Motivation and Technology Use During Second-Language Study Abroad in the Digital Age

Study abroad culture is constantly changing (Kinginger, 2013), involving new challenges such as easier access to the first language culture via technology. There has been little research done on technology use abroad and its relationship with both linguistic gains (Coleman & Chafer, 2010; Kelly, 2010) and motivation (Allen, 2013; Irie & Ryan, 2015). To explore the role of motivation in developing a successful study abroad culture in the digital age, we documented technology use in the first language and second language of 15 college students during their summer sojourn in Argentina. We quantitatively evaluated participants’ motivation (Gardner, 1985; Ushida, 2003) and proficiency (Seibert Hanson & Carlson, 2014), and qualitatively analyzed their responses to open-ended questions about goals and culture shock. We found that higher motivation levels were correlated with greater linguistic gains and less technology use in the first language (specifically internet-related). Lower motivation levels matched increased technology use in the first language, and perceptions of failure to achieve study abroad goals and integrate into the host culture

The digital dilemma: L1 and L2 technology use, language learning, and motivation among US university students studying abroad

The study abroad (SA) experience now involves increased learner access via technology to the home (in the L1) and to the host culture (in the L2). L1 technology use could detract from host culture integration and language learning by allowing SA participants to remain immersed in the L1, while L2 technology use could aid in host culture integration by connecting participants to L2-speakers. Given this, it is urgent to determine the nature of the impact of L1 and L2 technology use abroad on motivation, language gains, and host culture integration. In the present study, we analyzed daily technology logs, learner motivation and L2 gains, and guided reflections on host culture engagement and L2 learning goals by 11 U.S. university students studying abroad in Argentina. Motivation and L2 abilities increased significantly, and were significantly correlated. Also, L1 and L2 digital contact showed important qualitative relationships with motivation and host culture integration

Multisite replication in SLA research: attention to form during listening and reading comprehension

We conducted a multi-site replication study with aspects of pre-registration in order to explore the feasibility of such an approach in second language (L2) research. To this end, we addressed open questions in a line of research that has examined whether having learners attend to form while reading or listening to a L2 passage interferes with comprehension (VanPatten, 1990; Leow, Hsieh, & Moreno, 2008). Our results are consistent with findings from the specific paradigm that we replicated (i.e., Leow et al., 2008) in that no effects were detected in analyses conducted over all sites. However, further investigation is warranted due to site-specific effects and methodological limitations. We found all aspects of the multi-site registered replication approach to be useful, although the registration component itself appears to be a more feasible and useful first step in order to increase the robustness and generalizability of findings in our field

Reexamining the classification of an endangered language: The vitality of Brunca

In 2010, linguists declared Boruca (Brúnkajk) or Brunca (brn), an Indigenous language originating in what is now Costa Rica, to be extinct, basing their assessment on the number of living fully fluent native speakers. Since 2010, there has been no written verification of the current state of the language. Brunca classes are offered in the elementary schools as the primary way the language is being maintained, but they have not been taken into account in prior analyses. According to published research from almost two decades ago, Brunca appears to be losing ground. This has led to its designation as “critically endangered” or “dormant” by most established scales. In order to determine the actual status of the language in the community, we conducted participant observations in the Brunca classes and a series of interviews with the Boruca Culture Council, community elders, and a linguist currently involved in revitalization efforts elsewhere in Costa Rica. Through the present analysis of local stakeholders’ responses, data emerged on truncated but existent efforts to bring back the language. Thus, the present study is at the cutting edge of trying to define what should be measured to determine language vitality and progress in revitalization.National Foreign Language Resource Cente

Femoral neck fractures after removal of hardware in healed trochanteric fractures

Introduction: Hardware removal in healed trochanteric fractures (TF) in the absence of infection or significant mechanical complications is rarely indicated. However, in patients with persistent pain, prominent material and discomfort in the activities of daily living, the implant is eventually removed. Publications of ipsilateral femoral neck fracture after removal of implants from healed trochanteric fractures (FNFARIHTF) just because of pain or discomfort are rare. The purpose of this systematic review of the literature is to report on the eventual risk factors, the mechanisms, the clinical presentation, and frequency, and to pay special emphasis in their prevention. Materials and methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was undertaken using the PRISMA guidelines with no language restriction. Case reports of FNFARIHTF and series of TF with cases of FNFARIHTF due to pain or discomfort published between inception of journals to December 2016 were eligible for inclusion. Relevant information was divided in two parts. Part I included the analysis of cases of FNFARIHTF, with the objective of establishing the eventual risk factors, mechanisms and pathoanatomy, clinical presentation and diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Part II analyzed series of TF which included cases of FNFARIHTF for assessing the incidence of femoral neck fractures in this condition. Results: Overall 24 publications with 45 cases of FNFARIHTF met the inclusion criteria. We found that the only prevalent factors for FNFARIHTF were: 1) preexisisting systemic osteoporosis, as most patients were older and elder females, with lower bone mineral density and bone mass; 2) local osteoporosis as a result of preloading by the fixation device in the femoral neck, leading to stress protection, reducing the strain at the neck, and increasing bone loss and weakness; and 3) the removal of hardware from the femoral neck, with reduction of the failure strength of the neck. The femoral neck fractures were spontaneous, i.e. not related to trauma or fall, in 87.5% of the cases, mostly subcapital, and with no prevalence between displaced and undisplaced fractures. The clinical presentation was that of a spontaneous fracture, and most of the patients consulted because of hip pain and presented in the emergency room walking by themselves which led to delayed diagnosis in several instances. Radiological diagnosis was mostly with radiographs, though in some cases CT scans or MRI were necessary. The overall median incidence of this complication was 14.5% after hardware removal because of pain or discomfort in healed trochanteric fractures. Conclusion: The risk factors for FNFARIHTF seem to be preexisisting systemic osteoporosis, local osteoporosis as a result of preloading by the fixation device in the femoral neck, and the removal of hardware from the femoral neck, with reduction of the strength of the neck. The clinical presentation may be obscure as most of the patients complain of hip pain of some days or weeks, and arrive in the hospital walking. Therefore, the attending physician should be alert in order to request the appropriate radiological investigation and if this is not clear CT scan or MRI should be done in order to diagnose promptly these “spontaneous” fractures. Treatment should be replacement surgery in most cases; however, there is some place for internal fixation especially in undisplaced fractures or younger patients. The occurrence of the femoral neck fracture after hardware removal may be prevented with re-osteosynthesis and the use of bone chips or bone substitutes. Finally, the relatively high incidence of this complication should alert orthopaedic surgeons to reduce the removal of hardware in healed trochanteric fractures to very selected cases

Total synthesis of homogeneous variants of hirudin P6: a post-translationally modified anti-thrombotic leech-derived protein

Article first published online: 11 MAR 2014Hirudin P6 is a leech-derived anti-thrombotic protein which possesses two post-translational modifications, O-glycosylation and tyrosine sulfation. In this study we report the ligation-based synthesis of a library of hirudin P6 proteins possessing homogeneous glycosylation and sulfation modifications. The nature of the modifications incorporated was shown to have a drastic effect on inhibition against both the fibrinogenolytic and amidolytic activities of thrombin and thus highlights a potential means for attenuating the biological activity of the protein.Yves S. Y. Hsieh, Lakshmi C. Wijeyewickrema, Brendan L. Wilkinson, Robert N. Pike, and Richard J. Payn