To see the other types of publications on this topic, follow the link: Connecting theory to practice.
Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Connecting theory to practice'
Create a spot-on reference in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and other styles
Consult the top 50 dissertations / theses for your research on the topic 'Connecting theory to practice.'
Next to every source in the list of references, there is an 'Add to bibliography' button. Press on it, and we will generate automatically the bibliographic reference to the chosen work in the citation style you need: APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.
You can also download the full text of the academic publication as pdf and read online its abstract whenever available in the metadata.
Browse dissertations / theses on a wide variety of disciplines and organise your bibliography correctly.
1
Reed, Pamela G., Shearer Nelma B. Crawford, Jo-Ann Marrs, and Lois W. Lowry. "Nursing Theory and Practice: Connecting the Dots." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2007. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/7102.
Full textAbstract:
Book Summary: Perspectives on Nursing Theory is a comprehensive anthology of important articles addressing diverse theoretical and philosophical perspectives on the nature of theory and knowledge development in nursing. This informative and contemporary resource features some of the most widely read and cited articles that facilitates thought and discussion among nurses, researchers, students, and teachers.Features 52 of the most widely read and frequently cited articles reflecting seminal, modern, and futuristic perspectives on nursing theory. Includes new articles reflecting current, cutting-edge views of nursing theory and trends. Includes biographical information about each author that provides insight into the author's perspective.
2
Marrs, Jo-Ann, and Lois W. Lowry. "Nursing Theory and Practice: Connecting the Dots." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2006. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/7104.
Full textAbstract:
The authors propose connecting the dots among theory, practice, and research by adopting an expanded conceptual-theoretical-empirical structure of nursing knowledge and matrix process to guide the placement of nursing knowledge in a contextual whole. An overview of the theoretical journey of nursing knowledge development is contrasted with the journey from practice resulting in a theory-practice disconnect. Both approaches are united to present an integrated view of the dimensions of the knowledge development of nursing as a professional discipline.
3
McShea, Karin Kiefer. "Weed management implementation in Colorado: Connecting theory and practice." Connect to online resource, 2008. http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:1453490.
Full text
4
Szkudlarek, B. A. "Spinning the Web of Reentry: (Re)connecting Reentry Training Theory and Practice." Rotterdam : Erasmus University Rotterdam [Host], 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1765/13695.
Full text
5
Anderson, Helen M. "Connecting theory, training and practice| Building teachers' capacity within an elementary literacy intervention." Thesis, University of Pennsylvania, 2016. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10158552.
Full textAbstract:
<p> Research suggests that instructional interventions can impact student learning most effectively when teachers receive support for implementation (Danielson, Doolittle, & Bradley, 2007; Songer, et al., 2002). This is particularly true for interventions targeting struggling students within Response to Intervention structures (Akerson, Cullen, & Hanson, 2009; Harris, Graham, & Adkins, 2015; Martin-Kniep, 2008;). Professional learning communities (PLCs) provide one structure to provide teachers with the needed instructional support to implement instructional interventions (Akerson et al., 2009; Danielson et al., 2007; Martin-Kneip, 2008; Pease-Alvarez & Samway, 2008). Implementation literature largely examines two aspects of these PLCs in relation to teacher’s practice: 1) teachers’ fidelity in implementing the curricular intervention, and 2) how intervention training within the PLC impacts on students’ academic performance. Absent from the current research is an examination of the ways in which teachers develop their capacity within PLCs, particularly when that PLC directly supports teachers’ implementation of a curricular intervention. Drawing on data from a large-scale evaluation study of an early literacy intervention, this dissertation explores how teachers describe the ways in which their capacity is built within a PLC. Using a critical feminist framework, this study examines interview transcripts, program artifacts, and analytic memos to surface the themes and discourses used by teachers to forward a theory of how PLCs can influence teachers’ practice.</p><p> This study found five key features of this intervention’s PLCs that teachers described as developing their capacity: 1) theoretical texts directly connected to teachers’ practice; 2) a resource-orientation to students; 2) a developed sense of personal responsibility for students’ progress; 4) informal collaboration with colleagues outside the PLC space; and 5) peer observation with direct, non-evaluative feedback conversations. These features, when situated within existing literature, provide the groundwork for greater research around PLCs and how they can serve as a support of teachers’ capacity-building and implementation of instructional interventions.</p>
6
Lindstedt, Kubik Anna-Karin. "Using literature in EFL education : the connection between theory and practice." Thesis, Högskolan i Gävle, Akademin för utbildning och ekonomi, 2010. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-8299.
Full textAbstract:
Originating in a curiosity of how literature is used in the EFL classroom, the aim for this study has been to examine if four teachers‟ purpose for, and procedure in, using literature in the EFL classroom concur with what is a useful method on the subject as demonstrated by a methodological model constructed from current research. For this study, a model of beneficial methods of using literature in the EFL class was constructed from selected current research. Because there is a lot of research in this area, there is no claim that this study includes all theories regarding the use of literature in the EFL classroom. Still, it was possible to construct a useful model of common and constructive methods of literature use in EFL education. The conclusion of this study is that the teachers‟ purpose when using literature in the EFL class varies with the different teachers. However, they do concur with that of the national syllabi and to some extent also to written research on the subject. Further on, the teachers do work both in accordance with, and opposite to, procedures that the methodological model establishes to be productive.
7
Zetterberg, Andreas. "Connecting the dots : Network analysis, landscape ecology, and practical application." Doctoral thesis, KTH, Miljöbedömning och -förvaltning, 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-48491.
Full textAbstract:
Humans have a profound impact on ecosystems, and land-use change constitutes a primary driving force in the loss of biodiversity. Habitat loss and fragmentation are key factors in this process by seriously impeding the habitat availability and movement of species, leading to a significant decrease in population viability. Landscape connectivity management able of crossing administrative and ecological spatial and temporal scales has been identified as one of the most important measures to counteract these negative impacts. The use of graph-theory and network-based landscape-ecological tools has become established as a promising way forward to address these issues. Despite urgent needs to adapt and implement such tools in planning, assessment and decision-making, surprisingly little attention has been paid to developing approaches for their effective practical application. This thesis presents the development of a toolbox with network-based, landscape-ecological methods and graph-theoretic indicators, which can be effectively implemented by practitioners within environmental assessment, physical planning and design, to analyze landscape connectivity. Recent advances in network analysis and landscape ecology are brought together and adapted for practical application, bridging the gap between science and practice. The use of participatory approaches was identified as key to successful development, and several workshops, meetings, interviews, as well as prototype testing of the developed software were conducted throughout the study. Input data and selection of species were based on the experience gained through seven real-world cases, commissioned by different governmental organizations within Stockholm County. The practitioners’ perspectives on effective practical application of the proposed toolbox were then assessed through an interview-study. The respondents anticipated improved communication with other actors in addition to being able to better assess critical ecological structures within the landscape. The toolbox was finally tested in a large-scale network analysis of impacts of the regional development plan (RUFS 2010), leading to important insights on the planning of connectivity in an urbanizing region.<br><p>QC 20111125</p>
8
Burke, Benjamin M., Davina Quichocho, and Mallory Lucier-Greer. "From Theory to Practice: A Theory-Informed, Critical Review of Research on Military Marriages." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2018. https://dc.etsu.edu/secfr-conf/2018/schedule/18.
Full textAbstract:
Military marriages may be particularly vulnerable to marital distress and dissolution due to the unique challenges associated with military service. To better understand the research regarding military marriages, a critical literature review was conducted. Fifteen peer-reviewed, published articles were critically reviewed based on their theoretical applications and empirical findings. Articles were categorized according to stage in marriage and primary theoretical orientation. Results suggest that military marriages are at risk due to military factors, but they are also mostly stable. Results also indicate that theories are rarely made explicit in military marriage literature. Future research would benefit from providing clearer links from theory to hypothesis testing. Finally, empirical findings are translated into practical implications at the macro-level and micro-levels of intervention.
9
Challis, S. "Maximising impact : connecting creativity, participation and wellbeing in the qualitative evaluation of creative community projects." Thesis, Coventry University, 2014. http://curve.coventry.ac.uk/open/items/53a3eb2f-401e-40bc-b530-115428d1b7d6/1.
Full textAbstract:
The evaluation of creative participatory community projects remains a controversial issue in politics, policy and the arts, its focus sharpened by the reality or rhetoric of austerity. Despite the recent plethora of policy documents and reviews there is little consensus about how projects should be evaluated or what constitutes good evidence about the impact on individual and collective wellbeing of ‘being creative’. This research set out to develop and trial feasible and effective evaluations for small to medium sized projects in the West Midlands of the UK based on field research into how impact is produced. Through mainly qualitative research in diverse contexts it was able to identify a range of conditions in projects reflecting the interrelationship of creativity and participation in which positive impact could be maximised. The research sought to theorise the impact of these conditions using elements of Actor Network Theory and Freire’s concept of praxis, concluding that impact is likely to be incremental, partial and non-linear. Central to this theorisation was the synthesis of evidence about the impact of creativity and embodied making on thinking, affect and a sense of agency, with ideas about how people change, producing a new evidence-based theory of change. In a practice-led approach, new creative methods were trialled in which data produced by participants had aesthetic as well as communicative value and the evaluation process itself contributed to positive impact. While it was possible to evaluate aspects of this impact through episodic interventions, field trials showed that it was more effective to develop a systemic evaluation strategy. Such a strategy needed to be participatory and integrated into project planning, in order to respond to the stochastic systems creativity inevitably provokes. This proved to offer two advantages: the potential to engage many stakeholders, not just as respondents but also as agents actively defining and measuring evaluation outcomes; and the potential for reflection about impact as process rather than outcome. These findings were then implemented in a number of projects, including trials of the Arts Council UK’s developmental Children and Young People’s Quality Principles. The method has been identified as ‘improving the conversation’ amongst partners, stakeholders and artists who can re-position themselves as active agents of evaluation rather than mere respondents, using the tropes, practices and materials of their own professional practices.
10
Mcarthur, George Douglas. "Integrating Reading and Writing For Florida's ESOL Program." Scholar Commons, 2014. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/5070.
Full textAbstract:
ABSTRACT
This thesis examines an incongruity that exists within Florida's ESOL program. While the curriculum standards direct teachers to "develop and integrate" skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing, student promotions to higher fluency levels are based solely on reading assessments. Listening assessments are also required to "determine instructional needs," but writing assessments are not required and, in most cases, not given. As a result, reading is prioritized, writing is subordinated, the connection between the two skills is broken, and the mutual benefits of integration are lost.
Studies conducted during the last 50 years have consistently shown that the integration of reading and writing produces a symbiosis in which students learn to write from reading and learn to read from writing (Olson and Land pp 269, 289). Many educational programs have now adopted an integrated approach to instruction in reading and writing (Common Core 1). Others, like Florida's ESOL program, tout the idea of integration in the curriculum standards without promoting the practice of integration in the classroom. Without a program of de facto integration, curricular proclamations devolve into hollow platitudes.
To reconnect the two skills and restore integration, Florida must require a writing assessment system. This thesis proposes several writing assessments from BEST Literacy, FCAT and the GED program that could be adapted for use. Not only would a writing assessment promote balance and integration, it would better prepare ESOL students to succeed in a world that requires proficiency, not only in reading, but also in writing (Graham 31).
11
Stieha, Vicki. "The Relational Web in Teaching and Learning: Connections, Disconnections and the Central Relational Paradox in Schools." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1276532983.
Full text
12
Borjesson, Kristina I. B. "The affective sustainability of objects : a search for causal connections : studies of theory, processes and practice related to timelessness as a phenomenon." Thesis, University of the Arts London, 2006. http://ualresearchonline.arts.ac.uk/5219/.
Full textAbstract:
The phenomenon of timelessness has important connotations beyond its popular meaning. Although philosophical, timelessness is frequently applied to objects: there are various suggestions concerning the properties of a timeless object in literature and popular publications, but there is no apparent unanimity on how to realise these characteristics. The approach to sustainable development has broadened, but the impact of immaterial properties of objects needs to be further explored. This thesis addresses these issues through cross-disciplinary research, which is located in industrial and product design and embraces the subject areas of history of design and art, philosophy, cultural studies, cognitive science and sustainable development. The research question is: what makes some objects retain their significance over time and in a changing human context? Although the analyses of literature presented in this thesis have made it evident that the discourse on sustainability, including system thinking, has an apparent focus on material characteristics, there is nothing implicating opposition to an expanded view comprising immateriality. On the other hand, there are indications that the ambiguity of timelessness and related notions, including how the judgment is formed causes confusion for designers pursuing longevity in objects. The aim for this thesis is hence to address this ambiguity and introduce directions, which would allow designers to consider the immaterial qualities of objects when designing and thereby promote a more profound holistic approach to sustainability and sustainable design. The thesis embarks on a deconstruction of timelessness, resulting in the phenomenon being conceptualised: affective sustainability, and subsequently explored through three applications. These initiate new lines of inquiry and allow for the thesis to conclude the key findings of the research. The study concludes that affective sustainability is considered to be a lived experience. Re-considering sustainability and rethinking time, tradition, aesthetics and perception facilitate comprehension of affectively sustainable objects: a designer has to use intuitive judgements and to reach beyond the personal these have to be balanced by the verbal visualisation of thoughts and the study of un-reflected human behaviour outside laboratory settings.
13
Smart, Susanna Jennifer. "Grounded Theory of Rosen Method Bodywork." Kent State University / OhioLINK, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1524757138389208.
Full text
14
Kenton, Zachary. "Inflation : connecting theory with observables." Thesis, Queen Mary, University of London, 2017. http://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/25900.
Full textAbstract:
Information about the very early universe can be accessed from observations of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation and the later formation of large-scale structure (LSS) that are produced from cosmological perturbations of the early universe. The most developed theoretical explanation for the origin of these perturbations is the theory of inflation, in which the early universe undergoes a period of accelerated expansion, amplifying quantum fluctuations to macroscopic size, which act as the seeds for the CMB anisotropies and the cosmic web of the LSS. The work in this thesis aims to connect the theory of inflation to properties of these observables in a highly detailed way, suitable for future high-precision astronomical surveys. After some introductory review chapters, we begin with new research on a study of inflation from string theory, deriving an observably-large value of the tensor-to-scalar ratio, which had been previously difficult to achieve theoretically. The next study investigates the link between the observed CMB power asymmetry and non-Gaussianity, including a novel non-zero value for the trispectrum. Next we study soft limits of non-Gaussian inflationary correlation functions, focussing first on the squeezed limit of the bispectrum and then generalizing to soft limits of higher-point correlation functions, giving results valid for multi-fi eld models of inflation.
15
Kort, Tanya Leimomi. "Connecting research to practice a case study /." [Gainesville, Fla.] : University of Florida, 2006. http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/UFE0015767.
Full text
16
Galarraga, (Rydell) Ana Maria. "Hand Mudrās as a Practice of Connecting to the Divine." Digital Commons at Loyola Marymount University and Loyola Law School, 2017. https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/etd/782.
Full text
17
Sharp, Rodriquez Jenny Avre. "Mindful instructional leadership| The connection between principal mindfulness and school practices." Thesis, Washington State University, 2015. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3717473.
Full textAbstract:
<p> Mindfulness offers a wide range of benefits for teachers and students, however, less is known about the role of mindfulness in the work of principals. Current tools that assess instructional leadership, which is a major part of the principalship, omit issues of mindfulness. Further, measures of mindfulness connect little to instructional leadership to make meaningful assessment of the mindful instructional leadership of administrators. The study discusses development of the Principal Resilience for Educator and Student Success (PRESS), a 20-item self-assessment of principal instructional practices and beliefs concerned with cognitive processes shown to support mindfulness: preoccupation with failure, commitment to resilience, deference to expertise, resistance to simplify, and sensitivity to operations. Data were gathered and analyzed from a representative statewide sample of principals in Washington State. Findings reveal differing degrees of variability on specific mindful instructional leadership practices. Scores generated by PRESS are compared to respondent scores on the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale-Revised (CAMS-R); results indicate positive correlation between the PRESS Mindful Instructional Leadership (MIL) single factor score and the CAMS-R mindfulness single factor score. Use of the tool as part of principal professional growth, as well as further research to examine the relationship between mindfulness in instructional leadership and school improvement, are recommended.</p>
18
Sievers, Annika. "Leadership and Management : Connecting Theory and Real-Life Experience." Thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Ekonomihögskolan, ELNU, 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-19183.
Full textAbstract:
Idea and Purpose The background of this thesis is the ongoing discussion ofleadership and management and how these terms are connected. Unfortunatelythe discussuion of this topic is very much restricted to books and scientific papers. My idea is to first clarify the terms of management and leadership and then, through dialogues to find out if and how the differences are relevant in daily work-life. My personal aim is to raise the awareness to the importance of leadership because it deals with the human being as a whole. Further I hope that this work might inspire executives to reflect themselves and to improve the relationship between them and their followers. Research Question Do leaders differentiate between leadership and management and how does the difference influence their understanding of the issue andtheir individual leadership style? Methodology The approach used here is a qualitative one, using dialogues to understand the ideas and opinions of todays people in leading positions through interpretation and interaction.
19
Bäurle, Gregor. "Connecting marcoeconomic theory to the data: methods and applications /." Berlin : disseration.de, 2009. http://www.dissertation.de/buch.php3?buch=6013.
Full text
20
Bäurle, Gregor. "Connecting macroeconomic theory to the data methods and applications." Berlin dissertation.de, 2008. http://d-nb.info/999377655/04.
Full text
21
Alexandrova, Anna. "Connecting models to the real world game theory in action /." Diss., Connect to a 24 p. preview or request complete full text in PDF format. Access restricted to UC campuses, 2006. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/ucsd/fullcit?p3205365.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2006.<br>Title from first page of PDF file (viewed April 6, 2006). Available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 201-206).
22
Penna, Robert Francis. "Black Hole Accretion Disks and Jets: Connecting Simulations and Theory." Thesis, Harvard University, 2013. http://dissertations.umi.com/gsas.harvard:10929.
Full textAbstract:
In recent years, general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations have produced more realistic models for black hole disks and jets. However the complexity of the simulations has created a disconnect between simulations and theory: it is often unclear whether the simulated physics is correctly described by standard, semi-analytic disk and jet models. In this thesis, we describe new GRMHD simulations of black hole disks and jets. We compare the simulations to standard disk and jet models. We show that GRMHD thin disks are well described by the Novikov-Thorne model, and GRMHD jets are well described by the Blandford-Znajek model. Then, guided by the simulations, we develop two extensions of the standard thin disk model: a radially varying \(\alpha(r)\) viscosity prescription and an analytical disk solution with nonzero stress at the innermost stable circular orbit.<br>Astronomy
23
Nelson, Robert Nicholas. "Connecting Ireland and America: Early English Colonial Theory 1560-1620." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2005. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc4756/.
Full textAbstract:
This work demonstrates the connections that exist in rhetoric and planning between the Irish plantation projects in the Ards, Munster , Ulster and the Jamestown colony in Virginia . The planners of these projects focused on the creation of internal stability rather than the mission to 'civilize' the natives. The continuity between these projects is examined on several points: the rhetoric the English used to describe the native peoples and the lands to be colonized, who initiated each project, funding and financial terms, the manner of establishing title, the manner of granting the lands to settlers, and the status the natives were expected to hold in the plantation. Comparison of these points highlights the early English colonial idea and the variance between rhetoric and planning.
24
Chaffey, Sarah. "Voice in Motion: Connecting voice, acting and movement in contemporary dance." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2020. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/2399.
Full textAbstract:
This Masters by Research (Performing Arts) explores the integration of voice and acting fundamentals into contemporary dance practice to prepare the dancer to deliver spoken text and convey character in performance. The inquiry was motivated by the increasing demand of the interdisciplinary dance practitioner, or more specifically, the contemporary dancer-actor. The research has involved engaging with industry, performance, ongoing studio practice and experimental workshops. The research asked how might voice and acting fundamentals be integrated into contemporary dance practice and how will this influence the dance artist in creative process and performance? The practice as research methodology involved an immersive and responsive research design. I participated in Australian dance theatre company Force Majeure’s annual dance theatre intensive, INCITE, with interest into the training tools developed by Danielle Micich which then led to taking on the lead role in the premiere of Rubber Girl on the Loose by CAKE, Singapore. Critical reflection highlighted the necessary considerations to be made by directors to address the needs for contemporary dancers when undertaking movement and text-based performance. Studio practice and experimental workshops took place after this performance season with the aim to explore various approaches to developing vocal and breath support and acting fundamentals. Addressing vocal needs has resulted in a series of recommended training exercises to develop awareness of breath and flexibility in the tension and release of crucial muscles used in respiration and spinal support. The exercises are designed to develop coordination in the activation and release of the abdominal muscles to assist dancers with speaking text atop rigorous dance movement and speaking while involved in more pedestrian actions. Video documentation and written analysis reflect the various challenges and the insight gained in the process of developing an integrated training practice.
25
Proud, Keven Dell. "Visual Storybooks: Connecting the Lives of Students to Core Knowledge." BYU ScholarsArchive, 2012. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/3386.
Full textAbstract:
In order to help students find connections to the Core Knowledge curriculum and the principles of Discipline-Based Art Education, the author uses narrative and visual storytelling in the form of altered books to make meaning and relate the lives of students to the art content. The author uses methods of action research to plan a curriculum intervention, work with the students to create their visual stories, reflect on his instruction along with student learning, and collect students' responses through surveys. The author also gathers data through the students' journals and artworks. Through the project the author is able to give students choices and help them turn their learning environment into art practice. Ultimately, the author improves and develops his teaching practice as a result of this project.
26
Yau, Shek Fung. "Theory and practice : controversies in Rameau's theory of harmony and thoroughbass practice." HKBU Institutional Repository, 1998. http://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/etd_ra/152.
Full text
27
Tolan, Fiona. "Connecting theory and fiction : Margaret Atwood's novels and second wave feminism." Thesis, Durham University, 2004. http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/2972/.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis undertakes an examination of the manner in which a novelist interacts with a contemporary theoretical discourse. I argue that the novelist and the theoretical discourse enter into a symbiotic relationship in which each influences and is influenced by the other. This process, I suggest, is simultaneous and complex. The thesis demonstrates how the prevailing theoretical discourse is absorbed by the contemporary author, is developed and redefined in conjunction with alternative concerns, and comes to permeate the narrative in an altered state. The novelist's new perspectives, frequently problematising theoretical claims, are then disseminated by the novel, promoting further discussion and development of the theoretical discourse. The thesis focuses on the novels of Margaret Atwood, considering them in relation to the history and development of second wave feminism. "Second wave feminism" is understood as an umbrella term that incorporates a wide variety of related but diverse and occasionally contradictory discourses, centring on the subjects of gender, femininity, and sexuality. The focus of the discussion is dual and presented simultaneously. Atwood's novels are analysed chronologically, and within the parameter of this analysis I demonstrate how her work has been influenced by earlier feminist theories, how it comments upon a variety of contemporary feminist ideas, and how it can be seen to anticipate further discussions within feminist discourse. Finally, I identify moments in Atwood's writing when alternative discourses compete with feminism to create new directions for feminist criticism. Examples of these discourses include Canadian nationalism, liberalism, communitarianism and environmentalism. The specificity of the novelist's interests and politics create a unique site of interaction for feminism which, I argue, benefits feminist theory by challenging, broadening and diversifying its focus. The thesis concludes that the symbiotic relationship of the theorist and the novelist is self-perpetuating and is also necessary and beneficial to both parties.
28
Kean, J. M. "Metapopulation theory in practice." Lincoln University, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/10182/1372.
Full textAbstract:
A metapopulation is defined as a set of potential local populations among which dispersal may occur. Metapopulation theory has grown rapidly in recent years, but much has focused on the mathematical properties of metapopulations rather than their relevance to real systems. Indeed, barring some notable exceptions, metapopulation theory remains largely untested in the field. This thesis investigates the importance of metapopulation structure in the ‘real world’, firstly by building additional realism into metapopulation models, and secondly through a 3-year field study of a real metapopulation system. The modelling analyses include discrete-and continuous-time models, and cover single species, host-parasitoid, and disease-host systems, with and without stochasticity. In all cases, metapopulation structure enhanced species persistence in time, and often allowed long-term continuance of otherwise non-persistent interactions. Spatial heterogeneity and patterning was evident whenever local populations were stochastic or deterministically unstable in isolation. In metapopulations, the latter case often gave rise to self-organising spatial patterns. These were composed of spiral wave fronts (or ‘arcs of infection’ in disease models) of different sizes, and were related to the stability characteristics of local populations as well as the dispersal rates. There was no evidence for self-organising spatial patterns in the host-parasitoid system studied in the field (the weevil Sitona discoideus and its braconid parasitoid Microctonus aethiopoides), and a new model for the interaction suggested that this is probably due to the strong host density-dependence and stabilising parasitism acting on local populations. Dispersal may be important because of very high mortality in dispersing weevils, which may be related to the scarcity of their host plant in the landscape. If this is the case, the model suggested that local weevil density may be sensitive to the area of crop grown. Stochastic models showed that species in suitably large metapopulations may persist for very long times at relatively low overall density and with very low incidence of density-dependence. This suggests that metapopulation processes may explain a general inability to detect density-dependence in many real populations, and may also play an important part in the persistence of rare species. For host-parasitoid metapopulation models, persistence often depended on the way in which they were initialised. Initial conditions corresponding to a biological control release were the least likely to persist, and the maximum host suppression observed in this case was 84%, as compared with 60% for the corresponding non-spatial models and >90% often observed in the field. Metapopulation structure also allowed persistence of ‘boom-bust’ disease models, although the dynamics of these were particularly dependent on assumptions about what happens to disease classes at very low densities. Models assuming infinitely divisible units of density, models incorporating a non-zero extinction threshold, and individual-based models all gave differing results in terms of disease persistence and rate of spatial spread. Fitting models to overall metapopulation dynamics often gave misleading results in terms of underlying local dynamics, emphasising the need to sample real populations at an appropriate scale when seeking to understand their behaviour.
29
Monroe, James D. "Deception: Theory and Practice." Thesis, Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10945/7388.
Full textAbstract:
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited<br>This thesis explores the history of U.S. Army deception and doctrine, and combines the insights gained with the various works on deception, cognitive psychology, communications, and decision-making in order to distill a concise handbook for deception practitioners. A longitudinal review of U.S. Army doctrine reveals a wide variation in the treatment of deception, from emphasized to ignored. This variation can be primarily explained by the U.S. preference for the cumulative destruction style of war and the perceived balance of power between the U.S. and its adversaries. This thesis strives to fill the current doctrinal gap by distilling the existing body of work to create a theory of deception in the military context. The theory presented provides a cogent structure, taxonomy, and lexicon, as well as, emphasis on how deception functions within the frameworks of communications and decision-making. Next, a synthesis of the practice of deception is presented, with a focus on deception planning and the essential elements of deception practice. Examples of U.S. use of deception from the Revolutionary War to Operation DESERT STORM are presented to provide illumination on the utility and use of deception. Finally, the thesis provides recommendations on how to organize for deception operations.
30
Hansen, William G. "Influence: theory and practice." Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10945/34673.
Full textAbstract:
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited<br>During the Korean War, Chinese captors of U.S. prisoners employed an unexpected and relatively successful compliance program. The Chinese, somewhat afraid of post-conflict repercussions for coercive torture, pursued techniques of social influence to secure behavioral compliance as well as lasting indoctrination. Although they failed in their primary objective to permanently alter beliefs and attitudes, their process illuminated the success in influencing individual behavior by interpreting and controlling aspects of group social dynamics. To cope with the daily flood of lifes information, humans have developed cognitive processes to quickly filter decision-making requests according to probable importance. If determined routine, the person allows learned decision-making shortcuts to guide his response. A range of psycho-social principles of human behavior underlie this automaticity and they can be deliberately triggered, or suppressed, to increase the likelihood of generating predictable behavioral responses in an individual. This thesis includes a broad survey of the major theoretical and practical foundations of psychology, propaganda, and marketing. It identifies the psycho-social principles that most influence a persons likelihood of complying with behavioral requests and examines a broad selection of social influence efforts for their presence. Finally, this thesis concludes by assessing the ability of influence principles to secure enduring effects.
31
Goodsman, Danë. "Summerhill: theory and practice." Thesis, University of East Anglia, 1992. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.285257.
Full textAbstract:
The thesis is an exploration of Summerhill, the school founded by A.S. Neill in 1921. It is an ethnographic study, focusing on the culture of Summerhill, and attempting to find out what being a Summerhillian means. It also looks at how Summerhill has been depicted by those on the `outside'. Five chapters are specifically about the school - giving a descriptive account of the workings of the culture. The remaining chapters explore how others have looked at the institutions and how the practice of research itself affects the possibilities for discovery and explanation. A major concern of the thesis is the methodological significance of being an `insider' - as the researcher is an ex-Summerhillian. Chapter one is a brief introduction to the thesis. Chapter Two describes the genesis of the study and looks at issues of `cultural translation' and `insider research'. The following chapter on `School Life' is the first of the substantive chapters, offering a descriptive account of the life and culture of those in the school. Chapter Four, entitled `Big Kids' considers the notion that Summerhill has community `elders', while Chapter Five looks at the role of staff. The Meeting is the focus of Chapter Six, where the policy of self-government is examined. Chapter Seven explores the system of voluntary lessons. Chapter Eight looks at views of Summerhill as represented in written material. The final chapter offers an overview of the main points of the thesis, and concludes with some of the writer's own `insider' reflections.(DX174307)
32
Camby, Eglantine. "Connecting hitting sets and hitting paths in graphs." Doctoral thesis, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/2013/ULB-DIPOT:oai:dipot.ulb.ac.be:2013/209048.
Full textAbstract:
Dans cette thèse, nous étudions les aspects structurels et algorithmiques de différents problèmes de théorie des graphes. Rappelons qu’un graphe est un ensemble de sommets éventuellement reliés par des arêtes. Deux sommets sont adjacents s’ils sont reliés par une arête.<p>Tout d’abord, nous considérons les deux problèmes suivants :le problème de vertex cover et celui de dominating set, deux cas particuliers du problème de hitting set. Un vertex cover est un ensemble de sommets qui rencontrent toutes les arêtes alors qu’un dominating set est un ensemble X de sommets tel que chaque sommet n’appartenant pas à X est adjacent à un sommet de X. La version connexe de ces problèmes demande que les sommets choisis forment un sous-graphe connexe. Pour les deux problèmes précédents, nous examinons le prix de la connexité, défini comme étant le rapport entre la taille minimum d’un ensemble répondant à la version connexe du problème et celle d’un ensemble du problème originel. Nous prouvons la difficulté du calcul du prix de la connexité d’un graphe. Cependant, lorsqu’on exige que le prix de la connexité d’un graphe ainsi que de tous ses sous-graphes induits soit borné par une constante fixée, la situation change complètement. En effet, pour les problèmes de vertex cover et de dominating set, nous avons pu caractériser ces classes de graphes pour de petites constantes.<p>Ensuite, nous caractérisons en termes de dominating sets connexes les graphes Pk- free, graphes n’ayant pas de sous-graphes induits isomorphes à un chemin sur k sommets. Beaucoup de problèmes sur les graphes sont étudiés lorsqu’ils sont restreints à cette classe de graphes. De plus, nous appliquons cette caractérisation à la 2-coloration dans les hypergraphes. Pour certains hypergraphes, nous prouvons que ce problème peut être résolu en temps polynomial.<p>Finalement, nous travaillons sur le problème de Pk-hitting set. Un Pk-hitting set est un ensemble de sommets qui rencontrent tous les chemins sur k sommets. Nous développons un algorithme d’approximation avec un facteur de performance de 3. Notre algorithme, basé sur la méthode primal-dual, fournit un Pk-hitting set dont la taille est au plus 3 fois la taille minimum d’un Pk-hitting set.<br>Doctorat en Sciences<br>info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished
33
Nordvall, Dennis. "Multifractals in Theory and Practice." Thesis, Umeå universitet, Institutionen för matematik och matematisk statistik, 2006. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-51350.
Full text
34
Olson, Ryan Michael. "Electron correlation theory and practice /." [Ames, Iowa : Iowa State University], 2007.
Find full text
35
Purvis, A. "Comparative methods : theory and practice." Thesis, University of Oxford, 1992. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.315843.
Full text
36
Jones, Mark Philip. "Qualified types : theory and practice." Thesis, University of Oxford, 1992. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.305969.
Full text
37
Crisp, Roger. "Ideal utilitarianism : theory and practice." Thesis, University of Oxford, 1988. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.253770.
Full text
38
Stephens, Chris. "Global optimization: theory versus practice." Thesis, University of Canterbury. Mathematics, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/8430.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis looks at some theoretical and practical aspects of global optimization - as we shall see they do not always coincide.
Chapter 1 defines the global optimization problem, discusses applications, concluding there are fewer than often claimed, and a presents a survey of algorithms.
A simple deterministic analogue to PAS, a theoretical stochastic algorithm known to have good convergence properties, is presented. The often-claimed minimax optimality of the Piyavskii-Shubert algorithm is shown not to apply for the first few iterations. The counter-example given also applies to Mladineo's algorithm.
Chapter 2 concentrates on some theoretical results for global optimization algorithms. The results show that for both deterministic and stochastic algorithms, global information about the function is necessary to solve the global optimization problem.
Chapter 3 introduces interval arithmetic as a tool for global optimization. A simpler and slightly more general proof of the convergence of the natural inclusion function than appears in the literature is provided. Interval arithmetic is generalised to apply to new classes of subdomains and take account of the structure of the function's expression. Examples show that generalised interval arithmetic can lead to dramatic improvements in inclusions and global optimization algorithms.
Chapter 4 defines interval and bounding Hessians. The main result provides an optimal method of obtaining optimal (in two different senses) bounding Hessians from interval Hessians. Examples demonstrate the usefulness of bounding Hessians to global optimization.
Chapter 5 brings together the theoretical results of the previous chapters into a new adaptive second derivative branch and bound algorithm. First, it presents a summary of the branch and bound framework and discusses the algorithms of Baritompa and Cutler. A counter-example shows that one of Baritompa and Cutler's algorithms is not valid in general and restricted sufficient conditions under which it is valid are given. The new algorithm is based (somewhat loosely in its final form) on Baritompa and Cutler's algorithms in a branch and bound framework. It achieves for the first time a cubic order of convergence in the bounding rule of a global optimization algorithm. Theoretical implications of a cubic order of convergence are also presented.
Chapter 6 presents the results of testing an implementation of the new algorithm and variations. Four different bounding rules, three using adaptive second derivatives, are compared on 29 test functions.
Conclusions are presented in the final chapter.
39
James, Hakeem Kolawole. "Strategic planning : theory and practice." Thesis, University of Manchester, 1994. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.282936.
Full text
40
Morrison, Sara Louise. "Excited states - theory and practice." Thesis, University of Nottingham, 1994. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.240227.
Full text
41
Younis, Abdelhamid. "Spatial modulation : theory to practice." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/8990.
Full textAbstract:
Spatial modulation (SM) is a transmission technique proposed for multiple–input multiple– output (MIMO) systems, where only one transmit antenna is active at a time, offering an increase in the spectral efficiency equal to the base–two logarithm of the number of transmit antennas. The activation of only one antenna at each time instance enhances the average bit error ratio (ABER) as inter–channel interference (ICI) is avoided, and reduces hardware complexity, algorithmic complexity and power consumption. Thus, SM is an ideal candidate for large scale MIMO (tens and hundreds of antennas). The analytical ABER performance of SM is studied and different frameworks are proposed in other works. However, these frameworks have various limitations. Therefore, a closed–form analytical bound for the ABER performance of SM over correlated and uncorrelated, Rayleigh, Rician and Nakagami–m channels is proposed in this work. Furthermore, in spite of the low–complexity implementation of SM, there is still potential for further reductions, by limiting the number of possible combinations by exploiting the sphere decoder (SD) principle. However, existing SD algorithms do not consider the basic and fundamental principle of SM, that at any given time, only one antenna is active. Therefore, two modified SD algorithms tailored to SM are proposed. It is shown that the proposed sphere decoder algorithms offer an optimal performance, with a significant reduction of the computational complexity. Finally, the logarithmic increase in spectral efficiency offered by SM and the requirement that the number of antennas must be a power of two would require a large number of antennas. To overcome this limitation, two new MIMO modulation systems generalised spatial modulation (GNSM) and variable generalised spatial modulation (VGSM) are proposed, where the same symbol is transmitted simultaneously from more than one transmit antenna at a time. Transmitting the same data symbol from more than one antenna reduces the number of transmit antennas needed and retains the key advantages of SM. In initial development simple channel models can be used, however, as the system develops it should be tested on more realistic channels, which include the interactions between the environment and antennas. Therefore, a full analysis of the ABER performance of SM over urban channel measurements is carried out. The results using the urban measured channels confirm the theoretical work done in the field of SM. Finally, for the first time, the performance of SM is tested in a practical testbed, whereby the SM principle is validated.
42
Quinn, Barry Michael. "International retailing : theory and practice." Thesis, Ulster University, 1996. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.284409.
Full text
43
Das, Subhashis. "Domain Modeling Theory and Practice." Doctoral thesis, Università degli studi di Trento, 2018. https://hdl.handle.net/11572/367939.
Full textAbstract:
Everyday huge amount of data is being captured and stored. This can either be due to several social initiatives, technological advancement or by smart devices. This involves the release of data which differs in format, language, schema and standards from various types of user communities and organizations. The main challenge in this scenario lies in the integration of such diverse data and on the generator of knowledge from the existing sources. Various methodology for data modeling has been proposed by different research groups, under different approaches and based on the scenarios of the different domain of application. However, a few methodology elaborates the proceeding steps. As a result, there is lack of clarification how to handle different issues which occurs in the different phases of domain modeling. The aim of this research is to presents a scalable, interoperable, effective framework and a methodology for data modeling. The backbone of the framework is composed of a two-layer, schema and language, to tackle diversity. An entity-centric approach has been followed as a main notion of the methodology. A few aspects which have especially been emphasized are: modeling a flexible data integration schema, dealing with the messy data source, alignment with an upper ontology and implementation. We evaluated our methodology from the user perspective to check its practicability.
44
Das, Subhashis. "Domain Modeling Theory and Practice." Doctoral thesis, University of Trento, 2018. http://eprints-phd.biblio.unitn.it/2877/1/phdThesisDAS.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Everyday huge amount of data is being captured and stored. This can either be due to several social initiatives, technological advancement or by smart devices. This involves the release of data which differs in format, language, schema and standards from various types of user communities and organizations. The main challenge in this scenario lies in the integration of such diverse data and on the generator of knowledge from the existing sources. Various methodology for data modeling has been proposed by different research groups, under different approaches and based on the scenarios of the different domain of application. However, a few methodology elaborates the proceeding steps. As a result, there is lack of clarification how to handle different issues which occurs in the different phases of domain modeling. The aim of this research is to presents a scalable, interoperable, effective framework and a methodology for data modeling. The backbone of the framework is composed of a two-layer, schema and language, to tackle diversity. An entity-centric approach has been followed as a main notion of the methodology. A few aspects which have especially been emphasized are: modeling a flexible data integration schema, dealing with the messy data source, alignment with an upper ontology and implementation. We evaluated our methodology from the user perspective to check its practicability.
45
Brammer, Susan V. "HOW PERSONS WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA EXPERIENCE CONNECTING WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2000. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin965230610.
Full text
46
Doshi, Urmi R. "One-dimensional free energy surface models of protein folding: connecting theory and experiments." College Park, Md. : University of Maryland, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1903/6875.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (Ph. D.) -- University of Maryland, College Park, 2007.<br>Thesis research directed by: Biochemistry. Title from t.p. of PDF. Includes bibliographical references. Published by UMI Dissertation Services, Ann Arbor, Mich. Also available in paper.
47
Xu, Mu. "Spatiotemporal Chaos in Large Systems Driven Far-From-Equilibrium: Connecting Theory with Experiment." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/79499.
Full textAbstract:
There are still many open questions regarding spatiotemporal chaos although many well developed theories exist for chaos in time. Rayleigh-B'enard convection is a paradigmatic example of spatiotemporal chaos that is also experimentally accessible. Discoveries uncovered using numerics can often be compared with experiments which can provide new physical insights. Lyapunov diagnostics can provide important information about the dynamics of small perturbations for chaotic systems. Covariant Lyapunov vectors reveal the true direction of perturbation growth and decay. The degree of hyperbolicity can also be quantified by the covariant Lyapunov vectors. To know whether a dynamical system is hyperbolic is important for the development of a theoretical understanding. In this thesis, the degree of hyperbolicity is calculated for chaotic Rayleigh-B'enard convection. For the values of the Rayleigh number explored, it is shown that the dynamics are non-hyperbolic. The spatial distribution of the covariant Lyapunov vectors is different for the different Lyapunov vectors. Localization is used to quantify this variation. The spatial localization of the covariant Lyapunov vectors has a decreasing trend as the order of the Lyapunov vector increases. The spatial localization of the covariant Lyapunov vectors are found to be related to the instantaneous Lyapunov exponents. The correlation is stronger as the order of the Lyapunov vector decreases. The covariant Lyapunov vectors are also computed using a spectral element approach. This allows an exploration of the covariant Lyapunov vectors in larger domains and for experimental conditions. The finite conductivity and finite thickness of the lateral boundaries of an experimental convection domain is also studied. Results are presented for the variation of the Nusselt number and fractal dimension for different boundary conditions. The fractal dimension changes dramatically with the variation of the finite conductivity.<br>Ph. D.
48
Minarik, Melanie M. "Building knowledge through sensemaking connecting the dot with the new information /." abstract and full text PDF (free order & download UNR users only), 2008. http://0-gateway.proquest.com.innopac.library.unr.edu/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3307720.
Full text
49
Seddik, Mohamed El Amine. "Random Matrix Theory for AI : From Theory to Practice." Electronic Thesis or Diss., université Paris-Saclay, 2020. http://www.theses.fr/2020UPASG010.
Full textAbstract:
De nos jours, l'IA repose en grande partie sur l'utilisation de données de grande taille et sur des méthodes d'apprentissage machine améliorées qui consistent à développer des algorithmes de classification et d'inférence en tirant parti de grands ensembles de données de grande taille. Ces grandes dimensions induisent de nombreux phénomènes contre-intuitifs, conduisant généralement à une mauvaise compréhension du comportement de nombreux algorithmes d'apprentissage machine souvent conçus avec des intuitions de petites dimensions de données. En tirant parti du cadre multidimensionnel (plutôt que d'en souffrir), la théorie des matrices aléatoires (RMT) est capable de prédire les performances de nombreux algorithmes non linéaires aussi complexes que certains réseaux de neurones aléatoires, ainsi que de nombreuses méthodes du noyau telles que les SVM, la classification semi-supervisée, l'analyse en composantes principales ou le regroupement spectral. Pour caractériser théoriquement les performances de ces algorithmes, le modèle de données sous-jacent est souvent un modèle de mélange gaussien (MMG) qui semble être une hypothèse forte étant donné la structure complexe des données réelles (par exemple, des images). En outre, la performance des algorithmes d'apprentissage automatique dépend du choix de la représentation des données (ou des caractéristiques) sur lesquelles ils sont appliqués. Encore une fois, considérer les représentations de données comme des vecteurs gaussiens semble être une hypothèse assez restrictive. S'appuyant sur la théorie des matrices aléatoires, cette thèse vise à aller au-delà de la simple hypothèse du MMG, en étudiant les outils classiques d'apprentissage machine sous l'hypothèse de vecteurs aléatoires concentrés qui généralisent les vecteurs Gaussiens. Cette hypothèse est particulièrement motivée par l'observation que l'on peut utiliser des modèles génératifs (par exemple, les GAN) pour concevoir des structures de données complexes et réalistes telles que des images, grâce à des transformations Lipschitzienne de vecteurs gaussiens. Cela suggère notamment que l'hypothèse de concentration sur les données mentionnée ci-dessus est un modèle approprié pour les données réelles et qui est tout aussi mathématiquement accessible que les MMG. Par conséquent, nous démontrons à travers cette thèse, en nous appuyant sur les GANs, l'intérêt de considérer le cadre des vecteurs concentrés comme un modèle pour les données réelles. En particulier, nous étudions le comportement des matrices de Gram aléatoires qui apparaissent au cœur de divers modèles linéaires, des matrices à noyau qui apparaissent dans les méthodes à noyau et également des méthodes de classification qui reposent sur une solution implicite (par exemple, la couche de Softmax dans les réseaux de neurones), avec des données aléatoires supposées concentrées. En particulier, la compréhension du comportement de ces matrices/méthodes, pour des données concentrées, nous permet de caractériser les performances (sur des données réelles si nous les assimilons à des vecteurs concentrés) de nombreux algorithmes d'apprentissage machine, tels que le clustering spectral, les SVM, l'analyse en composantes principales et l'apprentissage par transfert. L'analyse de ces méthodes pour des données concentrées donne le résultat surprenant qu'elles ont asymptotiquement le même comportement que pour les données de MMG. Ce résultat suggère fortement l'aspect d'universalité des grands classificateurs d'apprentissage machine par rapport à la distribution sous-jacente des données<br>AI nowadays relies largely on using large data and enhanced machine learning methods which consist in developing classification and inference algorithms leveraging large datasets of large sizes. These large dimensions induce many counter-intuitive phenomena, leading generally to a misunderstanding of the behavior of many machine learning algorithms often designed with small data dimension intuitions. By taking advantage of (rather than suffering from) the multidimensional setting, random matrix theory (RMT) is able to predict the performance of many non-linear algorithms as complex as some random neural networks as well as many kernel methods such as Support Vector Machines, semi-supervised classification, principal component analysis or spectral clustering. To characterize the performance of these algorithms theoretically, the underlying data model is often a Gaussian mixture model (GMM) which seems to be a strong assumption given the complex structure of real data (e.g., images). Furthermore, the performance of machine learning algorithms depends on the choice of data representation (or features) on which they are applied. Once again, considering data representations as Gaussian vectors seems to be quite a restrictive assumption. Relying on random matrix theory, this thesis aims at going beyond the simple GMM hypothesis, by studying classical machine learning tools under the hypothesis of Lipschitz-ally transformed Gaussian vectors also called concentrated random vectors, and which are more generic than Gaussian vectors. This hypothesis is particularly motivated by the observation that one can use generative models (e.g., GANs) to design complex and realistic data structures such as images, through Lipschitz-ally transformed Gaussian vectors. This notably suggests that making the aforementioned concentration assumption on data is a suitable model for real data and which is just as mathematically accessible as GMM models. Moreover, in terms of data representation, the concentration framework is compatible with one of the most widely used data representations in practice, namely deep neural nets (DNNs) representations, since they consist in a Lipschitz transformation of the input data (e.g., images). Therefore, we demonstrate through this thesis, leveraging on GANs, the interest of considering the framework of concentrated vectors as a model for real data. In particular, we study the behavior of random Gram matrices which appear at the core of various linear models, kernel matrices which appear in kernel methods and also classification methods which rely on an implicit solution (e.g., Softmax layer in neural networks), with concentrated random inputs. Indeed, these methods are at the heart of many classification, regression and clustering machine learning algorithms. In particular, understanding the behavior of these matrices/methods, for concentrated data, allows us to characterize the performances (on real data if we assimilate them to concentrated vectors) of many machine learning algorithms, such as spectral clustering, SVMs, principal component analysis and transfer learning. Analyzing these methods for concentrated data yields to the surprising result that they have asymptotically the same behavior as for GMM data (with the same first and second order statistics). This result strongly suggest the universality aspect of large machine learning classifiers w.r.t. the underlying data distribution
50
Kiss, Jason William. "Theories of practice, the concept of practice in social theory." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2001. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp04/MQ57990.pdf.
Full text