Macroeconomic Determinants of Inflation: Evidence from the Republic of Guinea

This paper examines the macroeconomic determinants of inflation in Guinea, for the period between 1990-2015 using co-integration analyses. The main purpose of the research is to investigate whether money supply, gross domestic per capita and exchange rate have a significant impact on inflation during the period under consideration. The stationary properties of all the variables were checked and established. All the variables were found to be integrated at first difference. Johansen co-integration approach showed that there is both long and short-term relationship between the variables. The study shows that in the long-term, when money supply increases by 1% inflation also rise by 0.18%, the exchange rate has a positive effect on inflation. 1% increase in the exchange rate will also cause inflation to increase by 0.007%. However, GDP per capita influenced inflation negatively; as a result, 1% increase in GDP per capita will cause inflation to decline by 0.08%. Keywords: Guinea, Inflation, Economy growth, and Cointegratio

Methyl 2-(tert-but­oxy­carbonyl­amino)-1,3-thia­zole-5-carboxyl­ate

The title compound, C10H14N2O4S, was synthesized by the reaction of methyl 2-amino­thia­zole-5-carboxyl­ate and di-tert-butyl carbonate. In this structure, the thia­zole ring is planar (mean deviation = 0.0011 Å). Two weak intra­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds are formed between two of the methyl groups and one carbonyl O atom, resulting in the formation of two twisted six-membered rings. Inter­molecular N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules to form centrosymmetric dimeric units, and the hydrogen-bond scheme is completed by inter­molecular C—H⋯O contacts

5-Amino-1-(4-nitro­phen­yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carbonitrile

The title compound, C10H7N5O2, was synthesized by the reaction of 4-nitro­aniline and 2,3-dicyano­propionic acid ethyl ester. In the crystal, N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules, forming a three-dimensional network

Correlation of the composite equilibrium score of computerized dynamic posturography and clinical balance tests

AbstractBackgroundThe computerized dynamic posturography has been widely used to access balance control in patients with balance dysfunction. A composite-equilibrium score (CS) can be calculated from the sensory organization test using the computerized dynamic posturography. However, the correlation between the composite equilibrium score and clinical tests and its ability to predict falls has rarely been explored in the past.MethodsA total of 60 patients with chief complaint of dizziness were enrolled in our study, and clinical assessments were done including the sensory organization test (SOT), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA), and the dynamic gait index (DGI). The age and the subjective feeling of the severity of dizziness quantified by the visual analog scale (VAS) of each patient were also recorded.ResultsStatistical analysis revealed significant correlation between the composite equilibrium score and the TUG, POMA (gait, balance and total scores), and the DGI. However, there is statistically significant correlation between neither the CS and the age nor the VAS of dizziness. When grouping the DGI, POMA (total score), and the TUG cutoff to predict fall risks, the correlations to the CS can still be established except the TUG.ConclusionFrom the results of our study, the validity of the clinical tests was established in assessment of balance function, and clinicians can utilize these tools for preliminary evaluation of patient balance when computerized dynamic posturography is not available. In addition, CS can be used to predict the risk of falls

Fingerprint and multi-component quantitative analyses for quality evaluation of Rhizoma coptidis steamed with rice wine

Purpose: To establish a method for the simultaneous determination of multi-components of Rhizoma coptidis steamed with rice wine (RCRW), and to provide a reference for assessing its standard of quality. Method: Chromatographic separation was performed on a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system to determine the characteristic fingerprint of RCRW. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile (A) and 0.1 % trifluoroacetic acid (B), with gradients of B as follows: 15 - 20 % from 0 – 30 min; 20 - 25 % from 30 - 50 min; 25 - 35 % for 50 - 60 min, and 35 % for 60 - 70 min. Results: In the multiple reaction monitoring mode, eight components of RCRW were isolated by HPLCphoto-diode array (PDA) method. A fingerprint of the RCRW was established and 8 peaks were calibrated. The method was further validated in terms of linearity (R2 > 0.9993), precision (relative standard deviation, RSD < 1.51 %); repeatability (RSD < 2.98 %) and stability (RSD < 1.93 %). Mean recovery rate ranged from 96.2 to 103.8 %, while RSD values ranged from 0.92 to 2.88 %. Conclusion: These results show that HPLC-PDA method is accurate and feasible, and that they provide a reference for further comprehensive and effective quality control of RCRW

Influence of key parameters of ice accretion model under coexisting rain and fog weather

Based on 30 complete wire icing processes lasted longer than 24 h observed from the Enshi, Jinsha, Dacaoping and Shennongding of Shennongjia in mountainous areas of Hubei province during the winter of 2008–2016, the macroscopic effects of rain–fog weather on the ice accretion process were analyzed. Furthermore, the distribution characteristics of key simulation parameters in supercooled fog (SF) and freezing rain (FR) were discussed according to the physical model of icing process. Finally, the evolution characteristics of the simulated ice thickness in rain–fog weather were proposed. Results showed that the duration of ice accretion in mountainous areas is the key factor affecting the maximum ice thickness; the freezing rain is most frequent during the glaze icing process, which leads to the substantial growth of ice thickness. The average growth rates of ice thickness with and without freezing rain are 1.26 mm h−1 and -0.11 mm h−1, respectively. Collision rate is the main parameter for inhibiting ice accretion of SF, with an average value of ∼ 0.1, while freezing rate is the main parameter for inhibiting ice accretion of FR, with an average value of ∼ 0.6. The ice accretion of SF shows the characteristics of periodic growth, while the ice accretion of FR shows the explosive growth of ice thickness, which makes the simulated values of icing closer to the observations. The ice formation efficiency of FR was more than twice that of SF, with a negative feedback mechanism to the ice accumulation of SF

Hydrothermal Preparation and Characterization of Ultralong Strontium-Substituted Hydroxyapatite Whiskers Using Acetamide as Homogeneous Precipitation Reagent

The ultralong strontium- (Sr-) substituted hydroxyapatite (SrHAp) whiskers were successfully prepared using acetamide as homogeneous precipitation reagent. The effect of the Sr substitution amount on the lattice constants and proliferation of human osteoblast cells (MG-63) was further investigated. The results showed that the SrHAp whiskers with diameter of 0.2–12 μm and ultralong length up to 200 μm were obtained and the Sr substitution level could be facilely tailored by regulating the initial molar ratio of Sr/(Sr + Ca) in raw materials. The Sr2+ replaced part of Ca2+ and the lattice constants increased apparently with the increase of the Sr substitution amount. Compared with the pure HAp whiskers, the Sr substitution apparently stimulated the proliferation of MG-63 at certain extracted concentrations. Our study suggested that the obtained SrHAp whiskers might be used as bioactive and mechanical reinforcement materials for hard tissue regeneration applications

Systematic cloning and analysis of autophagy-related genes from the silkworm Bombyx mori

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Through the whole life of eukaryotes, autophagy plays an important role in various biological events including development, differentiation and determination of lifespan. A full set of genes and their encoded proteins of this evolutionarily conserved pathway have been identified in many eukaryotic organisms from yeast to mammals. However, this pathway in the insect model organism, the silkworm <it>Bombyx mori</it>, remains poorly investigated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Based on the autophagy pathway in several model organisms and a series of bioinformatic analyses, we have found more than 20 autophagy-related genes from the current database of the silkworm <it>Bombyx mori</it>. These genes could be further classified into the signal transduction pathway and two ubiquitin-like pathways. Using the mRNA extracted from the silkgland, we cloned the full length cDNA fragments of some key genes via reverse transcription PCR and 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). In addition, we found that the transcription levels of two indicator genes <it>BmATG8 </it>and <it>BmATG12 </it>in the silkgland tend to be increased from 1^stto 8^thday of the fifth instar larvae.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Bioinformatics in combination with RT-PCR enable us to remodel a preliminary pathway of autophagy in the silkworm. Amplification and cloning of most autophagy-related genes from the silkgland indicated autophagy is indeed an activated process. Furthermore, the time-course transcriptional profiles of <it>BmATG8 </it>and <it>BmATG12 </it>revealed that both genes are up-regulated along the maturation of the silkgland during the fifth instar. These findings suggest that the autophagy should play an important role in <it>Bombyx mori </it>silkgland.</p

Increasing Resistance to Azithromycin in Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Eastern Chinese Cities: Resistance Mechanisms and Genetic Diversity among Isolates from Nanjing

Azithromycin resistance (AZM-R) of Neisseria gonorrhoeae is emerging as a clinical and public health challenge. We determined molecular characteristics of recent AZM-R Nanjing gonococcal isolates and tracked the emergence of AZM-R isolates in eastern Chinese cities in recent years. A total of 384 N. gonorrhoeae isolates from Nanjing collected from 2013 to 2014 were tested for susceptibility to AZM and six additional antibiotics; all AZM-R strains were characterized genetically for resistance determinants by sequencing and were genotyped using N. gonorrhoeae multiantigen sequence typing (NG-MAST). Among the 384 isolates, 124 (32.3%) were AZM-R. High-level resistance (MIC, \u3e /=256 mg/liter) was present in 10.4% (40/384) of isolates, all of which possessed the A2143G mutation in all four 23S rRNA alleles. Low- to mid-level resistance (MIC, 1 to 64 mg/liter) was present in 21.9% (84/384) of isolates, 59.5% of which possessed the C2599T mutation in all four 23S rRNA alleles. The 124 AZM-R isolates were distributed in 71 different NG-MAST sequence types (STs). ST1866 was the most prevalent type in high-level AZM-R (HL-AZM-R) isolates (45% [18/40]). This study, together with previous reports, revealed that the prevalence of AZM-R in N. gonorrhoeae isolates in certain eastern Chinese cities has risen \u3e 4-fold (7% to 32%) from 2008 to 2014. The principal mechanisms of AZM resistance in recent Nanjing isolates were A2143G mutations (high-level resistance) and C2599T mutations (low- to mid-level resistance) in the 23S rRNA alleles. Characterization of NG-MAST STs and phylogenetic analysis indicated the genetic diversity of N. gonorrhoeae in Nanjing; however, ST1866 was the dominant genotype associated with HL-AZM-R isolates