scholarly journals Emergent bilinguals in a digital world: a dynamic analysis of long-term L2 development in (pre)primary school children

Author(s):  
Simone E. Pfenninger

Abstract In this study, I present dense, longitudinal data exploring the insights that a Complex Dynamic Systems Theory (CDST) perspective can bring to bear on patterns of relationships found between learner individual differences – notably age of onset (AO) and extracurricular L2 English use – in children in (pre)primary programs in Switzerland. We studied 71 children who had received 50/50 bilingual instruction in German and English (so-called “partial CLIL” programs) as well as 105 children in “minimal CLIL” programs with almost uniquely monolingual German instruction (90% German, 10% English). In the data analysis, (1) generalized additive mixed modeling (GAMM) was combined with (2) mixed-effects regression modeling. The findings show that AO may exert an effect on L2 performance in bilingual but not traditional instructional settings. Furthermore, contact with English outside school is a strong predictor for learner outcome, regardless of the intensity of instruction and an early or late start respectively. We conclude that the traditional view of the age factor in instructional settings needs to give way to a new understanding of L2 development in intensive exposure conditions, in which age of acquisition is seen as a major determinant.

2021 ◽  
pp. 247412642198961
Author(s):  
Ioannis S. Dimopoulos ◽  
Michael Dollin

Purpose: Epiretinal membrane (ERM) is a common retinal finding for patients older than 50 years. Disorganization of the retinal inner layers (DRIL) has emerged as a novel predictor of poor visual acuity (VA) in eyes with inner retinal pathology. The aim of our study is to correlate preoperative DRIL with visual outcomes after ERM surgery. Methods: Medical records and optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of 81 pseudophakic patients who underwent treatment of idiopathic ERM were reviewed. Preoperative DRIL on OCT was correlated with VA at baseline and at 3 and 6 months after ERM surgery. DRIL was defined as the loss of distinction between the ganglion cell–inner plexiform layer complex, inner nuclear layer, and outer plexiform layer. DRIL severity was based on its extent within the central 2-mm region of a transfoveal B-scan (absent/mild: <one-third, severe: >one-third horizontal width). Results: Review of preoperative OCT showed severe DRIL in 41% and absent/mild DRIL in 59%. Severe DRIL was associated with worse baseline VA ( P < .001). Preoperative VA and DRIL status at baseline were both predictors of postoperative VA at follow-up time points ( P < .001). Severe DRIL was associated with significantly less improvement in VA at 6 months (–0.23 logMAR for absent/mild vs –0.14 for severe DRIL). Conclusions: Presence of severe preoperative DRIL correlates with worse baseline VA in patients with ERM and reduced VA improvement at 6 months. DRIL can be a strong predictor of long-term poor visual outcomes in ERM surgery.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (s2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjolijn Verspoor ◽  
Wander Lowie ◽  
Kees de Bot

Abstract In recent studies in second language (L2) development, notably within the focus of Complex Dynamic Systems Theory (CDST), non-systematic variation has been extensively studied as intra-individual variation, which we will refer to as variability. This paper argues that variability is functional and is needed for development. With examples of four longitudinal case studies we hope to show that variability over time provides valuable information about the process of development. Phases of increased variability in linguistic constructions are often a sign that the learner is trying out different constructions, and as such variability can be evidence for change, and change can be learning. Also, a limited degree of variability is inherent in automatic or controlled processes. Conversely, the absence of variability is likely to show that no learning is going on or the system is frozen.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuntaro Oribe ◽  
Takafumi Toyohara ◽  
Eikan Mishima ◽  
Takehiro Suzuki ◽  
Koichi Kikuchi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) often causes renal artery stenosis with renovascular hypertension. Recent clinical outcomes encourage percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) to treat FMD; however, the necessary follow-up period remains unclear. Moreover, previous studies have not revealed the difference in the period until recurrence between two major types of FMD—multifocal and focal. Case presentation We describe two patients with multifocal FMD who developed hypertension during their teenage years and had recurrence of FMD > 10 years after PTRA. We further examined the types of FMD and age of onset in 26 patients who underwent PTRA. The period until recurrence of multifocal FMD was longer than that of focal FMD. Moreover, patients with early-onset multifocal FMD are likely to have a delayed recurrence after PTRA compared to other types. Conclusions Our report suggests that patients with multifocal FMD, especially those with onset at an early age, may need long-term follow-up for at least ≥ 10 years.


Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 347
Author(s):  
Tomoyuki Fujisawa

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, including polymyositis (PM), dermatomyositis (DM), and clinically amyopathic DM (CADM), are a diverse group of autoimmune diseases characterized by muscular involvement and extramuscular manifestations. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) has major pulmonary involvement and is associated with increased mortality in PM/DM/CADM. The management of PM-/DM-/CADM-associated ILD (PM/DM/CADM-ILD) requires careful evaluation of the disease severity and clinical subtype, including the ILD forms (acute/subacute or chronic), because of the substantial heterogeneity of their clinical courses. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of myositis-specific autoantibodies’ status, especially anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5) and anti-aminoacyl tRNA synthetase (ARS) antibodies, in order to evaluate the clinical phenotypes and treatment of choice for PM/DM/CADM-ILD. Because the presence of the anti-MDA5 antibody is a strong predictor of a worse prognosis, combination treatment with glucocorticoids (GCs) and calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs; tacrolimus (TAC) or cyclosporin A (CsA)) is recommended for patients with anti-MDA5 antibody-positive DM/CADM-ILD. Rapidly progressive DM/CADM-ILD with the anti-MDA5 antibody is the most intractable condition, which requires immediate combined immunosuppressive therapy with GCs, CNIs, and intravenous cyclophosphamide. Additional salvage therapies (rituximab, tofacitinib, and plasma exchange) should be considered for patients with refractory ILD. Patients with anti-ARS antibody-positive ILD respond better to GC treatment, but with frequent recurrence; thus, GCs plus immunosuppressants (TAC, CsA, azathioprine, and mycophenolate mofetil) are often needed in order to achieve favorable long-term disease control. PM/DM/CADM-ILD management is still a therapeutic challenge for clinicians, as evidence-based guidelines do not exist to help with management decisions. A few prospective clinical trials have been recently reported regarding the treatment of PM/DM/CADM-ILD. Here, the current knowledge on the pharmacologic managements of PM/DM/CADM-ILD was mainly reviewed.


2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1213-1223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nannah I Tak ◽  
Saskia J te Velde ◽  
Johannes Brug

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the long-term effects of the Schoolgruiten Project, a Dutch primary school-based intervention providing free fruit and vegetables (F&V). In addition, we assessed whether children’s appreciation of the project mediated these intervention effects.Design and methodsParticipating schoolchildren (mean age 9·9 years at baseline) and their parents completed parallel questionnaires at baseline, at 1-year and at 2-year follow-up, including questions on usual F&V intake of the child, potential behavioural determinants, their appreciation of the project and general demographics. Primary outcomes were usual F&V intakes as assessed by parent and child self-reported food frequency measures. Secondary outcome measures were taste preference, knowledge of daily recommendations, availability and accessibility for fruit intake. Multilevel linear regression analyses were used to assess differences at second follow-up adjusted for baseline values between control and intervention groups.SubjectsReports were available for 346 intervention children (148 parents) and 425 control children (287 parents).ResultsBoth child and parent reports indicated that the intervention group had a significantly higher fruit intake at 2-year follow-up (difference, servings/d: 0·15; 95 % CI 0·004, 0·286 for child reports; 0·19; 95 % CI 0·030, 0·340 for parent reports). No significant effects on vegetable intake were observed. Significant positive intervention effects were also found for knowledge of fruit recommendations among boys. Some evidence was found for partial mediation analyses of the effects on fruit intake.ConclusionThe present study indicates that the Schoolgruiten scheme was effective in increasing children’s fruit intake and that appreciation of the project partially mediated this effect.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 525-525
Author(s):  
Robert J. Haggerty

Anorexia nervosa is a serious psychosomatic disorder which most typically begins between 16 and 18 years of age. Clinicians have often held that early onset (eg, ages 11 to 15) is associated with a better outcome. This paper reviews the long-term outcome studies on anorexia nervosa and concludes that this contention is not supported by available data. The methodologies of seven outcome studies that focus on an early onset population are critiqued, and it is concluded that two methodologies are strong. Because of the increasing prevalence of anorexia nervosa, this once rare disorder can now be more easily investigated, and consequently better follow-up studies, which examine potential prognostic factors including age of onset, should be forthcoming.


2021 ◽  
Vol 103-B (12) ◽  
pp. 1815-1820
Author(s):  
Stefan Huhnstock ◽  
Ola Wiig ◽  
Else Merckoll ◽  
Svein Svenningsen ◽  
Terje Terjesen

Aims The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of the modified three-group Stulberg classification, which is based on the sphericity of the femoral head, in patients with Perthes’ disease. Methods A total of 88 patients were followed from the time of diagnosis until a mean follow-up of 21 years. Anteroposterior pelvic and frog-leg lateral radiographs were obtained at diagnosis and at follow-up of one, five, and 21 years. At the five- and 21-year follow-up, the femoral heads were classified using a modified three-group Stulberg classification (round, ovoid, or flat femoral head). Further radiological endpoints at long-term follow-up were osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and the requirement for total hip arthroplasty (THA). Results There were 71 males (81%) and 17 females. A total of 13 patients had bilateral Perthes’ disease; thus 101 hips were analyzed. At five-year follow-up, 37 hips were round, 38 ovoid, and 26 flat. At that time, 66 hips (65%) were healed and 91 (90%) were skeletally immature. At long-term follow-up, when the mean age of the patients was 28 years (24 to 34), 20 hips had an unsatisfactory outcome (seven had OA and 13 had required THA). There was a strongly significant association between the modified Stulberg classification applied atfive-year follow-up and an unsatisfactory outcome at long-term follow-up (p < 0.001). Between the five- and 21-year follow-up, 67 hips (76%) stayed in their respective modified Stulberg group, indicating a strongly significant association between the Stulberg classifications at these follow-ups (p < 0.001). Conclusion The modified Stulberg classification is a strong predictor of long-term radiological outcome in patients with Perthes’ disease. It can be applied at the healing stage, which is usually reached five years after the diagnosis is made and before skeletal maturity. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(12):1815–1820.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. 986-992
Author(s):  
Yardena Rakover ◽  
Hanna Adar ◽  
Itamar Tal ◽  
Yaron Lang ◽  
Amos Kedar

Behcet disease is rare in children. There are only two reports of Behcet disease in childhood, describing seven patients. Three pediatric patients are described, in whom the age of onset ranged from 6 to 11 years. Aphthous stomatitis and arthritis were present in all of the patients; genital ulcers, iridocylitis, erythema nodosum, and CNS involvement were present in two patients. Other manifestations included Stevens-Johnson-like eruption, fever of unknown origin, and testicular involvement. All of the patients responded to glucocorticoids; two were also treated with colchicine and one was treated with chlorambucil. In two patients, follow-up of more than 10 years was done, with complete cure in one patient and benign course of illness in the other. Because of the rarity of the disease in childhood and the difficulty in making the diagnosis, there is not enough awareness by pediatricians concerning this disease.


Cephalalgia ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 3 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 91-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Lanzi ◽  
Umberto Balottin ◽  
Elisa Fazzi ◽  
Francesca Burgio Rosano

The present study takes into consideration some of the symptoms comprised in the Periodic Syndrome. These include motion-sickness, cyclic vomiting, recurrent abdominal pains and paroxysmal vertigo. Particular consideration is given to the chronological and long-term aspects of such symptoms. Among 247 migraine sufferers in the pediatric age group, 173 subjects who complained of at least one of these symptoms were chosen. Results of the data show that motion-sickness is the first to manifest itself (mean age of onset 2 years), and has a tendency to continue into the headache period; cyclic vomiting appears in the third year of life, and terminates sooner than the other symptoms. At the mean age of five years abdominal pains start, and at seven, paroxysmal vertigo. Headache is the final symptom in this group. The sequentiality of such disturbances in each subject leads to the assumption that the Periodic Syndrome is the expression of a single disorder which manifests itself polymorphously as a rather precisely timed process. Parmi les symptômes qui constituent le syndrome periodique de l'enfance, nous prenons en considération, dans cette étude, le mal d'auto, les vomissements cycliques, les douleurs abdominales récurrentes et les vertiges paroxystiques; nous en considérons particulièrement les aspects chronologiques et l'évolution à long terme. Il s'agit de 173 sujets, choisis parmi 247 migraineux en âge évolutif, qui ont présenté au moins un des symptômes que nous avons étudiés. L'analyse des données révèle que le mal d'auto est le premier qui se manifeste (au cours de la 2èMe année) et qu'il tend à continuer au-delà du moment où apparait la céphalée; au cours de la 3eMe année apparaissent les vomissements cycliques cui cessent plus tôt que les autres troubles; par la suite, vers l'âge de 5 ans, commencent les douleurs abdominales et vers 7 ans les vertiges paroxystiques; enfin apparait la céphalée. L'observation de la séquence de ces troubles chez les différents sujets nous amène à penser que le Syndrome périodique est l'expression d'un potentiel pathogène unique qui s'exprime à travers des aspects polymorphes selon une séquence temporelle assez précise. Fra i sintomi che costituiscono la Sindrome periodica dell'infanzia, nel presente studio prendiamo in esame il mal d'auto, i vomiti ciclici, i dolori addominali ricorrenti e le vertigini parossistiche, considerandone in particolare gli aspetti cronologici e di evoluzione a lungo termine. Si tratta di 173 soggetti, scelti fra 247 emicranici in età evolutiva che hanno lamentato almeno uno dei sintomi da noi considerati. Dall'analisi dei dati emerge che il mal d'auto si manifesta per primo (Il anno di vita) e tende a protrarsi oltre il momento d'insorgenza della cefalea; nel III anno compaiono i vomiti ciclici che si estinguono più precocemente degli altri disturbi; successivamente, verso i 5 anni, iniziano i dolori addominali e verso i 7 anni le vertigini parossistiche. Infine compare la cefalea. L'osservazione della sequenzialità di tali disturbi nei singoli soggetti ci fa pensare che la Sindrome periodica sia l'espressione di un unico potenziale patogeno che si estrinseca in aspetti polimorfi con una sequenza temporale abbastanza precisa.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document