This thesis examines the effectiveness of participatory research processes as a form of agricultural extension within the Australian Dairy Industry, and specifically addresses the question : Does Action Research provide an effective methodology and method(s) for enacting farmer-driven research? The experiences of the Dairy Australian-funded Profitable Pastures Protection Project (PPP), delivered to farmers across New South Wales from 1999 to 2003, provided the context within which Action Research was assessed. Data were derived from journal records of the researcher’s personal experiences as a participant observer, a PhD candidate and project coordinator. The other main data sources were industry reports that tracked the progress, outputs and outcomes of PPP. A three-tiered research framework, consisting of Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary levels was devised as a basis to direct research, and interpret results. Conclusions are drawn that contemporary extension practice can be improved by better linking the on-and off-farm domains using participatory research processes such as Action Research. Meeting this challenge appears increasingly urgent in light of a globally relevant and strengthening off-farm environmental agenda that requires democratic engagement amongst greater numbers of agricultural stakeholders. This environmental agenda also places still greater demands on farmers, their management systems and the products and effects of the on-farm domain. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Lacosamide (LCM) is a new antiepileptic drug with a previously unknown mode of action. Using electrophysiological recording techniques in a range of in vitro preparations I have determined a mechanism of action of the new drug. In a 4-aminopyridine model of tonic-clonic seizures in rat visual cortex in vitro, LCM stereoselectively reduced maximal frequency and duration of tonic activity with EC[50�s] of 71 and 41 [mu]M respectively. LCM (100 [mu]M) significantly reduced excitability in whole cell patch clamped neurons producing non-selective reduction in the incidence of excitatory/inhibitory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs; LCM: 46.1 � 15.5 %, P <0.01, n = 4, IPSCs; LCM: 24.9 � 9.6 %, P <0.01, n = 4) and block of spontaneous action potentials (EC₅₀ 61 [mu]M). The inhibitory effects of LCM did not result from changes in passive membrane properties (including resting membrane potential or input resistance) as assessed by application of voltage ramps between -70 to +20 mV. LCM did not mimic the effects of diazepam as an allosteric modulator of GABA[A] receptor currents, nor did it inhibit evoked excitatory currents mediated by AMPA or NMDA receptors. Unlike phenytoin (DPH), carbamazepine (CBZ) or lamotrigine (LTG) that blocked sustained action potential firing evoked by brief depolarising steps (750 ms) or ramps (-70 to 20 mV, 90 mV.sec⁻�), LCM could weakly reduce the frequency of action potentials evoked by brief depolarisation suggesting a potential interaction with VGSCs. In accordance with this, the effect of LCM upon neurotransmission was negated in the presence of tetrodotoxin (200 nM, TTX). The frequency of miniature EPSCs was not altered by the drug (100 [mu]M). These results discounted some crucial potential anticonvulsant targets for LCM but implied a potential interaction with electrogenic VGSCs. When SRF duration was prolonged (10 s) LCM produced significant (P <0.01, n = 4-10, EC₅₀: 48 [mu]M) inhibition, but not within the first second of the burst EC₅₀: 640 [mu]M). Evoked TTX sensitive sodium currents in N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells were significantly reduced by LCM, CBZ, LTG and DPH when V[h]: -60 mV. Hyperpolarizing pulses (500 ms) to -100 mV could reverse block by CBZ, LTG and DPH but not LCM. The V₅₀ for steady state fast inactivation was more hyperpolarized by CBZ (-79.45 � 2.64 mV, n = 5, P < 0.001), LTG (-72.30 � 1.70 mV, n = 6, P <0.05) and DPH (-77.17 � 2.32 mV, n = 6, P <0.05) but not by LCM (-65.02 � 1.75 mV, n = 6, CONTROL: -65.84 � 0.86 mV). In contrast to CBZ, LCM did not slow recovery from fast inactivation or produce frequency dependent facilitation of block of a 3 s, 10 Hz pulse train. LCM (100 [mu]M) did produce a (V₅₀: CONTROL ~64 mV, LCM -57.47 � 4.53 mV, P <0.001, n = 4-8) hyperpolarizing shift in the voltage dependence of slow sodium channel inactivation and promoted channel entry into the slow inactivated state (P <0.001, n = 6) but did not alter the rate of recovery. I therefore conclude that LCM produces inhibition of epileptiform cellular activity, at least in part, via enhancement of voltage gated sodium channel slow inactivation and represents a molecule possessing a unique anticonvulsant mechanism of action.

This exegesis follows the development and application of an informal learning model for marginalised young people frequenting the inner city area of Melbourne, Australia. The Melbourne Youth Learning Opportunities (MYLO) project emerged in response to an increasingly visible community of young people frequenting the city campuses and a simultaneous wave of public concern about young people's options in Melbourne around the turn of the millennium. The application of an action research model was central to the research and is reflected throughout this exegesis. The recurring steps of reflection, planning, analysis and action are witnessed throughout the life of the MYLO project on both micro and macro scales. The research methodology reflects action research principles of consultation and continual improvement whilst simultaneously catering for traditional academic principles of rigour and validity. Combined qualitative and quantitative data collection was supported by careful data reduction and display before the determination of findings and according actions. The exegesis follows the creation and trial of an innovative youth learning model. In turn, the work explores the evaluation of the trial, the dissemination of project results, efforts at forward planning and the eventual piloting of the model. Throughout the document the reflections of the project team and, more particularly, the author (as primary researcher) are closely considered. The exegesis concludes with an analysis of developments in literature since the time of MYLO's creation, the contribution of the project to this body of knowledge, the long term outcomes for the MYLO model and the long term outcomes in terms of the author's own personal and professional development.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, June, 2007. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Antioch University, 2006. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Mar. 27, 2006). Advisor: Jon Wergin. Keywords: leadership development, evaluation, leadership, user-focused theory of action . Includes bibliographical references (p. 212-226 ).

No description available.

The action research methodology and several of its methods have previously been highlighted and described by the authors as a fitting and rigorous framework approach for complex waste management systems.  This was in response to criticism of the ex ante selection of traditional empiric systems analysis tools to provide decision support and ‘sustainable improvement’ in such complex systems which often involve strong human and political factors.   Several of the action research methods described have recently been utilized in a case study around mineral (aggregate) construction and demolition waste in the Stockholm region.  These methods were integrated through a series of workshops and work areas undergone together with project members from several private and public sectors.  Leaving the problem fuzzy (loosely defined) in the beginning; utilizing convergent interviewing, rich pictures and focus groups allowed the researchers and partner stakeholders to identify not one but several problem areas within the system of focus.  Indicator creation and a dialectic processes were then used to identify qualitative and quantitative aspects of salience around these problem areas.  These resulting indicators were strengthened through a process of verification.  Each indicator was then analyzed by what was deemed to be appropriate and transparent means.  It is argued that this approach may create better communication, transparency, and understanding by the stakeholders.  These factors in turn allowing stronger stakeholder ownership of the process and assisting in more informed decisions and help to provide stability for desired change. However the process was not without its drawbacks such as intense communication and time requirements. / QC 20120110 / Project BRA

Många studier har påvisat en skillnad mellan förmågan att benämna verb respektive substantiv hos patienter med hjärnskada samt hos kontrollgrupper (Caramazza &amp; Hills, 1991; Mätzig, Druks, Masterson &amp;Vigliocco, 2009; Szekely et al., 2005). Samtidigt bedöms aktivitetsord utifrån vissa studier vara mer krävande att tolka, vilket kan vara en bidragande orsak till skillnader i benämningsförmåga (Liljeström et al., 2008; Mätzig et al., 2009). Action Naming Test (ANT) är ett verbbenämningstest utformat av Obler och Albert 1979 (Barth Ramsay, Nicholas, Au, Obler &amp; Albert, 1999), vilket översattes till svenska och normerades av Lindahl och Oskarsson inom ramen för ett magisterarbete i logopedi (2011). I normeringen genererade vissa ord många felsvar och sågs som problematiska, och en reanalys av det insamlade materialet efterfrågades. Syftet med föreliggande studie är att genomföra en förnyad analys av insamlade data och ta fram en ny normering för ANT i en population svenska vuxna, efter exkludering av problematiska ord. I syfte att undersöka vilka ord som gav upphov till många felsvar och orsaker till detta, gjordes en ny genomgång av 120 tidigare insamlade testprotokoll, samt en felsvarsanalys baserad på Barth Ramsays och medarbetares utvecklade modell (1999). Efter genomgång av angivna svar, analys av felsvar och ordens användningsfrekvenser i svenska språket, exkluderades tolv ord.  Jämförelse av resultat mellan tre åldersgrupper (20-30år, 31-65år, 66-83år), två utbildningsnivåer (≤12 år, ≥13 år) och kön gjordes både före och efter borttagning av de tolvorden. I båda fallen återfanns signifikanta skillnader mellan den äldsta åldersgruppen och de två yngre grupperna. Likaså kvarstod en signifikant skillnad mellan de två utbildningsnivåerna. Ingen signifikant skillnad mellan könen fanns. Felsvarsanalysen tyder på att många av felsvaren berodde på feltolkning av bild, eller att de översatta orden hade mycket låg användningsfrekvens i det svenska språket. Även ord som efter översättning motsvarades av verbfraser i svenskan, istället för ett självständigt verb, gav upphov till svårigheter. Flera studier har dessutom visat på att verbbenämning förenklas vid filmklipp som stimuli (den Ouden, Fix, Parrish &amp; Thompson, 2009; d’Honincthun&amp;Pillon, 2005), eftersom tid och rörelse då ej går förlorade. Att översätta test är komplicerat, varför utformning av ett nytt svenskt verbbenämningstest, där val av stimuli beaktas, är att föredra. / Several studies have demonstrated a difference between the ability to name verbs and nouns in patients with brain injury and among control groups (Caramazza&amp; Hills, 1991; Mätzig, Druks, Masterson &amp;Vigliocco, 2009; Szekely et al., 2005). On the other hand,words explaining an activity are in some studies considered to be more demanding to interpret, which may be a contributing factor to the differences in the naming ability. (Liljeström et al., 2008; Mätzig et al., 2009). Action Naming Test (ANT) is a verb naming test designed by Obler and Albert 1979 (Barth Ramsay, Nicholas, Au, Obler &amp; Albert, 1999), which was translated into Swedish andestablished to normative data by Lindahl and Oskarsson as part of a master’s thesis in Speech and Language Pathology (2011). In this study, some words generated severalincorrect responses and were considered as problematic;therefore, a re-analysis of the collected material was requested. The purpose of the present study was to make a new analysis of the collected data and develop new normative valuesfor ANT in a Swedish population of adults, without the problematic words. In order to investigate which wordsresulted in many incorrect responses and the reasons behind, a new review based on the model developed by Barth Ramsay and colleagues (1999)was madeof the 120 collected test protocols, as well as an analysis of the incorrect responses.Afterthisreview and analysis of the incorrect responses and the word’s frequency in Swedishwere made, twelve words were excluded. Comparison of results between three age groups (20-30 years, 31-65 years and 66-83 years), two levels of education (≤ 12 years and ≥ 13 years) and genders were made both before and after the removal of the twelve words. In both cases, significant differences were foundbetween the oldest age group and the two younger groups. Likewise,a significant difference between the two levels of educationremained. No significantgender differenceswere found. Throughthe analysis of incorrect responses,it appeared that many of them were due either to misinterpretation of the image, or to the very low frequency of use of the translated words. Words that were translated into verb phrases instead of independent verbs also resulted in difficulties. Several studies have shown that using a video instead of picture as stimuli simplifies verb naming (den Ouden, Fix, Parrish &amp; Thompson, 2009; d’Honincthun &amp; Pillon, 2005) because, then, the aspects of time and movement will not be lost. Since translating testsfrom other languages is complicated, designing a whole new Swedish verb naming test, where choice of stimuli is considered, is preferable.

Past research has demonstrated that there are numerous medical and psychological consequences when a woman with an eating disorder becomes pregnant. There has been a paucity of research, however, examining the attitudes towards pregnancy of women with body image issues/eating disorders and how these attitudes subsequently affect intentions to become pregnant. The present study examines intentions to become pregnant among a sample of women ranging in level of body image concerns using the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) as a framework (Ajzen and Fishbein, 1980). Two hundred and forty-two females from an introductory psychology class completed a questionnaire, including the Eating Disorder Inventory (Garner, 1991) and specific scales targeting the components of the TRA developed for the present study. As expected, all TRA precursors to intentions were positively correlated with intentions to become pregnant, while contrary to predictions, body image was not correlated with intentions. In partial support of the TRA, a multiple regression analysis revealed that, for all participants, the subjective norm of pregnancy and perceived benefits of pregnancy were predictive of intentions to become pregnant. Perceived costs of pregnancy, however, evidenced no ability to predict intentions to become pregnant. Although results failed to support the prediction that those with high body image concerns would indicate a lower intention to become pregnant, significant differences among those with high versus low body image concerns did emerge. Specifically, participants with high body image concerns reported greater perceived costs of pregnancy as well as a greater likelihood of engaging in weight control behaviours during pregnancy. Implications, as well as practical applications of these findings are discussed.