893 research outputs found
In retrospect: The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
No full textFifty years ago, a short book appeared under the intriguing title The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Its author, Thomas Kuhn (1922–1996), had begun his academic life as a physicist but had migrated to the history and philosophy of science. His main argument in the book — his second work, following a study of the Copernican revolution in astronomy — was that scientific activity unfolds according to a repeating pattern, which we can discern by studying its history
The early siphonodellids (Conodonta, Late Devonian-Early Carboniferous): overview and taxonomic state
No full textPrevious conodont studies on the Devonian/Carboniferous (D/C) boundary revealed that the current definition of the D/C boundary cannot be maintained due to several problems relating to the index taxon. The base of the Carboniferous System is defined by the first occurrence of the conodont species Siphonodella sulcata, within the S. praesulcata -S. sulcata lineage. However, problems in discriminating S. praesulcata from S. sulcata have been evidenced by the conodont studies of a variety of authors. To provide an overview about the early siphonodellids and the taxonomic state, conodonts from the current GSSP La Serre (Montagne Noire, France), as well as all data from the literature were taken into account. Based on these data, several morphotypes could be distinguished, although the great majority of specimens show intermediate features between the two taxa. Therefore, precise identification of such specimens is very much dependent on personal interpretation, thus strongly influencing the precise position of the D/C boundary which, as a result, is not synchronous. Alternative scenarios for the definition of the D/C boundary need to be considered in the future
Protognathodus (Conodonta) and its potential as a tool for defining the Devonian/Carboniferous Boundary
No full textThe current definition of the Devonian/Carboniferous
boundary is the first occurrence of the conodont Siphonodella sulcata.
Due to difficulties in identification of the early siphonodellids,
such as S. praesulcata and S. sulcata, investigation of Protognathodus
which enters in the latest Devonian and extends into the Mississippian,
was undertaken to determine use as a better indicator of the
base of the Carboniferous. During the D/C boundary interval, Protognathus
is represented by four species: Pr. meischneri, Pr. collinsoni,
Pr. kockeli and Pr. kuehni.
Although Pr. kockeli can be abundant in boundary interval
sections, none of the four Protognathodus species has a high potential
as a tool for redefining the D/C boundary, based on regional variation
in first occurrence data, restricted stratigraphic ranges and global
distribution, poorly understood facies occurrences, as well as general
rarity of the taxa
From the 'Rescue of the Nation State' to the Emergence of European Spaces. EUIJ-Kansai Workshop on "New Research Horizons of the History of European Integration", May 10, 2008, Toyonaka (Osaka)
No full textThe aim of this paper is to make some contribution to the discussion on the future direction of the historical research on the European integration processes. What I intend to do here is, broadly, to link the contemporary European studies to the Historical studies, and concretely, to emphasise the transnational dimension of European integration. This exercise should be read as presenting my "wish list" to the Integration Historians
How To Use Big Data To Your Advantage Number Sense
No full textHow to make simple sense of complex statistics--from the author of Numbers Rule Your World
We live in a world of Big Data--and it\u27s getting bigger every day. Virtually every choice we make hinges on how someone generates data . . . and how someone else interprets it--whether we realize it or not.
Where do you send your child for the best education? Big Data. Which airline should you choose to ensure a timely arrival? Big Data. Who will you vote for in the next election? Big Data.
The problem is, the more data we have, the more difficult it is to interpret it. From world leaders to average citizens, everyone is prone to making critical decisions based on poor data interpretations.
In Numbersense, expert statistician Kaiser Fung explains when you should accept the conclusions of the Big Data "experts"--and when you should say, "Wait . . . what?" He delves deeply into a wide range of topics, offering the answers to important questions, such as:
How does the college ranking system really work?
Can an obesity measure solve America\u27s biggest healthcare crisis?
Should you trust current unemployment data issued by the government?
How do you improve your fantasy sports team?
Should you worry about businesses that track your data?
Don\u27t take for granted statements made in the media, by our leaders, or even by your best friend. We\u27re on information overload today, and there\u27s a lot of bad information out there.
Numbersense gives you the insight into how Big Data interpretation works--and how it too often doesn\u27t work. You won\u27t come away with the skills of a professional statistician. But you will have a keen understanding of the data traps even the best statisticians can fall into, and you\u27ll trust the mental alarm that goes off in your head when something just doesn\u27t seem to add up.
Praise for Numbersense
"Numbersense correctly puts the emphasis not on the size of big data, but on the analysis of it. Lots of fun stories, plenty of lessons learned?in short, a great way to acquire your own sense of numbers!"
Thomas H. Davenport, coauthor of Competing on Analytics and President’s Distinguished Professor of IT and Management, Babson College
"Kaiser’s accessible business book will blow your mind like no other. You’ll be smarter, and you won’t even realize it. Buy. It. Now."
Avinash Kaushik, Digital Marketing Evangelist, Google, and author, Web Analytics 2.0
"Each story in Numbersense goes deep into what you have to think about before you trust the numbers. Kaiser Fung ably demonstrates that it takes skill and resourcefulness to make the numbers confess their meaning."
John Sall, Executive Vice President, SAS Institute
"Kaiser Fung breaks the bad news?a ton more data is no panacea?but then has got your back, revealing the pitfalls of analysis with stimulating stories from the front lines of business, politics, health care, government, and education. The remedy isn’t an advanced degree, nor is it common sense. You need Numbersense."
Eric Siegel, founder, Predictive Analytics World, and author, Predictive Analytics
"I laughed my way through this superb-useful-fun book and learned and relearned a lot. Highly recommended!"
Tom Peters, author of In Search of Excellenc
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NURSE PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE SCALE IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
No full textCilj istraživanja: Procijeniti stupanj profesionalnih kompetencija završenih studenata sestrinstva validiranom skalom i u skladu s dobivenim rezultatima doprinijeti utvrđivanju kvalitete provedbe obrazovnih programa studija sestrinstva kao i nacionalnog kurikuluma. Materijal i metode: Validacija Nurse Professional Competence skale i istraživanja o stupnju profesionalnih kompetencija provedena je u četiri visokoobrazovne ustanove u Hrvatskoj. U istraživanju su sudjelovali studenti završenih prijediplomskih i diplomskih studija sestrinstva. U analizi rezultata su korišteni parametrijski, odnosno neparametrijski testovi, te odgovarajući prikaz kontinuiranih vrijednosti. Kategorijske i nominalne vrijednosti prikazane su kroz apsolutne brojeve i njihove učestalosti. Razlike u kategorijskim varijablima analizirane su Hi-kvadrat test (χ2), dok su razlike u kvantitativnim vrijednostima analizirane t-testom. Konfirmatornom faktorskom analizom procijenjena je valjanost konstrukcije mjernog instrumenta. Za ispitivanje prikladnosti uzorka primijenjen je Kaiser-Meyer-Olkinova mjera za sve varijable zajedno. Rezultati: NPC skala u Hrvatskoj pokazala je izvrsnu pouzdanost. Podatci ukazuju na usklađenost samoprocjene profesionalnih kompetencija s izlaznim kompetencijama predviđenim obrazovnim programima nacionalnog kurikuluma za sestrinstvo. Najviša prosječna procjena usvojenosti kompetencija dobivena na skali za faktor Zdravstvena njega temeljena na dokazima [M=6,05; SD=0,75; nakon isključivanja ekstrema M=6,06; SD=0,72]. Analiza rezultata završenih studenata sestrinstva s različitih visokoškolskih ustanova pokazuje značajan utjecaj studija sestrinstva na različite aspekte sestrinske prakse. Postoji utjecaj drugih faktora, poput dobi i razine obrazovanja, na samoprocjenu profesionalnih kompetencija. Zaključak: NPC skala je valjana i pouzdana u procjeni profesionalnih kompetencija završenih studenata sestrinstva, što doprinosi i implementaciji skale u utvrđivanju i procjeni kvalitete obrazovnih programa sestrinstva i nacionalnog kurikuluma u Republici Hrvatskoj.Objectives: To assess the level of professional competence of nursing graduates using a validated scale and based on the obtained results, contribute to determining the quality of nursing study programs and the national curriculum implementation. Material and Methods: Validation of the Nurse Professional Competence scale and the determination of professional competency levels were conducted in four educational institutions for higher nursing education in Croatia. Nursing undergraduate and graduate students participated in the study. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used in the analysis, along with appropriate representation of continuous values. Categorical and nominal values were presented through absolute numbers and their frequencies. Differences in categorical variables were analysed using the Chi-square test (χ2), while differences in quantitative values were analysed using the t-test. The validity of the measuring instrument's construction was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure was applied to examine the sample suitability for all variables together. Results: The NPC scale in Croatia demonstrated excellent reliability. The data indicate a consistency between self-assessment of professional competencies and the exit competencies outlined in the national nursing curriculum. The highest average competency adoption score was obtained for the Value-Based Nursing Care scale [M=6.05, SD=0.75; after excluding extremes M=6.06, SD=0.72]. Analysis of nursing graduates' results from different higher education institutions shows a significant impact of the institution on various aspects of nursing practice. There is an influence of other factors, such as age and education level, on self-assessment of professional competencies. Conclusion: The NPC scale is valid and reliable in assessing the professional competencies of nursing students, which contributes to the scale's use in determining and evaluating the quality of nursing education programs and the national curriculum in the Republic of Croatia
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NURSE PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE SCALE IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
No full textCilj istraživanja: Procijeniti stupanj profesionalnih kompetencija završenih studenata sestrinstva validiranom skalom i u skladu s dobivenim rezultatima doprinijeti utvrđivanju kvalitete provedbe obrazovnih programa studija sestrinstva kao i nacionalnog kurikuluma. Materijal i metode: Validacija Nurse Professional Competence skale i istraživanja o stupnju profesionalnih kompetencija provedena je u četiri visokoobrazovne ustanove u Hrvatskoj. U istraživanju su sudjelovali studenti završenih prijediplomskih i diplomskih studija sestrinstva. U analizi rezultata su korišteni parametrijski, odnosno neparametrijski testovi, te odgovarajući prikaz kontinuiranih vrijednosti. Kategorijske i nominalne vrijednosti prikazane su kroz apsolutne brojeve i njihove učestalosti. Razlike u kategorijskim varijablima analizirane su Hi-kvadrat test (χ2), dok su razlike u kvantitativnim vrijednostima analizirane t-testom. Konfirmatornom faktorskom analizom procijenjena je valjanost konstrukcije mjernog instrumenta. Za ispitivanje prikladnosti uzorka primijenjen je Kaiser-Meyer-Olkinova mjera za sve varijable zajedno. Rezultati: NPC skala u Hrvatskoj pokazala je izvrsnu pouzdanost. Podatci ukazuju na usklađenost samoprocjene profesionalnih kompetencija s izlaznim kompetencijama predviđenim obrazovnim programima nacionalnog kurikuluma za sestrinstvo. Najviša prosječna procjena usvojenosti kompetencija dobivena na skali za faktor Zdravstvena njega temeljena na dokazima [M=6,05; SD=0,75; nakon isključivanja ekstrema M=6,06; SD=0,72]. Analiza rezultata završenih studenata sestrinstva s različitih visokoškolskih ustanova pokazuje značajan utjecaj studija sestrinstva na različite aspekte sestrinske prakse. Postoji utjecaj drugih faktora, poput dobi i razine obrazovanja, na samoprocjenu profesionalnih kompetencija. Zaključak: NPC skala je valjana i pouzdana u procjeni profesionalnih kompetencija završenih studenata sestrinstva, što doprinosi i implementaciji skale u utvrđivanju i procjeni kvalitete obrazovnih programa sestrinstva i nacionalnog kurikuluma u Republici Hrvatskoj.Objectives: To assess the level of professional competence of nursing graduates using a validated scale and based on the obtained results, contribute to determining the quality of nursing study programs and the national curriculum implementation. Material and Methods: Validation of the Nurse Professional Competence scale and the determination of professional competency levels were conducted in four educational institutions for higher nursing education in Croatia. Nursing undergraduate and graduate students participated in the study. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used in the analysis, along with appropriate representation of continuous values. Categorical and nominal values were presented through absolute numbers and their frequencies. Differences in categorical variables were analysed using the Chi-square test (χ2), while differences in quantitative values were analysed using the t-test. The validity of the measuring instrument's construction was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure was applied to examine the sample suitability for all variables together. Results: The NPC scale in Croatia demonstrated excellent reliability. The data indicate a consistency between self-assessment of professional competencies and the exit competencies outlined in the national nursing curriculum. The highest average competency adoption score was obtained for the Value-Based Nursing Care scale [M=6.05, SD=0.75; after excluding extremes M=6.06, SD=0.72]. Analysis of nursing graduates' results from different higher education institutions shows a significant impact of the institution on various aspects of nursing practice. There is an influence of other factors, such as age and education level, on self-assessment of professional competencies. Conclusion: The NPC scale is valid and reliable in assessing the professional competencies of nursing students, which contributes to the scale's use in determining and evaluating the quality of nursing education programs and the national curriculum in the Republic of Croatia
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NURSE PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE SCALE IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
No full textCilj istraživanja: Procijeniti stupanj profesionalnih kompetencija završenih studenata sestrinstva validiranom skalom i u skladu s dobivenim rezultatima doprinijeti utvrđivanju kvalitete provedbe obrazovnih programa studija sestrinstva kao i nacionalnog kurikuluma. Materijal i metode: Validacija Nurse Professional Competence skale i istraživanja o stupnju profesionalnih kompetencija provedena je u četiri visokoobrazovne ustanove u Hrvatskoj. U istraživanju su sudjelovali studenti završenih prijediplomskih i diplomskih studija sestrinstva. U analizi rezultata su korišteni parametrijski, odnosno neparametrijski testovi, te odgovarajući prikaz kontinuiranih vrijednosti. Kategorijske i nominalne vrijednosti prikazane su kroz apsolutne brojeve i njihove učestalosti. Razlike u kategorijskim varijablima analizirane su Hi-kvadrat test (χ2), dok su razlike u kvantitativnim vrijednostima analizirane t-testom. Konfirmatornom faktorskom analizom procijenjena je valjanost konstrukcije mjernog instrumenta. Za ispitivanje prikladnosti uzorka primijenjen je Kaiser-Meyer-Olkinova mjera za sve varijable zajedno. Rezultati: NPC skala u Hrvatskoj pokazala je izvrsnu pouzdanost. Podatci ukazuju na usklađenost samoprocjene profesionalnih kompetencija s izlaznim kompetencijama predviđenim obrazovnim programima nacionalnog kurikuluma za sestrinstvo. Najviša prosječna procjena usvojenosti kompetencija dobivena na skali za faktor Zdravstvena njega temeljena na dokazima [M=6,05; SD=0,75; nakon isključivanja ekstrema M=6,06; SD=0,72]. Analiza rezultata završenih studenata sestrinstva s različitih visokoškolskih ustanova pokazuje značajan utjecaj studija sestrinstva na različite aspekte sestrinske prakse. Postoji utjecaj drugih faktora, poput dobi i razine obrazovanja, na samoprocjenu profesionalnih kompetencija. Zaključak: NPC skala je valjana i pouzdana u procjeni profesionalnih kompetencija završenih studenata sestrinstva, što doprinosi i implementaciji skale u utvrđivanju i procjeni kvalitete obrazovnih programa sestrinstva i nacionalnog kurikuluma u Republici Hrvatskoj.Objectives: To assess the level of professional competence of nursing graduates using a validated scale and based on the obtained results, contribute to determining the quality of nursing study programs and the national curriculum implementation. Material and Methods: Validation of the Nurse Professional Competence scale and the determination of professional competency levels were conducted in four educational institutions for higher nursing education in Croatia. Nursing undergraduate and graduate students participated in the study. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used in the analysis, along with appropriate representation of continuous values. Categorical and nominal values were presented through absolute numbers and their frequencies. Differences in categorical variables were analysed using the Chi-square test (χ2), while differences in quantitative values were analysed using the t-test. The validity of the measuring instrument's construction was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure was applied to examine the sample suitability for all variables together. Results: The NPC scale in Croatia demonstrated excellent reliability. The data indicate a consistency between self-assessment of professional competencies and the exit competencies outlined in the national nursing curriculum. The highest average competency adoption score was obtained for the Value-Based Nursing Care scale [M=6.05, SD=0.75; after excluding extremes M=6.06, SD=0.72]. Analysis of nursing graduates' results from different higher education institutions shows a significant impact of the institution on various aspects of nursing practice. There is an influence of other factors, such as age and education level, on self-assessment of professional competencies. Conclusion: The NPC scale is valid and reliable in assessing the professional competencies of nursing students, which contributes to the scale's use in determining and evaluating the quality of nursing education programs and the national curriculum in the Republic of Croatia
Hybrid and multifield inflation
No full textThesis: Ph. D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Physics, 2014.This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references.In this thesis I study the generation of density perturbations in two classes of inflationary models: hybrid inflation and multifield inflation with non-minimal coupling to gravity. In the case of hybrid inflation, we developed a new method of treating these perturbations that does not rely on a classical trajectory for the fields. A characteristic of the spectrum is the appearance of a spike at small length scales, which could conceivably seed the formation of black holes that can evolve to become the supermassive black holes found at the centers of galaxies. Apart from numerically calculating the resulting spectrum, we derived an expansion in the number of waterfall fields, which makes the calculation easier and more intuitive. In the case of multifield inflation, we studied models where the scalar fields are coupled non-minimally to gravity. We developed a covariant formalism and examined the prediction for non-Gaussianities in these models, arguing that they are absent except in the case of fine-tuned initial conditions. We have also applied our formalism to Higgs inflation and found that multifield effects are too small to be observable. We compared these models to the early data of the Planck satellite mission, finding excellent agreement for the spectral index and tensor to scalar ratio and promising agreement for the existence of iso-curvature modes.by Evangelos I. Sfakianakis.Ph. D
- …
