Analysis of Korean students’ international mobility by 2-D model: driving force factor and directional factor

The purpose of this study is to understand the dynamics of Korean students’ international mobility to study abroad by using the 2-D Model. The first D, the driving force factor, explains how and what components of the dissatisfaction with domestic higher education perceived by Korean students drives students’ outward mobility to seek foreign higher education. The second D, the directional factor, describes the factors that influence the choice of destination country for students’ outward mobility, and is explained by the comparison of Korean students’ perceptions on the images of universities in the U.S., China, the U.K., and Australia and their expectations for higher education in each country (categorized as ‘academic’–‘environmental’). Two questionnaire surveys were conducted to analyze the two D factors and the research findings were integrated into suggestions for each country’s higher education institutions that can be incorporated into their recruitment strategies for international students.

Nanoparticle image velocimetry at topologically structured surfaces

Nanoparticle image velocimetry (nano-PIV), based on total internal reflection fluorescent microscopy, is very useful to investigate fluid flows within ∼100 nm from a surface; but so far it has only been applied to flow over smooth surfaces. Here we show that it can also be applied to flow over a topologically structured surface, provided that the surface structures can be carefully configured not to disrupt the evanescent-wave illumination. We apply nano-PIV to quantify the flow velocity distribution over a polydimethylsiloxane surface, with a periodic gratinglike structure (with 215 nm height and 2 μm period) fabricated using our customized multilevel lithography method. The measured tracer displacement data are in good agreement with the computed theoretical values. These results demonstrate new possibilities to study the interactions between fluid flow and topologically structured surfaces.     

Microclimate inside a semi-confined environment: Valuation of suitability for the conservation of heritage materials

The microclimatic analysis of the Petrarca's tomb in Arquà Petrarca, Padua (Italy) was performed to assess the suitability of a closed environment located outdoors respect to the conservation requirements of heritage materials. Results showed that the thermo-hygrometric conditions inside the tomb were not suitable for the conservation of organic materials, like bones and wood. The orientation (north or south) was the main responsible for the different damage features of the two sides of the wooden case housing the human remains inside the tomb. Technical solutions were finally implemented to improve the conservation conditions, thus avoiding further damage.     

Students’ misconceptions of statistical inference: A review of the empirical evidence from research on statistics education

A solid understanding of inferential statistics is of major importance for designing and interpreting empirical results in any scientific discipline. However, students are prone to many misconceptions regarding this topic. This article structurally summarizes and describes these misconceptions by presenting a systematic review of publications that provide empirical evidence of them. This group of publications was found to be dispersed over a wide range of specialized journals and proceedings, and the methodology used in the empirical studies was very diverse. Three research needs rise from this review: (1) further empirical studies that identify the sources and possible solutions for misconceptions in order to complement the abundant theoretical and statistical discussion about them; (2) new insights into effective research designs and methodologies to perform this type of research; and (3) structured and systematic summaries of findings like the one presented here, concerning misconceptions in other areas of statistics, that might be of interest both for educational researchers and teachers of statistics.     

Placement,inclusion, law and teachers’ perceptions in Macao’s schools

In Macao, the government has initiated a debate regarding revisions in the Decree Law in order to promote a more inclusive schooling system. In this Special Administrative Region of China, inclusive education is one of three possible types of special education that are likely be legislated in the future. The way the teachers perceive the different aspects related to inclusive education, namely the principles, concepts and law, is essential for its full implementation. The aim of this study is to understand teachers’ perceptions about the proposed amendments in the consultation document for changes in the special education regime. In particular, we focus on teachers’ acceptance of the recommended role of parents, the proposed placement models and expectations for teacher training. A mixed-methods approach with a survey of a sample of 500 teachers in private schools and interviews to a sub-sample of 20 provide the data. While agreeing in principle with the majority of the proposed changes in the Decree Law, there were several reservations made by the teachers, especially regarding the extent of parental choice, placement decisions and teacher training. Recommendations to continue the pathway for a more inclusive education system in Macao and for further research are made.     

The Use of Online Support Groups to Seek Information about Chronic Illness: Applying the Theory of Motivated Information Management

The growing number of adults living with chronic illness, combined with the increased availability of illness-specific online support groups, is changing the way individuals seek information about their chronic illnesses. This study utilized elements of the theory of motivated information management (TMIM) to examine how individuals decide to seek information about their chronic illness from online support groups. Adults with chronic illness who had visited at least one online support group in the last six months completed an online survey. Structural equation model findings revealed that, although uncertainty discrepancy about a chronic illness did not predict negative emotional response, both target efficacy and communication efficacy were positively related to information-seeking. Findings aid in explaining specific processes individuals go through when deciding to visit online support groups to gather information about their chronic illnesse, but cannot conclusively support TMIM in this context.     

文化批评在当代还有用武之地吗?

论文简要分析了当前彻底商业化的社会里从事文化批评所面临的困境,商品拜物教、形象崇拜愈演愈烈,人文领域危机四伏;认为通过精神分析批评和马克思主义批评的结合,可以揭示资本主义社会中被压制和歪曲的文化因素;论文用“后意识形态共生”的理论对中国电影《英雄》作了解读;最后的结论是文化批评在当代仍有存在的价值。     

Decreasing inappropriate vocalizations using classwide group contingencies and color wheel procedures: A component analysis

Teacher referrals for consultation resulted in two independent teams collecting evidence that allowed for a treatment component evaluation of color wheel (CW) procedures and/or interdependent group‐oriented reward (IGOR) procedures on inappropriate vocalizations in one third‐ and one first‐grade classroom. Both studies involved the application of B‐C‐D‐C designs, with the initial B phase involving the application of independent group‐oriented punishment (IGOP) procedures that were applied in all classrooms at the respective schools and maintained across all phases of the studies. In Study I, the C phase involved that application of IGOP, IGOR, and CW; CW was withdrawn in the D phase and reinstated in the subsequent C phase. In Study II, IGOP procedures were supplemented with CW procedures (first C phase), then IGOR procedures were added (D phase) and withdrawn (second C phase). Results from the two studies converge and provide evidence that CW procedures are effective when applied with IGOP procedures and that supplementing them with IGOR procedures may have little classwide impact on inappropriate vocalizations. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.