13 research outputs found
Normalized Weighting Schemes for Image Interpolation Algorithms
No full textImage interpolation algorithms pervade many modern image processing and
analysis applications. However, when their weighting schemes inefficiently
generate very unrealistic estimates, they may negatively affect the performance
of the end user applications. Therefore, in this work, the author introduced
four weighting schemes based on some geometric shapes for digital image
interpolation operations. And, the quantity used to express the extent of each
shape weight was the normalized area, especially when the sums of areas
exceeded a unit square size. The introduced four weighting schemes are based on
the minimum side based diameter (MD) of a regular tetragon, hypotenuse based
radius (HR), the virtual pixel length based height for the area of the triangle
(AT), and the virtual pixel length for hypotenuse based radius for the area of
the circle (AC). At the smaller scaling ratio, the image interpolation
algorithm based on the HR scheme scored the highest at 66.6 % among non
traditional image interpolation algorithms presented. But, at the higher
scaling ratio, the AC scheme based image interpolation algorithm scored the
highest at 66.6 % among non traditional algorithms presented and, here, its
image interpolation quality was generally superior or comparable to the quality
of images interpolated by both non traditional and traditional algorithms.Comment: 17 pages, 15 figures, 2 Table
Evaluation of Extra Pixel Interpolation with Mask Processing for Medical Image Segmentation with Deep Learning
No full textCurrent mask processing operations rely on interpolation algorithms that do not produce extra pixels, such as nearest neighbor (NN) interpolation, as opposed to algorithms that do produce extra pixels, like bicubic (BIC) or bilinear (BIL) interpolation. In our previous study, the author proposed an alternative approach to NN-based mask processing and evaluated its effects on deep learning training outcomes. In this study, the author evaluated the effects of both BIC-based image and mask processing and BIC-and-NN-based image and mask processing versus NN-based image and mask processing. The evaluation revealed that the BIC-BIC model/network was an 8.9578 % (with image size 256 x 256) and a 1.0496 % (with image size 384 x 384) increase of the NN-NN network compared to the NN-BIC network which was an 8.3127 % (with image size 256 x 256) and a 0.2887 % (with image size 384 x 384) increase of the NN-NN network.5 pages, 10 figure, 7 table
UTILIZATION OF ANTENATAL CARE SERVICES AMONG REFUGEE TEENAGE MOTHERS AT NAKIVALE REFUGEE SETTLEMENT IN WESTERN UGANDA. A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY.
No full textIntroduction:
Antenatal care is crucial for positive pregnancy outcomes and is dependent on the timing and quality of care. It promotes health education and helps identify and manage maternal complications and risk factors. In Sub-Saharan Africa, pregnancy complications and childbirth are the leading cause of death for women aged 10-19. This study examined teenage mothers' experiences and perceptions of accessing and utilizing antenatal care services in the Nakivale refugee settlement, Isingiro district.
Methodology:
A phenomenological study was conducted on teenage mothers in Nakivale, using a snowball sampling method. Key informant interviews were conducted, lasting 45 minutes -1 hour. Ethical clearance was obtained from Bishop Stuart University REC and informed consent was obtained from participants. Data was analyzed thematically using Nvivo version 12.
Results:
Teenage mothers face challenges utilizing antenatal care services including negative treatment from family and community members. However, positive feelings of responsibility alleviate stress, making early mothers more resilient.
Conclusions:
Access to ANC services is closely linked to its utilization, but societal discrimination against teenage mothers affects ANC utilization. Teenage-friendly spaces in Nakivale significantly influenced access and utilization of ANC services.
Recommendations:
The study suggests establishing customized ANC services for teenage mothers in the Nakivale refugee settlement, Isingiro district, to enhance access and utilization of ANC
Understanding the impact of polymer functionalized electrode fabrication and cycling conditions on stability and selective separation of micropollutants
No full textThe main focus of this thesis is on selectively separating target contaminants present in an aqueous environment via electrochemically-mediated capture at polymer interfaces in order to improve water security. Heavy metal pollutants such as arsenic have diverse physico-chemical properties which renders them intractable in current treatment technologies such as wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). These pollutants are able to pass through WWTPs and end up in the aquatic environment becoming a threat to ecosystems or end up in drinking water. Electrochemically mediated selective capture of the heavy metal pollutants is a promising technology but current methods lack molecular selectivity are unstable and have difficulty separating the target ion without producing toxic byproducts. Polymer coated electrodes comprised of poly(vinyl) ferrocne (PVF) and 3-ferrocenylpropyl acrylamide (PFPMAm) have been developed to selectively separate arsenic due to their electronic tunability, fast electron transfer, redox processes at moderate potentials below that of water splitting, and molecular level recognition of target pollutants of concern. Properties of the resulting redox polymer electrode were also investigated using various analytical instruments.Submission published under a 24 month embargo labeled 'Closed Access', the embargo will last until 2023-05-01The student, Emmanuel Kayiwa, accepted the attached license on 2021-04-30 at 13:36.The student, Emmanuel Kayiwa, submitted this Thesis for approval on 2021-04-30 at 13:55.This Thesis was approved for publication on 2021-04-30 at 14:02.DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #16630 on 2021-09-16 at 20:14:47Made available in DSpace on 2021-09-17T04:06:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2
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The Impact of Privacy Laws on Everyday Life in Switzerland: A Social Perspective
No full textThis thesis explores the impact of privacy laws on everyday digital life in Switzerland from a social perspective, with a particular focus on the relationship between digital rights, public awareness, and personal empowerment. In a society where digital interactions are omnipresent and data collection is increasingly pervasive, understanding the societal role and reception of privacy regulations such as the Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (FADP) and the European GDPR is more important than ever.
The aim of this research is to assess how individuals perceive, understand, and interact with privacy laws, and to identify whether these laws effectively support digital sovereignty at both governmental and personal levels. The study also investigates the extent to which the general population feels equipped to exercise control over their digital presence and data.
The theoretical framework introduces the core concepts of privacy, data protection, digital literacy, trust in digital systems, and digital sovereignty. These notions are contextualized within current literature and examined through a sociotechnical lens, with references to scholars such as Zuboff and Fratini, who highlight the growing tension between individual autonomy and corporate or governmental data control.
In the empirical part, the author combines a quantitative survey targeting the general population with a qualitative interview conducted with a cybersecurity expert in the financial sector. The survey investigates levels of awareness, behavior, and attitudes related to privacy rights and digital sovereignty, while the expert interview provides insights into the practical challenges and ethical considerations of implementing data protection in a heavily regulated industry.
The results indicate a significant gap between legal provisions and public understanding. While privacy is widely valued in theory, there is limited practical engagement with legal rights and digital tools. Trust in institutions and major tech platforms is fragile, and many respondents express the need for clearer information and more accessible means to protect their data.
Based on these findings, the thesis proposes several improvements: integrating digital rights into education, simplifying access to data rights, promoting privacy friendly alternatives, and fostering collaboration between public institutions, academia, and civil society. These suggestions are aimed at reducing the disconnect between regulation and lived experience, and at strengthening both individual and collective digital sovereignty.
The reliability and validity of the research are considered through its methodological design and mixed methods approach. The study contributes to the broader discourse on digital citizenship by highlighting the importance of social understanding and engagement in the successful implementation of privacy legislation
Is shame the missing link between traumatic experiences and post‐traumatic stress disorder in Burundian children living on the streets?
No full textBackground: Shame is an emotion reflecting an anticipated social devaluation of the
self. It is strongly associated with experiences of humiliation and rejection in early
life. Individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) often struggle
with shame. However, little is known about how shame contributes to the develop ment and maintenance of PTSD symptoms in children. The present study investi gated the ways childhood exposure to human-induced traumatic events promotes a
coping mechanism of defeat and withdrawal facilitated by the experience of shame.
We tested a dose–response relationship between lifetime experienced traumatic
event types and PTSD in children using shame as a mediator.
Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 33 male children who lived
and worked on the streets of Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi at the time of data
collection. We assessed self-reported PTSD symptom severity, lifetime traumatic
event load, violence experienced on the streets and shame intensity.
Results: Mediation analyses revealed a significant indirect effect of lifetime traumatic
events on PTSD symptom severity through shame intensity and a significant indirect
effect of violence experienced on the streets on PTSD symptom severity through
shame intensity.
Conclusion: Our study suggests the mediating role of shame between traumatic
experiences as well as violent experiences and PTSD symptom severity in children
living on the streets. Shame in children suffering from PTSD seems to play a crucial
role in the development and maintenance of PTSD symptoms
Preventing Childhood Sexual Abuse Related Mental Health Deterioration Using a Narrative Family Intervention in Burundi
No full textDespite the severe impact of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) on trauma-related disorders, preventive interventions are scarce, especially in (post-)conflict regions. We developed and evaluated a narrative family communication approach for sexually abused Burundian female children and adolescents (N = 102). The intervention cohort (n = 55) received psychoeducation, parental skill training, and preventive narrative exposure therapy. Intervention participants reported improved parental acceptance at 3- and 12-month follow-ups (3mFUP, 12mFUP), and showed greater improvement in overall mental health between initial assessment (IA) and 3mFUP (drm = -0.70) and between IA and 12mFUP (drm = -1.36) compared to non-treated controls (drm = -0.33, drm = -0.02, respectively). Moreover, PTSD symptoms were significantly less pronounced in the intervention cohort than in the control cohort at both follow-ups. Our findings suggest that the preventive narrative family intervention might effectively buffer against devastating mental health consequences, including emerging PTSD symptoms, in the aftermath of CSA. The study and its outcome measures were preregistered at Clinical Trials (https://clinicaltrials.gov/) with the registration number NCT05136105
Preventing Childhood Sexual Abuse Related Mental Health Deterioration Using a Narrative Family Intervention in Burundi
No full textDespite the severe impact of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) on trauma-related disorders, preventive interventions are scarce, especially in (post-)conflict regions. We developed and evaluated a narrative family communication approach for sexually abused Burundian female children and adolescents ( N = 102). The intervention cohort ( n = 55) received psychoeducation, parental skill training, and preventive narrative exposure therapy. Intervention participants reported improved parental acceptance at 3- and 12-month follow-ups (3mFUP, 12mFUP), and showed greater improvement in overall mental health between initial assessment (IA) and 3mFUP ( drm = -0.70) and between IA and 12mFUP ( drm= -1.36) compared to non-treated controls ( drm= -0.33, drm = -0.02, respectively). Moreover, PTSD symptoms were significantly less pronounced in the intervention cohort than in the control cohort at both follow-ups. Our findings suggest that the preventive narrative family intervention might effectively buffer against devastating mental health consequences, including emerging PTSD symptoms, in the aftermath of CSA. The study and its outcome measures were preregistered at Clinical Trials (https://clinicaltrials.gov/) with the registration number NCT05136105.publishe
How blogs support the transfer of knowledge into practice in the field of dementia palliative care: a survey of facilitators and barriers
No full textBackground: Blogging can help to maximise the impact of one’s work in academia and beyond by making research findings accessible for multiple knowledge users, such as healthcare professionals and the public, as well as other researchers. As part of the knowledge exchange and dissemination activities of the Model for Dementia Palliative Care Project, this study explored stakeholders’ views of blogs as a means to translate research findings. Methods: A web-based survey was developed, piloted, and revised. It was distributed electronically via key dementia and palliative care organisations websites, newsletters, social media platforms, and within the staff mailing lists of five Universities in Ireland. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Results: Complete responses were received from 128 participants. The majority of respondents were healthcare researchers (n = 53), followed by healthcare providers (n = 46). The preferred methods of reviewing research findings were scientific papers, websites and news articles. Respondents read healthcare blogs “sometimes” (39.1%), with < 19% reading them “often” or “very often”. Receiving an email notification might increase the likelihood of reading a new blog post for 83% of respondents. Barriers to engaging with blogs included lack of time, preference for other media, lack of awareness regarding available blogs, and concerns about the credibility and source of information. An appropriate length and the author of the blog were key features that encouraged engagement with a blog. Conclusions: Despite respondents choosing a scientific paper as their preferred method to consume research findings, many indicated an openness to reading blogs on their area of interest. Creating concise, relevant, and credible blogs, and suitably promoting them, could increase the impact and reach of healthcare research, such as in the emerging field of dementia palliative care, and thus promote translation of research findings into practice.</p
The impact of parental acceptance and childhood maltreatment on mental health and physical pain in Burundian survivors of childhood sexual abuse
No full textBackground: Parental support has been suggested to mitigate mental and physical consequences following childhood sexual abuse (CSA). However, many CSA survivors experience parental rejection post-CSA.
Objective: We aimed to understand the impact of abuse-specific parental acceptance on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and physical pain in Burundian CSA-survivors. We further assessed the significance of parental acceptance among known risk factors for predicting PTSD.
Methods, participants, and settings: Participants (N = 131, 80.9 % female, mean age 16.21 years) were recruited via primary health care centers for survivors of sexual violence which survivors approached post-CSA. Survivors reported on PTSD symptoms, daytime/nighttime pain, and adverse childhood experiences in semi-structured interviews. Parental acceptance levels were categorized (acceptance, no acceptance, no contact) for mothers and fathers separately. Kruskal-
Wallis tests assessed group differences. Conditional random forests (CRF) evaluated the significance of parental acceptance in predicting PTSD symptom severity.
Results: No significant differences regarding PTSD symptoms and physical pain between levels of maternal acceptance were obtained. Pairwise comparisons revealed significant differences in PTSD symptom severity between paternal acceptance and no acceptance (d = 1.04) and paternal acceptance and no contact (d = 0.81). The CRF identified paternal acceptance as important variable for the prediction of PTSD symptom severity. Even though results were less conclusive,
medium effect sizes hint at less pain perception within the paternal acceptance group.
Conclusions: The results highlight paternal acceptance as a potential risk or protective factor regarding psychological and possibly physical well-being in the aftermath of CSA, even in the context of other known risk factors.publishe
