Toteware, Inc. (new product market analysis)

ToteWare, Inc., was established in 1972 as a small manufacturer of soft-sided tote bags, headquartered in Southport, South Carolina. The company\u27s primary goal is to be a niche player among its\u27 major competitors in the luggage industry, specializing in the production of light-weight garment and carry-all bags. As a result of industry growth and trends, ToteWare\u27s management team began to develop an aggressive strategy that would allow them greater opportunities within the luggage industry. This strategy is directed at developing products for specialty markets that are specifically designed for targeted consumer distribution. It would appear at first glance that ToteWare\u27s problem or decision is one of determining what new product or products should be developed for commercialization given the risk and opportunities currently present. In a larger sense, management appears to want to change its strategic direction in relation to current market trends. It is Management\u27s belief that a new strategy would increase business by attracting a new segment of buyers. This move may simply be the implementation of a grand strategy based on new product development. The problem, therefore, is to investigate which grand strategy to choose, given ToteWare\u27s current resources and market position. Once the grand strategy has been chosen, the Marketing Managers must then identify the components of the strategy so it can be implemented in a timely and efficient manner. Management feels that by addressing the needs of particular market segments; they will be able to maintain a strong niche position and increase overall profitability

The guanine nucleotide exchange factor RIC8 regulates conidial germination through Gα proteins in Neurospora crassa.

Heterotrimeric G protein signaling is essential for normal hyphal growth in the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa. We have previously demonstrated that the non-receptor guanine nucleotide exchange factor RIC8 acts upstream of the Gα proteins GNA-1 and GNA-3 to regulate hyphal extension. Here we demonstrate that regulation of hyphal extension results at least in part, from an important role in control of asexual spore (conidia) germination. Loss of GNA-3 leads to a drastic reduction in conidial germination, which is exacerbated in the absence of GNA-1. Mutation of RIC8 leads to a reduction in germination similar to that in the Δgna-1, Δgna-3 double mutant, suggesting that RIC8 regulates conidial germination through both GNA-1 and GNA-3. Support for a more significant role for GNA-3 is indicated by the observation that expression of a GTPase-deficient, constitutively active gna-3 allele in the Δric8 mutant leads to a significant increase in conidial germination. Localization of the three Gα proteins during conidial germination was probed through analysis of cells expressing fluorescently tagged proteins. Functional TagRFP fusions of each of the three Gα subunits were constructed through insertion of TagRFP in a conserved loop region of the Gα subunits. The results demonstrated that GNA-1 localizes to the plasma membrane and vacuoles, and also to septa throughout conidial germination. GNA-2 and GNA-3 localize to both the plasma membrane and vacuoles during early germination, but are then found in intracellular vacuoles later during hyphal outgrowth

CASE STUDIES OF ASYMMETRIES IN SWIMMING

An interrelated influence of strength, flexibility, anthropometric and technique asymmetries affects performance in swimming. Underpinning aetiologies include both acquired and inherited factors. The combination of factors varies among swimmers and therefore demands a multi-disciplinary case study approach to identify and correct asymmetries to improve performance and reduce incidence of injuries. The purpose of this presentation is to provide examples of analyses informing individualised interventions to correct asymmetries. Interventions comprise programmes of strength, flexibility, posture, and technique refinement. Analyses included measures of strength on the Biodex, measures of strength, posture, flexibility and anthropometry based on the International Society for the Advancement of Kinesiology (ISAK) conventions, and video-based qualitative and quantitative three-dimensional analysis of technique. Sample data of a breaststroke swimmer and a backstroke swimmer are presented to illustrate the interrelationships among strength, flexibility, posture, technique and performance

Rapid translation of clinical guidelines into executable knowledge : a case study of COVID-19 and online demonstration

Introduction: We report a pathfinder study of AI/knowledge engineering methods to rapidly formalise COVID‐19 guidelines into an executable model of decision making and care pathways. The knowledge source for the study was material published by BMJ Best Practice in March 2020. Methods: The PROforma guideline modelling language and OpenClinical.net authoring and publishing platform were used to create a data model for care of COVID‐19 patients together with executable models of rules, decisions and plans that interpret patient data and give personalised care advice. Results: PROforma and OpenClinical.net proved to be an effective combination for rapidly creating the COVID‐19 model; the Pathfinder 1 demonstrator is available for assessment at https://www.openclinical.net/index.php?id=746. Conclusions: This is believed to be the first use of AI/knowledge engineering methods for disseminating best‐practice in COVID‐19 care. It demonstrates a novel and promising approach to the rapid translation of clinical guidelines into point of care services, and a foundation for rapid learning systems in many areas of healthcare

Prevalence of anxiety, depression and associated factors among pregnant women of Hyderabad, Pakistan.

Background: Few studies have examined the relationship between antenatal depression, anxiety and domestic violence in pregnant women in developing countries, despite the World Health Organization\u27s estimates that depressive disorders will be the second leading cause of the global disease burden by 2020. There is a paucity of research on mood disorders, their predictors and sequelae among pregnant women in Pakistan. Aims: To determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression and evaluate associated factors, including domestic violence, among pregnant women in an urban community in Pakistan. Methods: All pregnant women living in identified areas of Hyderabad, Pakistan were screened by government health workers for an observational study on maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcomes. Of these, 1,368 (76%) of eligible women were administered the validated Aga Khan University Anxiety Depression Scale at 20-26 weeks of gestation. Results: Eighteen per cent of the women were anxious and/or depressed. Psychological distress was associated with husband unemployment (p = 0.032), lower household wealth (p = 0.027), having 10 or more years of formal education ( p = 0.002), a first (p = 0.002) and an unwanted pregnancy ( p \u3c 0.001). The strongest factors associated with depression/anxiety were physical/sexual and verbal abuse, 42% of women who were physically and/or sexually abused and 23% of those with verbal abuse had depression/anxiety compared to 8% of those who were not abused. Conclusions: Anxiety and depression commonly occur during pregnancy in Pakistani women, rates are highest in women experiencing sexual/physical as well as verbal abuse, but they are also increased among women with unemployed spouses and those with lower household wealth. These results suggest that developing a screening and treatment programme for domestic violence and depression/anxiety during pregnancy may improve the mental health status of pregnant Pakistani women

A peptide mimic of the chemotaxis inhibitory protein of Staphylococcus aureus: towards the development of novel anti-inflammatory compounds

Complement factor C5a is one of the most powerful pro-inflammatory agents involved in recruitment of leukocytes, activation of phagocytes and other inflammatory responses. C5a triggers inflammatory responses by binding to its G-protein-coupled C5a-receptor (C5aR). Excessive or erroneous activation of the C5aR has been implicated in numerous inflammatory diseases. The C5aR is therefore a key target in the development of specific anti-inflammatory compounds. A very potent natural inhibitor of the C5aR is the 121-residue chemotaxis inhibitory protein of Staphylococcus aureus (CHIPS). Although CHIPS effectively blocks C5aR activation by binding tightly to its extra-cellular N terminus, it is not suitable as a potential anti-inflammatory drug due to its immunogenic properties. As a first step in the development of an improved CHIPS mimic, we designed and synthesized a substantially shorter 50-residue adapted peptide, designated CHOPS. This peptide included all residues important for receptor binding as based on the recent structure of CHIPS in complex with the C5aR N terminus. Using isothermal titration calorimetry we demonstrate that CHOPS has micromolar affinity for a model peptide comprising residues 7–28 of the C5aR N terminus including two O-sulfated tyrosine residues at positions 11 and 14. CD and NMR spectroscopy showed that CHOPS is unstructured free in solution. Upon addition of the doubly sulfated model peptide, however, the NMR and CD spectra reveal the formation of structural elements in CHOPS reminiscent of native CHIPS

Shift Work Is Not Associated with High Blood Pressure or Prevalence of Hypertension

Background: Working mostly at night has been suggested to be associated with upset of chronobiological rhythms and high blood pressure, but the evidence from epidemiological studies is weak. Methods: In a cross-sectional survey, we evaluated the association between shift work and blood pressure, pre-hypertension and hypertension. In total, 493 nurses, nurse technicians and assistants, were selected at random in a large general hospital setting. Hypertension was diagnosed by the mean of four automatic blood pressure readings $140/ 90 mmHg or use of blood pressure lowering agents, and pre-hypertension by systolic blood pressure$120–139 or diastolic blood pressure $80–89 mmHg. Risk factors for hypertension were evaluated by a standardized questionnaire and anthropometric measurements. The association between the shift of work and blood pressure, pre-hypertension and hypertension was explored using univariate and multivariate analyses that controlled for risk factors for hypertension by covariance analysis and modified Poisson regression. Results: The mean age of the participants was 34.369.4 years and 88.2 % were women. Night shift workers were older, more frequently married or divorced, and less educated. The prevalence of hypertension in the whole sample was 16%, and 28% had pre-hypertension. Blood pressure (after adjustment for confounding) was not different in day and night shift workers. The prevalence of hypertension and pre-hypertension by shift work was not different in the univariate analysis and afte