• Refine Query
  • Source
  • Publication year
  • to
  • Language
  • 3388
  • 1373
  • 362
  • 350
  • 314
  • 184
  • 144
  • 76
  • 61
  • 60
  • 46
  • 46
  • 35
  • 27
  • 27
  • Tagged with
  • 7811
  • 996
  • 657
  • 585
  • 516
  • 491
  • 464
  • 448
  • 440
  • 438
  • 419
  • 402
  • 376
  • 372
  • 368
  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
51

Linking courtship behaviour, colour perception and mate choice decisions in peafowl

Dakin, Roslyn 25 March 2013 (has links)
Despite a long history of study showing that male courtship signals influence female mate choice in many species, we lack a good understanding of how females choose. What are the mechanisms of mate choice, and how do these mechanisms shape the evolution of courtship signals and traits? In this thesis, I use the peacock’s iridescent eyespots to link signal perception with female mate choice decisions and the behaviours males use during courtship. I begin by investigating how a peacock’s eyespot colours influence his mating success, using models of avian colour vision and measurements of eyespot plumage colours taken at light angles that mimic the way the feathers are displayed during courtship. My results suggest that a substantial portion of the variation in peacock mating success can be explained by these plumage colours, demonstrating that signal function is best understood by considering the context in which signals are presented. Next, I examine how females choose to visit different males for courtship. I show that a female’s familiarity with a male as a result of previous courtship encounters affects how she responds to his signals, including his eyespot colours. Lastly, I examine the visual effects of the peacock’s iridescent eyespot colours under different light conditions, and show that typical male courtship behaviours might enhance the eyespots in a way that influences female choice. I also find evidence that light conditions and female sensory biology together may have shaped the evolution of the eyespot colours in two species of peafowl. Overall, the results of this thesis demonstrate that by understanding how animals perceive colour signals, we can gain a better understanding of the function of behaviour on both sides of the courtship signaling exchange. / Thesis (Ph.D, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2013-03-22 14:23:48.991
52

Identification of novel candidate genes for regulation of follicle selection in the avian ovary

McDerment, Neil Alastair January 2013 (has links)
Selective breeding of chickens for high growth rate and other production traits has led to the modern commercial broiler, a bird that has the genetic potential for reaching an average body weight of 2.7kg within 6 weeks of hatch. However, the breeding stock for modern broilers has to be feed controlled in order to lay large numbers of viable hatching eggs. Broiler breeders, when fed ad libitum, have a propensity to produce internal ovulations, double-yolked, misshapen or shell-less eggs. This is due to the release of multiple ova at ovulation, which results in a significant loss of production. Feed control has been shown to mitigate this effect but welfare concerns have been raised as to the side-effects for the birds. The main objective of this research was to determine the genetic basis for the regulation of ovarian follicle selection and its dysfunction in ad libitum-fed broiler breeders, and how this might be addressed by genetic selection to limit the impact on the management and welfare of future broiler breeders. A multi-layered statistical, expression profiling and cluster analysis of ovarian gene expression data from a microarray study was carried out to identify candidate genes for further study.Key stages of development were investigated for feed restricted and ad libitum-fed broiler breeders. Several gene candidate genes were validated by qPCR in a comparison of different ovarian tissues in layer type hens for subsequent analysis in broiler breeders. Sequencing of the founders of an Advanced Intercross Line (AIL) of commercial broiler breeders and White Leghorn layers was performed covering 3 regions of each of the primary candidate genes in order to identify genetic variation that could account for differences in follicle number between broilers and layers. Expression data from a microarray study highlighted a number of potential candidate genes for regulation of follicle development. One of these genes, Platelet Derived Growth Factor Receptor Like (PDGFRL), shares significant sequence homology with the active domains of Platelet Derived Growth Factor Receptor β. Expression profiling in layers showed peak PDGFRL expression in 5-6 mm follicles and the F2 follicle (P <0.001). PDGFRL was also up-regulated in response to ad libitum feeding in broiler breeders in 6-8 mm follicles (P<0.016), the point at which follicle selection and recruitment is considered to occur. In addition to this, while PDGFRL expression remains relatively constant between tissues under ad libitum conditions, it shows a clear reduction in expression (P <0.001) in prehierarchical follicles relative to the stroma and the F1 follicle under feed restriction. This observation is consistent with results from the original microarray study. Sequencing of the AIL Founders highlighted several SNPs in the broiler that have the potential to be used as markers for incorporation into commercial selection programs. EST alignment in preparation for targeted sequencing of PDGFRL also highlighted three potential forms of the protein, each with a different 5’ starting sequence. Initial investigation has shown all three to be expressed in ovarian follicles. QPCR in a panel of 13 tissues shows marked differences between the 3 variants, implying different and perhaps specialised roles for each. The PDGFR family has a potential role in steroidogenesis, and the expression profiling, combined with the clear effect on expression from ad libitum feeding in broiler breeders, suggest that PDGFRL is a strong candidate for involvement in the regulation of follicle development GDF9, shown to be associated with multiple ovulation in sheep, and FSH receptor, a mediator of neuroendocrine signalling to the ovary, were also investigated. They behaved as expected in layer type birds but both showed significant differential expression (P = 0.005 and 0.018 respectively) as a result of ad libitum feeding in broiler breeders. Though these two genes have been extensively investigated, these are previously unobserved effects. SNPs have also been identified in these genes which have the potential to be used as markers for incorporation into commercial selection programs. To fully exploit these results, additional investigation is recommended to confirm these results in commercial populations and to determine how they can be employed to best effect.
53

Student selection criteria for the study of architecture : with special reference to Iran

Izadi, Abbasali January 2002 (has links)
The underlying aim of this research is to gain a better knowledge of the relationship between the selection criteria and academic performance of the students of architecture; and the specific aim is to evaluate and improve the methods of student selection in Iranian schools of architecture. The thesis consists of three parts. The first part (Chapters 1 to 3) prepares the theoretical ground for the study. Chapter 1 introduces the general issues of student selection, and Chapter 2 presents a review of the related studies. To supplement the review, a survey was conducted to learn about the present state of affairs in a number of university schools of architecture. Describing this survey, Chapter Three reports differing views on the selection criteria and procedures, and the lack of objective knowledge on this subject. The second part (Chapters 4 to 6) is a close examination of two different student selection methods in Iran by means of a qualitative and a quantitative survey. Chapter Four describes the educational practices in Iran which form the background to the case studies. Chapter Five is a quantitative study on the relationship between selection criteria and the subsequent academic performance of the selected students. The possibility of significant non-academic differences between groups of students who were selected through two different methods, and also the predictive ability of some non-academic variables, are studied in a qualitative survey in Chapter Six. In the third part (Chapter 7) various findings of the previous chapters are brought together. It is concluded that the choice between alternative selection methods is more a matter of compromise than perfection. However, the research findings call into question some of the assumptions of the currently applied selection methods. For instance, little evidence was found to support the customary application of an identical entrance examination for all schools of architecture. Moreover, evidence was found for the noticeable relationship between the academic performance of the students and some non-academic characteristics which the rigid academic selection criteria tend to overlook. Finally, some recommendations are proposed for the improvement of selection procedures for the study of architecture in Iran.
54

L’Apprentissage artificiel pour la fouille de données multilingues : application à la classification automatique des documents arabes / Machine learning and the data mining of multilingual documents : application to the automatic classification of arabic documents

Raheel, Saeed 22 October 2010 (has links)
La classification automatique des documents, une approche issue de l’apprentissage artificiel et de la fouille de textes, s’avère être très efficace pour l’organisation des ressources textuelles multilingues. Très peu des travaux se rapportent à la classification automatique de documents écrits en caractères arabes malgré la richesse morphologique de cette langue. Pour cela, nous nous intéressons dans cette thèse à la question de la classification automatique des documents écrits en caractères arabes. Il faut noter que pour surmonter les difficultés liées au traitement automatique de l’arabe, nous nous basons dans cette thèse sur une solution très performante celle basée sur la ressource linguistique informatisée de l’arabe DIINAR.1 et son analyseur morphologique. Le choix de la nature des attributs est un élément très important pour une classification automatique efficace et mérite être fait avec le plus grand soin puisqu’il a un effet directe sur la fidélité des classifieurs. Ainsi, nous avons mené dans cette thèse une étude comparative entre les n-grammes, les racines, les lemmes, et les mots comme nature d’attributs qui nous a permis de conclure une instabilité dans la performance des classifieurs basés sur les corpus construit via les n-grammes vis-à-vis d’une stabilité dans le comportement des classifieurs basés sur les corpus construits à partir des racines.De plus, on constate dans la plupart des travaux menés sur des documents écrits en caractères arabes qu’ils se basent sur des algorithmes d’apprentissage modernes comme, par exemple, les machines à vecteurs supports, les réseaux bayésiens naïfs, et les arbres de décision qui sont connus être parmi les meilleurs performants classifieurs du domaine. Toutefois, on ne trouve, à l’heure actuelle, aucun travail portant sur la classification automatique des documents écrits en caractères arabes qui utilise l’algorithme du dopage (« Boosting »). Pour cela, nous avons mené une étude comparative de la fidélité des arbres de décision (C4.5) dopés, d’une part, et les arbres de décision (C4.5) (sans dopage), les machines à vecteurs supports (SMO), et les réseaux bayésiens naïfs (NBM), d’un autre part, en fonction de la classification automatique des documents écrits en caractères arabes. Nous avons constaté que l’algorithme C4.5 boosté n’a pas pu surpasser la fidélité des algorithmes SVM et NBM. Nous attribuons cette faiblesse, sans reprocher le dopage, au fait que les arbres de décision sont très sensibles au moindre changement de leurs données sous-jacentes qui sont régulièrement pondérées et modifiées lors du dopage.Un document arabe peut être rédigé en une seule ou plusieurs langues i.e. le contenu du document est un mélange de mots écrits en caractères arabes ainsi que d’autres écrits en caractère latins. Tous les travaux portant sur la classification automatique des documents écrits en caractères arabes abordent le sujet d’un point de vue monolingue i.e. en exploitant uniquement le texte écrit en caractères arabes et en éliminant tout autre texte écrit dans d’autres langues. En conséquence, une partie vitale des informations présentes dans les documents est perdue délibérément sachant qu’elle aurait pu contribuer à la subjectivité de la décision prise par le classifieur puisque l’attribution d’un document à une catégorie ou une autre se base, principalement, sur son contenu. En conséquent, l’élimination des mots écrits en caractères latins tronque le texte ce qui met en question le degré de la subjectivité de la décision finale prise par le modèle de prédiction. Pour cela, nous nous sommes intéressés aussi dans cette thèse à la classification automatique des documents arabes ayant un contenu multilingues i.e. écrits en plusieurs langues. / The automatic classification of documents is an approach resulting from the hybridization of machine learning and text mining techniques. It is has proven to be very effective for the automatic organization of text based resources, in particularly, multilingual ones. We find, however, very little literature written on the subject when it comes to Arabic documents despite the fact that this language is morphologically much richer than Latin based ones. It should be noted that, in order to overcome the difficulties related to the automatic processing of Arabic documents, a deep analysis, such as the one performed by the morphological analyzer based on the computerized dictionary for Arabic DIINAR.1, is required.One of the intrinsic elements of any automatic classification system is the choice of the attribute’s nature. Great care should be taken while making that choice since it has a great impact on the classifier’s accuracy. One of the contributions made by this thesis is the presentation of a comparative study between Support Vector Machines (SMO) and Naïve Bayes Multinomial (NBM) algorithms based on multiple corpuses generated from n-grams, stems, lemmas, and words. We concluded that the performance of the classifiers based on corpuses generated from stems was better than the one based on lemmas and words. In addition, the performance of the classifiers based on stems was more stable than the one based on corpuses generated from n-grams.Another contribution made by this thesis is the use of Boosting as a classifier. None of the literature written on the automatic classification of Arabic documents has ever used it before despite the fact that this algorithm was designed for that purpose. Therefore, we have conducted a comparative study between Decision Trees (C4.5), Boosted Decision Trees (C4.5 and AdaBoost.M1), SMO, and NBM algorithms respectively. Boosting was indeed able to boost the performance of C4.5 but the regular re-weighting made by Boosting to the dataset’s instances hampered C4.5 from bypassing the performances of SMO and NBM algorithms. This weakness is due to the very nature of decision trees that renders them very sensitive to any change in their underlying data.We noticed while analyzing our dataset that an Arabic document is either written in one (i.e. Arabic) or multiple languages (i.e. it will contain words written in Arabic mixed with a minority of words written in another language). All of the literature written on the automatic classification of Arabic documents treats both cases equally and eliminates all the foreign terms in case it finds any. This deliberate elimination deprives the learning process from a vital part of the information found in the documents knowing that it could have contributed to the decision taken by the classifier since to assign to a document one category or another relies basically on its content and as such the degree of certainty of the decision made by the classifier is being compromised. Therefore, the main contribution made by this thesis is that it deals with the automatic classification of Arabic documents from a multilingual perspective and tries to preserve as much as possible of the foreign terms while eliminating only the useless ones (e.g. stowords).
55

Predictors of aviation service selection among U.S. Naval Academy graduates

Gonzalez, James Mario 06 1900 (has links)
Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / The purpose of this study is to investigate U.S. Naval Academy student predictors of aviation selection for graduates between 1995 and 2002. The main hypothesis is that the background characteristics that predict aviation selectees will differ from the characteristics that predict non-aviation selectees. Although prior research suggests that several characteristics (academic, cognitive, athletic, and personality traits) play an important role in predicting success in aviation, other research suggests that many of those characteristics have not been included in the service selection process at the Naval Academy. Two empirical models were estimated to investigate this hypothesis. The models were used to determine whether the significance of predictive factors differ between all aviation selectees and non-aviation selectees, and likewise between pilot aviation selectees and non-pilot aviation selectees. The results show that of all of the variables in both models PFAR (an ASTB score) was the most important factor in predicting aviation selection. Both PFAR and academic grade point average at USNA had a large impact on aviation selection and separately on pilot selection. These results were representative of both aviation and pilot selection. It is also important to note that some variables were strong negative predictors in the models, although prior research suggested they would be positive predictors of aviation success. Apparently, the factors that predict success in aviation flight training are not the same that predict selection of the aviation community. / Lieutenant, United States Navy
56

Early Childhood Education Decision-making Among Latino Foreign-born Parents in the United States: A Mixed Methods Study

Ferreira van Leer, Kevin Anthony January 2018 (has links)
Thesis advisor: Rebekah Levine Coley / One in eight children in the U.S. live in an immigrant Latino family. The contexts common to their families include accumulated disadvantages that result in diminished educational attainment. High quality early childhood education (ECE) is increasingly seen as a cost-effective intervention that can mitigate negative educational outcomes for children, yet research has found that Latino immigrant families have lower utilization rates of center-based care, often associated with high quality, than other racial and ethnic counterparts. This research study aimed to better understand the ECE decision-making process of Latino foreign-born parents with children ages 3 to 5 through an examination of the accommodation model to develop a culturally-informed model that delineates family and community characteristics, parental preferences and perceived opportunities and constraints that relate to ECE selection for this population. This aim was addressed through a two phase, mixed methods study. Through group interviews with twenty-two Latino immigrant parents across four communities in the Greater New York City metropolitan area, Phase 1 sought to explore the decision-making process through which such parents pursue ECE decisions for their young children. Thematic analysis informed by grounded-theory identified seven themes central to these families: beliefs about development and parental goals, “cara vemos, corazon no sabemos”/trusting providers, understanding of ECE, perceived context of reception, informed preferences, opportunities and constraints, and evaluating ECE. The resulting culturally-informed model highlights the ways that the culturally-bounded contexts common to Latino immigrant families inform their mental representations of available ECE choices, parental beliefs and socialization goals, and social context to create a set of informed preferences that guide their decision-making. These findings highlight the importance of maternal employment and parental beliefs about development in constraining parent’s informed preferences and ECE choice. Phase 2 aimed to test the overall integrity of the culturally-informed model of decision-making and assesses its prediction of Latino immigrant parents’ ECE selection. Data were drawn from the Household and Center-based Surveys of the 2012 National Survey of Early Care and Education, with data on 744 children ages 3 to 5 years in Latino immigrant families. Measures from parent reports and administrative data operationalized six of the themes found in the first phase. Findings from multinomial logistic regression analyses found that maternal employment and child age moderated components of the model and ECE selection. Results also highlight the importance of culturally-bounded contexts of the ECE decision-making process of Latino immigrant families. Findings from each phase were compared through side-by-side analysis for convergence. Implications for future research, policy and the field are discussed. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2018. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Counseling, Developmental and Educational Psychology.
57

A retrospective analysis of talent selection and progression within England's Rugby Football Union Elite Player Performance Pathway

Velentza, Elisavet January 2017 (has links)
The England Rugby Football Union (RFU) Elite Player Performance Pathway (EPPP) is a player development system, structured into five playing squads (Under 18 [U18], Under 20 [U20], National academy [NA, age: 18-23 years], Saxons [Saxon, age: 18+ years] and Senior National Squad [SNS, age: 18+ years]), which attempts to develop players to play within the SNS. Despite its importance however, there is yet to be any scientific appraisal of its efficacy in successfully producing SNS players. Appraising the performances of 396 players enrolled on to the EPPP between 2008 and 2014, the purpose of this programme of research was therefore to investigate the nature of player transition and determine the key features associated with match performance between respective squads of the EPPP. To achieve this, the progression rates to subsequent squads, and the anthropometrical and position-specific technical performance data was quantified in conjunction with individual player progression within the EPPP system. Of the 396 players assessed within the thesis, 121 reached the SNS. Involvement in the EPPP was defined by high rates of de-selection during progression to subsequent squads and this was most apparent within the U18, U20 and NA squads. Analyses revealed the proportion of selected players for higher squads was 48.70%, 37%, 57.10% and 61% for U18-U20, U20-NA, NA-Saxon and Saxon-SNS squads, respectively. Within the SNS (n = 121), only 5.80% experienced a linear development (U18-U20-NA-Saxons-SNS) whereas all other players displayed variability with respect to squad pathway trajectories (NA-SNS 0.82%, Saxon-SNS: 50.4%, U20-Saxon-SNS 4.95%, NA-Saxon-SNS 12.39%, U18-U20-NA SNS:2.57%, U18-U20-Saxon-SNS 3.30%, U20-NA-Saxon-SNS 2.47%, side entries [selection from outside the EPPP system] 17.35%) within the EPPP. Thus, progression within the talent development (TDE) system was typified by variable patterns of sequential selection and de-selection processes throughout U18 to senior squads. The prerequisite level of technical performance indicators (TPI), related to generic and position-specific performance characteristics, and anthropometrical features (body mass and stature) specific to six predefined positional groups (front row [FR], second row [SR], Back row [BR], scrumhalf [SH], inside backs [IB], outside backs [OB]), were examined. The SNS revealed similar TPIs to the Saxon squad in all positional groups, only SNS FR were heavier (p ≤ 0.01; r = 0.18) and taller (p ≤ 0.001; r = 0.25) than Saxons FR. Likewise, the results demonstrate that anthropometrical characteristics consistently differentiated respective squads though, on occasion, there were aspects of TPIs that discriminated youth (U18) adult (U20, NA) and senior (Saxons, SNS) age international squads for the six positional groups within the EPPP. Used in isolation therefore, TPIs might offer benchmarks across the respective squads, however the extent of the observed differences between younger (U18 and U20) and older (NA, Saxons & SNS) squads suggests they could be used in conjunction with coach intuition to improve the objectivity of player selection to future squads. Where the performances of progressed and non-progressed players were considered results revealed that taller and heavier players, competing within a higher number of matches, for an increased period of time, were the most important variables influencing progression or deselection from the programme. Where the match TPIs were considered, there were stochastic differences between groups though it appeared as though selected players typically outperformed the non-selected group albeit by small margins and there were fewer differences between progressed and non-progressed in older age squads. Finally, in players selected to progress and those deselected, there was notable within-group variation in the technical demands. Such variation was typified by overlapping IQRs when groups were compared meaning selected players could perform more, or less, effectively than deselected players in any given match. Clearly, such an issue suggests that the technical performance during competition cannot be used to determine talent in such instances. Collectively, the results provide insight to the key requirements of the EPPP, which could be used to develop future coaching, scouting methods, player TDE systems by providing normative levels of attainment for aspiring players, both enrolled or not, within the elite player developmental system.
58

A study of the influence of sperm surface proteins on the activity of avian spermatozoa in-vitro and in-vivo

Steele, Michael January 1992 (has links)
Chicken spermatozoa undergo a post-testicular maturation process similar to that reported for mammals. Association of secreted epididymal proteins and glycoproteins with the sperm surface appears to be complete at the anterior ductus deferens. However, antigenic change to, and glycosylation and deglycosylation of seminal plasma and sperm surface-associated proteins, selective loss of proteins from the sperm surface, as well as secretion of some seminal plasma proteins and selective absorption of others by epithelial cells lining the excurrent ducts, continues in the ductus deferens and ampulla. Hypertonic treatment or neuraminidase treatment of spermatozoa without apparent loss of sperm integrity in-vitro, reduced the ability of spermatozoa to gain access to the uterovaginal insemination. This indicates a clear role for sperm surface-associated proteains and sperm surfarce sialic acid in vaginal sperm transport. Sperm surface-associated proteins were also extracted by glycerol in a temperature-dependent and concentration-dependent manner. This was accompanied at room temperature by a glycerol concentration-dependent reduction in sperm motility. These effects may be implicated in the contraceptive action of glycerol in the chicken vagina. Spermatozoa from several avian and mammalian species entered quail uterovaginal junction SSTs in-vitro, and turkey spermatozoa were found in chicken uterovaginal junction SSTs following uterovaginal junction but not intravaginal insemination, thus showing that the SSTs are not selective, and identifying the vagina as a major site of oviducal sperm selection. Spermatozoa washed from the vagina following intravaginal insemination had immunoglobulin bound to their surface, which was shown to be associated with cell death. Spermatozoa recovered from the anterior oviduct however, were generally devoid of bound immunoglobulin. Furthermore, sperm access to the newly ovulated egg in-vivo following incubation with vaginal mucosa in-vitro did not differ significantly from that of control spermatozoa despite fewer viable spermatozoa inseminated, suggesting a true 'selection' of spermatozoa in the vagina. Ovarian pocket fluid, postulated to be the milieu in which fertilisation takes place in-vivo, altered sperm surface antigenicity and reduced sperm motility in-vitro, suggesting that spermatozoa may naturally undergo oviduct-induced changes prior to fertilisation. Sperm-egg interaction appears specific and receptor-mediated, as in mammals. Spermatozoa showed no preference for the animal pole of the egg, and heterologous gamete combinations indicated limited, order-dependent rather than species-dependent specificity. Presenting carbohydrate residues on the sperm surface and sperm surface antigenicity showed a lack of change proportional to species divergence, although the vagina clearly presents the main barrier to interspecies fertilisation within the order Galliformes.
59

Male Dominance and Sexual Selection in the Crayfish Orconectes quinebaugensis

Warren, Amy H 30 April 2009 (has links)
In many taxa, social structures are mediated by agonistic interactions and the formation of dominance hierarchies. In crayfish, dominance hierarchies may have evolved as a result sexual selection, allowing dominant males greater access to females, thereby increasing their reproductive success. This work tests the hypothesis that high male investment in dominance interactions may have evolved as a result of intra- and/or inter-sexual selection pressures by testing specific predictions in two parts: first, that reproductive males would invest more in agonistic interactions than reproductive females or non-reproductive members of both sexes; and second, that females would prefer odors of dominant males over subordinates, and that dominant males would be either more efficient at mating or be able to mate longer than subordinates. Investment in agonistic interactions was examined in intrasexual pairs of male and female crayfish in both the reproductive and non-reproductive season. As predicted, reproductive males invested more in agonistic interactions overall than reproductive females, while there was no significant difference in investment by non-reproductive males or females. However, no significant difference was found in agonistic investment between reproductive males and non-reproductive males. These data indicate that investment in agonism differs by sex and by reproductive status, and may indicate that dominance interactions are under sexual selection in males. Alternatively, this differential investment may be explained by seasonal changes in the individual costs and benefits of agonism, or by depressed investment by reproductive females. Female odor preference was tested using a y-maze containing control and male treated water. For tests of male mating, time spent in each of three stages of mating was recorded for male-female pairs. Of these tests, the only significant trend produced was that dominant males spent more time associated with the female during and after copulation than subordinates. This may indicate an advantage in fertilization success for males through decreased sperm competition. A pilot study was also conducted testing the predictions that females mated to dominant males invest more in offspring than those mated to subordinates and that such offspring have greater survivability, but no significant conclusions could be drawn from these data.
60

Candidate selection by a computerized interactive game.

January 2004 (has links)
Choi Wai Ming. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-103). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Chapter Chapter 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 2. --- Analysis of Workers --- p.6 / Chapter 2.1 --- Input-Process-Output of Workers --- p.6 / Chapter 2.2 --- A Spectrum of Works --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Programmed Workers --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Knowledge Workers --- p.13 / Chapter 2.3 --- The Winning Characteristics of Knowledge Workers --- p.15 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Adaptive Efficiency and Allocative Efficiency --- p.16 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Management and Leadership --- p.16 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- "Our Proposal: to Know, to Navigate, to Accumulate and to Process (KNAP)" --- p.17 / Chapter Chapter 3. --- Literature Review on Candidate Selection Instruments --- p.21 / Chapter 3.1 --- Evaluation Criteria --- p.21 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Result Usefulness --- p.22 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Expense Efficiency --- p.23 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Organizational Attractiveness --- p.23 / Chapter 3.2 --- Instruments for Knowledge Workers --- p.25 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Biodata --- p.25 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Cognitive Ability Tests --- p.26 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Personality Tests --- p.28 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Job-related Tests --- p.29 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Employment Interviews --- p.31 / Chapter 3.3 --- Summary --- p.32 / Chapter Chapter 4. --- Problem Formulation and Proposed Approach --- p.36 / Chapter 4.1 --- A Computerized Interactive Game Approach (CIG) --- p.38 / Chapter 4.2 --- Pilot Study --- p.40 / Chapter 4.3 --- Implementation: a Revised ERP Game --- p.44 / Chapter 4.4 --- Mechanism of Candidate Selection --- p.49 / Chapter Chapter 5. --- Experiment Design --- p.51 / Chapter 5.1 --- Aims --- p.51 / Chapter 5.2 --- Experiment Procedures --- p.53 / Chapter 5.3 --- Contents --- p.54 / Chapter Chapter 6. --- Experiment Results and Data Analysis --- p.60 / Chapter 6.1 --- Candidate Selection in the Problem Solving Test --- p.60 / Chapter 6.2 --- Candidate Selection in the Personality Tests --- p.62 / Chapter 6.3 --- Candidate Selection in the Game --- p.64 / Chapter 6.4 --- Combined Candidate Selection --- p.70 / Chapter 6.5 --- Questionnaire --- p.71 / Chapter 6.5.1 --- General Discussion --- p.72 / Chapter 6.5.2 --- Hypothesis 1: Face Validity vs. Perceived Predictive Validity --- p.87 / Chapter 6.5.3 --- Hypothesis 2: Organizational Attractiveness --- p.89 / Chapter 6.5.4 --- Hypothesis 3: the Game with Better Perceived Job Relatedness --- p.92 / Chapter 6.5.5 --- Hypothesis 4: the Game with Better Organizational Attractiveness. --- p.93 / Chapter 6.5.6 --- Others --- p.93 / Chapter 6.5.7 --- Summary of Findings --- p.95 / Chapter Chapter 7. --- Conclusion and Further Research --- p.98 / Reference --- p.101

Page generated in 0.1969 seconds