La sclérose latérale amyotrophique (SLA) est une maladie neurodégénérative caractérisée par une mort sélective des motoneurones. Les mécanismes impliqués dans cette pathologie sont encore mal connus. Il apparait néanmoins que la SLA est une maladie multifactorielle impliquant différents partenaires tels que les motoneurones, les cellules gliales et musculaires. Le modèle murin SOD1G93A développe un phénotype semblable à celui observé chez les patients SLA. L'étude précise du patron locomoteur des SOD1G93A nous a permis de re-définir la date d'apparition des symptômes à 2 mois d'âge soit 1 un mois avant la date communément admise. Nous corrélons cette donnée fonctionnelle à des modifications histologiques au niveau médullaire, en particulier sur la composante gliale, et musculaire. Sur cette base, nous avons développé deux approches in vivo, l'une physiologique et l'autre pharmacologique. D'une part nous avons caractérisé les effets d'exercices physiques de différentes intensités chez les souris SOD1G93A. Cette étude à mis en évidence le rôle primordial de l'environnement et ne démontre pas d'effet de l'exercice sur la survie des souris SOD1G93A. D'autre part, nous rapportons une augmentation de survie des souris SOD1G93A après traitement chronique à faible dose d'une molécule anti-glutamatergique, la gacyclidine. A forte dose cette molécule semble avoir un effet néfaste.En parallèle, nous avons décrit la répartition anatomique de la sérotonine et d'un de ses récepteurs dans la moelle épinière humaine. Nous observons de grandes similarités topographiques avec les murins et primates, et validons ainsi l'utilisation future de ces modèles animaux dans les pathologies affectant la locomotion tel que la SLA. / Amytrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a selective death of motoneurons. Pathogenesis and mechanisms of selective vulnerability are not yet fully understood although there is growing evidences that ALS is a complex multi-factorial disease that involves several partners such as neuron, glial and muscle cells. Transgenic mice over-expressing a human mutated form of the gene coding for SOD1 develop a dominantly inherited adult-onset paralytic disorder that mimics human ALS symptoms. The precise description of the SOD1G93A mice locomotor pattern using a gait analysis method allowed us to refine symptoms onset at two months of age. This is one month earlier than described in the literature. We correlate these functional modifications to histological alterations of (1) the glial component of the spinal cord, and (2) muscles. From this referent study, we have then developed and evaluated a physiological and pharmacological in vivo approaches. In our first study, we have characterized the effect of different intensities of physical exercise on SOD1G93A mice. Our study not only demonstrates the crucial role of the environment but also that exercise does not have an impact on the survival of SOD1G93A mice. In the second part of our work, we report an increase in SOD1G93A mice survival when they had been chronically treated with a low dose of gacyclidine, an anti-glutamatergic molecule. At higher dose, this molecule seems to be detrimental.In a parallel study, we have carried out the anatomical description of serotonin and one of its receptor in the adult human spinal cord. We observe topographic similarities with rodents and primates, thus validating their further use as animal models, to study motor pathologies such as ALS.

Architecture is a product of its surroundings. The response to site, program, and history of place differs everytime. How we interpret a place is influenced by our own experiences in life. We each possess a unique set of tools which we use to construct the spaces that surround us. A place is given life and vitality through the people that use them. It is the architect's job to create a place that encourages life to exist. Everyday activities take many forms - eating, sleeping, working, playing, sitting - all forms of interaction. When these activities are set in an urban location, life begins to dictate the spaces necessary for them to take place. An urban setting needs people to thrive; and people choose to live in these settings for human interaction, dependence on others, and a sense of belonging. This thesis investigates the integration of urban housing and retail space in downtown Roanoke, Virginia. It is architecture that is desperately needed in order to sustain urban life in this part of town. / Master of Architecture

In this study the stories of Unisa academic employees and fashion models were explored. The aim was to understand the nature of place-identity at work and to also look at what impact do changes to these working environments have on place-identity. Another aim of this study was to compare these two work contexts. The data was collected through interviews combined with an auto-ethnographic approach. The study suggested that people form an identity towards their places of work and also that changes within the workplace can be perceived as a threat. The study also showed that there are similarities between Unisa and the catwalk as contexts of place-identity. / Psychology / M.A.(Psychology))

In this study the stories of Unisa academic employees and fashion models were explored. The aim was to understand the nature of place-identity at work and to also look at what impact do changes to these working environments have on place-identity. Another aim of this study was to compare these two work contexts. The data was collected through interviews combined with an auto-ethnographic approach. The study suggested that people form an identity towards their places of work and also that changes within the workplace can be perceived as a threat. The study also showed that there are similarities between Unisa and the catwalk as contexts of place-identity. / Psychology / M.A.(Psychology))

Syftet med den här studien är att undersöka hur rörlig bild kan öka konsumentens förtroende för en produkt vid e-handel, och för att se om det eventuella ökandet av förtroende för produkter kan få fler kunder att vilja handla online. Målet med studien är att se hur påverkad användaren blir av rörlig bild när den handlar kläder på en webbplats. Den utvalda metoden för studien var en observation med sju kvinnor i form av ett användartest där respondenterna fick visualisera ett köp av en specifik produkt på två olika webbplatser, med en efterföljande intervju med tio öppna frågor. Resultatet av studien visade att majoriteten av de tillfrågade föredrog att handla på en webbplats som använde rörlig bild vid presentation av produkten, eftersom det gav en mer realistisk bild av klänningen. Slutsatsen resulterade i att rörlig bild visualiserade produkten mer verklighetstroget till skillnad från en e-handelsplats som endast använde produktbilder. Den rörliga bilden var det närmaste konsumenten kunde komma till verkligenheten och det ökade i sin tur förtroendet för produkten och har resulterat i att fler konsumenter ville handla produkten. Den rörliga bilden fungerade därmed som ett substitut för den fysiska kontakten konsumenten annars skulle haft med produkten i realiteten. Slutsatsen kan därför dras om att rörlig bild ökar förtroendet för en specifik produkt vid e-handel. / The purpose of the study is to research how moving images can increase the confidence for the customer in a specific product in e-commerce. Furthermore, the study aimed to see if moving images could increase the number of people wanting to shop online. The reason behind the study is to see how customers who are interested in buying clothes respond to moving images. The chosen method for the study was to observe seven women participating in a usability test to envision purchasing a chosen product on two separate websites. Following the usability test, each woman was interviewed with ten open questions.The results of the study showed that the majority of the respondents preferred to shop on awebsite that used moving images to present a product, as it presented the product in a morerealistic image. Because the respondents could not see the dress in reality, a catwalk video was the most effective way to present the dress to the customer. The catwalk video thus increased the confidence of the customer in the product, in which subsequently lead to an increased number of consumers wanting to purchase the product. The moving images served as a substitute for the physical contact the consumer would otherwise have with the product in reality. It is therefore appropriate to conclude that moving images can increase the confidence in a customer for a certain product in e-commerce.

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