The bilingual mind...simultaneous and sequential processing and spelling ability in monolingual English and bilingual Afrikaans-English children

Student Number : 0006815V - MA research report - School of Human and Community Development - Faculty of HumanitiesIn South Africa, the majority of children are bilingual and little research exists on the cognitive processes bilingual children use to spell. This has far-reaching and challenging implications for cognitive models of spelling. Specifically, bilingualism exhibits a pervasive influence on children’s literacy development (Bialystok, 2002). The majority of research on children’s spelling has been conducted internationally with monolingual English children. From international literature, cognitive processing (simultaneous processing and sequential processing) has been identified as an important area for consideration in the spelling acquisition process of English children (Kaufman & Kaufman, 1983b). Simultaneous processing is important for whole word spelling, whilst sequential processing is important for decoding letter sound correspondences. Cross-linguistic research demonstrates a bias towards one or the other spelling strategy may be tied to the depth of a language’s orthography, possibly due to the different demands the language orthography places on how children learn to spell (Frost et al., 1987; Wimmer & Hummer, 1990, 1994; Goswami et al., 1998). The present study examined the relationship between simultaneous and sequential processing and spelling in Grade 3 monolingual English-speaking children and bilingual Afrikaans-English speaking children at one point in time. Thirty bilingual Afrikaans-English children (Afrikaans first language, English second language) and were learning to spell in Afrikaans and in English simultaneously, and thirty monolingual (English first language) learning to spell in English. Simultaneous and sequential processing subtests of the Kaufman Assessment Battery (K-ABC) were administered to the monolingual and to the bilingual children. Monolingual Englishspeaking children received the English word and non-word spelling tests, while the bilingual Afrikaans-English children were asked to spell English and Afrikaans words and non-words (Klein, 1993). The results suggest that lexical (logographic or simultaneous) and non-lexical (alphabetic or sequential) routes are available in English and Afrikaans, but orthography did exert an influence on cognitive processing strategies. Sequential processing demonstrates a higher relationship than simultaneous processing with spelling in English and Afrikaans, although sequential processing contributes more to spelling in a shallow orthography, because the reliable relationship between spelling supports easier and faster computation than in an opaque orthography. Additionally, the results demonstrate that in the bilingual Afrikaans-English children spelling in a second language (L2) rely on spelling skills in a first language (L1), even when the same teaching strategies are used for spelling instruction. Orthography as a tool of academic literacy instruction, influences whether the transfer of spelling skills has a positive or negative influence on spelling in English as a second language in bilingual Afrikaans-English children with a transparent L1. A dual-route model that incorporates the influence of orthographic depth is supported (Seymour, Bunce & Evans, 1992). The present research study concludes that (1) simultaneous processing and sequential processing influence and predict the production of spelling in L1 and L2 in both English and Afrikaans alphabetic orthographies that differ in orthographic transparency, (2) orthographic demands of learning to spell in different orthographies varies and influences cognitive processing resources and decoding skills, which may provide an indication of a cumulative or challenging development of L2 spelling skills particularly when the L1 is transparent. The present research has implications for assessment, traditional spelling models and teaching bilingual children learning to spell in a second language, which is orthographically opaque relative to their transparent mother tongue

To be or not to be bilingual: cognitive processing skills and literacy development in monolingual English, emergent bilingual Zulu and English, as well as bilingual Afrikaans and English speaking children

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Humanities, Department of Psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy October 2016.Literacy in multilingual contexts includes social and cognitive dimensions (GoPaul-McNicol & Armour-Thomas, 1997). Becoming literate carries with it the ability to develop and access higher-order thinking skills that are the building blocks for cognitive academic language proficiency, as well as the means that define educational opportunities (Bialystok, 2007). South Africa has 11 official languages and a multilingual education policy but South African schools are able to determine their language of instruction policy of monolingualism or multilingualism (Heugh, 2010). This raises the question of whether monolingualism or bilingualism influences children’s successful acquisition of reading. It is important to investigate the effect this has on reading processes and skills of monolingual and bilingual children because this issue has received limited research attention while it contributes to our greater understanding of how children’s cognitive capacities for literacy attainment are either constrained or promoted through broader social factors operating in a child’s literacy-learning environment (Bialystok, 2007; Vygotsky, 1978). Cognitive processing and reading skills were assessed in monolingual and bilingual children at a public school in an urban area of Johannesburg. An English-speaking monolingual group with English as the language of instruction (N = 100) was compared with a Zulu-English bilingual group with Zulu as first language (L1) speaking proficiency and English as second language (L2) literacy experience (N = 100) on measures of reading, phonological awareness, vocabulary skills, and working memory. Performance in cognitive processing and reading skills of these two groups was compared to an Afrikaans-English bilingual group (N = 100) with dual medium instruction. Tests of language proficiency confirmed that the Afrikaans-English bilinguals were balanced bilinguals and that the Zulu-English bilinguals were partial bilinguals. Aim and method: The purpose of this study was to expand knowledge in the field of second language reading acquisition and language of instruction by examining the impact of language related factors on the cognitive development and literacy competence of monolingual and bilingual children in the South African context. The central tenet of the bio-ecological approach to language, cognitive and reading assessment is that language acquisition is inseparable from the context in which it is learned (Armour-Thomas & Go-Paul-McNicol, 1997). Drawing from this approach, the present research project investigated the effects of the level of orthographic transparency on reading development in the transparent L1 and opaque L2 of biliterate Afrikaans-English bilinguals learning to read in a dual medium school setting. The effects of oral vs. written language proficiency in the L1 on the acquisition of L2 English reading was also investigated by examining whether reading processes and skills transferred from one language to another and the direction or nature of this transfer in partial and balanced bilinguals. Finally, whether a balanced bilingualism and biliteracy Cognitive processing skills and literacy development in monolingual and bilingual children in South Africa vi experience had beneficial effects on cognitive tasks demanding high levels of working memory capacity, was investigated. Results: Reading in Afrikaans – the more transparent orthography – reached a higher competency level than reading in the less transparent English. Dual medium learners and L1 English monolingual learners acquired reading skills in their home language(s) at a higher level than L2 English with L1 Zulu speaking proficiency learners did. Dual medium learners outperformed both monolingual learners and L2 English with L1 Zulu speaking proficiency learners on tests of phonological awareness, working memory, and reading comprehension. They also reached similar competency levels in tests of vocabulary knowledge than monolingual English (L1) learners. These differences translated into different relationships and strengths for reading attainment in monolingual and bilingual children. These findings provide support for a language-based and context-dependent bio-ecological model of reading attainment for South African children. Conclusions: Bilingual children who are exposed to dual medium reading instruction programmes that value bilingualism philosophically and support it pedagogically create optimal conditions for high levels of cognitive development and academic achievement, both in the first and in the L2. Absence of mother tongue instruction and English-only instruction result in a reading achievement gap between emergent Zulu-English bilinguals and English monolinguals. This effect is not observed in the biliterate Afrikaans-English bilinguals; instead, these children performed better than the English monolinguals on many English tasks and working tasks requiring high levels of executive control and analysis of linguistic knowledge, despite English being their L2 while learning to concurrently read in Afrikaans and English. Arguments for and (misguided) arguments against dual medium education are examined to identify the consequences of translating this model of education into effective schooling practices, given the socio-political contexts in which educational reforms take place at local schools and in communities (Heugh, 2002). More broadly, good early childhood education includes a rich language learning environment with skilled, responsive teachers who facilitate children’s literacy learning by providing intentional exposure to and support for vocabulary and concept development. Classroom settings that provide extensive opportunities to build children’s reading competences are beneficial for young dual language learners no less than for children acquiring literacy skills in a one-language environment (Cummins, 2000; Heugh, 2002).GR201

Consulting project for the Portuguese water and waste services regulation authority optimization of the organizational model and identification of the benefits of an aggregation of "retail" operators

Consulting la

Influencia del Magnesio y el Calcio sobre el Estrés Oxidativo en la Obesidad

Introdução: A obesidade é caracterizada por excesso de gordura corporal decorrente do desequilíbrio entre a ingestão alimentar e gasto energético. Estudos têm demonstrado que o excesso de tecido adiposo se associa com estresse oxidativo em grau elevado. Outro aspecto importante, diz respeito às alterações nas concentrações de micronutrientes, a exemplo do magnésio e cálcio, em organismos obesos. Pesquisas têm destacado redução nos valores séricos desses minerais nesses indivíduos, bem como têm evidenciado que em situações de deficiência parece haver maior produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio, contribuindo para o estresse oxidativo. Portanto, a presente revisão objetiva trazer informações atualizadas sobre a relação existente entre magnésio, cálcio e estresse oxidativo na obesidade. Metodologia: Realizou-se um levantamento bibliográfico nas bases de dados Pubmed, SciELO e LILACS, utilizando as seguintes palavras-chave: “calcium”, “magnesium” e “obesity”; “obesity” e “oxidative stress”; “calcium”, “magnesium”, “obesity” e “oxidative stress”. Resultados: Os indivíduos obesos parecem apresentar deficiência de magnésio decorrente de uma ingestão inadequada do mineral, comprometendo mecanismos de defesa antioxidante, como também contribuindo para o aumento de cálcio intracelular, fator que acarreta uma produção elevada de espécies reativas de oxigênio, promovendo o estresse oxidativo. Conclusão: A inadequação no consumo de magnésio contribui para a manifestação de sua deficiência em obesos, situação que está atrelada a alterações no metabolismo do cálcio e no sistema de defesa antioxidante. No entando, mais estudos são necessários, considerando que o metabolismo dos micronutrientes estudados não estão completamente elucidados.Introduction: Obesity is characterized by excess body fat resulting from the imbalance between food intake and energy expenditure. Studies have shown that excess fat is associated with high-grade oxidative stress. Another important aspect concerns changes in micronutrient concentrations, such as magnesium and calcium, in obese organisms. Research has highlighted a reduction in serum values of these minerals in these individuals, as well as evidencing that in situations of deficiency there appears to be a higher production of reactive oxygen species, contributing to oxidative stress. Therefore, this review aims to provide updated information on the relationship between magnesium, calcium and oxidative stress in obesity. Methodology: A bibliographic survey was performed in the Pubmed, SciELO and LILACS databases, using the following keywords: “calcium”, “magnesium” and “obesity”; Obesity and oxidative stress; "Calcium", "magnesium", "obesity" and "oxidative stress". Results: Obese individuals appear to have magnesium deficiency due to inadequate mineral intake, compromising antioxidant defense mechanisms, as well as contributing to the increase of intracellular calcium, a factor that causes a high production of reactive oxygen species, promoting oxidative stress. Conclusion: The inadequate intake of magnesium contributes to the manifestation of its deficiency in obese, a situation that is linked to changes in calcium metabolism and antioxidant defense system. However, further studies are needed, considering that the metabolism of the studied micronutrients are not completely elucidated.Introducción: La obesidad se caracteriza por el exceso de grasa corporal resultante del desequilibrio entre la ingesta de alimentos y el gasto energético. Los estudios han demostrado que el exceso de grasa está asociado con un estrés oxidativo de alto grado. Otro aspecto importante se refiere a los cambios en las concentraciones de micronutrientes, como el magnesio y el calcio, en los organismos obesos. La investigación ha puesto de manifiesto una reducción en los valores séricos de estos minerales en estos individuos, así como evidenciando que en situaciones de deficiencia parece haber una mayor producción de especies reactivas de oxígeno, lo que contribuye al estrés oxidativo. Por lo tanto, esta revisión tiene como objetivo proporcionar información actualizada sobre la relación entre el magnesio, el calcio y el estrés oxidativo en la obesidad. Metodología: se realizó una encuesta bibliográfica en las bases de datos Pubmed, SciELO y LILACS, utilizando las siguientes palabras clave: “calcio”, “magnesio” y “obesidad”; Obesidad y estrés oxidativo; "Calcio", "magnesio", "obesidad" y "estrés oxidativo". Resultados: las personas obesas parecen tener deficiencia de magnesio debido a la ingesta inadecuada de minerales, comprometer los mecanismos de defensa antioxidante, así como contribuir al aumento del calcio intracelular, un factor que causa una alta producción de especies reactivas de oxígeno, promoviendo el estrés oxidativo. Conclusión: La ingesta inadecuada de magnesio contribuye a la manifestación de su deficiencia en obesos, una situación que está vinculada a los cambios en el metabolismo del calcio y el sistema de defensa antioxidante. Sin embargo, se necesitan más estudios, teniendo en cuenta que el metabolismo de los micronutrientes estudiados no se aclara por completo

DETERMINAÇÃO DOS COMPOSTOS FENÓLICOS TOTAIS EM CASCAS DE FRUTAS ENCONTRADAS NO CERRADO BRASILEIRO

O aumento da produção do setor agroindustrial, ao mesmo tempo em que proporciona benefícios econômicos e nutricionais ao homem, gera uma vasta quantidade de resíduos. Esses resíduos comumente descartados como casca, semente e talos contém uma grande quantidade de compostos bioativos como os compostos fenólicos. Nesse sentido o objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia de três soluções extratoras (água, etanol 80% e metanol 80%) e quantificar o teor de fenólicos totais em sete cascas de espécies de frutas exóticas brasileiras, guapeva (Pouteria gardneriana), jambolão (Syzygium cumini), pitaya (Hylocereus costaricensis), pupunha (Bactris gasipaes), oiti (Licania tomentosa), buriti (Mauritia flexuosa) e pitomba (Talisia esculenta), utilizando o método de Folin-Ciocalteou. A água mostrou-se a melhor solução extratora para as cascas analisadas. Os teores de compostos fenólicos variaram de 195,27 a 6,59 mg de EAG. 100g-1 de casca para o extrato aquoso, de 155 a 47,67 mg de EAG. 100g-1 de casca para as soluções etanólicas e de 192,57 a 1,35 mg de EAG. 100g-1 de casca para as soluções metanólicas. Sendo que os melhores resultados foram atribuídos as cascas de pitomba, buriti e guapeva. As cascas avaliadas neste estudo, podem ser consideradas boas fontes de compostos fenólicos totais

Detection of anti-infliximab antibodies is impacted by antibody titer, infliximab level and IgG4 antibodies: a systematic comparison of three different assays

Background: There is scant information on the accuracy of different assays used to measure anti-infliximab antibodies (ADAs), especially in the presence of detectable infliximab (IFX). We thus aimed to evaluate and compare three different assays for the detection of IFX and ADAs and to clarify the impact of the presence of circulating IFX on the accuracy of the ADA assays.Methods: Blood samples from 79 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients treated with infliximab were assessed for IFX levels and ADAs using three different assays: an in-house assay and two commercial kits, Immundiagnostik and Theradiag. Sera samples with ADAs and undetectable levels of IFX were spiked with exogenous IFX and analyzed for ADAs.Results: The three assays showed 81-96% agreement for the measured IFX level. However, the in-house assay and Immundiagnostik assays detected ADAs in 34 out of 79 samples, whereas Theradiag only detected ADAs in 24 samples. Samples negative for ADAs with Theradiag, but ADA-positive in both the in-house and Immundiagnostik assays, were positive for IFX or IgG4 ADAs. In spiking experiments, a low concentration of exogenous IFX (5 mu g/ml) hampered ADA detection with Theradiag in sera samples with ADA levels of between 3 and 10 mu g/ml. In the Immundiagnostik assay detection interference was only observed at concentrations of exogenous IFX higher than 30 mu g/ml. However, in samples with high levels of ADAs (> 25 mu g/ml) interference was only observed at IFX concentrations higher than 100 mu g/ml in all three assays. Binary (IFX/ADA) stratification of the results showed that IFX+/ADA and IFX-/ADAs + were less influenced by the assay results than the double-positive (IFX+/ADAs+) and double-negative (IFX-/ADAs-) combination.Conclusions: All three methodologies are equally suitable for measuring IFX levels. However, erroneous therapeutic decisions may occur when patients show double-negative (IFX-/ADAs) or double-positive (IFX+/ADAs+) status, since agreement between assays is significantly lower in these circumstances

Práticas seguras na administração de antineoplásicos em oncologia pediátrica / Safe Practices in the Administration of Antineoplastics in Pediatric Oncology

Introdução: O uso correto de medicação é um dos protocolos primordiais para a segurança do paciente. Assim, a constante busca pela excelência da assistência ao paciente oncológico culminou no surgimento de um dos desafios da enfermagem: a segurança do paciente pediátrico oncológico. Objetivo: Analisar a prática de enfermagem na segurança do paciente em oncologia pediátrica, no uso seguro de medicamentos antineoplásicos. Método: Estudo descritivo, abordagem quantitativa e qualitativa. Realizado no município de Fortaleza-CE, em um Hospital de referênciaemsaúde da criança, no período de agosto a novembro de 2017. A coleta se deu por formulário e entrevista semi estruturada. Os dados foram analisados pelo programa estatístico Statistical Package for Social Sciences - SPSS (versão 25.0). Respeitou-se a resolução n° 466/2012, do Conselho Nacional de Saúde. A pesquisa foi submetida ao Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa e aprovada sob o número de parecer 2.134.417.  Resultados: A amostra foi composta por 13 profissionais de enfermagem, nas quais os resultados evidenciaram o conhecimento escasso e capacitação insuficiente sobre medicamentos antineoplásicos e sua administração e que alguns confundem os tratamentos das diferentes complicações. Tal fator reflete a possibilidade de erros com conseqüentes danos, inclusive irreversíveis, ao paciente pediátrico. Conclusão: Garantir a segurança do paciente requer ações de diferentes naturezas, desde a formação profissional até a mudança das práticas de saúde e enfermagem. A adoção de novas metodologias de ensino que incorporem esses conceitos é urgente, sendo este um tema a ser explorado em novas pesquisas

Estilos de vida em adolescentes : educação e promoção da saúde

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A cirurgia ortognática no tratamento da Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono: Uma revisão integrativa da literatura

The aim of this review is to survey the most recent scientific evidence on the effectiveness oforthognathic surgery in the treatment of OSA. The guiding question was: "What are the mostrecent scientific documents on the effectiveness of orthognathic surgery in the treatment ofOSA in adult patients?". Thus, the eligibility criteria consisted of only original articles relatedto the guiding question, available in full for free in any language in the last five years. Theselection of articles was carried out from searches in the PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Webof Science databases. A combination of four descriptors was used: (Orthognathic Surgery) AND(Obstructive Sleep Apnea) AND (Maxillomandibular Advancement) AND (Treatment). TheMMA is a safe effective treatment option for cases of AOS. Being the main alternative to longterm treatments for severe cases of OSA.O objetivo desta revisão é fazer um levantamento das evidências científicas mais recentes sobrea eficácia da cirurgia ortognática no tratamento da AOS. A questão norteadora foi: "Quais sãoevidências científicas mais recentes sobre a eficácia da cirurgia ortognática no tratamento da AOSem pacientes adultos?”. Dessa maneira, os critérios de elegibilidade consistiram em apenasartigos originais relacionados com a questão norteadora, disponíveis na íntegra de forma gratuitaem qualquer idioma nos últimos cinco anos. A seleção dos artigos foi realizada a partir de buscasnas bases de dados PubMed, Scopus, Embase e Web of Science. Utilizou-se a combinação dequatro descritores: (Orthognathic Surgery) AND (Obstructive Sleep Apnea) AND(Maxillomandibular Advancement) AND (Treatment). O AMM apresenta-se como uma opçãosegura e eficaz de tratamento para os casos de AOS. Sendo a principal alternativa aostratamentos a longo prazo para casos graves de AOS

Alfabetização baseada na ciência: manual do curso ABC

O presente manual faz parte do projeto ABC – Alfabetização Baseada na Ciência, fruto de um Acordo de Cooperação Internacional celebrado entre a Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), a Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação da Universidade do Porto (FPCEUP), o Instituto Politécnico do Porto (IPP) e a Universidade Aberta de Portugal (UAb). Essa importante parceria tem o objetivo de contribuir para a formação continuada dos profissionais da educação brasileiros que atuam na área de alfabetização, somando-se aos vários esforços que têm sido envidados pelo Ministério da Educação (MEC) para elevar a qualidade dos processos de alfabetização no Brasil e, consequentemente, os seus resultados. A formação de professores tem sido um dos pilares da Política Nacional de Alfabetização (PNA), instituída pelo MEC por meio do Decreto 9.765/19, a qual destaca entre seus princípios a fundamentação de programas e ações em evidências provenientes das ciências cognitivas, bem como a adoção de referenciais de políticas públicas exitosas, nacionais e estrangeiras, baseadas em evidências científicas.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio