An Exploration of Italian Social Services

Special Studies Experience, Summer 2016 -- Tuscany, Italy -- Partner Agencie(s): Santa Rita; Caritas; Gruppo Giovani e Communita Lucca; Villa Marene; Villa Marene; Gruppo Pediatricohttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134349/1/Poster_Ricards.pd

Influence of the edge quality to the water sorption of remote laser and mechanically cut carbon fibre reinforced polymer

The processing of carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP) is complex due to the heterogeneous material structure and the hard and brittle fibres. For the creation of the final contour during component manufacture, the trimming of semi-finished products is necessary. For these processing steps, multiple cutting processes are available. Depending on the chosen process, the structure of the edges can show considerable differences [1]. Reference [2] proves that the surface condition of CFRP influences the diffusivity, maximum moisture content and concentration. The cutting edge forms part of the component surface.The aim of the present study is an evaluation of the influence of the cutting edge condition on the moisture uptake of CFRP. A systematic analysis of the water sorption behaviour of CFRP with edges generated with thermal remote laser and mechanical processing technologies was performed. Also, the effect of edge sealing was considered. Depending on the applied process, differences in the moisture uptake of CFRP could be shown. Several remote laser cut samples with a distinct heat-affected zone (HAZ) absorbed water rapidly. Thermally exposed fibre ends may form capillaries. By choosing suitable laser processing parameters or edge sealing, this effect could be avoided, resulting in inconspicuous water sorption behaviour

Typology and characteristics of indigenous goats and production systems in different agro-ecological zones of Tanzania

Tanzania has a goat population of about 24.8 million most of which belong to the Small East African breed distributed in almost all agro-ecological zones. The different goat populations and the production system in which they are raised are not well characterized depriving animal breeders useful information in designing and running improvement and conservation programs. Therefore, the study was conducted in all agro-ecological zones in Tanzania to characterize the indigenous goats and the production system in which they are raised. Data on animals were collected from 688 randomly selected adult female goats and for production system description; 220 households were interviewed. Analysis of variance and discriminant analysis were used on quantitative data, while frequency analysis was used on qualitative data. Income generation and meat production were the primary goat rearing objectives. More than 55% of respondents grazed their animals freely in communal lands where natural pasture was the chief feed resource. Mating was mainly uncontrolled with apron and castration being used by goat keepers as mating control methods. Common diseases were contagious caprine pleural pneumonia and helminthiasis. Feed shortage, prevalence of diseases, and water scarcity were the major goat production constraints. There were morphological variations between and within these goat populations, and based on quantitative data, the goats were categorized into two groups. High twinning was observed in Ujiji and Lindi goats and low for Sukuma. The dominant coat color was plain white in Pare, Gogo, Maasai, and Tanga. Other coat color patterns were mixed black and white for Sukuma, reddish-brown for Lindi, black and reddish-brown for Ujiji, and white and reddish-brown for Pwani and Maasai. High within population variation is observed which is important as it can be used as a basis for genetic improvement through selection

QEEG as a Novel Parameter of Neuroplasticity in Elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to change structurally and functionally in compensation for changes related to age or disease. In elderly people, the most common neuroplasticity problem is mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI is a syndrome defined as a decrease in cognitive function that is not appropriate for a person's age and educational level. One way to minimize the progress of deterioration in MCI is by doing physical exercise, such as walking. In this study, participants did physical activity by walking at least 4000 steps/day for 3 months. Cognitive function was measured by brain wave parameters with Quantitative Electroencephalography (QEEG). Electroencephalography (EEG) signals were recorded before and after the intervention. The EEG results showed that the QEEG wave parameters after the intervention increased in the alpha frequency band and decreased in the delta frequency band

QEEG as a Novel Parameter of Neuroplasticity in Elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment

Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to change structurally and functionally in compensation for changes related to age or disease. In elderly people, the most common neuroplasticity problem is mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI is a syndrome defined as a decrease in cognitive function that is not appropriate for a person's age and educational level. One way to minimize the progress of deterioration in MCI is by doing physical exercise, such as walking. In this study, participants did physical activity by walking at least 4000 steps/day for 3 months. Cognitive function was measured by brain wave parameters with Quantitative Electroencephalography (QEEG). Electroencephalography (EEG) signals were recorded before and after the intervention. The EEG results showed that the QEEG wave parameters after the intervention increased in the alpha frequency band and decreased in the delta frequency band.

Exploring the Relationship between Diet and TV, Computer and Video Game Use in a Group of Canadian Children

Increased screen-time has been linked to unhealthy dietary practices but most studies have looked primarily at television viewing or an amalgam. Therefore the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between specific screen-time (TV, computer, video game) and a selection of healthy dietary intake measures (calories, carbohydrate, fat, sugar, fruit, vegetables, fibre and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB)) in a group of Canadian children. We used single day sedentary and dietary recalls to assess sedentary behaviour and diet in 1423 children (9.90 (0.58) y; 737 girls, 686 boys) from the Action Schools! BC Dissemination study. Correlations and multiple regression analyses were used to explore sedentary behaviour-diet relationships. TV and video game use were correlated with higher calories, fat, sugar and SSB consumption (r = 0.07 to 0.09; p <.01) and lower fibre intake (r = -0.05 to -0.06; p <.05). TV use was also correlated with lower fruit and vegetable intake. Regression analyses showed that when controlling for other variables, only TV and video game use predicted sugar and SSB consumption (β =.06 to.08; p <.05). Computer use was correlated with calories but did not significantly predict any of the measures of dietary intake. Although screen time was significantly associated with less healthy eating profiles, it did not account for much variance in dietary behaviour of these children

Dietary methionine source alters the lipidome in the small intestinal epithelium of pigs

Methionine (Met) as an essential amino acid has key importance in a variety of metabolic pathways. This study investigated the influence of three dietary Met supplements (0.21% L-Met, 0.21% DL-Met and 0.31% DL-2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio)butanoic acid (DL-HMTBA)) on the metabolome and inflammatory status in the small intestine of pigs. Epithelia from duodenum, proximal jejunum, middle jejunum and ileum were subjected to metabolomics analysis and qRT-PCR of caspase 1, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), interleukins IL1β, IL8, IL18, and transforming growth factor TGFβ. Principal component analysis of the intraepithelial metabolome revealed strong clustering of samples by intestinal segment but not by dietary treatment. However, pathway enrichment analysis revealed that after L-Met supplementation polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and tocopherol metabolites were lower across small intestinal segments, whereas monohydroxy fatty acids were increased in distal small intestine. Pigs supplemented with DL-HMTBA showed a pronounced shift of secondary bile acids (BA) and sphingosine metabolites from middle jejunum to ileum. In the amino acid super pathway, only histidine metabolism tended to be altered in DL-Met-supplemented pigs. Diet did not affect the expression of inflammation-related genes. These findings suggest that dietary supplementation of young pigs with different Met sources selectively alters lipid metabolism without consequences for inflammatory status

Recognition of dileucine-based sorting signals from HIV-1 Nef and LIMP-II by the AP-1 γ–σ1 and AP-3 δ–σ3 hemicomplexes

The sorting of transmembrane proteins to endosomes and lysosomes is mediated by signals present in the cytosolic tails of the proteins. A subset of these signals conform to the [DE]XXXL[LI] consensus motif and mediate sorting via interactions with heterotetrameric adaptor protein (AP) complexes. However, the identity of the AP subunits that recognize these signals remains controversial. We have used a yeast three-hybrid assay to demonstrate that [DE]XXXL[LI]-type signals from the human immunodeficiency virus negative factor protein and the lysosomal integral membrane protein II interact with combinations of the γ and σ1 subunits of AP-1 and the δ and σ3 subunits of AP-3, but not the analogous combinations of AP-2 and AP-4 subunits. The sequence requirements for these interactions are similar to those for binding to the whole AP complexes in vitro and for function of the signals in vivo. These observations reveal a novel mode of recognition of sorting signals involving the γ/δ and σ subunits of AP-1 and AP-3

Effects of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Treatment for 2 Months, 4 Months and 6 Months on Total Protein, Albumin, Globulin, 1gG & 1gM in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Infected Participants

This present study was designed to determine the effect of pulmonary tuberculosis treatment for 2 months, 4 months and 6 months on total protein, albumin, globulin, IgG and IgM in pulmonary tuberculosis infected participants in Anambra State, Nigeria. A total of 220 pulmonary tuberculosis infected subjects aged 18 – 60 were recruited for the study. After informed consent and ethical approval, blood samples were collected for analysis. Serum proteins were assayed using biuret method. IgG and IgM were assayed using turbidimetric method. Tuberculosis diagnosis was also carried out using Ziehl Neelsen technique. The result showed that the mean ±SD concentration of total protein (g/dl), globulin (g/dl), IgG (mg/dl) and IgM (mg/dl) were significantly higher in tuberculosis infected participants compared (in each case) with the control subjects, 2 months, 4 months and 6 months treatment subjects (P<0.05). The mean ±SD albumin concentration was significantly lower in tuberculosis infected participants compared in each case with the control subjects (P<0.05). The present study showed increase total protein, globulin, 1gG and 1gM in pulmonary tuberculosis infection. The serum concentration of these parameters returned to normal as patients undergo treatment. Therefore we recommend that total protein, albumin, globulin, 1gG and 1gM should be considered as one of the baseline test for tuberculosis infection. Keywords: Pulmonary tuberculosis, total protein, albumin, globulin, 1gG, 1gM