Applying Theories in Language Programs

Selected Topics in Applied Linguistics: How to Choose a Theory. I offer a critical exploration of some of the conditions involved in Instructed Second Language Acquisition (ISLA), as well as of the paradoxical approaches in the theoretical questions, methods, categories, and perspectives of ISLA. The discussion proceeds with a very short overview of prevalent theories of ISLA generally. Then I add a contrastive look in more depth at only two “theories” and their possible applications in language programs. I emphasize some of the discussions in our profession concerning processing instruction, e.g. (VanPatten "Processing Instruction") or VanPatten ("Why Explicit Knowledge Cannot Become Implicit Knowledge" ), and the multiliteracies framework, e.g. (Paesani, Allen and Dupuy). I conclude with an invitation to a set of questions we might pose to any theory, framework, or approach as we consider its efficacy and applications for our own specific contexts

Hemolysis in runners as evidenced by low serum haptoglobin: Implications for preflight monitoring of astronauts

Hematological parameters and serum haptoglobin were examined in 21 male employees of the Kennedy Space Center who were at 3 levels of physical activity: 7 subjects regularly ran more than 40 km (25 miles) per week (Group I); 7 ran 13 to 24 km (8 to 15 miles) per week (II), and 7 were sedentary (III). Blood was drawn on a different day of the week for five weeks. Differences between day of the week, visit number, and activity level were examined. No differences were observed for day of week or visit number; thus mean values for each variable were calculated for each subject. Variables did not differ among groups. However, trends with level of training were observed in some critical variables. Hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) conformed to a staircase effect with Group I (14.5 gm/dl and 41.3 percent) lower than Group III (15.1 gm/dl and 42.9 percent). Reticulocyte count was higher and haptoglobin levels lower in Group I (1.35% and 75.7 gm/dl) than Group III (.99 percent and 132.9 gm/dl), with haptoglobin for the high mileage Group I in the clinically abnormal range. Since haptoglobin binds free Hb following RBC destruction, these results suggest that intravascular hemolysis occurs in trained male runners. These results may have special meaning for astronauts training before long-duration spaceflights, since the further reduction in red blood cells which is reported to occur during spaceflight could become detrimental to their health and performance

Face Immersion Bradycardia: Comparison of Swimmer and Nonswimmers

Author Institution: Department of Physiology, Wright State University ; Department of Physiology, George Washington UniversityA profound bradycardia may be exhibited by waterfowl and aquatic mammals when they dive underwater in search of food. A similar response occurs in humans diving underwater or simply wetting the face while breathholding. This bradycardia is mediated by the parasympathetic nervous system (vagus). We investigated whether the extent of this apneic face immersion bradycardia, or bradycardia during dry apnea, is greater in actively training competitive swimmers than in nonswimmers. Eight competitive swimmers and eight age/sex matched nonswimmers each performed apneic face immersion and dry apneic maneuvers while prone. Resting cardiac cycle (interval) duration was not significantly different between these groups, but the swimmers had a significantly longer interval duration (lower heart rate), P<0.05, and a greater percentage decrease of interval duration during both apneic face immersion and dry apnea. Swimmers—but not nonswimmers—demonstrated cardiac arrhythmias considered to be vagally mediated during face immersion. These results indicated that competitive swimmers in active training may have a greater range of parasympathetic nervous system (vagal) control of the heart as well as the well-accepted greater resting level of vagal tone

Influences of Temperament, Symbolic Gesture, and Caregiver Beliefs on Infant Emotional Expression

The purpose of the cross-sectional study was to analyze the relationships of infant temperament, communication through symbolic gesture, caregiver beliefs with emotional expression in infants. Participants were the parents and childcare teachers of sixteen infants and toddlers, between the ages of six and 25 months, currently enrolled at the University of Arkansas child development study center. The independent and combined influence of infant temperament, use of symbolic gestures, and the beliefs of parents and teachers were significantly related to infants’ emotional expression in the study. Parent-reported scores of emotional expression competence were positively correlated to teacher-reported positive temperament levels (r = .65, p = .01) and parent-reported use of symbolic gesture (r = .53, p = .05). Parent-reported scores of emotional expression competence were negatively correlated to both parent-reported and teacher-reported negative temperament (r = -.62, p = .01). However, the use of symbolic gesture did not moderate the influence of negative temperament on emotional expression in parent-reported (r = -.14, r = -.14) or teacher-reported (r = -.11, r = .22). Awareness of baby sign language was significantly related to emotional expression for parents (r = .55, p = .03), but not for teachers (r = .17, p = .54). Results revealed that emotional expression competence in infants was influenced by internal positive temperament and the external use of symbolic gesture as a communicative tool. Parent and teacher beliefs on caregiving and the development of infants and toddlers had a positive effect on positive emotional expression in infants

From the Ground Up: Strengthening Health Systems at District Level (Introduction)

This supplement introduces the African Health Initiative (AHI), a research program comprised of five unique district health system-strengthening activities in Ghana, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia that beganin 2009. This supplement should be of interest to all engaged in improving delivery of district primary health care -- whether ministries of health, service providers, funders, or those who evaluate complex interventions. The five AHI projects, known as Population Health Implementation and Training (PHIT) Partnerships, are funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF) with a common goal: to produce significant, measureable health improvements in a defined geographic area over a five to seven year grant period.With the partnerships in their fourth year of funding, it is now possible to capture lessons learned in project design and implementation. Evaluation of the African Health Initiative's impact on population health, including mortality, however, mustawait the conclusion of the grant period

Relationships between coronary heart disease risk factors and serum ionized calcium in Kennedy Space Center Cohort

Kennedy Space Center (KSC) employees are reported to be at high risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). Risk factors for CHD include high serum total cholesterol levels, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), elevated triglyceride, smoking, inactivity, high blood pressure, being male, and being older. Higher dietary and/or serum calcium Ca(++) may be related to a lower risk for CHD. Fifty men and 37 women participated. Subjects were tested in the morning after fasting 12 hours. Information relative to smoking and exercise habits was obtained; seated blood pressures were measured; and blood drawn. KCS men had higher risk values than KCS women as related to HDLC, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. Smoking and nonsmoking groups did not differ for other risk factors or for serum Ca(++) levels. Exercise and sedentary groups differed in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Serum Ca(++) levels were related to age, increasing with age in the sedentary group and decreasing in the exercisers, equally for men and women. It is concluded that these relationships may be significant to the risk of CHD and/or the risk of bone demineralization in an aging population