Based on an original data set of elections in Africa, this article addresses the orthodoxy of theoretical hypotheses regarding the effects of electoral systems. While Africanists assume that context make a significant difference, the empirical analysis points to very similar effects of electoral institutions in Africa as in established democracies; regarding reductive effects, effects on the party

Abstract in Undetermined Book review: Risk assessment and management in cancer genetics Lallao E, Kerr B, Friedman J, Evans G (eds) . Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK, 2005. ISBN 0-19-852960-0

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of patient gender and choice of perfusion tracer on computer-based interpretation of myocardial perfusion images. For the image interpretation, an automated method was used based on image processing and artificial neural network techniques. A total of 1000 patients were studied, all referred to the Royal Brompton Hospital in London for myocardi

Homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) is a potentially attractive operating mode for stationary natural gas engines. Increasing demand for efficient, clean burning engines for electrical power generation provides an opportunity to utilize HCCI combustion if several inherent difficulties can be overcome. Fuel composition, particularly the higher hydrocarbon content (ethane, propane, and bu

The hottest developments in the fields of cancer research, neuroscience, genomics and proteomics, anti-virals and more, with a pick of the key research papers in these areas.

Background: Improved asthma control by combinations of inhaled glucocorticosteroids (GCs) and long-acting beta(2)-agonists (LABAs) includes a reduced frequency and severity of exacerbations. In view of the association of exacerbations with increased airway inflammation, the question has arisen as to whether LABAs are able to complement the known anti- inflammatory activity of GCs. To address this,

In vivo recovery IVR) is traditionally used as a parameter to characterize the pharmacokinetic properties of coagulation factors. It has also been suggested that dosing of factor VIII (FVIII) and factor IX (FIX) can be adjusted according to the need of the individual patient, based on an individually determined IVR value. This approach, however, requires that the individual IVR value is more relia

This paper presents several new results on techniques for solving systems of polynomial equations in computer vision. Gröbner basis techniques for equation solving have been applied successfully to several geometric computer vision problems. However, in many cases these methods are plagued by numerical problems. In this paper we derive a generalization of the Gröbner basis method for polynomial eq

Mycorrhizal symbiosis involves reciprocal transfer of carbon and nutrients between shoots on the one hand and roots colonized by symbolic fungi on the other. Mycorrhizas may improve the mineral nutrient acquisition rates, but simultaneously increase the belowground demand for carbon. Mycorrhizal plants will have a selective advantage over non-mycorrhizal ones if they are more cost-efficient in ter

To elucidate how diabetic patients with limb-threatening foot lesions perceive and evaluate content and organisation of treatment in a multi-place hyperbaric oxygen chamber. To our knowledge there are no patients' evaluations of diabetes care in a high-technology area like the hyperbaric oxygen chamber. The burden on persons with diabetic foot complications might be increased if adjuvant therapy w

Zone folded coherent acoustic phonons were generated in a multilayered GaSb/InAs epitaxial heterostructure via rapid heating by femtosecond laser pulses. These phonons were probed by means of ultrafast x-ray diffraction. Phonons both from the fundamental acoustic branch and the first back-folded branch were detected. This represents the first clear evidence for phonon branch folding based directly

Background Subjects in treatment for affective disorders are usually less satisfied with life compared to subjects with schizophrenia. Aims The aims of this study were to compare subjective quality of life (QoL) at adult age of adolescent onset psychotic disorders and analyse associated factors. Method Fifty-three patients with adolescent onset psychotic disorders were followed up at age 25, diagn

The aim of this study was to establish if repeated quantitative 201Tl SPET scanning during follow-up of astrocytoma therapy can provide information that is relevant for clinical management. Sixteen consecutive patients, with histopathologically verified highly malignant astrocytoma, were followed during PCV chemotherapy. Imaging with 201Tl SPET and CT was performed repeatedly over 8-16 weeks until

Scattering by planar geometries with plane metal inclusions are analysed. The metal inclusions can be of arbitrary shape,and the material of the supporting slabs can be any linear (bianisotropic) material. We employ the method of propagators to find the solution of the scattering problem. The method has certain similarities with a vector generalisation of the transmission line theory. A general rel

The phenomenon of bribery is characterized by its elastic features, both morally and legally. This study sets out to investigate a court case of bribery: how the people involved construct and argue for their particular version. A single case of bribery is chosen in order to clarify the range and potential of various descriptions of the very same event. The material consists of interviews with the

The development of a forest stand in south-eastern Norway during the last 9000 years is investigated by pollen and charcoal analyses. The aims are to identify factors that have influenced current biodiversity, which includes the lichen Usnea longissima, and examine the immigration and establishment of the current dominant tree Picea abies. Fire has been a variable but major disturbance factor at t

Fungi of the genus Termitomyces live in an obligate symbiosis with termites of the subfamily Macrotermitinae. Many species of Termitomyces frequently form fruit bodies, which develop from the fungus comb within the nest. In this study, we determined the mating system of a species of Termitomyces associated with the South African termite Macrotermes natalensis. Termite nests were excavated and a Te

This is the first attempt to budget average current annual carbon (C) and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) exchanges and transfers in a subarctic landscape, the Lake Torneträsk catchment in northern Sweden. This is a heterogeneous area consisting of almost 4000 km2 of mixed heath, birch and pine forest, and mires, lakes and alpine ecosystems. The magnitudes of atmospheric exchange of carbon in the