Factors Affecting Test Results Research Articles

Тестирование коммуникативных компетенций владения русским языком

The article discusses the problem of methodology and methods for assessing the communicative competencies of adult native speakers of Russian. Communication skill is one of the major soft skills within university education. To assess the development of this skill, a valid and convenient tool is needed. The aim is to to create a set of tasks to assess the communication skills of adult native speakers of Russian, to test it on a focus group of students, as well as to study sociolinguistic factors affecting test results (age, major, etc.). This article describes the principle of creating a methodological complex, which includes: an algorithm for assessing communicative competencies, sets of test tasks to assess the level of spoken and written speech proficiency, a scale for assessing test results. General scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, and the modeling method were used. The algorithm for assessing communicative competencies includes: assessment component (linguistic, discursive and stylistic, rhetorical and pragmatic, ethical); assessment criteria; rating scale; rating levels; types of tasks (editing defective text according to the norms of the Russian language and its stylistics; programmed control, tests, writing, public speaking – monologue, debate, etc.). As the result, the developed methodological complex could be used for assessing the communicative competencies of university students. With this complex it is possible to monitor and assess the quality of educational programs in terms of the communication skills development among students. For educational purposes, it is planned to involve students in the implementation of the project, which will give them the opportunity to develop professional skills using the presented parameters for assessing communication competencies.

Soil Geosynthetic Interaction: Design Parameters from Experimental and Theoretical Analysis

The main objective of this paper is to discuss the experimental and theoretical approaches developed by different researchers in order to understand and to evaluate the soil geosynthetic interaction under different loading conditions. In the paper, the soil-geosynthetic interaction in pullout, direct shear, and inclined plane tests under both static and cyclic loading is analyzed based on the different theoretical and experimental results carried out by the authors and also available in literature. For each type of test, the factors affecting test results and soil-geosynthetic interface behavior, the theoretical model developed to predict the interface resistance and mobilized friction, and the relevance of the interface parameters obtained through the different tests in the design and performance of geosynthetic reinforced earth structures are discussed in detail.

Factors Affecting Test Results and Standardized Method in Quiet Standing Balance Evaluation

ObjectiveTo identify factors affecting test results of the quiet standing balance evaluation conducted by posturography and to investigate the standardized method by comparing results according to feet width.MethodThe study cohort consisted of 100 healthy individuals. We assessed the quiet standing balance of subjects by using 3 different methods: standing on a force plate with feet width the same as shoulder width (test 1); with feet width the same as half the shoulder width (test 2); with feet width determined by the subject's comfort (test 3). Subjects underwent each test with their eyes open and closed for 30 seconds each time. Parameters for measuring standing balance included the mean mediolateral and anteroposterior extent, speed, and the velocity moment of center of pressure (COP) movement.ResultsAll parameters showed better results when the subject's eyes were open rather than closed, and the mean AP extent and speed increased as the age of the subjects increased (p<0.01). However, there was no significant correlation between height and the study parameters, and no differences between men and women. Mean mediolateral extent and speed were significantly longer and faster in test 1 compared with tests 2 and 3 (p<0.01). The results of test 2 were better than the results of test 3, but the difference was not statistically significant.ConclusionCOP movements increased with age and when subjects closed their eyes in an evaluation of quiet standing balance conducted by posturography. Gender and height did not affect results of the test. We suggest that an appropriate method for conducting posturography is to have the subject stand on a force plate with their feet width the same as half the shoulder width, because this posture provided relatively accurate balance capacity.

Experimental Research on Metal Magnetic Memory Method

Metal magnetic memory (MMM) method is a novel, passive magnetic method for inspecting mechanical degradation of ferromagnetic components. To promote a further understanding of the relation between the magnetic characteristics and mechanical deformation, the normal spontaneous stray field component and its gradient of Q235-steel specimens were measured during uniaxial tensile and compressive loading processes. The results show that the normal spontaneous stray field component and its gradient are effective in capturing different deformation stages under tensions, but no detectable change can be found during the whole compressive loading processes. Compared with the amplitude of the normal spontaneous stray field component, the gradient is a more sensitive parameter. In addition, the result demonstrates that it is easy to differentiate macro-crack and plastic deformation because the differences among measured spontaneous stray field signals are obvious. Moreover, various factors affecting test results were also considered.

Assessment of Pile Integrity by Low-Strain Stress Wave Method

This paper discusses the application and limitations of the stress wave method for the assessment of pile Integrity. Equations for the calculation of wave reflection and transmission are derived as related to the interpretation of test results. An idealized pile with a necking linkend section is analyzed using the theoretical equations to show typical wave reflections from the necking section and from the pile toe. The instrument used for pile integrity testing is briefly described. Original data from a field verification exercise of pile integrity testing in Beijing, China are presented and interpreted. Original data from a test performed on a precast prestressed concrete pile connected in four segments in Hang Kong are also presented and interpreted. The data measured from the field show that the measured velocity wave is, in general, more complicated than that described by the idealized stress wave equation. Factors affecting test results and limitations of the testing method are discussed and summariz...

Cylindrical Shielding and Its Measurement at Radio Frequencies

The effectiveness of shields from the point of view of the wave theory of shielding is discussed. Specific consideration is given to cylindrical shielding against low-impedance fields and its measurement at radio frequencies. Various methods and concepts of measurement are discussed briefly; inadequacy of probe-type tests and the advantages of an integrating-type test are pointed out. Equipment of the integrating type suitable for production testing of specimens of cylindrical shielding from 3/16 to 2 inches diameter at 3 megacycles is described and illustrated. With this equipment, shielding effectiveness of the unknown is determined in terms of the effectiveness of a specified rigid metal-tube standard. Sensitivity is sufficient, to measure the leakage through 0.024 inch of copper at the test frequency. A shielded room is not required. Experimental results obtained with this and similar equipmen from 200 kilocycles to 10 megacycles are given. Tests at various frequencies on thin-wall copper tubes of different thicknesses are shown to be in agreement with the results predicted by theory. Included are data on metal tubes, wire braids, coaxial cable, and flexible-shielding conduits. Test results are shown to be independent of current through the specimen, receiver gain or adjustment, and various other factors. Results are shown also, in general, to be independent of the length of specimen tested and its impedance. Various factors affecting test results are considered and formulas are given for correcting results obtained on exceptional specimens having abnormally high resistance.