Informative assessment: A supportive tool for systemic validity in language education

AbstractAccountability in language testing is normally supported through a validation process. In language teaching, however, the matter of accountability is sometimes overlooked, especially when the focus falls on curriculum completion. In view of the reciprocity that exists between language teaching and testing, core principles used for test validation are also useful for ensuring accountability in course design. This paper evaluates a language course offered to Education students at a tertiary institution by drawing on the notions of construct and content validity. Empirical data gleaned from a literacy survey and assessment artefacts are interpreted against course objectives and content. A need is identified for substantial revisions to the course in order to ensure closer alignment with students’ language learning needs. The study shows how accountability in language education coheres with the principle of systemic validity and the relevance of analysing and correlating different kinds of data

Risk profiles and one-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is an ongoing prospective noninterventional registry, which is providing important information on the baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This report describes data from Indian patients recruited in this registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 52,014 patients with newly diagnosed AF were enrolled globally; of these, 1388 patients were recruited from 26 sites within India (2012-2016). In India, the mean age was 65.8 years at diagnosis of NVAF. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor for AF, present in 68.5% of patients from India and in 76.3% of patients globally (P < 0.001). Diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) were prevalent in 36.2% and 28.1% of patients as compared with global prevalence of 22.2% and 21.6%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Antiplatelet therapy was the most common antithrombotic treatment in India. With increasing stroke risk, however, patients were more likely to receive oral anticoagulant therapy [mainly vitamin K antagonist (VKA)], but average international normalized ratio (INR) was lower among Indian patients [median INR value 1.6 (interquartile range {IQR}: 1.3-2.3) versus 2.3 (IQR 1.8-2.8) (P < 0.001)]. Compared with other countries, patients from India had markedly higher rates of all-cause mortality [7.68 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 6.32-9.35) vs 4.34 (4.16-4.53), P < 0.0001], while rates of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding were lower after 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Compared to previously published registries from India, the GARFIELD-AF registry describes clinical profiles and outcomes in Indian patients with AF of a different etiology. The registry data show that compared to the rest of the world, Indian AF patients are younger in age and have more diabetes and CAD. Patients with a higher stroke risk are more likely to receive anticoagulation therapy with VKA but are underdosed compared with the global average in the GARFIELD-AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362

Altered white matter microstructural organization in posttraumatic stress disorder across 3047 adults: results from the PGC-ENIGMA PTSD consortium

A growing number of studies have examined alterations in white matter organization in people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using diffusion MRI (dMRI), but the results have been mixed which may be partially due to relatively small sample sizes among studies. Altered structural connectivity may be both a neurobiological vulnerability for, and a result of, PTSD. In an effort to find reliable effects, we present a multi-cohort analysis of dMRI metrics across 3047 individuals from 28 cohorts currently participating in the PGC-ENIGMA PTSD working group (a joint partnership between the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium and the Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis consortium). Comparing regional white matter metrics across the full brain in 1426 individuals with PTSD and 1621 controls (2174 males/873 females) between ages 18-83, 92% of whom were trauma-exposed, we report associations between PTSD and disrupted white matter organization measured by lower fractional anisotropy (FA) in the tapetum region of the corpus callosum (Cohen's d = -0.11, p = 0.0055). The tapetum connects the left and right hippocampus, for which structure and function have been consistently implicated in PTSD. Results were consistent even after accounting for the effects of multiple potentially confounding variables: childhood trauma exposure, comorbid depression, history of traumatic brain injury, current alcohol abuse or dependence, and current use of psychotropic medications. Our results show that PTSD may be associated with alterations in the broader hippocampal network.New methods for child psychiatric diagnosis and treatment outcome evaluatio

Using CT-scanning technology to quantify damage of the stem-boring beetle, Aphanasium australe, a biocontrol agent of Hakea sericea in South Africa

The stem-boring beetle, Aphanasium australe was introduced into South Africa in 2001 for biocontrol of Hakea sericea. It has a two-year life cycle, the majority of which is spent within the basal stem and roots of its host plant. Damage assessments indicate that A. australe is capable of killing 7-10% of trees in a Hakea stand. However, how much internal damage, and number of insects that are required to cause significant damage or death of the plant, is not known. Here, we used a novel technique - X-ray micro computed tomography (microCT) - to quantify damage in dead and live trees. We also used the technique to assess whether microCT is feasible as a means to determine percentage emergence and survival of larvae/pupae within Hakea stumps. Results showed that the technique can be used successfully to quantify damage, and that felled live trees had significantly less damage than felled dead trees. The amount of internal damage was significantly influenced by the number of insects that emerged, and by the overall size of the trees. MicroCT was able to determine with 100% accuracy the survival of insects that were either inside stumps or had emerged at the time of scanning. A complex suite of factors are responsible for death or survival of trees once infested with the biocontrol agent, and percentage internal damage to trees is not the only factor that dictates whether or not a tree will succumb to the effects of the stem-borer

Effect of penetration modifiers on the dermal and transdermal delivery of drugs and cosmetic active ingredients

In this study the effect of 2 penetration modifiers, dimethyl isosorbide (DMI) and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (DGME) on the skin delivery of hydroquinone (HQ), salicylic acid (SA) and octadecenedioic acid (DIOIC) was investigated. Ten percent DMI and DGME were separately formulated into oil-in-water emulsions containing 1.8% HQ, SA and DIOIC, respectively. Skin delivery and the flux across split-thickness human skin of the active ingredients were determined using Franz diffusion cells. An emulsion with 10% water incorporated instead of the water-soluble penetration modifiers served as a control. The study showed that neither 10% DMI nor 10% DGME significantly enhanced the skin permeation of the various lipophilic active ingredients or the uptake into the skin. It was hypothesized that the addition of the penetration modifiers to the emulsions not only enhanced the solubility of the various active ingredients in the skin but also in the formulation, resulting in a reduced thermodynamic activity and hence a weaker driving force for penetration. Therefore, the effect of DMI and DGME on the solubility of the active ingredients in the skin was counteracted by a simultaneous reduction in the thermodynamic activity in the formulatio

Patterns of shore utilization in a metropolitan area: the Cape Peninsula, South Africa

A survey of the western shores of False Bay, Cape Peninsula, South Africa (34°5′S, 18°26′W–34°9′S, 18°29′W) was undertaken to determine patterns and intensities of human utilization over a one-year period. This was done as part of a programme to monitor the impact of proclaiming three small marine reserves (created in March 1986) along this intensively utilized stretch of coastline. Only 6% (48 000) of all visitors to the shore were exploiters, i.e. anglers and bait gatherers. The greater proportion of visitors (779 640) engaged in non-exploitative recreational activities, concentrated on sandy beaches. Mean daily shore attendances peaked between 12.00 and 16.00 h. Numbers of visitors during ‘out-of-season’ periods peaked over weekends, with Saturdays being more popular than Sundays. Wednesdays were found to have unexpectedly high attendances. Maximum overall beach attendances occurred during the peak holiday season (the Christmas holidays); but over this period, weekday attendances exceeded those over weekends. Factors influencing the utilization patterns are discussed

REFLECTING ON NINETY YEARS OF INTERMITTENT SUCCESS: THE EXPERIENCE OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK WITH INFLATION SINCE 1921

The South African Reserve Bank (the Bank) has achieved intermittent excellence in its quest to contain inflation since its establishment in 1921. This long experience highlights important experiences with inflation, which can be put to good use by central banks in other emerging-market economies. The conclusion is that there is no substitute for the long-run use of sound monetary policy in the quest to contain inflation.http://www.journals.co.za/ej/ejour_sajeh.htm