Communication Tasks Research Articles

Arrest Matters: The Pragmatics of Vulnerability in Phone Calls to the Stasi

Using Conversation Analysis (CA), this article focuses on the ways in which participants invoke vulnerability in phone calls to the former East German State Security Service, better known as the Stasi. The calls were made in the late 1970s and the 1980s and pertained in one way or the other to political arrests. The main aim is to understand the linkage between vulnerability as an attribute of an institutional setting and vulnerability as the mutual achievement of a social interaction with an organization. The data represent different ways of addressing experiences of vulnerabilisation and different complications, each with a specific interactional character (failed request for help, self-protection or expression of indignation about one’s own treatment). Starting with an ambiguous case and focusing on how participants work to describe experiences of arrest in other cases documented and available in the Stasi tape archive, the article describes the sequential unfolding of vulnerability in different formats, depending on how the recipient designs them and the communicative tasks that participants tackle in their interactions.

NGHIÊN CỨU HIỆU QUẢ CỦA PHƯƠNG PHÁP TƯƠNG TÁC TRONG PHÁT TRIỂN KĨ NĂNG NÓI TIẾNG TRUNG QUỐC GIAI ĐOẠN CƠ SỞ TẠI TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC HÙNG VƯƠNG

The ultimate goal of foreign language teaching and learning is communicative competence. Speaking holds a particularly vital position in the communication process. For language-specialized students at the foundation level, developing speaking skills is of utmost importance. Among these, interactive methods employed in communicative tasks have a positive impact on the language acquisition process in general and speaking skills in particular. From the perspective of applied linguistics, this study employs scientific experimentation to demonstrate the constructive influence of interactive methods on enhancing vocabulary usage, grammatical structures, accurate language forms, attention engagement, retelling, and precise responses of students towards teaching Chinese speaking skills at the foundation level. The research also suggests the application of interactive methods in the development of Chinese speaking skills at the foundation level at Hung Vuong University.

Quantum Computational Complexity and Symmetry

Testing the symmetries of quantum states and channels provides a way to assess their usefulness for different physical, computational, and communication tasks. Here, we establish several complexity-theoretic results that classify the difficulty of symmetry-testing problems involving a unitary representation of a group and a state or a channel that is being tested. In particular, we prove that various such symmetry-testing problems are complete for BQP (bounded-error quantum polynomial time), QMA (quantum Merlin-Arthur), QSZK (quantum statistical zero-knowledge), QIP(2) (two-message quantum interactive proofs), QIP_EB(2) (two-message quantum interactive proofs restricted to entanglement-breaking provers), and QIP (quantum interactive proofs), thus spanning the prominent classes of the quantum interactive proof hierarchy and forging a non-trivial connection between symmetry and quantum computational complexity. Finally, we prove the inclusion of two Hamiltonian symmetry-testing problems in QMA and QAM, while leaving it as an intriguing open question to determine whether these problems are complete for these classes.

Four-year-olds’ visuospatial cognitive abilities and their relation to observer‑viewpoint gestures across three communicative tasks

Four-year-olds’ visuospatial cognitive abilities and their relation to observer‑viewpoint gestures across three communicative tasks

Improved experimental scheme for the generation of pair coherent state in traveling-wave optical fields

Abstract Pair coherent state (PCS) is a two-mode non-Gaussian state recently generated within spatially confined superconducting cavities. Under typical conditions, it is unsuitable for performing global quantum missions in open space. Several methods have been proposed to generate this state with the capability to propagate unrestrictedly. However, these methods employed an excessive amount of unnecessary physical resources or relied on coherent displacement within the low regime. This paper presents a novel experimental approach to generate this state, specifically designed for facilitating long-distance quantum information processing and communication tasks. The method involves the utilization of two weak cross-Kerr nonlinear media, two balanced beam splitters, and an on/off photodetector. Furthermore, the input comprises three CSs with high amplitudes. These physical resources are potentially accessible within existing technology. The analysis of success probability and fidelity demonstrates that the PCS can be successfully generated with a high coherent parameter amplitude, even in scenarios where the photodetector efficiency is low, provided that the coherent amplitudes are sufficiently high.

К ВОПРОСУ О ФОРМИРОВАНИИ ИНОЯЗЫЧНОЙ ТЕКСТОВОЙ КОМПЕТЕНЦИИ

The article is devoted to the characterization of textual competence as a complex linguistic ability integrating language experience in various types of speech activity. As a result of the analysis, the content and structure of the concept of «textual competence» are characterized, the stages of its formation are revealed. Textual competence is considered in the work as an independent competence that is not part of a more general communicative competence. The study emphasizes the mastery of textual competence as a basic elementary cultural skill. The key role of textual competence in the processes of personal socialization and intercultural communication is due to the consideration of the communication process as the implementation of a language system in texts. The foundations of textuality as a set of inherent text parameters are analyzed. In the structure of textual competence, knowledge of the language system, language units and the rules of their combination are highlighted, as well as mechanisms for generating speech utterance, taking into account communicative tasks, due to the nature of the communicative situation. The complex nature of textual competence is revealed, due to the multidimensional nature of the text as a linguistic phenomenon. The research material confirms that the formation of foreign language textual competence in the process of learning a foreign language is aimed not only at developing students’ skills to work with foreign language texts, but also intercultural competence.

Power-Domain Interference Graph Estimation for Multi-hop BLE Networks

Traditional wisdom for network management allocates network resources separately for the measurement and communication tasks. Heavy measurement tasks may compete limited resources with communication tasks and significantly degrade overall network performance. It is therefore challenging for the interference graph, deemed as incurring heavy measurement overhead, to be used in practice in wireless networks. To address this challenge in wireless sensor networks, our core insight is to use power as a new dimension for interference graph estimation (IGE) such that IGE can be done simultaneously with the communication tasks using the same frequency-time resources. We propose to marry power-domain IGE with concurrent flooding to achieve simultaneous measurement and communication in BLE networks, where the power linearity prerequisite for power-domain IGE holds naturally true in concurrent flooding. With extensive experiments, we conclude the necessary conditions for the power linearity to hold and analyze several non-linearity issues of power related to hardware imperfections. We design and implement network protocols and power control algorithms for IGE in multi-hop BLE networks and conduct experiments to show that the marriage is mutually beneficial for both IGE and concurrent flooding. Furthermore, we demonstrate the potential of IGE in improving channel map convergence and convergecast in BLE networks.

Gaze transition entropy as a measure of attention allocation in a dynamic workspace involving automation

Real-world work environments require operators to perform multiple tasks with continual support from an automated system. Eye movement is often used as a surrogate measure of operator attention, yet conventional summary measures such as percent dwell time do not capture dynamic transitions of attention in complex visual workspace. This study analyzed eye movement data collected in a controlled a MATB-II task environment using gaze transition entropy analysis. In the study, human subjects performed a compensatory tracking task, a system monitoring task, and a communication task concurrently. The results indicate that both gaze transition entropy and stationary gaze entropy, measures of randomness in eye movements, decrease when the compensatory tracking task required more continuous monitoring. The findings imply that gaze transition entropy reflects attention allocation of operators performing dynamic operational tasks consistently.

An exploratory study on second language learner engagement in different types of interactive tasks in video-chat and text-chat communication

Abstract This study investigated 48 Hong Kong English as a second language (ESL) learners’ engagement in three types of interactive tasks conducted via video chat or text chat. The learners, paired with their university friends, completed a descriptive task, a narrative task, and a decision-making task. They were randomly assigned to either the video-chat or text-chat group and were interviewed about their emotional engagement in each task immediately after task performance. The findings revealed that both groups of learners were behaviourally the least engaged but cognitively the most engaged in the decision-making task. They experienced positive emotions during the descriptive task, but fewer reported positive emotions in the other two tasks. The text-chat group was the most socially engaged in the decision-making task. Furthermore, the video-chat group was behaviourally and emotionally more engaged than the text-chat group. These findings have implications for task design and selection in computer-mediated communication.

Sound of natural and artificial rain impact on ETFE membranes

Thin membranes are known to produce a drum-like effect when subjected to rainfall. Rain noise affects acoustic comfort and might disrupt communication, speech intelligibility and cognitive task performance. Therefore, assessment of the characteristics of noise produced by impact of rain on membranes in different architectural settings is important. Given inherent disparities between natural and artificial precipitation-primarily in terms of droplet size distribution and terminal velocities-underscores the importance of conducting evaluations using natural rain noise. The focus of this study is on the comparative assessment of the sound generated by natural rainfall versus the sound generated by the impact of individual droplet in a semi-anechoic room on single Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) membranes. The study assesses the extent of spectral variations of the rain sound produced in both approaches and the corresponding absolute value of noise intensity.

Performance Evaluation of the Two-Input Buck Converter as a Visible Light Communication High-Brightness LED Driver Based on Split Power.

This work proposes a high-efficiency High-Brightness LED (HB-LED) driver for Visible Light Communication (VLC) based on a Two-Input Buck (TIBuck) DC/DC converter. This solution not only outperforms previous approaches based on Buck DC/DC converters, but also simplifies previous proposals for VLC drivers that use the split power technique with two DC/DC converters: one is in charge of the communication tasks and the other controls the biasing of the HB-LED (i.e., lighting tasks). The real implementation of this scheme requires either two input voltage sources, one of which is isolated, or one DC/DC converter with galvanic isolation. The proposed implementation of splitting the power is based on a TIBuck DC/DC converter that avoids the isolation requirement, overcoming the major drawback of this technique, keeping high-efficiency and high communication capability thanks to the lower voltage stress both across the switches and at the switching node. This fact allows for the operation at very high frequency for communication purposes, minimizing switching power losses, achieving high efficiency and providing lower filtering effort. Moreover, the duty ratio range can also be adapted to the useful voltage range of the HB-LED load to maximize the resolution on the tracking of the output volage. The power is split by means of an auxiliary Buck DC/DC converter operating at low switching frequency, which generates the secondary voltage source needed by the TIBuck DC/DC converter. This defines a natural split of power by only processing the power delivered for communications purposes at high frequency. A 7 W output-power experimental prototype of the proposed VLC driver was built and tested. Based on the experimental results, the prototype achieved 94% efficiency, reproducing a 64-QAM digital modulation scheme and achieving a bit rate of 1.5 Mbps with error in communication of 12%.

STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS OF FORMING FOREIGN LANGUAGE COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE OF PRIMARY SHCOOL STUDENTS THROUGH INTERACTIVE METHODS IN TEACHING

The article delves into a challenge concerning the advancement of foreign language communicative skills among elementary school students. It introduces the notion of sub-competencies within foreign language communicative skills, which serve as integral components. Furthermore, the paper outlines findings from an experimental investigation on the development of foreign language communicative competencies in primary school students. The primary objective of the article is to justify the cultivation of foreign language communicative competences in elementary school students through collaborative work in pairs and small groups, dialogues, discussions and games. The author supports the effectiveness of these methods by employing methodological tasks. The reliability and validity of the study's findings and conclusions are assured through the analysis of sub-competence formation at all levels. The tasks assigned within educational activities serve as the foundation for fostering foreign language communicative competencies. In this article, the author also emphasizes the competency-based approach of contemporary foreign language instruction. This competency includes various communicative tasks by motivating young learners. Within this research, communicative competence is defined as the key point. Communicative competence of primary school students is a harmonious combination of communicative sub-competencies, as well as a stable experience of their successful application.

НЕЙРОМЕРЕЖЕВІ МАТЕМАТИЧНІ МОДЕЛІ ЛЮДИНОМАШИННОГО СПІЛКУВАННЯ ТА РОЗПІЗНАВАННЯ

The study is devoted to the neural network interpretation of the task of human-machine communication and recognition by multiple criteria, considered as a task of assignment. The main goal is to reduce this problem to a standard form, where the number of criteria groups is equal to the number of ranked documents. The study defined the architecture of a neural network and proposed the use of a network of binary neurons, which is a matrix of a certain dimension. The proposed ranking model is based on a neural network that contains arbitrary feedback. This allows the excitation to be transmitted back to the neuron, which contributes to the repeated performance of its function. However, in dynamic neural networks instability occurs, which is manifested in a random change in the states of neurons without reaching stationary states. The question of stability of the dynamics of such systems remains open. The considered discrete Hopfield neural network has the following characteristics: one layer of elements, each element is connected to all others, but not to itself; only one element is updated per stage; elements are updated in random order, but each is updated with the same frequency; the output function is binary (value "0" or "1"). A Hopfield neural network is recurrent: the output of the network is reused as input until a steady state is reached. After starting, the neural network changes its state, gradually moving to a stable mode, which allows identifying a plan for evaluating the process of human-machine communication according to a set of criteria. Random search procedures are used to refine the results. The proposed energy function is minimized to ensure that the constraints are met and the problem is solved. The constructed function reaches a minimum only in the states corresponding to the assignment plans. The definition of the network parameters is carried out by comparing the obtained functions with the energy function in general form. The practical implementation of the model demonstrated that Hopfield's neural network can be successfully applied to document ranking in human-machine communication and recognition systems, providing high accuracy and efficiency in solving ranking problems.

Students’ Multilingual Experiences With Online Machine Translation: Implications for General Language Use

This article discusses how online machine translators (OMT) can influence the way people use general language or languages. The latter distinction has to do with the fact that contemporary lifestyles turn language users into plurilingual communicators. Online shopping, travelling abroad or social media often require at least some degree of plurilingual text mediation skills. Irrespective of foreign language competences, a lot of plurilingual communicators seek OMT support in making sure their messaging with international partners is correct and effective. The article discusses research results concerning how a selected group of BA and MA students in education use machine translation for day-to-day plurilingual communication tasks. We asked them about the relation between machine translation, language learning and language use. We give some insight into the machine translation engine DeepL Translator, which can effectively be used in support of plurilingual text mediation. The article also contains basic educational implications for why and how to make OMT part of foreign language curricula.

Effect of Interpersonal Conflict among Extension Staff in Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) In Rivers State, Nigeria

The study was conducted to ascertain the effects of interpersonal conflict among Extension staff in Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) in Rivers State, Nigeria. Specifically the study identified the forms of interpersonal conflict among the ADP Extension staff, and ascertained the effects of interpersonal conflict on members of Rivers State ADP Extension staff. A proportionate sampling technique was used to select 149 ADP Extension staff. However, only 135 questionnaires were retrieved from the field. Variables were analyzed and presented using frequency, percentage and mean scores. The result showed that communication conflict and relationship conflict (88.10%) ranked highest forms of conflict in the ADP. The most occurring conflicts were communication conflicts (X̄=3.89), task conflict (X̄=3.77) and power conflict (X̄=3.70). The respondents agreed that interpersonal conflict improves future communication among staff (X̄=3.93), boosts staff morale (X̄=3.93) and improves trust (X̄=3.87). However, they also agreed to these negative effects of interpersonal conflict; apathy (X̄=3.93), distraction (X̄=3.76) and low morale (X̄=3.75). The study concluded that interpersonal conflict improves future communication, boosts staff morale and improves trust. On the contrary; interpersonal conflict leads to apathy, distraction and low morale. It was recommended that government and employers should make Conflict management and resolution as part of compulsory Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for staff of the ADP. This will effectively utilize positive effects of interpersonal conflict while minimizing the negative effects for a more productive organization.

The Role of Needs Analysis in EFL Teaching Design

The essay defines needs analysis as a comprehensive process for acquiring learner and communication task information, encompassing learner proficiency, learning styles, language goals, cultural factors, resource availability, and learning outcomes. It covers the crucial components of needs analysis and highlights the role in EFL teaching design before, during, and after class, and its impact on continuous professional development among educators. The essay underscores the trans-formative influence of needs analysis in optimizing teaching strategies and enhancing student learning outcomes.

Prior entanglement exponentially improves one-server quantum private information retrieval for quantum messages

Quantum private information retrieval (QPIR) for quantum messages is a quantum communication task, in which a user retrieves one of the multiple quantum states from the server without revealing which state is retrieved. In the one-server setting, we find an exponential gap in the communication complexities between the presence and absence of prior entanglement in this problem with the one-server setting. To achieve this aim, as the first step, we prove that the trivial solution of downloading all messages is optimal under QPIR for quantum messages, which is a similar result to that of classical PIR but different from QPIR for classical messages. As the second step, we propose an efficient one-server one-round QPIR protocol with prior entanglement by constructing a reduction from a QPIR protocol for classical messages to a QPIR protocol for quantum messages in the presence of prior entanglement.

Students' approaches to developing scientific communication skills.

Science communication is a core skill for undergraduate science students to acquire in preparation for their future careers, but studies show that this skill is underdeveloped in science graduates. The aim of this study was to discover the resources and approaches undergraduate students use to effectively develop their science communication skills and how the use of these methods relates to academic performance on a communication task. Undergraduate students undertaking a second-year biomedical science course (n = 490) were asked which approaches and resources they used to aid the development of their science communication skills, and the frequency of their responses was correlated against their laboratory report mark, using multiple regression and relative weights analysis. Students' (n = 453) use of Communication Learning in Practice for Scientists (CLIPS; an open-access interactive website on science communication), resources provided by the university, interactions with university teaching staff, and engagement with the scientific literature significantly predicted the laboratory report mark. Students enrolled in a blended format or in remote online learning only, and in different programs, performed comparably in the written report and used similar approaches and resources, other than remote students reporting more use of other online resources and students in blended learning engaging more with university resources. Together, these findings provide insight into which strategies are most helpful for undergraduate students to engage with to improve their scientific communication skills. The findings highlight that the provision of well-designed interactive communication resources, guided assessment resources, and opportunities to engage with teaching staff can assist in the development of science communication skills.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study identifies the approaches and resources that undergraduate science students use to develop their science communication skills. It reveals which of these approaches and resources predict improved academic performance in a written science communication assessment task. The findings point to the importance of explicit guidance, and engagement with teaching staff, in advancing the development of science communication skills.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE COMPETENCE APPROACH IN DEVELOPING LEXICAL SKILLS

In this article, the ways of developing lexical skills in students, their theoretical and practical importance, the level of lexical competence in speech skills and their role in communicative tasks are revealed based on the competence approach.

Communication Skills Assessments and Rubrics In The Higher Education: A Meta-Analysis

Effective communication skills are crucial in the higher education system. Consequently, there is a growing concern about how higher education institutions can better equip students with the communication skills required for success in both academic and professional settings. The assessment of communication skills, especially in higher education, is complex and can have a substantial impact on students' academic achievements, preparedness for their careers, and overall professional growth. Due to this disparities and assessment challenges, this meta-analysis sought to answer the following research questions: (a) What are the assessments employed for communication skills in multi-discipline studies in higher education? (b) What are the “key findings” contributing to the issues of communication skills assessment in higher education? In this article, a meta-analysis was conducted to determine the types of communication skill assessments and other key findings concerning the assessment issues in this area. Sources were identified using Scopus, Web of Science, Wiley Online Library, Taylor & Francis Online and Springerlink, and, after inclusion criteria were applied, 21 samples of articles were included in the meta-analysis. The findings demonstrate the existence of issues from the aspects of audience, mode, and purpose of the assessments, which mainly are: (1) impact of language proficiency and ICT competency; (2) communication skills approach to non-scientific audience; (3) blended assessment and feedback communication; (4) use of explicit and direct teaching assessment; (5) critical thinking and opportunity for justifying scientific ideas; and (6) benefit of early and continuous communication tasks. The review finds an extensive gap on the communication skills assessment related to higher-order thinking and problem-solving abilities in junior students. This meta-analysis may be of great interest to university policymakers, language lecturers, and academic lecturers from other disciplines who are searching for the best assessments strategies to measure students' communication skills.