is a strategy used by so-called ‘progressive’ values advocates to promote acceptance of their values. It results from excluding consideration of complexity, uncertainty and potentiality in the values disputes around bio-ethical issues. In order to engage effectively in public debates of bioethics issues, it is necessary to understand the current societal values zeitgeist and how it differs from a traditional societal values zeitgeist. Since words are weapons in the values battles, it is necessary to identify how they are …

What Influences Chronic Pain Management? A Best–Worst Scaling Experiment With Final Year Medical Students And General Practitioners, Linda Rankin, Christopher J. Fowler, Britt-Marie Stålnacke, Gisselle Gallego

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: Chronic pain education is an essential determinant for optimal chronic pain management. Given that attitudes and preferences are involved in making treatment decisions, identifying which factors are most influential to final year medical students’ and general practitioners’ (GPs) chronic pain management choices is of importance. This study investigates Swedish and Australian students’ preferences with respect to a chronic pain condition, using a best–worst scaling (BWS) experiment, which is designed to rank alternatives.

Methods: BWS, a stated-preference method grounded in random utility theory, was used to explore the importance of factors influencing chronic pain management.

Results: All three cohorts considered …

Advances In Screening For Undiagnosed Atrial Fibrillation For Stroke Prevention And Implications For Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: A Literature Review And Research Agenda, Nestor Gahungu, Christopher Judkins, Eli Gabbay, David Playford

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of sustained cardiac arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice, and its burden is expected to increase in most developed countries over the next few decades. Because AF can be silent, it is often not diagnosed until an AF-related complication occurs, such as stroke. AF is also associated with increased risk of heart failure, lower quality of life, and death. Anticoagulation has been shown to dramatically decrease embolic risk in the setting of atrial fibrillation, resulting in growing interest in early detection of previously undiagnosed AF. Newly developed monitoring devices have improved the detection …

An Education Intervention To Improve Decision Making And Health Literacy Among Older Australians: A Randomised Controlled Trial, Caroline A. Smith, Esther Chang, Gisselle Gallego, Afshan Khan, Mike Armour, Lynda G. Balneaves

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Background: National policies seek to involve older Australian’s in decisions regarding their care; however, research has found varying levels of decision self-efficacy and health literacy skills. An increasing number of older Australians use complementary medicine (CM). We examined the effectiveness of a CM educational intervention delivered using a web or DVD plus booklet format to increase older adults’ decision self-efficacy and health literacy.

Methods: A randomised controlled trial was conducted. We recruited individuals aged over 65years living in retirement villages or participating in community groups, in Sydney Australia. Participants were randomly allocated to receive a CM education intervention delivered using …

Long-Term Prevalence And Predictors Of Prolonged Grief Disorder Amongst Bereaved Cancer Caregivers: A Cohort Study, Rachel D. Zordan, Melanie L. Bell, Melanie Price, Cheryl Remedios, Elizabeth Lobb, Christopher Hall, Peter Hudson

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Context: The short-term impact of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) following bereavement is well documented. The longer term sequelae of PGD however are poorly understood, possibly unrecognized, and may be incorrectly attributed to other mental health disorders and hence undertreated.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to prospectively evaluate the prevalence of PGD three years post bereavement and to examine the predictors of long-term PGD in a population-based cohort of bereaved cancer caregivers.

Methods: A cohort of primary family caregivers of patients admitted to one of three palliative care services in Melbourne, Australia, participated in the study (n = …

Adrenal Insufficiency Due To Bilateral Adrenal Metastases - A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Philippa H. Tallis, R Louise Rushworth, David J. Torpy, Henrik Falhammar

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Objective: Bilateral adrenal metastases may cause adrenal insufficiency (AI) but it is unclear if screening for AI in patients with bilateral adrenal metastases is justified, despite the potential for adrenal crises.

Method: A search using PubMed/Medline, ScienceDirect and Cochrane Reviews was performed to collect all original research articles and all case reports from the past 50 years that describe AI in bilateral adrenal metastases.

Results: Twenty studies were included with 6 original research articles, 13 case reports and one case series. The quality was generally poor. The prevalence of AI was 3–8%. Of all cases of AI (n ¼ 25) …

What Is The Prevalence, And What Are The Clinical Correlates, Of Insulin Resistance In Young People Presenting For Mental Health Care? A Cross-Sectional Study, Elizabeth M. Scott, Joanne S. Carpenter, Frank Iorfino, Shane P.M Cross, Daniel F. Hermens, Jeanne Gehue, Chloe Wilson, Django White, Sharon L. Naismith, Adam J. Guastella, Ian B. Hickie

Medical Papers and Journal Articles

Objectives: To report the distribution and predictors of insulin resistance (IR) in young people presenting to primary care-based mental health services.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Headspace-linked clinics operated by the Brain and Mind Centre of the University of Sydney.

Participants: 768 young people (66% female, mean age 19.7±3.5, range 12–30 years).

Main outcome measures: IR was estimated using the updated homeostatic model assessment (HOMA2-IR). Height and weight were collected from direct measurement or self-report for body mass index (BMI).

Results: For BMI, 20.6% of the cohort were overweight and 10.2% were obese. However,6.9 mmol/L). By contrast, 9.9% had a HOMA2-IR score …