Motivational drivers behind gamification: the role of utilitarian, hedonic and social aspects

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the motivational drivers behind gamification, adding new findings to the limited understanding of this phenomenon related to the use of game design elements in non game context, with the scope of affecting the user’s behaviour. Several elements related to possible motivational drivers have been identified (characteristic of utilitarian, hedonic and social aspects) and analysed aiming to assess their impact over the intention to use and recommend a gamified service. The study presents multiple regression analysis conducted on data collected through an online survey (n = 208) related to the gamification e-learning experience of Duolingo. The results indicate that utilitarian, hedonic and social aspects present a statistically significant impact on the intention to use and to recommend the service. However, the various elements analysed assume different roles as predictors, implying specific approaches depending on the objective pursued

Modulació del canvi d'isotip de les immunoglobulines per senyals del sistema immunitari innat

Els limfòcits B madurs emergeixen del moll de l'os i continuen diversificant el seu repertori genètic d'immunoglobulines a través de dos processos que depenen de la presència d'antigen, la hipermutació somàtica (SHM, per les seves sigles en anglès) i el canvi d'isotip (CSR). Ambdós processos requereixen AID, un enzim capaç d'editar el DNA, i tenen lloc predominantment als centres germinals, on els limfòcits B interaccionen amb antígens peptídics presentats per limfòcits T (respostes dependents de limfòcits T, TD). Estudis recents demostren com els limfòcits B reben ajuda addicional de cèl·lules del sistema immunitari innat, com són cèl·lules NKT, cèl·lules dendrítiques, i granulòcits, com neutròfils, eosinòfils i basòfils. Aquestes cèl·lules del sistema immunitari innat milloren les respostes TD, ja que aporten senyalització que ajuda als limfòcits B en diferents compartiments, com el centre germinal, centres postgerminals o el moll de l'os. A més de complementar l'activitat dels limfòcits B en respostes TD, les cèl·lules del sistema immunitari innat poden iniciar respostes independents de T en zones específiques com la mucosa i la zona marginal de la melsa. En aquests casos els limfòcits B inicien respostes que donen lloc a una ràpida generació d'anticossos. En aquesta revisió discutirem els avenços recents en la modulació del canvi d'isotip en limfòcits B produïts per cèl·lules del sistema immunitari innat.Mature B cells emerging from bone marrow further diversify their Ig genes through two antigen-dependent processes known as somatic hypermutation (SHM) and class switch recombination (CSR). These processes require AID, a DNA-editing enzyme. B cells are engaged in a T-cell-dependent (TD) antibody response against protein antigens predominantly in germinal centres. Recent evidence shows that B cells receive additional help from invariant natural killer T cells, dendritic cells and various granulocytes, including neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils. These innate immune cells enhance T-cell-dependent antibody responses by delivering B-cell helper signals both in the germinal centre and at postgerminal centre lymphoid sites such as the bone marrow. In addition to enhancing and complementing the B-cell helper activity of canonical T cells, invariant natural killer T cells, dendritic cells and granulocytes can deliver T-cell-independent B-cell helper signals at the mucosal interface and in the marginal zone of the spleen to initiate rapid innate-like antibody responses. In this paper we discuss recent advances in the role of innate cells in B-cell helper signals and in antibody diversification and production

Adaptation and psychometric analysis of the test of mobile phone dependence-brief version in italian adolescents

Since the diffusion of recent models of mobile phones, anyone with an internet connection can communicate continuously and search for information. This raises some questions about the possible consequences of problematic mobile phone use (PMPU) in a complex life phase such as adolescence. Therefore, we performed a psychometric analysis of the brief version of the Test of Mobile Phone Dependence (TMD) in Italy. The sample comprised 575 Italian adolescents aged 11 to 18 years. Data were collected using the TMD-brief, the Personality Inventory for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sleep Disturbance Short Form. Regarding test dimensionality, the best-fit measurement model included four factors: “Abstinence”; “Abuse and interference with other activities”; “Tolerance”; and “Lack of control” (Satorra–Bentler χ2 (48) = 185.96, p < 0.01; robust root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) = 0.079 (90% confidence interval (CI): 0.067; 0.091); robust TLI = 0.904; robust comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.930). The Italian version of the TMD-brief was found to have good reliability and psychometric properties, and a four-factorial structure. PMPU predicted significant sleep disturbances and this relationship was moderated by clinical personality traits. Findings from this study support the use of the Italian version of the TMD-brief as a screening tool to investigate PMPU in Italian adolescents

La apuesta por otros modos posibles de pensar y habitar la vida : Revisión del libro La apuesta por la vida. Imaginación sociológica e imaginarios sociales en los territorios ambientales del Sur de Enrique Leff (2014)

Apostar por la vida es, en el planteo de Enrique Leff, “un giro en la voluntad de dominio sobre la naturaleza y de los otros, hacia la voluntad de poder querer la vida” que implica repensar y refundar nuestra humanidad posible y nuestros modos de morar en el mundo. Una pregunta recorre e inquieta nuestra lectura: ¿Tendremos, como humanidad, la imaginación sociológica para deconstruir la racionalidad insustentable y crear otra racionalidad posible?Departamento de Sociologí

Proton and helium ion radiotherapy for meningioma tumors: a Monte Carlo-based treatment planning comparison

Background: Due to their favorable physical and biological properties, helium ion beams are increasingly considered a promising alternative to proton beams for radiation therapy. Hence, this work aims at comparing in-silico the treatment of brain and ocular meningiomas with protons and helium ions, using for the first time a dedicated Monte Carlo (MC) based treatment planning engine (MCTP) thoroughly validated both in terms of physical and biological models. Methods: Starting from clinical treatment plans of four patients undergoing proton therapy with a fixed relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of 1.1 and a fraction dose of 1.8 Gy(RBE), new treatment plans were optimized with MCTP for both protons (with variable and fixed RBE) and helium ions (with variable RBE) under the same constraints derived from the initial clinical plans. The resulting dose distributions were dosimetrically compared in terms of dose volume histograms (DVH) parameters for the planning target volume (PTV) and the organs at risk (OARs), as well as dose difference maps. Results: In most of the cases helium ion plans provided a similar PTV coverage as protons with a consistent trend of superior OAR sparing. The latter finding was attributed to the ability of helium ions to offer sharper distal and lateral dose fall-offs, as well as a more favorable differential RBE variation in target and normal tissue. Conclusions: Although more studies are needed to investigate the clinical potential of helium ions for different tumour entities, the results of this work based on an experimentally validated MC engine support the promise of this modality with state-of-the-art pencil beam scanning delivery, especially in case of tumours growing in close proximity of multiple OARs such as meningiomas

Naturally occurring mutation affecting the MyD88-binding site of TNFRSF13B impairs triggering of class switch recombination

Mutations in the transmembrane activator and calcium-modulating cyclophilin ligand interactor (TACI) were previously found to be associated with hypogammaglobulinemia in humans. It has been shown that proliferation inducing ligand (APRIL) elicits class switch recombination (CSR) by inducing recruitment ofMyD88 to a TACI highly conserved cytoplasmic domain (THC). We have identified a patient with hypogammaglobulinemia carrying a missense mutation (S231R) predicted to affect the THC. Aiming to evaluate the relevance of this novel mutation of TACI in CSR induction, we tested the ability of TACI, TLR9, or/and CD40 ligands to trigger CSR in naive B cells and B-cell lines carrying S231R. IgG secretion was impaired when triggered by TACI or/and TLR9 ligands on S231R-naive B cells. Likewise, these stimuli induced less expression of activation-induced cytidine deaminase, I(γ)1-C(μ), and I(γ)1-C(μ), while induction by optimal CD40 stimulation was indistinguishable from controls. These cells also showed an impaired cooperation between TACI and TLR9 pathways, as well as a lack of APRIL-mediated enhancement of CD40 activation in suboptimal conditions. Finally, after APRIL ligation, S231R-mutated TACI failed to colocalize withMyD88. Collectively, these results highlight the requirement of an intact MyD88-binding site in TACI to trigger CSR.Fil: Almejún, María Belén. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Pediatría "Juan P. Garrahan". Laboratorio de Investigación; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Cols, Montserrat. Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Department of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Zelazko, Marta. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Pediatría "Juan P. Garrahan". Laboratorio de Investigación; ArgentinaFil: Oleastro, Matías. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Pediatría "Juan P. Garrahan". Laboratorio de Investigación; ArgentinaFil: Cerutti, Andrea. Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Department of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Oppezzo, Pablo. Instituto Pasteur. Unidad de Proteínas Recombinantes; UruguayFil: Cunningham Rundles, Charlotte. Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Department of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Danielian, Silvia. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Pediatría "Juan P. Garrahan". Laboratorio de Investigación; Argentin