Predicting CEFR Levels in L2 Oral Speech, Based on Lexical and Syntactic Complexity

Hu, Xiaolin Institute for Corpus Research 2021 Asia pacific journal of corpus research Vol.2 No.1

With the wide spread of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) scales, many studies attempt to apply them in routine teaching and rater training, while more evidence regarding criterial features at different CEFR levels are still urgently needed. The current study aims to explore complexity features that distinguish and predict CEFR proficiency levels in oral performance. Using a quantitative/corpus-based approach, this research analyzed lexical and syntactic complexity features over 80 transcriptions (includes A1, A2, B1 CEFR levels, and native speakers), based on an interview test, Standard Speaking Test (SST). ANOVA and correlation analysis were conducted to exclude insignificant complexity indices before the discriminant analysis. In the result, distinctive differences in complexity between CEFR speaking levels were observed, and with a combination of six major complexity features as predictors, 78.8% of the oral transcriptions were classified into the appropriate CEFR proficiency levels. It further confirms the possibility of predicting CEFR level of L2 learners based on their objective linguistic features. This study can be helpful as an empirical reference in language pedagogy, especially for L2 learners' self-assessment and teachers' prediction of students' proficiency levels. Also, it offers implications for the validation of the rating criteria, and improvement of rating system.

Highly efficient full solar spectrum (UV-[9TD$DIF]vis-NIR) photocatalytic performance of Ag2S quantum dot/TiO2 nanobelt heterostructures

Xiaolin Hu,Yuanyuan Li,Jian Tian,Hongru Yang,Hongzhi Cui 한국공업화학회 2017 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.45 No.-

Finding a photocatalyst that can utilize the full solar spectrum is paramount importance inphotocatalysis. Assembling TiO2 with a narrow bandgap semiconductor to form a heterostructurewhich can harvest the light from UV to near-infrared (NIR) region would be ideal for photocatalysis. Here, we report the synthesis of Ag2S quantum dots (QDs)/TiO2 nanobelt heterostructures to display theUV-visible-NIR full spectrum photocatalytic property. The enhanced photocatalytic performance isascribed to the efficient charge separation properties of the heterostructure formed by intimate contactbetween Ag2S and TiO2, and efficient visible and NIR harvesting of Ag2S QDs on the surface of TiO2nanobelts.

Expression of FKBP prolyl isomerase 5 gene in tissues of muscovy duck at different growth stages and its association with muscovy duck weight

Hu Zhigang,Ge Liyan,Zhang Huilin,Liu Xiaolin 아세아·태평양축산학회 2022 Animal Bioscience Vol.35 No.1

Objective: FKBP prolyl isomerase 5 (FKBP5) has been shown to play an important role in metabolically active tissues such as skeletal muscle. However, the expression of FKBP5 in Muscovy duck tissues and its association with body weight are still unclear. Methods: In this study, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of FKBP5 in different tissues of Muscovy duck at different growth stages. Further, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected in the exon region of FKBP5 and were combined analyzed with the body weight of 334 Muscovy ducks. Results: FKBP5 was highly expressed in various tissues of Muscovy duck at days 17, 19, 21, 24, and 27 of embryonic development. In addition, the expression of FKBP5 in the tissues of female adult Muscovy ducks was higher than that of male Muscovy ducks. Besides, an association analysis indicated that 3 SNPs were related to body weight trait. At the g.4819252 A>G, the body weight of AG genotype was significantly higher than that of the AA and the GG genotype. At the g.4821390 G>A, the genotype GA was extremely significantly related to body weight. At the g.4830622 T>G, the body weight of TT was significantly higher than GG and TG. Conclusion: These findings indicate the possible effects of expression levels in various tissues and the SNPs of FKBP5 on Muscovy duck body weight trait. FKBP5 could be used as molecular marker for muscle development trait using early marker-assisted selection of Muscovy ducks. Objective: FKBP prolyl isomerase 5 (FKBP5) has been shown to play an important role in metabolically active tissues such as skeletal muscle. However, the expression of FKBP5 in Muscovy duck tissues and its association with body weight are still unclear.Methods: In this study, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of FKBP5 in different tissues of Muscovy duck at different growth stages. Further, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected in the exon region of FKBP5 and were combined analyzed with the body weight of 334 Muscovy ducks.Results: FKBP5 was highly expressed in various tissues of Muscovy duck at days 17, 19, 21, 24, and 27 of embryonic development. In addition, the expression of FKBP5 in the tissues of female adult Muscovy ducks was higher than that of male Muscovy ducks. Besides, an association analysis indicated that 3 SNPs were related to body weight trait. At the g.4819252 A>G, the body weight of AG genotype was significantly higher than that of the AA and the GG genotype. At the g.4821390 G>A, the genotype GA was extremely significantly related to body weight. At the g.4830622 T>G, the body weight of TT was significantly higher than GG and TG.Conclusion: These findings indicate the possible effects of expression levels in various tissues and the SNPs of FKBP5 on Muscovy duck body weight trait. FKBP5 could be used as molecular marker for muscle development trait using early marker-assisted selection of Muscovy ducks.

Polyamidoxime functionalized with phosphate groups by plasma technique for effective U(VI) adsorption

Dadong Shao,Xiaolin Wang,Xuemei Ren,Sheng Hu,Jun Wen,Zhaoyi Tan,Jie Xiong,Abdullah M. Asiri,Hadi M. Marwani 한국공업화학회 2018 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.67 No.-

Finding poly(amidoxime) (PAO) based adsorbent with better performance in U(VI) extraction from seawater is a hot research topic. By employing plasma treatment, the bi-functionalized adsorbents containing amidoxime and phosphate (labelled as PO4/PAO) were successfully synthesized. The obtained PO4/PAO was characterized and applied for the potential extraction of U(VI) from aqueous solution. The results show that −PO4 enhanced the hydrophilicity of PAO. PO4/PAO possesses good selective sorption ability for U(VI) and excellent reusability. The findings is helpful to understand optimizing performance of PAO based adsorbents for uranium extraction from seawater.

Selection response and estimation of the genetic parameters for multidimensional measured breast meat yield related traits in a long-term breeding Pekin duck line

Xu, Yaxi,Hu, Jian,Zhang, Yunsheng,Guo, Zhanbao,Huang, Wei,Xie, Ming,Liu, Hehe,Lei, Chuzhao,Hou, Shuisheng,Liu, Xiaolin,Zhou, Zhengkui Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2018 Animal Bioscience Vol.31 No.10

Objective: This study was conducted to estimate the genetic parameters and breeding values of breast meat related traits of Pekin ducks. Selection response was also determined by using ultrasound breast muscle thickness (BMT) measurements in combination with bosom breadth (BB) and keel length (KL) values. Methods: The traits analyzed were breast meat weight (BMW), body weight (BW), breast meat percentage (BMP) and the three parameters of breast meat (BB, KL, and BMT). These measurements were derived from studying 15,781 Pekin ducks selected from 10 generations based on breast meat weight. Genetic parameters and breeding value were estimated for the analysis of the breeding process. Results: Estimated heritability of BMW and BMP were moderate (0.23 and 0.16, respectively), and heritability of BW was high (0.48). Other traits such as BB, KL, and BMT indicated moderate heritability ranging between 0.11 and 0.28. Significant phenotypic correlations of BMW with BW and BMP were discovered (p<0.05), and genetic correlations of BMW with BW and BMP were positive and high (0.83 and 0.66, respectively). It was noted that BMW had positive correlations with all the other traits. Generational average estimated breeding values of all traits increased substantially over the course of selection, which demonstrated that the ducks responded efficiently to increased breast meat yield after 10 generations of breeding. Conclusion: The results indicated that duck BMW had the potential to be increased through genetic selection with positive effects on BW and BMP. The ultrasound BMT, in combination with the measurement of BB and KL, is shown to be essential and effective in the process of high breast meat yield duck breeding.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Radiotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis Among Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis

Li Juejin,Zhu Chuanmei,Zhang Yun,Guan Chang,Wang Qi,Ding Yuxin,Hu Xiaolin 한국간호과학회 2023 Asian Nursing Research Vol.17 No.2

Purpose: To evaluate the incidence and identify the risk factors for radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis among patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted. Eight electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, and Chinese Scientific Journals Database) were systematically searched from inception to 4 March 2023 for relevant studies. Study selection and data extraction were conducted by two independent authors. The Newcastle‒Ottawa scale was used for quality assessment among the included studies. Data synthesis and analyses were performed in R software package version 4.1.3 and Review Manager Software 5.4. The pooled incidence was calculated using proportions with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and the risk factors were evaluated using the odds ratio (OR) with 95% CIs. Sensitivity analysis and predesigned subgroup analyses were also conducted. Results: A total of 22 studies published from 2005 to 2023 were included. The results of the metaanalysis showed that the incidence of radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis was 99.0% among nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients, and the incidence of severe radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis was 52.0%. Poor oral hygiene, overweight before radiotherapy, oral pH < 7.0, the use of oral mucosal protective agents, smoking, drinking, combined chemotherapy, and the use of antibiotics at early treatment stage are risk factors for severe radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis. Sensitivity analysis and subgroup analyses also revealed that our results are stable and reliable. Conclusions: Almost all patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma have suffered from radiotherapyinduced oral mucositis, and more than half of patients have experienced severe oral mucositis. Facilitating oral health might be the key focus of reducing the incidence and severity of radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis among nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.

Ruminal pH pattern, fermentation characteristics and related bacteria in response to dietary live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplementation in beef cattle

Zhang Xiangfei,Dong Xianwen,Wanapat Metha,Shah Ali Mujtaba,Luo Xiaolin,Peng Quanhui,Kang Kun,Hu Rui,Guan Jiuqiang,Wang Zhisheng 아세아·태평양축산학회 2022 Animal Bioscience Vol.35 No.2

Objective: In this study we aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary live yeast supplementation on ruminal pH pattern, fermentation characteristics and associated bacteria in beef cattle. Methods: This work comprised of in vitro and in vivo experiments. In vitro fermentation was conducted by incubating 0%, 0.05%, 0.075%, 0.1%, 0.125%, and 0.15% active dried yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, ADY) with total mixed ration substrate to determine its dose effect. According to in vitro results, 0.1% ADY inclusion level was assigned in in vivo study for continuously monitoring ruminal fermentation characteristics and microbes. Six ruminally cannulated steers were randomly assigned to 2 treatments (Control and ADY supplementation) as two-period crossover design (30-day). Blood samples were harvested before-feeding and rumen fluid was sampled at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 h post-feeding on 30 d. Results: After 24 h in vitro fermentation, pH and gas production were increased at 0.1% ADY where ammonia nitrogen and microbial crude protein also displayed lowest and peak values, respectively. Acetate, butyrate and total volatile fatty acids concentrations heightened with increasing ADY doses and plateaued at high levels, while acetate to propionate ratio was decreased accordingly. In in vivo study, ruminal pH was increased with ADY supplementation that also elevated acetate and propionate. Conversely, ADY reduced lactate level by dampening Streptococcus bovis and inducing greater Selenomonas ruminantium and Megasphaera elsdenii populations involved in lactate utilization. The serum urea nitrogen decreased, whereas glucose, albumin and total protein concentrations were increased with ADY supplementation. Conclusion: The results demonstrated dietary ADY improved ruminal fermentation dosedependently. The ruminal lactate reduction through modification of lactate metabolic bacteria could be an important reason for rumen pH stabilization induced by ADY. ADY supplementation offered a complementary probiotics strategy in improving gluconeogenesis and nitrogen metabolism of beef cattle, potentially resulted from optimized rumen pH and fermentation. Objective: In this study we aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary live yeast supplementation on ruminal pH pattern, fermentation characteristics and associated bacteria in beef cattle.Methods: This work comprised of in vitro and in vivo experiments. In vitro fermentation was conducted by incubating 0%, 0.05%, 0.075%, 0.1%, 0.125%, and 0.15% active dried yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, ADY) with total mixed ration substrate to determine its dose effect. According to in vitro results, 0.1% ADY inclusion level was assigned in in vivo study for continuously monitoring ruminal fermentation characteristics and microbes. Six ruminally cannulated steers were randomly assigned to 2 treatments (Control and ADY supplementation) as two-period crossover design (30-day). Blood samples were harvested before-feeding and rumen fluid was sampled at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 h post-feeding on 30 d.Results: After 24 h in vitro fermentation, pH and gas production were increased at 0.1% ADY where ammonia nitrogen and microbial crude protein also displayed lowest and peak values, respectively. Acetate, butyrate and total volatile fatty acids concentrations heightened with increasing ADY doses and plateaued at high levels, while acetate to propionate ratio was decreased accordingly. In in vivo study, ruminal pH was increased with ADY supplementation that also elevated acetate and propionate. Conversely, ADY reduced lactate level by dampening Streptococcus bovis and inducing greater Selenomonas ruminantium and Megasphaera elsdenii populations involved in lactate utilization. The serum urea nitrogen decreased, whereas glucose, albumin and total protein concentrations were increased with ADY supplementation.Conclusion: The results demonstrated dietary ADY improved ruminal fermentation dosedependently. The ruminal lactate reduction through modification of lactate metabolic bacteria could be an important reason for rumen pH stabilization induced by ADY. ADY supplementation offered a complementary probiotics strategy in improving gluconeogenesis and nitrogen metabolism of beef cattle, potentially resulted from optimized rumen pH and fermentation.