Apostolic consciousness of Don Bosco. A hermeneutical-phenomenological approach to his spirituality

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Jugendpastoral in einer interkulturellen Perspektive. Interview

Živimo u globaliziranom svijetu u kojemu postoje brojne komunikacijske mreže i tehnologije. Mladi ljudi više nisu ograničeni nacionalnim ili kontinentalnim granicama. Doseljenici iz drugih zemalja pridonose kulturnom i religijskom pluralizmu. Kršćanstvo je danas prošireno po cijelom svijetu, a najveći broj kršćana živi na latinoameričkom, afričkom i azijskom kontinentu. Sekularizacija i moderna na drugačiji način utječu na religiozni život mladih primjerice u Europi i Aziji. Dok je mladim Europljanima nerijetko vrlo privlačan laicistički ideološki fundamentalizam, njihovi mladi vršnjaci u Aziji žive u društveno-kulturalnom okruženju koje je duboko obilježeno religijom i duhovnošću. U Aziji su kršćani sićušna manjina (3%) u multireligijskom kontekstu, što u njima budi izrazitiju svijest o njihovu kršćanskom identitetu. Autor ističe dobre i loše strane, izazove i opasnosti trpeljivosti u multikulturalizmu te ukazuje na konkretne mogućnosti i ostvarenja interkulturalne pedagogije na Indijskom potkontinentu. Interkulturalni pastoral mladih pomaže mladim vjernicima u njihovu vjerskom sazrijevanju. Kultura i duhovnost Istoka prigoda su i izazov za daljnju akulturaciju, sučeljavanje i međureligijski dijalog. Usporedba pastorala mladih u Italiji i Indiji pokazuje neke njihove zajedničke točke i njihova specifična obilježja. Konkretna ostvarenja pomažu daljnjem međureligijskom upoznavanju, a pastoralni radnici i teolozi pozvani su na razboritost i budnost kako bi se izbjegla opasnost od relativizma i sinkretizma.We live in a globalized world in which there are various communication networks and technologies. Young people are no longer limited to national or continental boundaries. Immigrants from other countries add to cultural and religious pluralism. Christianity is spread out throughout the world and the largest number of Christians live in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Secularization and modernity influence the religious life of young people in different ways, for eg. in Europe and Asia. While the European youth are attracted to ideologically atheistic fundamentalism, the youth of Asia live in a socio-cultural environment that is deeply marked by religion and spirituality. In Asia, Christians are a small minority (3%) within a multi-religious context, which makes them aware of their Christian identity. The author recalls the positive and negative aspects, challenges and dangers of tolerance in multiculturalism and the concrete possibilities and achievements of intercultural pedagogy in the Indian sub-continent. Intercultural youth ministry helps young believers mature in their faith. The culture and spirituality of the East are an opportunity and challenge for further acculturation, debate and inter-religious dialogue. Comparing youth ministry in Italy and India shows some of their common points and their specific characteristics. The concrete realization further facilitates inter-religious acquaintance while pastoral workers and theologians should be prudent and vigilant in order to avoid the danger of relativism and syncretism.Wir leben in einer globalisierten Welt, in der zahlreiche Kommunikationsnetze und –technologien vorhanden sind. Junge Leute sind nicht mehr durch nationale oder kontinentale Grenzen beschränkt. Einwanderer aus anderen Ländern vermehren dieses kulturelle und religiöse Pluralismus. Das Christentum ist heute in der ganzen Welt verbreitet; die größte Anzahl von Christen lebt auf dem lateinamerikanischen, afrikanischen und asiatischen Kontinent. Die Säkularisation und die Moderne beeinflussen auf verschiedene Weise das Leben der Jugendlichen z.B. in Europa oder in Asien.Während für die jungen Europäer nicht selten ein laizistischer und ideologischer Fundamenalismus attraktiv ist, leben ihre Altersgenossen in Asien in einer gesellschaftlichen und kulturellen Umgebung, die durch Religion und Spiritualität gekennzeichnet ist. In Asien sind Christen eine kleine Minderheit (3%) in einem multireligiösen Kontext, was in ihnen einen ausdrücklicheren Bewusstsein über ihre christliche Identität hervorruft. Der Autor erwähnt positive und negative Seiten, Herausforderungen und Gefahren der Toleranz im Multikulturalismus und weist auf konkrete Möglichkeiten und Realisierungen eine interkulturellen Pädagogie auf dem indischen Unterkontinent. Die interkulturelle Pastoral der Jugendlichen hilft den jungen Gläubigen in ihrem religiösen Reifeprozess. Die Kultur und die Spiritualität des Ostens sind Gelegenheit und Herausforderung für eine weitere Akulturation, Auseinandersetzung und interreligiösen Dialog. Der Vergleich zwischen der Pastoral in Italien und in Indien zeigt deren gemeinsame Punkte sowie ihre spezifischen Merkmale. Die konkreten Realisierungen helfen dem weiteren gegenseitigen interreligiösen Kennenlernen; die pastoralen Arbeiter und Theologen sind berufen Klugheit und Wachsamkeit zu pflegen, damit die Gefahr vor Relativismus und Synkretismus vermieden werden kann

Religion and Conflict Attribution

Religion in a pluralistic society can play a dual role with regard to conflict. It can promote either violence or peace. Religion and Conflict Attribution examines the causes of interreligious conflict as perceived by Christian, Muslim and Hindu college students in Tamil Nadu, India. Readership: Academic institutions, researchers, post-graduate students and religious authorities interested in the scientific study of religion. The findings are of specific relevance to educationalists dealing with interreligious and intercultural issues

Hundreds of variants clustered in genomic loci and biological pathways affect human height

Most common human traits and diseases have a polygenic pattern of inheritance: DNA sequence variants at many genetic loci influence the phenotype. Genome-wide association (GWA) studies have identified more than 600 variants associated with human traits, but these typically explain small fractions of phenotypic variation, raising questions about the use of further studies. Here, using 183,727 individuals, we show that hundreds of genetic variants, in at least 180 loci, influence adult height, a highly heritable and classic polygenic trait. The large number of loci reveals patterns with important implications for genetic studies of common human diseases and traits. First, the 180 loci are not random, but instead are enriched for genes that are connected in biological pathways (P = 0.016) and that underlie skeletal growth defects (P < 0.001). Second, the likely causal gene is often located near the most strongly associated variant: in 13 of 21 loci containing a known skeletal growth gene, that gene was closest to the associated variant. Third, at least 19 loci have multiple independently associated variants, suggesting that allelic heterogeneity is a frequent feature of polygenic traits, that comprehensive explorations of already-discovered loci should discover additional variants and that an appreciable fraction of associated loci may have been identified. Fourth, associated variants are enriched for likely functional effects on genes, being over-represented among variants that alter amino-acid structure of proteins and expression levels of nearby genes. Our data explain approximately 10% of the phenotypic variation in height, and we estimate that unidentified common variants of similar effect sizes would increase this figure to approximately 16% of phenotypic variation (approximately 20% of heritable variation). Although additional approaches are needed to dissect the genetic architecture of polygenic human traits fully, our findings indicate that GWA studies can identify large numbers of loci that implicate biologically relevant genes and pathways.

A many-analysts approach to the relation between religiosity and well-being

The relation between religiosity and well-being is one of the most researched topics in the psychology of religion, yet the directionality and robustness of the effect remains debated. Here, we adopted a many-analysts approach to assess the robustness of this relation based on a new cross-cultural dataset (N = 10, 535 participants from 24 countries). We recruited 120 analysis teams to investigate (1) whether religious people self-report higher well-being, and (2) whether the relation between religiosity and self-reported well-being depends on perceived cultural norms of religion (i.e., whether it is considered normal and desirable to be religious in a given country). In a two-stage procedure, the teams first created an analysis plan and then executed their planned analysis on the data. For the first research question, all but 3 teams reported positive effect sizes with credible/confidence intervals excluding zero (median reported beta = 0.120). For the second research question, this was the case for 65% of the teams (median reported beta = 0.039). While most teams applied (multilevel) linear regression models, there was considerable variability in the choice of items used to construct the independent variables, the dependent variable, and the included covariates.</p

Association of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Depression Polygenic Scores with Lithium Response: A Consortium for Lithium Genetics Study

Response to lithium varies widely between individuals with bipolar disorder (BD). Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) can uncover pharmacogenomics effects and may help predict drug response. Patients (N = 2,510) with BD were assessed for long-term lithium response in the Consortium on Lithium Genetics using the Retrospective Criteria of Long-Term Treatment Response in Research Subjects with Bipolar Disorder score. PRSs for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and schizophrenia (SCZ) were computed using lassosum and in a model including all three PRSs and other covariates, and the PRS of ADHD (β = −0.14; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.24 to −0.03; p value = 0.010) and MDD (β = −0.16; 95% CI: −0.27 to −0.04; p value = 0.005) predicted worse quantitative lithium response. A higher SCZ PRS was associated with higher rates of medication nonadherence (OR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.34–1.93; p value = 2e−7). This study indicates that genetic risk for ADHD and depression may influence lithium treatment response. Interestingly, a higher SCZ PRS was associated with poor adherence, which can negatively impact treatment response. Incorporating genetic risk of ADHD, depression, and SCZ in combination with clinical risk may lead to better clinical care for patients with BD

Quantifying HIV transmission flow between high-prevalence hotspots and surrounding communities: a population-based study in Rakai, Uganda

Background International and global organisations advocate targeting interventions to areas of high HIV prevalence (ie, hotspots). To better understand the potential benefits of geo-targeted control, we assessed the extent to which HIV hotspots along Lake Victoria sustain transmission in neighbouring populations in south-central Uganda. Methods We did a population-based survey in Rakai, Uganda, using data from the Rakai Community Cohort Study. The study surveyed all individuals aged 15–49 years in four high-prevalence Lake Victoria fishing communities and 36 neighbouring inland communities. Viral RNA was deep sequenced from participants infected with HIV who were antiretroviral therapy-naive during the observation period. Phylogenetic analysis was used to infer partial HIV transmission networks, including direction of transmission. Reconstructed networks were interpreted through data for current residence and migration history. HIV transmission flows within and between high-prevalence and low-prevalence areas were quantified adjusting for incomplete sampling of the population. Findings Between Aug 10, 2011, and Jan 30, 2015, data were collected for the Rakai Community Cohort Study. 25 882 individuals participated, including an estimated 75·7% of the lakeside population and 16·2% of the inland population in the Rakai region of Uganda. 5142 participants were HIV-positive (2703 [13·7%] in inland and 2439 [40·1%] in fishing communities). 3878 (75·4%) people who were HIV-positive did not report antiretroviral therapy use, of whom 2652 (68·4%) had virus deep-sequenced at sufficient quality for phylogenetic analysis. 446 transmission networks were reconstructed, including 293 linked pairs with inferred direction of transmission. Adjusting for incomplete sampling, an estimated 5·7% (95% credibility interval 4·4–7·3) of transmissions occurred within lakeside areas, 89·2% (86·0–91·8) within inland areas, 1·3% (0·6–2·6) from lakeside to inland areas, and 3·7% (2·3–5·8) from inland to lakeside areas. Interpretation Cross-community HIV transmissions between Lake Victoria hotspots and surrounding inland populations are infrequent and when they occur, virus more commonly flows into rather than out of hotspots. This result suggests that targeted interventions to these hotspots will not alone control the epidemic in inland populations, where most transmissions occur. Thus, geographical targeting of high prevalence areas might not be effective for broader epidemic control depending on underlying epidemic dynamics. Funding The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Child Health and Development, the Division of Intramural Research of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the World Bank, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Johns Hopkins University Center for AIDS Research, and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Long-term thermal sensitivity of Earth’s tropical forests

The sensitivity of tropical forest carbon to climate is a key uncertainty in predicting global climate change. Although short-term drying and warming are known to affect forests, it is unknown if such effects translate into long-term responses. Here, we analyze 590 permanent plots measured across the tropics to derive the equilibrium climate controls on forest carbon. Maximum temperature is the most important predictor of aboveground biomass (−9.1 megagrams of carbon per hectare per degree Celsius), primarily by reducing woody productivity, and has a greater impact per °C in the hottest forests (>32.2°C). Our results nevertheless reveal greater thermal resilience than observations of short-term variation imply. To realize the long-term climate adaptation potential of tropical forests requires both protecting them and stabilizing Earth’s climate

Effect of early tranexamic acid administration on mortality, hysterectomy, and other morbidities in women with post-partum haemorrhage (WOMAN): an international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Post-partum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Early administration of tranexamic acid reduces deaths due to bleeding in trauma patients. We aimed to assess the effects of early administration of tranexamic acid on death, hysterectomy, and other relevant outcomes in women with post-partum haemorrhage. Methods In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited women aged 16 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of post-partum haemorrhage after a vaginal birth or caesarean section from 193 hospitals in 21 countries. We randomly assigned women to receive either 1 g intravenous tranexamic acid or matching placebo in addition to usual care. If bleeding continued after 30 min, or stopped and restarted within 24 h of the first dose, a second dose of 1 g of tranexamic acid or placebo could be given. Patients were assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight numbered packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Participants, care givers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. We originally planned to enrol 15 000 women with a composite primary endpoint of death from all-causes or hysterectomy within 42 days of giving birth. However, during the trial it became apparent that the decision to conduct a hysterectomy was often made at the same time as randomisation. Although tranexamic acid could influence the risk of death in these cases, it could not affect the risk of hysterectomy. We therefore increased the sample size from 15 000 to 20 000 women in order to estimate the effect of tranexamic acid on the risk of death from post-partum haemorrhage. All analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ISRCTN76912190 (Dec 8, 2008); ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00872469; and PACTR201007000192283. Findings Between March, 2010, and April, 2016, 20 060 women were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive tranexamic acid (n=10 051) or placebo (n=10 009), of whom 10 036 and 9985, respectively, were included in the analysis. Death due to bleeding was significantly reduced in women given tranexamic acid (155 [1·5%] of 10 036 patients vs 191 [1·9%] of 9985 in the placebo group, risk ratio [RR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·65–1·00; p=0·045), especially in women given treatment within 3 h of giving birth (89 [1·2%] in the tranexamic acid group vs 127 [1·7%] in the placebo group, RR 0·69, 95% CI 0·52–0·91; p=0·008). All other causes of death did not differ significantly by group. Hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (358 [3·6%] patients in the tranexamic acid group vs 351 [3·5%] in the placebo group, RR 1·02, 95% CI 0·88–1·07; p=0·84). The composite primary endpoint of death from all causes or hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (534 [5·3%] deaths or hysterectomies in the tranexamic acid group vs 546 [5·5%] in the placebo group, RR 0·97, 95% CI 0·87-1·09; p=0·65). Adverse events (including thromboembolic events) did not differ significantly in the tranexamic acid versus placebo group. Interpretation Tranexamic acid reduces death due to bleeding in women with post-partum haemorrhage with no adverse effects. When used as a treatment for postpartum haemorrhage, tranexamic acid should be given as soon as possible after bleeding onset. Funding London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Pfizer, UK Department of Health, Wellcome Trust, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

A many-analysts approach to the relation between religiosity and well-being

The relation between religiosity and well-being is one of the most researched topics in the psychology of religion, yet the directionality and robustness of the effect remains debated. Here, we adopted a many-analysts approach to assess the robustness of this relation based on a new cross-cultural dataset (N=10,535 participants from 24 countries). We recruited 120 analysis teams to investigate (1) whether religious people self-report higher well-being, and (2) whether the relation between religiosity and self-reported well-being depends on perceived cultural norms of religion (i.e., whether it is considered normal and desirable to be religious in a given country). In a two-stage procedure, the teams first created an analysis plan and then executed their planned analysis on the data. For the first research question, all but 3 teams reported positive effect sizes with credible/confidence intervals excluding zero (median reported β=0.120). For the second research question, this was the case for 65% of the teams (median reported β=0.039). While most teams applied (multilevel) linear regression models, there was considerable variability in the choice of items used to construct the independent variables, the dependent variable, and the included covariates