Changing Perceptions of Companies’ Website From Foreign to Local: An Experimental Study of Website Localization Strategies

Website localization is important for companies to do business in the international market. This paper-in-progress explores website localization strategies and their effects. Drawing from social identity paradigm, we develop two website localization strategies: Similarity strategy (leveraging similarities with local people to positively influence consumer attitude towards foreign companies’ websites in website design) and Prosocial strategy (bringing benefits to local people to enhance consumer attitude towards foreign companies’ websites in website design). We also propose hypotheses about how these two strategies affect perceived website localization, trust and purchase intention through perceived similarity and perceived support. An experimental study will be conducted to validate the hypotheses in Mainland, China

Insights into charge carrier dynamics in organo-metal halide perovskites: From neat films to solar cells

Organo-metal halide perovskites have recently obtained world-wide attention as promising solar cell materials. They have broad and strong light absorption along with excellent carrier transport properties which partially explain their record power conversion efficiencies above 22%. However, the basic understanding of the underlying physical mechanisms is still limited and there remain large discrepancies among reported transport characteristics of perovskite materials. Notably, the carrier mobility of perovskite samples either in thin films or within solar cells obtained using different techniques can vary by up to 7-8 orders of magnitude. This tutorial review aims to offer insights into the scope, advantages, limitations and latest developments of the techniques that have been applied for studying charge carrier dynamics in perovskites. We summarize a comprehensive set of measurements including (1) time-resolved laser spectroscopies (transient absorption, time-resolved photoluminescence, terahertz spectroscopy and microwave conductivity); (2) electrical transient techniques (charge extraction by linearly increasing voltage and time-of-flight); and (3) steady-state methods (field-effect transistor, Hall effect and space charge limited current). Firstly, the basics of the above measurements are described. We then comparatively summarize the charge carrier characteristics of perovskite-based neat films, bilayer films and solar cells. Finally, we compare the different approaches in evaluating the key parameters of transport dynamics and unravel the reasons for the large discrepancies among these methods. We anticipate that this tutorial review will serve as the entry point for understanding the experimental results from the above techniques and provide insights into charge carrier dynamics in perovskite materials and devices. 1 2017 The Royal Society of Chemistry.Z. L. thanks the support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) under grant no. 51473036. K. Z. and T. P. acknowledges the support from the Swedish Research Council, the KAW Foundation, the NPRP grant #NPRP7-227-1-034 obtained from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of the Qatar Foundation), and the STINT grant #CH2015-6232 from the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education.Scopu

Activation of the IL-23/Th17 Axis

The aim of this paper is to determine the modulatory effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus on the IL-23/Th17 immune axis in experimental colitis. DSS-induced mouse models of UC were to be saline, hormones, and different concentrations of Lactobacillus acidophilus intervention. The expression of interleukin-(IL-) 17, tumor necrosis factor (TNF ), IL-23, transforming growth factor 1 (TGF 1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and phosphorylated (p)-STAT3 was examined by RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical analysis. And the results showed that administration of L. acidophilus suppressed Th17 cell-mediated secretion of proinflammatory cytokine IL-17 through downregulation of IL-23 and TGF 1 expression and downstream phosphorylation of p-STAT3

A Novel Role for GADD45\u3ci\u3eβ\u3c/i\u3e as a Mediator of \u3ci\u3eMMP-13\u3c/i\u3e Gene Expression during Chondrocyte Terminal Differentiation

The growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible 45β (GADD45β) gene product has been implicated in the stress response, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis. Here we demonstrated the unexpected expression of GADD45β in the embryonic growth plate and uncovered its novel role as an essential mediator of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) expression during terminal chondrocyte differentiation. We identified GADD45β as a prominent early response gene induced by bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) through a Smad1/Runx2-dependent pathway. Because this pathway is involved in skeletal development, we examined mouse embryonic growth plates, and we observed expression of Gadd45β mRNA coincident with Runx2 protein in prehypertrophic chondrocytes, whereas GADD45β protein was localized prominently in the nucleus in late stage hypertrophic chondrocytes where Mmp-13 mRNA was expressed. In Gadd45β−/− mouse embryos, defective mineralization and decreased bone growth accompanied deficient Mmp-13 and Col10a1 gene expression in the hypertrophic zone. Transduction of small interferin

The exhumation of the Indo-Burman Ranges, Myanmar

The Indo-Burman Ranges (IBR) are a mountain range comprised of Mesozoic-Cenozoic rocks which run the length of Western Myanmar, extending into India and Bangladesh; to the west lies the Indian Ocean, and to the east lies the Central Myanmar Basin (CMB) along which the Irrawaddy River flows. The IBR are considered to be an accretionary prism, developed at the juncture of the Indian and Sunda plates, and a number of hypotheses have been proposed for their evolution. However, in order for these hypotheses to be evaluated, the timing of IBR evolution needs to be determined. We undertook a two-pronged approach to determining the timing of uplift of the IBR. (1) We present the first low-temperature thermochronological age elevation profiles of the IBR using ZFT, AFT and ZHe techniques. Our data show: a major period of exhumation occurred around the time of the Oligo-Miocene boundary; we tentatively suggest, subject to further verification, an additional period of exhumation at or before the late Eocene. (2) We carried out a detailed multi-technique provenance study of the sedimentary rocks of the IBR and Arakan Coastal region to their west, and compared data to coeval rocks of the CMB. We determined that during Eocene times, rocks of the CMB and IBR were derived from similar local provenance, that of the Myanmar arc to the east. Therefore at this time there was an open connection from arc to ocean. By contrast, by Miocene times, provenance diverged. Rocks of the CMB were deposited by a through-flowing Irrawaddy River, with detritus derived from its upland source region of the Mogok Metamorphic Belt and Cretaceous-Paleogene granites to the north. Such a provenance is not recorded in coeval rocks of the IBR, indicating that the IBR had uplifted by this time, providing a barrier to transport of material to the west. To the previously published list of viable proposals to explain the exhumation of the range, we add a new suggestion: the period of exhumation around the time of the Oligo-Miocene boundary could have been governed by a change to wedge dynamics instigated by a major increase in the thickness of the incoming Bengal Fan sediment pile

Pediatric myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease in southern China: analysis of 93 cases

ObjectiveTo study the clinical features of children diagnosed with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) in southern China.MethodsClinical data of children diagnosed with MOGAD from April 2014 to September 2021 were analyzed.ResultsA total of 93 children (M/F=45/48; median onset age=6.0 y) with MOGAD were involved. Seizures or limb paralysis was the most common onset or course symptom, respectively. The most common lesion locations in brain MRI, orbital MRI, and spinal cord MRI were basal ganglia and subcortical white matter, the orbital segment of the optic nerve, and the cervical segment, respectively. ADEM (58.10%) was the most common clinical phenotype. The relapse rate was 24.7%. Compared with the patients without relapse, relapsed patients had a longer interval from onset to diagnosis (median: 19 days VS 20 days) and higher MOG antibody titer at onset (median: 1:32 VS 1:100) with longer positively persistent (median: 3 months VS 24 months). All patients received IVMP plus IVIG at the acute phase, and 96.8% of patients achieved remission after one to three courses of treatment. MMF, monthly IVIG, and maintaining a low dose of oral prednisone were used alone or in combination as maintenance immunotherapy for relapsed patients and effectively reduced relapse. It transpired 41.9% of patients had neurological sequelae, with movement disorder being the most common. Compared with patients without sequelae, patients with sequelae had higher MOG antibody titer at onset (median: 1:32 VS 1:100) with longer persistence (median: 3 months VS 6 months) and higher disease relapse rate (14.8% VS 38.5%).ConclusionsResults showed the following about pediatric MOGAD in southern China: the median onset age was 6.0 years, with no obvious sex distribution difference; seizure or limb paralysis, respectively, are the most common onset or course symptom; the lesions of basal ganglia, subcortical white matter, the orbital segment of the optic nerve, and cervical segment were commonly involved in the CNS MRI; ADEM was the most common clinical phenotype; most had a good response to immunotherapy; although the relapse rate was relatively high, MMF, monthly IVIG and a low dose of oral prednisone might effectively reduce relapse; neurological sequelae were common, and possibly associated with MOG antibody status and disease relapse

The negative effect of ANGPTL8 on HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux capacity

Abstract Background It is well known that angiopoietin-like protein 8 (ANGPTL8) exerts its effects on lipid metabolism through the inhibition of lipoprotein lipase and subsequent elevation of plasma triglyceride. However, it is not clear whether ANGPTL8 could affect lipid metabolism via other pathways. The study was aimed to investigate the effects of ANGPTL8 on the function of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which plays a protective role in atherosclerosis progression. Methods Two hundred and ten subjects were recruited. Plasma ANGPTL8 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Cholesterol efflux capacity was chosen as the biomarker of HDL function and measured via H3-cholesterol loading THP-1 cell models. Results ANGPTL8 exhibited no significant difference between CAD group and nonCAD group, but ANGPTL8 in DM group was significantly higher than that in the nonDM group [568.3 (406.2–836.8) vs 458.2 (356.8–755.6), P = 0.023]. Compared to controls, subjects in CAD group and DM group exhibited significantly lower cholesterol efflux capacity [CAD: 14.58 ± 2.06 vs 12.51 ± 2.83%, P < 0.0001; DM: 13.62 ± 2.57 vs 12.34 ± 3.16%, P = 0.0099]. ANGPTL8 was inversely correlated with cholesterol efflux capacity (r = − 0.188, P < 0.01). Regression analysis revealed that plasma ANGPTL8 was an independent contributor to cholesterol efflux capacity (standardized β = − 0.143, P = 0.023). Conclusion ANGPTL8 presents a negative effect on HDL-mediated cholesterol efflux capacity

Preparation of Mn-Co-MCM-41 Molecular Sieve with Thermosensitive Template and Its Degradation Performance for Rhodamine B

Rhodamine B (RhB) in dyes is widely used in various industries, but it poses a great threat to the natural environment and human health. In this work, a series of thermosensitive polymer materials, PNxDy, with controllable morphology and particle size were prepared by free radical polymerization using N-isopropylacrylamide and N,N-dimethylacrylamide as monomers. Then, by using PNxDy as a template, bimetallic Mn- and Co-doped MCM-41 molecular sieves with good morphology and properties were prepared by the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The effects of a series of thermosensitive templates on the morphology and properties of the Mn-Co-MCM-41 molecular sieve were investigated. The results demonstrated that the Mn-Co-MCM-41 by PN100D4 as a templating agent showed the best mesoporous ordering and the most regular material morphology with 2 nm nanoparticles. In addition, the molecular sieve with the best structure was selected for the RhB degradation experiments. The Mn-Co-MCM-41 with PN100D4 as the template showed regular morphology and uniform pore channels. It was applied as a catalyst for the degradation of RhB by potassium monopersulfate (PMS). The degradation rate of RhB could reach 98% with a 20 min reaction by Mn-Co-MCM-41 (PN100D4). Meanwhile, the degradation rate could be maintained at 91% after being reused six times. The bimetallic-doped Mn-Co-MCM-41 molecular sieves prepared using the thermosensitive material PN100D4 as a template have good catalytic performance and can be effectively reused

An Experimental Study on the Ecological Support Model of Dentate Row Piles

Bamboo is highly renewable and biodegradable with good short-term strength, which meets the requirement for temporal support structures in shallow foundation pits. Based on this, we conducted a laboratory model test on the dentate bamboo micropile support structure combined with environmentally friendly building materials and new type of piles, to explore the stress characteristics, stress change regularity, and the support effect of the system in soft soil foundation pits. The results show that the earth pressure on the pile sides above the excavation surface gradually decreases with an increase in the excavation depth. The bending deformation of the bamboo pile was also significant. The results also show that the earth pressure and the pile strain below the excavation surface change slightly during the excavation process. When the short sides of the foundation pit were loaded, the highest strain was recorded in the piles 4 and 11. A maximum strain of 358.93 με was recorded, and the maximum displacement of the pile in the top part was obtained to be only 2.14 mm. The most subsidence of dentate pile obtained is only 1.88 mm, whereas that of the single-row pile is 2.35 mm. Compared to the traditional single-row pile, the dentate piles can effectively reduce the horizontal deformation as well as the surface subsidence effectively. They can also support more external lateral load, and hence maintain the foundation stability and give better support. The results provide a theoretical basis for ecological bamboo support technology and have great value to be promoted