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The effectiveness of using artificial intelligence-assisted tools in second and foreign language learning: a systematic review
Get PDFWith the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI), the potential of AI technologies to support language learning and teaching has captured increasing scholarly attention. This study systematically reviews publications since 1956 to provide an overview of the characteristics of existing research on AI-assisted second or foreign language (L2/FL) learning and assess its effect on learning outcomes and learning perceptions. The systematic review first presents a mapping of 105 eligible studies, identifying (1) a notable increase in the number of research outputs over the past four years; (2) a particular interest in tertiary-level language learners; (3) a primary focus on chatbots and writing skills as the most researched AI technology and language skill; and (4) a frequent absence of theoretical frameworks in research. The review then conducts an in-depth analysis of 71 studies in higher education contexts for the feasibility of data synthesis within the scheduled time. Findings revealed that (1) 92% of the 51 studies reporting learning outcomes demonstrated positive results; (2) learner perceptions of AI-assisted language learning were mixed, including consistent findings of enhanced motivation and willingness to communicate, but varied findings on learning attitudes, anxiety, and interest. However, the medium risk of bias across studies due to methodological flaws, such as lack of control groups and over-reliance on self-report data, suggested that the findings could not be taken as robust evidence for the effectiveness of AI-assisted language learning. The review provides the following theoretical and practical implications: (1) researchers should adopt more rigorous study designs, explore the application of AI technologies in primary and secondary education, and incorporate educational theories into future studies; (2) learners and teachers should keep utilising AI tools to facilitate personalised and interactive language learning; (3) developers should address the identified problems with AI-assisted language learning tools and promote further technological innovations
Hetero[3.1.1]propellanes
Get PDFAbstract[n.1.1]Propellanes are key precursors to bicyclo[n.1.1]alkanes, rigid small-ring hydrocarbons that have emerged as important building blocks in contemporary drug design as bioisosteres for disubstituted benzene rings. [n.1.1]Propellanes featuring heterocyclic rings could enable the direct synthesis of a wide diversity of bridged bicyclic heterocycles, which should exhibit superior physicochemical profiles compared to their established carbocyclic analogues. Here we report the unified synthesis of a family of heterocyclic [3.1.1]propellanes featuring oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms in the three-carbon bridge. The approaches we have developed are necessarily distinct from the established routes to carbocyclic propellanes, and utilize a common precursor that is conveniently assembled on a multigram scale via rhodium-catalysed cyclopropanation. These hetero[3.1.1]propellanes undergo a range of radical ring-opening reactions, affording bridged heterocycles that are of high utility in drug-discovery programmes
Impact of mhGAP-IG training on psychosocial support workers in Iraq, Egypt and Jordan: multi-country collaboration
Get PDFThis article reports on outcomes and lessons learned from a four-day mhGAP-IG cascade training programme delivered in 2023 to psychosocial support workers from Red Crescent Societies in Iraq, Egypt and Jordan by primary care physicians who had themselves completed mhGAP-IG training. Participants demonstrated significant gains in knowledge, confidence and competence, supported by assessments and qualitative feedback. The training improved preparedness, clarified clinical language and enhanced comfort in addressing mental, neurological and substance use disorders. This experience highlights the feasibility of cascade training as a sustainable model to strengthen front-line mental healthcare capacity in conflict-affected low- and middle-income countries
Senescence-related myocardial dysfunction: keeping a young heart
Get PDFGraphical Abstract: Graphical Abstract The ageing heart undergoes progressive and substantial changes. Myocardial cells enter a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), associated with alterations in extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing microRNAs, creating an inflammatory environment. These molecular changes, combined with mitochondrial dysfunction, induce myocardial cell hypertrophy, multinucleation, and also result in altered responses to autonomic regulation. Alongside the stress of the continuous workload on the heart over a lifetime, there is a reduction in repair mechanisms, which coupled with fibrosis, steatosis, valve stenosis and compromised blood supply, due to atherosclerosis, ultimately lead to organ dysfunction, and myocardial ageing. Created in Biorender. For image description, please refer to the figure legend and surrounding text
Clinical guidelines and pathways for the management of non-traumatic wrist disorders: A review and synthesis
Get PDFIntroductionNon-traumatic wrist disorders (NTWD) are commonly encountered across a range of healthcare settings. Uncertainty exists regarding optimal management and how this is reflected in care provision through clinical guidelines and pathways. We aimed to identify existing UK-based clinical guidelines and pathways and examine their quality.MethodsFor this review, we searched MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, ProQuest, Scopus, Web of Science, Google, The National Grey Literature Collection, TRIP, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and undertook targeted outreach and engagement activities with healthcare professional networks. We included clinical practice guidelines and pathways for NTWD published after 2010. The AGREE II tool was used to assess guideline quality based on the domains of topic selection, best practice identification, data collection, and rigor of analysis.ResultsOf 7017 records identified, 15 eligible clinical guidelines and pathways for NTWD management were eligible and included. De Quervain's tenosynovitis and ganglion cyst were most frequently covered while other NTWD had few or no guidelines or pathways. Variation in the composition and nomenclature of sources was found. Quality assessment using the AGREE II tool identified variability and overall unsatisfactory quality.ConclusionThere is a lack of high-quality clinical guidelines and pathways for NTWD within the UK healthcare system indicating an obstacle to improvements in healthcare delivery
All in good time: on Scheffler's 'One Life to Lead Ch 2'
No full textThis is a commentary on Samuel Schefflerʼs One Life to Lead, focusing on Chapter 2 of that book. The piece focuses on Schefflerʼs conditional acceptance of a revised form of Parfitʼs ʻexcellent argumentʼ and suggests that there are more fundamental reasons to reject Parfitʼs endorsement of temporal neutrality than arise from our relationships
Kidney function and mortality in Mexico: prospective study of 130 000 adults
No full textRationale and Objective: Reduced kidney function is strongly associated with higher mortality but most evidence is from high-income populations. This study evaluated the relevance of kidney function to cause-specific mortality in Mexico, a country where diabetes is common and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Study Design: Prospective study of 150,000 adults aged ≥35 years at recruitment (1998-2004) followed until October 2022.Setting and Participants: Participants recruited into the Mexico City Prospective Study. Analyses focused on those aged 35 to 74 years at recruitment and excluded those with prior disease (except diabetes or CKD).Exposures: Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).Outcomes: Cause-specific mortality.Analytical approach: Cox regression related eGFR to cause-specific mortality. Analyses were adjusted for socio-demographic and lifestyle factors, anthropometry, and diabetes.Results: Among 40,996 men and 85,249 women aged 35-74 years, median (IQR) eGFR was 102 (91- 110) mL/min/1.73m2 , mean (SD) BMI was 29.1 (4.9) kg/m2 , 1% had self-reported CKD, 13% had previously-diagnosed diabetes, and 12,590 died at ages 35-74 years over a median follow-up of 20.4 years. Below 105 mL/min/1.73m2 , each 15 mL/min/1.73m2 lower eGFR was associated with 32% higher all-cause mortality (RR 1.32 [95% CI 1.30-1.35]). Compared with those with an eGFR of 90- 104 mL/min/1.73m2 , those with eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73m2 had almost seven times the all-cause mortality rate (RR 6.5 [5.7-7.3]). Above 105 mL/min/1.73m2 , higher eGFR was associated with higher mortality. The strongest associations were for kidney (RR 1.75 [1.69-1.80] for each 15 mL/min/1.73m2 lower eGFR below 105 mL/min/1.73m2 ), infective (RR 1.34 [1.24-1.44]) and vascular deaths (RR 1.28 [1.24-1.33]). The absolute excess mortality risk associated with reduced eGFR was particularly high for those with diabetes.Limitations: Data on urinary albumin and non-fatal disease outcomes was unavailable.Conclusion: In Mexico, decreased kidney function is strongly associated with premature mortality, mainly from vascular, kidney, and infective causes. Prevention and management of CKD, particularly in individuals with diabetes, should be central to disease-prevention policies
Stabilized real-time Brillouin microscopy reveals fractal organization of protein condensates in living cells
Get PDFMechanical alterations of protein condensates are increasingly recognized in the etiology of several neurodegenerative diseases, yet their characterization remains technically challenging. Although Brillouin microscopy could offer a promising solution, its use is hindered by instrumental instabilities demanding frequent adjustments and manual calibrations with reference materials. Here, we present an enhanced Brillouin Microscope that incorporates an electro-optic modulator, serving simultaneously as frequency reference, spectrometer calibrator, and temporal stabilizer. This integration enables robust, real-time spectral stability over multiple days in a fully automated workflow. Using this system, we quantify Brillouin shifts of several protein condensates in living cells and validate our findings with FRAP. The correlation between techniques reveals a fractal internal architecture of the condensates, providing important insights into their physical nature while probing the mechanical behavior of entire compartments containing multiple protein species. Our method offers a unique framework for distinguishing physiological from pathological condensates, paving the way for long-term, user-independent, high-precision mechanical measurements in living cells
How Are Healthcare Providers Conscientiously Objecting to Abortion in Australia? A Qualitative Study
Get PDFIntroduction: Researchers have done limited empirical work to explore how healthcare providers are claiming conscientious objection to abortion care in Australia. Without this research, we cannot assess if existing mechanisms to regulate conscientious objection meet the needs of abortion seekers, abortion providers, and healthcare providers who conscientiously object to abortion care. Methodology: We conducted semi‐structured interviews with 41 interest‐holders (including healthcare providers who provided or conscientiously objected to abortion care) across Australia about conscientious objection to abortion care and its regulation. We analyzed the data using framework analysis. Results: We identified four themes describing how healthcare providers were claiming conscientious objection to abortion care. First, claims existed on a spectrum from “partial provision” to “refusal without referral.” When healthcare providers refused to provide an abortion, they did not always refer the abortion seeker to a willing provider or service. Second, claims of conscientious objection could change over time. Third, the relationship between religion and conscientious objection was not necessarily direct. Finally, some healthcare providers refused to provide abortion for reasons other than conscience. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated that conscientious objection provisions provided a flexible mechanism for healthcare providers to opt‐out of providing abortion care at different times, in different contexts, and for different reasons (including reasons other than conscience). Education and guidelines may improve healthcare providers' understandings and interpretations of conscientious objection provisions. Destigmatizing interventions may also reduce the number of healthcare providers who refuse to participate in abortion care for conscience‐based and non‐conscience‐based reasons
Predicting the formation of mud cracks in Li-ion battery electrodes during the drying process with in situ X-ray computed tomography
Get PDFDrying of slurry cast electrodes is amongst the most energy intensive unit operations in battery manufacture. In spite of this, the optimisation of drying processes has been highly empirical, and there remains limited understanding of the interplay between drying dynamics and resulting microstructure. In this work, we used synchrotron X-ray computed microtomography in order to study the formation of mud cracks during the drying process, and evaluate their impact on the electrode microstructure. This was achieved by applying a reduced drying rate, which proved to be an effective means of studying the drying mechanism with a greater resolution and image contrast than otherwise possible. The rate of crack growth is measured, and the differing crack morphology resultant from changes in thickness (between 300 and 800 µm doctor blade gaps) and the presence of air bubbles in the slurry is demonstrated. Digital volume correlation is utilised to identify the specific location of crack formation before these cracks were visible, suggesting image correlation methods as an appropriate tool for process feedback in order to control or eliminate mud cracking. This new approach which enables direct quantification of the evolving microstructure during dynamic drying, in 3D, is therefore transformative in our understanding of the underlying physical processes and will guide rational optimisation of this industrially significant process