Effects of Eat Better, Move More (EBMM) Educational Program on Obesity Rates in Latino Children Residing in Northwest Arkansas

Background: Childhood obesity, especially in ethnic minority populations, is a growing problem with no signs of improvement over the past decade. The Latino population is one of the fastest growing minority groups in the United States. Unfortunately, they have experienced substantial health disparities and socioeconomic disadvantages that contribute to the high rates of obesity in their youth. Decreasing obesity rates would not only have many health advantages, but also financial benefits as well. It would reduce the risk of co-morbidities such as cardiovascular disease and depression. Healthy children are more likely to grow into healthy adults, ultimately lowering the cost of healthcare for this population. Objective: The purpose of this study is to increase the knowledge of proper nutrition and foster positive attitudes towards healthy habits. It aims to specifically target behaviors that decrease the likelihood of childhood obesity, in 4th-5th grade children by educating their parents. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, parental knowledge of healthy lifestyle behaviors of parents at the study site elementary school were collected prior to and after the education sessions. “Healthy Habits” and “Parental Feeding Style” pre-test and post-test were completed by the caregiver group in their native language. The data gathered compared the knowledge of the students and guardians before and after four education sessions to evaluate the effectiveness of the Eat Better, Move More (EBMM) program. The program was designed to answer the following research question: What is the effect of Eat Better, Move More education program on parents of school-age children on healthy lifestyle behaviors (self and home), including food choices, physical activity and sleep habits? Results: Although the results were not statistically significant due to the inconsistency of the sample size, exposure to the educational program positively influenced healthy habits and increased the knowledge of the caregivers involved. With the limitations of time, only the preliminary data was collected and analyzed. The post-survey will be administered and the results will be compared in May 2019. Conclusion: It is hoped that the Eat Better, Move More educational program will increase understanding of the behaviors and practices contributing to the complicated nature of the obesity epidemic among school age children. Ultimately, the program aims to decrease the prevalence of childhood obesity in ethnic minorities throughout Northwest Arkansas

Obesity and Diabetes: Two Growing Epidemics in California

Analyzes the 2001-07 increase in obesity and diabetes prevalence by race/ethnicity, age, income, education, and years lived in the United States. Outlines policy implications of the disproportionate effect on people of color, the poor, and less educated

Doctor of Philosophy

dissertationThe purpose of the current survey study was to gather more recent information regarding educators' conceptualization and utilization of timeout procedures by replicating previous research conducted by Zabel in 1986. A survey tool was developed and included questions that pertain to variables such as the definition of timeout, demographic information of the respondent, preparation of staff to use timeout effectively, policies regarding the use of timeout procedures, the usability and acceptability of timeout as a behavioral intervention, and perceptions of the efficacy of timeout procedures. A random sample of 1,000 educator members of the Council for Children with Behavior Disorders (CCBD) across the United States was sent the survey by mail. A total of 206 individuals returned completed surveys, with equal representation from the eight regions of the United States designated by the CCBD. The majority of respondents were special education teachers, had 10 or more years of experience, were over the age of 45, and female. Results showed that timeout procedures were most often used one to three times per month and most frequently with elementary-school-aged students. Timeout was used mostly with students who were classified as having an emotional disturbance and who demonstrated physical aggression and noncompliance with adult direction. Although some respondents did not work in districts that had policies on the use of timeout procedures, the majority reported that their districts had guidelines for timeout, and that these guidelines were adhered to when timeout was used. Ninety-two percent of respondents reported that they received some level of training on timeout procedures prior to its use, and were given professional support afterward in the form of performance feedback and/or consultation. Furthermore, the majority of respondents reported that timeout procedures were used in conjunction with positive behavior interventions and supports and/or multitiered systems of supports. Eighty-eight percent of respondents reported that the function of the problematic behavior was assessed when using timeout procedures. Information from the current study shows some positive changes within the last 29 years in regard to policies and parameters surrounding the use of timeout procedures. Since 1986, there has been a 30% increase in reported district policies and a 30% increase in monitoring a child when in timeout. The use of written logs to record and document the use of timeout has also increased by nearly 20% since 1986. While the use of timeout as an intervention appears to be prevalent in the educational setting, there are still some improvements that could be made when implementing this procedure. Information from the current study indicates that there is a failure to inform parents and obtain parental input and permission prior to using timeout, down by 24% since 1986. The majority of respondents from the current study also reported using physical persuasion to get a student to timeout. It is not clear if this is related to what appears to be greater use of separate rooms or locations designated for timeout procedures compared to 29 years ago

A spectroscopic study of sunscreens

Exposure to UV radiation is known to result in the development of skin cancer and the use of protectants m the form of topically applied sunscreens is becoming widespread. The compounds used within sunscreen formulations are subject to stringent tests and must be approved for use by such bodies as COLIPA (EC), or the FDA (U.S.). Despite these testing procedures the photochemical and photophysical properties of many of the active ingredients are poorly understood and not well documented. This study presents the results of detailed photophysical investigations of two sunscreen agents. Menthyl anthranilate is currently approved for use m commercially available formulations by the FDA, and N-acetyl-menthyl anthranilate has been synthesised as an analogue of N-acetyl-homomenthyl anthranilate, a compound approved for use by COLIPA until 1989. This work has highlighted some disturbing properties of these compounds. Following absorption of light both compounds fluoresce m UV-A region. Population of the triplet state also occurs to a significant extent, producing long lived species which are readily quenched by oxygen generating singlet oxygen, a potentially damaging species that has been linked to DNA damage. Furthermore, the triplet state energy of N-acetyl-menthyl anthranilate has been shown to be -315 kJmol(^-1)"', high enough to sensitise the formation of thymine dimers m the skin, another potential source of DNA damage. A thorough understanding of the behaviour of sunscreen formulations m contact with skin is vital. In vivo studies are made difficult due to restrictions in the sampling methods for currently used spectroscopic techniques such as UV and fluorescence. This work demonstrates the use of infixed spectroscopy, utilising an ATR probe and a flat ATR crystal, to analyse sunscreen formulations present on skin at normal usage levels. The technique has been used successfully to identify the individual active components within the formulations, probe the water-resistance properties and monitor changes that occur within the formulations following irradiation. A relationship between the IR absorbance values and Sun Protection Factor (SPF) values of any given formulation has been demonstrated and this has been used to test the water resistance claims of the manufacturers

That Was Easy! Incorporating (Free) Cloud-based Project Management Tools into Your Day-to-Day Library Workflows

After realizing the limitations of Microsoft Office Suite for managing subscription renewals, the author evaluated commonly used cloud-based project management tools to help make the renewal workflows more collaborative, dynamic, and accessible. One criterion necessary for implementation- it would have to be free. This paper, derived from the author’s presentation given at the 2019 South Carolina Library Association, explores several cloud-based project management tools that were considered, how the author incorporates a cloud-based project management tool into her collection management workflows, the pros and cons of doing so, and tips for implementation

OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH BLOOD COMPONENT TRANSFUSION IN ADULT TRAUMA PATIENTS

The purpose of this dissertation was to evaluate outcomes associated with blood component (BC) transfusion in adult trauma patients. Specific aims were to: 1) explore the relationship between traumatic injury, hemorrhage, and BC transfusion, focusing on consequences of the component storage lesion through presentation of a conceptual model; 2) systematically review research literature comparing outcomes of massively transfused major trauma patients based on ratios of BCs received; 3) evaluating the relationship between type of blood transfusion trauma patients received (whole blood versus BCs) and mortality likelihood after controlling for demographic and clinical variables; 4) evaluating the relationship between volume and ratio of BCs transfused to trauma patients and development of inflammatory complications (ICs) after controlling for demographic and clinical variables. Specific aim one was addressed through the development of a conceptual model, depicting the current state of knowledge regarding the storage lesion, and short-/long-term outcomes of traumatic injury, hemorrhage, and blood transfusion. The second specific aim was addressed through a systematic review of studies that grouped critically injured, massively transfused patients based on ratios of BCs they received, and compared clinical outcomes among groups. Findings from this analysis revealed increased survival likelihood with massive transfusion of BCs in a 1:1:1 (packed red blood cells [PRBCs], fresh frozen plasma [FFP], platelets [PLTs]) fashion. The third specific aim involved a secondary analysis of the National Trauma Data Bank to evaluate the relationship between type of transfusion trauma patients received (whole blood versus BCs) and mortality. Patients who received BCs experienced a higher mortality likelihood compared with those who received whole blood. The fourth specific aim was addressed through a secondary analysis of the Inflammation and Host Response to Injury Trauma-Related Data Base, to evaluate the relationship between volume and ratio of BCs transfused and development of ICs in patients with major trauma. Findings revealed that total transfused volume of PRBCs, injury severity, and comorbidities were associated with development of ICs. There were no differences in time to complication between PRBCs:FFP or PRBCs:PLTs ratio groups

“With middal smal and wel ymake”: Objectification and Power in Medieval English Love Songs

Through reading sets of medieval love songs one can notice trends that are connected to the conventions of fin’amor or courtly love. Troubadours, medieval French poets, would compose and sing songs that reflect the trends of courtly love during the time period. Within the lyrics of these songs there are two main trends when it comes to the objectification of the female beloved. First, they spend a great deal of time in describing the physicality of the beloved, but make no inferences or connections to her interior life—going so far as to animalize her. Even when those beautiful features may be manufactured, their artificiality still supersedes her personhood. Second, they use the lyric technique of reprisal to formally reinforce sense of woman as inanimate. Using the anonymous “Alison” and Geoffrey Chaucer’s “Complaint to his Purse” as example cases, in this essay I demonstrate the techniques that effect this displacement of power, as well as how they are still prevalent in popular music today.Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Elizabeth E. Tavare

Veterans Treatment Courts: Do Status-Based Problem-Solving Courts Create an Improper Privileged Class of Criminal Defendants?

Although veterans treatment courts themselves are a recent and developing innovation, veteran status and its intersection with criminal sentencing considerations has an increasingly substantial legal basis to draw on. Prior to the expansion of problem-solving courts to reach veterans, many state-level trial court judges already considered military service-related disorders as potential mitigating factors. More recently, several states have either passed or proposed legislation designating veteran or active military status as a statutory mitigating factor, and current federal sentencing guidelines follow a 2009 Supreme Court decision affirming the proper role of a defendant’s military history in the penalty phase. Given the weight of political and legal decisions supporting veteran status as a mitigating factor in criminal cases, veterans treatment courts might ultimately demonstrate the advantages of treatment as an alternative to incarceration. Part II of this Note examines the origins and current operations of veterans treatment courts, and outlines the policy arguments articulated in their favor and the legal concerns raised by critics. Part III discusses the treatment of veteran status in sentencing outside of the specialty court context, highlighting statutory and non-statutory state sentencing guidelines and the recent federal response to military service-related crime. Part IV provides an analysis of the propriety of the veterans court model in light of the current state of the law outlined in Part III, and proposes a path forward for veterans courts, taking both legal sources of support and public criticism into consideration

National characteristics and variation in Arabic handwriting

From each of four Arabic countries; Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan and Oman, 150 participants produced handwriting samples which were examined to assess whether national characteristics were discernible. Ten characters, which have different configurations depending upon their position in the word, along with one short word, were classified into distinguishable forms, and these forms recorded for each handwriting sample. Tests of independence showed that character forms used were not independent of country (p < 0.001) for all but one character-position (this was dropped from subsequent analyses). A correspondence analysis ordination plot and analysis of similarity (R = 0.326, p = 0.0002) showed that whole samples were discernibly grouped by country, and a tree analysis produced a classification which was 71% accurate for the original data and 83% accurate for 80 new handwriting samples that underwent ‘blind’ classification. When the countries were combined into two regions, North Africa and Middle East, the grouping was more marked. Thus, there appears to be some scope for narrowing down the nationality, and particularly the wider geographical region of an author based upon the character forms they use in Arabic handwriting