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This article investigates reduced language in academic textchat. Previous work has suggested that frequency and context play a role in whether items can be reduced. It is demonstrated that students reduce more depending on the pedagogical set-up of the course, in that more reduction took place when the teacher-less pre-seminars came early in the course. Also, it was clear that high frequency items are more subject to reduction. When the topic is clear, items salient in such a discussion can be reduced. Also, the linguistic context of a full form of an item means that subsequent mentions can be reduced. Technical items vary in their behavior, and can be reduced or not. Another main conclusion, though, is that individuals also vary, and, when the context allows for it, can choose to reduce or not.

This chapter takes up the issue of authenticity in language pedagogy. Traditional views of authenticity take the native speaker to be the primary authority for linguistic norms. Written standard language is especially highly valued here. It is argued herein that TELL environments are equally valid as learning environments, and that students can use the freedom they provide to develop their own locally negotiated cultural and linguistic norms. Evidence is provided that students on a net-based MA program develop their own norms for reducing language, and use them and other means to mark membership of a local TELL community. Thus, TELL is a rich and authentic environment for learners of English to become what is referred to as “language practitioners.”

This article contains a personal reflection of experiences in terrorism research over the past few decades. It begins by discussing early academic struggles to recognize the legitimacy of terrorism research, especially in the field of criminal justice. This is followed by a selective description of events where the author correctly predicted events as well as those where he was blindsided by surprises. It closes with an appeal to both the academy and the American public to move beyond ideology and populist understandings of terrorism to grapple with the multiple forms and complexities of terrorist violence.

Gastric adenocarcinoma develops after stepwise progression from normal mucosa through to adenocarcinoma most commonly after being triggered by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. As disease is often diagnosed late, the prognosis for gastric adenocarcinoma is poor. Identifying pre-malignant mucosal lesions such as atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia is one strategy adopted by clinicians to reduce cancer related mortality. Surveillance of high-risk individuals and endoscopic resection of dysplastic lesions is recommended by international and UK guidelines. The early detection and endoscopic management reduce the need for invasive surgery. The advancement of image enhanced endoscopy technology, endoscopic training, risk stratification and histological assessment has proven pivotal to the management of pre-malignant lesions. In this review we outline the development of a high-risk stomach, endoscopic assessment and review practical guidelines on identifying pre-malignant gastric mucosa.