Motivating the use of real-time multimodal travel planners: the role of users value, technophile and community resilience

Advanced traveler Information systems (ATIS) have the potential to improve travel experience, enhance personal mobility and productivity, since they allow travelers to make better informed travel decisions. However, understanding the motivators underlying individuals’ intentions to use the system is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of this solution for promoting sustainable travel trends. The aim of this paper is to find the drivers that influence decisions in using such systems on an individual level. Perceived values developed by using the new system, technophile and community resilience constructs are incorporated in the framework in order to better explain user-sided heterogeneity observed in individual behavior. The case-study focuses on a new ATIS in Copenhagen. It questions 822 Danish citizens by distributing a technology-use preference survey. Structural equation models revealed that the drivers are specific to individual users and depends on wide ranging factors that go above traditional economic and socio-demographic methods. The results show a) different value dimensions perceived by individuals for the new information system and different effects on its adoption b) a relation between different community resilience constructs and value dimensions c) a stronger appeal of using the system to individuals who are technophile and value the usefulness of the new information system to increase trip efficiency

Loss of DLX3 tumor suppressive function promotes progression of SCC through EGFR-ERBB2 pathway

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) ranks second in the frequency of all skin cancers. The balance between keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation is disrupted in the pathological development of cSCC. DLX3 is a homeobox transcription factor which plays pivotal roles in embryonic development and epidermal homeostasis. To investigate the impact of DLX3 expression on cSCC prognosis, we carried out clinicopathologic analysis of DLX3 expression which showed statistical correlation between tumors of higher pathologic grade and levels of DLX3 protein expression. Further, Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis demonstrated that low DLX3 expression correlated with poor patient survival. To model the function of Dlx3 in skin tumorigenesis, a two-stage dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA)/12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) study was performed on mice genetically depleted of Dlx3 in skin epithelium (Dlx3cKO). Dlx3cKO mice developed significantly more tumors, with more rapid tumorigenesis compared to control mice. In Dlx3cKO mice treated only with DMBA, tumors developed after similar to 16 weeks suggesting that loss of Dlx3 has a tumor promoting effect. Whole transcriptome analysis of tumor and skin tissue from our mouse model revealed spontaneous activation of the EGFR-ERBB2 pathway in the absence of Dlx3. Together, our findings from human and mouse model system support a tumor suppressive function for DLX3 in skin and underscore the efficacy of therapeutic approaches that target EGFR-ERBB2 pathway

Comparative evaluation of NOTCH signaling molecules in the endometrium of women with various gynecological diseases during the window of implantation

Objective(s): NOTCH signaling pathway is well known for its role in cell fate, cell survival, cell differentiation, and apoptosis. Some of the NOTCH signaling genes are critical for endometrial function and implantation in animals and appear to play a similar role in humans. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the potential roles of some main components of the NOTCH family in human endometrium during implantation period in common gynecological diseases. Materials and Methods: Endometrial NOTCH receptors NOTCH1, 3, 4 and ligand JAG1, 2 and survivin mRNA expression were investigated using the Q-PCR technique and the amount of the JAG1, 2 proteins was also determined by Western blot. Samples were obtained from 12 patients with endometriosis, 12 patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF), 12 patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and 10 healthy fertile women as a control group. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 18. Group comparisons were performed by one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis. Results: All patient groups failed to show the expected mid-luteal increase in NOTCH1, JAG 1, 2, and survivin expression as documented in the control group. Moreover, a significant rise in NOTCH3 expression levels was found only in PCOS women. There was a direct correlation between gene expression and protein level for JAG 1, 2. Conclusion: Aberrant NOTCH signaling molecules expression suggests that altered development of the endometrium at the molecular level may be associated with the impaired decidualization and implantation failure in gynecological disorders such as endometriosis, PCOS, and RIF. © 2019, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

The study and feasibility of Cheshmeh-Ali River and downstream area of Shahid Shah-Charaghy dam in Damghan for aquaculture development

To reveal the fisheries productivity and to get the maximum possible exploitations of the running water resources, existing potentials for aquaculture in Shit and Kordabad rivers in Tarom of Zanjan province were surveyed in a one year round study. In this way 4 and 3 sampling site were respectively selected in Shit and Kordabad rivers and benthic macroinvertebrates and water samples were collected and analyzed at least two times a season and fish fauna were also sampled and studied only two times during the period. All the measured water quality characteristics(such as O_2, water temperature, pH, nutrients, NH_3, BOD_5 and . . . ) were within the normal range suggested for the cold water fish culture. In both rivers no significant differences (p≤95%) were detected for physicochemical parameters within the study sites except for electrical conductivity and total hardness which differed in the firs and last station. Depletion of Agricultural run off and residual from the adjacent farmlands and municipal drainages into the water body of the rivers, were certainly effective in these changes However none of water quality parameters exceed the maximum permitted level for aquaculture. According to the benthic macroinvertebrates study 38 family of 12 taxa and 26 family of the 11 taxa were identified in Shit and Kordabad rivers respectively, most of them belonged to the aquatic insect larvae of the sensitive groups. Community structure indices and Hilsenhof family level biotic index proved a "very good" to "good" water quality criteria for the study sites in both rivers .One fish species in Shit and five species (4 of them were endemic) were identified in Kordabad river. Despite acceptable water quality in Shit river, some inhibiting factors such as adjacent farmlands and dense agricultural land use, high slope of river valley in most region which cause rare suitable lands for locating aquaculture sites, very limited access to road and electricity supply and lack of acceptability to manipulate or divert river water for fish farms, by the local people, are the major constrains for constructing trout farms in Shit river. However constructing a 15 mt capacity rainbow trout farm is possible at first 2 kilometers of the upstream where the water quality and quantity are relatively better and there are some lands with low slope and access to road and electricity supply. Kordabad river has a similar criteria and water quality and quantity at upstream is desirable for rainbow trout culture. The first 2 kilometer of this river is capable of constructing trout farms in some non cultivated lands. Moreover the Kordabad natural dam reservoir is available to conduct its water for further demands. In addition a total of 75mt rainbow trout production in the form of 2 or 3 separate site is possible in this river. Even though the local climate particularly in Kordabad river is acceptable for carp fishes, however land limitations, soil texture and the high volume of water demands, make warm water fishes commercial production impossible

Survey on health and disease status of ornamental fishes in Golestan, Mazanderan and Khorasan Razavi provinces

The project of survey on health status of ornamental fishes in Mazenderan , Golestan and Khorasan Razavi carried out with association of 5 , 2 and 6 centers in orderly. The main aims of this survey were identification and distribution local infectious of epizootic diseases, identification positive and negative points, offers management applicable guidelines to prevent of diseases.The results of survey showed that important virologically agent identified was Lymphocystis virus in Angel fish. Also, main bacteriologically agents were Aeromonas spp, Pseudomonas spp and vibrio. As well as, from the fungal agents that were identified can mentioned to Aspergilus flavus, Mucor, Penicilium and Alternaria. The important parasitic agents also were Trichodina, Ichthyophytrius, tetrahymena, Dactylogyrus, Gyrodactylus and capillaria. In the health management part of this survey positive points include non-application of antibiotic and cooperative of hatchery directors with executive organizations to sampling examination periodically. The negative points were non familiarity and training about fish disease, were not technical director, prepairing feeds without familiarity with principals of diets, non-quarantine units before fishes entrance to production cycles, non existens good food storage rooms, non existens foot bath in entrance gate to the hatchery systems and ets

Fear of falling among Brazilian and Portuguese older adults

Background Falling is the leading cause of physical disability, mortality and social exclusion in older adults. In Brazil and Portugal, falls cause thousands of hospitalisations every year. Fear of falling (FOF) causes loss of confidence in accomplishing daily tasks, restriction in social activities and increased dependence. Aim To compare the prevalence of FOF between Brazilian and Portuguese community‐dwelling older adults and the factors associated with FOF. Methods A secondary analysis of cross‐sectional survey data collected from older adults residing in Brazil (n = 170; M age=70.44 years) and Portugal (n = 170; M age=73.56 years). Results The prevalence of FOF was significantly higher (p = 0.015) among Portuguese (n = 133, 54.1%) versus Brazilian (n = 113, 45.9%) older adults. FOF among Brazilian older adults was associated with being 76 + years of age and female. Among Portuguese older adults, factors associated with FOF were intake of daily medications, having fallen within the past year, and visual difficulties. Conclusions Fear of falling is linked with modifiable and non‐modifiable factors. Timely assessments of FOF and factors associated with FOF are essential. Implications for practice Primary care nurses should assess and address FOF in older people with interdisciplinary practitioners