Comparing the effects of traditional and virtual reality enhanced task-based language instruction on Chinese L1-English L2 knowledge of phrasal verbs

Until now the authenticity of materials used in Language Learning, and the context in which they are used, had been debated in a favorable light (Chomsky, 1965). Using current Virtual-Reality (VR) technology in the classroom has the potential to increase the authenticity of the context in which students perform meaningful tasks and allows us to combine different theoretical and applied approaches to Second Language Acquisition (SLA) such as Task Based Language Teaching (TBLT) and Total Physical Response (TPR) (Asher, 1969). This study examined the learning of phrasal verbs (PV) by three groups (n=21 each) of Chinese-L1 ESL intermediate to advanced proficiency learners. Participants completed Session 1 which consisted of a PV proficiency knowledge test used as a pre-screening test, as well as a language background questionnaire. Those who showed little-to-no knowledge of the PVs being tested were called in for Session 2, for which participants were split into three groups; a control group and two experimental groups. Participants in both experimental groups first received a list of the PVs being tested and were shown a short 10-minute video presenting the PVs and their definitions in a traditional-style classroom format. After this, the participants in the task-based group practiced showing their understanding of the meaning of these verbs by completing a semi-guided VR game, in which they adopted the role of a cook in training, completing tasks in an attempt to get hired; whereas participants in the other traditional group completed a traditional practice where they had to insert the most appropriate VP (from a textbox) in several contextualized dialogues. After completing each of their respective practice portions in session 2, the participants of both groups were asked to take the same PV knowledge test they had been given during session 1, and again a week later, to assess potential gains over time. Participants in the control group only completed the PV proficiency knowledge tests in session 1 and were given the same PV knowledge test as the other groups for the following sessions. Overall, my findings show that participants in the experimental VR group showed larger gains over time compared to the control and other experimental group, particularly regarding the figurative PVs. This study aimed to investigate the use of the HTC Vive (a virtual reality headset) to increase the acquisition of Phrasal Verbs by intermediate proficiency ESL learners. We incorporated the factor of VR into Task Based Language Teaching to give participants a communicative meaning-based task with a more immersive and authentic setting. Preliminary results suggest that VR offers a more authentic scenario for vocabulary learning, than traditional practice, leading to greater learning gains. In addition, responses from my debriefing questionnaire suggest that participants also perceived this practice as a more positive and encouraging experience, which mirrored real-life situations for them

Endothelial Linings in Prosthetic Vascular Grafts

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73894/1/j.1749-6632.1987.tb33036.x.pd

Microscopic dynamics in liquid metals: the experimental point of view

The experimental results relevant for the understanding of the microscopic dynamics in liquid metals are reviewed, with special regards to the ones achieved in the last two decades. Inelastic Neutron Scattering played a major role since the development of neutron facilities in the sixties. The last ten years, however, saw the development of third generation radiation sources, which opened the possibility of performing Inelastic Scattering with X rays, thus disclosing previously unaccessible energy-momentum regions. The purely coherent response of X rays, moreover, combined with the mixed coherent/incoherent response typical of neutron scattering, provides enormous potentialities to disentangle aspects related to the collectivity of motion from the single particle dynamics. If the last twenty years saw major experimental developments, on the theoretical side fresh ideas came up to the side of the most traditional and established theories. Beside the raw experimental results, therefore, we review models and theoretical approaches for the description of microscopic dynamics over different length-scales, from the hydrodynamic region down to the single particle regime, walking the perilous and sometimes uncharted path of the generalized hydrodynamics extension. Approaches peculiar of conductive systems, based on the ionic plasma theory, are also considered, as well as kinetic and mode coupling theory applied to hard sphere systems, which turn out to mimic with remarkable detail the atomic dynamics of liquid metals. Finally, cutting edges issues and open problems, such as the ultimate origin of the anomalous acoustic dispersion or the relevance of transport properties of a conductive systems in ruling the ionic dynamic structure factor are discussed.Comment: 53 pages, 41 figures, to appear in "The Review of Modern Physics". Tentatively scheduled for July issu

Lack of effect of dihydroergotamine on endothelial and smooth muscle cell proliferation and endothelial cell prostanoid production

The most important effect of dihydroergotamine is venoconstriction, but certain metabolic effects and changes in vessel prostanoid activity have also been suggested. In this study endothelial cell production of 6-keto PGF 1α and TxB 2 was quantitated in vitro. No evidence of altered prostanoid production was noted after incubation with dihydroergotamine (exposure ranging from 5×10 −3 to 5×10 −7 g/l). Similarly, no effect of dihydroergotamine on the growth rates of endothelial cells or smooth muscle cells in vitro was documented.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/42798/1/18_2005_Article_BF01941713.pd

Collective Excitations and Thermodynamics of Disordered State: New Insights into an Old Problem

K.T. is grateful to EPSRC and V.V.B. to RFBR for financial suppor

Phonon dispersion in 1-layer cuprate HgBa2CuO4+d

We investigate the low energy acoustical and optical modes in $\mathrm{HgBa_2CuO_{4+\delta}}$ using inelastic x-ray scattering (IXS). The experimental phonon dispersion and the dynamical structure factor are compared with an atomic shell model, and the set of the atomic potentials obtained are discussed. Our results are also compared with those obtained by Raman spectroscopy and with density-of-state data measured by inelastic neutron scattering

Myosin IIA Modulates T Cell Receptor Transport and CasL Phosphorylation during Early Immunological Synapse Formation

Activation of T cell receptor (TCR) by antigens occurs in concert with an elaborate multi-scale spatial reorganization of proteins at the immunological synapse, the junction between a T cell and an antigen-presenting cell (APC). The directed movement of molecules, which intrinsically requires physical forces, is known to modulate biochemical signaling. It remains unclear, however, if mechanical forces exert any direct influence on the signaling cascades. We use T cells from AND transgenic mice expressing TCRs specific to the moth cytochrome c 88–103 peptide, and replace the APC with a synthetic supported lipid membrane. Through a series of high spatiotemporal molecular tracking studies in live T cells, we demonstrate that the molecular motor, non-muscle myosin IIA, transiently drives TCR transport during the first one to two minutes of immunological synapse formation. Myosin inhibition reduces calcium influx and colocalization of active ZAP-70 (zeta-chain associated protein kinase 70) with TCR, revealing an influence on signaling activity. More tellingly, its inhibition also significantly reduces phosphorylation of the mechanosensing protein CasL (Crk-associated substrate the lymphocyte type), raising the possibility of a direct mechanical mechanism of signal modulation involving CasL

Diffuse scattering

Diffuse neutron scattering covers a wide range of phenomena related to short range nuclear and magnetic orderings. Although it is “a priori” simple to measure, the underlying physics is often quite complex. Extracting useful and reliable information requires careful corrections and calibrations, and appropriate models of analysis, specifics for each physical case. This paper yields a partial and subjective glance on this specific subject, showing studies about chemical orderings in binary alloys and magnetic correlations in frustrated “spin ices” as examples

Homeostatic regulation of the endoneurial microenvironment during development, aging and in response to trauma, disease and toxic insult

The endoneurial microenvironment, delimited by the endothelium of endoneurial vessels and a multi-layered ensheathing perineurium, is a specialized milieu intérieur within which axons, associated Schwann cells and other resident cells of peripheral nerves function. The endothelium and perineurium restricts as well as regulates exchange of material between the endoneurial microenvironment and the surrounding extracellular space and thus is more appropriately described as a blood–nerve interface (BNI) rather than a blood–nerve barrier (BNB). Input to and output from the endoneurial microenvironment occurs via blood–nerve exchange and convective endoneurial fluid flow driven by a proximo-distal hydrostatic pressure gradient. The independent regulation of the endothelial and perineurial components of the BNI during development, aging and in response to trauma is consistent with homeostatic regulation of the endoneurial microenvironment. Pathophysiological alterations of the endoneurium in experimental allergic neuritis (EAN), and diabetic and lead neuropathy are considered to be perturbations of endoneurial homeostasis. The interactions of Schwann cells, axons, macrophages, and mast cells via cell–cell and cell–matrix signaling regulate the permeability of this interface. A greater knowledge of the dynamic nature of tight junctions and the factors that induce and/or modulate these key elements of the BNI will increase our understanding of peripheral nerve disorders as well as stimulate the development of therapeutic strategies to treat these disorders