From ESP to CLIL using the Schema Theory

This paper explains the use of the Schema Theory in planning and preparing a Physiology lesson in a CLIL tertiary context in a Spanish university. The adopted combination of methods used in applying the theory is transferable to any context and subject. Scaffolding for content and language learning was undertaken using schema-building through activities involving: (1) sequencing; (2) using an exercise with causality language for purposeful reading (3) outlining; and (4) commentating on a video. Since CLIL practices have often lead CLIL theory, the study is organized into two parts. The first part is described in this article, and the second part, involving feedback from the students in this study, is work in progress. The required Physiology lesson lent itself to outlining a reading, and applying top-down structuring of information and schema building, as well as to the use of causality. The video commentary activity, on the other hand, catered for a more bottom-up approach. The paper focuses on the design of materials and activities as part of the ongoing CLIL collaboration between the language and the content professors. Other than the Schema theory and top-down bottom-up information processing, the designed activities were based on the principles of social constructivism through language scaffolding and peer collaboration.

Historia de España para estudiantes de grado de periodismo: aprendizaje integrado de contenidos y lenguas

En este trabajo, se expone un modelo de actividad AICLE con el objetivo de formar a futuros profesionales de la comunicación no sólo en contenidos sino también en la adquisición de la riqueza cultural y lingüística que aporta conocer lenguas extranjeras. El ejercicio, que está previsto para el Grado de Periodismo de la Universidad San Jorge (Zaragoza) en el curso académico 2009-2010, tiene como temática principal la participación extranjera en la Guerra Civil española a partir de documentos de naturaleza periodística extraídos de El País en su versión inglesa. En la primera parte, se justifica la importancia de la utilización de las lenguas extranjeras en la educación superior y a continuación, se presenta los objetivos, fuentes, metodología, desarrollo y evaluación de la práctica

The Impact of Ombudsman Investigations on Public Administration: A Case Study and an Evaluation Guide

[Executive Summary]: "It is not easy to evaluate the impact ombudsman have on the operations of a government or organization. While there are clear benefits for residents who have their problems solved, what are the benefits for the day-to-day operations and processes of a public service?  It is difficult to point to the money saved and efficiencies found by ombudsman work. A comprehensive review of English-language literature on the subject of evaluating ombudsman impact turned up very little. That is because the ombudsman’s work focuses on something that is inherently difficult to measure: fairness in the way that government treats its citizens. This study breaks new ground by establishing how the Toronto Ombudsman’s office has, in the past five years, led to a more efficient and responsive city administration.   Part I of this innovative project is an independent, in-depth, interview-based case study of the observed impacts of ombudsman investigations in the Toronto Public Service. Investigations are at the centre of ombudsman work: they involve complex and conflicting information, in-depth analytical work, and issues that often generate public interest and media attention. The investigations are frequently systemic or system-wide, allowing ombudsman to have a meaningful impact on many people at once.  This report provides ombudsman with a set of tools that can be used to evaluate the impact of their work. Part research report and part evaluation guide, this publication leads practitioners through an evaluation process with a particular focus on the impact of ombudsman investigations on public administration.  This has been a collaborative effort between researchers from Ryerson University and the Toronto Ombudsman’s office. It was funded with the help of a generous contribution from the International Ombudsman Institute. The work would not have been possible without the advice and guidance of an advisory group consisting of experts in the field from across North America."</p

Liraglutide dictates macrophage phenotype in apolipoprotein E null mice during early atherosclerosis

Background: Macrophages play a pivotal role in atherosclerotic plaque development. Recent evidence has suggested the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist, liraglutide, can attenuate pro-inflammatory responses in macrophages. We hypothesized that liraglutide could limit atherosclerosis progression in vivo via modulation of the inflammatory response. Methods: Human THP-1 macrophages and bone marrow-derived macrophages, from both wild-type C57BL/6 (WT) and apolipoprotein E null mice (ApoE−/−) were used to investigate the effect of liraglutide on the inflammatory response in vitro. In parallel, ApoE−/− mice were fed a high-fat (60% calories from fat) high-cholesterol (1%) diet for 8 weeks to induce atherosclerotic disease progression with/without daily 300 μg/kg liraglutide administration for the final 6 weeks. Macrophages were analysed for MΦ1 and MΦ2 macrophage markers by Western blotting, RT-qPCR, ELISA and flow cytometry. Atherosclerotic lesions in aortae from ApoE−/− mice were analysed by en face staining and monocyte and macrophage populations from bone marrow derived cells analysed by flow cytometry. Results: Liraglutide decreased atherosclerotic lesion formation in ApoE−/− mice coincident with a reduction in pro-inflammatory and increased anti-inflammatory monocyte/macrophage populations in vivo. Liraglutide decreased IL-1beta in MΦ0 THP-1 macrophages and bone marrow-derived macrophages from WT mice and induced a significant increase in the MΦ2 surface marker mannose receptor in both MΦ0 and MΦ2 macrophages. Significant reduction in total lesion development was found with once daily 300 μg/kg liraglutide treatment in ApoE−/− mice. Interestingly, liraglutide inhibited disease progression at the iliac bifurcation suggesting that it retards the initiation and development of disease. These results corresponded to attenuated MΦ1 markers (CCR7, IL-6 and TNF-alpha), augmented MΦ2 cell markers (Arg-1, IL-10 and CD163) and finally decreased MΦ1-like monocytes and macrophages from bone marrow-derived cells. Conclusions: This data supports a therapeutic role for liraglutide as an atheroprotective agent via modulating macrophage cell fate towards MΦ2 pro-resolving macrophages.Science Foundation IrelandEuropean Foundation for the Study of Diabete

MOESM9 of Liraglutide dictates macrophage phenotype in apolipoprotein E null mice during early atherosclerosis

Additional file 9: Figure S8. Glucose measurements from ApoE-/- mice. ApoE-/- mice were fed a LFD or HFHCD for 2 weeks. From weeks 2-8 mice continued on the diets while also receiving daily subcutaneous injections of 300μg/kg liraglutide or PBS. Mice underwent glucose testing every 2 weeks via a tail-vein pin prick procedure. a| represents glucose levels during the liraglutide dosing period (week 2) and b| the glucose levels of mice for the whole study weeks 2-8. Error bars are representative of 16 mice per group (n=16). Statistical analysis was carried out performing a Kruskal–Wallis test followed by Dunn’s multiple comparison post-test. Statistical significance was considered when **p<0.01 while p>0.05 was considered NS. Stars above the boxes represent comparisons against the LFD group

Métodos de innovación docente aplicados a los estudios de Ciencias de la Comunicación

Se analiza el fenómeno de la implantación del Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior (EEES) a los estudios de Ciencias de la Comunicación, desde el punto de vista del profesorado. En este sentido se analizan experiencias educativas como: cuadernos de visionado para la iniciación de los alumnos en el comentario fílmico; la utilización didáctica de recursos audiovisuales; el uso de películas como herramientas en la educación de estudiantes; el uso de la televisión informativa; y la aplicación de técnicas de aprendizaje colaborativo entre otras propuestas. Asimismo, se estudia el estado de implantación del EEES en España y se describen propuestas de aplicación del mismo a diferentes áreas de los estudios de Ciencias de la Comunicación. También se dedican estudios a la descripción de nuevas estrategias docentes en el marco del EEES y se proponen fórmulas de evaluación de los aprendizajes. Por último se presta atención a la aplicación de las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación a los citados estudios y se definen nuevas herramientas para apoyar a los estudiantes en su labor.MadridBiblioteca de Educación del Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte; Calle San Agustín 5 -3 Planta; 28014 Madrid; Tel. +34917748000; [email protected]