Strong Footing Research Articles

USING MUSIC IN THE ADULT EFL SPEAKING CLASSROOM

Music can play an important role in adult EFL classrooms and help adult learners improve their learning process. Adult learners are generally found to be slower learners than regular tertiary EFL learners, especially in a speaking class. Adults have already gathered lots of experience from life which helps them to maintain a "dignity" in the classroom. In speaking classrooms, they are sometimes afraid of losing that "dignity" in public and remain confined within themselves which results in a lack of participation. Even though adult learners are mature, experienced, and have a specific goal for language learning (i.e., better job opportunity, salary, increment, promotion, obtaining better communication skills, etc.), they could be better benefited and learn more effectively if teachers use music in their language lessons. Adult learners possess some characteristics which differentiate them from young generation EFL learners and these factors affect their process of learning a new language. A large number of adult learners are engaged in professions where obtaining fluency in their second language plays an important role. In addition, they have financial and personal responsibilities. So when they come to the class, they are stressed by professional deadlines, work-pressure, financial burdens, family responsibilities, personal problems, tension, and anxiety. By allowing fun and music in class, a teacher can have an excellent opportunity to teach with authentic English materials which help to create a strong footing. Moreover, it helps adult learners to relax by forgetting outside stresses, entertaining them, and motivating them to participate freely. Those who are usually introverted in nature become social and open when they hear songs. Music can be used as a useful tool of learning because most people can remember the words of the songs regardless of the language. Songs also provide the opportunity to improve learners' listening comprehension and colloquial vocabulary. Besides, adult ears may be challenged by pronunciation, rhythms, and intonations in the music. So the selection of music should be done accordingly. Above all, songs provide a congenial atmosphere for adults so they would less inhibited and more willing to participate. But at the same time there are some negative sides to using music. Teachers may fear that their musical work may create a disturbance for neighboring classes or it may not help the regular syllabus. But we cannot deny that a large number of adult learners who had a * Senior Lecturer, Department of English, Stamford University Bangladesh Using Music in the Adult EFL 122 Speaking Classroom depressing experience in speaking foreign languages in their academic life may gain an entertaining, encouraging, and enthusiastic learning experience which will result in successful learning outcomes. In order to do so, teachers can introduce music in their classrooms to get a successful learning outcome and motivate adult EFL learners to attain their goals.

Topographic specializations in the retinal ganglion cell layer correlate with lateralized visual behavior, ecology, and evolution in cockatoos.

Cockatoos are a unique avian group inhabiting a diversity of arboreal and terrestrial microhabitats. Most species display strong lateralized visual behaviors using their left eye/foot to assist with food manipulation during foraging. In this study, we used retinal wholemounts and stereological methods to investigate whether the topographic distribution of retinal ganglion cells in cockatoos reflects their lateralized behaviors and microhabitat diversity. We found that all species studied possess a horizontal visual streak and a shallow central fovea that afford increased spatial resolution in the lateral visual field. Arboreal cockatoos have a well-defined dorsotemporal area, in contrast to terrestrial cockatoos, in which this specialization is inconspicuous or absent. Terrestrial cockatoos also have a triangular extension of increased ganglion cell density directed toward the dorsotemporal retinal periphery. Both the dorsotemporal area and the triangular extension enhance spatial resolution in the frontal and inferior visual fields, which potentially assists with binocular coordination during foraging. We found significantly higher ganglion cell densities in the left (52,000-72,000 cells/mm2) compared with the right (42,500-50,000 cells/mm2) perifoveal region of species that have strong left eye-left foot lateralized behaviors. In contrast, cockatoo species that show no lateralized behaviors have equivalent retinal ganglion cell densities in both left and right perifoveal regions (42,500-52,500 cells/mm2). Retinal ganglion cell peak densities in the dorsotemporal area showed no significant difference between left and right eyes for any species, suggesting that cockatoos use both eyes to extract information in the binocular visual field, independent of the degree of lateralization.

Lateral Intra-Articular Transposition of the Anterior Tibialis Tendon for the Treatment of Relapsed Clubfoot in Toddlers: A Previously Unreported Surgical Technique

Dynamic supination of the foot is a common residual deformity in children with clubfeet treated with the Ponseti method. Transfer of the anterior tibialis tendon (ATT) to the lateral cuneiform is an effective method for correcting this deformity when the cuneiform is ossified in children who are 3 to 5 years of age. We describe two cases of a previously unreported method of ATT transposition for correction of bilateral residual dynamic supination in a 26-month-old and a 19-month-old patient. Both patients presented shortly after birth with bilateral congenital idiopathic clubfoot and were initially treated with the Ponseti method. Both had residual deformity following initial treatment that included posterior contracture and metatarsus adductus with dynamic forefoot supination. This was surgically corrected with a posterior release and medial release of the 1st metatarsal/1st cuneiform joint. To correct dynamic supination, the ATT was transplanted laterally into the released midfoot joint. These two patients were followed post-operatively for 7.5 years and have correction of their residual deformity in both feet based on subjective functioning, appearance, range of motion, strength, and gait. Both have excellent lateral pull of their ATT, which functions as a strong foot dorsiflexor. No residual supination is present. This is the first report of lateral transposition of the ATT as an interposition graft at the released 1st metatarsal/1st cuneiform joint in patients with relapsed clubfoot. We suggest that this method should provide a high level of functioning in children with relapsed supination deformity and whose 3rd cuneiform has not yet ossified.

Case study and back analysis of a residential building damaged by expansive soils

This paper presents a case study of a residential house damaged by expansive soils. The field investigation revealed that the damage was most likely caused by excessive lawn watering and leaks of sewer pipe and/or stormwater pipe, which resulted in non-uniform soil moisture conditions. Three-dimensional back analysis of this distressed structure indicated that stresses were most critical at a re-entrant corner and that steel reinforcing bars in the beam in this area had yielded. The results of the back analysis also indicated that a stronger footing was required to limit differential deflection to an acceptable level and reduce stress in the footing. The case study has clearly shown that a leaking underground water pipe and/or excessive watering of a garden could cause more severe distortion to a single storey masonry veneer house than could be expected from seasonal moisture change and the deeper moisture re-distribution caused by the imposition of the house on seasonally dry reactive soil. Moreover it has been demonstrated that it would be extremely costly to design a footing for extreme, or abnormal, moisture changes.

詩、畫、禪與蘇軾、黄庭堅詠竹題畫研究———以墨竹題詠與禪趣、比德、興寄爲核心

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in Chinese; abstract also in English.
 會通化成，爲宋型文化特色之一；題詠繪畫，爲宋代詩畫之岀位之思；詩畫一律之觀念，至北宋元祐年間已流行應用。宋代士人習染佛禪，以水墨作畫，往往滲透於其中；詩人題詠墨畫，亦以禪爲詩，得游戲之三昧。竹在宋代，既名列歲寒三友，又比德爲四君子之一。竹之形象，中空、有節、長青、參天、堅勁、柔韌，故引發士人喜愛，或見之歌詠，或形之畫圖。尤其竹之本固、性直、心空、節貞諸德操，詠竹詩、墨竹畫往往多所體現。本文綜考北宋蘇軾、黄庭堅之詠竹詩篇及墨竹題詠，作爲研究文本。蘇軾有墨竹、水墨山水，以及枯木之詠。黄庭堅亦作墨竹11首，題詠横竹、偃竹、竹石、畫竹、緑筠、風雨竹、竹石牧牛之倫若干首。詩人或以比德，或以興寄，詠物之妙，蔚爲文人畫之墨戲，多體現爲游戲三昧，蓋合詩、畫、禪而一之。詩、畫、禪三者之跨際會通，新奇組合，形成詠竹、墨竹之一大特色。清吴之振《宋詩鈔》引曹學佺序宋詩之言，謂宋詩特色爲“取材廣，而命意深”，宋人之水墨畫題詠可見之。
 One typical aspect of the zeitgeist of the Song dynasty is “comprehension and transformation.” The inscription of poems on paintings was a prominent trend that represents the unique aesthetics of the time. The concept that poetry and painting should be treated as the same art type was prevalent from the Yuanyou reign-period (1086-1094) of the Northern Song. The ink and wash paintings by literati in the Song, who lived in a Chan Buddhist culture, always displayed this aesthetic quality. Likewise, poets also found profound delights in their somewhat playful Chan Buddhist style inscription poems on these paintings.
 In the Song, bamboo was regarded as one of “the three friends of wintertime” and one of “the four gentlemen of high morality.” Literati were fond of bamboo because its image was laden with symbolic meanings: the hollowness inside represented generosity; the nodes referred to integrity; its evergreen nature symbolized longevity; towering toward the sky reflected aspiration; strength showed perseverance; and softness and toughness reflected flexibility. Therefore, bamboo became a common object in poetry and paintings which focused mainly on the plant’s virtuous qualities, such as: having a strong footing, being upright in nature, having a broad mind, and being chaste.
 The present article is a study of inscription poems on paintings of bamboo written respectively by Su Shi (1037-1101) and Huang Tingjian (1045-1105). Su wrote poems on ink bamboo, ink and wash landscape paintings, and paintings of withered trees. Huang also wrote eleven poems on ink and wash bamboo, and some others on horizontal bamboo, reposing bamboo, bamboo and stone, painting bamboo, green bamboo, bamboo amidst wind and rain, and other related subjects such as bamboo, rocks, and pasturing cattle. These poems are metaphors for moral character, or a means by which the poet expresses certain feelings. The wondrous description is combined with painting skills and reaches a highly profound level of aesthetic appeal, which marks the achievement of the unification of poetry, painting, and Chan Buddhism. The interdisciplinary products bear a distinguished feature. In his Hand-copied Song Poems, Wu Zhizhen (1640-1717) of the Qing dynasty quotes Cao Xuequan’s (1574-1647) “Preface to Song Poetry”: the main characteristics of Song poetry include “a wide range of themes and their profound meanings.” These characteristics are reflected in Song inscription poems on ink and wash paintings.

Trade Capacity Building in the WTO: Main Achievements since Doha and Key Challenges

This contribution reviews the WTO's achievements in the field of trade capacity building since the launch of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) in 2001, and discusses the key challenges. The DDA has clearly created a strong footing for the delivery of the WTO's trade capacity building programmes. The evidence suggests that the beneficiaries are now much better equipped to address the challenges of the Multilateral Trading System (MTS), to take active part in the negotiations, define their strategic objectives and defend their economic and trade interests. There is no room for complacency, however, as key challenges remain to be addressed. Human and institutional capacity building remain a priority for developing countries, and irrespective of the outcome of the DDA negotiations.

Thermodynamics and mechanics of photochemcially reacting polymers

We develop a thermodynamics and mechanics theory for polymers that when irradiated with light, undergo photochemical reactions that alter their macromolecular structure, e.g., by bond breaking and/or reformation, and in turn affect their mechanical and physical behavior. This emerging class of highly-engineered active materials shows great promise for myriad applications and is a subset of a broader class of polymers with covalent bonds that can be dynamically tuned with various environmental stimuli. We formulate a general thermodynamic and kinetic framework to model the complex photochemical–thermal–mechanical coupling in these materials. Our theory considers the behavior of a polymer that is subjected to the combination of mechanical and thermal loading while simultaneously irradiated by light with multiple frequency components and directions. We introduce an approach to model the photochemical reactions that can change the network topology, resulting chemical species transport, heat conduction and finite deformation. We describe the interaction of the material with light via a radiometric description and show how it can be linked to a full electromagnetic treatment when appropriate and if desired. Our approach is sufficiently general to permit the modeling of various materials that operate via different photochemical reaction mechanisms. After formulating the general theory, we specialize it to a polymer that when irradiated with light undergoes a series of photochemical reactions that cause chain scission and reformation which continuously rearrange the polymer network into a stress-free configuration. Based on the operant physical mechanisms we develop a constitutive model using a polymer chain decomposition and evolution approach to track the molecular structure changes during simultaneous irradiation and mechanical loading. In the special case of isothermal conditions with monochromatic and unidirectional irradiation, we recover a previous model based on intuitive ad-hoc assumptions and thus put it on strong thermodynamic footing. Finally we use our model to simulate the behavior of a polymer that is biaxially stretched and then irradiated with light from one side. We simulate the process and emphasize the spontaneous bending that occurs due to inhomogeneous photoinduced stress relaxation. From our theory, we obtain an analytical expression of a characteristic time for photo-induced stress relaxation in terms of the dominating system parameters.

Abstract SY05-01: Genetic and non-genetic mechanisms contribute to long-term clonal growth dynamics and therapy resistance.

Abstract SY05-01: Genetic and non-genetic mechanisms contribute to long-term clonal growth dynamics and therapy resistance.

The corporate governance landscape of Malaysia: then and now

The issue of corporate governance has been much discussed lately, particularly since the beginning of the 21st century. Malaysia has been recognised as among the best in Asia to have installed comprehensive governance framework. This paper offers an insight into the amount of afford invested by the government in establishing a strong governance footing, starting from its independence from the British occupation to today. The review focused on three principal mechanisms, namely the regulatory measures and enforcement; best practices and codes; and institutional support. Lastly, this paper concludes with a synopsis of the community education plan installed to promote integrity among the citizenry.

History, Structure, Evolution, Behavior, Distribution, and Ecology of the Extinct Hawaiian Genus Ciridops (Fringillidae, Carduelini, Drepanidini)

Abstract The extinct drepanidine genus Ciridops is known from five historically taken specimens of Ciridops anna from the island of Hawaii, the last in 1892, and from fossil populations on Molokai, Oahu, and Kauai. The origins of the historical specimens and the taxonomic history of the genus are reviewed. The plumages of C. anna are interpreted as highly sexually dimorphic (red males vs. greenish females); the juvenile plumage of males included brownish feathers that appear to have been retained and mixed with the incoming definitive plumage. The thigh musculature and pelvic and hindlimb osteology show that the strong legs and feet of Ciridops were probably used to move plant debris in search of insects. The closest living analog may be the Yellowhead (Mohoua ochrocephala) of New Zealand. Analysis of stomach contents of the single fluid-preserved specimen of C. anna disclosed remains of insects that are widely distributed in Hawaiian forest ecosystems. The traditionally claimed association of Ciridops an...

LONG TERM EVOLUTION OF BALTIC SEA SANDY BEACH FORCED BY WINTER NORTH ATLANTIC OSCILLATION (NAOWI)

The study examines a hypothesis on the coupling between Winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAOWI) and hydro- and morphodynamics of a sandy beach with multiple bars, situated at a Baltic Sea coastal segment in northern Poland. Identification of coincident long-term periodic patterns of shoreline variability and NAOWI is a strong argument for the existence of such a coupling, because the Baltic Sea is purely non-tidal and shoreline evolution is driven entirely by waves. Interestingly, similar periodic patterns were also found in the reconstructed long-term winter wave climate (hourly retrieved significant wave height between 1958 - 2001). Therefore, the hypothesis received a strong and comprehensive statistical footing. It highlights the fact that long-term periodic changes in winter energy fluxes from air through waves to the beach remain imprinted in shoreline evolution. Hence, any climate change driven modifications of global meteorological patterns, such as NAOWI, may have vital implications for Baltic Sea beaches in coming decades.

Novelty exposure overcomes foot shock-induced spatial-memory impairment by processes of synaptic-tagging in rats

Novelty processing can transform short-term into long-term memory. We propose that this memory-reinforcing effect of novelty could be explained by mechanisms outlined in the "synaptic tagging hypothesis." Initial short-term memory is sustained by a transient plasticity change at activated synapses and sets synaptic tags. These tags are later able to capture and process the plasticity-related proteins (PRPs), which are required to transform a short-term synaptic change into a long-term one. Novelty is involved in inducing the synthesis of PRPs [Moncada D, et al. (2011) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 108:12937-12936], which are then captured by the tagged synapses, consolidating memory. In contrast to novelty, stress can impair learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity. Here, we address questions as to whether novelty-induced PRPs are able to prevent the loss of memory caused by stress and if the latter would not interact with the tag-setting process. We used water-maze (WM) training as a spatial learning paradigm to test our hypothesis. Stress was induced by a strong foot shock (FS; 5 × 1 mA, 2 s) applied 5 min after WM training. Our data show that FS reduced long-term but not short-term memory in the WM paradigm. This negative effect on memory consolidation was time- and training-dependent. Interestingly, novelty exposure prevented the stress-induced memory loss of the spatial task and increased BDNF and Arc expression. This rescuing effect was blocked by anisomycin, suggesting that WM-tagged synapses were not reset by FS and were thus able to capture the novelty-induced PRPs, re-establishing FS-impaired long-term memory.

Correlates of calf cramp in children with Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease

Results Of the 81 children, 26 (32%) reported calf cramp and one child each reported toe, quadriceps or arm cramp. Calf cramp was associated (p < 0.05) with older age; presence of hand tremor; stronger foot inversion, eversion, dorsiflexion and plantarflexion; and better performance in long jump and 9-hole peg tests. Logistic regression analysis revealed only increasing age (OR 1.32; 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.58; p = 0.002) and presence of hand tremor (OR 3.81; 95% CI: 1.18 to 12.56; p = 0.028) as independent predictors of calf cramp. Conclusions Calf cramps are common in children with CMT1A and worsen with age. This study revealed a previously unrecognised link between cramp and hand tremor in children with CMT1A. Further investigation of proposed mechanisms and risk factors common to both cramp and tremor will contribute to our understanding of these common complications of CMT1A.

Muscle cramp in pediatric Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A

To identify correlates of calf cramp in children with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A). Throughout Australia, 81 children aged 2-16 years with CMT1A were recruited. Measures of strength, ankle range, foot posture, balance, agility, endurance, gait, and neurophysiology were collected. Post hoc logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of calf cramp. Of the 81 children, 26 (32%) reported calf cramp, and 1 child each reported toe, quadriceps, or arm cramp. Calf cramp was associated (p < 0.05) with older age; the presence of hand tremor; stronger foot inversion, eversion, dorsiflexion, and plantarflexion; and better performance in long-jump and 9-hole peg tests. Logistic regression analysis revealed only increasing age (odds ratio [OR] 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-1.58; p = 0.002) and the presence of hand tremor (OR 3.81, 95% CI 1.18-12.56; p = 0.028) as independent predictors of calf cramp. Calf cramps are common in children with CMT1A and worsen with age. This study revealed a previously unrecognized link between cramp and hand tremor in children with CMT1A. Further investigation of proposed mechanisms and risk factors common to both cramp and tremor will contribute to our understanding of these common complications of CMT1A.

A Framework for a Restorative Society? Restorative Justice in Northern Ireland

Presenting findings of an unparalleled study, mapping the extent of restorative practices in Northern Ireland, this article argues that while some examples of the use of restorative justice in Northern Ireland have been researched in detail, it is in fact being employed in a much wider range of contexts, including schools and children's care homes. This diversity in restorative justice deployment is used to frame arguments for restorative justice to be given stronger footing by government citing the great potential for Northern Ireland to become a ‘restorative society’. Key findings from the mapping research are presented as an explanation for previous growth in restorative practices to date and as a facilitator for further growth both in Northern Ireland and in other jurisdictions. These include recognition that the definition and application of restorative justice must be determined by situation and context, and that the continued expansion of restorative practices is dependent on the cross-fertilisation of ideas both from abroad, but also between organisations within a jurisdiction.

Novel design for drift tubes in ion mobility spectrometry for optimised resolution of peak clusters

In the past decade, Ion Mobility Spectrometry has established a very strong foot hold in medical and biological applications due to its numerous advantages including sensitivity, ruggedness and reproducibility. During the analysis of complex samples such as human breath, it is very probable that two or more analytes form peak clusters due to similar drift times and pre-separation times, thus hindering the identification of the analytes. Furthermore, such overlapping of signal makes quantification very difficult or even impossible. Resolving these peak clusters is important to enable proper identification and quantification of analytes detected for diagnosis. Hence, we designed a drift tube with variable length for investigating the influence of varying drift lengths and electric field on resolution. Peak cluster formations usually seen between acetone and the reactant ion peak, between the dimer peaks of 2-Heptanone and 4-Heptanone have been resolved with the new drift tube after optimisation. These novel drift tubes could easily negate the peak clusters often encountered when complex medical and biological samples are measured with the ion mobility spectrometer. Furthermore, the fact that these drift tubes can be altered in length thereby providing a wide range of electric fields (from 50 to 3300 V.cm−1), opens up new research options in ion motions in an electric field.

Strategy for a Bright Future: President-Elect Message, January 2011

What a great joy and honor it is for me, as your President-Elect, to ring in the New Year with heartfelt wishes to all Academy members for best of health and great success in 2011. We enter this year on strong financial footing with sound governance under the stewardship of our president, Eduardo M. Fraifeld, MD, and a dynamic management team, led by our accomplished Executive Director, Phil Saigh. It is no accident that we, as the “voice” of pain medicine, find ourselves in such a position, notwithstanding the stresses of the economic climate over these last few years. The extraordinary leadership and dedication …

Two new species of Lentidium (Myida: Corbulidae) from tropical northern Australia: remarkable fresh/fluviatile to brackish-water bivalves

Lentidium, sole genus in the subfamily Lentidiinae of the Corbulidae, is remarkable because of its active lifestyle, strong foot and thin shell, as well as being far more equivalve and equilateral than the majority of species within the family. Lentidium is presently known by the extant Euasian species Lentidium mediterraneum (O.G. Costa, 1823) in addition to four fossil species. Two new extant species from tropical northern Australia are described, of which L. origolacus n. sp. has an extensive fossil record, particularly in non-marine phases of the Gulf of Carpentaria basin through most of the last Interglacial period (from approx. 130,000 years) to the present time. The other, L. dalyfluvialis n. sp., appears to be restricted to the Daly River in the Northern Territory. Both species are extremely abundant in certain fluviatile/lacustrine habitats. Aspects of the ecology of each species are discussed. L. dalyfluvialis, though normally infaunal and endobyssate, is capable of rapid movement and active burrowing. Such behaviour, while highly unusual for the family, is presumably necessary for survival in major rivers prone to sudden flooding during the monsoon season.

MAGNETIC LOOPS IN THE QUIET SUN

We investigate the fine structure of magnetic fields in the atmosphere of the quiet Sun. We use photospheric magnetic field measurements from {\sc Sunrise}/IMaX with unprecedented spatial resolution to extrapolate the photospheric magnetic field into higher layers of the solar atmosphere with the help of potential and force-free extrapolation techniques. We find that most magnetic loops which reach into the chromosphere or higher have one foot point in relatively strong magnetic field regions in the photosphere. $91%$ of the magnetic energy in the mid chromosphere (at a height of 1 Mm) is in field lines, whose stronger foot point has a strength of more than 300 G, i.e. above the equipartition field strength with convection. The loops reaching into the chromosphere and corona are also found to be asymmetric in the sense that the weaker foot point has a strength $B < 300$ G and is located in the internetwork. Such loops are expected to be strongly dynamic and have short lifetimes, as dictated by the properties of the internetwork fields.

Interpreting developmental changes in neuroimaging signals.

The imaging of developmental changes in brain function is challenging, but great strides have been made in addressing many of the conceptual issues that this work raises. I highlight a set of issues that remain to be addressed in this literature. First, I argue that the appeal to developmental neurobiology is often misplaced, as it focuses on neurodevelopmental processes that are mostly completed by the age at which neuroimaging studies can be performed. Second, I argue that the concept of "normative" development needs to be reexamined, as it reflects fundamental value judgments about brain development that seem inappropriate for scientific investigation. Third, I examine the ways in which developmental changes are often interpreted, arguing that common interpretations, including the concepts of "efficiency" and "focalization" may be less useful than commonly supposed. To put developmental neuroimaging on stronger footing, we need to develop stronger connections between computational and neurobiological accounts of developmental changes.