In response to an increase of school shootings, America has seen public outcry for safer schools and the implementation of get-tough discipline policies that remove students who pose threats of violence to the safe school environment. One response to the increased rate of violence was the implementation of the Gun-Free Schools Act (GFSA). Criticism of these policies grew, unintended outcomes undermined their implementation, and research data supporting their effectiveness were lacking. The legislature sought to address issues relating to discretion in implementation, due process rights, mandatory expulsion language, and alternative education placement. This study sought to trace the evolution of GFSA legislation in Virginia. Selected sponsors of GFSA and patrons were identified and interviewed to learn their perceptions of goals and outcomes of legislation prohibiting the possession of weapons on school grounds. Interview questions sought to identify key factors that were considered throughout the legislative process. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Interview data were analyzed using QSR NVIVO 9, data analysis software. The research design incorporated the collection and analysis of extant information, as well as the use of open-ended interviews with selected policymakers in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Emerging themes were described, categorized, and analyzed within the structure of a historical timeline of the GFSA legislation. Non-legislative documents were analyzed to add support to the interview findings and legislative analysis. Twelve themes emerged, which were supported in the review of non-legislative documents and in legislative documents. The legislative intent was reinforced in the literature and in the interviews. A review of these data led this researcher to conclude that the General Assembly came full circle and virtually reversed the initial requirements for zero-tolerance discipline policies. Continued study is recommended to trace how the General Assembly ameliorates racial inequity, increased drop-out rates, increased criminalization, and other harsh and unintended consequences of GFSA legislation in the Commonwealth. / Ed. D.

A new model was developed to enhance the understanding of the full context of work associated hazards, to explore the connection between OHS performance and a systematic approach to safety, and to simplify approaches to OHS management. This Safe Place, Safe Person, Safe Systems model was derived from the literature and used as the basis for the development of a framework, consisting of 60 elements which was transformed into an assessment tool. This assessment tool was trialled with a pilot study on a medium sized manufacturing plant in the plastics industry, and the tool and Preliminary Report peer reviewed by an expert panel using the Nominal Group Technique. After refinements were made to the assessment tool it was applied to eight case studies that were drawn from advertisements. This qualitative study consisted of two parts: firstly the assessment using the Safe Place, Safe Person, Safe Systems framework; and secondly a controlled self assessment exercise to target improvements to three of the elements over a period of four months. The study illustrated that the Safe Place, Safe Person, Safe Systems framework could be successfully applied in a range of industries to promote OHS improvements and to provide a systematic, planned approach to fulfilling OHS responsibilities. The application of this framework highlighted that: there is a need for further education on the correct application of the risk assessment process and the responsibilities owed to contractors; techniques such as dynamic risk assessments are more suitable where the place of work is variable and hazards are unpredictable; more focus is needed on the appropriate management of hazardous substances with long term health consequences; and that the level of formality invoked for treating hazards does not necessarily equate to improved risk reduction outcomes. The Safe Place, Safe Person, Safe Systems framework was found to be applicable to small, medium and large organisations provided the assessment was scoped to a small division of relatively homogeneous activity to ensure a more representative hazard profile. This approach has provided a way forward to simplify OHS management and also offers practical direction for implementing a targeted OHS improvement program.

A new model was developed to enhance the understanding of the full context of work associated hazards, to explore the connection between OHS performance and a systematic approach to safety, and to simplify approaches to OHS management. This Safe Place, Safe Person, Safe Systems model was derived from the literature and used as the basis for the development of a framework, consisting of 60 elements which was transformed into an assessment tool. This assessment tool was trialled with a pilot study on a medium sized manufacturing plant in the plastics industry, and the tool and Preliminary Report peer reviewed by an expert panel using the Nominal Group Technique. After refinements were made to the assessment tool it was applied to eight case studies that were drawn from advertisements. This qualitative study consisted of two parts: firstly the assessment using the Safe Place, Safe Person, Safe Systems framework; and secondly a controlled self assessment exercise to target improvements to three of the elements over a period of four months. The study illustrated that the Safe Place, Safe Person, Safe Systems framework could be successfully applied in a range of industries to promote OHS improvements and to provide a systematic, planned approach to fulfilling OHS responsibilities. The application of this framework highlighted that: there is a need for further education on the correct application of the risk assessment process and the responsibilities owed to contractors; techniques such as dynamic risk assessments are more suitable where the place of work is variable and hazards are unpredictable; more focus is needed on the appropriate management of hazardous substances with long term health consequences; and that the level of formality invoked for treating hazards does not necessarily equate to improved risk reduction outcomes. The Safe Place, Safe Person, Safe Systems framework was found to be applicable to small, medium and large organisations provided the assessment was scoped to a small division of relatively homogeneous activity to ensure a more representative hazard profile. This approach has provided a way forward to simplify OHS management and also offers practical direction for implementing a targeted OHS improvement program.

Cette thèse porte sur la composition des services de données et l'étude de l'impact de l'incertitude qui peut être associée à leurs données accessibles sur le processus de composition et de sélection de service. En effet, dans un contexte tel que l'Internet, il est de plus en plus reconnu que les données et les services d'accès aux données sont sujettes à des valeurs d'incertitude tout en exigeant des techniques de gestion plus sophistiquées. Dans cette thèse, nous enrichissons la description sémantique des services Web afin de refléter l'incertitude, et nous proposons de nouveaux mécanismes et modèles pour la sélection et la composition des services. Nos mécanismes sont basés sur les ensembles flous et les théories probabilistes. Tout d'abord, nous étendons notre modélisation précédente basée sur les vues RDF afin d'inclure les contraintes floues qui caractérisent les données accédées par les services. Nous proposons une algèbre de composition qui permet de classer les résultats retournés en fonction de leur pertinence par rapport aux préférences de l'utilisateur. Notre algèbre proposée repose sur les fondations de bases de données floues. En outre, nous optons pour l'approche probabiliste pour modéliser l'incertitude des données renvoyées par les services incertains. Nous étendons la description du service Web standard pour représenter les probabilités de sortie. L'invocation des services est également étendue pour tenir compte de l'incertitude. Cette extension est basée sur la théorie des mondes possibles utilisée dans les bases de données probabiliste. Nous définissons un ensemble d'opérateurs de composition qui sont nécessaires pour orchestrer les services de données. Pour chaque composition, plusieurs plans d'orchestration peuvent être possibles mais qui sont pas tous corrects, donc, nous définissons un ensemble de conditions pour vérifier si le plan est correct (Safe) ou pas. Nous fournissons une implémentation de nos différentes techniques et les appliquer aux domaines de l'immobilier et du commerce électronique. Nous implémentons ces services et nous fournissons également une étude de la performance de notre prototype de composition / In this thesis we focus on the data web services composition problem and study the impact of the uncertainty that may be associated with the output of a service on the service selection and composition processes. This work is motivated by the increasing number of application domains where data web services may return uncertain data, including the e-commerce, scientific data exploration, open web data, etc. We call such services that return uncertain data as uncertain services. In this dissertation, we propose new models and techniques for the selection and the composition of uncertain data web services. Our techniques are based on well established fuzzy and probabilistic database theories and can handle the uncertainty efficiently. First, we proposed a composition model that takes into account the user preferences. In our model, user preferences are modelled as fuzzy constraints, and services are described with fuzzy constraints to better characterize their accessed data. The composition model features also a composition algebra that allows us to rank the returned results based on their relevance to user's preferences. Second, we proposed a probabilistic approach to model the uncertainty of the data returned by uncertain data services. Specifically, we extended the web service description standards (e.g., WSDL) to represent the outputs' probabilities. We also extended the service invocation process to take into account the uncertainty of input data. This extension is based on the possible worlds theory used in the probabilistic databases. We proposed also a set of probability-aware composition operators that are necessary to orchestrate uncertain data services. Since a composition may accept multiple orchestration plans and not all of them compute the correct probabilities of outputs, we defined a set of conditions to check if a plan is safe (i.e., computes the probabilities correctly) or not. We implemented our different techniques and applied them to the real-estate and e-commerce domains. We provide a performance study of our different composition techniques

aLes techniques utilisées pour la réalisation de systèmes électroniques destines au contrôle/commande d'applications critiques sont généralement basées sur le concept de la logique fail-safe conventionnelle. Bien qu'elles aient été largement éprouvées, ces techniques s'avèrent maintenant de plus en plus mal adaptées à la conception de systèmes de plus en plus complexes puisqu'elles font appel à des composants discrets spécifiques. C'est dans ce contexte que cette étude essaie d'évaluer la contribution des circuits intégrés autotestables, et plus spécialement les circuit self-checking (capables de détecter instantanément leurs propres erreurs), à la réalisation de systèmes intégrés à haute sureté de fonctionnement. Les travaux présentés dans cette thèse se proposent d'élargir la théorie des systèmes fail-safe aux circuits intégrés combinatoires. Comme application, nous étudions la faisabilité d'une interface autotestable hors-ligne capable de transformer les données des circuits autotestables en-ligne (self-checking) en signaux surs adaptes au pilotage d'éléments électrons mécaniques. Cette interface autorise la réalisation de circuits Vlsi strongly fail-safe qui sont susceptibles, dans les années à venir, de tenir une place de premier ordre dans le domaine des automatismes intégrés de sécurité. Toutes les considérations pratiques pour la conception de ces circuits sont basées sur des hypothèses de pannes analytiques liées à la technologie utilisée, ici le CMOS

This work examines sexual behavioural change and the likely predisposing factors in the era of HIV/AIDS among young adults in Uganda and South Africa. It explores the potential role of young adults' self-perceived risk of HIV infection in sexual behavioural decisions regarding adoption of safe sex practices, in particular 'use of condoms' and 'limiting number of sexual partners '. This work further recognises that Uganda and South Africa are countries with social, cultural, economic, and political contexts, which contexts have been described by many as inextricably linked with sexual behaviour, and which often determine the choices young adults make regarding sexual activity. These are therefore examined. In order to achieve this, a rigorous examination and analysis of self-perceived risk of HIV/AIDS in relation to societal factors was done to determine which variables of the two categories best explains sexual behaviour. This is placed in the context of young female adults between the ages of 15 to 24 in Uganda and South Africa. The formulation of this study, which places emphasis on examining the potential role of self-perceived risk of HIV/AIDS as a predisposing factor for sexual behavioural change, and in Uganda and South Africa is based on a number of aspects as highlighted below: • That both Uganda and South Africa at one point or another were and/or are faced with high prevalence levels of HIV/AIDS; • That both have and/or are yet to be faced with high mortality, which is HIV/AIDS related and such profound consequences will/or have had inadvertent effects on individual, both socially and economically. In some respects, this has also affected individual perceptions regarding HIV infection; • Recognition that the progression of HIV/AIDS in Uganda was much faster than in South Africa, and this meant higher prevalence, higher mortality rates, which then triggered both government and non-governmental response towards preventing further spread. Since these factors are beginning to emerge in South Africa, one therefore asks the question as to whether the pandemic will take similar trends as those reported in Uganda. This would also enable the identification of similarities and differences in the likely determinants of sexual behavior considering these countries have different backgrounds; • In both countries, education programmes have been rigorous and that the level of awareness is at a point that would enable sexual behavioural change to occur; • A recognition that in Uganda, as shown in a number of reports and existing literature, the prevalence of HIV has declined and for this reason, it has become imperative to try and examine the likely factors leading to reduced HIV/AIDS prevalence, and to compare with what is happening in South Africa. This would enable the examination of any possible lessons that could be learnt in the reduction of the prevalence in South Africa. In the quest to achieve the set goals, a number of steps were undertaken which included looking at available literature and more importantly analysing two sets of Demographic Health Survey (DHS) data. The South Africa Demographic Health Survey of 1998 (SADHS) and the Ugandan Demographic Health Survey (UDHS) of 2000/1. All young female adults between the ages of 15 to 24 were selected from both data sets. 3,229 and 4,559 young female adults were selected in Uganda and South Africa respectively leading to a total sample size of 7,688. Findings showed that self-perceived risk of HIV/AIDS was one of the factors that did impact on sexual behaviour. This was more prominent in Uganda and less so in South Africa. Other factors found to affect sexual behaviour included age of respondent, socio-cultural and to a small extent, socio-economic factors. The conclusion that can be drawn from this work shows clearly that self-perceived risk of HIV/AIDS is an important factor determining sexual behaviour, but also shows that some societal variables are important. Therefore, in the face of HIV/AIDS and with increased levels of number of people experiencing deaths due to AIDS, selfperceived risk of HIV/AIDS is a factor worth considering when looking at sexual behaviour. As part of the recommendations, education programmes yet to be formulated should take into account the effect of HIV and AIDS on sexual behavioural change. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

The master thesis deals with security in the energy sector. As it is historically clear that the vast majority of accidents, incidents, injuries and other negative occasions were caused by the human factor. Therefore, the first goal of this work was to find a solution for the purpose of reducing the possibility of arising these problems. Therefore, attention was focused on the investigation and subsequent determination of a working safe climate within the researched company, which aims to prevent the emergence of serious situations, as this method is based on behavioural theories that take into account the study of human factors. The second partial goal of this diploma thesis was to determine the degree of security required for the production area of the company so that the basic safety requirements are met, and last but not least, the model situation of securing the production power unit is shown too.

Supply chain leaders in the oil and gas industry face significant logistical challenges regarding the efficient and safe delivery of undamaged products to their customers. Within the conceptual framework of business process orientation theory, the purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies that supply chain leaders used to ensure delivery of undamaged goods to their customers. Four supply chain leaders in the oil and gas industry in Texas were purposefully selected as participants because they had successfully implemented strategies to ensure the delivery of undamaged goods. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and review of publicly published documents from 4 companies. Data were analyzed using Yin's 5-step data analysis process of compiling, disassembling, reassembling, data interpretation, and conclusion. Four themes emerged from the analyzed data: process strategy, inspection strategy, information technology strategy, and employee training strategy. The findings of this study may provide knowledge to business leaders on how to reduce the cost of product delivery and increase profitability. The study's implications for positive social change include the potential for supply chain leaders to reduce material wastage and environmental pollution through the safe delivery of undamaged oil and gas products to customers.

The study area for this dissertation is Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. / The general theme of this dissertation is understanding and enabling safe walking routes to school for children. We restrict our focus to safety issues related to the motorized-transportation environment, thereby defining safety as a function of factors that determine whether or not a child will be struck by a motor-vehicle on their journey to or from school. Our analysis is unique because it is at a small geographical scale but is representative of an entire urban environment. Working at a small geographic scale allows us to evaluate the variability in safe routes for children within our study area and apply our findings to develop a decision support tool that could be used to plan individualized routes for children in other similar urban environments. Our study area for this dissertation is Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The findings in this dissertation contribute ideas about how features of the local road environment may and may not influence risk of collisions between child pedestrians and motor-vehicles. It also offers methodological insight for future research on pedestrian safety at small geographic scales. This dissertation demonstrates the potential reduction in the risk of child pedestrian injuries by planning safer routes to school and also introduces methods that can be used to plan safer routes for children. Our results are a reminder of the importance of understanding the interaction between environment and behaviour in research on traffic safety and offer some caution to the notion of a universal 'safe route' to school. Whether or not a particular route to school is safe will very likely be dependent both on the environment and the child's behaviour in that environment. / Dissertation / Doctor of Social Science

While agile development is becoming ever more popular, studies have shown that few organisations successfully transition from traditional to agile practices. One such study showed that large organisations can benefit greatly from agile methods, but evaluating agile maturity and tailoring the method to the organisation’s needs is crucial. An agile maturity model is a tool with which an organisation’s practices and their conformance to agile development is evaluated. The purpose of this study is to discover the best suited agile maturity model for large organisations and to minimise costs, resources and the subjectivity of the model’s evaluation. In this study we take a closer look at four agile maturity models, the Scaled Agile Framework Maturity Model (SAFeMM) by Turetken, Stojanov and Trienekens (2017), the Scaled Agile Maturity Model (SAMM) by Chandrasekaran (2016), the Agile Adoption Framework (AAF) by Sidky, Arthur and Bohner (2007) and the Scaled Agile Framework Business Agility Assessment (SAFeBAA) by the Scaled Agile Incorporation. By evaluating each model on their scalability, completeness, generality, precision, simplicity, usability and meaningfulness, consistency, minimum overlapping, balance and proportion of automatable measurements, the best model is chosen. Based on the evaluation criteria for the maturity models, the SAFeMM is deemed the most suitable model. It proves to be a comprehensive, well-rounded tool with persistent high scores in all criteria. In order to improve the model’s objectivity and resource needs, it is also applied in a case study at the Swedish Tax Agency, where the possibilities to automate the model are investigated. The results show that the SAFeMM can be automated to roughly 50%, with the use of process mining and software system querying. Process mining uses event logs to extract and analyse information, while software querying extracts information directly from the software systems used in an organisation. The study suggests primary sources for querying and process mining techniques and perspectives to enable and encourage future research in the area of process mining within agile development. / Agil utveckling är en mycket populär utvecklingsmetod, samtidigt visar studier att få stora organisationer lyckas med övergången från traditionella metoder direkt. Som hjälpmedel kan dessa organisationer använda så kallade agila mognadsmodeller. En agil mognadsmodell är ett verktyg som mäter hur väl en organisation och dess processer överensstämmer med agila principer. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka vilken agil mognadsmodell som är bäst lämpad för stora organisationer och kan samtidigt minimera kostnader, resurser och subjektiviteten i mätningarna. Därför tittar denna studie på fyra agila mognadsmodeller, Scaled Agile Framework Maturity Model (SAFeMM) av Turetken, Stojanov och Trienekens (2017), Scaled Agile Maturity Model (SAMM) av Chandrasekaran (2016), Agile Adoption Framework (AAF) av Sidky, Arthur och Bohner (2007) och Scaled Agile Framework Business Agility Assessment (SAFeBAA) av Scaled Agile Incorporation. Genom att utvärdera varje modell baserat på dess skalbarhet, helhetsbild, generaliserbarhet, precision, enkelhet, användbar-het och meningfullhet, kontinuitet, minimal överlappning, balans och andel automatiserbara mätvärden, bestäms vilken modell som är bäst. Resultaten visar, att baserat på de ovannämnda kriterierna, är SAFeMM modellen den bäst lämpade för stora organisationer. Den visade sig vara särsilkt helhetstäckande, enkel att förstå och använda, med höga poäng på de flesta kriterierna. För att förbättra modellens objektivitet och resurskrav, gjordes även en fallstudie där modellen applicerades på Skatteverkets IT avdelning. Där undersöktes möjligheterna för att automatisera modellen. Resultaten visar att knappt 50% av modellen är automatiserbar genom metoder såsom process mining och software querying. Process mining, använder event loggar från mjukvarusystem för att analysera och utvinna information, medan software querying utvinnar information direkt från mjukvarusystemen. Studien presenterar förslag på utvinningskällor och process mining tekniker och metoder för sammanhanget.