Дисертації з теми "Community of things"

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Teachers College, Columbia University, 1995.
Includes tables. Typescript; issued also on microfilm. Sponsor: Elizabeth M. Maloney. Dissertation Committee: Herve Varenne. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 153-167).

Informe de Seminario para optar al grado de Licenciada en Lengua y Literatura Inglesa
The scope of this work is to understand the ways in which different elements concerning a postmodern view of Paul Auster’s In the Country of Last Things come together to conform a comprehensive understanding of this narrative. I plan on considering urban subjects and their movements within the city by means of space ―the place they occupy inside the city, their activities―how they plan on surviving, and the ways in which history and memory collide to form a sense of community that is long gone. Also, elements such as the city itself as a place where interactions between people living in duress are conducted, and the space as background for those interactions. All of these aspects will play part in finally acknowledging to what extent is this a city of ‘Last things’ a place which is on the verge of destruction, but that recycles and transforms the last things into new ones. This will take on the form of the point of view of a newcomer to the city, someone who experiences these new situations as she finds herself into them, with the fresh eyes of someone who has been outside it, and understands what the difficulties are in finding a sense of belonging in a place which does not lend itself to do so, but in doing so finds herself entangled in the city’s movements.

Abstrakt   Nyckelord: Web of Things, Tillsammansodling, Ting, Entitet, Kultur   I undersökningen går vi igenom hur ting kan existera inom olika plan av vårt medvetande och även hur teknologin inom Web of Things (WoT*) kan agera som en entitet inom ett fenomen såsom tillsammansodling. De metoder som valts för att undersöka fenomenet är Brainstorm, Att flytta gränser och De sex tänkarmössorna. Dessa tre metoder är våra huvudmetoder som ansågs vara bästa valen för ändamålet medan alternativa metoder som Kanban*, funktionsanalys och ett agilt tänkande var för att kunna ge vår design det extra stöd som behövdes för att utvecklas. Metoderna för att kunna undersöka detta fenomen har utgjorts av olika delar från boken Design av informationsteknik av Jonas Löwgren och Erik Stolterman där vi utgått från att skapa en design med hjälp av de tre delarna vision, den operativa bilden och specifikationen (Löwgren & Stolterman, 2004). Dessa tre delar har använts i fem olika iterationer för att kunna använda metoderna i olika plan av designen. Resultatet påvisas genom att gå igenom designprocessens fem iterationer och med stöd från tidigare och aktuell forskning medan diskussionen presenteras genom att gå igenom de fyra hypoteser vi själva arbetade fram genom att undersöka tidigare och aktuella forskningstexter, de fyra hypoteser är som följer.   Hypotes ett: Fenomenet tillsammansodling i stadsmiljöer med kopplingar till Web of Things (WoT) skapar ett ting som består av både fysiska och psykiska relationer till de som befinner sig i det. Hypotes två: Tillsammansodlingar är till förmån för hållbarhet och sociala möten. Hypotes tre: WoT är inte bara ett fysiskt ting utan även psykiskt och kan beblanda sig med både människa och maskin på olika plan. Hypotes fyra: WoT som sociala medier kan få människan att vilja börja ta del av tillsammansodlingar i stadsmiljöer och påtrycka ändringar hos maskiner och hur människor arbetar tillsammans med dem.
Abstract   Keywords: Web of Things, Community gardening, Things, Entity, Culture   In this Bachelor thesis we go through how things can exist within different planes of our mind and further how technology within Web Of Things (WoT) can act as an entity within a phenomenon like Community gardening. The methods that was chosen for the survey of the phenomenon are Brainstorm, To move the border and The six thinkingcaps. This three methods are our main methods that was considered to be the best choice for our purpose while alternative methods like Kanban, Function analyses and an agile thinking was considered to be the extra structure our design needed to evolve. The methods to maintain this survey of the phenomenon has been consisted of different parts from the book Thoughtful interaction design written by Jonas Löwgren and Erik Stolterman where we extracted three parts from it where the parts was vision, operative image and specification in order to create our design (Löwgren & Stolterman, 2004). This three parts has been integrated in five different iterations in order to use the methods of choosing in different parts of the design. The result is manifested from the design processes five iterations and the support from earlier and current researches while the discussion is presented through four hypotheses we manifested from the work from earlier and current research papers, the four hypotheses are as followed.   Hypothesis s one: The phenomenon Community gardening in urban environments with relations to Web of Things creates a thing that coexist within both the physical and psychological in the relationships of what is inside of the phenomenon. Hypothesis two: Community gardening is beneficial for sustainability and social encounters. Hypothesis three: Web Of Things is not just a physical thing but also a psychical and can exist in different planes of both mankind and machines. Hypothesis four: Web Of Things as social media can make the mankind want to integrate with Community gardening in urban environments and push changes in how humans and machine works together.

This minithesis provides an ethnographic account of the life world of older people in the community of Belhar in the Cape Peninsula, which was historically categorised as a &lsquo
coloured&rsquo
community during the implementation of the Group Areas Act. By content analysing newspaper articles published in the early 1980s and specifically during the implementation of the Group Areas Act I found that many of the residents reported that they lived in fear of their lives, in what was once known as a &lsquo
prestige suburb&rsquo
. At the present time the community of Belhar is an intensely gang-infested area. From preliminary research done by myself at a senior citizen centre in Belhar, the high incidence of violence was a recurring theme throughout discussions with older people. In fact when I posed the question Why do you come to the centre five days a week? to a group of older people they answered without hesitation It is unsafe for an older person to be alone during the day. Answers like these to many of the questions that I posed would almost always be followed with Things were better then. It also was apparent that the older people in this community remember (or perhaps reconstruct) the past in the context of their present living situation. This became the leading theme in my study and is also the background against which I had formulated my research questions. However this study not only focused on the impact of the high incidence of violence on the community of older people but also essentially looked at elderly residents&rsquo
everyday lived experiences in Belhar. The research sample consisted of twenty elderly residents and four key informants. The latter provided mainly infrastructural data on the community. Primary data was collected by using ethnographic techniques of inquiry which included participant observation and unstructured interviews. Results revealed that older people occupy a liminal space both in the community and in their households. I also found that the elderly stroke victim is twice silenced and marginalized due to the constraints brought on by their chronic illness and their status as an older person in the community.

Aquesta tesi tracta de dues de les noves tecnologies relacionades amb la Internet of Things (IoT) i la seva integració amb el camp de les Smart Grids (SGs); aquestes tecnologies son la Web of Things (WoT) i la Social Internet of Things (SIoT). La WoT és una tecnologia que s’espera que proveeixi d’un entorn escalable i interoperable a la IoT usant la infraestructura web existent, els protocols web y la web semàntica. També s’espera que la SIoT contribueixi a solucionar els reptes d’escalabilitat i capacitat de descobriment creant una xarxa social d’agents (objectes i humans). Per explorar la sinergia entre aquestes tecnologies, l’objectiu és el de proporcionar evidència pràctica i empírica, generalment en forma de prototips d’implementació i experimentació empírica. En relació amb la WoT i les SGs, s’ha creat un prototip per al Web of Energy (WoE) que té com a objectiu abordar els desafiaments presents en el domini les SGs. El prototip és capaç de proporcionar interoperabilitat i homogeneïtat entre diversos protocols. El disseny d’implementació es basa en el Model d’Actors, que també proporciona escalabilitat del prototip. L’experimentació mostra que el prototip pot gestionar la transmissió de missatges per a aplicacions de les SGs que requereixen que la comunicació es realitzi sota llindars de temps crítics. També es pren una altra direcció d’investigació similar, menys centrada en les SGs, però per a una gamma més àmplia de dominis d’aplicació. S’integra la descripció dels fluxos d’execució com a màquines d’estats finits utilitzant ontologies web (Resource Description Framework (RDF)) i metodologies de la WoT (les accions es realitzen basant-se en peticions Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol/Secure (HTTP/S) a Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)). Aquest flux d’execució, que també pot ser un plantilla per a permetre una configuració flexible en temps d’execució, s’implementa i interpreta com si fos (i mitjançant) un Virtual Object (VO). L’objectiu de la plantilla és ser reutilitzable i poder-se compartir entre múltiples desplegaments de la IoT dins el mateix domini d’aplicació. A causa de les tecnologies utilitzades, la solució no és adequada per a aplicacions de temps crític (llindar de temps relativament baix i rígid). No obstant això, és adequat per a aplicacions que no demanden resposta en un temps crític i que requereixen el desplegament de VOs similars en el que fa referència al flux d’execució. Finalment, el treball s’enfoca en una altra tecnologia destinada a millorar l’escalabilitat i la capacitat de descobriment en la IoT. La SIoT està sorgint com una nova estructura de la IoT que uneix els nodes a través de relacions significatives. Aquestes relacions tenen com a objectiu millorar la capacitat de descobriment; en conseqüència, millora la escalabilitat d’una xarxa de la IoT. En aquest treball s’aplica aquest nou paradigma per optimitzar la gestió de l’energia en el costat de la demanda a les SGs. L’objectiu és aprofitar les característiques de la SIoT per ajudar a la creació de Prosumer Community Groups (PCGs) (grups d’usuaris que consumeixen o produeixen energia) amb el mateix objectiu d’optimització en l’ús de l’energia. La sinergia entre la SIoT i les SGs s’ha anomenat Social Internet of Energy (SIoE). Per tant, amb la SIoE i amb el focus en un desafiament específic, s’estableix la base conceptual per a la integració entre la SIoT i les SGs. Els experiments inicials mostren resultats prometedors i aplanen el camí per a futures investigacions i avaluacions de la proposta. Es conclou que el WoT i la SIoT són dos paradigmes complementaris que nodreixen l’evolució de la propera generació de la IoT. S’espera que la propera generació de la IoT sigui un Multi-Agent System (MAS) generalitzat. Alguns investigadors ja estan apuntant a la Web i les seves tecnologies (per exemple, Web Semàntica, HTTP/S)—i més concretamente a la WoT — com a l’entorn que nodreixi a aquests agents. La SIoT pot millorar tant l’entorn com les relacions entre els agents en aquesta fusió. Les SGs també poden beneficiar-se dels avenços de la IoT, ja que es poden considerar com una aplicació específica d’aquesta última.
Esta tesis trata de dos de las novedosas tecnologías relacionadas con la Internet of Things (IoT) y su integración con el campo de las Smart Grids (SGs); estas tecnologías son laWeb of Things (WoT) y la Social Internet of Things (SIoT). La WoT es una tecnología que se espera que provea de un entorno escalable e interoperable a la IoT usando la infraestructura web existente, los protocolos web y la web semántica. También se espera que la SIoT contribuya a solucionar los retos de escalabilidad y capacidad de descubrimiento creando una red social de agentes (objetos y humanos). Para explorar la sinergia entre estas tecnologías, el objetivo es el de proporcionar evidencia práctica y empírica, generalmente en forma de prototipos de implementación y experimentación empírica. En relación con la WoT y las SGs, se ha creado un prototipo para la Web of Energy (WoE) que tiene como objetivo abordar los desafíos presentes en el dominio las SGs. El prototipo es capaz de proporcionar interoperabilidad y homogeneidad entre diversos protocolos. El diseño de implementación se basa en el Modelo de Actores, que también proporciona escalabilidad del prototipo. La experimentación muestra que el prototipo puede manejar la transmisión de mensajes para aplicaciones de las SGs que requieran que la comunicación se realice bajo umbrales de tiempo críticos. También se toma otra dirección de investigación similar, menos centrada en las SGs, pero para una gama más amplia de dominios de aplicación. Se integra la descripción de los flujos de ejecución como máquinas de estados finitos utilizando ontologías web (Resource Description Framework (RDF)) y metodologías de la WoT (las acciones se realizan basándose en peticiones Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol/Secure (HTTP/S) a Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)). Este flujo de ejecución, que también puede ser una plantilla para permitir una configuración flexible en tiempo de ejecución, se implementa e interpreta como si fuera (y a través de) un Virtual Object (VO). El objetivo de la plantilla es que sea reutilizable y se pueda compartir entre múltiples despliegues de la IoT dentro del mismo dominio de aplicación. Debido a las tecnologías utilizadas, la solución no es adecuada para aplicaciones de tiempo crítico (umbral de tiempo relativamente bajo y rígido). Sin embargo, es adecuado para aplicaciones que no demandan respuesta en un tiempo crítico y que requieren el despliegue de VOs similares en cuanto al flujo de ejecución. Finalmente, el trabajo se enfoca en otra tecnología destinada a mejorar la escalabilidad y la capacidad de descubrimiento en la IoT. La SIoT está emergiendo como una nueva estructura de la IoT que une los nodos a través de relaciones significativas. Estas relaciones tienen como objetivo mejorar la capacidad de descubrimiento; en consecuencia, mejora la escalabilidad de una red de la IoT. En este trabajo se aplica este nuevo paradigma para optimizar la gestión de la energía en el lado de la demanda en las SGs. El objetivo es aprovechar las características de la SIoT para ayudar en la creación de Prosumer Community Groups (PCGs) (grupos de usuarios que consumen o producen energía) con el mismo objetivo de optimización en el uso de la energía. La sinergia entre la SIoT y las SGs ha sido denominada Social Internet of Energy (SIoE). Por lo tanto, con la SIoE y con el foco en un desafío específico, se establece la base conceptual para la integración entre la SIoT y las SG. Los experimentos iniciales muestran resultados prometedores y allanan el camino para futuras investigaciones y evaluaciones de la propuesta. Se concluye que la WoT y la SIoT son dos paradigmas complementarios que nutren la evolución de la próxima generación de la IoT. Se espera que la próxima generación de la IoT sea un Multi-Agent System (MAS) generalizado. Algunos investigadores ya están apuntando a la Web y sus tecnologías (por ejemplo,Web Semántica, HTTP/S)—y más concretamente a la WoT — como el entorno que nutra a estos agentes. La SIoT puede mejorar tanto el entorno como las relaciones entre los agentes en esta fusión. Como un campo específico de la IoT, las SGs también pueden beneficiarse de los avances de la IoT.
This thesis deals with two novel Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and their integration to the field of the Smart Grid (SG); these technologies are the Web of Things (WoT) and the Social Internet of Things (SIoT). The WoT is an enabling technology expected to provide a scalable and interoperable environment to the IoT using the existing web infrastructure, web protocols and the semantic web. The SIoT is expected to expand further and contribute to scalability and discoverability challenges by creating a social network of agents (objects and humans). When exploring the synergy between those technologies, we aim at providing practical and empirical evidence, usually in the form of prototype implementations and empirical experimentation. In relation to the WoT and SG, we create a prototype for the Web of Energy (WoE), that aims at addressing challenges present in the SG domain. The prototype is capable of providing interoperability and homogeneity among diverse protocols. The implementation design is based on the Actor Model, which also provides scalability in regards to the prototype. Experimentation shows that the prototype can handle the transmission of messages for time-critical SG applications. We also take another similar research direction less focused on the SG, but for a broader range of application domains. We integrate the description of flows of execution as Finite-State Machines (FSMs) using web ontologies (Resource Description Framework (RDF)) and WoT methodologies (actions are performed on the basis of calls Hyper Text Transfer Protocol/ Secure (HTTP/S) to a Uniform Resource Locator (URL)). This execution flow, which can also be a template to allow flexible configuration at runtime, is deployed and interpreted as (and through) a Virtual Object (VO). The template aims to be reusable and shareable among multiple IoT deployments within the same application domain. Due to the technologies used, the solution is not suitable for time-critical applications. Nevertheless, it is suitable for non-time-critical applications that require the deployment of similar VOs. Finally, we focus on another technology aimed at improving scalability and discoverability in IoT. The SIoT is emerging as a new IoT structure that links nodes through meaningful relationships. These relationships aim at improving discoverability; consequently, improving the scalability of an IoT network. We apply this new paradigm to optimize energy management at the demand side in a SG. Our objective is to harness the features of the SIoT to aid in the creation of Prosumer Community Group (PCG) (groups of energy users that consume or produce energy) with the same Demand Side Management (DSM) goal. We refer to the synergy between SIoT and SG as Social Internet of Energy (SIoE). Therefore, with the SIoE and focusing on a specific challenge, we set the conceptual basis for the integration between SIoT and SG. Initial experiments show promising results and pave the way for further research and evaluation of the proposal. We conclude that the WoT and the SIoT are two complementary paradigms that nourish the evolution of the next generation IoT. The next generation IoT is expected to be a pervasive Multi-Agent System (MAS). Some researchers are already pointing at the Web and its technologies (e.g. Semantic Web, HTTP/S) — and more concretely at the WoT — as the environment nourishing the agents. The SIoT can enhance both the environment and the relationships between agents in this fusion. As a specific field of the IoT, the SG can also benefit from IoT advancements.

This thesis aims to explore how a critical reaading of the novel Things Fall Apart (1958) can provide valuable perspective for educators and students when examining socio-economic issues in  a colonial context in the ESL classroom. The main issues being analysed are how the novel reveals and explores socio-economic forms of exploitation under colonialism, and how a critical reading of the novel can be used in teaching to inform and persuade learners about social injustices. To show this, the essay examines the novel from a marxist perspective, and more specifically by drawing on the concept of primitive accumulation to understand and explain the changes brought about by the introduction of colonial rule. The changes in this context include the Igbo community's relation to land, its socio-economic and cultural aspects as well as the introduction of trade. The discussion and analysis of the novel centre on social injustices due to land expropriation, breakdown of traditional values and customs, and economic changes brought about by the arrival of Europeans in the context of colonialism. Expanding on this, the essay also reflects on the pedagogical implications of its arguments by showing how a critical reading of Things Fall Apart might provide an opportunity for teachers to underline issues of social injustice, material, and economic forms of exploitation under colonialism and beyond. This literary analysis also discusses and reflects on the practical challenges and possibilities of teaching such issues in the ESL classroom by using the concept of critical literacy.

This thesis aims to explore how a critical reading of the novel Things Fall Apart (1958) can provide valuable perspective for educators and students when examining socio-economic issues in  a colonial context in the ESL classroom. The main issues being analysed are how the novel reveals and explores socio-economic forms of exploitation under colonialism, and how a critical reading of the novel can be used in teaching to inform and persuade learners about social injustices. To show this, the essay examines the novel from a marxist perspective, and more specifically by drawing on the concept of primitive accumulation to understand and explain the changes brought about by the introduction of colonial rule. The changes in this context include the Igbo community's relation to land, its socio-economic and cultural aspects as well as the introduction of trade. The discussion and analysis of the novel centre on social injustices due to land expropriation, breakdown of traditional values and customs, and economic changes brought about by the arrival of Europeans in the context of colonialism. Expanding on this, the essay also reflects on the pedagogical implications of its arguments by showing how a critical reading of Things Fall Apart might provide an opportunity for teachers to underline issues of social injustice, material, and economic forms of exploitation under colonialism and beyond. This literary analysis also discusses and reflects on the practical challenges and possibilities of teaching such issues in the ESL classroom by using the concept of critical literacy.

This work examines the histories of the Latino population of Washington County, Oregon, and explores how and why ethnic Mexican and other Latino individuals and families relocated to the county. It relies heavily on oral history interviews conducted by the author with ethnic Mexican residents, and on archival newspaper sources. Beginning with the settlement of a small number of tejano families and the formation of an ethnic community in the 1960s, a number of factors encouraged an increasing number of migrant Latino families--from tejanos to Mexican nationals to Central and South Americans to indigenous migrants of various nationalities--to settle permanently in the county. This work studies how the growth and diversification of the population altered the nature of community among Latinos, how changing social conditions and the efforts of early community builders improved opportunities for new arrivals, and how continuing migration has assisted in processes of cultural replenishment.

Social capital is a property of the relations between people; it denotes resources available to people based on the trust within those relationships. Robert Putnam connected social capital to democratic performance claiming it was an agent for democracy. He equated the term with civic-ness and in so doing attributed social capital with properties that it did not have when applied when to larger, abstract, conglomerates of people such as communities and nation-states. For social capital to be relevant to democracy, it requires social trust - a trust diffused throughout society and available to all of its members. In this thesis, it is argued that social capital is not necessarily democratising as Putnam claims because trust is not automatically transitive; trust cannot be applied to one relationship because it exists in another relationship. Trust at the community level, therefore, relies on a mediating structure to facilitate social trust. Based on a case study of a dispute involving an institution created as just such a mediating structure (a Community Board in Christchurch), it is argued that political institutions can act as a mediating structure to facilitate social trust and so facilitate social capital. This, however, is possible only if the political institutions themselves are trustworthy. Trust is inhibited by political institutions and their agents when promises are broken, procedures are unfair, when trust placed in the institution is not reciprocated, or when residents are treated with disrespect. If a political institution or its agents are considered untrustworthy they are not able to facilitate social capital. The ability of a political institution to facilitate social capital also depends on the authority and resources of the institution, and the abilities, competence and ethics of the staff responsible for facilitating social capital.

Research report presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration at the University of Stellenbosch
Thesis (MBA (Graduate School of Business))--Stellenbosch University, 2011.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of the study is to investigate the feasibility and sustainability of producing biodiesel from Jatropha, which contains oil in its seeds by using the Rainbow Biotech economic intervention or also known as the Distributed Food and Fuel Plantation (DFFP) model. The DFFP model is an effective mechanism for producing food and fuel in conjunction with each other, without the biodiesel production influencing the production of food in an adverse way. This is very important, as food security is a high priority for Africa, in order to address the problem of hunger and poverty. Biodiesel produced from Jatropha is an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to fossil fuel diesel, as it is a carbon neutral fuel. Jatropha cultivation will also create much needed employment in the rural areas of Africa, which has the highest need for socio-economic development on the continent. Jatropha also has the ability to grow on marginal soils and wastelands. Africa has vast open spaces on which Jatropha, as a biodiesel source, can be cultivated without infringing on food production areas. The energy return of the whole production cycle of Jatropha biodiesel is nevertheless a source of much debate. Most stakeholders felt that the energy return is negative. No agreement has yet been reached about whether the energy content of the by-products from biodiesel must be included in the integrated energy balance equation. In order to make biodiesel from Jatropha a sustainable alternative for small farmers in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), government and regional policies will have to support it by promoting it actively. This will generate interest from global biodiesel investors who will then be willing to invest in projects based on the DFFP model of economic development. The DFFP model offers investors economic returns on investment of between 29 and 33 per cent and payback periods of less than four years. It is a very attractive economic development instrument, as it will ensure equitable and sustainable economic and rural expansion in SADC. Ultimately, this model has the potential to create a better life for all the inhabitants on the African continent. Rainbow Biotech (the DFFP model), as an economic development mechanism, will therefore indeed be the next big thing for the SADC in the future.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2011.
The purpose of the study is to investigate the feasibility and sustainability of producing biodiesel from Jatropha, which contains oil in its seeds by using the Rainbow Biotech economic intervention or also known as the Distributed Food and Fuel Plantation (DFFP) model. The DFFP model is an effective mechanism for producing food and fuel in conjunction with each other, without the biodiesel production influencing the production of food in an adverse way. This is very important, as food security is a high priority for Africa, in order to address the problem of hunger and poverty. Biodiesel produced from Jatropha is an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to fossil fuel diesel, as it is a carbon neutral fuel. Jatropha cultivation will also create much needed employment in the rural areas of Africa, which has the highest need for socio-economic development on the continent. Jatropha also has the ability to grow on marginal soils and wastelands. Africa has vast open spaces on which Jatropha, as a biodiesel source, can be cultivated without infringing on food production areas. The energy return of the whole production cycle of Jatropha biodiesel is nevertheless a source of much debate. Most stakeholders felt that the energy return is negative. No agreement has yet been reached about whether the energy content of the by-products from biodiesel must be included in the integrated energy balance equation. In order to make biodiesel from Jatropha a sustainable alternative for small farmers in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), government and regional policies will have to support it by promoting it actively. This will generate interest from global biodiesel investors who will then be willing to invest in projects based on the DFFP model of economic development. The DFFP model offers investors economic returns on investment of between 29 and 33 per cent and payback periods of less than four years. It is a very attractive economic development instrument, as it will ensure equitable and sustainable economic and rural expansion in SADC. Ultimately, this model has the potential to create a better life for all the inhabitants on the African continent. Rainbow Biotech (the DFFP model), as an economic development mechanism, will therefore indeed be the next big thing for the SADC in the future.

This item is only available in print in the UCF Libraries. If this is your Honors Thesis, you can help us make it available online for use by researchers around the world by following the instructions on the distribution consent form at http://library.ucf.edu/Systems/DigitalInitiatives/DigitalCollections/InternetDistributionConsentAgreementForm.pdf You may also contact the project coordinator, Kerri Bottorff, at kerri.bottorff@ucf.edu for more information.
Bachelors
Arts and Sciences
Sociology

There is a significant degree of controversy surrounding the transfer mission of community colleges. Specifically, many researchers have suggested that these institutions divert the educational attainments, and thus social mobility, of disadvantaged groups (Brint & Karabel, 1989; Dougherty, 1987, 1992, 1994; Karabel, 1972). Others suggest that community colleges provide disadvantaged individuals, who would have otherwise failed to consider a postsecondary education, with a viable path by which to attain a four-year degree (Cohen & Brawer, 1996; Hilmer, 1997; Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005). This study sought to determine whether the path to social mobility, via educational attainment, differed for bachelor's degree aspirants who commenced their postsecondary education at a community college, versus a four-year institution, in terms of enrollment outcomes three-years later (i.e., at a four-year institution, a selective or highly-selective four-year institution, and/or a privately-controlled four-year institution). Specifically, hierarchical logistic regression analyses were used to determine whether the effect of initial enrollment location on the odds of year-four enrollment outcomes depended on student characteristics (i.e., race/ethnicity, generational status, family income, prior academic achievements, and/or psychosocial factors) among a large representative sample of students who started their postsecondary education at either a community college or a four-year institution in the fall semester of 2003. Results suggest that student characteristics do not detrimentally modify the effect of initial community college enrollment on students' odds of later enrollment outcomes. In addition, the results suggest that after accounting for the effects of initial enrollment location and other predictors, the effect of standardized test scores appears to significantly increase the odds of being enrolled at a selective or highly selective four-year institution for students who initially matriculated to a community college rather than a four-year institution. The findings are discussed in terms of implications for consumers of higher education, vocational psychologists, as well as postsecondary institutions and educational policy.

Women still rarely choose to seek employment in advanced manufacturing. Lack of familiarity with manufacturing jobs and education programs, lack of role models, and too few experiential opportunities contribute to women not choosing manufacturing jobs as well as other jobs traditionally held by men (Reha, Lufkin, & Harrison, 2009; St. Rose & Hill, 2013; Starobin & Laanan, 2008). Nontraditional jobs for women often provide higher wages and more opportunity for advancement than traditional jobs for women. This study is a qualitative thematic narrative analysis of factors that influenced women who chose an advanced manufacturing program at a community college to enter employment in a male-dominated career sector. Intersectionality and agency were the overarching concepts used to examine how working-class women navigated the unfamiliar spaces of higher education and manufacturing. Data were collected through interviews that spanned across several years as the women in the study advanced through the community college and into the manufacturing workplace. The primary research questions included: 1) What motivated the women to begin the program and what were their doubts? 2) How did the women’s experiences in the community college and participation in an advanced manufacturing program influence their education and career choices? And, 3) What might be learned through their stories, particularly their perspectives related to identity and agency? Women reported their top reason for initially pursuing education and employment in manufacturing was the potential income and employee benefits; however, as the women progressed, they reported additional benefits that included increased confidence at work and at home. The women cited earning a college credential as the most transformative aspect of their journey and attributed unexpected personal growth and self-discovery to their college experience. Additional findings pertained to the value of the college support program, the challenges of exercising agency in a patriarchal environment, and the advantages of women’s ways of working for both the employee and the employer. The results of this study have financial implications for women, programmatic implications for colleges, workforce development implications for communities, and employee recruitment and retention implications for manufacturers.

The development of the specialty coffee industry in the United States occurred in the latter half of the twentieth century not as an independent phenomenon but rather as a result of a series of interrelated movements that began to coalesce in the late 1960s. Direct Trade, the latest development in gourmet coffee sourcing and marketing, is an amalgam of elements of an American food revolution that gained national prominence in the 1970s, the environmental movement, and movements for social justice through conscious consumption. Direct Trade coffee is differentiated in particular by roasters' rejection of the notion of coffee as a commodity in favor of recognition that coffee is a seasonal fresh produce subject to discernible differences in quality. This thesis examines Direct Trade’s popularity in Olympia, Washington, a suburban cultural center located midway between Seattle and Portland along the I-5 corridor. It seeks to explain why and how residents of the Pacific Northwest, long distinguished for their pioneering spirit, adopted Direct Trade coffee from an early stage.

Historiographical scholarship of previous presidents is never short in supply. James Earl Carter and Ronald Wilson Reagan are no exception to this assertion and have been extensively studied by historians. Similarly, the role of religion in politics in the United States is rarely neglected by historians. The role of the Religious Right in politics and the explanation for its emergence has also been well documented by academics. There is however a surprising lack of investigation into the specific issue of how Regan, the arguably less religious man, became more commonly identified with the Religious Right than Carter. Using both a mixture of primary and secondary sources this paper attempts to answer the question of why Carter's electoral success with Evangelicals was so short-lived. Utilizing remarks from the Presidents, their former advisors, debates and prominent Evangelical leaders this dissertation seeks to offer a new insight into why the support for Jimmy Carter was so ephemeral. This dissertation will offer a rather simple resolution to the complex question of why Evangelicals shifted their support to Reagan. The Religious Right were not just interested in the election of a pious President but wanted to transform the governance of a nation after two decades of growing secularism. Ultimately it appears that Carter's decision to campaign on little more than his moral image propelled him into the White House as this title of this thesis suggests because voters and most specifically Evangelicals believed,

Brownfield restoration and remediation is a growing concern across the United States. Brownfields are vacant or abandoned properties with real or perceived contamination. Successfully restoring these properties requires strong stakeholder collaboration, including the local community. The purpose of this study was to explore the complexities of creating a community garden on a residential brownfield site located in a low-income, high-minority neighborhood and to gain a better understanding of how a community based project develops and impacts individuals from the community. Specifically, the study investigated who chose to participate in the project, what motivated individuals to become involved and remain committed, and how individual's understanding of the project's risks and plans changed throughout his/her involvement. The case study followed 17 participants through the first year of the Emerson Street Garden, a brownfield restoration project in the King Neighborhood of northeast Portland, Oregon. Findings showed that individuals were attracted to different styles of outreach materials based on their own personality and preferences. The desire to improve the community was an important motivation for all the participants but personal motivation was not connected to knowledge retention. While the Emerson Working Group was successful at distributing knowledge to all its members, individual's flexibility to new ideas was critical for continued involvement in the working group. In conclusion, the study found that a "one-size-fits-all" method for engaging community members in urban restoration and renewal projects does not exist; however, there are best practices that can be applied to most situations. Implications for practice and further research are discussed.

The use of a designated driver (DD) is reportedly a successful and cost effective way to reduce the number of injuries resulting from driving under the influence of alcohol. Benefits of using a DD are that it promotes the social norm of drinking abstinence, legitimizes the non-drinking role, offers a specific and modest behavior change to avoid DUI, and encourages planning ahead in drinking situations. However, DD programs have been criticized by those who feel these programs ignore the negative implications of drinking as distinct from drinking anddriving, and may actually encourage excessive drinking among passengers. Furthermore, whether the DD actually abstains from alcohol has remained an empirical question. The current study examined the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels of male and female designated drivers and passengers of designated drivers leaving drinking establishments in a university town. A 2 (Male vs. Female) x 2 (DD vs. Non-DD) ANOVA indicated a main effect for gender, a main effect for driver type, and a significant interaction for gender and driver type. The interaction was due to a greater reduction in BACs for female than male DDs. The mean BAC for male DDs (n = 46) was .074, and the mean BAC for male non-DDs (n = 140) was .085. In contrast, the mean BAC for female DDs (n = 20) was .022, whereas the mean BAC for female non-DDs (n = 55) was .068. On average, vehicle passengers interviewed had BAC levels above the legal limit of .08 in Virginia. A direct relationship was found between the size of the social group and the probability of the group having a DD. More specifically, 79 % of groups (n = 69) with four or more drinkers had a DD, whereas only 57 % of groups (n = 184) with three or fewer drinkers had a DD. Implications for the future development of DD programs are also discussed.
Master of Science

To many people, music is just a hobby, something they listen to on the drive to work or background noise throughout their day. Maybe they will go to an occasional concert or buy a record here or there, or more likely download one off iTunes. To some though, it can mean so much more. To some people, music can be the whole basis of their social lives. Here I will show how the music scene in DeKalb, Illinois has created strong bonds, enough to be termed a community. Helped through punk ethics and a DIY (do-it yourself) mindset, the DeKalb punk scene has brought together musicians, poets, artists, fans, and others involved through zines and record labels into one community. Through the words of those directly involved in the scene, I show how they view DeKalb’s punk scene as a community. The scene has become a welcoming space, where everyone’s projects are supported, leading to a variety of experimentation. One of the interesting elements of DeKalb’s scene in relation to other punk scenes is the older age of the participants. Traditionally seen as music for teenagers, as DeKalb is a college town the main participants are in their 20s, though older members are not rare; indeed, some are even in their 40s with families and kids. An important part of creating this scene is DIY philosophy, and I examine the role that has in creating a community. Additionally, spaces for music are equally important, as I illustrate how these spaces are essential in the music scene. Finally, as DeKalb is college town with a rotating population, I investigate what the future holds for everyone involved and the town’s punk scene.

The overall purpose of this essay is to come to a deeper understanding about videos in the Youtube beauty community by using a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods. By answering the main questions of the essay which are; What quantitatively measurable components are there in the videos that can be seen as contributing factors leading to the fact that some generate more views that others?; Is there a set mold for success containing certain aspects that a video must have to stand out?; What correlations can be found between the two categories of analysis and how do these potential correlations affect the popularity of the video? and What effects do specific components on the level of popularity of the video?, we’ve been able to distinguish differences as well as similarities on both qualitative and quantitative levels. We have also seen that using the two methods together have enabled us to reach more profound results. The main result that we have found on a quantitative level is that there are obvious correlations between a high level of popularity and a good visual quality. What we have also concluded, on a qualitative level, is that it is not sufficient to simply provide this type of quality to reach a high level of popularity, the beauty guru also need a high level of commitment and a genuine desire to interact with the viewer in order to generate views.
Det övergripande syftet med uppsatsen är att genom såväl kvantitativ som kvalitativ innehållsanalys försöka skapa en djupare förståelse för vad det är i videor inom kategorin beauty community på Youtube som genererar visningar. Genom att besvara de frågeställningar som studien bottnar i; Vad finns det för kvantitativt mätbara komponenter i videorna som kan ses som bidragande faktorer till att vissa får fler visningarna än andra?; Finns det en mall för framgång där vissa komponenter måste ingå för att en video ska kunna sticka ut från mängden?; Vilka samband kan urskiljas mellan de två analyskategorierna och hur påverkar de eventuella sambanden populariteten? samt Hur kan specifika komponenter påverka populariteten?, har vi lyckats urskilja både skillnader och likheter på såväl kvantitativ som kvalitativ nivå. Vi har även sett att de två metoderna har kompletterat varandra väl och lett till ett mer djupgående resultat. Det övergripande resultat vi har kommit fram till på kvantitativ nivå är att det finns tydliga samband mellan popularitet och god visuell kvalitet i videorna. Vidare har vi även, på kvalitativ nivå, kunnat konstatera att det inte enbart är tillräckligt med denna typ av kvalitet utan det krävs att den är kombinerad med hög engagemangsnivå och en önskan att interagera med tittaren från beauty guruns sida för att videon ska generera visningar.

This thesis uses an historical lens to understand the political development of desegregation law since Brown, which demonstrates that local policies are produced by Supreme Court precedent. However, school districts and community members also create conditions in which the Supreme Court rules on integration law. Examining the history of segregation in Seattle and the efforts of integration (or efforts against it) illuminates the trajectory of civil rights. Claims once used to integrate black school children became a defense for white children to attend, inevitably, white neighborhood schools, due to the lingering effects of housing segregation. Seattle’s desegregation policies depended upon the city’s local conditions and the Board’s strategy reflected national trends dictated by the Supreme Court’s decisions. In turn, Seattle’s local policies affected the Supreme Court’s decision regarding school integration in 2007. The local conditions surrounding many of Seattle parents’ fight against mandatory school assignment plans based on race in 2007 could not have been accomplished without the historical precedent against busing established by liberal, anti-busing groups during the 1970s and 1980s.

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore the overall lived experiences of DACAmented Latina/o students enrolled within the California Community College system. Adding to the limited research on the undocumented student population, specifically those who are Deferred Action recipients, findings highlight the experiences of students who have persisted in higher education by drawing on their cultural wealth to pursue their dreams and aspirations regardless of their status. From the voices of 10 students three themes emerged, (a) coming of age as undocumented, (b) navigating higher education, and (c) the impact of DACA. These three themes will demonstrate how this population makes sense of their status and navigates higher education within a time of constant change and uncertainty in our country at both the federal and state level. This study adds to the research on DACAmented Latina/o community college students, offers recommendations for practice and state and federal policy are also discussed.

With the first of the 77 million (www.census.gov) Baby Boomers turning 60 this year, the impact on retirement and retirement communities has suddenly become a vital and pressing issue. The massive numbers of Baby Boomer cohorts have amplified and intensified the importance of whatever experiences they've had at each new moment in their lives. When they reach any stage of life, the issues that concern them — whether financial, interpersonal, or even hormonal — become the dominant social political, and marketplace themes at the time. (www.agewave.com 2006) Retirement will be no different. Using this understanding of the Baby Boomer generation, this study examined their impact on retirement community design.Data specific to Baby Boomer retirement preferences was analyzed, an expert in the field of gerontology at Ball State University was interviewed, research was completed in retirement community design and age related health concerns, and case studies in a range of established retirement communities in southwest Florida were visited, all in an effort to determine what the current trends are in the retirement community market today and how Boomers would effect them.Research showed that Boomers want to pursue new and exciting experiences in their retirement years. They are not willing to settle for a retirement tucked out of the way, out of sight out of mind. They want to be in the middle of activity and enjoyment. They are looking to make a difference and have an impact in this next phase of life.The result of these endeavors is a conceptual design for an active adult retirement community, in northeast Lee County Florida, that will attract Baby Boomers by appealing to their sense of fun, their sense of purpose and their social and environmental conscience.
Department of Landscape Architecture

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2009.
Title from electronic title page (viewed Jun. 26, 2009). "... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of History." Discipline: History; Department/School: History.

Educators can connect life to learning to transform the classroom experience using contextual teaching and learning strategies and assignments such as open educational resources, service learning projects, active learning labs, practical technological applications, and collaborative assignments.

Abstract The main aim of this study is to provide an exploration on criticisms and justifications of South Africa’s Leadership Style within the SADC region with hope of filling some of the literature gaps in the subject under enquiry. The identified research problem is due to the agreements and disagreements in the existing literature on whether South Africa is a hegemon, pivot or self-appointed leader in Southern Africa and Africa at large. The literature does not appear to take into consideration the constraints presented by the principle of sovereign equality of states provided for in the 1992 SADC Treaty when criticising South Africa for not acting decisively on countries that violate the human rights. The other problem is due to the quandary that SA finds itself in on whether to apply its perceived hegemonic authority in providing decisive leadership to the SADC region or to maintain the stand of being the first amongst equals. The judgemental or purposeful sampling of literature was applied because the primary and secondary sources provided the reliable information to achieve the objectives of the study. Data collection techniques that the researcher relied on included the South African National Development Plan, 1992 SADC Treaty, document and desktop analysis. Data was analysed to determine if the criticism of South Africa’s style of leadership in the Southern African development Community is justified. South Africa was, until August 2019, a member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Troika of the Summit and its joint leadership role is critical for political stability, regional economic integration and investments in SADC. The study explored how South Africa’s leadership style would be compromised if it is not in the SADC Double Troika, hence the need to lobby to become a permanent member of SADC Double Troika. If successful, this would close the existing gab in the country’s leadership agenda. The country applies quiet diplomacy in its engagement with SADC member states. However, there is a gap because it has not been firm enough when engaging the region on matters of good governance. South Africa’s ability to act decisively on human rights violations in the region is constrained by the principle of sovereignty equality of states, which is enshrined in the SADC Protocol of 1992. The economic strength of South Africa in Southern Africa is indisputable. Regional, continental and global interests lie at the heart of South Africa’s foreign policy. This research investigated South Africa’s prospects as the most qualified State to lead the regional integration processes in Southern Africa. It was established that South Africa has the most diversified economy in the region and therefore critical to drive SADC’s developmental regionalism. This is primarily due to its soft power, advanced infrastructural development, superior economic strength and mediation/facilitation capabilities. It is prudent for South Africa to find some ways of becoming a permanent member of the SADC Double Troika of the Organ (either in the SADC Troika or SADC Organ Troika) so that it could exercise its leadership collectively with other Troika members.
Mini Dissertation (MDIPS)--University of Pretoria, 2019.
South African Government
Political Sciences
MDIPS
Unrestricted

The IoT refers to the idea of internetworking physical devices, vehicles, buildings, and any other item embedded with the appropriate electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity to allows them to interchange data and to provide highly effective new services. In this thesis we focus on the communications issues of the IoT in relation to mobility and we provide different solutions to alleviate the impact of these potential problems and to guarantee the information delivery in mobile scenarios. Our reference context is a Smart City where various mobile devices collaboratively participate, periodically sending information from their sensors. We assume that these services are located in platforms based in cloud infrastructures where the information is protected through the use of virtualisation ensuring their security and privacy. This thesis is structured into seven chapters. We first detail our objectives and identify the current problems we intend to address. Next, we provide a thorough review of the state of the art of all the areas involved in our work, highlighting how we improved the existing solutions with our research. The overall approach of the solutions we propose in this thesis use prototypes that encompasses and integrates different technologies and standards in a small infrastructure, using real devices in real scenarios with two of the most commonly used networks around the world: WiFi and 802.15.4 to efficiently solve the problems we originally identified. We focussed on protocols based on a producer/consumer paradigm, namely AMQP and particularly MQTT. We observed the behaviour of these protocols using in lab experiments and in external environments, using a mesh wireless network as the backbone network. Various issues raised by mobility were taken into consideration, and thus, we repeated the tests with different messages sizes and different inter-message periodicity, in order to model different possible applications. We also present a model for dimensioning the number of sources for mobile nodes and calculating the number of buffers required in the mobile node as a function of the number of sources and the size of the messages. We included a mechanism for avoiding data loss based on intermediate buffering adapted to the MQTT protocol that, in conjunction with the use of an alternative to the Network Manager in certain contexts, improves the connection establishment for wireless mobile clients. We also performed a detailed study of the jitter behaviour of a mobile node when transmitting messages with this proposal while moving through a real outdoor scenario. To emulate simple IoT networks we used the Cooja simulator to study and determine the effects on the probability of delivering messages when both publishers and subscribers were added to different scenarios. Finally we present an approach that combines the MQTT protocol with DTN which we specifically designed for constrained environments and guarantees that important information will never be lost. The advantage of our proposed solutions is that they make an IoT system more resilient to changes in the point of attachment of the mobile devices in an IoT network without requiring IoT application & service developers to explicitly consider this issue. Moreover, our solutions do not require additional support from the network through protocols such as MobileIP or LISP. We close the thesis by providing some conclusions, and identifying future lines of work which we unable to address here.
Internet de las cosas (IoT) se refiere a la idea de interconectar sensores, actuadores, dispositivos físicos, vehículos, edificios y cualquier elemento dotado de la electrónica, así como del software y de la conectividad de red que los hace capaces de intercambiar datos para proporcionar servicios altamente efectivos. En esta tesis nos centramos en temas relacionados con la comunicación de sistemas IoT, específicamente en situaciones de movilidad y en los problemas que esto conlleva. Con este fin ofrecemos diferentes soluciones que alivian su impacto y garantizan la entrega de información en estas situaciones. El contexto de referencia es una ciudad inteligente donde varios dispositivos móviles participan de forma colaborativa enviando periódicamente información desde sus sensores hacia servicios ubicados en plataformas en la nube (cloud computing) donde mediante el uso de virtualización, la información está protegida garantizando su seguridad y privacidad. Las soluciones propuestas en esta tesis se enfocan en probar sobre una pequeña infraestructura un prototipo que abarca e integra diferentes tecnologías y estándares para resolver eficientemente los problemas previamente identificados. Hemos enfocado nuestro esfuerzo en el uso de dispositivos sobre escenarios reales con dos de las redes más extendidas en todo el mundo: WiFi y enlaces 802.15.4. Nos enfocamos en protocolos que ofrecen el paradigma productor/consumidor como el protocolo avanzado de colas de mensajes (AMQP) y particularmente el protocolo de transporte de mensajes telemétricos (MQTT), observamos su comportamiento a través de experimentos en laboratorio y en pruebas al aire libre, repitiendo las pruebas con diferentes tamaños de mensajes y diferente periodicidad entre mensajes. Para modelar las diferentes posibles aplicaciones de la propuesta, se tomaron en consideración varias cuestiones planteadas por la movilidad, resultando en un modelo para dimensionar eficientemente el número de fuentes para un nodo móvil y para calcular el tamaño requerido del buffer, en función del número de fuentes y del tamaño de los mensajes. Proponemos un mecanismo adaptado al protocolo MQTT que evita la pérdida de datos en clientes móviles, basado en un buffer intermedio entre la producción y publicación de mensajes que, en conjunto con el uso de una alternativa al gestor de conexiones inalámbricas "Network Manager", en ciertos contextos mejora el establecimiento de las conexiones. Para la evaluación de esta propuesta se presenta un estudio detallado de un nodo móvil que se mueve en un escenario real al aire libre, donde estudiamos el comportamiento del jitter y la transmisión de mensajes. Además, hemos utilizado emuladores de redes IoT para estudiar y determinar los efectos sobre la probabilidad de entrega de mensajes, cuando se agregan tanto publicadores como suscriptores a diferentes escenarios. Finalmente, se presenta una solución totalmente orientada a entornos con dispositivos de recursos limitados que combina los protocolos MQTT con redes tolerantes a retardos (DTN) para garantizar la entrega de información. La ventaja de las soluciones que proponemos reside en el hecho de que los sistemas IoT se vuelven resilientes a la movilidad y a los cambios de punto de acceso, permitiendo así que los desarrolladores creen fácilmente aplicaciones y servicios IoT evitando considerar estos problema. Otra ventaja de nuestras soluciones es que no necesitan soporte adicional de la red como sucede con protocolos como MobileIP o el protocolo que separa el identificador del localizador (LISP). Se destaca cómo hemos mejorado las soluciones existentes hasta el momento de la escritura de esta disertación, y se identifican futuras líneas de actuación que no han sido contempladas.
Internet de les coses (IoT) es refereix a la idea d'interconnectar sensors, actuadors, dispositius físics, vehicles, edificis i qualsevol element dotat de l'electrònica, així com del programari i de la connectivitat de xarxa que els fa capaces d'intercanviar dades per proporcionar serveis altament efectius. En aquesta tesi ens centrem en temes relacionats amb la comunicació de sistemes IoT, específicament en situacions de mobilitat i en els problemes que això comporta. A aquest efecte oferim diferents solucions que alleugeren el seu impacte i garanteixen el lliurament d'informació en aquestes situacions. El context de referència és una ciutat intel·ligent on diversos dispositius mòbils participen de forma col·laborativa enviant periòdicament informació des dels seus sensors cap a serveis situats en plataformes en el núvol (cloud computing) on mitjançant l'ús de virtualització, la informació està protegida garantint la seva seguretat i privadesa. Les solucions proposades en aquesta tesi s'enfoquen a provar sobre una xicoteta infraestructura un prototip que abasta i integra diferents tecnologies i estàndards per a resoldre eficientment els problemes prèviament identificats. Hem enfocat el nostre esforç en l'ús de dispositius sobre escenaris reals amb dos de les xarxes més esteses a tot el món: WiFi i enllaços 802.15.4. Ens enfoquem en protocols que ofereixen el paradigma productor/consumidor com el protocol avançat de cues de missatges (AMQP) i particularment el protocol de transport de missatges telemètrics (MQTT), observem el seu comportament a través d'experiments en laboratori i en proves a l'aire lliure, repetint les proves amb diferents grandàries de missatges i diferent periodicitat entre missatges. Per a modelar les diferents possibles aplicacions de la proposta, es van prendre en consideració diverses qüestions plantejades per la mobilitat, resultant en un model per a dimensionar eficientment el nombre de fonts per a un node mòbil i per a calcular la grandària requerida del buffer, en funció del nombre de fonts i de la grandària dels missatges. Proposem un mecanisme adaptat al protocol MQTT que evita la pèrdua de dades per a clients mòbils, basat en un buffer intermedi entre la producció i publicació de missatges que en conjunt amb l'ús d'una alternativa al gestor de connexions sense fils "Network Manager'', en certs contextos millora l'establiment de les connexions. Per a l'avaluació d'aquesta proposta es presenta un estudi detallat d'un node mòbil que es mou en un escenari real a l'aire lliure, on estudiem el comportament del jitter i la transmissió de missatges. A més, hem utilitzat emuladors de xarxes IoT per a estudiar i determinar els efectes sobre la probabilitat de lliurament de missatges, quan s'agreguen tant publicadors com subscriptors a diferents escenaris. Finalment, es presenta una solució totalment orientada a entorns amb dispositius de recursos limitats que combina els protocols MQTT amb xarxes tolerants a retards (DTN) per a garantir el lliurament d'informació. L'avantatge de les solucions que proposem resideix en el fet que els sistemes IoT es tornen resilients a la mobilitat i als canvis de punt d'accés, permetent així que els desenvolupadors creuen fàcilment aplicacions i serveis IoT evitant considerar aquests problema. Un altre avantatge de les nostres solucions és que no necessiten suport addicional de la xarxa com succeeix amb protocols com MobileIP o el protocol que separa l'identificador del localitzador (LISP). Es destaca com hem millorat les solucions existents fins al moment de l'escriptura d'aquesta dissertació, i s'identifican futures línies d'actuació que no han sigut contemplades.
Luzuriaga Quichimbo, JE. (2017). Managing Mobility for Distributed Smart Cities Services [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/84744
TESIS

Historically, Appalachia has been stereotyped as being a culture bred in poverty and ignorance. Much research has shown that stereotyping reveals a pattern of behavioral change and an impact on psychological well-being for the stereotyped (e.g., Pinel, 1999; Woodcock, Jernandez, Estrada, & Schultz, 2012), and has largely been centered on race and gender (e.g., Byrnes, 2008; Tuckman & Monetti, 2011). Less is known about the development of culture-specific stereotypes such as those related to Appalachians – a highly stigmatized group (Daniels, 2014; Otto, 2002). The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of how adolescents in rural Appalachia develop awareness of stereotypes about Appalachia. Stratified random sampling was used to select twelve students (Grades 6-12) belonging to a small school district located in the Appalachian region of eastern Kentucky who were invited to participate in individual interviews. Eight of the participants self-identified as Appalachian, but for distinct reasons. Students characterized Appalachia for its strong sense of community, accessibility to nature, and lack of opportunities. All students readily identified negative Appalachian stereotypes, but most, particularly older students, were quick to defend the integrity of their culture and community. When discussing cultural stereotypes, the richness of student responses varied by grade-level.

Aus der Einführung: "Das Phänomen „virtuelle Organisation“ ((VO), auch virtuelles Unternehmen oder virtualisierte Organisation genannt) ist seit geraumer Zeit Gegenstand wissenschaftlicher Forschung und Veröffentlichungen. Mit dem Konzept der VO werden die Vorstellungen von sich schnell konfigurierenden Einheiten verbunden, die sich spontan zusammenschließen und äußerst flexibel auf sich verändernde Umweltbedingungen reagieren können. Darüber hinaus wird vermutet, dass die beteiligten Akteure sich mit ihren Kernkompetenzen einbringen, es also zu einer „Breed of Best“ (vgl. (Mertens/Faisst 1996) kommt. Es wird aufgrund dieser postulierten Eigenschaften angenommen, dass VOs das Potential besitzen, sehr kundenorientiert und wettbewerbsfähig zu sein, da sie ihre Produkte individuell auf den Kunden ausrichten können bzw. auf inhaltliche Anforderungen der Kunden schnell und anpassungsfähig durch die Aufnahme weiterer Partner in die VO reagieren können. Insgesamt können sie sehr flexibel auf Kundenbedürfnisse reagieren und hochkomplexe Leistungen erbringen. Der Organisationsform VO wird zugestanden, für die Anforderungen der Zukunft gut gewappnet zu sein; Beispiele für VOs werden vorwiegend in den High-Tech- oder serviceorientierten "Zukunftsbranchen" (wie z. B. Multimedia) angetroffen (Reiß 1996). Bisher fehlen umfassende empirische Untersuchungen der Organisationsform VO, die belegen könnten, dass die o. g. Potentiale auch umgesetzt werden. Die Frage, ob und wann VOs wirklich als effektiv und effizient bezeichnet werden können, ist noch nicht hinreichend erörtert worden. Erste Befunde aus der Praxis liefern Anhaltspunkte dafür, dass die VO nur eine Station auf dem Entwicklungsweg der Organisationen sind (Weigle/Krcmar 2000)."

This thesis examines perspectives of the two influential U.S. think tanks, the Brookings Institution and the Council on Foreign Relations, on Turkish foreign policy under the leadership of the Justice and Development Party (JDP) from 2002 to 2010. It attempts to analyze the perceptions of the noted institutions about the JDP&rsquo
s foreign policy by referencing their reports, articles, interviews and seminars. The study had four aims. First, it aims to analyze the JDP&rsquo
s foreign policy in the eyes of the two think tanks. Second, it shows the objective of the two institutions for shaping the framework of the discussions on the United States-Turkey relations and Turkish foreign policy by emphasizing the epistemic community. Third, this thesis intends to clarify divergences and convergences in the perceptions of the two think tanks. Fourth, it indicates the continuity, change and rupture in the JDP&rsquo
s foreign policy choices from the viewpoint of the Brookings Institution and the Council on Foreign Relations. Consequently, the thesis states that &ldquo
the given framework&rdquo
in the relations between the United States and Turkey has been largely determined by the U.S.&rsquo
activities.

Aus der Einführung: "Das Phänomen „virtuelle Organisation“ ((VO), auch virtuelles Unternehmen oder virtualisierte Organisation genannt) ist seit geraumer Zeit Gegenstand wissenschaftlicher Forschung und Veröffentlichungen. Mit dem Konzept der VO werden die Vorstellungen von sich schnell konfigurierenden Einheiten verbunden, die sich spontan zusammenschließen und äußerst flexibel auf sich verändernde Umweltbedingungen reagieren können. Darüber hinaus wird vermutet, dass die beteiligten Akteure sich mit ihren Kernkompetenzen einbringen, es also zu einer „Breed of Best“ (vgl. (Mertens/Faisst 1996) kommt. Es wird aufgrund dieser postulierten Eigenschaften angenommen, dass VOs das Potential besitzen, sehr kundenorientiert und wettbewerbsfähig zu sein, da sie ihre Produkte individuell auf den Kunden ausrichten können bzw. auf inhaltliche Anforderungen der Kunden schnell und anpassungsfähig durch die Aufnahme weiterer Partner in die VO reagieren können. Insgesamt können sie sehr flexibel auf Kundenbedürfnisse reagieren und hochkomplexe Leistungen erbringen. Der Organisationsform VO wird zugestanden, für die Anforderungen der Zukunft gut gewappnet zu sein; Beispiele für VOs werden vorwiegend in den High-Tech- oder serviceorientierten "Zukunftsbranchen" (wie z. B. Multimedia) angetroffen (Reiß 1996). Bisher fehlen umfassende empirische Untersuchungen der Organisationsform VO, die belegen könnten, dass die o. g. Potentiale auch umgesetzt werden. Die Frage, ob und wann VOs wirklich als effektiv und effizient bezeichnet werden können, ist noch nicht hinreichend erörtert worden. Erste Befunde aus der Praxis liefern Anhaltspunkte dafür, dass die VO nur eine Station auf dem Entwicklungsweg der Organisationen sind (Weigle/Krcmar 2000)."

It was hypothesised that previous experience of working with issues concerning sexuality and clients with learning disabilities, knowledge, and overall experience of working with the client group would influence decisions professional staff made concerning sexuality and risk. A questionnaire was devised comprising the following four sections: 1. Demographic details. 2. Changes in levels of promotion / protection of clients since qualifying in a profession. 3. Knowledge questions concerning issues of sexuality. 4. Scenario based questions relating to sexuality and relationship issues- The questionnaires were completed by 78 professional members of community learning disability teams. A significant positive correlation was found between knowledge scores and scenarios cores, indicating that the more knowledgeable the individual is the more protective they are of clients. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was found between the amount of experience dealing specifically with sexual relationships and knowledge scores. A significant negative correlation was found between the amount of experience gained in dealing with clients experiencing heterosexual relationships and the score gained in the scenario concerning that issue. A significant negative correlation was also found between the amount of experience gained in dealing with sexual health issues and the score in the relevant scenario. This indicates that the more experience the participant has in dealing with heterosexual relationships and issues around sexually transmitted diseases, the more promoting they are when assessing the risks in a related scenario. A polarisation of views was noted in the scoring of some of the scenarios. The clinical implications are discussed as well as possible improvements in questionnaire design. Suggestions are made concerning directions for future research.

Hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) often reside in sediments sorbed to particles, most tightly to particles with high content of organic carbon. If persistent, such pollutants can accumulate in the sediment for many years and constitute a contamination risk for sediment-living organisms and organisms at higher trophic levels, including humans. Since traditional remediation techniques are associated with complications (e.g. release of contaminants during dredging operations, disturbance of benthic faunal communities), or constraints (handling of large amounts of contaminated sediment and water, limitations due to depth and size of the area, high costs), there is a need for new alternative methods. In situ remediation through thin-layer capping (a few centimeter cover) with a sorbing material such as activated carbon (AC) has been proposed as an alternative remediation method. Compared to traditional remediation techniques, AC amendment in a thin layer means less material handling and lower costs and is assumed to be less disruptive to benthic communities. The objectives of this thesis were to investigate the ecological effects from thin layer capping as well as the efficiency in contaminant retention. Thin layer capping amended with AC proved to reduce availability of HOCs to the tested organisms, the gastropod Nassarius nitidus (Paper II), the clam Abra nitida (Paper III) and to polychaete worms  (Paper II and III). The remediation technique also decreased the sediment-to-water fluxes of the contaminants (Paper II and III). However, AC amended thin-layer capping was also found to cause negative biological effects. In laboratory studies with only a few species the negative effects were minor, or difficult to discern with the endpoints used (Paper II and III). In a larger multi-species mesocosm (boxcore) study, on the other hand, the negative effects were more prominent (Paper I) and in a large scale field study the benthic community was found to be profoundly disturbed by the AC amendment, with the effects persisting or even worsening ca one year (14 months) post amendment (Paper IV).

At the time of the doctoral defence the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 3: Manuscript; Paper 4: Manuscript.

Carbocap
Opticap
Thinc

All meaningful communication is a form of storytelling, according to Walter Fisher, who introduced the narrative paradigm to communication theory, and storytelling is universal across cultures and time as the manner in which people comprehend life. Storytelling is also a creative form of art. This interdisciplinary, multimedia work will explore the creative use of non-traditional storytelling to gather information about how creativity evolves in people with Alzheimer's and dementia and why this is important to both academia and the community. Currently, there is a lot of research available about the debilitating affects of memory loss, but there is very little research available about retained abilities. Perhaps, just as the blind significantly outperform the sighted in tactile experiments, there are some forms of creativity in storytelling in which people with Alzheimer's and dementia may demonstrate more ability than their fully cognizant peers. My goal is to contribute to a small but growing effort to explore "memory loss as (...) more than just memory loss" (Dr. Anne Bastings).
B.A.
Bachelors
Arts and Humanities
English; Creative Writing

This is a qualitative and context-specific study into the meaning and value attributed by older people to learning a foreign language in their own time and for reasons mainly unconnected to attainment and qualifications. There appear to be two common misconceptions of the British as language learners. The first is that they are ‘language barbarians’ (Tomlinson, 2004), ever ready to rely on the global dominance of English as a lingua franca and unwilling to learn other languages. The second is that learning a language voluntarily and for leisure purposes (‘leisure language learning’) is regarded as essentially frivolous and of little value. Equally much scholarly research, especially concerning second language acquisition (SLA), implies that language learning is a relatively unsuccessful and difficult endeavour for adults. This study challenges these views. Far from being reluctant ‘language barbarians’, who find learning another language onerous and unrewarding, the findings suggest otherwise. The older (aged 45+) adult learners in this enquiry are not only resoundingly positive about ‘leisure language learning’ but they derive significant benefits in many areas of their lives from learning, of their own volition, and seemingly against the odds. These benefits include but extend beyond functional transactions, such as ordering food when abroad. Participants’ perceptions of the personal value of ‘leisure language learning’ include its role in providing and facilitating: mental stimulus and wellbeing; improved communication; fewer risks when travelling; a repositioning of the self; a purposeful pastime; cultural enrichment; awareness of the ‘other’, as well as the various benefits of social interaction. Wider advantages for society in general are also implied. Empirical data were collected by means of in-depth, conversational interviews, exploring participants’ personal histories of encounters with and learning foreign languages. A hermeneutic ‘fusion of horizons’ (Gadamer, 2001) has then allowed for a more comprehensive and multi-faceted interpretation and understanding of the experience of adult ‘leisure language learning’ in community settings. The resulting text describes the nature and essence of the phenomenon of ‘leisure language learning’ embracing its meaning for, and impact upon, older adults. This incorporates a way of thinking regarding language pedagogy which goes beyond the usual ‘commonplaces’ and ‘discourses of performance, competency and skills’ (Phipps, 2007:2), common to much SLA and linguistic research. At the same time a deeper appreciation of the adult language learning experience is more likely to engender a ‘tactful’ and ‘action-sensitive pedagogy’ (van Manen, 1997:168-169): responsive to learners’ expectations and motivation, and taking their backgrounds and routes to learning into account.