Astrometric Microlensing as a Method of Discovering and Characterizing Extra-Solar Planets

We introduce a new method of searching for and characterizing extra-solar planets. We show that by monitoring the center-of-light motion of microlensing alerts using the next generation of high precision astrometric instruments the probability of detecting a planet orbiting the lens is high. We show that adding astrometric information to the photometric microlensing lightcurve greatly helps in determining the planetary mass and semi-major axis. We introduce astrometric maps as a new way for calculating astrometric motion and planet detection probabilities. Finite source effects are important for low mass planets, but even Earth mass planets can give detectable signals.Comment: 9 pages includes 8 postscript figures, AAS Latex, submitted to Ap

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Bam: A Comparative Evaluation of Pre- and Post- Earthquake Years (1999-2008)

Background: The recent devastating earthquake of December 26 in Bam, 2003 created various risk factors; caused a sharp increase in incidence of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) cases and reached to an epidemic proportion. The objective of this study was to evaluate the status of ACL cases five years before the earthquake compared to the cases occurred five years after the earthquake (1999-2008). Methods: Status of disease was assessed retrospectively for the five years before the earthquake and prospectively for the five years after the earthquake. Identification was confirmed by smear and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The mean annual incidence of ACL for the period from 1999 to 2003 was 1.9 per 1000 comparing to post earthquake period, which was 7.6 per 1000. Most of the infection was in individuals of <20 years, more frequently in females before the earthquake, whilst in contrast, there was a progressive rise in the number of cases, significantly in male individuals of >20 years (P< 0.0001) in post earthquake era. The anatomical distribution of lesions considerably changed during the two periods. Most of the cases were limited to three zones within the city prior to the earthquake, whereas it was spread throughout different zones after the earthquake. PCR indicated that the CL was due to Leishmania tropica in the city. Conclusion: The results strongly suggest that in natural disasters such as earthquakes various precipitating factors in favor of disease will be created, which in turn provide a suitable condition for propagation of the vector and the transmission of the parasite

On the Measurement of Perceived Consumer Risk

The role of perceived risk in consumer behavior has been studied extensively by academic researchers. This paper introduces a methodology for the measurement of the effects of product features, marketing mix components, and individual differences on perceived consumer risk based on theoretical foundations in the literature. A conjoint-type model based on paired comparison judgments is estimated to provide attribute weights. A modification of a stochastic multidimensional scaling-based vector model is then used to measure and summarize individual consumer differences with respect to the impact of brand attributes and marketing mix components on latent levels of perceived consumer risk. An illustration is provided using students’ risk perceptions of sports cars.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/75462/1/j.1540-5915.1991.tb00372.x.pd

Evaluation of local and circulating osteopontin in malignant and benign primary bone tumors

Purpose: The development of novel and efficient biomarkers for primary bone cancers is of grave importance. Methods: The expression pattern of osteopontin (OPN) was investigated in the 153 patients with benign (n = 72) and malignant (n = 81) primary bone cancers. Both local and circulating OPN mRNA expression levels and their protein concentration in serum and tumor site were assessed using real-time qRT-PCR, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry techniques, respectively. As a control, 29 healthy individuals were considered. The number of 153 tumor tissue specimens and the 153 paired margins were taken on surgical resection from the patients. 153 blood samples were also drained from all participants, then peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and sera were separated. Results: The mean mRNA expression was significantly higher in all of the cancerous tissues than the paired margins and the PBMC of the patients than the controls. Consistently, the protein concentrations of OPN in serum and tumor tissues were significantly higher in the patients. Furthermore, the malignant cases had significantly elevated the mRNA levels and the protein compared to the benign cases. OPN could potentially differentiate the patients from the controls with 100 sensitivity and specificity in serum. Moreover, OPN could predict some of the malignant cases' clinicopathological features, including metastasis, recurrence, grade, and response to chemotherapy. Conclusions: In conclusion, OPN might be involved in the pathogenesis of primary bone tumors and can be considered as a potential biomarker to bone cancer diagnosis. © 202

Product–process matrix and complementarity approach

The relationship between different types of innovation is analysed from three different approaches. On the one hand, the distinctive view assumes that the determinants of each type of innovation are different and therefore there is no relationship between them. On the other hand, the integrative view considers that the different types of innovation are complementary. Finally, the product–process matrix framework suggests that the relationship between product innovation and process innovation is substitutive. Using data from Spain belonging to the Technological Innovation Panel (PITEC) for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, we tested which of the three approaches is predominant. To perform the hypothesis test, we used the so-called complementarity approach. We find that there is no unique relation. The nature of the relationship depends on the types of innovation that interact. Our most significant finding is that the relationship between product innovation and process innovation is complementary. This finding contradicts the proposal of the product–process matrix framework. Consequently, the joint implementation of both types of innovation generates a greater impact on the performance of a company than the sum of their separate implementation

Frequency of Burnout among General Practitioners of Kerman City, 2008

Abstract: Background & Aims: Excessive stress in addition to causing physical and psychological problems in General Practitioners (GPs), can lead to decreased quality of patient care. This research aimed to find the frequency of burnout in general practitioners of Kerman city. Methods: This descriptive analytic study was carried out on 150 GPS in Kerman city in 2009. Data gathering was done by Maslach questionnaire. Data analysis was done by using t test, ANOVA, and Chi-square or Fisher test. Results: In whole, 94.7% of the participants had high level of depersonalization (DP), 27.3% showed medium to high range of emotional exhaustion (EE) and 73. 7% reported medium to high range of personal accomplishment (PA). There were higher levels of EE and DP among male GPs (P<0.05). Marital status and work experience had no significant relationships with the level of burnout. DP and EE were seen more in those working in the hospital (P<0.05). Conclusion: There's a high frequency of burnout syndrome in Kerman general practitioners, particularly on DP subscale. Quick interventions in health policy in order to find the related factors, control and prevent this issue are highly required. Keywords: Burnout, General practitioners, Kerma

Frequency of chronic physical conditions in older population attending Kerman social security health care centers

Background and purpose: Nowadays, population of older age is increasing throughout the world and most of them suffer from chronic diseases. Many have multiple chronic diseases and require special attention. The purpose of this study was to determine the status of chronic diseases in older population. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, records of 610 elderly people attending Kerman Social Security health care centers were investigated. Data analysis was done in SPSS V22. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 66.98±7.58 years. The most frequent chronic diseases were hypertension, diabetes, lipid disorders, and cardiovascular disease. There were 208 (34.2) elderly with one chronic disease and 65.8 had two or more chronic diseases. Conclusion: Chronic diseases are common in older population and comorbidity with several diseases is high which requires special attention. © 2020, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved