EQUALITY, INCLUSION AND OPPORTUNITY: CONTEMPORARY IRISH SCHOOLS AND MODERN MASCULINITIES

The notion of equality is central to European public life. Yet, equality is a concept with as many definitions as it has varied use. Traditionally, equality in education focused on access to schooling and on boys’ underachievement. As globalised education systems are becoming increasingly socially, culturally and politically diverse, it is important to consider equality in education in relation to the school as a workplace. Employing a feminist research design and focusing specifically on the lives of six Irish male primary teachers, this article unpacks a number of assumptions relating to equality and masculinities. Many of these assumptions are discreet, which allow for inequalities to be created and maintained. In this context, discussions surrounding informal barriers will be explored in relation to teacher education colleges and the staffroom. The study's findings show that the number of males entering teaching is declining and that male teachers within the profession feel isolated due to various forces are not neutral occurrences. They are not natural economic patterns. Gender plays a pivotal role in this ideological drama. This article will be of particular interest to those educationalists interested in promoting gender equality in schools

Distinct receptor binding domain IgG thresholds predict protective host immunity across SARS-CoV-2 variants and time

Abstract SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies provide protection against COVID-19. Evidence from early vaccine trials suggested binding antibody thresholds could serve as surrogate markers of neutralising capacity, but whether these thresholds predict sufficient neutralising capacity against variants of concern (VOCs), and whether this is impacted by vaccine or infection history remains unclear. Here we analyse individuals recovered from, vaccinated or with hybrid immunity against SARS-CoV-2. An NT50 ≥ 100 IU confers protection in vaccine trials, however, as VOC induce a reduction in NT50, we use NT50 ≥ 1000 IU as a cut off for WT NT50 that would retain neutralisation against VOC. In unvaccinated convalescent participants, a receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG of 456 BAU/mL predicts an NT50 against WT of 1000 IU with an accuracy of 80% (95%CI 73–86%). This threshold maintains accuracy in determining loss of protective immunity against VOC in two vaccinated cohorts. It predicts an NT50 < 100 IU against Beta with an accuracy of 80% (95%CI 67–89%) in 2 vaccine dose recipients. In booster vaccine recipients with a history of COVID-19 (hybrid immunity), accuracy is 87% (95%CI 77–94%) in determining an NT50 of <100 IU against BA.5. This analysis provides a discrete threshold that could be used in future clinical studies

A Catalyst for Change:The European Cancer Patient's Bill of Rights

The European Cancer Concord is a unique patient-centered partnership that will act as a catalyst to achieve improved access to an optimal standard of cancer care and research for European citizens. In order to provide tangible benefits for European cancer patients, the partnership proposes the creation of a “European Cancer Patient’s Bill of Rights,” a patient charter that will underpin equitable access to an optimal standard of care for Europe’s citizens