The only way for dengue to spread in the human population is through the human-mosquito-human cycle. Most research in this field discusses the dengue-mosquito or dengue-human relationships over a particular study area, but few have explored the local spatial variations of dengue-mosquito and dengue-human relationships within a study area. This study examined whether spatial heterogeneity exists in these relationships. We used Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) models to analyze spatial relationships and identify the geographical heterogeneities by using the information of entomology and dengue cases in the cities of Kaohsiung and Fengshan in 2002. Our findings indicate that dengue-mosquito and dengue-human relationships were significantly spatially non-stationary. This means that in some areas higher dengue incidences were associated with higher vector/host densities, but in some areas higher incidences were related to lower vector/host densities. We demonstrated that a GWR model can be used to geographically differentiate the relationships of dengue incidence with immature mosquito and human densities. This study provides more insights into spatial targeting of intervention and control programs against dengue outbreaks within the study areas.

The purpose of this study is to develop a novel scaffold, derived from fish scales, as an alternative functional material with sufficient mechanical strength for corneal regenerative applications. Fish scales, which are usually considered as marine wastes, were acellularized, decalcified and fabricated into collagen scaffolds. The microstructure of the acellularized scaffold was imaged by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The acellularization and decalcification treatments did not affect the naturally 3-dimentional, highly centrally-oriented micropatterned structure of the material. To assess the cytocompatibility of the scaffold with corneal cells, rabbit corneal cells were cultured on the scaffold and examined under SEM and confocal microscopy at different time periods. Rapid cell proliferation and migration on the scaffold were observed under SEM and confocal microscopy. The highly centrallyoriented micropatterned structure of the scaffold was beneficial for efficient nutrient and oxygen supply to the cells cultured in the three-dimensional matrices, and therefore it is useful for high-density cell seeding and spreading. Collectively, we demonstrate the superior cellular conductivity of the newly developed material. We provide evidences for the feasibility of the scaffold as a template for corneal cells growth and migration, and thus the fish scale-derived scaffold can be developed as a promising material for tissue-engineering of cornea.

In spite of technical difficulties, it was feasible to use the FSCM for ALK, whereas IL placement led to melting of the anterior lamella. Further studies are necessary for better understanding of its immunogenicity. The light scatter and transmission data show that the first version of this FSCM is comparable to human cornea tissue in this respect.

The development of efficient and low energyconsumption catalysts for CO 2 conversion is desired, yet remains ag reat challenge.H erein, ac lass of novel hollow porous carbons (HPC), featuring well dispersed dopants of nitrogen and single Zn atoms,h ave been fabricated, based on the templated growth of ah ollow metal-organic framework precursor,f ollowed by pyrolysis.T he optimizedH PC-800 achieves efficient catalytic CO 2 cycloaddition with epoxides, under light irradiation, at ambient temperature,b yt aking advantage of an ultrahigh loading of (11.3 wt %) single-atom Zn and uniform Na ctive sites,h igh-efficiency photothermal conversion as well as the hierarchicalpores in the carbon shell. As far as we know,this is the first report on the integration of the photothermal effect of carbon-based materials with single metal atoms for catalytic CO 2 fixation.Supportinginformation and the ORCID identification number(s) for the author(s) of this article can be found under: https://doi.

Cases distribute in a clustered pattern, and elderly persons have the highest risk for illness and death.