Enhancing Schemata – Based Speaking Task to Promote Students' Speaking Performance and Motivation

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk (1) melihat proses aplikasi task yang didisain berdasarkan skimata terhadap kemampuan berbicara; (2) melihat apakah ada perberdaan yang signifikan terhadap kemampuan berbicara dan motivasi; dan (3) aspek apa saja kah dari kemampuan berbicara yang meningkat. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan kepada mahasiswa. Untuk mengumpulkan data, peneliti menggunakan kuisioner, tes dan observasi. Kemudian data dianalisis secara kualitatif dan kuantitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa (1)setiap task memiliki tahapan aktivasi skimata yang berbeda; (2) semua task memberi pengaruh signifikan terhadap motivasi dan kemampuan berbicara siswa; and (3) aktifasi skemata dengan menggunakan daftar kata paling meningkatkan kemampuan berbicara siswa. Sesuai dengan temuan tersebut, disarankan agar pengajaran bahasa Inggris mempertimbangkan aktivasi schemata siswa dan kepada peneliti selanjutnya agar membahas lebih lanjut tentang setiap aspek kemampuan berbicara berbasis skemata.This study was aimed at (1) drawing the process of schemata based speaking task implementation in enhancing students' speaking performance effectively;(2) seeing the tasks' effect on students' speaking performance and motivation; (3) determining which of the task effect the students' speaking performance most. This research was conducted to tertiary level students. To collect the data, questionnaire, speaking test and observation were administered. The data were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The result showed that (1)each task has different stages of schemata activation; (2) all of the tasks give significant effect on the students' speaking performance and motivation; and (3) among the three tasks, schemata activation by providing word list enhances students' speaking performance most. Based on the findings, it is suggested that English lecture should consider the students' schemata activation since it may help the students to communicate by using English better. Further discussion on this issue migh focus on each aspect of speaking performance by providing sufficient data

Integrated Application of Active Controls (IAAC) technology to an advanced subsonic transpot project-demonstration act system definition

The 1985 ACT airplane is the Final Active Controls Technology (ACT) Airplane with the addition of three-axis fly by wire. Thus it retains all the efficiency features of the full ACT system plus the weight and cost savings accruing from deletion of the mechanical control system. The control system implements the full IAAC spectrum of active controls except flutter-mode control, judged essentially nonbeneficial, and incorporates new control surfaces called flaperons to make the most of wing-load alleviation. This redundant electronic system is conservatively designed to preserve the extreme reliability required of crucial short-period pitch augmentation, which provides more than half of the fuel savings

Zaštitno djelovanje selena, kalcija i magnezija protiv oksidativnoga stresa uzrokovanog arsenom u mužjaka štakora

Inorganic arsenic is a potent carcinogen and environmental pollutant. More than one hundred million people are reported to be exposed to elevated concentrations of arsenic mainly via drinking water. Essential trace elements can affect toxicity of metals by interacting with metals at the primary site of action and can also modify the body’s response to toxic metals by altering their metabolism and transport. This study investigates the effects of concomitant administration of selenium, magnesium, and calcium with arsenic on blood biochemistry and oxidative stress. Selenium was the most effective in reducing arsenic-induced inhibition of blood δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity and liver oxidative stress. Calcium and magnesium also showed favourable effects on haematological and other biochemical parameters. Because selenium was the most effective, it should be added to chelation therapy to achieve the best protective effects against arsenic poisoning in humans.Anorganski arsen snažan je kancerogen i onečišćivač okoliša. Više od stotinu milijuna ljudi izloženo je povišenim koncentracijama arsena, ponajviše u pitkoj vodi. Esencijalni elementi u tragovima mogu utjecati na toksičnost metala na primarnome mjestu djelovanja te na drugačiji odgovor tijela na toksične metale tako što mijenjaju njihov metabolizam i prijenos. Namjera ovoga istraživanja bila je utvrditi utjecaj istodobne primjene selena, magnezija i kalcija s arsenom na neke biokemijske parametre u krvi te na oksidativni stres. Selen primijenjen istodobno s arsenom najdjelotvornije je smanjio inhibiciju dehidrataze delta-aminolevulinske kiseline (ALAD) u krvi te oksidativni stres u jetri. I djelovanje kalcija i magnezija pokazalo se povoljnim na neke hematološke i biokemijske parametre. Ovi rezultati upućuju na obećavajuću ulogu selena u sprječavanju nastanka znakova i simptoma povezanih s izlaganjem arsenu

Game On? Smoking Cessation Through the Gamification of mHealth: A Longitudinal Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: Finding ways to increase and sustain engagement with mHealth interventions has become a challenge during application development. While gamification shows promise and has proven effective in many fields, critical questions remain concerning how to use gamification to modify health behavior. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate how the gamification of mHealth interventions leads to a change in health behavior, specifically with respect to smoking cessation. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative longitudinal study using a sample of 16 smokers divided into 2 cohorts (one used a gamified intervention and the other used a nongamified intervention). Each participant underwent 4 semistructured interviews over a period of 5 weeks. Semistructured interviews were also conducted with 4 experts in gamification, mHealth, and smoking cessation. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis undertaken. RESULTS: Results indicated perceived behavioral control and intrinsic motivation acted as positive drivers to game engagement and consequently positive health behavior. Importantly, external social influences exerted a negative effect. We identified 3 critical factors, whose presence was necessary for game engagement: purpose (explicit purpose known by the user), user alignment (congruency of game and user objectives), and functional utility (a well-designed game). We summarize these findings in a framework to guide the future development of gamified mHealth interventions. CONCLUSIONS: Gamification holds the potential for a low-cost, highly effective mHealth solution that may replace or supplement the behavioral support component found in current smoking cessation programs. The framework reported here has been built on evidence specific to smoking cessation, however it can be adapted to health interventions in other disease categories. Future research is required to evaluate the generalizability and effectiveness of the framework, directly against current behavioral support therapy interventions in smoking cessation and beyond

Tumor Necrosis Factor-α sebagai Prediktor Terjadinya Anemia pada Ibu Hamil di Wilayah Endemis Malaria

Ibu hamil yang berada di daerah endemis malaria sangat rentan terhadap infeksi malaria selama kehamilan. Gejala malaria pada kelompok ini sering asimptomatik atau bahkan tidak terdeteksi sama sekali karena adanya efek imunitas protektif melalui infeksi yang berulang. Adanya peningkatan kadar tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) dapat dijadikan indikator terjadinya infeksi malaria. TNF-α berperan penting dalam respons imun pada malaria akut yang menghambat terjadinya eritropoesis. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan antara kadar TNF-α dengan kejadian anemia pada ibu hamil didaerah endemik malaria vivax. Penelitian ini menggunakan desain potong lintang, dilakukan pada bulan Januari - Februari 2014 di lima wilayah kerja puskesmas Kota Bengkulu. Sampel penelitian adalah ibu hamil di daerah endemis malaria vivax yang diambil secara accidental sampling. Dilakukan pengambilan darah untuk pemeriksaan mikroskopis malaria, kadar TNF-α dan kadar hemoglobin (Hb). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan seluruh ibu hamil memiliki riwayat pernah terinfeksi malaria vivax, walaupun hasil pemeriksaan slide negatif. Terjadi peningkatan kadar TNF- α dengan rerata 6,90 ± 2,48 pg/mL dan penurunan kadar Hb dengan rerata 9,75 ± 0,88 g%. Uji korelasi Spearman didapatkan korelasi negatif yang kuat (r = -0,734) dan bermakna (nilai p < 0,05) antara Kadar TNF-α dengan kadar Hb. Terdapat hubungan yang bermakna antara kadar TNF-α dengan kejadian anemia.Tumor Necrosis Factor-α as Predictor of Anemia Occurrence among Pregnant Mothers in Malaria-Endemic AreasPregnant mothers living in malaria - endemic area are very susceptible to malaria infection during pregnancy. Malaria symptoms in this group are often asymptomatic or even not detected at all due to protective immunity effect through repeated infections. Any elevation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) level can be used as indicator of malaria infection. TNF-α takes an important role in immune response on acute malaria that hinders occurence eritropoesis process. This study aimed to find out relations between TNF-α level and anemia occurrence among pregnant women living in malaria vivax - endemic areas. The study used cross-sectional design conducted on January to February 2014 in five working areas in Bengkulu city. Sample of study was pregnant mothers in malaria vivax - endemic areas which was taken through accidental sampling. Blood was taken for malaria-microscopic examination, TNF-α and haemoglobine (Hb) level. The results showed that all of pregnant mothers have malaria vivax - infected record, although slide examination showed negative result. Any TNF-α level elevation with average 6.90 ± 2.48 pg/mL and decrease of Hb level with average 9.75 ± 0.88 g%. Spearman correlation test showed strong negative correlation (r = -0.734) and significant (p value < 0.05) between TNF-α level and Hb level. There was significant relation between TNF-α level and anemia occurrence

Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression Affects Murine Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Progression.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), the rate-limiting enzyme in heme degradation, is a cytoprotective enzyme upregulated in the vasculature by increased flow and inflammatory stimuli. Human genetic data suggest that a diminished HO-1 expression may predispose one to abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) development. In addition, heme is known to strongly induce HO-1 expression. Utilizing the porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) model of AAA induction in HO-1 heterozygous (HO-1+/-, HO-1 Het) mice, we found that a deficiency in HO-1 leads to augmented AAA development. Peritoneal macrophages from HO-1+/- mice showed increased gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including MCP-1, TNF-alpha, IL-1-beta, and IL-6, but decreased expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-beta. Furthermore, treatment with heme returned AAA progression in HO-1 Het mice to a wild-type profile. Using a second murine AAA model (Ang II-ApoE-/-), we showed that low doses of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor rosuvastatin can induce HO-1 expression in aortic tissue and suppress AAA progression in the absence of lipid lowering. Our results support those studies that suggest that pleiotropic statin effects might be beneficial in AAA, possibly through the upregulation of HO-1. Specific targeted therapies designed to induce HO-1 could become an adjunctive therapeutic strategy for the prevention of AAA disease

Diets of sheep, angora goats, Spanish goats and whitetailed deer under excellent range conditions. Journal of Range Management. 32(6):412-417.

and J. B. Armstrong. 2002. Aging white-tailed deer by tooth replacement and wear: a critical evaluation of a time-honored technique. Wildlife Society Bulletin 30:387-393. Glossary Revision Special Committee. 1989. A glossary of terms used in range management. Society for Range Management Publications Committee, Denver, Colorado. 20 pages. Gould, F.W. 1975. Texas plants, a checklist and ecologica

Tune control in the Fermilab main injector

We describe methods used to measure and control tunes in the Fermilab Main Injector (FMI). Emphasis is given to software implementation of the operator interface, to the front-end embedded computer system, and handling of hysteresis of main dipole and quadrupole magnets. Techniques are developed to permit control of tune of the Main Injector through several acceleration cycles: from 8.9 GeV/c to 120 GeV/c, from 8.9 GeV/c to 150 GeV/c, and from 150 GeV/c to 8.9 GeV/c. Systems which automate the complex interactions between tune measurement and the variety of ramping options are described. Some results of tune measurements and their comparison with the design model are presented