http://hdl.handle.net/11122/10571 2026-02-06T02:09:44Z 2026-02-06T02:09:44Z Block, Izabella http://hdl.handle.net/11122/15946 2025-11-22T01:03:59Z 2025-05-01T00:00:00Z

Analyzing the Effectiveness of Maritime Policy for the Management of Increasing Rates of Vessel Traffic in the Bering Strait Block, Izabella The Arctic is changing at a rapid pace, affecting virtually every aspect of life in the region, with major changes to sea ice, permafrost, and traditional lifestyles. These changes, in conjunction with globalization, have led to a rise in interest in the Arctic and accessing its resources. One considerable facet of accessing the Arctic is via maritime activity, with shorter transport times between Asia and Europe, fishing valuable stocks, and access to offshore oil and gas deposits. As countries such as Russia and China are intent on developing the Arctic and commercializing maritime trade routes, many living in the region are contending with the unintended impacts from increased maritime activity that may occur, threatening food and environmental security. While interest in the region is occurring across the Arctic, effects from increased maritime activity are already being felt in the Bering Strait region of Western Alaska, with decreases in multi-year sea ice important for subsistence and natural infrastructure, changes to migratory patterns of several marine species, and occurrences of pollution from vessels (Tsujii et al. 2021; NSIDC 2023; Raymond-Yakoubian and Daniel 2018; Hartsig et al. 2012). The impacts on food and environmental security are likely to be amplified within the Bering Strait due to its unique geography and ecosystem, serving as a migration corridor for many marine species, and as a natural bottleneck for anthropogenic activity, with a mere 50 nautical miles at its narrowest point and the Diomede Islands situated in the middle of the strait (Hartsig et al. 2012). Furthermore, the Bering Strait is the only connection between the Arctic and Pacific Oceans. With the heightened risk for negative impacts to the communities living within the Bering Strait region—such as various types of pollution from maritime activity, ship strikes (either to marine mammals or sea ice) and spread of invasive species—all affecting traditional subsistence lifestyles, a new policy to protect the Bering Strait is needed. Thus, the main objective of this study is to evaluate policy options that could mitigate the impacts of increasing vessel traffic through the Bering Strait. A maritime traffic management plan can be determined by analyzing how vessels behave in response to current policy. To best simulate the potential traffic the Bering Strait could receive as a part of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) and the Northwest Passage (NWP), as well as the theoretical Transpolar Route, policy applicable to the Aleutian Archipelago (along the North Pacific Great Circle Route) is analyzed in addition to the current conditions of the Bering Strait. The policies analyzed within this study include the International Maritime Organization’s ‘Areas to be Avoided’(ATBA) and the United States Coast Guard ‘Alternative Planning Criteria’ (APC, through the Aleutian ATBAs). Analysis of vessel tracklines was performed with spatial software and tabulated data with statistical software. To analyze the ATBA policy for both the Aleutian Chain and Bering Strait, a spatio-temporal Hotspot Analysis was used to investigate pattern shifts in vessel traffic over the 2015 to 2022 dataset. To further analyze the behavior of vessels transiting through waters containing ATBAs, two additional analyses were conducted. For the APC policy and the Aleutian Archipelago ATBAs, email communication between vessel operators and the Marine Exchange of Alaska (MXAK) was analyzed, and information was categorized, such as weather, the type of email exchange, and the overall receptiveness to being contacted. To investigate whether port calls influenced adherence to the ATBAs, vessel traffic along Western Alaska was tabulated by season for the traffic docking at a community. From the analysis, three main findings emerged: (1) vessel behavior is impacted by the ATBA implementation for each respective region, (2) various factors, including weather and community access, continue to influence vessel behavior, and (3) communication from a third-party organization (in this study, MXAK) impacts adherence to the ATBA policy. As policy has influenced vessel behavior in both the Aleutian Archipelago and the Bering Strait region in the past, policy alternatives to manage increased maritime activity within the Bering Strait region can be useful to prevent negative impacts of vessel activity to Western Alaska communities. Using a modified Political, Economic, Social, Technological Analysis (in this analysis Environmental and Legal components were utilized), in conjunction with a Comparative Analysis, policy alternatives were examined for the best option given the current conditions (geopolitical, legal) that the Bering Strait stakeholders face. From the policy analyses conducted, the recommendation for managing increasing rates of maritime activity is to create a voluntary vessel monitoring system with open enrollment by any vessel with the Bering Strait that can provide weather advisories, warn of subsistence activities, and inform of areas to be avoided and other existing policies. Due to this voluntary nature, the vessel monitoring system can transcend both geopolitical tensions between Russia and the United States. Additionally, this policy alternative provides a way for mariners to be aware of any subsistence activities in the region. Upon further increases in maritime activity within the Bering Strait, it will be essential to revisit current policy for effectiveness, as well as include the participation and concerns of the communities located within the Bering Strait Region.

2025-05-01T00:00:00Z Coffman, Leah M. http://hdl.handle.net/11122/15877 2025-05-09T15:04:26Z 2024-10-15T00:00:00Z

Development of an Evidence-Based Policy Handbook Utilizing a Hub and Spoke Practice Model: A Quality Improvement DNP Project Coffman, Leah M. Diagnosing a child with a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in the State of Alaska requires a team-based approach. The current model is a hub model where providers refer to one of a few certified 4-Digit Code method teams in the geographically vast State of Alaska. Telehealth has been suggested as a viable alternative to in-person hub evaluations for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). The State of Alaska FASD program and the Alaska Mental Health Trust Fund’s goals of moving towards a telehealth program for FASD evaluation, diagnosis, and management (WICHE-BHP, 2021). This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project sought to improve the current model. After critical review and evaluation of the literature, the Hub and Spoke model was selected. The policy handbook was evaluated by experts in the field and revised. Using the Model for Improvement (2013), a policy handbook was developed incorporating the Hub and Spoke model and specific requirements and recommendations specific to Alaska. The new model is called the FASD telehealth Hub and Spoke practice model. Submitted by Leah M. Coffman, MSN, FNP-BC School of Nursing Presented to the Faculty of the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF NURSING PRACTICE

2024-10-15T00:00:00Z Gonzales, Jonah http://hdl.handle.net/11122/15844 2025-05-03T01:01:35Z 2025-05-01T00:00:00Z

Micronutrient Adequacy of Vegetarian and Vegan Diets Among Alaskan Adults Gonzales, Jonah The estimated number of vegetarians and/or vegans in the United States grew by 600% from nearly 4 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2017. The goal of this study is to assess the adequacy of vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, and iron intakes among adult Alaskan residents following vegetarian or vegan diets. A convenience sample of Alaskan adults following a vegetarian or vegan diet was recruited via social media and community posters to participate in this cross-sectional study. Respondents answered basic questions about their demographics and diet and were then directed to the National Institutes of Health’s Automated Self-Administered 24-hour Dietary Assessment Tool, a validated tool for estimating nutrient intakes using 24-hour dietary recall data. Respondents’ estimated vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium and iron intakes were compared to Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) and Upper Tolerable Limit (UTL) for these nutrients. Eighteen eligible people agreed to participate in the survey, and 11 of those completed the 24-hour dietary recall. The average age of the same was 41.12 ± 15.91 years, and 83.3% (n=15) identified as female. A majority (61.1%, n=11) identified their dietary pattern in the last year as vegan, and 88.8% reported taking supplements. Of the 11 participants who completed the 24-hour recall, 72.7% (n=8), 50.0% (n=5), 63.6% (n=7), and 36.4% (n=4) of respondents met the RDA for calcium, iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin D, respectively, with intake from foods, beverages, and supplements. However, 50.0% (n=5) of respondents exceeded the UTL for iron. Without intake from supplements, 63.6% (n=7), 80.0% (n=8), 45.0% (n=5), and zero respondents met the RDA for calcium, iron, vitamin B12, and vitamin D, respectively. Supplement use among Alaskan adults following vegetarian and vegan diets is common; however, care and planning should be taken to avoid potentially toxic doses. Future research should further explore nutrient adequacy of vegetarian and vegan diets in Alaska year-round. A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in Dietetics and Nutrition

2025-05-01T00:00:00Z Lim, Angelique http://hdl.handle.net/11122/15842 2025-05-03T01:03:02Z 2025-05-01T00:00:00Z

Exploring the Roles of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in Food Service Management Practice Settings and the Established Guidelines That Aid in Assessing Competency Lim, Angelique Background: Registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) are highly qualified professionals to manage food service operations, yet only 3% of RDNs work in food service management. Objective: The objective of this research is to determine what established guidelines, training, certifications, and advanced degrees RDNs working in management of food and nutrition systems (MFNS) use to develop their level of expertise. Methods: RDNs who are members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Management of Food and Nutrition Systems Dietetic Practice Group were invited to participate in a survey to assess characteristics of current RDNs working in MFNS, and to determine resources, training and certificates that develop their level of expertise. Participants were also invited to express their views on how the role of an RDN has changed now that a graduate degree is required to earn the RDN credential. Results: Of 29 respondents, 86.2% have earned a master’s degree or higher. Only 13.4% said they were “familiar” with the Revised 2021 Standards of Professional Performance in MFNS, and none said they were “very familiar.” Most agreed or strongly agreed that supervised experiential learning (89.6%) and competency-based education (65.5%) helped prepare them for their current positions. Additional certifications and resources that respondents most-commonly cited include ServSafe Certification (24%) and practice group resources (24%). Conclusion: Supervised experiential learning and competency-based education serves as a foundation that prepares future RDNs that are interested in pursuing a career in Management of Food and Nutrition Systems. Participating in foodservice organizations and certifications related to leadership, management, and food service aid in developing a level of expertise. A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in Dietetics and Nutrition

2025-05-01T00:00:00Z