bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radio, televisión, audio y vídeo en educación. Funciones y posibilidades, potenciadas por el COVID-19
Authors: García-Aretio Lorenzo
Published: September 2021

El medio audiovisual está tan extendido que fue apuesta educativa en entornos a distancia y ahora, de forma notable, durante los tiempos de pandemia. Esos recursos audiovisuales bien utilizados potencian las posibilidades de aprendizaje y retención. A pesar de que hoy muchos podrían pensar que se trata de recursos obsoletos, de escasa eficacia para el aprendizaje en esta sociedad digital, siguen siendo hoy bien valorados. Fue evidente que la radio y la televisión tuvieron una destacada relevancia en los tiempos de confinamiento, con el propósito de que nadie se quedase atrás, sobre todo, los grupos más vulnerables. Hoy, los sistemas digitales pueden alojar, grabar y reproducir cualquier tipo de documento audiovisual, y esto último, sea en formato síncrono o asíncrono. La radio, en tiempos de pandemia se aprovechó como medio de comunicación flexible, masivo, de bajo coste y de largo alcance, como alternativa a los grandes avances de las tecnologías digitales, llegando a todos los rincones del globo. Sobre la radio, el podcast cuenta con la ventaja de poder grabar y reproducir cualquier tipo de contenido sonoro, con posibilidades de escucha reiterada, pausa y vuelta atrás. Por una parte, integrar oído y vista, por la otra, el texto, audio e imágenes en un mismo recurso educativo, casos de la televisión y el vídeo, potencian de forma sustancial las posibilidades didácticas en cualquier área del saber, índole del curso y nivel educativo. Sin embargo, ha de concluirse que el potencial de estos recursos no se ha explotado, ni mucho menos, lo suficiente en entornos educativos. La videoconferencia síncrona parece haber integrado las posibilidades de estas herramientas, obviando algunos de sus problemas y convirtiéndose en gran complemento para la educación.
DO CLUSTERS AND BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT FOSTER NATIONAL COMPETITIVENESS IN BULGARIA? A COMPARATIVE STUDY WITH EU COUNTRIES
Authors: Katrandjiev Hristo , Bankova Yovka , Jovanović Radica
Published: September 2021

The business environment and cluster development in given economy have a defining role for the development, maintenance and enhancement of national competitiveness and this has been proven repeatedly in theory and in practice. Cluster development in Bulgaria started with some delay compared to the other European countries. In Bulgaria, companies even though being a member of a cluster, they do not fully realize their advantages in terms of competition and joint efforts. The reason is that clusters in Bulgaria are still in a process of building efficient internal interactions between their members. The study focuses on the way and the extent the state of business environment and cluster development foster national competitiveness in the case of Bulgaria and selected Central and Eastern European EU member states countries. For the purposes of the study of business environment the Diamond Model of Michael Porter is employed and it is carried out through the World Economic Forum’s indicators of Global Competitiveness Reports. Both, business environment and the level of cluster development in Bulgaria are evaluated in a comparative context with selected Central and Eastern European EU member states countries. The results of the study show domination of limitations and obstacles to enhancing national competitiveness. We may conclude that the state of the business environment, the level of cluster development, and their interaction are not very favourable for more intensive competitive development of Bulgarian economy.
First principles study of distributions of Si atoms and structures of siligraphene g-SiC7
Authors: Ding Qing-Song , Luo Chao-Bo , Peng Xiang-Yang , Shi Xi-Zhi , He Chao-Yu , Zhong Jian-Xin ,   Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Energy Materials and Devices, School of Physics and Optoelectronic, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China
Published: September 2021

Siligraphene, as a composite of graphene and silicene, has attracted widespread attraction since it has many excellent properties that neither of graphene and silicene possesses. The properties of siligraphene are closely related to the distribution of Si atoms and its structure, but most of the current researches of siligraphene focus on the regular distribution of Si atoms and the planar structure with high symmetry. Therefore, we study in this work all possible Si atoms’ distributions with planar and nonplanar structures for siligraphene g-SiC7 based on density functional theory. At first, 365 kinds of inequivalent Si atoms’ distributions in g-SiC7 are selected out from the 35960 kinds of Si atoms’ distributions, and then for each inequivalent Si atoms’ distribution, a comparison of the stability between the planer and nonplanar structures is made. In terms of the Si distribution, the Si atoms tend to gather together to lower the energy. The more dispersed Si atoms’ distribution usually has appreciably higher energy. In terms of the planarity of the structures, it is found that there are many non-planar structures with significantly lower energy than the planar ones. For all possible Si atoms’ distributions, there are only 8 planar structures which are stable against out-of-plane perturbations. We further study the dynamic, thermodynamic and mechanical stability of the structures with the lowest energies and find that they are stable. The energy band calculation shows that two Dirac valleys still persist in the first Brillouin zone despite their appreciable structure deformation, and a considerable band gap is opened at the Dirac point. We calculate the Berry curvatures and find that the Berry curvatures at the inequivalent valleys are opposite, indicating that the system has valley degree of freedom. Our research shows that siligraphene is more likely to have a buckled structure and a more concentrated silicon atoms’ distribution, and the most stable structures have good electronic properties.
Farm Fresh Broadband
Authors: Ali Christopher
Published: September 2021

An analysis of the failure of U.S. broadband policy to solve the rural–urban digital divide, with a proposal for a new national rural broadband plan.

As much of daily life migrates online, broadband—high-speed internet connectivity—has become a necessity. The widespread lack of broadband in rural America has created a stark urban–rural digital divide. In Farm Fresh Broadband, Christopher Ali analyzes the promise and the failure of national rural broadband policy in the United States and proposes a new national broadband plan. He examines how broadband policies are enacted and implemented, explores business models for broadband providers, surveys the technologies of rural broadband, and offers case studies of broadband use in the rural Midwest.

Ali argues that rural broadband policy is both broken and incomplete: broken because it lacks coordinated federal leadership and incomplete because it fails to recognize the important roles of communities, cooperatives, and local providers in broadband access. For example, existing policies favor large telecommunication companies, crowding out smaller, nimbler providers. Lack of competition drives prices up—rural broadband can cost 37 percent more than urban broadband. The federal government subsidizes rural broadband by approximately $6 billion. Where does the money go?

Ali proposes democratizing policy architecture for rural broadband, modeling it after the wiring of rural America for electricity and telephony. Subsidies should be equalized, not just going to big companies. The result would be a multistakeholder system, guided by thoughtful public policy and funded by public and private support.
Variation in human herpesvirus 6B telomeric integration, excision, and transmission between tissues and individuals
Authors: Wood Michael L , Veal Colin D , Neumann Rita , Suárez Nicolás M , Nichols Jenna , Parker Andrei J , Martin Diana , Romaine Simon PR , Codd Veryan , Samani Nilesh J , Voors Adriaan A , Tomaszewski Maciej , Flamand Louis , Davison Andrew J , Royle Nicola J
Published: September 2021

Human herpesviruses 6A and 6B (HHV-6A/6B) are ubiquitous pathogens that persist lifelong in latent form and can cause severe conditions upon reactivation. They are spread by community-acquired infection of free virus (acqHHV6A/6B) and by germline transmission of inherited chromosomally integrated HHV-6A/6B (iciHHV-6A/6B) in telomeres. We exploited a hypervariable region of the HHV-6B genome to investigate the relationship between acquired and inherited virus and revealed predominantly maternal transmission of acqHHV-6B in families. Remarkably, we demonstrate that some copies of acqHHV-6B in saliva from healthy adults gained a telomere, indicative of integration and latency, and that the frequency of viral genome excision from telomeres in iciHHV-6B carriers is surprisingly high and varies between tissues. In addition, newly formed short telomeres generated by partial viral genome release are frequently lengthened, particularly in telomerase-expressing pluripotent cells. Consequently, iciHHV-6B carriers are mosaic for different iciHHV-6B structures, including circular extra-chromosomal forms that have the potential to reactivate. Finally, we show transmission of an HHV-6B strain from an iciHHV-6B mother to her non-iciHHV-6B son. Altogether, we demonstrate that iciHHV-6B can readily transition between telomere-integrated and free virus forms.
Who’s who inMagelona:phylogenetic hypotheses under Magelonidae Cunningham & Ramage, 1888 (Annelida: Polychaeta)
Authors: Mortimer Kate , Fitzhugh Kirk , dos Brasil Ana Claudia , Lana Paulo
Published: September 2021

Known as shovel head worms, members of Magelonidae comprise a group of polychaetes readily recognised by the uniquely shaped, dorso-ventrally flattened prostomium and paired ventro-laterally inserted papillated palps. The present study is the first published account of inferences of phylogenetic hypotheses within Magelonidae. Members of 72 species ofMagelonaand two species ofOctomagelonawere included, with outgroups including members of one species of Chaetopteridae and four of Spionidae. The phylogenetic inferences were performed to causally account for 176 characters distributed among 79 subjects, and produced 2,417,600 cladograms, each with 404 steps. A formal definition of Magelonidae is provided, represented by a composite phylogenetic hypothesis explaining seven synapomorphies: shovel-shaped prostomium, prostomial ridges, absence of nuchal organs, ventral insertion of palps and their papillation, presence of a burrowing organ, and unique body regionation.Octomagelonais synonymised withMagelonadue to the latter being paraphyletic relative to the former. The consequence is that Magelonidae is monotypic, such thatMagelonacannot be formally defined as associated with any phylogenetic hypotheses. As such, the latter name is an empirically empty placeholder, but because of the binomial name requirement mandated by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, the definition is identical to that of Magelonidae. Several key features for future descriptions are suggested: prostomial dimensions, presence/absence of prostomial horns, morphology of anterior lamellae, presence/absence of specialised chaetae, and lateral abdominal pouches. Additionally, great care must be taken to fully describe and illustrate all thoracic chaetigers in descriptions.
LitR directly upregulates autoinducer synthesis and luminescence in Aliivibrio logei
Authors: Bazhenov Sergey , Melkina Olga , Fomin Vadim , Scheglova Ekaterina , Krasnik Pavel , Khrulnova Svetlana , Zavilgelsky Gennadii , Manukhov Ilya
Published: September 2021

LitR is a master-regulator of transcription in the ainS/R and luxS/PQ quorum sensing (QS) systems of bacteria from Vibrio and Aliivibrio genera. Here, we for the first time directly investigated the influence of LitR on gene expression in the luxI/R QS system of psychrophilic bacteria Aliivibrio logei. Investigated promoters were fused with Photorhabdus luminescens luxCDABE reporter genes cassette in a heterological system of Escherichia coli cells, litR A. logei was introduced into the cells under control of Plac promoter. LitR has been shown to upregulate genes of autoinducer synthase (luxI), luciferase and reductase (luxCDABE), and this effect doesn’t depend on presence of luxR gene. To a much lesser degree, LitR induces luxR1, but not the luxR2 — the main luxI/R regulator. Enhanced litR expression leads to an increase in a LuxI-autoinducer synthesis and a subsequent LuxR-mediated activation of the luxI/R QS system. Effect of LitR on luxI transcription depends on lux-box sequence in luxI promoter even in absence of luxR (lux-box is binding site of LuxR). The last finding indicates a direct interaction of LitR with the promoter in the lux-box region. Investigation of the effect of LitR A. logei on luxI/R QS systems of mesophilic Aliivibrio fischeri and psychrophilic Aliivibrio salmonicida showed direct luxR-independent upregulation of luxI and luxCDABE genes. To a lesser degree, it induces luxR A. fischeri and luxR1 A. salmonicida. Therefore, we assume that the main role of LitR in cross-interaction of these three QS systems is stimulating the expression of luxI.
Multiomics-based analyses of KPNA2 highlight its multiple potentials in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Jinzhong , Zhang Xiuzhi , Wang Lingxiao , Kang Chunyan , Li Ningning , Xiao Zhefeng , Dai Liping
Published: September 2021

Dysregulation and prognostic roles of Karyopherin α2 (KPNA2) were reported in many malignancies including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A multi-omics analysis of KPNA2 is needed to gain a deeper understanding of its multilevel molecular characteristics and provide novel clues for HCC diagnosis, prognosis, and target therapy. Herein multi-omic alterations of KPNA2 were analyzed at genetic, epigenetic, transcript, and protein levels with evaluation of their relevance with clinicopathological features of HCC by integrative analyses. The significant correlations of KPNA2 expression with its gene copy number variation (CNV) and methylation status were shown through Spearman correlation analyses. With Cox regression, Kaplan-Meier survival, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses, based on the factors of KPNA2 CNV, methylation, expression, and tumor stage, risk models for HCC overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were constructed which could discriminate the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year OS/DFS status effectively. With Microenvironment Cell Populations-counter (MCP-counter), the immune infiltrations of HCC samples were evaluated and their associations with KPNA2 were shown. KPNA2 expression in liver was found to be influenced by low fat diet and presented significant correlations with fatty acid metabolism and fatty acid synthase activity in HCC. KPNA2 was detected lowered in HCC patient’s plasma by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), consistent with its translocation to nuclei of HCC cells. In conclusion, KPNA2 multilevel dysregulation in HCC and its correlations with immune infiltration and the fatty acid metabolism pathway indicated its multiple roles in HCC. The clinicopathological significance of KPNA2 was highlighted through the in-depth analyses at multilevels.
Response of plant diversity and soil physicochemical properties to different gap sizes in a Pinus massoniana plantation
Authors: Lyu Qian , Liu Jiangli , Liu Junjie , Luo Yan , Chen Luman , Chen Gang , Zhao Kuangji , Chen Yuqin , Fan Chuan , Li Xianwei
Published: September 2021

As one means of close-to-nature management, forest gaps have an important impact on the ecological service function of plantations. To improve the current situation of P. massoniana plantations, three different sizes of forest gaps (large gaps, medium gaps and small gaps) were established to observe whether gap setting can improve the soil fertility and plant diversity of forest plantations. The results showed that compared with the control, the soil organic matter content of different soil layers increased significantly in the medium forest gap and large forest gap. The content of soil organic matter in the surface layer of the middle gap had the largest increase (80.64%). Compared with the control, the content of soil-available potassium between different soil layers decreased significantly by 15.93% to 25.80%. The soil hydrolysable nitrogen reached its maximum under the medium gap. Soil moisture showed significant changes among different gap treatments, different soil layers and their interaction, decreasing significantly in large gaps and small gaps but increasing significantly in medium gaps. The soil bulk density decreased significantly compared with the control, and the surface soil reached the minimum in the medium gap. There were different plant species in forest gaps of different sizes, and shrub layer plants were more sensitive to gap size differences than herb layer plants. The plant diversity indices of the shrub layer increased significantly and showed a maximum under the medium gap. The plant diversity of the herb layer showed the opposite trend, and the Shannon-Wiener index, Simpson index and Pielou index were significantly lower than those of the control. RDA showed that different gap treatments had significant effects on the distribution of plants under the forest. Soil available potassium, soil moisture and soil bulk density affected the distribution and diversity of plants under the forest, serving as the limiting factors of plant growth. In forest management, if we strictly consider the improvement of plant diversity and soil physicochemical properties, these results suggest that a medium gap should be established in a plantation for natural restoration.
Tomar partido en facebook: Gobierno, oposición y la Reforma del sistema de pensiones en Brasil
Authors:   Universidade Federal do Paraná (Brasil), Henrique de Freitas Santos Deivison , Henrique Leite Pedro ,   Universidade Federal do Paraná (Brasil), Jamil Marques Francisco Paulo ,   Universidade Federal do Paraná (Brasil)
Published: September 2021

El objetivo del artículo es analizar cómo los partidos políticos brasileños utilizaron las redes sociales digitales para abordar la Reforma del sistema de pensiones enviada por el entonces presidente Michel Temer (PEC 287/2016). La intención es entender (1) si, y en qué medida, los partidos de la base aliada y de la oposición usaron el Facebook para posicionarse en la Propuesta de Enmienda Constitucional; y (2) qué argumentos fueron utilizados por las agremiaciones para apoyar o criticar el proyecto enviado por el Ejecutivo. El corpus considera 222 posts publicados entre diciembre de 2016 (cuando se presentó el PEC a la Cámara) y febrero de 2018 (período inicialmente establecido/previsto por el gobierno para votar sobre el asunto), examinado a través de Análisis de Contenido cuantitativo y cualitativo. Se concluye que, en general, los partidos dieron poca visibilidad al tema, menospreciando el ambiente de comunicación digital como un espacio para convencer a la opinión pública. El manuscrito es relevante, ya que explora empíricamente cómo los partidos movilizan herramientas digitales para disputar el apoyo de la población cuando las políticas estatales están en la agenda, yendo más allá de los estudios que enfatizan las estrategias electorales.
Percepción de estudiantes sobre la comunicación institucional universitaria
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Segura-Mariño Adriana Graciela , Fernández-Sande Manuel ,   Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Paniagua-Rojano Francisco Javier ,   Universidad de Málaga
Published: September 2021

El objetivo de esta investigación es evaluar la comunicación institucional de 21 universidades ecuatorianas desde la percepción de los estudiantes. Se aplicó una encuesta en línea con consistencia interna (ω=0,91) a 3540 alumnos y se valoró su percepción como estudiantes potenciales y actuales; los datos se analizaron mediante la prueba U de Mann-Whitney y el coeficiente τ de Kendall. Se destaca que el factor que más influyó para elegir la institución es el costo, que las universidades privadas gestionan mejor la relación con el alumnado y que la satisfacción sobre la comunicación está correlacionada con el compromiso que sienten los estudiantes actuales. Es indispensable que las instituciones de educación superior cuenten con equipos propios de comunicación y que valoren los canales en línea y offline, así como la percepción de padres/madres, ya que tienen una alta influencia en la decisión de sus hijos.
Comunicadores, pluralismo informativo y massmediación del conflicto chileno-mapuche
Authors:   Universidad Católica de Temuco, Maldonado Claudio , Del Valle Carlos ,   Universidad de La Frontera
Published: September 2021

El artículo socializa parte de los resultados de una investigación centrada en problematizar las relaciones entre pluralismo informativo y mass-mediación del conflicto chileno-mapuche en la Araucanía, región ubicada al sur de Chile, en la cual se desarrollan diversos acontecimientos de confrontación entre el Estadonación chileno, el movimiento mapuche y las empresas transnacionales emplazadas en territorios ancestrales. A partir de un análisis argumental aplicado a un corpus de 18 entrevistas a comunicadores de la región de La Araucanía en el período 2018-2019, se identifican los tópicos y las estructuras argumentativas que operan como tramas de sentido en torno al grado de pluralismo informativo en esta región y sus efectos en el tratamiento informativo del conflicto chileno-mapuche. Asimismo, se discuten propuestas de transformación del ecosistema mediático para avanzar hacia un modelo de pluralismo informativo de carácter democrático e intercultural. Los resultados establecen que los tópicos centrales a problematizar refieren a aspectos políticos, económicos, interculturales, de seguridad, formativos y mediáticos.
Mujeres y finanzas en la prensa en línea: análisis desde una perspectiva feminista
Authors:   Universidad de Chile, Peréz Roa Lorena , Allendes Santos ,   Universidad de Chile
Published: September 2021

Desde un enfoque feminista aplicado a la comunicación, este trabajo explora las representaciones sociales sobre la relación entre mujeres y finanzas en la prensa en línea de Chile. Para ello, se realizó un análisis de contenido cualitativo sobre un corpus de 59 notas de prensa publicadas en periódicos en línea vigentes en Chile. Los resultados presentan dos supuestos dominantes que buscan explicar el comportamiento financiero de las mujeres: el peso de la familia en las decisiones económicas de las mujeres y su comportamiento adverso al riesgo financiero. Se explora cómo estas representaciones sobre las mujeres en las noticias sobre finanzas siguen ancladas a los roles tradicionales de género, sin reflejar la complejidad de la realidad financiera de las mujeres, sus determinantes socioeconómicos y los vínculos entre las finanzas y los nuevos modos de explotación de los cuerpos femeninos.
How L1 loanwords can create a false sense of familiarity with L2 vocabulary meaning and usage
Authors: Masson Marie-Emilie
Published: September 2021

Almost 50% of high-frequency English (L2) words have Japanese cognates in the form of loanwords, and depending on cognate type these are generally considered to be an excellent way to promote vocabulary retention. However, relatively unexplored is the impact loanword cognates have on word usage in sentences. This paper will describe the discrepancies between students’ perceived knowledge and actual knowledge of meaning and usage of English words with Japanese cognates. The results suggest that cognates which are usually more difficult for students to retain, such as distant false friends (because they have undergone a semantic shift), are not the only source of difficulty in terms of word usage. In addition to this, it appears loanword cognates that students consider themselves to know can create a false sense of familiarity with L2 meaning and usage. True cognates and convergent cognates, which are generally considered the easiest to recall meaning of, showed the most discrepancies in terms of accurate word usage.
Enhancing self-efficacy in vocabulary learning: A self-regulated learning approach
Authors: Mizumoto Atsushi
Published: September 2021

The current study aimed to explore the effects of integrating a selfregulated learning approach on self-efficacy in vocabulary learning. A group of 115 English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners from a university in Japan participated in this longitudinal study. The participants were assigned as the treatment group, the contrast group 1, and the contrast group 2. Only the treatment group received the intervention based on the self-regulated learning approach. The participants completed a questionnaire on self-efficacy in vocabulary learning three times and a vocabulary test twice. Multilevel analysis of change was employed to examine the trajectories of change in the participants’ self-efficacy over the measurement occasions. The gain scores in the vocabulary test were submitted to analysis of variance. The results showed that the treatment group showed a steady increase in self-efficacy and vocabulary knowledge compared with the other two contrast groups. The findings from the current study provide empirical evidence suggesting that through a selfregulated learning approach, it might be possible to enhance self-efficacy, which in turn may contribute to the development of vocabulary knowledge.
A new general service list: The better mousetrap we've been looking for?
Authors: Browne Charles
Published: September 2021

This brief paper introduces the New General Service List (NGSL), a major update of Michael West’s 1953 General Service List (GSL) of corevocabulary for second language learners. After describing the rationalebehind the NGSL, the specific steps taken to create it and a discussion ofthe latest 1.01 version of the list, the paper moves on to comparing thetext coverage offered by the NGSL against both the GSL as well asanother recent GSL published by Brezina and Gablasova (referred to asOther New General Service List [ONGSL] in this paper). Results indicatethat while the original GSL offers slightly better coverage for texts ofclassic literature (about 0.8% better than the NGSL and 4.5% more thanthe ONGSL), the NGSL offers 5-6% more coverage than either list formore modern corpora such asScientific AmericanorThe Economist.
Estimating learners' vocabulary size under item response theory
Authors: Gibson Aaron , Stewart Jeffrey
Published: September 2021

Perhaps the most qualitatively interpretable vocabulary test score is an estimate of the total number of words the learner knows in the tested domain, such as a frequency word list, or vocabulary taught as part of a course curriculum. In cases where it is not possible to test the entire domain word-for-word, vocabulary tests such as the vocabulary levels test (Nation, 1990) and vocabulary size test (Beglar, 2010, Nation & Beglar, 2007) typically employ a polling method, in which total vocabulary size is inferred from a sample of tested words. A drawback of this method is that it assumes the tested words are randomly sampled from and therefore representative of the tested domain, which can affect test reliability in cases where there are many words in the domain that are far below or above learners’ ability. This paper outlines an alternate method for estimating vocabulary size from a test score using item response theory, which allows estimation of total vocabulary size from a nonrandom sample of words well matched to learners’ ability, resulting in tests of practical length with high reliability that can be used to estimate the total number of words a learner knows. Such a test scoring method, currently in use at a private university in southern Japan, is used as an example.
Local item dependence on the vocabulary levels test revisited
Authors: Kamimoto Tadamitsu
Published: September 2021

The purpose of this study was to address the question of local item dependence (LID) on the Vocabulary Levels Test (VLT). The test format adopts a matching format consisting of six words and three definitions. A review of the literature suggested that items presented in such a format cannot be considered independent. However, Schmitt, Schmitt, and Clapham reported that according to Rasch analysis, most of the items performed independently. The present study examined effects of LID from a non-Rasch approach. A set of three clusters was collapsed into one large cluster of 18 words and 9 definitions on the assumption that such a treatment would make items practically independent. Both the collapsed VLT and the intact VLT were given to 114 Japanese English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students at an interval of one week. Results showed that scores were 15% higher on the original VLT than on the collapsed form. Furthermore, an LID index based on the correct/wrong response types between the two tests indicated that scores on the original VLT were about 19% inflated. Implications were drawn and discussed.
Test taking and DK use on the vocabulary size test
Authors: Lucovich Dawn
Published: September 2021

This study continued an investigation of test strategy and usage of an ”I don’t know” (DK) option on the 20,000-word family, 100-item Vocabulary Size Test (VST, Nation & Beglar, 2007). Unlike previous studies, which reported on an L1 American English user (Lucovich, 2014), the participants in this study were two L1 GreekL2 American English users. Each participant took the original and DK-added versions of the VST. A structured qualitative interview, based on Nagy, Herman, and Anderson’s (1985) word interview protocol and piloted in previous studies, asked the participants about their answers on the VST. This study aimed to discover how non-Japanese L1/non-English L1 test takers determined their answers, how they qualitatively perceived and used the DK option, and whether this differed from the L1 American English and L1 Japanese users of English. As in previous studies, the participants used the DK option only on unknown items where partial knowledge or test taking strategies were unusable.
Estimations of Japanese university learners' English vocabulary sizes using the vocabulary size test
Authors: McLean Stuart , Hogg Nicholas , Kramer Brandon
Published: September 2021

Measuring students’ lexica is time-consuming, as one sitting of the Vocabulary Size Test (VST) usually takes 4060 minutes. As a result, teachers would benefit from being able to make reasonable estimates from commonly available information. This paper aims to investigate: (1) What are the mean vocabulary sizes of students at Japanese universities as a whole, and by university department (hensachi)? and (2) Are a university’s department standardized rank scores (hensachi) a useful proxy for English vocabulary size? This study used a cross-sectional design where 3,449 Japanese university students were tested using Nation and Beglar’s VST. The results showed an average score of 3,715.20 word families and that VST scores were significantly higher for students in higher department hensachi programs. This current department hensachi was also found to have a stronger correlation with VST scores than with other covariates when the entire sample was considered. Lastly, there appears to be a lack of consistent knowledge of the most frequent words of English, suggesting that curriculum designers at Japanese universities should focus on teaching high-frequency English words. Although the findings support the use of the VST for comparing receptive written vocabulary knowledge between learners, they perhaps do not support its use in establishing a vocabulary size to decide lexically appropriate materials.
Effects of instruction on yes-no responses to L2 collocations
Authors: Yamashita Junko
Published: September 2021

The lexical decision task (LDT), in which a participant makes dichotomous judgments on target letter strings, is an established method in psycholinguistic research to investigate the mental lexicon. With the expansion of research interests from single lexeme to collocations, second language (L2) researchers have started to use a similar judgment task at a phrasal level (referred to as a phrasal decision task or PDT in this paper). However, unlike the LDT, the PDT has not yet established a standard form of prompt, and variation has been observed in previous L2 studies. Hence, the purpose of this study was to examine effects of varying instructions on PDT performance. Three instructions (acceptable/ commonly used/natural) were tested with Japanese university students and native speakers of English, who were asked to make judgments on English word combinations. Examining responses to congruent (felicitous both in Japanese and English), incongruent (felicitous only in Japanese or English), and baseline items, the study identified some effects of instruction differences. However, these effects were not so strong as to obscure the expected cross-linguistic congruency effect. Therefore, this result has led to the conclusion that researchers have more freedom of instruction selection in the PDT, at least among the three examined in this study and to the extent that the congruency effect was measured by accuracy scores.
Replacing Translation Tests With Yes/No Tests
Authors:   Kyushu Sangyo University, Stubbe Raymond
Published: September 2021

Along with personal interviews, individual word translation tests from the target language to the mother tongue are recognized as a reliable method of determining students’ actual lexical knowledge. However, as most English as a foreign language teachers are aware, the marking of these tests can be a laborious task. A far easier vocabulary testing format is the Yes/No (YN) checklist test, which can examine a large number of words while not over-burdening the marker. Pseudowords, which look like real words but do not bear meaning, have been added to the YN format to check for evidence of overestimation of lexical knowledge by test-takers. Four scoring formulae, which adjust YN results according to the number of pseudoword reports, have become established in the literature. Of these, the h-f formula has become recognized as the simplest to use for adjusting YN scores. This study presents a regression-based prediction formula derived from the h-f results in a pilot study, which was then applied to the YN h-f adjustments in a second study (the main study) to predict actual vocabulary knowledge as demonstrated by a meaning recall translation test of the same items. This prediction formula, labeled h-fRF, was compared with another regression-based formula as well as the original h-f formula. Results showed that 54% of the 455 individual h-fRF predictions were within 5% (4.8 of 96 words) of matching translation test scores, and 82% were within 10%, which were better than the other formula predictions. These results may be of interest to classroom teachers as they suggest that by using the h-fRF, the burden of marking translation tests can be reduced by the far easier YN test format.
A Comparative Study on Educational Aspiration and Parental Encouragement among Rural and Urban High School Children
Authors: Pindar Reenu , Singh C. K.
Published: September 2021

Adolescence is the time of transition from childhood dependence to early adulthood freedom and responsibility. Educational aspiration is explained as a psychological construct, which reflects a cognitive type of motivation of the individual. Educational aspiration reflects educational goals an individual set for himself/herself. Parental encouragement is the inspiration or extra-boosting given by the parents to the children for their active involvement in academic life. The present study was conducted in rural and urban areas of Hisar and Fatehabad district of Haryana state. The sample of study included 120 respondents from Hisar and 120 from Fatehabad district, thus total sample comprised of 240 respondents. Educational Aspiration Scale by Sharma and Gupta (2015) was used to assess educational aspiration and Parental Encouragement Scale by Sharma (1997) was used to assess parental encouragement of students.

The results of study revealed that majority of respondents belonged to moderate category of educational aspirations and majority of respondents perceived moderate level of parental encouragement. There were significant differences in educational aspirations and parental encouragement of children from rural and urban area. In urban area, respondents had significantly greater educational aspiration and parental encouragement as compared to respondents from rural area.
Java Philosophy in Internal Control (Study on the Berkarya Foundation in Paiton)
Authors: Wahyuningtiyas Maharani , Sulistiyo Agung Budi , Miqdad Muhammad
Published: September 2021

This study wants to explore in-depth Internal Control in Javanese Philosophy at the Berkarya Paiton Foundation, and to be contemplation for all of us so that we always remember the messages of our ancestors which are our provisions in living a noble life. With the spiritual-religious paradigm, the researcher uses a case study research design. The results of the study show that the Berkarya foundation implements its family and cultural system so that the concept of internal control is applied by the family of the foundation was: Berbudi bawa leksana, aja dumeh which emphasized simplicity, and setya wacana. It is common knowledge for all of us that simplicity is an attitude of Javanese life.
Wide Bandgap Polymer with Narrow Photon Harvesting in Visible Light Range Enables Efficient Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics
Authors: Xu Chunyu , Jin Ke , Xiao Zuo , Zhao Zijin , Ma Xiaoling , Wang Xuelin , Li Junming , Xu Wenjing , Zhang Shuping , Ding Liming , Zhang Fujun
Published: September 2021

Wide bandgap polymer D18 with narrow photon harvesting in visible light range and small molecule N3 with near‐infrared photon harvesting are adopted for building semitransparent organic photovoltaics (OPVs). To find out the optimal D18:N3 weight ratio for semitransparent OPVs, series of opaque OPVs are built with a varied D18:N3 weight ratio. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) and fill factor can be maintained over 16% and 77% in the D18:N3 (0.7:1.6, wt/wt) based opaque OPVs, respectively. The average visible transmittance (AVT) of the corresponding blend films can be achieved over 50%, demonstrating the great potential in fabricating efficient semitransparent OPVs. The semitransparent OPVs based on D18:N3 (0.7:1.6, wt/wt) are fabricated by using 1 nm Au/(10, 15, 20 nm) Ag as cathode. The thickness of Ag layers is varied to balance the optical properties and electrical properties of semitransparent top electrode. The semitransparent OPVs with 10 nm Ag achieve the highest light utilization efficiency of 2.90% with a PCE of 12.91% and an AVT of 22.49%, which should be among the best performance of reported semitransparent OPVs. This work demonstrates that the wide bandgap polymer donor with narrow photon harvesting in visible light range has great potential in preparing efficient semitransparent OPVs.
Electro‐Optic Activity in Excess of 1000 pm V−1 Achieved via Theory‐Guided Organic Chromophore Design
Authors: Xu Huajun , Elder Delwin L. , Johnson Lewis E. , de Coene Yovan , Hammond Scott R. , Vander Ghinst Wouter , Clays Koen , Dalton Larry R. , Robinson Bruce H.
Published: September 2021

High performance organic electro‐optic (OEO) materials enable ultrahigh bandwidth, small footprint, and extremely low drive voltage in silicon‐organic hybrid and plasmonic‐organic hybrid photonic devices. However, practical OEO materials under device‐relevant conditions are generally limited to performance of ≈300 pm V−1 (10× the EO response of lithium niobate). By means of theory‐guided design, a new series of OEO chromophores is demonstrated, based on strong bis(4‐dialkylaminophenyl)phenylamino electron donating groups, capable of EO coefficients (r33) in excess of 1000 pm V−1. Density functional theory modeling and hyper‐Rayleigh scattering measurements are performed and confirm the large improvement in hyperpolarizability due to the stronger donor. The EO performance of the exemplar chromophore in the series, BAY1, is evaluated neat and at various concentrations in polymer host and shows a nearly linear increase in r33 and poling efficiency (r33/Ep, Ep is poling field) with increasing chromophore concentration. 25 wt% BAY1/polymer composite shows a higher poling efficiency (3.9 ± 0.1 nm2 V−2) than state‐of‐the‐art neat chromophores. Using a high‐ε charge blocking layer with BAY1, a record‐high r33 (1100 ± 100 pm V−1) and poling efficiency (17.8 ± 0.8 nm2 V−2) at 1310 nm are achieved. This is the first reported OEO material with electro‐optic response larger than thin‐film barium titanate.
Precise Ultrasound Neuromodulation in a Deep Brain Region Using Nano Gas Vesicles as Actuators
Authors: Hou Xuandi , Qiu Zhihai , Xian Quanxiang , Kala Shashwati , Jing Jianing , Wong Kin Fung , Zhu Jiejun , Guo Jinghui , Zhu Ting , Yang Minyi , Sun Lei
Published: September 2021

Ultrasound is a promising new modality for non‐invasive neuromodulation. Applied transcranially, it can be focused down to the millimeter or centimeter range. The ability to improve the treatment's spatial resolution to a targeted brain region could help to improve its effectiveness, depending upon the application. The present paper details a neurostimulation scheme using gas‐filled nanostructures, gas vesicles (GVs), as actuators for improving the efficacy and precision of ultrasound stimuli. Sonicated primary neurons display dose‐dependent, repeatable Ca2+responses, closely synced to stimuli, and increased nuclear expression of the activation marker c‐Fos in the presence of GVs. GV‐mediated ultrasound triggered rapid and reversible Ca2+responses in vivo and could selectively evoke neuronal activation in a deep‐seated brain region. Further investigation indicate that mechanosensitive ion channels are important mediators of this effect. GVs themselves and the treatment scheme are also found not to induce significant cytotoxicity, apoptosis, or membrane poration in treated cells. Altogether, this study demonstrates a simple and effective method to achieve enhanced and better‐targeted neurostimulation with non‐invasive low‐intensity ultrasound.
Paternal retraction of a fragile X allele to normal size, showing normal function over two generations
Authors: Bartlett Essra , Archibald Alison D. , Francis David , Ling Ling , Thomas Rob , Chandler Gabrielle , Ward Lisa , O'Farrell Gemma , Pandelache Alison , Delatycki Martin B. , Bennetts Bruce H. , Ho Gladys , Fisk Katrina , Baker Emma K. , Amor David J. , Godler David E.
Published: September 2021

The FMR1 premutation (PM:55‐199 CGG) is associated with fragile X‐associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) and when maternally transmitted is at risk of expansion to a hypermethylated full mutation (FM: ≥ 200 CGG) that causes fragile X syndrome (FXS). We describe a maternally transmitted PM (77 CGG) that was passed to a son (103 CGG), and to a daughter (220–1822 CGG), who were affected with FXTAS and FXS, respectively. The male with the PM showed low‐level mosaicism for normal size of 30 and 37 CGG. This male had two offspring: one female mosaic for PM and FM (56, 157, >200 CGG) and another with only a 37 CGG allele detected in multiple tissues, neither with a clinical phenotype. The female with the 37 CGG allele showed normal levels of FMR1 methylation and mRNA and passed this 37 CGG allele to one of her daughters, who was also unaffected. These findings show that post‐zygotic paternal retraction can lead to low‐level mosaicism for normal size alleles, with these normal alleles being functional when passed over two generations.
Pd(II)‐catalyzed Carbonylative Cyclization of N‐aryl‐2‐aminopyrimidines with Mo(CO)6 as Carbon Monoxide Source
Authors: Deng Ting‐Ting , Huang Jie , Lian Guo , Sun Wen‐Wu , Wu Bin
Published: September 2021

A convenient and efficient synthetic protocol for the preparation of pyrimidoquinazolinone through Pd(II)‐catalyzed carbonylative cyclization of N‐aryl‐2‐aminopyrimidines with Mo(CO)6 as carbon monoxide source is established. A series of 6H‐pyrimido[2,1‐b]quinazolin‐6‐one derivatives were obtained in good yields. The scale‐up synthesis was investigated.
Ferrocene‐Induced Perpetual Recovery on All Elemental Defects in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Chang Qing , Wang Fangfang , Xu Wenxin , Wang Aifei , Liu You , Wang Juangan , Yun Yikai , Gao Song , Xiao Kang , Zhang Liangliang , Wang Lin , Wang Jianpu , Huang Wei , Qin Tianshi
Published: September 2021

Lead halide perovskites always emerge complex interactions among different elemental ions, which lead to multiple intrinsic imperfections. Elemental defects, such as amine, Pb, and I vacancies at A‐, B‐, and X‐sites, are main issues to deteriorate perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Unfortunately, most previous passivators can only temporarily fix partial inactive vacancies as sacrificial agents. Herein, we propose a recovery agent, ferrocene (Fc), which can form a one‐dimensional perovskite with adequate steric cavities and suitable dissociation energy to recover all elemental defects back to active light‐harvesting perovskites, and regenerate Fc itself meanwhile. Based on this perpetual chain‐reaction cycle, corresponding PSCs maintain >10 000‐hour lifetime in inert condition and >1000‐hour durabilities under various extreme environments, including continuous 85 °C heating, 50 % relative humidity wetting, and 1‐sun light soaking.
Effect of nano‐silver coated carbon black on curing, mechanical, antimicrobial, and electrical properties of natural rubber composite
Authors: Sukthavorn Kankavee , Nootsuwan Nollapan , Jongrungruangchok Suchada , Veranitisagul Chatchai , Koonsaeng Nattamon , Laobuthee Apirat
Published: September 2021

Nano‐silver coated carbon black (Ag/CB) was prepared via the green coating process and used as a multifunctional additive in natural rubber (NR). The Ag/CB was mixed with NR in varying amounts of 10, 20, and 30 parts per hundred rubber. Curing characteristics, morphology, mechanical and antimicrobial properties, and electrical conductivity of the rubber composites were investigated. Scorch time and cure time of the rubber compounds decreased, while the curing rate index did not change significantly with increasing amounts of Ag/CB. Hardness, tensile strength, and 100% and 300% moduli of rubber composites increased, while elongation at break decreased with increasing amounts of Ag/CB due to good dispersion of Ag/CB particles in the NR matrix. The Ag/CB particles also enhanced the antimicrobial properties of the NR composites, especiallyStaphylococcus aureusas the gram‐positive bacteria andCandida albicansas the fungus. Addition of Ag/CB also enhanced the electrical conductivity of the rubber composites.
Synthesis, characterization, and spectroscopic properties of 2‐(3,5,6‐trichloro‐1,4‐benzoquinon‐2‐yl)‐neo‐fused hexaphyrin
Authors: Gao Shimin , Li Qizhao , Baryshnikov Glib , Ågren Hans , Xie Yongshu
Published: September 2021

In this work, a novel compound 2‐(3,5,6‐trichloro‐1,4‐benzoquinon‐2‐yl)‐neo‐fused hexaphyrin has been prepared from tetrachloroquinone and neo‐fused hexaphyrin through a substitution reaction. The chemical structure of the compound has been characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high‐resolution mass spectrum, UV–Vis spectrum, and X‐ray diffraction. The crystal structure reveals that the quinonyl unit is almost coplanar with the adjacent N‐confused pyrrole unit. Because of the cooperative effect of extended conjugation and the intramolecular charge transfer effect related to the strong electron‐withdrawing character of the quinonyl unit, the absorption of 2 is dramatically extended to ca. 1280 nm.