Who is in charge? An L2 Discourse Intonation Study on Four Prosodic Parameters to Exert the Pragmatic Function of Dominance and Control in the Context of L2 Non-specialist Public Speaking

This paper reports the findings from a study of the learning of English intonation by Spanish speakers within the discourse mode of L2 oral presentation. The purpose of this experiment is, firstly, to compare four prosodic parameters before and after an L2 discourse intonation training programme and, secondly, to confirm whether subjects, after the aforementioned L2 discourse intonation training, are able to match the form of these four prosodic parameters to the discourse-pragmatic function of dominance and control. The study designed the instructions and tasks to create the oral and written corpora and Brazil’s Pronunciation for Advanced Learners of English was adapted for the pedagogical aims of the present study. The learners’ pre- and post-tasks were acoustically analysed and a pre / post- questionnaire design was applied to interpret the acoustic analysis. Results indicate most of the subjects acquired a wider choice of the four prosodic parameters partly due to the prosodically-annotated transcripts that were developed throughout the L2 discourse intonation course. Conversely, qualitative and quantitative data reveal most subjects failed to match the forms to their appropriate pragmatic functions to express dominance and control in an L2 oral presentation.

Comparing architectural styles for distributed expert knowledge modules in intelligent tutoring systems

Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITSs) are computerized systems for learning-by-doing. These systems provide students with immediate and customized feedback on learning tasks. An ITS typically consists of several modules that are connected to each other. This research focuses on the distribution of the ITS module that provides expert knowledge services. For the distribution of such an expert knowledge module we need to use an architectural style because this gives a standard interface, which increases the reusability and operability of the expert knowledge module. To provide expert knowledge modules in a distributed way we need to answer the research question: ‘How can we compare and evaluate REST, Web services and Plug-in architectural styles for the distribution of the expert knowledge module in an intelligent tutoring system?’. We present an assessment method for selecting an architectural style. Using the assessment method on three architectural styles, we selected the REST architectural style as the style that best supports the distribution of expert knowledge modules. With this assessment method we also analyzed the trade-offs that come with selecting REST. We present a prototype and architectural views based on REST to demonstrate that the assessment method correctly scores REST as an appropriate architectural style for the distribution of expert knowledge modules.

Aplicação do método de Monte Carlo no estudo da padronização de radionuclídeos com esquema de desintegração complexos em sistema de coincidencias 4-pi-beta-gama

Tese (Doutoramento)

Estudo dos Sintomas Psicopatológicos nas Forças Policiais Portuguesas: estudo comparativo na GNR, PSP e PJ

O presente estudo exploratório visa analisar a possibilidade de existência de Sintomas Psicopatológicos nas Forças Policiais Portuguesas GNR, PSP e PJ. Por se verificar um aumento do suicídio, nestes profissionais, com uma taxa quatro vezes superior no ano de 2008. O objectivo é essencialmente o de prevenção, conhecendo as causas, poder-se-ia intervir em tempo próprio diminuindo a taxa de suicídio. Para atingir o objectivo enunciado vamos proceder à revisão da literatura e à descrição do estudo. Foram utilizados o questionário sócio-demográfico e o BSI (Brief Symptoms Inventory) na recolha dos dados de 45 polícias (15 GNR, 15 PSP e 15 PJ) que exercem funções na Zona Centro do País e que voluntariamente colaboraram. Uma vez recolhidos os dados, estes foram introduzidos e processados no SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) versão 13.0. Os resultados obtidos permitiram concluir que não existem diferenças estatisticamente significativas nas diferentes Forças policiais, relativamente aos sintomas Psicopatológicos. / This present exploratory study pretends to analyze the existence of psicopatologic symptoms in the Portuguese Policies Forces, Republican National Guard, Public Security Police and Judicial Police. By the constatation of the increase of the suicidal tendence in this professionals, with a four time superior tax when compared with 2008. The essential objective is the prevention of suicide, well known their causes, we will can act in the own an favorable timing diminishing the tax of suicidal tentative. To obtain the pronounced objective, we will proceed to a reading revision over the behaviour characteristics as the subjects that commit suicide and the role of the police activities that have over the happenings. After, that we will describe the used metodology that involve a social demographic enquire and the BSI that (Brief Symptoms Inventory) over a sample of 45 police man (15 GNR, 15 PSP and 15 PJ) wich activities are situated in the center of Portugal that have been voluntary to this experience. Once data is collected, it was entered into a computerized database and processed in the statistical program SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). The obtained results will allow to conclude if exist significant statistical differences in the various Policies Forces, related with the psicopatologic symptoms.

A Computer-Aided Decision Support System for Making Locational Decisions, 1990

This report is the product of a first-year research project in the University Transportation Centers Program. This project was carried out by an interdisciplinary research team at The University of Iowa's Public Policy Center. The project developed a computerized system to support decisions on locating facilities that serve rural areas while minimizing transportation costs. The system integrates transportation databases with algorithms that specify efficient locations and allocate demand efficiently to service regions; the results of these algorithms are used interactively by decision makers. The authors developed documentation for the system so that others could apply it to estimate the transportation and route requirements of alternative locations and identify locations that meet certain criteria with the least cost. The system was developed and tested on two transportation-related problems in Iowa, and this report uses these applications to illustrate how the system can be used.

A Systematic Review of Entrepreneurship Education Literature in Nigeria: Where is the Focus of Research?

Purpose- Entrepreneurship education (EEd) plays a crucial role in the development of entrepreneurs and the enhancement of entrepreneurial activities in every economy. This paper examined what Higher education Institutions (HEIs) do in learning and teaching of entrepreneurship in general and how entrepreneurship development takes place in Nigerian HEIs. The outcome from this study will enable a deeper understanding on what HEIs do EEd, with more exposure as to what the areas and focus of research is in the Nigerian context. Design/methodology/approach- The study adopted a systematic literature review approach- drawing from a computerized search of five selected data bases, using predetermined key words by the researchers. Findings: The main finding of this paper is that, related concepts like skills, intention, drive and attitude have been use in expounding discussions on the outcome of EEd, but very little has been written on entrepreneurial mind-set (EMS), of which other studies have suggested that it’s a crucial point in the journey of an entrepreneurs (Reed & Stoltz, 2011; Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), 2012; Neneh, 2012). Furthermore, learning and teaching of entrepreneurship in Nigerian HEIs seems to be more on creating awareness (about entrepreneurship) than actual preparation for entrepreneurship (For entrepreneurship). Research limitations/implications- The paper is limited since it is based on a review of literature from a selected databases- covering a specific time span. This potentially excludes other studies outside this time span. A more comprehensive overview of these contributions would benefit from employing tools such as Google Scholar, for an overview of the sub–domains online. Originality/value – There are limited studies that focus on the issue of entrepreneurial mind-set in entrepreneurship education in Africa, specifically Nigeria. This paper and its focus in particular, have laid down pioneering ground work for research on entrepreneurial mind-set development in Nigerian entrepreneurship education.