The effects of physical activity on sleep patterns in children with developmental disabilities

Individuals with developmental disabilities should be engaged in 150 minutes of physical activity every week to experience health benefits including an increase in duration and quality of sleep. Individuals with developmental disabilities who get quality, regular sleep have a lower frequency of challenging behaviors. One way to increase physical activity engagement among individuals with disabilities is to engage their family in physical activity together. To analyze the effects of engaging in a family centered physical activity program on the duration and quality of sleep in a young adult with Down syndrome. Method: The participant engaged in the Humboldt State Fitfam Program which was an eight week family-centered physical activity program consisting of a one week in-person, educational component and seven weeks of independent physical activity where parents reported amount and type of physical activity as well as duration and quality of sleep on a weekly basis. Graphical depictions indicate thatthere was an inverse relationship between MVPA and hours of sleep. Discussion: The findings from this case study were similar to findings from other studies that showed a decrease in sleep duration following increased physical activity levels. However a majority of research on the connection between physical activity and sleep contradicts the current findings

The Effects of Chlorophyll and Water Temperature on Harmful Algal Bloom Species off the Southern Coast of California

Harmful algal blooms are dense aggregates of algae that negatively impact local economies, marine or freshwater ecosystems, and/or public health. Some HABs produce toxins that cause various illnesses that harm both humans and marine wildlife such as Diarrheic Shellfish Poisoning, Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning and Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning. While it is known that HABs persist when nutrients and water temperature combine to create the optimal environmental conditions for their propagation, there are many questions surrounding exactly what these conditions are and how they are reached. Therefore, the focus of this project as part of the NASA Student Airborne Research Program was to look at the effects of chlorophyll and water temperature on 6 different HAB species along the California Coast from San Diego to Monterey Bay. In this study, it is shown using time series and cluster analysis indicate both positive and negative correlations of water temperature with respect to HAB species, but only positive correlations between chlorophyll and HAB species. Correlations of chlorophyll indicate satellite imagery can be used to map HABs initially but not predict them. Results are consistent with previous attempts to model distribution of HAB species (e.g. Pseudo-Nitzschia) in California Coastal waters, as they indicate that a strong regional component is involved in doing so. This demonstrates the need for a more integrative approach to HAB forecasting along the California Coast that takes into account not just temperature and chlorophyll measurements, but also differences in water chemistry and other environmental conditions between sampling stations that result from differences in coastal topography, river discharge, coastal bathymetry, and meteorological parameters. This work has been supported by the NASA Student Airborne Research Program (SARP) and the National Suborbital Education and Research Center of University of North Dakot

Is Consciousness Computable? Quantifying Integrated Information Using Algorithmic Information Theory

In this article we review Tononi's (2008) theory of consciousness as integrated information. We argue that previous formalizations of integrated information (e.g. Griffith, 2014) depend on information loss. Since lossy integration would necessitate continuous damage to existing memories, we propose it is more natural to frame consciousness as a lossless integrative process and provide a formalization of this idea using algorithmic information theory. We prove that complete lossless integration requires noncomputable functions. This result implies that if unitary consciousness exists, it cannot be modelled computationally.Comment: Maguire, P., Moser, P., Maguire, R. & Griffith, V. (2014). Is consciousness computable? Quantifying integrated information using algorithmic information theory. In P. Bello, M. Guarini, M. McShane, & B. Scassellati (Eds.), Proceedings of the 36th Annual Conference of the Cognitive Science Society. Austin, TX: Cognitive Science Societ

Nonlinear Sliding Mode Observer Applied to Microalgae Growth

Modeling biological processes, such as algae growth, is an area of ongoing research. The ability to understand the multitude of parameters that influence this system provides a platform for better understanding the dynamics of microalgae growth. Empirical modeling efforts look to understand sources of driving nutrients that influence harmful algal blooms (HABs). These harmful algal blooms are dense aggregates that have an increasingly negative impact on local economics, marine and freshwater systems, and public health. They result from a high influx of nitrogen and nutrients that drive the algae biomass to exponentially grow. This growth blocks out the sun, potentially releases dangerous toxins, and suffocates marine life, damaging ecosystems, especially in Florida. Modeling microalgae behavior and growth is complex due to its nonlinear behavior and coupled variables. Recently, cultivating oleaginous microalgae for biofuel production has been another region of ongoing research, especially application of observer theory to estimate internal parameters that are not easily measured in algal systems. Linear observer theory has generally been applied to algae growth systems to estimate internal parameters that are beyond hardware sensor capabilities, but they are still severely limited. Nonlinear observer theory application to biological systems is still relatively new. This thesis explores the application of a nonlinear observer based off sliding mode to an algae system. Sliding mode is derived from modern control theory and is based off variable structure control. An algae system is modeled using the widely accepted Droop model for algae growth and a linear and nonlinear sliding mode observer is developed for the system to estimate internal nitrogen within the algae biomass

Paws Your Stress: Student Perspectives of An Animal Assisted Activity Program

This qualitative study examines an Animal Assisted Activity (AAA) program in a post-secondary setting. Basic Interpretive Qualitative Research Design (BIQRD) is utilized to provide detailed information about students’ experiences of PAWS Your Stress, a current AAA program at a Midwestern Canadian university. Four participants were interviewed about their personally significant experiences of the AAA program. Questions centred on three main areas: impact on student stress and coping, perceived meaning gained from experiences of the program, and students’ perceptions of “love and support” as part of their participation. Transcriptions from these student interviews were analyzed to identify common themes that arose from their answers. Through inductive analysis, two overarching categories - stress relief and meaningful interactions – were found to contain five main themes. Three themes – being in the moment, social benefits, and variations in coping ability are discussed in relation to stress relief and coping. Two themes – personalized interactions and reciprocity are discussed in relation to the meaning participants derived from participation in the program. Findings may improve understanding of certain aspects of the program that enable students to relieve stress and find meaning in their interactions with therapy dogs. Results may impact future implementation of similar programming on campuses and improve the quality of existing AAA programming aimed at similar demographic groups

Introducing the Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Teaching and Learning Companion (The TLC)

Background: Reflective practice is a key skill which can enable the development of teaching competence among Mindfulness-Based Program (MBP) teachers. Purpose: In this article, the Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Teaching and Learning Companion (TLC) is introduced. This new tool is based upon the established teaching competence assessment tool, the Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Teaching Assessment Criteria (MBI:TAC). The MBI:TAC has enabled benchmarking of international standards of MBP teaching which helps ensure high fidelity to MBP curricula and contributes to the overall integrity of the field. This in turn, underpins the potential of MBPs to be effective interventions for the enhancement of participants’ mental health and wellbeing. Conclusions: The TLC aims to facilitate MBP teachers’ development by enabling active reflection focused on the key features of MBP teaching skills

Home repair inspection and specifications (1999)

"Information from Human Environmental Sciences Extension.""Adapted from Home Maintenance Checklist in Maintaining the Home, Council Notes, 14 (3), Building Research Council, University of Illinois, 1995.""Housing.""This MU Extension publication is made possible by funding and cooperation of the following organizations: Missouri Rural Opportunities Council, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development Rural Housing Service, Partners with Missouri Department of Economic Development. The above sponsoring organizations do not accept responsibility of anything that happens on/to a property if these recommendations are followed. They are provided for guidance only and do not provide any guarantees."New 1/99/5M