Immigrant languages and the Veneto dialect in the linguistic repertoires of secondary school pupils of immigrant origin in the Veneto region

This is the final version. Available from Pacini Editore via the link in this recordThis study investigates the linguistic repertoires of children of immigrant origin in the Veneto region, which include Italian, the Veneto dialect and immigrant languages. Sociolinguistic questionnaires were distributed in three secondary schools in the Veneto region, to collect information on language choice and maintenance. A total of 149 pupils filled in the questionnaire, representing 23 nationalities. More than half were Moroccan, Romanian, Albanian, Moldovan and Chinese, the five main immigrant groups in the region. The results show different degrees of both maintenance and use of immigrant languages among different nationalities. They also reveal the use of the Veneto dialect in communication by second generation children with peers, classmates, within the family domain and in communication with native Italians (neighbours and in shops).British Academ

Onward migration of families of new Italians to the UK: Children’s perspectives on the use of languages

This is the final version. Available on open access from Routledge via the DOI in this record. This study explores language dynamics among families of new Italians in the UK, highlighting how Italian usage is influenced by past language practices in Italy, with elder siblings playing a key role in maintaining Italian among younger family members. Italian is often used alongside other family languages, especially when communicating with parents who are not fluent in English. Many participants continue formal education in Italian, indicating its perceived value. The research underscores the impact of transnational connections, such as trips to Italy and online interactions, on language maintenance. Moving to the UK can also lead to the rediscovery of other family languages, particularly within co-ethnic communities or through individual efforts to improve language skills. This study offers insights into heritage language maintenance in families with multiple migration experiences, revealing new perspectives and challenges in the field.Leverhulme Trus

Veneto dialect in the linguistic repertoire of Igbo-Nigerians in Padua

This is the final version. Available from Pacini Editore via the link in this recordIn this article, I will discuss the presence of Veneto dialect in the linguistic repertoire of Igbo-Nigerians living in the city of Padua. The case of Veneto dialect is particularly interesting, as it is one of the most widely spoken Italo-Romance dialects in everyday communication with friends and outsiders. The study analyses interview excerpts in which participants talk about the linguistic repertoire of the Veneto region and their knowledge, use and perception of Veneto dialect. The findings show that participants are aware of the sociolinguistic situation of the Veneto region and make comparisons between the Veneto linguistic repertoire and the one in the Igbo-speaking area in Nigeria. Moreover, participants use the Veneto dialect in communications at work, with Italian friends and elderly people. The use of dialect is not a choice but rather a necessity for effective communication. Participants do not have a positive attitude toward using Veneto dialect, as they still perceive the dialect to be too geographically restricted and prefer to put effort into learning Italian

Transient dynamic analysis of high-speed lightly loaded cylindrical roller bearings. 2: Computer program and results

The governing differential equations of motion for a high speed cylindrical roller bearing are programmed for numerical solution and plotted output. This computer program has the capability of performing a two dimensional or three dimensional simulation. Two numerical solutions of the governing differential equations were obtained to simulate the motion of a roller bearing, one for the two dimensional equations of motion and one for the three dimensional equations of motion. Computer generated plots were obtained and present such data as roller/cage interaction forces, roller/race traction forces, roller/race relative slip velocities and cage angular speed over a nondimensional time equivalent to 1.2 revolutions of the inner race. Roller axial displacement, roller skew angle, and skew moment are also plotted for the three dimensional solution. The trajectory of the cage center is plotted for both the two dimensional and three dimensional solutions

The East Timorese in Australia: multilingual repertoires, language attitudes, practices and identity in the diaspora

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Taylor & Francis (Routledge) via the DOI in this record.This article explores language repertoires, attitudes, and practices amongst members of the East Timorese diaspora in Australia. It relies on quantitative and qualitative data gathered through a recent sociolinguistic survey, ethnographic observation, as well as on general observations of online language use. Our study reveals a complex and variable multilingualism that reflects in the first instance specific sociolinguistic conditions and changing language policies in East Timor, leading to a reshaping of language repertoires over generations in that country. Participants, mostly raised in East Timor, are more multilingual than their parents, but their children raised in Australia show signs of shift to English, as well as evidence of reduced multilingualism. An increasing emphasis on English is coupled with a rise in the importance assigned, more generally, to Tetum amongst most East Timorese at the expense of Portuguese and other languages. Tetum is most strongly linked to East Timorese identity whilst Portuguese and other languages show signs of restricted use and status, if not decline, in the Australian context. At the same time, the Hakka Chinese sub-group of East Timorese maintain in Australia, as in East Timor, a different linguistic patterning coupled with a strong sense of their own ethnic and linguistic identity

Hepatitis C virus infection: evidence for an association with type 2 diabetes.

non present

Both 3,3′,5-triiodothyronine and 3,5-diodo-L-thyronine are able to repair mitochondrial DNA damage but by different mechanisms

This study evaluated the effect of 3,5-diiodo-L-thyronine (T2) and 3,5,3′-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) on rat liver mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) oxidative damage and repair and to investigate their ability to induce protective effects against oxidative stress. Control rats, rats receiving a daily injection of T2 (N+T2) for 1 week and rats receiving a daily injection of T3 (N+T3) for 1 week, were used throughout the study. In the liver, mtDNA oxidative damage [by measuring mtDNA lesion frequency and expression of DNA polymerase γ (POLG)], mtDNA copy number, mitochondrial biogenesis [by measuring amplification of mtDNA/nDNA and expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1-alpha (PGC-1α)], and oxidative stress [by measuring serum levels of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)] were detected. T2 reduces mtDNA lesion frequency and increases the expression of POLG, and it does not change the mtDNA copy number, the expression of PGC-1α, or the serum levels of 8-OHdG. Therefore, T2, by stimulating the major mtDNA repair enzyme, maintains genomic integrity. Similar to T2, T3 decreases mtDNA lesion frequency but increases the serum levels of 8-OHdG, and it decreases the expression of POLG. Moreover, as expected, T3 increases the mtDNA copy number and the expression of PGC-1α. Thus, in T3-treated rats, the increase of 8-OHdG and the decrease of POLG indicate that there is increased oxidative damage and that the decreased mtDNA lesion frequency might be a consequence of increased mitochondrial biogenesis. These data demonstrate that both T2 and T3 are able to decrease in the liver mtDNA oxidative damage, but they act via different mechanisms

3,5-Diiodo-L-thyronine modulates the expression of genes of lipid metabolism in a rat model of fatty liver.

Recent reports demonstrated that 3,5-diiodo-l-thyronine (T(2)) was able to prevent lipid accumulation in the liver of rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). In this study, we investigated how the rat liver responds to HFD and T(2) treatment by assessing the transcription profiles of some genes involved in the pathways of lipid metabolism: oxidation, storage and secretion. The mRNA levels of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARα, PPARγ and PPARδ), and of their target enzymes acyl-CoA oxidase and stearoyl-CoA desaturase were evaluated by real-time RT-PCR. Moreover, the expression of the adipose triglyceride lipase involved in lipid mobilisation, of the main PAT proteins acting in lipid droplet (LD) turnover, and of apoprotein B (apo B), the major protein component of very low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs) were analysed. Overall, our data demonstrated that T(2) administration to HFD rats counteracts most of the hepatic transcriptional changes that occurred in response to the excess exogenous fat. In particular, our results suggest that T(2) may prevent the pathways leading to lipid storage in LDs, promote the processes of lipid mobilisation from LDs and secretion as VLDL, in addition to the stimulation of pathways of lipid oxidation. In conclusion, our findings might give an insight into the mechanisms underlying the anti-steatotic ability of T(2) and help to define the potential therapeutic role of T(2) for preventing or treating liver steatosis

Long term results of video‐assisted anal fistula treatment for complex anal fistula: another shattered dream?

Aim: Complex anal fistula represents a burden for patients, and its management is a challenge for surgeons. Video-assisted anal fistula treatment (VAAFT) is one sphincter-sparing technique. However, data on its long-term effectiveness are scant. We aimed to explore the outcomes of VAAFT in a retrospective cohort of patients referred to a tertiary centre.Method: Consecutive adult patients with a minimum of 2 years' follow-up after VAAFT were reviewed. Patients were followed up to 5 years postoperatively. Failure was defined as incomplete healing of the external orifice(s) during the first 6 months. Recurrence was defined as new radiologically and/or clinically confirmed onset of the fistula after primary healing. A generalized linear model was fitted to evaluate the association between failure and sociodemographic characteristics. Predictors of recurrence were determined in a subgroup analysis of patients found to be free from disease at 6 months postoperatively.Results: Overall, 106 patients (70% male; mean age 41 years) were reviewed. Of these 86% had a previous seton placement. Fistulas were either high trans-sphincteric (74%), suprasphincteric (12%) or extrasphincteric (13%). Eight (7%) patients experienced postoperative complications, none of which required reintervention. Mean follow-up was 53 +/- 13.2 months. VAAFT failed in 14 (13%) patients. The overall recurrence rate ranged from 29% at 1 year to 63% at 5 years. Multiple external orifices, suprasphincteric fistula, younger age, previous surgery and higher complexity of the fistulous tract were independent risk factors for recurrence.Conclusion: VAAFT is a safe sphincter-sparing technique. The initially high success rate decreases over time and relates to a higher degree of complexity

Altered Mitochondrial Quality Control in Rats with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) Induced by High-Fat Feeding

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is defined as the presence of hepatic steatosis in addition to one of three metabolic conditions: overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or metabolic dysregulation. Chronic exposure to excess dietary fatty acids may cause hepatic steatosis and metabolic disturbances. The alteration of the quality of mitochondria is one of the factors that could contribute to the metabolic dysregulation of MAFDL. This study was designed to determine, in a rodent model of MAFLD, the effects of a long-term high-fat diet (HFD) on some hepatic processes that characterize mitochondrial quality control, such as biogenesis, dynamics, and mitophagy. To mimic the human manifestation of MAFLD, the rats were exposed to both an HFD and a housing temperature within the rat thermoneutral zone (28–30◦C). After 14 weeks of the HFD, the rats showed significant fat deposition and liver steatosis. Concomitantly, some important factors related to the hepatic mitochondrial quality were markedly affected, such as increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage; reduced mitochondrial biogenesis, mtDNA copy numbers, mtDNA repair, and mitochondrial fusion. HFD-fed rats also showed an impaired mitophagy. Overall, the obtained data shed new light on the network of different processes contributing to the failure of mitochondrial quality control as a central event for mitochondrial dysregulation in MAFLD