An empirical study was undertaken to conduct applied, exploratory, descriptive research to establish challenges specific to cross racial adoption in Gauteng, South Africa. The objectives of the overall aim were: * to conduct empirical work and to collect data through the use of focus groups with parents who have cross racially adopted, in order to explore challenges specific to cross racial adoptions * to conduct analysis in order to describe the findings of the empirical data * to conduct a thorough literature review on available literature pertaining to cross racial adoption * to draw conclusions and make recommendations on the completion of the afore mentioned objectives The empirical study demonstrated that: * Parents who cross racially adopt do experience challenges and there are challenges specific to cross racial adoption * A number of the challenges experienced by parents who cross racially adopt are directly linked to a lack of support throughout the adoption process * A need exists for a comprehensive model of support for parents who cross racially adopt The empirical study was successful in identifying, exploring and describing challenges experienced by parents who cross racially adopt in Gauteng. / Social work / M.Diac.(Play Therapy)

An empirical study was undertaken to conduct applied, exploratory, descriptive research to establish challenges specific to cross racial adoption in Gauteng, South Africa. The objectives of the overall aim were: * to conduct empirical work and to collect data through the use of focus groups with parents who have cross racially adopted, in order to explore challenges specific to cross racial adoptions * to conduct analysis in order to describe the findings of the empirical data * to conduct a thorough literature review on available literature pertaining to cross racial adoption * to draw conclusions and make recommendations on the completion of the afore mentioned objectives The empirical study demonstrated that: * Parents who cross racially adopt do experience challenges and there are challenges specific to cross racial adoption * A number of the challenges experienced by parents who cross racially adopt are directly linked to a lack of support throughout the adoption process * A need exists for a comprehensive model of support for parents who cross racially adopt The empirical study was successful in identifying, exploring and describing challenges experienced by parents who cross racially adopt in Gauteng. / Social work / M.Diac.(Play Therapy)

UNIVERZITA KARLOVA v PRAZE Pedagogická fakulta Katedra primární pedagogiky POMOC DĚTEM V ROZVOJOVÝCH ZEMÍCH, ADOPCE NA DÁLKU, VZDĚLÁVÁNÍ A PROJEKTY S TÍM SOUVISJÍCÍ SE ZAMĚŘENÍM PŘEDEVŠÍM NA AFRICKÝ KONTINENT HELP CHILDREN IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, DISTANCE ADOPTION, EDUCATION AND RELATED PROJECTS WITH A FOCUS MAINLY ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT Vedoucí diplomové práce: Doc. PaedDr. Radka Wildová, CSc. Autor diplomové práce: Aneta Kosíková Studijní obor: Učitelství pro 1. stupeň ZŠ Forma studia: prezenční Diplomová práce dokončena: prosinec 2013 Abstrakt: Diplomová práce představuje, co jsou adopce na dálku v rozvojových zemích, jaké organizace se tím zabývají, podoba školství v Africe. V teoretické části je vysvětlení pojmů rozvojová a rozvinutá země, představení jednotlivých organizací, které se zabývají adopcí na dálku, a projektů, které mají výrazně pomoci lidem žijícím ve velké chudobě. Rovněž ukazuje odlišný systém školství a projekty k zlepšení tamního vzdělávání. Zároveň jsou zde zmíněny termíny dítě předškolního a mladšího školního věku a důležitost rodiny, protože právě ty jsou nejdůležitějšími faktory při projektu adopce na dálku. V praktické části ve výzkumném šetření jsou zahrnuty rozhovory s koordinátory z Čech a Keni a adoptivními rodiči, kteří mají zkušenosti s adopcí na dálku. Průzkum dotazníkem...

The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences that the principals encounter when managing curriculum change at the secondary schools in the Maseru district. The study is qualitative in nature and employed a case study to investigate principals’ experiences with the LGCSE curriculum change. This study used Kotter’s theory of change management as a theoretical foundation for the analysis of the data. Semi-structured in-depth –interviews and non-participant observations were used to collect data. A total of six principals from urban and rural secondary schools were interviewed and observed. Content analysis was employed to analyse data in this study. The findings revealed that the secondary school principals in the Maseru district lack skills and knowledge to manage the LGCSE curriculum change. The findings showed that the majority of the principals were not thoroughly trained on how to manage and implement the LGCSE. The principals needed continuous support from the Ministry of Education and Training. There was also a need for relevant and adequate resources to support curriculum changes. This study revealed that most principals delegated the instructional roles to the Head of Departments and the deputy principals to manage lesson plans, selection of teaching and learning materials as well as monitoring lesson presentations. This study found that most principals concentrated on administrative roles. Team work and school based workshops were found to be the strategies that principals used to manage the LGCSE curriculum change. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Educational Leadership and Management)

Das Zytokin Interleukin-7 (IL-7) ist für die Entstehung und das Überleben reifer T Zellen von zentraler Bedeutung. Die Gabe von IL-7 führt sowohl in der Maus als auch im Menschen zu erhöhten T Zellzahlen und einem veränderten T Zellphänotyp. Folglich könnte sich die therapeutische Gabe von IL-7 bei Patienten mit geschwächtem Immunsystem positiv auswirken. Diese Hypothese wird derzeit in mehreren klinischen Studien untersucht. Bisher wurde allerdings nur die Wirkung von IL-7 auf T-Zellen studiert. Zu dessen Wirkung auf andere Immun- oder Stromazellen sowie deren IL-7-abhängigen Beitrag zur Regulation der T-Zellhomöostase ist nur wenig bekannt. Daher war es Ziel der Arbeit, den Einfluss einer therapeutischen Gabe von IL-7 auf adoptiv-transferierte T-Zellen in IL-7-Rezeptor (IL-7R)-kompetenten und defizienten lymphopenischen Mäusen zu studieren. Die Untersuchungen bestätigen, dass die Gabe von IL-7 T-Zellantworten unterstützt, zeigen jedoch auch, daß viele dieser Effekte von IL-7R-exprimierenden Wirtszellen abhängig sind. Dies weist darauf hin, dass IL-7R-vermittelte Signale in Wirtszellen indirekt T-Zellantworten beeinflussen. Zudem zeigte sich, dass effiziente anti-Tumor-T Zellantworten von IL 7R-vermittelten Signalen in Wirtszellen abhängen. Vor allem nicht-hämatopoetische Wirtszellen fungieren hier als Regulatoren der IL-7-Therapie-vermittelten T Zelldifferenzierung. Unsere Ergebnisse bestätigen außerdem, dass Stromazellen in verschiedenen Organen il-7 exprimieren und zeigen darüber hinaus, dass diese Zellen durch die Gabe von IL-7 beeinflusst werden. Wir folgern daraus, dass die Effekte der IL-7-Therapie auf T Zellhomöostase teilweise indirekt über il-7-exprimierende Stromazellen vermittelt werden. Um diese Zellen genauer identifizieren und untersuchen zu können, haben wir ein neues transgenes Mausmodell charakterisiert, was es erleichtern wird, die beteiligten molekularen Signalwege zu analysieren und den Erfolg der adoptiven T Zelltherapie zu verbessern. / Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is an essential cytokine required for the development and maintenance of mature T cell. Its availability is limited under normal conditions, but rises during lymphopenia, leading to increased T cell proliferation. The administration of recombinant IL-7 to normal or lymphopenic mice and humans results in increased T cell numbers and altered T cell phenotype. Hence, IL-7 administration could mediate therapeutic benefits in immunocompromised patients and is currently tested in several clinical trials. However, besides its well-studied effects on T cells little is known about the effect of IL-7 on other immune and non-immune cells and their influence on T cell homeostasis. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of IL-7 therapy on adoptively transferred T cells in IL-7 receptor (IL-7R)-competent and IL-7R-deficient lymphopenic mice. We confirm the benefits of IL-7 therapy on T cell responses but additionally show that many of these effects are dependent on IL-7R expression by host cells, indicating that IL-7R signaling in host cells modulates T cell responses. We show that efficient T cell responses against cancer are dependent on host IL-7R signaling. Based on studies in bone-marrow chimeric mice, we identify non-hematopoietic host cells as main regulators of IL-7 therapy-modulated T cell differentiation. We conclude from these data that IL-7 therapy affects non-hematopoietic stromal cells that modulate the success of adoptive T cell therapy. Our results confirm that stromal cells in various organs express il-7 and show that these cells are targeted by IL-7 therapy in vivo. Hence, we propose that il-7-expressing cells regulate IL-7 therapy-modulated T cell homeostasis. To identify and study these il-7 expressing stromal cells in more detail, we characterized a new transgenic mouse model that will facilitate determining the molecular pathways to improve the success of adoptive T cell therapy.

Thesis (Psy.D.)--James Madison University, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references.

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2008. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Apr. 13, 2010). Directed by Diane Borders; submitted to the Dept. of Counseling and Educational Development. Includes bibliographical references (p. 168-176).

Do ponto de vista psicológico, nem sempre a adoção configura-se como uma solução para o problema do abandono. Muitas vezes, a adoção resulta em um fracasso, comprometendo o desenvolvimento saudável da criança e causando um mal estar e infelicidade que acometerá a todos envolvidos nesse processo. Vários são os fatores responsáveis por tal fracasso. Um dos mais identificados na clínica é a falha ou inexistência do estabelecimento de vínculo de filiação entre pais e filhos adotivos. Assim, o objetivo desse estudo é refletir sobre os impasses e fatores que dificultam e/ou impedem a formação do vínculo na filiação adotiva. Trata-se de uma pesquisa teórica na qual discutimos a noção de vínculo em autores de diferentes correntes: francesa, americana e argentina. Em seguida problematizamos a formação do vínculo na adoção, considerando os fatores que dificultam ou impedem a formão desse vínculo. Apresentamos algumas vinhetas clínicas no sentido de contextualizar os impasses vividos quando o desejo de adotar não está associado ao de ter filho. Vimos que o valor atribuído ao vínculo de sangue, as expectativas inadequadas em torno da nova constituição familiar através da adoção, os mitos e fantasias e a não elaboração dos lutos anteriores estão entre os fatores que dificultam ou impedem a formação vincular entre pais e filhos adotivos. O desejo de um filho pelos candidatos à adoção e o desejo das crianças de serem filiadas são essenciais na constituição do vínculo / Desde el punto de vista psicológico, la adopción no siempre aparece como una solución para el problema del abandono. A menudo, los resultados de la adopción en un fracaso, poniendo en peligro el desarrollo saludable de los niños y que causa malestar y la infelicidad que relámpago a todos los involucrados en este proceso. Son varios los factores responsables de este fracaso. Uno de los más señalados en la clínica es la insuficiencia o la falta de unión entre los padres de miembros y los niños adoptados. El objetivo de este estudio es reflexionar sobre los dilemas y los factores que obstaculizan y / o prevenir la formación de enlaces en la filiación adoptiva. Se trata de una investigación teórica en la que debatir el concepto de autores de diferentes corrientes empate: francesas, estadounidenses y argentinos. Luego problematizar la formación del enlace en la adopción, teniendo en cuenta los factores que dificultan o impiden el cincel de este enlace. Hemos visto que el valor asignado a los lazos de sangre, las expectativas inadecuadas sobre la nueva Constitución mediante la adopción de la familia, los mitos y las fantasías y la ausencia de duelos anteriores se encuentran entre los factores que dificultan o impiden el vínculo entre la formación de los padres y los niños adoptados. El deseo de un niño por los candidatos para la adopción y el deseo infantil de ser afiliado son esenciales en la creación de la relación

No contexto da situação adotiva de crianças maiores há um confronto entre passado e presente, são histórias que se cruzam e se fundam a partir de um novo encontro. Desse modo, destacamos a importância de se considerar essa dinâmica e os efeitos decorrentes dos antigos laços na construção da nova filiação adotiva. Partindo dessa perspectiva, realizamos um estudo de meta-análise do trabalho de dissertação sobre: O processo de Tornar-se Pai, Mãe e Filhos na Adoção de Crianças Maiores. Com base nos depoimentos coletados no decorrer do período da destituição judicial e do acompanhamento do estágio de convivência, pudemos reconstruir parte da história das crianças, da família adotante, e realizar uma análise clínica pelo viés psicanalítico. O presente estudo evidenciou que as antigas imagos parentais e as marcas da história anterior não cessam de se (re)inscrever, e que as situações angustiantes do passado das crianças em processo de adoção desencadeiam defesas e interferem nos novos laços afetivos, ressaltando a necessidade de se considerar a vida anterior da criança em adoção. Revelou ainda, a importância que deve ser conferida ao estágio de convivência, visto que, a construção da nova filiação tem seu início nesse período. / The adoption context of older children faces confrontation between past and present. It is made of stories that intersect and merge into the new gathering. Thereby, we highlight the importance of considering such dynamics and the resulting effects from old bonds on the new adoptive filiation construction. From this perspective, we have done a meta-analysis study of the dissertation The Process of Becoming a Father, a Mother, and Children in the Adoption of Older Children. Based on accounts collected along the judicial dismissal period and in the adjustment period follow up, we were able to reconstruct part of the childrens and the adoptive families stories and, then, conduct a clinical analysis from a psychoanalytical bias. The present study has demonstrated that the old parental imagos and the marks from the previous story never cease to re-inscribe themselves. It has also been shown that distressing situations from the prospective adopted childrens past trigger defenses and interfere in the new affective bonds. This study has pointed out the need to consider the prospective adopted childs previous life and also the importance of the adjustment period, since the new filiation construction has its start during this time.

O tema adoção está em debate, atualmente, tanto na mídia (reportagens, depoimentos, novelas, filmes), na academia (monografias, dissertações, teses, livros, eventos científicos), como na sociedade (promulgação de leis, formação de grupos de apoio e uma associação nacional desses grupos). Esforços têm sido feitos para difundir uma nova cultura da adoção em que se priorizem as necessidades e os direitos da criança. Entre estes se encontra o de saber sobre sua origem. A adoção tem como um dos fundamentos a ideia de que a integração de uma criança a uma nova família abre-lhe possibilidades para a reconstrução de sua identidade, a partir do conhecimento de sua origem, favorecendo, consequentemente, uma interação familiar mais satisfatória. Sua colocação em um novo lar pressupõe o estabelecimento de inéditas redes de relações, as quais irão necessitar de diversos componentes emocionais a serem dispensados à criança, como: amor, carinho, atenção, comprometimento e respeito diante de sua história pregressa. A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo geral identificar, na perspectiva de filhos adotivos adultos, as reações e as mudanças ocorridas na sua vida após o conhecimento de sua origem. Especificamente almeja-se compreender: como se deu esse conhecimento; sua importância na organização da identidade do(a) filho(a) adotivo(a); como esses filhos passaram a perceber seus pais adotivos bem como a si mesmos; como se posicionam frente a mitos, medos, crenças e preconceitos que permeiam o imaginário social. Para alcançar os objetivos propostos optou-se pela metodologia qualitativa. Foram entrevistados oito adultos, de ambos os sexos, que tinham conhecimento de sua origem, e os dados obtidos foram analisados com base na técnica da análise de conteúdo temática. Os resultados indicam que: 1) embora tenha variado a idade em que tomaram conhecimento de sua origem, os participantes consideram fundamental esse conhecimento e propõem que toda criança adotada tenha esse direito; 2) as motivações para a entrega da criança variaram, predominando as dificuldades financeiras; 3) existem diferenças nas reações entre aqueles que souberam de sua condição desde cedo e os que souberam na adolescência ou vida adulta; 4) apesar das perdas sofridas, a maioria se mostrou satisfeita com a família adotiva, demonstrando sentimentos de afeto, gratidão e reconhecimento de sua importância para sua sobrevivência e formação da sua personalidade; 5) todos se posicionaram contra os preconceitos e mitos que perpassam a condição de filho(a) adotivo(a). Espera-se contribuir para dar visibilidade à causa, buscando estimular uma maior conscientização por parte da sociedade para a superação dos mitos e preconceitos que ainda rondam a adoção. / The adoption issue is being debated currently in the media (articles, interviews, novels, movies), colleges (monographs, dissertations, theses, books, scientific events), and society (enactment of laws, formation of support groups and also a national association of these groups). Efforts have been made to spread a new culture of adoption, which prioritizes childrens rights and needs. Among these, first of all, the right to know about their origin. Adoption has, as the most important of its principles, childs integration in new families, which gives them the possibility of a new identity reconstruction, once they have the knowledge about their origin, consequently supporting a new pleasant family interaction. Their adaptation in a new place, purpose the establishment of new family bands, which is going to need different and new emotional components: love, affection, attention, commitment and above all of it, respect to their progress history. This research has a general objective: to understand and identify, on adopted adults perspective, if there were changes, and what those changes were, what happened in their lives after that they had knowledge about their origin. Specifically the intention is: to understand how this knowledge was taken, and the importance it has in the adoptees identity organization; to comprehend how adoptees started to perceive their new parents and themselves; what their position when it comes to myths, fears, beliefs and prejudices is, permeating the social imaginary. To achieve the proposed objective, we opted for a qualitative methodology. Eight adults were interviewed, both genders, those who had knowledge about their origin, and the context was analyzed based on the thematic technique of analysis content. Results indicate that: 1) although varied the age that they became aware of their origin, the participants consider essential that knowledge and propose that every adopted child has this right; 2) motivations for child adopting vary, prevailing financial difficulties; 3) there are different reactions between those who early knew their condition and those who got this piece of information when they were teenagers; 4) despite losses, the majority was satisfied with their adoptive family, indicating affection feelings, gratitude and recognition of their importance for survival and formation of their personality; 5) they were against prejudice and myths that pervade the condition of adoptive person; Its expected to contribute, aiming to highlight the issue, seeking to stimulate a greater awareness on the part of society to overcome the myths and prejudices that still roam the adoption.