Examining the Impact of Food Environment Changes on County-level Obesity Prevalence in the Appalachian Region

The aim of the present study was to understand the impact of changes in the food environment on county-level obesity prevalence in the Appalachian Region. We examined the food environment in 412 counties across the Appalachian Region using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the American Community Survey, and the Food Environment Atlas. We found there was an overall decrease of per capita food stores from 2007 to 2011 in this region. There was also a significant relationship between the decrease of grocery stores per capita from 2007 to 2011 and the increase of county-level obesity in 2012. Our findings may provide insights into regional obesity disparities and county-level health policy strategies in the Appalachian region

Lithic analysis at the Mead Site, Central Alaska

Thesis (M.A.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2013The purpose of this study is to understand chipped stone technological behaviors at the Mead Site located in central Alaska. Lithics from each cultural occupation ranging in age from 11,460BP to 1420BP were analyzed and compared. Specific objectives include (1) characterization of variability in raw material and use for each cultural component, (2) description of lithic stages of reduction represented in each component, (3) description of the basic lithic industries represented. and (4) the identification and characterization of spatial organization and lithic behaviors. Results indicate (1) the tools and debris from Cultural Zone (CZ) lb and CZ2 show preferential use of local materials, while the tools from CZ3b and CZ4 are largely manufactured using nonlocal materials, and the debitage assemblage is dominated by locally available material, (2) CZ1b was a long term occupation, while CZ2, CZ3b, and CZ4 were short term camps, and (3) CZ4 is characterized by intensive primary reduction of a local quartz, while CZ2 is characterized by biface production. These patterns suggest similar technological strategies were employed at Mead in the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene with an increase in tool form diversity and greater reliance on higher quality locally available materials during the Mid Holocene

Utilizing Guided Simulation in Conjunction with Digital Learning Tools in Air Traffic Control Training to Enhance Learning at the Collegiate Level

Students in an air traffic control program are required to learn and apply advance knowledge and skills in a limited time frame. All students learn at different rates as well as through different learning styles. Swivl is a video capture tool designed to enhance student learning by allowing students to refer back to their individual classroom lab training session videos via an online portal. Swivl is being utilized in two ATC lab courses. During this research, two technological shortcomings were discovered: (1) Swivl lacks the ability to capture audio from the COA’s existing communication software and (2) Swivl cannot focus on the radar display. As a result, the videos have lacked visual clarity when reviewing the session. Consequently Swivl has been shown to be an ineffective digital learning tool for this situation. Swivl, used in conjunction with a simulated ATC tower, has proven to be effective in enhancing overall learning due to the visual nature of the tower learning environment. The nature of the tower simulator allows for better visual acuity and effective communication exchange within the Swivl videos. Once these two issues are resolved, Swivl will have the potential to be an effective tool in ATC training, and may enhance learning by allowing students to sharpen those skills necessary for advancement in the field of air traffic control

Exploring the Use of Ecological Momentary Assessment within a Telehealth Intervention for Families of Children with Autism

Background. The purpose of this study was to explore the use of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to measure parent self-efficacy and stress throughout a 9-week occupation-based coaching telehealth intervention for families of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Methods. The participants included seven families of children with ASD 2 to 6 years of age. The parents were sent emails to gather EMA measures weekly during the intervention. We used percentages to examine response rates to EMA surveys and a mixed-model regression to examine changes in parent-self efficacy and stress during the intervention. Results. The parents responded to 78.57% of EMA requests, with five parents completing all measures. Using mixed-model regression, findings suggest that EMA captured a significant increase in parenting self-efficacy (p \u3c .01) and a decrease in parenting stress (p \u3c .05) over the course of the intervention. Conclusion. EMA may be a useful method to gather measures of parent factors, and preliminary findings suggest that EMA may be an innovative way to measure outcomes of occupational therapy telehealth interventions for families of children with ASD

Embedded Librarians: Supporting Student Research

Collaborative partnerships between faculty and librarians to support student research is not a new idea; however, the practice of embedding a librarian within a course, department, or curriculum began in the early 2000s as library resources became more accessible in the virtual environment. Embedded librarians help to strengthen students’ engagement both in and outside of the classroom and helps to create a high impact learning opportunities for students. Panelists will describe a few of the many ways in which librarians are embedded here at Brockport: in face-to-face courses, completely online courses, in a department, and in the general education curriculum. Bring examples of partnerships you have held with librarians and questions about new approaches for improving your students’ research practices

Incorporating Digital Learning Tools in Conjunction with Air Traffic Control Simulation

Learning and applying complex information at a fast rate can be challenging for students within an air traffic control - training program. Incorporating digital learning tools into an air traffic control training programs may increase student learning and success rates. Swivl is a digital learning capture tool designed to enhance student learning by allowing students to refer back to their individual classroom lab training session videos via an online portal. Embry Riddle’s air traffic program has started using Swivl in two separate ATC courses in order to determine if it is a viable solution to increase learning. During our research, we have come to the conclusion that Swivl is most useful in the air traffic control tower simulator, and has shown to be an effective learning tool thus far from the teacher’s perspective. Additional student feedback and analysis is forthcoming . Swivl has the potential to be an effective tool in ATC training and may enhance learning by allowing students to sharpen skills that are necessary to advance in the field of air traffic control. The air traffic control - training academy (used to train air traffic controllers hired by the federal government) has a high failure rate. Incorporating digital learning tools in that setting may increase success rates as well

Utilizing Guided Simulation in Conjunction with Digital Learning Tools in Air Traffic Control Training

For students in an air traffic control discipline, simulated training time is limited to in - class time and is divided among the entire class. Students are required to advance and obtain knowledge, skills, and abilities in the lab because there is almost no way to practice at home. All students learn at different rates as well as through different learning styles. Swivl is a digital learning/capture tool designed to enhance student learning by allowing students to refer back to the individual classroom lab training session via an online portal. Swivl is currently being used in two ATC Lab courses. There are two technological deficiencies that have arisen: (1) Swivl (in the Terminal Radar Approach Control and En - Route Radar environments) lacks the ability to record what is being said over the frequencies. (2) Swivl does not have the ability to focus on the radar scope targets. As a result, the students’ captures have a deficiency in visual clarity. However, the nature of the tower simulator does allow for better visual acuity and effective communication exchange within the Swivl capture

Sensemaking through the storm: how postpartum depression shapes personal work–family narratives.

Many women experience psychological and emotional challenges during their transition to becoming a working mother. Postpartum depression (PPD) is one common, salient aspect of motherhood that can serve as a work–life shock event and profoundly shape women’s work and nonwork lives yet has evaded discussion in the organizational sciences. Taking a grounded theory approach, we interviewed 41 women who experienced PPD as well as key informants who provided additional insights about PPD (e.g., an obstetrician, women working for organizations that support postpartum health). Our analysis highlights how being diagnosed with PPD activates a complex sensemaking process in which women process an imposing identity—a concept we introduce to the identity and work–family literatures reflecting an unexpected, undesirable identity that imposes upon existing (e.g., work) and/or provisional identities that may or may not be fully elaborated (e.g., motherhood), ultimately shifting how women think about the intersection of work and family. We also delineate how supports and antisupports (i.e., overt acts dismissive of women’s PPD) shape the aforementioned processes. Combined, our research aims to advance the discussion of PPD within organizational scholarship, rendering significant implications for both theory and practice