•PLS-PM has been subject to many improvements in last years.•Prior PLS guidelines have not covered the entire recent developments.•We explain how to perform and report an up-to-date empirical ...analysis with PLS.•We provide a fictive illustrative example on business value of social media.
Partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) is an estimator that has found widespread application for causal information systems (IS) research. Recently, the method has been subject to many improvements, such as consistent PLS (PLSc) for latent variable models, a bootstrap-based test for overall model fit, and the heterotrait-to-monotrait ratio of correlations for assessing discriminant validity. Scholars who would like to rigorously apply PLS-PM need updated guidelines for its use. This paper explains how to perform and report empirical analyses using PLS-PM including the latest enhancements, and illustrates its application with a fictive example on business value of social media.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Hybrid nanoparticles combining plasmonic and catalytic components have recently gained interest for their potential use in sunlight‐to‐chemical energy conversion. However, a deep understanding of the ...structure–performance that maximizes the use of the incoming energy remains elusive. Here, a suite of Au and Pd based nanostructures in core–shell and core‐satellites configurations are designed and their photocatalytic activity for Hydrogen (H2) generation under sunlight illumination is tested. Formic acid is employed as H2 source. Core‐satellite systems show a higher enhancement of the reaction upon illumination, compared to core–shell ones. Electromagnetic simulations reveal that a key difference between both configurations is the excitation of highly localized and asymmetric electric fields in the gap between both materials. In this scheme, the core Au particle acts as an antenna, efficiently capturing visible light via the excitation of localized plasmon resonances, while the surrounding Pd satellites transduce the locally‐enhanced electric field into catalytic activity. These findings advance the understanding of plasmon‐driven photocatalysis, and provide an important benchmark to guide the design of the next generation of plasmonic bimetallic nanostructures.
Geometrical arrangement of both the plasmonic and the catalytic components on bimetallic nanocatalysts strongly influences the activation of the catalytic constituent. The inherent absorption of Pd is boosted when it is deposited as a thin layer onto a plasmonic nanoparticle. However, through the creation of optical hotspots, this absorption process is locally increased when Pd is shaped into satellites and placed around the same plasmonic nanoparticle, converting the optical hotspot into a highly active chemical hotspot.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Metastatic disease is the primary cause of death in cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) patients. To understand the mechanisms of CMM metastasis and identify potential predictive markers, we analyzed ...gene-expression profiles of 34 vertical growth phase melanoma cases using cDNA microarrays. All patients had a minimum follow-up of 36 months. Twenty-one cases developed nodal metastatic disease and 13 did not. Comparison of gene expression profiling of metastatic and nonmetastatic melanoma cases identified 243 genes with a >2-fold differential expression ratio and a false discovery rate of <0.2 (206 up-regulated and 37 down-regulated). This set of genes included molecules involved in cell cycle and apoptosis regulation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), signal transduction, nucleic acid binding and transcription, protein synthesis and degradation, metabolism, and a specific group of melanoma- and neural-related proteins. Validation of these expression data in an independent series of melanomas using tissue microarrays confirmed that the expression of a set of proteins included in the EMT group (N-cadherin, osteopontin, and SPARC/osteonectin) were significantly associated with metastasis development. Our results suggest that EMT-related genes contribute to the promotion of the metastatic phenotype in primary CMM by supporting specific adhesive, invasive, and migratory properties. These data give a better understanding of the biology of this aggressive tumor and may provide new prognostic and patient stratification markers in addition to potential therapeutic targets.
The rate-limiting step in the biosynthesis of steroid hormones, known as the transfer of cholesterol from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane, is facilitated by StAR, the Steroidogenic ...Acute Regulatory protein. We have described that mitochondrial ERK1/2 phosphorylates StAR and that mitochondrial fusion, through the up-regulation of a fusion protein Mitofusin 2, is essential during steroidogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that mitochondrial StAR together with mitochondrial active ERK and PKA are necessary for maximal steroid production. Phosphorylation of StAR by ERK is required for the maintenance of this protein in mitochondria, observed by means of over-expression of a StAR variant lacking the ERK phosphorylation residue. Mitochondrial fusion regulates StAR levels in mitochondria after hormone stimulation. In this study, Mitofusin 2 knockdown and mitochondrial fusion inhibition in MA-10 Leydig cells diminished StAR mRNA levels and concomitantly mitochondrial StAR protein. Together our results unveil the requirement of mitochondrial fusion in the regulation of the localization and mRNA abundance of StAR. We here establish the relevance of mitochondrial phosphorylation events in the correct localization of this key protein to exert its action in specialized cells. These discoveries highlight the importance of mitochondrial fusion and ERK phosphorylation in cholesterol transport by means of directing StAR to the outer mitochondrial membrane to achieve a large number of steroid molecules per unit of StAR.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
Hybrid nanoparticles combining plasmonic and catalytic components have recently gained interest for their potential use in sunlight‐to‐chemical energy conversion. However, a deep ...understanding of the structure–performance that maximizes the use of the incoming energy remains elusive. Here, a suite of Au and Pd based nanostructures in core–shell and core‐satellites configurations are designed and their photocatalytic activity for Hydrogen (H
2
) generation under sunlight illumination is tested. Formic acid is employed as H
2
source. Core‐satellite systems show a higher enhancement of the reaction upon illumination, compared to core–shell ones. Electromagnetic simulations reveal that a key difference between both configurations is the excitation of highly localized and asymmetric electric fields in the gap between both materials. In this scheme, the core Au particle acts as an antenna, efficiently capturing visible light via the excitation of localized plasmon resonances, while the surrounding Pd satellites transduce the locally‐enhanced electric field into catalytic activity. These findings advance the understanding of plasmon‐driven photocatalysis, and provide an important benchmark to guide the design of the next generation of plasmonic bimetallic nanostructures.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Human bisphenol-A (BPA) exposure has been linked to adverse health effects even at low doses, which may be of potential public health concern.
To summarize BPA concentrations in general human ...population and their variability according to sex, geographic area, and analytical method.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting BPA concentrations in adult human populations. Separate meta-analyses of median values were carried out for BPA in serum, creatinine-adjusted urinary BPA, and unadjusted urinary BPA concentrations using a random-effects model. Cochran's Q-statistic, I2 index, 95% prediction intervals (PIs), between-studies standard deviation (τ), and forest plots were applied to verify study heterogeneity. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses and weighted ANOVAs and meta-regressions were conducted. Funnel plots and Egger's tests were used to examine publication bias.
Fifteen studies were included in the meta-analysis, totaling 28,353 participants. BPA was detected in over 90% of participants. The pooled creatinine-adjusted urinary BPA concentration was 1.76 μg/g (95% PI: 0.79–2.73), with individual estimates ranging between 1.20 and 2.41. The pooled estimate for unadjusted urinary BPA was 1.91 μg/l (95% PI: 0–3.97), ranging between 0.81 and 3.50, while the pooled estimate for serum BPA was 1.75 μg/l (95% PI: 0–10.58), ranging between 0.34 and 3.76. No differences were found by sex, geographic area or analytical technique. Larger sample sizes were associated with lower BPA concentrations. There was large heterogeneity across studies, whereas data for urinary BPA levels suggested a publication bias affecting research in low exposed populations.
This first meta-analysis of human BPA concentrations highlights a widespread population exposure to BPA. Although there was high heterogeneity across studies, the expected range of estimated human BPA concentrations suggests that potential health risks are unlikely. Further studies are warranted to better characterize the epidemiology of human BPA exposure, accounting for ethnic, geographic, individual and environmental variability.
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•This first meta-analysis of BPA concentrations highlights widespread population exposure.•BPA was detected in more than 90% of the recruited samples.•No differences were found in BPA concentration by sex, geographic area or analytical technique.•Larger sample sizes were associated with lower BPA concentrations.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The tourism industry is probably one of the most affected by the crisis caused by Covid-19. It is the responsibility of politicians, tourism professionals and researchers to look for solutions to ...revive this important industry. This article shows how the development of Sustainable Tourism can help in the sustenance of the tourism industry, since one of the premises on which Sustainable Tourism is based is the non-overcrowding of tourist destinations (essential factor in the current context). Considering this argument and the existing regulations on lockdown rules, social distancing and meet up, it is considered that the practices in Sustainable Tourism can become a potential solution to stimulate tourist movements and help the revival of the tourism industry. Therefore, more specifically, the main objective of this article is to know tourist´s perception among about Sustainable Tourism and to determine which factors help its development. In this sense, the use of structural equation models in a research of 308 tourists has determined how factors related to the tourists’ attitude, motivation and perceived benefits provided by the development of Sustainable Tourism increase the intention to consume this type of tourism.
Bioorthogonal chemistry has inspired a new subarea of chemistry providing a powerful tool to perform novel biocompatible chemospecific reactions in living systems. Following the premise that they do ...not interfere with biological functions, bioorthogonal reactions are increasingly applied in biomedical research, particularly with respect to genetic encoding systems, fluorogenic reactions for bioimaging, and cancer therapy. This Minireview compiles recent advances in the use of heterogeneous catalysts for bioorthogonal reactions. The synthetic strategies of Pd‐, Au‐, and Cu‐based materials, their applicability in the activation of caged fluorophores and prodrugs, and the possibilities of using external stimuli to release therapeutic substances at a specific location in a diseased tissue are discussed. Finally, we highlight frontiers in the field, identifying challenges, and propose directions for future development in this emerging field.
Recent advances in the use of Pd‐, Au‐, and Cu‐based heterogeneous catalysts for bioorthogonal reactions are reviewed and discussed in detail. Synthetic strategies, applications, and external stimuli‐driven processes are compiled, setting the basis for future development in this field.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Video calling emerged as an important resource during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to reconnect child and family, bringing the possibility of communication even during isolation. The objective ...of this study was to understand the experiences of families who communicated with their children through video calls during isolation by COVID-19 in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). This was a qualitative study employing the theory of symbolic interactionism and the research method of grounded theory, with 14 families of children in PICU who used video calling as a communication resource. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The analysis revealed the main category of “Connecting to (re)connect: Video calling as a resource to unite families and children in PICU in the COVID-19 era,” from which a theoretical model explaining the experience was built. Video calling is an important resource to mitigate the effects of family–child separation during hospitalization, and its use is encouraged in other contexts.
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NUK, OILJ, SAZU, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
10.
Sustainable Tourism as a Source of Healthy Tourism Santos-Roldán, Luna; Castillo Canalejo, Ana Mª; Berbel-Pineda, Juan Manuel ...
International journal of environmental research and public health,
07/2020, Volume:
17, Issue:
15
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Even though the World Tourism Organization described Sustainable Tourism as a tourism form that could contribute to the future survival of the industry, the current reality is quite different, since ...it has not been firmly established in society at expected levels. The present study analyzes which variables drive the consumption of this tourism type, taking tourist awareness as the key element. To this awareness, we must add the current crisis experienced by the tourism industry caused by COVID-19, since it can benefit Sustainable Tourism development, promoting less crowded destinations that favor social distancing. For this, the existing literature on Sustainable Tourism has been examined in order to create a model that highlights the relations among these variables. To determine the meaning of these relations, a sample of 308 tourists was analyzed through structural equation models using Partial Least Squares. The results show that there is a clear attitude on the part of the tourist to develop Sustainable Tourism, driven by the positive effects and motivation it entails, as well as the satisfaction the tourist perceives when consuming a responsible tourism type.
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