Current technology used to diagnose hearing disorders is limited. This is mostly due to the fact that the auditory structures are very small and not easily accessible with existing imaging technologies. The objective of this dissertation was to investigate the potential of high-frequency ultrasound as a tool for exploring the anatomy of the auditory system. Three studies were conducted in order to demonstrate the feasibility of high-frequency ultrasound as a diagnostic technology for hearing disorders. In the first study, an in-house developed 50 MHz annular array-based ultrasound system was used to provide ex-vivo images of auditory structures in cadaveric temporal bones. It was shown that the spatial resolution was sufficient to visualize a high level of detail of the ossicular bones of the middle ear as well as intra-cochlear structures of the inner ear. In the second study, a 50 MHz 1.26? pitch phased array ultrasound transducer was designed for imaging intra-cochlear structures through the round window membrane. As this element pitch results in large grating lobe artifacts, novel transmit beamforming techniques were developed to suppress grating lobes resulting from this large-pitch array. Theoretical techniques using the impulse-response simulation method and experimental verification using high-frequency linear array ultrasound system (Vevo 2100, VisualSonics, Canada) showed that these techniques were able to suppress grating lobe levels up to 40 dB. In the third study, a needle mounted 45 MHz single-element ultrasound probe was fabricated in order to measure the vibrations of intra-cochlear structures on human cadavers. Basilar membrane velocimetry measurements were successfully performed using pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasound in the frequency range between 100 Hz-2 KHz. The measured velocity of the basilar membrane and the round window membrane showed that the middle ear resonance frequency near 1 KHz was present over multiple temporal bones. This is the first work that has explored the human auditory system with high resolution ultrasonic visualization and Doppler velocimetry.

This dissertation examines geographies of schooling in relation to how a group of new teachers in Canada conceptualize “inner city” schooling as a uniquely Canadian construct. The study uses a critical approach that explores issues of race, and their intersections with issues of gender, social class, and other identity markers. Seven new teachers graduating from a 2009-2010 teacher education program in the province of Ontario, Canada took part in this study. As a function of the inner city, the inner city school is problematized as a particular geographical space, complete with its own meanings. Results of this study indicate that new teacher conceptualizations of Canadian inner city schools are not uniform and coherent, but complex, contradictory, and dependent upon each individual teacher’s experiences with difference. Overall, participants demonstrated limited ability to speak to their own racial identities in relation to teaching in such schooling contexts. Because most participants learned to teach in predominantly White field-placement settings, they perceived race to be a non-issue and recognized it as a construct only if raced bodies were present. With respect to issues of gender, participants most often discussed what is often referred to as the feminization of teaching in elementary schools. However, there was a profound sense in which inner city schools were conceptualized as “male space” or as space from which female teachers needed protection. This was informed by a widespread conception that male teachers could more effectively manage inner city students. Classroom management emerged as an issue that concerned participants with the least experience with difference. Finally, there was a direct relationship between the theoretical approaches used by the teacher education program in discussing inner city schooling and individual teacher ability to articulate their pedagogical approaches to teaching in this milieu. / Thesis (Ph.D, Education) -- Queen's University, 2011-07-11 20:54:49.407

No description available.

Within the context of a rapidly urbanizing population, both globally and nationally, this dissertation investigates how street living strategies can assist in conceptualizing a nurturing inner city environment. Responding to the dearth of implementable social policies in South Africa, this research sets out to explore methods for architects to enhance the life opportunities and choices of pavement dwellers by incorporating their livelihoods and aspirations in the design of the built environment. The research was carried out by way of reviewing existing literature on the subject, relevant case studies and precedent studies. The theories and literature discussed guide the focus of this dissertation highlighting the importance of taking people's needs, interests, livelihood strategies and their circumstances into account. The discussion illustrates how the inner city environment, underpinned by theoretical analysis of Theory of Living, Complexity Theory and Critical Regionalism, can be nurturing to life. Quantitative and qualitative methods are used to gather social and architectural data, outlining the interaction between street living strategies and the built environment, illustrating how an inner city can cater to the needs and well being (positive orientation) of the community, or in other cases, fail to do so. This will be further understood through an examination of the pavement dwellers' complex and difficult life in the Durban CBD, and how this creatively assists the design of a nurturing multipurpose dream centre, as a solution to the needs of street living and a conceptualization of a nurturing inner city environment. The outcome is the conceptualization of an inner city environment from which a set of principles and guidelines are established to inform the design of a new multipurpose dream centre in the inner city - the Durban CBD. A dream centre is possible because of the ability of "The architect [to] confront human needs and desires [and] mould the environment closer to the human dream" (Mumford, 1938: 403). / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

This research project is based upon the assumption that humanity is passing through a period of great transition, or “Great Turning,” in which we have a critical opportunity to pass from a destructive “industrial growth society” to a “life-sustaining society” (Macy and Brown, 1998). I argue that the current scale of social, political, environmental, economic, psychological, and spiritual challenges reflects an underlying “disconnect disorder” (Arabena, 2006), and that these combined external and internal crises present an opportunity for widespread transformative learning and a collective shift. My core hypothesis is that this transition depends on humanity’s ability to engage in a dual process of individual and collective transformation through remembering our connections with ourselves, with one another, with the natural world, and with a sense of purposeful engagement in the world. I investigate this hypothesis through an in-depth, relational study of the Ecology of Leadership program (EOL) at the Regenerative Design Institute (RDI) in Bolinas, California, an organization that aims to “serve as catalyst for a revolution in the way humans relate to the natural world.” The Ecology of Leadership represents a unique model of transformative adult education that incorporates the principles of “inner permaculture” and regenerative design to support participants in cultivating personal and collective transformation. I introduce a “relational” theory and methodological approach, which centralizes Indigenous and ecological principles of relationship, respect, reciprocity, and regeneration. Using interviews (p=20), surveys (p=409), arts-based data (p=12), sharing circles (p=8), and participatory research, I integrate personal and participant narratives together with images, graphics, poems, and practices to bring this case study of the Ecology of Leadership to life. I also advocate for a new model of “regenerative research,” in which the research itself is life-giving and contributes to the healing, transformation, and regeneration of the researcher, the community of research, and the whole system. Based upon my interactions, observations, and interviews in the EOL program and my reflections and supportive research, I conclude by articulating the “Ecology of Transformation,” a holistic model for transformation that incorporates inner and outer change with practices for reconnection to oneself, the natural world, and the village.

No description available.

Theophostic Prayer Ministry (TPM) is an unparalleled method of inner healing which was developed in 1996 by Dr. Ed Smith of Campbellsville, Kentucky. The term Theophostic is formed by a combination of two Greek words, namely Theos (God) and phos (light). God's light refers to the central aspect of the ministry during which God gives his light to the counselee in order to expose the emotional wounds from the person's past and to heal it. TPM became known as a method which is exceptionally effective in treating trauma and experience-based problems. Several evaluators of TPM, however, raise questions concerning the doctrinal and philosophical soundness of the base of TPM's theory and practice. Exponents of the anti-psychology movement, like Martin and Deidre Bobgan, are exceedingly condemning in their critique of TPM, and particularly the fact that Smith probably had used insights, concepts and techniques from psychology. In researching the literature on the subject, it was found that the reformed pastoral ministry is relatively lacking in theoretical reflection on and practical implementation of the ministry of inner healing, TPM included. The first main purpose of the research was to scientifically determine whether the doctrinal and philosophical points of departure as well as practice of TPM were sound according to the reformative Scriptural standard. Should the research data indicate that TPM is acceptable in this respect, then the reformed pastoral practice have found at least one method of inner healing to make use of. Should the research data point to the contrary, then the necessary corrections can be done accordingly. The second main purpose of the research was to determine how the theory, practice and even context of TPM can possibly be served by the new light which the research may shed upon it. In the research methodology it is decided to firstly summarize the practical theory of TPM. This was followed on a meta-theoretical level by a qualitative empirical research on TPM, as well as a comparative study on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evenly highly successful psychotherapeutic treatment method for trauma and experience-based problems. In a third meta-theoretical chapter TPM and some of its critics are evaluated in accordance with the Philosophy of the Cosmonomic Idea. Following that, the data of the meta-theoretical chapters were compared in a hermeneutical way with the first practical theory of TPM and all its critique, as well as the reformative theological tradition. The final conclusions of the research indicate that TPM can be recommended to the reformed pastoral ministry as a reformative Scripturally sound method for inner healing and that the TPM theory, practice and context can be improved on several points as has been suggested in the study. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Theophostic Prayer Ministry (TPM) is an unparalleled method of inner healing which was developed in 1996 by Dr. Ed Smith of Campbellsville, Kentucky. The term Theophostic is formed by a combination of two Greek words, namely Theos (God) and phos (light). God's light refers to the central aspect of the ministry during which God gives his light to the counselee in order to expose the emotional wounds from the person's past and to heal it. TPM became known as a method which is exceptionally effective in treating trauma and experience-based problems. Several evaluators of TPM, however, raise questions concerning the doctrinal and philosophical soundness of the base of TPM's theory and practice. Exponents of the anti-psychology movement, like Martin and Deidre Bobgan, are exceedingly condemning in their critique of TPM, and particularly the fact that Smith probably had used insights, concepts and techniques from psychology. In researching the literature on the subject, it was found that the reformed pastoral ministry is relatively lacking in theoretical reflection on and practical implementation of the ministry of inner healing, TPM included. The first main purpose of the research was to scientifically determine whether the doctrinal and philosophical points of departure as well as practice of TPM were sound according to the reformative Scriptural standard. Should the research data indicate that TPM is acceptable in this respect, then the reformed pastoral practice have found at least one method of inner healing to make use of. Should the research data point to the contrary, then the necessary corrections can be done accordingly. The second main purpose of the research was to determine how the theory, practice and even context of TPM can possibly be served by the new light which the research may shed upon it. In the research methodology it is decided to firstly summarize the practical theory of TPM. This was followed on a meta-theoretical level by a qualitative empirical research on TPM, as well as a comparative study on Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), an evenly highly successful psychotherapeutic treatment method for trauma and experience-based problems. In a third meta-theoretical chapter TPM and some of its critics are evaluated in accordance with the Philosophy of the Cosmonomic Idea. Following that, the data of the meta-theoretical chapters were compared in a hermeneutical way with the first practical theory of TPM and all its critique, as well as the reformative theological tradition. The final conclusions of the research indicate that TPM can be recommended to the reformed pastoral ministry as a reformative Scripturally sound method for inner healing and that the TPM theory, practice and context can be improved on several points as has been suggested in the study. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Im Sommer 2012 führte das IÖR im Rahmen eines BMVBS/BBSR-Forschungsvorhabens eine bundesweite Umfrage zur Erhebung von Innenentwicklungspotenzialen (IEP) durch. Neben der Konzeption und Durchführung der Befragung und ergänzenden Experten-Interviews in ausgewählten Fallbeispielstädten beinhaltet das Projekt die Erarbeitung von Grundlagen und Konzepten für eine Verstetigung eines bundesweiten Monitorings von Innenentwicklungspotenzialen sowie die Berücksichtigung neuer Daten-Quellen und automatisierter Verfahren. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden ausgewählte Ergebnisse aus der Befragung vorgestellt. Schwerpunkt bildet dabei die Ermittlung und Validierung der Quantitäten von Innenentwicklungspotenzialen in Deutschland. An der bundesweiten standardisierten Online-Befragung beteiligten sich rd. 4 % der deutschen Städte und Gemeinden aller Größenklassen in proportionaler geographischer Verteilung nach Regionstypen und Bundesländern. Große Städte verfügen über gute Kenntnisse über zu vorliegenden Potenzialen, Kleinstädte und Landgemeinden sind dagegen oft auf Schätzungen angewiesen. Etwa die Hälfte der beteiligten Kommunen sieht sich in der Lage, die Daten regelmäßig fortzuschreiben. Tendenziell unterschätzen die befragten Kommunen die Potenziale in ihrem Territorium. Die Analyse möglicher Ursachen hierfür erlaubt die Auslotung von Bandbreiten nach oben. Vorliegende Hochrechnungen weisen IEP in Höhe von mindestens 15 m² je Einwohner (oder 120 000 ha) auf Brachen und Baulücken aus. Diese Größenordnung entspricht ca. 5 % der Gebäude- und Freifläche. Unter Berücksichtigung von Korrekturschätzungen kann der Gesamtwert auf ca. 20 m² je Einwohner (165 000 ha) steigen.

Basal cell carcinoma is a form of a non-melanoma skin tumour, that commonly forms over the sun exposed regions of the head and neck. Investigation of the rate of occurrence at different sites on face and neck shows considerable variation from site to site. The inner canthus has a disproportionate number when compared to more exposed sites. The eye brow ridge, cheek bone and nose limit the field of view of the inner canthus, thus it is expected to receive less radiation than other more exposed regions. To explain the disproportionate rate, it is hypothesised that a portion of radiation incident onto the eye is reflected to the inner canthus. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the contribution that the radiation reflected off the surface of the eye makes to the overall dose on the inner canthus. The inter reflections between the eye and inner canthus were studied through the use of the ray tracing program Zemax. Zemax was used to trace rays in a non sequential mode incident onto a model eye and periorbital region. To obtain the models of the eye and periorbital region, both magnetic resonance imaging and a casting process was investigated, with the later being superior for our uses. With the model obtained, it was used in a series of three dimensional ray tracing programs. On a macroscopic scale there is a small increase in the irradiance on the inner canthus (2 % over a 1 cm2 area). Peaks of high irradiance (19 % increase in irradiance above direct irradiance) were discovered over the surface when the detector was divided into 200 mm elements. It was concluded that these increases above the direct irradiance in these small regions, increases the possibility of the occurrence of a Basal cell carcinoma. Individual facial geometry, will greatly effect the location and size of these peaks and as a result an experimental method to measure the dose distribution across the inner canthus was proposed. Initially it was planned to use polysulphone film to measure the erythemal dose on the inner canthus. Results from the modelling indicated that any measurements made had to be at a high spatial resolution. Polysulphone film was found to be inadequate for this, due to its large uncertainties. An alternative method was investigated so that a population study could be performed in future studies using visible radiation and high dynamic range images gave a simple and effective clinical assessment tool. The high dynamic range images showed hot spots in the irradiance across the inner canthus agreeing with the model. The small spots of high relative irradiance may not be the only reason for the increased rate in this region. Greater skin sensitivity and absence of sun screen use at this site are other possibilities. It is believed however that the irradiance distribution across the inner canthus on a microscopic scale goes a long way to increasing the risk for certain people.