Beliefs about learning and constructive strategies in text comprehension

This study investigated the roles of epistemological beliefs and constructive strategies in text comprehension among elementary-school children in Hong Kong. Specifically, three questions were addressed: (a) What characterized children s beliefs and did they vary with age, gender, and ability? (b) What strategies did children use when they learned from text and did these strategies vary with age, gender, and ability? And (c) Did beliefs contribute to text comprehension over and above the effects of age, ability, and strategy use? Eighty-two children, 40 grade-five and 42 grade-six, participated in the study. They were interviewed on their beliefs about learning and asked to think aloud to a scientific text passage. Several tasks including recall, summary, new learning, and questions were administered to assess their text comprehension. Qualitative analyses showed different beliefs ranging from reproductive to constructivist beliefs, and surface to deep text-processing strategies were identified. Quantitative analyses indicated that high achievers more often held constructivist beliefs and used deeper constructive strategies. Gender and age effects were not significant. Regression analyses indicated that constructivist beliefs contributed to text comprehension over and above the effects of age, achievement scores, and strategy use. Implications of examining children s beliefs about learning in strategy instruction are discussed.published_or_final_versio

Decellularization of chondrocyte-encapsulated collagen microspheres: A three-dimensional model to study the effects of acellular matrix on stem cell fate

Extracellular matrix (ECM) partially constitutes the stem cell niche. Reconstituting the ECM niche in a three-dimensional (3D) configuration will significantly enhance our understanding of how stem cells interact with and respond to the ECM niche. In this study, we aimed to reconstitute a glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-rich ECM using a microencapsulation technology, produce acellular matrix using a decellularization technique, and investigate the effect of acellular matrix on stem cell fate by repopulating the matrix with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). We demonstrated that porcine chondrocytes were able to deposit a GAG-rich ECM within the 3D collagen microsphere. All decellularization treatment groups resulted in significant removal of chondrocyte nuclei, but acellular matrix was only achieved using 2% sodium deoxycholate. Nevertheless, decellularization resulted in significant loss in GAG content in almost all treatment groups, and the 2% sodium deoxycholate group was able to preserve about 40% of the GAGs compared with the control group. We further demonstrated that hMSCs seeded onto the decellularized microspheres were able to survive and penetrate into the centre, while hMSCs seeded in the acellular matrix showed positive immunostaining against sox9, indicating that they may be differentiating toward the chondrogenic lineage without the need to supplement the chondrogenic differentiation medium. © 2009 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.published_or_final_versio

Moderating effects of socio-cultural values on pro-environmental behaviors

Purpose: This paper aims to explain the discrepancy between pro-environmental intentions and behaviors with moderating effects of two socio-cultural values (espoused individualism and faith in others) on the link between intentions and actual behaviors to save electricity. Design/methodology/approach: An online survey of 303 consumers in Hong Kong with a structured questionnaire was used to collect the data to test all the hypothesized relationships. Findings: Attitude toward saving electricity has a significant positive effect on the intentions to save electricity, but subjective norms and perceived behavioral control have no such effect on intentions but do positively affect the actual electricity saving behavior. Finally, the link between intentions and behavior to save electricity is negatively moderated by espoused individualism and positively by faith in others. Research limitations/implications: This study was conducted with a sample of consumers in Hong Kong; hence, its findings may not be generalizable to other countries. Originality/value: This study provides new insights into the link between pro-environmental intentions and behaviors by looking beyond the theory of planned behavior and exploring the moderating role of socio-cultural values on the intention-behavior link

Speed estimation of an induction motor drive using an optimized extended Kalman filter

Author name used in this publication: K. L. ShiAuthor name used in this publication: Y. K. WongAuthor name used in this publication: S. L. Ho2001-2002 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

A rule-based acceleration control scheme for an induction motor

Author name used in this publication: Y. K. WongAuthor name used in this publication: S. L. Ho2001-2002 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

A simulation study on sensorless control of permanent magnet synchronous motor drives

Author name used in this publication: Tze-Fun ChanRefereed conference paper2006-2007 > Academic research: refereed > Refereed conference paperVersion of RecordPublishe

A comparative study of Kalman filtering for sensorless control of a permanent-magnet synchronous motor drive

Author name used in this publication: Borsje, P.Author name used in this publication: Wong, Y. K.Author name used in this publication: Ho, S. L.Refereed conference paper2004-2005 > Academic research: refereed > Refereed conference paperVersion of RecordPublishe

Direct self control of induction motor based on neural network

Author name used in this publication: Y. K. WongAuthor name used in this publication: S. L. Ho2001-2002 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalVersion of RecordPublishe

Atypical focal cortical dysplasia in a patient with Cowden syndrome

published_or_final_versio

An evaluative study on the effectiveness of a parent-child parallel group model

Objective; To examine the effectiveness of a parent-child parallel group model that attempted to reduce parent-adolescent conflict. Method: A single group research design with pretest, posttest, and follow-up assessments was employed. Results: Results showed that the level of mother-adolescent conflict at posttest was lower than the level at pretest. The findings, based on the target problem rating, indicated that after the group intervention, both the mothers and adolescents perceived that the problems they had identified in the mother-child relationship had become less severe. The findings, based on subjective outcome measures, were also positive. Conclusion: The present study provides some evidence to support the effectiveness of the parallel group intervention for social work practice.preprin