The Growth Mindset in the Bangladeshi EFL Context

In this paper, we report on the results of a questionnaire conducted with 160 teenage students in Bangladesh. The purpose of the study was to gain a deeper understanding of the students’ beliefs in regards to the innateness of intelligence（i.e., their mindsets）, especially whether students believed becoming proficient in English depended on having an innate skill and luck or could be nurtured through hard work and discipline. The results of the study suggested students in Bangladesh tend to have growth mindsets in their English studies. When the sample was divided into two groups according to their courses of study, it was discovered that students studying science had significantly stronger growth mindsets for English than students studying humanities

A zero-cost, real-time, Windows signal laboratory

This paper introduces a Windows-based signal capture, display, and waveform synthesis package called “Win-eLab”. The software is able to run on a conventional desktop or laptop with no additional hardware, and can perform real-time Fourier analysis on audio-frequency signals. This paper is intended as an introduction to Win-eLab, aimed at motivating further use of it in both teaching and self-directed learning contexts. The use of the software to familiarize students with the concept of “laboratory” instrumentation is discussed, as well as the usefulness of a simultaneous time-domain/frequency-domain display for understanding signals, particularly in signal processing and communications systems courses. It is anticipated that applications may extend beyond electrical & electronic engineering – for example, as an aid to understanding mechanical vibrations, acoustics, and in other discipline areas

On the Impact of Memory Allocation on High-Performance Query Processing

Somewhat surprisingly, the behavior of analytical query engines is crucially affected by the dynamic memory allocator used. Memory allocators highly influence performance, scalability, memory efficiency and memory fairness to other processes. In this work, we provide the first comprehensive experimental analysis on the impact of memory allocation for high-performance query engines. We test five state-of-the-art dynamic memory allocators and discuss their strengths and weaknesses within our DBMS. The right allocator can increase the performance of TPC-DS (SF 100) by 2.7x on a 4-socket Intel Xeon server

Exit chart analysis of parallel data convolutional codes

We recently proposed a new class of turbo-like codes called parallel data convolutional codes (PDCCs). The distinct characteristics of PDCCs include parallel data input bits and a self-iterative soft-in/soft-out a posteriori probability(APP) decoder. In this paper, we analyse this turbolike code by means of the extrinsic information transfer chart (EXIT chart). Our results show that the threshold Eb/N0 point for a rate 1/2 8-state PDCC is 0.6 dB, which is the same as the threshold point for a punctured rate 1/2 16-state parallel concatenated convolutional code (turbo code)

Development of an improved method of consolidating fatigue life data

A fatigue data consolidation model that incorporates recent advances in life prediction methodology was developed. A combined analytic and experimental study of fatigue of notched 2024-T3 aluminum alloy under constant amplitude loading was carried out. Because few systematic and complete data sets for 2024-T3 were available in the program generated data for fatigue crack initiation and separation failure for both zero and nonzero mean stresses. Consolidations of these data are presented

Error resilience analysis of wireless image transmission using JPEG, JPEG 2000 and JPWL

The wireless extension of the JPEG 2000 standard formally known as JPWL is the newest international standard for still image compression. Different from all previous standards, this new standard was created specifically for wireless imaging applications. This paper examines the error resilience performance of the JPEG, JPEG 2000 and JPWL standards in combating multi-path and fading impairments in Rayleigh fading channels. Comprehensive objective and subjective results are presented in relation to the error resilience performance of these three standards under various conditions. The major findings in this paper reveal that a CRC approach is not a viable option for protecting wireless image data when not used in conjunction with an efficient retransmission strategy. In addition, the Reed-Solomon error correction codes in JPWL provide strong protection for wireless image transmission. However, any stronger protection beyond RS(64,32) yields diminishing returns

Thoughts on Foreign Language Activity Classes in Japanese Elementary Schools

This paper analyzes the current Foreign Language Activity subject in Japanese elementary schools while giving suggestions to create a smooth link with Foreign Languages education at the junior high school level.The author proposes that elementary school teachers should focus on increasing the intrinsic motivation of their students to learn a foreign language. The paper starts by giving a brief summary of the goals for foreign language related subjects as decided by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology - Japan and their implementation in EFL(English as a Foreign Language) classroom teaching. This is followed with a short introduction of two theories of motivation that elementary school teachers may find appropriate to consider in their Foreign Language Activity lessons. After a short discussion regarding the current situation surrounding assistant language teachers, this paper finishes by suggesting several practical ideas for teachers to use in their lessons to inspire their students further to want to become fluent in a foreign language in the future. The implication in this article is that by building a strong affection for English, or other foreign languages, students will be motivated to continue their studies even during difficult times they may have in the years beyond elementary school

The Effects of a Study Abroad Experience on the L2 Motivational Self and Metacognitive Skills : A study of a junior highschool trip abroad

The present study investigates 74 Japanese junior high school students participating in a short-term study abroad program, and whether this experience affected the students\u27 motivation, according to Dörnyei\u27s Second Language Motivational Self System, and their use of metacognitive skills in their English studies. Using a questionnaire obtaining both quantitative and qualitative data, subjects were observed before, immediately after returning to Japan, and again eight weeks after returning home from their trip. The results indicated that despite immediately after returning to Japan, students\u27 motivation and the correlation between students\u27 motivation and metacognitive skills showed a slight increase, approximately two months after returning to Japan, those figures had returned to the level it had been prior to the study abroad program. However, based on qualitative data gained from students\u27 responses to open-ended items in the third questionnaire, it was still deemed that a short-term study abroad program is beneficial for participants. Reasons for differences in quantitative and qualitative data are discussed, concluding that a greater importance should be placed on the time following the study abroad program in order to gain the maximum effect of such an experience