The COVID-19 consumption game-changer: Evidence from a large-scale multi-country survey

Prospective economic developments depend on the behavior of consumer spending. A key question is whether private expenditures recover once social distancing restrictions are lifted or whether the COVID-19 crisis has a sustained impact on consumer confidence, preferences, and, hence, spending. The elongated and profound experience of the COVID-19 crisis may durably affect consumer preferences. We conducted a representative consumer survey in five European countries in summer 2020, after the release of the first wave’s lockdown restrictions, and document the underlying reasons for households’ reduction in consumption in five key sectors: tourism, hospitality, services, retail, and public transports. We identify a large confidence shock in the Southern European countries and a shift in consumer preferences in the Northern European countries, particularly among high-income earners. We conclude that the COVID-19 experience has altered consumer behavior and that long-term sectoral consumption shifts may occur

Ultrasound evaluation of access complications: Thrombosis, aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms and infections

: Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) complications are classified based on fistula outcomes. This review aims to update colour Doppler (CD) and pulse wave Doppler (PWD) roles in managing early and late complications of the native and prosthetic AVF. Vascular access (VA) failure occurs because inflow or outflow stenosis activates Wirchow's triad inducing thrombosis. Therefore, the diagnosis of the tributary artery and outgoing vein stenosis will be the first topic considered. Post-implantation complications occur from the inability to achieve AVF maturation and dialysis suitability due to inflow/outflow stenosis. Late stenosis is usually a sequence of early defects repaired to maintain patency. Less frequently, in the mature AVF or graft, complications are acquired 'de novo'. They derive either from incorrect management of vascular access (haematoma, pseudoaneurysm, prosthesis infection) or wall pathologies (aneurysm, myxoid valve degeneration, kinking, coiling, abnormal dilation from defects of elastic structures). High-resolution transducers (10-20 MHz) allow the characterization of the wall damage, haemodynamic dysfunctions, early and late complications even if phlebography remains the gold standard for the diagnosis for its sensitivity and specificity

Analisis terhadap Pemberian Opini Laporan Keuangan Pemerintah Daerah Kabupaten Pegunungan Bintang

The purpose of this study is to assess the influence of Internal Control System (SPI) and non-compliance to the opinion of Financial Audit Board (BPK) on Financial Report of Local Governments. We use BPK Audit Reports from 2011 to 2014 from District of Pegunungan Bintang. We analyse the data using descriptive and quantitative analysis. The results show that the type of cases was dominated by the findings of non-compliance with the regulation, as many as 614 cases, then followed by the weakness of SPI that is 184 cases. Non-compliance causes many results for frauds

Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a newly recorded parasitoid of the tomato moth, tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), in Argentina

We report the first record of Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood) parasitizing larvae of the tomato moth, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), in tomato crops in Northern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Tomato moth larvae were sampled during four consecutive growing cycles, between 2003 and 2005, in 10 sites. Neochrysocharis formosa was present only in organic outdoor and protected crops, and predominantly during the late season. Parasitism rates varied from 1.5% to 5%. The finding of this species is a new record for Argentina and South America, and T. absoluta is a new host record.Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectore

Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a newly recorded parasitoid of the tomato moth, tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), in Argentina

We report the first record of Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood) parasitizing larvae of the tomato moth, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), in tomato crops in Northern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Tomato moth larvae were sampled during four consecutive growing cycles, between 2003 and 2005, in 10 sites. Neochrysocharis formosa was present only in organic outdoor and protected crops, and predominantly during the late season. Parasitism rates varied from 1.5% to 5%. The finding of this species is a new record for Argentina and South America, and T. absoluta is a new host record.Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectore

Darboux Transformations, Infinitesimal Symmetries and Conservation Laws for Nonlocal Two-Dimensional Toda Lattice

The technique of Darboux transformation is applied to nonlocal partner of two-dimensional periodic A_{n-1} Toda lattice. This system is shown to admit a representation as the compatibility conditions of direct and dual overdetermined linear systems with quantized spectral parameter. The generalization of the Darboux transformation technique on linear equations of such a kind is given. The connections between the solutions of overdetermined linear systems and their expansions in series at singular points neighborhood are presented. The solutions of the nonlocal Toda lattice and infinite hierarchies of the infinitesimal symmetries and conservation laws are obtained.Comment: 12 pages, infinitesimal symmetries and conservation laws are adde

An Assessment of Risk of Iodine Deficiency Among Pregnant Women in Sarawak, Malaysia

Previous findings from a state-wide Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) study among pregnant women (PW) in Sarawak indicated that PW are at risk of IDD and further assessment is needed. This paper describes the methodology used in conducting this study for an assessment of risk of iodine deficiency among pregnant women in Sarawak, Malaysia. A total of 30 maternal child health care clinics (MCHCs) were selected using probability proportional to population size (PPS) sampling technique. The PW sample size was calculated based on 95% confidence interval (CI), relative precision of 5%, design effect of 2, anticipated IDD prevalence of 65.0% and non-response rate of 20%. Thus, the total sample size required was 750 (25 respondents per selected MCHC). The WHO Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) surveys approach was used to randomly select the first respondent and subsequent respondents were chosen until the required number of PW was met. The required data were obtained through: face-to-face interviews (socio-demographic and food frequency questionnaire), clinical assessments (thyroid size, and hyper/hypothyroidism) and biochemical analysis (urine and blood serum). A total of 677 PW responded in the study with a response rate of 90.2%. Majority of the PW were at second gravida, aged 25-29 years old and of Malay ethnicity. The methodology used in this study was based on International guidelines which may provide state's estimates. All the necessary steps were taken into consideration to ensure valid and reliable findings on current iodine status among PW

Long-Term Fluoride Release from Dental Resins Affects STRO-1+ Cell Behavior.

Fluoride-releasing restorative dental materials can be beneficial to remineralize dentin and help prevent secondary caries. However, the effects of fluoride release from dental materials on the activity of dental pulp stem cells are not known. Here we investigate whether different fluoride release kinetics from dental resins supplemented with modified hydrotalcite (RK-F10) or fluoride-glass filler (RK-FG10) could influence the behavior of a human dental pulp stem cell subpopulation (STRO-1(+) cells) known for its ability to differentiate toward an odontoblast-like phenotype. The 2 resins, characterized by similar physicochemical properties and fluoride content, exhibited different long-term fluoride release kinetics. Our data demonstrate that long-term exposure of STRO-1(+) cells to a continuous release of a low amount of fluoride by RK-F10 increases their migratory response to transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1), both important promoters of pulp stem cell recruitment. Moreover, the expression patterns of dentin sialoprotein (dspp), dentin matrix protein 1 (dmp1), osteocalcin (ocn), and matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein (mepe) indicate a complete odontoblast-like cell differentiation only when STRO-1(+) cells were cultured on RK-F10. On the contrary, RK-FG10, characterized by an initial fluoride release burst and reduced lifetime of the delivery, did not elicit any significant effect on both STRO-1(+) cell migration and differentiation. Taken together, our results highlight the importance of taking into account fluoride release kinetics in addition to fluoride concentration when designing new fluoride-restorative materials

Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), a newly recorded parasitoid of the tomato moth, tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), in Argentina

We report the first record of Neochrysocharis formosa (Westwood) parasitizing larvae of the tomato moth, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), in tomato crops in Northern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Tomato moth larvae were sampled during four consecutive growing cycles, between 2003 and 2005, in 10 sites. Neochrysocharis formosa was present only in organic outdoor and protected crops, and predominantly during the late season. Parasitism rates varied from 1.5% to 5%. The finding of this species is a new record for Argentina and South America, and T. absoluta is a new host record.Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectore