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Viscous-flow features in perennially frozen talus/debris called rock glaciers are being systematically inventoried as part of the global climate-related monitoring of mountain permafrost. In order to avoid duplication and confusion, guidelines were developed by the International Permafrost Association to discriminate between the permafrost-related landform “rock glacier” and the glacier-related landform “debris-covered glacier”. In two regions covered by detailed field measurements, the corresponding data- and physics-based concepts are tested and shown to be adequate. Key physical aspects which cause the striking morphological and dynamic differences between the two phenomena/landforms concern the following: tight mechanical coupling of the surface material to the frozen rock–ice mixture in the case of rock glaciers, contrasting with essential non-coupling of debris to the glaciers they cover; talus-type advancing fronts of rock glaciers exposing fresh debris material from inside the moving frozen bodies, as opposed to massive surface ice exposed by increasingly rare advancing fronts of debris-covered glaciers; and increasing creep rates and continued advance of rock glaciers as convex landforms with structured surfaces versus predominant slowing down and disintegration of debris-covered glaciers as often concave landforms with primarily chaotic surface structure. Where debris-covered surface ice is or has recently been in contact with thermally controlled subsurface ice in permafrost, complex conditions and interactions can develop morphologies beyond simple either–or-type landform classification. In such cases, the remains of buried surface ice mostly tend to be smaller than the lower size limit of “glaciers” as the term is applied in glacier inventories and to be far thinner than the permafrost in which they are embedded.

A C. elegans-based screening approach identifies nementin as a nematode-selective nematicide that can be used synergistically with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors

Digitized aerial images were used to monitor the evolution of perennially frozen debris and polythermal glacier ice at the intensely investigated Gruben site in the Swiss Alps over a period of about 50 years. The photogrammetric analysis allowed for a compilation of detailed spatio-temporal information on flow velocities and thickness changes. In addition, high-resolution GNSS (global navigation satellite system) and ground surface temperature measurements were included in the analysis to provide insight into short-term changes. Over time, extremely contrasting developments and landform responses are documented. Viscous flow within the warming and already near-temperate rock glacier permafrost continued at a constant average but seasonally variable speed of typically decimetres per year, with average surface lowering limited to centimetres to a few decimetres per year. This constant flow causes the continued advance of the characteristic convex, lava-stream-like rock glacier with its oversteepened fronts. Thawing rates of ice-rich perennially frozen ground to strong climate forcing are very low (centimetres per year) and the dynamic response strongly delayed (timescale of decades to centuries). The adjacent cold debris-covered glacier tongue remained an essentially concave landform with diffuse margins, predominantly chaotic surface structure, intermediate thickness losses (decimetres per year), and clear signs of down-wasting and decreasing flow velocity. The former contact zone between the cold glacier margin and the upper part of the rock glacier with disappearing remains of buried glacier ice embedded on top of frozen debris exhibits complex phenomena of thermokarst in massive ice and backflow towards the topographic depression produced by the retreating glacier tongue. As is typical for glaciers in the Alps, the largely debris-free glacier part shows a rapid response (timescale of years) to strong climatic forcing with spectacular retreat (>10 m a−1) and mass loss (up to >1 m w.e. specific mass loss per year). The system of periglacial lakes shows a correspondingly dynamic evolution and had to be controlled by engineering work for hazard protection.

In Switzerland, becoming a licensed pharmacist requires succeeding a federal entry-to-practice exam that includes an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Candidates from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) exhibited a higher failure rate in this part of the examination in comparison to candidates from other Swiss institutions. The institution made a specific set of pedagogical changes to a 3-week pharmacy services course that is run during their Master's second year to prepare them for their entry-to-practice OSCE. One key change was a switch from a summative in-classroom OSCE to an on-line formative OSCE. New teaching activities were introduced between 2019 2020 and 2021–2022 academic years to help students strengthen their patient-facing skills and prepare for the federal OSCE. These online activities consisted in formative OSCEs supplemented with group and individual debriefings and in 18 h clinical case simulations reproducing OSCE requirements and assessed with standardized evaluation grids. Failure rates before and after the introduction of these activities were compared, and their perceived usefulness by UNIGE candidates was collected through a questionnaire survey. The UNIGE failure rate decreased from 6.8% in 2018/2019 to 3.3% in 2022 following the implementation of the new teaching activities. The difference in failure rates between UNIGE and the other institutions became less pronounced in 2022 compared to 2018/2019. The redesigned Master's course was highlighted as useful for preparation, with all new activities perceived as beneficial. Questionnaire responses brought attention to challenges faced by UNIGE candidates, including stress management, insufficient information or practical training, and experiences related to quarantine. These insights informed further development of teaching methods. Although the results do not establish a direct link between participation in new teaching activities and increased performance, they suggest resolving the initial issue. Our findings relate to pedagogical concepts such as constructive alignment, formative assessment and examination anxiety, and generally support the benefits of online format. This study used a participatory action research based on mixed methods to address a challenge in pharmacy education. Online teaching activities including formative OSCEs, case simulations and debriefings were implemented. Improved performance in entry-to-practice OSCE was subsequently observed. The results highlight the potential of formative, active, and constructively aligned online activities, such as role-playing and case simulation, to enhance patient-facing skills and improve outcomes in summative assessments of these skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]