Proposition for teaching metaphors and idioms of Modern Greek as a foreign language

The goal of this paper is to suggest potential learning material for metaphors and idioms  of Modern Greek as a foreign language based on the cognitive linguistic approach.  Teaching and learning metaphors and idioms is deemed to be quite difficult for teachers  and learners of every language and that’s why the adoption of the cognitive framework  is believed to facilitate their acquisition, since their learning according to cognitive linguistics, is not based on traditional methods such as alphabetical order or memorization  but on the discovery of deeper semantic relations on which a major part of metaphors  and metonyms of the Greek language relies on

Nonparametric Predictive Regression

A unifying framework for inference is developed in predictive regressions where the predictor has unknown integration properties and may be stationary or nonstationary. Two easily implemented nonparametric F-tests are proposed. The test statistics are related to those of Kasparis and Phillips (2012) and are obtained by kernel regression. The limit distribution of these predictive tests holds for a wide range of predictors including stationary as well as non-stationary fractional and near unit root processes. In this sense the proposed tests provide a unifying framework for predictive inference, allowing for possibly nonlinear relationships of unknown form, and offering robustness to integration order and functional form. Under the null of no predictability the limit distributions of the tests involve functionals of independent chi 2 variates. The tests are consistent and divergence rates are faster when the predictor is stationary. Asymptotic theory and simulations show that the proposed tests are more powerful than existing parametric predictability tests when deviations from unity are large or the predictive regression is nonlinear. Some empirical illustrations to monthly SP500 stock returns data are provided

Atherosclerotic plaque behind the stent changes after bare-metal and drug-eluting stent implantation in humans: Implications for late stent failure?

Background and aims The natural history and the role of atherosclerotic plaque located behind the stent (PBS) are still poorly understood. We evaluated the serial changes in PBS following bare-metal (BMS) compared to first-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation and the impact of these changes on in-stent neointimal hyperplasia (NIH). Methods Three-dimensional coronary reconstruction by angiography and intravascular ultrasound was performed after intervention and at 6–10-month follow-up in 157 patients with 188 lesions treated with BMS (n = 89) and DES (n = 99). Results There was a significant decrease in PBS area (−7.2%; p  <  0.001) and vessel area (−1.7%; p  <  0.001) after BMS and a respective increase in both areas after DES implantation (6.1%; p  <  0.001 and 4.1%; p  <  0.001, respectively). The decrease in PBS area significantly predicted neointimal area at follow-up after BMS (β: 0.15; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.10–0.20, p  <  0.001) and DES (β: 0.09; 95% CI: 0.07–0.11; p  <  0.001) implantation. The decrease in PBS area was the most powerful predictor of significant NIH after BMS implantation (odds ratio: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.02–1.26; p = 0.02). Conclusions The decrease in PBS area after stent implantation is significantly associated with the magnitude of NIH development at follow-up. This finding raises the possibility of a communication between the lesion within the stent and the underlying native atherosclerotic plaque, and may have important implications regarding the pathobiology of in-stent restenosis and late/very late stent thrombosis

Arterial Remodeling and Endothelial Shear Stress Exhibit Significant Longitudinal Heterogeneity Along the Length of Coronary Plaques

Atherosclerosis is determined by both systemic risk factors and local vascular mechanisms. The arterial remodeling in response to plaque development plays a key role in atherosclerosis. Compensatory expansive remodeling is an adaptive mechanism that maintains lumen patency as a plaque develops. In contrast, excessive expansive remodeling, signifying an enlargement in vascular and lumen volume as a result of local plaque buildup, is a consistent attribute of high-risk plaques. Local hemodynamic factors, in particular low endothelial shear stress (ESS), is an intensely proinflammatory and proatherogenic stimulus and largely accounts for the spatially diverse distribution of atherosclerotic plaques. However, plaque, remodeling and ESS have hitherto been investigated only in the cross-sectional arterial axis and their distribution in the longitudinal axis of individual plaques has not been characterized

Effects of Low Endothelial Shear Stress After Stent Implantation on Subsequent Neointimal Hyperplasia and Clinical Outcomes in Humans

Background: In‐stent hyperplasia (ISH) may develop in regions of low endothelial shear stress (ESS), but the relationship between the magnitude of low ESS, the extent of ISH, and subsequent clinical events has not been investigated. Methods and Results: We assessed the association of poststent ESS with neointimal ISH and clinical outcomes in patients treated with percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Three‐dimensional coronary reconstruction was performed in 374 post‐PCI patients at baseline and 6 to 10 months follow‐up as part of the PREDICTION Study. Each vessel was divided into 1.5‐mm‐long segments, and we calculated the local ESS within each stented segment at baseline. At follow‐up, we assessed ISH and the occurrence of a clinically indicated repeat PCI for in‐stent restenosis. In 246 total stents (54 overlapping), 100 (40.7%) were bare‐metal stents (BMS), 104 (42.3%) sirolimus‐eluting stents, and 42 (17.1%) paclitaxel‐eluting stents. In BMS, low ESS post‐PCI at baseline was independently associated with ISH (β=1.47 mm2 per 1‐Pa decrease; 95% CI, 0.38–2.56; P<0.01). ISH was minimal in drug‐eluting stents. During follow‐up, repeat PCI in BMS was performed in 21 stents (8.5%). There was no significant association between post‐PCI ESS and in‐stent restenosis requiring PCI. Conclusions: Low ESS after BMS implantation is associated with subsequent ISH. ISH is strongly inhibited by drug‐eluting stents. Post‐PCI ESS is not associated with in‐stent restenosis requiring repeat PCI. ESS is an important determinant of ISH in BMS, but ISH of large magnitude to require PCI for in‐stent restenosis is likely attributed to factors other than ESS within the stent

New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records (November 2018)

In the present article, new records are given for 18 species (6 native, 9 alien and 3 cryptogenic), belonging to 5 Phyla (i.e. Chlorophyta, Cnidaria, Annelida, Mollusca and Chordata), from 8 Mediterranean countries: Spain: A large population of Polycerella emertoni reported from the Ebro Delta, the presence of pinimuricea klavereni is confirmed for the first time in the Catalan coast; Italy: the new record of Cryptonome turcica extends its distribution to the western Mediterranean Sea, the findings of Mawia benovici constitute the southernmost record of this species in the Adriatic Sea; Slovenia: second record of the alien seaslug Cuthona perca in the Mediterranean Sea; Montenegro: Styela plicata communities were recorded in Boka Kotorska Bay; Albania: the native great torpedo ray Tetronarce nobiliana recorded for the first time in Albanian waters; Greece: first record of Lagocephalus sceleratus in the Greek side of the Adriatic, the records of Cassiopea andromeda and Pterois miles are first records of these species from the Ionian Sea, the colonial ascidians Aplidium coeruleum and Didemnum protectum are recorded for the first time in the Eastern Mediterranean, an extremely abundant population of Melibe viridis is found in Messolonghi lagoon, the record of Synchiropus sechellensis is the range expansion of this species in Greek Seas, Acetabularia caliculus is recorded for the first time from Greece; Cyprus: first records of Callionymus filamentosus and Haminoea cyanomarginata from the island; Turkey: the presence of Berthellina citrina in the Mediterranean is confirmed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Outcomes of obstructed abdominal wall hernia: results from the UK national small bowel obstruction audit

Background: Abdominal wall hernia is a common surgical condition. Patients may present in an emergency with bowel obstruction, incarceration or strangulation. Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a serious surgical condition associated with significant morbidity. The aim of this study was to describe current management and outcomes of patients with obstructed hernia in the UK as identified in the National Audit of Small Bowel Obstruction (NASBO). Methods: NASBO collated data on adults treated for SBO at 131 UK hospitals between January and March 2017. Those with obstruction due to abdominal wall hernia were included in this study. Demographics, co-morbidity, imaging, operative treatment, and in-hospital outcomes were recorded. Modelling for factors associated with mortality and complications was undertaken using Cox proportional hazards and multivariable regression modelling. Results: NASBO included 2341 patients, of whom 415 (17·7 per cent) had SBO due to hernia. Surgery was performed in 312 (75·2 per cent) of the 415 patients; small bowel resection was required in 198 (63·5 per cent) of these operations. Non-operative management was reported in 35 (54 per cent) of 65 patients with a parastomal hernia and in 34 (32·1 per cent) of 106 patients with an incisional hernia. The in-hospital mortality rate was 9·4 per cent (39 of 415), and was highest in patients with a groin hernia (11·1 per cent, 17 of 153). Complications were common, including lower respiratory tract infection in 16·3 per cent of patients with a groin hernia. Increased age was associated with an increased risk of death (hazard ratio 1·05, 95 per cent c.i. 1·01 to 1·10; P = 0·009) and complications (odds ratio 1·05, 95 per cent c.i. 1·02 to 1·09; P = 0·001). Conclusion: NASBO has highlighted poor outcomes for patients with SBO due to hernia, highlighting the need for quality improvement initiatives in this group

National prospective cohort study of the burden of acute small bowel obstruction

Background Small bowel obstruction is a common surgical emergency, and is associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality across the world. The literature provides little information on the conservatively managed group. The aim of this study was to describe the burden of small bowel obstruction in the UK. Methods This prospective cohort study was conducted in 131 acute hospitals in the UK between January and April 2017, delivered by trainee research collaboratives. Adult patients with a diagnosis of mechanical small bowel obstruction were included. The primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included complications, unplanned intensive care admission and readmission within 30 days of discharge. Practice measures, including use of radiological investigations, water soluble contrast, operative and nutritional interventions, were collected. Results Of 2341 patients identified, 693 (29·6 per cent) underwent immediate surgery (within 24 h of admission), 500 (21·4 per cent) had delayed surgery after initial conservative management, and 1148 (49·0 per cent) were managed non‐operatively. The mortality rate was 6·6 per cent (6·4 per cent for non‐operative management, 6·8 per cent for immediate surgery, 6·8 per cent for delayed surgery; P = 0·911). The major complication rate was 14·4 per cent overall, affecting 19·0 per cent in the immediate surgery, 23·6 per cent in the delayed surgery and 7·7 per cent in the non‐operative management groups (P < 0·001). Cox regression found hernia or malignant aetiology and malnutrition to be associated with higher rates of death. Malignant aetiology, operative intervention, acute kidney injury and malnutrition were associated with increased risk of major complication. Conclusion Small bowel obstruction represents a significant healthcare burden. Patient‐level factors such as timing of surgery, acute kidney injury and nutritional status are factors that might be modified to improve outcomes