Relationship between self-directed learning readiness, learning attitude, and self-efficacy of nursing undergraduates

Objective: The purposes of this study were to analyze the influencing factors of self-directed learning readiness(SDLR) of nursing undergraduates and explore the impacts of learning attitude and self-efficacy on nursing undergraduates.Methods: A total of 500 nursing undergraduates were investigated in Tianjin, with the Chinese version of SDLR scale, learning attitude questionnaire of nursing college students, academic self-efficacy scale, and the general information questionnaire.Result: The score of SDLR was 149.99±15.73. Multiple stepwise regressions indicated that academic self-efficacy, learning attitude, attitudes to major of nursing, and level of learning difficulties were major influential factors and explained 48.1% of the variance in SDLR of nursing interns.Conclusions: The score of SDLR of nursing undergraduates is not promising. It is imperative to correct students' learning attitude, improve self-efficacy, and adopt appropriate teaching model to improve SDLR.

Effectiveness of the flipped classroom on the development of self-directed learning in nursing education:a meta-analysis

Objectives: To examine the best practice evidence of the effectiveness of the flipped classroom（FC） as a burgeoning teaching model on the development of self-directed learning in nursing education.Data sources: The relevant randomized controlled trial（RCT） and non-RCT comparative studies were searched from multiple electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature（CINAHL）, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials（CENTRAL）, Wanfang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure（CNKI）, and Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database（VIP） from inception to June 2017.Review methods: The data were independently assessed and extracted for eligibility by two reviewers. The quality of included studies was assessed by another two reviewers using a standardized form and evaluated by using the Cochrane Collaboration’s risk of bias tool. The self-directed learning scores（continuous outcomes） were analyzed by using the 95% confidence intervals（Cls） with the standard deviation average（SMD） or weighted mean difference（WMD）. The heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s I;statistic.Results: A total of 12 studies, which encompassed 1440 nursing students（intervention group = 685, control group = 755）, were eligible for inclusion in this review. Of 12 included studies, the quality level of one included study was A and of the others was B. The pooled effect size showed that compared with traditional teaching models, the FC could improve nursing students’ selfdirected learning skill, as measured by the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale（SDLRS）, Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale for Nursing Education（SDLRSNE）, Self-Regulated Learning Scale（SRL）, Autonomous Learning Competencies scale（ALC）, and Competencies of Autonomous Learning of Nursing Students（CALNS）. Overall scores and subgroup analyses with the SRL were all in favor of the FC.Conclusions: The result of this meta-analysis indicated that FCs could improve the effect of self-directed learning in nursing education.Future studies with more RCTs using the same measurement tools are needed to draw more authoritative conclusions.

Impact of self-directed learning readiness and learning attitude on problem-solving ability among Chinese undergraduate nursing students

Objective: To explore the effects of self-directed learning readiness and learning attitude on problem-solving ability among Chinese undergraduate nursing students. Methods: A convenience sampling of 460 undergraduate nursing students was surveyed in Tianjin, China. Students who participated in the study completed a questionnaire that included social demographic questionnaire, Self-directed Learning Readiness Scale, Attitude to Learning Scale, and Social Problem-Solving Inventory. Pearson’s correlation analysis was performed to test the correlations among problem-solving ability, self-directed learning readiness, and learning attitude. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were performed to explore the mediating role of learning attitude. Results: The results showed that learning attitude (r=0.338, P<0.01) and self-directed learning readiness (r=0.493, P<0.01) were positively correlated with problem-solving ability. Learning attitude played a partial intermediary role between self-directed learning readiness and problem-solving ability (F=74.227, P<0.01). Conclusions: It is concluded that nursing educators should pay attention on students’ individual differences and take proper actions to inspire students’ self-directed learning readiness and learning attitude.

Nursing Students’ Readiness for Self-Directed Learning and Its Effect on Learning Outcome in South-West Nigeria

Self-directed learning (SDL) uses diverse learning resources to solve identified problems in learning. Nursing is a lifelong learning profession and SDL is a valuable skill to remain relevant and productive professionals. Nursing students are expected to embrace SDL and develop these skills. However, there has been no evidence of this innovative process in South-West Nigeria. This study seeks to evaluate nursing students’ readiness for SDL and its effect on learning outcome. This quasi-experimental study purposively utilized 229 nursing students as participants. Baseline (P1) data was collected using Gugliemino’s SDL readiness scale (SDLRS) and a validated-structured questionnaire. Participants had a pre-test to assess knowledge at P1 followed by 6 weeks interaction using SDL on selected topics in Medical-surgical nursing and the same test at post-intervention (P2). Using a 50-point scale, knowledge was categorized as good ≥ 25 and poor < 25 and SDLRS on a 290-point scale was categorized as below average 5 - 201, average 202 - 226 and above average 227 - 290. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, t-test and linear regression analysis were used for analysis at p = 0.05. Nursing students’ SDLRS was average;mean = 203 ± 23.0. A significant difference exists between nursing students with good knowledge at P1 and P2. At P1, 39.2% had good knowledge, mean = 22.2 ± 6.3, and 90.1% at P2, mean = 30.6 ± 5.4, p < 0.05 also a significant relationship exist between SDLR and learning outcome at P2;p < 0.05. With the nursing students’ average SDL readiness level having a significant effect on learning outcome. Nursing training institutions should provide necessary resources to embrace SDL as a main-line teaching method to ensure competent life-long professionals.

Self-directed learning readiness and social problem solving of nursing students in Macao

Objective The aims of this study were to describe nursing students′self-directed learning readiness and social problem solving and test their correlations in Macao.Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 140baccalaureate nursing students.A stratified random sampling was performed.The Self-directed Learning Readiness(SDLR)Scale and Chinese Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised(C-SPSI-R)were used.Results The response rate was 79.3%.Students possessed readiness for self-directed learning(mean 149.09±12.53,51.4%at high level,48.6%at low level).Regarding to social problem solving,the mean scores of each subscale were 9.35±3.25(Rational Problem Solving,RPS),10.26±3.23(Positive Problem Orientation,PPO),8.14±4.06(Negative Problem Orientation,NPO),5.67±4.44(Avoidance Style,AS),and 4.84±3.03(Impulsivity/Carelessness Style,ICS).SDLR was positively related to RPS and PPO,but was negatively related to AS.Conclusion Half of students possessed stronger readiness for self-directed learning.Students had a belief in the ability to solve problems,and adopted relevant strategies in solving problems.However,students still had negative and dysfunctional orientation and defective attempts in solving problems.Self-directed learning was positively related to positive and constructive orientation,but was negatively related to defective problem-solving pattern.Nurse educators should create educational climates for promoting student confidence and mutual responsibility for learning and their thinking process for problem solving.

Role of academic self-efficacy in the relationship between self-directed learning readiness and problem-solving ability among nursing students

Objective: Problem-solving should be a fundamental component of nursing education because It is a core ability for professional nurses. For more effective learning, nursing students must understand the relationship between self-directed learning readiness and problem-solving ability. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships among self-directed learning readiness, problemsolving ability, and academic self-efficacy among undergraduate nursing students.Methods: From November to December 2016, research was conducted among 500 nursing undergraduate students in Tianjin, China,using a self-directed learning readiness scale, an academic self-efficacy scale, a questionnaire related to problem-solving, and selfdesigned demographics. The response rate was 85.8%.Results: For Chinese nursing students, self-directed learning readiness and academic self-efficacy reached a medium-to-high level,while problem-solving abilities were at a low level. There were significant positive correlations among the students' self-directed learning readiness, academic self-efficacy, and problem-solving ability. Furthermore, academic self-efficacy demonstrated a mediating effect on the relationship between the students' self-directed learning readiness and problem-solving ability.Conclusions: To enhance students' problem-solving ability, nursing educators should pay more attention to the positive impact of self-directed learning readiness and self-efficacy in nursing students' education.

On establishment of novel constitutive model for directionally solidified nickel-based superalloys utilizing machine learning methods

To enhance the accuracy of mechanical simulation in the directional solidification process of turbine blades for heavy-duty gas turbines,a new constitutive model that employs machine learning methods was developed.This model incorporates incremental learning and transfer learning,thus improves the predictive accuracy and generalization performance.To account for the anisotropy of the directionally solidified alloy,a deformation direction parameter is added to the model,enabling prediction of the stress-strain relationship of the alloy under different deformation directions.The predictive capabilities of both models are evaluated using correlation coefficient(R),average relative error(δ),and value of relative error(RE).Compared to the traditional model,the machine learning constitutive model achieves higher prediction accuracy and better generalization performance.This offers a new approach for the establishment of flow constitutive models for other directionally solidified and single-crystal superalloys.

Sample-Efficient Deep Reinforcement Learning with Directed Associative Graph

Reinforcement learning can be modeled as markov decision process mathematically.In consequence,the interaction samples as well as the connection relation between them are two main types of information for learning.However,most of recent works on deep reinforcement learning treat samples independently either in their own episode or between episodes.In this paper,in order to utilize more sample information,we propose another learning system based on directed associative graph(DAG).The DAG is built on all trajectories in real time,which includes the whole connection relation of all samples among all episodes.Through planning with directed edges on DAG,we offer another perspective to estimate stateaction pair,especially for the unknowns to deep neural network(DNN)as well as episodic memory(EM).Mixed loss function is generated by the three learning systems(DNN,EM and DAG)to improve the efficiency of the parameter update in the proposed algorithm.We show that our algorithm is significantly better than the state-of-the-art algorithm in performance and sample efficiency on testing environments.Furthermore,the convergence of our algorithm is proved in the appendix and its long-term performance as well as the effects of DAG are verified.

Distributed Cooperative Learning for Discrete-Time Strict-Feedback Multi Agent Systems Over Directed Graphs

This paper focuses on the distributed cooperative learning(DCL)problem for a class of discrete-time strict-feedback multi-agent systems under directed graphs.Compared with the previous DCL works based on undirected graphs,two main challenges lie in that the Laplacian matrix of directed graphs is nonsymmetric,and the derived weight error systems exist n-step delays.Two novel lemmas are developed in this paper to show the exponential convergence for two kinds of linear time-varying(LTV)systems with different phenomena including the nonsymmetric Laplacian matrix and time delays.Subsequently,an adaptive neural network(NN)control scheme is proposed by establishing a directed communication graph along with n-step delays weight updating law.Then,by using two novel lemmas on the extended exponential convergence of LTV systems,estimated NN weights of all agents are verified to exponentially converge to small neighbourhoods of their common optimal values if directed communication graphs are strongly connected and balanced.The stored NN weights are reused to structure learning controllers for the improved control performance of similar control tasks by the“mod”function and proper time series.A simulation comparison is shown to demonstrate the validity of the proposed DCL method.

离散四水库问题基准下基于n步Q-learning的水库群优化调度

水库优化调度问题是一个具有马尔可夫性的优化问题。强化学习是目前解决马尔可夫决策过程问题的研究热点,其在解决单个水库优化调度问题上表现优异,但水库群系统的复杂性为强化学习的应用带来困难。针对复杂的水库群优化调度问题,提出一种离散四水库问题基准下基于n步Q-learning的水库群优化调度方法。该算法基于n步Q-learning算法,对离散四水库问题基准构建一种水库群优化调度的强化学习模型,通过探索经验优化,最终生成水库群最优调度方案。试验分析结果表明,当有足够的探索经验进行学习时,结合惩罚函数的一步Q-learning算法能够达到理论上的最优解。用可行方向法取代惩罚函数实现约束,依据离散四水库问题基准约束建立时刻可行状态表和时刻状态可选动作哈希表,有效的对状态动作空间进行降维,使算法大幅度缩短优化时间。不同的探索策略决定探索经验的有效性,从而决定优化效率,尤其对于复杂的水库群优化调度问题,提出了一种改进的ε-greedy策略,并与传统的ε-greedy、置信区间上限UCB、Boltzmann探索三种策略进行对比,验证了其有效性,在其基础上引入n步回报改进为n步Q-learning,确定合适的n步和学习率等超参数,进一步改进算法优化效率。

Direction-of-arrival estimation for co-located multiple-input multiple-output radar using structural sparsity Bayesian learning

This paper addresses the direction of arrival （DOA） estimation problem for the co-located multiple-input multiple- output （MIMO） radar with random arrays. The spatially distributed sparsity of the targets in the background makes com- pressive sensing （CS） desirable for DOA estimation. A spatial CS framework is presented, which links the DOA estimation problem to support recovery from a known over-complete dictionary. A modified statistical model is developed to ac- curately represent the intra-block correlation of the received signal. A structural sparsity Bayesian learning algorithm is proposed for the sparse recovery problem. The proposed algorithm, which exploits intra-signal correlation, is capable being applied to limited data support and low signal-to-noise ratio （SNR） scene. Furthermore, the proposed algorithm has less computation load compared to the classical Bayesian algorithm. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has a more accurate DOA estimation than the traditional multiple signal classification （MUSIC） algorithm and other CS recovery algorithms.

Predicting the daily return direction of the stock market using hybrid machine learning algorithms

Big data analytic techniques associated with machine learning algorithms are playing an increasingly important role in various application fields,including stock market investment.However,few studies have focused on forecasting daily stock market returns,especially when using powerful machine learning techniques,such as deep neural networks(DNNs),to perform the analyses.DNNs employ various deep learning algorithms based on the combination of network structure,activation function,and model parameters,with their performance depending on the format of the data representation.This paper presents a comprehensive big data analytics process to predict the daily return direction of the SPDR S&P 500 ETF(ticker symbol:SPY)based on 60 financial and economic features.DNNs and traditional artificial neural networks(ANNs)are then deployed over the entire preprocessed but untransformed dataset,along with two datasets transformed via principal component analysis(PCA),to predict the daily direction of future stock market index returns.While controlling for overfitting,a pattern for the classification accuracy of the DNNs is detected and demonstrated as the number of the hidden layers increases gradually from 12 to 1000.Moreover,a set of hypothesis testing procedures are implemented on the classification,and the simulation results show that the DNNs using two PCA-represented datasets give significantly higher classification accuracy than those using the entire untransformed dataset,as well as several other hybrid machine learning algorithms.In addition,the trading strategies guided by the DNN classification process based on PCA-represented data perform slightly better than the others tested,including in a comparison against two standard benchmarks.

Understanding the effects of structured self-assessment in directed,self-regulated simulation-based training of mastoidectomy:A mixed methods study

Objective:Self-directed training represents a challenge in simulation-based training as low cognitive effort can occur when learners overrate their own level of performance.This study aims to explore the mechanisms underlying the positive effects of a structured self-assessment intervention during simulation-based training of mastoidectomy.Methods:A prospective,educational cohort study of a novice training program consisting of directed,self-regulated learning with distributed practice(5x3 procedures)in a virtual reality temporal bone simulator.The intervention consisted of structured self-assessment after each procedure using a rating form supported by small videos.Semi-structured telephone interviews upon completion of training were conducted with 13 out of 15 participants.Interviews were analysed using directed content analysis and triangulated with quantitative data on secondary task reaction time for cognitive load estimation and participants’self-assessment scores.Results:Six major themes were identified in the interviews:goal-directed behaviour,use of learning supports for scaffolding of the training,cognitive engagement,motivation from self-assessment,selfassessment bias,and feedback on self-assessment(validation).Participants seemed to self-regulate their learning by forming individual sub-goals and strategies within the overall goal of the procedure.They scaffolded their learning through the available learning supports.Finally,structured self-assessment was reported to increase the participants’cognitive engagement,which was further supported by a quantitative increase in cognitive load.Conclusions:Structured self-assessment in simulation-based surgical training of mastoidectomy seems to promote cognitive engagement and motivation in the learning task and to facilitate self-regulated learning.

Foreign Direct Investment with Chinese Characteristics:A Middle Path Between Ownership-Location-Internalization Model and Linkage-Leverage-Learning Model

The majority of multinational enterprises(MNEs) traditionally originate from developed countries.In the last ten years,however,there has been dramatic growth in foreign direct investment(FDI) from China.It is a comparatively new phenomenon that challenges the classic FDI theories.In this paper,we review the pros and cons of two important theories,known as the Ownership-Location-Internalization(OLI) model and Linkage-Leverage-Learning(LLL) model,and use the statistical data and company case studies from China to test the plausibility of these two models.We believe that neither of them suits totally: the OLI model is quite useful for understanding FDI from China to developing economies,while the LLL model is more powerful for explaining the FDI to developed economies.We argue that the companies from China attain a very advantageous position as intermediates in the global economy.They may catch up with the first movers if they integrate OLI-led and LLL-led FDI within one firm.This combination can bring together the most advanced knowledge acquired in developed economies with the knowledge about adaptation needs and the needs for cost reduction in production as expressed in developing economies.It may also accelerate the knowledge transfer globally.We thus fill a gap in research into the geographical pattern of Chinese FDI and offer a deeper understanding of the internationalization of Chinese MNEs and revolving knowledge transfer.

Application of Linearized Alternating Direction Multiplier Method in Dictionary Learning

The Alternating Direction Multiplier Method (ADMM) is widely used in various fields, and different variables are customized in the literature for different application scenarios [1] [2] [3] [4]. Among them, the linearized alternating direction multiplier method (LADMM) has received extensive attention because of its effectiveness and ease of implementation. This paper mainly discusses the application of ADMM in dictionary learning (non-convex problem). Many numerical experiments show that to achieve higher convergence accuracy, the convergence speed of ADMM is slower, especially near the optimal solution. Therefore, we introduce the linearized alternating direction multiplier method (LADMM) to accelerate the convergence speed of ADMM. Specifically, the problem is solved by linearizing the quadratic term of the subproblem, and the convergence of the algorithm is proved. Finally, there is a brief summary of the full text.

Sparsity-Based Direct Location Estimation Based on Two-step Dictionary Learning

This paper proposes an adaptive sparsity-based direct position determination (DPD) appoach to locate multiple targets in the case of time-varying channels. The novel feature of this method is to dynamically adjust both the overcomplete basis and the sparse solution based on a two-step dictionary learning (DL) framework. The method first performs supervised offline DL by using the quadratic programming approach, and then the dictionary is continuously updated in an incremental fashion to adapt to the time-varying channel during the online stage. Furthermore, the method does not need the number of emitters a prior. Simulation results demonstrate the performance of the proposed algorithm on the location estimation accuracy.

LEARNING RATES OF KERNEL-BASED ROBUST CLASSIFICATION

This paper considers a robust kernel regularized classification algorithm with a non-convex loss function which is proposed to alleviate the performance deterioration caused by the outliers.A comparison relationship between the excess misclassification error and the excess generalization error is provided;from this,along with the convex analysis theory,a kind of learning rate is derived.The results show that the performance of the classifier is effected by the outliers,and the extent of impact can be controlled by choosing the homotopy parameters properly.

Robotic Knee Tracking Control to Mimic the Intact Human Knee Profile Based on Actor-Critic Reinforcement Learning

We address a state-of-the-art reinforcement learning(RL)control approach to automatically configure robotic pros-thesis impedance parameters to enable end-to-end,continuous locomotion intended for transfemoral amputee subjects.Specifically,our actor-critic based RL provides tracking control of a robotic knee prosthesis to mimic the intact knee profile.This is a significant advance from our previous RL based automatic tuning of prosthesis control parameters which have centered on regulation control with a designer prescribed robotic knee profile as the target.In addition to presenting the tracking control algorithm based on direct heuristic dynamic programming(dHDP),we provide a control performance guarantee including the case of constrained inputs.We show that our proposed tracking control possesses several important properties,such as weight convergence of the learning networks,Bellman(sub)optimality of the cost-to-go value function and control input,and practical stability of the human-robot system.We further provide a systematic simulation of the proposed tracking control using a realistic human-robot system simulator,the OpenSim,to emulate how the dHDP enables level ground walking,walking on different terrains and at different paces.These results show that our proposed dHDP based tracking control is not only theoretically suitable,but also practically useful.

Illegal Radio Station Localization with UAV-Based Q-Learning

This paper proposes a novel unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)-based illegal radio station(IRS) localization scheme, where the transmit power of the IRS, the channel model and the noise model are unknown to the UAV. A direction-aware Q-learning algorithm is developed to process received signal strength(RSS) values collected by a directional antenna, as well as directions corresponding to the RSS values. This algorithm determines the direction the UAV flies towards and thereby finds the IRS. The proposed scheme is compared to two baseline schemes. One baseline locates the IRS by a UAV equipped with an omnidirectional antenna, where conventional Q-learning is exploited to process the measured RSS and determine the UAV's trajectory. The other baseline locates the IRS by a directional-antenna UAV, where the UAV flies towards the direction with respect to the maximum RSS value. Numerical results show that, especially for a low receive SNR, the proposed scheme can outperform the two baselines in terms of the localization efficiency, providing a smoother trajectory for the UAV.

Non-Supervised Learning for Spread Spectrum Signal Pseudo-Noise Sequence Acquisition

An idea of estimating the direct sequence spread spectrum（DSSS） signal pseudo-noise（PN） sequence is presented. Without the apriority knowledge about the DSSS signal in the non-cooperation condition, we propose a self-organizing feature map（SOFM） neural network algorithm to detect and identify the PN sequence. A non-supervised learning algorithm is proposed according the Kohonen rule in SOFM. The blind algorithm can also estimate the PN sequence in a low signal-to-noise（SNR） and computer simulation demonstrates that the algorithm is effective. Compared with the traditional correlation algorithm based on slip-correlation, the proposed algorithm＇s bit error rate（BER） and complexity are lower.