Cette thèse étudie les différents procès de catégorisation (catégorisation fondée sur un prototype, une finalité ou une analogie) et les mécanismes cognitifs associés (tendance centrale, combinaison conceptuelle et raisonnement analogique) que les publics utilisent dans les marchés quand ils évaluent une entité ambiguë. D’une part, la recherche a montré que les produits ambigus sont dévalorisés parce que les publics deviennent confus par ce que ces produits permettent de faire (ambiguïté cognitive). D’autre part, la recherche a montré que les organisations avec un positionnement de marché ambigu sont également dépréciées car les publics ne savent pas ce qu’elles sont (ambiguïté liée à l’identité de ces dernières), et la manière dont elles peuvent répondre à plusieurs tâches en même temps (ambiguïté liée aux compétences de ces dernières). Cette thèse met en perspective ces résultats en étudiant comment différents procès de catégorisation et mécanismes cognitifs associés ont une influence sur (i) l’évaluation des produits ambigus (ii) l’évaluation de la performance des organisations avec un positionnement de marché ambigu, et (iii) les stratégies de différentiation des entreprises. De manière plus générale, mon travail contribue à la littérature existante en théorie des organisations et en stratégie. Dans le premier cas, mon travail contribue aux travaux en « economic sociology », mais aussi ceux sur les procès de catégorisation ou encore ceux sur les organisations hybrides. Concernant la littérature en stratégie, mon travail contribue sur les sujets liés à « optimal distinctiveness », la manière dont les agents attribuent la valeur d’un point de vue cognitif ou encore les stratégies de différentiation des entreprises.De plus, la littérature sur les catégories en management et théorie des organisations a été à la recherche de corrélation dans des bases de données alors que la théorie sous-jacente se trouve au niveau des procès de catégorisation et des mécanismes cognitifs associés. Bien que cette approche soit valide, elle a ses propres limites car elle ne recherche pas l’identification causale. Ma thèse permet de répondre à ces enjeux puisqu’elle teste de manière expérimentale comment les différents procès de catégorisation et les mécanismes cognitifs associés ont une influence sur la perception de l’atypicalité dans les marchés.Dans ma thèse, j’étudie comment les différents procès de catégorisation et les mécanismes cognitifs associés ont (i) une influence sur l’évaluation des produits atypiques—ceux caractérisés par l’ambiguïté catégorielle (Chapitre 1)—, (ii) les mérites perçus des organisations hybrides (chapitre 2), et (iii) les stratégies de différentiation des entreprises. De manière plus générale, mon travail contribue à la littérature existante en théorie des organisations et stratégie. Dans le premier cas, mon travail contribue aux travaux en « economic sociology », mais aussi ceux sur les procès de catégorisation ou encore les organisations hybrides. Concernant la littérature en stratégie, mon travail contribue sur les sujets liés à « optimal distinctiveness », la manière dont les agents attribuent la valeur d’un point de vue cognitif ou encore les stratégies de différentiation des entreprises. / This dissertation studies the different categorization processes (prototype-based, goalbased and analogical-based categorization) and subsequent cognitive mechanisms (central tendency, conceptual combination and analogical processing, respectively) that audiences use in markets when they evaluate an ambiguous entity. Past research has shown that audiences discount product ambiguity because they are confused about what an ambiguous product offering does (cognitive ambiguity). Similarly, research has shown that audiences discount organizational ambiguity because they don’t know what these organizations with an ambiguous market positioning are (identity ambiguity) and how well they multi-task (competence ambiguity). This dissertation puts these results in perspective and studies how different categorization processes and cognitive mechanisms influence (i) the evaluation of ambiguous product offerings, (ii) the performance evaluation of organizations with an ambiguous market positioning, and (iii) firms’ differentiation strategies. More broadly, this work offers contributions to the literature in both organization theory and strategy. In the former, this work falls within the economic sociology, categorization processes and hybrid organizations topics. In the latter, my contributions are relevant to the topics of optimal distinctiveness, market agents’ cognitive ascription of value, and firms’ differentiation strategies.Furthermore, much of the literature on categorization has sought statistical correlations in large data sets, although the underlying theory is about cognitive mechanisms in the individual mind. While valid, this approach has limitations because it does not seek causal identification. My dissertation work directly addresses this issue by experimentally testing how different categorization processes and the subsequent activated cognitive mechanisms influence the perception of atypicality in markets.In my dissertation, I study how these categorization processes and cognitive mechanisms influence (i) the evaluation of atypical products—those characterized by categorical ambiguity, Chapter 1; (ii) the perceived merits of atypical organizations—here, social enterprises, Chapter 2, and (iii) firms’ differentiation strategies (Chapter 3). More broadly, my work offers contribution to the literature in both organization theory and strategy. In the former, this work falls within the economic sociology, categorization processes and hybrid organizations topics. In the latter, my contributions are relevant to the topics of optimal distinctiveness, market agents’ cognitive ascription of value, and firms’ differentiation strategies.

The portfolio method for instruction and assessment is an alternative to less effective traditional teaching methods. The flexible structure allows educators to incorporate other innovative teaching methods, such as experiential and collaborative learning. It can improve students' critical thinking skills and writing ability. Portfolio assessment is equitable and accurate in measuring students' progress and recording their accomplishments.

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BACKGROUND: India—one of the most significant antibiotic users in the world with a high burden of antibiotic resistance—does not have a formal antibiotic surveillance system. No formal studies exist on the sub-national differences in antibiotic use in India except for small hospital or community-based studies. Informed by the WHO Global Action Plan, India developed a national action plan; however only two states have state action plans so far. This suggests that it is important to understand existing antibiotic consumption patterns, sub- national differences and trends over time, and the determinants of antibiotic use so that evidence-informed action plans and programs can be developed in India. AIM: To understand the changing landscape of antibiotic use in India and contribute to relevant policy and programmatic interventions that can improve the appropriate use of antibiotics in the country. Specific objectives included examining the use of systemic antibiotic consumption at the national level, analyzing geographical and temporal variations across states between 2011 and 2019, and understanding the determinants of antibiotic consumption. Additionally, we examined Kerala as a case study to understand the use and availability of data in designing, implementing, and monitoring the state antibiotic action plan. METHODOLOGY: First, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of antibiotic use in 2019 using the WHO Access-Watch-Reserve (AWaRe) and Defined Daily Doses (DDD) matrices at the national level across product type (Fixed-Dose Combinations [FDCs]; and single formulations [SF]), essentiality (listed in the national list of essential medicines [NLEM]; and not listed), and central regulatory approval status (approved and unapproved). Second, we analyzed trends in consumption rates and patterns at the national, state, and groups of states at different levels of health achievements (‘high focus’ [HF]; and ‘non-high focus’ [nHF]) and compared the appropriateness of use between states and state groups. Third, using a cross-sectional, time series (panel) dataset on antibiotic use, per-capita GDP, per-capita government spending on health, girls' tertiary education enrollment ratio, measles vaccination coverage, and lower respiratory tract infection incidence for the period 2011- 2019, we conducted a quasi- experimental fixed-effects analysis to understand the critical determinants of antibiotic use. Finally, we conducted key-informant interviews and document analysis to understand the use of data in policy formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the Kerala state action plan. RESULTS: India's per-capita private-sector antibiotic consumption rate was lower than global rates, but the country has a high consumption rate of broad-spectrum antibiotics, FDCs discouraged by WHO, formulations outside NLEM in FDCs, and unapproved formulations. The overall rate increased from 2011 to 2016 and decreased between 2016 and 2019, registering a net decrease of 3.6%. State consumption rates varied widely— with HF states reporting lower rates. The inappropriate use increased over the years, the share of Access antibiotics decreased (13.1%), and the access-to-watch ratio declined (from 0.59 to 0.49). HF and nHF states showed convergence in the share of the Access and the Access-Watch ratio, while they showed divergence in the use of WHO Discouraged FDCs. The most critical independent determinant of antibiotic use was government spending on health—for every US$12.9 increase in per-capita government spending on health, antibiotic use decreased by 461.4 doses per 1000 population per year after adjusting for other factors. Economic progress (increase in per-capita GDP) and social progress (increase in girls' higher education) were also found to reduce antibiotic use independently. The qualitative case study showed that stakeholders understand and express interest in generating and using data for decision- making, and the action plan document mentions some basic monitoring plans. However, a monitoring and evaluation framework is missing, there is a lack of engagement with the private sector, and there is a lack of understanding among key government policymakers on the importance of using data for surveillance and policy implementation. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: There is significant and increasing inappropriate antibiotic use in India's private sector, accounting for 85-90% of total antibiotic use. Increased government spending on health is critical in reducing private-sector antibiotic use. The dearth of data on public sector use is a significant challenge in understanding the total consumption rate. Developing a monitoring and evaluation system through stakeholder engagement is necessary for Indian States to inform, monitor, and evaluate effective antibiotic action plans. We need global efforts to improve the science and methods to measure antibiotic use. / 2023-08-30T00:00:00Z

The experiments reported in the present paper may be characterized as belonging to the general area of motivation research referred to as stimulus selection behavior. Stimulus selection behavior includes curiosity, exploratory, and manipulatory activities. Generally, the research in the area attempts to determine the relation between changes in the stimulus and changes in the measures of approach behavior in the subject (s). In this research, approach behavior is apparently unrelated to organic need conditions. The experiments presented in this paper were designed to determine a preschool child's stimulus preference as he entered the experimental setting, and whether that preference could be systematically modified by exposure to other stimuli. The major conceptual hypothesis for the experiments was derived from the theory of stimulus change presented by Dember and Earl (~957).

This dissertation focuses on identifying the poor in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the potential of social assistance programs to address their condition. Each essay is related to one particular key step of the poverty alleviation agenda: poverty definition and measurement in Zimbabwe; targeting poor households in Cameroon; and impact evaluation of anti-poverty interventions in Niger. The first essay explores changes in poverty across multiple dimensions in a period of dramatic economic crisis and recovery in Zimbabwe. The essay analyzes changes in household well-being between 2001, 2007 and 2011/12, using an Alkire-Foster multidimensional poverty index. Results indicate a large increase in multidimensional poverty across between 2001 and 2007, followed by a (smaller) decrease in poverty between 2007 and 2011/12 (recovery period after the hyperinflation peak in 2008). However, decomposition of the index shows significantly different trends in poverty dimensions over time, as for instance health related dimensions continued to deteriorate after 2007. The second essay contributes to the policy debate on targeting by studying the ex-post efficiency of two targeting mechanisms employed in a cash transfer project in rural Cameroon: Proxy Means Testing (PMT) and community targeting. Results show a poor performance of community targeting in selecting households with low per capita consumption, compared to PMT targeting—whose errors remain high nonetheless. Communities tend to select small, isolated households with low physical and human capital, regardless of their actual consumption level, but produce variable outcomes. Overall results suggest that a higher coverage contributes to reducing targeting errors, and that better guidance should be provided to communities if the policy objective is to select low per capita consumption individuals. The third essay investigate whether cash transfers induce investments in assets and productive activities that survive the termination of program payments using data from an unconditional cash transfer project in Niger 18 months after its termination. Based on quasi-experimental methods, results indicate that local saving/credit systems (tontines) participation and livestock ownership significantly increased among project participants. There is also evidence of improvement in private assets, micro-enterprises and agriculture. The findings imply that cash transfer programs can have long-term sustainable impacts in rural SSA. / Ph. D.

Thesis (M.ED.) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / A deep level approach to learning leads to quality learning outcomes. Teachers should use appropriate teaching strategies to encourage learners to use deep level approaches to learning. The Conceptual Change Model (CCM) approach is one such strategy for the teaching of science concepts. Deep level approaches are a necessity when dealing with a difficult science concept like photosynthesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate Grade 10 learners’ achievements in photosynthesis using the CCM approach in order to minimize misconceptions and develop a broader and deeper understanding of the photosynthesis process in the high school context in a semi-rural South African school. The learners’ attitudes towards the CCM approach in the teaching of Life Sciences were explored. This study aimed to answer the following main question: what are the achievements of Grade 10 learners’ in photosynthesis as core knowledge? The CCM approach included worksheets based on all five steps of the CCM process: commit to an outcome, expose beliefs, confront beliefs, accommodate the concept and extend the concept. The sample consisted of 78 Grade 10 learners. The research was carried out with a quasi-experimental/control group design and lasted for six weeks. The achievement test and questionnaires were used as instruments to collect data. The analyses of results show that experimental and control group’s pre-test academic achievement scores were similar and there was no significant difference between them (p < 0.05), but when the academic achievement of the post-test results of the EG and CG were analyzed, it was clear that there is a significant difference. The results from post-tests suggest that learners from the EG, taught using the CCM approach, show significantly greater achievements in photosynthesis than learners from the CG. In addition, learners from EG show a positive attitude towards Life Sciences after CCM teaching approach, but not from the CG taught using traditional approach. These findings have implications for a science teacher and recommendations are made to improve the teaching of photosynthesis as core knowledge.

During the summer of 1968, the Vice President for Student Affairs at Ball State University, established the Office of Special Programs. Personnel of the Office were charged with the responsibility for developing and providing special services for students with low academic records so that collegiate success and persistence might be enhanced. The Director of Special Programs was directly charged with the responsibility for providing academic counseling, advice relative to course selections, and for marshalling existing university academic and ancillary support systems as necessary to improve college persistence behaviors among students classified for "Admission with Warning."Personnel of the Office of Special Programs developed and implemented a program designed to provide special academic and supportive services to "Admission with Warning" students. The Directed Admission Student Experimental Program was implemented in the fall of 1968. The program included a remedial reading course, a remedial writing course designed specifically for students identified for the DASEP experience. Personal counseling and special Curricular Advising services were provided to all DASEP students. Over the period from 1968-1972 a total of 274 students were selected to be participants in the DASEP group, and a total of 273 students were identified for inclusion in a control group.The purpose of this study was to determine whether students admitted to the Ball State University Directed Admission Student Experimental Program (DASEP) during the period from 1968 to 1972, persisted to program completion more frequently than did similar students in an identical non-DASEP control group. If the null hypothesis relating to the major purpose was not accepted, differences among DASEP persisters and non-persisters would be investigated.A second purpose of the study was to collect and analyze evaluative perceptions from participants of the Directed Admission Student. Experimental Program relative to the special services provided.The research was planned to test the null hypothesis relating to persistence in the DASEP program and to secure evaluative perceptions about the services from 274 DASEP students.The investigator collected data on persistence in the DASEP program from 265 DASEP and 255 control group students. Data were statistically treated by means of the chi square statistic. The .05 level was used for hypothesis acceptance or non-acceptance. In order to secure evaluative perceptions about services provided participants in the DASEP program, a Likert type instrument was developed and sent to 250 participants in the DASEP program. Review of the data led to the following conclusions:There was no statistically significant difference found between the DASEP group and control group students in persistence to the completion of their individual educational program.Less than one-half of the DASEP students perceived the services provided by the Reading Clinic to be helpful.Slightly more than one-half perceived the services of the Writing Clinic to be helpful.Depending upon the service, about one-half of the students perceived the special Curricular Advising services to be helpful.About one-third perceived the subjects taught in the seminar class to be helpful.Slightly less than one-half of the DASEP students perceived counseling, provided by the staff of Special Programs to be helpful.In a summary question, 94 percent of the DASEP students perceived the DASEP program had been beneficial to them.

Este trabalho trata de um estudo experimental da transferência de calor e de massa de um condensador evaporativo, bem como, da relação existente entre as grandezas envolvidas durante a sua operação. Para o desenvolvimento da pesquisa foi construído um condensador evaporativo de pequeno porte com dimensões proporcionais a condensadores comercialmente fabricados no Brasil para operar com R-22 como fluido refrigerante. Este condensador tem 35 colunas e 12 fileiras de tubos de cobre de 6,35 mm de externo e opera junto a uma instalação que proporciona o escoamento de R-22 por termossifao. O distribuidor de água também foi construído em cobre e o eliminador de gotas em alumínio, assim como a estrutura do condensador. As laterais e a bandeja de recolhimento de água foram construídas em vidro para permitir a visualização do escoamento da água que e aspergida sobre os tubos. A fim de variar as condições operacionais, este condensador foi acoplado a um ventilador centrifugo acionado por um conversor de freqüência e a um circuito que permitiu a variação da vazão de água aspergida sobre os tubos. Dos ensaios resultaram 79 amostras de medição, que serviram para verificar a relação existente entre grandezas, bem como avaliar os coeficientes de transferência de calor e massa. Foram determinados os coeficientes de transferência de calor médio e local para o R-22. Alem disso, foram verificadas as regiões onde ocorrem o dessuperaquecimento, a mudança de fase e o subresfriamento do fluido refrigerante, e foram confrontados os coeficientes globais de transferência de calor obtidos a partir dos dados experimentais com aqueles obtidos por correlações para as regiões de condensação e subresfriamento. Destas investigações, resultou uma correlação para o coeficiente global de transferência de calor que visa determinar esta grandeza através das condições operacionais e das características geométricas do condensador. O Maximo desvio encontrado entre os valores provenientes dos dados experimentais e aqueles calculados pela correlação foi inferior a 10%. / This work presents an experimental heat and mass transfer study of an evaporative condenser, as well as, the relationship between measured quantities obtained during its operation. A small scale evaporative condenser was built in agreement to the real size equipment geometric similarity. The small scale condenser has a bundle of 210 copper tubes, with the outer diameter equal to ¼ inch, which were arranged in 35 columns and 6 rows and operating connected to the thermosifon facility that promote R-22 flow. The spray water distributor is also built on copper and the drift eliminator on aluminum, as well as the evaporative condenser structure. This condenser bounds were constructed as a glass enclosure to allow for the spray water flow visualization. To evaluate the operational conditions, the equipment was attached to a centrifugal fan controlled by a frequency inverter and a spray water circuit which allows for water quantity changing. From the carried out tests, 79 measuring samples were obtained and used to verify the quantities relationship, as well as, to evaluate the heat and mass transfer coefficients For the R-22 were determined the local and average heat transfer coefficients. Furthermore, the dessuperheating, condensation and subcooling regions were verified and compared both, the experimental overall heat transfer coefficient and those calculated by correlations at condensation and subcooling zones. From these investigations a correlation for the overall heat transfer coefficient is proposed. Its application allows determining the coefficient using the operational conditions and the geometric condenser features. The higher deviation found between the experimental data and the presented correlation is lower to 10%.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:25:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-02-06Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:53:01Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 marques_ml_me_ilha.pdf: 2611417 bytes, checksum: 92acf490f613feafc8592624dfbb25e9 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Diante dos vários casos registrados de anomalias surgidas em concretos de diferentes estruturas devidas às reações deletérias do tipo álcali-agregado (RAA), pesquisadores de todo o mundo têm buscado conhecer melhor o problema, entender seu mecanismo e caracterizar estruturas já afetadas. Realizou-se no presente trabalho um estudo de caso sobre a Tomada d’água (TA) da UHE Jaguari, visando estimar a expansibilidade do concreto dessa estrutura e a reatividade de agregados provenientes da região. Para isto, foram analisados testemunhos extraídos da TA por meio de ensaios de expansão, análises químicas e microestruturais, e um concreto com traço reconstituído em laboratório, reproduzindo o traço utilizado na construção da TA, avaliando a resistência mecânica, a propriedade elástica e a permeabilidade. Realizouse um estudo em separado dos agregados coletados da região (enrocamento da barragem, pedreira comercial e testemunho de sondagem da rocha de fundação da TA) por se tratar de materiais que provavelmente têm a mesma procedência que o empregado na barragem. Foram realizadas análises químicas, usando técnicas como difração de raios X e infravermelho, bem como análises do potencial expansivo, por meio de barras de argamassa e prismas de concreto, conforme as normas NBR 15577-4 e NBR 15577-6, respectivamente. Este conjunto de informações constitui uma contribuição para que venha a ser feita uma avaliação da real situação da estrutura no tocante à RAA, estabelecendo parâmetros iniciais para estimar em qual estágio de expansão a estrutura se encontra. / Ahead of some registered cases of anomalies appeared in concrete of different structures due to the deleterious reactions of the alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR) type, researchers of all over the world have studied this problem, to understand its mechanism and to characterize structures which were already affected. In the present work, a characterization of the concrete used in this dam and a study of residual expansion obtained from extracted cores was performed. The case study was the intake of Jaguari Hydra Power plant, because it presents cracks that are characteristic of alkali-aggregate reaction. Tests were made on the same core of Jaguari Hydra Power Plant and in concrete from laboratory, using a local aggregate in order to evaluate: the strength, the elastic property, the permeability and the expansibility; as well as, chemical and micro structural analysis. Another study was made with aggregate collected from the rockfill of the dam, because this aggregate probably has the same origin that the one which were used in the dam construction and collected from soundings of the foundation rock of intake structure of Jaguari Power plant. This study contemplated chemical analysis, using techniques such as X-ray diffraction and infra-red ray, as well as analysis of the expansive potential in mortar bars and concrete prisms, through method NBR 15577-4 e NBR 15577-6, respectively. All this information will be useful to establish initial parameters and estimate what is the stage of the structure expansion due to alkali-aggregate reaction.