The influence of grammar instruction on general knowledge of English as a foreign language

Mesto i značaj nastave gramatike su oduvek bili predmet brojnih rasprava primenjenih lingvista i metodičara. Pojavom komunikativnog pristupa u metodici nastave stranog jezika uloga gramatike naglo gubi svoj značaj. Javljaju se mišljenja da nastava gramatike ne samo da ne olakšava učenje stranog jezika već da ga dodatno otežava. Međutim, nakon izvesnog vremena shvatilo se da isključivo insistiranje na komunikativnom pristupu stvara određene prepreke u procesu učenja stranog jezika i da je skoro nemoguće dostići visok nivo znanja stranog jezika ukoliko se isključi nastava gramatike. Ideja o dovođenju u ravnotežu procesa učenja stranih jezika samo kroz komunikaciju i onog koji se odvija uz pomoć korišćenja kognitivnih faktora se sve češće sreće u novijim teorijskim razmatranjima procesa učenja stranog jezika. Predmet našeg istraživanja je mesto formalne nastave gramatike u uspešnom učenju engleskog jezika kao stranog, s osvrtom na studentsku populaciju na nefilološkom fakultetu. U tu svrhu izveli smo eksperiment na Tehnološko-metalurškom fakultetu u Beogradu koji je trajao 15 nedelja. U njemu je učestvovalo ukupno 50 ispitanika, podeljenih u dve jednake grupe (eksperimentalnu i kontrolnu). Eksperimentalna grupa je slušala nastavu koja se bazirala na formalnoj nastavi gramatike, a kontrolna grupa je pohađala časove koji su se zasnivali na aktivnostima komunikativnog pristupa. Nakon eksperimentalne nastave izvedeno je testiranje koje je pokazalo stepen uspešnosti ova dva različita pristupa u metodici na spomenutom uzorku studentske populacije. Statističkom analizom došlo se do zaključka da je eksperimentalna grupa bila uspešnija od kontrolne u meri koja potvrđuje pretpostavku da učenje gramatike pomaže uspešnijem učenju engleskog jezika. Takođe smo uporedili rezultate ovog testiranja sa uspehom koji su isti subjekti postigli na završnom ispitu iz engleskog jezika na kraju semestra. Taj ispit je obuhvatao pored gramatike i proveru znanja leksike i nekih jezičkih veština (prevođenja i pisanja). Takvo poređenje je ponovo pokazalo da eksperimentalna grupa superiornije vlada engleskim jezikom. Načinili smo i analizu grešaka finalnog testa po ajtemima. Ovakav oblik analize može biti od velike koristi kod planiranja korektivne i kompenzacione nastave. Cilj našeg eksperimenta bio je da se utvrdi da li formalna nastava gramatike zaista doprinosi uspešnijem učenju stranog jezika, da li je ona uspešnija u odnosu na komunikativni pristup koji je suvereno vladao poslednjih decenija i da li postoji korelacija između ta dva pristupa. Takođe, cilj nam je bio da ukažemo na specifičnosti nastave stranog jezika na nefilološkim fakultetima i u okviru toga razmotrimo stavove i percepcije studentske populacije u vezi sa nastavom stranog jezika (engleskog jezika). Smatramo da je poznavanje njihovih stavova dragoceno za uspešno osmišljavanje i organizovanje nastave ovog predmeta.The role and the significance of grammar instruction have always been the subject of debates between applied linguists and practitioners. With the rise of communicative approach in language teaching the role of grammar rapidly diminished. Along with it came up the ideas that grammar instruction did not only fail to facilitate language learning but that it even presented an obstacle in the process of acquiring foreign language. However, it has been realized that exclusive usage of communicative approach creates certain difficulties and that it is almost impossible to attain a high level of proficiency if grammar instruction is excluded from language teaching. The latest studies show that there is a tendency towards creating a balance between the knowledge about language (which means the knowledge of formal grammar), and on the other hand, the approach which gained popularity in the seventh and the eighth decade of the 20th century and which argues that only communicative activities are necessary and sufficient for attaining language proficiency. The aim of this study is to establish the significance of formal grammar instruction in English language teaching in the general knowledge of this language. We have described and compared two different approaches: the communicative and the one which is based on formal grammar instruction. For that purpose we have conducted an experiment which involved 50 subjects (students from the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy in Belgrade) divided into 2 groups: the experimental group which had a formal grammar instruction and the control group which was taught according to the principles of communicative approach. At the end of the experiment the subjects were tested and the analyses were conducted, followed by the conclusion based on the statistics of obtained data. The results showed superiority of the experimental group over the control one. We also compared the results from the test with the results on the final exams the same students took at the end of the semester. Again, the students from the experimental group showed better knowledge. We have analyzed the items in the final test in terms of the success students had with each of them. Those results are considered to be helpful when organizing corrective and remedial practice with students. Also, the interviews were conducted with a group of students on the topic of importance of grammar instruction and their perceptions regarding it. The beliefs and the perceptions of student population on that subject are considered to be of great importance when creating foreign language syllabus and choosing teaching methods

Diode laser irradiation in endodontic therapy through cycles: In vitro study

Background/Aim: The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the influence of irradiation cycles and resting periods, on thermal effects on the external root surface during root canal irradiation of two diode laser systems (940 nm and 975 nm), at output powers of 1 W and 2 W in continuous mode. In previous studies the rising of temperature above 7°C has been reported as biologically accepted to avoid periodontal damage on the external root surface. Material and Methods: Twenty human inferior incisors were randomly distributed into four groups, the 940 nm, and the 975 nm diode laser irradiation, both with an output power of 1 W and 2 W, in continuous mode. The thermographic camera was used to detect temperature variations on the external root surface. Digital radiography of the samples was made. Results: After three cycles of irradiation, at apical third of the root, mean temperature variation by 940 nm diode laser irradiation was 2.88°C for output power of 1 W, and 6.52°C for output power of 2 W. The 975 nm laser caused a higher temperature increase in the apical region, with temperature variation of 13.56°C by an output power of 1 W, and 30.60°C at 2 W, with a statistical significance of p ≤ 0.0001 between two laser systems compared for the same power. The resting periods of 20 s between cycles were enough to lower temperature under 7°C in the case of 1 W and 2 W for 940 nm diode laser, while for 975 nm laser, after three irradiation cycles overheating occurred at both output power rates. Conclusion: Three cycles irradiation of 940 nm diode laser, with resting periods of 20 seconds, allowed safe usage of 1 W and 2 W in CW for endodontic treatment. For 975 nm at a power rate of 1 W, the last resting period drop the temperature near the safe limit and it came under 7°C in a period less than a minute, while at the power of 2 W the resting periods were not long enough for the safe temperature decrease

Alport's syndrome and benign familial haematuria: light and electron microscopic studies of the kidney

INTRODUCTION Hereditary nephropathy is clinically characterized by the familial occurrence in successive generations of progressive haematuric nephritis and neural hearing loss. Hereditary nephropathy of Alport's syndrome (AS) and benign familial (recurrent) haematuria (BFH) are morphologically characterized by specific and diagnostically important thickening and splitting of lamina densa of the glomerular basement membranes. Those lesions can be recognized only by electron microscopy. Hereditary nephritis is usually present clinically with haematuria, and new mutations without a family history of haematuria. It is therefore important to differentiate hereditary nephritis from BFH and no familial haematuria. Thus, electron microscopy is essential in diagnosis of haematuria. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe, by light microscopy, constellation of renal alterations by which hereditary nephropathy can be recognized with high probability as well as to compare the diagnostic validity of the findings observed by light and electron microscopy in AS and BFH. METHOD We examined 48 renal biopsies of the patients with hereditary nephoropathies by light and electron microscopy. Tissue samples were fixed in buffered paraformaldehyde and embedded in paraffin for long-term preservation. For the electron microscopy analysis, the following fixation in 4% glutaraldehyde tissue was postfixed in 1% osmium tetroxide.Thereafter, the following dehydration procedure tissue slices were embedded in epon. RESULTS Our results demonstrated that the interstitial foam cells, foetal-like glomeruli, minimal glomerular abnormalities with stain less intense in basement membranes, mild irregular mesangial widening, focal thickening of Bowman's capsule, foci of dilatation tubules, tubular ectasia and atrophy, erythrocyte tubules casts were present in hereditary nephritis. Additionally, light microscopic biopsy findings in patients with BFH were either normal or revealed minor changes (e.g. increased mesangial matrix). All biopsies were reevaluated by electron microscopy and ultrastructural findings confirmed the diagnosis of hereditary nephropathies. CONCLUSION The findings observed by light microscopy represent an important step that leads to a definitive diagnosis of AS and BFH. The definitive diagnosis, however, depends on electron microscopy

Usporavaenje progresije hronične insuficijencije bubrega kaptoprilom kod pacova sa spontanom arterijskom hipertenzijom i adriamicinskom nefropatijom

In SHRs with ADR nephropathy treatment with captopril normalized systemic blood pressure, and slowed down CRF progression in their early stage. These functional changes correlate with significant slowing of glomerular and interstitial changes.Uticaj arterijske hipertenzije na progresiju hronične insuficijencije bubrega opisan je u brojnim eksperimentalnim i kliničkim studijama. Samim tim uticaj različitih antihipertenzivnih lekova ka regulisanju pritiska krvi i usporavaju progresne hronične insuficijencije bubrega još uvek je predmet rasprava i neslaganja mnogih naučnika. Cilj ovog rada bio je da se ispita uticaj kaptoprila na kliničke, biohemijske i morfološke promene kod pacova sa spontanom arterijskom hipertenzijom i nefropatijom izazvanom adriamicinom. Šezdeset i devet ženki pacova sa spontanom arterijskom hipertenzijom (stare 24 nedelje) svrstane su u tri grupe: 1. kontrolna grupa - 12; 2. grupa s nefropatijom izazvanom adriamicinom - 27 sa spontanom arterijskom hipertenzijom koja je tretirana adriamicinom (2 mg/kg i.V. dva puta u 20 dana); 3. grupa s nefropatijom izazvanom adriamicinom - grupa S: 30 sa spontanom arterijskom hipertenzijom tretirana adriamicinom i kaptoprilom (60 mg/kg dnevno). Sistolni pritisak krvi meren je na dve nedelje, a analize seruma i urina na početku studije i u 6-oj, 12. i 18. nedele posle druge injekcije adriamicina. Životinje su žrtvovane 6-e, 12. i 18. nedelje od početka tretiranja kaptoprilom. Patomorfološke promene prikazane su semikvantitativno izračunavanjem indeksa glomerula vaskularnog indeksa, kao i indeksa fibroze intersticijuma i infiltracije, i atrofije tubula. Kaptopril je normalizovao sistemski pritisak krvi, ali nije smanjio proteinuriju kod pacova sa spontanom arterijskom hipertenzijom. Ureja i kreatinin u serumu progresivno su rasli u svim ispitivanim grupama pacova, ali brže kod pacova koji su tretirani adriamicinom. Klirens kreatinina najbrže je opadao u grupi kod pacova s nefropatijom izazvanom adriamicmom. Kaptopril smanjuje promene u glomerulima kod pacova sa spontanom arterijskom hipertenzijom i nefropatijom izazvanom adriamicinom s visokom statističkom značajnošću u 18-oj nedelji studije. Promene u intersticijumu kod pacova sa spontanom arterijskom hipertenzijom koji su tretirani adriamicinom uvećavaju ce u toku ogleda, ali statistički značajno sporije u svim nedeljama studije u grupi pacova s nefropatijom izazvanom adriamicinom (grupa C) Kaptopril nije uticao na promene u tubulima kod ovih životinja

Toxicity of Silver Nanoparticles Supported by Surface-Modified Zirconium Dioxide with Dihydroquercetin

The antibacterial performance and cytotoxic examination of in situ prepared silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), on inorganic-organic hybrid nanopowder consisting of zirconium dioxide nanoparticles (ZrO2 NPs) and dihydroquercetin (DHQ), was performed against Gram (−) bacteria Escherichia coli and Gram (+) bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, as well as against human cervical cancer cells HeLa and healthy MRC-5 human cells. The surface modification of ZrO2 NPs, synthesized by the sol-gel method, with DHQ leads to the interfacial charge transfer (ICT) complex formation indicated by the appearance of absorption in the visible spectral range. The prepared samples were thoroughly characterized (TEM, XRD, reflection spectroscopy), and, in addition, the spectroscopic observations are supported by the density functional theory (DFT) calculations using a cluster model. The concentration- and time-dependent antibacterial tests indicated a complete reduction of bacterial species, E. coli and S. aureus, for all investigated concentrations of silver (0.10, 0.25, and 0.50 mg/mL) after 24 h of contact. On the other side, the functionalized ZrO2 NPs with DHQ, before and after deposition of Ag NPs, do not display a significant decrease in the viability of HeLa MRC-5 cells in any of the used concentrations compared to the contro

The Role of C-Fos Protein, Somatostatin and Neuropeptide Y in the Pathogenesis of Ischemic Brain Injuries Based on Animal Model of Cerebral Ischemia

The aim of this study was to define all the areas of changes in expression of nuclear c-Fos protein (c-Fos), cytoplasmic somatostatin (SS) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in rat brain during experimental ischemia. Using the immunohistoche- mical method, brain mapping (based on the atlas by Paxinos & Watson) of immunoreactivity for c-Fos, SS and NPY in 39 rats, was studied in telencephalon, diencephalon and midbrain after resistant and transitory ischemia. The first ex- perimental group (R group) was exposed to resistant ischemia by occlusion (10 minutes) of four vessels according to the Pulsinelli method. The second group was first exposed to transitory (4 minutes) ischemia (preconditioning) and, after 72 hours, to total ischemia as in the R group. There was a statistical difference between the R and T group in the c-Fos reac- tion, especially in the parietofrontal cortex, anterior amygdaloid area, claustrum, reuniens nucleus and suprachiasmatic nucleus. The dominant immunohistochemical reactivity was found for c-Fos protein, and the most reactive in terms of co-localization of c-Fos with SS and NPY was periventricular area of hypothalamus. The mapping showed that both, phylogenetically new as well as phylogenetically older brain structures reacted immunohistochemically. The results of our study, regarding the impact of preconditioning with a short period of ischemia on c-Fos activity and co-localization of c-Fos with SS and NPY immunoreactivity, showed the need for future studies of brain neuropeptides related to re- gional and time effects, and indicated brain structures which may require pharmacological targeting to achieve neuro- protective level of proto-oncogene activity in populations at risk

Dyslipidemia: Current Perspectives and Implications for Clinical Practice

Dyslipidemia refers to a broad spectrum of various genetic and acquired disorders that affect blood lipid levels and largely contribute to global cardiovascular disease burden. Consistent evidence from epidemiological and clinical studies, supports the key role of the circulating LDL-cholesterol and other apoB containing lipoproteins in atherogenesis. All ApoB-containing lipoproteins with size less than 70 nm can cross the endothelial barrier, particularly in the presence of endothelial dysfunction. Uptake and accumulation of apoB-containing lipoproteins in the arterial wall is a critical initiating event in the development of atherosclerosis. Statin treatment, targeting LDL cholesterol reduction, remains the cornerstone of dyslipidemia management. There are abundant data supporting the concept of ‘the lower LDL-C, the better’ in the primary and secondary cardiovascular disease prevention. This chapter provides an overview of the key insights into the lipid abnormalities associated with an increased risk of CV events particulary in the context of dyslipidemia management in everyday clinical practice. Understanding the important role that metabolic derangements play in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis pave the way for stronger implementation of current guidelines for CVD risk assessment and prevention

With food to health : proceedings of 11th International symposium

Proceedings contains 13 original scientific papers, 10 professional papers and 2 review papers which were presented at "10th International Scientific and Professional Conference WITH FOOD TO HEALTH", organised in following sections: Nutrition, Dietetics and diet therapy, Functional food and food supplemnents, Food safety, Food analysis, Production of safe food and food with added nutritional value