Vocabulary Learning Strategies of MA Students at YUFL and Their Effect on Reading Comprehension

Vocabulary acquisition is one of the challenging tasks for foreign language learners. Although learners can face difficulties in acquiring new vocabulary, they must overcome these difficulties through appropriate strategies. Knowing a wide range of vocabulary makes learners have confident in both their receptive and productive skills. The present study tries to investigate the vocabulary learning strategies used by MA English specialization students at Yangon University of Foreign Languages and their effect on reading comprehension. The data are collected using the questionnaire which is based on the classification of vocabulary learning strategies – Determination, Social, Memory, Cognitive and Metacognitive strategies – by Schmitt (1997). Moreover, the students are also given a reading comprehension test which is an IELTS reading test to find out vocabulary learning strategies which effect on reading comprehension. The results show that Memory strategies are used frequently whereas Social strategies least frequently. Moreover, the results through the use of stepwise multiple regression indicate that Metacognitive and Cognitive strategies have effect on the marks which students got in taking an IELTS reading comprehension test. It is hoped that the present study will help both teachers who are teaching vocabulary and learners who are trying to improve their vocabulary range

Smuggling and import duties in Myanmar

This paper examines the effects of import duties on smuggling in Myanmar. Following Fisman and Wei (2004), the reporting discrepancies between Myanmar’s imports records and corresponding exports recorded by trading partners are regarded as indicative of smuggling. The paper studies whether reporting discrepancies differ across trading partners as well as across time. Our main findings are first, that the hike in import duties in June 2004 helped to widen the reporting discrepancies, which suggests smuggling for tax evasion purposes and second, that reporting discrepancies differ considerably across trading partners: land borders appear to be particularly attractive venues for smugglers.Myanmar, Imports, Tariff, Smuggling, Myanmar (Burma), Tax evasion, Border trade

Identifying angiotensin II effects on protein kinase B activation in insulin metabolic signaling [abstract]

Inappropriate activation of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System has been linked to oxidative stress and insulin resistance. Whereas insulin binds to its receptor and triggers tyrosine phosphorylation of Insulin Receptor Substrate 1 (IRS-1) for downstream signaling through the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) cascade leading to glucose uptake, Ang II and aldosterone stimulate NADPH oxidase production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS are postulated to activate redox-sensitive serine kinases that inappropriately phosphorylate IRS-1 at serine moieties, subsequently decreasing Akt activation/phosphorylation which translates into impaired glucose uptake and decreased insulin sensitivity. The crucial insulin metabolic signaling event of Akt activation as it relates to Ang II alone was investigated. C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cells were cultured in 60mm dishes (DMEM with 10% FBS, 1% penicillin/streptomycin) at 5% CO2 and 37 °C until ?80% confluent, then differentiated to myotubules (DMEM containing 2% horse serum, 1% penicillin/streptomycin, 0.1% amphotericin B) with characteristic morphological alignment, elongation, and fusion confirmed using light microscopy. Time course treatments with 100nM Ang II with or without 100nM insulin stimulation for 5 min before harvest followed. Western blot analysis using anti-rabbit antibodies to serine phosphorylated (Ser473) Akt or total Akt (1:1000) provided immunoblot bands that were quantified on the Quantity One software (Bio-Rad). Ang II and insulin, respectively, signal through Akt with fluctuations in the level of phosphorylated Akt observed within the tested time intervals. Although our preliminary data shows a trend favoring diminished Akt activation in the presence of Ang II, lack of statistical significance warrants further investigation

Rural and urban disparities in health-seeking for fever in Myanmar: findings from a probability-based household survey.

BackgroundThe World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes Myanmar as having the highest burden of malaria in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). Early diagnosis and proper treatment are critical in containing malaria. The objective of this study was to assess determinants of seeking treatment for fever from trained providers across rural and urban areas in Eastern Myanmar.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted during the high malaria seasons in the eastern part Myanmar between August and September 2014. Multi-staged cluster sampling was used to sample households. A series of questions related to treatment-seeking for fever were asked. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were conducted to identify independent correlates of seeking treatment for fever from trained providers.ResultsThe analysis was restricted to 637 participants who reported either themselves or their family members having had fever 2 weeks prior to the interview. In the multivariate analysis, rural residents were less likely to have sought treatment from trained providers (AOR = 0.60, 95 % CI 0.42-0.88; p = 0.01) while residents who had fever patients between the ages of 5 and 14 years (AOR = 1.60, 95 % CI 0.90-2.53; p = 0.05); and those who knew that sleeping under bed nets can prevent malaria (AOR = 2.08, 95 % CI 1.00-4.30; p = 0.05); were borderline more likely to have sought treatment.ConclusionThis study suggests that rural populations need improved access to trained providers. Additionally, future programmes should focus on increasing knowledge around malaria prevention and treatment

A Study of the Use of Irony Highlighted by Fictional Elements in the Short Story “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry

This paper attempts at to analyze the use of ironic expressions used in O Henry's short story “The Gift of the Magi”. The data sources of this research are O Henry's “The Gift of the Magi”. The data of this research were some phrases and sentences written in the short story. The data were then analyzed using a descriptive qualitative method. It gives a sufficient description of the factual data of the phenomena based on relevant theories. In addition, it reveals how the use of irony is highlighted by fictional elements. The research findings show that there are thirteen ironic expressions categorized into three groups, situational irony, verbal irony and dramatic irony. Among three categories, situational irony ranks first

Feminism is so 70s, we're all post feminists now

Postfeminism could be considered an ongoing development in the history of feminism. Alternatively, it can be seen as a form of antifeminism or faux feminism. The following thesis is a reaction against the postfeminist sentiment which argues that feminism is an ideology of the past, or in need of significant reconfiguration. Rather, I argue that feminism continues to be an exciting movement capable of bettering the lives of Australian women. Feminism is an emancipatory ideology which seeks to free women from patriarchy by employing strategies such as protest and consciousness raising. Feminist activism has brought many changes to women’s lives, including woman suffrage, workplace reform, and the institution of equal opportunity and anti-discrimination legislature. Such achievements show that feminism is worthwhile, despite the criticism of authors such as Naomi Wolf, Christina Hoff Sommers, and Camile Paglia who suggest that today’s feminism ought to move in a different direction from that of the Second Wave. However, women continue to experience injustices similar to those identified by feminists of the 70s, such as the existence of informal barriers which negatively impact women’s political participation, the lack of women in decision making positions in business, and the physical violence that women are subjected to. Modern day women ought to embrace feminism and seek to achieve the goals such as those laid out by Aune and Redfern in Reclaiming the F-Word: The New Feminist Movement – liberating women’s bodies; ending violence against women; transforming politics and work; and reclaiming feminism

Exploratory study on the characteristics of charitable donors in Australia

Decline in government funding for charities led to a new era of marketing for charities in Australia. Operating like businesses, charities contest for a share of the $5.7 billion of household donations. The research investigates the characteristics of Australian charitable donors. Limited empirical research is available in this field and the paper replicates Schlegelmilch et al. (1997) research to develop a better understanding of Australian donors' demographics, psychographics and perception of charities. Findings show donors are more likely to be older individuals with higher income, who perceive themselves to be generous and financially secured. They have favourable attitude towards national and international charities, and they are more accepting towards higher administration costs. The research provides a clearer profile of the donor's market. Thus donors could be targeted more effectively. The research also identifies major differences between Schlegelmilch et al.'s (1997) British research. The findings indicate that the characteristics of donors differ between each country and more exploration is needed in this field