Master of Landscape Architecture / Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning / Stephanie A. Rolley / Complex issues and exciting opportunities lie at the intersection of public health and park design. One component of the recently emerging field of design for active living explores the relationship between design and physical activity as part of a transdisciplinary area of study. This study provides the opportunity to view the design strategies that landscape architects have used to design parks through a lens of promoting physical activity. The purpose of this study is to understand design strategies incorporated in two fitness parks in Louisville, Kentucky assist in meeting public health goals for the citizens of Louisville. Two topical areas were explored: the physical design strategies used in the parks; and the collaborative efforts among stakeholders to further the public health agenda for promoting physical activity in the parks. A case study of two community scale fitness parks profiled the characteristics and design philosophies engaged in park development. The methodology, based on qualitative procedures incorporated three types of investigation: 1) collection of background data and documentation of Louisville’s parks and Mayor’s Healthy Hometown Movement; 2) interviews with key stakeholders from public agencies, private non-profit foundations, and selected consultants who have completed parks design work in Louisville; and 3) a case study analysis of two of the fitness parks in the city, based on the background data and input from subject interviews, and an identification of physical design strategies in each park. Identification of design strategies was based on a conceptual framework developed from the disciplines of public health promotion and landscape architecture, and input from local agency stakeholders. A physical activity design strategy inventory form was developed to aid in analysis. Anticipated results were two-fold: 1. Presentation of information to assist landscape architects in designing parks that intentionally provide engaging opportunities for physical activity; and 2. Contribution to the dialogue between landscape architects and public health professionals, informing collaboration on design projects and community programs. Findings revealed that the two parks studied incorporated several physical design strategies that promote physical activity, reflecting the mature park culture in Louisville, Kentucky, home to one of five designed Olmsted Parks and Parkways systems in the United States. The physical activity design strategy inventory form developed in this study as an audit tool warrants additional study as a potential audit and design tool to engage landscape architects designing for physical activity and informing others of ways that park design can play a role in physical activity.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Family Studies and Human Services / Anthony Jurich / Ann Murray / Despite the intensified research efforts into the field of Infant Mental Health and Marriage and Family Therapy, a truly systemically designed program has not been developed. This formative evaluation study illuminates the design phase, its developmental process, and the professional staff member’s experience of this newly implemented “Options” program. I focused specifically on Crawford County Community Mental Health Center’s innovative systemic approach to issues related to infant mental health. In this body of work, I describe the process of creating this innovative approach, identified how the program originators made decisions about their approach and how the approach is being operationalized on a daily basis by interviewing the clinicians, who are providing the services and the administrators who created and oversee the program. I utilized a qualitative approach in the design, transcription categorization, and data analysis. This formative evaluation used the “flashback approach” to tell the story of the evaluation findings, this included an Executive Summary. This study’s exploration yielded a clearer understanding of the developmental process of the infant mental health program and its initial implementation. The results of this evaluation revealed that there are a number of core program components (three levels of focus: child and family, program, and community and catchment area) that were organized and clearly disseminated throughout the staff. The interviews revealed that the program has encountered problematic issues including; policy and procedural agreements and mandates, staff turnover, program ownership and funding limitations. It grew increasingly clear that the value of the program’s positive impact on families outweighed the perceived hassle of establishing and implementing the program. This evaluation produced a number of program recommendations for program perpetuation and potential improvements. The program recommendations addressed the challenges facing the “Options Program” are explained. The future research implications of this formative evaluation are enumerated.

This thesis is an analysis and evaluation of a case study in deinstitutionalisation of people with intellectual disabilities. The process has been viewed as an example of organisational change and the focus is on the relationship between formal and informal caregivers and the notion of care. Three key groups were included in the study, families of residents, the residents and staff. A qualitative approach was taken. The theoretical perspective that was developed attempted to account for links between social movements, organisations and individual experience in the arena of intellectual disability. This was based on the approach of New Institutionalism in organisational theory. The focus was primarily on the process--of change, and in caregiving. Three models of intellectual disability, which have informed policy and the recent changes to a preference for community care, have been identified and the links between these and the elements of organisations developed for providing care explored. The experience of families and residents within the hospital setting and then the community care setting has been examined in relation to the nature of the organisation. Outcomes for the three groups have been examined in terms of their needs and the extent to which these needs were met by the arrangements over a given time. It is concluded that community care has the potential to better meet the needs of those involved, than has hospital based care. A number of factors in the process of change and in the delivery of care have been identified as impacting on outcomes for those involved. Consideration is given to the practical implications of these findings. / Subscription resource available via Digital Dissertations only.

This thesis is an analysis and evaluation of a case study in deinstitutionalisation of people with intellectual disabilities. The process has been viewed as an example of organisational change and the focus is on the relationship between formal and informal caregivers and the notion of care. Three key groups were included in the study, families of residents, the residents and staff. A qualitative approach was taken. The theoretical perspective that was developed attempted to account for links between social movements, organisations and individual experience in the arena of intellectual disability. This was based on the approach of New Institutionalism in organisational theory. The focus was primarily on the process--of change, and in caregiving. Three models of intellectual disability, which have informed policy and the recent changes to a preference for community care, have been identified and the links between these and the elements of organisations developed for providing care explored. The experience of families and residents within the hospital setting and then the community care setting has been examined in relation to the nature of the organisation. Outcomes for the three groups have been examined in terms of their needs and the extent to which these needs were met by the arrangements over a given time. It is concluded that community care has the potential to better meet the needs of those involved, than has hospital based care. A number of factors in the process of change and in the delivery of care have been identified as impacting on outcomes for those involved. Consideration is given to the practical implications of these findings. / Subscription resource available via Digital Dissertations only.

This thesis is an analysis and evaluation of a case study in deinstitutionalisation of people with intellectual disabilities. The process has been viewed as an example of organisational change and the focus is on the relationship between formal and informal caregivers and the notion of care. Three key groups were included in the study, families of residents, the residents and staff. A qualitative approach was taken. The theoretical perspective that was developed attempted to account for links between social movements, organisations and individual experience in the arena of intellectual disability. This was based on the approach of New Institutionalism in organisational theory. The focus was primarily on the process--of change, and in caregiving. Three models of intellectual disability, which have informed policy and the recent changes to a preference for community care, have been identified and the links between these and the elements of organisations developed for providing care explored. The experience of families and residents within the hospital setting and then the community care setting has been examined in relation to the nature of the organisation. Outcomes for the three groups have been examined in terms of their needs and the extent to which these needs were met by the arrangements over a given time. It is concluded that community care has the potential to better meet the needs of those involved, than has hospital based care. A number of factors in the process of change and in the delivery of care have been identified as impacting on outcomes for those involved. Consideration is given to the practical implications of these findings. / Subscription resource available via Digital Dissertations only.

This thesis is an analysis and evaluation of a case study in deinstitutionalisation of people with intellectual disabilities. The process has been viewed as an example of organisational change and the focus is on the relationship between formal and informal caregivers and the notion of care. Three key groups were included in the study, families of residents, the residents and staff. A qualitative approach was taken. The theoretical perspective that was developed attempted to account for links between social movements, organisations and individual experience in the arena of intellectual disability. This was based on the approach of New Institutionalism in organisational theory. The focus was primarily on the process--of change, and in caregiving. Three models of intellectual disability, which have informed policy and the recent changes to a preference for community care, have been identified and the links between these and the elements of organisations developed for providing care explored. The experience of families and residents within the hospital setting and then the community care setting has been examined in relation to the nature of the organisation. Outcomes for the three groups have been examined in terms of their needs and the extent to which these needs were met by the arrangements over a given time. It is concluded that community care has the potential to better meet the needs of those involved, than has hospital based care. A number of factors in the process of change and in the delivery of care have been identified as impacting on outcomes for those involved. Consideration is given to the practical implications of these findings. / Subscription resource available via Digital Dissertations only.

This thesis is an analysis and evaluation of a case study in deinstitutionalisation of people with intellectual disabilities. The process has been viewed as an example of organisational change and the focus is on the relationship between formal and informal caregivers and the notion of care. Three key groups were included in the study, families of residents, the residents and staff. A qualitative approach was taken. The theoretical perspective that was developed attempted to account for links between social movements, organisations and individual experience in the arena of intellectual disability. This was based on the approach of New Institutionalism in organisational theory. The focus was primarily on the process--of change, and in caregiving. Three models of intellectual disability, which have informed policy and the recent changes to a preference for community care, have been identified and the links between these and the elements of organisations developed for providing care explored. The experience of families and residents within the hospital setting and then the community care setting has been examined in relation to the nature of the organisation. Outcomes for the three groups have been examined in terms of their needs and the extent to which these needs were met by the arrangements over a given time. It is concluded that community care has the potential to better meet the needs of those involved, than has hospital based care. A number of factors in the process of change and in the delivery of care have been identified as impacting on outcomes for those involved. Consideration is given to the practical implications of these findings. / Subscription resource available via Digital Dissertations only.

Doctor of Philosophy / Food Science Program / Daniel Y.C. Fung / Curtis L. Kastner / This dissertation was designed to evaluate antimicrobial, quality, and shelf life effects of controlled phase carbon dioxide (CPCO2) on beef trimmings destined for ground beef. Critical parameters included pressure, temperature, exposure times, modified atmosphere conditions, and days of simulated retail display. 1500 psi CPCO2 for 15 min achieved 0.83, 0.96, 1.00, and 1.06 log reductions for Total Plate Count (TPC), Generic E. coli (GEC), E. coli O157:H7 (O157), and Salmonella spp. (SS), respectively. Bacterial reductions in ground beef and beef trimmings were similar (P≥0.05). CIE L*, a*, and b* values in raw patties showed no differences (P≥0.05) immediately after CPCO2 application on beef trimmings. Nevertheless, significant (P<0.05) interactions were found in pressure by packaging for L*, in pressure by packaging by days of simulated retail display for a*, and in packaging by days of simulated retail display for b* scores. Nevertheless, after 5 days of simulated retail display, L*, a*, and reflectance (630/580nm) ratios were similar for all treatments (P≥0.05), and b* scores were most acceptable with 1500 CPCO2 (P≥0.05), regardless of the packaging conditions. After 5 days of display, cooked patties showed similar (P≥0.05) values for crude protein (%CP) and crude fat (%CF), the extent of lipid oxidation (TBARS), was higher (P0.05) in aerobic trays than flushed packages with 100% CO2. Ground beef patties manufactured from beef trimmings treated with CPCO2scored higher values for tenderness (P0.05) than other treatments. In addition, no differences (P0.05) for juiciness, beef flavor intensity, or off flavor intensity were found between non-treated and the 1500 psi CPCO2 treated patties. Microbial control of spoilage organisms and foodborne pathogens in ground beef patties with CPCO2 application in beef trimmings was effective (0.6 to 1.2 logs). Lethality levels are comparable to other intervention strategies. Discoloration of beef trimmings after CPCO2 application may not be a concern for grinding purposes. Further packaging with 100% CO2 is viable for controlling spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms after packaging and during refrigerated storage, although discoloration of raw ground beef patties packaged with 100% CO2 may be a concern for product marketing.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Human Nutrition / David A. Dzewaltowski / The environment can be broadly defined as all things external to an individual. One of the most important environments for children is the home in which they live, particularly with regard to the role that parents play to provide opportunities for healthful development, including adequate physical activity and healthful eating habits. Parents are the gatekeepers of children's healthful opportunities, and are influential in numerous aspects related to obesity. The present paper consists of four chapters related to impacting the home environment for prevention of obesity in children. Although obesity is a complex issue, its cause is energy imbalance, wherein less energy is expended than is consumed. Consideration of both sides of the equation is essential for obesity prevention. In this dissertation, chapter 1 serves as a literature review for the home food environment. A conceptual model is presented as an attempt to place relevant literature in the greater context of environmental variables related to childhood obesity. Frequent family meals have been shown to be protective for child and adolescent obesity, and to promote fruit and vegetable consumption. However, time pressures and lack of cooking skills are potential barriers to this healthful practice. Decreases in television viewing and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption are other home environmental aspects showing promise in the obesity prevention literature. Chapters two and three address the influence of parents on children's obesity-preventive behaviors and relative weight status. These chapters help to inform the planning of interventions to prevent obesity in children. Parent-child shared physical activity may hold promise as a strategy to decrease the likelihood of children becoming obese, and bonding may be an important consideration in programs aimed at obesity treatment or prevention. Chapter four describes the evaluation of an intervention developed to impact the home environment of young girl scouts. This intervention was implemented by troop leaders altering troop-meeting environments toward more healthful opportunities for physical activity and nutrition, and through the delivery of a scouts-tailored curriculum. Results of the intervention showed marked changes to troop meeting environments, but apparently little impact on parents or the home environment.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Entomology / Ludek Zurek / House fly (Musca domestica L.) larvae develop in decaying organic substrates such as animal manure and adult flies likely play an important role in the ecology of fecal bacteria, including potentially virulent strains. House fly larval development strictly depends on an active bacterial community in the habitat. Although the principle of this symbiosis is not well understood, this association plays a fundamental role in transmission of microbes by this insect. In this study, enterococci were chosen as a model organism to assess the role of house flies in dissemination of multi-drug resistant bacteria in the agricultural environment. House flies (FF) and cattle manure (FM) from a cattle feedlot (frequent use of antibiotics) and house flies (BF) and manure of the American bison (BM) from the Konza Prairie Nature Preserve (no antibiotic use) were collected and analyzed. Results showed a significantly higher prevalence of enterococci resistant to tetracycline and erythromycin in FM and FF compared to that of BF and BM. Enterococcal diversity did not indicate the house fly development in manure in the corresponding habitats but the antibiotic resistance data showed very similar profiles among isolates from flies and corresponding locations. Resistance genes (tetM, tetS, tetO, ermB) and the conjugative transposon Tn916 were the most commonly detected determinants from resistant isolates from both environments. The house fly digestive tract was evaluated for the potential for horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes among Enterococcus faecalis. Horizontal transfer of the pCF10 plasmid with the tetracycline resistance gene (tetM) occurred in the fly digestive tract with a transfer rate up to 101 T/D. In addition, eight enterococcal species were selected to evaluate their role and survival during house fly development. Overall, the survival rate (egg to adult) was significantly higher with E. hirae, E. durans and E. avium compared to other strains. These results indicate: a) house flies play an important role in the ecology of antibiotic resistant enterococci; b) the house fly digestive tract provides conditions for horizontal gene transfer among enterococci, and c) enterococci support the house fly development and can colonize the gut of newly emerging adult flies.