On the opto-voltaic measurements in CO and CO2 lasers

We observed and compared the opto-voltaic signals in CO and CO2 lasers. The signals are obtained capacitively from the water cooling jacket as a low voltage source not influencing the current circuit. We observed from measurement that the output power and the so-called optovoltaic input power have a distinct relationship depending on laser current and cavity parameters. It will be shown that opto-voltaic detection is a very sensitive method especially for CO lasers

Economic benefits of reducing aviation taxes in Latin America and the Caribbean.

IATA commissioned SEO Amsterdam Economics to prepare a study to independently quantify the economic benefits of reducing aviation taxes in Latin America and the Caribbean. The study provides evidence on the substantial economic benefits that a removal of aviation taxes and a reduction of passenger-based charges can bring to the economies of Latin America and the Caribbean for consumers and businesses. The study also shows that significant potential benefits of connectivity growth will be foregone for consumers and businesses if taxes remain at their current levels. Removing aviation taxes and reducing passenger based charges delivers immediate consumer benefits of 5.8-7.9 billion USD. By 2035, these consumer welfare benefits accumulate to 13.5-18.5 billion. In terms of macro-economic impact, removal of aviation taxes will results in a total GDP impact of 87 billion USD (+1.6%) and 912 thousand jobs (0.3% increase)

Coarse Grained Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Fusion of Vesicles Incorporating Water Channels

As the dynamics of the cell membrane and the working mechanisms of proteins cannot be readily asserted at a molecular level, many different hypotheses exist that try to predict and explain these processes, for instance vesicle fusion. Therefore, we use coarse grained molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate the fusion mechanism of vesicles. The implementation of this method with hydrophilic and hydrophobic particles is known for its valid representation of bilayers. With a minimalistic approach, using only 3 atom types, 12 atoms per two-tailed phospholipids and incorporating only a bond potential and Lennard-Jones potential, phospholipid bilayers and vesicles can be simulated exhibiting authentic dynamics. We have simulated the spontaneous full fusion of both tiny (6 nm diameter) and larger (13 nm diameter) vesicles. We showed that, without applying constraints to the vesicles, the initial contact between two fusing vesicles, the stalk, is initiated by a bridging lipid tail that extends from the membrane spontaneously. Subsequently it is observed that the evolution of the stalk can proceed via two pathways, anisotropic and radial expansion, which is in accordance with literature. Contrary to the spherical vesicles of in vitro experiments, the fused vesicles remain tubular since the internal volume of these vesicles is too small compared to their membrane area. While the lipid bilayer has some permeability for water, it is not high enough to allow for the large flux required to equilibrate the vesicle content in the time accessible to our simulations. To increase the membrane permeability, we incorporate proteinaceous water channels, by applying the coarse grained technique to aquaporin. Even though incorporating water channels in the vesicles does significantly increase water permeability, the vesicles do not become spherical. Presumably the lipids have to be redistributed as well

The impact of Covid-19 on demographic components in Spain, 2020–31: A scenario approach

While considerable attention has been paid to the impact of Covid-19 on mortality and fertility, few studies have attempted to evaluate the pandemic’s effect on international migration. We analyse the impact of Covid-19 on births, deaths, and international migration in Spain during 2020, comparing observed data with estimated values assuming there had been no pandemic. We also assess the consequences of three post-pandemic scenarios on the size and structure of the population to 2031. Results show that in 2020, excess mortality equalled 16.2 per cent and births were 6.5 per cent lower than expected. Immigration was the most affected component, at 36.0 per cent lower than expected, while emigration was reduced by 23.8 per cent. If net migration values recover to pre-pandemic levels in 2022, the size and structure of the population in 2031 will be barely affected. Conversely, if levels do not recover until 2025, there will be important changes to Spain’s age structure

El impacto demográfico de la COVID-19 durante 2020 y sus diferencias regionales. ¿Cómo afectará la pandemia al futuro de la población española? [The demographic impact of COVID-19 during 2020 and its regional differences. How will the pandemic affect Spain's future population?]

Varios estudios han documentado el efecto de la COVID-19 en la mortalidad y en los nacimientos, pero se ha prestado menos atención a su impacto en las migraciones. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar qué consecuencias ha tenido la pandemia en los nacimientos, las defunciones y las migraciones durante 2020 en el conjunto de España y en las Comunidades Autónomas (CC.AA.) de Madrid, Cataluña, Baleares, Castilla y León, Asturias y Andalucía, comparando los datos registrados con una proyección de población en ausencia de pandemia. Seguidamente, se realiza una proyección hasta 2031 para evaluar el posible impacto, a nivel nacional, en dichos componentes demográficos, la población total y su estructura durante la próxima década según tres escenarios. Nuestros resultados muestran que en 2020 hubo un exceso de defunciones del 16,2 %, con un impacto desigual a escala regional. Los nacimientos se redujeron un 6,5 %, sin grandes variaciones entre las CC.AA. analizadas. Sin embargo, el componente más afectado fue la inmigración internacional, con un descenso del 35,9 %, mientras que la emigración disminuyó un 23,8 %. La reducción de la inmigración tuvo un gran impacto en las regiones más dinámicas y receptoras de flujos exteriores, liderando un notable descenso del crecimiento poblacional esperado sin pandemia, pese a que continuó siendo positivo. La caída de este componente, junto al exceso de mortalidad, también intensificó el decrecimiento poblacional en las CC.AA. en declive demográfico, que no fue compensado por un cambio de signo negativo a positivo en las migraciones internas. En cuanto a la proyección de población a nivel nacional hasta 2031, se observa que, si se recuperaran en 2022 los valores de migraciones internacionales y de fecundidad esperados sin pandemia, el tamaño y la estructura de la población apenar se verán afectados a medio plazo. No obstante, si la recuperación se prolongara, la estructura etaria se verá notablemente afectada, principalmente en las regiones con una dinámica demográfica recesiva. Several studies have documented the effect of COVID-19 on mortality and fertility, but less attention has been paid to its impact on migration. The aim of this article is to analyse the consequences of the pandemic on births, deaths and migration during 2020 in Spain and in the Autonomous Communities (NUTS 2 regions) of Madrid, Catalonia, Balearic Islands, Castile and León, Asturias and Andalusia, comparing the recorded data with a population projection in the absence of the pandemic. A projection to 2031 is subsequently produced to assess the impact on these components at national level, the Spanish population and its structure over the next decade under three scenarios. Our results show that in 2020 there was an excess mortality of 16.2%, with important variations at the regional level. Fertility declined overall by 6.5%, with minor regional variation. However, the most affected component was immigration, with a decrease of 35.9%, while emigration declined overall by 23.8%. The fall in immigration had a great impact on the chief receiving regions, where it led to a significant reduction in population change, despite being still positive. The reduction of immigration and excess mortality increased population loss in declining regions, which was not compensated by a shift from negative to positive values in net internal migration. Concerning the projection to 2031 at the national level, if international migration and fertility were to recover by 2022 the expected values in the absence of the pandemic, the size and structure of the population would be unaffected in the medium term. However, if the recovery takes longer, the age structure will be significantly affected, which would have a great impact in regions already experiencing population decline

The effectiveness of a training for patients with unexplained physical symptoms: protocol of a cognitive behavioral group training and randomized controlled trial

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In primary care, up to 74% of physical symptoms is classified as unexplained. These symptoms can cause high levels of distress and healthcare utilization. Cognitive behavioral therapy has shown to be effective, but does not seem to be attractive to patients. An exception herein is a therapy based on the consequences model, which distinguishes itself by its labeling of psychosocial distress in terms of consequences rather than as causes of physical symptoms. In secondary care, 81% of the patients accepts this therapy, but in primary care the outcome is poor. We assume that positive outcome can also be reached in primary care, when the consequences model is modified and used bottom-up in an easily accessible group training, in which patients are relieved of being blamed for their symptoms. Our aim is to investigate the (cost-)effectiveness of this training. METHODS AND DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial is designed. One hundred patients are randomized to either the group training or the waiting list. Physicians in general practices and outpatients clinics of general hospitals refer patients. Referral leads to inclusion if patients are between 18 and 65 years old, understand Dutch, have no handicaps impeding participation and the principal DSM-IV-TR classification is undifferentiated somatoform disorder or chronic pain disorder. In contrast to other treatment effect studies, the co-morbidity of a personality disorder does not lead to exclusion. By this, we optimize the comparability between the study population and patients in daily practice enlarging the generalization possibilities. Also in contrast to other effect studies, we chose quality of life (SF-36) instead of physical symptoms as the primary outcome measure. The SF-6D is used to estimate Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). Costs are measured with the Trimbos/iMTA Questionnaire for Costs associated with Psychiatric Illness. Measurements are scheduled at baseline, after the training or waiting list, three and twelve months after the training. The differences between measurements are analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle. The cost-effectiveness is expressed as costs per QALY, using multiple sensitivity analyses on the basis of a probabilistic model of the trial. DISCUSSION: If we show that our group training is (cost-)effective, more patients could be served, their quality of life could be improved while costs might be reduced. As the training is investigated in a heterogeneous patient group i