Comparing self-determination theory and the L2 motivational self system and their relationships to L2 proficiency

This study empirically compares two often-utilized motivation theories in L2 studies: self-determination theory and the L2 motivational self system. It also examines the relationships among their motivational constructs, learners’ intended L2 learning effort, and L2 proficiency. While a number of studies have utilized these models in order to examine second language learners’ motivation, there has not been a thorough comparison of the two. Furthermore, while many studies have demonstrated the structural relationships between the motivational constructs of the two theories and the learner’s self-reported amount of effort, fewer studies have examined their L2 achievement. The results of this study indicated that the constituents in the two theories are correlated as predicted. Furthermore, while internalized types of motivation in self-determination theory predicted intended learning effort, which then led to L2 proficiency, the strength of the ideal L2 self was much weaker than the L2 learning experience, unlike what is argued in the theory

Measuring academically oriented high school students' motivation to learn English using item response theory analysis: The Japanese EFL context

This study was conducted primarily to examine the scale intended to measure academically oriented high school students’ motivation to learn English within self-determination theory by utilizing item response theory (IRT), and secondly to capture it with a sample of Japanese high school students. Although high school students have not been the focus in the majority of second language (L2) motivation studies in Japan, they constitute an area worthy of inquiry, given their short-term goal of passing entrance exams and the long-term goal of nurturing L2 communicative competence. In order to examine the scale measuring academically oriented high school students’ L2 motivation and to capture its structure, a questionnaire was administered to 273 high school students. In analyzing the data, the graded response model, an IRT model for polytomous responses, was applied. Analyses indicated that identified regulation, a type of internalized extrinsic motivation, was relevant and seemed to play an important role for the participants. The psychometric quality of the scale items were presented using functions of the IRT model. Implications and suggestions were discussed

The Effect of Grazing on Fecal Shedding of Pathogenic Escherichia coli in Beef Cattle

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Molecular Serotype-Specific Identification of Streptococcus Pneumoniae using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification

Over the past four decades, the incidence of meningitis caused by Haemophilus influenzae in children has decreased due to widespread vaccination against H. influenzae type b (Hib). The incidence of invasive diseases due to H. influenzae types not included in the vaccines, however, has increased. At present, there are a limited number of diagnostics available to detect non-type b H. influenzae. To address this issue, we developed a rapid, simple, and cost-effective method for detecting serotypes of H. influenzae. We designed LAMP primer sets based on published sequences for H. influenzae capsular types a, c, d, e, and f. The assay was evaluated to determine test reactivity, specificity, and sensitivity. To support its use in patients with suspected meningitis, we evaluated the detection limit of the non-Hib serotype specific LAMP assay using bacterial genomic DNA-spiked cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens. The reactivity and specificity of the LAMP assays were confirmed using six serotypes and non-typeable H. influenzae strains, plus eight strains of other Haemophilus species and non-Haemophilus genera. The detection limits of the LAMP assay for capsular types a, c, d, e, and f were 102, 102, 102, 103, and 10 copies per reaction, while those of the PCR assay were 104, 104, 103, 103, and 104 genome copies per reaction, respectively. Using DNA-spiked CSF specimens, the detection limit of the LAMP assay was equivalent to that using purified DNA as the template. However, the detection limit of the PCR was reduced from 103 to 104 genome copies per reaction for serotype d and from 103 to 105 genome copies per reaction for serotype e. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a serotype-specific identification assay for H. influenzae using the LAMP method. Our results suggest the potential of LAMP methods for patients with suspected meningitis in resource-limited laboratories or public health surveillance systems

Phylogenetic Analysis of E. zuernii and E. bovis with Nuclear 18S rRNA and Mitochondrial CO1 Genes

Poster Sessio