This thesis is a study concerning Swedish students’ usage of reading strategies, attitudes towards reading and their reading habits when reading in English as a Foreign Language (EFL). This thesis also examines what motivates students to read in Swedish EFL-classrooms. To be able to answer the research questions in this thesis, a survey was handed out to 32 students in order to provide an authentic picture of these students’ perspectives. The theoretical background in this thesis concerns motivation, or more specifically intrinsic motivation, which is described and defined through Deci and Ryan (2000) and Ryan and Deci’s (2000) Self-Determination Theory (SDT).    This study concludes that the informants in this study seem to have a tendency to not use reading strategies before, during or after reading texts. The importance of teachers teaching and for students using reading strategies will be discussed in correlation with the results from the students’ surveys. This study also shows that students who do not use reading strategies seem to have a negative attitude towards reading and read to lower extent than students with a positive attitude towards reading. Lastly, this study shows that students benefit from appealing to their intrinsic motivation in order to regard reading as more fun, and therefore read more.

As the largest third-party payment platform in China, Alipay has joined the team of making the world greener with the embedded cute mini APP--Ant Forest. Why are so many Alipay users willing to plant trees through Ant Forest? What are the motivations that affect their continued planting for months or even years? Based on the previous literature, we outlined a new framework to investigate the motivation in Ant Forest. The data were collected through a pilot study and semi-structured interviews with fourteen Chinese Alipay users; at the same time, they are Ant Forest participants. This article analyzes how intrinsic motivations (enjoyment, fulfillment, altruism, social interaction, identification), extrinsic motivations (external rewards, reciprocity, competition) influencing Chinese users to participate in Ant Forest, and whether these motivations have different influences and relationships when motivating participants. What’s more, we can through intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation to know how a mini-app that aggregates multiple features can attract users' continued participation, and give suggestions to the firm.

É reconhecido que as técnicas de enriquecimento ambiental são importantes ferramentas para a melhoria do bem-estar de animais cativos. No entanto, questões em torno da efetividade e temporariedade dos efeitos das práticas requerem investigação e aprimoramento. O presente estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de analisar a influência de diferentes tipos de enriquecimentos, assim como o tamanho do recinto no comportamento de felinos em cativeiro. O estudo foi dividido em três partes, na primeira, buscou-se analisar se um enriquecimento classificado como intrínseco (catnip) e outro extrínseco (quebra-cabeça alimentar) apresentaram efeitos na expressão de comportamentos direcionados ao enriquecimento e de pacing em jaguatiricas (Leopardus pardalis) quando aplicados por meio de frequências de exposição consecutiva (sete dias) ou intermitente (a cada dois dias). A segunda parte do estudo concentrou-se em investigar se jaguatiricas alojadas em recintos maiores apresentaram diferenciada expressão de pacing em comparação àquelas residentes em recintos menores, sob duas condições: sem aplicação (linha de base) e com aplicação de enriquecimento (catnip e quebra-cabeça alimentar). Por fim, a terceira parte investigou se três enriquecimentos intrínsecos (bola de feno sem odor, com catnip e canela) influenciaram de forma distinta os comportamentos de guepardos (Acinonyx jubatus) e tigres de Sumatra (Panthera tigris sumatrae) em termos da expressão dos comportamentos de pacing, locomoção, inatividade, exploração e comportamento direcionado ao enriquecimento. Em síntese, os resultados indicaram que as dimensões dos recintos influenciaram no comportamento de pacing em jaguatiricas, apresentando maior ocorrência de pacing nos indivíduos alojados em cativeiros pequenos. O enriquecimento extrínseco utilizado (quebra-cabeça alimentar) demonstrou efeito de longa duração em comparação ao intrínseco (catnip), em termos de tempo de interação, assim como, indicaram maior influência na redução da expressão da estereotipia. Por outro lado, os enriquecimentos intrínsecos aplicados no estudo demonstraram um efeito de curto prazo para os comportamentos direcionados ao enriquecimento, contudo, a essência de canela reduziu significativamente os níveis de pacing em guepardos e tigres de Sumatra. Em termos de frequencia de exposição, os felinos não demonstraram efeitos de habituação aos estímulos apresentados entre sessões (ao longo do período experimental), para ambas as condições de apresentação (consecutiva e intermitente). As descobertas do presente estudo contribuíram com a resolução de questões relacionadas ao aprimoramento da ciência do enriquecimento. Dentre estas destacam-se: 1) tipos diferentes de enriquecimentos demonstraram causar efeitos distintos no comportamento dos animais, sugerindo que as práticas devem ser em aplicadas para atingir objetivos específicos de acordo com os efeitos provocados (longo-prazo, curto-prazo e/ou redução de estereotipias); 2) características ambientais, como o tamanho do recinto, podem influenciar o comportamento de animais que ocupam grandes extensões em relação a comportamentos anormais; e por fim 3) a complexidade proporcionada pelo enriquecimento pode minimizar esses efeitos maleficentes. Os resultados apresentados nesta pesquisa destacam a importância de investigações focadas no impacto das características do recinto, eficácia do enriquecimento nas interferências comportamentais e no design metodológico, a fim de atender às necessidades comportamentais dos animais em cativeiro. / Environmental enrichment techniques have been shown to be a powerful tool to improve the welfare of captive animals. However, many issues regarding effectiveness and temporality of the effects on behavioural interference require investigations and improvement. This study was conducted to analyse how environmental enrichments classified as intrinsic and extrinsic, as well the enclosure sizes influence the behaviour of wild cats kept in captivity. In the first part of this study the effects of an intrinsic (catnip scent) and an extrinsic (puzzle-feeder) environmental enrichment on the duration of enrichment-directed and pacing behaviours in captive ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), considering two application schedules, consecutive (seven days) or intermittent (every two days) was addressed. In the second part it was investigated if the enclosure size affects the duration of pacing behaviour by ocelots kept under enriched (catnip and puzzle-feeder) and non-enriched (baseline) environmental conditions; and in the third part it was tested if three intrinsic enrichments (hay balls without scent, with catnip and with cinnamon) had distinct effects on cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae) behaviour regarding pacing, locomotion, inactive, exploratory and enrichment-directed behaviours. In summary, results demonstrated that the enclosure size have a high impact in the duration of pacing behaviour expressed by the ocelots. The extrinsic enrichment (puzzle-feeder) presented a long-term effect on ocelots behaviour, resulting in a reduction of pacing time. On the other hand, the intrinsic enrichments promoted a short-lived effect in cheetahs and Sumatran tigers, and cinnamon demonstrated a better influence on the reduction of pacing behaviour than catnip. In terms of frequency of exposure the wild cats did not get habituated to the practices between sessions (over experimental days), for either consecutive or intermittent application schedules. The findings presented here elucidated issues related to enrichment science improvement. Among these stand out: 1) different types of practices cause distinct effects on animals behaviours, and should be applied according to the aim proposed to achieve (long-term, short-term or stereotypy reduction); 2) enclosure sizes can influence the behaviour of wide-ranging animals kept in captivity; and 3) the environmental complexity, provided by the environmental enrichment practices, reduces the negative effect of small sized enclosures in ocelots. The presented outcomes highlight the importance of investigations focused on the impact of enclosure features and the efficacy of environmental enrichment and methodological design for its application for the welfare of captive animals.

En kvantitativ studie med syftet att undersöka chefers arbetsmotivation i en större svensk koncern med runt 1000 anställda har genomförts. Vi har använt Self- determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2008a) samt Tremblay, Blanchard, Taylor, Pelletier och Villeneuves (2009) WEIMS-test (The work extrinsic and intrinsic motivation scale) som teoretiskt underlag i studien. Vi fokuserade på att jämföra skillnader i arbetsmotivation utifrån ålder och chefsposition samt att koppla arbetsmotivation till produktivitet. Totalt deltog 102 chefer, 27 av dem var arbetsledare, 54 var mellanchefer och 21 var högre chefer. Resultatet visade att cheferna i större utsträckning motiverades av inre motivationshöjande faktorer än av yttre motivationshöjande faktorer. Yngre chefer motiverades mer av inre motivationshöjande faktorer och de äldre cheferna motiverades i högre grad av kontrollerad arbetsmotivation. Det fanns inget samband mellan självbestämd (inre) arbetsmotivation och upplevd produktivitet men däremot fanns ett samband mellan självbestämd arbetsmotivation och attityd till koncernen och dess produktivitet. Slutligen visade sig de lägre cheferna uppleva mer amotivation än de högre cheferna. / Program: Organisations- och personalutvecklare i samhället

Este trabalho tem por objetivo desenvolver e caracterizar minicomprimidos de besilato de anlodipino para liberação imediata. Para tanto, foi realizado um estudo de pré-formulação de amostras do fármaco provenientes de diferentes fornecedores. Os resultados indicaram que o ativo é de alta solubilidade, de acordo com o Sistema de Classificação Biofarmacêutica. Além disso, não foram encontradas diferenças nas estruturas cristalinas das matérias-primas estudadas. Em seguida, foi feito um estudo de velocidade de dissolução intrínseca (VDI) do besilato de anlodipino, utilizando planejamento fatorial fracionado (33-1) cujas variáveis foram o meio de dissolução, velocidade de rotação e pressão de compactação. Verificou-se, que a VDI do besilato de anlodipino é afetada principalmente pelo meio de dissolução. Por fim, nove lotes de minicomprimidos (F1 a F9), contendo o fármaco para liberação imediata, foram produzidos de acordo com um planejamento fatorial completo 32, no qual foi avaliado o impacto do diluente e do desintegrante nas características físicas da formulação e na dissolução do ativo. Os resultados indicam que o diluente influencia no peso médio e relação diâmetro / espessura das formulações, o que é evidenciado pelas diferentes propriedades plásticas da celulose microcristalina e do fosfato de cálcio diidratado. Por outro lado, a eficiência de dissolução é uma resposta influenciada pelo uso do desintegrante. Considerando as recomendações da OMS para dissolução de medicamentos contendo fármacos de classe I ou III do Sistema de Classificação Biofarmacêutica, tal resultado indica que, somente com o uso de crospovidona ou croscarmelose, é possível alcançar uma liberação de 85% da dose em não mais do que 15 minutos, mesmo se tratando de um fármaco de alta solubilidade. / The purpose of this study was to develop and characterize immediate release mini-tablets containing amlodipine besylate. Accordingly, a pre-formulation study of samples of the drug from different suppliers was carried out. The results indicate that the active ingredient is highly-soluble, as defined by the Biopharmaceutics Classification System. Furthermore, no differences in the crystalline structures of the raw material in question were encountered. Subsequently, a study of the intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR) of amlodipine besylate was carried out using a fractional factorial design (33-1), whose variables were the dissolution medium, rotation speed and compaction pressure. We ascertained that the IDR of amlodipine besylate is mainly affected by the dissolution medium. Finally, nine batches of mini-tablets (F1 to F9) containing the drug for immediate release were produced in accordance with a complete factorial design (32), in which the impact of the diluent and the excipient on the physical characteristics of the formulation and on the dissolution of the active ingredient was assessed. The results indicate that the diluent influences the average weight and the diameter / thickeness ratio of the formulations, which is evidenced by the different plastic properties of microcrystalline cellulose and calcium phosphate dihydrate. On the other hand, dissolution efficiency is influenced by the use of the disintegrant. Considering WHO recommendations for the dissolution of medications containing class I or III drugs of the Biopharmaceutics Classification System, this result indicates that it is possible to attain 85% of the dosage dissolved in less than 15 minutes only with the use of crospovidone or croscarmellose, even for a highly-soluble drug.

Este trabalho tem por objetivo desenvolver e caracterizar minicomprimidos de besilato de anlodipino para liberação imediata. Para tanto, foi realizado um estudo de pré-formulação de amostras do fármaco provenientes de diferentes fornecedores. Os resultados indicaram que o ativo é de alta solubilidade, de acordo com o Sistema de Classificação Biofarmacêutica. Além disso, não foram encontradas diferenças nas estruturas cristalinas das matérias-primas estudadas. Em seguida, foi feito um estudo de velocidade de dissolução intrínseca (VDI) do besilato de anlodipino, utilizando planejamento fatorial fracionado (33-1) cujas variáveis foram o meio de dissolução, velocidade de rotação e pressão de compactação. Verificou-se, que a VDI do besilato de anlodipino é afetada principalmente pelo meio de dissolução. Por fim, nove lotes de minicomprimidos (F1 a F9), contendo o fármaco para liberação imediata, foram produzidos de acordo com um planejamento fatorial completo 32, no qual foi avaliado o impacto do diluente e do desintegrante nas características físicas da formulação e na dissolução do ativo. Os resultados indicam que o diluente influencia no peso médio e relação diâmetro / espessura das formulações, o que é evidenciado pelas diferentes propriedades plásticas da celulose microcristalina e do fosfato de cálcio diidratado. Por outro lado, a eficiência de dissolução é uma resposta influenciada pelo uso do desintegrante. Considerando as recomendações da OMS para dissolução de medicamentos contendo fármacos de classe I ou III do Sistema de Classificação Biofarmacêutica, tal resultado indica que, somente com o uso de crospovidona ou croscarmelose, é possível alcançar uma liberação de 85% da dose em não mais do que 15 minutos, mesmo se tratando de um fármaco de alta solubilidade. / The purpose of this study was to develop and characterize immediate release mini-tablets containing amlodipine besylate. Accordingly, a pre-formulation study of samples of the drug from different suppliers was carried out. The results indicate that the active ingredient is highly-soluble, as defined by the Biopharmaceutics Classification System. Furthermore, no differences in the crystalline structures of the raw material in question were encountered. Subsequently, a study of the intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR) of amlodipine besylate was carried out using a fractional factorial design (33-1), whose variables were the dissolution medium, rotation speed and compaction pressure. We ascertained that the IDR of amlodipine besylate is mainly affected by the dissolution medium. Finally, nine batches of mini-tablets (F1 to F9) containing the drug for immediate release were produced in accordance with a complete factorial design (32), in which the impact of the diluent and the excipient on the physical characteristics of the formulation and on the dissolution of the active ingredient was assessed. The results indicate that the diluent influences the average weight and the diameter / thickeness ratio of the formulations, which is evidenced by the different plastic properties of microcrystalline cellulose and calcium phosphate dihydrate. On the other hand, dissolution efficiency is influenced by the use of the disintegrant. Considering WHO recommendations for the dissolution of medications containing class I or III drugs of the Biopharmaceutics Classification System, this result indicates that it is possible to attain 85% of the dosage dissolved in less than 15 minutes only with the use of crospovidone or croscarmellose, even for a highly-soluble drug.

No description available.

Quoting James Andreoni, `the problem of tax compliance is as old as taxes themselves'. The sources of missing tax revenues have traditionally concerned tax administrations and particularly now in times when public finances are striving. In the quest for analysing the revenue that is foregone, tax administrations have started to produce a report of their tax gap, understood as the difference between the theoretical tax liability and the actual collection, to obtain a measure of the extent of non-compliance. Due to the complexity of the non-compliance behaviour and the lack of visibility of certain types of income, different methods are usually put in place in order to offer a plausible range for the estimates. This dissertation dedicates its two first chapters to providing an alternative method for estimating the income-gap (de fined to be one minus the proportion of reported to actual income) for two populations: the self-employed and the employees. The underlying data used for both cases is publicly available survey data on expenditures and income that is generated on a timely manner. This carries substantial advantages. First, relying on a general purpose survey dataset means that the estimation can be updated more frequently than if it was to rely solely on either the timing of administrative data or on survey data that is speci fically targeted to measure non-compliance. Second, it provides an alternative estimation using an independent source of data which allows for the triangulation of the estimate obtained using administrative sources. Third, it allows tax administrations which do not have readily available administrative data to perform estimations using a type of survey widespread available in most countries. The third chapter of this thesis explores the role of the extrinsic and intrinsic incentives in explaining engagement in the hidden economy defined as undeclared work practices. This chapter contributes firstly to the literature on shadow economy and to the debate of whether crowding effects are found between extrinsic and intrinsic motivations in a tax environment.

There is a need to explore ways to better motivate students in instruction, as student motivation is an issue confronting teachers at all levels of education. Instructor-student rapport (ISR), a multidimensional concept comprised of students’ enjoyable interaction and personal connection with instructors, has potential to offer educators a tool for increasing these important student outcomes. Further, self-determination theory (SDT) may have utility for illustrating the psychological mechanisms through which instructors influence students by building rapport. First, this study explored what behaviors instructors should employ to build ISR with students. Specifically, prosocial humor (related and unrelated) and confirmation (responding to questions, demonstrating interest, ad teaching style) were investigated as instructor rapport-building behaviors. Results showed that instructors’ use of related humor, demonstration of interest, and teaching style were significant predictors of both dimensions of ISR; mixed results were found for both responding to questions and unrelated humor. Second, this study considered whether ISR was a significant predictor of student outcomes: intrinsic motivation, perceived cognitive learning, and academic performance. While enjoyable interaction was a significant, positive predictor of all three outcomes, personal connection was not a significant, positive predictor of any student outcomes. In fact, personal connection was a significant, negative predictor of perceived cognitive learning. Third, this study explored whether ISR served as a mediator between these rapport-building behaviors and student outcomes as posited by SDT. Enjoyable interaction was a significant mediator in a majority of the models. However, personal connection was not a positive mediator in any models and served as a negative mediator when predicting perceived cognitive learning. Theoretical implications for this study’s findings, along with practical tips for instructors hoping to build ISR with students, are forwarded. In addition, future directions and limitations are discussed.

Within the U.S. sales industry, organizational productivity has decreased due to employee job dissatisfaction and increased voluntary turnover intentions (VTIs). Some leaders in the industry lack knowledge about the relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction, and the negative effect on employees' VTIs. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine whether intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction significantly predicted retail sales employees' VTIs. The Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) and the Turnover Intentions Scale (TIS-6) were used to collect data from full- or part-time employees in the U.S. retail sales industry. The theoretical framework was based on Herzberg's motivation-hygiene theory. The results of a multiple regression analysis indicated that a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction, F (2, 87) = 3.51, p = .034, R2 = .08), significantly predicted employees' VTIs. However, extrinsic job satisfaction (t = 2.05, p = .034) was the only statistically significant predictor. Business leaders, who understand the factors that increase extrinsic job satisfaction, may increase retention within the organization, provide workforce stability, improve organizational and economic growth, and decrease costs related to job satisfaction and VTIs. The implications for social change include helping to reduce the economy's unemployment rate and improve relationships between the employees, their families, and their communities include (a) improving employees' and stakeholders' perceptions of their organization in the community and (b) improving employees' well-being by understanding the job satisfaction factors that improve their morale.