Performance Assessment of ESL and EFL Students

Thirteen prototypical performance tasks were selected from over 100 based on their generic appropriateness for the target population and on posited difficulty levels (associated with plus or niinus values for linguistic code command, cognitive operations, and communicative adaptation, as discussed in Norris, Brown, Hudson, & Yoshioka, 1998, after Skehan, 1996, 1998). These l3 tasks were used to create three test forms (with one anchor task common to all forms), two for use in an ESL setting at the University of Hawai'i, and one for use in an EFL setting at Kanda University of International Studies in Japan. In addition, two sets ofrating scales were created based on task-dependent and task-independent categories. For each individual task, the criteria for the task-dependent categories were created in consultation with an advanced language learner, a language teacher, and a non-ESL teacher, all ofwhom were well-acquainted with the target population and the prototype tasks. These criteria for success were allowed to differ from task to task depending on the input ofour consultants. The task-independent categories were created for each of three theoretically motivated components of task difficulty in terms of the adequacy of: (linguistic) code command, cognitive operations, and communicative adaptation. A third rating scale was developed for examinees to rate their own performance in terms of their familiarity with the task, their performance on the task, and the difficulty of the task. Pilot data were gathered from ESL and EFL students at a wide range of proficiency levels. Their performances were scored by raters using the task dependent and task-independent criteria. Analyses included descriptive statistics, reliability estimates (interrater, Cronbach alpha, etc.), correlational analysis, and implicational scale analysis. The results are interpreted and discussed in terms of: (a) the distributions ofscores for the task-dependent and task-independent ratings, (b) test reliability and ways to improve the consistency of measurement, and (c) test validify and the relationship of our task-based test to theory

Interference Cognizant Network Scheduling

Systems and methods for interference cognizant network scheduling are provided. In certain embodiments, a method of scheduling communications in a network comprises identifying a bin of a global timeline for scheduling an unscheduled virtual link, wherein a bin is a segment of the timeline; identifying a pre-scheduled virtual link in the bin; and determining if the pre-scheduled and unscheduled virtual links share a port. In certain embodiments, if the unscheduled and pre-scheduled virtual links don't share a port, scheduling transmission of the unscheduled virtual link to overlap with the scheduled transmission of the pre-scheduled virtual link; and if the unscheduled and pre-scheduled virtual links share a port: determining a start time delay for the unscheduled virtual link based on the port; and scheduling transmission of the unscheduled virtual link in the bin based on the start time delay to overlap part of the scheduled transmission of the pre-scheduled virtual link

System and Method for Network Bandwidth, Buffers and Timing Management Using Hybrid Scheduling of Traffic with Different Priorities and Guarantees

Systems and methods for network bandwidth, buffers and timing management using hybrid scheduling of traffic with different priorities and guarantees are provided. In certain embodiments, a method of managing network scheduling and configuration comprises, for each transmitting end station, reserving one exclusive buffer for each virtual link to be transmitted from the transmitting end station; for each receiving end station, reserving exclusive buffers for each virtual link to be received at the receiving end station; and for each switch, reserving a exclusive buffer for each virtual link to be received at an input port of the switch. The method further comprises determining if each respective transmitting end station, receiving end station, and switch has sufficient capability to support the reserved buffers; and reporting buffer infeasibility if each respective transmitting end station, receiving end station, and switch does not have sufficient capability to support the reserved buffers

Scale-Up of the Carbon Dioxide Removal by Ionic Liquid Sorbent (CDRILS) System

The Carbon Dioxide Removal by Ionic Liquid Sorbent (CDRILS) system is designed for efficient, safe and reliable carbon dioxide (CO2) removal from cabin air on long-duration missions to the Moon, deep space, and Mars. CDRILS integrates an ionic liquid sorbent with hollow fiber membrane contactors for rapid CO2 removal and recovery. The liquid-based system provides continuous CO2 delivery, which avoids complicated valve networks to switch between absorbing and desorbing beds and enables simpler integration to the Sabatier without the need for the CO2 Management System (CMS). Ionic liquids are particularly desirable as liquid absorbents for space applications since they are non-volatile, non-odorous, and have high oxidative stability. The hollow fiber membrane contactors offer both high contact area and rigorous containment between the gas and liquid phases in a microgravity environment. Scale-up of the CDRILS technology has presented a series of fascinating challenges, since the interaction between hollow fiber properties, ionic liquid properties and performance is complex. Properties measured with lab-scale hollow fiber contactors are used to estimate the performance of contactors that are similar in scale to flight-scale demonstrations. To accomplish this, component and system models have been built to relate the key scrubber and stripper design and operating variables with performance, and experiments directed to validate the models have been performed. System size, weight and power are determined by component selection, arrangement, and operating conditions. Reliability will be extremely important for any long-range mission and depends on the stability of the ionic liquids and hollow fiber contactors. We report on our continuing long term stability experiments for the ionic liquid and contactor materials and our investigation of the physical properties of additional ionic liquids

Association of Accelerometry-Measured Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Events in Mobility-Limited Older Adults: The LIFE (Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders) Study.

BACKGROUND:Data are sparse regarding the value of physical activity (PA) surveillance among older adults-particularly among those with mobility limitations. The objective of this study was to examine longitudinal associations between objectively measured daily PA and the incidence of cardiovascular events among older adults in the LIFE (Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders) study. METHODS AND RESULTS:Cardiovascular events were adjudicated based on medical records review, and cardiovascular risk factors were controlled for in the analysis. Home-based activity data were collected by hip-worn accelerometers at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 months postrandomization to either a physical activity or health education intervention. LIFE study participants (n=1590; age 78.9±5.2 [SD] years; 67.2% women) at baseline had an 11% lower incidence of experiencing a subsequent cardiovascular event per 500 steps taken per day based on activity data (hazard ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.84-0.96; P=0.001). At baseline, every 30 minutes spent performing activities ≥500 counts per minute (hazard ratio, 0.75; confidence interval, 0.65-0.89 [P=0.001]) were also associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular events. Throughout follow-up (6, 12, and 24 months), both the number of steps per day (per 500 steps; hazard ratio, 0.90, confidence interval, 0.85-0.96 [P=0.001]) and duration of activity ≥500 counts per minute (per 30 minutes; hazard ratio, 0.76; confidence interval, 0.63-0.90 [P=0.002]) were significantly associated with lower cardiovascular event rates. CONCLUSIONS:Objective measurements of physical activity via accelerometry were associated with cardiovascular events among older adults with limited mobility (summary score >10 on the Short Physical Performance Battery) both using baseline and longitudinal data. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION:URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01072500

Tapping into non-English-language science for the conservation of global biodiversity.

The widely held assumption that any important scientific information would be available in English underlies the underuse of non-English-language science across disciplines. However, non-English-language science is expected to bring unique and valuable scientific information, especially in disciplines where the evidence is patchy, and for emergent issues where synthesising available evidence is an urgent challenge. Yet such contribution of non-English-language science to scientific communities and the application of science is rarely quantified. Here, we show that non-English-language studies provide crucial evidence for informing global biodiversity conservation. By screening 419,679 peer-reviewed papers in 16 languages, we identified 1,234 non-English-language studies providing evidence on the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation interventions, compared to 4,412 English-language studies identified with the same criteria. Relevant non-English-language studies are being published at an increasing rate in 6 out of the 12 languages where there were a sufficient number of relevant studies. Incorporating non-English-language studies can expand the geographical coverage (i.e., the number of 2° × 2° grid cells with relevant studies) of English-language evidence by 12% to 25%, especially in biodiverse regions, and taxonomic coverage (i.e., the number of species covered by the relevant studies) by 5% to 32%, although they do tend to be based on less robust study designs. Our results show that synthesising non-English-language studies is key to overcoming the widespread lack of local, context-dependent evidence and facilitating evidence-based conservation globally. We urge wider disciplines to rigorously reassess the untapped potential of non-English-language science in informing decisions to address other global challenges. Please see the Supporting information files for Alternative Language Abstracts

The role of conversation in health care interventions: enabling sensemaking and learning

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Those attempting to implement changes in health care settings often find that intervention efforts do not progress as expected. Unexpected outcomes are often attributed to variation and/or error in implementation processes. We argue that some unanticipated variation in intervention outcomes arises because unexpected conversations emerge during intervention attempts. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of conversation in shaping interventions and to explain why conversation is important in intervention efforts in health care organizations. We draw on literature from sociolinguistics and complex adaptive systems theory to create an interpretive framework and develop our theory. We use insights from a fourteen-year program of research, including both descriptive and intervention studies undertaken to understand and assist primary care practices in making sustainable changes. We enfold these literatures and these insights to articulate a common failure of overlooking the role of conversation in intervention success, and to develop a theoretical argument for the importance of paying attention to the role of conversation in health care interventions.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Conversation between organizational members plays an important role in the success of interventions aimed at improving health care delivery. Conversation can facilitate intervention success because interventions often rely on new sensemaking and learning, and these are accomplished through conversation. Conversely, conversation can block the success of an intervention by inhibiting sensemaking and learning. Furthermore, the existing relationship contexts of an organization can influence these conversational possibilities. We argue that the likelihood of intervention success will increase if the role of conversation is considered in the intervention process.</p> <p>Summary</p> <p>The generation of productive conversation should be considered as one of the foundations of intervention efforts. We suggest that intervention facilitators consider the following actions as strategies for reducing the barriers that conversation can present and for using conversation to leverage improvement change: evaluate existing conversation and relationship systems, look for and leverage unexpected conversation, create time and space where conversation can unfold, use conversation to help people manage uncertainty, use conversation to help reorganize relationships, and build social interaction competence.</p

An archaeological reconnaissance survey in the geothermal resource subzone of Upper Kaimu, Makuu, Kaohe, Kehena, Kaapahu and Kamaili, Puna, Hawaii

OSTI Identifier: 882400U.S. Department of Energ

Hawaii Foundation for History and the Humanities

Conference paper for the 3rd Annual Pacific Islands Studies Conference, "Captain Cook and the Pacific Islands," 1978, UH-Mano

An archaeological reconnaissance survey in the geothermal resource subzone of Upper Kaimu and Makena, Puna, Hawaii

Contains maps.In early October 1937, I received a telephone call from Mr. Rod Moss representing Mid-Pacific Geothermal Inc. During the course of this conversation, a request was made of me to conduct an archaeological reconnaissance survey on the property of the Estate of James Campbell in the Puna District, on the island of Hawaii. Specifically, the area to be investigated follows a proposed road alignment starting one-half of a mile outside of the geothermal resource sub-zone and culminating at the proposed drill site designated as A1 (See Map 1). After receiving pertinent information on location, permission to enter the land, as well as to cross other land, I received a "go ahead" on October 23, 1987. Furthermore, I was asked to contact Mr. Nobu Santo at the offices of Island Survey Incorporated in Hilo where I would be able to aquire a copy of the survey map as well as information on access to the recently cleared survey line along the proposed road to the well site. Mr. Santo was exceptionally helpful, even offering to accompany me through the neighboring lands to the survey start point on the boundary of Conservation District land. In early November we followed through with this plan. After arrival at his recently cut survey line through the forest, Mr. Santo returned to Hilo and I proceeded to carry out the field reconnaissance portion of this investigation. This report provides the results of this research