Belief, attitude and critical understanding. A systematic review of social justice in Service-Learning experiences

This systematic review examined the role of Service-Learning experiences promoted by higher education institutions to strengthen the achievement of social justice outcomes among youth. We screened and coded studies following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Of the 555 articles found in the database search, 47 peer-reviewed studies were included in the final sample. Social justice construct, together with research location, participants, target community and outcomes, were coded. Results show effects of Service-Learning experiences on (a) fostering significant improvement of students' social justice beliefs, (b) stimulating significant changes in students' attitudes with respect to the development of altruistic behaviours and their commitment to social justice, and (c) increasing students' critical understanding by sparking questioning processes related to personal assumptions of inequalities. This systematic review provides insights into the strengths and challenges of implementing social justice-oriented Service-Learning experiences

If it does take a village to raise a child, how should the village do it? Insights from the kids in places initiative

Cross-sector collaborations are some of the strategies used to promote early childhood development and wellbeing. Without these collaborations, key services for families with young children may be missed or even duplicated. By drawing from experiences in Canada and Italy, we share findings from a study that aimed to understand the factors that make cross-sector collaborations (CSC) succeed or fail. Specifically, the study focused on understanding how CSC promoting early child development are created, maintained, and consolidated; and on identifying the social psychological, organizational, and economic aspects of CSC that help or hinder their functioning. Based on qualitative analysis of data gathered from four focus groups and thirteen interviews conducted across seven Canadian and Italian communities, we conclude that the success of CSC depend of a series of factors that transcend context, language and culture

Electronic structure, structural properties, and dielectric functions of IV-VI semiconductors: PbSe and PbTe

The electronic structure and frequency dependent dielectric function E(E) of rocksalt semiconductors PbSe and PbTe are investigated using the local density approximation (LDA) and the generalized gradient approximation as two different exchange and correlation approximations, within the full-potential linearized augmented plane-wave approach. Spin-orbit coupling has been incorporated in the study. The results are presented and compared with other recent calculations and experimental data. Structural properties are also obtained by means of calculations of total energy as a function of lattice parameters. The bulk structural parameters are sensitive to the choice of exchange and correlation approximation. The essential features of the band structure and density of states of PbSe and PbTe are reproduced by our calculations and agree quite well with available experimental results. The position of the minimum energy gap is correctly predicted, although the value of the gap is as usual, underestimated by the local density approximation with respect to the experimental data. This gap value is improved by the inclusion of the generalized gradient approximation. Also, we have calculated the real [E1(W)] and imaginary [E2(W)] parts of E(W) for both compounds, in the framework of the LDA scheme for exchange and correlation. The inclusion of spin-orbit coupling leads to a richer structure in both E1(W) and E2(W). The agreement with experimental results is satisfactory.Instituto de Física de Líquidos y Sistemas Biológico

Electronic structure, structural properties, and dielectric functions of IV-VI semiconductors: PbSe and PbTe

The electronic structure and frequency dependent dielectric function E(E) of rocksalt semiconductors PbSe and PbTe are investigated using the local density approximation (LDA) and the generalized gradient approximation as two different exchange and correlation approximations, within the full-potential linearized augmented plane-wave approach. Spin-orbit coupling has been incorporated in the study. The results are presented and compared with other recent calculations and experimental data. Structural properties are also obtained by means of calculations of total energy as a function of lattice parameters. The bulk structural parameters are sensitive to the choice of exchange and correlation approximation. The essential features of the band structure and density of states of PbSe and PbTe are reproduced by our calculations and agree quite well with available experimental results. The position of the minimum energy gap is correctly predicted, although the value of the gap is as usual, underestimated by the local density approximation with respect to the experimental data. This gap value is improved by the inclusion of the generalized gradient approximation. Also, we have calculated the real [E1(W)] and imaginary [E2(W)] parts of E(W) for both compounds, in the framework of the LDA scheme for exchange and correlation. The inclusion of spin-orbit coupling leads to a richer structure in both E1(W) and E2(W). The agreement with experimental results is satisfactory.Instituto de Física de Líquidos y Sistemas Biológico

Allelic Variants of HLA-C Upstream Region, PSORS1C3, MICA, TNFA and Genes Involved in Epidermal Homeostasis and Barrier Function Influence the Clinical Response to Anti-IL-12/IL-23 Treatment of Patients with Psoriasis

Several biologic therapies have been developed to treat moderate-to-severe psoriasis, with patients exhibiting different clinical benefits, possibly due to the heterogeneity of pathogenic processes underlying their conditions. Ustekinumab targets the IL-12/IL-23-p40 subunit and inhibits type-1 and type-17 T-cell responses. Although ustekinumab is effective as both short- and long-term treatment, therapeutic response varies considerably among patients. Ustekinumab biosimilars will be commercialized in the very next future, likely broadening the use of this drug in the treatment of psoriasis patients. Our pharmacogenomic study evaluated the influence of 417 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in psoriasis-risk alleles on the clinical response to ustekinumab in a cohort of 152 patients affected by moderate-to-severe plaque-type psoriasis. Differences in SNP pattern characterizing HLA-Cw6(+) or HLA-Cw6(-) patients, showing high or low responses to ustekinumab, were also analysed. We identified twelve SNPs in HLA-C upstream region (rs12189871, rs4406273, rs9348862 and rs9368670), PSORS1C3 (rs1265181), MICA (rs2523497), LCE3A-B intergenic region (rs12030223, rs6701730), CDSN (rs1042127, rs4713436), CCHCR1 (rs2073719) and in TNFA (rs1800610) genes associated with excellent response to ustekinumab. We also found that HLA-Cw6(+) and HLA-Cw6(-) patients carried out distinct patterns of SNPs associated with different clinical responses. The assessment of HLA-C alleles, together with other genetic variants, could be helpful for defining patients who better benefit from anti-IL-12/IL-23 therapy

Choosing between Homologous or Heterologous COVID-19 Vaccination Regimens: A Cross-Sectional Study among the General Population in Italy

A shortage of COVID-19 vaccines and reports of side-effects led several countries to recommend a heterologous regimen for second vaccine doses. This study aimed to describe the reasons behind individuals’ choices of a homologous or a heterologous second vaccination. This cross-sectional study enrolled individuals under 60 who had received a first dose of Vaxzevria and could choose between a homologous or heterologous regimen for their second dose. Quantitative (socio-demographic, clinical characteristics) and qualitative data were collected and analysed through a generalized linear model and thematic analysis, respectively. Of the 1437 individuals included in the analysis, the majority (76.1%) chose a heterologous second dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. More females chose a heterologous vaccination regimen (p = 0.003). Younger individuals also tended to choose heterologous vaccination (p < 0.001). The main motivation in favour of heterologous vaccination was to follow the Italian Ministry of Health recommendations (n = 118; 53.9%). This study showed that most individuals, mainly younger people and females, chose a heterologous dose of COVID-19 vaccination after their first viral vector vaccine. Heterologous vaccinations could be an effective public health measure to control the pandemic as they are a safe and efficient alternative to homologous regimens

Magnetic nanocarriers with tunable pH dependence for controlled loading and release of cationic and anionic payloads.

Superparamagnetic nanocarriers with tunable pH dependence of the surface charge are designed by a simple co-precipitation method. By exploiting electrostatic interactions, cationic or anionic payloads can be adsorbed and desorbed depending on the pH. On three different resulting nanocarrier systems, experiments of loading and release of gold nanoparticles as well as effective siRNA loading and in vitro delivery on human cells are performed

Myosin-I nomenclature.

We suggest that the vertebrate myosin-I field adopt a common nomenclature system based on the names adopted by the Human Genome Organization (HUGO). At present, the myosin-I nomenclature is very confusing; not only are several systems in use, but several different genes have been given the same name. Despite their faults, we believe that the names adopted by the HUGO nomenclature group for genome annotation are the best compromise, and we recommend universal adoption