Preparation and characterization of tin oxide, SnO2 nanoparticles decorated graphene

SnO2 nanoparticles/graphene (SnO2/GP) nanocomposite was synthesized by a facile microwave method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the nanocomposite corresponded to the diffraction peak typical of graphene and the rutile phase of SnO2 with tetragonal structure. The field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) images revealed that the graphene sheets were dotted with SnO2 nanoparticles with an average size of 10 nm. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis indicated that the development of SnO2/GP resulted from the removal of the oxygenous groups on graphene oxide (GO) by Sn2+ ions. The nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) showed excellent enhancement of electrochemical performance when interacting with mercury(II) ions in potassium chloride supporting electrolyte. The current was increased by more than tenfold, suggesting its potential to be used as a mercury(II) sensor

Does progesterone inhibit bacteria-stimulated interleukin-8 production by lower genital tract epithelial cells?

Objective: Progesterone (P4) has been clinically shown to prevent the recurrence of preterm birth. The mechanism(s) of action is unclear, but may involve modulation of the immunologic inflammatory response of the lower genital tract. We evaluated the effects of P4 on interleukin-8 (IL-8) production by vaginal and cervical epithelial cells stimulated with bacterial species that are commonly associated with preterm birth. Methods: Vaginal and endocervical epithelial cells were incubated with up to 10,000 ng/mL P4 overnight and stimulated with heat-killed Escherichia coli, Gardnerella vaginalis, or Ureaplasma urealyticum. Concentrations of IL-8 in conditioned medium were quantified by ELISA and viability of the cell cultures was measured by the reduction of a tetrazolium salt. Results: E. coli, G. vaginalis and U. urealyticum-stimulated IL-8 production for both cell lines. P4 inhibited basal and bacteria-stimulated IL-8 production for vaginal epithelial cells but enhanced IL-8 production by endocervical cells. P4 reduced the number of viable cells for both cell lines. Conclusions: P4 inhibits IL-8 production by vaginal epithelial cells stimulated with pathogens associated with preterm birth, possibly by reducing the number of viable cells or by inhibiting their proliferation. Although P4 also reduces proliferation of endocervical cells it also increases their production of IL-8.Peer Reviewe

The management of a severely resorbed edentulous maxilla using a bone graft and a CAD/CAM-guided immediately loaded definitive implant prosthesis: A clinical report

10.1016/S0022-3913(08)00014-0Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry99285-90JPDE

Time for Tea : Factors of Service Quality, Memorable Tourism Experience and Loyalty in Sustainable Tea Tourism Destination

Underpinned by Script Theory and the S-O-R model, this research enhances the green tourism consumption literature to identify how destination service quality contributes to visitors’ memorable experiences and loyalty towards a place-based food tourism attraction. A total of 202 tourists who visited the Best of Highlands tea plantation in Malaysia were surveyed using an online questionnaire. Using PLS-SEM, this study has several notable findings: (i) destination service quality factors: activities, cleanliness, language, and security emerged as predictors of memorable tourism experiences; (ii) memorable tourism experiences strongly predicted destination loyalty; and (iii) memorable tourism experiences mediate the path between destination service quality and destination loyalty. This study therefore provides new insights into both sustainable tea tourism and script theory with respect to how memories guide future decision making. These results also provide insights for tea tourism providers in designing an unforgettable destination that stimulates the tourist’s intention to revisit the destination and to communicate it to others

Time for Tea:factors of service quality, memorable tourism experience and loyalty in sustainable tea tourism destination

Abstract Underpinned by Script Theory and the S-O-R model, this research enhances the green tourism consumption literature to identify how destination service quality contributes to visitors’ memorable experiences and loyalty towards a place-based food tourism attraction. A total of 202 tourists who visited the Best of Highlands tea plantation in Malaysia were surveyed using an online questionnaire. Using PLS-SEM, this study has several notable findings: (i) destination service quality factors: activities, cleanliness, language, and security emerged as predictors of memorable tourism experiences; (ii) memorable tourism experiences strongly predicted destination loyalty; and (iii) memorable tourism experiences mediate the path between destination service quality and destination loyalty. This study therefore provides new insights into both sustainable tea tourism and script theory with respect to how memories guide future decision making. These results also provide insights for tea tourism providers in designing an unforgettable destination that stimulates the tourist’s intention to revisit the destination and to communicate it to others