Alcohol consumption in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis

AIM:To assess the alcohol drinking patterns in a cohort of primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC) patients and the possible influence on the development of fibrosis.METHODS:Ninety-six patients with PSC were evaluated with a validated questionnaire about a patient's lifetime drinking habits:the lifetime drinking history(LDH) questionnaire.In addition,clinical status,transient elastography and biochemistry values were analysed and registered.Patients were defined as having either significant or non-significant fibrosis.Significant fibrosis was defined as either an elastography value of ≥ 17.3 kPa or the presence of clinical signs of cirrhosis.Patients were divided into two groups depending on their alcohol consumption patterns;no/low alcohol consumption(one drink or unit/d) and moderate/high alcohol consumption(≥ 1 drink or unit/d).LDH data were calculated to estimate lifetime alcohol intake(LAI),current alcohol intake,drinks per year before and after diagnosis of PSC.We also calculated the number of episodes of binge-drinking(defined as consuming ≥ 5 drinks per occasion) in total,before and after the diagnosis of PSC.RESULTS:The mean LAI was 3882 units of alcohol,giving a mean intake after onset of alcohol consumption of 2.6 units per week.Only 9% of patients consumed alcohol equal to or more than one unit per day.Current alcohol intake in patients with significant fibrosis(n = 26) was less than in patients without significant fibrosis(n = 70),as shown by lower values of phosphatidylethanol(B-PEth)(0.1 mol/L vs 0.33 mol/L,respectively,P = 0.002) and carbohydrate-deficient transferrin(CDT)(0.88% vs 1.06%,respectively,P = 0.02).Self-reported LAI was similar between the two groups.Patients with significant fibrosis reduced their alcohol intake after diagnosis from 103 to 88 units per year whereas patients without fibrosis increased their alcohol intake after PSC diagnosis from 111 to 151 units/year.There were no correlations between elastography values and intake of alcohol(units/year)(r =-0.036).CONCLUSION:PSC patients have low alcohol consumption.The lack of correlation between fibrosis and alcohol intake indicates that a low alcohol intake is safe in these patients.

Pathway and policy analysis to China's deep decarbonization

The Paris Agreement marks the beginning of a new era in the global response to climate change, which further clarifies the long-term goal and underlines the urgency addressing climate change. For China,promoting the decoupling between economic growth and carbon emissions as soon as possible is not only the core task of achieving the medium-and long-term goals and strategies to address climate change, but also the inevitable requirement for ensuring the sustainable development of economy and society. Based on the analysis of the historical trends of the economy and social development, as well as society, energy consumption, and key end-use sectors in China, this paper studies the deep carbon emission reduction potential of carbon emission of in energy, industry, building, and transportation and other sectors with "bottom-up" modeling analysis and proposes a medium-and long-term deep decarbonization pathway based on key technologies' mitigation potentials for China. It is found that under deep decarbonization pathway, China will successfully realize the goals set in China's Intended Nationally Determined Contributions of achieving carbon emissions peak around 2030 and lowering carbon dioxide emissions per unit of gross domestic product(GDP) by 60-65% from the 2005 level.From 2030 onward, the development of nonfossil energy will further accelerates, and the share of nonfossil energies in primary energy will amounts to about 44% by 2050. Combined with the acceleration of low-carbon transformation in end-use sectors including industry, building, and transportation, the carbon dioxide emissions in 2050 will fall to the level before 2005, and the carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP will decreases by more than 90% from the 2005 level. To ensure the realization of the deep decarbonization pathway, this paper puts forward policy recommendations from four perspectives, including intensifying the total carbon dioxide emissions cap and strengthening the related institutional systems and regulations, improving the incentive policies for industrial lowcarbon development, enhancing the role of the market mechanism, and advocating low-carbon life and consumption patterns.

Context-Aware Service IVlodes in the Cloud Computing Environment

This paper discussed the differences of context-aware service between the cloud computing environment and the traditional service system.Given the above differences,the paper subsequently analyzed the changes of context-aware service during preparation,organization and delivery,as well as the resulting changes in service acceptance of consumers.Because of these changes,the context-aware service modes in the cloud computing environment change are intelligent,immersive,highly interactive,and real-time.According to active and responded service,and authorization and non-authorized service,the paper drew a case diagram of context-aware service in Unified Modeling Language(UML) and established four categories of context-aware service modes.

The Ability of Nile Tilapia to Regulate Protein and Energy Intake Evaluated by Carbon Relative Enrichment （δ^13C）

The aim of this study was to assess the ability of Nile tilapia to balance its own diet, when two ingredient mixes were offered, using carbon stable isotopes. In order to accomplish that, 225 Nile tilapia juveniles （average initial weight 5.0 g ± 0.5 g） were distributed in five tanks, each containing a group of 45 fish. One group of fish were fed exclusively with a high protein mix （HPM; δ^13C = -22.62‰）, the second one fed only with a low protein mix （LPM; δ^13C = -14.34‰）. The other groups had free access to both mixes （free choice system）. The fish from all tanks were fed four times a day. Muscle, liver and blood samples were collected at each five days （from 2 fish/tank/collection） for 86 days, except for the fish fed with LPM （fed for a 120 days period）. The samples were analyzed in a mass spectrometer and proportions of the mixes consumed were estimated through its carbon isotope enrichment （δ^13C）. Energy intake slightly decreased after the 50th day and protein consumption increased after the same period. However, consumption did not present a clear pattern in relation to the individual weight, i.e., protein consumption patterns are mainly related to the age of the individuals and it is not clear if it is also correlated to their weight. Additionally, this technique allowed the observation of differences regarding consumption among the individuals from the experimental group.

Sustainable Consumption and Production in the Baltic Sea Region

Economic activity always has an impact on the environment, but the potential degree of this impact depends on consumption and production pattems. The aim of this paper is to analyse the environmental and well being impacts of consumption and production systems in Baltic Sea Region and draw conclusions about transferring of best practises in Latvia. This study is based on indicator analyses, focusing on data of environmental impacts from consumption and production in the region, and analyses drivers behind these impacts. The paper concludes two trends--Scandinavian countries and Germany which have more advanced economies demonstrate much higher ecoefficiency and environmental management practices compared to the new EU member states. The example of the Baltic Sea region shows that high income levels and a stable development path in the old EU member states provide grounds for technology advancement to reduce the environmental impact of production. However Baltic States and Poland on average demonstrate much more sustainable consumption patterns. But the trends in these countries are negative--they try to copy lifestyles and consumption patterns of more advanced economies with higher ecological footprint. Challenge for Latvia is to improve its ecoefficiency but at the same time develop more sustainable consumption patterns.

Consumer Preference and Consumption Pattern of Marine Fish Species in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria

Despite the nutritive value of finfish, the domestic production is inadequate to meet the national demand. Due to the high demand of 2.66 million metric tons per annum for fish, Nigeria imported 740,000 tons in 2007 to supplement the domestic production of 615,507 tons. A study was conducted in Ibadan Metropolis of Oyo State （a land locked state） to determine the consumer preference and pattern of marine fish species consumed. Stratified sampling method was used to select respondents from three income earning levels of the five local government areas in Ibadan Metropolis. Questionnaires were administered to 51 marine fish retailers and 151 households. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Tobit regression model. Marine fish sellers ranked horse mackerel （Scomberjaponicus） first and croaker （Pseudotholithus species） the least because it is more priced. Only 10.6% and 13.2% of the households preferred express （Brevortia species） and croaker respectively, but Hake （Gadus gadus） was the least preferred （41.7%）. The household consumed varying proportions of fish species every week. The regression result （R2 = 0.65） showed that married household heads with large household size having lower years/level of education, younger in age and earning lower income are likely to consume more of marine frozen fish species （P 〈 0.01） than others.

Comparative Analysis of Household Consumption Pattern of Local and Imported Rice in Ekiti State, Nigeria

The paper examined the consumption pattern and attitude of households for local and imported rice in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the paper are to： examine the household preference and consumption level of local and imported rice, examine price variation between local and imported rice and identify the major problems confronting marketers of local and imported rice. Data were collected from 100 randomly chosen households with the aid of structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed with the use of descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentages, chi-square, t-test and regression analysis. The paper revealed among others that majority of the respondents prefer to consume local rice to imported rice because of its more palatability, health benefits, readily availability and relatively cheap price. The average price per kilogramme of local rice is 200 Naira compared to that of imported rice which is 300 Naira. The difference in price is as a result of exchange rate and costs associated with smuggling of imported rice across the border of Nigeria from neighbouring countries. Nonetheless, the quality of local rice is still very low when compared to imported rice in terms of degree of impurities such as stone and shafts and the level of polishing.

Global Warming, Elites and Energy in Latin America： The Chilean Case

Adaptation and mitigation measures and changes in production and consumption patterns are necessary to face the risks of the impacts of global warming. They imply large investments the costs of which companies and governments, in charge of elites are not always willing to endure. Changes in elites have a direct impact on public policy and environmental governance of societies. Are the new elites willing to change traditional patterns of energy consumption if the change could threaten investment and economic growth3 Based on empirical research this paper analyzes the role of elites in a developing Latin American country （the Chilean case） in decisions adopted about the explanations of climate change and specially on the set of measures for adaptation and/or mitigation, focusing on the energy sector of the economy, one of the key sectors directly implied with the possibilities of reducing greenhouse gases emissions.

Globalization and Local Strategy： The IKEA Experience in Apulia

The process of the economic globalization that has increasingly made markets for goods and services, capital markets, and interdependent consumption patterns, is strongly linked to the current issue of the relationship between marketing and territory. Marketing is usually described as a set of tools used by businesses to promote the exchange of goods and services produced in order to fully meet the demand of the community of the territory in which they operate. Therefore, to apply marketing to the territory, one needs to identify a set of rules for programming, evaluation, and promotion, in order to attract producers and consumers to an area, in which there are both tangible and intangible factors. The ability to create a development process is not only related to the possession of these factors, but also and above all to the ability to make them cohesive so that the area as a whole has more value than its individual components. In this paper, the authors show that it is not so much the actions carried out by local political institutions, but those of IKEA~ itself have contributed to the improvement of the area around Bari, where it has chosen to open a store.

Technological Innovation in Sustainable Building

Modern energy services are a necessary prerequisite for human well-being and the economic development of a country. Access to modern energy is essential for the supply of clean water, hygiene and health, and for the provision of reliable and efficient lighting, heating, cooking, and mechanical power. It seems clear, therefore, that the energy factor and its availability, the demand for which is growing, must be ensured over time. Moreover, considering that the world population will significantly increase in coming decades and, legitimately, all of these individuals want access to sources of energy for a better quality of life. The patterns of consumption most commonly used nowadays are expensive and highly polluting, but, most importantly, now they are almost completely exhausted. Therefore, research has to find sources of ＂alternative＂ and renewable energy in order to sustain the continuously growing global demand for energy. It is necessary, therefore, to develop and improve policies in order to change current consumption patterns, while strengthening approaches and strategies for sustainable models, applying incentives for good behavior and penalizing waste, and promoting the empowerment of producers. This paper concerns this sector and aims to highlight innovation in bioclimatic and eco-friendly buildings.

Solidary Economy： From Subsistence to Entrepreneurship

This article intends to address the Solidary Economy Network of Dourados--MS, Brazil. Treated as public policy since 2001, this mode of production and consumption has achieved increasing prominence on the world stage, its capacity for income generation and social inclusion. The program is developed from the parameters of the Municipal Social Assistance and Fellowship Economy and has the support of organizations such as the NGO （Non-Governmental Organization） Women in Motion, the Community Bank and SEBRAE. The research was based on survey data in the Registry, personal interview with the Superintendent of Solidary Economy. They still relied on data from the annual survey of the Department relating to the Network ECOSOL of 2007. This data allowed us to analyze the context of the movement, the target audience and the actions taken by the Department and effectively understand if the actions are having the desired results.

Analvsis of the Low-Carbon Tourism Route

With the economic development and social progress, the attention of the people of the ecological civilization has been improved. People＇s consumption patterns have been gradually improved, and the recent low-carbon technologies and low-carbon consumption go constantly into people＇s lives. The development of tourism is the manifestation of the pursuit of ecological civilization. It is a natural use of low-carbon technologies, and is the way the economy of low-carbon consumption. And the low-carbon tourism in further also becomes a necessity.

Ethical Implications of Systems Methodology Applied to Industrial Ecology

The systemic view on industry and on production and consumption pattern is an essential feature of the industrial ecology （IE） concept. One consequence of this view is to investigate industrial flows and consumer activities, and their effects on the environment in order to evaluate and eventually optimize these flows with the help of a systems methodology. Industrial ecology has been developed by engineers and natural scientists and its ethical core canon often manifests in anthropocentric assertions such as harmonizing the contradiction between nature and culture with scientific expertise, appropriate technology and socio-economic management. This paper argues however for a biocentric inspired, normative reading of some characteristics of industrial ecology＇s systems methodology. The presumption for the value of this endeavor is that industrial ecology＇s systems methodology has a potential for developing directions for the design of a possible sustainable world.

Analysis of Marketing Strategy Based on The Consumer Behavior under the New Situation

Consumers are the source of enterprise profits and the center of enterprise marketing activities. The study of consumption pattern has strategic significance on enterprise business activities. In terms of the enormous consumption market as China in particular, the study of its consumption pattern is particularly significant. Through the periodic classification of Chinese economic pattern, this thesis extracts the main consumption pattern characteristics of different stages. Through the exploration of the consumption pattern, it analyzes the development rule of consumption pattern and seeks the intrinsic relationship between consumption pattern and enterprise marketing. On this basis, it proposes suggestions of enterprise marketing counternaeasures that adapt to consumption pattern and contribute to enterprise development.

Palestinian Commercial Networks in Transformation, 1750-1900

Just as in the eighteenth century cotton trade pulled Palestine＇s economy into the orbit of the world economy, so it also enabled Palestine, through its ruler shaykh Zahir al-＇Umar, to instigate a process of urbanization, However, the Ottoman households that governed Galilee and Palestine＇s coastal areas did not help local merchants （tujjar） to develop inter-regional or intra-regional trade networks, as was the case in central Palestine. The disappearance of the main two obstacles to these networks--the dominant local leaders and the monopoly system--ushered in a new era in Palestine＇s trading and commercial history. Jaffa became Palestine＇s main transit port and gradually attracted wealthy merchants from far and wide. Besides their importing and exporting activities, these merchants invested heavily in citrus plantations, transforming the citrus fruit trade into Palestine＇s largest economic sector. Palestine＇s most powerful merchants played an important role as ＂the modern agents of change＂, as they did elsewhere in the Middle East. This development found expression in many aspects of their lifestyle： in the ornate architecture of their houses, in their patterns of consumption, and in their elevated living standards. These powerful merchants were also the first actors to import new technologies to Palestine, in order to develop their businesses. In short, this paper argued that the Palestinian entrepreneurial and mercantile classes, but not members of the old elite and the traditional leadership, emerged as models for imitation by society at large. In many respects, this shift in influence constituted a revolutionary change.

The analysis of marketing strategy of fast fashion brand from the success of＂H＆M＂

In recent years, in fashion industry, especially in clothing market industry, the development of fast fashion brands is very rapid, the accounts in clothing market is more and more, which has become art indispensable part in clothing market field. It can be said the fast fashion brand takes a deep shock for whole clothing market, and it has made some clothing brands take introspection about their traditional and old marketing mode. Fast fashion brands just catch the consumer psychology of current consumers （especially young consumers）, a smart of consumers are attracted to buy for its ＂fair price＂ , ＂ high quality＂ , ＂fashion＂ and other characteristics. In this paper, the success case of the most successful ＂H＆M＂ brand is taken as entry point, then the marketing strategy of fast fashion brands is explored and analyzed to find out the ＂magic weapon＂ of fast fashion brands＇ development, and it is provided some reference and suggestions for marketing strategy improvement of traditional clothing brands.

An Empirical Study on Purchasing Intention of Online Group-buying in China

In recent years, the development of electronic commerce has led to the creation of many new and interesting business models for intemet-based buying, and online group-buying has become an effective form of it. Online group-buying is a model in which consumers collaborate and purchase a good at a discounted price. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of reputation, price and service on purchasing intention through mediator which is perceived risk. To empirically test the proposed model, a survey was conducted and 140 samples were collected. The result of this study shows price has a significant effect on purchasing intention through perceived risk. This result also shows service and reputation have an insignificant relationship with perceived risk. Therefore, online group-buying retailers should not only focus on making money from the business but also consider how to keep consumers for future business.

Brand Marketing in an era of big data

In the digital age, people＇ s lifestyles and ways of thinking are in a series of changes, this change also makes it a big shift in consumer attitudes. It gives consumers a broader perspective, while also improving the self-consciousness of consumers. These effects will no longer fully believe in traditional consumer marketing ＂bombing＂ the dissemination and indoctrination, they are more inclined to be questioned brands and products, and they can express their views on the basis that affects other people. In this era of environment, if businesses and vendors for their view is indifferent attitude, they will lose a lot of attention to the crowd, and also it makes the influence of the traditional marketing model spread greatly reduced.

Dependence of Consumption Volume on the Labor-Force in One-Productive Models of Economic Dynamics

In the work one-productive model of economic dynamics the labor-force involved in production is investigated the case when or function with constant elasticity of substitution （CES） is studied. is considered. The dependence of the consumption volume on production function coincides with the Cobb-Douglas function

Study of Commercial Bank Risk Monitoring Model in Individual Consumption Credit

With the development of individual consumption credit (ICC) in China, commercial banks have been exposed to more and more risks. The loan failure has been an important problem that the banking must face and revolve. This paper develops a factor system to explain how the borrower's risk is affected, and then establishes a risk monitoring model with AHP to pre-warn the banks how much the risk is.