3,452 research outputs found

    The development, validation, and in vivo testing of a high-precision bronchial epithelial lining fluid sampling device.

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    INTRODUCTION: Analysis of respiratory biomarkers or pharmaceutical drug concentrations in bronchial epithelial lining fluid (bELF) using a high-precision sampling method is crucial for effective clinical respiratory diagnostics and research. Here, we utilized a cellulose matrix as an absorptive probe for bELF sampling, subsequently testing the design of a device and sampling technique in vivo. METHODS: The absorptive matrix [WhatmanÂź qualitative filter paper (Grade CF-12)] was first tested through tissue-contact experiments on porcine airway tissue. The absorption and elution capacity of the matrix, as well as the laboratory processing and analysis method, was validated with a range of Interleukin-8 (CXCL8) and C-Reactive protein (CRP) stock solutions. Subsequently, the device's design was optimized for universal in-house production and both, safe and efficient sampling. The airway sampling method was then tested in a group of 10 patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). For each patient, a bELF sample was obtained using the newly developed bELF probe, as well as a reference 20 mL saline bronchial wash sample. Supernatants were assessed, using an immunoassay, for levels of the pro-inflammatory markers CXCL8, Myeloperoxidase (MPO), and CRP. The bELF samples were compared to bronchial wash. RESULTS: The WhatmanÂź qualitative filter paper (Grade CF-12) bELF probes adhered to porcine airway tissue, softening slightly upon wetting. The material maintained architectural integrity following the removal of the probes, leaving no residual fibers on the porcine airway mucosa. The bELF probe design was optimized for bronchoscopic delivery and in-house production. On average, a fully saturated bELF probe carried 32 ΌL of protein-rich fluid. The mean return of CXCL8 and CRP from samples collected from a serial dilution series (1, 5, 10, 20 ng/mL) was 69% (range 48%-87%). The bELF probe detected, on average, 7 (MPO), 14 (CRP), and 59 (CXCL8) times higher equivalent inflammatory protein concentrations in the collected bELF probe samples compared to the bronchial wash. CONCLUSION: The bELF probe is an effective absorptive technology for high-precision bELF sampling without dilution. With a simple in-house production procedure and bronchoscopic sampling technique, this method can be introduced in any bronchoscopic center for a consistent sampling of bELF.</p

    OVERVIEWING RESEARCH ON BELF COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES From professional practice to ELT materials

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    The present paper focuses on the use of English in BELF contexts, bearing in mind both teaching and practice in the professional field. After an overview of the state of the art in ELF and BELF research over the last twenty years, the topic is tackled from three different perspectives, which mirror the studies carried out by the unit of the University of Verona in a three-year-long nationally funded research. Firstly, we will address BELF in professional settings, to shed light on what facilitates success in online interactions, with a special focus on e-mail exchanges. Secondly, still addressing e-mail exchanges, we will suggest a broadening of the notion of BELF communication strategies that goes beyond sheer successful, mutual understanding in the professional field. Finally, bearing the first two steps of our research in mind, we will turn to the teaching environment, overviewing if and to what extent international business ELT coursebooks deal with BELF communication strategies at different levels of competence, so as to provide hints and suggestions for more effective materials in this field

    Conceptualising English as a business lingua franca

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    Though a popular and somewhat controversial topic in discussions on language in IB, the notion of English as a (business) lingua franca/(B)ELF still lacks clear conceptualisation. This paper argues that research in IB and linguistics can be mutually complementary and supportive in conceptualising BELF, and that it is important to separate the concept of BELF from that of a common corporate language. The paper synthesises key works from both disciplines to conceptualise BELF as an emergent, multilingual use of English that adapts to the demands and resources of the specific context. It further argues that Wenger's concept of Communities of Practice offers a useful bridge between the disciplines, and that there is a need for more empirical research

    You, Too, Will Speak English Soon: The Pros and Cons of English as a Business Lingua Franca

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    This paper discusses the increasing use of English as a Business Lingua Franca (BELF). In particular, this paper examines case studies from several companies located in diverse countries (Japan, Germany, and Finland), where English has been implemented as an internal lingua franca. The case studies show that most employees at these companies adjusted to BELF in a very pragmatic manner, while others considered the employment of BELF to be an intrusive course of action. This paper also investigates how BELF is viewed by native speakers of English and argues that attitudes towards foreign language learning by native speakers of English may constitute an impediment to efficient communication between speakers of different native languages and backgrounds. Finally, this papers shows that the acceptance of BELF, at least to a certain degree, is dependent on attitudes towards the global spread of English

    Extremely low-frequency spectroscopy in low-field nuclear magnetic resonance

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    We demonstrate a new phenomenon in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, in which nuclear spin transitions are induced by radio frequency irradiation at extremely low frequencies (of the order of a few Hz). Slow Rabi oscillations are observed between spin states of different exchange symmetry. These “forbidden” transitions are rendered weakly allowed by differential electronic shielding effects on the radio frequency field. We generate coherence between the singlet and triplet states of 15N-labeled nitrous oxide in solution, and estimate the scalar coupling between the two 15N nuclei with a precision of a few mHz

    Who Prevails in Special Education and Why?

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    Self-employment in the midst of unemployment : the cases of Spain and the United States

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    This article examines the relationship between unemployment and selfemployment. The empirical work is framed by a job search model with learning, where self-employment is an alternative for jobless workers. Consistent with the model's prediction, we find that for both spain and the United States, duration of unemployment significantly increases the probability of becoming self-employed. Further analysis showed that part-time work and the absence of Social Security coverage are more likely to be aseociated with self-employed workers. We also find that, in Spain, those self-employed who do not hire any persone earn eignificantly less than other comparable worker

    Building rapport in BELF communication : solidarity strategies in business emails

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    In the globalized market, business professionals use emails to communicate with customers, suppliers, and even colleagues who may be based in any part of the world, employing English as a business lingua franca (BELF). Despite the goal-oriented nature of business communication, rapport is “an essential element in the building and maintenance of strong work relations” (Pullin 2010, 456), and the achievement of business goals may be “dependent to some extent on the establishment of relations” (Pullin 2010, 458). However, nurturing interpersonal relationships may be difficult in intercultural business interactions (Spencer-Oatey and Xing 2003), especially in the case of business emailing, whose main aim is the rapid fulfillment of the task at hand. Based on a corpus of business email exchanges amongst BELF users of different L1s, this paper proposes a classification of ‘solidarity strategies’ (Köster 2006) aimed at building and nurturing rapport in email communication despite the pressure of getting the job done. It is argued that being less concerned with issues of accuracy in the target language, BELF email writers seem to pay more attention to the pragmatic needs of business communication, including that of building trust and common ground

    The Evolution of English as the Business Lingua Franca: Signs of Convergence in Chinese and Finnish Professional Communication

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    This study questions the conventional view of the indirectness of Chinese communication. Drawing on qualitative interviews with Finnish and Chinese business professionals, the authors examine the effect of cultural identity on the directness of the communication of Chinese professionals who work for internationally operating Finnish companies located in Beijing and Shanghai, China, and who use English as the shared language with their Finnish colleagues. Three components of cultural identity (i.e., vocation as an international business professional, fairly young age, and the use of English as the business lingua franca) are particularly relevant in the participants’ professional communication and stimulated its openness and directness. The study finds that the evolution of English as the business lingua franca can be detected in the signs of convergence identified in Chinese and Finnish professional communication.Peer reviewe
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