Making the strange familiar : reflexivity and language awareness in the EMI classroom

Looking in greater detail at the role of lecturers, this publication reports results of a project introducing English as a medium of instruction in a bachelor-level programme in the natural sciences offered by a university of applied sciences in German-speaking Switzerland. The three papers in this publication focus on key aspects arising from the pilot phase, outlining challenges involved when functioning communities of practice are disrupted by the change of the medium of communication as well as communicative processes that are at work in creating a new community of practice on the basis of English as a lingua franca.Diese Publikation untersucht die Einführung von englischsprachigem Fachunterricht in naturwissenschaftlichen Fächern auf Bachelorstufe im Rahmen eines dreijährigen Pilotversuchs, der an einer Fachhochschule der Schweiz durchgeführt wurde. Die drei Beiträge dieser Publikation widmen sich zentralen Fragen, die aus der Einführung des englischsprachigen Fachunterrichts während der ersten Phase des Projektes hervorgingen. Die Publikation untersucht im Speziellen die Herausforderungen, die auftreten, wenn funktionierende Praxisgemeinschaften durch den Wechsel des Kommunikationsmediums gestört werden, sowie die kommunikativen Prozesse, die zur Schaffung einer neuen Praxisgemeinschaft beitragen, die auf Englisch als Lingua Franca fusst

Impact of the metabolic syndrome on severe mental disorders

Background!#!Primary palmar hyperhidrosis is a severely debilitating condition that can affect patients of any age. We report our experience with thoracoscopic sympathicolysis in a large cohort of children less than 14 years of age.!##!Methods!#!All children who underwent thoracoscopic sympathicolysis from April 2005 through January 2017 were evaluated retrospectively. The procedure entailed bilateral bipolar fulguration of the second and third thoracic ganglia with transverse disruption of collateral nerve fibers along the third and fourth rib. Demographic information, as well as postoperative outcome, complications, and satisfaction were analyzed.!##!Results!#!Over the 12 year study interval, a total of 102 children underwent thoracoscopic sympathicolysis for palmar hyperhidrosis. Complete follow-up was available for 98 patients (median age 12 [range 5-14] years; 38 boys [39%]). Median follow-up was 4 [range 2-12] years. Complete palmar dryness was achieved in 93 (95%) cases. One patient suffered postoperative unilateral ptosis, 6 reported gustatory sweating, and 65 experienced compensatory sweating. Average postoperative rating on a 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) rating scale was 9, with 97 (99%) patients saying that they would undergo the procedure again.!##!Conclusion!#!Our technique of thoracoscopic sympathicolysis in children was associated with very high postoperative satisfaction, despite a high rate of compensatory sweating and occasional autonomic gustatory sweating. Other more severe complications in this age group were rare

Affected neural networks as basis of disturbed motor function in schizophrenia

Objective!#!To investigate diagnostic accuracy of a nerve ultrasound (US) protocol that is individualized to a patient's clinical deficits for the differentiation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with predominant lower motoneuron disease (ALS/LMND) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN).!##!Methods!#!Single-center, prospective, examiner-blinded, diagnostic study in two cohorts. Cohort I (model development): Convenience sample of subjects with ALS/LMND or MMN according to revised El-Escorial or EFNS guidelines. Cohort II (model validation): Consecutively recruited treatment-naïve subjects with suspected diagnosis of ALS/LMND or MMN. Cutoffs for 28 different US values were determined by Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) in cohort I. Area Under The Curve (AUC) of US was compared to nerve conduction studies (NCS). Diagnostic accuracy of US protocols, individualized according to clinical deficits, was compared to former rigid non-individualized protocols and to random examination site selection in cohort II.!##!Results!#!48 patients were recruited. In cohort I (28 patients), US had higher ROC AUCs than NCS, US 0.82 (0.12) (mean (standard deviation)), NCS (compound muscle action potential (CMAP) 0.60 (0.09), p < .001; two-sided t-test). US models based on the nerve innervating the clinically most affected muscles had higher correct classification rates (CCRs, 93%) in cohort II than former rigid protocols (85% and 80%), or models with random measurement site selection (66% and 80%).!##!Conclusions!#!Clinically guided US protocols for differentiation of ALS/LMND from MMN increase diagnostic accuracy when compared to clinically unguided protocols. They also require less measurements sites to achieve this accuracy

The toxicity of cadmium and resulting hazards for human health

Cadmium (Cd) has been in industrial use for a long period of time. Its serious toxicity moved into scientific focus during the middle of the last century. In this review, we discuss historic and recent developments of toxicological and epidemiological questions, including exposition sources, resorption pathways and organ damage processes

Communicative competence and didactic challenges : a case study of English-medium instruction in third-level education in Switzerland

Looking in greater detail at the role of lecturers, this publication reports results of a project introducing English as a medium of instruction in a bachelor-level programme in the natural sciences offered by a university of applied sciences in German-speaking Switzerland. The three papers in this publication focus on key aspects arising from the pilot phase, outlining challenges involved when functioning communities of practice are disrupted by the change of the medium of communication as well as communicative processes that are at work in creating a new community of practice on the basis of English as a lingua franca.Diese Publikation untersucht die Einführung von englischsprachigem Fachunterricht in naturwissenschaftlichen Fächern auf Bachelorstufe im Rahmen eines dreijährigen Pilotversuchs, der an einer Fachhochschule der Schweiz durchgeführt wurde. Die drei Beiträge dieser Publikation widmen sich zentralen Fragen, die aus der Einführung des englischsprachigen Fachunterrichts während der ersten Phase des Projektes hervorgingen. Die Publikation untersucht im Speziellen die Herausforderungen, die auftreten, wenn funktionierende Praxisgemeinschaften durch den Wechsel des Kommunikationsmediums gestört werden, sowie die kommunikativen Prozesse, die zur Schaffung einer neuen Praxisgemeinschaft beitragen, die auf Englisch als Lingua Franca fusst.Looking in greater detail at the role of lecturers, this publication reports results of a project introducing English as a medium of instruction in a bachelor-level programme in the natural sciences offered by a university of applied sciences in German-speaking Switzerland. The three papers in this publication focus on key aspects arising from the pilot phase, outlining challenges involved when functioning communities of practice are disrupted by the change of the medium of communication as well as communicative processes that are at work in creating a new community of practice on the basis of English as a lingua franca

Cortisol and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels in saliva of healthy neonates - Normative data and relation to body mass index, arterial cord blood pH and time of sampling after birth

The measurement of cortisol and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) in saliva has become a reliable tool for both the scientist and the clinician for studying adrenal cortical function in the adult and the older child. We have now established in parallel normative data for salivary cortisol and 17-OHP levels in healthy neonates. We have asked whether or not there is a circadian rhythm of cortisol and 17-OHP saliva levels in neonates. Furthermore, we have asked whether salivary hormone levels correlated with auxologic and clinical data and time of sampling. Cortisol and 17-OHP levels in saliva samples from 119 healthy neonates (55 girls, 64 boys) were measured using in-house time-resolved fluorescent immunoassays. Saliva samples were obtained using a saliva collecting tube three times a day on the first or second day of life. Gender and gestational age did not influence salivary cortisol and 17-OHP levels. No significant circadian rhythm of salivary hormone levels was detected in this group of newborns. However, body mass index, arterial cord blood pH and time of saliva sampling significantly influenced salivary hormone levels. In conclusion, measurement of cortisol and 17-OHP in saliva is feasible in healthy neonates. The existence of normative data forms the basis for future studies on pathophysiologic states in the newborn period. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel

Sexual Motivations and Ideals Distinguish Sexual Identities within the Self-Concept: A Multidimensional Scaling Analysis

Many studies explore when and how young people make sexual choices but few empirical investigations link their sexual motivations with their inner conceptions about their sexual identities. We used multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis to connect young adult participants’ (N = 128) self-descriptions of twelve identities to their sexual motivations and ideals. Identities clustered along two semantically distinct dimensions: Dimension 1 was anchored by family identities on one side and non-family identities on the other; Dimension 2 was anchored on one side by friend/romantic relationships and achievement-based social identities on the other. Those who cited intimacy (e.g., sex as an expression of love) and enhancement (e.g., gratification; to feel good) sexual motivations were more likely to describe their sexual identities and gender identities as distinct from other identities, especially for women. Idealizing physically passionate relationships was positively linked to a higher distinction between sexual and non-sexual identities, and between gender and personal identities and family identities. The mental structuring of identities may inform sexual relationship motives, ideals, and expectations

El vínculo materno en la anorexia

Tesis (Magíster en Psicología Clínica)Este artículo tiene como propósito realizar una revisión teórica desde el psicoanálisis acerca de la Anorexia, enfatizando el rol que juega el vínculo materno en este trastorno. El interés de abordar este tema es debido a la gran prevalencia de este trastorno de alimentación en nuestro país y en la población femenina, además de la importancia que se le ha dado a la madre como primera figura nutricio en la satisfacción de las necesidades básicas del niño. Para esto, introduciremos el tema realizando una revisión histórica y una descripción de la Anorexia, para luego enfocamos en el vínculo madre-hija implicado en este trastorno

A pilot investigation into the effect of maca supplementation on physical activity and sexual desire in sportsmen

AIMS OF THE STUDY: Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp) is consumed both as a sports supplement by strength and endurance athletes, and as a natural stimulant to enhance sexual drive. However, whether or not the postulated benefits of maca consumption are of scientific merit is not yet known. The aim of the study was therefore to investigate the effect of 14 days maca supplementation on endurance performance and sexual desire in trained male cyclists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight participants each completed a 40 km cycling time trial before and after 14 days supplementation with both maca extract (ME) and placebo, in a randomised cross-over design. Subjects also completed a sexual desire inventory during each visit. RESULTS: ME administration significantly improved 40 km cycling time performance compared to the baseline test (P=0.01), but not compared to the placebo trial after supplementation (P>0.05). ME administration significantly improved the self-rated sexual desire score compared to the baseline test (P=0.01), and compared to the placebo trial after supplementation (P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: 14 days ME supplementation improved 40 km cycling time trial performance and sexual desire in trained male cyclists. These promising results encourage long-term clinical studies involving more volunteers, to further evaluate the efficacy of ME in athletes and normal individuals and also to explore its possible mechanisms of action