Type 2 diabetes mellitus increases inflammation in periodontitis by promoting CD4+ T helper cell cytokine production

Periodontitis (PD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) are chronic inflammatory diseases in which the host immune system encounters changes in its T and B cell distribution and function. Both disorders are increasingly prevalent in the U.S. and while T2D is a risk factor for periodontal disease, PD can exacerbate diabetes. Previous studies have unsuccessfully attempted to determine the underlying molecular mechanism for the relationships between T2D and periodontitis. To test directly the effect of T2D on periodontitis, I quantified cytokine production by gingival immune cells from three types of subjects: healthy, periodontal disease and T2D with periodontal disease, using single cells purified via flow cytometry and assessed for function with an enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay. The cells were sorted into subtypes according to CD45+, CD4+, CD8+, CD11b+, CD19+ and/or CD56+ expression, were stimulated by PMA, ionomycin or LPS, and were aliquoted into a well of a 96-well ELISPOT plate for 36 hours. Outcomes showed that CD4+ is the predominant cell population in lymphocytes and that gingiva tissues from periodontitis/T2D group produced higher concentrations of cytokines characteristic of the Th1 T cell subset, namely IL-2, IL-10, TNF-α and IFN-γ (p<0.05, <0.001, <0.001, <0.01, respectively) compared to tissues from either healthy or periodontitis group. This work illustrates that T2D increases inflammation in periodontitis through an increase in Th1 T helper cell function

Examining the Determinants of Colorectal Cancer Screening Practices among Asian Americans.

Ph.D. Thesis. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 2017

Will Populations of Macroinvertebrate Functional Feeding Groups Survive Precipitation Changes?

Climate change is a pervasive issue that has the potential to have detrimental effects on many freshwater organisms and their habitats. Fluctuations in precipitation, changes in temperature, and other long-term shifts in weather patterns are just a few examples of the ways in which climate change is impacting the world around us (“What is Climate Change?” n.d.). The Mill River in Northampton, Massachusetts is an ideal location to measure some of these impacts on macroinvertebrates in various functional feeding groups. Macroinvertebrates are small organisms that lack an internal skeletal system, and their functional feeding groups refer to “the type of food resource that a particular species utilizes” (Stumpf et al. 2009.). A study by Kim et al. (2017) studied the effects of rainfall intensity on macroinvertebrates in a mountain stream in Korea, where summer monsoons occur frequently. After collecting data for three days, it was found that the rainfall’s intensity (more than frequency) affected the species richness and abundance of the macroinvertebrates inhabiting the stream (Kim et al. 2017). Their existence is essential in being able to understand the ecology of aquatic ecosystems, so understanding how precipitation impacts their population size is important in beginning to understand the effect of climate change on these spaces (Hauer and Resh 2017). In our study, we will specifically explore the question, “How does precipitation affect the abundance of different functional feeding groups in Mill River?

Precarious working youth and pension reform in the Republic of Korea and Italy

This paper focuses on two aspects of the welfare state: the old age pension system and the labor market, where the majority of youth are working in precarious jobs. We discuss the interplay between pension funds and the increase in young atypical workers by studying the case of Italy and the Republic of Korea, closely analyzing the projected benefit level of both standard and nonstandard workers among the youth population in Korea in order to assess where young workers will find themselves after retirement age and what Korea can learn from the case of Italy.This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (NRF-2012S1A3A2033416)

Piazza Di Ulivo: ARCE Patio Redesign

Piazza de Ulivo was Phase 1 of a multi-quarter initiative to redesign and bring life to a patio space adjacent to Engineering West (Building 21) in Spring of 2020. Located within the central courtyard of Engineering West (Hasslein Garden), the patio space previously contained a senior project pergola that collapsed and has been removed. The remaining elements from this previous structure were an inverted moment frame consisting of five concrete columns and beams joining them. Additionally, a wooden bench with concrete pedestals remained under the shade of the existing olive tree. Desire within the Architectural Engineering (ARCE) department for the patio to not remain unused inspired a redesign to address issues with flooding and olive debris, while increasing usability and comfort within the space

What is it like to teach philosophy online? Experiences and satisfaction of lecturers at german universities in the first “Corona semester”

In an online survey we conducted subsequently to the first so-called “Corona semester” we asked university lecturers in philosophy at German universities to share their experiences with digital teaching. In the questionnaire, the respondents were asked questions concerning the use of digital media in a specific course they taught and how satisfied they were with their course. We also asked them about the advantages and disadvantages of teaching philosophy online and about their assessment of whether the use of digital media is suitable for teaching philosophy. In our article, we present some of our findings based on the data and statements of 87 respondents. We identify the main factors influencing satisfaction with online teaching and point out some assumptions underlying the widespread fear that core elements might get lost by teaching philosophy online. In a second step we will discuss our findings and we will also derive recommendations from our results that may help to overcome key difficulties of teaching philosophy online

Optical Spin Initialization and Non-Destructive Measurement in a Quantum Dot Molecule

The spin of an electron in a self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dot molecule is optically prepared and measured through the trion triplet states. A longitudinal magnetic field is used to tune two of the trion states into resonance, forming a superposition state through asymmetric spin exchange. As a result, spin-flip Raman transitions can be used for optical spin initialization, while separate trion states enable cycling transitions for non-destructive measurement. With two-laser transmission spectroscopy we demonstrate both operations simultaneously, something not previously accomplished in a single quantum dot.Comment: Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. Let

Developing a scholarly approach to the evaluation of assessment practices

Purpose &ndash; The purpose of this paper is to examine and reflect on current assessment practice in a large undergraduate accounting programme delivered both in Australia and offshore, from the perspective of academics in their first semester at a &ldquo;new-to-them&rdquo; university. Design/methodology/approach &ndash; The changing higher education environment and the reality of assessment in the current context are considered, as they raise a number of important issues around assessment practice. Some of the often cited literature linking teaching, learning and assessment, including student-centred learning and Confucian heritage culture, is also discussed. A reflective approach is used where S&auml;lj&ouml;\u27s five categories of student learning are used as the basis for informed reflection of the assessment used in the &ldquo;new&rdquo; academics\u27 first semester at the university. The use of empirical evidence to test these reflections would be the next step in this scholarly approach to teaching and learning. Findings &ndash; The reflections reveal a disparity between reality and the ideal in relation to assessment practice. Issues regarding timely feedback to students and timing of assessments can result in summative assessment when it has the potential to be formative. This paper has provided an opportunity for &ldquo;new&rdquo; academics to engage with the higher education literature early in their careers. Originality/value &ndash; This paper is a resource for academics beginning to engage with the higher education literature around assessment, teaching and learning and can also be used to inform and improve the teaching and learning practices of many academics in higher education.<br /