1,410 research outputs found
The use of an e-learning constructivist solution in workplace learning
We wished to investigate whether an e-learning approach which uses constructivist principles can be successfully applied to train employees in a highly specialised skill thought to require expert individuals and extensive prolonged training. The approach involved the development of an e-learning package which included simulations and interactivity, then experimental testing in a case study workplace environment with the collection of both quantitative and qualitative data to assess the effectiveness of the package. Our study shows that this e-learning strategy improved the skills of the inexperienced
operator significantly. We therefore propose that such programmes could be used as a work based training aid and used as a model system for the training of employees in complex skilled tasks in the workplace. This research demonstrates that the e-learning can be applied outside the traditional learning environment to train unskilled employees to undertake complex practical tasks which traditionally would involve prohibitively expensive instruction. This work also illustrates that simulations and interactivity are powerful tools in the design of successful e-learning packages in preparing learners for real world practical situations. Finally this study shows that workplace learners can be better served by elearning environments rather than conventional training as they allow asynchronous learning and private study which are valued by employees who have other demands on their time and are more comfortable receiving tuition privately Relevance to industry: E-learning using constructivist principles, and incorporating simulations and interactivity can be used successfully in the training of highly specialised and skilled tasks required in the
modern workplace
Finite size effects on measures of critical exponents in d=3 O(N) models
We study the critical properties of three-dimensional O(N) models, for
N=2,3,4. Parameterizing the leading corrections-to-scaling for the
exponent, we obtain a reliable infinite volume extrapolation, incompatible with
previous Monte Carlo values, but in agreement with -expansions. We
also measure the critical exponent related with the tensorial magnetization as
well as the exponents and critical couplings.Comment: 12 pages, 2 postscript figure
Mechanical and structural assessment of laboratory- and field-compacted asphalt mixtures
Compaction forms an integral part in the formation of the aggregate orientation and structure of an asphalt mixture and therefore has a profound influence on its final volumetric and mechanical performance. This article describes the influence of various forms of laboratory (gyratory, vibratory and slab-roller) and field compaction on the internal structure of asphalt specimens and subsequently on their mechanical properties, particularly stiffness and permanent deformation. A 2D image capturing and image analysis system has been used together with alternative specimen sizes and orientations to quantify the internal aggregate structure (orientation and segregation) for a range of typically used continuously graded asphalt mixtures. The results show that in terms of aggregate orientation, slab-compacted specimens tend to mimic field compaction better than gyratory and vibratory compaction. The mechanical properties of slab-compacted specimens also tend to be closer to that of field cores. However, the results also show that through careful selection of specimen size, specimen orientation and compaction variables, even mould-based compaction methods can be utilised with particular asphalt mixtures to represent field-compacted asphalt mixtures
Confining QCD Strings, Casimir Scaling, and a Euclidean Approach to High-Energy Scattering
We compute the chromo-field distributions of static color-dipoles in the
fundamental and adjoint representation of SU(Nc) in the loop-loop correlation
model and find Casimir scaling in agreement with recent lattice results. Our
model combines perturbative gluon exchange with the non-perturbative stochastic
vacuum model which leads to confinement of the color-charges in the dipole via
a string of color-fields. We compute the energy stored in the confining string
and use low-energy theorems to show consistency with the static quark-antiquark
potential. We generalize Meggiolaro's analytic continuation from parton-parton
to gauge-invariant dipole-dipole scattering and obtain a Euclidean approach to
high-energy scattering that allows us in principle to calculate S-matrix
elements directly in lattice simulations of QCD. We apply this approach and
compute the S-matrix element for high-energy dipole-dipole scattering with the
presented Euclidean loop-loop correlation model. The result confirms the
analytic continuation of the gluon field strength correlator used in all
earlier applications of the stochastic vacuum model to high-energy scattering.Comment: 65 pages, 13 figures, extended and revised version to be published in
Phys. Rev. D (results unchanged, 2 new figures, 1 new table, additional
discussions in Sec.2.3 and Sec.5, new appendix on the non-Abelian Stokes
theorem, old Appendix A -> Sec.3, several references added
The effect of chirality phenotype and genotype on the fecundity and viability of Partula suturalis and Lymnaea stagnalis: Implications for the evolution of sinistral snails
Why are sinistral snails so rare? Two main hypotheses are that selection acts against the establishment of new coiling morphs, because dextral and sinistral snails have trouble mating, or else a developmental constraint prevents the establishment of sinistrals. We therefore used an isolate of the snail Lymnaea stagnalis, in which sinistrals are rare, and populations of Partula suturalis, in which sinistrals are common, as well as a mathematical model, to understand the circumstances by which new morphs evolve. The main finding is that the sinistral genotype is associated with reduced egg viability in L. stagnalis, but in P. suturalis individuals of sinistral and dextral genotype appear equally fecund, implying a lack of a constraint. As positive frequency-dependent selection against the rare chiral morph in P. suturalis also operates over a narrow range (< 3%), the results suggest a model for chiral evolution in snails in which weak positive frequency-dependent selection may be overcome by a negative frequency-dependent selection, such as reproductive character displacement. In snails, there is not always a developmental constraint. As the direction of cleavage, and thus the directional asymmetry of the entire body, does not generally vary in other Spiralia (annelids, echiurans, vestimentiferans, sipunculids and nemerteans), it remains an open question as to whether this is because of a constraint and/or because most taxa do not have a conspicuous external asymmetry (like a shell) upon which selection can act
Robust pricing and hedging of double no-touch options
Double no-touch options, contracts which pay out a fixed amount provided an
underlying asset remains within a given interval, are commonly traded,
particularly in FX markets. In this work, we establish model-free bounds on the
price of these options based on the prices of more liquidly traded options
(call and digital call options). Key steps are the construction of super- and
sub-hedging strategies to establish the bounds, and the use of Skorokhod
embedding techniques to show the bounds are the best possible.
In addition to establishing rigorous bounds, we consider carefully what is
meant by arbitrage in settings where there is no {\it a priori} known
probability measure. We discuss two natural extensions of the notion of
arbitrage, weak arbitrage and weak free lunch with vanishing risk, which are
needed to establish equivalence between the lack of arbitrage and the existence
of a market model.Comment: 32 pages, 5 figure
Spin-dynamics simulations of the triangular antiferromagnetic XY model
Using Monte Carlo and spin-dynamics methods, we have investigated the dynamic
behavior of the classical, antiferromagnetic XY model on a triangular lattice
with linear sizes . The temporal evolutions of spin configurations
were obtained by solving numerically the coupled equations of motion for each
spin using fourth-order Suzuki-Trotter decompositions of exponential operators.
From space- and time-displaced spin-spin correlation functions and their
space-time Fourier transforms we obtained the dynamic structure factor for momentum and frequency . Below
(Kosterlitz-Thouless transition), both the in-plane () and the
out-of-plane () components of exhibit very strong
and sharp spin-wave peaks. Well above , and
apparently display a central peak, and spin-wave signatures are still seen in
. In addition, we also observed an almost dispersionless domain-wall
peak at high below (Ising transition), where long-range order
appears in the staggered chirality. Above , the domain-wall peak
disappears for all . The lineshape of these peaks is captured reasonably
well by a Lorentzian form. Using a dynamic finite-size scaling theory, we
determined the dynamic critical exponent = 1.002(3). We found that our
results demonstrate the consistency of the dynamic finite-size scaling theory
for the characteristic frequeny and the dynamic structure factor
itself.Comment: 8 pages, RevTex, 10 figures, submitted to PR
Wormhole Geometries In Gravity
We study wormhole solutions in the framework of f (R,T) gravity where R is
the scalar curvature, and T is the trace of the stress-energy tensor of the
matter. We have obtained the shape function of the wormhole by specifying an
equation of state for the matter field and imposing the flaring out condition
at the throat. We show that in this modified gravity scenario, the matter
threading the wormhole may satisfy the energy conditions, so it is the
effective stress-energy that is responsible for violation of the null energy
condition.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, published version, references adde
General Stability Analysis of Synchronized Dynamics in Coupled Systems
We consider the stability of synchronized states (including equilibrium
point, periodic orbit or chaotic attractor) in arbitrarily coupled dynamical
systems (maps or ordinary differential equations). We develop a general
approach, based on the master stability function and Gershgorin disc theory, to
yield constraints on the coupling strengths to ensure the stability of
synchronized dynamics. Systems with specific coupling schemes are used as
examples to illustrate our general method.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figur
Complementarity of Galactic radio and collider data in constraining WIMP dark matter models
In this work we confront dark matter models to constraints that may be
derived from radio synchrotron radiation from the Galaxy, taking into account
the astrophysical uncertainties and we compare these to bounds set by
accelerator and complementary indirect dark matter searches. Specifically we
apply our analysis to three popular particle physics models. First, a generic
effective operator approach, in which case we set bounds on the corresponding
mass scale, and then, two specific UV completions, the Z' and Higgs portals. We
show that for many candidates, the radio synchrotron limits are competitive
with the other searches, and could even give the strongest constraints (as of
today) with some reasonable assumptions regarding the astrophysical
uncertainties.Comment: 22 pages, 12 figure
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