This thesis attempts to construct a conceptual map for thinking about family therapy in a recursive way. The axes used for this map are 1) the Taoist philosophy of change in the Chinese classic I Ching, and 2) the cybernetic epistemology of Gregory Bateson. Each is used to help explicate the other. The relational character of patterned change in the I Ching is explored in depth from five different perspectives. The first discusses the elusive and paradoxical subject of the Tao, the meta-pattern which interweaves stability and change, and connects all living systems in a dynamic recursive balance. The Tao is process, the context of all change, and is closely related to Bateson's notion of immanent Mind. The second perspective examines the nature of the relationship between yin and yang, the complementary opposites that are both distinct (separate) and mutually dependent (connected). The relation between connection and separation is the basis of the recursive balance of life and death, and is an important theme in therapy. The third perspective presents a model for the understanding of gradual development and sudden transformation as part of a cyclic process of completion. Like a plant going to seed, the maturation of a situation or relationship heralds both death and renewal. But such completion is only possible when there is a flowing connection between parts of the system. The counsellor uses various techniques for helping the family connect in ways which allow old patterns to disperse and new ones to emerge. There are some indications that the authors of the I Ching were directly influenced by the Chinese philosophy of music. The fourth perspective discusses this possibility in some depth and then turns to modern jazz theory as a means of characterizing the relationship between family and therapist, and of explaining the way change is introduced into the therapeutic system. The fifth perspective explains the nature of the I Ching's curious diagrams of change known as "hexagrams." Based on the relation between yin and yang, and illustrated with mantic, philosophical, and poetic phrases, hexagrams, in both structure and image, are metaphoric expressions of process and connection. The thesis concludes with a case-history of a dysfunctional family and a description of their changes In terms of the principles outlined in the previous chapters. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

The people living on the Cape Flats in the Western Cape have been practicing dental modification for a number of years. A systematic survey of eight adjoining areas in the Northern suburbs was done to investigate the prevalence, motivation and possible historical time depth of this practice. The survey was conducted by means of a questionnaire. A total of 2167 individuals participated in this study of which 41 % had modified their teeth. More males (44.8%) than females (37.9%) were involved in this practice. Residential area and pay class had an impact on dental modification practices as the incidence increased within lower income areas. Six styles of modification were identified, of these; the removal of the upper four incisors (style 400) was often the style of choice (93. 7%). There were four stated reasons (peer pressure, fashion, gangsterism and medical/other) for dental modification of which peer pressure (in males) and fashion (in females) were the most popular. Dentists did most of the extractions. Three quarters of the entire study sample had family members with dental modifications. More than half (69.8%) of individuals with modifications wore dentures. Not only coloured people were modifying their teeth, some study subjects who had self-classified themselves as black or white also practiced it.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / A Polyvinylchloride surface was modified by coating a biocompatible, hydrophilic and antibacterial polymer by a mild surface modification method. The surface was first activated and then functionalized, followed by coating with polymer. The surface functionality was evaluated using cell adhesion, bacterial adhesion and bacterial viability for polymers with antibacterial properties. 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells were used for cell adhesion, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus were used for bacterial adhesion in the first study, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus were used for bacterial adhesion and antibacterial activity in the second study. Chapter 2 reports how we synthesized, immobilized and evaluated a novel hydrophilic polymer with anti-fouling properties onto surface of polyvinylchloride via an effective and mild surface coating technique. The polyvinylchloride surface was first activated by azidation as well as amination, and then tethering a newly synthesized hydrophilic and biocompatible polyvinylpyrrolidone having pendent reactive succinimide functionality onto the surface. Results show that the coated hydrophilic polymer significantly reduced the 3T3 fibroblast cell adhesion as well as the adhesion of the three bacterial species. Chapter 3 reports how we prepared, immobilized and evaluated an antibacterial and anti-fouling polymer onto polyvinylchloride surface following an efficient and simple method of surface modification. The surface coated with a terpolymer constructed with N-vinylpyrrolidone, 3,4-Dichloro-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone derivative and succinimide residue was evaluated with cell adhesion, bacterial adhesion and bacterial viability. Surface adhesion was evaluated with 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells and two bacterial species. Also, antibacterial activity was evaluated by bacterial viability assay with the two bacterial species. Results showed that the polymer-modified polyvinylchloride surface exhibited significantly decreased 3T3 fibroblast cell adhesion and bacterial adhesion. Furthermore, the modified polyvinylchloride surfaces exhibited significant antibacterial functions by inhibiting bacterial growth with bactericidal activity. Altogether, we have successfully modified the surface of polyvinylchloride using a novel efficient and mild surface coating technique. The first hydrophilic polymer-coated polyvinylchloride surface significantly reduced cell adhesion as well as adhesion of three bacterial species. The second hydrophilic and antibacterial polymer-coated polyvinylchloride surface demonstrated significant antibacterial functions by inhibiting bacterial growth and killing bacteria in addition to significantly reduced 3T3 fibroblasts and bacterial adhesions.

The thesis proposed technology to graft polymers to wood pulps. / The value and performance of Canadian premium NBSK pulps can be enhanced by attaching copolymers of maleic anhydride (MA) to the fiber surfaces, thus leading them to new applications. Kraft pulps can be treated with MA copolymers as it enters the pulp drying machine, where drying and heating results in polymer fixation. However, polymers capable of forming covalent linkages with cellulose tend to be good adhesives, dried market pulps usually cannot be redispersed (repulped). By carefully controlling the curing conditions (i.e., the time, temperature, and pH of the polymer solution) it is possible to fix MA copolymers to pulp fibers, while also maintaining repulpability. The impact of curing on repulpability can be probed by measuring the wet tensile indices of impregnated, cured pulp sheets. We have shown that the curing conditions can be condensed into a single parameter, the product  , where  is the estimated conversion of succinic acid moieties to the corresponding anhydrides during curing, and  is the amount of added MA copolymers. A survey of the common commercial MA copolymers identified high molecular weight (Mw) PEMA (100-500 kDa) as the most promising option, as it is possible to graft 1 and 29 kg of PEMA to each tonne of dried untreated pulp in high yield while still maintaining repulpability. PEMA grafting enhances the properties of pulp and paper in many ways, including increasing fiber swelling, increasing adsorption capacity of cationic additives, and increasing wet and dry paper strength. / Thesis / Candidate in Philosophy / Canada is home to 9% of the world’s forests, and a forestry industry that accounts for approximately $23.7 billion of its gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019. Pulp and paper manufacturing is an important subsector in the forestry industry, contributing roughly $7 billion to Canada’s real GDP each year. In 2019, 15.4 million tonnes of wood pulp were produced, with pulp and paper exports totalling $17.7 billion. Clearly, the pulp and papermaking industry is an integral part of the Canadian economy. Canada is a leading global supplier of wood pulp, and the largest producer of northern bleached softwood kraft (NBSK) market pulp. NBSK pulp has become the industry’s benchmark grade pulp due to its long fibers, which makes them ideal for reinforcing paper. The core objective of this research is to expand the properties of NBSK pulp by attaching polymers to the fiber surfaces, thus making them suitable for completely new high-value-added applications. This thesis describes a completely new technology that I have developed for grafting functional polymers onto market pulps. The resulting novel market pulps are characterized by high carboxyl group content that can give stronger products and a “clickable” surface suitable for biomedical and other novel applications.

No description available.

Surfaces/interfaces are considered as one of the key factors that determine performance, and ultimately the application, of materials. In many cases, surface/interface modifications are required for desired properties, such as adhesion and wettability. Organosilanes have been widely used to alter surface/interfacial properties for many materials including metals, glass, and polymers, etc. However, controllable processes for surface/interfacial modification are desired. This thesis aims to explore controllable paths for surface/interfacial modifications on siloxane or hydrocarbon-based materials using organosilanes. Further understanding about the methodologies for quantification of functional groups located at surfaces/interfaces is also within the scope of this thesis. In this thesis, a comprehensive study of PDMS surface modification using thioalkylsilane coupling agents is described. An equilibrium silanization allowed the introduction of thiols on silicone elastomer surfaces under control and without damaging the surface. Two different titration methods for testing thiols in solution were developed and improved for quantification of thiol groups located at air-solid interfaces. The thiol-functionalized silicone could be further modified with maleic anhydride and/or with a variety of polymers and surfactants in a single step or two steps. A long term, stable hydrophilic surface was obtained after these modifications. In this thesis, the modification of hydrocarbon-based materials is also described. A method based on the Piers-Rubinsztajn reaction was used to convert lignin into value-added chemicals, including monomeric/oligomeric aromatics and lignin composites. For the hard wood lignin, reduction of the ether bonds and silylation with hydrosilanes led to nearly complete fragmentation. The monomeric/oligomeric aromatics decomposed from hard wood lignin are easy to process as demonstrated by their excellent solubility in various solvents. Alternatively, softwood, which does not have an ideal structure for fragmentation, is effectively employed as “green filler” in silicones for lignin-based elastomer/foams. The partial (interfacial) reduction of hydrosilanes at lignin interfaces results in covalent linkage sbetween lignin and siloxane network, improving the interfacial miscibility. The softwood lignin, thus plays dual roles as a crosslinking and reinforcing agent. Formulations were readily developed to prepare silicone foams/elastomers by controlling processing parameters and methods. Lignin-based silicone elastomers could be obtained with additional solvent and casting in an open mold; lignin-based silicone foams could be molded in a volume-confined mold after extrusion. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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Alternative school models should represent options for students characterized as disenfranchised and/or underachievers. Mississippi?s Alternative School Education Program Standards were established to provide a framework for local school districts to use in developing the alternative school?s design to meet the unique needs of the students it would serve. It was established by Mississippi Law to serve as a learning alternative placement for students who had difficulty adjusting to a regular classroom environment or who experienced disciplinary problems in the classroom or at school. Raywid (1999) suggested that unless alternative schools have sufficient freedom to do things differently from the traditional high schools ? organize themselves differently, offer different curriculum or at least a different articulated curriculum, provide a different school climate with flexibility ? then they are not going to be any more successful with their charges than the regular traditional high school has been. Five alternative schools identified by the Mississippi Department of Education as operating an exemplary Alternative School Education Program were examined in this study. A case study approach, which utilized observations, interviews and a report, was conducted to investigate eight areas identified as critical indicators necessary to operate an effective alternative school. These eight areas were: (a) a clearly and focused school mission, (b) a safe and orderly environment, (c) program expectations, (d) alternative educational opportunities, (e) instructional design, (f) a monitoring and evaluation system, (g) support services, and (h) parental/community involvement. Each alternative school visited met all eight indicators. However, the state?s program design falls short of rendering sufficient and appropriate services to young people with opportunity to obtain an education. The state?s program does offer an alternative school setting to children that will allow them to remain in school and not be deposited on the streets as a result of suspension or expulsion from the regular school setting. However, the way the Alternative School Education Program is designed goes a long way toward shaping the nature of its establishment and its prospects for success. There is an immediate need for the state to engage in a paradigm shift for its alternative school program?s design in order to better meet the needs of the public school system and the people it serves.

No description available.

No description available.