Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Eye affections'

La maladie de Stargardt est la plus fréquente des maculopathies héréditaires et peut être regardée comme un modèle juvénile de certaines dégénérescences maculaires liées à l’âge. Elle résulte de mutations récessives du gène ABCA4, responsables d’une accumulation toxique de sous-produits de la vitamine A dans la rétine. Dans ce contexte, des approches thérapeutiques pharmacologiques se développent qui visent à diminuer la concentration de ces composés toxiques par réduction de la concentration rétinienne en vitamine A. L’utilisation de compétiteurs de cette vitamine ont permis d’atteindre cet objectif chez la souris abca4-/-. La souris n’est toutefois pas un bon modèle pour la maladie de Stargardt ; chez l’homme les mutations du gène ABCA4 sont responsables d’une dégénérescence des photorécepteurs maculaires i.e. en majorité des cônes. Or, la souris étant un animal nocturne, sa rétine est particulièrement pauvre en cônes. Au demeurant, alors que la maladie de Stargardt se caractérise par une dégénérescence des photorécepteurs, ceci n’est jamais observé chez la souris abca4-/-, même à un stade avancé, en dépit d’une accumulation des dérivés toxiques de la vitamine A. Ainsi, s’il est possible de réduire l’accumulation de dérivés toxiques de la vitamine A dans la rétine de ces animaux par l’utilisation de compétiteurs, rien ne permet de présager de leur effet neuroprotecteur. Il en est de même pour les essais de thérapie génique qui se développent directement chez le patient faute de modèle animal pertinent.Nos travaux de thèse ont porté sur la création d’un modèle animal plus adéquat. Le rongeur diurne Arvicanthis ansorgei a été choisi en raison de la richesse de sa rétine en cônes et son appartenance à la famille des muridés proches des rongeurs de laboratoire. Nous avons entrepris de produire un animal transgénique par interférence de l’ARN. Après avoir confirmé l’expression d’Abca4 dans les bâtonnets et les cônes de l’animal et caractérisé la séquence de l’ADNc, nous avons recherché une séquence d’ARN antisens et une construction lentivirale permettant d’interférer efficacement sur l’expression du gène abca4 dans les photorécepteurs. Cette dernière étape a abouti avec l’identification du vecteur lentiviral pLKO1 qui a permis la production d’ARN antisens dans les photorécepteurs de souris et de rats transgéniques. En revanche, les séquences ARN antisens utilisées jusqu’alors n’ont pas permis d’interférer efficacement sur l’expression du gène. D’autre part, des protocoles de reproduction assistée ont été développés chez A. ansorgei prenantpour modèle ceux existant chez les rongeurs de laboratoire. Ceci a autorisé l’obtention de nombreux embryons en dépit de nombreuses difficultés rencontrées au cours de ces manipulations à des fins de procréation résultant d’un manque de connaissances du cycle sexuel d’A. ansorgei. L’implantation de ces embryons dans l’oviducte de femelles pseudogestantes s’est heurtée aux mêmes difficultés. Néanmoins le succès de cette entreprise a été obtenu une fois, encourageant à poursuivre ces manipulations dans une cohorte élargie d’animaux.Les anophtalmies et microphtalmies sévères sont des anomalies précoces du développement oculaire. Elles résultent d’un défaut d’induction ou d’invagination de la vésicule optique primaire ou d’un défaut de fermeture de la fente colobomique. Ces malformations sont responsables de grande malvoyance voire de cécité totale. D’origine génétique, elles se transmettent selon tous les modes de transmission. Dans la famille qui a fait l’objet des travaux de ce mémoire, la microphtalmie récessive autosomique s’observait dans deux fratries consanguines réunies par une boucle de consanguinité commune<br>Pas de résumé en anglais

Research on mental rotation has consistently found sex differences, with males outperforming females on mental rotation tasks like the Vandenberg and Kuse (1978) mental rotation test (MRT; D. Voyer, Voyer, & Bryden, 1995). Mental rotation ability has been found to be enhanced with experience (Nazareth, Herrera & Pruden, 2013) and training (Wright, Thompson, Ganis, Newcombe, & Kosslyn, 2008) and the effects of training have been found to be transferable to other spatial tasks (Wright et al., 2008) and sustainable for months (Terlecki, Newcombe, & Little, 2008). Although, we now are fairly certain about the malleability of spatial tasks and the role of spatial activity experience, we seem to have undervalued an important piece of the puzzle. What is the mechanism by which experiential factors enhance mental rotation performance? In other words, what is it that develops in an individual as a consequence of experience? The current dissertation sought to address this gap in the literature by examining cognitive strategy selection as a possible mechanism by which experiential factors like early spatial activity experience enhance mental rotation performance. A total of 387 adult university students were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions. The three experimental conditions differed in the amount and type of non-spatial information present in the task stimuli. Participant eye movement was recorded using a Tobii X60 eye tracker. Study I investigated the different types of cognitive strategies selected during mental rotation, where eye movement patterns were used as indicators of the underlying cognitive strategies. A latent profile analysis revealed two distinct eye movement patterns significantly predicting mental rotation performance. Study II examined the role of early spatial activity experience in mental rotation performance. Male sex-typed spatial activities were found to significantly mediate the relation between participant sex and mental rotation performance. Finally, Study III examined the developmental role of early spatial activity experience in cognitive strategy selection and strategy flexibility to enhance mental rotation performance. Strategy flexibility was found to be significantly associated with mental rotation performance. Male sex-typed spatial activity experiences were found to be significantly associated with cognitive strategy selection but not strategy flexibility. Implications for spatial training and educational pedagogy in the STEM fields are discussed.

Adverse listening conditions can be a hindrance to communication, but humans are remarkably adept at overcoming them. Research has begun to uncover the cognitive and behavioural mechanisms behind this perceptual plasticity, but we still do not fully understand the reasons for variability in individual responses. The research reported in this thesis addressed several factors which would further this understanding. Study 1 examined the role of cognitive ability in recognition of, and perceptual adaptation to, accented speech. A measure of executive function predicted greater and more rapid perceptual adaptation. Vocabulary knowledge predicted overall recognition of the accented speech, and mediated the relationship between working memory and recognition accuracy. Study 2 compared recognition of, and perceptual adaptation to, accented speech with and without audiovisual cues. The presence of audiovisual cues improved recognition of the accented speech in noise, but not perceptual adaptation. Study 3 investigated when perceivers make use of visual speech cues during recognition of, and perceptual adaptation to, audiovisual noise-vocoded speech. Listeners’ eye gaze was analysed over time and related to their performance. The percentage and length of fixations on the speaker’s mouth increased during recognition of individual sentences, while the length of fixations on the mouth decreased as perceivers adapted to the noise-vocoded speech over the course of the experiment. Longer fixations on the speaker’s mouth were related to better speech recognition. Results demonstrate that perceptual plasticity of unfamiliar speech is driven by cognitive processes, but can also be modified by the modality of speech (audiovisual or audio-only). Behavioural responses, such as eye gaze, are also related to our ability to respond to adverse conditions. Speech recognition and perceptual adaptation were differentially related to the factors in each study and therefore likely reflect different processes; these measures should therefore both be considered in studies investigating listeners’ response to adverse conditions. Overall, the research adds to our understanding of the mechanisms and behaviours involved in perceptual plasticity in adverse listening conditions.

Le rôle de l’attraction des éléments extérieurs du point de vente physique demeure une problématique complexe pour les commerçants. De plus, l’expérience en point de vente physique est en pleine évolution, due en partie à une présence accrue des nouvelles technologies. Cette thèse répond à la problématique suivante : comment la vitrine du point de vente influence-t-elle l’expérience de magasinage anticipée ? Nous nous focalisons sur l’influence de la technologie interactive et du niveau de représentation (construal level) en vitrine sur la perception de l’atmosphère, les réponses attentionnelles, les réponses affectives, la valeur de magasinage anticipée et les intentions comportementales. Nous testons les effets modérateurs de la motivation de magasinage et de la tendance exploratoire du consommateur. Nous adoptons une approche hypothético-déductive et nous procédons à deux expérimentations afin de répondre à notre problématique.Les résultats de la première expérimentation in situ (n=251) révèlent un effet stimulant et hédonique de l’utilisation de la technologie interactive en vitrine. La deuxième expérimentation, en laboratoire (n=144), a mobilisé une méthode d’eye-tracking pour collecter les données sur l’influence du niveau de représentation des éléments en vitrine. Les résultats montrent une influence significative du niveau de représentation sur l’atmosphère globale perçue et sur les intentions comportementales. Les résultats des cartes de chaleur montrent que la motivation de magasinage utilitaire renforce l’attention visuelle sur les produits en vitrine. Aucun effet modérateur de la tendance exploratoire n’a été détecté dans les deux expérimentations<br>One of the relevant issues for retailers in this dissertation is the role of marketing mix elements outside the physical store in attracting customers. Another relevant issue is the evolution of the physical retailing experience which is partly due to the ever increasing presence of new retail technology. The aim of this dissertation is to answer the following question: how do store windows influence anticipated shopping experience? We focus on the influence of interactive technology and construal level in store windows on perceived global atmosphere, visual attention, affective response, anticipated shopping value and patronage intentions. Shopping motivation and exploratory buying behavior tendency were tested for moderating effects. Two experiments were conducted for this doctoral research. The results from the in situ field experiment (n=251) reveal a hedonic and arousing effect from usage of the interactive window display. The second experiment on store window construal level (n=144) was conducted using eyeLtracking equipment in a controlled laboratory setting. The results show a significant influence of store window construal level on perceived global atmosphere and on patronage intentions. The results from the heat map analysis show that utilitarian shopping motivation reinforces visual attention to products in the window display. No moderating effect was found in either study for exploratory buying behavior tendency

In seven experiments carried out under natural-daylength conditions at 57oN, Scottish Blackface and Border Leicester x Scottish Blackface ewes of varying physiological states and nutritional regimes received daily at 1500 h an oral dose of either melatonin dissolved in water and alcohol or the vehicle alone. Throughout the experiments blood samples were collected thrice weekly for progesterone, prolactin and follicle stimulating hormone concentrations (FSH) and at 10 to 15 minute intervals for periods of up to 24 h for luteinizing hormone (LH). Ovulation rates were determined by laparoscopy. When given from the beginning of June and mid-March respectively melatonin advanced and reversed the breeding season, the reversal being as effective in ewes with an extended lactation as in those weaned early or those that had not bred in the previous year. Short-term treatment (30 days) with melatonin during mid-anoestrus not only failed to advance the breeding season but delayed it. Longer term treatment (60 to 90 days) produced transient oestrous cyclicity with ewes returning to anoestrus within one month after the end of treatment. For ewes on a low plane of nutrition melatonin increased ovulation rate at first behavioural oestrus and appeared to reduce embryo mortality. In all experiments melatonin suppressed plasma prolactin 10 to 15 days after the start of treatment with levels remaining low throughout the period of treatment except during late pregnancy. There was no evidence that melatonin promoted a progressive increase in the frequency of the pulsatile release of LH or had any stimulatory effect on FSH secretion in the first 6 weeks of treatment. It did however increase plasma progesterone concentrations in the post-oestrus period.

碩士<br>國立中山大學<br>企業管理學系醫務管理碩士班<br>104<br>Background: Diabetic retinopathy is one of major causes of visual disturbance and blindness in the patients with diabetes. Early treatment for retinopathy could be achieved by early detection through eye examinations and reduce the patient’s visual loss. However, the rate of eye examinations was low in the patients with diabetes in Taiwan. It’s needed to further study about the reasons for poor compliance of eye examinations in the patients with diabetes. Objectives: To estimate compliance of eye examinations in the patients with diabetes, to examine factors that affect compliance, and to determine reasons for compliance and non-compliance. Data source and Sample size: Data were obtained from the 2009 Nation Health Interview Survey (NHIS) in Taiwan. A total of 1040 patients with diabetes 12 years of age or older were enrolled in this study. Methods: A cross-sectional population study. The Andersen model was used as the analytic framework, and all variables were categorized into three factors: predisposing, need, and enabling factors. The chi-square test, independent-sample t test, and logistic regression were used to analyze the association between these variables and the use of eye examinations. Results: Of all patients with diabetes, only 45.2% had an eye examination in the past years. By logistic regression, the probability of an eye examination among the patients with diabetes increased with checking sugar level themselves, taking care of their feet, having attended diabetes support group, not living in a rural area, having eye symptoms, having longer duration of diabetes, and taking insulin for sugar control. Hakka people and patients with frequent hospitalizations were less likely to use eye examinations. Conclusion: The study results showed that the utilization rate of eye examinations was low. It’s important to improve the utilization of eye examinations through education about diabetic retinopathy and eye examination. We must aggressively transfer the patients with no any symptoms of eye, early stage of diabetes, mild degree of diabetes and frequent hospitalization to ophthalmology clinic for eye examinations. At last, it’s also needed to resolve the problems of insufficient resources of ophthalmology in a rural area.

The purpose of this essay is to investigate the protagonist and narrator in Charlotte Brontës Jane Eyre, it explores how Jane to a certain extent both represents and challenges the norms set by the Victorian society since it was during this time that the novel was published. By taking a closer look at the novel in relation to Victorian society’s norms and ideals the essay will show that the conflict that Jane faces in the novel is between love, feeling and passion versus religious norms and principles. By highlighting these conflicts, the essay presents evidence that the protagonist Jane often shows a feminist sentiment. However, her actions often contradict these sentiments which creates a complexity that I hope this essay will explore.

碩士<br>國立成功大學<br>資訊管理研究所<br>106<br>Sharing economy is rapidly developing as network and mobile technology advances. Apart from the sharing of goods, services, spaces, and vehicles through various online platforms, even money can be shared on platforms. Due to the complicated process of loan approval and the more stringent standards in traditional banks, small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners, borrowers who don’t have enough financial resources, and people who are just starting a career have difficulty obtaining bank loans. However, online Peer-2-Peer (P2P) lending platforms have become a better way for them to borrow small loans. Therefore, it is worth discussing how loan information released on the platforms can attract investors' attention and influence their investment intention. The purpose of this study is to explore the factors affecting intention of investment on online P2P lending platforms and analyze loan information, personal information, and voluntary information by using the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM). We collected eye movement data on the screen of loan information through eye-tracking experiment, using fixation time and fixation count. We also conducted semi-structured interviews after the experiment to analyze the impact of these factors on the investment intentions. The study found that the credit rating is the most significant factor affecting the investment intention. Although the loan purpose and detailed description are less noticeable by investors than other factors, it can effectively persuade them to invest through commercial loans. We expect this study can provide specific suggestions for borrowers on online P2P lending platform, making it easier to match investors and borrowers.

Many Christian faith-based preschools in the Oyo State of Nigeria are realising that spiritual development is an essential part of young children’s natural growth and should be given due attention. Accordingly, activities at preschools should be geared to support young children’s spiritual development. In conjunction with the administrators, the preschool teachers at Christian faith-based schools are charged with the responsibility of attending to the spiritual development of young children in their care. This research study examined factors affecting the spiritual development of young children in the Oyo State of Nigeria by employing a qualitative method with phenomenological research design. The research highlighted realities via developmental theories regarding the spiritual development of young children; government’s stand on the spiritual development of young children; how spiritual development of young children is facilitated in an early childhood setting; the benefits of spiritual development during early childhood; and the implications of spiritual development for practice in the Oyo State of Nigeria. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews, observation of practices and document analyses of the records of four preschools. All were purposefully selected, including the twenty teachers and four administrators. The results of the research revealed that all the pre-school teachers who showed interest in fostering spirituality in young children should gain experience, understanding and training in best practices. It was also found that although the Nigerian government has policies and curricula for early childhood education (ECE), these do not include spirituality or faith-based teaching. Further, to exacerbate the situation, the government does not monitor and evaluate the implementation of policies and ECE curricula. This study discovered that preschool teachers have a general understanding of how to enhance the spiritual development of young children by drawing on their own (i.e. the preschool teachers’) personal spiritual development processes, which should be complemented by formal training. The benefits of spiritual development in young children include the inculcation of sound moral values, feelings of joy, academic excellence, unity and development in the community, the development of committed future leaders and the promotion of national peace. The research study recommends that the government of Nigeria intervene in early childhood education by providing financial support and formal training for preschool teachers in the area of spiritual development of young children and by motivating administrators and preschool teachers to be more cooperative and creative in including spiritual development in their school’s curriculum.<br>Early Childhood Education

Thesis (M.A.)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Humanities, Dramatic art, 2013<br>Many efforts have been made to reduce the impact of HIV and AIDS in Malawi. Some of these intervention efforts seem to reproduce the very effect they are meant to reduce thereby creating contradictions that thwart intervention efforts. It appears that the means by which intervention efforts attempt to liberate communities often serve to recreate oppression rather than alleviate it. Using the case study of the Make Art/Stop AIDS project, this study identified and examined the paradoxes that have beset the practice of applied theatre as an intervention approach. The study uses the lenses of critical and post-critical performative pedagogy to unpack the contradictions that have arisen during the implementation of supposedly people centered approaches.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2006.<br>Advisor: Kathleen Burnett, Florida State University, College of Information. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Jan. 22, 2007). Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 144 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

碩士<br>樹德科技大學<br>資訊管理系碩士班<br>101<br>Accounting is an important component of the financial management system, plays an important role in the governance and control of economic activity, financial institutions, businesses. Accounting information must be accurate, timely and accurate. The capture of financial information quickly and accurately will help make strategic decisions for their units. The accounting software has played an active role to support and alleviate much of the work of accountants: from the records, to provide information for the leadership and management agencies. To better understand the role of accounting software, thesis study Factors affecting the acceptance of the accounting software EIE in associated institutions within Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration.