The role of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-like axis in inflammatory pilosebaceous disorders

Skin is the largest peripheral endocrine organ and functions as a hormone target and endocrine gland. A cutaneous hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-like axis enables the skin to respond to stress and regulates its steroidogenic activity. The pilosebaceous unit is a site for production and metabolism of a number of steroid hormones, including stress and sex hormones. This is an overview of the important role that the cutaneous HPA-like-axis plays in the pathogenesis and treatment of inflammatory pilosebaceous disorders, including acne, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, and hidradenitis suppurativa

Context aware building energy management system with heterogeneous wireless network architecture

Energy wastage in buildings is to be minimized to reduce the carbon footprint of electricity. Wireless sensor and actor networks (WSAN) have been providing solutions for effective energy management within buildings. In this paper, we present a decisive server based context aware energy management system for smart buildings through Cyber Physical System (CPS) models. A layered architecture for building energy management is proposed to enhance scalability of the system. Heterogeneous wireless network based multiple radio gateway is proposed and implemented to make the system more adaptive to different applications catering to variable data rates. A smart room test bed is deployed in the IIT Hyderabad campus, where the decisive server collects various physical parameters through sensors, and based on the context generates wireless control messages to power electronics based actuators. Integrating context awareness into the system increases the efficiency in terms of energy savings and was observed to be significant, around 30%. The paper also presents a detailed analysis on the turnaround time required to realise the real saving after recovering investments. Applications are developed to integrate smart phones and tabloids providing web enablement to the end user. In this paper, each of the sensors and actuators in the smart room are associated with a state machine, which enables modelling of the system using Hybrid automata for future scope of applications

Agreement between orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons regarding a new algorithm for the treatment of thoracolumbar injuries: a multicenter reliability study

Journal ArticleIntroduction: Considerable variability exists in the management of thoracolumbar (TL) spine injuries. Although there are many influences, one significant factor may be the treating surgeon's specialty and training (ie, orthopedic surgery vs. neurosurgery). Our objective was to assess the agreement between spinal orthopedic and neurologic surgeons in rating the severity of TL spine injuries with a new treatment algorithm. This information could be important in establishing consensus-based protocols for managing these challenging injuries. Methods: Twenty-eight spinal surgeons (8 neurosurgeons and 20 orthopedic surgeons) reviewed 56 TL injury case histories. Each case was classified and scored according to the TL injury severity score (TLISS). The case histories were reordered and the physicians repeated the exercise 3 months later. At both intervals the surgeons were asked if they agreed with the final treatment recommendation of the TLISS algorithm. The reliability and decision validity of the TLISS was compared. Results: Between-group interrater reliability was similar to within group reliabilities. Intrarater reliability was also similar between groups. The between speciality interrater reliability of the TLISS management recommendation was moderate (74% agreement, k=0.532). Orthopedic and neurosurgeons agreed with the TLISS management recommendation 91.4% and 94.4% of the time, respectively. Conclusions: The TLISS demonstrated good reliability in terms of intraobserver and interobserver agreement on the algorithmic treatment recommendations. The recommendation for operation seems to be consistent between fellowship-trained orthopedic and neurosurgical spine surgeons. This type of classification system may reduce the existing variability and initial management decision for treatment of TL injuries

Pelaksanaan Wewenang Kepala Desa dalam Membina Kehidupan Masyrakat Desa Sikakak Kecamatan Cerenti Kabupaten Kuantan Singingi Tahun 2015-2016

This study aims to determine the implementation of the authority of the Village Head in fostering community life in the village of Sikakak Cerenti District Kuantan Singingi Year 2015-2016 and know the obstacles of the implementation of the authority of the Village Head in fostering the life of people in the village of Sikakak Cerenti District Kuantan Singingi Year 2015-2016 . This research uses qualitative research methods with descriptive research type, which can be interpreted as problem-solving process investigated by describing the state of research subjects based on the facts found.This study m enemukan that the authority of the village chief in fostering security, order and peace of the region and of the villagers in the village Sikakak done by building a guard post, where the village chief also participated in the patrol activities. To foster harmony residents, in the village of Sikakak done by sports matches between RW / RT or between the hamlet and others. In the maintenance of peace, dealing with conflicts and mediate in the village Sikakak the parties to the dispute first brought to the Village Head Office, met, and sought solutions. In preserving and developing mutual aid societies, village head open space for people to participate in rural development activities.The conclusion that the implementation of the authority of the village chief in fostering community life in the village Sikakak Cerenti District of Kuantan Singingi Year 2015-2016 has not been maximized. Obstacles to implement the authority of the Village Head in fostering the life of the community in Sikakak Village Cerenti Sub-district Kuantan Singingi Regency 2015-2016 is the lack of community participation in following the deliberations in the village and the difficulty to eliminate the disease of society as the habit of drinking

A dynamics-driven approach to precision machines design for micro-manufacturing and its implementation perspectives

Precision machines are essential elements in fabricating high quality micro products or micro features and directly affect the machining accuracy, repeatability and efficiency. There are a number of literatures on the design of industrial machine elements and a couple of precision machines commercially available. However, few researchers have systematically addressed the design of precision machines from the dynamics point of view. In this paper, the design issues of precision machines are presented with particular emphasis on the dynamics aspects as the major factors affecting the performance of the precision machines and machining processes. This paper begins with a brief review of the design principles of precision machines with emphasis on machining dynamics. Then design processes of precision machines are discussed, and followed by a practical modelling and simulation approaches. Two case studies are provided including the design and analysis of a fast tool servo system and a 5-axis bench-top micro-milling machine respectively. The design and analysis used in the two case studies are formulated based on the design methodology and guidelines

Cigarettes demand and tax strategy in Malaysia

Taxation is one of the effective tools to discourage smoking. Increase of cigarette tax has a significant effect in generating additional revenue to the government due to the inelastic nature of the cigarette. In this study, the estimated price elasticity of demand for cigarettes in Malaysia is -0.28 and -0.49 in short run and long run; respectively. Hence, demand for cigarettes is inelastic or less responsive to the changes in price. Therefore, estimating the optimal cigarette tax rate is one of the strategies to ensure that the price of cigarette, after tax, is high enough to reduce consumption of cigarette. At the same time, it generates maximum tax revenue for the government. Using yearly time series data from 1980 until 2009, a Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (FMOLS) method is applied to estimate the demand elasticity of cigarettes and the optimal cigarettes excise tax. In this study, the estimated optimal real excise tax rate is 0.186 sen per stick which is 27.4% higher than the real excise tax in 2009. The increase in real revenue earned after imposing an optimal excise tax is 24.25% in the short run and 21.89% in the long run. Consequently, the expected reduction in consumption per capita of cigarette is 10.41% in the short run and 12.88% in the long run. Maximum revenues from the optimal cigarettes tax can be earmarked to fund a specific tobacco control policy in Malaysia

Pengaruh Corporate Governance Terhadap Nilai Perusahaan Pada Perusahaan Manufaktur Yang Terdaftar Di Bursa Efek Indonesia (Bei) 2010-2012

This study aims are to provide empirical evidence of the influence of institutional ownership, managerial ownership, the proportion of independent board of commissioners, and audit quality toward the corporate value of manufacturing companies in Indonesia Stock Exchange.The population in this study are all companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX). Sampling was done using purposive sampling method that determinated the sample with a specific target or consideration. Based on data collection there are 79 manufacturing companies listed in Indonesia StockExchange can be used as a sample. To analyse the data is using multiple regression method.The study states that the audit quality does not have a significant effect on company value, independent commissioner does not have a significant effect on company value, institutional ownership has no significant effect on companyvalue. While managerial ownership has a significant impact on corporate value. This means that managerial ownership is a factor that needs to be used as a material consideration in the management of the company

What predicts wellbeing amidst crisis? A study of promotive and protective psychological factors among Malaysians during the COVID-19 pandemic

Resilience promotes psychological growth and buffers against the effects of negative events, but the factors that promote optimal wellbeing beyond resilience remain poorly understood. The current study addresses this gap through a positive psychology perspective by examining how (i) promotive factors – optimism and hope, and (ii) protective factors – nostalgia and spirituality promote wellbeing. We hypothesized that both factors will be positively related to wellbeing above and beyond that predicted by resilience. A representative sample of six hundred and twenty-six (n = 626; M age = 32.66, SD = 10.11, 43.45% female) Malaysians responded to an online survey at the end of the country’s second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (June-September 2020). We conducted a series of regression analyses, controlling for resilience, socio-economic status, age, and perceptions towards government crisis management efforts. Results indicate that optimism and hope positively predicted wellbeing above and beyond that predicted by resilience. Results also showed that the only significant protective factor contributing to wellbeing is spirituality. Nostalgia did not significantly predict wellbeing beyond resilience. The findings are of theoretical relevance for wellbeing and resilience research, and practically beneficial in informing mental health interventions

Cigarettes demand and tax strategy in Malaysia

Taxation is one of the effective tools to discourage smoking. Increase of cigarette tax has a significant effect in generating additional revenue to the government due to the inelastic nature of the cigarette. In this study, the estimated price elasticity of demand for cigarettes in Malaysia is -0.28 and -0.49 in short run and long run; respectively. Hence, demand for cigarettes is inelastic or less responsive to the changes in price. Therefore, estimating the optimal cigarette tax rate is one of the strategies to ensure that the price of cigarette, after tax, is high enough to reduce consumption of cigarette. At the same time, it generates maximum tax revenue for the government. Using yearly time series data from 1980 until 2009, a Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (FMOLS) method is applied to estimate the demand elasticity of cigarettes and the optimal cigarettes excise tax. In this study, the estimated optimal real excise tax rate is 0.186 sen per stick which is 27.4% higher than the real excise tax in 2009. The increase in real revenue earned after imposing an optimal excise tax is 24.25% in the short run and 21.89% in the long run. Consequently, the expected reduction in consumption per capita of cigarette is 10.41% in the short run and 12.88% in the long run. Maximum revenues from the optimal cigarettes tax can be earmarked to fund a specific tobacco control policy in Malaysia