Fetal exposure to an intrauterine environment affected by maternal obesity and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) pose several adverse short- and long-term health risks to infants. Excessive GWG and maternal obesity are of high priority to public health across many nations. Improving maternal and child health can be achieved by encouraging women to meet Institute of Medicine (IOM) weight gain recommendations, sound clinical guidance, and other forms of support. Another means of helping women adhere to weight gain guidelines is by making use of the near ubiquitous nature of mobile technology and promoting healthy pregnancies through reliable mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps). The objective of the first study of this thesis was to examine the associations between psychosocial factors and achieving IOM-recommended weight gain during pregnancy. Cross-sectional data were collected from pregnant and postpartum women who responded to a validated questionnaire, the Electronic Maternal health survey. Multiple linear logistic regression analyses were used to determine correlates associated with meeting IOM guidelines. The objective of the second study was to conduct a preliminary exploration of women’s attitudes towards an evidence-based, mHealth app, SmartMoms Canada, as a valid source of pregnancy-related information and its ability to offer physical activity, nutrition, and lifestyle support. Focus groups were organized to assess women’s attitudes towards the app and inductive thematic content analysis was utilized to interpret focus group data. It was found that self-efficacy and perceived controllability of behaviours are important factors contributing to whether women meet IOM weight gain recommendations. Further, pregnant women are quite receptive to mHealth technology and positively viewed the future prospective of SmartMoms Canada as a means of promoting overall maternal health. Combined, these findings will contribute to our understanding of how to best improve maternal-fetal health outcomes in the near future.

A gap of knowledge lies within the hazard of extreme heat within the United States and the public’s response and perception of their own vulnerability. Even with constant communication from meteorologist at the National Weather Service and within the broadcast industry, there are still ongoing issues which include the possibility that ambient air temperature from fixed sites do not accurately reflect what the general population is experiencing, that the thresholds for excessive heat warnings are not appropriate, and that the most vulnerable individuals do not have the knowledge, and/or ability to protect themselves when extreme heat does occur. Assessment of the spatial pattens of heat alerts across the United States, mortality risks associated with extreme heat, and days above alert thresholds between 2010 to 2021 will be utilized to exhibit cities and regions where thresholds could be inappropriate and to reveal the most vulnerable between regions within this period.

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Yes / Objective: Many patients with acromegaly, a hormonal disorder with excessive growth hormone (GH) production, report pain in joints. We undertook this study to characterize the joint pathology of mice with overexpression of bovine GH (bGH) or a GH receptor antagonist (GHa) and to investigate the effect of GH on regulation of chondrocyte cellular metabolism. Methods: Knee joints from mice overexpressing bGH or GHa and wild-type (WT) control mice were examined using histology and micro–computed tomography for osteoarthritic (OA) pathologies. Additionally, cartilage from bGH mice was used for metabolomics analysis. Mouse primary chondrocytes from bGH and WT mice, with or without pegvisomant treatment, were used for quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Seahorse respirometry analyses. Results: Both male and female bGH mice at ~13 months of age had increased knee joint degeneration, which was characterized by loss of cartilage structure, expansion of hypertrophic chondrocytes, synovitis, and subchondral plate thinning. The joint pathologies were also demonstrated by significantly higher Osteoarthritis Research Society International and Mankin scores in bGH mice compared to WT control mice. Metabolomics analysis revealed changes in a wide range of metabolic pathways in bGH mice, including beta-alanine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, lysine degradation, and ascorbate and aldarate metabolism. Also, bGH chondrocytes up-regulated fatty acid oxidation and increased expression of Col10a. Joints of GHa mice were remarkably protected from developing age-associated joint degeneration, with smooth articular joint surface. Conclusion: This study showed that an excessive amount of GH promotes joint degeneration in mice, which was associated with chondrocyte metabolic dysfunction and hypertrophic changes, whereas antagonizing GH action through a GHa protects mice from OA development. / Dr. Zhu's work was supported by Ohio University, the Arthritis National Research Foundation (grant 833836), a FIRST award from the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, the NIH (grant R15-AR-080813), and a Hevolution Foundation AGE grant (AGE-008). Dr. Davis’ work was supported by a medical student seed grant from Ohio University. Dr. Lotz's work was supported by the NIH (grant R37-AG-059418). Dr. Berryman was supported by the NIH (grant R01-AG-059779). Dr. Kopchick was supported by the State of Ohio's Eminent Scholar Program that includes a gift from Milton and Lawrence Goll and the AMVETS, and by the NIH (grant R01-AG-059779).

L'anorexie mentale est une pathologie psychiatrique grave et complexe, faisant partie des troubles du comportement alimentaire. L’un de ses symptômes est l’hyperactivité physique, généralement associée à un pronostic clinique et thérapeutique défavorable. La connaissance et la compréhension de l'activité physique, qui s’avère être problématique dans les troubles du comportement alimentaire, restent à élucider, en particulier dans l'anorexie mentale. Cette thèse a pour objectifs : 1) d'examiner exhaustivement la littérature publiée au cours des 40 dernières années (1975-2015). Cela permettra de mieux comprendre ce phénomène et de donner des recommandations générales, clinique et de recherche, pour les futures études. 2) D’étudier l'impact des différentes définitions de l'activité physique problématique, retrouvées dans la littérature, sur la prévalence de celle-ci au sein d’un large échantillon de patientes souffrants d’anorexie mentale aigue. Nous examinons aussi les associations entre ces différentes définitions et les principaux symptômes alimentaires, le profil émotionnel et la qualité de vie. 3) D’étudier l'impact de l'activité physique problématique sur le statut nutritionnel (indice de masse corporelle et composition corporelle) de ces patientes. Cela est réalisé en prenant en compte les manifestations cliniques de la maladie, incluant les types d’anorexie mentale (restrictif ou avec crises de boulimie/vomissements ou prise de purgatifs), l’âge à la découverte et la durée de la maladie, le diagnostic de l’anorexie mentale avant la ménarche et la présence d'aménorrhée. Finalement, nous proposons un modèle compréhensif du développement de l’activité physique problématique dans l'anorexie mentale. En outre, ce travail met en relief le fait que l'activité physique pourrait être positivement ciblée dans les programmes thérapeutiques. Sa prise en charge pourrait être intégrée dans la modalité thérapeutique conjointement aux différentes dimensions psychologiques, somatiques et sociales. L'activité physique problématique dans l'anorexie mentale doit urgemment solliciter l’attention des cliniciens et des chercheurs. / Anorexia nervosa is a serious and complex psychiatric pathology included in eating disorders. Its symptoms include physical hyperactivity, which has been associated by many with a worse clinical and therapeutic outcome. Much remains to be known and understood about physical activity, which is problematic in eating disorders, especially in anorexia nervosa. The aims of this thesis are to: 1) critically and exhaustively examine the literature published during the past 40 years (1975-2015). This is done in order to clarify the landscape and give general clinical and research perspectives for future studies. 2) Investigate the impact of different definitions of problematic physical activity, found in the literature, on its prevalence in a large sample of patients suffering from acute anorexia nervosa. We will examine the associations between these different definitions and core eating disorders symptoms, emotional profile and quality of life. 3) Investigate the impact of problematic physical activity on nutritional status (body mass index and body composition) of patients. This is done by taking into account clinical features. These features include anorexia nervosa subtypes (restricting or binge-eating/purging type), age at onset, illness duration, premenarchal anorexia nervosa, and presence of amenorrhea. Finally, we propose a comprehensive model of the development of problematic physical activity in anorexia nervosa. We highlight the fact that physical activity could be positively taken into account in global treatment programs. It could be integrated in these programs, in addition to their psychological, somatic and social dimensions. Problematic physical activity in anorexia nervosa is in need of immediate attention from clinicians and researchers.

Dans ce travail de thèse l´auteur explore le lien entre virtualité et réalité pour montrer l´enjeu des identifications possibles, dans un jeu vidéo, pour un adolescent avec son avatar. Cette identification serait, d´après l´auteur, un facteur important dans le développement de certaines psychopathologies. L´auteur présente notamment le phénomène de la relation à l´objet cyber-narcissique, un mécanisme à l´œuvre dans la pratique excessive de jeu vidéo. Le travail est structuré en trois parties : une première partie théorique d´orientation psychanalytique, une deuxième partie empirique basée sur les résultats d´un questionnaire à choix multiples (N = 67) et une troisième partie clinique de 12 études de cas provenant de la pratique clinique de l´auteur, ainsi que de deux adolescents joueurs excessifs hospitalisés en pédopsychiatrie. Enfin les possibilités du jeu vidéo comme support psychothérapeutique sont présentées et discutées. / In this thesis, the author explores the link between virtual and reality as a means of demonstrating the stakes at play in the identifications teenagers establish with their avatars in videogames. The idea is that these identifications play a key role in the development of some psychopathologies. In particular, the phenomenon of the cyber-narcissistic object relation is presented. This mechanism seems to be involved in excessive video-gaming. The thesis is divided in three parts: first, the theoretical framework oriented on psychoanalytic theories is defined; second, an empirical study based on results from a multiple choice questionnaire (N = 67) is presented; and third, a clinical part is laid out on 12 case studies that emerged from the author’s practice, as well as on two cases of teenagers hospitalized in child psychiatry due to excessive video-gaming. Finally, the possibilities of including videogames in psychotherapeutic processes are presented and discussed.

Coyne’s (1976) interpersonal theory of depression proposes that individuals suffering from depressive symptoms tend to engage in excessive reassurance-seeking (ERS), defined as repetitively asking for assurances from close others about one’s lovability and worth. Research has shown that ERS is associated with negative evaluations from close others and lower partner-reported romantic relationship satisfaction, specifically (Starr & Davila, 2008). In a recent elaboration of Coyne’s theory, Evraire and Dozois (2011) proposed that ERS might only lead to rejection among individuals who possess core beliefs about the instability and unpredictability of relationships. The primary goal of the current study was to provide the first empirical test of this revised model. Furthermore, I sought to extend previous research in 2 important ways by: 1) employing both self-reported and behaviorally-assessed measures of ERS and 2) defining rejection in objective, behavioral terms. I recruited a sample of 118 women who attended an initial laboratory session with their male dating partners. The couple completed measures of ERS, depressive symptoms, anxious attachment (AA), rejection sensitivity (RS), and relationship satisfaction, and engaged in a laboratory task that was later coded for incidences of female ERS. AA and RS were combined to index core beliefs reflecting insecurity in relationships (i.e., “negative relationship cognitions”; NRC). Women completed a contextual interview to retrospectively assess historical romantic relationship rejection events. The women were re-contacted four months later to determine their relationship status. Consistent with hypotheses, behavioral ERS was significantly associated with concurrent male relationship dissatisfaction, but only among dysphoric women with high NRC. Surprisingly, ERS was only significantly associated with historical rejection in non-dysphoric women with low levels of NRC. In the prospective models, I found a main effect of self-reported ERS on partner-initiated rejection, but behavioral ERS was only associated with rejection among non-dysphoric women. My results were inconsistent with theory and previous research in models defining rejection behaviorally. Thus, I proposed revisions to existing interpersonal models to better capture the relationship between ERS and “real-world” rejection. My results underscore the importance of evaluating ERS in a particular relationship when predicting rejection outcomes in that specific relationship. / Thesis (Ph.D, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2013-06-13 13:39:01.64

The topic of this diploma thesis is the concept and legal consequences of excessive self-defence and necessity. The aim of the thesis is to introduce and describe the conditions of using these defences and to focus on issues of case law in connection with them. Criminal law is an essential part of everyday life. This diploma thesis focuses on analysis of all conditions imposed by Czech legislation as well as Irish legislation. It is composed of seven chapters and each chapter deals with different issues. The first chapter is an introduction to the whole thesis: it sets out aims and the methods used for achieving them. The second chapter deals with the definition of the concept of justification with the basic features of these circumstances and highlights the basic foundations for behaviour under self-defence or necessity. The third chapter is fully devoted to regulation of necessity, focusing on its basic conditions. Each condition is explained and described separately with references to the case law. One part of this chapter deals with the excess in behaviour under necessity and the following solutions in criminal trial. The fourth chapter deals with the concept of self-defence in the Czech Republic, defining it and analysing its basic conditions. Examples from the case are discussed and analysed...

This thesis will deal with the illegal operations and practices which are carried on the capital market in the Czech Republic. Capital markets in the Czech Republic are relatively new financial market sector. Despite improving regulation and supervision law is being broken. The thesis defines the essential characteristics of illegal practices associated with investing in capital markets, focusing on the illegal practice of excessive trading. This thesis describes the relationship between the investor and the broker from initial contact to the moment of withdrawal of the license of a brokerage firm and next step of investor. During this process the thesis will pay attention to the broker fee, compare the fees for trading between selected dealers. At the end of this thesis, the author tries to propose solutions to the problem of illegal practice of excessive trading.