Why don't we understand the public health impact of developing STI services in primary care?

Sohal et al have attempted to evaluate the public health and economic impact of incentivized primary care services on STI diagnoses across a population. In doing so, they have illustrated the difficulties in obtaining information that bedevil the planning of sexual health services in the UK(1;2), and elsewhere(3)

Challenges and other feedback: Integrating intercultural learning in the Digital Age

[EN] This mixed method case study explored globalization and complex relationships through a virtual exchange project between students from Germany and Colombia in upper intermediate level English classes. We believed by providing a space for online conversation, written collaboration and discussion, students would enhance their plurilingual and pluricultural competence as well as their communicative competences through the medium of English as an international language (EIL).  The aim was also to enable students to investigate cultural complexity and to develop cultural curiosity. Taking into account plurilingual and pluricultural competence (PPC) and the efficacy of virtual exchanges for language learning, we used a series of tasks for students to participate in a wide range of activities of varying complexity regarding German and Colombian culture for a six-week exchange.  Students self-assessed their written and spoken online interactions as well as their perceived skills in mediating texts and communication based on the recently added descriptors in the Companion Volume to the CEFR. They also rated their plurilingual and pluricultural competences on a PPC scale at both the beginning and end of the project. Results demonstrate that there is value in implementing virtual exchange projects in which students reflect on and increase their awareness of these concepts also suggesting that pairing students with international students rather than L1 speakers of the language has a potentially positive effect on students’ anxiety level and communicative competences. Bailey, A.; Gruber, A. (2020). Challenges and other feedback: Integrating intercultural learning in the Digital Age. The EuroCALL Review. 28(1):3-14. https://doi.org/10.4995/eurocall.2020.11982OJS314281Abrams, Z.I. (2002). Surfing to cross-cultural awareness: Using Internet-mediated projects to explore cultural stereotypes. Foreign Language Annals, 35(2), 141- 160. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1944-9720.2002.tb03151.xAvgousti, M. I. (2018) Intercultural communicative competence and online exchanges: a systematic review. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 31(8), 819853. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2018.1455713Belz, J.A. (2003). Linguistic perspectives on the development of intercultural competence in telecollaboration. Language Learning & Technology, 7 (2), 68-117. http://dx.doi.org/10125/25201Council of Europe (2001), Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languagesCouncil of Europe (2018), Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment. Companion Volume with New Descriptors. Strasbourg: Council of Europe. Retrieved from https://rm.coe.int/cefr-companion-volumewith-new-descriptors2018/1680787989Fuchs, C., Hauck, M., & Müller-Hartmann, A. (2012). Promoting learner autonomy through multiliteracy skills development in cross-institutional exchanges. Language Learning & Technology, 16(3), 82-102. Retrieved from http://llt.msu.edu/issues/october2012/fuchsetal.pdfGalante, A. (2018). Plurilingual or monolingual? A mixed methods study investigating plurilingual instruction in an EAP program at a Canadian university. (Doctoral dissertation) Retrieved from https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/handle/1807/91806Gläsman, S. (2004). Communication online. Bedfordbury: CILT.Guarda, M. (2013). Negotiating a transcultural place in an English as a lingua franca telecollaboration exchange. (Unpublished PhD thesis). Retrieved from http://paduaresearch.cab.unipd.it/5337/1/guarda_marta_tesi.pdfHelm, F. (2015). The practices and challenges of telecollaboration in higher education in Europe. Language Learning & Technology, 19(2), 197-217. Retrieved from http://llt.msu.edu/issues/june2015/helm.pdfKe, I. C., & Suzuki, T. (2011). Teaching global English with NNS-NNS online communication. Journal of Asia TEFL, 8(2), 169-188. Retrieved from https://waseda.pure.elsevier.com/en/publications/teaching-global-english-with-nns-nnsonline-communicationMüller-Hartmann, A., O'Dowd, R., and colleagues from the EVALUATE team (2017). A training manual on telecollaboration for teacher trainers. Retrieved from https://www.evaluateproject.eu/evlt-data/uploads/2017/09/TrainingManual_EVALUATE.pdfPellettieri, J. (2000). Negotiation in cyberspace: The role of chatting in the development of grammatical competence. In Warschauer, M. & Kern, R. (dir.). Network-based language teaching: Concepts and practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 59-87. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139524735.006Schenker, T. (2017). Synchronous telecollaboration for novice language learners: Effects on speaking skills and language learning interests. Alsic, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.4000/alsic.3068Seidlhofer, B. (2005). English as a lingua franca, ELT Journal, 59, 339-41. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/cci064Tian, J. & Wang, Y. (2010). Taking language learning outside the classroom: Learners' perspectives of eTandem learning via Skype. Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching, 4 (3), 181-197. https://doi.org/10.1080/17501229.2010.513443UNICollaboration (n.d.). International Conference: Telecollaboration in University Foreign Language Education. Retrieved from http://unicollaboration.unileon.esWarschauer, M. (1996). Comparing face-to-face and electronic communication in the second language classroom. CALICO Journal, 13(2), 7-26. Retrieved from http://education.uci.edu/uploads/7/2/7/6/72769947/comparing_face-toface_and_electronic_discussion.pdfYamada, M. (2009). The role of social presence in learner-centered communicative language learning using synchronous computer-mediated communication: Experimental study. Computers & Education, vol. 52(4), 820-833. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2008.12.00

Participation and retention factors relating to Black reentry graduate and undergraduate women in the College of Education.

This qualitative study, which focused on participation and retention factors, examined the educational experiences of nine reentry Black women who were students at a predominately White research university. The research centered on extracting common themes and on identifying factors that influenced or hindered their educational tenure

Up the nose of the beholder? Aesthetic perception in olfaction as a decision-making process

Is the sense of smell a source of aesthetic perception? Traditional philosophical aesthetics has centered on vision and audition but eliminated smell for its subjective and inherently affective character. This article dismantles the myth that olfaction is an unsophisticated sense. It makes a case for olfactory aesthetics by integrating recent insights in neuroscience with traditional expertise about flavor and fragrance assessment in perfumery and wine tasting. My analysis concerns the importance of observational refinement in aesthetic experience. I argue that the active engagement with stimulus features in perceptual processing shapes the phenomenological content, so much so that the perceptual structure of trained smelling varies significantly from naive smelling. In a second step, I interpret the processes that determine such perceptual refinement in the context of neural decision-making processes, and I end with a positive outlook on how research in neuroscience can be used to benefit philosophical aesthetics

Oral Health and Interprofessional Education Experiences in Family Medicine and Pediatric Residency

INTRODUCTION Prevention of dental diseases in children requires interprofessional education (IPE) and care coordination between oral health professionals and primary care providers; however, the extent of preparation of medical residents and its impact on their provision of preventive oral health services in clinical practice requires further investigation. METHODS A two-stage cluster sample of 470 US family medicine and 205 pediatric residency programs was used. A random sample of 30% (N=140) of family medicine and 29% (N=60) of pediatric residency programs were randomly selected. Of these, 42 programs (21%) invited residents to participate. Residents (N=95, 28%) completed an online questionnaire regarding oral health training in residency. Statistical analysis included frequencies and Spearman’s rank correlations. RESULTS Eighty-three percent of family medicine and pediatric residents combined reported receiving oral health education. Clinical experiences involving oral healthcare were frequently reported (77%, n=75); however, IPE with an oral health professional was limited. Both groups indicated they provided anticipatory guidance regarding regular dental visits and toothbrushing “very often” and avoiding bottles at bedtime “often.” Residents reported performing dental caries assessments “often” and applying fluoride varnish “occasionally.” For family medicine residents, moderate correlations (p ≤ 0.01) were found between hours of oral health education and providing anticipatory guidance. For pediatric residents, a moderate correlation (p \u3c 0.01) was found between hours of oral health education and assessing teeth for demineralization. CONCLUSION Increased effort is needed to meet national recommendations for educating family medicine and pediatric residents regarding oral healthcare for children, including increased IPE involving oral health professionals

International Business English Program: Reflections on Design

Designing a program is a long and difficult process, but the benefits and the personal growth of such an activity is impressive. In this paper the authors would like to reflect on decisions made throughout the program design of the International Business English Program at the Instituto de Idiomas of the Universidad del Norte. The authors will discuss considerations made during the design process, procedures implemented and changes experienced during the growth of the program. Finally, the authors will share how the experience has impacted their professional growth and continuous commitment to the International Business English Program and provide commentary as to why such a procedure albeit complicated is valuable for anyone

The Pursuit of Happiness: A new ambition for our mental health

Chaired by former MP and minister for mental health, Paul Burstow, the CentreForum Mental Health Commission undertook a 12 month study of the state of wellbeing in England by identifying five key priorities between now and 2020