Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Dog'

In collaboration with HappyTail, a Swedish company developing a mobile application for dog owners, this qualitative research study examines and identifies important factors, for developers or other stakeholders, to have in mind when developing mobile applications that aim to support dog health. According to behavioural scientists, there needs to be a bridge between health themed mobile applications and behavioural change theories in order to achieve desirable results. Therefore, literature on dog health as well as on behavioural and persuasive technologies were reviewed. To fully understand dog owners’ behaviours, empirical data was collected from five in-depth interviews with dog owners recruited from groups on Facebook. The data collected, in combination with the reviewed literature, results in increased understanding of dog owners’ behaviours in relation to their dogs’ health, their sources of motivation and inspiration, and how persuasive technologies can affect their behaviours towards their dogs. It turned out that psychological aspects, such as the relationship between the dog and dog owner, was crucial among the interviewees, and that they prefer to use dog themed mobile applications with features such as social support and tailored content as parts of the design. Finally, ethical aspects that need to be considered when including dogs as stakeholders in new technologies were discussed. The result is valuable for researchers investigating dog owners’ behaviour as well as for those developing new technology, especially mobile applications, with focus on dog health.
I samarbete med HappyTail, ett svenskt företag som utvecklar en mobilapplikation för hundägare, syftar den här kvalitativa undersökningen till att identifiera viktiga faktorer som personer verksamma inom applikationsutveckling med fokus på hundhälsa bör ha i åtanke under utvecklingsskedet. Enligt forskare inom beteendevetenskap är det viktigt att det finns en bro mellan mobilapplikationer med hälsotema och befintliga teorier inom området beteendeförändring för att kunna uppnå önskvärda resultat. Därför har litteratur som berör hundens hälsa samt viktiga faktorer för beteendeförändring i samband med utveckling av ny teknik beaktats. För att få ökad förståelse för hundägares beteende utfördes fem djupgående intervjuer med deltagare rekryterade från hundrelaterade grupper på Facebook. Tillsammans med den granskade litteraturen resulterade den insamlade datan i en djupare inblick i hundägares liv, vilka faktorer som motiverar och inspirerar dem till att ta hand om sin egen såväl som sin hunds hälsa, och hur teknik bör vara utformad för att påverka dem till att ändra beteende gentemot sin hund. Det visade sig bland annat att relationen mellan hund och hundägare var extra viktig för deltagarnas syn på sin hunds hälsa, och att social support och personalisering är grundstenar för en intressant mobilapplikation med hundrelaterat innehåll. Avslutningsvis diskuteras även vilka etiska aspekter som är nödvändiga att beakta när hundar inkluderas i utvecklingen av ny teknik. Undersökningens resultat har ett värde för forskare som specialiserar sig på hundägares beteende samt för utvecklare av ny teknik som strävar efter att förbättra hundars hälsa.

Dog parks are becoming increasingly popular in urban areas where little space is available for interactions with dogs off-leash. Dog parks should help the well-being of the owners and ensure a sense of security for themselves and their canines. However, a poorly designed dog park or dog-friendly park can be difficult to deal with and can even increase the risk of incident among dogs. This research asks how can a dog park, or dog friendly park increase the interactions between owners and maintain a positive design aesthetic while providing a functional outdoor space.

Educa Dog es un proyecto que busca educar mascotas con problemas de conducta, que busca diferenciarse empleando métodos innovadores de obtener la atención del can, además de ofrecer el servicio a domicilio. La idea de negocio se presenta a raíz de la inquietud por encontrar un lugar donde se eduque un cachorro sin que este sea maltratado o sufra estrés, de esta forma se pudo identificar una necesidad que no es cubierta por el mercado actual. Informes realizados por empresas de investigación, demostraron mediante encuestas que solo en Lima el 56% de los hogares tiene mascotas en casa y de este porcentaje el 79% cuenta por lo menos con un can, traduciendo esta cifra a números, se puede decir que 1 millón de hogares en Lima tienen canes, lo que supone una alta demanda en servicios relacionados a mascotas, en este caso en particular para canes. A su vez, el creciente respeto por los animales, la comunidad animalista y los “Dog Lover” propicia el ambiente adecuado para establecer una idea diferenciada, con un potencial mercado interesado en invertir en el aprendizaje de una conducta adecuada de su mascota. Por todo lo mencionado anteriormente, creemos que es necesario cubrir esta serie de requerimientos que han surgido estos últimos años por los criadores de perros, en especial a aquellos que han desarrollado un gran nivel de afinidad por su mascota.
Educa Dog is a project that seeks to educate pets with behavioral problems, which seeks to differentiate using innovative methods of getting the attention of the dog, in addition to offering home delivery. The business idea arises from the concern to find a place where you can educate a puppy without it being mistreated or suffer stress, this way you could identify a need that is not covered by a very substantial market. It was possible to identify that only in Lima 56% of households have pets at home and of this percentage 79%, translating this figure into numbers, it can be said that 1 million households in Lima have dogs, which supposes a high demand in services related to pets, in this case in particular for dogs. In turn, the growing respect for animals, the animal community and the "Dog Lover" propitiates the right environment to establish a differentiated idea, with a potential market interested in investing in the learning of appropriate behavior of your pet. For all the above, we believe it is necessary to cover this series of needs that have emerged in recent years by dog breeders, especially those who have developed a high level of affinity for their pet.
Trabajo de investigación

El presente proyecto de investigación, denominado “Plataforma web Dog Care”, busca satisfacer la problemática del deficiente número de hoteles, hospedajes y guarderías para perros que existen en Lima moderna, debido al crecimiento exponencial del número de familias que cuentan con uno o más canes en casa. El servicio conecta vía web a un dueño de perro que desea hospedaje y cuidado de su mascota con un anfitrión. Este último es una persona amante de los perros (dog lover), que cuenta con tiempo y espacio en su casa para poder realizar el cuidado y de esta manera ganar un dinero extra. El mercado meta de la plataforma web Dog Care son la persona residente en Lima moderna que cuenten con un can y salen los fines de semana o viajan por motivo de trabajo o vacaciones y desean dejar su mascota bajo un buen cuidado. La etapa inicial del proyecto se enfoca en el distrito de San Isidro. El proyecto cuenta con estimaciones financieras favorables. Se prevé que podrá materializarse con una inversión total de S/173,128. Los socios aportarán el 71% y se necesitará S/50,000 extras, que serán financiados a través de un préstamo bancario. Como proyecto, se ofrece una rápida recuperación (2.24 años) y una tasa de rentabilidad TIR de 87%.
The present research project, called "Dog Care Web Platform", seeks to satisfy the problem of the deficient number of hotels, lodgings and day care for dogs that exist in modern Lima, due to the exponential growth of the number of families that have one or more dogs at home. The service connects via web to a dog owner who wants to host and care for his pet with a host. The latter is a person who loves dogs (dog lover), who has time and space in his house to carry out the care and thus earn extra money. The target market of the Dog Care web platform is the person residing in modern Lima who have a can and leave on weekends or travel for work or vacation reasons and want to leave their pet under good care. The initial stage of the project focuses on the district of San Isidro. The project has favorable financial estimates. It is foreseen that it could materialize with a total investment of S / 173,128. The partners will contribute 71% and will require S / 50,000 extras, which will be financed through a bank loan. As a project, it offers a fast recovery (2.24 years) and a TIR rate of return of 87%.
Trabajo de investigación

Educa Dog es un proyecto que busca darle solución a un problema detectado en las mascotas respecto a sus hábitos de conducta, teniendo como ventaja competitiva la utilización de métodos amigables e innovadores con la finalidad de ofrecer un buen servicio. La idea de negocio se inicia al identificar la necesidad de protección hacia los perros y brindarle una mejor calidad de vida, esto quiere decir darles un ambiente saludable y armonioso y a su vez estimular un buen comportamiento según datos estadísticos 1 millón de hogares en Lima tienen canes, lo que supone una alta demanda en servicios y productos relacionados a mascotas, en este caso orientado en los perros Se ha detectado un mercado potencial que viene mostrando interés en invertir en su mascota en lo que respecta al aprendizaje con el fin de obtener una conducta adecuada, a ello se suma la aparición de grupos animalistas “Dog Lover”, criadores de perros y rescatistas. Creemos que con un adecuado diagnóstico y tratamiento elaborado por nuestros especialistas podemos conseguir la aceptación, ventas y confianza de nuestro público objetivo.
Educa Dog is a project that seeks to solve a problem detected in pets with respect to their behavior habits, having as a competitive advantage the use of friendly and innovative methods in order to offer a good service. The business idea begins by identifying the need to protect dogs and provide a better quality of life, this means giving them a healthy and harmonious environment and in turn stimulate good behavior according to statistical data 1 million homes in Lima have dogs , which supposes a high demand in services and products related to pets, in this case oriented in dogs It has detected a potential market that has shown interest in investing in your pet in regard to learning in order to obtain appropriate behavior, to which is added the appearance of animal groups "Dog Lover", dog breeders and rescuers. We believe that with an adequate diagnosis and treatment developed by our specialists we can achieve the acceptance, sales and confidence of our target audience.
Trabajo de investigación

¿Te asusta que te visiten porque temes a una reacción violenta de tu perro? ¿En fiestas temes dejar solo a tu perro porque llora o ha sufrido ataques por culpa de la juegos artificales? Esto ocurre porque la mayoría de mascotas, pricipalmente los perros, quienes tienen sus odios 4 veces más sensibles que los humanos. Por ello, reaccionan de forma tan alarmante ante ruidos FUERTES, más porque alteran su zona de confort. RELAX DOG, brinda la mejor alternativa para tener a su mascota en un ambiente seguro y libre de ruidos fuertes ya que cuenta con aislantes acústicos y un cojín que permite que la mascota tenga máxima comidad en su hogar. Este innovador y sofisticado producto acabará con el estrés del engreído y permitirá que el ambiente en el hogar sea más relajante y cómodo. Se podrá realizar una fiesta, celebrar navidad o año nuevo sin ningún inconveniente Nuestra empresa ha tenido una impresionante acogida via FACEBOOK, donde recibimos constantes mensajes de personas que ya quieren obtener nuestro producto, inclusive estas comparten nuestra página o etiquetan a más personas, haciendo asi mas conocida nuestra marca lo cual significa que nuestro producto esta captando el interés de muchas personas a nivel nacional. Las ganancias que obtendremos podrán ser vistas desde el primer año de ventas, recuperando asi nuestro capital total dentro del cuarto año. Finalmente, nuestra mesa directiva esta solicitando un aporte de 36,800 nuevos soles, para hacer realidad este proyecto
Are you afraid of being visited because as soon as your dog hears loud noises he reacts violently? Are you afraid of leaving your dog alone at home because he cries or suffers panic attacks because of fireworks? This happens because most pets, mainly dogs, have their ears 4 times more sensitive than humans. Therefore, they react alarmingly at hearing STRONG noises, more because they feel their comfort zone is invaded. RELAX DOG, provides the best alternative solution to have a pet in a safe environment and free of loud noises. This innovative and sophisticated product puts an end to the stress of cocky and allows the home environment to be more relaxing and comfortable. There may be a party, celebrate Christmas or New Year, and you will not have any inconvenience. Also, it is very important to mention that Relax Dog has had an impressive reception through FACEBOOK, where we receive constant messages from people who want our product, including people who share our page or tag more people, making our brand more known, which means that our product is capturing the interest of many people throughout the country. The profits that we will obtain can be seen from the first year of sales, thus recovering our total capital within the fourth year. Finally, the board of directors is requesting a contribution of S. / 36,800.00 to make this project a reality.
Trabajo de investigación

El presente trabajo, pretende ahondar en cada uno de los puntos aspectos necesarios y relevantes en el desarrollo de un negocio. Consideramos imprescindible conocer cada uno de ellos ya que nos permitirá en un futuro cercano poder tomar decisiones correctas y efectivas sobre la base de lo aprendido en el desarrollo de cada una de las etapas de un negocio. En nuestro caso particular nos hemos enfocado en el desarrollo de un negocio del rubro de mascotas, especialmente los canes, enfatizando la seguridad de estos animales al ser transportados en los autos de sus dueños. Así mismo, debido a que un producto no solo puede satisfacer una sola necesidad hoy en día, nuestro producto pretende también proteger el asiento del automóvil de incidentes que puedan ser ocasionados por su mascota durante el traslado. Por lo que lanzamos al mercado un Pack, al que denominamos: Oh my dog!. Tenemos la certeza que el lanzamiento del pack, aliviará las preocupaciones de muchas personas que tienen mascota y auto, los cuales tiene un valor sentimental para cada uno por lo que desena brindarle la protección correspondiente puesto que está formado por un arnés, el cual le brindará seguridad a la mascota y un cobertor que si bien cubrirá y por ende protegerá el asiento a su vez le brindará comodidad a la mascota en el traslado.
The present Project, intends to delve into each of the necesary and relevant aspects in the development of a business. We consider imprescindible to lear more about these aspect, in order to make better, more effective and asserted decisions regarding the things we have learned. In our particular case, we have focused in the pet industry, in a product specialized for dogs. This product will revolve around transport safety for both the dogs and the mobiles they are transported into. In order to achieve a competitive edge over the market, this product will also protect the mobiles seats in case your pet has an unexpected incident while being transported; this is why we have integrated a Pack called: Oh my dog! We have the certainty that this Pack will soothe the worries of many dog owners, with the combined security of the harness and the cleanliness of the coverage.
Trabajo de investigación

Deva Plus Dog is a look at the life of a teenage girl singularly devoted to the sport of dog agility. The film explores how relationships develop and evolve in the high stakes world of competition, and how an alternative lifestyle impacts a youth’s coming of age.

Uppsatsens syfte har varit att se på hur Cesar Millan, ”The Dog Whisperer”, i programmet ”Mannen som talar med hundar” skapar förtroende hos TV-tittarna. Undersökningen har studerat den talade retoriken i avsnitt ett av första säsongen av programserien. Analysen har gjorts utifrån den klassiska retorikens övertygandemedel, entechnoi pisteis där uppsatsen därefter valt att lyfta fram det övertygandemedel av ethos, pathos och logos som varit mest framträdande. Resultatet av analysen visar att Millans användning av pathos framträder tydligast. Millan kan även uppfattas visa eunoia gentemot TV-publiken när han ställer frågar till hundägarna i programmet, då en känsla av visat intresse för TV-tittarnas nyfikenhet uppstår. Samtidigt använder sig Millan av en stilnivå liksom ordval som är anpassade efter TV-tittarna och kan anses vara till hans fördel i hans syfte att övertyga. Slutligen är Millans argumentation varierande och utgår från både enthymem och paradigm, vilket kan anses fördelaktigt om man vill skapa förtroende.

The beneficial of keeping a dog and the booming Chinese pet dog market allowed many Chinese people considering owning a dog. However, how owners treat their dogs are extremely different. Some of them consider dogs as their child while others think dogs are just objects with special function. These different attitude leads to dog owners’ different consumption intention towards dog-related products and services. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the dog owner’s intention of buying or keeping a dog in China. The theory of planned behavior was used to analyzed in this thesis. The goal was to figure out the factors that influence owners’ intention of buying or keeping a dog. To investigate our purpose, the qualitative method with eleven semi-interviews were conducted in this thesis, and we analyzed the data using the method of qualitative content analysis. The results were shown from attitude, subject norm and perceived behavior, which comes from the theory of planned behavior.

The central aim of this thesis is to critically examine the values associated with dogs in Victorian British art and visual culture. It studies the redefining and restructuring of the domestic dog as it was conceptualized in visual culture and the art market. It proposes that the dog was strongly associated with social values and moral debates which often occurred within a visual arena, including exhibitions, illustrated newspapers, and prints. Consequently, visual representations of the dog can be seen as an important means through which to study Victorian culture and society. Historians have agreed that the Victorian period was a significant turning point for how we perceive the dog. Harriet Ritvo, Michael Worboys and Neil Pemberton cite the Victorian period as founding or popularizing many recognisable canine constructs; such as competitive breeding; a widespread acceptance of dogs as pets; and the association of particular breeds with particular classes of people. Phillip Howell defines the Victorian period as the point at which the domestic dog was conceptually established. The figurative domestic dog did not simply exist in the home but was part of the home; an embodiment of its core (often middle class) values. As such, the domestic dog became the standard by which all other dogs were perceived and the focal point for related social debates. Yet most studies concerning the Victorian dog overlook the contribution of visual culture to these cultural developments. William Secord compiled an extensive catalogue of Victorian dog artwork and Diana Donald examined Landseer and the dog as an artistic model yet neither have fully situated the dog within a broader Victorian social environment, nor was their intention to critically examine the dog’s signification within the larger visual landscape. Chapter One provides this overview, while subsequent chapters provide studies of key canine motifs and the manner in which they operated in art and visual culture. Underpinning this thesis is a concern with the Victorian moral values and ideals of domesticity in urban environments. These values and their relation to the dog are explored through the framework of the social history of art. Seen through this methodology, this thesis allows the relationship between canine debates, social concerns, and visual representations to be understood. It will argue that the figure of the dog had a significant role to play both socially and visually within Victorian society and propose a reappraisal of the dog in art historical study.

Hyperlipidaemia describes increased plasma concentrations of cholesterol and/or triglyceride and may arise from primary, often inherited defects in lipoprotein metabolism or appear secondary to systemic disease. The aim of this study was to characterise the abnormalities of lipoprotein metabolism responsible for hyperlipidaemia in the dog, to establish their effect upon the health of the individual, and to evaluate approaches to therapy. A combined ultracentrifugation/precipitation technique for the measurement of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL) was adapted and validated for use with canine plasma. Alternative methods of analysis were evaluated, but none of the commercially available precipitation reagents for the measurement of human lipoproteins were found to be suitable for use in the dog. Lipoprotein electrophoresis was useful in the investigation of hyperlipidaemic patients by allowing the identification of other lipoprotein classes, namely chylomicrons, HDL1 and B-VLDL. The effects of age, breed, sex and health status on lipoprotein concentrations in the dog were established. The HDL concentration was greater in entire females than males and certain disease processes were found to displaycharacteristic lipoprotein abnormalities. Dogs with diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism presented with defects in the metabolism of LDL and HDL and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, while hyperadrenocorticism, obstructive jaundice and protein-losing nephropathies were predominantly associated with abnormalities of cholesterol metabolism. A decreased lipoprotein lipase activity was partially responsible for the hyperlipidaemia in hypothyroid dogs. Overt hyperlipidaemia was not identified in obese dogs, but aberrations of triglyceride metabolism were identified by kinetic analysis and found to be a result of decreased lipoprotein lipase activity. Impaired triglyceride clearance in the postprandial period may therefore predispose obese dogs to the development of acute pancreatitis.

Dogs engage in various interactions with artificial agents (UMOs) but it is not clear whether they recognize UMOs as social agents. Jealous behaviour emerges when an important relationship is threatened by another individual, but only when the intruder is a social agent. We investigated whether UMOs elicit jealous behaviour in dogs. We tested three groups of 15 dogs, each group observed different behaviour of the UMO: mechanistic movement, non-social or social behaviour. Then, the owner interacted with another dog, the UMO and a magazine while ignoring the subject. Dogs displayed more rival-oriented behaviour and attempt to interrupt the owner-rival interaction in case of the other dog and UMO compared to the magazine (the latter mainly occurred in the Social UMO group). However, they showed less owner- and interaction-oriented behaviour in case of the UMO. Thus, although some elements of jealous behaviour emerged toward the UMO, the results are not conclusive; Resumo: Comportamento e Etologia Canina Os cães interagem com agentes artificiais (UMOs), mas não sabemos se os reconhecem como agentes sociais. O comportamento de ciúme surge quando uma relação importante é ameaçada por outro indivíduo, mas apenas quando o rival é social. Investigámos se os UMOs geram comportamento de ciúme nos cães. Testámos três grupos de 15 cães, cada grupo observou diferentes comportamentos do UMO: comportamento mecânico, não-social ou social. Posteriormente, o dono interagiu com o outro cão, o UMO e uma revista, enquanto ignorava a cobaia. Os cães demonstraram mais comportamento orientado ao rival e tentaram interromper a interação dono-rival mais vezes no caso do outro cão e do UMO comparado com a revista (principalmente no grupo do UMO Social). Porém, os cães mostraram menos comportamento dirigido ao dono e à interação no caso do UMO. Portanto, apesar de alguns elementos de comportamento de ciúme surgirem com o UMO, os resultados não são conclusivos.

'Pudovkin and Pavlov's Dog' is concerned with a group of films which are well known but comparatively little discussed. It analyses Pudovkin's major silent films (Mother, The End of St. Petersburg, Storm over Asia and Mechanics of the Brain) and his writing on film in the 1920's, attempting to investigate how one area of work might illuminate the other and how this places Pudovkin amongst his contemporaries, notably Kuleshov and Eisenstein. The influence of Pavlov in Soviet art practice and theory is similarly frequently cited but rarely examined. This thesis attempts to answer some basic questions as to why his research should have been appropriated when and how it was. Crucial to this project is the examination of Mechanics of the Brain, showing how Pavlov was popularly (rather than academically) understood. It also tries to establish what means Pudovkin employed to assemble an adequate filmic exposition of Pavlov's scientific proof, as an opening to his notion of logical construction in general: Pudovkin repudiates Vertov's theoretical principle that the camera can simply seize material unawares from life. Pavlov was rooted in and contributed to the same intellectual tradition in which Marxism was founded, but the Soviets looked to Pavlov for scientific (that is to say, objective) corroboration of their undertakings. The thesis is organised around a number of debates in which this paradox is seen to operate, each accompanied by analysis of a particular Pudovkin film.

Son of a Dog is inspired by a real-life figure whose exploits captured the Nigerian public imagination in the 1980s. Famously known as Ovbigbo (“The Law”), Lawrence Anini unleashed a nationwide reign of terror against law and order. Set against the backdrop of the political turmoil following the Nigerian civil war, the novel traces Anini’s formative years in menial jobs to his rise to the leadership of a notorious criminal gang. It fuses the established facts of his short meteoric career with my imagined version of his inner life and the contemporary myths that sprung up around his legend. It finally crosses the boundary between the real and the mythic as Lawrence Anini becomes truly invincible and elusive after a lust-struck encounter with a fantastical character. I draw inspiration from the dark visceral fiction of Michael Cisco and Brian Evenson, AyiKwei Armah’s unflinchingly descriptive prose and E.C. Osondu’s sharp contemporary humour.

The CDC estimates that 4.7 million Americans get bitten by dogs every year. Most of these dog bite injuries involve a family-owned pet and a household member or person familiar to the dog. This capstone examines six topics: dog bite injuries and its impact on communities; new strategies for dog bite injury prevention; incidence of dog bite injuries requiring emergency room treatment among children from 2001 to 2008; dog bite injury healthcare costs; implementation of dog bite injury prevention; and legal issues and outcomes in dog bite injury. A novel approach to dog bite injury research should include a socio-ecological perspective that captures complex risk factors surrounding behavior and sociological background of dog owners before, during, and after dog bite injury incidence that is collected in a national integrated data system and translates prevention science effectively according to the CDC Injury Research Agenda.

Each year in the UK, in addition to the stray dogs passed onto animal welfare organisations and dog kennels from the dog warden service, many others are handed over by members of the public for rehoming. Dogs Trust rehomed over 12,000 dogs during 2006. The stresses of staying in kennels and the change in environment can have a negative impact on the health of these dogs and this compromises their welfare and affects the success of rehoming. There have been very few studies examining the processes influencing success of rehoming in the UK. The current studies were conducted to describe indirect effects such as the previous owners, the dogs and their home environments, the health of the dogs in kennels and the effect factors directly affecting the success of rehoming these dogs. A descriptive study showed the most common reasons for dogs to be relinquished were behavioural problems and the owner feeling that the dog needs more attention than they can give it. Additionally, it was shown that behavioural issues were more common amongst those dogs relinquished for the second time whilst owner-related factors were more common for those dogs relinquished for the first time. Another descriptive study focussing on the, health of the dogs whilst in kennels showed that many dogs were ill when they arrived at the kennels making it difficult to prevent the introduction of diseases. It was also found that if the dogs were ill soon after adoption they were more likely to be rehomed unsuccessfully and returned to kennels. Risk factors that increased the likelihood of a dog being rehomed unsuccessfully were identified using a prospective cohort study. The results suggest that behavioural problems are an important factor especially if the dog had shown aggressipn towards people. However, there were also indications that by the owners obtaining advice, this risk couid be significantly reduced. Attending training classes significantly decreased the chance that the adoption would be unsuccessful. The data a1so suggested that families with younger adults and young children, and owners who found that the effort and work involved in looking after their dog to be more than they expected were more likely to return the dog. This study highlighted the importance of behavioural problems and therefore the agreement between members of staff at the rehoming kennels during the behavioural assessment of dogs was assessed using an additional study. These studies were able to highlight particular factors which could be changed or where new policies could be implemented in order to prevent some relinquishments or improve the reterition of dogs post-adoption.

Pedigree dog welfare in the United Kingdom is a controversial subject. This PhD aimed to investigate small animal veterinary surgeons’ (VS), pedigree dog breeders’ (PDB) and owners’ perceptions surrounding canine health, their roles, information acquisition and the quality of online resources available to new dog owners. Via a mixed-methods approach VS and PDB were asked about their perceptions of pedigree dog welfare using online questionnaires. Focus groups were then used to explore these parties’ opinions on advising dog owners and buyers. Dog owners were administered an online questionnaire to explore drivers of dog acquisition and sourcing of information about canine health. A further sample of dog owners provided possible internet search terms they would use to find information on how to care for a new dog. These terms were used for a scoping review to examine the quality of available information. The VS and PDB exhibited varied perceptions relating to pedigree dog breeding, inherited disease and health screening programmes. Each group considered themselves the most knowledgeable on these topics and lacked clarity on how their roles interrelated. Focus groups showed conflicting views on advising dog owners and buyers. Dog owners varied in their drivers for ownership, from whom they obtained information and the internet search terms used when looking for information online. The scoping review identified a lot of easy to understand, poor quality information. VS and PDB need to better understand and appreciate each others’ roles, perspectives and knowledge to instigate effective collaboration and improve pedigree dog health. Owners are diverse and require a multifaceted educational approach to improve knowledge. The quality of online information for owners needs to be made clear and a coordinated approach involving all stakeholders is required to enable dissemination of practical, evidence-based information on pedigree dog health.

In the present research project I explored the effects of old age on cognitive and emotional aspects of the dog-owner relationship. To this aim, three studies were conducted, which focused on a) the detection of age-related cognitive impairment, b) the assessment of selective social attention skills in adult and aged dogs and c) the effect of age and of impaired cognitive functions on the dog-owner emotional bond. Although the existence of age-related cognitive impairment has been acknowledged in veterinary medicine, methodological issues limited the amount of scientific research in this aspect of companion dogs’ ageing. To address this problem, in the first study (pp. 10-47), we presented the development of a new method for the detection of cognitive decline in aged dogs. We employed a multiple approach, combining a questionnaire-based evaluation of dogs’ behaviour (Cognitive Evaluation Scale, CES) with the assessment of dogs’ memory and reversal learning abilities in a spatial cognition task. Application of these methods to a population of adult and aged dogs resulted in the detection of significant differences between the two age groups, with aged dogs obtaining lower CES scores and showing a worse performance in the spatial cognition task. A correlation between the two parameters was an important further indication of the validity of the method. Compared to other currently available tools, the present approach could have characteristics of higher sensitivity and specificity, providing practical advantages, for both future research in the field and for the clinical assessment of cognitive decline. A further aspect that received scarce scientific interest in aged dogs, is their attention towards humans, a phenomenon that could play a critical role in the expression of socio-cognitive abilities and in the adaptability of dogs into inter-specific groups. In the absence of suitable methods, we developed a behavioural task protocol to assess the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of dogs’ selective attention in an inter-specific context. In the first part of this second study (pp. 48-75), we presented the validation of this procedure, performed on a sample of adult pet dogs. The results showed a selective response in dogs simultaneously exposed to the owner and to an unfamiliar person, demonstrating that the pattern of attention is dependent on the strength of the dog-human relationship. Moreover, the task allows discriminating ‘passive’ (the simple orientation of senses to a stimulus) from ‘active’ (involving cognitive processing) forms of attention. In the second part of the study, the application of this method to a sample of aged dogs revealed a detrimental effect of age on the level of selective attention towards the owner. Old dogs had a higher propensity for ‘passive’ attention, being less capable than adults to retain information about social stimuli when these disappear from their visual field. The third study (pp. 75-98) dealt with the effect of old age on the nature of the dog-owner emotional bond. Sharing similarities with the human infant-mother relationship, the dog-owner bond has been described as a form of attachment: an enduring relationship with a particular other, which becomes apparent through distinctive behaviours, expressed under stress situations. Despite human research emphasizes the importance that emotional bonds might hold in the well being of aged individuals, the study of this aspect was neglected in the dog. We investigated the effect of old age on dogs’ attachment behaviours, using the Strange Situation Test, a method originally designed to elicit attachment responses in human infants. Our results show that old age does not affect the expression of ‘secure’ attachment (confidence at the presence of the object of attachment and distress at separation). However, we saw in old dogs an alteration in the expression of other behaviours (play and passive behaviours), which could represent a different emotional dimension of the dog-owner attachment (insecure-ambivalent). Since part of the dogs’ sample that was included in the present study had also participated in the previous studies, when possible the effect of cognitive impairment and selective attention on the dog-owner emotional bond was analyzed.
Il presente progetto di ricerca indaga gli effetti dell’età senile su aspetti pertinenti alla sfera cognitiva ed emozionale della relazione cane-proprietario. A tal fine sono stati condotti tre studi indipendenti, incentrati su: a) la rilevazione di deficit cognitivi legati all’età, b) la valutazione delle capacità di attenzione sociale selettiva in cani adulti e anziani e c) gli effetti dell’età anziana e del decadimento cognitivo sulle manifestazioni di attaccamento al proprietario. Benché l’esistenza di un declino cognitivo età-dipendente sia un’evenienza riconosciuta in medicina veterinaria, problemi di carattere metodologico hanno limitato la produzione scientifica su questo aspetto dell’invecchiamento nel cane da compagnia. Nel tentativo di ovviare a queste limitazioni, nel primo studio (pp. 10-47), è presentato lo sviluppo di un nuovo metodo per la rilevazione di deficit cognitivi legati nel cane anziano. Il metodo si basa su un approccio multiplo, che combina l’uso di scale di valutazione cognitiva, basate su questionari (Cognitive Evaluation Scale, CES) con la valutazione diretta delle capacità memoniche e di ‘apprendimento inverso’ dei cani in un test di cognizione spaziale. L’applicazione di questi metodi a una popolazione di cani da compagnia adulti e anziani è esitata nella rilevazione di differenze significative tra i due gruppi di età. I cani anziani ottengono punteggi peggiori nella scala di valutazione cognitiva e mostrano compromesse capacità di apprendimento nel test di cognizione spaziale. La correlazione tra i due parametri rappresenta un’importante indicazione della validità del metodo. Paragonato ad altri strumenti attualmente disponibili, questo approccio potrebbe garantire maggiore sensibilità e specificità, apportando un importante vantaggio pratico, sia in ambito di ricerca, che quale strumento di valutazione diagnostica in ambito clinico veterinario. Un ulteriore aspetto che ha ricevuto scarso interesse scientifico nel cane è l’attenzione rivolta all’uomo, un fenomeno che potrebbe rivestire un ruolo critico nell’espressione di capacità socio-cognitive e nell’integrazione del cane in gruppi sociali misti. In assenza di metodi appropriati, è stato sviluppato un test comportamentale per la valutazione delle caratteristiche quantitative e qualitative dell’attenzione selettiva del cane in un contesto interspecifico. Nella prima parte di questo secondo lavoro (pp. 48-75), presento lo sviluppo e la validazione di questa procedura, effettuata su un campione di cani adulti. I risultati mostrano una risposta selettiva nell’attenzione che i cani rivolgono al proprietario o a una persona estranea, cui sono simultaneamente esposti. Inoltre, il protocollo permette di discriminare forme di attenzione ‘attiva’ (con il coinvolgimento di processi cognitivi) e ‘passiva’ (cioè il semplice orientamento visivo). L’applicazione di questo metodo a un campione di cani anziani, nella seconda parte dello studio, ha rivelato un effetto negativo dell’età anziana sul livello di attenzione selettiva rivolta al proprietario. I cani anziani, inoltre, dimostrano una maggiore propensione per forme di attenzione ‘passiva’ essendo meno in grado, rispetto agli adulti, di ritenere informazioni riguardo allo stimolo sociale all’uscita di questo dal campo visivo. Nel terzo studio (pp. 75-98) è stato affrontato l’effetto dell’età anziana sulla qualità del legame emotivo cane-proprietario. In studi precedenti il legame cane-proprietario è stato assimilato all’attaccamento infante-madre. L’attaccamento definisce un legame duraturo con uno specifico individuo, che si manifesta attraverso comportamenti espressi in condizioni di stress. Benché ricerca in ambito umano abbia dimostrato la rilevanza della sfera affettivo-emotiva nella salvaguardia del benessere delle persone anziane, questo aspetto risulta scarsamente investigato nella specie canina. Nel presente studio il legame cane-proprietario è stato studiato mediante lo Strange Situation Test, un protocollo originalmente sviluppato per evidenziare comportamenti di attaccamento nel bambino in età infantile. I risultati mostrano come l’età anziana non alteri le manifestazioni comportamentali di attaccamento ‘sicuro’ (sicurezza in presenza e stress alla separazione dal proprietario). Tuttavia si evidenzia nel cane anziano un’alterazione nell’espressione di altri comportamenti (gioco e comportamento passivo), che potrebbero riflettere una diversa dimensione emotiva dell’attaccamento (insicuro-ambivalente). Poiché parte dei cani inclusi in questo studio avevano preso parte anche ai precedenti studi, quando i dati lo consentivano è stato indagato l’effetto del declino cognitivo e di differenze nelle capacità attentive sull’espressione dell’attaccamento cane-proprietario.

Arousal and distress are considered important factors when dogs show problematic behaviours and the crucial role of hormones and neurotransmitters involved in stress responses is widely recognized. Corticosteroids are important players in stress responses and, along with other hormones and neurotransmitters, contribute to the onset of both physiological and behavioural changes that can be either normal and adaptive or excessive and maladaptive depending on several factors. A literature review revealed that exogenous corticosteroids have been reported to change behaviour in human beings and laboratory animals but no data were available as far as similar e�ffects in dogs. The aim of this research was to identify possible behavioural changes in dogs treated with corticosteroids. In the fi�rst study, the perception of behavioural changes in dogs during corticosteroid therapy was investigated through semi-structured open interviews of the owners of 31 dogs of di�fferent breeds, genders, and ages. All dogs had received corticosteroid therapies in the past six months. Owners were asked to describe their dog's behaviours both on and o� corticosteroid therapy. Eleven owners reported behavioural changes in their dogs; nine dogs were reported to show more than one behavioural change. Six dogs reportedly showed nervousness and/or restlessness, three showed an increase in startle responses, three showed food guarding, two showed a decrease in their activity level, three showed an increase in avoidance responses, four showed irritable aggression, and two dogs increased barking. Semi-structured interviews can be useful preliminary tools for the identifi�cation of areas of future investigation, and the outcomes of the interviews were then used to investigate more rigorously the possible relationship between these signs and corticosteroid use in dogs. In the second study 99 dog owners were asked to complete a 12 item questionnaire, developed following the results of the previous survey. Owners were asked to evaluate their dogs' behaviour on and off� therapy, using a seven point scale. A sample of owners whose dogs were receiving treatment for dermatological, orthopaedic or other conditions completed the survey. The survey was completed by 44 dog owners with animals receiving treatment with a range of corticosteroid preparations (mainly prednisolone and methylprednisolone) and 54 dog owners with dogs receiving treatment with other drugs, mainly antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-infl�ammatory drugs. Dogs under corticosteroid treatment were reported to be signifi�cantly less playful, more nervous/restless, more fearful/less confi�dent, more aggressive in the presence of food, more prone to barking, more prone to startle, more prone to reacting aggressively when disturbed, and more prone to avoiding people or unusual situations. The last part of this study involved behavioural tests of dogs. Eleven �treatment� dogs were then tested twice: before and during corticosteroid treatment with either methyl-prednisolone or prednisolone to assess their sensitivity to a potentially aversive stimulus. Eleven control dogs, not receiving corticosteroid therapy, were also tested at the same time intervals in the same environment. Dogs were exposed to a brief dog growl while they explored some bowls containing food and their behaviour was video recorded. Treatment dogs investigated the area for signi�ficantly less time and ate signi�cantly less food in the second test trial when on corticosteroid compared to control dogs. In �final study, exploring relationships between corticosteroid therapy and dogs with behaviour problems, a review of the caseload of the author of 345 dogs reported for behaviour and management problems was analyzed. It was found that 16 % of them had a history of previous treatments with corticosteroids. Previous treatment with corticosteroid was found to be signi�ficantly associated with negative aff�ective states. These results support earlier preliminary �findings concerning possible adverse behavioural side e�ffects following the use of corticosteroids in dogs, and the possible need for concomitant behavioural advice when these drugs are used in general veterinary practice.

In this paper, I interrogate dominant media paradigms that discuss non-human animals, such as photography and documentary, and provide alternative modes of creating this work. Focusing on my relationship with my dog, Bear, I collaborated with him referencing the alternative methods to representation to create a series our thesis show, “A Dog and His Boy.” By opening up our relationship, I hope to inspire people to think about non-human animals, specifically dogs, more critically, and what their relationships with them are. The process of collaborating with Bear, someone of another species, only strengthened our bond, but also taught me much about how a dog senses their world, and how they think.

Most human deaths from rabies in India are caused by the bites of free roaming dogs (FRD), however studies on the demography of FRD and the community perception of rabies and FRD are virtually lacking in the country. This study was conducted in rural and urban India to: recommend a reliable enumeration method for FRD; describe the demography of FRD; assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of communities towards rabies and FRD; and assess the KAP of rural para-medical staff on dog-bite wound management. The Application SuperDuplicates online tool was found to reliably enumerate the FRD population size with minimal resources. In the rural site fewer dogs were sighted within 20 metres of garbage points (OR 0.3) than more distant; while in the urban site more FRD were sighted near garbage points (OR 1.6) than away from these sites. The re-sight probability (β = 0.3) and de-sexing status (β = -0.07) of FRD had a positive and negative influence, respectively on urban FRD forming groups. The tendency to form groups in the rural FRD was influenced by frequency of being re-sighted (β = -0.1) and presence of garbage within 20m (β = 0.2). The FRD in the rural setting that were sighted in groups had a larger home-range (>0.11 ha) than those sighted alone (≤0.11 ha). Rural respondents with a smaller family size (OR 2.1) were more knowledgeable about rabies, than those with bigger families and older respondents (OR 2.6) had a more positive attitude towards FRD than did younger respondents (<35 years). Urban respondents from high/middle socio-economic sections were more knowledgeable (OR 3.03) with positive attitudes and practices (OR 3.4) towards rabies than those from lower socio-economic sections. Urban households containing children (≤ 14 years) (OR 0.5) had a lower level of knowledge about rabies compared to households with older or no children. Experienced and graduate paramedical staff were more aware (OR 3.4) and adopted adequate practices (OR 5.6) regarding the management of dog-bite wounds than less experienced or non-graduate staff. It is recommended that control of dog-related rabies in India requires: enumeration and interpretation of the demographic characteristics such as tendency to form groups and the spread of home ranges of FRD to strategically adopt mass-immunisation; concerted efforts to promote knowledge and adoption of healthier practices in rural communities; educational outreach directed towards the lower socio-economic sections in the urban community; and the development and implementation of compulsory training modules for rural paramedical staff on dog-bite wound management.

The American healthcare system is being overwhelmed with chronic illnesses. These illnesses account for a significant amount of total healthcare expenditures. Medicare/Medicaid and Managed Care Organizations (MCO’s) are seeking innovative treatment at cost savings. Disease Management (DM) is an intervention intended to reduce healthcare expenditures and advance the quality of life for persons with chronic conditions by preventing or reducing the effects of the disease through integrated care. Companion Pet Therapy 4 U is proposing Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) which is a fluctuating set of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities that are considered to be unconventional. This approach utilizes a combination of Alternative Therapy (AT) and Disease Management (DM) home care services to elderly chronically ill homebound patients. A companion dog/ trainer and a care coordinator/nurse will visit homebound patients, review patient care plans, and educate patients on DM. Companion Pet Therapy 4 U will reduce healthcare expenditures, produce cost savings by empowering chronically ill homebound elderly patients to become pro-active in the treatment process.

Tesis para optar al grado de Magíster en Administración
Autores no autorizan el acceso a texto completo de su documento
Valencia, Ibar [Parte I Análisis estratégico y de mercado], Ramos M., Sergio [Parte II Análisis organizativo-financiero]
Happy Dog es una empresa de servicios para mascotas orientada a guardería y hotelería de perros que incorpora además servicios complementarios de cuidado. Los clientes objetivos son principalmente los dueños de perros que deseen mantener a sus mascotas en un lugar de primer nivel durante sus periodos de ausencia. El desarrollo de este modelo de negocios se presenta como una alternativa para cubrir necesidades emocionales y funcionales de los dueños de mascotas, que poseen los recursos suficientes para optar a un servicio Premium que en la actualidad no presenta un grado de desarrollo suficiente. En este sentido se realizó un análisis de la industria de mascotas en Chile en su segmento de guardería y hotelería, pudiendo determinar que existe una gran oportunidad de negocio, dado que el potencial de desarrollo es amplio, siendo posible ingresar de manera fácil a este mercado con alternativas que ofrezcan a los dueños de mascotas mayor valor respecto a los servicios poco atractivos existentes. En relación a las amenazas, no se visualizan aspectos económicos que puedan influir de manera negativa en el desarrollo de este negocio. Los aspectos sociales y políticos apuntan en la misma dirección de la propuesta de valor que se quiere ofrecer “cuidado de las mascotas” y los posibles cambios de regulación lejos de constituir una amenaza ofrecen una oportunidad, dada la mayor conciencia respecto a la tenencia responsable. Este modelo de negocio apunta a un nicho específico, se definió como mercado objetivo a los dueños de mascotas que habitan en las comunas de Ñuñoa, La Reina y Peñalolén, dentro del estrato ABC1 y C2, amantes de los perros que requieren y están dispuestos a dejar a sus mascotas en una guardería u hotel y además cuentan con los medios y la disposición a pagar por un servicio Premium. En relación a los tipos de mascotas se incluyen perros de raza y mestizos de tamaño mediano y pequeño, que cuenten con los cuidados mínimos de sus dueños, es decir, vacunas al día y chequeo general por veterinario. Considerando lo anterior, la propuesta de valor es una Guardería amplia y confortable diseñada para mantener un ambiente lúdico, con actividades de recreación y cuidado para las mascotas, que incluye entre las alternativas, diversos servicios complementarios de Spa y adiestramiento entre otros. En base a un análisis FODA se pudo establecer algunas de las estrategias aplicables para mitigar los efectos de las amenazas y debilidades. Considerando que la debilidad más importante es el poco conocimiento del mercado y también no contar con una cartera de clientes iniciales, se buscará generar rápidamente alianzas estratégicas con agrupaciones de dueños de perros de raza, dado que este nicho suele invertir importantes recursos en el cuidado de sus mascotas y por lo tanto, podrían también acceder al servicio ofrecido. De la evaluación económica del negocio se puede señalar que los indicadores de rentabilidad y retorno sobre la inversión arrojan resultados bastante atractivos para la toma de decisión de invertir en este negocio. Es así como el Retorno sobre la Inversión alcanza valores sobre 50% después del tercer año. El VAN considerando el flujo 100% capital propio, alcanza un valor de $ 19.141.250 sobre una tasa de descuento estimada del 17,49% y una TIR de 25% para una inversión inicial de $56.711.686, cifra bastante acotada en relación a otros negocios relacionados con la industria de mascotas. Dado lo anterior, podemos señalar que el mercado potencial sumado a una propuesta de valor suficientemente robusta e indicadores financieros atractivos, reafirman este modelo de negocio como una buena alternativa.

The current study investigated concept formation in domestic dogs, specifically that of a toy concept. The dog's differential responding (retrieval vs. non-retrieval) to two sets of stimuli suggested a toy concept. Differential responding occurred from the very first trial, indicating that the concept had been formed in the natural environment, not during the experiment. It was hypothesized that a common response may be responsible for the emergence of the class in the natural environment. The results demonstrated that it was possible to expand the class by adding previously non-retrieved objects to the toy class through a common response. It was also shown that the toy concept passed the more stringent criterion (transfer of function test) required validating it as a concept.

We're in an alternate universe, circa Dickensian London. Leofric Lieven, a local crime lord, is about to find the past catching up on him. The Romany Carnival has come to town, and a gypsy woman, his former lover and partner in crime, demands from him a favour which will redress his betrayal of years before: he must secure a stolen object and return it to her. But things go horribly wrong when local delivery boy Cards Bennish is kidnapped by Leofric’s competitor before he can deliver the goods that will cover Leofric's debt to the gypsy. In this world, humans can shape shift into animals, entirely or only partially, dog fighting is the favourite pastime for high stakes betting, and power belongs to the highest bidder. The gypsy’s final bet, for the highest stakes yet, will seal the fates of a number of people, for better or worse

Synchroniser son comportement sur celui d’autrui est adaptatif et essentiel au maintien des interactions et de la cohésion sociale : plus deux individus sont affiliés, plus leurs comportements sont synchronisés, et inversement. Cela est observé au sein de nombreuses espèces, dont l’humain, mais l’existence de ce phénomène au niveau interspécifique n’est que peu documentée.Les travaux de thèse révèlent que les chiens de compagnie, du point de vue productif, synchronisent leurs comportements sur ceux de leur propriétaire lors de déplacements en intérieur ou en extérieur, et également lors d’une rencontre avec une personne inconnue. De plus, les comparaisons du comportement de ces dyades avec ceux des chiens de refuge accompagnés de leur soigneur montrent que la nature du lien affiliatif joue un rôle essentiel dans le degré de synchronisation comportementale. Par contre, ce phénomène n’est que peu modulé par le sexe, l’âge et la race. Enfin, inversement, du point de vue perceptif, le présent travail montre pour la première fois que les chiens de compagnie préfèrent les humains qui synchronisent leur comportement avec le leur.En conclusion, comme entre humains, la synchronisation comportementale joue le rôle de glue sociale entre les chiens et les humains. C’est la première fois qu’une telle capacité est mise en évidence entre une espèce de primate et une espèce de canidé ; cela suggère une convergence évolutive de ce comportement, et l’existence de processus cognitifs s’apparentant à ceux des humains chez le chien. Les implications pratiques et théoriques de ces résultats sont finalement discutées à la lueur des quatre questions de Tinbergen (1963)
Non-conscious behavioral synchronization is adaptive, depending on affiliation and participating in fostering social cohesion. It is found within various species, including humans, but little is known about such a phenomenon between species. Due to their close association, dog and human dyads is a good biological model to study interspecific behavioral synchronization.For the first time, behavioral synchronization of dogs with humans was evidenced between highly affiliated partners (i.e. pet dogs and their owners) when freely walking inside or in open outside area, and when facing an unfamiliar person. The effect of affiliation was also investigated: lower affiliated partners (i.e. shelter dogs and their caregiver) exhibited lower degree of synchronization with human compare to highly affiliated partners, similarly than between humans. This is the first time that the effect of affiliation on behavioral synchronization has been evidenced at interspecific level. Almost no effect of age, sex or breed was evidenced. Finally, it was evidenced that pet dogs exhibit increased affiliation towards humans who synchronized their behavior with them. It is the third species in which such an ability is evidenced, and the first time it is found in canids.To conclude, as in humans, behavioral synchronization acts as a social-glue between dogs and humans. It is the first time that such a skill is evidenced between a primate species and a canid species; it suggests a convergent evolution of this behavior, and human-like processes in dogs. Applied implications of such findings, as well as Tinbergen (1963) four’s inquiries for behavioral synchronization are discussed

Sorption studies of Dingo/wild dog chemical attractants on montmorillonite were undertaken. The study focused on the use of montmorillonite for the controlled release of volatile organic chemicals. Adsorption isotherms for ethanoic, propanoic and butanoic acids, on sodium and calcium montmorillonite, showed comparable monolayer capacities to activated charcoal. Acid concentration increased with polarisation of the exchangeable cation (Ca2+ > Na+) and decreased with increasing molecular weight. Diffuse Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy was used to determine organic chemical interactions and concentrations in powdered organic­montmorillonite complexes. Of those complexes studied, interactions were observed for propanoic and 4-methylpentanoic acid, heptanal, trimethylamine, hexylamine, 2- mercaptoethanol and ethylhexanoate but not dimethyldisulphide. With increasing propanoic acid adsorbed on montmorillonite, the amount of adsorbed propanate anion reached a maximum of 0.54 mol. kg-1, corresponding to 6.6 x lo23 binding sites per kg. Exposure of this complex to the atmosphere resulted in decreasing acid concentration, whilst the concentration of adsorbed propanate remained constant. Propanoic acid loss was also found to have an initial (0-24 hours) rapid decline, followed by a more steady decline phase (24-240 hours). During the latter, concentration change was 4.4 x 104 mol.kg-1.h-1, and rate of diffusion 2.2 mol.kg-1.m-1. Exposure of an equal part mixture of propanoic acid, heptanal, trimethylamine and dimethyldisulphide adsorbed on montmorillonite showed an exponential rate of decline for all components except dimethyldisulphide which followed a linear rate of decline. Similar trials using a mixture of 9 carboxylic acids showed exponential decline rates for each acid. Acid desorption rate constants were found to be higher for odd over even numbered carbon chains, straight over branched chains, and high over low initial concentrations. Water uptake occurred for both complexes and was a function of organic and initial clay hydrations. Exposed organo-montmorillonite complexes and blank montmorillonite showed net weight gains, which were attributed to water uptake.

Thesis (M.Phil.)--City University of Hong Kong, 2005.
"Submitted to Department of Manufacturing Engineering and Engineering Management in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy" Includes bibliographical references (leaves 238-243)

Denna uppsats undersöker hur lärare som undervisar i grundskolans tidigare år resonerar kring verbal kommunikation i sin undervisning i ämnet engelska. Intervjuade lärare är alla situerade på olika skolor i en mellanstor stad i sydvästra Sverige. Studien ämnar synliggöra lärares resonemang kring huruvida deras tidigare erfarenheter påverkar den verbala kommunikationen i deras engelskundervisning. Undersökningen har utförts utifrån kvalitativ metod med hermeneutisk fenomenologisk ansats. Utifrån kvalitativa intervjuer har kunnat tolkas hur lärarnas tidigare erfarenheter, förväntningar på eleverna och uppfattning om sin undervisning med fokus på den verbala kommunikationen ser ut och hur detta har påverkat hur lärarna resonerar. Intervjuerna har analyserats utifrån den hermeneutiska cirkeln med inspiration från fenomenologin. Empirin har beskrivits, analyserats och tolkats teoretiskt. Analysen visar på att lärarnas erfarenheter på ett eller annat sätt påverkar den undervisning de för idag. Lärarna har utifrån det då beskrivit hur detta har påverkat hur de vill, respektive inte vill undervisa och hur den engelska de läst på lärarhögskolan påverkat deras undervisning. Respondenternas förväntningar är det som framträtt starkast utifrån lärarnas intervjusvar och genom dessa har kunnat utläsas vilken inverkan dessa har på eleverna. Utifrån de lärarna, med höga förväntningar, ges det i de flesta fall en bild av att lärarna utmanar eleverna. De lärarna med lägre förväntningar på eleverna i engelskundervisningen förklarar detta främst med att de inte vill utsätta eleverna för något de inte känner sig bekväma med. Lärarna har alla visat en vilja för en verbalt kommunikativ undervisning fokuserat på målspråket, men menar att det inte är lätt beroende av elevernas ålder, rädsla och kunskap.