In this thesis the application of the transtheoretical model (Prochaska and DiClemente 1992) to dietary change is investigated. Four studies were conducted examining the core constructs of the model these are (a) stages of change, (b) processes of change, (c) concepts of change. An exploratory cross sectional study found that process and concept use differed significantly between precontemplaters and post action stages. With self efficacy however the main differences were between preparation and other stages. Semi-structured interviews with then conducted with 20 participants in the process of improving their dietary behaviour. Results showed that strategies similar to those outlined in the transtheoretical model social support and consciousness raising were strongly emphasised, regarding decisional balance more benefits than disadvantages were associated with dietary change. Following this a 6-month longitudinal study tested the effectiveness of stage matched and general pamphlets for clients with type two diabetes. 955 participants completed questionnaires with 327 participants receiving stage matched interventions, 309 receiving general interventions and 319 participants being allocated to a control group, intervention copies were distributed at 3 months and a second questionnaire at six months. Significant differences were found between the pre action and post action stages with low fat dietary behaviour. Precontemplaters scored significantly lower than other stages with all processes and with the pros and cons of decisional balance and contemplaters scored lower than post action stages with several processes. Maintainers scored highest in self efficacy. The use of processes and concepts did not match fully that outlined in the transtheoretical model. Interestingly when participants were classified on the basis of low, medium and high fat behaviour, process and concept use followed a broadly linear pattern. At follow up detailed analysis was made problematic by high subject attrition. However, higher scores in consciousness raising were associated with forward stage movement and low scores in social support with retrograde movement. There was no significant difference in effectiveness of stage matched and general pamphlets. There is, however, weak evidence that interventions in general improve low fat dietary behaviour. The stage classification may however give insights not available with standard classifications. Indicating advantages in combining stage and traditional classifications. Suggestions for future studies to investigate the model more thoroughly are also discussed.

Dans le cadre de cette thèse nous nous sommes intéressés à l’amélioration de la qualité visuelle des images, en rehaussant le contraste des images. Nous avons proposé, tout d’abord, une méthode de rehaussement simple et efficace s’inspirant du système visuel humain. Cette méthode est efficace,quand elle est appliquée aux images naturelles en couleur, ou monochromes. La méthode proposée est ensuite améliorée pour pouvoir rehausser d’autre type d’image comme les images médicale, telles que les images de rétine et l’endoscopie. Par la suite, nous nous sommes aussi intéressés aux rehaussements des images médicales et en particulier aux images de mammographie et nous avons donc proposé une méthode de rehaussement de contraste qui leur est spécifiquement dédiée. Au final,nous nous sommes intéressés à l’évaluation des méthodes de rehaussement proposées et aux différentes approches existantes dans la littérature. La méthode d’évaluation proposée s’appuie sur l’analyse radiale et angulaire du spectre d’énergie de Fourier. La validation de notre méthode de rehaussement de contraste a été faite en utilisant des échantillons d’images de 2 bases et en utilisant un test subjectif pour la comparer à d’autres méthodes de rehaussement. La note subjective finale de MOS, obtenue par la moyenne des notes des observateurs, montre la fiabilité de notre méthode de rehaussement de contraste et son intérêt par comparaison aux autres méthodes classiques. / The aim of this thesis is to propose new methods for image enhancement based on oriented and multi-scale transforms using some perceptual criteria. The first part of the thesis is devoted to the development of a simple and efficient contrast enhancement method inspired from the human visual system. This method is evaluated on a set of natural color and monochrome images. The obtained results are evaluated subjectively and by using objective measures based on energy spectrum analysis and perceptual criteria. The enhancement technique is also extended to some medical images, such as mammography and endoscopy images. A special contrast enhancement method adapted to mammography is then proposed. It is based on a segmentation process using a priori information on the mammography images. The last part of the thesis is devoted to image enhancement evaluation. A critical literature survey of image enhancement evaluation methods is provided. The evaluation method proposed in this thesis is based on the radial and angular analysis of the Fourier powerspectrum. Another perceptual approach is proposed to evaluate the output. This method is based on the analysis of the visibility map computed by using a pyramidal contrast. The evaluation is performed on some samples taken from two databases. Both subjective and objective evaluations demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed image enhancement methods.

In the formative period of his career Rembrandt completed three works dealing with the theme of the resurrection of Lazarus: the 1630 drawing, the painting circa 1630, and the etching of approximately 1631. A discussion involving the dating of Rembrandt's painting and etching focuses on the chronology of his 1630 drawing, and Jan Lievens’ etching and painting of the same theme. The discussion in scholarly literature of Rembrandt's treatment of the miracle has been limited primarily to compositional analysis and to the questions addressing the dating chronology. No previous study approaches the iconography of the subject. In this thesis an examination of the theme reveals that Rembrandt's depiction follows the type which interprets the raising of Lazarus as a key to the achievement of eternal life through faith in Christ. Chapter I introduces and describes the works, notes the legends associated with the Lazarus narrative, summarizes and cites the original text, and closes with a history of the literature. A selection of works dating from the 2nd to 15th centuries is examined in Chapter II to establish the earlier pictorial tradition and describe motifs common to the depiction of this narrative. Chapter III isolates and defines distinct Southern and Northern types which appear in the 16th century. In Chapter IV, two of Rembrandt's immediate compositional sources, Jan Lievens and Pieter Lastman, are investigated. Following a brief clarification of their personal association with Rembrandt, several stages in the development of Rembrandt's conception are explored, contrasting his work with these earlier sources. As a result of this examination it is possible to isolate the compositional elements Rembrandt was attracted to as well as those which he rejected. The analysis also reveals several aspects of the painting and etching which suggest contrasting influences; these serve as valuable clues to the doctrines lying behind them. In the final chapter I consider the meaning of this theme of raising from the dead. The analysis is divided into two parts. In the first I review the present scholarship regarding the function of the theme's earlier tradtions. Three interpretations emerge from this broad perspective: 1) the narrative is understood simply as a miracle, though Christ's most spectacular, 2) it embodies a hope of future resurrection and promise of rebirth, and 3) it acts as a symbol of spiritual rebirth on earth. Although the delineations are not extremely clear-cut, each of the three interpretations appears to gain precedence at various times in history. In part two I consider how Rembrandt's narrative may have functioned in early 17th century Holland. Here the outstanding visual elements isolated in Chapter IV are considered in conjunction with relevant religious doctrine and documents. Viewed together with the previous iconography this analysis provides clues which suggest the theme's function in the early 17th century was to reveal that faith in Christ was the key to eternal life. / Arts, Faculty of / Art History, Visual Art and Theory, Department of / Graduate

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Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Toledo, 2008. / Typescript. "Submitted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for The Master of Education in Higher Education." "A thesis entitled"--at head of title. Bibliography: leaves 115-119.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2009. / Title from title screen (site viewed June 26, 2009). PDF text: xi, 185 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 2 Mb. UMI publication number: AAT 3350372. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Thesis (M.P.A.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2009. / Description based on contents viewed June 5, 2009; title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references (p. 58).