Arabic/English symbol dictionary: early challenges and technological opportunities

Over the last ten years there has been an expansion in the number of symbol sets available to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) users, their therapists, teachers and carers. They have tended to be developed in USA or Europe with English or European language word lists, although some have other language options including Arabic. The problem is that few show the traits of true localisation where solutions have to be found for “the differences between cultures and the problems that are likely to occur because of these differences” (Evers et al., 2000). Researchers have shown in relation to symbol use for communication that it is important to have: • translucency (How appropriate is a proposed symbol for a suggested meaning?) (Bloomberg et al. 1990),• guessability (Can subjects guess the intended meaning of a symbol?) (Hanson & Hartzema 1995, Dowse & Ehlers 2001,2003), and• iconicity (How distinctive are the symbols?) (Haupt & Alant 2003).Simple language translations may offer word for word matching within the lexicons, but they tend to miss the issues of local colloquial vocabulary, cultural, social and environmental differences which can all impact on the speed of communication especially when using many inappropriate icons, pictorgrams and other types of imagery to support dialogue and literacy skills

Synergistic teamwork using social media for innovative development of an Arabic symbol dictionary

The use of social media and online systems has provided for participatory research to be undertaken between researchers, therapists and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) users to ensure the development of meaningful symbols and a core vocabulary for use in an online Arabic Symbol Dictionary. Data gathering and interviews using a series of collaborative systems has enhanced the cultural understanding between therapists working with these children and adults and researchers. Bespoke systems have also promoted the building of a synergistic team able to respond speedily to users’ needs, data collation and analysis as well as collaboratively solving problems that arise. The different types of social media have impacted on the research and caused the team to reflect on the way they have affected outcomes

Reduced Expression of Gamma Interferon in Serum and Marked Lymphoid Depletion Induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis Increase Murine Morbidity and Mortality due to Cytomegalovirus Infection

Porphyromonas gingivalis, a gram-negative anaerobe, is a major etiological agent of severe forms of periodontal disease. Although periodontal disease is considered a localized disease, accumulating evidence indicates that it may lead to a predisposition to a decline in immunocompetence. Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) commonly infects all human populations without producing significant clinical symptoms. Immunocompromised patients usually develop a primary or reactivated CMV infection, which is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine whether P. gingivalis increases animal susceptibility to CMV infection. Mice were inoculated with CMV and infected locally with P. gingivalis 3 days after the virus inoculation. Mortality rates were monitored, and traces of viral DNA and bacterial infection were detected systemically by using real-time PCR. Local and systemic cytokine secretion was measured, and histological sections were used to assess the pathological state of infected organs. P. gingivalis- and CMV-coinfected mice showed dramatically higher mortality rates than mice infected with P. gingivalis or CMV only. Although the organs of coinfected mice exhibited decreased viral titers, distinct necrosis and tissue damage were more evident in the livers and spleens of these mice than in those of mice infected with CMV only. Furthermore, systemic gamma interferon levels were decreased in coinfected mice, and marked lymphoid depletion was observed in their necrotic organs. In parallel control Escherichia coli-CMV coinfection experiments, the mortality and pathological results were the same as those found in mice infected with CMV only. Our results suggest a specific influence of P. gingivalis on the mouse immune response, causing increased susceptibility to CMV infection

Upper-Basic Schoolteachers’ Beliefs about Their Students’ Awareness of Digital Citizenship

Students’ awareness of digital citizenship (DC) is a growing topic in educational technology. Teachers’ beliefs regarding this awareness are a primary factor to influence this awareness. The current research aimed to verify the level of upper-basic schoolteachers’ beliefs about their students’ awareness of DC. It also intended to verify whether this level is significantly different due to teachers’ gender, discipline, academic qualification, and experience. The present research followed random sampling and the sample for the present research consisted of 153 teachers. The teachers were upper-basic schoolteachers that teach Arabic language, mathematics, and technology. The data were collected using a DC questionnaire, while the analysis was done using statistical exams, specifically one-sample t-test, independent-sample t-test, and ANOVA. The research results indicated that the mean score of schoolteachers’ beliefs about their students’ awareness of Cyberbullying, Digital Privacy, and Digital Netiquette was significantly higher than the good DC beliefs score, while the mean score of schoolteachers’ beliefs about their students’ awareness of Digital Identity and Digital Footprint was significantly higher than the normal DC beliefs score. In addition, the results indicated no significant differences in teachers’ beliefs about the awareness of DC’s components due to gender, academic qualification, or years of experience. Moreover, there are no significant differences in teachers’ beliefs about students’ DC’s awareness due to the discipline, except for Digital Privacy

Correction to: Relationship between Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and schizophrenia in the Lebanese population: potential implication of genetic polymorphism of MMP-9

International audienceAn amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article