Spoken Word Form Recognition with a Mobile Application: Comparing Azerbaijani and Japanese Learners

Abstract To develop adequate levels of automaticity in second language (L2) word recognition learners need to engage with a large amount of meaningful spoken target language input. Unfortunately, there is often not enough in-class time available for this. Thus, using technology to facilitate out-of-class development of L2 word recognition holds strong potential. This study explores and compares the use of a mobile language learning application (app) by Azerbaijani and Japanese learners of English. The app was designed to improve second language (L2) learners' recognition of the spoken form of high-frequency vocabulary by giving learners repeated and self-paced opportunities to listen to and transcribe target words presented in fluently articulated, contextual sentences. First, a quasi-experimental approach was applied in both contexts to compare improvements in word recognition among those who used the app and those in a control group that did not. Next, learner interaction data collected in the app's database were used to investigate links between learner engagement and improvements in word recognition. Further, the most challenging words for learners to recognize and transcribe were identified and compared between treatment group members from each context. Finally, stimulated recall protocols in the learners' respective first languages (Ll) were conducted among a subgroup from each context to investigate the origins of their difficulty with aurally recognizing their most challenging words. Suggestions are provided for the development of word recognition from speech that may be useful both within and beyond the classroom

Efficacy of Docetaxel Plus Ramucirumab as Palliative Third-Line Therapy Following Second-Line Immune-Checkpoint-Inhibitor Treatment in Patients With Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Stage IV

BACKGROUND: Antiangiogenic agents have been shown to stimulate the immune system and cause synergistic effects with chemotherapy. Effects might be even stronger after immune-checkpoint-inhibitor (ICI) therapy. The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of ramucirumab plus docetaxel (R + D) as third-line treatment after failure of a first-line platinum-based chemotherapy and a second-line ICI treatment in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) stage IV. METHODS: Retrospective data were collected from 9 German thoracic oncology centers. Only patients who had received at least 1 cycle of third-line R + D were included. The numbers of cycles, objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were investigated. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients met the criteria for inclusion. Third-line treatment with R + D achieved an ORR of 36% and a disease control rate (DCR) of 69%. Median PFS for third-line therapy was 6.8 months with a duration of response (DOR) of 10.2 months. A median OS of 29 months was observed from the start of first-line therapy with a median OS of 11.0 months from the start of third-line treatment. No unexpected toxicities occurred. CONCLUSION: R + D is a highly effective and safe third-line treatment after failure of second-line programmed cell death protein 1/programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD1/PD-L1)-derived ICI therapy irrespective of NSCLC histology. As there may be synergistic effects of second- and third-line treatments, this sequence is a very suitable option for patients not treated with first-line ICI. In addition, R + D should continue to be investigated as a second-line treatment option after failure of chemotherapy plus ICI in the palliative first-line treatment