Increasing Student Talking Time in the Secondary ESL classroom: A pedagogical innovation rooted in the use of art as a guiding theme

The purpose of this theoretical research proposal is to investigate the effectiveness of arts-based instruction in improving students' oral and written English language skills, their creativity, motivation and general engagement with the subject. This paper is also aiming at exploring ways in which this approach can be implemented into teaching practice. The study aims to explore the potential impact of arts-based instruction on students' engagement, motivation, and language proficiency, and to propose a framework for incorporating artistic content in English language teaching. In order to develop the methodological design, a literature review of relevant studies will be performed on art-based instruction and its effect on the learning of languages. Finally, a set of 12 sessions will be developed and explained serving as an example of how the said instruction can be taken into the English as a Foreign Language classroom, primarily at public high schools

The subduction of continental crust - insights from eclogite geochronology and petrology

When continents collide slices of continental crust may be dragged down into the subduction zone to depths of up to 200 km. The most straightforward evidence for continental subduction refers to the presence of high-pressure (HP) and ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) eclogite terranes in many collisional mountain systems. In addition, as inferred from numerical modelling continental subduction provides a physically most consistent explanation for the formation and exhumation of these terranes. Reconstruction of the P-T-t paths of HP and UHP rocks can provide direct constraints on the thermo-mechanical processes in subduction zones. For that, a multidisciplinary approach is the most promising one for understanding the subduction dynamics as well as the mechanisms of continental convergence. Three case studies were performed on HP and UHP eclogite terranes following similar procedures: the Eoalpine high-pressure belt in the Eastern Alps (Austria and Italy), the Byala Reka Dome in the Eastern Rhodopes (Bulgaria) and the Lofoten basement in the Scandinavian Caledonides (Norway). High precision Lu-Hf geochronology was applied on eclogites and combined with characterization of the chemical zoning in garnet. Additionally, thermodynamic modelling was performed on each of the dated samples for constraining the metamorphic conditions. The Eoalpine belt includes (ultra)high-pressure rocks that crop out along a northwest-southeast trending line extending from the Texel Complex in Italy to the Pohorje Mountains in Slovenia. Dating of garnet growth during pressure increase was achieved by using Lu-Hf chronometry that yielded results between c. 100 and c. 90 Ma. This time span of c. 10 Ma suggests short-lived period of subduction. Combined with the already published data the estimated metamorphic conditions indicate a field gradient with increasing P and T from northwest to southeast where the rocks experienced UHP Eoalpine metamorphism. The oldest Cretaceous eclogites are found in the Saualpe-Koralpe area that comprises widespread Permian gabbros formed along rift zones within a thinned continental margin during Permian-Triassic time. This supports the hypothesis that subduction initiation was intracontinental and localized by e Permian rift. In Texel Complex Lu-Hf dating of two-phased garnets yielded a Variscan-Eoalpine mixed age indicating re-subduction and eclogitization of Variscan eclogites during the Eoalpine orogeny. In eclogite from the Byala Reka Dome in the Eastern Rhodopes, garnet growth was dated at 81.6 ± 3.5 Ma by Lu–Hf chronometry. Petrological data and modelling suggest peak-pressure conditions of 1.2–1.6 GPa and 570–620 °C. The eclogite-facies metamorphism coincides with the main phase of granitoid intrusions in the Sredna Gora Zone and, thus, suggests that metamorphism took place in a subduction zone dipping towards north under this section of the Apuseni–Banat–Timok–Sredna Gora continental magmatic arc. During the Late Cretaceous, the site of magmatic activity shifted southward and arrived in the Eastern Rhodopes at ~69 Ma, as evident by granite intrusions of that age near the locality of the dated eclogite sample. This proximity may be explained by south-directed rollback of the subduction zone, although also post-69 Ma tectonic displacement has to be considered. Together with published age data from other parts of the Rhodopes, the new data confirm that multiple subduction/exhumation cycles took place between ~200 and ~40 Ma along this section of the southern European plate boundary. The Proterozoic basement of the Lofoten Islands contains Caledonian eclogite, although Caledonian deformation is only minor. Previous dating suggested that HP metamorphism in Lofoten occurred ca. 480 Ma, i.e., ~50 Ma before the collision between the major continents Baltica and Laurentia. Therefore, the Lofoten basement was considered not to originate from Baltica but rather to represent a stranded microcontinent. Newly discovered kyanite-bearing eclogites from the Lofoten Islands record deep subduction of continental crust during the main (Scandian) stage of Baltica-Laurentia collision ca. 400 Ma. Conventional geothermobarometry and thermodynamic modelling yield metamorphic conditions of 2.5-2.8 GPa and ~650 °C. Lu-Hf dating results in prograde garnet growth age of 399 ± 10 Ma. These results demonstrate that the Lofoten basement belonged to Baltica, was subducted to ~90 km depth during the collision with Laurentia, and was exhumed at an intermediate to high rate (>6 mm/yr) while thrusting of a Caledonian allochthon (Leknes Group) was still ongoing. This supports the challenging conclusions that (1) subducted continental crust may stay rigid down to a depth of ~90 km, and (2) it may be exhumed during ongoing collision and crustal shortening

Image methods for diagnosis of congenital and acquired disorders of the hip joint in children

Luxation is one of the most common congenital hip dislocations in newborns. The aim of the review is to acquaint the audience with the imaging methods for the diagnosis of congenital and acquired dislocations of the hip joints in children. A documentary method is used. Literary and Internet sources describing the disease, its origin and imaging methods used for diagnosis and timely treatment have been studied. The diagnosis is made not only by symptoms or examination, but also by using imaging methods such as: ultrasound, radiography, magnetic resonance imaging /MRI/, and in some cases computed tomography /CT/. Ultrasound diagnosis is the preferred method because it is a cheap and non-ionizing method. Radiography gives us enough information to diagnose diseases of the hip joint in children, but is preferable in children above the age of 9-10 months. It is desirable, if possible, to replace the radiation diagnostics with another, non-ionizing method. Each imaging method provides sufficient and important information necessary for the accurate diagnosis and timely treatment of congenital and acquired dislocations of the hip joints

Comparison of Thyroid -Stimulating Hormone and Free Thyroxine Immunoassays Performed on Immulite 2000 and Maglumi 800 Automated Analyzers

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to evaluate the analytical performance of the novel immunoassay platform and to compare the agreement between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and FT4 results, obtained by novel and currently used platform. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Both immunoassay platforms, current Immulite 2000 and novel Maglumi 800, are based on chemiluminecsence immunoassay method. Analytical performance was evaluated by the use of serum pools and commercial quality control samples. The comparison study was carried out with 80 serum samples. Obtained results were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U-test, and Paired t-test. Method comparison was performed with Passing-Bablok regression analysis and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: TSH Maglumi 800 showed better within-run precision for both concentration ranges (1.7–2.8 CV%) in comparison to Immulite 2000 (4.4–5.7 CV%). FT4 Maglumi 800 imprecision was higher compared with Immulite 2000 FT4 in both within-run (3.5–3.9 CV% vs. 4.9–6.6 CV%) and between-run (3.6–4.2 CV% vs. 4.6–5.9 CV%) tests. Mann–Whitney U-test for TSH revealed non-significant difference between data (p = 0.9011). Regression analysis showed no systematic (intercept = 0.01), nor proportional (slope = 0.9781) differences. Non-significant bias was observed in Bland-Altman Plots. For FT4, we found significant differences between methods using paired t-test (t39 = 10.5, p < 0.0001) and significant difference (p = 0.00745) with Mann–Whitney U-test. Bland-Altman plot revealed 22.8% average bias. CONCLUSION: TSH evaluation showed good precision and close agreement between Maglumi 800 and Immulite 2000 methods, which assures transferability of results. However, FT4 performance evaluation revealed higher imprecision of Maglumi 800 platform and significant differences of test results

Factor V Leiden Is Associated with Higher Risk of Deep Venous Thrombosis of Large Blood Vessels

Aim: To determine the prevalence of factor V Leiden mutation in patients with different presentation of venous thromboembolic disease and healthy individuals in the Republic of Macedonia. Methods: The retrospective study involved 190 patients with venous thromboembolic disease and 200 healthy individuals, who were screened for the presence of factor V Leiden mutation with a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The prevalence of factor V Leiden was analyzed according to the localization of thrombosis, presence of risk factors, and family history of thrombosis. The odds of deep venous thrombosis were calculated with respect to the presence of factor V Leiden mutation. Results: The prevalence of factor V Leiden mutation among patients with venous thromboembolic disease was 21.1%, compared with 5.5% in the healthy individuals. Factor V Leiden positive patients had the first episode of deep venous thrombosis at a younger age, and the prevalence of the mutation was the highest among patients with a positive family history of thrombosis (33.9%, P=0.003) and in patients with deep venous thrombosis affecting a large blood vessel (37.7%, P=0.001). The prevalence of factor V Leiden mutation was lower in patients with calf deep venous thrombosis and primary thromboembolism (13.3% and 13.1%, respectively; P>0.05). The odds ratio for iliofemoral or femoral deep venous thrombosis in factor V Leiden carriers was 10.4 (95% confidence interval, 4.7-23.1). Conclusion: The prevalence of factor V Leiden mutation was high in both patients with venous thromboembolic disease and healthy individuals in Republic of Macedonia. Factor V Leiden carriers have the highest odds of developing deep venous thrombosis affecting a large venous blood vessel

Imaging methods for ankylosing spondylitis diagnosis

Ankylosing spondylitis (Bekhterev's disease) is a form of chronic inflammation in the spine and sacroillitic joints, with or without involvement of the peripheral joints. The genetic factors are considered to be of major importance to the disease. The aim of the review is to familiarize the audience with the symptoms, etiology and imaging methods for diagnosing the disease. A documentary method has been used. Research and analysis of literary and Internet sources describing the disease and the use of imaging techniques for analyzing it have been done. Diagnosis is based on: symptoms, findings in X-ray and blood tests. Imaging methods are key tools for detecting, diagnosing, and monitoring patients with Bekhterev's disease. The cause of the disease remains unknown and to date there is no cure for permanent and final cure, but the role of imaging diagnosis in this process is indispensable for modern medicine

Understanding the Progression of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND) through cardiovascular disease and markers of inflammation

Despite recent advancements in healthcare that allow people living with HIV (PLWH) and healthy people living with comorbid conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, to live longer, new consequences arise, as people now live for longer durations of time with these diseases and comorbid conditions. Research has suggested that presence of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease in mid-life could be predictive of cognitive decline development later on in life through several interconnected pathogenic mechanisms, each which could potentially be exacerbated by HIV infection. For instance, systemic inflammation caused by obesity, cardiovascular disease development, metabolic dysregulation, and HIV infection could eventually lead to neuroinflammation, development of pathogenic vascular plasticities which result from a heightened inflammatory state, and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, all which ultimately culminate in cognitive decline. Eventually, this leads to a synergistic effect in PLWH, as additional cardiac complications occur in this cohort of people due to previously harsh antiretroviral therapy management, development of myocarditis, endothelial damage, and eventual heart failure. Overall, each of these processes contribute to pathogenic pathways which lead to cognitive decline, and potential development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) in PLWH. This essay aims to describe, in detail, the interplay of the aforementioned mechanisms, and to also examine if single-nucleotide polymorphisms of the cyclic AMP (cAMP) element-binding protein CREB1, which has been implicated in higher rates of cognitive decline in healthy adults, exist at significant levels in PLWH. Results show no significant interaction between alleles of CREB1 and decline status in this cohort of subjects, however it is important to continue research in this area, due to its public health implications. This area of research is of high public health significance, because individuals living with these conditions may eventually suffer from a lower quality of life as a result of comorbid conditions. Additionally, it addresses current gaps in research by attempting to describe a causal pathway of how cognitive decline progresses in HIV-infected vs. healthy individuals, what factors (i.e. environmental, genetic) could contribute to this progression, and if/how they can be managed to ensure better quality of life

Black Sea ecosystem model: setup and validation

In the framework of EU-MC project SIMSEA, a modelling study has been initiated to validate the General Estuarine Transport Model (GETM) for Black Sea’s simulations. The model is forced with atmospheric data from the European Regional Downscaling Experiment (EURO-CORDEX), river runoff from Global Runoff Data Centre (GRDC) and is initialised with temperature and salinity 3D fields coming from the project MEDAR/MEDATLAS II. Simulations are performed in a closed basin configuration with boundary conditions at the Bosphorus strait ensuring a net zero water flux balance in the Black Sea. An accurate method to calculate the optical depth estimated from satellite data has been involved. The model has been validated against measured/calculated temperature and salinity fields. The simulations with our hydrodynamic model correctly capture the Black Sea’s hydrodynamics – the strong halocline at 70-150 m, the Cold Intermediate Layer (CIL) at ~70 m, the doming of the isohalines due to the cyclonic Rim current, sea surface temperature variation, etc. A new Black Sea Ecosystem Model (BSSM) is linked via the Framework for Aquatic Biogeochemical Models (FABM,) with our hydrodynamic model. The coupled physical-ecosystem modelling system has been also calibrated and validated for the Black Sea runs. The numerical experiments indicate that the biogeochemical components of the model rather successfully reproduce the main features and state variable evolution in the Black Sea ecosystem: the growth in phytoplankton biomass and changes in seasonal cycles of the main ecosystem components. It is concluded that the physical processes are important for a reliable reproduction of seasonal and inter-annual changes in the ecosystem.JRC.H.1-Water Resource

Revised Black Sea ecosystem model

The regional Black Sea Ecosystem Model (BSEM) has been updated to describe better the Black Sea phytoplankton growth specific features, like the strong winter-spring blooms followed by usually less intense blooms in fall. The revised BSEM model includes a phosphorus cycle in order to explore variability of phytoplankton blooms under phosphorus limitation. Two specific features of the upper layer water-column physical and biogeochemical structures have been addressed in the present study. - A detailed view of the large- and mesoscale-circulation characteristics, and thus more detailed interpretation of the spreading and mixing of nutrients is achieved by the use of tracer model simulations. They give us knowledge on the spreading of nutrients and biological matter, coming from the main Black Sea rivers, deep basin pool and intermediate layers, respectively, to the euphotic zone. - BSEM model calibration with constant and variable phosphorous/nitrogen ratio is performed. The relative importance of both fertilizers (nitrate and phosphate) on the phytoplankton growth is shown.JRC.D.2-Water and Marine Resource

Alternative assessments of large scale Eutrophication using ecosystem simulations: hind-casting and scenario modelling

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) aims to achieve Good Environmental Status (GES) of the EU's marine waters by 2020, and to protect the marine resources upon which economic and social activities depend. The progress achieved in marine modelling gives the possibility of more realistic simulations of many aspects of the marine environment. Therefore, now the use of marine modelling can support the assessment process of the marine environment as foreseen in the MSFD by defining baselines, addressing data gaps and allowing for scenario simulations. We are here focusing on demonstrating the usefulness of ecosystem model data for assessing eutrophication aspects, as covered by MSFD descriptor D5. The assessments are based on calculating indicators, namely first the long established trophic indicator TRIX and for comparison the more recent HEAT indicator (as applied by HELCOM). We show that the use of ecosystem model data allows identifying sensitive areas and assessing long term trends in the development of eutrophication in 2 major European water bodies. Specifically strong spatial gradients from the open sea to the coast are detected in many variables and indicators. The available high resolution of the simulations allows the identification of such spatial gradients. The investigation of long term trends point to slightly increasing eutrophication problems in the Mediterranean Sea and the Baltic Sea. This increasing eutrophication trend seems to be caused by increasing nitrate concentrations in the Mediterranean Sea. However, in the Baltic Sea the increase in TRIX and HEAT indicators seems to be due to increasing phosphate concentrations. We performed scenario simulations for investigating the impact from changing climate variability and from reducing nutrient inputs in the Mediterranean Sea. Reduced climate variability (by using climatological atmospheric forcing) would lead to increasing eutrophication problems in many coastal regions and especially in the Aegean Sea. The proposed nutrient reduction scenario achieves surprisingly minor overall improvements, which are clearly identifiable only in the Adriatic Sea and the Aegean Sea, regions actually suffering from the most pronounced nutrient inputs. Finally possible methodological improvements and a way forward are discussed. We conclude that further nutrient reductions in the Mediterranean Sea and in the Baltic Sea will be necessary to reduce the eutrophication impact on marine and coastal ecosystems. However, it seems illusionary to aim at fully restoring past ecosystems, rather ecosystem management should develop iterative adaptation strategies to deal with shifting baselines and to maintain ecosystem services at a sustainable level.JRC.H.1-Water Resource