161 research outputs found
Role of dietary phytochemical intake in cardiometabolic health.
No full textBackground: Cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide, with
cardiovascular diseases (CVD) at the top, responsible for 20.5 million deaths yearly. The epidemiological
transition faced by low and middle-income countries has raised the burden of
CMDs due to dietary changes, physical activity reductions, and high urbanization rates, while
in high-income countries, CMDs mainly affect populations of low socioeconomic status. Promoting
and adhering to high-quality diets have been considered effective measures to reduce
the burden of CMDs. Plant-based diets (PBD) have been associated with reduced cardiometabolic
risk factors (CRFs) and lower risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS), probably via phytochemical
interactions. However, dietary phytochemical content estimation is challenging as it
relies mainly on linking food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) to food composition databases
including phytochemicals, which is not always feasible due to high costs or accuracy as many
databases are outdated or incomplete. Therefore, an update on the bioactive compound's
composition of phytochemical-rich foods (PRFs) and using dietary indices that allow a practical
way to assess dietary phytochemical intake from these foods is warranted.
Aims: This thesis aims to increase the understanding of food's phytochemical composition and
explore the impact of total dietary phytochemical intake on cardiometabolic health as a potential
marker of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Specific aims were 1) to systematically review
and evaluate the nutrient and bioactive composition of Raphanus sativus (Radish) and report
the concentration of its bioactive components for the first time; 2) to systematically review
studies evaluating the presence and levels of nutrients and bioactive components in Swiss
chard; 3) to explore the association between Dietary Phytochemical Index (DPI) and CRFs and
MetS in a population-based study of middle age participants living in Switzerland, and 4) to
study the relation between DPI and CVD incidence, CVD mortality, and all-cause mortality in
a population-based cohort of middle age participants living in Switzerland.
Methods: The methods applied in the articles comprising this thesis are as follows: 1) and 2)
the available evidence on the nutrient and bioactive composition of Radish and Swiss chard
was systematically assessed. Four databases were searched for articles assessing the chemical
composition of Radish. Two independent reviewers screened selected articles and extracted
data; 3) A cross-sectional analysis of 2009-2012 data of the Colaus cohort study in Lausanne,
Switzerland, including 3879 participants. Dietary intake was assessed via a validated FFQ. DPI
was calculated as the total energy intake percentage obtained from PRFs consumption and
assessed as quartiles. Associations were determined using multivariable linear and logistic regression
for CRFs and MetS, respectively, and 4) A prospective analysis from a cohort study
conducted between April 2009 and April 2021 in Lausanne, Switzerland, including 3721 participants
exempt from CVD at baseline applying Cox-regression. Dietary intake was assessed
using a self-reportedFFQ. DPI and healthy dietary phytochemical index (hDPI) were calculated
as the total energy intake percentage obtained from phytochemical-rich foods consumption. As PBD are rich in phytochemicals, a healthy plant-based diet index (hPBD) was also estimated,
where healthy plant foods received positive scores, and less-healthy plant foods received negative
scores. Incident CVD, all-cause, and CVD-related mortality were the assessed outcomes.
Results: the analyses carried out in this doctoral thesis yielded the following results: 1) I identified
609 phytochemicals in Radish, with major constituents like flavonoids, nonflavonoid polyphenols,
fat and fatty-related compounds, terpenes, and derivatives, and glucosinolates being
reported in high concentrations in leaves and sprouts. However, this composition depends
on the radish variety and cultivar. Most of my findings are based on red, black, and white
radishes; 2) I identified 192 compounds. The most common chemicals reported in the literature
are betalains, fatty acids, flavonoids, minerals, non-flavonoid phenols, and terpenes.
However, most of my findings are based mainly on leaves of the cicla variety. I also identified
a lack of research using other parts of the plants, like stems/stalks/petioles and seeds, and for
compounds other than minerals, phenolics, and flavonoids; 3) In a middle-aged Swiss population,
DPI is inversely associated with waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), insulin, leptin,
and high-sensibility C reactive protein. Participants in the highest DPI quartile had lower
odds of central obesity. No other significant associations were observed, and 4) Besides a 30%
lower risk of CVD incidence for participants in the second tertile of hDPI that did not reach a
significative p-trend, no other associations were observed between hDPI, DPI, and hPBD and
incident CVD, CVD-related and all-cause mortality.
Conclusions: Through this doctoral thesis, I contributed to the role of dietary phytochemical
intake in cardiometabolic health. First, I concluded that Radish is a source of nutrients and
phytochemicals, particularly proteins, glucosinolates, flavonoids, β-carotene, and minerals.
Many of these phytochemicals are highly concentrated in leaves and sprouts; second, I found
that Swiss chard can be considered a good source of fiber, betalains, flavonoids, b-carotene,
vitamin K, and minerals like potassium and magnesium. Radish and Swiss chard should be
considered part of a healthy diet rich in phytochemicals. In a Swiss population-based cohort
of middle age participants, I discovered that third, high DPI modulates cardiometabolic health
by regulating waist circumference, BMI, insulin, leptin, and hs-CRP, as well as lowering the
odds of central obesity, particularly in women, and fourth, total phytochemical dietary intake
assessed via the hDPI, DPI, and hPBD was not associated with CVD incidence, all-cause, or
CVD-related mortality and further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to
confirm or refute these findings
Pavane-Variations for flute, violin, bass viola da gamba, cello, harpsichord
No full textPerformed on October 23, 2010 by Melomanie. Melomanie: Kimberly Reighley, flute; Christof Richter, violin; Donna Fournier, viola da gamba; Douglas McNames, cello; Tracy Richardson, harpsichord. --author-supplied desriptio
Orient-Occident dans la bande dessinée
No full textIn the essays about geopolitical discourse conveyed by the media (popular geopolitics) many texts have been analyzed to understand political space and power relations. Applying the same method, this article focuses on a set of comics mostly by Muslim authors, whose words and images are analyzed to better understand the cultural environment and the different worldviews of their authors: West-East dichotomy, the hybridization between cultures and the problems of multicultural societies such as antisemitism and islamophobia. In order to do this, two types of comics are used: first, autobiographies in which daily life in the Middle East is narrated in the first person and, secondly, adventures of superheroes with a Muslim identity. Apparently, comics may seem like ordinary entertainment products. On the contrary they also provide information on the characteristics of certain regions and denote precise geographical imaginaries. They also offer a particular perception of the political space as seen by the protagonists (whether individuals or groups) and the degree of participation or detachment of the author from the represented reality.Dans les études sur le discours géopolitique véhiculé par les médias (popular geopolitics), beaucoup de textes ont été analysés pour comprendre l’espace politique et les relations de pouvoir. En utilisant la même méthode, c’est-à-dire l’analyse de contenu (Rose, 2016), cet essai se concentrera sur des œuvres de bandes dessinées réalisées principalement par des auteurs musulmans, dont les mots et les images seront analysés pour mieux comprendre le milieu culturel et les différentes visions du monde : la dichotomie Occident-Orient, l’hybridation entre cultures et les problématiques d’une société multiculturelle telles que l’antisémitisme. Pour ce faire, deux types de bandes dessinées seront étudiés : d’abord, des autobiographies dans lesquelles la vie quotidienne au Moyen-Orient est présentée à la première personne et, ensuite, des histoires qui narrent les aventures de superhéros dont l’identité est très spécifique, notamment musulmane. Les objets analysés, à première vue, peuvent sembler des produits banals de divertissement. En réalité, ils fournissent des informations sur les caractéristiques de certaines régions intéressantes pour la géographie et décrivent des imaginaires précis. Ils offrent aussi bien une perception particulière de l’espace politique et du milieu par les protagonistes (que ce soient des individus ou des groupes) que le degré de participation ou de détachement de l’auteur par rapport à la réalité géographique relatée
Deviation as communicative strategy in Gamba la nyoka
No full textThis article deals with deviation in Euphrase Kezilahabi´s novel Gamba la Nyoka (1979). We analyse four different types of deviation, namely grammatical, lexical, phonological, and semantic deviation. The objective of this study is to combine linguistic analysis with literary riticism, in order to show how these different types of deviation correspond with the overall message the author conveys in this novel, which is a political novel dealing with the era of establishing Ujamaa policies in rural Tanzania
Decembrio, Pier Candido
No full textA leading figure of the Lombard humanism with Francesco Filelfo, Pier Candido Decembrio was a prolific, but not gifted author. He used to write to ingratiate himself with powerful figures or directly on demand of his patrons, the Visconti in Milan, the papacy, the Aragons in Naples, and the House of Este in Ferrara. His major work was an encomiastic biography of Filippo Maria Visconti, but his translations of classics, especially Plutarch, the historians, and Plato, had a fair circulation too. His renderings were similar to medieval ones, because Decembrio preferred to preserve the meaning of the original texts and not to make his prose elegant, as is clearly shown by his versions of Platonic dialogues Republic and Lysis. In spite of this, he felt free to remove some philosophical passages that were too difficult to understand or could offend moral standard
Augmenting an improvised practice on the viola da gamba
No full textThis thesis examines my improvisatory practice on the viola da gamba and its augmentation with mixed-music computer systems.
It comprises creative work and an extended written commentary and discussion.
My creative work is presented in two albums of music – solo viola da gamba improvisation, and viola da gamba and mixed-music computer systems – and supplementary recorded material.
The written commentary looks in depth at the presented creative work. I use the first, solo album to examine my improvisatory practice. To explore augmenting this practice with systems, I look in detail at my performances with gruntCount by Martin Parker, Laminate by myself and derivations by Ben Carey. Examples of these performances are presented in the second album.
Scrutiny of these three systems leads to extended discussion of the following topics:
1. Taxonomy: What are these systems? What are the characteristics they display? Do these systems fit into a standard classification scheme?
2. Ontology: Do performances with these systems instantiate musical works? What are the criteria that would help us to decide? How much of my practice is therefore underpinned by musical works?
3. Copyright: Who is responsible for the musical output with these systems? Who is a legal/musical author in such performances?
To conclude, I compare my improvisatory practice with and without systems and identify learnings arising from this research
Pieces de violle en musique et en tablature : a visão de De Machy sobre a viola da gamba
No full textOrientadora: Profa. Dra. Silvana Ruffier ScarinciCoorientação: Profa. Dra. Kristina AugustinDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Artes, Comunicação e Design, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Música. Defesa : Curitiba, 13/04/2020Inclui referências: p. 99-102Área de concentração: Musicologia Histórica/EtnomusicologiaResumo: A obra Pieces de Violle en Musique et en Tablature (1685) de De Machy foi o primeiro livro para viola da gamba solo a ser publicado na França. No prefácio (Avertissement), o autor revela a sua visão sobre a viola da gamba e especifica questões sobre o modo de tocar, ler e escrever para o instrumento. O objetivo da pesquisa é o de investigar as propostas de De Machy sobre o estilo, ensino, técnicas e ornamentação da viola da gamba solo. A publicação recebeu críticas à época, e desde a redescoberta da viola da gamba no século XX o nome de De Machy foi desconsiderado inclusive entre os gambistas. A pesquisa vem somar-se às publicações e gravações recentes que ampliam a relevância da obra de De Machy, e contribui para fomentar a pesquisa sobre a viola da gamba no Brasil. Palavras chave: De Machy. Viola da gamba. Tablatura. Pieces de Violle. Música Antiga. Performance Historicamente Informada.Abstract: The work Pieces de Violle en Musique et en Tablature (1685) by De Machy was the first book for viola da gamba solo to be published in France. In the preface (Avertissement), the author reveals his vision of the viola da gamba and specifies questions about how to play, read and write for the instrument. The aim of the research is to investigate De Machy's proposals on the style, teaching, techniques and ornamentation of the viola da gamba solo. The publication received criticism at the time, and since the rediscovery of the viola da gamba in the 20th century, the name of De Machy has been disregarded even among viol players. The research is added to the recent publications and recordings that increase the relevance of De Machy's work, and contributes to foster research on the viola da gamba in Brazil. Keywords: De Machy. Viola da gamba. Tablature. Pieces de Violle. Early Music. Historically Informed Performance
A link between transcription fidelity and pausing <em>in vivo</em>
No full text\ua9 2017 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis \ua9 2017, \ua9 Pamela Gamba, Katherine James, and Nikolay Zenkin. Pausing by RNA polymerase is a major mechanism that regulates transcription elongation but can cause conflicts with fellow RNA polymerases and other cellular machineries. Here, we summarize our recent finding that misincorporation could be a major source of transcription pausing in vivo, and discuss the role of misincorporation-induced pausing
Bayesian pooling versus sequential integration of small preclinical trials: a comparison within linear and nonlinear modeling frameworks
No full textBayesian sequential integration is an appealing approach in drug development, as it allows to recursively update posterior distributions as soon as new data become available, thus considerably reducing the computation time. However, preclinical trials are often characterized by small sample sizes, which may affect the estimation process during the first integration steps, particularly when complex PK-PD models are used. In this case, sequential integration would not be practicable, and trials should be pooled together. This work is aimed at comparing simple Bayesian pooling with sequential integration through a simulation study. The two techniques are compared under several scenarios using linear as well as nonlinear models. The results of our simulation study encourage the use of Bayesian sequential integration with linear models. However, in the case of nonlinear models several caveats arise. This paper outlines some important recommendations and precautions in that respect.La Gamba, F (corresponding author), Janssen Res & Dev, Dept Quantitat Sci, Beerse, Belgium; Hasselt Univ, Interuniv Inst Biostat & Stat Bioinformat, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
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A Survey of Historical Pedagogical Materials for the Viola da Gamba
No full textThesis (DM) – Indiana University, Music, 2025The viola da gamba, or viol—a bowed, fretted stringed instrument—first appeared near the turn of the sixteenth century and enjoyed a period of popularity through the middle of the eighteenth century. However, the viol fell out of fashion in the second half of the eighteenth century, and was mostly not a part of musical life for the next hundred years; much of its history was lost.
Due to the viol’s interrupted history, finding comprehensive sources of playing techniques and teaching materials the viola da gamba can pose a challenge; information on how to play the viol is in a scattered state. The lack of a comprehensive book of viol pedagogy is the need that this current document will try to address. It is the goal of this paper to provide the English-speaking teacher of the bass viol with a resource detailing, comparing, and contrasting the many historical (pre-1800) sources of viola da gamba pedagogy.
This paper will introduce the reader to the major historical sources of pedagogical writings on the viol, twenty-three in all. In the first section, I will present biographical information for each author; describe the history and publication information (if any) for each work; offer a general description of the contents of each work; describe its main contributions and intended audience; and detail its modern publication history and availability of an English language translation (if applicable). In the second section, I will compile and contrast the authors’ thoughts on various aspects of viol technique, including: how to position the instrument; how to carry the body; bow hold and technique; different kinds of bow strokes; bowing rules; the carriage of the left hand and arm; left hand technique; and chordal technique
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