Multiple Reading Research Articles

Identification of the biosynthetic gene cluster for the antibiotic polyketide L-155,175 in Streptomyces hygroscopicus

The antibiotic L-155,175, a potent antiparasitic and antifungal compound, has an unusual structure involving 16-membered macrolides that contain a tetrahydropyran ring connected through a three-carbon linker chain. To identify the biosynthetic gene cluster for L-155,175, a genomic DNA library of Streptomyces hygroscopicus ATCC31955 was constructed and screened with a degenerate primer set designed from a conserved region of the ketosynthase (KS) domain. Sequence analysis of a fosmid clone, pEY1D8 (34kb), revealed multiple open reading frames (ORFs) encoding type I polyketide synthase (PKS). To determine whether the cloned genes are involved in L-155,175 biosynthesis, a deletion mutant (1D8m) was generated by homologous recombination, in which the gene encoding the KS domain was substituted with an apramycin-resistance gene by PCR-targeted Streptomyces gene replacement. LC-MS analysis showed that L-155,175 production was completely abolished in the 1D8m strain, thereby proving that the cloned gene is responsible for L-155,175 biosynthesis. The sequencing of two other fosmid clones (pEY8B10 and pEY1C9) harboring overlapping sequences from pEY1D8 revealed a 60-kb DNA segment encoding six ORFs for type I PKS harboring 12 modules. The domain organization of the PKS modules encoded by PKS exactly matched the structure of L-155,175. This is the first report on the gene cluster involved in the biosynthesis of L-155,175.

The Effect of Multiple Intelligences-based Reading Tasks on EFL Learners‟ Reading Comprehension

The aim of the present research was to address some fundamental innovative resolutions for EFL learners’ encountered impeding dilemmas in reading comprehension. The researchers proceeded to determine the most frequent multiple intelligences (MI) of the EFL learners so as to cater for well-designed tasks to obviate any existing obstacles to ideal reading. Accordingly, by means of a reliable MI profiling questionnaire, the dominant intelligences of EFL learners were highlighted. Moreover, all intended participants were homogenized on the basis of reading proficiency test adopted from First Certificate in English (FCE) whose scores served the purpose of pre-test as well. As a consequence of observed difference between the genders concerning the dominant intelligences, the participants were randomly assigned into distinct control and experimental groups. Furthermore, some evenly selected reading sections from a number of EFL materials, namely, New Inside Out, New Opportunities, and English Online were of primary focus of attention in all groups. As a point of departure, treatment groups were exposed to reading tasks in conformity with already identified dominant intelligences, while the control groups were inclusively conducted under already approached conventional teaching methods of reading in language schools and institutes. The results crystallized the effects of MI-based reading tasks on both EFL male and female learners’ reading comprehension. Lastly, findings revealed that EFL female learners emulated their male counterparts’ reading comprehension. In sum, the results of such innovative intelligences-based reading task will grant opportunities to discover, value, and enhance the talents of EFL learners in better tackling reading comprehension shortcomings.

MI as a Predictor of Students’ Performance in Reading Competency

The purpose of this study was to examine whether performance in MI could predict the performance in reading competency. The other objectives were to identify the components of MI which are correlated with the reading test scores, and to determine the relationship between the multiple intelligences and reading proficiency. A descriptive and ex post facto design was employed to ascertain relationships among the variables. The participants were 128 randomly chosen pre-university students (grade12, 18-19 years old) of both genders studying in Tehran in the academic year 2008-2009. Three instruments were utilized in this study: 1) a demographic questionnaire; 2) the Persian version of Mckenzie’s MI Inventory; and 3) a standardized reading proficiency test which was selected from retrieved paper-based TOEFL® tests. Results of the correlation analysis revealed no significant relationship between the two variables of MI and reading scores of the students. Furthermore, the results of the correlation analysis revealed that there was a low significant, negative relationship between musical-rhythmic intelligence and reading which suggests that when the reading score of a student increases, musical-rhythmic intelligence of the same student decreases and vice versa. Overall, three categories of MI (musical-rhythmic, verbal-linguistic, bodily-kinesthetic) were found to be predictive of reading proficiency.

“Why Do You Say Yes to Pedro, but No to Me?” Toward a Critical Literacy of Dialogic Engagement

The author proposes that teachers of critical literacy must not only decenter texts as infallible authorities, but also decenter teachers as infallible (textual) authorities. She outlines problematic aspects of pursuing critical literacy as outcome, where there is heavy emphasis on having students parrot the teacher's viewpoint, and of pursuing critical literacy as procedure, where the emphasis is on adopting the teacher's analytic toolkit for unpacking texts. Critical literacy as personal response, where students are simply asked to respond to the text but do not confront the contingency of textual perspectives, is also critiqued. Finally, she proposes one alternative, critical literacy as dialogic engagement, that is seldom thought of as critical literacy teaching. In this orientation, the teacher steps out of the role of primary textual authority so that students may realize that multiple reading positions (not just their own, and not just the teacher's) are par for the course.

Listening to health workers: lessons from Eastern Uganda for strengthening the programme for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV

BackgroundThe implementation and utilization of programmes for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV in most low income countries has been described as sub-optimal. As planners and service providers, the views of health workers are important in generating priorities to improve the effectiveness of the PMTCT programme in Uganda. We explored the lessons learnt by health workers involved in the provision of PMTCT services in eastern Uganda to better understand what more needs to be done to strengthen the PMTCT programme.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) Mbale and at eight neighbouring health centres in eastern Uganda, between January and May 2010. Data were collected through 24 individual interviews with the health workers involved in the PMTCT programme and four key informants (2 district officials and 2 officials from TASO). Data were analyzed using the content thematic approach. Study themes and sub-themes were identified following multiple reading of interview transcripts. Relevant quotations have been used in the presentation of study findings.ResultsThe key lessons for programme improvement were: ensuring constant availability of critical PMTCT supplies, such as HIV testing kits, antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) for mothers and their babies, regular in-service training of health workers to keep them abreast with the rapidly changing knowledge and guidelines for PMTCT, ensuring that lower level health centres provide maternity services and ARVs for women in the PMTCT programme and provision of adequate facilities for effective follow-up and support for mothers.ConclusionsThe voices of health workers in this study revealed that it is imperative for government, civil society organizations and donors that the PMTCT programme addresses the challenges of shortage of critical PMTCT supplies, continuous health worker training and follow-up and support for mothers as urgent needs to strengthen the PMTCT programme.

The Relationship between Multiple Intelligences and Reading Proficiency of Iranian EFL Students

The Relationship between Multiple Intelligences and Reading Proficiency of Iranian EFL Students

Reading Paths, Eye Drawings, and Word Islands: Movement in Un coup de dés

In the framework of an artistic–scientific project on eye-movements during reading, my collaborators from the psychology department at the KU Leuven and I had a close look at the poem “Un coup de dés jamais n'abolira le hasard” (“A throw of the dice will never abolish chance”) by Stéphane Mallarmé. The poem is an intriguing example of nonlinear writing, of a typographic game with white and space, and of an interweaving of different reading lines. These specific features evoke multiple reading methods. The animation, Movement in Un coup de dés, created during the still-ongoing collaboration interweaves a horizontal and a vertical reading method, two spontaneous ways of reading that point at the poem's intriguing ambiguity. Not only are we interested in different methods of reading; the scientific representations of eye movements themselves are a rich source of images with much artistic potential. We explore eye movements as “eye drawings” in new images characterized both by a scientific and by an artistic perspective.

Fair Identification Scheme for STAC Protocol in 13.56MHz RFID Systems

In RFID System, when multiple tags respond simultaneously, a collision can occur. A method that solves this collision is referred to anti-collision algorithm. In 13.56MHz RFID system, STAC protocol is defined as an anti-collision algorithm for multiple tag reading. In STAC protocol, there is no differentiation between the collided tags and others in the identification process. Therefore, tags may never be successfully identified because its responses may always collide with others. This situation may cause the tag starvation problem. This paper proposes a fair identification scheme for STAC protocol. In the proposed scheme, if the number of collided slots is large during a query round, the reader broadcasts a CollisionRound command to begin a collision round. During the collision round, the reader identifies only tags that are experienced collision during the previous query round.

Experimental Performance Evaluation of Passive UHF RFID Tags in Electromagnetically Critical Supply Chains

Radio Frequency Identification is going to play a veryimportant role as auto-identification solution for manyapplication scenarios, where item-level tagging and highperformance are crucial. In such a context, the use of passive Ultra High Frequency (UHF) tags is strongly suggested but, unfortunately, general-purpose commercial tags could not meet all the requirements in presence of critical operating conditions, including the presence of metals and liquids, the misalignment between tag and reader antennas, and the need of multiple reading of tags. In this paper, the main features that a UHF tag should own to work properly in the whole supply chain are presented. A tag, named below Enhanced tag, satisfying all theindividuated requirements has been also realized and validated in a controlled test environment simulating the pharmaceutical supply chain. Tests have been focused on the above-mentioned critical conditions. The performance of the Enhanced tag, in terms of successful read rate, has been compared with that of some commercial Far Field and Near Field UHF tags. The experimental results are impressive and clearly demonstrate that ad hoc Far Field UHF tags are able to effectively solve many of the performance degradation problems affecting generalpurpose tags. Finally, the proposed tag has been also tested in extreme conditions, applying it directly on Tetra Pak packages containing liquid, with interesting results in terms of platformtolerant features.

SU‐E‐T‐233: Commissioning of An Implantable Dosimeter for External Beam Radiation Therapy

Purpose: To commission a Dose Verification System (DVS) with permanently implanted in vivo dosimeters. To acquire and evaluate sufficient data for establishing standard of quality in a clinical setting.Methods: DVS is permanent implantable wireless radiation sensor based on MOSFET for absolute dose measurements. To evaluate characteristics of dosimeter, following tests were performed: temperature dependence, reproducibility, field size dependence, post‐irradiation signal drift, dependence on average dose‐rate, linearity test, angular dependence, dose‐rate dependence, irradiation depth dependence and a multiple reading effect. Dosimeter is not currently calibrated for use in kV range. Nonetheless, effects of conebeam CT(CBCT) imaging to dosimeter were investigated. Phantom studies were performed in both air and water using an Elekta Synergy‐S Beam‐Modulator linear accelerator. Results: DVS dosimeters have been calibrated to be used at 37C. Reproducibility tests were performed at room temperature. Readings were −3.2% low (SD=2.5%, or 5.06cGy for 200cGy delivered). Same tests in water at human body temperature showed 1.5% absolute difference, with a similar deviation (SD=2.85%). It was observed that measurement signal decayed significantly with time post‐irradiation, from +3% after 0.5min to −3.5% after 10min. Dose linearity was within 2% for absorbed total dose of 75Gy. Signal rapidly decayed after total dose of 82Gy. Angular dependence was −0.3% (SD=2.31%). Readings decreased with increase in depth, about 0.3%/cm. No filed size and dose‐rate difference were observed. Average dose reading due to CBCT imaging using the pelvis protocol was 7.89cGy (SD=1.46cGy) Conclusions: Extensive acceptance and commissioning measurements have shown considerable post‐radiation signal drift, temperature dependence, reproducibility variation, and rotational isotropy. This process confirmed manufacturerˈs stated performance and provided baseline QA necessary to implement DVS clinically. System is currently implemented with ±7% tolerance. Dosimeter can be used to quantify dose at depth, as well as to evaluate adherence between dose from treatment plan and daily delivery.

Organizing and Evaluating Results From Multiple Reading Assessments

The challenges of understanding how reading abilities vary within the classroom can be daunting. This article offers techniques to organize a variety of assessment data to give teachers a clear picture of individual achievement, how students compare with one another, and how reliably various assessment instruments yield an accurate picture of reading ability. A class profile based on a common scale is described and used to give an overview of student reading levels.

Die Farbe der Religion. Topografie und Topik der «Deux France»

The Colour of Religion. Topography and Topic of «Two Frances» The disputes about the public space between the state and the church which were hold since the nineteenth century in numerous European countries are the point of departure. To make the religious and confessional structuring of the national space tangible, helpful argumentation aides were visualisations and cartographic techniques. In France, since the end of the eighteenth century and in the context of the debates between the state and the church, an established argumentative pattern – the topic of «two Frances» – was visualised on the basis of statistical surveys. The thesis is that the multiple reading possibilities of the cartographic visualisations were shifting from a model of inclusion to a model of exclusion during the nineteenth century. Finally, in the course of the disputes, the visualisations became independent and the «two Frances» became a discursive reference location as mental representations of the national space and did not need any more media presence. In contrast: In the European context, cartographic visualisations remained the object and the negotiation lieu of national rivalries.

Identification and Sequencing of a Novel Rodent Gammaherpesvirus That Establishes Acute and Latent Infection in Laboratory Mice

Gammaherpesviruses encode numerous immunomodulatory molecules that contribute to their ability to evade the host immune response and establish persistent, lifelong infections. As the human gammaherpesviruses are strictly species specific, small animal models of gammaherpesvirus infection, such as murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (γHV68) infection, are important for studying the roles of gammaherpesvirus immune evasion genes in in vivo infection and pathogenesis. We report here the genome sequence and characterization of a novel rodent gammaherpesvirus, designated rodent herpesvirus Peru (RHVP), that shares conserved genes and genome organization with γHV68 and the primate gammaherpesviruses but is phylogenetically distinct from γHV68. RHVP establishes acute and latent infection in laboratory mice. Additionally, RHVP contains multiple open reading frames (ORFs) not present in γHV68 that have sequence similarity to primate gammaherpesvirus immunomodulatory genes or cellular genes. These include ORFs with similarity to major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I), C-type lectins, and the mouse mammary tumor virus and herpesvirus saimiri superantigens. As these ORFs may function as immunomodulatory or virulence factors, RHVP presents new opportunities for the study of mechanisms of immune evasion by gammaherpesviruses.

O ‘INFERNO DE TODOS NÓS’: O MOTE FAMILIAR EM ÁLBUM DE FAMÍLIA, DE NELSON RODRIGUES

This article discusses the unpleasant issues on Album de familia, as the family´s hypocrisy in social relationships, abuse of pater familis, sex, religion and incest. Album de familia, included with the plays called mythical, depicts a family´s nucleus that is on the verge of a collapse and trys to keep up appearances. In dramaturgy from Nelson Rodrigues the family is a recurrent theme – it´s usually presented as the heart of all conflicts, without escape for the characters. In opposite of the social and religious assumptions that the family is a sacred institution, the playwright exposes the family as a place of rotting, turbulence and evils. His plays shocked contemporary audiences because his eschatological manner in exposes the human being. As a result, the writter received many pejoratives codenames like anti-moralist, perverted, damned, among others. In the same way that other avant-garde artists, always ahead of his time, Nelson Rodrigues became the most Brazilian playwrigth nowadays recognized. Especially in Album de familia, the play selected for analysis in this article, the bourgeois, traditional and patriarchal family is criticized, a discussed model in our society. The text uses several intertextual resources as parody and irony, making necessary a multiple and polysemous reading, unlike to superficial and moralistic interpretation when the play was published.

Influence of the experience of the reader on reliability of joint space width measurement. A cross-sectional multiple reading study in hip osteoarthritis

Objectives The objectives were to evaluate improvement in reliability of joint space width (JSW) measurements, according to the previous experience of the readers in hip osteoarthritis (OA). Methods Fifty radiographs in hip OA patients from a randomized controlled trial (ECHODIAH) were read 12 times by two readers with different levels of experience in radiographic interpretation. Intra-reader reliability and inter-reader reliability were assessed through calculation of the smallest detectable difference (SDD) and the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Results Intra-reader reliability: for the experienced reader, no significant change in SDD was observed with repeated JSW measurements. For the junior reader, the SDD decreased significantly from 0.90 mm to 0.65 mm ( P = 0.002). A plateau of SDD was reached after reading 200 to 300 radiographs, with a value close to the mean SDD of the experienced reader (0.67 mm). ICCs were high (> 0.88) for both the senior and the junior readers. Inter-reader reliability: no improvement in inter-reader reliability was noted with repeated measurements of JSW (SDD = 0.81 mm). However, no additional training sessions were performed. ICCs were high (> 0.85). Conclusion This study indicated for the first time a learning curve in analyzing JSW in hip OA for an inexperienced reader. After analyzing 200 to 300 radiographs, the junior reader reached an intra-reader reliability similar to the experienced reader. Moreover, the information brought by the ICC was not sufficient, suggesting that the SDD should be systematically reported in studies evaluating OA radiographic progression, on top of the ICC, to help in interpreting the JSW reliability.

LIETUVOS ŠVIETIMO SISTEMA AUKŠTESNIŲJŲ KLASIŲ MOKSLEIVIŲ POŽIŪRIU

The aim of research is to ascertain, how Lithuanian comprehensive school students value Lithuanian education system, what its advantages and disadvantages they discern and what recommendations they present for its improvement. The research data were expressed in writing. The received answers of the respondents were coded. The most frequently recurring notional units were grouped until initial groups were found, called sub-categories. In the second stage the sub-categories were combined into categories. The qualitative research data were processed using content analysis, when essential characteristics are distinguished in the information base. The obtained verbal data base, referring to conventional content analysis methods, was analysed in three stages: • Multiple answer reading; • The search of semantically related answers and “key” words; • The interpretations of notional units. To guarantee the reliability of data analysis, the distinction of notional units and subsequent grouping was carried out independently by two researchers. The results of quantitative analysis were analysed and announced earlier (Lamanauskas, Railiene, 2010b). In recent years secondary education stage students feel a considerable amount of stress because of constant changes taking place in educational process. The essential education system advantages in respect of students are these: good preparation of students, acquisition of knowledge, good theoretical preparation, also good preparation for further education; free general education; a possibility to choose subjects according to demands and a wide choice of them. The choice of students’ individual learning plan in the 11th- 12th forms is determined by: intention to study and to acquire a desirable profession, hobbies, having been acquired by students up to 11th form, the desire to know more. Also, the students choose the subjects which they are good at, and reject those which are difficult for them. Students pay rather big attention to teachers’ qualification, learning atmosphere and to material basis available in comprehensive school. The essential disadvantages in respect of students are these: too big learning load and pace at school, students are overloaded with work, expensive education in general, especially higher education, very high fee for studies, poor practical preparation, too much attention for conveyance of information; annual changes, there is no stability, nobody knows what novelties are expecting next year, never-ending reforms. They are especially worried about reconstructions in higher schools as well. In students’ opinion, more attention at school should be paid to the development of students’ creativity. Also, a very important thing is the implementation of the newest technologies into the education process. Key words: Lithuanian education system, quantitative analysis, secondary education stage, students` opinion.

Interface of culture, insecurity and HIV and AIDS: Lessons from displaced communities in Pader District, Northern Uganda

BackgroundNorthern Uganda unlike other rural regions has registered high HIV prevalence rates comparable to those of urbanized Kampala and the central region. This could be due to the linkages of culture, insecurity and HIV. We explored community perceptions of HIV and AIDS as a problem and its inter-linkage with culture and insecurity in Pader District.MethodsA cross sectional qualitative study was conducted in four sub-counties of Pader District, Uganda between May and June 2008. Data for the study were collected through 12 focus group discussions (FGDs) held separately; 2 FGDs with men, 6 FGDs with women, and 4 FGDs with the youth (2 for each sex). In addition we conducted 15 key informant interviews with; 3 health workers, 4 community leaders at village and parish levels, 3 persons living with HIV and 5 district officials. Data were analysed using the content thematic approach. This process involved identification of the study themes and sub-themes following multiple reading of interview and discussion transcripts. Relevant quotations per thematic area were identified and have been used in the presentation of study findings.ResultsThe struggles to meet the basic and survival needs by individuals and households overshadowed HIV as a major community problem. Conflict and risky sexual related cultural practices were perceived by communities as major drivers of HIV and AIDS in the district. Insecurity had led to congestion in the camps leading to moral decadence, rape and defilement, prostitution and poverty which increased vulnerability to HIV infection. The cultural drivers of HIV and AIDS were; widow inheritance, polygamy, early marriages, family expectations, silence about sex and alcoholism.ConclusionsDevelopment partners including civil society organisations, central government, district administration, religious and cultural leaders as well as other stakeholders should mainstream HIV in all community development and livelihood interventions in the post conflict Pader district to curtail the likely escalation of the HIV epidemic. A comprehensive behaviour change communication strategy is urgently needed to address the negative cultural practices. Real progress in the region lies in advocacy and negotiation to realise lasting peace.

How Pupils with Severe Visual Impairment Describe Coping with Reading Activities in the Norwegian Inclusive School

This article explores how 11 pupils with severe visual impairment cope with reading activities in inclusive Norwegian schools. All pupils received instruction in braille and print, and used an audio‐text format. Having multiple reading options provided possibilities for pupils to achieve reading skills, but also generated stress. Theories of stress and coping used to analyse the pupils’ descriptions of the reading challenges indicated that pupils used various problem‐focused and emotion‐focused strategies, making it possible for resource‐strong pupils to excel. Resource‐weak pupils, however, daily struggled with or avoided reading. Some refocused their efforts towards joyful non‐reading activities. When professional competence and support in choosing reading media was minimal, option availability became a burden and left pupils to cope on their own.

Structural features in the Rous sarcoma virus RNA stability element are necessary for sensing the correct termination codon

BackgroundNonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is an mRNA quality control mechanism that selectively recognizes and targets for degradation mRNAs containing premature termination codons. Retroviral full-length RNA is presented to the host translation machinery with characteristics rarely observed among host cell mRNAs: a long 3' UTR, retained introns, and multiple open reading frames. As a result, the viral RNA is predicted to be recognized by the host NMD machinery and degraded. In the case of the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), we identified a stability element (RSE), which resides immediately downstream of the gag termination codon and facilitates NMD evasion.ResultsWe defined key RNA features of the RSE through directed mutagenesis of the virus. These data suggest that the minimal RSE is 155 nucleotides (nts) and functions independently of the nucleotide sequence of the stop codon or the first nucleotide following the stop codon. Further data suggested that the 3'UTRs of the RSV pol and src may also function as stability elements.ConclusionsWe propose that these stability elements in RSV may be acting as NMD insulators to mask the preceding stop codon from the NMD machinery.

Translating the Alliterative Morte Arthure into a Digital Medium: The Influence of Physical Context on Editorial Theory

This article examines the impact of a modern digital edition of the Alliterative Morte Arthure on editorial rationale, arguing that a change in physical context entails a deep change in the analytical context within which the poem is perceived. More precisely, I will illustrate the 'dynamic' potential of a digital edition, which allows an editor or reader to accommodate multiple reading texts reflecting different degrees of editorial certainty, and thus constitutes a significant advance compared to more traditional methods of presentation. Ultimately the possibility of contemplating such plural, open-ended and provisional possibilities within the context of a digital edition of the Morte Arthure widens the range of editorial and interpretive interaction with the text itself.