The Influence of Transferring A Baton from One Hand to The Other on Running Speed

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Managing sport-for-development and healthy lifestyles: The sport-for-health model

© 2018 Sport Management Association of Australia and New Zealand With increased globalization and modernization of people's lives, lifestyle behavior has changed substantially in many countries around the world. This change has brought two key behavior modifications: a reduction in physical activity and an increase in unhealthy eating patterns. Consequently, non-communicable diseases have overtaken communicable diseases as a key health risk area. In response to this issue, healthy lifestyle initiatives and sport-for-development (SFD) programs are now implemented across the world, including projects in the heavily affected Pacific Islands region. In this paper, the authors critically reflect on their lived experiences and the underpinning management processes of the Wokabaot Jalens, a health-focused SFD initiative in Vanuatu. The authors propose the sport-for-health model as a flexible conceptual tool that establishes the nexus between sport management, health promotion, sociocultural development, policy, and sustainability. The authors provide practical and theoretical implications and suggest that the model can underpin and conceptually support other SFD initiatives—and specifically health-related development projects—in the Pacific region and beyond

A future, intense source of negative hydrogen ions

By directly heating lithium hydride in a vacuum, up to 18 micro-A/sq cm of negative hydrogen has been obtained from the crystal lattice. The amount of ion current extracted and analyzed is closely related to the temperature of the sample and to the rate at which the temperature is changed. The ion current appears to be emission limited and saturates with extraction voltage. For a fixed extraction voltage, the ion current could be maximized by placing a grid between the sample surface and the extraction electrode. Electrons accompanying the negative ions were removed by a magnetic trap. A Wein velocity filter was designed and built to provide definitive mass analysis of the extracted ion species. This technique when applied to other alkali hydrides may produce even higher intensity beams possessing low values of emittance

Registration Delay and Student Performance

Tracking the difference between the time a first-year student is allowed to register for a course and the time he or she does register for a course (a student’s registration delay), we notice a negative correlation between registration delay and final grade in a course. The difference between a student who registers within the first two minutes they are allowed to and one who waits three weeks to register is approximately a full GPA point (on a 9 point scale). Registration delay may be a useful factor in helping to identify at-risk students, and should be taken into account as a confounding variable when doing educational studies on multi-section courses

The element of predictability in whole language instruction

FUN WITH DICK AND JANE conjures up memories in the minds of many adults in this country. Most will agree that the name was really a misnomer. Their first book was actually pretty dull, and, for many, the whole process of learning to read was fraught with anxiety. Beginning reading instruction in the United States has traditionally involved heavy dependence on basal readers which use a controlled vocabulary and a detailed hierarchy of skills. A current trend in early reading instruction emphasizes a whole language approach rather than a skills emphasis approach often associated with basal readers. Studies show that children learn to read by using whole units of quality literature instead of the stilted basal stories and accompanying reinforcement and skill activities that frequently center on language fragments

Models for the configuration and integrity of partially oxidized fuel rod cladding at high temperatures -- Final Design Report

Models were designed to resolve deficiencies in the SCDAP/RELAP5/MOD3.2 calculations of the configuration and integrity of hot, partially oxidized cladding. The modeling was improved in five areas. First, the configuration defined for melted metallic cladding retained by an adjacent oxide layer was improved. Second, the empirical model to account for the effect on oxidation of intact cladding is not significantly reduced by the presence of a rather high concentration of relocated material. Third, models for the dissolution of the oxide layer by the metallic layer were implemented into the code. Fourth, a model was added to calculate the thermal stress applied to the oxide layer by the temperature gradient across the oxide layer and to compare this stress to the ultimate strength of the oxide layer. Fifth, a new rule based on theoretical and experimental results was established for identifying the regions of a fuel rod with oxidation of both the inside and outside surfaces of the cladding. The assessment of these models and their integration into SCDAP/RELAP5 showed that the calculated axial distribution in cladding oxidation and relocation are in significantly better agreement with experimental results than is currently the case. The modeling changes account for three aspects of behavior that were not previously calculated correctly. The implementation of these models eliminates to a significant extent the tendency of the SCDAP/RELAP5 code to overpredict the extent of oxidation of the upper part of fuel rods and to underpredict the extent of oxidation of the lower part of fuel rods and the part with a high concentration of relocated material

Calculation of hydrogen and oxygen uptake in fuel rod cladding during severe accidents using the integral diffusion method -- Preliminary design report

Preliminary designs are described for models of hydrogen and oxygen uptake in fuel rod cladding during severe accidents. Calculation of the uptake involves the modeling of seven processes: (1) diffusion of oxygen from the bulk gas into the boundary layer at the external cladding surface, (2) diffusion from the boundary layer into the oxide layer, (3) diffusion from the inner surface of the oxide layer into the metallic part of the cladding, (4) uptake of hydrogen in the event that the cladding oxide layer is dissolved in a steam-starved region, (5) embrittlement of cladding due to hydrogen uptake, (6) cracking of cladding during quenching due to its embrittlement and (7) release of hydrogen from the cladding after cracking of the cladding. An integral diffusion method is described for calculating the diffusion processes in the cladding. Experimental results are presented that show a rapid uptake of hydrogen in the event of dissolution of the oxide layer and a rapid release of hydrogen in the event of cracking of the oxide layer. These experimental results are used as a basis for calculating the rate of hydrogen uptake and the rate of hydrogen release. The uptake of hydrogen is limited to the equilibrium solubility calculated by applying Sievert's law. The uptake of hydrogen is an exothermic reaction that accelerates the heatup of a fuel rod. An embrittlement criteria is described that accounts for hydrogen and oxygen concentration and the extent of oxidation. A design is described for implementing the models for hydrogen and oxygen uptake and cladding embrittlement into the programming framework of the SCDAP/RELAP5 code. A test matrix is described for assessing the impact of the proposed models on the calculated behavior of fuel rods in severe accident conditions. This report is a revision and reissue of the report entitled; ``Preliminary Design Report for Modeling of Hydrogen Uptake in Fuel Rod Cladding During Severe Accidents.'

Preventing chronic diseases through physical activity in the Pacific Islands. A workplace health promotion programme in Vanuatu

“It’s an emergency!” delegates declared in 2011 at the Pacific Island Forum in Fiji, convened by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and the World Health Organization Office of the South Pacific. The emergency referred to the ever-increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Pacific Islands. The Pacific region is experiencing among the highest prevalence of NCD risk factors in the world. American Samoa, Tokelau and Nauru have overweight and obesity rates of 93.5%,7 86.2%,8 and 82.2%9 and diabetes rates are 47.3% in American Samoa, 33.6% in Tokelau, and 32.1% in Micronesia. A total of 70% of the global increase in diabetes is expected to occur in the Asia Pacific region. The Pacific Island countries and areas are predicted to experience among the greatest increases in diabetes prevalence worldwide. Urbanisation, westernisation, and rapid changes in food supply and security have contributed to obesogenic environments in the PICs. These environments support poor diets and high levels of physical inactivity. Supporting the good health of Pacific populations by encouraging and facilitating the adoption of healthier lifestyles is therefore of utmost importance. This doctoral work is the first in the specific area of physical activity health promotion in the Pacific Islands that seeks to understand and increase PA levels and reduce NCD risk. The thesis consists of nine separate but related chapters. Following the introduction in Chapter 1, a literature review in Chapter 2 provides background information on a number of research contexts, relevant for the thesis presented. The initial step was then to identify current practice in PA and healthy lifestyle promotion strategies and interventions in all 22 PICs. Therefore, Chapter 3 describes PA programmes in 20 out of 22 PICs. Eighty-four PA programmes were identified to be in existence in 2010; twenty-six of those were implemented in the workplace setting. Whilst monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are important to enhance programme effectiveness and to improve population health, findings from this study showed no evidence of monitoring and evaluation approaches in the region. As a first step to respond to the absence of evaluation work, a formative evaluation of a healthy workplace programme in Port Vila, Vanuatu, was carried out. The aim was to understand the impact of an existing programme that commenced in 2007 (Appendix L). Findings indicate that Ni-Vanuatu women are at particular risk for physical inactivity16 and as such, are at higher risk for negative health consequences. This outcome was used to tailor a specific PA intervention for these women in greater detail. Chapter 4 responds to the lack of empirical evidence on lifestyle behaviour and presents formative work carried out with Ni-Vanuatu female civil servants. The study identifies barriers and facilitators for the engagement in PA and for the adoption of healthier lifestyles in urban Ni-Vanuatu women. Findings indicate that team-based walking activities are the preferred mode of PA for the target group in Vanuatu. Further, fun-centred approaches may prove effective in increasing PA behaviour. Identified barriers include time, financial limitations, family commitments, environmental aspects and motivational hindrances. These findings were used to design a culturally-meaningful workplace PA programme that responds to local realities and needs. The workplace-based PA intervention is described in detail in Chapter 5. In summary, a team-based pedometer challenge titled Wokabaot Jalens (Walking Challenge) was designed in collaboration with Ni-Vanuatu female civil servants. The 12-week intervention was implemented with 207 participants in Port Vila, Vanuatu, in April 2011. As an important part of the intervention, local leaders were trained to a) collect accurate data and b) take ownership of the programme after the monitored phase had terminated. Baseline (N=207) and follow-up (N=133) health screenings were conducted to understand the physical effect of the intervention. Pedometers provided an objective measure of PA behaviour. Overall, pedometer-based research has predominantly focused on outcomes, with limited or no information regarding programme processes. A process evaluation was conducted in Chapter 6 to understand the effectiveness of the intervention and to provide recommendations for the adjustment and design of future programmes. A novel technique of visualising complex data is provided and a new approach in health promotion research is presented. The new thematic data visualisation (TDV) approach aids non-academics in understanding scientific data in a simple way. This may engage local health practitioners and potential donor agencies to support and initiate future action. Evaluation findings indicate that likert-scale questions have little value in PICs which is assumed to be due to a cultural inclination to assent with external ideas. Open-ended questions, however, revealed more information. Thematic findings indicate that positive health outcomes are the most desired programme effect; that unmotivated team members were considered as counterproductive; that an expansion of the programme to the wider community was the dominant suggestion for programme improvement; and that motivational issues were the biggest challenge for programme participation. Previous research (Australia, USA) indicates that walking interventions can be effective, at least in the short term, to increase PA levels in women. However, no research has been undertaken to understand whether this strategy is effective in Pacific women. The efficacy of the Wokabaot Jalens was therefore assessed in Chapter 7. Qualitative and quantitative probabilities were calculated to assess the magnitude of inference. Conclusions are based on inferential statistics that emphasise precision of estimation rather than null hypothesis testing (P values). Overall, a positive effect was identified for PA behaviour which increased by 26.1% (2,513 ± 6,922). High risk individuals benefitted most from the intervention: a large positive effect was identified for PA behaviour (large, +229%). Positive effects were also found for waist circumference (moderate, -6.2%) serum glucose (small, -15.9%) and triglycerides (moderate, -31.%). Chapter 8 provides an ethnographic investigation that describes the challenges and successes of managing health promotion programmes experienced by the researcher in different PICs (Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Tonga, Kiribati), taking cultural values into consideration. In particular, programme logistics, on-site issues, opportunities and challenges for health promotion programme sustainability, limitations and success stories are reported. The previously designed intervention from Vanuatu serves as an example to describe hands-on experience. Context specific issues that were observed during Pacific health promotion initiatives were categorised into thematic findings and classified as individual, cultural and external barriers and facilitators. Whilst individual issues (attitude, perception, acceptance, distribution) were largely identified as facilitators for health promotion action, cultural (structures, communication, language, gender, dress code, data precision) and environmental issues (climate, funding, conduct, geographical remoteness) may challenge health promotion efforts. The presentation of this reflective praxis is intended to aid future practitioners and researchers in programme design, management and evaluation and seeks to enhance collaboration with local personnel and authorities. Finally, Chapter 9 describes the intricacies of external factors responsible for the Pacific health crisis. These include genetic susceptibilities, globalisation and contemporary environments, a heavy dependence on external aid, a limited Pacific health workforce, underfunded political systems, and last but not least individual lifestyle behaviours and choices. The chapter concludes that only culturally-centred health promotion approaches which take the attitude and belief system into account are realistic to result in Pacific health progress. In summary, this doctoral work provides the first robust approach of evidence-based solutions for PA health promotion efforts in the Pacific region. This work is valuable in the context of the absence of evidence around programme efficacy, and other formative and process evaluation seen as best practice in health promotion. Yet it is hard to see an optimistic future in controlling the spread of NCDs in the region because of the complexities involved. If a medical emergency is defined as a large amount of human suffering and preventable premature death, then yes, the PICs are in a state of medical emergency. The current state will likely remain until profound social and economic changes are set into process