Schools are facing challenges in their efforts to educate children appropriately and safely. Students who demonstrate inappropriate, anti-social, and/or disruptive behaviors are becoming more prevalent. School personnel are dealing with disruptive behaviors that occur more frequently and that affect staff and student safety. Additionally, the lack of discipline or management of disruptive behaviors has been identified by the public as the most persistent and possibly the most troublesome issue facing schools ( Cotton, 2001; Elam, Rose, & Gallop, 1998; Fitzsimmons, 1998; Killion, 1998). An assumption in managing problem behaviors in many urban schools is that punishment will change behavior. According to Skiba and Peterson (2000), severe and penalizing disciplinary policies frequently produce a negative school environment rather than improving student behavior. In general, urban schools across the nation rely on suspensions, loss of privileges, reprimands, and or expulsion as means of discipline. Unfortunately, these reactive consequences only help a small number of children learn to "comply with general expectations" and are insufficient for many students who exhibit more challenging behavior problems. This study examines the disciplinary practices being used in two urban middle schools to control disruptive behavior of students. It will reveal what aspects of certain disciplinary practices are viewed as helpful as well as areas needing improvement. It will also give insight into whether selected urban school principals and other stakeholders are using proactive strategies and techniques demonstrated in the research literature as being the most effective in terms of changing inappropriate behavior. Undertaking this study through the application of qualitative research methods of inquiry as a study using interviews, examining relevant documents, and observations will allow me an opportunity to explore my personal reactions to the defined disciplinary practices in the identified schools. / Ed. D.

Disproportionality in public school exclusionary discipline data has been documented throughout the United States, including the Commonwealth of Virginia. The literature reviewed indicates that Black male students are disproportionately excluded from school and that subjective office discipline referrals are a factor. Within subjective referrals, disruptive behaviors are the primary reasons for the referral of Black male students. The literature has investigated implicit bias as a possible cause and found that Black males were viewed as more aggressive and academically lower achieving than other subgroups. This study sought to investigate disproportionality in referrals for disruptive behavior and the possible relationships among race, gender, and academic achievement for students issued the referrals. Three years of enrollment, discipline, and academic achievement data for students in grades 3 through 8 were obtained from three Title I schools, two elementary schools and a middle school, in a high-poverty school division. A correlational, nonexperimental design was used to address two questions, was there evidence of disproportionality by race/ethnicity and/or gender in office discipline referrals for disruptive behavior? Was there a relationship among race, gender, and academic achievement for students issued those referrals? Two phases of data collection and analysis were involved, with descriptive statistics used for each phase. Results were analyzed and there were four findings: there was evidence of disproportionality by race/ethnicity, there was evidence of disproportionality by gender, there was not consistent evidence of disproportionality by race/ethnicity and gender, and there were no statistically significant relationships among race, gender, and academic achievement for students issued a referral. These findings could help researchers and educators identify and understand disproportionality in referrals for disruptive behaviors and address disproportionality in exclusionary disciplinary practices. / Doctor of Education / Disproportionality in public school exclusionary discipline data has been documented throughout the United States, including the Commonwealth of Virginia. The literature reviewed indicates that Black male students are disproportionately excluded from school and that subjective office discipline referrals are a factor. Within subjective referrals, disruptive behaviors are the primary reasons for the referral of Black male students. The literature has investigated implicit bias as a possible cause and found that Black males were viewed as more aggressive and academically lower achieving than other subgroups. This study investigated disproportionality in office discipline referrals for disruptive behavior and the relationships among the variables of race, gender, and academic achievement. A correlational, nonexperimental design was used to address two questions, was there evidence of disproportionality by race/ethnicity and/or gender in office discipline referrals for disruptive behavior? Was there a relationship among race/ethnicity, gender, and academic achievement for students issued those referrals? Three years of enrollment, discipline, and academic achievement data for students in grades 3 through 8 were obtained from three Title I schools, two elementary schools and a middle school, in a high-poverty school division. Results were analyzed and there were four findings: there was evidence of disproportionality by race/ethnicity, there was evidence of disproportionality by gender, there was not consistent evidence of disproportionality by race/ethnicity and gender, and there were no statistically significant relationships among race, gender, and academic achievement for students issued a referral.

Yes / The evolving field of disruptive technologies has recently gained significant interest in various industries, including agriculture. The fourth industrial revolution has reshaped the context of Agricultural Technology (AgriTech) with applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a strong focus on data-driven analytical techniques. Motivated by the advances in AgriTech for agrarian operations, the study presents a state-of-the-art review of the research advances which are, evolving in a fast pace over the last decades (due to the disruptive potential of the technological context). Following a systematic literature approach, we develop a categorisation of the various types of AgriTech, as well as the associated AI-driven techniques which form the continuously shifting definition of AgriTech. The contribution primarily draws on the conceptualisation and awareness about AI-driven AgriTech context relevant to the agricultural operations for smart, efficient, and sustainable farming. The study provides a single normative reference for the definition, context and future directions of the field for further research towards the operational context of AgriTech. Our findings indicate that AgriTech research and the disruptive potential of AI in the agricultural sector are still in infancy in Operations Research. Through the systematic review, we also intend to inform a wide range of agricultural stakeholders (farmers, agripreneurs, scholars and practitioners) and to provide research agenda for a growing field with multiple potentialities for the future of the agricultural operations.

Yes / This study examines the antecedents and market performance outcomes of disruptive business models on one hand and the boundary conditions of the disruptive business model–market performance relationship on the other hand.

Modern technological innovations are constantly seen throughout every aspect of life, and higher education is no exception. To this end, this article sheds some light on the types of and pedagogical value of new media adopted by academics to promote self-directed learning at the University of South Africa. The study answers the following questions: Which new media approaches have been adopted by academics to enhance self-directed learning? What is the pedagogical value of new media in an ODL environment? A qualitative approach was employed and data was collected through face-to-face interviews with 30 purposively selected Unisa academics. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model was found relevant to this study. Thematic categorisation was employed for data analysis. The findings depict that a variety of new media have been adopted to promote self-directed learning at Unisa. The study also found that new media are playing a pivotal role in promoting self-directed learning in an ODL landscape. It is therefore important to note that new media have emerged as strong catalysts in fostering pedagogical transformation. / College of Education / M. Ed (Open and Distance Learning)

For evaluation of potential skincare ingredients, an in-house method using Static Franz diffusion cells and dialysis membranes was developed. Benzoic acid was chosen as a model substance along with L-ascorbic acid and α-Tocopherol. The cell conditions were tailored to encourage transmembrane diffusion. Benzoic acid was tested in acetate buffer (pH 4.6), which yielded a maximum flux of 0.91 ± 0.03 mg ∙ cm-2 ∙ h-1 and absorption of 103 ± 4 % out of the applied dose after 8 h. There were strong indications that benzoic acid ionization must be suppressed by lower pH to increase penetration rates. L-ascorbic acid yielded a flux of 0.29 ± 0.01 mg ∙ cm-2 ∙ h-1 in phosphate buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4) and absorption of 87 ± 7 % of the applied dose after 8 h. Experiments with α-tocopherol showed no penetration in PBS with added bovine serum albumin (BSA), leading to the hypothesis that more hydrophobic membranes and/or receptor medium are needed for the study of lipophilic compounds. In addition, the release of benzoic acid from the amorphous mesoporous magnesium carbonate Upsalite® was investigated. The results showed significant release and penetration of benzoic acid from the solid matrix in both acetate buffer and PBS. The maximum flux was estimated to 6.61 ± 0.96 mg ∙ cm-2 ∙ h-1 in acetate buffer and 99 ± 9 %  of the applied dose was absorbed after 3h. Tests of Upsalite with benzoic acid on hydrophobic silicone and Strat-M membranes showed no significant penetration, likely due to insufficient wetting of the sample. Pre-wetting of Strat-M membrane lead to penetration of benzoic acid into the membrane. Flux rates achieved on synthetic membranes are generally much higher compared to skin, which results in this thesis show. In conclusion, data for pure benzoic acid and L-ascorbic acid in the developed method using dialysis membranes showed reasonable agreement with literature. Penetration of benzoic acid is pH-dependent and may be either increased or decreased by choice of skin model or by using Upsalite as vehicle. Choosing a buffer pH below the pKa of the substance may enhance penetration. Introducing L-ascorbic acid in Upsalite could potentially increase the permeation, similar to that of benzoic acid.

Bakgrund: Branschen för tunga kommersiella fordon har historiskt verkat i en relativt mogen kontext, där värdeerbjudandet kretsat kring inkrementella förbättringar av förbränningsmotorn. Ett ökat behov av hållbara transporter och nya framväxande teknologier gör nu inträde i branschen vilket skapar en disruptiv affärskontext som sätter sedan länge rådande affärsmodeller och strategier ur spel. För att som etablerad aktör i branschen förbli relevant krävs anpassning. Med begränsade resurser måste nya investeringar balanseras med behovet av att vårda den dagliga verksamheten. Genom att beakta centrala avvägningar kan övergången hanteras. Syfte: Denna studies syfte är att med ett explorativt förhållningssätt bidra till ökad förståelse för hur etablerade företag inom branschen för tunga kommersiella fordon hanterar en disruptiv affärskontext, genom att se till de centrala avvägningar som behöver göras för att klara av omställningen till ett disruptivt affärslandskap. Metod: Studien har antagit en kvalitativ forskningsstrategi med en fallstudiedesign. Den vetenskapliga inriktningen är realism och studien har en abduktiv forskningsansats. Datainsamling har skett genom 11 semistrukturerade intervjuer och dokumentstudier. Studiens analysmetod är tematisk analys. Slutsats: Branschen för tunga kommersiella fordon är i starten av disruptiv innovation vilket leder till en disruptiv affärskontext. Etablerade aktörer därinom behöver anpassa sig för att vidhålla dess relevans i branschen och långsiktigt överleva som företag. Vid denna anpassning finner studien att etablerade aktörer kan lära av gårdagen, planera för morgondagen och agera idag genom att se till de centrala avvägningarna: Driva eller drivas av efterfrågan, Resursallokering och portföljutformning, Modulariseringsstrategi, Företagets inblandning med externa parter, Rollen som OEM i det framtida transportekosystemet. Samtliga avvägningar påverkar etablerade aktörers förmåga att hantera en disruptiv affärskontext både positivt och negativt och måste beaktas av etablerade aktörer som anpassar sig till disruptiv innovation. / Background: The industry for heavy commercial vehicles has historically operated in a relatively mature context, where the value proposition has revolved around incremental improvements of the internal combustion engine. An increased need for sustainable transport and new emerging technology is now entering the industry, which creates a disruptive business context that puts longstanding business models and strategies out of play. In order for incumbents in the industry to remain adequate, adapting is required. With limited resources, new investments must be balanced with the need of nurturing the day-to-day operations. By taking key trade-offs into account the transition can be managed. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to contribute with an exploratory approach to a greater understanding of how established companies in the heavy commercial vehicle industry handle a disruptive business context, by looking at the key trade-offs that need to be considered to cope with the transition to a disruptive business landscape. Methodology: The study has been conducted with a qualitative research strategy and case study design. The research approach is realism, and the study has an abductive research approach. The gathering of empirical data has been conducted through 11 semi-structured interviews and document studies. The study has utilised a thematic analysis. Conclusion: The industry for heavy commercial vehicles is at the start of disruptive innovation, which leads to a disruptive business context. Incumbents need to adapt to maintain their relevance in the industry and survive as a company in the long term. With this adaptation, the study finds that incumbents can learn from yesterday, plan for tomorrow and act today by looking to the following key trade-offs: Drive or driven by demand, Resource allocation and portfolio design, Modularisation strategy, The company's involvement with external parties, The role as OEM in the future transport ecosystem. All trade-offs affect the ability of established players to handle a disruptive business context both positively and negatively and must be considered by incumbents who adapt to disruptive innovation.

Thirty-seven patients identified as vocally disruptive and a control group, selected from 264 patients at psychogeriatric wards were studied. Tape-recordings of their vocal behaviour, ratings of their functional performance and symptoms related to dementia, observations of their behaviour, activities and interaction with caregivers were performed. Seventeen plus sixteen caregivers were interviewed to give their interpretation of the experience behind the behaviour and describe their own experience of it. The severely demented vocally disruptive patients were found to be significantly more physically dependant, disorientated at the ward and prone to confusional reactions but they had a more preserved speech performance than the controls. The vocal activity expressed such as helplessness, pain, fear and protest. Some were emotionally indifferent and a few expressed positive emotions. Caregivers interpreted the behaviour as an expression of anxiety related to such as abandonment, dissolution and loss of autonomy. They also expressed a strong wish to comfort the patients but felt unable to do so. The patients' daily life was characterized by idleness and solitude. Caring activities and interactions were dominated by physical procedures performed in a fragmentary and rapid way. Two hypotheses are generated. 1. Vocally disruptive behaviour develops influenced by sensory deprivation and the brain damage. 2. The care provided is influenced by caregivers experiencing anxiety in the patients as well as experiencing a conflict between the care they would like to provide and the care they actually provide. This evokes anxiety in them which elicits defence mechanisms leading to emotional withdrawal from the patients and task oriented care. The results are discussed in a nursing perspective based on existential thoughts, psychoanalytic and psychosocial theory. / <p>S. 1-48: sammanfattning, s. 49-164: 6 uppsatser</p> / digitalisering@umu

Problem/Purpose: Process prioritisation is an ill-structured and complex problem that remains a mystery phase in business process management (BPM) research. More explorative approaches are called upon to tackle process management problems, to facilitate process innovation and to design new processes in dynamic environments. This dissertation aims (i) to design and evaluate a Prioritisation and Categorisation Method (PCM) for addressing process prioritisation problems; and (ii) to explore process innovation by disruptive technologies. Research methods: This research follows the design science research (DSR) paradigm. The design exploration and the engaged scholarship approaches are also adapted. The demonstration and evaluation of the Prioritisation and Categorisation Method have been conducted with case studies in large Swedish companies, i.e. Seco Tools and Ericsson. An empirical study of the impacts of disruptive technologies on process innovation was conducted at a large insurance company in Sweden. Results: This research has led to the design and evaluation of the PCM: a new context-aware, effective and holistic method for BPM. In addition, the lessons learnt from the insurance case deepened the understanding of the challenges that are faced by a company when exploring new capabilities (e.g. processes and IT) for future business. Such lessons also emphasise the necessity of configuring PCM based upon business contingencies and industry factors in process prioritisation. Contributions: This dissertation contributes a novel method to explore BPM in a holistic, yet flexible and effective way. The challenges identified in process innovations improve the configuration capabilities of the PCM through a deeper understanding of the dynamic capabilities within organisations (Capability Layer Model-CLM). This research contributes design knowledge to DSR in the forms of the PCM as an invention, and the three design principles for the PCM: design by holistics, design by commitments and design by explorations. The research is evaluated as good BPM and good design science research.

Disruptive change transforms existing organizational processes. Newspaper organizations such as Orlando Sentinel Communications (OSC) tend to resist process change. As with most newspaper companies in the United States, OSC management was confronted with unprecedented disruptive change and challenges by the accelerated evolution of its business models and processes. This investigation identified and modeled OSC circulation processes to support disruptive change initiatives. The XML Process Definition Language (XPDL) is an XML specification and process modeling solution developed by the Workflow Management Coalition (WFMC) designed to exchange workflow process semantics and graphics. This investigation focused on developing an XPDL process model of OSC circulation processes to address process transformations inherent to disruptive change. The method was a case study of OSC circulation processes through the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) framework to develop a reproducible XPDL process model for OSC to use in planning for disruptive change. The investigation found that XPDL to be well-suited as the language for expressing workflow models to plan, align, and implement processes that anticipate disruptive change. The results of this research also confirmed that organizational values, workflow activities, and subflows play a prominent role in an incumbent organization's response to disruptive change. Finally, this study established that process model metainformation associated with workflow activities, transitions, and resources are core attributes in planning for disruptive change.