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This article summarises developments in the Australian economy in 2021. The recovery that was underway from the COVID‐19 recession was interrupted by the second wave of the pandemic and the associated policy responses, particularly in Victoria and New South Wales. We discuss the challenges facing the Australian economy as it once again re‐opens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial atomic layer deposition (SALD) is a recent approach 100 times faster than conventional atomic layer deposition (ALD), even at atmospheric pressure. Previous works exploited these assets focussing on high‐rate, large‐area deposition for scaling‐up into mass production. Conversely, this work shows that SALD indeed represents an ideal platform for area‐selective deposition of functional materials by proper design and miniaturization of close‐proximity SALD heads. In particular, the potential offered by 3D printing is used to fabricate low‐cost customized close‐proximity heads, which can be easily designed and modified to obtain different deposition areas, free‐form patterns, and even complex multimaterial structures. Finally, by designing a miniaturized head with circular concentric gas channels, 3D printing of functional materials can be performed with nanometric resolution in Z. This constitutes a new gas‐phase 3D printing approach. Because the process is based on ALD reactions, conformal and continuous thin films of functional materials can be printed at low temperatures and with high deposition rate in the open air. This approach represents a new versatile way of printing functional materials and devices with spatial and topological control, thus extending the potential of SALD and ALD in general, and opening a new avenue in the field of area‐selective deposition of functional materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic activity in Australia continued to improve in 2017–2018 with growth spreading across the mainland state economies. Labour market conditions in Australia improved markedly in 2017–2018 while the inflation rate was steady around the lower end of the Reserve Bank of Australia's 2–3 per cent target band. Real wage growth was weak and is likely to remain weak in 2018–2019, putting downward pressure on household consumption. Output growth in 2018–2019 is likely to be solid with prospects of the Chinese economy and trade tensions between China and the United States posing the greatest downside risk to the Australian economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Australian economic condition in 2016 and the impact of international economic events on the country's economy. Several countries influenced Australian economy which include the U.S., European countries such as Germany, Great Britain and France, and Japan. The trends noted in the country include growth in net exports, growth in the housing market, and an improvement in the unemployment rate.

In this work, the effect of a slight change in the composition of the Al-Fe amorphous alloys (from Al84Fe16 to Al82Fe18) and the substitution of Y for Al (2 at.%) on their crystallization kinetics was studied. According to the X-ray diffraction analysis, powders of the Al84Fe16, Al82Fe18, and Al82Fe16Y2 alloys with a fully amorphous structure were formed after 100 h of mechanical milling of the mixtures of the elemental powders. The crystallization behavior of the alloys was also studied by transmission electron microscopy. Upon heating up to a temperature of the first exothermic peak, α-Al crystals precipitated from the amorphous Al84Fe16 matrix. During crystallization of the Al82Fe18 alloy, crystals of the Al6Fe intermetallic compound formed along with α-Al crystals. Substitution of Y for 2 at.% of Al in the Al82Fe16Y2 alloy made crystallization of the alloy more complicated: α-Al, Al6Fe, and Fe4Y crystals coexisted with an amorphous phase. The activation energies corresponding to the first crystallization event of the alloys were calculated using the Kissinger and Ozawa methods. The values obtained by these two methods were in good agreement with each other and the same trends of changing with the alloy composition were observed. The Avrami exponent n was determined from the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami equation and showed that crystallization at the first stage is interface-controlled growth for all the three powder alloys studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the uncertainties and challenges of the economic condition of Australia in 2015-2016. It outlines the important economic trends in 2014-2015 that are remnants of the 2013-2014 including the sluggish growth of the domestic final demand. Also emphasized are impact of China's economy on the uncertain macroeconomic outlook and the anticipation that subdued wage growth, increased unemployment rate and weak growth on domestic demand will likely to persist.

The article discusses developments in the economy of Australia as of March 2015. Stability of U.S. economic recovery and Japan's sales tax hike are cited as uncertainties surrounding global economic conditions in 2014. Particular focus is given to the growth in Australia's terms of trade, as well as domestic economic activity during the 2013-14 period. Topics discussed include state of the labor market, inflation trends, and macroprudential policies.

We assessed the infection risks related to the use of wastewater in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, by using quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA). Giardia lamblia and Escherichia coli were isolated and identified in wastewater samples from the canal and lagoon. The exposure assessment was conducted using a cross-sectional survey by questionnaire with 150 individuals who were in contact with the wastewater during their daily activities of swimming, fishing, washing, and collecting materials for reuse. Risk was characterised using the Monte Carlo simulation with 10,000 iterations. Results showed high contamination of water by G. lamblia and E. coli (12.8 CFU/100 mL to 2.97 x 104 CFU/100 mL and from 0 cyst/L to 18.5 cysts/L, respectively). Estimates of yearly average infection risks for E. coli (90.07-99.90%, assuming that 8% of E. coli were E. coli O157:H7) and G. lamblia (9.4-34.78%) were much higher than the acceptable risk (10-4). These results suggest the need for wastewater treatment plants, raising awareness in the population in contact with urban wastewater and lagoon water. Our study also showed that QMRA is appropriate to study health risks in settings with limited data and budget resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the performance of the Australian economy in 2012-2013. It discusses gross domestic product (GDP), budget deficit, cash rate and inflation. It mentions that terms of trade declined by 14.1 percent. It also focuses on growth projection by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for various countries such as China and the U.S.

The article focuses on the relativities on the global growth on employment and gross domestic product (GDP) and its implications on Australia in terms of real exchange rate and trade. It explores the state of economy in the country in 2012 and 2013. It states that the differential rates of growth in manufacturing and mining will continue, however, value-added services must be considered as next driver of employment and growth.

The article analyzes the economic condition of Australia from 2011-2012. It highlights three aspects of the international economy that affect the Australian economy in the said period such as jobless growth, pattern of commodity trade and paradox of thrift. Moreover, it provides economic outlook on the gross domestic product (GDP), commodity prices and employment by 2012.

We studied the effects of lead pollution on testate amoebae communities living on Sphagnum fallax by growing this moss under controlled conditions. A progressive series of lead (Pb) concentration was used in the growing solution of the mosses: 0 (control), 625 and 2500μgL−1. The mosses were sampled and analysed for accumulated Pb and testate amoeba communities after 0, 6, 12, and 20 weeks. Species richness, total density and total biomass of testate amoebae declined in response to the Pb treatment and changed over time. The Pb×Time cross-effect was significant for species richness, and total density but not for the total biomass and Shannon diversity. Furthermore, the testate amoebae species richness and the total density were negatively correlated to the Pb concentrations actually accumulated in the moss at the end of the experiment. Species-specific responses of testate amoebae to Pb pollution were identified. Our results thus confirm the sensitivity of testate amoebae to lead pollution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper describes a comprehensive study on the optimum gate workfunction (GWF) for four-terminal-driven multigate MOSFETs (4T-MUGFETs). CMOS 4T-MUGFETs with HfO2 high-κ gate insulator (EOT = 1.4 nm) and TiN metal gate have been experimentally demonstrated, and their optimum GWF has been thoroughly investigated. Based on the investigation, it was concluded that the optimum GWF is around 4.32 eV for the NMOS 4T-MUGFETs while 5.17 eV for PMOS 4T-MUGFETs. The reason for the existence of the optimum GWF for the 4T-MUGFETs has been comprehensively explained on the basis of the universal relationship between the initial Vth in the 3T-mode (VthDG), Vth in the 4T-mode (Vth(G1)), and the second gate bias in the 4T-mode (Vg2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral neuropathy is characterized as a generalized, relatively homogeneous process affecting many peripheral nerves and predominantly affecting distal nerves. The epidemiology of peripheral neuropathy is limited since the disease presents with varying etiology, pathology, and severity. Toxic, inflammatory, hereditary, and infectious factors can cause damage to the peripheral nerves resulting in peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is most commonly caused by diabetes, alcohol, HIV infection, and malignancy. We report a case of a 42-year-old female with 10-year history of progressively worsening peripheral neuropathy, hypothyroidism, and skin changes who presents with dyspnea secondary to recurrent pleural and pericardial effusions. Prior to her arrival, her peripheral neuropathy was believed to be secondary to chronic demyelinating inflammatory polyneuropathy (CDIP) given elevated protein in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) which was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and corticosteroids. Unfortunately, her peripheral neuropathy did not have any improvement. Incidentally, patient was found to have splenomegaly and papilledema on physical exam. Serum protein electrophoresis showed a monoclonal pattern of IgA lambda. Patient met the diagnostic criteria for POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes) syndrome. An underlying diagnosis of POEMS syndrome should be considered in patients with chronic debilitating neuropathy and an elevated protein in the CSF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexibly controllable threshold-voltage (Vth) asymmetric gate-oxide thickness (Tox) four-terminal (4T) FinFETs with HfO2 [equivalent oxide thickness (EOT) = 1.4 nm] for the drive gate and HfO2 + thick SiO2 (EOT = 6.4–9.4 nm) for the Vth-control gate have been successfully fabricated by utilizing ion-bombardment-enhanced etching process. Owing to the slightly thick Vth-control gate oxide, the subthreshold slope (S) is significantly improved as compared to the symmetrically thin Tox 4T-FinFETs. As a result, the asymmetric Tox 4T-FinFETs gain higher Ion than that for the symmetrically thin Tox 4T-FinFETs under the same Ioff conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Of Review: Enhanced recovery pathways are a multimodal, multidisciplinary approach to patient care that aims to reduce the surgical stress response and maintain organ function resulting in faster recovery and improved outcomes.Recent Findings: A PubMed literature search was performed for articles that included the terms of metabolic surgical stress response considerations to improve postoperative recovery. The surgical stress response occurs due to direct and indirect injuries during surgery. Direct surgical injury can result from the dissection, retraction, resection, and/or manipulation of tissues, while indirect injury is secondary to events including hypotension, blood loss, and microvascular changes. Greater degrees of tissue injury will lead to higher levels of inflammatory mediator and cytokine release, which ultimately drives immunologic, metabolic, and hormonal processes in the body resulting in the stress response. These processes lead to altered glucose metabolism, protein catabolism, and hormonal dysregulation among other things, all which can impede recovery and increase morbidity. Fluid therapy has a direct effect on intravascular volume and cardiac output with a resultant effect on oxygen and nutrient delivery, so a balance must be maintained without excessively loading the patient with water and salt. All in all, attenuation of the surgical stress response and maintaining organ and thus whole-body homeostasis through enhanced recovery protocols can speed recovery and reduce complications. The present investigation summarizes the clinical application of enhanced recovery pathways, and we will highlight the key elements that characterize the metabolic surgical stress response and improved postoperative recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted agent worldwide and is etiologically linked to several cancers, including cervical and genital cancers. NKG2D, an activating receptor expressed by NK cells, plays an important role in cancer immune-surveillance. We analyzed the impact of a NKG2D gene variant, rs1049174, on the incidence of HPV-related cancers in Vietnamese patients and utilized various molecular approaches to elucidate the mechanisms of NKG2D receptor regulation by rs1049174. In a group of 123 patients with HPV+ anogenital cancers, the low cytotoxicity allele LNK was significantly associated with increased cancer susceptibility (p = 0.016). Similar results were also observed in a group of 153 women with cervical cancer (p = 0.05). In functional studies, NK cells from individuals with LNK genotype showed a lower NKG2D expression and displayed less efficient NKG2D-mediated functions than NK cells with HNK genotype. Notably, the rs1049174 variant occurs within a targeting site for miR-1245, a negative regulator of NKG2D expression. Compared with the higher cytotoxicity allele HNK, the LNK allele was more efficiently targeted by miR-1245 and thus determined lower NKG2D expression in NK cells with the LNK genotype. The NKG2D variants may influence cancer immunosurveillance and thus determine susceptibility to various malignancies, including HPV-induced cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Entamoeba histolytica is an important protozoan intestinal infection in resource-poor settings, including Vietnam. The study objective was to assess risk factors of E. histolytica infection in a community in Vietnam, where wastewater and human excreta are used in agriculture. A case-control study was conducted among residents of Hanam province, Northern Vietnam. Cases (n = 46) infected with E. histolytica and non-infected controls (n = 138) were identified in a cross-sectional survey among 794 randomly selected individuals and matched for age, sex and place of residence. Potential risk factors including exposure to human and animal excreta and household wastewater were assessed with a questionnaire. Results People from households with an average socio-economic status had a much higher risk of E. histolytica infection (odds ratio [OR]=4.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3-14.0) compared with those from households with a good socioeconomic status. Those individuals who never or rarely used soap for hand washing had a 3.4 times higher risk for infection (OR=3.4, 95% CI: 1.1-10.0), compared to those who used always soap. In contrast, none of the factors related to use of human or animal excreta was statistically significant associated with E. histolytica infection. People having close contact with domestic animals presented a greater risk of E. histolytica infection (OR = 5.9, 95% CI: 1.8-19.0) than those without animal contact. E. histolytica infection was not associated with direct contact with Nhue river water, pond water and household's sanitary conditions, type of latrine or water source used. Conclusions Our study suggests that in settings where human and animal excreta and Nhue River water are intensively used in agriculture, socio-economic and personal hygiene factors determine infection with E. histolytica, rather than exposure to human and animal excreta in agricultural activities.

The topic of this work is the theoretical study of a disc-shaped acoustic transducer made with a 1-3 piezoelectric composite material. This material consists of PZT ceramic rods embedded in a polymer matrix. A modeling of this ideal transversally periodic structure is proposed. It is based on a finite element approach derived from homogenization techniques mainly used for composite material studies. The analysis focuses on a representative unit cell with specific boundary conditions on the lateral surfaces taking accurately into account the periodicity of the structure. The first step proposed is the development of a three-dimensional Fortran code with complex variables, especially adapted for this problem. Using the principle of correspondence of Lee-Mandel, this technique allows the prediction of the damping properties of the transducer from the complex modulus of the constituents. Both the versatility of the method and the rigorous character of the model are pointed out through various boundary conditions and mixed loadings. An interesting result is that, despite the lossy polymer matrix, a 1-3 composite can advantageously replace a much heavier massive transducer, in terms of efficiency and loss factor.El objetivo de este trabajo es el estudio teórico de un transductor acústico con forma de disco construido con un composite piezoeléctrico 1-3. Este material consiste en barras cerámicas de PZT embebidas en una matriz polimérica. Se propone un modelo de su estructura periódica transversal ideal basándose en una aproximación mediante elementos finitos derivada de técnicas de homogeneización usadas principalmente para estudios de materiales compuestos. El análisis se enfoca a una celdilla unidad representativa con unas condiciones de contorno específicas sobre las superficies laterales, teniendo en cuenta adecuadamente la periodicidad de la estructura. El primer paso propuesto es el desarrollo de un código Fortran tridimensional con variables complejas, adaptado especialmente a este problema. Usando el principio de correspondencia de Lee- Mandel, esta técnica permite la predicción de las propiedades amortiguadas del transductor a partir de los módulos complejos de los constituyentes. Tanto la versatilidad del método como el carácter riguroso del modelo se ponen de manifiesto a través de varias condiciones de contorno y mezcla de cargas. Un resultado interesante es que, a pesar de la matriz polimérica, un composite 1-3 puede reemplazar ventajosamente a un transductor masivo mucho más pesado en términos de eficacia y factor de pérdidas.