Teacher code-switching in secondary ESL classrooms in Sweden

This paper explores how and why one teacher’s code-switching arises, as well as for what purpose, in upper secondary English as a second language (ESL) classrooms in Sweden. Code-switching is defined as a switch between different languages, between the first language (L1), and second language (L2) or target language (TL), within the same speech situation. To be able to understand and investigate the teacher’s code-switching practices an outline of key terms such as language policy, code-switching and translanguaging are presented, along with previous studies made by other researchers. The data was collected through audio-recordings of one 45minute English 5 lesson, where 25 16-19year old students from a handicraft program participated. Relevant excerpts were teacher’s code-switching arose were then transcribed with the help of Jefferson’s transcript convention. Auer’s Sequential approach with a Conversation analysis framework was then applied to illuminate what precedes and follows teacher’s code-switching. The study showed that the teacher mainly code-switched when conducting classroom management by giving orders or explaining procedures, such as filling in the attendance list. Also, code-switching was used as a scaffold for learning where cognitively demanding concepts were explained, new words introduced or instructions were clarified. Lastly, code-switching was used to initiate a move to another discourse, for instance between a more formal school discourse and a less formal social discourse. The paper concludes with code-switching implication for practice and future research

Norm critical pedagogy in the second language classroom

English as a second language (ESL) classrooms in Sweden constitute multicultural and social platforms where different language backgrounds and attitudes meet and where norms intersect, are contested and negotiated, creating possibilities for some, but limitations for others. The Swedish National Agency for Education promotes norm critical pedagogy (NCP) as a means to tackle degrading treatment and prevent discrimination in school and in society. NCP posits that restrictive norms, such as heteronormativity, can be challenged in school settings if they are made visible. How teachers approach norms in their classrooms depends on their own awareness of and attitudes to norms. In addition, teachers can feel hesitant to address norm-related issues. Since NCP is a relatively new approach making its way on the Swedish educational arena, promoters of NCP stress the need for more research documenting norm critical teaching practices, especially on how NCP can be approached in specific school subjects, such as ESL. By examining educational steering documents and teacher interviews through discourse analysis and descriptive coding, this qualitative case study yields an insight into the way in which certified ESL teachers might regard and approach norms in the classroom. The results of this study suggest that teachers of ESL can approach norms in a number of ways: by interpreting norm critical pedagogy, solving conflicts and drawing on teachable moments, choosing material, negotiating classroom norms and by learning from reflection. Additionally, this study points to the need for more research such as on successful strategies for implementing NCP in school curricula

Predicting intensive care need in women with preeclampsia using machine learning – a pilot study

ABSTRACTBackground Predicting severe preeclampsia with need for intensive care is challenging. To better predict high-risk pregnancies to prevent adverse outcomes such as eclampsia is still an unmet need worldwide. In this study we aimed to develop a prediction model for severe outcomes using routine biomarkers and clinical characteristics.Methods We used machine learning models based on data from an intensive care cohort with severe preeclampsia (n=41) and a cohort of preeclampsia controls (n=40) with the objective to find patterns for severe disease not detectable with traditional logistic regression models.Results The best model was generated by including the laboratory parameters aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), uric acid and body mass index (BMI) with a cross-validation accuracy of 0.88 and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.91. Our model was internally validated on a test-set where the accuracy was lower, 0.82, with an AUC of 0.85.Conclusion The clinical routine blood parameters ASAT and uric acid as well as BMI, were the parameters most indicative of severe disease. Aspartate aminotransferase reflects liver involvement, uric acid might be involved in several steps of the pathophysiologic process of preeclampsia, and obesity is a well-known risk factor for development of both severe and non-severe preeclampsia likely involving inflammatory pathways..[Figure: see text

Intensive care patients with preeclampsia – Clinical risk factors and biomarkers for oxidative stress and angiogenic imbalance as discriminators for severe disease

Background: Approximately 180 mothers are treated in Swedish Intensive Care Units (ICU) due to preeclampsia each year. Although several clinical risk factors are known, prediction of critical disease is challenging. Two scavenger proteins, hemopexin (Hpx) and alpha-1-microglobulin (A1M) have been suggested to be associated with the oxidative stress seen in preeclampsia. The ratio of two other biomarkers, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1) to placental growth factor (PIGF), is predictive of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods: In total 121 women were included in this study where we compared risk factors for preeclampsia, plasma levels of Hpx and A1M in ICU-patients with preeclampsia (n = 41) compared to uncomplicated preeclampsia cases (n = 40) and normotensive pregnancies (n = 40), with the objective to identify clinical risk patterns for severe disease. The sFlt-1/PIGF ratio was investigated in early and late onset preeclampsia ICU-patients. Blood samples were collected at admission to ICU and within 27 h postpartum for all groups. Results: Hemopexin and A1M levels were significantly lower in the preeclampsia ICU-cohort compared to uncomplicated preeclampsia patients. The sFlt-1/PIGF-ratio was elevated in the ICU-patients but there was no difference between early and late onset preeclampsia. The ICU-patients had more clinical risk factors, refractory hypertension, and an increased rate of emergency Caesarean section. Conclusion: Intensive care patients have more clinical risk factors and a Hpx and A1M profile suggestive of depletion and thereby a reduced capacity to respond to oxidative stress. The ratios of sFlt-1/PIGF were high in the ICU-cohort and in accordance with pre-delivery levels predictive of adverse pregnancy outcomes

Bartonella spp. seroprevalence in tick-exposed Swedish patients with persistent symptoms

Background: Bartonella spp. are emerging pathogens transmitted by arthropod vectors, possibly including ticks. We have investigated signs of bartonellosis in Swedish patients with presumed tick-bite exposure and symptom duration of at least 6 months. Methods: Serological testing for Bartonella henselae and Bartonella quintana was performed in 224 patients. Symptoms, tick exposure, evidence of co-infection and previous treatments were evaluated. Seropositive patients were compared to a matched group (twofold larger and negative serology) from the same study cohort. Results: Seroprevalence was 7% for B. henselae and 1% for B. quintana, with one patient testing positive to both agents. Tick bites were reported by 63% of the patients in the seropositive group and 88% in the seronegative group and presumed tick exposure was more common in the seronegative group. Animal contact was equally common in both groups, along with reported symptoms. The most common symptoms were fatigue, muscular symptoms, arthralgia and cognitive symptoms. Exposure to co-infections was evenly distributed in the seropositive and seronegative groups. Conclusions: Antibodies to Bartonella were more common in this cohort of patients than in cohorts of healthy Swedish blood donors in previous studies but lower than those in blood donors from southern Europe. Positive Bartonella serology was not linked to any specific symptom, nor to (suspected) tick-bite exposure

A participatory approach to identify key areas for sustainable work environment and health in employees with flexible work arrangements

Flexible work arrangements are common worldwide, but knowledge on how to achieve a sustainable work environment is sparse. The aim of this study was to use a participatory approach to identify concrete suggestions and key areas for improvement that were considered relevant, effective, and feasible for promoting good work environment and health at organizational, work group and individual level (O-G-I), among office employees with flexible work arrangements. Eight focus group interviews (including 45 employees) were conducted in a large Swedish government agency in 2017. By using a Tree diagram approach, employees made a total of 279 suggestions for improvements, which were sorted into O-G-I levels and mapped into 18 key areas. We found that 13 key areas addressed organizational level (e.g., improving leadership, policy, job demands, and work efficiency), two key areas addressed group level (create common rules of availability and activity-based working), and three key areas addressed individual level (e.g., individuals’ responsibility to clearly communicate their availability). The participatory process was effective in obtaining concrete suggestions and key areas in need of improvement, which may provide an action plan that can guide organizations in developing interventions to promote good work environment and health in flexible work.

Predicting intensive care need in women with preeclampsia using machine learning – a pilot study

Predicting severe preeclampsia with need for intensive care is challenging. To better predict high-risk pregnancies to prevent adverse outcomes such as eclampsia is still an unmet need worldwide. In this study we aimed to develop a prediction model for severe outcomes using routine biomarkers and clinical characteristics. We used machine learning models based on data from an intensive care cohort with severe preeclampsia (n=41) and a cohort of preeclampsia controls (n=40) with the objective to find patterns for severe disease not detectable with traditional logistic regression models. The best model was generated by including the laboratory parameters aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), uric acid and body mass index (BMI) with a cross-validation accuracy of 0.88 and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.91. Our model was internally validated on a test-set where the accuracy was lower, 0.82, with an AUC of 0.85. The clinical routine blood parameters ASAT and uric acid as well as BMI, were the parameters most indicative of severe disease. Aspartate aminotransferase reflects liver involvement, uric acid might be involved in several steps of the pathophysiologic process of preeclampsia, and obesity is a well-known risk factor for development of both severe and non-severe preeclampsia likely involving inflammatory pathways..</p

Nanomechanical and nano-FTIR analysis of polyester coil coatings before and after artificial weathering experiments

Local heterogeneities can have significant effects on the performance of anti-corrosion coatings. Even small features can act as initiation points for damage and result in corrosion of the substrate material. Analysis methods with high spatial resolution and the ability to collect information relevant to crosslinking and degradation behavior of these coatings are therefore highly relevant. In this work, we demonstrate the utility of nanomechanical AFM measurements and nano-FTIR in investigating the nanoscale mechanical and chemical properties of two polyester coil coating clearcoats before and after weathering. On the nanoscale, weathering led to a stiffer and less deformable coating with less variation in the nanomechanical properties. Chemical degradation was quantified using changes in band ratios in the IR-spectra. Macro and nano-scale measurements showed similar trends with the latter measurements showing larger heterogeneity. Our results demonstrate the usefulness of the described analysis techniques and will pave the way for future studies of local properties in other coating systems and formulations. © 2024 The AuthorsThis work was supported by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) grant FID18-0034.</p