Supersymmetric string theories are the best candidates we have for a unification of all the fundamental interactions known in physics. These theories still need to be confronted with experiment. However, direct evidence for string effects only becomes important at high energies. This means that, at present, one can only hope to constrain these theories through their low energy limits. Of these, the most promising are supergravities where the fields and their interactions are severely constrained by the superstring theory. In this thesis we will consider some of the additional constraints imposed by cosmology on these models. In the first part our attention will be focused on the problem of stabilising the dilaton field. The vacuum expectation value (vev) of the dilaton is related to both gauge and gravitational coupling constants. This means that for the theory to be realistic the dilaton needs to acquire a finite vev. The most popular way of doing this is through the condensation of gauginos. In this thesis we will propose a particular model where the dilaton is stabilised at reasonable values with a vanishing cosmological constant. We will also show a way of dynamically evolving the dilaton to this stable point in a cosmological setting. In a second part we will address the "moduli problem". Moduli fields arise generically in string-inspired theories, their vev being related to the compactification radius. The expected mass and coupling of these fields would make them incompatible with the standard nucleosynthesis scenario. Thermal inflation has been proposed as a mechanism that would permit one to solve this problem. In this thesis we will examine in detail how this mechanism can be implemented in a supergravity model and we will also consider the possibility of defect production in this scenario.

No description available.

This thesis analyses Learning Development (LD), a field of practice designed to support students’ learning, and explores what this relatively new field can tell us about certain aspects of higher education in the UK. Theoretical work deriving from Foucault underpins the research. The empirical data is constructed from interviews, observation and reflexive autoethnographic sources, and the analytical thrust employs sociolinguistic tools from critical discourse analysis. The result is a case study of identity, offering unique insights into the field of LD itself and, through the ‘lens’ of LD, an original focus upon the production of relationships and their effects, as policies are enacted, within HE in the UK in the early 21st century. Although previous studies have examined the identities and practices of different university workers in terms of concepts such as ‘tribes’ and ‘territories’, and the impact of neoliberalism, this thesis takes a more relational approach. By combining a problematising theoretical framework with discourse analysis, it sheds light upon the mutual construction of relations between LDs, academics, students and university managers, as HE policy is produced, interpreted and enacted through practice at institutional levels. These insights also contribute to an understanding of the operation of ‘governmentality’ within universities. The LD lens brings into focus: i) the continuing drive towards commodification of all aspects of HE, including approaches to learning, under neoliberal economic and political conditions ii) the lack of preparation on the part of UK universities for some aspects of ‘diversity’ and the failure to fulfil the broad mission to widen participation commonly expressed by successive government policies since the 1990s iii) the persistence of traditional approaches to HE practices (particularly the privileging of ‘essayist’ literacy) iv) the tendency to limit student subject positions in respect of how HE is conceived and delivered The thesis concludes by offering some suggestions for further research and practice that may be useful for Learning Developers (LDs), academics and policy-makers in addressing these issues.

The ultimate goals of adaptive serious educational games (adaptive SEG) are to promote effective learning and maximising enjoyment for players. Firstly, we develop the SEG by combining knowledge space (learning materials) and game content space to be used to convey learning materials. We propose a novel approach that serves toward minimising experts' involvement in mapping learning materials to game content space. We categorise both content spaces using known procedures and apply BIRCH clustering algorithm to categorise the similarity of the game content. Then, we map both content spaces based on the statistical properties and/or by the knowledge learning handout. Secondly, we construct a predictive model by learning data sets constructed through a survey on public testers who labelled their in-game data with their reported experiences. A Random Forest algorithm non-intrusively predicts experiences via the game data. Lastly, it is not feasible to manually select or adapt the content from both spaces because of the immense amount of options available. Therefore, we apply reinforcement learning technique to generate a series of learning goals that promote an efficient learning for the player. Subsequently, a combination of conditional branching and agglomerative hierarchical clustering select the most appropriate game content for each selected education material. For a proof-of-concept, we apply the proposed approach to producing the SEG, named Chem Dungeon, as a case study to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed methods.

A traditional machine learning environment is characterized by the training and testing data being drawn from the same domain, therefore, having similar distribution characteristics. In contrast, a transfer learning environment is characterized by the training data having di erent distribution characteristics from the testing data. Previous research on transfer learning has focused on the development and evaluation of transfer learning algorithms using real-world datasets. Testing with real-world datasets exposes an algorithm to a limited number of data distribution di erences and does not exercise an algorithm's full capability and boundary limitations. In this research, we de ne, implement, and deploy a transfer learning test framework to test machine learning algorithms. The transfer learning test framework is designed to create a wide-range of distribution di erences that are typically encountered in a transfer learning environment. By testing with many di erent distribution di erences, an algorithm's strong and weak points can be discovered and evaluated against other algorithms. This research additionally performs case studies that use the transfer learning test framework. The rst case study focuses on measuring the impact of exposing algorithms to the Domain Class Imbalance distortion pro le. The next case study uses the entire transfer learning test framework to evaluate both transfer learning and traditional machine learning algorithms. The nal case study uses the transfer learning test framework in conjunction with real-world datasets to measure the impact of the base traditional learner on the performance of transfer learning algorithms. Two additional experiments are performed that are focused on using unique realworld datasets. The rst experiment uses transfer learning techniques to predict fraudulent Medicare claims. The second experiment uses a heterogeneous transfer learning method to predict phishing webgages. These case studies will be of interest to researchers who develop and improve transfer learning algorithms. This research will also be of bene t to machine learning practitioners in the selection of high-performing transfer learning algorithms. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

SOUSA, Maria Iracema Pinho de. Transdisciplinaridade e inter-relações entre avaliação e desenvolvimento da aprendizagem assíncrona através de narrativas de cursistas universitários em fóruns de discussão. 2015. 322f. – Tese (Doutorado) – Universidade Federal do Ceará, Programa de Pós-graduação em Educação Brasileira, Fortaleza (CE), 2015. / Submitted by Márcia Araújo (marcia_m_bezerra@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-03-22T17:50:19Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_tese_mipsousa.pdf: 6778133 bytes, checksum: 13d6999a73c4b56a66d9addf50c05f17 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Márcia Araújo(marcia_m_bezerra@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-03-23T11:39:28Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_tese_mipsousa.pdf: 6778133 bytes, checksum: 13d6999a73c4b56a66d9addf50c05f17 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-23T11:39:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_tese_mipsousa.pdf: 6778133 bytes, checksum: 13d6999a73c4b56a66d9addf50c05f17 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Entre as mudanças globais enfrentadas nas pouco mais de três últimas décadas, destacam-se as maneiras como a informação, no espaço digital e na Web, é acessada, inter-relacionada e ressignificada, no aspecto da construção de novos conhecimentos e saberes. Estas mudanças estão significativamente vinculadas à quebra de paradigmas e crises entre as áreas de conhecimento. Neste cenário, a sociedade enfrenta uma inesperada corrida de rápidas transformações, fusões e nascimento de novas áreas de conhecimento interdisciplinares, carreando o processo educacional para uma contínua e desafiante crise. Progressivamente, o uso pedagógico das TIC ocupa os espaços da outrora educação conservadora presencial e instrucionista, outorgando cenários favorecedores à integração pedagógica entre: as mídias, o construtivismo, a autonomia, a criatividade e o aprender juntos. Nas próximas décadas, decorrerão mudanças significativas nas propostas de avaliação, notadamente voltadas para o desenvolvimento da aprendizagem colaborativa, em espaços assíncronos, o que suscita profundas reflexões, concernentes às transposições teórico-metodológicas e práticas, que incidirão sobre a ressignificação e relações entre o desenvolvimento da aprendizagem e sua avaliação. A presente investigação, de caráter qualitativo e de pesquisa-ação, se insere no cenário do desenvolvimento de atividades pedagógicas colaborativas, expressas por narrativas, postadas em Fóruns de discussão, durante o transcurso de uma disciplina de Informática na Educação, ofertada presencialmente pelo Departamento de Fundamentos da Educação da FACED/UFC, em que majoritariamente participaram estudantes de graduação. A proposta didática da disciplina se baseia nos pressupostos da teoria da aprendizagem significativa ausubeliana, no mapeamento cognitivo, na visão de Okada, e no estar junto virtual, segundo Valente e Almeida. Foram escolhidos dois de seus Fóruns temáticos disciplinares, que abordavam as temáticas de estudo: o uso pedagógico de mapas conceituais e pressupostos da avaliação formativa da aprendizagem, numa visão construtivista (AUSUBEL, FERNANDES, MASETTO, PERRONOUD, ZABALA). Parte do referencial teórico da Tese permeia a avaliação na forma clássica e contribuições não clássicas, que apontam para a necessidade de se repensar a avaliação, numa ótica do construtivismo e da aprendizagem assíncrona. Os conjuntos de narrativas, postados pelos estudantes, são constituídos por dados multidimensionais fortemente entrelaçados, que foram mapeados e analisados, sob a forma de categorias, à luz do referencial teórico e objetivos adotados na Tese, sob o foco da análise textual discursiva (MORAES, GALIAZZI) e da análise qualitativa de dados multidimensionais, fazendo-se o uso do software CHIC (ALMOULOUD, PRADO, VALENTE). Em seguida, partindo-se de uma árvore de similaridade, gerada pelo CHIC, foram estabelecidas inter-relações hierárquicas e relacionais, entre as categorias, organizadas em três eixos temáticos, e as narrativas dos cursistas, de modo a analisar, numa ótica do referencial teórico da Tese, como se desenvolve a aprendizagem e como a avaliação, qualitativa e formativa, pode estar associada ao desenvolvimento da aprendizagem. Da análise multidimensional das narrativas dos cursistas, numa ótica transdisciplinar, emergiram indícios preliminares de inter-relações hierárquicas e relacionais, entre os três campos de conhecimentos desenvolvimento da aprendizagem, avaliação e saberes pedagógicos e tecnológicos, e as ações pedagógicas vivenciadas nos Fóruns TelEduc, que questionam se repensar os pressupostos da avaliação da aprendizagem e a convergência dos futuros caminhos das práticas pedagógicas e avaliativas.

Yes / Mental ill-health is an escalating problem in higher education. Not only does this impact students’ ability to learn, it can lead to poor completion, with learners opting to withdraw from studies, even if attainment has been satisfactory. The aim of this study was to gain insight about perceptions of poor mental health from postgraduate research students in a diverse UK university and canvas opinion regarding how the University could improve this. A short, pragmatic survey with basic quantitative and qualitative responses was distributed. This was analysed by a team comprising the learning developer responsible for postgraduate researcher learning development, academics and a doctoral student. The study found that poor mental health was evident, with over three quarters of respondents reporting some experience of mental ill-health. We identified five areas in need of attention: University Systems, Supervisor Training, Well-being Monitoring, Building Networks, and Finance. Sources of University-based stress were finance, administrative support, and an environment where a perception that poor mental health was an expectation rather than a problem was experienced. Students preferred to access support outside the academic environment. This is the first study of its kind at a diverse, plate-glass UK university, to consider research student mental ill-health, with a staff-student team working with data, and the learning developer spear-heading changes across postgraduate research. These findings have already influenced university strategy, staff training, and induction practices. The synthesis of the five areas could be used to visualise where further work is needed to improve mental health in these learners.

Cette recherche présente des travaux sur la construction de l’expérience d’apprenants « enseignant » par la pratique du théâtre selon une approche orientée « analyse de l’activité ». L’objectif était de traiter la question suivante : à quelles conditions une pratique théâtrale en formation peut-elle aider des étudiants à entrer dans leur « rôle » de futurs enseignants novices, et donc les aider à agir ultérieurement en classe ? La production de connaissances scientifiques était guidée par un enjeu praxéologique en termes d’aide aux concepteurs de dispositif de formation à visée professionnalisante. Trois catégories de matériaux empiriques ont été utilisées pour construire les données : a) des données d’observation recueillies au cours des situations de formation ; b) des données d’autoconfrontation issues d’entretiens menés juste à l’issue des situations de formation ; c) des données d’entretiens menés à distance des formations. L’analyse des données a été conduite en référence à l’approche sémiologique du cours d’action (Theureau, 2004, 2006) qui a permis de décrire et d’interpréter l’activité des participants aux enquêtes. L’apport scientifique de cette recherche permet de proposer une orientation nouvelle dans le champ de la formation des enseignants : celle d’une centration sur l’activité créatrice de l’apprenant encourageant l’émergence de dispositions à agir en situations d’imprévu, encourageant l’autorégulation, l’analyse de pratique collective, l’ouverture sur l’environnement. Ainsi, aussi paradoxal que cela puisse paraître, le jeu d’improvisation dans une situation éloignée du contexte professionnel et dans des conditions sécurisantes peut s’avérer être un espace d’actions encouragées (Durand, 2008) pour le futur enseignant novice. / This research presents works on the construction of the experience of teacher trainees by the practice of drama according to an "analysis of the activity" approach. The goal was to treat the following question: at which conditions can a theatrical practice help students to enter their "role" of future teachers, and thus to help them to act later in class? A praxeological stake to help the designers of training programs with professional-qualification aim guided the production of scientific knowledge. Three categories of empirical materials were used to build the data: a) observation data collected during the training session; b) self-confrontation data gathered from interviews led just after training sessions; c) data of interviews led some time after the training sessions. The data analysis was driven in reference to the semiological approach of the "cours d'action" (Theureau, on 2004, 2006) that allowed to describe and to interpret activities of the participants. The scientific contribution of this research allows to propose a new orientation in the field of teacher training: to focus on the creative activity of the trainees encouraging the emergence of "potentialities to act" in unforeseen situations, encouraging the self regulation, the analysis of collective practice, the opening on the environment. So, even if it seems paradoxical, a game of improvisation in a situation remote from the professional context and in reassuring conditions can turn out to be a "space of encouraged actions" (Durand, on 2008) for the future teacher.

<p>The objective with this study is to investigate the school introduction of newly arrived students, by focusing on the latter years of high school, by comparing two schools method of working.</p><p>This was done by a qualitative survey based on half structured interviews and existing school documentation.</p><p>The questions of the study targeted the schools method of working, how well the education was adapted to the students and if it was appropriate to them. We also asked about the school resources to meet the need of the newly arrived students. </p><p>Our theoretical assumptions were based on Haugs’ terms “including integration” and “excluding integration”, Lahdenperäs’ theory about intercultural education, Vygotskijs thoughts about adapted education and finally Blossings’ description of different cooperative cultures. Our results showed that school introduction for newly arrived students were formed from the schools’ view on learning development and adapted education. The schools knowledge about and approach to intercultural education, the competence and engagement of the leaders had all a great importance to how the school formed its education. The school with the most intercultural elements also had a more cooperative culture, efficient way of working and more resources to adapt the education to the students’ backgrounds, preconditions and needs. </p>

The objective with this study is to investigate the school introduction of newly arrived students, by focusing on the latter years of high school, by comparing two schools method of working. This was done by a qualitative survey based on half structured interviews and existing school documentation. The questions of the study targeted the schools method of working, how well the education was adapted to the students and if it was appropriate to them. We also asked about the school resources to meet the need of the newly arrived students. Our theoretical assumptions were based on Haugs’ terms “including integration” and “excluding integration”, Lahdenperäs’ theory about intercultural education, Vygotskijs thoughts about adapted education and finally Blossings’ description of different cooperative cultures. Our results showed that school introduction for newly arrived students were formed from the schools’ view on learning development and adapted education. The schools knowledge about and approach to intercultural education, the competence and engagement of the leaders had all a great importance to how the school formed its education. The school with the most intercultural elements also had a more cooperative culture, efficient way of working and more resources to adapt the education to the students’ backgrounds, preconditions and needs.