Two studies were conducted to investigate potential factors that affect consumers' perception towards home meal kits, and potential foodborne illness risks factors of home meal kits usage. <div>In study 1, a cross-sectional data collection was performed by using an online, self-administrated questionnaire. The participants who were the adults residing in U.S. were asked to answer the survey using the Likert scales. Multiple linear regression and moderation analyses were conducted to determine the associations between variables. The differences between HMK users and non-users were assessed by an independent t-test.</div><div>In study 2, three studies were developed to investigate the risks factors, including the (1) analysis of the available food safety-related information and delivery protocol collected from the vendors’ websites, (2) examination of the actual commercial HMK shipments, and (3) examination of the temperature changes inside the insulated HMK packages held under the average summer temperatures over time. Potential risk factors retrieved from the three studies were analyzed and the suggested guidelines to control those risks were identified.</div>

Personal lifestyle and behavior are associated with the 10 leading causes of death for Americans. Motor vehicle crashes kill more than 40,000 people and injure more than 3 million people annually in the United States, representing one of America's most serious health and economic problems. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), someone in America is injured in a motor vehicle crash every 14 seconds and someone is killed every 12 minutes (as cited in Ad Council, 2003). It is widely accepted that increased use of safety belts and reductions in driving while impaired are two of the most effective means to reduce the risk of death and serious injury of occupants in motor vehicle crashes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NHTSA monitor the use of seat belts by surveying the population. The CDC annually conducts a telephone survey called the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The NHTSA conducts an observational survey called the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS). The purpose of this study was to examine three questions when estimating safety belt use in the United States: (1) Does the BRFSS differ from NOPUS? (2) Is there regional variation in the differences between BRFSS and NOPUS? (3) Do BRFSS and NOPUS data differ significantly depending on whether the safety belt law is primary, secondary, or none? In this study, the two surveys were compared. Three research hypotheses were tested in the null format at the .05 level of significance using a two-tailed test. The z test was used to determine the difference in the nominal data of the two independent proportions. The results of the study revealed that there is a difference between the self-reported BRFSS survey and the NOPUS observational data.

This study aims to identify risk factors among young boys that might lead to criminal behavior and actions. The study is based on four books, written by former criminals, a lawyer that has been working with the cold shooting cases in Sweden and two reporters from the exposed areas. By reading the books we could identify similar risk factors among the participants in the books that have got their story told. Since social worker's job is to help prevent criminal behavior among youth and young children by identifying the risk factors, we thought that this study could be helpful. The books produce important knowledge from reality. The study is divided into seven different themes in which risk factors can be found. Those are risk factors related to firearm-related violence, risk factors within the individuals, the families, school, socioeconomic status, substance use and social capital. First the study presents previous scientific studies, in the same seven themes, and then they are put together with the new findings from the books. From this study we can also find that the risk factors are influenced by each other, and that individuals are more likely to have several risk factors if they already have one. Depending on how the individuals identify and manage the risk factors, it is different how much they are affected by it. A risk factor that one individual has, does not have to be a risk factor for another individual. Due to this, social workers have to pay attention to every individual youth and consider their situation regarding risk factors for criminal behavior.

The subject matter of the study is subjective risk picture as a component of risk culture. The object matter of the study is risk as a psychological phenomenon. Graduation qualification work consists of an introduction, three chapters, conclusions, a list of references (80 sources) and applications: forms of applied techniques, examples of dendograms. The volume of the master's thesis is 137 pages, which include 10 figures and 11 tables. The introduction reveals the urgency of the chosen research problem, the level of development of the problem, the purpose and objectives of the study are established, the subject and object of the study is determined, a working hypothesis is formulated, methods, methods and an empirical basis are determined, as well as the research stages. The first chapter includes a review of foreign and domestic literature on the topic of research, the psychological aspects of risk and risk behavior described in the scientific literature and research. The sections devoted to the peculiarities of the phenomenon of risk, the connection of representations at the conscious and unconscious level are presented. Conclusions on the first chapter are the results of studying the theoretical material. The second chapter is devoted to methods and methods of research, includes a description of the general principles of the phenomenological method, psychosemantic approaches in the study of consciousness and personality, as well as a description of questioning techniques. The conclusions of Chapter 2 substantiate the choice of the main methods and techniques for conducting the study. The third chapter is devoted to the empirical part of the study. It includes the characteristics of the procedure of the study, selected methods and results obtained after applying the techniques. As the main tool, the "Semantic differential method" was used, the test questionnaire of A.G. Shmeleva "Study of the propensity to take risks"; test-questionnaire "Self-assessment of propensity to extreme-risk behavior (M. Tsukerman); test-questionnaire "Readiness for risk" (AM Schubert); Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire. The chapter presents the results of a study of factor, cluster, and correlation analysis. The findings of Chapter 3 are the main results of the empirical study. In conclusion, brief results of the theoretical and empirical parts of the work are given, as well as conclusions on the working hypothesis. / Предмет исследования: субъективная картина риска как составляющая рискологической культуры. Объект исследования: риск как психологическое явление. Выпускная квалификационная работа состоит из введения, трех глав, выводов, списка литературы (80 источников) и приложений: бланки прикладных методик, примеры дендограмм. Объем магистерской диссертации составляет 137 страниц, включая 10 рисунков и 11 таблиц. Введение раскрывает актуальность выбранной проблемы исследования, уровень развития проблемы, устанавливаются цель и задачи исследования, определяется предмет и объект исследования, формулируется рабочая гипотеза, определяются методы, методики и эмпирическая база, а также этапы исследования. Первая глава включает обзор зарубежной и отечественной литературы по теме исследования, психологические аспекты риска и рискованного поведения, описанные в научной литературе и исследованиях. Представлены разделы, посвященные особенности феномена риска, связи представлений на осознанном и бессознательном уровне. В выводах по первой главе представлены результаты изучения теоретического материала. Вторая глава посвящена методам и методикам исследования, включает в себя описание общих принципов феноменологического метода, психосемантических подходов в исследовании сознания и личности, а также описание опросных методик. Выводы по 2 главе обосновывают выбор основных методов и методик для проведения исследования. Третья глава посвящена эмпирической части исследования. Она, включает в себя характеристику процедуры исследования, выбранные методики и результаты, полученные после применения методик. В качестве основного инструментария был использован «Метод семантического дифференциала», тест-опросник А.Г. Шмелева «Исследование склонности к риску»; тест-опросник «Самооценки склонности к экстремально-рискованному поведению (М.Цукерман); тест-опросник «Готовность к риску» (А.М. Шуберта); Мельбурнский опросник принятия решений. В главе представлены результаты исследования факторного, кластерного и корреляционного анализа. Выводы главы 3 являются основными результатами эмпирического исследования. В заключении приведены краткие результаты теоретической и эмпирической частей работы, а также выводы относительно рабочей гипотезы.

We develop a risk factor model based on data from a large number of portfolios spanning multiple asset classes. The risk factors are selected based on economic theory through an analysis of the asset holdings, as well as statistical tests. As many assets have limited historical data available, we implement and analyse the impact of regularisation to handle sparsity. Based on the factor model, two parametric methods for calculating Value-at-Risk (VaR) for a portfolio are developed: one with constant volatility and one with a CCC-GARCH volatility updating scheme. These methods are evaluated through backtesting on daily and weekly returns of a selected set of portfolios whose contents reflect the larger majority well. A historical data approach for calculating VaR serves as a benchmark model. We find that under daily returns, the historical data method outperforms the factor models in terms of VaR violation rates. None yield independent violations however. Under weekly returns, both factor models produce more accurate violation rates than the historical data model, with the CCC-GARCH model also yielding independent VaR violations for almost all portfolios due to its ability to adjust up VaR estimates in periods of increased market volatility. We conclude that if weekly VaR estimates are acceptable, tailored risk factor models provide accurate measures of portfolio risk. / Vi bygger en riskfaktormodell givet en stor mängd portföljer innehållande flera olika typer av tillgångar. Riskfaktorerna väljs ut baserat på ekonomisk teori genom en analys av portföljernas innehåll samt genom statistiska test. Eftersom många tillgångar har en liten mängd historisk data tillgänglig implementerar vi och analyserar effekterna av regularisering i faktorregressionen. Två parametriska metoder för att beräkna Value-at-Risk (VaR) utvecklas baserat på faktormodellen: en med konstant volatilitet och en med volatilitetsuppdatering genom CCC-GARCH. Metoderna utvärderas med bakåttestning på daglig och veckovis avkastning från utvalda portföljer vars innehåll reflekterar den större majoriteten. En historisk data-baserad metod för att beräkna VaR används som referensmodell. Under daglig avkastning överträffar historisk data-modellen faktormodellerna med avseende på frekvensen av VaR-överträdelser. Ingen modell resulterar dock i oberoende överträdelser. Under veckovis avkastning å andra sidan ger båda faktormodellerna mer exakta överträdelsefrekvenser än historisk data-modellen, där faktormodellen med CCC-GARCH också ger oberoende överträdelser för nästan alla portföljer, tack vare modellens förmåga att justera upp VaR-estimaten i perioder av högre volatilitet på marknaden. Sammanfattningsvis ger skräddarsydda riskfaktormodeller goda riskestimat, givet att det är acceptabelt med veckovisa beräkningar av VaR.

Problématique. Le tabagisme est le facteur de risque le plus important de cancer du poumon, cependant, d'autres facteurs comme les combinaisons de prédispositions génétiques, d'expositions environnementales et d'autres facteurs liés au mode de vie peuvent également contribuer au risque. Cette étude vise à déterminer les associations entre les expositions professionnelles courantes et le risque de cancer du poumon. Méthodes. Une étude cas-cohorte nichée dans l'étude CARTaGENE a été utilisée. Les cas comprenaient tous les participants avec un diagnostic incident de cancer du poumon de 2009 à 2016 (n= 147). Au départ, une sous-cohorte de 1 032 individus a été échantillonnée. La matrice d'exposition professionnelle du Canada (CANJEM) a été utilisée pour déterminer les expositions professionnelles de l’emploi occupé le plus longtemps par les participants. Vingt-huit agents avec ≥ 5 cas exposés ont été retenus pour les analyses. Différents modèles de régression logistique multivariée avec des estimateurs de variance robuste ont été utilisés pour estimer les ratios des côtes (RC) et les intervalles de confiance (IC) à 95% pour les associations entre chaque agent et le risque de cancer du poumon tout en contrôlant pour les facteurs de risque établis. Résultats. Un risque accru de cancer du poumon a été observé chez les personnes exposées aux cendres (RC = 4.42; IC 95%: 1.75-11.15), au sulfate de calcium (RC = 4.13; IC 95%: 1.20-14.20), au chlorure d'hydrogène (RC = 3.79; 95% IC: 1.07-13.41), au formaldéhyde (RC = 3.73; IC 95%: 1.51-9.19), aux fumées de cuisson (RC = 2.92; IC 95%: 1.33-6.42), aux alcanes (RC = 4.33; IC 95%: 1.41-13.29), aux aldéhydes aliphatiques (RC = 3.94; IC 95%: 1.41-10.98) et aux agents de nettoyage (RC = 2.60; IC 95%: 1.50-4.52). Une diminution de l'incidence du cancer du poumon a été observée chez les participants exposés au monoxyde de carbone (RC = 0.29; IC 95%: 0.12-0.74) et aux hydrocarbures aromatiques polycycliques de pétrole (RC = 0.18; IC 95%: 0.05-0.60). Conclusion. Nos résultats soutiennent le rôle de plusieurs agents professionnels, pour lesquels nous avons des connaissances limitées, dans la contribution au risque de cancer du poumon. / Background. Smoking is the strongest risk factor for lung cancer; however, other factors like the combinations of genetic predisposition, environmental exposures, and other lifestyle factors may also contribute to risk. This study aims to determine associations between prevalent occupational exposures and lung cancer risk. Methods. A case-cohort design was nested within the CARTaGENE study. Cases included all participants with an incident diagnosis of lung cancer from 2009-2016 (n=147). A sub-cohort of 1,032 individuals was sampled at baseline. The Canadian Job Exposure Matrix was used to determine occupational exposures in participants’ longest-held job. Twenty-eight agents with ≥5 exposed cases were retained for analysis. Separate multivariable logistic regression models with robust variance estimators were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the associations between each agent and lung cancer risk while controlling for established risk factors. Results. Increased lung cancer risk was found among those exposed to ashes (OR=4.42; 95% CI: 1.75-11.15), calcium sulfate (OR=4.13; 95% CI: 1.20-14.20), hydrogen chloride (OR=3.79; 95% CI: 1.07-13.41), formaldehyde (OR=3.73; 95% CI: 1.51-9.19), cooking fumes (OR=2.92; 95% CI: 1.33-6.42), alkanes (OR=4.33; 95% CI:1.41-13.29), aliphatic aldehydes (OR=3.94; 95% CI: 1.41-10.98), and cleaning agents (OR=2.60; 95% CI: 1.50-4.52). A decrease in lung cancer incidence was found among participants exposed to carbon monoxide (OR=0.29; 95% CI:0.12-0.74) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from petroleum (OR=0.18; 95% CI: 0.05-0.60). Conclusion. Our findings support the role of several occupational agents, for which we have limited knowledge, in contributing to lung cancer risk.

No description available.

Supervisor: Nina Lindén Åkerlund Examiner: Staffan Bengtsson This study aims to investigate the impact of screen use on children and young adults. Previous research regarding screen use among children and young adults is compiled in a literature review in the form of a scoping review. The results have been thematically analyzed with the help of the SOC-theory (sense of coherence) and ecological systems theory. The results show that screen use has both positive and negative aspects that can be understood through factors of risk and protection which are prevalent on individual, group and societal levels. The study contributes to the understanding of the impact that screen use has on children and young adults and is particularly relevant in relation to social work.

Exploring the resilience construct is highly relevant for the field of learning disabilities. Resilience is a dynamic process of adaptation that involves interactions between a range of risk and protective factors. This research presents recent learning disability and resilience literature, focussing on the risk and protective factors in the lives of those with learning difficulties. Children with a learning disability often have associated emotional, behavioural and social difficulties that may become major obstacles to positive future outcomes. Historically little attention has been paid to the experiences of mothers of children with a learning disability and how the mother-child relationship may or may not foster the development of resilience in the learning disabled child. This research explores the issue within a qualitative framework / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

Abortion and severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia remain the major causes of maternal mortality in Zimbabwe. Based on this problem, factors associated with maternal mortality due to abortion and severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia were investigated to improve pregnancy outcomes. Cases and controls were selected from 4895 abortion and 318 severe preeclampsia/ eclampsia obstetric records to conduct a retrospective case-control study. Significant risk factors identified for reducing maternal mortality due to postabortion complications included the administration of oxytocic drugs and evacuations of the uterus whilst anaemia and sepsis apparently reduced these women's chances of survival. No significant factors could be identified which influenced maternal deaths among women suffering from severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. Magnesium sulphate was not routinely administered, as recommended internationally. In both groups, cases apparently received better reported quantitative care than controls. Recommendations based on this research report include improved midwifery education and in-service training, regular audits of patients' records and changed policies for managing these conditions more effectively in Zimbabwe. / Health Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (Advanced Nursing Sciences)