Service-learning and learning communities: two innovative school projects that are mutually enriched

Resumen: En este artículo se reflexiona sobre las interrelaciones que existen entre dos proyectos educativos de actualidad: el aprendizaje-servicio (ApS) y las comunidades de aprendizaje (CdA). El ApS es una metodología educativa aplicada mundialmente donde en un solo proyecto se conjuga un aprendizaje basado en la experiencia con la realización de un servicio solidario a la comunidad. CdA es un proyecto de transformación de la escuela para conseguir que la sociedad de la información no excluya a ninguna persona, constituyendo una realidad en más de ciento noventa escuelas repartidas entre España e Iberoamérica. Entre ambos es posible mostrar diferencias, sobre todo en lo que se refiere a sus sustratos teóricos e intencionalidades pedagógicas y sociales, pero en las prácticas reales en la enseñanza que se desarrollan en centros educativos hay más que cierta sintonía, particularmente en la relación tan estrecha que cultivan ambos proyectos con la comunidad escolar. Por todo ello, concluimos que el aprendizaje-servicio y las comunidades de aprendizaje pueden presentarse como dos proyectos innovadores y relevantes que pueden enriquecerse mutuamente: pues para ambos es fundamental la aproximación escuela-comunidad-entorno y el voluntariado.Abstract: This article reflects on the interrelationships that exist between two educational projects of today: service-learning (ApS) and learning communities (CdA). The ApS is an educational methodology applied worldwide where a single project combines a learning based on experience with the implementation of a service to the community. CdA is a school transformation project to achieve that the information society does not exclude any person, constituting a reality in more than one hundred and ninety schools in Spain and Latin America. Between the two, it is possible to show differences, especially in what refers to its theoretical substrates, but in actual teaching practice in schools there is some harmony, particularly in the so closely that they cultivate both projects with the school community. Therefore, we conclude that service-learning and learning communities can occur as two innovative and relevant today projects which can be mutually enriching: because for both the approach school-community-environment and volunteering is essential

Accelerated SARS-CoV-2 Intrahost Evolution Leading to Distinct Genotypes During Chronic Infection

The chronic infection hypothesis for novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant emergence is increasingly gaining credence following the appearance of Omicron. Here, we investigate intrahost evolution and genetic diversity of lineage B.1.517 during a SARS-CoV-2 chronic infection lasting for 471 days (and still ongoing) with consistently recovered infectious virus and high viral genome copies. During the infection, we find an accelerated virus evolutionary rate translating to 35 nucleotide substitutions per year, approximately 2-fold higher than the global SARS-CoV-2 evolutionary rate. This intrahost evolution results in the emergence and persistence of at least three genetically distinct genotypes, suggesting the establishment of spatially structured viral populations continually reseeding different genotypes into the nasopharynx. Finally, we track the temporal dynamics of genetic diversity to identify advantageous mutations and highlight hallmark changes for chronic infection. Our findings demonstrate that untreated chronic infections accelerate SARS-CoV-2 evolution, providing an opportunity for the emergence of genetically divergent variants

Comparative Transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 Variants Delta and Alpha in New England, USA

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Delta variant quickly rose to dominance in mid-2021, displacing other variants, including Alpha. Studies using data from the United Kingdom and India estimated that Delta was 40-80% more transmissible than Alpha, allowing Delta to become the globally dominant variant. However, it was unclear if the ostensible difference in relative transmissibility was due mostly to innate properties of Delta\u27s infectiousness or differences in the study populations. To investigate, we formed a partnership with SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance programs from all six New England US states. By comparing logistic growth rates, we found that Delta emerged 37-163% faster than Alpha in early 2021 (37% Massachusetts, 75% New Hampshire, 95% Maine, 98% Rhode Island, 151% Connecticut, and 163% Vermont). We next computed variant-specific effective reproductive numbers and estimated that Delta was 58-120% more transmissible than Alpha across New England (58% New Hampshire, 68% Massachusetts, 76% Connecticut, 85% Rhode Island, 98% Maine, and 120% Vermont). Finally, using RT-PCR data, we estimated that Delta infections generate on average ∼6 times more viral RNA copies per mL than Alpha infections. Overall, our evidence indicates that Delta\u27s enhanced transmissibility could be attributed to its innate ability to increase infectiousness, but its epidemiological dynamics may vary depending on the underlying immunity and behavior of distinct populations

Comparative transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 variants Delta and Alpha in New England, USA.

The SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant rose to dominance in mid-2021, likely propelled by an estimated 40%-80% increased transmissibility over Alpha. To investigate if this ostensible difference in transmissibility is uniform across populations, we partner with public health programs from all six states in New England in the United States. We compare logistic growth rates during each variant\u27s respective emergence period, finding that Delta emerged 1.37-2.63 times faster than Alpha (range across states). We compute variant-specific effective reproductive numbers, estimating that Delta is 63%-167% more transmissible than Alpha (range across states). Finally, we estimate that Delta infections generate on average 6.2 (95% CI 3.1-10.9) times more viral RNA copies per milliliter than Alpha infections during their respective emergence. Overall, our evidence suggests that Delta\u27s enhanced transmissibility can be attributed to its innate ability to increase infectiousness, but its epidemiological dynamics may vary depending on underlying population attributes and sequencing data availability

Characterizing Introductions Of Sars-Cov-2 To The U.s. Virgin Islands Using Pathogen Genomic Surveillance

Pathogen genomic surveillance systems have proven invaluable throughout the course of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, genomic surveillance programs are under-resourced or nonexistent in regions with reduced access to advanced public health tools, like the Caribbean. In this study, we documented and evaluated the establishment of a genomic surveillance system in the U.S. Virgin Islands during 2021, and used data from the program to place the story of COVID-19 in the U.S. Virgin Islands in a global context. We constructed a phylogenetic tree and conducted phylogeographic analyses to estimate the timing and geographic origin of the most recent common ancestor of each introduction to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our tree estimated that the number of introductions peaks in January 2021, with a smaller peak during June. The origins of these hypothesized introductions are diverse; nearly every region of the world is represented, though North America, Europe, and Africa contribute the largest share of estimated introductions. To better assess the impact of travelers into the territory, we also constructed a statistical model using global COVID-19 case numbers, SARS-CoV-2 variant frequencies, and international air travel volume to estimate the number and origin of variant introductions into the U.S. Virgin Islands during 2021. Our model estimated that introductions of SARS-CoV-2 peaked in August 2021, approximately the same time that cases in the U.S. Virgin Islands reached their peak. Our model also projected that nearly all introductions came from North America. The contrast between our tree and our statistical model highlights issues with relying on phylogeographic analyses during a pandemic, while also demonstrating the necessity of considering inbound travel volume in a region whose economy relies heavily on tourism

'There’s a bit of banter': How male teenagers 'do boy' on social networking sites

This chapter discusses teenage boys’ use of banter on social networking sites such as Facebook by presenting data collected via semi-structured interviews and focus groups with boys and girls aged 11-16 from three schools in England. For male teenagers utilising social networking sites, banter is a common form of social interaction within peer groups and is a means of othering, and of performing and constructing hegemonic masculinity. Banter is characterised by the use of confrontational exchanges used to explore social boundaries and values amongst friends, and is strongly involved in male bonding rituals. It is employed as a means of negotiating status and of in-group inclusion and out-group rejection. We present findings which focus on: male teenagers learning to banter; the relationship between banter and bullying; and how banter overflows into other distinct but related practices