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Multilingual and multicultural education in antiquity: what can we learn from it?
No full textSome ancient cultures included a second language and/or study of another culture in their education systems: why, and what difference did that make to their histories? And can ancient educational practices offer any useful lessons for the modern world? Based on seven examples of ancient language teaching (Latin speakers studying Greek, Roman-period Greek speakers studying Homeric Greek, Ptolemaic Egyptian speakers studying Greek, Greek speakers studying Latin, Gauls and Britons studying Latin, Akkadian speakers studying Sumerian, and Aramaic-speaking Jews studying Hebrew), this piece argues that ancient societies prioritised particular second languages for inclusion in the education system based largely on the importance to those societies of the texts composed in those languages. Although teaching a second language in school did not always lead to many adults having significant competence in that language, such teaching nevertheless allowed ancient societies to keep their identities intact and to ensure that their key texts remained important and relevant to successive generations
Is vitamin D fortification of dairy products effective for improving vitamin D status? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Get PDFGiven the suboptimal vitamin D intake and status among the
United Kingdom population, the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition is seeking suitable food vehicles for vitamin D fortification. Thus, this study aimed to examine the efficacy of vitamin D-fortified dairy products in improving serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration using data from randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: PubMed,
Embase, and Web of Science were searched from inception until October 2024. Studies were included if they were RCTs with intervention groups administered vitamin D-fortified dairy products and control groups administered unfortified dairy products, as well as examining the effects on serum 25(OH)D concentration. Results: There were 35 RCTs eligible for inclusion, involving 4965 participants (intervention: 2526; control: 2439). The results showed that serum 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly increased by vitamin D3-fortified milk/milk powder (n = 15, mean difference (MD): 18.31 nmol/L, 95% confidence interval (CI): 13.30–23.33 nmol/L, I2 = 95%), vitamin D3-fortified yoghurt/yoghurt drinks (n = 11, MD: 26.22 nmol/L, 95% CI: 18.67–33.77 nmol/L, I2 = 97%), vitamin D2-fortified milk/milk powder (n = 3, MD: 11.61 nmol/L, 95% CI: 9.31–13.91 nmol/L, I2 = 0%), vitamin D-fortified (type not specified) milk/milk powder (n = 8, MD: 13.59 nmol/L, 95% CI: 8.54–18.64, I2 = 98%), and vitamin D-fortified (type not specified) yoghurt/yoghurt drinks (n = 4, MD: 27.74 nmol/L, 95% CI: 16.83–38.64 nmol/L, I2 = 91%), but insignificantly increased by vitamin D3-fortified cheese (n = 5, MD: 16.78 nmol/L, 95% CI: −3.61–37.16, I2 = 99%). However, the results of vitamin D3-fortified cheese became significant when leave-one-out
analysis was performed by omitting one RCT (MD: 24.13 nmol/L, 95% CI: 4.69–43.58, I2 = 90%)
A rare thermochromic Zwitterionic nickel (II) complex of the bulky alpha ligand 1,2-Bis-(di-tbutylphosphinomethyl)benzene
Get PDFThe reaction of the bulky ligand 1,2-bis-(di-tert-butylphosphinomethyl)benzene, 1 with [Ni(DME)Cl2], 3, DME = 1,2-dimethoxyethane, at room temperature over extended periods, affords the new blue Zwitterionic complex [2-(C6H4-CH2P(H)tBu2-1-(CH2PtBu2NiCl3)], 4, which contains a phosphonium group and an anionic nickel trichloride. This complex decomposes in alcohols such as methanol and the solution turns yellow. A discussion of the possible mechanism leading to the observed product is presented. Key to this is identification of the source of the phosphonium proton, which we speculated to arise from trace water in the initial nickel complex. To prove that trace water was present in [Ni(DME)Cl2], a sample of this precursor was reacted under similar condition with anhydrous DMF alone. In addition to the known complex [Ni(DMF)6)]2+[NiCl4]2−, 5, we identified the trans-diaqua complex [Ni(Cl)2(H2O)2(DMF)2], 6, which proved the presence of trace water. Interestingly in dimethylformamide, [2-(C6H4-CH2P(H)tBu2-1-(CH2PtBu2NiCl3)] exhibits thermochromic properties: an solution that is pale blue at ambient temperature reversibly changes colour to yellow upon cooling. This behaviour is specific to DMF and is related to the solvato-chromic behaviour exhibited by related DMF–nickel complexes. A discussion of the NMR spectra of compound 4 in a range of solvents is presented. The structures of the previously prepared molybdenum complex, [1,2-(C6H4-CH2PtBu2)2Mo(CO)4] and the bis-(phosphine sulphide) of the ligand, [1,2-(C6H4-H2P(S)tBu2)2], 5, are described for structural comparative purposes
Demand for guarantees and investments in Africa infrastructure
Get PDFGuarantee solutions are widely recognized as effective instruments for increasing
private investment in infrastructure projects. However, the existing literature provides
limited insight into the decision-making processes that influence investors' decisions
to purchase guarantee solutions for their infrastructure investments in Africa.
This thesis aims to fill that research gap by identifying the key factors that affect
investors' decisions to acquire guarantee solutions for infrastructure projects on the
continent. To explore this issue, a comprehensive review of relevant literature was
undertaken, which subsequently led to the formulation of hypotheses. The primary
objective was to identify the key factors that drive investors' decisions to obtain
guarantee solutions for infrastructure projects in Africa, as well as to improve the
understanding of investor behavior in relation to decision-making concerning these
solutions.
To gather essential data for this study, a survey was conducted among professionals
in the infrastructure sector, including executives and senior officials from banks, Export
Credit Agencies (ECAs), Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), insurance
companies, institutional investors, advisors, and brokers. The respondents
represented entities actively engaged in infrastructure investment operations in Africa.
The collected data were analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and a
Logistic Regression Model.
The findings revealed statistically significant positive coefficients for three specific
variables: uncertain revenue and cash flows, which arise from both country-specific
and project-specific concerns; the upstream risks inherent in infrastructure projects;
and the regulatory capital requirements imposed on regulated institutions. The findings
suggest that these factors significantly influence investors' decisions to purchase
guarantee solutions. Additional insights gleaned from the open-ended responses in the
survey further corroborated these findings.
In contrast, the coefficients for other factors—including advisors' knowledge,
understanding, relationships, and expertise; the project's perceived left-tail risk; and
perceptions of country risk—were not statistically significant and did not emerge as
relevant determinants in the decision-making variables related to the purchase of
guarantee solutions for infrastructure investments.
The implications of this study hold considerable significance for stakeholders involved
in infrastructure development and financing. This includes guarantee-providing
institutions such as Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), Development Finance
Institutions (DFIs), and Export Credit Agencies (ECAs). The research outlines several
recommended actions that these organizations can take. Key insights into user
decision-making processes are presented, which can help inform both the review and
creation of innovative financial products, as well as guide necessary policy
interventions. Additionally, it fosters engagement among stakeholders such as
regulators, lenders, and risk solution providers, emphasizing the need to review the
regulatory implications of using guarantees for infrastructure investments and their
effects on economic growth, capital consumption, and risk-adjusted returns
Paratype examination of Anthrenus (Anthrenus) intermedius Kalík (Coleoptera: Dermestidae: Megatominae), an unpublished taxon synonymized with Anthrenus (Anthrenus) warchalowskii Kadej, Háva & Kalík
No full textA paratype run of Anthrenus (Anthrenus) intermedius Kalík, unpublished, a species synonymised with A. warchalowskii, is held by The Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde, Stuttgart, Germany. The similarity of specimens in the paratype run was
questioned, so all specimens were dissected to establish identity. Four species were found labelled as paratypes: A. bakaloudisi, A. delicatus, A. sexmaculatus, and A. warchalowskii. Images of the paratype aedeagi (and sternite IX where available) are presented alongside comparative material to facilitate identification
From risk storylines to a risk-driven ontology of urban systems
Get PDFOntological models empower stakeholders to establish shared ontological commitments for achieving objectives, including (1) fostering domain-specific understanding; (2) formalizing communication between stakeholders and modelers; and (3) enabling knowledge inference through formal rule-based systems. A significant challenge arises as conceptual modeling transitions from single-organizational contexts to heterogeneous, multi-perspective environments, raising questions about how quasi-universal conceptualizations can ensure data interoperability. To address this, we propose storylines to integrate diverse perspectives across past and future scenario narratives. This study applies risk-oriented storylines and ontologies through a middle-out approach, synthesizing top-down and bottom-up strategies, in the ontology engineering of urban systems at risk. The results demonstrate that storylines effectively surface domain-specific terminology among stakeholders but exhibit limitations in capt uring abstract, generic concepts and relationships. Conversely, the top-down approach (guided by competency questions, literature, and interviews) revealed imperceptible abstract concepts that storylines overlooked, while missing specialized terms identified through narrative methods. These results highlight the complementary value of hybrid methodological frameworks: the middle-out approach mitigates blind spots inherent to purely top-down or bottom-up strategies, enabling more robust ontology development in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. This work advances pragmatic methodologies for interoperable ontology design in urban systems, with implications for risk management and urban resilience planning
Retro nasal blockade reduces the neural processing of sucrose in the human brain
Get PDFIt is assumed “Non-volatile” tastes like sucrose do not activate retro nasal pathways. Recent studies find that sucrose when aerosolized, can reach the retro nasal olfactory region and be perceived. The neural mechanisms by which the human brain interprets sucrose via retro nasal pathways is unknown.
We examined neural activity to sucrose with a nose clip on (blocking retro nasal) and nose clip off, in healthy adults (N=34, mean 25 yrs.). We examined the whole brain and ROIs involved in taste, smell, attention, reward and multi-modal integration; insula, postcentral gyrus, amygdala, olfactory cortex, subgenual and pregenual anterior cingulate, nucleus accumbens and OFC. We also examined correlations with subjective ratings of pleasantness and mouth fullness.
The nose clip on vs off reduced the subjective experience of mouth fullness. Neural activity to sucrose was reduced with the nose clip on in the primary taste, olfactory, attention and reward ROIs and in the rolandic operculum, lingual gyrus and precuneus in the whole brain analyses. The olfactory and prefrontal cortex ROIs tracked subjective mouth fullness, but this was not apparent with the nose clip on.
Blocking retro nasal sensation reduces subjective and neural responses to sucrose taste. Retro nasal sensations could play a role in “pure” taste perception. Developing more satisfying low-sugar foods could be achieved by enhancing the perception of sweetness through aroma modulation