A Methodological Synthesis of Self-Paced Reading in Second Language Research:Methodological synthesis of SPR tests

Self-paced reading tests (SPRs) are being increasingly adopted by second language (L2) researchers. Using SPR with L2 populations presents specific challenges, and its use is still evolving in L2 research (as well as in first language research, in many respects). Although the topic of several narrative overviews (Keating & Jegerski, 2015; Roberts, 2016), we do not have a comprehensive picture of its usage in L2 research. Building on the growing body of systematic reviews of research practices in applied linguistics (e.g., Liu & Brown, 2015; Plonsky, 2013), we report a methodological synthesis of the rationales, study contexts, and methodological decision making in L2 SPR research. Our comprehensive search yielded 74 SPRs used in L2 research. Each instrument was coded along 121 parameters, including: reported rationales and study characteristics, indicating the scope and nature of L2 SPR research agendas; design and analysis features and reporting practices, determining instrument validity and reliability; and materials transparency, affecting reproducibility and systematicity of agendas. Our findings indicate an urgent need to standardize the use and reporting of this technique, requiring empirical investigation to inform methodological decision making. We also identify several areas (e.g., study design, sample demographics, instrument construction, data analysis, and transparency) where SPR research could be improved to enrich our understanding of L2 processing, reading, and learning

Quantifying the link between magma ascent dynamics and tilt

Magma viscosity and its ascent rate are key factors in controlling eruption style. Shear stress exerted on the conduit walls as magma ascends pulls up the surrounding edifice, whilst overpressure pushes the edifice outwards. Magma fractures if shear stress exceeds its shear strength, triggering low-frequency seismicity. Shear stress is proportional to both the viscosity of magma and its ascent velocity. Hence, it provides an important link between ascent dynamics and both deformation and seismicity that can be recorded at the surface. Tiltmeters measure changes in inclination, and both shear stress and pressure have been linked conceptually to changes in tilt recorded close to the conduit. However, how much shear stress and pressure are produced as magma ascends, and the relative contribution of each to the tilt, has not previously been quantified. Firstly, flow and deformation modelling are combined using COMSOL Multiphysics to quantitatively link magma ascent and tilt. Despite shear stress being several orders of magnitude smaller than overpressure at most depths, shear stress generally dominates the tilt signal. Next, I systematically investigate how topography influences tilt, showing how topography controls both the amplitude and polarity of the tilt, and thus the relative contribution of shear stress and pressure. 3D deformation modelling is performed including real volcanic topography to show how a tiltmeter can be strategically deployed at the location most sensitive to changes in source stress. Finally, time-dependent flow modelling is used to show how magma ascent dynamics, and thus shear stress and overpressure, evolve through time due to transient volcanic processes. The growth of a lava dome exerts an increasing loading pressure at the conduit vent that impedes magma ascent, and can cause it to stall even if conditions at depth remain unchanged. By unloading, a full or partial dome collapse can therefore cause an eruption to recommence. By quantitatively linking magma ascent and deformation, and examining how ascent evolves through time, this work shows the importance of combining flow and deformation modelling in retrospectively investigating what drives temporal variations in seismicity and deformation. This is an important step towards being able to develop a combined forecasting tool using both seismicity and deformation that can be used to detect critical changes in ascent dynamics

A new fireworm (Amphinomidae) from the Cretaceous of Lebanon identified from three-dimensionally preserved myoanatomy

© 2015 Parry et al. Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated. The attached file is the published version of the article

Eli Lilly: A Managerial Strategic Audit

This strategic audit assesses both internal and external landscapes affecting Eli Lilly; financial, qualitative, and competitive performance; strategy and governance; and recent strategic decisions. All information has been gathered from news reports, industry analyst reports, and Lilly’s investor reports, financial statements, and notes to investors. The purpose of this strategic audit is to showcase Lilly’s success in the brand name pharmaceutical industry based on the strategic decisions made in its 147 year history

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

Inclusive Online Learning in Australia: Barriers and Enablers

While the pandemic highlighted the critical role technology plays in children's lives, not all Australian children have reliable access to technology. This situation exacerbates educational disadvantage for children who are already amongst our nation's most vulnerable. In this research project, we carried out a pilot project with three schools in Western Australia, conducting a series of workshops and interviews with students, parents, school staff members, and teachers. Drawing on rich empirical material, we identify key barriers and enablers for digitally inclusive online learning at the individual, interpersonal, organizational, and infrastructural levels. Of particular importance is that technology is only part of this story - an array of social, environmental, and skills "infrastructure" is needed to facilitate inclusive online learning. Building on this finding, we ran a Digital Inclusion Studio to address this holistic set of issues with strongly positive feedback from participants. We conclude with a set of recommendations for stakeholders (parents, schools, government agencies) who wish to support more digitally inclusive learning.Comment: 22 pages, 1 figur

Habitat characterization and modeling of the potential distribution of the Military Macaw (Ara militaris) in Mexico

AbstractForest structure and composition have been used to assess the habitat characteristics that determine bird distributions. The patterns of distribution have been shaped by historical and ecological factors that play different roles at both temporal and spatial scales. The objectives of this research were to characterize the habitat of the endangered Military Macaw (Ara militaris) and evaluate the potential distribution of this species based on trends of land use changes in Mexico. We characterized the community structure and floristic composition of 8 forests that are currently used by the Military Macaw for breeding and feeding and compared the results with 6 similar forests characterized in other studies but without historical records of the presence of the Military Macaw. The Military Macaw preferred sites with high diversity of plant species dominated by trees from 4 to 15m in height and from 5 to 90cm in diameter at breast height. We identified 236 plant species in the 8 forests with 20 species (8.4%) used for nesting and feeding by the Military Macaw. The floristic composition is important for the presence of the Military Macaw because there were significant differences between forests with and without its presence. The potential area of distribution of the Military Macaw had decreased by 32% and the remnant areas are included in only 8 National Protected Areas. The protected areas of natural forests should be increased to preserve the sites of potential distribution and consequently the habitat of the Military Macaw in Mexico

Psychedelic‐assisted treatment for substance use disorder:A narrative systematic review

Background and aims: This is the first systematic review of the extant literature on all major psychedelic‐assisted treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD), tobacco use disorder (TUD) and other substance use disorders (SUD). We aimed to summarise the evidence for efficacy of psychedelic‐assisted treatment for AUD, TUD, and SUD; to evaluate its quality; and to offer recommendations for research. Methods: This was a prospectively registered narrative systematic review of open‐label, randomised controlled trials (RCT), and observational studies of d‐lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), mescaline, psilocybin, ayahuasca, ketamine, ibogaine and 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Eligible studies had SUD outcome measures including craving, substance use, relapse, and remission. Study quality was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias (RoB), and Cochrane Collaboration RoB in Non‐randomised Studies of Interventions tool. Certainty of evidence for RCTs was judged using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) tool. Findings: 37 studies (2035 participants) were reviewed: LSD (14; n = 1047); mescaline (1; n = 7); psilocybin (4; n = 135); ayahuasca (3; n = 101); ketamine (10; n = 579); ibogaine (5; n = 166); and MDMA (1; n = 14). There were no serious adverse events reported in any study. A two‐centre, placebo‐controlled, phase 2 superiority RCT of psilocybin for AUD, and a two‐centre, double‐blind, four‐arm, placebo‐controlled phase 2 RCT of ketamine for AUD yielded the best evidence of efficacy. Progression support to a phase 3 trials was secured from an open‐label phase 2 study of psilocybin for TUD and nine phase 2 RCTs of ketamine for AUD, cannabis use disorder, cocaine use disorder, and opioid use disorder (all nine with high‐RoB and low‐GRADE evidence certainty). Conclusions: Psilocybin‐assisted treatment for alcohol use disorder appears to have the best evidence of efficacy among all major psychedelic‐assisted treatments for alcohol, tobacco, and other substance use disorders. Future research of psychedelic‐assisted treatment should report all safety events; screen for person‐level characteristics indicating that psychedelic‐assisted substance use disorders treatment is contraindicated; strive to mitigate blinding of participants to interventions; use factorial designs for drug and psychotherapy randomised controlled trials; and build consensus for a field‐specific Core Outcome Set

Does craving for cocaine mediate cocaine use? Analysis of a randomised controlled pilot trial of memory-focused cognitive therapy

Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD) is a debilitating psychopathology, with no recommended medication therapy or specific psychological intervention. Memory-focused cognitive therapy (MFCT) is a novel psychotherapy for CUD, theorised to modify and re-consolidate cocaine craving-related memories for cognitive and behavioural control. A pilot randomised controlled trial indicated that this therapy is associated with reduced craving and cocaine use. With an 80% confidence interval set for null hypothesis testing, we conducted an exploratory causal mediation analysis with confounder adjustment to determine if increased cocaine abstinence following MFCT is mediated by reduced craving experience and increased emotion regulation. Participant data on the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale did not meet screening evaluation as a potential mediator. Cocaine craving (assessed by the frequency version of the Craving Experience Questionnaire) was associated with a total treatment effect of MFCT on cocaine abstinence at follow-up (1.499; 80% CI 1.114 to 1.970; p = 0.012). A significant natural indirect effect indicated that reductions in cocaine use were strongly mediated by reduced frequency of craving experience (1.753; CI 80% 1.334 to 2.936; p < 0.0001). This study provides exploratory evidence in support of the theoretical action for MFCT and underscores the importance of craving as a therapeutic target