Geometry of Seduction: the Beautiful Hair of Chinese «Medusa»

El objetivo principal de este trabajo consiste en indagar sobre la geometría2 que se da en las estrategias de seducción desplegadas por los personajes de Jin Ping Mei (1617?),3 una de las novelas más eróticas del mundo. El trabajo parte del conjunto de ideas y proposiciones que nos ofrecen los textos literarios chinos sobre la hermosa cabellera femenina. Se analizan tanto las descripciones del cabello (el color y el volumen) como los accesorios para cuidarlo de cara a la seducción, con una atención especial a la horquilla. Por otro lado, se trata de correr el velo y descubrir la competitividad constante de seducción entre las medusas.The main objective of this study is to investigate the heterogeneity that occurs in the seduction strategies deployed by the characters in one of the world’s most erotic novels, Jin Ping Mei (1617?). The study begins with a variety of proposed ideas and propositions regarding the beauty of female hair in Chinese literary texts. Then, the study engages with the descriptions about hair and hair accessories in this novel. Finally, the study unveils the constant competition between «medusas» the seducers.Este artículo se ha realizado en el marco del proyecto de investigación núm. 20720171052, organizado por la Universidad de Xiamen

Group influences on individual learners' motivation : a study of group dynamics in EFL classrooms

Attention to how groups of students at university influence an individual learner's motivation within the group is the focus of this research. The uniqueness of this research lies in shifting the focus from an analysis of the individual's experience seen as being apart from the group to considering the individual's experience in relation to the social interactions within the group. This thesis begins with the examinations of the theoretical framework, including major issues in learning motivation and group dynamics, an area that has been gaining more and more attention in second language research. Then, it discusses the selection of a mixed methods approach, the employment of three research instruments (the classroom observation, the questionnaire, and the interview), and the research procedure. After presenting the findings from each research instrument, this study will integrate all the data and present key findings from the integration. Questionnaires were administered to 127 Taiwan university students from the Applied English Department of National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology (NKFUST). The results from the questionnaires show that there is a slight to moderate correlation between group processes (group cohesiveness and group norms) and students' level of motivation (self-efficacy and level of autonomy). A dozen students who participated in this study were asked to give further information during semi-structured in-depth interviews. During those interviews, several students commented that their classmates are indeed important to their learning, as being around more motivated classmates positively influences their own motivation and autonomy. Other relevant findings, such as what is a 'good' and 'bad' group, the importance of a mixed methods approach, and the role of culture aspects, will also be discussed

Good Language Teachers: Divergent Perspectives between University Language Teachers and Learners

Teachers assume several key roles in the language classroom: as educators transmitting knowledge, as facilitators assisting students with their learning, and as motivators inspiring students to achieve their language goals, to name a few. As any one teacher is unlikely to possess the full range of characteristics suggested in the literature, it seems important to explore what individual class groups of learners believe are the characteristics most beneficial to their language learning. In addition, how about these language learning group teachers’ perspectives? Do language learners and their teachers hold similar views? Are there any discrepancies in their viewpoints? If so, would these discrepancies affect learning effectiveness? These are some questions this research project aims to answer.9 language teachers and their class groups (a total of 10 groups, 287 students) from a language university in southern Taiwan participated in this study. Questionnaire results from student questionnaire were collated with data from their language teachers to discover points of agreement and divergence. The result shows that both language learners and their teachers believe in the importance of good command of L2. However, language learners care more about their relationship with the teachers (e.g., whether they are treated fairly, with respect), whereas language teachers believe that their professional teaching knowledge and the ability to update and reflect most important. This gap in the viewpoints may cause unmet expectations which ultimately affect learning effectiveness. This research ends with some practical suggestions for language teachers in the classroom

The role of readers and theirfunction in classical Chinese literary theory in Europe: Wenxin diaolong as an example

This study investigates the role of European readers and their function in classical Chinese literary theory, through Liu Xie’s Wenxin diaolong (WXDL, The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons), a canonical work that is often compared to Aristotle’s Poetics. First, based on the concept of the role of the reader, a representation of chinoiserieis probably observed with a certain imbalance between the knowledge of Chinese and European poetics. Next, the reception of the work is systematically reviewed in both the English-speaking world and the European one to shed light on the profile of the reading audience. Given the multicultural pedigree of WXDLand its translations, the work’s various contributions are seen as highlighting the evolution of Chinese literary thought in Europe. Thus, a rhythm, an itinerary, and a more appropriate dialog for the universal poetics will be found.El estudio desarrollado en estas páginas tiene como objetivo indagar sobre el papel de los lectores europeos y su función en la teoría literaria clásica china a través de Wenxin diaolong (WXDL, El corazón de la literatura y el cincelado de dragones) de Liu Xie (465-522), el canon que suele compararse con la Poéticade Aristóteles. Ante todo, partiendo del concepto del papel del lector, se observa una representación dechinoiserie, probablemente con un cierto desequilibrio, entre el conocimiento de la poética china y el de la europea. A continuación, se revisa sistemáticamente la recepción de la obra tanto en el mundo anglohablante como en el europeo para conocer el perfil de los lectores. Dado el pedigrí multicultural de WXDL y sus traducciones, se percibe que las diversas contribuciones de la obra destacan la evolución del pensamiento literario chino en Europa. Así, se encontrará un ritmo, un itinerario y un diálogo más apropiado para la poética universal

Geometría de la seducción: la hermosa cabellera de la Medusa China

El objetivo principal de este trabajo consiste en indagar sobre la heterogeneidad que se da en las estrategias de seducción desplegadas por los personajes de Jin Ping Mei (1617?), una de las novelas más eróticas del mundo. El trabajo parte del conjunto de ideas y proposiciones que nos ofrecen los textos literarios chinos alrededor de la hermosa cabellera femenina. Se analizan tanto las descripciones sobre el cabello como los artificios que se elaboran a través de este, cuidado conscientemente para la seducción: el color, el volumen y los adornos, prestando especial atención a la horquilla. Por otro lado, se trata de correr el velo y descubrir de la competitividad constante de seducción entre las “Medusas”.

Promoting the Autonomy of Taiwanese EFL Learners in Higher Education by Using Self-Assessment Learning Logs

This study revealed how the classroom teaching practice of self-assessment learning logs helps to promote the autonomy of L2 learners in the context of higher education in Taiwan. L2 learners completed a self-assessment learning log entry on a biweekly basis, reflecting on what they had done outside of the classroom to improve their English. These learners then shared their learning log entries in class approximately once a month. Data from 30 participants were collected using a questionnaire containing both closed and open-ended questions. The results indicated that most participants believed that learning logs facilitated language learning; in particular, sharing what they had done with their classmates was a strong motivation to continue out-of-class learning activities. This paper offers specific suggestions for teachers regarding effective techniques for promoting learner autonomy

An Empirical Study of Kirkpatrick’s Evaluation Model in the Hospitality Industry

This study examined Kirkpatrick’s training evaluation model (Kirkpatrick & Kirkpatrick, 2006) by assessing a sales training program conducted at an organization in the hospitality industry. The study assessed the employees’ training outcomes of knowledge and skills, job performance, and the impact of the training upon the organization. By assessing these training outcomes and their relationships, the study demonstrated whether Kirkpatrick’s theories are supported and the lower evaluation levels can be used to predict organizational impact. The population for this study was a group of reservations sales agents from a leading luxury hotel chain’s reservations center. During the study period from January 2005 to May 2007, there were 335 reservations sales agents employed in this Global Reservations Center (GRC). The number of reservations sales agents who had completed a sales training program/intervention during this period and had data available for at least two months pre and post training composed the sample for this study. The number of agents was 69 (N = 69). Four hypotheses were tested through paired-samples t tests, correlation, and hierarchical regression analytic procedures. Results from the analyses supported the hypotheses in this study. The significant improvement in the call score supported hypothesis one that the reservations sales agents who completed the training improved their knowledge of content and required skills in handling calls (Level 2). Hypothesis two was accepted in part as there was significant improvement in call conversion, but there was no significant improvement of time usage. The significant improvement in the sales per call supported hypothesis three that the reservations agents who completed the training contributed to increased organizational impact (Level 4), i.e., made significantly more sales. Last, findings supported hypothesis four that Level 2 and Level 3 variables can be used for predicting Level 4 organizational impact. The findings supported the theory of Kirkpatrick’s evaluation model that in order to expect organizational results, a positive change in behavior (job performance) and learning must occur. The examinations of Levels 2 and 3 helped to partially explain and predict Level 4 results

Group influences on individual learners' motivation : a study of group dynamics in EFL classrooms

Attention to how groups of students at university influence an individual learner's motivation within the group is the focus of this research. The uniqueness of this research lies in shifting the focus from an analysis of the individual's experience seen as being apart from the group to considering the individual's experience in relation to the social interactions within the group. This thesis begins with the examinations of the theoretical framework, including major issues in learning motivation and group dynamics, an area that has been gaining more and more attention in second language research. Then, it discusses the selection of a mixed methods approach, the employment of three research instruments (the classroom observation, the questionnaire, and the interview), and the research procedure. After presenting the findings from each research instrument, this study will integrate all the data and present key findings from the integration. Questionnaires were administered to 127 Taiwan university students from the Applied English Department of National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology (NKFUST). The results from the questionnaires show that there is a slight to moderate correlation between group processes (group cohesiveness and group norms) and students' level of motivation (self-efficacy and level of autonomy). A dozen students who participated in this study were asked to give further information during semi-structured in-depth interviews. During those interviews, several students commented that their classmates are indeed important to their learning, as being around more motivated classmates positively influences their own motivation and autonomy. Other relevant findings, such as what is a 'good' and 'bad' group, the importance of a mixed methods approach, and the role of culture aspects, will also be discussed.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Rational design of a synthetic mammalian riboswitch as a ligand-responsive -1 ribosomal frame-shifting stimulator

Metabolite-responsive RNA pseudoknots derived from prokaryotic riboswitches have been shown to stimulate −1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF), suggesting −1 PRF as a promising gene expression platform to extend riboswitch applications in higher eukaryotes. However, its general application has been hampered by difficulty in identifying a specific ligand-responsive pseudoknot that also functions as a ligand-dependent -1 PRF stimulator. We addressed this problem by using the −1 PRF stimulation pseudoknot of SARS-CoV (SARS-PK) to build a ligand-dependent −1 PRF stimulator. In particular, the extra stem of SARS-PK was replaced by an RNA aptamer of theophylline and designed to couple theophylline binding with the stimulation of −1 PRF. Conformational and functional analyses indicate that the engineered theophylline-responsive RNA functions as a mammalian riboswitch with robust theophyllinedependent −1 PRF stimulation activity in a stable human 293T cell-line. Thus, RNA–ligand interaction repertoire provided by in vitro selection becomes accessible to ligand-specific −1 PRF stimulator engineering using SARS-PK as the scaffold for synthetic biology application