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Frame of the research: As the demand for food authenticity and traceability continues to grow, Blockchain technology (BCT) will likely play a key role in supporting consumers' food purchase intentions as it enables them to access end-toend traceability of the food supply chain through their mobiles. Purpose of the paper: The study aims at exploring consumer awareness of BCT and the main factors influencing their intention to adopt BCT when shopping for groceries. The study verifies a structural model based on an integrated version of the TAM with Technology Principles Knowledge (TPK) and Blockchain Guarantee (BG) constructs. Methodology: A survey based on a structured questionnaire was digitally shared among a sample of consumers. 392 responses were collected. PLS-SEM was used to verify the proposed model on the sample of knowledgeable consumers (N: 120). Results: The level of knowledge of BCT is very low (31% of the sample). Perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PE) influence the attitude-intention to adopt the path. Knowledge of the technology's principles impacts PU, PE and importance given to blockchain guarantee, while the latter positively affects attitude. Indirect effects are all verified. Research limitations: Due to the novelty of the phenomenon, the sample is small as the study focused only on knowledgeable consumers, limiting the general applicability of results. Cross-cultural studies may improve our knowledge. Managerial implications: Our results are useful to food supply-chain operators - especially manufacturers and retailers - willing to provide consumers with easy-to-use and innovative solutions during shopping. To this end, results show that BCT may suit consumers' requests for guaranteed authenticity and traceability. Originality of the paper: BCT studies mainly focus on the firm, while data or insights on consumers are scarce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The pandemic impacted consumers' shopping processes, leading them to approach the online channel for grocery shopping for the first time. The paper contributes to the retailing literature by identifying different grocery shopper segments willing to switch online moved by heterogeneous motivations. Integrating the technology acceptance model 2 (TAM-2) and the protection motivation theory (PMT), this study identifies technology-related and Covid-related motivations jointly impacting channel switching. Design/methodology/approach: A mixture regression model was estimated on the 370 valid questionnaires, filled out by Italian shoppers, delivering four internally consistent segments. Findings: The results reveal the existence of four segments willing to switch towards the online channel for grocery shopping in the aftermath of the pandemic. Utilitarian shoppers would switch online as they consider the online channel useful and easy to use. Responsive shoppers will prefer the online channel driven by the fear of being infected in-store. Novel enthusiasts show interest in the online channel to not catch the virus and cope with emotional fear, although they consider online shopping as an enjoyable and useful activity as well. Smart shoppers consider online shopping as an easy-to-use alternative for their grocery purchases. Originality/value: This paper identifies technology-related and Covid-related motivations jointly impacting shoppers' channel switching to online and presents a novel method – i.e. mixture regression – allowing for the identification of shopper segments motivated by different reasons, both emotional and utilitarian, to switch towards the online channel for their grocery shopping. Among other motivations, the fear of Covid-19 is identified as a relevant motivation to switch to online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper investigates the resilience of micro-businesses (MBs) to natural disasters by exploring the impact of two levels of resilience, namely organizational resilience and entrepreneur psychological resilience, on perceived post-disaster business performance (PPDBP). As MBs tend to be entrepreneur-centric, entrepreneur psychological resilience (EPR) can play an important role, interconnected with that of organizational resilience (OR). However, in the extant literature the debate is still open on how OR and EPR relate. We verified a structural model with the aid of Upper Echelons and Imprinting theories, applying a covariance-based technique on data collected through a survey administered to a sample of 213 MBs hit by the 2012 Earthquake in Emilia (Italy). Results revealed that perceived post-disaster business performance is driven by entrepreneur psychological resilience with a mediating role for organizational resilience, in three main areas: robustness, agility and integrity. The study contributes to the literature on resilience and MBs by providing empirical evidence and practical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates hoteliers' short-term recovery strategies during the pandemic. Stemming from management crisis theory and the resource-based view of the firm, this article focuses on two environments differently hit by COVID-19, i.e. London and Munich. The findings show that hotels with a more managerial approach have more proactively applied dynamic pricing strategies. When dealing with high severity levels of the pandemic, hoteliers make use of a more streamlined booking portfolio to cope with the crisis. We provide theoretical implications and actionable managerial levers for hoteliers and the wider pricing community on how to maximize revenues during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims at shedding light on the competing extrinsic motivations behind the mobile shopping process of regular and occasional shoppers. Price and convenience, shopping security, order delivery and post-sale service are investigated as antecedents of the mobile shopping attitude-intention path. Design/methodology/approach: The empirical analysis is based on a multigroup structural equation model (SEM) developed on 903 online questionnaires collected among Chinese shoppers in a pre-Covid-19 pandemic retailing context. Findings: Findings evidence contrary motivations behind the attitude – intention to shop using a mobile retail app of regular and occasional shoppers. While all the investigated aspects result to be positively relevant for regular m-shoppers, shopping security and post-sale service do not impact the attitude – intention path of occasional mobile shoppers. Results support retailers' strategies in the context of mobile shopping growth. Originality/value: The paper contributes to the emerging retailing literature on mobile shopping by offering a comparison of the motivations behind the mobile shopping intention of regular and occasional shoppers. Extrinsic motivations before, during and after the transaction are jointly investigated in the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Non-vegan consumers are increasingly shifting their food habits and lifestyles towards vegan food. Thus, in addition to traditional, though poorly studied, ethical motives (i.e. animal, environmental, spiritual, health concerns), other factors may influence the purchase of vegan food. Within this context, the paper investigates the moderating role of conformity in enticing consumers to buy vegan food products, together with the main traditional consumers' concerns influencing their attitude towards vegan food. The study also considers the role of the willingness to pay a premium price as a direct driver of the intention to buy vegan. Design/methodology/approach: An online survey was performed in Italy on a number of major Facebook thematic pages. A dataset based on 250 Italian non-vegans was used to implement a structural equation model. Findings: Findings show that spiritual and animal concerns are direct drivers of non-vegan buyers' attitude towards vegan food. Attitude, then, strongly influences the intention to buy vegan foods. Though less impactful, non-vegans' willingness to pay a premium price is a motive positively influencing their intention to buy vegan food. The positive and significant moderating effect exerted by conformity on the attitude-intention path confirms the amplifying role played by trends and lifestyles on consumers' food buying choices. Originality/value: This study contributes to the food and consumer behaviour literature in being the first exploring the moderating role played by conformity in inducing non-vegan consumers to buy vegan food. Environmental, animal, spiritual and health concerns are investigated from the non-vegan perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Environmental concern is getting increasing importance in consumer shopping decisions. Nevertheless, to date, sustainable packaged foods are not always the first option when consumers go shopping. This paper analyses how environmental concern moderates the role played by external factors – preference towards sustainable retailers and trust in sustainable producers – in determining consumer purchase intentions for sustainable packaged foods. Consumer involvement in eco-friendly labels, increasingly present in food packages, is investigated as indirectly impacting pro-environmental purchase intentions. Design/methodology/approach: An online survey administered to a sample of Italian food shoppers is used for the empirical analysis. A total of 278 structured questionnaires were modelled using a structural equation modelling approach. Findings: Findings show that producers and retailers' policies in favour of sustainability are key in determining consumers' sustainable purchase intentions. Further, coherent uses of labels and logos in light of sustainability can support consumer purchase decisions. Relevant is the influence played by the environmental concern in both supporting pro-environmental purchase intentions and in amplifying the trust in sustainable producers-purchase intentions path. Originality/value: This study contributes to the literature on sustainability showing how producers and retailers may together influence consumers' pro-environmental purchase intentions. Findings extend the retail literature on the impact of producers and retailers' policies on consumers' sustainable purchases. Further, environmental concern is investigated in its moderating role on the impact of external factors on consumers' pro-environmental purchase intentions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of several intrinsic motivations driving consumers' intention to buy using a mobile app, namely: shopping gamification, focussed attention, shopping enjoyment and socialness, through the mediating role of shopping engagement. The online shopping experience is investigated in its dual role as direct driver of the intention to buy using a mobile app and as moderator of the shopping engagement – intention to buy using a mobile app path. Design/methodology/approach: The empirical analysis was performed in China due to the extensive usage of mobile shopping apps amongst the Chinese population. A structural equation model was estimated on 893 valid and complete structured questionnaires collected amongst a sample of Chinese consumers. Findings: Findings confirm that intrinsic motivations (i.e. shopping gamification, focussed attention, shopping enjoyment and socialness) indirectly influence the intention to buy using a mobile app channelled by shopping engagement. Most remarkably, results show that the online shopping experience positively moderates the shopping engagement – intention to buy using a mobile app path. Originality/value: The novelty of the paper lies in the conceptual and empirical evidence provided on shopping gamification, within the retailing marketing domain. The study investigates other related intrinsic motivations that jointly with shopping gamification directly influence shopping engagement and indirectly impact mobile shopping intention. The paper provides insights into the moderating role of online shopping experience, a key aspect when the challenge concerning gamification is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose: Literature on the motives influencing consumers' intention to use peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms has become vast and fragmented. The purpose of this paper is to shed light on this research stream by applying a novel methodological approach that reveals the existence of alternative combinations of motives that equally boost consumers' intention to use P2P accommodation. Design/methodology/approach: The methodological approach builds on the complexity theory and includes both linear and nonlinear techniques. The empirical analysis combines multiple regression analysis and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The sample comprises 458 users of a leading P2P accommodation platform. Findings: The fsQCA reveals four distinct combinations of motives. Social interaction and social esteem, either combined themselves or in partial combination with economic benefits, emerge as two important drivers of behavioral intention to use P2P accommodation. Sustainability appears in three of the combinations. Originality/value: This paper contributes to the P2P accommodation literature by adopting a novel methodological approach that shows the complexity behind consumers' intention to use P2P accommodation. Consumer motives cannot be considered as separate entities because their effect on consumer intention depends on the interplay among them. Therefore, the different combinations of motives should be managed simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Electroacoustic stimulation allow very interesting performances mainly in noisy condition for bisyllabic words recognition. In this paper, we studied some very difficult timbric tasks in noise conditions. Methods: We studied 10 adult patients with Hybrid implants (group A-Hybrid implants) and 70 adult patients with traditional ones (group B-Traditional implants). We made the following tests in noise: (1) Bisyllabic words recognition; (2) Voice kinds recognition; and (3) Musical instruments recognition. Results: Mean results in quiet: test 1: 63% for group A, 42% for group B; test 2: 75% group A, 33% group B; test 3: 55% group A, 20% group B. We obtained a p <.05 for tests 2 and 3. Conclusions: Hybrid patients seem to have better results mainly in noisy timbric tasks. This should be explained by the better quality of low frequency stimulation. The presence of good residual hearing on low frequencies should orientate surgeons and audiologists to consider electroacoustic stimulation procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A feature of recent decades has been the sudden and unexpected occurrence of catastrophic events seriously affecting people and territories. From an economic viewpoint, this has led scholars to pay increasing attention to factors and determinants taking enterprises face-to-face with extreme and catastrophic events, through the resilience lens. In this context, this study aims to contribute to the literature on resilience to natural disasters which is currently still limited in the business and management fields, both theoretically and empirically. This is particularly true as regards retailing, despite the key role played by retail in the aftermath and recovery periods following on from sudden-onset extreme events such as earthquakes. The 2012 Emilia earthquake is a case in point with which to explore small retail enterprises' resilience to sudden-onset disasters. Specifically, our empirical research consisted of administering a structured questionnaire to a sample of small retail enterprises which experienced an earthquake. The unit of analysis adopted was the retail enterprise. Data was processed applying Covariance-Based Structural Equation Modeling (CB-SEM). The structural model aims to verify the impact of sales capabilities, market orientation and networking capabilities on the resilience capacity of retail enterprises affected by an extreme event, controlling for certain financial indicators such as suppliers' payment timeframes and the use of debt capital, as well as respondent age and gender. The findings show that all the antecedents analysed exert a significant and positive effect on small retail enterprises' resilience capacity and ability to bounce back from natural disasters. Moreover, suppliers' payment timeframes showed a direct relationship with retail enterprises' resilience capacity, with lower use of debt capital equalling higher retail business resilience. Age and gender do not exert any significant effect. Scientific, managerial and public policy implications are derived. Abbreviation: SEM [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Masonry walls are particularly vulnerable against out-of-plane seismic actions. Steel tie-bars and crowing beams in reinforced masonry can prevent their overturning, but collapse may take place also by bending, leaf separation or disaggregation. Textile Reinforced Mortar (TRM) composites, comprising high strength fabrics and inorganic matrices, can be applied to effectively improve the seismic capacity of masonry load-bearing walls and infill panels. Nevertheless, a deeper knowledge on the dynamic response and ultimate capacity of retrofitted walls still needs to be gained before TRM systems can be confidently used in engineering practice. This work describes a shake table test carried out on two full-scale wall specimens, one made of regular tuff blocks and one of two leaves of rubble stones, subjected to seismic out-of-plane vertical bending. The walls were tested unreinforced, repaired and strengthened with TRMs and tested again. A unidirectional textile of ultra high tensile strength steel was used on the tuff wall, whereas a bidirectional basalt mesh was applied over the entire surface of the stone wall, with the addition of transversal steel connectors. The responses of the specimens before and after retrofitting are compared to show the improvement of acceleration and displacement capacity entailed by TRM retrofitting and the modification of deflection profiles, failure modes, damage development and dynamic properties. Test outcomes prove the effectiveness of TRM composites for the protection of existing masonry structures, including architectural heritage, in earthquake prone areas and provide information on the reliability of analytical predictions for seismic assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross-sectional investigation examined the prevalence and severity of dysphonia, globus pharyngeus, and dysphagia in patients affected by immunomediated (IM) diseases. Seventy subjects were administered the Voice Handicap Index (VHI) (scale 0-4), Glasgow-Edinburgh Throat Scale (GETS) (scale from 0 to 7) for globus pharyngeus assessment, and modified Swallowing Outcomes After Revised Laryngectomy (SOAL) (scale 0, 1, 2) to test swallowing symptoms. VHI: the mean percentage of answers with a score greater than 1 (corresponding to a frequency of situation's occurrence "sometimes," "almost always," or "always") was 25.7, 26.7, and 44.1% for functional, emotional, and physical groups of sub-items respectively. GETS: the mean percentage of answers with a score ≥ 3 was 60.85%, significantly higher if compared with that of answers with a score < 3 (40.14%). The mean percentages of answers with a score 0-2, 3-4, and 5-7 were 40.1, 16.7, and 43.7% respectively. SOAL: a mean of 57.9% of answers gained a symptomatic score (1 ["a little"] or 2 ["a lot"]) and 41.9%, the score 0. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The first two most recurrent items with a score 2 ("a lot") were "Do you have a problem swallowing dry food?" (46%) and "Do you have a problem swallowing solid food?" (36%). The study represents the first to describe the globus pharyngeus symptoms in IM population. Moreover, it allows to confirm the recurrence of dysphonia and dysphagia in this type of patients. Particularly, it has been demonstrated that the alteration of swallowing function is related to solid and dry food. The self-assessment questionnaires proved as a useful tool to early detection of dysfunctions in order to avoid further deterioration of quality of life and to prevent serious life-threatening complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the main results relevant to the characterization of an analog front-end processor designed in view of experiments with unprecedented particle rates and radiation levels at the high-luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC). The front-end channel presented in this paper is part of the CHIPIX65-FE0 prototype, a readout application-specified integrated circuit designed in a 65-nm CMOS technology in the frame of the CERN RD53 collaboration. The prototype integrates a $64\times 64$ pixel matrix, divided into two $32\times 64$ submatrices, featuring squared pixels with 50- $\mu \text{m}$ pitch, embodying two analog front-end architectures based on synchronous and asynchronous hit discriminators. This paper is focused on the characterization of the array with asynchronous channels, before and after exposure to ionizing doses up to 630 Mrad(SiO2) of X-rays. The analog chain takes a per-channel area close to 1000 $\mu \text{m}^{2}$ , with a power dissipation of around 5 $\mu \text{W}$. The mean value of the equivalent noise charge, not significantly affected by radiation, is close to 100 electrons with no sensor connected to the front end. The threshold dispersion before irradiation is 55 electrons, for a tuned threshold of 600 electrons, with a moderate increase after irradiation. In-pixel analog-to-digital conversion, based on the time-over-threshold technique, is not appreciably influenced by the radiation as well. The assessed performance guarantees sub-1000 electrons stable threshold operations, which is a mandatory feature for highly efficient readout chips at the HL-LHC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ponte delle Torri is a large medieval masonry bridge, one of the main architectural heritage of Spoleto, Italy. The location of the bridge is less than 50 km from the main epicenters of the recent Central Italy earthquakes (Mw > 5.0) that occurred between August 2016 and February 2017. In addition, some minor quakes of the sequence (Mw between 3.0 and 4.0) occurred within 10 km from the bridge, causing some damages and fear among the population around Spoleto. In this context, the present paper aims at contributing to understand the effects on the structural health of the bridge by analyzing the ambient vibration data acquired before, during and after the seismic sequence, as changes in the dynamic behavior of the structure might indicate the evolution of the state of damage of the monument. In particular, vibration data were processed by modal analysis techniques for mutual validation of the extracted modal parameters. Environmental and vibration data were simultaneously acquired to take into account the seasonal effects on the dynamic behavior. Through a preliminary finite-element model (FEM) the modal shapes were obtained to choose the positions where to locate the sensors for the vibration spot acquisition session of June 2015. The same positions were acquired in October 2016 and at the end of May 2017. Subsequently, a more detailed FEM was produced based on a 3D reconstruction by structure-from-motion stereo-photogrammetry technique with high-resolution photos from unmanned aerial vehicle of the bridge. The model was validated through comparison with the damage pattern experienced by the bridge and then used for assessing the seismic safety by means of both, nonlinear dynamic and static push-over analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the framework of the CO.B.R.A. project for the development and dissemination of methods, technologies and advanced tools for the conservation of cultural heritage, data and experimental results of several shaking table tests were remotely shared. Through the upgrading of the laboratory with new optoelectronic instrumentation and the application of innovative video processing techniques, the vibrations induced to two typical Italian historic masonry walls and to an isolated pedestal provided with early-warning system for delicate statues were measured and analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A front-end channel prototype for pixel detectors has been designed for the upgrades of the HL-LHC experiments. The circuit is based on a Krummenacher feedback network to continuously reset the charge sensitive amplifier and on a fast threshold discriminator to implement a time-over-threshold (ToT) method and perform amplitude measurement. The front-end circuit was developed in a 65 nm CMOS technology and takes an overall area not exceeding 1250 \mu \text m^2 , i.e., half of the overall pixel area. The current consumption per channel is around 4 \mu \text A at $VDD=1.2$ V. A very small charge sensitivity dispersion was detected in the set of characterized samples. An equivalent noise charge of 120 e− was found for a detector capacitance of 100 fF. The response of the channel is compatible with the speed requirements of the foreseen application in the innermost layers of the CMS pixel detector. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A radiation-hard BGR (bandgap voltage reference) circuit is here presented. It’s able to maintain the output voltage accuracy over process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) variations, combined with extremely high total-ionizing-dose (up to 800 Mrad (SiO2)), as required by the next experiments upgrades of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The design has been dealt starting from several experimental results, collected from some testing devices, under radiation exposure. In particular, this information has been used modifying the model files provided by foundry, in order to consider the radiation exposure effects during the design process. Consequently, a rad-hard optimized sizing device has been devised. In addition, a particular layout solution has guaranteed a better radiation immunity for the temperature sensing elements (i.e., diodes). The bandgap reference circuit has been fabricated in a commercial 65 nm CMOS technology. Measurement results show a temperature coefficient of about 130 ppm/°C over a temperature range of 120 °C (from −40 °C to 80 °C, as required by application) and a variation of 0.3% for Vdd 1.08 V–1.32 V. The mean value of the BGR output is about 330 mV, with a 10% maximum shift when exposed up to 800 Mrad (SiO2). The power consumption is 240~\mu \mathrm W at room temperature, with a core area of 0.018~\mathrm mm^2 . [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

An innovative solution for the seismic protection of existing masonry structures is proposed and investigated through shake table tests on a natural scale wall assemblage. After a former test series carried out without reinforcement, the specimen was retrofitted using Steel Reinforced Grout. The strengthening system comprises horizontal strips of ultra-high strength steel cords, externally bonded to the masonry with hydraulic lime mortar, and connectors to transversal walls, applied within the thickness of the plaster layer. In order to assess the seismic performance of the retrofitted wall, natural accelerograms were applied with increasing intensity up to failure. Test results provide a deep understanding of the effectiveness of mortar-based composites for improving the out-of-plane seismic capacity of masonry walls, in comparison with traditional reinforcements with steel tie-bars. The structural implications of the proposed solution in terms of dynamic properties and damage development under earthquake loads are also discussed.Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generation of β-pancreatic cells represents a major goal in research. The aim of this study was to explore a protein-based strategy to induce differentiation of human biliary tree stem cells (hBTSCs) towards β-pancreatic cells. A plasmid containing the sequence of the human pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1) has been expressed in E. coli. Epithelial-Cell-Adhesion-Molecule positive hBTSCs or mature human hepatocyte cell line, HepG2, were grown in medium to which Pdx1 peptide was added. Differentiation toward pancreatic islet cells were evaluated by the expression of the β-cell transcription factors, Pdx1 and musculoapo-neurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog A, and of the pancreatic hormones, insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin, investigated by real time polymerase chain reaction, western blot, light microscopy and immunofluorescence. C-peptide secretion in response to high glucose was also measured. Results indicated how purified Pdx1 protein corresponding to the primary structure of the human Pdx1 by mass spectroscopy was efficiently produced in bacteria, and transduced into hBTSCs. Pdx1 exposure triggered the expression of both intermediate and mature stage β-cell differentiation markers only in hBTSCs but not in HepG2 cell line. Furthermore, hBTSCs exposed to Pdx1 showed up-regulation of insulin, glucagon and somatostatin genes and formation of 3-dimensional islet-like structures intensely positive for insulin and glucagon. Finally, Pdx1-induced islet-like structures exhibited glucose-regulated C-peptide secretion. In conclusion, the human Pdx1 is highly effective in triggering hBTSC differentiation toward functional β-pancreatic cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver has a principal role in glucose regulation and lipids homeostasis. It is under a complex control by substrates such as hormones, nutrients and neuronal impulses. Insulin promotes glycogen synthesis, lipogenesis and lipoprotein synthesis, and inhibits gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis, and VLDL secretion by modifying the expression and enzymatic activity of specific molecules. To understand the pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to metabolic-liver disease, we analyzed liver protein patterns expressed in a mice model of diabetes by proteomic approaches. We used insulin receptor knockout (IR-/-) and heterozygous (IR+/-) mice as a murine model of liver metabolic dysfunction associated with diabetic ketoacidosis and insulin resistance. We evaluated liver fatty acid levels by microscopic examination and protein expression profiles by orthogonal experimental strategies using protein 2-DE MALDI-TOF/TOF and peptic nLC-MS/MS shotgun profiling. Identified proteins were then loaded into Ingenuity Pathways Analysis to find possible molecular networks. Twenty-eight proteins identified by 2-DE analysis and 24 identified by nLC-MS/MS shotgun, were differentially expressed among the 3 genotypes. Bioinformatic analysis revealed a central role of High Mobility Group Box 1/2 and huntigtin never reported before in the association with metabolic and related liver disease. A different modulation of these proteins both in blood and hepatic tissue further suggests their role in these processes. These results provide new insight into pathophysiology of insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis, and could be useful in identifying novel biomarkers to predict risk for diabetes and its complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In eukaryotic cells the nuclear envelope isolates and protects DNA from molecules that could damage its structure or interfere with its processing. Moreover, selected protection enzymes and vitamins act as efficient guardians against toxic compounds both in the nucleoplasm and in the cytosol. The observation that a cytosolic detoxifying and antioxidant enzyme i.e. glutathione transferase is accumulated in the perinuclear region of the rat hepatocytes suggests that other unrecognized modalities of nuclear protection may exist. Here we show evidence for the existence of a safeguard enzyme machinery formed by an hyper-crowding of cationic enzymes and proteins encompassing the nuclear membrane and promoted by electrostatic interactions. Methodology/Principal Findings: Electron spectroscopic imaging, zeta potential measurements, isoelectrofocusing, comet assay and mass spectrometry have been used to characterize this surprising structure that is present in the cells of all rat tissues examined (liver, kidney, heart, lung and brain), and that behaves as a "nuclear shield". In hepatocytes, this hyper-crowding structure is about 300 nm thick, it is mainly formed by cationic enzymes and the local concentration of key protection enzymes, such as glutathione transferase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase is up to seven times higher than in the cytosol. The catalytic activity of these enzymes, when packed in the shield, is not modified and their relative concentrations vary remarkably in different tissues. Removal of this protective shield renders chromosomes more sensitive to damage by oxidative stress. Specific nuclear proteins anchored to the outer nuclear envelope are likely involved in the shield formation and stabilization. Conclusions/Significance: The characterization of this previously unrecognized nuclear shield in different tissues opens a new interesting scenario for physiological and protection processes in eukaryotic cells. Selection and accumulation of protection enzymes near sensitive targets represents a new safeguard modality which deeply differs from the adaptive response which is based on expression of specific enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual reality (VR) is among the main technologies revolutionizing numerous sectors, including tourism. In the latter context, virtual tours (VTs) are finding increasing application. Providing an immersive and realistic human–machine interaction, VR tours can bring visitors to virtually experience destination areas. The proposed research presents a theoretical and empirical investigation of the role played by some technical VR features (i.e., presence, immersion, ease-of-use) on VR visitors' enjoyment, satisfaction, and, accordingly, on the physical visit intention of the production site and neighboring areas. After having experienced a 360-degree VR tour of a food production site, created specifically for this study, 140 visitors were surveyed online. Results—emerging from a PLS structural equation model—show that immersion and presence both directly impact the enjoyment and indirectly the user's VR tour satisfaction and visit intention. Further, if the VR tour is perceived as easy to use, it influences visitors' satisfaction and physical visit intention. This study contributes to the novel VR literature, applied in the tourism sector, evidencing how immersive and enjoyable scenarios, experienced via widespread devices such as smartphones, may impact tourists' choices. In food tourism, VR technologies can be fundamental in attracting new visitors to the production sites and neighboring areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Escherichia coli has the remarkable ability to resist severe acid stress for several hours. With the notable exception of the gadBC operon, the most important genes involved in acid resistance are present within the acid fitness island (AFI), a 15 kb H-NS-repressed and RpoS-controlled genome region. The AraC/XylS-like transcriptional regulators GadX and GadW are also encoded within this region. In this article, we show that gadW transcription occurs from two native promoters, which are affected by the transcription of the divergently transcribed and GadX-dependent gadY small RNA, and from the gadX promoter. The gadXW dicistronic transcript is subjected to post-transcriptional processing in which GadY is involved. In contrast, gadW transcription negatively affects gadY transcription. By aligning the GadX/GadW binding site on the gadY promoter with the GadX/GadW binding sites previously identified in the gadA and gadBC 5′ regulatory regions, we generated a 42 bp GadX/GadW consensus sequence. DNase I footprinting analyses confirmed that a 42 bp GadX/GadW binding site, which matched the consensus sequence 5′-WANDNCTDWTWKTRAYATWAWMATG KCTGATNTTTWYNTYAK-3′, is also present in the regulatory region of the slp-yhiF, hdeAB and gadE-mtdEF operons, all of which belong to the AFI. The presence of five GadX/GadW-specific binding sites in the AFI suggests that GadX and GadW may act as H-NS counter-silencers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies report an inhibitory effect of probiotics on Helicobacter pylori. Aim: To test whether Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 reduces H. pylori intragastric load in vivo, decreases dyspeptic symptoms, and affects eradication rates after conventional treatment. Materials and Methods: In a double-blind placebo-controlled study, 40 H. pylori-positive subjects were given L. reuteri once a day for 4 weeks or placebo. All underwent upper endoscopy, 13C-urea breath test, and H. pylori stool antigen determination at entry and 13C-urea breath test and H. pylori stool antigen (used as both qualitative and semiquantitative markers) after 4 weeks of treatment. Sequential treatment was administered subsequently to all. Results: In vivo, L. reuteri reduces H. pylori load as semiquantitatively assessed by both 13C-urea breath test δ-value and H. pylori stool antigen quantification after 4 weeks of treatment ( p < .05). No change was shown in patients receiving placebo. L. reuteri administration was followed by a significant decrease in the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale as compared to pretreatment value ( p < .05) that was not present in those receiving placebo ( p = not significant). No difference in eradication rates was observed. Conclusions: L. reuteri effectively suppresses H. pylori infection in humans and decreases the occurrence of dyspeptic symptoms. Nevertheless, it does not seem to affect antibiotic therapy outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Helicobacter pylori eradication fails in about 25–30% of children, particularly because of the occurrence of resistance to antibiotics and side-effects. Aim To determine whether adding the Lactobacillus reuteri to an anti- H. pylori regimen could help to prevent or minimize the gastrointestinal side-effects burden in children. Methods Forty H. pylori-positive children (21 males; median age: 12.3 years) were consecutively treated with 10-day sequential therapy [omeprazole + amoxycillin for 5 days, and omeprazole + clarithromycin + tinidazole for other 5 days] and blindly randomized to receive either L. reuteri ATCC 55730 (108 CFU) or placebo. All children completed the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) at entry, during and after treatment. H. pylori status was assessed after 8 weeks by 13C-urea breath test. Results Overall, in all probiotic supplemented children when compared with those receiving placebo there was a significant reduction of GSRS score during eradication therapy (4.1 ± 2 vs. 6.2 ± 3; P < 0.01) and at the end of follow-up (3.2 ± 2 vs. 5.8 ± 3.4; P < 0.009). Overall, children receiving L. reuteri report less symptoms than those receiving placebo. Conclusion L. reuteri is capable of reducing frequency and intensity of antibiotic-associated side-effects during eradication therapy for H. pylori. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) and X-linked protoporphyria (XLP) are inherited disorders resulting from defects in two different enzymes of the heme biosynthetic pathway, i.e., ferrochelatase (FECH) and delta-aminolevulinic acid synthase-2 (ALAS2), respectively. The ubiquitous FECH catalyzes the insertion of iron into the protoporphyrin ring to generate the final product, heme. After hemoglobinization, FECH can utilize other metals like zinc to bind the remainder of the protoporphyrin molecules, leading to the formation of zinc protoporphyrin. Therefore, FECH deficiency in EPP limits the formation of both heme and zinc protoporphyrin molecules. The erythroid-specific ALAS2 catalyses the synthesis of delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), from the union of glycine and succinyl-coenzyme A, in the first step of the pathway in the erythron. In XLP, ALAS2 activity increases, resulting in the amplified formation of ALA, and iron becomes the rate-limiting factor for heme synthesis in the erythroid tissue. Both EPP and XLP lead to the systemic accumulation of protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) in blood, erythrocytes, and tissues causing the major symptom of cutaneous photosensitivity and several other less recognized signs that need to be considered. Although significant advances have been made in our understanding of EPP and XLP in recent years, a complete understanding of the factors governing the variability in clinical expression and the severity (progression) of the disease remains elusive. The present review provides an overview of both well-established facts and the latest findings regarding these rare diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes a model for rational expectation of a market which is subject to random disturbance of autocorrelational structure. The correspondence of expectations that makes it possible for all parties to achieve what they are striving for is in fact brought about by a process of learning by trial and error which must involve a constant disappointment of some expectations. The conclusion to be drawn from these examples is that purely theoretical arguments will never be able to settle the question of whether economic agents in reality modify their forecasts so as to approximate rational expectations. The achievement of expectational equilibrium depends on the characteristics of the market as well as on the nature of the tatonnement in expectations. Accurate descriptions of behavior in this important area must be based on further empirical research. The economical use of information will not necessarily generate rational expectations, although in many practical situations a plausible learning process will alter actual expectations in that direction. The only general statement that can be made about rationality in expectation formation is that maximizing behavior will lead to forecasting methods that depend on the cost of information, the intrinsic difficulty of the forecasting problem, and the benefits to be obtained from accurate predictions.

Provides information on the cotton industry in the southern region of the United States. Overproduction in the industry; Details of crop diversification; Brief background on the agriculture sector.

Porphyrias are a group of diseases that are clinically and genetically heterogeneous and originate mostly from inherited dysfunctions of specific enzymes involved in heme biosynthesis. Such dysfunctions result in the excessive production and excretion of the intermediates of the heme biosynthesis pathway in the blood, urine, or feces, and these intermediates are responsible for specific clinical presentations. Porphyrias continue to be underdiagnosed, although laboratory diagnosis based on the measurement of metabolites could be utilized to support clinical suspicion in all symptomatic patients. Moreover, the measurement of enzymatic activities along with a molecular analysis may confirm the diagnosis and are, therefore, crucial for identifying pre-symptomatic carriers. The present review provides an overview of the laboratory assays used most commonly for establishing the diagnosis of porphyria. This would assist the clinicians in prescribing appropriate diagnostic testing and interpreting the testing results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]