scholarly journals Technical assistance: a practical account of the challenges in design and implementation

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 177
Author(s):  
Alexandra Nastase ◽  
Alok Rajan ◽  
Ben French ◽  
Debarshi Bhattacharya
Keyword(s):  
International Development ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Open Letter ◽  
The Past ◽  
What Works ◽  
Individual Capacity ◽  
Effective Development ◽  
Conceptual Evolution

Technical assistance is provided to country governments as part of international development programmes to support policymaking or strengthen state capability. This article presents the conceptual evolution of ‘technical assistance’ linked to capacity development, starting with programmes aiming exclusively to enhance individual capacity in the 1950s to 1970s and progressing to complex systems approaches in the past ten years. It also presents some of the frequent challenges in designing and implementing technical assistance, drawing from the existing literature and the authors’ experience in international development. The article summarises the latest thinking about delivering more effective development, including the adaptive management practices and the initiatives to strengthen evidence about what works. Finally, we complement this article with a follow-up open letter reflecting on the current policy options and opportunities for change.

scholarly journals Technical assistance: a practical account of the challenges in design and implementation

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 177
Author(s):  
Alexandra Nastase ◽  
Alok Rajan ◽  
Ben French ◽  
Debarshi Bhattacharya
Keyword(s):  
International Development ◽  
Iterative Process ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Capacity Development ◽  
Positive Deviance ◽  
Unit Of Analysis ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
What Works ◽  
Individual Capacity ◽  
Conceptual Evolution

Technical assistance is provided to strengthen state capability as part of international development programmes. This article presents the conceptual evolution of the technical assistance linked to capacity development, starting from a single unit of analysis, that of individual capacity to complex systems theories. It presents some of the frequent challenges in designing and implementing technical assistance, with a focus on the challenges common across government-funded and externally funded technical assistance, as well as the challenges unique to externally funded technical assistance. The article reviews the recent thinking on the practice in technical assistance from locally-driven technical assistance to positive deviance as a method to identify what works. It discusses change management as an adaptive and iterative process, and technical advisers acting as enablers of change rather than as change-makers and relying on adaptive and flexible approaches to programme management.

scholarly journals Kingdom of Lesotho

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (334) ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
International Development ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Data Dissemination ◽  
Government Finance

In response to a request from the authorities and as part of the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) Enhanced Data Dissemination Initiative (EDDI) 2 project, a government finance statistics (GFS) mission visited Maseru, Lesotho, during January 14–25, 2019. The mission was a follow up to three previous GFS technical assistance (TA) missions under the EDDI2 in March and November 2016 and in May 2018. The mission was also in response to a request from the Lesotho delegation during a meeting with the IMF’s Statistics Department (STA) at the 2018 Annual Meetings in Bali for follow up TA to further assist with improving GFS compilation.

What Works, What Doesn’t? Three Studies Designed to Improve Survey Response

Field Methods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-252
Author(s):  
Hanyu Sun ◽  
Jocelyn Newsome ◽  
Jennifer McNulty ◽  
Kerry Levin ◽  
Pat Langetieg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Household Survey ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Survey Response ◽  
Nonresponse Bias ◽  
Design Features ◽  
Pool Sample ◽  
The Past ◽  
What Works ◽  
National Household Survey

Over the past few decades, the survey industry has experienced a steady decline in response rates, which has posed numerous challenges for researchers, most notably concerns about nonresponse bias. We present results from three studies conducted in an attempt to increase response rates and reduce nonresponse bias for a U.S. national household survey. We examined design features related to mode (i.e., mail-only vs. web-push), incentive, reminder type, nonresponse follow-up, and messaging. Results showed that a combination of a mail-only approach and the use of US$2 prepaid incentives increased response rates. However, using incentives did not bring into the respondent pool sample members who were less likely to respond. Additionally, we found that the use of a seventh follow-up contact only slightly increased response rates. Finally, we found that the use of a friendly message not only suppressed response rates but also increased potential nonresponse bias for sample members aged 35–48.

Chemistry of Variable Charge Soils

1997 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Pollution ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
Basic Difference ◽  
The Past ◽  
Variable Charge ◽  
Constant Charge ◽  
Variable Charge Soils

This book, based on research carried out at the Academia Sinica over the past 30 years, explains the basic difference between the variable charge soils of tropical and subtropical regions, and the constant charge soils of temperate regions. It will focus on the chemical properties of the variable charge soils--properties which have important bearing on soil management practices, including maximizing soil productivity and combating soil pollution.

Penile Lymphoepithelioma-Like Carcinoma: A Rare Case With PD-L1 Expression

2021 ◽  
pp. 106689692098834
Author(s):  
Raquel Machado-Neves ◽  
Bernardo Teixeira ◽  
Elsa Fonseca ◽  
Pedro Valente ◽  
Joaquim Lindoro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Papillomavirus ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Rare Case ◽  
Malignant Tumors ◽  
Squamous Cell Carcinomas ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Past ◽  
First Case ◽  
Lymphoplasmacytic Infiltrate

Most malignant tumors of the penis are squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), being divided in 2 groups, one human papillomavirus (HPV)-related and another non-HPV-related, with lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) being one of the rarest HPV-related SCC. In this article, we report a case of a 50-year-old man who presented testicular swelling and pain for the past 3 months. A penile mass was identified, and the patient was submitted to a total penectomy. The penectomy specimen showed an ulcerated lesion at the glans reaching the cavernous bodies. Microscopic examination showed undifferentiated epithelial cells with syncytial growth pattern mix with a dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, consistent with LELC. The tumor cells expressed p16 and all 3 different clones of PDL1 (22C3, SP263, and SP142). The patient is alive and well with a follow-up of 3 months. To our knowledge, this is the third LELC of the penis reported in literature and the first case reported with PDL1 expression.

scholarly journals O21 The incidence of COVID-19 among children with rheumatic diseases receiving biological agents

Rheumatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadezhda Tsurikova ◽  
Elena Ligostaeva ◽  
Vadim Avdeenko ◽  
Nataliya Kobzeva ◽  
Irina Tsiganok ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Biological Agents ◽  
Tnf Receptor ◽  
The Past ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Mediterranean Fever ◽  
Positive Results ◽  
Single Center Observational Study

Abstract Background/Aims  During the COVID-19 pandemic, analysis of the incidence of COVID-19 among patients suffering from rheumatic diseases and receiving therapy with biological agents remains relevant. Methods  This single-center observational study included 118 children suffering from various rheumatic diseases and receiving therapy with anti-rheumatic drugs and biological agents. In this research, we analyzed the incidence of CIVID-19 and the frequency of documented contact with SARS-CoV-2 in the period from 01.03.2020 to 11.10.2020 (32 weeks). The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results  Among 118 children, there were 28 (24%) boys and 90 (76%) girls, average age 10.3±4.2. 104 (88.2%) patients had different types of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), 2 (1.6%) children had systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 2 (1.6%) patients had juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM), 1 (1%) child had ANCA-associated vasculitis, 6 (5%) patients had familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), 2 (1.6%) children had deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2 (DADA2), 1 (1%) child had TNF receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS). In this group of patients 94 (79%) patients were treated with methotrexate, 1 (1%) - azathioprine, 3 (2%) patients received hydroxychloroquine, 6(5%) - mycophenolate mofetil, 4 (3%) - sulfasalazine, 14(11%) children received prednisone, 6(5%) - cyclosporine A. All children included in this study received biological agents for more than 1 year, the distribution of biological agents among patients was as follows: 41(34%) - etanercept, 33(28%) - adalimumab, 24 (20%) - tocilizumab, 7 (6%) - canakinumab, 3 (2%) - abatacept, 4 (3%) - golimumab, 6 (5%) - rituximab. Out of 118 children, 4 (3%) patients had flu-like symptoms and positive results of PCR tests for COVID-19 (1 patient was treated with etanercept, 1 - adalimumab, 1 - tocilizumab, 1 - rituximab), none of the patients had signs of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. 10 (8%) patients had documented contact with COVID-19: among this patients 2 children had flu-like symptoms, positive results of PCR tests and absence of COVID-19 pneumonia (one of this patient was treated with adalimumab, another one - with rituximab), one more patient was treated with tocilizumab and had positive PCR test without any symptoms of COVID-19; other 7 children had negative PCR tests and didn’t have any signs of COVID-19. Conclusion  Among our patients with various rheumatic diseases treated with biological agents there were no registered severe cases of COVID-19. Over the past period (32 weeks of follow-up) 3% of children with COVID-19 were identified and 8% patients had documented contact with COVID-19, but we suppose it is too early to make conclusions about the degree and severity of COVID-19 among children suffering from rheumatic diseases and receiving various biological agents. Further follow-up is needed to better understand the risk and impact of COVID-19 among children with rheumatic diseases and receiving therapy with biological agents. Disclosure  N. Tsurikova: None. E. Ligostaeva: None. V. Avdeenko: None. N. Kobzeva: None. I. Tsiganok: None. K. Skorobogatova: None. A. Motkina: None.

scholarly journals 797. Management of Patients with Multiple Clostridioides difficile Infection Recurrences using a Tapered-Pulsed Fidaxomicin Strategy

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S441-S442
Author(s):  
Xing Tan ◽  
Andrew M Skinner ◽  
Benjamin Sirbu ◽  
Larry H Danziger ◽  
Dale N Gerding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
First Episode ◽  
Initial Symptom ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
The Past ◽  
Clostridioides Difficile ◽  
Time To Recurrence ◽  
Clostridioides Difficile Infection ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Systemic Antibiotics

Abstract Background There is a paucity of data assessing outcomes of alternate fidaxomicin strategies in patients with recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (rCDI). The objective of our study is to evaluate a tapered-pulsed (T-P) fidaxomicin regimen that was administered immediately following a course of CDI treatment with initial symptom resolution in patients with multiple rCDI. Methods We reviewed the characteristics and outcomes of 46 consecutive patients who received T-P fidaxomicin between January 1, 2014-June 30, 2019 in a specialty CDI clinic. The first episode in which fidaxomicin T-P was administered was analyzed. Failure was defined as the persistence of diarrhea and/or the need for additional CDI treatment at any time on T-P fidaxomicin. Sustained clinical cure (SCC) was defined as resolution of diarrhea without recurrence. Recurrence was defined as the return of diarrhea requiring retreatment with CDI therapy after completion of T-P fidaxomicin. Both SCC and recurrence were evaluated at 30 and 90 days after completion of T-P fidaxomicin. Results The mean±SD age of the 46 patients was 63.2±19.9 years, 71.7% were female, and the mean±SD CDI episodes within the past year was 3±1.4 . Most patients (73.9%) had previously failed a vancomycin tapered and/or pulsed regimen. Prior to administering T-P fidaxomicin, a treatment regimen was given to ensure resolution of symptoms. The CDI treatment most commonly used (58.7%) was vancomycin. The T-P fidaxomicin regimen used consisted of 200 mg given once daily for 7 days followed by 200 mg every other day for a median (min-max) duration of 33 (6-120) days. Two patients (4%) failed to respond to T-P fidaxomicin; 34 (74%) and 28 (61%) achieved SCC at 30 and 90 days, respectively. Among the 44 patients that successfully completed the T-P fidaxomicin regimen, recurrence developed in 10 (22.7%) and 16 (36.4%) of patients at 30 and 90 days, respectively, with a median (min-max) time to recurrence of 20 (3-87) days (Figure 1). Four patients with recurrence had received subsequent systemic antibiotics. Figure 1. Course of CDI therapy and follow-up Conclusion A tapered-pulsed fidaxomicin strategy may be effective in patients with multiply rCDI who are refractory to other treatments, including a vancomycin tapered and pulsed regimen. Disclosures Larry H. Danziger, PharmD, Merck (Speaker’s Bureau)

scholarly journals The challenges of donor engagement with faith-based organizations in Cameroon’s health sector: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sibylle Herzig van Wees ◽  
Michael Jennings
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
International Development ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
The Past ◽  
Faith Based Organizations ◽  
The Government ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract Substantial global advocacy efforts have been made over the past decade to encourage partnerships and funding of faith-based organizations in international development programmes in efforts to improve social and health outcomes. Whilst there is a wealth of knowledge on religion and development, including its controversies, less attention has been payed to the role that donors might play. The aim of this study was to describe and analyse the engagement between donors and faith-based organizations in Cameroon’s health sector, following the implementation of the Cameroon Health Sector Partnership Strategy (2012). Forty-six in-depth interviews were conducted in selected regions in Cameroon. The findings show that global advocacy efforts to increase partnerships with faith-based organizations have created a space for increasing donor engagement of faith-based organizations following the implementation of the strategy. However, the policy was perceived as top down as it did not take into account some of the existing challenges. The policy arguably accentuated some of the existing tensions between the government and faith-based organizations, fed faith-controversies and complicated the health system landscape. Moreover, it provided donors with a framework for haphazard engagement with faith-based organizations. As such, putting the implications of donor engagement with FBOs on the research map acknowledges the limitations of efforts to collaborate with faith-based organizations and brings to the surface still-remaining blinkers and limited assumptions in donor definitions of faith-based organizations and in ways of collaborating with them.

Reward-Related Attentional Capture Moderates the Association between Fear-Driven Motives and Heavy Drinking

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Chang Liu ◽  
Murat Yücel ◽  
Chao Suo ◽  
Mike E. Le Pelley ◽  
Jeggan Tiego ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Attentional Capture ◽  
Heavy Drinking ◽  
Drinking Motives ◽  
Drinking Patterns ◽  
Cognitive Mechanisms ◽  
Problematic Drinking ◽  
The Past ◽  
Motivational Profile

Background: To date, there has been little investigation on how motivational and cognitive mechanisms interact to influence problematic drinking behaviours. Towards this aim, the current study examined whether reward-related attentional capture is associated with reward, fear (relief), and habit drinking motives, and further, whether it interacts with these motives in relation to problematic drinking patterns. Methods: Ninety participants (mean age = 34.8 years, SD = 9.1, 54% male) who reported having consumed alcohol in the past month completed an online visual search task that measured reward-related attentional capture as well as the Habit Reward Fear Scale, a measure of drinking motives. Participants also completed measures of psychological distress, impulsivity, compulsive drinking, and consumption items of Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Regression analyses examined the associations between motives for alcohol consumption and reward-related attentional capture, as well as the associations between reward-related attentional capture, motives, and their interaction, with alcohol consumption and problems. Results: Greater reward-related attentional capture was associated with greater reward motives. Further, reward-related attentional capture also interacted with fear motives in relation to alcohol consumption. Follow-up analyses showed that this interaction was driven by greater fear motives being associated with heavier drinking among those with lower reward-related attentional capture (i.e., “goal-trackers”). Conclusion: These findings have implications for understanding how cognition may interact with motives in association with problematic drinking. Specifically, the findings highlight different potential pathways to problematic drinking according to an individual’s cognitive-motivational profile and may inform tailored interventions to target profile-specific mechanisms. Finally, these findings offer support for contemporary models of addiction that view excessive goal-directed behaviour under negative affect as a critical contributor to addictive behaviours.

scholarly journals Mixed Cutaneous Infection Caused byMycobacterium szulgaiandMycobacterium intermediumin a Healthy Adult Female: A Rare Case Report

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amresh Kumar Singh ◽  
Rungmei S. K. Marak ◽  
Anand Kumar Maurya ◽  
Manaswini Das ◽  
Vijaya Lakshmi Nag ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Rare Case ◽  
Healthy Adult ◽  
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ◽  
Anterior Abdominal Wall ◽  
Cutaneous Infection ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
The Past ◽  
Rare Case Report

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTMs) are ubiquitous and are being increasingly reported as human opportunistic infection. Cutaneous infection caused by mixed NTM is extremely rare. We encountered the case of a 46-year-old female, who presented with multiple discharging sinuses over the lower anterior abdominal wall (over a previous appendectomy scar) for the past 2 years. Microscopy and culture of the pus discharge were done to isolate and identify the etiological agent. Finally, GenoType Mycobacterium CM/AS assay proved it to be a mixed infection caused byMycobacterium szulgaiandM. intermedium. The patient was advised a combination of rifampicin 600 mg once daily, ethambutol 600 mg once daily, and clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily to be taken along with periodic follow-up based upon clinical response as well as microbiological response. We emphasize that infections by NTM must be considered in the etiology of nonhealing wounds or sinuses, especially at postsurgical sites.

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