Class of 2014 Abstract / Specific Aims: To classify East Asian and Pacific countries into homogenous groups based on potential determinants of their healthcare expenditures and public health care. Methods: We used data from the 1995 to 2010 World Health Organization (WHO) database. Cluster analysis techniques were applied to identify clusters of East Asian and Pacific countries using variables identified as potential determinants of healthcare expenditures and public health care. Differences between clusters of countries were validated using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Average annual growth rate (AAGR) was calculated to study the change in trends across countries over time. Main Results: Nineteen countries with complete data were included. Of those, we identified four distinct clusters. Cluster 1 consisted of Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste and Vanuatu. Cluster 2 represented China, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Cluster 3 consisted of Fiji, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand. Cluster 4 represented Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa and Tonga. Health Expenditure per capita AAGR (P=0.002), infant mortality rate AAGR (P=0.018), life expectancy at birth AAGR (p=0.003), population ages 65 and above AAGR (P=0.004) and death rate (P<0.001) were found to be significantly different among the clusters. Clusters were similar based on birth rate (P=0.425) and public health expenditure (P=0.231), though there were trends of differences. Conclusion: East Asian and Pacific countries were similar based on birth rate and public health expenditure, but were different based on health expenditure per capita, infant mortality rate, life expectancy at birth, population ages 65 and above and death rate. Exploration of clusters among countries may increase the chances of success for health policies and innovations at lower costs of targeted implementation at a global level.

This thesis investigates how women's political representation influences foreign aid utilization. While recent contributions show that the impact of foreign aid is highly dependent on the recipient government, there is still limited research on the relationship between women's political representation and aid utilization. Existing work within the research field of female political representation suggests that women are more likely to prioritize resource allocation towards healthcare and education and less likely to prioritize the military. Thus, women’s political representation is predicted to work as a moderating effect on aid utilization, whereby increases in female representation is associated with more aid resources being allocated towards healthcare and education and less to the military. To test the relationship(s) implied, this thesis employs multiple regression analysis on a time series data set of 102 aid-receiving countries from 2000-2017. The hypothesis that women's political representation has a moderating effect on aid utilization could not be supported by the regression analysis. The results do however indicate that female representation in the recipient countries influences government allocation in general.

A selection of common children’s games were measured in a laboratory-based study to be enjoyable and to elicit sufficient physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) in 3rd grade children to combat the purported chronic energy surplus of childhood obesity (~100 kcal.day-1). PAEE during the games was similar for boys and girls, yet overweight children expended greater PAEE relative to body weight than healthy weight children. During a subsequent simulated recess program, the enjoyment declined over the 10-session program with no significant decline in PAEE. Using the enjoyable games of known energy cost in a structured recess program for 9 weeks successfully increased total daily PA compared to the control school who reported substantially greater amount of free-play time. The greater amount of acquired PA in the intervention school children did not affect the amount of time spent in sedentary pursuits but it did result in a smaller increase in body weight after 9 weeks. More research is needed to expand on this initial list of games that reduce the excessive weight gain in children when incorporated into a structured recess intervention.

There has been a long line of studies concerning the nexus between R&amp;D expenditure and Economic Performance. However, there has been little research on this nexus on a regional level in Germany. This paper aims to analyse the relationship between R&amp;D expenditure (total, business sector and public sector each) and GDP per capita at a regional level in Germany for the time period 2000-2017. The method of estimation employed in fixed effects panel regression analysis. It is found that total R&amp;D expenditure and regional GDP per capita have an insiginificant relationship, but a negtiavely significant one when a lagged value of R&amp;D expenditure is considered. The relationship between public R&amp;D expenditure and regional GDP per capita is significantly negative, whereas the relationship between business sector R&amp;D expenditure and regional GDP per capita is insignificant. Further scope for research could include analysing the effect of regional innovation clusters and the role of R&amp;D strategy in improving the economic performance of regions in Germany.

Commercially available fitness trackers have been found to accurately measure steps and caloric expenditure during walking and running activities. Circuit-style, highintensity functional training (HIFT) has become increasingly popular because it is inexpensive and effective in improving muscular strength and cardiovascular fitness. PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of five accelerometers (ActiGraph GT3X, Nike Fuelband, Fitbit One, Fitbit Charge HR, and Jawbone UP Move) in estimating energy expenditure while performing an acute bout of HIFT. METHODS: Participants (n = 47) underwent baseline testing and at least 48 hours later, each participant completed the main test: a 15-minute workout consisting of 12 repetitions each of 7 different exercises; performed circuit-style by completing as many rounds as possible. During the main test, each participant wore the Cosmed K4b2 portable metabolic analyzer (PMA) and five different accelerometers. RESULTS: Four of the five fitness trackers reported lower (p <0.01) total caloric expenditure values compared to the PMA during the acute bout of HIFT. The waist-mounted device (ActiGraph, 182.55 ± 37.93 kcals) most closely mimicked caloric expenditure compared to the PMA (Cosmed, 144.99 ± 37.13 kcals) as indicated by an insignificant p value (0.056). Systematic differences between the activity monitors were calculated using an Intraclass Correlation (ICC) with an ICC = -0.032. The ICC of F (46,235) = 0.812 (p = 0.799) was not significant at the predetermined 0.05 alpha level. A Repeated Measures ANOVA showed that when compared to the Cosmed, all activity monitors were significantly different at the 0.05 alpha level. The Fitbit One and the Fitbit Charge HR were the only two activity monitors that are not significantly different from one another (p = 0.985). The range of error based on mean absolute percentage errors (MAPE) was lowest for the ActiGraph (15.1%) and highest for the Fitbit Charge HR (22.1%). CONCLUSION: The wrist- and hip-mounted fitness trackers do not accurately assess energy expenditure during HIFT exercise. Supported by: WKU Graduate School, NIGMS 2P20 GM103436-14; Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institutes of Health, 5P20GM103436 and the WKU RCAP Grant 14-8007.

This study investigates the effects of employment on the status of Pakistani Immigrant women through the analysis of the division of labour In the family. women's access to family resources and their control over sexuality. Migration has brought many changes In the lives of Pakistani women in Britain. Both first and second generation migrant women are engaged in income-earning activities. It is hypothesised that Pakistani women's waged employment in Britain will affect their traditional roles within the family. This thesis examines the changes and continuities in women's status and attempts to see how this has been affected by their employment situation in Britain. The findings of this study suggest that despite women's engagement in waged work the their role in the family remains a subordinate one. Employment does not radically change their traditional roles nor does it liberate them economically or socially. However, waged women seem to be better able to negotiate greater space for themselves within the family.

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