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Social network analysis (SNA) is increasingly viewed as a contributing methodology to program evaluation to examine the complexities of social programs and interrelationships within the program networks. Despite the growing literature on the topic, more knowledge is needed to understand how, when, and under what conditions social network analysis can add value to evaluation work. The study's overall purpose was to explore the ways of applying SNA to support program evaluation. Using a sequential mixed method social network analysis (MMSNA) approach, this study first developed the SNA-Evaluation framework based on existing literature. Guided by the SNA-Evaluation framework, this study applied the SNA method to support the evaluation of the Community-Based Opioid Prevention and Education (C.O.P.E.) program. Data for the study were collected through a review of 30 archival documents, a C.O.P.E. Partnership Network survey to 46 partner organizations, and semi-structured interviews of 8 program stakeholders. The results suggested that evaluators can adopt the SNA method to support their evaluation practices depending on the types of evaluation, such as needs assessment, process evaluation, and outcome evaluation. The study also observed that the use of SNA in the field of evaluation, particularly for responding to complex social programs, can sharpen program theories, strengthen evaluation methods by enabling the assessment of complex adaptive system variables, and maximize evaluation instrumental and conceptual use. The study contributes to the body of research on evaluation methods by exploring an alternative methodology that can add value to evaluation practice. The study benefits the knowledge base in program evaluation by providing the SNA-Evaluation framework and screening tool to help evaluators determine more appropriate steps when applying the SNA method to support their evaluation work. This study has implications for evaluators (1) who have an interest in improving their SNA use in program evaluation, (2) who hope to explore more about the theories behind the use of the SNA method in program evaluation, and (3) who support the evaluation of complex social programs. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]

The life of underground power transmission cables is greatly reduced by pitting corrosion of the reinforcing tin-bronze tapes and this corrosion fatigue leads to cable failure. Since these cables are distributed in different places and can fail at different times, it is difficult to maintain and replace these cables until they fail. Hence, accurate prediction of pit growth in these tapes and plastic deformation analysis of these tapes with pits are crucial steps in cable maintenance. This thesis documents the findings from the probability distribution of corrosion pits on reinforcing tin-bronze tapes using deterministic Monte Carlo simulations. The findings were compared with the measured pit depth distribution of tapes that have been in service for over 40 years obtained from open literatures. Additionally, the finite element model (FEM) was used to analyse the relationships of applied stress and pit depth with a model of failure mechanisms. The input data for the FEM were based on the pit depth from the simulation and applied internal oil pressure from the experiment data. A Monte Carlo simulation was performed with every stable pit that had nucleated, propagated, and repassivated on the metal surface, and the model considered the interaction between individual pits in an explicit manner. The measured data were compared against previously published data from actual samples from different locations and with various service durations to investigate the complete distribution of pits. The studies showed that the simulated pit depth distribution is very similar to the experimental pit depth distribution on the tapes. This pit depth distribution model provides a powerful tool to determine the residual life of reinforcing tin-bronze tapes used in underground power transmission cables. The FEM was used to examine the failure condition of the reinforcing tapes under various applied stress and pit depths. The pit depth was gained from the Monte Carlo simulations, and the applied stress was based on UTS. Thus, the life of an underground power cable can be calculated. This FEM procedure provides an alternative method to determine the probability of failure of reinforcing tapes and a convenient way to identify the life of underground cables, dependent on the failure model.

Background --- Though substantial and growing use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the general population has been documented in recent years, little is known about CAM utilization patterns among racial, ethnic and immigrant (REI) populations groups. Objectives --- To examine variation in the use of CAM among REI populations, and assess the influence of cultural heritage and access to medical care on CAM use Conceptual Model --- Adapted Behavioral Model of Vulnerable Population with added REI domains. Method --- Data are from Survey of Health of Adults, the Population and the Environment (SHAPE) collected in Hennepin County, Minnesota in 2002. The final sample consists of 9,959 respondents with 2,794 from racial and ethnic minorities and 1,007 interviews were completed in languages other than English. The outcome measures were the use of five CAM therapies in the previous 12 months. Results --- Overall, 42% of the adults in the total population used at least one of the five CAM therapies in the past 12 month. CAM use is prevalent among REI populations, particularly among American Indians, Asians and Whites. The use of individual CAM varies across racial and ethnic populations and the pattern of use conforms to the racial and ethnic origins of the modalities. Cultural heritage influences CAM use and the level of influence is stronger for culturally-relevant CAM. Lack of insurance coverage, delayed medical care and not having a physician’s clinic as regular source of care are associated with a higher likelihood of CAM use. Lack of access to conventional health care has a stronger influence on CAM use in some racial and ethnic groups. Lack of insurance coverage and barriers to needed medical care play a larger role in the use of CAM among immigrants. Conclusion --- CAM has an important role in promoting culturally competent care particularly in REI populations. CAM may serve as an alternative option for those lacking adequate access to medical care, particularly among immigrants and people of racial and ethnic populations.