A simple start - A potential use of simplified english materials in the inclusive classroom

This paper examines issues surrounding simplified English materials (SEMs) and their usage. It considers their value in light of widespread support for authentic materials, the communicative approach and bilingual support and learning, contrasting this with the call for language simplification for children with Down syndrome. It sets these conflicting messages against a discussion of differentiated materials and current classroom practices. Drawing on these two different strands it suggests that SEMs could serve a very effective strategic role with all pupils as the starting point of lessons

Small-scale Intensity Mapping: Extended Halos as a Probe of the Ionizing Escape Fraction and Faint Galaxy Populations during Reionization

We present a new method to quantify the value of the escape fraction of ionizing photons, and the existence of ultra-faint galaxies clustered around brighter objects during the epoch of cosmic reionization, using the diffuse Ly$\alpha$, continuum and H$\alpha$ emission observed around galaxies at $z\sim6$. We model the surface brightness profiles of the diffuse halos considering the fluorescent emission powered by ionizing photons escaping from the central galaxies, and the nebular emission from satellite star-forming sources, by extending the formalisms developed in Mas-Ribas & Dijkstra (2016) and Mas-Ribas et al. (2017). The comparison between our predicted profiles and Ly$\alpha$ observations at $z=5.7$ and $z=6.6$ favors a low ionizing escape fraction, $f_{\rm esc}^{\rm ion}\sim5\%$, for galaxies in the range $-19\gtrsim M_{\rm UV} \gtrsim -21.5$. However, uncertainties and possible systematics in the observations do not allow for firm conclusions. We predict H$\alpha$ and rest-frame visible continuum observations with JWST, and show that JWST will be able to detect extended (a few tens of kpc) fluorescent H$\alpha$ emission powered by ionizing photons escaping from a bright, $L\gtrsim 5L^*$, galaxy. Such observations can differentiate fluorescent emission from nebular emission by satellite sources. We discuss how observations and stacking of several objects may provide unique constraints on the escape fraction for faint galaxies and/or the abundance of ultra-faint radiation sources.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, re-submitted after referee report to Ap

Access and comprehension - Teachers use of simplified language materials

This paper examines the current use of simplified language materials (SLMs) by primary and secondary teachers across England. Drawing on a survey of 33 schools the paper examines the degree to which teachers and support teachers currently use simplified language materials and the reasons they give for their usage. It discusses both the contradictions and similarities between teachers' perceptions of the value of SLMs and the existing research base. It focuses on current national guidance, the role of SLMs for people with learning difficulties and research that encourages the use of complex materials and bilingual support, contrasting this with teachers perception that SLMs increase both access and comprehension. The paper suggests that we should not expect teachers to abandon SLMs but should find ways to use this skill base to enhance the education of all

The Mass Function of Field Galaxies at 0.4 < z < 1.2 Derived From the MUNICS K-Selected Sample

We derive the number density evolution of massive field galaxies in the redshift range 0.4 < z < 1.2 using the K-band selected field galaxy sample from the Munich Near-IR Cluster Survey (MUNICS). We rely on spectroscopically calibrated photometric redshifts to determine distances and absolute magnitudes in the rest-frame K-band. To assign mass-to-light ratios, we use two different approaches. First, we use an approach which maximizes the stellar mass for any K-band luminosity at any redshift. We take the mass-to-light ratio of a Simple Stellar Population (SSP) which is as old as the universe at the galaxy's redshift as a likely upper limit. Second, we assign each galaxy a mass-to-light ratio by fitting the galaxy's colours against a grid of composite stellar population models and taking their M/L. We compute the number density of galaxies more massive than 2 x 10^10 h^-2 Msun, 5 x 10^10 h^-2 Msun, and 1 x 10^11 h^-2 Msun, finding that the integrated stellar mass function is roughly constant for the lowest mass limit and that it decreases with redshift by a factor of ~ 3 and by a factor of ~ 6 for the two higher mass limits, respectively. This finding is in qualitative agreement with models of hierarchical galaxy formation, which predict that the number density of ~ M* objects is fairly constant while it decreases faster for more massive systems over the redshift range our data probe.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, to appear in the proceedings of the ESO/USM Workshop "The Mass of Galaxies at Low and High Redshift", Venice (Italy), October 24-26, 200

Simplifying surgery in haemophilia B: Low factor IX consumption and infrequent infusions in surgical procedures with rIX-FP.

Abstract Introduction Long-acting recombinant factor IX (FIX) products may simplify the surgical treatment of haemophilia B patients. The impact of rIX-FP, a recombinant FIX fused to recombinant albumin, on FIX consumption and surgical management was assessed in patients with haemophilia B. Materials and methods Male patients, ≤65 years old with severe haemophilia B (FIX activity ≤2%) requiring non-emergency surgery were enrolled in the surgical substudy of PROLONG-9FP. Dosing was based on World Federation of Hemophilia guidelines and patients' pharmacokinetics. Haemostatic efficacy was assessed on a 4-point scale. rIX-FP consumption and safety were monitored throughout the perioperative period. Results This updated dataset reports on thirty (8 minor and 22 major) surgeries conducted in 21 patients. A single preoperative bolus was used in 96.7% (n = 29) of surgeries. After minor surgery, patients received a median (range) of 0 (0–3) infusions with a median (range) consumption of 0 (0–178.89) IU/kg in the 14-day postoperative period. In patients who underwent major surgery (including 15 patients undergoing joint replacement surgery), the median (range) number of infusions in the 14-day postoperative period was 5 (0−11) and median consumption was 221.7 (0–444.07) IU/kg. Haemostatic efficacy was rated as excellent or good in 87.5% (7/8) of minor surgeries and 95.5% (21/22) of major surgeries. Conclusion Surgical procedures can be performed using a single preoperative bolus of rIX-FP in nearly all patients. During postoperative care, use of rIX-FP necessitated infrequent infusions and low FIX consumption. Overall, data suggest rIX-FP simplifies perioperative care in patients with haemophilia B

In silico comparison of pharmacokinetic properties of three extended half-life factor IX concentrates

Purpose: Pharmacokinetic (PK) differences between the extended half-life (EHL) factor IX (FIX) concentrates for hemophilia B exist, which may influence hemostatic efficacy of replacement therapy in patients. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the PK properties of three EHL-FIX concentrates and compare them to a standard half-life (SHL) recombinant FIX (rFIX) concentrate. Methods: Activity-time profiles of PEGylated FIX (N9-GP), FIX linked with human albumin (rIX-FP), FIX coupled to human IgG1 Fc-domain (rFIXFc), and SHL rFIX were simulated for 10,000 patients during steady-state dosing of 40 IU/kg once weekly (EHL-FIX) and biweekly (rFIX) using published concentrate specific population PK models. Results: Half-lives were respectively 80, 104, and 82 h for N9-GP, rIX-FP, and rFIXFc versus 22 h for rFIX. Between the EHL concentrates, exposure was different with area under the curve (AUC) values of 78.5, 49.6, and 12.1 IU/h/mL and time above FIX target values of 0.10 IU/mL of 168, 168, and 36 h for N9-GP, rIX-FP, and rFIXFc, respectively. N9-GP produced the highest median in vivo recovery value (1.70 IU/dL per IU/kg) compared with 1.18, 1.00, and 1.05 IU/dL per IU/kg for rIX-FP, rFIXFc, and rFIX, respectively. Conclusions: When comparing EHL products, not only half-life but also exposure must be considered. In addition, variation in extravascular distribution of the FIX concentrates must be taken into account. This study provides insight into the different PK properties of these concentrates and may aid in determination of dosing regimens of EHL-FIX concentrates in real-life

1-(4-Fluoro­phen­yl)biguanid-1-ium chloride

The title compound, C8H11FN5 +·Cl-, crystallized with a monoprotonated 1-(4-fluoro­phen­yl)biguanidinium cation and a chloride anion in the asymmetric unit. The biguanidium group is not planar [dihedral angle between the two CN3 groups = 52.0 (1)°] and is rotated with respect to the phenyl group [tau = 54.3 (3)°]. In the crystal, N—H ... N hydrogen-bonded centrosymmetric dimers are connected into ribbons, which are further stabilized by N—H ... Cl interactions, forming a three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded network