Developing an Integrated Model of Interactivity in the Context of Travel-Related Web Sites

This dissertation investigates relationships among interactivity as functional features, actual interaction and perception, its moderators (i.e. experience) and its consequences (i.e. attitude, trust and purchase intention) in the context of travel-related Web sites. This study is expected to contribute to the body of knowledge by clarifying the concept of interactivity in an important advertising/marketing context. An experimental design is used to explore key questions about relationships among types of interactivity, with a focus on exploring similarities and differences in Human-to-Human and Human- to-Computer interactivity, as well as moderators and consequences of the interactive experience at travel-related Web sites

Point defects, compositional fluctuations, and secondary phases in non-stoichiometric kesterites

The efficiency of kesterite-based solar cells is limited by various non-ideal recombination paths, amongst others by a high density of defect states and by the presence of binary or ternary secondary phases within the absorber layer. Pronounced compositional variations and secondary phase segregation are indeed typical features of non-stoichiometric kesterite materials. Certainly kesterite-based thin film solar cells with an off-stoichiometric absorber layer composition, especially Cu-poor/Zn-rich, achieved the highest efficiencies, but deviations from the stoichiometric composition lead to the formation of intrinsic point defects (vacancies, anti-sites, and interstitials) in the kesterite-type material. In addition, a non-stoichiometric composition is usually associated with the formation of an undesirable side phase (secondary phases). Thus the correlation between off-stoichiometry and intrinsic point defects as well as the identification and quantification of secondary phases and compositional fluctuations in non-stoichiometric kesterite materials is of great importance for the understanding and rational design of solar cell devices. This paper summarizes the latest achievements in the investigation of identification and quantification of intrinsic point defects, compositional fluctuations, and secondary phases in non-stoichiometric kesterite-type materials

Primary biliary cholangitis: pathogenic mechanisms

Purpose of review Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is characterized by autoimmune damage of intrahepatic bile ducts associated with a loss of tolerance to mitochondrial antigens. PBC etiopathogenesis is intriguing because of different perplexing features, namely: a) although mitochondria are present in all cell types and tissues, the damage is mainly restricted to biliary epithelial cells (BECs); b) despite being an autoimmune disorder, it does not respond to immunosuppressive drugs but rather to ursodeoxycholic acid, a bile salt that induces HCO3- rich choleresis; c) the overwhelming female preponderance of the disease remains unexplained. Here we present an etiopathogenic view of PBC which sheds light on these puzzling facts of the disease. Recent findings PBC develops in patients with genetic predisposition to autoimmunity in whom epigenetic mechanisms silence the Cl-/HCO3- exchanger AE2 in both cholangiocytes and lymphoid cells. Defective AE2 function can produce BECs damage as a result of decreased biliary HCO3- secretion with disruption of the protective alkaline umbrella that normally prevents the penetration of toxic apolar bile salts into cholangiocytes. AE2 dysfunction also causes increased intracellular pH (pHi) in cholangiocytes, leading to the activation of soluble adenylyl cyclase, which sensitizes BECs to bile salt-induced apoptosis. Recently, mitophagy was found to be inhibited by cytosolic alkalization and stimulated by acidification. Accordingly, we propose that AE2 deficiency may disturb mitophagy in BECs, thus, promoting the accumulation of defective mitochondria, oxidative stress and presentation of mitochondrial antigens to the immune cells. As women possess a more acidic endolysosomal milieu than men, mitophagy might be more affected in women in an AE2-defective background. Apart from affecting BECs function, AE2 downregulation in lymphocytes may also contribute to alter immunoregulation facilitating autoreactive T-cell responses. Summary PBC can be considered as a disorder of Cl-/HCO3- exchange in individuals with genetic predisposition to autoimmunity

Calcium-ion batteries: current state-of-the-art and future perspectives

Recent developments in rechargeable battery technology have seen a shift from the well-established Li-ion technology to new chemistries to achieve the high energy density required for extended range electric vehicles and other portable applications, as well as low-cost alternatives for stationary storage. These chemistries include Li–air, Li–S, and multivalent ion technologies including Mg2+, Zn2+, Ca2+, and Al3+. While Mg2+ battery systems have been increasingly investigated in the last few years, Ca2+ technology has only recently been recognized as a viable option. In this first comprehensive review of Ca2+ ion technology, the use of Ca metal anodes, alternative alloy anodes, electrolytes suitable for this system, and cathode material development are discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of Ca2+ ion batteries including prospective achievable energy density, cost reduction due to high natural abundance, low ion mobility, the effect of ion size, and the need for elevated temperature operation are reviewed. The use of density functional theory modeling to predict the properties of Ca-ion battery materials is discussed and the extent to which this approach is successful in directing research into areas of promise is evaluated. To conclude, a summary of recent achievements and evaluates areas for future research efforts is presented

A machine-learned analysis of human gene polymorphisms modulating persisting pain points to major roles of neuroimmune processes

Background Human genetic research has implicated functional variants of more than one hundred genes in the modulation of persisting pain. Artificial intelligence and machine-learning techniques may combine this knowledge with results of genetic research gathered in any context, which permits the identification of the key biological processes involved in chronic sensitization to pain. MethodsResultsBased on published evidence, a set of 110 genes carrying variants reported to be associated with modulation of the clinical phenotype of persisting pain in eight different clinical settings was submitted to unsupervised machine-learning aimed at functional clustering. Subsequently, a mathematically supported subset of genes, comprising those most consistently involved in persisting pain, was analysed by means of computational functional genomics in the Gene Ontology knowledgebase. Clustering of genes with evidence for a modulation of persisting pain elucidated a functionally heterogeneous set. The situation cleared when the focus was narrowed to a genetic modulation consistently observed throughout several clinical settings. On this basis, two groups of biological processes, the immune system and nitric oxide signalling, emerged as major players in sensitization to persisting pain, which is biologically highly plausible and in agreement with other lines of pain research. ConclusionsSignificanceThe present computational functional genomics-based approach provided a computational systems-biology perspective on chronic sensitization to pain. Human genetic control of persisting pain points to the immune system as a source of potential future targets for drugs directed against persisting pain. Contemporary machine-learned methods provide innovative approaches to knowledge discovery from previous evidence. We show that knowledge discovery in genetic databases and contemporary machine-learned techniques can identify relevant biological processes involved in Persitent pain.Peer reviewe

Primary biliary cirrhosis

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is an immune-mediated chronic cholestatic liver disease with a slowly progressive course. Without treatment, most patients eventually develop fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver and may need liver transplantation in the late stage of disease. PBC primarily affects women (female preponderance 9–10:1) with a prevalence of up to 1 in 1,000 women over 40 years of age. Common symptoms of the disease are fatigue and pruritus, but most patients are asymptomatic at first presentation. The diagnosis is based on sustained elevation of serum markers of cholestasis, i.e., alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase, and the presence of serum antimitochondrial antibodies directed against the E2 subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. Histologically, PBC is characterized by florid bile duct lesions with damage to biliary epithelial cells, an often dense portal inflammatory infiltrate and progressive loss of small intrahepatic bile ducts. Although the insight into pathogenetic aspects of PBC has grown enormously during the recent decade and numerous genetic, environmental, and infectious factors have been disclosed which may contribute to the development of PBC, the precise pathogenesis remains enigmatic. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is currently the only FDA-approved medical treatment for PBC. When administered at adequate doses of 13–15 mg/kg/day, up to two out of three patients with PBC may have a normal life expectancy without additional therapeutic measures. The mode of action of UDCA is still under discussion, but stimulation of impaired hepatocellular and cholangiocellular secretion, detoxification of bile, and antiapoptotic effects may represent key mechanisms. One out of three patients does not adequately respond to UDCA therapy and may need additional medical therapy and/or liver transplantation. This review summarizes current knowledge on the clinical, diagnostic, pathogenetic, and therapeutic aspects of PBC

Multi‐Functional Cu‐BTC and ZIF‐67 Grown Chitosan Air Filters for Efficient NO and Particular Matter Removal

Abstract Zeolitic imidazolate framework‐67 (ZIF67) or copper(II)‐benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylate (CuBTC)‐based chitosan fibers grown in situ on fibers can be used in the development of effective air filters. In this context, herein, metal–organic frameworks (ZIF67 or CuBTC) are grown in situ on chitosan fibers (denoted as C‐ZIF67 or C‐CuBTC), and the NO gas adsorption performance, particular matter filtration efficiency, and antibacterial properties of the fabricated materials against E. coli and S. epidermidis are investigated. The specific surface areas of C‐ZIF67 and C‐CuBTC are 311.9 and 140.1 m2 g−1, respectively, whereas that of the untreated chitosan fibers is 0.1 m2 g−1. For C‐ZIF67, the NO adsorption efficiency rapidly increases up to 78%; specifically, 70% adsorption is maintained for 65 min. For C‐CuBTC, the NO adsorption efficiency rapidly increases up to 54% initially and substantially decreases to 41% after 10 min. Furthermore, C‐ZIF67 exhibits a 3.4 times higher NO adsorption capacity than that of C‐CuBTC. For C‐ZIF67 and C‐CuBTC, the filtration efficiencies against PMs are higher than 99%. However, C‐CuBTC shows a higher antibacterial activity (99.99%) against E. coli and S. epidermidis compared to C‐ZIF67. The C‐ZIF67 and C‐CuBTC, derived from renewable resources, can be good alternatives for commercial synthetic air filters because they are biodegradable, cost‐effective, and environment‐friendly

Crafting a single cloth : an essay presented in partial fulfilment for the degree of Master of Design, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand

Pattern-making and garment construction is often an over-looked practice within the fashion industry. This practice-led design project seeks to highlight the craft of pattern-cutting and how it can be used as an alternative method for clothing design. Through an iterative and 'risky' design method, one-piece pattern-construction is explored to create a new fashion aesthetic that was influenced by the cocoon. Experimentations with alternative uses of felt addressed some of the challenges faced when working with a single cloth. New processes were developed to create a more efficient, economical and holistic approach to garment design and construction. These investigations lead to the development of three evolving garments. Transitional aspects in each design encourage user engagement and introduce weavers to rethink their relationship with their clothing. These alternative methods clearly embedded in 'slow fashion' principles