Augmented Production Research Articles

Energy substrate metabolism and oxidative stress in metabolic cardiomyopathy.

Metabolic cardiomyopathy is an emerging cause of heart failure in patients with obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes. It is characterized by impaired myocardial metabolic flexibility, intramyocardial triglyceride accumulation, and lipotoxic damage in association with structural and functional alterations of the heart, unrelated to hypertension, coronary artery disease, and other cardiovascular diseases. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development and progression of metabolic cardiomyopathy. Mitochondria are the most significant sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cardiomyocytes. Disturbances in myocardial substrate metabolism induce mitochondrial adaptation and dysfunction, manifested as a mismatch between mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and the electron transport chain (ETC) activity, which facilitates ROS production within the ETC components. In addition, non-ETC sources of mitochondrial ROS, such as β-oxidation of fatty acids, may also produce a considerable quantity of ROS in metabolic cardiomyopathy. Augmented ROS production in cardiomyocytes can induce a variety of effects, including the programming of myocardial energy substrate metabolism, modulation of metabolic inflammation, redox modification of ion channels and transporters, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis, ultimately leading to the structural and functional alterations of the heart. Based on the above mechanistic views, the present review summarizes the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying metabolic cardiomyopathy, focusing on the role of oxidative stress.

CXCR4 Promotes Bortezomib Resistance and Regulates Metabolic Reprogramming, Activating Both Glycolytic and Oxphos Pathways in Multiple Myeloma

CXCR4 overexpression in multiple myeloma (MM) correlates with aggressive features and poor prognosis. Our previous work has demonstrated that CXCR4 induces proliferation and protect MM cells from drug-induced apoptosis. In the current study we addressed the role of CXCR4-mediated signals in MM cell metabolism and drug response, using MM cell lines with low CXCR4 versus exogenously overexpressed CXCR4, and cells with acquired resistance to bortezomib (Bort) established in our laboratory. MM cells with overexpressed CXCR4 exhibited a higher expression of numerous components of the CXCR4 signaling, including pro-survival MEK and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways, with constitutively phosphorylated AKT, pS6, and 4E-BP1 proteins. Given the role of mTOR in glycolysis regulation, elevated levels of key enzymes including HK2, LDHA1, and PDK1 were detected in cells with up-regulated CXCR4, indicating increased glycolytic activity. Importantly, CXCR4-overexpressing MM cells demonstrated reduced responsiveness to 2-DG and DCA, known inhibitors of glycolysis. In contrast to Bort-sensitive cells, CXCR4-expressing resistant cells demonstrated only transient growth inhibition rather than apoptosis in response to inhibition of glycolysis with less mitochondrial depolarization, and growth recovery, once the glycolysis inhibitors were removed. These results suggest that MM cells with high CXCR4 expression and those resistant to Bort, are less dependent on glycolysis and may activate alternative metabolic pathways that support cell adaptation and survival. Importantly, increased mitochondrial mass, enhanced mitochondrial membrane potential, and augmented ATP production were found in both CXCR4-high and Bort-resistant MM cells, suggesting that CXCR4 can induce mitochondrial fitness and associated metabolic pathways including oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in MM. In addition to energy production, OXPHOS coupled with electron transport chain (ETC) generates reactive oxygen species (ROS). Indeed, MM cells with high CXCR4 possessed elevated basal ROS levels. Notably, Bort treatment induced distinct molecular responses in CXCR4-low sensitive versus CXCR4-high Bort-resistant cells. In sensitive cells, Bort reduced AKT/mTOR activity with a concomitant decrease in mRNA levels of HK2 and LDHA, suggesting Bort to mediate an anti-glycolytic effect. In contrast, expression levels of glycolytic genes were not affected by Bort in resistant cells. Furthermore, Bort reduced ATP levels and mitochondrial polarization in sensitive cells, while increasing both in CXCR4-high resistant MM cells, therefore indicating a metabolic switch to OXPHOS in resistant cells upon Bort exposure. Analysis of molecular function profile revealed a distinct proteomic signature in purified mitochondria from MM cells with overexpressed CXCR4, and cells with acquired resistance to Bort, associated with enhanced expression of proteins involved in the metabolic processes and antioxidant activity. Thus, abundant proteins involved in respiratory activity were upregulated in CXCR4-high resistant cells, including ETC Complex II, III and IV subunits. Furthermore, an increase in mitochondrial ribosomal proteins, metabolite transporters, proteasome subunits, outer membrane proteins involved in mitochondria stabilization, ROS detoxification proteins, and factors regulating mitochondrial dynamics (both fission and fusion) was observed in Bort resistant cells with high CXCR4. Altogether, these results suggest that CXCR4-regulated chemoresistance is driven by empowered mitochondria with increased OXPHOS, stabilized membrane, and enhanced ROS detoxifying capacity, while CXCR4 low cells are vulnerable to mitochondrial oxidative stress. In approval, using a selective and potent OXPHOS inhibitor, IACS010759 monotherapy or in combination with Bort effectively targeted Bort-resistant cells, inducing overwhelming oxidative stress and uncompensated mitochondrial damage. Collectively, our findings indicate that CXCR4-mediated chemoresistance in MM cells involves AKT/mTOR signaling, promoting both glycolysis and mitochondrial OXPHOS, and enabling metabolic plasticity with OXPHOS shift upon Bort treatment. These results delineate the novel mechanisms in CXCR4 activity and suggest OXPHOS as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in MM. Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal

Late-long-term potentiation magnitude, but not Aβ levels and amyloid pathology, is associated with behavioral performance in a rat knock-in model of Alzheimer disease.

Cleavage of Amyloid precursor protein by β- and γ-secretases lead to Aβ formation. The widely accepted pathogenic model states that these mutations cause AD via an increase in Aβ formation and accumulation of Aβ in Amyloid plaques. APP mutations cause early onset familial forms of Alzheimer's disease (FAD) in humans. We generated App-Swedish (Apps ) knock-in rats, which carry a pathogenic APP mutation in the endogenous rat App gene. This mutation increases β-secretase processing of APP leading to both augmented Aβ production and facilitation of glutamate release in Apps/s rats, via a β-secretase and APP-dependent glutamate release mechanism. Here, we studied 11 to 14-month-old male and female Apps/s rats. To determine whether the Swedish App mutation leads to behavioral deficits, Apps/s knock-in rats were subjected to behavioral analysis using the IntelliCage platform, an automated behavioral testing system. This system allows behavioral assessment in socially housed animals reflecting a more natural, less stress-inducing environment and eliminates experimenter error and bias while increasing precision of measurements. Surprisingly, a spatial discrimination and flexibility task that can reveal deficits in higher order brain function showed that Apps/s females, but not Apps/s male rats, performed significantly worse than same sex controls. Moreover, female control rats performed significantly better than control and Apps/s male rats. The Swedish mutation causes a significant increase in Aβ production in 14-month-old animals of both sexes. Yet, male and female Apps/s rats showed no evidence of AD-related amyloid pathology. Finally, Apps/s rats did not show signs of significant neuroinflammation. Given that the APP Swedish mutation causes alterations in glutamate release, we analyzed Long-term potentiation (LTP), a long-lasting form of synaptic plasticity that is a cellular basis for learning and memory. Strikingly, LTP was significantly increased in Apps/s control females compared to both Apps/s sexes and control males. In conclusion, this study shows that behavioral performances are sex and App-genotype dependent. In addition, they are associated with LTP values and not Aβ or AD-related pathology. These data, and the failures of anti-Aβ therapies in humans, suggest that alternative pathways, such as those leading to LTP dysfunction, should be targeted for disease-modifying AD therapy.

Applying the 4Ps of social marketing to retain and engage participants in longitudinal cohort studies: generation 2 Raine study participant perspectives

BackgroundInvestigations of participant retention in longitudinal health and medical research, document strategies that work best but overlook social marketing’s capacity to influence participant retention. After applying the social marketing framework: the idea that determining what longitudinal participants ‘buy’ (product), at what cost (price), in what location (place) and through which communication channels (promotion), this paper aims to inform and enhance retention efforts.MethodsThis qualitative study was conducted through in-depth interviews with participants from the Raine Study that began in Western Australia in 1989. The Generation 2 participants, initially enrolled into the Raine Study as babies by their parents (Generation 1), are now young adults invited to attend follow-up studies and tests every few years. Our study defined ‘active’ participants (n = 17) as those who agreed to attend their 27 year follow-up, and ‘inactive’ (n = 12) participants as those who had attended neither of the past two follow-ups (22 and 27 years).ResultsRaine Study participants experienced core, actual and augmented product benefits. Inactive participants focused on the costs (price) associated with participation, and were more likely to suggest tele-health (place) strategies to overcome barriers to follow-up attendance. Both active and inactive participants found professional processes and friendly staff made the Raine Study environment appealing, suggested that social media (promotion) was underutilised, and offered novel ideas to enhance engagement.ConclusionsSocial marketing can support the development of differentiated strategies addressing the unique needs and wants of active and inactive participants. Sophisticated cohort segmentation can reach participants in a more meaningful way, reinforce the study ‘brand’ and guard against attrition.

Inhibition of MAD2L1 Mediates Pulmonary Fibrosis through Impairment of Mitochondrial Function and Induction of Cell Senescence.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, irreversible, and progressive interstitial lung disease characterized by recurrent alveolar epithelial cell injury, fibroblast hyperproliferation, and cumulative deposition of extracellular matrix leading to alveolar destruction in the lungs. Mitotic arrest deficient 2 like 1 (MAD2L1) is a component of the mitotic spindle assembly checkpoint that prevents the onset of anaphase until all chromosomes are properly aligned at metaphase and is a potential therapeutic target in cancers. However, the role of MAD2L1 in pulmonary fibrosis has not been explored. We analyzed the expression of MAD2L1 in lung tissues from control subjects, IPF patients, and mice with bleomycin-induced fibrosis via IHC, qRT-PCR, and Western blot analysis. We examined the roles of MAD2L1 in ROS production, mitochondrial function, cell senescence, and the establishment of a profibrotic microenvironment. We found that MAD2L1 was highly upregulated in alveolar epithelial cells in fibrotic lung tissues from both patients with IPF and mice with bleomycin-induced fibrosis. Loss of MAD2L1 expression or activity led to decreases of cell viability and proliferation in A549 cells. Subsequent mechanistic investigation demonstrated that inhibition of MAD2L1 damaged mitochondria, which led to augmented ROS production and cellular senescence, and thus promoted the establishment of a profibrotic microenvironment. Taken together, these results reveal that alleviation of alveolar epithelial cell mitochondrial damage arising from augmentation of MAD2L1 may be a novel therapeutic strategy for mitigating pulmonary fibrosis.

Design of a Mathematics Augmented Reality-Based Textbook

The learning media used in the mathematics education study program of UPBJJ UT Semarang are still very simple, as shown by the fact that the majority of lecturers still using PowerPoint and UT textbooks in learning. This means that there is a need for these lecturers to innovate, and one way to do so is by making augmented reality-based textbooks (BUBAR) which allow the user to see the reality of the world augmented into 3D. It is hoped that UT lecturers will be interested in developing more innovative textbooks like these. This was research and development research which used the ADDIE approach (analysis, design, develop, implementation and evaluation). In this research, textbooks from various publishers were analyzed for ordinary differential equations, which resulted in the finding that there are no national publishers that have made ordinary differential equations textbooks based on augmented reality. Then a BUBAR augmented reality-based product for the ordinary differential equation course was developed which has 5 chapters and was validated by learning material experts and learning media experts with scores of 87 and 89, respectively. This indicated that this augmented reality-based textbook product is suitable for limited testing.
 Keywords: design, textbooks, augmented reality, smart pedagogy, differential equations

Daya Saing Industri Furnitur Indonesia dalam Perdagangan Global (Studi Komparasi dengan Vietnam)

Furniture products with significant value added are increasingly being seen as a strategic objective for the industry of forest product. Furniture is one of the strategic commodities for the Indonesian economy. One of the pillars which determines the competitiveness of export furniture products is marketing. This study aims to determine the competitiveness of the Indonesian furniture industry in terms of marketing. In this case, Vietnam used as an object of comparison since they has been Indonesia's main competitor in the furniture trade for decades. The data was obtained by using literature study method. This research used mixed method 5P marketing analysis which consists of position, product, place, promotion, and price. The competitiveness of Indonesian furniture industry was still relatively low compared to Vietnam’s. In terms of position, Indonesia and Vietnam have market segments which are sensitive to illegal timber such as the United States and the European Union. Even though Indonesia already has a timber legality assurance system through the Timber Legality Verification System (SVLK), the export values of Indonesian furniture is still less than Vietnam. From a product perspective, Indonesian furniture industry is slightly greater than Vietnamese furniture industry. Indonesia has reached the level of augmented product, greater than Vietnam, which is mostly still a core product. However, Vietnam's furniture industry is experiencing a fairly rapid development. Currently, Vietnam's timber products are in demand with the international market due to their innovative designs. In terms of location (distribution), both countries are being assisted from easy access to global shipping. In terms of promotion, Indonesia needs to emulate Vietnam by facilitating the furniture industry (especially small and medium industries) to participate in international exhibition activities, so as to expand the furniture market network. In term of price, Vietnam is greater in offering lower prices since it was supported by the availability of abundant labor at low prices and investment support. Meanwhile, Indonesia has the advantage of the large availability of raw materials from production forests.

Macrophages Upregulate Estrogen Receptor Expression in the Model of Obesity-Associated Breast Carcinoma.

Breast cancer (BC) and obesity are two heterogeneous conditions with a tremendous impact on health. BC is the most commonly diagnosed neoplasm and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women, and the prevalence of obesity in women worldwide reaches pandemic proportions. Obesity is a significant risk factor for both incidence and worse prognosis in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) BC. Yet, the mechanisms underlying the association between excess adiposity and increased risk/therapy resistance/poorer outcome of ER+, but not ER−negative (ER−), BC are not fully understood. Tumor-promoting action of obesity, predominantly in ER + BC patients, is often attributed to the augmented production of estrogen in ‘obese’ adipose tissue. However, in addition to the estrogen production, expression levels of ER represent a key determinant in hormone-driven breast tumorigenesis and therapy response. Here, utilizing in vitro and in vivo models of BC, we show that macrophages, whose adverse activation by obesogenic substances is fueled by heparanase (extracellular matrix-degrading enzyme), are capable of upregulating ER expression in tumor cells, in the setting of obesity-associated BC. These findings underscore a previously unknown mechanism through which interplay between cellular/extracellular elements of obesity-associated BC microenvironment influences estrogen sensitivity—a critical component in hormone-related cancer progression and resistance to therapy.

Investigation of a modified double slope solar still integrated with nanoparticle-mixed phase change materials: Energy, exergy, exergo-economic, environmental, and sustainability analyses

Despite being simpler, cheaper, and less energy-intensive than other desalination processes, solar stills have apparent shortcomings in terms of productivity. Such a limitation has been prompting the researchers to strive in upgrading this renewable-driven technology through innovative add-ons. With a similar goal, the present study looks into the combined effect of unique modifications of internal sidewall reflector (ISR), hollow circular fin (HCF), phase change material (PCM), and nanoparticle mixed PCM (nano-PCM) on the thermodynamic performance of double slope solar stills. One passive (conventional) and one active (modified) double slope stills are constructed to experimentally evaluate and compare selected energy, exergy, exergo-economic, environmental, and sustainability metrics. The results indicate that the cumulative action of ISR, HCF, and PCM (Case II) leads up to 51.8% augmented productivity compared to the conventional case (Case I) where there is an additional increase of 21.5% when PCM is mixed with nanoparticles (Case III). While both the modified cases experience sizeable improvements in energy and exergy efficiencies compared to the conventional one, nano-PCM, in particular, boosts these quantities by 20.1% and 25%, respectively. Furthermore, nano-PCM induces around 2% additional cost-saving per unit of water production while mitigating a maximum CO 2 emission of 3.65 ton. In addition to these assessments, the exergetic sustainability of the stills is discussed using vital indicators such as waste exergy ratio, improvement potential, sustainability index, etc. For the three experimental cases, the values of improvement potential, environmental effect factor, and sustainability index are attained within the ranges of 1374–1469 kWh/yr, 0.529–1.137, and 1.006–1.016, respectively.

Translocating seed sources to new geoclimatic environments has limited effect on lumber quality of eastern Canadian white spruce

Assisted gene flow according to expected climate gradients is considered as a forest management strategy to mitigate impacts of environmental change on forest growth. However, the effects of seed translocation on wood properties and lumber quality remain unknown. This study evaluated the effect of provenance origin on lumber production and quality at rotation age in two white spruce provenance trials established in contrasting environments in eastern Canada. Based on 108 sample trees, which resulted in 943 pieces of lumber, average volume production per tree at the southernmost site was twice that of the production at the northern site. Provenance had a significant influence on growth and lumber strength in the first sawlog but had no effect on lumber stiffness and wood density. Although visual grade yields of No. 2 and better were high in both trials (over 86%), the machine stress rated (MSR) grade potential and percentage of lumber that met the bending stiffness design values of the visual grades were generally low (12%–26%). Hence, plantation-grown lumber should preferably be machine stress rated to ensure its fitness for structural applications in buildings. Management strategies aiming to efficiently sequester carbon should primarily maximize volume productivity in northern sites, as moving seed sources north still reduces provenance productivity, while breeding programs should aim to prevent decrease in lumber stiffness due to augmented productivity and shortened rotation cycles.

P16INK4A-More Than a Senescence Marker.

Aging is a biological feature that is characterized by gradual degeneration of function in cells, tissues, organs, or an intact organism due to the accumulation of environmental factors and stresses with time. Several factors have been attributed to aging such as oxidative stress and augmented production or exposure to reactive oxygen species, inflammatory cytokines production, telomere shortening, DNA damage, and, importantly, the deposit of senescent cells. These are irreversibly mitotically inactive, yet metabolically active cells. The reason underlying their senescence lies within the extrinsic and the intrinsic arms. The extrinsic arm is mainly characterized by the expression and the secretory profile known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). The intrinsic arm results from the impact of several genes meant to regulate the cell cycle, such as tumor suppressor genes. P16INK4A is a tumor suppressor and cell cycle regulator that has been linked to aging and senescence. Extensive research has revealed that p16 expression is significantly increased in senescent cells, as well as during natural aging or age-related pathologies. Based on this fact, p16 is considered as a specific biomarker for detecting senescent cells and aging. Other studies have found that p16 is not only a senescence marker, but also a protein with many functions outside of senescence and aging. In this paper, we discuss and shed light on several studies that show the different functions of p16 and provide insights in its role in several biological processes besides senescence and aging.

Recombinant suilysin of Streptococcus suis enhances the protective efficacy of an engineered Pasteurella multocida toxin protein

Suilysin (Sly) from Streptococcus suis has been shown to elicit strong immune responses and may act as a vaccine adjuvant. In the present study, we tested the adjuvant effect of Sly using an engineered Pasteurella multocida toxin, rPMT-NC, as the antigen. The antigen was also formulated with other conventional adjuvants (aluminum hydroxide, water-in-oil-in-water) for comparison. The efficacy of these vaccine formulations were evaluated in mice. The optimal dosage of purified rSly for enhancing immune responses in mice was first determined to be 40 μg/ml based on significantly (p < 0.05) increased serum antibody titers, expression of cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-4, IL-12, and interferon (IFN)-γ and the survival rate after challenge with P. multocida. Mice immunized with rPMT-NC + rSly had augmented antibody production and cellular immunity compare to those immunized with rPMT-NC plus other adjuvants. In addition, the survival rate of mice immunized with rPMT-NC + rSly was the highest (70% v.s. 30% of mice immunized with rPMT-NC alone) among all groups. In conclusion, rSly has the potential to be used as a biological adjuvant to enhance immune responses and protective efficacy of protein-based vaccines.

Building a warm and competent B2B brand personality

Purpose This study aims to investigate how business-to-business (B2B) companies build brand personality via the products they provide and via their interactions with customers. Design/methodology/approach A multiple case study, which spans 10 years, investigates via interviews, observations, workshops and document analysis how two fast-growing B2B companies selling industrial equipment to manufacturers build brand personality. Findings The studied companies concentrate on different brand personality dimensions depending on the activities in which they engage. By focusing on brand competence in the realm of the actual product and brand warmth in the realm of the augmented product, the companies manage to create a complete and consistent brand personality. Research limitations/implications The research approach provides in-depth knowledge on how the companies build brands for a specific type of B2B product. However, the article’s perspective is limited to that of management and therefore does not take customer reactions into account. Practical implications The study describes how firms can build strong B2B brands by emphasizing competence in product design and R&amp;D and warmth in activities related to sales and customer service. Originality/value The study introduces a conceptually consistent view of brand personality in the form of warm and competent brands to the B2B marketing literature. It builds on and contributes to the emerging research on B2B brand personality. By relating the companies’ brand-building activities to the type of products they sell, this study illustrates how context affects B2B brand building, and by integrating brand personality theory with product levels and marketing philosophy, it extends previous theory on B2B branding.

Augmented Production of Platelets From Cord Blood With Euchromatic Histone Lysine Methyltransferase Inhibition.

Cord blood hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (CB-HSPCs) have emerged as a promising supply for functional platelets to potentially alleviate the increasing demand for platelet transfusions, but the clinical application has been limited by the undefined molecular mechanism and insufficient platelet production. Here, we performed single-cell profiling of more than 16 160 cells to construct a dynamic molecular landscape of human megakaryopoiesis from CB-HSPCs, enabling us to uncover, for the first time, cellular heterogeneity and unique features of neonatal megakaryocytes (MKs) and to also offer unique resources for the scientific community. By using this model, we defined the genetic programs underlying the differentiation process from megakaryocyte-erythroid progenitors (MEPs) to MKs via megakaryocyte progenitors (MKPs) and identified inhibitors of euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase (EHMT), which, when applied at the early stage of differentiation, significantly increase the final platelet production. At the mechanistic level, we found that EHMT inhibitors act to selectively induce the expansion of MEPs and MKPs. Together, we uncover new mechanistic insights into human megakaryopoiesis and provide a novel chemical strategy for future large-scale generation and clinical applications of platelets.

Development of augmented reality based occupational health and safety guidebook in electricity basic laboratory

Basic knowledge of electricity is needed in various work competencies in the field of electricity. As a student of the Electrical Engineering Department, basic electricity is something that must be understood. The basic understanding of electricity is not enough just theory, it takes hands-on practice in a laboratory with infrastructure, processes, and laboratory management adapted to the world of work. In order to optimize this, a guidebook is needed. The research aims are: (1) in the form of an augmented reality-based guidebook product. (2) Knowing the performance of augmented reality-based manuals. (3) The priority of augmented reality-based guidebooks is viewed from the material and media aspects. (4) Knowing student responses to augmented reality-based guidelines. The research uses the research and development (R&amp;D) method of the ADDIE model according to Lee &amp; Owens (2004), which has stages: Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation. The results of the research are: (1) A manual that is equipped with augmented reality technology, namely the AR-Daslis application to scan marker images. (2) The performance of the AR-Daslis application through the black box test gets a percentage of 100% which indicates the function can run well.

Logic-based data-driven operational risk model for augmented downhole petroleum production systems

This paper presents an operational risk model for a pressure-augmented downhole petroleum production system. The model is built by integrating multilayer perceptron (MLP) and early warning index system (EWIS) with Bayesian network (BN). The introduced model employs its evidence-based dynamic risk features to monitor the associated operational risks of downhole pump discharge pressure, downhole pump intake pressure, downhole pump pressure difference, drawdown, and bottom-hole pressure. The evidence-based mechanism enables the proposed model to accurately predict the resultant real-time production risks as the wells are being produced from the reservoirs. Hence, the model facilitates management decisions to make operational adjustments to avert downtime or “no flow”. The model captures the temporal and spatial dependence of the variables. The failure probabilities of the downhole pressure system are modelled as a function of time while using the evidence-based risk model. The results demonstrate downhole process system's contribution to the overall risk and its vulnerability to the overall production scenarios. The proposed novel strategy can simulate the progressive cavity pump (PCP) impacts on reservoir systems during production. The introduced model serves an important tool for operational decision-making to manage risks of reservoir systems equipped with downhole pressure pumps for production.

ICT and Economic Growth in EU: A macro Level Comparison of Estimated ICT Output Elasticities

ABSTRACT This paper examines the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) investments on the economic growth of EU-27. Our work responds to the lack of sufficient number of econometric estimation studies at country level coupled with a large variation in ICT elasticity results. We estimate an augmented Cobb Douglas production function using panel data techniques based on a sample of 27 countries for the period 1996–2016. The results suggest a significant effect of ICT investments on GDP growth. Further comparisons are drawn with studies using similar databases and sample periods. The results also reveal that the estimated returns to ICT are three times higher than the ICT factor share. Having excluded several sources of potential excess returns, we conclude that omitted variables and possible complementarities between ICT and organizational capital could serve as a plausible explanation.

Anti-inflammatory, Anti-wrinkle and Astringent Activities of the Euphorbia thymifolia Extract: An in vitro Study for Anti-aging Applications

This study was conducted to investigate the in vitro anti-inflammatory, anti-elastase, procollagen production, and astringent activities of &lt;i&gt;Euphorbia thymifolia&lt;/i&gt; extracts prepared using two solvents for cosmetic application focusing on skin aging. Extraction was performed by the solvent extraction method with methanol (EM) and hot-water (EW). Astringent activity of EM increased in concentration dependent manner and showed higher astringent activity than EW. Anti-elastase and collagen synthesis properties were evaluated using the enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Both EM and EW suppressed elastase enzyme activity and also significantly augmented procollagen production in NHDF cells. The effect of extracts on the anti-inflammatory activity was determined by Griess reagent assay, western blot analysis, and ELISA. EM extract inhibited nitrite overproduction and iNOS protein level without affecting cell viability. In addition, LPS (Lipopolysaccharide)-mediated TNF-α and IL-6 secretion was reduced in EM treated RAW264.7 cells. The excellent anti-aging properties displayed by the &lt;i&gt;E. thymifolia&lt;/i&gt; extract highlighted its potential as a natural source of anti-aging agent for cosmetic.

Tüketicilerin PGI tescilli Gümüşhane ev tipi dut ürünleri tüketim tercihleri: Gümüşhane örneği

Gümüşhane’de ikamet eden tüketicilerin geleneksel yöntemlerle işlenmiş menşe işaretli Gümüşhane ev tipi dut ürünlerinin homojenleştirilmiş hedef tüketici kitleleri tarafından tercih edilme nedenlerini ve bu tüketicilerin satın alma modellerine dayalı müşteri odaklı pazarlama taktik ve stratejilerini belirlemek amacıyla, bu çalışma planlanmıştır. Çalışmada kullanılan veriler, Gümüşhane ilinde bu ürünleri tüketen 300 hane halkı ile yapılan anket çalışmasından elde edilmiştir. Elde edilen veriler, tüketim tercihleri ana faktörlerini belirlemek için Principal Component Analiz (PCA) ve tüketim sıklıklarına göre homojen tüketici grupları oluşturmak için de K-means Cluster analiz kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonuçları; ev tipi dut ürünlerini yoğun bir şekilde tüketen kullanıcılar, satın alma kararı üzerinde yerli fındık-ceviz-dut, yüksek oranlı süt ve bal, fakat düşük düzeyli un ve su bileşiminden oluşan ürün içeriği ile geleneksel işleme teknikleri altında duyusal kalitenin yaratmış olduğu memnuniyet ile bölgesel kalkınmaya katkı sağlamaya istekli olduklarını göstermiştir. Ayrıca, orta düzeyli kullanıcılar, duyusal kalitenin temel belirleyicisi olan ürün içeriğinin geleneksek işleme tekniklerine dayalı temel fayda ve kısa arz zinciri güveni ile hedonik kalite tercihlerini kapsayan bileşik ürün imajına büyük bir önem atfetmektedir. Diğer taraftan düşük seviyedeki kullanıcılar, sosyal çevrenin etkisi ve besleyicilik güdüsü altında ürünle ilgili görsel deneyime dayalı olarak duyusal ve hedonik kalite algısına önem atfederek, gerçek ürün imajı altında kısa gıda arz zinciri güvencesi ile bölgesel kalkınmaya katkı sağlamak istedikleri analiz edilmiştir.

Focus on the Contribution of Oxidative Stress in Skin Aging.

Skin aging is one of the most evident signs of human aging. Modification of the skin during the life span is characterized by fine lines and wrinkling, loss of elasticity and volume, laxity, rough-textured appearance, and pallor. In contrast, photoaged skin is associated with uneven pigmentation (age spot) and is markedly wrinkled. At the cellular and molecular level, it consists of multiple interconnected processes based on biochemical reactions, genetic programs, and occurrence of external stimulation. The principal cellular perturbation in the skin driving senescence is the alteration of oxidative balance. In chronological aging, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced mainly through cellular oxidative metabolism during adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation from glucose and mitochondrial dysfunction, whereas in extrinsic aging, loss of redox equilibrium is caused by environmental factors, such as ultraviolet radiation, pollution, cigarette smoking, and inadequate nutrition. During the aging process, oxidative stress is attributed to both augmented ROS production and reduced levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic protectors. Apart from the evident appearance of structural change, throughout aging, the skin gradually loses its natural functional characteristics and regenerative potential. With aging, the skin immune system also undergoes functional senescence manifested as a reduced ability to counteract infections and augmented frequency of autoimmune and neoplastic diseases. This review proposes an update on the role of oxidative stress in the appearance of the clinical manifestation of skin aging, as well as of the molecular mechanisms that underline this natural phenomenon sometimes accelerated by external factors.