Protocols for packet switched communication and reliable multicasting in fully-dynamic multi-hop wireless networks

Designing protocols for a fully dynamic wireless packet switched networks pose unique challenges due to the constantly changing topology of the network. A set of protocols is presented that are capable of handling a fully dynamic wireless network in which switching centers and base stations are mobile as well as the end users. The protocols provide basic message delivery, network routing information updates, and support for reliable multicasting. There are four contributions of this work: (i) a hierarchical architecture for a fully dynamic wireless network, (ii) improved routing and update protocols with reduced control traffic, (iii) a method to provide reliable multicasting in a wireless environment that is near optimal in terms of the number of messages sent, and (iv) a set of load balancing algorithms that allow the network to autonomously and dynamically reconfigure the network topology to even out the load on the base stations. A detailed simulation of the protocols is developed and exercised to evaluate the performance of the protocols. For point to point delivery, the protocols successfully deliver all packets even when the rate of motion of the terminals causes more than 1/2 of them to be in a transitional state at any time. The results are similar for base station

Teaching Science as a Hermeneutic Event

In this article, the author explores the need for science education to be taught as a hermeneutic event, as opposed to a book of facts to be memorized. The fragmented, passive transmission of facts does not allow students to have a clear understanding of science, its’ traditions and how science lives in the world. By reconnecting biology back into the world and recognizing its creativity and uncertainty will help students understand how science impacts their lives and the world. The author explores how, through hermeneutics, students can experience the living discipline of science, as opposed to learning about science

“Permission to Wonder”: Incorporating Beauty and Aesthetics in the Pre-Service Science Education Classroom

What happens to pre-service teachers' understanding of science education when they are given the opportunity to explore the wonder and beauty of the natural world? This research explores how a class project titled “Beauty and Aesthetics in Science” (Blades, 2014; 2015) impacts students’ understanding of science curriculum, teaching and learning. Drawing on a hermeneutic (interpretive) framework, the primary research question is: How can pre-service students experience science as a tentative, creative space amidst the content focused curriculum they often experienced in science classes? The assignment asked students to choose something in nature that they were curious about, then to research the science behind the topic and to maintain a journal that recorded their findings and their emotional response to their experience. The students were then asked to prepare an aesthetic expression of their discovery and share their creation with the class in a sharing circle. Results from interviews and analysis of student work showed that some students experienced initial frustration with the open-endedness of the assignment, but once they delved into their topic, they loved the opportunity to creatively pursue their interests. Students realized the complexity of their topic and how their initial question often led to other questions. Many shared how this assignment created a much deeper emotional connection to their topic. Students reported that being given "permission to wonder" within a formal education setting was a foreign experience in their own schooling. Findings also demonstrated that students could articulate a better understanding of the indeterminate and complex nature of science and science education

Dancing towards wholeness: An examination of empathy and cohesion in social work treatment groups

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the relationship between empathy and cohesion in a social work treatment group. The findings reported below were derived from video recording and analysis of 12 one-hour sessions from one closed residential treatment group. Both group cohesion and empathy were measured with validated rating scales involving observer ratings and self-reports by group members. In addition, a new construct was introduced to the study of group behavior. Interpersonal coordination was imported to this inquiry as a means of examining changing patterns of nonverbal behavior in the treatment group under study. Interpersonal coordination was defined as comprising two behavioural elements, behavioural congruence and interpersonal synchrony. Bivariate cross-correlational time series analysis and hierarchal cluster analysis were employed to examine the changing patterns of interpersonal relationships during each session. Bivariate cross-correlational time series analysis was also utilized to examine the relationship between the behavioural elements of interpersonal coordination and the changing group properties of empathy and cohesion. In addition, the influence of significant events and interpersonal relationships were explored and compared to significant relationships found in personal coordination between group members. This inquiry found a strong positive relationship between empathy and cohesion as well as evidence supporting further investigation of interpersonal coordination as a method for examining the quality of interpersonal bond and affect shared between two group members. The limitations of this inquiry, as well as the implications for future group work practice and research, were also discussed

Comparing the Effectiveness of Closed-Notes Quizzes With Open-notes Quizzes: Blending Constructivist Principles With Action Research to Improve Student Learning.

Implementing the philosophy that students wishing to be teachers must actively experience the practices they may implement themselves, a college professor embarked upon an active research project which explored student perceptions regarding the effectiveness of different quiz platforms. Action research, a cyclic process implemented by teachers for teachers, is inquiry conducted within the everyday context of the classroom. Action research is a practice which generates knowledge for improving learning and teaching, and as a tool for generating knowledge, it must be guided by a framework focusing on the creation of knowledge. The Constructivist philosophy is such a framework, and the instructor implemented it in this research. Using Constructivist activities such as classifying data, creating themes, looking for disequilibrium, creating relationships between data, creating frameworks and theories to describe and explain the data, the instructor and his students were able to explore the effectiveness of closed-notes quizzes and open-notes quizzes. This exploration resulted in a new instructional delivery construct for the instructor; in this new scheme active processing was not only the driving force behind quizzes, but also a force for implementing creativity, the integrated curriculum, and assessment

A Pedagogical Venturing into the Three Sisters' Garden: Lessons of Attunement and Reciprocity in Education

This paper explores the connections the authors make between their experiences in the classroom and the powerful work of Robin Wall Kimmerer (2013) in Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants; specifically, her chapter entitled “The Three Sisters.” Through Kimmerer’s work, we interpret our own experiences within the classroom. We also draw upon Hans-Georg Gadamer’s philosophical hermeneutics in general and his notion of Erfahrung in particular. We were inspired by the author’s insights into how she happened upon a “new teacher” for her students. As a result, this paper explores her work, as it provides an image of what it is to be present among students while honouring the topic’s own being and becoming--staying open to its future possibilities not yet known. The pedagogical turn away from predetermined outcomes to reciprocity, interconnectedness, and relationships is examined in how they help us understand teaching and learning.  Keywords: Three Sisters; Kimmerer; hermeneutics; curriculum, erfahrung; reciprocity, education; pre-service teacher

KAKO PODRŽATI P2P POSLOVANJE U EKONOMIJI DIJELJENJA: RAZUMJETI GENERACIJSKE RAZLIKE U MOTIVACIJI KUPACA U POTICANJU POTRAŽNJE ZA NEISKORIŠTENOM IMOVINOM

This study explores the potential of generational segmentation as a strategy for enhancing the efficiency of peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms within the sharing economy. It focuses on how marketing messages can be tailored to stimulate demand across different generations (Generation X, Y, and Z) for idle assets within this economy. A mixed approach combining quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis was used. Data collection was conducted in two phases. The first phase, involved the collection of qualitative data. For this purpose, exploratory research using the focus group method was used. The second phase involved quantitative data collection using an online questionnaire. To obtain responses from respondents of different generations, snowball sampling was used. Descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis test, PCA and Welch ANOVA were used for data analysis. This research identified two significant motivational factors (opportunistic/user and social) and discovered generational differences in these motivations. These findings suggest that P2P platforms can leverage generational segmentation to refine their marketing communications, thereby gaining a competitive advantage and supporting business growth. It delves into the implications of these results for customer acquisition and retention strategies within the sharing economy, offering insights that could bolster the performance of P2P businesses. By harnessing the power of generational segmentation, P2P platforms can enhance their marketing effectiveness, stimulate the growth of the sharing economy, and contribute to sustainability.Ova studija istražuje potencijal generacijske segmentacije kao strategije za poboljšanje učinkovitosti peer-to-peer (P2P) platformi unutar ekonomije dijeljenja. Usredotočuje se na to kako se marketinške poruke mogu prilagoditi za poticanje potražnje među različitim generacijama (generacija X, Y i Z) za neiskorištenom imovinom unutar ovoga gospodarstva. Koristi se mješoviti pristup koji kombinira kvantitativno i kvalitativno prikupljanje i analizu podataka. Prikupljanje podataka provedeno je u dvije faze. Prva faza uključivala je prikupljanje kvalitativnih podataka. U tu svrhu koristilo se eksplorativno istraživanje metodom fokus grupe. Druga faza uključivala je kvantitativno prikupljanje podataka s pomoću online upitnika. Za dobivanje odgovora ispitanika različitih generacija koristilo se uzorkovanje metodom snježne grude. Za analizu podataka koristila se deskriptivna statistika, Kruskal-Wallisov test, PCA i Welch ANOVA. Ovim istraživanjem identificirana su dva značajna motivacijska čimbenika (oportunistički/korisnički i društveni) te su otkrivene generacijske razlike u tim motivacijama. Ova otkrića upućuju na to da P2P platforme mogu iskoristiti generacijsku segmentaciju kako bi poboljšale svoje marketinške komunikacije, čime stječu konkurentsku prednost i podupiru rast poslovanja. Udubljuje se u implikacije ovih rezultata na strategije akvizicije i zadržavanja kupaca unutar ekonomije dijeljenja, nudeći uvide koji bi mogli poboljšati performanse P2P poslovanja. Iskorištavanjem snage generacijske segmentacije, P2P platforme mogu poboljšati svoju marketinšku učinkovitost, potaknuti rast ekonomije dijeljenja i doprinijeti održivosti