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This project consists of a union between sci-fi, magic, and realism. Using magic in the same contexts of realism is to make a legend come to life in our modern world. All three stories deal with difficult situations: the struggle of creation and insecurities, the struggle of suicide and overcoming traumatic experiences, the struggle of disabilities and disadvantages and turning it into strength. These topics are introduced through characters who find themselves coming up with solutions through fantastical means as outlets for their pain. In "She Who Fell in Love with the Sky and Sea," an artist and an unlikely mythical muse come together to create the best art the world has ever seen, yet the art becomes unclaimable to the artist at the twisted eyes of her muse. In "Death Date," death has visited Sola through a psychic prediction arriving with perfect timing. She is given one year to live. Struggling with a traumatic past, her death date encourages Sola to live out the rest of her days and stop her original plans. The Switch explores the conditions of living in dystopian lands with a neighboring land that is a utopia. This novel explores the life of Sain as he uncovers the mysterious disappearances of his fellow townspeople. On his journey, he discovers more than he wanted to know. Diving deeper into the governing rule of the Regime, Sain finds himself as a savior for not only his people but for the hidden people within the border. Sain, starting off weaker than most due to his father's negligence, must advance his axum, a power flowing within everyone at birth, and reduce the Regime to what it once was to reclaim what rightfully belongs to his people.

Campbell & The Cryptid is a short film that intertwines the bittersweet intensity of imagination with the nostalgic medium of hand drawn two-dimensional animation. Campbell is an eleven-year-old girl who loves adventure and spending time with her brother. But when he moves away, she carries on her explorations on her own. This leads her to discover a strange friend in the woods. The experience helps her understand that the unknown is not always as bad as imagined. Influences on the artistic direction include irreverent media such as Calvin & Hobbes, as well as more speculative works such as Over the Garden Wall to establish both the charm of youth and the authenticity of introspection.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is an acquired physical disability through traumatic injuries such as car accidents and shooting incidents, and non-traumatic injury such as a tumour on the spinal cord, amongst others. Unlike other parts of the body, the spinal cord does not have the ability to repair itself if it is damaged. Consequently, a person who has acquired an SCI will have a physical disability and will be either a paraplegic – paralysis of the lower part of the body, including the legs, or a quadriplegic, which is paralysis of all four limbs. Acquiring a spinal cord injury (SCI) has devastating long-term negative outcomes for the injured person as well as his/her cohabiting partner on a physical, psychological, psychosocial and socio-economical level. Exposure to such prolonged adversity and resulting negative outcomes calls for resilience, namely the ability to positively adapt despite the adversity being exposed to. Not all individuals have the natural ability to “bounce back”, and consequently resilience promotion is imperative. In South Africa, the focus of service delivery in rehabilitation centres is mainly centred on the injured person and consequently the well-being of the spinal cord injured person’s partner (SCIPP) is neglected. Little information is available on resilience-promoting programmes for SCIPPs; thus the main aim of this study was to design and develop a group resilience-promoting programme (GRPP) for SCIPPs. The researcher mainly followed a qualitative research approach and included a small quantitative component. In the context of applied research, an intervention research model comprising six phases was employed. Phase 1, Problem analysis and project planning, was reported on in section A. Manuscript 1 reports on phase 2 (information gathering and synthesis), and consists of a qualitative research synthesis, and mainly aimed at organizing and synthesizing previous research on resilience-promoting processes in order to inform the design and development of a group resilience-promoting programme (GRPP) for SCIPPs. After a systematic review and quality appraisal a total of 74 papers were selected to be quality appraised after abstracts and titles were assessed for relevance. Twenty-one studies were included and synthesized where after an outline for the content of a GRPP for SCIPPs was formulated. Conclusions and recommendations highlight that the formulated GRPP for SCIPPs needs to be further developed into an intervention that could be implemented with SCIPPs. As such, the researcher therefore proceeded with the study (see manuscript 2), aiming in developing small-group programme content and activities (using knowledge gathered from pre-existing interventions; resilience literature; consultations with experts; people living with spinal cord injury (SCI) and personal experience) to promote resilience in SCIPPs. By means of purposive sampling six advisory panel members from a diverse background were interviewed before and after the pilot study with two SCIPPs and one observer to contribute towards the further development of the GRPP for SCIPPs. A six-session GRPP for SCIPPs was formulated, including the following: (1) Information on SCI and resilience; (2) Help SCIPPs understand that their reactions to/emotions regarding these huge changes are normal; (3) Caretaking and support; (4) My dual role; (5) Own caretaking by SCIPPs; and (6) Termination and way forward. The newly developed GRPP for SCIPPs however had to be formally evaluated. Recommendations were made by professionals in the field that the GRPP for SCIPPs should first be subjected to peer review prior to implementing it with the target population. Therefore in manuscript 3 (reporting on phase 5 – evaluation ) the evaluation purpose was to subject the GRPP for SCIPPs to peer review by means of an empirical study with professional role-players (social workers and psychologists) in the field of spinal cord injury, prior to exhibiting it to the target population. The six group sessions were presented to professional role-players (n=12) working within the field of SCI during two 2-day workshops, whereby they were requested to evaluate the content and procedural elements of the GRPP for SCIPPs mainly by means of qualitative research, with a small numerical (quantitative) component. Thematic content analysis and basic descriptive statistics were employed. Overall positive feedback regarding the newly developed intervention was received, with suggested adjustments that needed to be made to the GRPP for SCIPPs prior to formal evaluation with the target group. The GRPP for SCIPPs will further be subjected to expert review in other provinces in South Africa, as the current participants were all from Gauteng. Furthermore, postgraduate students will be recruited to test the programme with the target-population in South Africa for possible further improvement and suggestions, as well as possible expansion to adjust this intervention to meet the needs of male SCIPPs; SCIPs themselves; children of a parent/s living with SCI; and also for post-injury cohabiting relationships, as this intervention might be a starting point for above-mentioned research-opportunities.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is an acquired physical disability through traumatic injuries such as car accidents and shooting incidents, and non-traumatic injury such as a tumour on the spinal cord, amongst others. Unlike other parts of the body, the spinal cord does not have the ability to repair itself if it is damaged. Consequently, a person who has acquired an SCI will have a physical disability and will be either a paraplegic – paralysis of the lower part of the body, including the legs, or a quadriplegic, which is paralysis of all four limbs. Acquiring a spinal cord injury (SCI) has devastating long-term negative outcomes for the injured person as well as his/her cohabiting partner on a physical, psychological, psychosocial and socio-economical level. Exposure to such prolonged adversity and resulting negative outcomes calls for resilience, namely the ability to positively adapt despite the adversity being exposed to. Not all individuals have the natural ability to “bounce back”, and consequently resilience promotion is imperative. In South Africa, the focus of service delivery in rehabilitation centres is mainly centred on the injured person and consequently the well-being of the spinal cord injured person’s partner (SCIPP) is neglected. Little information is available on resilience-promoting programmes for SCIPPs; thus the main aim of this study was to design and develop a group resilience-promoting programme (GRPP) for SCIPPs. The researcher mainly followed a qualitative research approach and included a small quantitative component. In the context of applied research, an intervention research model comprising six phases was employed. Phase 1, Problem analysis and project planning, was reported on in section A. Manuscript 1 reports on phase 2 (information gathering and synthesis), and consists of a qualitative research synthesis, and mainly aimed at organizing and synthesizing previous research on resilience-promoting processes in order to inform the design and development of a group resilience-promoting programme (GRPP) for SCIPPs. After a systematic review and quality appraisal a total of 74 papers were selected to be quality appraised after abstracts and titles were assessed for relevance. Twenty-one studies were included and synthesized where after an outline for the content of a GRPP for SCIPPs was formulated. Conclusions and recommendations highlight that the formulated GRPP for SCIPPs needs to be further developed into an intervention that could be implemented with SCIPPs. As such, the researcher therefore proceeded with the study (see manuscript 2), aiming in developing small-group programme content and activities (using knowledge gathered from pre-existing interventions; resilience literature; consultations with experts; people living with spinal cord injury (SCI) and personal experience) to promote resilience in SCIPPs. By means of purposive sampling six advisory panel members from a diverse background were interviewed before and after the pilot study with two SCIPPs and one observer to contribute towards the further development of the GRPP for SCIPPs. A six-session GRPP for SCIPPs was formulated, including the following: (1) Information on SCI and resilience; (2) Help SCIPPs understand that their reactions to/emotions regarding these huge changes are normal; (3) Caretaking and support; (4) My dual role; (5) Own caretaking by SCIPPs; and (6) Termination and way forward. The newly developed GRPP for SCIPPs however had to be formally evaluated. Recommendations were made by professionals in the field that the GRPP for SCIPPs should first be subjected to peer review prior to implementing it with the target population. Therefore in manuscript 3 (reporting on phase 5 – evaluation ) the evaluation purpose was to subject the GRPP for SCIPPs to peer review by means of an empirical study with professional role-players (social workers and psychologists) in the field of spinal cord injury, prior to exhibiting it to the target population. The six group sessions were presented to professional role-players (n=12) working within the field of SCI during two 2-day workshops, whereby they were requested to evaluate the content and procedural elements of the GRPP for SCIPPs mainly by means of qualitative research, with a small numerical (quantitative) component. Thematic content analysis and basic descriptive statistics were employed. Overall positive feedback regarding the newly developed intervention was received, with suggested adjustments that needed to be made to the GRPP for SCIPPs prior to formal evaluation with the target group. The GRPP for SCIPPs will further be subjected to expert review in other provinces in South Africa, as the current participants were all from Gauteng. Furthermore, postgraduate students will be recruited to test the programme with the target-population in South Africa for possible further improvement and suggestions, as well as possible expansion to adjust this intervention to meet the needs of male SCIPPs; SCIPs themselves; children of a parent/s living with SCI; and also for post-injury cohabiting relationships, as this intervention might be a starting point for above-mentioned research-opportunities.

Thesis advisor: Mary E. Duffy / Ten people with tetraplegic spinal cord injuries participated in a nurse-coached exercise intervention/single subject design study over a period of six months. Four pieces of exercise equipment were used: the RT300S Functional Electrical Stimulation Bike, the VIta Glide, the NuStep TRS 4000, and the Easy Stand Evolv Glider. Measurement of variables of the Manual Muscle Test (MMT), Catz-Itzkovich Spinal Cord Independence Measures (CI-SCIM), and Moorong Self-Efficacy Scale (MSES) were collected at baseline, at three months into the exercise intervention, and at six months (at the conclusion of the intervention). Results were determined by visual analysis of graphs, in keeping with single subject design methods, and statistical analysis of combined data. Of those muscles that demonstrated some strength at baseline, 75% experienced increased strength at three and/or six months into the intervention. Of those muscles that demonstrated no strength at baseline and that were adjacent to muscles that demonstrated some strength at baseline, 66% were found to have increased strength at three and/or six months. Nine of ten participants experienced upward trends in CI-SCIM scores overall (p<.0001). The results of the subscales of Self-Care (p<.0001) and Mobility (p<.0001) indicated statistically significant changes over time. The subscale Respiratory and Sphincter Management was not statistically significant (p>.05). Visual analysis of graphs demonstrated that each of ten participants experienced strong improvements in self-efficacy scores from baseline to three months and from three months to six months into the intervention. R-ANOVA (p<.0001) confirmed statistical significance across ten participants. The Sheehy Spinal Cord Injury Functional Improvement Via Exercise (SCI-FIVE) Model was constructed prior to the study and validated throughout the course of the study. The results of the study validated all components of the Model and demonstrated increased muscle strength, increased self-efficacy, and improved quality of life for the ten study participants who participated in a nurse-coached exercise intervention for people with tetraplegic spinal cord injuries. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2010. / Submitted to: Boston College. Connell School of Nursing. / Discipline: Nursing.

Roger Braun (1910-1981) est un prêtre français qui s’est très tôt intéressé aux juifs, qu’ils soient en France ou en Palestine, au judaïsme et à la culture juive. En 1942, il est nommé Aumônier général adjoint des camps de zone sud et des formations de travailleurs étrangers. Face aux persécutions, il tente de soustraire les internés juifs à l’occupant, cache les enfants, fait son possible pour réunir les familles dispersées, place les vieillards dans des hospices. Il participe au changement de politique de l’Aumônerie en lui permettant d’apporter, en plus d’un secours spirituel, une aide matérielle sans distinction de « race », de religion, de nationalité. Ce faisant, il jette les bases du Secours catholique international (SCI). En 1946, le SCI fusionne avec le Comité catholique de secours de l’Aumônerie des prisonniers de guerre du chanoine Rodhain. L’œuvre de charité confessionnelle ainsi créée adopte le nom de Secours catholique. Après avoir quitté cette instance, en 1957, il reprend son apostolat sous la modalité du dialogue en direction des juifs et d’Israël, aux Cahiers sioniens d’abord, puis en créant sa propre revue : Rencontre chrétiens et juifs. Formation parallèle à l’Amitié judéo-chrétienne, cette revue vise à favoriser la compréhension et le rapprochement entre les fidèles des deux religions. Fervent militant contre l’antisémitisme, il intègre également les rangs de la Ligue internationale contre l’antisémitisme (LICA). Il en devient Président de la Fédération de Paris et membre du Comité directeur. Chevalier de l’Ordre de la Santé publique, premier Français à être distingué par l’État d’Israël pour son rôle en faveur des juifs pendant la Seconde guerre mondiale, « Juste parmi les nations », officier de l’Ordre des Veterans of the Foreign Wars of the United States, chevalier de la Légion d’honneur, récipiendaire du Prix Narcisse Leven contre l’antisémitisme, de la Médaille de Vermeil de la Ville de Paris, ce religieux n’avait curieusement jamais fait l’objet d’aucune étude historique. Ce travail a pour objectif d’établir une biographie la plus exhaustive possible du père Roger Braun, de l’inscrire dans le courant plus large du philosémitisme catholique et de la redécouverte des origines juives du christianisme. Il vise également à comprendre la naissance de l’œuvre de charité catholique et à établir ce qu’a été son action en faveur des étrangers et réfugiés de l’Europe d’après-guerre. / Roger Braun (1910-1981) was a French Jesuit priest who early took an interest in the Jews, coming from France or Palestine, Judaism and Jewish culture.In 1942, he was appointed chaplain assistant to the camps and groups of foreign workers in the “Free France” area (in the south of the country). Responding to persecutions, he tried to save the lives of interned Jews from the Nazi occupiers by releasing them or organizing escapes and hiding children. He did his utmost to bring together members of families dispersed owing to the war and he placed the elderly in the care of hospices.He was involved in the policy change of the Chaplaincy allowing it to provide, in addition to a spiritual help, a material help without any distinction of “race”, religion or nationality. In so doing, he established the basis of an international Catholic Relief Service (Secours Catholique International – SCI). In 1946, the SCI merged with Catholic Relief Committee (Comité Catholique de Secours) belonging to the Canon Rodhain’s Chaplaincy of prisoners of war. The new confessional charity thus created adopted the name of Secours Catholique.In 1957, after leaving this institution, he returned to his apostolate in the form of a dialogue to the Jews and Israel, being involved in the editorial team of the Cahiers Sioniens, and then, creating his own periodical: Rencontre chrétiens et juifs (Meeting/Encounter Christians and Jews). As a parallel creation to the Amitié judéo-chrétienne de France (Judeo-Christian Friendship of France), this periodical aims at improving a mutual understanding between the faithful of both religions and bringing them together. As a fervent opponent to anti-semitism of any kind, he joined the International League Against Anti-semitism (LICA: Ligue Internationale Contre l’Antisémitisme). He became president of its federation in Paris and member of the steering committee.Roger Braun was made a Knight (Chevalier) of the Order of Public Health, the first French to be honored by the State of Israel as “Righteous Among the Nations” for his involvement in favor of the Jews during World War II, Officer of the Order of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, recipient of the Narcisse Leven Award against anti-semitism and of the Médaille Vermeil of the City of Paris. And yet, the work of this religious had never been studied from an historical point of view.This thesis aims at making the most detailed possible biography of Father Roger Braun, to establish his work as a significant part of the philo-semitism trend and the rediscovery of the Jewish roots of Christianity. It also seeks to analyze and understand the birth of this catholic charity and to clarify his action and involvement in favor of the foreigners and the refugees of post-war Europe.

Uppsatsen beskriver utveckling av medvetandets filosofi i science fiction mellan 1800-talet och mitten av 1900-talet. För analysen används Mary Shelleys Frankenstein och Isaac Asimovs the Bicentennial Man. Utvecklingen i science fiction går parallellt med utveckling inom filosofin. Utvecklingen går mot en fysikalisk lösning på kropp och medvetande problemet med argument från behaviorismen, identitetsteorin, samt funktionalismen.

La blessure médullaire est un traumatisme aux conséquences désastreuses pour le patient. Au-delà de déficiences motrices immédiatement identifiables (paralysie des membres), l’interruption de la communication entre tissu nerveux sous-lésionnel et centres nerveux responsables de l’intégration et de la régulation des processus physiologiques, conduit souvent à un tableau clinique plus complexe. Parmi ces troubles insidieux, l’altération des fonctions urinaires et intestinales est d’une importance majeure. La régulation de ces fonctions étant sous la dépendance des segments les plus caudaux de la moelle épinière, toute altération du tissu spinal engendrera de manière quasi systématique un fonctionnement anarchique des organes conduisant à des dérèglements socialement handicapants (rétention ou/et incontinence urinaire et fécale). Bien que pour corriger cela, une stratégie basée sur la stimulation électrique fonctionnelle au niveau des racines sacrées, ait déjà été implémentée et commercialisée (Implant Brindley-Finetech), son recours ne demeure que trop marginal eu égard aux contreparties exigées (sections des racines afférentes de la moelle sacrée, avec perte de la sensibilité et des réflexes fonctionnels). Il n’est alors pas surprenant d’observer que les patients continuent à leur préférer des alternatives thérapeutiques (cathétérisme, toxine botulique…). L’objectif de cette thèse est d’évaluer les potentialités d’une stimulation directe de la moelle épinière dans la restauration des fonctions urinaires et intestinales chez le sujet lésé médullaire en proposant l’utilisation d’un nouveau modèle expérimental – le cochon domestique (40-60kg, 3-4 mois d’âge) – et une approche chirurgicale. / Spinal cord injury results in the loss of movement and sensory sensations but also in the disruption of some organ functions. Nearly all spinal cord injured subjects lose bladder control and are prone to kidney failure if they do not apply intermittent (self-) catheterization. Electrical stimulation of the sacral spinal roots with an implantable neuroprosthesis is one option besides self-catheterization to become continent and control micturition. However, many persons do not ask for this neuroprosthetic device (Brindley-Finetech implant) since deafferentation and loss of sensory functions and reflexes are serious side effects and since alternative treatments are available to patients (drugs, botulinus toxin….). This PhD work aimed at investigating various techniques for spinal cord electrical stimulation in order to address dysfunctions in spinal cord injured individuals on lesion levels that have an impact on lower limb movements and bladder, bowel and sexual functions. Orderly recruitment of fibers at the spinal cord level should eventually lead to orderly recruitment of the detrusor muscle without activation of the bladder sphincter. Thereby, low pressure voiding, for example, should be obtained that is currently impossible with existing active implantable medical devices. A new large animal model – the domestic pig – was investigated to overcome size effects of rodent models and be able to translate results and technology more easily to human.