Hrotsvit of Gandersheim: Her Works and Their Messages

Hrotsvit of Gandersheim, a poetess and playwright during the tenth century, created a body of work that both reflected and instructed people in her society. During this period, Europe witnessed extensive societal changes including the reemergence of the Holy Roman Empire, the eastward expansion of Christianity, and a cultural development known as the Ottonian Renaissance. The imperial court, emphatic sponsors of the arts, approved of the legends, dramas, and histories written by Hrotsvit as Christian alternatives to popular pagan literature. The following text presents interpretations of the legends and dramas identifying how they functioned as didactic devices intended to cultivate particular perceptions of non-Christians while simultaneously providing an idealistically defined Christian society. A new translation of her preface to the dramas confirms the argument that Hrotsvit had intended visual productions of her dramas while grammatical analyses of the legends and dramas further support the position of oral deliveries. Transmitted orally, the works could then reach the largely illiterate population without compromising the aesthetic appeal appreciated by the elites. Investigations into the sources Hrotsvit may have used and the changes she made enable a better understanding of how one woman, representing the aristocratic and religious communities, envisioned her worl

Role of Epigenome and Microbiome in Endocannabinoid-Mediated Regulation of Inflammation During Diet-Induced Obesity

Obesity is an inflammatory disease involving accumulation of adipose tissue, gut microbiota dysbiosis, and over-activation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Mechanisms involved in ECS regulation of obesity-induced inflammation are not well understood. Presented here are three chapters involving microRNA (miR) regulation of inflammatory adipose tissue macrophages (ATM) during high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and cannabinoid receptor-mediated regulation of gut microbiota dysbiosis. ATMs are innate immune cells that drive chronic low-grade inflammation during obesity. Polarization between pro-(M1) and anti-(M2-like) inflammatory phenotypes influence insulin sensitivity and energy expenditure; however, the mechanisms involved are unclear. In study one, we characterized miRs involved in ATM polarization during diet-induced obesity (DIO). In study two, DIO mice were treated with the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) antagonist AM251 because CB1 antagonists ameliorate DIO and associated inflammation. In both studies, it was found that the miR-30 family regulates ATM Delta-like-4 (DLL4)-Notch signaling, and consequently ATM polarization. Downregulation of miRs 30a-5p, 30c-5p, and 30e-5p in ATMs from DIO mice versus lean mice resulted in Notchsignaling induced M1 polarization. Interestingly, miR-30e-5p was upregulated in ATMs from DIO mice treated with AM251, while DLL4 was downregulated. Subsequently, fat storage and M1 ATM polarization was reduced. Furthermore, AM251-treated macrophages suppressed DLL4-mediated Th1 polarization in CD4+ T cells. The combined effect of miR-30 in ATMs and consequently T cells led to an anti-inflammatory state and attenuation of diet-induced obesity regulated by CB1 blockade. In the third study, CB1-/- and CB2-/- mice as well as AM251 DIO intervention were used to investigate ECS regulation of DIO-associated gut dysbiosis. CB1-/- mice displayed resistance, whereas, CB2-/- mice displayed accelerated DIO development versus wild-type (WT) mice. Interestingly, CB1 and CB2 reciprocally regulated HFD-induced leukocyte infiltration in the cecal-colonic lamina propria. Microbiota profiling showed that CB1-/-, but not WT or CB2-/- mice were resistant to development of HFD-induced gut dysbiosis. Moreover, AM251 intervention in obese mice shifted their microbiota towards a lean profile. Investigation of host: microbiota interactions revealed ECS-mediated regulation of intestinal barrier defense and gut microbiota-mediated sugar metabolism were involved in the pathogenesis of obesity

The effect of sugar-sweetened beverage price increases and educational messages on beverage purchasing behavior among adults

There is a paucity of evidence regarding the impact of sugar sweetened beverage (SSB) price increases on beverage consumption, using individual-level data, for the population overall and for different socioeconomic groups. This study aimed to predict the impact of altered beverage prices and educational messages on consumer purchasing behavior. 2020 adults representative of the Australian population by age, gender and income completed a discrete choice experiment online in 2016. Each subject completed 20 choice scenarios in a hypothetical convenience store setting where subjects chose between seven SSB and non-SSB beverage options or a no beverage option. Beverage prices and volumes varied between scenarios. Half of participants (n = 1012) were randomly exposed to an educational poster discouraging SSB consumption prior to completing choice scenarios. We used discrete choice models to predict purchases under several policy proposals, overall and for income and SSB consumption frequency sub-groups. Compared to baseline prices, a 10% SSB price increase was predicted to reduce SSB purchases by 15.0% [95%CI -15.2, -14.7], and increase purchases of non-SSBs by +11.0% [95%CI 10.8, 11.2] and no beverage by +15.5% [95%CI 15.1, 15.9]. Effects were greater with a 20% SSB price increase. Across all policy scenarios, the highest income quintile had a similar absolute and slightly greater relative decrease in SSB purchases compared to the lowest quintile. Educational poster exposure reduced SSB choice for all groups, with a greater reduction in the lower compared to higher income group, and additively increased response to price changes. Our results support the use of population-wide SSB pricing and educational interventions to reduce demand across all income groups.This research was funded by a Monash University Faculty of Businessand Economics Interdisciplinary Grant. MB is supported by an AustralianGovernment Research Training Program Scholarship and a MonashUniversity Departmental Scholarship. KB is supported by a post-doctoralfellowship from the National Heart Foundation of Australia (grant numberPH 12 M 6824). AP is supported by a National Health and Medical ResearchCouncil (NHMRC) fellowship. EL is supported by an Australian ResearchCouncil (ARC) fellowship (grant number DE140101260

Using Decision Analysis to Improve Malaria Control Policy Making

Malaria and other vector-borne diseases represent a significant and growing burden in many tropical countries. Successfully addressing these threats will require policies that expand access to and use of existing control methods, such as insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) and artemesinin combination therapies (ACTs) for malaria, while weighing the costs and benefits of alternative approaches over time. This paper argues that decision analysis provides a valuable framework for formulating such policies and combating the emergence and re-emergence of malaria and other diseases. We outline five challenges that policy makers and practitioners face in the struggle against malaria, and demonstrate how decision analysis can help to address and overcome these challenges. A prototype decision analysis framework for malaria control in Tanzania is presented, highlighting the key components that a decision support tool should include. Developing and applying such a framework can promote stronger and more effective linkages between research and policy, ultimately helping to reduce the burden of malaria and other vector-borne diseases

Alfabetização financeira sob a perspectiva da mulher tijucana

Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso (Graduação)A educação financeira é essencial para uma boa qualidade de vida de um indivíduo, ela está presente no dia a dia das pessoas, auxiliando na gestão consciente do dinheiro. Apesar de sua importância, os níveis de educação financeira são baixos em todo o mundo. A presente pesquisa buscou analisar, o nível de alfabetização financeira das mulheres tijucanas, e se este tem relação com as variáveis demográficas e socioeconômicas. A amostra consiste em 382 mulheres residentes em Ituiutaba-MG, e a análise de dados foi realizada por meio de estatísticas descritivas. Utilizando como indicador de nível de alfabetização financeira os três construtos proposto pela OECD - Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development / International Network on Financial Education: atitude financeira, comportamento financeiro e conhecimento financeiro. Foram estimados modelos logit e probit com as seguintes variáveis explicativas: estado civil, dependentes, ocupação, idade, escolaridade, renda. Os resultados obtidos, afirmam que grande parte das mulheres tijucanas, podem ser consideradas como detentoras de alto nível de conhecimento financeiro. Entretanto, as variáveis, estado civil, dependentes, nível de escolaridade e renda, possuem influência sobre os níveis de alfabetização financeira feminina. Resumidamente, pode-se dizer que as mulheres mais propensas a pertencer ao grupo com baixos níveis financeiros, são as mulheres com dependentes, com baixo nível de escolaridade e de renda. Diante deste contexto, devem ser desenvolvidas ações que visem melhorar a alfabetização financeira feminina, focando nos grupos demográficos que apresentam maiores deficiências

Changing the Habitat at Academic Conferences: Using a Learning Ecosystem with Active Learning During a Panel Presentation

Abstract In order to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of an active learning event during a panel presentation at an academic conference, Mercer University librarians presenting at the Georgia Libraries Conference switched the traditional way panel presentations are modeled. Instead of the question and answer session following a brief overview of the presentation, we moved our physical position in the room, closer to the participants in order to have a more intimate conversation with attendees. Using two active learning techniques, discussion and brainstorming, the presenters started a conversation with attendees about project ideas involving teaching faculty members, librarians, and students and how this type of learning ecosystem would work or already works at their institutions. Though each librarian in the discussion and brainstorming session varied in approach and their types of projects, the model of the ecosystem remained consistent. Our team of librarians then proceeded to test whether or not an active learning event could take place during our presentation

Association between physical activity and body fat percentage, with adjustment for BMI:a large cross-sectional analysis of UK Biobank

Objectives The objective of this study was to examine if, in the general population, physically active adults have less body fat after taking body mass index (BMI) into account. Design A cross-sectional analysis of participants recruited into UK Biobank in 2006–2010. Setting UK Biobank assessment centres throughout the UK. Participants 119 230 men and 140 578 women aged 40–69 years, with complete physical activity information, and without a self-reported long-term illness, disability or infirmity. Exposures Physical activity measured as excess metabolic equivalent (MET)-hours per week, estimated from a combination of walking, and moderate and vigorous physical activity. BMI from measured height and weight. Main outcome measure Body fat percentage estimated from bioimpedance. Results BMI and body fat percentage were highly correlated (r=0.85 in women; r=0.79 in men), and both were inversely associated with physical activity. Compared with <5 excess MET-hours/week at baseline, ≥100 excess MET-hours/week were associated with a 1.1 kg/m2 lower BMI (27.1 vs 28.2 kg/m2) and 2.8 percentage points lower body fat (23.4% vs 26.3%) in men, and 2.2 kg/m2 lower BMI (25.6 vs 27.7 kg/m2) and 4.0 percentage points lower body fat (33.9% vs 37.9%) in women. For a given BMI, greater physical activity was associated with lower average body fat percentage (for a BMI of 22.5–24.99 kg/m2: 2.0 (95% CI 1.8 to 2.2), percentage points lower body fat in men and 1.8 (95% CI 1.6 to 2.0) percentage points lower body fat in women, comparing ≥100 excess MET-hours per week with <5 excess MET-hours/week). Conclusions In this sample of middle-aged adults, drawn from the general population, physical activity was inversely associated with BMI and body fat percentage. For people with the same BMI, those who were more active had a lower body fat percentage