The Mechanics of ESL/EFL Writing Performance at the Tertiary Level

After exploring different theories of teaching and learning ESL/EFL writing, along with successful models of writing courses and instructional methods, this study investigates the internal complexity of ESL/EFL writing at the tertiary level, as well as the contributing factors in students’ writing performance. The characteristics of different types of language learners are identified in conjunction with the plasticity and lateralization of the bilingual brain and the critical period hypothesis. The study also delves into certain biases and heuristics while it analyzes Kahneman’s System 1 and 2 of thinking and various personality theories in order to determine students’ innate abilities to excel in ESL/EFL writing tasks. Furthermore, the paper elucidates the importance of psychological equivalence in the writing process with the help of Pym’s translation theories, and explains students’ interconnectedness through Berne’s transactional analysis and the ego states of each personality. By integrating neuropsychological perspectives with established pedagogical approaches, such as the scaffolding, product, process, genre and grammar-translation techniques, the article offers a holistic framework for educators and policymakers to enhance ESL/EFL writing instruction, and ultimately proposes future research directions for a better understanding of ESL/EFL students’ needs

The Grading Process in System 1 and System 2 of Thinking: A Behavioral Economic Approach to Evaluation

The concepts of heuristics and biases underlie the decision-making process both at intuitive and rational levels, which Daniel Kahneman refers to as System 1 and System 2 of thinking. This research seeks to explore the interplay between these cognitive mechanisms and students’ grading decisions, examining the extent to which heuristics and biases can influence evaluation in the everyday process of learning and teaching. A survey was conducted, containing four grading situations that combine the experiences of reading, evaluation, and decision-making in four stages of System 1 and System 2 of thinking. The hypotheses and sub-hypotheses were tested using a quantitative approach, through a 15-item self-administered questionnaire (SAQ) in English, which collected data about the heuristics influencing Romanian students’ grading decision in four evaluative situations based on a synopsis of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. The self-constructed questionnaire was filled in by 108 Romanian students studying for a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in public and private universities. The data set was analyzed, using descriptive, inferential, and path-analysis methods (frequencies, percentages, measures of central tendency, t-tests, ANOVA, simple and multiple linear regression, mediation, and moderation) and one statistical program (R Studio 4.3.4.). Grade 1 (the most intuitive) can predict Grade 4 for the synopsis of The Book Thief. However, the correlation between Grades 2 + 3 and Grade 4 is much stronger than the correlation between Grade 1 and Grade 4. Furthermore, the impact of Grade 1 on Grade 4 is mediated by Grade 3 while Grade 1 has no effect on the impact of Grade 3 on Grade 4. The rational model of heuristics involved in the grading process is much stronger than the intuitive model. The study sheds light on the intricate interplay between intuition and rationality in the grading process, offering novel insights into the cognitive mechanisms that underlie decision-making

The End of Alzheimer’s Disease: Nudging Strategies to Encourage Mass Participation in Clinical Trials

Characterized by amyloid plaques, tau tangles, and neuronal loss, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) presents a significant public health challenge, with ever-growing prevalence due to an aging global population. By the time cognitive impairment is detected, the disease’s pathology is already extensive and difficult to halt. Despite advances in research and drug development, participation in AD drug trials remains crucial for discovering effective treatments and preventive measures. This article explores how behavioral economics can be employed to raise global awareness about Alzheimer’s, motivate individuals to undergo testing, and encourage involvement in experimental drug trials. By integrating nudging strategies with creative educational approaches, this study aims to increase support for AD research

The Impact of Digital Technologies on Memory and Memory Studies

With the widespread integration of smartphones, computers, and the internet, information access and processing have undergone significant changes. This paper investigates both positive and negative implications, acknowledging the extension of cognitive capacities through easy access to vast databases and external memory aids while also addressing concerns about diminished memory consolidation and reliance on shallow encoding strategies. Examining the interdisciplinary field of memory studies, the study also highlights collaborative efforts among scholars in psychology, neuroscience, sociology, and information science to comprehend the impact of digital technologies on memory, and emphasizes the challenges and future directions in memory research, including issues like digital amnesia, information overload, and privacy concerns. Overall, the paper underscores the need for understanding the relationship between human memory and digital tools, enabling the development of strategies to enhance memory, counteract potential adverse effects, and promote a balanced utilization of digital resources in memory-related tasks

Coping with HIV/AIDS-Related Stigma and Discrimination: An Overview Based on a Personal Loss

Stigma and discrimination have a profound psychological and societal impact on individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their communities. This research offers an in-depth exploration of these challenges, drawing insights from a vast array of sources, such as articles, books, films, documentaries, websites, reports, resolutions, and famous stories. In order to provide valuable insights into building resilience and fostering supportive environments, the study simultaneously examines the coping mechanisms and strategies employed by the infected, as depicted in the literature used therein. The example of Miha, a young woman who faced societal biases despite her achievements, serves as a poignant reminder of the many sad narratives behind the statistics. This paper ultimately emphasizes the urgent need for continued efforts in awareness, education, and advocacy of combating HIV/AIDS-related stigma and discrimination, and culminates in a call for collective action, empathy, and a shared vision of an inclusive world

A simple new approach for mapping an ultrasonic tank for sonochemistry

The most used piece of equipment for sonochemistry is the ultrasonic cleaning bath. However, what is sometimes forgotten by scientists new to sonochemistry is the vital importance of the shape and positioning of any reaction vessel in the bath to obtain the most efficient and reproducible results. In experiments using an ultrasonic bath, a glass vessel (reactor) is inserted into the water contained in the bath. The water acts as the coupling medium for the transfer of acoustic energy from the transducer to the vessel (termed indirect sonication). The position of the reaction vessel above the base of the US bath can change the energy transmitted into it over a wide range of values (in our system between 100–500 J). We have carried out a study of the vertical distribution of the ultrasound field in a common type of ultrasound bath, comparing conventional sonochemistry dosimeters with a new and very simple approach using the Ultrasonic Capillary Effect (UCE) which can be performed in any laboratory. The technique involves the use of a capillary tube, to locate the vertical positions of acoustic pressure maxima above a single transducer on the base of the bath. The results are compared with those obtained using calorimetry, iodimetry, a cavitometer and the perforation of aluminium foil. The results show that the optimum position for the reaction vessel can be located very simply using UCE.</p

Istoria românilor de la origini pîna în zilele noastre. English

(print) xiv, 357 p : ill. ; 24 cmTranslation of: Istoria românilor de la origini pîna în zilele noastreList of Illustrations ix -- Preface xi -- 1. Early Times 1 -- Origins 1 -- Thracians, Dacians, and Romans. -- "The Seal of Rome." -- The Dark Ages: Rise of a People. -- 2. The Middle Ages (c. 1300—1716) 19 -- Society 19 -- Was There a Romanian Feudalism? -- The Economy. -- Social Classes. -- Political Structures. -- The Romanians of Transylvania. -- International Status and Foreign Policy 43 -- Foreign Policy Goals. -- Means and Methods. -- The International Status of the Principalities. -- Medieval Civilization: Byzantium after Byzantium 58 -- The Cultural Setting. -- Cultural Institutions. -- Literature, Ideas, and the Arts. -- 3. Despotism and Enlightenment (1716—1831) 73 -- Phanariots and Habsburgs 73 -- The Phanariot Period. -- Economy and Social Life. -- Social Classes. -- The Habsburgs in Transylvania. -- Reform and Revolution 91 -- Enlightened Despotism. -- The Boyar Reforms. -- The Age of Revolutions. -- Enlightenment and Nationalism 106 -- Between East and West. -- The Romanian Enlightenment. -- The Rise of National Consciousness. -- 4. The Age of National Revival (1831—1918) 122 -- Capitalism and Modernization 122 -- The Economy. -- From Crafts to Large Industry. -- Commerce. -- Social Structure. -- Politics, Institutions, and the Power Structure. -- Political Life 140 -- Domestic Policy. -- Foreign Policy. -- World War I and the Formation of Greater Romania. -- National Culture 172 -- Civilization. -- Cultural Modernization. -- Ideological Movements. -- 5. From Greater Romania to Popular Democracy (1918-47) 189 -- Greater Romania 189 -- The Political Regime. -- The Economy. -- Society. -- The Authoritarian Regimes 207 -- The Royal Dictatorship. -- The National Legionary State. -- The Military Dictatorship. -- From Authoritarianism to Totalitarianism 222 -- The International Context. -- The Communist Takeover. -- The People's Democracy. -- 6. Communism in Romania (1948—83) 233 -- From Stalinism to Detente at Home and Abroad 233 -- The Stalinist Model: Economy, Politics, Culture. -- Foreign Policy and the Beginnings of Liberalization. -- The Rise of Neo-Stalinism 249 -- Detente. -- The Cult of Personality and Dynastic Socialism. -- 7. Romania in the Mid-1980s 267 -- Economic Performance. -- The Standard of Living. -- The Role of the Ruling Class. -- Societal Responses. -- Epilogue. The 1989 Revolution and the Collapse of Communism in Romania 279 -- Matei Calinescu and Vladimir Tismaneanu -- Notes 299 -- Bibliographical Essay 325 -- Index 345 -- Biographical Note 35

A new reactor for process intensification involving the simultaneous application of adjustable ultrasound and microwave radiation

Ultrasound (US) and Microwaves (MW) are effective methods for processes intensification. Their combined use in the same reactor can lead to remarkable results. Recently there has been a resurgence of interest in this field for new synthetic applications using reactors based upon existing technologies. We describe here a new type of apparatus in which the thermal energy is continuously removed from the system making possible the use of high power and adjustable ultrasonic and microwave densities throughout the process. The installation consists of a glass reactor located in a monomode applicator which is immersed at the same time in an ultrasonic device which can be operated at different frequencies and powers. A liquid, transparent to microwaves, was used to couple ultrasonic energy to the reactor and to remove the heat generated. Comsol software was used to get information about the distribution of ultrasonic and microwave energy between the reactor liquid and the coupling fluid. The performance was assessed using the conversion of p-nitrophenol into 4-nitrocatechol as a chemical dosimeter and a transesterification

Noname manuscript No. (will be inserted by the editor) Maximum Series-Parallel Subgraph

Abstract Consider the NP-hard problem of, given a simple graph G, to find a seriesparallel subgraph of G with the maximum number of edges. The algorithm that, given a connected graph G, outputs a spanning tree of G, is a 1 2-approximation. Indeed, if n is the number of vertices in G, any spanning tree in G has n−1 edges and any seriesparallel graph on n vertices has at most 2n−3 edges. We present a 7 12-approximation for this problem and results showing the limits of our approach

On the k-restricted structure ratio in planar and outerplanar graphs

Graphs and Algorithm