Challenging the negative images of Haiti at a pre-visit stage using visual online learning materials

Post-conflict destinations can struggle to attract visitors because of their negative image. Research addressing this remains limited. The same can be said about the education of tourists. This research paper contributes to the literature in both areas as it examines the proposition that the education of tourists at a pre-visit stage using online, game-based material could be effective in challenging the negative perception of these destinations. From a destination management point of view, this paper offers an alternative to existing promotional material as there is little evidence at the moment that existing strategies are effective. From a conceptual point of view, this paper contributes to the very limited academic research in Gamification by adding the fact that Gamification can be a very efficient tryvertising tool if using subtle and implicit marketing elements

Travel writing as a tool for sustainable initiatives: Proposing a Dialogue Journaling Process Model

This study explores the transformative potential of travel writing, positioning it as a sustainable, dynamic, and adaptable tool crafted through written dialogue. It shows how travel stories, social media, new tech, and digital platforms work together and how they provide valuable data for research and potentially aid sustainability in tourism through a novel method. Introducing a Dialogue Journaling Process Model, we demonstrate the capacity of travel writing to raise awareness about sustainable practices, analyze the environment, and champion pro-environmental initiatives. Drawing from our pilot study in Slovenia, the findings provide a formal platform for dialogue and refinement. In advocating for the pivotal role of travel writing in advancing sustainable tourism, this research presents a method for this proposition

Exploration of Long-Chain Vitamin E Metabolites for the Discovery of a Highly Potent, Orally Effective, and Metabolically Stable 5-LOX Inhibitor that Limits Inflammation.

Endogenous long-chain metabolites of vitamin E (LCMs) mediate immune functions by targeting 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and increasing the systemic concentrations of resolvin E3, a specialized proresolving lipid mediator. SAR studies on semisynthesized analogues highlight α-amplexichromanol (27a), which allosterically inhibits 5-LOX, being considerably more potent than endogenous LCMs in human primary immune cells and blood. Other enzymes within lipid mediator biosynthesis were not substantially inhibited, except for microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1. Compound 27a is metabolized by sulfation and β-oxidation in human liver-on-chips and exhibits superior metabolic stability in mice over LCMs. Pharmacokinetic studies show distribution of 27a from plasma to the inflamed peritoneal cavity and lung. In parallel, 5-LOX-derived leukotriene levels decrease, and the inflammatory reaction is suppressed in reconstructed human epidermis, murine peritonitis, and experimental asthma in mice. Our study highlights 27a as an orally active, LCM-inspired drug candidate that limits inflammation with superior potency and metabolic stability to the endogenous lead

The C-terminal domain from S. cerevisiae Pat1 displays two conserved regions involved in decapping factor recruitment

Eukaryotic mRNA decay is a highly regulated process allowing cells to rapidly modulate protein production in response to internal and environmental cues. Mature translatable eukaryotic mRNAs are protected from fast and uncontrolled degradation in the cytoplasm by two cis-acting stability determinants: a methylguanosine (m(7)G) cap and a poly(A) tail at their 5' and 3' extremities, respectively. The hydrolysis of the m(7)G cap structure, known as decapping, is performed by the complex composed of the Dcp2 catalytic subunit and its partner Dcp1. The Dcp1-Dcp2 decapping complex has a low intrinsic activity and requires accessory factors to be fully active. Among these factors, Pat1 is considered to be a central scaffolding protein involved in Dcp2 activation but also in inhibition of translation initiation. Here, we present the structural and functional study of the C-terminal domain from S. cerevisiae Pat1 protein. We have identified two conserved and functionally important regions located at both extremities of the domain. The first region is involved in binding to Lsm1-7 complex. The second patch is specific for fungal proteins and is responsible for Pat1 interaction with Edc3. These observations support the plasticity of the protein interaction network involved in mRNA decay and show that evolution has extended the C-terminal alpha-helical domain from fungal Pat1 proteins to generate a new binding platform for protein partners

Protein-Protein Interactions of Tandem Affinity Purified Protein Kinases from Rice

Eighty-eight rice (Oryza sativa) cDNAs encoding rice leaf expressed protein kinases (PKs) were fused to a Tandem Affinity Purification tag (TAP-tag) and expressed in transgenic rice plants. The TAP-tagged PKs and interacting proteins were purified from the T1 progeny of the transgenic rice plants and identified by tandem mass spectrometry. Forty-five TAP-tagged PKs were recovered in this study and thirteen of these were found to interact with other rice proteins with a high probability score. In vivo phosphorylated sites were found for three of the PKs. A comparison of the TAP-tagged data from a combined analysis of 129 TAP-tagged rice protein kinases with a concurrent screen using yeast two hybrid methods identified an evolutionarily new rice protein that interacts with the well conserved cell division cycle 2 (CDC2) protein complex