Advancements in medicine and technology have led to an increasing number of cancer survivors. The development of a second primary cancer is one of the most severe sequelae of a cancer diagnosis, particularly for cancers that lack an effective screening tool as with ovarian cancer. Breast and ovarian cancer are major causes of morbidity and mortality in women; in the U.S., breast cancer has the highest incidence in women and ovarian cancer is the most fatal of gynecological cancers. Further, these two cancers have been found to co-occur. Along with possible treatment effects of the first cancer, shared risk factors, shared genetics, and interactions between these two have been hypothesized to contribute to their co-occurrence. Research on shared risk factors for second cancers is lacking and being able to identify potentially modifiable factors associated with second primary cancer could improve clinical recommendations for cancer survivors. Therefore, this dissertation examined risk factors for the development of double primary breast and ovarian cancer (DPBOC) in three parts 1) a comprehensive review of the literature to identify studies assessing risk factors for DPBOC, 2) a case-control study assessing the association between three potentially-modifiable risk factors (oral contraceptive (OC) use, parity, and breastfeeding), and risk of second primary ovarian cancer following breast cancer (BR-OV), second primary breast cancer following ovarian cancer (OV-BR), single primary ovarian cancer (OV), and single primary breast cancer (BR), and 3) a cohort study assessing OC use, parity, and breastfeeding and risk of BR-OV, OV, and BR. The comprehensive review identified few studies assessing epidemiologic risk factors for the development of DPBOC and most of the findings were not statistically significant. The majority of studies focused on treatment of breast cancer and risk of second primary ovarian cancer. While most of the findings on chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and Tamoxifen were heterogeneous and lacked statistical significance, hormone therapy for breast cancer may be associated with an increased risk of second primary ovarian cancer. The majority of studies on genetic risk factors for DPBOC looked at BRCA1/2 mutations or a crude measure of family history. Both BRCA1/2 and family history were consistently associated with risk of DPBOC, but studies varied on the extent of this risk due to differences in study design, exposure and outcome definition, and statistical power. No studies were identified examining DNA methylation and risk of DPBOC. The case-control study used data from the three clinic-based sites of the Breast Cancer Family Registry (BCFR) which consisted of women from breast and ovarian cancer families. We observed an inverse association with both OC use (OR=0.38, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.60) and breastfeeding (OR=0.52, 95% CI: 0.31, 0.87) and risk of DPBOC, but a positive association with parity (≥2 full-term pregnancies: OR=5.78, 95% CI: 2.82, 14.58), regardless of diagnosis order (BR-OV or OV-BR). We found similar associations for our OV and BR outcomes as well. When we examined differences between high and average risk women (using BRCA1/2 mutation status and predicted lifetime risk of breast or ovarian cancer), the inverse association with OC use only remained in women at average risk while the inverse association with breastfeeding only remained in women at high risk. As the positive association with parity and all of our outcomes disagreed with our hypothesis we conducted several sensitivity analyses to explore this finding. Survivor bias may have influenced our results as we observed differences in our findings between cases diagnosed ≤2 or ≤5 years before the baseline interview (pseudo-incident) and cases diagnosed >2 or >5 years before the baseline interview (prevalent). Specifically, the inverse association with OC use and all of our outcomes, and the positive association with parity and all of our outcomes were attenuated in the pseudo-incident group. To address concerns of selection and information bias in our case-control study, we conducted a cohort study using data from The Breast Cancer Prospective Family Study Cohort (ProF-SC). In contrast to our case-control findings, we observed a suggestive positive association between OC use and risk of BR-OV (HR=1.62, 95% CI: 0.91, 2.90) which became stronger in women at high risk, and an inverse association between having two or more full-term pregnancies compared to nulliparous and risk of BR-OV (HR=0.47, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.97) which did not vary by underlying risk of breast and ovarian cancer. However, our BR-OV results may have similarly been influenced by survivor bias as we observed differences in our results between our pseudo-incident and prevalent BR-OV cases; the association between OC use and BR-OV only remained in the prevalent cases. In summary, the results of this dissertation highlight the methodological challenges in the study of second primary cancers and the importance of considering survivor bias in a cohort of cancer survivors being followed for second cancers. Further, our results are suggestive of a discordant effect of OC use on first primary versus second primary ovarian cancer which should be explored in future studies.

Ho Wing Yi Joyce. / "Architecture Department, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Master of Architecture Programme 2003-2004, design report." / Includes bibliographical references (p. 193-194). / Chapter Ch0 --- Introduction --- p.p. 2 / Chapter Ch1 --- Human --- p.p. 6 / Chapter Ch2 --- Space --- p.p. 20 / Chapter Ch3 --- Place/ Non-Place --- p.p. 34 / Chapter Ch4 --- Identity --- p.p. 40 / Chapter Ch5 --- Boundary --- p.p. 48 / Chapter Ch6 --- Performance --- p.p. 64 / Chapter Ch7 --- Site --- p.p. 74 / Chapter Ch8 --- Concept --- p.p. 88 / Chapter Ch9 --- Plot --- p.p. 96 / Chapter Ch10 --- Design Development --- p.p. 106 / Chapter Ch 11 --- Final Design --- p.p. 160 / Bibliography --- p.p. 193 / Acknowledgement --- p.p. 195

Tsui, Wing Wun. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 125-137). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Thesis committee --- p.ii / Statement --- p.iii / Abstract --- p.iv / Chinese abstract --- p.vi / Acknowledgements --- p.viii / General abbreviations --- p.X / List of figures --- p.xiv / List of tables --- p.XV / Table of contents --- p.xvi / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Literature review on LIM-homeobox genes in mouse development --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- LIM-homeobox genes --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Mouse Lhx1 gene and development --- p.5 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Mouse Lhx5 gene and development --- p.21 / Chapter 1.2 --- Mouse cerebellar Purkinje neurons --- p.26 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Cerebellar cortex --- p.26 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Neuronal circuitry and cerebellar functions --- p.29 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Development of cerebellar Purkinje neurons --- p.29 / Chapter 1.2.3.1 --- Neurogenesis --- p.30 / Chapter 1.2.3.2 --- Migration and positioning --- p.30 / Chapter 1.2.3.3 --- Specification and differentiation --- p.31 / Chapter 1.2.3.4 --- Maturation --- p.31 / Chapter 1.3 --- Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) and tau protein --- p.32 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Introduction to tau proteins --- p.32 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Tau-GFP fusion protein and its application in tracing neuronal projections --- p.33 / Chapter 1.4 --- Project background and aim --- p.34 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Generation of Lhx1-tau-GFP knock-in mice --- p.38 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.38 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials for molecular biological work --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Chemicals and kits --- p.39 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Enzymes --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Plasmid vectors --- p.40 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Oligonucleotide linkers --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Bacterial strains --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Solutions and media --- p.41 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Radioactive isotopes and materials for autoradiography --- p.43 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- DNA probes for Southern blot hybridization --- p.43 / Chapter 2.3 --- Materials for cell culture --- p.44 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- "Chemicals, sera and others" --- p.44 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Culture solutions and media --- p.44 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Culture cells --- p.45 / Chapter 2.4 --- PCR primers --- p.46 / Chapter 2.5 --- Animals --- p.46 / Chapter 2.6 --- Methods for molecular biological work --- p.46 / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Preparation of plasmid DNA --- p.46 / Chapter 2.6.1.1 --- Miniprep using simple crude method --- p.47 / Chapter 2.6.1.2 --- Miniprep using purification kits --- p.48 / Chapter 2.6.1.3 --- Midiprep using purification kit --- p.50 / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Purification of specific DNA fragments --- p.51 / Chapter 2.6.2.1 --- QIAquick gel extraction kit --- p.51 / Chapter 2.6.2.2 --- QIAquick PCR purification kit --- p.52 / Chapter 2.6.3 --- Subcloning of DNA fragments --- p.53 / Chapter 2.6.3.1 --- Traditional approach based on restriction endonuclease and DNA ligase --- p.53 / Chapter 2.6.3.2 --- Preparation of subcloning inserts and vectors --- p.54 / Chapter 2.6.3.3 --- Two-way ligation of inserts and vectors --- p.55 / Chapter 2.6.4 --- Transformation of competent cells with recombinant DNA --- p.56 / Chapter 2.6.4.1 --- CaCl2 method --- p.56 / Chapter 2.6.4.2 --- Electroporation --- p.57 / Chapter 2.6.5 --- Southern hybridization --- p.59 / Chapter 2.6.5.1 --- Restriction endonuclease digestion and agarose gel electrophoresis --- p.59 / Chapter 2.6.5.2 --- Capillary transfer and fixation of DNA --- p.60 / Chapter 2.6.5.3 --- Radioactive labeling of DNA probe --- p.60 / Chapter 2.6.5.4 --- Purification of radioactive labeled probe for hybridization --- p.61 / Chapter 2.6.5.5 --- Hybridization --- p.61 / Chapter 2.6.5.6 --- Post-hybridization wash and autoradiography for signal detection --- p.62 / Chapter 2.7 --- Methods for generation and analysis of Lhx1-tau-GFP knock-in Mice --- p.63 / Chapter 2.7.1 --- Construction of targeting vector (pLhx1-tauGFP) for gene targeting of Lhx1 locus --- p.63 / Chapter 2.7.2 --- Generation of targeted embryonic stem (ES) cell clones --- p.66 / Chapter 2.7.2.1 --- Preparation of feeder cells --- p.66 / Chapter 2.7.2.2 --- Culture of ES cells on feeder layers and passage --- p.69 / Chapter 2.7.2.3 --- Harvest of cultured ES cells --- p.70 / Chapter 2.7.2.4 --- Preparation of targeting vector for transfection of ES cells --- p.71 / Chapter 2.7.2.5 --- Electroporation for transfection of ES cells --- p.71 / Chapter 2.7.2.6 --- Drug selection for targeted ES cell clones using PNS strategy --- p.72 / Chapter 2.7.2.7 --- Picking and expansion of targeted ES cell clones --- p.72 / Chapter 2.7.2.8 --- Replica plating and freezing of targeted ES cell clones --- p.74 / Chapter 2.7.2.9 --- Genomic DNA extraction from targeted ES cell clones --- p.75 / Chapter 2.7.2.10 --- Screening of homologous recombinants by Southern hybridization analysis --- p.76 / Chapter 2.7.2.11 --- Thawing and expansion of correct targeted ES cell clones --- p.76 / Chapter 2.7.2.12 --- Chromosome counting of ES cells --- p.78 / Chapter 2.7.3 --- Generation of germline chimeric mice --- p.80 / Chapter 2.7.3.1 --- Standard procedure --- p.80 / Chapter 2.7.4 --- Breeding and genotyping of mice --- p.81 / Chapter 2.7.5 --- Imaging of tau-GFP-labelled Purkinje neurons --- p.84 / Chapter 2.7.5.1 --- Animal dissection and tissue preparation --- p.84 / Chapter 2.7.5.2 --- Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) --- p.84 / Chapter 2.8 --- Results --- p.84 / Chapter 2.8.1 --- Generation of Lhx1 targeting vector (pLhx1-tauGFP) --- p.84 / Chapter 2.8.2 --- Targeted replacement of the mouse Lhx1 coding sequences by tau-GFP genetic reporter --- p.87 / Chapter 2.8.3 --- Germline transmission of Lhx1-tau-GFP allele and generation of Lhx1-tau-GFP knock-in mouse --- p.93 / Chapter 2.8.4 --- Imaging of Lhx1-tau-GFP expressing Purkinje neurons --- p.96 / Chapter 2.9 --- Discussion --- p.98 / Chapter 2.9.1 --- Tau-GFP labeling of Lhx1-expressing Purkinje neurons: implications for real-time live cell imaging --- p.98 / Chapter 2.9.2 --- Use of Lhx1-tau-GFP knock-in mice for study of Lhx1 and Lhx5 functions in Purkinje neurons survival and/or maintenance --- p.99 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Generation of Lhx5-tau-GFP knock-in allele: alternative approach for real-time tracing of Purkinje neurons --- p.102 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction: Recombineering-based approach for DNA subcloning --- p.102 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- λ phage-encoded Red recombination system --- p.102 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- DNA subcloning from bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) --- p.104 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials for molecular biological work --- p.105 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Chemicals and kits --- p.105 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Enzymes --- p.105 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Plasmid vectors and BAC DNA --- p.105 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Bacterial strains --- p.105 / Chapter 3.2.5 --- Solutions and media --- p.106 / Chapter 3.2.6 --- PCR primers --- p.106 / Chapter 3.3 --- Methods for construction of targeting vector for mouse Lhx5 gene --- p.107 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- PCR amplification of homology sequences on BAC DNA --- p.107 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Synthesis of retrieval arms for recombineering --- p.109 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- DNA sequencing analysis --- p.110 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Construction of retrieval vector --- p.110 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- Preparation of electrocompetent cells for recombineering --- p.111 / Chapter 3.3.6 --- Recombineering-based retrieval of homology arms --- p.112 / Chapter 3.4 --- Results --- p.113 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- The targeting vector (pLhx5-tauGFP) for mouse Lhx5 gene --- p.113 / Chapter 3.5 --- Discussion --- p.118 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Use of recombineering-based approach to generate targeting vector --- p.118 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Further generation of Lhx5-tau-GFP knock-in mice --- p.119 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Conclusion and future perspectives --- p.120 / Chapter 4.1 --- Conclusion --- p.120 / Chapter 4.2 --- Potential applications of Lhx1-tau-GFP knock-in mice for study of Lhx1 and other gene functions in cerebellum --- p.120 / Chapter 4.3 --- Potential applications of Lhx1-tau-GFP knock-in mice for study of Lhx1 -expressing cells development --- p.122 / References --- p.125

Chan, Pui Ting. / Thesis submitted in: May 2007. / On t.p. "alpha" appears as the Greek letter. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 110-118). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / 摘要 --- p.iii / Acknowledgements --- p.v / Table of Contents --- p.vi / List of Abbreviations --- p.xi / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Peroxisome proliferater-activated receptors (PPARs) --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- What are PPARs? --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- PPAR isoforms --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- PPARα ligands --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Biological role of PPARα --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Lipid metabolism --- p.3 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Glucose metabolism --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Oxidative stress and carcinogenesis --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3 --- Discovery of PPARα-regulated and starvation-induced gene (PPSIG) --- p.7 / Chapter 1.4 --- Objectives of the present study --- p.9 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1 --- Cloning of PPSIG cDNA into a pCMV-Tag epitope tagging mammalian expression vector --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Materials --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Methods --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2 --- Transient transfection of PPSIG cDNA into CHO-K1 and AML-12 cells --- p.16 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Cell culture and transfection --- p.16 / Chapter 2.2.1.1 --- Materials --- p.16 / Chapter 2.2.1.2 --- Methods --- p.19 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Western blot analysis --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2.2.1 --- Materials --- p.20 / Chapter 2.2.2.2 --- Methods --- p.20 / Chapter 2.3 --- Stable transfection of PPSIG cDNA into CHO-K1 and AML-12 cells --- p.22 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Linearization of the pCMVT4B-PPSIG construct --- p.22 / Chapter 2.3.1.1 --- Materials --- p.22 / Chapter 2.3.1.2 --- Methods --- p.22 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Cell culture and stable transfection --- p.23 / Chapter 2.3.2.1 --- Materials --- p.23 / Chapter 2.3.2.2 --- Methods --- p.23 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Selection of the G418-resistant clones --- p.26 / Chapter 2.3.3.1 --- Materials --- p.26 / Chapter 2.3.3.2 --- Methods --- p.29 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Picking and expanding the G418-resistant clones --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.4.1 --- Materials --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.4.2 --- Methods --- p.30 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Screening and confirmation of the stable transfectants --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.5.1 --- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.5.1.1 --- Materials --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.5.1.2 --- Methods --- p.31 / Chapter 2.3.5.2 --- Northern blot analysis --- p.35 / Chapter 2.3.5.2.1 --- Materials --- p.35 / Chapter 2.3.5.2.2 --- Methods --- p.35 / Chapter 2.3.5.3 --- Western blot analysis --- p.37 / Chapter 2.3.5.3.1 --- Materials --- p.37 / Chapter 2.3.5.3.2 --- Methods --- p.37 / Chapter 2.3.5.4 --- Immunoprecipitation --- p.37 / Chapter 2.3.5.4.1 --- Materials --- p.37 / Chapter 2.3.5.4.2 --- Methods --- p.38 / Chapter 2.3.5.5 --- Matrix-assisted laser desorption / ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry analysis --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3.5.5.1 --- Materials --- p.39 / Chapter 2.3.5.5.2 --- Methods --- p.39 / Chapter 2.4 --- "Analysis of the all-trans-13,14-dihydroretinol saturase (RetSat) activity by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis" --- p.41 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Materials --- p.41 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Methods --- p.42 / Chapter 2.4.2.1 --- Preparation of all-trans-retinol --- p.42 / Chapter 2.4.2.2 --- Treatment of PPSIG-transfected cells with all-trans-retinol --- p.42 / Chapter 2.4.2.3 --- Retinoid analysis --- p.43 / Chapter 2.5 --- Analysis of fatty acid compositions by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) --- p.43 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Materials --- p.43 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Methods --- p.44 / Chapter 2.5.2.1 --- Preparation of fatty acid-BSA complex --- p.44 / Chapter 2.5.2.2 --- Treatment of PPSIG-transfected cells with fatty acid-BSA complex --- p.44 / Chapter 2.5.2.3 --- Extraction of fatty acids --- p.45 / Chapter 2.5.2.4 --- Methylation of the fatty acids --- p.45 / Chapter 2.5.2.5 --- GC-MS analysis --- p.46 / Chapter 2.5.2.6 --- Statistical analysis --- p.47 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- RESULTS --- p.48 / Chapter 3.1 --- The PPSIG cDNA was subcloned into a pCMV-Tag epitope tagging mammalian expression vector --- p.48 / Chapter 3.2 --- The pCMVT4B-PPSIG expression construct was transiently transfected into CHO-K1 and AML-12 cells --- p.54 / Chapter 3.3 --- Stable transfection of the pCMVT4B-PPSIG expression construct into CHO-K1 and AML-12 cells --- p.54 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- PPSIG-transfected CHO-K1 and AML-12 cells were obtained after G418 selection --- p.54 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- PPSIG-transfected CHO-K1 and AML-12 cells had high PPSIG mRNA expression --- p.58 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- PPSIG-FLAG fusion protein was over-expressed in the PPSIG- transfected CHO-K1 and AML-12 cells --- p.61 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- The stable transfectants were immunoprecipitated and identified as PPSIG protein by the mass spectrometry analysis --- p.64 / Chapter 3.4 --- PPSIG protein posseses saturase activity towards all-trans-retinol --- p.66 / Chapter 3.5 --- PPSIG protein is not a fatty acid transporter --- p.78 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- DISCUSSION --- p.101 / FUTURE STUDIES --- p.107 / REFERENCES --- p.110 / Appendix A: Prediction of the molecular weight of pCMVT4B- PPSIG protein --- p.119 / Appendix B: Theoretical tryptic peptides of PPSIG --- p.120 / Appendix C: Protein-peptide mass reports --- p.122 / Chapter C1. --- Peptide mass summary of trypsin-digested PPSIG immunoprecipitated protein from clone L2H4B18 --- p.122 / Chapter C2. --- Peptide mass summary of trypsin-digested PPSIG immunoprecipitated protein from clone AL2L7 --- p.123 / Appendix D: HPLC spectrum of the RetSat activity towards all- trans retinol --- p.124 / Chapter D1. --- RetSat activity towards all-trans retinol according to the Moise's group study ((Moise et al. 2004) --- p.124

Ce travail a porté sur l’étude de l’évolution des communautés zooplanctoniques à partir de séries temporelles de relevés effectués de 1995 à 2010 dans deux écosystèmes côtiers couplés, la Petite Rade de Toulon (PR) et Grande Rade de Toulon (GR) (Méditerranée Nord Occidentale, France) en relation avec les facteurs climatiques, les paramètres physiques et chimiques de l'eau et avec le phytoplancton. Le pas d’échantillonnage des relevés de zooplancton et du phytoplancton était d’un mois en moyenne. La maille du filet utilisé était de 90 µm, afin de cibler le mésozooplancton. La PR a différé de la GR dans son fonctionnement écologique, car elle est semi-fermée, mais aussi parce que l'activité anthropique y était beaucoup plus importante. Nos résultats ont montré que, de 1995 à 2010 dans les deux baies, l'abondance du zooplancton a sensiblement augmenté, surtout dans la PR. Il a été également établi, en utilisant différents outils statistiques, que la plus grande partie des espèces de zooplancton évolue de manière coordonnée chaque année, mais d’une manière différente d’une année à l’autre. C’est ce que nous avons appelé la signature annuelle, qui était très marquée dans la PR. Plusieurs paramètres environnementaux comme la température, l’oxygène, la salinité et l’ensoleillement, qui ont été simultanément enregistrés, expliquent cette signature annuelle. Il a été montré en effet qu’ils influencent très sensiblement la population de zooplancton, de manière instantanée ou avec un effet retardé. Les interactions responsables de cette évolution sont fort complexes, mais il a été aussi établi que ces facteurs sont plus forts lorsqu’ils agissaient de manière coordonnée. La répartition du zooplancton en groupes taxonomiques a montré que la diversité a augmenté jusqu’en 2005, puis a diminué légèrement, tout en restant à des niveaux plus élevés qu’en 1995. L’étude détaillée de la diversité, avec une classification des indices eux-mêmes, a fait l’objet du dernier chapitre. Enfin, nous émettons l’hypothèse que la diminution des stocks de poissons au cours des dernières décennies dans toute la région a entraîné une diminution des taux de prédation sur les communautés zooplanctoniques, ce qui peut expliquer l’augmentation de peuplements zooplanctoniques au cours de ces dernières années. Cet accroissement de l’abondance du zooplancton a pu entraîner à son tour une diminution de la biomasse du phytoplancton. Cette diminution a été parallèlement observée par notre équipe. Ceci suggère un système de contrôle top-down du réseau trophique. / This work focused the study of the evolution of zooplankton communities from time series of surveys conducted from 1995 to 2010 in two coastal coupled ecosystems, Little Bay (PR) and Large Bay (GR) of Toulon (North Western Mediterranean Sea, France) in relation to climatic factors, physical and chemical water parameters and phytoplankton. The samplings surveys of zooplankton, and indeed also of phytoplankton, were a month, on average. The net mesh size used was 90 µm to target Mesozooplankton. The PR differed from the GR in its ecological functioning, because it is semi-closed, but also because human activity is much more important. Our results showed that, from 1995 to 2010 in both bays, zooplankton abundance increased substantially, especially in the PR. It was also established, using statistical tools, that most zooplankton species evolved coordinated each year, but in a different way from one year to another. This is what we call the annual signature, which was more pronounced in the PR. Several environmental parameters such as temperature, oxygen, salinity and sunlight, which were simultaneously recorded, explained this annual signature. It was shown that they significantly influenced the population of zooplankton, instantly or with a delayed effect. Interactions responsible for this development are complex, but it was also established that these factors were stronger when they acted in a coordinated manner. Distribution of zooplankton taxonomic groups showed diversity increases until 2005 and then decreased slightly, while remaining at levels higher than in 1995. The detailed study of diversity, with a classification of the clues themselves was the subject of the last chapter. Finally, we hypothesize that the decline of fish stocks in recent decades throughout the region, resulting in lower rate of predation on zooplankton communities, may explain the increase of zooplankton communities in recent years. This increase in zooplankton abundance could in turn lead to a decrease in phytoplankton biomass. The decrease of phytoplankton was at the same time observed by our team. The latter hypothesis suggests a top-down control of the the food web

As the nature of work is rapidly changing, organizations in developed nations all over the world are experiencing shifts in the age composition of their workforces. These changes, which include an aging workforce that is becoming increasingly age-diverse, indicate that organizational researchers and practitioners need to be better aware of how age differences manifest themselves in the workplace and what implications this has for effective employee management. In the current study it is proposed that employees of different ages react differently to various elements of a formal performance feedback event. Specifically, Carstensen's developmental Socio-emotional Selectivity Theory is used as a theoretical backing for explaining how and why employees of different ages perceive and react to performance feedback differently based on their perceptions of the valence, content quality, and delivery quality of the feedback. The results show evidence of age differences in feedback reactions, with younger adults being particularly concerned with information that will benefit them in the future and older adults being particularly concerned with information that conveys a positive relationship with one's supervisor. These findings have both conceptual and practical implications as we seek to build workplace aging theory and find ways to better manage and retain valuable employees of all ages in a changing world of work.

<p>Children that are expressing or are exposed to risk factors experience an elevated risk of developing later psychosocial maladjustment, such as conduct problems. However, all children exposed to risk do not express conduct problems, but develop normally. The aim of the present study was to examine potential protective factors among children exposed to risk, that separate children expressing conduct problem behavior from those who do not. In the study, preschool teachers and parents of 298 three- to five-year-old children participated. Risk factors of the individual, conduct problem behavior, and relationship oriented protective factors were examined. The results indicate that positive peer relationships are important for preschool children´s psychosocial development, while family factors, such as parent's disciplinary style, seem less important.</p>

Emergency stop controls are essential parts of industrial machinery because they are designed to stop the operation in case of emergencies without risks to operators, equipment, products, or facilities. Current guidelines for emergency stop controls have been formulated based on experience but not on empirical studies. The main objectives of this research were to determine the effects of the type and orientation of emergency stop pushbuttons on the reaction time, mode of activation, and preferences of subjects in order to formulate guidelines for their selection. An experiment consisting of a simple, cooperative assembly operation with a Microbot was designed for this study. The main conclusions of this research are that reaction time to activate emergency stop pushbutton is not affected by the orientation of the control but it is influenced by the type of control. The mode of activation of emergency stop pushbuttons is influenced by both the type and the orientation of the control. Subjects preferred emergency stop pushbuttons without guards or with half guards over controls with full guards, and subjects also preferred an inclined orientation of the control over horizontal or vertical orientations. The following guidelines are recommended for the selection of emergency stop pushbuttons. Select emergency stop pushbuttons without guards. If a guard is absolutely required, select a guard with slots or a half guard to ensure adequate visibility of and access to the button. If possible, give emergency stop pushbuttons an inclined orientation (about 45��) on the control panel. Avoid using vertical orientations for these controls. / Graduation date: 1997

This empirical research study focuses on the qualities of resilient adolescents in a technical school. The study indicates why some adolescents in a technical school are resilient, while other adolescents in this technical school are not resilient. Thirty resilient and thirty non-resilient adolescents in a technical school were chosen to participate in the empirical study. The empirical study consisted of quantitative research (a questionaire that was completed by the sixty adolescents), and qualitative research (three chosen resilient adolescents took part in an interview). This study is therefore a mixed methods study. The conclusions of the study were supported by the literature. The qualities of the resilient adolescent in a technical school are similar to the qualities of resilient adolescents in other contexts. Resilient adolescents in this technical school were characterized by protective factors and processes that had their roots in the individual, the community, culture and relationships. This study is an explorative study. More rigorous research is needed before this study's findings can be generalised. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2008.

The focus of this empirical study was on the antecedents of resilience among poor, English second-language (ESL) adolescent learners. The reasons why some adolescents in this situation are resilient and others are not, are indicated in this study. Adolescents qualify as being resilient if they are exposed to significant threat to their development, indicating high risk to the individual, and their adaptation to the threat is successful, due to support, resources or intervention. Thirty three resilient and 32 non -resilient poor, ESL adolescent learners were selected to participate in the empirical study. My study was a mixed method study because I made use of quantitative research (a survey questionnaire completed by the 65 selected learners), and qualitative research (semi-structured interviews with two identified resilient learners and a group interview with elders who are knowledgeable about young people in this community). The conclusions of my study emphasise that dynamic interactions between individual attributes, familial support, community resources, and cultural ties empower some adolescents to overcome hardships and be resilient. My findings are supported by literature. My findings cannot be generalised, as the adolescents in my study were all black, South African youth from an impoverished community in the Vaal Triangle. This is an explorative study, and themes that were identified as contributing to resilience in my study, need to be explored in future studies. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.