Technology-Mediated Language Training: Developing and Assessing a Module for a Blended Curriculum for Newcomers

Newcomers to Canada with low proficiency in English or French often face challenges in the workforce (Kustec, 2012). While language classes provide workplace language training, not all newcomers are able to attend face-to-face classes (Shaffir & Satzewich 2010), suggesting a need for outside the classroom, occupation-specific language training. The use of technology has been shown to be advantageous for second language (L2) learning (Stockwell, 2007), especially when used outside the classroom (i.e., mobile-assisted language learning), as mobile technology affords learners greater control and flexibility over their own learning (Yang, 2013). This paper reports on a study investigating the development of a blended curriculum for L2 learners employed in customer service. A technology-mediated module was designed and developed within a task-based language teaching framework to provide workplace-linguistic support on mobile devices, enabling learners to access the language instruction they needed, when they needed it. The module contents and usability were assessed by high-beginner English proficiency newcomers employed in customer service (n=4) and their volunteer teachers (n=4). Results confirm the overall benefits of using language learning technology in providing instruction that meets participant language needs, ensuring opportunities for individualized training. Implications for designing, implementing, and researching technology-mediated modules are discussed.Les nouveaux arrivants au Canada ayant une faible maîtrise de l'anglais ou du français sont souvent confrontés à des difficultés sur le marché du travail (Kustec, 2012). Bien que les cours de langue offrent une formation linguistique en milieu de travail, les nouveaux arrivants ne sont pas tous en mesure d'assister à des cours en personne (Shaffir et Satzewich, 2010), ce qui suggère un besoin de formation linguistique en dehors de la salle de classe et spécifique à la profession. L'utilisation de la technologie s'est avérée avantageuse pour l'apprentissage d'une langue seconde (L2) (Stockwell, 2007), en particulier lorsqu'elle est utilisée en dehors de la salle de classe (c'est-à-dire l'apprentissage des langues assisté par le mobile), car la technologie mobile offre aux apprenants un plus grand contrôle et une plus grande flexibilité sur leur propre apprentissage (Yang, 2013). Cet article rend compte d'une étude portant sur le développement d'un programme d'études mixte pour les apprenants de L2 employés dans le service à la clientèle. Un module à médiation technologique a été conçu et développé dans un cadre d'enseignement des langues basé sur les tâches afin de fournir un soutien linguistique sur le lieu de travail sur des appareils mobiles, permettant aux apprenants d'accéder à l'enseignement linguistique dont ils ont besoin, quand ils en ont besoin. Le contenu et la convivialité du module ont été évalués par des nouveaux arrivants ayant des compétences en anglais de niveau débutant élevé et employés dans un service clientèle (n=4) et par leurs enseignants bénévoles (n=4). Les résultats confirment les avantages généraux de l'utilisation de la technologie d'apprentissage des langues pour fournir un enseignement qui répond aux besoins linguistiques des participants, en assurant des possibilités de formation individualisée. Les implications pour la conception, la mise en œuvre et la recherche de modules médiatisés par la technologie sont discutées

Induction of Colonic Aberrant Crypts in Mice by Feeding Apparent N-Nitroso Compounds Derived From Hot Dogs

Nitrite-preserved meats (e.g., hot dogs) may help cause colon cancer because they contain N-nitroso compounds. We tested whether purified hot-dog-derived total apparent N-nitroso compounds (ANC) could induce colonic aberrant crypts, which are putative precursors of colon cancer. We purified ANC precursors in hot dogs and nitrosated them to produce ANC. In preliminary tests, CF1 mice received 1 or 3 i.p. injections of 5mg azoxymethane (AOM)/kg. In Experiments 1 and 2, female A/J mice received ANC in diet. In Experiment 1, ANC dose initially dropped sharply because the ANC precursors had mostly decomposed but, later in Experiment 1 and throughout Experiment 2, ANC remained at 85 nmol/g diet. Mice were killed after 8 (AOM tests) or 17–34 (ANC tests) wk.Median numbers of aberrant crypts in the distal 2 cm of the colon for 1 and 3 AOMinjections, CF1 controls, ANC (Experiment 1), ANC (Experiment 2),and untreated A/J mice were 31, 74, 12, 20, 12, and 5–6, with P < 0.01 for both ANC tests. Experiment 2 showed somewhat increased numbers of colonic mucin-depleted foci in the ANC-treated group. We conclude that hot-dog-derived ANC induced significant numbers of aberrant crypts in the mouse colon

Organizational and Individual Factors Related to Retention of County Extension Agents Employed by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

This study seeks to identify factors that contribute to why county extension agents choose to stay employed with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Demographics that have been identified define the relationship levels that exist between organizational, work and non-work individual related factors with demographics of why county extension agents choose to remain employed with Extension. The data for the target population were collected from 560 Texas county Extension agents. A web-based questionnaire was used to collect data for this study. The questionnaire was adapted by the researcher from a previously used instrument conducted on county Extension agent turnover by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. The questions were modified to reflect why agents stay with Extension as opposed to why agents leave Extension. The researcher used a Likert scale to measure attitudes, knowledge, perceptions, values, and behavior changes. Content validity of the questionnaire was established by a panel of Extension administrators. Data was analyzed using SPSS 2014 software package. Descriptive statistics were utilized to analyze the data including means, medians, standard deviations, percentages, and frequencies. Correlation matrix and reliability were calculated employing Cronbach’s alpha. Construct is the hypothetical variable that is being measured. All observed variables, except the demographic and open-ended items, were subjected to Shapiro-Wilk test for normality and were found to have a normal distribution. T-test (independent samples) were utilized to predict the dependent variables (organizational, individual work, and individual non-work factors) with the independent variables (demographic factors) with only two choices (ex: male and female) for reasons why county Extension agents choose to stay in Extension. Analysis of variance F-tests were utilized to predict the dependent variables with demographic factors with two or more choices (ex: ethnicity) for reasons why county Extension agents choose to stay in Extension. The ultimate goal and mission of Extension is carried out through employees. Retention of these employees and continuing to decrease employee turnover is paramount for Extension to attain its primary goal of education

Ex uno, plures-From One Tissue to Many Cells: A Review of Single-Cell Transcriptomics in Cardiovascular Biology.

Recent technological advances have revolutionized the study of tissue biology and garnered a greater appreciation for tissue complexity. In order to understand cardiac development, heart tissue homeostasis, and the effects of stress and injury on the cardiovascular system, it is essential to characterize the heart at high cellular resolution. Single-cell profiling provides a more precise definition of tissue composition, cell differentiation trajectories, and intercellular communication, compared to classical bulk approaches. Here, we aim to review how recent single-cell multi-omic studies have changed our understanding of cell dynamics during cardiac development, and in the healthy and diseased adult myocardium

Talent identification in soccer: The influence of technical, physical and maturity-related characteristics on a national selection process

The present study examines the influence of technical, physical, and relative age characteristics on players selection success within the Scottish Performance School trials. Ninety adolescent players (81 males, 9 females; mean ± standard deviation: age = 11.3 ± 0.4 years, height = 149.6 ± 6.9 cm, mass 38.1 ± 4.7 kg) performed a battery of physical fitness (20m Sprint, CMJ, 5-0-5 agility test), anthropometric, and 8 small-sided games (SSG; 9v9) as part of a talent identification (TID) programme. Players technical (ball touches, time on the ball, high-speed releases) and locomotor activities (high-speed running distance, sprint distance, accelerations, and decelerations) were monitored using foot-mounted inertial measurements units during SSG’s. The data was analysed using independent sample T-tests. Mann-Whitney U analyses were conducted to examine the differences between groups whose data was determined as being (non)parametric, with Cohen effect sizes applied. Successful players performed significantly better during physical tests (Effect size ± confidence limits: Left 5-0-5 = -0.89±0.13, Right 5-0-5 = -0.51±0.11), had significantly higher locomotor activities during SSG (high-intensity distance = 0.4±26.6, horizontal accelerations = 0.59±1.19) and significantly higher technical outputs during SSG (touches = 0.71±6.1, releases = 0.49±2.5, high-speed releases = 0.59±2.7, time on the ball = 0.52±3.4) compared to unsuccessful players. Successful players had significantly higher locomotor activities and technical outputs during SSG than their unsuccessful counterparts. Monitoring technical and locomotor activities during SSG may compliment or replace physical testing batteries for assessing TID processes in soccer

Spin vectors in the Koronis family: V. Resolving the ambiguous rotation period of (3032) Evans

A sidereal rotation counting approach is demonstrated by resolving an ambiguity in the synodic rotation period of Koronis family member (3032) Evans, whose rotation lightcurves' features did not easily distinguish between doubly- and quadruply-periodic. It confirms that Evans's spin rate does not exceed the rubble-pile spin barrier and thus presents no inconsistency with being a ~14-km reaccumulated object. The full spin vector solution for Evans is comparable to those for the known prograde low-obliquity comparably-fast rotators in the Koronis family, consistent with having been spun up by YORP thermal radiation torques.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in Icaru

Delaying spontaneous combustion of reactive coals through inhibition

A moist coal adiabatic oven test has been used to quantify the effect of applying an anti-oxidant agent to reactive coals from Australia and the US. For the dosage rate applied, the anti-oxidant significantly reduces the coal self-heating rate and extends the time taken to reach thermal runaway by a factor of three for sub-bituminous coal and by a factor of two for the same application to high volatile C bituminous coal. The laboratory result obtained for sub-bituminous coal from Powder River Basin is in direct agreement with the practical site experience of applying the anti-oxidant product as a spontaneous combustion management control. Consequently, it is now possible to benchmark the application of the anti-oxidant to any reactive coal prior to mining as part of developing a leading practice spontaneous combustion management plan

Five year outcomes in a cohort study of physicians treated for substance use disorders in the United States

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of US state physician health programmes in treating physicians with substance use disorders