Aim. To study the association between anthropometric measures: body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), waist-to-hip-to-height ratio (WHHR), and A Body Shape Index (ABSI); to see if individuals in the lowest 5 percentiles for these measures have an increased risk of mortality. Methods. A population-based prospective

BACKGROUND Tasquinimod (ABR-215050) is an orally active quinoline-3-carboxamide analog that has completed phase II clinical trial in patients with castration resistant prostate cancer, showing promising inhibiting effects on the occurrence of metastasis and delayed disease progression. Its mechanism of action is not fully elucidated, but previous studies show anti-angiogenic effects and strong int

This article introduces a modified and updated version of the authoritarian regime type dataset first introduced by Hadenius and Teorell [2007. Pathways from authoritarianism. Journal of Democracy, 18 (1), 143–157]. The basic logic and merits of this dataset is presented, previously published criticism of the index is addressed and practical advice for potential users is provided. The dataset is a

Assessment of biodiversity of pollinators on the landscape scale or estimation of fluxes of disease-transmitting biting midges constitutes a major technical challenge today. We have developed a laser-radar system for field entomology based on the so called Scheimpflug principle and a continuouswave laser. The sample-rate of this method is unconstrained by the round-trip time of the light, and the

Variants of lipase were attached to gold nanoparticles (NPs) and their enzymatic activity was studied. The two bioengineered lipase variants have been prepared with biotin groups attached to different residues on the protein outer surface. The biotinylation was evidenced by denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and quantified by the ([2-(4'-hydroxyazobenzene)]benzoic acid spectrophotometri

While shell growth engineering to the atomic scale is important for tailoring semiconductor nanowires with superior properties, a precise knowledge of-the surface structure and morphology at different stages of this type of overgrowth has been lacking. We present a systematic scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) study of homoepitaxial Shell growth of twinned superlattices in zinc blende InAs nanowi

In this paper, we study the problem of drawing a given planar graph such that vertices are at pre-specified points and the entire drawing is inside a given polygon. We give a method that shows that for an $n$-vertex graph and a $k$-sided polygon, $\Theta(kn^2)$ bends are always sufficient. We also give an example of a graph where $\Theta(kn^2)$ bends is necessary for such a drawing.

IMPORTANCE Peer deviance (PD) strongly predicts externalizing psychopathologic conditions but has not been previously assessable in population cohorts. We sought to develop such an index of PD and to clarify its effects on risk of drug abuse (DA). OBJECTIVES To examine how strongly PD increases the risk of DA and whether this community-level liability indicator interacts with key DA risk factors a

We are living in a highly dynamic, human-dominated Earth System in which non-linear, abrupt and irreversible changes are not only possible but also probable. These changes require institutional structures capable of steering human society away from critical tipping points and irreversible change and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for all. We see 2012 as a charter moment, a historic opportunity t

BACKGROUND: /st>This study was undertaken to compare the effects of general anaesthesia (GA) and spinal anaesthesia (SA) on the need for postoperative hospitalization and early postoperative comfort in patients undergoing fast-track total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: /st>One hundred and twenty subjects were randomly allocated to receive either intrathecal bupivacaine (SA group) or GA with tar

Geographic variation in phenotypes plays a key role in fundamental evolutionary processes such as local adaptation, population differentiation and speciation, but the selective forces behind it are rarely known. We found support for the hypothesis that geographic variation in plumage traits of the pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca is explained by character displacement with the collared flycatche

Objective: This report examines the foundation of β-cell failure in type 2 diabetes and suggests areas for future research on the underlying mechanisms that may lead to improved prevention and treatment. Participants: A group of experts participated in a conference on October 14-16, 2013 cosponsored by The Endocrine Society and the American Diabetes Association. A writing group prepared this summa

Introduction: Hypoadiponectinaemia is an important risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, little is known about its role in the Chinese population. This study sought to assess the prevalence of NAFLD and its association with hypoadiponectinaemia in middle-aged and elderly Chinese. Material and methods: We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study in an urban S

Papillomavirus gene expression is strictly linked to the differentiation state of the infected cell and is highly regulated at the level of transcription and RNA processing. All papillomaviruses make extensive use of alternative mRNA polyadenylation and splicing to control gene expression. This chapter contains a compilation of all known alternatively spliced papillomavirus mRNAs and it summarizes

Using a range of different methods including extensive reviews, workshops and an electronic conference, 70 key research recommendations and 12 priority research needs to integrate the ecosystem services approach into biodiversity conservation policy and funding were identified by a cross-disciplinary group of over 100 scientists and 50 stakeholders, including research funders and policy-makers. Th

This paper explores the value of judiciously used L1-to-L2 translation in meaning-focused, advanced-level academic language (L2) education. It examines the teacher-led discourse (TLD) arising when translation tasks were used and compares it to the TLD engendered when four other grammar-focused tasks were used with three different groups of students within a functioning university course in English

After initial testing and optimization of anode biocatalysts, a membraneless glucose/oxygen enzymatic biofuel cell possessing high coulombic efficiency and power output was fabricated and characterized. Agaricus meleagris (AmPDH) and flavodehydrogenase domains of various cellobiose dehydrogenases (DHCDH) were tested during the pre-screening. Myrothecium verrucaria adsorbed on graphite. Optimizatio

The primary aim of the present study was to investigate if methods derived from environmental psychology can be used to study the qualities of the physical environment of supported housing facilities for persons with psychiatric disabilities. Three units of analysis were selected: the private area, the common indoor area, and the outdoor area. Expert assessments of 110 features of the physical env

This article explores practices of othering through formations of normative sameness in discussion-based seminar classrooms. It takes literary scholar Stanley Fish’s question, ‘Is there a text in this class, or is it just us?’, back into the classroom to explore the formation of a ‘just us,’ an imagined homogeneous interpretive community which, I argue, has discriminatory effects by normalising so

Purpose of the research: The present government in the Netherlands intends to realize a substantial growth of wind energy before 2020, both onshore and offshore. Wind turbines, when positioned in the neighborhood of residents may cause visual annoyance and noise annoyance. Studies on other environmental sound sources, such as railway, road traffic, industry and aircraft noise show that (long-term)