Online social networks (OSNs) have become a powerful medium of communicating, sharing and disseminating information. Because of popularity and availability of OSNs throughout the world, the connected users can spread information faster and thus propagate influence over each other constantly. Due to such impact, a lot of applications on OSNs focused on picking an initial set of users (seeds) to infuse their message in the OSN. Due to huge size of the network, the main challenge in picking the initial set is to maximize the resultant influence over the users in the network. The optimization problem of finding out the most influential set of members in an OSN for maximization of influence is an NP-hard problem. In this paper, we propose using the Positive Influential Dominating Set (PIDS) algorithm for the initial seed. PIDS is a well-known algorithm which determines the influential backbone nodes in the networks. We implemented PIDS-based influence maximization by using different propagation models. We compared PIDS performance to that of the existing approaches based on greedy and random heuristics. The experimental results from extensive simulation on real-world network data sets show that PIDS gives better influence spread than greedy and random for both Independent Cascade Model and Linear Threshold Model of influence propagation. PIDS is also scalable to large networks and in all size ranges, it performs well in influence maximization.

This dissertation studies partnerships among non- governmental organizations (NGOs) and the resulting consequences of these collaborations. The presence of NGOs in the international system is recognized with scholarly works examining what they are, what they do, and what is their role. However, it is also necessary to systematically analyze the causes for collaborations among NGOs and the following consequences. I ask what determines for NGOs to partner with one another. And, who benefits from these collaborations? I carefully place my study within the broader context of the main international relations paradigms and within the specific debates concerning the NGOs. Using social network analysis, quantitative tools, and in-depth interviews I find that similarity is a main determinant for NGOs to collaborate with one another. Importantly, my findings show that not only shared altruistic goals, as proposed by the dominant literature, but also shared strategic goals matter in the choices for partners. I further show that shared altruistic and strategic goals also influence who the final beneficiaries from the collaborations are. My findings reveal that less often vulnerable populations receive a direct help, even when the organizations advance principled goals. I conclude that NGOs have not only altruistic goals but also strategic needs and wants. The forging of their partnerships and the outcomes of their collaborations are influenced by these distinct goals. NGOs, as strategic actors, make complex decisions, that momentously bring a limited impact on vulnerable populations and the international system overall.

Submitted by Maria Anália Conceição (marianaliaconceicao@gmail.com) on 2016-07-01T12:51:04Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Publico-01.pdf: 616692 bytes, checksum: 2521e8d697d60cf29f7f507852738e68 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Anália Conceição (marianaliaconceicao@gmail.com) on 2016-07-01T12:51:54Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Publico-01.pdf: 616692 bytes, checksum: 2521e8d697d60cf29f7f507852738e68 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-01T12:51:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Publico-01.pdf: 616692 bytes, checksum: 2521e8d697d60cf29f7f507852738e68 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / A valorização do estudo das relações humanas faz com que a metodologia da análise de redes sociais (ARS) seja uma ferramenta importante a ser utilizada em diversos campos de aplicação e entre eles o da saúde. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a contribuição da ARS de um grupo de estudantes de nutrição para a compreensão dos vínculos de apoio em saúde existente e nas mudanças de comportamento alimentar dentro da rede social. Trata-se de um estudo que seguiu o método observacional, com pesquisa do tipo exploratório-descritiva de corte transversal. A população foi de 41 estudantes, aptos a colarem grau do curso de graduação em Nutrição de uma Instituição de Ensino Superior (IES) particular, de Guarulhos (SP). Foram analisados ainda os dados dos familiares e amigos de cada estudante, totalizando 463 informações mediante a aplicação de um protocolo elaborado pela pesquisadora. Utilizouse o índice de massa corporal (IMC) para avaliação do estado nutricional. Os resultados foram obtidos do software UCINET 6 – Social Network Analysis Software e a análise da ferramenta Netdraw – (Graf Visualization Software). Este estudo teve a aprovação do comitê de ética e pesquisa da Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) sob número 2051 do ano de 2007. Verificamos a presenças de vínculos bidirecionais entre os homens e entre as mulheres com mais idade no grupo.Com referência ao estado nutricional, verificou-se ao término do curso uma diminuição dos estudantes classificados como eutróficos e um aumento no número dos classificados como pré-obeso. Os atores de maior centralidade foram os estudantes de nº 16 e nº 29 e o que obteve o maior grau de intermediação na rede foi o estudante nº 40. Mudanças positivas no seu próprio comportamento alimentar foi relatado por 53,2% dos estudantes. Na avaliação de qual instituição o estudante considera que recebe mais apoio, quando o assunto é sua saúde, a escola, representada pela IES a qual pertencem foi a mais citada (33,3%) seguida do apoio dado por Planos ou Seguros de Saúde particular (16,7%). Os estudantes influenciaram positivamente o comportamento alimentar de seus filhos mais velhos (87,5%), posteriormente o das suas mães (58,3%) e seus cônjuges (58,3%). As mães e os cônjuges e/ou namorados (as) apareceram como as primeiras pessoas citadas como sendo a(s) pessoa(s) de seu convívio familiar que mais fornecem apoio quando o assunto é a saúde destes estudantes. Pudemos observar que muitos familiares ou amigos de quem os estudantes percebem receber apoio poderiam também ser alvos de intervenções dietoterápicas, uma vez que muitos destes se encontram com seu estado nutricional não saudável. Tal constatação nos faz acreditar que no tratamento clínico dietoterápico o insucesso muitas vezes observado pode ser fruto da não percepção, pelos profissionais de saúde envolvidos no tratamento das demais questões além da patologia que envolve o paciente, tais como as influências que ele recebe de seu convívio social. Propõe-se que tais intervenções pudessem apresentar melhores desfechos se houver o envolvimento das pessoas consideradas importantes para o paciente no seu tratamento, ou até mesmo quando os familiares que também necessitam do mesmo tratamento também aderissem a uma intervenção desencadeando um efeito cascata intrafamiliar positivo. Torna-se, portanto indispensável que nas intervenções dietoterápicas assim como no planejamento de programas educativos que visem à melhoria do estado nutricional mediante uma alimentação saudável, realizemos um aprofundamento do conhecimento dos elementos sociais, particularmente analisando suas redes sociais, suas interações e contribuições nos comportamentos alimentares dos indivíduos e, conseqüentemente na sua saúde. / The valuation of the study of the relations human beings make with that the methodology of the analysis of social nets (ARS) either a tool important to be used in diverse fields of application and between them of the health. This study it had as objective to inside analyze the contribution of the ARS of a group of students of nutrition for the understanding of the bonds of support in existing health and the changes of alimentary behavior of the social net. One is about a study that followed the observacional method, with research of the exploratório-descriptive type of transversal cut. The population was of 41 students, apt glue degree of the course of graduation in Nutrition of an Institution of Ensino Superior (IES) particular, of Guarulhos (SP). The friend and data of familiar of each student had been analyzed still, totalizing 463 information by means of the application of a protocol elaborated for the researcher. The index of corporal mass (IMC) for evaluation of the nutricional state was used. The results had been gotten of software UCINET 6 - Social Network Analysis Software and the analysis of the Netdraw tool - (Graf Visualization Software). This study it had the approval of the ethics committee and research of the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) under number 2051 of the year of 2007. We verify the presences of bidirectional bonds between the men and enters the women with more age in the group. Regarding to the nutricional state, it was verified the ending of the course a reduction of the classified students as eutróficos and an increase in the number of the classified ones as daily pay-obeso. The actors of bigger centralidade had been the students of nº 16 and nº 29 and what it got the biggest degree of intermediação in the net was the student nº 40. Positive changes in its proper alimentary behavior were told by 53,2% of the students. In the evaluation of which institution the student considers that it receives more support, when the subject is its health, the school, represented for the IES which belongs was cited (33.3%) followed of the support given for Plans or Insurances of particular Health (16.7%). The students had positively influenced the alimentary behavior of its older children (87.5%), later of its mothers (58.3%) and its spouses (58.3%). The mothers and the spouses and/or boyfriends had appeared as the first cited people as being(s) the person(s) of its familiar conviviality who more supply to support when the subject it is the health of these students. We could observe that many familiar or friends of who the students perceive to receive support could also be white of dietoterápicas interventions, a time that many of these if find with its not healthful nutricional state. Such constatação makes in them to believe that in the dietoterápico clinical treatment failure many times observed can be fruit of not the perception, for the involved professionals of health in the treatment of the too much questions beyond the pathology that involves the patient, such as the influences that it receives from its social conviviality. It is considered that such interventions could present better outcomes will have the envolvement of the people considered important for the patient in its treatment, or even though when familiar that also they need the same the treatment also adhered to an intervention unchaining a positive effect intrafamiliar cascade. One becomes consequently, therefore indispensable that in the nutrition interventions as well as in the planning of educative programs that they aim at to the improvement of the nutricional state by means of a healthful feeding, let us carry through a deepening of the knowledge of the social elements, particularly analyzing its social nets, its interactions and contributions in the alimentary behaviors of the individuals and, in its health.

Set in the relatively new and fast developing field of investigation known as Internet of Things (IoT), this research starts by looking at the lack of critical and conceptual reflection on the area. With a main research question that challenges the underlying concepts of the IoT, the study develops a performative design framework to critique the field of investigation. The main corpus consists of: 1. speculative inquiry into the ontological dualisms of ‘objects’ and ‘things’ and the emerging social dimension of humans and non-humans; 2. the identification of an ontological-performative model based on the idea of Props; 3. the entanglement of theory and practice to construct a performative design framework, called the Internet of Props, which includes: an enabling platform (Smarter Planet Lab) and a set of design strategies (Transactional Props) to demonstrate and evaluate this model and framework; 4. a combined-evaluation conversational analysis methodology that assesses the performativity of the setting and the Props, through linguistic and socio-behavioural studies. Inspired by the concepts of ontological theatre, the entanglement of humans and non-humans, and the Internet of People; the IoT is imagined and performed in a theory-driven, practice-based investigation of the Internet of Props, which aims to bring new theoretical and practical knowledge for the future of the IoT.

The notion of an "orthodox core-heterodox periphery" structure and the extent of interdisciplinary links have been widely discussed, and partially investigated bibliometrically, within economic discourse. We extend this research by applying tools from social network analysis to citation data of three economics departments located in Vienna, two mainstream and one non-mainstream, to assess their relative citation patterns. We show that both mainstream economics departments follow the asserted core-periphery pattern and have a mono-disciplinary research focus, while the citation network of the non-mainstream department has a polycentric structure and is both more heterodox and interdisciplinary. These findings suggest that discussions about the future of heterodox economics should pay more attention to the organizational level and seek allies from other disciplines.

Os contextos em que as organizações operam e agem mudaram drasticamente nos últimos anos. Neste sentido, o espaço físico e a organização encontram-se conectados. As famosas palavras de Winston Churchill em 19431: “Nós moldamos nossos prédios e nossas construções nos moldam”, indiretamente já se referia à importância do espaço físico em relação a interação entre indivíduos. O design dos espaços de trabalho é normalmente guiado por topologias (formas de configurar layouts: aberto, fechado, celular) que descrevem e determinam a qualidade das interações. Mas a questão do layout do espaço como fator de influência da troca de conhecimentos entre colaboradores é uma dimensão pouco considerada os pesquisadores da gestão organizacional, ficando restrito a arquitetos e designers a preocupação com a elaboração e configuração de um layout físico favorável. Considerando este contexto, o presente trabalho propõe, como objetivo geral, desenvolver uma sistemática que permita analisar a disposição do ambiente de trabalho com base na análise de redes sociais (SNA) com o intuito de promover a interação social e a transferência de conhecimentos entre os membros de uma equipe. A proposta desta dissertação é baseada em uma abordagem combinada de métodos quantitativos e estudo de caso. Nesses termos, os dados desta pesquisa buscam analisar a interação do layout físico com a transferência do conhecimento no ambiente de uma equipe médica. Essa interação foi analisada através da teoria das redes sociais. Como principais resultados obtiveram-se: (i) a sistematização da literatura sobre o tema da transferência do conhecimento e análise de redes sociais; (ii) análise e aplicação da prática das análises das redes sociais e estudo do layout e (iii) proposta de uma versão inicial de um artefato para auxiliar profissionais da gestão organizacional que se interessem em analisar a rede social de um ambiente antes de alterar ou elaborar um novo layout para que os colaboradores possam ter mais interação e com isso melhorar a transferência do conhecimento e, consequentemente, a inovação organizacional. / The contexts in which organizations operate and act have changed dramatically in recent years. In this sense, the physical space and the organization are connected. The famous words said by Winson Churchill in 1943: “We shape our buildings and afterwards our building shape us”, indirectly already noted the importance of the physical space and interaction between individuals. The design of office spaces is often guided by general typologies (cellular, open and closed office) to describe and determine the quality of interactions in office structures. However, the layout of spaces, as an influence factor for knowledge sharing between people, is a dimension little considered by researchers from the organizational management field. Architects and designers are the only concerned about the design and configuration of a physical layout to strengthen such interaction. Based in this context, this work proposes, as main objective, to develop a systematic that allows analyzing the work environment disposition based on both a network analysis and on a knowledge transfer perspective. This proposal is based on a combined quantitative and a case study approach. In these terms, the collected data was used to analyze the interaction of a medical team when considered the physical layout of their work environment. The interaction was analyzed through the theory of social networks. As main results, we highlight the following: (i) the systematization of the literature on the subject of knowledge transfer and social network analysis; (ii) a practical application of social networks in the studies of office layouts; and, (iii) the proposal of an artifact to help management professionals to analyze the social network of an environment before changing or developing a new layout focused on the improvement of people interaction and, consequently, improving the organizational innovation.

Esta pesquisa propõe-se a estudar a apropriação do aplicativo Snapchat pelo Portal UOL para produção de conteúdo jornalístico. O foco está em observar as stories, que são narrativas criadas a partir de fragmentos de até 10 segundos que desaparecem após 24 horas, produzidas pelo perfil do UOL. Para isso, selecionamos as stories que foram produzidas sobre política e republicados no site TV UOL, totalizando 28 vídeos com 657 fragmentos, chamados de snaps. A análise empírica foi dividida em duas etapas: uma de caráter quantitativo, que busca observar a ocorrência de elementos previamente mapeados nos snaps; e outra qualitativa, cujo olhar recai sobre como esses snaps são estruturados para criar as stories. Como resultados, apontamos elementos frequentes, como o uso de snaps nativos e a preferência por vídeos frente a outros formatos multimídia, como fotos, textos e áudios. Também observamos que as stories não seguem um padrão e aliam formatos narrativos diferentes, como cobertura do local dos fatos, entrevistas e bastidores. / This research proposes to study the appropriation of the Snapchat application through the UOL Portal for the production of journalistic content. The focus is on watching stories, which are narratives created from fragments of up to 10 seconds that disappear after 24 hours, produced by the UOL profile. For that, we selected the stories that were produced on politics and republished on the site TV UOL, totaling 28 videos with 657 fragments, called snaps. The empirical analysis was divided in two stages: one of quantitative character, which seeks to observe the occurrence of previously mapped elements in the snaps; and another qualitative, whose look falls on how these snaps are structured to create the stories. As results, we point out frequent elements such as the use of native snaps and the preference for videos versus other multimedia formats such as photos, texts and audios. We also note that stories do not follow a pattern and link different narrative formats, such as spot coverage, interviews, and backstage.

Nos dias de hoje, podemos constatar o crescimento das formas de linguagem mediadas pelas tecnologias da informação e comunicação. É em torno dessa constatação e nesse contexto que esta dissertação se insere. Seu tema é a caracterização do par post/comentário à luz da noção de gêneros textuais. Nosso objetivo é refletir sobre o referido, a fim de responder os seguintes questionamentos: (a) se post e comentário são dois gêneros textuais ou partes de um mesmo fenômeno de comunicação/gênero; (b) se são gêneros, como caracterizá-los e diferenciá-los; (c) não sendo o post um novo gênero textual, que especificidades podem caracterizá-lo como ferramenta e quais os aspectos que o vinculam ao gênero comentário. A fim de respondê-los, nossa opção metodológica foi por um estudo documental de cunho qualitativo. Este consistiu na coleta de publicações feitas no perfil da pesquisadora na rede social Facebook por diferentes sujeitos, no período pré e pós eleições brasileiras de 2014, especificamente no mês de outubro. Os posts e comentários selecionados referem-se exclusivamente à temática das eleições presidenciais. Entendemos que as redes sociais têm sido grandes incentivadoras à produção escrita e, consequentemente, promotoras de atividades de compreensão leitora. E, no que concerne em particular ao tema escolhido, acolheram e fomentaram intensos debates. As reflexões sobre leitura, portanto, perpassam este trabalho porque, ao pensarmos no nascimento e uso de um gênero, pensamos, também, em sua recepção, logo, nos processos leitores envolvidos. Para analisar os dados, utilizamos a proposta de Donato (2014), discutindo os quatro pilares constituintes do gênero função comunicativa, forma, conteúdo e suporte, e também pensando em três níveis: o da produção, recepção e contextualização. Como base teórico-metodológica seguimos a perspectiva da sociocognição, calcada especialmente nos estudos de Marcuschi (2005, 2008, 2010), Koch (1996, 2003) e Koch e Elias (2008, 2013), assim como fundamentos de Bakhtin (1997) sobre o caráter sócio-histórico dos gêneros. A título de conclusão, segundo nossas análises, salientamos a interdependência dos elementos do par estudado. No entanto, defendemos a delimitação do post enquanto gênero textual eminentemente digital e não apenas uma ferramenta ou parte do gênero comentário / Today we can see the growth of language forms mediated by information and communication technologies. It is through these findings and in this context that this dissertation is introduced. Its theme is characterized by the pair post/ comments within the light of concept text genres. Our objective is to reflect on the mentioned material above in order to answer the following questions: (a) is post and comment two genres or parts of the same phenomenon of communication / genrer; (b) if these are genre, how do we then characterize them and differentiate between them; (c) if this post is not a new genre, how can we specifically characterize it as a tool and which aspects of the post tie it to the genre comment. In order to answer these questions, our methodological option was a documented study of qualitative nature. This consisted with the collection of publications from the researchers social network profile within Facebook during the period of the Brazilian elections in 2014, specifically from the month of October. The posts and selected comments refer exclusively to the topic of presidential elections. We understand that social networks have been a great incentive towards writing production and therefore promote reading comprehension activities. With regard to the particular chosen theme, we welcomed and encouraged intense debate. When reflecting on literature, we prepare this work for the birth of a new text genre and also how it is received so the reader is involved in the process. To analyze the data, we use the proposed Donato (2014), discussing the four constituent pillars of genre - communicative function, form, content and support. We also considered three levels: production, reception and context. The theoretical and methodological basis we followed the perspective of sociocognitive, based especially on studies from Marcuschi (2005, 2008, 2010), Koch (1996, 2003) and Koch and Elias (2008, 2013), as well as the foundations of Bakhtin (1997) on the socio-historical character of genres. By way of conclusion, according to our analysis, we stressed the interdependence of the pair of elements studied. However, we defend the limitation of the post as an eminently digital text genre and not just as a tool or part of a genre comment

This thesis reports on the social structures underpinning interschool collaboration in the context of Shared Education and the networks of staff relations that have been developed for the purpose of overcoming systemic separation. Drawing upon social network theory, it is argued that in order to further the model of Shared Education the corresponding research and academic enterprise must move beyond the analogous use of the term ‘network’ and consider the concept in a more analytical manner. In this sequential mixed methods case study, an exploratory network analysis of the staff members (n=97) from five collaborating primary schools in a Shared Education partnership was performed using a socio-metric instrument to examine four collaborative interactions—exchanging resources, seeking professional knowledge, discussing personal matters, and meeting socially. This was then followed by semi-structured interviews with the staff members (n=16) observed as most central within the partnership's network. The findings of this study suggest that Shared Education can facilitate network structures that overcome systemic separation; that partner preference is based upon desirable structural characteristics; that partnership sustainability may be an extension of social network adaptability; that Shared Education offered an alternative model for collegial engagement; that the model can facilitate learning relationships and knowledge creation; and that relational embeddedness is also observed to be a critical aspect of the partnership's leadership. Therefore, it is advocated that those researching Shared Education must develop a more nuanced approach to thinking about the structure of partnerships and the relationships that constitute them.

abstract: Most new first-year composition (FYC) students already have a great deal of writing experience. Much of this experience comes from writing in digital spaces, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. This type of writing is often invisible to students: they may not consider it to be writing at all. This dissertation seeks to better understand the actual connections between writing in online spaces and writing in FYC, to see the connections students see between these types of writing, and to work toward a theory for making use of those connections in the FYC classroom. The following interconnected articles focus specifically on Facebook--the largest and most ubiquitous social network site (SNS)-- as a means to better understand students' digital literacy practices. Initial data was gathered through a large-scale survey of FYC students about their Facebook use and how they saw that use as connected to composition and writing. Chapter 1 uses the data to suggest that FYC students are not likely to see a connection between Facebook and FYC but that such a connection exists. The second chapter uses the same data to demonstrate that men and women are approaching Facebook slightly differently and to explore what that may mean for FYC teachers. The third chapter uses 10 one-on-one interviews with FYC students to further explore Facebook literacies. The interviews suggest that the literacy of Facebook is actually quite complex and includes many modes of communication in addition to writing, such as pictures, links, and "likes." The final chapter explores the issue of transfer. While transfer is popular in composition literature, studies tend to focus on forward-reading and not backward-reaching transfer. This final chapter stresses the importance of this type of transfer, especially when looking back at digital literacy knowledge that students have gained through writing online. While these articles are intended as stand-alone pieces, together they demonstrate the complex nature of literacies on Facebook, how they connection to FYC, and how FYC teachers may use them in their classrooms. They serve as a starting off point for discussions of effective integration of digital literacies into composition pedagogies. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation English 2014