70 research outputs found
A Case Study of International ESL Learners' Perceptions of Technology Use in English Language Learning
No full textResearch in English as a Second Language (ESL) learners' perceptions of integrating technology in language learning is still relatively new. Most studies focused on the integration of one technology application in language instruction. In this study, the author examines the perceptions of six ESL international students in the English Language Center at UMBC about their experience in computer-assisted language learning (CALL). The study implements a variety of technology applications. A case study research methodology was used. Individual case studies and cross-case study techniques were employed. Data collection involved a survey, initial and final interviews, observation, and researcher's reflective journal. The analysis of the findings was organized in four major categories: learners' statements about their perceptions, learners' behaviors while interacting with technology tools, and learners' concerns about limitations of technology integration, and researcher's perceptions of the limitations. The findings revealed learners' positive perceptions of technology applications as language learning tools, with a deep concern for the communicative, collaborative and interactive nature of the applications. The use of technology in language learning was always supported by the presence of the language instructor as a coordinator and facilitator of the learning experience. Trust in the instructor's ability to connect the technology learning tools with the learning goals was deeply valued. Through this experience, the researcher, who was also the instructor for the course, learned the importance of class instruction and technical support for technology use in the language classroom
Chamomile essential oil improves the growth, immunity, and antioxidant status of Nile tilapia exposed to nanosized alumina
No full textDue to their peculiar physicochemical properties, nanoparticles (NPs) have the potential to have a detrimental impact on molecular (proteins and nucleic acids), subcellular, cellular, tissue, and organism levels. However, available works on the harmful effects of the water-borne ionizable NPs, such as aluminum oxide nanoparticles (ALNPs) on fish are scarce. Therefore, the toxic impacts of ALNPs on hematological, biochemical, and immunological responses in Nile Tilapia fish were investigated in this work. Additionally, the possible benefits of the promising chamomile essential oil (CEO) as dietary supplement in alleviating such impacts were also targeted. For this, four fish groups were used. The control group received only the basic diet, CEO group (basic diet + 2 mg CEO/kg diet), ALNP group (basic diet with exposure to5.08 mg ALNPs/L water, and ALNPs/CEO group (basal diet + 2 mg CEO/kg diet + 5.08 mg ALNPs/L). Fish exposed to ALNPs showed declines in the growth performance and fish survivability in addition to changes seen in the hematological and protein profiles and stress variables. Along with decreased resistance to the Aeromonas hydrophila challenge, there were also substantial decreases in all humoral immune indicators. In addition to increased mRNA expressions of immune genes in the hepatic tissues. CEO significantly modulated the toxic effects of ALNPs suggesting its utilization as a valuable dietary supplement for fish
INVESTIGATING THE FACTORS INFLUENCING ESL TEACHER PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY IN HIGHER EDUCATION: A MIXED METHODS STUDY
No full textThis study examined the relationship between factors influencing the professional identity of teachers of English as a second language (ESL). The sample consisted of 480 ESL teachers in English language programs in universities and four-year colleges in the United States. Four contextual factors were identified from the literature: self-efficacy, job satisfaction, motivation, and commitment. An online survey was compiled from previously validated subscales to measure ESL teacher professional identity and the four contextual factors. The survey included both open- and close-ended questions. The study followed a convergent parallel mixed methods design, a triangulation design in which the quantitative and qualitative data are collected and analyzed at the same time and synthesized for interpretation (Creswell, 2014). Qualitative data from the open-ended questions were analyzed in NVivo following the typological development strategy (Plano Clark & Creswell, 2008). Quantitative data were used to test eight hypothesized structures to model ESL teacher professional identity. Structural Equation Modeling (maximum likelihood estimator with robust SE) was used to compute all fit indices and model parameters. These analyses resulted in four key findings. (1) ESL Teacher Professional Identity is the sum of multiple interactions between contextual factors in the workplace resulting in three professional identity profiles. (2) ESL teachers' linguistic diversity and cultural sensitivity and experiences influence their professional identity. (3) Commitment is a defining characteristic of ESL teacher professional identity. (4) The native and non-native English speaking status of ESL teachers does not have a strong influence on the factors or ESL teacher professional identity. These findings indicate that, in the ESL teaching context in higher education, contextual factors interact with each other and with teacher professional identity, resulting in three emerging professional identity profiles that characterize this interaction. A clear understanding of ESL teacher professional identity should take into consideration the impact of the work environment as well as the constant influence of teachers' professional identity on such environment
Transnational TESOL Practitioners’ Identity Tensions: A Collaborative Autoethnography
No full text571Nie dotycz
Amphiregulin level in patients with psoriasis before and after photochemotherapy and its pathogenic role in psoriasis
No full textUtilization of Palm Wastes for Production of Invert Sugar
No full textAbstractAn economically attractive technique was adopted using date palm fibers as a new carrier for invertase adsorption and for invert sugar production. Experiments were carried out to evaluate the results of incubation of Baker's yeast with palm fibers in aqueous solution at 40° C for half an hour. CO2 produced from this reaction was employed as a reactant and it succeeded to modify the cellulosic surface of the palm fibers. This increased the capacity of invertase that had been secreted from Baker's yeast to be immobilized tightly on the cellulosic surface of the fibers. These results confirmed by FTIR and SEM. Characterization of the enzyme indicated that 1 gram of immobilized invertase on such wastes can produce 600mg of invert sugar. By this technique, Egypt would be able to supply 6 million kg invert sugar per year. Molasses used instead of sucrose to assess the sustainability of the process
Public Policy Development and Implementation in the United Arab Emirates. A study of organizational learning during policy development and implementation in the Abu Dhabi Police and the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Interior
No full textThis reflective analysis of the Emirati public policy process (PPP) cycle and implications of uneven application of new public management (NPM) paradigms in the UAE offers insight into the way that public administrations develop, learn, evolve, and cope with new challenges during the policy development process. The author also assesses the relationship between organizational learning and organizational practices, to generate practical knowledge and experience that is translated into recommendations that will benefit UAE government organizations, and indeed any public sector organization in the Gulf Region.
Inside action research was chosen to emphasize the author's dual role as both a researcher and a participant. As an advisor to both the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) of the UAE and the Abu Dhabi Police (ADP), the author helped both organisations improve their PPP experiences while researching the challenges, learning, and adaptations which occurred while policy was being developed within the MOI. The author generated data through reflective memos, informal interviews, and document analysis, and presents her findings in terms of both academic findings and practice-oriented recommendations.
The author primarily found that new models were necessary to reflect the highly flexible and authority-oriented UAE PPP cycle. The author also explored how cultural understandings led to challenges with NPM and learning in the UAE public administration, hindering policy development. Finally, the author found that her own position, as a female expatriate in the Emirati government, allowed for some valuable reflection about experience of serving in a Global South public administration
Impact of socioeconomic and behavioral factors on oral health of adult Americans: analysis of the 2011-2016 NHANES data
No full textOral health is a critical determinant of overall health with reported links to adverse chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease. Several risk factors related to lifestyle behaviors and socioeconomic characteristics have direct influence on the oral health status. In order to establish specific oral health care measures the relationship of demographics and behavioral factors specifically dietary and smoking habits with oral health was examined. The individual socio-demographic and major dietary characteristics were analyzed using univariate models, while the interaction of these factors with general oral health was evaluated as a multivariate model using a binary logistic regression. The dataset from 2011-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey targeting civilian, non-institutionalized adults living in the 50 States of USA and the District of Columbia was used to conduct this secondary analysis. Findings indicate health insurance was associated with a lower risk for urgent dental treatment [F(1, 47)=212.2, P< 0.001] and untreated dental caries (OR = 1.6, P<0.001). Older age group was found to experience more tooth loss (OR =19.9, P< 0.001) and less likely to suffer from dental decay (OR =077, P=0.007), while African-Americans were more likely to experience both dental decay and tooth loss (OR =1.75, P<0.001, OR =2.2, P<0.001, respectively). The prevalence of tooth decay in U.S adults aged 20 years and above was approximately 21%. Current smokers [F(2, 94) = 143, P < 0.001] and males [F(1, 47)=64.4, P < 0.001] were more likely to need urgent dental care. Higher sugar intake was associated with poor oral health. Modifiable unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, gender, age, ethnicity and health insurance are important predictors of poor oral health status in adult population. Collectively, these findings provide important insights into the relationship between multiple behavioral as well as socioeconomic factors and oral health that have considerable public health implications and can be an important measure to monitor the progress of health promotion goals set by public health programs.Ph.D.Includes bibliographical reference
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