Viability Issues Research Articles

Cosmological dynamics of the general non-canonical scalar field models

We extend the investigation of cosmological dynamics of the general non-canonical scalar field models by dynamical system techniques for a broad class of potentials and coupling functions. In other words, we do not restrict the analysis to exponential or power-law potentials and coupling functions. This type of investigation helps in understanding the general properties of a class of cosmological models. In order to better understand the phase space of the models, we investigate the various special cases and discuss the stability and viability issues. Performing a detailed stability analysis, we show that it is possible to describe the cosmic history of the universe at the background level namely the early radiation dominated era, intermediate matter dominated era and the late time dark energy domination. Moreover, we find that we can identify a broad class of potentials and coupling functions for which it is possible to get an appealing unified description of dark matter and dark energy. The results obtained here, therefore, enlarge the previous analyses wherein only a specific potential and coupling functions describe the unification of dark sectors. Further, we also observe that a specific scenario can also possibly explain the phenomenon of slow-roll inflationary exit.

A feasibility study of a multimodal stimulation bioreactor for the conditioning of stem cell seeded cardiac patches via electrical impulses and pulsatile perfusion.

Ischemic heart disease is a major cause of mortality worldwide. Myocardial tissue engineering aims to create transplantable units of myocardium for the treatment of myocardial necrosis caused by ischemic heart disease - bioreactors are used to condition these bioartificial tissues before application. Our group developed a multimodal bioreactor consisting of a linear drive motor for pulsatile flow generation (500ml/min) and an external pacemaker for electrical stimulation (10mA, 3V at 60Hz) using LinMot-Talk Software to synchronize these modes of stimulation. Polyurethane scaffolds were seeded with 0.750 × 106 mesenchymal stem cells from umbilical cord tissue per cm2 and stimulated in our system for 72h, then evaluated. After conditioning histology showed that the patches consisted of a cell multilayer surviving stimulation without major damage by the multimodal stimulation, scanning electron microscopy showed a confluent cell layer with no cell-cell interspaces visible. No cell viability issues could be identified via Syto9-Propidium Iodide staining. This bioreactor allows mechanical stimulation via pulsatile flow and electrical stimulation through a pacemaker. Our stem cell-polyurethane constructs displayed survival after conditioning. This system shows feasibility in preliminary tests.

Beneficial land sector change in far northern Australia is required and possible – a refutation of McLean and Holmes (2019)

In a recent paper we set out a case for extending current and emerging ecosystem services enterprise opportunities to support sustainable land sector development in far northern Australia (Russell-Smith and Sangha 2018: The Rangeland Journal 40, 315–330. doi:10.1071/RJ18005). In that paper we illustrate very significant economic viability and environmental sustainability issues associated with the current dominant land use, the extensive rangeland beef cattle industry. Our beef enterprise economic assessments drew heavily on reports by Ian McLean, Phil Holmes and colleagues, as well as various other authoritative studies. In a detailed response, McLean and Holmes outline their concerns that, in various instances, we misrepresented their data and that our assessment ‘does not accurately portray the economic performance and contribution of the pastoral sector in northern Australia, nor justify the conclusion that fundamental land sector change is required’ (Comment by McLean and Holmes 2019: The Rangeland Journal, 41, 157–160. doi:10.1071/RJ18098). We acknowledge the singular contributions of those authors for our understanding of the enterprise characteristics and challenges faced by northern beef producers, but further, we: (a) for context, demonstrate the magnitude of the economic and sustainability challenges faced by the majority of northern beef producers as described in a range of pertinent studies including their own; (b) provide a detailed refutation of all eight of their listed concerns; and (c) conclude that available evidence does in fact strongly support the need for exploring diversified enterprise opportunities towards developing a sustainable and inclusive far northern land sector.

Care of Women with Obesity in Pregnancy

Care of Women with Obesity in Pregnancy

MICROFINANCE INSTITUTION’S DUAL MISSIONS: DOES PROFIT STATUS MATTER?

본 연구는 마이크로파이낸스 기관의 영리추구 여부가 빈곤감소와 재정안정성이라는 마이크로파이낸스 기관의 두 가지 목적(mission)에 미치는 영향에 대해 평가한다. 기존 비영리 마이크로파이낸스 기관에 대한 재정자립과 지속가능성 문제가 제기됨에 따라, 영리기관으로의 전환이 빈곤층에 보다 나은 금융서비스를 제공하는 동시에 재정안정성을 확보할 수 있는 주요 방안으로 제시되었다. 하지만, 영리기관의 경우 이익창출을 위해 상대적으로 소득수준이 높은 고객을 주 고객으로 삼음으로써, 극빈곤층 지원을 통한 빈곤감소라는 기존의 목적을 대체할 수 있다는 우려도 함께 제기되었다. 따라서 본 연구는 영리 마이크로파이낸스 기관이 비영리 마이크로파이낸스 기관과 비교했을 때 빈곤감소와 재정안정성 확보에 보다 효과적인지 검토하기 위해 41개국 개발도상국을 대상으로 2008-2012 기간의 패널데이터를 구축하고, 시스템 GMM 방법을 활용하여 실증분석을 실시하였다. 분석 결과, 영리 마이크로파이낸스 기관은 재정자립과 지속가능한 운영이 가능한 것으로 나타난 반면, 빈곤감소에는 유의미한 영향을 미치지 못하는 것으로 나타났다. 반대로, 비영리 기관의 경우 빈곤감소에 유의미한 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났으나, 재정 지속가능성을 확인하지는 못하였다. 이는 마이크로파이낸스 기관의 영리형태(profit status)가 마이크로파이낸스 기관의 이중목적(dual missions) 달성 여부를 결정하는 주요한 요인으로 작용할 수 있음을 의미하며, 특히 마이크로파이낸스 기관이 하나의 목적(mission) 달성에 더 높은 우선순위를 부여할 경우, 이중목적을 달성하는 것은 현실적으로 불가능함을 시사한다. 따라서 영리 및 비영리 마이크로파이낸스 기관이 Post-2015 시대에 빈곤감소를 위한 지속가능한 금융수단으로서 역할을 수행하기 위해서는, 빈곤감소라는 사회적 목적과 영리추구라는 상업적 목적이 상호 양립할 수 있는 균형 잡힌 운영전략을 취할 필요가 있다.This study aims to assess the impact of Microfinance Institution (MFI)’s profit status on their dual missions: poverty alleviation and financial sustainability. As the issue of financial sustainability and viability of MFIs has been raised in microfinance industry, more attention has been paid to transforming from non-profit entities to for-profits as a major solution to serve the impoverished with better financial services on a sustainable basis. Yet, this has been challenged with the label “mission drift” that the original mission serving the poorest of the poor for the poverty reduction would switch to targeting better-off clients to achieve financial profitability. Therefore, this study, based on the Dynamic Panel System GMM estimations, examines whether for-profit MFIs indeed more significantly contribute to reducing poverty at a financially self-sustainable basis in comparison with non-profit counterparts across 41 countries over 2008-2012. The results of the estimations indicate that for-profits were validated to be financially self-sustaining, but failed to help the poor alleviate the level of poverty. By contrast, non-profits were not able to operate in a financial sustainable way, whereas they served the poor segment of the population to reduce poverty. These findings suggest that the profit status of MFIs does really matter with the failure of achieving the dual missions in microfinance industry. In particular, it would not be possible to achieve the two missions when more priority is given to one over the other. Thus, it is recommended to take a balanced operational strategy between the poverty lending and financial systems approaches in microfinance industry, which would lead both non-profits and for-profits to play a significant role of ending extreme poverty as a sustainable financial instrument in a Post-2015 era.

Financial Maintenance of Building of Affordable Housing on the Basis of Public-Private Partnership

In Russia, there is a decrease in investment activity from the citizens in the primary real estate market, where until recently the main engine was equity construction. The last one, objectively, has lost the ability to satisfy the interests of participants in the investment process. In 2017 the legislator made an attempt to adjust the economic and legal field of housing construction. The article considers the issue of viability of equity construction in new economic conditions. Alternative solutions are considered and the author's vision of the mechanism of financing housing construction on the basis of public-private partnership which provides the supply in the primary market of affordable housing is presented.

A Region-Wise Analysis of Impact of Farm Mechanisation on Draught Animal Power Availability in Maharashtra

During the last four decades, the bovine economy of Maharashtra witnessed many changes. Contrary to studies which showed a decline in work animal population in some regions of the country, the draught animal population of Maharashtra has not declined much. The issue of economic viability along with socio-economic acceptability of species and breeds will become more pertinent under the changed situation in the state. Although the estimates reveal an increase in the intensity of mechanization, this did not seem to have contributed to any significant displacement of work animals per hectare of net sown area. Growth in mechanical power served largely as a supplementary source of animal power. The impact of tractorisation in respect of displacement of work animals was also very slow. Since the rate of mechanization of irrigation was faster than of tillage, its overall effect in terms of displacement of work animals has been slow. It can further be inferred that since the use of draught animals shows no significant growth, farmers should resort to modern techniques of tilling as a substitute to animal power. Finally, the increasing use of mechanical equipment for cultivation will increase the rural demand for energy, i.e., electricity, diesel, etc. Therefore, there must be adequate investment in power sector to meet the additional demand.

Dual Effects of Human Placenta-Derived Neural Cells on Neuroprotection and the Inhibition of Neuroinflammation in a Rodent Model of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common age-related neurodegenerative disease in the elderly and the patients suffer from uncontrolled movement disorders due to loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons on substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). We previously reported that transplantation of human fetal midbrain-derived neural precursor cells restored the functional deficits of a 6-hydroxy dopamine (6-OHDA)-treated rodent model of PD but its low viability and ethical issues still remain to be solved. Albeit immune privilege and neural differentiation potentials suggest mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from various tissues including human placenta MSCs (hpMSCs) for an alternative source, our understanding of their therapeutic mechanisms is still limited. To expand our knowledge on the MSC-mediated PD treatment, we here investigated the therapeutic mechanism of hpMSCs and hpMSC-derived neural phenotype cells (hpNPCs) using a PD rat model. Whereas both hpMSCs and hpNPCs protected DA neurons in the SNpc at comparable levels, the hpNPC transplantation into 6-OHDA treated rats exhibited longer lasting recovery in motor deficits than either the saline or the hpMSC treated rats. The injected hpNPCs induced delta-like ligand (DLL)1 and neurotrophic factors, and influenced environments prone to neuroprotection. Compared with hpMSCs, co-cultured hpNPCs more efficiently protected primary neural precursor cells from midbrain against 6-OHDA as well as induced their differentiation into DA neurons. Further experiments with conditioned media from hpNPCs revealed that the secreted factors from hpNPCs modulated immune responses and neural protection. Taken together, both DLL1-mediated contact signals and paracrine factors play critical roles in hpNPC-mediated improvement. First showing here that hpMSCs and their neural derivative hpNPCs were able to restore the PD-associated deficits via dual mechanisms, neuroprotection and immunosuppression, this study expanded our knowledge of therapeutic mechanisms in PD and other age-related diseases.

Coastal Gastronomy: Envisioning a South Carolina Seafood Trail

Promotion of local seafood and related culture has become an important strategy for enhancing economic sustainability of struggling commercial fishing businesses in coastal tourism destinations. Theme-based tourism trails can be catalysts for identifying, recognizing, and sustaining important aspects of culture, heritage, and industry in rural regions. Food-based trails have become a popular strategy for enhancing the economic viability of local food producers while highlighting the authentic qualities of a tourist destination. This study explored potential for development of a seafood-themed trail on the coast of South Carolina (USA) where communities represent varying levels of economic dependence on commercial fishing and tourism. Methods included 31 personal interviews with stakeholders from the seafood and tourism sectors across the region and a follow-up survey (n = 13) and workshop (n = 15) to facilitate input and consensus. Stakeholders supported formation of a coast-wide seafood trail as an education and decision-making tool targeting tourists. They highlighted collaborative capacity for marketing and partnership, diversity of local seafood products and experience, and economic benefits and improved competitive advantage for local businesses as strengths and opportunities. Challenging issues for development and long-term viability included limits to local seafood supply, regional differences in both heritage and seafood products, financial constraints, maintaining interest among stakeholders and visitors, establishing leadership, and defining membership criteria.

Cloud providers viability

A major part of the commercial Internet is moving toward the cloud paradigm. This phenomenon has a drastic impact on the organizational structures of enterprizes and introduces new challenges that must be properly addressed to avoid major setbacks. One such challenge is that of cloud provider viability, that is, the reasonable certainty that the Cloud Service Provider (CSP) will not go out of business, either by filing for bankruptcy or by simply shutting down operations, thus leaving its customers stranded without an infrastructure and, depending on the type of cloud service used, even without their applications or data. This article attempts to address the issue of cloud provider viability, defining a possible way of modeling viability as a non-functional requirement and proposing some approaches that can be used to mitigate the problem, both from a technical and from a legal perspective. By introducing a structured perspective into the topic of cloud viability, describing the risks, factors and possible mitigators, the contribution of this work is twofold: it gives the customer a better understanding to determine when it can rely on the cloud infrastructure on the long term and what precautions it should take in any case, and provides the CSP with means to address some of the viability issues and thus increase its customers’ trust.

3D and 4D Bioprinting of the Myocardium: Current Approaches, Challenges, and Future Prospects.

3D and 4D bioprinting of the heart are exciting notions in the modern era. However, myocardial bioprinting has proven to be challenging. This review outlines the methods, materials, cell types, issues, challenges, and future prospects in myocardial bioprinting. Advances in 3D bioprinting technology have significantly improved the manufacturing process. While scaffolds have traditionally been utilized, 3D bioprinters, which do not require scaffolds, are increasingly being employed. Improved understanding of the cardiac cellular composition and multiple strategies to tackle the issues of vascularization and viability had led to progress in this field. In vivo studies utilizing small animal models have been promising. 4D bioprinting is a new concept that has potential to advance the field of 3D bioprinting further by incorporating the fourth dimension of time. Clinical translation will require multidisciplinary collaboration to tackle the pertinent issues facing this field.

Assessment of hydropower resources in Tanzania. A review article

The hydropower resources have become an attractive means of generating electricity to the off-grid network, especially in rural areas. This article assesses the small, mini and large hydropower resources and identified to reach 5.3 GW for electricity generation in Tanzania. The technology development discussed comprises of hydro turbine manufacturers, classification and turbine selection. The barriers presented include the presence of sediment in the hydropower reservoirs, financial viability, policy and regulatory issues related to hydropower development. This reviewed article serves the investors and policymakers to understand the status of hydropower resources in Tanzania.

Qualitative study of anisotropic cosmological models with dark sector coupling

In this paper, we study the dynamical evolution of locally rotationally symmetric (LRS) Bianchi type I cosmological model with coupling of dark sector. We investigate the phase-plane analysis when dark energy is modelled as exponential quintessence, and is coupled to dark energy matter via linear coupling between both dark components. The evolution of cosmological solutions is studied by using dynamical systems techniques. Stability and viability issues for three different physically viable linear couplings between both dark components are presented and discussed in detail.

P030 Previously believed to be nonsensicl crossmatch results, explained by ANTI-HLA-C antibodies

Aim While trying to determine the frequency of “False Positive” Flow cytometric crossmatches (FCXM) in our laboratory, we observed that almost all cases in which we saw a Positive T-cell, Negative B-cell (T+/B-) result, a HLA-C donor specific antibody (DSA) was present. Prior to the development of assays that enabled us to accurately detect HLA-C antibodies, it was believed that a T+/B- result was likely due to a technical error, B-cell viability issue, or a Non HLA antibody. Methods FCXM results with Positive T-cell, Negative B-cell results were collected and assessed for DSA. Results We found one case where two different patients showed T+/B- results against the same donor. Both patients had Strong (>10,000 MFI) DSA to HLA-C (DSA-C). We also found a number of patients that responded this way against multiple donors. In particular, we found 1 patient that has had FCXM against 30 different donors. Of the 30 FCXM, 26 of these resulted in T+/B- and DSA-C (Median MFI = 5010) was detected in all of these cases. There was 1 FCXM with DSA-C that was T-/B- (DSA MFI 4492). The remaining 3 cases without DSA-C were T-/B-. (See Table 1). Epitope analysis of this patient’s antibody results show a clear 76VRN antibody pattern, that explained all of her Class I antibodies. Conclusions It has been recently reported that HLA-C is expressed higher on T cells than B cells. This is contrary to what many of us were taught and should now be considered as a possible explanation of an “unexpected” FCXM result, in which the T-cell is positive and the B-cell is Negative. Download : Download high-res image (69KB) Download : Download full-size image

Is fare increment desirable for ensuring operational viability of private buses?

The paper reports an investigation on the requirement of fare increment for achieving the operational viability of private buses in the context of an emerging country. Taking an existing route in Kolkata city which is served by private buses, several scenarios were investigated to achieve the viability of service through interventions in fare, design of service, and supply of buses. A simulation framework was used for the evaluation of various scenarios. The study brings out new evidences to question the conventional approach of increasing the bus fare to satisfy the operational viability. It is shown that the fare and the revenue requirements are distorted due to the oversupply of buses and non-optimal service. The analysis shows that even with the present fare, it is possible to resolve the viability issue by optimizing the service and supply. The results presented in the paper are case specific but are likely to encourage policy makers to carry out similar investigations in other cities in India as well as in other developing countries to improve urban bus service without putting an additional burden on the users.

Missing the biggest story – the UK regional press after Leveson

Abstract Early in 2013 John Mair’s swiftly produced edited collection of articles about the impact of the then-recent Leveson Report included two chapters on the regional press. My chapter offered statistical evidence to show that the regional press was the sector with the best track record in terms of complaints to the Press Complaints Commission (PCC). The chapter controversially predicted that any proposed regulation would have no impact on that sector. It hoped that Lord Justice Leveson’s highlighting of the problems of the regional press and plea for recognition of its vital community role might prompt positive parliamentary activity. Four years later regulation has had no impact on the regionals, but the bigger issue of the basic viability of the sector remains unresolved. So how healthy is the UK regional press now? Is digital journalism a killer or a saviour? And how long can the regionals survive?

Okos városok és alrendszereik – Kihívások a jövő városkutatói számára?

Az okos városok témája divatossá vált az utóbbi évek városfejlesztéssel foglalkozó nemzetközi konferenciáin, a nemzetközi tudományos szakirodalomban és a médiában is – főleg, amikor a városok jövőbeli fejlesztésről van szó – jelen van az okos város diskurzusa. A téma kutatásában három nagyobb szakterületről érkeznek kutatók: akik az okos városok technológiai infrastruktúrájával (telekommunikációs mérnökök, programozók), illetve a városok élhetőségével, ökológiai fenntarthatóságával foglalkoznak (ökológusok, környezetvédelmi szakemberek). A harmadik szakterület a különböző társadalomtudósok csoportja (szociológusok, regionális kutatók, geográfusok, közgazdászok), akik elsősorban az okos városok fejlesztésének társadalmi hatásait vizsgálják.A tanulmány első része a nemzetközi szakirodalom segítségével áttekintést nyújt az okosváros-koncepció értelmezéséről, történetéről és főbb jellemzőiről. Majd bemutatjuk azokat az alrendszereket, melyek az okos városok fejlesztésének kiemelt részterületei, illetve azokat a kapcsolódási lehetőségeket, melyekkel a területi kutatók és társadalomtudósok részt vesznek a téma jobb megismerésében. Végül a tanulmány utolsó részében arra keressük a választ, hogy a tér és társadalom összefüggéseit kutató szakemberek hogyan képzelik el a jövő okos városait. E kutatások fókuszában az „okos” világ áll, a „big data” típusú adatbázisok kezelésének területe, valamint az IT-cégekkel és programozókkal való együttműködési kapcsolatok építése.

Managing tissue viability issues in patients with cancer approaching the end of life.

This article provides an overview of tissue viability issues related to the care of patients with cancer who are approaching the end of life. Altered physiology as a result of various factors, including nutrition, medication and radiotherapy, is identified. The article discusses the presentation and treatment of cutaneous radiation injury, malignant wounds, pressure ulcers and Skin Changes At Life's End (SCALE), an acronym used to describe a set of clinical phenomena associated with skin changes in patients approaching the end of life, and makes recommendations for practice.

Accelerated expansion of the Universe without an inflaton and resolution of the initial singularity from Group Field Theory condensates

We study the expansion of the Universe using an effective Friedmann equation obtained from the dynamics of GFT (Group Field Theory) isotropic condensates. The evolution equations are classical, with quantum correction terms to the Friedmann equation given in the form of effective fluids coupled to the emergent classical background. The occurrence of a bounce, which resolves the initial spacetime singularity, is shown to be a general property of the model. A promising feature of this model is the occurrence of an era of accelerated expansion, without the need to introduce an inflaton field with an appropriately chosen potential. We discuss possible viability issues of this scenario as an alternative to inflation.

Financial viability appraisals for site-specific planning decisions in England

In England, appraisals of the financial viability of development schemes have become an integral part of planning policy-making, initially in determining the amount of planning obligations that might be obtained via legal agreements (known as Section 106 agreements) and latterly as a basis for establishing charging schedules for the Community Infrastructure Levy. Local planning authorities set these policies on an area-wide basis but ultimately development proposals require consent on a site-by-site basis. It is at this site-specific level that issues of viability are hotly contested. This paper examines case documents, proofs of evidence and decisions from a sample of planning disputes in order to address two research issues within development viability; the veracity and extent of the knowledge base underpinning development appraisal modelling and the distribution of the development gain between the developer, landowner and community. The paper finds that development viability appraisal is being practiced within a poorly specified and misunderstood modelling framework that compromises the equitable distribution of development land value. It also finds that the use of either market value or price paid as a basis for determining the allocation of development gain to landowners within the modelling framework allows them to maximise their return at the expense of the community by introducing an element of circularity into viability appraisal.