Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Pacific children'

In this four-week, family-focused pilot intervention study, researchers studied the impact of culturally relevant nutrition and activity sessions on eleven children from eight Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) families. Mixed methods were used in analysis. In their favorite meal drawings, children included more fruits and vegetables at week four than week one, which was consistent with their self-reported intake of healthy foods that were new to them. From week one to four, mean total scores increased on the nutrition and exercise knowledge exercise questionnaire and the physical activity self-efficacy tool; however, the mean total score decreased on healthy diet self-efficacy tool, and two children moved to less healthy BMI categories. This is the first study on the impact of a family intervention on nutrition and healthy activity for NHPI children. Further studies are needed with larger samples and longer duration to determine the most helpful intervention for NHPI families.

If the psychiatrist's belief that childhood determines adult behaviour is true, then historians should be able to ascertain much about the fabric of past cultures by examining the way in which children were raised. Indeed, it may be argued that the roots of new cultures are to be found in the growing up experiences of the first generation. Such is the premise adopted in this thesis, which explores the emergence of the Metis in the Pacific Northwest by tracing the lives of fur trade youngsters from childbirth to old age. Specifically, the study focuses on the children at Fort Vancouver, the Hudson's Bay Company headguarters for the region, during the first half of the nineteenth century — a period of rapid social change. While breaking new ground in childhood history, the thesis also provides a social history of fur trade society west of the Rocky Mountains. Central to the study is the conviction that the fur trade constituted a viable culture. While the parents in this culture came from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds, their mixed-blood youngsters were raised in the 'wilderness' of Oregon in a fusion of fur trade capitalism, Euro-American ideology and native values — a milieu which forged and shaped their identities. This thesis advances the interpretation that, despite much variation in the children's growing up experience, most fur trade youngsters' lives were conditioned and contoured by the persistent and sometimes contrary forces of race, class and gender. In large measure, the interplay of these forces denoted much about the children's roles as adults. Rather than making them victims of 'higher civilization,' however, the education of fur trade children allowed them access to both native and white communities. Only a few were 'marginalized'. The majority eventually became members of the dominant culture, while a few consciously rejected the white experience in favour of native lifestyles.
Arts, Faculty of
Philosophy, Department of
Graduate

Current government policy aims to redress the persistent under-participation of Pasifika children in early childhood education by improving the standard and availability of services delivered through Pasifika early childhood initiatives. This research explores the rationale that underpinned the choices of sixteen New Zealand-born Samoan parents in Christchurch by using the qualitative method of in-depth interviews, structured around a questionnaire. Three primary themes emerged from the primary data: Pasifika early childcare provisions; identity issues; and the effect of generational changes in parenting styles. As first and second generation New Zealand-born Samoans, participants' preference vis-ā-vis the types of early childhood initiatives they accessed, reflected trans-generation differences between the original migrants and their offspring. Moreover, some participants and many of their children are of multi-ethnic heritage, exemplifying the changing face of Pasifika people in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Participants were divided into three groups. Findings indicate that Group A parents, who had the highest levels of social, cultural and economic capital, made informed decisions to access Pasifika Education and Childcare Centres in order to ensure their children were acculturated in Samoan language and culture. While there were multiple reasons why Group B parents withdrew their children from Pasifika services they were generally ambivalent about the effectiveness of Pasifika provisions in meeting the needs of their children. Group C parents did not access Pasifika preschool education; barriers to participation included their personal perceptions of alienation from the traditional Samoan community. Findings suggest that government policy formulation processes exclude the voices of stakeholders who demographers predict will comprise an increasingly large percentage of the population of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Pasifika parity in accessing early childhood education is contingent upon service provision that is conducive to meeting the needs of all Pasifika parents, including those who are marginalized by mainstream society and Pasifika communities.

Intimacy and family have been pillars of the North American fur trade since its conception. This is especially true for fur trading companies centered in Canada, specifically the Hudson’s Bay Company and the Northwest Company. Kinship ties formed through intimate relations between European fur traders and indigenous women allowed the fur trade to flourish and created an environment for stable, mixed heritage family units to emerge. As mixed heritage children grew into adulthood, they learned to identify with both sides of their parental cultures. However, the connections they formed with each other proved the most valuable and a separate, distinct culture emerged. In Canada this group of people are known as the Métis, a French word meaning mixed. The fur trade continued its move west and eventually reached the Pacific Ocean. This region known as the Pacific Northwest was the farthest removed from fur trade headquarters in Montreal and was home to many different Indigenous Nations. These nations, in combination with fur traders many of whom where Métis, also created families and a new culture once again came into being. It shared aspects of Métis, European, and indigenous cultures, but was something distinctly new. Through the examination of education, kinship ties, language and borders, this groups understanding of self and community came into focus.

The underrepresentation of gifted Black and Biracial students is a pervasive problem in and of itself, and indicates a much larger struggle of disproportionality of Black and Biracial students who are not called upon or supported in efforts to meet their academic potential. Therefore, an evaluation of the inequity generated by gifted education is warranted. It is true that the majority of gifted programs are often predominantly White. Accordingly, Black and Biracial students who qualify for gifted programs may face unique challenges in their development of racial identity and their socio-emotional health. Using ethnographic techniques, this case study explored the ways that Discovery School, a predominantly White gifted school (PWGS), addresses race. It asked how Black and Biracial students at Discovery School understood themselves as racial beings. The fundamental research questions that guided this study were: (1) how is race addressed at a PWGS, and (2) how does a student of color feel Otherness at a PWGS? The case study was designed, and findings were analyzed, through the theoretical lens of critical race theory. Data was collected through several means, including interviews, surveys, direct observation, and email prompts. Interviews were conducted with four gifted students of color, three teachers, and three parents. Surveys were sent home for student participants and their parents to fill out together. Teachers and administrators were asked to complete two email interview questions. Throughout the data collection, I frequently observed students learning and playing at the school and recorded field notes. Findings indicate that: 1. Talented and gifted students thrive in programs that are uniquely tailored to meet their advanced academic and cognitive needs. 2. Policies and inadequate communication act as barriers for gifted Black and Biracial students. 3. Within a positive educational community, racial microaggressions- including the silencing of racial dialogue and individual bullying- exist. The results of this study suggest that Discovery School operates in ways that benefit the participants of the study. Overall, the student participants (and most parent participants) were satisfied with their experiences at Discovery School. Additionally, results indicate that Discovery School could strengthen their program with a commitment to diversifying the student population and implementing culturally responsive pedagogy and antiracist practices that change the consciousness of education professionals and offer support systems for gifted Black and Biracial students, and develop curriculum that is more reflective of students of color.

La leptospirose, spirochetose tropicale négligée, est considérée comme la zoonose la plus répandue dans le monde. Selon l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé, les formes sévères représentent 5 à 15% des infections humaines et le taux de létalité peut varier entre 5% et 30%. En Océanie et particulièrement en Nouvelle-Calédonie et à Futuna, la leptospirose est une préocupation majeure de santé publique: son incidence annuelle moyenne est de 45 pour 100 000 habitants et peut atteindre 150 pour 100 000 habitants pendant les saisons pluvieuses. Malgré les progrès considérables accomplis pour comprendre la physiopathologie de la maladie, plusieurs aspects de la leptospirose encore négligés méritent d’être exploré: les infections symptomatiques pédiatriques, la réaction de Jarisch-Herxheimer (JH) pourtant bien étudiée dans les autres spirochetoses, et les reinfections nécessitant une hospitalisation. Questions posées et objectifs: La pratique clinique suggère que les enfants hospitalisés pour leptosirose sont moins sévèrement atteints que les adultes. Les raisons susceptibles d’expiquer cette différence de présentation sont peu claires. L’obejctif de l’étude 1 était de décrire l’épidemiologie et le profil clinico-biologique des formes pédiatriques de leptospirose nécessitant une hospitalisation en Nouvelle Calédonie et d’identifier des différences en fonction des classes d’âge. La réalité de la réaction de Jarisch-Herxheimer – bien connue dans les autres spirochetoses – reste un sujet controversé dans la leptospirose. Afin d’effectuer une mise au point sur le sujet, une revue systématique de la littérature préalable à été réalisée (Etude 2) avant de préciser la prévalence, la sévérité, et les facteurs de risque des réactions de Jarisch-Herxheimer au cours des épisodes de leptospirose humaine traitée par antibiotiques en Nouvelle Calédonie et à Futuna (Etude 3)
Leptospirosis is an endemo-epidemic zoonotic disease associated with potentially fatal renal, cardiovascular or pulmonary failure. Several aspects of the disease are poorly explored, including infections in children, Jarisch-Herxheimer reactions (JHR) and symptomatic re-infections. The objectives of the studies were the following: to describe disease spectrum and outcome differences in children and adolescents admitted for leptospirosis in a large at-risk population; to quantify frequency of and risk factors for JHR in leptospirosis management; and to assess incidence and characteristics of reinfection by leptospirosis in the Pacific region. Using a retrospective data collection, clinical and laboratory data were obtained on hospitalized confirmed cases in New Caledonia and in Futuna. A case-control study was designed to identify risk factors using a logistic regression model. There are four principal findings from this series of studies with direct implications for clinical practice in those settings. First, leptospirosis in New Caledonia is responsible for a limited number of admissions among children due to milder symptomatic clinical presentation. Second, although generally assumed to be a rare event, the true prevalence of JHR in leptospirosis is unknown in most part of the world. The awareness of this event is probably insufficient considering the significantly high proportion of JHR observed in Futuna. Third, recurrent episodes of symptomatic leptospirosis appear to be non-severe. Finally, specific immunity resulting from a previous episode of leptospirosis with the serovar Copenhageni did not protect against subsequent infection against the same serovar. Future research based those results may provide insights into the still challenging pathogenesis of this complex infectious disease

The purpose of the study was to find out if children ages 4- 5 who were experiencing nighttime fears could be taught coping behaviors to decrease their fears. Five children and their parents participated in the study. A treatment package consisting of teaching the children brave self- statements, relaxation exercises, and the introduction of a token economy was used. Results indicate a reduction in fear behavior at post treatment, and further decreases in fear related measures at follow- up.

The aim of this study was to assess how young children between the ages of one and four years develop rhythm skills. The project was a pilot study conducted at 11 preschools and day care centers in Stockton, California, and included 60 children. Thirty behaviors comprised the test of various aspects of rhythmic performance. The children were video-taped and the tapes were then analyzed. By examining how many children in a particular age group could perform a particular task, a sequence became apparent. This body of research can now be used as a basis for further studies with the aim of establishing a standardized assessment scale of rhythm development and other musical skills.

Intellectually normal young children learn to request absent but needed objects which they are able to name. The primary focus of my study of child language in context was to assess the motivational effect of operation or stimulus preference on Lhe rate of toy request acquisition and the formation of stimulus classes (stimulus equivalences) . Of 13 21- to 37- month-old day-care children screened for generalized request responses (novel requests) , 1 girl and 4 boys participated in the training program because they were unable to request. Two of 4 children who completed training showed some support for the effect of preference for two two-stimulus operations on request response acquisition. All 4 children emitted novel requests to generalization probes following request acquisition criterion for one most and one least preferred stimulus. Preference had no observable effect on generalization of requesting to untrained stimuli. Additionally, I assessed and compared the cognitive-linguistic and adaptive-social maturity of those 5 children who were unable and those 8 who were able to request during preliminary request screening. The trained children tended to have a greater difference between their measured receptive and expressive language skills, and also they tended to have slightly lower scores on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales: Communication, Daily Living Skills, Socialization, and Motor Skills Domains. I also tested the efficacy of a natural language paradigm using a distributed skills trial sequence with interspersed trials of known-items as an extension of Tidwell's (1986) matching-to-sample, errorless learning procedure. Four within-subject replications of successful operation, name, and request acquisition are reported across 8 operations in support of his response chain methodology. I suggest that a battery of most of the developmental measures and request screening and training procedures tested in my study might be used by behavioral interventionists to assess and remediate delayed and/or inappropriate requesting among young normally developing children in a day-care setting.

The behavioral and educational literature illustrate the effectiveness of frequency-based training, a procedure derived from Precision Teaching, in improving the reading skills of students with learning and developmental disabilities. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of frequency-based training versus accuracy training in the acquisition and retention of Dolch words (sight word vocabulary) in students with emotional/ behavioral disorders. The study accounted for practice effects by yoking the number of timings run in the frequency building condition with the accuracy-only condition by staggering the introduction of each condition. Results indicate that frequency-based training was a more effective and time-efficient approach in teaching reading skills to students with emotional/behavioral disorders.

The purpose of the present study was to test the use of visually displayed EMG biofeedback as a means for training hearing impaired adolescents to reduce anterior temporalis or frontalis muscle tension . Five male and four female hearing impaired students between the ages of 13 and 15 were chosen from the California School for the Deaf, Fremont, CA to serve as participants. Each participant was randomly assigned to either an experimental or control condition. Participants in the experimental groups were given five 15 minute EMG biofeedback training sessions. An additional group of 4 adolescents with normal hearing from Marshall Junior High School, Stockton, CA served as a hearing control group. The dependent measure was a 5 minute pretest and post-test measurement of muscle tension (in microvolts). Split-plot analyses were performed to determine if there were significant differences between a ) the .hearing impaired experimental and the hearing impaired control groups, b) the hearing impaired control and the hearing control groups, and c) the hearing impaired experimental group and the hearing control group. Results of the analyses showed that at post-test both the hearing impaired experimental group and the hearing control group showed a significant decrease in muscle tension F(1,7)=5.85 p< .05. The interaction was nonsignificant. Comparison of the two control groups showed that at post-test the two groups were not significantly different in levels of muscle tension. The comparison between the hearing impaired experimental and the hearing control groups resulted in a significant interaction (Group X Time of Testing) F( 1,6)=9.47, p=.02, and the main effect for time of testing approached significance.

Receiving vaccinations is a part of growing up in the United States; however, as necessary as vaccinations are, many children find the process to be frightening and painful. A review of literature indicates that non-pharmacological interventions, such as distraction, are generally effective in reducing pain and anxiety in children receiving injections. Music has been examined as a potential distraction during pediatric medical procedures, but research findings have been mixed, due, in part, to the way in which music was used: the children were primarily instructed to merely "listen to the music." It has been noted that individuals tend to maintain their attention on music more successfully when they are asked to listen for specific elements. The present study sought to determine if a focus of attention activity (pointing at pictures) involving music would affect levels of distress and perceptions of pain in pediatric injection patients. Sixty-four 4- to 6 1/2-year old children receiving routine immunizations were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: musical story, spoken story, or standard care control. Children in the two treatment conditions listened to a recorded story on headphones and pointed at corresponding pictures before, during, and after their injections. Observational data on distress and pain were collected, in addition to the child's self-rating of pain. Participants in the musical story condition tended to be less distressed and report less pain than participants in the spoken story and control conditions, although these differences were not statistically significant. Subsequent analysis indicated that children who received more injections tended to benefit more from the music intervention, in terms of their perceived pain. Implications of the findings are discussed, along with recommendations for future research in the area.

A single subject, diagnosed as having severe oral apraxia and dysarthria, participated in an eight-week research experiment designed to study the effects of singing on speech articulation. A simultaneous treatment design was used in which the subject participated in both the e xperimental and control conditions. In the control condition spoken words were repeated by the subject, while in the experimental condition the words were sung. The words used were the lyrics to two popular folk songs. Articulatory accuracy (intelligibility) was judged by two graduate level speech therapists, based on audiotape samples of the subject's responses, recorded on a "Language Master" machine. Judges were also asked to rate their degree of confidence about their judgements. Results indicated significantly higher scores at the .05 level for the singing condition than for the non-singing condition. Degree of confidence ratings were similar for both conditions. It was also observed that a significantly greater number of consonant blends were correctly articulated in the singing condition than in the nonsinging condition.

Food advertising aimed at children in America has been proven to directly impact food preferences, eating behavior and brand loyalty of youth (Story & French, 2004). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the content of television commercials that occurred during children's programming on the popular children's network Nickelodeon. This study examined the frequency, nutritional content and overall advertising techniques associated with food, beverage and restaurant commercials. It also assessed the degree to which children are being exposed to the promotion of unhealthy food, beverage restaurant commercials. This study examined commercials that aired on the Nickelodeon Network between Monday, August 11 through Friday, August 15, 2008 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on the Comcast Cable System in Stockton, California. The programming was recorded on a VHS tape and then later reviewed and analyzed. Each commercial was examined in the following areas: nutritional content; slogan; branded characters; premium; link to a movie and healthy message. This study demonstrated that 40.65% of the commercials airing between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on the Nickelodeon television network are for food, beverage and/or restaurants. Twenty-six percent of food, beverage and restaurant commercials met or exceeded the daily recommended levels of fat, added sugars, and sodium, and fell short of providing essential nutrients as outlined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) (United States Department of Agriculture, 2008). The results of this study indicate that a considerable amount of food commercials targeting children as consumers. Government regulation seems unlikely due to the First Amendment, rights to free speech. This study points to several suggestions for advertisers, advocates, Children's Advertising Review Unit (CARU) teachers and parents to address the issue of advertising to children. Some of the suggestions include stricter self-regulation, education and parental responsibility.

Incidence of childhood obesity has increased dramatically within the last 30 years. Childhood obesity is of concern because of the associated health problems, and because childhood obesity often tracks into adulthood. There is a clear association between activity-level and obesity. Therefore, it is important to consider physical activity patterns in the treatment and prevention of childhood obesity. Childhood is a key time period to intervene in the formation of habits and patterns associated with physical activity that may reduce obesity. To date, few studies have focused on the level of examining obese children individually. This case study focused on the physical activity patterns of 4 obese 6-10 year olds (two boys, two girls). All of the participants were above the 99th percentile for weight and had a body fat percentage exceeding 45%. Lipid profiles of the participants revealed that three of the four had high total cholesterol, indicating an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. All of the participants were close to or exceeded the waist to hip ratio value that indicates very high risk for cardiovascular and related diseases (>0.82 for boys, >0.94 for girls). Use of the Caltrac accelerometer, KIHD 24-Hour Total Physical Activity Record and System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time revealed that the obese 6-10 year old participants averaged 1.85 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per lunch recess time. When extrapolated, the data revealed that the participants spend less than 20 minutes a day in MVP A. This is less than MVP A norms of children in the same age group. The obese participants were not meeting the current recommendations for 60 minutes or more a day for MVPA. Furthermore, the activity patterns of the participants differ from those of normal weight children. Although children in general and the participant's tend to choose low level activity over MVP A, the participants spent more than 16.5 hours per day in sedentary physical activity, which is more than their normal weight counterparts (10.4 +/- 0.8).

In the United States the debate concerning transracial adoption and gay and/ or lesbian adoption has been going on since the 1970s. This research used the co-cultural theory of communication to explore how the marginalized population of gay and lesbian transracial adoptive (TRA) parents communicated with the other culturally dominant members of their society. It then analyzed the communication behaviors found to see if any differences existed in their interactions. Finally, the communication behaviors were examined to see what impact they might have on the ability of parents to be effective TRA parents. This research included eight in-depth interviews with gay and lesbian TRA parents. In these interviews, these parents were asked to explain, through their own 7 personal experiences, what it was like to be part of this cultural group. Their experiences were then analyzed using the methods described in the co-cultural communication theory. Results showed that gay and lesbian TRA parents predominantly employed the assertive accommodation and the nonassertive assimilation communication orientations in their interactions with others. Of the two, the parents overwhelmingly employed assertive accommodation. Results showed three important differences regarding how the parents employed communication orientations or enacted co-cultural practices in their interactions. Results also showed that the employment of the assertive accommodation orientation was likely to have a positive effect on the parents' ability to be effective TRA parents. The employment of the nonassertive assimilation orientation was found generally to have t mixed results. I hope that insight into the communication behaviors of this population found through this study will help clarify the most effective communication methods for these parents to learn in order to raise healthy and happy children of color.

Parent marital status is a highly influential variable within the family context, as it can serve as a protective factor in many ways. However, it can also be a risk factor for youth. Despite the large body of literature that delineates the benefits of sports participation and the negative outcomes associated with divorce, researchers have yet to examine the impact of athletic participation on youth who have experienced familial disruptions, such as divorce, separation, and remarriage. Sports participation was chosen as a moderating variable in the present study, as it is believed to serve as a protective factor for those who experience parental divorce. Specifically, the present study aims to answer the following research question: Does sports participation moderate the effects of parent marital status and belongingness on achievement and behavior problems after controlling for sex, socioeconomic status, and maternal education? Many theoretical mechanisms support the hypothesis that positive outcomes are be associated with sporting programs, such as Social Capital Theory, as well as theories associated with 7 motivation and belonging. This study analyzed data collected as part of the NICHDSECCYD comprehensive longitudinal study. Specifically, the effects of parent marital status and belongingness on academic achievement were analyzed in AMOS 22, using a multiple group path model with sports participation as a moderator. Although results did not support sports participation as a moderator, findings supported previous research that connects intact, two-parent marriages with positive outcomes for youth.

Collectively known as Behavioral Skills Training (BST), instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback procedures are often used in parent training programs. A nonconcurrent multiple baseline, single-subject component analysis of BST procedures was conducted with 12 parents of children aged 2-4 years in their homes. Written instructions, video modeling, and rehearsal-feedback training conditions were counterbalanced and randomly assigned to each parent. The frequency and quality of parent praise were measured during structured free-play and cleanup observations. BST 6 procedures produced comparable results in praise frequency and quality. For all parents, the cleanup scenario was associated with higher praise frequency than the play scenario. Common trends observed in the data and limitations of the study are discussed, along with directions for future component analysis research on BST procedures.

Who are talented and gifted (TAG) students and how do we meet their unique needs in the elementary school setting? The body of literature clearly articulates the unique intellectual, social and emotional needs and characteristics of TAG students. Additionally, the literature supports the implementation of differentiated teaching strategies and affective curriculum to help meet these unique needs. This descriptive phenomenological study allowed gifted children, in fifth grade from a Pacific Northwest suburban elementary school, to share their lived experiences through reflective narratives and art. The data collected generated a central theme of Friends and general themes of Awareness, Feelings, Learning, and TAG Programming. Experiences that included friends were, by far, the most commonly shared; however, the participants also shared stories of wanting to be challenged and how they appreciated teachers who were more creative in curriculum delivery. Delisle (2012), Jessiman (2001) and Bergmark (2008) assert that in order to make progress in school reform and/or improvement we need to listen to our consumers and by consumers they are referring to our students. This study captures the gifted child's experience in elementary school and allows their voice to be heard.

The aim of this thesis is to examine the portrayal of the South Pacific missionary in children's literature published between 1800 and 1935. It examines how hagiographic literature was used to suggest to young readers that the missionary was both an emissary of Western civilisation and the incarnation of Gospel values. It seeks to document the nexus between contemporary anthropologica1 thought, colonialism and religious beliefs which underpinned the views and values presented to the child reader.The thesis examines the years 1800 to 1935 as this period was characterised by intense public interest in the exploration of the region and gave rise to the greatest volume of publications for children featuring the South Pacific missionary. The thesis analyses biographies published for children of the more famous missionaries, including John Williams, James Chalmers, John Paton and Coleridge Patteson. Attention is also given to the missionary in fictional literature and adventure stories, in particular the popular writings of R. M. Ballantyne (most notably The Coral Island). Comparisons arc made with the depiction of the missionary in children's literature using other locations, specifically Africa and China. The thesis also examines how women were portrayed, the connections between trade and missionary activity and the cultural bias evident in the portrayal of indigenous people and their societies. The thesis concludes that the portrayal of the South Pacific missionary between 1800 - 1935 was designed to enhance the status of the missionary by depicting them as being superior to secular heroes such as Captain Cook. By drawing on the imagery of the medieval knight and through the trope of 'Muscular Christianity' the missionary was depicted as having the courage of the explorer, the wisdom of a leader, the nature of a gentleman and the faith of a martyr. The indigenous people were infantilized and the trope of cannibalism was utilised to dehumanise them. Western style housing, clothing, literacy, work ethics and technology were advocated as indicators of the superiority of Europeans, while their adoption by indigenous converts separated them from the 'heathen' of their race. This 'superiority' of Western culture was attributed to the influence of Christianity and the Bible in particular, The missionary was shown as not only redeeming the indigenous people from sin through the revelation of the Gospel, but also as being their friend and protector who gave them the benefits of European living. In particular the 'medicine man' or spiritual leader of the indigenous reIigion was demonised and his influence and position assumed by the missionary who often formed a political alliance with the social leader, or Chief. The presence of the missionary was often further legitimised through the enthusiastic testimony of converts and indigenous teachers' pleading for more missionaries to come to the region. Other Europeans, such as traders and beachcombers, were denigrated as exploiting the islanders and their actions were often condemned as being worse than the 'savages. ' The publications sourced and studied were all Protestant in origin, suggesting a lack of children's Catholic material on missionary endeavour in the region. Similar to the traders, the Catholics were also denounced as interfering with and complicating the task of conversion and redemption. The role of the European female as wife of the missionary was minimised and they were usually relegated to the minor role of passive assistant to the ever-adventurous male. The publications were a vehicle for inculcating the religious and social beliefs of a triumphant Western society and for encouraging children to support the missions. either through their own vocation or through the giving and collecting of money. While they ostensibly promoted Christianity and the activities of Missionary Societies by paying homage to the faith and valour of the missionary, undoubtedly they also justified to the young reader the European cultural dominance and colonialism of the era.

The aim of this thesis is to examine the portrayal of the South Pacific missionary in children's literature published between 1800 and 1935. It examines how hagiographic literature was used to suggest to young readers that the missionary was both an emissary of Western civilisation and the incarnation of Gospel values. It seeks to document the nexus between contemporary anthropological thought, colonialism and religious beliefs which underpinned the views and values presented to the child reader.

Save the Children Fund (SCF) was at its foundation in 1919 a value-driven organization. The values, or guiding principles, of the founding generation are the lens through which I look at the history of SCF, and the associated histories of war and peace, human rights and NGO-state relations. These guiding principles are identified as universalism, utilitarianism and optimistic pacificism. They can be understood as a paradigm to which the social community which made up the founding generation of SCF gave their assent. The first chapter locates the founding generation within the political culture of the anti-war movement. Succeeding chapters detail the metamorphosis of SCIF from a'contentious social movement into a respectable national organization. As soon as the organization adopted a national rather than a universal orientation, the coordinates of all its guiding principles shifted. In particular the optimistic pacificism of the founding generation was replaced by pessimistic defencism. It was not until after the Cold War that SCIF began to realign itself with its original guiding principles. The three guiding principles are found to be of continuing relevance. Universalism has been reasserted as a positive creed leading SCF to seize political opportunities to reach out to children from all sides. The organization has adopted a utilitarian perspective that affirms the dynamic role of young people in generating their own futures. Lastly, the primacy attached to peace by war-affected people has underlined SCFs urgent mission to uphold an optimistic belief in the possibility of peace.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Lyme Disease (LD) bacteria in adult Ixodes pacificus ticks collected from the mountains of San Bernardino County in Southern California. Seven hundred fifty four I. pacificus adults were collected from the Pacific Crest Trail and adjacent areas. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to screen ticks for Borrelia burgdorferi infection by targeting two different DNA loci. Oligonucleotide primers targeting both the ospA and fla genes were used in the assay. Ticks were processed in pools of three, and genomic DNA from the ticks was extracted with a commercial mini-kit utilizing silica matrix spin-columns. All ticks tested negative for B. burgdorferi infection regardless of primer pair used. In addition, ticks were negative following examination by dark-field microscopy. This study confirms previous reports that the prevalence of LD in Southern California is quite low.

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Abstract Background Asthma is a common problem in New Zealand, and is associated with significant morbidity and costs to children, their families, and wider society. Previously published New Zealand literature suggested that Māori and Pacific children were less likely than NZ European children to receive asthma medications and elements of asthma education, had poorer knowledge of asthma, and experienced greater morbidity and hospitalisations. However, none of the previous literature had been specifically designed to assess the nature of asthma care in the community, or to specifically answer whether there were ethnic disparities in care. A systematic review of studies published in the international literature that compared asthma management among different ethnic groups drawn from community-based samples was undertaken. The results of this review suggested that minority ethnic group children were less likely to receive elements of asthma medication use, asthma education and self-management (action) plans. Objectives The primary objectives of the study were to: • describe the use of medications, medication delivery systems, asthma education, and self-management plans in primary care for Māori, Pacific, and Other ethnic group children • ascertain whether there were any ethnic disparities in the use of medications, medication delivery systems, asthma education, and self-management plans in primary care after controlling for differences in socio-economic position and other potential confounders. Secondary objectives were to: • describe the asthma-related utilisation of GP, after hours medical care, emergency departments, and hospital admissions among Māori, Pacific, and Other ethnic group children with asthma • ascertain whether differences in medication use, the provision of asthma education, and the provision of self-management plans explained ethnic differences in health service utilisation. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Auckland, New Zealand. The caregivers of 647 children who were aged 2–14 years, had a diagnosis of asthma or experienced ‘wheeze or whistling in the chest’, and had experienced symptoms in the previous 12 months were identified using random residential address start points and door knocking. Ethnically stratified sampling ratios were used to ensure that approximately equal numbers of children of Māori, Pacific and Other ethnicity were enrolled into the study. A face-to-face interview was conducted with the caregivers of these children. Data was collected about: socio-demographic factors; asthma morbidity; asthma medications and delivery devices; exposure to, and experiences of, asthma education and asthma action plans; and asthma-related health services utilisation. Results In this study, the caregivers of 647 eligible children were invited to participate and 583 completed the interview, giving an overall completion rate of 90.1%. There were no ethnic differences in completion rates. The overall use of inhaled corticosteroid medications had increased since previous New Zealand research was published. Multivariable modelling that adjusted for potential confounders did not identify ethnic differences in the use of inhaled corticosteroids or oral steroids. Some findings about medication delivery mechanisms indicated that care was not consistent with guidelines. About 15% of participants reported they had not received asthma education from a primary care health professional. After adjusting for potential confounders there were no ethnic differences in the likelihood of having received asthma education from a health professional. Among those participants who had received education from a primary care health professional, significantly fewer Māori and Pacific caregivers reported receiving education about asthma triggers, pathophysiology and action plans. Lower proportions of Pacific (77.7%; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 70.3, 85.1) and Māori (79.8%; 95% CI 73.6, 85.9) caregivers were given information about asthma triggers compared to Other caregivers (89.2%; 95% CI 84.9, 93.6; p=0.01). Fewer Māori (63.6%; 95% CI 55.7, 71.4) and Pacific (68.1%; 95% CI 60.1, 76.1) caregivers reported receiving information about pathophysiology (Other 75.9%; 95% CI 69.5, 82.3; p=0.05). Information about asthma action plans had been given to 22.7% (95% CI 15.5, 29.9) of Pacific and 32.9% (95% CI 25.3, 40.6) of Māori compared to Other participants (36.5%; 95% CI 28.6, 44.3; p=0.04). In addition, fewer Māori (64.2%; 95% CI 56.1, 72.3) and Pacific (68.5%; 95% CI 60.1, 77.0) reported that the information they received was clear and easy to understand (Other 77.9%; 95% CI 71.8, 84.1; p=0.03). About half of those who had received education from a health professional reported receiving further education and, after adjustment for potential confounders, Pacific caregivers were less likely to have been given further education (odds ratio 0.57; 95% confidence interval 0.33, 0.96). A minority of participants (35.3%) had heard about action plans and, after adjustment for potential confounders, Pacific caregivers were less likely to have heard about these plans (odds ratio 0.54; 95% confidence interval 0.33, 0.96). About 10% of the sample was considered to have a current action plan. The mean number of visits to a GP for acute and routine asthma care (excluding after-hours doctors and medical services) in the previous twelve months were significantly higher for Pacific (3.89; CI 3.28, 4.60) and Māori (3.56; CI 3.03, 4.16) children than Other ethnic group children (2.47; CI 2.11, 2.85; p<0.0001). Multivariable modelling of health service utilization outcomes (‘number of GP visits for acute and routine asthma care in the previous twelve months’, ‘high use of hospital emergency departments’, and ‘hospital admissions’) showed that adjustment for potential confounding and asthma management variables reduced, but did not fully explain, ethnic differences in these outcomes. Māori children experienced 22% more GP visits and Pacific children 28% more visits than Other children (p=0.05). Other variables that were significantly associated with a higher number of GP visits were: regular source of care they always used (regression coefficient (RC) 0.24; p<0.01); lower household income (RC 0.31; p=0.004) and having a current action plan (RC 0.38; p=0.006). Increasing age (RC -0.04; p=0.003), a lay source of asthma education (RC -0.41; p=0.001), and higher scores on asthma management scenario (RC -0.03; p=0.05) were all associated with a lower number of GP visits. Pacific (odds ratio (OR) 6.93; 95% CI 2.40, 19.98) and Māori (OR 2.60; 95% CI 0.87, 8.32) children were more likely to have used an emergency department for asthma care in the previous twelve months (p=0.0007). Other variables that had a significant effect on the use of EDs in the multivariable model were: not speaking English in the home (OR 3.72; 95% CI 1.52, 9.09; p=0.004), male sex (OR 2.43; 95% CI 1.15, 5.15; p=0.02), and having a current action plan (OR 7.85; 95% CI 3.49, 17.66; p<0.0001). Increasing age was associated with a reduced likelihood of using EDs (OR 0.90; 95% CI 0.81, 1.00; p=0.05). Hospitalisations were more likely in the Pacific (OR 8.94; 95% CI 2.25, 35.62) and Māori (OR 5.40; 95% CI 1.28, 23.06) ethnic groups (p=0.007). Four other variables had a significant effect on hospital admissions in the multivariable model. Participants who had a low income (OR 3.70; 95% CI 1.49, 9.18; p=0.005), and those who had a current action plan (OR 8.39; 95% CI 3.85, 18.30; p<0.0001) were more likely to have been admitted to hospital in the previous 12 months. Increasing age (OR 0.88; 95% CI 0.80, 0.98; p=0.02) and parental history of asthma (OR 0.39; 95% CI 0.18, 0.85; p=0.02) were associated with reduced likelihood of admission. Conclusions The study is a robust example of cross-sectional design and has high internal validity. The study population is representative of the population of children with asthma in the community. The three ethnic groups are also considered to be representative of those ethnic groups in the community. The study, therefore, has good representativeness and the findings of the study can be generalised to the wider population of children with asthma in the Auckland region. The results suggested that some aspects of pharmacological management were more consistent with guideline recommendations than in the past. However, given the higher burden of disease experienced by Māori and Pacific children, the lack of observed ethnic differences in the use of preventative medications may reflect under treatment relative to need. There are important ethnic differences in the provision of asthma education and action plans. Future approaches to improving care should focus on interventions to assist health professionals to implement guideline recommendations and to monitor ethnic disparities in their practice. Asthma education that is comprehensive, structured and delivered in ways that are effective for the people concerned is needed.

Abstract Dental caries in toddlers was studied in relation to several risk factors which were also determined by salivary tests in a longitudinal design. Another specific aim was to reveal the effect of prolonged pacifier sucking on caries development. The study population consisted of 183 pre-school children. At the baseline, salivary microbiological tests were taken from children whose average age was 2.5 years. Risk factors for colonisation of salivary lactobacilli and yeasts were determined from a questionnaire filled in by the parents. At the 2-year follow-up, caries in primary teeth was studied against the possible risk factors recorded at the baseline. At the 7-year follow-up, the risk factors identified at the age of two were analysed against caries development in primary molars and in first permanent molars. Also the long-term predictive value of salivary microbiological tests was investigated. At the baseline, the use of pacifier and nocturnal use of nursing bottle were associated with colonisation of salivary lactobacilli and yeasts. Prolonged pacifier sucking and use of nursing bottle at nights were shown to be associated with caries development in children at the 2-year follow-up. Consumption of sweets, lack of daily tooth brushing and nocturnal use of nursing bottle at the age of two were associated with caries onset in both primary and permanent molars at the seven-year follow-up. The use of fluoride tablets reduced the risk of caries onset in primary molars. Children who were colonised by salivary lactobacilli or yeasts at the baseline were susceptible to caries in primary molars. Early colonisation of lactobacilli was associated with caries in permanent molars. The results suggest that the risk of caries is possible to assess in toddlers by identifying caries-related habits early, already at the age of two. Microbiological tests may also have some value. Assessment of caries risk in toddlers enables both prevention and early intervention, and thereby prevention of caries development in children
Tiivistelmä Tämän tutkimuksen tarkoituksena oli pitkäaikaisseurannassa selvittää taaperoikäisiltä lapsilta otettujen sylkitestien ja muiden määritettyjen riskitekijöiden mahdollista yhteyttä karieksen kehittymiseen. Erityisesti haluttiin myös tutkia pitkittyneen tutin käytön merkitystä. Tutkimusaineisto koostui 183:sta alle kouluikäisestä lapsesta. Aloitusvaiheessa otettiin mikrobiologiset sylkitestit lapsilta, joiden keski-ikä oli 2,5 vuotta, ja määritettiin anamnestisesti mahdolliset riskitekijät laktobasillien ja hiivasienten kolonisaatiolle. Kahden vuoden seurannan jälkeen tutkittiin riskin toteutumista maitohampaiden karioitumisessa. Seuraavassa seitsemän vuoden seurantatutkimuksessa tutkittiin karieskehitystä maitomolaareissa ja ensimmäisissä pysyvissä molaareissa kahden vuoden iässä määritetyissä riskiryhmissä. Myös syljen mikrobiologisten testien avulla määritetyn riskin toteutumista selvitettiin seitsemän vuoden seurannan päätyttyä. Tutkimuksen aloitusvaiheen sylkitestitulokset osoittivat, että tutin käyttö ja tuttipullon käyttö öisin olivat yhteydessä syljen kariekseen liittyviin mikrobeihin, ja ne voivat siten lisätä kariesaktiivisuutta maitohampaistossa. Kahden vuoden seurantatutkimuksessa todettiinkin, että karieskehitys oli yhteydessä aikaisemmin määritettyihin riskitekijöihin: pitkittyneeseen tutin käyttöön ja tuttipullon käyttöön öisin. Seitsemän vuoden seurantatutkimuksen tulokset osoittivat, että makeisten käyttö kaksivuotiaana, puutteellinen hampaiden harjaus ja tuttipullon käyttö öisin ovat riskitekijöitä sekä maitomolaarien että ensimmäisten pysyvien molaarien karieskehitykselle. Fluoritablettien käyttö vähensi maitomolaarien karioitumista. Myös varhain tehdyillä syljen mikrobiologisilla testeillä oli pitkäaikainen ennustusarvo. Tulokset osoittavat, että riskin määritys taaperoikäisten lasten karieskehitykselle voidaan tehdä varhaisessa vaiheessa sekä mikrobiologisten sylkitestien avulla että määrittelemällä muiden mahdollisten riskitekijöiden esiintyvyys. Varhaisen kariesriskin määrityksen avulla voidaan ehkäisevät hoitotoimenpiteet kohdistaa ajoissa riskiryhmille ja siten ehkäistä karieskehitystä ja korjaavan karieshoidon tarvetta lapsilla

碩士
元智大學
應用外語學系
105
In the Second World War period, in addition to the brave soldiers in the front end of the battle, there also had a group of very important people in the rear area ── women and children. They were also indispensable human resources during the war, and their influence on war could not be underestimated.“Taiwan's Daily News”was the large print media in the Japanese colonial period of Taiwan.It not only the most circulation,the largest time,but also the most complete collection of the current domestic library.There,this thesis uses “Taiwan's Daily News”as a research medium. This study will discuss the images of woman and children in the Pacific War from the advertisement image of “Taiwan Daily News.” Trying to analyze the relationship between the special social environment and the images of women and children from the advertisement mages,and to explain what is the significance of the advertising images that contain women and children during the war. The relationship between the Pacific War period, women and children, and the advertisement image is the focus of this thesis.

The work deals with the life and work of Přemysl Pitter, major Czech Christian humanist, representativ of the social learning, education and journalism in the 20th - 70s of the twentieth century. Introductory chapters are devoted to his childhood and youth, especially his personal reflection of the suffering experienced at the frontline on the 1st World War, which influenced his future life guidance and practical activities. Other parts of the document is characterized Pitter{\crq}s destiny and social work for others - the poor, downtrodden, necessary - in the context of the radical social and political changes in the last century. Here is a somewhat more comprehensive text on the history of the fight to save children from a concentration camps and detention camps, after World War II, ie between 1945 - 1947. The last section describes the life and operation of Přemysl Pitter after retirement emigration in 1951, when the World Council of Churches delegated the duty of pastoral and social services for refugees in the camp Valka in Nuremberg in Germany until its repeal in 1962. The final chapter describes the staying and creative activity Pitter{\crq}s exile in Switzerland in the 60s and 70s. The work includes a brief summary of the contents of archival material and archives of Přemysl Pitter and Olga Fierzová in PMJAK in Prague.