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Examining Sociological Differences And The Influence Of Prey Distribution And Environmental Variability In The Distribution Of A Top Marine Predator, The Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops Truncatus), Stefanie K. Gazda

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the influence of environmental variability on the distribution of prey, and the influence of prey spatial structure and habitat variability may have on the distributions of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Additionally I examined how sociological differences (behavior type and the changes in a foraging behavior specific to Cedar Key Florida) influences the relative roles of bottlenose dolphins within the population.

The Gowans et al. scheme assumes that small groups form small communities and that foraging groups are small and rare as there are few foraging benefits to promote grouping. Using network analysis, …

Impact Of Parental Stress On Asthma Management Behaviors And Health Outcomes: A Longitudinal Analysis Of Inner City School-Aged Children, Amanda Constance Green

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Background. Asthma is a prevalent chronic condition with excess disease burden in school-aged, minority children from low income inner-city communities. Conceptualized within a nursing and socio-ecological framework, the purpose of this secondary analysis of a prospective study of inner-city school-aged children with asthma (School Inner-City Asthma Study [SICAS]) was to examine associations between characteristics of children and parents, parents stress, parent asthma management behaviors (AMB) and child asthma outcomes, including emergency (ED) visits for asthma, missed school and asthma control.

Methods. The sample included 351 school-aged children (7.9 years old, SD= 1.9 years; 53.0% male; 95.7% minority). Parents reported their …

Recovery Of Oral Intake Function In Elderly Patients With First-Ever Acute Ischemic Stroke, Ya-Fang Hsu, Wen-Chih Lin, Ching-I Hu, Mei-Ju Ko, Chia-Yu Chang, Hing-Man Wu, Willy Chou

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Introduction and Objective: The effects of aging on swallowing are particularly evident in elderly adults who are ill. Previous studies have reported that prolonged nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding in patients who have had a stroke increases the risk of pneumonia and mortality. However, few studies have investigated the recovery of oral intake function and the factors regarding NGT removal in patients with poststroke dysphagia. In the present study, we investigated the differences in oral intake function between elderly (age: ≥65 y) and nonelderly patients with first-ever acute ischemic stroke. Methods: In this retrospective study, we reviewarticleed the medical charts of …

The Effects Of Chin-Tuck Position In Stroke Patient With Dysphagia Evaluated By Fiberoptic Endoscopy, Yuyu Chen, Tienwen Chen, Maohsiung Huang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Background and Purpose: Dysphagia is a frequent symptom after stroke. Dysphagia increases the risk of aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, and is associated with poor prognosis. Fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) is a suitable method for dysphagia assessment after acute stroke. Chin-tuck position has been used in dysphagia patients to prevent aspiration during swallowing. But the combined application of these promising modalities has rarely been studied. We aimed to evaluate the effects of chin-tuck position in stroke patient with dysphagia evaluated by fiberoptic endoscopy. Methods: A total of 34 consecutive patients with first stroke were enrolled. FEES after swallowing was done …

Playing Tetris Decreases Drug And Other Cravings In Real World Settings, J Skorka-Brown, J Andrade, B Whalley, J May

School of Psychology

Most research on cognitive processes in craving has been carried out in the laboratory and focuses on food craving. This study extends laboratory findings to real world settings and cravings for drugs or activities as well as food. Previous laboratory research has found that playing Tetris reduces craving strength. The present study used an ecological momentary assessment protocol in which 31 undergraduate participants carried iPods for a week and were prompted 7 times each day, by SMS message, to use their iPod to report craving. Participants reported craving target and strength (0- 100), whether they indulged their previous craving (yes/no), …

The Impact Of Rurality, Community Attachment, And Community Involvement On Health Among Rural Texans, Jin Young Choi, E. Miranda Reiter, Gene L. Theodori

Journal of Rural Social Sciences

This study examines the differences in three health status indicators by rurality and the effects of community attachment and involvement on health among rural residents in Texas. We use the 2013 Texas Rural Survey (TRS) data, which include information on a representative sample of 757 rural Texas residents. The results show that the three health status indicators – self-rated general health, functional status of physical health, and functional status of mental health – are predicted by different factors. Overall, residents in small places often reported better health than those in medium-sized and large places. Community attachment and involvement were shown …

Webcam Child Sex Abuse, Lena Masri

Capstones

Webcam child sex is a booming global industry, a twist in pedophilia as fast growing and difficult to police, according to law enforcement officials.

Leaving Home, Keeping The Faith, Damian J. Geminder

Capstones

This capstone explores how outreach to immigrant and non-English-speaking communities is vital to the health of the American Catholic Church.

Greenpoint's Superfund Problem, Helina Selemon

Capstones

A feature observing a community living in the shadow of a superfund site, a toxic industrial site in need of cleanup, that was recently purchased for development. The story looks at the complicated nature of this particular superfund and the problems the community around it has--including potential health risks during cleanup, rapid development, and an inescapable industrial past.

Beyond The Ring: Vegan Fighter, Bianca Silva

Capstones

Omowale Adewale, an amateur MMA fighter and boxer, spends his time outside the ring as director of Grassroots Artists MovEment (G.A.ME), an organization in the Bronx dedicated to provide resources to low-income residents like healthcare, access to healthy foods via means of gardening and youth incarceration prevention programs. He has been the director of G.A.ME since 2001 and routinely visits classrooms where he provides lectures on how to eat healthy foods-even incorporating vegan foods and implement after school physical programs like boxing where he occasionally serves as a trainer.

Reshaping The Event Horizon‑ Marketing Utopia At Music Festivals, Justin D. Joffe

Capstones

Imagine a world where every leisure activity is tracked, recorded, and then analyzed as market research according to your age and gender demographic. Imagine the next phase after smartphone payments, when a chip linking your finances isn’t in your phone, but on your wrist. Imagine a vast field of fellow fun-­‐seekers, eating, drinking and dancing in hedonistic, chemically enhanced utopia. Such a scene certainly requires some open-­‐ mindedness and improvisation, sure, a willingness to submit oneself to a vulnerable environment of whimsy. Now imagine being subtly exposed to advertisements in such a mindset. It’s no Orwellian controlled dystopia, really. You’ve …

You're Only As Good As You Do In School: Asian American Students And The Mental Risks They Face In Higher Education, Asia C. Ewart

Capstones

Anne Cai always joked that, “one of these days,” school was going to drive her to insanity. A snapshot of her life begged to differ. As the oldest of three daughters in her traditional Chinese­ American family, Anne, 23, was the image of success and achievement, not only for her parents and their peers, but for her sisters Jenny, 19, and Vicky, 13. She excelled in elementary, middle and at all three of her high schools—the high school moves were decided by her parents and she never questioned them, lest she burden the family with what she considered complaining.

The Policy Exploration Of The South African Exclusive Economic Zone /, Thulile Khanyile

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Criminal Procedures And Sanctions Against Seafarers After Large-Scale Ship-Source Oil Pollution Accidents : A Human Rights Perspective, Anete Logina

World Maritime University Dissertations

The international maritime community is highly concerned about the unfair application of criminal procedures and sanctions against seafarers, particularly after large-scale ship-source oil pollution accidents, because such unfairness may cause severe negative consequences for individual seafarers and the shipping sector in broader terms. A lot of work has already been done towards the elimination of the respective unfairness. Yet, the unfair practice continues. This dissertation attempts to give new ideas as to how to facilitate the fair application of criminal procedures and sanctions against seafarers after large-scale ship-source oil pollution accidents.

The dissertation starts with the clear definition and comprehensive …

Private Ownership Of Shipping Lines In Ghana : The Challenges And The Way Forward, Priscilla Akua Afful

World Maritime University Dissertations

Private Shipping Line is a business venture in the shipping industry that Ghana cannot boast of as compared to the ports in the country and as such the research seeks to delineate the challenges associated with private ownership of shipping lines in Ghana and the way forward towards the future.

An account is given on the challenges of private ownership of shipping lines which takes into consideration the challenges faced by the national shipping line which led to its demise. Policies made by government are assessed and examined to determine their effects on private entities. A number of solutions are …

Multiple Authorisation: The Legal Complexity Of Desentralisasi In Indonesia And The Potential Contribution Of Iias In Reducing Confusion, Michael Ewing-Chow, Junianto James Losari

Indonesia Law Review

Decentralisation system in Indonesia was introduced after the fall of the former President Soeharto with the objective of ensuring good governance and equitable development across all regions in the country. Unfortunately, the implementation of desentralisasi has been complicated. Some scholars have suggested that the model was flawed as it did not consider Indonesia’s context of less developed administrative institutions in the regions. Not only did desentralisasi cause headaches for the government, it also created confusion for foreign investors. Consequently, it affects the investment climate in the country and undermines the perception of Indonesia as an attractive place to invest in. …

Proposing An Integrative-Progressive Model In Handling Troubled Indonesian Overseas Workers In The Transit Area (A Socio-Legal Research In Tanjung Pinang City, Kepulauan Riau Province), Rina Shahriyani Shahrullah, Elza Syarief

Indonesia Law Review

Tanjung Pinang City of the Riau Islands Province (Provinsi Kepulauan Riau) is a transit area for the troubled Indonesian overseas workers from Singapore and Malaysia. The Indonesian National Board for the Placement and Protection of Indonesian Workers (Badan Nasional Penempatan dan Perlindungan Tenaga Kerja Indonesia/BNP2TKI) reported that 15,105 troubled Indonesian overseas workers were deported from January to November 2014 via Tanjung Pinang City. Previous research revealed that citizens of Tanjung Pinang City criticized the treatments given by the local government to the deported workers by reason that they were not the citizens of the Riau Islands Province, yet the local …

Clean Bill Of Lading In Contract Of Carriage And Documentary Credit: When Clean May Not Be Clean, Časlav Pejović

Penn State Journal of Law & International Affairs (2012 - Present)

No abstract provided.

The Utility Of Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament Test In Detecting Carpal Tunnel Syndrome With Clinical Stage, Nerve Conduction Study, And Sonography Correlations, Lin-Yi Wang, Jyun-Ying Li, Yu-Chi Huang, Mei-Yun Liaw, Tsung-Hsun Yang, Yi-Jung Hsin, Willie Lee, Jui-Kun Chang, Ya-Ping Pong

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Background and purpose: Nerve conduction study (NCS) and ultrasonography (US) are used to support the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The ability of the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test (SWMT), a sensibility threshold test, to detect CTS, and its relationship to clinical severity, NCS, and US, remain controversial. We conducted this study to address this controversy. Method: Thirty-three patients presenting with typical symptoms and signs of CTS and 20 normal subjects were enrolled. SWMT on the index finger, NCS, and US of the cross-sectional area of the median nerve at the pisiform level (PCSA) were performed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves …

Building A Clinical Decision Support System For Prescription Of Assistive Technology: An Example Of Wheelchair Prescription, Pei-Chin Chou, Wen-Chou Chi, Hsin-Shui Chen, Wen-Yih Hsieh, Wang-Che Li

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Background and Purpose: The application of assistive technology has recently been paid attention to with the benefit of social welfare. However, less systematic and comprehensive consideration has been given to the prescription of assistive devices. Moreover, the efficacy of assistive devices has not been systematically examined yet due to the lack of integration of related information. Methods: This study firstly interviewed clinical assessors for assistive technology by field research. As users participated periodically, object-oriented systems development methodology and case diagram were used as a design tool to build a prototype system. Finally, web applications were built in Oracle database by …

Applying The Pzb Model In Evaluating The Service Quality Of Pediatric Rehabilitation, I-Hsiu Liou, Shu-Fen Sun, Chiao-Wen Hwang, Yin-Han Chen, Yu-Hsuan Lin, Min-Hui Li, Jue-Long Wang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

背景：在兒童復健領域的文獻，鮮少有醫療品質之研究。除了接受復健醫療的兒童，家長參與復健因而會介入影響醫療服務提供者，家長的觀感與需求值得受到重視。目的：本研究以PZB服務品質缺口模式為基礎來分析病患對所接受醫療服務的期望與滿意度之落差，此落差即為醫療服務品質。方法：本研究工具為一結構式問卷，共25題，具有良好之信效度，改編自22題的SERVQUAL量表，內容包括五個構面，分別為（1）有形性（2）可靠性（3）反應性（4）確實性（5）關懷性。此研究共74位家長及10位治療師參與。治療師與家長的期望認知以單因子變異數分析進行，家長的期望分數與滿意度落差以配對-t檢定進行。結果：問卷回收率為100%。量表內容效度指標（contentvali dityindex）為0.93，量表的Cronbach's α係數為0.96，具高信度。本研究結果顯示治療師與家長在五個構面的整體期望與滿意度並無顯著組間差異，但組內整體期望與滿意度間均有顯著落差。家長特質分析顯示年齡與教育程度會影響期望與滿意度間之落差。家長重視的面向是治療室環境清潔、希望能在承諾時間內進行復健治療、治療師有足夠專業知識與經驗、可以了解兒童個別需求。本院目前迫切需改善的項目為充實治療室設備並維持環境清潔，在排定治療時間內根據病患需求提供個別化的復健課程，以提升本院兒童復健醫療品質。結論：此研究提供小兒復健醫療品質一個可以利用的評估方式。未來定期運用SERVQUAL可以作為醫療品質之監測。亦可在不同醫院以此工具評估比較醫院間醫療品質之差異。

Early Intervention For A Baby With Syndactyly: A Casereport, Chi-Min Yang, Shu-Yu Yang, Yu-Pei Tsai, Yu-Tin Tseng, Yu-Tin Tseng

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Syndactyly is the most common congenital malformation of the limbs. Syndactyly refers to the clinical appearance of fingers or toes that have not undergone the normal process of separation and can be classified as simple, complex, complete or incomplete according to clinical severity and involvement. Clinically, syndactyly has primarily been treated with surgery. However, few studies have investigated relevant postsurgical rehabilitation interventions. This study reported a case involving an infant with severe syndactyly. After surgery, the infant received early rehabilitation intervention. We provided health education to caregivers to instruct them scar treatment on the hands, joint range of motion exercise, …

The Treatment Of A Large And Deeply Seated Left Cerebral Cavernous Malformation: A Casereport, Chui-Lee Wong, Jin-Shan Huang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are congenital vascular anomalies that are not visualized on angiography. However, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans have highly increased the detection rate and the understanding of these lesions. CCMs have characteristic MRI findings, which facilitate differential diagnosis radiologically. CCMs are classified into 4 categories, according to their MRI and pathological characteristics. In addition, the nature history and the bleeding risk of each category of CCMs are different and critical in decision making regarding treatment. We report the case of a 73 years old female patient who presented with a history of mild …

Social Support Status In Informal Caregivers Of Stroke Patients, Yanyuh Lee, Yeehwa Wu, Ihsuan Chen, Kuchou Chang, Yuching Huang, Jenwen Hung

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Objective: Informal caregivers play an important role in post-stroke care. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the social support status over an 18-month duration; the relationship between health status and social support level; and the predictors of low social support status in informal caregivers of stroke patients. Methods: We recruited eligible inpatients with first-ever ischemic stroke and their informal caregivers from a tertiary referral teaching hospital. The social support rating scale (SSRS) of the caregivers was determined at 3, 16, and 18 months after stroke onset. Beck depression inventory (BDI) as well as the physical and mental composite …

The Utility Of The Perceived Environmental Barriers In Community For The Community-Dwelling Elderly In Taiwan, Weichih Lien, Tashen Kuan, Jerhao Chang, Naiwen Guo

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find out the cut-off point of the Perceived Environmental Barriers in Community according to basic activity of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) independence in community-dwelling elderly in Taiwan. Methods: In this study, 200 community-dwelling elderly were sampled and administered with the Perceived Environmental Barriers in Community and Hierarchy of the Care Required (HCR). Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to find out the cut-off points of the Perceived Environmental Barriers in Community. Results: We found that the Physical/Structural domain and total score of the Perceived …

Comparison Of The Effects Of Prolotherapy And Traditional Physical Therapy In Low Back Pain Patients With Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra, Weihan Chang, Shihwei Chou, Chienhung Chen, Chihkuan Wu, Katie P. Wu, Yinchou Lin

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

A lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV) is a congenital musculoskeletal abnormality with a higher incidence in patients with low back pain as to the normal population. Such finding implicates that an altered mechanics caused by a transitional vertebra may contribute to pain generation. In cadavers with an LSTV, the iliolumbar ligament at the level immediately above the transitional vertebra was thinner and weaker than it was for cadavers without an LSTV. This ligament of LSTV is vulnerable to sprains in terms of structural and biomechanical alterations and may be the target of treatment. Twenty-two patients with chronic low back pain in …

Rehabilitation Effect Analysis Of Subacute Traumatic Brain Injury, Pao Huang, Jenhung Wang, Chihcheng Fan, Chungchao Liang, Shuman Lin, Clement Shihhsien Yang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Objective: Traumatic brain injury generally occurs when external force brings about damage to the tissues of the brain and is commonly accompanied by changes in the physical, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional domains of the affected person; such changes can result in social adaptation problems. Issues involving finance and/or family caregiver human resources also occur due to the fact that the survivor's disabilities linger. The primary goals of the present study are (1) to obtain an initial understanding of the rehabilitation services available to traumatic brain injury patients and (2) to analyze the effects of such rehabilitation on traumatic brain injury …

A Preliminary Evaluation On The Correlation Between Severity Of Hand Spasticity And Functional Recovery In Chronic Stroke Patients, Wan-Ling Hsu, Yi-Chieh Lien, Wei-Hsiu Chang, Chi-Tzu Feng, Kuei-Yu Chou, An-Fang Hsiao

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Objective: This study is a secondary analysis of data from a previous project that attempts to analyze the correlation between severity of hand spasticity and functional recovery in chronic stroke patients. Methods: A total of 21 chronic stroke patients who received hand-stretching device or functional training were analyzed. The evaluation of outcomes included the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) for assessing hand spasticity; Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and Stoke Impact Scale (SIS) for evaluating functional recovery. Results: Correlation was found between MAS and FIM scores (p=.029), but due to bias on …

Assessment Of Visual Dysfunction In A Patient With Right Occipital Infarct, Li-Ting Tsai, Yu-Chin Su, William H.A. Beaudot, Yun-Hsiang Yang

Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Purpose: This study describes a patient with multiple visual impairments following right occipital infarction in the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) territory. The earliest stage of cortical processing of visual information occurs in the occipital lobe, so damage to this lobe causes not only visual field deficits but also other forms of visual problems. However, few cases of this sort have previously been reported in the literature. casereport: A 54-year-old female suffered from a progressive throbbing headache over the right occipital area for 2 weeks. Blurred vision and left hemianopia were found, and brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed cerebral infarction over …

Designing A 21st Century Corporate Tax – An Advance U.S. Minimum Tax On Foreign Income And Other Measures To Protect The Base, Stephen E. Shay, J. Clifton Fleming Jr., Robert J. Peroni

Faculty Scholarship

The 21st Century has seen unprecedented levels of corporate tax aggressiveness and avoidance. This article continues our exploration of second best international tax reforms that would protect the U.S. corporate tax base and have some likelihood of adoption. In this case, we consider how a U.S. minimum tax on foreign income earned by a controlled foreign corporation should be designed to protect the United States against erosion of its corporate income tax base and to combat tax competition by low-tax intermediary countries. In the authors’ view, a minimum tax should be an interim levy that preserves the residual U.S. tax …