Break it! till you Make it!

Break it till you Make it explores the democratization of digital project-based learning with children ages 7-11. Using elementary schools and community centers in Toronto as a case study, this project looks at how we can dramatically lower the cost of digital project-based learning when classes sizes of 30 are commonplace. The research investigated the current trends in digital education, and how digital project-based education fosters the 4 Cs: creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration. Finally, the research documented the process of building a low-cost mobile makerspace, cost-effective workshops and participant feedback. The result showed the dramatic reduction of cost per child for digital learning and the scalability of the workshops. The overarching methodology used was action-based and incorporated mixed methods to design the workshops. Staff and volunteers participated as facilitators and co-participants. Lastly, the project provides a new lens by which to look at digital making, by using accessible materials and crafting tools

Translating cyberculture : an analysis of American and Brazilian cultural differences evidenced in the translation of a popular computer text

This thesis examines the translation of a popular American computer book and its translation into Brazilian Portuguese to determine whether current discourses on computers and technology are being literally translated or culturally adapted for their target audience. The selected text adopts a humorous approach to learning new software applications and replaces complicated technical explanations with culturally-bound examples that are inextricably tied to American attitudes toward technology. An analysis of the translation reveals that the ideologies and social codes at work in the book threaten to impede the Brazilian reader\u27s understanding due to the translator\u27s failure to adapt the text for the target audience

Bias-Free Joint Simulation of Multi-Factor Short Rate Models and Discount Factor

This dissertation explores the use of single- and multi-factor Gaussian short rate models for the valuation of interest rate sensitive European options. Specifically, the focus is on deriving the joint distribution of the short rate and the discount factor, so that an exact and unbiased simulation scheme can be derived for risk-neutral valuation. We see that the derivation of the joint distribution remains tractable when working with the class of Gaussian short rate models. The dissertation compares three joint and exact simulation schemes for the short rate and the discount factor in the single-factor case; and two schemes in the multifactor case. We price European floor options and European swaptions using a twofactor Gaussian short rate model and explore the use of variance reduction techniques. We compare the exact and unbiased schemes to other solutions available in the literature: simulating the short rate under the forward measure and approximating the discount factor using quadrature

Bias-Free Joint Simulation of Multi-Factor Short Rate Models and Discount Factor

This dissertation explores the use of single- and multi-factor Gaussian short rate models for the valuation of interest rate sensitive European options. Specifically, the focus is on deriving the joint distribution of the short rate and the discount factor, so that an exact and unbiased simulation scheme can be derived for risk-neutral valuation. We see that the derivation of the joint distribution remains tractable when working with the class of Gaussian short rate models. The dissertation compares three joint and exact simulation schemes for the short rate and the discount factor in the single-factor case; and two schemes in the multifactor case. We price European floor options and European swaptions using a twofactor Gaussian short rate model and explore the use of variance reduction techniques. We compare the exact and unbiased schemes to other solutions available in the literature: simulating the short rate under the forward measure and approximating the discount factor using quadrature

Três ciclos de seleção massal estratificada na população de milho EEL2.

Os tres ciclos de selecao massal estratificada aplicados na populacao EEL2 nao foram suficientes para promover ganhos geneticos. O cruzamento dos tres ciclos x original e com um testador mostrou tendencia de acrescimo na producao, indicando alteracao na frequencias dos genes decorrentes do melhoramento intrapopulacional. Em virtude de a populacao EEL2 ja ter passado por varios ciclos de selecao, a variabilidade genetica nao foi suficiente para promover os ganhos esperados para producao de graos aplicando o metodo de selecao massal estratificada

Shake flask optimization of β-carotene production in Rhodotorula graminis RC04

The present investigation was focused on the effects and interactions of media components on the production of β-carotene by Rhodotorula graminis. Mannitol, potassium nitrate, yeast extract, monopotassium hydrogen phosphate and magnesium sulfate medium components were screened using Plackett Burman Design to identify critical factors. Initial pH of 5.5 of the medium was found to be optimum for β-carotene production. Results suggest that higher amounts of mannitol, yeast extract, potassium nitrate and magnesium sulfate would positively affect both biomass and β-carotene accumulation. Yeast extract was critical for both β-carotene and biomass accumulation. Central composite design was used to study the impact of interaction of mannitol and yeast extract on biomass accumulation and β-carotene production. Concentration of yeast extract was found more significant than mannitol for β-carotene production. From predicted values obtained using fitted binomial equations, it was seen that mannitol should be used in the range of 10 to 20 g/L and yeast extract in the range of 9.5 to 10 g/L to achieve a biomass of 3.8 to 4.3 g/L and a β-carotene content of 190 to 220 µg/L.Key words: Mannitol, yeast extract, Plackett Burman Design (PBD), central composite design, response surface methodology, yeast, β-carotene