Linguistic Realization Patterns of Refusals by EFL University Students

Refusals in English are complex speech acts that balance social norms, politeness, and the specific communicative context in which they occur. Labelled as illocutionary (Austin, 1962), directive or commissive (Searle, 1969) and face-threatening (Brown & Levinson, 1987); these are frequently used speech acts where a speaker rejects or declines an offer, request, invitation, or suggestion. The present paper investigates the language forms of refusals produced by two groups of EFL students: native Turkish and native Macedonian speakers. The analysed data was gathered through an online discourse completion task that includes multiple situations with various contexts and different social relations between the interlocutors. The participants of the study are specifically first year university students, who are learning English as a foreign language. The responses are analysed following the framework of Beebe et al. (1990), who classified refusal strategies in accordance to the degree of politeness and face-threatening nature of the response. The main aim of the paper is to explore the pragmatic strategies used to convey refusals and to examine the role of social variables in shaping refusals. The initial findings show that there are slight changes into the refusal forms and the strategies applied due to the change of social factors. However, it was concluded that both sample groups share the preference for indirect refusals, specifically in the form of an explanation. The research highlights the complexity of refusals as communicative acts and offers insight into the interrelations among language, social norms and culture Keywords: refusals, speech acts, EFL References Austin, J. L. (1962). How to Do Things with Words. Harvard University Pre

Младите со голем интерес за едукација за финансиската писменост

Финансиска писменост, всушност означува способност ефикасно да се менаџира со парите, да се предвидат ризиците и да се донесат разумни одлуки. Во модерното денешно општество, добата на дигитализација и новите работни позиции кои се нудат на пазарот, спротивни на традиционалната работа, финансиската писменост кај младите, како и поимот за финансии зазема нов размер. Младите се со сѐ поголем интерес за едукација за финансиската писменост, а истата ја остваруваат преку формално образование, но и преку неформалното. Финансиските работилници, онлајн курсеви, вебинари, подкасти, се некои од начините на неформално образование кои се достапни за младите

Memory as an Essential Element in Irish Culture within Brian Friel’s Play Dancing at Lughnasa

Culture is something that cannot simply be observed. It is something that consists of many levels. If you visit a community for a short time, you only see the surface i.e. the social etiquette but its deepest layers are not visible to the eye. In order to understand culture, one needs to realize that cultures have different conducts, values, beliefs specific of that particular community. It is an idea that traditional barriers among people of different cultures will break down the traditional barriers among people. This paper is about memory as an essential element in Irish culture through the play “Dancing at Lugnasa”. What actually makes this play unique and worth reading is that you learn a lot about the Irish culture and what matters is that culture identifies the different customs, traditions, dances and the destructive entanglement of myth in this case, through the Irish women's lives. Key words: memory, culture, play, childhood, women, Irish culture

Dysplastic changes of papilloma of the mucous gingiva in maxilla: a case report

A papilloma is defined as a solid benign tumor of the epithelium with a clear-cut border that projects above the surrounding tissue. Papilloma appear in stratified squamous epithelium in oral cavity. Clinical appearance of most benign lesion usually is presented as non-ulcerated mass on the gum. Most frequently is seen in third to fifth decades with predilection in female. Approximately 50% is associated with HPV virus and remaining cases may represent persistence of papillary epithelial architecture following viral clearance or nonspecific epithelial alteration. HPV most commonly affects the oral cavity with a predilection for the tongue, hard and soft palate, gingiva, buccal mucosa, and uvula. Oral squamous papilloma though benign in nature, has a higher neoplastic potential compared to another papilloma. We present a case report of papilloma of gingival mucosa in maxillary edentulous region in a 54 years old female patient with mild and hard dysplastic changes. Treatment is excisional biopsy and it is still considered a gold standard for gingival lesion diagnosis because there are varieties of manifestations on the gingiva which cannot be diagnosed on clinical features. Conclusion Early detection of benign, premalignant and malignant lesions of gingiva can tremendously reduce the morbidity and mortality for the patient. Keywords: papilloma, gingiva, maxilla, biopsy, dysplastic change

Multidisciplinary approach to smile reconstruction: addressing aesthetic and functional needs

Objective: This case report illustrates a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to smile reconstruction in a young adult female patient. It showcases how a combination of conservative treatments, guided surgery, implants, and prosthetics can address both aesthetic concerns and functional needs. Case Report: A 24-year-old female patient presented with a pronounced gummy smile, damaged teeth, and a loss of vertical dimension, all of which were impacting both her aesthetic appearance and functional oral health. The treatment plan was executed in phases, beginning with conservative treatments. The first phase included dental fillings and endodontic therapy. To ensure structural stability and durability, post-endodontic builds were completed using fiber posts, which provided reinforcement and ensured long-term tooth stability. The second phase involved a guided surgical procedure to correct her gummy smile, while in the third phase, three dental implants were placed in the posterior regions to restore lost vertical dimension and provide functional support. These implants played a crucial role in re establishing the proper bite and improving the patient’s ability to chew. The final phase involved the placement of cut-back zirconia crowns, which offered both a natural aesthetic appearance and the durability needed for long-term function. Conclusion: This case highlights the significance of a multidisciplinary approach to smile reconstruction, particularly in younger patients facing complex aesthetic and functional issues. The approach demonstrates the potential for successful, long-lasting outcomes in complex dental reconstructions, offering a high standard of care to patients seeking comprehensive smile rehabilitation. Keywords: multidisciplinary approach, smile reconstruction, functional rehabilitatio

Case report of a patient with a neoplastic brain tumor

Neoplastic brain tumors are serious conditions that can cause a variety of neurological deficits and diseases. They arise from abnormalities in the genetic structure of cells, which leads to uncontrolled growth and tumor formation. The diagnosis involves a clinical and examination, like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT). The treatment can vary depending on the type of tumor, location, and the stage of the disease. It usually involves a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy, and in some cases, experimental therapies. This case report of a patient with a neoplastic brain tumor underscores the intricate challenges and intensive medical care involved in managing such conditions. From initial diagnosis through surgical intervention and post-operative care, the patient's journey highlights the complexity of modern medical treatment. Despite meticulous surgical and post-operative management, including intensive care and tailored therapeutic adjustments, the patient faced complications such as pleural effusion, necessitating escalated antibiotic therapy. Continuous monitoring and diagnostic tools played crucial roles in guiding treatment decisions and monitoring the patient's progress. Ultimately, despite exhaustive medical efforts, the patient's condition deteriorated, leading to a fatal outcome on the 17th day. This outcome serves as a poignant reminder of the uncertainties inherent in treating severe neoplastic diseases and underscores the ongoing need for enhanced therapeutic strategies and supportive care. In summary, this case emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive and dynamic approach to managing complex medical cases. It highlights the dedication of the medical team and the challenges involved for the whole process

Benefit of ARNi in patient with HFrEF and COPD– case report

Introduction: Angiotensin Receptor – Neprilysin inhibitor (ARNi) is a drug specifically designed to treat heart failure and it consists of two components: an angiotensin receptor blocker (Valsartan) and a neprilysin inhibitor (Sacubitril). ARNi is currently used for the treatment of patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Case: Our case is of a 61y.o. man, who came to our clinic for yearly follow up. He had previously been treated for coronary artery disease, had coronary angiography with subsequent percutaneous coronary intervention. The patient also has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and diabetes mellitus type 2 and receives treatment for them. On his yearly follow up he had clinical symptoms of heart failure, that was confirmed with echocardiography (ejection fraction of 38%) and was immediately treated with medication for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction according the latest guidelines (including ARNi and sodium-glucose co-transporter SGLT-2) Follow up: 4 months after the initial treatment for heart failure, patient had improved ejection fraction (50%) with no persistent clinical symptoms of heart failure. Conclusion: The use of ARNi in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, along with the other medications as per treatment guidelines, improves the ejection fraction and relives symptoms of heart failure. keywords: Angiotensin receptor – Neprilysin inhibitor, Heart failure, ejection fractio

Formulation and characterization of propranolol hydrogel with sodium alginate for the treatment of infantile hemangioma

This study focuses on the development and characterization of a sodium alginate hydrogel as a topical formulation for release of propranolol hydrochloride (PPL HCl). Our research indicates that local or transdermal drug administration is a viable alternative to oral administration, especially for drugs like oral propranolol, which undergoes first-pass metabolism. The primary objective of this study was to formulate a product for the local delivery of propranolol hydrochloride for the treatment of infantile hemangioma, exhibiting favorable physicochemical properties. It was conducted in two phases: preformulation and formulation. In the preformulation phase, initial gel formulations were developed with different concentrations of propranolol hydrochloride (1%; 1.5%; 2%; 3%) gelled at various temperatures and stirring rates. The results demonstrated that high preparation temperatures disrupted the gel structure, whereas gradual and controlled gelation led to mechanically more stable gels. The inclusion of CaCl₂ in the matrix improved the mechanical properties and consistency of the hydrogels. Gel structure degradation (syneresis) was observed after the addition of propranolol hydrochloride, necessitating the use of a buffer in further formulation development. Buffer systems (NaOH and NaHCO₃) regulated the pH value of the medium, leading to improved mechanical properties of the gel structure while also exhibiting surfactant-like effects. They did not interact with the active substance and contributed to nearly identical physicochemical characteristics in the formulation analyses. In the formulation phase, two optimized formulations were developed with 2% sodium alginate and 1% propranolol hydrochloride, where the pH value was adjusted to physiological values (6.98 and 7.04) by adding NaOH and NaHCO₃. The analyses demonstrated pH stability over 14 days, good spreadability, maintained texture, and аппроприате microbiological purity. Spectrophotometric analysis confirmed the presence and stability of propranolol hydrochloride within the hydrogel matrix. Due to the observed higher absorption in the gel where NaOH was used as a buffer (pH 7.04) compared to the other with NaHCO₃ (pH 6.98), we concluded that this formulation potentially exhibits better stability or a different interaction of propranolol with the gel matrix depending on the pH value of the system

Analysis of the movement of fluctuations and trends of the Gross Domestic Product in the Republic of North Macedonia and forecasts

In this paper, an analysis will be made of the movement of fluctuations and trends in the gross domestic product, in the period from 2000 to 2024 by quarter with current prices expressed in millions of denars in North Macedonia, using time series. The analysis will be done using the Python program. In the end, with the help of the previously prepared program and model, a prediction is made for the movement of trends and fluctuations in GDP in the period from 2024 to 2028

Дипломатија и меѓународно право - Толковник во македонски контекст

Ова дело е резултат на нашата долгогодишна работа и посветеност на полето на дипломатијата, надворешната политика и меѓународното право. Нашата цел беше да создадеме практичен водич кој ќе биде од помош за студентите,професионалците и за сите заинтересирани за македонската политичка сцена и нејзините меѓународни односи. Во овој толковник се објаснетиосновните поими во дипломатијата и надворешната политика, како и значајни политички поими кои се неразделен дел од македонскиот контекст. Знаејќи дека ова издание е наменето да биде компактно и лесно за користење, секој поим е објаснет кратко и јасно, со фокус на неговото значење и примена. Објаснети се и специфични поими како Пржинска влада, Охридски рамковен договор, Бадинтеров принцип, Договор од Преспа, Договор со Бугарија, Мајски договор, Тиранска платформа и сл. Вклучувањето на овие поими има за цел да понуди подобро разбирање на нашата уникатна политичка и правна реалност