On the Symmetric Space Sigma-Model Kinematics

The solvable Lie algebra parametrization of the symmetric spaces is discussed. Based on the solvable Lie algebra gauge two equivalent formulations of the symmetric space sigma model are studied. Their correspondence is established by inspecting the normalization conditions and deriving the field transformation laws.Comment: 17 page

Molecular characterization of an aster yellows phytoplasma associated with proliferation of periwinkle in Malaysia

Madagascar periwinkle is a common decorative, easy growing and spreading perennial herb. Phyllody, virescence, proliferation, little leaf and yellowing symptoms were observed on periwinkle in Serdang and Banting, Selangor, Malaysia. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays using P1/P7 universal phytoplasma primers and secA primers designed for identification and classification of phytoplasma, amplified 1.8 kb fragment that encompasses the entire 16S rRNA gene, the 16S - 23S intergenic spacerregion and the beginning of the 23S rRNA gene as well as the 840 bp from part of secA gene, respectively. Sequence analysis of the 16S rDNA, 16S - 23S intergenic region and the beginning of the 23S rRNA and secA gene PCR products determined that the phytoplasma strain associated withperiwinkle proliferation in Malaysia belongs to the ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma asteries’ (16Sr I-B) group of phytoplasmas. The virtual restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis with 10restriction endonulease enzymes revealed identical patterns to phytoplasmas members of Aster yellows phytoplasma subgroup B. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rDNA sequences, secA gene sequences and virtual RFLP revealed that the periwinkle proliferation phytoplasma is closely related to the subgroup 16SrI-B. Periwinkle proliferation also confirmed which 16SrI-B has wide geographical distribution and host range

Carbon dioxide sequestration methodothologies - A review

YesThe process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CCS) was previously considered a crucial and time-sensitive approach for diminishing CO2 emissions originating from coal, oil, and gas sectors. Its implementation was seen necessary to address the detrimental effects of CO2 on the atmosphere and the ecosystem. This recognition was achieved by previous substantial study efforts. The carbon capture and storage (CCS) cycle concludes with the final stage of CO2 storage. This stage involves primarily the adsorption of CO2 in the ocean and the injection of CO2 into subsurface reservoir formations. Additionally, the process of CO2 reactivity with minerals in the reservoir formations leads to the formation of limestone through injectivities. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is the final phase in the CCS cycle, mostly achieved by the use of marine and underground geological sequestration methods, along with mineral carbonation techniques. The introduction of supercritical CO2 into geological formations has the potential to alter the prevailing physical and chemical characteristics of the subsurface environment. This process can lead to modifications in the pore fluid pressure, temperature conditions, chemical reactivity, and stress distribution within the reservoir rock. The objective of this study is to enhance our existing understanding of CO2 injection and storage systems, with a specific focus on CO2 storage techniques and the associated issues faced during their implementation. Additionally, this research examines strategies for mitigating important uncertainties in carbon capture and storage (CCS) practises. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) facilities can be considered as integrated systems. However, in scientific research, these storage systems are often divided based on the physical and spatial scales relevant to the investigations. Utilising the chosen system as a boundary condition is a highly effective method for segregating the physics in a diverse range of physical applications. Regrettably, the used separation technique fails to effectively depict the behaviour of the broader significant system in the context of water and gas movement within porous media. The limited efficacy of the technique in capturing the behaviour of the broader relevant system can be attributed to the intricate nature of geological subsurface systems. As a result, various carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies have emerged, each with distinct applications, associated prices, and social and environmental implications. The results of this study have the potential to enhance comprehension regarding the selection of an appropriate carbon capture and storage (CCS) application method. Moreover, these findings can contribute to the optimisation of greenhouse gas emissions and their associated environmental consequences. By promoting process sustainability, this research can address critical challenges related to global climate change, which are currently of utmost importance to humanity. Despite the significant advancements in this technology over the past decade, various concerns and ambiguities have been highlighted. Considerable emphasis was placed on the fundamental discoveries made in practical programmes related to the storage of CO2 thus far. The study has provided evidence that despite the extensive research and implementation of several CCS technologies thus far, the process of selecting an appropriate and widely accepted CCS technology remains challenging due to considerations related to its technological feasibility, economic viability, and societal and environmental acceptance

A comprehensive review on carbon dioxide sequestration methods

YesCapturing and storing CO2 (CCS) was once regarded as a significant, urgent, and necessary option for reducing the emissions of CO2 from coal and oil and gas industries and mitigating the serious impacts of CO2 on the atmosphere and the environment. This recognition came about as a result of extensive research conducted in the past. The CCS cycle comes to a close with the last phase of CO2 storage, which is accomplished primarily by the adsorption of CO2 in the ocean and injection of CO2 subsurface reservoir formation, in addition to the formation of limestone via the process of CO2 reactivity with reservoir formation minerals through injectivities. CCS is the last stage in the carbon capture and storage (CCS) cycle and is accomplished chiefly via oceanic and subterranean geological sequestration, as well as mineral carbonation. The injection of supercritical CO2 into geological formations disrupts the sub-surface’s existing physical and chemical conditions; changes can occur in the pore fluid pressure, temperature state, chemical reactivity, and stress distribution of the reservoir rock. This paper aims at advancing our current knowledge in CO2 injection and storage systems, particularly CO2 storage methods and the challenges encountered during the implementation of each method and analyses on how key uncertainties in CCS can be reduced. CCS sites are essentially unified systems; yet, given the scientific context, these storage systems are typically split during scientific investigations based on the physics and spatial scales involved. Separating the physics by using the chosen system as a boundary condition is a strategy that works effectively for a wide variety of physical applications. Unfortunately, the separation technique does not accurately capture the behaviour of the larger important system in the case of water and gas flow in porous media. This is due to the complexity of geological subsurface systems, which prevents the approach from being able to effectively capture the behaviour of the larger relevant system. This consequently gives rise to different CCS technology with different applications, costs and social and environmental impacts. The findings of this study can help improve the ability to select a suitable CCS application method and can further improve the efficiency of greenhouse gas emissions and their environmental impact, promoting the process sustainability and helping to tackle some of the most important issues that human being is currently accounting global climate change. Though this technology has already had large-scale development for the last decade, some issues and uncertainties are identified. Special attention was focused on the basic findings achieved in CO2 storage operational projects to date. The study has demonstrated that though a number of CCS technologies have been researched and implemented to date, choosing a suitable and acceptable CCS technology is still daunting in terms of its technological application, cost effectiveness and socio-environmental acceptance

The Real Effects of Credit Supply: Review, Synthesis, and Future Directions

This paper reviews the rapidly growing literature on the real effects of bank credit supply fluctuations and identifies several worthwhile avenues for future research. In terms of the transmission of credit supply shocks into real effects, we suggest to further investigate the roles of (i) private borrower information, (ii) employment protection legislation, (iii) corporate governance, (iv) bank specialization, and (v) alternative financing sources. We also call for additional analyses of how these shocks affect (vi) investment efficiency, (vii) market structure, and (viii) the allocation of human capital, and emphasize the need for more evidence on (ix) the persistency, (x) asymmetry, and (xi) heterogeneity of their effects

The Real Effects of Credit Supply: Review, Synthesis, and Future Directions

This paper reviews the rapidly growing literature on the real effects of bank credit supply fluctuations and identifies several worthwhile avenues for future research. In terms of the transmission of credit supply shocks into real effects, we suggest to further investigate the roles of (i) private borrower information, (ii) employment protection legislation, (iii) corporate governance, (iv) bank specialization, and (v) alternative financing sources. We also call for additional analyses of how these shocks affect (vi) investment efficiency, (vii) market structure, and (viii) the allocation of human capital, and emphasize the need for more evidence on (ix) the persistency, (x) asymmetry, and (xi) heterogeneity of their effects

Acquired craniomeningocele in an infant with craniosynostosis: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Craniosynostosis can affect the skull in various ways. The most common forms are abnormal skull shape and beaten copper pattern, while Lückenschädel (or lacunar skull) is one of the least common forms.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report the case of a 3-month-old Caucasian boy with multiple suture craniosynostosis and with acquired craniomeningocele presenting as a bulging mass in the lateral occipital area.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient with multiple suture craniosynostosis and acquired craniomeningocele.</p

Juvenile obesity and its association with utilisation and costs of pharmaceuticals - results from the KiGGS study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>According to a national reference, 15% of German children and adolescents are overweight (including obese) and 6.3% are obese. An earlier study analysed the impact of childhood overweight and obesity on different components of direct medical costs (physician, hospital and therapists). To complement the existing literature for Germany, this study aims to explore the association of body mass index (BMI) with utilisation of pharmaceuticals and related costs in German children and adolescents.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Based on data from 14, 836 respondents aged 3-17 years in the German Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS), drug intake and associated costs were estimated using a bottom-up approach. To investigate the association of BMI with utilisation and costs, univariate analyses and multivariate generalised mixed models were conducted.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was no significant difference between BMI groups regarding the probability of drug utilisation. However, the number of pharmaceuticals used was significantly higher (14%) for obese children than for normal weight children. Furthermore, there was a trend for more physician-prescribed medication in obese children and adolescents. Among children with pharmaceutical intake, estimated costs were 24% higher for obese children compared with the normal weight group.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This is the first study to estimate excess drug costs for obesity based on a representative cross-sectional sample of the child and adolescent population in Germany. The results suggest that obese children should be classified as a priority group for prevention. This study complements the existing literature and provides important information concerning the relevance of childhood obesity as a health problem.</p

How do cardiologists select patients for dual antiplatelet therapy continuation beyond 1 year after a myocardial infarction? Insights from the EYESHOT Post-MI Study

Background: Current guidelines suggest to consider dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) continuation for longer than 12 months in selected patients with myocardial infarction (MI). Hypothesis: We sought to assess the criteria used by cardiologists in daily practice to select patients with a history of MI eligible for DAPT continuation beyond 1 year. Methods: We analyzed data from the EYESHOT Post-MI, a prospective, observational, nationwide study aimed to evaluate the management of patients presenting to cardiologists 1 to 3 years from the last MI event. Results: Out of the 1633 post-MI patients enrolled in the study between March and December 2017, 557 (34.1%) were on DAPT at the time of enrolment, and 450 (27.6%) were prescribed DAPT after cardiologist assessment. At multivariate analyses, a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with multiple stents and the presence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) resulted as independent predictors of DAPT continuation, while atrial fibrillation was the only independent predictor of DAPT interruption for patients both at the second and the third year from MI at enrolment and the time of discharge/end of the visit. Conclusions: Risk scores recommended by current guidelines for guiding decisions on DAPT duration are underused and misused in clinical practice. A PCI with multiple stents and a history of PAD resulted as the clinical variables more frequently associated with DAPT continuation beyond 1 year from the index MI