@article{oliphant_hughey_stowe_kaczynski_schipperijn_hipp_2019, title={ParkIndex: Using Key Informant Interviews to Inform the Development of a New Park Access Evaluation Tool}, volume={37}, ISSN={["2160-6862"]}, DOI={10.18666/JPRA-2019-8926}, abstractNote={The relationship between park availability, physical activity, and positive health outcomes has been documented across the globe. However, studying how people access parks and why they use the parks is difficult due to a lack of consensus with respect to measurement approaches and assessment of park environments. Establishing a parsimonious method and tool for quantifying both park availability and park quality represents a major step that could advance park and physical activity research and practice. This paper describes phase one of the effort to develop such a measurement tool, known as ParkIndex. ParkIndex is a two-year National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded study to create an evidence-based tool that will assist citizens and professionals in understanding and using information regarding community park access and use. Phase one consisted of key informant interviews conducted with research and practice leaders to inform development and provide insight on the essential foundations of ParkIndex. Twelve professionals from practice and academia, including parks and recreation, landscape design, and public health sectors, were interviewed in fall 2016. Key informants were interviewed on four topics concerning the content, value, feasibility, and dissemination of ParkIndex. Trained research assistants employed double, emergent, open, and axial coding methods to develop key themes and concepts to guide phase 2 and further development of ParkIndex. Key themes throughout the interviews included measures for park use, including distance, safety, neighborhood characteristics, route and travel mode to park, and overall park characteristics. Park elements discussed included quality of, and availability of, amenities, activity spaces, programming, and park management, as well as the context of the park and the engagement of the local community. Respondents determined that ParkIndex could benefit park planning and community development and provide for a standardized method for evaluating park access. Interviews and themes offer parks and public health practitioners and researchers-and this specific ParkIndex development team-the opportunity to refine and evaluate measures to be included in a comprehensive park access and use tool. Key informants repeatedly referenced the need, especially within parks and recreation management, for consistent, reliable, and valid measures of park access and use, such as ParkIndex seeks to provide. We believe a well-conceived, integrated index will at the very least allow for greater comparison between parks and park systems and at best will facilitate the many park stakeholders to best design, maintain, program, research, and advocate for their local parks.}, number={1}, journal={JOURNAL OF PARK AND RECREATION ADMINISTRATION}, author={Oliphant, Elizabeth L. and Hughey, S. Morgan and Stowe, Ellen W. and Kaczynski, Andrew T. and Schipperijn, Jasper and Hipp, J. Aaron}, year={2019}, pages={1–19} }
 @article{drewnoski_oliphant_poore_green_hockett_2009, title={Growth and reproductive performance of beef heifers grazing endophyte-free, endophyte-infected and novel endophyte-infected tall fescue}, volume={125}, DOI={10.1016/j.livsci.2009.05.003}, abstractNote={A three-year study was conducted to investigate the effects of endophyte-free (E−), endophyte-infected (E+) and novel endophyte-infected (EN) tall fescue on the growth and pregnancy rate of beef heifers during the spring. Each year, 48 beef heifers were strip-grazed on stockpiled fescue from December through February, fed fescue hay during late February to early April and then rotationally grazed on spring growth of fescue until June. At the end of the trial, heifers had been maintained on E+, E− or EN (pasture or hay) for a total of 152, 188 and 191 d in years 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In late March, heifers were synchronized using a controlled intravaginal drug-releasing device, (CIDR®) for 7 d followed by injection with PGF2α (Lutalyse®). Heatmount detectors (Kamar®) and observation for behavioral estrus were used to detect estrus for 63 d. Heifers were artificially inseminated 8 to12 h after the onset of standing estrus. Conception was determined by transrectal ultrasonography at approximately 30, 60 and 90 d after synchronization. Reproductive performance did not differ among treatments (P ≥ 0.20). Pregnancy rate was 54, 65, and 65% for E+, E− and EN, respectively. However, during the spring, growth and prolactin were decreased (P < 0.01) for heifers on E+. Gains on spring pasture were 0.24, 0.75, and 0.71 kg/d (SEM ± 0.03) for E+, E− and EN, respectively. Based on these results, the wild type endophyte-infected fescue can be used in production systems as a source of winter forage but producers should consider placing heifers on alternative forage (such as the novel endophyte-infected fescue) in the spring.}, number={2-3}, journal={Livestock Science}, author={Drewnoski, M. E. and Oliphant, E. J. and Poore, M. H. and Green, J. T. and Hockett, M. E.}, year={2009}, pages={254–260} }