bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Relation Between Dialect Density and the Codevelopment of Writing and Reading in African American Children
Authors: Puranik Cynthia , Branum‐Martin Lee , Washington Julie A.
Published: October 2019

The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine the influence of spoken dialect density on writing and on the codevelopment of reading and writing in African American English‐speaking (AAE) children from first through fifth grades. The sample included 869 students, ranging in age from 5.8 to 12.5 years. Results indicated that dialect density had a negative influence concurrently and longitudinally on reading and writing in AAE‐speaking children. High dialect users tended to have weak reading and writing skills and heavier dialect density slowed growth in reading and writing. However, this effect was moderated by the effects of reading and writing on each other. Reading had a facilitative effect on writing even in the presence of heavy dialect use.
A systematic expert‐based assessment of progress and priorities for conservation of the Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis
Authors: Mahood Simon P. , Jha Rohit R. S. , Rahmani Asad R. , Thakuri Jyotendra J. , Chamnan Hong , Bhargava Rajat , Lahkar Bibhuti P. , Brahma Namita , Narwade Sujit S. , Pandey Naveen , Gore Kedar , Gadhvi Devesh , Virak Son , Garnett Stephen T.
Published: October 2019

We used information derived from expert elicitation to measure progress in conservation of the Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) by calculating six metrics, namely: (a) current threat impact, (b) research need, (c) research achievement, (d) management need, (e) management achievement, and (f) percentage threat reduction. We then used the metrics to identify priority threats, namely predation by dogs, hunting, power lines, and vegetation changes caused by human activities. The metrics indicate that although there has been little progress in addressing predation and power lines, reductions in hunting have been achieved and practitioners have a good understanding of how to ameliorate vegetation changes. We assessed conservation needs across all sites that support Bengal Florican, and highlight conservation achievements at Stoung‐Chikreang Bengal Florican Conservation Area (BFCA), Manas National Park and Kaziranga National Park. We used our results to develop a framework for prioritizing collaboration on tackling priority threats. We highlight D'Ering Wildlife Sanctuary in India as one of the highest priority sites for Bengal Florican conservation, and propose that conservation in Stoung‐Chikreang Bengal Florican Conservation Area (BFCA), Manas National Park and Kaziranga National Park must be continued, scaled‐up and good‐practice replicated at Koklabari, Baray BFCA and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. If these plans are followed, then we believe that priority threats can be adequately addressed and the extinction of Bengal Florican can be prevented.
Differential habitat selection in boreal songbirds influences estimates of population size and distribution
Authors: Crosby Andrew D. , Bayne Erin M. , Cumming Steven G. , Schmiegelow Fiona K. A. , Dénes Francisco V. , Tremblay Junior A.
Published: October 2019

Aim

Most large‐scale species distribution models assume spatially constant habitat selection throughout a species' geographic range. However, there is evidence this assumption may not be valid for a number of boreal bird species, which could lead to biased predictions of density and distribution in range‐wide models. Our goal was to test for and quantify differential habitat selection (DHS) in songbirds among regions of the Canadian boreal forest.

Location

Northern Alberta, western Ontario and southern Quebec, Canada.

Methods

We used hierarchical analysis of covariance models with region‐specific parameter estimates to test for differential selection of forest attributes among three regions for six boreal bird species. We used the results of these models to quantify intraspecific niche overlap between regions and compared posterior predictive accuracy to models that did not account for DHS.

Results

We found a generally large standardized effect size (median effect size = 1.674) of region on selection of specific habitat variables for all six species, although there was high variability among species, variables and regional comparisons. The proportion of niche overlap between regions was generally low (mean overlap = 0.309 for all pairwise comparisons), with no spatial pattern to the overlap. Models accounting for DHS had significantly higher posterior predictive accuracy according to the Watanabe–Akaike information criterion.

Main Conclusions

We found strong evidence for DHS among regions for six boreal songbird species in individual habitat attributes and overall niche space. The higher predictive accuracy of our DHS models suggests that failure to account for spatial variability in habitat selection can lead to biased estimates of density and spatial distribution. Models that did not account for DHS overestimated density relative to DHS models. We conclude that large‐scale species distribution models should account for regional variation in habitat selection in order to obtain accurate estimates of population size and distribution.
Sleep‐related hypermotor epilepsy: A prediction cohort study on sleep/awake patterns of seizures
Authors: Licchetta Laura , Vignatelli Luca , Zenesini Corrado , Mostacci Barbara , Ferri Lorenzo , Provini Federica , Tinuper Paolo , Bisulli Francesca
Published: October 2019

Sleep‐related hypermotor epilepsy (SHE) is characterized by hyperkinetic seizures arising from sleep. Awake seizures occasionally occur and are associated with a worse prognosis, with important implications for driving and quality of life. We evaluated the clinical features and sleep/wakefulness distribution of seizures at onset and lifelong in a large cohort of clinical/confirmed SHE. Chi‐square test and a multivariate logistic regression model were used to identify predictors of awake seizures lifelong (primary endpoint). Positive and negative likelihood ratio (LR+, LR‐) were calculated. We included 165 patients (male/female: 105/60) with a 27.6‐year median follow‐up. Most (67.9%) presented with seizures exclusively from sleep; 32.1% presented with seizures both while asleep and while awake, or exclusively during wakefulness. Presentation with seizures in wakefulness shows a sensitivity of 62.5% and a specificity of 96.5% to predict the occurrence of awake seizures lifelong, with an LR + of 18 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.75‐55) and LR‐ of 0.39 (95% CI = 0.29‐0.52). On multivariate analysis, distribution of sleep/awake seizures at onset was confirmed as an independent risk factor of awake seizures lifelong (odds ratio = 56.7). Patients presenting with awake seizures have a 94% probability of awake seizures lifelong, whereas in those presenting with asleep seizures only, the percentage lowers to 27%. This aspect should be mentioned during physician‐to‐patient communication about prognosis.
Perception of Spanish consumers towards environmentally friendly labelling in food
Authors: Eldesouky Ali , Mesias Francisco J. , Escribano Miguel
Published: October 2019

Food consumption is one of the most important areas to influence environmental sustainability since it is responsible for one third of a household's total environmental impact. However, many consumers are not completely aware of the association between their food consumption and the environmental consequences. Recently, some food companies have developed labelling schemes to help inform their consumers of the impact a specific food product has on the environment during its production. The main objective of this study is to uncover consumers' perceptions and attitudes towards these environmental labels and their impact on consumers' purchase decisions. In this paper, five sustainability labels, covering both ethical and environmental aspects, were chosen as examples. A focus group approach has been taken due to its adequacy to explore beliefs, perceptions and experiences. Four focus group sessions took place with 36 participants in total. The data has been analysed using a specific qualitative program (Atlas.ti). Finally, the findings were presented and discussed in four main sections explained throughout the manuscript: food purchase decision, social and environmental labels, information on labels and reasons for purchase, and lastly, willingness to pay for certified labels. The results of this study show that, although consumers have positive attitudes towards sustainability attributes in food products, constraints still remain that prevent their materialisation in their purchasing behaviour.
Doubling Up or Moving Out? The Effect of International Labor Migration on Household Size
Authors: Gatskova Kseniia , Kozlov Vladimir
Published: October 2019

We use household panel data from Tajikistan to explore the change in living arrangements as a response to income shifts related to international labour migration. In addition, we analyse the interaction between the effect of idiosyncratic income increase resulting from a completed migration episode, and the effect of an aggregate shock – the global financial crisis – and show how different households adjust their household size during times of financial hardship. The empirical evidence indicates that while current migration is associated with an increase in household size, a completed migration episode two years before the interview was followed by family members moving out. At the same time, our empirical analysis demonstrates that migrant families doubled up in response to a financial crisis to the same extent as non‐migrant families, which suggests that labour migration in Tajikistan does not insure against economic shocks in the long run.
Nationality Policies in the Books and in Practice: Comparing Immigrant Naturalisation across Europe
Authors: Huddleston Thomas , Falcke Swantje
Published: October 2019

This article explores whether differences in the implementation of nationality laws explain gaps between nationality laws and nationality acquisition across Europe. Previous research confirms that nationality acquisition among the foreign‐born in Western European countries is largely determined by the inclusiveness of nationality policies and the characteristics of the immigrant population. Drawing on recent data on nationality procedures across Europe, this article argues that, regardless of the nationality laws in place, nationality procedures create major obstacles for different types of immigrants. This article uses data from the European Social Survey to conduct multi‐level analysis of nationality acquisition in 17 European countries among long‐settled foreign‐born adult arrivals, controlling for their individual, origin and destination country characteristics. The analysis finds that nationality procedures are as important as nationality laws for nationality acquisition among most immigrants living in Europe today, especially for immigrants who are most likely to benefit and apply: immigrants from developing countries.
Global warming: Antioxidant responses to deal with drought and elevated temperature inStylosanthes capitata, a forage legume
Authors: Borjas‐Ventura Ricardo , Ferraudo Antonio Sergio , Martínez Carlos Alberto , Gratão Priscila Lupino
Published: October 2019

Drought can be more frequent and severe along with elevated temperatures (eT). To deal with the climate change impact on plants, we need to understand the plant biochemical performance. Nowadays, there is a lack of information about the antioxidant response of plants, mainly growing in field conditions and under the future climatic scenario. In this context, we carried out this experiment to analyse the antioxidant responses of the forage legumeStylosanthes capitataVogel (in field condition) to eT and water deprivation. This work had four treatments: control, eT (+2°C above ambient canopy temperature), wS (water deprivation) and eT + wS. Temperature free‐air controlled enhancement (T‐FACE) system was used for warming, and samples were taken 17, 24 and 46 days after warming exposure at time periods of 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. The eT + wS treatments decreased catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and ascorbate peroxidase activities, especially at 46 days. Nevertheless, glutathione (GSH) content was not modified by eT + wS treatments. Also, we determined an important inverse relation among SOD‐GR‐GSH and MDA‐H2O2. In conclusion, combined stresses provoked detrimental effects of enzymatic antioxidant responses. Furthermore, we highlighted the importance of SOD‐GR and GSH to avoid damages of reactive oxygen species inS. capitatagrown under climate change. In addition, we suggest an adequate irrigation management in order to improve the antioxidant systems to face the eT, successfully; besides, we consider that the uses of tolerant cultivars are key under climate change conditions.
Integrated analysis of co‐expression and ceRNA network identifies five lncRNAs as prognostic markers for breast cancer
Authors: Yao Yan , Zhang Tingting , Qi Lingyu , Zhou Chao , Wei Junyu , Feng Fubin , Liu Ruijuan , Sun Changgang
Published: October 2019

Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which competitively bind miRNAs to regulate target mRNA expression in the competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) network, have attracted increasing attention in breast cancer research. We aim to find more effective therapeutic targets and prognostic markers for breast cancer. LncRNA, mRNA and miRNA expression profiles of breast cancer were downloaded from TCGA database. We screened the top 5000 lncRNAs, top 5000 mRNAs and all miRNAs to perform weighted gene co‐expression network analysis. The correlation between modules and clinical information of breast cancer was identified by Pearson's correlation coefficient. Based on the most relevant modules, we constructed a ceRNA network of breast cancer. Additionally, the standard Kaplan‐Meier univariate curve analysis was adopted to identify the prognosis of lncRNAs. Ultimately, a total of 23 and 5 modules were generated in the lncRNAs/mRNAs and miRNAs co‐expression network, respectively. According to the Green module of lncRNAs/mRNAs and Blue module of miRNAs, our constructed ceRNA network consisted of 52 lncRNAs, 17miRNAs and 79 mRNAs. Through survival analysis, 5 lncRNAs (AL117190.1, COL4A2‐AS1, LINC00184, MEG3 and MIR22HG) were identified as crucial prognostic factors for patients with breast cancer. Taken together, we have identified five novel lncRNAs related to prognosis of breast cancer. Our study has contributed to the deeper understanding of the molecular mechanism of breast cancer and provided novel insights into the use of breast cancer drugs and prognosis.
Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus, Linnaeus) is susceptible to viral nervous necrosis: Result of an experimental infection with different genotypes of Betanodavirus
Authors: Toffan Anna , De Salvador Maria , Scholz Felix , Pretto Tobia , Buratin Alessandra , Rodger Hamish D. , Toson Marica , Cuenca Argelia , Vendramin Niccolò
Published: October 2019

In recent years, the use of cleaner fish for biological control of sea lice has increased considerably. Along with this, a number of infectious diseases have emerged. The aim of this study was to investigate the susceptibility of lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) to Betanodavirus since it was detected in asymptomatic wild wrasses in Norway and Sweden. Three betanodaviruses were used to challenge lumpfish: one RGNNV genotype and two BFNNV genotypes. Fish were injected and monitored for 4 weeks. Brain samples from clinically affected specimens, from weekly randomly selected fish and survivors were subjected to molecular testing, viral isolation, histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Reduced survival was observed but was attributed to tail‐biting behaviour, since no nervous signs were observed throughout the study. Betanodavirus RNA was detected in all samples, additionally suggesting an active replication of the virus in the brain. Viral isolation confirmed molecular biology results and revealed a high viral titre in BFNNV‐infected groups associated with typical lesions in brains and eyes of survivor fish. We concluded that lumpfish are susceptible to Betanodavirus, as proven by the high viral titre and brain lesions detected, but further studies are necessary to understand if Betanodavirus can cause clinical disease in this species.
Development and Validation of eRADAR: A Tool Using EHR Data to Detect Unrecognized Dementia
Authors: Barnes Deborah E. , Zhou Jing , Walker Rod L. , Larson Eric B. , Lee Sei J. , Boscardin W. John , Marcum Zachary A. , Dublin Sascha
Published: October 2019

OBJECTIVES

Early recognition of dementia would allow patients and their families to receive care earlier in the disease process, potentially improving care management and patient outcomes, yet nearly half of patients with dementia are undiagnosed. Our aim was to develop and validate an electronic health record (EHR)‐based tool to help detect patients with unrecognized dementia (EHR Risk of Alzheimer's and Dementia Assessment Rule [eRADAR]).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Kaiser Permanente Washington (KPWA), an integrated healthcare delivery system.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 16 665 visits among 4330 participants in the Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) study, who undergo a comprehensive process to detect and diagnose dementia every 2 years and have linked KPWA EHR data, divided into development (70%) and validation (30%) samples.

MEASUREMENTS

EHR predictors included demographics, medical diagnoses, vital signs, healthcare utilization, and medications within the previous 2 years. Unrecognized dementia was defined as detection in ACT before documentation in the KPWA EHR (ie, lack of dementia or memory loss diagnosis codes or dementia medication fills).

RESULTS

Overall, 1015 ACT visits resulted in a diagnosis of incident dementia, of which 498 (49%) were unrecognized in the KPWA EHR. The final 31‐predictor model included markers of dementia‐related symptoms (eg, psychosis diagnoses, antidepressant fills), healthcare utilization pattern (eg, emergency department visits), and dementia risk factors (eg, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes). Discrimination was good in the development (C statistic = .78; 95% confidence interval [CI] = .76‐.81) and validation (C statistic = .81; 95% CI = .78‐.84) samples, and calibration was good based on plots of predicted vs observed risk. If patients with scores in the top 5% were flagged for additional evaluation, we estimate that 1 in 6 would have dementia.

CONCLUSION

The eRADAR tool uses existing EHR data to detect patients with good accuracy who may have unrecognized dementia.J Am Geriatr Soc 68:103–111, 2019
Drug‐induced sarcoidosis: an overview of the WHO pharmacovigilance database
Authors: Cohen Aubart F. , Lhote R. , Amoura A. , Valeyre D. , Haroche J. , Amoura Z. , Lebrun‐Vignes B.
Published: October 2019

Background

There is a documented association between drug exposure and sarcoidosis‐like reactions. In this study, we used the largest pharmacovigilance database to describe drug‐induced sarcoidosis.

Methods

Data were collected from the World Health Organization (WHO) pharmacovigilance database (VigiBase). We excluded steroids and vaccines from the analysis. The primary end‐point was the lower end‐point of the 95% credibility interval for the information component (IC025).

Results

A total of 127 reports had significant IC025 values for drug‐induced sarcoidosis, and 110 were included in the final analysis, accounting for 2425 adverse drug reactions. Overall, 2074 (85.5%) reactions were considered ‘serious’ and 86 (3.5%) were fatal. Most of the drugs that led to sarcoidosis adverse reactions were TNF‐alpha antagonists, interferon or peg‐interferon therapeutics, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Other biologic drugs were less frequently associated with sarcoidosis adverse events. Cancer‐targeted therapies such as BRAF or MEK inhibitors were associated with sarcoidosis reactions in 37 cases. Pulmonary hypertension drugs were also reported for drug‐induced sarcoidosis. Amongst the 55 drugs considered as potential sarcoidosis inducers, 25 (45.4%) were never reported in Medline as drug‐induced sarcoidosis.

Conclusions

We provide a detailed list of suspected drugs associated with drug‐induced sarcoidosis that will improve the recognition of this drug‐induced adverse event.
Hepatitis C reinfection with protease inhibitor‐resistant hepatitis C virus in an HIV‐coinfected MSM
Authors: Yilmaz Gül R. , Boesecke Christoph , Schwarze‐Zander Carolynne , Rockstroh Jürgen K.
Published: October 2019

There is an ongoing global hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic mainly related to high‐risk behaviour in persons who inject drugs (PWID) and in HIV‐infected men who have sex with men (MSM) which continues to fuel the HCV epidemic. Treatment of HCV infection with direct antiviral therapy (DAA) has been very successful in the last decade. Main obstacles for HCV elimination are HCV reinfections observed in PWID and HIV‐infected MSM. We present here an HIV‐infected MSM patient who has been reinfected thrice with HCV. The virus which was investigated from his last reinfection episode reveals transmission of a newly acquired HCV protease inhibitor (PI) resistance, despite not having been exposed to HCV‐PIs during his last DAA therapy.
In search of the links between decomposition ecology and evolution: the Arabidopsis connection
Authors: Pérez Harguindeguy Natalia , Gorné Lucas D.
Published: October 2019

This article is a Commentary on Kazakou et al., 224: 1532–1543.
Evaluating ‘English for Economics’ Textbook in Indonesian University
Authors: Fergina Ana
Published: October 2019

This study aimed to evaluate the English for Economics textbook used for the first year students of Economics Faculty of Tanjungpura University in Indonesia. It tried to find out the extent to which unit of work reflects the task-based approach to language teaching. It also attempted to investigate relevance of materials to meet the learners’ needs and the goals of the programme in the target situations. The evaluation was conducted as this teacher-generated material has not yet been evaluated. One unit from the textbook was analysed based on Littlejohn’s (1998) framework. The findings indicated that the activities in the English for Economics textbook failed to provide adequate skills for learners to use the language in performing the task. Therefore, it is difficult for the materials to meet the learners’ needs and goals of the programme in the target situations.
The Conscious and Unconscious Power in Pedagogy of Creative Writing: Liberation of Self
Authors: Wing Haw KC Chan , Abdullah Tina
Published: October 2019

This paper discusses the idea of creative writing as a stimulant for higher order thinking. In doing so, it examines the relationship between creative thinking and writing processes. Therefore, in elaborating the term creative thinking, the paper discusses in the light of Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalysis theory – the unconscious mind. Under the influence and guidance of our unconscious mind, a liberating writing process occurs in a creative form. During this writing process, we develop a new identity as a result of the production of language. In which, this “new identity” has no influence or power over reader’s knowledge, however noble the writing can be.
Value of Non-native Speaker Teacher Acts in the Second Language Science Classroom
Authors: Abd Aziz Azian , Abdul Raof Abdul Halim , Ismail Fauziah , Hamzah Masputeriah
Published: October 2019

This study aimed to investigate actual non-native teacher talk in the second language (L2) science classroom and the value of the talk as perceived by students, who are English language learners. Twenty L2 science lessons conducted by ten non-native teacher trainees were analyzed for teacher acts. Feedback from the teachers was also obtained via stimulated recall sessions. Perceptions of the value of the teacher acts were obtained from sixty-one students via group interviews. The findings indicated that most of the teacher acts were identical to those occurring in other classrooms. Nevertheless, two of the acts, namely, overt repair and assist acts were newly identified acts generated by the teacher trainees, which suggest that some acts may be particular to specific classroom contexts. Students perceived certain acts, namely, the elicitation, follow-up, check, and conclusion acts, to be more valuable compared to others in aiding their understanding. Findings of this study offer a more realistic approach in implementing L2 science teaching and learning in the context where teachers and students are not proficient in the L2.
Exposing Students to Industrial Experience through Workplace Exposure Project for Business Communication
Authors: Kahar Rohayah , Habil Hadina , Mustaffa Faizal Yamimi , Salam Abdul Rahim
Published: October 2019

This paper aims to describe the implementation of a business communication project called Workplace Exposure Project (WEP). The project involved 36 students requiring them to have an industrial site visit (s) and conducting a semi-structured interview as well as observation. Students were required to find out about business communication practices employed by the chosen company and to write their reflections before, during and after the WEP. Prior to the WEP, they had to obtain permission from relevant parties in order to gain entry into the organisation. Finally, the students had to present their findings to the class orally and submit a written portfolio. Through their reflections, it was indicated that the students enjoyed the learning process using this method as it exposed them to real industrial experience of having an encounter(s) with people from a real business entity and giving them the opportunity and confidence to practice their English language skills. Concurrently, the university was also able to identify the performance of the students as perceived by the employers/business owners. The paper concludes with teaching implications for business communication and suggestions for future research.
Strategies for Designing and Optimising an English for Medical Purposes for French Medical Students
Authors: Faure Pascaline
Published: October 2019

Due to the considerable volume of medical content knowledge that medical students have to acquire and memorise, very little time can be devoted to medical English learning. Therefore, an English language teacher has to find strategies to both motivate the learners and facilitate language acquisition inside and outside the classroom. Yet, very few teachers can claim to be experts in medical English. Most teachers are sent to university hospitals without prior training and are trained on the job, which is far from being satisfactory. Therefore, after illustrating the specificity of medical English as opposed to general English, this paper discusses the strategies that have been implemented in a medical faculty so as to optimize medical English classes. Finally, this paper will raise the issue of teacher training specifically in English for medical purposes and suggest some solutions to help teachers acquire the medical knowledge sufficient to design relevant and efficient course contents.
Language Needs Situated in a Context-Sensitive Workplace
Authors: Swee Heng Chan , Abdullah Ain Nadzimah , Talif Rosli
Published: October 2019

The fast-paced, technologically advanced modern world has embraced English as the current ‘lingua franca’ of tertiary education, international commerce, tourism and diplomacy. International business, collaboration and global exchange seem to depend on effective communication in English. Malaysia is currently experiencing an emerging trend to focus on workplace specific language needs. This is to meet the incumbent demands of social and economic development in contemporary Malaysian society where employees with high English language proficiency are invariably in demand. Nowadays, pushed mainly by economic and political needs, almost all trades and professions around the world demand people who are able to use English effectively as an essential tool for establishing meaningful communication, and as an essential condition in order to work in today’s global context. Data for the study reveals a diverse spectrum of language needs that should characterize an employee who fits into the context-sensitive workplace. Meeting these language needs point to a positive direction in helping to create a more competitive form of human capital for the nation.Keywords:
The Use of Adverbials in the Verbal Production of Malay ESL Learners: A Processability Approach
Authors: Wan Adnan Wan Nur Asyura , Mohammad Lotfie Maskanah
Published: October 2019

This study investigates the development of verbal usage of adverbials by Malay ESL learners at the tertiary level. It aims to find out the developmental differences between low and intermediate learners’ acquisition of adverbials. Using Processability Theory (Pienemann, 1998; 2005) and taxanomy of adverbials (Celce-Murcia & Larsen-Freeman, 1999) as the frameworks, this study explains the extent to which Malay ESL learners at the tertiary level have developed their use of English adverbials. For data collection purposes, a picture-cued task was administered on 60 Malay ESL students in which they were required to elicit each process in each picture. The results indicate that, in terms of their use of adverbials, most of the Malay ESL students from both proficiency levels were considered to have reached Stage 6 of the Processability Theory developmental stages and only a number of elementary level students were found to have only reached Level 2. The findings suggest that ESL practitioners should follow the developmental routes suggested by the Processability Theory in teaching grammar components to students.
The Use of Documentary Film Text in Developing Arabic Writing Skills: What the Experts Say
Authors: Abdul Rahman Tg Ainul Farha Tg , Chik Abdul Rahman , Sahrir Muhammad Sabri
Published: October 2019

Documentary film is a language input which is based on writing skills since it consists of the introduction to subject, presentation of ideas, and conclusion of subject. Many studies have highlighted the linguistic, informational, and pedagogical purposes of documentary film in language classrooms as the processing of written texts is required before the production of a documentary film. Although documentary film has a strong relationship with writing skills and having access to these authentic materials are very easy, some educators ignore these authentic inputs. Thus this paper investigates the importance of using documentary film in enhancing the learning of Arabic as a second language with specific focus on writing skills. In addition, this paper examines local experts’ views on the utilization of documentary film in the Arabic as a second language classroom. A set of questionnaire with both open and closed-ended questions were distributed among twelve experts in the field of Arabic as a second language in Malaysian public universities. Feedbacks from the experts were collected and analyzed. The findings indicated strong recommendations from Arabic language experts in Malaysia. Among the recommendations are the types of documentary films to be utilized, the categories of writing skills that can be developed, and the appropriate instructional techniques to be used in the classroom. In general, this study hopes to contribute to the field of Arabic teaching language skills to non-native speakers and a useful reference for curriculum designers, ministry officials, textbook authors, and teachers.
Turn Taking Patterns of Average Achievers in an Oral Interaction Test
Authors: Tang C. Y. , Abdul Raof Abdul Halim
Published: October 2019

This study aims to investigate the turn taking patterns of final year undergraduate students who are average achievers in an oral interaction test. The scope of this study focuses on profiling the students’ oral interactive ability in terms of their turn taking patterns in a small group discussion. In order to examine this, the oral test of 14 group discussion tasks in the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Test of English Communication Skills (UTMTECS) for graduating students were video recorded after consent was sought from the students before the recording took place. The recordings were then transcribed for analysis using an adapted version of Allwright (1988) model of turn taking patterns. From the transcribed files, it is observed that the average achievers mostly gave turns through ‘Neither’ turn giving pattern and gained turns through ‘Take’ turn getting pattern. From the findings, the average achievers in UTMTECS oral test are profiled as moderate speakers of English language. Nevertheless, they are still able to interact with other candidates in the group discussion with functional level of communication skills. This study also provides more insights into the setting of a benchmark to evaluate graduating students’ oral English communication competency and preparedness for the workplace.
Development of Coupled Program fast-simdyn and Study of Non-Linear Hydrodynamics, Coupled With Negative Damping and Aerodynamics of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines
Authors: Jose Alwin , Falzarano Jeffrey , Wang Hao
Published: October 2019

Non-linear hydrostatic and wave forces on floating structures are very important during large amplitude waves. The computer program simdyn is a blended time domain program developed by Marine Dynamics Laboratory at TAMU and is capable of capturing the role of non-linear fluid forces. simdyn has previously been used to demonstrate that nonlinear hydrostatics have become very important in the problem of parametric excitation. In the current work simdyn is coupled with the computer program fast developed by U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for numerical simulation of floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs). fast-simdyn is now a tool that is capable of studying large amplitude motions of FOWTs in extreme seas. fast-simdyn was then used to study the classic instability of negative damping that occurs in FOWTs that use conventional land-based control. The development of platform pitch and platform surge instability are studied in relation to different wave and wind scenarios. The intent was to do an analysis to see if the non-linear forces do play a significant role in large amplitude motions induced by negative damping. This study gives an indication of whether the development and application of higher fidelity hydrodynamic modules are justified.
Experimental Study of a Thermal Cooling Technique for Cylindrical Batteries
Authors: Wei Yuyang , Agelin-Chaab Martin
Published: October 2019

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have been considered the most promising power source for road transportation. However, the performance and lifespan of Li-ion batteries are strongly dependent on the working temperature. The optimal working temperature is usually within a narrow range, from 25 to 40 °C, and the non-uniformity is usually required to be lower than 5 °C. Therefore, the industry is seeking a thermal management system that is lightweight, simple-structure, energy-saving, and environmentally friendly. Air-cooling, liquid-cooling, and phase-change material (PCM) are the three most common cooling methods in the literature. In this study, a new concept of hybrid-cooling which utilizes all the three cooling methods is proposed. The concept can use either normal tap water or the condensate from a vehicle’s air-conditioner as the coolant source. Also, the coolants can be released back to the ambient environment instead of a coolant recirculation system to reduce weight and complexity. The concept was studied in detail experimentally using the 26,650 Li-ion batteries. The results indicate that the proposed hybrid-cooling concept reduced the maximum surface temperature by about 83%, 70%, and 57% compared with the other three cooling methods: the no-cooling, air-cooling, and water-cooling test results, respectively. Additionally, the concept successfully maintained the temperature uniformity below the recommended 5 °C.
A General Study of Counterflow Diffusion Flames for Supercritical CO2 Combustion
Authors: Manikantachari K. R. V. , Martin Scott , Rahman Ramees K. , Velez Carlos , Vasu Subith
Published: October 2019

A counterflow diffusion flame for supercritical CO2 combustion is investigated at various CO2 dilution levels and pressures by accounting for real gas effects into both thermal and transport properties. The UCF 1.1 24-species mechanism is used to account the chemistry. The nature of important nonpremixed combustion characteristics such as Prandtl number, thermal diffusivity, Lewis number, stoichiometric scalar dissipation rate, flame thickness, and Damköhler number are investigated with respect to CO2 dilution and pressure. The results show that the aforementioned parameters are influenced by both dilution and pressure; the dilution effect is more dominant. Further, the result shows that Prandtl number increases with CO2 dilution and at 90% CO2 dilution, the difference between the Prandtl number of the inlet jets and the flame is minimal. Also, the common assumption of unity Lewis number in the theory and modeling of nonpremixed combustion does not hold reasonable for sCO2 applications due to large difference of Lewis number across the flame and the Lewis number on the flame drop significantly with an increase in the CO2 dilution. An interesting relation between Lewis number and CO2 dilution is observed. The Lewis number of species drops by 15% when increasing the CO2 dilution by 30%. Increasing the CO2 dilution increases both the flow and chemical timescales; however, chemical timescale increases faster than the flow timescales. The magnitudes of the Damköhler number signify the need to consider finite rate chemistry for sCO2 applications. Further, the Damköhler numbers at 90% sCO2 dilution are very small; hence, laminar flamelet assumptions in turbulent combustion simulations are not physically correct for this application. Also, it is observed that the Damköhler number drops nonlinearly with increasing CO2 dilution in the oxidizer stream. This is a very important observation for the operation of sCO2 combustors. Further, the flame thickness is found to increase with CO2 dilution and reduce with pressure.
An Adaptive Response Surface Methodology Based on Active Subspaces for Mixed Random and Interval Uncertainties
Authors: Hu Xingzhi , Duan Yanhui , Wang Ruili , Liang Xiao , Chen Jiangtao
Published: October 2019

The popular use of response surface methodology (RSM) accelerates the solutions of parameter identification and response analysis issues. However, accurate RSM models subject to aleatory and epistemic uncertainties are still challenging to construct, especially for multidimensional inputs, which is widely existed in real-world problems. In this study, an adaptive interval response surface methodology (AIRSM) based on extended active subspaces is proposed for mixed random and interval uncertainties. Based on the idea of subspace dimension reduction, extended active subspaces are given for mixed uncertainties, and interval active variable representation is derived for the construction of AIRSM. A weighted response surface strategy is introduced and tested for predicting the accurate boundary. Moreover, an interval dynamic correlation index is defined, and significance check and cross validation are reformulated in active subspaces to evaluate the AIRSM. The effectiveness of AIRSM is demonstrated on two test examples: three-dimensional nonlinear function and speed reducer design. They both possess a dominant one-dimensional active subspace with small estimation error, and the accuracy of AIRSM is verified by comparing with full-dimensional Monte Carlo simulates, thus providing a potential template for tackling high-dimensional problems involving mixed aleatory and interval uncertainties.
Uniform and smooth molybdenum film produced through picosecond pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Dai Shoujun , Yu Jin , Mo Zeqiang , Wang Jinduo , He Jianguo , Meng Jingjing , Wang Xiaodong
Published: October 2019

An approach to achieve uniform and smooth molybdenum (Mo) film on a BK7 glass plate at room temperature is proposed through picosecond pulsed laser deposition, with the pulsed laser radiating the target along a linear track. A numerical model is established to analyze the influence of linear scanning offsets on the thickness homogeneity of the deposited thin film. Through an appropriate choice of radiation intensity and scanning parameters, a uniform and smooth layer of Mo thin film is prepared with its maximum thickness variation and root-mean-square roughness better than 5% and 1.2 nm, respectively.
Use of magnetic resonance image registration to estimate displacement in the human earcanal due to the insertion of in-ear devices
Authors: Benacchio Simon , Doutres Olivier , Varoquaux Arthur , Wagnac Éric , Le Troter Arnaud , Callot Virginie , Sgard Franck
Published: October 2019

In-ear devices are used in a wide range of applications for which the device's usability and/or efficiency is strongly related to comfort aspects that are influenced by the mechanical interaction between the device and the walls of the earcanal. Although the displacement of the earcanal walls due to the insertion of the device is an important characteristic of this interaction, existing studies on this subject are very limited. This paper proposes a method to estimate this displacement in vivo using a registration technique on magnetic resonance images. The amplitude, the location and the direction of the earcanal wall displacement are computed for four types of earplugs used by one participant. These displacements give indications on how each earplug deforms the earcanal for one specific earcanal geometry and one specific earplug insertion. Although the displacement due to a specific earplug family cannot be generalized using the results of this paper, the latter help to understand where, how much, and how each studied earplug deforms the earcanal of the participant. This method is revealed as a promising tool to investigate further acoustical and physical comfort aspects of in-ear devices.
Topic choice works against black NIH applicants
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: October 2019

Study flags new factor contributing to racial disparity in who wins grants.
Telescope seeks clues to exoplanet interiors
Authors: Clery Daniel
Published: October 2019

NenuFAR array looks for radio signals whipped up by the magnetic fields of distant worlds.
Architecture of human Rag GTPase heterodimers and their complex with mTORC1
Authors: Anandapadamanaban Madhanagopal , Masson Glenn R. , Perisic Olga , Berndt Alex , Kaufman Jonathan , Johnson Chris M. , Santhanam Balaji , Rogala Kacper B. , Sabatini David M. , Williams Roger L.
Published: October 2019

Mastering regulation

The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is known as the master kinase, acknowledging its key role in integrating multiple signals to regulate cell growth. When nutrients are abundant, heterodimers of Rag, a class of small guanosine triphosphatase, bind to mTORC1 and recruit it to the lysosome. Here, other signaling pathways converge on the mTORC1 complex. Anandapadamanaban
et al.
determined cryo–electron microscopy and crystal structures of a RagA/RagC heterodimer. The structures, together with dynamic studies, explain the nucleotide states required for binding to mTORC1 and support a mechanism for conformational communication between the RagA and RagC subunits in the heterodimer. RagA/RagC binding causes no conformational change in mTORC1, which is consistent with the idea that mTORC1 must sense additional growth regulators before it is activated.

Science
, this issue p.
203
Early Events in Coccidioidomycosis
Authors: Donovan Fariba M. , Shubitz Lisa , Powell Daniel , Orbach Marc , Frelinger Jeffrey , Galgiani John N.
Published: October 2019

Since its description nearly 130 years ago, hundreds of studies have deepened our understanding of coccidioidomycosis, also known as valley fever (VF), and provided useful diagnostic tests and treatments for the disease caused by the dimorphic fungiCoccidioidesspp. In general, most of the literature has addressed well-established infections and has described patients who have experienced major complications.
Elements of a strategic approach for strengthening national mortality statistics programmes
Authors: Rao Chalapati
Published: October 2019

Information on cause-specific mortality from civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems is essential for health policy and epidemiological research. Currently, there are critical gaps in the international availability of timely and reliable mortality data, which limits planned progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This article describes an evidence-based strategic approach for strengthening mortality data from CRVS systems. National mortality data availability scores from the Global Burden of Disease study were used to group countries into those with adequate, partial or negligible mortality data. These were further categorised by geographical region and population size, which showed that there were shortcomings in availability of mortality data in approximately two-thirds of all countries. Existing frameworks for evaluating design and functional status of mortality components of CRVS systems were reviewed to identify themes and topics for assessment. Detailed national programme assessments can be used to investigate systemic issues that are likely to affect death reporting, cause of death ascertainment and data management. Assessment findings can guide interventions to strengthen system performance. The strategic national approach should be customised according to data availability and population size and supported by human and institutional capacity building. Countries with larger populations should use an incremental sampling approach to strengthen CRVS systems and use interim data for mortality estimation. Periodic data quality evaluation is required to monitor system performance and scale up interventions. A comprehensive implementation and operations research programme should be concurrently launched to evaluate the feasibility, success and sustainability of system strengthening activities.