Digital Commons Network^™

Conditional Cash Transfer In Egypt: The Need For Proper Financial And Administrative Controls, Ahmed Fathy Badawy

Theses and Dissertations

Conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs, as one of the most efficient social protection programs, use large amount of public resources. Such programs are prone to leakage of public resources due to risks from error, fraud, and corruption. Countries in Latin America have implemented CCT programs since the early 1980's and they have experienced leakages from error, fraud, and corruption (EFC) which requires use of mechanisms and a control system to tackle the risks of EFC. These mechanisms have been introduced in the World Bank toolkit on tackling error, fraud, and corruption. The recommended strategies to mitigate EFC address risks through …

Muslim Minorities In The West: Between Fiqh Of Minorities And Integration, Dina M. Taha

Theses and Dissertations

Fiqh of minorities is a specific framework/perspective of the general Fiqh that looks with one eye at the objectives and principles of Sharîâ a, and the other eye to consider the reality of Muslim minorities in cases that will, usually, only arise in the situation where Muslims constitute a minority. Fiqh of minority is, arguably, based on the premises that Muslim existence in non-Muslim communities, should promote a civilizational dialogue between the Islamic culture and other cultures. This paper argues that Fiqh of minorities' scholars attempt to provide legal opinions and solutions for Muslim minorities in the West in order …

The Forgotten Half Of Program Evaluation: A Focus On The Translation Of Rating Scales For Use With Hispanic Populations, Shannon J. Dogan, Stephanie L. Sitnick, Lenna L. Ontai

Journal of Extension

tools have been developed and validated with English-speaking samples. There is little research and practical guidance on the cultural adaptation and translation of rating scales. The purpose of this article is to summarize the methodological work in this area as it relates to evaluation in Extension, specifically with Spanish-speaking, Hispanic populations of Mexican origin. General practices are reviewed and recommendations outlined. Inferences about program outcomes and impacts depend, in large part, on the rating scale; therefore, inattention to these issues could lead to misleading results and interpretations.

Using A Training Video To Improve Agricultural Workers' Knowledge Of On-Farm Food Safety, Lisa Mathiasen, Katija Morley, Benjamin Chapman, Douglas Powell

Journal of Extension

A training video was produced and evaluated to assess its impact on the food safety knowledge of agricultural workers. Increasing food safety knowledge on the farm may help to improve the safety of fresh produce. Surveys were used to measure workers' food safety knowledge before and after viewing the video. Focus groups were used to determine workers' views of the video and identify areas that could be improved. Results indicated a high level of food safety knowledge, but some significant improvements were observed. The project provides a framework for assessing videos as training tools and suggestions for further research.

The Development Of A Food Safety Brochure For Families: The Use Of Formative Evaluation And Plain Language Strategies, Christina Perry, Julie Albrecht, Ruth Litchfield, Rebecca L. Meysenburg

Journal of Extension

Printed materials have been used extensively as an educational tool to increase food safety awareness. Few educational materials have been designed to target families with young children for food safety education. This article reports the use of the formative evaluation process to develop a brochure designed to enhance awareness about food safety among primary food handlers of families with children 10 years and under. Quantitative and qualitative evaluation included the use of plain language principles and two focus groups with target audience members. Application of systematic formative evaluation can help health practitioners develop more effective consumer-centered educational materials.

Formative Assessment Of Assistance Needed With Grocery Shopping And Preparing Food Among Rural Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Janice R. Hermann, Whitney A. Brosi, Ja.N H. Johnston, Linda Jaco

Journal of Extension

The study reported here assessed assistance needed with grocery shopping and food preparation among 369 rural community-dwelling older adults. Needing assistance with grocery shopping and food preparation was reported by 21% and 16% of participants, respectively. Among participants needing assistance with grocery shopping and food preparation; 25% and 33%, respectively, reported they never or rarely received the needed assistance. Approximately two-thirds of participants reported they were most likely to receive assistance from their spouse or children. Education on assistive technology designed to facility independent living could assist with many physical limitations community-dwelling older adults experience with grocery shopping and food …

Diabetes Awareness Of Low-Income Middle School Students Participating In The Help A Friend, Help Yourself Youth Diabetes Awareness Education Program, Kathryn Wroten, Elizabeth S. Reames, Georgiana Tuuri

Journal of Extension

The study reported here investigated the effectiveness of the LSU AgCenter Help a Friend, Help Yourself youth diabetes education curriculum to increase knowledge and awareness of diabetes and its symptoms in low-income middle school students participating in the Boys and Girls Club after-school program. The curriculum includes four lessons with multimedia presentations, art projects, and demonstrations designed to teach children about diabetes, with a specific focus on the signs and symptoms. Results indicated that students' knowledge of diabetes and its symptoms increased following participation in the four-session series.

Successful Statewide Walking Program Websites, Bianca Maria Terrain, Nobuko Hongu

Journal of Extension

Statewide Extension walking programs are making an effort to increase physical activity levels in America. An investigation of all 20 of these programs revealed that 14 use websites as marketing and educational tools, which could prove useful as the popularity of Internet communities continues to grow. Website usability information and an analysis of all 14 sites were combined to determine characteristics that may enhance the efficacy of these sites. Application of these findings could allow Extension professionals to more efficiently communicate with the public about exercise, nutrition, and state walking programs.

Investigation Of The Role Of The Family In Anorexia Nervosa Treatment, Katie Dabrowski

Mako: NSU Undergraduate Student Journal

Anorexia nervosa burdens individuals with an unyielding obsession with weight loss and food restriction, ultimately leading to extreme emaciation and even death (Kaye, Fudge, & Paulus, 2009). This disorder most often plagues adolescent females, with estimates of prevalence in 0.2% to 1% of adolescent girls (Mirsa et al, 2011). Current literature suggests family relationships and dynamics, rather than blaming individual family members, are essential in understanding and ultimately treating the disorder for adolescent girls. This paper will review the literature on family relationships and dynamics conducive to disordered eating among daughters, as well as examine the findings regarding supportive family …

Effect Of Green Tea Extract On Body Weight, Serum Glucose And Lipid Profile In Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats. A Dose Response Study., Fatemeh Haidari, Majid M. Shahi, Mehdi Zarei, Hossein Rafiei, Kosar Omidian

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of green tea extract on body weight, serum levels of glucose, and lipids in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: This experimental study was carried out in the Diabetes Research Center, Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran from January 2011 to March 2011. Forty-eight male wistar rats (200-250 g) were divided randomly into 6 groups. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of stereptozotocin (55 mg/kg). The experimental groups received alcohol extract of green tea leaves (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) for 4 weeks and the body weight of animals were measured every day. Finally, …

Randomized Controlled Evaluation Shows The Effectiveness Of A Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program., Hussain A. Mutwalli, Stephen J. Fallows, Ammar A. Arnous, Mohammad S. Zamzami

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of a home-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program on post-coronary arteries bypass graft patients. METHODS: This is a randomized study conducted in King Fahd Armed Forces Hospital, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between June 2008 and January 2010. Forty-nine participants were randomized to either a control group (standard hospital treatment, n=21) or an intervention group (home-based CR, n=28). Data were collected before hospital discharge (baseline test) and repeated 6 months after hospital discharge (follow-up test). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in the body mass index, hemodynamics, serum fasting lipid profile, and Quality …

Nutritional Status And Anthropometric Measurements Of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis., Mendane Saka, Mustafa Saka, Esra Koseler, Sinem Metin, Sule Bilen, Memet Aslanyavrusu, Fikri Ak, Gul Kiziltan

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVES: To determine the nutritional status and anthropometric measurements of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: This research was conducted on 37 (15 men, 22 women) new diagnosed MS patients who applied to Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital, Ankara Turkey, from June to August 2011. The nutritional status of patients was determined by a 3-day and 24-hour dietary record and a food frequency questionnaire. Body composition was analyzed by bioelectrical impedance analyzer, and body mass index was calculated. The Nutrient Data Base (BEBIS) program was used to evaluate the energy and nutrient intakes of patients and compared with Dietary …

Home Forward’S Aging In Place Initiative: Planning For Current And Future Residents, Paula C. Carder, Jenny Weinstein, Jacklyn Nicole Kohon

Institute on Aging Publications

This report was prepared on behalf of the Aging in Place Initiative of Home Forward. The Initiative sought to gather information about older persons currently residing in Home Forward’s public housing properties, from persons age 55 and older on the waitlist for housing, and from older adults in the Portland area. While local data were unavailable at the time of this report, we know that nationally, more than one-third (37 percent) of the approximately 5 million households receiving housing assistance from HUD are headed by persons age 62 and older. With this in mind, Home Forward must make decisions now …

Comparing The Validity Of 2 Physical Activity Questionnaire Formats In African-American And Hispanic Women, Louise C. Mâsse, Janet E. Fulton, Kathleen B. Watson, Susan Tortolero, Harold W. Kohl Iii, Michael C. Meyers, Steven N. Blair, William W. Wong

Faculty Publications

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the validity of 2 physical activity questionnaire formats - one that lists activities (Checklist questionnaire) and one that assesses overall activities (Global questionnaire) by domain.

Methods: Two questionnaire formats were validated among 260 African-American and Hispanic women (age 40-70) using 3 validation standards: 1) accelerometers to validate activities of ambulation; 2) diaries to validate physical activity domains (occupation, household, exercise, yard, family, volunteer/church work, and transportation); and 3) doubly-labeled water to validate physical activity energy expenditure (DLW-PAEE).

Results: The proportion of total variance explained by the Checklist questionnaire was 38.4% with …

Effect Of Soil Salinity Level On Development And Functioning Of Endomycorrhizae In The Groundcover Wedelia Trilobata (L.) Grown On Dune Sand From The Uae, Farivash Abdullah Rajaei

Theses

In semi-arid parts of the world such as the U A E, salinity is a major constraint to plant growth and development. More than 80 % of a land plants live in symbiosis with soil fungi of the Glomeromycota. These are also called arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), and have been shown to contribute to growth and nutrient uptake of a broad range of agricultural plants. A positive effect of the AM symbiosis on plant performance under salinity has often been observed, but the precise mechanisms behind this effect are unknown to date. Mycotrophic plants common I) grown on saline sandy …

Impact Of A Dietary Supplement Containing 1,3-Dimethylamylamine On Blood Pressure And Bloodborne Markers Of Health: A 10-Week Intervention Study, Paul Whitehead, Brian Schilling, Tyler Farney, Richard Bloomer

Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Research

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Cognitive-Perceptual Variables On Patterns Of Change Over Time In Rural Midlife And Older Women's Healthy Eating, Bernice C. Yates, Carol H. Pullen, Jonathan Bruce Santo, Linda Boeckner, Patricia A. Hageman, Paul J. Dizona, Susan Noble Walker

Psychology Faculty Publications

Although studies demonstrate that dietary interventions for healthy adults can result in beneficial dietary changes, few studies examine when and how people change in response to these interventions, particularly in rural populations. The purpose of this study was to examine patterns of change over time in healthy eating behaviors in midlife and older women in response to a one-year health-promoting intervention, and to examine what predictors (perceived benefits, barriers, self-efficacy, and family support for healthy eating) influence the changes during the intervention and follow-up. Data for this secondary analysis were from the Wellness for Women community-based trial. Women (N ¼ …

An Inside Job: Hacking Into Janus Kinase/Signal Transducer And Activator Of Transcription Signaling Cascades By The Intracellular Protozoan Toxoplasma Gondii, Eric Y. Denkers, David J. Bzik, Barbara A. Fox, Barbara A. Butcher

Dartmouth Scholarship

The intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii is well known for its skill at invading and living within host cells. New discoveries are now also revealing the astounding ability of the parasite to inject effector proteins into the cytoplasm to seize control of the host cell. This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of one such secretory protein called ROP16. This molecule is released from rhoptries into the host cell during invasion. The ROP16 molecule acts as a kinase, directly activating both signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and STAT6 signaling pathways. In macrophages, an important and preferential target …

The Impact Of Conflict Type On Child And Infant Mortality Rates: Evidence From Global Data, Ubah Abdulgani Adan

Theses and Dissertations

Wars kill, destroy, cause havoc and leave lasting impacts on the societies affected. Infants and children are particularly susceptible to these shocks. This thesis looked at whether there is a differential impact across different types of war (civil and international) on child mortality rates among children in different age groups (neonatal, post neonatal, infant, ages 1-5, and under-5). An unbalanced dynamic panel dataset, from 155 countries covering a period of 30 years (1970-1999) was used in this analysis. The empirical results showed that international war contributed more to the rise of neonatal mortality than did civil war. Conversely, civil war …

Arkansas Animal Science Department Report 2011, David L. Kreider

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

No abstract provided.

Holistic Healing Ministry: A Practical Guide For Korean Presbyterian Churches, Yanghyun Park

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study attempted to provide practical and effective advice to Korean Presbyterian churches (KPCs) for adapting Holistic Healing Ministry (HHM), not as an optional ministry but a necessary ministry for all local churches through the exact biblical concept about HHM. Through the analysis of survey for HHM conducted in many congregations of KPCs, this thesis evaluated the present reality of HHM ministered to KPCs, examined holistic health conditions of the congregations of KPCs, and identified which domain of health - physical, emotional, or spiritual - KPCs are currently interested in. Moreover, this thesis drew up a plan for KPCs to …

Wayne E. Sabbe Arkansas Soil Fertility Studies 2011, Nathan A. Slaton

Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Series

The studies described within will allow producers to compare their practices with the university’s research efforts. Additionally, soil-test data and fertilizer sales are presented to allow comparisons among years, crops, and other areas within Arkansas.

Front Matter

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Issue 1

The Synapse: Intercollegiate science magazine

No abstract provided.

Moving Physical Activity Beyond The School Classroom: A Social-Ecological Insight For Teachers Of The Facilitators And Barriers To Students' Non-Curricular Physical Activity, Brendon Hyndman, Amanda Telford, Caroline F. Finch, Amanda C. Benson

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Non-curricular avenues such as active play during school breaks have been established as a major source for children’s physical and cognitive development, yet there is little information for teachers on the influences affecting primary and secondary school students’ non-curricular physical activity. During this study focus groups and drawing were used to explore the broader influences on primary (n=47) and secondary (n=29) school students’ physical activity behaviour beyond the classroom. Barriers and facilitators to children’s physical activity were categorised using a multi-level social-ecological framework incorporating intrapersonal, interpersonal, physical environment and policy factors. Based on the drawings, comparisons between students’ existing play …

Understanding Learning And Teaching In Papua New Guinea: Elementary Teacher Trainers Engaged In Cultural Authorship In The Context Of National Educational Reforms, Joanne M. Brownlee, Ann Farrell, Julie Davis

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

Over the last decade, Papua New Guinea (PNG) has pursued educational reform in elementary teacher education. Because elementary teachers and teacher education are central to the reform agenda, there is a need to gain empirical evidence about how PNG teacher trainers’ understandings about learning and teaching impact on their practice. The study uses cultural-authorship as a theoretical framework to investigate the nature of changes in understanding about learning and teaching for 18 teacher trainers as they progressed through a two-year Bachelor of Early Childhood upgrade course. It addresses the research question: What do elementary teacher trainers in PNG understanding about …

Cognition And Material Exploration Of A Fox, Justin Chick

Theses

In art, there is potential to turn the passive into an active. Task: Take the compass. Use it and draw a circle on graph paper. Fold the graph paper in half. Unfold. In this action, symmetry establishes a drawn circle. In the circle there is a center. To acknowledge the center a drawn periphery of this determined circle, acts as the container for a located center. The larger a diameter is scored, the more dissolved a center will be represented. To concentrate in articulation for the current sculptural research, a determined idea roots in communication. Through acknowledgement of a centralized …

Openline Newsletter, February 2012, Civil Service Council

OpenLine Newsletter

A monthly newsletter for Civil Service employees, Volume XXXVI, Number 8, February 2012.

Age Of An Information Revolution: The Direct-To-Consumer Genetic Testing Industry And The Need For A Holistic Regulatory Approach, Michelle D. Irick

San Diego Law Review

In order to safeguard consumers and ensure the continued progress of a fledgling industry, determining how to interpret results and communicate them with consumers poses one of the most challenging and important tasks. In discussing the challenges the law faces in this area, this Comment will discuss: (1) consumer interfacing issues, such as in advertising and results analysis, faced by the genetic testing industry; (2) the methods DTC companies use in arriving at results and corresponding problems; (3) who may interpret and communicate results; (4) how the DTC genetic testing industry's activities relate to the claims made regarding test results; …

Leveraging Partnerships To Achieve High Impact: Lessons From Wildlife Field Days, Holly K. Ober, William M. Giulano, William Sheftall, Rj Byrne

Journal of Extension

Effective wildlife management on private lands can supplement and diversify income by providing opportunities for hunting, fishing, and ecotourism. We offered a workshop series that covered a comprehensive set of issues pertaining to this topic. In the process, we found that using a large, multi-state, multi-agency planning committee enabled us to tap into numerous clientele networks, reach many people new to Extension, recruit expert speakers from many organizations, and spread tasks so that individual burdens were reduced. This mutually beneficial collaboration is a model for future Extension programming that may become increasingly useful as Extension budgets continue to decline.