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In this study, wrapping and weaving techniques are used to produce fibrous composites that can block electromagnetic radiation and ultraviolet radiation. Stainless steel filaments are used as the core, and high-strength ultraviolet resistant polyester (PET) filaments are used as the sheath materials to manufacture functional wrapped yarns. The wrapped yarns are made into woven fabric via weaving process. The electromagnetic shielding effectiveness and ultraviolet resistance of woven fabrics are evaluated in order to examine the influence of the number of laminated layer and laminated angles. The test results show that the two-layered woven fabrics that are laminated at 90° have the optimal ultraviolet resistance and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness. Stainless steel/ultraviolet resistance PET woven fabrics are also light weight and can be custom-made into planar protective textile composites based on users' commands and also can be used in the outdoor domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Higher education institutions in the United States resorted to remote instruction after the disruption caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The disjointed nature of this transition of managing the academic crisis needs to be critically engaged. By examining the experiences of global communication faculty at a midsize Midwestern university, this study attempts to reflect on the circumstances, challenges, and some unexpected outcomes of the phenomenon. Based on testimonies generated from the authors' experiences and interviews conducted with instructors, the study outlines lessons learned from the adoption of media technology and offers insights on reimagining global communication pedagogy in the post-pandemic period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This quasi-experimental study investigated whether a strategy-oriented media-based reading program could improve English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students' reading comprehension. Eighty-five students who were registered for English Reading at a university were recruited through convenience sampling to take part in the study. In this study, a web-based Strategy-oriented Multimedia-Assisted Reading Training (SMART) program was designed and implemented. On the basis of a literature review, four instructional strategies were selected and implemented in this program. The SMART program was used by students in the experimental group but not by students in the control group. Students in both groups were taught by the same instructor with the same instructional materials. The experiment lasted for 10 weeks, and the effects of the SMART program on students' reading comprehension were investigated. A questionnaire on students' attitudes toward the use of the strategies was given only to the experimental group. The results show that mean score of the reading test was significantly higher for the experimental group than for the control group. Students' feedback about using the SMART program was positive and encouraging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Better-performance wound dressing has substitute for traditional wound healing materials in medical field. This study purposes to prepare high-absorbent composite fabric by compounding Tencel®/high-absorbent nonwoven fabrics and silver nanoparticles antibacterial agent. Nonwoven fabrics with different contents of high-absorbent fibers are discussed in terms of burst property and water absorption. Antibacterial agent is formed using 10 wt% chitosan and 100 mM silver nitrate solution after reaction for 6 h. Result showed that, 30 wt% high-absorbent fibers in nonwoven fabrics had 184 N burst strength and 38 times water absorption. Swelling dynamic result displayed that nonwoven fabric absorbed water within 5 min and water absorption presented saturation condition after 10 min. SEM observations showed that blood cells were attached on the surface of fiber and fibrin was formed around the blood cell after blood absorption evaluation of high-absorbent nonwoven fabrics. Antibacterial evaluations of composite fabrics revealed obvious inhibition zone to E. coli after incorporation of 9.7 mg/mL antibacterial agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research systematically examines cognitive representations of stereotypes of old age and young adults' and older adults' perceptions of their own communication accommodative behaviors, emotions, and communication satisfaction when a particular Intergenerational Communication Schema is activated. Taiwanese respondents show both congruent and incongruent patterns of responding: Some schemas yield consistently positive or negative responses across dependent variables, whereas others yield mixed and apparently inconsistent patterns. Respondents from the USA show that a helping orientation, when it is associated with different schemas (positive, very sympathetic, or negative) may result in different overall evaluations of the intergenerational conversation experience. Results are discussed in relation to the Communication Predicament of Aging Model and Chinese cultural values of intergenerational communication. Limitations are acknowledged and future studies are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigated college students' and their grandparents' (n = 103 dyads) reports of topics in conversation with each other. For grandparents and grandchildren, family and education were the two most frequently mentioned topics. Other popular topics were leisure and friendship for both grandparents and grandchildren. A cluster analysis was performed to group the grandparent-grandchild dyads according to their topic reports. Four dyadic clusters were identified: family relationships, social activity talk, social and work talk, and impersonal events. Grandparents and grandchildren demonstrated moderate levels of agreement in the topics they reported. No association was found between reports of topics and communication satisfaction whether the reported topics were treated individually or dyadically. Theoretical implications for the literature on intergenerational communication both within and outside of family contexts are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]