TM-score Research Articles

TEACHING READING COMPREHENSION THROUGH PEER TUTORING TECHNIQUE TO THE TENTH GRADE STUDENTS OF SMA SANTA MARIA KABANJAHE IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR OF 2020/2021

The aims of this study are to prove whether Peer Tutoring Technique can improve students’ reading comprehension and to know the students’ responses after being taught by using Peer Tutoring technique. This research is Classroom Action Research (CAR) which was conducted by Teaching Reading Comprehension Through Peer Tutoring technique to the Tenth Grade Students of SMA Santa Maria Kabanjahe Class X IPA II in the Academic Year of 2020/2021. The quantitative data analysis showed that the students’ mean score increased continuously from 46,42 in pre-test, 68,33 in formative test, and 80,38 in post-test. The percentage of the students’ score increased from pre-test to post-test was 69,69%. The qualitative data analysis showed that the students’ responses after being taught by using Peer Tutoring t echnique are very good. It can be seen from observation sheets and field notes; they felt more confident, enthusiastic and motivated to learn reading comprehension on narrative texts after Peer Tutoring technique was applied. The responses of students it can be seen from the total percentage of questionnaires strongly agree about 46,66% and followed by the highest percentage of agree about 46,06%. The Peer Tutoring technique was beneficial and effective for teaching reading comprehension. It is suggested that English teachers use Peer Tutoring technique as an alternative technique in teaching reading to the students in Senior High School in order to improve their students’ reading comprehension.

THE USE OF PROJECT BASED LEARNING METHOD TO IMPROVE STUDENTS' SKILL IN WRITING DESCRIPTIVE TEXTS TO THE ELEVENTH GRADE STUDENTS OF SMA SWASTA SANTA MARIA KABANJAHE IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR OF 2020/2021

This research was primarily carried out to prove that Project Based Learning (henceforth, PBL) method is effective to improve the students’ skill in writing descriptive texts and to describe the students’ responses towards the learning teaching processes of writing descriptive texts through the use of PBL method. This is Classroom Action Research (henceforth, CAR) which consisted of two cycles. Each cycle consisted of three meeting, excluded pre-test and post-test. There are seven classes in the eleventh grade of SMA Swasta Santa Maria Kabanjahe. There are 36 students in the XI IPA 4 as the research subjects. The analysis of quantitative data showed the improvement of students’ skill in writing descriptive texts. It was shown by the mean score of the pre-test (49,69), the formative test (74,22) and the post-test (82,33). The percentage of the students’ score increased from pre-test to post-test (65,68%). The responses of students can be seen from the total percentage of questionnaires strongly agree about 46,75% and followed by the highest percentage agree about 50,92%. It is advisable that English teachers apply PBL method as a method in order to improve their students’ writing skill.Â

Structural Comparison of the SARS CoV 2 Spike Protein Relative to Other Human-Infecting Coronaviruses.

Coronaviruses (CoV) are enveloped positive-stranded RNA viruses and, historically, there are seven known human-infecting CoVs with varying degrees of virulence. CoV attachment to the host is the first step of viral pathogenesis and mainly relies on the spike glycoprotein located on the viral surface. Among the human-infecting CoVs, only the infection of SARS CoV 2 (SARS2) among humans resulted to a pandemic which would suggest that the protein structural conformation of SARS2 spike protein is distinct as compared to other human-infecting CoVs. Surprisingly, the possible differences and similarities in the protein structural conformation between the various human-infecting CoV spike proteins have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we utilized a computational approach to generate models and analyze the seven human-infecting CoV spike proteins, namely: HCoV 229E, HCoV OC43, HCoV NL63, HCoV HKU1, SARS CoV, MERS CoV, and SARS2. Model quality assessment of all CoV models generated, structural superimposition of the whole protein model and selected S1 domains (S1-CTD and S1-NTD), and structural comparison based on RMSD values, Tm scores, and contact mapping were all performed. We found that the structural orientation of S1-CTD is a potential structural feature associated to both the CoV phylogenetic cluster and lineage. Moreover, we observed that spike models in the same phylogenetic cluster or lineage could potentially have similar protein structure. Additionally, we established that there are potentially three distinct S1-CTD orientation (Pattern I, Pattern II, Pattern III) among the human-infecting CoVs. Furthermore, we postulate that human-infecting CoVs in the same phylogenetic cluster may have similar S1-CTD and S1-NTD structural orientation. Taken together, we propose that the SARS2 spike S1-CTD follows a Pattern III orientation which has a higher degree of similarity with SARS1 and some degree of similarity with both OC43 and HKU1 which coincidentally are in the same phylogenetic cluster and lineage, whereas, the SARS2 spike S1-NTD has some degree of similarity among human-infecting CoVs that are either in the same phylogenetic cluster or lineage.

Identifying Native and Non-native Membrane Protein Loops by Using Stabilizing Energetic Terms of Three Popular Force Fields

Background: Predicting the three-dimensional structure of globular proteins from their amino acid sequence has reached a fair accuracy, but predicting the structure of membrane proteins, especially loop regions, is still a difficult task in structural bioinformatics. The difficulty in predicting membrane loops is due to various factors like length variation, position, flexibility, and they are easily prone to mutation. Objective: In the present work, we address the problem of identifying and ranking near-native loops from a set of decoys generated by Monte-Carlo simulations. Methods: We systematically analyzed native and generated non-native decoys to develop a scoring function. The scoring function uses four important stabilizing energy terms from three popular force fields, such as FOLDX, OPLS, and AMBER, to identify and rank near-native membrane loops. Results: The results reveal better discrimination of native and non-natives and perform poor prediction in binary classifying native and near-native defined based on Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD), Global Distance Test (GDT), and Template Modeling (TM) score, respectively. Conclusions: From our observations, we conclude that the important energy features described here may help to improve the loop prediction when the membrane protein database size increases.

The Effectiveness of Anticipation Guide and Visualization Strategies in Teaching Reading Comprehension to Students With High and Low Motivation

Teaching reading comprehension is not easy, the teacher must consider an appropriate strategy that can influence in the way of teaching-learning. The problem came from the Eight Grade students of SMPN 1 Kersana Brebes in the Academic year 2019/2020. The students lack motivation English subject because the teacher taught using conventional strategy which made them bored and could not achieve good score in English subject. The present study aims to explain how significant the students’ achievement taught by using anticipation guide and visualization strategies in teaching reading comprehension to students with high and low motivation. This study was a quasi-experimental design with a 2x2 factorial design conducted in eighth grade students at SMPN 1 Kersana, Brebes as the research participants. There are two experimental group involved. The students’ different level of motivation was taken as a factor that might influence the strategies. In collecting data, the writer used reading comprehension test to get students’ scores and questionnaires. The data was analyzed using ANOVA to answer the main hypotheses. Based on the analysis of the significance score was 0.000 which was lower than 0.05. It can be concluded that there was significance difference on the students’ achievement taught by anticipation guide and visualization for students with high and low motivation. This research is expected to give a contribution to give a contribution to English teaching learning such as giving appropriate strategy to teach reading comprehension.

The Effectiveness of Role-Play and Information-Gap in E – Teaching Speaking Skill for High-Low Self-Confident Students

Teaching speaking is not easy. The teacher has to use an appropriate technique in teaching speaking. The research problem came from the Eighth Grade students of SMPN 1 Arjawinangun Cirebon. The students were passive in conversation when someone talked in English because the teacher taught using traditional method which made them bored and could not give feedback in English conversation. On the students’ side, they get difficulties in learning speaking because they felt bored and passive during teaching and learning process. This research aims to explain how significant the students’ achievement taught by using role play and information gap technique conducted with high and low self-confident of students in e-teaching speaking context. The research design was a quasi-experimental design with a 2x2 factorial design involving the eighth-grade students SMPN 1 Arjawinangun, Cirebon as the research participants. There were two experimental groups involved. The students’ different self-confidence was taken as a factor that might influence the techniques. In collecting the data, the writer used speaking test to get students’ scores and questionnaires made by Google Form and on-line system. The data was analyzed using ANOVA to answer the main hypotheses. Based on the analysis of the significance score was 0.178 which was higher than 0.05. It can be concluded that there was no significant difference on the students’ achievement taught by role play and information-gap for students with high and low self-confidence. This research is expected to give a contribution to the research such as giving appropriate technique to teach speaking in e-learning.

Teaching preposition by using scavenger hunt game

This research aimed to find out the effectiveness of teaching preposition by using Scavenger Hunt Game to the eighth grade students of SMP Negeri 11 Lubuklinggau in academic year 2019/2020. There are two hypothesis in this research, the null hypothesis (Ho) which stated that it is not effective to teach preposition by using Scavenger Hunt Game to the eighth grade students of SMP Negeri 11 Lubuklinggau and the alternative hypothesis (Ha) which stated that it is effective to teach preposition by using Scavenger Hunt Game to the eighth grade students of SMP Negeri 11 Lubuklinggau. The pre-experimental method was applied in this research. There were 28 students treated as the sample of the research taken from class VIII.3 by using cluster random sampling. The data was collected by writing test. Moreover, the writer used SPSS 20 to analyzed the data. The data from the test was analyzed through individual score, comparison for Minimum Mastery Criteria (MMC), and used ready match t-test. From the data analyse, the writer found out that there was different between the students’ score before and after the treatment. The average score of pre-test was 47.68 and for the post-test was 75.89. Moreover, the result of match t-test was higher than the coefficients of t-table. The result of match t-test was 18.488 whereas the coefficients critical value of t-table was 1.703 for significant level 0.05 for df 27. It means that the alternative hypothesis (Ha) was accepted and the null hypothesis (Ho) was rejected. In other word, it was significantly effective to teach preposition by using Scavenger Hunt Game to the eighth grade students of SMP Negeri 11 Lubuklinggau in academic year 2019/2020.

The effectiveness of socrative and kahoot to teach grammar to students with different interest

This study aimed at examining the effectiveness of socrative and kahootto teach grammar to students with different interest. The objectives of the study are, to analyze high and low interest students’ score of grammar in order to explain the effectiveness of socrative, to analyze high and low interest students’ score of grammar in order to explain the effectiveness of kahoot, to analyze the significant difference between the students with high interest after taught by using Socrative and Kahoot to teach grammar, to analyze the significant difference between the students with low interest after taught by using Socrative and Kahoot to teach grammar, to analyze how the interaction is among teaching, students’ interest and grammar. It was an experimental research with 2x2 factorial design. I used questionnaire, observation and test. The data from questionnaire and grammar test is analyzed quantitatively using T-test and ANOVA.The results of this research showed that socrative to students with high and low interest (79.17 and 57.50) and kahoot to students with high and low interest (85.50 and 62.86) are effective. Mean score of kahoot multimedia was higher than socrative in teaching grammar. There was no significant interaction among multimedia, interest and students’ grammar achievement..

A New Protocol for Atomic-Level Protein Structure Modeling and Refinement Using Low-to-Medium Resolution Cryo-EM Density Maps

The rapid progress of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) in structural biology has raised an urgent need for robust methods to create and refine atomic-level structural models using low-resolution EM density maps. We propose a new protocol to create initial models using I-TASSER protein structure prediction, followed by EM density map-based rigid-body structure fitting, flexible fragment adjustment and atomic-level structure refinement simulations. The protocol was tested on a large set of 285 non-homologous proteins and generated structural models with correct folds for 260 proteins, where 28% had RMSDs below 2 Å. Compared to other state-of-the-art methods, the major advantage of the proposed pipeline lies in the uniform structure prediction and refinement protocol, as well as the extensive structural re-assembly simulations, which allow for low-to-medium resolution EM density map-guided structure modeling starting from amino acid sequences. Interestingly, the quality of both the image fitting and subsequent structure refinement was found to be strongly correlated with the correctness of the initial I-TASSER models; this is mainly due to the different correlation patterns observed between force field and structural quality for the models with template modeling score (or TM-score, a metric quantifying the similarity of models to the native) above and below a threshold of 0.5. Overall, the results demonstrate a new avenue that is ready to use for large-scale cryo-EM-based structure modeling and atomic-level density map-guided structure refinement.

IMPROVING STUDENTS’ READING COMPREHENSION THROUGH COOPERATIVE INTEGRATED READING AND COMPOSITION TECHNIQUE TO THE EIGHT GRADE STUDENTS OF SMP SWASTA KATOLIK BUDI MURNI 1 MEDAN

Reading is not only about pronouncing written words correctly but also comprehending the text. It is not surprising the students have difficulties in reading comprehension because they do not understand the language. Therefore the teacher must try to help the students comprehend the text. One thing the teacher can do is to find a technique to teach this reading comprehension. Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition can help the students to improve their reading comprehension and to arouse their motivation. The aim of this study is to find whether Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition Technique works effectively on improving students’ reading comprehension and to know what students’ responses after being taught by using this technique. The subject of this study is the eighth grade students of SMP Swasta Katolik Budi Murni 1 Medan in the Academic Year of 2018/2019 were consist 25 students of class VIII C. This study was conducted by applying Classroom Action Research (CAR), which was performed in two cycles ( cycle I and cycle II). The instruments of collecting data were Quantitative data (reading comprehension test) and and qualitative data (field notes,obervation sheet,questionnaire)The result of reading comprehension tests showed that the mean of the students’ score increased from pre-test (20 %), formative test (52 %), post-test (76 %). The field notes, observation sheet and questionnaire showed that the students are interested in the learning teaching process through CIRC Technique and this study run well. It was found that this technique could improve students’ reading comprehension. It is suggested that English teacher should apply this technique in teaching reading comprehension.

IMPROVING THE EIGHT GRADE STUDENTS’ COMPETENCE IN USING QUESTION TAGS THROUGH DISCUSSION METHOD AT SMP DELI MURNI MEDAN

This research is conducted in order to improve the eight grade students’ competence in using question tag through Discussion Method at SMP Deli Murni Medan. It also helps the English teacher of the eight grade students of SMP Deli Murni Medan to manage learning and teaching activities in the classroom. In conducting this research, the writer used Classroom Action Research (CAR) as the method of research. Thisresearch consists of two cycles and each cycle consists of four steps, they were planning, action, observation and reflecting. The data were in the form of qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative data analyzed the learning process. The quantitative data counted the students’ score in pre-test and post-test. The result of this research shows that in teaching question tags through Discssion Method at the eight grade students of SMP Deli Murni Medan could improve their competence in using question tags. Moreever, the students’ achievements in pre-test and post-test showed a significant improvement. The total score of quantitative data in pre-test was 1998 with the mean score 54, while the total score in formative test was 2630 with the mean score 71,08 and the total score of post-test was 3004 with the mean score 81,18. From the result, the writer concluded that Discussion Method could improve students’ competence in using question tags.

TEACHING VOCABULARY BY USING SUBSTITUTION AND CUED RESPONSE DRILLS TECHNIQUE TO THE EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS OF SMP NEGERI 41 MEDAN

In learning a language, the first thing people should learn is vocabulary. Vocabulary is one of the essential aspects of language. Without vocabulary nothing can be conveyed. In other words, vocabulary is the core of the language itself. The aim of this study is to find out whether or not Substitution and Cued Response Drills Technique gives improvement on students’ vocabulary mastery. The subject of the study is the students of Class VIII E of SMP Negeri 41 Medan in the Academic Year of 2017/2018. Vocabulary test, questionnaire, observation sheet and field notes were used as the instruments for collecting data. The results of the study showed the improvement of the students’ vocabulary mastery. It is proven by the students’ mean score of each test: pre test is 45.37, formative test is 58.28 and post test is 70.12. Moreover, the improvement could also be seen from the Minimum Mastery Criteria (Kriteria Ketuntasan Minimum) that showed the percentage of students’ score of pre test is 9.37%, formative test is 31.25%, and post test is 56.25%. It can be concluded that there is a progress on student score percentage namely 46.88% from pre-test to post-test based on KKM. Therefore, the application of Substitution and Cued Response Drills Technique is suitable to teach vocabulary to the students.

Estimation of varicocele associated human ARG2 and NOS1 proteins and computational analysis on the effect of its nsSNPs

One of the major causes of varicocele is nitrosative stress. Two genes namely arginase 2 (ARG2) and nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1) are important in the mechanism of nitric oxide (NO) in the body. Semen samples from three different categories were taken, fertile (n = 20), Infertile (n = 20), and unilateral varicocele (n = 15). Quantitative estimation of ARG2 and NOS1 was carried out through the ELISA kit method. t-Test and ANOVA were calculated using Graphpad Prism. For the in silico analysis, the sequence of the proteins obtained from dbSNP was used in online tools such as nsSNPAnalyzer, PolyPhen-2, Fathmm, I-Mutant 2.0, SNPs&GO, PhD-SNP, PANTHER, SNAP2, PROVEAN, SIFT, and SNPeffect for screening deleterious mutants. These mutants were further evaluated with Swiss PDB and PyMOL for recording energy minimization, Root mean square deviation (RMSD) value, TM score, Hydrogen bonding, and Comparative modeling. Further, ConSurf, Netsurf, and STRING tools were used for evaluating conserved regions, stability, and protein-protein interactions respectively. The results of ARG2 protein were, fertile = 0.168 ± 0.007 U/ml, infertile = 0.201 ± 0.004 U/ml and, varicocele = 0.092 ± 0.002 U/ml. Results of NOS1 protein were fertile = 32.61 ± 2.8 nM/mg, infertile = 19.33 ± 3.7 nM/mg and, varicocele = 54.74 ± 4.8 nM/mg. From statistical analysis, the parameters were highly significant. From the in silico retrieved data, there were 130 and 499 nsSNPs (non-synonymous SNP) in ARG2 and NOS1 respectively. After screening with online tools, 6 deleterious nsSNPs each of ARG2 and NOS1 were considered for analysis through Swiss PDB. FoldX result of A52P mutant (ConSurf score = 9) of ARG2 was found to severely affect protein stability and that of A363T mutant (ConSurf score = 9) of NOS1 revealed a structural change. A52P had a higher RMSD value and A363T of NOS1 developed a new H-bond with 580th position. In varicocele cases, the ARG2 protein is found in lower quantity. The A52P variant of this protein can cause dysfunction and induce nitrosative stress. However, in infertile cases, NOS1 protein is found in lower quantity and the A363T variant can result in a decrease in NO leading to other forms of infertility.

In search for near-room-temperature superconducting critical temperature of metal superhydrides under high pressure: A review

An overview and the latest status of the superconductivity of metal superhydrides under high pressure are discussed in this review article. The searching for near-room-temperature superconductors have been one of the most enthusiastic fields in physics. This is because of several key factors in both theoretical and experimental sides. By advanced experiment innovation, pressure exceeded that of the earth’s core can be generated in laboratories. This allows scientists to explore new physics of materials under high pressure. In the synergy form, the theoretical calculation gives accountable predictions on the structural and electronic properties which can be served as a practical map for experimentalists. In this review, I also give a brief overview on the existing theory of superconductivity which leads to the calculation of the superconducting critical temperature, Tc. The key element for calculating Tc is stemmed from the so-called spectral function, which can now be evaluated from the density functional theory. In order to obtain insight information and gain deeper understanding, I model the spectral function with a simple constant function. This analysis gives a powerful suggestion on the way to search for a higher value of Tc.

IMPROVING STUDENTS’ READING COMPREHENSION ON NARRATIVE TEXT THROUGH MIND MAPPING TECHNIQUE AT SMA SANTO PETRUS MEDAN

This study is about improving students’ reading comprehension on narrative text through mind mapping technique at SMA SANTO PETRUS Medan. The theory applying is Buzan’s theory of mind mapping and its method are quantitative and qualitative methods. This reseach is Classroom Action Research to apply the mind mapping technique in teaching reading. The data are collected through observations, interviews, and documentations. The qualitative data consist of the table of students’ scores, and the quantitative data consist of diary notes, interview transcripts, documentations, and students’ works. This research consisted of two cycles. It was conducted collaboratively with the English teacher. The subjects of this research were 36 students of class X MIA in SMA Santo Petrus Medan. The result of this study finds that mind mapping technique can improve the students’ reading comprehension. It is proved by the students’ ability in reading comprehension and the students’ scores after the test were given. In the pre-test, the students’mean score is 61,44. Then, in the formative test cycle 1, the students’ mean score is 62, and in the post-test cycle 2, the students’mean score is 72. It is conclude by the mind mapping can improve students’ reading comprehension achievement.

IMPROVING STUDENTS’ SPEAKING ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH THE APPLICATION OF SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION METHOD TO THE EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS OF SMP NEGERI 21 MEDAN

This thesis discuss about Improving Students Speaking’ Achievement through the Application of Small Group Discussion Method to the Eighth Grade Students of SMP Negeri 21 Medan. The objective of the study was to find out how effective the use of Small Group Discussion Method (SGD) in teaching speaking especially in asking and giving opinion. The study of the research concentrates on the improving students’ speaking achievement by the application of small group discussion method. Specifically, it is concerned more about the students’ achievement in asking and giving opinion. The research has two cycles. Each cycle has three meetings. The subject of the research was students of Eighth grade students of SMP Negeri 21 Medan which consisted of twenty four students. The instruments of data collection were quantitative and qualitative data. While the quantitative data was conducted by pre-test, post-test I, and post-test II students’ speaking score in every cycle, the qualitative data conducted by the three instruments; observation sheet, questionnaire and diary notes. Based on the speaking tests, students’ score improved. In the pretest, the mean of the students was 48.82. The post-test I mean 68.66 and in the post-test II the mean of the students 77.91. Based on the observation sheet, questionnaire sheet and diary notes, it was found that learning activity ran well. Most students felt interested in the process of learning activity and involved in their group during the discussion time. The result of the research showed that Small Group Discussion Method was able to improve students’ achievement in asking and giving opinion.

THE USE OF WORDS MATCHING GAME TO IMPROVE STUDENTS’ VOCABULARY MASTERY OF THE FIRST GRADE STUDENTS OF SMP SANTO PETRUS MEDAN

This research is conducted in order to improve students’ vocabulary mastery in the easiest way through using words matching game of the first grade students of SMP Santo Petrus Medan. In conducting this research, the researcher used Classroom Action Research (CAR) as the method of research. This research consisted of two cycles and each cycle consisted of four steps, they were planning, action, observation and reflecting. Each cycle was conducted in three meetings, so the researcher conducted this researcher in six meetings for one month and three weeks. The data were in the form of qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative data was analyzed the learning teaching process. The quantitative data was to count the students’ score in pre-test and post-test. The students’ responses showed that they were interested in learning vocabulary through words matching game. Morever, the students’ achievements in pre-test and post-test showed a significant improvement. The students’ average score in pre-test was 49.03%, the average score in formative test in cycle 1 was 73%, and the average score in post-test end program improved about 77.84%. From this result, the researcher concluded that using words matching game of the first grade students of SMP Santo Petrus Medan can improve students’ vocabulary mastery.

THE USE THINK PAIR SHARE TO IMPROVE STUDENTS’ READING COMPREHENSION AT THE NINTH GRADE STUDENTS OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL ERA IBANG MEDAN

This research is conducted in order to improve students’ reading comprehension in the easiest way through using think pair share of the ninth grade students of Junior High School Era Ibang Medan, and it also help the English teacher of the ninth grade students of Junior High School Era Ibang Medan to managed activities in classroom.In conducting this research, the researcher used Classroom Action Research (CAR) as the method of research. This research consisted of two cycles and each cycle consisted of four steps, they were planning, action, observation and reflecting. Each cycle was conducted in three meetings, so the researcher conducted this researcher in six meetings for one month and two weeks. The data were in the form of qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative data was analyze the learning teaching process. The quantitative data was to count the students’ score in pre-test and post-test.The result of this research shows that using think pair share of the ninth grade students of Junior High School Era Ibang Medan could improve their reading skills. The students’ responses showed that they were interested in learning reading through think pair share. Morever, the students’ achievements in pre-test and post-test showed a significant improvement. The students’ average score in pre-test was 53,19%, while in the formative test in cycle I, the students’ average score is 60,03, and in the post-test cycle II, the students’ average score is 76. That means the think pair share can improve the students’ reading skill.

Implantable Agents for Fecal Incontinence: An Age-Matched Retrospective Cohort Analysis of GateKeeper versus SphinKeeper.

Background. We aim to evaluate morphofunctional changes of the sphincter complex after GateKeeper (GK) and SphinKeeper (SK) procedures and correlate these with symptom improvement. Methods. Ten consecutive females undergoing SK implant were age-matched with a cohort of 10 females who previously underwent the GK procedure. Patients in the SK and GK groups underwent implantation of 10 and 6 prostheses, respectively. Muscle tension (Tm), expressed in millinewtons per centimetre squared, mN (cm2)-1, was calculated using the equation Tm = P(ri)(tm)-1, where P is the average maximum squeeze pressure and ri and tm the inner radius and thickness of the external anal sphincter, respectively. The pre- and postimplant changes in Tm and Cleveland Clinic Fecal Incontinence Score (CCFIS) were tested by linear and Poisson regression models, respectively. Results. The CCFIS significantly improved in both groups at 12-month postimplantation. Although not reaching statistical significance, symptom improvement after SK was 33% above that observed after GK (P = .088). Compared to the baseline, a significant increase in Tm was observed in both groups at 12months (GK, 508.1 [478.8-568.0] vs 864.4 [827.0-885.8]mN (cm2)-1; SK, 528.0 [472.7-564.0] vs 858.6 [828.0-919.6]mN (cm2)-1, P = .005). Compared to the GK group, Tm was significantly higher in patients after SK implant (158.3mN (cm2)-1 [95% confidence interval, 109.6-207.0]; P < .001), after controlling for baseline values, at 12-month postimplantation. Conclusions. GK and SK are safe and effective treatments for FI with good short-term clinical outcomes. Comparative analysis showed superiority of SK over GK in terms of gain in Tm, with borderline significantly better improvement in symptoms. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.

IMPROVING STUDENTS’ VOCABULARY MASTERY THROUGH WORD WALLS STRATEGY TO THE EIGHTH GRADE STUDENTS OF SMP SWASTA KARYA BHAKTI MEDAN

This study is aimed to improve students’ vocabulary mastery through word walls strategy. This strategy is one of appropriate strategies in improving students’ vocabulary mastery. The subject of this study is the eighth grade students of SMP Swasta Karya Bhakti Medan Class VIII A in the Academic Year of 2016/2017. This study was conducted by applying Classroom Action Research (CAR), which was performed in two cycles (cycle I and Cycle II) and each cycle consisted of three meetings. The instruments of collecting data were quantitative data (vocabulary tests) and qualitative data (observation sheets, daily notes, and photograph evidences). The results of vocabulary tests showed that the mean of the students’ score increased continuously from pre-test (8 %), formative test in cycle I (44 %) to post-test in cycle II (92 %). The observation sheets, daily notes, and photograph evidences showed that the students are interested in the teaching and learning processes through word walls strategy and this study ran well. It was found that word walls strategy could improve students’ vocabulary mastery. It is suggested that teachers of English should apply word walls strategy as one of the strategies in teaching vocabulary mastery.