64 research outputs found
Featured Collectives: Myanmar Street Photographers Debut - Invisible Photographer Asia
No full textaung-pyae-soe_sagaing_mandalay_myanmar_2015_02 Myanmar’s first organised group of Street Photographers will debut their exhibition and photobook titled ‘Featured Collectives’ at Myanmar Deitta in the country’s capital Yangon on 17th September 2016. Featured photographers include: Aung Khant, Aung Zaw Myo, Chan Nyein Aung, Chit Min Maung, Hein Htet, Lamin Oo, Min Zayar, Moe Myint San, Myat Thu, Naing Lin Soe, Nyein Su Wai Kyaw Soe, Phyo Hein Kyaw, Phyo Thiha, Sai Aung Main, Thant Zaw, Thet Hto..
Efficacy and safety of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine for treatment of Plasmodium vivax malaria in endemic countries: meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies
No full textBackground: This study aimed to synthesize available evidence on the efficacy of dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine (DHP) in treating uncomplicated Plasmodium vivax malaria in people living in endemic countries. Methodology and Principal Findings: This is a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT). We searched relevant studies in electronic databases up to May 2013. RCTs comparing efficacy of (DHP) with other artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), non-ACT or placebo were selected. The primary endpoint was efficacy expressed as PCR-corrected parasitological failure. Efficacy was pooled by hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI, if studies reported time-to-event outcomes by the Kaplan-Meier method or data available for calculation of HR Nine RCTs with 14 datasets were included in the quantitative analysis. Overall, most of the studies were of high quality. Only a few studies compared with the same antimalarial drugs and reported the outcomes of the same follow-up duration, which created some difficulties in pooling of outcome data. We found the superiority of DHP over chloroquine (CQ) (at day > 42-63, HR:2.33, 95% CI:1.86-2.93, I: 0%) or artemether-lumefentrine (AL) (at day 42, HR:2.07, 95% CI:1.38-3.09, I: 39%). On the basis of GRADE criteria, further research is likely to have an important impact on our confidence in the estimate of effect and may change the estimate. Discussion/Conclusion: Findings document that DHP is more efficacious than CQ and AL in treating uncomplicated P. vivax malaria. The better safety profile of DHP and the once-daily dosage improves adherence, and its fixed coformulation ensures that both drugs (dihydroartemisinin and piperaquine) are taken together. However, DHP is not active against the hypnozoite stage of P. vivax. DHP has the potential to become an alternative antimalarial drug for the treatment uncomplicated P. vivax malaria. This should be substantiated by future RCTs with other ACTs. Additional work is required to establish how best to combine this treatment with appropriate antirelapse therapy (primaquine or other drugs under development)
Development of Leucaena Mimosine-Degrading Bacteria in the Rumen of Sheep in Myanmar
No full textMyanmar has an agricultural base, and about 70% of people reside in rural areas. They depend for survival on agriculture and small-scale crop production, with ruminant livestock consuming fibrous agricultural residues. For optimal ruminant production, concentrates are needed as supplements to these residues. As concentrates are expensive, researchers are testing alternative protein sources like legumes, including foliage from leguminous trees such as leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala). Leucaena is the most widely used leguminous tree as a ruminant feed because it is rich in protein (~ 22%) and contains easily digestible fibre (23% neutral detergent fibre, 16.6% acid detergent fibre; Ni Ni Maw 2004). Khin Htay Myint (2005) noted that 25% of leucaena in the ration tended to increase nitrogen retention without decreasing dry matter and organic matter digestibilities. However, leucaena leaves contain a toxic non-protein amino acid, called mimosine. Research workers have endeavoured to reduce mimosine toxicity in animals fed leucaena in Myanmar (Aung Aung 2007, Wink Phyo Thu 2010) and one avenue of research was the development of mimosine-degrading bacteria in the rumen of sheep fed leucaena. In this paper we describe an experiment tracing the development of mimosine-degrading bacteria in the rumen of sheep
Confirmation of Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock tianxing) in Myanmar Extends Known Geographic Range of an Endangered Primate
No full textParametric Optimization of Load Bearing Elements for Composite Wing of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
No full textThis paper describes the optimizing results of structural elements of the composite wing of an unmanned aerial vehicle. The thickness and composite lay-up structure of load-bearing elements and wing skin are determined using the ANSYS software package. The optimal structure is presented using the Pareto set method of the “ideal center” basing on four criteria: minimum mass, deflection, normal stress, and maximum safety factor of the wing. Verification calculations were carried out to determine the safety factor of the load-bearing wing structure using a geometrically nonlinear model in FEMAP software
Analysis of Time Delay Simulation in Networked Control System
No full textThe paper presents a PD controller for the Networked Control Systems (NCS) with delay. The major challenges in this networked control system (NCS) are the delay of the data transmission throughout the communication network. The comparative performance analysis is carried out for different delays network medium. In this paper, simulation is carried out on Ac servo motor control system using CAN Bus as communication network medium. The True Time toolbox of MATLAB is used for simulation to analyze the effect of different delays
Item analysis of type “A” multiple choice questions of biochemistry in GIM module, year 1 MBBS program
No full textBackground: Medical education is continually evolving to meet the demands of healthcare and scientific advancements. The Defence Services Medical Academy (DSMA) in Myanmar implemented an outcome-based curriculum in 2017. The genetics, immunology, and molecular medicine (GIM) module is a critical component of the first-year MBBS program, laying the foundation for knowledge in biochemistry and related sciences.
Methods: This study analyzed the quality of type “A” multiple choice questions (MCQs)- 28 items from the Biochemistry section of the GIM module’s end-module assessment. The evaluation focused on four key indices: difficulty index (P), discrimination index (D), distractor efficiency (DE), and Kuder-Richardson formula 20 (KR-20) for reliability.
Results: Of the 28 items, 21 (75%) were classified as having average difficulty, while 5 (18%) were deemed too difficult. Regarding discrimination, 12 (43%) items displayed very good discrimination, while 8 (29%) had poor discrimination, indicating the need for revision. Nearly 70% of the MCQs had fully functional distractors. Overall, the Biochemistry questions showed moderate reliability (KR-20 score =0.682), with three items (11%) recommended for rejection due to poor performance.
Conclusions: These findings highlight the necessity of regular item analysis and revision to ensure the quality and fairness of assessments. Faculty development and active learning strategies are essential to improving the overall reliability and effectiveness of MCQs in medical education
Antifreeze Protein Improves the Cryopreservation Efficiency of Hosta capitata by Regulating the Genes Involved in the Low-Temperature Tolerance Mechanism
No full textIn this study, whether the addition of antifreeze protein (AFP) to a cryopreservative solution (plant vitrification solution 2 (PVS2)) is more effective in reducing freezing injuries in Hosta capitata than PVS2 alone at different cold exposure times (6, 24, and 48 h) is investigated. The upregulation of C-repeat binding factor 1 (CBF1) and dehydrin 1 (DHN1) in response to low temperature was observed in shoots. Shoots treated with distilled water (dH2O) strongly triggered gene expression 6 h after cold exposure, which was higher than those expressed in PVS2 and PVS2+AFP. However, 24 h after cold exposure, gene expressions detected in dH2O and PVS2 treatments were similar and higher than PVS2 + AFP. The expression was highest in PVS2+AFP when the exposure time was extended to 48 h. Similarly, nitric reductase activities 1 and 2 (Nia1 and Nia2) genes, which are responsible for nitric oxide production, were also upregulated in low-temperature-treated shoots, as observed for CBF1 and DHN1 expression patterns during cold exposure periods. Based on the gene expression patterns, shoots treated with PVS2+AFP were more likely to resist cold stress, which was also associated with the higher cryopreservation efficiency of PVS2+AFP compared to PVS2 alone. This finding suggests that the improvement of cryopreservation efficiency by AFP could be due to the transcriptional regulation of CBF1, DHN1, Nia1, and Nia2, which might reduce freezing injuries during cryopreservation. Thus, AFP could be potentially used as a cryoprotectant in the cryopreservation of rare and commercially important plant germplasm
Perception of The Assessment Committee on The Standard Setting in Medical Education
No full textThis research focuses on enhancing assessment practices in medical education, particularly within the context of the Defence Services Medical Academy (DSMA) in Myanmar. The DSMA has adopted an outcome-based curriculum since 2017, but standard setting in assessments remains pending. The study employs an explanatory sequential design, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitatively, 36 assessment committee members participated in a survey using questionnaires, while qualitatively, eight committee members were interviewed. The findings highlight advantages of standard settings, including improved teaching and learning defect identification, staff knowledge application, enhanced educational programs, and personal contributions to education quality. However, concerns about increased workload and administrative burden persist. Despite challenges such as limited human resources and resistance to change, committee members appreciate the integration of standard setting in the outcome-based curriculum. The study recommends targeted interventions to improve awareness, collaboration, and successful implementation, ultimately optimizing educational quality and accreditation standards.</p
Assessment for Standard setting.docx
No full textThis research focuses on enhancing assessment practices in medical education, particularly within the context of the Defence Services Medical Academy (DSMA) in Myanmar. The DSMA has adopted an outcome-based curriculum since 2017, but standard setting in assessments remains pending. The study employs an explanatory sequential design, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Quantitatively, 36 assessment committee members participated in a survey using questionnaires, while qualitatively, eight committee members were interviewed. The findings highlight advantages of standard settings, including improved teaching and learning defect identification, staff knowledge application, enhanced educational programs, and personal contributions to education quality. However, concerns about increased workload and administrative burden persist. Despite challenges such as limited human resources and resistance to change, committee members appreciate the integration of standard setting in the outcome-based curriculum. The study recommends targeted interventions to improve awareness, collaboration, and successful implementation, ultimately optimizing educational quality and accreditation standards.</p
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