The relationship between menstrual ideology and practice in the lives of women in South-western Ontario

The purpose of this thesis is twofold. First, it is an exercise in the application of critical anthropological theory and methodology to a subject matter that has not been treated by these approaches. In the process, the construction of anthropological knowledge is consistently questioned and evaluated. Second, an exploration of menstrual ideology and practice is provided through the experiences of women living in south-western Ontario. Research was conducted through various methods: 100 women of different ages and ethnic backgrounds participated in a menstrual care product questionnaire. Store managers and owners were interviewed regarding the sales and merchandising of menstrual care products, as well as a thorough search of the feminine hygiene industry's different web sites. 18 women were interviewed regarding their menstrual history, sexuality, family experience, health, and their perceptions and choices of menstrual care products. Six different families participated in life history interviews. Four of these families are presented in the thesis in the form of 14 individual life histories. The topics discussed include: menarche, pregnancy, divorce, abortion, sexuality, work, family relationships, Toxic Shock Syndrome, Polycystic Ovarian disease, menopause, and commercial menstrual care products

Velusetrag rescues GI dysfunction, gut inflammation and dysbiosis in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease

: In patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), constipation is common, and it appears in a prodromal stage before the hallmark motor symptoms. The present study aimed to investigate whether Velusetrag, a selective 5‑HT4 receptor agonist, may be a suitable candidate to improve intestinal motility in a mouse model of PD. Five months old PrP human A53T alpha-synuclein transgenic (Tg) mice, which display severe constipation along with decreased colonic cholinergic transmission already at 3 months, were treated daily with the drug for 4 weeks. Velusetrag treatment reduced constipation by significantly stimulating both the longitudinal and circular-driven contractions and improved inflammation by reducing the level of serum and colonic IL1β and TNF-α and by decreasing the number of GFAP-positive glia cells in the colon of treated mice. No significant downregulation of the 5-HT4 receptor was observed but instead Velusetrag seemed to improve axonal degeneration in Tgs as shown by an increase in NF-H and VAChT staining. Ultimately, Velusetrag restored a well-balanced intestinal microbial composition comparable to non-Tg mice. Based on these promising data, we are confident that Velusetrag is potentially eligible for clinical studies to treat constipation in PD patients

Neo-taphonomy of small mammal remains accumulated by the Barn Owl (Tyto alba) in the South American Gran Chaco (Argentina): A framework of reference for nest and roost sites

Los restos óseos y dentarios de micromamíferos son frecuentes en sitios arqueológicos, paleontológicos y en espacios urbanos y rurales. La Lechuza de Campanario (Tyto alba), distribuida en todo el continente americano, es uno de los acumuladores más comunes de este tipo de restos. En este sentido, es necesario analizar su comportamiento de depredación en relación con las presas obtenidas y descartadas en sus egagrópilas en ambientes específicos. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo realizar un análisis tafonómico de restos óseos y dentarios en egagrópilas de Lechuza de Campanario colectadas en dos tipos de sitios (percha y nido) y dos zonas ecológicas (Chaco Árido y Chaco Serrano) diferentes del área seca de la ecorregión Gran Chaco, en el sur de América del Sur. Se evaluó la composición taxonómica, la abundancia relativa de partes esqueléticas, patrones de fractura, digestión en elementos craneales y postcraneales para caracterizar los patrones tafonómicos generados por este depredador. Los resultados confirman su inclusión en la categoría de modificación ligera. Sin embargo, los valores de digestión y fractura obtenidos en este análisis difieren de los modelos reportados en otros estudios realizados en África, Europa y Sudamérica. La sobrerrepresentación de roedores caviomorfos (ca. 60%) en uno de los conjuntos analizados resulta novedosa para el cono sur de América del Sur. Entre ellos, se reporta el primer registro del Cuis chaqueño (Microcavia jayat) para zonas bajas de la provincia de Córdoba. Se espera que los resultados puedan utilizarse como marco de referencia o análogo moderno en la interpretación de la formación de registros arqueológicos y fósiles, así como para reforzar y fortalecer las inferencias paleoambientales.Small mammal bones and teeth remains are frequent in archaeological and palaeontological sites, and in modern urban and rural areas. Distributed throughout the American continent, the Barn Owl (Tyto alba) is one of the most common accumulators of this kind of remains. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze its predation behavior concerning the prey obtained and discarded within pellets in specific environments elsewhere. This work aims to conduct a taphonomic analysis of bone and dental remains from pellets of Barn Owl collected in two different site types (roost and nest) and ecological zones (Arid Chaco and Mountain Chaco) of the dry area of the Great Chaco ecoregion, in southern South America. Taxonomic composition, relative abundance of skeletal elements, breakage patterns, digestion in cranial and postcranial elements were evaluated to characterize the taphonomic patterns generated by this predator. The results confirm their inclusion in the light modification category. However, the digestion and breakage values obtained in this analysis differ from the actualistic models reported in other studies carried out in Africa, Europe, and South America. The overrepresentation of caviomorph rodents (ca. 60%) in one of the assemblages analyzed is novel for the South American southern cone. Among them, the first record of Jayat´s Chacoan Cavy (Microcavia jayat) for lowland areas of the province of Córdoba is reported. We expect these results to be used as a reference framework or modern analogue in the interpretation of archaeological and fossil record formation as well as to reinforce and strengthen palaeoenvironmental inferences.Fil: Mignino, Julian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades. Museo de Antropología; ArgentinaFil: Izeta, Andres Dario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades. Museo de Antropología; ArgentinaFil: Manzano García, Jessica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades. Museo de Antropología; ArgentinaFil: Cattaneo, Gabriela Roxana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades. Instituto de Antropología de Córdoba; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades. Museo de Antropología; ArgentinaFil: Brancolini Pedetti, Ornella. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Filosofía y Humanidades; Argentin

The ‘Erfahrraum’: a pedagogical model for designing educational technologies in dual vocational systems

Vocational education taking place in the dual contexts of workplace and school often lacks integration of concrete experiences with theoretical knowledge. The interplay between workplace and school contexts and their often antagonistic priorities call for a specific model that transforms these divergences into learning opportunities and connects different forms of knowledge into an integrated body of knowledge that contributes to developing vocational competence. This paper presents a multi-dimensional pedagogical model, called the ‘Erfahrraum’, for the design and implementation of educational technologies as a way to foster this integration in initial dual vocational education and training (VET). The ‘Erfahrraum’ model informs the design of shared spaces for capturing and reflecting on experiences made in different contexts in which VET takes place. The model particularly emphasizes the importance of shared reflection processes to turn concrete experiences into relevant integrated knowledge. Examples of implementations in different professions using a range of different technologies illustrate the power of the ‘Erfahrraum’ model

Kosmos, il nuovo progetto culturale dell’Università di Pavia per le collezioni di storia naturale

Kosmos, the new cultural project of the University of Pavia for its Natural History collections Kosmos, the new Natural History Museum, adopted for its new exhibition strategies dedicated to the accessibility of the collections. The gallery was therefore enriched with exhibits and games with the aim of conveying scientific content in an engaging form. For guided tours and workshops Kosmos makes use of the collaboration of ADMaiora, a company that provides educational services. Together with the museum’ staff ADMaiora has developed an educational offer capable of making museum content accessible at all levels, including audiences who present disabilities. To support the visit few didactic kits have been added and a new palaeontology laboratory kit for small groups with cognitive disabilities has been created. Finally, a "social history" document that adopt Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) was drawn up to prepare children with specific relational disabilities to the visi

Il Sistema Museale dell’Università di Pavia ai tempi del coronavirus

Kosmos, the new cultural project of the University of Pavia for its Natural History collections Kosmos, the new Natural History Museum, adopted for its new exhibition strategies dedicated to the accessibility of the collections. The gallery was therefore enriched with exhibits and games with the aim of conveying scientific content in an engaging form. For guided tours and workshops Kosmos makes use of the collaboration of ADMaiora, a company that provides educational services. Together with the museum’ staff ADMaiora has developed an educational offer capable of making museum content accessible at all levels, including audiences who present disabilities. To support the visit few didactic kits have been added and a new palaeontology laboratory kit for small groups with cognitive disabilities has been created. Finally, a "social history" document that adopt Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) was drawn up to prepare children with specific relational disabilities to the visit

Rigorous monitoring is necessary to guide food system transformation in the countdown to the 2030 global goals

Food systems that support healthy diets in sustainable, resilient, just, and equitable ways can engender progress in eradicating poverty and malnutrition; protecting human rights; and restoring natural resources. Food system activities have contributed to great gains for humanity but have also led to significant challenges, including hunger, poor diet quality, inequity, and threats to nature. While it is recognized that food systems are central to multiple global commitments and goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals, current trajectories are not aligned to meet these objectives. As mounting crises further stress food systems, the consequences of inaction are clear. The goal of food system transformation is to generate a future where all people have access to healthy diets, which are produced in sustainable and resilient ways that restore nature and deliver just, equitable livelihoods. A rigorous, science-based monitoring framework can support evidence-based policymaking and the work of those who hold key actors accountable in this transformation process. Monitoring can illustrate current performance, facilitate comparisons across geographies and over time, and track progress. We propose a framework centered around five thematic areas related to (1) diets, nutrition, and health; (2) environment and climate; and (3) livelihoods, poverty, and equity; (4) governance; and (5) resilience and sustainability. We hope to call attention to the need to monitor food systems globally to inform decisions and support accountability for better governance of food systems as part of the transformation process. Transformation is possible in the next decade, but rigorous evidence is needed in the countdown to the 2030 SDG global goals

Prescription appropriateness of anti-diabetes drugs in elderly patients hospitalized in a clinical setting: evidence from the REPOSI Register

Diabetes is an increasing global health burden with the highest prevalence (24.0%) observed in elderly people. Older diabetic adults have a greater risk of hospitalization and several geriatric syndromes than older nondiabetic adults. For these conditions, special care is required in prescribing therapies including anti- diabetes drugs. Aim of this study was to evaluate the appropriateness and the adherence to safety recommendations in the prescriptions of glucose-lowering drugs in hospitalized elderly patients with diabetes. Data for this cross-sectional study were obtained from the REgistro POliterapie-Società Italiana Medicina Interna (REPOSI) that collected clinical information on patients aged ≥ 65 years acutely admitted to Italian internal medicine and geriatric non-intensive care units (ICU) from 2010 up to 2019. Prescription appropriateness was assessed according to the 2019 AGS Beers Criteria and anti-diabetes drug data sheets.Among 5349 patients, 1624 (30.3%) had diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. At admission, 37.7% of diabetic patients received treatment with metformin, 37.3% insulin therapy, 16.4% sulfonylureas, and 11.4% glinides. Surprisingly, only 3.1% of diabetic patients were treated with new classes of anti- diabetes drugs. According to prescription criteria, at admission 15.4% of patients treated with metformin and 2.6% with sulfonylureas received inappropriately these treatments. At discharge, the inappropriateness of metformin therapy decreased (10.2%, P < 0.0001). According to Beers criteria, the inappropriate prescriptions of sulfonylureas raised to 29% both at admission and at discharge. This study shows a poor adherence to current guidelines on diabetes management in hospitalized elderly people with a high prevalence of inappropriate use of sulfonylureas according to the Beers criteria

The state of food systems worldwide in the countdown to 2030

This Analysis presents a recently developed food system indicator framework and holistic monitoring architecture to track food system transformation towards global development, health and sustainability goals. Five themes are considered: (1) diets, nutrition and health; (2) environment, natural resources and production; (3) livelihoods, poverty and equity; (4) governance; and (5) resilience. Each theme is divided into three to five indicator domains, and indicators were selected to reflect each domain through a consultative process. In total, 50 indicators were selected, with at least one indicator available for every domain. Harmonized data of these 50 indicators provide a baseline assessment of the world’s food systems. We show that every country can claim positive outcomes in some parts of food systems, but none are among the highest ranked across all domains. Furthermore, some indicators are independent of national income, and each highlights a specific aspiration for healthy, sustainable and just food systems. The Food Systems Countdown Initiative will track food systems annually to U. Rashid Sumaila, Maximo Torero Cullen, Francesco N. Tubiello, Jose-Luis Vivero-Pol, Patrick Webb & Keith Wieb