Big Data Analytics Impact Transformation

The study aimed at evaluating the applications of big data analytics in enhancing the transformation of the global economy. The sample for this study consisted of consultants who are familiar with big data and transformation in marketing. A total of 396 consultants were sent the study questionnaire to participate in the online survey, of which 118 participants commenced the survey. Companies need such input because only half of them create business events and only a quarter calculate key performance indicators such as profitability. One can only wonder whether there is in fact a wide demand for this classification. From a realistic point of view, it may not matter whether the change is radical or transformative, the real impact is more important. Furthermore, the anticipated increase in post-purchase boost is in line with previous studies which mention that companies can offer precise customer service using the new interface. Findings are not astounding as we see such modifications taking place. The popularity of mobile and social applications facilitates customers to access product and service information in a variety of ways when needed, which further augments their product and service awareness. This study shows increased expectations for the use of automation and self-service communication between institutions and customers. The results assured that businesses need such input to be a starting point for firms to verify their business issues

Effectiveness of Open-Graded Base Layer on Subgrade Moisture Regime and Overall Pavement Performance

Rockcap (open-graded crushed aggregate with a nominal maximum size of 2.5 in.) base layer is commonly used in the construction of asphalt pavements in Idaho. The effectiveness of the rockcap layer on the subgrade moisture regime and the overall pavement performance were evaluated. Two pavement sites were selected in northern and southern regions of the state. At each site, two pavement sections that are identical and adjacent to each other were instrumented by temperature, frost, and moisture sensors using time domain reflectometry (TDR) probes. One was constructed by a well-graded 3/4-in. aggregate base, whereas the other was constructed by the rockcap base. Data collected over approximately 4 years included moisture, temperature, frost condition, climatic information, groundwater level, and deflections using a falling weight deflectometer for structural support evaluation. These data were analyzed to assess effects of the rockcap layer on the variation of moisture in the subgrade and on the overall structural capacity of the pavement system. Results showed that the rockcap layer helped reduce the subgrade moisture content in pavements with daylight ditch drains, and it showed an increase in subgrade moisture for sections where the rockcap was confined by native soil and did not continue to side drains. However, performance analysis showed that sections with rockcap layer were always stronger than sections with aggregate base, even when the subgrade moisture content under rockcap was greater. The predicted rutting life for pavement sections with rockcap base layers was approximately five times greater than for sections with aggregate base

Molecular SPECT Imaging: An Overview

Molecular imaging has witnessed a tremendous change over the last decade. Growing interest and emphasis are placed on this specialized technology represented by developing new scanners, pharmaceutical drugs, diagnostic agents, new therapeutic regimens, and ultimately, significant improvement of patient health care. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) have their signature on paving the way to molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine. The former will be the topic of the current paper where the authors address the current position of the molecular SPECT imaging among other imaging techniques, describing strengths and weaknesses, differences between SPECT and PET, and focusing on different SPECT designs and detection systems. Radiopharmaceutical compounds of clinical as well-preclinical interest have also been reviewed. Moreover, the last section covers several application, of μSPECT imaging in many areas of disease detection and diagnosis

Osteopontin as a marker for response to pegylated interferon Alpha-2b treatment in Chronic HCV Saudi patients

Background: Many recent studies support the idea that osteopontin (OPN) can be used to predict the success of pegylated interferon (PEG IFN) alpha-2b/ribavirin therapy in chronic HCV patients.Objective: Our aim was to investigate the role of plasma OPN and its gene polymorphism at nt – 443 in response to PEG IFN in Saudi patients with chronic HCV.Methods: Blood was collected from 87 patients with chronic hepatitis C before treatment, then patients received PEG IFN α2b plus ribavirin combination therapy. Another 25 healthy subjects, matched for age and sex to patients, were enrolled as controls. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in OPN at nt – 443 and its blood level were analyzed.Results: The frequency of patients who reached sustained virological response (SVR) was increased in patients with T/T at nt – 443 than in those with C/C or C/T. Also the frequency of T allele was increased in responders than in non-responders. However, this increase was not statistically significant. The blood level of OPN was significantly increased in non-responders (Mean±SD=37.21±3.9) in comparison to responders (Mean±SD=33.22±4.1).Conclusion: Osteopontin blood level can be considered as a reliable predictor to PEG IFN α2b plus ribavirin therapy in chronic HCV Saudi Patients.Keywords: OPN, PEG IFN, HCV, SVR, SNP, RT-PC

Performance analysis of a single underground thermal storage borehole using phase change material

Ground source heat pumps (GSHP) are used to provide both heating and cooling to a given system. These heat pumps transfer heat efficiently between the system and the ground. Despite this high efficiency, there has been a low adoption rate for GSHPs owing to limited usage in commercial structures and buildings primarily due to high installation costs, but also due to a lack of drilling space and unbalanced heating/cooling loads. Phase change materials (PCMs) can absorb, store and release large amounts of latent heat over a defined narrow temperature range while the material changes phase or state. The main goal of this paper is to be able to predict numerically the performance of a single borehole with the effect of implementing PCMs. In order to successfully proceed with the discussion, two main objectives for this paper are presented. The first objective is to establish a finite element model of a single borehole with accurate assumptions in order to achieve an accurate prediction over four years of operation for a GSHP. Then, the second objective of the paper is to investigate the effect of using PCM in the borehole of GSHP to help maintain a more stable ground temperature range. Two scenarios of different PCM volumes and melting temperatures are presented. It was found that the performance enhancement due to PCMs reaches up to 35% in monthly average COP. In addition, PCMs show great potential to smooth the ground thermal response

Association of the serum chemerin level with the development of diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Background: In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR) correlates positively with elevated serum chemerin levels. This study was aimed at investigating the probable association between the serum chemerin level and the development of DR in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included Egyptians and classified them into four groups: group 1, including healthy individuals; group 2, including patients with T1DM without DR; group 3, including patients with T1DM with non-proliferative DR (NPDR); and group 4, including patients with T1DM with proliferative DR (PDR). The assessment included best-corrected distance visual acuity assessment, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, funduscopy, fundus fluorescein angiography, and macular ocular coherence tomography. Fasting blood samples were obtained from all participants to measure serum chemerin, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol, triglyceride, and creatinine levels. Serum chemerin levels were compared among the groups, and their correlations with age, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and creatinine levels were analyzed. Results: We recruited 209 participants, including 46 healthy individuals in group 1, 52 patients (T1DM and no DR) in group 2, 61 patients (T1DM and NPDR) in group 3, and 50 patients (T1DM and PDR) in group 4, with comparable mean ages and sex ratios among groups. The diabetes duration, body mass index, HbA1c, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and serum chemerin levels differed significantly among the groups (all P < 0.001), whereas the creatinine level did not (P > 0.05). The serum chemerin level was significantly higher in group 4 than in groups 3 and 2, in group 3 than in group 2, and in groups 3 and 4 than in group 1 (all P < 0.001). However, it was comparable between groups 1 and 2 (P > 0.05). It correlated with the duration of T1DM and HbA1c, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and creatinine levels but not with age. Conclusions: Patients with T1DM with DR showed higher serum chemerin levels than those with T1DM without DR or healthy individuals. Serum chemerin levels were higher in those with PDR than in those with NPDR. Thus, serum chemerin levels are a potential biomarker of the development and severity of DR in patients with T1DM. Nevertheless, future diagnostic accuracy studies are required to confirm these potential applications

Wnt signaling exerts an antiproliferative effect on adult cardiac progenitor cells through IGFBP3.

RATIONALE: Recent work in animal models and humans has demonstrated the presence of organ-specific progenitor cells required for the regenerative capacity of the adult heart. In response to tissue injury, progenitor cells differentiate into specialized cells, while their numbers are maintained through mechanisms of self-renewal. The molecular cues that dictate the self-renewal of adult progenitor cells in the heart, however, remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: We investigate the role of canonical Wnt signaling on adult cardiac side population (CSP) cells under physiological and disease conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: CSP cells isolated from C57BL/6J mice were used to study the effects of canonical Wnt signaling on their proliferative capacity. The proliferative capacity of CSP cells was also tested after injection of recombinant Wnt3a protein (r-Wnt3a) in the left ventricular free wall. Wnt signaling was found to decrease the proliferation of adult CSP cells, both in vitro and in vivo, through suppression of cell cycle progression. Wnt stimulation exerted its antiproliferative effects through a previously unappreciated activation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP3), which requires intact IGF binding site for its action. Moreover, injection of r-Wnt3a after myocardial infarction in mice showed that Wnt signaling limits CSP cell renewal, blocks endogenous cardiac regeneration and impairs cardiac performance, highlighting the importance of progenitor cells in maintaining tissue function after injury. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identifies canonical Wnt signaling and the novel downstream mediator, IGFBP3, as key regulators of adult cardiac progenitor self-renewal in physiological and pathological states

Osteopontin as a marker for response to pegylated interferon Alpha-2b treatment in Chronic HCV Saudi patients.

Background: Many recent studies support the idea that osteopontin (OPN) can be used to predict the success of pegylated interferon (PEG IFN) alpha-2b/ribavirin therapy in chronic HCV patients. Objective: Our aim was to investigate the role of plasma OPN and its gene polymorphism at nt \u2013 443 in response to PEG IFN in Saudi patients with chronic HCV. Methods: Blood was collected from 87 patients with chronic hepatitis C before treatment, then patients received PEG IFN \u3b12b plus ribavirin combination therapy. Another 25 healthy subjects, matched for age and sex to patients, were enrolled as controls. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in OPN at nt \u2013 443 and its blood level were analyzed. Results: The frequency of patients who reached sustained virological response (SVR) was increased in patients with T/T at nt \u2013 443 than in those with C/C or C/T. Also the frequency of T allele was increased in responders than in non-responders. However, this increase was not statistically significant. The blood level of OPN was significantly increased in non-responders (Mean\ub1SD=37.21\ub13.9) in comparison to responders (Mean\ub1SD=33.22\ub14.1). Conclusion: Osteopontin blood level can be considered as a reliable predictor to PEG IFN \u3b12b plus ribavirin therapy in chronic HCV Saudi Patients

Development of Gyratory Stability Index to Evaluate Variation of RAP Content and Rutting Resistance of Asphalt Mixtures

UI-19-03ITD Research Report RP 175 developed an algorithm for determining a Gyratory Stability (GS) for asphalt mixtures based on the Servopac gyratory compactor. The GS describes the ability of asphalt mixtures to resist rutting, and it can be determined during the mix design stage using the gyratory compaction data. This study developed a modified algorithm for GS applicable to Pine Gyratory compactor model AFG2AS which is used by ITD districts. In addition, this study investigated the use of the GS, other gyratory compaction indices, and performance tests to detect the variations in mix composition. The researchers prepared and tested laboratory-mixed laboratory-compacted (LMLC) mixes and plant-mixed laboratory-compacted (PMLC) mixes obtained from new paving projects