Teaching Practices and Learning Outcomes : Voices from the Field

Although OCSE data and INVALSI testing results indicate some positive general trends in language learning, despite much economic effort and innovative policies, English proficiency remains quite disappointing in Italy. This paper will report on teachers’ everyday practices in order to evaluate if any connection can be established between poor results and variables such as English language teaching competence, adherence to an approach/ methodology, consistency in facilitating strategies, awareness and reflective practice

Il Testing online: valutazione e certificazione delle competenze linguistiche presso il Centro Linguistico di Ateneo dell’Università “La Tuscia” di Viterbo

Il presente contributo muove dalla considerazione del valore e dell'importanza di una corretta progettazione e realizzazione della verifica e valutazione delle competenze sviluppate all'interno di un percorso formativo, nello specifico, le competenze correlate all'apprendimento di una lingua straniera in contesto universitario. Dai principi di carattere generale si passa dunque, all'analisi dei vantaggi e delle potenzialità del testing online ed all'esame di un caso: il progetto sperimentato presso il Centro Linguistico di Ateneo dell'Università "La Tuscia" di Viterbo, presieduto dalla prof.ssa Alba Graziano. La sperimentazione, alla quale hanno collaborato con la prof.ssa Graziano, la dott.ssa Cinganotto, la dott.ssa Mattioli, la dott.ssa Spadafora, la dott.ssa Paris ed il dottor Gallo, si è avvalsa delle funzionalità offerte dalla piattaforma Moodle, per la costruzione del testing automatizzato, dapprima riferito unicamente alla lingua inglese e ad un solo livello di competenza linguistica e successivamente, a tutte le altre lingue straniere e a tutti i livelli previsti dal Quadro di Riferimento Europeo. Partito all'interno del corso di laurea interfacoltà in Scienze Organizzative e Gestionali (SOGE) promosso dall'Università "La Tuscia" di Viterbo, in convenzione con la Marina, l'Esercito, l'Aeronautica, il progetto si è poi esteso a tutte le Facoltà correlate al Centro Linguistico di Ateneo, riscuotendo un enorme successo tra i corsisti. La sperimentazione è attualmente in fieri e si sta lavorando alla progettazione ed implementazione di corsi e-learning, nonché all'utilizzo delle più recenti funzionalità come la "Conference Room e "Second Life"

Attitudes and perception of healthcare workers concerning influenza vaccination during the 2019/2020 season: A survey of sicilian university hospitals

Influenza is an infectious disease with a high impact on the population in terms of morbidity and mortality, but despite International and European guidelines, vaccination coverage rates among healthcare workers (HCWs) remain very low. The aim of the present study was to evaluate influenza vaccination adherence in the three Sicilian University Hospitals of Catania, Messina, and Palermo and to understand the attitudes and perceptions of vaccinated healthcare workers and the main reasons for vaccination refusal. A cross-sectional survey through a self-administered questionnaire was conducted during the 2019/2020 influenza season. Overall, 2356 vaccinated healthcare workers answered the questionnaire. The main reason reported for influenza vaccination adherence during the 2019/2020 season was to protect patients. Higher self-perceived risk of contracting influenza and a positive attitude to recommending vaccination to patients were significantly associated with influenza vaccination adherence during the last five seasons via multivariable analysis. Fear of an adverse reaction was the main reason for influenza vaccine refusal. In accordance with these findings, Public Health institutions should develop and tailor formative and informative campaigns to reduce principal barriers to the immunization process and promote influenza vaccination adherence among HCWs

Sex differences in the efficacy and safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in residents of long-term care facilities: insights from the GeroCovid Vax study

Despite the reported sex-related variations in the immune response to vaccination, whether the effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination differ by sex is still under debate, especially considering old vulnerable individuals, such as long-term care facilities (LTCFs) residents. This study aimed to evaluate COVID-19 infections, adverse events, and humoral response after vaccination in a sample of LTCF residents. A total of 3259 LTCF residents (71% females; mean age: 83.4 +/- 9.2 years) were enrolled in the Italian-based multicenter GeroCovid Vax study. We recorded the adverse effects occurring during the 7 days after vaccine doses and COVID-19 cases over 12 months post-vaccination. In a subsample of 524 residents (69% females), pre- and post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 trimeric S immunoglobulin G (Anti-S-IgG) were measured through chemiluminescent assays at different time points. Only 12.1% of vaccinated residents got COVID-19 during the follow-up, without any sex differences. Female residents were more likely to have local adverse effects after the first dose (13.3% vs. 10.2%, p = 0.018). No other sex differences in systemic adverse effects and for the following doses were recorded, as well as in anti-S-IgG titer over time. Among the factors modifying the 12-month anti-S-IgG titers, mobility limitations and depressive disorder were more likely to be associated with higher and lower levels in the antibody response, respectively; a significantly lower antibody titer was observed in males with cardiovascular diseases and in females with diabetes or cognitive disorders. The study suggests that, among LTCF residents, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was effective regardless of sex, yet sex-specific comorbidities influenced the antibody response. Local adverse reactions were more common in females

Humoral immunity induced by mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in Nursing Home Residents previously infected with SARS-CoV-2

Background: Nursing home (NH) residents suffered the greatest impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Limited data are available on vaccine-induced immunity and on the protection ensured by a prior infection in this population. Aims: The present study aims to monitor antibody levels and their persistence over a 6-month period in NH residents according to the history of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: We measured anti-trimeric Spike IgG antibody levels in a sample of 395 residents from 25 NHs in 6 Italian Regions at study enrolment (prior to the first dose of vaccine, T0) and then after 2 (T1) and 6 months (T2) following the first vaccine dose. All participants received mRNA vaccines (BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273). Analyses were performed using log-transformed values of antibody concentrations and geometric means (GM) were calculated. Results: Superior humoral immunity was induced in NH residents with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. (T0: GM 186.6 vs. 6.1 BAU/ml, p < 0.001; T1: GM 5264.1 vs. 944.4 BAU/ml, p < 0.001; T2: GM 1473.6 vs. 128.7 BAU/ml, p < 0.001). Residents with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection receiving two vaccine doses presented significantly higher antibody concentration at T1 and T2. A longer interval between previous infection and vaccination was associated with a better antibody response over time. Discussion: In a frail sample of NH residents, prior SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with a higher humoral response to vaccination. Number of vaccine doses and the interval between infection and vaccination are relevant parameters in determining humoral immunity. Conclusions: These findings provide important information to plan future immunization policies and disease prevention strategies in a highly vulnerable population

Higher COVID-19 pneumonia risk associated with anti-IFN-α than with anti-IFN-ω auto-Abs in children

We found that 19 (10.4%) of 183 unvaccinated children hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia had autoantibodies (auto-Abs) neutralizing type I IFNs (IFN-alpha 2 in 10 patients: IFN-alpha 2 only in three, IFN-alpha 2 plus IFN-omega in five, and IFN-alpha 2, IFN-omega plus IFN-beta in two; IFN-omega only in nine patients). Seven children (3.8%) had Abs neutralizing at least 10 ng/ml of one IFN, whereas the other 12 (6.6%) had Abs neutralizing only 100 pg/ml. The auto-Abs neutralized both unglycosylated and glycosylated IFNs. We also detected auto-Abs neutralizing 100 pg/ml IFN-alpha 2 in 4 of 2,267 uninfected children (0.2%) and auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-omega in 45 children (2%). The odds ratios (ORs) for life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia were, therefore, higher for auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-alpha 2 only (OR [95% CI] = 67.6 [5.7-9,196.6]) than for auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-. only (OR [95% CI] = 2.6 [1.2-5.3]). ORs were also higher for auto-Abs neutralizing high concentrations (OR [95% CI] = 12.9 [4.6-35.9]) than for those neutralizing low concentrations (OR [95% CI] = 5.5 [3.1-9.6]) of IFN-omega and/or IFN-alpha 2