When benefiting other beneficiaries,cushion plants may reciprocally receive feedback effects.The feedback effects on different sex morphs,however,remains unclear.In this study,taking the gynodioecious Arenaria polytri...When benefiting other beneficiaries,cushion plants may reciprocally receive feedback effects.The feedback effects on different sex morphs,however,remains unclear.In this study,taking the gynodioecious Arenaria polytrichiodes as a model species,we aimed to assess the sex-specific facilitation intensity of cushion plant by measuring the beneficiary cover ratio,and to assess the potential costs in cushion reproductive functions by measuring the flower and fruit cover ratios.The total beneficiary cover ratio was similar between females and hermaphrodites.Females produced much less flowers but more fruits than hermaphrodites.These results suggested that females and hermaphrodites possess similar facilitation intensity,and female cushion A.polytrichoides may allocate more resources saved from pollen production to seed production,while hermaphrodites possibly allocate more resources to pollen production hence reducing seed production.The surface areas covered by beneficiaries produced less flowers and fruits than areas without beneficiaries.In addition,strong negative correlations between beneficiary cover and flower cover were detected for both females and hermaphrodites,but the correlation strength were similar for these two sex morphs.However,the correlation between beneficiary cover and fruit cover was only significantly negative for females,suggesting that beneficiary plants negatively affect fruit reproduction of females while have neutral effects on hermaphrodites.All the results suggest that to facilitate other beneficiaries can induce reproductive costs on cushion A.polytrichoides,with females possibly suffering greater cost than hermaphrodites.Such differentiation in reproductive costs between sex morphs,in long-term perspective,may imply sex imbalance in population dynamics.展开更多
Ongoing encroachment is driving recent alpine shrubline dynamics globally,but the role of shrub-shrub interactions in shaping shrublines and their relationships with stem density changes remain poorly understood.Here,...Ongoing encroachment is driving recent alpine shrubline dynamics globally,but the role of shrub-shrub interactions in shaping shrublines and their relationships with stem density changes remain poorly understood.Here,the size and age of shrubs from 26 Salix shrubline populations along a 900-km latitudinal gradient(30°-38°N)were measured and mapped across the eastern Tibetan Plateau.Point pattern analyses were used to quantify the spatial distribution patterns of juveniles and adults,and to assess spatial associations between them.Mean intensity of univariate and bivariate spatial patterns was related to biotic and abiotic variables.Bivariate mark correlation functions with a quantitative mark(shrub height,basal stem diameter,crown width)were also employed to investigate the spatial relationships between shrub traits of juveniles and adults.Structural equation models were used to explore the relationships among conspecific interactions,patterns,shrub traits and recruitment dynamics under climate change.Most shrublines showed clustered patterns,suggesting the existence of conspecific facilitation.Clustered patterns of juveniles and conspecific interactions(potentially facilitation)tended to intensify with increasing soil moisture stress.Summer warming before 2010 triggered positive effects on population interactions and spatial patterns via increased shrub recruitment.However,summer warming after2010 triggered negative effects on interactions through reduced shrub recruitment.Therefore,shrub recruitment shifts under rapid climate change could impact spatial patterns,alter conspecific interactions and modify the direction and degree of shrublines responses to climate.These changes would have profound implications for the stability of alpine woody ecosystems.展开更多
With the rapid growth of the global digital economy, cross-border e-commerce, as an emerging form of trade, has gradually become a powerful engine to promote the development of global trade. BRICS is an important forc...With the rapid growth of the global digital economy, cross-border e-commerce, as an emerging form of trade, has gradually become a powerful engine to promote the development of global trade. BRICS is an important force in the global economy, and the progress of the BRICS countries' trade facilitation level has an important impact on the global trade environment. This paper conducts an in-depth study of the dynamic changes in BRICS trade facilitation from 2013 to 2022, and uses an extended gravity model to analyze the specific impact of this change on China's exports using cross-border e-commerce. The results show that although the BRICS countries have made some progress in trade facilitation, the overall level still needs to be improved, and there are obvious differences among member countries. However, the improvement of trade facilitation among BRICS countries has undoubtedly brought significant positive effects to China's exports using cross-border e-commerce.展开更多
This study evaluated the impact of Ghana’s Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), implemented within the National Single Window initiative, on the efficiency of issuing Delivery Orders (DO) at Tema Port. Filli...This study evaluated the impact of Ghana’s Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), implemented within the National Single Window initiative, on the efficiency of issuing Delivery Orders (DO) at Tema Port. Filling a gap in the existing literature, the research employed a quantitative approach to assess a specific time-related aspect of the cargo clearance process. Employing an Independent t-test on a dataset spanning 2026 Delivery Orders (924 pre-ICUMS and 1102 post-ICUMS) from July 2020 to July 2023, the study investigated ICUMS’s effectiveness in reducing DO issuance time. Results indicate a noteworthy decrease in average DO issuance time, from 11 days pre-implementation to approximately 9 days post-implementation, a reduction validated by statistical analysis through the independent t-test. In light of these findings, the study recommends ongoing refinement of the implementation, reinforcement of trade facilitation measures, and the adoption of best practices from successful global ports. Continuous stakeholder training and regular assessments of ICUMS performance are also endorsed. The study’s implications support the theoretical framework for Single Window systems and carry significant policy implications, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to streamline trade facilitation processes driven by Information Technology. Practically, the results serve as a management tool for stakeholders, highlighting areas for targeted interventions to reduce DO issuance times. Methodologically, this research contributes by applying robust statistical analysis to a specific component within the Time Release Study framework, offering a nuanced understanding of trade facilitation systems’ effectiveness in improving cargo clearance processes.展开更多
Strongly-interacting Rydberg atomic ensembles have shown intense collective excitation effects due to the inclusion of single Rydberg excitation shared by multiple atoms in the ensemble.In this paper we investigate a ...Strongly-interacting Rydberg atomic ensembles have shown intense collective excitation effects due to the inclusion of single Rydberg excitation shared by multiple atoms in the ensemble.In this paper we investigate a counter-intuitive Rydberg excitation facilitation with a strongly-interacting atomic ensemble in the strong probe-field regime,which is enabled by the role of a control atom nearby.Differing from the case of a single ensemble,we show that,the control atom's excitation adds to a second two-photon transition onto the doubly-excited Rydberg state,arising an excitation facilitation for the ensemble atoms.Our numerical studies depending on the method of quantum Monte Carlo wave function,exhibit the observation constraints of this excitation facilitation effect under practical experimental conditions.The results obtained can provide a flexible control for the excitation of Rydberg atomic ensembles and participate further uses in developing mesoscopic Rydberg gates for multiqubit quantum computation.展开更多
The functional and structural integrity of the blood-brain barrier is crucial in maintaining homeostasis in the brain microenvironment;however,the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation and function of the bloo...The functional and structural integrity of the blood-brain barrier is crucial in maintaining homeostasis in the brain microenvironment;however,the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation and function of the blood-brain barrier remain poorly understood.The major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A has been identified as a key regulator of blood-brain barrier function.It plays a critical role in promoting and maintaining the formation and functional stability of the blood-brain barrier,in addition to the transport of lipids,such as docosahexaenoic acid,across the blood-brain barrier.Furthermore,an increasing number of studies have suggested that major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A is involved in the molecular mechanisms of blood-brain barrier dysfunction in a variety of neurological diseases;however,little is known regarding the mechanisms by which major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A affects the blood-brain barrier.This paper provides a comprehensive and systematic review of the close relationship between major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A proteins and the blood-brain barrier,including their basic structures and functions,cross-linking between major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A and the blood-brain barrier,and the in-depth studies on lipid transport and the regulation of blood-brain barrier permeability.This comprehensive systematic review contributes to an in-depth understanding of the important role of major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A proteins in maintaining the structure and function of the blood-brain barrier and the research progress to date.This will not only help to elucidate the pathogenesis of neurological diseases,improve the accuracy of laboratory diagnosis,and optimize clinical treatment strategies,but it may also play an important role in prognostic monitoring.In addition,the effects of major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A on blood-brain barrier leakage in various diseases and the research progress on cross-blood-brain barrier drug delivery are summarized.This review may contribute to the development of new approaches for the treatment of neurological diseases.展开更多
BACKGROUND Stroke is a type of cerebrovascular disease with high prevalence,mortality,and onset of disability.As a neurodevelopmental therapy,neuromuscular joint facilitation(NJF)is widely used in the treatment of ort...BACKGROUND Stroke is a type of cerebrovascular disease with high prevalence,mortality,and onset of disability.As a neurodevelopmental therapy,neuromuscular joint facilitation(NJF)is widely used in the treatment of orthopedic and neurological disorders in the clinical practice.It is mainly used for central nervous system diseases or orthopedic diseases,movement disorders,and pain rehabilitation.According to related studies,NJF can also be used as a rehabilitation treatment in patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain(HSP).AIM To investigate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with NJF in patients with HSP.METHODS Forty patients with HSP were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group.The treatment group was treated with acupuncture combined with NJF and the control group was treated with acupuncture alone.All patients were assessed by using the visual analogue scale(VAS),Fugl-Meyer assessment(FMA),Barthel index(BI),and passive range of motion(PROM)before and after the training.All the clinical data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 statistical software.RESULTS There was no statistical difference in the general characteristics between the two groups.In the terms of duration of treatment,age,and pre-treatment indicators,the two groups were comparable(P>0.05).After the treatment,VAS,PROM,BI,and FMA scores were significantly improved in the two groups of patients(P<0.05).The VAS,PROM and FMA scores were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group(P<0.05).However,there was no significant difference in BI scores between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Both acupuncture alone and acupuncture combined with NJF in the treatment of HSP are effective,and can improve the clinical symptoms of patients.Acupuncture combined with NJF can improve the upper limb motor function,relieve pain,and increase joint mobility in patients with HSP.The combination therapy is better than acupuncture alone.However,there is no significant difference in improving the score of patients’self-care ability.展开更多
C3 plant Reaumuria soongorica and C4 plant Salsola passerina are super xerophytes and coexist in a mixed community in either isolated or associated growth, and interspecific facilitation occurs in associated growth. I...C3 plant Reaumuria soongorica and C4 plant Salsola passerina are super xerophytes and coexist in a mixed community in either isolated or associated growth, and interspecific facilitation occurs in associated growth. In the present study, the root traits including root distribution, root length（RL）, root surface area（RSA）, root weight（RW） and specific root length（SRL） of both species in two growth forms were investigated to clarify their response to facilitation in associated growth. Six isolated plants of each species, as well as six associated plants similar in size and development were selected during the plant growing season, and their roots were excavated at 0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40 and 40–50 cm soil depths at the end of the growing season. All the roots of each plant were separated into the two categories of fine roots（2 mm diameter） and coarse roots（≥2 mm diameter）. Root traits such as RL and RSA in the fine and coarse roots were obtained by the root analyzing system WinRHIZO. Most of the coarse roots in R. soongorica and S. passerina were distributed in the top 10 cm of the soil in both growth forms, whereas the fine roots of the two plant species were found mainly in the 10–20 and 20–30 cm soil depths in isolated growth, respectively. However, the fine roots of both species were mostly overlapped in 10–20 cm soil depth in associated growth. The root/canopy ratios of both species reduced, whereas the ratios of their fine roots to coarse roots in RL increased, and both species had an increased SRL in the fine roots in associated growth. In addition, there was the increase in RL of fine roots and content of root N for S. passerina in associated growth. Taken together, the root growth of S. passerina was facilitated for water and nutrient exploration under the interaction of the overlapped roots in both species in associated growth, and higher SRL allowed both species to more effectively adapt to the infertile soil in the desert ecosystem.展开更多
This study examined the impact of trade facilitation on economic development, particularly the impact of customs environment on trade flows over the period from 1995 to 2010. Five countries of the East African Communi...This study examined the impact of trade facilitation on economic development, particularly the impact of customs environment on trade flows over the period from 1995 to 2010. Five countries of the East African Community （EAC）, namely, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, are involved. The study employs a gravity model for estimating bilateral trade flows between the EAC partner states. The ordinary least square （OLS） technique is adopted and applied for the regression analysis by using the Stata 10.0 software. Results suggest that, the customs environment of the importer is significant and possesses a strongly positive impact on East African trade flows. Results also find that the customs environment of the exporter is insignificant, even though it shows a negative relationship with the East African trade flows, hence a negative determinant. East African countries have to improve their customs environment, especially when undertaking an importation, in order to boost the overall trade flow in the block. They should also improve other trade facilitation indicators, such as port efficiency, regulatory environment, and infrastructure. The aid for trade, in terms of technical and financial assistance, should also be enhanced for the development of infrastructure, including roads, railways, ports, bridges, and border posts.展开更多
This paper aims at demonstrating that an acceptable level of performance as a group facilitator can be achieved byhospitality industry managers in a 35-hour course, to a maximum of fourteen trainees, experienced in gr...This paper aims at demonstrating that an acceptable level of performance as a group facilitator can be achieved byhospitality industry managers in a 35-hour course, to a maximum of fourteen trainees, experienced in groupleadership but not in small-group facilitation or large-group coordination. Based on a six-step model fororganizational intervention, the course was run in co-facilitation, using the effect of demonstration, modelling, andobservation to improve performance at individual level. The course represents a mix of organizational behaviourand human resources management that has proved to be effective in preparing managers to improve organizationalinnovation and accelerate change in companies. Each step produced outputs, namely three innovation projects.Participants rated the course in every item of an extensive questionnaire as Good and Very Good, except theintroduction (pre-consult), which was considered “too theoretical”. Therefore, the course model proved to beadequate for the preparation of managers as coaches for organizational innovation in the hospitality industry. As tofuture developments, they will have to do mostly with the functioning of a matrix structure in the hospitality industry,so that the whole approach may have a full impact on the company.展开更多
Consider a generalized model of the facilitated exclusion process, which is a onedimensional exclusion process with a dynamical constraint that prevents the particle at site x from jumping to x+1 (or x-1) if the sites...Consider a generalized model of the facilitated exclusion process, which is a onedimensional exclusion process with a dynamical constraint that prevents the particle at site x from jumping to x+1 (or x-1) if the sites x-1, x-2 (or x+1, x+2) are empty. It is nongradient and lacks invariant measures of product form. The purpose of this paper is to identify the invariant measures and to show that they satisfy both exponential decay of correlations and equivalence of ensembles. These properties will play a pivotal role in deriving the hydrodynamic limit.展开更多
Objective:This study aimed to investigate the nurses’perspectives on open family visitation and its barriers and facilitators in neonatal intensive care units(NICUs).Methods:This is a descriptive,cross-sectional stud...Objective:This study aimed to investigate the nurses’perspectives on open family visitation and its barriers and facilitators in neonatal intensive care units(NICUs).Methods:This is a descriptive,cross-sectional study.A total of 113 nurses employed in 3 main NICUs of Tabriz participated in the study through the census sampling method.Nurses’perspectives on open visitation and its facilitators and barriers were assessed and analyzed using the Beliefs and Attitudes toward Visitation in NICU Questionnaire(BAVNIQ)and descriptive and analytical statistics,respectively.Results:Approximately 74%of the nurses who participating in the study had a moderate perspective on open visitation.From the nurses’viewpoint,“Parents’low awareness of sensitivity and hygienic principles of the NICU”was the first(90.3%)barrier,and the 2 factors,namely,“physical structure of the ward/lack of sufficient space”and“far distance between family’s residence and the hospital/having another child,”were the second(86.8%)barrier with an equal percentage.Among the facilitating factors,“Supporting employed parents during the neonate’s hospitalization”and“providing facilities for family accommodation in the hospital”were the first(82.3%)and the second(79.6%)facilitators,respectively,for open visitation.Conclusions:The majority of NICU nurses had a moderate perspective on the family open visitation.This reluctance seems to be originated mainly from the factors inhibiting open visitation,making its implementation challenging for nurses.The perspective of the frontline staff in caring for vulnerable infants on facilitators and barriers to open visitation may help policymakers,managers,and relevant officials in decision-making and implementing new visiting policies in the NICUs.展开更多
基金supported by the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program(2019QZKK0502 to H.S.)the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDA20050203 to H.S.)+3 种基金the Yunnan Applied Basic Research Project(202001AT070060 to J.G.C.)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31271552 to J.G.C.)the CAS“Light of West China”Program(J.G.C.)the Young Academic and Technical Leader Raising Foundation of Yunnan Province(202205AC160053 to J.G.C.)。
文摘When benefiting other beneficiaries,cushion plants may reciprocally receive feedback effects.The feedback effects on different sex morphs,however,remains unclear.In this study,taking the gynodioecious Arenaria polytrichiodes as a model species,we aimed to assess the sex-specific facilitation intensity of cushion plant by measuring the beneficiary cover ratio,and to assess the potential costs in cushion reproductive functions by measuring the flower and fruit cover ratios.The total beneficiary cover ratio was similar between females and hermaphrodites.Females produced much less flowers but more fruits than hermaphrodites.These results suggested that females and hermaphrodites possess similar facilitation intensity,and female cushion A.polytrichoides may allocate more resources saved from pollen production to seed production,while hermaphrodites possibly allocate more resources to pollen production hence reducing seed production.The surface areas covered by beneficiaries produced less flowers and fruits than areas without beneficiaries.In addition,strong negative correlations between beneficiary cover and flower cover were detected for both females and hermaphrodites,but the correlation strength were similar for these two sex morphs.However,the correlation between beneficiary cover and fruit cover was only significantly negative for females,suggesting that beneficiary plants negatively affect fruit reproduction of females while have neutral effects on hermaphrodites.All the results suggest that to facilitate other beneficiaries can induce reproductive costs on cushion A.polytrichoides,with females possibly suffering greater cost than hermaphrodites.Such differentiation in reproductive costs between sex morphs,in long-term perspective,may imply sex imbalance in population dynamics.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42271054)the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program(2019QZKK0301)。
文摘Ongoing encroachment is driving recent alpine shrubline dynamics globally,but the role of shrub-shrub interactions in shaping shrublines and their relationships with stem density changes remain poorly understood.Here,the size and age of shrubs from 26 Salix shrubline populations along a 900-km latitudinal gradient(30°-38°N)were measured and mapped across the eastern Tibetan Plateau.Point pattern analyses were used to quantify the spatial distribution patterns of juveniles and adults,and to assess spatial associations between them.Mean intensity of univariate and bivariate spatial patterns was related to biotic and abiotic variables.Bivariate mark correlation functions with a quantitative mark(shrub height,basal stem diameter,crown width)were also employed to investigate the spatial relationships between shrub traits of juveniles and adults.Structural equation models were used to explore the relationships among conspecific interactions,patterns,shrub traits and recruitment dynamics under climate change.Most shrublines showed clustered patterns,suggesting the existence of conspecific facilitation.Clustered patterns of juveniles and conspecific interactions(potentially facilitation)tended to intensify with increasing soil moisture stress.Summer warming before 2010 triggered positive effects on population interactions and spatial patterns via increased shrub recruitment.However,summer warming after2010 triggered negative effects on interactions through reduced shrub recruitment.Therefore,shrub recruitment shifts under rapid climate change could impact spatial patterns,alter conspecific interactions and modify the direction and degree of shrublines responses to climate.These changes would have profound implications for the stability of alpine woody ecosystems.
基金Supported by Western Project of National Social Science Fund of China(23XJY013)Project of Social Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province(2022D032).
文摘With the rapid growth of the global digital economy, cross-border e-commerce, as an emerging form of trade, has gradually become a powerful engine to promote the development of global trade. BRICS is an important force in the global economy, and the progress of the BRICS countries' trade facilitation level has an important impact on the global trade environment. This paper conducts an in-depth study of the dynamic changes in BRICS trade facilitation from 2013 to 2022, and uses an extended gravity model to analyze the specific impact of this change on China's exports using cross-border e-commerce. The results show that although the BRICS countries have made some progress in trade facilitation, the overall level still needs to be improved, and there are obvious differences among member countries. However, the improvement of trade facilitation among BRICS countries has undoubtedly brought significant positive effects to China's exports using cross-border e-commerce.
文摘This study evaluated the impact of Ghana’s Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), implemented within the National Single Window initiative, on the efficiency of issuing Delivery Orders (DO) at Tema Port. Filling a gap in the existing literature, the research employed a quantitative approach to assess a specific time-related aspect of the cargo clearance process. Employing an Independent t-test on a dataset spanning 2026 Delivery Orders (924 pre-ICUMS and 1102 post-ICUMS) from July 2020 to July 2023, the study investigated ICUMS’s effectiveness in reducing DO issuance time. Results indicate a noteworthy decrease in average DO issuance time, from 11 days pre-implementation to approximately 9 days post-implementation, a reduction validated by statistical analysis through the independent t-test. In light of these findings, the study recommends ongoing refinement of the implementation, reinforcement of trade facilitation measures, and the adoption of best practices from successful global ports. Continuous stakeholder training and regular assessments of ICUMS performance are also endorsed. The study’s implications support the theoretical framework for Single Window systems and carry significant policy implications, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to streamline trade facilitation processes driven by Information Technology. Practically, the results serve as a management tool for stakeholders, highlighting areas for targeted interventions to reduce DO issuance times. Methodologically, this research contributes by applying robust statistical analysis to a specific component within the Time Release Study framework, offering a nuanced understanding of trade facilitation systems’ effectiveness in improving cargo clearance processes.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.12174106 and 11474094)the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(Grant No.18ZR1412800)。
文摘Strongly-interacting Rydberg atomic ensembles have shown intense collective excitation effects due to the inclusion of single Rydberg excitation shared by multiple atoms in the ensemble.In this paper we investigate a counter-intuitive Rydberg excitation facilitation with a strongly-interacting atomic ensemble in the strong probe-field regime,which is enabled by the role of a control atom nearby.Differing from the case of a single ensemble,we show that,the control atom's excitation adds to a second two-photon transition onto the doubly-excited Rydberg state,arising an excitation facilitation for the ensemble atoms.Our numerical studies depending on the method of quantum Monte Carlo wave function,exhibit the observation constraints of this excitation facilitation effect under practical experimental conditions.The results obtained can provide a flexible control for the excitation of Rydberg atomic ensembles and participate further uses in developing mesoscopic Rydberg gates for multiqubit quantum computation.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82104412(to TD)Shaanxi Provincial Key R&D Program,No.2023-YBSF-165(to TD)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Department of Science and Technology,No.2018JM7022(to FM)Shaanxi Provincial Key Industry Chain Project,No.2021ZDLSF04-11(to PW)。
文摘The functional and structural integrity of the blood-brain barrier is crucial in maintaining homeostasis in the brain microenvironment;however,the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation and function of the blood-brain barrier remain poorly understood.The major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A has been identified as a key regulator of blood-brain barrier function.It plays a critical role in promoting and maintaining the formation and functional stability of the blood-brain barrier,in addition to the transport of lipids,such as docosahexaenoic acid,across the blood-brain barrier.Furthermore,an increasing number of studies have suggested that major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A is involved in the molecular mechanisms of blood-brain barrier dysfunction in a variety of neurological diseases;however,little is known regarding the mechanisms by which major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A affects the blood-brain barrier.This paper provides a comprehensive and systematic review of the close relationship between major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A proteins and the blood-brain barrier,including their basic structures and functions,cross-linking between major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A and the blood-brain barrier,and the in-depth studies on lipid transport and the regulation of blood-brain barrier permeability.This comprehensive systematic review contributes to an in-depth understanding of the important role of major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A proteins in maintaining the structure and function of the blood-brain barrier and the research progress to date.This will not only help to elucidate the pathogenesis of neurological diseases,improve the accuracy of laboratory diagnosis,and optimize clinical treatment strategies,but it may also play an important role in prognostic monitoring.In addition,the effects of major facilitator superfamily domain containing 2A on blood-brain barrier leakage in various diseases and the research progress on cross-blood-brain barrier drug delivery are summarized.This review may contribute to the development of new approaches for the treatment of neurological diseases.
文摘BACKGROUND Stroke is a type of cerebrovascular disease with high prevalence,mortality,and onset of disability.As a neurodevelopmental therapy,neuromuscular joint facilitation(NJF)is widely used in the treatment of orthopedic and neurological disorders in the clinical practice.It is mainly used for central nervous system diseases or orthopedic diseases,movement disorders,and pain rehabilitation.According to related studies,NJF can also be used as a rehabilitation treatment in patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain(HSP).AIM To investigate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture combined with NJF in patients with HSP.METHODS Forty patients with HSP were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group.The treatment group was treated with acupuncture combined with NJF and the control group was treated with acupuncture alone.All patients were assessed by using the visual analogue scale(VAS),Fugl-Meyer assessment(FMA),Barthel index(BI),and passive range of motion(PROM)before and after the training.All the clinical data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 statistical software.RESULTS There was no statistical difference in the general characteristics between the two groups.In the terms of duration of treatment,age,and pre-treatment indicators,the two groups were comparable(P>0.05).After the treatment,VAS,PROM,BI,and FMA scores were significantly improved in the two groups of patients(P<0.05).The VAS,PROM and FMA scores were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group(P<0.05).However,there was no significant difference in BI scores between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Both acupuncture alone and acupuncture combined with NJF in the treatment of HSP are effective,and can improve the clinical symptoms of patients.Acupuncture combined with NJF can improve the upper limb motor function,relieve pain,and increase joint mobility in patients with HSP.The combination therapy is better than acupuncture alone.However,there is no significant difference in improving the score of patients’self-care ability.
基金support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (91025026, 31070359)the National Basic Research Program of China (Y31JA61001)
文摘C3 plant Reaumuria soongorica and C4 plant Salsola passerina are super xerophytes and coexist in a mixed community in either isolated or associated growth, and interspecific facilitation occurs in associated growth. In the present study, the root traits including root distribution, root length（RL）, root surface area（RSA）, root weight（RW） and specific root length（SRL） of both species in two growth forms were investigated to clarify their response to facilitation in associated growth. Six isolated plants of each species, as well as six associated plants similar in size and development were selected during the plant growing season, and their roots were excavated at 0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40 and 40–50 cm soil depths at the end of the growing season. All the roots of each plant were separated into the two categories of fine roots（2 mm diameter） and coarse roots（≥2 mm diameter）. Root traits such as RL and RSA in the fine and coarse roots were obtained by the root analyzing system WinRHIZO. Most of the coarse roots in R. soongorica and S. passerina were distributed in the top 10 cm of the soil in both growth forms, whereas the fine roots of the two plant species were found mainly in the 10–20 and 20–30 cm soil depths in isolated growth, respectively. However, the fine roots of both species were mostly overlapped in 10–20 cm soil depth in associated growth. The root/canopy ratios of both species reduced, whereas the ratios of their fine roots to coarse roots in RL increased, and both species had an increased SRL in the fine roots in associated growth. In addition, there was the increase in RL of fine roots and content of root N for S. passerina in associated growth. Taken together, the root growth of S. passerina was facilitated for water and nutrient exploration under the interaction of the overlapped roots in both species in associated growth, and higher SRL allowed both species to more effectively adapt to the infertile soil in the desert ecosystem.
文摘This study examined the impact of trade facilitation on economic development, particularly the impact of customs environment on trade flows over the period from 1995 to 2010. Five countries of the East African Community （EAC）, namely, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, are involved. The study employs a gravity model for estimating bilateral trade flows between the EAC partner states. The ordinary least square （OLS） technique is adopted and applied for the regression analysis by using the Stata 10.0 software. Results suggest that, the customs environment of the importer is significant and possesses a strongly positive impact on East African trade flows. Results also find that the customs environment of the exporter is insignificant, even though it shows a negative relationship with the East African trade flows, hence a negative determinant. East African countries have to improve their customs environment, especially when undertaking an importation, in order to boost the overall trade flow in the block. They should also improve other trade facilitation indicators, such as port efficiency, regulatory environment, and infrastructure. The aid for trade, in terms of technical and financial assistance, should also be enhanced for the development of infrastructure, including roads, railways, ports, bridges, and border posts.
文摘This paper aims at demonstrating that an acceptable level of performance as a group facilitator can be achieved byhospitality industry managers in a 35-hour course, to a maximum of fourteen trainees, experienced in groupleadership but not in small-group facilitation or large-group coordination. Based on a six-step model fororganizational intervention, the course was run in co-facilitation, using the effect of demonstration, modelling, andobservation to improve performance at individual level. The course represents a mix of organizational behaviourand human resources management that has proved to be effective in preparing managers to improve organizationalinnovation and accelerate change in companies. Each step produced outputs, namely three innovation projects.Participants rated the course in every item of an extensive questionnaire as Good and Very Good, except theintroduction (pre-consult), which was considered “too theoretical”. Therefore, the course model proved to beadequate for the preparation of managers as coaches for organizational innovation in the hospitality industry. As tofuture developments, they will have to do mostly with the functioning of a matrix structure in the hospitality industry,so that the whole approach may have a full impact on the company.
基金Supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(11731012, 11871425, 12271475)Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities grant(2020XZZX002-03)。
文摘Consider a generalized model of the facilitated exclusion process, which is a onedimensional exclusion process with a dynamical constraint that prevents the particle at site x from jumping to x+1 (or x-1) if the sites x-1, x-2 (or x+1, x+2) are empty. It is nongradient and lacks invariant measures of product form. The purpose of this paper is to identify the invariant measures and to show that they satisfy both exponential decay of correlations and equivalence of ensembles. These properties will play a pivotal role in deriving the hydrodynamic limit.
基金supported by Pediatric Health Research Center,Tabriz University of Medical Sciences(Grant number:IR.TBZMED.REC.1398.585).
文摘Objective:This study aimed to investigate the nurses’perspectives on open family visitation and its barriers and facilitators in neonatal intensive care units(NICUs).Methods:This is a descriptive,cross-sectional study.A total of 113 nurses employed in 3 main NICUs of Tabriz participated in the study through the census sampling method.Nurses’perspectives on open visitation and its facilitators and barriers were assessed and analyzed using the Beliefs and Attitudes toward Visitation in NICU Questionnaire(BAVNIQ)and descriptive and analytical statistics,respectively.Results:Approximately 74%of the nurses who participating in the study had a moderate perspective on open visitation.From the nurses’viewpoint,“Parents’low awareness of sensitivity and hygienic principles of the NICU”was the first(90.3%)barrier,and the 2 factors,namely,“physical structure of the ward/lack of sufficient space”and“far distance between family’s residence and the hospital/having another child,”were the second(86.8%)barrier with an equal percentage.Among the facilitating factors,“Supporting employed parents during the neonate’s hospitalization”and“providing facilities for family accommodation in the hospital”were the first(82.3%)and the second(79.6%)facilitators,respectively,for open visitation.Conclusions:The majority of NICU nurses had a moderate perspective on the family open visitation.This reluctance seems to be originated mainly from the factors inhibiting open visitation,making its implementation challenging for nurses.The perspective of the frontline staff in caring for vulnerable infants on facilitators and barriers to open visitation may help policymakers,managers,and relevant officials in decision-making and implementing new visiting policies in the NICUs.
