Transition in modern foreign languages: a longitudinal study of motivation for language learning and second language proficiency

The current longitudinal study examines the similarities and differences between primary and secondary foreign language curricula and pedagogy along with the development of motivation for language learning and second language proficiency. Data from 26 English learners of French (aged 10-11) were collected across three times points over a 12 month period. The study employed the use of lesson observations, along with questionnaires and focus group interviews to examine the development of attitudes and motivation. To measure linguistic progression an oral role play task, an oral photo description task and a free writing task were administered at each time point. The results show that an abrupt shift in pedagogy may negatively influence learner attitudes and motivation in early secondary and while early language learning does appear to generate positive attitudes to language learning, questions remain as to its effectiveness over the longer term when learners encounter language teaching that appears incongruous with their aims. Learners did make significant linguistic progress across the transition phase as measured by objective and fine-grained measures, which raises the question as to whether it may in fact be assessment practices that account for the reported ‘hiatus’ in progression across transition rather than lack of actual progress

‘It’s like having a test but in a fun way’: young learners’ perceptions of a digital game-based assessment of early language learning

Assessment is a challenge within early language learning, calling for methods which, as well as being valid and reliable, protect rather than diminish motivation. This study used a questionnaire to examine how 3,437 young language learners perceived a digital game-based assessment (DGBA) tool and the extent to which their perceptions were modulated by age, gender and performance levels on the game. Learners perceived the DGBA tool as fun to play, worth playing again, helpful for telling them about their progress, and moderately difficult. Girls were more positive than boys about the game but for all learners positivity was not related to age. There was a significant but weak relationship between positivity and game scores, suggesting that learners liked the game regardless of their attainment levels. The study’s findings are discussed in relation to theories of motivation associated with digital game-based tools and their practical implications for early language learning

Investigating the molecular basis of motor neuron vulnerability in mouse models of spinal muscular atrophy

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a motor neuron disease that predominantly affects children, with the most severe form of SMA resulting in death before the age of 2 years. It is an autosomal recessive disorder that leads to progressive paralysis and muscle atrophy due to the degeneration of lower motor neurons. Furthermore, a loss of the connections between motor neurons and muscle (neuromuscular junctions; NMJs) occurs early in the disease. Importantly, not all motor neurons are equally affected. For example, in specific mouse models of SMA, there is a high level of NMJ loss in the abdominal muscles while NMJs within cranial muscles remain intact, even at late stages of disease. Prior to this study, RNAseq analysis of differentially vulnerable motor neurons in the Smn2B/- mouse model of SMA, and in wild-type mice, was carried out at a pre-symptomatic stage. In this project, there are two main aims. Firstly, transcriptional changes that occur between differentially vulnerable motor neurons were further investigated. qRT-PCR was used to detect transcriptional changes that occur between Smn2B/- and wild type mice and immunofluorescence was used to detect protein markers of transcripts that were altered in vulnerable motor neurons. qRT-PCR confirmed changes in Ubiquitin as well as transcripts associated with cell death. Immunofluorescence analysis showed no significant change in protein markers of DNA repair between differentially vulnerable motor neuron populations. Secondly, the activation of a cell death pathway in a mouse model of SMA was investigated. For this aim, the Smn2B/- mouse line was re-derived and preliminary phenotypic assessment was preformed. The re-derived model displays similar features to the original Smn2B/- mouse model of SMA. In addition, the incidence and timing of cell death pathway activation was investigated by qRT-PCR. This showed an up-regulation of transcripts involved in cell death pre-symptomatically. Up-regulation of these transcripts at this time point suggests that the activation of cell death pathways may contribute to motor neuron degeneration and therefore warrants further investigation

Motor neuron degeneration and compensatory sprouting in mouse models of spinal muscular atrophy

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a childhood onset form of motor neuron disease. It is characterised by the degeneration and loss of lower motor neurons with subsequent muscle weakness and atrophy. It has long been assumed that these motor neurons degenerate in a distal to proximal manner, with the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) being an early pathological target. However, it is unknown how the onset of pathology at the distal portion of the motor neuron (the NMJ) relates to the onset of pathology at the proximal portion of the motor neuron (motor neuron cell body (MNCB)). Therefore, the timing of the onset of NMJ and MNCB pathology, in the Smn2B/- mouse model of SMA, is addressed within this thesis. The results show that NMJ pathology begins between P5 and P7 in Smn2B/- mice and MNCB morphology is altered in Smn2B/- mice between P10 and P15. Furthermore, the up-regulation of transcripts involved in the P53 signaling pathway is shown to coincide with the onset of NMJ pathology. Therefore whether NMJ pathology is the cause or a consequence P53 activation is subsequently investigated. By using an inducible P53 knock down Smn2B/- mouse model, it is shown that reducing P53 in Smn2B/- mice can decrease denervation. In this thesis, the possibility that the degeneration of motor neurons induces remaining motor neurons to sprout and whether it is this compensatory sprouting that allows certain muscles and mice to remain apparently ‘resistant’ to reduced Smn levels is also addressed. In mouse models and patients of SMA, some muscles are relatively spared, with lower levels of denervation even at late stages of disease. It is hypothesised that these ‘resistant’ muscles have increased motor neuron sprouting that compensates for ongoing denervation. To address this, degeneration and regeneration was quantified in resistant and vulnerable muscles in Smn2B/- mice as well as mouse models that have reduced Smn but are asymptomatic. The pathology of individual motor units was also assessed to determine whether there are compensatory populations of motor units. Furthermore, degeneration and regeneration in mouse models that have reduced Smn but are asymptomatic was quantified. In both of these cases, it was found that sprouting is not compensating for denervation in these ‘resistant’ muscles and mice, suggesting that these NMJs remain stable. Overall, these results provide an important insight into the pattern of motor neuron degeneration and remodeling in SMA and therefore provide significant contribution to the SMA research field

Reproductive decision-making in young women breast cancer survivors

The purpose of this study is to use an integrated biocultural perspective to examine the decision-making processes of young survivors as they navigate breast cancer treatment and reproductive health care options. This retrospective study utilizes a mixed-methods approach that integrates quantitative survey data (Phase I) with interview (Phase II) and focus group (Phase III) narratives from the young survivor community. Grounded theory and biocultural approaches guide analysis and interpretations. Findings reveal how young women engage reproductive and treatment decision-making as biocultural beings, negotiating immediate mortality risks, institutional constraints, and long-term, quality of life concerns and reproductive health values. Recommendations include the integration of women's voices and biocultural approaches into the development of young survivor educational materials and cancer care counseling in an effort to establish a successful shared decision-making model as the clinical standard

Impact of Different Fecal Processing Methods on Assessments of Bacterial Diversity in the Human Intestine.

The intestinal microbiota are integral to understanding the relationships between nutrition and health. Therefore, fecal sampling and processing protocols for metagenomic surveys should be sufficiently robust, accurate, and reliable to identify the microorganisms present. We investigated the use of different fecal preparation methods on the bacterial community structures identified in human stools. Complete stools were collected from six healthy individuals and processed according to the following methods: (i) randomly sampled fresh stool, (ii) fresh stool homogenized in a blender for 2 min, (iii) randomly sampled frozen stool, and (iv) frozen stool homogenized in a blender for 2 min, or (v) homogenized in a pneumatic mixer for either 10, 20, or 30 min. High-throughput DNA sequencing of the 16S rRNA V4 regions of bacterial community DNA extracted from the stools showed that the fecal microbiota remained distinct between individuals, independent of processing method. Moreover, the different stool preparation approaches did not alter intra-individual bacterial diversity. Distinctions were found at the level of individual taxa, however. Stools that were frozen and then homogenized tended to have higher proportions of Faecalibacterium, Streptococcus, and Bifidobacterium and decreased quantities of Oscillospira, Bacteroides, and Parabacteroides compared to stools that were collected in small quantities and not mixed prior to DNA extraction. These findings indicate that certain taxa are at particular risk for under or over sampling due to protocol differences. Importantly, homogenization by any method significantly reduced the intra-individual variation in bacteria detected per stool. Our results confirm the robustness of fecal homogenization for microbial analyses and underscore the value of collecting and mixing large stool sample quantities in human nutrition intervention studies

Development of an in vitro cytotoxicity model for aerosol exposure using 3D reconstructed human airway tissue; application for assessment of e-cigarette aerosol

AbstractDevelopment of physiologically relevant test methods to analyse potential irritant effects to the respiratory tract caused by e-cigarette aerosols is required. This paper reports the method development and optimisation of an acute in vitro MTT cytotoxicity assay using human 3D reconstructed airway tissues and an aerosol exposure system. The EpiAirway™ tissue is a highly differentiated in vitro human airway culture derived from primary human tracheal/bronchial epithelial cells grown at the air–liquid interface, which can be exposed to aerosols generated by the VITROCELL® smoking robot. Method development was supported by understanding the compatibility of these tissues within the VITROCELL® system, in terms of airflow (L/min), vacuum rate (mL/min) and exposure time. Dosimetry tools (QCM) were used to measure deposited mass, to confirm the provision of e-cigarette aerosol to the tissues. EpiAirway™ tissues were exposed to cigarette smoke and aerosol generated from two commercial e-cigarettes for up to 6h. Cigarette smoke reduced cell viability in a time dependent manner to 12% at 6h. E-cigarette aerosol showed no such decrease in cell viability and displayed similar results to that of the untreated air controls. Applicability of the EpiAirway™ model and exposure system was demonstrated, showing little cytotoxicity from e-cigarette aerosol and different aerosol formulations when compared directly with reference cigarette smoke, over the same exposure time