Strangers are calling! The experience of door to door sales in Melbourne's refugee communities

This report examines the impact of door-to-door sales practices on vulnerable consumers, including refugee communities, low-income families and public housing residents. By using the real life experiences of our clients at the Footscray Community Legal Centre ( Footscray CLC ), this report examines the social and legal impact of door-to-door sales. This report finds that disadvantaged consumers are disproportionately affected by damaging and often illegal sales practices. Such practices have social and financial consequences for communities and individuals. The research was inspired by the specialist “Bring your Bills” Clinics ( BYB Clinics ) run by Footscray CLC to meet the overwhelming demand for assistance with bills. Community members were invited to bring bills they were concerned about to obtain help from representatives from dispute resolution schemes, 1 financial counsellors, lawyers and other social service providers. A high proportion of people attending BYB Clinics experienced problems as a result of door-to-door sales practices by some energy companies. Problems the clients had as a result of a door-to-door energy sale included: confusion as to whether they had switched companies (and thus why they had received bills from a company that was not their own); debts incurred and legal action taken by energy companies trying to recover debts; and other disputes involving termination of contracts made through door-to-door sales. For many Australians and particularly those who have recently arrived in the country with a refugee background, the process of selecting energy retailers can be confusing and financially stressful. This report focuses primarily on the methods that some energy companies use to encourage consumers to “switch” companies through door-to-door sales practices, and the social implications of these practices

Predictions of the atmospheric composition of GJ 1132b

GJ 1132 b is a nearby Earth-sized exoplanet transiting an M dwarf, and is amongst the most highly characterizable small exoplanets currently known. In this paper we study the interaction of a magma ocean with a water-rich atmosphere on GJ 1132b and determine that it must have begun with more than 5 wt% initial water in order to still retain a water-based atmosphere. We also determine the amount of O2 that can build up in the atmosphere as a result of hydrogen dissociation and loss. We find that the magma ocean absorbs at most ~10% of the O2 produced, whereas more than 90% is lost to space through hydrodynamic drag. The most common outcome for GJ 1132 b from our simulations is a tenuous atmosphere dominated by O2, although for very large initial water abundances atmospheres with several thousands of bars of O2 are possible. A substantial steam envelope would indicate either the existence of an earlier H2 envelope or low XUV flux over the system's lifetime. A steam atmosphere would also imply the continued existence of a magma ocean on GJ 1132 b. Further modeling is needed to study the evolution of CO2 or N2-rich atmospheres on GJ 1132 b.Comment: 14 pages, 11 figures, accepted at Ap

Aqueous two-phase systems within selectively permeable vesicles

An aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) encapsulated within a vesicle organizes the vesicle core as two coexisting phases that partition encapsulated solutes. Here, we use microfluidic technologies to produce vesicles that efficiently encapsulate mixtures of macromolecules, providing a versatile platform to determine the phase behavior of ATPSs. Moreover, we use compartmentalized vesicles to investigate how membrane permeability affects the dynamics of the encapsulated ATPS. Designing a membrane selectively permeable to one of the components of the ATPS, we show that out-of-equilibrium phase separations formed by a rapid outflow of water can be spontaneously reversed by a slower outflow of the permeating component across the vesicle membrane. This dynamics may be exploited advantageously by cells to separate and connect metabolic and signaling routes within their nucleoplasm or cytoplasm depending on external conditionsThe authors acknowledge financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MCI) through the María de Maeztu Programme for Units of Excellence in R&D (CEX2018-000805-M). L.R.A. and J.L.A. also acknowledge financial support from MCI through the Ramón y Cajal Programme (RYC2018-025575-I and RYC2019-028189-I; MCI/AEI/FSE, UE

Individual and Environmental Factors Associated with Tobacco Smoking, Alcohol Abuse and Illegal Drug Consumption in University Students: A Mediating Analysis

[Abstract] Substance abuse is a major and prevalent public health concern among university students. Tobacco smoking, risky alcohol behavior, and illegal drug consumption may lead to health problems and behavioral and academic issues. Several individual and environmental factors associate with substance abuse in this population, and the mediating effect of alcohol abuse in the relationship between tobacco smoking and drug consumption is yet to be explored. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the association of individual and environmental factors and substance use, and to analyze the relationship between tobacco smoking, alcohol abuse, and drug consumption, considering alcohol abuse as a possible mediator. A total of 550 Spanish undergraduate and postgraduate students completed several questionnaires regarding their smoking status, alcohol use, and drug consumption during the last six months. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to explore associations between factors. Direct, indirect and mediating effects were tested using a partial least squares approach (PLS-SEM). The results indicated that substance abuse is associated with being male, living with other students, and combined substance consumption. PLS-SEM showed a significant effect of tobacco smoking and alcohol abuse on drug consumption. Alcohol abuse plays a mediating role in the relationship between tobacco smoking and drug use

Microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids as modulators of intestinal serotonin transporter

Serotonin is a key neuromodulator of intestinal physiology. Serotonin transporter (SERT) is responsible for serotonin uptake, modulating its availability and consequently, serotonergic signalling. Recently, microbiota has been described to affect intestinal homeostasis through microbiota recognition receptors (TLRs). In fact,TLRs activation seems to regulate intestinal serotonergic system. However, whether intestinal microbiota can modulate SERT by short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) is unknown. Microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids such as acetate, propionate and butyrate, are important metabolites from non-digestible dietary fibers bacterial fermentation. These metabolites have been shown to maintain intestinal homeostasis through protecting epithelial barrier integrity, promoting IgA production and regulating T-cell differentiation. In this study human enterocyte-like Caco-2/TC7 cells were used as intestinal epithelial cells model, which expresses serotonin transporter. Caco-2/TC7 cells were treated for 24 h with different concentrations of acetate, propionate and butyrate and then, and 5-HT uptake was measured. SERT molecular expression was analysed by measuring both, mRNA levels by real-time PCR and protein expression by western blotting. Our results show that the treatment with SCFA modulates SERT function and expression, in a different way for each fatty acid. Consequently, a different production of SCFA by microbiota could differently modulate SERT and affect to serotonergic signalling and intestinal physiology. Our study contributes to growing evidence about the key role of microbiota on host physiology regulation, and it opens a cutting-edge opportunity of microbiota modulation to balance serotonergic signalling alterations

Gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids: novel regulators of intestinal serotonin transporter

Serotonin (5-HT) is a key neurotransmitter synthesized both in the gut and the central nervous system. It exerts its signaling through specific receptors (5-HTR), which regulate numerous behaviors and functions such as mood, cognitive function, platelet aggregation, gastrointestinal motility, and inflammation. Serotonin activity is determined mainly by the extracellular availability of 5-HT, which is controlled by the serotonin transporter (SERT). Recent studies indicate that, by activation of innate immunity receptors, gut microbiota can modulate serotonergic signaling by SERT modulation. As part of its function, gut microbiota metabolize nutrients from diet to produce different by-products, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs): propionate, acetate, and butyrate. However, it is not known whether these SCFAs regulate the serotonergic system. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of SCFAs on the gastrointestinal serotonergic system using the Caco-2/TC7 cell line that expresses SERT and several receptors constitutively. Cells were treated with different SCFAs concentrations, and SERT function and expression were evaluated. In addition, the expression of 5-HT receptors 1A, 2A, 2B, 3A, 4, and 7 was also studied. Our results show that the microbiota-derived SCFAs regulate intestinal serotonergic system, both individually and in combination, modulating the function and expression of SERT and the 5-HT1A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT7 receptors expression. Our data highlight the role of gut microbiota in the modulation of intestinal homeostasis and suggest microbiome modulation as a potential therapeutic treatment for intestinal pathologies and neuropsychiatric disorders involving serotonin

La narración de la biografía escolar como recurso formativo

Esta ponencia tiene la intención de comunicar algunos fundamentos que orientan nuestras prácticas docentes en Teoría Educativa, materia que se dicta para los estudiantes de los distintos profesorados de la Universidad Nacional del Sur. En particular, nos centramos en el análisis de una actividad de aprendizaje diseñada e implementada para promover la reflexión pedagógica. Quienes conformamos la cátedra, enfrentamos cada año el desafío de poner en contacto con un objeto social complejo el fenómeno educativo a un alumnado caracterizado por la diversidad y la heterogeneidad, desde sus disciplinas formativas de origen, edades y trayectorias escolares y socio culturales previas. Para buena parte de los estudiantes, es ésta la primera vez que se relacionan con ideas pedagógicas. Para ellos, se hace necesario abrir espacios académicos que, a partir de la contrastación de sus preconcepciones y mediante la reflexión crítica y la construcción creativa de saberes y experiencias, favorezcan el cambio conceptual. En ese contexto, la propuesta de actividades que se les presenta a los alumnos en uno de los primeros encuentros de trabajos prácticos incluye una breve redacción de su propia biografía escolar. Es claro advertir que esta actividad forma parte de un proyecto pedagógico más amplio, con el cual intentamos generar oportunidades de aprendizaje estimulantes y cuestionadoras para la formación de profesionales de la educación. ¿Por qué recurrimos a la narración de la biografía escolar en Teoría Educativa? En respuesta a este interrogante y como breve sustento conceptual, sostenemos que las personas se constituyen desde las experiencias cotidianas protagonizadas a lo largo de su trayecto vital. Entre éstas, el paso por la escuela emerge como uno de los sucesos de mayor continuidad y permanencia. Pero, las múltiples vivencias no son inocuas, sino que imprimen huellas sutiles, frecuentemente implícitas, que se manifiestan a modo de ideas, creencias, valoraciones sobre la realidad (social, educativa, entre otras dimensiones) en la que se insertan, condicionando la mirada. La propuesta de escribir su biografía escolar insta a los alumnos a actualizar viejos recuerdos, a traer al presente momentos significativos. Esta recuperación de imágenes acerca de la escuela, sus actores, sus prácticas habituales da lugar a desandar los caminos transitados y habilita la relectura de las marcas inscriptas en sus subjetividades desde los planteos teóricos abordados. Estamos convencidas del valor formativo de la problematización de sus biografías escolares, en cuanto favorece la puesta en tensión de concepciones de sentido común con un pensamiento crítico reflexivo.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

How to manage migrations in Latin America? The Spanish case as a model to follow

This research paper focuses on the key challenge that poses the sudden and massive reception of immigrants to build inclusive societies that guarantee peaceful coexistence between natives and newcomers. Some Latin American countries are experiencing unexpected changes in population models, resulting in receiving states of international migration flows. Yet, both the underdevelopment of legislation on immigration and the absence of public integration policies show the need to pursue successful management models as an example. This paper presents an analysis of the Spanish case study between 1998 and 2008, highlighting the driving factors that enabled the integration of newcomers in that decade. Considering the cultural proximity to Latin America and other matching contextual aspects, the article concludes with some recommendations for adopting similar migration and integration policies inspired by the Spanish case.Este artículo de investigación se centra en el desafío que plantea la recepción masiva y repentina de inmigrantes para construir sociedades inclusivas que garanticen la coexistencia pacífica entre los nativos y los recién llegados. Algunos países de América Latina están experimentando cambios inesperados en sus modelos de población, habiéndose convertido en receptores de flujos migratorios internacionales. Sin embargo, tanto la falta de desarrollo en las legislaciones migratorias como la ausencia de políticas públicas de integración de inmigrantes en la región han revelado la urgencia de buscar modelos de gestión que hayan resultado exitosos y que puedan ser trasladables. Este artículo presenta un análisis del caso español entre 1998 y 2008, destacando aquellos aspectos que fueron clave para que la integración de millones de migrantes internacionales se diera de forma pacífica y cohesionada. Teniendo en cuenta la proximidad cultural con América Latina y otros factores contextuales coincidentes, el artículo concluye que el modelo español es un ejemplo a tener en cuenta y proporciona algunas recomendaciones para la construcción de políticas públicas de integración.Este artigo de pesquisa concentra-se no desafio colocado pela recepção massiva e súbita de imigrantes para construir sociedades inclusivas que garantam a coexistência pacífica entre nativos e recém-chegados. Alguns países latino-americanos estão experimentando mudanças inesperadas em seus modelos populacionais, tendo se tornado receptores de fluxos migratórios internacionais. No entanto, tanto a falta de desenvolvimento da legislação migratória quanto a ausência de políticas públicas para a integração de imigrantes na região revelam a urgência de buscar modelos de gestão que tenham sido bem-sucedidos e possam ser transferidos. Este artigo apresenta uma análise do caso espanhol entre 1998 e 2008, destacando os aspectos fundamentais para a integração de milhões de migrantes internacionais de maneira pacífica e coesa. Levando em conta a proximidade cultural com a América Latina e outros fatores contextuais coincidentes, o artigo conclui que o modelo espanhol é um exemplo a ser levado em conta e fornece algumas recomendações para a construção de políticas públicas de integração