Can majority support save an endangered language? A case study of language attitudes in Guernsey

Many studies of minority language revitalisation focus on the attitudes and perceptions of minorities, but not on those of majority group members. This paper discusses the implications of these issues, and presents research into majority andf minority attitudes towards the endangered indigenous vernacular of Guernsey, Channel Islands. The research used a multi-method approach (questionnaire and interview) to obtain attitudinal data from a representative sample of the population that included politicians and civil servants (209 participants). The findings suggested a shift in language ideology away from the post-second world war ‘culture of modernisation’ and monolingual ideal, towards recognition of the value of a bi/trilingual linguistic heritage. Public opinion in Guernsey now seems to support the maintenance of the indigenous language variety, which has led to a degree of official support. The paper then discusses to what extent this ‘attitude shift’ is reflected in linguistic behaviour and in concrete language planning measures

Nephrotoxicity in survivors of Wilms' tumours in the North of England

One aspect of concern for survivors of Wilms' tumour has been the late outcome in terms of renal function. Previous studies have documented low glomerular filtration rate and high blood pressure in some patients. Furthermore, disorders in tubular function (especially urinary concentration defects) have been suggested but not confirmed in small studies. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and nature of subclinical and overt glomerular, proximal and distal renal tubular toxicity in a population based cohort of survivors of Wilms' tumour. Forty patients (24 female) with a median age of 4.3 years (3 months–11.8 years) at diagnosis were studied. Median follow-up was 8.8 (range 0.06–27.5) years. Glomerular filtration rate was measured by 51Cr-EDTA plasma clearance, proximal tubular function by electrolyte fractional excretions, urine excretion of low molecular weight proteins (retinol-binding protein) and renal tubular enzymes (alanine aminopeptidase; N-acetylglucosaminidase) and distal tubular function by the osmolality of the first two urines of the day on 3 consecutive days. Renal size (ultrasound) and blood pressure were also measured. Mean (range) glomerular filtration rate was 100 (61–150) ml min−1 1.73 m−2. Nine were below the reference range for healthy individuals with two kidneys. Most serum electrolyte concentrations (sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium and phosphate) fell within the normal range for age, as did the fractional excretions. The values that fell outside the normal range were only marginally abnormal. Subclinical measures of tubular toxicity (retinal-binding protein, alanine aminopeptidase, N-acetylglucosaminidase) were abnormal in only four patients. Thirty-seven patients achieved maximal urine osmolalities ⩾800 mOsm kg−1, but three failed to achieve this value even after DDAVP administration. Two patients had evidence of increased urinary albumin excretion. Compensatory renal hypertrophy was seen in all but two patients, but blood pressure was within normal limits in all patients. Current and past treatment for Wilms' tumour does not have any clinically important nephrotoxic effect in the majority of patients. This finding will enable paediatric oncologists to reassure patients and parents that treatment for Wilms' tumour rarely causes long-term renal impairment

Nanoparticles for Applications in Cellular Imaging

In the following review we discuss several types of nanoparticles (such as TiO2, quantum dots, and gold nanoparticles) and their impact on the ability to image biological components in fixed cells. The review also discusses factors influencing nanoparticle imaging and uptake in live cells in vitro. Due to their unique size-dependent properties nanoparticles offer numerous advantages over traditional dyes and proteins. For example, the photostability, narrow emission peak, and ability to rationally modify both the size and surface chemistry of Quantum Dots allow for simultaneous analyses of multiple targets within the same cell. On the other hand, the surface characteristics of nanometer sized TiO2allow efficient conjugation to nucleic acids which enables their retention in specific subcellular compartments. We discuss cellular uptake mechanisms for the internalization of nanoparticles and studies showing the influence of nanoparticle size and charge and the cell type targeted on nanoparticle uptake. The predominant nanoparticle uptake mechanisms include clathrin-dependent mechanisms, macropinocytosis, and phagocytosis

Mechanics-based closed-form solutions for moment redistribution in RC beams

When it comes to the efficient design of reinforced concrete beams and frames, moment redistribution is used to: reduce the absolute maximum magnitude of the moment in the critical region, equalize the critical moments on either side of interior columns and fully utilize the capacity of the non-critical regions of a member. Although important, historically, moment redistribution has proved to be difficult to quantify due to the complexity of quantifying hinge rotations. Although numerous empirical expressions exist for plastic hinge lengths, i.e. the length over which the ultimate curvature can be integrated in order to give hinge rotations, a comparison with a global dataset yields poor results. Using a recently developed mechanics-based moment-rotation approach, it is possible to quantify the moment-rotation characteristics of reinforced concrete hinges. In the tension region, the approach applies partial interaction theory directly to simulate the mechanisms associated with slip of the reinforcement relative to the surrounding concrete as cracks widen, whereas in the compression region, partial interaction shear-friction theory is used to describe the formation and failure of concrete softening wedges. It is shown how the moment-rotation approach explicitly allows for the size dependency. Furthermore, mechanics-based solutions for moment redistribution are then derived and it is shown how these can be simplified at the ultimate limit state for use in the design office.Phillip Visintin, Deric Oehler

Linguistic landscapes in Southern Carinthia (Austria)

This paper explores the linguistic landscape (LL) in the southern Austrian province of Carinthia, which is home to an autochthonous Slovene minority. Following several decades of political and legal debate known as the Ortstafelstreit ('dispute of topographic signs'), recent legislation has strengthened the status of Slovene by requiring municipalities with a considerable Slovene population to set up bilingual German-Slovene topographic signs marking their municipal boundaries. However, this is juxtaposed with a longstanding decline in use of the Slovene language amongst the autochthonous Slovene population. This qualitative analysis of the LL of three frames, the civic, the commercial, and the church, shows a heterogeneous picture, but one that is generally strongly skewed towards monolingual German. It suggests that Slovene is assigned a comparatively low sociosymbolic value. This can, at least in part, attributed to the selective manner in which municipalities are awarded legal bilingual status, leading to a lack of linguistic cohesion in the area and its LL. A marked exception to this is the church frame, whose linguistic landscape is characterised by a relatively balanced use of both German and Slovene