University of Hawaii at Manoa

About: University of Hawaii at Manoa is a education organization based out in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 13693 authors who have published 25161 publications receiving 1023924 citations.

Listening Comprehension: Approach, Design, Procedure

Abstract: This article outlines three dimensions in the teaching of listening comprehension. In approach, it discusses the nature of spoken discourse and offers a theory of listening comprehension that takes into account the processes that listeners make use of. In design, it analyzes learners' listening needs, proposes a taxonomy of microskills, and establishes objectives for teaching these skills. And finally, in procedure, it presents classroom activities and exercise types that can be used to attain these objectives. Not to let a word get in the way of its sentence Nor to let a sentence get in the way of its intention, But to send your mind out to meet the intention as a guest; THAT is understanding. Chinese proverb, fourth century B.C. In this article, three dimensions of conceptualization, planning, and performance involved in the teaching of listening comprehension are considered. These are referred to as approach, design, and procedure (Richards and Rodgers 1982). Initially, an outline of some of what is known about the processes involved in listening is presented. This is the level of approach, where assumptions about how listeners proceed in decoding utterances to extract meanings are spelled out. The next level, that of design, is where an operationalization is made of the component micro-skills which constitute our competence as listeners. This in turn enables objectives to be defined for the teaching of listening comprehension. At the third level, that of procedure, questions concerning exercise types and teaching techniques are examined. These three levels illustrate the domain of methodology in language teaching.

Atmospheric NLTE-models for the spectroscopic analysis of blue stars with winds. II. Line-blanketed models

Abstract: We present new or improved methods for calculating NLTE, line-blanketed model atmospheres for hot stars with winds (spectral types A to O), with particular emphasis on fast performance These methods have been implemented into a previous, more simple version of the model atmosphere code F (Santolaya-Rey et al 1997) and allow us to spec- troscopically analyze large samples of massive stars in a reasonable time-scale, using state-of-the-art physics Although this updated version of the code has already been used in a number of recent investigations, the corresponding methods have not been explained in detail so far, and no rigorous comparison with results from alternative codes has been performed This paper intends to address both topics In particular, we describe our (partly approximate) approach to solve the equations of statistical equilibrium for those elements that are primarily responsible for line-blocking and blanketing, as well as an approximate treatment of the line-blocking itself, which is based on a simple statistical approach using suitable means of line opacities and emissivities Both methods are validated by specific tests Furthermore, we comment on our implementation of a consistent temperature structure In the second part, we concentrate on a detailed comparison with results from two codes used in alternative spectroscopical investigations, namely  (Hillier & Miller 1998) and -Basic (Pauldrach et al 2001) All three codes predict almost identical temperature structures and fluxes for λ> 400 A, whereas at lower wavelengths a number of discrepancies are found Particularly in the He continua, where fluxes and corresponding numbers of ionizing photons react extremely sensitively to subtle differences in the models, we consider any uncritical use of these quantities (eg, in the context of nebula diagnostics) as unreliable Optical H/He lines as synthesized by  are compared with results from , obtaining a remarkable coincidence, except for the He singlets in the temperature range between 36 000 to 41 000 K for dwarfs and between 31 000 to 35 000 K for supergiants, where  predicts much weaker lines Consequences of these discrepancies are discussed Finally, suggestions are presented as to adequately parameterize model-grids for hot stars with winds, with only one additional parameter compared to standard grids from plane-parallel, hydrostatic models

Motion artifacts in MRI: A complex problem with many partial solutions.

Abstract: Subject motion during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been problematic since its introduction as a clinical imaging modality. While sensitivity to particle motion or blood flow can be used to provide useful image contrast, bulk motion presents a considerable problem in the majority of clinical applications. It is one of the most frequent sources of artifacts. Over 30 years of research have produced numerous methods to mitigate or correct for motion artifacts, but no single method can be applied in all imaging situations. Instead, a "toolbox" of methods exists, where each tool is suitable for some tasks, but not for others. This article reviews the origins of motion artifacts and presents current mitigation and correction methods. In some imaging situations, the currently available motion correction tools are highly effective; in other cases, appropriate tools still need to be developed. It seems likely that this multifaceted approach will be what eventually solves the motion sensitivity problem in MRI, rather than a single solution that is effective in all situations. This review places a strong emphasis on explaining the physics behind the occurrence of such artifacts, with the aim of aiding artifact detection and mitigation in particular clinical situations.

The human selenoproteome: recent insights into functions and regulation

Abstract: Selenium (Se) is a nutritional trace mineral essential for various aspects of human health that exerts its effects mainly through its incorporation into selenoproteins as the amino acid, selenocysteine. Twenty-five selenoprotein genes have been identified in humans and several selenoproteins are broadly classified as antioxidant enzymes. As progress is made on characterizing the individual members of this protein family, however, it is becoming clear that their properties and functions are quite diverse. This review summarizes recent insights into properties of individual selenoproteins such as tissue distribution, subcellular localization, and regulation of expression. Also discussed are potential roles the different selenoproteins play in human health and disease.

Selenium, Selenoproteins, and Immunity

Abstract: Selenium is an essential micronutrient that plays a crucial role in development and a wide variety of physiological processes including effect immune responses The immune system relies on adequate dietary selenium intake and this nutrient exerts its biological effects mostly through its incorporation into selenoproteins The selenoproteome contains 25 members in humans that exhibit a wide variety of functions The development of high-throughput omic approaches and novel bioinformatics tools has led to new insights regarding the effects of selenium and selenoproteins in human immuno-biology Equally important are the innovative experimental systems that have emerged to interrogate molecular mechanisms underlying those effects This review presents a summary of the current understanding of the role of selenium and selenoproteins in regulating immune cell functions and how dysregulation of these processes may lead to inflammation or immune-related diseases