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Modification of polypropylene filters with amphiphilic cyclodextrins by dip coating for PFAS removal
Get PDFChanges of Sonic Hedgehog mediated FAK/ERK pathway proteins in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis model mice
No full textSonic Hedgehog (SHH) has been shown to be cytoprotective against oxidative stress in a cellular model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and it may support the proliferation and differentiation of endogenous stem cells along the motor neuron lineage and stimulate motor neuron growth and axon formation. However, there is less validation of the role of SHH in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS). In hSOD1G93A transgenic mice, we found that the expression of SHH, FAK, ERK, p-FAK, and p-ERK was progressively decreased in the spinal cord tissue of hSOD1 mice over time from Western Blot and immunohistochemistry. And compared to the hSOD1 control group, the SHH, FAK, ERK, p-FAK, p-ERK protein levels increased by stimulating SHH with an agonist, while SHH, FAK, p-FAK protein decreased significantly by inhibiting SHH. And the HE staining results of mouse gastrocnemius muscle showed that the agonist group had an increased muscle morphology and more muscle fibers, while the inhibitor group had an atrophied muscle morphology and fewer muscle fibers, than the hSOD1 control group. This confirmed the upstream-downstream relationship among SHH, FAK, and ERK in the spinal cord tissues of hSOD1 mice. Western blot analysis of ERK and p-ERK and immunohistochemical staining revealed declining ERK protein expression in hSOD1 mice, which progressively decreased over time. PUR increased ERK expression, whereas CYC had no significant effect on its reduction. So PUR can activate SHH protein and enhance the function of FAK/ERK. SHH is suggested to play a protective role in the muscle tissue of hSOD1 mice through the FAK/ERK pathway.</p
Harness first principles thinking in problem-based learning for chemical education
No full textIn philosophy and science, a first principle is a basic proposition or assumption that cannot be deduced from any other proposition or assumption. Ancient Greek philosophy Aristotle defined the first principle as “the first basis from which a thing is known.” First principles thinking (or reasoning from first principles) is a way of thinking and problem-solving that breaks down a complex problem into its most basic assumptions, facts, concepts, or ideas and then reassembles them from the bottom-up. In this paper, we reported our attempts to harness first principles thinking into problem-based learning (PBL) in chemistry education. Two PBL projects were elaborately designed respectively for two student groups. By utilizing the inquiry-based technique and jigsaw technique, the understanding of the fundamental principles of chemistry was employed to guide the students´ research activity and strengthen the learning of chemistry. We also observed signs of increased creativity during the process. This communication indicated that first principles thinking could be harnessed to increase students´ learning depth and promote creativity in chemical education.</p
Artificial intelligence and ultrasound in fetal medicine
Get PDFUltrasound is essential in fetal medicine for diagnosing and monitoring, but it requires extensive training. Artificial intelligence (AI) shows a great promise in enhancing the clinical training and practice, by improving workflow and standardising diagnostics. Despite its potential, AI's limitations and regulatory challenges must be addressed before full integration. Research should focus on implementation to achieve successful use in clinical practice. Ultimately, AI is expected to support clinicians rather than replace them, improving diagnostic accuracy and efficiency in fetal medicine.</p
Meta-analysis on relationship between corporate social responsibility and firm performance:mediating mechanisms of innovation and reputation
No full textPurpose: Although corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been becoming more important, empirical findings regarding its effect on firm performance are inconsistent and inconclusive. This study aims to address this issue. Design/methodology/approach: Grounded in dynamic capability theory and stakeholder theory, this study constructs a theoretical model about the relationship between CSR and firm performance and two mediating mechanisms. It further employs meta-analytic structural equation modeling to analyze 98 independent empirical studies. Findings: The study indicates that CSR significantly enhances firm performance, both financially and non-financially. Firm innovation and reputation both parallelly and sequentially mediate the influence of CSR on firm performance. Originality/value: This study enriches the existing literature and provides implications for CSR practices by broadening the understanding of the potential mechanisms through which CSR affects firm performance.</p
Prediction of ischemic stroke by the CHA<sub>2</sub>DS<sub>2</sub>-VA score in an Asian population:A report from the prospective nationwide COOL-AF registry
No full textBackground: The CHA2DS2-VA score, derived by the removal of women from the CHA2DS2-VASc score, has recently been recommended for the prediction of ischemic stroke/systemic embolism (SSE) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Objective: Given the limited data in non-Western cohorts, the objective was to compare the performance of CHA2DS2-VASc and CHA2DS2-VA scores for the prediction of SSE in an Asian population. Methods: Patients with AF from the prospective multicenter Cohort of Antithrombotic Use and Optimal INR Level in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation registry were studied. Patients were followed up every 6 months for 3 years. The primary outcome was SSE. C-statistics were used to compare the performance of CHA2DS2-VASc and CHA2DS2-VA scores for SSE risk prediction. The pattern of oral anticoagulant use is according to the practicing physicians. Results: A total of 3405 patients were studied (mean age 67.8 ± 11.3 years, 41.8% women). The incidence rate of SSE was 1.51 (1.26–1.78) per 100 person-years. The risk ratio for SSE for women was higher than men at CHA2DS2-VA scores ≥ 2 (1.72 [1.19–2.50], P = .004), similar for patients with and without oral anticoagulant use. The C-statistics for SSE was not statistically significantly different between CHA2DS2-VASc and CHA2DS2-VA scores (0.655 [0.639–0.671] and 0.647 [0.631–0.663], P = .258). Women had a greater risk of SSE than men at the age of > 70 years (Pinteraction = .007). Conclusion: Women with AF have an increased SSE risk compared with men with higher CHA2DS2-VA scores and at the age of > 70 years. The CHA2DS2-VA scores had a numerical but nonstatistically significant difference to CHA2DS2-VASc score for overall SSE risk prediction.</p
Faglige anbefalinger for patienter med primære smerter i lænderyggen
Get PDFDe faglige anbefalinger for patienter med smerter i lænderyggen er udarbejdet af to faglige ressourcepersoner Morten Høgh og Elisabeth Due Andersen. Anbefalingerne er udarbejdet i samarbejde med Enhed for Kvalitet og Modernisering (EKM) og med input fra en følgegruppe bestående af repræsentanter fra praksis og forskning samt praksiskonsulenterne i regionerne
From managing fish to managing people:requirements for effective fisheries governance and management in Europe
No full textDespite the increasingly successful implementation of stock management under the EU Common Fisheries Policy, managing fisheries in a sustainable, integrated, and coordinated way remains a challenge. In helping to explain the persistent challenge of achieving sustainable outcomes in EU fisheries, we contend that a central reason is an issue of ineffective governance. Improved governance, appropriately designed for Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM), is key to improving the system performance towards the societal objectives. We understand governance as a social process involving the interaction of governments, regional authorities, private industry, and civil society that collectively work towards steering the sector towards sustainability. This encompasses politics, policies, laws, norms, values, regulations, and institutions that guide the management and conservation of fishery resources. Meanwhile, fisheries management involves specific actions and strategies used to manage and conserve fishery resources, including implementing the rules and regulations set forth by fisheries governance and applying scientific principles to ensure sustainability of fish stocks. Historically, fisheries management has focused on the ‘thing’ being managed: fish. Such a focus has resulted in various technical and managerial outputs such as quotas, TACs, catch limits, gear sizes, MPAs, inter alia. Various institutions have also developed (e.g. Advisory Councils) alongside public policy measures such as the Common Fisheries Policy. While progress has been made in recent years, managing fisheries in a sustainable, integrated, and coordinated fashion remains a challenge. The question therefore is: what are the requirements for EU fisheries governance (and hence, management) to be effective? Trying to understand what makes fisheries management more effective (i.e. sustainable), requires us to ask questions about fisheries governance: to what extent are all relevant actors included in decision-making, able to speak to one another, coordinate activities, and work together to resolve key fisheries-related challenges? And what is the capability of actors to observe, define, and understand problems? To answer these questions, we developed and deployed an expert elicitation survey, informed by key governance dimensions and frameworks (the Aquaculture Governance Indicators and the Canadian Fisheries Research Network framework), sent to 245 respondents across selected regional seas (North Sea; Western Waters; Baltic; and Mediterranean) as part of the SEAwise project. In this presentation, we showcase results and analysis from this survey and reflect on how a human-centered governance approach can inform fisheries management, identify ‘weak spots’ that need attention to improve/make fisheries management more effective and address challenges. We argue achieving sustainable outcomes in Europe’s fisheries been a persistent challenge partly because of insufficient focus on the other dimension of fisheries management: people