We also allow for realistic nonradiative relaxation within the upconverter. The system is modeled using a detailed balance approach, with the upconverter treated as a series connection of two small-bandgap solar cells and a large-bandgap light emitting diode. We demonstrate that significant improvements in efficiency are possible even for nonconcentrated light, as long as the upconverter includes a small nonradiative relaxation pathway. Furthermore, we show that the existence of a nonradiative relaxation event in the upconverter is necessary for improved power conversion when cell absorption efficiency Vorinostat mouse is low. Our results indicate that the efficiencies of both conventional-Si

and thin film photovoltaic cells

can be substantially improved with upconverting materials, even including non-idealities. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3610522]“
“In the last decades, the prevalence of obesity has increased Alisertib clinical trial in the Taiwanese population. This has the potential to impact on the risks of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. This study investigated trends in the changes in several indices of obesity in the last decade, and the relationship between blood pressure (BP) and these obesity indices available in Mei-Jaw Corporation health-screening data from 1996/1998 to 2006. Three cross-sectional surveys among healthy individuals ages 20-59 years, in which 14 362 subjects examined in year 1996, 17 368 in 1998, and 28 524 in 2006, were included in the analysis. Body weight and height data were available from 1996, whereas %body fat, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio (Whratio) were only

available from 1998 onwards. We found that the association between systolic BP and body weight, body mass index, %body fat, Whratio and waist became stronger for EVP4593 both men and women in 2006 than 1996 after adjustment for age, education level, alcohol intake, smoking and betel nut chewing. In contrast, non-obese people seemed to have lower diastolic BP in 2006 than in 1996. This trend is consistent irrespective of the index of obesity used. Among healthy individuals, the average values for the obesity indices increased in men but remained similar in women. However, in both men and women, the relationship between obesity and BP has changed. Further research is required to investigate the impact of these intriguing changes in the associations on the risk of cardiovascular diseases in the Taiwanese population. Journal of Human Hypertension (2011) 25, 88-97; doi:10.1038/jhh.2010.33; published online 25 March 2010″
“Multidrug-resistant (MDR) – and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) – forms of tuberculosis are growing public health problems. Mathematical models predict that the future of the MDR and XDR tuberculosis epidemics depends in part on the competitive fitness of drug-resistant strains.