Level of Knowledge Awareness and Use of Planning as Writing Strategy by EFL International Students in UUM English Intensive Course

Malaysian English Language Curriculum makes it compulsory for every newly intake student to master and pass the English Writing Tasks (EWT) as among the basic skills in the language learning processes. However, most of the English Foreign Language (EFL) international students face difficulties with the EWT during the English Intensive Course (EIC) leading to consistent mass failures. The possible reasons of these failures could be due to the neglect of the writing strategies. Hence, the central focus of this paper is to identify and determine the EFL international students’ level of awareness and the use of planning as writing strategy before writing English essays. To this end, convenient purposive sampling strategy was used where 50 EFL (postgraduate and undergraduate) international students drawn from Universiti Utara Malaysian EIC program were selected and administered Writing Strategy Questionnaires (WSQ). The participants hailed from various countries who used and learned English as a foreign language, namely; Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Palestine among others. The data were analyzed using SPSS. The findings revealed proportionate disparity between the EFL students that use planning strategy before starting writing English essays (usually true = 28%) with those that do not (usually not true = 28%). In terms of Revising Requirement for writing process before one start writing an essay in English, the findings revealed validity (40%) of participants’ responses at 82% cumulative. This is followed by “somewhat true” responses at 24% and 42% cumulative. These imply the EFL international students’ reasonable use of planning and having knowledge awareness of writing strateg

Multi-NFP utilization in the fifth generation and beyond systems

Over the past few years, wireless communication needs have experienced continuous growth. There is now a great demand for more sophisticated infrastructure to cope with the fifth generation and beyond (5G+) systems. 5G+ systems promise to provide better real-time services, more efficient spectrum utilization, increased energy efficiency, and enhanced coverage. 5G+ systems are expected to adopt several adaptations in their network architecture, construction, and deployment. The integration of Network Flying Platforms (NFPs) with 5G+ capabilities will allow much higher connectivity, lower latency, and quicker transfer of high-precision data. This aggregation of 5G+ networks and NFPs is robust, paving the way to the introduction of many new capabilities and improvements in wireless applications. Resource allocation in wireless communication systems is one of the most critical issues when it comes to utilizing systems efficiently. In 5G+ cellular technology, the main research focus is on spectral efficiency, network throughput, and communication delays. Furthermore, this focus will continue to the next generation cellular systems. To support the communication of various internet of things (IoT) devices, especially unmanned aerial drones and balloons, next-generation cellular systems (5G+) will play a vital role. However, resource allocation will be a significant determinant in the effective use of such communications. Increasing network capacity while minimizing interference will be a significant research challenge. A different level of Quality of Service (QoS) for individual user levels will also need to be satisfied. In this thesis, NFPs as aerial hubs are considered in future 5G+ networks to provide fronthaul connectivity to small cells (SCs)/ user equipment (UE). This thesis has different objectives. The first objective is to find the near optimal association between the NFPs and SCs to maximize the total sum rate subject to QoS, bandwidth, and the supported number of links constraints. The second objective is to study the association problem of SCs with NFPs in order to minimize the system interference while taking into consideration the number of NFP links, the NFP’s maximum bandwidth, and the target data rate. The final objective is to deploy multiple UAVs for serving a group of UEs on the ground to maximize the total uploaded rate among all UEs by jointly optimizing the UAVs-UEs association, the UEs transmit power, and the UAVs trajector

Modeling Thermal Conductivity, Thermal Diffusivity and Specific Heat of Asphalt Concrete Using Beta Regression and Mixture Volumetrics

The main objective of this paper is to develop predictive models using Beta regression for laboratory-prepared hot mix asphalt (HMA) specimens' thermal properties, including thermal conductivity (TC), thermal diffusivity (TD) and specific heat (SH). Thirty such specimens were prepared while varying the mixture's nominal maximum aggregate sizes (NMAS) and gradation coarseness. The widely used Transient Plane Source (TPS) method was employed to determine the thermal properties of the asphalt concrete. Only one type of asphalt binder was used for preparing all specimens. The air void volume (Va) and the effective binder volume (Vbe) were calculated for each mixture. To this end, the multiple linear regressions and the non-linear beta regressions were employed. Laboratory work resulted in hundred and fifty (150) data points. Three nominal maximum aggregate sizes, two gradation coarseness levels, five replicates and five different locations of measurements to ensure accuracy and repeatability in the obtained results. In conclusion, using Va and Vbe as predictors provided reliable predictive models for the thermal properties of different asphalt mixtures. The distribution of Va and Vbe was identified, and synthetic data was created to evaluate the accuracy of the models. Apart from R2 values, beta regression was more reliable to predict thermal properties of asphalt mixtures than multiple linear regression

The link between e-waste and GDP—new insights from data from the pan-European region

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is difficult to sustainably manage. One key issue is the challenge of planning for WEEE flows as current and future quantities of waste are difficult to predict. To address this, WEEE generation and gross domestic product (GDP) data from 50 countries of the pan-European region were assessed. A high economic elasticity was identified, indicating that WEEE and GDP are closely interlinked. More detailed analyses revealed that GDP at purchasing power parity (GDP PPP) is a more meaningful measure when looking at WEEE flows, as a linear dependency between WEEE generation and GDP PPP was identified. This dependency applies to the whole region, regardless of the conomic developmental stage of individual countries. In the pan-European region, an increase of 1000 international $ GDP PPP means an additional 0.5 kg WEEE is generated that requires management

Modeling Asphalt Pavement Frictional Properties using Different Machine Learning Algorithms

The objective of this work is to use some machine learning algorithms and test its efficiency in developing models to predict Locked Wheel Skid Trailer (LWST) values from Dynamic Friction Tester (DFT) and Circular Texture Meter (CTM) measurements conducted on asphalt pavement surfaces. For this prediction, three models were developed using DFT measurements at different speeds starting from 20km/h (12.5 mph) up to 64 km/h (40 mph) and then same DFT measurements as combination with Mean Profile Depth (MPD) and the last model used the International Friction Index (IFI) parameters (F60 and SP). The machine learning techniques includes two supervised learning algorithms: the Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) type of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and M5P tree model. In addition to one lazy algorithm called the K Nearest Neighbor (KNN) or Instance-Based Learner (IBL). The results showed that MLP models are the best in terms of the correlation coefficient that resulted in 81% prediction power using DFT parameters. Additionally, it was shown that the result of tree models was close to ANN but with much simpler regression. However, KNN models were recommended for LWST prediction of similar data characteristics and it is expected that this algorithm will be more efficient as the training data set becomes larger

Optimal conditions for olive mill wastewater treatment using ultrasound and advanced oxidation processes

© 2019 Elsevier B.V. The treatment of olive mill wastewater (OMW) in Jordan was investigated in this work using ultrasound oxidation (sonolysis) combined with other advanced oxidation processes such as ultraviolet radiation, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and titanium oxide (TiO2) catalyst. The efficiency of the combined oxidation process was evaluated based on the changes in the chemical oxygen demand (COD). The results showed that 59% COD removal was achieved within 90 min in the ultrasound /UV/TiO2 system. A more significant synergistic effect was observed on the COD removal efficiency when a combination of US/UV/TiO2 (sonophotocatalytic) processes was used at low ultrasound frequency. The results were then compared with the COD values obtained when each of these processes was used individually. The effects of different operating conditions such as, ultrasound power, initial COD concentration, the concentration of TiO2, frequency of ultrasound, and temperature on the OMW oxidation efficiency were studied and evaluated. The effect of adding a radical scavenger (sodium carbonate) on the OMW oxidation efficiency was investigated. The results showed that the sonophotocatalytic oxidation of OMW was affected by the initial COD, acoustic power, temperature and TiO2 concentration. The sonophotocatalytic oxidation of OMW increased with increasing the ultrasound power, temperature and H2O2 concentration. Sonolysis at frequency of 40 kHz combined with photocatalysis was not observed to have a significant effect on the OMW oxidation compared to sonication at frequency of 20 kHz. It was also found that the OMW oxidation was suppressed by the presence of the radical scavenger. The COD removal efficiency increased slightly with the increase of TiO2 concentration up to certain point due to the formation of oxidizing species. At ultrasound frequency of 20 kHz, considerable COD reduction of OMW was reported, indicating the effectiveness of the combined US/UV/TiO2 process for the OMW treatment

Exploiting water contaminants: In-situ electrochemical generation of ferrates using ambient raw water iron (Fe2+)

Many complexities arise when applying conventional water treatment processes to small and remote systems. A significant challenge is the difficulty and impracticality of supplying chemicals needed for oxidation processes. A burgeoning, yet currently under-utilised, type of treatment are electrochemical technologies, which are receiving considerable research attention and innovation at present. In particular, through the advancement of high oxygen overpotential electrodes, the ability to synthesise highly oxidative chemical species under circumneutral pH conditions has become possible. In this study, the generation of highly oxidative iron-based species, specifically ferrate (Fe6+), has been explored utilising a boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode and low concentrations of Fe2+ typically found in raw water, thereby eliminating the chemical supply chain required for conventional oxidation processes. Electrochemical ferrate generation experiments were performed in a batch-recycle configuration and were found to be mass transfer limited, whereby the rate-limiting step was the diffusion of Fe2+ to the electrode surface. This was evidenced by very little variation in ferrate generation at the three current densities tested, specifically 3.1 ± 0.2, 2.6 ± 0.2 and 3.3 ± 0.2 μM were generated at 10, 40 and 80 mA/cm2, respectively. Measured Fe6+ concentrations correlated well with those predicted by a mathematical process model, which assumed a completely mass transport limited process. While cyclic voltammetry confirmed ferrate generation by direct oxidation at the BDD surface, the contribution of hydroxyl radicals was indicated by the presence and absence of methanol, an radical dotOH scavenger, with ferrate generation decreased by greater than 50 % with methanol, compared to non-scavenged experiments. The results provide one of the first quantitative studies regarding the oxidation mechanisms of ferrate generation by electro-oxidation, and the first example of ferrate generation at circumneutral pH from Fe2+ at levels representative of raw water

Recycling of construction and demolition waste and its impact on climate change and sustainable development

The huge generated amounts of construction and demolition (C&D) waste around the world, which amounts up to more than 25% of the total generated waste, has become a serious environmental challenge that needs to be addressed. This analytical review paper sheds light on the different adverse environmental impacts of the presently used conventional management method of landfilling and proposes waste recycling as an alternative sustainable management option. Analysis showed that C&D waste recycling could be an effective mitigation option to reduce the risk of landslides; reduce the energy consumption; offset the greenhouse emissions where about 39% is attributed to the construction industry; recover added-value materials; create jobs; and protect the earth’s natural resources. The results of analysis highlight the importance of on-site recycling and segregation at source for offsetting the greenhouse gas emissions as well as mitigating the risks of the hazardous portion. The results of this analytical review promote the importance of diverting construction and demolition waste from landfill sites to recycling and help decision makers to adopt the recycling option to achieve sustainable development

The "Like Products" rule as a normative concept in the WTO system : a critique of its effectiveness and consistency with trade liberalization

University of Technology, Sydney. Faculty of Law.NO FULL TEXT AVAILABLE. Access is restricted indefinitely. The hardcopy may be available for consultation at the UTS Library.NO FULL TEXT AVAILABLE. Access is restricted indefinitely. ----- The "like products" rule is a non-discrimination policy tool that represents the core of the World Trade Organization (hereinafter "WTO") trade liberalization system. It is meant to lead to consistent outcomes, in terms of trade benefits, for all countries at all developmental levels. The WTO seeks to achieve its trade liberalization objectives through the adoption of a non-discrimination policy under the Most Favored Nation Treatment (MFN) principle in Article I of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade ("GA TT") and the national treatment principle in Article III. To see how effective 'like products" rule works in actual trade practice it is necessary to look at a free trade example (Jordan-U.S free trade). The thesis includes a comparative analysis of pharmaceutical industries in both countries. Examination of free trade between the two countries under the "like products" rule will show the impact of economic or technological differences on the ability of the countries to benefit from free trade based on the "like products". The pursuit of the trade liberalization objectives underpinned by the MFN and the national treatment principle is essentially dependent on a proper definition and articulation of what constitutes a "like product". In spite of the significance of the "like products" concept, its scope and definition is far from clear. The GA IT Agreement included no explanation as to the criteria to determine likeness among products and the issue of finding appropriate criteria was and still remains a major difficulty when applying Article III to a trade conflict. Interpretation of the "like products" term has been subject to scholarly and judicial discussion, however, scholarly analysis related to interpretation of likeness is still limited. Attempts to address the interpretation of likeness by the WTO Dispute Settlement Body (hereinafter "DSB") (the Panel and Appellate Body) has not made any significant difference to the issue. This thesis seeks to examine the "like products" rule in Article III of GA IT as a normative concept and to determine whether its effects are consistent with GA IT/WTO development objectives of raising standards of living, sustainable growth and economic efficiency. In particular, the thesis examines whether the application of the rule is capable of producing consistent outcomes, in terms of trade benefits and competitiveness, to countries at all developmental levels. The thesis seeks to conclude that the current case-by-case analysis approach (brought by the 1970 Working Party report on Border Tax Adjustments) to determine the concept of likeness has failed to provide a unified definition to what can be considered as "like products". The existence of economic and technological inequality undermines the functioning of the "like products" rule. The Jordan-U.S free trade example of the pharmaceutical industry in relation to "like products" rule obviously confirms in practice that economic power and the technological gap between countries can alter the outcome of the application of the "like products" rule. This thesis has 12 chapters. Chapter 1 is the introduction. Chapters 2-6 will examine the "like products" interpretation in Article III of GA TI/WTO in light of the DSB decisions and the relevant scholarly discussion. Chapters 7-8 are devoted to an analysis to the GA TT export-led growth model and relationship between national treatment and competition. The thesis examines the Jordan-U.S Free Trade Agreement and specifically pharmaceuticals trade in chapters 9-11. The analysis of Jordan-U.S free trade example will reveal whether the application of "like products" rule leads to consistent outcomes in terms of trade benefits for all sides regardless of developmental level. Chapter 12 is the conclusion