A Study of Interpreting Accreditation Testing Formatsin Australia

Advanced and affordable video conferencing technology has led to an increase in remote interpreting services via video, which has become a significant alternative to telephone and face-to-face interpreting. In keeping with this development, training providers are now incorporating video conference interpreting in their training. Video and audio resources are also increasingly being used as e-learning resources in online learning tools such as Blackboard and other university student learning portals. This has implications for the testing of interpreting skills, and the RMIT University Translating and Interpreting Program in Melbourne, Australia has started phasing in video assessment in examination and accreditation tests. In Australia, three test modes are commonly used: audio, video, and live-simulated tests. This article reports on a small-scale study that compared the three testing modes in terms of their potential impact on student examination results and also in terms of testing efficiency for training providers. Due to a lack of relevant research on the topic in the interpreting discipline, the discussion draws on relevant studies in diverse fields such as applied psychology, behavioral science, and musical performance. This study has implications for interpreter training strategies, for designing and administering interpreter assessment tests, and for resourcing in training programs

Interpreter linguistic intervention in the strategies employed by police in investigative interviews

Police interviews are high-stakes activities that bear legal consequences when the cases move to court proceedings. A wide range of literature exists on police interviewing strategies aiming to obtain complete information from the interviewee; however, this literature focuses primarily on monolingual settings only. This paper reports on an empirical study examining the word choices made by interpreters of 11 selected languages in three scripted police interview excerpts. The study found that considered verbal strategies deliberately employed by police in investigative interviewing may be interfered with by the interpreter in a bilingual setting. The authors discuss the implications of such linguistic intervention for police interview outcomes and propose improvements for the training of interpreters and police

Bentoska fauna rakušaca (Crustacea) u zaljevima Bandirma i Erdek, te neki ekološki čimbenici koji utječu na njihovu raspodjelu

This study aims to determine the environmental factors affecting the fauna and distribution of benthic amphipod species inhabiting in the Bandırma and Erdek Gulfs which are located on the south of the Marmara Sea. Total of 66 species belonging to 22 families were identified after analyzing the samples collected seasonally from the depths ranging between 1 and 30 m between 2007- 2008. According to the data gathered from the literature, it was determined that one species (Bathyporeia elegans Watkin, 1938) was a new record for the Turkish seas and 37 species for the Marmara Sea. In the Bandırma Gulf, of the ecological variables of the environment temperature was determined to range between 6.6-27°C, salinity between 21.32-36.03 psu, dissolved oxygen between 4.04-11.26 mg l-1and pH between 8.00-8.38. In the Erdek Gulf, temperature ranged between 6.7 and 27°C, salinity between 21.93-35.54‰, dissolved oxygen between 3.67-13.26 mg l-1 and pH between 8.06-8.36. In the surface sediment at the sampling stations of the Bandırma Gulf, total organic carbon values were between 0.07-4.42%, total calcium carbonate between 0.88-84.82%, total phosphorus between 609-12740 μg g-1 and mud percentage between 1.38-79.93%. In the Erdek Gulf, total organic carbon ranged between 0.08-2.89%, total calcium carbonate between 0.74-80.06%, total phosphorus between 376-3614 μg g-1 and mud percentage between 2.12-95.65%.Ovaj rad je imao za cilj utvrditi čimbenike okoliša koji utječu na faunu i raspodjelu vrsta bentoskih rakušaca koje nastanjuju Bandirma i Erdek zaljev na jugu Mramornog mora. Ukupno 66 vrsta, koje pripadaju 22 obitelji, je utvrđeno nakon analize uzoraka prikupljenih sezonski na dubini između 1 i 30 m tijekom 2007.-2008. g. Na temelju podataka iz literature, utvrđeno je da vrsta Bathyporeia elegans Watkin, 1938 predstavlja novi nalaz u turskim morima, dok je pronađeno 37 novih jedinki u Mramornom moru. U Bandirma zaljevu je utvrđeno da temperatura koleba u rasponu od 6,6 do 27°C, salinitet od 21.32-36.03 psu, dok je otopljeni kisik kolebao od 4,04 do 11,26 mg L-1 i pH od 8.00 do 8.38. U Erdek zaljevu, temperatura se kretala od 6,7 do 27°C, salinitet od 21.93 do 35.54 psu, otopljeni kisik od 3,67 do 13,26 mg L-1 i pH od 8.06 do 8.36. Analizom uzoraka površinskog sedimenta na postajama u Bandirma zaljevu otkrili, ustanovljene su vrijednosti ukupnog organskog ugljika koje su kolebale od 0,07 do 4,42%, ukupnog kalcij karbonata od 0,88 do 84,82%, ukupnog fosfora od 609 do 12740 ug g-1, te postotak blata koji se kretao od 1,38 do 79,93%. Uzorci površinskog sedimenta na postajama u Bandirma zaljevu pokazali su slijedeće: vrijednosti ukupnog organskog ugljika kolebale su od 0,07 do 4,42%, ukupnog kalcij karbonata od 0.88 do 84.82%, ukupnog fosfora od 609 do 12740 ug g-1, dok se postotak blata kretao od 1,38 do 79,93 %. U Erdek zaljevu je ustanovljeno kolebanje ukupnog organskog ugljika od 0,08 do 2,89%, ukupni kalcij karbonat od 0,74 do 80,06%, ukupni fosfor od 376 do 3614 ug g-1, a postotak blata se kretao od 2,12 do 95,65%

Bentoska fauna rakušaca (Crustacea) u zaljevima Bandirma i Erdek, te neki ekološki čimbenici koji utječu na njihovu raspodjelu

This study aims to determine the environmental factors affecting the fauna and distribution of benthic amphipod species inhabiting in the Bandırma and Erdek Gulfs which are located on the south of the Marmara Sea. Total of 66 species belonging to 22 families were identified after analyzing the samples collected seasonally from the depths ranging between 1 and 30 m between 2007- 2008. According to the data gathered from the literature, it was determined that one species (Bathyporeia elegans Watkin, 1938) was a new record for the Turkish seas and 37 species for the Marmara Sea. In the Bandırma Gulf, of the ecological variables of the environment temperature was determined to range between 6.6-27°C, salinity between 21.32-36.03 psu, dissolved oxygen between 4.04-11.26 mg l-1and pH between 8.00-8.38. In the Erdek Gulf, temperature ranged between 6.7 and 27°C, salinity between 21.93-35.54‰, dissolved oxygen between 3.67-13.26 mg l-1 and pH between 8.06-8.36. In the surface sediment at the sampling stations of the Bandırma Gulf, total organic carbon values were between 0.07-4.42%, total calcium carbonate between 0.88-84.82%, total phosphorus between 609-12740 μg g-1 and mud percentage between 1.38-79.93%. In the Erdek Gulf, total organic carbon ranged between 0.08-2.89%, total calcium carbonate between 0.74-80.06%, total phosphorus between 376-3614 μg g-1 and mud percentage between 2.12-95.65%.Ovaj rad je imao za cilj utvrditi čimbenike okoliša koji utječu na faunu i raspodjelu vrsta bentoskih rakušaca koje nastanjuju Bandirma i Erdek zaljev na jugu Mramornog mora. Ukupno 66 vrsta, koje pripadaju 22 obitelji, je utvrđeno nakon analize uzoraka prikupljenih sezonski na dubini između 1 i 30 m tijekom 2007.-2008. g. Na temelju podataka iz literature, utvrđeno je da vrsta Bathyporeia elegans Watkin, 1938 predstavlja novi nalaz u turskim morima, dok je pronađeno 37 novih jedinki u Mramornom moru. U Bandirma zaljevu je utvrđeno da temperatura koleba u rasponu od 6,6 do 27°C, salinitet od 21.32-36.03 psu, dok je otopljeni kisik kolebao od 4,04 do 11,26 mg L-1 i pH od 8.00 do 8.38. U Erdek zaljevu, temperatura se kretala od 6,7 do 27°C, salinitet od 21.93 do 35.54 psu, otopljeni kisik od 3,67 do 13,26 mg L-1 i pH od 8.06 do 8.36. Analizom uzoraka površinskog sedimenta na postajama u Bandirma zaljevu otkrili, ustanovljene su vrijednosti ukupnog organskog ugljika koje su kolebale od 0,07 do 4,42%, ukupnog kalcij karbonata od 0,88 do 84,82%, ukupnog fosfora od 609 do 12740 ug g-1, te postotak blata koji se kretao od 1,38 do 79,93%. Uzorci površinskog sedimenta na postajama u Bandirma zaljevu pokazali su slijedeće: vrijednosti ukupnog organskog ugljika kolebale su od 0,07 do 4,42%, ukupnog kalcij karbonata od 0.88 do 84.82%, ukupnog fosfora od 609 do 12740 ug g-1, dok se postotak blata kretao od 1,38 do 79,93 %. U Erdek zaljevu je ustanovljeno kolebanje ukupnog organskog ugljika od 0,08 do 2,89%, ukupni kalcij karbonat od 0,74 do 80,06%, ukupni fosfor od 376 do 3614 ug g-1, a postotak blata se kretao od 2,12 do 95,65%

Lost in communication: language and symbolic violence in Australia's public services

This research examined an often overlooked social problem that affects the lives and welfare of a significant number of Australians. This phenomenon is the interaction between public services and citizens who are either not proficient in or unable to speak the common language used by the society in general and by public services in particular. The phenomenon has implications for engagement, participation, equality and ultimately, social inclusion. There is a need for serious academic scrutiny that identifies ‘inconsistencies’ or ‘contradictions’ in the ways in which ordinary people with language barriers experience inequality in their relationship with public services today. This study examined this phenomenon and its implications in Australia in the context of public service provision. This study addressed this gap by examining two interrelated issues: the inequalities at play in accessing critical services by citizens with language barriers within a supposedly socially inclusive public service environment, and the politics at play in the use of translators and interpreters, a key independent communication method, in public service provision. To do this, this study, aided by the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu’s Theory of Practice, closely examined the practices and lived experiences of public service providers, translators and interpreters, and citizens with language barriers. First, gaining a rare insight into the circumstances and lives of community members with language barriers, this study exposed the vulnerabilities of these community members and the everyday incidents of symbolic violence they experience in essentially ‘forced encounters’ (forced by necessity) with public services. Second, through an examination of the everyday practices of public services, the study demonstrated serious gaps between access and equity policies and their implementation, revealing an ‘unchanging culture’ in the habitus of public services regarding communication with ethnic minorities. Finally, by providing an understanding of the work environments of interpreters and translators, this study revealed the vulnerability and uncertainty experienced by them. Given the multi-disciplinary nature of the research questions, spanning language, sociology and anthropology, this study incorporated a multi-faceted research strategy, interweaving qualitative and quantitative research paradigms and consisting of surveys, semi- structured narrative interviews, narrations and examination of publicly available reports and websites. The data obtained through this research strategy were analysed through statistics, content analysis and triangulation. Data came from three key players in this field of practice: public service agencies, interpreters and translators, and citizens with language barriers in Melbourne, Australia

Optimal paths in residue networks identify communication pathways in proteins

Navigation of information flows in networks is studied. As real-life systems, residue networks constructed from the coordinates deposited in the protein data bank are targeted. The cost of the navigation between neighbors are measured by residue-residue interaction potentials. By constructing all paths between initial/target nodes according to selected criteria, structurally and/or functionally important residues in the network are implicated. In particular, strong paths that minimize the weights along all possible pathways are found to differentiate between the functional nodes in protein families with high overall structural similarity, but low sequence similarity scores. To determine factors that drive the usage of strong paths in the network, a biased random walk scheme is deviced where the probability of edge selection is based on a balance between the knowledge of the location of the destination and the energy of interaction with the immediate neighbors. Since long range communication between two distantly placed functional regions in the protein calls for the gradient of information flow, strong paths emerge by satisfying the competition of local and global knowledge while navigating along the structure

A Citizen Science Approach for Analyzing Social Media With Crowdsourcing

Social media have the potential to provide timely information about emergency situations and sudden events. However, finding relevant information among the millions of posts being added every day can be difficult, and in current approaches developing an automatic data analysis project requires time and technical skills. This work presents a new approach for the analysis of social media posts, based on configurable automatic classification combined with Citizen Science methodologies. The process is facilitated by a set of flexible, automatic and open-source data processing tools called the Citizen Science Solution Kit. The kit provides a comprehensive set of tools that can be used and personalized in different situations, particularly during natural emergencies, starting from images and text contained in the posts. The tools can be employed by citizen scientists for filtering, classifying, and geolocating the content with a human-in-the-loop approach to support the data analyst, including feedback and suggestions on how to configure the automated tools, and techniques to gather inputs from citizens. Using flooding scenario as a guiding example, this paper illustrates the structure and functioning of the different tools proposed to support citizens scientists in their projects, and a methodological approach to their use. The process is then validated by discussing three case studies based on the Albania earthquake of 2019, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Thailand floods of 2021. The results suggest that a flexible approach to tools composition and configuration can support a timely setup of an analysis project by citizen scientists, especially in case of emergencies in unexpected locations.ISSN:2169-353

Novel Roles for Hypoxia and Prostaglandin E2 in the Regulation of IL-8 During Endometrial Repair

The endometrium has a remarkable capacity for efficient repair; however, factors involved remain undefined. Premenstrual progesterone withdrawal leads to increased prostaglandin (PG) production and local hypoxia. Here we determined human endometrial expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and the roles of PGE2 and hypoxia in its regulation. Endometrial biopsy specimens (n = 51) were collected. Endometrial cells and explants were exposed to 100 nmol/L of PGE2 or 0.5% O2. The endometrial IL-8 concentration peaked during menstruation (P < 0.001) and had a significant proangiogenic effect. IL-8 was increased by PGE2 and hypoxia in secretory but not proliferative explants, which suggests that exposure to progesterone is essential. In vitro progesterone withdrawal induced significant IL-8 up-regulation in proliferative explants primed with progestins, but only in the presence of hypoxia. Epithelial cells treated simultaneously with PGE2 and hypoxia demonstrated synergistic increases in IL-8. Inhibition of HIF-1 by short hairpin RNA abolished hypoxic IL-8 induction, and inhibition of NF-κB by an adenoviral dominant negative inhibitor decreased PGE2-induced IL-8 expression (P > 0.05). Increased menstrual IL-8 is consistent with a role in repair. Progesterone withdrawal, hypoxia, and PGE2 regulate endometrial IL-8 by acting via HIF-1 and NF-κB. Hence, progesterone withdrawal may activate two distinct pathways to initiate endometrial repair