Filetype
Inflammation is a key pathology in asthma. In the central airways local inflammation leads to irreversible remodeling and airway dysfunction. Complex inflammatory changes also occur in the nose, sinuses, and small airways. In particular, rhinitis and asthma are linked by a common pathogenic process with common inflammatory cells, mediators, and cytokines. Cross-communication between the airways an
We compare Forward Error Correction (FEC) and frame AC-Cumulation (ACC) to see which of the two schemes most effectively reduce frame loss rate for an aggregate of VoIP flows, sharing a network bottleneck. We model this bottleneck by a M/M/1/K queue and we analytically show that given certain assumptions, FEC is the best choice for low initial load at the bottleneck. Then, as the initial load incr
In this study a column leaching method for investigation of hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) leaching from soil was developed. The method set-up is based on a recycled flow of sterile water through a soil column with a sedimentation chamber mounted on top of the column, in connection with on-line filtration. The combination of a sedimentation chamber and an on-line filtration enables the me
This paper introduces a new substrate for reverse-phase protein microarray applications based on macroporous silicon. A key feature of the microarray substrate is the vastly surface enlarging properties of the porous silicon, which simultaneously offers highly confined microarray spots. The proof of principle of the reverse array concept was demonstrated in the detection of different levels of cyc
Background. Independent risk factors for death in patients waiting for elective coronary artery bypass surgery have previously been identified. A prioritization where these factors are considered may potentially reduce waiting list mortality. A simple score based on the risk factors was constructed and validated. Methods. A scoring system based on risk factors in 5,864 consecutive patients operate
This paper examines current perceptions within international aid agencies regarding the existing and potential roles of housing and urban development planning as a tool for reducing urban disaster risk in developing countries. It is mainly based on interviews with more than 50 professionals from international agencies and a review of documents on planning and risk reduction. The paper analyses t
A new particulate magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agent was prepared by controlled precipitation of iron oxide in an aqueous starch solution. The potential of the magnetic starch microspheres (MSM) as a hepatosplenic contrast enhancer was studied by MR spectroscopy and MR imaging. Intravascular administration of MSM to rodents showed an effective blood clearance and a tissue-specific localization
Background: Few studies have examined how physicians perceive guidelines, much less their perceptions of an Internet presentation of such guidelines. This study assessed physicians' acceptance ofan Internet-based guideline on the appropriateness of colonoscopy. Methods: Gastroenterologists participating in an international observational study consulted an Internet-based guideline for consecutive p
New aqueous liquid-liquid two-phase systems based on bovine serum albumin and sodium thiocyanate in combination with either poly(vinyl alcohol) or poly(ethylene glycol) were investigated. Phase diagrams are presented. Lactate dehydrogenase and some mitochondrial enzymes were partitioned in the systems. All the phase components used influenced, either positively or negatively, the activity of lacta
One of the central tenets in life-history theory is that there is a trade-off between current and future reproduction (i.e. a cost of reproduction). The mechanism for this cost of reproduction is, however, largely unknown. One hypothesis is that the high workload during reproduction compromises resistance to parasites and that the resulting increase in parasitaemia has negative effects on the pros
Mass, heat and momentum transport processes are coupled with catalytic chemical reactions in a methane steam reforming duct. it is often found that endothermic and exothermic reactions in the ducts are strongly integrated by heat transfer from adjacent catalytic combustion ducts. In this paper, a three-dimensional calculation method is developed to simulate and analyze reforming reactions of metha
In this work, we present a ridged, microfabricated, force sensor that can be used to investigate mechanical interactions between cells exhibiting contact guidance and the underlying cell culture substrate, and a proof-of-function evaluation of the force sensor performance. The substrates contain arrays of vertical pillars between solid ridges that were microfabricated in silicon wafers using photo
This article by the ESPGHAN Committee on Nutrition summarizes available information on the effects of adding prebiotic oligosaccharides to infant and follow-on formulae. Currently there are only limited studies evaluating prebiotic substances in dietetic products for infants. Although administration of prebiotic oligosaccharides has the potential to increase the total number of bifidobacteria in f
The aim of this study was to optimize the use of BMD measurements in case finding strategies. The use of clinical risk factors with and without BMD was explored in a random sample of the Sheffield female population greater than or equal to75 years of age. The use of clinical risk factors alone could identify women well above or well below a threshold of fracture risk. BMD assessment can be confine
BACKGROUND. With a substantial rise in the incidence of skin cancer, skin surgery has become an increasingly large part of dermatology. Skin surgery is best performed by dermatologists. This demands effective training in dermatologic surgery, including flap surgery. OBJECTIVE. To find a modern alternative to traditional training on pig's feet skin in teaching flap surgery to residents in dermatolo
A shoreline to deep basin correlation chart for the middle Silurian coupled extinction-stable isotopic event is presented. The chart is a first attempt to synthesise new stratigraphic, faunal and stable isotopic data, as well as diversity changes among organic-walled microplankton (acritarchs), from the Grotlingbo-1 and Hunninge-1 cores on Gotland (Sweden), along with previously published data fro
