110 research outputs found

    What is Folk Music?

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    Qu’est-ce que le folklore? présente une discussion de lanature des chansons traditionelles entretenues par David Spalding, Ann Lederman, Ken Persson, et Jay Rahn — quatre directeurs de la Société canadienne de musique folklorique — pendant la réunion du bureau de direction en 1987

    Das Nachdenken über enaktive Handlungen initiieren: Ein Potenzial der App 1·1tool

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    Die Erarbeitung der Multiplikation in der zweiten Klasse beruht noch immer häufig auf dem Auswendiglernen nicht verbundener Einmaleinsreihen. Das Denken in gleich großen Einheiten bzw. Bündeln (unitizing nach Lamon,1994) als zentrale multiplikative Verstehensgrundlage wird dabei allerdings nicht zugrunde gelegt. Damit ist die Fähigkeit gemeint in gebündelten Einheiten flexibel denken und somit diese Einheiten flexibel in ihrer Anzahl und Größe verändern zu können (Lamon, 1994; Siemon, 2019; Steffe, 1994). Dies impliziert gleichermaßen, dass die Kinder Einsichten in die differentielle Unterscheidung von Multiplikator und Multiplikand erlangen. Fehlt diese Verstehensgrundlage wird das Weiterlernen in der Sekundarstufe nachweislich erschwert (Siemon, 2019). Die App 1·1tool setzt genau hier an und unterstützt die Lehrkraft im Unterricht beim Prozess eines ganzheitlichen Einmaleinslehrens. Auf welche Weise diese Unterstützung stattfinden kann, soll in diesem Beitrag anhand von zwei ausgewählten Szenen illustriert werden

    Evaluator-blinded trial evaluating nurse-led immunotherapy DEcision Coaching In persons with relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis (DECIMS) and accompanying process evaluation: Study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial

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    License:Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)Background: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic neurological condition usually starting in early adulthood and regularly leading to severe disability. Immunotherapy options are growing in number and complexity, while costs of treatments are high and adherence rates remain low. Therefore, treatment decision-making has become more complex for patients. Structured decision coaching, based on the principles of evidence-based patient information and shared decision-making, has the potential to facilitate participation of individuals in the decision-making process. This cluster randomised controlled trial follows the assumption that decision coaching by trained nurses, using evidence-based patient information and preference elicitation, will facilitate informed choices and induce higher decision quality, as well as better decisional adherence. Methods/Design: The decision coaching programme will be evaluated through an evaluator-blinded superiority cluster randomised controlled trial, including 300 patients with suspected or definite relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, facing an immunotherapy decision. The clusters are 12 multiple sclerosis outpatient clinics in Germany. Further, the trial will be accompanied by a mixed-methods process evaluation and a cost-effectiveness study. Nurses in the intervention group will be trained in shared decision-making, coaching, and evidence-based patient information principles. Patients who meet the inclusion criteria will receive decision coaching (intervention group) with up to three face-to-face coaching sessions with a trained nurse (decision coach) or counselling as usual (control group). Patients in both groups will be given access to an evidence-based online information tool. The primary outcome is ‘informed choice’ after six months, assessed with the multi-dimensional measure of informed choice including the sub-dimensions risk knowledge (questionnaire), attitude concerning immunotherapy (questionnaire), and immunotherapy uptake (telephone survey). Secondary outcomes include decisional conflict, adherence to immunotherapy decisions, autonomy preference, planned behaviour, coping self-efficacy, and perceived involvement in coaching and decisional encounters. Safety outcomes are comprised of anxiety and depression and disease-specific quality of life. Discussion: This trial will assess the effectiveness of a new model of patient decision support concerning MS-immunotherapy options. The delegation of treatment information provision from physicians to trained nurses bears the potential to change current doctor-focused practice in Germany

    Towards Massively Parallel Computations in Algebraic Geometry

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    Introducing parallelism and exploring its use is still a fundamental challenge for the computer algebra community. In high-performance numerical simulation, on the other hand, transparent environments for distributed computing which follow the principle of separating coordination and computation have been a success story for many years. In this paper, we explore the potential of using this principle in the context of computer algebra. More precisely, we combine two well-established systems: The mathematics we are interested in is implemented in the computer algebra system Singular, whose focus is on polynomial computations, while the coordination is left to the workflow management system GPI-Space, which relies on Petri nets as its mathematical modeling language and has been successfully used for coordinating the parallel execution (autoparallelization) of academic codes as well as for commercial software in application areas such as seismic data processing. The result of our efforts is a major step towards a framework for massively parallel computations in the application areas of Singular, specifically in commutative algebra and algebraic geometry. As a first test case for this framework, we have modeled and implemented a hybrid smoothness test for algebraic varieties which combines ideas from Hironaka’s celebrated desingularization proof with the classical Jacobian criterion. Applying our implementation to two examples originating from current research in algebraic geometry, one of which cannot be handled by other means, we illustrate the behavior of the smoothness test within our framework and investigate how the computations scale up to 256 cores

    Understanding Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis (UMIMS): Development and Piloting of an Online Education Program About Magnetic Resonance Imaging for People With Multiple Sclerosis

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    Background: People with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) lack sufficient magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) knowledge to truly participate in frequently occurring MRI-related therapy decisions. An evidence-based patient information (EBPI) about MRI is currently lacking. Objective: The aim of this study was to develop an evidence-based online education program about limitations and benefits of MRI for pwMS. Ultimately, our goal was to improve MRI risk-knowledge, empower pwMS, and promote shared decision-making. Methods: The program's contents were based on literature research and a previous pilot study. It was revised following 2 evaluation rounds with pwMS, MRI experts and expert patients. In a pilot study, n = 92 pwMS received access to the program for 4 weeks. User experiences and acceptance, MRI knowledge (MRI-RIKNO 2.0 questionnaire) and emotions and attitudes toward MRI (MRI-EMA questionnaire) were assessed. Results were compared to a previous survey population of n = 508 pwMS without access to the program. Results: Participants rated the program as easy to understand, interesting, relevant, recommendable, and encouraging. In comparison to pwMS without access to the program, MRI risk-knowledge and perceived MRI competence were higher. Conclusion: Satisfaction with the program and good MRI-risk knowledge after usage demonstrates the need and applicability of EBPI about MRI in MS

    Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis Is Associated With Childhood Adversities

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    Fatigue is a common and disabling symptom in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). Its pathogenesis, however, is still not fully understood. Potential psychological roots, in particular, have received little attention to date. The present study examined the association of childhood adversities, specific trait characteristics, and MS disease characteristics with fatigue symptoms utilizing path analysis. Five hundred and seventy-one PwMS participated in an online survey. Standardized psychometric tools were applied. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) served to assess childhood adversities. Trait variables were alexithymia (Toronto Alexithymia Scale; TAS-26) and early maladaptive schemas (Young Schema Questionnaire; YSQ). Current pathology comprised depression (Beck's Depression Inventory FastScreen; BDI-FS) and anxiety symptoms (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; STAI-state), as well as physical disability (Patient determined Disease Steps; PDDS). The Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions (FSMC) was the primary outcome variable measuring fatigue. PwMS displayed high levels of fatigue and depression (mean FSMC score: 72; mean BDI-II score: 18). The final path model revealed that CTQ emotional neglect and emotional abuse remained as the only significant childhood adversity variables associated with fatigue. There were differential associations for the trait variables and current pathology: TAS-26, the YSQ domain impaired autonomy and performance, as well as all current pathology measures had direct effects on fatigue symptoms, accounting for 28.2% of the FSMC variance. Bayesian estimation also revealed indirect effects from the two CTQ subscales on FSMC. The final model fitted the data well, also after a cross-validation check and after replacing the FSMC with the Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire (CFQ). This study suggests an association psychological factors on fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis. Childhood adversities, as well as specific trait characteristics, seem to be associated with current pathology and fatigue symptoms. The article discusses potential implications and limitations

    Understanding how and under what circumstances decision coaching works for people making healthcare decisions: a realist review

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    Background - Decision coaching is non-directive support delivered by a trained healthcare provider to help people prepare to actively participate in making healthcare decisions. This study aimed to understand how and under what circumstances decision coaching works for people making healthcare decisions. Methods - We followed the realist review methodology for this study. This study was built on a Cochrane systematic review of the effectiveness of decision coaching interventions for people facing healthcare decisions. It involved six iterative steps: (1) develop the initial program theory; (2) search for evidence; (3) select, appraise, and prioritize studies; (4) extract and organize data; (5) synthesize evidence; and (6) consult stakeholders and draw conclusions. Results - We developed an initial program theory based on decision coaching theories and stakeholder feedback. Of the 2594 citations screened, we prioritized 27 papers for synthesis based on their relevance rating. To refine the program theory, we identified 12 context-mechanism-outcome (CMO) configurations. Essential mechanisms for decision coaching to be initiated include decision coaches’, patients’, and clinicians’ commitments to patients’ involvement in decision making and decision coaches’ knowledge and skills (four CMOs). CMOs during decision coaching are related to the patient (i.e., willing to confide, perceiving their decisional needs are recognized, acquiring knowledge, feeling supported), and the patient-decision coach interaction (i.e., exchanging information, sharing a common understanding of patient’s values) (five CMOs). After decision coaching, the patient’s progress in making or implementing a values-based preferred decision can be facilitated by the decision coach’s advocacy for the patient, and the patient’s deliberation upon options (two CMOs). Leadership support enables decision coaches to have access to essential resources to fulfill their role (one CMOs). Discussion - In the refined program theory, decision coaching works when there is strong leadership support and commitment from decision coaches, clinicians, and patients. Decision coaches need to be capable in coaching, encourage patients’ participation, build a trusting relationship with patients, and act as a liaison between patients and clinicians to facilitate patients’ progress in making or implementing an informed values-based preferred option. More empirical studies, especially qualitative and process evaluation studies, are needed to further refine the program theory

    The first major incision of the Swiss Deckenschotter landscape

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    The Swiss Deckenschotter ("cover gravels”) is the oldest Quaternary units in the northern Swiss Alpine Foreland. They are a succession of glaciofluvial gravel layers intercalated with glacial and/or overbank deposits. This lithostratigraphic sequence is called Deckenschotter because it "covers” Molasse or Mesozoic bedrock and forms mesa-type hill-tops. Deckenschotter occurs both within and beyond the extent of the Last Glacial Maximum glaciers. The Swiss Deckenschotter consist of two sub-units: Höhere (Higher) and Tiefere (Lower) Deckenschotter. Although the Höhere Deckenschotter sub-unit (HDS) is topographically higher than the Tiefere Deckenschotter, it is older. The only available age for the Swiss Deckenschotter is 2.5-1.8Ma based on mammal remains found in HDS at the Irchel site. In this study, we present an exposure age for the topographically lowest HDS, calculated from a cosmogenic 10Be depth-profile. Our results show that the first phase of the Deckenschotter glaciations in the Swiss Alps terminated at least 1,020 120+80_{ - 120}^{ + 80} - 120 + 80 ka ago, which is indicated by a significant fluvial incision. This line of evidence seems to be close to synchronous with the beginning of the Mid-Pleistocene Revolution, when the frequency of the glacial-interglacial cyclicity changed from 41 to 100ka and the amplitude from low to high, between marine isotope stages 23 and 22

    EAN Guideline on Palliative Care of People with Severe, Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

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    Background and Purpose: Patients with severe, progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) have complex physical and psychosocial needs, typically over several years. Few treatment options are available to prevent or delay further clinical worsening in this population. The objective was to develop an evidence-based clinical practice guideline for the palliative care of patients with severe, progressive MS. Methods: This guideline was developed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. Formulation of the clinical questions was performed in the Patients–Intervention– Comparator–Outcome format, involving patients, carers and healthcare professionals (HPs). No uniform definition of severe MS exists: in this guideline, constant bilateral support required to walk 20m without resting (Expanded Disability Status Scale score >6.0) or higher disability is referred to. When evidence was lacking for this population, recommendations were formulated using indirect evidence or good practice statements were devised. Results: Ten clinical questions were formulated. They encompassed general and specialist palliative care, advance care planning, discussing with HPs the patient’s wish to hasten death, symptom management, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, interventions for caregivers and interventions for HPs. A total of 34 recommendations (33 weak, 1 strong) and seven good practice statements were devised. Conclusions: The provision of home-based palliative care (either general or specialist) is recommended with weak strength for patients with severe, progressive MS. Further research on the integration of palliative care and MS care is needed. Areas that currently lack evidence of efficacy in this population include advance care planning, the management of symptoms such as fatigue and mood problems, and interventions for caregivers and HPs
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