Tesis sobre el tema "Programmes de convergence"

The following study was conducted over 21 months in the South Pacific. I served as Academic Coordinator for World Learning’s SIT’s Study Abroad program in Samoa for three semesters. While overseeing independent study projects, facilitating working relationships, and promoting cross-cultural communication among the American and Pacific Islander/Samoan tertiary students, I concluded that -- through cultural immersion, experiential education and deliberate, academically fostered communication and discussion both Western and Indigenous identities are capable of converging to better mutual and lasting understanding. I spent ten months in Samoa completing my field research and five months in New Zealand completing my library research. Over the course of three academic semesters, this study evolved through my volunteer work with the group Rotaract Samoa, my research and teaching experiences with an experiential education programme, and indirectly incorporating 36 American students from various US tertiary institutions participating in the SIT Study Abroad’s Pacific Communities and Social Change semester in Samoa, and over 120 Pacific Island students and staff on the University of the South Pacific (USP) campus in Alafua, Samoa. Encouraging American students to foster relationships with indigenous peoples offered insights into the process and progress of the students’ shared interactions. Students were uncomfortable and awkward in their initial associations, however, over time, through the program’s immersion techniques, the students learned valuable lessons, about Samoan culture and themselves as human beings. I found the use of experiential education programmes and convergence methodology in multicultural learning environments ultimately promoted multi-perspective, culturally responsive student development. I collected my data through interviews, participant-observations, surveys, questionnaires, volunteering and teaching. I analysed my data using a self-reflexive anthropological perspective.

This research investigates how the production and distribution of nationally produced television programmes, films and other audiovisual content can be promoted by regulation. The study identifies current regulatory tools to promote national content and differences in policy approaches. It also identifies new issues resulting from the substantial transformation the media environment has undergone in recent years. The audiovisual sector today is characterised by an abundance of television channels and telecommunication services and by ongoing digital convergence, all impacting on the effectiveness and rationale of content regulation. Focused on the UK, France and Brazil, this comparative research investigates the political, regulatory, socio-cultural, economic, technological and market changes of the communication services in the recent decades and how this has impacted on the provision of national audiovisual content. The starting point of the analysis are the 1980s, when broadcasting started to be gradually liberalised, and it concludes in the 2000s, when information technologies, telecommunications and broadcasting converge into interconnected, complementary and supplementary services. This research offers a three step method of analysis which contributes to a new understanding of the mechanisms and implications involved in the production and distribution of nationally produced content in digital times. In the first step, the various socio-cultural aims of communication services as enacted in legislation are analysed. The second step explores the consequent regulatory tools for the fulfilment of those objectives. The third step provides a market evaluation of the audiovisual industries, which broadcasters and other distribution platforms provide which kind of content, and also looks at audiences‟ viewing preferences to get a better understanding of what type of content should be supported through legislation. As outcomes, this research proposes to academics, policymakers and regulators a new definition for national content and a series of regulatory actions for fostering national audiovisual industries in times of digital convergence.

Cette thèse comporte des résultats théoriques et pratiques sur deux métaheuristiques, la Recherche Dispersée et la Recherche Voisinage variable (RVV), ainsi que sur des Matheuristiques. Au niveau théorique, la contribution principale de cette thèse est la proposition d’un algorithme de recherche dispersée avec l’arrondi directionnel convergent pour les programmes en nombres entiers mixtes (0-1 MIP), avec une preuve de cette convergence en un nombre fini d’itérations. En se basant sur cet algorithme convergeant, deux implémentations et plusieurs heuristiques sont proposées et testées sur des instances de 0-1 MIP. Les versions testées reposent sur des implémentations non optimisées pour mettre en évidence la puissance des approches dans une forme simplifiée. Nos résultats démontrent l’efficacité de ces approches initiales, ce qui les rend attractives lorsque des solutions de très haute qualité sont recherchées avec un investissement approprié en termes d’effort de calcul. Cette thèse inclut également quelques nouvelles variantes de la métaheuristique Recherche Voisinage Variable telles qu’une recherche voisinage variable deux niveaux, une recherche voisinage variable imbriquée, une descente voisinage variable cyclique et une heuristique de plongée voisinage variable. En outre, plusieurs implémentations efficaces de ces algorithmes basés sur la recherche voisinage variable ont été appliquées avec succès à des problèmes NP-Difficiles apparaissant en transport, logistique, production d’énergie, ordonnancement, et segmentation. Les heuristiques proposées se sont avérées être les nouvelles heuristiques de référence sur tous les problèmes considérés. La dernière contribution de cette thèse repose sur la proposition de plusieurs matheuristiques pour résoudre le problème de Conception de Réseau Multi-flots avec Coût fixe (CRMC). Les performances de ces matheuristiques ont été évaluées sur un ensemble d’instances de référence du CRMC. Les résultats obtenus démontrent la compétitivité des approches proposées par rapport aux approches existantes de la littérature
This thesis consists of results obtained studying Scatter Search, Variable Neighbourhood Search (VNS), and Matheuristics in both theoretical and practical context. Regarding theoretical results, one of the main contribution of this thesis is a convergent scatter search with directional rounding algorithm for 0-1 Mixed Integer Programs (MIP) with the proof of its finite convergence. Besides this, a convergent scatter search algorithm is accompanied by two variants of its implementation. Additionally, several scatter search based heuristics, stemming from a convergent scatter search algorithm have been proposed and tested on some instances of 0-1 MIP. The versions of the methods tested are first stage implementations to establish the power of the methods in a simplified form. Our findings demonstrate the efficacy of these first stage methods, which makes them attractive for use in situations where very high quality solutions are sought with an efficient investment of computational effort.This thesis also includes new variants of Variable Neighborhood Search metaheuristic such as a two-level variable neighborhood search, a nested variable neighborhood search, a cyclic variable neighborhood descent and a variable neighborhood diving. Additionally, several efficient implementation of those variable neighborhood search algorithms have been successfully applied for solving NP-Hard problems appearing in transportation, logistics, power generation, scheduling and clustering. On all tested problems, the proposed VNS heuristics turned out to be a new state-of-the art heuristics. The last contribution of this thesis consists of proposing several matheuristics for solving Fixed-Charge Multicommodity Network Design (MCND) problem. The performances of these matheuristics have been disclosed on benchmark instances for MCND. The obtained results demonstrate the competitiveness of the proposed matheuristics with other existing approaches in the literature

La politique fiscale est importante pour le financement du développement, en particulier dans le contexte d'une marge de manœuvre fiscale limitée, comme c'est le cas dans de nombreux pays en développement. Cette thèse étudie le potentiel de la politique fiscale en tant qu'atout pour financer le développement. Elle explore quatre questions fondamentales sur l'efficacité de cet outil politico-économique et la mobilisation des ressources. Le premier essai analyse l'impact des transferts de fonds des migrants sur les recettes fiscales non liées aux ressources naturelles des pays bénéficiaires de ces transferts et la manière dont la stabilité des institutions modifie cette relation. Les résultats montrent une association positive principalement à travers son effet sur les impôts indirects. En outre, la qualité des institutions n'augmente pas la relation entre les envois de fonds et la fiscalité, car cet effet positif diminue à mesure que les institutions se stabilisent. Le deuxième essai étudie la contribution des programmes de convergence macroéconomique à la convergence fiscale et à la viabilité fiscale des communautés économiques régionales africaines. Malgré l'absence de convergence fiscale absolue au niveau de la dette publique, des recettes et des dépenses, les tests log-t montrent une convergence conditionnelle. En outre, l'analyse qui suit ne parvient pas à valider l'hypothèse selon laquelle l'appartenance à une zone monétaire, qui est perçue comme la forme la plus profonde d'intégration, améliore la réponse de la politique fiscale à l'augmentation de la dette publique. Le troisième essai examine les effets de la décentralisation des dépenses et de l'autonomie des recettes sur la performance fiscale du gouvernement central (CG) et des gouvernements locaux (SNG). Les résultats montrent que la décentralisation des dépenses pourrait améliorer la performance fiscale du gouvernement central, mais seulement à des niveaux faibles de dépendance des transferts par les gouvernements sous-nationaux. Cependant, une plus grande autonomie en matière de recettes est préjudiciable à la fois à la performance du gouvernement central et à celle des gouvernements infranationaux. Néanmoins, le renforcement de la responsabilité des SNG et la prise en compte des relations fiscales verticales lors de la conception des réformes de décentralisation pourraient réduire le biais de déficit au niveau central et local. Le dernier essai étudie comment les déséquilibres budgétaires (verticaux et horizontaux) affectent les efforts de collecte des recettes fiscales par les gouvernements locaux kenyans. Les résultats montrent que les déséquilibres verticaux diminuent la part des recettes propres, ce qui confirme que des déséquilibres verticaux importants peuvent favoriser l'indiscipline budgétaire au niveau infranational en réduisant l'effort fiscal. Cependant, les gouvernements des comtés "plus pauvres" exercent un effort fiscal plus important
Fiscal policy is important for development financing, particularly in the context of limited fiscal space, as in many developing countries. This thesis studies the potential of fiscal policy as an asset to fund development. It explores four fundamental questions about the effectiveness of this political-economic tool and resource mobilization. The first essay analyses the impact of migrant remittances on non-resource tax revenues in remittance-recipient countries and how institutional stability modifies this relationship. The results show a positive association mainly through its effect on indirect taxes. Furthermore, institutional quality does not augment the remittance-taxation relationship, as this positive effect diminishes as institutions stabilize. The second essay studies macroeconomic convergence programs' contribution to fiscal convergence and fiscal sustainability of African Regional Economic Communities. Although there is no absolute fiscal convergence in public debt, revenue and expenditure, the log-t tests show conditional convergence. Furthermore, the subsequent analysis fails to validate the hypothesis that belonging to a monetary zone, which is perceived as the deepest form of integration, augments the response of fiscal policy to increasing public debt. The third essay examines the effects of expenditure decentralization and revenue autonomy on the fiscal performance of central government (CG) and subnational governments (SNGs). The results show that expenditure decentralization could enhance CG fiscal performance but only at low levels of transfer dependency by SNGs. However, higher revenue autonomy is detrimental to both central and subnational performance. Nevertheless, enhancing SNG accountability and taking into account the vertical fiscal relations when designing decentralization reforms could reduce the deficit bias at the central and local levels. The final essay investigates how fiscal imbalances (vertical and horizontal) affect tax revenue collection efforts in Kenyan local governments. The results show that vertical imbalances diminish the share of own-source revenues, confirming that large vertical imbalances may foster subnational fiscal indiscipline through a lower tax effort. However, "poorer" county governments exert a higher tax effort

Orientador: Suzete Maria Silva Afonso
Banca: Renata Zotin Gomes de Oliveira
Banca: Ligia Lais Femina
Resumo: Neste trabalho discutiremos alguns métodos clássicos para otimização irrestrita, a saber o Método de Cauchy e o Método de Newton, e analisaremos a convergência desses métodos. Veremos que o Método de Cauchy, que faz a cada iteração uma busca unidirecional na direção de máxima descida, ou seja, na direção oposta ao gradiente, tem convergência linear. O método de Newton, por outro lado, minimiza, em cada iteração, a aproximação quadrática da função objetivo. Nos métodos de busca unidirecional é preciso minimizar uma função a partir de um certo ponto, segundo uma direção dada, que é a direção de busca. Por essa razão, estudaremos o Método da Seção Áurea, que fornece uma minimização exata de uma função real de uma variável real
Abstract: In this work we will discuss some classic methods for unrestricted optimization, namely the Cauchy Method and Newton's Method, and we will analyze the convergence of those methods. We will see that the Cauchy Method, that realizes on each iteration a unidirectional search in the direction of maximum descent, that is, in the direction opposite to the gradient, has linear convergence. The Newton Method, on the other hand, minimizes, in each iteration, the quadratic approximation of the objective function. In unidirectional search methods, one must minimize a function from a certain point in a given direction, which is the search direction. For that reason, we will study the Golden Section Method, which provides the exact minimization of a real function of a real variable
Mestre

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Este trabalho apresenta o processo de planejamento de uma rede social para o nicho da gastronomia, convergente com programas de TV, sites especializados e outras mídias sociais, a partir dda adoção da metodologia ágil para desenvolvimento de software Scrum. Como justificativa do trabalho, são apresentados dados sobre a valorização de temas gastronômicos no cenário contemporâneo, e sobre as tendências de uso de redes sociais no Brasil. Para a definição do escopo do projeto e das funcionalidades do produto, foram analisados programas de TV, sites especializados e canais de mídias sociais que tratam do tema. Como resultados, o trabalho apresenta o modelo de negócios concebido para o produto, um roadmap cronológico que define versões para seu lançamento no mercadoe um protótipo que demonstra o conceito e algumas funcionalidades dessa rede social.
This research presents the planning process of a niche social network about gastronomy convergent with TV shows, specialized sites and other social media, with the adoption of agile software development Scrum. As justification, presents data about the importance of gastronomic themes in the contemporary scene and on social networking usage trends in Brazil. To define the project scope and product features. TV programs, specialized websites and social media channels about the theme are analyzed. As results, presents the business model designed for the product, a chronological roadmap that defines versions to-market and a prototype that demostrates the concept and some features of the social network

Orientador: Francisco Rolfsen Belda
Banca: Denis Porto Reno
Banca: Élvio Gilberto da Silva
Resumo: Este trabalho apresenta o processo de planejamento de uma rede social para o nicho da gastronomia, convergente com programas de TV, sites especializados e outras mídias sociais, a partir dda adoção da metodologia ágil para desenvolvimento de software Scrum. Como justificativa do trabalho, são apresentados dados sobre a valorização de temas gastronômicos no cenário contemporâneo, e sobre as tendências de uso de redes sociais no Brasil. Para a definição do escopo do projeto e das funcionalidades do produto, foram analisados programas de TV, sites especializados e canais de mídias sociais que tratam do tema. Como resultados, o trabalho apresenta o modelo de negócios concebido para o produto, um roadmap cronológico que define versões para seu lançamento no mercadoe um protótipo que demonstra o conceito e algumas funcionalidades dessa rede social.
Abstract: This research presents the planning process of a niche social network about gastronomy convergent with TV shows, specialized sites and other social media, with the adoption of agile software development Scrum. As justification, presents data about the importance of gastronomic themes in the contemporary scene and on social networking usage trends in Brazil. To define the project scope and product features. TV programs, specialized websites and social media channels about the theme are analyzed. As results, presents the business model designed for the product, a chronological roadmap that defines versions to-market and a prototype that demostrates the concept and some features of the social network
Mestre

All governments aim to ensure better health and nutrition to children. The Rajasthan state (India) has implemented a unique frontline coordination model where Accredited Health Social Activist (ASHA) Sahyoginis are expected to support two other frontline workers (FLWs) i.e. the Anganwadi Workers from the Integrated Child Development Services and the Auxiliary Nurse Midwives from the Health department to improve child health. This thesis focuses on examining the existing coordination between the three groups of FLWs in Rajasthan by exploring FLWs' participation in child immunisation and Vitamin A supplementation (two common activities), service coverage and beneficiary's' knowledge (expected outcomes), and the challenges faced and areas that need improvement for better frontline coordination. A mixed methods design was used. Sixteen villages from two blocks (tribal and non-tribal) of Udaipur district (Rajasthan) were selected using multistage purposive sampling. The formative stage included 12 FLWs' in-depth interviews (IDIs) as well as a review of FLWs' job descriptions to understand the process and government expectations on their participation in routine childhood immunisation, polio camps, routine Vitamin A supplementation and Vitamin A campaigns. The next stage included data collection from the 16 selected villages i.e. structured questionnaire survey of FLWs (46), observations of Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Day (16), review of FLWs' immunisation and Vitamin A registers (32) and a structured questionnaire survey of registered infants' mothers (321)-all to ascertain the actual participation of FLWs in these four activities and the outcomes. IDIs with FLWs (46) and FLWs' line managers (17) were conducted to understand their experience, issues and solutions for better frontline coordination. The participation of FLWs in three of the four activities (except Polio Camps) was found to be limited. The FLWs and their line managers were also dissatisfied with coordination between FLWs. Poor outcomes also indicated unsatisfactory coordination. Overall, frontline participation and outcomes were better in tribal than non-tribal villages. A variety of factors (i.e. personal, professional, organisational, and geo-socio-cultural) appeared to affect coordination between FLWs. Appropriate recruitment, training, monitoring and supervision and rewards to the FLWs along with greater political commitment for coordinated approached and addressing intra-departmental challenges are proposed to improve frontline coordination and child health in Rajasthan.

The purpose of this essay is to examine how the editorial office to the TV-programs Gokväll,Mitt i naturen and Plus use social media. To achieve the purpose qualitative interviews wereconducted with three Web Editors, one for each program. This essay is based on theories onhow companies can and should work with social media from Andreas M. Kaplan andMichael Haenlin among other writers and scholars from Sweden. The convergence concepttheory with particular focus on media convergence and branding has also been applied in thestudy. The result of this study shows that the editorial office for the programs use socialmedia in varying extents and quality. Facebook is the most used social media channel andTwitter is used in a small extent. Two of the programs use Instagram as well and one of themhas developed their own application. The programs appear on the channel SVT which is partof public service in Sweden. With that come guidelines, which the programs need to follow.One of them is that they have to use at least three social media channels to avoid favoring ofone special brand or company. Two of the TV-programs are using Twitter even though theeditorial staff admits that they do not think their main audience is active on such socialmedias. This result shows that there is obviously a problem with the fact that they have to usethree social medias even though they do not really benefit by using all of them.

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Neste trabalho discutiremos alguns métodos clássicos para otimização irrestrita, a saber o Método de Cauchy e o Método de Newton, e analisaremos a convergência desses métodos. Veremos que o Método de Cauchy, que faz a cada iteração uma busca unidirecional na direção de máxima descida, ou seja, na direção oposta ao gradiente, tem convergência linear. O método de Newton, por outro lado, minimiza, em cada iteração, a aproximação quadrática da função objetivo. Nos métodos de busca unidirecional é preciso minimizar uma função a partir de um certo ponto, segundo uma direção dada, que é a direção de busca. Por essa razão, estudaremos o Método da Seção Áurea, que fornece uma minimização exata de uma função real de uma variável real.
In this work we will discuss some classic methods for unrestricted optimization, namely the Cauchy Method and Newton’s Method, and we will analyze the convergence of those methods. We will see that the Cauchy Method, that realizes on each iteration a unidirectional search in the direction of maximum descent, that is, in the direction opposite to the gradient, has linear convergence. The Newton Method, on the other hand, minimizes, in each iteration, the quadratic approximation of the objective function. In unidirectional search methods, one must minimize a function from a certain point in a given direction, which is the search direction. For that reason, we will study the Golden Section Method, which provides the exact minimization of a real function of a real variable.

La recherche doctorale intitulée "Disparités régionales et croissance économique en Europe de l'Est - L'impact de l'utilisation des Fonds européens sur la convergence réelle en Roumanie" vise à produire une analyse d'impact de l'intégration européenne sur la convergence réelle dans les États membres d'Europe de l’Est pendant la période de programmation 2007 -2013. À l'aide d'une combinaison de méthodes, techniques et logiciels dédiés, la recherche a inclus une série d'analyses sur les Fonds structurels alloués aux régions des 3 pays d'Europe de l’Est (Pologne, Roumanie et Bulgarie), un inventaire de bonnes pratiques (le cas du Portugal considéré comme une réussite dans ce registre d’investigation), ainsi que des modèles statistiques pour tester la convergence, visant à mesurer l’effet des allocations sur la croissance économique régionale. Dans la dernière partie du document, on a analysé la perception sociale de l’intégration européenne et des politiques régionales dans le but de définir les mesures appropriées pour améliorer la gestion des programmes opérationnels régionaux. Les principaux éléments d’originalité du document sont les suivants: la réalisation d’une analyse interdisciplinaire sur le thème de l’impact des Fonds européens, pendant la période de référence 2007-2013, en utilisant une combinaison de méthodes statistiques et économétriques pour tester les hypothèses, la présentation des bonnes pratiques en matière de mise en œuvre de projets régionaux pouvant être reproduites en Europe de l’Est, la réalisation d’une analyse comparative (à la fois des séries chronologiques et qualitatives à travers une analyse documentaire) entre les trois pays d’Europe de l’Est sus indiqués. L’on ajoute la modalité d’enquêter sur l’impact des Fonds en corrélant les indicateurs du programme avec les indicateurs d’Eurostat, mais aussi les tests portant sur la rapidité avec laquelle les États analysés peuvent atteindre la convergence. D’autres éléments originaux précieux sont représentés par l’analyse de la perception des citoyens roumains quant au problème de la politique de cohésion, grâce à l’application et à l’interprétation de plus de 400 questionnaires, déployés dans les régions de Bucarest-Ilfov et du Nord-Est (qui présentent les plus grandes divergences), mais aussi la réalisation de 10 entretiens avec les bénéficiaires directs des projets régionaux et l’établissement des mesures pertinentes en vue d'accroître la qualité de la performance institutionnelle des autorités de gestion afin de rendre la mise en œuvre du Programme Opérationnel Régional plus efficace. Les principales conclusions de la recherche révèlent qu'au niveau de l'Union européenne, les modèles appliqués aux données nationales montrent que le processus de convergence entre les États membres de l'UE27 est en cours et que les divergences interrégionales se sont accentuées. Suite aux tests de convergence, on envisage que celle-ci sera réalisée dans une période allant du (scénario pessimiste par rapport au scénario optimiste): 25 et 11 ans pour la Roumanie, entre 24 et 10 ans pour la Pologne et entre 37 et 19 ans pour la Bulgarie. Suite à l'interprétation des données portant sur l'analyse de la perception, la Roumanie a été un réel bénéficiaire de l'intégration européenne, avec un accès à des Fonds non remboursables (y compris moyennant le Programme Opérationnel Régional) offrant de nombreux avantages économiques, sociaux, culturels, touristiques, de développement des infrastructures etc
The PhD thesis entitled "Regional disparities and economic growth in Eastern Europe - The impact of European Funds on real convergence in Romania" aimed at conducting an impact analysis of the European integration on real convergence in Eastern European Member States, during the 2007-2013 programming period. Using a mix of specific methods, techniques and software, the research included a series of analyses on the Structural Funds allocated to the regions of three Eastern European countries (Poland, Romania and Bulgaria), an inventory of good practices (the case of Portugal, considered a success story within this investigative framework), as well as statistical models of convergence testing, which sought to measure the effect of allocations on regional economic growth. In the last part of the paper, we analyzed the social perception on European integration and regional policies, in order to further outline some measures which are relevant to the improvement of the management of the regional operational programs. The main original points of the paper are: an interdisciplinary analysis on the impact of European Funds, during the 2007-2013 reference period, using various statistical and econometric methods of hypothesis testing; the presentation of good practices in the implementation of regional projects that can be replicated in Eastern Europe; a comparative analysis (in certain time intervals, as well as qualitatively, through documentary analysis) in the three aforementioned Eastern European States. Another contribution is the analysis method of the impact of EU Funds, which is based on correlating the program indicators with the Eurostat indicators, but also on testing the speed with which the analysed countries can reach convergence. Other original elements are the analysis of Romanian citizens’ perception on the political cohesion problem, which was done by conducting and interpreting over 400 questionnaires, in the Bucharest-Ilfov and North-East regions (which report the highest disparities), as well as a number of 10 interviews with direct beneficiaries of regional projects, and last, but not least, a set of measures aiming to increase the quality of the institutional services of Management Authorities, in order to make the implementation of the Regional Operational Program more efficient. The main conclusions of the research suggest that at European Union level, the models applied on national level data show that the process of convergence between the EU27 Member States is currently taking place and the interregional divergences have accentuated. Convergence is predicted to be achieved between (the pessimistic and optimistic scenario): 25 and 11 years for Romania, between 24 and 10 years for Poland and between 37 and 19 years for Bulgaria. Following the interpretation of the perception analysis data, it is found that Romania was a real beneficiary of the integration in the European Union, and the access to non-reimbursable funds (including funds provided by the Regional Operational Program) provided many economic, social, cultural, touristical benefits, infrastructure development, etc

Las organizaciones cada vez más demandan una mejor y eficiente gestión de los procesos de desarrollo de software, pues han comprendido la importancia en proporcionar servicios de calidad alineados a sus objetivos operacionales y estratégicos. En el contexto de la Industria del Software se tienen a CMMI-DEV como el modelo más popular para la mejora de procesos y a la ISO/IEC 12207 como el estándar para la definición de los procesos en el ciclo de vida del software los cuales son comparados para analizar su cobertura y las ventajas de uno respecto del otro. En este estudio se busca analizar los resulta-dos de las comparaciones (parciales o completas) de las distintas versiones para determinar si estos modelos van evolucionando de manera convergente o no en los procesos técnicos relacionados a la producción de software. Para el estudio se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura en las principales bases de datos indexadas relacionadas con el tema de estudio. Este estudio ha identificado 9 artículos directamente relacionados a la comparación entre ISO/IEC 12207 y CMMI, en los cuales la técnica más empleada en la comparación de estos modelos es el mapping.
Trabajo de investigación

Orientador: Hilda Carvalho de Oliveira
Banca: João Benedito dos Santos Júnior
Banca: Eraldo Pereira Marinho
Resumo: A crescente adoção de sistemas de e-Learning, tanto no meio acadêmico quanto no meio corporativo, vem gerando várias linhas de pesquisas e trabalhos em educação a distância. A criação de conteúdos tem recebido especial atenção, associada a padrões com metadados, que enfatizam a reutilização de objetos de aprendizagem (OAs) e a interoperabilidade entre os sistemas de e-Learning. A realidade da TV Digital Interativa no Brasil pode ser considerada como um meio alternativo eficaz e de baixo custo para levar informações às comunidades mais remotas, favorecendo a inclusão digital. A TV Digital oferece novos paradigmas de usabilidade. Nesta direção, este trabalho teve como principal objetivo investigar a viabilidade de implementação, no ambiente da TVDI, das funcionalidades dos ambientes virtuais colaborativos de aprendizagem já implementados para a Web. O sistema Moodle foi selecionado, por ser mundialmente utilizado, com arquitetura em conformidade com o modelo IEEE LTSA (Learning Technology System Architecture) e mecanismos de suporte ao padrão de OAs SCORM. Foram realizadas análises sobre os módulos do Moodle, convergindo o módulo de QUIZ para o ambiente da TVD aberta brasileira. Foram utilizados o emulador XletView e a API Java TV.
Abstract: The growing adoption of e-Learning systems, both in academia and in corporative areas, is generating many lines of research and works in education. The creation of Learning contents with metadata standards has received special attention. They enhance the reutilizability of Learning Objects (LOs) and the interoperabilility between e-Learning systems. The reality of the Interactive Digital TV (IDTV) in Brazil can be considered as an effective alternative way and of low cost to take information to many remote communities, fostering digital inclusion. The Digital TV offers new paradigms of usability. In this direction, the main goal of this work was investigate the viability of converge the functionalities of Web collaborative virtual environments of learning for the environment of the IDTV. The Moodle system was selected, because it comes world-wide being used, with architecture in according to the model IEEE LTSA (Learning Technology System Architecture) and has mechanisms of support to the standard of LOs SCORM. Analyses on the modules of the Moodle were done. The QUIZ module was converged to the environment of the Brazilian open digital TV. The XletView emulator and the Java TV API were used.
Mestre

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A crescente adoção de sistemas de e-Learning, tanto no meio acadêmico quanto no meio corporativo, vem gerando várias linhas de pesquisas e trabalhos em educação a distância. A criação de conteúdos tem recebido especial atenção, associada a padrões com metadados, que enfatizam a reutilização de objetos de aprendizagem (OAs) e a interoperabilidade entre os sistemas de e-Learning. A realidade da TV Digital Interativa no Brasil pode ser considerada como um meio alternativo eficaz e de baixo custo para levar informações às comunidades mais remotas, favorecendo a inclusão digital. A TV Digital oferece novos paradigmas de usabilidade. Nesta direção, este trabalho teve como principal objetivo investigar a viabilidade de implementação, no ambiente da TVDI, das funcionalidades dos ambientes virtuais colaborativos de aprendizagem já implementados para a Web. O sistema Moodle foi selecionado, por ser mundialmente utilizado, com arquitetura em conformidade com o modelo IEEE LTSA (Learning Technology System Architecture) e mecanismos de suporte ao padrão de OAs SCORM. Foram realizadas análises sobre os módulos do Moodle, convergindo o módulo de QUIZ para o ambiente da TVD aberta brasileira. Foram utilizados o emulador XletView e a API Java TV.
The growing adoption of e-Learning systems, both in academia and in corporative areas, is generating many lines of research and works in education. The creation of Learning contents with metadata standards has received special attention. They enhance the reutilizability of Learning Objects (LOs) and the interoperabilility between e-Learning systems. The reality of the Interactive Digital TV (IDTV) in Brazil can be considered as an effective alternative way and of low cost to take information to many remote communities, fostering digital inclusion. The Digital TV offers new paradigms of usability. In this direction, the main goal of this work was investigate the viability of converge the functionalities of Web collaborative virtual environments of learning for the environment of the IDTV. The Moodle system was selected, because it comes world-wide being used, with architecture in according to the model IEEE LTSA (Learning Technology System Architecture) and has mechanisms of support to the standard of LOs SCORM. Analyses on the modules of the Moodle were done. The QUIZ module was converged to the environment of the Brazilian open digital TV. The XletView emulator and the Java TV API were used.

Orientador: Hilda Carvalho de Oliveira
Banca: Eugenio Maria de França Ramos
Banca: Klaus Schlünzen Junior
Resumo: A construção de Objetos de Aprendizagem (OAs) é um importante processo de Educação a Distância. Padrões têm sido definidos com estruturas de metadados para favorecer a reutilização e portabilidade dos OAs, como SCORM, LOM, ARIADNE, entre outros. Mesmo assim, a portabilidade entre diferentes sistemas de e-Learning requerem conhecimentos específicos. A dificuldade aumenta quando se direciona a diferentes meios digitais e de comunicação, como ambientes da Web e da TV Digital Aberta (TVDA) - um meio alternativo de acesso à Educação que vem sendo integrado à vida dos brasileiros. Nesse contexto, o principal objetivo deste trabalho foi a investigação de um novo modelo, OAX, para implementação de OAs com portabilidade para ambientes Web e para a TVDA. O modelo, baseado em metadados e codificação Base64, foi definido com base na estrutura SCORM. Para a criação e gerenciamento dos OAs, segundo o modelo OAX, foi proposta a arquitetura de um sistema de autoria, SOAX - uma aplicação Web, composta por quatro componentes, visando: encapsulamento do átomo de conteúdo OAX, armazenamento do conteúdo, aplicativos de gerenciamento/visualização de conteúdo e APIs (Application Programming Interface) de importação e exportação para padrões de OAs. O sistema SOAX foi projetado com a finalidade de atender educadores com conhecimentos básicos de Informática, de forma que pudessem construir os OAs preocupados apenas com os aspectos didático-pedagógicos. O sistema converte automaticamente os OAs para os formatos de padrões de OAs e para ambientes da TVDA. Está disponível uma versão beta do SOAX.
Abstract: The construction of Learning Objects (LOs) is an important process for distance education. Standards have been defined with metadata structures to enhance the reutilizability and portability of LOs, such as SCORM, LOM, ARIADNE, among others. The portability between different systems of e-Learning requires expert knowledge. The difficulty increases when different digital media and communication environments are used, for example: Web and Open Digital TV (ODTV) - an alternative means of access to education that is being integrated into daily life of Brazilians. In this context, the main goal of this work was to investigate a new model for implementation of LOs (OAX) with portability to Web and ODTV environments. The model was defined based on the SCORM standard and was based on metadata and base64 encoding. The architecture of an authoring system (SOAX) was proposed for the creation and management of LOs, according to the OAX model. SOAX is a Web application and is composed of four components for: encapsulation of the OAX content atom, content storage, applications of viewing/management of content and APIs (Application Programming Interface) for import and export LOs for standards formats. The SOAX system was designed for educators with basic knowledge of computer. So they could concentrate efforts on didactic-pedagogic aspects of the LOs. The system automatically converts the LOs for the formats of the LOs standards and ODTV environments. A beta version of SOAX is available.
Mestre

The visual system and good ocular motor control play an important role in the effective development of gross motor, sport, fine motor and academic skills (Erhardt et al., 1988:84; Desrocher, 1999:36; Orfield, 2001:114). Various researchers report a link between ocular motor problems and attention–deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (Cheatum & Hammond, 2000:263; Farrar et al., 2001:441; Gould et al., 2001:633; Armstrong & Munoz, 2003:451; Munoz et al., 2003:510; Borsting et al., 2005:588; Hanisch et al., 2005:671; Mason et al., 2005:1345; Loe et al., 2009:432). A few studies were carried out to analyse the links between ADHD and ocular motor control with regard to matters like visual attention, visual perception and ocular motor control like eye movement outside the normal fixation point, but no studies have been reported on the status of the ocular motor control of South African populations, and the effect of visual–motor intervention on the ocular motor control or visual–motor integration of learners with ADHD. The aim of the study was twofold, namely firstly to determine the ocular motor control functions and status of visual–motor integration of a selected group of 6– tot 8–year–old learners with ADHD in Brakpan, South Africa, while the second aim was to determine whether a visualmotor– based intervention programme can improve the ocular motor control and status of the visual–motor integration of a selected group of 6– to 8–year–old learners with ADHD in Brakpan, South Africa. Statistica for Windows 2010 was used to analyse the data. The Sensory Input Screening measuring instrument and the Quick Neurological Screening Test II (QNST–II) were used to assess the ocular motor control functions (fixation, ocular alignment, visual tracking and convergence–divergence), while the Beery Developmental Test of Visual–Motor Integration (VMI–4de weergawe) was used to determine the status of the learners’ visual–motor integration (VMI), visual perception (VP) and motor coordination (MC). The Disruptive Behaviour Scale, a checklist for ADHD (Bester, 2006), was used as measuring instrument to identify the learners with ADHD. Fifty–six learners (31 boys, 25 girls, with an average age of 7,03 years +0,65) participated in the pre–test and were divided into an ADHD (n=39) and a non–ADHD (n=16) group for aim one. Two–way tables were used to determine the percentage of ocular motor control deficits in the learners with and without ADHD, and an independent t–test was used to analyse the visual–motor integration of these learners. The Pearson Chi–squared test was used to determine the practical significance of differences in VMI and VP (d>0,05). The results of the study reveal that the majority of learners displayed ocular motor control deficits, regardless of whether they were classified with ADHD or not. The biggest percentage of learners fell into Class 2 (moderate deficits), particularly with regard to horizontal (68,57%; 52,63%; w=0,16) and vertical tracking (65,71%; 73,68%), as well as convergence–divergence (80%; 78,95%; w=0,11). However, it appears that ADHD learners experience more serious problems (Class 3) with visual tracking than learners without ADHD (both eyes: 22,86%; compared to 10,53% (w=0,22); right eye: 11,43% compared to 0% (p=0,05; w=0,34); left eye: 14,29% compared to 0% (p=0,02; w=0,38)). Learners with and without ADHD displayed a practically significant difference with respect to visual perception (d=0,37) and motor coordination (d=0,5) compared to learners without ADHD (who achieved better results). For aim 2 the subjects were divided into three groups. A pre–test–post–test design compiled from an availability sample of three groups (intervention group with ADHD (n=20); control group with ADHD (n=10) and control group without ADHD (n=17)) was used for this part of the study. The intervention group participated in a nine–week (3x/week and for 45 minutes) visualmotor– based intervention programme in which the ocular motor control functions section was applied for about 5 minutes per learner. Forty–seven learners (25 boys and 22 girls) with an average age of 6,95 years (+0,69) constituted the experimental group, while a control group with ADHD with an average age of 7,2 years (+0,79) and a control group without ADHD with an average age of 7,12 years (+0,60) did not receive any intervention and just participated in the pre– and post–test opportunity. A two–way cross–tabulation table was used to determine the changes in ocular motor control functions. These results mainly revealed that practically significant changes occurred in all three groups, be it improvement or deterioration in the various classes of ocular motor control. It appears that as far as horizontal and vertical visual tracking is concerned, and with convergence–divergence, more subjects were moved back from Class 3 (serious cases) to Class 1 (no deficits) and 2 (moderate deficits) in particular than in the other two groups that had received no intervention. Independent t–testing was used to analyse intragroup differences in the visual–motor integration subdivisions, while a covariance analysis (ANCOVA) (corrected for pre–test differences) was used to determine adjusted average post–test difference values. These results revealed that the motor coordination of the intervention group improved more than that of the control group with ADHD (p=0,18). This can lead to the conclusion that the intervention programme did have an effect on this specific skill. Abstract The overall indications of the results are that learners with ADHD have a general tendency to achieve poorer results in ocular motor control tests and with skills involving visual–motor integration, visual perception and motor coordination than learners without ADHD. Although only a minor improvement was identified in the experimental group after participation in the intervention programme, it is recommended with regard to motor coordination in particular that a similar programme be compiled for ADHD learners that focuses more specifically on the ocular motor control needs of each learner, and that it be presented on a more individual basis in order to accomplish greater improvement.
Thesis (M.A. (Kinderkinetics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

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A construção de Objetos de Aprendizagem (OAs) é um importante processo de Educação a Distância. Padrões têm sido definidos com estruturas de metadados para favorecer a reutilização e portabilidade dos OAs, como SCORM, LOM, ARIADNE, entre outros. Mesmo assim, a portabilidade entre diferentes sistemas de e-Learning requerem conhecimentos específicos. A dificuldade aumenta quando se direciona a diferentes meios digitais e de comunicação, como ambientes da Web e da TV Digital Aberta (TVDA) – um meio alternativo de acesso à Educação que vem sendo integrado à vida dos brasileiros. Nesse contexto, o principal objetivo deste trabalho foi a investigação de um novo modelo, OAX, para implementação de OAs com portabilidade para ambientes Web e para a TVDA. O modelo, baseado em metadados e codificação Base64, foi definido com base na estrutura SCORM. Para a criação e gerenciamento dos OAs, segundo o modelo OAX, foi proposta a arquitetura de um sistema de autoria, SOAX – uma aplicação Web, composta por quatro componentes, visando: encapsulamento do átomo de conteúdo OAX, armazenamento do conteúdo, aplicativos de gerenciamento/visualização de conteúdo e APIs (Application Programming Interface) de importação e exportação para padrões de OAs. O sistema SOAX foi projetado com a finalidade de atender educadores com conhecimentos básicos de Informática, de forma que pudessem construir os OAs preocupados apenas com os aspectos didático-pedagógicos. O sistema converte automaticamente os OAs para os formatos de padrões de OAs e para ambientes da TVDA. Está disponível uma versão beta do SOAX.
The construction of Learning Objects (LOs) is an important process for distance education. Standards have been defined with metadata structures to enhance the reutilizability and portability of LOs, such as SCORM, LOM, ARIADNE, among others. The portability between different systems of e-Learning requires expert knowledge. The difficulty increases when different digital media and communication environments are used, for example: Web and Open Digital TV (ODTV) – an alternative means of access to education that is being integrated into daily life of Brazilians. In this context, the main goal of this work was to investigate a new model for implementation of LOs (OAX) with portability to Web and ODTV environments. The model was defined based on the SCORM standard and was based on metadata and base64 encoding. The architecture of an authoring system (SOAX) was proposed for the creation and management of LOs, according to the OAX model. SOAX is a Web application and is composed of four components for: encapsulation of the OAX content atom, content storage, applications of viewing/management of content and APIs (Application Programming Interface) for import and export LOs for standards formats. The SOAX system was designed for educators with basic knowledge of computer. So they could concentrate efforts on didactic-pedagogic aspects of the LOs. The system automatically converts the LOs for the formats of the LOs standards and ODTV environments. A beta version of SOAX is available.

Amélioration de la performance des méthodes semi-empiriques en étudiant les différentes possibilités d'accélération de convergence des méthodes SCF et la prise en compte de la symétrie moléculaire. Pour les vibrations moléculaires, l'étude théorique est basée sur un calcul analytique de la matrice des constantes de force, les modes normaux de vibration pouvant être exprimés en coordonnées internes ou en coordonnées de symétrie et représentés graphiquement selon les conventions usuelles. Réalisation d'un logiciel de localisation d'orbitales par les méthodes de ruedenberg et de boys, et d'un logiciel de visualisation graphique. Simplification de l'entrée des données par la mise au point d'un logiciel graphique intéractif

Diploma thesis analyses current state of the European Union's Regional policy in an environment of the Zlín Region. The attthesisention is aimed at current programming period 2007-2013, motives of development, defined objectives, operating principles and system of regional policy implementation in Czech Republic including the future settings of EU Structural Funds Subsidies Exploiting System. For the futher purposes of the thesis the attention is focused on the success of the Regional Operational Programmes, that serve as a basis for the second part of the thesis. Then the analysis of the Regional Operational Programme of the Central Moravia Cohesion Region and socioeconomic analysis of the Zlín Region follow. The practical part of thesis consists of analysis of the Structural Funds through the ROP Central Moravia in the Zlín Region, specifically in the microregion Uherský Brod. The output of the diploma thesis is to document the specific contribution to regional development using selected microregion

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2009.
Title from title screen (site viewed May 5, 2009). PDF text: iv, 194 p. ; 459 K. UMI publication number: AAT 3344727. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Cette recherche avait pour objectif de mettre en perspective le programme préscolaire québécois (MEQ, 1997) et le programme préscolaire issu du modèle pédagogique montessorien (Pédagogie Scientifique, 1958), dans le but de dégager les similitudes et les particularités de leurs contenus liés au domaine psychomoteur. Une analyse globale des problèmes généraux liés à l'éducation préscolaire et un bref rappel du contexte actuel de l'éducation préscolaire au Québec et ailleurs, nous a permis de faire ressortir les infrastructures qui posent problèmes au niveau préscolaire et qui sont en interrelation constante à savoir: les besoins de l'enfant d'âge préscolaire, les objectifs des programmes qui leur sont destinés, les méthodes et techniques utilisées. Le mode d'évaluation des enfants au préscolaire justifie la problématique de recherche et la prise en compte de l'aspect psychomoteur dans cette recherche. Nous avons élaboré une grille d'analyse visant à dégager les contenus liés au domaine psychomoteur de chacun des programmes analysés. La comparaison des deux programmes nous a permis de faire ressortir de nombreux contenus portant sur la psychomotricité. Les résultats de la présente recherche ont permis de révéler l'existence de certaines divergences et convergences entre les éléments liés au domaine psychomoteur, soit par rapport à leur valeur sémantique, soit par rapport à l'échelle de valeur qui leur est accordée dans chacun des programmes respectifs. En outre, nous avons pu constater la pertinence du choix méthodologique que nous avons fait de recourir à une démarche inspirée de l'analyse systémique lors de la comparaison et de l'analyse des programmes en question. Autour de cette assise sont apparus des éléments que nous pouvons qualifier d'invariants: l'intervenant, l'enfant, la méthode, le matériel et les techniques d'enseignement, d'apprentissage et d'évaluation. Enfin le présent travail met en évidence la problématique toujours actuelle de l'intervention pédagogique au préscolaire et de l'application des programmes. Il ouvre aussi des avenues pour de possibles recherches quant à la problématique des contenus des programmes et de leur application, particulièrement au niveau préscolaire. ______________________________________________________________________________ MOTS-CLÉS DE L’AUTEUR : Approche Montessori, Programmes d'éducation préscolaire, Éducation de la petite enfance, Domaine psychomoteur, Contenu psychomoteur, Éducation psychomotrice, Intervention pédagogique au préscolaire.

To date, there has been little, if any, holistic evaluation of one of the BankSETA programmes that bank employees are nominated to attend, the Certificate in Management Development (CMD). The programme began in 2010 with the aim of increasing the pool of skills in entry-level management occupations in the banking and micro-finance sector (BankSETA, 2016). In order to verify whether the CMD programme has achieved the purpose for which it was instituted by the BankSETA, it is important that a programme evaluation be conducted. The main aim of this study was to undertake a holistic evaluation of the CMD programme to determine students’ perceptions, their increase in knowledge, their ability to apply on-the-job learning and the impact of the programme on the organisation. It also aimed to identify any barriers or obstacles and to provide recommendations to the BankSETA. Kirkpatrick’s (1996) four-level model of reaction, learning, behaviour and results was used as the theoretical framework for this study. A convergent parallel design was used to gather and analyse the data. The convergent design allowed the researcher to use quantitative and qualitative data-collection methods simultaneously, prioritising the methods equally and keeping each phase independent during analysis, and to then mix the results during the overall interpretation of the findings. The findings of this study highlight the importance of programme evaluation and how indispensable this practice is to the success of any programme. Even though positive results were conveyed at every phase of the study, there are certain areas that can be improved upon in order to maximise the outcomes of the CMD programme.
Business Management
M. Com. (Business Management)

The main purpose of this research is to establish whether ICT models as implemented in distance education do help to render desirable results (increment in throughput, meeting clientele expectations, and reduction in learner drop-outs). If it is not the case, what could be done to overcome the established hindrance? The researcher employed programme evaluation (PE) which integrates both the positivistic and phenomenological aspects of research. The samples were drawn from the population group through probability and non-probability techniques. Different research strategies within PE such as discovery, inspection and auditing were at first employed to gauge the physical presence of what is being achieved by Unisa through use of myUnisa & DVC; followed by the use of the surveys (personal interviews, administered questionnaires, focus group interviews). The ultimate outcomes of the said research activities are audiovisual recordings, statistically analysed transcripts and questionnaire data. The researcher employed the following key questions in grappling with issues in this area; their findings are also given: i. Does the application of ICTs facilitate and enhance flexible learning at Unisa? With reference to flexible delivery as it relates to aspect of teaching and learning in Engineering, it has been established that minimal use is made of ICTs. Are the technologies correctly applied for teaching and learning? Based on the evidence of research findings it has been established that technology application is mainly used for administrative support rather than for teaching and learning. iii. Do the instructional design and technological applications meet the needs of their users? As matters stand, the study suggests that users' expectations through rating their perceptions and attitudes (academics, tutors, instructional designers, multimedia developers and learners), are far from being met (as all the critical parts of the models are not yet in place regarding the Engineering and other departments). According to the main finding, while there is some evidence of efforts aimed at proper implementation, underutilisation of the ICTs appears to be the main problem, as established at Unisa and elsewhere. The research is concluded through a number of recommendations based on the established findings.
Educational Studies
(D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies))

L’elaborato affronta la tematica del New Normal in Cina, inteso come il programma di riforme che la Repubblica Popolare Cinese ha predisposto per accompagnare la nuova fase di transizione, che vede il sistema-Paese abbandonare il vecchio paradigma della “Fabbrica del Mondo”, alla ricerca di un nuovo modello di sviluppo. Tale modello passa attraverso la ricollocazione verso l’alto dell’economa nazionale nella catena del valore globale ed una maggiore attenzione nei confronti degli aspetti maggiormente qualitativi della crescita economica, nonché di una accresciuta integrazione nell’economia mondiale, grazie ad una promozione dello stato di diritto e di un ambiente economico maggiormente trasparente ed aperto nei confronti degli operatori internazionali. Nell’analisi delle politiche e delle riforme che accompagnano questo cambiamento, svolta attraverso l’analisi di settori considerati strategici e particolarmente significativi (ambiente, sanità e food safety), la premessa alla base del lavoro è che tale transizione non è semplicemente descrivibile come mera convergenza verso un modello ricalcante i sistemi politici ed economici delle economie avanzate occidentali. La riforma è bensì intesa come un processo incrementale, che all’adozione delle cosiddette best practices internazionali affianca un approccio pragmatico, che non recede la linea di continuità con il background storico, politico, istituzionale e culturale -spesso contraddittorio- di quella che è considerata essere la più antica civiltà ortogenetica del mondo. Il contributo chiave del presente lavoro è la problematizzazione, nei suoi vari aspetti, di questa congiuntura storica e del suo portato nei confronti delle strategie di medio e lungo termine degli operatori economici stranieri che decidono di operare in Cina, i quali da un lato possono godere di grandi opportunità di mercato liberate dalle riforme, dall’altro devono essere consapevoli delle sfide inevitabilmente poste dal cangiante contesto giuridico, economico ed istituzionale e delle sue traiettorie di sviluppo.