Religion and Film: Capturing the Imagination

Most of my students watch more movies than they read books. Some students choose not to register for Tuesday evening courses because Tuesday is cheap movie night. Movies have captured the imagination, even if M. Darrol Bryant overstates the matter, suggesting that the act of going to the movies is a participation in a central ritual of this culture\u27s spiritual life. (106) Movies sometimes seem even to do our imagining for us, either fueling or disabling our vigorously imaginative, critical and constructive engagement with religious and theological issues. In my course, Religion, Film and Popular Culture , I try to offer a context in which students can think critically about the familiar, can learn to see in fresh and challenging ways, and can begin to explore religious concerns through the lens of their movie-going experiences

NATIVE PLANT PERFORMANCE ON A RIPARIAN BUFFER RESTORATION AND FEASIBILITY OF A CONSTRUCTED WETLAND AT AN URBAN PARKING LOT

Most cities are dominated by asphalt and concrete, which blocks the natural movement of rain water. Wetlands, riparian buffers, and roadsides are being lost or degraded in urban areas due to human development. Cities can be designed to benefit humans and nature by using techniques from green infrastructure and restoration ecology to improve urban sustainability. Parking lot M on McMaster University's west campus, constructed in 1968 on a former floodplain, directs the highly saline parking lot runoff into the adjacent Ancaster Creek. Natural groundwater sources along the surrounding hillslopes are directed into pipes under the parking lot and into the creek. A one-hectare riparian buffer restoration at lot M was used to assess the viability of depaving asphalt and establishing native plants through a vegetation study. Total native plant biomass was found to be similar to non-native plant biomass and was affected by road-salt salinity from the parking lot. Species richness per quadrat was higher for non-native plants, and greater for both non-native and native plants where less salt was present. Key hydrological fluxes were examined at the parking lot that could contribute to a proposed 0.6 hectare constructed wetland on the parking lot, known as “McMarsh.” Potential wetland water storage is in surplus year round, with an average storage of 265 mm/month. Successful restorations require maintenance following the establishment of native species. Management and maintenance of the restoration can help decrease non-native species. Engaging with the community through outreach and education on restoration projects is important for a successful restoration and increasing urban sustainability in cities.ThesisMaster of Science (MSc)Most cities are dominated by asphalt and concrete, which blocks the natural movement of rain water. Wetlands, riparian buffers, and roadsides are being lost or degraded in urban areas due to human development. Cities can be designed to benefit humans and nature by using techniques from green infrastructure and restoration ecology to improve urban sustainability. Parking lot M on McMaster University's west campus, constructed in 1968 on a former floodplain, directs the highly saline parking lot runoff into the adjacent Ancaster Creek. Natural groundwater sources along the surrounding hillslopes are directed into pipes under the parking lot and into the creek. A one-hectare riparian buffer restoration at lot M was used to assess the viability of depaving asphalt and establishing native plants through a vegetation study. Total native plant biomass was found to be similar to non-native plant biomass and was affected by road-salt salinity from the parking lot. Species richness per quadrat was higher for non-native plants, and greater for both non-native and native plants where less salt was present. Key hydrological fluxes were examined at the parking lot that could contribute to a proposed 0.6 hectare constructed wetland on the parking lot, known as “McMarsh.” Potential wetland water storage is in surplus year round, with an average storage of 265 mm/month. Successful restorations require maintenance following the establishment of native species. Management and maintenance of the restoration can help decrease non-native species. Engaging with the community through outreach and education on restoration projects is important for a successful restoration and increasing urban sustainability in cities

Insegurança alimentar em famílias residentes na área rural do município de Rio Grande, RS, 2017

Objetivo: Rastrear a prevalência de Insegurança Alimentar e estudar os fatores associados em domicílios com crianças, mulheres e idosos na área rural do município de Rio Grande, RS. População alvo: Domicílios rurais com crianças até cinco anos de idade, mulheres em idade fértil e idosos. Delineamento: Estudo transversal. Desfecho: Insegurança Alimentar, medida pela resposta afirmativa de, ao menos, uma questão de uma versão reduzida da escala brasileira de insegurança alimentar (EBIA). Processo amostral: A amostragem foi de forma sistemática nos domicílios permanentemente habitados da área rural de Rio Grande. Todos os domicílios foram visitados e 4 a cada 5 foram entrevistados através de um pulo pré-definido. O tamanho amostral foi atingido por uma prevalência estimada de Insegurança Alimentar nessa população de 35%, nível de confiança de 95%, e erro de três pontos percentuais para mais ou para menos. A esse valor foi acrescentado 10% para possíveis perdas e recusas, resultando 1.067 domicílios que seriam necessários para encontrar a prevalência de IA. Resultados: O estudo identificou prevalência de Insegurança Alimentar de 26% nos domicílios da área rural. Sendo, os mais atingidos, aqueles domicílios em que o chefe da família tinha uma idade inferior a 70 anos, com maior número de moradores, escolaridade inferior a quatro anos, sem criação de animais para venda ou consumo familiar, pertencentes ao menor quartil de renda e que recebiam benefícios do Programa Bolsa Família. Conclusão: Além do avanço das políticas públicas nos últimos anos é preciso uma reformulação das principais políticas de combate à fome a à pobreza, levando em conta o atual cenário brasileiro. Também é necessário que haja esforços entre as famílias e comunidades, para a prática de produção agrícola, como hortas e criação de animais para consumo familiar, troca entre famílias e feiras comunitárias nas principais localidades rurais. Os serviços de saúde pública dessas regiões podem contribuir com a educação nutricional dessas famílias, promovendo a alimentação saudável e a Segurança Alimentar e Nutricional.Aim: To identify the prevalence of Food Insecurity and to study the associated factors in households with children, women and the elderly in the rural area of the city of Rio Grande, RS. Target population: Rural househols with children up to five years age, women of childbearing age and the elderly. Design: Cross-sectional study. Outcome: Food insecurity, measured by the affirmative response of at least one issue of a reduced version of the Brazilian food insecurity scale (EBIA). Sampling: The sample size was reached by an estimated prevalence of Food Insecurity in this population of 35%, 95% confidence level, and error of three percentage points for more or less. To this value was added 10% for possible losses and refusals, resulting in 1,067 households that would be necessary to find the prevalence of FI. Results: The study identified a prevalence of food insecurity of 26% in rural households. Being the most affected, those households where the head of the family was less than 70 years old, with a greater number of residents, schooling less than four years, without raising animals for sale or family consumption, belonging to the lowest income quartile and who received benefits from the Bolsa Família Program. Conclusion: In addition to the advance of public policies in recent years, it is necessary to reformulate the main policies to combat hunger and poverty, taking into account the current Brazilian scenario. Efforts must also be made between families and communities to practice agricultural production, such as vegetable gardens and raising animals for family consumption, exchange between families and community fairs in the main rural areas. The public health services of these regions can contribute to the nutritional education of these families by promoting healthy eating and Food and Nutrition Security

Biomechanical and Energetic Trends in Response to 8 Weeks of Training in Advanced Footwear Technology

"Super shoes," also known as advanced footwear technology (AFT), have gained notoriety due to a combination of technologies that improve running economy (RE), or efficiency, by 2.5-4% (Hoogkamer et al., 2018; Hunter et al., 2019; Joubert & Jones, 2022). These acute effects have been partially explained by changes in ankle and metatarsophalangeal joint mechanics (Farina et al., 2019; Hoogkamer et al., 2019; Ortega et al., 2021). It also seems that runners experience decreased muscular soreness when using AFT in workouts (Castellanos-Salamanca et al., 2023). With the prevalence of AFT being used for workouts as well as races, this research investigates the potential long-term benefits or drawbacks of using these shoes regularly in workouts by comparing the effects of training in super shoes to training in traditional racing flats on overall running efficiency, shoe specific efficiency, and biomechanics. A pilot study was conducted to investigate the long-term effects of using Nike Vaporflys (VP) in workouts by comparing 8 weeks of training in VP vs Nike Waffle flats (FL). Collegiate cross country runners (n=8) completed pre- (PRE) and post-intervention (POST) lab testing in both VP and FL. They then were assigned either VP or FL for an 8-week intervention. A weekly questionnaire detailed mileage, shoes worn for workouts/races, perceived effort, and muscular soreness. The results from the pilot study suggested a potential footwear specificity of training principle, where runners become relatively more efficient in the shoe they train in. Additionally, FL trained runners improved their overall RE (non-shoe specific) to a greater extent than VP trained runners, though this result should be interpreted with caution due to small sample and uneven group sizes. Using similar methodology, a second phase intervention study was conducted with competitive cross country runners (n=13). In this study phase, associations between primary RE outcomes and exploratory biomechanics measures were tested in correlational analyses. Additionally, ANCOVA models were used to identify significant predictors of shoe specific and overall RE changes. In the second phase study, VP trained runners increased relative efficiency in VP, and FL trained runners improved relative efficiency in FL. FL trained runners still improved overall RE to a greater degree than VP trained runners, though by a smaller margin compared to the pilot study. Correlations and linear regression models revealed that possible mechanisms behind this "learned" response to training in VP may include changes in ankle joint velocities and increased MTP joint dorsiflexion velocity when running in VP. VP trained runners generally experienced less soreness and exertion during workouts, potentially allowing for increases in training load when using AFT during hard running workouts. These results supported the findings of our pilot study that suggest a specificity of training effect where participants improved RE more from PRE to POST when running in the shoe type they trained in. While training in FL may afford potentially greater overall ME improvements from workouts, injury risk should be considered. Future longitudinal research should be conducted to identify mechanisms through which runners "learn" how to use AFT more effectively, which may provide insight for researchers and footwear companies to further optimize AFT

Efeito de um programa de exercícios domiciliares no medo de cair, equilíbrio e mobilidade de idosos: um ensaio clínico randomizado

Tese (Doutorado)O avanço da idade impõe desafios significativos à morbimortalidade, impactando diretamente os serviços de saúde, que enfrentam uma alta demanda de atendimento. Além das doenças comuns associadas ao envelhecimento, as limitações de mobilidade que resultam em quedas representam um desafio substancial. Dentro dessas limitações a redução da mobilidade, do equilíbrio e o medo de cair são fatores diretamente relacionados tanto à ocorrência quanto às consequências das quedas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito de um programa de exercícios domiciliares, baseado no protocolo de Otago, no medo de cair, equilíbrio e mobilidade em idosos no contexto da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS). No primeiro artigo foi apresentada a metodologia do Ensaio Clínico Randomizado de dois braços, com um período de intervenção de 12 semanas, em idosos com 70 anos ou mais, residentes em áreas cobertas por equipes de Estratégia Saúde da Família em um município de médio porte. Em que os participantes eram capazes de ler e entender instruções, além de possuir liberação médica para realizar exercícios físicos. Ainda, os participantes foram randomizados aleatoriamente para dois grupos: Grupo Controle (GC) e Programa de Exercícios de Otago (PEO). Os do grupo PEO foram acompanhados com visitas mensais de um fisioterapeuta, que forneceu orientações sobre exercícios domiciliares, além de ligações telefônicas da equipe de pesquisa. Ao final de 12 semanas, os parâmetros de medo de cair, equilíbrio e mobilidade foram medidos em ambos os grupos. Os resultados, apresentados no segundo artigo, demonstraram uma redução significativa no medo de cair (FES-I-Brasil) no grupo PEO ITT e PEO PP, com diferenças médias de 2,1 e 2,3 pontos, respectivamente (p<0,000). No GC, houve uma piora no Timed Up and Go (TUG), com um aumento de 1 segundo (p=0,028) após a intervenção. Na Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg (EEB), ambos os grupos PEO ITT e PP apresentaram um aumento médio de pelo menos 1 ponto após avaliação final. A análise estratificada por sexo mostrou que as mulheres obtiveram melhores resultados tanto no medo de cair (FES-I-Brasil) quanto no equilíbrio (EEB), enquanto na mobilidade (TUG), as mulheres do GC apresentaram o pior desempenho. Concluindo, o programa de exercícios domiciliares baseado no protocolo de Otago mostrou-se factível e de baixo custo para a APS, apresentando efeito na redução do medo de cair e melhoria no equilíbrio, especialmente em mulheres idosas. Essa abordagem pode ser implementada pelas equipes da APS, viáveis ao modelo das equipes Multiprofissionais da APS (e- 9 MULTI). Contudo, recomenda-se a realização de estudos adicionais com períodos de intervenção mais longos para avaliar a mobilidade e aumentar a adesão masculina ao programa.The progression of age poses significant challenges to morbimortality, directly impacting healthcare services that face a high demand for care. Beyond common age-related illnesses, mobility limitations leading to falls represent a substantial challenge. Within these mobility limitations, reduced mobility, impaired balance, and the fear of falling are factors directly linked to both the occurrence and consequences of falls. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a home-based exercise program, based on the Otago protocol, on the fear of falling, balance, and mobility in the aged within the context of Primary Health Care (APS). The first article outlined the methodology of a two-armed Randomized Clinical Trial with a 12-week intervention period, in older people aged 70 or over, living in areas covered by Primare Care Family Centers in a medium-sized municipality. Participants were required to be capable of reading and understanding instructions, as well as having medical clearance for physical exercise. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: Control Group (CG) and Otago Exercise Program (OEP). Those in the OEP group received monthly visits from a physiotherapist, providing guidance on home exercises, along with phone calls from the research team. At the end of 12 weeks, fear of falling, balance, and mobility parameters were measured in both groups. The results, presented in the second article, demonstrated a significant reduction in the fear of falling (FES-I-Brazil) in the OEP Intention-to-Treat (ITT) and Per-Protocol (PP) groups, with mean differences of 2.1 and 2.3 points, respectively (p<0.000). The CG experienced a deterioration in the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, with an increase of 1 second (p=0.028) after the intervention. In the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), both OEP ITT and PP groups showed an average increase of at least 1 point. Sex-stratified analysis revealed that women achieved better results in both fear of falling (FES-I-Brazil) and balance (BBS), while in mobility (TUG), women in the CG exhibited the poorest performance. In conclusion, the home-based exercise program based on the Otago protocol proved to be feasible and cost-effective for APS, showing efficacy in reducing the fear of falling and improving balance, particularly in aged women. This approach can be implemented by multidisciplinary APS, viable using the e-MULTI model. However, additional studies with longer intervention periods are recommended to assess mobility and enhance male adherence to the program

Improved Combustion Liner Seal​

The project\u27s objective was to develop a mechanical seal to seal the gap between the combustion liner and the stage one nozzle of a Solar Turbines turbine. A metal axial E-seal was selected as the sealing mechanism. Hand calculations and finite element analysis were conducted to confirm the designs compatibility with existing turbine components and the operational environment. A small-scale test rig was built to confirm the remaining design specifications. Results from this test rig indicated the design met all specifications except leak rate. Causes for this low performance were identified as manufacturing issues and some were addressed, resulting in increased performance. Others outside the scope of this project were noted and discussed

Assessment of prenatal exposure to persistent organohalogen compounds from cord blood serum analysis in two Mediterranean populations (Valencia and Menorca)

11 páginas, 4 figuras, 6 tablas.Prenatal levels of organohalogen compounds (OHCs), including polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), hexachlorocyclohexanes and DDTs have been investigated in two different cohorts from the Spanish Mediterranean area, Valencia and Menorca, by analysis of cord blood serum. Comparison of the observed median concentrations to other cohorts show low PBDE levels (2.8-6.8 ng/g lipid) but high values of HCB (0.68 ng/ml, 260 ng/g lipid) and PCBs (0.65 ng/ml, 240 ng/g lipid) in the cohort of Menorca indicating that Mediterranean areas, and not only high latitude regions, may contain population groups highly exposed to some of these pollutants. Significant differences in the concentrations of these compounds have been found between the two cohorts. Differences in maternal population such as age or body mass index cannot explain this variation. One possible cause of variability is the seven year time period elapsed between the two cohort recruitments but the strong differences observed do not allow exclusion of local diet differences. Thus, the different average PCB congener distributions between the two cohorts suggests an influence from materials containing diverse PCB mixtures. The congener mixtures found in Menorca could reflect a diet contribution from some western Mediterranean fish species. These results provide baseline information on prenatal OHC background levels in the Mediterranean area.The authors are grateful to the mothers who participated in the study and to Hospital La Fe. Funding was received from the Spanish Ministry of Health and Ministry of Science and Innovation (INMA G03/176, Consolider Ingenio GRACCIE, CSD2007-00067, FIS-FEDER: 03/1615, 04/1112, 04/1509, 04/1666, 05/1987, 06/1213 and 09/2647), Council of Health from the Autonomous Valencian Government (Generalitat Valenciana), Fundacio Roger Torne and ArcRisk EU Project (FP7-ENV-2008-1-226534).Peer reviewe