Effects of recasts and form-focused instruction on the acquisition of novel vocabulary

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 603-624
Author(s):  
Yingli Yang ◽  
Lawrence Jun Zhang ◽  
Ling Chen

AbstractThe present study explores the effects of recast plus form-focused instruction and form-focused instruction on vocabulary development and the mediating effect of working memory. Sixty-six university students were assigned to a recast plus form-focused instruction (FFI) group, a FFI group, and a control group. The instructor provided recasts on non-target vocabulary items in the recast plus FFI group, whereas the FFI group completed two form-focused vocabulary tasks only. Pretests, posttests, and delayed posttests were administered to examine learners’ development of target vocabulary items. A reading span test was employed to examine learners’ complex working memory capacities. Results show that the recast plus FFI group exhibited superior performance over the control group on both posttests and delayed posttests with large effect sizes. Working memory did not significantly correlate with vocabulary development in either treatment group.

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
pp. 0-0
Author(s):  
L.A. Vaira ◽  
C. Hopkins ◽  
M. Petrocelli ◽  
J.R. Lechien ◽  
S. Cutrupi ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: The growing number of COVID-19 patients with long-lasting olfactory disorders makes it necessary to identify effective treatments that enhance the spontaneous recovery of olfactory function. METHODS: Multicentre randomised case-control study that involved 18 patients with COVID-19 related anosmia or severe hyposmia for more than 30 days. Nine patients were prescribed systemic prednisone and nasal irrigation with betamethasone, ambroxol and rinazine for 15 days. The other 9, untreated, patients were used as controls. The olfactory function was evaluated with CCCRC test at 20 and 40 days from the first evaluation. RESULTS: In the control group, a median olfactory score of 20 (IQR 30) was detected at baseline. At the 20-day control there was no significant improvement in olfactory function. The improvement in olfactory performance became significant at the 40-day follow-up compared to baseline scores [60 (IQR 60) versus 20 (IQR 30)]. In the treatment group, patients had a mean olfactory score of 10 (IQR 15) at initial control. At the 20-day control, a significant im-provement in the olfactory scores, compared to the baseline, was detected [70 (IQR 40) versus 10 (IQR 15)]. Olfactory function further improved at 40 days [median score 90 (IQR 50)]. Patients in the treatment group reported significantly higher improvements of the olfactory scores than the controls at both the 20-day [40 (IQR 45) versus 10 (IQR 15)] and 40-day [60 (IQR 40) versus 30 (IQR 25)] evaluations. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, the mix of drugs including steroids could represent a useful specific therapy to reduce the prevalence of this long-term morbidity.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 2116
Author(s):  
Andrei V. Tarasov ◽  
Rofail S. Rakhmanov ◽  
Elena S. Bogomolova ◽  
Ludmila A. Perminova ◽  
Zhanna L. Malakhova

The Kaliningrad region is known for its specific climate, which can negatively affect the adaptive potential of the body. This manifests in an increased incidence of respiratory diseases and skin conditions. To prevent high morbidity, a plant protein product was included in the diet of first-year university students. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of this food intervention in preventing the most common diseases among Kaliningrad students. Two groups of university students took part in the food trial. In the control group, catabolic processes prevailed in nutrient metabolism. Disadaptation manifested itself in the metabolism of proteins, vitamins, minerals, hematopoiesis and humoral immunity. Inflammation was indicated by α1- and α2-globulins, a weak immune response, and IgM and IgG. High oxidative stress and low antioxidative ability of blood serum were observed. The plant-based protein product (FP) helped preserve testosterone level and prevent an increase in catabolic reactions. Moreover, it had a positive effect on both red blood cell hematopoiesis (a smaller increase in the average volume of erythrocytes, the same average concentration and content of hemoglobin, an increased relative red cell distribution width (RDW) and white blood cell hematopoiesis (a beneficial effect for the immune system: lymphocytes, the relative content of neutrophils, monocytes, basophils and eosinophils). The stimulation of humoral immunity was evidenced by beta- and gamma-globulins, an active immune response, the level of IgM and IgG, antioxidant protection, reduction of peroxides and an increase in antioxidant activity of blood serum. The 34-week observation showed a 1.7-fold decrease in the incidence of respiratory illnesses and a 5.7-fold decrease in skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases. Acute respiratory infections were reduced 1.8-fold. There were no cases of community-acquired pneumonia in the treatment group, compared with 55.1‰ in the control group. The incidence of respiratory diseases was 3.3–10.6 times lower in the treatment group than in the control group in weeks 6–19. The findings testify to the prophylactic effect of functional food during social adaptation and acclimatization of students.


2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garret Yount ◽  
Kenneth Rachlin ◽  
Jane Siegel

This pilot study aimed at assessing the feasibility of capturing physiological evidence of reduced stress for hospitalized children following expressive arts therapy. Twenty-five patients were offered a novel form of expressive arts therapy, termed Healing Sock Creatures, during their stay in the hospital. Saliva samples were collected at two times in the afternoon for the purpose of measuring salivary cortisol levels. The patients were randomly assigned to two groups, a treatment group or a wait-list control group. A trend of decreased cortisol levels was apparent following therapy in the treatment group and concurrent steroid treatment, which is common in intensive care units, does not appear to interfere with the ability to measure decreased cortisol levels following therapy. Our results support the design of a formal study to assess physiological biomarkers of stress in hospital settings. To our knowledge, this is the first in-patient study assessing a biomarker of stress following expressive arts therapy for children


Biomedika ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adhimass Wicaksono ◽  
Retno Sintowati ◽  
Sa’idatul Fitriyah

The using of plant-based medicine is a popular approach to health care. A study presented by American Hearth Association showing that brown rice can lower cholesterol level in bood serum. To know the benefi ts of Angkak’s steeping water to decrease serum cholesterol levels in mice and determine the effects of Angkak’s steeping water to decrease serum cholesterol levels in rats compared with simvastatin. This study used an experimental research design, and using pre and post test control group design, performed in the laboratory of biomedical III FK UMS on November 1, 2012 to date of January 1, 2013. The purposive sampling technique, sampel determinaton using formula Federer by the number of sample of 30 male white rats wistar strain. After the data is collected, analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, ANOVA, LSD, and the unpaired t test. The result of this study demnstrate hypothesis testing using ANOVA test with signifi cant level 95% of the negative control group, the treatment group a dose of 1, 2, and 3, it was found p<0,05 were signifi cantly different meaning. In the test dose of LSD between treatment groups 2 and 3 the value of p=0,839 (p>0,05) wich means no signifi cant difference. In the unpaired T test between the treatment group a dose of 1, 2, and 3 with positive control group were signifi cant difference. The unpaired T test between the treatment group a dose of 1, 2, and 3 with white rice also found signifi cant difference. Conclusion: Angkak’s steeping water can lower serum cholesterol levels of white rat as well as the water steepimg Angkak has the same effectiveness with simvastatin to decrease serum cholesterol levels of mice.Keyword: Cholesterol, Angkak


Author(s):  
Min Tae Kim ◽  
Kun Yung Kim

Corrosive burns lead to progressive esophageal stricture and dysphagia. There are many trials to prevent Esophageal stricture formation after corrosive burn. This study aimed to access the effects of EW-7197 on prevention for esophageal stricture formation after corrosive esophageal burn. animal study were classified divided into three groups: a healthy group, a control group (corrosive burn without EW-7197), and a treatment group (corrosive burn with EW-7197). Corrosive esophageal burns were produced using 30% NaOH on the lower esophagus. For 3 weeks, the control group received vehicle and the treatment group received 20 mg/kg/day EW-7197. Treatment efficacy was assessed by measuring the stenosis ratio by esophagogram with contrast media on day 21. histologic staining was performed to evaluate the fibrosis area ratio, and western blotting was performed to evaluate fibrotic markers. Among 20 rats that underwent surgery, 14 survived. Three in the treatment group died because of esophageal perforation, and three in the control group died due to their debilitating status. The esophageal stenosis ratio was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group (12.1 &plusmn; 9.5% and 42.2 &plusmn; 8.3%, respectively; p = 0.001). The histologic fibrosis area ratio was also significantly lower in the treatment group (12.5 &plusmn; 3.0% and 21.6 &plusmn; 2.1%, respectively; p = 0.001). The treatment group showed lower expressions of profibrogenic proteins such as TGF-&beta;1, pSmad3, and &alpha;-SMA. EW-7197 may be a good alternative for the prevention esophageal stricture formation after corrosive burn.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-202
Author(s):  
Miguel Robichaud ◽  
France Talbot ◽  
Nickolai Titov ◽  
Blake F. Dear ◽  
Heather D. Hadjistavropoulos ◽  
...  

AbstractBackground:Despite its established efficacy, access to internet-delivered CBT (iCBT) remains limited in a number of countries. Translating existing programs and using a minimally monitored model of delivery may facilitate its dissemination across countries.Aims:This randomized control trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of an iCBT transdiagnostic program translated from English to French and offered in Canada using a minimally monitored delivery model for the treatment of anxiety and depression.Method:Sixty-three French speakers recruited in Canada were randomized to iCBT or a waiting-list. A French translation of an established program, the Wellbeing Course, was offered over 8 weeks using a minimally monitored delivery model. Primary outcome measures were the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), which were obtained pre-treatment, post-treatment and at 3-month follow-up.Results:Mixed-effects models revealed that participants in the treatment group had significantly lower PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores post-treatment than controls with small between-groups effect sizes (d = 0.34 and 0.37, respectively). Within-group effect sizes on primary outcome measures were larger in the treatment than control group. Clinical recovery rates on the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were significantly higher among the treatment group (40 and 56%, respectively) than the controls (13 and 16%, respectively).Conclusions:The provision of a translated iCBT program using a minimally monitored delivery model may improve patients’ access to treatment of anxiety and depression across countries. This may be an optimal first step in improving access to iCBT before sufficient resources can be secured to implement a wider range of iCBT services.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Giada Lavitola ◽  
Luigi Della Corte ◽  
Nicoletta De Rosa ◽  
Carmine Nappi ◽  
Giuseppe Bifulco

Objective. Evaluate the effects of carboxy-methyl-beta-glucan on cervical epithelialization and on the vaginal microbiota in patients with HPV infection or low-grade cervical preneoplastic lesion (CIN 1). Materials and Methods. Seven-hundred eighty-four women with positive HPV tests or diagnosed with CIN 1 were enrolled in a retrospective case-control study. All the recruited women performed, at baseline and after 6 months, Pap test, HPV test, evaluation of vaginal health according to the Amsel criteria, colposcopy, and punch biopsy. The study population was then divided into 2 groups in relation to the therapy performed during the follow-up period. Group A performed treatment with vaginal gel based on carboxy-methyl-beta-glucan (1 application/day for 20 days per month for 3 months). Group B was the control group. Results. The patients of group A had a significant improvement in the ectopia pattern and a greater number of cases with metaplasia in the maturation phase with a significant increase in Lugol uptake. In the experimental group, a significant improvement in the pH indices, a negative Swift test and a resolution of the leucorrhoea were observed. A negative result of the 37.1% Pap test and the 39.9% HPV test (vs. 15.2% and 16.5%, respectively) were demonstrated in the treatment group with respect to the control group. A negativization of the colposcopic pictures was observed with a reduction in the amount of CIN 1 found higher in the treatment group. Conclusions. Vaginal therapy based on carboxy-methyl-beta-glucan has been able to improve overall vaginal health; this effect seemed to positively impact the risk of persistence and progression of CIN.


2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Sorwar ◽  
M. Mostofa ◽  
M. N. Hasan ◽  
M. Billah ◽  
M. T. Rahman

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of papaya leaf (Carica papaya) and kalo jeera (Nigella sativa) seeds powdered supplementation in drinking water as a growth promoter in broiler chickens. A total of 20 Cobb-500 broiler chicks (day-old) were purchased from local hatchery (Nourish Poultry and Hatchery Ltd.) and after seven days of acclimatization chicks were randomly divided into two groups, A (n=10) and B (n=10). The group A was kept as a control and not treated. The group B was supplemented with papaya leaf and kalo jeera powder with feed and water. Weekly observations were recorded for live body weight gain up to 5th weeks and hematological tests were performed at 35th day’s age of broiler to search for hematological changes between control (A) and treatment (B) groups. The initial body weight of groups A and B on 1st were 41.00±0.56 gm and 41.50±0.35 gm, respectively and after 35th day of experiment final body weight were 1470±57.35 gm and 1720±58.56 gm, respectively and economics of production were analyzed and found that net profit per broiler was Tk. 8.91 and Tk. 20.69, respectively. The treatment group B was recorded statistically significant (at 1% level) increased (17.00%) for live body weight than that of control group A. The hematological parameters total erythrocyte count (TEC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and hemoglobin (Hb) estimation value of treatment group shows significant difference, while hemoglobin estimation does not show significant difference from control group. The results suggest that better growth performance could be achieved in broilers supplemented with papaya leaf and kalo jeera seeds.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 85
Author(s):  
Manal Obaid Alshammari

<p>The current study focuses on the importance of integrating peer- and self-assessment in<br />teaching English as a second/foreign language in Saudi Arabia. It pays special attention to the<br />mechanisms by which Saudi EFL learners can improve their English writing skills if they<br />engage in peer- and self-assessment regularly. To this end, the researcher administered a<br />writing composition task to measure the participants’ ability to express themselves in good<br />English, focusing on the coherence, cohesion, word choice, spelling, punctuation, and layout<br />of their essays. The researcher utilised the experimental two-groups design of a pre-test and a<br />post-test, in order to evaluate the participants’ performance prior to the application of the<br />treatment (i.e. peer- and self-assessment) and after it. For the purpose of the study, the<br />participants were divided into two groups: students in group A (i.e. the treatment group)<br />engaged in peer- and self-assessment regularly throughout the term, whilst students in group<br />B (i.e. the control group) did not. The results of group A on the pre-test and post-test were<br />compared to those of group B to determine whether the treatment had any impact on their<br />performance. The results reveal that group A outperformed their group B counterparts on the<br />post-test. The statistical analysis demonstrates that the difference between the results of the<br />two groups was statistically significant, suggesting that the treatment contributed positively to<br />the performance of the treatment group. Finally, the study concludes with recommendations<br />for further research.</p>


1995 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 541-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Turner Parker ◽  
Nancy Leggett-Frazier ◽  
Pauline A. Vincent ◽  
Melvin S. Swanson

Nursing staffs from two long-term care facilities attended a multisession educational program about the care of residents with diabetes (treatment group). A control group consisted of the nursing staffs from two other similar facilities who did not participate in the educational program. Both groups were given a knowledge pretest and posttest. A chart review also was conducted following the educational intervention to determine any changes in the diabetes care provided by the treatment group. Following the educational program, the treatment group had a significant increase in their mean score on the knowledge test compared with the control group. However, a. review of the residents' charts revealed no significant increases in specific behaviors related to diabetes care. The findings suggest that, in addition to educational programs, more focused training concerning diabetes care is needed to improve the care of residents with diabetes in long-term care facilities. Implications for diabetes educators are discussed.


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