The principal work in this thesis describes the investigation of the impact that alterations to ocular aberrations following refractive surgery have on the accommodative mechanism. A series of prospective studies were conducted with healthy adults (n=36) that had chosen to undergo refractive surgery at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. A variety of monocular accommodative functions were assessed prior to surgery and then at one and three months following surgery on the same cohort of patients. Accommodative functions included amplitude of accommodation, accommodative facility (at 6m and 0.4m) including positive and negative response times, and accommodative stimulus-response functions. Dynamic accommodation responses were examined in a subgroup (n=10) at three months following refractive surgery and compared to an age-matched emmetropic control group (n=10) to evaluate differences in latency, amplitude, time constant and peak velocity of accommodation and disaccommodation. During the studies, ocular aberrations were concurrently measured to determine whether alterations to aberrations could help explain any observed changes in accommodative functions. Evaluation of visual, refractive and questionnaire outcome measures indicated that the patient cohort underwent successful surgery. Following surgery, significant alterations to a number of accommodative functions were discovered. Mean subjective ocular amplitude of accommodation increased by approximately 0.50D (p<0.05), mean stimulus-response function gradient decreased by approximately 10% (p<0.05) and distance facility rate increased by approximately 2-3 cycles/minute (p<0.05). Significant correlation was found between the change in accommodative stimulus-response function gradient, and the change in spherical aberration following surgery (p<0.05). Significant differences were also found in the parameters of accommodative dynamics, although some of these factors may be explained by refractive error differences between the refractive surgery patients (pre-operative myopes) and the emmetropic control group. The results suggest that alterations to aberrations following refractive surgery may be capable of influencing elements of the accommodation response. Additional studies were conducted to investigate the changes in aberrations during accommodation (n=31 subjects), and explore the contribution of the tear film (n=19 subjects) to higher order aberrations in eyes that have undergone refractive surgery. The results suggested that the rate of change in aberrations during accommodation is not affected by refractive surgery, but that the pattern of aberrations induced by post-blink tear film changes may differ in patients that have undergone refractive surgery. A further study is presented which investigated the form of the accommodative stimulus-response function to grating target of different spatial frequencies in groups of myopic (n=10) and emmetropic (n=10) participants recruited from among the staff and students at The University of Manchester. Both refractive groups appeared to show similar accommodative behavior, however the dominant feature of the data in both groups was between subject variation.

M.Phil. / The primary purpose of this study was to investigate in different age groups the various relationships between autorefraction and subjective refraction, between autorefraction and retinoscopy and between retinoscopy and subjective refraction. Multivariate statistical methods are used to explore the nature of the relationships between these three different methods of evaluating refractive state. This is the first occasion in which these statistical approaches have been used to address these relationships within a sample of black South Africans. The short-term variation of measurements of the autorefractor used in this study was evaluated by means of an artificial or model eye. Here samples of fifty measurements each were obtained every two hours over a period of one day. Scatter plots, meridional profiles and hypothesis tests of equality of variance-covariance and of equality of mean autorefraction are used for analysis of the measurements obtained. Such analysis suggests that the variability in autorefraction across the day was of small magnitude and less than that typically found with human eyes. The implication is that many other factors besides the instrument itself are responsible for the variation found when using an autorefractor on a human eye. These factors include changes in accommodation, ocular fixation, the blinking process and attention. The environment within which the autorefractor is placed is important and changes in, for example, temperatur may have subtle but significant influences. The major part of this dissertation describes a study performed over a period of about seven months during which a sample of 240 male and female subjects were chosen randomly from a larger group of about 2800 patients who came to have their eyes examined in a clinical practice. A questionnaire was completed by each subject and retinoscopy was performed followed by subjective refraction and then autorefraction. Ocular health was assessed and visual acuities were measured. The study subjects were further divided into six smaller subgroups according to their ages and the analysis of results obtained with retinoscopy, subjective refraction and autorefraction included both qualitative and quantitative multivariate methods such as stereo-pair scatter plots, trajectories of change of dioptric power, meridional profiles, confidence and distribution ellipsoids, and testing of hypotheses of equality of variance-covariance and of equality of means. All of these methods help in understanding the nature of the various relationships between the different refractive methods, and they also are important when considering concepts such as mean refractive state and variation of refraction in human eyes. They also are used to develop an understanding of the distribution or spread of the population of refractive states from which the 'sample was obtained. For the three refractive methods . (retinoscopy, subjective refraction and autorefraction) the spread or distribution of measurements in the six age groups suggests that generally the refractive behaviour of right and left eyes was similar. A possible shift towards hyperopia and more astigmatism with increasing age is apparent. For example, mean autorefraction for the right and left eyes in the youngest and oldest age groups (Groups 1 and 6 respectively) is -0.41/-0.06 x 148 and -0.32/-0.07 x 177 and 0.41/-0.57 x 102 and 0.57/-0.32 x 75. Similarly mean subjective refraction for the right and left eyes of Group 1 is 0.10/-0.14 x 97 and 0.30/-0.17 x 81 and is 0.78/-0.70 x 95 and 0.89/-0.47 x 82 for the right and left eyes of Group 6 respectively. Again mean retinoscopy for the iv right and left eyes of Group 1 and Group 6 respectively is 0.69/-0.05 x 91 and 0.65/-0.21 x 82 and 1.72/-0.88 x 89

Repression is the expected response to anti-government protest; however, leaders can also accommodate demonstrators. Committing to human rights treaties is considered in this environment, where treaty commitments are conceptualized as a policy concession that leaders can grant dissenters. Past research has shown that top-down domestic pressures, such as new democratic regimes, can influence treaty commitments. This article extends this line of research by considering the influence of bottom-up domestic pressure, arguing that nonviolent, pro-democracy movements can pressure leaders into concessions, as these movements are risky to repress but threatening to ignore. Leaders are expected to seek ‘cheap’ accommodations, and commitments to human rights treaties provide a relatively low-cost concession that also addresses demonstrators’ pro-democracy demands. Using commitments to the nine core UN human rights treaties, results are generally supportive. Governments experiencing a nonviolent, pro-democracy movement are consistently likely to sign human rights treaties. Ratification is also likely but in more limited contexts, and is more closely related to movement success. This suggests that bottom-up pressures can influence commitment to human rights treaties, but there may be little substance behind those concessions. The status quo and cost-averse preferences of leaders lead them to grant accommodations that result in minimal change and cost.

This master’s thesis deals with the design of the internet portal for the reservation of accommodation. Its objective is the project of the optimal and user-friendly reservation system in the accommodation facility. Secondary targets of the project are the proposals of the hardware, software, security, marketing and economical solutions in the design of the internet portal for the reservation of accommodation.

The project is an investigation of the development of architectural space through drawing. The aim is to arrive at a design through the use of a graphic novel. The building has three programmes that augment the current conditions of the context. A motorcycle workshop and showroom; a boxing academy, and short term accommodation [apartments]. If fiction is really an invented reality, then protagonists are interpretations of projected contexts. The use of a comic offers a subjective perspective of design, as well as the ability to explore spaces where architecture is a backdrop. This is similar to the use of architecture in film. Parallel to the progression of the storyline, the process of illustrating the scenes forms the platform for the development of the architectural design. / Dissertation MArch(Prof)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Architecture / MArch(Prof) / Unrestricted

Thesis advisor: Jean M. Bartunek / This dissertation examines the knowledge translation from one professional community to another that has distinct priorities, values, and commutation styles: management academia to practice. More specifically, I examined knowledge translation in the form of converting peer-reviewed management research papers into practitioner-oriented research highlights. Drawing from archival and interview data, I conducted three interrelated empirical studies to investigate this phenomenon. In the first study, using the framework of Gatekeeping Theory (Lewin, 1947; Shoemaker, 1991), I examine the process and norms of how knowledge translators select from the vast amount of management research and decide which ones deserve to be translated toward practitioners. In the second study, I build on Communication Accommodation Theory (Giles, Coupland, & Coupland, 1991) to examine the processes, underlying motivations, and translation strategies of how knowledge translators conduct the knowledge conversion, especially how they manage the often conflicting demands between source knowledge producers and recipients of translated knowledge. In the third study, drawing on insights from the cross-cultural psychology literature, I examine how knowledge translators’ strategies may differ systematically when they write in two different languages toward audiences in two different cultures. This dissertation contributes to the knowledge translation literature, the academic-practitioner knowledge transfer literature, and the communication literature with insights on the micro-processes and strategies underlying knowledge translation, the generative tensions in this multi-party process, and the perceptions of and relationships between the academic and practitioner communities. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2019. / Submitted to: Boston College. Carroll School of Management. / Discipline: Management and Organization.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in the Department of Recreation and Tourism at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 1998. / The phenomenon of Bed and Breakfast accommodation is part of the tourism industry that is increasing almost in every city or town. The study examines: ♦ The role Bed and Breakfast accommodation has in tourism industry in Empangeni and Richards Bay. ♦ How do Bed and Breakfast proprietors conduct the business? ♦ Why Bed and Breakfast establishments are increasing in Empangeni and Richards Bay? ♦ What are the economic benefits and problems faced by Bed and Breakfast establishments? ♦ What is the future of Bed and Breakfast establishments? The study reveals that Bed and Breakfast market (in Empangeni and Richards Bay) is dominated by business people and holiday makers. The Bed and Breakfast market faces growing competition from other parallel segments within the industry such as transport, tour operation and travel agents. Findings reveal that Bed and Breakfast product is changing and extending its range of products by offering not only Bed and Breakfast but other services such as full service Bed and Breakfast and extended stay Bed and Breakfast. The results of the investigation emphasises that the viability of Bed and Breakfast accommodation should take into consideration factors such as right location, correct capacity and high level of utilisation. The study reveals that most Bed and Breakfast establishments are operated and managed by owners. Findings indicate that the workforce is usually not more than eight people and the term of operation is less than eight years in both towns. Findings reveal that some Bed and Breakfast have used their personal savings, bank loans and others joint venture to start the business. In conclusion, the study reflects that there is need for the industry to be regulated whereby schemes such as registration, classification and grading are applicable to Bed and Breakfast accommodation industry. The problems experienced presently in the Bed and Breakfast industry need the attention of all interested stakeholders no matter how big or small they are.

The variety of Kiswahili spoken in Bujumbura (Burundi) is central to the present sociolinguistic and structural analysis. Swahili in Burundi looks back upon a long history: first having been introduced by the German colonial administration, it has turned into a trade language along both the naval and non-naval trade routes between Uvira (DR Congo), Kigoma (Tanzania) and Bujumbura. Initially stigmatized as a language of ruthless urban rioters in the post-conflict era, it has increasingly gained popularity in Bujumbura, and is nowadays considered as one of the languages of Burundi, alongside Kirundi, French and English. Especially in the lively neighborhoods of the big- gest city, where there is a pulsating nightlife, Kiswahili can be heard in many interactions, and of- ten reveals influence from Kirundi, French, English and sometimes even Lingala. Structurally, the Swahili of Bujumbura combines elements from East Coast Swahili (ECS) as spoken in Tanzania and from Congo Swahili regiolects such as Kivu Swahili, and reveals a high degree of variability, depending upon interlocutors, contexts of interaction and communicative purpose. In this contribution, apart from summarizing the sociohistorical background and suggesting sociolinguistic approaches to grasping the high degree of variability in Kiswahili in Burundi, I discuss the most salient phonological and morphosyntactic patterns of variation and explain their situational distribution.

Introduction: Students with disabilities are underrepresented in post-secondary education, including health professional programs. They experience higher rates of attrition and lower rates of graduation compared to their non-disabled peers. Some research indicates that educators engage in ableist practices preventing students with disabilities from successfully completing these programs. Educators report difficulty meeting the myriad of professional and educational expectations in professional programs. Rehabilitation professions provide a unique opportunity for research given their emphasis on participation and inclusion. Purpose: The purpose of this program of research was to explore the educator perspective in the accommodation of students with disabilities in professional rehabilitation programs. Method: There are three studies that constitute this thesis. The first study is a critical discourse analysis in which the most relevant texts in the accommodation process were examined. The second study is an institutional ethnography informed study, whereby university-based educators were interviewed about their actions in the accommodation process of students with disabilities. The final study is an interpretive description that involved interviews with fieldwork educators who provide disability-related accommodations to students in their work settings. Findings: The texts involved in the accommodation process revealed varied and conflicting discourses and subject positions for educators in rehabilitation programs. University-based educators identified tensions reconciling the focus on students in the post-secondary education context with the focus on clients in the healthcare context, for which they were preparing students. However, fieldwork educators were generally at ease with the accommodation process as they integrated accommodations into the broader goal of learning. Implications: This body of work provides insight into the reasons why educators may struggle with the accommodation process in professional rehabilitation programs. It also identifies potential solutions for educational programs and future directions for research. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Students with disabilities experience difficulty entering and graduating from health professional programs, including rehabilitation. This group of students face challenges in meeting all the requirements for their programs. Through three discrete studies, this thesis explores educators’ perspectives on the accommodation process of students with disabilities. The first study demonstrated that the most relevant documents to the accommodation process require educators to take on conflicting roles. The second study showed that university-based educators struggle with the focus on students at the university, which seemed to be prioritized over the focus on clients in healthcare, the context for which educators prepare students. The final study illustrated that fieldwork educators did not experience these struggles. Rather, they accommodated students as part of the students’ learning journey. These studies help explain why educators may have difficulty with the accommodation process of students with disabilities and offer solutions for educational programs and future research.

Yes / Background: The aim was to profile transient accommodative axial length changes from early adulthood to advanced presbyopia and to determine whether any differences exist between the responses of myopic and emmetropic individuals. Methods: Ocular biometry was measured by the LenStar biometer (Haag-Streit, Switzerland) in response to zero, 3.00 and 4.50 D accommodative stimuli in 35 emmetropes and 37 myopes, aged 18 to 60 years. All results were corrected to reduce errors arising from the increase in crystalline lens thickness with accommodation. Accommodative responses were measured sequentially by the WAM 5500 Auto Ref/Keratometer (Grand Seiko, Hiroshima, Japan). Results: Axial length increased significantly with accommodation (p < 0.001), with a mean corrected increase in axial length of 2 18 μm and 8 16 μm observed at 3.00 and 4.50 D, respectively. The magnitude of accommodative change in axial length was not dependent on refractive error classification (p = 0.959); however, a significant reduction in the magnitude and variance of axial length change was evident after 43 to 44 years of age (p < 0.002). Conclusion: The negative association between transient increase in axial length and age, in combination with reduced variance of data after age 43 to 44 years, is consistent with a significant increase in posterior ocular rigidity, which may be influential in the development of presbyopia. / DL received funds from the College of Optometrists, UK