Examining Relationships and Sex Education through a child rights lens: an intersectional approach

Inspired by Audrey Osler’s call for the development of novel approaches to intersectionality in human rights education praxis, this article presents an undergraduate module on Children’s Rights, examining processes of teaching and learning about rights through the topic of Relationships and Sex Education (RSE). The module, designed for future educators, intersects elements of children’s rights education with the theoretical positions of queer studies and critical pedagogy. Drawing on data from two focus groups, consisting of students following the programme, the author analyses students’ views and attitudes to RSE, using Foucault’s overarching concept of problematisation and the concept of sites of struggle. Data analysis reveals tensions and potential clashes between the students’ professional selves, their personal values, and elements of the theoretical framework adopted in the course. These tensions are nevertheless constructive, highlighting the potential of children’s rights education to contribute to transformative human development

Rights to the front Child Rights-based pedagogies in early childhood degrees

As critical pedagogues committed to social justice, in this paper we discuss the theoretical opportunities and challenges of two pedagogical models for the teaching and learning of Children’s Rights on early childhood education and care degrees. Our discussion stems from the exploration and analysis of and reflection on the educational cultures, relations and dynamics which inform both our teaching and research practice. In the paper, we analyse the different layers of experiences of both students and educators as co-constructors of pedagogy in the two curricula presented. Through a process of thematic synthesis analysis of the salient features of each curriculum, this paper proposes four shared areas of pedagogical dilemmas. These dilemmas are explored and discussed in relation to their impact to the learning and teaching of Children’s Rights on early childhood education & care degree programmes. Drawing on our empirical research and pedagogical reflections, we then propose four aspirational pedagogical features to achieve transformative Children’s Rights Education in early childhood education & care degrees

A Critical Realist Reflection on the Use of Social Media as Third Space for Rights Education in Early Childhood

The promotion and advancement of Rights Education in Early Childhood ought to be supported through the development of spaces that allow for interdisciplinary discourses among different stakeholders. The project #ChildRightsChat emerged from interactions between the authors to use a digital space to promote the advancement of an interdisciplinary and global discussion about children’s rights. A primary aim was to facilitate adult learning about the protection and promotion of children’s rights in practice. Chats in Twitter, through structured and moderated interactions, were designed to share knowledge and experiences around specific topics. The present paper presents the authors’ reflections, as moderators of #ChildRightsChat, through a critical realist analysis. The findings explore how social media can be understood as a learning environment in ‘third space’, with respect to the nature of interactions that occurred, the context as a learning space, and the voices heard in the chat. The implications of social media to include global perspectives for the advancement of rights-based practice in early childhood education and care are considered

Ergodicity breaking in strong and network-forming glassy system

The temperature dependence of the non-ergodicity factor of vitreous GeO$_2$, $f_{q}(T)$, as deduced from elastic and quasi-elastic neutron scattering experiments, is analyzed. The data are collected in a wide range of temperatures from the glassy phase, up to the glass transition temperature, and well above into the undercooled liquid state. Notwithstanding the investigated system is classified as prototype of strong glass, it is found that the temperature- and the $q$-behavior of $f_{q}(T)$ follow some of the predictions of Mode Coupling Theory. The experimental data support the hypothesis of the existence of an ergodic to non-ergodic transition occurring also in network forming glassy systems

Estoque de carbono na biomassa de Pinus taeda em sítios de diferentes potenciais produtivos.

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Estoque de carbono e fluxos de gases de efeito estufa no solo em floresta nativa.

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Hypovitaminosis D in an hospitalized old population of Western Friuli.

Objectives Hypovitaminosis D is very common in the elderly in Italy and generally in the world, contributing to bone fractures and muscle weakness. The aim of the study was to evaluate bone metabolism in an old population of patients hospitalized not for musculo-skeletal complaints. Methods The clinical records of 175 patients, 98 female and 77 male, aged >65 years, hospitalized in a Department of Internal Medicine (Sacile, Western Friuli) were retrospectively reviewed. Serum levels of calcium, phosphorous, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 25-OH vitamin D were evaluated. Correlations between these parameters were investigate. Results Abnormalities of bone metabolism parameters were frequently founded, particularly hypocalcemia, increased PTH and reduced 25-OH vitamin D. Hypovitaminosis D were detected in 88% of patients, low levels in 30.28% and very low levels in 57.72%. Hypovitaminosis D was related to female sex, old age of patients and high levels of PTH. Conclusions Our data confirm that hypovitaminosis D is very common in elderly population. The study has been performed in an Italian Region where the supplementation of vitamin D in the elderly is not performed, suggesting that a awareness campaign of the doctors could be very useful to prevent bone metabolism abnormalities.Objectives: Hypovitaminosis D is very common in the elderly in Italy and generally in the world, contributing to bone fractures and muscle weakness. The aim of the study was to evaluate bone metabolism in an old population of patients hospitalized not for musculo-skeletal complaints. Methods: The clinical records of 175 patients, 98 female and 77 male, aged >65 years, hospitalized in a Department of Internal Medicine (Sacile, Western Friuli) were retrospectively reviewed. Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 25-OH vitamin D were evaluated. Correlations between these parameters were investigate. Results: Abnormalities of bone metabolism parameters were frequently founded, particularly hypocalcemia, increased PTH and reduced 25-OH vitamin D. Hypovitaminosis D were detected in 88% of patients, low levels in 30.28% and very low levels in 57.72%. Hypovitaminosis D was related to female sex, old age of patients and high levels of PTH. Conclusions: Our data confirm that hypovitaminosis D is very common in elderly population. The study has been performed in an Italian Region where the supplementation of vitamin D in the elderly is not performed, suggesting that a awareness campaign of the doctors could be very useful to prevent bone metabolism abnormalities

Systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma in children

Objective: Juvenile systemic sclerosis (JSSc) is a rare condition in childhood and its variety with no skin involvement, sine scleroderma (ssJSSc), is anecdotal. We report the first case series of patients with ssJSSc. Methods: Demographic, clinical and laboratory data of patients with JSSc followed at our centre were retrospectively collected. Patients with no skin involvement but with all of the features RP, positive ANA, intestinal dysmotility and/or interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and/or cardiac or renal involvement typical of scleroderma were defined as having ssJSSc and compared with those with classic JSSc (cJSSc). Results: Among 52 JSSc patients seen in 20 years, five (9.6%) presented with ssJSSc. Their clinical features and those of the only two patients reported in the literature so far were compared with classic JSSc with available complete data. Six patients had cardiac involvement as presenting feature, three primary cardiomyopathy, three secondary to PAH. Two patients died after a brief disease course and one rapidly underwent heart transplantation. In comparison with cJSSc, ssJSSc showed a significantly longer diagnostic delay (20.1 vs 8.3 months, P = 0.017), higher frequency of cardiac involvement (85.7 vs 15.6%, P = 0.001) and worse outcome, intended as mortality or end-stage organ failure rates (42.9% vs 6.2%, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Cardiac involvement represents the most important characteristic of ssJSSc and carries a high morbidity and mortality rate. The longer delay in diagnosis underlines the need for a comprehensive rheumatological work-up in patients with isolated cardiomyopathy or PAH/ILD