Tailored communications have been effective in increasing both recall and readership of health information. However, there is no clear evidence that tailoring is necessary or beneficial in creating behavior change. There are many possible sources for the inconsistencies in the empirical literature. This current research explores possible approaches to increase the effectiveness of message tailoring by incorporating components from the four main conceptual structures found in the literature. In the first study, the Stages of Change Model was used to segment the sample into four distinct groups (precontemplative, contemplative, action, and maintenance). The behavioral determinants for respondents in each group were then identified. The differences between the precontemplative and contemplative segment suggest that an affective message will be more effective in changing intention for precontemplative respondents and a cognitive message will be more effective for the respondents in the contemplative segment. In a second study, an experimental study was conducted to test these alternative approaches. Results show that the proposed approaches did influence males as expected. However, females did not behave in the manner expected. Possible explanations for the differences between gender, such as behavior salience and information processing styles, are discussed. Overall, support is found for the use of tailoring messages to create behavior change. / Master of Science

Adaptive phenotypic plasticity, the ability of a genotype to give rise to different phenotypes in different environments, evolves to allow organisms to fine-tune their life-history traits according to the varying conditions they encounter during their lives. Reproductive investment - the manner in which organisms divide their resources between survival and reproduction - is well studied in evolutionary ecology because it is a key determinant of fitness. However, whilst plasticity in reproductive effort is well understood for free-living multicellular taxa (such as insects, birds, and mammals), the application of evolutionary theory for plasticity and life history strategies to unicellular parasites and pathogens is lacking. In this thesis, I use empirical and theoretical approaches to uncover how differential resource allocation to non-replicating, sexual stages (gametocytes) versus asexually replicating stages can be harnessed by the rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium chabaudi to maximise its fitness across the often very variable conditions it encounters during infections. Differential allocation between those stages is equivalent to the fundamental life-history trade-off between survival and reproduction because gametocytes are responsible for between-host transmission (i.e. reproduction of the infection) whereas asexual parasites mediate host exploitation and within-host survival. A suite of within-host models reveal that malaria parasites could gain considerable fitness benefits in the face of low levels of drug treatment if they reduce their investment into gametocyte production ("reproductive restraint"), thereby assuring the continuity of the infection and capitalising on opportunities for future transmission. In contrast, high levels of drug treatment typically select parasites to commit all of their resources to gametocyte production ("terminal investment"), to escape a host that does not offer much opportunity for future transmission. My experiments reveal that P. chabaudi increases both its reproductive investment and its asexual replication rate in anaemic hosts (i.e. host that have a low density of red blood cells), suggesting that parasites profit from host anaemia and can afford high investment in gametocytes ("affluent investment"). I also uncover plasticity in a number of traits that underpin asexual replication rate, including invasion preference for different ages of red blood cells, but it is plasticity in the number of progeny (merozoites) per infected cell that is the main contributor to asexual replication rate. My experiments also reveal genetic variance in plasticity of the life-history traits investigated, which has profound implications for their evolution. Furthermore, plastic modification of these traits is associated with minimal costs or constraints, so that parasites can rapidly match life-history traits appropriately to the within-host environment. Severe anaemia is one of the deadliest symptoms of malaria, so observing that virulence and infectiousness increases in anaemic hosts has also fundamental clinical implications. Finally, the empirical and theoretical observations of affluent investment, reproductive restraint and terminal investment match theoretical predictions of how organisms should behave in varying environments, confirming P. chabaudi as a useful model system to test life-history theory.

Québec Université Laval, Bibliothèque 2015

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Une recherche exploratoire menée auprès de sept élèves féminines, quatre travailleuses (ex-élèves en emploi) et neuf intervenantes et intervenants de cinq centres de formation professionnelle examine ce que vivent les femmes dans les parcours d'emploi traditionnellement masculins, en milieu scolaire et surtout en milieu de stage. Les modes d'accompagnement, les types de stage et les rôles et responsabilités des personnes accompagnant les élèves font l'objet des entretiens. Les résultats montrent que le moment du stage est une période ardue pour les élèves féminines, le milieu de la mécanique automobile s'avérant particulièrement hostile à leur présence. La responsabilité de"prendre sa place" incombe à l'élève selon la majorité des intervenants et intervenantes et l'accompagnement est pratiquement inexistant dans certains milieux. Les difficultés rencontrées (discrimination, sexisme, harcèlement et aménagements physiques) confirment les recherches de Messing et al. (1994, 2006), Bumonville et Fournier (1998), Couture et al. (2005), Dugas (2004) et Dugré (2006).

But : Décrire les modalités d’enseignement adoptées et les interventions pédagogiques appliquées par les chargés d’enseignement clinique pour développer et soutenir le raisonnement clinique de leurs stagiaires. Problématique : La pratique contemporaine commande aux inhalothérapeutes un raisonnement clinique éprouvé, mais le devis ministériel ne laisse voir aucune obligation d’enseigner ou de supporter le raisonnement clinique. Par ailleurs, les stages représentent un moment propice à son développement. On ne connait pas comment interviennent les chargés d’enseignement clinique concernant l’enseignement du raisonnement clinique. Cadre de référence : S’appuie sur les connaissances s’adressant 1) au raisonnement clinique; 2) aux modalités d’enseignement adoptées et 3) aux interventions pédagogiques appliquées pour développer le raisonnement clinique. Méthodologie et méthode : Approche qualitative interprétative avec étude de cas multiples. Témoignages de quatre inhalothérapeutes et de huit stagiaires. Entrevues semi-dirigées et analyse de contenu. Résultats : Le modèle de rôle et la supervision sont adoptés. Une modalité non recensée, la modalité mixte et la subdivision de la modalité de supervision en une modalité de supervision rapprochée et éloignée ont émergé. Aussi, une intervention pédagogique non relevée au cours de la recension des écrits est apparue: le problème provoqué. Interprétation : Le choix d’une modalité d’enseignement pourrait reposer sur quatre conditions : 1) le contexte de travail ou la culture du milieu; 2) le souci de sécurité ; 3) l’évaluation du niveau de compétence des stagiaires et 4) la compréhension de la situation problème par les chargés d’enseignement. Le choix des interventions pédagogiques pourrait s’expliquer par: 1) le contexte de pratique; 2) le couplage d’interventions aux modalités d’enseignement; 3) les préoccupations et les croyances personnelles et 4) la connaissance de l’erreur usuelle.

For the past quarter century, the public has been educated and warned about the dangers of smoking, and both smokers and health researchers have been in search of cost-effective, smoking cessation programs that will lead to long-term cessation. This study used a randomized experimental design to investigate the effectiveness of adding Web-based support materials to a nationally sponsored self-help smoking intervention. There was no significant increase in abstinence rates nor progression through the stages of change by those participants who had access to the Web site. However, there were some overall significant trends that suggested these self-help interventions were successful at decreasing daily rates of smoking and nicotine dependency, as well as tended to encourage repeated quit attempts. Although Web-based supports did not appear to increase the effectiveness of the nationally sponsored self-help intervention, this study demonstrated overall 12 week follow-up abstinence rates of 30-32%--greater than what might be expected, given average success rates of other self-help interventions. This study also supports the notion that women may face additional barriers to smoking cessation. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.

Deserted and disintegrating barns, houses, and silos have always perplexed me when driving through the country. I am fascinated by how this leisurely decay reveals their structural integrity in a slow, reverse process of construction. It is as if humanity and nature consciously collaborated to create these gigantic memento mori for a steady stream of highway viewers. These monumental tributes to inevitable decline, along with my own adventures in gardening, childrearing, eldercare, and travels, have led me to explore the universal cycles of life. The dilapidated buildings in my work are rendered in a tight, sharp, close-up viewpoint so that the viewer is forced to engage them. I will often layer images of seeds, leaves, and rocks on top of images of houses to symbolize the different stages of the life cycle. I see seeds and buildings as containers and incubators of potential. Any foliage represents a fulfillment of that potential, while rocks stand for the fossilized remains, or the achievements of one’s life accomplishments.

The present study sought to determine some morphological and physiological critical windows during very early development in zebrafish exposed to crude oil. I hypothesized that exposed zebrafish would present a decrease in survival rate and body mass, and an increase in routine oxygen consumption (ṀO2), and critical oxygen tension (PCrit). To test these hypotheses, zebrafish were acutely exposed (24 h) during different days of development (1 to 6 days post-fertilization, dpf) to different concentrations of high-energy water-accommodated fractions (HEWAFs). The endpoints of survival, body mass, routine oxygen consumption, and critical oxygen partial pressure were measured at 7 dpf. Survival rate decreased based on the exposure concentration but not as a function of the day of crude oil exposure. No significant effects were found in PCrit. Body mass was reduced by the different concentrations of HEWAF, with the size of the effect varying with exposure day, with the effect strongest on when exposure occurred at 2 and 3 dpf. Oxygen consumption (ṀO2) differed significantly depending upon the day of exposure in fish exposed to crude oil. Specifically, HEWAF exposure significantly increased ṀO2 in larvae exposed at 3 dpf (9.081 µmol O2/g/h, ±0.559) versus 2 dpf (6.068 µmol O2/g/h, ±0.652) and 6 dpf (6.485 µmol O2/g/h, ±0.609). Overall, the main effects on body mass and ṀO2 occurred at crude oil exposures during 3 dpf. The presence of a critical window in fish is proposed at this developmental time, which coincides with the hatching period.

Abstract South Africa has one of the largest population of adults living with HIV. About 30 to 60% of people living with HIV have been found to have HAND which can affect treatment with HAART which requires 95% compliance rate in order to be effective. Interventions that seek to alleviate the cognitive deterioration that is associated with HIV can include Internet based rehabilitation programmes. However, internet based interventions are plagued by poor adherence and attrition rates. The aim of the study was to describe the challenges and facilitating factors in the process of implementing the CogMed™ Working Memory Training Programme at a public HIV clinic for adults living with HIV. The study used a qualitative method with an ethnographic approach. Data was collected through CogMed™ administrator console, observations, interactions with gatekeepers, interactions and interviews with participants and interviews healthcare workers. The factors involved in the implementation process were categorised into the four “Stages of Use”. In the Recruitment/Consideration Stage perception of need, identifying and defining an ideal user were the main themes. Factors affecting the Initiation of Use Stage were sense of obligation, time to commit and access to suitable training environment. Utilisation of Service was influenced by ease of drop out, ease of use, perceived cost versus the perceived benefits of participating. Predisposing, enabling, and needs factors that affected adherence and participation were explored. Finally the Outcomes Stage covered the experiences and perceptions of using the rehabilitation tool. Limitations of the study were also discussed. Keywords: CogMed, Working Memory, HIV, HAND, Internet based interventions, Stages of Use