Chapter 4: Message Design for Instructional Designers - Human Performance Technology

How often do you take on an assignment or responsibility and reflect I knew how to do it better, but I didn’t? I’ll do better next time. Do you really do better next time? Maybe? Honestly, probably not but why is that? Human Performance Technology is focused on answering those questions. It gets to the root cause of why we don’t meet desired performance levels. The value of finding foundational causes for performance deficiencies is maximizing human capital because the largest expense of most companies is payroll. The most common investment in their employees is providing more opportunities for instruction and training; but more knowledge does not necessarily yield more productivity. Understanding the principles and models of human performance present a strategic advantage to steer human behavior with instructional message design investments and solutions

Styrene-terminated polysulfone oligomers as matrix material for graphite reinforced composites: An initial study

Styrene terminated polysulfone oligomers are part of an oligomeric class of compounds with end groups capable of thermal polymerization. These materials can be used as matrices for graphite reinforced composites. The initial evaluation of styrene terminated polysulfone oligomer based composites are summarized in terms of fabrication methods, and mechanical and environmental properties. In addition, a description and evaluation is provided of the NASA/Industry Fellowship Program for Technology Transfer

Dynamic-Mechanical and Decomposition Properties of Flax/Basalt Hybrid Laminates Based on an Epoxidized Linseed Oil Polymer

[EN] This contribution focuses on the development of flax and flax/basalt hybrid reinforced composites based on epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) resin, exploiting the feasibility of different ratios of glutaric anhydride (GA) to maleinized linseed oil (MLO) in the hardener system (50:0, 40:10 and 30:20 wt.%) to provide crosslinked thermosets with balanced properties. The hybrid laminates have been manufactured by resin transfer molding (RTM) and subjected to dynamic-mechanical (DMA) and thermal gravimetry (TGA) analysis. The presence of glutaric anhydride (GA) resulted in hard and relatively brittle flax and flax/basalt laminates, whose loss moduli decreased as the number of basalt plies diminished. Furthermore, the increase in MLO content in the GA:MLO hardener system shifted the glass transition temperatures (T-g) from 70 degrees C to 59 and 56 degrees C, which is representative of a decrease in brittleness of the crosslinked resin. All samples exhibited two stages of their decomposition process irrespective of the MLO content. The latter influenced the residual mass content that increased with the increase of the MLO wt.% from 10 to 30 wt.%, with shifts of the final degradation temperatures from 410 degrees C to 425 degrees C and 445 degrees C, respectively.This research was funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities (MICIU) project numbers MAT2017-84909-C2-2-R.Motoc, DL.; Ferri Azor, JM.; Ferrándiz Bou, S.; Garcia-Garcia, D.; Balart, R. (2021). Dynamic-Mechanical and Decomposition Properties of Flax/Basalt Hybrid Laminates Based on an Epoxidized Linseed Oil Polymer. Polymers. 13(4):1-11. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym1304047911113

DESIGUALDAD Y GASTO PÚBLICO EN EDUCACIÓN, MÉXICO 1950-2013

Desde que inició el modelo de liberación comercial el ingreso per cápita ha registrado una tendencia ascendente, este proceso ha hecho ricos a unos pocos (los que han incrementado su participación en el ingreso). El resto de la población, una mayoría creciente, han reducido su participación en el ingreso. El resultado ha sido mayor pobreza, concentración del ingreso y desigualdad. La desigualdad también se puede medir a través de los niveles educativos. La población sin escolaridad prácticamente ha desaparecido en los últimos años. En los niveles educativos que van de primaria hasta posgrado se observa las siguientes tendencias. De primaria hasta el nivel educativo de secundaria se observa un crecimiento modesto en relación al contemplado en preparatoria, universidad y posgrado. Es muy notorio un rápido crecimiento en los últimos niveles. De acuerdo a la opinión de la Organización para la Cooperación y el Comercio (OCDE) México ha mejorado el ingreso a la educación en todos los niveles del sistema educativo. Los recursos que ha venido dedicando, a través del gasto público, canalizado a la educación pública han mejorado de manera importantes. También ha reestructurado las políticas educativas y las formas de gestión con el afán de incidir en los resultados de calidad. El grado promedio de escolaridad en México se ubica en 8.6. (OCDE, 2015) De acuerdo a la Encuesta Nacional de Ocupación y Empleo de 2013 (ENOE, 2013) la composición de los trabajadores de acuerdo a no calificados y calificados se observa que en el primer segmento (Sin escolaridad y hasta 12 años de educación) representa el 83 por ciento. En 1991 el porcentaje fue de 90.2 por ciento. Es evidente que ha ocurrido un avance en los niveles de calificación de la población trabajadora, sin embargo también es notoria la elevada población que su nivel educativo no le permite hacer un trabajo calificado

Soil Nematode Trophic Group Composition and Influence on Growth of Amaranthus palmeri and Parthenium hysterophorus

Weeds have a significant impact on agricultural systems. They not only cause a loss in crop yield by competing with them for resources, but they can also serve hosts for several pests and parasties such as plant parasitic nematodes casusing additional crop loss. The aim of this study was to analyze plant-nematode feedback in two major weeds, Amaranthus palmeri S Watson and Parthenium hysterophorus L. First, a field survey was conducted to determine the rhizosphere nematode trophic groups associated with these two plants in the summer of 2020 and 2021. Then a 6-week greenhouse study was conducted where the two weed species were treated with nematode communities extracted from their respective rhizospheres. Results from this study show that both weeds harbored a high number of herbivore nematodes, followed by fungivore and bacterivore nematodes. Total number of these nematodes were highly influenced by total sol carbon, pH and salinity. Under greenhouse conditions, the nematode treatment did not have any impact on the growth of P. hysterophorus but A. palmeri plants treated with nematodes had significantly higher above ground biomass. In conclusion, plant-nematode relationships are complex. Given the extent of direct damage caused by these weeds and plant parasitic nematodes in global crop production, the weeds-nematode feedback warrants further detailed studies

Transmission of information and synchronization in a pair of coupled chaotic circuits: an experimental overview

We propose a rationale for experimentally studying the intricate relationship between the rate of information transmission and synchronization level in active networks, applying theoretical results recently proposed. We consider two non-identical coupled Chua's circuit with non-identical coupling strengths in order to illustrate the proceeding for experimental scenarios of very few data points coming from highly non-coherent coupled systems, such that phase synchronization can only be detected by methods that do not rely explicitely on the calculation of the phase. A relevant finding is to show that for the coupled Chua's circuit, the larger the level of synchronization the larger the rate of information exchanged between both circuits. We further validate our findings with data from numerical simulations, and discuss an extension to arbitrarily large active networks

Induction of Gynogenesis in Muskellunge With Irradiated Sperm of Yellow Perch Proves Diploid Muskellunge Male Homogamety

Diploid gynogenesis was induced in muskellunge Esox masquinongy using UV-irradiated muskellunge sperm as the first step in producing monosex females. In this approach, we have to rely on negative controls as an indirect reference for sperm genetic material destruction. In the first experiment, equal proportions of gynogenetic females and males were produced. Negative controls, UV-irradiated sperm without heat shock, yielded some normal hatching larvae, described as spontaneous diploids. In the second experiment, muskellunge eggs were activated using sperm from yellow perch. Because hybrids between these species are not viable, we produced unambiguous gynogens. When UV-irradiated yellow perch sperm was used to inseminate muskellunge eggs, haploids resulted (22.5% ± 2.8% survival to the eyed stage). To produce diploid gynogens, a heat shock of 31°C was applied to inseminated eggs 20 min after activation for a duration of 6 min. This process yielded several hundreds of gynogens for rearing. Several treatments of masculinizing hormone, 17 α-methyltestosterone (MT), were carried out. Fish were dissected and gonads examined histologically for sex determination. Gynogens produced using yellow-perch sperm confirmed the presence of males in the control group, whereas the MT bath treatment (400 μg/liter) resulted in the production of fish with ovotestis. These results provide evidence for male homogamety in muskellunge and imply that a change of strategy is needed to produce monosex populations.Funding for this project was provided by the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program (F-69-P, Fish Management in Ohio), administered jointly by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Ohio Division of Wildlife

Instructional Message Design: Theory, Research, and Practice

Message design is all around us, from the presentations we see in meetings and classes, to the instructions that come with our latest tech gadgets, to multi-million-dollar training simulations. In short, instructional message design is the real-world application of instructional and learning theories to design the tools and technologies used to communicate and effectively convey information. This field of study pulls from many applied sciences including cognitive psychology, industrial design, graphic design, instructional design, and human performance technology to name just a few. In this book we visit several foundational theories that guide our research, look at different real-world applications, and begin to discuss directions for future best practice. For instance, cognitive load and multimedia learning theories provide best practice, PowerPoint and simulations are only a few of the multitude of applications, and special needs learners and designing for cultural inclusiveness are only two of many areas where effective messages design can improve outcomes. Studying effective instructional message design tools and techniques has and will continue to be a critical aspect of the overall instructional design process. Hopefully, this book will serve as an introduction to these topics and inspire your curiosity to explore further

Promotoras’ Current Lifestyle Behavior and the Influence on Body Composition and Physical Function

PURPOSE: A significant public health problem is the increased quantity of time spent sedentary. Although promotoras, Spanish for community health workers, are being utilized to promote health behaviors along the South Texas-Mexico Rio Grande Valley (RGV) border region, Latinas are among the most physically inactive and obese segment of the US population. The purpose of this study was to identify the current lifestyle behaviors impact on body composition and physical functioning. METHODS: We conducted an analysis of the recorded body position (sitting, standing and recumbent) from an accelerometer versus the percentage of body fat and the estimated cardiorespiratory function recorded from the Jurca non-exercise test on 17 promotoras. Anthropometric measures included: body fatness and body composition. Participants wore an accelerometer for one week. Descriptive statistics were performed on all variables. RESULTS: Our participants averaged 40.0 ± 7.1% body fat. Cardiorespiratory capacity was 26.0 ± 9.1 VO2/kg/min. The accelerometer recorded 59% in sitting activity. A correlation of sitting and standing versus % body fat was performed with results as (p=.668) and (p=.773) respectively. A correlation of the data for sitting and standing versus estimated cardiorespiratory function was performed with results as (p=.672) and (p=.689) respectively. A correlation was performed on recumbent position versus the performance of a 2 min step test resulting in (p=.701). CONCLUSION: By understanding promotoras physical activity, an idea of the lifestyle of this population can be obtained and improved. To diminish sedentary behavior, the most rudimentary method would be to decrease sitting and laying down

The Effects of Language Barriers on Physical Activity of “Promotora” Community Health Care Workers in the South Texas-Mexico Border Region

PURPOSE: The Rio Grande Valley (RGV) is not only characterized by elevated school drop-out rates, poverty and unemployment, but also physical inactivity, obesity as well as language barriers. The purpose of this study was to assess the agreement between commonly used self-reported methods compared with objectively measured physical activity amongst community health worker; promotoras. METHODS: Our cross-sectional study, 17 promotoras (adult Latinas) capable of engaging in moderate-vigorous PA. We conducted anthropometric assessments (body mass index (BMI), body fatness (%)), assessed PA (accelerometry, and Jurca non-exercise test), and measured self-reported PA behaviors. RESULTS: Promotoras BMI were similar to other Latina women in the United States and averaged 40.0 ± 7.1 % body fat. More than half of our sample were either overweight or obese. Promotoras also exhibited a low estimated cardiorespiratory capacity of 26.0 ± 9.1 VO2/kg/min from the Jurca non-exercise test which was also significantly correlated with measured accelerometry activity. All tests were assessed using Spearman correlation analyses at a significance level of .05. CONCLUSION: Since some of the greatest health disparities occur among those who do not speak English as a first language; improvements in language barriers may enable Latinas to obtain, process and understand basic health and physical activity information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. This study provides insight on the effect language barriers may have on Latina’s health outcomes in the RGV