Reader Assessment Research Articles

Difficulties in translating Russian classics: Pushkin’s novel “Eugene Onegin” in English and French

A translator of classical literature is faced with the task of identifying the goal and methods of conveying the national originality of a generally recognized literary masterpiece. The article considers this problem in the context of translations of the novel in verse Eugene Onegin by Alexander Pushkin into English and French. At the same time, it raises the questions of the translators attitude to their own work, the depth of interpretation of the original, the degree of adaptation of the original text for a foreign reader. In addition, a matter of great importance is the translators assessment of the result of their own work, which is reflected in their comments and preface to the translated text. The goal of this research is to substantiate the importance of the linguistic and cultural function of comments and prefaces, which also made it possible to identify the features of the translations themselves and emphasize their continuity. When translating works of classical literature, translators do not limit their task to the translation itself. In this regard, the preface-commentary complex is viewed in the article as an important part of the translators work. The research material includes about 40 English and over 10 French translations made in the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries and presented in chronological order. Mainly those that are accompanied by prefaces and comments were selected for the analysis. The research helps to present the translations of the novel not only in terms of continuity, but also in terms of their authors critical attitude to each other, thus bringing these components of translation into the focus of a professional discussion. As a result of comparing various translations, it is possible to identify the difficulties of literary translation of the novel Eugene Onegin , which include the preservation of its poetic form, the panoramic nature of its composition, including scenes of life of the 19th century Russian nobility, and the national spirit associated with the translation of national and cultural vocabulary. The research confirms that the very fact of numerous translations of this novel, which is paradigmatic for the Russian culture, can be viewed as a form of its worldwide recognition, regardless of the professional and reader's assessment of these translations. This enables us to speak of the existence of a strong tradition that has developed in European translation studies around this particular work.

A Review of Strategies for Enhancing Clarity and Reader Accessibility of Qualitative Research Results

Objective. To characterize elements of the results section of qualitative research reports that make findings more accessible to readers. Methods. Two analytical methods were used for this review. First, published reviews and textbooks written by experts outlining how to evaluate qualitative research were retrieved and reviewed to identify common elements that enhance clarity of the results section. In the second analysis, the authors analyzed the results sections of a subset of qualitative studies to identify, from a reader's point of view, aspects that enhanced and detracted from communication of the results. Findings. Four elements improve accessibility of the results section for readers of qualitative research reports. Content, the first element, describes what information the reader should look for in the results section. Style of results, the second element, identifies wording choices that improve reader accessibility and understanding. Narrative flow, the third element, describes a results section that flows smoothly and logically. Structural cohesiveness, the final element, outlines effective organization of the results section. Results. While authors take several approaches to the presentation of results in qualitative research reports, some strategies appear to be more common and effective than others. The efficient presentation of results can impact a reader's assessment of the quality and credibility of a study. Identified content and stylistic elements should be considered by authors hoping to make the results of their qualitative research more accessible and comprehensible to readers.

Prognostic value of magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients with sciatica

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the prognostic value of MRI variables to predict outcome in patients with herniated disc-related sciatica, and whether MRI could facilitate the decision making between early surgery and prolonged conservative care in these patients. METHODS A prospective observational evaluation of patients enrolled in a randomized trial with 1-year follow-up was completed. A total of 283 patients with sciatica who had a radiologically confirmed disc herniation were randomized either to surgery or to prolonged conservative care with surgery if needed. Outcome measures were recovery and leg pain severity. Recovery was registered on a 7-point Likert scale. Complete/near complete recovery was considered a satisfactory outcome. Leg pain severity was measured on a 0- to 100-mm visual analog scale. Multiple MRI characteristics of the degenerated disc herniation were independently scored by 3 spine experts. Cox models were used to study the influence of MRI variables on rate of recovery, and linear mixed models were used to determine the predictive value of MRI variables for leg pain severity during follow-up. The interaction of each MRI predictor with treatment allocation was tested. There were no study-specific conflicts of interest. RESULTS Baseline MRI variables associated with less leg pain severity were the reader's assessment of presence of nerve root compression (p < 0.001), and assessment of extrusion compared with protrusion of the disc herniation (p = 0.006). Both variables tended to be associated, but not significantly, with satisfactory outcome during follow-up (HR 1.45, 95% CI 0.93-2.24, and HR 1.24, 95% CI 0.96-1.61, respectively). The size of disc herniation at baseline was not associated with outcome. There was no significant change in the effects between treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS MRI assessment of the presence of nerve root compression and extrusion of a herniated disc at baseline was associated with less leg pain during 1-year follow-up, irrespective of a surgical or conservative treatment. MRI findings seem not to be helpful in determining which patients might fare better with early surgery compared with a strategy of prolonged conservative care. Clinical trial registration no.: ISRCTN26872154 ( controlled-trials.com ).

Lateral down-sloping of the acromion: A useful MR sign?

Objective: The anterior acromion may appear to slope downward in a lateral direction on coronal-oblique magnetic resonance (MR) images of the shoulder. We sought to determine the significance of this finding as a marker of rotator cuff impingement. Patients and methods: MR studies of 58 subjects (26 with impingement, 32 with glenohumeral instability) were retrospectively analysed. Subjective down-sloping of the acromion was compared to standardized acromial measurements made on MR (acromial axis, width of the anterior acromion, and distance of the acromioclavicular joint from the superior glenoid) and clinical diagnosis. Results: Interobserver variance for lateral down-sloping was fair (κ = 0.5). One reader's assessment of lateral down-sloping of the acromion correlated with standardized MR measurements. Subjective lateral down-sloping of the acromion did not, however, correlate with impingement. Conclusion: The subjective finding of a laterally down-sloping acromion on coronal-oblique MR images, while partially validated by standardized measurements, is not predictive of impingement syndrome.

Relative accuracy of the diagnostic components of noninvasive carotid arterial tests: A comparison of pulsed Doppler arteriography and spectrum analysis

Pulsed Doppler ultrasonography (UA), sound spectrum analysis, and subjective interpretation of the audible signal are valuable methods for assessing carotid arterial disease; however, the relative contribution of each in making a diagnosis is disputed. To investigate this issue, 258 noninvasive carotid studies with measured x-ray comparisons were reviewed. Internal carotid spectra, UA images, and images combined with the technician's comments were each interpreted blindly by three independent readers. Percentage of stenosis was categorized into six groups: 0, 1% to 24%, 25% to 49%, 50% to 74%, 75% to 99%, and 100%. Each reader's assessment of the individual noninvasive components and his overall reading of the complete study were compared with x-ray findings and with those of the other two readers. The readings of the three observers were consistent within each diagnostic component (p < 0.001). For each reader, the technician's comments significantly improved the accuracy of ultrasonic imaging alone (p < 0.001). Spectrum analysis was as good as the image plus technician's comments and, for two of three readers, was better than the image alone (p < 0.001).

A Reader's Assessment of Anthropology

A Reader's Assessment of Anthropology