Researchers continually identify gender dysphoria as a significant mental health concern for many transgender individuals. Physical and mental health providers use the existing medical model to conceptualize and design treatment for gender dysphoria. This means that gender dysphoria is currently viewed and treated as an internal concern isolated to the individual. Researchers have also identified that external factors, such as discrimination and societal prejudice, have a significantly negative impact on the health of transgender individuals. Given that current conceptualizations of gender dysphoria focus on internal contributors to distress, external factors that also potentially contribute to gender dysphoria have not yet been explored. To address this gap in the literature, I conducted a study to identify and assess the severity of various external factors that may contribute to self-reported levels of gender dysphoria in transgender individuals. I recruited 195 participants who identify as transgender and who report experiencing gender dysphoria. Participants completed a survey that included the Transgender Congruence Scale, the Gender Preoccupation and Stability Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Gender Minority Stress and Resilience subscales, and the Gender Dysphoria from External Contributors Measure, a series of Likert-type scales developed for the present study that measure frequency of gender dysphoria experienced in a variety of external contexts. I conducted hierarchical multiple regression analyses to evaluate predictors for gender dysphoria from external contributors and gender dysphoria from internal contributors. Gender dysphoria from internal contributors was significantly associated with gender dysphoria from external contributors (r = 0.51). Several predictors uniquely predicted external contributors (i.e. gender-related rejection and gender-related discrimination) while others uniquely predicted internal contributors (i.e. internalized transphobia). Findings indicate that focusing solely on internal contributors generates an incomplete conceptualization of gender dysphoria. The results from this study allow for a more comprehensive understanding of gender dysphoria and the ways in which it impacts many transgender individuals. These results will be helpful in developing more accurate measures of gender dysphoria, which will lead to more effective, inclusive, and affirmative treatments for gender dysphoria and for transgender individuals in general.

Because of the lack of authoritative secondary material on the Mirror, the need for deeper study into the content of the Mirror appears necessary. In order to fill this need, this study has been undertaken to provide basic information about the Mirror's subject matter and the attitudes of its contributors.

No description available.

In traditional forensic DNA casework, the inclusion or exclusion of individuals who may have contributed to an item of evidence may be dependent upon the assumption on the number of individuals from which the evidence arose. Typically, the determination of the minimum number of contributors (NOC) to a mixture is achieved by counting the number of alleles observed above a given analytical threshold (AT); this technique is known as maximum allele count (MAC). However, advances in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) chemistries and improvements in analytical sensitivities have led to an increase in the detection of complex, low template DNA (LtDNA) mixtures for which MAC is an inadequate means of determining the actual NOC. Despite the addition of highly polymorphic loci to multiplexed PCR kits and the advent of interpretation softwares which deconvolve DNA mixtures, a gap remains in the DNA analysis pipeline, where an effective method of determining the NOC needs to be established. The emergence of NOCIt -- a computational tool which provides the probability distribution on the NOC, may serve as a promising alternative to traditional, threshold- based methods. Utilizing user-provided calibration data consisting of single source samples of known genotype, NOCIt calculates the a posteriori probability (APP) that an evidentiary sample arose from 0 to 5 contributors. The software models baseline noise, reverse and forward stutter proportions, stutter and allele dropout rates, and allele heights. This information is then utilized to determine whether the evidentiary profile originated from one or many contributors. In short, NOCIt provides information not only on the likely NOC, but whether more than one value may be deemed probable. In the latter case, it may be necessary to modify downstream interpretation steps such that multiple values for the NOC are considered or the conclusion that most favors the defense is adopted. Phase I of this study focused on establishing the minimum number of single source samples needed to calibrate NOCIt. Once determined, the performance of NOCIt was evaluated and compared to that of two other methods: the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE) -- accessed via the forensim R package, and MAC. Fifty (50) single source samples proved to be sufficient to calibrate NOCIt, and results indicate NOCIt was the most accurate method of the three. Phase II of this study explored the effects of template mass and sample complexity on the accuracy of NOCIt. Data showed that the accuracy decreased as the NOC increased: for 1- and 5-contributor samples, the accuracy was 100% and 20%, respectively. The minimum template mass from any one contributor required to consistently estimate the true NOC was 0.07 ng -- the equivalent of approximately 10 cells' worth of DNA. Phase III further explored NOCIt and was designed to assess its robustness. Because the efficacy of determining the NOC may be affected by the PCR kit utilized, the results obtained from NOCIt analysis of 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-contributor mixtures amplified with AmpFlstr® Identifiler® Plus and PowerPlex® 16 HS were compared. A positive correlation was observed for all NOCIt outputs between kits. Additionally, NOCIt was found to result in increased accuracies when analyzed with 1-, 3-, and 4-contributor samples amplified with Identifiler® Plus and with 5-contributor samples amplified with PowerPlex® 16 HS. The accuracy rates obtained for 2-contributor samples were equivalent between kits; therefore, the effect of amplification kit type on the ability to determine the NOC was not substantive. Cumulatively, the data indicate that NOCIt is an improvement to traditional methods of determining the NOC and results in high accuracy rates with samples containing sufficient quantities of DNA. Further, the results of investigations into the effect of template mass on the ability to determine the NOC may serve as a caution that forensic DNA samples containing low-target quantities may need to be interpreted using multiple or different assumptions on the number of contributors, as the assumption on the number of contributors is known to affect the conclusion in certain casework scenarios. As a significant degree of inaccuracy was observed for all methods of determining the NOC at severe low template amounts, the data presented also challenge the notion that any DNA sample can be utilized for comparison purposes. This suggests that the ability to detect extremely complex, LtDNA mixtures may not be commensurate with the ability to accurately interpret such mixtures, despite critical advances in software-based analysis. In addition to the availability of advanced comparison algorithms, limitations on the interpretability of complex, LtDNA mixtures may also be dependent on the amount of biological material present on an evidentiary substrate.

For years the causes of juvenile delinquency have drawn a lot of attention from the scientific community and have become a widely studied concept in research literature. Causes of juvenile delinquency have become an important aspect of criminological study because with the knowledge of what contributes to delinquency, the scientific community can possibly slow down the continuous act of offending, also known as continuity, through implementation of prevention strategies. Criminological theory is used to define and help understand why certain contributors are the foundation for juvenile delinquency, along with the continuity of crime for an adolescent but also what factors contribute to a decrease in criminal activity, known as desistance. Some predictors of juvenile delinquency that researchers have focused on are the individual characteristics such as peer influence, family environment, parenting styles, school environment, and community structure (Shreck, Fisher, & Miller, 2004).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Miami University, Dept. of Psychology, 2005. / Title from second page of PDF document. Document formatted into pages; contains [2], v, 98 p. : ill. Includes bibliographical references (p. 57-64).

In recent years, the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been widely studied. Scholars agree that employee involvement is crucial for successful implementation of CSR, however complexities exist as employee involvement in CSR is not always evident in organisations. While existing literature commonly address the importance of employee involvement, it seldomly devote attention to what factors affect this involvement and as such, does not focus of why certain factors are brought up. Moreover, as employees are key stakeholders in organisations, there is a need of including their voice to contribute with valuable insights to the field. The purpose of this study is first to examine what factors contribute to employee involvement in CSR activities, followed by the second aim of understanding why these factors are considered important with regard to employee involvement. As the nature of the study is qualitative, an interpretivist design is applied, with four companies acting as foundation for data. Primary data is collected through semi-structured interviews with the use of open-ended questions. A thematic approach is applied for analysing data. The empirical findings reveal five factors contributing to employee involvement in CSR and why those factors are important. These are (1) Coordination, as it helps provide clear guidelines anchored in deeper purposes, (2) Conditions, since varying tools enable those guidelines to be implemented, (3) Communication, because it allows employees to learn and be updated regarding CSR, (4) Concretisation of actions, by making CSR visible and easier to apply, and finally, (5) Community, since it fosters the mindset of shared responsibility and solidarity. These findings are visually presented in Figure 2 - The 5C-Model for Employee Involvement in CSR.

No ambiente complexo de negócios, caracterizado por desafios constantes, o gerenciamento de projetos, com sucesso, para as organizações passa a ser uma questão de sobrevivência. As organizações, para alcançarem melhor desempenho, precisam ter processos de gerenciamento de projetos, estruturados e maduros. Os modelos de maturidade em gerenciamento de projetos proporcionam uma abordagem quantitativa, porém não apresentam os fatores contribuintes que podem elevar a maturidade nas organizações. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de identificar quais fatores contribuintes que podem impulsionar a maturidade em gerenciamento de projetos nas organizações. O método de pesquisa foi o de estudo de campo, por meio de e-survey, de natureza descritiva e correlacional junto a 473 participantes, tomadores ou influenciadores de decisões, representando 360 organizações de diferentes tipos, portes e segmentos da economia brasileira. Os resultados do estudo permitiram concluir que os principais fatores contribuintes que podem impulsionar a alta maturidade em gerenciamento de projetos nas organizações brasileiras estão associados à seguinte hierarquia: i) Processos e Ferramentas; ii) Pessoas e Equipe; iii) Organização; iv) Clientes; v) Gerente de Projetos e iv) Negócios. / In the complex environment business-oriented, characterized by daily challenges, the successful projects management for organizations is a survival question. The organizations, in order to reach better performance need to have structured and mature project management processes. The projects management maturity models provide a quantitative approach, however they do not offer the contributing factors that can raise the maturity in the organizations. The aim of this study is to present which are the contributing factors that can raise the level of project management maturity in the organizations. The research method was a field study, by e-survey, a descriptive and correlational with 473 participants, influencing the decision and decision makers, representing 360 organizations of various types, sizes and segments of the Brazilian economy. Regarding the results, this research allow to conclude the main contributing factors that can leverage the high maturity in Brazilian organizations project management are associated with the following hierarchy: i) Processes and Tools, ii) People and Team iii) Organization, iv) Clients; v) Project Manager and iv) Business.

No ambiente complexo de negócios, caracterizado por desafios constantes, o gerenciamento de projetos, com sucesso, para as organizações passa a ser uma questão de sobrevivência. As organizações, para alcançarem melhor desempenho, precisam ter processos de gerenciamento de projetos, estruturados e maduros. Os modelos de maturidade em gerenciamento de projetos proporcionam uma abordagem quantitativa, porém não apresentam os fatores contribuintes que podem elevar a maturidade nas organizações. O objetivo deste estudo foi o de identificar quais fatores contribuintes que podem impulsionar a maturidade em gerenciamento de projetos nas organizações. O método de pesquisa foi o de estudo de campo, por meio de e-survey, de natureza descritiva e correlacional junto a 473 participantes, tomadores ou influenciadores de decisões, representando 360 organizações de diferentes tipos, portes e segmentos da economia brasileira. Os resultados do estudo permitiram concluir que os principais fatores contribuintes que podem impulsionar a alta maturidade em gerenciamento de projetos nas organizações brasileiras estão associados à seguinte hierarquia: i) Processos e Ferramentas; ii) Pessoas e Equipe; iii) Organização; iv) Clientes; v) Gerente de Projetos e iv) Negócios. / In the complex environment business-oriented, characterized by daily challenges, the successful projects management for organizations is a survival question. The organizations, in order to reach better performance need to have structured and mature project management processes. The projects management maturity models provide a quantitative approach, however they do not offer the contributing factors that can raise the maturity in the organizations. The aim of this study is to present which are the contributing factors that can raise the level of project management maturity in the organizations. The research method was a field study, by e-survey, a descriptive and correlational with 473 participants, influencing the decision and decision makers, representing 360 organizations of various types, sizes and segments of the Brazilian economy. Regarding the results, this research allow to conclude the main contributing factors that can leverage the high maturity in Brazilian organizations project management are associated with the following hierarchy: i) Processes and Tools, ii) People and Team iii) Organization, iv) Clients; v) Project Manager and iv) Business.

La tesi doctoral es proposa conèixer quines són les feines i responsabilitats que exerceixen els treballadors i col•laboradors de les ràdios de proximitat catalanes, a més de les relacions que s’estableixen entre ells. Es tracta de les figures professionals que fan possible el funcionament i la programació d’aquests mitjans, de manera que la vessant humana de la comunicació és un element transversal de la investigació. La recerca defineix les funcions d’una i altra figura professional, fet que implica, entre d’altres, desglossar la seva relació amb el mitjà. Els treballadors i col•laboradors exerceixen tasques i assoleixen responsabilitats que poden coincidir o que estan diferenciades, i que es vinculen amb el lloc que ocupen dins l’organigrama de cada ràdio. Per conèixer aquesta realitat s’ha creuat la metodologia quantitativa de l’enquesta amb la recerca qualitativa de les entrevistes en profunditat. Amb la investigació s’han acotat els límits mediàtics i territorials en les emissores de ràdio locals i comarcals de Catalunya i s’ha definit la situació laboral en aquests mitjans, centrant-la en les figures dels treballadors i dels col•laboradors. / La tesis doctoral se propone conocer cuales son las tareas y responsabilidades que ejercen los trabajadores y colaboradores de las radios de proximidad catalanas, además de las relaciones que se establecen entre ellos. Se trata de las figuras profesionales que hacen posible el funcionamiento y la programación de estos medios, de forma que la vertiente humana de la comunicación es un elemento transversal de la tesis. La investigación define las funciones de una y otra figura profesional, hecho que implica, entre otros aspectos, desglosar su relación con el medio. Los trabajadores y colaboradores ejercen tareas y asumen responsabilidades que pueden coincidir o que están diferenciadas, y que se vinculan con el puesto que ocupan dentro del organigrama de cada radio. Para conocer esta realidad se ha cruzado la metodología cuantitativa de la encuesta con la cualitativa de las entrevistas en profundidad. Con la tesis se han acotado los límites mediáticos y territoriales en las emisoras de radio locales y comarcales de Catalunya y se ha definido la situación laboral en estos medios, centrándola en las figuras de los trabajadores y de los colaboradores. / The thesis tries to discover which are the tasks and responsibilities that the workers and contributors in Catalan radios take part in, and also the relations between them. These are the professional figures that make possible the operation and programming of the media, so that the human side of communication is a cross-cutting element of the investigation. The research defines the functions of the different professional figures, which implies, among others, the breakdown their relationship with the media. Workers and contributors exercise tasks and responsibilities that may coincide or that are differenced, and that are linked with the place they occupy in the organization chart structure of each radio. To know this situation it has been crossed the quantitative methodology of the survey with the qualitative research interviews. With the research have been confined media and territorial limits on local and regional radio stations in Catalonia and has defined the employment situation in the media, focusing on the figures of workers and collaborators.