WinEcon Fiscal Pathways: A Computer Based Learning Module for the Subject Macroeconomic Theory and Policy

trade reforms, manufacturing performance, Australia

Lgr5 and Col22a1 mark progenitor cells in the lineage toward juvenile articular chondrocytes

The synovial joint forms from a pool of progenitor cells in the future region of the joint, the interzone. Expression of Gdf5 and Wnt9a has been used to mark the earliest cellular processes in the formation of the interzone and the progenitor cells. However, lineage specification and progression toward the different tissues of the joint are not well understood. Here, by lineage-tracing studies we identify a population of Lgr5+ interzone cells that contribute to the formation of cruciate ligaments, synovial membrane, and articular chondrocytes of the joint. This finding is supported by single-cell transcriptome analyses. We show that Col22a1, a marker of early articular chondrocytes, is co-expressed with Lgr5+ cells prior to cavitation as an important lineage marker specifying the progression toward articular chondrocytes. Lgr5+ cells contribute to the repair of a joint defect with the re-establishment of a Col22a1-expressing superficial layer

Configuration of anchorage holes affects fixation of the acetabular component in cemented total hip replacement - a finite element study

Our survey of current practice among UK orthopaedic surgeons shows wide variations in fixation techniques. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of drilling different configurations of anchorage holes in the acetabulum on implant stability. To avoid variables that could incur during in-vitro testing, we used commercially-available COSMOS finite element analysis package to investigate the stress distributions, deformations, and strains on the cement mantle when drilling three large anchorage holes and six smaller ones, with straight and rounded cement pegs. The results, which are in line with our in-vitro studies on simulated reconstructed acetabulae, indicate better stability of the acetabular component when three larger holes than six smaller holes are drilled and when the necks of the anchorage holes are rounded. The longevity of total hip replacements could be improved by drilling three large anchorage holes, rather than many smaller ones, as initially proposed by Charnley

Challenges and solutions to implementing digital game-based language learning during the Covid-19 Pandemic / Nadya Supian, Tan Wilson and Cheah Kok Sung

COVID-19 thrust educators and students into a sudden shift to online teaching and learning, resulting in an absence of physical interaction between the lecturers and students, leading to increased potential for poor engagement among learners. Prior to the pandemic, higher education institutions had begun incorporating games and simulations to prepare future professionals for the working world, as current research indicates that games, especially simulation games promote greater engagement in the learning process. However, although GBLL has been successfully implemented in classrooms globally, it is still relatively new in Malaysia, underscoring a paucity of research on local higher educational institutions and GBLL. This exploratory qualitative research investigates the challenges and solutions for implementing digital GBLL in Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using The SIMS 4 “Get to Work” expansion pack, 10 undergraduate students from a local private university utilized the game during an English for Specific Purposes (ESP) course to learn business vocabulary incidentally as they set up a virtual business, hire staff, set profit margins as well as select advertising channels. Findings revealed that while GBLL was useful for incidental vocabulary learning, the main challenges to its successful implementation lay in the perception and attitudes of lecturers and students, as well as facilitating conditions such as technological readiness and availability of equipment. Possible solutions include introducing DGBLL to ESP courses in institutions of higher learning to generate more awareness of its uses and potential and providing more technological and infrastructural support

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Key tea beverage values driving tourists’ memorable experiences: an empirical study in Hong Kong-style café memorable experience

Purpose – Using consumption value theory, this study aims to examine the impact of tourists’ perceived consumption value dimensions of tea beverages offered by Hong Kong (HK)-style cafe´s, including taste value, price value, health value and emotional value, on tourists’memorable experience (ME), satisfaction and revisit intention. Design/methodology/approach – Using an online survey, this study collected 225 usable data from tourists who had experience in visiting HK-style cafe´s. Partial least squares–structural equation modelling was used to examine the importance of tourists’ value dimensions, including taste value, price value, health value and emotional value, on tourists’ME, satisfaction and revisit intention. Findings – The results revealed that taste value, price value, health value and emotional value are significant predictors of tourists’ ME in HK-style cafe´s, which in turn drive their satisfaction and revisit intention. Research limitations/implications – This study focusses on a single context: HK-style cafe´s. Future research may enhance the generalisability of the findings by replicating the model in other countries with diverse cultures. Practical implications – Tourism marketers may strengthen tourists’ ME, satisfaction and revisit intention by promoting tea beverages as well as HK-style cafe´s. Tourism marketers are recommended to communicate taste value, price value, health value and emotional value of HK-style tea beverages, which in turn encourages tourists to learn about the features of tea beverages. Subsequently, it drives tourists’ ME and satisfaction, thereby strengthening their intention to revisit. Originality/value – This study contributes to the tourism marketing literature by providing an understanding of the role of tea beverage value in driving tourists’ ME, satisfaction and revisit intention. By empirically testing a research model, this study confirms that specific consumption value elements of tea beverages, namely, taste value, price value, health value and emotional value, are critical drivers in driving tourists’ME, satisfaction and revisit intention

Analysis of lysine recognition and specificity of the Bacillus subtilis L box riboswitch

The ever-changing environment of a bacterial cell requires sophisticated mechanisms to adjust gene expression in response to changes in nutrient availability. L box riboswitch RNAs regulate gene expression in response to cellular lysine (lys) concentrations in the absence of additional regulatory factors. In Bacillus subtilis, binding of lysine (lys) to the L box RNA causes premature transcription termination in the leader region upstream of the lysC coding sequence. To date, little is known about the specific RNA–lys interactions required for transcription termination. In this study, we characterize features of the B. subtilis lysC leader RNA responsible for lys specificity, and structural elements of the lys molecule required for recognition. The wild-type lysC leader RNA can recognize and discriminate between lys and lys analogs. We identified leader RNA variants with mutations in the lys-binding pocket that exhibit changes in the specificity of ligand recognition. These data demonstrate that lysC leader RNA specificity is the result of recognition of ligand features through a series of distinct interactions between lys and nucleotides that comprise the lys-binding pocket, and provide insight into the molecular mechanisms employed by L box riboswitch RNAs to bind and recognize lys

Surviving Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Is Coupled to Altered Chondrocyte Differentiation and Function

In protein folding and secretion disorders, activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling (ERSS) protects cells, alleviating stress that would otherwise trigger apoptosis. Whether the stress-surviving cells resume normal function is not known. We studied the in vivo impact of ER stress in terminally differentiating hypertrophic chondrocytes (HCs) during endochondral bone formation. In transgenic mice expressing mutant collagen X as a consequence of a 13-base pair deletion in Col10a1 (13del), misfolded α1(X) chains accumulate in HCs and elicit ERSS. Histological and gene expression analyses showed that these chondrocytes survived ER stress, but terminal differentiation is interrupted, and endochondral bone formation is delayed, producing a chondrodysplasia phenotype. This altered differentiation involves cell-cycle re-entry, the re-expression of genes characteristic of a prehypertrophic-like state, and is cell-autonomous. Concomitantly, expression of Col10a1 and 13del mRNAs are reduced, and ER stress is alleviated. ERSS, abnormal chondrocyte differentiation, and altered growth plate architecture also occur in mice expressing mutant collagen II and aggrecan. Alteration of the differentiation program in chondrocytes expressing unfolded or misfolded proteins may be part of an adaptive response that facilitates survival and recovery from the ensuing ER stress. However, the altered differentiation disrupts the highly coordinated events of endochondral ossification culminating in chondrodysplasia

Antenatal and postnatal corticosteroid and resuscitation induced lung injury in preterm sheep

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Initiation of ventilation using high tidal volumes in preterm lambs causes lung injury and inflammation. Antenatal corticosteroids mature the lungs of preterm infants and postnatal corticosteroids are used to treat bronchopulmonary dysplasia.</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>To test if antenatal or postnatal corticosteroids would decrease resuscitation induced lung injury.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>129 d gestational age lambs (n = 5-8/gp; term = 150 d) were operatively delivered and ventilated after exposure to either 1) no medication, 2) antenatal maternal IM Betamethasone 0.5 mg/kg 24 h prior to delivery, 3) 0.5 mg/kg Dexamethasone IV at delivery or 4) Cortisol 2 mg/kg IV at delivery. Lambs then were ventilated with no PEEP and escalating tidal volumes (<it>V</it>_T) to 15 mL/kg for 15 min and then given surfactant. The lambs were ventilated with <it>V</it>_T8 mL/kg and PEEP 5 cmH₂0 for 2 h 45 min.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>High V_Tventilation caused a deterioration of lung physiology, lung inflammation and injury. Antenatal betamethasone improved ventilation, decreased inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression and alveolar protein leak, but did not prevent neutrophil influx. Postnatal dexamethasone decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, but had no beneficial effect on ventilation, and postnatal cortisol had no effect. Ventilation increased liver serum amyloid mRNA expression, which was unaffected by corticosteroids.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Antenatal betamethasone decreased lung injury without decreasing lung inflammatory cells or systemic acute phase responses. Postnatal dexamethasone or cortisol, at the doses tested, did not have important effects on lung function or injury, suggesting that corticosteroids given at birth will not decrease resuscitation mediated injury.</p

Rasd1 Modulates the Coactivator Function of NonO in the Cyclic AMP Pathway

All living organisms exhibit autonomous daily physiological and behavioural rhythms to help them synchronize with the environment. Entrainment of circadian rhythm is achieved via activation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. NonO (p54nrb) is a multifunctional protein involved in transcriptional activation of the cAMP pathway and is involved in circadian rhythm control. Rasd1 is a monomeric G protein implicated to play a pivotal role in potentiating both photic and nonphotic responses of the circadian rhythm. In this study, we have identified and validated NonO as an interacting partner of Rasd1 via affinity pulldown, co-immunoprecipitation and indirect immunofluorescence studies. The GTP-hydrolysis activity of Rasd1 is required for the functional interaction. Functional interaction of Rasd1-NonO in the cAMP pathway was investigated via reporter gene assays, chromatin immunoprecipitation and gene knockdown. We showed that Rasd1 and NonO interact at the CRE-site of specific target genes. These findings reveal a novel mechanism by which the coregulator activity of NonO can be modulated