Differences in race, ethnicity, gender, and age have shaped the most diverse workforce in recent years and have also influenced the workplace learning environment. Variability in age created several generations that presented an instructional challenge in the workplace for trainers who have not recognized and understood generational differences. The purpose of this study was to investigate how employees in 4 generations differed with respect to attitudes toward instructional approaches using technology in the workplace classroom. A theoretical framework incorporating Knowles' learning theory of andragogy guided this study, which used survey research methods within a quantitative design. The sample of 731 city employees from various departments completed the Media and Technology Usage and Attitudes Scales administered through an online survey tool. One-way ANOVA indicated that only on the Positive Attitudes Toward Technology scale, scores of the oldest generation, the Traditionalists, were significantly less positive than those of the 3 younger generations (Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials) who did not differ significantly from each other. Research findings led to the conclusion that some differences existed in generational attitudes toward instructional approaches. Based on this conclusion, a 3-day leadership workshop was created, which includes recommendations for a customized approach to instructing the generations. Implications for social change include the potential for organizations to modify instruction to correspond with attitudinal differences of the generations and allow organizations in all industries to take proactive steps for workforce changes in learning.

Changing workforce demographics, combined with a gap in knowledge and skills between older and younger generations, threatens small business viability. The presence of four generations in the workforce, where 1 in 5 employees are 55 years and older, presents an unprecedented challenge for small business leaders planning for succession with a multigenerational workforce. The purpose of this case study was to explore the effect of Baby Boomers' presence on small business leaders' ability to retain and transfer knowledge to successive generations. Using snowball and purposeful sampling techniques, 36 small business leaders in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area participated. The conceptual framework included the theories of groupthink, narrative paradigm, collaboration, stakeholder, and the swift theory of trust. Data collection occurred using e-mail to solicit study participants to provide their experiences concerning generational succession via a Web-based, electronic questionnaire. Data analysis entailed using a modified van Kaam method to identify 2 main themes for small business leaders to consider: (a) generational differences reflect small business leaders' challenges and (b) multigenerational succession affects the bottom line. Member checking, transcription review of questionnaire responses, and triangulation of data with existing theories strengthened the validity of study findings and themes. Study recommendations offered strategies for managing knowledge supportive of planned generational succession. This study's findings may contribute to social change by offering small business leaders strategies to facilitate a collaborative, knowledge management culture that may mitigate the effects of changing workforce demographics on small business viability.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T14:38:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_carolina_bespalhok_jacometo.pdf: 1268140 bytes, checksum: f50f9d5e712805bbf423a8f08512f6ed (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-27 / Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are negative regulators of hepatic lipogenesis and their effects are at transcriptional levels. The essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6, consumed during pregnancy can benefit maternal and offspring health. The nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), when activated by PUFAs enhances lipolytic genes. Liver X receptor α (LXRα) and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) are nuclear receptors that enhance lipogenic genes, and are repressed by PUFAs. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of diets, rich in omega-3 or omega-6, consumed throughout three generations, on biochemical parameters and the expression level of some genes related to lipid metabolism. For this study we used adult Wistar/UFPel rats, composing the founding generation, females that received diet with flaxseed oil (OM group, n=18) or soybean oil (CTL group, n=18) during pregnancy. At F1 weaning, 48 females offspring were selected and allocated in three groups, females from OM group, that continued receiving diet with flaxseed oil (OM/OM group, n=16), females from OM group, that started to receive diet with soybean oil (OM/CTL group, n=16) and females from CTL group, that continued receiving diet with soybean oil (CTL/CTL group, n=16). At F2 weaning, 16 females offspring of each group were selected and continued receiving the same diets (OM/OM/OM group, OM/CTL/CTL group and CTL/CTL/CTL group). The females were evaluated in the pre-partum (19±1 days of pregnancy) and at postpartum period (21 days after parturition). The dietary fatty acid profile did not affect the diet daily intake and the pregnancy rate (P>0.05), however, dams that received the diet rich in omega-3 had heaviest offspring (P=0.01). Diets with higher omega-3 level decreased triglycerides serum levels, and maintained constant the non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) levels (P=0.04), while the animals fed with high proportion of omega-6 had fluctuant NEFA levels, and an outstanding increase in the postpartum period of F2 generation (P=0.02). PPARα, RXRα, LXRα and SREBP-1c had been regulated by the diets throughout generations. In the pre-partum moment of F2 generation, the animals fed with high omega-3 had a lower expression of LXRα (P=0.01) indicating its effectiveness on inhibiting lipogenic action. Our results indicate that the PUFAs effect on the control of lipolysis and lipogenesis is cumulative throughout generations and the omega-3 exerts a better control. / Dietas contendo ácidos graxos poli-insaturados (AGPIs) exercem controle negativo sobre a lipogênese hepática e seus efeitos são observados ao nível transcricional. Os ácidos graxos essenciais ômega-3 e ômega-6, quando consumidos durante a gestação podem beneficiar a saúde materna e da prole. O receptor nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), quando ativado pelos AGPIs favorecem a atividade de genes lipolíticos. O liver X receptor α (LXRα) e sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) são receptors nucleares que ativam genes lipogênicos, e são reprimidos pelos AGPIs. O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar os efeitos de dietas, ricas em ômega-3 ou ômega-6, consumidas ao longo de três gerações, sobre parâmetros bioquímicos e o nível de expressão de alguns genes relacionados ao metabolismo lipídico. Para este estudo foram utilizados ratas adultas, da linhagem Wistar/UFPel, compondo a geração fundadora, fêmeas que receberam ração com óleo de linhaça (Grupo OM, n=18) ou óleo de soja (Grupo CTL, n=18) durante toda a gestação. No desmame da F1 foram selecionadas 48 progênies fêmeas, então divididas em três grupos, fêmeas oriundas do Grupo OM, que continuaram a receber dieta com óleo de linhaça (Grupo OM/OM, n=16), fêmeas oriundas do Grupo OM, que passaram a receber dieta com óleo de soja (Grupo OM/CTL, n=16) e fêmeas oriundas do Grupo CTL, que continuaram a receber dieta com óleo de soja (Grupo CTL/CTL, n=16). No desmame da F2 foram selecionadas 16 progênies fêmeas de cada grupo que seguiram recebendo o mesmo tratamento (Grupo OM/OM/OM; Grupo OM/CTL/CTL e Grupo CTL/CTL/CTL). As fêmeas foram avaliadas no período pré parto (19±1 dias de gestação) e no pós-parto (21 dias após o parto). O perfil de ácidos graxo da dieta não afetou o consumo de ração e nem a taxa de prenhez (P>0,05), porém as fêmeas alimentadas com dieta rica em ômega-3 tiveram filhotes mais pesados (P=0,01). A dieta com alto nível de ômega-3 diminuiu os níveis séricos de triglicerídeos (P=0,04), e mantiveram constante os níveis de ácidos graxos não-esterificados (AGNEs), enquanto animais alimentados com uma proporção maior de ômega-6 tiveram níveis flutuantes de AGNEs, e um notável aumento no perído pós-parto da geração F2 (P=0,02). PPARα, RXRα, LXRα and SREBP-1c foram regulados pelas dietas ao longo das gerações. No período pré-parto da geração F2, os animais alimentação com alto ômega-3 apresentaram uma menor expressão de LXRα (P<0,001), indicando sua efetividade em inibir a ação lipogênica. Nossos resultados indicam que os efeitos dos AGPIs no controle da lipólise e lipogênese é cumulativo ao longo das gerações e o ômega-3 exerce um controle mais efetivo.

L'évaluation de l'impact écologique d'une exposition aux rayonnements ionisants est devenue une préoccupation majeure. L'objectif de ce doctorat était d'étudier les effets multigénérationnels d'une irradiation gamma chronique selon une approche intégrée, des traits d'histoire de vie aux mécanismes subcellulaires chez un organisme modèle, le nématode Caenorhabditis elegans. L'étude des effets d'une irradiation gamma chronique sur les traits d'histoire de vie de C. elegans a d'abord été effectuée. Pour cela, trois générations ont été exposées et deux générations ont été placées en environnement « contrôle » après exposition parentale. Puis, différents mécanismes subcellulaires pouvant expliquer les effets observés sur les traits d'histoire de vie ont été par la suite caractérisés. Les résultats obtenus ont mis en évidence que (i) la reproduction était le critère d'effet le plus sensible, (ii) une augmentation de la radiosensibilité était observée sur trois générations exposées et (iii) les effets de la génération parentale étaient transmis aux générations non-exposées. Une augmentation de l'apoptose, une diminution du stock de spermatozoïdes et du nombre de cellules mitotiques semblent expliquer la diminution de la reproduction dans les générations exposées. Seule une diminution du nombre de spermatozoïdes a été observée en parallèle d'une diminution de la reproduction dans les générations placées non exposées. Ce projet de recherche a permis d'apporter des connaissances sur les effets multigénérationnels d'une irradiation gamma et montre l'intérêt d'utiliser une approche intégrée pour mieux comprendre les mécanismes d'action liés à l'action d'un polluant. / The environmental risk assessment of chronic exposure to ionizing has become a major concern. The aim of this PhD was to study the multigenerational effects of chronic gamma radiation in an integrated manner (to the life history traits from the subcellular mechanisms) in a model organism, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. First, studying the effects of chronic gamma radiation on the life history traits of C. elegans was performed. For that, three generations have been exposed to different dose rates and two generations have been placed in "control" environment after parental exposure. The second part of this thesis aimed to characterize the different subcellular mechanisms that could explain the observed effects on the life history traits after multigenerational exposure. The results showed that (i) the reproduction was the most sensitive endpoint to gamma radiation, (ii) an increase in radiosensitivity was observed over three exposed generations and (iii) the effects of the parental generation were transmitted to the non-exposed generations. An increase in apoptosis, a reduction in the stock of sperm, and to a lesser extent, a decrease in the number of mitotic cells, could explain the observed decrease in reproduction for the exposed generations. Only a decrease in sperm number was observed in parallel with a reduction in the cumulative number of larvae in the non-exposed generations. This research contributes to our knowledge on the multigenerational effects of gamma irradiation and shows the importance of an integrated approach to better understand the mechanisms of action related to the action of a pollutant and improve the environmental risk assessment.

No description available.

Master thesis is performed on 85 pages (format А4, the font type Times New Roman, кегль 14, interlining 1.5) excluding attachments. Number of tables –30 (excluding attachments). Number of pictures – 6 (excluding attachments). Number of formulas – 0 (excluding attachments). Master Thesis consists Introduction, 4 chapters, Conclusion and Bibliography. In the theoretical part are presented the basic concepts, principal authors and definitions of the main topic. In the practical part are analyzed the general characteristics of the investigated enterprise and the activities of HR specialists about the topic, as well as the perception of the employees on the subject of investigation. On the base of received results are proposed recommendations on how to improve on multigenerational integration within the Company. In conclusion the results in accordance with object. / Магистерская диссертация выполнена на 85 страницах (формат А4, шрифт Times New Roman, кегль 14, интервал 1.5) без учета вложений. Количество таблиц - 30 (без вложений). Количество фотографий – 6 (без вложений). Количество формул – 0(без вложений). Магистерская диссертация состоит из введения, 4 глав, заключения и библиографии. В теоретической части представлены основные понятия, основные авторы и определения основной темы. В практической части анализируются общие характеристики исследуемого предприятия и деятельность HR-специалистов по данной теме, а также восприятие сотрудниками предмета исследования. На основе полученных результатов предложены рекомендации по совершенствованию мульти-генерационной интеграции внутри компании. В заключение приведены результаты в соответствии с целями исследования.

No description available.

Some business leaders find it challenging to manage individuals from different age groups; this is an issue, as organizations in many developed countries become more age-diverse. The purpose of this single case study was to provide business leaders with information about strategies top-level business executives and team leaders at a large company in Curaçao (a developed island nation in the Caribbean) use for enhancing productivity of an age-diverse workforce. The conceptual framework of this study consisted of generational theory of Mannheim. A key tenet of the generational theory includes that belonging to the same generational unit, generational location, and generational actuality shapes the beliefs, values, and attitudes of members of a generational cohort collectively. Data from interviews and company documentation that included an annual report, business guide, and performance management documentation were coded and analyzed using NVivo software, and member checking was used to enhance the trustworthiness of interpretations. Key themes that emerged from data analysis include the need to use communication strategies, foster equal treatment of employees, implement employee development plans, and adopt a structured approach for addressing issues related to age-diversity. Implementation of the different strategies and recommendations identified in this study might aid business leaders in their effort to manage an age-diverse workforce and increase workplace productivity. Implications for social change include the potential to improve empathy and relations between individuals from different generations and the cultivation of a more cohesive society.

Dans ce travail de thèse, nous avons évalué les effets neurotoxiques multigénérationnels de l’exposition des mères F0 gestantes et allaitantes aux polychlorobiphényles non-dioxin-like indicateurs (PCB-NDLi), à un profil mimant l'exposition humaine à partir de poissons contaminés, sur le développement et le comportement, y compris les réponses émotionnelles et les interactions sociales, des deux générations F1 et F2 des souris mâles et femelles, à différentes phases de leur ontogenèse. Deux faibles doses des PCB-NDLi : (i) la DJT, qui est de 10 ng/kg/j, et (ii) une dose environnementale de 1000 ng/kg/j, ont été administrés par accès libre aux souris mères F0. En fonction de la modalité d’exposition des parents F1 aux PCB, 4 groupes de génération F2 ont été obtenus, en croisant (i) des pères F1 exposés à des mères F1 non exposées, (ii) des mères F1 exposées à des pères F1 non exposés, (iii) des deux parents F1 exposés, ou (iv) des deux parents F1 non exposés (témoins), aux PCB en période périnatale. Nos résultats ont montré que les mâles adultes de la génération F1 ont manifesté un comportement dépressif-like ; alors que les mâles F2, issus uniquement des pères F1 exposés aux PCB, ont exhibé un comportement anti-dépressif-like, ce que suggère que l’exposition périnatale des souris F1 aux PCB-NDLi a induit une altération multigénérationnelle d’origine parentale du comportement de la résignation, et ce d’une façon sexe dépendante. De même, une altération sexe-dépendante de l’anxiété, a été détectée chez la génération F1 exposées durant la période périnatale aux PCB-NDLi comme uniquement les souris mâles d’âge moyen F1 ont développé un phénotype anxieux qui a été transmis aux souris mâles d’âge moyen F2, via leurs pères F1. En outre, une altération multigénérationnelle du comportement social a été détectée chez les souris mâles et femelles F1 et F2. D’une façon remarquable, chez la génération F2, des altérations comportementales dépendantes à la fois du sexe et de la dose, ont été trouvées, malgré l’absence d’effets chez leurs parents F1, effets qui dépendaient également de l’origine parentale, tels que la diminution significative du niveau de la préférence pour la nouveauté sociale chez les souris mâles F2, issues uniquement des mères F1 périnatallement exposées à la dose 10 ng/kg de PCB. Le dosage des biomarqueurs chez les souris d’âge moyen de la génération F1 a révélé une altération de nombreux paramètres biochimiques, y compris une augmentation du niveau de corticostérone et de l’activité de l’acétylcholinestérase / In this study, we evaluated the multigenerational neurotoxic effects of gestational and lactational exposure of F0 female mice to a representative mixture of the six indicator non-dioxin-like-polychlorinated biphenyls (NDL-PCBs) at environmentally low doses, a profile that closely mimics human exposure to contaminated fish. The tolerable day intake (TDI) of 10 ng/kg/day and a higher environmental dose of 1000 ng/kg/day were administered by free access to F0 mothers during pregnancy and lactation. Afterwards, the development and behavior, including emotional responses and social interactions, of the two F1 and F2 generations of Swiss male and female mice at different phases of their ontogenesis, were assessed. Depending on the mode of exposure of F1 parents to PCBs, four F2 generation groups were obtained by crossing (i) F1 fathers perinatally exposed with unexposed F1 mothers, (ii) F1 mothers perinatally exposed with unexposed F1 fathers, (iii) both F1 parents perinatally exposed, or (iv) both F1 parents perinatally unexposed (controls), to PCBs. Our results showed that F1 adult males showed depressive-like behavior whereas F2 adult males, coming from F1 mothers, perinatally exposed to PCBs, exhibited anti-depressive-like behavior. This result suggested an induction of a multigenerational alteration that was of parental origin, on the resignation behavior in a sex-dependent manner. Similarly, sex-selective anxious behavior was detected in F1 middle-aged males perinatally exposed to PCBs, which was transmissible to F2 middle-aged males, via their F1 fathers. Furthermore, a multigenerational alteration of social behavior was found in F1 and F2 male and female mice. Remarkably, some behavioral alterations in F2 generation were found, despite of the absence of effects in their F1 parents, such as a significant decrease in the level of preference for social novelty in F2 male mice, coming from F1 mothers perinataly exposed to 10 ng/kg of NDL-PCBs. The biomarker assays in F1 middle-aged mice revealed an alteration in many biochemical markers, including increased corticosterone levels and acetylcholinesterase activity in male as well as females.

This paper deals with the relationships between family members in a later stage of the family life-cycle, parents have lost their full self-sufficiency. Adult children support their parents, interaction is frequent and this situation often leads to relocation. The basic question of this study is how these circumstances affects a relations between family members and especially intergenerational relationships between adult children and their parents. The paper is mainly based on the concept of ambivalence and the model of intergenerational solidarity. The research conducted in Czech Republic is a further important background. Data from the research titled "Family Cohesion in the Elderly Care" are analyzed. This research is implemented under the guidance of Prof. PhDr.Hynek Jerabek, CSc. and has a qualitative and quantitative part. Author uses the concepts such as conflict, ambivalence and affectual solidarity to describe intergenerational relationships. The conclusion is that intergenerational relationships in families are characterized by a very strong emotional bond, although high degree of conflict and negative emotion also appeared.