Purpose To describe: (1) development of ReadNPlay for a Bright Future with community stakeholders, (2) integration of a novel communicative tool, the ReadNPlay Baby Book, into infant-toddler well child visits, and (3) use of a quality improvement approach to monitor progress in promoting healthy active living in families with young children. Methods ReadNPlay for a Bright Future is funded by a grant from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Metlife Foundation awarded to the East Tennessee State University Department of Pediatrics and Tennessee Chapter of the AAP. The setting for this project is in rural southern Appalachia, a U.S. region with a disproportionately high prevalence of obesity. During a community forum held in Northeast Tennessee in fall 2012, community stakeholders provided feedback to help finalize project materials and messages developed by the project team around four themes: Play More: Shut off the Screen, Play Together: Be Active as a Family, Fuel to Play: Eat Healthy, and Play Safely. A behavioral health consultant (BHC) assisted with provider training in brief motivational interviewing and behavioral counseling and project implementation in the clinic. An anonymous mothers' survey was designed to identify opportunities for improving behaviors and monitor progress in promoting healthy active living during well child visits. Process measures and feedback will be obtained from provider surveys and focus groups with parents and providers. Results As of February 2013, the ReadNPlay Baby Book is being provided to families starting at the newborn visit. The book contains age-appropriate guidance and areas for parents to record their baby's growth, milestones, eating habits, favorite books, and activities between birth and 18 months. Families are receiving small incentives for bringing it to each well child visit. A companion Healthy Active Living Tips booklet encourages healthy behaviors in the whole family. Use of social media, posters, and periodic community events provide reinforcement. A total of 80 mothers with infants 9-24 months of age are completing anonymous surveys during well child visits every 4-6 months (mostly Caucasian, 70% WIC recipients). Baseline surveys with mothers of younger infants (9-12 months of age) suggest: 60% of mothers are reading or looking at books with their infants on most days of the week; 80% of infants watch at least 30 minutes of television and 48.7% drink juice on a typical day; 82% of infants were ever-breastfed; 20% of mothers had sought care for their infants due to an injury; and 13.2% of infants routinely bed-share. Over 80% of all mothers wished that they themselves could get more exercise. Conclusion ReadNPlay for a Bright Future is using novel communication tools, community partnerships, and quality improvement methodology to encourage healthy active living during infant-toddler well child visits

This study examined the effectiveness of active shooter preparedness training on students for the purpose of assessing whether or not undergoing such training helps ease students’ level of anxiety, sense of preparedness in the event of a mass shooting attack at their California State University campus, or an attack occurring at their place of internship. This data was collected by offering an active shooter training to student participants, facilitated by the Risk Management department, at a large University in Southern California. Following the training, first-year Bachelors and Masters students within the School of Social Work were given a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire pertained to student perceptions of anxiety connected to fear of a shooting on campus and/or at their internship placement as well as students' perceptions of the effectiveness of the active shooter preparedness training. The research found that participants, on average, are moderately anxious about the possibility of an active shooter situation at school and their internships. Participants also indicated finding Risk Management’s active shooter preparedness training to be important and useful. Therefore, this study recommends that the California State University provide an active shooter preparedness training to all incoming first-year BASW and MSW students during school orientation.

Navigating through the debris of the information explosion requires powerful, flexible search tools. These tools must be both useful and useable; that is, they must do their jobs effectively without placing too many burdens on the user. While general interest search engines, such as Google, have addressed this latter challenge well, more topic-specific search engines, such as PubMed, have not. These search engines, though effective, often require training in their use, as well as in-depth knowledge of the domain over which they operate. Furthermore, search results are often returned in an order irrespective of users' preferences, forcing them to manually search through search results in order to find the documents they find most useful. To solve these problems, we intend to learn ranking functions from user relevance preferences. Applying these ranking functions to search results allows us to improve search usability without having to reengineer existing, effective search engines. Using ranking SVMs and active learning techniques, we can effectively learn what is relevant to a user from relatively small amounts of preference data, and apply these learned models as ranking functions. This gives users the convenience of seeing relevance-ordered search results, which are tailored to their preferences as opposed to using a one-size-fits-all sorting method. As giving preference feedback does not require in-depth domain knowledge, this approach is suitable for use by domain experts as well as neophytes. Furthermore, giving preference feedback does not require a great deal of training, adding very little overhead to the search process.

This thesis is a study dealing with active and inactive L.D.S. couples and their comparative Marital adjustment. The couples were selected from the geographic areas of Enterprise and Logan, Utah, and Preston, Idaho. Respondents consisted of couples who had at least one child, but no children beyond high school age. Their religiosity was determined by the bishop of the L.D.S. Ward of which they were a member. The bishop considered such factors as attendance at regularly scheduled church meetings and contributions made in the form of tithes in determining whether a couple was considered active or inactive. The sample consisted of 40 active couples and 20 inactive couples. Hypotheses tested in this study were (1) L.D.S. couples who are active in church activities have a higher degree of marital adjustment than those couples who are inactive. (2) L.D.S. couples who are active will rate their marriages as happier on the continuum scale of happiness than will couples who are inactive. (3) Church activity of the part of both husband and wife contributes to the rapport and marital success of the couple. (4) Couples who are least active will be less likely to participate in the study; therefore their marriage adjustment may not be discovered. In testing the hypotheses subjects were given a modified marital adjustment inventory used by Locke, plus questions pertaining to church activity and a set of background questions. The questionnaires were given directly to the subjects by the investigator or were sent by mail to subjects with a letter of instructions. Findings of this study appeared to indicate that active couples had a better marital adjustment. Adjustment scores for active couples ranged from a low of 71 to a high of 123 with an arithmetic mean of 107.80. Adjustment scores for inactive couples ranged from a low of 60 to a high of 121 with an arithmetic mean of 99.15. A "t" ratio of 3.86 was obtained, which is significant at the level of .01 level of significance. It is to be noted that when adjustment scores of active husbands were compared with inactive, the difference was not so significant. It only approached significance at the .05 level of significance; still active husbands had somewhat higher adjustment scores the arithmetic mean of active husbands was 108.45 compared with 100.95 which was the arithmetic mean for inactive husbands. The difference between active and inactive wives was more significant. Active wives had an arithmetic mean of 107.15 as compared with 97.35 for the inactive. This difference approached significance at the .01 level of significance. A conclusion of the study is, church activity appears to be a factor contributing to the happiness of the couples and to the adjustments of their marriages.

Mobility in the western U.S. is defined primarily by the private automobile. Since the conclusion of WWII, the private automobile has become readily available to the public, and as a result, has heavily influenced the design of our modern cities in the west. In recent years the connections between high motor vehicle use and rising obesity rates, crumbling road infrastructure, and deteriorating air quality have caused city officials to reexamine the transportation systems of the west. One solution advocates, city officials, and planning professionals have begun examining is active transportation (walking, cycling, and public transit). Research suggests that a robust active transportation network not only diversifies mobility options, it also encourages compact urban development, cleaner air, and a move active population. This thesis developed a methodology for examining and documenting the components of an active transportation network in the western U.S. This was done though a comprehensive literature review to glean important active transportation policies, infrastructure, and best practices. Then, two western U.S. case study cities with relatively high amounts of cycling, walking, and public transit use were selected and analyzed with site visits and planning professional interviews. The data gathered throughout this first phase of the research was then synthesized, and reoccurring themes about cycling, walking and public transit were identified. These themes were labeled as the prerequisites for active transportation in cities of the western U.S. and were documented and prioritized based on their potential impact. The themes were vetted by planning professionals in the two case study cities as well as in Cache Valley to insure accuracy and validity. A final version of the prerequisites was then documented. The final phase of this research applied the prerequisites to the transportation system in Cache Valley, UT in order to insure the list was valid and reproducible under a variety of conditions. The outcome of this phase was GIS map displaying an alternative future for active transportation in Cache Valley, UT.

Orientador: Eduardo Kokubun / Resumo: O deslocamento ativo traz muitos benefícios tanto individuais quanto ambientais, por exemplo, redução da mortalidade, redução da pressão arterial e redução da poluição. Apesar disso, vemos que no Brasil, utiliza-se pouco esse modo de transporte quando comparado a outros países. No caso de Recife, por exemplo, 16% de viagens de bicicleta, longe dos 48% de Amsterdam. O objetivo foi analisar o padrão do deslocamento ativo da Região Metropolitana de Campinas – SP e para tal feitio foram utilizados os dados da pesquisa “Origem-Destino 2003 e 2011 da Região Metropolitana de Campinas”. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo e analítico da frequência do deslocamento ativo, fatores associados para ser ciclista ou caminhante por meio da regressão de Poisson, e uma análise descritiva de tendência temporal sobre as características das viagens ativas da RMC. Para a realização dos mesmos, foi utilizado o software Stata 12.0 (StataCorp). A amostra contou com 36.892 pessoas residentes da RMC e 66.362 viagens. Sendo encontrado uma queda entre 2003 e 2011 nas frequências dos ciclistas (2,2% - 1,6%) e suas viagens (3,5% - 2,1%), e para os caminhantes (21,9% - 17,3%) e suas viagens (35,4% - 24%). Sobre as características individuais, para os ciclistas, obteve-se que a cada 1000 habitantes 25,1 são homens, 21,1 adultos jovens e 29,8 provenientes da classe E. Nos caminhantes, a cada 1000 habitantes, 184,4 são mulheres, 367,4 crianças/adolescentes, 413,4 estudantes e 207,9 da classe E. Para os fatores ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Active displacement has many individual and environmental benefits, for example, reduced mortality, reduced blood pressure and reduced pollution. Nevertheless, we see that in Brazil, this mean of transport is not so used when compared to other countries. In the case of Recife, for example, 16% of bicycle trips, far from the 48% of Amsterdam. The objective was to analyze the pattern of active displacement of the Region Metropolitan of Campinas - SP and for that purpose we used data from the research “Origin-Destination 2003 and 2011 of the Region Metropolitan of Campinas”. A descriptive and analytical study of the frequency of active displacement, associated factors to be cyclist or hiker by Poisson regression, and a descriptive analysis of temporal trend on the characteristics of active CMR travel were performed. To perform them, the software Stata 12.0 (StataCorp) was used. The sample included 36,892 residents of RMC and 66,362 trips. A decline between 2003 and 2011 in the frequencies of cyclists (2.2% - 1.6%) and their trips (3.5% - 2.1%), and for hikers (21.9% - 17, 3%) and their travels (35.4% - 24%). Regarding the individual characteristics, for cyclists, it was found that every 1000 inhabitants 25.1 are men, 21.1 young adults and 29.8 from E class. In hikers, each 1000 inhabitants, 184.4 are women, 367.4 children / adolescents, 413.4 students and 207.9 of E class. For the associated factors the discoveries were that lower economic class and male gender are associated wi... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

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Presented here are observations, analysis and interpretation of five Fanaroff-Riley class I radio galaxies. Total intensity and polarised emission was observed in each source at 6 and 3 cm at angular resolutions of 16 to 2 arc seconds. These sources have a flux density greater than 1 Jy at 843 MHz, are 10-30 arc minutes in total angular extent, have redshifts between 0.011 and 0.035, are south of declination –43 degrees and have bright prominent jet structure. Images of the distribution of total intensity, polarised intensity and magnetic field configuration are presented and analysed. Physical properties in the jets and lobe are estimated using a number of different techniques. The observations have revealed a wide variety of structures, which imply many types of physical processes occurring in these sources, and different types of environments the jets travel through. The surface brightness distribution of some FR I radio galaxies with some characteristics of FR II galaxies are found to be consistent with the jets traveling through flat pressure gradients possibly caused by the presence of a cocoon surrounding the source. Analytical model imply jets with Mach numbers of 1-5, and jet velocities of approximately 1,000-20,000 km s-1 along most of the jets but mildly relativistic velocities 0.1-0.5c are indicated by Doppler boosting models at the base of most of the jets / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

A soil climate monitoring network, consisting of seven automated weather stations, was established between 1999 and 2003 in the McMurdo Sound region of Antarctica. Soil temperature, soil water content, air temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed and direction are recorded hourly and downloaded annually. Two 30 m deep permafrost temperature monitoring boreholes were established adjacent to the soil climate stations in the Wright Valley and at Marble Point in January 2007. Sixteen thermistors (accurate to ±0.1°C) were installed in each borehole measuring temperature once every hour and recording the mean every six hours. One year of permafrost temperatures were available (January 2007 to January 2008). The overall aim of this thesis was to make use of the soil climate monitoring database from 1999 to 2007 to investigate Antarctic soil climate. Active layer depth (depth of thawing) varied inter-annually, with no significant trend between 1999 and 2007. The active layer increased with decreasing latitude (R2 = 0.94), and decreased with increasing altitude (R2 = 0.95). A multiple regression model was produced whereby active layer depth was predicted as a function of mean summer air temperature, mean winter air temperature, total summer solar radiation and mean summer wind speed (R2 = 0.73). Annual temperature cycles were observed at all depths in the boreholes. At Marble Point, an annual temperature range of lt;1°C occurred at 15.2 m, lt;0.5°C at 18.4 m and lt;0.1°C at 26.4 m and at Wright Valley, an annual temperature range of lt;1°C occurred at 14.0 m, lt;0.5°C at 17.2 m and lt;0.1°C at 25.2 m. Given that the depth of Zero Annual Amplitude determined depends on the sensitivity of the measurement method, it is suggested that instead of referring to a depth of Zero Annual Amplitude , the depth at which the annual temperature range is less than a given value is a more useful concept. Mean annual and mean seasonal air and soil temperatures varied inter-annually and there was no significant trend of warming or cooling over the 1999 - 2007 period. Mean annual air temperatures were primarily influenced by winter air temperatures. Mean annual and mean summer soil temperatures were warmer than air temperatures due to heating by solar radiation. Mean summer air temperatures correlated well with the Southern Annular Mode Index (SAMI) at all sites (0.61 lt; R2 lt; 0.73) except Victoria Valley; however there was no correlation between mean annual or mean winter temperatures and the SAMI. Air temperature was linearly correlated with near-surface soil temperature (1.3 - 7.5 cm) (R2 gt; 0.79). Near-surface soil temperature was strongly correlated with incoming solar radiation at Victoria Valley (0.14 lt; R2 lt; 0.76) and Granite Harbour (0.49 lt; R2 lt; 0.82), but was not significantly correlated at other sites (0 lt; R2 lt; 0.57). There was no significant correlation between air temperature and wind speed, air temperature and solar radiation and near-surface soil temperature and wind speed, despite occasions of strong correlation on the diurnal time scale. Diurnal summer cycles in air and soil temperatures were driven by solar radiation. Multiple regressions combining the effects of air temperature, solar radiation and wind speed approximated near-surface soil temperatures well at every site during both summer and winter (0.88 lt; R2 lt; 0.98).