scholarly journals The Effectiveness of Communication-Oriented Pronunciation Instruction and Students' Perception

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-265
Author(s):  
Kyung-ah Yu
Keyword(s):  
Reading Aloud ◽  
Sound Recognition ◽  
Vowel Sound ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Pronunciation Instruction ◽  
College Learners ◽  
Consonant Recognition ◽  
Before And After ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
As Stress

The purpose of this study is intended to empirically examine whether or not communication-oriented pronunciation teaching affects the English segmental and suprasegmental pronunciation improvements of Korean college learners, as well as their English speaking ability. The students who participated in this study were 26 college students, all of whom were taking an English pronunciation clinic course at a local university. Three types of pre and post-tests were conducted to find out how communication-oriented pronunciation teaching influenced the learners’ pronunciation. Namely, tests of consonant and vowel sound recognition, reading aloud tests, and picture description tests.First, a total of 40 questions were given as pre-and post-pronunciation recognition evaluations to find out how accurately the students perceived the sounds of consonants and vowels. In addition, the students’ voices were recorded as they read dialogue readings both before and after the evaluation, in order to examine the degree of improvement of the segmental and suprasegmental features. Finally, the students were asked to describe certain pictures before and after the course to see if there were any beneficial effects regarding their pronunciation of English.The findings showed that communication-oriented activities led to significant improvements, but only on the consonant recognition tests, not on the tests with vowels. The results from the reading aloud tests also demonstrated that the communication-oriented activities helped students to improve suprasegmental elements, such as stress, intonation, and rhythm. Moreover, there was a significant improvement in the speaking ability of the students, from which I can infer that communication-oriented activities have a positive effect on improving the students’ suprasegmentals, as well as their speaking ability.

scholarly journals Training with rhythmic beat gestures benefits L2 pronunciation in discourse-demanding situations

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 609-631 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daria Gluhareva ◽  
Pilar Prieto
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
Discourse Comprehension ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Pronunciation Instruction ◽  
Brief Training ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Post Test ◽  
The Impact ◽  
L2 Pronunciation

Recent research has shown that beat gestures (hand gestures that co-occur with speech in spontaneous discourse) are temporally integrated with prosodic prominence and that they help word memorization and discourse comprehension. However, little is known about the potential beneficial effects of beat gestures in second language (L2) pronunciation learning. This study investigates the impact of beat gesture observation on the acquisition of native-like speech patterns in English by examining the effect of a brief training with or without beat gestures on participants’ ratings of accentedness. In a within-participants, pre-/post-test design, participants (undergraduate students learning English as a foreign language) watched a training video in which an L2 instructor gave spontaneous responses to discourse prompts. The prompts belonged to one of two categories (easy and difficult), and were presented by the instructor either with or without accompanying beat gestures. Participants’ own answers to the prompts were recorded before and after training and evaluated by five native speaker judges. The results of the comparison between the participants’ pre-training and post-training speech samples demonstrated that beat gesture training significantly improved the participants’ accentedness ratings on the set of difficult (more discourse-demanding) items. The results of the study support the role of beat gestures as highlighters of rhythmic information and have implications for pronunciation instruction practices.

scholarly journals Beneficial Effects of Akkermansia muciniphila Are Not Associated with Major Changes in the Circulating Endocannabinoidome but Linked to Higher Mono-Palmitoyl-Glycerol Levels as New PPARα Agonists

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
Clara Depommier ◽  
Rosa Maria Vitale ◽  
Fabio Arturo Iannotti ◽  
Cristoforo Silvestri ◽  
Nicolas Flamand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Metabolic Effects ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator ◽  
Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor ◽  
Akkermansia Muciniphila ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Daily Ingestion ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Palmitoyl Glycerol

Akkermansia muciniphila is considered as one of the next-generation beneficial bacteria in the context of obesity and associated metabolic disorders. Although a first proof-of-concept of its beneficial effects has been established in the context of metabolic syndrome in humans, mechanisms are not yet fully understood. This study aimed at deciphering whether the bacterium exerts its beneficial properties through the modulation of the endocannabinoidome (eCBome). Circulating levels of 25 endogenous endocannabinoid-related lipids were quantified by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in the plasma of overweight or obese individuals before and after a 3 months intervention consisting of the daily ingestion of either alive or pasteurized A. muciniphila. Results from multivariate analyses suggested that the beneficial effects of A. muciniphila were not linked to an overall modification of the eCBome. However, subsequent univariate analysis showed that the decrease in 1-Palmitoyl-glycerol (1-PG) and 2-Palmitoyl-glycerol (2-PG), two eCBome lipids, observed in the placebo group was significantly counteracted by the alive bacterium, and to a lower extent by the pasteurized form. We also discovered that 1- and 2-PG are endogenous activators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα). We hypothesize that PPARα activation by mono-palmitoyl-glycerols may underlie part of the beneficial metabolic effects induced by A. muciniphila in human metabolic syndrome.

scholarly journals Reduction in mobility and COVID-19 transmission

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Nouvellet ◽  
Sangeeta Bhatia ◽  
Anne Cori ◽  
Kylie E. C. Ainslie ◽  
Marc Baguelin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Ability ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Mobility Data ◽  
Strict Control ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Proxy Measure ◽  
Lower Transmission ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, countries have sought to control SARS-CoV-2 transmission by restricting population movement through social distancing interventions, thus reducing the number of contacts. Mobility data represent an important proxy measure of social distancing, and here, we characterise the relationship between transmission and mobility for 52 countries around the world. Transmission significantly decreased with the initial reduction in mobility in 73% of the countries analysed, but we found evidence of decoupling of transmission and mobility following the relaxation of strict control measures for 80% of countries. For the majority of countries, mobility explained a substantial proportion of the variation in transmissibility (median adjusted R-squared: 48%, interquartile range - IQR - across countries [27–77%]). Where a change in the relationship occurred, predictive ability decreased after the relaxation; from a median adjusted R-squared of 74% (IQR across countries [49–91%]) pre-relaxation, to a median adjusted R-squared of 30% (IQR across countries [12–48%]) post-relaxation. In countries with a clear relationship between mobility and transmission both before and after strict control measures were relaxed, mobility was associated with lower transmission rates after control measures were relaxed indicating that the beneficial effects of ongoing social distancing behaviours were substantial.

scholarly journals Brain Training and Sulforaphane Intake Interventions Separately Improve Cognitive Performance in Healthy Older Adults, Whereas a Combination of These Interventions Does Not Have More Beneficial Effects: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 352
Author(s):  
Rui Nouchi ◽  
Qingqiang Hu ◽  
Toshiki Saito ◽  
Natasha Yuriko dos Santos Kawata ◽  
Haruka Nouchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Active Control ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Cognitive Functions ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Brain Training ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Double Blinded

Background: Earlier studies have demonstrated that a single-domain intervention, such as a brain-training (BT) game alone and a sulforaphane (SFN) intake, positively affects cognition. This study examined whether a combined BT and SFN intake intervention has beneficial effects on cognitive function in older adults. Methods: In a 12-week double-blinded randomized control trial, 144 older adults were randomly assigned to one of four groups: BT with SFN (BT-S), BT with placebo (BT-P), active control game (AT) with SFN (AT-S), and active control game with placebo (AT-P). We used Brain Age in BT and Tetris in AT. Participants were asked to play BT or AT for 15 min a day for 12 weeks while taking a supplement (SFN or placebo). We measured several cognitive functions before and after the intervention period. Results: The BT (BT-S and BT-P) groups showed more improvement in processing speed than the active control groups (AT-S and AT-P). The SFN intake (BT-S and AT-S) groups recorded significant improvements in processing speed and working memory performance unlike the placebo intake groups (BT-P and AT-P). However, we did not find any evidence of the combined intervention’s beneficial effects on cognition. Discussion: We discussed a mechanism to improve cognitive functions in the BT and SFN alone interventions.

scholarly journals Hemodynamic Responses in Lower Limb Lymphedema Patients Undergoing Physical Therapy

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 642
Author(s):  
Bianca Brix ◽  
Olivier White ◽  
Christian Ure ◽  
Gert Apich ◽  
Paul Simon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Lymphatic System ◽  
Orthostatic Intolerance ◽  
Hemodynamic Responses ◽  
Stand Test ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Sit To Stand ◽  
Complete Decongestive Therapy ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Baseline Values

Background: Lymphedema arises due to a malfunction of the lymphatic system, leading to extensive tissue swelling. Complete decongestive therapy (CDT), which is a physical therapy lasting for 3 weeks and includes manual lymphatic drainages (MLD), leads to fluid mobilization and increases in plasma volume. Here, we investigated hemodynamic responses induced by these fluid shifts due to CDT and MLD. Methods: Hemodynamic parameters were assessed continuously during a sit-to-stand test (5 min baseline, 5 min of standing, and 5 min of recovery). This intervention was repeated on days 1, 2, 7, 14, and 21 of CDT, before and after MLD. Volume regulatory hormones were assessed in plasma samples. Results: A total number of 13 patients took part in this investigation. Resting diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased over three weeks of CDT (p = 0.048). No changes in baseline values were shown due to MLD. However, MLD led to a significant decrease in heart rate during orthostatic loading over all epochs on therapy day 14, as well as day 21. Volume regulatory hormones did not show changes over lymphedema therapy. Conclusion: We did not observe any signs of orthostatic hypotension at rest, as well as during to CDT, indicating that lymphedema patients do not display an elevated risk of orthostatic intolerance. Although baseline hemodynamics were not affected, MLD has shown to have potential beneficial effects on hemodynamic responses to a sit-to-stand test in patients undergoing lymphedema therapy.

Cyclosporine increases ischemia-induced endothelial progenitor cell mobilization through manipulation of the CD26 system

2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (3) ◽  
pp. R811-R818 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao-Hung Wang ◽  
Wen-Jin Cherng ◽  
Ning-I Yang ◽  
Chia-Ming Hsu ◽  
Chi-Hsiao Yeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Endothelial Progenitor ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Dpp Iv ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Cell Mobilization

Cyclosporin A (CsA) improves the success rate of transplantation. The CD26/dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP IV) system plays a critical role in mobilizing endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from bone marrow. This study investigated whether CsA manipulates CD26/DPP IV activity and increases EPC mobilization. C57BL/6 mice were divided into control and CsA-treated groups. Before and after hindlimb ischemia was induced, circulating EPC number and serum levels of different cytokines were measured. Compared with the controls, CsA treatment significantly increased the blood levels of stroma-derived factor-1α and stem cell factor after ischemic stress ( P < 0.001). The CsA group displayed a significant increase in the number of circulating EPCs (sca-1+KDR+ and c-kit+CD31+ EPCs, both P < 0.05). In vivo, CsA caused a significant increase in the numbers of EPCs incorporated into the Matrigel and ischemic limbs ( P < 0.05). In the peripheral blood, CsA significantly decreased CD26+ cell numbers and attenuated the plasma CD26/DPP IV activity ( P < 0.001). Furthermore, short-term CsA treatment significantly improved the perfusion of ischemic limbs and decreased the spontaneous digital amputation rate. In summary, CsA manipulates the mobilization of EPCs into the circulation via the CD26/DPP IV system. Short-term CsA treatment has beneficial effects on angiogenesis of ischemic tissues.

scholarly journals The Usefulness of Impedance Cardiography for Predicting Beneficial Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients with Heart Failure

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Gielerak ◽  
Paweł Krzesiński ◽  
Ewa Piotrowicz ◽  
Ryszard Piotrowicz
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽  
Exercise Tolerance ◽  
Impedance Cardiography ◽  
The Other ◽  
Pronounced Increase ◽  
Fluid Content ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure ◽  
Before And After

Aim. Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an important part of heart failure (HF) treatment. The aim of this paper was to evaluate if thoracic fluid content (TFC) measured by impedance cardiography (ICG) is a useful parameter for predicting the outcome of CR.Methods. Fifty HF patients underwent clinical and noninvasive haemodynamic (TFC) assessments before and after 8-week CR.Results. As a result of CR, the patients’ exercise tolerance improved, especially in terms of peak VO2(18.7 versus 20.8 mL × kg−1× min−1;P=0.025). TFC was found to identify patients with significantly improved peak VO2after CR. “High TFC” patients (TFC > 27.0 kOhm−1), compared to those of “low TFC” (TFC < 27.0 kOhm−1), were found to have more pronounced increase in peak VO2(1.3 versus 3.1 mL × kg−1× min−1;P=0.011) and decrease in TFC (4.0 versus 0.7 kOhm−1;P<0.00001). On the other hand, the patients with improved peak VO2(n=32) differed from those with no peak VO2improvement in terms of higher baseline TFC values (28.4 versus 25.3 kOhm−1;P=0.039) and its significant decrease after CR (2.7 versus 0.2 kOhm−1;P=0.012).Conclusions. TFC can be a useful parameter for predicting beneficial effects of CR worth including in the process of patients’ qualification for CR.

scholarly journals Individual canine Airway Response Variability to a Deep Inspiration

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. CCRPM.S6531
Author(s):  
Robert H. Brown ◽  
David W. Kaczka ◽  
Katherine Fallano ◽  
Steve Shapiro ◽  
Wayne Mitzner
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Variability ◽  
Variable Response ◽  
High Resolution Computed Tomography ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Airway Constriction ◽  
Subsequent Response ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Airway Response ◽  
Airway Tone

In healthy individuals, a DI can reverse (bronchodilation) or prevent (bronchoprotection) induced airway constriction. For individuals with asthma or COPD, these effects may be attenuated or absent. Previous work showed that the size and duration of a DI affected the subsequent response of the airways. Also, increased airway tone lead to increased airway size variability. The present study examined how a DI affected the temporal variability in individual airway baseline size and after methacholine challenge in dogs using High-Resolution Computed Tomography. Dogs were anesthetized and ventilated, and on 4 separate days, HRCT scans were acquired before and after a DI at baseline and during a continuous intravenous infusion of methacholine (Mch) at 3 dose rates (17, 67, and 200 μg/mm). The Coefficient of Variation was used as an index of temporal variability in airway size. We found that at baseline and the lowest dose of Mch, variability decreased immediately and 5 minutes after the DI ( P < 0.0001). In contrast, with higher doses of Mch, the DI caused a variable response. At a rate of 67 μg/min of Mch, the temporal variability increased after 5 minutes, while at a rate of 200 μg/min of Mch, the temporal variability increased immediately after the DI. Increased airway temporal variability has been shown to be associated with asthma. Although the mechanisms underlying this temporal variability are poorly understood, the beneficial effects of a DI to decrease airway temporal variability was eliminated when airway tone was increased. If this effect is absent in asthmatics, this may suggest a possible mechanism for the loss of bronchoprotective and bronchodilatory effects after a DI in asthma.

Developing Intercultural Awareness and Language Speaking Proficiency for Foreign Language Learners through Cross–Cultural Voicemail Exchange

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 17-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amber Yayin Wang ◽  
Wan-Jeng Chang
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Intercultural Awareness ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Speaking Proficiency ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
English Speaking

To expand global and intercultural communication, the effectiveness of asynchronous online communication devices, especially email, have been discussed in the area of foreign language teaching. A lack of specific research exists that addresses the application of online voicemail. This paper reports on a five month period of voicemail exchanges between 53 EFL learners in Taiwan and 56 CFL learners in the United States. The authors examine the responses of EFL students to this cross–cultural voicemail project and assess their progress in intercultural awareness and English speaking proficiency before and after the project. This study concludes that the use of voicemail creates an impact on the English speaking performance and intercultural awareness of EFL students and increases the motivation of EFL students in using English to express ideas. Further implications for teaching are discussed.

scholarly journals EFFECTS OF EXERCISE ON PHYSICAL FITNESS AND ANTHROPOMETRIC VARIABLES IN EX-CRACK COCAINE USERS

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 284-289
Author(s):  
Jéssica Abatti Martins ◽  
Ana Maria Volpato ◽  
Vanise dos Santos Ferreira Viero ◽  
Antonio Jose Grande ◽  
Leonardo Roever ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Crack Cocaine ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Exercise Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Cocaine Users ◽  
Total Body

ABSTRACT Introduction: Worldwide cocaine use in all its various forms is increasing; cocaine users exceeded 17 million in the world. In Brazil, this data is also alarming. A survey conducted in 2010 found that the country has more than 900,000 crack-cocaine users. Objective: To evaluate the effects of exercise on anthropometric variables and components of physical fitness in ex-crack cocaine users. Methods: Randomized controlled trial with 20 men, divided into exercise group (n=10) and control group (n=10), admitted to a detoxification center. We assessed the physical fitness components related to health (cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, muscular strength/endurance, and body composition) before and after the physical training program. Results: The exercise contributed to the maintenance of anthropometric variables, while the control group had an increased in total body fat and visceral fat. Regarding physical fitness, resistance training led to the increase of most variables studied, particularly strength and cardiorespiratory capacity. On the other hand, the VO2max and the strength of the sedentary subjects were reduced (P<0.05). Conclusion: The exercise showed beneficial effects on the components of physical fitness and maintenance of body composition.

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