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Many occupations require workers to perform repetitive tasks such as lifting and bending that put significant strain on their bodies resulting in high levels of injury. Exoskeletons are one method of being able to decrease the forces on a worker while still allowing them to move. In this research, I propose a novel exoskeleton design that integrates the design process with an ethical understanding of how technology is used in society and a potential plan for an interdisciplinary approach to better adoption of this type of assistive technology. The exoskeleton is based around a novel differential that allows the exoskeleton legs to articulate during ambulatory motion while providing automatic lifting engagement by linking the force-generating mechanisms in each leg. Using a differential also allows the integration of a custom support level that can be changed during the design to better fit the varying motions found in different professions such as farming and manufacturing. Testing for this design was performed by using farming-related tasks in a laboratory to understand the level of support provided by the exoskeleton. Results show the exoskeleton provides significant support for these tasks. This validation helps build trust in the technology before it is tested on actual farmers in real-world situations and helps minimize ethical concerns regarding potential exoskeleton use. I also discuss the ethical concerns and how they can be mitigated during the design and implementation phases to ensure workers are protected and improve overall buy-in to exoskeleton technology in the workplace. / Doctor of Philosophy / Many jobs require workers to perform tasks that put their bodies at risk of injuries such as repetitive lifting and bending. Exoskeletons, devices you can wear on your body to help you lift, are one solution to help workers do their jobs better and with less risk of getting injured. In this research I propose a new type of exoskeleton that supports the back; designed, built, and tested it; and present much additional discussion about how people think and feel about exoskeletons and how society can ethically use them. The exoskeleton uses a new system that connects both legs to make it easier to go from walking to lifting, making it feel more natural and requiring less input from the user. With this design, we can also customize the lifting help for different jobs by switching out a component on the exoskeleton. This makes the exoskeleton customizable for the types of movement in different jobs like farming and manufacturing. Several farming tasks were then tested in a laboratory setting with the exoskeleton and showed it decreases the energy needed for the different tasks. Doing this testing also helps build trust with communities who might want to use the exoskeleton but are skeptical of new technology. Taking this approach and making the design adjustable is one step to helping to make this technology ethical when it is adopted by individuals or companies. Ethical considerations for exoskeletons are also new and not well discussed so I provide a framework to help make ethical decisions for adopting exoskeletons.

Prior research has demonstrated the efficacy of general education coursework among American college students (Ball, 2012; Rosenzweig, 2009). Traditional models of general education programs are predicated on the understanding that exposure to a broad set of educational experiences creates well-rounded graduates (Roche, 2010). However, emerging research shows the importance of integrative learning experiences including general education programs (Lowenstein, 2015). These programs are just now at the initial stages of development and implementation at colleges and universities making it possible to study direct effects on student learning. What remains, however, is limited ways to measure such learning in emerging programs. One large, research university in a mid-Atlantic state provides opportunity to construct a measure of integrated learning. This study addressed the salient literature on general education in higher education today and then used quantitative methods and qualitative methods to investigate an empirically based measure of integrative learning. Findings revealed the continuous process of integrative learning from disciplinary knowledge to application to real world and established an initial framework for assessing students learning outcomes of integration. Finally, the research provided implications for researchers and practitioners to utilize the instrument and extend it to a wider range of students and academic programs. / Doctor of Philosophy / The general education framework has deep roots and is quintessential to American higher education (Ball, 2012; Rosenzweig, 2009). While general education models have evolved over time, traditional expectations are cultivating students with broad knowledge in courses that span a broad range of academic subjects (Roche, 2010). Recent research show that general education program has an impact on student development (Lowenstein, 2015). Emerging programs are beginning to shift the focus of general education from a menu-style curriculum to one that focuses on integrative learning. Currently, there is limited ways to measure and evaluate students' learning outcomes, particularly with complex learning concepts such as integration. This study was designed to develop a new measure of integrative learning. The study occurred at a large, research university in a mid-Atlantic state that implemented a novel general education program designed to focus on integrated learning in general education. The study first explored the existing literature on general education in higher education. Next, the study designed and tested a new instrument to measure integrative learning. Finally, the research provided implications for researchers and practitioners to utilize the survey. Further, it calls for additional research with different types of students across a broader range of institutions, and enhancements to the instrument that include new items to strengthen the measure.

<p>Interdisciplinary education has been viewed as a way to give an edge to graduates in terms of developing creativity, innovation, ability to synthesize knowledge, and develop a range of professional skills (Haynes, 2017). However, the push towards interdisciplinarity as opposed to a disciplinary field is a challenge due to strong educational traditions, power dynamics, academic freedom, as well as the power faculty has to form their areas of research interest and disciplines (Ashby & Exter, 2019; Becher & Trowler, 2001; Klein, 2006). Likewise, the diversity of members of an interdisciplinary team can lead to negative forces that can only be overcome with open communication and understanding of both boundaries and ways to address them. This means that an interdisciplinary team may need to have a translator to help build common knowledge, facilitate engagement, and address tacit issues. Instructional designers have the potential to play a translator role. Rooted across the author’s three publications, the focus of this dissertation is to establish the vision for instructional designers getting a more proactive role on an interdisciplinary program design team (translator agency), where mediation of knowledge is needed across faculty to build a successful program. </p>

My overarching modeling goal for my dissertation is to maximize generalization â some function of data and knowledge â from one sample, with its observations drawn independently from the distribution D, to another sample drawn from D, while also obtaining interpretable insights from the models. The processes of collecting relevant data and generating features from the raw data impart substantive knowledge into predictive models (and the model representation and optimization algorithms applied to those features contain methodological knowledge). I combine this knowledge with the data to train predictive models to deliver generalizability, and then investigate the implications of those models with simulations systematically exploring parameter spaces. The exploration of parameter space provides insights about the relationships between key variables. Chapter 2 describes a method to generate descriptive models of strategic decision-making. I use an efficient representation of repeated game strategies with state matrices and a genetic algorithm-based estimation process to learn these models from data. This combination of representation and optimization is effective for modeling decision-making with experimental game data and observational international relations data. Chapter 3 demonstrates that models can deliver high levels of generalizability with accurate out-of-sample predictions and interpretable scores of variable importance that can guide future behavioral research. I combine behavioral-game-theory-inspired feature design with data to train predictive models to deliver generalizability, and then investigate interactive implications of those models with optimization and sensitivity analyses. Chapter 4 presents a computational model as a test-bed for designing climate prediction markets. I simulate two alternative climate futures, in which global temperatures are primarily driven either by carbon dioxide or by solar irradiance. These represent, respectively, the scientific consensus and the most plausible hypothesis advanced by prominent skeptics. Then I conduct sensitivity analyses to determine how a variety of factors describing both the market and the physical climate may affect tradersâ beliefs about the cause of global climate change. Market participation causes most traders to converge quickly toward believing the âtrueâ climate model.

The Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System (SAVAHCS) Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Clinic (CPRC) is an interdisciplinary pain management team. The team consists of physicians, a psychologist, a kinesiotherapist, a nurse and a pharmacist, who work together, to manage pain. In order to monitor and improve the effectiveness of treatment at SAVAHCS CPRC, the team created a pain outcomes measure collection program. A pilot study of the pain outcomes data collection process was conducted. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the data collection procedure and identify areas for improvement. The program planned to collect outcomes data at a new patient education/orientation class using an intake questionnaire. After three months, a follow-up questionnaire was to be mailed to the patient. The patient would then return the questionnaire, by mail, to the clinic where responses would be entered into an electronic database. Eight items in the data collection process were recognized as needing improvement. Three of the most important items follow. (1) Mailing out questionnaires had a low response rate, which could be solved by administering the intake questionnaire during the pharmacist medication evaluation, and the follow-up questionnaire, 6 months later, during a provider appointment. (2) The investigational review board approval process took longer than anticipated but could be corrected through enforcement of a submission time line. (3) Data entry required a large amount of time but could be rectified through the use of volunteers. Overall, the data collection program could gather outcome measures, but procedural adjustments need to occur.

I investigate, using the R package spaMM, the effect of misspecification of the smoothing parameter, Q, of the Matern covariance structure on the mean part of hierarchical generalised linear models (HGLMs) with spatially correlated Gaussian Matern random effects. In particular, by restricting Q to the set {0.5, 1.5, 2.5} I examine via a simulation study the amount of bias introduced on the fixed effects estimates in which the data used to fit the model was generated with different values to the aforementioned set. The effect of misspecification was found to be minimal. By restricting the smoothing parameter, Q, to the set {0.5, 1.5, 2.5} I utilise the R package hglm, to develop a procedure (MaternHGLM) for fitting spatial Matern HGLMs. In particular, I constructed a hierarchical likelihood (h-likelihood) function with given correlation parameters which thus enabled me to Choleski decompose the Matern covariance matrix and utilise hglm to estimate fixed and random effects along with dispersion parameters. Using the above estimated parameters I then formed an adjusted profile h-likelihood for the estimation of the Matern scaling parameter, U, using the Newton-Raphson procedure. Simulation studies were carried out to assess the computational efficiency of MaternHGLM compared to spaMM. I found that, on average, MaternHGLM was 136% faster than spaMM. I also analysed two real world datasets using both spaMM and MaternHGLM. By fixing Q at the most appropriate value from the set {0.5, 1.5, 2.5} I examined to what extent, if any, did the conclusions drawn differ from those in the original study. I found that in general the conclusions were the same, however, on one of the datasets spaMM’s conclusion didn’t align at all with the original analysis even with Q estimated from the data.

O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender como o significado de interdisciplinaridade foi percebido pelos sujeitos envolvidos nos cursos aglutinados na Área da Saúde da Universidade de Uberaba- UNIUBE. A expressão Área diz respeito à integração de cursos e suas disciplinas. A Área, matriz virtual, operacionalizou a experiência interdisciplinar através do Programa de Promoção de Saúde – Pró-Saúde. Este programa foi elaborado com a participação dos diferentes cursos de graduação a partir do reconhecimento das prioridades de saúde da população-alvo. O estudo foi desenvolvido em uma Unidade Básica de Saúde-UBS sob gerência plena da UNIUBE, no bairro Alfredo Freire. Para compreender a experiência colocada em prática, foi construído um instrumento específico relativo à percepção do significado de interdisciplinaridade e da percepção da experiência com o Pró-Saúde. O instrumento reunia dados de identificação pessoal, formação escolar e profissional dos entrevistados (diretores, professores, alunos dos cursos, coordenadores dos subprogramas, além de funcionários da UBS e usuários), bem como suas percepções sobre sua experiência interdisciplinar. Pela análise dos depoimentos, concluiu-se que a Área foi a indutora e o Pró-Saúde foi o facilitador do processo interdisciplinar entre os cursos de graduação da Área da Saúde. Concluiu-se, também que a interdisciplinaridade, além do conhecimento cognitivo que lhe é constitutivo, tem componente de ordem subjetiva representado pela vontade de cooperação, colaboração, diálogo, abertura do conhecimento para o outro e realização de trabalho comum. Em suma, a interdisciplinaridade envolve questões de atitudes frente à construção do conhecimento, sua compreensão e sua práxis. / This study aimed at getting to know how the interdisciplinary concept was understood by the subjects involved in the courses within the Health Area of the University of Uberaba – UNIUBE. The term Area has to do with courses integration and its disciplines. The Area, virtual matrix, performed the interdisciplinary experience through the Health Promotion Program – Pro-Health. This program was elaborated with the participation of different undergraduate courses, aiming at the health priorities of the target population. The study was developed in a Basic Health Unit-BHU under the full management of UNIUBE, in the Alfredo Freire borough. A specific instrument focused on the perception of the interdisciplinary concept and the Pro-Health experience was built to evaluate the practical experience. The instrument included data on personal identification, interviewees’ schooling and professional background (head, professor, undergraduate student, subprogram supervisor, besides HBU officials and users), as well as their opinion on their interdisciplinary experience. Through report analysis, it may be concluded that the Area was the inducing agent and Pro-Health was the facilitator of the interdisciplinary process among the undergraduate courses in the Health Area. Also, that the interdisciplinary factor, besides its inherent cognitive element, carries a subjective component represented by the willingness to cooperate, collaborate and exchange ideas, besides sharing knowledge and working experience. In short, the interdisciplinary factor is a matter of attitude in face of knowledge, its diffusion and praxis.

Individuals who have travelled from Sweden and affiliated to the Islamic State in Syria will, after the fall of the caliphate, return home to Sweden. The concept of ISIS returnees has begun to dominate the debate and there is a common concern that individuals who possess radicalized opinions should return to Sweden only to commit terrorist crimes. The study is based on a qualitative research method, specifically an interview methodology with semi-structured interviews. The study identifies the capacity Sweden possesses, according to experts, both socially and legally, to deal with the problems of Swedish citizens who wants to return from ISIS-controlled areas. The study also aims to examines measures that is the most suitable to apply to returnees from the expert’s perspective. An analysis based on the Transitional Justice framework identified the importance of applying both legal aspects, as well as social processes in order to handle the problems with returnees. Through a review of previous research, three courts were identified, because they previously had the ability to prosecute individuals who committed criminal acts, these are: The Ad-hoc Tribunal, the Hybrid Court and the International Criminal Court. It was therefore considered important to examine these in order to review whether the courts were a legal alternative in the discussion of returnees who committed terrorist crimes. All actors, both international and national, have lack of capacity and efficiency regarding how to handle the ISIS-returnees. The study therefore contributes to an understanding of the capacity Sweden possesses in order to handle the problem of individuals who are now returning from ISIS, and also proposes new ways to handle the problematic aspects about ISIS-returnees to Sweden.

Decentralization has been one of the most extensively accepted political strategies since the 1980s, especially when it comes to development administration complemented by the expansion of democratization at lower levels of government. It acts as a bottom-top of authority. A proponent of decentralization argues that decentralization strengthens democracy, good governance and accountability. It is more effective and closer to the people because power is delegated to the local authority. Opponents of decentralization beliefs that is difficult to coordinate many local governments and demanding financial and human capital. This paper lies under that debate and presents how decentralization responds to droughts as a case study to Somalia.  Somalia has been exercising a highly centralized administration for a long time but now changed the structure of the government and built up a federal member states where the administration is widely decentralized. To understand the effectiveness of the system to mitigate and prevent droughts, the study will look at two different scenarios of droughts that hit the country. One was the mid-1970s under highly centralized administration while the other drought hit the country 2011-2012 under the decentralized structure of governance. This comparison aims to see the impact and respond that each system showed. The result will help the country to redesign their future prevention strategy and minimize the vulnerability of the droughts. Because of drought is one of the most destructive environmental phenomena, doing enormous damage to humankind and the livelihoods.