FLERSPRÅKIGHET OCH LÄSSTIMULANS : Hur den språkliga sammansättningen hos elevunderlaget påverkar skolbibliotekariens arbete med lässtimulering

In today?s´ multicultural society increasing numbers of school librarians are faced with a relatively new target group of pupils. This group is linguistically less homogenous than previously and this requires modern adaptations of pedagogic methods. Information literacy and reading promotion are two important topics that school librarians work with. Information literacy is essential for problem based tuition and to increase it requires a well developed language. This study is focusing of the school librarians work with reading promotions. We are interested in how the direction and structure of this work is influenced by the linguistic composition of pupils. To gain insight about the views on multilingualism in primary schools in Skåne a questionnaire was distributed. In thirteen of the seventy schools that replied, more than fifty percent of the pupils were multilingual. These thirteen schools are situated in five of the larger municipalities of Skåne. The general view on multilingualism varies within and between municipalities and due to the poor response to the questionnaire it is not possible to make any comprehensive conclusions. To gain a deeper insight into the work concerning reading promotion on schools with a large proportion of multilingual pupils? three school librarians were interviewed. The result shows that despite similar conditions regarding multilingual pupils the work is carried out in very different ways. The information gathered in three interviews is not sufficient to create a general picture of school librarians´ work with reading promotion. However, because of the dissimilar replies it may be perceived that the support unities present via the view of the municipalities and schools on multilingualism in conjunction with the school librarian's own ambitions and ideas is what affects their work with reading promotion

The rubber hand illusion evaluated using different stimulation modalities

Tactile feedback plays a vital role in inducing ownership and improving motor control of prosthetic hands. However, commercially available prosthetic hands typically do not provide tactile feedback and because of that the prosthetic user must rely on visual input to adjust the grip. The classical rubber hand illusion (RHI) where a brush is stroking the rubber hand, and the user’s hidden hand synchronously can induce ownership of a rubber hand. In the classic RHI the stimulation is modality-matched, meaning that the stimulus on the real hand matches the stimulus on the rubber hand. The RHI has also been used in previous studies with a prosthetic hand as the “rubber hand,” suggesting that a hand prosthesis can be incorporated within the amputee’s body scheme. Interestingly, previous studies have shown that stimulation with a mismatched modality, where the rubber hand was brushed, and vibrations were felt on the hidden hand also induced the RHI. The aim of this study was to compare how well mechanotactile, vibrotactile, and electrotactile feedback induced the RHI in able-bodied participants and forearm amputees. 27 participants with intact hands and three transradial amputees took part in a modified RHI experiment. The rubber hand was stroked with a brush, and the participant’s hidden hand/residual limb received stimulation with either brush stroking, electricity, pressure, or vibration. The three latter stimulations were modality mismatched with regard to the brushstroke. Participants were tested for ten different combinations (stimulation blocks) where the stimulations were applied on the volar (glabrous skin), and dorsal (hairy skin) sides of the hand. Outcome was assessed using two standard tests (questionnaire and proprioceptive drift). All types of stimulation induced RHI but electrical and vibration stimulation induced a stronger RHI than pressure. After completing more stimulation blocks, the proprioceptive drift test showed that the difference between pre- and post-test was reduced. This indicates that the illusion was drifting toward the rubber hand further into the session

Decreased Prevalence of Plasmodium Falciparum Resistance Markers to Amodiaquine Despite its wide Scale use as ACT Partner Drug in Zanzibar.

Zanzibar has recently undergone a rapid decline in Plasmodium falciparum transmission following combined malaria control interventions with artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) and integrated vector control. Artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ) was implemented as first-line treatment for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in Zanzibar in 2003. Resistance to amodiaquine has been associated with the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) alleles pfcrt 76T, pfmdr1 86Y, 184Y and 1246Y. An accumulation of these SNP alleles in the parasite population over time might threaten ASAQ efficacy.The aim of this study was to assess whether prolonged use of ASAQ as first-line anti-malarial treatment selects for P. falciparum SNPs associated with resistance to the ACT partner drug amodiaquine. The individual as well as the combined SNP allele prevalence were compared in pre-treatment blood samples from patients with uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria enrolled in clinical trials conducted just prior to the introduction of ASAQ in 2002-2003 (n = 208) and seven years after wide scale use of ASAQ in 2010 (n = 122). There was a statistically significant decrease of pfcrt 76T (96-63%), pfmdr1 86Y (75-52%), 184Y (83-72%), 1246Y (28-16%) and the most common haplotypes pfcrt/pfmdr1 TYYD (46-26%) and TYYY (17-8%), while an increase of pfcrt/pfmdr1 KNFD (0.4-14%) and KNYD (1-12%). This is the first observation of a decreased prevalence of pfcrt 76T, pfmdr1 86Y, 184Y and 1246Y in an African setting after several years of extensive ASAQ use as first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria. This may support sustained efficacy of ASAQ on Zanzibar, although it was unexpected considering that all these SNPs have previously been associated with amodiaquine resistance. The underlying factors of these results are unclear. Genetic dilution by imported P. falciparum parasites from mainland Tanzania, a de-selection by artesunate per se and/or an associated fitness cost might represent contributing factors. More detailed studies on temporal trends of molecular markers associated with amodiaquine resistance are required to improve the understanding of this observation

Rapid diagnostic tests for molecular surveillance of Plasmodium falciparum malaria -assessment of DNA extraction methods and field applicability

Background: The need for new malaria surveillance tools and strategies is critical, given improved global malaria control and regional elimination efforts. High quality Plasmodium falciparum DNA can reliably be extracted from malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). Together with highly sensitive molecular assays, wide scale collection of used RDTs may serve as a modern tool for improved malaria case detection and drug resistance surveillance. However, comparative studies of DNA extraction efficiency from RDTs and the field applicability are lacking. The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate different methods of DNA extraction from RDTs and to test the field applicability for the purpose of molecular epidemiological investigations. Methods: DNA was extracted from two RDT devices (Paracheck-PfW and SD Bioline Malaria Pf/Pan (R)), seeded in vitro with 10-fold dilutions of cultured 3D7 P. falciparum parasites diluted in malaria negative whole blood. The level of P. falciparum detection was determined for each extraction method and RDT device with multiple nested-PCR and real-time PCR assays. The field applicability was tested on 855 paired RDT (Paracheck-Pf) and filter paper (Whatman (R) 3MM) blood samples (734 RDT negative and 121 RDT positive samples) collected from febrile patients in Zanzibar 2010. RDT positive samples were genotyped at four key single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in pfmdr1 and pfcrt as well as for pfmdr1 copy number, all associated with anti-malarial drug resistance. Results: The P. falciparum DNA detection limit varied with RDT device and extraction method. Chelex-100 extraction performed best for all extraction matrixes. There was no statistically significant difference in PCR detection rates in DNA extracted from RDTs and filter paper field samples. Similarly there were no significant differences in the PCR success rates and genotyping outcomes for the respective SNPs in the 121 RDT positive samples. Conclusions: The results support RDTs as a valuable source of parasite DNA and provide evidence for RDT-DNA extraction for improved malaria case detection, molecular drug resistance surveillance, and RDT quality control.ACT Consortium through Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) [SWE 2009-193]; Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) [2010-7991]; Swedish Medical Research Council (VR) [2009-3785]; Goljes Foundationinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The usefulness of rapid diagnostic tests in the new context of low malaria transmission in zanzibar.

BACKGROUND\ud \ud We assessed if histidine-rich-protein-2 (HRP2) based rapid diagnostic test (RDT) remains an efficient tool for Plasmodium falciparum case detection among fever patients in Zanzibar and if primary health care workers continue to adhere to RDT results in the new epidemiological context of low malaria transmission. Further, we evaluated the performance of RDT within the newly adopted integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) algorithm in Zanzibar.\ud \ud METHODS AND FINDINGS\ud \ud We enrolled 3890 patients aged ≥2 months with uncomplicated febrile illness in this health facility based observational study conducted in 12 primary health care facilities in Zanzibar, between May-July 2010. One patient had an inconclusive RDT result. Overall 121/3889 (3.1%) patients were RDT positive. The highest RDT positivity rate, 32/528 (6.1%), was found in children aged 5-14 years. RDT sensitivity and specificity against PCR was 76.5% (95% CI 69.0-83.9%) and 99.9% (95% CI 99.7-100%), and against blood smear microscopy 78.6% (95% CI 70.8-85.1%) and 99.7% (95% CI 99.6-99.9%), respectively. All RDT positive, but only 3/3768 RDT negative patients received anti-malarial treatment. Adherence to RDT results was thus 3887/3889 (99.9%). RDT performed well in the IMCI algorithm with equally high adherence among children <5 years as compared with other age groups.\ud \ud CONCLUSIONS\ud \ud The sensitivity of HRP-2 based RDT in the hands of health care workers compared with both PCR and microscopy for P. falciparum case detection was relatively low, whereas adherence to test results with anti-malarial treatment was excellent. Moreover, the results provide evidence that RDT can be reliably integrated in IMCI as a tool for improved childhood fever management. However, the relatively low RDT sensitivity highlights the need for improved quality control of RDT use in primary health care facilities, but also for more sensitive point-of-care malaria diagnostic tools in the new epidemiological context of low malaria transmission in Zanzibar.\ud \ud TRIAL REGISTRATION\ud \ud ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01002066

Author Correction:The temporal dynamics and infectiousness of subpatent Plasmodium falciparum infections in relation to parasite density

Correction to: Nature Communications https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-09441-1; published online 29 March 201

Beneath the surface ... The Unmentionable at the turn of the 20th Century : A study of how Hallwylska on the basis of the museum's collections portray a temporary exhibition

This paper, from Hallwylska museum collections to the exhibition ”Beneath the surface ... The Unmentionableat the turn of the 20th Century” is a survey of how the Hallwylska museum on the basis of its collections createsa temporary exhibition. The paper is focusing on how Wilhelmina von Hallwyl`s collections together with theexhibitor`s different intentions from the exhition. The final shape of the exhibition and the tools the Hallwylskamuseum has used to ensure that the cultural heritage connected with its collections is made available.”Under ytan … det onämnbara vid sekelskiftet” 1900 är en fallstudie av hur Hallwylska museet med utgångspunkt från museets samlingar gestaltar en tillfällig utställning. Denna studie är främst inriktad på hur Wilhelmina von Hallwyls samlingar och utställarnas olika intentioner tillsammans formar utställningen. Utställningens slutgiltiga gestaltningen sätts i relation till vilka perspektiv och verktyg museet har använt sig av för att tillgängligöra samlingarnas betydelse för vårt kulturarv

Musik i hem och förskola - Pedagogers och föräldrars beskrivningar av musikens användningsområden

Det är tidigare känt genom forskning att musik i många fall har en positiv inverkan på människor. Förutom att musiken kan hjälpa vid olika former av terapi och har en avstressande effekt på människor finns det forskning på musikens betydelse för barns inlärning. Trots forskning kring musikens positiva effekter har vi, utifrån våra egna erfarenheter, fått se att musik inte alltid får så stort utrymme i förskolans verksamhet. Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur användandet av sång och musik beskrivs av föräldrar och pedagoger och försöka urskilja musikens främsta användningsområden i hemmet jämfört med i förskolan. Vi har också velat få syn på om musiken används på olika sätt beroende på barnens ålder samt se om musiken beskrivs i kombination med trygghet. I genomförandet av detta använder vi oss av en kvantitativ metod i form av enkätundersökningar. Resultatet visar att skillnaden mellan hur föräldrar och pedagoger beskriver användandet av musik i hemmet jämfört med i förskolan är stor. I hemmet spelar föräldrarna musik eller sjunger för sina barn oftast för att trösta, vid nattning eller för att barnen tycker det är roligt, medan musiken i förskolan beskrivs av pedagogerna som sångstunder vid samlingar men även vid miniröris eller i lärandesituationer i transdisciplinärt syfte. Resultatet visar också att det inte är stor skillnad på hur pedagogerna beskriver musikens användningsområden utifrån barnens ålder bortsett från att musiken används mer vid språkinlärning hos de små barnen jämfört med de större barnen

Empowerment in supported employment research and practice: Is it relevant?

BACKGROUND: This cross-sectional study is aimed at describing and investigating empowerment and its relationships with level of engagement in daily activities and community life, experienced stigma, psychopathology, and quality of life among people with mental illness entering supported employment. METHOD: The following scales were administered to 120 persons: Empowerment Scale, Profiles of Occupational Engagement Scale, Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life Scale, Rejection Experience Scale and Brief Psychiatric and Rating Scale. RESULTS: Higher scores of empowerment were associated with fewer symptoms and experienced stigma, a higher level of engagement in daily activities and community life, better quality of life and having work rehabilitation. Self-efficacy and self-esteem were in particular significantly correlated to depressive symptoms. Descriptive statistics enveloped the group of participants that said 'Yes I want to work' with a somewhat high mean score for empowerment, level of engagement and quality of life, but a low mean score with regard to both symptoms and experienced stigma. CONCLUSIONS: This study advocates the importance of evaluating empowerment in supported employment research and practice. The findings suggest the importance of taking into account not only monetary aspects of having a job but also social and psychological aspects such as empowerment, reduction in experienced stigma and community integration