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A growing interest has been witnessed in analysing second language (L2) learner motivation in English as an Additional Language (EAL) instruction around the world. Despite extensive scholarship in this area, revisiting learner motivation is warranted due to some unprecedented developments that impact EAL teaching, such as the prevalence of World Englishes, ethno-linguistically diverse classrooms, and the social as well as situated nature of teaching and learning. The aim of this article is to expand on Dörnyei's L2 Motivational Self System framework to inform classroom instruction in globally growing EAL teaching. The expansion entails three sociocultural dimensions in the EAL classroom: diversity, inclusivity, and entitlement. This expanded framework can potentially equip EAL educators to better address the demands of a rapidly changing world. Moreover, the framework can also serve as an impetus for learner success in EAL classrooms and the recognition of their individual characteristics, such as self-regulation, autonomy, and agency, which are highly emphasized in postmodern L2 pedagogy.

Houthis’ recent attacks on Merchant ships in the Red Sea have renewed focus on maritime terrorism. These attacks have pushed the global power centres to think seriously about this intensifying threat to international maritime trade and movement. South Asia, particularly India and Pakistan, have already faced the issue of marine terrorism, yet it has remained primarily a neglected field of enquiry, particularly in Pakistan. This paper aims to fill this void in the literature by critically analysing the threat of Maritime terrorism to Pakistan and how prepared it is to counter this problem. This paper attempts to dissect the threats that exist in the Arabian Sea and how maritime terrorism has the potential to push Pakistan and India into a new conflict, which may have grave consequences for the global community. The paper starts with an overview of maritime terrorism and how it has evolved over time and with technological advancements. This follows an analysis of marine terrorism incidents in India and Pakistan and how Pakistan has built up its organisational structure to cover the threats posed by it. It contends that Pakistan has a ready organisational structure; it requires improved inter-departmental coordination and more importantly, constitutional cover. In the end, the paper provides policy recommendations at the organisational, national and regional levels to address the issue of maritime terrorism. Bibliography Entry Shahid, Mubashar Hassan and Rizwan Zeb. 2024. "Treading Turbulent Waters: Pakistan’s Readiness to the Looming Threat of Maritime Terrorism." Margalla Papers 28 (1): 211-225.

As the institution of university has evolved into a highly diverse educational community, the language of communication (or linguistic capital) in higher education plays a vital role. Therefore, English as a medium of instruction (EMI) became the dominant characteristic of academia in many parts of a (globalized) world. This growing influence of EMI has affected the scope of both higher education and academic research. Being a linguistic form of capital, the significance of English as a major linguistic resource can be analyzed historically since the institution of university was founded. In fact, EMI seems to have challenged the linguistic diversity and accessibility to higher education in the contemporary world. The case of Canadian higher education highlights new directions in the exploitation of the linguistic capital at university, and the emerging concept of a multilingual university could offer some unique opportunities for knowledge mobilization and access to higher education. Thus, the issue of linguistic capital at the current (globalized) university needs to be re-examined.

Introduction Tonsillectomy is one of the most common operations performed by otorhinolaryngology surgeons worldwide; however, the insufficient quality of the postoperative pain management and effective posttonsillectomy pain relief remain a clinical dilemma. Objective To evaluate the efficacy of applying bismuth iodine paraffin paste (BIPP) to the dissected fossa as an adjuvant therapy for a better outcome in terms of posttonsillectomy pain management and due to its wound healing properties. Methods The present is a prospective randomized control pilot study with 44 patients aged > 7 years who underwent tonsillectomy. The patients were divided into two groups: the control group and the group that had BIPP applied to the dissected tonsillar fossa. The visual analogue scale score and the post-onsillectomy percentage of tonsillar fossa epithelization were recorded and evaluated. Results Both subjectively and objectively, there a was statistically significant pain-relieving effect in the BIPP group within the first 5 postoperative days (p < 0.05). From postoperative day 3 onward, the dissected area of the tonsillar fossa healed significantly faster in the BIPP group compared with the control group, and it became stable on day 14. Conclusion The topical application of BIPP showed a better pain-relieving effect, it was safe, and hastened wound healing after tonsillectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accommodation plays a crucial role in the attainment of quality education. International students are not eligible for housing benefits in most developed countries, including Australia. This, coupled with most Australian universities’ non-residential student accommodation policy, increases the housing affordability implications to international students. This study looks at the housing affordability experience of international students studying at three major public universities in Melbourne, including the University of Melbourne, Victoria University, and Monash University, to examine issues surrounding housing affordability relevance to international university students and their future prospects. This descriptive cross-sectional study employed a semi-structured survey questionnaire consisting of close and open-ended questions to collect data. The data was gathered from 100 international students. The responses to open-ended questions were quantified using content analysis and data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The study found the majority of international students experience housing affordability issues in Melbourne. To cope with high accommodation costs, the international students share rooms with other students at the expense of diminished privacy and accommodation congestion. Also, the evidence suggests financial stress and having to live in substandard accommodation has a detrimental effect on international students’ personal development. The data gathered from open-ended questions further observed that most of the student’s expectations of living in individual rentals changed after arriving in Australia to shared-room accommodation due to lower housing affordability. Most international university students feel insecure about their outlook in Australia due to lower housing affordability, and accommodation costs will be a top consideration in their future decisions involving settlement in foreign countries.

Independent lexical development initiatives empower and equip language learners with skills to boost their lexical repertoires. Language instructors can train learners to be autonomous word learners. A sample activity, namely word of the day, is presented in this article. The activity is an independent lexical learning task, which aims to develop the lexical range of language learners through self-regulated endeavors. This activity builds on the lexical approach, which lays emphasis on expanding learners' lexical base in the belief that grammar is embedded in lexis. Thus, the role of "word grammar" overshadows the sentence grammar instruction. The word-of-the-day task acquaints learners with unpacking the lexical information in a word or phrase and sharing their lexical discoveries with the class. The activity could be systematically integrated into the course syllabus. Learners will value lexis as a rich resource of syntactical knowledge and will realize that lexical development is directly proportional to linguistic fluency.

The development of tophi in the absence of prior episodes of gouty arthritis is unusual. We hereby present a case of a non-alcoholic, normoglycemic, and normotensive middle-aged man, who presented with multiple nodules distributed bilaterally over the dorsum of hands, feet, and elbow joints without any prior history of arthritis. Serum uric acid level was found to be normal. Histology was consistent with features of tophi. On the basis of clinical and histological findings, the nodules were diagnosed as gouty tophi and the patient was diagnosed with gouty nodulosis. Gouty nodulosis is a very rare presentation of gout and only a few reports exist in the medical literature.

A 5-year-old boy presented with widespread asymptomatic hyperpigmented verrucous plaques since 3 months of age. The lesions were distributed in a linear manner along Blaschko's lines on trunk and extremities and were accentuated in flexures and around joints. There was no history of blistering or redness and no other family member was affected. Ichthyosis hystrix (of Curth and Macklin) and generalized linear/mosaic epidermolytic hyperkeratosis (EHK) were considered in the differential diagnosis. Biopsy from both trunk lesion and lesion on knee revealed characteristic epidermolytic hyperkeratosis, thereby clinching the diagnosis of systematized linear EHK.

The concept of governance has become essential to the success and accountability of organizations in today’s world, where things are becoming more complex and interconnected. The effectiveness of governance systems relies heavily on the behavior exhibited by leaders within these organizations. This systematic review delves into the multifaceted relationship between ethical leadership and corporate governance, shedding light on the pivotal role played by leaders in fostering ethical behavior and decision-making within the corporate sphere. It relied on three digital databases— Scopus, Emerald Insight, and PsycArticles—from where 1,564 records were obtained. Thirty studies that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were selected for analysis. Thematic synthesis was the method adopted for analysis of data. The analysis revealed two major themes—Impact of Ethical Culture and Leadership and Associated Factors of Ethical Behavior—and subsequent subthemes that critically examine the key dimensions of ethical leadership within corporate governance, including promoting ethical values, transparency, integrity, and stakeholder engagement. The study highlights the importance of further empirical investigations and draws attention to the significance of ethical leadership in corporate governance for policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metacognition skills enable learners to understand and monitor their cognitive processes. The categories described under metacognition are knowledge/regulation of cognition. Metacognitive skills are necessary in curriculum delivery. Students with metacognitive skills are expected to perform better and evidence recommends metacognition be taught in curriculum. The metacognition awareness inventory (MAI) score was collected for knowledge of cognitive factor (KCF) and regulation of cognitive factor (RCF). Knowledge monitoring accuracy (KMA) was also calculated as the difference between students' examination estimated score (SEES) versus actual knowledge on tests. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to analyse MAI, academic achievement and SEES at the end of semester assessment (EOSA) written/clinical (EOSAW/EOSAC) test. A negative correlation was found between MAI and EOSAW (-0.029) and MAI and EOSAC (-0.187), while a high correlation between MAI and KCF (0.808) and MAI and RCF (0.920) was found (p < 0.001). The correlation between KCF and RCF was moderately high (0.559, p < 0.001). A negative correlation was also found between KMA and EOSAW (-0.392). The correlation of EOSA achievement scores and KCF and RCF was also negative at -0.002 and -0.100, respectively. A mixed insignificant (p > 0.05) correlation was noted among MAI, KMA and SEES for individual instruments. A poor correlation between metacognitive skills and achievement scores indicates students' unrealistic self-evaluation of cognition for knowledge and regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learner motivation is considered a vital factor in second language instruction. An analysis of motivation types and degrees can reveal learners' expectations and learning objectives. The present study analyzes the motivational patterns of a group of English for academic and professional purposes (EAPP) learners while focusing on types and degrees of motivation. The sample comprised 37 participants who were students in the EAPP program at a graduate school in California. The types of motivation were classified as intrinsic, extrinsic, or both, and the degrees of motivation were determined as low, medium, or high. The participants rated statements related to motivation type and degree on two Likert-type scales in a self-report questionnaire. The study reveals that most of the students had both types of motivation and their motivation degree was at a medium level according to the measurement scale. The results can help course instructors and administrators make informed decisions and choices in planning and revising the curriculum.

Micro-Doppler signatures obtained from the Doppler radar are generally used for human activity classification. However, if the angle between the direction of motion and radar antenna broadside is greater than 60°, the micro-Doppler signatures generated by the radial motion of human body reduce significantly, thereby degrading the performance of the classification algorithm. For the accurate classification of different human activities irrespective of trajectory, we propose a new algorithm based on dual micro-motion signatures, namely, the micro-Doppler and interferometric micro-motion signatures, using an interferometric radar. First, the motion of different parts of the human body is simulated using motion capture (MOCAP) data, which is further utilized for radar echo signal generation. Second, time-varying Doppler and interferometric spectrograms obtained from time-frequency analysis of a single Doppler receiver and interferometric output data, respectively, are fed as input to the deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) for feature extraction and the training/testing process. The performance of the proposed algorithm is analyzed and compared with a micro-Doppler signatures-based classifier. Results show that a dual micro-motion-based DCNN classifier using an interferometric radar is capable of classifying different human activities with an accuracy level of 98%, where Doppler signatures diminish considerably, providing insufficient information for classification. Verification of the proposed classification algorithm based on dual micro-motion signatures is also performed using a real radar test dataset of different human walking patterns, and a classification accuracy level of approximately 90% is achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on the human language system have brought to the fore two key aspects. First, the prime function of language is communication. Second, language exists in the social world. The language learning process takes place within the sociocultural context and the relevant macrostructures that influence language use and development. According to the emergentist perspective, during the language learning process communication plays the central role in the emergence of a language system in a learner. Thus, the grammatical structures emerge through discourse as a result of the interaction between the learner and the environment. This article explicates, from the emergentist perspective, the vital role of communication, particularly authentic communication, in the emergence of linguistic structures. It also sums up the pedagogical implications of this understanding.