Technology Integration in School-Based Physical Activity

The purpose of this study was to understand the current practice of technology use for physical activity promotion in K-12 schools in the United States by conducting two studies. Using a quantitative research design, study one aimed to identify the current practice of technology use in school-based physical activity promotion. Study two investigated what attributes contribute to the use of technology in schools for physical activity facilitation and promotion. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods study design was used for study two, and Rogers’ (2003) diffusion of innovations theory served this study as a theoretical framework. A total of 367 registered Active Schools Champions completed the Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program Technology Practice Questionnaire (CSPAP-TPQ) and the Diffusion of Innovations Questionnaire for studies one and two, respectively. Semi-structured interviews were additionally conducted with ten purposefully selected participants for study two. For study one, the data were analyzed using several statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation analysis with χ2 test, and multiple regression. For study two, quantitative data (i.e., survey data) were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis, while qualitative data (i.e., results from semi-structured interviews) were analyzed inductively using open and axial coding. The results of study one showed that various technologies are currently used in schoolbased physical activity, and physical education is the timeslot where technology is most used by school staff for physical activity facilitation and promotion in K-12 schools. Among various personal characteristics, race and certified/licensed teacher status were significant predictors of technology use among various school staff for physical activity promotion in schools, while school characteristics did not predict the school use of technology for school-based physical activity promotion. Study two found that school staff are more likely to use technology when they see the ease and simplicity of new technology and after testing out new technology before committing to using it. Furthermore, personal experiences with technology greatly affect their perceptions of using technology in school-based physical activity facilitation and promotion. However, there are multiple barriers to using technology in school-based physical activity, and school staff, especially physical education teachers, believe that the barriers occur due to the marginalization of physical education in school communities. Although school staff see the benefits of technology use for school-based physical activity promotion in general, they also see some risk factors and concerns. This dissertation generated findings that could contribute to the field of physical education teacher education (PETE) and public health in multiple ways. The generated data on the current practice of technology use in school-based physical activity facilitation and promotion can be used by schools, school districts, professional organizations for teachers (e.g., Society of Health and Physical Educators [SHAPE] America), and government agencies (e.g., U.S. Department of Education) to enhance resources, equipment, and facilities for the use of technology in schools. Furthermore, this dissertation fills an existing knowledge gap by investigating and determining what characteristics of schools and their staff predict the use of technology for school-based physical activity promotion and what attributes and experiences contribute to the same. This information can be used to inform professional development efforts and better support student physical activity in school communities. PETE and public health researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers will be able to use the results of this dissertation to better understand technology use in school-based physical activity promotion

Endovascular Treatment of Symptomatic Basilar Artery Stenosis

Purpose While symptomatic basilar artery (BA) stenosis is associated with a higher risk of recurrent stroke or death, there is no consensus on the management of these patients who are refractory to antiplatelet therapy. This study retrospectively assesses the outcomes of endovascular treatment (EVT) for symptomatic BA stenosis. Materials and Methods We conducted a retrospective review of patients with symptomatic BA stenosis who underwent EVT, including angioplasty or stenting, from 2006 to 2018. A total of 15 patients, who experienced transient ischemic attacks or strokes despite dual antiplatelet therapy, were included. EVT was performed under local anesthesia after pretreatment with antiplatelet medications. Angiographic follow-up was performed at 12 and 24 months post-EVT. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Results EVT was successfully completed in all patients. Peri/post-procedural complications occurred in 33% of cases, including in-stent thrombosis, intracranial hemorrhage, and pontine infarction. At long-term follow-up (mean 98.5±80.5 months), 73.3% of patients achieved a favorable functional outcome (mRS≤2) without disability or mortality. Patients with unfavorable outcomes had previous infarcts, with 2 experiencing new pontine infarctions after stenting. Conclusion This study suggests that EVT, including angioplasty and stenting, may offer promise as a treatment option for symptomatic BA stenosis refractory to medical therapy. However, the procedure carries a notable risk of complications, especially in patients with severe stenosis and previous infarcts. Careful patient selection, based on clinical and radiological criteria, is crucial

Explosive Cyclogenesis around the Korean Peninsula in May 2016 from a Potential Vorticity Perspective: Case Study and Numerical Simulations

An explosive cyclone event that occurred near the Korean Peninsula in early May 2016 is simulated using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to examine the developmental mechanisms of the explosive cyclone. After confirming that the WRF model reproduces the synoptic environments and main features of the event well, the favorable environmental conditions for the rapid development of the cyclone are analyzed, and the explosive development mechanisms of the cyclone are investigated with perturbation potential vorticity (PV) fields. The piecewise PV inversion method is used to identify the dynamically relevant meteorological fields associated with each perturbation PV anomaly. The rapid deepening of the surface cyclone was influenced by both adiabatic (an upper tropospheric PV anomaly) and diabatic (a low-level PV anomaly associated with condensational heating) processes, while the baroclinic processes in the lower troposphere had the smallest contribution. In the explosive phase of the cyclone life cycle, the diabatically generated PV anomalies associated with condensational heating induced by the ascending air in the warm conveyor belt are the most important factors for the initial intensity of the cyclone. The upper-level forcing is the most important factor in the evolution of the cyclone's track, but it is of secondary importance for the initial strong deepening.11Nsciescopu

Numerical Simulation of Oil Spill in Ocean

The spreading of oil in an open ocean may cause serious damage to a marine environmental system. Thus, an accurate prediction of oil spill is very important to minimize coastal damage due to unexpected oil spill accident. The movement of oil may be represented with a numerical model that solves an advection-diffusion-reaction equation with a proper numerical scheme. In this study, the spilled oil dispersion model has been established in consideration of tide and tidal currents simultaneously. The velocity components in the advection-diffusion-reaction equation are obtained from the shallow-water equations. The accuracy of the model is verified by applying it to a simple but significant problem. The results produced by the model agree with corresponding analytical solutions and field-observed data. The model is then applied to predict the spreading of an oil spill in a real coastal environment

Health-Related Fitness Levels among Title I Elementary School Students

Over the past few decades, studies have emphasized improving children’s health by increasing health-related fitness levels. Despite the known benefits of health-related fitness in youth, studies have also highlighted a lack of physical activity opportunities for children living in low-income households. The purpose of this study was to investigate the health-related fitness levels of students attending Title I (low-income) elementary schools. A total of 77 elementary students (50.6% female; Mage = 10.0, SD = 0.827) from two Title I elementary schools in the western United States completed the FitnessGram assessments of aerobic capacity, muscular strength and endurance, and flexibility. Descriptive statistics were used to identify the number of students in the Healthy Fitness Zone (HFZ) based upon the FitnessGram HFZ Performance Standards. Less than 17% of students achieved the HFZ for aerobic capacity and only 31.2% achieved the HFZ for upper body strength and endurance. Students performed better for abdominal strength and endurance and flexibility with 55.8% and 68.8% achieving the HFZ, respectively. The results of this study offer insights into the health-related fitness levels of a unique population, students attending Title I schools. School health professionals, including physical education teachers, need to be aware of existing disparities and make efforts to systematically intervene