This study examines how primary school teachers view peer assessment. Six teachers were interviewed by semi-structured interviews about how they work with peer assessment with pupils in primary school, how they introduce it and what pros and cons they find with this method of giving feedback. The interviews were summarized with the analytical method called meaning concentration. We used Vygotsky's theory about the zone of proximal development (ZPD) which represents the space between what a learner is capable of doing with a little help called scaffolding from another child. The result was compared to this theory from a sociocultural perspective in the analytical part. The result showed that three teachers used peer assessment as a routine in their class in different subjects, two teachers had used peer assessment earlier but didn’t practice it by the time we had the interviews. One teacher had not used peer assessment with pupils but insisted on potentially using it in the future. The benefit that the teachers saw with peer assessment was that the teachers could focus on the students that needed their help while the other students were used as learning resources to each other. Another benefit was that the pupils developed in their own learning by giving feedback to others, which also prepared them for the peer assessment they would meet in high school. The disadvantage was that it was time-consuming since it required a lot of training before letting the pupils work on their own. One more potential risk with peer assessment was that the quality of the feedback could vary a lot depending on the pupil’s skills of giving feedback. Receiving low quality constructive criticism could make some students feel discouraged to present their work again in this way. The teachers also gave some advice for how to introduce peer assessment in primary school. The conclusions of this study are that peer assessment in primary school requires a lot of time for training as well as the teacher being a role model for the class in order to avoid unwanted conflicts and discouraged students. It is also a good way to prepare the pupils for their future studies and help them develop their own skills in learning.

We introduce a framework that would enable using autonomous aerial vehicles in search and rescue scenarios associated with missing person incidents to assist human searchers. We formulate a lost person behavior model and a human searcher model informed by data collected from past search missions. These models are used to generate a probabilistic heatmap of the lost person's position and anticipated searcher trajectories. We use Gaussian processes with a Gibbs' kernel for data fusion to accurately model a limited field-of-view sensor. Our algorithm thereby computes a set of trajectories for a team of aerial vehicles to autonomously navigate, so as to assist and complement human searchers' efforts. / Master of Science / Our goal is to assist human searchers using autonomous aerial vehicles in search and rescue scenarios associated with missing person incidents. We formulate a lost person behavior model and a human searcher model informed by data collected from past search missions. These models are used to generate a probabilistic heatmap of the lost person’s position and anticipated searcher trajectories. We use Gaussian processes for data fusion with Gibbs’ kernel to accurately model a limited field-of-view sensor. Our algorithm thereby computes a set of trajectories for a team of aerial vehicles to autonomously navigate, so as to assist and complement human searchers’ efforts.

High-resolution micro computed tomography (micro-CT) offers 3D image resolution of 1 um for non-destructive evaluation of various samples. However, the micro-CT performance is limited by several factors. Primarily, scan time is extremely long, and sample dimension is restricted by the x-ray beam and the detector size. The latter is the cause for the well-known interior problem. Recent advancement in image reconstruction, spurred by the advent of compressed sensing (CS) theory in 2006 and interior tomography theory since 2007, offers great reduction in the number of views and an increment in the volume of samples, while maintaining reconstruction accuracy. Yet, for a number of reasons, traditional filtered back-projection based reconstruction methods remain the de facto standard on all manufactured scanners. This work demonstrates that CS based global and interior reconstruction methods can enhance the imaging capability of micro-CT scanners. First, CS based few-view reconstruction methods have been developed for use with data from a real micro-CT scanner. By achieving high quality few-view reconstruction, the new approach is able to reduce micro-CT scan time to up to 1/8th of the time required by the conventional protocol. Next, two new reconstruction techniques have been developed that allow accurate interior reconstruction using just a limited number of global scout views as additional information. The techniques represent a significant progress relative to the previous methods that assume a fully sampled global scan. Of the two methods, the second method uses CS techniques and does not place any restrictions on scanning geometry. Finally, analytic and iterative reconstruction methods have been developed for enlargement of the field of view for the interior scan with a small detector. The idea is that truncated projections are acquired in an offset detector geometry, and the reconstruction procedure is performed through the use of a weighting function / weighted iteration updates, and projection completion. The CS based reconstruction yields the highest image quality in the numerical simulation. Yet, some limitations of the CS based techniques are observed in case of real data with various imperfect properties. In all the studies, physical micro-CT phantoms have been designed and utilized for performance analysis. Also, important guidelines are suggested for future improvements. / Ph. D.

The water's shore, used for defense, trade, transportation and industry, always plays an important role in a city's development. Buildings were built there to fulfill related practical functions, such as barns, factories or piers. However, at the present time, the functions mentioned above are not the only purpose of the shore, now more entertainment activies happen along the water's edge. Therefore, architecture's roles are changing. The site is in a small town called Riva San Vitale, which is located at the south end of Lake Lugano, Switzerland. For this small town, lake's shore is usually used by local people as a place for relaxation. Based on my four-month long living experiences there, I decided to design an art center on the lake to enrich residents' daily life. / Master of Architecture / A folding method was used in form processing to reflect the mountains' shapes surrounding the town. Through this whole process, my thesis explores how the architecture is used as an instrument to bring art into people's daily life and, at the same time, extend people's life into nature. As a result, the Art Center will become a new plaza of Riva San Vitale.

The state of Virginia has been a leader in the design and implementation of welfare reform measures. State welfare reforms were enacted in 1996 and federal reforms followed shortly after in 1996. Initial decreases in program caseloads and the movement of former recipients from unemployment to employment have led initial reform measures to be widely heralded as successes. Significant concerns remain, however, about the ability of non-metropolitan labor markets to absorb female household heads currently on welfare. This thesis addresses potential differences in the impact of welfare reform measures in non-metropolitan and metropolitan labor markets by estimating wage and reservation wage equations for female household heads in Northern and Southwest Virginia. The results suggest young children and lack of access to automobiles create significantly greater barriers to employment in non-metropolitan than metropolitan labor markets. Estimated potential earnings in Southwest Virginia were lower than in Northern Virginia and suggest that female household heads will have trouble escaping poverty through employment. In fact, initial reported earnings for both areas have fallen below estimates of living wages needed to escape poverty. The results also suggest traditional labor market characteristics do not explain all of the differences in earnings, particularly the differences in the observed wages of persons exiting welfare as compared to the general population. If this is the case, policies that only address child care and transportation costs may have little impact as to the ability of welfare recipients to get and keep jobs that enable them to become economically self-sufficient. / Master of Science

Living in the new and unreal world of technology and computers, we realize how much humans are separated from nature, which means the actual connection between our soul, brain, and body to the real and touchable environment and experiencing in-person connections. Since birth, we have a special connection with nature and so we realize that nature gives us feelings of peace and happiness. Staying close to nature makes us feel alive from the inside and it reduces stress, depression and, negative emotions and it improves our mental, physical, and spiritual health condition., Ultimately, it gives us motivation and hope in life. To explore the architectural implications of these ideas, I have designed a Museum of Art in Washington DC, beside the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens of water lilies. In my project, I propose how to stay in touch with nature as a visitor who is walking through each part of the museum. From each exhibition room to the next, there is a break to a special view of nature and water to take a deep breath of fresh air. This also makes the viewer understand the artwork inside before entering each room. Bringing outside nature to the inside and creating a connection between the viewer, view, and artwork gives the visitors a break from the world of technology and makes them connect to the blue and green world which is integral with human nature. The connection between the site and the building makes the viewers feel at home when they are exploring the exhibition rooms to see the artworks since nature is our first home. This is how my design explains my thesis as you are walking through this heavenly art world. / Master of Architecture / Living in the new and unreal world of technology and computers, we realize how much humans are separated from nature, which means the actual connection between our soul, brain, and body to the real and touchable environment and experiencing in-person connections. Since birth, we have a special connection with nature and so we realize that nature gives us feelings of peace and happiness. Staying close to nature makes us feel alive from the inside and it reduces stress, depression and, negative emotions and it improves our mental, physical, and spiritual health condition., Ultimately, it gives us motivation and hope in life. To explore the architectural implications of these ideas, I have designed a Museum of Art in Washington DC, beside the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens of water lilies. In my project, I propose how to stay in touch with nature as a visitor who is walking through each part of the museum. From each exhibition room to the next, there is a break to a special view of nature and water to take a deep breath of fresh air. This also makes the viewer understand the artwork inside before entering each room. Bringing outside nature to the inside and creating a connection between the viewer, view, and artwork gives the visitors a break from the world of technology and makes them connect to the blue and green world which is integral with human nature. The connection between the site and the building makes the viewers feel at home when they are exploring the exhibition rooms to see the artworks since nature is our first home. This is how my design explains my thesis as you are walking through this heavenly art world.

Architecture often references the five senses through conveying moments and experiences that someone could have in a specific setting. The purpose of this thesis is to dive deeper into how the senses can be engaged and how they relate to the concept of wayfinding. This thesis explores how engaging the senses can assist in a person's physical and mental wayfinding, specifically through touch, sight, and smell. The building typology best suited to experiment with this was a community center because it is used by a myriad of different people of varying ages, height, mobility, etc. Multiple studies were conducted that centered around different textures, floral fragrances, and light quality. This is a story that takes you on a journey through a community center and narrates how the different senses are engaged, specifically with regards to wayfinding. In three different chapters you will feel the touch of a wall, follow a path of different fragrances, and see through different perspectives. / Master of Architecture / Architecture often references the five senses through conveying moments and experiences that someone could have in a specific setting. The purpose of this thesis is to dive deeper into how the senses can be engaged and how they relate to the concept of wayfinding. This thesis explores how engaging the senses can assist in a person's physical and mental wayfinding, specifically through touch, sight, and smell. The setting of this thesis is a community center because community centers are used by many different people of varying ages, height, mobility, etc. Multiple studies were conducted that centered around different textures, floral fragrances, and light quality. This is a story that takes you on a journey through a community center and narrates how the different senses are engaged, specifically with regards to wayfinding. In three different chapters you will feel the touch of a wall, follow a path of different fragrances, and see through different perspectives.

Yes / Despite the significant role that multiparty international joint ventures (MPIJVs) play within multinational enterprises, we know little about the significant challenges associated with the management of these ventures. Therefore, we combine the Resource-based View of the Firm and Transaction Cost Economics to investigate the effects of the key aspects of partner diversity (i.e., variety, balance, and disparity) on MPIJV dissolution. We test our hypotheses using a dataset of 248 MPIJVs in China. We find empirical support for a U-curve shaped effect of variety and a negative linear effect of balance on MPIJV dissolution.

Yes / From a perspective of the resource-based view, this paper analyses the inter-connection between technology adoption and creation in affiliates of multinational enterprises (MNEs) in an emerging economy. Operating below the international technological frontier, multinational affiliates are more motivated to adopt technologies already existent from their MNEs than create new technologies, as the former already gives them competitive advantages over local firms. When technology creation is required, multinational affiliates will adopt further technology-based resources from their MNEs as they are unavailable in an emerging economy. As a result, technology adoption is a necessary but not sufficient condition for multinational affiliates to conduct technology creation. Given that networks are particularly important for working around institutional voids in the context of an emerging economy, this paper also investigates the different roles of R&D support from internal and external networks of multinational affiliates in technology adoption and creation. Hypotheses are tested and partially supported based on unique data from 465 multinational affiliates in China.

Yes / This article reviews the literature on human capital resources and develops a conceptual model incorporating social capital, relational capital and knowledge as the components of human capital resources and linking these to competitive advantage. Scholars from various disciplines expanded our understanding of human capital as important organizational resources but research in this field remains fragmented. Building on past research this review contributes to existing knowledge in human capital resources by introducing an integrated conceptual framework comprising of both micro-level human capital and macro-level strategic human capital resources. In so doing it provides alternative definitions for human capital resources with the aim to make their assessment and understandability more meaningful and clearer than what has been offered so far. Moreover, by bringing knowledge, social capital and relational capital under human capital, this review encourages a dialogue among scholars from various disciplines to investigate the creation and accumulation of strategic human capital resources holistically.