Thesis (MScPhysio (Physiotherapy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / Information on the normal gross motor skills in a healthy population is important since normative data provides a benchmark for health professionals to evaluate deviations from the norm. The Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) was developed to assist with the motor assessment of young infants from birth through to independent walking. The validation of the Canadian cohort for the AIMS needs to be done with regards to infants in South Africa (Cape Town), before it can be utilised by health professionals working in Paediatric Health Care. To determine if the Canadian norms for the AIMS are valid for infants aged 4 - 18 months within the Cape Metropole, South Africa. A prospective descriptive study was conducted to validate the AIMS. A total of 67 infants from one private and one public institution participated in the study. Infants were assessed at 4, 8, 12 and 18 months of age with the AIMS. Results were analysed using ANOVA and t-tests to determine the relationship between age, ethnicity, gender and clinics.The AIMS gross motor scores of this sample of infants were not significantly different from the Canadian norms, bar at 4 months. Female infants performed significantly (p<0.05) better than males at four months. It was not possible to convert the 18 month old infants‟ raw scores into percentile rankings and therefore it could not be compared to the Canadian norms. The results yielded from this study indicate that the AIMS is a valid assessment tool for healthy infants from 8 - 12 months of age within the Cape Metropole, South Africa, however, care should be taken when infants‟ scores at 4 months are compared to the scores of the normative sample. The AIMS can therefore be used by health care professionals at the Baby Well clinics in the Cape Metropole to assess gross motor development in infants for this age group and can consequently refer infants who may display delays in motor development to appropriate paediatric specialists. The results from this pilot study also make provision for future in-depth research on the AIMS with a larger cohort and with more ethnic diversity.

This research seeks a clearer understanding of the field of social justice education in Canada. Informed by multicultural and antiracist pedagogy, I explore the theoretical underpinnings and practical realities of this work among 11 activist Alberta teachers and students. Collaborative interviews with these participants reveal portraits of current activism in voluntary coalitions in secondary schools. Through guided critical self-reflection, fellow activists and I examine forming and sustaining ongoing projects. I present guiding hypotheses and assumptions that steer this research, and a theoretical framework that accommodates complex intersections of "race," class, gender, sexual orientation, and other considerations of social justice pedagogy and activism. This research addresses omissions in the educational literature; one such gap is a lack of research attention to young people—particularly to their role as active participants in social justice movements. In addition, I address teachers' previously undervalued role as crucial participants in educational policy development, reform efforts, and research on social justice education. Attending to the relatively few accounts of school-based action projects, I describe the integrative STOP model of student and community activism. An overview of the unique Canadian and regional contexts and recent political developments around social justice issues, and a summary of relevant research and theory from British and American literature, suggest specific areas of contention, influence, and overlap of relevance to this study. I employ a qualitative research methodology using a specific collaborative approach, and include details of participant selection, data gathering and analysis, and ethical considerations. Two chapters develop my research results along the lines traced by my guiding hypotheses. A concluding chapter outlines the specific significance of this research, factors that promote coalition-building, and promising avenues for further scholarly study. A value of this investigation is the rich offerings from my participants, whose reflections on their work are solidly grounded in understandings of daily activism. Their contributions show the potential mutual benefits of respectful research collaborations that both reveal and share the wisdom of social justice practitioners as theorists.

Waste management systems are created based on a careful balance of interrelated factors, a variety of players, and diverse political, social, and economic landscapes. The purpose of this study is to identify the impacts to waste management caused by limited supply or increased cost of energy. A case study was created based on the Alberta Capital Region using literature review, surveys and interviews to identify how energy is used throughout the various phases of waste management, from collection through to disposal and diversion, and what the factors are that affect the organization and infrastructure selected for the waste management system. The results of this study conclude that there are economic, social, environmental, political, and decision-making impacts related to an energy crisis. In particular, it was concluded that an energy crisis will cause social and economic stresses that will result in organizational and infrastructure changes to waste management.

This study explored the extent to which using online communication tools helped NAIT (the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) denturist students on third-year practica maintain laboratory and clinical standards of treatment. The inquiry was framed by the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework, and was conducted from a collaborative constructivist approach with quantitative data used to enhance and support a mainly qualitative design. Results showed that all elements of a CoI were present in the online environment and that participants voluntarily used WebCT communications tools for academic and social interaction. Standards of treatment on practical projects completed by the study group were no different than those of cohorts that did not use communications tools. Modifications to instructional practices made comparison of standards achieved on patient cases unfeasible. Study results informed immediate changes made to the online practicum site, and suggestions for long-term pedagogical changes to denturist practica were made.

This research is focused on the teachings of the First Nations people which are grounded sacred stories and which continue to be recalled and recited through oral tradition. The teachings and lessons derived from the sacred stories can be described as ways of knowing. The study explores the persistence of the traditional ways of knowing as a source for influencing First Nations individuals toward greater cultural identity and strength in their present lives. The thesis addresses the value of Peigan ways of knowing as a tool for creating greater meaning in life; for enhancing spiritual wisdom; and for developing insight into and appreciation of First Nation oral traditions. As well, the thesis explores Peigan ways of knowing as an available resource for empowering present day Peigan youth. In researching the First Nations ways of knowing, one Plains Indian group, the Peigan, of which the writer is a member, was used as reference source. The Peigan First Nation belongs to the Blackfoot Confederacy and presenlty resides in southern Alberta on the Peigan Indian Reserve. All participants of the research are members of the Peigan First Nation. The research will begin with an overview of the writer's personal experiences as a student in on-reserve and off-reserve school settings, and later as a worker in the counselling profession. The purpose and significance of the study will be presented as well as the research design within the qualitative methodology. Four individuals were selected as interview participants who were born and raised on the Peigan Reserve. The literature review will reflect current research on the significance of story in the First Nations culture and conclude with the presentation of the recent history of the North Peigan people. The interview data will then be presented with emphasis on the themes that surfaced. Six major themes arouse, which included, renewal and transformation, significance of sacred stories, transmitting culture through story, path of life, the teacher and learner relationship, and finally, the vision for Peigan-Blackfoot youth. The final chapter of the study begins with a summary of the findings and an overview of the themes that details finer points making up the major themes. The implications of and recommendations following the study precede the study's conclusion. / viii, 112 leaves ; 28 cm.

In this thesis mercury concentrations in biota of the upper South Saskatchewan River Basin are assessed in three non-industrialized systems. Mercury levels in large sport fish (northern pike, walleye, lake trout) frequently exceeded the consumption limit of 0.5ppm. Goldeye and mooneye of the Oldman River and lake whitefish of Waterton Lakes were below 0.5ppm total mercury. Agricultural and urban effluents constituted no sources of significant mercury loadings to the Oldman River. A doubling of mercury biomagnification factors between longnose dace and their food suggests bioenergetic heterogeneity of these fish along the river gradient. Basin-specific mercury levels were detected for the upper and middle basins in Waterton Lakes, and are associated with food web characteristics, and fish bioenergetics. High mercury levels in a new reservoir were in part attributed to increased loadings from flooded soils, as is commonly observed, but also to bioenergetic constraints and growth inefficiency as a result of non-piscivory of this population. / xiii, 130 leaves : ill. ; 29 cm. --

Thèse (M. A.)--Université Laval, 1997. / Bibliogr.: f. 105-112. Publié aussi en version électronique.

Name of student: Marianna Vavříková Leader of the master thesis: Mgr. Kateřina Svěcená, PhD. Topic of the master thesis: Objectification of The Alberta Infant Motor Scale for Czech Republic Background: In the Czech Republic there is not a lot of standardized assessments for children which are formed for the Czech population. It is possible to use assessments from other countries. But for well interpreting of results and for good evidence based practice therapists need to have Czech normative data. Aims: Aim of this study was to make pilot study for using Alberta Infant Motor Scale. And then identify whether Czech therapists need to make new Czech normative data or if it is possible to use the Canadian ones. Methods: Alberta Infant Motor Scale was used on 31 Czech children. Assessment was used in home setting with presence of mother. All of assessments were videotaped. Each video was analyzed and the child obtained score after home visit. All mothers were informed about the research and anonymity was kept. Results: In the gross motor development Czech population is retarded in comparison with the Canadian normative data. Except children in ages 0 - < 1 and 1 - < 2 months. For using Alberta Infant Motor Scale new Czech normative data are needed. Key words: Alberta Infant Motor Scale Standardized...

Congenital Zika syndrome can cause a number of changes in the child, including severe brain abnormalities. Injuries to the developing central nervous system result in sensorimotor disorders with repercussions on motor performance. Physical therapy allows the acquisition of motor skills based on the child's interaction with the environment and the task. The present study aimed to analyze the role of physiotherapy in the acquisition of the motor skills of children with congenital Zika syndrome. This is a clinical trial developed at the Physiotherapy Clinic of the University Hospital of Sergipe, with a sample of 46 children with congenital Zika syndrome. Data collection was from January 2016 to December 2017, at the physiotherapeutic admission of the child and at 18 months of age. The children were stratified according to the age group in the initial evaluation. In the first moment, a form was designed to record information on the identification and clinical characteristics of mothers and children, sociodemographic characteristics of families, neurological and musculoskeletal disorders, and type of neurological lesion. The severity of the neurological lesion was classified based on the data obtained in the medical record in the transfontanel ultrasonography report, based on the Noyola Classification System. Motor skills were assessed through the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), stratified scores by age group and subgroup of neurological injury. The children were then submitted to a physiotherapy program, with a frequency of two weekly sessions and a duration of up to 50 minutes each. The program was based on the principles of neurodevelopment therapy (Bobath), muscle stretching and passive mobilizations. When children completed 18 months of age, motor skills reassessment was performed through the AIMS. The results showed that there was an increase in the total score comparing the initial evaluation and at 18 months of age in the children who started physical therapy with age from 0 to 6 months (p <0.0001). Despite this increase, the total scores of the study sample at 18 months were significantly lower than the normative values, with a significant difference (p <0.0001). In the initial evaluation, only children older than 4 months of age presented motor impairment when compared with normative values (p <0.0001). As for most neurological lesions, the degree was moderate to severe, with a predominance of multiple calcifications, mainly cortical-subcortical, severe cortical atrophy and agenesis / hypoplasia of the corpus callosum. The severity and type of neurological lesions in children with congenital Zika syndrome suggest impairment of neuronal migration and proliferation related to motor dysfunction. However, early physiotherapy promoted a difference in the behavior of the motor skills of these children. / A síndrome da Zika congênita pode causar um conjunto de alterações na criança, dentre elas graves anomalias cerebrais. As lesões do sistema nervoso central em desenvolvimento acarretam em desordens sensoriomotoras com repercussão no desempenho motor. A fisioterapia possibilita a aquisição de habilidades motoras a partir da interação da criança com o ambiente e com a tarefa. O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar o papel da fisioterapia na aquisição das habilidades motoras de crianças com a síndrome da Zika congênita. Trata-se de um ensaio clínico, desenvolvido no ambulatório de fisioterapia do Hospital Universitário de Sergipe, com amostra constituída por 46 crianças com a síndrome da Zika congênita. A coleta de dados ocorreu de janeiro de 2016 a dezembro de 2017, na admissão fisioterapêutica da criança e ao completar 18 meses de idade. As crianças foram estratificadas de acordo com a faixa etária na avaliação inicial. No primeiro momento foi aplicado formulário construído para registro de informações referentes a identificação e características clinicas das mães e das crianças, características sociodemográficas das famílias, alterações neurológicas e musculoesqueléticas e tipo de lesão neurológica. Classificou-se a gravidade da lesão neurológica, a partir dos dados obtidos em prontuário no laudo da ultrassonografia transfontanela, baseada no Sistema de Classificação de Noyola. Foi realizada avaliação das habilidades motoras através da Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), estratificados escores por faixa etária e por subgrupo de lesão neurológica. Em seguida, as crianças foram submetidas a um programa de fisioterapia, com frequência de duas sessões semanais e duração de até 50 minutos cada. O programa baseou-se nos princípios da terapia do neurodesenvolvimento (Bobath), alongamentos musculares e mobilizações passivas. Quando as crianças completaram 18 meses de idade, foi realizada reavaliação das habilidades motoras por meio da AIMS. Os resultados apontaram que houve aumento do escore total comparando a avaliação inicial e aos 18 meses de idade, nas crianças que iniciaram a fisioterapia com idade de 0 a 6 meses (p<0,0001). Apesar deste aumento, os escores totais da amostra do estudo aos 18 meses são bastantes inferiores aos valores normativos, com diferença significativa (p<0,0001). Na avaliação inicial, somente as crianças com idade superior a 4 meses de idade apresentaram comprometimento motor ao comparar com os valores normativos (p<0,0001). Quanto as lesões neurológicas, em sua maioria, o grau foi de moderado a grave com predomínio de calcificações múltiplas, principalmente córtico-subcortical, atrofia cortical grave e agenesia/ hipoplasia de corpo caloso. A gravidade e o tipo das lesões neurológicas nas crianças com síndrome da Zika congênita, sugerem comprometimento da migração e proliferação neuronal, relacionados com a disfunção motora. Porém, a fisioterapia precoce promoveu uma diferença no comportamento das habilidades motoras dessas crianças. / Aracaju

Adequate and appropriate means of mobility are essential for the psychological and physical well-being of elderly persons. Elderly persons who live in urban regions encounter barriers to their mobility which are unique to them as group. Physical, psychological, and financial factors interact with urban form and the organization of public transportation to constrain access to usual private and public modes of transportation. As a result, many of the urban elderly cannot walk, drive, ride as a passenger, or ride on public transportation to important destinations. The demand for transportation by the urban elderly will be influenced by the following trends: - the aging of urban populations, - the growth of the frail elderly (persons over 75 years of age), - de-institutionalization, - suburbanization, - improving health and income status of elderly persons. The continuation of these trends will challenge planners to design transportation systems which are effective and efficient, and at the same time satisfactory to the elderly. There are three types of possible solutions to the mobility problems of an increasing number of urban elderly persons: - land-use planning, - the design traffic systems to accommodate elderly drivers, - the design of public transportation systems. Planners do not have the necessary instruments to implement effective land use solutions. Accommodating an increase in the number of elderly drivers conflicts with social goals to increase public transportation use by all age groups. The thesis argues the most effective solutions for overcoming elderly mobility problems are based on the design of public transportation systems. There are two public transportation solutions for assisting elderly persons with mobility problems. The first is making conventional public transportation more accessible. The second is expanding specialized transportation which is the focus of this thesis. Three policy issues have dominated the history of specialized transportation in North America. The first policy issue is whether public resources for assisting the transportation handicapped should be allocated to accessible conventional public transportation, or allocated to expanding specialized transportation. This is a debate as to which public transportation solution is the most effective for overcoming elderly mobility problems. The other two policy issues relate specifically to the design of specialized transportation. The second policy issue is what level of centralization provides the most effective and satisfactory service. The third policy issue is what are the appropriate roles of the public, non-profit, and for-profit sectors in the management and delivery of service. A particular specialized transportation system can be described by how the three policy issues have been resolved in the urban region this system serves. A specialized transportation system can be evaluated by indicators of efficiency, effectiveness, and elderly satisfaction. These descriptive and evaluative indicators are used to examine and compare specialized transportation in Greater Vancouver, Metropolitan Toronto, and the City of Edmonton. Four recommendations, based on the comparative examination, are made as to how specialized transportation in Greater Vancouver can be made more effective, efficient, and satisfactory to the elderly. These recommendations are: - further allocations of public resources to assist the transportation handicapped should be directed at specialized transportation; - greater use of telecommunications and computer technology to increase the effectiveness of scheduling and dispatching trips; - implement a block grant program to assist in the establishment of community based transportation alternatives; - implement a user side subsidy program as soon as possible; / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate