The European Union is often criticized for having a democratic deficit, and most often cited are the shortcomings in citizen inputs. The complex institutional structure, in particular the dual channel of representation (supranational and intergovernmental), contributes to these concerns. This thesis thus examines what impacts the linkage between citizens and their elected representatives in the direct channel of representation. I refer to this linkage as the "electoral connection" and outline three related input criteria: Competent Citizens: Citizens can competently assign policy responsibility and hold their representatives to account; Meaningful Choices: Citizens have meaningful choices at election time; and Substantive Representation: Elected officials are representative of their constituents. The theoretical framework of the electoral connection is based in substantive representation, and focuses on the mandate conception of representation but also includes a discussion of accountability. I utilize European Election Studies (EES) voter, media, and candidate studies from 2009, EES voter and candidate studies from 1994, and a novel expert survey on EU responsibility (2010). The analyses of responsibility attributions and vote choice are conducted using multilevel modelling to assess individual- and contextual-level determinants. I test the effect that information and political attitudes, specifically extreme attitudes have on the first two criteria of the direct electoral connection. The role of information is tested at the individual level through political sophistication, and at the contextual level through the politicization of the EU issue. The first criterion is tested by comparing citizen and expert attributions of responsibility. For the second criterion, two chapters which examine perceived party positions and issue-cross pressure assess how this impacts the electoral connection. The final empirical chapter is a descriptive analysis of congruence on policy priorities and preference for governmental responsibility to assess substantive representation. If there is some understanding of responsibility, and citizens have selected parties that align with their preferred policy positions, then we should expect government to be representative of its constituents. One contribution is defining an expanded definition of the electoral connection. In addition I show that political sophistication and issue politicization have a positive impact on the electoral connection, while attitude extremity generally has a negative impact. Furthermore, the European Parliament is quite representative of its constituents. Concerns about democratic deficit and lack of representation in the European Union are overstated.

My experienced- and scientific based essay describes de communicative issues I experience with a specific couple of parents at my preschool. These issues are also applicable in a more general perspective regarding the communication between the preschool and the home. The reflection helps me to reach a deeper understanding of what communication is and the challenges that can arise when the preschool meets the home. Moreover, the reflection helps me to consider whether it is useful to see this from a power related perspective and what the preschool’s curriculum says about cooperation between the preschool and the home. I am trying to view the problematic issues from the parents’ point of view and thereby attend their position. My aim is to study the meaning of communication between pedagogues and parents in the preschool in order to be able to see the consequences that arise for the child when the communication fails. I also aim to illuminate the power relationship that takes place between parents and pedagogues. My question formulations are: Does my dilemma regard power and who possesses the most power in the meeting at the preschool; the pedagogues or the parents? What happens to the child when communication problems arise between pedagogues and parents? My conclusion is that it is difficult to really know how another person experience a situation and it is a bit of a chance when one is to interpret. Furthermore, I find that situations of this sort rarely can be solved by stating that there is a right or a wrong. Human relationships consist of grey zones where the specific situation often decides how it is most appropriate to act. / Min erfarenhets- och vetenskapsbaserade essä beskriver de kommunikativa svårigheter jag upplever med ett specifikt föräldrapar på min förskola. Dessa problem är även applicerbara ur ett mer generellt perspektiv vad gäller kommunikationen mellan förskolan och hemmet. Reflektionen hjälper mig till fördjupning av vad kommunikation är och vilka utmaningar som kan uppstå när förskolan och hemmet möts. Vidare hjälper reflektionen mig att överväga huruvida det är aktuellt att se detta ur ett maktrelaterat perspektiv och vad förskolans läroplan säger om samarbetet mellan förskolan och hemmet. Jag försöker ta möjligheten att se problematiken även ur föräldrarnas perspektiv och därigenom inta deras position. Vad gör att de agerar som de gör och vad gör att jag reagerar som jag gör? Mitt syfte är att studera kommunikationens betydelse mellan pedagoger och föräldrar i förskolan för att kunna se vilka konsekvenser som uppstår för barnet när kommunikationen brister. Jag ämnar även belysa maktrelationen som råder mellan föräldrar och pedagoger. Mina frågeställningar är: Handlar mitt dilemma om makt och vem som innehar störst makt i mötet på förskolans arena; pedagogerna eller föräldrarna? Vad sker med barnet när det uppstår kommunikationsproblem mellan pedagoger och föräldrar? Jag kommer fram till att det är svårt att verkligen veta hur en annan part upplever en situation och det blir lite av en chansning när man ska göra denna tolkning. Vidare finner jag att situationer av detta slag sällan kan lösas genom att säga att något alltid är rätt eller fel. Mänskliga relationer präglas av gråzoner där den specifika situationen ofta avgör hur det är lämpligast att agera.

Master of Landscape Architecture / Department of Landscape Architecture / Dennis L. Law / In the late 1800s George Kessler and the Board of Parks and Boulevard Commissioners (BPBC) developed a Parks and Boulevard system for Kansas City, MO laying the foundation for the city to grow. Development of the system is the result of the combination of Kessler’s ideology, as well as his planning and design practices. The parks and boulevard system established a framework giving due weight to existing conditions, adapting itself to topography, avoiding forced routes and forced construction. This framework based itself around the value of beauty, the city’s duty, the effect of parkways and boulevards on real-estate values, and the experience of other cities. Today, auto-centric sprawl has revealed its limitations, bringing focus back to the neglected urban fabric. The current urban fabric is dominated with automotive infrastructure responding only to the pedestrian where convenient or required. Results of this trend in development are concrete jungles. Unfortunately, the city character developed by the expanded parks and open space systems has been or is in danger of being lost. Opportunities for redevelopment are rising as these expansive urban infrastructures are reaching the end of their designed life cycle. As people begin to repopulate urban areas, revitalization of the parks and green space is of high priority. Adapting George Kessler’s practices, principles, and ideals behind the Kansas City Parks and Boulevard System to contemporary practices, principles, and ideals in landscape architecture will allow a designer to enhance urban centers. Using my findings, I will develop a master plan for the Kansas City Downtown Loop. By enhancing sites with parks and plazas connected with pedestrian friendly greenways, the Downtown Loop will be a safer, more pleasant place for pedestrians and motorists alike.

As community gardens (CGs) become increasingly popular, it is timely to investigate whether they further sustainability goals. Underpinning my research were questions like why people get involved in CGs, what benefits they derive, what they learn from gardening, and how governance facilitates that learning. Through interviews with gardeners, my data show that key benefits of gardening included building community, environmental protection, improved health, and resisting the industrialization of food. CG membership also facilitated learning in all three domains of Transformative Learning: communicative, instrumental, and transformation. Learning outcomes included gardening skills, improved insight into self and others, and increased prevalence of pro-environmental perspectives. The primary source of learning was interaction with other gardeners. CG involvement may contribute to sustainability by providing an environment which allows people to connect with nature, learn from others (if governance, garden organization, and social capital are strong), and choose more pro-environmental behaviours. / May 2016

No description available.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a distribuição de tensões na região peri-implantar de próteses fixas unitárias cimentadas com conexões protéticas em hexágono externo (HE), hexágono interno (HI) e cone morse (CM), substituindo o 2° pré-molar mandibular; utilizando análise fotoelástica. Foram confeccionados 3 modelos fotoelásticos com implantes de diferentes conexões protéticas (HE, HI e CM) suportando coroas metalocerâmicas unitárias, com dentes adjacentes (1° molar e 1° pré-molar mandibular). Foram aplicados 2 tipos de cargas com diferentes intensidades, oclusal fisiológica (15, 20 e 25 Kgf) e pontual (10 e 15 Kgf) na fossa mesial das coroas implantossuportadas. As imagens obtidas foram inseridas no programa Fringes® (Laboratório de Projetos Mecânicos, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil), e selecionados 12 pontos a serem analisados. Foram realizadas análises quantitativa e qualitativa das tensões observadas. Os resultados das tensões (KPa) medias da região peri-implantar, para cada tipo e intensidade de carga, foram: Cargas fisiológicas: 1) 15 Kgf: HE 107,42; HI 88,81; CM 182,63; 2) 20 Kgf: HE 185,60; HI 123,77; CM 226,44; e 3) 25 Kgf: HE 207,90; HI 176,88; CM 320,65; Cargas pontuais: 1) 10 Kgf: HE 115,94; HI 108,14; CM 64,78; e 2) 15 Kgf: HE 147,25; HI 143,88; CM 177,87. Foi observado que para os carregamentos fisiológicos a HI apresentou os menores valores de tensão e melhor distribuição entre implante e dentes adjacentes; a CM apresentou os maiores valores de tensão, contudo a distribuição entre implante e dentes adjacentes também foi adequada; a HE mostrou a distribuição menos favorável com tensões na crista mesial do implante. Nos carregamentos pontuais a CM apresentou melhor distribuição de tensões ao longo do implante seguido pela HI e HE. Conclui-se que a distribuição de tensões foi influenciada pelo tipo de conexão protética; sendo que as tensões foram melhor distribuídas na carga oclusal fisiológica. O HI apresentou melhor distribuição de tensões para a carga fisiológica e o CM para a carga pontual, evidenciando melhor desempenho das conexões internas / This study aimed to evaluate the peri-implant stress fields generated from 3 different implant- abutment interfaces external hexagon (EH), internal hexagon (IH) and morse taper (MT); supporting single crowns corresponding to the 2nd mandibular pré-molar via photoelastic analysis. 3 photoelastic models with different implant-abutment connections (HE, HI, CM) supporting metal-ceramic single crowns with adjacent teeth (mandibular 1st molar and 2nd pre-molar) were fabricated. The models were submitted to different loads: physiologic occlusion (15, 20, 25Kgf) and punctual (10, 15Kgf) in the implant-supported crown at the mesial fossa region. The images obtained were inserted in the software Fringes® (Laboratório de Projetos Mecânicos, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil). The maximum stresses were determined and observed at 12 selected points, qualitative and quantitative analysis were performed. The results of the stress (KPa) average of peri-implant regions with the 2 different loads and their respective intensities (Kgf) were: Physiologic occlusion: 1) 15 Kgf: HE 107,42; HI 88,81; CM 182,63; 2) 20 Kgf: HE 185,60; HI 123,77; CM 226,44; and 3) 25 Kgf: HE 207,90; HI 176,88; CM 320,65; Punctual loads: 1) 10 Kgf: HE 115,94; HI 108,14; CM 64,78; and 2) 15 Kgf: HE 147,25; HI 143,88; CM 177,87. With the physiological load the IH showed the lowest stress values and a favorable distribution among implant and adjacent teeth; the MT showed the highest stress values, however a favorable distribution with the adjacent teeth; the EH showed stress values in the cervical mesial point of the implant. For the punctual load the MT showed the best stress distribution within the implant, followed by the IH and EH. It was concluded that stress patterns were influenced by the connection design and were more favorable with the physiological occlusion load for all connections. The IH showed better stress distribution with the physiological occlusion load and the MT with the punctual load, showing better performance for internal connections

Thesis advisor: Aimee Seiler / In the effort to take responsibly and effect positive change in the lives of our children, we must begin by identifying and applying the most effective methods to help them overcome obstacles to mental and emotional well-being. In conjunction with a limited number of quantitative studies, anecdotal evidence suggests that animal-assisted therapies and activities promote positive outcomes for children who have been physically abused and who have developed behavioral and emotional disorders. Chapter one will address the current state of the research on the impact of physical abuse on children's physical, social and emotional beings. Understanding what we know about what abused children must cope with, chapter two will examine service provision under the current system known as the continuum of care. Finally, chapter three will introduce animal assisted therapy and illustrate the ways in which it can strengthen and support services that are already in place for children who are struggling with behavioral and emotional disorders that result from physical abuse. Before the argument for including animal assisted programs as a supplement to services currently provided can be made, this therapeutic approach deserves to be appropriately standardized and evaluated. Allocating more resources to research that will develop the breath and depth of knowledge in the field of animal assisted therapy is a necessary step in improving the quality of care. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2004. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Education, Lynch School of. / Discipline: College Honors Program.

Problemas com desenho de conexões protéticas sobre implantes, microfendas, afrouxamento e, consequentemente, perdas das estruturas protéticas reabilitadoras são tópicos frequentes do estudo odontológico. Conexões do tipo Cone Morse, devido às suas características, diminuíram o índice desses problemas, abrindo uma nova perspectiva para o sucesso da prótese sobre implante. Contudo, ainda é frequente encontrar componentes que falham no desempenho, levando à falência da restauração, especialmente quando esses componentes não são bem ajustados, bem fixados ou, ainda, não possuem, na sua geometria, características suficientes para suportar as forças laterais e oclusais de um ciclo mastigatório. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a influência do jateamento com óxido de alumínio sobre a superfície externa dos componentes protéticos, separadamente e em conjunto, com um adesivo industrial, em uma tentativa de aumentar os valores de torque de abertura de componentes apertados em seu torque recomendado, pelo fabricante ou menor. Neste ensaio, foram utilizados 36 implantes da marca Straumann®, de 10mm de comprimento com diâmetro de 4,8 mm, os quais foram divididos em 6 grupos: Grupo 1 = controle, torque de 35 N.cm; Grupo 2 = superfície jateada com óxido de alumínio (# 320) e torque de 35 N.cm; Grupo 3 = superfície jateada com óxido de alumínio (# 320) e torque de 25 N.cm; Grupo 4 = superfície jateada com óxido de alumínio (# 100) e torque de 25 N.cm; Grupo 5 = superfície jateada com óxido de alumínio (# 320), aplicação de adesivo e torque de 25 N.cm; Grupo 6 = superfície jateada com óxido de alumínio (# 100), aplicação de adesivo e torque de 25 N.cm, que receberam componentes protéticos sólidos de 5,5 mm de altura, regulares e alterados. As modificações incluídas foram o jateamento com partículas de óxido de alumínio (100 e 320 micra) e o uso de Loctite® 277 como adesivo industrial. Os conjuntos implante-componente foram levados até uma máquina de controle de tração, Instron®, e, após a sua calibração, as amostras dos grupos foram apertadas em 35 e 25 N.cm, com um conjunto catraca-torquímetro, com checagem visual e registro no software acoplado à máquina de ensaio. Após trinta dias, os grupos foram levados à máquina novamente e o conjunto abutment-implante foi desapertado, agora somente com registro no software da máquina de ensaio. Os valores e porcentagens da diferença entre torque de aperto e desaperto foram avaliados estatisticamente, e comparados entre os grupos. Para todas as associações, o valor de p deveria ser menor ou igual 0,05, para relevância. O grupo Jateado 35 N.cm, 320 micra, não apresentou valores mais altos do que o grupo Controle no momento do torque de desaperto, assim como os grupos Jateados 25 N.cm 100 e 320 micra. Os grupos Jateados 25 N.cm, 100 e 320 micra, com adesivo, mostraram uma resistência por volta de uma vez e meia maior, no torque de desaperto do que o grupo Controle 35 N.cm. / Problems with design of prosthetic implant connections, microleakage,! loosening which leads to loss of rehabilitative prosthetic structures are frequent topics of dental study. Morse taper connections, due to its characteristics, decreased the rate of these problems opening a new perspective to the success of the prosthesis supported over implant. However, it is still frequent to find components that fail in performance leading to failure of restoration especially when these components are not well adjusted, tightened or do not have in its geometry enough characteristics to support the occlusal and lateral forces in a masticatory cycle. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of blasting with aluminum oxide on the outer surface of the prosthetic components separately and in conjunction with an industrial adhesive in an attempt to increase the opening torque values of components tightened on their recommended torque by the manufacturer or less, therefore allowing the dentist an early intervention in the prosthetic rehabilitation. In this test, 36 Straumann® implants of 10mm high and 4,8mm wide were used. They were divided into six groups: Group 1 Solid abutments control group - 35 N.cm tightened; Group 2 - Solid sandblasted abutments, 35 N.cm aluminum oxide 320 microns size particles; Group 3 - Solid sandblasted abutments, 25 N.cm aluminum oxide 320 microns size particles; Group 4 - Solid sandblasted abutments, 25 N.cm aluminum oxide 100 microns size particles; Group 5 - Solid sandblasted abutments, 25 N.cm aluminum oxide 320 microns size particles with glue application; Group 6 - Solid sandblasted abutments, 25 N.cm aluminum oxide 100 microns size particles with glue application, which received 5,5 mm high regular and modified solid abutments. The included modifications were sandblasting with aluminum oxide particles (100 and 320 microns) and the use of Loctite® 277 as an industrial adhesive. The samples were taken to a traction control test machine, Instron ®, and after calibration the group samples were tightened on 35 and 25 N.cm with a ratchet-wrench set with visual check. The data was recorded in a software coupled to the test machine. After thirty days the groups were brought again to the test machine and the samples were untightened. At this point the resulting data was recorded only in the testing machine software. The values and percentages of the changes between the tightening and loosening torques were recorded and compared among the study groups. For all associations a p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. The group blasted 35 N.cm, 320 microns did not show higher values than the control group at the time of loosening torque as well as groups blasted 25 N.cm 100 and 320 microns. The groups blasted 25 N.cm, 100 and 320 microns with adhesive showed a resistance around one and a half times greater in the loosening torque than the control group 35 N.cm.

A tese apresenta-se na forma de um relato, de uma reflexão, de uma experiência desenvolvida a partir da disciplina de Projeto Arquitetônico II da UFRGS, tendo como hipótese a possibilidade de uma abertura de significado das arquiteturas de conexão em direção ao acolhimento pelo entrecruzamento da experiência dos alunos e das ideias do filósofo Jacques Derrida, tendo como estudo de caso a Estação Niterói-Rio Branco, de Canoas. Os exercícios praticados pelos alunos nos espaços da estação procuraram ser uma forma de “rasura e apagamento” sobre a “escrita” original da obra, transformando as ações em dispositivos desconstrutores e possibilitando que essas obras de conexões tragam em si o gesto de hospitalidade. A força inventiva dos alunos apresentou-se na forma de instalações de equipamentos provisórios e definitivos e festas de integração nas praças da estação, denunciando o abismo existente entre o projeto da estação e a realidade vivenciada. Assim, num processo de ressignificação, as arquiteturas de conexões podem tornar-se o meio, o facilitador, o dispositivo de hospitalidade, contribuindo sensivelmente no papel social? Conclui-se que a aproximação entre filosofia e arquitetura mostra-se como um caminho para o questionamento e crítica das práticas projetuais, na direção de uma abordagem mais sensível e humana. As ações dos alunos vêm para alertar sobre a hostilidade das nossas cidades e o abandono e omissão de seus habitantes. / The thesis presents itself as a reflection from the experience in the discipline of Project II in the Architect Faculty of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul – UFRGS. The hypothesis is that it is possible an opening of meaning of the connection architectures towards the host. It is possible through cross-linking the student´s experience and the ideas of the philosopher Jacques Derrida. The thesis had as case study the Niteroi-Rio Branco station, in the municipality of Canoas – RS. The student´s exercises in the spaces of the station sought to be a form of "erasure and erasure" on the original "writing" of the architectural work, transforming the actions into deconstructing devices and enabling these architectural works of urban connections to betray the gesture of hospitality. The inventive strength of the students was presented in the form of provisional and definitive equipment installations and integration parties in the squares of the station, denouncing the abyss existing between the project of the Station and the reality experienced. Thus, in a process of resignification, the architectures of urban connections can become the facilitator, the hospitality device, contributing significantly to the social role? It is concluded that the approximation between philosophy and architecture is shown as a way for the questioning and the critique of the project practices towards a more sensitive and human approach. The actions of the students come to warn about the hostility of our cities and the abandonment and omission of its inhabitants. In this sense, the thesis presents itself as a questioning and a criticism to the fact of thinking architecture by the principle of efficiency, forgetting the responsibility of accepting unconditionally the other.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a distribuição de tensões na região peri-implantar de próteses fixas unitárias cimentadas com conexões protéticas em hexágono externo (HE), hexágono interno (HI) e cone morse (CM), substituindo o 2° pré-molar mandibular; utilizando análise fotoelástica. Foram confeccionados 3 modelos fotoelásticos com implantes de diferentes conexões protéticas (HE, HI e CM) suportando coroas metalocerâmicas unitárias, com dentes adjacentes (1° molar e 1° pré-molar mandibular). Foram aplicados 2 tipos de cargas com diferentes intensidades, oclusal fisiológica (15, 20 e 25 Kgf) e pontual (10 e 15 Kgf) na fossa mesial das coroas implantossuportadas. As imagens obtidas foram inseridas no programa Fringes® (Laboratório de Projetos Mecânicos, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil), e selecionados 12 pontos a serem analisados. Foram realizadas análises quantitativa e qualitativa das tensões observadas. Os resultados das tensões (KPa) medias da região peri-implantar, para cada tipo e intensidade de carga, foram: Cargas fisiológicas: 1) 15 Kgf: HE 107,42; HI 88,81; CM 182,63; 2) 20 Kgf: HE 185,60; HI 123,77; CM 226,44; e 3) 25 Kgf: HE 207,90; HI 176,88; CM 320,65; Cargas pontuais: 1) 10 Kgf: HE 115,94; HI 108,14; CM 64,78; e 2) 15 Kgf: HE 147,25; HI 143,88; CM 177,87. Foi observado que para os carregamentos fisiológicos a HI apresentou os menores valores de tensão e melhor distribuição entre implante e dentes adjacentes; a CM apresentou os maiores valores de tensão, contudo a distribuição entre implante e dentes adjacentes também foi adequada; a HE mostrou a distribuição menos favorável com tensões na crista mesial do implante. Nos carregamentos pontuais a CM apresentou melhor distribuição de tensões ao longo do implante seguido pela HI e HE. Conclui-se que a distribuição de tensões foi influenciada pelo tipo de conexão protética; sendo que as tensões foram melhor distribuídas na carga oclusal fisiológica. O HI apresentou melhor distribuição de tensões para a carga fisiológica e o CM para a carga pontual, evidenciando melhor desempenho das conexões internas / This study aimed to evaluate the peri-implant stress fields generated from 3 different implant- abutment interfaces external hexagon (EH), internal hexagon (IH) and morse taper (MT); supporting single crowns corresponding to the 2nd mandibular pré-molar via photoelastic analysis. 3 photoelastic models with different implant-abutment connections (HE, HI, CM) supporting metal-ceramic single crowns with adjacent teeth (mandibular 1st molar and 2nd pre-molar) were fabricated. The models were submitted to different loads: physiologic occlusion (15, 20, 25Kgf) and punctual (10, 15Kgf) in the implant-supported crown at the mesial fossa region. The images obtained were inserted in the software Fringes® (Laboratório de Projetos Mecânicos, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brasil). The maximum stresses were determined and observed at 12 selected points, qualitative and quantitative analysis were performed. The results of the stress (KPa) average of peri-implant regions with the 2 different loads and their respective intensities (Kgf) were: Physiologic occlusion: 1) 15 Kgf: HE 107,42; HI 88,81; CM 182,63; 2) 20 Kgf: HE 185,60; HI 123,77; CM 226,44; and 3) 25 Kgf: HE 207,90; HI 176,88; CM 320,65; Punctual loads: 1) 10 Kgf: HE 115,94; HI 108,14; CM 64,78; and 2) 15 Kgf: HE 147,25; HI 143,88; CM 177,87. With the physiological load the IH showed the lowest stress values and a favorable distribution among implant and adjacent teeth; the MT showed the highest stress values, however a favorable distribution with the adjacent teeth; the EH showed stress values in the cervical mesial point of the implant. For the punctual load the MT showed the best stress distribution within the implant, followed by the IH and EH. It was concluded that stress patterns were influenced by the connection design and were more favorable with the physiological occlusion load for all connections. The IH showed better stress distribution with the physiological occlusion load and the MT with the punctual load, showing better performance for internal connections