In this paper we develop a new DSGE model for a small open economy in a currency union, estimated with Bayesian methods, which incorporates a banking and a housing supply sector, consumers and ...entrepreneurs who accumulate debt, a rich structure of fiscal variables and monopolistic competition in products and labor markets. As an example of its capabilities, the model has been estimated for the Spanish economy, which is an interesting example of a booming economy before the Great Recession, and a country that particularly suffered from the negative consequences of the sovereign debt crisis and exhibited a robust recovery until 2019. Our results show the usefulness of DSGE models, conveniently designed and extended to account for the interaction of real and financial variables and other prominent characteristics of modern economies, as part of our toolkit to analyze the empirical evidence.
The landscape of possible polymorphs for some metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) can pose a challenge for controlling the outcome of their syntheses. Demonstrated here is the use of a template to ...control in the vapor‐assisted formation of zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) powders and thin films. Introducing a small amount of either ethanol or dimethylformamide vapor during the reaction between ZnO and 4,5‐dichloroimidazole vapor results in the formation of the porous ZIF‐71 phase, whereas other conditions lead to the formation of the dense ZIF‐72 phase or amorphous materials. Time‐resolved in situ small‐angle X‐ray scattering reveals that the porous phase is metastable and can be transformed into its dense polymorph. This transformation is avoided through the introduction of template vapor. The porosity of the resulting ZIF powders and films was studied by N2 and Kr physisorption, as well as positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. The templating principle was demonstrated for other members of the ZIF family as well, including the ZIF‐7 series, ZIF‐8_Cl, and ZIF‐8_Br.
A template‐mediated MOF‐CVD (metal—organic framework‐chemical vapor deposition) method was developed for the syntheses of MOFs in both powder and thin‐film forms. The time‐resolved in situ synchrotron small‐angle X‐ray scattering reveals that introducing template vapor into the MOF‐CVD process precludes transformation into a dense phase, thus resulting in the porous structure.
Innovative disinfection technologies are being studied for seawater, seeking a viable alternative to chlorination. This study proposes the use of H2O2/UV254 and photo-Fenton as disinfection treatment ...in seawater. The irradiations were carried out using a sunlight simulator (Suntest) and a cylindrical UV reactor. The efficiency of the treatment was compared for Milli-Q water, Leman Lake water and artificial seawater. The presence of bicarbonates and organic matter was investigated in order to evaluate possible effects on the photo-Fenton disinfection treatment. The photo-Fenton treatment, employing 1 mg L−1 Fe2+ and 10 mg L−1 of H2O2, led to the fastest bacterial inactivation kinetics. Using H2O2/UV254 high disinfection rates were obtained similar to those obtained with photo-Fenton under UV254 light. In Milli-Q water, the rate of inactivation for Escherichia coli was higher than in Leman Lake water and seawater due to the lack of inorganic ions affecting negatively bacteria inactivation. The presence of bicarbonate showed scavenging of the OH• radicals generated in the treatment of photo-Fenton and H2O2/UV254. Despite the negative effect of inorganic ions, especially HCO3-, the disinfection treatments with AOPs in lake water and seawater improved significantly the disinfection compared to light alone (simulated sunlight and UV254). In the treatment of photo-Fenton with simulated sunlight, dissolved organic matter had a beneficial effect by increasing the rate of inactivation. This is associated with the formation of Fe3+-organo photosensitive complexes leading to the formation of ROS able to inactivate bacteria. This effect was not observed in the photo-Fenton with UV254. Growth of E. coli surviving in seawater was observed 24 and 48 h after treatment with UV light. However, growth of surviving bacteria was not detected after photo-Fenton with UV254 and H2O2/UV254 treatments.
This study suggests H2O2/UV254 and photo-Fenton treatments for the disinfection of seawater, in spite its high concentration of salts.
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•Was evaluated Escherichia coli disinfection in three types of water at neutral pH.•Photo-Fenton and H2O2/UV were more effective for E. coli inactivation than only UV.•Bacterial re-growth was not observed after photo-Fenton and H2O2/UV treatments.•The water matrix affects the efficiency of the disinfection technologies studied.•The AOPs technologies checked were able to seawater disinfect.
Abstract It has been postulated that chronic administration of antidepressant drugs induces delayed structural and molecular adaptations at glutamatergic forebrain synapses that might underlie mood ...improvement. To gain further insight into these changes in the cerebral cortex, rats were treated with fluoxetine (flx) for 4 weeks. These animals showed decreased anxiety and learned helplessness. N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) receptor subunit levels (NR1, NR2A, NR2B, GluR1 and GluR2) were analysed in the forebrain by both western blot of homogenates and immunohistochemistry. Both methods demonstrated an upregulation of NR2A, GluR1 and GluR2 that was especially significant in the retrosplenial granular b cortex (RSGb). However, when analysing subunit content in postsynaptic densities and synaptic membranes, we found increases of NR2A and GluR2 but not GluR1. Instead, GluR1 was augmented in a microsomal fraction containing intracellular membranes. NR1 and GluR2 were co-immunoprecipitated from postsynaptic densities and synaptic membranes. In the immunoprecipitates, NR2A was increased while GluR1 was decreased supporting a change in receptor stoichiometry. The changes of subunit levels were associated with an upregulation of dendritic spine density and of large, mushroom-type spines. These molecular and structural adaptations might be involved in neuronal network stabilization following long-term flx treatment.
Summary
Haematomas and recurrent haemarthroses are a common problem in haemophilia patients from early age. Early diagnosis is critical in preventing haemophilic arthritis, and recent years have seen ...excellent advances in musculoskeletal ultrasound as a diagnostic tool in soft tissue lesions. In this study, we compared the results of ultrasound imaging for the diagnosis of musculoskeletal injuries in haemophilia patients with scores obtained using magnetic resonance (MRI) scans. A total of 61 haemophilia patients aged 4–82 years were included in this study. Both knees and ankles of each patient were assessed using the Gilbert (clinical assessment) and Pettersson scores (X‐ray assessment). Patients with severe haemophilia (n = 30) were examined using ultrasound and MRI (Denver scoring system). Results obtained with ultrasound and MRI in severe patients were correlated using the Pearson test. In patients with severe haemophilia, normal joints were similarly assessed with MRI and ultrasound (κ = 1.000). By component of joint assessment, haemarthrosis was similarly diagnosed with both techniques in all joints (κ = 1.000). A good positive correlation was found between these techniques in detecting and locating synovial hyperplasia (κ = 0.839–1.000, knees and ankles respectively), and erosion of margins (κ = 0.850–1.000). The presence of bone cysts or cartilage loss was better detected with MRI (κ = 0.643–0.552 for knees and ankles, and κ = 0.643–0.462 respectively). Ultrasound is useful in detecting joint bleeds, synovial hyperplasia and joint erosions, with results comparable to those of MRI. A quick and affordable technique, ultrasound imaging may be useful for monitoring joint bleeds and structure normalization and maintenance in routine practice.
Summary
Background
Villous atrophy (VA) with intraepithelial lymphocytosis is the histological hallmark of coeliac disease (CD), but reported rates of mucosal recovery are variable.
Aim
To determine ...the impact of age and other demographic variables on the probability of persistent VA on follow‐up biopsy.
Methods
We identified patients with VA on duodenal histology at all 28 Swedish pathology departments during the years spanning 1969–2008. We examined age, gender, calendar period, duration of disease and educational attainment to determine predictors of persistent VA.
Results
Of 7648 patients with CD who underwent follow‐up biopsy, persistent VA was present in 3317 (43%; 95% CI 42–44%). The effect of age on persistent VA varied according to time period; among those biopsied in the years spanning 2000–2008, the prevalence of persistent VA was 31%, and increasing age was associated with increasing rates of persistent VA (17% among those younger than 2 years compared to 56% among those ≥70 years). In contrast, persistent VA did not vary widely by age in earlier years. On multivariate analysis (restricted to the calendar period 2000–2008, 2–5 years after CD diagnosis), persistent VA was more common among males (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.07–1.90) and less common among patients with higher educational attainment (OR for college degree vs. <2 years of high school 0.52, 95% CI 0.35–0.78).
Conclusions
The prevalence of persistent villous atrophy has changed over time, with greater rates of healing in recent years. Social differences in persistent villous atrophy suggest that access and/or education regarding the gluten‐free diet impact mucosal healing.
Abstract Background Cytoreductive surgery with peritonectomy procedures and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS + HIPEC) represents a radical therapeutic approach to achieve complete ...cytoreduction in ovarian peritoneal carcinomatosis. The aim of the present study was to analyze the outcomes obtained by the application of these procedures in a single center with extensive experience treating peritoneal carcinomatosis. Patients and methods A series of 218 consecutive patients diagnosed with peritoneal carcinomatosis from primary or recurrent ovarian cancer (FIGO stage IIIC–IV) and treated with CRS + HIPEC between January 1996 and June 2012 were included in this observational study. Results Peritoneal carcinomatosis was treated primarily in 56% (124/218) of the cases and recurrently in 43% (94/218). A total of 42/218 patients (19%) presented with FIGO stage IV. Compared to recurrent cases, patients with primary ovarian carcinomatosis were older and presented higher Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) and percentage of FIGO stage IV; however, no significant differences in survival (5-year overall survival in patients with R0 cytoreduction, 63% and 56%, respectively) were observed. Cytoreduction score, PCI, lymphatic involvement and surgical morbidity ≥Grade III were statistically significant prognostic factors for survival in both univariate and multivariate analysis. Conclusions CRS + HIPEC treating macroscopic and microscopic disease is currently an excellent surgical approach to achieve high rates of complete cytoreduction and improve survival in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis from ovarian cancer. In order to minimize the high potential morbidity of these procedures, CRS + HIPEC should be performed in highly experienced centers.
A system based on piezoelectric cymbals embedded in asphalt for the first time is used as harvester for wasted vibrational energy produced by traffic. Energy density in the range of other alternative ...sources is achieved, with an estimated projected cost that shows the feasibility of this harvesting energy system. Display omitted
•Piezoelectric cymbals have been directly integrated in asphalt for the first time.•Harvesting from wasted vibrational energy caused by vehicles is demonstrated to be feasible by this integration.•Energy density and cost are estimated to be competitive with other sources as photovoltaic.•A 10% of the energy generated in the Region of Madrid can be obtained by covering only the 0.6% of its roads.
Piezoelectric cymbals with 29-mm diameter and different configurations are fabricated and tested to determine the best conditions to optimize the conversion of mechanical to electric energy. Then, the ones with the best results are integrated directly in asphalt to evaluate their performance as vibration energy harvesters in roads, in a test bench designed to characterize these parameters. The main cymbal parameters and their integration in the asphalt are determined. For the first time, the electrical energy that can be obtained with the embedment of cymbals in asphalt is evaluated. Each single piezoceramic cymbal recovers up to 16μW for the pass of one heavy vehicle wheel. An extrapolation of the energy transformed by the integrated cymbals in roads with high vehicle densities, such as in a peri-urban motorway, is approached. Energy densities in the range of 40–50MWh/m2 can be obtained at 100m of road (use of 30,000 cymbals), which could account for more than 65MWh in a year. All this with a relatively low cost for an emerging technology (less than 2€/kWh). The conversion of wasted and unused vibrational energy in roads by piezoelectric cymbals is thus proved as a real possibility of energy harvesting.
Summary
Background
Coeliac disease (CD), characterised by the presence of villous atrophy (VA) in the small intestine, is associated with increased mortality, but it is unknown if mortality is ...influenced by mucosal recovery.
Aims
To determine whether persistent VA is associated with mortality in CD.
Methods
Through biopsy reports from all pathology departments (n = 28) in Sweden, we identified 7648 individuals with CD (defined as VA) who had undergone a follow‐up biopsy within 5 years following diagnosis. We used Cox regression to examine mortality according to follow‐up biopsy.
Results
The mean age of CD diagnosis was 28.4; 63% were female; and the median follow‐up after diagnosis was 11.5 years. The overall mortality rate of patients who underwent follow‐up biopsy was lower than that of those who did not undergo follow‐up biopsy (Hazard Ratio 0.88, 95% CI: 0.80–0.96). Of the 7648 patients who underwent follow‐up biopsy, persistent VA was present in 3317 (43%). There were 606 (8%) deaths. Patients with persistent VA were not at increased risk of death compared with those with mucosal healing (HR: 1.01; 95% CI: 0.86–1.19). Mortality was not increased in children with persistent VA (HR: 1.09 95% CI: 0.37–3.16) or adults (HR 1.00 95% CI: 0.85–1.18), including adults older than age 50 years (HR: 0.96 95% CI: 0.80–1.14).
Conclusions
Persistent villous atrophy is not associated with increased mortality in coeliac disease. While a follow‐up biopsy will allow detection of refractory disease in symptomatic patients, in the select population of patients who undergo repeat biopsy, persistent villous atrophy is not useful in predicting future mortality.
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