Sedentary behavior and not physical activity predicts study progress in distance education`

For the official publication, see: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2016.06.021

Dynamic Distance-Based Shape Features for Gait Recognition

We propose a novel skeleton-based approach to gait recognition using our Skeleton Variance Image. The core of our approach consists of employing the screened Poisson equation to construct a family of smooth distance functions associated with a given shape. The screened Poisson distance function approximation nicely absorbs and is relatively stable to shape boundary perturbations which allows us to define a rough shape skeleton. We demonstrate how our Skeleton Variance Image is a powerful gait cycle descriptor leading to a significant improvement over the existing state of the art gait recognition rate.

Applying the expanding photosphere and standardized candle methods to Type II-Plateau supernovae at cosmologically significant redshifts . The distance to SN 2013eq

Based on optical imaging and spectroscopy of the Type II-Plateau SN 2013eq, we present a comparative study of commonly used distance determination methods based on Type II supernovae. The occurrence of SN 2013eq in the Hubble flow (z = 0.041 ± 0.001) prompted us to investigate the implications of the difference between "angular" and "luminosity" distances within the framework of the expanding photosphere method (EPM) that relies upon a relation between flux and angular size to yield a distance. Following a re-derivation of the basic equations of the EPM for SNe at non-negligible redshifts, we conclude that the EPM results in an angular distance. The observed flux should be converted into the SN rest frame and the angular size, θ, has to be corrected by a factor of (1 + z)2. Alternatively, the EPM angular distance can be converted to a luminosity distance by implementing a modification of the angular size. For SN 2013eq, we find EPM luminosity distances of DL = 151 ± 18 Mpc and DL = 164 ± 20 Mpc by making use of different sets of dilution factors taken from the literature. Application of the standardized candle method for Type II-P SNe results in an independent luminosity distance estimate (DL = 168 ± 16 Mpc) that is consistent with the EPM estimate. Spectra of SN 2013eq are available in the Weizmann Interactive Supernova data REPository (WISeREP): http://wiserep.weizmann.ac.il

Long Distance

Explores the relationship of landscape to personal meaning

Vehicle Distance Threshold for Quayside Operations of Container Terminals

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-08

Integration of learning and practice as part of the educational system development in Eritrea. "School Management" - a distance learning program by technical university of Kaiserslautern

The distance learning program "School Management" supports decision makers at the school and ministerial levels in the shaping of formal and informal learning processes at different levels in schools and curricula in Eritrea. This paper examines how the distance learning program is interconnected to educational system development. (DIPF/Orig.)

Constructing strongly-MDS convolutional codes with maximum distance profile

This paper revisits strongly-MDS convolutional codes with maximum distance profile (MDP). These are (non-binary) convolutional codes that have an optimum sequence of column distances and attains the generalized Singleton bound at the earliest possible time frame. These properties make these convolutional codes applicable over the erasure channel, since they are able to correct a large number of erasures per time interval. The existence of these codes have been shown only for some specific cases. This paper shows by construction the existence of convolutional codes that are both strongly-MDS and MDP for all choices of parameters.

L'utilisation de la vidéoconférence comme outil de formation à distance

[...] D'une façon globale, il semble donc exister trois grandes tendances dans le domaine de la formation : 1. une personnalisation de la formation pour l'apprenant ; 2. un rapprochement de la formation vers l'étudiant ; 3. une individualisation de la formation. On entend par personnalisation de la formation le fait que le contenu des cours est de plus en plus adapté aux caractéristiques propres des groupes visés et à leurs besoins. Le rapprochement de la formation vers l'étudiant signifie que plus que jamais, on tente de déplacer la formation vers l'apprenant plutôt que de déplacer celui-ci vers une classe qui ne reflète pas son milieu de travail. Quant à l'individualisation de la formation, cela veut dire que l'étudiant aura, dans un avenir proche, un accès de plus en plus individuel à la formation ; il pourra communiquer avec le formateur lorsqu'il désirera obtenir sa formation. La mise sur pied de centres de formation utilisant la vidéoconférence en salle comme outil de communication par des établissements d'enseignement, tels que l'Université du Tennessee (14 sites de vidéoconférence), le consortium d'éducation de l'Illinois de l'ouest (29 sites), l'école Escambia du comté d'Escambia en Floride (8 sites) et l'Université du Kentucky (7 sites) aux États-Unis, confirment ou nous incitent à croire que ces tendances sont fondées. Ainsi, devant ces nouvelles possibilités et réalités, les entreprises et les établissements d'enseignement doivent réévaluer leurs méthodes de formation à distance. La formation à distance peut-elle bénéficier de ces développements technologiques ? Pourrait-elle utiliser un outil de communication telle que la vidéoconférence pour dispenser des programmes de formation à distance ? Il apparaît donc qu'il faut évaluer la possibilité d'employer la vidéoconférence en salle pour dispenser des programmes de formation à distance.

Étude des variables influençant l’efficacité de la formation à distance

Les nombreux changements technologiques que nous connaissons révolutionnent nos modes de penser, d'agir et de vivre. Aucune connaissance n'est désormais définitive, aucun savoir à son apogée. Il faut constamment se recycler, s'ajuster, se perfectionner : d'où l'expansion actuelle de l'enseignement des adultes à différents niveaux d'enseignement. L'idée que l'éducation soit réservée aux jeunes qui se préparent à la vie, tandis que les adultes doivent se consacrer au travail pour gagner la leur, est en train de se modifier. La période dévolue à l'éducation de type classique déborde sur la vie adulte à mesure que les études scolaires se prolongent et que le désir de découvrir, d'apprendre, se développe. L'éducation permanente, à laquelle l'adulte consacre une partie de son temps, devient une pratique de plus en plus courante. En effet, depuis la réforme amorcée avec le rapport Parent, le système d'éducation québécois a connu une augmentation continue de sa population adulte. De nos jours encore, on ressent cette demande de formation de la part des adultes et il y a tout lieu de croire que cette tendance se poursuivra. (Conseil supérieur de l'éducation, 1988). […]

The Effect of Psychological Distance on Willingness to Engage in Ideologically Based Violence

Research on the cognitive and decision-making processes of individuals who choose to engage in ideologically based violence is vital. Our research examines how abstract and concrete construal mindsets affect likelihood to engage in ideologically based violence. Construal Level Theory (CLT) states that an abstract mindset (high-level construal), as opposed to a concrete mindset (low-level construal), is associated with a greater likelihood of engaging in goal-oriented, value-motivated behaviors. Assuming that ideologically based violence is goal-oriented, we hypothesized that high-level construal should result in an increased likelihood of engaging in ideologically based violence. In the pilot study we developed and tested 24 vignettes covering controversial topics and assessed them on features such as relatability, emotional impact, and capacity to elicit a violent reaction. The ten most impactful vignettes were selected for use in the primary investigations. The two primary investigations examined the effect of high- and low-level construal manipulations on self-reported likelihood of engaging in ideologically based violence. Self-reported willingness was measured through an ideological violence assessment. Data trends implied that participants were engaged in the study, as they reported a higher willingness to engage in ideologically based violence when they had a higher passion for the vignette's social issue topic. Our results did not indicate a significant relationship between construal manipulations and level of passion for a topic.

On imbedding differentiable manifolds in Euclidean space

Assume n,k,m,q are positive integers. Let M^n denote a smooth differentiable n-manifold and R^k Euclidean k-space. (a) If M^n is open it imbeds smoothly in R^k, k=2n-1 (b) If M^n is open and parallelizable it immerses in R^n (c) Assume M^n is closed and (m-1)-connected, 1< 2m-n < n+1. If a neighborhood of the (n-m)-skeleton immerses in R^q, a>2n-2m, then the complement of a point of M^n imbeds smoothly in R^q.