For God and Ulster: Unionist Securitisations and Desecuritisations during the Peace Process in Northern Ireland

The Troubles in Northern Ireland have played a prominent part in modern European history. Despite the success of the Peace Process in the 1990s and subsequent stabilisation of the conflict through the introduction of power-sharing and paramilitary decommissioning of weapons, tensions still dominate the province. This thesis uses the Copenhagen School of Security Studies to investigate processes of securitisation and desecuritisation that have taken place in Northern Ireland during the years of the Peace Process, in order to achieve a broader understanding of how key actors can help shape the prospects for lasting peace and stability. Through an analysis of speech acts performed by political and religious leader Ian Paisley between 1993 and 2007, two main securitisations are identified: the institutionalised securitisation of sectarian violence and the securitisation of unionist Ulster. Subsequently, an analysis of social practice identifies the introduction of power-sharing and de-escalation of violence as successful desecuritisations. The information gained through the analysis is further used to discuss whether, in order to be applicable to a wider range of cases, the Copenhagen School must increase its focus on facilitating conditions. Finally, focus is placed on the reconstruction of identities and othering, and how this might mitigate historical animosities and facilitate lasting peace and stability

The Impacts of the Railways in Scotland

This thesis researches the impacts that the railways have on the people of Scotland in their everyday lives. It also encompasses the consequences of being over dependent on a single form of transportation; in this case the railways

Recommender systems based on hybrid models

[EN]Recommender Systems (RSs) play a very important role in web navigation, ensuring that the users easily find the information they are looking for. Today’s social networks contain a large amount of information and it is necessary that they employ mechanism that will guide users to the information they are interested in. However, to be able to recommend content according to user preferences, it is necessary to analyse their profiles and determine their preferences. The present study presents the work related to different recommender systems focused on two different hybrid models. Both of them are using a Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) system combined with the training of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm. First, some information is analyzed and trained with an AI algorithm in order to determine relevant patters hidden on the information. Then, the CBR system extends the system using a series of metrics and similar past cases to decide whether the recommendation is likely to be recommended to a user. Finally, the last step on the CBR is to propose recommendations to the final user, whose job is to validate or reject the proposal feeding the cases database

The role of Artificial Intelligence and distributed computing in IoT applications

[EN]The exchange of ideas between scientists and technicians, from both academic and business areas, is essential in order to ease the development of systems which can meet the demands of today’s society. Technology transfer in this field is still a challenge and, for that reason, this type of contributions are notably considered in this compilation. This book brings in discussions and publications concerning the development of innovative techniques of IoT complex problems. The technical program focuses both on high quality and diversity, with contributions in well-established and evolving areas of research. Specifically, 10 chapters were submitted to this book. The editors particularly encouraged and welcomed contributions on AI and distributed computing in IoT applications.Financed by regional government of Castilla y León and FEDER funds

The role of Artificial Intelligence and Distributed computing in IoT applications

[ES] La serie «El rol de la inteligencia artificial y la computación distribuida en las aplicaciones IoT» contiene publicaciones sobre la teoría y aplicaciones de la computación distribuida y la inteligencia artificial en el Internet de las cosas. Prácticamente todas las disciplinas como la ingeniería, las ciencias naturales, la informática y las ciencias de la información, las TIC, la economía, los negocios, el comercio electrónico, el medio ambiente, la salud y las ciencias de la vida están cubiertas. La lista de temas abarca todas las áreas de los sistemas inteligentes modernos y la informática como: inteligencia computacional, soft computing incluyendo redes neuronales, inteligencia social, inteligencia ambiental, sistemas auto-organizados y adaptativos, computación centrada en el ser humano y centrada en el ser humano, sistemas de recomendación, control inteligente, robótica y mecatrónica, incluida la colaboración entre el ser humano y la máquina, paradigmas basados en el conocimiento, paradigmas de aprendizaje, ética de la máquina, análisis inteligente de datos, gestión del conocimiento, agentes inteligentes, toma de decisiones inteligentes y apoyo, seguridad de la red inteligente, gestión de la confianza, entretenimiento interactivo, inteligencia de la Web y multimedia. Las publicaciones en el marco de «El rol de la inteligencia artificial y la computación distribuida en las aplicaciones IoT» son principalmente las actas de seminarios, simposios y conferencias. Abarcan importantes novedades recientes en la materia, tanto de naturaleza fundacional como aplicable. Un importante rasgo característico de la serie es el corto tiempo de publicación. Esto permite una rápida y amplia difusión de los resultados de las investigaciones[EN] The series «The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Distributed Computing in IoT Applications» contains publications on the theory and applications of distributed computing and artificial intelligence in the Internet of Things. Virtually all disciplines such as engineering, natural sciences, computer and information sciences, ICT, economics, business, e-commerce, environment, health and life sciences are covered. The list of topics covers all areas of modern intelligent systems and computer science: computational intelligence, soft computing including neural networks, social intelligence, ambient intelligence, self-organising and adaptive systems, human-centred and people-centred computing, recommendation systems, intelligent control, robotics and mechatronics including human-machine collaboration, knowledge-based paradigms, learning paradigms, machine ethics, intelligent data analysis, knowledge management, intelligent agents, intelligent decision making and support, intelligent network security, trust management, interactive entertainment, web intelligence, and multimedia. The publications in the framework of «The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Distributed Computing in IoT Applications» are mainly the proceedings of seminars, symposia and conferences. They cover important recent developments in the field, whether of a foundational or applicable character. An important feature of the series is the short publication time. This allows for the rapid and wide dissemination of research results

Using design-based research to develop a Mobile Learning Framework for Assessment Feedback

Students’ lack of engagement with their assessment feedback and the lack of dialogue and communication for feedback are some of the issues that affect educational institutions. Despite the affordance that mobile technologies could bring in terms of assessment feedback, research in this area is scarce. The main obstacle for research on mobile learning assessment feedback is the lack of a cohesive and unified mobile learning framework. This paper thus presents a Mobile Learning Framework for Assessment Feedback (MLFAF), developed using a design-based research approach. The framework emerged from the observation of, and reflection upon, the different stages of a research project that investigated the use of a mobile web application for summative and formative assessment feedback. MLFAF can be used as a foundation to study the requirements when developing and implementing wide-scale mobile learning initiatives that underpin longitudinal practices, as opposed to short-term practices. The paper also provides design considerations and implementation guidelines for the use of mobile technology in assessment feedback to increase student engagement and foster dialogic feedback communication channels

Hybrid Solar Thermophotovoltaic-Biomass/Gas Power Generation System with a Spectrally Matched Emitter for Lower Operating Temperatures

Three conceptual designs have been developed for hybrid solar-biomass/gas thermophotovoltaic (TPV) system for a non-intermittent power generation which can operate at relatively low TPV operating temperatures. TPV cells with lower band gap has been chosen for this conceptual hybrid device. The low band TPV cell generates electricity at longer photonic wavelength which corresponds a lower operating temperature. The development methodology is presented for a spectrally matched emitter which emits maximum photonic energy in the 600°C -1000°C temperature range with correspondingly lower photonic energy emission in the 0°C -600°C range. This approach for spectral control in TPV systems requires fewer system components

Doctor of Philosophy

dissertationCollege readiness requires a broad set of competences that include learning strategies, academic content knowledge, skills, and information needed to navigate the pathway to and through college, and noncognitive factors related to self-regulation. There is increased interest among researchers, educators, and policymakers in the role noncognitive factors play in college readiness. Noncognitive factors include the skills, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that contribute to student achievement but cannot be measured by traditional academic assessments. Many noncognitive factors are developed during out-of-school-time (OST) activities that may include sports, clubs, the arts, or volunteering. Outdoor adventure education (OAE) is one type of OST experience that is linked to the positive development of key noncognitive factors necessary for college readiness like self-efficacy, self-confidence, social belonging, perseverance, and the ability to perform under difficult circumstances. The following research examined two distinct college preparatory environments that use OAE to complement their curriculum and programming. The first study involved an independent all-girls school in Los Angeles that sends all its students on weeklong expeditions in 7th-, 9th-, and 11th-grade. This qualitative study found outcomes in three areas: social connectedness, self-efficacy in leadership, and a recalibrated sense of self. Interviews with students and faculty showed how a shared application environment-the school-aided the retention of outcomes, allowing relationships to continue beyond the course and providing a supportive context where students could continue practice leadership competencies. The second and third studies examined the use of OAE experiences within a larger college access program that works with students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Using a mixed methods approach, these two related studies found increases in self-efficacy for dealing with challenge and using help-seeking behavior following the OAE experience but a regression to precourse levels months later. The study revealed the importance of context and continuity and the need to study the development of noncognitive factors over a longer time frame. Findings in this dissertation contribute to conversations about the importance of OST experiences like OAE and their potential contribution to college readiness. Implications are presented for programmers, educators, and policy-makers