Recently, cognitive psychologists have focused their research on the survival aspects of human memory, showing advantages for remembering information encoded for adaptive qualities. When participants rated words related to survival relevance (stranded in grasslands), Nairne et al. (2007) and others found survival processing’s retention superior to many semantic encoding techniques, however, we questioned the global application of survival processing. In the present adaptive memory experiment we used the thematic word list paradigm pioneered by Deese, Rodeiger and McDermott, allowing us to measure false recall of critical items from sets of word lists. To investigate recall differences based on the material type encoded, we separated recalled material into two categories: survival and non-survival. Because arousal can influence memory performance, we extended research on adaptive memory to include social arousal induced by videotaping participants during study and recall tasks. Videotaping subjects has been shown to induce arousal levels similar to those when being observed, and may parallel arousal experienced in survival scenarios. Overall, recall was lower for survival processing. Survival-relevant information was more accurately remembered, and was not hindered by camera presence, unlike non-survival information. Additionally, false memories were higher under videotaped conditions. While our results did not support Nairne and colleagues, our findings may support the development of evolved brain mechanisms. The current findings are discussed with an emphasis on contemporary high arousal situations that may influence the activation of adaptive memories. We join a growing set of literature that questions the overall benefits of survival processing.

This dissertation describes research which investigated the use of communication tools in a WebCT learning environment. The instrumental case study investigated the level and frequency of use of the web-based communication tools during a full-fledged course delivery at a university that enrols only full-time students. The unit of analysis was the case and the instruments included group interviews, observation anecdotal notes, communication diaries, focus group and a journal/logbook. A mixed qualitative and quantitative research method was used in this research. The study evaluated how the interactivity and not how either the lesson or the WebCT function. The conceptual framework focused on interactivity, features of communication tools that promote interactivity, as well as the domains such as cognition, motivation and learner interface as aspects that influence the use of communication tools. Various web-based tools were used by a sample consisting of a selected small group of IT students who participated in the study. Those communication tools were used to facilitate learning in WebCT. The results showed a total of 145 interactions for the duration of ten sessions. The WebCT communication tools supported either synchronous or asynchronous communication. Communication tools were used to retrieve information and send text-based messages to lecturers and students. Interaction at different levels was evident between student and student, student and lecturer, lecturer and student, lecturer and lecturer, as well as, student and content. In addition to the WebCT communication tools, students used extra web-based communication tools, to facilitate their learning. It was concluded that with continuous advances in information and communication technology and with ever increasing student numbers at resident universities, more tertiary institutions should offer on-line courses. More communication tools should be considered on WebCT to facilitate more interactive learning. / Dissertation (MEd (Curriculum Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Curriculum Studies / unrestricted

Dans cette thèse, nous étudions des algorithmes pour un problème de recherche de relations à une ou plusieurs variables. Il généralise celui de calculer une solution à un système d’équations linéaires modulaires sur un anneau de polynômes, et inclut par exemple le calcul d’approximants de Hermite-Padé ou d’interpolants bivariés. Plutôt qu’une seule solution, nous nous attacherons à calculer un ensemble de générateurs possédant de bonnes propriétés. Précisément, l’entrée de notre problème consiste en un module de dimension finie spécifié par l’action des variables sur ses éléments, et en un certain nombre d’éléments de ce module ; il s’agit de calculer une base de Gröbner du modules des relations entre ces éléments. En termes d’algèbre linéaire, l’entrée décrit une matrice avec une structure de type Krylov, et il s’agit de calculer sous forme compacte une base du noyau de cette matrice. Nous proposons plusieurs algorithmes en fonction de la forme des matrices de multiplication qui représentent l’action des variables. Dans le cas d’une matrice de Jordan,nous accélérons le calcul d’interpolants multivariés sous certaines contraintes de degré ; nos résultats pour une forme de Frobenius permettent d’accélérer le calcul de formes normales de matrices polynomiales univariées. Enfin, dans le cas de plusieurs matrices denses, nous accélérons le changement d’ordre pour des bases de Gröbner d’idéaux multivariés zéro-dimensionnels. / In this thesis, we study algorithms for a problem of finding relations in one or several variables. It generalizes that of computing a solution to a system of linear modular equations over a polynomial ring, including in particular the computation of Hermite- Padéapproximants and bivariate interpolants. Rather than a single solution, we aim at computing generators of the solution set which have good properties. Precisely, the input of our problem consists of a finite-dimensional module given by the action of the variables on its elements, and of some elements of this module; the goal is to compute a Gröbner basis of the module of syzygies between these elements. In terms of linear algebra, the input describes a matrix with a type of Krylov structure, and the goal is to compute a compact representation of a basis of the nullspace of this matrix. We propose several algorithms in accordance with the structure of the multiplication matrices which specify the action of the variables. In the case of a Jordan matrix, we accelerate the computation of multivariate interpolants under degree constraints; our result for a Frobenius matrix leads to a faster algorithm for computing normal forms of univariate polynomial matrices. In the case of several dense matrices, we accelerate the change of monomial order for Gröbner bases of multivariate zero-dimensional ideals.

This diploma thesis deals with functional parts and their standards standards on single-family family houses. The theoretical part deals with concepts such as budgets, prices, costs, valuations and functional parts of buildings. The task is to define the types of standard of selected functional parts and to determine their indices which take into account the different material and design solutions of individual parts of the building.

This thesis deals with safety of the CNC grinding machines. The first part of this thesis is focusing on legislative requirements of EU and Czech Republic, which concern with topic of this thesis. The second part of the thesis is focusing on the safety of the chosen grinding machine. The main parts of the machine which are important for safety are described and then the checklists for verification of the safety requirements are made.

The thesis deals with real rights written to the cadastre. It is divided into ten chapters and starts with the definition of real rights and its historical development. Then, it disusses the cadastre as a public list. The thesis also deals with situations, where there is discordance between the real legal relationship and what is registred in the cadastre. The following chapters are devoted to the property rights including their mofications, the right of contruction, trust funds, the easement and lien. The thesis also discusses the cases when the property is used by another person and secondary agreements in the contract. It also contains simple plat maps concerning certain institutes mentioned in this thesis.

This dissertation is studying e-learning – electronic form of education. At once it is analysing in details the advantages and disadvantages of this new form of education approach and is describing possibilities of some chosen e-learning systems and their basic structures. In the second part of this dissertation are said basic principles and possibilities of programming language Java in which language is designed it's own concept of system, that should make possible for users to manage and control the e-learning. In this part is described progress of communication between server and client, method of sending off the SQL (query) and receiving result too. In last part is viewed resulting application as a whole, is explained basic controlling, possibilities of administration and methods of entering data. Application itself is tested on local testing server.

This Diploma thesis deals with Turbo code problems. The Turbo codes belong to the group of error correction codes, sometimes referred to as forward error correcting (FEC) codes or channel codes. This thesis can be thematically divided into two basic parts. The first part describes turbo code encoder and decoder block diagram with the illustration of two most frequently used iterative decoding algorithms (SOVA and MAP). The end of this part contains best known turbo codes, which are used in present communication systems. The second part pursues simulation results for the turbo codes using Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) over Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) channels. These simulations were created in the MATLAB/SIMULINK computer program. It will be shown here, that there exist many different parameters, greatly affecting turbo codes performance. Some of these parameters are: number of decoding iterations used, the input data frame length, generating polynoms and RSC encoders constraint lengths, properly designed interleaving block, decoding algorithm used, etc.

This thesis presents an evaluation of the current financial strategy that the company follows. Methods used: financial analysis and comments on financial health of the company. The conclusions based on the gathered findings would show a better individual financial strategy.

This master’s thesis evaluates the financial situation of the company RIBE Slovakia Ltd. in the time period of 2002 to 2007 detected by selected methods of financial analysis. This thesis contains proposals of possible solutions for improvement of financial situation of company in the future.