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Exploring the motivation of Chinese adults in New Zealand for learning English as a second or additional language through the L2 motivational self system (L2MSS) and a sociocultural perspective.
No full textThe increasing pace of globalisation has intensified cross-cultural, educational, and professional exchanges, making the ability to master one or more languages a practical necessity in contemporary society. Learning a non-native language, unlike acquiring one’s mother tongue, involves distinct cognitive, emotional, and contextual challenges shaped by factors such as age, learning style, attitude, and, most notably, motivation (Lightbown & Spada, 2013). Among these, motivation plays a pivotal role, shaping learners’ investment, persistence, and overall success in language learning (Subekti, 2018). To explore English learning motivation, this study adopts the L2 Motivational Self System (L2MSS) (where “L2” refers to foreign, additional, and second language) and integrates a sociocultural perspective to address its limited focus on social context.
While considerable research has explored English learning motivation in English as a foreign language (EFL) context, comparatively little research has explored it within English-Native-Speaking contexts (Li, 2011, 2014, 2017). Moreover, most existing studies concentrate on a single demographic group, such as secondary school or university students. Consequently, the diversity of motivational patterns across different life stages remains underexplored. This study seeks to address this gap by examining and comparing the English learning motivations of three groups of Chinese adult learners in New Zealand: students, working employees, and seniors.
Grounded in the interpretivist paradigm, this qualitative study draws on semi-structured interviews with 17 participants, including three from the pilot study. Using reflective thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2022), the findings reveal both shared and group-specific motivational patterns. Moreover, this study identified additional motivational factors beyond the original L2MSS framework. These findings offer valuable insights for educators and policymakers seeking to develop more targeted, inclusive, and context-sensitive language learning support for diverse adult learner populations
State-of-the-Art Review: Electronic Warfare against Radar Systems
No full textThe electromagnetic spectrum (EMS) is emerging as a sixth battlespace domain in military
applications and is essential for wireless communications and remote sensing. Due to the demand for EMS,
it is increasingly contested, congested, constrained, and shared. Evolving threats, doctrine, and tactics drive
significant advancements in the battlespace. Electronic Warfare (EW) or Electromagnetic Warfare products
need to keep pace by leveraging advances in technology driven by Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence (AI),
direct radio frequency (RF) sampling, RF System on Chip (RFSoC), and ultrawideband antenna arrays. These
trends drive a need for technology-intensive innovation in EW products underpinned by a coherent business
product-technology strategy. This article reviews advancements in Electronic Warfare against radar systems
using a novel approach that integrates quantitative bibliometric and patentometric analyses with a qualitative
assessment of EW architectures, Electronic Attack (EA) algorithms, and Electronic Support (ES) algorithms.
This article marks the first instance of such a methodology being applied to systematically assess the
landscape of research publications and technological innovations in the field of EW against radar systems. A
taxonomy of EW System Types by military domain against radar and their role in the modern battlefield is
presented together with their typical role and real-world examples. The quantitative and qualitative insights
are synthesized to outline a notional next-generation EW architecture and a technology roadmap for its
realization that researchers can use to guide the development of innovative EW technologies and
methodologies and by EW practitioners to inform system design, operational deployment, and capability
enhancements
Conversation to support growth : exploring the application of motivational interviewing within sport coaching.
No full textThis thesis explores the application of Motivational Interviewing (MI) within the
context of sports coaching, examining its influence on coach-athlete communication and
athlete motivation. The study addresses the need for effective communication strategies in
sports coaching, which is a distinctive discipline requiring a blend of science and art. The
research uses a mixed-methods design, employing both qualitative and quantitative data to
investigate the perceived and experiences of MI training for coaches, along with the impact
of MI training and an ongoing learning community on coaching practices and athlete
engagement within conversations. The research includes two studies: Study 1 involved focus
groups with ten coaches (n=10), from diverse sporting backgrounds, to explore their
perceptions of integrating MI within their coaching. The coaches identified several challenges
to implementing MI, including time constraints, cultural norms, competitive pressures, and
the variable engagement and readiness of athletes for change. Coaches identified barriers to
consistent MI application, including challenges in fostering behaviour change, especially with
younger athletes. They also saw opportunities for MI to improve coach-athlete relationships,
raise coaching awareness, and boost athlete motivation and self-reflection.
Phase 1 of Study 2 explored coaches' experiences with MI training and its impact on
their coaching practices. Interviews were conducted with five of the nine coaches who
participated exclusively in the training days. Several key themes emerged regarding their
experience of the MI training. Coaches perceived that the MI training addressed gaps in their
coaching practices, providing them with new practical skills that they felt were not strongly
emphasised in previous coach development programs.. They also noted that the training
enhanced their self-awareness, prompting them to reflect on their coaching goals and values.
However, they also acknowledged the difficulties in applying the theoretical concepts and integrating new skills into their long-established routines. Coaches expressed a need for
ongoing support and further training to master the practical application of MI, with the
suggestion of a learning community and continued coaching to support their learning. They
also felt sport-specific examples were needed to better facilitate learning into the sport
environment.
Phase 2 of Study 2 examined MI implementation by two coaches, with ongoing
feedback over 14 weeks delivered via the learning community and individual phone calls.
Coach A recorded sessions pre-training (n = 3) and post-training (n = 6), while Coach B
recorded only post-training (n = 5). The learning community was generally perceived as a
positive experience, with coaches noting that individualised feedback helped them deepen
their MI skills. They also described growth in their reflective practice, particularly through
the process of re-listening to past coaching conversations—something they had not done
before. In Phase 2 of Study 2, one athlete per coach was interviewed, both reporting increased
autonomy and empowerment during their involvement in the conversations. Quantitative
assessments of the audio recordings using the MITI4.2.1 and CLEAR scales indicated some
improvements in MI skill, particularly in cultivating change talk and using reflections.
However, these gains were not consistent across all coaches, and variability remained.
Athletes speaking time relative to coach speaking talking also increased.
In summary, this research highlights the potential benefits of applying MI in sports
coaching, in supporting the coach-athlete relationships, increasing coach self-awareness, and
growing athlete motivation. However, challenges for integrating MI within the sport context
were also identified, such as the need for ongoing support to learn and implement MI, the
need for more sport-specific training examples, and the challenge of integrating it within a
outcome focused culture. Nonetheless, his study was the first to analyse real-world coaching
conversations while incorporating athletes’ perspectives, providing preliminary support for the integration of MI in sport coaching. However, the small sample size and limited baseline
data restrict the findings, highlighting the need for larger, longitudinal studies across diverse
sporting contexts
DETERMINAN KEPUTUSAN PEMBELIAN PRODUK: SATU PENDEKATAN KONSEP CRM
No full textBusiness development requires every business actor to increase profits and sustainability as part of economic productivity. Purchasing decisions as a stimulus in achieving profit and business sustainability can be achieved with strategic innovation in the aspects of product, price, location, and promotion. This study aims to determine and analyze the effect of marketing mix on coffee purchasing decisions at Tempo Doeloe shop. This research uses a survey method. The type of data used is primary data sourced from questionnaires filled out by respondents. The data analysis technique used is multiple linear regression analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics 22. The results showed that the price factor played an important role in influencing consumer decisions to buy products, while product, location, and promotion factors had no significant effect
Examining whether there is a bridge to be built between embodied cognition and dissociation : a phenomenological inquiry into similarities, differences and relationships between embodied sense of self and dissociative experiences.
No full textThis study sought to determine whether a bridge could be built between embodied theories of
self and dissociation. The study takes an empirical approach to examining relationships between
dissociation, as measured by the Multidimensional Inventory of Dissociation (MID-60), and
embodied sense of self, as measured by the Embodied Sense of Self Scale (ESSS), to determine
whether the constructs are similar or discrete and whether phenomena converge or diverge. Data
was obtained from 701 participants (363 females, 334 males, 4 non-binary) from the general
population in the United Kingdom. A Pearson’s correlation analysis found significant positive
relationships between dissociative symptoms (body symptoms, pseudo-seizures,
derealisation/depersonalisation, self-confusion, amnesia for recent events, loss of
autobiographical memory) and anomalous embodied sense of ESSS Ownership, ESSS Agency
and ESSS Narrative Self phenomena. Results from three Exploratory Factor Analyses revealed a
subset of dissociative phenomena related to derealisation/depersonalisation and self-confusion
converged with a subset of ESSS Ownership and ESSS Narrative Self phenomena on a single
factor, suggesting these concepts are not simply related but phenomenologically and
conceptually overlap. The results have implications for the conceptual boundaries of dissociation
and embodied theories of self, as well as measurement, assessment and treatment of dissociative
disorders as mind-body rather than mind and body. This study provides evidence that a closer
collaboration between the discipline of embodied cognition and the study of dissociation will
advance our understanding of theories of self and pathologies of selfhood
Video games and stress reduction.
No full textThis thesis aims to understand the mechanisms by which video game engagement and the
influence of personality and player traits facilitates stress reduction. Questionnaires and self
report measures were used for analysis. Unexpectedly and contrary to the hypothesis, positive
distraction was not an influence on stress reduction. Regressions, correlations and mediation
models proved that although positive distraction may not influence the reduction of stress,
personality, and player traits do. This indicates the potential influence of specific trait
combinations on stress reduction that requires further research with a larger sample size. Overall,
the current studies provide a useful insight into some of the aspects of video games that may
influence stress reduction. These findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the
psychological processes underlying video game mediated stress reduction and have implications
for game design and understanding the psychological mechanisms of engagement in media
Purple non-sulphur bacteria biofilm : the effect of mixing speed and settling time on biofilm growth.
No full textThere is an increasing interest throughout the world in alternative wastewater treatment systems with lower power consumption than those of conventional aerated systems. Reactors based on purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB) present a promising alternative as they can function under anaerobic or microaerophilic conditions. This means they utilize little or no aeration, which is typically the largest energy use in a wastewater treatment plant. In bioreactors, the formation of biofilms enhances the retention of bacteria and biomass accumulation, consequently improving reactor performance and increasing treatment efficiency. This study examines the effects of mixing speed, substrate concentration, and settling time on biofilm growth and reactor performance in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) enriched for PNSB. Three identical 1.5 L reactors were operated at different mixing speeds (100, 150, and 200 rpm) to evaluate biofilm formation on 1 cm² square mesh media and to evaluate the impact of mixing intensity on reactor efficiency. The study was divided into three phases: Phase 1 focused on biofilm formation and suspended biomass dynamics affected by the mixing speeds, and Phase 2 focused on how substrate concentration change can influence biofilm growth. At the same time, Phase 3 analysed the influence of reduced settling time on reactor performance. Key parameters assessed included total suspended solids (TSS), volatile suspended solids (VSS), particle size distribution, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and total organic carbon (TOC) removal.
Results indicate that lower mixing speeds (100 rpm) promoted higher biomass retention and biofilm thickness, while higher speeds (200 rpm) enhanced microbial activity but led to lower settling ability. The increase in substrate concentration (1.5 times the original concentration) required an adaptation period of 23 days, after which all reactors exhibited increased biomass production. Reactor 1 consistently demonstrated higher TSS concentrations and improved settling characteristics, while Reactors 2 and 3 showed lower settling efficiency due to the formation of smaller aggregates from increased shear forces. Biofilm on mesh media developed faster and more robustly under increased substrate availability, with Reactor 1 forming the densest biofilm and Reactor 3 producing more elongated, thinner structures. The final phase of the study, which involved reducing the settling time from 45 minutes to 30 minutes, demonstrated that lower settling times influenced biofilm stability, as evidenced by a reduction in carbohydrate and protein concentrations after the change.
In conclusion, hydrodynamic forces, substrate concentration, and settling time affect biofilm development on the mesh media in the PNSB system using SBR. Increased mixing speeds facilitate initial biofilm adhesion, while reduced mixing speeds promote biofilm stability over time. Reduced settling time can significantly change the production and structure of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which in turn can influence biofilm development.
However, due to time constraints, the study was limited in assessing the long-term effects and in reaching an equilibrium, thus requiring further monitoring to confirm the sustained impact of these changes. Adjusting the operational settings to balance mixing forces, substrate concentration, and settling behaviour is important. The findings of this study will help improve PNSB based wastewater treatment efficiency and improve biofilm stability. These outcomes will potentially promote low-energy treatment processes using PNSB for sustainable wastewater treatment
Perspectives on locally weighted ensemble Kalman methods
No full textThis manuscript derives locally weighted ensemble Kalman methods from the point of view of
ensemble-based function approximation. This is done by using pointwise evaluations to build up
a local linear or quadratic approximation of a function, tapering off the effect of distant particles
via local weighting. This introduces a candidate method (the locally weighted Ensemble Kalman
method for inversion) with the motivation of combining some of the strengths of the particle
filter (ability to cope with nonlinear maps and non-Gaussian distributions) and the Ensemble
Kalman filter (no filter degeneracy). We provide some numerical evidence for the accuracy of
locally weighted ensemble methods, both in terms of approximation and inversion