The display of electronic commerce within virtual environments

In today’s competitive business environment, the majority of companies are expected to be represented on the Internet in the form of an electronic commerce site. In an effort to keep up with current business trends, certain aspects of interface design such as those related to navigation and perception may be overlooked. For instance, the manner in which a visitor to the site might perceive the information displayed or the ease with which they navigate through the site may not be taken into consideration. This paper reports on the evaluation of the electronic commerce sites of three different companies, focusing specifically on the human factors issues such as perception and navigation. Heuristic evaluation, the most popular method for investigating user interface design, is the technique employed to assess each of these sites. In light of the results from the analysis of the evaluation data, virtual environments are suggested as a way of improving the navigation and perception display constraints

The use of IT to increase nutritional awareness in young children

It has been well documented that obesity amongst young children is on the increase. By the age of 5 the levels of obesity is alarming and is much greater than expected in comparison to the national standards. To address this problem an overall health programme is required encompassing healthy eating and physical activity. However, a radical change of this nature has not shown any long-term benefits and can result in a negative attitude from the child. Therefore, more subtle ways of increasing awareness in children about healthy eating were thought to be the key. Since children are spending an increasing amount of their free time playing computer games it was thought that this would be a good way of introducing them to healthy eating. Therefore, a prototype system is developed and tested to identify whether IT can be used to raise nutritional awareness in young children. The results show that the increase is marginal but the system did encourage discussion about the effects of food amongst a group of children aged between 4-5

A review of peer‐reviewed published research on corruption and disasters in the built environment

This paper presents the findings of a review of academic literature concerning the degree to which corruption worsens naturally-triggered disasters in the built environment. The research employed a 'systematic literature review' methodology to analyse leading academic databases, resulting in a detailed analysis of 59 peer-reviewed, published papers. It was found that while much of the literature focuses on earthquakes (relating to building and infrastructure collapse), the quality of governance and the drivers of corruption, there is presently limited scholarship concerning the general scope, reach and scale of how disasters are worsened by corruption. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern of Bacterial Isolates from the Intensive Care Unit of a Tertiary Care Hospital in India

Purpose: To undertake an audit of the antimicrobial (AM) sensitivity pattern of bacterial isolates in the intensive care units (ICU) of a tertiary hospital of Bhavnagar, India.Methods: Retrospective analysis of the indoor case papers of ICUs from January 2010 to 31st March 2011 was carried out at Department of Pharmacology, Govt. Medical College and Sir Takhtsinhji General Hospital, Bhavnagar, India. Information collected include demographic data of the patient, admission unit, duration of hospital stay, diagnosis, type of infection, empirical treatment, indication of the use of the antimicrobials (AMs). Others include collected specimen, causative agent, sensitivitypattern, and treatment changes based on the sensitivity pattern in a case record form. AM sensitivity testing was performed by the modified Kirby Baur method as recommended by clinical and laboratory standard institute (CLSI). Internal and external quality control were maintained for culture and sensitivity method.Results: The most commonly isolated organisms were Klebsiella pneumoniae (28.6 %) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.3 %). Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) was the most common infection. Imipenem, meropenem and levofloxacin were the most effective antimicrobials for Gramnegative isolates (GNIs) while vancomycin ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin were the most efficacious antimicrobials for Gram-positive isolates (GPIs). Widespread resistance to third generationcephalosporins and cloxacillin was noted for GNIs and GPIs, respectively. Meropenem (100 %) > levofloxacin (100 %) > sparfloxacin (94.4 %) > gentamicin (83.3 %) was the rank order of antimicrobial activity against LRTI.Conclusion: GNIs were the predominant cause of infection in ICUs. Third generation cephalosporinsresistant GNIs were the predominant resistant organisms. The study showed that fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides could be used as first line AMs for the effective management of LRTI in a hospital setting.Keywords: Antibiotic sensitivity, Bacterial resistance, Intensive care unit, Tertiary hospita

Delivering the promise of Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction in fragile and conflict-affected contexts (FCAC): A case study of the NGO GOAL's response to the Syria conflict

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) has helped to reduce global disaster risk, but there has been a lack of progress in disaster risk reduction (DRR) for people living in fragile and conflict affected contexts (FCAC). Given the mounting evidence that DRR cannot be implemented through conventional approaches in FCAC, serious efforts must be made to understand how to meet SFDRR's goals. This paper offers a case study of international non-governmental organization GOAL's programming that responds to the protracted crisis in Syria, with a critical discussion on SFDRR and how to adapt humanitarian relief and disaster resilience

Preparation and characterization of 5-fu loaded microspheres of eudragit and ethylcellulose

En la presente investigación, se han preparado microesferas de Eudragit (RS 100, RL 100 y RSPO) y etilcelulosa cargadas con 5-fluorouracilo. Se ha utilizado la técnica de “evaporación del disolvente o/o” para preparar las microesferas utilizando el sistema de (metanol + acetona)/ parafina líquida. Se ha utilizado estearato de magnesio como estabilizador de gotículas y se ha añadido n-hexano para endurecer las microesferas. Las microesferas preparadas se caracterizan por sus propiedades micromeríticas y su eficaz compresión, así como a través de la espectroscopia infrarroja transformada de Fourier (FTIR, por sus siglas en inglés) y la cromatografía en capa fina. Se han tomado microfotografías para estudiar la forma de las microesferas. La mejor cinética de liberación se ha alcanzado con el modelo de Higuchi. El tamaño de la partícula principal, la eficacia de compresión y los rendimientos de producción han sido fuertemente influenciados por el tipo de polímero y su concentración. Tras la presente investigación, se ha determinado que el Eudragit y la Etilcelulosa tienen carreras muy prometedoras en la liberación controlada para el 5-FUIn the present investigation, 5-fluorouracil loaded microspheres of Eudragit (RS 100, RL 100 and RSPO) and ethylcellulose were prepared. “O/O solvent evaporation” technique was used for preparation of microspheres using (methanol + acetone)/liquid paraffin system. Magnesium stearate was used as the droplet stabilizer and n-hexane was added to harden the microspheres. The prepared microspheres were characterized for their micromeretic properties and entrapment efficiency; as well by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thin layer chromatography (TLC). Photomicrographs were taken to study the shape of microspheres. The best fit release kinetics was achieved with Higuchi plot. Mean particle size, entrapment efficiency and production yields were highly influenced by the type of polymer and polymer concentration. It is concluded from the present investigation that various Eudragit and Ethylcellulose are promising controlled release carriers for 5-FU

A randomized comparison of retrograde left-sided versus anterograde right-sided ablation of the atrioventricular junction

Background: Catheter ablation of the atrioventricular node (AVN) is an effective treatment for patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation. This study compares the success rate, procedure time, radiation time, and complication rates of retrograde left-sided (LSA) and anterograde right-sided (RSA) AVN ablation in a randomised controlled trial. / Methods: Thirty-one patients undergoing AVN ablation were randomized to either LSA (15 patients) or RSA (16 patients). Crossover occurred after six unsuccessful radiofrequency (RF) applications. / Results: The LSA cohort had a mean age of 77.00 ± 5.17 and the RSA cohort was 79.44 ± 6.08 (p =.0240). There were five crossovers from LSA to RSA and there was one crossover from RSA to LSA. There was no significant difference in ablation time between LSA and RSA (210.40 ± 179.77 vs. 192.19 ± 130.29 seconds, p =.748). There was no significant difference in procedure time, fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, or number of RF applications between the two groups. There was 1 (6.67%) serious adverse event in the LSA group and 1 (6.25%) in the RSA group due to femoral hematomas requiring blood transfusion or intervention. There was no significant difference in patient-reported discomfort between LSA and RSA (16.43 ± 20.67 vs. 17.87 ± 28.08, p =.877). The study was stopped before full recruitment due to futility. / Conclusions: Retrograde LSA of the AVN does not reduce RF applications, procedure time, or radiation exposure compared with conventional RSA and cannot be recommended as a first-line clinical approach

Informality, violence, and disaster risks: Coproducing inclusive early warning and response systems in urban informal settlements in Honduras

Anticipatory disaster risk reduction (DRR) is an essential human right for the ~1 billion people living in informal settlements who are disproportionately exposed to climate-related hazards due to their high vulnerability. Participatory approaches are recognized as being critical for effective and sustainable disaster prevention, mitigation, and preparation through to response, but research on how to coproduce anticipatory DRR with people living and working in informal settlements is scant. Their exclusion is even more pronounced in challenging contexts, such as those characterized by social-political fragility and violence. As a result, a significant portion of the global population is left behind in best practices tied to global DRR ambitions, with DRR actions working neither with nor for the people most at risk. The signal case of urban informal settlements controlled by territorial gangs in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, illustrates the need for new thinking on how to inclusively mitigate, prepare for, and respond to natural hazard-related disasters. Our research examines the coproduction of early warning systems linked with response capacities for floods and landslides through the case study of the international NGO GOAL's work across the city with a focus on nine urban informal settlements with high levels of territorial gang violence. We explore how GOAL navigated informality and violent conflict to support the early warning and response system as an inclusive social process rather than a technical exercise. We identify four cross-cutting strategies employed by GOAL in support of local vulnerability reduction and capacity building based on a local systems approach. This research breaks new ground in identifying how to bridge the gap between knowledge and action in designing inclusive and sustainable early warning and response systems together with the millions of people around the world affected by the intersection of informality, violence, and disaster risks

Profiling and Role of Bioactive Molecules from Puntius sophore (Freshwater/Brackish Fish) Skin Mucus with Its Potent Antibacterial, Antiadhesion, and Antibiofilm Activities

Epidermal fish mucus comprises of diverse bioactive metabolites which plays an immense role in defense mechanisms and other important cellular activities. Primarily, this study aims to screen the unexplored mucus extract of Puntius sophore (P. sophore) for its antagonistic potential against common pathogens, which are commonly implicated in foodborne and healthcare associated infections, with effects on their adhesion and biofilm formation. Profiling of the skin mucus was carried out by High Resolution-Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (HR-LCMS), followed by antibacterial activity and assessment of antibiofilm potency and efficacy on the development, formation, and texture of biofilms. Furthermore, bacterial cell damage, viability within the biofilm, checkerboard test, and cytotoxicity were also evaluated. As a result, P. sophore mucus extract was found to be effective against all tested strains. It also impedes the architecture of biofilm matrix by affecting the viability and integrity of bacterial cells within biofilms and reducing the total exopolysaccharide content. A synergy was observed between P. sophore mucus extract and gentamicin for Escherichia coli (E. coli), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), and Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), whereas, an additive effect for Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Thus, our findings represent the potent bioactivities of P. sophore mucus extract for the first time, which could be explored further as an alternative to antibiotics or chemically synthesized antibiofilm agents