Data_Sheet_1_From self-regulated learning to computer-delivered integrated speaking testing: Does monitoring always monitor?.docx

Despite the salience of monitoring in self-regulated learning (SRL) and foreign and/or second language (L2) speech production in non-testing conditions, little is known about the metacognitive construct in testing contexts and its effects on learner performance. Given the reciprocal effects between L2 testing and L2 learning, a research effort in monitoring working in speaking tests, in particular computer-delivered integrated speaking tests, a testing format that has been advocated as an internal part of L2 classroom instruction and represents the future direction of L2 testing, is warranted. This study, therefore, serves as such an effort through investigating the use of monitoring by 95 Chinese English as foreign language (EFL) learners on a self-reported questionnaire after they performed three computer-delivered integrated speaking test tasks. Descriptive analysis followed by Hierarchical Linear Modelling (HLM) testing reveals that monitoring was used in a high-frequency manner, but it exerted no substantial effects on learner performance. Primarily, the results are expected to provide pedagogical implications for SRL: while fostering self-regulating learners, especially self-monitoring L2 speakers, it is necessary for L2 teachers to purposefully reduplicate testing conditions in their classroom instructions for helping the self-regulating learners be equally self-regulating test-takers. Moreover, the results are hoped to offer some insights into L2 testing through the perspective of self-monitoring, one proposed component of strategic competence, a construct that has been extensively acknowledged to reflect the essence of L2 testing.</p

Total migrating neurons from DRG explants.

<p>Total number of migrating neurons from DRG explants increased in neuromuscular coculture as compared with that in DRG explants culture alone. Bar graphs with error bars represent mean ± SEM (n = 38 different samples). *<i>P</i><0.001.</p

Double fluorescent labeling of MAP-2 and GAP-43.

<p>Panel A: neuromuscular coculture (A1: MAP-2; A2: GAP-43; A3: overlay of A1 and A2). Panel B: DRG explant culture (B1: MAP-2; B2: GAP-43; B3: overlay of B1 and B2). Panel C: The percentage of migrating GAP-43-IR neurons. The percentage of GAP-43-IR neurons increased in neuromuscular coculture as compared with that in DRG explants culture alone. Bar graphs with error bars represent mean ± SEM (n = 18 different samples), Scale bar = 50 µm. *<i>P</i><0.001.</p

The mRNA levels of NF-200 and GAP-43.

<p>The mRNA levels of NF-200 and GAP-43 increased in neuromuscular coculture as compared with that in DRG explants culture alone. Bar graphs with error bars represent mean ± SEM (n = 6). *<i>P</i><0.01, **<i>P</i><0.001.</p

The protein levels of NF-200.

<p>The protein levels of NF-200 increased in neuromuscular coculture as compared with that in DRG explants culture alone. Bar graphs with error bars represent mean ± SEM (n = 6). *<i>P</i><0.001.</p

Nerve fiber bundles extended from DRG explants.

<p>Panel A, B: The example images to show how to quantify nerve fiber bundles. Nerve fiber bundles extended from DRG explants as far as 200 µm from the edge of a quarter of each DRG explants was counted in each sample. Panel A is neuromuscular coculture (thick arrows show SKM cells). Panel B is DRG explant culture. Panel C: The number of nerve fiber bundles extended from DRG explants. The number of nerve fiber bundles increased in neuromuscular coculture as compared with that in DRG explants culture alone. Bar graphs with error bars represent mean ± SEM (n = 10 different samples). *<i>P</i><0.001. Scale bar = 40 µm.</p

Double fluorescent labeling of MAP-2 (for neurons) and muscle actin (for muscle cells).

<p>Panel A : MAP-2 for DRG neurons; Panel B: muscle actin for SKM cells; Panel C: overlay of Panel A and B. The migrating neurons send axons cross over (thick arrow) and terminate on (thin arrow) the surface of SKM cells. Scale bar = 50 µm.</p

SEM photomicrographs of the neuromuscular coculture (A–F) and DRG explants culture alone (G–I).

<p>Panel A: DRG explants send numerous large radial projections (thin arrows) to the peripheral area in neuromuscular coculture. Many neurons (thick arrows) migrated from DRG explants to the peripheral area. Panel B: The enlargement of the box in Panel A. Panel C: The axons form a dense lace-like network (thin white arrows) with crossing patterns on the surface of single layer SKM cells (thick black arrow) in neuromuscular coculture. The single migrating neurons (thick white arrows) scattered in the space of the network and send axons (thin black arrows) joining the network. Panel D: The axons cross (thin white arrows) on the surface of a single SKM cell (thick black arrow). Panel E: The endings of the axons enlarge and terminate on the surface of a single SKM cell (thick black arrow) to form NMJ-like structures (thin white arrows). Panel F: The enlargement of the box in Panel E. Panel G: DRG explants sends radial projections (thin arrows) to peripheral area in DRG explants culture. A few neurons (thick arrows) migrated from DRG explants to the peripheral area. Panel H: The enlargement of the box in Panel G. Panel I: The axons form a sparse lace-like network (thin white arrows) with crossing patterns in the peripheral area in DRG explants culture. The single migrating neuron (thick white arrow) sends axons (thin black arrow) joining the network. Scale bar = 50 µm in Panel A, G; Scale bar = 25 µm in Panel B, H; Scale bar = 10 µm in Panel C; Scale bar = 5 µm in Panel D, E, I; Scale bar = 2.5 µm in Panel F.</p

The protein levels of GAP-43.

<p>The protein levels of GAP-43 increased in neuromuscular coculture as compared with that in DRG explants culture alone. Bar graphs with error bars represent mean ± SEM (n = 6). *<i>P</i><0.001.</p

ReaxFF Reactive Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Functionalized Poly(phenylene oxide) Anion Exchange Membrane

Three functionalized poly­(phenylene oxide) (PPO) anion exchange membranes (AEMs), PPO–trimethylamine (PPO–TMA), PPO–dimethylbutylamine (PPO–DMBA), and PPO–dimethyloctylamine (PPO–DMOA), at two hydration levels (λ = 8.3 and 20.8) have been studied by ReaxFF reactive molecular dynamics simulations. Our simulations reveal that with increasing hydration the microstructures of membrane swell and water molecules are more likely to form a channel, which improves the diffusion of hydroxide ion (OH^–). Our study of OH^– diffusion demonstrates that PPO–TMA hydrated membrane provides the biggest diffusion constant at the high hydration level. However, from comparison of the structural and dynamical properties of the three membranes at the same water content, it is found that when one methyl group of quaternary ammonium center is replaced by a long alkyl chain group, the hydrophobic effects block the OH^– approaching nitrogen, resulting in a lower rate of degradation and an improved alkaline stability of PPO–DMOA hydrated membrane. On the basis of these simulation results, we expect that a high performance AEM fuel cell should balance the conductivity with stability of the membrane