Obese female Sprague Dawley Rats were randomly assigned, on a weight basis, to one of three dietary treatments: ad libitum, 30% caloric restriction, and 50% caloric restriction. All other nutrients were fed at levels to meet dietary requirements. Each treatment group was further divided into pregnant and nonpregnant subgroups. The experimental diets were started on Day 4 of gestation for pregnant groups. Rats were sacrificed on Day 20 of gestation and fetuses were taken by Caesarean section. Maternal and fetal body composition, and the maternal serum protein concentration were examined. Weight changes for pregnant rats were +127 gms in the ad lib fed group, +83 gms in the 30% restricted group, and +51 gms in the 50% restricted group. Weight changes for the nonpregnant rats after 20 days of dietary treatment were +22 gms, -10 gms, and -40 gms in the ad lib fed, 30%, and 50% restricted groups respectively. The percentage of maternal carcass protein was affected by the 50% caloric restriction imposed on all animals. Animals on the 30% and 50% caloric restricted diet showed a decrease in total body fat of 5% and 12% respectively, as compared to the ad lib fed controls regardless of pregnancy state. The maternal liver weight increase during pregnancy was less in 30% and 50% caloric restricted animals. Serum protein levels decreased in pregnant animals as caloric restriction increased. Fetal body weight, brain weight, and body composition did not differ between treatment groups. The fetal compartment was not affected by maternal caloric restriction up to 50% while providing all other nutrients adequately. Maternal stores were affected at both levels of 30% and 50% caloric restriction. These results indicate that excess fat stores can be mobilized to support fetal growth in obese pregnant rats under caloric restriction, when other nutrients are provided in adequate amounts. / M.S.

This thesis explores the normative significance of making a rights-backed, authorized demand as a right holder. Rights, I argue, enable their holders to make a special kind of demand which comes with a special force. It is, in other words, one of rights' functions that they are demands-enabling. I single out what sort of demands I am interested in exploring. I also look at how these special demands are normatively significant. I call them rights-backed, authorized demands. They are normatively significant, first, because of the interesting role they play in other agents' practical-reasoning, and , second, because the very making of these demands, as a matter of rights, is empowering in an abstract way. I go on to contrast my view with other ‘demand theories' in existence and conclude that my view is substantively different. In particular, existing demand theories of rights all fail to sufficiently highlight the importance of actual demands, and instead focus on the ‘status' of ‘being in a position' to make demands. I argue that this focus is a fundamental mistake. I also consider how my view can contribute to some related literature on rights. First, I argue that my view highlights a new function which rights have: it has interesting implications on the shape of the long-standing debate between the will and interest theory of rights. Second, I argue that my view provides us with a new way to counter one of the most discussed criticisms of the existence of welfare human rights, which is the argument that rights must correlate with some specific duties as a necessary existence condition, and that human welfare rights fail on this mark. I conclude that if human rights indeed have a demand-related function as I argue, it weakens the intuitive appeal of this criticism.

Based on the attachment theory (Bowlby, 1969) and the dual filial piety model (Yeh, 1997, 2003), this study aimed at investigating the effects of the attachment relationship and filial piety on career commitment process of Chinese university students. One thousand one hundred and seventy-twelve (N=1172) Chinese university students from three different regional Chinese groups participated in this study. These three regional groups included the Hong Kong local students (called Hong Kong group; n=421), Chinese mainland students studying in Hong Kong (called Hong Kong Mainland group; n=397) and the Chinese mainland students from Beijing (called Beijing group; n=354). The participants completed questionnaires measuring the attachment relationship towards fathers and mothers, filial piety (reciprocal and authoritarian types), and career commitment process (vocational exploration and commitment and tendency to foreclose). / Based on the MANOVA and ANOVA analyses, main effects of gender and regional group on attachment, filial piety and career commitment were found in this study. For gender differences, female scored significantly higher on the mother attachment and the reciprocal filial piety while male scored significantly higher on the tendency to foreclose. For regional group differences, the Hong Kong Mainland group and Beijing group scored significantly higher on the father attachment, mother attachment and the reciprocal filial piety than the Hong Kong group. The Hong Kong group scored significantly higher on tendency to foreclose than the Hong Kong Mainland group. The Beijing group scored significantly higher on tendency to foreclose than the Hong Kong Mainland group. / Three hypothesized models were proposed to explore the relationships among attachment relationship, filial piety and career commitment process. Structural equation modeling was conducted and found that the proposed models met the predetermined overall fit criteria and fit well across the total sample, the gender groups and the three regional subgroups (Hong Kong, Hong Kong-Mainland, and Beijing). Finding from the structural equation modeling analysis showed that only mother attachment marginally predicted the tendency to foreclose. In addition, the current findings showed that only authoritarian filial piety negatively predicted vocational exploration and commitment and positively predicted tendency to foreclose. / The theoretical, research and counseling implications of the findings, as well as future research directions are discussed. / 建基於依戀理論(Bowlby, 1969)及雙孝道模型(Yeh, 1997, 2003)，本研究旨在探討依戀關係及孝道觀念如何影響大學生之職業選擇承諾，一千一百七十二位大學生參與是次研究，包括四百二十一位來自香港的大學生，三百九十七位來自中國而於香港大學就讀的大學生及三百五十四位於北京就讀大學的大學生。學生以問卷方式回答有關探討依戀關係，孝道觀念及職業選擇承諾之量表。研究結果顯示，性別及地區組別於依戀關係，孝道觀念及職業選擇承諾是有顯著分別;母親依戀能預測封閉傾向，權威性孝道能預測承諾傾向及封閉傾向。另外，結構模型分析顯示本文所提出之模型於總組別，性別組別及地區組別能達致預設的滿意擬合結果。最後，對本研究在生涯理論實證研究及輔導實踐的意義進行了闡述，並對未來研究方向作出了展望。 / Hon, Suet. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2014. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 124-140). / Abstracts also in Chinese; appendixes includes Chinese. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on 03, January, 2017). / Detailed summary in vernacular field only.

This qualitative case study investigated the teaching practices I adopted in a general education course at a Hong Kong community college during the 2013/14 academic year. I took on the active role of participant observer to examine how a combination of Multiple Intelligences (MI) theory and Integrated Thematic Instruction (ITI) supported the goals of general education. Interview protocol with open-ended questions was the instrument to collect the students’ voices about their learning experiences in an MI-inspired general education course. Three research questions were posed. First, how does a course instructor design and teach a general education course at a community college in Hong Kong? Second, how do community college students experience learning in such a course? Third, how do community college students evaluate their learning outcomes in such a course? The interview data clearly revealed that the students’ learning experiences in the MI-inspired general education course included making connections to lived experience; applying the course content to real-life situations; learning to synthesise information, find relationships, think critically and solve problems; and creating knowledge through group projects. The students’ learning experiences corresponded to four dimensions of MI theory in terms of instructional design. These dimensions included designing broad-based knowledge and reality-based curriculum, using multimedia sources as teaching materials, developing cognitive skills in students and empowering students to learn. The interview data reflecting the students’ learning experiences as they relate to pedagogical MI dimensions were examined through my observations of students’ interactions in practice in addition to the students’ written self-reflections on group projects. The results of a college-wide teaching evaluation survey also indicated that the students gave higher ratings to their learning experiences in the MI-inspired general education course. As such, the incorporation of MI theory into ITI was a pedagogical initiative to support the goals of general education and strengthen learning opportunities for community college students with multiple intelligences. In addition, I explored the research implications of MI theory. The findings of this study provide community college policymakers, faculties and administrators with practical advice on curriculum development and the instructional design of general education at community colleges in the Hong Kong context. / 是項質性個案學術研究乃探討一所香港社區學院通識教育課程的教學實踐。此研究個案涵蓋了研究者在有關的「多元智能」(Multiple Intelligences)啟迪下的通識教育的教學設計與教學策略。 研究者扮演成積極參予觀察者，來檢視「多元智能」和「主題教學法」(Integrated Thematic Instruction)兩者之間的組合如何實踐和通識教育有關的各樣教育目標。 此研究個案於2013至2014學年期間，在有關的一所香港社區學院內進行。訪問形式是採用開放式問題，務使收集學生在這「多元智能」通識教育科目的學習體驗。 此研究針對以下三個問題﹕一) 課程導師如何在該香港社區學院設計及教授通識教育課程? 二) 該社區學院的學生在堂上有何學習經驗? 三) 學生如何衡量該課程的學習成果? 訪問數據資料顯示，學生在「多元智能」的學習體驗中，包括﹕緊扣日常生活、學以致用、融會貫通、學會批判思考、解決疑難和在小組工作中均學有所用。 明顯地，學生們的學習經驗對應了在「多元智能」理論的教學設計中的四個層面，即廣泛知識和建基現實的課程、多媒體教材、培養認知技巧和促使學生學習。 學院的教學評分結果顯示，學生能於「多元智能」啟迪下的通識教育學習中的得益，評分較前高。研究發現「多元智能」和「主題教學支援」的組合能清晰帶出通識教育的教學目標。此學術研究可為有關政策決策者和大學學系的策劃人提供實用兼可行的參照。 此外，此研究也同時為日後學者於有關「多元智能」教育理論和實踐在社區學院的研究和探究，提供了寶貴的資料和啟示。 / Kong, Siu Ping. / Thesis (Ed.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2015. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 135-146). / Abstracts also in Chinese; appendix 2 includes Chinese. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on 09, September, 2016). / Detailed summary in vernacular field only.

Occupations involve regular contacts and associations with stigmatized or degraded people (e.g, policemen, nurses, social workers) are referred to as socially dirty work (Hughes, 1951; Ashforth & Kreiner, 1999; 2014).Socially dirty workers dealing with clients who are stigmatized by the society may encounter identity threat and negative societal perceptions towards their work (Kreiner, Ashforth & Sluss, 2006). Though the clients are stigmatized by the society, professional trainings of socially dirty workers advocate treating the clients as equal and respectable individuals. Hence, socially dirty workers face a big challenge to handle conflicting perceptions towards their clients– taking the professional side or the societal side. / Drawing on the conservation of resource (COR) framework (Hobfoll, 1989; 1990), I examined the effect of work dirtiness on socially dirty worker’s job outcomes and investigated the effects of two contextual factors. In particular, I proposed a construct called the intensity of social work dirtiness (ISWD) –the extent to which clients are stigmatized by society: when the clients are more stigmatized by the society, socially dirty workers are more likely to experience resource loss and job strain. I also proposed employees’ work orientations (calling / job orientation) and professional-client relationship quality, would moderate the effect of intensity of social work dirtiness on employees’ stressful experience and work outcomes. / Data were collected at three time points from 16 hospitals in Mainland China. Results showed that the intensity of social work dirtiness was positively related to job strain and further affected employees’ job satisfaction, turnover intentions and psychological wellbeing. The moderating effects of work orientations and relationship quality were also supported in the analysis. / 现代社会有许多职业需要经常接触污名化的客户 （如警察、护士、社工），这类职业被定义为社会型厌恶性工作(Hughes, 1951; Ashforth & Kreiner, 1999; 2014)。 社会型厌恶性工作者往往会遇到自我身份认同的难题和承受社会对他们的负面印象(Kreiner, Ashforth & Sluss, 2006)。 另一方面，这类型的工作者通常都接受了职业价值观的训练:要平等对待和尊重他们的客户。因此，社会型厌恶性工作者常常面临挑战：如何看待工作中接触的污名化客户 -- 是跟随社会大众的看法还是保持职业的看法。根据资源保存理论 (Hobfoll,1989)。当客户的污名化程度越严重，这类型工作者越可能承受更大的压力。 / 我提出员工的工作导向以及员工与污名化客户的关系会调节客户污名化程度对员工压力的影响。 / 我在中国内地的医院和香港的社工组织中收集了数据并作了详细分析，模型中的部分假设得到了验证和支持。 / Wen, Shanshan. / Thesis Ph.D. Chinese University of Hong Kong 2015. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-117). / Abstracts also in Chinese; appendix includes Chinese. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on 06, October, 2016). / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only.

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香港一直被視為一個優秀的國際金融中心。金融業不僅為香港經濟發展的成功作出重大貢獻，同時也產生過多的廢物和污染物，耗盡天然資源。較富裕的金融業專才既是該行業的支柱，他們的行為對社會構成了重大影響。因此，他們的回收行為，減少駕駛和購買綠色產品對改變社會環保現狀有重要作用。 / 過往研究發現，個人價值，對環境的信念，社會規範，心理因素和位置因素對環保行為有一定影響。本研究採用定量和定性的方法重新審視它們的關係。首先向涉及積極財富創造的金融業專才發出二百六十份問卷結構性問卷，然後進行了十次深入訪談，旨在找出他們對回收，駕駛和購買綠色產品的想法和行業的潛規則。研究結果發現，香港的金融專才有良好的環保知識和信念。他們的環保行為會受到某些行業特殊因素所影響，包括較高的馬基維利主義，社會規範個人價值觀，信念和規範和不同類型的行為成本。深入訪談進一步發現，工作效率和長工時也妨礙他們的環保行為。本研究認為促進金融業內環保行為的成功在於以人為本的方法和企業政策的實行。 / Hong Kong has been considered as an excellent international financial center. Finance sector not only greatly contributes to the success of economic development of Hong Kong, but it also depletes the natural resources by producing excessive waste, creating pollutants by driving during the course. The active role of recycling, reduced driving and buying green products of affiuent individual financial profession is essential to change the status-quo and to save the environment as they are the pillars of the sector and their behavior poses a significant influence on the society. / Previous studies indicated that value, belief, norm, psychological factors, job nature and positional factors may contribute to the environmental behavior. This study employs both quantitative and qualitative methods to examine their relations. 260 structured questionnaires were distributed to financial professions involved in active wealth creation, followed by 10 in-depth interviews aimed at finding out the hidden thought of financial professions towards recycling, driving and buying green products.Results indicate that financial professions in Hong Kong have a good environmental knowledge and positive environmental belief. Certain sector specific factors, including high Machiavellianism level, subjective norm, personal values, belief and norm, and different types of cost have a substantial effect on the environmental action.In-depth interviews further demonstrate that efficiency-oriented job nature and long working hour hinder their environmental action. It is suggested that the success of promoting pro-environmental behavior in financial sector lies in humanity approaches and corporate policy. / Lui, Sau Kwan. / Thesis M.Phil. Chinese University of Hong Kong 2014. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 177-185). / Abstracts also in Chinese. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on 11, October, 2016). / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only.

This doctoral thesis addresses in a sequence of five essays the question how fiscal policy and economic output are interrelated in emerging Europe and how this relationship is shaped by the respective politico-economic environment and the individual-level support for economic reforms. Following main findings can be highlighted: (1) Countries in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe (CESEE) respond to a fiscal expansion in the euro area with fiscal easing at home, while the GDP response is mixed across countries.(2)Automatic fiscal stabilizers are comparatively small and discretionary fiscal policy has been largely pro-cyclical in CESEE. (3) The public spending and revenue structure is more "growth-friendly" in CESEEthan in the EU-15. (4) In transition economies with more democratic institutions and a better quality of governance, individuals with high market-relevant skills show a significantly larger support of the privatization status quo than individuals with low market skills. (5) The society in Russia - triggered by a lack of social capital - chooses to demand more state regulationand tolerate corruption to reduce negative externalities imposed by private business.(author's abstract)