Search

Purpose – Urban digital transformation has become a key strategy in global countries. This study aims to provide a comprehensive and dynamic exploration of the intrinsic traits associated with urban digital transformation, in order to yield detailed insights that can contribute to the formulation of well-informed decisions and strategies in the field of urban development initiatives. Design/methodology/approach – Through analysis of parallels between urban digital transformation and gyroscope motion in physics, the study developed the urban digital transformation gyroscope model (UDTGM), which comprises of seven core elements. With the balanced panel dataset from 268 cities at and above the prefecture level in China, we validate the dynamic mechanism of this model. Findings – The findings of this study underscore that the collaboration among infrastructure development, knowledge-driven forces and economic operations markedly bolsters the urban digital transformation gyroscope’s efficacy. Practical implications – This research introduces a groundbreaking framework for comprehending urban digital transformation, potentially facilitating its balanced and systemic practical implementation. Originality/value – This study pioneers the UDTGM theoretically and verifies the dynamic mechanism of this model with real data.

Copyright of Tabayyun is the property of Arab Center for Research & Policy Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract Background The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L., is a hematophagous ectoparasite that was a common pest in poultry farms through the 1960s. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and organophosphates eradicated most infestations, but concurrent with their global resurgence as human ectoparasites, infestations of bed bugs have been reappearing in poultry farms. Although the impact of bed bugs on chicken health has not been quantified, frequent biting and blood-feeding are expected to cause stress, infections and even anemia in birds. Bed bug control options are limited due to the sensitive nature of the poultry environment, limited products labeled for bed bug control and resistance of bed bug populations to a broad spectrum of active ingredients. Veterinary drugs are commonly used to control endo- and ectoparasites in animals. In this study, we evaluated the effects of two common veterinary drugs on bed bugs by treating the host with systemic antiparasitic drugs. Methods We conducted dose–response studies of ivermectin and fluralaner against several bed bug strains using a membrane feeding system. Also, different doses of these drugs were given to chickens and two delivery methods (topical treatment and ingestion) were used to evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin and fluralaner on bed bug mortality. Results Using an artificial feeding system, both ivermectin and fluralaner caused high mortality in insecticide-susceptible bed bugs, and fluralaner was found to be effective on pyrethroid- and fipronil-resistant bed bugs. Ivermectin was ineffective in chickens either by the topical treatment or ingestion, whereas bed bugs that fed on chickens which had ingested fluralaner suffered high mortality when feeding on these chickens for up to 28 days post treatment. Conclusions These findings suggest that systemic ectoparasitic drugs have great potential for practical use to control bed bug infestations in poultry farms. These findings also demonstrate the efficacy of fluralaner (and potentially other isoxazolines) as a potent new active ingredient for bed bug control. Graphical Abstract

Broadly speaking, models are representations of something concrete or not. In science, models have always a purpose related to understanding and explaining phenomena. This requires focus and selecting what to represent and what not to represent and how to represent, among other things. Thus, a side effect of developing the scientific method is the development of a well-structured modelling paradigm. Starting from phenomena and objects, I discuss many decision-abstraction steps in the modelling process that leads to models of phenomena expressed mathematically or computationally, highlighting underlining contexts and procedures. This discourse is undertaken centred on a cross- and trans-disciplinary system science perspective. It grounds on a personal perspective and may be considered as a model of the modelling process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory disease affecting over 20% of the pediatric population, with 85% of cases presenting before the age of five. Recently, therapeutic options in pediatric patients have evolved rapidly, following extensive development in adult treatments. This review will encompass relevant molecular drivers, along with an overlook on treatment modalities in pediatric AD, as well as a summary of pipeline treatments in clinical trials for pediatric patients from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov up to July 2022. Topical corticosteroids are the mainstay for AD flares in adults and children. Topical approved agents in pediatric AD are calcineurin inhibitors, crisaborolecrisaborole, and ruxolitinib. Dupilumab is the only FDA approved biologic for patients with AD from six months of age. A Janus kinase inhibitor, upadacitinib, is a systemic treatment approved for pediatric AD patients (age >12 years). Systemic immunosuppressants used in pediatric AD include methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclosporinecyclosporine, and mycophenolate mofetil. Data regarding disease prevention are conflicting, however, an abundance of research has transpired regarding amelioration of symptoms and induction of disease clearance by targeting numerous pathological mechanisms. Understanding the pediatric AD phenotype will further advance the field and the development of improved therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common inflammatory skin disease seen in children. It is a heterogeneous disorder, with a variety of associated manifestations and symptoms. Cases may range from mild to severe. As a result, a spectrum of prescription and nonprescription therapies may be utilized when managing this condition. This article provides an extensive overview of these therapies, with equal consideration provided to current, emerging, and alternative options used in the pediatric population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The common bed bug, Cimexlectularius L., is a hematophagous ectoparasite that was a common pest in poultry farms through the 1960s. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and organophosphates eradicated most infestations, but concurrent with their global resurgence as human ectoparasites, infestations of bed bugs have been reappearing in poultry farms. Although the impact of bed bugs on chicken health has not been quantified, frequent biting and blood-feeding are expected to cause stress, infections and even anemia in birds. Bed bug control options are limited due to the sensitive nature of the poultry environment, limited products labeled for bed bug control and resistance of bed bug populations to a broad spectrum of active ingredients. Veterinary drugs are commonly used to control endo- and ectoparasites in animals. In this study, we evaluated the effects of two common veterinary drugs on bed bugs by treating the host with systemic antiparasitic drugs. Methods: We conducted dose–response studies of ivermectin and fluralaner against several bed bug strains using a membrane feeding system. Also, different doses of these drugs were given to chickens and two delivery methods (topical treatment and ingestion) were used to evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin and fluralaner on bed bug mortality. Results: Using an artificial feeding system, both ivermectin and fluralaner caused high mortality in insecticide-susceptible bed bugs, and fluralaner was found to be effective on pyrethroid- and fipronil-resistant bed bugs. Ivermectin was ineffective in chickens either by the topical treatment or ingestion, whereas bed bugs that fed on chickens which had ingested fluralaner suffered high mortality when feeding on these chickens for up to 28 days post treatment. Conclusions: These findings suggest that systemic ectoparasitic drugs have great potential for practical use to control bed bug infestations in poultry farms. These findings also demonstrate the efficacy of fluralaner (and potentially other isoxazolines) as a potent new active ingredient for bed bug control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has begun to illustrate a favorable efficacy and side-effect profile for many systemic agents used in pediatric dermatological conditions (i.e. atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, scleroderma, alopecia areata, chronic spontaneous urticaria, autoimmune blistering disorders, and hidradenitis suppurativa) despite not having extensive randomized clinical trials. The purpose of this article is to summarize the available data on the treatment regiments, safety, and efficacy of systemic immunosuppressants, including the newer biologics, focusing on the most up-to-date systematic reviews or randomized clinical trials. The review demonstrates that many of the present studies lack data on long-term efficacy and consist of small patient populations. Further research into the long-term safety of these systemic medications is of vital importance especially due to the chronic nature of most pediatric dermatological conditions that require the use of systemic agents.

Stochastic integrals, random sums, random contractions, and selfdecomposable random variables constitute fundamental concepts of probability theory with significant applications in several areas of systemics. The main results of the paper are a characterization of a selfdecomposable distribution and a formulation of a Poisson random sum of power contractions. These results are established by incorporating a type of stochastic integral for a continuous in probability, homogeneous stochastic process with independent increments, and the same type of stochastic integral for a compound Poisson stochastic process with positive jumps. Interpretations of the results in treatment of risks threatening various systems are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to renew the comparative approach to neighbouring languages, in particular Romance languages. Without denying the achievements of comparative grammar of languages and the scientific advances of research in language typology, it aims to establish new linguistic principles which place diachrony and synchrony on the same level within the framework of a linguistic systemics largely inspired by Gustave Guillaume's psychomechanics of language, especially for the notions of system and deflexivity. This approach also makes it possible to integrate sociolinguistic approaches with the concept of "micro-diachrony" which makes it possible to describe a linguistic system as a system in perpetual unstable balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After briefly describing the issue of definition of religion and examining the theoretical positions of philosophy of religion in different dimensions of ontology/metaphysics, epistemology/subjectivity-theory, and religious sciences/phenomenology, and eventually the historical process of philosophy of religion, this article starts especially from the fundamental relationship between it and other related disciplines, that is, the relationship between philosophy of religion, theology and religious sciences, and explores its feasible operational definitions/meanings. Then it discusses systematically, historically and hermeneutically the current various positions, types and approaches of philosophy of religion, in order to point out their problems and the theoretical demand for hermeneutic turn. It will be classified typologically into the traditional metaphysics, Criticism of religion, romanticism, historicism, comparative study of religions, social science study of religion, analytical and linguistic philosophy of religion, phenomenology of religion and hermeneutics of religion, etc., and finally the necessity of the systemic hermeneutic of religion will be presented. In the end, the open conclusion reveals a kind of transformation from the metaphysical dualism of Western traditional philosophy to the systemic-hermeneutic philosophy of language as the medium and intermediary between the dimension of spirit and material, which can integrate as the various types of philosophy of religion into a systemic typology of religious studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psoriasis severity categories have been important tools for clinicians to use in treatment decisions as well as to determine eligibility criteria for clinical studies. However, owing to the heterogeneity of severity classifications and their lack of consideration for the impact of psoriasis involvement of special areas or past treatment history, patients may be miscategorized, which can lead to undertreatment of psoriasis.Objective: To develop a consensus statement on the classification of psoriasis severity.Methods: A modified Delphi approach was developed by the International Psoriasis Council to define psoriasis severity.Results: After completion of the exercise, 7 severity definitions were preferentially ranked. This most preferred statement rejects the mild, moderate, and severe categories in favor of a dichotomous definition: Psoriasis patients should be classified as either candidates for topical therapy or candidates for systemic therapy; the latter are patients who meet at least one of the following criteria: (1) body surface area >10%, (2) disease involving special areas, and (3) failure of topical therapy.Limitations: This effort might have suffered from a lack of representation by all relevant stakeholders, including patients.Conclusion: The consensus statement describes 2 categories of psoriasis severity, while accounting for special circumstances where patients may require systemic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is ongoing development of new therapies for psoriasis, including biologic and systemic agents such as interleukin-17, interleukin-23, and phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors. The development of these agents has changed the landscape of psoriasis treatment options. Objective: The objective of this study was to characterize the impact of newer biologic and systemic agents approved by June 2016 on patient outcomes. We sought to evaluate and compare biologic users and nonbiologic systemic users with respect to their treatment awareness and satisfaction. Methods: We conducted a national Canadian survey from July to September 2016 on adult patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis using biologic agents or nonbiologic systemic agents as their current primary treatment modality. Patients were asked to evaluate their overall satisfaction with their treatment agent and their awareness of other treatment options. Responses from biologic and nonbiologic systemic users were compared. Results: Overall, 343 participants were included (biologic users: n = 218; nonbiologic users: n = 125). Treatment satisfaction: Biologic users had a higher overall satisfaction score than nonbiologic users (P < .001). Among nonbiologic agents, apremilast (62%) was associated with the highest satisfaction proportion. Among biologic agents, ustekinumab (77%) and adalimumab (72%) were associated with the highest proportions of satisfaction. With respect to treatment awareness, 30% of nonbiologic patients did not have enough information to form an opinion about biologics. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the greater treatment satisfaction of biologic users compared with nonbiologic users for moderate-to-severe psoriasis. Given that nearly one-third of nonbiologic users did not have enough information to form an opinion about biologic agents, physicians may consider counselling these patients on the use of biologic agents for psoriasis management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Reformation has just celebrated its Five Hundredth Anniversary, the discussion of its impact on Europe, Western culture and even the history of the world is currently full of enthusiasm, but this essay will explore a unique line of thought in this regard, namely the relationship between the Reformation and contemporary hermeneutic philosophy. This will be performed in the following way: First of all, it deals with the general context of the process of the occidental classical philosophy through the Reformation to the turn of the philosophical hermeneutics, thus the paradigm shift from the ancient greek avrch.-philosophy to the Germanic-mysticistical theological philosophizing, from which the doubled hermeneutic turn arises. One is the turning of Western philosophy to hermeneutic philosophizing, the other the turning of Western hermeneutics to philosophical hermeneutics. Thereafter it treats with the twofold key in the history of the genesis and development of contemporary German hermeneutics: the hermeneutic turn that is originated from Heidegger and executed through Gadamer, especially their original ideas and the resulting controversy of Europeancontinental hermeneutics. Finally, this controversy shall be resolved by the innovative conception of systemic hermeneutics, which can transform such hermeneutic disputes into reciprocally complementary hermeneutical ways of thinking, modes, and approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development represents a shared aspiration, the priority of which is widely recognised worldwide by scientists, decision-makers and public opinion alike. It became a topic for reflection and an endeavour for initiatives taken by local communities, businesses, regions, states and international organisations. The subject of sustainability is interdisciplinary and involves a complex thinking that recently led to the emergence of a new discipline, namely sustainability science. The systems approach (systemics) is deemed to offer a set of concepts and methods that enable the elaboration of visions, as well as the steering of the process of sustainable development in real contexts. Within this framework, the main strength of this approach consists in its capacity to overcome the reductionism peculiar to conventional perspectives on sustainability as being limited to greening and environmentalism. The alternative perspective proposed by systemics is based on taking stock of the knowledge pertaining to the complex interdependencies between nature, society (including the economy), technology and the built environment. In short, systemics offers a background that is both pertinent and pragmatic and which enables the understanding of complex problems and the design of their solutions. One peculiarity of this approach resides in its capacity to foster the coining of new, meaning-rich concepts, usable in further theoretical and practical undertakings. Examples of such concepts include systemography, complexification, syntegrity, and co-opetition. This paper proposes a new such concept, that is sitesynthesis, rooted in the spirit of a given place and time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay chooses the idea of Trinitarian Dao (or the Unity of Three Dimensions in one Way, Three Talents and One Way) in the I Ching (Yijing, Classics of Changes) often regarded as the universal canon in Chinese spiritual culture on the one hand set alongside the doctrine of the Trinity as the fundamental spirit of Christian theology on the other hand, with the idea of trying to create a preliminary conceptualization of intercultural dialogue for a preliminary intercultural dialogue. Regarding the methodological and ontological dimensions, this dialogue will proceed in the way of thinking by means of the so-called systemic hermeneutics. Thereafter, from the point of view of its three trialectical models of ground-structure theory, the intercultural impact of both paradigms will be exposed. Finally in the dialectic of cultural transformation, cultural contextualization and cultural fusion or cultural creation, the mutual exchange, amalgamation and innovation shall be envisaged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psoriasis is a complex, lifelong condition requiring effective treatment and management. Conventional treatment options have been beneficial and continue to be part of any treatment rationale. New and emerging drug treatment options are proving useful, but some serious side effects and adverse events result in poor compliance and poor adherence to the treatment regimen. Complementary and alternative-medicine therapies, and natural remedies such as herbal medicines, may be favoured by some patients who want to adopt a holistic approach to managing their symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agroecology makes its appearance as a science that seeks epistemological bases different from those of conventional science. However, literature has not been reviewed nor have theoretical reflections been written that explicitly establish the alternatives proposed in agroecology. The objective of this essay was to determine the principal epistemological bases of agroecological theory identified as alternatives to conventional science. Within agroecology, emphasis is placed on alternatives to disciplinarity, epistemological monism and the principle of simplicity, although the reflection and construction of alternative bases for these is still diffuse and shallow. Therefore, more theoretical development in this aspect is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]