O risco de extinção e o declínio populacional de muitas espécies animais na região neotropical estão fortemente relacionados aos processos antrópicos, como a conversão ambiental, mas também aos fatores intrínsecos aos próprios indivíduos, como os atributos. Os anuros correspondem ao grupo vertebrado mais ameaçado atualmente, sofrendo com sérios declínios populacionais. Este trabalho buscou avaliar quais os atributos dos anfíbios neotropicais podem predizer: i) as categorias de ameaça e tendências populacionais destas espécies e ii) a ocorrência de anuros em um ambiente modificado, de matriz agrícola. Para a predição de categorias de ameaça e tendências populacionais utilizamos um banco de dados com atributos de habitat e modos reprodutivos de 3196 espécies de anuros neotropicais. Verificamos que espécies com modos reprodutivos terrestres e desenvolvimento direto tem uma maior tendência a estarem em declínio. Além disso, verificamos que embora os atributos sejam filogeneticamente estruturados, o grau de ameaça parece ser independente de suas histórias evolutivas. Para identificar possíveis relações entre atributos ecológicos e morfológicos de anuros em uma paisagem agrícola no sul do Brasil, registramos a anurofauna com uso de armadilhas de interceptação e queda e procuras ativas em três diferentes distâncias da borda em um ambiente florestal e em uma matriz agrícola. Verificamos que principalmente os atributos ecológicos, como o modo reprodutivo (tanto terrestre como aquático) e o hábito estão relacionados com a ocorrência destas espécies no sistema agrícola, assim como encontramos diferenças entre os atributos morfológicos ao longo do gradiente de distância. Ambos os resultados podem auxiliar na tomada de decisões em planos e projetos de conservação de anuros neotropicais. / The extinction risk and population decline of many animal species in neotropical region are strongly related to anthropic processes, such as environmental conversion, but they are also related to intrinsic factors such as traits. Anurans correspond to the most endangered vertebrate group, suffering serious population declines. This work aimed to evaluate which neotropical anurans traits can predict: i) the categories of threat and population trends of species, and ii) the occurrence of anuran species in modified environments, such as the agricultural matrix. First, we compiled data to 3196 neotropical anuran species. We emphasized the importance of habitat and reproductive modes in threat classifications, as well as verified that species with terrestrial reproductive modes and direct development are more likely to be declining. We also found that although anurans traits being phylogenetically structured, the degree of threat seems to be independent from their evolutionary histories. In addition, to identify possible relation among ecological and morphological anuran traits with agricultural landscape in southern Brazil, we studied the anurofauna using pitfall traps and active searches at three different border distances in a forest environment and in an agricultural matrix. We verified that mostly of the ecological traits, such as the reproductive mode (both terrestrial and aquatic) and the habit, are related to the occurrence of determined species in the agricultural system. And we also found differences among the morphological traits observed through the distance gradient from the border. Therefore, both results present practical importance since it can help herpetologists to making decision about neotropical anurans conservation.

The connection between the heart and the brain was coined 150 years ago by Claude Bernard and has since then been an interesting topic of research. Scientists have for many years searched for biomarkers of stress and health to map the current status of the organism. Heart rate variability (HRV) has been presented as an emerging objective and promising marker to achieve just this. HRV refers to the beat-to-beat variations in heart rate (HR) and is thought to be a useful signal in understanding and providing valuable information of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). HRV has also been proposed as a marker of stress and health by sharing neural correlates and functions with several executive functions. This thesis identified several regions, including the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the amygdala, in which significant associations across several studies were found between threat and safety perception, emotional regulation and HRV. This suggest that HRV may function as an index of the brain mechanism and structures that guide and govern adaptive functions and thus, provide researchers with valuable information regarding the stress and health of an organism. Two major theoretical frameworks, which articulate and explain the role of HRV as an indicator of individuals ability to adapt to environmental changes and cope under stress is presented. HRV can also be used in practice in several ways and a growing and promising field of application is HRV biofeedback.

abstract: This document explores the presence of stereotype threat among college students training for careers in music. Beginning in the 1990s, an effort led by Claude M. Steele (social psychologist and professor emeritus at Stanford University) identified stereotype threat as an attribute to the underperformance of minority groups. Continued research has mainly focused on stereotype threat within the following contexts: female performance within science, technology, engineering, and mathematical (STEM) fields, African American performance on standardized tests, and European American performance in athletics. This document contains two pilot studies that strive to apply current stereotype threat research to the field of music education and music performance in order to ask the following questions: Does stereotype threat impact the education of underrepresented collegiate music students? Does stereotype threat heighten gender awareness of musicians when they enter the typical auditioning environment? The two pilot studies consist of the following: (1) a survey intended to analyze the possible impact of stereotype threat on music students’ interaction with their colleagues and music instructors and (2) a quantitative study that explores the presence of stereotype threat (among musicians) through the use of a word-fragment completion task administered immediately before a mock audition. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Music 2017

O risco de extinção e o declínio populacional de muitas espécies animais na região neotropical estão fortemente relacionados aos processos antrópicos, como a conversão ambiental, mas também aos fatores intrínsecos aos próprios indivíduos, como os atributos. Os anuros correspondem ao grupo vertebrado mais ameaçado atualmente, sofrendo com sérios declínios populacionais. Este trabalho buscou avaliar quais os atributos dos anfíbios neotropicais podem predizer: i) as categorias de ameaça e tendências populacionais destas espécies e ii) a ocorrência de anuros em um ambiente modificado, de matriz agrícola. Para a predição de categorias de ameaça e tendências populacionais utilizamos um banco de dados com atributos de habitat e modos reprodutivos de 3196 espécies de anuros neotropicais. Verificamos que espécies com modos reprodutivos terrestres e desenvolvimento direto tem uma maior tendência a estarem em declínio. Além disso, verificamos que embora os atributos sejam filogeneticamente estruturados, o grau de ameaça parece ser independente de suas histórias evolutivas. Para identificar possíveis relações entre atributos ecológicos e morfológicos de anuros em uma paisagem agrícola no sul do Brasil, registramos a anurofauna com uso de armadilhas de interceptação e queda e procuras ativas em três diferentes distâncias da borda em um ambiente florestal e em uma matriz agrícola. Verificamos que principalmente os atributos ecológicos, como o modo reprodutivo (tanto terrestre como aquático) e o hábito estão relacionados com a ocorrência destas espécies no sistema agrícola, assim como encontramos diferenças entre os atributos morfológicos ao longo do gradiente de distância. Ambos os resultados podem auxiliar na tomada de decisões em planos e projetos de conservação de anuros neotropicais. / The extinction risk and population decline of many animal species in neotropical region are strongly related to anthropic processes, such as environmental conversion, but they are also related to intrinsic factors such as traits. Anurans correspond to the most endangered vertebrate group, suffering serious population declines. This work aimed to evaluate which neotropical anurans traits can predict: i) the categories of threat and population trends of species, and ii) the occurrence of anuran species in modified environments, such as the agricultural matrix. First, we compiled data to 3196 neotropical anuran species. We emphasized the importance of habitat and reproductive modes in threat classifications, as well as verified that species with terrestrial reproductive modes and direct development are more likely to be declining. We also found that although anurans traits being phylogenetically structured, the degree of threat seems to be independent from their evolutionary histories. In addition, to identify possible relation among ecological and morphological anuran traits with agricultural landscape in southern Brazil, we studied the anurofauna using pitfall traps and active searches at three different border distances in a forest environment and in an agricultural matrix. We verified that mostly of the ecological traits, such as the reproductive mode (both terrestrial and aquatic) and the habit, are related to the occurrence of determined species in the agricultural system. And we also found differences among the morphological traits observed through the distance gradient from the border. Therefore, both results present practical importance since it can help herpetologists to making decision about neotropical anurans conservation.

In my master thesis I deal with the issue of pupils' movement in the online space, I observe number of different online features that may be potentially confusing or dangerous to children, as well as phenomena that can directly threaten the children. I also monitor the activities of the children themselves, how they deal with their personal data and how they care for their own safety. I pay special attention to social networks and pathologies on them, addiction, cyberstalking, sexting, online bullying and the utmost attention to cyberspace issues. In my survey, it turns out that the profile of some of the social networks has the vast majority of pupils in the elementary school, some of them younger than the official minimum age limit on these networks. Own personal data share about nine children out of ten. 6 % of the questioned children commit significant risk behaviour, 48 % have already encountered cyberbullying and 42 % of children committing some risky behaviour do not think they should behave more cautiously in the virtual world.

A presente tese aborda a temática da vulnerabilidade da população frente às situações de ameaça e risco. A pesquisa realizou-se junto ao perímetro urbano da cidade de Santa Maria na região central do Rio Grande do Sul. A vulnerabilidade foi avaliada com relação aos fenômenos desencadeados pelas dinâmicas fluvial e de encosta, mais especificamente, movimentos de massa, inundações e erosão de margens. O objetivo principal do trabalho consiste na análise de variáveis determinantes para os graus de vulnerabilidade da população que reside em áreas sob ameaça de desastres naturais. A metodologia resume-se na análise de imagens DigitalGlobe obtidas via Google Earth Pro (2012) para a determinação das áreas urbanas ocupadas e susceptíveis aos fenômenos causadores de desastre junto às encostas e à rede de drenagem; para a obtenção dos graus de vulnerabilidade foi utilizada a base de informações referente aos Setores Censitários (IBGE, 2010): rendimento mensal, taxa de idosos e crianças, taxa de analfabetismo, à esses dados foram acrescidos o número de residências e o padrão urbano construtivo das moradias por área sob ameaça. A correlação das variáveis determinou quatro graus de vulnerabilidade: Grau I (Baixo), Grau II (Médio), Grau III (Alto) e Grau IV (Muito Alto). Verifica-se áreas sob ameaça nos patamares mais elevados das encostas, no entanto, existem situações perigosas em patamares com memores inclinações, devido, principalmente, às alterações realizadas nos taludes para a edificação das moradias. Quanto aos processos de dinâmica fluvial, a ameaça refere-se às inundações e à erosão de margens. A ocupação expandiu-se ao longo das planícies de inundação de inúmeros cursos fluviais ao longo do perímetro urbano, sendo, portanto, praticamente inevitáveis os episódios desta natureza. A erosão das margens fluviais são sentidas quase que exclusivamente pelos moradores que edificaram suas residências junto aos terrenos marginais, com distância aproximada de 5 metros do leito. A população mais vulnerável é aquela que apresenta situação socioeconômica menos favorecida, com idade superior à 65 e inferior à 15 anos de idade, com taxa elevada de analfabetismo e ausência de serviços urbanos básicos. Apesar da existência de leis e projetos relacionados à problemática dos desastres, o gerenciamento das áreas sob ameaça é ineficiente, favorecendo o surgimento de inúmeras situações perigosas. / This paper is about the risk ok the population in some kind of situations. The research was conduct in the urban perimeter of Santa Maria town, central part of Rio Grande do Sul state. The topic was the analysis of the vulnerability caused by the mass movements and floods in the river and also the deterioration on the banks. The main objective is the analyses of the level of risk areas of natural disasters that population face. To active this objective the study uses Google Earth Pro (2012) Digital Globes pictures to see where was the urban areas near at river banks with higher risk of disasters. To obtain the risk levels was used some parts of Census (IBGE 2010) more specific the how much money the families makes in one mouth also the number of young's and elderly and also the number and material used in construction of houses. Was stabilized four levels of risk in crescent order we have level one (Low risk), level two (Medium risk), level three (High risk) and level four (Very High Risk). Was possible the discover some areas in the higher level of risk in more elevate terrains and also some danger places in lower fields however the highest risk is in areas more flats but changed by manmade activities in special house constructions. The main danger caused by river stream is the floods and erosion of banks. The population occupied flat terrains near the rivers that were naturally flooded and because that is almost impossible to avoid this kind of disaster. The erosion on bank happens in land where houses was built near of 5 meters of rivers. The populations in higher danger is the more lower financial classes with ages up to 65 years and under 15 and high rates of analphabets and no basic state services. Even with laws and projects to prevent disasters situations the management of risk areas is inefficient and cooperate to more possible disasters.

abstract: Using integrated threat theory as the theoretical framework, this study examines the impact of perceived realistic threats (threats to welfare) and symbolic threats (threats to worldview) on anti-immigrant sentiment among a nationally representative sample in the U.S. Analysis of the antecedents of prejudice is particularly relevant today as anti-immigrant sentiment and hostile policies toward the population have risen in the past two decades. Perceived discrimination has also become salient within immigrant communities, negatively impacting both mental and physical health. Using logistic ordinal regressions with realistic threat, symbolic threat, and immigrant sentiment scales, this study found that both realistic and symbolic threats increased participants' likelihood of selecting a higher level of anti-immigrant sentiment, suggesting both are predictive of prejudice. However, symbolic threats emerged as a greater predictor of anti-immigrant sentiment, with an effect size over twice that of realistic threats. Implications for social work policy, practice, and future research are made. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S.W. Social Work 2014

Esta pesquisa tem como objeto de estudo a percepção de ameaça terrorista em São Paulo, no contexto dos Jogos Olímpicos Rio 2016. Os objetivos da pesquisa foram caracterizar a percepção da população de São Paulo em relação à ameaça terrorista e dimensionar a efetividade do programa governamental de sensibilização contra ameaça terrorista concebido em proveito da segurança durante os jogos olímpicos. Ao longo de seis meses, de fevereiro a julho de 2016, o autor integrou a equipe do programa e participou da capacitação de 4.287 (quatro mil duzentos e oitenta e sete) profissionais dos setores de turismo, segurança pública e defesa. A pesquisa adota o método do estudo de caso e a base de dados é composta por 1.109 (um mil cento e nove) formulários de pesquisa. Com base em 13 (treze) características do terrorismo extraídas das obras de Alex Schmid, David Rapoport e Martha Crenshaw, o pesquisador investiga a percepção de ameaça terrorista no grupo amostral, obtendo como resultado os seguintes elementos: fanatismo e/ou extremismo religioso (85,57%); violência física e/ou psicológica (62,23%); intimidação, medo e incerteza (60,90%); objetivos políticos (55,37%); uso das redes sociais (53,22%); planejamento (51,79%); estratégia (50,77%); indivíduos isolados (45,04%); grupos não estatais (37,56%); propaganda (36,34%); vítimas aleatoriamente escolhidas (35,41%); clandestinidade (33,98%); ação tática (17,60%). Quanto ao programa governamental de sensibilização contra ameaça terrorista, os resultados apontam um aumento de 34,31% (trinta e quatro vírgula trinta e um por cento) no índice de percepção dos concludentes do curso, indicando a efetividade do instrumento. / The object of this research is the perception of terrorist threat in São Paulo, in the context of the Olympic Games Rio 2016. The objectives of the research were to characterize the population\'s perception of the terrorist threat and to assess the effectiveness of the government\'s program of sensitization against terrorist threats designed to improve resilience during the Olympic Games. Over the course of six months, from February to July 2016, the author joined the program team and participated in the training of 4,287 ( four thousand two hundred and eighty-seven) professionals in the tourism, public security and defense sectors. The research adopts the case study method and the database is made up of 1,109 (one thousand one hundred and nine) research forms. Based on (13) thirteen characteristics of terrorism extracted from the works of Alex Schmid, David Rapoport and Martha Crenshaw, the researcher investigates the perception of terrorist threat in the sample group, resulting in the following elements: fanaticism and / or religious extremism (85 , 57%); physical and / or psychological violence (62.23%); intimidation, fear and uncertainty (60.90%); political objectives (55.37%); use of social networks (53.22%); planning (51.79%); strategy (50.77%); isolated individuals (45.04%); non-state groups (37.56%); advertising (36.34%); randomly selected victims (35.41%); clandestinely (33.98%); tactical action (17.60%). As for the government\'s program to raise awareness against terrorist threats, the results indicate a 34.31% (thirty-four point thirty-one percent) increase in the perception of the conclusive students of the course, indicating the effectiveness of the instrument.

The existance of spam email has gone from a fairly small amounts of afew hundred in the late 1970’s to several billions per day in 2010. Thiscontinually growing problem is of great concern to both businesses andusers alike.One attempt to combat this problem comes with a spam filtering toolcalled TRAP. The primary design goal of TRAP is to enable tracking ofthe reputation of mail senders in a decentralized and distributed fashion.In order for the tool to be useful, it is important that it does not haveany security issues that will let a spammer bypass the protocol or gain areputation that it should not have.As a piece of this puzzle, this thesis makes an analysis of TRAP’s protocoland design in order to find threats and vulnerabilies capable of bypassingthe protocol safeguards. Based on these threats we also evaluate possiblemitigations both by analysis and simulation. We have found that althoughthe protocol was not designed with regards to certain attacks on the systemitself most of the attacks can be fairly easily stopped.The analysis shows that by adding cryptographic defenses to the protocola lot of the threats would be mitigated. In those cases where cryptographywould not suffice it is generally down to sane design choices in the implementationas well as not always trusting that a node is being truthful andfollowing protocol.

The present study set out to test some of the predictions made by the Threat Simulation Theory, which suggests an evolutionary source of dreaming (Revonsuo, 2000a). The qualitative content and frequency of threatening events in dreams were compared between traumatized Swedish subjects with experience of the tsunami-disaster in Southeast Asia in 2004 with Swedish subjects with no traumatic experiences. Only a few of the hypotheses were supported by the results. The results and unsupported hypotheses are discussed with focus on the Threat Simulation Theory, and alternative explanations are considered.