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This book is the first edited volume to compile up-to-date scholarship that discusses frontier knowledge on second language (L2) collaborative writing (CW) and highlights technology-mediated solutions to CW.

Research on second language (L2) collaborative writing (CW) has proliferated over the recent decade and will continue to bloom due to the changing landscape of writing and learning in the digital age. This article provides a research agenda on CW in L2 classrooms. We illustrate six research themes for future research inquiry by pointing out the research gap, following a brief review of theoretical frameworks and existing empirical efforts on CW. We then expound on six specific research tasks that we deem to be pressing for this domain to progress, including more attention to multimodal CW, expanded frameworks for analyzing peer interaction and writing products, deployment of underused research techniques and improved research practice, development of CW assessment practice, as well as the inquiry of practitioners’ input on CW. We hope to provide guidance for future research endeavors by identifying avenues of investigations on CW and meanwhile contribute to the trajectory of vibrant research on L2 writing and language learning.

Objective. To investigate the role and possible molecular mechanism of Krüppel-like factor 7 (KLF7) in the TLR4/NF-κB/IL-6 inflammatory signaling pathway activated by free fatty acids (FFA). Methods. The mRNA and protein expression levels of KLF7 and the factors of TLR4/NF-κB/IL-6 inflammatory signal pathways were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting after cell culture with different concentrations of palmitic acid (PA). The expression of KLF7 or TLR4 in adipocytes was upregulated or downregulated; after that, the mRNA and protein expression levels of these key factors were detected. KLF7 expression was downregulated while PA stimulated adipocytes, and then the mRNA and protein expressions of KLF7/p65 and downstream inflammatory cytokine IL-6 were detected. The luciferase reporter assay was used to determine whether KLF7 had a transcriptional activation effect on IL-6. Results. (1) High concentration of PA can promote the expression of TLR4, KLF7, and IL-6 in adipocytes. (2) TLR4 positively regulates KLF7 expression in adipocytes. (3) KLF7 positively regulates IL-6 expression in adipocytes. (4) PA promotes IL-6 expression via KLF7 in adipocytes. (5) KLF7 has a transcriptional activation on IL-6. Conclusion. PA promotes the expression of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 by activating the TLR4/KLF7/NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway. In addition, KLF7 may directly bind to the IL-6 promoter region and thus activate IL-6.

As a medicinal plant, Papaver holds significant value in the medical field. In China, the chemical synthesis of semi-derivatives such as morphine and codeine is limited, with the primary source being Papaver . Understanding the genetic map of Papaver can provide crucial insights into key traits, physiological characteristics, and medicinal properties across different varieties. This information is also valuable for forensic tracing efforts in anti-drug operations. In this study, we performed whole-genome sequencing on 220 samples from 22 species, generating approximately 5.12 TB of paired-end reads with an average coverage depth of 10.2X. After preprocessing, the sequencing data showed a 98.02% alignment rate to the reference genome. A total of 2,790,225 SNPs were identified. The dataset used in this study is the largest publicly available poppy dataset to date. These data offer valuable genetic information for genomic research on local varieties in China and serve as a critical resource for future studies on the pharmacological properties of Papaver , molecular breeding, and genomic tracing.

AbstractOur study is based on the establishment of a cohort of human obese omental adipose tissue and the culture of adipocytes in vitro. To observe the effect of high level of free fatty acid (FFA) on the expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and the anti-inflammatory factor Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) in adipocytes and evaluate the role of methyltransferases in FFA inhibiting KLF4 expression. A total of 20 normal patients and 20 obese patients were selected for further test. qRT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of DNMT1/DNMT3a/DNMT3b and KLF4 in human adipose tissue and 3T3-L1 adipocytes which stimulated with saturated fatty acid, palmitic acid (PA). Bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) detected methylation status of KLF4 gene in human adipose tissue. It was found that the mRNA and protein expression levels of DNMT1 and DNMT3a in the omental tissue of obese individuals were higher than those in normal group, but the expression of KLF4 was decreased. The positive methylation rate of KLF4 promoter region in obese individuals were significantly higher than those in normal individuals, especially at CpG_33 and CpG_34 sites. Meanwhile compared with non-methylated group at CpG_33 and CpG_34 sites of KLF4 promoter region, the DNMT3a mRNA expression in methylated group were significantly increased. A total of 200 μM PA significantly promoted DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b and inhibited KLF4 protein expression levels in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our findings suggest that under obesity status, the lower expression level of KLF4 of visceral adipose tissue may correlate with palmitic acid promoted DNMTs expression in adipocytes.

Objective. Current research has reported that obesity is a chronic inflammatory state, which is closely related with excessive accumulation of free fatty acid, while the specific mechanism that high level of FFA causes inflammation is not very clear. Thus, our research intended to observe the high FFA effects on TLR9/KLF4 expression and the downstream inflammatory factors, to explore the mechanism of inflammatory response suppressed by TLR9/KLF4. Methods. qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR9, KLF4, and key inflammation-related factors. ELISA was used to detect the release level of inflammatory cytokines. The triglyceride (TG) and glucose (GLU) testing cassettes were used to detect the TG and GLU levels in culture medium. Results. In the omental tissue of obese individuals (OB), we found that TLR9, KLF4, mRNA, and the protein expression levels were lower than those of the normal weight control (NC) group. Similarly, in the omental tissue of high-fat diet (HFD) rats, we found that the mRNA expression levels of TLR9 and KLF4 were lower than those of the normal diet control group. In mature adipocytes, we found that KLF4 played an important anti-inflammatory role; moreover, PA can promote the development of inflammation by inhibiting KLF4 expression; TLR9 has a positive regulation function on KLF4 expression, but unrelated to PA. Conclusions. TLR9/KLF4 is involved in regulating FFA-induced adipocyte inflammation.

Despite the solid evidence that online collaborative writing (CW) tasks benefit language learning, little is known about whether the computer‐mediated communication (CMC) modality may impact the potential of online CW tasks in foreign language classrooms. This study examined the effect of task modality on the utility of CW tasks in language classrooms. Fourteen Chinese as a foreign language (CFL) learners completed Google Docs‐based CW tasks in two modalities: A synchronous CMC modality entailing video‐chatting in Zoom and an asynchronous CMC modality where learners interacted in Google Docs with delayed time. Through analyzing multiple data sources (i.e., peer interaction, written products, editing logs, interviews), we found that, while CMC modality did not impact writing performance, CFL learners had more language learning opportunities and more positive learning experiences in the synchronous mode than in the asynchronous one. The findings revealed multiple challenges that require attention when implementing asynchronous CW tasks in teaching. Online collaborative writing is found to be beneficial for language learning. When implementing online collaborative writing tasks, should teachers have students work synchronously or asynchronously? How does that influence the learning opportunities and students' performance? What do students think about the different modalities? This article provides insights into these questions.

Species discrimination among three kinds of puffer fish, Takifugu obscurus, Takifugu flavidus and Takifugu rubripes, was conducted using an electronic nose combined with olfactory sensory evaluation. All data were treated by multivariate data processing based on principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant factor analysis (DFA). The results showed the discriminant model by PCA method and DFA method. Using PCA and DFA, it was shown that the electronic nose was able to reasonably distinguish between each of the eleven puffer fish groups, with a discrimination index of 85. The olfactory sensory evaluation was undertaken in accordance to Sensory analysis—Methodology—Initiation and training of assessors in the detection and recognition of odors (BS ISO 5496-2006), and the results showed that the evaluation was able to identify puffer fish samples according to their species, geographical origin and age. Results from this analysis demonstrate that the E-nose can be used to complement the discrimination of odors by sensory evaluation from the three species of puffer fish studied here.

This qualitative study, drawing on positioning analysis, examines four world language teachers' reported practices of integrating ChatGPT into their instruction. The participants were enrolled in the graduate‐level Applied Linguistics or Spanish Language Teaching program at a public university in the southcentral US. This study addresses two research questions: (1) How did world language teachers position themselves and others in relation to their integration of ChatGPT into teaching? (2) What factors mediated their ChatGPT‐supported instruction? The analyses of interview transcripts and weekly reports revealed that the world language teachers positioned themselves as active agents, assuming dynamic roles vis‐à‐vis ChatGPT (i.e., ChatGPT guide, explorer, manager, and critic), vis‐à‐vis students (i.e., facilitator, moderator, demonstrator, and emotional supporter), and vis‐à‐vis colleagues (i.e., collaborator and expert user). Also, they reported that their practices were mediated by multiple factors, namely unique affordances of ChatGPT, teaching curricula, students' situation/needs, and AI‐mediated age. Our findings underscore the need to provide comprehensive teacher training that equips world language teachers to effectively assume different roles in response to the varying needs that arise in GenAI‐mediated language classrooms.