Design and evaluation of mobile computer-assisted pronunciation training tools for second language learning

The quality of speech technology (automatic speech recognition, ASR, and textto- speech, TTS) has considerably improved and, consequently, an increasing number of computer-assisted pronunciation (CAPT) tools has included it. However, pronunciation is one area of teaching that has not been developed enough since there is scarce empirical evidence assessing the effectiveness of tools and games that include speech technology in the field of pronunciation training and teaching. This PhD thesis addresses the design and validation of an innovative CAPT system for smart devices for training second language (L2) pronunciation. Particularly, it aims to improve learner’s L2 pronunciation at the segmental level with a specific set of methodological choices, such as learner’s first and second language connection (L1– L2), minimal pairs, a training cycle of exposure–perception–production, individualistic and social approaches, and the inclusion of ASR and TTS technology. The experimental research conducted applying these methodological choices with real users validates the efficiency of the CAPT prototypes developed for the four main experiments of this dissertation. Data is automatically gathered by the CAPT systems to give an immediate specific feedback to users and to analyze all results. The protocols, metrics, algorithms, and methods necessary to statistically analyze and discuss the results are also detailed. The two main L2 tested during the experimental procedure are American English and Spanish. The different CAPT prototypes designed and validated in this thesis, and the methodological choices that they implement, allow to accurately measuring the relative pronunciation improvement of the individuals who trained with them. Both rater’s subjective scores and CAPT’s objective scores show a strong correlation, being useful in the future to be able to assess a large amount of data and reducing human costs. Results also show an intensive practice supported by a significant number of activities carried out. In the case of the controlled experiments, students who worked with the CAPT tool achieved better pronunciation improvement values than their peers in the traditional in-classroom instruction group. In the case of the challenge-based CAPT learning game proposed, the most active players in the competition kept on playing until the end and achieved significant pronunciation improvement results.Departamento de Informática (Arquitectura y Tecnología de Computadores, Ciencias de la Computación e Inteligencia Artificial, Lenguajes y Sistemas Informáticos)Doctorado en Informátic

Investigation of corona discharges in cylindrical geometries: application to wind turbines and aircraft

L’objectiu principal d’aquesta tesis és crear un codi que simuli les condicions i el desenvolupament de les descàrregues elèctriques, que estudiï les descàrregues de corona en aquestes condicions i que es pugui adaptar a diferents geometries cilíndriques. També es té en compte l’efecte del vent i l’altitud, amb la finalitat de simular en última instància les pales dels aerogeneradors i els descarregadors estàtics d’aeronaus sota camps elèctrics elevats.The main objective of this thesis is to create a code that simulates the conditions and development of electrical discharges, that studies the corona discharges in these conditions and that can be adapted to different cylindrical geometries. It is also taken into account the effect of wind and altitude, with the aim of ultimately simulating wind turbines blades and aircraft static dischargers under high electric fields

Propuesta de rediseño de procesos de negocio de la Compañía de Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación Telefónica Colombia - Movistar: proceso de gestión de cambios tecnológicos

Práctica EmpresarialActualmente vivimos en un mundo en el cual la supervivencia de las Pymes y las grandes empresas depende de la adaptación de ellas mismas a los constantes cambios del entorno social, político-legal, económico y tecnológico, en el cual desarrollan sus operaciones de negocio. Soluciones tecnológicas para mantener y aprovechar el crecimiento empresarial de largo plazo en gestión, hacen que soluciones como BPM (Business Process Management) en compañía de las buenas prácticas propuestas por Information Technology Infrastructure Library -ITIL- , conviertan la gestión de procesos de negocio en una técnica estratégica, que permite generar y controlar “cambios” de forma ágil, oportuna, confiable y de calidad, con miras al logro de los objetivos establecidos por dichas empresas.PregradoIngeniero de Sistema

Despacho económico de generación termoeléctrica usando métodos de sensibilidad AC.

La generación eléctrica está ligada a factores técnicos propios de cada proceso de transformación de la energía y también a factores económicos que aquello genera, mientras menos costoso sea el producir electricidad, esta se puede generar a mayor cantidad satisfaciendo cada vez más a una mayor cantidad de usuarios, es decir cubriendo la demanda de potencia del sistema con costos reducidos. Esta se convierte en la gran tarea por realizar para operadores de los SEP, la cual es conocida como el Despacho Económico de Generación. En este trabajo se presentan dos métodos de resolución del despacho económico, cada uno de estos tiene su propia formulación para considerar las pérdidas de potencia que existen en la transmisión eléctrica en las redes eléctricas. Los métodos implementados son Lambda iterativo y Jacobiano, los cuales permiten determinar la penalización que se aplica a los generadores tras incrementarse las pérdidas en el sistema de potencia; en ambos casos es necesario primero conocer la solución del flujo de carga del sistema. Los resultados obtenidos para un sistema de prueba indican que el método Lambda iterativo entrega un menor costo de operación a un menor número de iteraciones, lo cual representa ahorro económico y computacional de cálculo.Electricity generation is linked to technical factors characteristic of each energy transformation process and also the economic factors that it generates, the less expensive it is to produce electricity, this can be generated to a greater amount satisfying more and more a greater number of users, that is, covering the power demand of the system with reduced costs. This becomes the great task to be done for operators of the electrical systems, which is known as the Economic Power Dispatch. This paper presents two methods of resolution of the economic dispatch, each of these has its own formulation to consider the power losses that exist in the electrical transmission in the electric networks. The implemented methods are iterative Lambda and the Jacobian, which allow determine the penalty applied to the generators after the losses in the power system have increased; in both cases it is necessary first to know the solution of the load flow of the system. The results obtained for a test system indicate that the iterative Lambda method solves a lower operating cost at a lower number of iterations, which represents economic and computational savings of calculation

Conceptual model for Sea-Breeze development in Fuerteventura

Trabajo fin de grado para la obtención del título en Ciencias del Mar en la Facultad de Ciencias del Mar de la Universidad de las Palmas de Gran Canaria.The sea breeze is a mesoscale phenomenon that occurs in all coastal areas around the world. In the present study, it is analysed in the Canary archipelago, specifically in the island of Fuerteventura. This region is located in the North Atlantic Ocean, near the African continent, in the subtropical zone. The aim is to develop a conceptual model of the sea breezes in this island. To achieve this objective, the database of the state meteorological agency (AEMET) was used to observe the weather of Fuerteventura in the six stations spread over the island. The HRES-IFS model was also used to analyse the synoptic environment of the Canary Islands area and for simulated soundings. The WRF model was used to forecast meteorological variables at different altitudes and for vertical cross sections. In addition, satellite images from the MSG of the HRVIS channel were used to observe the clouds that form in the passage of the sea breeze. To describe the evolution of the sea breeze, two specific days will be studied in which there were strong breezes that entered to the central areas of the island, these days are 18 March 2017 and 5 April 2020. From these days, it has been concluded that the sea breeze in Fuerteventura is produced by a change in the wind direction from a NE component (trade winds) to a maritime component (SE component) that depends on synoptic conditions. Furthermore, there must be a minimum temperature difference of at least 2º C between sea and land to originate the movement of air from the ocean to inland. As result, two breeze circulations are formed at the same time, a breeze circulation to windward, the most studied, and another breeze circulation occurs to leeward. With all the results obtained, it has been possible to create a conceptual model of sea breeze in Fuerteventura at temporal and spatial scales to improve the knowledge of this phenomenon in the chosen area

Motivation and self-concept in windsurfers : a study of professional and recreational participants

El propósito de este estudio fue examinar las características de la motivación autodeterminada, la orientación de metas y el autoconcepto de winsurfistas profesionales, amateurs competitivos y recreacionales no competitivos. Los cuestionarios fueron administrados a una muestra de 140 individuos incluyendo 79 (54 profesionales y 25 no profesionales) que participaron en algún campeonato o competición. También fueron entrevistados 61 windsurfistas recreacionales no competitivos. En general, los resultados revelaron altos niveles de motivación autodeterminada. Además, los participantes informaron de un autoconcepto físico positivo, una fuerte orientación motivacional a la tarea y una débil orientación de meta ego. En las dimensiones de motivación y autoconcepto, se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los windsurfistas competitivos y no competitivos, pero no entre los competidores profesionales y los aficionados. No se encontraron diferencias significativas según el género. La edad se relacionó negativamente con la orientación de meta ego, así como con el autoconcepto físico. Los resultados no pueden predecirse por este conjunto de variables.The purpose of this study was to examine self-determined motivation, achievement goal orientations, and self-concept characteristics of professional, competitive amateur and noncompetitive recreational windsurfers. Questionnaires were administered to a sample of 140 individuals including 79 (54 professionals and 25 non-professionals) individuals who were participants in either a championship or a recreational competition. Also, surveyed were 61 recreational but non-competitive windsurfers. Overall, the results revealed high levels of self-determined motivation. In addition, participants reported a positive physical self-concept, a strong task motivational orientation and a weak ego goal orientation. On the motivational and self-concept dimensions, significant differences were found between competitive windsurfers and non-competitive windsurfers but not between the professional competitors and the amateur competitors. No significant gender differences emerged. Age was negatively related to an ego goal orientation as well as to physical self-concept. Performance outcomes could not be predicted by this set of variables.O objetivo deste estudo foi examinar as características da motivação autodeterminada, a orientação por objetivos e o autoconceito de windsurfistas profissionais, amadores competitivos e recreativos não competitivos. Os questionários foram administrados a uma amostra de 140 participantes incluindo 79 (54 profissionais e 25 não profissionais) que participaram em algum campeonato ou competição. Também foram entrevistados 61 windsurfistas recreativos que não competiam. Em geral, os resultados revelaram níveis elevados de motivação autodeterminada. Além disso, os participantes indicaram um autoconceito físico positivo, uma forte orientação motivacional à tarefa e uma fraca orientação ao ego. Nas dimensões de motivação e autoconceito, foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os windsurfistas competitivos e os não competitivos (recreativos), mas não se revelaram diferenças entre os windsurfistas profissionais e os amadores. Não se encontraram diferenças significativas em quanto ao género. A idade relacionou-se negativamente com a orientação ao ego e com o autoconceito físico. Os resultados não se podem prever por este conjunto de variáveis