bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inflammasome and Caspase-1 Activity Characterization and Evaluation: An Imaging Flow Cytometer–Based Detection and Assessment of Inflammasome Specks and Caspase-1 Activation
Authors: Nagar Abhinit , DeMarco Richard A. , Harton Jonathan A.
Published: December 2018

Inflammasome dysregulation is a hallmark of various inflammatory diseases. Evaluating inflammasome-associated structures (ASC specks) and caspase-1 activity by microscopy is time consuming and limited by small sample size. The current flow cytometric method, time of flight inflammasome evaluation (TOFIE), cannot visualize ASC specks or caspase-1 activity, making colocalization studies of inflammasome components and enzymatic activity impossible. We describe a rapid, high-throughput, single-cell, fluorescence-based image analysis method utilizing the Amnis ImageStreamX instrument that quantitatively and qualitatively characterizes the frequency, area, and cellular distribution of ASC specks and caspase-1 activity in mouse and human cells. Unlike TOFIE, this method differentiates between singular perinuclear specks and false positives. With our technique we also show that the presence of NLRP3 reduces the size of ASC specks, which is further reduced by the presence of active caspase-1. The capacity of our approach to simultaneously detect and quantify ASC specks and caspase-1 activity, both at the population and single-cell level, renders it the most powerful tool available for visualizing and quantifying the impact of mutations on inflammasome assembly and activity.
ATP-Gated P2X7 Receptors Require Chloride Channels To Promote Inflammation in Human Macrophages
Authors: Janks Laura , Sprague Randy S. , Egan Terrance M.
Published: December 2018

Immune cells of myeloid origin show robust expression of ATP-gated P2X7 receptors, two-transmembrane ion channels permeable to Na+, K+, and Ca2+. Receptor activation promotes inflammasome activation and release of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18. In this study, we show that ATP generates facilitating cationic currents in monocyte-derived human macrophages and permeabilizes the plasma membrane to polyatomic cationic dyes. We find that antagonists of PLA2 and Cl− channels abolish P2X7 receptor–mediated current facilitation, membrane permeabilization, blebbing, phospholipid scrambling, inflammasome activation, and IL-1β release. Our data demonstrate significant differences in the actions of ATP in murine and human macrophages and suggest that PLA2 and Cl− channels mediate innate immunity downstream of P2X7 receptors in human macrophages.
The conjugation method in symplectic dynamics
Authors: Hernández-Corbato Luis , Presas Francisco
Published: December 2018

We prove the existence of minimal symplectomorphisms and strictly ergodic contactomorphisms on manifolds which admit a locally free

\mathbb S^1

-action by symplectomorphisms and contactomorphisms, respectively. The proof adapts the conjugation method, introduced by Anosov and Katok, to the contact and symplectic setting.
Moral da ambiguidade, liberdade e libertação: filosofia e feminismo em Simone de Beauvoir
Authors: Johanson Izilda
Published: December 2018

O presente estudo reconhece e visa destacar o lugar de Simone de Beauvoir na história da filosofia do século XX. A partir da compreensão do problema da existência entendida como liberdade, tal como ele é posto pelo existencialismo desta autora, procuraremos abordar as relações entre pensamento e ação prática, entre filosofia e engajamento feminista, as quais se desdobram, por sua vez, no que entendemos ser a abertura de um sentido possível para a constituição de uma ética em Simone de Beauvoir.
Filosofia, gênero e feminismo: hangout em ocasião do Dia Mundial da Filosofia da UNESCO 2017
Authors: Oliveira Fabio Alves Gomes , Cornelli Gabriele , Coelho Maria Cecília De Miranda Nogueira , Secco Gisele Dalva , Pugliese Nastassja , Brandão Renato Matoso
Published: December 2018

No mês de Novembro de 2017, em ocasião do Dia Mundial da Filosofia da UNESCO, a Cátedra UNESCO Archai, do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Metafísica da Universidade de Brasilia, organizou um hangout Unesco sobre o tema Filosofia, gênero e feminismo, do qual participaram diversxs colegas brasileirxs, especialistas do tema, acima assinadxs. A gravação integral do hangout está disponível aqui: https://youtu.be/LH5LwTegGG4. Segue abaixo uma transcrição, revista e adaptada pelxs autorxs.
Crystal growth and some physicochemical studies on an organic intermolecular compound of anthranilic acid and N,N-dimethylamino benzaldehyde
Authors: Rai Uma Shanker , Singh Manjeet , Rai Rama Nand
Published: December 2018

The phase diagram of anthranilic acid and N,N-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde system gives two eutectics (E1 and E2) and a 1:1 intermolecular compound with congruent melting point. The mole fractions of anthranilic acid at E1 and E2 are 0.10 and 0.95, respectively. The negative values of heat of mixing of eutectics suggest that there is clustering of molecules in their eutectic liquid melt. The positive values of excess free energy for eutectics indicate that the interactions between the like molecules are stronger than those of unlike molecules. It can be inferred from single crystal X-ray analysis of the intermolecular compound that it crystallized in monoclinic unit cell with C2/c space group and a reasonably large sized intermolecular compound crystal was grown by slow evaporation technique at room temperature. The optical studies on the intermolecular compound give two strong emission bands with two lmax values one at 380 nm and second at 450 nm with total quantum efficiency 0.49.
Removal of Methylene Blue in aqueous solutions by Electrocoagulation process: Adsorption, Kinetics, studies
Authors: Assémian Alain Stéphane , Kouassi Konan Edmond , Adouby Kopoin , Drogui Patrick , Boa David
Published: December 2018

The purpose of this study is to understand the mechanism driving the removal of methylene blue through electrocoagulation process. Experiments were carried out using iron as anode and cathode in a batch electrochemical cell operated in a monopolar configuration. The effects of operating parameters (initial pH, current density, initial dye concentration and energy consumption) on the removal of methylene blue from solution were investigated. The results showed that the optimum removal efficiency of 93.2% was achieved for a current density of 9.66 mA/cm2, optimal pH of 8±0.01 with a specific energy consumption of 7.451 kWh/m3. Afterwards, first and second-order rate equations were successively applied to study adsorption kinetics models. On top of usual correlation coefficients (r2), statistical test Chi-square (χ2) were applied to evaluate goodness of fit and consequently find out the best kinetic model. Results showed that MB adsorption process onto iron hydroxides formed in aqueous solution during electrocoagulation treatment followed a second-order kinetic.
Quinazolin derivatives as emerging alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
Authors: Ankireddy Ashok Reddy , Gundla Rambabu , Balaraju Tuniki , Banothu Venkanna , Gundla Krishna Prasad , Addepally Uma , Chimakurthy Jithendra
Published: December 2018

A series of C-7 substituted-2-morpholino-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)quinazolin-4-amine have been synthesized and biochemical assay was examined against α-glucosidase function inhibition activity. A structure activity and structure property relationship study was experimented to surface the new hit compound. This study led to the identification of C-7substituted quinazolines with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) in the preffered micromolar range in addition with interesting physicochemical properties. Biological evaluation yielded eight analogs which rose with significant α-glucosidase inhibition potency (IC50 values < 2 μM, where reference compound (Acarbose) potency value is IC50 = 0.586 uM) and could be promising candidates for further lead optimization.
Spectrofluorimetric determination of Bisoprolol fumarate and Rosuvastatin calcium in a novel combined formulation and in human spiked plasma
Authors: Abdelwahab Nada Sayed , Ali Nouruddin Wageh , Zaki Marco Mounir , Ali Adel Ahmed , Abdelkawy Mohamed Mohamed
Published: December 2018

Sensitive, simple and rapid spectrofluorimetric method was developed for simultaneous determination of bisoprolol fumarate (BIS) and rosuvastatin calcium (ROS) in novel formulated tablets and in human spiked plasma depending on measuring their native fluorescence. The fluorescence intensity of BIS and ROS were measured in methanol at emission wavelength of 297 and 485 nm upon excitation at 227 and 242 nm, respectively. The emission spectrum of each drug reveals zero value at the emission wavelength of the other drug, thus allowing their simultaneous determination without any interference and without using any tedious derivatization steps. Excellent linearity was obtained over the range of 10-500 and 20-1000 ng/mL for BIS and ROS, respectively. The developed method was evaluated by applying to laboratory prepared mixtures and pharmaceutical formulation. The high sensitivity of the method was the motivation to its application for analysis of the cited drugs in spiked human plasma. Likewise, analytical and bioanalytical method validation was carried out following International Conference on Harmonisation guidelines and also statistical analysis with the reported methods was carried out and no significant difference was found. The developed method is the first developed spectrofluorimetric method for simultaneous determination of the newly formulated drugs.
Selective colorimetric molecular probe for cyanide ion detection in aqueous solution
Authors: Hijji Yousef Mohammad , Tabba Hani Darwish , Rajan Rajeesha , Abdel-Halim Hamzeh Mohammad , El-Barghouthi Musa Ibrahim , Baker Hutaf Mustafa
Published: December 2018

5-Nitro-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde (1) demonstrated to be a sensitive, and a selective molecular probe for cyanide ion (CN-) in aqueous media. In acetonitrile, compound 1 shows sensitivity and selectivity for cyanide, acetate and fluoride, in comparison to other investigated anions using both visual and spectroscopic means. In aqueous solution, the color becomes intense yellow upon addition of cyanide, while acetate showed this effect to a much lower extent. Significant spectral changes were also detected with the appearance of two new absorption bands at 358 and 387 nm. This was accompanied by concomitant intensity decrease for the band at 314 nm. Fluoride, dihydrogen phosphate, chloride, bromide, perchlorate, and azide showed negligible color and spectral changes for the probe in aqueous solutions. On the other hand, hydrogen sulfate caused fainting of the yellow color and gave a spectrum similar to that of the sensor in polar aprotic solvents. The cyanide ion was detected at micro molar levels in aqueous solutions with a stoichiometry of 1:1 for CN: probe in acetonitrile as the solvent. Cyanide, hydroxide, acetate, fluoride and dihydrogen phosphate showed identical changes to color and spectra, indicating a hydrogen bonding and a deprotonation mechanism.
Synthesis and characterization of new 4-aryl-2-(2-oxopropoxy)-6-(2,5-dichlorothiophene)nicotinonitrile and their furo[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives: Assessment of antioxidant and biological activity
Authors: Al‐Refai Mahmoud , Ibrahim Mohammad , Al‐Fawwaz Abdullah , Geyer Armin
Published: December 2018

A new series of furo[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives bearing aryl substituents were synthesized in two steps, where, the cyano-(2H)-pyridones (1a-l) were converted to the corresponding nicotinonitriles (2a-l), followed by the Thorpe-Ziegler ring cyclization to the furo[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives (3a-l). All new compounds were characterized by 1D-NMR experiments (1H and 13C) and 2D-NMR experiments (COSY, HMBC and HSQC), as well as ESI-MS and HR-ESI-MS data. The new compounds were screened for their antioxidant activities by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazylhydrate (DPPH) free radical assay. The highest radical scavenging effect was observed for nicotinonitriles 2d, 2h and 2l and furo[2,3-b]pyridines 3b, 3f and 3j by methanolic solvent at 4.0 mg/mL concentration. Remarkably, all nicotinonitriles and furo[2,3-b]pyridine exhibited a significant radical scavenging activity after 24 and 48 hours compared with 0.5 hour.
Spectroscopic characterization of thiol adducts formed in the reaction of 4-methylcatechol with DPPH in the presence of N-acetylcysteine
Authors: Ichitani Masaki , Okumura Hisako , Nakashima Yugo , Kinugasa Hitoshi , Honda Mitsunori , Kunimoto Ko-Ki
Published: December 2018

Nucleophiles such as thiol compounds have enhancing effects on the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities of polyphenols. Several authors have suggested that regeneration of the catechol structure from o-quinone plays a key role in enhanced radical scavenging activity. We therefore explored the reaction of 4-methyl catechol (MC) with DPPH in the presence of N-acetylcysteine (NACys) to clarify the mechanism underlying activity enhancement. Four types of NACys adducts were isolated and purified by preparative HPLC after the reactions reached equilibrium and their structures were characterized spectroscopically using UV-Vis absorption, NMR, and LC-MS. Oxidation of MC using a periodate resin and subsequent reaction with NACys were also studied. LC-MS analyses revealed that a mono-NACys adduct is produced as the major product in the reaction of MC quinone with NACys, and direct reduction by NACys occurs in reactions with NACys MC quinones.
Different spectrophotometric and TLC-densitometric methods for determination of olmesartan medoxomil and hydrochlorothiazide and their degradation products
Authors: Adly Selvia Maged , Abdelrahman Maha Mohamed , Abdelwahab Nada Sayed , Ali Nourudin Wageh
Published: December 2018

In this work, multivariate calibration models and TLC-densitometric methods have been developed and validated for quantitative determination of olmesartan medoxomil (OLM) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCZ) in presence of their degradation products, olmesartan (OL) and salamide (SAL), respectively. In the first method, multivariate calibration models including principal component regression (PCR) and partial least square (PLS) were applied. The wavelength range 210-343 nm was used and data was auto-scaled and mean centered as pre-processing steps for PCR and PLS models, respectively. These models were tested by application to external validation set with mean percentage recoveries 99.78, 100.01, 100.41 and 100.46% for OLM, HCZ, OL and SAL, respectively, for PLS model and also, 100.22, 100.40, 102.25 and 100.13% for them, respectively, for PCR model. The second method is TLC-densitometry at which the chromatographic separation was carried out using silica gel 60F254 TLC plates and the developing system consisted of a mixture of ethyl acetate:chloroform:methanol: formic acid:tri-ethylamine (60:40:4:4:1, by volume) with UV-scanning at 254 nm. The developed methods were successfully applied for determination of OLM and HCZ in their pharmaceutical dosage form. Also, statistical comparison was made between the developed methods and the reported method using student’s-t test and F-test and results showed that there was no significant difference between them concerning both accuracy and precision.
Information Exchange and Use among Actors Involved in Tanzania’s Local Primary Education Governance: Insights from Social Network Analysis in Two Mvomero District Villages
Authors: Holvoet Nathalie , Inberg Liesbeth , Lulu Elizabeth Genda , Matekere Yona
Published: December 2018

It is nowadays widely acknowledged that the exchange of information, both horizontally and vertically, between different actors involved in governance processes is critical for reaching outcomes. One way to grasp local governance realities is through social network analysis which is particularly apt to map and understand patterns of relations among a delineated set of actors. This article draws upon data from a network survey among actors involved in primary education governance in two Mvomero district villages to study information exchange and use. As informal relations and institutions tend to be equally important, we also map and analyse informal relations between the different actors. Findings amongst others reveal that there is hardly any (horizontal) exchange of education- related information between the two villages. This lack of exchange among village actors that are similarly positioned foregoes opportunities to combine resources and creates a learning deficit in solving similar education-related problems.
Radiographic Categorization of the Hip-spine Syndrome in the Setting of Hip Osteoarthritis and Sagittal Spinal Malalignment
Authors: Diebo Bassel G. , Day Louis M. , Lafage Renaud , Passias Peter G. , Paulino Carl B. , Naziri Qais , Mont Michael A. , Errico Thomas J. , Schwab Frank J. , Lafage Virginie
Published: December 2018

Background:

Interplay between degenerative hip and spine conditions (Hip-Spine Syndrome [HiSS]) warrants effective communication between respective surgeons. We identified radiographic parameters to distinguish a subset of patients with HiSS by evaluating hip osteoarthritis (HOA) in patients with and without spinopelvic malalignment, categorizing patients into respective HiSS types, and comparing radiographic parameters.

Methods:

All patients with full-body orthogonal radiography from 2013 to 2016 were reviewed (n = 1,389). Using sagittal/coronal hip radiographs, HOA (Kellgren-Lawrence Grade) was noted, and pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis mismatch (PI-LL) > 10° was considered spinal malalignment. Patients groups included non-HiSS (PI-LL ≤ 10°/Grade 0/n = 444), Hip (PI-LL ≤ 10°/Grade 3-4/n = 78), Spine (PI-LL > 10°/Grade 0/n = 297), or Hip-Spine (PI-LL > 10°/Grade 3-4/n = 30). Parameters were compared using ANOVA with post-hoc Bonferroni analysis.

Results:

HiSS Hip type patients had less hip extension capability compared with non-HiSS, Spine, and Hip-Spine type patients, reflected by lowest pelvic tilt (PT)/sagittal retroversion (11.3° versus 16.5°/29.2°/25.2°, respectively) and less hip extension per sacrofemoral angle (10.1° versus 19.5°/28.4°/23.1°, respectively) (P < 0.001), as well as 4.7° increase in anterior tilt/sagittal anteversion compared with age-matched individuals. Hip-Spine type patients had less pelvic retroversion than Spine type patients (P = 0.045); these differences were greater when referenced to age-matched individuals (P < 0.001). Hip-Spine type patients had less hip extension than Spine type patients (P = 0.013). Hip type patients had greater knee flexion than non-HiSS type patients (6.4° versus 2.6°; P < 0.001). Moreover, Hip-Spine type patients had comparable lower extremity alignment compared with Spine type patients, except for greater posterior pelvic shift.

Conclusion:

Our novel HiSS categorization used established classification methods and supported PT use to potentially improve the ability to discern HiSS types/pathologies in a subset of patients with HOA and spinal sagittal malalignment. HOA grade 3 to 4 with PT <15° are categorized as Hip type and those with PT >25° are Hip-Spine type with sagittal malalignment, which may impact acetabular arthroplasty component placement.
Prophylactic Versus Postfracture Stabilization for Metastatic Lesions of the Long Bones: A Comparison of 30-day Postoperative Outcomes
Authors: El Abiad Jad M. , Raad Micheal , Puvanesarajah Varun , Rao Sandesh S. , Morris Carol D. , Levin Adam S.
Published: December 2018

Introduction:

The goals of orthopaedic treatment for most patients with osseous metastases are to control pain, maintain function, and maximize quality of life and time at home. The aim of this study was to determine differences in 30-day postoperative morbidity and mortality between patients who underwent prophylactic versus postfracture stabilization for metastatic lesions of long bones.

Methods:

The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for patients who underwent prophylactic fixation (n = 461) or postfracture stabilization (n = 856) for pathologic fractures because of metastatic lesions of long bones from 2006 to 2016. The groups were compared with respect to several potential confounders using Student t, Kruskal-Wallis, and χ2 tests. Logistic and Poisson regression models (inclusion threshold of P < 0.1) were used to assess the associations of functional status with outcomes. The alpha level was set at 0.05.

Results:

Prophylactic fixation was associated with a lower risk of major medical complications (odds ratio = 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45 to 0.93; P = 0.02), discharge to a care facility rather than home (odds ratio = 0.48; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.63; P < 0.01), and lower risk of a longer hospital stay (incidence risk ratio = 0.86; 95% CI, 0.74 to 0.96; P = 0.01) compared with postfracture stabilization. No significant difference was found in the risk of unplanned revision surgery or 30-day postoperative mortality between the two groups.

Conclusion:

Although prevention of pathologic fractures caused by metastatic disease may not always be possible, patients who underwent prophylactic stabilization had a lower risk of major complications within 30 days postoperatively and shorter hospital stays compared with patients who underwent postfracture stabilization.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, retrospective cohort
An Analysis on Occupational Differences Regarding Preparation for Retirement: Pension Marketing Approach
Authors: Park Young Sup , Park Sang-Bum
Published: December 2018

This study examined the perception and preparation of retirement by occupational group and the expected satisfaction of retirement after economic life. This study analyze the retirement not only from policy makers’ point of view but also pension marketers’ view point. There are different pension schemes for each occupation, and each pension system is in a different situation. Since the pension system is the most basic system of economic life after retirement, it can be assumed that individual economic entities will be in different recognition and preparation states depending on which pension system they belong to. According to the results of the analysis, there are differences in the expected retirement age, expected satisfaction of retirement after economic life, readiness for retirement, and degree of responsibility of the national society for economic life after retirement. The most important factor affecting the satisfaction of the economic life after retirement is the present level of income and recognition and preparation for retirement.
Should Investors on Equity Markets Be Superstitious? (Example of 7 World Stock Indexes Components)
Authors: Borowski Krzysztof
Published: December 2018

The problem of efficiency of financial markets, especially the weekend effect has always fascinated scholars and practitioners due to its relationship with the financial market efficiency. The issue is significant from the point of view of assessing the portfolio management effectiveness and behavioral finance. This paper tests the hypothesis of the unfortunate dates effect upon 7 equity indexes components (CAC40, DAX, DJIA, FTSE30, FTSEBIT, NIKKEI225 and SENSE), i.e. 419 companies. For all these equities the following rates of return were analyzed: Close-close, Overnight, Open-open, Open-close. As unfortunate days, the sessions falling on the following dates were selected: 13th and 4th day of the month, Friday the 13th and Tuesday the 13th. The research proved the presence of all kinds of the “unfortunate dates” effects on analyzed markets. The effects were registered for all analyzed rates of return. The most dominating “unfortunate dates effects” resulted to be Tuesday the 13th, proceeding the 4th day of the month effect. This is the first analysis of the presence of the “unfortunate dates effect”, in which other than Close-close returns were examined and fulfils the research gap. 
Effect of Self-Organized Learning Environment on the Comprehension of ESL Learners at Primary Level in Pakistan
Authors: Akram Muhammad , Ghani Mamuna
Published: December 2018

The research is designed to study the effect of self-organized learning environment (SOLE) on the comprehension of the learners of English as Second Language at primary level in Pakistan. This study is conducted under the influence of Mitra (1999) experiments in child driven education. By using convenient sampling, two groups of thirty two ESL learners of grade 5th from one government school are selected randomly for the research. To find out whether SOLE is effective for learning comprehension, the researchers have used quasi experiment. The tools used for this experiment are pretest and posttest. One group of thirty two students is taken as controlled group and is taught how to have ESL comprehension by traditional method. The other group is experimental group and the researchers leave the learners in IT lab to learn ESL comprehension independently. The researchers assign some tasks to the learners and they complete these tasks by using computer on their own. After the experiment of 20 days it has been found from the comparison of the results gained through posttest from both the groups that the effect of self-organized learning environment on the comprehension of ESL learners is more than the traditional learning environment. The aim of this study is to enable the learners to learn English comprehension by the use of computer under self-organized learning environment.
Exploring Metacognitive Strategies Employed by ESL Writers: Uses and Awareness
Authors: Alamri Basim
Published: December 2018

The present study explored metacognitive strategies employed by English as second language (ESL) writers. The study also investigated students’ awareness of the effectiveness of these strategies and the relationship between students’ language proficiency levels and the frequent uses of metacognitive strategies. The data was collected via a questionnaire completed by non-native English speaker students (23 males, 38 females) at a midwestern university in the United States. The findings indicated that students frequently employed the three components of metacognitive strategies (i.e., monitoring, planning, evaluating; where evaluating was the most frequent strategy, followed by monitoring and planning). Moreover, the results indicated that students had a relatively high awareness of the effectiveness of the strategies discussed in the study which consequently affected students’ uses of these strategies during a writing task, such as essays. Among the students, there was a positive correlation between students’ proficiency levels and the frequency of the use of strategies. The study suggested several pedagogical implications including the need for increasing students’ as well as teachers’ awareness of metacognitive strategies in teaching and learning academic writing.
Iraqi EFL Students’ Difficulties in Writing Composition: An Experimental Study (University of Baghdad)
Authors: Nasser Sura Muttlak
Published: December 2018

Iraqi EFL students face difficulties in writing composition, especially academic writing, which affects negatively their exam results. This study has been conducted in the Department of English at College of Education for Women, University of Baghdad, in order to identify first year EFL students’ incompetence in writing. This may enhance their achievement by some weekly writing activities. It deals with Iraqi EFL students’ difficulties in writing paragraphs such as descriptive, process, opinion, and factual paragraphs. The study aims to identify these difficulties and to suggest suitable solutions for them. The researcher perceives that it is necessary to enhance students’ skills in writing because it is an important tool in their education progress. The study proved that the distinction is considerable. However, the researcher had a group sitting for pre and post- test to assess the output of the means of students’ results.
Symbolic Portrayal of Social Classes in Pakistani Advertisement
Authors: Zaidi Saba , Salah Saman , Mehdi Anisa Tul , Sahibzada Mehwish , Rafiq Durdana , Sultan Maham , Manzor Samreen
Published: December 2018

The current study aims to identify particular ways through which social actors are represented by Pakistani media such as MCB (Muslim Commercial Bank) Ladies Account (2017). This study is only limited to two Pakistani advertisements as a sample of study. The research design is qualitative content analysis. The study seeks to examine the propagation of class differences for the sake of gaining viewer’s empathy in order to achieve marketing purposes. The researchers have applied Leeuwen’s (2008) framework of Visual Representation of Social Actor for the analysis of data. The analysis of data has provided an insight into different ways class differences are showcased. It has further provided an insight that notion of lower/middle class is constructed and represented as “others” in the particular advertisements with the help of Visual Representation of Social Actors. The result of study validates that lower/middle class is particularly marginalized in the mentioned advertisements, whereas it has become a general practice of Pakistani media to project such kind of class dichotomy. The study has further incorporated the idea that through such kind of projections the capitalists propagate the purchase of unwanted items. Wherein, regardless of any use the viewers while empathizing with the social actors purchase the advertised items.
Development of Training-Based Spelling Strategies for Female EFL Students: Case Study of a Saudi University
Authors: Ismaiel Nasrah Mahmoud , Al Asmari Abdul Rahman Awadh
Published: December 2018

Spelling is a major challenge for EFL learners and students in their process of learning the English language. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a training program based on certain spelling strategies to help EFL learners improve their spelling achievement. To do this, the differences between the experimental group and the control group, before and after the treatment, were examined. The participants were university students who were selected from a large sample and divided, and studied, in two experimental and control groups based on a spelling production pre-test. The first aim of this study is to examine whether significant differences occurred in spelling-related language learning strategies and English language spelling post-test between the control and experimental groups. The second aim is to examine whether significant differences exist between the mean scores of pre- and post-test of the English language spelling test and spelling-related language learning strategies. Spelling-related language learning strategies were measured using Kristine F. Anderson’s “spelling survey” strategies (1987). The spelling test and the spelling program were both prepared by the researchers. The research was conducted for three months, including the proposed program. Data from pre-post instruments was used to investigate the impact the intervention had on EFL in the development of spelling and the use of spelling strategies to learn English. Data from pre- and post- test instruments showed that there were statistically significant differences between the experimental group and the control group in the post-test spelling test as well as the spelling strategies questionnaire. The implemented treatment resulted in a significant improvement in the spelling skill of the experimental group. The results also revealed statistically significant differences between the pre-test and post-test results for the experimental group in the spelling test and the spelling strategies and also the fact that the experimental group improved in spelling skills after their participation in the program, as can be seen in the post-test. In light of these results, the study proposes a number of procedural recommendations that may contribute to raising awareness regarding the importance of teaching spelling strategies for EFL students.
Classroom Discourse of English Language Teachers at Secondary School Level
Authors: Alzobidy Soleman Awad Mthkal , Khan Afzal
Published: December 2018

This paper compares and analyzes the classroom discourse of English language teachers at secondary level. An English teacher at this level has an enormous responsibility upon his shoulders because he has not only to cover the syllabus in time but also has to develop language skills in his students while preparing the students well for the upcoming board exam. This study makes a comparison of the discourse of two English teachers—one from the private sector and the other from the public sector. The discourse of an English teacher has a direct impact on the performance of his or her students. The present paper provides an initial cursory glance at the result in both sectors.
Impact of English Teachers’ Behavior on English Proficiency Skills of ESL Learners at Secondary Level
Authors: Lodhi Muhammad Arfan , Zafar Zunaira , Akhtar Nasim , Sikander Sobia , Farrukh Sana
Published: December 2018

The main aim of this study is to investigate the impact of teachers’ behavior on English proficiency of ESL learners at secondary level. Teacher’s behavior directly or indirectly influences students’ performance positively or the otherwise. This study was descriptive in nature and survey based design was adopted to pursue operational phase. Respondents were selected from accessible population by using random and convenient sampling techniques. The data was collected quantitatively from 200 students and 40 teachers. Questionnaire was used to collect data from teachers and students to know their perceptive about the impact of instructor’s behavioral patterns on learners’ achievements. The raw data was analyzed followed by tabular, graphical and narrative interpretations. The findings of the study show that teacher’s behavior affects the whole language learning process according to the needs of the students. It further determines that there is a positive correlation between teacher’s positive behavior and student’s linguistic and academic growth. The results also show that positive behavior of female teacher was more learning friendly as compared to the behavior of male teachers. The study concludes with strong recommendation that positive behavior training skills should be implemented in continuous professional development programs for English language teachers. At times, positive behavior of teachers proved more beneficial than their competency for ESL learners.
Lexical Inferencing in Newspaper Columns: An Introspective Study
Authors: Shafiq Awais , Shafiq Abdullah , Tahir Adnan , Sajid Muhammad Akbar
Published: December 2018

The significance of vocabulary in second or foreign language cannot be denied. The study explores the knowledge sources used by ESL learners in generating the meanings of the unknown words found in the columns of a daily Dawn. The study also investigates the effect of text length and syntactic property of unknown words in the inferential behaviors of learners. The participants of the study were chosen randomly from BS English, Govt. Emerson College, Multan. The amended taxonomy of knowledge sources and clues given by Bengleil and Paribakht (2004) was used in the study. The inferences verbalized their thoughts while guessing the meanings of the unknown words. The higher group was more successful in their guessing than the lower group. The study also found out that text length and the syntactic property of an unknown word his impact on the process of lexical inferencing. The study recommends the strategy of lexical inferencing as it facilitates reading comprehension and enhances lexical knowledge of learners.
Character Strength Activation for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Using Video Feedback in Groups
Authors: Szucs Andrea , Schau Caroline , Muscara Kiera , Tomasulo Dan
Published: December 2018

This paper looks at the theory, research, applied aspects, and future possibilities of using strengths-based positive interventions in action, modified for people with no or low literacy with the use of the camera and video feedback. Action-based modifications of interventions, focusing on the emergence of character strengths and immediate visual feedback may bring us a step closer to offering added beneficial changes to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Examination of Physical Activity and Life Quality Levels of University Students in Terms of Related Factors
Authors: CİHAN Bekir Barış , BOZDAĞ Berkan , VAR Levent
Published: December 2018

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between physical activity levels and life quality of Amasya University students. The universe of the study consists of university students studying in 6 faculties of the University of Amasya during the 2018-2019 academic year and the sample is composed of 331 (162 female, 169 male) university students. As data collection tools, in order to determine the level of physical activity (Craig, et al., 2003) by the improved validity and reliability study in Turkey (Öztürk, 2005) in order to determine the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. For the deremination of life quality, Fidaner’s (1999) “World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Short Form” was used. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods, independent sample t-test and single factor variance analysis (One-Way ANOVA). As a result of the analyses; 262 students attending the research stated that the physical activity areas of the faculties were insufficient and 69 students stated that they were sufficient. When the body mass indexes of the participants were examined, it was found that the majority of 76.4 % of the participants had normal BMI (Global Database on BMI, WHO, 2004) classification. A significant difference was found in the psychological and environmental dimensions of students’ life quality in goodness of the students habiting at home. When it is classified according to physical activity score, it is seen that 65 students studying at the Faculty of Education have a high Met level, while 33 students studying at the Faculty of Medicine have low Met level. It was concluded that students with high levels of MET have higher total life quality scores than students at other levels of MET.
Evaluation of Education Students with Intellectual Disability in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alshamri Khalid H.
Published: December 2018

A survey was conducted in order to evaluate the quality of education received by students with intellectual disability in Aljouf, Saudi Arabia from the perspectives of their teachers and parents. From a sample of 95 respondents, it was found that most teachers used “baby steps” strategy in delivering content for students with intellectual disabilities. Most of the parents were found to rely almost entirely on formal education for their children and were not directly involved with their children’s education at home. Only a minority of the teachers were found to utilize assistive technology to augment their practice. Both teachers and parents did not feel very confident about the effectiveness of the current systems in teaching their children important social and practical skills. Recommendations based on these outcomes were provided.
Challenges of Teachers in an Effective Rural Secondary School in Mexico
Authors: Ramón Cristóbal C. , Peniche Rubí S. , Cisneros-Cohernour Edith
Published: December 2018

This paper examines from the perspective of teachers the problems faced by a telesecondary school for the achievement of its educational objectives, as well as the implemented actions to overcome their problems, located in the state of Yucatan, Mexico. A case study was carried out, selected on the basis of the good results obtained by students in the ENLACE test, belonging to a highly marginalized context. The methodological and data triangulation allowed to verify and validate data, obtained through interviews, focus groups, documentary analysis and qualitative observation. The results indicate that there are individual and general factors that need to be considered to improve the students’ education: lack of effectiveness in the development of educational policy programs, lack of some resources and infrastructure, lack of technological resources, teachers training and management of the school center. The strategies the school makes to address these problems are helping to improve student performance.
Turkish Validity and Reliability Study of the Leisure Constraint Questionnaire
Authors: ÖZTÜRK Mehmet Ali , YIKILMAZ Ahmet , SARIKOL Eyyüp
Published: December 2018

The purpose of this study to adapt to Turkish version by applying validity and reliability test of Leisure Constraint Questionnaire (LCQ) developed by Alexander and Carroll (1997). 214 (62.4%) men and 129 (37.6%) women, total of 343 people was participated to the study working as public officers in Iğdır. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Reliability Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was applied to Turkish version of the scale after translated to Turkish. When the EFA results are examined Anti Imaj Correlation (AIC) cross correlation coefficients of all items greater than 0.5 and It has been decided to use all items in the analysis. After Principal Component Analaysis (PCA), there are 7 factors with eigenvalue greater than 1 and the contribution of these factors to the total variance is 56.806% were determined. The factors belonging to the items were determined by Rotated Component Matrix (VARIMAX). The tests of Cronbach’s Alpha (CA), Spearman-Brown Correlation (SBC) and Guttman Split Half Correlation (GSHC) were performed for reliability of the scale. The value of CA: 0.876, SBC: 0.754 and GSHC: 0.754 were found for the all items. Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Goodness-of-fit index (GFI) and he Normed Fit Index (NFI) were used for the CFA. As a result of CFA analysis; the value of CFI: 0.94, GFI: 0.96 and NFI: 0.93 were found. It has been concluded that the scale of adaptation to Turkish is valid and reliable and also it was composed of 7 factors and 29 items like original scale.
A Theoretical Framework for Teacher Incentives: Monetary, Social and Vision-Based
Authors: Mallah Farah
Published: December 2018

Teachers are at the heart of the education process; in attempts to improve teacher quality there has been a trend in the US and elsewhere to incentivize teachers to put in more effort. This paper presents a theoretical framework for analyzing and designing different incentive schemes informed by the structure and quality of tasks constituting the k-12 teaching profession. It focuses on the question of how policy makers and education leaders can improve teacher effort towards the outcome of interest, specifically improving student achievement. It draws on literature on incentives, goal setting theory, norms and work significance to identify three main types of incentives: (1) monetary incentives, (2) social incentives and (3) vision-based incentive. Each of the types of incentives in this paper are analyzed in light of Vroom’s (1964) expectancy theory—its expectancy, valence and instrumentality—to build a theoretical framework for analyzing the potential mediating factors of each of the incentive schemes and their impact.
The Application of Stability Bias in Conceptual Learning
Authors: Liu Ziyi
Published: December 2018

When memorizing mechanical materials such as words or numbers, people have shown the tendency to overestimate their future memory due to their insensitivity to memory loss. The experiments in this paper investigate whether the same bias applies to conceptual learning and, if so, how the magnitude of this bias compares to that of mechanical learning. In our experiment, participants were divided into four groups. Two groups of participants studied a word list and took free-recall tests either two minutes or one week after learning; they also made predictions of how well they would do on the test right after learning the material. The other two groups were designed the same way except that the learning material was a concept. Our results indicate that the stability bias illusions not only applied to conceptual learning but were also more significant than in mechanical learning.
The Contribution of Learner Self-Assessment for Improvement of Learning and Teaching Process: A Review
Authors: Papanthymou Anastasia , Darra Maria
Published: December 2018

The present study is a literature review of 37 empirical studies from Greece and internationally of the last decade and aims at investigating the contribution of learner self-assessment to: a. enhancement of learning motivation, b. improvement of academic performance/learning, c. development of self-regulating learning and d. raise of self-esteem. According to the findings, enhancement of learning motivation as an outcome of learner self-assessment process has been identified in Greek Higher education, in Secondary education in Physics and in Primary education in English, whereas internationally has been identified in Secondary education in English and Physical education. In Greece, improvement of academic performance/learning as an outcome of learner self-assessment has been found in Higher education, in Secondary education in Physics and in Primary education in English, whereas internationally at all levels of education, in almost all subjects of Secondary education and in Primary education in Language Arts, English and Mathematics. Development of self-regulating learning has been identified in Higher education in Greece and internationally, whereas in Secondary education in Geography and Geometry only internationally. Furthermore, raise of student’s self-esteem as an outcome of self-assessment has been found internationally, in Secondary education in Religious education and in Greek Primary education in English language learning. Moreover, self-assessment process has also been examined internationally in non-formal education where English is taught as a second language with positive outcomes in performance/learning. Finally, self-assessment is implemented through various practices and tools such as rubrics, checklist, scripts, think boards, reflective journals, mind maps and in combination with learning or teaching models.
Service Learning in Early Childhood Education: In the Class of Curriculum Design and Practice
Authors: Chuang Mei-Ling
Published: December 2018

Qualitative and quantitative research was conducted with undergraduate students majoring in early childhood care and education to explore the impact of service-learning on personal and professional development, as well as to assess satisfaction with the service-learning project. The data were gathered at a baby care center, where these students arranged games, through a questionnaire given to the students (N=37), a questionnaire given to parents who came with their children to the center (N=34), as well as reflection paper and report by the students on how they felt about the activity. The qualitative data were analyzed from five different aspects: (1). Enhancing students’ academic knowledge and skills, (2). Learning public service from the activity, (3). Cooperation and teamwork, (4) Benefits for children, (5) Suggestions of students afterwards. The findings of this research demonstrated that this service learning experience was beneficial for children, parents and the students, enhancing students’ academic knowledge, problem solving skills, as well as interpersonal development.
Reviewer acknowledgements for Journal of Materials Science Research, Vol. 8, No. 1
Authors: Green Lily
Published: December 2018

Reviewer acknowledgements for Journal of Materials Science Research, Vol. 8, No. 1, 2019