Ambient ozone pollution and daily mortality in three megacities in China

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-06

On being loud and proud: Non-conformity and counter-conformity to group norms

Most experiments on conformity have been conducted in relation to judgments of physical reality; surprisingly few papers have experimentally examined the influence of group norms on social issues with a moral component. In response to this, participants were told that they were either in a minority or in a majority relative to their university group in terms of their attitudes toward recognition of gay couples in law (Expt 1: N = 205) and a government apology to Aborigines (Expt 2: N = 110). In both experiments, it was found that participants who had a weak moral basis for their attitude conformed to the group norm on private behaviours. In contrast, those who had a strong moral basis for their attitude showed non-conformity on private behaviours and counter-conformity on public behaviours. Incidences of nonconformity and counter-conformity are discussed with reference to theory and research on normative influence.

Traffic-Related PM2.5 Air Pollution and Schools in Proximity to Major Roadways in Shanghai, China

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-06

Insights on food and nutrition in the Federated States of Micronesia: a review of the literature

Background: Nutrition-related disorders, including vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and chronic diseases, are serious problems in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Many suggest that these disorders are new problems related to dietary and lifestyle changes. In the past four decades, imported foods, such as white rice, flour, sugar, refined foods and fatty meats, have increasingly replaced local foods in the diet. Aim: A literature review was conducted to understand underlying issues related to dietary change and obtain insights for nutrition research and interventions. Method: Published and unpublished papers from different disciplines were reviewed and collated for information on food and nutrition in FSM. Topics covered were historical background, local foods, infant and child feeding, dietary assessment, and nutritional status. Particular focus was on information and data relating to VAD, the primary topic that led to the review of the literature. Conclusions: FSM, a tropical country of abundant agricultural resources, has suffered a great loss in production and consumption of local foods. Inconsistent external and internal government policies and food aid programmes have contributed to the problem. Further research on the nutrient content of local foods and factors affecting production, acquisition and consumption is needed, as well as a broad, well-planned, intersectoral intervention aimed at dietary improvement for all age groups in the population.

Factors supporting the non-persistence of fruit fly populations in South Australia

For purposes of interstate and international fruit trade, it is necessary to demonstrate that in areas in which fruit fly species have not previously established permanent populations, but which are subject to introductions of fruit flies from outside the area, the introduced population once detected, has not become established. In this paper, we apply methodology suggested mainly by Carey (1991, 1995) to introductions of Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly), Ceratitis capitata Weid., and Queensland fruit fly (QFF) Bactrocera tryoni Froggatt (Diptera: Tephritidae) to South Australia, a state in which these species do not occur naturally and in which introductions, once detected, are actively treated. By analysing historical data associated with fruit fly outbreaks in South Australia, we demonstrate that: (i) fruit flies occur seasonally, as would occur in established populations, except there is no evidence of the critical spring generation of either species; (ii) there is no evidence of increasing frequency of outbreaks, trapped flies or larval occurrences over 29 years; (iii) there is no evidence of decreasing time between catches of adult flies as the years progress; (iv) there is no decrease in the mean number of years between outbreaks in the same locations; (v) there is no statistically significant recurrence of outbreaks in the same locations in successive years; (vi) there is no evidence of spread of outbreaks outwards from a central location; (vii) the likelihood of outbreaks in a city or town is related to the size of the human population; (viii) introduction pathways by road from Western Australia (for Medfly) and eastern Australia (for QFF) are shown to exist and to illegally or accidentally carry considerable amounts of fruit into South Australia; and (ix) there was no association between the numbers of either Queensland fruit fly or Medfly and the spatial pattern of either loquat or cumquat trees as sources of larval food in spring. This analysis supports the hypothesis that most fruit fly outbreaks in South Australia have been the result of separate introductions of infested fruit by vehicular traffic and that most of the resultant fly outbreaks were detected and died out within a few weeks of the application of eradication procedures. An alternative hypothesis, that populations of fruit flies are established in South Australia at below detectable levels, is impossible to disprove with conventional technology, but the likelihood of it being true is minimised by our analysis. Both hypotheses could be tested soon with newly developed genetic techniques.

Drug use patterns and mental health of regular amphetamine users during a reported 'heroin drought'

Aims The present study extends the findings of a pilot study conducted among regular amphetamine users in Newcastle, NSW, in 1998. It compares key features between current participants in a state capital city (Brisbane) and a regional city (Newcastle) and between the 1998 and current Newcastle sample. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting Brisbane and Newcastle, Australia. Participants The survey was conducted among 214 regular amphetamine users within the context of a randomized controlled trial of brief interventions for amphetamine use. Measurements Demographic characteristics, past and present alcohol and other drug use and mental health, treatment, amphetamine-related harms and severity of dependence. Findings The main findings were as follows: (i) the rate of mental health problems was high among regular amphetamine users and these problems commonly emerged after commencement of regular amphetamine use; (ii) there were regional differences in drug use with greater accessibility to a wider range of drugs in a state capital city and greater levels of injecting risk-taking behaviour outside the capital city environment; and (iii) there was a significant increase in level of amphetamine use and percentage of alcohol users, a trend for a higher level of amphetamine dependence and a significant reduction in the percentage of people using heroin and benzodiazepines among the 2002 Newcastle cohort compared to the 1998 cohort. Conclusions Further longitudinal research is needed to elucidate transitions from one drug type to another and from recreational to injecting and regular use and the relationship between drug use and mental health in prospective studies among users. Implications Intervention research should evaluate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at: preventing transition to injecting and regular use of amphetamines; toward reducing levels of depression among amphetamine users and interventions among people with severe psychopathology and personality disorders; and toward reducing the prevalence of tobacco dependence among amphetamine users.

Tourists and beach safety in Queensland, Australia

Surf Life Saving Queensland (SLSQ) is a leading authority on beach safety, providing patrol, education, and rescue services to both tourists and local residents along the coast of Queensland, Australia. SLSQ recognizes that tourists are a target group requiring special attention due to their unfamiliarity with ocean beaches and surfing activities, and in some cases having the additional challenge of poor swimming skills, language barriers, and disorientation in a foreign vacation environment. This article describes SLSQ initiatives to provide beach safety for tourists through a focus on service delivery and partnerships with the tourism industry and relevant government agencies. The positive involvement of SLSQ in tourism is a model for other coastal destinations, given that drowning is the second most frequent cause of injury death among international travelers.

Evaluation of NHMRC funded research completed in 1992, 1997 and 2003: gains in knowledge, health and wealth

Objective: To report on strategies for, and outcomes of, evaluation of knowledge (publications), health and wealth (commercial) gains from medical research funded by the Australian Government through the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). Design and methods: End-of-grant reports submitted by researchers within 6 months of completion of NHMRC funded project grants which terminated in 2003 were used to capture self-reported publication number, health and wealth gains. Self-reported gains were also examined in retrospective surveys of grants completed in 1992 and 1997 and awards primarily supporting people (“people awards”) held between 1992 and 2002. Results: The response rate for the 1992 sample was too low for meaningful analysis. The mean number of publications per grant in the basic biomedical, clinical and health services research areas was very similar in 1997 and 2003. The publication output for population health was somewhat higher in the 2003 than in the 1997 analysis. For grants completed in 1997, 24% (31/131) affected clinical practice; 14% (18/131) public health practice; 9% (12/131) health policy; and 41% (54/131) had commercial potential with 20% (26/131) resulting in patents. Most respondents (89%) agreed that NHMRC people awards improved their career prospects. Interpretation is limited by the relatively low response rates (50% or less). Conclusions: A mechanism has been developed for ongoing assessment of NHMRC funded research. This process will improve accountability to the community and to government, and refine current funding mechanisms to most efficiently deliver health and economic returns for Australia.

The effect of enacted capabilities on adoption of a government electronic procurement system by Malaysian SMEs

Prior studies have shown that innovative information systems (IS) adoption behaviour by small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is greatly dependent on organizational and environmental characteristics. Government influence (i.e., federal and local government agencies) was found to play an important role in the promotion or enforcement of innovative IS adoption by SMEs, and it is vital for ensuring adoption of nationwide innovative IS, particularly in developing economies. This study introduces the construct of enacted capabilities and examines the enacted capabilities that motivate SMEs to use innovative IS (i.e., a government's electronic procurement systems) to its full potential. A model of how enacted capabilities affect IS adoption behaviour through perceived net benefits and attitude is developed. A survey (and follow-up interviews) of CEOs/owners from Malaysian SMEs was conducted. Results indicate the enacted capabilities possessed by SMEs play a prominent role in determining the adoption of government electronic procurement systems by these enterprises.

Employment services in an age of e-government

The increasing use of information and communications technologies among government departments and non-government agencies has fundamentally changed the implementation of employment services policy in Australia. The administrative arrangements for governing unemployment and unemployed people are now constituted by a complex contractual interplay between government departments as ‘purchasers’ and a range of small and large private organizations as ‘providers’. Assessing, tracking and monitoring the activities of unemployed people through the various parts of the employment services system has been made possible by developments in information technology and tailored computer programs. Consequently, the discretionary capacity that is traditionally associated with ‘street-level bureaucracy’ has been partly transformed into more prescriptive forms of ‘screen-level bureaucracy’. The knowledge embedded in these new computer-based technologies is considered superior because it is based on ‘objective calculations’, rather than subjective assessments of individual employees. The relationship between the sociopolitical context of unemployment policy and emerging forms of e-government is explored using illustrative findings from a qualitative pilot study undertaken in two Australian sites. The findings suggest that some of the new technologies in the employment services system are welcomed, while other applications are experienced as contradictory to the aims of delivering a personalized and respectful service.

Government relations, government regulations: Jumping through the hoops

Over the last decade, telehealth in Australia has been primarily facilitated and driven by government funding. The government now has a major policy initiative in online health. However, in pursuing the broad initiative there is a danger that some of the smaller components can get lost, and this is probably what has happened to telehealth. There appear to be a number of steps required if telehealth in Australia is to keep up the pace of development that occurred in the 1990s, as we move into what is now being called the era of e-health, involving broadband Internet health service delivery. This area is changing extremely rapidly and is increasingly migrating away from the public sector in Australia, where most of the developmental work has occurred, and into the private sector. Many of the issues that require consideration within the domain of e-health in Australia are also relevant to other countries. E-health will significantly change the way that health-care is practised in future, and it is clear that it is the human factors that are more difficult to overcome, rather than the technological ones.

ALIANÇA ESTRATÉGICA INTERSETORIAL: UM ESTUDO DE CASO DO FÓRUM PERMAMENTE DE DESENVOLVIMENTO REGIONAL DE PARANAVAÍ-PR

As alianças estratégicas intersetoriais, o desenvolvimento regional e descentralização do Estado são foco de estudo nessa dissertação. A descentralização do Estado através da participação da sociedade em decisões regionalizadas tem mudado a forma de gestão e formado identidades únicas a cada grupo regional. O objetivo principal do estudo foi o de conhecer as alianças estratégicas formadas entre os setores da economia de Paranavaí/PR e região noroeste do Paraná, formada por 28 municípios, com a participação de representantes de cada cidade e setor participam das reuniões e decisões tomadas pelo Fórum de Desenvolvimento. Pretende-se, ainda, identificar os motivadores da formação do Fórum de Desenvolvimento e relatar sua importância nas empresas, sociedade e Estado. Através de um roteiro de entrevista semiestruturada foi possível identificar a efetividade das alianças estratégicas e os problemas que devem ser corrigidos. Por meio de uma análise documental é possível comprovar as ações e resultados atingidos pelo Fórum de Desenvolvimento. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa exploratória e descritiva O trabalho busca contribuir para a gestão do desenvolvimento regional e o crescimento dos setores na localidade, além de ampliação do diálogo sobre o tema.

A PRÁTICA SOCIAL DAS IGREJAS BATISTAS DE CAMPO GRANDE - MS. UMA ANÁLISE HISTÓRICA CONCEITUAL A PARTIR DA PRÁXIS TRANSFORMADORA

A pesquisa tem por finalidade estudar a prática social das Igrejas Batistas de Campo Grande MS, à luz da relação histórica dos batistas com a ação social e a partir dos conceitos da práxis transformadora. Objetiva-se estudar as ações sociais das igrejas batistas na cidade de Campo Grande, em análise e perspectiva da teologia prática, e perceber os critérios e ideologias que estão por trás destas ações. Para este fim, uma pesquisa bibliográfica sobre a história dos batistas desde sua origem, e a história dos batistas no Mato Grosso do Sul foi realizada, esperando assim ver raízes da prática social batista e suas ideologias teológicas. O início da pesquisa remete-se à origem dos batistas nos primórdios do protestantismo e suas (possíveis) relações com práticas sociais de transformação de realidades, suas ideologias e princípios teológicos. Em um segundo momento, buscou-se a história dos batistas em Mato Grosso do Sul e na cidade de Campo Grande. Por fim, procurou-se teorizar, à luz da teologia prática, uma ação social que fosse transformadora e libertadora mesmo em situações complexas como é a realidade urbana, apontando possíveis caminhos por meio de uma pastoral cidadã. As considerações finais a que chega esta pesquisa é que as igrejas não têm se envolvido com a realidade social das cidades, e quando o faz, realiza de maneira simplista, sem o devido cuidado e preparação, sem um engajamento na transformação de realidades com ações coesas. A partir do instituto conseguiu-se perceber a possibilidade de existência de uma prática social relevante, com apoios governamentais e privados, porém, não se percebe uma interação e um envolvimento por parte da igreja. Espera-se então um despertamento das igrejas com relação a sua missão e possibilidades de realização de ações no campo social.

20 ANOS DE INCLUSÃO: O MUNICÍPIO DE DIADEMA

O município de Diadema é conhecido no panorama público pela criação e implementação de programas inovadores em várias áreas das políticas públicas. Na educacional, a educação inclusiva foi inicialmente implementada nos anos 1990, muito antes da leis federais que atualmente vêm sendo amplamente discutidas. Como resultado, em 2000 o município recebeu o prêmio da Fundação Getúlio Vargas, que objetivava incentivar inovações na administração e prestação de serviços públicos municipais e estaduais: Programa de Inclusão Caminhos para a Inclusão Social: múltiplas leituras no olhar da diferença . Dessa forma, com o reconhecimento desse trabalho, em 2002 a educação especial foi contemplada com o financiamento do BNDES (Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social) para reformar, ampliar e adequar todas as instalações do CAIS (Centro de Atenção à Inclusão Social), com vistas a melhoria do atendimento a crianças, jovens e adultos com necessidades educacionais especiais. O recurso também previa adequação arquitetônica nas escolas municipais objetivando mais acessibilidade. Trata-se, portanto, de um município que dispõe de uma experiência valorosa na implementação de políticas públicas de inclusão social e educacional, além dos serviços de suporte pedagógico para essa inclusão. Em face desses pressupostos esta pesquisa parte da análise das bases conceituais e das influências do pensamento pedagógico de Paulo Freire que permearam o desenvolvimento da educação nesse município e tem como objetivos compreender os procedimentos desenvolvidos em Diadema para a efetivação do trabalho pedagógico e conhecer, a relação do que foi desenvolvido com o que hoje estabelecem as normativas federais. Assim, são questões norteadoras para este trabalho: o que foi considerado como inclusão educacional naquele momento em Diadema? Qual a formação teórica dos agentes envolvidos nesse trabalho pedagógico? Quais são os aspectos inovadores das normas desenvolvidas no município? Como comparar o trabalho desenvolvido e as normativas federais atuais? Para responder a esses questionamentos este estudo, de cunho qualitativo, teve como referencial teórico, além da legislação nacional e municipal, as concepções de Mendes (2010) e Mainardes (2006; 2009), entre outros autores. A pesquisa de campo, realizada por meio de entrevistas a gestores e professores, possibilitou evidenciar que o panorama democrático contribuiu de forma muito antecipada para a implementação de um modelo de inclusão educacional, ousado e produtor de procedimentos pedagógicos, metodológicos de grande atualidade.