Effects of Integrated and Independent Speaking Tasks on Learners\u27 Interactional Performance

Interaction has been considered an important element in second language acquisition (Long, 1983). Also, the ability to effectively and appropriately interact with others is one of the important sub-constructs of oral communication (Kramsch, 1986; Ockey & Li, 2015). Researchers in the field of language teaching have raised the importance of how different task types or task formats affect learners’ interaction. As a result, many efforts have been made for a better understanding of what task types/formats are more appropriate for promoting language acquisition as well as interactional ability. However, little has been done to investigate how integrated speaking tasks and independent speaking tasks affect the way learners interact with others. Therefore, this study attempted to examine the effects of these two speaking tasks on how learners interact in pair discussions. A total of 8 language-learner pairs across different proficiency levels who were taking English as a second-language courses at a U.S. Midwestern university participated in the study. Each language-learner pair participated in the two speaking tasks and their performances were transcribed and coded for interaction features based on interactional analysis (R. Ellis & Barkhuizen, 2005). Following this approach, this study focused on six types of interaction features: negotiation of meaning, negotiation of form, negotiation of task content, negotiation of task procedure, negotiation of personal experience, and self-initiated repair (Poupore, 2004; Van den Branden, 1997). The research results indicated that the two speaking tasks were not significantly different in terms of promoting interactional features that facilitate second language learning. However, the independent task, as opposed to the integrated task, seemed to produce significantly more negotiation of meaning. The research findings also showed that the learners’ proficiency level might interact with interactional feedback and interactional modifications, with the advanced learners producing significantly more negotiation of content and self-initiated repair compared to their low-intermediate level counterparts. By showing evidence about the effects of the integrated and independent speaking tasks on these learners’ interaction performance, the study helps inform teachers of how different task types may enhance learners’ interactive skills as well as push forward their interlanguage development

Synthetic Approaches to the Macrocyclic Natural Product Tripartilactam

In 2012 Oh and co-workers reported the isolation of the tricyclic macrolactam tripartilactam from a Streptomyces sp. found in the brood ball of the dung bettle Copris tripartitus. The compound proved to be a moderate inhibitor of sodium/potasium ATPase. The unique and rather complex structure embodies a cyclobutane fused, on its opposing faces, to both an 8- and an 18-membered ring. These architecturally novel features prompted the author to pursue a total synthesis of it. Chapter One provides a brief introduction to the isolation, structural elucidation and proposed biogenesis of tripartilactam. This section also provides details of selected organic reactions that played important roles in the synthetic studies of the author, in particular the Stille cross-coupling, olefin metathesis and olefination reactions. Chapter Two describes two distinct sets of manipulations of the enantiomerically pure chloro cis-1,2-dihydrocatechol, readily obtained through the whole-cell biotransformation of chlorobenzene, into a terminal allene/carbonyl-conjugated alkene and a polyoxygenated cyclooctenone embodying the Eastern Hemisphere of the non-natural enantiomeric form of tripartilactam. Attempts to elaborate these intermediates to the bicyclo[6.2.0]decane system via both intra- and inter-molecular [2+2]-cycloaddition reactions are also discussed. The research detailed in Chapters Three, Four and Five are focused on the synthesis of a macrolactam that it was thought could engage in a transannular [2+2]-cycloadditon reaction and thus mimicking the final step in the proposed biogenesis of tripartilactam. A macrolactone was identified as a potential precursor to tripartilactam and attempts to prepare the former compound are described in Chapter Six

Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment for faecal management – health consequences in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Vietnam’s Mekong Delta (MD) is known as the rice bowl of the country. Rapid development and population growth there have lead to an increasing demand for water use and wastewater treatment. Yet there are no central wastewater treatment plants in the region and water supply systems are generally lacking in rural areas. Only septic tanks (STs) have been introduced to treat human effluent. Small-scale biogas plants, mostly plastic bio-digesters (PBDs) have been promoted to treat animal slurries. However, the operation and maintenance of both systems are unregulated and their microbial treatment efficacy has not been a priority. Poor sanitary practices of local people add to this creating a potentially serious health hazard. This study aims to analyse the microbial risk associated with faecal management in MD as it impacts on public health. The topic is explored by three vehicles: pilot study, field study and quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA). The pilot study replicates tropical conditions to determine microbial reduction and related factors of anaerobic treatment. Reduction rates of phages and bacteria in river water and on terrestrial spinach were determined. The field study was conducted in MD to verify the microbial make-up of faecal substrates, surface water and aquatic spinach. Pathogen treatment efficacy of PBDs was considered. A survey was also conducted to find out human exposure to contaminated sources. All data were used for the QMRA study, which calculates the probability and annual risk of infection via @Risk 5.5 (Palisade Corporation). The pilot study showed there was a hygienic effect in the anaerobic treatment of excreta but microbe reduction rates were low. The reduction of phages (somatic coliphage, male-specific bacteriophage) and bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella Senftenberg, Enterococus faecalis) in lab-scale PBDs increased with longer hydraulic retention time (HRT). Longer HRT played a vital role in yielding more gas. Besides HRT pathogen reduction also depended on initial concentration, species tested and substrate type. High levels of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) had no effect on microbial reduction at neutral pH. Moreover phage and bacteria reduction also depend on operation conditions – batch-wise or continuous digestion. Microbial reduction in STs was not significant even at maximum HRT (3 days). Anaerobic digestion in tropical PBDs had little effect on the inactivation of Ascaris suum ova. Yet helminth ova do settle in the sludge at the reactor’s base if HRT is long and the relationship between an ova’s viability rate and sludge retention time was established by exponential equation. A few Ascaris suum ova survived in sludge for up to one year. There was no difference between the viability of Ascaris suum ova in biogas or septage sludge. Faecal substrates sampled during the field study contained high levels of microbial indicators and pathogens. E. coli and Enterococcus spp. were detected in all pig slurry and septage samples. Salmonella spp. were detected in over 60% and coliphages in over 50% of samples. Helminth ova were present in 80% of pig slurry samples, 95% of untreated septage samples, and in all septage sludge samples in high concentrations. Ten ova varieties were found in pig slurries and twelve in septage. Field study results suggest that the functionality of PBDs and STs is not optimal to inactivate microbial indicators and pathogens. Volume of PBD is not compatible to the amount of pig slurry. PBDs are rarely desludged and STs are emptied only when blockages occur. Thus reduction of bacteria was Surface water and aquatic spinach samples were contaminated. The average E. coli level in canal water was over the total coliform limit set by the Vietnamese Surface Water Quality Standard (TCVN 5942-1995). Salmonella spp. were routinely detected. Decimal reduction time (T90) of phages and bacteria in Mekong river water was over 2 days. Aquatic spinach was contaminated much like its habitat. Enterococcus spp., E. coli, somatic coliphage and Salmonella spp. were all found in samples, though average E. coli concentrations on spinach grown in urban canals was twice that of those grown in fishponds receiving PBD effluent. On terrestrial spinach microbial reduction was 0.2 – 0.4 log10/day. By QMRA infection risk was high, ranging in descending order from helminth to rotavirus to Salmonella. The probability of salmonellosis and helminthiasis was higher per exposure to PBD effluent than with pig slurry. MD sewage workers were most at risk due to constant exposure to faecal matter. Incidental ingestion of pig slurries, bathing/swimming in canals, drinking untreated surface water and eating raw spinach constituted chronic exposure scenarios for MD people generally. All mentioned scenarios were found to exceed acceptable risk levels. Besides health programs and personal hygiene routines, barriers reducing risk of infection include wastewater treatment (e.g. PBDs), due time between last crop irrigation and harvest, treating water before consumption and food preparation. Risks were reduced when PBDs ran at HRTs of 15 and 30 days as effluent was assumed to be free of helminth ova. The high pathogen load of surface water means this is only potable when boiled. Aquatic spinach is not safe to eat unless cooked. Spinach irrigated with improved PBD effluent (HRT ≥ 15 days) can be eaten raw, but then only when the time between final irrigation and harvest is long enough. As a rule spinach should be washed prior to consumption. Current faecal management practices in MD equate to high infection risks for its population. The microbial treatment efficacy of anaerobic digestion there can be improved by relatively simple changes to operations and maintenance. To reduce infection rates a campaign that integrates faecal management, water supply and behavioural change is recommended. While QMRA data collation and modelling requires much effort communicating health risks to the government and public is challenging. Thereby lasting technical, legislative and cultural can be changed so as to improve the public health effectively

VIETNAMESE HIGH SCHOOL EFL TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS TOWARD ONLINE TEACHING UNDER THE IMPACT OF COVID-19

The coronavirus disease case, commonly known as Covid-19, has spread internationally since March 2020. Approximately 100 countries, including Vietnam, closed their schools due to a public health emergency, according to UNESCO. Due to the circumstance, teachers were forced to convert from in-person instruction to online instruction. In the context of Covid-19, this study investigated how EFL high school instructors felt about online English language education. A descriptive design and a mixed-methods approach were utilized in this investigation. Six EFL high school teachers in the Mekong Delta were interviewed for this study to get their perspectives. The findings demonstrated that the participants' opinions on the usefulness and simplicity of online instruction during the Covid-19 epidemic were overwhelmingly positive. Despite the challenges they encountered when conducting their online classes, the teachers were able to show the proper attitude toward using technology to teach. The pedagogical implications of online teaching and learning are also meant to encourage the development of innovative teaching strategies in the setting of high schools in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta.  Article visualizations

An explicit Fourier-Klibanov method for an age-dependent tumor growth model of Gompertz type

This paper proposes an explicit Fourier-Klibanov method as a new approximation technique for an age-dependent population PDE of Gompertz type in modeling the evolution of tumor density in a brain tissue. Through suitable nonlinear and linear transformations, the Gompertz model of interest is transformed into an auxiliary third-order nonlinear PDE. Then, a coupled transport-like PDE system is obtained via an application of the Fourier-Klibanov method, and, thereby, is approximated by the explicit finite difference operators of characteristics. The stability of the resulting difference scheme is analyzed under the standard 2-norm topology. Finally, we present some computational results to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.Comment: 19 pages, 56 figures, 1 tabl

Vietnamese American women’s beliefs and perceptions on cervical cancer, cervical cancer screening, and cancer prevention vaccines: A community-based participatory study

Cervical cancer remains commonly diagnosed in Vietnamese American women. Despite efforts to increase cervical cancer screening among Vietnamese American women, participation rates are persistently lower than the national goal. The objective of this study is to explore beliefs of Vietnamese American women about cervical cancer, cervical cancer screening, and cancer prevention vaccines. A qualitative descriptive investigation captured group perceptions about meaning and beliefs of cervical cancer, screening, and cancer prevention vaccines, and participants’ stories using a community-based participatory research approach. Forty Vietnamese American women were recruited from the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area into four focus groups. Using a process of directed content analysis, focus group transcripts were coded for themes. We found that cervical cancer continues to be a difficult topic to discuss, and Vietnamese American women may not bring the topic up themselves to their health care providers. Some women experienced intense emotions of fear or shame of having their cervix examined. Women delayed seeking cervical cancer screening and needed to have early warning signs, which guided them as to when to seek health care. Women focused on cleanliness through vaginal and/or perineal washing as primary prevention for cervical cancer. There were limited awareness and knowledge about cancer prevention vaccines, specifically the human papillomavirus. Some women relied heavily on their informal social networks of family, friends, or community for health knowledge. Fear and misunderstanding dominated the beliefs of Vietnamese American women about cervical cancer screening and prevention. These findings underscored the importance of having culturally-specific findings, which will inform a multicomponent intervention to promote cervical cancer screening and cancer prevention vaccine uptake within this population

Identifying the employment and vocational rehabilitation concerns of people with traditional and emerging disabilities

This is the published version, also found here: http://www.iospress.nl/journal/journal-of-vocational-rehabilitation

Students’ learning autonomy, involvement and motivation towards their English proficiency

Different factors are involved in the process of learners’ learning English as a second or foreign language. Among them, learning autonomy, involvement and motivation and attitude toward English language learning have been claimed to positively correlate with learners’ English proficiency. In the current study, 229 English-majored final-year students at a university in Vietnam were invited to participate in a survey to explore their English proficiency level and factors that may have impacted that level. Findings revealed that students’ learning autonomy and their active participation in classroom activities are the most influential on their English proficiency level after four years of learning. As a result, the study suggests that measures should be taken to improve students’ learning autonomy and classroom involvement