Are you sure?: using the error-related negativity to examine adult L2 learning

Previous investigations of second language (L2) learners’ proficiency have focused on explicit measures of overt responses. Recent data have shown discrepancies between L2 learners’ overtly measured behaviors and covertly measured implicit processes (McLaughlin, Inoue, & Loveless, 2000). Event-related potentials (ERPs) have been used as a covert measure of implicit sensitivity. Prior studies have focused on the P600 component as a measure of sensitivity to syntactic violations in L2 (Tokowicz & MacWhinney, 2005; Tolentino & Tokowicz, 2012). Tokowicz and MacWhinney (2005) used the P600 to index cross-language similarity effects, and found that GJT accuracy scores were lowest in conditions with features unique to L2, however, the ERP responses were the strongest to unique features. This suggests that L2 learners possess implicit sensitivity to L2 violations that is not always indicated by their overt behaviors. The present study looks at another ERP component, the error-related negativity (ERN), which is elicited in response to error processing (Sebastián-Gallés, Rodríguez-Fornells, Diego-Balaguer, & Díaz, 2006). We reprocessed previously collected ERP data from Tolentino and Tokowicz (2012; unpublished data) to see if an ERN is present, which would indicate that L2 learners are sensitive to L2 violations. The ERN will be investigated as a function of stimulus grammaticality, response accuracy, electrode site and laterality. We found a significant four way interaction between these variables, as well as significant contrasts in mean amplitudes at certain electrodes. Additionally, we found a positive component elicited in response to errors made in the judgment on ungrammatical stimuli, suggesting the context and the type of error influences how errors are processed. Overall, our data indicate that L2 learners are sensitive to L2 violations, and are at some level aware, not only of what is grammatical, but also what is ungrammatical

Review of \u3ci\u3eBuffalo Bill\u27s Wild West: Celebrity, Memory, and Popular History\u3c/i\u3e By Joy S. Kasson

Joy Kasson\u27s study of William Cody as the first modern celebrity, a man who took advantage of every medium and life experience to build on his fame and accrue a fortune, is a good addition to the existing material on Buffalo Bill. It synthesizes the huge variety of material available on Cody and provides a focused look at the aspects of his life that affected the myth of the American West. The book\u27s real strength is its author\u27s ability to walk the fine line between admiration of Cody and excoriation. She achieves a balanced portrait of this complicated man by duly noting his accomplishments, though not exaggerating them, and exploring and revealing his failings, but not giving them excessive attention. Kasson relies on the work of many other authors to reach her conclusions, sometimes tossing up old chestnuts that have been shot down elsewhere. Nonetheless, she does bring interesting new information and a wide perspective to her subject. The inclusion of materials from Nate Salsbury\u27s private papers is a welcome addition to the debate over Cody\u27s personality and business practices, clarifying the relationship between Salsbury and Cody, particularly as their partnership became strained. Kasson also provides a wider view of the forces at work in American culture during the period of Cody\u27s greatest fame. Her careful study of visual images of the show\u27s Native Americans, particularly the photographs taken by Gertrude Kasebier and the drawings made by these performers themselves during the photo sessions, adds greatly to our understanding of Native perspectives on the spectacle. Her discussion of the nostalgia for war felt by Americans after the Civil War provides considerable food for thought, and her carefully constructed argument about Cody\u27s manufactured persona and its impact on American myth offers a new perspective on old visions of the showman. Although this well-written, engaging book does not focus on Cody\u27s adventures on the Great Plains, readers of Great Plains Quarterly will find it serving as a good introduction to its subject\u27s life while affording new and intriguing material to those already familiar with his exploits

Review of \u3ci\u3ePerforming the American Frontier, 1870-1906\u3c/i\u3e By Roger A. Hall

Roger Hall\u27s engagingly written study of frontier drama provides a good overview of the topic. Covering the period from the end of the Civil War to the beginning of cinema, the book surveys how eastern audiences reacted to frontier depictions, examining these reactions against the backdrop of contemporary debates about national policies affecting the settlement of the West. Hall has limited his discussion to plays produced in New York, which allows him to take advantage of a wealth of theatrical documents, including reviews printed in New York newspapers and trade papers of the day. He takes into account the often neglected elements of scenery, staging, and the quality of performances in his analysis, which helps him probe whether a play succeeded or failed as a consequence of its quality, the popularity of its star, its spectacular scenery, the opinion of the critics, or some combination of these factors. The number of plays and productions discussed in the book is impressive. Hall does not neglect the performances of famous Westerners such as Buffalo Bill, or the dramatic efforts of such popular novelists as Brett Harte and Mark Twain, but he also includes careful examinations of the work of recognized theatrical greats such as David Belascoe and Augustus Thomas. Of particular interest is his discussion of Native American playwright and actress Gowongo Mohawk. Hall\u27s main argument is that New York audiences participated in a revolt against the aristocracy of the critics by enthusiastically attending frontier productions in spite of terrible reviews. Hall says the opinions of these huge working class audiences eventually moved frontier drama from low-brow entertainment to high-brow art. Imbedded in this argument is the problematic claim that frontier plays improved as they moved from melodrama to realism, a positivist view that mars an otherwise strong argument for the value and influence of these dramas. Hall\u27s work complements three other studies of American melodrama. Jeffery Mason, in Melodrama and the Myth of America (1993), disagrees with Hall about the meaning of frontier plays, offering readers an interesting counterpoint. Bruce McConachie\u27s Melodramatic Formations: American Theatre and Society, 1820-1870 (1992) is more theoretical in approach and more sweeping in its coverage. Rosemarie Bank\u27s Theatre Culture in America, 1825-1860 (1992) contains excellent information about frontier drama that enriches Hall\u27s work

Review of \u3ci\u3ePerforming the American Frontier, 1870-1906\u3c/i\u3e By Roger A. Hall

Roger Hall\u27s engagingly written study of frontier drama provides a good overview of the topic. Covering the period from the end of the Civil War to the beginning of cinema, the book surveys how eastern audiences reacted to frontier depictions, examining these reactions against the backdrop of contemporary debates about national policies affecting the settlement of the West. Hall has limited his discussion to plays produced in New York, which allows him to take advantage of a wealth of theatrical documents, including reviews printed in New York newspapers and trade papers of the day. He takes into account the often neglected elements of scenery, staging, and the quality of performances in his analysis, which helps him probe whether a play succeeded or failed as a consequence of its quality, the popularity of its star, its spectacular scenery, the opinion of the critics, or some combination of these factors. The number of plays and productions discussed in the book is impressive. Hall does not neglect the performances of famous Westerners such as Buffalo Bill, or the dramatic efforts of such popular novelists as Brett Harte and Mark Twain, but he also includes careful examinations of the work of recognized theatrical greats such as David Belascoe and Augustus Thomas. Of particular interest is his discussion of Native American playwright and actress Gowongo Mohawk. Hall\u27s main argument is that New York audiences participated in a revolt against the aristocracy of the critics by enthusiastically attending frontier productions in spite of terrible reviews. Hall says the opinions of these huge working class audiences eventually moved frontier drama from low-brow entertainment to high-brow art. Imbedded in this argument is the problematic claim that frontier plays improved as they moved from melodrama to realism, a positivist view that mars an otherwise strong argument for the value and influence of these dramas. Hall\u27s work complements three other studies of American melodrama. Jeffery Mason, in Melodrama and the Myth of America (1993), disagrees with Hall about the meaning of frontier plays, offering readers an interesting counterpoint. Bruce McConachie\u27s Melodramatic Formations: American Theatre and Society, 1820-1870 (1992) is more theoretical in approach and more sweeping in its coverage. Rosemarie Bank\u27s Theatre Culture in America, 1825-1860 (1992) contains excellent information about frontier drama that enriches Hall\u27s work

Task-shifting and hypertension management in Ghana

By the year 2020, it is estimated that hypertension will contribute to 75% of deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. In Ghana, hypertension is the second leading cause of outpatient morbidity and mortality. One of the key barriers to optimal management of hypertension in Ghana is the severe shortage of physicians, exacerbated by the “brain drain,” or the movement of physicians out of lower-middle-income-countries to higher income countries. Task-shifting, defined as the rational movement of clinical duties from physician to non-physician health care workers is one potential mechanism of mitigating the consequences of the brain drain. In Ghana, the TAsk-Shifting Strategy for Hypertension was a cluster-randomized trial in which community health clinics were randomized to a control group, or an intervention group in which community health nurses were trained in the WHO-PEN package to diagnose, treat, and manage hypertension. This dissertation sought to examine 1) how patients involved in TASSH perceived the program and their ability to manage hypertension; 2) the role of social determinants of health in influencing intervention outcomes; and 3) factors influencing the sustainability of the program. This study provides information that can inform the development of future task-shifting strategies for hypertension by elucidating: positive aspects of the program that fostered behavior change; contextual factors that influence hypertension and can be the focus for tailoring interventions in the future; and factors that can influence the long term sustainability of task-shifting programs from the perspective of stakeholders involved in implementation

Predictors of Refugees’ Ability to Pass the United States Citizenship Exam

Background: Passing the United States citizenship exam can be challenging for refugee populations for several reasons, including affordability of English classes, time restraints, medical stressors, and limited formal education. The purpose of this study was to examine factors that may influence a refugees’ ability to pass the citizenship exam, including English proficiency, education, employment, and completion of English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. Methods: Refugee patients at the International Family Medicine Clinic (IFMC) in Central Virginia participated in a survey that assessed their levels of English proficiency and whether or not they had passed the citizenship exam. The survey included questions about gender, employment, country of origin, years of education, participation in English classes and barriers to attendance. Results: Refugees who had a higher level of self-reported English proficiency and more years of formal education were more likely to pass the citizenship exam. Other factors such as age, employment, English classes, and gender did not affect participants’ ability to pass the exam. Conclusion: Further research needs to identify successful models to help refugees obtain English fluency and assist them in passing the U.S. citizenship exam

Virginia Refugee’s Access to COVID 19 Health Information

Background: This study examined how refugees in central Virginia, United States were able to access public health information about COVID-19 and any barriers to following COVID-19 prevention guidelines. Methods: Individual interviews were conducted with refugees (n = 40) attending a family medicine clinic serving refugees and immigrants. Participants answered questions about their primary methods of obtaining COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccine information, how they prefer to receive this information, information given by employers, precautions taken at their place of work, and current vaccination status. Results: We found that television and social media played a large role for refugees in obtaining COVID-19 information. Participants noted they preferred in-person visits and phone calls to communicate with their healthcare providers, who were important for disseminating vaccine information. Discussion: This is one of the first studies to explore how refugees obtain health information related to COVID-19 and the vaccine, and provides valuable information as vaccination outreach continues in light of new viral strains and increased need for booster vaccinations. Conclusion: The results of this study can guide development of health communication materials to engage refugee communities as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves and responses to i

Application of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research to examine nurses’ perception of the task shifting strategy for hypertension control trial in Ghana

Background: The burden of hypertension in many low-and middle-income countries is alarming and requires effective evidence-based preventative strategies that is carefully appraised and accepted by key stakeholders to ensure successful implementation and sustainability. We assessed nurses’ perceptions of a recently completed Task Shifting Strategy for Hypertension control (TASSH) trial in Ghana, and facilitators and challenges to TASSH implementation. Methods: Focus group sessions and in-depth interviews were conducted with 27 community health nurses from participating health centers and district hospitals involved in the TASSH trial implemented in the Ashanti Region, Ghana, West Africa from 2012 to 2017. TASSH evaluated the comparative effectiveness of the WHO-PEN program versus provision of health insurance for blood pressure reduction in hypertensive adults. Qualitative data were analyzed using open and axial coding techniques with emerging themes mapped onto the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Results: Three themes emerged following deductive analysis using CFIR, including: (1) Patient health goal setting- relative priority and positive feedback from nurses, which motivated patients to make healthy behavior changes as a result of their health being a priority; (2) Leadership engagement (i.e., medical directors) which influenced the extent to which nurses were able to successfully implement TASSH in their various facilities, with most directors being very supportive; and (3) Availability of resources making it possible to implement the TASSH protocol, with limited space and personnel time to carry out TASSH duties, limited blood pressure (BP) monitoring equipment, and transportation, listed as barriers to effective implementation. Conclusion: Assessing stakeholders’ perception of the TASSH implementation process guided by CFIR is crucial as it provides a platform for the nurses to thoroughly evaluate the task shifting program, while considering the local context in which the program is implemented. The feedback from the nurses informed barriers and facilitators to implementation of TASSH within the current healthcare system, and suggested system level changes needed prior to scale-up of TASSH to other regions in Ghana with potential for long-term sustainment of the task shifting intervention

Optimising recruitment in clinical trials for progressive multiple sclerosis: observational analysis from the MS-SMART and MS-STAT2 randomised controlled trials

BACKGROUND: Slower than planned recruitment is a major factor contributing to the delay or failure of randomised controlled trials to report on time. There is a limited evidence base regarding the optimisation of recruitment strategies. Here we performed an observational review of our experience in recruitment for two large randomised controlled trials for people with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. We aimed to explicitly determine those factors which can facilitate trial recruitment in progressive neurodegenerative disease. METHODS: Recruitment data from the sequential MS-SMART [NCT01910259] and MS-STAT2 [NCT03387670] UK randomised controlled trials was reviewed from the largest recruiting site, University College London (UCL). The trial population was similar which allowed comparison over the two recruitment periods of 2015-2016 and 2018-2021. This included sources of referral, progress through stages of recruitment, reasons for participant ineligibility and the impact of publicity events upon recruitment. RESULTS: In MS-SMART, 18% of patients contacted were enrolled, compared to 27% for MS-STAT2. Online registration of interest portals provided the greatest number of referrals (76% in MS-SMART, and 51% in MS-STAT2), with publicity in national media outlets producing a demonstrable increase in the number of potential participants. The introduction of an online self-screening questionnaire for MS-STAT2 resulted in 67% of potential participants (3080 of 4605) automatically determining their own ineligibility. In both studies, however, around 60% of those directly telephoned to discuss the study were not eligible, with difficulties related to travel to trial visits, or excluded medication, being the most common issues. Eighty-four percent of those deemed potentially eligible following telephone calls were enrolled in the MS-STAT2 study, compared to only 55% for MS-SMART. CONCLUSIONS: Through a detailed review of recruiting participants at the largest centre into two large randomised controlled trials with similar entry criteria, we have identified a number of approaches that may improve recruitment efficiency. We highlight here the importance of mandatory online self-screening questionnaires, a coordinated publicity campaign, and simple interventions such as eligibility checklists and appointment reminders. Recruitment approaches should be further assessed through a studies within a trial (SWAT) design. TRIAL REGISTRATION: MS-SMART: NCT01910259 ; registered July 2013 and MS-STAT2: NCT03387670 ; registered Jan 2018