ENGLISH SPEAKING ANXIETY IN EFL UNIVERSITY CLASSROOMS IN TAIWAN

The present study focuses on the relation between English speaking anxiety and factors among Taiwanese university English and non-English majors. A total of 658 volunteer student participants from eight different universities in southern Taiwan were recruited for this study. This research aims to investigate the factors causing EFL English speaking anxiety. A mixed-method approach was used for data collection. The results indicate that learners are extremely concerned about the accuracy of their grammar usage, their lack of vocabulary knowledge, correct pronunciation, and wanting their meaning to be understood. For the gender-related issue, female learners experience more English speaking anxiety than male students. Additionally, non-English majors have more English speaking apprehension than English majors. In a similar vein, comparing the years of English learning, students who studied more years of English are less worried about speaking English in the classroom. This article concludes with some pedagogical implications for English instructors who wish to reduce speaking anxiety, particularly in Taiwanese EFL classrooms.  Article visualizations

Towards an assay for allelic inactivation of vomeronasal receptor genes in mouse

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Biology, 1998.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 17-19).by Tien-Yi Lee.S.M

DPM Dispersion Study Using CFD for Underground Metal / Nonmetal Mines

Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) is considered carcinogenic after prolonged exposure. With increasing use of diesel-powered mining equipment in underground mines, miner\u27s exposure to DPM has been increasing. Most studies on the issue has been DPM control measures with few studies on diesel exhaust propagation patterns after leaving the tailpipes. This study uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to investigate the airflow pattern in an underground metal/nonmetal mine for a single heading. Several high DPM concentration areas are identified in the study and common practices for compliance are suggested. Airflow and DPM distribution are compared between blowing and exhausting face ventilation systems. Suggestions are also provided for the protection of miners in the face area

The Role of SRC-1 in Murine Prostate Carcinogenesis Is Nonessential due to a Possible Compensation of SRC-3/AIB1 Overexpression

The androgen and androgen receptor (AR)-regulated gene expression plays important roles in normal prostate and prostate cancer development, and AR transcriptional control of genes is mediated by transcriptional coactivators, including the three members of the steroid receptor coactivator (SRC) family, SRC-1 (NCOA1), SRC-2 (TIF2/GRIP1/NCOA2) and SRC-3 (AIB1, ACTR/RAC3/NCOA3). SRC-1 and SRC-3 are overexpressed in multiple human endocrine cancers and knockdown of either one of them in prostate cancer cell lines impedes cellular proliferation. Knockout of SRC-3 in mice suppresses the progression of spontaneous prostate carcinogenesis. In this study, we investigated SRC-1 contribution to prostate cancer in vivo by deleting the SRC-1 gene in TRAMP mice, which contain the probasin promoter-driven SV40 T/t antigen transgene. In assessing tumor mass of mice at various ages, we found that initiation and progression of prostate cancer induced by SV40 T/t antigens were unaltered in SRC-1(-/-) mice versus WT mice. Primary tumor histology and metastasis to distant lymph nodes were also similar in these mice at all time points assessed. These results demonstrate that the role of SRC-1 in mouse prostate carcinogenesis is nonessential and different from the essential contribution of SRC-3 that is required for prostate cancer progression and metastasis in mice. Interestingly, we observed that during prostate tumorigenesis SRC-1 expression was relatively constant, while SRC-3 expression was significantly elevated. Therefore, the loss of SRC-1 function may be compensated by SRC-3 overexpression during prostate tumorigenesis in SRC-1(-/-) mice

Performance practice of modern Chinese orchestra in Malaysia

The fast growing number of modern Chinese orchestras in the country has promoted this study to be conducted, as the purpose and function of the modern Chinese orchestra as a cultural entity could possibly be different to that of an educational setting. This research will investigate the historical background and origins of the modern Chinese orchestra in schools in Malaysia, to examine the performance practice of the modern Chinese orchestra in Malaysia and to discuss issues in performance and interpretation of the modern Chinese orchestra in secondary schools. This study was conducted qualitatively with usage of techniques such as observations, semi-structured interviews and video analysis. The primary setting of this study was the modern Chinese orchestra of the selected four schools; SMJK Yu Hua, Kajang, SMK PJ Katolik, SMK Taman Connaught and Kuen Cheng High School while the secondary setting of this study are the activities related to this four schools’ modern Chinese orchestra; mainly their activities such as the performances and competitions that they participated in. The repertoires used by the four schools’ modern Chinese orchestra originate from different cultures with the Chinese culture being the predominant culture. An interesting discovery was that these repertoires is very closely related to the culture which they originate from thus it is often not possible to perform these music if the musicians themselves are not familiar with the cultural connotations which is being carried by the repertoire itself. There are however contradicting practices in terms of notations used for these repertoires. While the repertoire itself is very much culturally and historically orientated, the notation used in these repertoire is predominantly the western style stave notation while the orchestration and sitting arrangement has strong similarities to that of the western symphony orchestra. This practice has also created certain implications to the ability of the musicians to execute the musical nuances, understanding of their role within the orchestra and ultimately produce an expressive and culturally informed performance. These practices have also led to some intriguing discussion on the interpretative process. Factors influencing the interpretative process and decisions were discussed as many of the repertoires used by the modern Chinese orchestra, particularly those imbued with values have gone through a variety of arrangements by different composers from different background and with different intentions, coupled with the effects of globalization on music which results in the hybridity of musical styles have made the interpretation process more complex. Other factors which affects the interpretative process such as the technical limitations of the members of the modern Chinese orchestra and the influence of the conductor is also highlighted. As this study is only limited to four schools, future research on other modern Chinese orchestras in secondary schools or schools in other countries could be conducted. This could provide more references, to reveal more insightful information on the performance practice of the modern Chinese orchestra in this country. Research in this area could also contribute to the existing or future modern Chinese orchestra in Malaysia, as the orchestra in schools became a major platform to train musician in Chinese instruments