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This diploma thesis deals with the influence of English on pronunciation in German with examples of Czech native speakers at secondary school level. The theoretical part characterises and classifies segmental and suprasegmental features of English and German on the basis of available literature. The practical part focuses on the research of the influence of English at secondary school level (6. - 9. classes), which was conducted by recording the presented text. The gathered data are further analysed from the point of view of the proportion to all respondents as well as of the occurrence of the problematic features in particular classes. The work is written in the German language.

Thesis (M.A.)--Wheaton College Graduate School, 2004. Action Research Paper (M.A.)--Wheaton College Graduate School, 2004. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 29-30).

Graph decompositions have useful applications in optimization problems that are categorized as NP-Hard. Modular Decomposition of a graph is a technique to decompose the graph into non-overlapping modules. A module M of an undirected graph G = (V, E) is commonly defined as a set of vertices such that any vertex outside of M is either adjacent or non-adjacent to all vertices in M . By the theory of modular decomposition, the modules can be categorized as parallel, series or prime modules. Series modules which are maximal and are also cliques are termed as simple series modules or critical cliques. There are modular decomposition algorithms that can be used to decompose the graph into modules and obtain critical cliques. In this current research, we present a new algorithm to decompose the graph into critical cliques without applying the process of modular decomposition. Given a simple, undirected graph G = (V, E), the runtime complexity of our proposed algorithm is O(|V| + |E|) under certain input constraints. Thus, one of our main contributions is to propose a novel algorithm for decomposing a simple, undirected graph directly into critical cliques. We apply the idea of critical cliques to propose a new way for solving the influence maximization problem in online social networks. Influence maximization in online social networks is the problem of identifying a small, initial set of influential individuals which can influence the maximum number of individuals in the network. In this research, we propose a new model of online social networks based on the notion of critical cliques. We utilize the properties of critical cliques to assign parameters for our proposed model and select an initial set of activation nodes. We then simulate the influence propagation process in the online social network using our proposed model and experimentally compare our approach to the greedy algorithm proposed by Kempe, Kleinberg and Tardos. Our main contribution in the influence maximization research is to propose a new model of online social network taking into account the structural properties of the social network graph and a new, faster algorithm for determining the initial set of influential individuals in the online social network.

Les considérations économiques engendrées par une pénurie de ressources humaines et matérielles dans le domaine de la santé ont donné lieu à une restructuration de l'exercice professionnel des différents acteurs du système de santé. Dans une optique d'évaluation et d'imputabilité des services, la précision du rôle particulier des ergothérapeutes concernant l'éducation à la santé est importante. Bien que ce rôle soit clairement énoncé par l'Association canadienne d'ergothérapie, la documentation est relativement parcimonieuse quant aux pratiques des ergothérapeutes en ce domaine. Ce constat incite ainsi à élargir l'éducation à la santé comme objet d'études en explorant le concept de représentations socioprofessionnelles. Il s'agit d'une avenue prometteuse de recherche qui permet d'aborder et de décrire l'ensemble des connaissances, des opinions et des visions d'un groupe professionnel par rapport à un objet qui détermine leurs actions. Cette étude a ainsi pour but de décrire les représentations socioprofessionnelles des ergothérapeutes sur leur rôle en éducation à la santé. Deux stratégies d'analyse seront utilisées. La première, qualifiée de référentiel commun, concerne l'ensemble des connaissances, des actions et des visions qui sont communes aux ergothérapeutes. La seconde stratégie se centre sur les prises de position individuelle par rapport à ce référentiel commun. L'approche de recherche adoptée est qualitative prenant en compte la nature exploratoire de l'étude. Le mode d'échantillolmage retenu est dit théorique ou intentionnel. Les critères d'inclusion des participantes sont: être ergothérapeute, pratiquer à titre de clinicienne au Québec, détenir un baccalauréat en ergothérapie et avoir cinq années d'expérience professionnelle. Au total, 24 ergothérapeutes provenant de divers champs de pratique, dont la déficience intellectuelle, la santé mentale et la santé physique ont participé à l'étude. La moyenne d'années d'expérience des participantes est 11,35 années. Pour faire émerger les connaissances, les opinions et la vision des ergothérapeutes sur leur rôle en éducation à la santé, des entrevues semi-dirigées ont été menées. Les entrevues ont été analysées et codifiées en s'appuyant sur le cadre conceptuel de l'étude qui se centre sur les définitions de la santé et les modèles d'éducation à la santé.Les résultats démontrent que malgré un manque de formation en éducation à la santé, les ergothérapeutes interrogées possèdent un référentiel commun quant à ce rôle. Elles mentionnent jouer un rôle actif en éducation à la santé principalement dans le contexte d'un travail d'équipe interdisciplinaire. Leurs discours illustrent un rôle éducatif s'adressant à une clientèle cible (client, famille, collègue) en prévention secondaire et tertiaire. Leur enseignement est jugé pratique et utile se percevant avant tout comme des vulgarisateurs d'information. Leur manque de connaissances des modèles en éducation les amène à utiliser des modèles expérientiels, des modèles de pratique ergothérapique ou encore des modèles d'intervention de l'équipe multidisciplinaire. Leurs interventions sont cependant perçues aidantes et permettent, entre autres, à des individus de demeurer actifs dans leur environnement et de continuer à participer à leurs occupations. Ce manque de formation initiale ou continue en éducation à la santé pourrait également expliquer la difficulté des ergothérapeutes à intervenir en prévention primaire et ce, malgré une vision future où le rôle de consultant et le volet préventif gagneront en importance. Les ergothérapeutes ne possèdent pas le langage utilisé par les autres professionnels impliqués en santé publique et elles omettent, à tout le moins dans leurs discours, d'identifier des éléments essentiels contribuant à l'adoption d'un comportement lié à la santé. Il s'agit entre autres, du contrôle perçu et de l'attitude par rapport au dit comportement. La deuxième stratégie d'analyse portant sur les prises de position individuelle par rapport au référentiel commun a contribué à enrichir la compréhension du rôle des ergothérapeutes en éducation à la santé en identifiant quatre typologies d'éducateur. Comparativement à la première stratégie qui visait une synthèse des réponses à une question pour l'ensemble des participantes (approche inter-sujet), cette deuxième stratégie s'intéresse aux éléments communs issus des réponses aux différentes questions pour une même participante (approche intra-sujet). Deux axes principaux permettent de distinguer les participantes: 1) pragmatique -théorique; et 2) convergent -accommodateur. La combinaison des pôles de chacun de ces axes a ainsi permis d'identifier quatre types d'éducateur à la santé. Comme retombée, cette étude fournit un cadre de référence pour développer de la formation continue pour les ergothérapeutes en éducation à la santé. ______________________________________________________________________________ MOTS-CLÉS DE L’AUTEUR : Représentations socioprofessionnelles, Éducation à la santé.

The principal aim of this essay was to study why some teachers at upper secondary school choose to work with alternative material in the English classroom, whereas others choose a combination of alternative material and coursebooks. The investigation further deals with how alternative material is used. What students think about various kinds of material and whether they are encouraged to influence the choice of material has been considered as well. The method used was interviews with three teachers and six students. The results of the study showed that all three teachers agreed that coursebooks should not be the only teaching material used in the classroom; they believed that the use of course-books alone would be boring and not very stimulating for the students. Coursebooks combined with alternative material were considered to work very well as teachers and students benefit from the advantages of both. Furthermore, alternative material would be used more if it were not such a time-consuming business for the teachers. Concerning how the three teachers made alternative material, practise varied. One teacher for who mainly used alternative material and also made it herself, had many different sources, whereas the other two teachers mostly used books and movies. Regarding the students, their requests of teaching material varied. The majority however preferred either alternative material or a combination with coursebooks. They also declared that they are encouraged to influence the choice of material.

The purpose of this research is to find out the Upward-Influence factors, which were used by domestic employees. In addition, by applying cluster analysis, this paper tried to identify the types of upward influence and the salary differentials between those types. As follows, one may see the research results: 1.This research finds five major upward influence strategies namely, Upward Tactics, Reason, Ingratiation, Image Management and Blocking. Among these five upward influence strategies, the one most frequently utilized by domestic employees is Reason (mean=2.9, SD=0.791). 2.By using a hierarchical cluster analysis of five upward influence strategies, we identified four types that characterized the way employees influence their superiors. ¡§Shotgun¡¨ employees used most upward influence and emphasized upward tactics and blocking; ¡§Gentle¡¨ employees used an average amount of upward influence and emphasized reason and ingratiation; ¡§Passive¡¨ employees used little upward influence with their superiors; and ¡§Bystander¡¨ employees, 41.3% of the sample, used moderate upward influence. 3.There are salary differentials between four upward influence types. ¡§Gentle¡¨ employees had significantly highest salaries than others. On the contrary, ¡§Passive¡¨ employees received lowerest salaries. There is no significantly salary differential between ¡§Shotgun¡¨ and ¡§Bystander¡¨ employees.

Influence behaviors have generally been affected by personality. In organizational research, Machiavellianism has commonly been defined as the need to develop and defend one¡¦s power and success. Thus, Machiavellianism more likely that personality may predict use of these influence tactics. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships of Machiavellianism and upward influence tactics, and examine the moderating effect of demographic variables. This study selected 2828 business employee to answer the questionnaire, and there are 2761 copies valid return. A factor analysis, there are five dimensions of upward influence tactics: upward device, rational persuasion, impression management, ingratiation and pressure. The result showed that (1) there are hypotheses supported for strongly positive relationship between Machiavellianism and upward influence tactics, (2) the moderating effect of demographic variables were partly supported in this study.

Cambodia has a strong presence of international donor agencies and expatriate development practitioners. The role of international donors in making government increasingly gender responsive is believed to be immense. This thesis contends that most expatriate and Cambodian development practitioners have different perceptions on the issue due to cultural influences. Due to these differences sometimes there emerge incongruence in the approach (that is often determined by international players) and the beliefs of most national practitioners who are responsible to implement these approaches. The problem of domestic violence is used as a case in point to demonstrate this incongruence. The thesis argues that the differences in views do not get discussed and thereafter resolved because the communication processes being followed are not open and dialogical in nature. It suggests that there are two primary reasons that come in the way of dialogic communication. One is related to the hierarchically different positions that expatriates and Cambodian practitioners occupy in the context of development work. The other is related to the difference in the perceptions of the practitioners depending on their degree of connectedness with the cultural setting. The thesis concludes that there is a need for introspection by the development practitioners for the reasons that may lie within them and their organizations for this communication gap. This is essential for initiating communication processes that are open so that the development practitioners may begin to arrive at common understanding as well as trusting relationships. The study is conducted following the tenets of the “naturalistic inquiry” as proposed by Lincoln and Guba (1985).

The urban Influence on diversity of avifauna in the Edwards Plateau ecoregion and surrounding area was studied using spatial analysis. Indices and metrics of urban influence, ownership property sizes, landscape structure, and avian diversity were calculated for 31 North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) transects, 12 located within the Edwards Plateau ecoregion and 18 in contiguous ecoregions. Spatial correlations were calculated between each pair of these indices. The spatial analysis identified an emergent property at the landscape level: A “threshold of habitat fragmentation” at an ownership property size of 500 acres, which is reached when urban influence increases to an intermediate level. Highly significant spatial correlations among variables showed that property sizes lower than 500 acres produce habitat fragmentation represented by a decrease in mean patch size (MN) and proximity among habitat patches (Index PROX). Consequently, avian α-diversity (richness) decreases because both MN and Index PROX are landscape metrics related to availability of suitable habitat for avian populations. The spatial analysis also made possible the prioritization of ecological subregions of the Edwards Plateau for conservation or restoration with respect to the threshold of habitat fragmentation and avian α and β-diversity. Balcones Canyon Lands showed a high percentage of land covered by farms smaller than 500 acres (64%), an ownership property average size above the threshold of fragmentation (1440 acres) and the highest avian α- diversity; so, management policies should focus on habitat conservation. In contrast, Lampasas Cut Plains showed the highest percentage of land covered by farms smaller than 500 acres (71%), and ownership property average size was very close to the threshold of fragmentation (625 acres); there, urban bird species are dominant and avian α-diversity is low because of the loss of native bird species. Management in this ecoregion should focus on habitat restoration. Finally, the Live Oak-Mesquite Savannah subregion showed the highest average ownership property size (7305 acres), and the highest values of patch richness and β-diversity. Management in this ecoregion should focus on conservation of land mosaic diversity to assure native avian species turnover.