Smart tourism destinations: ecosystems for tourism destination competitiveness

Purpose – Grounded in service-dominant (S-D) logic, the purpose of this paper is to explore the core components of smartness to present a framework for the development of the smart tourism destination. Design/methodology/approach – The paper explores the core components of smartness through case study analysis of well-established smart cities. Findings – The paper conceptualises smartness and argues ICT, leadership, innovation and social capital supported by human capital are core components of smartness. Although ICT is a critical enabler for smart tourism destinations, it is insufficient on its own to introduce smartness. The combination of hard and soft smartness components within a S-D logic ecosystem structure holds the potential for sustained competitive advantage and enhancement of quality of life of both residents and tourists in smart tourism destinations. Originality/value – The paper extends the application of S-D logic to the context of smart tourism destinations, specifically to examine the smartness concept as a means for competitiveness in tourism destinations

Targeting the Premium Market: Organic Crops for Iowa

According to the USDA Economic Research Service, statistics on organic production in the U.S. lag far behind those complied for conventional agriculture. In the last USDA census in 1995, there were 4,050 organic farmers reporting 1.5 million acres of production (Greene 1999). The Organic Farming Research Foundation estimates that there were 10,000 U.S. organic farmers in 1998. In Iowa, 120,000 acres of organic production were reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS 1999). This figure reflects only acreage reported by those farmers who returned their survey; thus, more acres are believed to go unreported. This increase in organic acreage represents a doubling from the previous year, and a four-fold increase since 1993. The organic industry has been experiencing a 20% annual growth rate, with U.S. sales listed at $4.5 billion in 1998 (OT A 1998). The organic industry is a consumer-driven market based on consumers\u27 belief that organic products are safer for human consumption and beneficial to the environment (Bourne 1999). Many consumers affirm the superior health benefits and taste of organic products (Sylvander 1993), although scientific studies are limited, except in the area of pesticide content (C.U. 1999). Researchers found 52% more of the conventional produce on U.S. supermarket shelves contained pesticide residues compared with the organic produce

Evaluation of a pneumatic ankle-foot orthosis: portability and functionality

There are currently many challenges in creating portable human-assistive robotics and exoskeletons, although the need for robotic human assist continues to grow. These challenges span disciplines such as control, design, fuel and efficiency, user-interfaces, neuroscience, and kinesiology. Our lab has developed a pneumatically powered ankle-foot orthosis (PPAFO) to address some of these issues. In this dissertation, we address the issue of availability of portable pneumatic power sources, and we evaluate the short-term kinematic and metabolic impact of a bilateral, bidirectional portable powered ankle-foot orthosis (PPAFO) in an able-bodied population during over-ground walking, and we evaluate the kinematic and metabolic impact of a unilateral, bidirectional portable powered ankle-foot orthosis (PPAFO) in persons with gait impairment due to Multiple Sclerosis. First, in Chapter 2, we address the state of portable powered pneumatic power sources. Specifically, we evaluated the use of compressed gas tanks with carbon dioxide or nitrogen as fuel. A test bench model of the PPAFO and walking trials (treadmill and over-ground) were used to evaluate each tank and gas, investigating normalized run time, minimum tank temperature, and rate of cooling. We concluded that compressed gas tanks can be used to successfully power portable pneumatic robotic platforms, especially when a recycling circuit can be implemented to increase the longevity of the fuel source, but considerations need to be taken into account in order to determine the proper fuel, based on size, weight, cost, and availability. In Chapter 3, we evaluated a bidirectional, bilateral powered ankle-foot orthosis or exoskeleton system during over-ground walking in able-bodied individuals. With the powered PPAFOs, participants were able to reduce the metabolic power needed for walking compared to the unpowered PPAFO condition, and they were able to match the minimum metabolic power needed in shoes walking. Some kinematic changes were seen while using the PPAFOs, specifically an unexpected reduction in plantarflexion during toe-off. In Chapters 4 and 5, we evaluated the use of a bidirectional powered ankle-foot orthosis to assist persons with gait impairment due to multiple sclerosis. Use of the current embodiment of the portable powered AFO did not improve gait performance as measured by spatiotemporal parameters of gait. Significant differences in kinematic parameters at the ankle were observed such that the PPAFO was able to provide better assistance for foot drop during swing than the AFO or a shoes condition. Changes in kinematics at the knee were found such that the changes are likely due to compensatory reactions to the changes at the ankle induced by the footwear. Throughout this work, we have been motivated to further research the mechanical design of the device so that users can better match their natural gait pattern in regards to spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters. Improving device design and functionality will help to determine if powered orthoses can be effective at assisting and improving gait function in persons with gait impairment

Windbreaks in Sustainable Agricultural Systems

Sustainable agriculture is a system of whole-farm resource use balanced with whole-farm productivity. The overall level of productivity achieved is dependent upon the ability to coordinate and manage simultaneously the soil, water, plant, and animal resources within climatic and economic limits. Both the kind and amount of plants and animals supported by the system are important and play significant roles, both individually and collectively in maintaining a healthy farm environment. In the future, integrated systems will help reduce human impact on resources while providing sufficient supplies of high quality food and fiber. Windbreaks provide protection for people, animals, buildings, crops, and natural resources. They reduce soil erosion by wind and contribute to the control of runoff from agricultural lands. Individually, trees and shrubs can provide food and shelter for wildlife or be harvested for timber and fuelwood. Specialized tree crops, such as fruits or nuts can be harvested from windbreaks providing additional economic returns

Traces of the last earthquake sequence (1939-1944) along NAF from lacustrine sediments

Understanding the irregularity of seismic cycles: A case study in Turke

Lubricant study in ultrahigh vacuum and in various gas environments Final report, 26 Jan. 1965 - 15 Mar. 1966

Wear and friction of lubricated and unlubricated stainless steel bearings in sliding and rolling contact in ultrahigh vacuum and various gas environment

XBP-1 regulates signal transduction, transcription factors and bone marrow colonization in B cells

XBP-1, a transcription factor that drives the unfolded protein response (UPR), is activated in B cells when they differentiate to plasma cells. Here, we show that in the B cells, whose capacity to secrete IgM has been eliminated, XBP-1 is induced normally on induction of differentiation, suggesting that activation of XBP-1 in B cells is a differentiation-dependent event, but not the result of a UPR caused by the abundant synthesis of secreted IgM. Without XBP-1, B cells fail to signal effectively through the B-cell receptor. The signalling defects lead to aberrant expression of the plasma cell transcription factors IRF4 and Blimp-1, and altered levels of activation-induced cytidine deaminase and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor. Using XBP-1-deficient/Blimp-1-GFP transgenic mice, we find that XBP-1-deficient B cells form antibody-secreting plasmablasts in response to initial immunization; however, these plasmablasts respond ineffectively to CXCL12. They fail to colonize the bone marrow and do not sustain antibody production. These findings define the role of XBP-1 in normal plasma cell development and have implications for management of B-cell malignancies

PROMISE:effect of protein supplementation on fat-free mass preservation after bariatric surgery, a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Introduction: Protein malnutrition after bariatric surgery is a severe complication and leads to significant morbidity. Previous studies have shown that protein intake and physical activity are the most important factors in the preservation of fat-free mass during weight loss. Low protein intake is very common in patients undergoing bariatric surgery despite dietary counseling. Protein powder supplements might help patients to achieve the protein intake recommendations after bariatric surgery and could therefore contribute to preserve fat-free mass. This double-blind randomized placebo-controlled intervention study aims to assess the effect of a daily consumed clear protein powder shake during the first 6 months after bariatric surgery on fat-free mass loss in the first 12 months after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). Methods and analysis:Inclusion will take place at the outpatient clinic of the bariatric expertise center for obesity of the Maasstad Hospital. Patients will be randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group before surgery. The intervention group will receive a clear protein powder shake of 200 ml containing 20 g of whey protein dissolved in water which should be taken daily during the first 6 months after LRYGB on top of their normal postoperative diet. The control group will receive an isocaloric, clear, placebo shake containing maltodextrine. Postoperative rehabilitation and physiotherapeutical guidance will be standardized and similar in both groups. Also, both groups will receive the same dietary advice from specialized dieticians. The main study parameter is the percentage of fat-free mass loss 6 months after surgery, assessed by multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF-BIA). Ethics and dissemination: The protocol, version 2 (February 20, 2022) has been approved by the Medical Research Ethics Committees United (MEC-U) (NL 80414.100.22). The results of this study will be submitted to peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05570474. Registered on October 5, 2022.</p

Six-Minute Walk Test Performance in Persons With Multiple Sclerosis While Using Passive or Powered Ankle-Foot Orthoses

Objective To determine whether a powered ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) that provides dorsiflexor and plantar flexor assistance at the ankle can improve walking endurance of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Design Short-term intervention. Setting University research laboratory. Participants Participants (N=16) with a neurologist-confirmed diagnosis of MS and daily use of a prescribed custom unilateral passive AFO. Interventions Three 6-minute walk tests (6MWTs), 1 per footwear condition: shoes (no AFO), prescribed passive AFO, and portable powered AFO (PPAFO). Assistive devices were worn on the impaired limb. Main Outcome Measures Distance walked and metabolic cost of transport were recorded during each 6MWT and compared between footwear conditions. Results Each participant completed all three 6MWTs within the experimental design. PPAFO use resulted in a shorter 6MWT distance than did a passive AFO or shoe use. No differences were observed in metabolic cost of transport between footwear conditions. Conclusions The current embodiment of this PPAFO did not improve endurance walking performance during the 6MWT in a sample of participants with gait impairment due to MS. Further research is required to determine whether expanded training or modified design of this powered orthosis can be effective in improving endurance walking performance in persons with gait impairment due to MS