Comparing receptive vocabulary knowledge and vocabulary production

Vocabulary development in a second language is a complex process that has broad implications across all domains of language learning. In order for language learners to meaningfully engage with academic content in the target language, they must have a strong command of the kind of vocabulary used in an academic setting. The Vocabulary Levels Test (Nation, 1990; Beglar & Hunt, 1999), which assesses receptive vocabulary knowledge by asking learners to match lexical items to a short definition or description, is a common vocabulary assessment in academic settings. However, according to Coxhead and Nation (2001): For learners studying English for academic purposes, academic vocabulary is a kind of high frequency vocabulary and thus any time spent learning it is time well spent. The four major strands of a language course—meaning focused input, language focused learning, meaning focuses output, and fluency development—should all be seen as opportunities for the development of academic vocabulary knowledge, and it is important that the same words occur in each of these four strands. (p. 258) Thus, in order to get a more balanced idea of learners’ actual knowledge of academic vocabulary for both passive recognition and active output, tests for measuring it in both arenas are important. Most studies of language learners’ vocabulary knowledge have focused on only the measurement of their receptive knowledge (Beglar, 2010). Some have also considered learners’ vocabulary production in a writing sample (Laufer & Nation, 1999; Zheng, 2012) and few have investigated vocabulary knowledge in the domains of listening and speaking (but see McLean, Kramer & Beglar, 2015, for a report on creating and validating a vocabulary levels listening test). For those studies that examine written vocabulary abilities, they generally focus on either passive or active measures of vocabulary. This study attempts to compare and contrast analyses of receptive and productive vocabulary size from the same group of students in order to explore how these two facets of vocabulary knowledge may manifest in different ways

Safety, Adherence and Acceptability of Intermittent Tenofovir/Emtricitabine as HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) among HIV-Uninfected Ugandan Volunteers Living in HIV-Serodiscordant Relationships: A Randomized, Clinical Trial

Background: Efficacy of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in prevention of HIV acquisition has been evaluated using a daily regimen. However, adherence to long term daily medication is rarely perfect. Intermittent regimen may be a feasible alternative. Preclinical studies have demonstrated effectiveness of intermittent PrEP in SHIV prevention among animals. However, little is known about intermittent PrEP regimens. Design: Seventy two HIV-uninfected volunteers in HIV serodiscordant couple relationships in Uganda were randomly assigned to receive daily oral Tenofovir/Emtricitabine (TDF/FTC-Truvada) or placebo, or intermittent (Monday, Friday and within 2 hours after sex, not to exceed one dose per day) oral TDF/FTC or placebo in a 2:1:2:1 ratio. Volunteers and study staff were blinded to drug assignment, but not to regimen assignment. Methods: Volunteers were followed for 4 months after randomization, with monthly clinical and laboratory safety assessments and comprehensive HIV risk reduction services. Adherence was monitored using medication event monitoring system (MEMS) and self-report. Sexual activity data were collected via daily short text message (SMS) and self-report. HIV-specific immune responses were assessed by IFN-γ ELISPOT. Results: Both daily and intermittent oral TDF/FTC regimens were well tolerated. Median MEMS adherence rates were 98% (IQR: 93-100) for daily PrEP regimen, 91% (IQR: 73-97) for fixed intermittent dosing and 45% (IQR: 20-63) for post-coital dosing. SMS response rate was 74%, but increased to 80% after excluding server outages; results may have been affected by the novelty of this measure. The majority of volunteers expressed willingness with no particular preference for either regimen. Conclusions: Both daily and intermittent oral PrEP dosing regimens were safe. Adherence was high for daily and fixed intermittent dosing; post-coital dosing was associated with poor adherence. Fixed intermittent PrEP regimens may be feasible especially if a minimum effective drug concentration correlating with HIV prevention can be achieved with this dosing. Registration Clinicaltrials.gov number NCT0093134

DELAD GLÄDJE ÄR DUBBEL GLÄDJE - en litteraturöversikt om humor i vårdrelationen mellan sjuksköterska och cancerpatient

Bakgrund: Personer med cancer genomgår ofta en traumatisk livsförändring som påverkar både det fysiologiska och emotionella måendet. Samtidigt kommer personen att vara beroende av medicinsk vård och omvårdnad under en längre period. Sjuksköterskans position i den pågående vårdrelationen blir därför viktig, och att nå fram till patienten med rätt form av kommunikation. Humor är en del av våra personligheter och att använda humor som ett kommunikationsverktyg i vårdrelationen kan snabbt både skapa och stärka de band som krävs för att patienten ska känna trygghet i sitt sjukdomstillstånd. Syfte: Att belysa upplevelser av humor i vårdrelationen mellan cancerpatienter och sjuksköterskor. Metod: En allmän litteraturöversikt bestående av 11 artiklar med kvalitativ ansats som analyserats enligt Fribergs modell. Resultat: Resultatet visar att både sjuksköterskor och patienter menar att humor låter dem bli mer personliga med varandra, vilket stärker vårdrelationen. De båda grupperna visar också att humor kan användas som en strategi, både för sig själva och för den andre i relationen. Samtidigt kan det finnas svårigheter med att använda humor och det finns en risk att använda humor vid fel tillfälle eller på fel sätt. Resultatet presenteras i tre teman; Initiativ till delaktighet; Med personen i fokus samt Svårigheter och risker. Dessa huvudteman baserades på sex subteman: Ses som en individ; Hantera situationen; Skapa och utveckla en relation; Sätt att använda humor på; Stötta och motivera samt För vårdrelationen. Slutsats: Resultatet indikerar tydligt att humor påverkar cancerpatientens välmående på flera sätt, samt att patienterna önskar att sjuksköterskan använder och svarar på humor. Humor har betydelse för en starkare vårdrelation. Med stöd i denna studie kan sjuksköterskor få insikt i att humor är ett värdefullt verktyg som bör användas i klinisk praktik

Mechanism of the Quorum-Quenching Lactonase (AiiA) from Bacillus thuringiensis. 1. Product-Bound Structures†‡

ABSTRACT: The N-acyl-L-homoserine lactone hydrolases (AHL lactonases) have attracted considerable attention because of their ability to quench AHL-mediated quorum-sensing pathways in Gram-negative bacteria and because of their relation to other enzymes in the metallo--lactamase superfamily. To elucidate the detailed catalytic mechanism of AHL lactonase, mutations are made on residues that presumably contribute to substrate binding and catalysis. Steady-state kinetic studies are carried out on both the wild-type and mutant enzymes using a spectrum of substrates. Two mutations, Y194F and D108N, present significant effects on the overall catalysis. On the basis of a high-resolution structural model of the enzyme-product complex, a hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical method is used to model the substrate binding orientation and to probe the effect of the Y194F mutation. Combining all experimental and computational results, we propose a detailed mechanism for the ring-opening hydrolysis of AHL substrates as catalyzed by the AHL lactonase from Bacillus thuringiensis. Several features of the mechanism that are also found in related enzymes are discussed and may help to define an evolutionary thread that connects the hydrolytic enzymes of this mechanistically diverse superfamily. Proteins in the metallo--lactamase superfamily span all three domains of life and are quite diverse, encompassin

Can modeling of HIV treatment processes improve outcomes? Capitalizing on an operations research approach to the global pandemic

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mathematical modeling has been applied to a range of policy-level decisions on resource allocation for HIV care and treatment. We describe the application of classic operations research (OR) techniques to address logistical and resource management challenges in HIV treatment scale-up activities in resource-limited countries.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We review and categorize several of the major logistical and operational problems encountered over the last decade in the global scale-up of HIV care and antiretroviral treatment for people with AIDS. While there are unique features of HIV care and treatment that pose significant challenges to effective modeling and service improvement, we identify several analogous OR-based solutions that have been developed in the service, industrial, and health sectors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>HIV treatment scale-up includes many processes that are amenable to mathematical and simulation modeling, including forecasting future demand for services; locating and sizing facilities for maximal efficiency; and determining optimal staffing levels at clinical centers. Optimization of clinical and logistical processes through modeling may improve outcomes, but successful OR-based interventions will require contextualization of response strategies, including appreciation of both existing health care systems and limitations in local health workforces.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The modeling techniques developed in the engineering field of operations research have wide potential application to the variety of logistical problems encountered in HIV treatment scale-up in resource-limited settings. Increasing the number of cross-disciplinary collaborations between engineering and public health will help speed the appropriate development and application of these tools.</p

Phase 1 Trials of rVSV Ebola Vaccine in Africa and Europe.

BACKGROUND: The replication-competent recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV)-based vaccine expressing a Zaire ebolavirus (ZEBOV) glycoprotein was selected for rapid safety and immunogenicity testing before its use in West Africa. METHODS: We performed three open-label, dose-escalation phase 1 trials and one randomized, double-blind, controlled phase 1 trial to assess the safety, side-effect profile, and immunogenicity of rVSV-ZEBOV at various doses in 158 healthy adults in Europe and Africa. All participants were injected with doses of vaccine ranging from 300,000 to 50 million plaque-forming units (PFU) or placebo. RESULTS: No serious vaccine-related adverse events were reported. Mild-to-moderate early-onset reactogenicity was frequent but transient (median, 1 day). Fever was observed in up to 30% of vaccinees. Vaccine viremia was detected within 3 days in 123 of the 130 participants (95%) receiving 3 million PFU or more; rVSV was not detected in saliva or urine. In the second week after injection, arthritis affecting one to four joints developed in 11 of 51 participants (22%) in Geneva, with pain lasting a median of 8 days (interquartile range, 4 to 87); 2 self-limited cases occurred in 60 participants (3%) in Hamburg, Germany, and Kilifi, Kenya. The virus was identified in one synovial-fluid aspirate and in skin vesicles of 2 other vaccinees, showing peripheral viral replication in the second week after immunization. ZEBOV-glycoprotein-specific antibody responses were detected in all the participants, with similar glycoprotein-binding antibody titers but significantly higher neutralizing antibody titers at higher doses. Glycoprotein-binding antibody titers were sustained through 180 days in all participants. CONCLUSIONS: In these studies, rVSV-ZEBOV was reactogenic but immunogenic after a single dose and warrants further evaluation for safety and efficacy. (Funded by the Wellcome Trust and others; ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT02283099, NCT02287480, and NCT02296983; Pan African Clinical Trials Registry number, PACTR201411000919191.)

Analysis of language development : Using connectors and noun phrases to implement parts of a performance analysis of second language texts

Performansanalysen är en metod att synliggöra andraspråkselevers utveckling inom språkliga strukturer och metoden lämpar sig för både skriftligt och talat språk. Det är inte alltid nödvändigt att genomföra en fullständig performansanalys utan ibland kan det räcka med att fördjupa sig inom ett eller några områden. Lix står för läsbarhetsindex och är ett instrument för att mäta en texts svårighetsgrad och graderas i fem olika nivåer. Lix mäter de ytliga strukturerna i en text till skillnad från performansanalysen som går mer på djupet. I lix har jag valt att mäta texternas läsbarhet och resultaten visar på en lite annorlunda utveckling jämfört performansanalysen vilket kan vara intressant att se. I performansanalysen har jag valt att fördjupa mig i nominalfraser och konnektorer som speglar textbindningen. Materialet är hämtat från 2 elever som har skrivit 4 texter vardera och löper under en 2-års period. Analysen börjar med att nivå-bestämma texterna utifrån de olika nivåerna i performansanalysen. Resultaten visar tydligt elevernas språkutveckling inom de områden i performansanalysen jag valt att fördjupa mig i

Analysis of language development : Using connectors and noun phrases to implement parts of a performance analysis of second language texts

Performansanalysen är en metod att synliggöra andraspråkselevers utveckling inom språkliga strukturer och metoden lämpar sig för både skriftligt och talat språk. Det är inte alltid nödvändigt att genomföra en fullständig performansanalys utan ibland kan det räcka med att fördjupa sig inom ett eller några områden. Lix står för läsbarhetsindex och är ett instrument för att mäta en texts svårighetsgrad och graderas i fem olika nivåer. Lix mäter de ytliga strukturerna i en text till skillnad från performansanalysen som går mer på djupet. I lix har jag valt att mäta texternas läsbarhet och resultaten visar på en lite annorlunda utveckling jämfört performansanalysen vilket kan vara intressant att se. I performansanalysen har jag valt att fördjupa mig i nominalfraser och konnektorer som speglar textbindningen. Materialet är hämtat från 2 elever som har skrivit 4 texter vardera och löper under en 2-års period. Analysen börjar med att nivå-bestämma texterna utifrån de olika nivåerna i performansanalysen. Resultaten visar tydligt elevernas språkutveckling inom de områden i performansanalysen jag valt att fördjupa mig i