Down-conversion luminescence nanocomposites based on nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots@bioplastic for applications in optical displays, LEDs and UVC tubes.

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs)-based composites as luminous down-conversion materials are becoming more popular due to several advantages such as steady fluorescence, ease of functionalization, tailoring of emission in the visible range, and so on. We report an inexpensive and environmentally sustainable synthesis of fluorescent nitrogen doped-CQDs produced from Cissus quadrangularis, a low-cost plant precursor with therapeutic value. The morphological, structural, and physicochemical features of the material were carefully investigated. Under UV stimulation (365 nm), almost spherical shaped N-CQDs with an average diameter of 5.1 nm were discovered to generate yellow-green fluorescence, have excellent photostability, and strong water solubility, with a quantum yield of up to 5 %. Furthermore, as a solid-phase dispersion matrix for CQDs, ecologically friendly and biodegradable bioplastic is appealing. The down-conversion of solid-state fluorescence of LEDs and UVC tubes was demonstrated by creating a nanocomposite by inserting N-CQDs into the solid matrix of a wheat starch-based bioplastic. Furthermore, employing constructed quantum dot-based optical displays, down-converted LEDs, and UVC tubes, the impacts of varied CQD concentrations and pH sensitivity were examined.

Modeling obesity in complex food systems: Systematic review.

Obesity-related data derived from multiple complex systems spanning media, social, economic, food activity, health records, and infrastructure (sensors, smartphones, etc.) can assist us in understanding the relationship between obesity drivers for more efficient prevention and treatment. Reviewed literature shows a growing adaptation of the machine-learning model in recent years dealing with mechanisms and interventions in social influence, nutritional diet, eating behavior, physical activity, built environment, obesity prevalence prediction, distribution, and healthcare cost-related outcomes of obesity. Most models are designed to reflect through time and space at the individual level in a population, which indicates the need for a macro-level generalized population model. The model should consider all interconnected multi-system drivers to address obesity prevalence and intervention. This paper reviews existing computational models and datasets used to compute obesity outcomes to design a conceptual framework for establishing a macro-level generalized obesity model.

Estimating payment error for Medicare acute care inpatient services.

CMS recently assumed responsibility for estimating the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) error rate from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Here, the method used to calculate national, by State, and by error type, estimates for the inpatient acute care portion of this rate is presented. For fiscal years (FYs) 1998 and 2000 discharges, national estimates for the net error rate were 2.6 and 2.8 percent, respectively, about $2 billion annually. Wide variation in State rates illustrates that estimates to the State level are essential for targeting and monitoring interventions to reduce improper Medicare inpatient acute care reimbursements.

industria textil y de fabricación de prendas de vestir en Bolivia

Contiene: 1. Introducción. 2. Perspectiva de la industria textil y de fabricación de prendas de vestir en Bolivia. 3. Resultados comparativos de las exportaciones. 4. Resultados de la encuesta. 5. Restricciones para la exportación. 6. ¿Bolivia puede competir?. 7. Recidentes desarrollos en el campo internacional con implicaciones para Bolivia. 8. Experiencia internacional en la exportación de prendas de vestir: lecciones aprendidas de mauritius, Vietman y Bangladesh. 9. Recomendaciones respecto a las políticas.

Evolution of Quality Review Programs for Medicare: Quality Assurance to Quality Improvement.

This article outlines the development, successes, and future directions of the Medicare Peer Review Organization (PRO) program. As established by the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982, the purpose of the PRO program is to promote the quality, medical necessity, and appropriateness of services reimbursed through Medicare. We describe the evolution of the PRO program from a retrospective quality review approach, focused on individual events, to a proactive, quality improvement approach. Priorities for future development are described, including the identification of additional clinical areas for attention, improvements in program infrastructure, and broadening the scope of projects to new provider settings.