The thesis An Extraordinary Encounter with Chekhov strives to examine the process and phases involved in the design of the set for Anton Chekhov's Three Sisters. This play was produced in the Spring of 2007, at the University of New Orleans. This production was chosen by the graduate committee, as the final work to complete my Master of Fine Arts degree in set design. I seek to examine the nature of the creative process for the set design through a series of encounters, from the initial encounter with the play to the various encounters with the director and other collaborators. These various encounters will include the, research and preparation to the final creation of the set design examined in detail. Copies of all the research, renderings, photos, draftings and any supporting materials that were relevant to the creative process will accompany the text of the thesis.

Even though lots of social media companies do not utilize all the information collected by the end-users today, no one knows what type of information they may want in the future. Accepting an End-User License Agreement (EULA) may imply that the company has the permission to gather any personal information, without having to ask for the end-users permission again as the information is already being stored in the database of the company. Young women is today one of the groups that is sharing, publishing and consuming the most information on social media. For that reason it is intreguing to study how young women are relating to the personal integrity on social media. The study concludes that there is a wide variation of how the women relates to integrity on the social media.

Brief, easy to use, psychometrically strong (i.e., pragmatic) instruments are needed to support implementation research; the current study assessed whether it was possible to develop a pragmatic observational treatment integrity instrument and reduce the amount of time coders spend making treatment integrity ratings (while maintaining score validity) of therapists delivering two protocols of individual cognitive-behavioral treatment (ICBT) for youth anxiety in research and practice settings. The 12-item instrument was derived from four observational treatment integrity instruments with promising score reliability and validity that assess adherence, competence, differentiation, and alliance. A sample of 106 youths (M age = 10.12, SD = 1.81, ages 7-14; 42.50% Female; 69.80% Caucasian) received one of three treatments to address anxiety: standard ICBT in a research setting (n = 51) or standard ICBT (n = 22), modular ICBT (n = 16), or usual care (UC; n = 17) in practice settings. Four coders independently coded five- and 15- minute segments sampled from four sessions from each client (N = 756 sessions). Ten percent of sessions were double-coded for reliability purposes. Reliability, sensitivity to change, construct validity, and predictive validity from the two segments were compared to full session treatment integrity scores independently archived in a study assessing the same clients. Across five- and 15-minute segments, the instrument produced promising score reliability and convergent validity evidence for adherence, competence, and alliance items (items intended for inclusion in ICBT for youth anxiety; M ICCs = .62, SD = .17; M rs = .58, SD = .12) and poor score reliability and validity evidence for differentiation items (items intended for inclusion in other treatment domains; M ICCs = .21, SD = .28; M rs = .27, SD = .25). This study met its primary aim, to develop an instrument that can be coded in less than 20 minutes while maintaining evidence of score validity. Researchers interested in developing such instruments can use this study design as a roadmap. Future research should investigate whether psychometric findings replicate across samples, why certain items (e.g., client-centered interventions) did not evidence score validity, and how this type of instrument can inform EBT training.

The purpose of this research was to determine what preferences exist for full- and part-time community college faculty for institutional communication and if institutional communication predicts faculty perception of an academic integrity culture. The sample is nationally representative, consisting of institutional representation from five of the six accreditation regions nationally, a relativity equal distribution of three Carnegie Classifications (higher career & technical, high transfer, and mixed transfer/career & technical) and three Census Bureau defined population areas (urbanized area, urban cluster, and rural area). The survey, completed by 328 faculty from eight community colleges, was a modified version of three widely used instruments: the International Center for Academic Integrity Academic Integrity Faculty Survey, the International Communication Association Audit, and the Organizational Communication Development Audit Questionnaire. Chi-square, independent samples t-test, and hierarchical regression analysis were each used to explore the relationship between the perception of communication, channels of communication, and perceived culture of academic integrity. The results suggest that face-to-face and electronic communication channels are both preferred channels of communication among full- and part-time faculty and that the communication through these two channels is predictive and interactional. In collaboration with a positive perception of communication, both worked to predict a perceived culture of academic integrity.

[pt] Esta dissertação visa apresentar e comparar metodologias utilizadas para estimar a taxa de corrosão a partir dos resultados obtidos em inspeção por pig instrumentado tendo em vista que este método de avaliação de integridade é um procedimento empregado por operadores de duto. Com esta finalidade foram analisadas e comparadas as metodologias mais adequadas para o cálculo da taxa de corrosão: Estimativa da Taxa de Corrosão baseada no Princípio de Atividade Local, Estimativa da Taxa de Corrosão baseada no Cálculo do Parâmetro (a), Estimativa da Taxa de Corrosão a partir do Intervalo de Confiança para a Média e Estimativa da Taxa de Corrosão a partir da Distribuição de Valor Extremo. Para cada um destes métodos foram empregados dados simulados e dados de inspeções de um duto existente, utilizando ou não o mapeamento de anomalias por tabela, a fim de conhecer e avaliar suas vantagens e limitações. Os resultados destas comparações mostraram que apenas no caso em que a taxa de corrosão é estimada partir do intervalo de confiança para a média, a correspondência entre as anomalias (mapeamento) registradas nas inspeções ILI é obrigatória. As demais metodologias podem ser aplicadas ao conjunto de anomalias mapeadas ou a todas perdas de metal informadas no relatório de inspeção ILI. Foi verificado também que os valores estimados para a taxa de corrosão quando é realizado o mapeamento das anomalias diferem das taxas de corrosão calculadas quando a comparação dos dados entre as inspeções não é efetuada. Embora tenha-se notado esta diferença foi observado que existe uma equivalência quando comparadas as taxas de corrosão de cada grupo. Ou seja, verifica-se uma correspondência entre os valores estimados por cada metodologia ao comparar apenas os resultados das anomalias mapeadas. O mesmo ocorre quando é efetuada a comparação entre valores da taxa de corrosão obtidos apenas pelos métodos em que o mapeamento das perdas de metal não foi realizado. Adicionalmente foi efetuada a comparação entre as principais normas e publicações de gerenciamento de integridade de dutos, como o ASME B31.8S, API 1160 e Muhlbauer. / [en] This work aims to present and compare methodologies used to estimate the corrosion rate from ILI inspection results once this integrity assessment is a procedure employed by pipeline operators. With this purpose the most appropriate methodologies for calculating the corrosion rate were analyzed and compared: Corrosion Rate Estimation based on the Principle of Local Corrosion Activity, Corrosion Rate Estimation based on the Parameter (a), Corrosion Rate Estimation from the Confidence Interval for Mean and Corrosion Rate Estimation from the Extreme Value Distribution. For each of these methods were employed simulated data and actual ILI inspection data, applying or not anomalies matching by table to identify and evaluate their advantages and limitations. The comparison has shown that the matching of the features is required only when the corrosion rate is estimated from the confidence interval methodology. The other methods can be applied to matched metal loss or all anomalies registered in ILI reported. Furthermore, it was observed that the estimated corrosion rate from the anomalies matching differ of calculated corrosion rate when matching of metal loss between ILI inspections is not done. Although this difference has been identified, it was observed an equivalence when the corrosion rates of each group were compared. In other words, there is a correspondence between the values estimated by each corrosion rate methodology when is used only the sample which represents the matched metal loss.The same occurs when the comparison is carried out between the corrosion rate values obtained only by methods where the defect mapping was not done.Moreover, a comparison between the main codes and publications for pipeline integrity management, as B31.8S ASME, API 1160 and Muhlbauer was done.

ABSTRACT This thesis evaluates the effectiveness of public sector anti-corruption reform efforts in democratic South Africa. These reforms are contextualized within the international theory, literature and policy debate that has emerged over the past decade on the control of corruption within the context of democratic governance. To evaluate the effectiveness of anti-corruption reforms the thesis first covers a number of broad themes including: conceptions, causes and consequences of corruption; main theoretical approaches underpinning anti-corruption reforms; and methodologies to evaluate the effectiveness and seriousness of anti-corruption efforts. Specifically focusing on South Africa, the thesis looks at the nature and extent of corruption both pre and post 1994; recent legislative, institutional, and policy interventions to control public sector corruption; and, as an illustrative case study of grand corruption, an in-depth analysis of the government’s handling of allegations of corruption in the Strategic Defense Procurement Package or “arms deal.” The findings of the thesis are mixed: I argue that democracy is a necessary albeit insufficient condition for effectively fighting corruption. Although South Africa has an impressive array of institutions, laws and policies to counter public sector corruption, the most important ingredient for successful reforms, namely an indication of sustained political will, is not yet fully in evidence. The government’s mishandling of allegations of corruption in the arms deal is a case in point, suggesting chronic weaknesses on the part of institutions such as parliament to safeguard the public interest. Lack of regulation in the funding of political parties remains the “Achilles heel” of anti-corruption reform efforts. So far as concerns further theoretical framing of corruption studies I conclude that a focus on social empowerment (Johnston) in the context of democratic consolidation, including an active civil society and vigilant media, is crucial for the effective fight against corruption in new democracies such as South Africa.

Ces travaux de thèse s'inscrivent dans le cadre du projet européen ACCENT qui fait suite au projet européen ManHIRP (2001-2005). Ces travaux ont pour objectifs principaux de développer une méthodologie expérimentale permettant d'établir une fenêtre de conditions de coupe garantissant une intégrité matière acceptable de la pièce en Ti-6Al-4V usinée, en s'appuyant sur la mesure des signaux des moyens de surveillance en cours d'usinage.Une attention particulière s'est portée sur l'identification et la classification des anomalies géométriques et de celles produites sur la surface usinée en fonction de la vitesse de coupe et de l'avance. Parallèlement aux investigations sur les anomalies géométriques et de surface, une étude du mode d'endommagement de l'outil en carbure cémenté WC-Co non revêtu et de celle de l'évolution des signaux de surveillance ont conduit à une bien meilleure compréhension des phénomènes liés à la coupe.Les anomalies générées en sous-couche de la surface usinée, telles que les couches à grains déformés et les « couches blanches » ont été étudiées par l'intermédiaire d'analyses métallurgiques fines comme la microsonde de Castaing et par des observations et des analyses au microscope électronique à transmission (MET). Des mesures de microdureté et de contraintes résiduelles ont complété ces analyses chimiques et microstructurales. Aussi, la connaissance de l'état métallurgique et mécanique de ces anomalies a permis de déduire leur genèse et les mécanismes de déformation et de transformations métallurgiques (phases et taille de grains) qui ont opéré en sous-couche du Ti-6Al-4V. Le suivi par la technique de l'analyse d'images des paramètres microstructuraux attachés aux grains globulaires alpha a conduit à mieux comprendre l'écoulement de la matière selon les directions de coupe et d'avance ainsi que les mécanismes de dissolution de ces phases globulaires alpha lorsque l'effet thermique prend le pas sur l'effet mécanique pendant l'usinage. A l'issue de ces caractérisations métallurgiques, des corrélations ont été entreprises entre les anomalies générées et les signaux des moyens de surveillance. Celles-ci s'appuient principalement sur les efforts radiaux dont l'évolution singulière au cours du temps indique l'apparition de défauts. L'amplitude de cet effort radial se corrèle avec la profondeur de la couche de Ti-6Al-4V affectée thermomécaniquement. / The scientific works presented in this thesis is taken place within the framework of an European project ACCENT which is the continuity of the ManHIRP European project (2001-2005). The main aim of these studies is the development of an experimental approach allowing of the determination of an acceptable surface integrity within the validity domain according to the cutting parameters by using the recorded monitoring signals during turning operation. The identification and the classification of the geometrical anomalies generated on the machined surface versus the cutting speed and feed rate were especially investigated. At the same time, damage on uncoated cemented carbide and evolution on process monitoring signals have conducted to a better understanding of cutting phenomena. The anomalies generated within the machined sub-surface such as the highly worked layers and “white layers” were studied with fine metallurgical analysis like the use of Castaing microprobe and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In addition, micro-hardness and residual stresses measurements have completed the previous analysis. The knowledge of the metallurgical and mechanical states within the sub-layer have enabled to deduce the causes of their formation and to define the deformation mechanisms and the metallurgical transformations (phases and grains size) which have occurred during the machining operation. The tracking of the microstructural features related to globular alpha grains by the investigations of the images analysis have led to a better understanding of material flow according to the cutting and feed directions. Also, the dissolution phenomena of globular alpha grains occurring when the thermal loading becomes preponderant before the mechanical one has been highlighted. After these metallurgical analyses, correlations between the surface integrity and the process monitoring signals have been found. The singular evolution of the radial force signal indicates the anomalies appearance. Its amplitude is linked with the depth of the thermo-mechanically affected sub-layer of the machined surface.

Cette thèse porte sur les défis en matière de surveillance de la fiabilité de la navigation par GNSS pour les applications de véhicules terrestres dans les milieux urbains. L'objectif principal de cette recherche est de développer des méthodes de positionnement avec confiance en utilisant des mesures GNSS et des mesures de confiance pour l'utilisateur dans des environnements urbains contraintes. Dans la première partie de la thèse, les erreurs NLOS en milieu urbain sont caractérisées par un modèle 3D de l'environnement urbain. Dans la deuxième partie de la thèse, nous avons proposé une technique de surveillance de la fiabilité dans le domaine des mesures GNSS pour l'environnement urbain en utilisant un capteur de vitesse fiable. Enfin, nous avons développé une nouvelle expérimentale de surveillance de l'intégrité pour le positionnement en milieu urbain. En surveillant de la statistique de test contre un seuil spécifique, l'intégrité et la continuité de positionnement sont fixés à un certain niveau de confiance. En outre, le calcul de niveau de protection horizontale (HPL) en utilisant une approche composite a également été proposé. / This thesis addresses the challenges in reliability monitoring of GNSS aided navigation for land vehicle applications in urban environments. The main objective of this research is to develop methods of trusted positioning using GNSS measurements and confidence measures for the user in constrained urban environments. In the first part of the thesis, the NLOS errors in urban settings are characterized by means of a 3D model of the urban surrounding. For the second part of the thesis, the work proposes a reliability monitoring technique in the range domain for urban environ ment using a trusted velocity sensor. Finally, the research developed a novel experimental scheme in integrity monitoring for positioning in urban environment. By monitoring the test statistic against a specific threshold, the positioning integrity and continuity are met at a certain level of confidence. In addition, the Horizontal Protection Level (HPL) computation using a composite approach has also been proposed.

Denna studie undersöker hur myndigheter kan öppna upp data som innehåller personuppgifter genom att geografiskt aggregera datamaterial för att bevara personlig integritet. Personlig integritet definieras i denna kontext i enlighet med dataskyddsförordningen som skyddet av personuppgifter. De aggregeringar som utreddes är de arealbaserade svenska områdena SAMS, DESO och Kommuner. Även Bespoke-neighborhood-metoden k-närmaste granne utvärderades i ett spann som gick från 5 till 1280 individer. En metod skapades för att kvantifiera hur identifierbara individer är utifrån sannolikheten att uppskatta att en personuppgift tillhör en individ. Användbarheten av datamaterialet operationaliserades som hur nära rådata det var i geografisk detaljnivå. Resultatet blev att metoden ”aggregeringar av k-närmaste granne” är den mest anpassningsbara och användbara metoden för att bevara personlig integritet och användbarhet när data aggregeras.

[pt] O presente trabalho analisa o impacto de uma mossa simples transversal na integridade estrutural de espécimes tubulares de paredes finas com dimensões e características semelhantes aos dutos usados para transporte de óleo e gás. O estudo da mossa simples envolveu as etapas de criação, recuperação elástica e avaliação da sua resistência estática e cíclica. A abordagem do problema fundamentou-se na análise de dados experimentais e na modelagem numérica por elementos finitos. Na análise por elementos finitos foram consideradas: não linearidade por contato, plasticidade, grandes deslocamentos e grandes deformações. Adicionalmente, foram feitas comparações entre os resultados e os procedimentos usados na indústria, de modo a avaliar criticamente eventuais diferenças e semelhanças entre estes. Como resultado, a avaliação da ruptura estática permitiu verificar a pouca influência de mossas, com a geometria estudada, na resistência à ruptura. Entretanto, os códigos de projeto estudados não aceitam mossas com profundidades e deformações menores que as estudadas. A avaliação de resistência cíclica permitiu verificar a influência deste tipo de dano na vida à fadiga. No final foi elaborada uma rotina simples, baseada em fundamentos teóricos, que permite quantificar a vida à fadiga de mossas, com características similares, a partir do seu fator de concentração de tensão. / [en] This work analyzes the impact of transverse plain dents in the structural integrity of thin-thickness pipe specimens with similar dimensions and properties than typical pipelines. The dent analyzes included the following topics: creation, burst and fatigue evaluation and elastic recuperation. The problem was based in the study of experimental data and numerical modeling by finite elements. The numerical modeling considered: non linearity by contact, plasticity, large displacement and large strain. Finally, comparisons were made between the results and the typical industry procedures, in order to identify eventual differences and similarities. The burst evaluation indicated the low influence of the studied plain dents in the burst resistance. Otherwise, the project standards do not accept dents with the depth and strain levels like those studied. The cyclic analyze verified the influence of this type of damage in the fatigue life. At the end of this study, a simple procedure was developed based in theoric fundamentals to quantify the fatigue life of plain dents, with similar characteristics studied above, using their intensity stress factor.