Superconvergence of Iterated Solutions for Linear and Nonlinear Integral Equations: Wavelet Applications

In this dissertation, we develop the Petrov-Galerkin method and the iterated Petrov-Galerkin method for a class of nonlinear Hammerstein equation. We also investigate the superconvergence phenomenon of the iterated Petrov-Galerkin and degenerate kernel numerical solutions of linear and nonlinear integral equations with a class of wavelet basis. The Fredholm integral equations and the Hammerstein equations are considered in linear and nonlinear cases respectively. Alpert demonstrated that an application of a class of wavelet basis elements in the Galerkin approximation of the Fredholm equation of the second kind leads to a system of linear equations which is sparse. The main concern of this dissertation is to address the issue of how this sparsity manifests itself in the setting of nonlinear equations, particularly for Hammerstein equations. We demonstrate that sparsity appears in the Jacobian matrix when one attempts to solve the system of nonlinear equations by the Newton\u27s iterative method. Overall, the dissertation generalizes the results of Alpert to nonlinear equations setting as well as the results of Chen and Xu, who discussed the Petrov-Galerkin method for Fredholm equation, to nonlinear equations setting

Escapism: Indulging in Daydreams

A fantasy world, that exists only in our minds, provides us a place where we can mentally escape from everyday reality. Escapism, such as indulging in daydreams, allows us to experience comfort and makes us feel safe, eliminating feelings of insecurity and vulnerability. This study aims to use playfulness and reverie as a tool to access and confront mental discomforts. Transforming disturbing situations into an experience of reverie; a correction of unsatisfying reality, by converting a solid component of the real world into a desirable infinite form will provide alternative viewpoints. Throughout my work, this method has been employed to address personal phobias, violent conflicts, political insecurity, and racial inequality. It is my hope to employ daydreaming as a form of serious play to provide a new way of perceiving unsatisfying reality

Cultural Voices and Representations in EFL Materials Design, Pedagogy, and Research

This study presents a multi-faceted analysis of EFL learners’ voices in a Thai context, aimed at testing a hypothesis that the discourse of foreign, western-compiled textbooks project identities disconnected from EFL learners’ lived experiences, adversely affecting their meaning-making during discursive practices. I employ a multi-modal, multi-case study for data collection: 1) the use of two sets of materials in mini-course action research with two groups of learners — one group using published materials selected from New Headway Elementary Course (Soars & Soars, 2000) and the other using modified, parallel ‘Third Space’ materials; 2) audio- and video-recordings of classroom interactions and their transcriptions; 3) post-lesson and post-course questionnaires; 4) semi-structured interviews; and 5) video-based stimulated recall interviews. Drawing from Bakhtinian-Vygotskian sociocultural theories, I show through a microscopic analysis of learners’ interactions and utterances how dialogic relations between Other-discourse and Self-discourse shape learners’ meaning construction during their appropriation of mediating discourse for activities such as role-play. A macroscopic analysis of learners’ attitudinal voices based on the questionnaires and interviews is then provided for triangulation. The findings are 1) both groups have marked potential to infuse their contextual meanings into the Other-discourse of their materials for Self-representation; 2) ‘Third Space’ materials have more potential to enrich linguistic resources and opportunities for learners’ meaning-making and scaffolded learning than ‘Headway’ materials; 3) the majority of participants prefer the coexistence of voices and meanings between their culture and Other cultures as the mediating discourse for speaking activities, rather than the conventional models. The study thus supports the use of a dialogic framework for inclusion of cultural voices and representations in EFL materials design, and also offers other implications for pedagogy and future research

ANDRAGOGY-BASED APPROACH LEARNING IMPLEMENTATION IN OPEN HIGH SCHOOL

Abstrak: Tujuan penelitian untuk mengkaji implementasi pendekatan pembelajaran berbasis andragogi di SMA Terbuka di Kabupaten Bandung. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode studi kasus. Pengumpulan data yang digunakan meliputi wawancara, observasi, dan studi dokumentasi. Analisis data yang digunakan adalah teknik triangulasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pelaksanaan pembelajaran andragogi di SMA Terbuka memerlukan perencanaan yang matang, persiapan mental siswa, penguatan dan motivasi, serta proses pengkondisian. Namun, kesulitan seperti instruksi yang berpusat pada guru dan partisipasi siswa yang minimal tetap ada. Selain itu, penelitian ini menekankan pentingnya strategi pengajaran yang efektif, evaluasi berkelanjutan, dan upaya untuk meningkatkan hasil belajar. Temuan ini berkontribusi pada pemahaman yang lebih baik tentang tantangan dan solusi potensial untuk menerapkan andragogi dalam pengaturan pendidikan non-tradisional, sehingga memberikan praktisi pendidikan dan pembuat kebijakan wawasan untuk meningkatkan kualitas pendidikan di lembaga serupa.Abstract:  The purpose of the study was to examine the implementation of andragogy-based learning approaches in Open High School in Bandung Regency. This research uses a qualitative approach with a case study method. Data collection used includes interviews, observations, and documentation studies. The data analysis used is a triangulation technique. The findings indicate that the implementation of andragogy learning in the Open High School requires meticulous planning, mental preparation of students, reinforcement and motivation, and a conditioning process. However, difficulties such as teacher-centered instruction and minimal student participation persist. Additionally, the study emphasizes the significance of effective teaching strategies, ongoing evaluation, and efforts to enhance learning outcomes. These findings contribute to a better comprehension of the challenges and potential solutions to implementing andragogy in non-traditional educational settings, thereby providing educational practitioners and policymakers with insights to improve the quality of education in similar institutions

Lithium-ion battery separator membranes based on poly(L-lactic acid) biopolymer

Sustainable materials are increasingly needed in lithium ion batteries in order to reduce their environmental impact and improve their recyclability. This work reports on the production of separators using poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) for lithium ion battery applications. PLLA separators were obtained by solvent casting technique, by varying polymer concentration in solution between 8 wt.% and 12 wt.% in order to evaluate their morphology, thermal, electrical and electrochemical properties. It is verified that morphology and porosity can be tuned by varying polymer concentration and that the separators are thermally stable up to 250 ºC. The best ionic conductivity of 1.6 mS/cm was obtained for the PLLA separator prepared from 10 wt.% polymer concentration in solution, due to the synergistic effect of the morphology and electrolyte uptake. For this membrane, a high discharge capacity value of 93 mAh.g-1 was obtained at the rate of 1C. In this work, it is demonstrated that PLLA is a good candidate for the development of separator membranes, in order to produce greener and environmentally friendly batteries in a circular economy context.Work supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) undes strategic funding UID/FIS/04650/2020 and UID/QUI/0686/2020, project PTDC/FISMAC/28157/2017, and Grants SFRH/BD/140842/2018 (J.C.B.), SFRH/BPD/121526/2016 (D.M.C), CEECIND/00833/2017 (R.G.) and SFRH/BPD/112547/2015 (C.M.C.). Financial support from the Basque Government Industry Department under the ELKARTEK and HAZITEK programs is also acknowledged. Technical and human support provided by SGIker (UPV/EHU, MICINN, GV/EJ, EGEF and ESF) is gratefully acknowledge