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The aim of this thesis is to study a hitherto neglected pre-Columbian Peruvian artefact: the pottery figurine. The term figurine refers to a human representation, which is not a vessel or part of a vessel. Included are also ceramic litters carrying figurines. The material recorded from collections and/or publications, constitutes a Corpus of 1571 specimens from the Central Coast of Peru, dating from the Preceramic to the Inca period. The figurines are classified into groups, using stylistic, iconographic and technical criteria, with recourse to known pottery styles. On the basis of this classification, the figurine groups have been used to throw light on cultural processes in the area. It has thus been possible: • to trace outside influences—like the presence of Nascoid figurines in the Rimac valley at the end of the Early Intermediate Period; • to establish stylistic units, hitherto only guessed at in the published literature--like the existence of an Ancón sub-style at the end of the Middle Horizon and the early part of the Late Intermediate Period, or a Chillón sub-style towards the end of the Late Intermediate Period; • to confirm and illustrate various previous models—like the nature of the interaction between sectors of the Central Coast during the three Horizon phases. In addition the figurines are examined in relation to figurines from other areas of Peru. An attempt has also been made to establish the possible functions of the figurines through a detailed description of all available contexts, a thorough search of the chroniclers for relevant references to such objects and some research into comparative ethnographic data.

Thesis (MTech (Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2005 / This thesis investigates how serial production has influenced the design of artefacts, jewellery and/or domestic products since 1990, with a focus on Italy and South Africa. The study also looks at the roles played by design, technology and serial production in the perceived value ofartefacts. There are fundamental differences in consumer attitudes to serial production in industrial and jewellery design. Handmade jewellery is perceived as more valuable than its mass produced equivalent, whilst mass produced domestic products do not have the same negative association. The motivation of this study is to identify the role played by serial production processes in the perceptions of quality of mass-produced products with the aim of improving the perceived quality of South African jewellery and thus expanding the market. In order to illustrate how serial production has influenced the design of artefacts, three key areas were researched: the influence of the concept of serial production on the physical forms of artefacts; physical aspects of the serial production processes that have influenced forms of artefacts; and abstract ideas of quality communicated through the process of serial production. It was found that quality did not appear to be communicated directly through the physical process of serial production. The Italian industrial designers, in particular, seemed to have a well-developed sense of personal design philosophy, which could be developed among South African jewellery designers while they are studying or while they are working in industry. Expectations of the function ofjewellery mean that the role of jewellery design is different to that of the product designer. A branding initiative to raise the profile of South African jewellery is recommended. The South African jewellery industry also needs to invest in new production technologies. The establishment of training in the new production technologies, especially rapid prototyping, for jewellery students is seen as imperative.

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Le monitorage de la transmission neuromusculaire consiste à évaluer la contraction d’un muscle en réponse à des trains d’impulsions électriques délivrés sur son nerf moteur. Le curare ayant pour effet de bloquer la communication entre le nerf et le muscle, les réponses musculaires seront maximales avant injection de la drogue et s’atténueront au fur et à mesure du blocage neuromusculaire, jusqu’à atteindre une paralysie complète. Au regard des principales limitations des moniteurs de curare actuels et des avantages qu'apporte le monitoring sur une variété de muscles, le monitorage par EMG semble être la meilleure alternative. Ce sont essentiellement les insuffisances dans la détection et la gestion des artefacts et des perturbations électriques qui rendent les moniteurs EMG actuels insuffisamment fiables et mal adaptés à l’usage clinique. L'objectif de ce travail est dès lors d'identifier les causes de perturabations et apporter les remèdes nécessaires pour faire de l'EMG une méthode de confiance à la fois pour la recherche et la pratique quotidienne.

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Thèse (Ph. D.)--Université Laval, 2005. / Titre de l'écran-titre (visionné le 28 mars 2007). Bibliogr.