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Yes / Welcome to this special issue of the Semantic Web (SWJ) journal. The special issue compiles three technical contributions that significantly advance the state-of-the-art in exploration of semantic data using semantic web techniques and technologies.

Yes / The recent growth of the Web of Data has brought to the fore the need to develop intelligent means to support user exploration through big data graphs. To be effective, approaches for data graph exploration should take into account the utility from a user’s point of view. We have been investigating knowledge utility – how useful the trajectories in a data graph are for expanding users’ knowledge. Following the theory for meaningful learning, according to which new knowledge is developed starting from familiar entities (anchors) and expanding to new and unfamiliar entities, we propose here an approach to identify knowledge anchors in a data graph. Our approach is underpinned by the Cognitive Science notion of basic level objects in domain taxonomies. Several metrics for extracting knowledge anchors in a data graph, and the corresponding algorithms, are presented. The metrics performance is examined, and a hybridization approach that combines the strengths of each metric is proposed.

Researchers are often interested in comparing brain activity between experimental contexts. Event-related potentials (ERPs) are a common electrophysiological measure of brain activity that is time-locked to an event (e.g., a stimulus presented to the participant). A variety of decomposition methods has been used for ERP data among them temporal exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Essentially, temporal EFA decomposes the ERP waveform into a set of latent factors where the factor loadings reflect the time courses of the latent factors, and the amplitudes are represented by the factor scores. An important methodological concern is to ensure the estimates of the condition effects are unbiased and the term variance misallocation has been introduced in reference to the case of biased estimates. The aim of the present thesis was to explore how exploratory factor analytic methods can be made less prone to variance misallocation. These efforts resulted in a series of three publications in which variance misallocation in EFA was described as a consequence of the properties of ERP data, ESEM was proposed as an extension of EFA that acknowledges the structure of ERP data sets, and regularized estimation was suggested as an alternative to simple structure rotation with desirable properties. The presence of multiple sources of (co-)variance, the factor scoring step, and high temporal overlap of the factors were identified as major causes of variance misallocation in EFA for ERP data. It was shown that ESEM is capable of separating the (co-)variance sources and that it avoids biases due to factor scoring. Further, regularized estimation was shown to be a suitable alternative for factor rotation that is able to recover factor loading patterns in which only a subset of the variables follow a simple structure. Based on these results, regSEMs and ESEMs with ERP-specific rotation have been proposed as promising extensions of the EFA approach that might be less prone to variance misallocation. Future research should provide a direct comparison of regSEM and ESEM, and conduct simulation studies with more physiologically motivated data generation algorithms.

[pt] A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo a busca de entendimentos sobre o poder de veto no contexto escolar e os caminhos que os praticantes do processo de ensinoaprendizagem podem construir para uma aprendizagem dialógica. Ancorada na abordagem da Prática Exploratória, entendo alunos e professores como praticantes do processo de ensino-aprendizagem (ALLWRIGHT e HANKS, 2009), uma vez que ambos possuem um papel importante no processo. Algumas perguntas são centrais para guiar meu olhar nesse estudo: Que poder de veto é esse? Por quem ele é praticado? Por que e de que maneira? Quais são as consequências desse poder para os alunos e os professores? Como trabalhar diante do poder de veto? O trabalho alinha-se à concepção de discurso que evidencia o uso da linguagem como prática social. Assim, é na relação entre discurso e sociedade que analisei o poder de veto praticado e sofrido pelos participantes do processo de ensino-aprendizagem, sejam eles alunos ou professores, dentre outros (MOITA LOPES, 2003). Entendendo que os praticantes possuem a capacidade de agirem como construtores de seu próprio processo de aprendizagem (MILLER, CUNHA e ALLWRIGHT, 2020), é essencial estimular conversas exploratórias entre alunos e professores. A pesquisa ocorreu em uma escola pública do estado do Rio de Janeiro onde atuei como professora de língua portuguesa em turmas de ensino médio. Os dados foram gerados a partir de conversas exploratórias com alunos e professores participantes sobre suas experiências em relação ao poder de veto. As conversas foram gravadas em áudio para posterior transcrição conforme as convenções referentes ao modelo Jefferson de Conversação (LODER, 2008). Além de suas contribuições teóricometodológicas, este estudo poderá, sobretudo, estimular a capacidade do protagonismo dos alunos assim como sua atitude investigativa a respeito das questões que são relevantes para eles. / [en] This research aims to seek understandings about the power of veto in the school context and the paths that practitioners of the teaching-learning process can build for dialogic learning. Aligned with the Exploratory Practice approach, I understand students and teachers as practitioners of the teaching-learning process (ALLWRIGHT and HANKS, 2009), since both play important roles in the process. Some questions are central to guide my study: What is the power of veto? Who is it practiced by? Why and in what way? What are the consequences of this power for students and teachers? How are we to work in the face of power of veto? The research is aligned with the concept of discourse that highlights the use of language as social practice. Thus, it is in the relationship between discourse and society that I analyzed the power of veto practiced and suffered by participants in the teachinglearning process, whether they are students or teachers, among others (MOITA LOPES, 2003). Understanding that students have the ability to act as builders of their own learning process (MILLER, CUNHA e ALLWRIGHT, 2020), it is essential to engage students and teachers in order to seek understandings about coconstruction paths for dialogic learning. The research took place in a public school in the state of Rio de Janeiro where I acted as a Portuguese language teacher in high school classes. Data were generated by engaging in exploratory conversations with participating students and teachers about their experiences in relation to the power of veto. The conversations were audio-recorded for later transcription according to the conventions referring to the Jefferson Conversation model (LODER, 2008). In addition to its theoretical-methodological contributions, this study will be able, above all, to stimulate the students capacity as protagonists as well as their investigative attitude regarding the issues that are relevant to them.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O objetivo desta Pesquisa de Mestrado foi propor uma metodologia de avaliação de reservas a descobrir (óleo iminente a descobrir - yet-to-find-oil), que utiliza métodos estocásticos e análises probabilísticas, aplicados às informações disponíveis sobre bacias com largo histórico exploratório, e que incorpora informações sobre a área exaurida por esforços exploratórios passados. As simulações estocásticas foram realizadas por uma ferramenta de modelagem do processo exploratório de ciclo completo, disponível comercialmente, e também no Laboratório de Correlação Geológica (LABCG) da Faculdade de Geologia da UERJ. Uma aplicação prática dessa metodologia composta, de modelagem estocástica e ajuste por área exaurida, foi realizada no play definido como a área de águas rasas da Bacia de Campos. Utilizando apenas dados parciais sobre as descobertas de campos de petróleo e gás, os resultados sugerem que essa área ainda não pode ser considerada exploratoriamente madura. Também foram apontadas interessantes perspectivas de descobertas adicionais de acumulações totais de óleo e gás, e de acumulações individuais de tamanhos significativos. A aplicação da metodologia proposta em bacias com largo histórico exploratório, como a Bacia de Campos em águas rasas, mostrou-se perfeitamente viável. Outro objetivo desta Pesquisa foi ajudar a desenvolver, dentro da Faculdade de Geologia, um pólo de conhecimento sobre os processos de avaliação de yet-to-find-oil, e sobre as ferramentas de modelagem do processo exploratório. / The objective of this Masters Project was to propose a methodology of evaluation of yet-to-find-oil, which utilizes stochastic methods and probabilistic analyses applied to the information available about basins with a long exploratory history, and which incorporates information about the area exhausted by previous exploratory efforts. The stochastic simulations were carried out by a full cycle, exploratory process modeling tool which is available commercially, and also at the Laboratory of Geological Correlation (LABCG) of the Geology Department at UERJ. A practical application of this composite methodology, using stochastic modeling and adjustment for area exhausted, was made in the play defined as the shallow waters of the Campos Basin. Utilizing only partial data about the discoveries of oil and gas fields, the results suggest that this area cannot yet be considered a mature exploratory play. Interesting perspectives for the discovery of additional total accumulations of oil and gas were also indicated, as well as individual accumulations of significant size. The application of the proposed methodology in basins with a reasonably extensive exploratory history, such as the Campos Basin in shallow waters, was shown to be perfectly viable. Another objective of this research was to help develop, within the Geology Department, a local knowledge center regarding the processes for evaluation of yet-to-find-oil, and about exploratory process modeling tools.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O objetivo desta Pesquisa de Mestrado foi propor uma metodologia de avaliação de reservas a descobrir (óleo iminente a descobrir - yet-to-find-oil), que utiliza métodos estocásticos e análises probabilísticas, aplicados às informações disponíveis sobre bacias com largo histórico exploratório, e que incorpora informações sobre a área exaurida por esforços exploratórios passados. As simulações estocásticas foram realizadas por uma ferramenta de modelagem do processo exploratório de ciclo completo, disponível comercialmente, e também no Laboratório de Correlação Geológica (LABCG) da Faculdade de Geologia da UERJ. Uma aplicação prática dessa metodologia composta, de modelagem estocástica e ajuste por área exaurida, foi realizada no play definido como a área de águas rasas da Bacia de Campos. Utilizando apenas dados parciais sobre as descobertas de campos de petróleo e gás, os resultados sugerem que essa área ainda não pode ser considerada exploratoriamente madura. Também foram apontadas interessantes perspectivas de descobertas adicionais de acumulações totais de óleo e gás, e de acumulações individuais de tamanhos significativos. A aplicação da metodologia proposta em bacias com largo histórico exploratório, como a Bacia de Campos em águas rasas, mostrou-se perfeitamente viável. Outro objetivo desta Pesquisa foi ajudar a desenvolver, dentro da Faculdade de Geologia, um pólo de conhecimento sobre os processos de avaliação de yet-to-find-oil, e sobre as ferramentas de modelagem do processo exploratório. / The objective of this Masters Project was to propose a methodology of evaluation of yet-to-find-oil, which utilizes stochastic methods and probabilistic analyses applied to the information available about basins with a long exploratory history, and which incorporates information about the area exhausted by previous exploratory efforts. The stochastic simulations were carried out by a full cycle, exploratory process modeling tool which is available commercially, and also at the Laboratory of Geological Correlation (LABCG) of the Geology Department at UERJ. A practical application of this composite methodology, using stochastic modeling and adjustment for area exhausted, was made in the play defined as the shallow waters of the Campos Basin. Utilizing only partial data about the discoveries of oil and gas fields, the results suggest that this area cannot yet be considered a mature exploratory play. Interesting perspectives for the discovery of additional total accumulations of oil and gas were also indicated, as well as individual accumulations of significant size. The application of the proposed methodology in basins with a reasonably extensive exploratory history, such as the Campos Basin in shallow waters, was shown to be perfectly viable. Another objective of this research was to help develop, within the Geology Department, a local knowledge center regarding the processes for evaluation of yet-to-find-oil, and about exploratory process modeling tools.

Submitted by Geyciane Santos (geyciane_thamires@hotmail.com) on 2015-11-13T20:55:54Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Marcos Paulo Mendes Araújo.pdf: 902913 bytes, checksum: 8cb53fb2eb44649a8f571f643c310239 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Divisão de Documentação/BC Biblioteca Central (ddbc@ufam.edu.br) on 2015-11-27T19:51:55Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Marcos Paulo Mendes Araújo.pdf: 902913 bytes, checksum: 8cb53fb2eb44649a8f571f643c310239 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Divisão de Documentação/BC Biblioteca Central (ddbc@ufam.edu.br) on 2015-11-27T19:55:30Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Marcos Paulo Mendes Araújo.pdf: 902913 bytes, checksum: 8cb53fb2eb44649a8f571f643c310239 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-11-27T19:55:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação - Marcos Paulo Mendes Araújo.pdf: 902913 bytes, checksum: 8cb53fb2eb44649a8f571f643c310239 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-05 / FAPEAM - Fapeam - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Amazonas / In the late nineteenth century, a significant number of foreign researchers visited Brazil in order to conduct exploratory trips. One of these explorers was Karl von den Steinen who was in Brazil on two occasions, the first being in 1884 when he visited the Xingu region in the company of two other Germans, several Brazilian military and hired guides. This research presents the results of reading and analyzing the travel report produced by the Brazilian Army Infantry Captain Francisco de Paula Castro in 1884, during the voyage of exploration of the Xingu River. The work rescues information about the assembly, as well as the scientific expedition led by the German doctor and ethnologist Karl von den Steinen from the official records for almost six months away. The research sought to explore the details presented by the official on the contact of the exploiters with the Indians found along the way. The study also sought to examine the role played by Francisco de Paula Castro during the expedition jobs from the report of the confrontation with texts written by Karl von den Steinen on the scientific expedition. The work brings results in the recovery of important issues and events occurred during the exploratory trip of 1884. / No final do século XIX, um significativo número de pesquisadores estrangeiros esteve no Brasil a fim de realizar viagens exploratórias. Um desses exploradores foi Karl von den Steinen que esteve no Brasil em duas oportunidades, sendo a primeira em 1884 quando visitou a região do Xingu na companhia de outros dois alemães, vários militares brasileiros e guias contratados. Esta pesquisa apresenta o resultado da leitura e análise do relatório de viagem produzido pelo capitão de infantaria do Exército Brasileiro Francisco de Paula Castro em 1884, durante a viagem de exploração do rio Xingu. O trabalho resgata informações sobre a montagem, bem como, a expedição científica liderada pelo médico e etnólogo alemão Karl von den Steinen a partir dos registros do oficial durante quase seis meses de viagem. A pesquisa buscou explorar o detalhamento apresentado pelo oficial sobre o contato dos exploradores com os indígenas encontrados ao longo da viagem. O estudo também procurou examinar o papel desempenhado por Francisco de Paula Castro durante os trabalhos da expedição a partir do confronto do relatório com os textos produzidos por Karl von den Steinen sobre a expedição científica. O trabalho traz como resultado a recuperação de importantes aspectos e acontecimentos ocorridos durante a viagem exploratória de 1884.

In today’s society media is ubiquitous. Through its pervasiveness it plays an inextricable role in society, impacting on culture, economy, politics, education and communication. In a postmodern society technological advances have had a profound impact on the development of media, most notably digital media. The intention of this study was to establish whether, in the context of an assumed postmodern culture, young South African adults display behaviour that manifest the tenets of postmodernism in their reactions to contemporary marketing and/or marketing communication, as apparent through their attitudes towards retail shopping and brands, together with their attitudes towards and use of digital media. In this instance digital media is limited to social media and media accessible on mobile phones. The unique properties and interactive capabilities of digital media have altered the dynamics of communication and have given rise to new applications that were not previously possible. This poses challenges for organisations in terms of marketing communication practices with one of the problem areas being that marketers do not know: <ul><li> Whether young South African adults (Generation Y) exhibit postmodern behaviour, in the context of today’s postmodern culture. </li><li> How young South African adults (Generation Y) use digital media? </li><li> How to leverage the unique properties of digital media in marketing communication efforts directed towards young South African adults (Generation Y)? </li> </ul> The main purpose of this research was to reflect on the applicability of modern marketing and/or marketing communication theories, in their current state, in the context of a postmodern society, with specific emphasis on the use of digital media. The secondary purpose of the research was to investigate the affect of postmodern variables on Generation Y and the perspective of this population towards digital media and its role in marketing communication. The study aimed to contribute to the theoretical body of knowledge as follows: <ul><li> To question the application of modern marketing and/or marketing communication theories in postmodern society. In so doing, it suggested that in any given era marketing theories should be representative of the target society, therefore inferring the need to adjust existing theories and their application or formulate new ones that are representative of the specific era. </li><li> To empirically determine whether Generation Y are exhibiting characteristics indicative of postmodern society. </li></ul> Furthermore, the study added value from a practitioner perspective by contributing to new knowledge in the study of Generation Y and digital media. It is anticipated that an improved understanding of Generation Y’s attitudes towards marketing and digital media will serve to improve knowledge of how Generation Y will react in the future as they mature and potentially provide an indication of forthcoming generations’ attitudes towards marketing. Nine research objectives emanating from the research problem were empirically tested through a cross-sectional quantitative exploratory descriptive survey research design. Items in the survey were developed on the basis of observable postmodern characteristics presented in the literature and in consultation with a panel of experts. The survey was distributed by email, which provided a web-based link to access the survey, to the sampling frame; a database comprising of 2,265 students, between the ages of 18-34, enrolled full-time with the department of Marketing and Communication Management (University of Pretoria) during 2011. Convenience sampling was used until a sufficient quantity of fully completed surveys had been collected; 333 usable questionnaires were obtained. The collected data received statistical treatment primarily through the application of exploratory factor analysis and multivariate analysis of co-variance. The theoretical synthesis showed that characteristics of postmodernism are evident in society and affect marketing and/or marketing communication activities. The results of the empirical phase of the investigation demonstrated that respondents show postmodernism traits in their behaviour towards digital media and their reactions towards brands and marketing and/or marketing communication. The most dominant postmodern characteristics displayed by respondents were hyperreality, de-differentiation and fragmentation. Several factors were found to be statistically significant, which may be related to socio-economic conditions, behavioural patterns, and digital infrastructure. These were: ethnicity, cell phone usage, frequency of social media usage, cell phone plan, average monthly Internet expenditure for cell phones, use of Internet bundles on cell phones, and the device used most often to access the Internet. Social media use was identified as an important behavioural outcome by respondents, and the most significant influencing factors related to the dependence that respondents placed on their cell phones and the need to fulfil certain activities only available in the social media space. Finally a conceptual framework was proposed, which integrated theoretical and empirical findings. This framework suggested a broadening of certain roles within marketing and/or marketing communication, namely: consumers transforming to collaborators; communication transforming to interaction; and value exchange transforming to value-in-use. It is anticipated that this study has added to the theoretical level of knowledge by indicating the need to readdress principles and theories of marketing and/or marketing communication in the context of a postmodern society and in particular the use of digital media. An outcome of the study was the proposition of a conceptual framework, which addressed a number of aspects in the transformation from modern to postmodern marketing. Furthermore, at the practitioner level the study has broadened understanding of Generation Y’s behaviour towards digital media in the marketing and/or marketing communication context. Managerial recommendations were expressed on the basis of the theoretical and empirical findings. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Marketing Management / PhD / Unrestricted