On pyramidal groups whose number of involutions is a prime power

A Kirkman Triple System $\Gamma$ is called $m$-pyramidal if there exists a subgroup $G$ of the automorphism group of $\Gamma$ that fixes $m$ points and acts regularly on the other points. Such group $G$ admits a unique conjugacy class $C$ of involutions (elements of order $2$) and $|C|=m$. We call groups with this property $m$-pyramidal. We prove that, if $m$ is an odd prime power $p^k$, then every $m$-pyramidal group is solvable if and only if either $m=9$ or $k$ is odd. The primitive permutation groups play an important role in the proof. We also determine the orders of the $m$-pyramidal groups when $m$ is a prime number.Comment: 19 page

Examining the Key Variables in Foreign Language Learning—A Case Study

Learning variables such as motivation, aptitude, attitude, learning strategies, personality and learning environment are deemed by English Language Teaching (ELT) researchers as crucial in contributing to a learner’s language achievement. This study focuses on the interrelated nature of these variables and examines how they affect language learners’ learning outcomes. The main purpose of this study was to find out about the complex network of these variables as well as the individual differences among learners. The data for this study were collected through interviews. The participants were seven Chinese English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners who were residing in Canada.The study has yielded a number of interesting findings. One notable finding is that there seems to be some intricate interrelationships between learner characteristics (e.g., perseverance, attitude, motivation) and learner achievement. It appears that the role that learner perseverance and inner drive to learn play in their learning outcomes is as equally important as their learning environment and aptitude. Another conspicuous finding is that a correlation seems to exist between aptitude, motivation and success. Specifically, the higher aptitude learners exhibit, the more highly motivated they become and in turn, the more success they are likely to attain.The pedagogical implications from the study lies in the need to inform EFL teachers of the intricate interrelationships of the learning variables to help them better understand the complexities underlying the language learning process and enhance teacher training in how to make their teaching more truly communicative in nature

Interpretation of Movie Posters from the Perspective of Multimodal Discourse Analysis

Given the remarkable development of multimediaand computer technology in the information age, the previousdominant role of language in mass media and communication ischallenged by other semiotic resources such as image, sound andaction. Accordingly, new grammars must be formulated to give acomprehensive account of the integrative meaning generated bythe interaction of different modalities in discourse. The theory ofmultimodal discourse analysis (MDA), which is theoreticallybased on Systemic-Functional Linguistics, solves the problem tomost degree. In the light of the grammar of visual design byKress and van Leeuwen, this paper intends to formulate a modelfor MDA of movie posters. A qualitative and interpretativeapproach is used to hold an in-depth discussion which helps totestify the feasibility of this model and also to point out the key tothe application of this model. The present study may not onlyenlarge the application area of Systemic-Functional Linguistics,but also fill in a gap in discourse analysis of movie posters

A Review of Studies on Teachers’ Roles and Their Limitations in PBL Presentation Context

At all levels of learning and teaching, it is known that teachers play important roles. A teacher’s role may be determined and studied from the functions he performs in different activities. These roles are often stereotyped but under the problem-based learning mode, they are flexible and deserve new studies since the transformation of the teaching and learning model entails a fundamental change of teacher role. As numerous research has been done on teachers’ roles, this paper intends to carry out a literature review of these studies and sort out the possible limitations in problem-based learning environment

Open Innovation Web-Based Platform for Evaluation of Water Quality Based on Big Data Analysis

There are many models presented that assess water quality. However, the applications of the models are limited due to the difficulty of preparing input data and interpreting model output. In this paper, we developed a Web-based platform to assist researchers in analyzing water quality. The data from sensors can be automatically imported to the platform according to the configured information of data structures. The platform also provides conventional methods and big data methods for the users to analyze water quality. Moreover, the users can choose the water quality parameters according to the water usage. The presented platform can show the model output in a text format and a graphic format, which allows for the analysis to be better understood by the user. The platform integrates the input, analysis, and output together well and brings great convenience to the research on water quality

Artemisia anomala extracts enhance the viability and antioxidation capacity of human keratinocytes

Purpose: To investigate the effect of extracts of Artemisia anomala S. Moore tissues on viability, apoptosis and antioxidant capacity of human keratinocytes.Methods: Human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT were treated with extracts of A. anomala for 12 h or 24 h. Cell viability, level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and incidence of apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry. Levels of mRNA and key proteins in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway were determined by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Key proteins of caspase pathways were assessed by western blot. The influence of the extract on the MAPK pathway was further probed by treating cells with MAPK activator in the presence and absence of the extract.Results: Treatment of cells with extracts of A. anomala enhanced viability and reduced apoptosis in a time-dependent manner, and increased ROS level, compared with control. mRNA and protein expressions of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK), and p38 MAPK decreased in extract-treated cells. The extracts also reversed the inhibitory effects of the MAPK pathway activator, actinomycin, on cell viability and ROS, and inhibited protein-cleaved caspase-8 and cleaved caspase-3.Conclusion: A. anomala extract increases cell viability and antioxidant capacity via inactivation of MAPK pathway, and also inhibits cell apoptosis via inactivation of caspase pathways. Hence, the extract may serve as a promising drug for the treatment of psoriasis.Keywords: Artemisia anomala, MAPK pathway, Anti-oxidation, Keratinocyte, Psoriasi