Small-scale Experimental Study Research Articles

Avoid using the first language in Group-based communicative English classroom of higher education (Small scale experimental study in Georgia)

Avoid using first language in group-based communicative English classroom, especially in higher education level, is full of challenges for students as well as for teachers, who should plan lesson based on effective studying methods and ways. Teacher’s role as the facilitator or/and group process manager in this type of activity is not always enough to promote students’ usage of second language. Reviewing various literature on this topic, the researcher, who is also the lecturer at one of the universities in Georgia, began to find solution how to deal with this challenge. The paper presents a small-scale experimental study aimed at finding the most effective way to reduce first language usage in group-based communicative English classrooms. The researcher assigned to one of the student the role of facilitator and process manager observing the impact on the group. The study discusses the results of the experiment, including students’ feedback, analysis of the effects on students’ behavior, and the extent of first language use during communicative activity. Additionally, the paper reports findings from a small-scale questionnaire involving teachers facing similar challenges, offering recommendations and suggestions. In the summary, this experiment represents an initial step in addressing the challenge - using less first language in group-based communicative English classroom, highlighting the need for further research, offering to try finding other ways to deal with this issue and careful study in the future.

Small-scale experimental study of microevolutionary processes and dynamics of CO2-N2 mixtures before BLEVE

CCS technology involves carbon capture, where the captured CO2 contains N2 impurities and there is a risk of Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE) in the high-pressure CO2-N2 mixtures vessel. Therefore, in this paper, we experimentally investigated the jet structure and boiling nucleation microevolution process after the sudden release of high-pressure CO2-N2 mixtures in a pressure vessel and discussed the effects of rupture disc diameter, and N2 molar ratio on the dynamic pressure before the startup of BLEVE. The results show that under-expanded jets are experimentally observed due to the Joule-Thompson effect. The boiling and nucleation microevolution is divided into six main stages, in the second of which the boiling expansion of the liquid and the "backfilling" of the gas leads to a dynamic pressure peak greater than the initial pressure, and BLEVE starts to occur. In the experiments, the dynamic pressure peaks were larger at 8 mm rupture disc diameter and 8 mol% N2, BLEVE did not occur at 15 mm, and N2 content below 5 mol% had less effect on the dynamic pressure behavior. This study provides a preliminary investigation of the pre-BLEVE behavior of CO2-N2 mixtures and provides theoretical support for risk prevention.

What makes a multimodal construction? Evidence for a prosodic mode in spoken English

Traditionally, grammar deals with morphosyntax, and so does Construction Grammar. Prosody, in contrast, is deemed paralinguistic. Testifying to the “multimodal turn,” the past decade has witnessed a rise in interest in multimodal Construction Grammar, i.e., an interest in grammatic constructions other than exclusively morphosyntactic ones. Part of the debate in this recent area of interest is the question of what defines a multimodal construction and, more specifically, which role prosody plays. This paper will show that morphosyntax and prosody are two different semiotic modes and, therefore, can combine to form a multimodal construction. To this end, studies showing the independence of prosody for meaning-making will be reviewed and a small-scale experimental study on the ambiguous utterance Tell me about it will be reported on.

Adaptive Signal-to-Noise Ratio Indicator for Wearable Bioimpedance Monitoring.

Bioimpedance monitoring is an increasingly important non-invasive technique for assessing physiological parameters such as body composition, hydration levels, heart rate, and breathing. However, sensor signals obtained from real-world experimental conditions invariably contain noise, which can significantly degrade the reliability of the derived quantities. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the quality of measured signals to ensure accurate physiological parameter values. In this study, we present a novel wrist-worn wearable device for bioimpedance monitoring, and propose a method for estimating signal quality for sensor signals obtained on the device. The method is based on the continuous wavelet transform of the measured signal, identification of wavelet ridges, and assessment of their energy weighted by the ridge duration. We validate the algorithm using a small-scale experimental study with the wearable device, and explore the effects of variables such as window size and different skin/electrode coupling agents on signal quality and repeatability. In comparison with traditional wavelet-based signal denoising, the proposed method is more adaptive and achieves a comparable signal-to-noise ratio.

Experimental investigation and design consideration on pull-through capacity of a C-shaped purlin section

A small-scale experimental study was carried out to investigate the pull-through failure of the C-shaped Cold-Formed Steel (CFS) roof purlin sections subjected to wind uplift force. The parameters investigated to comprehend the pull-through behavior of roof purlin are thickness, web depth, flange width of the CFS purlin section, and size of the screw head diameter. The test specimens experienced two different modes of pull-through failure (rupture and bearing) along with the prying effect. It was observed that the pull-through failure mode transitions from rupture of the purlin section around the screw fastener in 1 mm thickness to bearing type in 2 mm and 3 mm thicknesses. The test results were compared with existing design limits and previous studies from the literature which concluded that the existing elastic design approach for the service limit state is unconservative. Hence, a suitable design limit to predict the critical pull-through capacity of C-shaped roof purlins under high wind load is proposed. Additionally, reliability studies were carried out to determine the resistance and safety factors for the proposed design equations. The suggested design specifications are applicable and conservative for the material strength in the range of 350 MPa.

Modelling and Numerical Simulation of a Compartment Fire: Flow Rate Behaviour at Opening

The modelling of fire behaviour in a compartment is the subject of this work. A small-scale experimental study was carried out in a compartment sized 0.5 m × 0.5 m × 0.5 m with a single door with a width of 0.2 m and a height of 0.4 m. The collected results were converted to full-scale results using Froude modelling. The objective of this study was to see how ventilation affects fuel decomposition rate, gas flow rate at the opening and the power generated inside the compartment. This small-scale experimental study allowed us to determine four values of the fuel’s (diesel) mass loss rate, which correspond to four values of the ventilation factor. Numerical simulation using Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) software was used to show the gas’ behaviour at the opening and the variation of the power generated inside the compartment. The vertical profiles of the experimental and numerical temperatures were compared. It was found that the dimensions of the opening have a significant influence on the power generated inside the compartment.

STRATEGIES AND ERRORS IN SIMULTANEOUS INTERPRETING: A STUDENT-ORIENTED EXPERIMENT IN ENGLISH-TURKISH LANGUAGE PAIR

This paper aims to analyze and describe students’ strategies and errors in simultaneous interpreting performances in English and Turkish language pair and to explore the relationship between the effect of directionality on strategies and performance errors. A small-scale experimental study was conducted with 10 interpreting students and a control group of 4 professionals and involved triangulation of multiple sources of data. The study reveals that the student and professional participants resorted to omissions, additions, substitutions and made errors. With respect to directionality, it was observed that the students made significantly more comprehension /production omissions, delay omissions, mild phrasing changes and substantial phrasing changes while interpreting from Turkish into English compared to the opposite direction. The t-test and the self-assessments of the professional interpreters, on the other hand, indicated that interpreting direction had no effect on their strategies or errors. Keywords: Interpreting, Simultaneous Interpreting, Strategy Use in Simultaneous Interpreting, Omissions, Additions, Substitutions, Errors, Directionality

The Effect of Online Interaction via Microsoft Teams Private Chat on Enhancing the Communicative Competence of Introverted Students

The history of language education has witnessed the emergence of various approaches and methods to circumvent learning difficulties. Some of them were very effective and continue to be popular, whereas others were short-lived and less effective. The latest trend is technology-enhanced language learning, which became necessary during the recent pandemic. As a result, various learning platforms were created and tested to enhance online education. Despite the apparent disadvantages of online learning, it has undoubtedly produced a positive impact on learning styles. A notable change is the possibilities for individualised instruction and self-learning, which can provide additional support to introverted students. The major challenges introverted students face in second language acquisition are low self-esteem, lack of motivation and high anxiety. These negative attitudes often hinder successful language learning. However, one of the latest learning platforms, MS Teams Meeting, offers an additional feature for interaction known as Private Chat, which enables learners to communicate with their teachers and peers without disrupting the regular class. Besides, it helps students regulate the learning process according to their preferred time and pace and get extended one-on-one support from teachers. Moreover, this technology-based interactive tool facilitates asynchronous learning, thus enabling introverted students to overcome learning difficulties that act as affective filters and become independent learners. This small-scale experimental study shows that the use of Microsoft Private Chat for teacher-student interaction significantly contributes to the communicative competence of introverted students as it helps lower anxiety and boosts motivation and self-confidence.

Vindicating pollyanna? An experimental test of cognitive restructuring and positive thinking interventions

Objective Despite its considerable potential, psychotherapy research has made limited use of small-scale experimental study designs to test intervention components. This study employs such a design to test the immediate effects on emotional experience of two approaches to changing negative thoughts, cognitive restructuring and fostering positive thinking. Cognitive restructuring draws on the strategies core to cognitive behavioral therapies. Fostering positive thinking has also received attention, though less so as a psychological intervention. Method We tested the benefits of these strategies over a brief interval by randomizing 230 participants to complete a worksheet introducing one of the two strategies. Participants reported their skills prior to exposure to these worksheets and affect was assessed immediately prior to and following use of worksheets. Results Participants’ negative affect reduced following both strategies. Conditions did not differ significantly in affect change. Analysis of potential moderators showed that, among those with higher levels of cognitive behavioral therapy skills, the positive thinking condition produced greater gains in positive affect than the cognitive restructuring condition. Conclusions These results indicate that both forms of brief interventions promote reductions in negative affect. Positive thinking interventions, which are not focused on the accuracy of one's thinking, appear to be particularly effective in promoting positive affect.

Geogrid-anchored sheet pile walls; a small-scale experimental and numerical study

The use of geogrids to anchor Sheet Pile Walls (SPW) is relatively new. A series of small-scale tests was performed to investigate the behaviour of geogrid-anchored SPWs subjected to strip footing surcharge loading. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) techniques were used to measure soil displacement and analyse the global failure mechanism and dominant soil-geogrid interaction mechanisms. One of the tests was duplicated in a test box that was eight times as wide, showing that the influence of the small width of the test box was acceptably small. A 2D finite element model (PLAXIS) was used to simulate the tests and there was a reasonable match with the test results. The position of the strip footing load, and the length and number of the geogrid anchors, proved to be key factors in determining the bearing capacity. The results provide new insights into the stabilising effect and the effective length of the geogrid anchors, in other words the length along which geogrid-soil friction is mobilised. Contrary to the Dutch design guidelines for reinforced soil walls and conventionally anchored sheet pile walls, the results showed that the geogrid provides resistance in the active zone under the strip footing surcharge loading.

Numerical Analysis of the Deformation Behavior of Geogrid-Reinforced MSE Wall Having FHR and SPT Wall Facing

The mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall has been widely used globally for several decades now. The study on MSE wall is continuously growing as well as various innovations on its designs and techniques. The natural complexity of soil behavior makes the study on MSE wall system challenging for researchers. One of the factors that affect the deformation behavior of MSE wall structure is the wall facing system. Hence, this study is undertaken to investigate the deformation behavior of geogrid-reinforced MSE wall, having full height rigid (FHR) and segmental panel-type (SPT) wall facing, using finite element method (FEM) in Plaxis 2D program and small-scale experimental study. Both numerical and experimental models are using discrete geogrids reinforcement with three different reinforcement length ratios of 1H, 0.7H and 0.5H (where H is the wall height). The results from the series of numerical analysis and experimental tests showed that the vertical displacement on top of the MSE wall and the horizontal displacements of the FHR facing were smaller than those of the SPT wall facing, regardless of the reinforcement length. In addition, the reinforcement length has minimal effect on settlement for MSE wall with FHR facing but is more visible for MSE wall with SPT wall facing. The magnitude of the reinforcement effect may not be great in this study because the MSE wall models are only 0.60m high. But it is expected that the higher wall height might induce greater reinforcement length effect.

A small-scale experimental study of CO2 enhanced injectivity methods of the high-rank coal

The attenuation of CO2 injectivity has become the biggest technical barrier for the application of CO2 enhanced coalbed methane recovery (CO2-ECBM). Commonly, the intermittent CO2 injection, N2 displacing CO2 and pre-fracturing are the potential CO2 enhanced injectivity methods for coal reservoirs, but their mechanism and effectiveness remain to be clarified. This paper thus conducted small-scale experiments to simulate the working process of these engineering measures by an independently developed experimental device. Results show that the CO2 injectivity of coal is remarkably improved by the intermittent injection mode since the CO2 injection time is increased by folds and the loss of reservoir pressure can be complemented in time. The N2 displacing CO2 method promotes the desorption of CO2 and reduces the swelling strain, with the result that the permeability of coal is improved by 74.82% and 64.95% compared with the methods of the primary subcritical CO2 (SubCO2) and supercritical CO2 (ScCO2) injection. However, the permeability reduces again with the secondary CO2 injection. The permeability of the coal sample after pre-fracturing is averagely improved by 1–2 orders of magnitude, the irreversible permeability loss rate, average stress sensitivity coefficient and the permeability loss rate due to adsorption are averagely reduced by 95.885%, 61.538% and 96.297%, respectively. This indicates that the permeability of coal after pre-fracturing is no longer sensitive to both the effective stress and ScCO2 adsorption, the injectivity is thus improved and stable. The CO2 enhanced injectivity effects of the intermittent CO2 injection, the N2 displacing CO2 and the pre-fracturing are various, which thus can be selected individually or jointly to improve the CO2 injectivity according to the reservoir physical properties and geological conditions. This research deepens the understanding of the functional mechanism of CO2 enhanced injectivity methods and provides some guidance for their selection and application in engineering practices.

Study on the train-induced unsteady airflow in a metro tunnel with multi-trains

Super-long metro tunnels, which allow two trains to simultaneously drive in the same tunnel direction, have become increasingly important in urban areas where construction is occurring at a rapid pace. The tunnel environment is significantly affected by the phenomenon of piston wind. Based on the unsteady flow theory of Bernoulli equation, the piston effect of metro tunnel caused by single train and multiple trains passing through the tunnel was mathematically modeled in this study. The accuracy and feasibility of the proposed theoretical method is verified by establishing a theoretical model based on a highly cited small-scale experimental study. Based on the verified theoretical method, the influence of various factors on the development law of the piston wind is analysed in detail. The results indicate that the maximum piston wind speed, vmax2, generated by double trains is greater than the maximum piston wind speed, vmax1, generated by a single train, and vmax2 is approximately 1.24 times the value of vmax1. According to the fitting results of five parameters (i.e., the train speed, train length, tunnel length, blockage rate, and frictional resistance coefficient) on the maximum piston wind speed, a unified formula for predicting the maximum piston wind speed with the consideration of various influencing factors is proposed.

A Small-Scale Experimental Study of the Damage Due to Intermittent Shoe Braking on the Tread of High-Speed Train Wheels

Recent interest in emergency shoe braking in high-speed trains stimulated research on the damage due to sliding contact between brake blocks and wheel treads. Bi-disc tests, with rolling–sliding contact between specimens extracted from wheels and brake blocks, were previously performed in constant working conditions to reproduce the temperature of the wheel during braking. However, braking is often a discontinuous operation, obtained by intermittent contact between brakes and tread, to prevent excessive heating. In this article, braking is simulated by discontinuous tests, periodically interrupted to cool down the specimens. Three wheel steels (HYPERLOS, SANDLOS, and CLASS B) were tested against the same cast iron brake material. Measurements of the friction coefficient, contact surface temperature, and weight variation were performed. Moreover, optical microscopy observations and hardness tests were done on the cross section of the wheel specimens. Material transfer from the brake to the wheel disc with the formation of a discontinuous third-body layer was observed. This layer, when worn away, likely contributes to surface crack nucleation. In addition, the debris of both materials enhances abrasive wear. If compared with the continuous tests, the intermittent tests showed higher friction coefficient fluctuations and in some cases significantly different weight variation. Among the steels, the weight loss and subsurface hardening of HYPERLOS was higher in the discontinuous tests than in the longest continuous tests. CLASS B showed similar behavior in both tests. An effect of the temperature cycles on the friction coefficient and the wear behavior was hypothesized.

Effects of electrokinetic phenomena on the load-bearing capacity of different steel and concrete piles: a small-scale experimental study

To date, the electrokinetic (EK) method has only been used to increase the bearing capacity of steel piles. This study analysed the impact of EK on the bearing capacity of reinforced cement concrete piles (RCCP), reinforced lime-cement concrete piles (RLCCP), and steel piles located in kaolin clay. The performance of four different cathodes was also evaluated, and the iron electrode was found to be the most effective cathode for use in the EK process. Unlike RLCCP, the bearing capacity of 7 day cured RCCP with 5 day EK decreased due to corrosion in the pile body. However, the addition of lime to RCCP significantly increased the pile bearing capacity by 57.8% with 8 day EK and prevented damage and corrosion in the pile body. It is concluded that EK can effectively increase the bearing capacity of both metallic and even concrete piles.

A small-scale experimental study of breast FNA consultation on the internet using Panoptiq

To test the potential for cytopathology consultation using Panoptiq (ViewsIQ, Richmond, BC, Canada; this is a new type of whole-slide image that is made manually and incorporates video content), we investigated its application in the cytopathological diagnosis of cases that were difficult to diagnose by breast fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Panoptiq files were created from liquid-based cytology slides prepared by the BD CytoRich Red (BD, Franklin Lakes, NJ) method. The slides were prepared from 23 consecutive samples of breast FNA that had been diagnosed as atypical or suspicious by the Hokkaido Cancer Center, Hokkaido, Japan. Nine volunteer reviewers, who were provided with the URL of the Panoptiq file, the original cytopathological diagnosis, and the clinical information, were asked to classify the cytopathological diagnosis of each case into 4 diagnostic categories (benign, atypical, suspicious, or malignant). We examined the consultation benefit (CB)-how much closer the reviewer's cytopathology diagnosis came to the final histopathological diagnosis than the original cytodiagnosis. The CB scoring system was decided in advance. All 9 reviewers showed a positive total CB score and 2 reviewers showed a significantly higher CB score (Wilcoxon's signed rank test). The representative diagnosis (ie, the most frequently rendered diagnosis in each case) also showed a significant CB. Our small-scale experimental study, in which Panoptiq was used in the diagnosis of cases that were difficult to diagnose definitively by breast FNA, revealed a positive CB score by every reviewer and the representative diagnosis showed a significant CB. The study suggests that Panoptiq could be used for cytopathology consultation.

Near-field BLEVE overpressure effects: The shock start model

Abstract This paper presents the results of a small scale experimental study of BLEVE overpressure effects. Testing consisted of a sealed aluminum tube (0.6 L) filled with either water or propane, being heated by a flame until the internal pressure led to catastrophic failure and explosion. Three parameters were controlled during the experiments: the failing pressure, the weakened length on the tube and the fill level. BLEVEs were obtained with tests involving water and propane. Blast gages and optical techniques were used to characterize the shock wave escaping from the failing tube. The results obtained suggest that the lead shock was primarily generated by the vapor space. Overpressure results obtained were compared with the predictions of existing models and found to be in reasonable agreement except for overpressures measured vertically above the cylinder where the overpressures were highest. A prediction model based on only vapor space characteristics was developed. Images show that the shock was fully formed at some distance away from the vessel opening and this was due to the non-ideal opening of the vessel. The model developed was based on the characteristics of the shock when fully formed away from the tube. These characteristics were defined using a combination of imaging, pressure measurements, and predictions from shock tube theory.

The effect of physical effort on the psychological dimensions in the case of former athletes

Abstract Starting from the theoretical assumptions regarding the fact that the sustained physical effort had repercussions on the mental dimensions and starting from the findings that I came across in practice regarding the fact that the mental state of the athletes varied in time during an endurance test, the aim of the present research was to investigate the effect of stress caused by sustained physical effort specific to endurance tests on the psychological dimensions – in the case of former athletes. The attaining of the set goal was observed through a small scale experimental study case (two subjects of different age). They were involved in an endeavour for establishing a record for sailing the Danube in recreational kayaks provided with space for luggage; random accommodation. During that expedition, a series of mental characteristics of the participants were measured: emotional stability, anxiety level and degree of optimism. The research pointed out the different adaptive capacity of each individual, regardless of age, experience and personality.

A small-scale experimental study on the initial burst and the heterogeneous evolution process before CO2 BLEVE

The sudden rupture of a vessel containing liquefied carbon dioxide (CO2) can generate a boiling liquid expanding vapor cloud explosion (BLEVE). The entire evolution process and mechanism of CO2 BLEVE has not been fully characterized, and its influencing factors have not been systematically examined. In this study, the ejection process and microphase change process in the vessel were recorded by a high-speed camera. Within 20ms, the pressure peaks surpassed the initial values and were considered to be the initiation of a sequence that generated a CO2 BLEVE under certain conditions. In addition, a critical relief caliber with a diameter of 8mm was observed under the initial burst pressures of 3 and 5MPa. This critical relief caliber is essential for risk control and management. About 52ms after the rupture, a heterogeneous nucleation center was formed in the liquefied CO2 in the vessel. Subsequent nucleation center extension and swelling generated another pressure peak. The pressure peak did not surpass the initial pressure value. However, this phenomenon did not eliminate any possible connections between the heterogeneous nucleation process and the CO2 BLEVE. If the conditions had been proper, the explosion could have happened.

Using keystroke logging to understand writers\u2019 processes on a reading-into-writing test

BackgroundIntegrated reading-into-writing tasks are increasingly used in large-scale language proficiency tests. Such tasks are said to possess higher authenticity as they reflect real-life writing conditions better than independent, writing-only tasks. However, to effectively define the reading-into-writing construct, more empirical evidence regarding how writers compose from sources both in real-life and under test conditions is urgently needed. Most previous process studies used think aloud or questionnaire to collect evidence. These methods rely on participants’ perceptions of their processes, as well as their ability to report them.FindingsThis paper reports on a small-scale experimental study to explore writers’ processes on a reading-into-writing test by employing keystroke logging. Two L2 postgraduates completed an argumentative essay on computer. Their text production processes were captured by a keystroke logging programme. Students were also interviewed to provide additional information. Keystroke logging like most computing tools provides a range of measures. The study examined the students’ reading-into-writing processes by analysing a selection of the keystroke logging measures in conjunction with students’ final texts and interview protocols.ConclusionsThe results suggest that the nature of the writers’ reading-into-writing processes might have a major influence on the writer’s final performance. Recommendations for future process studies are provided.