Ilots de plurilinguisme en classe d’histoire: Notes de synthèse

Le but du projet « Ilots de plurilinguisme en classe d’histoire : processus de résolution d’une tâche en intercompréhension et profils individuels favorables à ce type d’activité » est double : (1) Il s’agit d’une part d’adapter pour le secondaire I l’idée de fiches pédagogiques développées en 2009 dans le cadre d’un projet de création de matériel pour une didactique de l’intercompréhension (lecture de textes en langue source en cours d’histoire) au secondaire II, ainsi que (2) de mettre au jour les processus impliqués dans la compréhension de textes en langue inconnue en milieu scolaire (cours d’histoire au secondaire I). Nous nous intéresserons donc à l’applicabilité d’une didactique ponctuelle de l’intercompréhension en termes de processus cognitifs et interactionnels, ainsi qu’aux profils d’apprenants auxquels ce type d’exercice convient/ne convient pas.The goal of the project "Multilingual sequences in history lessons: processes to solve intercomprehension tasks and appropriate learner profiles" is twofold: First, the project will adjust worksheets designed in the context of materials development for improving intercomprehension at the secondary II level (reading texts in the source language in history lessons) for use in secondary school I. Second, the project aims to shed light on key processes in text comprehension when reading an unfamiliar language at school (history lessons at secondary school I). The project will also explore the degree to which intercomprehension can be periodically applied in cognitive and interactional learning processes, and determine for which learner profile this approach is or is not appropriate.Ziel des Projekts „Mehrsprachigkeitssequenzen im Geschichtsunterricht: Prozesse beim Lösen von Interkomprehensionsaufgaben und geeignete Profile von Lernenden“ ist zweifach: Einerseits sollen Arbeitsblätter, die 2009 im Rahmen von Materialentwicklungen für eine Didaktik der Interkomprehension auf Sekundarstufe II entwickelt wurden (Lesen von Texten in der Quellensprache im Geschichtsunterricht), für die Sekundarstufe I angepasst werden. Zweitens sollen die Prozesse beleuchtet werden, die beim Verstehen von Texten in einer unbekannten Sprache in der Schule (Geschichtsunterricht auf Sekundarstufe I) eine Rolle spielen. Es soll ferner untersucht werden, inwieweit eine punktuelle Didaktik der Interkomprehension hinsichtlich kognitiver und interaktionaler Prozesse eingesetzt werden kann, und für welche Profile von Lernenden dieser Ansatz (nicht) sinnvoll ist.Lo scopo del progetto "Episodi di plurilinguismo durante le lezioni di storia: processo di soluzione di un compito nell’ambito dell’intercomprensione e profili individuali favorevoli a questo tipo d’attività" è doppio: (1) Si tratta di adattare per il livello secondario I l’idea delle schede pedagogiche sviluppate nel 2009 nel quadro di un progetto di creazione di materiale per una didattica dell’intercomprensione (lettura di testi in lingua originale durante le lezioni di storia) per il livello secondario II, oltre che (2) di portare alla luce i processi implicati nella comprensione di testi scritti in una lingua estranea all’ambiente scolastico (lezioni di storia al livello secondario I). Ci interesseremo quindi all’applicabilità di una didattica puntuale dell’intercomprensione in termini di processi cognitivi e interazionali, oltre che ai profili degli allievi per i quali questo tipo d’esercizio conviene oppure no

Ilots de plurilinguisme en classe d'histoire: processus de résolution d’une tâche en intercompréhension et profils individuels favorables à ce type d’activité

Le but du projet « Ilots de plurilinguisme en classe d’histoire : processus de résolution d’une tâche en intercompréhension et profils individuels favorables à ce type d’activité » est double : (1) Il s’agit d’une part d’adapter pour le secondaire I l’idée de fiches pédagogiques développées en 2009 dans le cadre d’un projet de création de matériel pour une didactique de l’intercompréhension (lecture de textes en langue source en cours d’histoire) au secondaire II, ainsi que (2) de mettre au jour les processus impliqués dans la compréhension de textes en langue inconnue en milieu scolaire (cours d’histoire au secondaire I). Nous nous intéresserons donc à l’applicabilité d’une didactique ponctuelle de l’intercompréhension en termes de processus cognitifs et interactionnels, ainsi qu’aux profils d’apprenants auxquels ce type d’exercice convient/ne convient pas. Les recherches empiriques sur la compréhension de textes ou de mots isolés en langue inconnue ont montré que certains facteurs individuels tels que le plurilinguisme (particulièrement entre langues apparentées), ou le niveau de compétence dans une autre langue proche favorisent le décodage, mais peu d’entre elles se sont intéressées aux processus en jeu lorsque des activités de lecture de textes en langue inconnue sont implémentées en classe. Le projet permettra de mettre au jour les processus impliqués dans la résolution d’une tâche d’intercompréhension en classe, tant au niveau des profils plus/moins adaptés à ce type d’exercice que des contraintes directes (interaction de groupe, résolution de problème, insertion dans le curriculum etc.)

Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation study of thermal effects on milk proteins

A recently described nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method was evaluated for its usefulness in studying thermal effects on milk proteins. The increase in water proton T2 relaxation rate observed during thermal treatment of aqueous whey protein solutions above the denaturing onset temperature paralleled results obtained with the standard Rowland (1938) method. The influence of milk constituants on NMR characteristics was analysed. The NMR response increased with the ionic strength and the addition of caseinate or casein micelles. The relevance of the T2 relaxation probe for studying thermal modifications of milk proteins is discussed. It is proposed to apply the NMR method for determining either reversible or irreversible thermal denaturation of whey proteins in model System

Low resolution NMR spectroscopy: a tool to study protein denaturation: I. Application to diamagnetic whey proteins

A method using low resolution NMR spectroscopy is described for investigating whey protein thermal denaturation. The method is based on measuring at 20 °C changes in water proton transverse (T2) relaxation parameter following the denaturing treatment. This parameter is shown to be sensitive to protein denaturation and not to other phenomena such as gelation. Examples are given for the qualitative study of protein thermal denaturation in whey protein concentratc, β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, bovine serum albumin and immunoglobulins aqueous solutions and for the quantitative determination of thermal denaturation in whey protein concentrate solution

Didactique de l’intercompréhension à l’école : Quelques réflexions

Since some time, the so-called plural approach has become very popular in many European countries. According to its partisans, integrated language teaching should allow creating bridges between the pupils’ different languages and promote a functional multilingualism. This article concentrates on one of its aspects consisting in developing receptive skills in various tongues of the same language family : teaching intercomprehension. Discussing the benefits as well as the more negative aspects is based on the results of several empirical studies of the processes of intercomprehension, with special focus on a research project of the Scientific Center of Skills in Plurilingualism (Fribourg) that tested the applicability of a didactics of intercomprehension in history class.Da qualche anno gli approcci detti plurali godono di grande popolarità in molti paesi europei. Secondo i loro sostenitori una didattica integrata delle lingue dovrebbe permettere la creazione di passerelle fra le diverse lingue degli alunni e favorire lo sviluppo di un plurilinguismo funzionale. Quest’articolo si focalizza su uno degli aspetti degli approcci plurali consistenti a sviluppare competenze recettive nelle diverse lingue di una stessa famiglia linguistica : la didattica dell’intercomprensione. I benefici, ma anche gli aspetti più negativi, vengono discussi sulla base dei risultati di diversi studi empirici dei processi d’intercomprensione, con un focus particolare su un progetto di ricerca del Centro scientifico di competenza sul plurilinguismo (Friburgo), che ha testato l’applicabilità di una didattica puntuale dell’intercomprensione nelle lezioni di storia

Microscopic scale conductivity as explanation of magnetotelluric results from the Alps of Western Switzerland

Recent MT soundings carried out in the Penninic Alps of Valais have shown the presence of a very good, outcropping conductor. Extremely high conductivity was attributed to the presence of graphite. To verify this assumption, the electrical properties of borehole black shales were measured under simulated physical conditions (electrical frequency, hydrostatic confining pressure, internal fluid pressure, temperature). These measurements showed that under all physical conditions (electrical frequency, in the 0.005-200 Hz interval; hydrostatic confining pressure up to 39 MPa; internal fluid pressure up to 23 MPa; temperature up to 180 °C) one of the samples studied was very conductive (resistivity less than 2 Ωm under all physical conditions). Interestingly, despite similar macroscopic aspect, other samples from a nearby borehole were found to be only slightly conductive. Chemical, mineralogical and petrographic investigations revealed that the enhanced electrical conductivity is mostly due to textural characteristics (such as grain size and carbon film distribution at the grain boundaries) rather than to chemical difference

Lycopene isomerisation takes place within enterocytes during absorption in human subjects

Lycopene in fruits and vegetables occurs mostly (80-97%) in the all-E configuration, whereas a considerable proportion of lycopene in the human body is present as Z-isomers. The Z-isomers offer potentially better health benefits and show improved antioxidant activity in vitro when compared with the all-E-isomer. The absorption of dietary lycopene is a complex process involving transfer of the carotenoid from the food matrix into micelles, uptake by enterocytes, packaging into chylomicrons and finally secretion into plasma. Isomerisation could take place at any of these individual steps. By exploiting in vitro and in vivo models, we traced lycopene isomerisation during absorption using various methods to mimic gastric and duodenal conditions, incorporation into mixed micelles, absorption and metabolism by various Caco-2 cell clones, and performed a postprandial study in human subjects to identify the profile of lycopene isomers in plasma chylomicrons. We demonstrate that all-E-lycopene remains unchanged during its passage in the gastrointestinal tract, including its incorporation into mixed micelles. The key site of lycopene isomerisation is inside the intestinal cells resulting in 29% of lycopene as Z-isomers. Lycopene isomerisation in the various Caco-2 cell clones is consistent with that observed in human chylomicrons formed in a postprandial state. There is no selection in the release of lycopene isomers from enterocytes. Although there is a huge inter-individual variability of total lycopene absorption reported both in in vitro intestinal cell lines as well as in human chylomicrons, the lycopene isomer profile is quite simila

The proportion of lycopene isomers in human plasma is modulated by lycopene isomer profile in the meal but not by lycopene preparation

Dietary lycopene consists mostly of the (all-E) isomer. Upon absorption, (all-E) lycopene undergoes isomerisation into various (Z)-isomers. Because these isomers offer potentially better health benefits than the (all-E) isomer, the aim of the present study was to investigate if the profile of lycopene isomers in intestinal lipoproteins is affected by the profile of lycopene isomers in the meal and by the tomato preparation. Six postprandial, crossover tests were performed in healthy men. Three meals provided about 70% of the lycopene as (Z)-isomers, either mainly as 5-(Z) or 13-(Z), or as a mixture of 9-(Z) and 13-(Z) lycopene, while three tomato preparations provided lycopene mainly as the (all-E) isomer. Consumption of the 5-(Z) lycopene-rich meal led to a high (60%) proportion of this isomer in TAG-rich lipoproteins (TRL), indicating a good absorption and/or a low intestinal conversion of this isomer. By contrast, consumption of meals rich in 9-(Z) and 13-(Z) lycopene isomers resulted in a low level of these isomers but high amounts of the 5-(Z) and (all-E) isomers in TRL. This indicates that the 9-(Z) and 13-(Z) isomers were less absorbed or were converted into 5-(Z) and (all-E) isomers. Dietary (Z)-lycopene isomers were, therefore, differently isomerised and released in TRL during their intestinal absorption in men. Consuming the three meals rich in (all-E) lycopene resulted in similar proportions of lycopene isomers in TRL: 60% (all-E), 20% 5-(Z), 9% 13-(Z), 2% 9-(Z) and 9% unidentified (Z)-isomers. These results show that the tomato preparation has no impact on the lycopene isomerisation occurring during absorption in human

Global Prospective Safety Analysis of Rivaroxaban.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has been established in clinical trials. However, well-conducted, prospective, real-world observational studies of the safety and effectiveness of DOACs are needed. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess the real-world safety profile of rivaroxaban through a pooled analysis of patients with AF enrolled in the XANTUS (Xarelto for Prevention of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation) program worldwide. METHODS: A pre-planned pooled analysis of the XANTUS, XANAP (Xarelto for Prevention of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation in Asia), and XANTUS-EL (Xarelto for Prevention of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation in Latin America and EMEA Region) registries was performed. Patients with AF newly starting rivaroxaban for stroke prevention were followed for 1 year. Primary outcomes were treatment-emergent major bleeding, adverse events (AEs)/serious AEs, and all-cause death. Secondary outcomes included treatment-emergent thromboembolic events and nonmajor bleeding. Major outcomes were centrally adjudicated. RESULTS: Overall, 11,121 patients were included (mean age 70.5 ± 10.5 years; female 42.9%). Comorbidities included heart failure (21.2%), hypertension (76.2%), and diabetes (22.3%). Event rates were: events/100 patient-years: major bleeding 1.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5 to 2.0; lowest: Latin America 0.7; highest: Western Europe, Canada, and Israel 2.3); all-cause death 1.9 (95% CI: 1.6 to 2.2; lowest: Eastern Europe 1.5; highest: Latin America, Middle East, and Africa 2.7); and stroke or systemic embolism 1.0 (95% CI: 0.8 to 1.2; lowest: Latin America 0; highest: East Asia 1.8). One-year treatment persistence was 77.4% (lowest: East Asia 66.4%; highest: Eastern Europe 84.4%). CONCLUSIONS: This large, prospective, real-world analysis in 11,121 patients from 47 countries showed low bleeding and stroke rates in rivaroxaban-treated patients with AF, with low treatment discontinuation in different regions of the world. Results were broadly consistent across regions. (Xarelto for Prevention of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation [XANTUS]; NCT01606995; Xarelto for Prevention of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation in Latin America and EMEA Region [XANTUS-EL]; NCT01800006; and Xarelto for Prevention of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation in Asia [XANAP]; NCT01750788)

Optical Microscopy in the Nano-World

Scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) is an optical microscopy whose resolution is not bound to the diffraction limit. It provides chemical information based upon spectral, polarization and/or fluorescence contrast images. Details as small as 20 nm can be recognized. Photophysical and photochemical effects can be studied with SNOM on a similar scale. This article reviews a good deal of the experimental and theoretical work on SNOM in Switzerland