A study into the use of self-efficacy and confidence measurements

This thesis focuses on an aspect of the professional work of the author: that of the training of local trade union representatives by trade unions to ensure they are competent, capable and confident in the delivery of their role in local workplaces. It considers the four levels of evaluation of training outlined by Kirkpatrick (1994) and proposes the use of confidence scales as a means of demonstrating levels of evaluation in this field of training. Trade unions are reliant on the many members that volunteer to be local (unpaid) representatives in their own work places. To ensure the union provides an adequate service to its fee paying membership it needs to support and train its volunteers so they become competent, capable and confident in their roles. This research considers the effects on those volunteers who have attended training courses provided by the union trainers. It draws on the research on confidence levels and examines practice from a range of trade unions across European countries. Three types of training course are the focus for the study; as the thesis will look at whether or not the confidence levels of trade union representatives differ depending on the type and delivery method of the course they attend and whether or not this will have an impact on their post-course behaviour in the workplace. A research tool (questionnaire) was developed to measure the responses of participants attending courses and the results compared using Chi-square statistical tests to consider any results that were of statistical significance. The study concludes that statistically significant higher confidence levels are reported on the 2+2+2 mode of delivery of the six day training course in comparison to either the traditional 5 day or the mixed method modes of delivery. It recommends the use of confidence measures as a useful concept in the evaluation of training courses for union representatives as a way of improving value for money and return on investment for unions and a better developed trade union representative for the future

Momentum dynamics of one dimensional quantum walks

We derive the momentum space dynamic equations and state functions for one dimensional quantum walks by using linear systems and Lie group theory. The momentum space provides an analytic capability similar to that contributed by the z transform in discrete systems theory. The state functions at each time step are expressed as a simple sum of three Chebyshev polynomials. The functions provide an analytic expression for the development of the walks with time.Ian Fuss, Langord B. White, Peter J. Sherman, Sanjeev Naguleswara

Charge Photoinjection in Intercalated and Covalently Bound [Re(CO)_(3)(dppz)(py)]^(+)–DNA Constructs Monitored by Time-Resolved Visible and Infrared Spectroscopy

The complex [Re(CO)_(3)(dppz)(py′-OR)]+ (dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine; py′-OR = 4-functionalized pyridine) offers IR sensitivity and can oxidize DNA directly from the excited state, making it a promising probe for the study of DNA-mediated charge transport (CT). The behavior of several covalent and noncovalent Re–DNA constructs was monitored by time-resolved IR (TRIR) and UV/visible spectroscopies, as well as biochemical methods, confirming the long-range oxidation of DNA by the excited complex. Optical excitation of the complex leads to population of MLCT and at least two distinct intraligand states. Experimental observations that are consistent with charge injection from these excited states include similarity between long-time TRIR spectra and the reduced state spectrum observed by spectroelectrochemistry, the appearance of a guanine radical signal in TRIR spectra, and the eventual formation of permanent guanine oxidation products. The majority of reactivity occurs on the ultrafast time scale, although processes dependent on slower conformational motions of DNA, such as the accumulation of oxidative damage at guanine, are also observed. The ability to measure events on such disparate time scales, its superior selectivity in comparison to other spectroscopic techniques, and the ability to simultaneously monitor carbonyl ligand and DNA IR absorption bands make TRIR a valuable tool for the study of CT in DNA

Evaluation of a Multi-Sensor Platform in a Large-Scale Geophysical Survey at Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site, Ireland

This poster presents comparative results from the first use of the Geophysical Exploration Equipment Platform (GEEP) in Ireland in carrying out a multi-sensor survey in the vicinity of a possible Neolithic passage tomb known as Site E in the Brú na Bóinne World Heritage Site. Brú na Bóinne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been an important ritual, social and economic centre for thousands of years. Much research has been undertaken in the area, including large-scale excavations at the Neolithic passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth. However we still lack an in-depth understanding of the site’s broad range of archaeological monuments, and the landscape and communities that shaped them. To date there has been no systematic large-scale use of ground geophysical techniques although a number of successful spatially discrete geophysical surveys have been carried out. The landscape has many large, open fields under pasture or tillage suitable for systematic large-scale ground geophysical survey. Such a survey, integrated with the interpretation of other available remote sensing data is an obvious next step in the investigation of this internationally important landscape. The evaluation was successful and the results from the GEEP dataset will be presented with a comparative study of data collected by traditional hand-carried magnetic gradiometry, earth resistance and magnetic susceptibility surveys

Triggered Star Formation in Galaxy Pairs at z=0.08-0.38

We measure the strength, frequency, and timescale of tidally triggered star formation at redshift z=0.08-0.38 in a spectroscopically complete sample of galaxy pairs drawn from the magnitude-limited redshift survey of 9,825 Smithsonian Hectospec Lensing Survey (SHELS) galaxies with R<20.3. To examine the evidence for tidal triggering, we identify a volume-limited sample of major (|\Delta M_R|1/5) pair galaxies with $M_R < -20.8 in the redshift range z=0.08-0.31. The size and completeness of the spectroscopic survey allows us to focus on regions of low local density. The spectrophotometric calibration enables the use of the 4000 Ang break (D_n4000), the H\alpha specific star formation rate (SSFR_{H\alpha}), and population models to characterize the galaxies. We show that D_n4000 is a useful population classification tool; it closely tracks the identification of emission line galaxies. The sample of major pair galaxies in regions of low local density with low D_n4000 demonstrates the expected anti-correlation between pair-wise projected separation and a set of star formation indicators explored in previous studies. We measure the frequency of triggered star formation by comparing the SSFR_{H\alpha} in the volume-limited sample in regions of low local density: 32 +/-7% of the major pair galaxies have SSFR_{H\alpha} at least double the median rate of the unpaired field galaxies. Comparison of stellar population models for pair and for unpaired field galaxies implies a timescale for triggered star formation of ~300-400 Myr.Comment: 25 pages, 15 figures. Accepted to A