bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery for Mitral Valve Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Seeburger Joerg , Garbade Jens , Schon Uta , Misfeld Martin , Mohr Friedrich , Pfannmueller Bettina , Folkmann Sandra
Published: July 2017

Background The feasibility of minimally invasive mitral valve (MV) surgery in infective endocarditis (IE) has not been reported in detail. We assessed the safety, efficacy, and durability of the minimally invasive approach through a right anterolateral minithoracotomy for surgical treatment of MV IE.

Methods A review of the Leipzig Heart Center database revealed 92 eligible patients operated on between 2002 and 2013. All patients had undergone minimally invasive surgery for IE. The indication for surgery was isolated IE of the MV in all patients. Baseline and intraoperative data, as well as clinical outcomes and short-term follow-up were analyzed retrospectively.

Results The patients' mean age was 60.9 ±  15.3 years, the logistic EuroSCORE II was 19.6 ± 19.1%, and 64.1% (59) were male. MV repair was feasible in 23.9% (22/92) of patients. Repair techniques included annuloplasty ring implantation, anterior mitral leaflet resection, posterior mitral leaflet resection, and implantation of neochordae. MV replacement was performed in 69 patients (75%), a mitral annulus patch in 1 patient, and concomitant tricuspid valve surgery for tricuspid regurgitation in 5 patients. Bacteriological analysis showed staphylococcus infection in 45.5%, streptococcus in 36.4%, enterococcus in 13.6%, and others in 4.5%. The 30-day-mortality rate was 9.8% (9 patients). The 1-year follow-up showed a 1-year survival rate of 77.7 ± 4.4% and freedom from reoperation within 1 year due to reendocarditis of 93.3 ± 2.1%.

Conclusions The minimally invasive approach is suitable for the treatment of IE of the MV. It is a good technique in IE in selected patients.
Imaging in Nontraumatic Pediatric Head and Neck Emergencies
Authors: Chadha Meghna , Yang Zhiyun , Ellika Shehanaz
Published: July 2017

Pediatric patients often present to the emergency department with a wide variety of infectious, inflammatory, and neoplastic lesions of the head and neck. Evaluation of pediatric patients in the emergency setting is complicated by limited history and physical examination. Imaging plays an important role in arriving at an accurate diagnosis. The fascial spaces and compartments of the neck provide an approach to differential diagnosis, and knowledge of the typical clinical and imaging manifestations of common pediatric head and neck emergencies allows the radiologist to identify the condition and associated complications that may require emergent surgical management. Computed tomography (CT) is the first-line imaging modality in the emergency setting; however, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an important secondary role.
Long-term Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Life in Elderly Patients Treated with Interspinous Devices for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Authors: Miscusi Massimo , Forcato Stefano , Ramieri Alessandro , Polli Filippo , Raco Antonino , Trungu Sokol
Published: July 2017

Background and Objective Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common degenerative condition that occurs in the spine with increasing age. Clinically, LSS causes a progressive reduction in walking autonomy, resulting in a poor quality of life and impaired functional capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome and quality of life of elderly patients presenting with LSS and associated comorbidities after a 5-year follow-up who were treated with an interspinous process device (IPD).

Material and Methods Sixty patients > 75 years of age presenting with symptomatic degenerative LSS were included. All were treated with an IPD under local anesthesia. American Society of Anesthesiology score, Zurich Claudication Questionnaire, and Short Form 36 were evaluated pre- and postoperatively and at the follow-up visit each year for 5 years.

Results The mean surgery time while under local anesthesia was 20 minutes. Forty-eight patients were followed for 5 years. Significant clinical improvements in all outcome scores (p < 0.05) both postoperatively or at follow-up were found.

Conclusions IPD seems to be an effective and safe treatment for LSS in elderly patients with general comorbidities. In our study, all followed up patients had a meaningful improvement of their quality of life even at 5 years after surgery.
Atorvastatin-Therapie in der Praxis – LDL-Werte bei Patienten mit sehr hohem kardiovaskulären Risiko
Authors: Laufs Ulrich , Jannowitz Christina , Pittrow David
Published: July 2017

Current information on the utilisation of atorvastatin under clinical practice conditions is limited. The cross sectional study DISCOVER documented in the period from June until December 2014 dose and effects on lipids in ambulatory patients at very high cardiovascular risk, who were treated with atorvastatin monotherapy (original drug or generics). Of 2625 patients (mean age 66.1 ± 10.8 years, 62.1 % males), 47.0 % had coronary heart disease (CHD), 25.1 % type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), and 27.9 % CHD plus concomitant DM. Mean treatment duration on atorvastatin was 92.6 ± 109.6 weeks, mean atorvastatin dose at time of documentation was 27.9 ± 15.8 mg/d. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) < 70 mg/dL was achieved by 10.5 % of the total cohort (7.5 % in DM, 9.3 % in CHD, and 15.2 % in CHD+DM). In contrast, according to physicians’ subjective assessment, 62.7 % of patients reached their individual LDL-C target (with small differences between groups). In conclusion, the LDL-C target level < 70 mg/dL as recommended by current guidelines is achieved only in a minority of atorvastatin treated patients at very high cardiovascular risk.
Environmental Risk Factors for Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Development
Authors: Antonela Boljat , Ivana Gunjača , Ivan Konstantinović , Nikolina Vidan , Vesna Boraska , Marina Pehlić , Veselin Škrabić , Tatijana Zemunik
Published: July 2017

Background Although environmental factors induce development of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in genetically susceptible individuals, many of those factors have been uncovered. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze associations of T1DM with a wide range of environmental factors.

Material and Methods A case-control study was conducted on 249 diabetic and 255 healthy individuals from the Dalmatian region of South Croatia. Data regarding risk factors during pregnancy and early life period of the child were evaluated.

Results History of antihypertensive intake (p=0.04) and frequency of stressful life events during pregnancy (p=0.01) were associated with higher risk of T1DM, while hypertension was associated with lower risk of T1DM (p=0.01). Maternal age<25 years at delivery was associated with a higher risk of T1DM (p=0.01).

Diabetic patients had a positive family history of T1DM or T2DM (p=0.002) more frequently than controls, while history of infectious diseases was inversely associated with the risk of T1DM (p=0.03). A higher risk of T1DM was significantly associated with earlier introduction of cow’s milk (p=0.001), higher number of meals consumed per day (p=0.02), higher frequency of carbohydrate (p=0.001) and meat (p=0.01) consumption and stressful life events during childhood (p=0.02) while earlier introduction of fruit was associated with a lower risk of T1DM (p=0.03)

Conclusion This case-control study confirmed associations of a large number of environmental factors with development of T1DM with emphasis on the association of mother’s antihypertensive intake during pregnancy, which extends our knowledge about environmental factors related with development of T1DM.
Self-reported Hypoglycaemic Events in 2 430 Patients with Insulin-treated Diabetes in the German Sub-population of the HAT Study
Authors: Kern Werner , Holstein Andreas , Moenninghoff Christian , Kienhöfer Joachim , Riedl Matthias , Kulzer Bernhard
Published: July 2017

Data concerning true hypoglycaemic incidence in insulin-treated patients with diabetes in real-world clinical practice are lacking in Germany. The aim of this analysis was to determine the incidence of hypoglycaemia experienced by the German cohort of patients enrolled in the global Hypoglycaemia Assessment Tool (HAT) study. This was a non-interventional, 6-month retrospective and 4-week prospective study using self-assessment questionnaires and patient diaries assessing patients aged ≥18 years in Germany, with type 1 diabetes (T1D) (n=811) or type 2 diabetes (T2D) (n=1 619) treated with insulin for >12 months. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients experiencing ≥1 hypoglycaemic event during the prospective observational period (4 weeks after baseline). Predictive and continuous factors (such as age, gender, duration of insulin use and HbA1c) contributing to hypoglycaemia risk were explored.

During the prospective period, at least one hypoglycaemic event was reported by 81.3% of patients with T1D and 39.7% of patients with T2D, indicating that hypoglycaemia is a common acute complication among patients with insulin-treated diabetes. Severe hypoglycaemia was reported by 9.1% of patients with T1D and 5.4% of patients with T2D. Higher rates of any and severe hypoglycaemia were reported prospectively than retrospectively, regardless of diabetes type, indicating that patients retrospectively under-report hypoglycaemia. Prospective rates (events per patient-year) of any, nocturnal and severe hypoglycaemia were 80.3, 9.9 and 3.0 for T1D and 15.6, 2.4 and 1.1 for T2D, respectively. Given the potential for recall bias in retrospective reporting, this prospective assessment of hypoglycaemia appears more reliable than retrospective assessment.

Trial number: NCT01696266
The α–ω phase transition in shock-loaded titanium
Authors: Jones David R. , Morrow Benjamin M. , Trujillo Carl P. , Gray George T. , Cerreta Ellen K.
Published: July 2017

We present a series of experiments probing the martensitic α–ω (hexagonal close-packed to simple hexagonal) transition in titanium under shock-loading to peak stresses around 15 GPa. Gas-gun plate impact techniques were used to locate the α–ω transition stress with a laser-based velocimetry diagnostic. A change in the shock-wave profile at 10.1 GPa suggests the transition begins at this stress. A second experiment shock-loaded and then soft-recovered a similar titanium sample. This recovered material was then analyzed with electron-backscatter diffraction methods, revealing on average approximately 65% retained ω phase. Furthermore, based on careful analysis of the microstructure, we propose that the titanium never reached a full ω state, and that there was no observed phase-reversion from ω to α. Texture analysis suggests that any α titanium found in the recovered sample is the original α. At these stresses, the data show that both the α and ω phases are stable and can coexist even though the shock-wave presents as steady-state.
Vortex scaling ranges in two-dimensional turbulence
Authors: Burgess B. H. , Dritschel D. G. , Scott R. K.
Published: July 2017

We survey the role of coherent vortices in two-dimensional turbulence, including formation mechanisms, implications for classical similarity and inertial range theories, and characteristics of the vortex populations. We review early work on the spatial and temporal scaling properties of vortices in freely evolving turbulence and more recent developments, including a spatiotemporal scaling theory for vortices in the forced inverse energy cascade. We emphasize that Kraichnan-Batchelor similarity theories and vortex scaling theories are best viewed as complementary and together provide a more complete description of two-dimensional turbulence. In particular, similarity theory has a continued role in describing the weak filamentary sea between the vortices. Moreover, we locate both classical inertial and vortex scaling ranges within the broader framework of scaling in far-from-equilibrium systems, which generically exhibit multiple fixed point solutions with distinct scaling behaviour. We describe how stationary transport in a range of scales comoving with the dilatation of flow features, as measured by the growth in vortex area, constrains the vortex number density in both freely evolving and forced two-dimensional turbulence. The new theories for coherent vortices reveal previously hidden nontrivial scaling, point to new dynamical understanding, and provide a novel exciting window into two-dimensional turbulence.
Negative differential resistance in partially fluorinated graphene films
Authors: Antonova I. V. , Shojaei S. , Sattari-Esfahlan S. M. , Kurkina Irina I.
Published: July 2017

Partially fluorinated graphene films were created by chemical functionalization of graphene layers in an aqueous solution of hydrofluoric acid. The formation of graphene islands or graphene quantum dots (GQDs) and a fluorinated graphene network is demonstrated in such films. Negative differential resistance (NDR) resulting from the formation of the potential barrier system in the films was observed for different fluorination degrees of suspension. The origin of the NDR varies with an increase in the fluorination degree of the suspension. Numerical calculations were performed to elucidate the tunneling between adjacent energy levels and creation of NDR. It was found that in the case of films with smaller flake and smaller GQD sizes, multi-peak NDR appears in the I–V curve. We predict that the NDR peak position shifts towards lower voltage with a decrease in the GQD size. Surprisingly, we observed a negative step-like valley for positive biases in the I-V curve of samples. Our findings with detailed analysis shed light on understanding the mechanisms of the NDR phenomenon in a partially fluorinated graphene system.
Thermoelectric cooperative effect in three-terminal elastic transport through a quantum dot
Authors: Lu Jincheng , Wang Rongqian , Liu Yefeng , Jiang Jian-Hua
Published: July 2017

The energy efficiency and power of a quantum three-terminal thermoelectric device are studied by considering elastic tunneling through a quantum dot. Facilitated by the three-terminal geometry, the device can generate electrical powers in two channels simultaneously, even when only one heat current is exploited. The electrical power in these two channels can add up constructively or destructively, depending on their signs. The constructive cooperation leads to enhanced thermoelectric power and efficiency for various quantum-dot energies, tunneling rates, etc. Moreover, this cooperative enhancement, dubbed as the thermoelectric cooperative effect, is found to be universal in three-terminal thermoelectric energy harvest.
A finite element model for simulating second generation high temperature superconducting coils/stacks with large number of turns
Authors: Liang Fei , Venuturumilli Sriharsha , Zhang Huiming , Zhang Min , Kvitkovic Jozef , Pamidi Sastry , Wang Yawei , Yuan Weijia
Published: July 2017

An efficient two dimensional T-A formulation based approach is proposed to calculate the electromagnetic characteristics of tape stacks and coils made of second generation high temperature superconductors. In the approach, a thin strip approximation of the superconductor is used in which the superconducting layer is modeled as a 1-dimensional domain. The formulation is mainly based on the calculation of the current vector potential T in the superconductor layer and the calculation of the magnetic vector potential A in the whole space, which are coupled together in the model. Compared with previous T-based models, the proposed model is innovative in terms of magnetic vector potential A solving, which is achieved by using the differential method, instead of the integral method. To validate the T-A formulation model, it is used to simulate racetrack coils made of second generation high temperature superconducting (2G HTS) tape, and the results are compared with the experimentally obtained data on the AC loss. The results show that the T-A formulation is accurate and efficient in calculating 2G HTS coils, including magnetic field distribution, current density distribution, and AC loss. Finally, the proposed model is used for simulating a 2000 turn coil to demonstrate its effectiveness and efficiency in simulating large-scale 2G HTS coils.
The effects of the cathode array on emitted hard x-ray from a small plasma focus device
Authors: Piriaei D. , Mahabadi T. D. , Javadi S. , Ghoranneviss M.
Published: July 2017

In this study, the effects of the cathode array variations on emitted hard x-rays from a small Mather type plasma focus device (450 J) were investigated. The gradual elimination of the cathode rods inside the cathode array of the device lowered the quality and quantity of the emitted hard x-rays at different pressure values of argon gas. We theorized that the variations of the cathode array were able to change some discharge parameters that could vary the number of the energetic runaway electrons generated during the pinch phase which were responsible for the created features of the emitted hard x-rays. On the other hand, we hypothesized that the removal of the cathode rods could influence the current sheath dynamics during all the phases of a shot including its average axial velocity which was demonstrated by using two axial magnetic probes. We also theorized that cathode rod omission from the cathode array could also increase the initial inductance and the impedance of the system, and the impurities inside the plasma during the pinch phase which could lead to the growth of the instabilities. Moreover, by using the wavelet technique and studying the Mirnov signals, it was shown that the decrease of the cathode rod number increased the plasma magnetic field fluctuations or instabilities (MHD activities) that adversely affected the pinch quality, and reduced the emitted hard x-rays.
Effects of electron cyclotron current drive on magnetic islands in tokamak plasmas
Authors: Li J. C. , Xiao C. J. , Lin Z. H. , Wang K. J.
Published: July 2017

The effects of the electron cyclotron current drive on magnetic islands in tokamak plasmas are studied using gyrokinetic simulations. By investigating the effects of different characteristics of the driven current, such as current density distribution and deposition location, the factors which can determine the suppression effect on the resistive tearing modes have been explored. It is found that an electron cyclotron wave (ECW) driven current with a larger peak value and more focused deposition region has a better stabilization effect. When the ECW-driven current is closer to the rational surface, it has a better stabilizing effect. These gyrokinetic toroidal code (GTC) linear simulations in the electron fluid limit of the tearing modes in the cylindrical geometry agree well with the magnetohydrodynamic codes. Furthermore, the optimal timing control of the current deposition on resistive tearing modes is demonstrated.
A suspected case of myopathy in a free-ranging eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)
Authors: Green-Barber Jai M. , Stannard Hayley J. , Old Julie M.
Published: July 2017

Macropods are susceptible to capture myopathy. A post mortem examination, and haematological and blood chemistry analysis was conducted on a male eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) believed to have capture myopathy. Changes in blood chemistry and necrosis of muscle tissue are the most prevalent sign of myopathy in eastern grey kangaroos.
Recognition of a Flavin Analogue by Novel Bile Acid-Based Receptors: Effects of Hydrogen Bonding and Aromatic π-Stacking Interactions
Authors: Muwal Pradeep Kumar , Chhatra Rajesh Kumar , Das Shubhajit , Pandey Pramod S.
Published: July 2017

Molecular recognition properties are reported for novel bile acid-based receptors that incorporate 2,6-diaminopyridine as a recognition unit. Apart from hydrogen-bonding interactions, the bile acid receptors exhibit significant aromatic π-stacking interactions with the aromatic fused ring of the flavin derivative. These studies provide rationalisation for the differences in binding behaviour of bile acid receptors having differing aromatic arm lengths towards a flavin analogue.
Determining groundwater dependence of the Cooloola Patterned Fens in south-eastern Queensland, and threats posed by groundwater extraction
Authors: McDougall Andrew , Marshall Sharon , Espinoza Tom
Published: July 2017

Water extraction from the local aquifer and streams for water supply in the Cooloola area of south-eastern Queensland threatens the groundwater flow for an iconic groundwater-dependent ecosystem, the Cooloola Patterned Fens. Water-chemistry samples were collected from within the fens wetland, bores and local streams. The multivariate techniques of hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA) and multidimensional scaling (MDS) were used to discriminate aquifer source of water. Water chemistry of the patterned fens complex was associated with perched aquifers atop an underlying peat aquitard, whereas the water chemistry of two nearby creek systems (Searys Creek and Teewah Creek) was more closely associated with the regional aquifer. The present study highlighted the need for better understanding of the hydrogeology of coastal aquifers and the ecosystems dependent on them.
Utilisation of Medicare-funded schemes for people with cardiovascular disease
Authors: Redfern Julie , Hyun Karice , Atkins Emily , Chow Clara , Briffa Tom , Patel Bindu , Zwar Nick , Usherwood Tim , Li Qiang , Patel Anushka , Peiris David
Published: July 2017

The aim of this study is to investigate the utilisation of Medicare Benefit Scheme items for chronic disease in the management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in general practice and to compare characteristics of CVD patients with and without a General Practice Management Plan (GPMP). Subgroup analysis of Treatment of Cardiovascular Risk using Electronic Decision Support (TORPEDO) baseline data was collected in a cohort comprising 6123 patients with CVD. The mean age (s.d.) was 71 (±13) years, 55% were male, 64% had a recorded diagnosis of coronary heart disease, 31% also had a diagnosis of diabetes and the mean number of general practice (GP) visits (s.d.) was 11 (±9) in 12 months. A total of 1955/6123 (32%) received a GPMP in the 12 months before data extraction; 1% received a Mental Health Plan. Factors associated with greater likelihood of receiving a GPMP were: younger age, had a diagnosis of diabetes, BMI > 30kgm–2, prescription of blood pressure-lowering therapy and more than ten general practice visits. Enhancing utilisation of existing schemes could augment systematic follow up and support of patients with CVD.
Embryo implantation evolved from an ancestral inflammatory attachment reaction
Authors: Griffith Oliver W. , Chavan Arun R. , Protopapas Stella , Maziarz Jamie , Romero Roberto , Wagner Gunter P.
Published: July 2017

Significance

Our data suggest that implantation in eutherians is derived from an ancestral inflammatory reaction to embryo attachment in the therian ancestor. These results explain the paradoxical role of inflammation at the beginning and the end of pregnancy in humans: Inflammation is necessary for implantation and parturition, but for most of pregnancy, inflammation threatens the continuation of pregnancy. We argue that the role of inflammation during implantation is an ancestral response to the embryo as a foreign body. By changing the way investigators think about implantation, we expect this research to contribute to new ways to study and treat implantation disorders, the most vulnerable step of assisted reproductive technology, in women.
Practice as a shared accomplishment
Authors: Brümmer Kristina , Alkemeyer Thomas
Published: July 2017

Central to our paper is the sequential analysis of an episode from an acrobatics training session in which a novice learns to perform a somersault in cooperation with four other acrobats. We analyze the episode from a perspective mainly inspired by sociological practice theories. Our aim is to show how the novice is attuned to the demands of practicing the somersault in different qualification stages. We illustrate how in verbal, gestural as well as direct body-to-body interactions with the trainer and the other acrobats she is incrementally enabled to participate in and contribute to the shared bodily performance. By taking an approach of theoretical empiricism, we finally explore the ways in which our empirical findings call for a specification of practice theoretical concepts of the body by introducing the notion of a ‘lived-body-in-accomplishment’ and discuss their implications for a concept of intercorporeality.
Intercorporeality and interkinesthetic gestalts in handball
Authors: v. Wedelstaedt Ulrich , Meyer Christian
Published: July 2017

In social theory, several concepts have been suggested for the description of the resources that actors employ to produce joint actions. Taking into account the fast pace and blind understanding genuine tor sportive interaction and avoiding behaviorist or intentionalist vocabularies, the chapter draws on the concept of “kinesthetic gestalts” (Bewegungsgestalten) that has been coined by a group of psychologists in the early 1930th in Leipzig, Germany. The chapter integrates the concept of kinesthetic gestalt into the ethnomethodological study of embodied practices to describe practices employed by handball players to produce a recognizable activity – i.e., resources to generate recognizable actions and resources to recognize the actions of others as actions of a specific kind. The goal of this chapter is to systematize team sports gestalts derived from empirical analysis. To do so, the chapter analyses a range of different situations and the formation of a variety of kinesthetic gestalts as they occur in handball. At the end of the chapter, we identify the particular social preconditions that are required for a team to be able to produce effective gestalts.
Sound joined actions in rowing and swimming
Authors: Schmitz Gerd , Effenberg Alfred O.
Published: July 2017

The present chapter introduces the method of sonification as a tool for studying intercorporeality and enactment. We show that auditory movement information can support motor perception as well as the control of movements, and explain these effects by mechanisms which are consistent with the enactment approach. Providing additional auditory information about a movement enables the acting individual as well as observers to perceive the movement in exactly the same way via audition. Thus, a sonification can establish a common percept for all interaction partners, which corresponds well to the concept of intercorporeality. Furthermore, we show that sonifications can be specifically designed to constitute a variety of frameworks for the analysis of interpersonal coordination and intercorporeality.
“It’s really strange when nobody is watching”
Authors: Woermann Niklas
Published: July 2017

The artful practices of freestyle skiing present a paradox: despite the fact that freeskiing is a solo sport requiring no team interaction, freeskiers routinely refuse to practice their tricks if no other freeskiers are around to watch them. My contribution sets out to explain this riddle by showing how local congregations of skiers interactively assemble what I call a Spielraum – sites of watching and being watched within which mutual attunement and a shared teleoaffective tension enable athletes to perform dangerous and difficult tricks they would not dare or care to try on their own. Using video analysis and ethnographic data from four years of fieldwork in the German-speaking freeskiing scene, I demonstrate how spatial positioning, bodily posture, lines of sight and practices of seeing are artfully combined to unfold sites of athletic performance on inhabitable mountains. I show that the three ingredients of intercorporeality suggested by Meyer and v. Wedelstaedt are key preconditions for learning and performing freestyle skiing: mutual attention, a shared rhythm, and bodily tuning into others’ performance. Drawing on Heidegger as well as recent practice-based theories of space, I conceptualize the Spielraum of practices as the site within which enactive intercorporeality becomes possible – and which is in turn itself a product of enactive engagement.
Ways of relating
Authors: Müller Sophie Merit
Published: July 2017

Participants of ballet classes relate to each other in various ways. Four practices are scrutinized here in particular – molding, mirroring, spacing and presenting. Through these, balletic bodies are fabricated. In each of these contexts, the relevant activities are distributed across several participants, and human bodies take part as very different “participation units” such as collaborating muscles and hands or visually connected movement displays. Drawing on ethnographic data, I argue that in order to understand what goes on “between” bodies, one must explore the practice-specific and situational ways of relating and the specific according involvements of bodies as parts of material culture.
Aspects of cohesion and coherence in translation
Authors: Károly Krisztina
Published: July 2017

This book deals with the (re)production of cohesion and coherence in translation. Building on the theories and methods of Translation Studies and Discourse Analysis it answers some basic, still much debated questions related to translational discourse production. Such a question is whether it is possible to analyse the (re)production of coherence, and if yes, how? Can the models devised for the study of English original (not translated) and independent texts (unlike translations and their sources) be applied for the analysis of translation? How do cohesive, rhetorical and generic structure “behave” in translation? How do particular components of coherence relate to translation universals? The volume proposes a complex translational discourse analysis model and presents findings that bring new insights primarily for the study of news translation, translation strategies and translation universals. It is recommended for translation researchers, discourse analysts, practicing translators, as well as professionals and students involved in translator training.
Constructionism in historical writing
Authors: White Hayden
Published: July 2017

Even though it is not a science in the modernist sense of the term, history remains foundational – a necessary presupposition – of modern social sciences. History serves as a paradigm referent for contrast with both abstract natural sciences and literary or artistic fictions. Indeed, history serves as the very antonym of fiction in discussions of the nature of a fact. And yet, history considered as a domain of events that are “real” rather than “imaginary,” can be shown on analysis to be as much “constructed” as “found” in the data it considers to be evidence of the reality of its referent (the past). Construction in historiography begins with the initial description of its referent as a historical phenomenon, moves on through the establishment of the “factuality” of this phenomenon and ends in the composition of a series of historical facts as a story. Stories are not pictures of reality or even representations thereof; they are presentations in fictional modes of an unobservable past treated as reality.
The discursive construction of reality in the context of rhetoric
Authors: Pujante David
Published: July 2017

In this chapter, I reflect on the rhetorical origins of the constructivist tradition and its current revival in this latter discipline. I begin with a brief history of the evolution of rhetorical thinking from its origin in antiquity, considering its subsequent conversion into a mere treatise on stylistic resources; this understanding of rhetoric would last for centuries in the West, and would lead it to its decline, until it later recovered during the twentieth century. Its development over the last hundred years is summarised on three levels: (1) restoration of the tradition inherited (inventory of tropes and figures of speech), (2) recovery of all five rhetorical operations and their political and social reuse and (3) configuration of constructivist rhetoric. This third level is my proposal. I define our understanding of the totality of discursive-rhetorical strategies, and the construction of diverse rhetorical speeches, as the way we make conscious our cognitive experiences.
Understanding social conflict
Authors: Ramírez Muñoz Simón
Published: July 2017

Historically social conflicts, and in general human conflicts, have been considered as domains of reasoning, treating their solutions in the context of searching for the best explanations from the point of view of the supposition of an objective reality. In this manner, we human beings have failed to resolve social conflicts; at best we have changed their form. In this paper, I will deal with conflicts from an epistemological standpoint, which is grounded in an understanding of the biological-cultural matrix of the human existence.
Discourses of social movements in Southern Europe
Authors: Pujante David , Morales-López Esperanza
Published: July 2017

In this chapter, we analyse the 15M social movement, which occupied the public squares of Spain’s large cities on 15 May 2011 (hence its name of the 15M or the indignados movement). This group emerged in the wake of the anti-austerity movements in Iceland and Greece, and the Arab Spring. The main characteristic of the discourse of 15M, mainly found in its slogans, is its discursive-rhetoric creativity.

We base our analysis on the constructivist perspective, taking into account the socio-cognitive and pragmatic-rhetoric dimensions. Our main conclusion is that these slogans activated a new cognitive framework for interpreting the recent history of Spanish democracy, which was completely different from the version used by the status quo.
The typology of manner expressions
Authors: Akita Kimi
Published: July 2017

The morphosyntax of manner expressions has attracted less attention than that of path expressions in the framing typology. Drawing primarily on experimental and quantitative data in Japanese and English, we propose and examine three parameters in the complex typology of manner expressions. It is argued that coarse-grained, event-inherent manners that the speaker does not intend to stress (e.g. normal running) are more likely to be realized in tight morphosyntactic constructions headed by manner verbs than fine-grained, event-concomitant manners that the speaker intends to stress (e.g. an annoying and characteristic shout of a jogger). The proposed parameters appear to share an iconic, communicative motivation that links pragmatic prominence with morphosyntactic prominence.
Expressing and categorizing motion in French and English
Authors: Hickmann Maya , Engemann Helen , Soroli Efstathia , Hendriks Henriëtte , Vincent Coralie
Published: July 2017

Language-specific properties influence motion expression (Slobin 2004; Talmy 2000), but it is still debated whether they also influence non-verbal spatial cognition. We compare how English and French speakers perform three tasks involving motion events: non-verbal categorization based on cartoons during a dual task (articulatory suppression); verbal categorization involving target sentences; and descriptions of motion events. Descriptions show more manner expression in English and variation in both groups as a function of event properties. However, both groups frequently choose Path as categorization criterion, particularly in verbal categorization, but language effects do show that English speakers are more sensitive to event properties. Thus, typology has a strong impact on verbal cognition but also a partial influence on non-verbal cognition that must be taken into account in future research on the relation between language and thought.
The importance of minority languages in motion event typology
Authors: Ibarretxe-Antuñano Iraide , Hijazo-Gascón Alberto , Moret-Oliver María-Teresa
Published: July 2017

Romance languages have been classified as verb-framed languages in Talmy’s typology (1991, 2000). However, it has been argued that languages with the same genetic affiliation and/or within the same typological group do not necessarily show the same behavior when it comes to describe motion events, that is, there is intratypological variation (see Goschler and Stefanowitsch 2013). This paper examines how speakers of Aragonese and Catalan, two Romance minority languages of Aragón (Spain), talk about motion based on data from the frog story. We conclude that there is no intratypological variation with respect to Manner of motion. As expected in verb-framed languages, both languages hardly describe this component either in detail or frequently. However, as far as Path is concerned, Catalan and, especially, Aragonese, can be regarded as high-path salient languages. Speakers describe this component in detail by means of pleonastic locative adverbial structures, complete path constructions, and adverbial pronouns.
The early life of borrowed path verbs in English
Authors: Huber Judith
Published: July 2017

In the Middle English period, a number of pure path verbs (e.g. enter, issue, descend, ascend) were borrowed from French and Latin into English. An analysis of the Old and Middle English motion verb inventory reveals that before this, pure path verbs hardly existed; an analysis of c. 1,000 Old and Middle English motion descriptions shows that path information is typically expressed outside the verb. The borrowed path verbs are therefore a new pattern in the Middle English system of talking about motion. By comparing their use in autonomous Middle English texts and in texts translated from French or Latin, I show that in autonomous texts, they are more restricted to non-literal motion (such as ‘descend from one’s ancestors’) and to specific types of literal motion, while in the translations, they are more freely used for general literal motion.
Verb-framed, satellite-framed or in between?
Authors: Stam Gale
Published: July 2017

Crosslinguistic research on motion events shows that Spanish and English speakers have different patterns of thinking for speaking about motion in speech and gesture (Stam 2015). Spanish speakers express Path linguistically and gesturally with verbs, while English speakers express Path linguistically and gesturally with satellites. This chapter investigates whether a second language learner’s thinking for speaking patterns about motion continued to change in her L1 (Spanish) and L2 (English) over a 14-year period. The results indicate that the learner’s gestural expression of Path changed in both her L1 and L2, and her gestural expression of Manner changed in her L2. This change suggests that a pattern acquired in childhood may not be resistant to change after all (Slobin 1996).
How aging and bilingualism influence language processing
Authors: Rossi Eleonora , Diaz Michele
Published: July 2017

Healthy non-pathological aging is characterized by cognitive and neural decline, and although language is one of the more stable areas of cognition, older adults often show deficits in language production, showing word finding failures, increased slips of the tongue, and increased pauses in speech. Overall, research on language comprehension in older healthy adults show that it is more preserved than language production. Bilingualism has been shown to confer a great deal of neuroplasticity across the life span, including a number of cognitive benefits especially in executive functions such as cognitive control. Many models of bilingual language processing have been proposed to explain bilingual language processing. However, the question remains open of how such models might be modulated by age-related changes in language. Here, we discuss how current models of language processing in non-pathological aging, and models of bilingual language processing can be integrated to provide new research directions.
Length of residence
Authors: Higby Eve , Obler Loraine K.
Published: July 2017

Among papers considering L2 performance, a subset take into account the length of residence (LOR) in the country where the L2 is spoken. In about half of these, LOR makes no difference for performance of at least one variable measured. Since those who reside in an L2 environment for many years tend to be older, the beneficial effects of longer LOR may at some point be counteracted by declines due to aging. This article draws on research in cognitive aging to consider how age could impact L2 performance. This is particularly important when investigating the effects of LOR or age of L2 acquisition since LOR, age of acquisition, and age at testing are linearly dependent variables, making conclusions based on any of these variables problematic. We argue that aging is a largely ignored confound in the literature on L2 attainment, particularly for studies that include older adults in their samples.
Individual differences in cognitive control advantages of elderly late Dutch-English bilinguals
Authors: Keijzer Merel C. J. , Schmid Monika S.
Published: July 2017

This study addresses a gap in the literature on executive function advantages among bilingual speakers by investigating a group of elderly, long-term, immersed bilinguals. Our participants are native Dutch speakers who emigrated to Australia as adults and have spent many years in that country. They are compared on a range of cognitive and linguistic measures to native Dutch and native English control groups. We argue that, due to the massive differences in the bilingual experience, group analyses may fall short of capturing the full picture. We argue instead for a more qualitative approach, which takes into account as detailed a picture of bilingual development, daily language habits and, in particular, code-switching habits as possible.
Bilingualism, cognitive reserve and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Gold Brian T.
Published: July 2017

Increasing our understanding about neuroprotective lifestyle variables has become a practical imperative in our aging society. Cognitive reserve (CR) refers to the use brain resources in a way that allows for coping with neuropathology and maintaining cognitive functioning. A growing body of evidence suggests that bilingualism may represent a form of CR against Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The purpose of the present review is to summarize both behavioral and neuroimaging evidence for bilingualism as a reserve variable against AD. The potential influences of literacy, intelligence, immigration status are discussed. Evidence is reviewed suggesting that bilingualism may delay clinical AD symptoms by protecting against age-related declines in the brain’s executive control circuitry. It is suggested that such potential beneficial effects within executive control systems may enable bilinguals to circumvent the typical effects of AD pathology on symptom expression for several years.
The effect of language skills on dementia in a Swedish longitudinal cohort
Authors: Ljungberg Jessica K. , Hansson Patrik , Adolfsson Rolf , Nilsson Lars-Göran
Published: July 2017

Recent findings indicate that bilingualism delay the onset of dementia. Using data from the Betula longitudinal cohort study on memory, health and aging (www.betula.su.se) the issue of a possible protective effect of bilingualism was addressed.

Monolingual (n = 736) and bilingual (n = 82) participants (≥ 60 years) without dementia at inclusion were followed for incident dementia over a time-period up to 10 years. In total, 112 participants developed dementia. Analyses were performed with Cox proportional hazards regression adjusted for age, sex, and presence/absence of the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ɛ4 allele, with dementia outcome as the dependent variable.

Results showed no delayed onset of dementia in bilinguals compared to monolinguals. However, because of the findings from a study using participants from the same population showing beneficial longitudinal effects of bilingualism on episodic memory; we argue that our results may depend on the frequency of use of the second language after retirement.
Bilingualism, cognitive reserve, aging, and dementia
Authors: Chauvin Alexandre , Duncan Hilary D. , Phillips Natalie A.
Published: July 2017

Research investigating the contribution of bilingualism to cognitive reserve has produced mixed findings. Previous reviews and commentaries have explored potential reasons for the inconsistent findings across studies, including language status, participant characteristics, and immigration-related variables. This chapter addresses several questions that have received relatively less attention. Specifically, in this chapter we aim to clarify the relationship between brain function and structure within a reserve framework (including data from our lab examining regional cortical thickness in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease). We also review the impact of bilingualism on memory functioning, and examine theoretical and practical issues (such as trajectory of change in cognitive function) surrounding the cognitive reserve hypothesis. We end by discussing the potential for -and practicalities of- using Big Data initiatives to contribute insight into the role of bilingualism in cognitive reserve and brain function.
Term variation in specialised corpora
Authors: Daille Béatrice
Published: July 2017

This book addresses term variation which has been a very important topic in terminology, computational terminology and natural language processing for up to twenty years. This book presents the first complete inventory of term variants and the linguistic procedures that lead to their formation. It also takes into account issues raised by multilingual applications and presents ways to detect variants in five different languages: French, English, German, Spanish and Russian.
The book provides insights into the following issues: What is a variant? What are the main linguistic mechanisms involved in the transformation of base terms into variants? How can variants be automatically detected in texts? Should variation be taken into account in natural language processing applications?
This book is targeted at terminologists and linguists interested in term variation as well as researchers in natural language processing and computer science that must handle term variants in different kinds of applications.
Mitotic nuclear pore complex segregation involves Nup2 in Aspergillus nidulans
Authors: Suresh Subbulakshmi , Markossian Sarine , Osmani Aysha H. , Osmani Stephen A.
Published: July 2017

Transport through nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) during interphase is facilitated by the nucleoporin Nup2 via its importin α– and Ran-binding domains. However, Aspergillus nidulans and vertebrate Nup2 also locate to chromatin during mitosis, suggestive of mitotic functions. In this study, we report that Nup2 is required for mitotic NPC inheritance in A. nidulans. Interestingly, the role of Nup2 during mitotic NPC segregation is independent of its importin α– and Ran-binding domains but relies on a central targeting domain that is necessary for localization and viability. To test whether mitotic chromatin-associated Nup2 might function to bridge NPCs with chromatin during segregation, we provided an artificial link between NPCs and chromatin via Nup133 and histone H1. Using this approach, we bypassed the requirement of Nup2 for NPC segregation. This indicates that A. nidulans cells ensure accurate mitotic NPC segregation to daughter nuclei by linking mitotic DNA and NPC segregation via the mitotic specific chromatin association of Nup2.