Trends in Communicative Self-Efficacy: A Comparative Analysis

This study integrates findings from the motivation-achievement and communication literature to underline the salient role that (communicative) self-efficacy beliefs play in academic settings. Additionally, this research shows that communicative self-efficacy beliefs can be accurately assessed by using a measure of self-perceived communication competence (SPCC). Using longitudinal data from 705 undergraduate students, the study shows that participants’ communicative self-efficacy beliefs increased linearly during the semester in which they were enrolled in a basic communication course. Finally, findings from this research indicate that the magnitude of change in self-efficacy was linked to the context of communication as well as attuned to the scope of classroom instruction

Static and Dynamic Interplay among Communication Apprehension, Communicative Self-Efficacy, and Willingness to Communicate in the Communication Course

This research offers an in-depth analysis of both static (cross-sectional) and dynamic (longitudinal) relations among communication apprehension, communicative self-efficacy, and willingness to communicate pertaining to the public speaking context. Using longitudinal data from undergraduate students enrolled in a semester-long basic communication course (BCC) focusing on public speaking, the study sheds light on the complex patterns of interrelationships among the three constructs and on the differences arising when regarding them from a static versus dynamic standpoint. The research reveals important findings that have salient implications for instruction in the BCC and are informative for theory-development and general pedagogical practice in the communication field

PROPERTIES OF SOLUTION BLENDED POLY(VINYLIDENEFLUORIDE)-CLAY NANOCOMPOSITES

Nanocomposites were prepared by blending organically modified clay (organo- clay) with poly (vinylidene-fluoride) PVDF in solution. The crystallization conditions of nanocomposites affected both the dispersion of the layered silicates in the matrix and the polymer crystalline morphology in nanocomposites. In the present work it was anticipated that by using a solution blending method, the electroactive polymer crystal phase (P-phase) would be predominantly induced in the matrix during the solidification process. The proportion of crystalline P-phase formed in the nanocomposites was dependent on the samples\u27 preparation conditions. X-ray diffraction was used to investigate the dispersion of layered silicates in the nanocomposites matrix. Intercalated structures were found in nanocomposites with lower clay loadings (0.5% wt) and imiscible structures for higher clay concentration (5% wt). The polymorphism (y and p-phases) developed in the nanocomposites was assessed using x-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The crystalline P-phase was found to be predominant in the nanocomposites recrystallized from the melt. The crystallization kinetics of the matrix were analyzed employing differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Reinforcing effect of the clay in nanocomposites was determined using dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). The study of the nucléation process was also important. It was experimentally found that P-phase formed in the matrix originated from the y-phase nucleated on the clay layers. The nucléation process had been thermodynamically favored in the presence of the modified silicate layers, when the nanocomposites were crystallized at relatively high temperature

Numerical Computing and Graphics for the Power Method Transformation Using Mathematica

This paper provides the requisite information and description of software that perform numerical computations and graphics for the power method polynomial transformation. The software developed is written in the Mathematica 5.2 package PowerMethod.m and is associated with fifth-order polynomials that are used for simulating univariate and multivariate non-normal distributions. The package is flexible enough to allow a user the choice to model theoretical pdfs, empirical data, or a user's own selected distribution(s). The primary functions perform the following (a) compute standardized cumulants and polynomial coefficients, (b) ensure that polynomial transformations yield valid pdfs, and (c) graph power method pdfs and cdfs. Other functions compute cumulative probabilities, modes, trimmed means, intermediate correlations, or perform the graphics associated with fitting power method pdfs to either empirical or theoretical distributions. Numerical examples and Monte Carlo results are provided to demonstrate and validate the use of the software package. The notebook Demo.nb is also provided as a guide for user of the power method.

A national survey of New Zealand secondary schools Physical Education programs implementation of the teaching personal and social responsibility (TPSR) model

All New Zealand secondary schools (370) received a 38-item survey examining their use of the Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility model (TPSR) within their physical education programs. A total of 148 schools (40%) responded of which 79 reported that they were teaching TPSR in their physical education programs. On average, the teachers using TPSR (158) had taught physical education for 4.8 years. While some were in their first year of teaching TPSR, 69.7% reported that they had been using the model for over two years and 37.8% for more than five. Teachers indicated that they had high levels of knowledge of, and confidence in, using TPSR. When exploring how teachers implemented TPSR it was found that many did not follow the daily program format consistently when teaching TPSR-based lessons. Almost 70% of teachers using TPSR had taught it in combination with Sport Education and most considered the combination to be highly successful. Teachers generally believed that TPSR-based teaching led to better behaved, more supportive students who were more able to be self-directed learners. They also believed TPSR resulted in improved learning in physical education and generated positive outcomes in other areas of the schools.Todas las escuelas de secundaria neozelandesas (370) recibieron un cuestionario de 38 preguntas destinado a examinar la utilización del modelo Enseñanza de la Responsabilidad Personal y Social (TPSR) en sus programas de Educación Física (EF). Respondieron 148 escuelas (40%), de las cuales 79 indicaron que sí lo usaban. Como promedio, los profesores que aplicaban el TPSR (158) llevaban dando clase de EF 4,8 años. Aunque algunos indicaron que era el primer año que estaban desarrollándolo, el 69.7% afirmó llevar haciéndolo más de dos años, y el 37.8% más de cinco. También, los profesores dijeron tener un nivel alto de conocimiento del TPSR y una gran confianza en su utilización.Al explorar el modo en que los profesores aplicaban el modelo, se observó que, cuando llevaban a cabo sus lecciones basadas en TPSR, muchos no seguían de forma sistemática el formato de programa diario.Casi un 70% de los profesores que usaban el TPSR lo habían enseñado en combinación con la Educación Deportiva, y la mayoría consideraba dicha combinación muy exitosa. En general, creían que la enseñanza basada en el TPSR conllevaba una mejora en el comportamiento de los alumnos que se hacían más comprensivos, solidarios y eran más capaces de auto-dirigir su aprendizaje. También creían que el TPSR mejoraba el aprendizaje en EF y generaba resultados positivos en otras áreas escolares

System and method for improving ultrasound image acquisition and replication for repeatable measurements of vascular structures

High resolution B-mode ultrasound images of the common carotid artery are obtained with an ultrasound transducer using a standardized methodology. Subjects are supine with the head counter-rotated 45 degrees using a head pillow. The jugular vein and carotid artery are located and positioned in a vertical stacked orientation. The transducer is rotated 90 degrees around the centerline of the transverse image of the stacked structure to obtain a longitudinal image while maintaining the vessels in a stacked position. A computerized methodology assists operators to accurately replicate images obtained over several spaced-apart examinations. The methodology utilizes a split-screen display in which the arterial ultrasound image from an earlier examination is displayed on one side of the screen while a real-time live ultrasound image from a current examination is displayed next to the earlier image on the opposite side of the screen. By viewing both images, whether simultaneously or alternately, while manually adjusting the ultrasound transducer, an operator is able to bring into view the real-time image that best matches a selected image from the earlier ultrasound examination. Utilizing this methodology, measurement of vascular dimensions such as carotid arterial IMT and diameter, the coefficient of variation is substantially reduced to values approximating from about 1.0% to about 1.25%. All images contain anatomical landmarks for reproducing probe angulation, including visualization of the carotid bulb, stacking of the jugular vein above the carotid artery, and initial instrumentation settings, used at a baseline measurement are maintained during all follow-up examinations

Split-screen display system and standardized methods for ultrasound image acquisition and multi-frame data processing

A standardized acquisition methodology assists operators to accurately replicate high resolution B-mode ultrasound images obtained over several spaced-apart examinations utilizing a split-screen display in which the arterial ultrasound image from an earlier examination is displayed on one side of the screen while a real-time "live" ultrasound image from a current examination is displayed next to the earlier image on the opposite side of the screen. By viewing both images, whether simultaneously or alternately, while manually adjusting the ultrasound transducer, an operator is able to bring into view the real-time image that best matches a selected image from the earlier ultrasound examination. Utilizing this methodology, dynamic material properties of arterial structures, such as IMT and diameter, are measured in a standard region over successive image frames. Each frame of the sequence has its echo edge boundaries automatically determined by using the immediately prior frame's true echo edge coordinates as initial boundary conditions. Computerized echo edge recognition and tracking over multiple successive image frames enhances measurement of arterial diameter and IMT and allows for improved vascular dimension measurements, including vascular stiffness and IMT determinations

Numerical Computing and Graphics for the Power Method Transformation Using Mathematica

This paper provides the requisite information and description of software that perform numerical computations and graphics for the power method polynomial transformation. The software developed is written in the Mathematica 5.2 package PowerMethod.m and is associated with fifth-order polynomials that are used for simulating univariate and multivariate non-normal distributions. The package is flexible enough to allow a user the choice to model theoretical pdfs, empirical data, or a user’s own selected distribution(s). The primary functions perform the following (a) compute standardized cumulants and polynomial coefficients, (b) ensure that polynomial transformations yield valid pdfs, and (c) graph power method pdfs and cdfs. Other functions compute cumulative probabilities, modes, trimmed means, intermediate correlations, or perform the graphics associated with fitting power method pdfs to either empirical or theoretical distributions. Numerical examples and Monte Carlo results are provided to demonstrate and validate the use of the software package. The notebook Demo.nb is also provided as a guide for user of the power method

Power Method Distributions through Conventional Moments and \u3ci\u3eL\u3c/i\u3e-Moments

This paper develops two families of power method (PM) distributions based on polynomial transformations of the (1) Uniform, (2) Triangular, (3) Normal, (4) D-Logistic, and (5) Logistic distributions. One family is developed in the context of conventional method of moments and the other family is derived through the method of L-moments. As such, each of the five conventional moment-based PM classes has an analogous L-moment based class. A primary focus of the development is on PM polynomial transformations of order three. Specifically, systems of equations are derived for computing polynomial coefficients for user specified values of skew (L-skew) and kurtosis (L-kurtosis). Boundary regions for determining feasible combinations of skew (L-skew) and kurtosis (L-kurtosis) are also derived for determining if a set of solved coefficients yields a valid PM probability density function. Further, the conventional moment-based family of PM distributions is compared with its L-moment based analog in terms of estimation, power, outliers, and distribution fitting. The results of the comparison demonstrate that the L-moment based PM family is superior to the conventional moment-based family in each of the categories considered