21436 research outputs found
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Exploring geographic differences in IgE response through network and manifold analyses
No full textBackground: Component-resolved diagnostics allow detailed assessment of IgE sensitization to multiple allergenic molecules (component-specific IgEs, or c-sIgEs) and may be useful for asthma diagnosis. However, to effectively use component-resolved diagnostics across diverse settings, it is crucial to account for geographic differences.
Objective: We investigated spatial determinants of c-sIgE networks to facilitate development of diagnostic algorithms applicable globally.
Methods: We used multiplex component-resolved diagnostics array to measure c-sIgE to 112 proteins in an international collaboration of several studies: WASP (World Asthma Phenotypes; United Kingdom, New Zealand, Brazil, Ecuador, and Uganda), U-BIOPRED (Unbiased Biomarkers for the Prediction of Respiratory Disease Outcomes; 7 European countries), and MAAS (Manchester Asthma and Allergy Study, a UK population-based birth cohort). Hierarchical clustering on low-dimensional representation of co-occurrence networks ascertained sensitization and c-sigE clusters across populations. Cross-country comparisons focused on a common subset of 18 c-sIgEs. We investigated sensitization networks across regions in relation to asthma severity.
Results: Sensitization profiles shared similarities across regions. For 18 c-sIgEs shared across study populations, the response structure enabled differentiation between different geographic areas and study designs, revealing 3 clusters: (1) Uganda, Ecuador, and Brazil, (2) U-BIOPRED children and adults, and (3) New Zealand, United Kingdom, and MAAS. Spectral clustering identified differences between clusters. We observed constant, almost parallel shifts between severe and nonsevere asthma in each country.
Conclusions: Patterns of c-sIgE response reflect geographic location and study design. However, despite geographic differences in c-sIgE networks, there is a remarkably consistent shift between networks of subjects with nonsevere and severe asthma.fals
Dieter Müller–his legacies in Nordic tourism research
No full textIn November 2025, Professor Dieter Müller of the University of Umeå suddenly passed away while returning from a work meeting in Norway. His unexpected death sent shockwaves through the Nordic tourism and geography communities to which he has long been a significant contributor. This paper celebrates his life and work, which linked theory development with empirical studies and his contributions to Nordic tourism research. Three main themes are identified: second home tourism, Sámi tourism, and Arctic tourism geography. The commonalities of the three areas are that Dieter saw tourism as a dynamic and modernising industrial and social field, significant for wellbeing, and important to regional development and the societal development of the Arctic region. In addition, there is an awareness of tourism’s ethnopolitical significance and, more recently, geopolitical significance, viewing tourism as both a changing force in society and as a product of societal changes.fals
Conditional synergy: Impact of nutrient abundance on multispecies biofilm formation and sanitizer tolerance
No full textBacteria exist in varying nutrient conditions and complex microbial consortia. Pseudomonas fluorescens, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes are commonly occurring biofilm-formers, share a similar nutritional niche, and have been isolated from common surfaces in multispecies environments. Biofilm properties, including biomass (O.D590 nm), cell concentration (log CFU/cm2), exopolysaccharide content (μg/cm2), structure, and sanitizer tolerance (sodium hypochlorite), were observed under varying nutrient (full-strength TSB and 10 % TSB) conditions on polystyrene surfaces for single and multispecies biofilm. The synergistic interactions between the bacteria in multispecies biofilm were found to be nutrient-dependent, with significantly higher (p < 0.05) biofilm formation, exopolysaccharide content, and sanitizer tolerance in high nutrient conditions (TSB) compared with low nutrient conditions (10 % TSB). The cell concentrations in the biofilm (single and multispecies) were found to be comparable between TSB and 10 % TSB. All three bacteria involved showed increased tolerance against sanitizers in the multispecies arrangement compared to their single-species counterparts, with significantly higher survival for L. monocytogenes (5.3 log CFU/cm2) in a multispecies biofilm compared to its single-species counterpart (2.3 log CFU/cm2). A positive correlation was observed between exopolysaccharide concentration and sanitizer tolerance. This study highlights the importance of taking multiple bacteria and their growth environment into account when understanding sanitizer response, as it varies in multispecies biofilm setups and according to nutrient availability.fals
Scott Morrison and Dan Andrews got it wrong. Here are 7 ways to get crisis leadership right
No full textSpeed of Adjustment in Digital Assets in a Decentralized Financial World
No full textThis paper investigates the stability and co-movement of cryptocurrency assets in Decentralized Finance (DeFi), with a focus on the Speed of Adjustment (SA), the rate at which shocks dissipate, and prices revert to long-run equilibrium. SA provides a critical measure of market efficiency and portfolio allocation in a highly volatile DeFi environment. We extend conventional cointegration analysis by applying a Fractionally Cointegrated Vector Autoregressive framework, which captures slow error corrections. Rolling estimations generate a time-varying series of SA, allowing examination of its evolution and cross-asset spillovers. The results reveal multiple cointegrating relationships, heterogeneous adjustment speeds, and strong contagion effects among DeFi assets. For instance, RPL exhibits rapid yet volatile adjustment, while LDO, BAL, and SNX revert more slowly, reflecting distinct risk-return trade-offs. Spillover analysis highlights high systemic interconnectedness, underscoring challenges for diversification and contagion management. Overall, dynamic SA emerges as a valuable forward-looking indicator of stability in digital asset markets.fals
Understanding social-ecological connections through regenerative tourism : a study of Tōtaranui/Queen Charlotte Sound, Aotearoa New Zealand : a dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies at Massey University, Manawatū/Palmerston North, Aotearoa New Zealand. EMBARGOED until further notice
No full textEMBARGOED until further noticeThis thesis examines the role of regenerative tourism in Tōtaranui/Queen Charlotte Sound, Aotearoa New Zealand, to understand how tourism can move beyond sustainability to contribute to ecosystem restoration, cultural revitalisation, and the strengthening of social-ecological connectivity. Grounded in a social constructivist epistemology and a qualitative, place-based methodology, this research draws on participant observation and semi-structured interviews to investigate how regenerative tourism is shaped and how community insights deepen our understanding of people-place relationships.
This study argues that tourism, as a primary interface between people and the environment, holds a responsibility to foster collective place-based guardianship. However, community perspectives range from those that embrace a holistic, interconnected view of people and nature, to others that remain cautious about tourism’s ability to deliver meaningful environmental and community benefits. A key concern is the financial viability of regenerative efforts, as regeneration work often relies on volunteerism rather than tourism revenue alone. Tensions persist regarding who benefits from regenerative tourism and whether businesses should be expected to align more closely with regenerative aspirations. This thesis foregrounds the operational challenges revealed through the empirical findings, offering a grounded discussion of the predominantly aspirational narratives in existing literature.
Through engagement with relevant literature and findings, this study develops a regenerative tourism framework that values marine and terrestrial environments and all living beings within them, informed by the scholarship of social-ecological resilience. The regeneration of natural ecosystems in Tōtaranui is increasingly intertwined with the regeneration of human society, highlighting the environmental and social connectivity required for transformative change. Smaller, tightly interconnected systems appear better positioned to implement regenerative practices, depending on the depth of people-place interconnectedness and the recognition of communities’ assets and capabilities. While the connectivity of ecosystems and human societies is widely acknowledged, meaningful and inclusive approaches to social-ecological regeneration require further exploration
Resolving reticulate evolutionary histories of polyploid species of Azorella (Apiaceae) endemic to New Zealand
No full textGenera with species of multiple ploidy levels provide models to understand successive rounds of whole genome duplication leading to intricate reticulate relationships of polyploid plant species. Here, we studied 17 polyploid taxa (species, subspecies, or varieties) in Azorella (Apiaceae) sections Schizeilema and Stilbocarpa that are mostly endemic to New Zealand. Using phylogenomic approaches, our goals were to resolve species relationships, determine the origins of the higher-level polyploids (6x and 10x), and assess the biogeography of the New Zealand Azorella species. Phylogenomic analysis of Anigosperms353 baits-captured Hyb-Seq data, together with comparison of phylogenies reconstructed using genome-skimming retrieved nrDNA and plastome sequences, showed that species diversification within New Zealand may relate to multiple origins from South America, which has been further shaped by additional rounds of polyploidy as well as hybridization or introgression. The two Azorella sections in New Zealand likely resulted from different biogeographic events from South America − one to the subantarctic islands (section Stilbocarpa) and a second to the South Island (section Schizeilema). In addition, within section Schizeilema, species have dispersed from the South Island (New Zealand) to Australia, the subantarctic islands, and the North Island (New Zealand). Our combined approach of phylogenomic analyses of plastome and nuclear locus-based data, together with SNP-based network approaches allowed us to determine the origins of some higher-level polyploids in New Zealand Azorella and revealed a more complex picture of historical and ongoing polyploidy and hybridization within these lineages.fals
Novel rutin-casein composites as functional dry ingredients for the delivery of high concentration of rutin in dairy beverages: in vitro bioaccessibility, cytotoxicity, absorption, and intestinal barrier integrity
No full textRutin, a flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has poor solubility (highly hydrophobic) and is unstable during gastrointestinal digestion, limiting its use in functional foods. To overcome this challenge, we developed two rutin-caseinate composites (RCC1 and RCC2) as delivery vehicles for incorporation into functional foods/beverages. While both systems deliver rutin at high concentration, they differ in terms of methodology, loading capacity, and applications. The gastrointestinal stability, bioaccessibility, and antioxidant potential of these delivery systems, both alone and incorporated into a functional dairy beverage (flavoured milk), were assessed. We also examined the cytotoxicity, absorption, and intestinal barrier integrity of rutin using an intestinal epithelial cell model. The bioaccessibility of rutin from RCC1 and RCC2 was found to be 63 % and 45 %, respectively, compared to untreated rutin (UR), which was undetectable due to precipitation. Additionally, RCC2 exhibited superior intestinal barrier integrity with a trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER) value of 1655 Ω/cm2 for 24 h, outperforming both RCC1 (1384 Ω/cm2) and UR (915 Ω/cm2). Intracellular antioxidant activity was significantly higher for both composites in terms of lower relative fluorescent units (RFU); 44 RFU for RCC1 and 42 RFU for RCC2, compared to 63 RFU for UR, demonstrating their enhanced protective effects. Caco-2 cell viability of the composite samples was higher, with no cytotoxicity observed compared to UR, confirming their safety. When incorporated into milk, both systems improved rutin bioaccessibility, with RCC1 showing a stronger antioxidant response (87 RFU) than RCC2 (100 RFU) and untreated rutin (140 RFU) during extended incubation. These findings suggest that both RCC1 and RCC2 are stable, soluble, and safe for physiological systems. Their incorporation into dairy matrices enhances rutin bioaccessibility and antioxidant potential, making them a promising approach for functional foods development.fals
Preparation of nanoparticles from atmospheric pressure plasma jet-activated gas modified pectin for oral insulin delivery
No full textThis study investigates the effects of atmospheric pressure plasma jet-activated gas (APPJ) treatment on pectin and its nanoparticles (APPJ-pectin NPs), and explores their applications in oral insulin delivery systems. The results showed that as APPJ treatment progressed, the molecular weight of pectin significantly decreased, while the degree of esterification increased and its hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties altered. The insulin encapsulation efficiency of APPJ-pectin NPs exhibited minimal variation during the initial stage of treatment. In vitro release studies showed that APPJ-pectin NPs protected insulin in simulated gastric fluid and gradually released it at neutral pH, with the release rate initially decreasing and then increasing with extended APPJ treatment. The hemolysis rates of all samples ranged from 2% to 5%, suggesting that APPJ-pectin NPs exhibited favorable hemocompatibility. APPJ-pectin NPs primarily underwent transepithelial transport via the transcellular pathway, being internalized by endocytosis and subsequently transported intracellularly into the bloodstream. The transepithelial transport efficiency of APPJ-pectin NPs was evaluated using the Transwell system. APPJ treatment significantly increased the transport efficiency, with A60-NPs showing a 57.14% increase compared to the control. Confocal laser scanning microscope observations and flow cytometry experiments further confirmed this result, demonstrating that the uptake of APPJ-pectin NPs by Caco-2 cells was time-dependent, with A60-NPs exhibiting the highest uptake efficiency.fals
Enzymatic dispersion of pseudomonad biofilms grown at psychrotrophic temperature
No full textPseudomonads are robust biofilm formers in psychrotrophic temperatures, which can cause spoilage in dairy, poultry, and meat processing. This study screened eleven isolates for the biofilm-forming ability using the Congo Red Assay (CRA) and the crystal violet assay. Two isolates, 3SM and 20SM, showed significantly higher EPS production, cellulose synthesis and cell count at 4ºC and were selected for the enzymatic dispersion. Mature biofilms formed on the stainless-steel surface for 72 h at 4°C were treated with laboratory enzymes (Proteinase-K, Cellulase, and DNase I) and commercial enzymes (formulated cleaners, EnduroZyme, DualZyme, and TriZyme). Compared to laboratory enzymes, commercial enzymes were efficient in dispersing the biofilms (EnduroZyme- 62 %, DualZyme- 42 %, and TriZyme-32 % of biofilm removal), which was confirmed by cell counts, crystal violet assay, and microscopic observations. However, none of the treatments resulted in complete biofilm dispersion. These findings highlight the resilience of psychrotrophic pseudomonad biofilms and underscore the need for improved enzymatic strategies tailored for cold-chain environments.fals