<p> Individuals spend a majority of their lives in the organizational settings and the communication that occurs is detrimental to maintaining balance, while allotting for specific goals to be met. This goal of this thesis was to catalog supervisor misbehaviors with regard to frequency and valence and validate an adapted supervisor misbehavior measure. Additionally, misbehaviors have a relationship with power (prosocial/antisocial), organizational dissent, organizational orientations, supervisor credibility, and subordinate satisfaction. Participants (N = 258) responded to a questionnaire assessing their perceptions on misbehaviors of their current or most recent supervisor. Statistical analyses substantiated the adaptation of misbehaviors from the instructional to the organizational context. Supervisor misbehaviors had significant relationships with power (antisocial and prosocial), dissent (latent), organizational orientations (ambivalent), supervisor credibility (competence, goodwill, and trustworthiness), and subordinate satisfaction. Results are consistent with those found by Kearney et al., (1991) the seminal research on teacher misbehaviors. Despite compelling results, additional research is necessary to ascertain an exhausted supervisor misbehaviors typology and validate a corresponding measure.</p>

<p>The recent economic recession in the U.S. and in the E.U. is enhancing entrepreneurship processes around the world. Old forms of production are becoming obsolete along with old ways of organizing the economy and society. This scenario and the emergence of new leadership processes have prompted an increase in entrepreneurship focused on the needs of new niches. However, not all entrepreneurship and leadership processes have been successful in achieving their goals. Research on entrepreneurship and leadership has identified the need to further understand the dynamic features of these processes and their complexity.</p><p> One of the sectors in the U.S. that has shown major growth during the last decade is the wine sector. The increase of national and international market competition in the wine sector has prompted new entrepreneurship and leadership processes in this sector. As a result, it seems timely and appropriate to expand our understanding of effective entrepreneurship and leadership processes in the U.S. wine industry.</p><p> The dissertation&rsquo;s main contributions are to: (a) expand the understanding of the dynamics of entrepreneurship, (b) expand the understanding of how human cognition relates to its contexts in order to make entrepreneurship effective, (c) identify two types of leadership that are key for achieving companies&rsquo; sustained competitive advantage, (d) expand the understanding of how human cognition relates to its contexts in order to make leadership effective, (e) identify the structures (traits and processes) that effective entrepreneurship and leadership share, (f) identify the synergies between entrepreneurship and leadership, and (g) bring useful insights to the nine wineries interviewed so that they can address their current challenges more effectively. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.)</p>

Long chain fatty acids (LCFA) constitute a particular class of lipids whose developmental roles are coming under increasing scrutiny. These LCFAs not only have important cell specific functions but their dysregulation also forms the underlying cause of several lipid based disorders. Fatty acids are elongated in vivo by multi-enzymatic machinery in a stepwise manner. The first step of this process is carried out by a family of enzymes, conserved from yeast to humans, known as Elongases (Elos). It has been suggested that Elos work independently to elongate a fatty acid to a distinct length and perform distinct functions. Work in different species has implicated Elos in different biological roles such as barrier function, fertility, behavior and lipid homeostasis, but our understanding of the precise roles of these elongases in fatty acid elongation and how it relates to their physiological roles is not very well understood. To better understand the functions of Elos, I have characterized all Drosophila elongases for their developmental roles. In this thesis, I have shown that Drosophila elongases that are more conserved across species have more important functions (eg viability) as compared to the less conserved elongases. More specifically, I have discovered an elongases, sit still (sits), disruption of which in the nervous system results in striking locomotor and behavior defects, as well as decreased lifespan. I have also characterized another elongase, baldspot, which is important for imparting the epidermal barrier function in Drosophila, a conserved function of elongases across species. By elucidating the in vivo functions of these two Drosophila elongases, this work provides insight into the developmental roles of Elos and their links to diseases such as psoriasis, icthyosis, macular degeneration, Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2017 / Social systems describe the social organisation, mating system and social interactions of a species, and are revealing of the nature of how animals live and the underlying mechanisms of living alone or in groups. The social system of the African woodland dormice Graphiurus murinus has not been documented. The aim of my study was to investigate sociality, the mechanisms promoting sociality, and to G. murinus along the continuum of sociality in respect of rodents. Investigations on nest sharing in free-living woodland dormice showed that sleeping associations were common in females than males but changed seasonally (females all year round; males in breeding and winter seasons), reflecting the reproductive and thermoregulatory needs. The social structure of these sleeping associations was assessed using association indices and social network analysis. Woodland dormice exhibited a web of relationships between sex and age groups, with adult female groups and juvenile groups forming strong and exclusive relationships, while male groups showed ephemeral and weak relationships. In staged dyadic encounters of same sex dyads in captivity, females were amicable and tolerated unfamiliar females, whereas males displayed low tolerance and aggression towards unfamiliar. The three-chamber paradigm tests for sociability and social preferences revealed that both adult males and females had an intrinsic motivation to be social. However, this motivation differed by sex, with females showing a greater affinity for both strangers and unfamiliar females, whereas males showed an affinity for familiar males. Observations of huddling in female dyads revealed that, under decreasing Ta, females huddled together and combined nest material, thus changing the local microclimate and the insulation capacities of nests. In addition, long-associations were maintained even after Ta was increased, revealing that thermal challenges might promote group formation and enhance familiarity amongst females. Both my field and laboratory data suggest that woodland dormice form small seasonally transient sleeping associations. In females, limited aggression, tolerance, and nest sharing and construction under low temperatures could also lead to prolonged group-living. In males, aggression towards unfamiliar males, possibly maintains intra-sexual territoriality, yet familiarity creates tolerance, leading to group-living. Group-living in this arboreal rodent is mediated by the apparently phylogenetically constrained energetic demands of thermoregulation, coupled with an inherent need to associate with conspecifics. The level of familiarity between conspecifics or the presence of social partners facilitates group formation and is shaped by prevailing ecological conditions. / MT 2017

Suicidal behaviour is a serious public health problem. Globally and in South Africa prevalence rates are increasing particularly amongst young adults, highlighting a need for preventative measures. One way to assist with these efforts is to enhance our understanding of suicide by investigating young adult’s views towards suicidal behaviour. To date, limited research exists in the South African context on views towards suicide. The purpose of this study was to explore young adult’s views about suicidal behaviour within the context of culture and religion. A qualitative research design was adopted using semi-structured individual interviews. The participants were ten students from the University of the Witwatersrand between the ages of twenty and twenty-five. The results were analysed using thematic content analysis. The results revealed that participants predominantly identified psychological, social and cultural risk factors for suicidal behaviour, ignoring the influence of psychopathology. The participants also highlighted the influence of the social and cultural context on shaping not only their own views, but those of their family, culture and community. The results indicated that unlike their families, religions and communities, the participants did not hold negative views towards suicide. Instead they appeared to have a great deal of sympathy towards those who had attempted or committed suicide and seemed to denounce the negative views of those around them. Lastly, the results illustrated that role of gender was central to explanations gender differences in suicidal behaviour. Implications of the findings for future research and prevention are discussed.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Johannesburg, 2015 / Cetaceans show an unusual form of mammalian sleep, with unihemispheric slow waves (USWS), suppressed REM sleep and continuous bodily movement, however the mechanism by which USWS occurs is unclear. This thesis describes the detailed anatomy of the neural systems systems involved in the control and regulation of sleep in the basal forebrain, diencephalon, midbrain and pons in three Cetartiodactyla species namely the Harbour porpoise, Northern minke whale and the Hippopotamus, as well as a broader study of the orexinergic system in Cetartiodactyls by means of immunohistochemistry and stereological analysis. All the neural elements involved in sleep regulation and control found in bihemispheric sleeping mammals were present in the harbour porpoise, minke whale and hippopotamus with no specific nuclei being absent, and the only novel nuclei being identified was the parvocellular orexinergic cluster in the hypothalamus- a feature seen in cetartiodactyla and the Africa elephant. This qualitative similarity of nuclear organization relates to the cholinergic, noradrenergic, serotonergic and orexinergic systems and is extended to the GABAergic elements involved with these nuclei. Quantitative analysis of the cholinergic and noradrenergic nuclei of the pontine region and the orexinergic nuclei of the hypothalamus revealed that in comparison to other mammals, the numbers of pontine cholinergic, noradrenergic and orexinergic neurons are markedly higher in the harbour porpoise and minke whale than in other large-brained bihemispheric sleeping mammals previously examined. Furthermore, the diminutive telencephalic commissures (anterior commissure, corpus callosum and hippocampal commissure) along with an enlarged posterior commissure and supernumerary pontine cholinergic and noradrenergic neurons in cetaceans indicate that the control of unihemispheric slow wave sleep is likely to be a function of interpontine competition, facilitated through the posterior commissure, in response to unilateral telencephalic input related to the drive for sleep. In addition, an expanded peripheral division of the dorsal raphe nuclear complex appears likely to play a role in the suppression of REM sleep in cetaceans. Thus, this thesis provides several clues to the understanding of the neural control of the unusual sleep phenomenology present in cetaceans

Research report is presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Faculty of Humanities at University of the Witwatersrand MARCH 2016 / Past studies revealed that the existence of congruence between employees and their organisation produces more favourable attitudes and behaviours. This study sought to highlight the need for an intermediary link between person organisation fit and turnover intention, and to propose the integration of employee engagement as a potential mediating factor. The sample for this research consisted of 426 employees from diverse military units. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted to test the direct and mediating relationships between key variables. Four hypotheses were tested. Hypothesis 1 stated that there will be a significant negative relationship between P-O fit and turnover intention and it was statistically supported. Hypothesis 2 stated that there will be a significant negative relationship between employee engagement and turnover intention and it was also statistically supported. Hypothesis 3 stated that there will be a significant positive relationship between P-O fit and employee engagement, this hypothesis was also confirmed through a significant statistical result. Lastly, Hypothesis 4 stated that employee engagement will mediate the relationship between P-O fit and turnover intention. This hypothesis was supported through the finding that employee engagement partially mediated the relationship between P-O fit and turnover intention The results showed that employee engagement partially mediates the relationship between the person-organisation fit and turnover intention. This suggests that person-organisation fit (in terms of value and goal congruence) provides greater meaningfulness and psychological attachment, which then leads individuals to a higher level of employee engagement. So, in short, the study showed that individuals with a higher level of employee engagement would be less likely to leave their organisations.

Background Gert Sibande District has the highest HIV prevalence among women attending public antenatal health clinics. Multiple sexual partnerships (MSP) enhance heterosexual HIV transmission, which is the main form of transmission in South Africa. There is need, therefore, to identify important factors associated with MSP for the development of strategic intervention policies and programmes. Objectives To determine the prevalence and associated factors of multiple sexual partnerships (MSP) in men and women in Gert Sibande District (GSD) in 2010. Methods This is a secondary data analysis of data collected through a cross-sectional multi-stage study using cluster probability sampling technique in GSD in 2010. The study collected data on 750 adult men and women aged 16 to 55 years through an interviewer-administered standardised questionnaire. Simple descriptive statistics and chi square analysis were used to determine the prevalence and patterns of the MSP in the study population. Multiple logistic regression models were built to determine factors that were independently associated with MSP. Results The analysis included 592 sexually active respondents: 200 men and 392 women. A fifth of the respondents had had their first sexual encounter before the age of 16 years. Condom use was higher among men than women. Condom use was lowest with most recent partners (56.6%) than in second (74.6%) and third sexual partners (78.6%). Alcohol use was high, with more men (72.0%) than women (33.2%) having ever consumed alcohol (p<0.001) and among these alcohol users, more men (44.5%) than women (8.7%) were involved in risky drinking. The overall reported MSP prevalence was 22.0%, 95% CI: 19 - 25%. Men (44.0%, 95% CI: 37 - 51%) reported significantly higher levels of MSP than women (10.7%, 95% CI: 8 - 12%). Levels of MSP decreased with age and were highest among young adults, men (20 to 24 years) and women (15 to 19 years), those who were never married, and among men in the intermediate socio-economic group. There were significant associations between MSP and underlying socio-demographic factors (age, socio-economic status and marital status), and with intermediate sexual behavioural factors (age at first sex, condom use at last sex), sex under the influence of alcohol and transactional sex in the past 12 months). Among men, young age (AOR 3.0, 95% CI: 1.0 - 9.3) socio-economic status (AOR 3.1, 95% CI: 1.7 - 5.6) predicted having MSP. The strongest positive correlation of MSP among men occurred with the sexual behavioural factors, particularly age at first sex (AOR 9.7, 95% CI: 2.3 - 41.4) and having sex under the influence of alcohol (AOR 4.5, 95% CI: 1.9 - 9.7). There was a 4.5 times likelihood of MSP with transactional sex in the past 12 months. Among women, being never married (AOR 10.9, 95% CI: 1.3 – 90.3), condom use at last sex (AOR 2.4, 95% CI: 1.1 – 5.6), transactional sex in the past 12 months (AOR 12.0, 95% CI: 3.9 – 37.1) and having sex under the influence of alcohol (AOR 9.3, 95% CI: 4.4 – 19.6) were significantly associated with increased odds of MSP. Conclusion The findings of this study showed a high prevalence of MSP compared to the reported prevalence of MSP in the South African national and sub-national surveys (SABSSM, NCS and DHS). The prevalence was ever higher across some sub-groups of the population. The findings highlight the need for interventions that will address socio-economic factors influence MSP in GSD, especially among young adults and unmarried adults of GSD. Among this largely black population, the occurrence of several sexual risk factors, including early age at first sex, transactional sex, and high alcohol use, indicate the need for group-specific interventions. This study also provides a basis for future research to allow for the comparison of changes in MSP levels among adults of GSD and for prevention interventions targeting partner reduction.

This study examined the influence of User Generated Branding (UGB) on consumers’ attitudes and purchase intentions by comparing it to brand generated advertising on the world’s largest social media website: Facebook (eMarketer, 2016). The research was theoretically grounded by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), which helped in understanding how consumers’ attitudes toward a behavior would form their behavioral intentions. The advent of User Generated Branding on Facebook has radically changed the communication patterns between brands and consumers. Facebook, at its core, is a place for interpersonal communications. Therefore, it offers its members with emotional benefits through networking and conversations. But, as it is slowly evolving into a marketing platform (Scale, 2008), users have found many practical commercial implications in terms of information search on the platform before deciding to purchase an item. UGB refers to “the strategic and operative management of brand-related user generated content (UGC) by the brand and its consumers to achieve brand goals (Burmann & Arnhold, 2009, p. 3).” Brand-related user generated content is any type of data, information or media, voluntarily created and contributed by regular people who are consumers of a specific brand, which comes across as useful or entertaining to other consumers (Krumm et al., 2008). On the other hand, brand generated advertising is any form of media-related strategies and tactics, usually paid, deployed by a business in order to establish as well as maintain effective and ongoing communications with its customers (Stuhfaut & Davis, 2010). The current research tried to explore into this collaboration between consumers and brands as well as other consumers on Facebook (Saxena & Khanna, 2013). The present research posited that UGB, as an added consumer interaction touch point about brands on Facebook, could play a more decisive role than brand generated ads in shaping users’ perceptions, attitudes, and purchase intentions. 669 undergraduate students from a major university in Southeastern USA voluntarily participated in this research. In an online survey, the subjects were randomly assigned to one of the two experimental conditions, framed as either a UGB Facebook post or a brand generated ad post. Inattentive and inconsistent responses were eliminated using dummy test questions. So, the final sample size consisted of 539 participants (n = 539). The findings suggested that there was not a statistically significant difference in how these two sources of content impacted users’ attitudes and purchase intentions (p = .05). Both UGB posts and brand generated ads on Facebook were seen to play complementary roles in influencing consumers’ intentions to purchase. This research offered useful insights to marketers and advertisers in finding the right kind of content combination on Facebook that would induce favorable perceptions, attitudes and purchase intention. Practical implications showed that, on Facebook, brands should flexibly adapt their promotional strategies to users’ brand-related interactions. From an academic perspective, the present study was seen to contribute toward filling the prevailing gap in the literature in investigating consumer behavior patterns related to UGB on Facebook, considering the ever increasing popularity of the website (de Vries et al., 2012). / A Thesis submitted to the School of Communication in partial fulfillment of the Master of Arts. / Summer Semester 2017. / May 24, 2017. / Attitude toward the ad, Attitude toward the brand, Consumer Behavior, Facebook Advertising, Purchase Intention, User Generated Content / Includes bibliographical references. / Juliann Cortese, Professor Directing Thesis; Sindy Chapa, Committee Member; Stephen McDowell, Committee Member.

Latinos account for 80% of all farmworkers in the United States (U.S.) (Hernandez, Gabbard, & Carroll, 2016). Based on the latest National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS), there are young farmworkers ages 14 to 21 years old who account for 10% of the farmworker population. Youth who come to work in the U.S. by themselves – without their parents – are also known as emancipated migrant youth (EMY; Peoples et al., 2010). These EMY are part of a larger vulnerable community of migrant and seasonal immigrant farmworkers (Arcury & Quandt, 2009). EMY are in their great majority males (89%), lack of work authorization (70%) (NAWS, 2016) and are at great risk for negative health outcomes from agricultural work (Cooper et al., 2005). To better understand the individual and the family expectations contributing to Latino youth entrance into the agricultural workforce, and the physical and psychological consequences of that decision, the following two papers addressed the gap in the literature of emancipated migrant youth in the U.S. Paper 1 consisted of two studies; Study 1explores the contributing factors (e.g., cultural values, familial values, and needs) that were included to the decision for youth to come to the United States to perform farm work. Study 2 identifies emancipated migrant youths’ personal choice –that is the level of contribution to the decision to come to the U.S. and work as a farmworker, familism, EMY’s role as provider through financial remittances, and family dependency. Paper 1 followed an exploratory design (Plano Clark et al., 2008; QUAL→quan) whereby the first component of the study (i.e., Study 1) consisted of n = 20 in-depth interviews with emancipated migrant youth that can help understand the decision making process for these youth’s migration to the United States and entrance into the agricultural labor force. These interviews later informed the creation of the culturally appropriate quantitative questionnaire (i.e., Study 2) based on Study 1 findings. Specifically, Study 2 (n = 36) identified the associations between whether EMY contributed to the decision to migrate to the U.S. and live as a farmworkers, familism, frequency of financial remittances, and family financial dependency. Similarly, Paper 2 consisted of two studies; Study 1 explored the work-related experiences of doing farmwork and living in the U.S. by emancipated migrant youth. Study 2 identified the day-to day challenges and stressors of the farmworker lifestyle that impact emancipated migrant youth’s overall health and well-being. Paper 2 also followed an exploratory design (Plano Clark et al., 2008; QUAL→quan) whereby the first component (i.e., Study 1) consisted of in-depth interviews with emancipated migrant youth. Such interviews helped understand the work-related experiences work in the United States, and living in the U.S. without their families among emancipated migrant youth. These interviews further guided the construction of the second, quantitative component (i.e., Study 2) to identify the effects of daily challenges and stressors on emancipated migrant youth psychological and physical health. Results from Paper 1 provided an insight and better understanding of the health “realities of the field” emancipated migrant youth experience as well as the underlying forces (i.e., personal, family values, financial need) that may have impacted EMY’s decision to leave their home countries and work in agriculture abroad. Specifically, thematic analysis highlighted four major themes for Study 1. Group differences emerged by EMY’s country of origin (i.e., Guatemala, Mexico) as well as age (i.e., 15 to 17 years old and 18 to 20 years old). A total of four major themes were identified: (1) “It was the best thing I could do,” (2) “It was my decision,” (3) “Farmwork just made sense,” (4) “This is just temporary.” In addition, Study 2 results showed no associations between the decision to migrate to the U.S. and work in farmwork with EMY’s familism, frequency of financial remittances and family financial decency. Results from Paper 2 provided an insight and better understanding of the work-related experiences of working in farmwork and living in the U.S. Specifically, thematic analysis highlighted five major themes for Study 1. (1) “You have to keep pushing forward,” (2) “It feels ugly but it’s all worth it,” (3) “The sun is unbearable, but we have to keep working,” (4) “I just take some medicine and it goes away,” (5) “I have to do everything on my own.” In addition, Study 2 results showed significant associations between the EMY’s MFWSI, loneliness, social isolation, and depressive symptoms. There were no significant mean differences based on EMY’s age group (i.e., 15 to 17 years old, 18 to 20 years old). / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester 2018. / May 21, 2018. / Emancipated Migrant Youth, Family and Child Sciences, Farmworkers, Latino, Mixed-Methods / Includes bibliographical references. / Melinda A. Gonzales-Backen, Professor Directing Dissertation; Richard K. Wagner, University Representative; Ming Cui, Committee Member; Joseph G. Grzywacz, Committee Member.