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Describing the historical development of the mask (Laarve) 2 within the carnival tradition of the Basel Fasnacht (Faasnacht, Switzerland) during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, this article offers a case study of the so-called reflexive turn in late modern ('post-traditional') societies. Drawing on the concept of ritual reflexivity, we argue that the gradual development of the Fasnacht masks into oversized constructions covering the ritualist's whole head (Laarve) went hand in hand with the development of various other ritual mechanisms aimed at facilitating within the ritual framework a meditative, inward-oriented stance (enstasis). 3 This is especially interesting as carnivals tend to be associated with precisely the opposite dynamics: transcending social norms through the celebration of excess and inebriation which, in its extreme forms, may lead to ekstasis (or at least a headache). The described ritual elements are interpreted as a series of mirroring mechanisms nested within one another. The ritual handling of the Laarve by the ritualists (its donning and taking off at regular intervals) is then understood simultaneously as a facilitator and a marker fuelling and isolating individual phases of an otherwise non-discrete reflexive process. Based on first-hand accounts of ritualists' experiences of mask-wearing, we will show how Basel Fasnacht walks a tightrope between 'modelling' and 'mirroring' societal, communal and idiosyncratic levels of meaning-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background Nocturnal hypoglycemia frequently occurs in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). It can be fatal and is believed to promote the development of the hypoglycemia-unawareness syndrome. Whether [...]

Background A global cross-sectional survey (CRASH) was designed to provide information about the experiences of people with diabetes (PWD) and their caregivers in relation to severe hypoglycaemic events. Methods Adults with type 1 diabetes or insulin-treated type 2 diabetes who had experienced one or more severe hypoglycaemic events within the past 3 years, and adult caregivers for such people, were recruited from medical research panels using purposive sampling. We present here results from Germany. Results Approximately 100 individuals in each of the four participant groups completed a 30-minute online survey. Survey results indicated that the most recent severe hypoglycaemic event made many participants feel scared (80.4%), unprepared (70.4%), and/or helpless (66.5%). Severe hypoglycaemia was discussed by healthcare professionals at every visit with only 20.2% of participants who had ever had this conversation, and 53.5% of participants indicated that their insulin regimen had not changed following their most recent event. 37.1% of PWD/people with diabetes cared for by caregivers owned a glucagon kit at the time of survey completion. Conclusions The survey identified areas for improvement in the prevention and management of severe hypoglycaemic events. For healthcare professionals, these include enquiring more frequently about severe hypoglycaemia and adjusting blood glucose-lowering medication after a severe hypoglycaemic event. For individuals with diabetes and their caregivers, potential improvements include ensuring availability of glucagon at all times. Changes in these areas could lead not only to improved patient wellbeing but also to reduced use of emergency services/hospitalisation and, consequently, lower healthcare costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a brief overview of the important processes and techniques used industrially for forming thin films. (HM)

Data concerning true hypoglycaemic incidence in insulin-treated patients with diabetes in real-world clinical practice are lacking in Germany. The aim of this analysis was to determine the incidence of hypoglycaemia experienced by the German cohort of patients enrolled in the global Hypoglycaemia Assessment Tool (HAT) study. This was a non-interventional, 6-month retrospective and 4-week prospective study using self-assessment questionnaires and patient diaries assessing patients aged ≥ 18 years in Germany, with type 1 diabetes (T1D) (n = 811) or type 2 diabetes (T2D) (n = 1 619) treated with insulin for > 12 months. The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients experiencing ≥ 1 hypoglycaemic event during the prospective observational period (4 weeks after baseline). Predictive and continuous factors (such as age, gender, duration of insulin use and HbA1c) contributing to hypoglycaemia risk were explored. During the prospective period, at least one hypoglycaemic event was reported by 81.3 % of patients with T1D and 39.7 % of patients with T2D, indicating that hypoglycaemia is a common acute complication among patients with insulin-treated diabetes. Severe hypoglycaemia was reported by 9.1 % of patients with T1D and 5.4 % of patients with T2D. Higher rates of any and severe hypoglycaemia were reported prospectively than retrospectively, regardless of diabetes type, indicating that patients retrospectively under-report hypoglycaemia. Prospective rates (events per patient-year) of any, nocturnal and severe hypoglycaemia were 80.3, 9.9 and 3.0 for T1D and 15.6, 2.4 and 1.1 for T2D, respectively. Given the potential for recall bias in retrospective reporting, this prospective assessment of hypoglycaemia appears more reliable than retrospective assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]