Stormwater Management (SWM) or Best management practices (BMPs) treat the stormwater runoff that carries pollutants. Pollutants in the waters and in the stormwater, negatively impact the environment, the ecology, and natural resources. Stormwater Control Measures (SCM) are used in different projects to improve water quality and quantity. This thesis aims to understand the connection between SWMs, the economy, and environmental sustainability. This thesis evaluates the cost-effectiveness of SWMs in Mediterranean climates. The research aims to guide the next project managers to choose better SWMs based on cost-effectiveness, socio-economic, and environmental implications. Various studies suggest that the terms SWM, SWM, and SCM are used interchangeably. The research methodology uses a mix of qualitative and quantitative data analysis The research was conducted in Los Angeles at the request of UCLA. Therefore, it focused on water quality improvement projects in Los Angeles. The costs for the projects, areas, and whatSWMs are used will be acquired through data gathering and personal communication with experts. This thesis compares several projects which include different SWMs. It calculates the cost-effectiveness with two different methods, firstly, the cost per drainage area, and secondly, the cost per pollutant removed. Data is gathered from the city of LA and other secondary data sources to calculate the cost-effectiveness. The calculation results showed that the Glenoaksproject and the Machado lake project were the most cost-effective. Glenoaks utilizes infiltration wells and grass swales, and the Machado lake is a large wetland. Based upon these facts, generally, wetlands and grass swales can be recommended for Mediterranean climates. The expensive total costs of SWMs or their inability to remove pollutants can strongly affect the cost-effectiveness of some projects, and produce a negative impact on the economy. Quantitative assessment of study investigates cost-effectiveness of SWMs and for highlighting its economic impact. For qualitative assessment thematic analysis of 14 sample studies related to stormwater management (SWM) was carried out. Findings reveal that 78% of sample studies reflect the themes associated with the positive economic impact of SWMs. Additionally, the sample studies confirm a 76% positive impact of SWMs on the environment and ecology of the region. Further research with better data and more accurate calculations are needed. It would be beneficial if other factors such as recreation and unquantifiable factors such as the aesthetic improvements and community benefits were incorporated into or considered together with the cost-effectiveness for future projects.

QC 20101220

Background: Patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer have one of the highest rates of psychosocial distress which may be reduced by identifying factors associated with psychosocial distress. This dissertation examined the association of neighborhood-level Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and delay in treatment initiation with psychosocial distress. It also qualitatively explored perceptions and practices of the lung cancer care team regarding psychosocial distress screening. Methods: Sociodemographic, clinical, and SDOH data of patients newly diagnosed with lung cancer between 2017 and 2021 was analyzed via logistic regression. Thematic analysis was done for interviews conducted with the lung cancer care team. Results: SDOH and delay in treatment were not significantly associated with psychosocial distress. However, a high deprivation level of SDOH was associated with delay in treatment initiation. Qualitatively, four principal themes emerged: (1) Timing and frequency of screening: Multiple screenings at different time points may be more effective; (2) Training needs: All staff would benefit from training; (3) Staffing needs: More psychologists and social workers are needed to address identified patient psychosocial distress and; (4) Opportunity for holistic patient care: Consistent communication of distress screening information to physicians and surgeons may enhance a holistic care model for patients. Conclusions: The lung cancer care team valued psychosocial distress screening and identified opportunities for improving screening processes. The finding of association of high deprivation level of SDOH with greater delay in treatment initiation suggests that targeted interventions to reduce delay in treatment initiation, focusing on economically marginalized groups may be warranted.

The purpose of this study was to explore the essence of professional learning experiences shared by teachers who participated in a professional learning community (PLC) at a New York City high school in the South Bronx. Guided by Hord's PLC characteristics and Bruner's constructivism theories, this phenomenological study addressed the research questions of what PLC practices urban high school teachers employ to support the academic-literacy achievement of their students of low social economic status (SES); the role of administration in the PLC process; and the roles of a shared mission, values, vision, norms, and collaborative knowledge on the functioning of the PLC. Data collected from the 6 PLC teachers included semi-structured individual interviews, observations of PLC meetings over a 2-month period, participating teacher reflective journal entries, and a researcher's log. Manual data analysis consisted of reading raw data multiple times to determine patterns, themes, and relationships. Additionally, concept and descriptive coding approaches facilitated data source analysis. Gerund words and short phrases generated labels and categories that resulted symbolic representation. The results were that the urban high school teachers demonstrated Hord's PLC characteristics and Bruner's constructivism theories within their PLC's practices and principles leading to decision-making and solutions to problems such as improving teachers' literacy practices, students' literacy skills and classroom behavior, and school wide Individualized Educational Plan process. The findings of this study support the engagement of urban high school teachers in self-directed PLC activities that may promote social change by improving literacy instruction and literacy achievement among students of low SES.

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Zoology and Entomology / unrestricted

No description available.

Low socio-economic status (SES) students are less likely to gain access to the gatekeeper mathematics courses necessary for high school graduation and entrance to college. This study examined the effects of a constructivist-based fraction intervention on mathematics achievement, self-efficacy beliefs, and Algebra One enrollment of mathematically at risk low SES sixth grade students. Students' fifth grade mathematics CST and sixth grade fraction benchmark scores served as covariates in each analysis. Achievement was measured by the students' scores on their seventh grade fraction benchmark and mathematics California Standards Test (CST). A Fraction Self-Efficacy Survey measured students' beliefs. The sixth grade fraction intervention was a one week, 35 hour program. The experiment included 45 students who attended the intervention and 43 matched students who served as the comparison group. Teacher effects were controlled. The scores of students in the treatment group were significantly higher on both their seventh grade fraction benchmark (p < 0.001) and mathematics CST (p < 0.001). Students in the treatment group scored higher in overall self-efficacy beliefs than students in the comparison group and, although there was a trend towards significance (p = 0.065), the difference was not statistically significant. Additionally, logistic regression was used to determine that students' self-efficacy beliefs partially mediated the relationship between participation in the fraction intervention and their enrollment in Algebra One. Students who attended the intervention were three times as likely to enroll in Algebra One as their matched peers.

No description available.

No description available.

Au Québec, les familles ont accès à des services sociaux dispensés par différents milieux de pratique. Les travailleurs sociaux sont parmi les principaux intervenants à offrir leur soutien professionnel aux familles, en collaboration avec d’autres soignants et intervenants du domaine de la santé et des services sociaux. Suite à une expérience professionnelle de travailleuse sociale auprès des familles pendant plus de sept ans, ce contact avec celles-ci joint à nos réflexions, nous ont poussée à vouloir faire une place à la voix des parents utilisant ces services. Comment les parents se représentent-ils le travail social? Quel est leur point de vue, suite à leurs propres expériences d’intervention sociale? Cette étude se veut un espace afin de présenter le regard des parents vis-à-vis du travail social, pour mieux saisir la légitimité accordée aux pratiques d’intervention sociale. Le corpus de données repose sur les récits de douze parents recueillis lors d’entretiens semi-directifs. Ces parents ont en commun le fait d’avoir eu une ou des expériences avec le travail social. Cette étude met en lumière leur propre rapport au travail social, à partir d’un point de vue qui est le leur. La ligne directrice de cette recherche est inspirée d’une anthropologie de l’éthique, qui laisse place à l’analyse des morales en présence dans la rencontre. L’analyse se divise en deux grands thèmes principaux : soit la légitimité morale de l’intervention sociale et les dynamiques morales entre parents et travailleurs(es) sociaux(les). La première partie d’analyse montre les facteurs qui influencent l’appréciation qu’ont les parents de l’aide qui leur est offerte, ainsi que du parcours inhérent à cette rencontre particulière. Dans un deuxième temps, une éthique de la reconnaissance est utilisée pour discuter les résultats de l’étude. Les valeurs, les normes et les savoirs qui se négocient entre parents et intervenants(es) sont explorés. Ultimement, cette étude qui se veut un plaidoyer pour la voix des parents donne à voir comment les uns et les autres définissent un univers de sens moral à travers un rapport aidant/aidé précis, celui entre parents et travailleurs(ses) sociaux(les). / In the province of Quebec, families have access to social services from various resources. The social worker is a key participant among these resources, along with several other collaborating health professionals. Having been a professional social worker from 2007 to 2014, in the Montreal area, my experiences have led me to contemplate the lives of those families I’ve had the privilege of working with and helping to the best of my capabilities. These reflections led to questions and to this thesis, which aims to give a voice to parents who have experienced Quebec’s social services in the past and in the present. How do they reflect on these experiences? This master’s thesis will provide a rare insight into these experiences, from the parents/families’ point of view. The data collected is based on the personal stories of twelve parents. The interviews were conducted one on one, with open and close-ended questions, in order to provide as much space for the interviewee to best express themselves and their experiences with social services. This study will provide a unique and definitive perspective from the point of view of the parent. The guiding principle of this research takes inspiration from ethical anthropology, and it allows for an analysis of the morals present during the meeting. The analysis is divided into two main themes: the moral legitimacy of the social intervention, and the moral dynamics between parents and social workers. The first part of the analysis will show the factors that can influence the parents’ opinion about the help that is offered to them. Also, as well as the journey that is defined within the meeting will be explored. In the second part, we will use the ethics of recognition to discuss the results of the study. Here we will explore the values, norms and knowledge that are negotiated between parents and social workers. Ultimately, this study, which is meant as advocacy tool for the voices of the parents, wants to reveal how the ones and the others can define a universe of moral sense throughout a precise relationship, the one between social workers and parents.