This study examined the impact of video-based synchronous computer-mediated communication (SvCMC) on engagement in collaborative pre-task planning and L2 content used in task performance. One hundred twenty-eight Hong Kong learners of English were assigned to either a face-to-face (FTF) group (n = 64) or an SvCMC group (n = 64), where they completed planning for a monologic task. Based on Philp and Duchesne’s multidimensional model, planning was analyzed for cognitive (negotiation of meaning, semantically engaged talk), social (affiliative responses) and emotional engagement (enjoyment, anxiety), and task performance was coded for L2 content. Results showed that FTF mode led to significantly lower anxiety, more semantically engaged talk, and more affiliative responses, as well as conceptually richer task performances. Use of planned content was predicted by L2 proficiency and semantically engaged talk and negatively predicted by anxiety. Our findings contribute to an understanding of engagement in SvCMC and FTF modes and their impact on L2 learning.

Maternal obesity delays mammary gland maturation, influencing milk composition and neonatal growth. This study investigated whether supplementation of obese rats with resveratrol (Res) improves mammary gland differentiation, milk composition, and offspring development. Female Wistar rats were fed either a high-fat diet, to induce maternal obesity (MO) or standard chow as control (C). One month before mating, and throughout gestation, half the rats received 20 mg/kg/day Res orally creating 2 additional experimental groups (CRes and MORes). Milk nutrients and fatty acids were analyzed at postnatal day 21 (PND21); maternal body composition, mammary gland weight, and fat pad weight were also obtained. Mammary gland morphology and indices of apoptosis were determined. Offspring metabolic parameters were studied at PND36. MO dams had increased adiposity, mammary gland weight and showed elevated glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels compared to controls. MORes reduced all these parameters except mammary gland weight. Mammary gland development was delayed, and apoptosis increased in MO vs C. Resveratrol improved mammary gland development in obese dams. Milk protein/fat ratio, milk, protein and DHA intake decreased in the MO group compared to C; whereas, fat, saturated fat, monosaturated fat and ω-6 fatty acid was increased in MO. Reveratrol treatment restored these parametes in obese dams and significantly reduced adiposity in their offspring. Triglycerides, insulin and HOMA-IR increased in MO offspring but was prevented by Res, which also increased milk intake in controls. Conclusion, preconceptional Resvertrol supplementation protects against the negative effects of maternal obesity on mammary gland differentiation, milk composition and offspring metabolism.