U.S. Immigration Reform: A Policy Analysis of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act Between 2001 and 2012

In this study, the policies and legislation connected to the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act between 2001 and 2012 were reviewed and analyzed to identify how the DREAM Act perpetuates structural violence. The DREAM Act purported to assist many undocumented immigrant children and young adults in becoming legal residents of the United States of America. This study applied both the qualitative content analysis approach and a policy analysis methodology guided by David Gil’s methodology for analysis and development of social policies. Data collection sources included legislative bills crafted on the DREAM Act, research articles and studies, progress reports, films, and archived newspaper articles, prior interviews, and memoranda. The theory of structural violence presented in this study was analyzed in terms of Johan Galtung’s account, particularly pertaining to undocumented children who are unserviceable or remain within the gray areas of the DREAM Act’s policies and legislative efforts. Additionally, the goals and objectives of the Act were evaluated against the disqualifying factors with which otherwise eligible children are faced, leading such children and young adults to become confined to substandard social and economic conditions. The leading research question was, “What is the impact of the DREAM Act policies on undocumented immigrant young adults?” The single follow-up question was, “How does failure to pass the DREAM Act affect undocumented children?” The study also aimed to detect signs, symbols, and traits of structural violence found through the analysis of the DREAM Act

The effectiveness of particularly sensitive sea areas as a protective measure: A case study of the Wadden Sea PSSA

Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSA) are designated by the International Maritime Organisation in order to offer protection to marine areas that are vulnerable to the impacts of international shipping and maritime activities. The concept of PSSAs dates back to 1978, however it was not until 1990 that the Great Barrier Reef became the first designated PSSA. Since then the guidelines for designation of an area as a PSSA have been amended several times. However the question of whether designated PSSAs are afforded greater protection from shipping is debateable. This research attempts to establish whether the PSSA designation is an effective protective mechanism. This was investigated by undertaking an evaluation of the Wadden Sea PSSA, which was designated in 2002. A framework was developed that enabled an evaluation of the Wadden Sea PSSA. To develop the evaluative framework existing international and regional environmental protection agreements, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and IUCN Marine Protected Areas were reviewed to identify the processes involved for identification and assessment of protected areas. The findings of this exercise informed the choice of the pressure, state, response basis for the evaluation and the identification of an indicator suite in order to assess the environmental quality of the area. Indicators utilised were those that had a clear shipping signal and which were also of high relevance to the Wadden Sea PSSA. The findings of the evaluation of the Wadden Sea were somewhat inconclusive. Whilst the Wadden Sea has been monitored for environmental quality for many years and appears to be in a healthy state it is unclear whether this is directly linked with the designation of the area as a PSSA and/or the suite of other multiple protective designations currently in place. With respect to the PSSA specifically, there was no baseline data which could form the basis of a detailed spatial or temporal analysis, there was disparity and inconsistency of data available and a general lack of data with a clear shipping signal. From the evaluation undertaken it was clear that major issues when trying to measure the effectiveness of a PSSA were firstly, the lack of requirement for undertaking a comprehensive risk analysis of the proposed PSSA prior to designation which would provide clear and appropriate baseline data. Secondly, the lack of a formal monitoring and assessment programme to be instigated at the time of designation, which would ensure appropriate data was available for temporal and spatial analysis. Finally a major issue related to the lack of stakeholder knowledge and understanding of the location, function and purpose of a PSSA once the designation had been agreed and put in place

Dietary Advice Provided to Those Undergoing Pelvic Radiotherapy

In those receiving radiotherapy for pelvic cancers, up to 80% develop gastrointestinal symptoms, with dietary interventions recommended to reduce these symptoms. However, research outlining the current dietary support provided to patients undergoing radiotherapy for pelvic cancer is lacking. To identify the gastrointestinal symptoms experienced by those undergoing pelvic radiotherapy and to identify the dietary support provided to these patients. A service evaluation was undertaken in one NHS Trust hospital whereby patients undergoing radical pelvic radiotherapy during a 15-week recruitment period were invited to complete an anonymous questionnaire. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling and the data were analysed descriptively using SPSS. In total, 31 patients responded achieving a response rate of 48%. The most frequent reported gastrointestinal symptoms were gas and flatulence followed by diarrhoea, nausea and abdominal pain. The main dietary changes implemented by the respondents and recommended by health care professionals included reducing fibre intake, reducing certain vegetables, reducing caffeine and increasing water. The results illustrate the impact of gastrointestinal side effects on patients’ dietary intake. The results highlight that nutritional guidance need to be standardised, especially for the management of diarrhoea and gas and flatulence as these were the most common occurring side effects. With radiographers most frequently giving nutritional advice they must be provided with guidance to support those undergoing pelvic radiotherapy

The mountain iron diffusion program: phase 1 south vandenberg: Volume II

The purpose of the study was to determine an empirical diffusion equation for South Vandenberg. The scope of the operation included 1) tracer releases from two sites near two launch points and collection of diffusion and meteorological data over South Vandenberg; 2) reduction and analysis of diffusion and meteorological data for South Vandenberg. This Volume II contains a detailed discussion of techniques and data analysis. A description of the physical setting of South Vandenberg is contained in both volumes, to provide geographical nomenclature and relationships to the readers. Chapter 2 describes the experimental technique, meteorological support, and some of the problems involved in the program. A summary of the test conditions and data reduction methods is also included. In Chapter 3, a brief presentation of the theory of turbulent diffusion is given. Chapter 4 deals with data aquisition and reduction. Chapter 5 presents the diffusion data in summary form, and discusses the methods used for estimating plume growth. The integration of the data into theoretical relationships is discussed in Chapter 6. The results of brief investigations into other aspects of the Mountain Iron data, such as short-term releases and traj ectory determination, are discussed in Chapter 7. Finally, to lend confidence to use of the data and resulting equations, the Mountain Iron data are compared in several ways in Chapter 8 to earlier data from North Vandenberg and Hanford. Appendices contain a tabulation of the basic diffusion data, a listing of terminology and units, and aircraft sampling results

Mapping the intimate relationship mind : comparisons between three models of attachment representations

This study tested and compared three models of the way multiple attachment working models are cognitively organized and structured. Model 1 suggests that attachment representation consists of relationship-specific working models and a single global working model that summarizes attachment across an individual's various specific relationships. Model 2 proposes that, instead of a global working model, three independent general attachment representations exist for the relationship domains of family, friendships and romantic partners. Model 3 describes attachment representation as a complex network of interconnected working models, constructed of both relationship-specific and relationship­ domain representations that are nested under an overarching global working model. Two hundred participants (100 males and 100 females) completed self-report ratings of general attachment within each of the three relationship domains, and self-report ratings of attachment for three specific relationships within each domain. As predicted, confirmatory factor analyses revealed, across both types of measurement and both attachment dimensions, that the best-fitting model was Model 3. These results were replicated across gender and current relationship status. Contrary to predictions, no differences in level of domain-differentiation were found according to levels of attachment anxious/ambivalence, avoidance, or attributional complexity. Implications for attachment theory and research, and the development, function and use of attachment working models are discussed

Control of welding residual stress for dissimilar laser welded materials

The most common problem of welding dissimilar metals (DMWs) with respect to residual stresses is the differences in the coefficient of thermal expansion and heat conductivity of the two welded metals. In the present work, a CO2 continuous laser welding process was successfully applied and optimized for joining a dissimilar AISI 316 stainless steel and low carbon steel plates. The Taguchi approach with three factors (selected welding parameters) at five levels each (L3-25) was applied to find out the optimum levels of welding speed, laser power and focal position for CO2 keyhole laser welding of dissimilar butt weld. The responses outputs were the residual stresses at different depth in the heat affected zone (HAZ). The Hole-Drilling Method technique was applied to measure the residual stress of dissimilar welded components. The results were analysed using analysis of variances (ANOVA) and signal-to-noise ratios (S/N) for an effective parameters combination. Statistical models were developed to describe the influence of the input parameters on the residual stress at different specimen levels; to predict there value within the limits of the variables under investigation. The result indicates that the developed models can predict the responses satisfactorily

Astronomical seeing conditions as determined by turbulence modelling and optical measurement

Modern space geodetic techniques are required to provide measurements of millimetre-level accuracy. A new fundamental space geodetic observatory for South Africa has been proposed. It will house state-of-the-art equipment in a location that guarantees optimal scientific output. Lunar Laser Ranging (LLR) is one of the space geodetic techniques to be hosted on-site. This technique requires optical (or so-called astronomical) seeing conditions, which allow for the propagation of a laser beam through the atmosphere without excessive beam degradation. The seeing must be at ~ 1 arc second resolution level for LLR to deliver usable ranging data. To establish the LLR system at the most suitable site and most suitable on-site location, site characterisation should include a description of the optical seeing conditions. Atmospheric turbulence in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) contributes significantly to the degradation of optical seeing quality. To evaluate astronomical seeing conditions at a site, a two-sided approach is considered – on the one hand, the use of a turbulence-resolving numerical model, the Large Eddy Simulation NERSC (Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Centre) Improved Code (LESNIC) to simulate seeing results, while, on the other hand, obtaining quantitative seeing measurements with a seeing monitor that has been developed in-house.Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012.Geography, Geoinformatics and MeteorologyMScUnrestricte

Associations of Physiological Factors, Age, and Sensory Over-Responsivity with Food Selectivity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship among physiological factors, age, sensory over-responsivity (SOR) and food selectivity in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). METHODS: One hundred forty-one parents of children with ASD were recruited through a national autism organization, Autism Speaks, to fill out a survey regarding their child’s mealtime behavior. Survey contained items to measure the severity of food selectivity behavior, the presence of physiological factors (i.e., reflux, constipation, food allergies and the need for a specialized diet) and sensory over-responsivity (SOR). Results were analyzed using Chi Square, ANOVA and logistic regression. RESULTS: No relationship between physiological factors and level of food selectivity was found. Older children in the 3-9 year old range did not have more foods in their diet repertoire than younger children. Finally, children with fewer than 10 and those with 11-20 foods in their diet (i.e., severe food selectivity and moderate food selectivity respectively) were found to have significantly higher scores on a measure of SOR when compared to children with 21+ foods (typical selectivity). CONCLUSIONS: When addressing food selectivity in children with ASD, consideration of the possibility that the child may not outgrow restricted diets is warranted. Also, treatment for food selectivity may be more effective if SOR is included in protocol