A review of literature on the potentials and problems of face-to-face and online peer feedback and the patterns of interaction among ESL/EFL learners in a peer feedback environment

Peer feedback is one of the many elements that contribute to the mastery of the English language writing skills. However, ESL/EFL learners often faced difficulties in giving and receiving peer feedback as they often are not able to give or understand feedback from their peers. In uncovering the potentials and problems with peer feedback amongst ESL/EFL learners in developing their writing performance, this review provides a description on the nature and elements in face-to-face and online peer feedback, and report a review of literature on the patterns of interaction showcased by ESL/EFL students during the peer feedback sessions. Subsequently, the research gaps are identified and recommendations for future research are highlighted. The authors found that although some problems occurred when the peer feedback sessions are implemented, such as the preferences for teacher feedback and negative patterns of interaction, generally it is effective in improving ESL/EFL students’ writing performance as both face-to-face and online peer feedback provides multiple benefits in their writing process (e.g., provides opportunities to discuss critical elements in writing, benefit from sense of anonymity in online platform and seize the opportunity for collaborative learning). However, the authors discovered that studies on the patterns of interaction are limited especially in an online peer feedback environment among ESL learners. Thus, this review recommends for future research to close this gap to uncover the potentials of the peer feedback (especially online peer feedback) in developing ESL learners’ writing performance. As a whole, this review of literature brings great significance because it provides inputs to teachers on the strengths and weaknesses of the peer feedback approach (both face-to-face and online) and the best patterns of interaction developing the students’ writing performance. These inputs can also benefit educational institutions and curriculum developers in introducing effective learning activities or tasks that involve the face-to-face and online peer feedback approach in the curriculum

Investigation of cutting parameter and machine tool vibration effects using regression analysis to enhance part dimensional accuracy

Dimensional accuracy plays important criteria in producing high quality machined parts. This is a big challenge to manufacturers of precision components to produce good quality parts with minimum manufacturing error. The focus of this paper is to study the influence of the machine tool rigidity and cutting parameters on dimensional accuracy in turning operation. A method was prepared for identifying the factors effecting dimensional accuracy in a turning process. Experimental setup involved computerized numerical control (CNC) lathe machine, with VBMT 160404 carbide insert and mild steel, as cutting tool and workpiece respectively. The statistical analysis was used for analyzing and determining the accuracy of experimental data through Minitab statistical software. The regressions model was developed. The developed regression model could be used to predict the dimensional precision of the parts based on machine tool vibration and machining parameters during turning process. This is the aspect to be seriously considered and be applied in attaining sustainable machine tool development during design and development stage and its usage. This finding provides useful guidelines for manufacturers to produce high quality machined parts at minimum manufacturing cost. It was found that the cutting speed, feed rate, final part length, vibration x and vibration z have significant effects on dimensional accuracy of the machined parts

Kano Model approach for design improvement associated with ergonomics issues in CNC machine design

Application of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) technology in manufacturing industry has been recognized as one of the effective solutions to high productivity, efficiency, and precision. In advancement of CNC machine tool technology development; however, the ergonomic issues related to human-machine design are still less-addressed by scholars. This study was carried out to analyze a CNC machining center based on the operators’ requirements. The functional and dysfunctional questionnaire form developed based on Kano method was applied to determine the operators’ requirements related to technical specifications of the CNC machining center. Another questionnaire form equipped with a diagram of human body parts and ergonomics features was used to acquire information on the CNC machining center design. This study found that there is a significant correlation between the ergonomics problems in the feet towards facilities required for the CNC machining center – an adjustable standing platform. This study concluded that application of Kano model can contribute to operators’ satisfaction in terms of ergonomic design of CNC machining center

Investigation of cutting parameter and machine tool vibration effects using regression analysis to enhance part dimensional accuracy

Dimensional accuracy plays important criteria in producing high quality machined parts. This is a big challenge to manufacturers of precision components to produce good quality parts with minimum manufacturing error. The focus of this paper is to study the influence of the machine tool rigidity and cutting parameters on dimensional accuracy in turning operation. A method was prepared for identifying the factors effecting dimensional accuracy in a turning process. Experimental setup involved computerized numerical control (CNC) lathe machine, with VBMT 160404 carbide insert and mild steel, as cutting tool and workpiece respectively. The statistical analysis was used for analyzing and determining the accuracy of experimental data through Minitab statistical software. The regressions model was developed. The developed regression model could be used to predict the dimensional precision of the parts based on machine tool vibration and machining parameters during turning process. This is the aspect to be seriously considered and be applied in attaining sustainable machine tool development during design and development stage and its usage. This finding provides useful guidelines for manufacturers to produce high quality machined parts at minimum manufacturing cost. It was found that the cutting speed, feed rate, final part length, vibration x and vibration z have significant effects on dimensional accuracy of the machined parts

Preference for Molineria latifolia var. megacarpa and Rhodomyrtus tomentosa as native urban landscape plants

Factors influencing the perception of landscapes have been the subject of research in the last 40 years. Indigenous and native plants are commonly restricted to informal or naturalistic designed landscapes. This research project investigates the use of native plants as a formal landscape element. As the world is becoming more urbanized (United Nations, 2010), gardens are becoming an increasingly important contributor to people’s health and well-being (Dunnett & Qasim, 2000). The research has highlighted some elements that tend to affect visual preferences. This paper discusses a study conducted to determine preferences of Malaysian landscape professionals and students in landscape architecture and horticulture on two native ornamental plants, Molineria latifolia var. megacarpa (Lemba) and Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Kemunting), that are grown in soilless media with the potential for use in urban landscapes. Participants of this study comprised of landscape architects (20 respondents), architects (20), nursery owners (20), Bachelor of Horticulture students (80) (Faculty of Agriculture, UPM), and Bachelor of Landscape Architecture students (80 respondents) (Faculty of Design and Architecture, UPM), with a total of 220 respondents. Data collected were analyzed through descriptive analysis, Chi square and reliability test using SPSS. Results indicated that 88.2% of the respondents agreed that Molineria latifolia var. megacarpa (Lemba) could be a potential urban landscape plant, while 92.7% of them agreed that Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Kemunting) could be domesticated, and is therefore a potential urban landscape plant. Majority of the respondents (49% to 55%) preferred the plants grown individually, while others (40% to 49%) preferred both plants in the form of mass planting. Meanwhile, using the Likert’s Scale, about half (50% to 52%) of the amateurs and professionals of the landscape field rated 4 (Like) for both the plants, whereas 10% to 15% of them marked 5 (Extremely Like) to show their acceptance towards the two new native plants. This finding indicates bright future for the two undomesticated wild native plants to be used as urban landscape plants. Thus, it is concluded that Molineria latifolia var. megacarpa (Lemba) and Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Kemunting) grown in soilless media have a high potential to become urban, native landscape plants

Development and validation of Malaysian communication style instrument

The Malaysian Malay Communication Style (MMCS) formulated by Che Su and Hassan (2010) was developed to measure specific Malay communication characteristics in the workplace.We extended this work by using structural equation modelling to determine the factor structure of the 60-item version of the MMCS.Based on a sample of 320 employees, we found eight stable dimensions which measure communication style among Malay employees in Malaysian contexts. Moreover, scores on the scale developed to measure the MMCS criteria yielded excellent validity and reliability estimates.This study provided and presented insights and further understanding of communication style from the indigenous perspective, which allows practitioners to gain in-depth knowledge about the implementation of organizational communication in an organization.The implications of this research were discussed

Assessment of selected herbicides and chelating agents in water using gas chromatography-electron capture detector (GC-ECD)

Water contamination by herbicides and chelating agents is increasing mainly due to the increasing agricultural activities. Water contamination by these compounds has become a concern due to their adverse effects to the environment and humans. Seven sampling sites of water sources in Selangor and Johor were chosen for the study. Contamination level of Mecoprop (MCCP), Nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) in these water body areas was determined by using Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detector (GC-ECD). Our results indicated that water samples of Sungai Melot in Selangor showed the highest presence of EDTA. MCCP was detected at a high level at Sungai Sarang Buaya, Johor while NTA showed similar level of concentration at three different sites, Ladang 10, Ladang Sayur and Mardi, Selangor

Evaluation of in vitro bioactivity of Melaleuca cajuputi powell essential oil against Aedes aegypti (L.) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of Melaleuca cajuputi essential oil leaf extract against Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The essential oil of the M. cajuputi was obtained via steam hydro-distillation and analyzed by GC-MS for the chemical constituents. GC-MS analysis showed that the essential oil of M. cajuputi contained 13 compounds with two major chemical constituents, 2-propenoic acid (29.55%) and caryophyllene (20.04%). Adulticidal and larvicidal bioassay was evaluated following WHO guidelines. Larvicidal bioassays were conducted with the 10, 50, 80, 100, and 120 mg/L M. cajuputi essential oil against late 3rd instar of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus which give LC50 120.99 mg/L and 222.58 mg/L, respectively. Adult mortality was observed after 24 h with the LC50 of 0.029 mg/cm2 for Ae. aegypti and 0.028 mg/cm2 for Ae. albopictus. In adulticidal bioassay, M. cajuputi essential oils showed effective results at 0.04 mg/cm2 concentrations, with values for KT50 of 77.71 min for Ae. aegypti and 69.49 min for Ae. albopictus. M. cajuputi essential oils exhibited moderate toxicity effects against the larva and adults of Aedes species and may be used as an alternative to chemical insecticide

Design and Analysis of Self-tuned Nonlinear PID Controller for XY Table Ballscrew Drive System

Positioning systems in machine tools lately insists for high accuracy and self adjusting mechanism to be implemented into the system in order to sustain against various disturbance forces. The disturbance forces are in the form of both cutting forces and friction forces. The aim of this paper is to propose a controller namely Nonlinear Proportional Integral Derivative (NPID) to control the position of the system. The tracking error will be compensated by the NPID controller.The tracking performance of NPID controller is compared with conventional PID controller. The degree of robustness of both controllers is quantified based on reduction in the amplitudes of cutting force harmonics using Fast Fourier Transform. It is obvious that the average tracking performance result of NPID controller outweigh the PID controller about 8 % to 40 % better. The finalize design of NPID controller do provide brighter prospect for machining application such as milling process. The execution of NPID controller will offer flexibility since the controller are an adaptive type of controller in which it can automatically adjust for better value of gain based on the error generated from the system. Finally, it is recommended that in order to improvise further the NPID controller, control designer could embedded any type of add on features like dead zone compensator and tracking differentiator into the controller to improve the tracking performance

Komunikasi dan etnik: Analisis lanjutan kesahihan dan kebolehpercayaan instrumen budaya komunikasi masyarakat Melayu Malaysia

Budaya yang diamalkan oleh sesebuah masyarakat merupakan peraturan yang mempengaruhi tata cara berkomunikasi.Begitu juga dengan konteks pengurusan sesebuah organisasi.Budaya yang diamalkan oleh sesebuah organisasi turut mempengaruhi tata cara kakitangan organisasi tersebut berkomunikasi.Sehubungan itu, kajian ini dilakukan bertujuan untuk mengenalpasti perbezaan dalam aspek budaya komunikasi masyarakat Melayu dan kepuasan komunikasi berdasarkan faktor jantina, umur, tempoh perkhidmatan, keturunan, kelulusan akademik dan juga pendapatan bulanan.Selain itu juga, kajian ini turut bertujuan untuk meneliti sama ada terdapat hubungan di antara budaya komunikasi masyarakat Melayu dengan kepuasan komunikasi.Kajian ini juga bertujuan untuk menguji pengukuran budaya komunikasi yang telah dibentuk dalam konteks pengurusan organisasi yang berbeza. Reka bentuk kuantitatif digunakan dan data dikumpulkan melalui pengedaran soalselidik.Seramai 320 orang responden terlibat dalam kajian ini.Analisis statistik yang digunakan ialah ujian-t, ujian ANOVA Sehala, Korelasi Pearson dan analisis persamaan struktural.Hasil kajian menunjukkan terdapat lapan dimensi yang dikenalpasti dapat mengukur budaya komunikasi masyarakat Melayu iaitu meliputi dimensi penghormatan, ambil tahu, kesopanan, sindiran, menjaga maruah, dihormati, silaturrahim dan perbincangan.Hasil analisis turut mendapati tidak terdapat perbezaan yang signifikan dalam aspek budaya komunikasi Melayu dan kepuasan komunikasi berdasarkan aspek jantina, umur, tempoh perkhidmatan, keturunan, kelulusan akademik dan juga pendapatan bulanan.Selain itu, analisis korelasi menunjukkan bahawa terdapat hubungan yang signifikan di antara budaya komunikasi masyarakat Melayu dengan kepuasan komunikasi