Because of a perceived increase in school related violence, a political reaction occurred in Missouri that led in 1997 to the Missouri Safe Schools Act. This new law significantly changed school disciplinary policy and allowed administrators to move large groups of students to alternative education programs, or expel them to the streets. The purpose of this qualitative study was to learn from students who attended at least one year in an alternative education program about their experiences. I interviewed 26 former students and another 14 former students entered into the conversation by posting their thoughts on a Facebook site for alumni of a specific alternative program. The 40 former students shared common stories that indicated their confusion, a misuse of power by the school district, and a lack of due process surrounding the events that led to their suspensions. At the same time, they shared many stories of relationships, kindnesses, and empathy that they experienced from the alternative school teachers and administrators. Results point to the need for families to educate themselves (and sometimes resist) arbitrary decisions made by school personnel, and the importance of teacher and administrator selection for alternative school programs.

A divulgação sobre a existência de resíduos de agrotóxicos em alimentos vem tomando espaço no Brasil, incrementando a parcela de consumidores que procura alimentos mais seguros no mercado. Nesse contexto, os objetivos desta pesquisa foram identificar os segmentos de consumidores mais suscetíveis ao consumo de frutas, legumes e verduras (FLVs) com resíduos de agrotóxicos no Brasil e avaliar como os gestores do setor varejista vêm explorando as oportunidades emergentes relacionadas à dinâmica dessa demanda. Inicialmente, um estudo quantitativo explorou dados de 18 FLVs e de seis categorias de rendimentos familiares, com o objetivo de verificar o consumo de alimentos potencialmente contaminados por resíduos de agrotóxicos, conforme as classes socioeconômicas brasileiras no ano de 2009. Isso se deu a partir de dados de consumo de produtos alimentícios fornecidos pelo IBGE e de resíduos de pesticidas em alimentos publicados pela Anvisa. Aos resultados preliminares, foram acrescentados dados das estratégias do mercado varejista na oferta de FLVs mais inócuos. Para essa etapa, foi utilizada uma metodologia de pesquisa do tipo qualitativa, na qual 10 especialistas no tema de pesquisa foram questionados sobre como esse setor explora o mercado de frutas e hortaliças seguras em relação a essa contaminação. Os resultados encontrados na primeira fase do trabalho indicaram que os brasileiros de classes econômicas mais elevadas estão mais expostos ao consumo de resíduos de agrotóxicos presentes em FLVs. Muitas dessas substâncias são potencialmente danosas à saúde, incluindo características carcinogênicas em seus efeitos crônicos. Na segunda etapa, os agentes consultados evidenciaram a predominância da oferta de FLVs orgânicos pelo varejo brasileiro como uma alternativa pertinente, com menor risco de contaminação com resíduos de agrotóxicos. Porém, a ênfase no baixo preço dos alimentos ofertados pode restringir a oferta de FLVs orgânicos. Além disso, houve pouca e nenhuma referência dos especialistas, respectivamente, à certificação de FLVs pelo sistema de produção integrada e ao sistema de agricultura de precisão como alternativas viáveis para a oferta de FLVs seguros em relação a resíduos de agrotóxicos. Esses resultados são contrastantes com o contexto fiscalizador que vem se desenvolvendo sobre o varejo por parte das autoridades, em vista de oferta de alimentos seguros, o que oportunizaria um ambiente favorável à expansão do varejo de FLVs seguros do ponto de vista dos contaminantes agroquímicos. / The disclosure of the existence of pesticide residues in food has gained space in Brazil, thus increasing the number of consumers who seek for safer food in the market. In such context, this research aimed at identifying the segments of consumers who are more likely to consume fruits and vegetables with pesticide residues in Brazil, and assessing the way that retail managers have explored the opportunities emerging from such demand. A quantitative study initially surveyed data about 18 fruits and vegetables and six categories of family income, aiming at verifying the consumption of food partially contaminated with pesticide residues, according to the Brazilian socioeconomic classification in 2009. This was based on both IBGE data about food consumption and Anvisa data about pesticide residues found in food. Data about retail strategies to offer more innocuous fruits and vegetables were then added to those preliminary results. At this stage, a qualitative methodology was adopted, and 10 experts were questioned about the ways that this sector has explored the market of safe fruits and vegetables considering such contamination. The results found in the first phase of this work pointed out that upper class Brazilians have been more exposed to the consumption of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables. A number of such chemicals are potentially harmful to health, including carcinogenic characteristics among their chronic effects. At the second stage, the agents consulted evidenced the prevalence of the offer of organic fruits and vegetables by the Brazilian retail industry as a pertinent alternative, with lower risk of contamination with pesticide residues. However, the emphasis on the low price of food may limit the offer of organic fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, there was little and none reference by the experts concerning fruit and vegetable certification provided, respectively, by the integrated production system and the precision agriculture system as viable alternatives to offering safe fruits and vegetables in terms of pesticides residues. Such results are in contrast to the control that has been developed by authorities over retail to offer safe food, which would favor the expansion of safe fruit and vegetable retail regarding chemical contaminants.

Por muitos anos os designers resignaram-se em utilizar poucas fontes – as chamadas Safe Fonts – para compor os seus layouts para a web. A partir do momento em que as barreiras técnicas e jurídicas para o uso e aplicação de diferentes arquivos tipográficos na web foram rompidas, em 2009 e 2010, iniciou-se uma nova era para a composição com tipos. Fundidoras digitais disponibilizaram suas fontes para comercialização e os designers web ganharam mais opções para efetuar a composição tipográfica de seus trabalhos. Nos últimos anos, os órgãos que regulamentam o uso de técnicas para a construção da aparência das páginas web especificaram uma série de recursos que possibilitam não só o uso de distintos arquivos de tipos digitais como também ferramentas que permitem ajustes tipográficos precisos e semelhantes aos aplicados na indústria da impressão. Nesse contexto, este trabalho busca identificar o que estas atualizações dos recursos que potencializam qualidades visuais na web implicaram às páginas de notícias brasileiras concebidas desde então. Em um primeiro momento, essa dissertação efetua um levantamento histórico sobre as primeiras fontes, formatos e fundições digitais – na intenção de compreender os diferentes aspectos da tipografia da web. A seguir, se observa especificamente a tipografia na web ao apontar os antigos e atuais métodos de inserção de arquivos tipográficos. Por fim, através de uma análise das últimas atualizações dos layouts dos portais UOL e Terra, além dos jornais on-line O Globo, Folha de S.Paulo, Estadão e Zero Hora, o trabalho traça um retrato das composições tipográficas dos principais sites de notícias brasileiros. Essas aferições oferecem subsídios para se discutir as mudanças do aspecto tipográfico ocorridas nos principais sites de notícias brasileiros – suas dinâmicas, que decorrem das novas ferramentas de edição da aparência tipográfica. A investigação identificou que os novos recursos contribuem para oferecer novos ativos financeiros aos designers de tipos, bem como a possibilidade de aumentar a qualidade visual do trabalho dos designers da web. Entretanto, as interfaces analisadas que utilizam WebFonts demonstraram ausência de mecanismos de proteção ao download ilegal dos arquivos tipográficos, isso fragiliza o patrimônio das fundições. Contudo, essa pesquisa reforça o ponto de vista de que se vive uma fase efervescente tanto para o design de tipos como para o design com tipos na web. / For many years designers resigned themselves to use few typefaces – calls Safe Fonts – to make their layouts for the web. From the moment the technical and legal barriers for use and application of different typographic files on web were broken, in 2010, began a new era for the composition with types. Digital foundries published their fonts for the market and the web designers gained more options to make the composition of his works. In recent years, the organizations that regulate the use of techniques for building the appearance of web pages specified a number of features that not only allow the use of different files of typefaces as well tools that allow accurate and precise typographic adjustments similar to those applied in the printing industry. In this context, this work seeks to identify what these updates of features that enhance visual qualities on web implied to Brazilian news pages designed since then. At first, this dissertation performs a historical survey on the primary typefaces, formats and digital foundries – in an attempt to understand the different aspects of web typography. The following are noted specifically the typography on the web to point the former and current input typographical methods. Finally, through an analysis of the latest updates of the layouts of UOL and Terra portals, in addition to the on-line newspapers O Globo, Folha de S. Paulo, Estadão and Zero Hora, the work builds a panorama of the current typographic compositions of the main sites of Brazilian news. These measurements have been offered subsidies to discuss the changes in the typographical aspects occurred in the main Brazilian news websites – its dynamics, related to changing editing tools of the typographical appearance. This study have shown that the new features contribute to offer new financial assets of the typedesigners, as well as the possibility of increasing the visual quality of the work of web designers. Nevertheless, the interfaces analyzed that using WebFonts demonstrated the absence of protective mechanisms to the illegal downloading of typographic files, which weakens the patrimony of foundries. However, this research reinforces the point of view that we live an effervescent phase both for the type design as to the design with type on the web.

This Diploma Thesis deals with the problem of cyberbullying at basic schools and its place in the lessons of media education. The theoretical part is divided into two parts. The first part handles with the specification of lessons of media education as they are defined in the ?RVP ZV?. It also mentions the recommended expected outputs which in the field of media education include also the problem of safe using of the internet and mobile phones at schools. The second part handles with cyberbullying considering its actuality and differences from the classic bullying. The methods of preventing and possible solutions are emphasized as well as the introduction of some stories from the reality. The practical part describes the circumstances of creating the lessons. This is followed by the description of six linked lessons and the evaluation of the process of the education. The evaluation is based on the feed-back from the students and their suggestions. The aim of my Diploma Thesis is to show a possible way of the realisation of lessons including the problem of cyberbullying in the lessons of media education. I also wanted to refer to the importance of bringing this problem to basic schools.

Doctor of Philosophy / Security Studies Interdepartmental Program - Political Science / Emizet N. Kisangani / The goal of this dissertation is two-fold. First, is to investigate the relationship between the consequences of state failure and terrorist sanctuaries, which is the prevailing explanation in extant literature. Post 9/11 United States counterterrorism policy has focused on the role of the state in providing safe haven or sanctuary to transnational terrorist organizations. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that both weak and strong states host terrorist sanctuaries. Thus, no clear explanation for why transnational terrorist sanctuaries are in some weak and strong states but not present in others currently exists. Second, this dissertation seeks to fill this gap by adopting Migdal’s (1988) state-society interaction approach to explain the presence of terrorist sanctuaries. This dissertation hypothesizes that the role of society’s structure and societal strongmen’s interactions with the state are an important determinant in whether or not transnational terrorist organizations will seek to establish safe haven within a given territory. Sageman’s (2008) hub and node approach on the operational capacities of transnational terrorist sanctuary networks helps to explain differences in types of sanctuaries. Using a newly constructed dataset on terrorist sanctuaries for quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis through case studies, this dissertation intends to show that the presence of terrorist sanctuaries in both weak and strong states can be understood through four state-society interaction typologies. The implications of this study are relevant for policymakers seeking to understand and counter the enduring threat of transnational terrorism across the globe.

abstract: This dissertation shares findings from a yearlong qualitative case study of Young Voices Rise (YVR), a diverse spoken word poetry group in the urban Southwest. The study examined the group's characteristics and practices, adolescent members' views of their writing and themselves as writers, and changes members attributed to their experiences in YVR. Data sources included interviews with six adolescent poets and two adult teaching artists, observations of writing workshops and poetry slams, collection of group announcements through social media, and collection of poems. Sociocultural theory guided the study's design, and grounded theory was used to analyze data. This study found that YVR is a community of practice that offers multiple possibilities for engagement and fosters a safe space for storytelling. The adolescent participants have distinct writing practices and a strong sense of writing self; furthermore, they believe YVR has changed them and their writing. This study has several implications for secondary English language arts. Specifically, it recommends that teachers build safe spaces for storytelling, offer spoken word poetry as an option for exploring various topics and purposes, attend to writers' practices and preferences, encourage authentic participation and identity exploration, and support spoken word poetry school-wide. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Curriculum and Instruction 2015

abstract: To ensure system integrity, robots need to proactively avoid any unwanted physical perturbation that may cause damage to the underlying hardware. In this thesis work, we investigate a machine learning approach that allows robots to anticipate impending physical perturbations from perceptual cues. In contrast to other approaches that require knowledge about sources of perturbation to be encoded before deployment, our method is based on experiential learning. Robots learn to associate visual cues with subsequent physical perturbations and contacts. In turn, these extracted visual cues are then used to predict potential future perturbations acting on the robot. To this end, we introduce a novel deep network architecture which combines multiple sub- networks for dealing with robot dynamics and perceptual input from the environment. We present a self-supervised approach for training the system that does not require any labeling of training data. Extensive experiments in a human-robot interaction task show that a robot can learn to predict physical contact by a human interaction partner without any prior information or labeling. Furthermore, the network is able to successfully predict physical contact from either depth stream input or traditional video input or using both modalities as input. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Computer Science 2017

As a result of the #MeToo movement in Sweden, #sistabriefen was created to represent the women, non-binaries and trans-persons working within the communications industry. This study analyzes the dynamics and identities of the #sistabriefen group members on their private social media platform. The analysis incorporates The Logic of Connective Action by Bennett and Segerberg (2012), and two complementary Social Identity Perspectives; Social Identity Theory and Self-Categorization Theory (Hogg & Terry, 2001; Hogg & Reid, 2006). The study consisted of 23 interview participants, and a qualitative content analysis over the course of five months. This research assesses how members are motivated to participate in the #sistabriefen group, how they identify themselves within the group, and how the group features affect members’ involvement. The findings of the research indicated that digital social movements have the potential to effectively mobilize social change.

Antalet besök till akutmottagningar runt om i Sverige ökar årligen. Ökat inflöde av patienter resulterar i ökad belastning, ”Overcrowding” och ”Exit-block” och influerar på patientens vänte- och vistelsetid på akutmottagningen. En tilltagande tillströmning av patienter kan påverka patientsäkerheten och medföra ökad risk för vårdskada. Simultant pågående arbetsprocesser gör akutmottagningens vårdmiljö särskilt utsatt för medicinska misstag. Säker vård är en essentiell kärnkompetens och en central del i sjuksköterskans arbete för att upprätthålla patientsäkerhet.  Syftet med studien var att beskriva sjuksköterskors upplevelser av patientsäkerhet på akutmottagning. Datainsamlingen genomfördes genom kvalitativ metod. Semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes på en akutmottagning i Mellansverige. Åtta sjuksköterskor, med minst ett års yrkeserfarenhet på akutmottagningen, intervjuades. Insamlat material analyserades genom en kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Genom analysen framkom att sjuksköterskorna upplevde att ökad belastning, patientens omvårdnadsbehov, akutmottagningens bemanning och arbetsmiljö påverkade patientsäkerheten på akutmottagningen. Tilltagande söktryck med förlängda vistelsetider på akutmottagningen med ”Overcrowding” och ”Exit-block” som följd, komplexa omvårdnadsbehov och tidsbrist påverkade förutsättningarna för säker vård och god omvårdnad. Två övergripande kategorier formulerades genom analysens förfarande: När vårdbehovet överstiger resurserna och Sjuksköterskans utmaningar i att upprätthålla patientsäkerheten. Resultaten i denna studie tyder på att sjuksköterskor på en akutmottagning upplever sitt omvårdnadsansvar som både utmanade och påfrestande vid ökad belastning vilket påverkar patientsäkerheten negativt. Omvårdnadsarbetet på akutmottagningen påverkas vid ökat inflöde av patienter, ”Overcrowding” och ”Exit-block” vilket utsätter patienten för risker. Vidare tyder resultatet på att akutmottagningens resurser ibland inte är tillräckliga för att uppfylla kraven för god omvårdnad, hög patientsäkerhet och säker vård. Studiens slutsats antyder att sjuksköterskorna upplever patientsäkerheten på akutmottagningen som bristfällig och att patientsäkerheten påverkas negativt av ”Overcrowding” och ”Exit-block”.

A divulgação sobre a existência de resíduos de agrotóxicos em alimentos vem tomando espaço no Brasil, incrementando a parcela de consumidores que procura alimentos mais seguros no mercado. Nesse contexto, os objetivos desta pesquisa foram identificar os segmentos de consumidores mais suscetíveis ao consumo de frutas, legumes e verduras (FLVs) com resíduos de agrotóxicos no Brasil e avaliar como os gestores do setor varejista vêm explorando as oportunidades emergentes relacionadas à dinâmica dessa demanda. Inicialmente, um estudo quantitativo explorou dados de 18 FLVs e de seis categorias de rendimentos familiares, com o objetivo de verificar o consumo de alimentos potencialmente contaminados por resíduos de agrotóxicos, conforme as classes socioeconômicas brasileiras no ano de 2009. Isso se deu a partir de dados de consumo de produtos alimentícios fornecidos pelo IBGE e de resíduos de pesticidas em alimentos publicados pela Anvisa. Aos resultados preliminares, foram acrescentados dados das estratégias do mercado varejista na oferta de FLVs mais inócuos. Para essa etapa, foi utilizada uma metodologia de pesquisa do tipo qualitativa, na qual 10 especialistas no tema de pesquisa foram questionados sobre como esse setor explora o mercado de frutas e hortaliças seguras em relação a essa contaminação. Os resultados encontrados na primeira fase do trabalho indicaram que os brasileiros de classes econômicas mais elevadas estão mais expostos ao consumo de resíduos de agrotóxicos presentes em FLVs. Muitas dessas substâncias são potencialmente danosas à saúde, incluindo características carcinogênicas em seus efeitos crônicos. Na segunda etapa, os agentes consultados evidenciaram a predominância da oferta de FLVs orgânicos pelo varejo brasileiro como uma alternativa pertinente, com menor risco de contaminação com resíduos de agrotóxicos. Porém, a ênfase no baixo preço dos alimentos ofertados pode restringir a oferta de FLVs orgânicos. Além disso, houve pouca e nenhuma referência dos especialistas, respectivamente, à certificação de FLVs pelo sistema de produção integrada e ao sistema de agricultura de precisão como alternativas viáveis para a oferta de FLVs seguros em relação a resíduos de agrotóxicos. Esses resultados são contrastantes com o contexto fiscalizador que vem se desenvolvendo sobre o varejo por parte das autoridades, em vista de oferta de alimentos seguros, o que oportunizaria um ambiente favorável à expansão do varejo de FLVs seguros do ponto de vista dos contaminantes agroquímicos. / The disclosure of the existence of pesticide residues in food has gained space in Brazil, thus increasing the number of consumers who seek for safer food in the market. In such context, this research aimed at identifying the segments of consumers who are more likely to consume fruits and vegetables with pesticide residues in Brazil, and assessing the way that retail managers have explored the opportunities emerging from such demand. A quantitative study initially surveyed data about 18 fruits and vegetables and six categories of family income, aiming at verifying the consumption of food partially contaminated with pesticide residues, according to the Brazilian socioeconomic classification in 2009. This was based on both IBGE data about food consumption and Anvisa data about pesticide residues found in food. Data about retail strategies to offer more innocuous fruits and vegetables were then added to those preliminary results. At this stage, a qualitative methodology was adopted, and 10 experts were questioned about the ways that this sector has explored the market of safe fruits and vegetables considering such contamination. The results found in the first phase of this work pointed out that upper class Brazilians have been more exposed to the consumption of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables. A number of such chemicals are potentially harmful to health, including carcinogenic characteristics among their chronic effects. At the second stage, the agents consulted evidenced the prevalence of the offer of organic fruits and vegetables by the Brazilian retail industry as a pertinent alternative, with lower risk of contamination with pesticide residues. However, the emphasis on the low price of food may limit the offer of organic fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, there was little and none reference by the experts concerning fruit and vegetable certification provided, respectively, by the integrated production system and the precision agriculture system as viable alternatives to offering safe fruits and vegetables in terms of pesticides residues. Such results are in contrast to the control that has been developed by authorities over retail to offer safe food, which would favor the expansion of safe fruit and vegetable retail regarding chemical contaminants.