IRF: Institutional Repository FHNW (Hochschule für Wirtschaft FHNW)
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Exploration of solubilisation effects facilitated by the combination of Soluplus® with ionic surfactants
No full textPreclinical testing of new drug candidates frequently necessitates high-dose solution formulations to support robust testing in rodent models. This study aimed to expand the range of high solubilisation capacity formulations by exploring the solubilisation effects of the polymeric surfactant Soluplus® in combination with ionic surfactants. The interactions between Soluplus® and three ionic surfactants, sodium dodecyl sulphate, dioctyl sodium succinate, and sodium oleate, with a primary focus on solubility enhancement were investigated over a range of ionic surfactant concentrations. The solubilisation profiles for seven model drugs were obtained, and the vehicles were characterised by their visual characteristics, dynamic light scattering, and viscosity measurements. The solubilisation profiles were non-linear, indicating the formation of different colloidal species with individual solubilisation strengths depending on surfactant type and concentration, demonstrating substantial solubility enhancement. For certain drugs more than additive solubilisation, facilitated by synergistic interactions between Soluplus® and the ionic surfactants, was obtained. Overall, the solubility increase provided by the excipient combinations resulted in non-linear and drug specific solubilisation profiles. The non-linearities observed were reflected in visual observations of the vehicles appearance, DLS and viscosity measurements, which collectively indicated a change in polymer aggregation with increasing concentration of anionic surfactant. This investigation highlights that already low quantities of ionic surfactants introduced to Soluplus® may substantially enhance solubility, which offers a promising approach for further exploration in preclinical drug development where more conventional solubilising formulation strategies may fall short
Job- und Topsharing in der Schweiz
No full textZu den New-Work-Arbeitsmodellen zählen Job- und Topsharing, da sie anspruchsvolle Tätigkeiten in Teilzeit ermöglichen und den Beschäftigten so das Bedürfnis nach Sinnstiftung und Freiheit erfüllen. Wie ist die aktuelle Verbreitung dieser Arbeitsmodelle in der Schweiz? Eine Studie der FHNW im Auftrag des Vereins PTO go-for-jobsharing liefert aktuelle Zahlen.https://www.weka.ch/themen/personal/arbeitszeit-und-absenzen/arbeitszeitmodelle/article/topsharing-job-und-topsharing-in-der-schweiz
Teacher collaboration to elevate student achievement?
No full textBackground
Previous research on the relationship between teacher collaboration and student achievement yielded ambiguous results. From a theoretical perspective, an indirect association between high-quality teacher collaboration and student achievement is assumed, mediated by instructional quality. However, empirical evidence for this assumed theoretical mediation model is lacking.
Aim
This study analyses the relationship between the extent of high-quality teacher collaboration reported by teachers via social network ties and the development of fifth-grade students’ mathematics achievement over one school year. It examines whether and how this relationship is mediated by instructional quality assessed as effective teaching from the perspective of the students.
Sample
The sample included 80 primary school teachers and 770 fifth-grade students from the German-speaking part of Switzerland.
Method
A two-level structural equation model was applied, comprising two latent change models, one for instructional quality and one for mathematics achievement, to examine student survey data on instructional quality, student mathematics achievement tests, and teacher social network survey data on perceived high-quality teacher collaboration.
Results
The results revealed a significant positive indirect effect between high-quality teacher collaboration and student achievement, mediated by instructional quality. However, the direct effect between high-quality teacher collaboration and mathematics achievement, although positive, was not significant. Both the total and indirect effects of the model were significant.
Conclusion
This study underpins and extends previous findings emphasizing the significance of perceived high-quality teacher collaboration by demonstrating that these collaborations are crucial for fostering instructional quality and students’ mathematics achievement
Connectedness with digital technologies as a curricular challenge: Modes of integration between using tools and understanding the essence of technology
No full textDigital tools such as commonly used Electronic Client Systems are increasingly being employed in social work. This entanglement of practitioners and digital artefacts, which are inherently social, creates a demand for professionals trained in the usage of these tools. The presentation argues that the training of such usage skills is not the responsibility of the universities. Instead, they are called upon to enable students to analyze and evaluate the knowledge contained in these systems (Weber/Rink 2024) and the problematizations that precede them (Rink/Weber/Seelmeyer 2024). At the intersection of academia and professional practice, it is additionally necessary to establish appropriate formats for the training of the usage competencies
Social and collaborative robots in prison
No full textSocial and collaborative robots are rarely found in prisons, a finding that applies worldwide with a few exceptions. Yet they could help with numerous tasks. How such robots can and should be used in prisons is explored in this article. It examines the situation in Switzerland and includes expert interviews with the Inter-cantonal Commissioner for Digitalization and several prison directors and their staff as well as inmates. It becomes clear that there are certainly areas in which social and collaborative robots would be useful and beneficial or even preferable to humans. However, there are also arguments and reservations against their use. The results can be transferred to other states under the rule of law with all due caution. It would be important to conduct further research in other countries and cultures
Hegemoniale Männlichkeit in der stationären Jugendhilfe: Notwendigkeit eines professionellen Umgangs
No full textReducing transactional distance in a hybrid-flexible learning environment in higher education. Interaction and engagement despite asynchronous communication
No full textThis study explores the implementation of an asynchronous video-based guest lecture in an undergraduate teacher education program in Switzerland. It describes how the guest lecture was delivered to foster an interactive and engaging environment for learners and to mimic two-way communication. The study applies the tenets of the Theory of Transactional Distance in examining the student-teacher interaction in a hybrid-flexible learning environment to promote quality dialogue, participation, critical reflection, and to foster a caring relationship. It describes the instructional process and the use of video splicing to mimic interaction between the students, who were physically present on campus, and the guest lecturer ‘joining’ them asynchronously from a university overseas. A survey and a written reflection captured students’ perceptions of how close or distant they felt to the guest lecturer and how this sense of closeness or distance impacted their engagement and learning. A debriefing grounded in the pedagogy of care captured the guest lecturer’s experience. All students (n = 10) expressed appreciation for the opportunity to be part of a video-based interactive lecture. They were grateful that the guest lecturer had taken the time to interact with them, listen to their questions, and to respond to their specific questions. All respondents enjoyed the innovative approach approximating interaction in an asynchronous setting. Ways to minimize transactional distance between the geographically distant guest lecturer and the students are discussed along with strategies to increase responsiveness to students’ individual questions and to demonstrate care for their learning. This article may be of interest to educators who strive to increase engagement and interaction in online or hybrid learning environments and are looking for ways to decrease the distance between themselves and their students. The study contributes to a better understanding of the use of video-based teaching approaches in hybrid education.https://aquila.usm.edu/jetde/vol18/iss1/12
Betriebliche Gesundheitsförderung in Schweizer KMU
No full textDieser Online-Vortrag beleuchtet die aktuelle Situation der Betrieblichen Gesundheitsförderung (BGF) in Schweizer KMU und präsentiert dabei zentrale Ergebnisse der jüngsten Monitoring-Studie zur Verbreitung des Betrieblichen Gesundheitsmanagements (BGM). Die Studie, durchgeführt im Auftrag von Gesundheitsförderung Schweiz, bietet wertvolle Einblicke in den Stand und die Herausforderungen des BGM in kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen. Erstmalig wurden auch KMU mit 10 bis 49 Mitarbeitende berücksichtigt. Im Vortrag wird u.a. gezeigt, – wie BGF in Schweizer KMU umgesetzt wird – was die Beweggründe und Treiber für (oder auch gegen) eine Umsetzung sind – wie sich bei all dem die Unternehmensgrösse auswirkt.https://www.alumni-aps.ch/betriebliche-gesundheitsforderung-online-referat
Enhanced antimicrobial protection through surface immobilization of antibiotic-loaded peptide multicompartment micelles
No full textThe escalating global threat of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, driven by biofilm formation on medical device surfaces, prompts the need for innovative therapeutic strategies. To address this growing challenge, we develop rifampicin-loaded multicompartment micelles (RIF-MCMs) immobilized on surfaces, offering a dual-functional approach to enhance antimicrobial efficacy for localized therapeutic applications. We first optimize the physicochemical properties of RIF-MCMs, and subsequently coat the optimal formulation onto a glass substrate, as confirmed by quartz crystal microbalance and atomic force microscopy. Surface-immobilized RIF-MCMs facilitate sustained antibiotic release in response to biologically relevant temperatures (37 °C and 42 °C). In addition, their heterogeneous distribution enhances the surface's roughness, contributing to the antibacterial activity through passive mechanisms such as hindering bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. In vitro antimicrobial testing demonstrates that RIF-MCM-modified surfaces achieve a 98% reduction in Staphylococcus aureus viability and a three-order-of-magnitude decrease in colony formation compared to unmodified surfaces. In contrast, RIF-MCMs exhibit minimal cytotoxicity to mammalian cells, making them suitable candidates for medical device coatings. Our dual-function antimicrobial strategy, combining sustained antibiotic release and enhanced surface roughness, presents a promising approach to locally prevent implant-associated infections and biofilm formation
Innovation Culture
No full textThis thesis aims to identify the specific digital tools and cultural adjustments necessary for mature ICT organizations in Switzerland to emulate the innovation culture characteristics of ICT startups, thus fostering enhanced organizational growth and benefit from organizational success. The central inquiry revolves around determining the precise requirements for digital tools and cultural adaptations essential for replicating the agile and innovative ethos inherent in startup environments. This thesis endeavors to offer actionable recommendations and best practices guiding mature ICT organizations in fostering a more innovative, digital, and adaptive culture akin to startups in the ICT sector in Switzerland