Thesis--Auburn University, 2009. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 103-106).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Michigan State University. Dept. of Political Science, 2008. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed July 29,2009). Includes bibliographical references (p. 266-303). Also issued in print.

El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado. / Currently, businesses implementing electrical projects lack the theoretical knowledge of ways to correctly develop the projects given that they are based on empirical knowledge. Consequently, a need has developed to implement lean philosophy and project management as distinctive and renowned pillars to ensure high competitiveness in the market of the sector under study. Through case studies, the literature on the subject demonstrated the importance of proper planning based on cost and time pillars. These pillars were analyzed using Ishikawa tools and a problem tree. The following lean tools were chosen: 5S, visual management, and quality circles. These tools and the project management guidelines, specifically the 47 processes published in the 5th edition of the Project Management Body of Knowledge, were applied as a model proposal at a pilot company in which the results of how this combination of solutions reduces delivery times for that organization were compared.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 23-26, 2000 / Town & Country Hotel and Conference Center, San Diego, California / The Capability Maturity Model (CMM) developed by the Software Engineering Institute is widely promoted as a method to help decrease the volume of error riddled and late software projects. Because of the projected benefits, the 96th Communications Group/SC (SC) at Eglin Air Force Base began an intensive software process improvement effort in late 1997. This effort was rewarded in September 1999 when the group achieved a CMM Level 2 software rating on its first attempt. As of December 1999, 68% of assessed organizations remained at Level 1 on their first or second assessment. The SC success was not only obtained on its first attempt, but also 11 months ahead of the industry standard. The Level 2 rating was accomplished in the volatile environment needed to support the test and evaluation mission. This environment includes frequent requirement changes, short notice modifications, and externally driven schedules. One reason this milestone was possible is close and direct involvement by management. This paper will present additional factors to implementing a successful software process improvement effort.

Introdução: Brasil e Colômbia têm investido na Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) por meio do fortalecimento das ações educativas. Aponta-se a Educação Nutricional (EN) como uma estratégia de ação baseada em um processo de aprendizagem constante e dinâmico, que contribui para a formação de indivíduos autônomos, sendo os grupos uma ferramenta de trabalho. Entretanto, devido à falta de respaldo metodológico, verificou-se a importância de conhecer e analisar os grupos de EN, entre as duas maiores cidades destes países. Além disso, pretende-se explorar possíveis estratégias para a prática. Objetivo: Analisar as práticas e as teorias educativas utilizadas nos grupos de alimentação e nutrição, na Atenção Primária à Saúde, em São Paulo (Brasil) e Bogotá (Colômbia). Métodos: Estudo descritivo comparativo com abordagem qualitativa, realizado com nutricionistas da APS, constituído por cinco momentos: identificação dos nutricionistas, aplicação do questionário online, entrevista semiestruturada, elaboração da comparação e reflexão sobre possíveis estratégias. Aplicou-se a técnica do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo para a análise das percepções sobre a EN. Para a comparação, segmentaram-se os dados por cidade e a contextualizou-se os achados na ótica da EN, grupo e APS. Resultados: Verificou-se semelhança no perfil dos entrevistados, entre São Paulo e Bogotá, porém com diferença na formação e na autonomia de trabalho. Obtiveram-se 17 Ideias Centrais da EN, classificadas em seis eixos temáticos. Observou-se que os eixos associam-se com as características grupais, que por sua vez, possuem diferenças relacionadas aos programas. Constatou-se que teoria e prática da EN estão em transição da abordagem tradicional para outra mais humanista. Entretanto, em uma velocidade lenta comparada às políticas e necessidades de saúde. Por meio da reflexão sobre estratégias para os grupos de EN, recomenda-se como metodologia de trabalho, especialmente para São Paulo, a articulação dos conceitos de Grupo Operativo, Problematização e Planejamento, dado que enfocam o aprendizado, a transformação e a autonomia. Considerações: Identificou-se que São Paulo e Bogotá, possuem uma herança conceitual das ações educativas, associada a sequelas políticas, como ausência de teoria e metodologias educacionais na construção da APS. Apresenta-se uma necessidade de investimento político e de gestão na formação dos profissionais de saúde que estão educando a população / Introduction: Brazil and Colombia have invested in the Primary Health Care (PHC) through the strengthening of educational activities. Points to Nutrition Education (NE) as an action strategy which based on a constant and dynamic learning process, which contributes to the formation of autonomous individuals, groups being a working tool. However, due to lack of methodological support, it is of importance to know and to analyze the groups of NE, between the two major cities of these countries. Furthermore, intend to explore possible strategies for practice. Objective: To analyze the practices and theories educational used in groups of food and nutrition, in Primary Health Care, in São Paulo (Brazil) and Bogota (Colombia). Methods: Descriptive and comparative study with qualitative approach performed with PHC nutritionists. Comprising five stages: identification of nutritionists, application of the online questionnaire, semi structured interview, development of the comparison and reflection about possible strategies. The technique applied was of the Discourse of the Collective Subjective, so to analyze the perceptions about NE. For comparison, the data was segmented by city and the findings contextualized in the optical of the NE, the group and PHC. Results: There was similarity in the profile of the respondents, between Sao Paulo and Bogotá, although with distinction in training and working autonomy. We obtained 17 Main Ideas of NE, classified into six themes. It was observed that the themes are associated with the group characteristics, which in turn, have differences related to the programs. It was found that the NE theory and practice are in transition from the traditional approach to a more humanistic. However, at a slow speed compared to policies and health needs. Through reflection about strategies for groups of NE, it is recommended as a work methodology, especially for São Paulo, the articulation of the concepts of Operative Group, Questioning and Planning, as focus on learning, the transformation and the autonomy. Considerations: We identified that Sao Paulo and Bogotá have a conceptual heritage of the educational activities, associated the policies fallout as the lack of educational theory and methodology in the construction of the PHC. Thus, presents a need for political investment and management in the training of health professionals who are \"educating\" the population

The view regarding social units as entities in their own right disappeared from scientific consideration in the mid-twentieth century as much for political and ideological reasons as scientific ones. Yet group psychotherapy rediscovered these ideas. The problem to re-establish them scientifically is lack of empirical methodology for investigating whole groups. / The study integrated theories of groups as psychic entities from sociology, social psychology and group psychotherapy to form hypotheses about therapeutic groups" functioning. Four dimensions of whole-group function were derived: Structure, Cognitive Organisation, Affect, and Action Coherence. An observational instrument, the "Group Function Record," was developed, categories defined for each dimension and a procedure established to rate minute-by-minute group function from videotaped psychotherapy groups. Therapists" Interventions were also recorded. The instrument treats the group as the object of study and quality of collective functioning is rated irrespective of members present or their roles. Reliability was established and ratings were made of one latency and four adolescent yearlong groups. / Results substantiated an eight-phase developmental sequence derived from the group development literature and outlined a theory of group formation. The most challenging, but creative state was found to be when the group is whole with all members in communication, though it is unstable and often managed by breaking into subgroups. A linear relation existed showing that the smaller the group, the better it functions. Groups also function best with one or two members missing, but more absentees threaten the group’s existence. More highly organized groups are more stable, but tend to destabilize when they become self-reflective. Homeostatic self-correcting tendencies and a close relationship between affective and action changes were evident. Change towards unpleasurable affect is associated with change from cooperation to conflict and vice versa. Crises tend to be precipitated by affective change, but correct themselves within the next minute or two. The effects of Therapists" Interventions towards members, the group or both were analyzed. Group interventions initially tend to reduce functionality, followed by improvement after several minutes; member interventions have inconsistent effects; interventions to group and members in the same minute tend to produce immediate improved function. / The findings and their implications for therapeutic goals and technique with adolescents are discussed in relation to the theoretical background. Considerable merit is found in the collective mentality theories, many of whose postulates are validated. Indications for therapeutic technique are outlined from the findings. The method provides a different view of group process posing new questions and suggesting simple techniques are therapeutically potent. Further avenues of research are suggested.

Introdução: Brasil e Colômbia têm investido na Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) por meio do fortalecimento das ações educativas. Aponta-se a Educação Nutricional (EN) como uma estratégia de ação baseada em um processo de aprendizagem constante e dinâmico, que contribui para a formação de indivíduos autônomos, sendo os grupos uma ferramenta de trabalho. Entretanto, devido à falta de respaldo metodológico, verificou-se a importância de conhecer e analisar os grupos de EN, entre as duas maiores cidades destes países. Além disso, pretende-se explorar possíveis estratégias para a prática. Objetivo: Analisar as práticas e as teorias educativas utilizadas nos grupos de alimentação e nutrição, na Atenção Primária à Saúde, em São Paulo (Brasil) e Bogotá (Colômbia). Métodos: Estudo descritivo comparativo com abordagem qualitativa, realizado com nutricionistas da APS, constituído por cinco momentos: identificação dos nutricionistas, aplicação do questionário online, entrevista semiestruturada, elaboração da comparação e reflexão sobre possíveis estratégias. Aplicou-se a técnica do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo para a análise das percepções sobre a EN. Para a comparação, segmentaram-se os dados por cidade e a contextualizou-se os achados na ótica da EN, grupo e APS. Resultados: Verificou-se semelhança no perfil dos entrevistados, entre São Paulo e Bogotá, porém com diferença na formação e na autonomia de trabalho. Obtiveram-se 17 Ideias Centrais da EN, classificadas em seis eixos temáticos. Observou-se que os eixos associam-se com as características grupais, que por sua vez, possuem diferenças relacionadas aos programas. Constatou-se que teoria e prática da EN estão em transição da abordagem tradicional para outra mais humanista. Entretanto, em uma velocidade lenta comparada às políticas e necessidades de saúde. Por meio da reflexão sobre estratégias para os grupos de EN, recomenda-se como metodologia de trabalho, especialmente para São Paulo, a articulação dos conceitos de Grupo Operativo, Problematização e Planejamento, dado que enfocam o aprendizado, a transformação e a autonomia. Considerações: Identificou-se que São Paulo e Bogotá, possuem uma herança conceitual das ações educativas, associada a sequelas políticas, como ausência de teoria e metodologias educacionais na construção da APS. Apresenta-se uma necessidade de investimento político e de gestão na formação dos profissionais de saúde que estão educando a população / Introduction: Brazil and Colombia have invested in the Primary Health Care (PHC) through the strengthening of educational activities. Points to Nutrition Education (NE) as an action strategy which based on a constant and dynamic learning process, which contributes to the formation of autonomous individuals, groups being a working tool. However, due to lack of methodological support, it is of importance to know and to analyze the groups of NE, between the two major cities of these countries. Furthermore, intend to explore possible strategies for practice. Objective: To analyze the practices and theories educational used in groups of food and nutrition, in Primary Health Care, in São Paulo (Brazil) and Bogota (Colombia). Methods: Descriptive and comparative study with qualitative approach performed with PHC nutritionists. Comprising five stages: identification of nutritionists, application of the online questionnaire, semi structured interview, development of the comparison and reflection about possible strategies. The technique applied was of the Discourse of the Collective Subjective, so to analyze the perceptions about NE. For comparison, the data was segmented by city and the findings contextualized in the optical of the NE, the group and PHC. Results: There was similarity in the profile of the respondents, between Sao Paulo and Bogotá, although with distinction in training and working autonomy. We obtained 17 Main Ideas of NE, classified into six themes. It was observed that the themes are associated with the group characteristics, which in turn, have differences related to the programs. It was found that the NE theory and practice are in transition from the traditional approach to a more humanistic. However, at a slow speed compared to policies and health needs. Through reflection about strategies for groups of NE, it is recommended as a work methodology, especially for São Paulo, the articulation of the concepts of Operative Group, Questioning and Planning, as focus on learning, the transformation and the autonomy. Considerations: We identified that Sao Paulo and Bogotá have a conceptual heritage of the educational activities, associated the policies fallout as the lack of educational theory and methodology in the construction of the PHC. Thus, presents a need for political investment and management in the training of health professionals who are \"educating\" the population

Recent reviewers of the group psychotherapy literature have called for the introduction of new constructs that may contribute to a deeper understanding of what it is about process groups that make them effective in eliciting change. To this end, this study investigates the potential of a newly defined and operationalized construct known as self-compassion. Drawing on the writings of various scholars of Buddhism, Neff has theorized that self-compassion consists of three main, mutually influential components: self-kindness (the act of being gentle with oneself in instance of pain or failure); mindfulness (holding painful thoughts and feelings in balanced awareness, without over-identifying with them); and common humanity (the perception of one’s experiences as part of the larger human experience). This paper argues that there are strong parallels between each of these three components and existing theory on the mechanisms of change in group psychotherapy. The study was motivated by the belief that preliminary quantitative support for the role of self-compassion in change through groups may highlight the importance of the construct and help orient both group practitioners and group researchers towards a new theoretical lens through which the power of groups may be better understood. 92 subjects were enrolled in the study: 57 in a non-treatment Control condition, and 35 in a Treatment condition. The Control group was comprised of undergraduates from the Educational Psychology Department subject pool at the University of Texas at Austin; the Treatment group was formed by UT undergraduate and graduate students who were enrolled in a process psychotherapy group at the UT Counseling and Mental Health Center. A pre-test/post-test design was employed, with subjects taking identical surveys at baseline (beginning of Fall 2007 semester) and follow-up (end of the same semester). A variety of inferential statistical techniques were utilized, and results indicated that there was a significant relationship between participation in process group psychotherapy and positive mental health outcomes as measured by self-report levels of depression, perceived stress, and happiness; that participation in a therapy group was associated with increased levels of self-compassion; and that as a predictor of mental health outcome in relation to therapy groups, self-compassion was on the whole equivalent to one construct (hope) often cited in the group literature as a powerful therapeutic mechanism, and a more powerful predictor than another (altruism). The overall results offer exciting implications for future research and clinical practice, as they suggest that self-compassion may well serve as an important component of a robust theoretical, organizing lens through which the power of group psychotherapy may be more clearly understood. / text