This book explores the complex interplay between test-takers’ strategic competence, task complexity, and performance, focusing on Chinese learners of English as a foreign language (EFL). It introduces and empirically validates the Strategic Competence Model of L2 Speaking (SCMLS), the first framework in second language research to clearly conceptualise strategic competence in speaking, designed primarily for Chinese EFL learners. It also provides a feasible solution to the long-standing ch...

Modern Energy Storage - The Key to Energy System Transformation provides a comprehensive overview of energy storage technologies.The book lays out essential principles, operating modes, classification methods, and safety considerations, highlighting their crucial function in balancing renewable energy variability and enhancing grid resilience. It then details mechanical and thermal storage, including pumped hydro, compressed air, flywheels, and diverse thermal approaches, and describes how...

This research monograph investigates the immediate effects of peer feedback on text revisions and the long-term effects of peer feedback on writing performance. It also examines students’ processing of peer feedback in revision and explores their perceptions of peer feedback. Peer feedback, an activity in which learners read others’ drafts and make comments on them orally and/or in written mode, is widely employed in English as a foreign/second language (L2) writing instruction. Extensive ...

This book delves into the realm of Assessment for Learning (AfL) within English as a foreign language (EFL) classrooms in Chinese universities. It explores the viewpoints of both Chinese EFL teachers and learners regarding AfL practices, shedding light on how these practices are perceived, implemented, and contribute to the EFL learning experience. It considers the influence of contextual factors on assessment practices and their alignment with AfL principles, and examines sociocultural co...

The book gives a panoramic introduction to design for sustainability to students, with input for undergraduate students, design students, and interested design practitioners. It is based on frontier research, give insights into best design practices to clarify the application of design strategies and offer a systematic review of sustainability. Through its novel approach to the topic, the book gives a systemic perspective instead of focusing on single environmental or social perspectives. ...

This book investigates conceptions and practices of teachers of young learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) regarding classroom-based assessment (CBA) in the Chinese context. Specifically, it sets out to examine teachers’ conceptions about the purposes and processes of classroom-based assessment, the effects of teacher attributes (teaching experience, and previous education in assessment) and work environments (school type and grade level) on their conceptions, CBA practices, and...

Machine Learning for Low-Latency Communications presents the principles and practice of various deep learning methodologies for mitigating three critical latency components: access latency, transmission latency, and processing latency. In particular, the book develops learning to estimate methods via algorithm unrolling and multiarmed bandit for reducing access latency by enlarging the number of concurrent transmissions with the same pilot length. Task-oriented learning to compress methods...

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the development and application of near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) in cancer surgery. It thoroughly examines the history, principles, agents, functions, and devices associated with NIRF, along with the latest preclinical research and clinical applications. Special emphasis is placed on the advancements in the second NIRF window and its global implementation in cancer surgery, including innovative molecular imaging technologies in clinica...

This book aims to present the observation and Interpretation for China’s economic growth since Reform and Opening-up from a Chinese economist’s view. The book is divided into 5 sections, including the research of traditional socialist economic structure, China’s transformation from planned economy to market economy, reform of Chinese industrial economy, economic growth and political economy. Key topics are covered over the past 40 years including strategies for economic transformation, dua...

It's a fantastical adventure story for children. Kitto is a curious little bottlenose dolphin from Cornwall, UK. A pod of dolphins rides waves in the Atlantic when the hurricane strikes the coast. All of them should plunge into the deep waters to hide from the disaster. Will the playful child follow Mummy Bottlenose? Facing the excitement and dangers of his out-of-the-blue adventure, Kitto makes new friends in Lake Ontario. Yet, every child needs to come back home. How? Will he remember Mu...

Computational Intelligence in Protein-Ligand Interaction Analysis presents computational techniques for predicting protein-ligand interactions, recognizing protein interaction sites, and identifying protein drug targets. The book emphasizes novel approaches to protein-ligand interactions, including machine learning and deep learning, presenting a state-of-the-art suite of skills for researchers. The volume represents a resource for scientists, detailing the fundamentals of computational me...

This book focuses on the development of high-performance carbon electrodes for sodium ion batteries (SIBs). By proposing folded-graphene as the high-density cathode with excellent rate capability, it provides insight into the interplay between oxygen functional groups and folded texture. It also highlights the superiority of ether electrolytes matching with carbon anodes, which are shown to deliver largely improved electrochemical performance. The achievements presented offer a valuable co...