A multi-criteria approach to dry port location in developing economies with application to Vietnam

This paper presents a conceptual framework for the inclusion of multiple criteria in the evaluation of dry port location in developing countries from a multiple stakeholder perspective. We present the framework in four steps. The first step encompasses preliminary research to filter the alternative locations for dry port development. In the second step, the stakeholders are clustered in three groups: dry port users, dry port service providers and the wider community. Then, we present the sub-criteria related to dry port location including the associated measuring methods. The third step includes an explanation on the methods used for weighing these criteria and sub-criteria. A multicriteria analysis is carried out in the final step. We apply the methodological framework to Vietnam. The location of a new dry port project in Vinh Phuc province will be evaluated against two existing inland clearance depots (ICD) in Lao Cai and Phu Tho province

Evaluating use cases for human challenge trials in accelerating SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development

Human challenge trials (HCTs) have been proposed as a means to accelerate SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development. We identify and discuss three potential use cases of HCTs in the current pandemic: evaluating efficacy, converging on correlates of protection, and improving understanding of pathogenesis and the human immune response. We outline the limitations of HCTs and find that HCTs are likely to be most useful for vaccine candidates currently in preclinical stages of development. We conclude that, while currently limited in their application, there are scenarios in which HCTs would be extremely beneficial. Therefore, the option of conducting HCTs to accelerate SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development should be preserved. As HCTs require many months of preparation, we recommend an immediate effort to (1) establish guidelines for HCTs for COVID-19; (2) take the first steps toward HCTs, including preparing challenge virus and making preliminary logistical arrangements; and (3) commit to periodically re-evaluating the utility of HCTs

Sharp Trace Hardy-Sobolev-Maz'ya Inequalities and the Fractional Laplacian

In this work we establish trace Hardy and trace Hardy-Sobolev-Maz'ya inequalities with best Hardy constants, for domains satisfying suitable geometric assumptions such as mean convexity or convexity. We then use them to produce fractional Hardy-Sobolev-Maz'ya inequalities with best Hardy constants for various fractional Laplacians. In the case where the domain is the half space our results cover the full range of the exponent $s \in (0,1)$ of the fractional Laplacians. We answer in particular an open problem raised by Frank and Seiringer \cite{FS}.Comment: 42 page

Adsorption of mono- and multivalent cat- and anions on DNA molecules

Adsorption of monovalent and multivalent cat- and anions on a deoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA) molecule from a salt solution is investigated by computer simulation. The ions are modelled as charged hard spheres, the DNA molecule as a point charge pattern following the double-helical phosphate strands. The geometrical shape of the DNA molecules is modelled on different levels ranging from a simple cylindrical shape to structured models which include the major and minor grooves between the phosphate strands. The densities of the ions adsorbed on the phosphate strands, in the major and in the minor grooves are calculated. First, we find that the adsorption pattern on the DNA surface depends strongly on its geometrical shape: counterions adsorb preferentially along the phosphate strands for a cylindrical model shape, but in the minor groove for a geometrically structured model. Second, we find that an addition of monovalent salt ions results in an increase of the charge density in the minor groove while the total charge density of ions adsorbed in the major groove stays unchanged. The adsorbed ion densities are highly structured along the minor groove while they are almost smeared along the major groove. Furthermore, for a fixed amount of added salt, the major groove cationic charge is independent on the counterion valency. For increasing salt concentration the major groove is neutralized while the total charge adsorbed in the minor groove is constant. DNA overcharging is detected for multivalent salt. Simulations for a larger ion radii, which mimic the effect of the ion hydration, indicate an increased adsorbtion of cations in the major groove.Comment: 34 pages with 14 figure

The Intentional Use of Service Recovery Strategies to Influence Consumer Emotion, Cognition and Behaviour

Service recovery strategies have been identified as a critical factor in the success of. service organizations. This study develops a conceptual frame work to investigate how specific service recovery strategies influence the emotional, cognitive and negative behavioural responses of . consumers., as well as how emotion and cognition influence negative behavior. Understanding the impact of specific service recovery strategies will allow service providers' to more deliberately and intentionally engage in strategies that result in positive organizational outcomes. This study was conducted using a 2 x 2 between-subjects quasi-experimental design. The results suggest that service recovery has a significant impact on emotion, cognition and negative behavior. Similarly, satisfaction, negative emotion and positive emotion all influence negative behavior but distributive justice has no effect

Measurement of \Gamma(\eta -> \pi^+\pi^-\gamma)/\Gamma(\eta -> \pi^+\pi^-\pi^0) with the KLOE Detector

The ratio R_{\eta}=\Gamma(\eta -> \pi^+\pi^-\gamma)/\Gamma(\eta -> \pi^+\pi^-\pi^0) has been measured by analyzing 22 million \phi \to \eta \gamma decays collected by the KLOE experiment at DA\PhiNE, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 558 pb^{-1}. The \eta \to \pi^+\pi^-\gamma proceeds both via the \rho resonant contribution, and possibly a non-resonant direct term, connected to the box anomaly. Our result, R_{\eta}= 0.1856\pm 0.0005_{stat} \pm 0.0028_{syst}, points out a sizable contribution of the direct term to the total width. The di-pion invariant mass for the \eta -> \pi^+\pi^-\gamma decay could be described in a model-independent approach in terms of a single free parameter, \alpha. The determined value of the parameter \alpha is \alpha = (1.32 \pm 0.08_{stat} +0.10/-0.09_{syst}\pm 0.02_{theo}) GeV^{-2}Comment: Paper in press, accepted by PL

The chromatin landscape of primary synovial sarcoma organoids is linked to specific epigenetic mechanisms and dependencies.

Synovial sarcoma (SyS) is an aggressive mesenchymal malignancy invariably associated with the chromosomal translocation t(X:18; p11:q11), which results in the in-frame fusion of the BAF complex gene SS18 to one of three SSX genes. Fusion of SS18 to SSX generates an aberrant transcriptional regulator, which, in permissive cells, drives tumor development by initiating major chromatin remodeling events that disrupt the balance between BAF-mediated gene activation and polycomb-dependent repression. Here, we developed SyS organoids and performed genome-wide epigenomic profiling of these models and mesenchymal precursors to define SyS-specific chromatin remodeling mechanisms and dependencies. We show that SS18-SSX induces broad BAF domains at its binding sites, which oppose polycomb repressor complex (PRC) 2 activity, while facilitating recruitment of a non-canonical (nc)PRC1 variant. Along with the uncoupling of polycomb complexes, we observed H3K27me3 eviction, H2AK119ub deposition and the establishment of de novo active regulatory elements that drive SyS identity. These alterations are completely reversible upon SS18-SSX depletion and are associated with vulnerability to USP7 loss, a core member of ncPRC1.1. Using the power of primary tumor organoids, our work helps define the mechanisms of epigenetic dysregulation on which SyS cells are dependent

Red blood cell transfusion practices for patients with cervical cancer undergoing radiotherapy

Biological, physical and clinical aspects of cancer treatment with ionising radiatio

The non-invasive biopsy: will urinary proteomics make the renal tissue biopsy redundant?

Proteomics is a rapidly advancing technique which gives a functional insight into gene expression in living organisms. Urine is an ideal medium for study as it is readily available, easily obtained and less complex than other bodily fluids. Considerable progress has been made over the last 5 years in the study of urinary proteomics as a diagnostic tool for renal disease. The advantages of this technique over the traditional renal biopsy include accessibility, safety, the possibility of serial sampling, and the potential for non-invasive prognostic and diagnostic monitoring of disease and an individual’s response to treatment. Urinary proteomics is now moving from a discovery phase in small studies to a validation phase in much larger numbers of patients with renal disease. Whilst there are still some limitations in methodology, which are assessed in this review, the possibility of urinary proteomics replacing the invasive tissue biopsy for diagnosis of renal disease is becoming increasingly realistic