The following group of themed essays explores the author's relationship with the many homes she has had. The works are autobiographical, and they begin during the author's childhood as an Air Force Brat. After exploring a series of homes across the United States, including Honolulu, the work focuses on the author's transition from living in many places to life in one city, New Orleans, Louisiana, where the author grew up. This collection also examines homelessness. Just as the author was searching for a new home along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, she became homeless after hurricane Katrina. Although the author had had the opportunity to make many apartments a "home", homelessness offered her the opportunity to explore what it is that makes a house or apartment a home.

The more we search outside of ourselves for answers, the less likely we are to be satisfied. Often, however, the external journey brings us closer to who we are as we experience the peaks and troughs of human existence. Ultimately, it is happiness that we seek. The idea and pursuit of happiness is a universal theme and I believe this search for happiness is also a search for home. Whether it is a physical or spiritual place, many of us search for that centre but the answer lies in the journey, not the destination. Using the road trip as the vehicle for this search, I set out across the USA to connect with others who were on the same journey. I photographed people (who had moved from their birthplace for reasons such as love and better opportunities), and landscapes that evoke both home and the journey. The road trip can be an escape from home but also a search for it and so the resulting project became two distinct sections that weave and overlap.

O edifício localizado na Avenida Prestes Maia nº 911, no centro de São Paulo, desde a década de 1990 sem uso, foi ocupado em 2002 pelo Movimento Sem-Teto do Centro (MSTC). A partir do século XX, diversas ocupações foram realizadas por movimentos sociais de luta por moradia em edifícios vacantes no centro da cidade, como forma de pressionar o poder público para a efetivação de políticas habitacionais. Neste território em disputa, a ocupação Prestes Maia se tornou um importante símbolo e, por isso, foi escolhida como objeto de investigação do presente trabalho. Em consonância com o preceito da função social da propriedade, anunciado pelo Estatuto da Cidade, e com a possibilidade do atendimento pelo Programa de Arrendamento Residencial lançado como medida provisória em 1999 e convertido em lei no ano 2001 os movimentos sociais vislumbraram a possibilidade de habitar o centro, caracterizado por uma grande quantidade de edifícios vazios. Envolvida por um complexo jogo de forças, cada ocupação realizada mobiliza uma série de negociações, determinando uma teia de relações. O principal objetivo desta dissertação é desvendar está teia de relações Prestes Maia, a partir dos conflitos vivenciados por esta ocupação. Esta teia parte da identificação dos principais atores desta disputa, de diversas relações estabelecidas e resultados obtidos neste processo. Ao longo deste caminho percebemos a importância de não ficar apenas naquilo que é visível, o que nos permitiu investigar também a trama de interpretações subjetivas que compõe este território. Assim, procuramos lançar um olhar para esta teia de relações considerando a complexidade da disputa física e simbólica do centro, para adentrar diferentes camadas deste processo. Partindo do princípio de que a analise das relações estabelecidas dentro de um processo de mediação podem colaborar para a identificação de seus conflitos e problemas, realizamos uma operação de distinção de discursos no caso da ocupação Prestes Maia e, com isso, buscamos encontrar os impedimentos para a não conquista do território, ou seja, a não permanência de suas 468 famílias no centro da cidade de São Paulo. Assim, esperamos contribuir para a investigação do insucesso do acordo adquirido pelo grupo de sem tetos com o poder público, identificando os obstáculos e entraves decorrentes tanto do processo de negociação, quanto das políticas inadequáveis ao atendimento desta população. / The building number 911 on Avenida Prestes Maia, in the center of São Paulo city, since 1990 without use, was occupied in 2002 by the homeless movement of the center (MSTC). As from the XX century, several ocupations were realized by social movements fighting for home in empty buildings in the center of the city, as means to pressure public power to put into effect habitation policies. In this territory of contend, Prestes Maia occupation became an important symbol and, for this reason, was chosen as investigation object of the present work. In consonance with the precept of propertys social function, announced on the City Statute, and with the possibility of its accomplishment by the Residencial Lease Program- released as a provisory measure in 1999 and converted in law in 2001- the social movements saw the possibility of living in the center, characterized by a great amount of empty buildings. In the midle of a complex of power relations, each occupation realized has put in motion several negotiations, determining a web of relations. The main goal of this dissertation is the construction of the Prestes Maia web of relations, from the conflicts lived by this occupation. The starting point of this web is the identification of the main actors of this contend, the several relations established and the results obtained in this process. Along this path we realized the importance of paying attention not only in what is factual, and with that we could also investigate the thread of subjective interpretations that are part of this territory. In this manner, we tried to look at this web of relations considering the complexity of the fisical and simbolical contend in the center, to get into the diferent layers of this process. Starting from the principle that the analysis of established relations in a mediation process can colaborate with the identification of its conflicts and problems, we realized an operation of discourse distinction in the Prestes Maia occupation case and, with this, found the hindrances to the conquering of the territory, that is, the staying of 468 families in the center of São Paulo city. In this manner, we hope to contribute to the investigations of the unsuccessfullnes of the agreement obtained by the homeless group with the public power, identifying the obstacles and impediments resulting from the process of negotiation and also from the inadequate policies for the accomplishment of the needs of this population.

O edifício localizado na Avenida Prestes Maia nº 911, no centro de São Paulo, desde a década de 1990 sem uso, foi ocupado em 2002 pelo Movimento Sem-Teto do Centro (MSTC). A partir do século XX, diversas ocupações foram realizadas por movimentos sociais de luta por moradia em edifícios vacantes no centro da cidade, como forma de pressionar o poder público para a efetivação de políticas habitacionais. Neste território em disputa, a ocupação Prestes Maia se tornou um importante símbolo e, por isso, foi escolhida como objeto de investigação do presente trabalho. Em consonância com o preceito da função social da propriedade, anunciado pelo Estatuto da Cidade, e com a possibilidade do atendimento pelo Programa de Arrendamento Residencial lançado como medida provisória em 1999 e convertido em lei no ano 2001 os movimentos sociais vislumbraram a possibilidade de habitar o centro, caracterizado por uma grande quantidade de edifícios vazios. Envolvida por um complexo jogo de forças, cada ocupação realizada mobiliza uma série de negociações, determinando uma teia de relações. O principal objetivo desta dissertação é desvendar está teia de relações Prestes Maia, a partir dos conflitos vivenciados por esta ocupação. Esta teia parte da identificação dos principais atores desta disputa, de diversas relações estabelecidas e resultados obtidos neste processo. Ao longo deste caminho percebemos a importância de não ficar apenas naquilo que é visível, o que nos permitiu investigar também a trama de interpretações subjetivas que compõe este território. Assim, procuramos lançar um olhar para esta teia de relações considerando a complexidade da disputa física e simbólica do centro, para adentrar diferentes camadas deste processo. Partindo do princípio de que a analise das relações estabelecidas dentro de um processo de mediação podem colaborar para a identificação de seus conflitos e problemas, realizamos uma operação de distinção de discursos no caso da ocupação Prestes Maia e, com isso, buscamos encontrar os impedimentos para a não conquista do território, ou seja, a não permanência de suas 468 famílias no centro da cidade de São Paulo. Assim, esperamos contribuir para a investigação do insucesso do acordo adquirido pelo grupo de sem tetos com o poder público, identificando os obstáculos e entraves decorrentes tanto do processo de negociação, quanto das políticas inadequáveis ao atendimento desta população. / The building number 911 on Avenida Prestes Maia, in the center of São Paulo city, since 1990 without use, was occupied in 2002 by the homeless movement of the center (MSTC). As from the XX century, several ocupations were realized by social movements fighting for home in empty buildings in the center of the city, as means to pressure public power to put into effect habitation policies. In this territory of contend, Prestes Maia occupation became an important symbol and, for this reason, was chosen as investigation object of the present work. In consonance with the precept of propertys social function, announced on the City Statute, and with the possibility of its accomplishment by the Residencial Lease Program- released as a provisory measure in 1999 and converted in law in 2001- the social movements saw the possibility of living in the center, characterized by a great amount of empty buildings. In the midle of a complex of power relations, each occupation realized has put in motion several negotiations, determining a web of relations. The main goal of this dissertation is the construction of the Prestes Maia web of relations, from the conflicts lived by this occupation. The starting point of this web is the identification of the main actors of this contend, the several relations established and the results obtained in this process. Along this path we realized the importance of paying attention not only in what is factual, and with that we could also investigate the thread of subjective interpretations that are part of this territory. In this manner, we tried to look at this web of relations considering the complexity of the fisical and simbolical contend in the center, to get into the diferent layers of this process. Starting from the principle that the analysis of established relations in a mediation process can colaborate with the identification of its conflicts and problems, we realized an operation of discourse distinction in the Prestes Maia occupation case and, with this, found the hindrances to the conquering of the territory, that is, the staying of 468 families in the center of São Paulo city. In this manner, we hope to contribute to the investigations of the unsuccessfullnes of the agreement obtained by the homeless group with the public power, identifying the obstacles and impediments resulting from the process of negotiation and also from the inadequate policies for the accomplishment of the needs of this population.

The dissertation involves an investigation into home schooling in South Africa as an alternative to institutionalised schooling. This is done by means of qualitative research techniques, whereby an ethnographic study of a single home-schooling family takes place. This study occurs against the background established by a comprehensive literature review of the context, nature, scope and current issues of the home-schooling movement, in selected international countries as well as in South Africa. The study investigates the modus operandi of a home school in an attempt to explore actual practice and to uncover primary data. Limited recommendations for home schooling on the basis of the literature study and the specific qualitative inquiry are made. / Educational Studies / M. Ed.(Comparative Education)

Les approches actuelles pour diagnostiquer les troubles du sommeil sont lourdes, intrusives et peuvent influer sur la qualité du sommeil du patient. Il y a donc un besoin crucial de systèmes moins encombrants pour diagnostiquer les problèmes liés au sommeil. Nous proposons d'utiliser un nouveau système de suivi du sommeil non intrusif basé sur un tapis à fibre optique à microflexion placée sous le matelas de lit. La qualité du sommeil est évaluée en fonction de différents paramètres, y compris la fréquence cardiaque, le rythme respiratoire, les mouvements du corps, l’heure du réveil, la durée du sommeil, le mouvement nocturne et l’heure du coucher. Le système proposé a été validé dans un environnement de santé et de bien-être, en plus d'un environnement clinique comme suit. Dans le premier cas, la fréquence cardiaque est mesurée à partir de signaux ballistocardiogramme bruités acquis de 50 volontaires en position assise à l'aide d'une chaise de massage. Les signaux sont recueillis discrètement à partir d'un capteur de fibre optique microflexible intégrée dans l'appui-tête de la chaise, puis transmis à un ordinateur par une connexion Bluetooth. La fréquence cardiaque est calculée à l'aide de l'analyse multi-résolution de la transformée discrète en ondelettes à chevauchement maximal. L'erreur entre la méthode proposée et électrocardiogramme de référence est estimée en battements par minute en utilisant l'erreur absolue moyenne où le système a obtenu des résultats relativement bons (10.12±4.69) malgré la quantité remarquable d'artefact de mouvement produit en raison des fréquents mouvements corporels et/ou vibrations de la chaise de massage pendant le massage de soulagement du stress. Contrairement à l'algorithme complet de décomposition du mode empirique de l'ensemble, précédemment utilisé pour l'estimation de la fréquence cardiaque, le système proposé est beaucoup plus rapide. Par conséquent, il peut être utilisé dans les applications temps réel. Dans ce dernier cas, nous avons évalué la capacité du capteur de fibre optique microflexible pour suivre la fréquence cardiaque et la respiration d’une manière discrète. En outre, nous avons testé la capacité du capteur dans la discrimination entre la respiration superficielle et pas de respiration. Le capteur proposé a été comparé à un dispositif de surveillance portatif à trois canaux (ApneaLink) dans un milieu clinique au cours d'une endoscopie sous anesthésie. Parmi les dix patients recrutés pour notre étude, le système a obtenu des résultats satisfaisants quant à la fréquence cardiaque moyenne et quant à la fréquence respiratoire moyenne avec une erreur de 0.55 ± 0.59 battements/minute et de 0.38 ± 0.32 respirations/minute, respectivement. De plus, le coefficient de corrélation Pearson entre le capteur proposé et le dispositif de référence était de 0.96 et 0.78 pour la fréquence cardiaque et la respiration, respectivement. Au contraire, le capteur proposé a fourni une très faible sensibilité (24.24 ± 12.81%) et une spécificité relativement élevée (85.88 ± 6.01%) pour la détection de l'apnée du sommeil. On s'attend à ce que cette recherche préliminaire ouvre la voie vers la détection discrète de l'apnée obstructive du sommeil en temps réel. Suite à la validation réussie du système proposé, nous avons déployé avec succès notre système de surveillance du sommeil pendant plus de 6 mois dans treize appartements habités principalement par les personnes âgées. Néanmoins, dans cette recherche, nous nous concentrons sur un déploiement d'un mois avec trois résidents seniors de sexe féminin. Le système proposé montre l’accord avec l’enquête utilisateur recueillie avant l'étude. En outre, le système est intégré dans une plate-forme d’autonomie assistée existante avec une interface conviviale pour rendre plus commode pour les aidants le suivi des paramètres de sommeil des résidents. / The current approaches for diagnosing sleep disorders are burdensome, intrusive, and can affect the patient’s sleep quality. As a result, there is a crucial need for less cumbersome systems to diagnose sleep-related problems. We propose to use a novel nonintrusive sleep monitoring system based on a microbend fiber-optic mat placed under the bed mattress. The sleep quality is assessed based on different parameters, including heart rate, breathing rate, body movements, wake up time, sleep time, night movement, and bedtime. The proposed system has been validated in a health and wellness environment in addition to a clinical environment as follows. In the former case, the heart rate is measured from noisy ballistocardiogram signals acquired from 50 human volunteers in a sitting position using a massage chair. The signals are unobtrusively collected from a microbend fiber optic sensor embedded within the headrest of the chair and then transmitted to a computer through a Bluetooth connection. The heart rate is computed using the multiresolution analysis of the maximal overlap discrete wavelet transform. The error between the proposed method and the reference ECG is estimated in beats per minute using the mean absolute error where the system achieved relatively good results (10.12 ± 4.69) despite the remarkable amount of motion artifact produced owing to the frequent body movements and/or vibrations of the massage chair during stress relief massage. Unlike the complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition algorithm, previously employed for heart rate estimation, the suggested system is much faster. Hence, it can be used in real-time applications. In the latter case, we evaluated the capacity of the microbend fiber optic sensor to monitor heart rate and respiration unobtrusively. In addition, we tested the capacity of the sensor in discriminating between shallow breathing and no breathing. The proposed sensor was compared to a three-channel portable monitoring device (ApneaLink) in a clinical setting during a drug-induced sleep endoscopy. Across all ten patients recruited for our study, the system achieved satisfactory results in the mean heart rate and the mean respiratory rate with an error of 0.55±0.59 beats/minute and 0.38 ± 0.32 breaths/minute, respectively. Besides, the Pearson correlation coefficient between the proposed sensor and the reference device was 0.96 and 0.78 for heart rate and respiration, respectively. On the contrary, the proposed sensor provided a very low sensitivity (24.24 ± 12.81%) and a relatively high specificity (85.88 ± 6.01%) for sleep apnea detection. It is expected that this preliminary research will pave the way toward unobtrusive detection of obstructive sleep apnea in real-time. Following successful validation of the proposed system, we have successfully deployed our sleep monitoring system in thirteen apartments with mainly senior residents over six months. Nevertheless, in this research, we concentrate on a one-month deployment with three senior female residents. The proposed system shows an agreement with a user’s survey collected before the study. Furthermore, the system is integrated within an existing ambient assisted living platform with a user-friendly interface to make it more convenient for the caregivers to follow-up the sleep parameters of the residents.

The dissertation involves an investigation into home schooling in South Africa as an alternative to institutionalised schooling. This is done by means of qualitative research techniques, whereby an ethnographic study of a single home-schooling family takes place. This study occurs against the background established by a comprehensive literature review of the context, nature, scope and current issues of the home-schooling movement, in selected international countries as well as in South Africa. The study investigates the modus operandi of a home school in an attempt to explore actual practice and to uncover primary data. Limited recommendations for home schooling on the basis of the literature study and the specific qualitative inquiry are made. / Educational Studies / M. Ed.(Comparative Education)