Master of Arts

thesisThis thesis investigates speech accommodation and dialect leveling in three episodes of the Al-Jazeera program ﻣﻤفتوﻭﻮحﺡ ﺣﺤوﻭﻮاﺍرﺭ ḥuwār mɛftūḥ "Open Dialogue", with particular focus on the phonological change of /ḍ/ > [ð]̣ (or ظﻅﻆﻇﻈ [ʔaɪjɪðạn] in the Tunisian dialect. This study also looks at the phonological change of ظﻅﻆﻇﻈ /ð/̣ > [ẓ] in the Egyptian dialect, as well as lexical and syntactic differences between the use of relative pronouns and particles of negation. The episodes examined vary in their inclusion of speakers from across the Arabic-speaking world, and cover a range of speaking styles from reading to debating, to panel discussions, and street interviews. This thesis posits that Arabic speakers reduce dialect differences when interacting with others not familiar with their dialect, illustrating how Arabic speakers strike a balance between the mutually comprehensible "standard" and their dialect inclinations. While the Egyptian panel maintains both phonological and lexical characteristics of their dialect, the in-studio Tunisian guests predominantly use the standard language. However, there are significantly more dialect features in the speech of on-the-street iv Tunisians. Based on the data set, the Egyptians are able to maintain their dialect in the media setting because it is widely understood throughout the Arab world. Since the Tunisian dialect is not as commonly understood, the Tunisian studio guests use the standard to reach a pan-Arab audience. This sociolinguistic study illustrates the complexities of how Arabic-speakers manipulate their language depending on the social context and their audience and challenges the notion of diglossia. Furthermore, this thesis provides a description of some characteristics of Tunisian Arabic, which has not been well studied in the literature

Acute Effects of Neuromuscular-Training with Handheld-Vibration on Elbow Joint Position Sense

Context: Clinicians use exercises in rehabilitation to enhance sensorimotor-function, however evidence supporting their use is scarce. Objective: To evaluate acute effects of handheld-vibration on joint position sense (JPS). Design: A repeated-measure, randomized, counter-balanced 3-condition design. Setting: Sports Medicine and Science Research Laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: 31 healthy college-aged volunteers (16-males, 15-females; age=23+3y, mass=76+14kg, height=173+8cm). Interventions: We measured elbow JPS and monitored training using the Flock-of-Birds system (Ascension Technology, Burlington, VT) and MotionMonitor software (Innsport, Chicago, IL), accurate to 0.5°. For each condition (15,5,0Hz vibration), subjects completed three 15-s bouts holding a 2.55kg Mini-VibraFlex dumbbell (Orthometric, New York, NY), and used software-generated audio/visual biofeedback to locate the target. Participants performed separate pre- and post-test JPS measures for each condition. For JPS testing, subjects held a non-vibrating dumbbell, identified the target (90°flexion) using biofeedback, and relaxed 3-5s. We removed feedback and subjects recreated the target and pressed a trigger. We used SPSS 14.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) to perform separate ANOVAs (p\u3c0.05) for each protocol and calculated effect sizes using standard-mean differences. Main Outcome Measures: Dependent variables were absolute and variable error between target and reproduced angles, pre-post vibration training. Results: 0Hz (F1,61=1.310,p=0.3) and 5Hz (F1,61=2.625,p=0.1) vibration did not affect accuracy. 15Hz vibration enhanced accuracy (6.5±0.6 to 5.0±0.5°) (F1,61=8.681,p=0.005,ES=0.3). 0Hz did not affect variability (F1,61=0.007,p=0.9). 5Hz vibration decreased variability (3.0±1.8 to 2.3±1.3°) (F1,61=7.250,p=0.009), as did 15Hz (2.8±1.8 to 1.8±1.2°) (F1,61=24.027, p\u3c0.001). Conclusions: Our results support using handheld-vibration to improve sensorimotor-function. Future research should include injured subjects, functional multi-joint/multi-planar measures, and long-term effects of similar training

LUDICIDADE NO CONTEXTO DA APRENDIZAGEM: UMA FORMA DIVERTIDA DE APRENDER

A ludicidade, apesar de ter um grande potencial de encantamento, ainda é, muitas vezes, desvalorizada ou não é devidamente abordada no contexto escolar. Nesta perspectiva desenvolveu-se a partir do processo de estágio no Curso de Pedagogia o estudo com base na temática Ludicidade no contexto da Aprendizagem: uma forma divertida de aprender. Objetivou-se identificar as contribuições da ludicidade no processo de ensino aprendizagem. Justifica-se a proposição abordada por entender que atividade lúdica é reconhecida como meio de fornecer a criança um ambiente agradável, motivador, planejado e enriquecido, que possibilita a aprendizagem. O estudo classifica-se como qualitativo, envolvendo pesquisa bibliográfica e de campo. A pesquisa de campo desenvolveu-se com base nas práticas pedagógicas realizadas nos estágios de Educação Infantil, Anos Iniciais do Ensino Fundamental e Gestão escolar, no Curso de Pedagogia. Conclui-se que quando o planejamento do professor organiza-se a partir de situações lúdicas, torna-se possível construir situações de aprendizagens ricas, prazerosas, que favorecem a interação e a construção de saberes, gerando aprendizagens. Pode-se afirmar que a ludicidade é aliada importante no processo de ensino e aprendizagem, facilitando a mediação

Bleeding and thrombotic risk in pregnant women with Fontan physiology

Background/objectives Pregnancy may potentiate the inherent hypercoagulability of the Fontan circulation, thereby amplifying adverse events. This study sought to evaluate thrombosis and bleeding risk in pregnant women with a Fontan.  Methods We performed a retrospective observational cohort study across 13 international centres and recorded data on thrombotic and bleeding events, antithrombotic therapies and pre-pregnancy thrombotic risk factors.  Results We analysed 84 women with Fontan physiology undergoing 108 pregnancies, average gestation 33 +/- 5 weeks. The most common antithrombotic therapy in pregnancy was aspirin (ASA, 47 pregnancies (43.5%)). Heparin (unfractionated (UFH) or low molecular weight (LMWH)) was prescribed in 32 pregnancies (30%) and vitamin K antagonist (VKA) in 10 pregnancies (9%). Three pregnancies were complicated by thrombotic events (2.8%). Thirty-eight pregnancies (35%) were complicated by bleeding, of which 5 (13%) were severe. Most bleeds were obstetric, occurring antepartum (45%) and postpartum (42%). The use of therapeutic heparin (OR 15.6, 95% CI 1.88 to 129, p=0.006), VKA (OR 11.7, 95% CI 1.06 to 130, p=0.032) or any combination of anticoagulation medication (OR 13.0, 95% CI 1.13 to 150, p=0.032) were significantly associated with bleeding events, while ASA (OR 5.41, 95% CI 0.73 to 40.4, p=0.067) and prophylactic heparin were not (OR 4.68, 95% CI 0.488 to 44.9, p=0.096). Conclusions Current antithrombotic strategies appear effective at attenuating thrombotic risk in pregnant women with a Fontan. However, this comes with high (>30%) bleeding risk, of which 13% are life threatening. Achieving haemostatic balance is challenging in pregnant women with a Fontan, necessitating individualised risk-adjusted counselling and therapeutic approaches that are monitored during the course of pregnancy

H1N1 Antibody Persistence 1 Year After Immunization With an Adjuvanted or Whole-Virion Pandemic Vaccine and Immunogenicity and Reactogenicity of Subsequent Seasonal Influenza Vaccine: A Multicenter Follow-on Study

Background. We investigated antibody persistence in children 1 year after 2 doses of either an AS03B-adjuvanted split-virion or nonadjuvanted whole-virion monovalent pandemic influenza vaccine and assessed the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of a subsequent dose of trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV). Methods. Children previously immunized at age 6 months to 12 years in the original study were invited to participate. After a blood sample was obtained to assess persistence of antibody against swine influenza A/H1N1(2009) pandemic influenza, children received 1 dose of 2010/2011 TIV, reactogenicity data were collected for 7 days, and another blood sample was obtained 21 days after vaccination. Results. Of 323 children recruited, 302 received TIV. Antibody persistence (defined as microneutralization [MN] titer ≥1:40) 1 year after initial vaccination was significantly higher in the AS03B-adjuvanted compared with the whole-virion vaccine group, 100% (95% confidence interval [CI], 94.1%–100%) vs 32.4% (95% CI, 21.5%–44.8%) in children immunized <3 years old and 96.9% (95% CI, 91.3%–99.4%) vs 65.9% (95% CI, 55.3%–75.5%) in those 3–12 years old at immunization, respectively (P < .001 for both groups). All children receiving TIV had post-vaccination MN titers ≥1:40. Although TIV was well tolerated in all groups, reactogenicity in children <5 years old was slightly greater in those who originally received AS03B-adjuvanted vaccine. Conclusions. This study provides serological evidence that 2 doses of AS03B-adjuvanted pandemic influenza vaccine may be sufficient to maintain protection across 2 influenza seasons. Administration of TIV to children who previously received 2 doses of either pandemic influenza vaccine is safe and is immunogenic for the H1N1 strain

Comparison of UK paediatric SARS-CoV-2 admissions across the first and second pandemic waves

Background: We hypothesised that theclinical characteristics of hospitalised children and young people(CYP) with SARS-CoV-2 in the UK second wave (W2) would differ from the firstwave (W1) due to the alpha variant (B.1.1.7), school reopening and relaxation of shielding. Methods: Prospective multicentre observational cohort study of patients <19 years hospitalised in the UK with SARS-CoV-2 between 17/01/20 and 31/01/21. Clinical characteristics were compared between W1 and W2 (W1 = 17/01/20-31/07/20,W2 =01/08/20-31/01/21). Results: 2044 CYP < 19 years from 187 hospitals. 427/2044 (20.6%) with asymptomatic/incidental SARS-CoV-2 were excluded from main analysis. 16.0% (248/1548) of symptomatic CYP were admitted to critical care and 0.8% (12/1504) died. 5.6% (91/1617) of symptomatic CYP had Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). After excluding CYP with MIS-C, patients in W2 had lower Paediatric Early Warning Scores (PEWS, composite vital sign score), lower antibiotic use and less respiratory and cardiovascular support than W1. The proportion of CYP admitted to critical care was unchanged. 58.0% (938/1617) of symptomatic CYP had no reported comorbidity. Patients without co-morbidities were younger (42.4%, 398/938, <1 year), had lower PEWS, shorter length of stay and less respiratory support. Conclusions: We found no evidence of increased disease severity in W2 vs W1. A large proportion of hospitalised CYP had no comorbidity. Impact: No evidence of increased severity of COVID-19 admissions amongst children and young people (CYP) in the second vs first wave in the UK, despite changes in variant, relaxation of shielding and return to face-to-face schooling.CYP with no comorbidities made up a significant proportion of those admitted. However, they had shorter length of stays and lower treatment requirements than CYP with comorbidities once those with MIS-C were excluded.At least 20% of CYP admitted in this cohort had asymptomatic/incidental SARS-CoV-2 infection.This paper was presented to SAGE to inform CYP vaccination policy in the UK

A framework for human microbiome research

A variety of microbial communities and their genes (the microbiome) exist throughout the human body, with fundamental roles in human health and disease. The National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded Human Microbiome Project Consortium has established a population-scale framework to develop metagenomic protocols, resulting in a broad range of quality-controlled resources and data including standardized methods for creating, processing and interpreting distinct types of high-throughput metagenomic data available to the scientific community. Here we present resources from a population of 242 healthy adults sampled at 15 or 18 body sites up to three times, which have generated 5,177 microbial taxonomic profiles from 16S ribosomal RNA genes and over 3.5 terabases of metagenomic sequence so far. In parallel, approximately 800 reference strains isolated from the human body have been sequenced. Collectively, these data represent the largest resource describing the abundance and variety of the human microbiome, while providing a framework for current and future studies

Structure, function and diversity of the healthy human microbiome

Author Posting. © The Authors, 2012. This article is posted here by permission of Nature Publishing Group. The definitive version was published in Nature 486 (2012): 207-214, doi:10.1038/nature11234.Studies of the human microbiome have revealed that even healthy individuals differ remarkably in the microbes that occupy habitats such as the gut, skin and vagina. Much of this diversity remains unexplained, although diet, environment, host genetics and early microbial exposure have all been implicated. Accordingly, to characterize the ecology of human-associated microbial communities, the Human Microbiome Project has analysed the largest cohort and set of distinct, clinically relevant body habitats so far. We found the diversity and abundance of each habitat’s signature microbes to vary widely even among healthy subjects, with strong niche specialization both within and among individuals. The project encountered an estimated 81–99% of the genera, enzyme families and community configurations occupied by the healthy Western microbiome. Metagenomic carriage of metabolic pathways was stable among individuals despite variation in community structure, and ethnic/racial background proved to be one of the strongest associations of both pathways and microbes with clinical metadata. These results thus delineate the range of structural and functional configurations normal in the microbial communities of a healthy population, enabling future characterization of the epidemiology, ecology and translational applications of the human microbiome.This research was supported in part by National Institutes of Health grants U54HG004969 to B.W.B.; U54HG003273 to R.A.G.; U54HG004973 to R.A.G., S.K.H. and J.F.P.; U54HG003067 to E.S.Lander; U54AI084844 to K.E.N.; N01AI30071 to R.L.Strausberg; U54HG004968 to G.M.W.; U01HG004866 to O.R.W.; U54HG003079 to R.K.W.; R01HG005969 to C.H.; R01HG004872 to R.K.; R01HG004885 to M.P.; R01HG005975 to P.D.S.; R01HG004908 to Y.Y.; R01HG004900 to M.K.Cho and P. Sankar; R01HG005171 to D.E.H.; R01HG004853 to A.L.M.; R01HG004856 to R.R.; R01HG004877 to R.R.S. and R.F.; R01HG005172 to P. Spicer.; R01HG004857 to M.P.; R01HG004906 to T.M.S.; R21HG005811 to E.A.V.; M.J.B. was supported by UH2AR057506; G.A.B. was supported by UH2AI083263 and UH3AI083263 (G.A.B., C. N. Cornelissen, L. K. Eaves and J. F. Strauss); S.M.H. was supported by UH3DK083993 (V. B. Young, E. B. Chang, F. Meyer, T. M. S., M. L. Sogin, J. M. Tiedje); K.P.R. was supported by UH2DK083990 (J. V.); J.A.S. and H.H.K. were supported by UH2AR057504 and UH3AR057504 (J.A.S.); DP2OD001500 to K.M.A.; N01HG62088 to the Coriell Institute for Medical Research; U01DE016937 to F.E.D.; S.K.H. was supported by RC1DE0202098 and R01DE021574 (S.K.H. and H. Li); J.I. was supported by R21CA139193 (J.I. and D. S. Michaud); K.P.L. was supported by P30DE020751 (D. J. Smith); Army Research Office grant W911NF-11-1-0473 to C.H.; National Science Foundation grants NSF DBI-1053486 to C.H. and NSF IIS-0812111 to M.P.; The Office of Science of the US Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231 for P.S. C.; LANL Laboratory-Directed Research and Development grant 20100034DR and the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency grants B104153I and B084531I to P.S.C.; Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) grant to K.F. and J.Raes; R.K. is an HHMI Early Career Scientist; Gordon&BettyMoore Foundation funding and institutional funding fromthe J. David Gladstone Institutes to K.S.P.; A.M.S. was supported by fellowships provided by the Rackham Graduate School and the NIH Molecular Mechanisms in Microbial Pathogenesis Training Grant T32AI007528; a Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada Grant in Aid of Research to E.A.V.; 2010 IBM Faculty Award to K.C.W.; analysis of the HMPdata was performed using National Energy Research Scientific Computing resources, the BluBioU Computational Resource at Rice University

A Mouse Model for Osseous Heteroplasia

GNAS/Gnas encodes Gsa that is mainly biallelically expressed but shows imprinted expression in some tissues. In Albright Hereditary Osteodystrophy (AHO) heterozygous loss of function mutations of GNAS can result in ectopic ossification that tends to be superficial and attributable to haploinsufficiency of biallelically expressed Gsa. Oed-Sml is a point missense mutation in exon 6 of the orthologous mouse locus Gnas. We report here both the late onset ossification and occurrence of benign cutaneous fibroepithelial polyps in Oed-Sml. These phenotypes are seen on both maternal and paternal inheritance of the mutant allele and are therefore due to an effect on biallelically expressed Gsa. The ossification is confined to subcutaneous tissues and so resembles the ossification observed with AHO. Our mouse model is the first with both subcutaneous ossification and fibroepithelial polyps related to Gsa deficiency. It is also the first mouse model described with a clinically relevant phenotype associated with a point mutation in Gsa and may be useful in investigations of the mechanisms of heterotopic bone formation. Together with earlier results, our findings indicate that Gsa signalling pathways play a vital role in repressing ectopic bone formation