Authenticity perceptions of nature based-attractions, such as Preikestolen, Norway, by people with different backgrounds

Master's thesis in International Hospitality ManagementThis explorative case study is about Preikestolen, one of the most iconic attraction in Norway. Recently, it has an increasing number in visitation and provides relatively easy hiking, due its’ route developments, engaging “mass” or individual tourists with different levels of experience. Nature-based tourism satisfies the needs of contemporary tourists, providing a variety of visual and physical experiences, such as recreation, sightseeing, wilderness, relaxation, personal interactions, etc., being main motives for tourists. The paper measures existential authenticity of activity-based attractions, playing a crucial role in overall satisfaction and latter behavioural attitudes. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationships between tourist backgrounds, in this case, prior tourist nature-based experience, and perceptions of the Preikestolen experience authenticity. This paper represents the data of 74 tourists’ experiences, on-site data sources include in-person interviews and on-site observations. The results agree with previous works in the literature, arguing for “the difference of perceptions between experienced/inexperienced” visitors. The paper revealed a negative relationship between prior experience and authenticity, meaning that the more experienced tourists are, the less authentic Preikestolen experience is for them. Inexperienced tourists responded more positively to the authenticity, unlike experienced, but, also, accompanied with a frustration caused by the low service of the attraction. This paper provides practical managerial implications based on study results and discussions about a controversy between the need for commoditization of Preikestolen and preservation of authenticity, attracting the visitors

Nanomaterials for controlling bacterial pathogens and resistance occurrence

lnfectious diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide while the constantly raising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major concern for the public health. During the infection establishment bacteria! pathogens communicate via expression of signaling molecules, controlled through a phenomenon called quorum sensing (QS). As a result of this, bacteria produce virulence factors and form resistant biofilms on living and non-living surfaces causing persistent infections. The infection complexity, especially in chronic diseases, requires the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics responsive for the appearance and the spread of drug resistant species. lnfections caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens are associated with high morbidity, mortality, and huge economic burden. Unlike the decrease over the past three decades of the number of novel marketed antimicrobial drugs, the number of antibiotic resistant bacteria! strains steadily increases. Thus, there is an urgent need for development of alternative strategies to manage difficult-to-treat infections. This thesis aims at the engineering of advanced nano-enabled materials and nanostructured coatings for controlling bacteria! pathogenesis and resistance occurrence. To achieve this, biopolymers, antibiofilm and anti-infective enzymes. and inorganic compounds were nano-hybridized as altemative modalities to the conventional antibiotics. The nanoform was able to provide enhanced interaction with bacteria! cell membranes and easier penetration into biofilms, increasing the antimicrobial efficacy at lower dosages, while preventing from development of antimicrobial resistance. Additionally, specific targeting moieties increased the nanomaterial's interaction with the pathogens, avoiding the drug resistance appearance and cytotoxicity. The first part ofthe thesis describes the functionalization of biologically inert nanoparticles (NPs) with membrane disturbing antimicrobial aminocellulose (AM) and biocompatible hyaluronic acid (HA) in an Lbl fashion for elimination of medically relevant pathogens. The generated nanoentities demonstrated high potential to inhibit the biofilm formation, without affecting the human cell viability. Further, the Lbl technique was applied to decorate antimicrobial, but potentially toxic silver (Ag) nano-templates with biocompatible AM and quorum quenching (QQ) acylase in order to obtain safe antibacterial and antibiofilm nanomaterials. The deposition of acylase and AM on the Ag core interfered with the QS signaling and bacteria! pathogenesis, and enhanced the NPs interaction with the bacteria! membrane. The integration of a triple mechanisms of action in the hybrid nanoentities resulted in complete bacteria and biofilm eradication and improved biocompatibility ofthe AgNPs. The thesís also describes the development of targeted nanocapsules (NCs) for selective elimination of Staphylococcus aureus. Herein, self-assembling nanoencapsulation technology using the biocompatible and biodegradable proteín zein was applied for the generation of zein NCs loaded with bactericida! oregano essential oil (EO). An antibody specifically targeting S. aureus was covalently grafted on the NCs surface. The obtained targeted NCs demonstrated antibacterial selectivity in a mixed bacteria! inoculum, and the treatment efficacy was validated in an in vitro coculture model of bacteria and mammalian cells. Finally, high intensity ultrasonochemistry (US) process was employed for engineering of durable antibacterial/antibiofilm coating on urinary catheters. The simultaneous deposition of zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs anda matrix-degrading amylase enzyme improved the NPs adhesion on the silicone material, and prevented its bacteria! colonization and biofilm formation in vitro. The hybrid nanostructured coating delayed the occurrence of early onset urinary tract infections (UTls) and showed excellent biosafety in an in vivo animal model.Las enfermedades infecciosas son la principal causa de muerte en todo el mundo. Mientras que la resistencia a los antimicrobianos es una preocupación importante para la salud pública. Durante el establecimiento de la infección los patógenos bacterianos se comunican mediante la expresión de moléculas de señalización controladas mediante un fenómeno llamado detección de quórum (QS). Como resultado, las bacterias producen factores de virulencia y forman biopelículas resistentes que causan infecciones persistentes. Las infecciones causadas por patógenos resistentes a los antibióticos se asocian con una alta morbilidad mortalidad y una enorme carga económica. A diferencia de la disminución en las últimas tres décadas del número de nuevos medicamentos antimicrobianos comercializados el número de cepas bacterianas resistentes a los antibióticos aumenta constantemente. Por lo tanto existe la necesidad urgente de desarrollar estrategias alternativas para manejar infecciones diflciles de tratar. Esta tesis tiene como objeto de trabajo la ingenieria de materiales y recubrimientos avanzados nano estructurados para controlar la patogénesis bacteriana y la aparición de resistencias. Para lograrlo se combina polímeros anti biopelícula, enzimas anti infecciosas y compuestos inorgánicos como estrategias alternativas a los antibióticos convencionales. La nanoforma puede proporcionar una interacción mejorada con las membranas celulares bacterianas y una penetración más fácil en las biopelículas, aumentando la eficacia antimicrobiana en dosis más bajas al mismo tiempo que previene el desarrollo de resistencia antimicrobiana. Además las fracciones de orientación especificas aumentan la interacción del nano material con los patógenos evitando la aparición de resistencia al fármaco y la citotoxicidad.La primera parte de la tesis describe la funcionalización de nano partículas (NP) biológicamente inertes con aminocelulosa antimicrobiana (AM) perturbadora de la membrana y ácido hialurónico (HA) biocompatible en forma de LbL para la eliminación de patógenos médicamente relevantes. Las nanoentidades generadas demuestran un alto potencial para inhibir la formación de biopelículas sin afectar la viabilidad en las células humanas. Además, la técnica L.bL se aplica para decorar nanoplantillas de plata (Ag) antimicrobianas,pero potencialmente tóxicas con PNt biocompatible y acilasa de extinción de quórum (QQ) para obtener nanomateriales antibacterianos y anti biopelícula seguros. La deposición de acilasa y PNt en el núcleo de Ag interfiere con la señalización de QS y la patogénesis bacteriana y mejora la interacción de las NP con la membrana bacteriana. La integración de un triple mecanismo de acción en las nanoentidades híbridas da como resultado la erradicación completa de bacterias y biopelículas y una mejor biocompatibilidad de los AgNP. La tesis también describe el desarrollo de nanocápsulas dirigidas (NC) para la eliminación selectiva de Staphylococcus aureus. En este trabajo se aplica la tecnología de nanoencapsulación de autoensamblaje que utiliza la proteína Zeína biocompatible y biodegradable para la generación de NC de Zelna cargadas con aceite esencial de orégano bactericida.Un anticuerpo dirigido específicamente a S.aureus se injerta covalentemente en la superficie de las NC. Las NC dirigidos obtenidos demuestran selectividad antibacteriana en un inóculo bacteriano mixto.y la eficacia del tratamiento se valida en un modelo de cocultivo in vitro de bacterias y células de mamíferos.Finalmente, se emplea un proceso de ultrasonoqufmica de alta intensidad. Para la ingeniería de un recubrimiento antibacterlano/anti biopelícula duradero en catéteres urinarios. La deposición de NP de Óxido de Zinc y enzima amilasa que degrada la matriz.mejora la adhesión de las NP en el material de silicona evitando su colonización bacteriana y la formación de biopeliculas in vitroPostprint (published version

Simultaneous ultrasound-assisted hybrid polyzwitterion/antimicrobial peptide nanoparticles synthesis and deposition on silicone urinary catheters for prevention of biofilm-associated infections

Nosocomial infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria are constantly growing healthcare threats, as they are the reason for the increased mortality, morbidity, and considerable financial burden due to the poor infection outcomes. Indwelling medical devices, such as urinary catheters, are frequently colonized by bacteria in the form of biofilms that cause dysfunction of the device and severe chronic infections. The current treatment strategies of such device-associated infections are impaired by the resistant pathogens but also by a risk of prompting the appearance of new antibiotic-resistant bacterial mechanisms. Herein, the one-step sonochemical synthesis of hybrid poly(sulfobetaine) methacrylate/Polymyxin B nanoparticles (pSBMA@PM NPs) coating was employed to engineer novel nanoenabled silicone catheters with improved antifouling, antibacterial, and antibiofilm efficiencies. The synergistic mode of action of nanohybridized zwitterionic polymer and antimicrobial peptide led to complete inhibition of the nonspecific protein adsorption and up to 97% reduction in Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation, in comparison with the pristine silicone. Additionally, the bactericidal activity in the hybrid coating reduced the free-floating and surface-attached bacterial growth by 8 logs, minimizing the probability for further P. aeruginosa spreading and host invasion. This coating was stable for up to 7 days under conditions simulating the real scenario of catheter usage and inhibited by 80% P. aeruginosa biofilms. For the same time of use, the pSBMA@PM NPs coating did not affect the metabolic activity and morphology of mammalian cells, demonstrating their capacity to control antibiotic-resistant biofilm-associated bacterial infections.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

The impact of common envelope development criteria on the formation of LIGO/Virgo sources

The treatment and criteria for development of unstable Roche lobe overflow (RLOF) that leads to the common envelope (CE) phase have hindered the evolutionary predictions for decades. In particular, the formation of black hole-black hole (BH-BH), black hole-neutron star (BH-NS), and neutron star-neutron star (NS-NS) merging binaries depends sensitively on the CE phase in classical isolated binary evolution model. All these mergers are now reported as LIGO/Virgo sources or source candidates. CE is even considered by some as a mandatory phase in the formation of BH-BH, BH-NS or NS-NS mergers in binary evolution. At the moment, there is no full first-principles model for development of CE. We employ the Startrack population synthesis code to test the current advancements in studies on stability of RLOF for massive donors to assess their effect on LIGO/Virgo source population. In particular, we allow for more restrictive CE development criteria for massive donors. We also test a modified condition for switching between different types of stable mass transfer. Implemented modifications significantly influence basic properties of merging double compact objects, sometimes in non-intuitive way. For one of tested models with restricted CE development criteria local merger rate density for BH-BH systems increased due to emergence of a new dominant formation scenario without any CE phase. We find that the changes in highly uncertain assumptions on RLOF physics may significantly affect (i) local merger rate density, (ii) shape of the mass and mass ratio distributions, and (iii) dominant evolutionary formation (with and without CE) scenarios of LIGO/Virgo sources. Our results demonstrate that without sufficiently strong constraints on RLOF physics, one is not able to draw fully reliable conclusions about the population of double compact object systems based on population synthesis studies.Comment: 20 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Layer-by-Layer coating of aminocellulose and quorum quenching acylase on silver nanoparticles synergistically eradicate bacteria and their biofilms

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the failure of the existing antibacterial therapeutics call for development of novel treatment strategies. Furthermore, the formation of bacterial biofilms restricts drug penetration and efficiency, causing life-threatening infections. Bacterial attachment and biofilm formation are regulated by the cell-to-cell communication phenomenon called quorum sensing (QS). In this work, antimicrobial silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are decorated in a layer-by-layer fashion with the oppositely charged aminocellulose (AM) and acylase to generate hybrid nanoentities with enhanced antibacterial and antibiofilm activities as well as reduced cytotoxicity. Acylase, a quorum-quenching enzyme that degrades the QS signals in the extracellular environment of bacteria, disrupts the bacterial QS process and together with the bactericidal AM synergistically lowers fourfold the minimum inhibitory concentration of the AgNPs templates toward Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). The hybrid nanoparticles in eightfold-lower concentration than the AgNPs inhibit 45% of the QS-regulated virulence factors produced by the reporter Chromobacterium violaceum bacterial strain and reduce by 100% the P. aeruginosa biofilm formation. Moreover, the sequential deposition of antibacterial/antibiofilm active and biocompatible biopolymers onto the AgNPs allows the engineering of safe nanomaterials that do not affect the viability of human cells.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Nano-formulation endows quorum quenching enzyme-antibiotic hybrids with improved antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against pseudomonas aeruginosa

The emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria coupled with the shortage of efficient antibacterials is one of the most serious unresolved problems for modern medicine. In this study, the nano-hybridization of the clinically relevant antibiotic, gentamicin, with the bacterial pro-pathological cell-to-cell communication-quenching enzyme, acylase, is innovatively employed to increase its antimicrobial efficiency against Pseudomonas aeruginosa planktonic cells and biofilms. The sonochemically generated hybrid gentamicin/acylase nano-spheres (GeN_AC NSs) showed a 16-fold improved bactericidal activity when compared with the antibiotic in bulk form, due to the enhanced physical interaction and disruption of the P. aeruginosa cell membrane. The nano-hybrids attenuated 97 ± 1.8% of the quorum sensing-regulated virulence factors’ production and inhibited the bacterium biofilm formation in an eight-fold lower concentration than the stand-alone gentamicin NSs. The P. aeruginosa sensitivity to GeN_AC NSs was also confirmed in a real time assay monitoring the bacterial cells elimination, using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation. In protein-enriched conditions mimicking the in vivo application, these hybrid nano-antibacterials maintained their antibacterial and antibiofilm effectiveness at concentrations innocuous to human cells. Therefore, the novel GeN_AC NSs with complementary modes of action show potential for the treatment of P. aeruginosa biofilm infections at a reduced antibiotic dosage.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Efficiency of modern geoinformation technologies application at survey works designing on inland waterways of Russia

Survey works on inland waterways can be contingently divided into two directions. The first ones are directed at maintaining the given dimensions of the waterway and are carried out with the use of technical fleet vessels, which includes the dredging fleet. At the same time the basis creation, the results verification and the control of the survey works implementation are carried out by the survey party. The main types of work here are surveying and trawling works, the implementation of which is carried out at the present time on the inland waterways of Russia using geo information technologies, which makes it possible to improve the quality and efficiency of their realization. Such an approach, firstly, has a positive effect on the implementation of the navigational hydrographic support system of navigators, including in the part of electronic cartography, and secondly, it allows to provide the survey works realization at the modern level. The most effective approaches and methods of modern geo information technologies application, implemented for the collection and processing of high-precision bathymetric information and positioning data to ensure the navigation safety on the inland waterways of the Russian Federation, are considered in the paper

Antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antiviral farnesol-containing nanoparticles prevent Staphylococcus aureus from drug resistance development

Multidrug antimicrobial resistance is a constantly growing health care issue associated with increased mortality and morbidity, and huge financial burden. Bacteria frequently form biofilm communities responsible for numerous persistent infections resistant to conventional antibiotics. Herein, novel nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with the natural bactericide farnesol (FSL NPs) are generated using high-intensity ultrasound. The nanoformulation of farnesol improved its antibacterial properties and demonstrated complete eradication of Staphylococcus aureus within less than 3 h, without inducing resistance development, and was able to 100% inhibit the establishment of a drug-resistant S. aureus biofilm. These antibiotic-free nano-antimicrobials also reduced the mature biofilm at a very low concentration of the active agent. In addition to the outstanding antibacterial properties, the engineered nano-entities demonstrated strong antiviral properties and inhibited the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 by up to 83%. The novel FSL NPs did not cause skin tissue irritation and did not induce the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines in a 3D skin tissue model. These results support the potential of these bio-based nano-actives to replace the existing antibiotics and they may be used for the development of topical pharmaceutic products for controlling microbial skin infections, without inducing resistance development.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version