Propensity for Innovation Adoption : Integration of Structural Contingency and Resource Dependence Perspectives

 This paper proposes an alternative description and conceptual framework to explain innovation adoption based on the synthesis of two different theories: structural contingency and resource dependence perspectives using the assumption of strategic choice theory. Innovation adoption is explained by the interactions between environment and strategic choice of organization via strategies to control the resource dependence condition. The notion that organization can manage its environment strategically up to some extent becomes the core interest of this study

Target language avoidance by Thai teachers of English: Thai teachers\u27 beliefs

Interactionist theories of second language acquisition (SLA) claim that both comprehensible input and modified interaction in the target language are necessary for language learning. In the foreign language context, little opportunity exists for such input simply through exposure to the target language outside the classroom. Therefore, the quantity as well as quality of input within classrooms is especially important. However in spite of this fact many non-native teachers of second language, including English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers, tend to avoid using the target language in their classrooms. This has serious pedagogic implications. Thai teachers are typical of many EFL teachers in that they appear to avoid using English in the classroom. While suggestions have been made as to why this might be the case, to date there has been no direct research to examine this issue. This study aims to investigate some of the factors that may prevent Thai teachers from using English in their classroom. In the first stage of the study, data were collected from primary and secondary Thai teachers of English in both private and public schools. The teachers were interviewed using focus group discussions which were audio-recorded. Key issues emerging from this data were used to develop a questionnaire for the second stage of the study. A representative sample of teachers was then selected from a range of schools and surveyed using this instrument. Finally, in the third stage, the results of the questionnaire were presented to the original focus groups to validate the responses and to explore possible reasons for the outcomes. The analysis of focus group interviews was based on the interview transcripts. For the questionnaire results, the data from questionnaires were analysed using Multivariate analysis (MANOV A). Findings of the primary and secondary teachers were compared, as were the private and public school teachers. In addition, post-hoc Scheffe tests (p = .05) on the univariate F-ratios were performed to determine if there were significant differences between the groups. Findings from the focus group interviews showed that the most significant influences on Thai teachers\u27 use of English in their classes included the low proficiency level of teachers and students, teachers\u27 language anxiety and students\u27 objectives for studying English. The results from the questionnaires were slightly different from the focus group interviews. They indicated that exams, the curriculum focus on grammar, the low proficiency of both teachers and students, and pre-service teacher training were the major reasons for target language avoidance . There were significant differences between the private and public school teachers. There were also significant differences in the responses of primary and secondary teachers. All teachers suggested a variety of ways they could be encouraged to use more English. Finally, this study offers suggestions for further research concerning teachers\u27 beliefs regarding classroom language use

Chemical Modification of Cotton Fabric Using Chitosan and Hydrolyzed Silk Fibroin

A cotton fabric modified with chitosan (CS) and hydrolyzed fibroin (HF) was prepared by using glyoxal as crosslinker. Fixation of CS and HF on cotton fabric was confirmed by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and color depth (K/S) of finished fabrics which was dyed with acid dye. %Water absorption, tensile strength as well as %elongation and crease recovery angle were evaluated. Results of SEM micrograph and FTIR spectra clearly confirmed fixation of CS and HF on cotton fabric surface by using glyoxal as crosslinker. %Water absorption and %elongation of the finished fabrics increased with increased concentration of HF in finishing solution. However, decreases in tensile strength and % crease recovery were observed when increased concentration of HF was used. This work demonstrated that the surface properties of cotton fabrics was changed by HF modification, fixation of CS and HF placed onto cotton fabric changed the fabric surface properties, which facilitated more uptake of chemicals such as water and anionic acid dye. The cotton fabrics finished with hydrolyzed fibroin exhibited antibacterial activity against the growth of S.aureus and E.coli which facilitated the finished cotton fabric as  a functional materials, for example in a medical application

Impact from Unrest Situations in the Southernmost Provinces on Stress and Coping, Quality of Life and Nursing Administration as Perceived

The purposes of this descriptive research were to study the impact of the unrest situations in the southernmost provinces of Thailand on: 1) the stress of nurse administrators; 2) their methods of coping with the stress; 3) the effect on their quality of life; and 4) the impact on nursing administration. The sample consisted of a group of 72 nurse administrators in the southernmost provinces. The instrument used in this study was a questionnaire consisting of five parts. Part 1 collected demographic data; part 2 surveyed stress; part 3 examined how the participants coped with the stress; part 4 surveyed the quality of life of the participants; and part 5 was a focus-group interview regarding the nursing administration process. The data of parts 1 to part 4 were collected by self-report questionnaires, and were analyzed by frequency, percent, mean, and standard deviation; while the data for part 5 were obtained by eight focus-group interviews with 45 out of 72 nurse administrators, and were analyzed by content analysis. The results showed that a majority of the sample perceived overall stress, coping with the stress, and quality of life to be at moderate levels. The themes that emerged from the focus-group interviews reflected both pros and cons of nursing administration. Nurse administrators can use them as a guide for modifying nursing management skills in order to provide effective care despite the limited resources and pressures in these southernmost provinces

Enhancing Teachers’ AI Competencies through Artificial Intelligence of Things Professional Development Training

The rapid increase in new challenges of the combination of the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI), which are emerging technologies, can play a compelling role in prompting the development of artificial intelligence Internet of Things (AIoT). Therefore, the demand for AI competencies for everyone will increase. Educational institutes focus on encouraging AI education because the demand for AI-literate workers will increase in the industrial sector. However, teachers’ lack of AI knowledge is a significant barrier to AI education. Thus, developing the teacher’s AI competencies and educating them about how to use and teach students is critical. In this study, we proposed artificial intelligence of things professional development (AIoT-PD) training to prepare the AI competencies of teachers ready to teach. A quasi-experimental design with a two-day training workshop was conducted among 13 teachers to examine its impact on AI competencies, including AI knowledge, AI skill, and AI attitude. The quantitative data were collected via a pretest and posttest after the training activity, while qualitative data were collected via interviews. This study showed that teachers’ AI knowledge significantly improved. These findings revealed the AIoT training workshop’s effectiveness in enhancing teachers’ AI competencies, which can help them effectively teach students in AI education

Determination of salicylic acid content in pharmaceuticals using chitosan@Fe3O4/CPE electrode detected by SWV technique

Chitosan-coated magnetite nanoparticles (Chitosan@Fe3O4) were used to modify the carbon paste electrode (Chitosan@Fe3O4/CPE) to enhance sensitivity for salicylic acid (SA) analysis using square wave voltammetry (SWV). The performance and behaviour of the purposed electrodes were investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV). The results showed that the mixed behaviour process was observed. Furthermore, parameters affecting SWV were also studied. It was discovered that the optimum conditions were a two-linearity range of SA determination, 1-100 and 100-400 μM. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) for SA are 0.57 μM and 0.90 μM, respectively. The proposed electrodes were successfully used to determine SA in applications employing pharmaceutical samples