L'immagine dell'anziano nella pubblicità dagli anni '60 ad oggi. Indagine sulle percezioni e le opinioni di un collettivo di anziani.

L’obiettivo del presente lavoro di tesi è analizzare come è cambiato, dagli anni ‘60 ad oggi, il modo di rappresentare gli anziani nella pubblicità, capire come e se gli anziani di oggi percepiscono questo cambiamento, e se si riconoscono e apprezzano il tipo di immagine che veniva o che viene correntemente proposta per rappresentarli nei diversi contesti di consumo

Exploring Mindfulness as a Culturally Sensitive Intervention for the Deaf Community

Mental health issues are as prevalent in the deaf community as the hearing community, if not more. Yet, Deaf individuals are often treated by mental health professionals less frequently and less effectively. Many systemic barriers exist that influence the lack of services provided to the Deaf community, primarily related to a lack of cultural understanding rooted in perceptions of Deaf individuals. However, the Deaf community may be best understood as a cultural minority, a unique community sharing a distinct culture, history, and language. This paper investigates the effects of systematic barriers and cultural misunderstanding among mental health professions regarding the Deaf community, explores the historical and current mental health problems Deaf individuals most commonly struggle with, and proposes a potential culturally sensitive intervention for the Deaf community based on these factors. To examine these issues, the author conducted a thorough review of Deaf cultural history and values, as well as a review of peer-reviewed articles regarding both Deaf mental health and mindfulness outcome studies. Based on this review, mindfulness may be an effective, culturally sensitive intervention that addresses both cultural and psychological components while working with the Deaf population

Disconnected cerebral hemispheres after callosotomy: A disconnected mind?

openThe term ‘split-brain’ patient (or simply, split-brain) typically refers to a patient whose brain has been surgically treated in order to resect one or more major commissures interconnecting homologous cortical regions of the two cerebral hemispheres. The aim of the present thesis is to describe the reasons this surgery is carried out and, more importantly, the cognitive consequences of isolating the two cortical hemispheres in an adult brain. Starting with the description of the neurological disease termed epilepsy, the focus is set on a particular surgery, known as commissurotomy, which is performed as treatment for epilepsy that are resistant to pharmacological treatment. The description of the surgery, that consists in the resection of part of the corpus callosum, lead to an overview of the structures that surrounds the corpus callosum and of the anatomy of this part of the adult brain. Then the consequences of this surgery are addressed, and the iatrogenic symptoms are described and explained, outlining a new functional view to the brain anatomy. Considering the impact of the surgery from a psychological perspective, the possibility of existence of two separate consciousness is addressed. One of the main discussions is on “how the brain can recover some lost functionalities” that lead to three great hypotheses taking in account: strengthening of subcortical connections, internal cueing, and external cueing. The thesis concludes illustrating critically a subset of answers that populated the literature in the recent past

Initial development and validation of a dimensional classification system for the emotional disorders

Problems with the current categorical approach to classification used by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) have led to proposals that classify the emotional disorders (EDs; anxiety and mood disorders) using a dimensional-categorical system based on shared ED vulnerabilities and phenotypes. Such profile-based approaches have yet to be empirically evaluated, in part because a single multidimensional assessment of shared ED vulnerabilities and phenotypes amenable to profile-based classification has not been developed. The present studies aimed to provide an initial examination of a categorical-dimensional approach to ED classification (Study 1) as well as develop and evaluate a multidimensional self-report assessment of shared ED vulnerabilities and phenotypes (the Multidimensional Emotional Disorder Inventory [MEDI], Study 2). The samples consisted of 1,218 (Study 1) and 227 (Study 2) participants who presented for assessment and treatment at an outpatient ED treatment center. All participants were assessed using a semi-structured ED interview and a set of ED self-report questionnaires. The MEDI was completed only by the participants in Study 2. Study 1 used mixture modeling to identify six unobserved groups (classes) of individuals sharing similar profiles across seven dimensional ED vulnerability and phenotype indicators. The external validity of the profiles was supported when related ED covariates were added to the solution. The incremental validity of the profiles was supported using hierarchical regression models; the profiles accounted for unique variance in ED outcomes beyond DSM diagnoses. In Study 2, exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) and confirmatory factor analysis were used to evaluate the factor structure of the MEDI. ESEM supported an eight-factor solution of a 47-item version of the MEDI. Differential magnitude of correlation analyses supported the convergent/discriminant validity of seven of the eight MEDI scales. A five-class (profile) solution, consistent with Study 1, was found when mixture modeling was applied to the MEDI scales. Collectively, the present studies provide compelling evidence in support of the development and utility of a hybrid dimensional-categorical profile approach to emotional disorder classification using multidimensional self-report assessment methods such as the MEDI

Systems, methods and devices for treating tinnitus

Systems, methods and devices for paired training include timing controls so that training and neural stimulation can be provided simultaneously. Paired trainings may include therapies, rehabilitation and performance enhancement training. Stimulations of nerves such as the vagus nerve that affect subcortical regions such as the nucleus basalis, locus coeruleus or amygdala induce plasticity in the brain, enhancing the effects of a variety of therapies, such as those used to treat tinnitus, stroke, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.Board of Regents, University of Texas Syste

Timing control for paired plasticity

Systems, methods and devices for paired training include timing controls so that training and neural stimulation can be provided simultaneously. Paired trainings may include therapies, rehabilitation and performance enhancement training. Stimulations of nerves such as the vagus nerve that affect subcortical regions such as the nucleus basalis, locus coeruleus or amygdala induce plasticity in the brain, enhancing the effects of a variety of therapies, such as those used to treat tinnitus, stroke, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.Board of Regents, University of Texas Syste

Biomimetic Strategies to Develop Bioactive Scaffolds for Myocardial Tissue Engineering

The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the results of the research activity carried out in our laboratories, over the last 10 years, in relation to the development of strategies for the production of biomimetic and bioactive scaffolds for myocardial tissue engineering. Biomimetic and bioactive polymeric scaffolds for cardiac regeneration were designed and manufactured in our laboratories and their morphological, physicochemical, mechanical and biological properties were investigated by different techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy, infrared chemical imaging, swelling test, in vitro degradation assessment, dynamic mechanical analysis, in vitro and in vivo biological tests. Biomimetic scaffolds, able to favor tissue regeneration by mimicking nature, were engineered by different strategies, comprising: (i) the imitation of the composition and interactions among components of the natural extracellular matrix (ECM), by mixing of proteins and polysaccharides; (ii) the material surface modification, using both traditional and innovative techniques, such as molecular imprinting; (iii) the incorporation and release of specific active agents and (iv) the production of scaffolds with a microarchitecture similar to that of native ECM. All the developed strategies were found to be effective in creating materials able to influence cellular behavior and therefore to favor the process of new tissue formation. In particular, the approach based on the combination of different strategies aimed at creating a system capable of communicating with the cells and promoting specific cellular responses, as the ECM does, has appeared particularly promising, in view to favor the formation of a tissue equivalent to the cardiac one

Microfluidic Fabrication of Natural Polymer-Based Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications: A Review

Natural polymers, thanks to their intrinsic biocompatibility and biomimicry, have been largely investigated as scaffold materials for tissue engineering applications. Traditional scaffold fabrication methods present several limitations, such as the use of organic solvents, the obtainment of a non-homogeneous structure, the variability in pore size and the lack of pore interconnectivity. These drawbacks can be overcome using innovative and more advanced production techniques based on the use of microfluidic platforms. Droplet microfluidics and microfluidic spinning techniques have recently found applications in the field of tissue engineering to produce microparticles and microfibers that can be used as scaffolds or as building blocks for three-dimensional structures. Compared to standard fabrication technologies, microfluidics-based ones offer several advantages, such as the possibility of obtaining particles and fibers with uniform dimensions. Thus, scaffolds with extremely precise geometry, pore distribution, pore interconnectivity and a uniform pores size can be obtained. Microfluidics can also represent a cheaper manufacturing technique. In this review, the microfluidic fabrication of microparticles, microfibers and three-dimensional scaffolds based on natural polymers will be illustrated. An overview of their applications in different tissue engineering fields will also be provided

Selection for Self-Fertility and Self-Fertility in Alfalfa as a Tool for Breeding Strategy Assessment

Cultivar development in alfalfa relies on heterosis, that has been mainly exploited by intercrossing selected clones from diverse gemplasm sources; an alternative way was proposed, based on developing double cross cultivars obtained by crossing clones selected for self-sterility, propagated by somatic seed. A different breeding strategy was recently emphasized based on population improvement through inbreeding and recurrent selection; in this case, self-sterility would be selected against. If self-sterility is determined by genetic load, the second strategy should be preferred, and selecting for self-fertility may bring about positive correlated responses for forage yield. Divergent selection for self-fertility was applied in a central Italian alfalfa landrace to test this hypothesis. Ten self-fertile and ten self-sterile plants were selected and hand-crossed without emasculation in a n(n-1) diallel; seeds of reciprocal crosses were pooled, obtaining 45 full-sib families per fertility group. Ten plants per family were evaluated for self-fertility. Selection was effective for self-fertility (h2 R=0.52), but not for self-sterility, a result expected if self-sterility is determined by genetic load. The forage yield of self-fertile progenies was 135% of the unselected control and 123% of the self-sterile progenies in a dense stand trial (first cut, seedling year), indicating that selection for self-fertility could be a tool for population improvement

A Molecular Study of Alfalfa Megasporogenesis

Our ability to control plant reproduction impacts on both seed production and plant breeding. A female sterility mutation was previously described (Rosellini et al., 1998; 2003) revealing a female-specific arrest of sporogenesis associated with ectopic, massive callose deposition within the nucellus. The goal of this study is to isolate and characterize genes involved in megasporogenesis and female sterility in alfalfa