Hard Copy versus #Hashtag: Examining the Channels of Terrorist Propaganda

In recent years, terrorism and radicalization has been a consistent issue that many countries have faced. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has been the most recent in a long trail of organizations that have sought to strike terror against the western world. However, ISIS is distinguished from other groups, like Al-Qaeda, in that ISIS supports a complex propaganda machine. Although ISIS is not the first organization to use the social media platform, they are the first to use it with such diversity. The two main channels that ISIS uses to spread their propaganda messages are through social media sites such as Twitter and through online journals such as the Dabiq. Recent research has attempted to determine how recruitment messages are being received and which messages trigger recruitment. It is the goal of this paper to determine which messages are salient, and the psychological constructs that support them. By coding messages for appeals to identity, need for cognitive closure, time pressure, and appeals to ideology, the researchers expect that the two main channels of ISIS propaganda differ in their messages. We hypothesize that Twitter messages will be targeted towards novice ISIS sympathizers, whereas the Dabiq will be focused on already-radicalized individuals who have moved past the introduction of the radical ideology

EEG Study of Simple Problem Solving

This study was conducted in order to replicate the findings of Earle (1985) in a modern-day setting. Earle (1985) supported that different hemispheres aid in problem solving depending on problem difficulty. These findings were evident by a change in lateral hemispheric inhibition while participants solved “medium” difficulty math problems. Participants were asked to solve multiplication problems in their heads, without the help of a pen, paper, or a calculator. Electroencephalogram (EEG) data was recorded over the Parietal and Temporal lobe during a resting state and while participants solved math problems of “easy”, “intermediate”, and “hard” conditions. Data was recorded from two matching base pairs across the cortex in order to measure changes in the alpha frequency across the two hemispheres. This study was unable to replicate the findings from Earle (1985), but provides information regarding factors to consider when measuring the alpha band with an EEG

On the Formalisation of the Metatheory of the Lambda Calculus and Languages with Binders

Este trabajo trata sobre el razonamiento formal veri cado por computadora involucrando lenguajes con operadores de ligadura. Comenzamos presentando el Cálculo Lambda, para el cual utilizamos la sintaxis histórica, esto es, sintaxis de primer orden con sólo un tipo de nombres para las variables ligadas y libres. Primeramente trabajamos con términos concretos, utilizando la operación de sustitución múltiple de nida por Stoughton como la operación fundamental sobre la cual se de nen las conversiones alfa y beta. Utilizando esta sintaxis desarrollamos los principales resultados metateóricos del cálculo: los lemas de sustitución, el teorema de Church-Rosser y el teorema de preservación de tipo (Subject Reduction) para el sistema de asignación de tipos simples. En una segunda formalización reproducimos los mismos resultados, esta vez basando la conversion alfa sobre una operación más sencilla, que es la de permutación de nombres. Utilizando este mecanismo, derivamos principios de inducción y recursión que permiten trabajar identificando términos alfa equivalentes, de modo tal de reproducir la llamada convención de variables de Barendregt. De este modo, podemos imitar las demostraciones al estilo lápiz y papel dentro del riguroso entorno formal de un asistente de demostración. Como una generalización de este último enfoque, concluimos utilizando técnicas de programación genérica para definir una base para razonar sobre estructuras genéricas con operadores de ligadura. Definimos un universo de tipos de datos regulares con información de variables y operadores de ligadura, y sobre éstos definimos operadores genéricos de formación, eliminación e inducción. También introducimos una relación de alfa equivalencia basada en la operación de permutación y derivamos un principio de iteración/inducción que captura la convención de variables anteriormente mencionada. A modo de ejemplo, mostramos cómo definir el Cálculo Lambda y el sistema F en nuestro universo, ilustrando no sólo la reutilización de las pruebas genéricas, sino también cuán sencillo es el desarrollo de nuevas pruebas en estos casos. Todas las formalizaciones de esta tesis fueron realizadas en Teoría Constructiva de Tipos y verificadas utilizando el asistente de pruebas AgdaThis work is about formal, machine-checked reasoning on languages with name binders. We start by considering the ʎ-calculus using the historical ( rst order) syntax with only one sort of names for both bound and free variables. We rst work on the concrete terms taking Stoughton's multiple substitution operation as the fundamental operation upon which the ά and ß-conversion are de ned. Using this syntax we reach well-known meta-theoretical results, namely the Substitution lemmas, the Church-Rosser theorem and the Subject Reduction theorem for the system of assignment of simple types. In a second formalisation we reproduce the same results, this time using an approach in which -conversion is de ned using the simpler operation of name permutation. Using this we derive induction and recursion principles that allow us to work by identifying terms up to -conversion and to reproduce the so-called Barendregt's variable convention [4]. Thus, we are able to mimic pencil and paper proofs inside the rigorous formal setting of a proof assistant. As a generalisation of the latter, we conclude by using generic programming techniques to de ne a framework for reasoning over generic structures with binders. We de ne a universe of regular datatypes with variables and binders information, and over these we de ne generic formation, elimination, and induction operations. We also introduce an ά equivalence relation based on the swapping operation, and are able to derive an -iteration/induction principle that captures Barendregt's variable convention. As an example, we show how to de ne the ʎ calculus and System F in our universe, and thereby we are able to illustrate not only the reuse of the generic proofs but also how simple the development of new proofs becomes in these instances. All formalisations in this thesis have been made in Constructive Type Theory and completely checked using the Agda proof assistan

El esquema como estrategia de comunicación visual

Fil: Copello, María Belén. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Artes y Diseñ

El método iconográfico como herramienta en la medición de la calidad en afiches callejeros de propaganda y/o culturales : iconografía en el análisis de los afiches del grupo GRAPO. Tercera parte

Con los objetivos de aportar a la Teoría del Diseño Gráfico y optimizar su práctica profesional a través de la obtención de una metodología de evaluación que mida la calidad de afiches callejeros de propaganda y/o culturales; el proyecto de investigación Imagen & Conducta 2 analizó cuantitativa y cualitativamente los niveles funcionales, operativos, contextuales y los efectos sobre el público receptor, en diversos productos gráficos, entre ellos, las series de afiches del grupo GRAPO. El novedoso método iconográfico de observación, información y comunicación empleado en el análisis de dichos afiches, complementó la información obtenida con el tradicional análisis cuantitativo.Fil: Copello, María Belén. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Artes y Diseñ

“Thinking and speaking for ourselves”: the development of shack dwellers’ political voice in the age of ICTs

A prevailing urban phenomenon of the 21st century is that more people than ever before are living in informal settlements. As residents of informal settlements, the majority of shack dwellers can be considered socially, economically and politically marginalised citizens. The combination of poverty, marginalisation, and precarious living conditions has in many cases given rise to a vicious cycle. In this cycle, shack dwellers lack an effective voice and are unable to participate in political decision-making processes that affect their lives, leading to deepening deprivation and marginalisation. To break this cycle, the development of a genuine political voice of shack dwellers is essential. However, the process of developing a political voice in shack dwellers has only received scant academic attention and is poorly understood. One aspect of this process is the role of information communication technologies (ICTs) in enabling political voice. This has received some attention and has become a salient topic in academic study and development policy. Despite growing adoption of certain ICT tools by marginalised individuals, there is little evidence of their meaningful use for political voice. Access to ICTs is not the same as meaningful use of ICTs for political voice. Only a few studies have examined the issue of meaningful use of ICTs for political voice. This dissertation explores the factors influencing the processes by which marginalised individuals are able to develop a political voice, with a particular focus on the role of two increasingly ubiquitous ICTs – mobile phones and internet. A qualitative case study of a shack dweller grassroots organisation in South Africa (Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM)) is used to explore different types of political voice. The case study looks at the circumstances under which members of AbM are able to develop individual and collective forms of political expression, and the role that the use of ICTs play in this development. Data collected from semi-structured interviews and participant observation for this study suggests that, individual differences in combination with entrenched traditions and social structures based on patronage may undermine the development and or expression of political voice. However, active engagement in a grassroots organisation was found to be useful to overcome these limitations and for some individuals to develop their political voices. AbM members were able to engage in collective processes which led to the development of social bonds, trust, self-confidence, and critical reflection. Both the internet and mobile phones were found to play an important role in the development of political voice of AbM members. However, interaction between the use of ICTs and the development of a political voice is complex. In many instances the technology has enabled mobilization, as well as given individuals a feeling of security. Where this has happened, the appropriation and re-purposing of ICTs to fit the needs of AbM members has come about as a result of attaching meaning to these technologies, which did not exist before AbM. ICTs can facilitate the development of political voice, in particular by facilitating collective processes (e.g. mobilization), channelling support and trust, as well as raising self-confidence. Yet, as the case of AbM demonstrates, ICTs have not operated as a political equalizer within AbM. The use of ICTs for political voice might have even created new barriers for the development of political voice of some members. This dissertation brings together disparate stands of literature dealing with ICTs, political voice, social movements, empowerment, community psychology, and participation to conceptualise the development of a political voice. Moreover, a framework is devised to analyse the nature and the process of this development in marginalised individuals, as well as the role played by ICTs in this process. This dissertation aims to bring an understanding of the complex relationship between ICTs and political voice of marginalised individuals. An understanding of the process can provide important inputs to devise more effective design and implementation of policies and projects aimed at increasing political participation of an ever-growing population of disenfranchised and marginalised people living in informal settlements

Práctica docente extramuros universitarios: medios digitales facilitando el proceso reflexivo- dialógico

It is analyzed a teaching practice which proposes training for teaching at a university level to broaden process related to university life and to interact and commit to the social environment. It is a collaborative and mutually enriching relation. Under a dialectical point of view, university knowledge is shared and discussed beyond its walls; at the same time, community has a wealth of everyday knowledge which is essential to complex and enrich academic knowledge. Non-formal Educational Projects and ICT support to carry them out and to discuss them in reflective and dialogical way are discussed.Se analiza una práctica docente que propone la formación para la docencia universitaria para ampliar los procesos que incumben a la vida universitaria y que interacciona y se compromete con el medio social. Es una relación colaborativa y mutuamente enriquecedora. Visto dialécticamente, los saberes universitarios son compartidos y discutidos más allá de sus muros; a la vez la comunidad posee un caudal de saber cotidiano imprescindible para complejizar y enriquecer el saber académico. Se discuten los Proyectos de Educación no Formal promovidos por la Universidad de la República (Uruguay) y el apoyo que las TIC proporcionan para realizarlos y discutirlos de forma reflexiva y dialógica