Denna studie behandlar fenomenen kriminalitet och identitetsskapande. Den syftar till att skapa kunskap om vägen in i kriminalitet samt utträde ur en kriminell gemenskap. Studien koncentreras till att förstå hur sociala faktorer kan påverka processen med fokus på identitetsskapande. Hur ser förändringsprocessen ut för individer som tidigare befunnit sig i utanförskap till att tillhöra en socialt accepterad gemenskap? Studien genomfördes med en fenomenologisk ansats och resultatet baseras på den empiri vi erhöll genom sju semistrukturerade kvalitativa intervjuer. Intervjuerna har baserats på teman för att tillhandahålla samtalsstruktur och i ett led att besvara syftet. Urvalet är målstyrt och samtliga respondenter, utom en, är medlemmar i en ideell förening som arbetar stödjande för människor med en förflutet inom kriminalitet och missbruk. Resultatet visar att både in- och utträde ur en kriminell gemenskap är en komplex process och att omgivningen genomgående har en stor påverkan i processen och i möjliggörandet för en ny identitet. Sammanställningen av den insamlade empirin består av tre olika delar, vägen in i kriminalitet, livet som kriminell samt vägen ut ur kriminalitet och skapandet av en prosocial identitet. Resultatet analyseras genom meningskoncentrering och tematisk analys. / The purpose of this study is to explore criminality and identity-creation. Why does some people end up in criminality and how one desist from crime. This paper focuses on how social factors can influence the process in and out of criminality with focus on identity-creation. This study also seeks to understand the change-process; how does an individual with a criminal past move from being socially excluded to becoming a member of a socially accepted group? The study takes a phenomenological approach and the result is based on the data we received from seven semi-structured qualitative interviews. The interviews were based on different themes to structure the dialogue with a view towards answering the purpose. The sample we used are based on purposeful technique and all informants, except for one, are members of associations that work to support people with a history of crime and addiction. The results show that entering and leaving a criminal community are complex processes and also that social context has a major influence on the process and the possibility to create a new identity. The compiled data consists of three different parts: 1) the gateway to crime 2) life as a criminal and 3) desistance from crime and creating a prosocial identity. The result is analyzed by initial sentence-concentration and thematic analysis.

Det här projektet genomfördes på Saab Dynamics AB, Karlskoga. Syftet med projektet var att utvärdera möjligheterna att använda en 24 GHz Dopplerradarsensor för automotive-industrin, vid mätning av utgångshastigheten för projektiler från granatgeväret Carl Gustaf. Mätning av utgångshastigheten är av intresse för att öka träffsäkerheten med projektilerna. Projektet är huvudsakligen teoretiskt, dvs inga skarpa tester utfördes. Slutsatserna som dras grundar sig på beräkningar för mätning med radar och de matematiska problem de för med sig. Resultatet visar att denna radartyp är kapabel att mäta granater som färdas i höga hastigheter. Eftersom radar mäter radiell hastighet och radarmodulen ej kan placeras i linje med projektilen, behöver den uppmätta hastigheten korrigeras. Det söktes efter en lösning att korrigera detta i realtid eller genom efterbehandling av inläst data. En sådan blev dock ej funnen. Av de utforskade alternativen var den realiserbara lösningen på detta problem att montera radarmodulen så att felet i uppmätt hastighet blir försumbart. / This project was carried out at Saab Dynamics AB, Karlskoga, Sweden. The purpose of the project was to evaluate the possibilities to use a 24 GHz Doppler sensor made for the automotive industry to measure the exit velocity of projectiles from the grenade launcher Carl Gustaf. Measuring the exit velocity is of interest to increase the accuracy of the projectiles. The project is mainly theoretical, i.e. no live testing was performed. The conclusions drawn are based on calculations for measurement with radar and the mathematical problems they create. The result shows that this radar type is capable of measuring grenades travelling at high velocities. Since radar measures radial velocity, and the radar module cannot be placed in line with the projectile, the measured speed needs to be corrected. It was attempted to create a solution to correct this in real time or through post processing of the submitted data. A solution to this problem was, however, not found. Of the options explored, the realizable solution was to mount the radar so that the error in measured speed becomes negligible.

Social assistance programmes (SAPs), understood as non-contributory transfers aimed at ad-dressing poverty, have spread in developing countries since the late 1990s. National govern-ments in Latin America have sought to extend the coverage of SAPs through human devel-opment conditional cash transfer programmes (CCTs). CCTs share several implementation features. First, they employ targeting and selection methods based on means, and proxy means, tests. Research on targeting and selection methods has evolved hand in hand with the adoption of CCTs in Latin America, Africa and South East Asia. Second, CCTs involve the provision of cash transfers directly to households, but with conditions attached to human development objectives. Transfers are given to households in poverty contingent on investment in the human capital formation of their children. A third feature relates to the presence of programme exit conditions. To date, scarce research is available on the design and outcomes associated with exit condi-tions from CCTs. This thesis thus contributes to the literature in the implementation of SAPs by providing a critical examination of exit conditions in SAPs with specific emphasis on CCTs. The thesis provides a systematic theoretical and empirical analysis of the role of exit conditions in the implementation of CCTs. The thesis develops and tests two basic principles underlying the role of exit conditions. First, the exhausted-effectiveness principle suggests that the effectiveness of a CCT varies over time. The research reported in this examines the effectiveness of programme over time with the aim of identifying potential thresholds after which a given SAP's effectiveness de-clines. A two-period child human capital investment model is developed to study analytically the conditions in which programme effectiveness varies over time. This is examined empirically in order to demonstrate the existence of the time-varying effectiveness associated with the implementation of the Colombia's CCT, Familias en Accion. A continuous treatment effect model is estimated following Hirano and Imbens (2004), in which the length of exposure allows for the graphical analysis of dose-response functions. The results indicate that the design of SAPs must take account of time-varying effectiveness. Second, a principle of the non-recurrence of poverty states that beneficiaries should be able to exit an effective programme when two conditions apply: (i) they are not in poverty; and (ii) they face a low probability of becoming poor in the near future. This principle acknowledges the implications of poverty dynamics for the implementation of SAPs with a particular focus on exit conditions. This thesis characterises the poverty dynamics of beneficiary households through the estimation of a Markovian poverty transition model using data from the Familias en Accion programme. The findings from the empirical work suggest that programme participation should not end when households are non-poor, but attention must be paid to probabilities of recurrence, in order to secure non-recurrence in the near future. Taken together, the exhausted-effectiveness principle interacts with the non-recurrence of poverty principle in the sense that the first sets a maximum length of exposure to the intervention, while the second determines minimum levels of exposure.

Orientador: Pasqual Barretti / Resumo: Introdução: As complicações mecânicas e infecciosas associadas ao cateter de dialise peritoneal representam as principais causas de falência da técnica. Tais complicações podem estar associadas às configurações intra e extraperitoneal do cateter. Objetivo: comparar complicações mecânicas e infecciosas, além de sobrevida da técnica entre cateteres de Tenckhoff implantados com Orifício de Saída (OS) voltado para baixo e OS voltado para cima e cateteres de Swan Neck (ponta reta e ponta coil). Metodologia: estudo prospectivo randomizado que comparou complicações mecânicas (translocações) e infecciosas (peritonites e infecções de orifício de saída) entre cateteres divididos de maneira randomizada em quatro grupos: Tenkhoff OS baixo, Tenckhoff OS cima, Swan Neck ponta reta e Swan Neck ponta coil. Os grupos foram seguidos pelo período de um ano. O implante foi realizado pela equipe da Nefrologia utilizando a técnica de Seldinger. Resultados: no período de agosto de 2013 a fevereiro de 2016 foram implantados 107 cateteres em 96 pacientes. As características clinicas e demográficas foram semelhantes entre os pacientes nos quatro grupos. A análise da curva de sobrevida pelo método de Kaplan-Meier não mostrou diferenças para o tempo livre do primeiro episódio de infecção de OS (p=0,19) ou peritonite (p=0,29) entre os quatro grupos. Observamos no entanto, menor tempo livre até o primeiro episódio de translocação (p=0,03), menor sobrevida do cateter (p=0,001) e menor sobrevida da técnica ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Background: The mechanical and infectious complications associated with the peritoneal dialysis catheter represent the main causes of technique failure. Such complications may be associated with the intra- and extra-peritoneal configurations of the catheter. Purpose: The objectives of this study were to compare infectious and mechanical complications and technique survival among four randomized groups of PD catheters: straight Tenckhoff catheters implanted with downward Exit Site (ES), straight Tenckhoff implanted with upward ES, Swan-Neck coil tip and Swan-Neck straight tip. Methods: A prospective randomized trial comparing mechanical (translocations) and infectious (peritonitis and exit-site infection) complications between catheters randomly divided into four groups: Tenkhoff downward ES, Tenckhoff upward ES, Swan Neck straight tip and Swan Neck coil tip. The four groups were followed for one year. The implant was performed by the Nephrology team using the Seldinger technique. Results: In the period from August 2013 to February 2016, 107 catheters were implanted in 96 patients. The baseline demographics characteristics were similar among the groups. Analysis of the Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed no difference in the free time of the first episode of ES infection (p = 0.19) or peritonitis (p = 0.29) among the four groups. We observed, however, less free time for the first episode of translocation (p = 0.03), lower catheter survival (p = 0.001) and lower technique survi... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

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Combat veterans partake in exit interviews that may be inadequate in addressing their health and mental health needs prior to returning to a civilian lifestyle. Exit interviews have not been thoroughly evaluated from the perspective of veterans to determine their helpfulness in meeting the needs of those that have returned home. It is vital to the reintegration process and quality of life of our veterans to assess their needs as a priority over the feedback and inquiry of potential changes the military can make in the future for active military members, considering many veterans suffer from mental and physical illnesses and combat injuries. These war acquired injuries leave many veterans without adequate resources, facing homelessness and utilizing unhealthy coping mechanisms. Which should concern and require action on the part of social workers in carrying out our professional values, fulfilling the needs that are not met and a potential role in a multidisciplinary team. This study seeks to explore the veteran’s perspective on the helpfulness of exit interviews and how these interviews may better serve the health and mental health needs of veterans returning to a civilian lifestyle. The research findings suggest that military exit interviewers are not as helpful as they could be in regard to veteran reintegration into society. Three main themes surfaced from the qualitative analysis including: Inadequate Exit Interviews, Diminished Desire to Reenlist, subtheme Pressure to Reenlist, and Face to Face Communication.

In recent years much effort has been dedicated to the purpose of combating commercial sexual exploitation yet there is a lack of concise and comprehensive information on the effectiveness of strategies and interventions to help this population. Research in this field has helped define and illuminate consequences of this lifestyle. The existing literature points to the complexity of the population's needs and the challenges faced when trying to leave 'the life' however there is a dearth of information on what works. The purpose of this project is to identify and summarize the findings of any empirical studies which evaluate interventions that target a successful exit for a life of sexual exploitation. Through a systematic review of results from search term combinations in two academic databases, peer-reviewed journal articles meeting selection criteria were analyzed and themes are presented. Results from the systematic review revealed only a small number of articles for inclusion and they are described in detail in this study. Recommendations for further research and review are also discussed.

The individuals with disabilities are disproportionately vulnerable to hazards. However, there is very little research inquiry focused on evacuation environments and the behavior of individuals with disabilities. The most widely applied computational method used to study how effective the built environment facilities emergency evacuations in individuals-based modeling. Current pedestrian evacuation models rarely include individuals with disabilities in their simulated populations due to there being very few empirical studies of the evacuation behavior of individuals with disabilities. As a result, the models do not replicate accurate patterns of pedestrian or evacuation behavior of a heterogeneous population, which results in the evacuation needs of individuals with disabilities being generally overlooked. To begin addressing this limitation, our research group at Utah State University (USU) has performed empirical research to observe the microscopic evacuation behavior of individuals with disabilities in heterogeneous population contexts. The purpose of this research was to: (1) develop and analyze evacuation curves to understand and assess evacuation strategies for heterogeneous populations, and (2) analyze the microscopic behavior of evacuees at exit doors necessary for developing credible and valid pedestrian and evacuation models. Doing so will contribute to evacuation models which replicate accurate patterns of pedestrian and evacuation behavior of heterogeneous populations, leading to the consideration of the evacuation needs of individuals with disabilities.

This purpose of this dissertation is to examine the progressive and regressive factors that affect a small business owner’s decision to implement an exit strategy. An exit strategy can be defined as an entrepreneur's strategic plan to sell his or her investment in a company he or she has controlling interest in. An exit strategy gives a business owner a way to reduce or eliminate his or her stake in the business and, if the business is successful, make a substantial profit. Exiting a business is a complicated process which includes among other things, the evaluation, preparation, marketing, and ultimate sale of the business. Progressive factors push an owner to exit and regressive factors pull an owner away from exiting.

The primary objective of the study is to evaluate safety performances of different exit ramps used in Florida and nationally. More specific, the research objectives include the following two parts: (1) to evaluate the impacts of different exit ramp types on safety performance for freeway diverge areas; and (2) to identify the different factors contributing to the crashes happening on the exit ramp sections. To achieve the research objectives, the research team investigated crash history at 424 sites throughout Florida. The study area includes two parts, the freeway diverge area and the exit ramp sections. For the freeway diverge areas, exit ramp types were defined based on the number of lanes used by vehicular traffic to exit freeways. Four exit ramp types were considered here including single-lane exit ramps (Type 1), sing-lane exit ramps without a taper (Type 2), two-lane exit ramps with an optional lane (Type 3), and two-lane exit ramps without an optional lane (Type 4). For the exit ramp sections, four ramp configurations, including diamond, out connection, free-flow loop and parclo loop, were considered. Cross-sectional comparisons were conducted to compare crash frequency, crash rate, crash severity and crash types between different exit ramp groups. Crash predictive models were also built to quantify the impacts of various contributing factors. On the freeway diverge areas, it shows that Type 1 exit ramp has the best safety performance in terms of the lowest crash frequency and crash rate. The crash prediction model shows that for one-lane exit ramp, replacing a Type 1 with a Type 2 will increase crash counts at freeway diverge areas by 15.57% while replacing a Type 3 with a Type 4 will increase crash counts by 10.80% for two-lane ramps. On the exit ramp sections, the out connection ramps appear to have the lowest average crash rate than the other three. The crash predictive model shows that replacing an out connection exit ramp with a diamond, free-flow, and parclo loop will increase crashes counts by 26.90%, 68.47% and 48.72% respectively. The results of this study will help transportation decision makers develop tailored technical guidelines governing the selection of the optimum design combinations on freeway diverge areas and exit ramp sections.