Concurrent Translation Research Articles

Concurrent translation on collaborative platforms

Abstract The advent of AI-supported, cloud-based collaborative translation platforms have enabled a new form of online collaborative translation – ‘concurrent translation’ (CT). CT refers to commercial translation performed on such platforms by multiple agents (translators, editors, subject-matter experts etc.) simultaneously, via concurrent access. Although the practice has recently gained more ground, research on CT is scarce. The present article reports on selected key findings of a study that investigates translators’ experiences with CT via a survey of 804 professional translators working in CT mode across different commercial platforms. Despite the affordances such as peer learning, positive competition, speed, flexibility of the volume of work and working time, and reduced responsibility and reduced stress, CT workflow comes with its substantial challenges such as time pressure, negative competition, reduced self-revision and research, all of which result in quality compromised for speed.

Validation of the Malay Version of the Shame and Stigma Scale among Cancer Patients in Malaysia.

The assessment of stigma among cancer patients is of the utmost importance as stigma may lead to various psychological sequelae and a lower quality of life. This study aimed to translate the English version of the Shame and Stigma Scale (SSS) into Malay and validate the Malay version of the SSS (SSS-M) to assess the degree of stigma among cancer patients in Malaysia. Initially, the concurrent translation and back translation of the SSS-M were performed, and the face and content validity were assessed. Subsequently, the SSS-M was administered to a total of 234 patients with mixed types of cancer to assess its reliability (internal consistency and test-retest reliability), construct validity (convergent and discriminant validity), and conduct an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The SSS-M total score registered a good internal consistency (a Cronbach's α of 0.881) and test-retest reliability (an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.876, p < 0.001). The EFA and CFA confirmed that the SSS-M consisted of 16 items in 3 domains. Its convergent and discriminant validity were achieved. Hence, the SSS-M demonstrated good psychometric properties and is available for use to assess stigma among cancer patients in Malaysia.

VALIDATION OF THE MALAY VERSION OF THE CANCER THERAPY SATISFACTION QUESTIONNAIRE AMONG MALAYSIAN CANCER PATIENTS

Satisfaction with treatment among cancer patients is vital for planning of healthcare strategies and to ensure compliance to cancer therapy. Hence, this study translated the original English version of the Cancer Therapy Satisfaction Questionnaire (CTSQ) into Malay and investigated the reliability and validity of the Malay version for use to assess satisfaction with treatment among Malaysian cancer patients. Initially, concurrent translation and back translation of the English version of the CTSQ was performed. Then, the Malay version of the CTSQ (CTSQ-M) was administered to 200 cancer patients with different sites and stages of cancer for assessment of its reliability and validity. The CTSQ-M and its domains exhibited acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s α ranged from 0.724 to 0.882). Convergent and discriminant validity were achieved by the CTSQ-M. Construct validity was achieved by the CTSQ-M as exploratory factor analysis extracted 3 factors, while confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that the CTSQ-M consisted of 16 items in 3 domains. We concluded that the CTSQ-M had acceptable psychometric properties.

Mothers’ perspectives on the influences shaping their early experiences with infants at risk of cerebral palsy in India

BackgroundAccurate diagnosis of cerebral palsy (CP) high-risk status is now possible in infants less than six months corrected age. Parents play a central role in providing nurturing care and implementing early intervention approaches. To design interventions tailored to needs of parents and understand how to improve parental support, this study aimed to understand the influences shaping parent experiences with an infant at high-risk of CP in West Bengal, India. Methods and proceduresThis phenomenological qualitative study was conducted with parents of infants at high-risk of CP in West Bengal, India. Individual in-depth interviews explored experiences with health providers, supports for caregiving and challenges of parenting. Interviews were conducted in English with concurrent translation and analysed using thematic analysis. Outcomes and resultsMain themes included: limited finances and social networks shape decisions and caregiving practices; trust in the formal health care system; views of disability including explanations for their infant’s condition and expectations for the child’s future, and everyday adaptations required to meet infants’ needs. Conclusions and implicationsLow cost models of early intervention may alleviate the financial burden and stress on families. Dependence on health care professionals for care management is a barrier to family-delivered approaches to care.

\u201cFeeling clean\u201d: stigma and intravaginal practices among female entertainment workers in Cambodia

BackgroundIntravaginal practices (IVPs), methods used by women most often to manage vaginal hygiene and address perceived disruptions to vaginal health, may increase the risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This qualitative study explores the social, professional, and peer context surrounding IVPs, the experiences of self-cleaning or getting cleaned from a health professional, and the perceived impacts of IVPs among female entertainment workers (FEWs) in Cambodia.MethodsIn 2017, we conducted 27 focus group discussions from four provinces, and 16 follow-up semi-structured in-depth interviews with purposively selected participants in two provinces. Data collection occurred over three weeks, with concurrent data transcription and translation. The data from the transcripts were analyzed using Dedoose, an online, open-access qualitative analysis software. Two researchers independently labeled sections of transcripts associated with broader categories and subcategories based on the initial content analysis matrix and created codes. This process continued iteratively until a final coding schema and conceptual model was created.ResultsWe found that IVPs are widely practiced among FEWs in Cambodia and are associated with internalized and enacted stigma. Stigma was an overarching theme that impacted the sub-themes of (1) messages about cleaning, (2) the cleaning process, and (3) the impact of cleaning. Experiences of enacted stigma and internalized stigma permeated conversations about IVP, including feeling pressured by peers to keep themselves clean, practicing internal cleaning after transactional sex, and being called dirty by health providers.ConclusionsFEWs who practice IVP talk about it in the context of their lived experiences stigma and discrimination. Highly stigmatized practices such as IVP among FEWs may benefit from a harm reduction approach that emphasizes positive changes without judgment, coercion, or discrimination.

Language Policy and Practice in Almost-Bilingual Classrooms

ABSTRACTThis study explores language policies in “almost-bilingual” classrooms, in which most but not all students share a home language. Teachers who are bilingual face a dilemma in these settings. Should they draw on shared linguistic expertise to benefit the majority while excluding a few, or should they forego significant benefits for most in the interest of equity? This qualitative study examines the classroom language policies and practices of one English-as-a second-language (ESL) teacher at a majority-Latino high school. Drawing on field notes, interviews, and systematic teacher reflection, the authors identify a collection of multilingual practices across ESL and sheltered content courses: translated texts, “translanguaging from the students up,” and concurrent translation. They discuss the benefits and drawbacks of these policies for Spanish speakers and “singletons”—students with no same-language peers—to offer pedagogical and policy insights for meeting the diverse and sometimes-conflicting needs of students in multilingual classrooms.

Validation of the Malay Version of the Snyder Hope Scale Among Malaysian Cancer Patients

Hope leads to lower depression and anxiety and is associated with improved quality of life of cancer patients. In this study, Hope Scale (HS) was translated into Malay, and the psychometric properties of the Malay version of the Hope Scale were investigated among Malaysian cancer patients. Concurrent translation and back translation of the original English version of the Hope Scale were performed, and the Malay version was administered to 195 cancer patients with different cancer diagnoses at baseline assessment and 2 months later at follow-up. The Hope Scale (Malay) total score (Cronbach’s α = 0.72; intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.67) and its domains (Cronbach’s α [pathway] = 0.7; Cronbach’s α [agency] = 0.7; ICC[Pathway] = 0.64; ICC[Agency] = 0.70) demonstrated acceptable internal consistencies and test-retest reliability. Convergent and discriminant validities were also achieved by the Hope Scale (Malay). The Hope Scale (Malay) demonstrated construct validity, as confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the items in the Hope Scale (Malay) best fit into two domains, which was true for the original English version. The Hope Scale (Malay) had acceptable psychometric properties and thus is suitable for assessing hope in Malaysian cancer patients. DOI : http://dx.doi.org./10.17576/JSKM-2018-1601-12

Stimulation of the Translation of Reporter mRNA in the Presence of Another mRNA in a Cell-Free System Based on Wheat Germ Extract

The translation of uncapped mRNAs encoding luciferase and green fluorescent protein in a cell-free translation system based on wheat germ extract has been studied. It turned out that two simultaneously translated (in one tube) different templates in a certain range of concentrations not only do not compete, but mutually enhance each other's translation. It has been shown that the synthesis of luciferase in the presence of mRNA that encodes green fluorescent protein is much more effective than in the translation of only luciferase mRNA at the same concentration. Similarly, the efficiency of the synthesis of green fluorescent protein increases in the presence of the template that encodes luciferase. It follows that the total effect of the concurrent translation of two different mRNAs exceeds the sum of the effects of the translation of each mRNA separately.

Specific Material Removal Rate Calculation in Five-Axis Grinding

Specific material removal rate (MRR) q′ was calculated for five-axis grinding in a virtual machining simulation environment (VMSE). The axis-symmetric tool rotational profile was arc-length parameterized. The twisted grazing curve due to the concurrent translation and rotation in every move was modeled through an exact velocity field and areal MRR density q″, positive in the front of the grazing curve on the tool surface. Variation of q′ and equivalent chip thickness h within the instantaneous engagement contour were deduced from q″. Illustrative results with a five-axis impeller blade finishing simulation are shown. The results were benchmarked against an average q′ calculated from the instantaneous MRR from the VMSE. As a function of time, maximum chip thickness hmax within the extents of contact along the tool profile in every move showed more isolated peaks than corresponding qmax′. Maximum cumulative material removed per unit length Qmax′ along the tool profile from all the moves was calculated to predict axial location of maximum risk of cutter degradation. Qmax′ and hmax are useful metrics for tool path diagnosis and tool wear analysis.

Transcription rate and transcript length drive formation of chromosomal interaction domain boundaries.

Chromosomes in all organisms are highly organized and divided into multiple chromosomal interaction domains, or topological domains. Regions of active, high transcription help establish and maintain domain boundaries, but precisely how this occurs remains unclear. Here, using fluorescence microscopy and chromosome conformation capture in conjunction with deep sequencing (Hi-C), we show that in Caulobacter crescentus, both transcription rate and transcript length, independent of concurrent translation, drive the formation of domain boundaries. We find that long, highly expressed genes do not form topological boundaries simply through the inhibition of supercoil diffusion. Instead, our results support a model in which long, active regions of transcription drive local decompaction of the chromosome, with these more open regions of the chromosome forming spatial gaps invivo that diminish contacts between DNA in neighboring domains. These insights into the molecular forces responsible for domain formation in Caulobacter likely generalize to other bacteria and possibly eukaryotes.

Methods for the assembly and analysis of in vitro transcription-coupled-to-translation systems.

RNA polymerase is a complex machinery, which is further embedded in interactions with other cellular components that interplay with either the transcribed DNA (DNA polymerases, topoisomerases, etc.) or the nascent RNA (RNA processing enzymes, ribosomes, etc.). In prokaryotes, coupling of transcription and translation is thought to play many regulatory roles but the mechanistic understanding of their interactions has been hindered by the lack of a defined experimental system. Here, we describe a pure transcription-coupled-to-translation system in which control of the ribosome has been achieved through its stepwise translocation towards RNA polymerase. This system can be used to study the effects of concurrent translation on RNA chain elongation and to elucidate the interface between the two macromolecular complexes.

Body image among female university students in Turkey: concurrent translation and validation of three body image measures

The aim of the present study was to translate into Turkish and validate three measures of body image for women, namely the Photographic Figure Rating Scale, the Body Appreciation Scale (BAS) and the Sociocultural Attitudes Toward Appearance Questionnaire-3 (SATAQ-3). A total of 501 female undergraduates from Ankara completed Turkish versions of the aforementioned scales, along with Turkish versions of measures of life satisfaction and self-esteem. Participants also reported their body mass index (BMI). Factor analytic results showed that the BAS reduced to a single dimension, whereas the SATAQ-3 reduced to four dimensions; these factor structures were similar to those observed among various Western samples. Further analyses showed that most respondents (55.6%) wanted to be thinner. The translated scales showed good patterns of validity, insofar as scores were significantly correlated with life satisfaction, self-esteem and BMI, and can be recommended for the assessment of body image among Turkish-speaking...

Bidirectional transcripts of the expanded C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat are translated into aggregating dipeptide repeat proteins.

Massive GGGGCC repeat expansion in the first intron of the gene C9orf72 is the most common known cause of familial frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Despite its intronic localization and lack of an ATG start codon, the repeat region is translated in all three reading frames into aggregating dipeptide-repeat (DPR) proteins, poly-(Gly-Ala), poly-(Gly-Pro) and poly-(Gly-Arg). We took an antibody-based approach to further validate the translation of DPR proteins. To test whether the antisense repeat RNA transcript is also translated, we raised antibodies against the predicted products, poly-(Ala-Pro) and poly-(Pro-Arg). Both antibodies stained p62-positive neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions throughout the cerebellum and hippocampus indicating that not only sense but also antisense strand repeats are translated into DPR proteins in the absence of ATG start codons. Protein products of both strands co-aggregate suggesting concurrent translation of both strands. Moreover, an antibody targeting the putative carboxyl terminus of DPR proteins can detect inclusion pathology in C9orf72 repeat expansion carriers suggesting that the non-ATG translation continues through the entire repeat and beyond. A highly sensitive monoclonal antibody against poly-(Gly-Arg), visualized abundant inclusion pathology in all cortical regions and some inclusions also in motoneurons. Together, our data show that the GGGGCC repeat is bidirectionally translated into five distinct DPR proteins that co-aggregate in the characteristic p62-positive TDP-43 negative inclusions found in FTLD/ALS cases with C9orf72 repeat expansion. Novel monoclonal antibodies against poly-(Gly-Arg) will facilitate pathological diagnosis of C9orf72 FTLD/ALS.

Extensive Reading Program Which Changes Reluctant Engineering Students into Autonomous Learners of English

This article introduces extensive reading (ER) as an approach to improve fundamental communication skills in English of reluctant EFL learners : average Japanese engineering students. It is distinct from concurrent translation approach from a perspective that the learners use English instead of Japanese to grasp the meaning of what they read and enjoy reading. In the ER program at Toyota National College of Technology, many students developed more positive attitude toward English, increased their reading speed, and achieved higher TOEIC scores, which was compared to those of the students before this ER program was introduced. Comparison between three groups of the students showed strong correlation between their TOEIC scores and the reading amount.

Activation of Cellular Arf GTPases by Poliovirus Protein 3CD Correlates with Virus Replication

We have previously shown that synthesis of poliovirus protein 3CD in uninfected HeLa cell extracts induces an increased association with membranes of the cellular Arf GTPases, which are key players in cellular membrane traffic. Arfs cycle between an inactive, cytoplasmic, GDP-bound form and an active, membrane-associated, GTP-bound form. 3CD promotes binding of Arf to membranes by initiating recruitment to membranes of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), BIG1 and BIG2. GEFs activate Arf by replacing GDP with GTP. In poliovirus-infected cells, there is a dramatic redistribution of cellular Arf pools that coincides with the reorganization of membranes used to form viral RNA replication complexes. Here we demonstrate that Arf translocation in vitro can be induced by purified recombinant 3CD protein; thus, concurrent translation of viral RNA is not required. Coexpression of 3C and 3D proteins was not sufficient to target Arf to membranes. 3CD expressed in HeLa cells was retained after treatment of the cells with digitonin, indicating that it may interact with a membrane-bound host factor. A F441S mutant of 3CD was shown previously to have lost Arf translocation activity and was also defective in attracting the corresponding GEFs to membranes. A series of other mutations were introduced at 3CD residue F441. Mutations that retained Arf translocation activity of 3CD also supported efficient growth of virus, regardless of their effects on 3D polymerase elongation activity. Those that abrogated Arf activation by 3CD generated quasi-infectious RNAs that produced some plaques from which revertants that always restored the Arf activation property of 3CD were rescued.

Highly efficient selection of the stable clones expressing antibody–IL-2 fusion protein by a dicistronic expression vector containing a mutant neo gene

To increase the selection efficiency and productivity of stable clones expressing recombinant antibody–IL-2 fusion protein, a dicistronic expression vector containing the anti-erbB2 scFv-Fc–IL-2 fusion gene followed by a weakened neo gene, was constructed to allow for the concurrent translation of the recombinant protein and mutated neomycin phosphotransferase from a single mRNA. The presence of the mutant enzyme in the transfectomas resulted in a decreased resistance of cells in the presence of an elevated level of G418 and retarded cell growth. The transfectomas containing the mutant enzyme expressed considerably higher levels of the fusion protein than those containing the normal enzyme. Furthermore, these positive clones had an almost identical level of recombinant gene expression, which was very stable even when the concentration of G418 was significantly increased. Thus, the selection efficiency of strongly positive producers was remarkably increased. Our results demonstrate that the dicistronic expression vector is useful for the selection of highly expressing clones. Combined with an amplification system, this vector may have potential usage for the expression of recombinant antibody and the yield may be further improved by this expression system.

A Lady Asks: The Gender of Vulgarization in Late Medieval Italy

Classical texts were extensively translated into the vernacular in Italy during the period when Italian poetry began, and the “mentality” of translation is traceable in this early verse. Vernacularization is gendered female, especially in the conventions of lyric poetry. As exemplified in some thirteenth- and fourteenth-century poems and their prose commentaries, “vulgarization” is often presented as a discourse to women, who are conceived as a superior rather than an inferior audience. Instead of demeaning the Latin original, this kind of vulgarization paradoxically ennobles both the learned or scientific content and the young language in which it is written. This peculiar moment of Italian literary history contrasts with concurrent translation in France, with the subsequent abandonment of vulgarization under the influence of Petrarch, and with modern notions of the politics of translation.

Learning Words From Books: The Effects of Read-Aloud on Second Language Vocabulary Acquisition

This study compares the gains made in second language vocabulary as a direct result of different literacy lessons implementing two bilingual methodologies: concurrent translation and preview-review. Students in the three randomly selected third-grade classes in the Los Angeles area were chosen to serve as the control (no treatment), concurrent translation, and preview-review groups. The children were given a pre test to assess their knowledge of selected vocabulary items. After the administration of the pre-test students in Group 1 (control) listened to a story in English with no intervention or explanation of the story. Students in Group 2 listened to the same story in English with the reader using the concurrent method (translating the story from one language to the other). Group 3 heard the same story in English after having the teacher build background knowledge by previewing important points and difficult vocabulary in Spanish (preview). They also reviewed the story in Spanish after the reading in order to reinforce important points (review). All three groups were given a post test of the same vocabulary items after the treatment and one week later to examine gains in scores. Results indicate that not only did the students in the preview-review group score significantly higher than the control and concurrent translation groups, the concurrent translation group scored the lowest of all three groups and improved slightly one week after treatment. These findings demonstrate positive implications for the use of strategies which build background knowledge as a means of teaching second language vocabulary to English learners.

Light regulation of Fed-1 mRNA requires an element in the 5' untranslated region and correlates with differential polyribosome association.

Light regulation of Fed-1 mRNA abundance in the leaves of green plants is primarily a post-transcriptional process. Previously, we have shown that the Fed-1 mRNA light response requires an open reading frame, indicating that the light regulation of the mRNA depends on its concurrent translation. We now show that light-induced increases in Fed-1 mRNA abundance are associated with increases in polyribosome association that require both a functional AUG and a normal Fed-1 translational start context. We also present evidence that light regulation of Fed-1 mRNA levels requires more than efficient translation per se. Substitution of the efficiently translated tobacco mosaic virus Omega 5' untranslated region resulted in a loss of Fed-1 light regulation. In addition, we identified a CAT T repeat element located near the 5' terminus of the Fed-1 5' untranslated region that is essential for light regulation. We introduced two different mutations in the CAT T repeat element, but only one of these substitutions blocked the normal light effect on polyribosome association, whereas both altered dark-induced Fed-1 mRNA disappearance. The element may thus be important for Fed-1 mRNA stability rather than polyribosome loading. We propose a model in which Fed-1 mRNA is relatively stable when it is associated with polyribosomes in illuminated plants but in darkness is not polyribosome associated and is thus rapidly degraded by a process involving the CAT T repeat element.

Visual symbolization as a learning tool: teaching pharmacology to international audiences.

Medieval and Renaissance teaching techniques used linkage between course content and tangentially related visual symbols to reinforce lectures. This technique was adopted in teaching pharmacologic principles of addiction to international audiences. It produced significant results with non-English-speaking audiences using concurrent or consecutive translation. This technique may be useful for non-English-speaking audiences because of enhancement of all three areas of memory: attention, storage, and retrieval.