The Long March of Chinese Co-operatives: Towards Market Economy, Participation, and Sustainable Development

This is an Author Final Copy of a paper accepted for publication in Asia Pacific Business Review published by and copyright Taylor & Francis

Ultralight vector dark matter search using data from the KAGRA O3GK run

Among the various candidates for dark matter (DM), ultralight vector DM can be probed by laser interferometric gravitational wave detectors through the measurement of oscillating length changes in the arm cavities. In this context, KAGRA has a unique feature due to differing compositions of its mirrors, enhancing the signal of vector DM in the length change in the auxiliary channels. Here we present the result of a search for U(1)B−L gauge boson DM using the KAGRA data from auxiliary length channels during the first joint observation run together with GEO600. By applying our search pipeline, which takes into account the stochastic nature of ultralight DM, upper bounds on the coupling strength between the U(1)B−L gauge boson and ordinary matter are obtained for a range of DM masses. While our constraints are less stringent than those derived from previous experiments, this study demonstrates the applicability of our method to the lower-mass vector DM search, which is made difficult in this measurement by the short observation time compared to the auto-correlation time scale of DM

Search for eccentric black hole coalescences during the third observing run of LIGO and Virgo

Despite the growing number of confident binary black hole coalescences observed through gravitational waves so far, the astrophysical origin of these binaries remains uncertain. Orbital eccentricity is one of the clearest tracers of binary formation channels. Identifying binary eccentricity, however, remains challenging due to the limited availability of gravitational waveforms that include effects of eccentricity. Here, we present observational results for a waveform-independent search sensitive to eccentric black hole coalescences, covering the third observing run (O3) of the LIGO and Virgo detectors. We identified no new high-significance candidates beyond those that were already identified with searches focusing on quasi-circular binaries. We determine the sensitivity of our search to high-mass (total mass M>70 M⊙) binaries covering eccentricities up to 0.3 at 15 Hz orbital frequency, and use this to compare model predictions to search results. Assuming all detections are indeed quasi-circular, for our fiducial population model, we place an upper limit for the merger rate density of high-mass binaries with eccentricities 0<e≤0.3 at 0.33 Gpc−3 yr−1 at 90\% confidence level

Ethical marketing in Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines and Indonesia

The goal of this chapter is to look at the mounting interest in marketing ethics by government regulators, marketing and communication professionals and the general public in Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, and Indonesia. Examples and cases will be drawn from these interesting and diverse South East Asian countries. We develop a conceptual framework linking both theory and practice, with diverse topics such as responsible decision-making, duties of a marketing professional, regulation, and public discourse on marketing ethics. The framework thus allows us to capture a range of potential topics likely to influence both marketing practitioners and policy makers

Higher order aberrations after keratoplasty for keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To compare higher order aberrations (HOAs) caused by the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces after conventional penetrating keratoplasty (PK), deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), and automated lamellar therapeutic keratoplasty (ALTK) in patients undergoing corneal transplantation for keratoconus (KC). METHODS: This retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study included one eye of the following subjects: 40 patients with KC, 23 KC patients after PK, 17 KC patients after DALK, 18 KC patients after ALTK, and 38 healthy controls. All underwent imaging with a rotating Scheimpflug camera (at least 6 months after complete suture removal in grafted subjects) to assess the HOAs from the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces within the central 4-mm and 6-mm zones. The conversion of the corneal elevation profile into corneal wavefront data was performed using Zernike polynomials. Total and third- and fourth-order HOAs were considered. The root mean square of the Zernike vector magnitude, expressed in micrometers, was used. Differences among groups were assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Duncan multiple range tests. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. RESULTS: In both 4-mm and 6-mm central zones, the total HOAs from the anterior corneal surfaces were significantly lower in DALK than in ALTK and PK groups (p 0.05). The aberration components that were significantly greater included coma in the KC and ALTK eyes, trefoil and coma in the DALK eyes, and trefoil in the PK eyes. CONCLUSIONS: The corneal anterior surface optical quality appeared significantly better after DALK than after ALTK and PK

Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty versus automated lamellar therapeutic keratoplasty for keratoconus: comparison of postoperative corneal higher-order aberrations

Purpose: To compare the corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) measurements amongst the following groups of subjects: keratoconus (KC) patients; KC patients after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) or deep-anterior-lamellar-keratoplasty (DALK) or automated-lamellar-therapeutic-keratoplasty (ALTK); and, age-matched controls with normal corneas. Methods: This retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study included one eye of the following subjects: 40 patients with KC; 23 KC patients after PK; 17 KC patients after DALK; 18 KC patients after ALTK; and 38 controls. All subjects underwent imaging with a rotating Scheimpflug camera to assess the HOAs from the anterior (ACS) and posterior corneal surface (PCS) within the central 4-mm and 6-mm zones. The conversion of the corneal elevation profile into corneal wave-front data was performed using the Zernike polynomials. Total, 3rd and 4th order HOAs were considered. The root mean square of the Zernike vector magnitude, expressed in \ub5m, was used for the analysis. Differences amongst groups were assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis and least significant difference (LSD) tests. Statistical significance was defined as p<0.05. Results: The total HOAs from both corneal surfaces were significantly lower in controls than in the other groups (p<0.001). Considering the 3rd and 4th order aberrations due to the ACS, the PK group showed significantly higher trifoil, whereas the KC and ALTK groups showed significantly higher coma in comparison with the other groups (p<0.01). Considering the 3rd and 4th order aberrations from the PCS, coma appeared significantly higher in KC, DALK and ALTK groups in comparison with controls and PK eyes (p<0.01). Conclusions: The HOAs due to both corneal surfaces appeared comparable between DALK and ALTK eyes, except for coma from the ACS, which was significantly higher after ALTK, indicating a higher irregularity of the central anterior corneal profile. These results may be due to a dishomogeneous residual recipient stromal bed after ALTK compared with DALK, which tends to be thinner in the paracentral region and thicker in the periphery after ALTK

Interaction of Pelargonium sidoides Compounds with Lactoferrin and SARS-CoV-2: Insights from Molecular Simulations

(1) Background: Pelargonium sidoides extracts and lactoferrin are two important natural, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral agents, which can interfere with the early stages of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation approaches have been applied to check for the occurrence of interactions of the Pelargonium sidoides compounds with lactoferrin and with SARS-CoV-2 components. (2) Methods: Computational methods have been applied to confirm the hypothesis of a direct interaction between PEL compounds and the lactoferrin protein and between Pelargonium sidoides compounds and SARS-CoV-2 Spike, 3CLPro, RdRp proteins, and membrane. Selected high-score complexes were structurally investigated through classical molecular dynamics simulation, while the interaction energies were evaluated using the molecular mechanics energies combined with generalized Born and surface area continuum solvation method. (3) Results: Computational analyses suggested that Pelargonium sidoides extracts can interact with lactoferrin without altering its structural and dynamical properties. Furthermore, Pelargonium sidoides compounds should have the ability to interfere with the Spike glycoprotein, the 3CLPro, and the lipid membrane, probably affecting the functional properties of the proteins inserted in the double layer. (4) Conclusion: Our findings suggest that Pelargonium sidoides may interfere with the mechanism of infection of SARS-CoV-2, especially in the early stages

Lactoferrin Against SARS-CoV-2: In Vitro and In Silico Evidences

Lactoferrin (Lf) is a cationic glycoprotein synthetized by exocrine glands and is present in all human secretions. It is also secreted by neutrophils in infection and inflammation sites. This glycoprotein possesses antimicrobial activity due to its capability to chelate two ferric ions per molecule, as well as to interact with bacterial and viral anionic surface components. The cationic features of Lf bind to cells, protecting the host from bacterial and viral injuries. Its anti-inflammatory activity is mediated by the ability to enter inside the nucleus of host cells, thus inhibiting the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokine genes. In particular, Lf down-regulates the synthesis of IL-6, which is involved in iron homeostasis disorders and leads to intracellular iron overload, favoring viral replication and infection. The well-known antiviral activity of Lf has been demonstrated against DNA, RNA, and enveloped and naked viruses and, therefore, Lf could be efficient in counteracting also SARS-CoV-2 infection. For this purpose, we performed in vitro assays, proving that Lf exerts an antiviral activity against SARS-COV-2 through direct attachment to both SARS-CoV-2 and cell surface components. This activity varied according to concentration (100/500 mu g/ml), multiplicity of infection (0.1/0.01), and cell type (Vero E6/Caco-2 cells). Interestingly, the in silico results strongly supported the hypothesis of a direct recognition between Lf and the spike S glycoprotein, which can thus hinder viral entry into the cells. These in vitro observations led us to speculate a potential supplementary role of Lf in the management of COVID-19 patients

Lactoferrin as Antiviral Treatment in COVID-19 Management: Preliminary Evidence

Lactoferrin (Lf), a multifunctional cationic glycoprotein synthesized by exocrine glands and neutrophils, possesses an in vitro antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. Thus, we conducted an in vivo preliminary study to investigate the antiviral effect of oral and intranasal liposomal bovine Lf (bLf) in asymptomatic and mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients. From April 2020 to June 2020, a total of 92 mild-to-moderate (67/92) and asymptomatic (25/92) COVID-19 patients were recruited and divided into three groups. Thirty-two patients (14 hospitalized and 18 in home-based isolation) received only oral and intranasal liposomal bLf; 32 hospitalized patients were treated only with standard of care (SOC) treatment; and 28, in home-based isolation, did not take any medication. Furthermore, 32 COVID-19 negative, untreated, healthy subjects were added for ancillary analysis. Liposomal bLf-treated COVID-19 patients obtained an earlier and significant (p &lt; 0.0001) SARS-CoV-2 RNA negative conversion compared to the SOC-treated and untreated COVID-19 patients (14.25 vs. 27.13 vs. 32.61 days, respectively). Liposomal bLf-treated COVID-19 patients showed fast clinical symptoms recovery compared to the SOC-treated COVID-19 patients. In bLf-treated patients, a significant decrease in serum ferritin, IL-6, and D-dimers levels was observed. No adverse events were reported. These observations led us to speculate a potential role of bLf in the management of mild-to-moderate and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients