Profiles of Second Language Learners in Bilingual Education: A Comparative Study of the Characteristics of Finnish and American Students

The purpose of this comparative study is to profile second language learners by exploring the factors which have an impact on their learning. The subjects come from two different countries: one group comes from Milwaukee, US, and the other from Turku, Finland. The subjects have attended bilingual classes from elementary school to senior high school in their respective countries. In the United States, the subjects (N = 57) started in one elementary school from where they moved on to two high schools in the district. The Finnish subjects (N = 39) attended the same school from elementary to high school. The longitudinal study was conducted during 1994-2004 and combines both qualitative and quantitative research methods. A Pilot Study carried out in 1990-1991 preceded the two subsequent studies that form the core material of this research. The theoretical part of the study focuses first on language policies in the United States and Finland: special emphasis is given to the history, development and current state of bilingual education, and the factors that have affected policy-making in the provision of language instruction. Current language learning theories and models form the theoretical foundation of the research, and underpin the empirical studies. Cognitively-labeled theories are at the forefront, but sociocultural theory and the ecological approach are also accounted for. The research methods consist of questionnaires, compositions and interviews. A combination of statistical methods as well as content analysis were used in the analysis. The attitude of the bilingual learners toward L1 and L2 was generally positive: the subjects enjoyed learning through two languages and were motivated to learn both. The knowledge of L1 and parental support, along with early literacy in L1, facilitated the learning of L2. This was particularly evident in the American subject group. The American subjects’ L2 learning was affected by the attitudes of the learners to the L1 culture and its speakers. Furthermore, the negative attitudes taken by L1 speakers toward L2 speakers and the lack of opportunities to engage in activities in the L1 culture affected the American subjects’ learning of L2, English. The research showed that many American L2 learners were isolated from the L1 culture and were even afraid to use English in everyday communication situations. In light of the research results, a politically neutral linguistic environment, which the Finnish subjects inhabited, was seen to be more favorable for learning. The Finnish subjects were learning L2, English, in a neutral zone where their own attitudes and motivation dictated their learning. The role of L2 as a means of international communication in Finland, as opposed to a means of exercising linguistic power, provided a neutral atmosphere for learning English. In both the American and Finnish groups, the learning of other languages was facilitated when the learner had a good foundation in their L1, and the learning of L1 and L2 were in balance. Learning was also fostered when the learners drew positive experiences from their surroundings and were provided with opportunities to engage in activities where L2 was used.

Benzodiazepines and Cognitive Functioning in Older Adults. With Emphasis on Long-Term Use and Withdrawal

Benzodiazepines (BZD) and benzodiazepine related drugs (RD) are the most commonly used psychotropics among the aged. The use of other psychotropics taken concomitantly with BZD/ RD or their cognitive effects with BZD/RD have not been studied frequently. The aim of this academic thesis was to describe and analyse relationships between the use of BZD/RD alone or concomitantly with antipsychotics, antidepressants, opioids, antiepileptics, opioids and anticholinergics in the aged and their health. Especially, the relationships between long-term use of BZD/RD and cognitive decline were studied. Additionally, the effect of melatonin on BZD/RD withdrawal and the cognitive effects of BZD/RD withdrawal were studied. This study used multiple data sets: the first study (I) was based on clinical data containing aged patients (≥65 years; N=164) admitted to Pori City Hospital due to acute disease. The second data set (Studies II and III) was based on population-based data from the Lieto Study, a clinico-epidemiological longitudinal study carried out among the aged (≥65 years) in the municipality of Lieto. Follow-up data was formed by combining the cohort data collected in 1990-1991 (N=1283) and in 1998-1999 (N=1596) from those who participated in both cohorts (N=617). The third data set (Studies IV and V) was based on the Satauni Study’s data. This study was performed in the City of Pori in 2009-2010. In the RCT part of the Satauni Study, ninety-two long-term users of BZD/RD were withdrawn from their drugs using melatonin against placebo. The change of their cognitive abilities was measured during and after BZD/ RD withdrawal. BZD/RD use was related to worse cognitive and functional abilities, and their use may predict worse cognitive outcomes compared with BZD/RD non-users. Hypnotic use of BZD/RD could be withdrawn with psychosocial support in motivated participants, but melatonin did not improve the withdrawal results compared to those with placebo. Cognitive abilities in psychomotor tests did not show, or showed only modest, improvements for up to six months after BZD/RD withdrawal. This suggests that the cognitive effects of BZD/RD may be longlasting or permanent.

Population ecology of Paepalanthus polyanthus (Bong.) Kunth: demography and life history of a sand dune monocarpic plant

Aspects of population dynamics and life history of Paepalanthus polyanthus (Bong.) Kunth, a sand dune monocarpic plant, were evaluated. A five year study was carried out on three permanent plots (5 m x 5 m) in a sand dune slack at Joaquina beach, Santa Catarina State, Brazil. From December 1986 to June 1989, the population decreased due to the death of the post reproductive plants and a low emergence of seedlings. In June 1989, a great recruitment occurred, but no plants survived. The population re-established itself by 1990-1991. The emergence and high survival of seedlings depended on periods of high pluviosity. Nevertheless, the summer flooding and episodes of drought represented key factors in mortality. The birth and mortality rates varied among the areas. It is suggested that these differences are related with depth of the ground water and with vegetation cover at each site. Paepalanthus polyanthus can reproduce in the second year of life, but few plants do this. The chances of survival and reproduction increase with the size of the basal leaf rosette. Although the production of seeds increases with size, the risk of unexpected flooding, for instance, suggest that a great delay in reproduction might not be the most favorable strategy.

Transferência de tecnologia para cultivares de soja desenvolvidas pela Embrapa Soja para o Paraná

Na safra de 1990/1991, a Embrapa Soja em parceria com a Embrapa Transferência de Tecnologia iniciou um trabalho de transferência de tecnologia para as cultivares de soja, em parceria com produtores de sementes. A metodologia consistiu no planejamento das atividades de transferência, instalação e condução de unidades de demonstração, acompanhamento a campo, realização de dias de campo e avaliação das atividades desenvolvidas, com participação dos produtores de sementes envolvidos, em todas as etapas. Esse trabalho, em conjunto com o programa de melhoramento da Embrapa Soja e em sincronia com o setor de produção de sementes resultou na participação das cultivares da Embrapa na produção de sementes do estado do Paraná em níveis superiores a 50%,, iniciando com 3% e chegando a alcançar 64% desse mercado, no período de 1990 a 2003. Os resultados observados mostram a importância de incorporar a transferência de tecnologia dentro dos projetos de pesquisa de melhoramento de plantas.

Trends in fish prey capture by common terns following zebra mussel invasion : do terns track fish species abundance? /

The Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) is a ground nesting colonial seabird. Terns rely primarily on small prey fishes which they obtain through plunge diving for their survival as well as the survival of their offspring during the breeding season. The zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) is a small bivalve mollusk that invaded North American waters in the late 1980's. Through its suspension feeding, the zebra mussel has the ability to alter the entire aquatic ecosystem, ultimately leading to a reduction in pelagic organisms including small prey fish. The objective of the study was to determine what (if any) indirect effects the invasion of the zebra mussel has had on fish prey captured by terns. The study took place in two separate two-year periods, 1990-91 and 1995-96 on a concrete breakwall off the north shore of Lake Erie near Port Colborne, Ontario. Daily nest checks revealed clutch initiation dates, egg-laying chronology, hatching success and morphological egg characteristics (length and breadth). Behavioural observations included time each sex spent in attendance with its brood, the frequency of feeding chicks and the prey species composition and size fed to chicks as well as to females (courtship feeding). Egg sizes did not differ between study periods, nor did feeding rates to chicks, suggesting that food was not a limiting resource. Terns spent less time with their broods (more time foraging) in the 1995-96 period. However, they also had significantly larger broods and fledged more offspring. The time of each individual foraging trip decreased, suggesting that fish were easier to obtain in 1995 and 1996. Lastly, kleptoparasitism rates decreased, suggesting that the costs of foraging (time, energy) actually decreased as fewer birds adopted this strategy to compensate for what I assumed to be a lack of available food (fish). The only significant difference between the periods of 1990, 1991 and 1995, 1996 was a change in diet. Terns delivered significantly fewer rainbow smelt and more emerald shiner in 1995 and 1996. However, the average size of fish delivered did not change. Thus, there was little impact on prey captured by Common Terns in Lake Erie since the invasion of the zebra mussel.

Biodegradation of phenolic compounds in different ecosystems in Cochin

The purpose of this study is to determine the ability of specifically adapted bacteria to degrade phenol and to quantify the rate of biodegradation at. Different concentrations by mixed as well as individual isolates. Regular quantitative analysis of phenolics and aerobic phenololytic heterotrophs from five different ecosystems were done during 1990-1991, and the ability of microorganisms isolated from those areas, to utilize phenol, o-cresol and orcinol was also studied. In addition, data on environmental parameters like temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, pH, organic carbon and nutrients were also collected during the period of study The present study is one of its first kind in natural aquatic environment and has aimed to bring out some idea about the potential phenol biodegrades in such environments where the phenol concentration is beyond permitted level.

Desarrollo profesional e investigación-acción en la enseñanza universitaria : un estudio de caso.

Analizar, mediante un estudio de caso, el desarrollo de un proceso de investigación-acción llevado a cabo por un grupo de profesores y profesoras de la Universidad de Oviedo bajo los planteamientos generales de la ciencia crítica de la educación, durante los dos primeros años de existencia del mismo. Un grupo de profesores de la Universidad de Oviedo durante los cursos 1990-1991 y 1991-1992, bajo los planteamientos generales de la ciencia crítica de la educación. Comienza con un estudio del marco teórico y metodológico, para pasar posteriormente al estudio de caso concreto que se apoya fundamentalmente en el análisis de los informes de investigación generados por el grupo. El estudio de caso incluye una fase de trabajo de campo y una fase de elaboración y discusión del informe de caso. Los instrumentos utilizados en el estudio han sido todos los materiales generados por el grupo a lo largo del proceso investigador, fundamentalmente informes. Análisis de dilemas de Winter. La investigación-acción reúne unas características que la hacen especialmente adecuada para la construcción de una nueva profesionalidad alternativa a la tradicional. La tarea que queda es la de seguir profundizando a través de los procesos de investigación-acción en el desarrollo teórico-práctico del trabajo de los docentes universitarios.

Imaginarios sociales de las organizaciones sobre el desarrollo humano desde la perspectiva de la complejidad

Este trabajo investigativo surge a partir de la indagación que primero se realizó con los coordinadores, gerentes y directores de 16 organizaciones empresariales de Bogotá, para determinar los imaginarios que se tienen en torno a las organizaciones y su desarrollo humano y social desde el punto de vista de la teoría de la complejidad. A partir de esta indagación en los grupos focales se plantean unos conceptos propuestos desde la experiencia y la construcción cultural que posee cada uno de los integrantes. El trabajo tiene los siguientes apartes: en la primera parte en el marco teórico se profundiza en torno a la organización desde las representaciones sociales, el papel de los imaginarios, el proceso del desarrollo humano y social, desde el marco de la complejidad y concluye con la ilustración de los resultados matriciales, que nos permiten observar cómo son percibidas las diferentes dimensiones del ser humano y su desarrollo social en las organizaciones con elementos constitutivos de la teoría de la complejidad

Programa de educación vial y autoprotección de centros escolares de Santiago de Compostela.

Resumen tomado de la publicación

Els anuncis de la televisió : identitats femenines, identitats masculines. 'Los anuncios de la televisión : identidades femeninas, identidades masculinas'.

Resumen de las autoras en catalán

Educación para el crecimiento personal o mejora de sí mismo : aplicación de un programa dirigido a personas ancianas.

Demostrar que participar en un curso educativo para el crecimiento personal o mejora de sí mismo beneficia al sujeto o grupo participante. Aplicar el programa educativo SDACC. Crear un cuestionario que mida el grado de crecimiento personal y coherencia del grupo. Grupo control: 12 sujetos. Grupo clase de l'Escola de l'Esplai de Barcelona, durante el curso 1990-1991: 12 sujetos (7 mujeres y 5 hombres). Desarrolla una historia de la vejez y las implicaciones educativas con los ancianos actuales. Analiza el estudio teórico de la vejez a lo largo del tiempo y la educación para el crecimento personal. Lleva a cabo la investigación siguiendo el programa del curso. Cuestionario ad hoc, llamado SDACC (Salud, Dinero, Amor, Comunicación y Crecimiento). Estadística: análisis de varianza, F. de Snedecor. El curso ha sido provechoso en los cuatro aspectos temáticos estudiados mediante el cuestionario: dinero, amor, comunicación y crecimiento. Después del programa impartido, el grado de madurez de los sujetos ha aumentado significativamente. El cuestionario SDACC ha sido validado aceptablemente. Aparece una mayor coherencia entre los procesos de pensamiento y los sentimientos del grupo. Los sujetos tienen un comportamiento mejor y un sentido unitario de sus vidas, moviéndose en un estado de tensión, reestructurándose y facilitando su autorrealización.

Implicit priming of picture naming : a theoretical and methodological note on the implicit priming task. 'Potenciación implícita del nombrado de imágenes : una nota teórica y metodológica sobre la tarea de pontenciación implícita'.

Resumen tomado de la revista

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Resumen en inglés