Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T20:56:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Daniela Leal.pdf: 21079212 bytes, checksum: 9643503f08e55839428b4c57650b9cab (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-05-22 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / This research aims to comprehend the concept and the process of compensation in the blind person´s development throughout history, as well as the comprehension of the background in Vigotski´s formulation. The specific interest in the compensation process of blind people is related to the researcher´s professional practice (teaching of blind students in regular teaching spaces, specifically in higher education), as well as proceeding with the Master´s research conducted between the years 2006/2008. In order to do so, a historical point of view has been chosen, searching for the concept of compensation from its most remote origins, until we get to the discussions proposed by Vigotski, as a process that values the abilities of the impaired person, instead of prioritizing their limitations, their incapacities or their flaws . This way, we seek to comprehend science as a human production that aims to fulfill its needs, determined by them and interfering on them, for it is believed that when comprehending a data, a fact, a moment or a concept through historical research, it is found in the historical information itself what makes the comprehension of a set of productions possible, in which it is an effect itself. Therewith, we get to the conclusion that, when comprehending the process of compensation as a resource, as an instrument that helps us in the development of blind people and, not only as a means of organ compensation in the absence of vision, hearing or touch becomes in charge of supporting its function -, we will be able to find one of the fundamentals for what we now refer to as inclusion or education for all / compensação no desenvolvimento da pessoa cega, ao longo da história, bem como a compreensão dos antecedentes da formulação de Vigotski. O interesse específico pelo processo de compensação das pessoas cegas encontra-se relacionado à prática profissional da pesquisadora (docência para alunos com cegueira em espaços regulares de ensino, mais especificamente no ensino superior), bem como dar seguimento à pesquisa de mestrado realizada entre os anos 2006/2008. Para tanto, optou-se por uma pesquisa de cunho histórico, buscando o conceito de compensação desde as origens mais remotas, até chegar às discussões propostas por Vigotski, como um processo que valoriza as capacidades das pessoas com deficiência, em vez de priorizar suas limitações, suas incapacidades ou seus defeitos . Busca-se, assim, a compreensão da ciência como produção humana que visa satisfazer suas necessidades, por elas determinadas e nelas interferindo, pois acredita-se que ao compreender um dado, um fato, um momento ou um conceito por intermédio da pesquisa histórica encontra-se na própria informação histórica o que tornará possível a compreensão de um conjunto de produções nas quais ela própria é um efeito. Com isso, chegamos à conclusão de que, ao compreender o processo de compensação como um recurso, como um instrumento que nos auxilia no desenvolvimento das pessoas cegas e, não somente como um meio de compensação do órgão na ausência da visão, da audição ou do tato se encarregam de dar suporte à função , conseguiremos encontrar um dos fundamentos para o que hoje denominamos de inclusão ou educação para todos

Ce travail traite des aides optroniques aux déplacements des non-voyants. Préalablement à ce travail, deux « détecteurs de passage » ont été développés au Laboratoire Aimé Cotton le « Tom Pouce » et le « Télétact ». Le « Tom Pouce » est simple d’utilisation mais présente des limitations pour détecter les passages étroits à des distances supérieures à trois mètres ainsi que pour éviter les poteaux fins. Le « Télétact » permet de gérer l’ensemble des situations mais le nombre d’utilisateurs est limité par l’effort cognitif important que demande son utilisation ainsi que sa fragilité.Le but principal de cette thèse est d’améliorer les capteurs ainsi que leur façon de représenter l’espace afin d’avoir un dispositif facile d’utilisation détectant tous les passages.Dans un premier temps, l’hypothèse que la forme de la zone de protection idéale devrait être d’aspect cylindrique est émise. La réalisation approchée de cette forme à partir de capteurs infrarouges est analysée théoriquement et validée expérimentalement. Deux dispositifs le « Tom Pouce II » et le « Minitact » utilisant ce concept ont été proposés à des non-voyants et ont reçu un accueil favorable. Dans un second temps, les capteurs laser télémétriques du « Télétact » ont été revus afin d’améliorer leurs performances permettant entre autres une moindre sensibilité aux contraintes mécaniques. Une nouvelle forme d’association des capteurs infrarouges et laser permet de gérer l’ensemble des configurations de passages, y compris en chicane, avec une interface tactile ayant seulement trois niveaux d’alerte correspondant à trois zones de protection (moins de 2 mètres de profondeur sur 10 cm de large, entre 2 et 6 mètres sur plus de 50 cm de large, plus de 6m de profondeur et 1m de large ) avec un effort cognitif très réduit par rapport au « Télétact » initial utilisant 32 sons différents. Des outils pour pouvoir analyser objectivement les performances des dispositifs dans des environnements contrôlés ont été mis au point afin de pouvoir ajuster finement les formes des zones de protection. Un dernier point concerne les possibilités d’identification des obstacles, l’imagerie est explorée mais s’avère immature, actuellement seules les « astuces d’utilisation » des capteurs sont opérationnelles. / This work deals with optical electronic travel aids for visually impaired people. Initially, two devices allowing the detection of an unrestricted path were developed at the Aime Cotton Laboratory: the "Tom Pouce" and the "Télétact". The "Tom Pouce" is simple to use but presents limitations for detecting narrow passages at distances over three meters as well as avoiding fine posts. The "Télétact" allows users to manage every situation but the number of users is restricted due to the cognitive effort required.The main purpose of this thesis is to improve the sensors as well as the way the spatial information is transmitted to the user to allow the safe detection of all passages with reduced cognitive effort.First, the hypothesis is that the ideal protection zone could be a cylindrical shape. The approached realization of the cylindrical shape with infrared sensors is theoretically analyzed and experimentally tested. Two devices,"Tom Pouce II" and "Minitact”, using this concept were proposed to visually impaired people already using the “Tom Pouce I”. They greatly appreciated the improvement.Second, the laser telemetric laser sensors of the «Télétact» were modified to improve their performance and to reduce the sensitivity of mechanical constraints during daily use. The association of infrared sensors and laser telemetric sensors allowed the management of all kinds of passages, including chicanes, with a tactile interface having only three levels of alert corresponding to three zones of protection (less than 2 meters deep and 10 cm wide, between 2 and 6 meters deep and about 50 cm wide, and more than 6m deep and 1m wide). The cognitive effort is greatly reduced compared to the initial "Télétact" , which used 32 different sounds.Third, tools to objectively analyze the performance of the implemented devices in controlled environments were developed to finely adjust the shape of the protection zones.The last point dealt with the possibilities of identification of obstacles, imagery is explored but it is proved to be premature. Nowadays only tricks of the trade are effectively working.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-23T14:01:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Sanandreia Torezani Perinni.pdf: 1785036 bytes, checksum: 2a44e7f9cd03cac3a550ca4fbe97b554 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-06 / Esta dissertação objetivou entender os modos de apropriação da língua inglesa por uma aluna cega matriculada nas salas comuns do ensino fundamental na rede regular de ensino. Para o desenvolvimento desta pesquisa optei por assumir uma abordagem metodológica qualitativa na perspectiva do estudo de caso tomando como base os pressupostos teórico-filosóficos da abordagem sócio-histórica, a partir das contribuições de Vigotski, Bakhtin e de autores que compartilham dessa linha. Teve como sujeitos a aluna deficiente visual, a professora de inglês e a professora especializada do atendimento educacional especializado. O corpus da pesquisa foi obtido a partir de análise documental, entrevistas semi-estruturadas, observação das aulas de inglês e do ambiente escolar. A análise dos dados evidenciou que a aprendizagem da aluna cega não diferencia no que se refere a aprendizagem dos demais alunos, apenas necessita de outras vias para se realizar, bem como o fato de que a deficiência apenas se concretiza nas interações, no meio social. Os dados também revelam que a escola tem conhecimento das diferenças existentes no cotidiano escolar, entretanto, no que se refere às ações curriculares, dentro da sala de aula, constatou-se um currículo pouco flexível às necessidades dos alunos com e sem deficiência, uma prática pedagógica que ainda privilegia a explanação de conteúdos, exercícios e a avaliações escrita e, na maioria das vezes individual. Considerando que o sentido da deficiência é resultado da combinação da história do indivíduo com o meio social, os dados coletados apontam que a apropriação dos conhecimentos em língua inglesa pelo aluno cego decorrem em meio à dificuldades que vão desde a falta de materiais adequados até os sentidos atribuídos pelos sujeitos desse processo acerca da deficiência visual, mais especificamente da cegueira, ou seja, os desafios que existem nesse processo estão determinados no contexto social e não nas características biológicas / This research aimed to understand the ways of appropriation of the English language by blind student enrolled in the common rooms of elementary education in the regular school system. For the development of this research I chose to take a qualitative approach in the context of the case study building on the theoretical and philosophical assumptions of socio-historical approach, based on the contributions of Vygotsky, Bakhtin and authors who share this line. The research had as subject of study a visually impaired student, the English teacher and teacher specializing in specialized educational services. The corpus of the research was obtained from document analysis, semi-structured interviews, observation of English classes and the school environment. Data analysis showed that learning the blind student does not differentiate regarding the learning of other students, just needs other ways to perform as well as the fact that disability is realized only in the interactions in the social environment. The data also show that the school is aware of the differences in school life, however, with regard to the actions curriculum within the classroom, I found a little flexible curriculum to the needs of students with and without disabilities, a practice teaching that still favours the explanation of content, exercises and writing reviews, and mostly individual. Whereas the meaning of disability is the result of the combination of the history of the individual with the social environment, the data collected indicate that the acquisition of knowledge in the English language by blind student arise amid difficulties ranging from the lack of suitable materials to the senses attributed by the subjects of this process about visual impairment, specifically blindness, in other words, the challenges that exist in this process are determined in the social context and not on biological characteristics

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-23T14:01:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vanessa Pita Barreira Burgos Manga - Parte 1 - Capa e folhas iniciais.pdf: 104599 bytes, checksum: 305c7706014b8e9ee974938f9dc7a03b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-20 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This study refers primarily to the understanding of the situation of inclusive education in relation to the discipline of Sciences blind student regularly enrolled in the 3rd year of elementary school to a public school in the city of Vila Velha, Espírito Santo. The research is a qualitative exploratory. Its design is based on an ethnographic case study. The procedures for data collection were used semi structured interviews, observations spontaneous (with written journal by the researcher and photographic records), bibliographic and documentary compatible with the studied topic. The participants of this study were: blind student (main subject), a science teacher, a Special Education teacher, pedagogue and director. The research has advanced in an attempt to permeate aspects concerning science instruction and student materials for this use, interpersonal relations experienced in the school environment, the evaluation process and also to questions of orientation and mobility, so that the analyzes trampled- in a socio-historical perspective fundamentally Vygotsky, so that the social situation and the school blind child can be understood in the light of historical developments and social experiences lived by it. The understanding and analysis of educational inclusion of the blind student permeated the educational services it offered, as well as their possible participation in science classes. The view from the other subjects in this study in relation to the situation of school inclusion of this student was also the target of analysis and reflection, giving subsidies to critical reflective, with a view to improving this process and scientific enrichment of Inclusive Education from the results by this opportunity study / Este estudo se refere, primordialmente, ao entendimento da situação de inclusão escolar em relação à disciplina de Ciências do aluno cego, regularmente matriculado no 3º ano do Ensino Fundamental de uma escola municipal da cidade de Vila Velha, no estado do Espírito Santo. A pesquisa é de natureza qualitativa com caráter exploratório. Seu delineamento está fundamentado em um estudo de caso etnográfico. Os procedimentos para a coleta de dados utilizados foram entrevistas semiestruturadas, observações espontâneas (com escrita de diário pela pesquisadora e registros fotográficos), levantamento bibliográfico e documental compatível com a temática estudada. Os sujeitos participantes deste estudo foram: o aluno cego (sujeito principal), a professora de Ciências, a professora de Educação Especial, a pedagoga e o diretor. A pesquisa avançou na tentativa de permear aspectos concernentes à instrução científica do estudante e os materiais para isso utilizados, às relações interpessoais vivenciadas no ambiente escolar, ao processo avaliativo e também às questões acerca de orientação e mobilidade, de maneira que as análises realizadas calcaram-se em uma perspectiva sócio-histórica fundamentalmente vigotskiana, de modo que a situação social e escolar da criança cega pôde ser compreendida à luz dos desdobramentos históricos e das experiências sociais por ela vivenciados. O entendimento e análise da inclusão escolar do aluno cego permeou o atendimento educacional a ele oferecido, assim como sua possível participação nas aulas de Ciências. A visão dos demais sujeitos desta pesquisa em relação à situação de inclusão escolar deste estudante também foi alvo de análise e reflexão, dando subsídios para críticas reflexivas, com vistas ao aprimoramento deste processo e do enriquecimento científico da Educação Inclusiva a partir dos resultados oportunizados por este estudo

Le processus visuel débute lorsque les photorécepteurs transforment la lumière en un signal biochimique qui est ensuite traité et transmis via la rétine. Notre groupe s'intéresse à élucider les défauts génétiques et les mécanismes à l'origine de pathologies rétiniennes comme la cécité nocturne congénitale stationnaire (CNCS), conséquence d'un défaut de transmission du signal entre les photorécepteurs et les cellules bipolaires. Cette thèse apporte de nouvelles connaissances sur la physiologie de cette première synapse visuelle. Nous avons identifié quatre nouvelles mutations dans SLC24A1, un échangeur ionique intervenant dans l'homéostasie du calcium dans les bâtonnets, à l'origine de la CNSC de type Riggs. Nous avons également identifié LRIT3 comme étant un nouveau gène impliqué dans la forme complète de CNCS. Nous avons décrit un modèle de souris invalidé pour Lrit3 avec un phénotype visuel similaire à celui des patients. Nous avons confirmé la localisation de LRIT3 aux extrémités dendritiques des cellules bipolaires ON, suggérant un rôle dans la cascade de signalisation mGluR6. Nous avons montré que LRIT3 était nécessaire à la localisation fonctionnelle de TRPM1. Nous avons de plus démontré un rôle additionnel de LRIT3 dans la formation de la synapse du cône n'impactant probablement que faiblement les voies OFF. Nous avons également réussi à détecter LRIT3 par spectrométrie de masse, ouvrant la voie à l'identification de ses partenaires. La meilleur connaissance de la physiologie et de la physiopathologie rétinienne doit mener non seulement à un meilleur diagnostic et conseil génétique des patients mais également au développement de nouvelles approches thérapeutiques. / The first steps in vision occur when rod and cone photoreceptors transform light into a biochemical signal, which gets processed through the retina. Our group investigates genetic causes and mechanisms involved in inherited retinal diseases as congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB), which reflects a signal transmission defect between photoreceptors and bipolar cells. This thesis gives several insights on the retinal physiology at this first visual synapse. We identified four novels mutations in SLC24A1 underlying the Riggs-type of CSNB, which has a role in calcium balance in rods. We subsequently identified a novel gene, LRIT3, which is mutated in the complete form of CSNB. We delivered a knock-out mouse model lacking Lrit3 which displays a phenotype similar to patients. We confirmed the localization of LRIT3 at the dendritic tips of ON-bipolar cells, suggesting a role of LRIT3 in the mGluR6 signaling cascade. We showed that LRIT3 is necessary for the functional localization of TRPM1. We also revealed that LRIT3 has an additional role in formation of the cone synapse but with probably only a minor effect on OFF-pathway functionality. We finally succeeded in immunoprecipitating and detecting LRIT3 by mass spectrometry, opening the way for the identification of LRIT3 partners. Improving knowledge about retinal physiology and physiopathology will lead to a better diagnosis and genetic counseling of the patients and to the development of novel therapeutic approaches.

Esta dissertação tem como principal objeto de estudo as interações sociais, que envolvem performances chamadas de cegueira, deficiência visual, baixa visão, vidência e correlativos. O objetivo desta pesquisa é descrever tais performances em termos de acionamentos de categorias de nomeação, sinais distintivos e atributos qualificativos. Pretende-se refletir sobre os processos de negociação e incorporação das mesmas na constituição do eu dos atores. Entre os pressupostos teórico-metodológicos, optou-se por uma aproximação com aspectos do modelo teatral de Goffman e da teoria da significação de Bourdieu. Para a construção dos dados, realizou-se observação participante principalmente em institutos especializados. / This dissertation focus on the performances of \"visual disability\", \"blindness\", \"low vision\" and seeing, through social interactions. Its main objective is to describe and to analyze these performances as the use of the nomination categories, distinctive signs and qualifying attributes. Furthermore, I present the processes of embodiment of these representations and its importance for the constitution of the actors \"self\". The theoretical and methodological assumptions rely on aspects of Goffmans dramaturgical perspective and Bourdieus theory of meaning. The data were developed through participant observation at specialized institutes.

As crianças com deficiência visual são privadas dos estímulos provenientes da visão, os quais fornecem experiências importantes no seu desenvolvimento motor e que resultam no desenvolvimento estrutural do corpo. Alguns estudos sugerem que a falta destes estímulos resultam em alterações na postura e mobilidade. No entanto, apesar de descritos na literatura ainda não é possível definir a postura e avaliar a mobilidade articular na população de crianças com problemas oculares, visto que as mensurações têm sido realizadas com objetivo apenas de detectar as alterações. Fato que compromete a reprodutibilidade e a repetibilidade dos métodos e impossibilita possíveis comparações entre os dados. Deste modo, é de grande necessidade a verificação das consequências da falta ou déficit da visão na postura, mobilidade, flexibilidade e impressão plantar na tentativa de intervir precocemente e reduzir ou abrandar possíveis alterações posturais e consequentemente evitar que estas alterações perdurem ou se agravem na vida adulta. Assim, o objetivo geral deste estudo foi comparar a postura, mobilidade, flexibilidade e impressão plantar de crianças com deficiência visual com crianças sem deficiência visual. Foram estudadas 74 crianças de ambos os sexos na faixa etária de 5 a 12 anos. Destas 34 apresentavam deficiência visual (GDV) e 40 eram crianças controle (GC). Fotos digitais da posição ortostática foram utilizadas para analisar a postura. As variáveis posturais inclinação da cabeça, postura do ombro, postura da escápula, desvio lateral da coluna, postura do joelho, postura do tornozelo no plano frontal e postura da cabeça, postura do ombro, ângulo da cifose torácica, ângulo da lordose lombar, postura da pelve, postura do joelho no plano sagital foram mensurados com auxílio do software SAPO* v. 0.63® e de marcadores previamente colocados em referências ósseas pré-determinadas. A goniometria do ombro e quadril foi realizada de forma ativa e passiva. O teste do 3º dedo ao solo foi utilizado para mensurar a flexibilidade e o Índice Chippaux Smirak foi utilizado para avaliar a impressão plantar. Os principais resultados deste estudo mostraram que as crianças com deficiência visual apresentam maior inclinação da cabeça (p< 0,001), inclinação no ombro (p=0,004), desvio lateral da coluna (p< 0,001), alterações na postura da escápula (p=0,012), maior cifose torácica (p=0,004) e menor lordose lombar (p<0,001). Além de maior amplitude articular de rotação medial de ombro ativo (p=0,001) e passivo (p=0,001), maior amplitude articular de rotação lateral (p<0,001) e medial (p=0,005) de quadril de forma passiva. Os grupos não apresentaram diferenças na flexibilidade (p=0,945) e impressão plantar (p= 0,446). Conclui-se que a falta ou déficit visual influencia a mobilidade e a postura, visto que crianças com deficiência visual apresentam maior inclinação da cabeça, maior desnivelamento dos ombros, maior desvio lateral da coluna, hipercifose torácica, menor lordose lombar e joelhos mais valgos, além de maior mobilidade de rotação medial ativa e passiva de ombros e rotação medial e lateral passiva de quadris. No entanto, a condição criança deficiente visual não altera a flexibilidade e o arco longitudinal medial / Children with visual impairment are deprived of visual stimuli from the view, which provide important experiences in the child\'s motor development that result in the structural development of the body. Some studies suggest that lack of these stimuli result in changes in posture and mobility. However, although described in the literature is not yet possible to define the position and assess joint mobility in the population of children with eye problems, since the measurements have been performed only in order to detect changes. Fact that compromises the reproducibility and repeatability of the methods and prevents possible comparisons between the data. Thus, it is very necessary to verify the consequences of failure or shortage of vision in posture, mobility and flexibility in an attempt to intervene early and reduce or mitigate potential postural changes and therefore prevent these changes endure or worsen in adulthood. The objective of this study was to compare the posture, mobility, flexibility and footprint of children with visual impairments with sighted children. We studied 74 children of both sexes aged 5 to 12 years. Of these 34 had visual impairment (GDV) and 40 were children (CG). Digital photos of the standing position were used to analyze posture. The variables postural head tilt, shoulder posture, scapula posture, lateral deviation of the spine, knee posture, ankle posture in the frontal plane and head posture, shoulder posture, thoracic kyphosis angle, lumbar lordosis angle, pelvis posture, knee posture in the sagittal plane were measured using the Postural Assessment Software (PAS/SAPO) and markers previously placed on bone references predetermined. The goniometry made an active and passive was used to evaluate the mobility of shoulder and hip. The Fingertip-to-Floor Test was used to measure the flexibility and Smirak Chippaux Index was used to evaluate the footprints. The main results of this study showed that children with visual impairment have a higher inclination of the head (p <0.001), the shoulder slope (p = 0.004), lateral deviation of the spine (p <0.001), changes in posture of the scapula (p = 0.012), increased thoracic kyphosis (p = 0.004) and lower lumbar lordosis (p <0.001). Increased joint range of active (p = 0.001) and passive (p = 0.001) shoulder internal rotation and greater range of motion of passive hip external (p <0.001) and medial (p = 0.005) rotation. The groups showed no difference in flexibility (p = 0.945) and footprints (p = 0.446). Although the percentage of flat arch foot was higher in patients with visual impairment (38.2%) compared to the control group (22.5%). We concluded that the lack or low vision affects the mobility and posture, as visual impairment children have a higher inclination of the head, shoulder asymmetries, lateral spine deviation, a higher thoracic kyphosis, less lumbar lordosis and a higher valgus knees, and an increase mobility of active and passive medial rotation of shoulders and passive medial and lateral rotation of the hips. However, the visually impaired children condition does not change the flexibility and medial longitudinal arch

This thesis researches Kāpō Māori (Māori who are blind or sight impaired) and their pursuit of Te Reo Māori. Te Reo Māori is a very significant cultural marker for Kāpō Māori to identify themselves as Māori. Kāpō Māori face many challenges, challenges that are unknown to the mainstream. The thesis surveys the fortunes of Te Reo Māori as it struggles to survive and find acceptance in Aotearoa/New Zealand, outlines attitudes towards disabled persons, who suffer discrimination and marginalisation, and summarises the story of the Blind in Aotearoa/New Zealand, especially through the history of The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind, to provide context for the challenges faced by Kāpō Māori. For Kāpō Māori, discrimination and marginalisation is increased because all Māori suffer the disabilities that are a result of colonisation. The thesis sets out a methodology for field research, and draws from interviews with research participants to present the experiences of Kāpō Māori. This thesis provides an insight into the issues Kāpō Māori encounter when trying to engage Kāpō Māori , and draws those issues forward from darkness, where they are unknown, into the world of light by providing Kāpō Māori with a forum for discussion of these issues.

Blindness is one of the most debilitating health disorders and avoidable blindness is a major international health problem. The World Health Organization has estimated that globally, there are 45 million persons who are blind - a figure that is expected to increase to approximately 76 million by the year 2020. Approximately 80% of blindness is avoidable and can be prevented or cured with appropriate service delivery efforts. Research suggests that the combined annual global GDP loss from blindness in 2000 was more than $40 billion. Yet blindness has received relatively little attention in worldwide efforts to promote health and it is not at present a high health priority in many countries. Consequently, unless there are alternative and more efficient and extended endeavours to address this situation and model an approach that will provide a long-term solution, avoidable blindness will continue. In recent years, eye care service delivery organisations have assumed a greater level of responsibility for addressing the problem of avoidable blindness. A number of successful approaches have been designed and implemented to expand the delivery of eye care services. The approaches have focused on the development of organisational capacity and on sustainability, and they have effectuated a reduction in avoidable blindness in particular target populations. However, despite their importance, contemporary eye care service delivery models have largely been neglected in the literature and few formal organisational approaches to eye care have been developed and documented. There are few definitive independent studies available that outline the bases of these approaches and no explicit and standardised methodologies that can assist service delivery organisations to replicate the approaches. Objective and comprehensive research is accordingly required to promote current and new approaches to eye care and to develop ways of facilitating their adoption. The thesis attempts to address this problem by developing a theory&ndash;based, case study&ndash;supported practical methodology to identify, support the progression of, and measure the strategic and operational objectives of eye care service delivery organisations. The research seeks to identify the issues relevant to the management of eye care service delivery organisations and subsequently evaluate whether they can be incorporated into a distinct and explicit management framework. It seeks to present the value of the process and the possibility that it can be accomplished elsewhere and in dissimilar organisations. By developing a widely applicable management framework, the research's primary contribution is that it extends eye care organisational management theory to assist in the facilitation of blindness reduction. A conceptual management framework is developed in the thesis which unifies contemporary eye care organisational approaches with the Balanced Scorecard management framework. The framework was devised for and evaluated by undertaking two case studies &ndash; one in India and one in South Africa. The significance of developing such a framework is demonstrated at various points throughout the thesis. The research process reveals the potential applicability of the framework &ndash; the Strategic Management Framework (SMF). The research concludes that the SMF is able to support and enhance organisational development, performance management, and scenario analyses in eye care service delivery organisations operating in developing countries. Although the framework developed in the thesis is specific to eye care organisations it is flexible enough to be transferable to other healthcare organisations in developed countries. The final conclusion of the thesis is that, while the SMF is not in itself a solution to the problem of avoidable blindness, it is an appropriate and practical management tool which will improve existing, and assist in the establishment of new, eye care service delivery organisations. In this context, the research makes a number of significant and original contributions to prevention of blindness literature and theory. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--School of History and Politics, 2004.

Mobile communication has become an essential part of our daily life. We love the flexibility of wireless cell phones and even accept their lower quality of service when compared to wired links. Similarly, we are looking forward to the day that we can continue watching our favorite TV programs while travelling anywhere and everywhere. Mobility, flexibility, and portability are the themes of the next generation communication. Motivated and fascinated by such technology breakthroughs, this effort is geared towards enhancing the quality of wireless services and bringing mobile satellite reception one step closer to the market. Meanwhile, phased array antennas are vital components for RADAR applications where the antenna is required to have certain scan capabilities. One of the main concerns in that perspective is how to avoid the potential of scan blindness in the required scan range. Targeting to achieve wide-band wide-scan angle phased arrays free from any scan blindness our efforts is also geared. Conventionally, the key to lower the profile of the antenna is to use planar structures. In that perspective microstrip patch antennas have drawn the attention of antenna engineers since the 1970s due to their attractive features of being low profile, compact size, light weight, and amenable to low-cost PCB fabrication processes. However, patch elements are basically resonating at a single frequency, typically have <2% bandwidth, which is a major deficit that impedes their usage in relatively wide-band applications. There are various approaches to enhance the patch antennas bandwidth including suspended substrates, multi-stack patches, and metalized cavities backing these patches. Metalized cavity-backed patch structures have been demonstrated to give the best performance, however, they are very expensive to manufacture. In this dissertation, we develop an alternative low-cost bandwidth enhancement topology. The proposed topology is based on substrate-integrated waveguides. The great potential of the proposed structure lies in being amenable to the conventional PCB fabrication. Moreover, substrate-integrated cavity-backed structures facilitate the design of sophisticated arrays that are very expensive to develop using the conventional metalized cavity-backed topology, which includes the common broadside arrays used in fixed-beam applications and the scanned phased arrays used in RADAR applications.