Blueshift in MgxZn1-xO alloys: nature of bandgap bowing

A Mg composition-dependent blueshift has been studied in MgxZn1−xO alloys deposited on 6H-SiC(0001) substrates. The localized exciton energy in MgxZn1−xO alloys for x ∼ 0.3 was blueshifted in the range 212–248 meV. The large negative bowing parameter was estimated in MgxZn1−xO alloys to be 4.72±0.84 eV. This large bandgap bowing emphasizes the Stokes shift, which has been attributed to the existence of spontaneous polarization effects due to the polar growth of MgxZn1−xO/SiC heterostructure and local compositional inhomogeneity

Bone regeneration goal in sight

published_or_final_versio

English in Asian bilingual education: From Hatred to Harmony a response

Explores parts of the phenomenon of the support for, and hostility toward, the use of English in education in Asian bilingual systems. The article then sketches an educational alternative capable of making the language a shared resource for all its stakeholders. Tsui's response addresses the question of whether educational solutions are capable of resolving language conflicts or not.published_or_final_versio

Distinctive qualities of expert teachers

This paper attempts to identify the distinctive qualities of successful veteran teachers, referred to as "expert teachers", which separates them not only from novice teachers but more importantly from experienced non-expert teachers. Based on earlier case studies, this paper maintains that the critical differences between expert and non-expert teachers are manifested in three dimensions: their ability to integrate aspects of teacher knowledge in relation to the teaching act; their response to their contexts of work, and their ability to engage in reflection and conscious deliberation. The paper further addresses the question of why some teachers become experts while others remain experienced non-experts by examining the developmental processes of the experienced teachers in the case studies. The findings suggest that engagement in exploration and experimentation in teaching and learning, in problematizing the unproblematic, and in tasks which challenge teachers to extend their competence are crucial to the development of expertise. The implications for teacher development are discussed. © 2009 Taylor & Francis.postprin

Linguistic paradoxes and cultural domination

Spring (2007) provides an interesting account of the global flow of education ideas and how it has always been largely motivated by a fear of the 'other.' As he points out, the intensified spread of English is a result of choice rather than coercion. In this article, the author focuses on the spread of English and address two aspects in relation to it: first, the linguistic paradox created by the spread of English; second, the cultural domination that accompanies the spread of English.postprin

VEGF: An essential mediator of both angiogenesis and endochondral ossification

During bone growth, development, and remodeling, angiogenesis as well as osteogenesis are closely associated processes, sharing some essential mediators. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was initially recognized as the best-characterized endothelial-specific growth factor, which increased vascular permeability and angiogenesis, and it is now apparent that this cytokine regulates multiple biological functions in the endochondral ossification of mandibular condylar growth, as well as long bone formation. The complexity of VEGF biology is paralleled by the emerging complexity of interactions between VEGF ligands and their receptors. This narrative review summarizes the family of VEGF-related molecules, including 7 mammalian members, namely, VEGF, placenta growth factor (PLGF), and VEGF-B, -C, -D, -E, and -F. The biological functions of VEGF are mediated by at least 3 corresponding receptors: VEGFR-1/FIt-1, VEGFR-2/Flk-1, VEGFR-3/Flt-4 and 2 co-receptors of neuropilin (NRP) and heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs). Current findings on endochondral ossification are also discussed, with emphasis on VEGF-A action in osteoblasts, chondroblasts, and chondroclasts/osteoclasts and regulatory mechanisms involving oxygen tension, and some growth factors and hormones. Furthermore, the therapeutic implications of recombinant VEGF-A protein therapy and VEGF-A gene therapy are evaluated. Abbreviations used: VEGF, Vascular endothelial growth factor; PLGF, placenta growth factor; NRP, neuropilin; HSPGs, heparan sulfate proteoglycans; FGF, fibroblast growth factor; TGF, transforming growth factor; HGF, hepatocyte growth factor; TNF, tumor necrosis factor; ECM, extracellular matrix; RTKs, receptor tyrosine kinases; ERK, extracellular signal kinases; HIF, hypoxia-inducible factor.published_or_final_versio

Gender and conversational dominance in Japanese conversation

A number of studies have been conducted on "dominance" as reflected in spoken interactional features, most of which deal with English. Many of these studies adopt a quantitative approach, examining the amount and distribution of interactional features such as amount of talk, interruptions and overlaps, turn-taking, questions, and topic initiations, and they have drawn conclusions on "dominance" accordingly. The present study explores gender dominance in conversation by analyzing conversational data from eight Japanese dyads by integrating quantitative and qualitative analyses. The quantitative analysis of two dimensions of conversational dominance, sequential dominance and participatory dominance, does not show any obvious gender dominance; however, the qualitative analysis of three of the dyads finds a clear pattern of male speakers' self-oriented conversational style, which is manifested in their storytelling and claiming expertise, and this is supported by female speakers' other-oriented conversational style. Gender dominance therefore is seen as a mutual construction. The conclusion discusses the importance of integrating findings from both quantitative and qualitative analyses in situated contexts to deepen understanding of the complexity of gender dominance.published_or_final_versio

Nutritional studies on the utilisation of shrimp by-products as a potential protein source for chicken feed （エビ加工副産物を養鶏用飼料のタンパク質源として利用するための栄養学的研究）

信州大学(Shinshu university)博士（農学）ThesisABM MUSTANUR RAHMAN. Nutritional studies on the utilisation of shrimp by-products as a potential protein source for chicken feed （エビ加工副産物を養鶏用飼料のタンパク質源として利用するための栄養学的研究）. 信州大学, 2016, 博士論文. 博士（農学）, 甲第66号, 平成28年09月30日授与.doctoral thesi

Wage and Employment Effects of the North American Free Trade Agreement on the U.S. Manufacturing Sector

According to the conventional theories of international trade, trade liberalization equalizes factor prices across countries involved in trade. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is a newer form of regional economic integration between a developing country, Mexico, and two developed countries, the United States and Canada. Complying with proposition of conventional theories, it is rational to expect that NAFTA will lead to equalization of factor prices among theses three countries. On the other hand, the existence of a wide gap in wages between the United States and Mexico may lead to lower wages in the U.S.A. This study, however, will show that the wage and employment effects of NAFTA on the U.S. manufacturing sector is insignificant. The reason for this is because the U.S. trade with Mexico consists of a tiny amount compared to total U.S. trade volume which suggests a very insignificant effect on both wages and employment in the United States. In order to estimate the effect of NAFTA on wage and employment in the U.S. manufacturing sector, this study develops a set of equations in two stages: two basic equations in the first stage; and three supplementary equations in the second stage. Wage and employment are the endogenous variables in the basic equations. In the supplementary equations, productivity in the U.S. manufacturing sector, a foreign direct investment ratio, and Mexican exchange rates are the endogenous variables. These are also the explanatory variables in the basic equations. To secure the effects of NAFTA on wage and employment, a pre-NAFTA trade liberalization dummy variable, D1, and a NAFTA dummy, D2, are included in the supplementary equations. The linear regression technique is applied to one of the basic as well as one supplementary equation. Also, a log linear technique is used in the remaining basic and supplementary equations Estimated coefficients of D2 represent the values by which NAFTA has changed values of the explanatory variables in the basic equations. Then, these estimates are used to calculate the effects of NAFTA on the U.S. manufacturing wage and employment level. The overall results of the regression analysis suggest a statistically insignificant impact of NAFTA on wage and employment. Only the Mexican exchange rate has been able to generate significant influence on the U.S. manufacturing employment level. However, the total effect is estimated to be a very small gain in the U.S. manufacturing employment level. Although the results seem to support the hypothesis, the insignificant NAFTA coefficients may be due to the existence of multicollinearity