Language learning strategy use by colombian adult English language learners: A phenomenological study

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe how Colombian adult English language learners (ELL) select and use language learning strategies (LLS). This study used Oxford’s (1990a) taxonomy for LLS as its theoretical framework. Semi-structured interviews and a focus group interview, were conducted, transcribed, and analyzed for 12 Colombian adult ELL. A communicative activity known as strip story (Gibson, 1975) was used to elicit participants’ use of LLS. This activity preceded the focus group session. Additionally, participants’ reflective journals were collected and analyzed. Data were analyzed using inductive, deductive, and comparative analyses. Four themes emerged from the inductive analysis of the data: (a) learning conditions, (b) problem-solving resources, (c) information processing, and (d) target language practice. Oxford’s classification of LLS was used as a guide in deductively analyzing data concerning the participants’ experiences. The deductive analysis revealed that participants do not use certain strategies included in Oxford’s taxonomy at the third level. For example, semantic mapping, or physical response or sensation was not reported by participants. The findings from the inductive and deductive analyses were then compared to look for patterns and answers to the research questions. The comparative analysis revealed that participants used additional LLS that are not included in Oxford’s taxonomy. Some examples of these strategies are: using sound transcription in native language and help from children. The study was conducted at the MDC InterAmerican campus in South Florida, one of the largest Hispanic-influenced communities in the U.S. Based on the findings from this study, the researcher proposed a framework to study LLS that includes both external (i.e., learning context, community) and internal (i.e., culture, prior education) factors that influence the selection and use of LLS. The findings from this study imply that given the importance of the both external and internal factors in learners’ use of LLS, these factors should be considered for inclusion in any study of language learner strategies use by adult learners. Implications for teaching and learning as well as recommendations for further research are provided.

Trajectory privacy preservation in mobile Wireless Sensor Networks

In recent years, there has been an enormous growth of location-aware devices, such as GPS embedded cell phones, mobile sensors and radio-frequency identification tags. The age of combining sensing, processing and communication in one device, gives rise to a vast number of applications leading to endless possibilities and a realization of mobile Wireless Sensor Network (mWSN) applications. As computing, sensing and communication become more ubiquitous, trajectory privacy becomes a critical piece of information and an important factor for commercial success. While on the move, sensor nodes continuously transmit data streams of sensed values and spatiotemporal information, known as ``trajectory information". If adversaries can intercept this information, they can monitor the trajectory path and capture the location of the source node. ^ This research stems from the recognition that the wide applicability of mWSNs will remain elusive unless a trajectory privacy preservation mechanism is developed. The outcome seeks to lay a firm foundation in the field of trajectory privacy preservation in mWSNs against external and internal trajectory privacy attacks. First, to prevent external attacks, we particularly investigated a context-based trajectory privacy-aware routing protocol to prevent the eavesdropping attack. Traditional shortest-path oriented routing algorithms give adversaries the possibility to locate the target node in a certain area. We designed the novel privacy-aware routing phase and utilized the trajectory dissimilarity between mobile nodes to mislead adversaries about the location where the message started its journey. Second, to detect internal attacks, we developed a software-based attestation solution to detect compromised nodes. We created the dynamic attestation node chain among neighboring nodes to examine the memory checksum of suspicious nodes. The computation time for memory traversal had been improved compared to the previous work. Finally, we revisited the trust issue in trajectory privacy preservation mechanism designs. We used Bayesian game theory to model and analyze cooperative, selfish and malicious nodes' behaviors in trajectory privacy preservation activities.^

Ficción de Racionalidad: La memoria como operador mítico en las estéticas polares de Jorge Luis Borges y José Lezama Lima

The aesthetic placement and period designation of Jorge Luis Borges (1899-1986) and José Lezama Lima (1910-1976) are complicated issues among critics. Borges is obviously considered a predecessor of the Latin American literary “boom,” but despite that taxonomy his work transcends that definition and provides a foundation for new trends and styles, such as the “neobarroco” cultivated by Severo Sarduy. Lezama is considered part of the second wave of the “boom,” but his work feeds, stylistically, from the Spanish baroque. At the same time, Lezama’s daring treatment of homoeroticism and his revolutionary system of images place him after the “boom” in a narrative style that is postmodern. This study undertakes a thorough revision of external and internal issues, revealing the key linguistic and fictive elements that characterize both writers. Through discourse analysis and close reading, a poetic system is formulated, which incorporate features of the “neobarroco,” “boom” and postmodern narrative styles. This dissertation uses a polar structure to analyze both poetic visions and concludes that they are compatible and symmetrical. From this perspective, Borges and Lezama belong to the “core” of literature that centers its emphasis in the creation of a system versus other modes of writing in which mimetic function prevails. By doing this and by recycling world culture, they create postmodern myth: the new building material for Hispanic American literature. There are only a few studies that explore the works of Borges and Lezama within the context of Baroque aesthetics. For the first time, this dissertation offers a comprehensive analysis that considers their poetic visions at large. Besides the difference in perspective, defined as macro-spatial in Borges and micro-spatial in Lezama, there are many similarities in content and form. Both writers question the cause and effect relationship and the modern use of metaphor. They also share a redefinition of genre as well as a hedonistic approach to literature and culture. This kinship in poetic vision is revealed through the polar method used for this study, which proposes a new form of aesthetic placement and period designation.

A influência do conforto luminoso na satisfação dos profissionais que atuam no ginásio do Centro de Reabilitação Infantil, Natal-RN

This study addresses the environmental quality in therapeutic spaces for children's rehabilitation. The assumption that space is active and interfere in interpersonal relationships, highlights the importance of natural light to the hospital architecture, to foster the creation of environments that encourage and assist in the recovery of patients in the rehabilitation process. Therefore, interferes with health humanization through positive actions in the physiological and emotional effects of natural light, as facilitators of the health recovery process. In Brazil hospital openings systems projects are built exclusively to follow requirements of the local construction code which do not consider the landscape, but only ventilation and heat stroke; and the luminance levels are treated just as recommendations for artificial lighting. The National Policy for Healthcare Humanization presents the environmental comfort as a priority. However, it does not guidelines for achieving it. In this context this research aims to evaluate the lighting comfort in infant therapeutic areas from the professional satisfaction, in order to identify human preferences on the variables: technical and constructive aspects, relationship with the exterior, internal visual interface and quality elements. With this purpose it was adopted as research strategy the Post-Occupancy Evaluation (Technical Functional) through a multi method approach, which included a case study in the rehabilitation gym of Children Rehabilitation Center, at Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, and a reference study at SARAH Rehabilitation Center, Fortaleza Unit at Ceará, both in Brazil northeast. The results indicate that the definition of openings systems should consider external and internal factors to the building, as the natural landscape, the immediate surroundings and activities to be performed. The POE found out the preference of the professional visual privacy in detriment to other analyzed aspects. Thus, it is expected that this study can contribute to the discussion of luminous quality and generate inputs for future projects or renovations in the Children's Rehabilitation Centers, which should not be projected as hospitals

The Masculine State in Crisis: War Resistance in Apartheid South Africa

External and internal forces threatened the apartheid state in the 1980s. The refusal to perform compulsory military service by individual white men and the increasing number of white South Africans who criticized the role of the military and apartheid governance had the potential to destabilize the gendered binaries on which white social order and Nationalist rule rested. The state constituted itself as a heterosexual, masculine entity in crisis and deployed a number of gendered discourses in an effort to isolate and negate objectors to military service. The state articulated a nationalist discourse that defined the white community in virile, masculine, and heroic terms. Conversely, “feminine” weakness, cowardice, and compromise were scorned. Objectors, as “strangers” in the public realm, were most vulnerable to homophobic stigmatization from the state and its supporters

A Relação entre Mindfulness, Auto-Compaixão, Vergonha e Psicopatologia em Praticantes e Não Praticantes de Meditação/Yoga

O estudo do mindfulness tem sido alvo de um crescente interesse no domínio da Psicologia, pela sua importância no aumento de bem-estar e redução de sintomatologia psicopatológica. Os estudos realizados acerca da forma como o mindfulness assume um papel preponderante no bem-estar psicológico dos indivíduos, tendo por base um conjunto de competências ou aptidões que podem ser aprendidas e praticadas, favorece uma melhoria da saúde e do bem-estar dos indivíduos. Deste modo, com o objectivo de contribuir para o conhecimento da relação entre mindfulness, auto-compaixão, vergonha e psicopatologia em praticantes e não praticantes de meditação/yoga, realizou-se um conjunto de estudos numa amostra constituída por 121 sujeitos, em que 53 integram uma população praticante de meditação/yoga e 68 pertencem à população geral não praticante de meditação/yoga. Os resultados revelam que indivíduos praticantes de meditação/yoga registam valores significativamente mais elevados nas facetas observar e não reagir da escala de mindfulness. Por sua vez, sujeitos com maiores índices de traço de mindfulness apresentam níveis mais baixos de vergonha externa e interna. Para além disto, indivíduos com elevado traço de mindfulness distinguem-se significativamente dos indivíduos com baixo traço de mindfulness ao apresentarem níveis mais elevados de auto-compaixão e níveis mais baixos de depressão, ansiedade e stress. / The study of mindfulness has been the target of a growing interest in the field of psychology because of its importance in increasing welfare and lessening of psychopathological symptoms. Studies on how mindfulness plays a central role in psychological well-being of individuals, based on a set of competencies or skills that can be learned and practiced, promotes improved health and well-being of individuals. Thus, in order to contribute to the knowledge of the relationship between mindfulness, self-pity, shame and psychopathology in non-practitioners and practitioners of meditation / yoga, it was held a series of studies on a sample of 121 subjects, in which 53 were part of a population practicing meditation / yoga and 68 belong to the general population not practicing meditation / yoga. The results show that individuals who practice meditation / yoga recorded significantly higher values in the watch and not react aspects of mindfulness scale. In turn, subjects with higher trait mindfulness have lower levels of external and internal shame. In addition, individuals with higher trait mindfulness differ significantly from individuals with low trait mindfulness of the present higher levels of self-pity and lower levels of depression, anxiety and stress.

Sistemas de gerenciamento de bibliotecas: riscos decorrentes do processo de migração de dados

This work aims to analyze risks related to information technology (IT) in procedures related to data migration. This is done considering ALEPH, Integrated Libray System (ILS) that migrated data to the Library Module present in the software called Sistema Integrado de Gestão de Atividades Acadêmicas (SIGAA) at the Zila Mamede Central Library at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) in Natal/Brazil. The methodological procedure used was of a qualitative exploratory research with the realization of case study at the referred library in order to better understand this phenomenon. Data collection was able once there was use of a semi-structured interview that was applied with (11) subjects that are employed at the library as well as in the Technology Superintendence at UFRN. In order to examine data Content analysis as well as thematic review process was performed. After data migration the results of the interview were then linked to both analysis units and their system register with category correspondence. The main risks detected were: data destruction; data loss; data bank communication failure; user response delay; data inconsistency and duplicity. These elements point out implication and generate disorders that affect external and internal system users and lead to stress, work duplicity and hassles. Thus, some measures were taken related to risk management such as adequate planning, central management support, and pilot test simulations. For the advantages it has reduced of: risk, occurrence of problems and possible unforeseen costs, and allows achieving organizational objectives, among other. It is inferred therefore that the risks present in data bank conversion in libraries exist and some are predictable, however, it is seen that librarians do not know or ignore and are not very worried in the identification risks in data bank conversion, their acknowledge would minimize or even extinguish them. Another important aspect to consider is the existence of few empirical research that deal specifically with this subject and thus presenting the new of new approaches in order to promote better understanding of the matter in the corporate environment of the information units

Obtenção de concentrado proteico do farelo de arroz e avaliação das propriedades químicas e funcionais

Esta dissertação é composta por 5 artigos.

New constraints on European glacial freshwater releases to the North Atlantic Ocean

During the late Quaternary, both external and internal forcings have driven major climatic shifts from glacial to interglacial conditions. Nonlinear climatic steps characterized the transitions leading to these extrema, with intermediate excursions particularly well expressed in the dynamics of the Northern Hemisphere cryosphere. Here we document the impact of these dynamics on the north-eastern North Atlantic Ocean, focussing on the 35-10 ka interval. Sea-surface salinities have been reconstructed quantitatively based on two independent methods from core MD95-2002, recovered from the northern Bay of Biscay adjacent to the axis of the Manche paleoriver outlet and thus in connection with proximal European ice sheets and glaciers. Quantitative reconstructions deriving from dinocyst and planktonic foraminiferal analyses have been combined within a robust chronology to assess the amplitude and timing of hydrological changes in this region. Our study evidences strong pulsed freshwater discharges which may have impacted the North Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation.

”Stress Monitoring via Wearable Electrodermal Sensors”

Stress is a phenomenon that on some level affects everyone’s lives on a daily basis. The autonomic nervous system controls the varying levels of stress at any given time. The responses of the autonomic nervous system adjust the body to cope with changing external and internal conditions. During high-stress situations the body is forced into a state of heightened alertness, which passes when the stressor is removed. The stressor can be any external or internal event that causes the body to respond. Stress is a very versatile phenomenon that can be both a cause and an indicator of other medical conditions, for example cardiovascular disease. Stress detection can therefore be helpful in identifying these conditions and monitoring the overall emotional state of a person. Electrodermal activity (EDA) is one of the most easily implemented ways to monitor the activity of the autonomic nervous system. EDA describes changes occurring in the various electrical properties of the skin, including skin conductivity and resistance. Increased emotional sweating has been proven to be one possible indication of stress. On the surface of the skin, increased sweating translates to increased skin conductivity, which can be observed through EDA measurements. This makes electrodermal activity a very useful tool in a wide range of applications where it is desirable to observe changes in a person’s stress level. EDA can be recorded by using specialized body sensors placed on specific locations on the body. Most commonly used recording sites are the palms of the hands due to the high sweat gland density on those areas. Measurement is done using at least two electrodes attached to the skin, and recording the electrical conductance between them. This thesis implements a prototype of a wireless EDA measurement system. The feasibility of the prototype is also verified with a small group of test subjects. EDA was recorded from the subjects while they were playing a game of Tetris. The goal was to observe variations in the measured EDA that would indicate changes in the subjects’ stress levels during the game. The analysis of the obtained measurement results confirmed the connection between stress and recorded EDA. During the game, random occurrences of lowered skin resistance were clearly observable, which indicates points in the game where the player felt more anxious. A wireless measurement system has the potential of offering more flexible and comfortable long-term measuring of EDA, and could be utilized in a wide range of applications.

Straddling The Gap: A MIddle School Teacher's Journey Towards Good Geography

Research points to a gap between academic or disciplinary based geography and what is taught in secondary classes across the nation. This study documents a teacher’s journey and efforts to bring a more disciplinary approach to two suburban heterogeneous sixth grade geography classrooms. The researcher traces student perspectives on geography and facility with geographic reasoning as well as his own perspectives and pedagogy with respect to student data. The study attempts to map the space where school geography meets and interacts with disciplinary oriented geography based upon the Geography for Life National Geography Standards. Participants completed two sets of baseline assessments and two sets of end of year assessments as well as an initial intake survey. The seven primary participants were interviewed five times each throughout the academic school year and data were openly coded. The data suggest that students can learn geography and geographic reasoning from a disciplinary perspective. Students sharpened their geographic skills through deeper subject matter knowledge and developing spatial and ecological perspectives. The data also indicate that the teacher researcher faced considerable challenges in implementing a disciplinary approach to teaching geography. The coverage demands of a crowded history-centric curriculum together with ill-fitting resources required a labor-intensive effort to put together and execute this study. Study findings indicate that the path to good geography pedagogy can be impeded by a host of external and internal challenges. However, to forward thinking practitioners, the effort to straddle the gap between school geography and disciplinary-based geography may be well worth it.

Barbie: Apenas uma boneca?: Estudo exploratório

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada no Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada para obtenção de grau de Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia Clínica

Sistemas de gerenciamento de bibliotecas: riscos decorrentes do processo de migração de dados

This work aims to analyze risks related to information technology (IT) in procedures related to data migration. This is done considering ALEPH, Integrated Libray System (ILS) that migrated data to the Library Module present in the software called Sistema Integrado de Gestão de Atividades Acadêmicas (SIGAA) at the Zila Mamede Central Library at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) in Natal/Brazil. The methodological procedure used was of a qualitative exploratory research with the realization of case study at the referred library in order to better understand this phenomenon. Data collection was able once there was use of a semi-structured interview that was applied with (11) subjects that are employed at the library as well as in the Technology Superintendence at UFRN. In order to examine data Content analysis as well as thematic review process was performed. After data migration the results of the interview were then linked to both analysis units and their system register with category correspondence. The main risks detected were: data destruction; data loss; data bank communication failure; user response delay; data inconsistency and duplicity. These elements point out implication and generate disorders that affect external and internal system users and lead to stress, work duplicity and hassles. Thus, some measures were taken related to risk management such as adequate planning, central management support, and pilot test simulations. For the advantages it has reduced of: risk, occurrence of problems and possible unforeseen costs, and allows achieving organizational objectives, among other. It is inferred therefore that the risks present in data bank conversion in libraries exist and some are predictable, however, it is seen that librarians do not know or ignore and are not very worried in the identification risks in data bank conversion, their acknowledge would minimize or even extinguish them. Another important aspect to consider is the existence of few empirical research that deal specifically with this subject and thus presenting the new of new approaches in order to promote better understanding of the matter in the corporate environment of the information units

How to optimize the business model for ConsultaClick an innovative startup in the e-health Portuguese sector

Field lab: Entrepreneurial and innovative ventures

A expressão da depressão e da psicose no desenho infantil na fase da latência

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada ao Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada para obtenção de grau de Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia Clínica.