This thesis examines data and theory about how the system of law (SL) operates and evolves: it contrasts data from social workers and attorneys working in the juvenile dependency court with theories about how individuals and social systems evolve. The analysis is based on research conducted in San Diego and revolves around a theory about human development, or the "individual as a system" (HD), and a theory about social systems, such as the autopoietic theory of law and its self-reproducing system (LA). It is suggested that together, the theories of HD+LA help to examine how professionals and law operate and evolve in the legal system. Overall, the thesis rejects the autopoietic systems theory that law reproduces itself, by itself. Instead, analysis in this study supports the finding that law is defined and operates through a dialectic of the individual and the social (or the organic and the mechanistic respectively) such that each gives rise to the other. On the basis of this system connection, aspects from systems theory about legal autopoiesis are integrated into concepts from constructive-developmental theory (HDLA), thus providing a new framework through which to examine how law and its system functions. The new framework is built around an equation that emerged some time after data analysis and theoretical development: SL=HDLA+DSA . The equation states that: The evolution of the system of law involves processes of human development and to some but a much lesser degree, the autopoietic nature of law. The extent of this evolution is best determined by analyzing data from a court setting. The dialectical relationship between individual and social influences in the evolution of law is facilitated by the accumulation of social action � such as activity from media and advocacy groups � and the individual meaning that professionals make about this action, which in turn has an influence on the formal and informal operations that they perform when operating law. The nature of these interacting dynamics will be shown through two interconnected tools of analysis: one is a typology of individual, professional and system self-concepts; the typology helps to show how a cycle of system change (human development giving rise to legal change and vice versa) occurs in the court; the other is the operative structure (or culture) of systems for law and social work in child abuse cases � which unite in court operations. These two interconnected tools help to show how the court operates and how social action (SA) for change contributes to professional and system change in the evolution of law.

Frontal Protection Systems (FPS) have become a popular accessory for passenger vehicles. They are used to protect the front of a vehicle during minor impacts, and to attenuate the impact energy during major impacts. With the increased safety of modern passenger vehicles, the fitment of a FPS to a vehicle requires careful consideration to the design and installation of the FPS as they may modify vehicle crush characteristics. This is particularly important in vehicles fitted with air bags. These community and industry concerns triggered the research discussed in this thesis, which is the first comprehensive project undertaken in this particular area. This project generated comprehensive research knowledge on the impact response and energy absorption of FPS in order to evaluate performance. This involved a range of experimental testing supplemented by finite element analysis. Experimental testing was conducted using quasi-static and dynamic techniques to assess the overall performance of current FPS available. Finite element models were then generated and analysed using both implicit and explicit techniques, and calibrated against the experimental testing results. These models were used throughout the project to assess the FPS response, in particular the energy absorbed, to changes in impact characteristics. FPS assessment guidelines were developed from the knowledge generated from the numerous FPS tests and analyses carried out in this research project. These guidelines have been used in the design and evaluation of a number of FPS for airbag compatibility. The real life performance of vehicles fitted with these FPS, have given confidence to the assessment criteria developed in this research project. This project has demonstrated that FPS can be designed to complement the safety systems of modern passenger vehicles, and thus passenger safety. This would not have been possible without the comprehensive research carried out in this project.

This thesis examines data and theory about how the system of law (SL) operates and evolves: it contrasts data from social workers and attorneys working in the juvenile dependency court with theories about how individuals and social systems evolve. The analysis is based on research conducted in San Diego and revolves around a theory about human development, or the "individual as a system" (HD), and a theory about social systems, such as the autopoietic theory of law and its self-reproducing system (LA). It is suggested that together, the theories of HD+LA help to examine how professionals and law operate and evolve in the legal system. Overall, the thesis rejects the autopoietic systems theory that law reproduces itself, by itself. Instead, analysis in this study supports the finding that law is defined and operates through a dialectic of the individual and the social (or the organic and the mechanistic respectively) such that each gives rise to the other. On the basis of this system connection, aspects from systems theory about legal autopoiesis are integrated into concepts from constructive-developmental theory (HDLA), thus providing a new framework through which to examine how law and its system functions. The new framework is built around an equation that emerged some time after data analysis and theoretical development: SL=HDLA+DSA . The equation states that: The evolution of the system of law involves processes of human development and to some but a much lesser degree, the autopoietic nature of law. The extent of this evolution is best determined by analyzing data from a court setting. The dialectical relationship between individual and social influences in the evolution of law is facilitated by the accumulation of social action � such as activity from media and advocacy groups � and the individual meaning that professionals make about this action, which in turn has an influence on the formal and informal operations that they perform when operating law. The nature of these interacting dynamics will be shown through two interconnected tools of analysis: one is a typology of individual, professional and system self-concepts; the typology helps to show how a cycle of system change (human development giving rise to legal change and vice versa) occurs in the court; the other is the operative structure (or culture) of systems for law and social work in child abuse cases � which unite in court operations. These two interconnected tools help to show how the court operates and how social action (SA) for change contributes to professional and system change in the evolution of law.

Drivers' mistakes in making immediate decision facing yellow signal interval to stop or go through the intersection is one of main factors contributing to intersection's safety. Incorrect decision might lead to a red light running and a right-angle Collison when passing through the intersection or a rear-end collision when failing to stop safely.Improperly timed traffic signal intervals result in the inability of the drivers to make the right decision and can place them in the dilemma zone. Advance warning systems (AWS) have been used to provide information about the downstream traffic signal change prior to approaching the intersection. On the other hand, advance warning systems increase drivers approach speed according to the literature. However, effect of AWS on dilemma zone has not been studied before. The goal of this thesis is to minimize the number of vehicles caught in dilemma zone by determining more precise boundaries for dilemma zone and to reduce the number of red light violations by predicting the red light runners before arriving to the intersection. Here, dilemma zone boundaries at the presence of AWS has been reexamined with the aid of a large dataset (more than 1870 hours of data for two different intersections). Upper dilemma zone boundaries found to be higher for the intersections with AWS. This is due to vehicles' increasing the speed at the flashing yellow sings to escape the dilemma zone.Moreover, an algorithm for predicting red light runners and distinguishing them from right turners is presented. / Master of Science

This qualitative study is about social security system as a form of international aid, with focus on cash transfers in Tanzania. The study aims to examine social security systems as the right tool to fight poverty in the long term. It also aims to analyze how Swedish international aid organisations contributes to the establishment of social security systems in Tanzania. The study is based on literature of relevance, interviews and other existing social security systems. In this study a total of eight semi structured interviews were conducted with representatives from various Swedish international aid organisations, as well as a scientist operating at a university in Sweden. The theoretical framework in this study includes Social Progress Index as a tool to measure and analyze the well being of a country. The main findings in this study showed that social security systems in form of cash in hand is a simple and effective way to get people out of poverty. The results also include problems with international aid and the absence of a long term solution in fighting poverty. The main findings in this study contributes to a greater understanding of the importance of contextualization regarding social security systems. It also shows that Sweden as a welfare nation has an important role in international discussions concerning social protection. / Det här är en kvalitativ studie om internationella biståndsinsatser i form av sociala trygghetssystem med fokus på kontantstöd i Tanzania. Studien syftar till att undersöka om sociala trygghetssystem i den här bemärkelsen är rätt verktyg för att bekämpa extrem fattigdom ur ett långsiktigt perspektiv, samt hur svenska biståndsorganisationer bidrar till uppbyggnad av sociala trygghetssystem i Tanzania. Studien utgår från relevant litteratur, intervjuer och referenser till andra sociala trygghetssystem. Sammanlagt genomfördes åtta semistrukturerade djupintervjuer med informanter från svenska biståndsorganisationer samt en forskare som är verksam vid ett svenskt universitet. En viktig teoretisk utgångspunkt i studien är Social Progress Index (SPI) som är ett verktyg för att mäta länders välmående. Av resultatet framgår att sociala trygghetssystem är ett effektivt och enkelt sätt att lyfta människor ur fattigdom. Detta ställs i kontrast till problematiken kring bistånd och sociala trygghetssystem som endast en kortsiktig lösning. Resultatet visar också vikten av kontextualisering i biståndsinsatser och Sveriges viktiga roll i den internationella biståndsdebatten.

O crescente interesse por sistemas de transmissão do tipo VSC-based HVDC (VSCHVDC) como alternativa aos atuais tem levado à necessidade de estudos sobre o principal desafio associado à sua implantação, que é o desenvolvimento de um esquema de proteção que seja rápido e que identifique a zona de proteção na qual uma eventual falta tenha ocorrido, respeitando-se assim o princípio de seletividade. Para estudo de um sistema de proteção que atenda a estes requisitos, foi utilizada neste trabalho uma rede com quatro terminais e transmissão High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC), implementada com conversores modulares multiníveis (Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC)) e simulada em situações de contingência. Grandezas medidas nos elos de Corrente Contínua (CC) ligados a um dos terminais foram utilizadas para identificar a ocorrência de uma contingência na rede e então para decidir se trata-se de uma falta interna à zona de proteção considerada na análise. Para classificar as faltas em interna ou externa, observaram-se os espectros dos sinais de tensão CC em um terminal, calculados sobre uma janela do sinal através de Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), para várias situações de falta. Destes espectros, notou-se que uma característica varia de acordo com a distância da falta até o terminal, com o fato de a falta ser interna ou externa e com a resistência de falta. Através desta característica, denominada aqui \"frequência de centro de massa\", foi possível distinguir as faltas internas com resistências de falta baixas do restante dos eventos testados. Considerando-se apenas este parâmetro, não foi possível classificar corretamente faltas internas com resistência de falta muito alta. / The growing interest in VSC-based HVDC (VSC-HVDC) transmission systems as an alternative to the current ones has required studies about the the main challenge associated with its application, which is the development of a protection scheme that is able to both fast and efficiently determine the protection zone where a fault may have happened so as to achieve selectivity. In order to study a protection system that complies with those requirements, a High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission system with four terminals implemented with Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) converters was simulated under contingency condition. Electrical quantities measured in one of the terminal\'s Direct Current (DC) links were used to determine the occurrence of a fault event in the system, as well as to decide whether that event belonged to the protection zone considered in the analysis. Spectra obtained via Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) over a window of the DC voltage measured in one of the terminals were observed in order to discriminate between internal and external fault events. From these observations, it was noticed that a certain characteristic, named here \"center of mass frequency\", varies according to the distance between the fault location and the terminal, fault resistance, as well as whether that the fault is either internal or external to the analysed protection zone. By using this characteristic, it was possible to tell internal faults with low resistance fault from other events. Considering this parameter only, it was not possible to correctly classify internal faults with high fault resistance.

A ocorrência de faltas em sistemas elétricos de distribuição de energia é algo indesejável, porém, inerente ao mesmo devido a sua topologia normalmente aérea. Entre essas faltas, destacam-se as de alta impedância devido às características de corrente de baixa magnitude que surgem quando de sua ocorrência. No presente trabalho, um método baseado em três módulos é apresentado para a detecção e localização de faltas de alta impedância (FAI). No Módulo 1, é realizado um monitoramento contínuo dos sinais de corrente de forma a detectar a ocorrência de uma descontinuidade que pode estar vinculada a ocorrência de uma FAI. Caso haja essa detecção, o Módulo 2 é ativado de forma a analisar se o evento é realmente uma FAI. Por último, depois de detectada a FAI, o Módulo 3 é inicializado e a localização da falta, estimada. Para possibilitar a análise do método proposto e validar os resultados obtidos, um sistema de distribuição real, em conjunto com todas as etapas do sistema de aquisição de dados, foi modelado no software ATP/EMTP. Essa modelagem foi validada a partir de dados reais obtidos quando da ocorrência em campo de um curto-circuito bifásico. Vale ressaltar que um estudo de caso referente à importância da detecção e localização de um evento relacionado a uma FAI em uma concessionária de energia foi também analisado no início do trabalho de forma a mostrar o possível impacto da localização de FAIs nos indicadores de qualidade de serviço na mesma. Pelos resultados observados, a abordagem como um todo se mostra promissora e passível de aplicação no sistema real simulado e avaliado. / The occurrence of faults in overhead distribution networks is undesirable but common based on its topology. Among these events, High Impedance Faults (HIF) is one of the most important due to the fact that it has a small magnitude current. In this dissertation, a modular three-phase method is presented to enable HIF´s detection and location in a distribution system. In the Module 1, the phase currents are monitored in order to detect a discontinuity that can be associated with a HIF´s occurrence. If the Module 1 detected a discontinuity, the Module 2 is initiated and it analyses if the event can be classified as a HIF. Finally, if the Module 2 returns the event as a HIF, the Module 3 is initiated and the possible location of the HIF is estimated. To enable analysis of the proposed method and to validate the results, a real-based distribution system and the acquisition system of a digital relay were modeled in ATP/EMTP software. In order to validate the model, a simulated twophase fault were compared with the data obtained in a real event occurred in the analyzed distribution system. In order to present the importance of detecting and locating a HIF to a distribution utility, a case study was developed in the beginning of its work. Its importance is based on the improvement of the service quality indicators. Based on the results, the proposed method seems to be promising and applicable in a real distribution system.

Na indústria da construção, as quedas de altura constituem-se em um dos tipos mais frequentes de acidentes graves. Alguns fatores contribuem para essas quedas, entre os quais se destacam a falta de qualificação dos trabalhadores, restrições de leiaute e a falta de barreiras de proteção contra quedas. Embora o uso de sistemas temporários de proteção periférica (SPP) seja uma medida importante para prevenir as quedas de altura em canteiros de obras, a literatura não apresenta um conjunto abrangente de requisitos para esses sistemas. As normas de segurança e saúde no trabalho na construção civil, tanto no Brasil como no exterior, apresentam vários requisitos aos quais os SPP devem atender. Contudo, a maioria destes requisitos são relacionados somente à resistência estrutural e à configuração geométrica, negligenciando a eficiência e flexibilidade dos mesmos, bem como não tratam dos processos de montagem e desmontagem. As limitações nos requisitos considerados em diversas fontes e a falta de métodos para verificar a conformidade dos SPP aos requisitos das normas (e outros requisitos relevantes) criam dificuldades para as partes interessadas, tais como órgãos governamentais de fiscalização, empresas construtoras, e os próprios operários encarregados pela execução dos SPP. O objetivo deste trabalho é propor um conjunto de requisitos de desempenho para sistemas temporários de proteção periférica. Estes requisitos foram identificados a partir de várias fontes de evidencia, tais como regulamentos, observações diretas de operações de montagem e desmontagem dos SPP em obras, análise de projetos de SPP, e entrevistas com especialistas. Deste modo, foi identificado um conjunto de 33 requisitos: 15 relativos à segurança, 12 à eficiência e 6 à flexibilidade. Com base nos referidos requisitos, foram avaliados 9 tipos de SPP, em 26 canteiros de obra. Estes SPP foram agrupados em três categorias de acordo com os materiais constituintes: metálicos, madeira e mistos. As principais contribuições deste estudo referem-se ao desenvolvimento de um conjunto amplo de requisitos, à análise das relações entre estes requisitos, indicando se estes podem reforçar-se mutuamente ou estar em conflito, e a proposição de um protocolo que torna claro as premissas adotadas em cada etapa da avaliação. / In the construction industry falls from height are one of the most frequent types of serious accidents. There are a number of factors that contribute for such falls, such as the lack of training for workers, layout constraints, and the lack of fall protection barriers. Although the use of temporary edge protection systems (TEPS) is an important measure to prevent falls from height in construction sites, the literature does not present a comprehensive set of requirements for those systems. Safety and health standards in construction, both in Brazil and abroad, have several requirements to which the SPP should meet. However, most of those standards are limited to structural strength and geometric configuration requirements, neglecting efficiency and flexibility, as well as do not address the assembly and disassembly processes. The limitations of requirements considered in several sources, and the lack of methods to verify the conformance of TEPS to the requirements established in standards (and other relevant requirements) create difficulties for stakeholders, such as government supervisory bodies, construction companies, and the workforce involved in the installation of TEPS. The aim of this study is to propose a set of performance requirements for temporary edge protection systems. These requirements have been identified from various sources, such as standards, direct observation od assembly and disassembly operations, analysis of TEPS design, and interviews with specialists. Thus, a set of 33 requirements were identified: 15 related to safety, 12 to efficiency and 6 to flexibility. Based on those requirements 9 TEPS solutions were evaluated in 26 construction sites. Those solutions were divided into three categories according to the materials used: metal, wood and mixed. The main contributions of this investigation refers to the development of a broad set of requirements, the analysis of the relationships between those requirements, indicating that these can either reinforce each other or be in conflict, and the proposal of a protocol that makes it clear the assumptions made at each evaluation stage.

A ocorrência de faltas em sistemas elétricos de distribuição de energia é algo indesejável, porém, inerente ao mesmo devido a sua topologia normalmente aérea. Entre essas faltas, destacam-se as de alta impedância devido às características de corrente de baixa magnitude que surgem quando de sua ocorrência. No presente trabalho, um método baseado em três módulos é apresentado para a detecção e localização de faltas de alta impedância (FAI). No Módulo 1, é realizado um monitoramento contínuo dos sinais de corrente de forma a detectar a ocorrência de uma descontinuidade que pode estar vinculada a ocorrência de uma FAI. Caso haja essa detecção, o Módulo 2 é ativado de forma a analisar se o evento é realmente uma FAI. Por último, depois de detectada a FAI, o Módulo 3 é inicializado e a localização da falta, estimada. Para possibilitar a análise do método proposto e validar os resultados obtidos, um sistema de distribuição real, em conjunto com todas as etapas do sistema de aquisição de dados, foi modelado no software ATP/EMTP. Essa modelagem foi validada a partir de dados reais obtidos quando da ocorrência em campo de um curto-circuito bifásico. Vale ressaltar que um estudo de caso referente à importância da detecção e localização de um evento relacionado a uma FAI em uma concessionária de energia foi também analisado no início do trabalho de forma a mostrar o possível impacto da localização de FAIs nos indicadores de qualidade de serviço na mesma. Pelos resultados observados, a abordagem como um todo se mostra promissora e passível de aplicação no sistema real simulado e avaliado. / The occurrence of faults in overhead distribution networks is undesirable but common based on its topology. Among these events, High Impedance Faults (HIF) is one of the most important due to the fact that it has a small magnitude current. In this dissertation, a modular three-phase method is presented to enable HIF´s detection and location in a distribution system. In the Module 1, the phase currents are monitored in order to detect a discontinuity that can be associated with a HIF´s occurrence. If the Module 1 detected a discontinuity, the Module 2 is initiated and it analyses if the event can be classified as a HIF. Finally, if the Module 2 returns the event as a HIF, the Module 3 is initiated and the possible location of the HIF is estimated. To enable analysis of the proposed method and to validate the results, a real-based distribution system and the acquisition system of a digital relay were modeled in ATP/EMTP software. In order to validate the model, a simulated twophase fault were compared with the data obtained in a real event occurred in the analyzed distribution system. In order to present the importance of detecting and locating a HIF to a distribution utility, a case study was developed in the beginning of its work. Its importance is based on the improvement of the service quality indicators. Based on the results, the proposed method seems to be promising and applicable in a real distribution system.

O crescente interesse por sistemas de transmissão do tipo VSC-based HVDC (VSCHVDC) como alternativa aos atuais tem levado à necessidade de estudos sobre o principal desafio associado à sua implantação, que é o desenvolvimento de um esquema de proteção que seja rápido e que identifique a zona de proteção na qual uma eventual falta tenha ocorrido, respeitando-se assim o princípio de seletividade. Para estudo de um sistema de proteção que atenda a estes requisitos, foi utilizada neste trabalho uma rede com quatro terminais e transmissão High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC), implementada com conversores modulares multiníveis (Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC)) e simulada em situações de contingência. Grandezas medidas nos elos de Corrente Contínua (CC) ligados a um dos terminais foram utilizadas para identificar a ocorrência de uma contingência na rede e então para decidir se trata-se de uma falta interna à zona de proteção considerada na análise. Para classificar as faltas em interna ou externa, observaram-se os espectros dos sinais de tensão CC em um terminal, calculados sobre uma janela do sinal através de Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), para várias situações de falta. Destes espectros, notou-se que uma característica varia de acordo com a distância da falta até o terminal, com o fato de a falta ser interna ou externa e com a resistência de falta. Através desta característica, denominada aqui \"frequência de centro de massa\", foi possível distinguir as faltas internas com resistências de falta baixas do restante dos eventos testados. Considerando-se apenas este parâmetro, não foi possível classificar corretamente faltas internas com resistência de falta muito alta. / The growing interest in VSC-based HVDC (VSC-HVDC) transmission systems as an alternative to the current ones has required studies about the the main challenge associated with its application, which is the development of a protection scheme that is able to both fast and efficiently determine the protection zone where a fault may have happened so as to achieve selectivity. In order to study a protection system that complies with those requirements, a High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission system with four terminals implemented with Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) converters was simulated under contingency condition. Electrical quantities measured in one of the terminal\'s Direct Current (DC) links were used to determine the occurrence of a fault event in the system, as well as to decide whether that event belonged to the protection zone considered in the analysis. Spectra obtained via Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) over a window of the DC voltage measured in one of the terminals were observed in order to discriminate between internal and external fault events. From these observations, it was noticed that a certain characteristic, named here \"center of mass frequency\", varies according to the distance between the fault location and the terminal, fault resistance, as well as whether that the fault is either internal or external to the analysed protection zone. By using this characteristic, it was possible to tell internal faults with low resistance fault from other events. Considering this parameter only, it was not possible to correctly classify internal faults with high fault resistance.