Building a prescribed fire program on the Colorado Front Range: the role of landowner engagement

2020 Fall.Includes bibliographical references.Despite recognition of the value of prescribed fire in scientific literature and policy, a number of factors impede its widespread implementation in the United States. Social acceptance of prescribed fire is a key factor, making consistent and effective outreach an important part of efforts to increase prescribed fire implementation. The Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, located in northern Colorado, has set a goal to increase the level of prescribed burning, on its land and at a larger landscape level when possible. As part of this effort it has been working to improve active stakeholder involvement and education about forest restoration planning and implementation, with special attention paid to those who might be most directly impacted by future prescribed fires. Through a case study on the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest, this thesis analyzes: strategies the USFS and its partners have used to communicate to landowners and meet their goals; challenges and benefits associated with outreach; and how outreach has been perceived by its recipients. To address each of these questions, I interviewed 23 individuals from the US Forest Service, its governmental and non-governmental partners, and community members in the study area. This thesis consists of four chapters: a brief introduction, a report of my findings developed for practitioners, an article intended for submission to a journal, and a conclusion. The US Forest Service report is a technical document which reviews the goals for outreach, strategies employed to achieve those goals, how community members perceived strategies used, and researcher insight into how outreach might be improved for future projects. My findings show that outreach providers in the study area had two primary goals: to garner understanding of and support for forest restoration projects in the community, and to encourage private landowners to consider implementing projects on their own land. These strategies were emphasized differently based on the specific goal and the outreach recipients' phase of learning. The second stand-alone chapter, which will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal, offers a comparison of outreach provider and recipient perspectives on goals and outreach strategies used. I found that most of the community members I interviewed perceived a high level of wildfire risk to their homes and other material assets, and that was often their reason for seeking information initially. Providers and recipients of outreach generally perceived that interactive strategies, such as project tours and personal communication, were the most effective in achieving their goals. However, providers faced problems with capacity for this type of outreach, and recipients struggled to find information independently after they had established a general understanding of forest restoration techniques. In each chapter, I offer recommendations for improving future outreach programs based on feedback from interview participants and my own observations. Following initial data collection for this project, a prescribed fire in the study area escaped and was declared a wildfire. I conducted follow-up interviews with 16 of the original 23 interviewees to understand how outreach informed community members before, during, and after the escape, whether changes to the outreach program would or should be made following the escape, and whether community members' perspectives on forest restoration had changed after such an event. My conclusion chapter introduces key findings from these follow-up interviews, and summarizes key findings about initial interviews from the previous two chapters. Key findings in this chapter show that outreach recipients prefer a standardized email notification system no matter what entity is burning, and that those who were supportive of prescribed fire before remained supportive after the escape. Findings from this study can be used to improve the ongoing outreach program in this study area, while adding to existing literature on prescribed fire outreach and informing similar efforts in other locations. Further research in other communities is necessary to identify contextual factors that influenced my findings

An annotated bibliography of recent biography for American history courses

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston University, 1949. This item was digitized by the Internet Archive

Reconstructing South African Afromontane forest history with bryophyte phylogeography

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 46-54).Forests occur as fragmented patches throughout Africa, however the basis for the disjunction of afromontane forests remains uncertain. The genetic structure of organisms should reflect their hi story, and in turn the history of their environment. Thus a phylogeographical study of forest-faithful mosses could provide insight into the fragmentation of forests. In this study, patterns of genetic variation in four forest-faithful mosses (Leptodon smithii, Pyrrhobryum spiniforme, Aerobryopsis capensis and Neckera valentiniana) were investigated

A study of the role of the medical social worker in the treatment of fifteen patients with rheumatoid arthritis referred to the social worker on the Home Medical Service at the Massachusetts Memorial Hospital during 1950-1952.

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University N.B.: Page 46. No copy 2

Are providers prepared for genomic medicine: interpretation of Direct-to-Consumer genetic testing (DTC-GT) results and genetic self-efficacy by medical professionals.

BACKGROUND:Precision medicine is set to deliver a rich new data set of genomic information. However, the number of certified specialists in the United States is small, with only 4244 genetic counselors and 1302 clinical geneticists. We conducted a national survey of 264 medical professionals to evaluate how they interpret genetic test results, determine their confidence and self-efficacy of interpreting genetic test results with patients, and capture their opinions and experiences with direct-to-consumer genetic tests (DTC-GT). METHODS:Participants were grouped into two categories, genetic specialists (genetic counselors and clinical geneticists) and medical providers (primary care, internists, physicians assistants, advanced nurse practitioners, etc.). The survey (full instrument can be found in the Additional file 1) presented three genetic test report scenarios for interpretation: a genetic risk for diabetes, genomic sequencing for symptoms report implicating a potential HMN7B: distal hereditary motor neuropathy VIIB diagnosis, and a statin-induced myopathy risk. Participants were also asked about their opinions on DTC-GT results and rank their own perceived level of preparedness to review genetic test results with patients. RESULTS:The rates of correctly interpreting results were relatively high (74.4% for the providers compared to the specialist's 83.4%) and age, prior genetic test consultation experience, and level of trust assigned to the reports were associated with higher correct interpretation rates. The self-selected efficacy and the level of preparedness to consult on a patient's genetic results were higher for the specialists than the provider group. CONCLUSION:Specialists remain the best group to assist patients with DTC-GT, however, primary care providers may still provide accurate interpretation of test results when specialists are unavailable

Definitive Hematopoiesis in the Yolk Sac Emerges from Wnt-Responsive Hemogenic Endothelium Independently of Circulation and Arterial Identity

Adult-repopulating hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) emerge in low numbers in the midgestation mouse embryo from a subset of arterial endothelium, through an endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition. HSC-producing arterial hemogenic endothelium relies on the establishment of embryonic blood flow and arterial identity, and requires β-catenin signaling. Specified prior to and during the formation of these initial HSCs are thousands of yolk sac-derived erythro-myeloid progenitors (EMPs). EMPs ensure embryonic survival prior to the establishment of a permanent hematopoietic system, and provide subsets of long-lived tissue macrophages. While an endothelial origin for these HSC-independent definitive progenitors is also accepted, the spatial location and temporal output of yolk sac hemogenic endothelium over developmental time remain undefined. We performed a spatiotemporal analysis of EMP emergence, and document the morphological steps of the endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition. Emergence of rounded EMPs from polygonal clusters of Kit(+) cells initiates prior to the establishment of arborized arterial and venous vasculature in the yolk sac. Interestingly, Kit(+) polygonal clusters are detected in both arterial and venous vessels after remodeling. To determine whether there are similar mechanisms regulating the specification of EMPs with other angiogenic signals regulating adult-repopulating HSCs, we investigated the role of embryonic blood flow and Wnt/β-catenin signaling during EMP emergence. In embryos lacking a functional circulation, rounded Kit(+) EMPs still fully emerge from unremodeled yolk sac vasculature. In contrast, canonical Wnt signaling appears to be a common mechanism regulating hematopoietic emergence from hemogenic endothelium. These data illustrate the heterogeneity in hematopoietic output and spatiotemporal regulation of primary embryonic hemogenic endothelium

The value of facial attractiveness for encouraging fruit and vegetable consumption: analyses from a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: An effect of increased fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption on facial attractiveness has been proposed and recommended as a strategy to promote FV intakes, but no studies to date demonstrate a causal link between FV consumption and perceived attractiveness. This study investigated perceptions of attractiveness before and after the supervised consumption of 2, 5 or 8 FV portions/day for 4 weeks in 30 low FV consumers. Potential mechanisms for change via skin colour and perceived skin healthiness were also investigated. METHODS: Faces were photographed at the start and end of the 4 week intervention in controlled conditions. Seventy-three independent individuals subsequently rated all 60 photographs in a randomized order, for facial attractiveness, facial skin yellowness, redness, healthiness, clarity, and symmetry. RESULTS: Using clustered multiple regression, FV consumption over the previous 4 weeks had no direct effect on attractiveness, but, for female faces, some evidence was found for an indirect impact, via linear and non-linear changes in skin yellowness. Effect sizes, however, were small. No association between FV consumption and skin healthiness was found, but skin healthiness was associated with facial attractiveness. CONCLUSIONS: Controlled and objectively measured increases in FV consumption for 4 weeks resulted indirectly in increased attractiveness in females via increases in skin yellowness, but effects are small and gradually taper as FV consumption increases. Based on the effect sizes from this study, we are hesitant to recommend the use of facial attractiveness to encourage increased FV consumption. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trial Registration Number NCT01591057 ( www.clinicaltrials.gov ). Registered: 27th April, 2012

Improving palliative care outcomes for Aboriginal Australians: Service providers' perspectives

Background: Aboriginal Australians have a lower rate of utilisation of palliative care services than the general population. This study aimed to explore care providers’ experiences and concerns in providing palliative care for Aboriginal people, and to identify opportunities for overcoming gaps in understanding between them and their Aboriginal patients and families. Methods: In-depth, qualitative interviews with urban, rural and remote palliative care providers were undertaken in inpatient and community settings in Western Australia. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded independently by two researchers with QSR NVivo 10 software used to help manage data. Data analysis was informed by multiple theoretical standpoints, including the social ecological model, critical cultural theories and the ‘cultural security’ framework. Thematic analysis was carried out that identified patterns within data. Results: Fifteen palliative care providers were interviewed. Overall they reported lack of understanding of Aboriginal culture and being uncertain of the needs and priorities of Aboriginal people during end-of-life care. According to several participants, very few Aboriginal people had an understanding of palliative care. Managing issues such as anger, denial, the need for non-medical support due to socioeconomic disadvantage, and dealing with crises and conflicts over funeral arrangements were reported as some of the tensions between Aboriginal patients and families and the service providers.Conclusion: Early referral to palliative care is important in demonstrating and maintaining a caring therapeutic relationship. Paramount to meeting the needs for Aboriginal patients was access to appropriate information and logistical, psychological and emotional support. These were often seen as essential but additional to standard palliative care services. The broader context of Aboriginal history and historical distrust of mainstream services was seen to impinge on Aboriginal people’s willingness and ability to accept care and support from these services. This context needs to be understood and acknowledged at the system level. More cultural safety training was requested by care providers but it was not seen as replacing the need for an Aboriginal worker in the palliative care team

Power and the association with relationship quality in South African couples: Implications for HIV/AIDS interventions.

Introduction: power imbalances within sexual relationships have significant implications for HIV prevention in sub-Saharan Africa. Little is known about how power influences the quality of a relationship, which could be an important pathway leading to healthy behavior around HIV/AIDS.Methods: this paper uses data from 448 heterosexual couples (896 individuals) in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa who completed baseline surveys from 2012 to 2014 as part of a couples-based HIV intervention trial. Using an actor-partner interdependence perspective, we assessed: (1) how both partners' perceptions of power influences their own (i.e., actor effect) and their partner's reports of relationship quality (i.e., partner effect); and (2) whether these associations differed by gender. We examined three constructs related to power (female power, male equitable gender norms, and shared power) and four domains of relationship quality (intimacy, trust, mutually constructive communication, and conflict).Results: for actor effects, shared power was strongly and consistently associated with higher relationship quality across all four domains. The effect of shared power on trust, mutually constructive communication, and conflict were stronger for men than women. The findings for female power and male equitable gender norms were more mixed. Female power was positively associated with women's reports of trust and mutually constructive communication, but negatively associated with intimacy. Male equitable gender norms were positively associated with men's reports of mutually constructive communication. For partner effects, male equitable gender norms were positively associated with women's reports of intimacy and negatively associated with women's reports of conflict.Conclusions: research and health interventions aiming to improving HIV-related behaviors should consider sources of shared power within couples and potential leverage points for empowerment at the couple level. Efforts solely focused on empowering women should also take the dyadic environment and men's perspectives into account to ensure positive relationship outcome