Exploring teachers’ and learners’ overlapped turns in the language classroom: Implications for classroom interactional competence

The language choices that teachers make in the language classroom have been found to influence the opportunities for learning given to learners (Seedhouse, 2004; Walsh, 2012; Waring, 2009, 2011). The present study expands on research addressing learner-initiated contributions (Garton, 2012; Jacknick, 2011; Waring, Reddington, & Tadic, 2016; Yataganbaba & Yıldırım, 2016) by demonstrating that opportunities for participation and learning can be promoted when teachers allow learners to expand and finish their overlapped turns. Audio recordings of lessons portraying language classroom interaction from three teachers in an adult foreign language classroom (EFL) setting were analyzed and discussed through conversation analysis (CA) methodology. Findings suggest that when teachers are able to navigate overlapping talk in such a way that provides interactional space for learners to complete their contributions, they demonstrate classroom interactional competence (Sert, 2015; Walsh, 2006). The present study contributes to the literature by addressing interactional features that increase interactional space, and an approach to teacher and learner talk that highlights CA’s methodological advantages in capturing the interactional nuances of classroom discourse

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF TEACHER L2 USE ON LEARNER SELF-EFFICACY PERCEPTIONS: THE CASE OF CHILEAN ELEMENTARY EFL LEARNERS

Self-efficacy perceptions on second language settings have been linked to several aspects including learner performance in linguistic tasks, willingness to communicate, and language learning strategy use. These firmly place self-efficacy as a variable affecting cognitive and contextual aspects in language learning settings. However, the amount of L2 used by teachers needs to be researched in their own right, since an approach that makes the L2 compulsory in the language classroom may affect learners’ perceptions of their ability to learn the new language. This relationship becomes even more relevant in low-level EFL school settings where teachers are more willing to use the learners’ L1 in their lessons. Thus, to assess the impact of teacher L2 use on the self-efficacy of primary EFL learners, the present study investigated 58 Chilean 6th-grade EFL students’ self-efficacy beliefs in two contexts: L2-Only instruction (i.e., an approach where lessons are delivered solely in the L2), and L1-L2 instruction. Findings revealed that learners in the L2-Only group did not significantly decrease their self-efficacy when compared to the L1-L2 group, and that the L1-L2 group displayed significantly higher scores in the reading and writing components. It is argued that contextual aspects that include the nurturing of self-efficacy need to be considered to make informed decisions on whether to use the L1 and the L2 in the language classroom

Relationships Among Higher Education EFL Student Perceptions Toward Fully Online Language Learning and Computer Self-efficacy, Age, Gender, and Proficiency Level in Emergency Remote Teaching Settings

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore Chilean higher education English as a foreign language (EFL) students’ perceptions toward components of their fully online learning experience and their computer self-efficacy during the CoVID-19 pandemic and assess how these variables are influenced by age, gender, and language proficiency. Method: Participants of the study were 236 undergraduate students (110 males and 126 females) who took a fully online EFL course in a professional institute in Chile. Likert-scale questionnaires were used to gather data on perceptions toward fully online language learning components (online participation, collaborative group work, instructional materials, and learning strategies and styles) and computer self-efficacy (CSE). Findings: Participants held overall positive views toward fully online language learning components but had negative views toward online participation. Findings revealed significant relationships between computer self-efficacy and perceptions toward fully online language learning components. The perceptions that learners held toward fully online courses seem to be unaffected by gender and proficiency level, although gender did impact CSE. Implications for Theory and Practice: Feeling disconnected from peers and the learning experience in general can lead to negative attitudes toward online learning as well as feelings of isolation. Learners may feel unmotivated, frustrated, and discouraged to continue participating in the course. Teachers can nurture a sense of community in the classroom by facilitating dialogue, providing timely feedback, moderating student discussions, and building social networks around learners. It is also important to promote healthy levels of computer self-efficacy that can positively influence perceptions toward group work and learning strategies. Conclusion: Emergency remote teaching can have a negative impact on online participation. As more educational institutions provide their students with online options for attending classes, teachers should focus on increasing peer collaboration and interaction

Exploring the relationship between L2 language proficiency, language learning strategies, and self-efficacy: evidence from chilean classrooms

[EN] Language learning strategy (LLS) use and L2 self-efficacy (SE) have been regarded as crucial for the development oflearners of a second language (Rose et al., 2018). Although the relationship between these two variables has been addressed in the literature, scant attention has been given to how L2 language proficiency is related to both constructs in EFL contexts. Therefore, the present quantitative study gathered questionnaire data to characterize the relationship between the LLSs, SE perceptions, and L2 language proficiency of 47 adult EFL learners at a Chilean university. Results revealed significant strong correlations between speaking SE and cognitive strategies, as well as between writing SE and memory strategies. Weak but significant correlations were found between language proficiency and receptive skills (listening and writing SE). Pedagogical implications refer to the ways in which EFL teachers can increase their learners use of metacognitive strategies and increase their SE.Cancino, M.; Arenas, R.; Herrera, C. (2022). Exploring the relationship between L2 language proficiency, language learning strategies, and self-efficacy: evidence from chilean classrooms. Revista de Lingüística y Lenguas Aplicadas. 17:1-9. https://doi.org/10.4995/rlyla.2022.16122191

The NALP3/Cryopyrin-Inflammasome Complex is Expressed in LPS-Induced Ocular Inflammation

In the inflammosome complex, NALP3 or NALP1 binds to ASC and activates caspase-1 which induces IL-1β. In murine LPS-induced ocular inflammation, the production of IL-1β is increased. We suggest that NALP3- or NALP1-inflammasome complex can be participating in the LPS-induced ocular inflammation. In this work, eye, brain, testis, heart, spleen, and lung were obtained from C3H/HeN mice treated with LPS for 3 to 48 hours, and the expression of NALP1b, NALP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 was determined. Infiltrated leukocytes producing IL-1β in the anterior chamber were found at 12-hour posttreatment. A high upregulated expression of NALP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 was found at the same time when infiltrated leukocytes were observed. NALP1b was not detected in the eye of treated mice. NALP3 was also overexpressed in heart and lung. These results suggest that NALP3-, but not NALP1-inflammosome complex, is participating in the murine LPS-induced ocular inflammation

Evidence of meaningful levels of Trypanosoma cruzi in platelet concentrates from seropositive blood.

BACKGROUND: According to the reported cases of transfusion-acquired Trypanosoma cruzi infection, the risk of T. cruzi transfusion transmission appears to be higher with platelet (PLT) products than with other blood components. The aim of this study was to investigate by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) the parasitic load detected in leukoreduced plasma and PLT concentrates collected by apheresis from seropositive T. cruzi blood donors and compare them with peripheral whole blood (WB). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: During 2011 to 2013, a prospective study was carried out in a group of blood donors originating from Chagas-endemic areas but who are now living on the island of Majorca, Spain. Leukoreduced plasma and PLT concentrates were collected by apheresis from seropositive blood donors with detectable parasitemias in peripheral WB. RESULTS: Seropositivity was found in 23 of 1201 donors studied (1.9%), and T. cruzi DNA with less than 1 parasite equivalent/mL was detected in peripheral WB in 60.86% (14 of 23) of these. The study in blood components obtained by apheresis from these donors showed that T. cruzi DNA with a mean ± SD parasitic load of 5.33 ± 6.12 parasite equivalents/mL was detected in 100% of the PLT concentrate samples. Parasite DNA was undetectable in the extract taken from plasma collected from donors with a positive qPCR in peripheral WB. CONCLUSION: The higher parasitic load found in PLT concentrates compared to plasma and peripheral WB would explain the higher transfusion transmission risk of Chagas disease associated with PLT transfusions described in the reported cases of transfusion-acquired T. cruzi infection

Body Odor Disgust Sensitivity Predicts Moral Harshness Toward Moral Violations of Purity

Detecting pathogen threats and avoiding disease is fundamental to human survival. The behavioral immune system (BIS) framework outlines a set of psychological functions that may have evolved for this purpose. Disgust is a core emotion that plays a pivotal role in the BIS, as it activates the behavioral avoidance motives that prevent people from being in contact with pathogens. To date, there has been little agreement on how disgust sensitivity might underlie moral judgments. Here, we investigated moral violations of “purity” (assumed to elicit disgust) and violations of “harm” (assumed to elicit anger). We hypothesized that individual differences in BIS-related traits would be associated with greater disgust (vs. anger) reactivity to, and greater condemnation of Purity (vs. Harm) violations. The study was pre-registered (https://osf.io/57nm8/). Participants (N = 632) rated scenarios concerning moral wrongness or inappropriateness and regarding disgust and anger. To measure individual differences in the activation of the BIS, we used our recently developed Body Odor Disgust Scale (BODS), a BIS-related trait measure that assesses individual differences in feeling disgusted by body odors. In line with our predictions, we found that scores on the BODS relate more strongly to affective reactions to Purity, as compared to Harm, violations. In addition, BODS relates more strongly to Moral condemnation than to perceived Inappropriateness of an action, and to the condemnation of Purity violations as compared to Harm violations. These results suggest that the BIS is involved in moral judgment, although to some extent this role seems to be specific for violations of “moral purity,” a response that might be rooted in disease avoidance. Data and scripts to analyze the data are available on the Open Science Framework (OSF) repository: https://osf.io/tk4x5/. Planned analyses are available at https://osf.io/x6g3u/

Population dynamics of orchard grass stalks (Dactylis glomerata L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) associated with white clover (Trifolium repens L.)

El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar cuatro asociaciones de dos gramíneas y una leguminosa, en diferentes porcentajes. La siembra se realizó en febrero de 2010, en el Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Montecillo, México; tomando como base las densidades de 20, 30 y 5 kg ha-1 para pasto ovillo (Ov), ballico perene (Ba) y trébol blanco (Tr), respectivamente. Los tratamientos consistieron de las siguientes asociaciones: 20-40-40, 00-50-50, 40-20-40, 50-00-50% de Ov, Ba y Tr. Los cuatro tratamientos se distribuyeron aleatoriamente en 12 parcelas experimentales de 9 por 8 m de acuerdo con un diseño de bloques al azar con tres repeticiones. La asociación 50-00-50 de Ov-Ba-Tr es la que presenta mayor densidad de tallos de pasto ovillo con un promedio de 4.250 tallos m-2, y el menor la asociación 20-40-40 de Ov-Ba-Tr con un promedio de 3.400 tallos m-2 (p = 0,05). La asociación 20-40-40 de Ov-Ba-Tr presentó mayor peso por tallo de pasto ovillo en ambos años con un promedio de 0,3 g tallo-1, y menor peso la asociación 50-00-50 con 0,23 g tallo-1. En conclusión se recomienda utilizar la asociación 20-40-40 de Ov-Ba-Tr ya que obtuvo el mayor peso por tallo en ambas gramíneas y la menor dinámica de población de tallos, por lo tanto, existió una compensación tamaño/ densidad, lo cual se reflejó en el mayor rendimiento de forraje; con una frecuencia de 4 semanas en primavera-verano y cada 5 y 6 semanas en otoño e invierno.The objective of this research was to evaluate four associations of two grass and a legumein different percentages. Sowing was done in February 2010, in the Graduate College, Campus Montecillo, Mexico; based on the densities of 20, 30 and 5 kg ha-1 for orchard grass (Ov), perennial ryegrass (Ba) and white clover (Tr), respectively. Treatments consisted of the following associations: 20-40-40, 00-50-50, 40-20-40, 50-00-50% Ov, Ba and Tr. The four treatments were randomly distributed in 12 experimental plots of 9 by 8 m according to a design of a randomized complete block with three replications. The association 50-00-50 of Ov-Ba-Tr is the one with greater density orchard grass stalks with an average of 4,250 m2 stems, and lower the association 20-40-40 of Ov-Ba-Tr with an average of 3,400 m2 stems (p = 0.05). The association 20-40-40 of Ov-Ba-Tr showed greater weight orchard grass stem in both years with an average of 0.3 g stem-1 and lower weight partnership 50-00-50 with 0.23 g stem-1. In conclusion it is recommended to use the association 20-40-40 of Ov-Ba-Tr since I obtained the highest weight per stem in both grasses and the smallest population dynamics of stems, therefore, there was compensation size/density, which was reflected in the increased forage yield; with a frequency of 4 weeks in spring-summer and every 5 to 6 weeks in autumn and winter.Fil: Rojas García, Adelaido Rafael.Fil: Hernández Garay, Alfonso. Colegio de Postgraduados. Campus Montecillo (México)Fil: Rivas Jacobo, Marco Antonio. Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. Facultad de AgronomíaFil: Mendoza Pedroza, Sergio Iban. Universidad Autónoma Chapingo (México)Fil: Maldonado Peralta, María de los Ángeles. Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero (México)Fil: Cancino, Santiago Joaquín. Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas (México). División de Estudios de Posgrado, Unidad Académica Multidisciplinaria Agronomía y Ciencias

Rendimiento y digestibilidad de forraje de cultivares de Urochloa spp. a tres edades de rebrote en épocas de lluvias y seca

The humid tropics of Ecuador is a potential livestock production area. Urochloa spp. cultivars are a forage option in this region. Environmental and management conditions determine forage yield and nutritional value and should be researched prior to establishing new forage species. An evaluation was done of total dry matter yield (TDM; t ha-1), morphological components proportions (%; leaf, stem, dead material and inflorescence) and in situ dry matter digestibility (DMD; g kg-1)) in five Urochloa cultivars (Mulato II, Marandú, Xaraés, Piatá and Señal [control]) and at three regrowth ages (4, 6 and 8 wk) during the rainy and dry seasons. A completely randomized block design in a split plot arrangement was used to analyze the data by season. During the rainy season, TDM did not differ (P>0.05) between cultivars. In the dry season, Marandú had a lower yield than Xaraés (0.92 vs 1.21 t ha-1). Morphological component proportions differed between cultivars (P0.05) en MST, entre cultivares evaluados. Durante la ESE Marandú presentó menor rendimiento que Xaraés (0.92 vs 1.21 t ha-1). La proporción de componentes morfológicos fue diferente entre cultivares (P<0.05) y las hojas fueron el componente que más contribuyó al rendimiento. La DISMS se redujo de 64 a 56 % y de 60 a 56 %, cuando el forraje se cosechó a 4 y 8 semanas durante la ELL y ESE, respectivamente. Los cultivares evaluados mostraron rendimientos aceptables de MST, 2.6 y 1.0 t ha-1 y DISMS, 602 y 574 g kg-1, durante la ELL y ESE, respectivamente; por lo que pueden ser una alternativa forrajera para la ganadería del trópico húmedo de Ecuador

Diagnóstico del estado de la Gestión de Lubricación en Grupos Electrógenos Fuel Oil

El objetiv o del artícul o es el diagnóstico de la gesti ón de la lubricación y los lubricantes de las centrales eléctricas fuel oíl del Oeste de La Habana. Se basó en la herramienta del Centr o de Estudi os de Ingeniería de Mantenimiento para evaluar el estado de dic ha gesti ón, y se modificó mediante el consenso de expertos. La herramienta permitió identificar las deficiencias en la gestión de la lubricación y concebir estrategias que contribuyan al au mento de la disponibilidad de los activ os físic os, así como , la disminución del con sum o de energía, lubricantes y piezas de repuesto. Esto permite obten er ahorros significativos en la organ ización y red ucir el impact o negati vo al medio ambiente. Se identificaron un grupo de defic iencias, entre las que se destacan por su impacto neg ativo, la falta de capacitación en los tem as de la gestión de la lubricación, y un inadecuado almacenamiento de aceites nuevos y la gestión de aceite usad