An extensive reading program as an educational intervention in an EFL classroom

This study aims to investigate the influence of an English as a foreign language college extensive reading program on different types of motivation to study English within the framework of Self-Determination Theory in order to identify and clarify students’ motivational changes. Identical questionnaires were administered to a group of non-English major learners before and after the program to identify changes in their general motivation, four motivational regulatory styles (intrinsic, identification, introjection, and external), and three psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness). Another questionnaire elicited students’ perceptions of their experience of the course. The questionnaire results indicate that extensive reading is effective in enhancing identification and intrinsic motivation to study English. The results of the other questionnaire are also discussed to provide a fuller understanding of the benefits of extensive reading and to assist practitioners who teach students of a wide age range

Female terminalia of lower Brachycera - I (Diptera).

Die weiblichen Terminalien von 33 Arten aus 27 Gattungen folgender Familien werden als Beitrag zur Klassifizierung der niederen Brachyceren beschrieben: Solvidae (= Xylomyidae), Xylophagidae s. lat. (Rachiceridae, Xylophagidae, Coenomyiidae und Exeretoneuridae s. lat. (Pelecorhynchidae und Rhagionidae), Athericidae und Vermileonidae.Die weiblichen Terminalien von 33 Arten aus 27 Gattungen folgender Familien werden als Beitrag zur Klassifizierung der niederen Brachyceren beschrieben: Solvidae (= Xylomyidae), Xylophagidae s. lat. (Rachiceridae, Xylophagidae, Coenomyiidae und Exeretoneuridae s. lat. (Pelecorhynchidae und Rhagionidae), Athericidae und Vermileonidae

Universal linear Bogoliubov transformations through one-way quantum computation

We show explicitly how to realize an arbitrary linear unitary Bogoliubov transformation (LUBO) on a multi-mode quantum state through homodyne-based one-way quantum computation. Any LUBO can be approximated by means of a fixed, finite-sized, sufficiently squeezed Gaussian cluster state that allows for the implementation of beam splitters (in form of three-mode connection gates) and general one-mode LUBOs. In particular, we demonstrate that a linear four-mode cluster state is a sufficient resource for an arbitrary one-mode LUBO. Arbitrary input quantum states including non-Gaussian states could be efficiently attached to the cluster through quantum teleportation.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure

A case of pulmonary stenosis after a repair for tetralogy of Fallot treated with percutaneous pulmonary valvuloplasty using a triple-balloon technique

SummaryThe patient was a 37-year-old female who had undergone a repair for tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) at the age of 4 years. Postoperative pulmonary stenosis remained, but she continued to be managed medically. Approximately 3 years ago, at the age of 34, she exhibited a worsening of fatigue and dyspnea during exertion (New York Heart Association III), and was therefore hospitalized for a detailed examination. In cardiac catheterization, a right ventricle to pulmonary artery peak-to-peak gradient of about 90mmHg was observed. Since it appeared that medical treatment alone would not sufficiently control her heart failure, pulmonary valvuloplasty using a triple-balloon technique was performed for the pulmonary stenosis. The peak-to-peak gradient immediately after the procedure decreased to 13mmHg. There were no indications of restenosis approximately 6 months after the procedure, and the symptoms of heart failure in her daily life improved thereafter

Satellite glial cell P2Y12 receptor in the trigeminal ganglion is involved in lingual neuropathic pain mechanisms in rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It has been reported that the P2Y₁₂receptor (P2Y₁₂R) is involved in satellite glial cells (SGCs) activation, indicating that P2Y₁₂R expressed in SGCs may play functional roles in orofacial neuropathic pain mechanisms. However, the involvement of P2Y₁₂R in orofacial neuropathic pain mechanisms is still unknown. We therefore studied the reflex to noxious mechanical or heat stimulation of the tongue, P2Y₁₂R and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunohistochemistries in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) in a rat model of unilateral lingual nerve crush (LNC) to evaluate role of P2Y₁₂R in SGC in lingual neuropathic pain.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The head-withdrawal reflex thresholds to mechanical and heat stimulation of the lateral tongue were significantly decreased in LNC-rats compared to sham-rats. These nocifensive effects were apparent on day 1 after LNC and lasted for 17 days. On days 3, 9, 15 and 21 after LNC, the mean relative number of TG neurons encircled with GFAP-immunoreactive (IR) cells significantly increased in the ophthalmic, maxillary and mandibular branch regions of TG. On day 3 after LNC, P2Y₁₂R expression occurred in GFAP-IR cells but not neuronal nuclei (NeuN)-IR cells (i.e. neurons) in TG. After 3 days of successive administration of the P2Y₁₂R antagonist MRS2395 into TG in LNC-rats, the mean relative number of TG neurons encircled with GFAP-IR cells was significantly decreased coincident with a significant reversal of the lowered head-withdrawal reflex thresholds to mechanical and heat stimulation of the tongue compared to vehicle-injected rats. Furthermore, after 3 days of successive administration of the P2YR agonist 2-MeSADP into the TG in naïve rats, the mean relative number of TG neurons encircled with GFAP-IR cells was significantly increased and head-withdrawal reflex thresholds to mechanical and heat stimulation of the tongue were significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner compared to vehicle-injected rats.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The present findings provide the first evidence that the activation of P2Y₁₂R in SGCs of TG following lingual nerve injury is involved in the enhancement of TG neuron activity and nocifensive reflex behavior, resulting in neuropathic pain in the tongue.</p

Demonstration of unconditional one-way quantum computations for continuous variables

Quantum computing promises to exploit the laws of quantum mechanics for processing information in ways fundamentally different from today's classical computers, leading to unprecedented efficiency. One-way quantum computation, sometimes referred to as the cluster model of quantum computation, is a very promising approach to fulfil the capabilities of quantum information processing. The cluster model is realizable through measurements on a highly entangled cluster state with no need for controlled unitary evolutions. Here we demonstrate unconditional one-way quantum computation experiments for continuous variables using a linear cluster state of four entangled optical modes. We implement an important set of quantum operations, linear transformations, in the optical phase space through one-way computation. Though not sufficient, these are necessary for universal quantum computation over continuous variables, and in our scheme, in principle, any such linear transformation can be unconditionally and deterministically applied to arbitrary single-mode quantum states.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figure