Enhancing TVET Students' English Speaking Skills at Community College Using the Snake & Ladder Game

The students in this community college's Hospitality Course had several difficulties speaking English, including anxiety of making mistakes, fear of being laughed at by their friends, and a lack of understanding of the pronunciation and grammar that they used. This study aims to determine the students speaking skills by enhancing their motivation level and also to determine how students can communicate effectively when games are integrated in the lesson. This research was implemented with SPM leavers who are attending Hospitality Course in a community college. Hence snake and ladder game being used as a way out to develop students’ motivation in speaking English. When snake and ladder game is induced in the learning process, students will learn to speak spontaneously while playing the games and indirectly they will be able to motivate and train themselves in being a skillful speaker gradually. The researchers used pre-test and post-test, the researchers’ observation and interviews with a few students. When students participated in speaking tasks, particularly during games, they felt more liberated, free, and confident, according to the findings. They work together, support each other, and interact. Furthermore, when they had to perform in small groups, they were relaxed and joyful. Games have been and will always be an important part of learning a second or foreign language. Researchers have pointed out the importance of using snake and ladder game in the English learning process. This game is motivating and exciting experiences for students to develop the speaking skills

Pengiraan Persentil Taburan Panjang Larian bagi Carta Kawalan Purata Bergerak Berpemberat Eksponen Multivariat

Prabhu dan Runger (1997) telah mengemukakan cadangan dalam pemilihan parameter-parameter untuk skema carta kawalan purata bergerak berpemberat eksponen multivariat (MEWMA). Walau bagaimanapun, cadangan tersebut hanya berdasarkan prestasi panjang larian purata (average run length - ARL). Oleh itu, dalam makalah ini, kami akan mengira nilai-nilai persentil untuk taburan panjang larian bagi pelbagai skema carta kawalan MEWMA yang dikemukakan oleh Prabhu dan Runger (1997). Persentil-persentil yang dikira akan membekalkan maklumat tambahan seperti kekerapan isyarat luar kawalan palsu yang awal (early false out of control signals), panjang larian median (median run length - MRL) dan kepencongan taburan panjang larian untuk sesuatu skema tertentu. Maklumat-maklumat tambahan ini mungkin berguna dalam membekalkan jurutera kawalan mutu pengetahuan mendalam dan lengkap tentang sesuatu skema carta kawalan MEWMA yang dipilih berdasarkan cadangan Prabhu dan Runger (1997)

The Use of CFSE-like Dyes for Measuring Lymphocyte Proliferation : Experimental Considerations and Biological Variables

The measurement of CFSE dilution by flow cytometry is a powerful experimental tool to measure lymphocyte proliferation. CFSE fluorescence precisely halves after each cell division in a highly predictable manner and is thus highly amenable to mathematical modelling. However, there are several biological and experimental conditions that can affect the quality of the proliferation data generated, which may be important to consider when modelling dye dilution data sets. Here we overview several of these variables including the type of fluorescent dye used to monitor cell division, dye labelling methodology, lymphocyte subset differences, in vitro versus in vivo experimental assays, cell autofluorescence, and dye transfer between cells.This work was supported by a Project Grant to BQ and CP and a Program Grant to CP from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia

Dimethyl 4-(4-ethoxy­phen­yl)-2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydro­pyridine-3,5-dicarboxyl­ate

In the title mol­ecule, C19H23NO5, the dihedral angle formed by the benzene ring and the planar part of the dihydro­pyridine ring is 83.52 (5)°. The dihydro­pyridine ring adopts a flattened boat conformation. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, generating chains running parallel to [100]. The crystal structure is consolidated by C—H⋯O contacts

1-[3-(4-Chloro­phen­yl)-5-(4-meth­oxy­phen­yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]butan-1-one

In the title compound, C20H21ClN2O2, the benzene rings form dihedral angles of 6.35 (5) and 81.82 (5)° with the mean plane of the 4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole ring (r.m.s. deviation = 0.145 Å). This latter ring adopts an envelope conformation with the CH grouping as the flap. The dihedral angle between the benzene rings is 75.63 (4)°. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by C—H⋯Cl and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds into chains along [-201]. The crystal structure also features C—H⋯π inter­actions

Intelligent Financial Fraud Detection Practices: An Investigation

Financial fraud is an issue with far reaching consequences in the finance industry, government, corporate sectors, and for ordinary consumers. Increasing dependence on new technologies such as cloud and mobile computing in recent years has compounded the problem. Traditional methods of detection involve extensive use of auditing, where a trained individual manually observes reports or transactions in an attempt to discover fraudulent behaviour. This method is not only time consuming, expensive and inaccurate, but in the age of big data it is also impractical. Not surprisingly, financial institutions have turned to automated processes using statistical and computational methods. This paper presents a comprehensive investigation on financial fraud detection practices using such data mining methods, with a particular focus on computational intelligence-based techniques. Classification of the practices based on key aspects such as detection algorithm used, fraud type investigated, and success rate have been covered. Issues and challenges associated with the current practices and potential future direction of research have also been identified.Comment: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Security and Privacy in Communication Networks (SecureComm 2014

1-Cyclo­hexyl-5-(4-meth­oxy­phen­yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carb­oxy­lic acid

In the title compound, C17H20N2O3, the meth­oxy­phenyl unit is disordered over two sets of sites in a 0.715 (4):0.285 (4) ratio. The pyrazole ring forms dihedral angles of 55.88 (16) and 72.6 (4)° with the benzene rings of its major and minor components, respectively. The cyclo­hexane ring adopts a chair conformation and its C—N bond is in an equatorial orientation. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked into inversion dimers by pairs of O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, generating R 2 2(8) loops

Cluster Performance reconsidered: Structure, Linkages and Paths in the German Biotechnology Industry, 1996-2003

This paper addresses the evolution of biotechnology clusters in Germany between 1996 and 2003, paying particular attention to their respective composition in terms of venture capital, basic science institutions and biotechnology firms. Drawing upon the significance of co-location of "money and ideas", the literature stressing the importance of a cluster's openness and external linkages, and the path dependency debate, the paper aims to analyse how certain cluster characteristics correspond with its overall performance. After identifying different cluster types, we investigate their internal and external interconnectivity in comparative manner and draw on changes in cluster composition. Our results indicate that the structure, i.e. to which group the cluster belongs, and the openness towards external knowledge flows deliver merely unsystematic indications with regard to a cluster's overall success. Its ability to change composition towards a more balanced ratio of science and capital over time, on the other hand, turns out as a key explanatory factor. Hence, the dynamic perspective proves effective illuminating cluster growth and performance, where our explorative findings provide a promising avenue for further evolutionary research