Chez les rongeurs, les facteurs sociaux sont connus pour pouvoir moduler la transition pubertaire. Ainsi une jeune souris femelle mise en contact avec un mâle adulte présentera une ouverture vaginale plus précoce qu’une femelle isolée du mâle. L’objectif de ma thèse a été de caractériser les conséquences d’une exposition précoce au mâle dans l’espèce caprine. Les caprins sont une espèce dont la reproduction est saisonnée et permettant, de par sa taille, une étude plus fine des sécrétions endocrines que les rongeurs. Nos résultats ont permis de mettre en évidence que la présence de boucs sexuellement actifs induit une puberté précoce chez les chevrettes, l’ovulation pouvant être induite dès l’âge de 3 mois et demi. Les femelles présentent suite à cette première ovulation une cyclicité régulière ainsi qu’une maturation précoce du tractus génital. Le niveau d’activité sexuelle du bouc est un facteur crucial à l’induction d’une puberté précoce chez la chèvre puisque la présence de mâles castrés n’a aucun effet et que les femelles sont toutes pubères dans le mois suivant l’entrée en saison sexuelle des mâles. Ce travail démontre, dans l’espèce caprine, un rôle crucial de l’environnement social dans la régulation de la maturation sexuelle. Plus particulièrement, cela met en évidence que la présence de boucs peut réactiver efficacement et de manière très précoce l’axe gonadotrope de jeunes chèvres immatures. / In rodents, social factors are known to modulate the pubertal transition. Hence, young female mice exposed to adult male exhibit an earlier vaginal opening than young females isolated from male. The aim of my thesis was to characterize the consequences of a precocious exposure to male in another specie, goats. Goats are seasonal breeders and due to their size the fine study of endocrine secretions is easier than in rodents. Our results highlighted that an early exposure to sexually active bucks induces a precocious puberty in young female goats. The first ovulation can be induced as early as 3.5 months old, following this induced first ovulation, goats remain cycling regularly. Females precociously exposed to bucks also exhibit an acceleration of the genital tract maturation. The level of sexual activity of the male is a crucial criteria to induce a precocious puberty in goats as exposure to castrated bucks had no effect on the age at puberty. Moreover, all females exposed to intact bucks ovulated for the first time within a month after buck started to exhibit sexual behaviors. This work revealed, in goats, a crucial role of the social environment on the regulation of sexual maturation. More precisely, it highlights that exposure to bucks is highly efficient to reactivate precociously the gonadotrope axis of youg immature goats.

This study intends to shine a light on the psychological phenomenon that is the imposter syndrome, and the role that the employer and human resource departments play in this condition. Based on theories and previous research about learning, competence, leadership and human resources we’ve intended to examine how employers need to consider the Swedish work environment law when handling employees with critical self-doubt in work-related situations. We’ve investigated which work-related situations the study's interview participants experience self-doubt and insecurity, by conducting qualitative interviews. Using their stories, the study has achieved a result that shows a correlation between the importance of genuine feedback, transparent communication, healthy organizational culture and the handling of work-related self-doubt. / Studien avser undersöka det psykologiska fenomenet bluffsyndromet och arbetsgivarens roll ihanteringen av dess symptom i det systematiska arbetsmiljöarbetet. Utifrån teorier och tidigareforskning om bluffsyndromet, lärandets processer, kompetens, HR och ledarskap. Teorierna och dentidigare forskningen har ställts i relation till arbetsmiljölagen och det systematiska arbetsmiljöarbetetför att undersöka HR:s roll i frågan. Med hjälp av kvalitativa intervjuer har det undersökts i vilkaarbetsrelaterade situationer studiens intervjudeltagare upplever självtvivel och osäkerhet. Med hjälp avderas berättelser har studien uppnått ett resultat som visar korrelation mellan vikten av genuinfeedback, transparent kommunikation, sund organisationskultur och hanteringen av arbetsrelateratsjälvtvivel.

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<p>Lack of physical activity participation is one of the greatest challenges facing health care providers and policy makers in Canada. Increases in health problems linked to inactive lifestyles, such as obesity, heart disease, and asthma, have led health promotion experts to engage Canadians to become more active. Despite these efforts, many Canadians remain inactive and at risk. Active travel (AT), defined in this study as walking for travel, is a key form of physical activity that continues to decline. This dissertation examines the decline of AT and role the individual, physical, and social environment have on AT.</p> <p>The individual environment is examined by providing evidence of how perceived barriers to walking influence the AT of population sub-groups by modeling each barrier comparing agreement versus disagreement. Results find females, senior citizens, and those with a higher body mass index identify the most barriers, while young adults, parents, those owning a driver’s license, and those owning a bus pass identify the fewest barriers.</p> <p>The physical environment is examined by providing an improved conceptualization of the built environment (BE). First, the BE-AT relationship is examined by comparing the relationship when measuring the BE using an aggregate method with a disaggregate approach of measurement. As a result, both aggregate and disaggregate BE variables are significant, but the aggregate approach hides the fact that only two of the five BE variables are significant when using the disaggregate approach. Second, the influence the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP) has on the relationship between AT and the BE is investigated. The results find that the relationship between AT and the BE are influenced by scale zone effect of MAUP.</p> <p>The social environment is examined through the adoption of a conceptual framework from the physical activity literature that combines the social environment with individual and physical environments. A series of linear regression models evaluating the different components of the social environment find that only role models and neighborhood social cohesion influence AT, despite the fact that the social environment is significantly related to walking for exercise in the literature.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Studiens syfte är att uppnå en förståelse över om och hur unga vuxna med utländsk bakgrund upplever att deras syn på sin etniska identitet har påverkats av en uppväxt i ett samhälle där de parallellt tillhör en majoritets- och minoritetsbefolkning. Studien syftar även till att undersöka om och hur deras etniska identitet har påverkat relationen till deras familj. Kvalitativa datainsamlingsmetoder har använts i form av en fokusgruppsintervju samt fyra individuella intervjuer. Materialet har analyserats utifrån sociologiska teorier om etnisk identitet. Utifrån insamlad empiri och analys av resultatet så dras slutsatsen att synen på den etniska identiteten är starkt situationsanpassad. Majoriteten av informanterna uttryckte en känsla av en "både och" identitet, där de upplevde två etniska identifikationer. Informanterna växlar mellan dessa identiteter beroende på vad som är mest passande utifrån aktuell situation. Studiens resultat visar även att familjen tycks spela en betydande roll för individernas syn på sin etniska identitet. / The purpose of this study is to obtain an understanding of whether and how young adults, with foreign background, feel that their views of their ethnic identity have been affected by growing up in a society where they are both part of a majority and minority population. This study also seeks to examine whether and how their view of their ethnic identity has affected their relationship with their family. Qualitative methods were used in this study, in terms of one focus group interview and four individual interviews. The material has been analyzed based on sociological theories of ethnic identity. Based on the collected empirical data, and the analysis of the results, the conclusion is that the perception of ethnic identity depends highly on the situation. The majority of respondents express a sense of double identity, where they experienced two ethnic identifications. They then switch between these identities depending on what is most appropriate based on the current situation. Another conclusion is that the family seems to play a significant role in the individuals views of their ethnic identities.

In Asia, the recent rapid growth in production of higher value, more pesticide intensive, horticultural crops and inland aquatic foods in linked agri-aquatic systems poses numerous environmental, health and wider livelihood threats in these often multi-use aquatic systems. ‘Green Revolution’ technologies have enhanced food security and pesticides have been promoted, however, the sustainability of prolonged pesticide use from a functional, environmental and socio-economic perspective is increasingly questionable. Further, despite international pesticide trade agreements and country-specific legislation, illegal practices still prevail. In Thailand and Sri Lanka the influence of pesticide marketing and regulation on pesticide use and hazards was investigated. Community livelihood relationships with three very different agri-aquatic systems (in Central and Northeast Thailand and Northwest Sri Lanka), pesticide use and associated aquatic and health hazards were explored with respect to surface water use and well-being status. Quantitative and qualitative data collection methods utilised participatory community appraisals, household surveys, pesticide fate in surface waters and dietary risk assessment and modelling, key informant semi-structured interviews and stakeholder workshops, to assess these relationships. Enhanced environmental and human pesticide hazards were contributed by pesticide sales incentives and weak regulation allowing illegal practices to prevail. Preliminary risk assessments found greater aquatic and human dietary pesticide hazards within communities, with the poorest at greatest vulnerability from applying pesticide and higher dependency on threatened natural aquatic food resources. The poorest in communities were most likely to overuse pesticide in Sri Lanka and were most vulnerable to illegal practices in the pesticide industry that are often linked with unauthorised traders and credit arrangements. Most horticultural production is for fresh wholesale markets with no food safety controls, and despite growing demand for safer horticultural produce, most farmers perceive pesticides as necessary, the associated hazards low and have little knowledge of safe food production and markets. These circumstances help sustain pesticide use. Some unofficial certification and misleading labelling in the ‘safe’ fruit and vegetable sector in Thailand potentially misinforms consumers and undermines trust that may threaten pesticide reduction efforts. Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) and vegetable Integrated Pest Management (IPM) are evolving practices and techniques of producing horticultural crops with less or no pesticide, the latter sometimes through Farmer Field Schools (FFS), however, evidence of success varies. Teaching through lectures and more lengthy and costly participatory methods is evident, with the former more successful on GAP and higher educated farmers and the latter with IPM and worse-off farmers, particularly when addressed within livelihood issues as a whole. However, production scale, farmer enthusiasm, produce marketing and facilitator expertise all influence outcomes, particularly with IPM, whilst proper evaluation could improve progress. Growing rural consumer interest in organic produce offers further incentives for small to medium scale farmers to implement IPM and reduce pesticide use and hazards. As value of aquatic resources was an incentive to reducing pesticide use, particularly the most dangerous products, exploration of this component of agri-aquatic systems is another exciting prospect for empowering farming community livelihoods over established and failing fear based chemical practices. Such new practices may lead the way towards affordable and trustworthy agri-aquatic systems produce with ethical certification. Greater pesticide use savings on a wider scale come from use of efficient flat fan spray nozzles compared with conventional pesticide spray nozzles. Complementary policies and stakeholder co-operation could aid pesticide use and hazard reduction efforts. A number of recommendations arose from the research.

The thesis concerns with the quality of life of the individuals with hearing impairment. The thesis is divided into four major parts consisting of subchapters. First major part focuses on general description of the sense of hearing, auditory analyser and difference between these two terms as well as on the classification of the individual auditory impairment types. The next part provides general description of life quality according to various criteria. The last theoretic part focuses on everyday life of aurally impaired individuals. This chapter specifically refers to education and employment of individuals with hearing impairment. A chapter relating to social environment and leisure time is also included. Theoretic part of my thesis is followed by the results of my survey. Two different questionnaires were used aiming at two different groups of survey respondents. Partial conclusions were drawn from each questionnaire survey. The questionnaires mentioned were elaborated in accordance with interdisciplinary division of life quality as well as with subjective perception of quality of life. Key Words: Quality of life Hearing impairment Subjective perception of one's life quality. Employment and education Social environment

This study was a population-based retrospective cohort of all singleton births in British Columbia for the years 2001 to 2006. The purpose of this dissertation is to examine how social and physical environment factors influence the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and whether they interact with each other or with maternal characteristics to modify disease risk. The main environmental factors examined include ambient particulate air pollution (PM2.5), neighbourhood socioeconomic status (SES), neighbourhood immigrant density, neighbourhood level of post-secondary education level and the urban-rural context. Census dissemination areas (DAs) were used as the neighbourhood spatial unit. The data (N=242,472) was extracted from the BC Perinatal Data Registry (BCPDR) from Perinatal Services BC (PSBC). The main perinatal outcomes investigated include birth weight and indicators of fetal growth restriction such as small-for-gestational age (SGA), term low birth weight (tLBW), and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), preterm birth (PTB) and gestational age, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and gestational hypertension (GH). Collectively, this dissertation contributes to the perinatal epidemiological literature linking particulate air pollution and neighbourhood SES context to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Assumptions about the linear effect of PM2.5 and smoking on birth weight are challenged showing that the effects are most pronounced between low and average exposures and that the magnitude of their effect is modified by neighbourhood and individual-level characteristics. These results suggest that focusing exclusively on individual risk factors may have limited success in improving outcomes without addressing the contextual influences at the neighbourhood-level. This dissertation therefore also contributes to the public health, sociological and community-urban development literature demonstrating that context and place matters. / Graduate / 0766 / 0573 / 0768 / anderse@uvic.ca

Abstract The purpose of the study was to describe and evaluate the measured and self-reported physical performance of the elderly people who relocated to senior housing and their change 3 and 12 months after the relocation. Besides, the association of self-reported physical performance, social environment and psychological well-being with measured physical performance changes was examined. The objective of the research was to provide information that can be used in the design and management of practices that aim to assess and support the physical performance of those living in senior housing. Data were collected from elderly (n = 81) who moved to senior housing in northern Finland (n = 11) in 2014, and 70% of them were women. The indicators that were used were the Oldwellactive Questionnaire, the Environmental Support instrument and the Short Physical Performance Battery [SPPB]. The data were analyzed with statistical methods. Physical performance of those who relocated to senior housing was weak. Instrumental Activities of Daily Living [IADL], walking speed, right hand grip strength and self-reported IADL significantly decreased during their first year of residence. Besides, self-reported IADL performance became more difficult but muscle strength training, as well as participation in hobby groups increased. Residents estimated that they can do what they want, and they can sufficiently meet their loved ones in the senior housing. Self-reported physical performance was associated with the deterioration of performing IADL and the slowdown of walking speed. Social environment and psychological well-being were associated with the deterioration of performing IADL, the slowdown of walking speed and the weakening of the dominant hand´s grip strength. This research provides more information about the physical performance, the social environment and the psychological well-being of the elderly who relocated to senior housing. Research results will help service providers to improve the procedures that aim to the physical performance assessment and support of the residents, paying attention to the impact of the elderly’s individuality in requirements associated with the realization of the services. Research results show that organizations maintaining senior housing must organize exercise areas suitable for the residents and the means for indoors and outdoors muscle training and balance exercise. Individual factors related to physical performance, social environment and psychological well-being of the residents should be considered in the design, implementation and management of these services. / Tiivistelmä Tutkimuksen tarkoituksena oli kuvata ja selittää palvelutaloon muuttaneiden ikääntyneiden mitattua ja itsearvioitua fyysistä toimintakykyä ja niiden muutosta 3 ja 12 kuukautta muuton jälkeen. Lisäksi kuvattiin itsearvioidun fyysisen toimintakyvyn, sosiaalisen ympäristön ja psyykkisen hyvinvoinnin yhteyttä mitatun fyysisen toimintakyvyn muutoksiin. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli tuottaa tietoa, jota voidaan hyödyntää palvelutalojen asukkaiden fyysisen toimintakyvyn arvioimiseen ja tukemiseen tähtäävien käytäntöjen suunnittelussa ja johtamisessa. Aineisto kerättiin pohjoissuomalaisessa kaupungissa palvelutaloihin (n = 11) vuonna 2014 muuttaneilta ikääntyneiltä (n=81), joista 70 % oli naisia. Mittareina käytettiin Hyvinvointiprofiili-kyselylomaketta, Ympäristöhyvinvointimittaria ja SPPB- toimintatestiä (Short Physical Performance Battery). Aineisto analysoitiin tilastollisin menetelmin. Palvelutaloon muuttaneiden fyysinen toimintakyky oli heikko. Päivittäisistä toiminnoista suoriutuminen [IADL], kävelynopeus, oikean käden puristusvoima ja itsearvioitu arkiaskareista suoriutuminen heikkenivät ensimmäisen asumisvuoden aikana. Lisäksi itsearvioitu IADL-suoriutuminen vaikeutui mutta lihaskuntoharjoittelu sekä harrastusryhmiin osallistuminen lisääntyivät. Asukkaat arvioivat voivansa tehdä, mitä haluavat ja tapaavansa riittävästi läheisiä ihmisiä palvelutalossa. Itsearvioitu fyysinen toimintakyky oli yhteydessä IADL-suoriutumisen vaikeutumiseen ja kävelynopeuden hidastumiseen. Sosiaalinen ympäristö ja psyykkinen hyvinvointi olivat yhteydessä IADL-suoriutumisen vaikeutumiseen, kävelynopeuden hidastumiseen ja oikean käden puristusvoiman heikkenemiseen. Tämä tutkimus lisää tietoa palvelutaloihin muuttaneiden ikääntyneiden fyysisestä toimintakyvystä, sosiaalisesta ympäristöstä ja psyykkisestä hyvinvoinnista. Tutkimustulokset auttavat ikääntyneiden asumispalveluiden tuottajia kehittämään asukkaiden fyysisen toimintakyvyn arviointiin ja toimintakyvyn ylläpitämiseen tähtääviä toimintamalleja, joissa huomioidaan ikääntyneiden yksilöllisyyden vaikutus palveluiden toteuttamiseen liittyviin vaatimuksiin. Tutkimustulokset osoittavat, että palvelutaloja ylläpitävien organisaatioiden tulee järjestää asukkaille soveltuvat liikuntatilat ja välineet sisä- ja ulkotiloihin lihaskunto- ja tasapainoharjoittelua varten. Asukkaiden yksilölliset fyysiseen toimintakykyyn, sosiaaliseen ympäristöön ja psyykkiseen hyvinvointiin liittyvät tekijät tulee ottaa huomioon palveluiden suunnittelussa, toteutuksessa ja johtamisessa.

Since the second half of the 1990s a residential suburbanization process has occurred in the Czechia. Within the process residents move from cities to municipalities that are located in their outskirts. The general aim of the thesis is to evaluate the social environment in Kladno district which is change just as a consequence of the residential suburbanization process. Within the general aim, the thesis sets out three partial objectives: To characterize the process of residential suburbanization in Kladno district, to evaluate changes in the socio- spatial structure of Kladno district with the main focus on the suburban municipalities, and to evaluate the social environment in the selected suburban municipality in Kladno district. There are quantitative methods used in the work. To accomplish the first and second partial objectives is used the analysis of statistical data from Czech Statistical Office. To accomplish the third partial objective is used a questionnaire survey, which investigate how respondents interact with native and new residents and how they engage in social and political life in Buštěhrad. The thesis is based on concepts of social environment and community question. Key words: residential suburbanization, socio-spatial structure, social structure, social climate, social...