The field of decision making has largely focused on the influence of contextual factors on risk tolerance. Much work has focused on how the problem itself is presented, in hopes of understanding the circumstances under which individuals may be helped in areas of long-term investment and planning through encouragement of greater risk tolerance. Specifically, when making financial decisions, it has been suggested that by presenting individual decisions in groups (Gneezy & Potters, 1997), or by presenting feedback less frequently (Thaler et al, 1997), participants are able to process individual problems in a holistic manner, which encourages risk tolerance when deciding. This literature has typically made claims that these effects are dependent on how the problem is presented. However, evidence for the benefits of “broadly bracketed” problems often relies as much on the presentation of aggregated outcomes as it relies on the grouping of problems. The purpose of this thesis was to further examine whether bracketing effects might be attributable to manipulations of problem framing or outcome framing. In addition, it has been suggested that perhaps individuals who differ in processing styles might respond differentially to framing effects in general (Frederick, 2005). That is, perhaps individuals who are more intuitive decision makers might be more susceptible to context-based changes, and so might show larger framing effects. Deliberative decision makers, on the other hand, might overcome these framing effects by reflecting on, or actively “reframing”, the problem. A secondary purpose of this thesis was thus to investigate individual differences in the magnitude of the bracketing effect on risk tolerance. In Experiment 1, problem and outcome bracketing were examined in the domain of discrete choices, while in Experiment 2, bracketing was examined with continuous iv investments. Results suggest that when investment opportunities are identical, problem framing encourages long-term risk tolerance. However, when choices are somewhat different from one another, as is often the case in real-world investment situations, outcome information is critical to encouraging long-term risk tolerance. Together, results suggest a critical reevaluation of the bracketing hypothesis and its application to long-term investment.

The field of decision making has largely focused on the influence of contextual factors on risk tolerance. Much work has focused on how the problem itself is presented, in hopes of understanding the circumstances under which individuals may be helped in areas of long-term investment and planning through encouragement of greater risk tolerance. Specifically, when making financial decisions, it has been suggested that by presenting individual decisions in groups (Gneezy & Potters, 1997), or by presenting feedback less frequently (Thaler et al, 1997), participants are able to process individual problems in a holistic manner, which encourages risk tolerance when deciding. This literature has typically made claims that these effects are dependent on how the problem is presented. However, evidence for the benefits of “broadly bracketed” problems often relies as much on the presentation of aggregated outcomes as it relies on the grouping of problems. The purpose of this thesis was to further examine whether bracketing effects might be attributable to manipulations of problem framing or outcome framing. In addition, it has been suggested that perhaps individuals who differ in processing styles might respond differentially to framing effects in general (Frederick, 2005). That is, perhaps individuals who are more intuitive decision makers might be more susceptible to context-based changes, and so might show larger framing effects. Deliberative decision makers, on the other hand, might overcome these framing effects by reflecting on, or actively “reframing”, the problem. A secondary purpose of this thesis was thus to investigate individual differences in the magnitude of the bracketing effect on risk tolerance. In Experiment 1, problem and outcome bracketing were examined in the domain of discrete choices, while in Experiment 2, bracketing was examined with continuous iv investments. Results suggest that when investment opportunities are identical, problem framing encourages long-term risk tolerance. However, when choices are somewhat different from one another, as is often the case in real-world investment situations, outcome information is critical to encouraging long-term risk tolerance. Together, results suggest a critical reevaluation of the bracketing hypothesis and its application to long-term investment.

The paper discusses the distribution and meaning of the additive particle -m@s in Ishkashimi. -m@s receives different semantic associations while staying in the same syntactic position. Thus, structurally combined with an object, it can semantically associate with the focused object or with the whole focused VP; similarly, combined with the subject it can semantically associate with the focused subject and with the whole focused sentence.

Les propriétés géochimiques particulières du molybdène vis-à-vis du potentiel d’oxygénation en milieu aqueux en font un élément particulièrement utilisé pour déterminer le degré d’oxygénation du milieu dans lequel un dépôt a sédimenté. Dans un premier temps, ce travail de thèse présente une alternative aux méthodes d’extraction du molybdène utilisées jusqu’ici. Les principales méthodes de purification couramment utilisées sur échantillons géologiques se décomposent en deux phases : une purification au travers d’une résine anionique, puis une purification au travers d’une résine cationique. La méthode proposée ici, initialement prévue pour permettre des analyses en Sample-Standard-Bracketing (SSB), permet d’isoler quantitativement le molybdène du reste de la matrice géologique en un seul passage sur résine anionique. La purification s’avère également suffisamment efficace pour effectuer des analyses en utilisant la méthode du double-spike. Une comparaison de ces deux méthodes de correction du fractionnement instrumental a permis d’évaluer les limites de l’utilisation du SSB par rapport au double-spike. Dans un second temps, cette chimie a été appliquée dans le cadre d’une étude géochimique approfondie d’un gisement fossilifère extrêmement riche: le Lagerstätte de Sirius Passet situé au nord du Groenland. Associée aux critères paléontologiques, cette étude indique que ces sédiments se sont déposés dans un milieu au moins partiellement oxygéné, sous forme de boues sédimentaires très peu propices aux échanges avec la colonne d’eau. Le contexte paléogéographique, les analyses chimiques et les observations microscopiques suggèrent que ces boues sont principalement d’origine éolienne. / The particular behaviour of molybdenum towards the oxygenation potential in aqueous environments makes this element very useful to infer the oxygenation level under which a sediment is deposited. The first part of this PhD thesis is dedicated to the development of a new protocol for the extraction of molybdenum from geological samples. Until now, most extractions are performed using two ion exchange resin columns: an anionic one, then a cationic one. The protocol proposed here, initially set to allow measurements using a classical Sample-Standard-Bracketing (SSB) method, allows good purification and recovery of molybdenum through a single pass in an anion exchange resin. This purification is good enough to perform analyses using the double-spike method. A comparison between these two methods to correct the instrumental mass bias allowed us to better constrain SSB limits versus the double-spike method. The second part of this work aimed at geochemically characterizing an extraordinary fossil assemblage deposit located in North Greenland: the Sirius Passet Lagerstätte. In association with paleontological criteria, this study shows that these sediments were deposited in an environment at least partially oxygenated, in the form of muds enabling little exchange with the water column. The paleogeographical context, chemical analyses and thin-section observations suggest that these muds are mainly aeolian in origin.

A grounded theory methodology, justified by the logic of methodical hermeneutics, was employed to guide both the collection and analysis of data produced from interviews with 11 psychotherapy clients who reported having unsuccessful experiences. Ultimately, I put forth the Clients Helical Path as a theoretical model grounded in clients' unsuccessful therapy experiences. The theory subsumes four subcategories: three cyclically-related subcategory processes (Embarking, Evaluating, and Ending), and a fourth category (Familiarity) that provides a temporal/experiential dimension. Clients embark upon a course of therapy with certain expectations; they later evaluate their experience on the basis of these expectations, and then end therapy when they adjudicate it as not sufficiently successful. Clients' familiarity with the enterprise of therapy is enhanced with each successive therapy experience, and this familiarity implicates clients' subsequent expectations, evaluations, and endings. The theory contextualizes clients experiences of unsuccessful therapy at the level of the individual, rather at the level of the course of therapy, thereby providing an understanding for how past therapy experiences influence future ones. This feature of the theory represents a significant departure from and contribution to the existing psychotherapy research literature. I discuss the unique nature and utility of the theory, its overlap with existing empirical findings, as well as its limitations. I suggest directions for future research, and I provide multiple credibility checks.

A grounded theory methodology, justified by the logic of methodical hermeneutics, was employed to guide both the collection and analysis of data produced from interviews with 11 psychotherapy clients who reported having unsuccessful experiences. Ultimately, I put forth the Clients Helical Path as a theoretical model grounded in clients' unsuccessful therapy experiences. The theory subsumes four subcategories: three cyclically-related subcategory processes (Embarking, Evaluating, and Ending), and a fourth category (Familiarity) that provides a temporal/experiential dimension. Clients embark upon a course of therapy with certain expectations; they later evaluate their experience on the basis of these expectations, and then end therapy when they adjudicate it as not sufficiently successful. Clients' familiarity with the enterprise of therapy is enhanced with each successive therapy experience, and this familiarity implicates clients' subsequent expectations, evaluations, and endings. The theory contextualizes clients experiences of unsuccessful therapy at the level of the individual, rather at the level of the course of therapy, thereby providing an understanding for how past therapy experiences influence future ones. This feature of the theory represents a significant departure from and contribution to the existing psychotherapy research literature. I discuss the unique nature and utility of the theory, its overlap with existing empirical findings, as well as its limitations. I suggest directions for future research, and I provide multiple credibility checks.

Les propriétés géochimiques particulières du molybdène vis-à-vis du potentiel d'oxygénation en milieu aqueux en font un élément particulièrement utilisé pour déterminer le degré d'oxygénation du milieu dans lequel un dépôt a sédimenté. Dans un premier temps, ce travail de thèse présente une alternative aux méthodes d'extraction du molybdène utilisées jusqu'ici. Les principales méthodes de purification couramment utilisées sur échantillons géologiques se décomposent en deux phases : une purification au travers d'une résine anionique, puis une purification au travers d'une résine cationique. La méthode proposée ici, initialement prévue pour permettre des analyses en Sample-Standard-Bracketing (SSB), permet d'isoler quantitativement le molybdène du reste de la matrice géologique en un seul passage sur résine anionique. La purification s'avère également suffisamment efficace pour effectuer des analyses en utilisant la méthode du double-spike. Une comparaison de ces deux méthodes de correction du fractionnement instrumental a permis d'évaluer les limites de l'utilisation du SSB par rapport au double-spike. Dans un second temps, cette chimie a été appliquée dans le cadre d'une étude géochimique approfondie d'un gisement fossilifère extrêmement riche: le Lagerstätte de Sirius Passet situé au nord du Groenland. Associée aux critères paléontologiques, cette étude indique que ces sédiments se sont déposés dans un milieu au moins partiellement oxygéné, sous forme de boues sédimentaires très peu propices aux échanges avec la colonne d'eau. Le contexte paléogéographique, les analyses chimiques et les observations microscopiques suggèrent que ces boues sont principalement d'origine éolienne.

Abuse negatively affects women living with HIV and AIDS. It can be a hindrance to living positively with the disease. Little is known about the essence of living with HIV, AIDS and abuse among women. The purpose of this study was to develop and refine guidelines for assessment of abuse in women living with HIV and AIDS. The objectives were to explore and describe the experiences of the women in Lilongwe, Malawi and to develop and refine guidelines for assessment of abuse in the women. In phase 1 of the study, descriptive phenomenology as espoused in life world research was used. Data were gathered using unstructured interviews from a purposefully selected sample of 12 women living with HIV and AIDS who had encountered abuse. The data were analysed using qualitative methods. The women’s experiences were characterized by humiliation from partners, families, neighbours and friends; hopelessness and blame. Harm emanated from being beaten, stress suffered from the abuse, interrupted antiretroviral drugs and possible re-infection with HIV due to unprotected sex. Abandonment of the women by their husbands and families was a common occurrence. Phase 2 of the study was the development of guidelines that can be used with women who experience abuse while living with HIV and AIDS. The guidelines were based on discussion of the findings of phase 1 in the context of an extensive literature review on the constituents. Modified Delphi technique was utilized to refine the draft guidelines. Two rounds were used to finalize the guidelines by a panel of ten experts who were purposefully selected based on their involvement in issues of gender-based violence, HIV and AIDS. The study findings though applicable to the context of the study, can be transferable to similar contexts. Recommendations made include validating the assessment guidelines and testing them in practice to evaluate the applicability and feasibility of using the guidelines. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2013 / Nursing Science / unrestricted

It is a topic of discussion that finds its way into almost every setting in the South African context. Is leaving South Africa not the best option available to us? From old to young it seems many South Africans, are contemplating leaving the shores of South Africa in search of opportunity elsewhere. The purported reasons behind this exodus, or even just the thought going into the possibilities, are repetitive in the literature. Crime, affirmative action, standards of living, concerns regarding political and economic security for the future are all referred to. What is undeniable is the great loss of skills that is occurring as most of these people leaving are graduates. I wished to try and understand the experiences of some young adults who are currently contemplating, or in the process of emigrating. The focal question in this research is: “what experiences are fuelling the ‘brain drain phenomenon amongst our young adults?” The intention of this study is not in any way to find extrapolative answers, but instead to understand and describe the personal experiences of a select few. Therefore a Phenomenological approach was used in order to describe these participants’ experiences as closely as possible. The respondents were asked to write a ‘full’ response to the open ended question. This technique of data capture falls within the semi-structured interview framework, but allowed for the participants to provide a description of their experiences with the least possible opportunity for influence. It was of great importance that their descriptions be their own in order for the researcher to gain a proper understanding of their experiences. These descriptions were then analysed through thematic analysis. The themes that were identified seem to describe the ‘experienced meaning’ that the participants have formed rather than the physical experiences of such ‘reasons’ as discussed in the literature. Themes such as victimization, regret, insecurity, crime, fear, the need for freedom and job security were identified. For South Africa to turn this brain drain around it will be necessary for policy makers to take into consideration and act upon the physical experiences but also the experienced meaning that people form. Copyright / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Psychology / unrestricted

Drawing on multiple theoretical lenses, this research studies continuous transformation, or ‘morphing’, of a business process resource network (BPRN). The aim is to further our understanding of continuous organisational change at the lowest levels of analysis within an organisation: that is, at the resource level, and that resource’s relationships to other resources as they exist within a BPRN. Data was gathered from a single, in depth case study. Analysis was achieved by means of mapping BPRN evolution using ‘temporal bracketing’, ‘visual’ and ‘narrative’ approaches (Langley, 1999). The analysis revealed two mechanisms that appear to govern microstate morphing: bond strength and stakeholder expectation. In addition, four factors emerged as important: environmental turbulence, timing and timeliness of changes, concurrency of changes, and enduring business logic. An emergent model of microstate morphing which acknowledges the importance of socio-materiality in actor network morphogenesis (ANM) is presented. This study shows how effective relationships and configuration of resources within the BPRN can be achieved to facilitate timely, purposeful morphing. Five propositions are offered from the emergent ANM model. Specifically, these relate to the conditional operating parameters and the identified generative mechanisms for continuous organisational transformation within the BPRN. Implications for practice are significant. A heuristic discussion guide containing a series of questions framed around the ANM model to highlight the challenges of microstate morphing for practitioners is proposed. Two routes for future research are suggested: replication studies, and quantifying BPRN change in relation to an organisation’s environment using a ii survey instrument and inferential statistical analysis based on the ANM model features and propositions.