170 research outputs found
Oral History Interview: Aliko Songolo (1348)
No full textAbstract: In his July 2013 interview with Crawford Young, Aliko Songolo details his academic journey from his father?s dream of him becoming a doctor during his childhood in eastern Congo to his prominence as a scholar of Francophone African literature at the UW-Madison from the 1990s to the late early 2010s. Songolo explains the formative influence of his multilingual upbringing, political conflict in Congo, and the experience of education in rural America. He also chronicles his efforts to teach in Africa and his ultimate move to study Francophone literature, in particular the work of Aim� C�saire. This interview was conducted for inclusion into the UW-Madison Oral History Program
Temporomandibular joint involvement in rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis
No full textThe aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) symptoms and clinical findings in Albanian patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis. The authors examined 124 consecutive hospitalized patients (88 with rheumatoid arthritis, 22 with systemic lupus erythematosus and 14 with systemic sclerosis) and 124 age- and gender-matched healthy controls using a questionnaire and an oro-facial clinical examination for assessing the presence of TMJ sounds, pain in the TMJ area, tenderness of masticatory muscles and limited mouth opening. Significantly more patients (67%) reported TMJ symptoms than controls (19%). A significantly higher proportion of patients (65%) exhibited clinical signs of temporomandibular dysfunction compared with controls (26%). The most frequent findings in rheumatoid arthritis were temporomandibular sounds and pain. Pain was found in a significantly higher proportion in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus compared with controls. Difficulty and limitation in mouth opening were observed in the majority of systemic sclerosis patients, and in only a minority of rheumatoid arthritis patients. This study supports the notion that TMJ examination should be encouraged in the rheumatology setting and clinicians should be able to provide pain management and patient support. © 2011 International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Aliko L 2400-30 levyleikkurin vaihtoehtoisen käytön toteutuksen suunnittelu
No full textTämän opinnäytetyön tavoitteena oli suunnitella järkevin tapa toteuttaa Aliko L 2400-30 levyleikkurin käyttö, haja-asutusalueella toimivan metallialan yrityksen tarpeisiin.
Työssä suunniteltiin vaihtoehtoinen levyleikkurikäytön toteutus, jossa käytetään leikkurin sähkönsyöttöön aggregaattia. Tässä yhteydessä tutkittiin tapoja rajoittaa kolmivaiheisen oikosulkumoottorin käynnistysvirtaa. Lisäksi tarkasteltiin levyleikkurin käyttöönotto- ja käyttökustannuksia sekä sähköverkkoon liitettynä että aggregaattikäyttöisenä.
Tämän työn avulla on tarkoitus päättää, miten levyleikkurikäyttö tullaan toteuttamaan.The purpose of this thesis was to plan the most reasonable way to use Aliko L 2400-30 metal plate cutter for the needs of a metal company located in sparsely populated area.
The main purpose of this thesis was to design an alternative implementation to use metal plate cutter while using aggregate as a power source of the cutter. In this context, ways to restrict starting current of a three phase cage induction motor were studied. Also start-up and operating costs were inspected in both implementations.
With help of this thesis, the way to implement the use of the cutter will be decided
Sentinel species selection for monitoring microplastic pollution: A review on one health approach
No full textNowadays, global environmental pollution is one of the most topical issues we have to deal with on a daily basis. Due to the development of the current society including industrial and agricultural areas, pollution and waste have increased dramatically in recent years. Among all contaminants spread worldwide, the increased use of plastic is probably the most evident. Nevertheless, plastic objects which are released into environmental compartments are processed into smaller units of plastic debris, defined, based on their dimensions, as micro- (MP) and nano-plastics (NP). These particles are classified as some of the most hazardous current micro-pollutants. The use of model organisms as bioindicators is one of the most effective ways to monitor and assess the occurrence of plastic particles in the environment.This review aims to provide comprehensive knowledge about the behaviour and the effects of MP/NPs particles on animals, humans, and the environment through the “One Health” concept, which provides an innovative and suitable perspective focused on the intersection of the above-mentioned three areas. Moreover, the key point is the evaluation of the most efficient bioindicators for monitoring microplastic pollution in environmental compartments, in order to better understand the importance of being more eco-friendly through the reduction of plastics objects.Whereas the earth is composed of about 70% water, a special focus is placed on aquatic ecosystems and the relative bioindicators. In addition, this collection of information highlights a common issue that requires awareness, prevention, and solutions to take care of global environments
Results of a tuberculin skin testing survey in Albania
No full textIntroduction: Tuberculosis affected about 8.5 million patients in 2011. Numerous efforts are needed to reduce the pool of individuals with latent TB infection (LTBI). The aim of the study was to describe a tuberculin skin testing (TST) survey carried out in Albania to estimate the LTBI burden; furthermore, knowledge of TB was evaluated through an ad hoc questionnaire. Methodology: A TST survey was performed in three geographical districts of Albania: Tirana-Kamez, Vlora, and Dibra. Cluster sampling was carried out of young Albanian students. In addition, the same students were given a questionnaire to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and any misconceptions about TB. The mean (standard deviation) age of the individuals, according to their educational level, was the following: grade five, 11.03 (0.18) years; grade six, 12.02 (0.17) years; and grade seven, 13.02 (0.16) years. Results: The TST induration size was read in 4,648 students. About 5.0% showed a reaction >5 mm, with a significant variability in the districts selected (12.1% in the district of Dibra). An induration diameter >15 mm was found mainly in those areas with high TB incidence (i.e., Tirana-Kamez and Dibra). About 13% of the students had no knowledge of TB. Conclusion: LTBI prevalent cases are estimated to be low in Albania, although there are areas where the TB management should be improved to reduce the probability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission. The level of knowledge about TB disease is inadequate and new public health strategies should be implemented, focusing on educational TV programs
Murals and Graffiti in Ruins: What Does the Art from the Aliko Hotel on Naxos Tell Us?
No full textThis manuscript investigates the cultural and educational dimensions of murals and graffiti in the ruins of the Aliko Hotel on Naxos Island. Moving beyond their aesthetic value, these artworks are examined as conduits for complex sociocultural and educational discourses. Employing semiotic analysis, particularly informed by Roland Barthes’ conceptual framework, the study offers a multi-layered interpretation of the significance of street art. A systematic approach guided the empirical data collection, entailing the careful selection and categorisation of 76 photographs, eventually honed down to 21 key images for detailed analysis. This set, comprising 6 murals and 15 graffiti pieces, was subjected to meticulous examination to discern both dominant themes and motifs (‘studium’) and the elements evoking personal connections (‘punktum’), thereby facilitating emotional and intellectual engagement. The methodology of the study is tailored to uncover the collective narratives encapsulated within these visual forms, as well as the individual responses they provoke. It probes how personal interpretations are influenced by the viewers’ beliefs and backgrounds, thereby expanding the semiotic analysis to encompass both shared and individual meanings. This balanced analytical approach deepens the understanding of visual expressions as dynamic interactions between the artwork and its audience. It underscores the transformative role of street art in urban environments and its contribution to public art discourse. The impending demolition of the Hotel Aliko ruins underscores the ephemeral nature of street art. The murals and graffiti, as transient custodians of cultural and social narratives, accentuate the fragile nature of this cultural heritage. This critical moment underscores the importance of documenting and preserving such art forms and the stories they encapsulate, highlighting their significant role in shaping community identity and cultural education
Identification and characterisation of crustacean hyperglycaemic hormone (CHH) from Mediterranean shore crab Carcinus aestuarii
No full textCrustacean hyperglycaemic hormone (CHH) is a neuropeptide that was originally identified in the X-organ/sinus gland
complex of the eyestalks (ESs) incrustaceans. Several CHH isoforms and spliced variants were later identified in other tissues, and
their functions have still not been completely unveiled. In this study,the identification and characterisation of the conventional CHH
prepropeptide from the ESs of the littoral crab, Carcinus aestuarii, via rapid amplification of cDNA ends was reported.The identified
CHH resulted in a coding sequence of 429 bp, an estimatedprotein of 142 aa with a signal peptide of 26 aa, followed by a CHH precursorrelated
peptide of 40 aa and a mature peptide of 72 aa. The amino acid sequence of C.aestuarii CHH was also compared, by similarity,
with CHHs from Brachyura infraorder, which showed the highest similarity (98.6%) to the CHH peptide from Carcinus maenas.
None of CHH members were reported from this species and being proved by several studies that CHH is produced also during stress
conditions, the identification of the full length of the CHH in C. aestuarii opens a new wayin the possibly of studying stress response in
Mediterranean shore crab by monitoring of the neuropeptide expression
Human papillomaviruses in oral carcinoma and oral potentially malignant disorders: a systematic review
No full textHuman papillomavirus (HPV) in oral carcinoma (OSCC) and potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) is controversial. The primary aim was to calculate pooled risk estimates for the association of HPV with OSCC and OPMD when compared with healthy oral mucosa as controls. We also examined the effects of sampling techniques on HPV detection rates. Methods: Systematic review was performed using PubMed (January 1966-September 2010) and EMBASE (January 1990-September 2010). Eligible studies included randomized controlled, cohort and cross-sectional studies. Pooled data were analysed by calculating odds ratios, using a random effects model. Risk of bias was based on characteristics of study group, appropriateness of the control group and prospective design. Results: Of the 1121 publications identified, 39 cross-sectional studies met the inclusion criteria. Collectively, 1885 cases and 2248 controls of OSCC and 956 cases and 675 controls of OPMD were available for analysis. Significant association was found between pooled HPV-DNA detection and OSCC (OR=3.98; 95% CI: 2.62-6.02) and even for HPV16 only (OR=3.86; 95% CI: 2.16-6.86). HPV was also associated with OPMD (OR=3.87; 95% CI: 2.87-5.21). In a subgroup analysis of OPMD, HPV was also associated with oral leukoplakia (OR=4.03; 95% CI: 2.34-6.92), oral lichen planus (OR=5.12; 95% CI: 2.40-10.93), and epithelial dysplasia (OR=5.10; 95% CI: 2.03-12.80). Conclusions: The results suggest a potentially important causal association between HPV and OSCC and OPMD. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S
Environmentally relevant concentrations of triclocarban affect behaviour, learning, and brain gene expression in fish
No full textMany chemicals spilled in aquatic ecosystems can interfere with cognitive abilities and brain functions that control fitness-related behaviour. Hence, their harmful potential may be substantially underestimated. Triclo-carban (TCC), one of the most common aquatic contaminants, is known to disrupt hormonal activity, but the consequences of this action on behaviour and its underlying cognitive mechanisms are unclear. We tried to fill this knowledge gap by analysing behaviour, cognitive abilities, and brain gene expression in zebrafish larvae exposed to TCC sublethal concentrations. TCC exposure substantially decreased exploratory behaviour and response to stimulation, while it increased sociability. Additionally, TCC reduced the cognitive performance of zebrafish in a habituation learning task. In the brain of TCC-exposed zebrafish, we found upregulation of c-fos, a gene involved in neural activity, and downregulation of bdnf, a gene that influences behavioural and cognitive traits such as activity, learning, and memory. Overall, our experiments highlight consistent effects of non-lethal TCC concentrations on behaviour, cognitive abilities, and brain functioning in a teleost fish, suggesting critical fitness consequences of these compounds in aquatic ecosystems as well as the potential to affect human health
Molecular docking analysis and in vivo assessment of zinc oxide nanoparticle toxicity in zebrafish larvae
No full text: The zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) being widely employed in several industries and consumer products, are raising concerns about their safety on aquatic biota and human health. This study aims to investigate the possible toxicological effects of ZnO-NPs through a combined in vivo and in silico approach. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to several ZnO-NPs concentrations and morphological alterations and lipid peroxidation (MDA) were investigated. Furthermore, molecular docking simulations were applied to study the intermolecular interactions of ZnO-NPs against critical embryonic proteins namely zebrafish hatching enzyme1 (ZHE1) as well as the superoxide dismutase (SOD1). Treatment with ZnO-NPs resulted in an increase in MDA concentration and a decrease in antioxidant enzyme levels. Besides a significant decrease in mRNA expression of key enzymes of ROS detoxification genes, a modulation of inflammatory genes with a low downregulation of tnf-α, and an upregulation of il-1β were observed. Docking study suggests that the delayed hatching and increased cellular oxidative stress in zebrafish embryos may occur through a synergistic mechanism based on the ZnO-NP-dependent inhibition of ZHE1 and SOD1 enzymes. The integration of in vivo assessments with in silico computational modeling provided a more comprehensive evaluation of potential physiological risks in zebrafish embryos associated with nanomaterial exposure
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