202202 bcvc ; Version of Record ; RGC ; Others ; RGC: Hong Kong Research Grants Council (Ref: PolyU 156020/17H) ; Others: Standing Committee on Language Education and Research of the Hong Kong SAR Government (Ref: EDB(LE)/P&R/EL/164/1) ; Published ; CUP (2021)
In: Alcohol and alcoholism: the international journal of the Medical Council on Alcoholism (MCA) and the journal of the European Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism (ESBRA), Band 49, Heft suppl 1, S. i21-i22
This study aims to investigate the development of Airbnb in China from the perspective of hospitality leaders by identifying the positive and negative effects of Airbnb development in the country. A qualitative approach was adopted to explore the current development of theaccommodation sharing service in China. Focus group discussions were conducted with the managers and top executives of hotels in China. Most of the participants affirmed that the experience of local culture and authenticity are the advantages of staying in this type of informal accommodation. From the viewpoint of hoteliers, traditional accommodation types must rethink their strategies by providing desired authentic experiences. By contrast, Airbnb may not seamlessly fit into Chinese culture. The result urges the government to regulate the informal accommodation platforms. The study provides views on Airbnb from the traditional accommodation sector in Mainland China, which can contribute to the future regulation of informal accommodation services.
A simple, sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chromatography method for the quantification of bisnaphthalimidopropyldiaminooctane (BNIPDaoct), a potent anti-Leishmania compound, incorporated into poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles was developed and validated toward bioanalysis application. Biological tissue extracts were injected into a reversed-phase monolithic column coupled to a fluorimetric detector (¿ exc =234nm, ¿ em =394nm), using isocratic elution with aqueous buffer (acetic acid/acetate 0.10M, pH 4.5, 0.010M octanesulfonic acid) and acetonitrile, 60:40 (v/v) at a flow rate of 1.5mLmin -1 . The run time was 6min, with a BNIPDaoct retention time of 3.3min.Calibration curves were linear for BNIPDaoct concentrations ranging from 0.002 to 0.100µM. Matrix effects were observed and calibration curves were performed using the different organ (spleen, liver, kidney, heart and lung) extracts. The method was found to be specific, accurate (97.3-106.8% of nominal values) and precise for intra-day (RSD < 1.9%) and inter-day assays (RSD < 7.2%) in all matrices. Stability studies showed that BNIPDaoct was stable in all matrices after standing for 24h at room temperature (20°C) or in the autosampler, and after three freeze-thaw cycles. Mean recoveries of BNIPDaoct spiked in mice organs were < 88.4%. The LOD and LOQ for biological matrices were =0.8 and =1.8nM, respectively, corresponding to values =4 and =9nmolg -1 in mice organs. The method developed was successfully applied to biodistribution assessment following intravenous administration of BNIPDaoct in solution or incorporated in PLGA nanoparticles. ; Authors acknowledge financial support from the European Union (FEDER funds through COMPETE) and National Funds (FCT) through project UID/Multi/04378/2013, from the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme under grant agreement No. 602773 (Project KINDRED), from U.Porto/Santander Totta-Project 155/2010 and from FEDER funds under the framework of QREN through Project NORTE-07-0162-FEDER-000124.
Abstract. Here, we propose a time-dependent probabilistic seismic hazard assessment and apply it to Hualien City, Taiwan. A declustering catalog from 1940 to 2005 was used to build up a long-term seismicity rate model using a smoothing Kernel function. We also evaluated short-term seismicity rate perturbations according to the rate-and-state friction model, and the Coulomb stress changes imparted by earthquakes from 2006 to 2010. We assessed both long-term and short-term probabilistic seismic hazards by considering ground motion prediction equations for crustal and subduction earthquakes. The long-term seismic hazard in Hualien City gave a PGA (peak ground acceleration) of 0.46 g for the 2.1‰ annual exceedance probability. The result is similar to the levels determined in previous studies. Seismic hazards were significantly elevated following the 2007 ML =5.8 earthquake that occurred approximately 10 km from Hualien City. This work presents an assessment of a suitable mechanism for time-dependent probabilistic seismic hazard determinations using an updated earthquake catalog. Using minor model assumptions, our approach provides a suitable basis for rapid re-evaluations and will benefit decision-makers and public officials regarding seismic hazard mitigation.