Chemical Cascading Between Polymersomal Nanoreactor Populations

[EN] Harnessing interactions of functional nano-compartments to generate larger particle assemblies allows studying diverse biological behaviors based on their population states and can lead to the development of smart materials. Herein, thiol-functionalized polymersome nanoreactors are utilized as responsive organelle-like nano-compartments-with inherent capacity to associate into larger aggregates in response to change in the redox state of their environment-to study the kinetics of cascade reactions and explore functions of their collective under different population states. Two nanoreactor populations, glucose oxidase- and horseradish peroxidase-loaded polymersomes, are prepared, and the results of their cascading upon addition of glucose are investigated. The kinetics of resorufin production in associated polymersomes and non-associated polymersome populations are compared, observing a decreased rate upon association. For the associated populations, faster chemical cascading is found when the two types of nanoreactors are associated in a concerted step, as compared to sequential association. The addition of competing agents such as catalase impacts the communication between non-associated polymersomes, whereas such an effect is less pronounced for the associated ones. Altogether, the results showcase the impact of collective associations on enzymatic cascading between organelle-like nanoreactors.Y.A. and A.L.-L. contributed equally to this work. The authors would like to acknowledge the support from the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science (Gravitation program 024.001.035 and Spinoza premium) and the ERC Advanced Grant (Artisym 694120).A.L.-L. acknowledges support from the MSCA Cofund project oLife, which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Grant Agreement 847675; and the Maria Zambrano Program from the Spanish Government funded by NextGenerationEU from the European Union. Dr. Imke Pijpers is thanked for cryo-TEM imaging. Dr. Pascal Welzen is acknowledged for advice and useful discussion on polymer and polymersome preparation.Altay, Y.; Llopis-Lorente, A.; Abdelmohsen, LKEA.; Van Hest, JC. (2023). Chemical Cascading Between Polymersomal Nanoreactor Populations. Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics. 224(1):1-5. https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.20220026915224

A cross-section of expected stock returns on the Istanbul stock exchange

[No abstract available

Эмпирический анализ влияния инвестиционных стимулов на экономический рост в провинциях Турции

Несмотря на существенные различия в политике стимулирования, правительства стран мира, как правило, стремятся к достижению макроэкономических целей, таких как устранение регионального неравенства, увеличение объема инвестиций, занятости, темпов индустриализации и, следовательно, ускорение экономического роста. Новая система стимулирования инвестиций, внедренная Турцией в 2012 г., в основном направлена на снижение межрегионального неравенства. В статье исследуется влияние инвестиционных стимулов на рост на душу населения в 81 провинции Турции в 2004-2017 гг. Данные были проанализированы с учетом различных типов капитала по секторам экономики. Согласно оценке динамических панельных данных, выпуск сертификатов инвестиционного стимулирования положительно влияет на экономический рост провинций, а инвестиции в основной капитал и занятость не оказывают подобного воздействия. Более того, значимые положительные коэффициенты всех трех показателей стимулирования инвестиций в энергетический и производственный секторы означают рост этих двух секторов на уровне провинций. Однако взаимосвязь между региональным экономическим развитием и введением стимулов в сфере услуг, горнодобывающей промышленности и сельском хозяйстве не была обнаружена. Результаты анализа инвестиционных стимулов по типам инвесторов показали, что предоставление инвестиционных льгот отечественным фирмам не влияет на региональный рост, в то время как стимулирование компаний с иностранным капиталом имеет положительный эффект. Проведенное исследование вносит важный вклад в литературу, поскольку меры инвестиционного стимулирования были проанализированы как на уровне провинций, так и на отраслевом уровне, включающем в себя пять основных секторов: энергетика, производство, сфера услуг, горнодобывающая промышленность и сельское хозяйство.There are significant differences between governments in the context of the objectives of incentive policies. However, they are generally focused on macroeconomic purposes such as eliminating regional inequalities and increasing investment level, employment, industrialisation and therefore raising economic growth. In Turkey, The New Investment Incentive System, which has been implemented since 2012, essentially aimed to mitigate interregional inequalities. This study investigates the impact of investment incentives on provincial per capita growth of 81 provinces for the years 2004-2017. Our data are also available for capital types and sectoral levels. The dynamic panel data estimates show that while the impact of the number of incentive certificates on provincial growth is significantly positive, there is no effect of fixed investment and employment on provincial growth. Moreover, given the significantly positive estimated coefficients on all three measures of investment incentives for the energy and manufacturing sectors, we conclude that incentives raise provincial growth for these two sectors. However, investment incentives in services, mining and agriculture sectors have no impact on regional growth. Results of the analysis of investment incentives by investor type imply that while investment incentives provided to domestic firms have no effect on growth, incentives for firms owned by foreigners have positive effects. Our study thus makes important contributions to the literature by considering both province-level incentive measures and five main sectors, namely energy, manufacturing, services, mining and agriculture in the sectoral analysis

Modelling bluetongue risk in Kazakhstan

Background: Bluetongue is a serious disease of ruminants caused by the bluetongue virus (BTV). BTV is transmitted by biting midges (Culicoides spp.). Serological evidence from livestock and the presence of at least one competent vector species of Culicoides suggests that transmission of BTV is possible and may have occurred in Kazakhstan. Methods: We estimated the risk of transmission using a mathematical model of the reproduction number R$_{0}$ for bluetongue. This model depends on livestock density and climatic factors which affect vector density. Data on climate and livestock numbers from the 2466 local communities were used. This, together with previously published model parameters, was used to estimate R$_{0}$ for each month of the year. We plotted the results on isopleth maps of Kazakhstan using interpolation to smooth the irregular data. We also mapped the estimated proportion of the population requiring vaccination to prevent outbreaks of bluetongue. Results: The results suggest that transmission of bluetongue in Kazakhstan is not possible in the winter from October to March. Assuming there are vector-competent species of Culicoides endemic in Kazakhstan, then low levels of risk first appear in the south of Kazakhstan in April before spreading north and intensifying, reaching maximum levels in northern Kazakhstan in July. The risk declined in September and had disappeared by October. Conclusion: These results should aid in surveillance efforts for the detection and control of bluetongue in Kazakhstan by indicating where and when outbreaks of bluetongue are most likely to occur. The results also indicate where vaccination efforts should be focussed to prevent outbreaks of disease

Neonatology Nurses’ Problems and Quality of Life

Aim: Working in a shift system can disturb quality of life due to chronic fatigue, sleepiness and somatic symptoms. This study aimed to determine the working conditions and problems encountered by nurses working in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and the effect on their quality of life.Method: Nurses who were a member of the Neonatology Nursing Association of Turkey were included in the study. The study sample consisted of 256 nurses. Data were collected with the descriptive data form and SF-36 quality of life scale. The data were evaluated by frequency, percentage, and Spearman's test.Results: Mean duration of work in the NICU was 4.8±3.97 years. Nurses mostly worked day and night shifts (60.9%); the mean duration of work was 14.4±3.01 hours per shift. A nurse cared for 5.3±1.27 neonates on average. 9.8% of the nurses were satisfied with the working environment. Common causes of dissatisfaction were low wages, high newborn ratio per nurse and the excessive working hours. 97.3% of nurses stated that working in the unit has an effect on their health. For SF-36 subgroups, the physical function score was high (62.5 ± 23.7), while the scores of the other subgroups were under 50 points. The lowest score was role-physical (28.5±33.2). The nurses' quality of life scores were low in general.Conclusion: This research was made in order to determine the working conditions of neonatology nurses and the effects of these on their health and life qualit

An osseous lesion in a 10-year-old boy with Hodgkin's lymphoma: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Osseous involvement of Hodgkin's lymphoma is uncommon. When osteolytic lesions are seen on imaging it is important to evaluate potential other causes.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report the case of a 10-year-old Caucasian boy who presented to our facility with a bony lesion of the right clavicle and enlarged cervical lymph nodes. A simultaneous biopsy of the lymph node and of the osteolytic process of his right proximal clavicle was performed and revealed two different kinds of lesions: a mixed cellularity Hodgkin's lymphoma and an osteochondroma.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Since the latter is a common benign bone tumor, which should not interfere with the staging of the lymphoma, we emphasize the importance of ensuring that all efforts are made to acquire a diagnostic biopsy of all atypical lesions.</p

A molecular and parasitological survey of Hepatozoon canis in domestic dogs in Turkey

In this study, asymptomatic dogs in nine provinces of Turkey were surveyed to investigate the prevalence and intensity of Hepatozoon canis infection. DNA obtained from blood samples collected from 694 domestic dogs (243 stray, 288 shelter, and 163 pets) of both genders and varying ages were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, 285 thin blood smears prepared from these blood samples were also evaluated for microscopic examination. Direct microscopy revealed Hepatozoon gamonts in the peripheral blood of three of 285 (1.0%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.21–3.04) tested. Using PCR, 155 of the 694 (22.3%; 95% CI: 19.28–25.61) were found to be positive for the presence of H. canis DNA. The prevalence of infection was higher in adult dogs (26.2%; 95% CI: 22.1–30.7) than young animals (16.4%; 95% CI: 12.2–21.3). Although the prevalence determined by PCR was higher in male dogs (24.5%; 95% CI: 19.6–29.9) than in female dogs (20.8%; 95% CI: 16.9–25.1), gender differences were not significant. Pet dogs had a lower prevalence of infection (10.4%; 95% CI: 6.2–16.2) compared to stray (26.3%; 95% CI: 20.9–32.3) and shelter dogs (25.7%; 95% CI: 20.7–31.1), but no significant association between stray and shelter dogs was found for the presence of the parasite. Partial sequences of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene shared 99–100% similarity with the corresponding H. canis isolates. This epidemiological survey revealed a high prevalence of H. canis in dogs from several provinces in Turkey, and it suggests that the age and origin are associated with the parasite

Association between Beta-Sympathomimetic Tocolysis and Risk of Autistic Spectrum Disorders, Behavioural and Developmental Outcome in Toddlers

AIM: To investigate whether maternal intravenous beta-mimetic tocolytic therapy increases the risk of autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and poorer behavioural and developmental outcomes.METHOD: Our study is a prospective case-control study among 90 children between 1.5 and three years old. Cases (n = 46) were toddlers with betamimetic tocolytic exposure; control group toddlers (n = 44) were tocolytic untreated. Treated and untreated groups were also divided into subgroups: term and preterm delivered. The gestational age of tocolytic treatment start, the dose and duration of exposure in hours were obtained from obstetric medical records. The Brief Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (BITSEA), the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) and the Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) tests were applied for evaluation of social, emotional problems, autism and developmental disorders.RESULTS: Term and preterm born toddlers treated tocolytically in utero didn’t demonstrate a higher risk of autistic disorders or poorer behavioural and developmental results than controls. In the preterm group, the earliest start of tocolytic treatment was correlated with toddlers lower score of the Competencies Scale (p = 0.009) and a higher score of the Problems Scale (p = 0.048). Also, we concluded that preterm membrane rupture was associated with higher ASD risk in the untreated group (p = 0.043).CONCLUSION: Exposure to betamimetics during pregnancy was not associated with an increased risk of autism, behavioural and developmental disorders

Swift trust and commitment: the missing links for humanitarian supply chain coordination?

Coordination among actors in a humanitarian relief supply chain decides whether a relief operation can be or successful or not. In humanitarian supply chains, due to the urgency and importance of the situation combined with scarce resources, actors have to coordinate and trust each other in order to achieve joint goals. This paper investigated empirically the role of swift trust as mediating variable for achieving supply chain coordination. Based on commitment-trust theory we explore enablers of swift-trust and how swift trust translates into coordination through commitment. Based on a path analytic model we test data from the National Disaster Management Authority of India. Our study is the first testing commitment-trust theory (CTT) in the humanitarian context, highlighting the importance of swift trust and commitment for much thought after coordination. Furthermore, the study shows that information sharing and behavioral uncertainty reduction act as enablers for swift trust. The study findings offer practical guidance and suggest that swift trust is a missing link for the success of humanitarian supply chains