Forecasting inflation, industrial output and exchange rates : a template study for India

This paper reports results from a forecasting study for inflation, industrial output and exchange rates for India. We cannot reject the null hypothesis for linearity for all series used except for the growth rate of the foreign exchange series and our analysis is based on linear models, ARIMA and bivariate transfer functions and restricted VAR. Forecasting performance is evaluated using the models’ root mean-squared error differences and Theil’s inequality coefficients from recursive origin static, fixed origin dynamic and rolling origin dynamic forecasts. For models based on weekly data, based on RMSEs, we find that the bivariate models improve upon the forecasts of the ARIMA model while for models based on monthly data the ARIMA model has almost always better performance. In choosing between the two bivariate models on the basis of RMSEs, our overall results tend to support the use of a restricted VAR, as this model had the best forecasting performance more frequently than the transfer function model.

Focused ion beam milling as a universal template technique for patterned growth of carbon nanotubes

Focused ion beam (FIB) milling system has been used to create nanosized patterns as the template for patterned growth of carbon nanotubes on Si substrate surface without predeposition of metal catalysts. Carbon nanotubes only nucleate and grow on the template under controlled pyrolysis of iron phthalocyanine at 1000 °C. The size, growth direction, and density of the patterned nanotubes can be controlled under different growth conditions and template sizes. Atomic force microscopy and electron microscopy analyses reveal that the selective growth on the FIB template is due to its special surface morphology and crystalline structure.

Substitution reactions of carbon nanotube template

Substitution reactions between carbon nanotube (CNT) template and SiO with the formation of carbon rich silicon oxide nanowires (SiO–C-NWs) have been investigated using transmission electron microscopy and x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy. The reaction was carried out by thermal annealing at 1200 °C for 1 h of a mixture of silicon monoxide (SiO) and iron (II) phthalocyanine, FeC32N8H16 (FePc) powders. Multiwalled CNTs were produced first via pyrolysis of FePc at a lower temperature (1000 °C). SiO vapors reacted with the CNTs at higher temperatures to produce amorphous SiO–C-NWs with a uniform diameter and a length in tens of micrometers. The special bamboolike structure of the CNTs allows the reaction to start from the external surface of the tubes and transform each CNT into a solid nanowire section by section.

Transmission electron microscopy investigation of substitution reactions from carbon nanotube template to silicon carbide nanowires

Substitution reactions between multiwalled carbon nanotubes and silicon monoxide vapour have been investigated using transmission electron microscopy. Different reactions occurred inside the multiwalled nanotubes and on the nanotube external surfaces, resulting in the formation of silicon carbide nanowires with a core–shell structure. The substitution reaction process and end products are strongly affected by nanotube structures and a ball milling treatment of the starting materials.

Control over the hydrophobic behavior of polystyrene surface by annealing temperature based on capillary template wetting method

The wetting behavior of water droplets was studied on tunable nanostructured polystyrene (PS) surfaces fabricated by temperature-induced capillary template wetting. The surface morphology of PS varied with the annealing temperature. Contact angle (CA) measurements showed that the wettability of polystyrene surfaces could be tuned from hydrophobic (CA = 104°) to superhydrophobic (CA = 161°) by rendering different morphologies, which could be explained by two distinct wetting modes, i.e., the Wenzel and Cassie–Baxter wetting state. Meanwhile, the critical annealing temperature inducing wetting transition between the Wenzel state and Cassie–Baxter state was obtained. This approach could be easily extended to produce superhydrophobic surfaces on other thermoplastic polymers.

Differences in primary health care delivery to Australia's Indigenous population : a template for use in economic evaluations

Background Health economics is increasingly used to inform resource allocation decision-making, however, there is comparatively little evidence relevant to minority groups. In part, this is due to lack of cost and effectiveness data specific to these groups upon which economic evaluations can be based. Consequently, resource allocation decisions often rely on mainstream evidence which may not be representative, resulting in inequitable funding decisions. This paper describes a method to overcome this deficiency for Australia’s Indigenous population. A template has been developed which can adapt mainstream health intervention data to the Indigenous setting.

Methods The ‘Indigenous Health Service Delivery Template’ has been constructed using mixed methods, which include literature review, stakeholder discussions and key informant interviews. The template quantifies the differences in intervention delivery between best practice primary health care for the Indigenous population via Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs), and mainstream general practitioner (GP) practices. Differences in costs and outcomes have been identified, measured and valued. This template can then be used to adapt mainstream health intervention data to allow its economic evaluation as if delivered from an ACCHS.

Results The template indicates that more resources are required in the delivery of health interventions via ACCHSs, due to their comprehensive nature. As a result, the costs of such interventions are greater, however this is accompanied by greater benefits due to improved health service access. In the example case of the polypill intervention, 58% more costs were involved in delivery via ACCHSs, with 50% more benefits. Cost-effectiveness ratios were also altered accordingly.

Conclusions The Indigenous Health Service Delivery Template reveals significant differences in the way health interventions are delivered from ACCHSs compared to mainstream GP practices. It is important that these differences are included in the conduct of economic evaluations to ensure results are relevant to Indigenous Australians. Similar techniques would be generalisable to other disadvantaged minority populations. This will allow resource allocation decision-makers access to economic evidence that more accurately represents the needs and context of disadvantaged groups, which is particularly important if addressing health inequities is a stated goal.

Gram-scale and template-free synthesis of ultralong tin disulfide nanobelts and their lithium ion storage performances

Ultralong SnS2 nanobelts with a high production yield up to _98% were synthesized via a gram-scale and template-free solvothermal route. The synthetic mechanism of these intriguing ultralong nanobelts was proposed to be from the synergetic effect of the layered CdI2-type structure of SnS2 and surfacemodification of the capping reagent dodecanethiol. The resulting SnS2 nanobelts showed a high specific capacity of 640 mA h g_1 and stable cycling ability (560 mA h g_1 after 50 cycles), which is much better than a graphite anode.

Consideration of multiple template switches is critical to the determination of the recombination rate on the HIV genome

Retroviral recombination drives viral diversity and facilitates the emergence of immune escape and drug resistant mutants that contribute to disease progression. Current estimates of retroviral recombination rates are based on indirect measurements that do not take into account the effects of multiple recombination events. In the presence of multiple template switches, any even number of template switches result in no observed recombination and any odd number is detected as a single recombination event. We demonstrate that ignoring multiple recombination events consistently underestimates the true recombination rate, especially over large genetic distances and high rates of recombination. Here, we present a novel approach to measure rates of recombination across different gene segments regardless of the effects of genetic distance and the overall rate of recombination. We apply these tools to a novel HIV-1 marker system, which mimics the recombination process between closely related genomes, analogous to those found within the quasispecies of an infected individual. We directly measure the recombination rate in gag, correcting for the effects of multiple template switches and background recombination. Furthermore, our analysis indicates that recombination rates are likely to vary across the viral genome. This system is applicable to other studies to accurately measure the recombination rate that is critical for the diversification of retroviruses.

Scalable Solid-Template Reduction for Designed Reduced Graphene Oxide Architectures

Herein, we report a solid-state reduction process (in contrast to solution-based approach) by using an environmentally friendly reductant, such as vitamin C (denoted VC), to be directly employed to solid-state graphene oxide (GO) templates to give the highly active rGO architecture with a sheet resistance of as low as 10 Ω sq–1. In addition, predesigned rGO patterns/tracks with tunable resistivity can be directly “written” on a preprepared solid GO film via the inkjet-printing technique using VC/H2O as the printing-ink. This advanced reduction process allows foreign active materials to be preincorporated into the GO matrix to form quality active composite architectures.

Fabrication of meso-porous sintered metal thin films by selective etching of silica based sacrificial template

 Meso-porous metal materials have enhanced surface energies offering unique surface properties with potential applications in chemical catalysis, molecular sensing and selective separation. In this paper, commercial 20 nm diameter metal nano-particles, including silver and copper were blended with 7 nm silica nano-particles by shear mixing. The resulted powders were cold-sintered to form dense, hybrid thin films. The sacrificial silica template was then removed by selective etching in 12 wt% hydrofluoric acid solutions for 15 min to reveal a purely metallic meso-porous thin film material. The impact of the initial silica nano-particle diameter (7–20 nm) as well as the sintering pressure (5–20 ton·m−2) and etching conditions on the morphology and properties of the final nano-porous thin films were investigated by porometry, pyknometery, gas and liquid permeation and electron microscopy. Furthermore, the morphology of the pores and particle aggregation during shear mixing were assessed through cross-sectioning by focus ion beam milling. It is demonstrated that meso-pores ranging between 50 and 320 nm in average diameter and porosities up to 47% can be successfully formed for the range of materials tested.

Template-free synthesis of functional 3D BN architecture for removal of dyes from water.

Three-dimensional (3D) architectures are of interest in applications in electronics, catalysis devices, sensors and adsorption materials. However, it is still a challenge to fabricate 3D BN architectures by a simple method. Here, we report the direct synthesis of 3D BN architectures by a simple thermal treatment process. A 3D BN architecture consists of an interconnected flexible network of nanosheets. The typical nitrogen adsorption/desorption results demonstrate that the specific surface area for the as-prepared samples is up to 1156 m(2) g(-1), and the total pore volume is about 1.17 cm(3) g(-1). The 3D BN architecture displays very high adsorption rates and large capacities for organic dyes in water without any other additives due to its low densities, high resistance to oxidation, good chemical inertness and high surface area. Importantly, 88% of the starting adsorption capacity is maintained after 15 cycles. These results indicate that the 3D BN architecture is potential environmental materials for water purification and treatment.