Carcinoembryonic Antigen-Related Cell Adhesion Molecule 1: A Link Between Insulin and Lipid Metabolism

OBJECTIVE—Liver-specific inactivation of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) by a dominant-negative transgene (l-SACC1 mice) impaired insulin clearance, caused insulin resistance, and increased hepatic lipogenesis. To discern whether this phenotype reflects a physiological function of CEACAM1 rather than the effect of the dominant-negative transgene, we characterized the metabolic phenotype of mice with null mutation of the Ceacam1 gene (Cc1−/−)

Differential livelihood adaptation to social-ecological change in coastal Bangladesh

Social-ecological changes, brought about by the rapid growth of the aquaculture industry and the increased occurrence of climatic stressors, have significantly affected the livelihoods of coastal communities in Asian mega-deltas. This paper explores the livelihood adaptation responses of households of different wealth classes, the heterogeneous adaptation opportunities, barriers and limits (OBLs) faced by these households and the dynamic ways in which these factors interact to enhance or impede adaptive capacities. A mixed methods approach was used to collect empirical evidence from two villages in coastal Bangladesh. Findings reveal that households’ adaptive capacities largely depend on their wealth status, which not only determine their availability of productive resources, but also empower them to navigate social-ecological change in desirable ways. Households operate within a shared response space, which is shaped by the broader socio-economic and political landscape, as well as their previous decisions that can lock them in to particular pathways. While an adaptive response may be effective for one social group, it may cause negative externalities that can undermine the adaptation options and outcomes of another group. Adaptation OBLs interact in complex ways; the extent to which these OBLs affect different households depend on the specific livelihood activities being considered and the differential values and interests they hold. To ensure more equitable and environmentally sustainable livelihoods in future, policies and programs should aim to expand households’ adaptation space by accounting for the heterogeneous needs and complex interdependencies between response processes of different groups

Development of an e-health strategic framework for Vietnam

Vietnam has a population of 91.5 million with 70 % living in rural areas. Much of the population is not well serviced by infrastructure of any form that would support e-health. There is no defined e-health infrastructure or management strategy, however Vietnam does have a number of population health issues that could be somewhat addressed by e-health initiatives as has occurred in so many other similar geographies. The key problem is how to develop and manage a sustainable e-health strategy and implementation framework. A number of significant barriers have been identified including a lack of infrastructure to enable e-health delivery, poor strategy development, a lack of co-ordinated effort towards defined goals, skills shortages in critical areas including health information management, mobile technologies and security and a lack of cultural sensitivity by current research groups and funding. bodies. Breaking down these barriers is critical to any future progress towards an e-health platform. This paper discusses the Vietnamese health environment, the e-health barriers, drivers and opportunities in Vietnam and outlines a framework for future progress towards a time where e-health is an integrated part of the healthcare system

The impact of I.T. development on worker dynamics in Vietnam

Information technology (IT) is a key employment sector in Vietnam and has experienced huge growth over the past decade. Given the low wages and operating costs in Vietnam it is an attractive location for international IT outsourcing companies and is currently ranked 13th in the world. This new business model has changed the attitudes and dynamics of the available workforce and has implications for the growth and competitiveness of the Vietnamese IT industry. This paper will discuss the background of the IT industry in Vietnam and the resultant impact of out-sourcing on Vietnamese culture, education, local industry development and growth, and workforce attitudes

Gender imbalance in undergraduate IT programs - A Vietnamese perspective

The issue of gender imbalance in computing professions and higher education programs is well documented. The specific contextual reasons for the observed disparity are less well documented and in Vietnam are until now unrealized. There are a number of social, political, personal and historical factors that influence female enrollment into IT programs at university and there is no single global scenario. This paper discusses the trends and barriers around the world and examines the gender imbalance in an undergraduate IT course at a Vietnamese campus of an Australian university. A number of initiatives and key success factors for closing the gender gap are presented

Issues in transnational higher education regulation in Vietnam

The expansion of western education into many Asian countries has raised concerns about maintaining the quality of higher education as compared to the home location and complying with quality requirements in the destination location. Similar to other countries in Asia, Vietnam is in a period of significant transnational education influx from the West (Mok, International Journal of Educational Management, 22(6):527-546, 2008). Research has identified that the role of government in setting up appropriate regulations to regulate HE offerings from external providers is very important to safeguard benefits and address issues faced by Vietnamese students.A series of violations of cooperation programs with western partners in Vietnam demonstrate that there is a lack of appropriate governance in quality control for the penetration of western transnational education in this country( Vietnam Breaking News, 2012; Vietnamnet Foreign business school closes down, leaves students in lurch, 2012). This paper examines the approach of the Vietnamese government to the regulation of transnational higher education and the impact of residual issues

BORS/BJR travelling fellowship: image-driven subject-specific spine models: developing a novel tool to measure in vivo loading

This is the author accepted manuscript. the final version is available from the British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery via the DOI in this recordAbstract of paper presented at The British Orthopaedic Research Society (BORS) 2023 Meeting, Cambridge, England, 25–26 September 2023Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC

Public and patient engagement in research to develop technologies for predicting spine loads in vivo

Background: Our current research aims to develop technologies to predict spinal loads in vivo using a combination of imaging and modelling methods. To ensure the project's success and inform future applications of the technology, we sought to understand the opinions and perspectives of patients and the public. Methods: A 90-minute public and patient involvement event was developed in collaboration with Exeter Science Centre and held on World Spine Day 2023. The event involved a brief introduction to the project goals followed by an interactive questionnaire to gauge the participants’ background knowledge and interest. The participants then discussed five topics: communication, future directions of the research, concerns about the research protocol, concerns about data, and interest in the project team and research process. A final questionnaire was used to determine their thoughts about the event. Results: Twelve adults attended the event, many motivated by their experience or interest in back pain. A thematic analysis was used to review participant comments on the research project, identifying the need to relate the research to everyday life, present risks in various ways, and be transparent about funding and data sharing. In terms of future applications, participants felt the technology should be used to understand normal spine behaviour, prevent problems, and improve treatment. Participants agreed that they had got something positive out of engaging in the event. Conclusion: Engagement with public and patient stakeholders is an essential activity that can generate vital information to inform and add value to technology development projects