Augmented reality in language learning: A state-of-the-art review of 2014–2019

This systematic review study synthesizes research findings pertaining to the use of augmented reality (AR) in language learning. Published research from 2014 to 2019 has been explored and specific inclusion and exclusion criteria have been applied resulting in 54 relevant publications. Our findings determined: (a) devices and software employed for mastering AR; languages and contexts in which AR had been applied; theoretical perspectives adopted for guiding the use of AR; the number of participants in AR activities and benefits from using AR as an educational tool in the language classroom; (b) alignment of the affordances of Augmented Reality with the KSAVE (Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes, Values, Ethics) 21st-century skills framework; (c) future directions in AR research and practice. The main findings from this review demonstrate the popularity of mobile-based AR for supporting vocabulary (23.9%), reading (12.7%), speaking (9.9%) writing (8.5%) or generic language skills (9.9%). Our findings also uncovered areas that merit future attention in the application of AR in language learning – for instance learning theories were not often considered in the implementation of AR. The study concludes with suggestions for future research especially in the areas of instructional design and user experience.     

Alteration of aspartate 101 in the active site of Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase enhances the catalytic activity

The function of aspartic acid residue 101 in the active siteof Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase was investigated bysite-specific mutagenesis. A mutant version of alkaline phosphatasewas constructed with alanine in place of aspartic acid at position101. When kinetic measurements are carried out in the presenceof a phosphate acceptor, 1.0 M Tris, pH 8.0, both the k_cat andthe K_m, for the mutant enzyme increase by –2-fold, resultingin almost no change in the k_cat/K_m ratio. Under conditions ofno external phosphate acceptor and pH 8.0, both the k_cat andthe K_m for the mutant enzyme decrease by {small tilde}2-fold,again resulting in almost no change in the k_cat/K_m ratio. Thek_cat for the hydrolysis of 4-methyl-umbelliferyl phosphate andp-nitrophenyl phosphate are nearly identical for both the wild-typeand mutant enzymes, as is the K₁ for inorganic phosphate. Thereplacement of aspartic acid 101 by alanine does have a significanteffect on the activity of the enzyme as a function of pH, especiallyin the presence of a phosphate acceptor. At pH 9.4 the mutantenzyme exhibits 3-fold higher activity than the wild-type. Themutant enzyme also exhibits a substantial decrease in thermalstability: it is half inactivated by treatment at 49°C for15 min compared to 71°C for the wild-type enzyme. The datareported here suggest that this amino acid substitution altersthe rates of steps after the formation of the phospho-enzymeintermediate. Analysis of the X-ray structure of the wild-typeenzyme indicates that the increase in catalytic rate of themutant enzyme in the presence of a phosphate acceptor may bedue to an increase in accessibility of the active site nearSerl02. The increased catalytic rate of this mutant enzyme maybe utilized to improve diagnostic tests that require alkalinephosphatase, and the reduced heat stability of the mutant enzymemay make it useful in recombinant DNA techniques that requirethe ability to heat-inactivate the enzyme after use.     

La1−xSrxMyFe1−yO3−δ perovskites as oxygen-carrier materials for chemical-looping reforming

The use of perovskites with the general formula La_1−xSr_xM_yFe_1−yO₃ (M = Ni, Co, Cr, Cu) as oxygen carriers for syngas generation from methane by Chemical Looping Reforming is investigated in the present work. The experimental study concerns the oxidation of a fuel, using the oxygen from a solid oxygen carrier, instead of oxygen from air. Subsequent oxidation of the reduced solid is performed either with gaseous oxygen or with water. In the latter case additional hydrogen is produced, which is very pure and therefore appropriate to be used in fuel cell applications. The performance of the candidate materials is ranked by taking into account the hydrogen and carbon monoxide yields during the fuel oxidation step as well as the amount of oxygen per mole solid (δ) that can be delivered reversibly to the fuel. The effect of the materials composition and of NiO addition is examined. The best performance was obtained with the La_0.7Sr_0.3Cr_0.1Fe_0.9O₃ sample mixed with 5% NiO. The H₂ yield was up to 90%.     

Computer-mediated communication in computer-assisted language learning: implications for culture-centered design

This study explores the research development pertaining to computer-mediated communication (CMC) in the field of computer-assisted language learning (CALL). The basic premise of this study is that language and consequently communication are essential elements of culture; thus, deep understanding of the role of technology in facilitating communication in online environments can deepen our understanding of the notion of culture and contribute to the specification of a universal design approach in culture-centered design. The authors applied a six-stage approach for conducting a systematic review of the research development in CALL between January 2009 and September 2010. This approach resulted in the development of the CALL map which consisted of 11 themes with which CALL researchers are concerned. This study focuses on CMC, a category which maintains its popularity for more than a decade, thus sustaining itself as a major area in the field. The review brings to the forefront key themes and findings of research in these areas, as well as core concepts emerging from the literature. The study discusses empirical findings and delineates how CMC can enhance language learning, concluding with possible future directions and implications for research and practice.     

Scanned images resolution improvement using neural networks

A novel method of improving the spatial resolution of scanned images, by means of neural networks, is presented in this paper. Images of different resolution, originating from scanner, successively train a neural network, which learns to improve resolution from 25 to 50 pixels-per-inch (ppi), then from 100 to 200 ppi and finally, from 50 to 100 ppi. Thus, the network is provided with consistent knowledge regarding the point spread function (PSF) of the scanner, whilst it gains the generalization ability to reconstruct finer resolution images unfamiliar to it. The novelty of the proposed image-resolution-enhancement technique lies in the successive training of the neural structure with images of increasing resolution. Comparisons with the image scanned at 400 ppi demonstrate the superiority of our method to conventional interpolation techniques.     

Lipid quality and filleting yield of reared meagre (Argyrosomus regius)

Reared meagre (Argyrosomus regius) of average weight 1278 g was evaluated for its filleting yield and fillet lipid quality. Filleting yield averaged 42.2%, while very low levels of muscle fat deposits were measured (1.06%). Analysis of lipid classes revealed a high proportion of polar lipids (48.3–59.1%) and low levels of neutral fatty acids (40.9–51.7%) when compared to corresponding values of other farmed fish species. Phosphatidyl‐choline (PC) was the dominant polar lipid (2.92 mg g^?1 muscle), while cholesterol the most abundant neutral lipid (1.68 mg g^?1 muscle). The fatty acid composition of meagre fillet generally reflects the dietary fatty acids. Among n‐3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic (4.58%) and docohexaenoic (15.0%) were measured to be the most abundant ones, and 18:2n‐6 (11.9%) was the most common n‐6 fatty acid. The fatty acid profiles of polar and neutral fractions differ, with monounsaturated fatty acids being predominant in the neutral and n‐3 polyunsaturates in the polar lipids. The high polar lipid contents and n‐3 fatty acids and the low atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes indicate a high quality of this species’ lipids.     

SPECTACULAR IMAGES OF THE “REFUGEE CRISIS”

The current “refugee crisis” in Europe has generated an abundance of photographs, which have been circulated in print and digital media since 2015. This article focuses on two of the most reproduced of these photographs: that taken in September 2015 of Aylan Kurdi’s dead body near the Turkish coast and a photograph of refugees walking along the Croatian?Slovenian border which was used by the UK Independence Party (UKIP) during the summer of 2016 as part of their pro-Brexit campaign. The article examines the repeated visual tropes which perpetuate stereotypes of refugees as either miserable, helpless victims or threatening subjects. It further questions the ways in which the “individual” and the “collective” have been framed in these photographs, in ways which contribute to dominant and uncontested visual narratives of the “refugee crisis”. The paper contends that the passive acceptance of these reified representations of the refugee experience in these media-saturated times equates to uncritical approval of the sociopolitical conditions from which these photographs are generated. Finally, it argues that only through the rejection of such spectacular images can we hope to open up a serious, critical, public debate about the “refugee crisis”, the necessity of which is becoming increasingly urgent.