Increasing levels of physical activity in older adults and fall prevention are key concerns of current UK health policy. Regular physical activity has many positive benefits for older adults, for example in fall prevention. However, sedentary behaviour among older adults is common. Forty per cent of over 50s in the UK report less physical activity than is considered necessary to maintain good health. Sedentary behaviour is even more common in South Asian older people in the UK. The aim of this research was to investigate the attitudes and beliefs that drive or hinder uptake and adherence of physical activity, in general and in relation to fall prevention, among 60-70 year old Caucasian and South Asian community dwellers. An ethnographic method was chosen as the research approach as it provided the framework for facilitating the incorporation of multiple voices. Two main geographical areas were chosen to conduct the study and included eight sites of study. Data collection used multiple methods (participant observation, focus groups and semi-structured interviews). In total 60 hours of participant observation, 15 focus group discussions (n = 87; mean age = 65.74 years) and 40 semi-structured interviews (mean age = 64.83 yrs) were conducted. Data analysis and classification followed a framework approach, comparing and contrasting themes within and across groups. Findings demonstrate that older people do not recognise falls as a risk and are not motivated to perform physical activity on a regular basis purely to help prevent falls. Social support and social benefits of physical activity appear to be key motivators to initiating and maintaining physical activity. Enjoyment, increased self-confidence and developing social networks seem to be important motivators in terms of adherence. Health, although a good motivator for the initiation of physical activity, appears to be a secondary motivator in terms of adherence. Barriers to physical activity include perceived and actual poor physical health, lack of social support, specificity of physical activity messages by health professionals as well as lack of motivation, low mood, fear of harm and domestic and carer issues. These findings suggest that older adults should be assessed individually, to address physical symptoms and possible low mood, and not according to age. The importance of exercise, even in the presence of physical illness needs to be explained. There is a need to promote confidence in older people’s ability to perform an activity, as this appears to be essential in continuing with exercise. Activities that take a ‘one size fits all’ approach, serve as a de-motivating force. Variety in exercise and physical activity is important to maintain motivation in the long-term.

The dissertation details work aimed toward the development and implementation of a 3-D impact fragmentation module to perform rock fall analysis by taking into account impact fragmentation. This fragmentation module is based on a database of a large set of impact simulations using a fully calibrated discrete element model (DEM), and is employed to predict impact fragmentation processes in rockfall analysis by either training a neural network model or linearly interpolating the database. A DEM was employed to model impact fragmentation in the study. A DEM code was developed from scratch. The model was first calibrated and verified with experimental results to demonstrate the capability of modeling both quasi-static and dynamic material behavior. Algorithms to calibrate the model’s micro-parameters against triaxial tests on rocks were presented. Sensitivity analyses were used to identify the deformability micro-parameters by obtaining relationships between microscopic and macroscopic deformability properties. The strength model parameters were identified by a global optimization process aimed at minimizing the difference between computed and experimental failure envelopes. When applied to the experimental results of tested granite, this calibration process produced a good agreement between simulated and experimental results for both deformability and strength properties. Dynamic compression and SHPB tests were performed to verify the dynamic model. A strain-rate-dependent dynamic strength was observed in the experimental results. This strain-rate-dependent dynamic strength was also confirmed by the numerical results. No rate-dependent constitutive model was used in the DEM to simulate dynamic behavior. This simulated rate-dependent dynamic strength can be attributed to material inertia because the inertia inhibits crack growth. Some fundamental mechanisms of impact fragmentation associated with rockfalls were then numerically investigated. The developed DEM code was coupled with a simplified impact model inspired by the theory of dynamic foundations. It has been shown that the magnitude of impact velocity, the angle of the incidence, the ground condition all play very important roles in impact fragmentation. Several case studies were performed to validate the developed impact fragmentation module in rock fall analysis. It has been demonstrated that the developed fragmentation module can reasonably predict impact fragmentation and perform some risk analysis in rock fall analysis. / text

According to biblical record, diseases and illness have troubled individuals almost since the beginning of creation (Wilkinson, 1998: 7). To understand and make sense of sickness, mankind turned to religion. In the Old Testament health is seen as a gift of God, but illness is perceived as a punishment for sin (Leon-Dufour, 1962: 543). The preaching of Job argues against this view. The problem of evil still causes difficulties for the Christian today. God permits such challenges and, in responding to them, mankind is spiritually transformed: spiritual growth. God has given mankind a soul, and this soul is not part of an evolutionary process towards perfection: only Christ waslis perfect! However, through the crucifixion, God recognizes our suffering and we can recognize His suffering elsewhere (Fiddes, 1988: 11). The central question of this research is: How may one demonstrate the legitimacy and validity of miraculous healing through the charism of the Holy Spirit within the Catholic tradition? As healing miracles have an important place in Scripture, an examination is needed of the words used to describe miracles, tracing the English translation back to the original Greek or Hebrew words. Miracle stories are also attested to in secular sources such as the Antiquities of the Jews and the Babylonian Talmud. Scripture contains accounts of healing miracles, particularly in relation to the ministry of Jesus whose healing miracles are in accordance with His teaching. Such miracles were not simply stories spread by the disciples; they were signs, evidence of who Jesus is and that He had come in fulfilment of prophecy. These signs contained the quintessence of the Gospel itself, promoting faith, and that faith is a personal response to an act of witness. Healing is not dependent upon sinlessness, but is a gift of God to His creature: it can be mental, spiritual, emotional, involving relationships and the reconciliation of a person with God and his community through the receipt of the sacraments. Scriptural accounts of healing miracles contained a message that the Kingdom of God had arrived. They were a demonstration of God's truth to believers and non-believers alike and they continued to play an important part in the first Christians' experiences and mission. The church's healing ministry has its roots and authority in Scripture and the continuation of that ministry is through the action of the Holy Spirit. Both in the Early Church and the Church of today, restoration to health is implemented through the Mass and in the practice of a ministry that includes physical care through the establishment of hospitals managed by religious orders and latterly, through care homes staffed by lay volunteers. Consideration is given to Pasteur's (1822-1895) research into microorganisms and the consequent shift in focus to the avoidance of infection and to the development of effective cures. Understandably, the medical profession has concerns about the healing ministry: why are some healed and others not and why cannot healings be tested scientifically in the laboratory? In the Roman Catholic Church tradition shrines have always played an important role as places of pilgrimage and healing and, in spite of the existence of medical committees made up of scientists, doctors and priests to test all claims of healing before the Church acknowledges these as genuine, scepticism remains (Theillier, 2000: 3). Historically inseparable, a gap has developed between science and religion; this thesis attempts to demonstrate the reasons for this and to show that, since both are concerned with aspects of human suffering and death, the wall of separation between medicine and religion can be demolished (Larson and Matthews, 1997 (2): 3-6). As well as modern medical, technological advancements, which have provided exciting developments in the treatment of diseases like cancer, universities such as Edinburgh and Lancaster have established programmes that focus on how a person's faith may influence the progress of illness in a beneficial way. By considering the apparently opposing views of Hume and Lewis (1953: 51), questions arise concerning the extent to which the Laws of Nature are indeed fixed and unchanging; and concerning the contention that when God acts He does not suspend the Laws of Nature, but works with and through them. The researcher's views are either partially or fully endorsed by Boswell (1992), Brown (1984) and Wilkinson (1998); however, it is necessary to research the understanding of those whose scientific expertise prevents them from conceiving of the possibility of miraculous healing (Dawkins, 1997; Hume 1980; Williams, 1992; et al). The thesis addresses contemporary issues: the extent of modern research into the healing ministry and the fact that this is not reflected comprehensively in the training programmes of the Catholic Church for those preparing for the priesthood or as monks and nuns (Hocken, 2001: 54); and the current debate on euthanasia, which demonstrates clearly that the Bible continues to influence not only medical ethics but also, our society as it debates and determines its evaluation of human life. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Church and Dogma History))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus in cooperation with Greenwich School of Theology, U.K., 2007

The United States is a rapidly aging nation. Older adults have higher rates of falls than any other age group. One in four older adults fall each year. Many of these falls are associated with sedentary lifestyles and decreased muscular strength effecting balance and gait performance. Physical activity (exercise) can reduce the risk of falls among older adults, yet adherence remains low. Exergames can increase adherence to interventions that promote health and physical activity. Social engagement can increase self-efficacy and motivation to exercise. By design, the Bingocize® health promotion mobile application (app) increases social engagement, while providing a multi-factorial fall prevention intervention. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the efficacy of the app to improve gait in community-dwelling older adults (N=38; mean age 72.42 years +12.58). Participants were clustered and randomly assigned to (a) experimental (n=20; using app with bingo game, health education and exercise) or (b) control (n=18; using app with bingo game, health education without exercise) condition. Each group completed a tenweek intervention that consisted of two- 45-60 minute sessions per week. Pre and post gait analysis, at self-selected (SS) and fast-walking speeds, measured using the GAITRite® Electronic Walkway (GWS). Gait analysis included parameters of velocity, cadence, step time, step length and width, and single and double support time. A mixedmodel ANOVA (p < .05) was used for statistical analysis. There were no main effects observed. Significant interactions (group x time) were observed at fast speed and SS speed compared to the control group. Significant interactions were observed at fast speed included velocity (λ = .886, F (1, 36) = 4.61, p = .039, 𝜼𝒑 𝟐 = .114); and step length (λ = .864, F (1, 36) = 5.64, p = .023, 𝜼𝒑 𝟐 = .136); and were observed at SS speed for single support time (λ = .887, F (1, 36) = 4.59, p = .039, 𝜼𝒑 𝟐 = .113). Post hoc analyses using paired and independent samples t-tests were conducted on gait variables with observed significant interactions. The independent samples t-test for Single Support Time (SS) post was significant (t (36) = 2.454, p = .019, two-tailed). None of the remaining post hoc analyses were significant. There was a meaningful detectable change (MDC) in mean velocity (>5 cm/s) over time, for both SS and fast walking speeds, within the experimental condition. MDC in gait speed ranges from 5 cm/s (small) to 10 cm/s (large). As for clinical significance, this should be considered a small, yet meaningful detectable change. It is the conclusion of the investigators, that the app, with the exercise intervention, can effectively produce a meaningful change in gait speed (5 cm/s), which has the potential for reducing the risk of falls in older adults. This investigation was funded by The Retirement Research Foundation.

Class of 2017 Abstract / Objectives: The aim of this project was to assess community-dwelling older adults’ knowledge of prescription and Over-the-Counter (OTC) medications associated with fall risk, then provide an online educational intervention tailored to older adults on the topics they answer incorrectly. The knowledge assessment of the missed questions will be repeated after the online education to detect the effectiveness of the online intervention in increasing the knowledge of community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This study used an interventional design with pre-test, post-test survey method to quantitatively analyze community-dwelling older adults’ knowledge on medication-related fall risk. The persons taking the survey were community dwelling older adults, 65 years of age and older, living in the greater Tucson and Phoenix areas. Data was obtained through an online Qualtrics questionnaire between February 1, 2016 and February 1, 2017. The survey respondents answered questions regarding prescription and OTC medications associated with fall risk. For the questions they answered incorrectly, an online educational intervention tailored to older adults was provided immediately. The knowledge assessment of the missed questions was repeated after the online education to detect the effectiveness of the intervention. Results: Questionnaires were completed by 302 community-dwelling older adults. The mean age of the participants was 79 (range 65 to > 96), and majority were women (61.2%). A majority of respondents (53.87%) reported falling once in the last 5 years. Of the total participants, 50% were taking between 5 and 9 prescribed medications and 56% taking 0 to 4 OTC medications. The primary outcome of this study is that online education was effective in educating community dwelling older adults on medication-related fall risk. Patients whose pharmacist had previously educated them did not directly correlate with better performance on the pretest than those who did not receive counseling. Participants that received online education during the survey improved their score from 69% before education to 84% post education. Conclusions: The online educational intervention on medication-related fall among older adults was effective and informative. Such educational strategy may be used by pharmacists to educate older patients using medications that may increase fall risks.

The publication of The Origin of Species in 1859 raised a host of theological issues. Chief amongst them is the question of how a good, loving, and powerful God could create through an evolutionary process that involved so much suffering, pain, and violence. The traditional Christian answers for suffering in the natural world are not plausible in an evolutionary world. We cannot blame natural evil on human sin, since earth history shows that non-human suffering long preceded humans. Nor can we say that God allows suffering because it allows opportunity for moral choice, spiritual closeness with God, and the development of virtue, as none of these apply to the non-human realm. A new approach is needed to address the question of suffering and violence amongst non-human animals. In this dissertation, I address the question of evolutionary suffering with a multi-disciplinary approach of biblical studies, philosophical theology, and systematic theology to build a compound theodicy. After a survey of the various scholarly contributions in this area, I begin with biblical considerations of the God-world relationship. I set aside, based on exegetical examinations of Genesis 1-9, notions of “fallenness” in the natural world. I therefore argue that evolution was God’s intended process of creation, and that we should not attribute it to any kind of corruption. The rest of the dissertation engages in the development of a compound theodicy rooted in a philosophical and theological definition of love. How does a God who loves creatures respond to their suffering? I argue that God’s action in creation is characterised by kenotic restraint, the giving of freedom, co-suffering with creatures, and the work of redemption.

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / During the fall of 2002 the physical oceanographic conditions off Central California were monitored by means of CTD casts and VMADCP current measurements during two cruises. The first cruise, included 38 stations and one time series station. The second cruise was sponsored by the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANOCEANO) and occupied nine sections along the coast. A total of 86 stations and two time series stations were occupied during the second cruise. CTD calibration and data processing methods are described. The isosteres, current vectors, and salinity distribution from the cruises provide a clear picture of the circulation pattern during the fall 2002. A strong shoreward, anticyclonic meander of the California current was observed. Although the meander itself did not cross the dynamic trough that separated inshore and offshore currents, at the point where the meander was adjacent to the trough, a ridge formed which transported Subarctic waters into the coastal zone. These fresh waters were advected to the north and south along the coast, depending upon the direction of nearshore currents. The observed mesoscale circulation showed the manner in which waters which are upwelled at the coast in summer are replaced by oceanic waters in the fall and winter. Analysis of the geography of the deep sound channel (DSC) during this period showed that the mean pressure of the DSC was at 586 dbar while the mean sound speed minimum was 1480 m/s. The minimum sound speed varied 3 m/s while the pressure of the minimum varied by 330 dbars. The shape of the pycnocline controlled the pressure and depth of the DSC in the region. / Ensign, United States Naval Reserve

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between author, text and user-generated modifications in the context of the computer game Civilization 4. These relationships are studied in part by analyzing how the game mechanics have been modified, and in part through analyzing the communication taking place between players of Civilization 4 in the CivFanatics online forums. The study concludes that fans as creators are increasingly leaning on each other and their self-produced accumulated body of knowledge in the generation of new and further changes to the narrative universe, and that the original creators of the game have all but faded from view. This suggests that fan creativity is not situated against or directed at particular authors (original or otherwise), but a community effort quite independent from original intent.

As principais táticas de controle de Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) têm sido o uso de inseticidas e cultivos Bt no Brasil. Devido à intensa pressão de seleção, a evolução da resistência de S. frugiperda aos principais inseticidas de diferentes grupos químicos e a proteínas Bt já foram documentados no Brasil. Sendo assim, estudos para preservar a vida útil de inseticidas com novos mecanismos de ação como a de chlorfenapyr (desacoplador da fosforilação oxidativa mediante a disrupção do gradiente de prótons) são fundamentais em programas de Manejo da Resistência de Insetos (MRI). Para a implementação de programas proativos de manejo da resistência de S. frugiperda a chlorfenapyr, foram conduzidos estudos para caracterizar e monitorar a suscetibilidade de populações de campo de S. frugiperda a chlorfenapyr, estimar a frequência do alelo da resistência a chlorfenapyr pelo método de F2 screen e avaliar a resistência cruzada entre chlorfenapyr e outros inseticidas e proteínas Bt. O método de bioensaio utilizado foi o de tratamento superficial da dieta. Os dados das linhas-básicas de suscetibilidade das populações de campo a chlorfenapyr demonstraram uma variação da CL50 de 13,87 a 25,07 &#181;g/mL. A concentração diagnóstica de 56 &#181;g/mL foi estimada mediante análise conjunta dos dados de linha-básica de suscetibilidade baseada na CL99. A suscetibilidade foi monitorada a partir de populações de campo de S. frugiperda coletadas nas principais regiões produtoras de milho no Brasil entre 2016 e 2018. A taxa de sobrevivência na concentração diagnóstica variou de 0 a 8,4%. Pelo método de F2 screen a frequência alélica estimada nas safras para a 2ª safra 2016 e a 1ª safra 2017 foi de 0,0008 e a frequência para a entressafra 2016-2017 foi de 0,0012. Não foi verificada resistência cruzada entre chlorfenapyr e os inseticidas: lambda-cyhalothrin, chlorpyrifos, lufenuron, teflubenzuron, spinosad e chlorantraniliprole e as proteínas Bt: Cry1F, Cry1A.105/Cry2Ab2, Cry1A.105/Cry2Ab2/Cry1F e Vip3Aa20 expressas em milho geneticamente modificado. Os resultados demonstraram uma alta suscetibilidade das populações de campo a chlorfenapyr, uma baixa frequência do alelo da resistência e ausência de resistência cruzada aos principais inseticidas e proteínas Bt. Portanto, o inseticida chlorfenapyr pode ser utilizado como uma ferramenta em programas de MRI em S. frugiperda no Brasil. / Chemical control and Bt crops are the major control tactics to control Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Brazil. Due to intense selection pressure, the evolution of S. frugiperda resistance to major insecticides from different chemical groups and to Bt proteins has already been documented in Brazil. Therefore, studies to preserve the lifetime of insecticides with new mode of action such as chlorfenapyr (uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation via disruption of the proton gradient) are important in Insect Resistance Management (IRM) programs. For implementing a proactive resistance management program of S. frugiperda to chlorfenapyr, studies were conducted to characterize and monitor the susceptibility of field populations of S. frugiperda to chlorfenapyr, to estimate the frequency of resistance alleles to chlorfenapyr using F2 screen method and to evaluate the cross-resistance patterns of chlorfenapyr and other insecticides and Bt proteins. Diet overlay bioassays was used to characterize the baseline susceptibility data of field population of S. frugiperda to chlorfenapyr. The LC50 ranged from 13.87 a 25.07 &#181;g/mL. A diagnostic concentration of 56 &#181;g/mL was estimated from the joint analysis of the baseline susceptibility data, based on LC99. Susceptibility was monitored from field populations of S. frugiperda collected from major corn growing regions in Brazil from 2016 to 2018. The survival rate at the diagnostic concentration ranged from 0 to 8.4%. Using the F2 screen method, the estimated allele frequency for the 2nd crop season 2016 and 1st crop season 2017 was 0.0008 and the frequency for the offseason 2016-2017 was 0.0012. No cross-resistance was verified between chlorfenapyr and the insecticides: lambda-cyhalothrin, chlorpyrifos, lufenuron, teflubenzuron, spinosad and chlorantraniliprole and to Bt proteins: Cry1F, Cry1A.105/Cry2Ab2, Cry1A.105/Cry2Ab2/Cry1F and Vip3Aa20 expressed in genetically modified maize. The results demonstrated a high susceptibility of field populations of S. frugiperda to chlorfenapyr, a low resistance allele frequency and lack of cross-resistance to major insecticides and Bt proteins. Therefore, chlorfenapyr can be used as an important tool in IRM programs of S. frugiperda in Brazil.

ALK1 est un récepteur de la famille du TGF-β, principalement exprimé dans les cellules endothéliales. Le ligand physiologique et circulant d'ALK1, BMP9, a été découvert par notre laboratoire en 2007, ce qui a ouvert des possibilités d'étude de la fonction d'ALK1. La première partie de ma thèse a été consacrée à l'analyse fonctionnelle de mutants d'ALK1, retrouvés sur des patients atteints de la maladie de Rendu-Osler de type 2, en réponse à BMP9. Cette étude a permis de : 1) proposer l'haploinsuffisance fonctionnelle comme modèle de la maladie ; 2) développer un test diagnostique pour discriminer les mutations pathogènes des polymorphismes rares, basé sur leur réponse à BMP9 ; 3) d'avoir une meilleure connaissance des acides aminés d'ALK1 importants dans la réponse à BMP9. Un second travail a consisté en la production de la forme mature de BMP9 et du domaine extracellulaire d'ALK1 en vue de l'étude de la structure cristallographique du complexe. L'expression des protéines et leur purification sont en phase d'optimisation. Enfin, un troisième projet consistait en l'analyse du rôle de BMP9 dans l'angiogenèse in vivo. La neutralisation de BMP9 par deux stratégies distinctes induit une augmentation de la densité vasculaire dans la rétine de la souris. Le mécanisme est en cours d'investigation. / ALK1 is a TGF-β family receptor, mainly expressed on endothelial cells. The physiologic and circulating ligand of ALK1, BMP9, was discovered by our laboratory in 2007, which opened opportunities for studying the function of ALK1. The first part of my thesis was on the functional analysis of ALK1 mutants from HHT-2 patients in response to BMP9. This study allowed us to: 1) propose functional haploinsufficiency as a model for HHT-2; 2) develop a diagnostic tool to discriminate pathogenic mutations from rare polymorphisms, based on their BMP9 response; 3) increase our knowledge of important amino acids in ALK1 for the BMP9 response. A second work was on the production of the mature form of BMP9 and of the extracellular domain of ALK1 in order to study the crystallographic structure of the complex. The expression of these proteins and their purification are in optimization phase. Lastly, a third project was on the analysis of the role of BMP9 in angiogenesis in vivo. Neutralization of BMP9 using two strategies induces an increase of the vascular density of the retina in mouse. Mechanism of action is under investigation.