An analysis of Macau’s Joint Admission Examination–English

Ally Oi Kuan Ho,Don Yao,Antony John Kunnan 아시아테플 2021 The Journal of Asia TEFL Vol.18 No.1

This study examined the evidence for the validity of the content of the Joint Admission Examination-English (JAE-E) developed for university admissions in Macau. The areas of investigation were the linguistic characteristics of the test, the alignment between the test and CEFR levels, and the comparison between JAE-E and other admission examinations. Five experienced English teachers from Macau were recruited to provide expert judgments. In addition to the judgments, two instruments used were Coh-Metrix and CEFR scales with descriptors. Results showed that generally the JAE-E was valid in terms of its content. The Coh-Metrix results suggested that the tests were suitable in terms of narrativity, syntactic simplicity, word concreteness, and deep cohesion (although not in terms of referential cohesion). In terms of CEFR alignment, the test was at B1 level for reading and C1 level for writing. Finally, suggestions for improvements were put forward in terms of integrated skills, scenario-based assessment, and technology.

First Report of Gongronella guangdongensis Isolated from Soil in Korea

( Ally Hassan Wajihi ),( Seung-yeol Lee ),( Kallol Das ),( Leonid N. Ten ),( Hee-young Jung ) 한국균학회 2018 韓國菌學會誌 Vol.46 No.1

A fungal isolate designated KNU16-033 was isolated from a soil sample in Daegu, Korea. White, short, and felt-like aerial mycelia appeared on the surface of colonies of the isolate. Colonies with a smooth texture developed slowly and reached a diameter of 78 mm after 21 days of incubation on potato dextrose agar. This isolate displayed globose, colorless or light yellow sporangiospores, which differed morphologically from the sporangiospores of Gongronella butleri, which were hyaline, oval to flattened on one side or almost reniform. Based on these morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis using internal transcribed spacer regions, the isolated fungus was identified as G. guangdongensis belonging to Cunninghamellaceae. To our knowledge, this is the first record of G. guangdongensis in Korea.

Application of robust fuzzy sliding-mode controller with fuzzy moving sliding surfaces for earthquake-excited structures

Alli, Hasan,Yakut, Oguz Techno-Press 2007 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.26 No.5

This study shows a fuzzy tuning scheme to fuzzy sliding mode controller (FSMC) for seismic isolation of earthquake-excited structures. The sliding surface can rotate in the phase plane in such a direction that the seismic isolation can be improved. Since ideal sliding mode control requires very fast switch on the input, which can not be provided by real actuators, some modifications to the conventional sliding-mode controller have been proposed based on fuzzy logic. A superior control performance has been obtained with FSMC to deal with problems of uncertainty, imprecision and time delay. Furthermore, using the fuzzy moving sliding surface, the excellent system response is obtained if comparing with the conventional sliding mode controller (SMC), as well as reducing chattering effect. For simulation validation of the proposed seismic response control, 16-floor tall building has been considered. Simulations for six different seismic events, Elcentro (1940), Hyogoken (1995), Northridge (1994), Takochi-oki (1968), the east-west acceleration component of D$\ddot{u}$zce and Bolu records of 1999 D$\ddot{u}$zce-Bolu earthquake in Turkey, have been performed for assessing the effectiveness of the proposed control approach. Then, the simulations have been presented with figures and tables. As a result, the performance of the proposed controller has been quite remarkable, compared with that of conventional SMC.

First Report of Plectosphaerella sinensis Isolated from Soil in Korea

( Ally Hassan Wajihi ),( Hyo-won Choi ),( Seung-yeol Lee ),( Hee-young Jung ) 한국균학회 2018 韓國菌學會誌 Vol.46 No.3

A fungal isolate denoted NC14-264 was isolated from the soil in Jeongeup, Jeollabuk-do, Korea. Species in genus Plectosphaerella are pathogenic to several plant species, leading to fruit, root, and collar rot and collapse. In this study, a strain NC14-264 belonging to the Plectosphaerella was isolated from the soil and identified. Colonies were moderately grown, reaching 54 mm in diameter on potato dextrose agar, 49 mm on malt extract agar, and 55 mm on oatmeal agar at 25℃ after 10 days of incubation. Most Plectosphaerella species are distinguishable morphologically by irregular chlamydospores and different proportions of phialides and conidia. Based on morphological features and phylogenetic analysis using the internal transcribed spacer region and partial 28S rRNA gene sequences, the isolated fungus was identified as Plectosphaerella sinensis belonging to the Plectosphaerellaceae. This is the first report of P. sinensis in Korea.

First Report of Allantophomopsiella pseudotsugae Isolated from Soil in Korea

( Ally Hassan Wajihi ),( Seung-yeol Lee ),( Kallol Das ),( Ahn-heum Eom ),( Hee-young Jung ) 한국균학회 2019 韓國菌學會誌 Vol.47 No.1

A fungal isolate designated 17E029 was isolated from a soil sample in Jeju, Korea. The strain was similar to other Allantophomopsiella species in its morphological characteristics such as grey mycelia, conidiophore, and conidia sizes. The isolate produced aerial mycelia, which appeared grey on the reverse side of the media surfaces and turned black on the front side of the colonies. The conidiophores emanating from the hyphae were hyaline, grey, aseptate, branched, and 6.7~9.2 × 1.8~2.5 μm. Conidiogenous cells were ovoid to subcylindrical, discrete, guttulate, and hyaline. Conidia were hyaline, aseptate, smooth, guttulate, oval to subcylindrical, irregular in shape, and 6.0~7.8 × 3.0~3.4 μm. The strain was confirmed based on phylogenetic analysis of the closest related organism, A. pseudotsugae CBS 288.37, using the partial 28S, internal transcribed spacer rDNA regions, and partial RNA polymerase II second largest subunit locus (RPB 2) gene sequences along with its culture characteristics. Therefore, morphological observations and phylogenetic analysis revealed that strain 17E029 is similar to the previously identified A. pseudotsugae. Hence, this species was described as A. pseudotsugae strain 17E029, which is a new record in Korea.

Comprehensive and Integrative Genomic Characterization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Ally, Adrian,Balasundaram, Miruna,Carlsen, Rebecca,Chuah, Eric,Clarke, Amanda,Dhalla, Noreen,Holt, Robert A.,Jones, Steven J.M.,Lee, Darlene,Ma, Yussanne,Marra, Marco A.,Mayo, Michael,Moore, Richard A Elsevier 2017 Cell Vol.169 No.7

<P><B>Summary</B></P> <P>Liver cancer has the second highest worldwide cancer mortality rate and has limited therapeutic options. We analyzed 363 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases by whole-exome sequencing and DNA copy number analyses, and we analyzed 196 HCC cases by DNA methylation, RNA, miRNA, and proteomic expression also. DNA sequencing and mutation analysis identified significantly mutated genes, including <I>LZTR1</I>, <I>EEF1A1</I>, <I>SF3B1</I>, and <I>SMARCA4</I>. Significant alterations by mutation or downregulation by hypermethylation in genes likely to result in HCC metabolic reprogramming (<I>ALB</I>, <I>APOB</I>, and <I>CPS1</I>) were observed. Integrative molecular HCC subtyping incorporating unsupervised clustering of five data platforms identified three subtypes, one of which was associated with poorer prognosis in three HCC cohorts. Integrated analyses enabled development of a p53 target gene expression signature correlating with poor survival. Potential therapeutic targets for which inhibitors exist include WNT signaling, MDM4, MET, VEGFA, MCL1, IDH1, TERT, and immune checkpoint proteins CTLA-4, PD-1, and PD-L1.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Analysis of hepatocellular carcinomas integrates data of multiple genomic platforms </LI> <LI> Mutated genes reveal oncogenic processes altering hepatocyte energy balance </LI> <LI> Multiplex analyses suggest a key role for Sonic hedgehog signaling in HCC </LI> <LI> IDH mutations point to a HCC subgroup molecularly similar to cholangiocarcinoma </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical Abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Experimental study of steady state laminar forced heat transfer of horizontal annulus tube with non-Newtonian nanofluid

Ally Javadpour,Mohammad Najafi,Kourosh Javaherdeh 대한기계학회 2017 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.31 No.11

The forced convection steady heat transfer under laminar flow regime in a horizontal annular tube was experimentally investigated in this paper using a non-newtonian, pseudo-plastic nanofluid with an aqueous carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-0.2 % wt) as the base fluid, and copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles in 0.5 % wt, 1.0 % wt and 1.5 % volume fractions and Reynolds number from 460 to 1280 and different range of heat flux. The mean and local heat transfer coefficients of the nanofluid were recorded higher than the base fluid at all the applied Reynolds numbers. For instance, at Re = 460, for the nanofluid of 0.5 % vol. concentration, heat transfer coefficient was improved by 14.7 % compared to the base fluid, and by increasing nanofluid concentration to two/three times, heat transfer was improved by 4.4 % and 5.2 %, respectively. The maximum mean heat transfer coefficient was observed for the 1.5 % nanofluid at Re = 1280.

ANTHROPOMORPHISM IN LUXURY GOODS AND LUXURY SERVICE BRAND EVALAUTIONS

Seonjeong Ally Lee,Haemoon Oh 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2018 Global Marketing Conference Vol.2018 No.07

Even though luxury brands embraced social media (Godey et al., 2016; Kim & Ko, 2012), research on the use of social media for luxury brand marketing is limited. Given the increasing popularity of social media, it is imperative to examine social media-based communication strategies for luxury brands to achieve desirable consumer evaluations of brands and advertising. This research explored the role of brand anthropomorphism strategies in social media in enhancing consumers’ advertising and brand evaluations. Specifically, this research investigated (1) the effects of verbal-based brand anthropomorphism in the luxury goods brand context (Study 1), (2) the effects of verbalbased brand anthropomorphism in the luxury service brand context (Study 2), and (3) the effects of verbal-based brand anthropomorphism cues (Study 3) on consumers’ luxury brand and advertising evaluations. Studies 1 and 2 both collectively examined the role of self-focused anthropomorphized brand effects in two different contexts. Consumers easily connect themselves with an anthropomorphized advertising, compared to an objectified advertising for luxury brands. Study 3 identified the fit between luxury brand type and an anthropomorphized brand cue to explore the effectiveness of brand anthropomorphism. Depending on the type of luxury brands, consumers processed anthropomorphized brand cues differently. Consumers favorably perceived the fit between luxury good brands and partner cues; on the other hand, consumers favorably perceived the fit between luxury service brands and servant cues. Results of this research contribute to the social media advertising and luxury brand marketing literature by clarifying the role of brand anthropomorphism in consumer-brand relationships as well as in brand-advertising relationships. Results also provide industry suggestions for delivering personified brand messages to have desirable consumer brand and advertising evaluations.

Mobile Learning

Mohamed Ally 한국방송통신대학교 미래원격교육연구원 2011 평생학습사회 Vol.7 No.3

As the world population increases so does the need to educate more people. However, because of the current education infrastructure and delivery model, it is impossible to educate everyone to achieve at least a basic education level to function in society. Educators and government must change the current system to deliver education in flexible formats so that lifelong learning can be expanded and basic education for all can be achieved. With the increasing availability of open education resources and electronic learning materials, learners can access the learning materials using technology such as mobile devices and tablets. Many citizens around the world have mobile devices and tablets rather than desktop and laptops computers. Hence, educators must deliver learning materials for access by mobile devices. This will help to achieve the “education for all” and “education is a human right” goals set by the different international agencies.

Enhancing customers’ positive responses: Applying sensory marketing to the hotel website

Seonjeong (Ally) Lee,정미영,오해문 한국마케팅과학회 2018 마케팅과학연구 Vol.28 No.1

Sensory marketing enables visualization of intangible services, helping to promote customers’ future hotel experiences. This study investigates how sensory information, brand relationships, and review types affect customers’responses in the context of the hotel industry. Customers’response types include narrative persuasion, experiential, emotional, and cognitive responses. Conducting two 2 × 2 scenario- based between-subjects experiments with previous hotel customers in the US, Study 1 confirms the effect of brand relationships on story- format sensory information that promote customers’ transportation experience, brand experience, and emotional responses. Study 2 also identifies effects of review types on story-format sensory information that enhance customers’transportation experience, brand experience, and trust. Results inform theoretical contributions and practical implications to promote customers’ future experiences.