Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a crucial role in physiological vasculogenesis and vascular permeability and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. Our present study was undertaken to identify associations between three functional VEGF gene polymorphisms, linked with altered VEGF gene responsiveness, and pre-eclampsia. The study involved 42 pre-eclamptic and 73 h

Based on a case study of managers in a large, international knowledge-intensive company this article suggests a rethinking of leadership, taking the mundane, almost trivial, aspects of what managers/leaders actually do seriously. In the study, the managers interviewed emphasized the importance of listening and informal chatting. Managers listening to subordinates are assumed to have various positi

This paper describes the development of a novel modelling tool for evaluation of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) performance. An artificial neural network (ANN) is trained with a reduced amount of data generated by a validated cell model, and it is then capable of learning the generic functional relationship between inputs and outputs of the system. Once the network is trained, the ANN-driven simulat

Most models to predict biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer use pretreatment serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), clinical stage and prostate biopsy Gleason grade. We investigated whether human glandular kallikrein 2 (hK2) and free prostate-specific antigen (fPSA) measured in pretreatment serum enhance prediction. We retrospectively measured total PSA (tPSA), fPSA and hK2 in preoperat

We present processing technology based on nanoimprint lithography (NIL) and wet etching for fabrication of GaInAs/InP three-terminal ballistic junction (TBJ) devices. To transfer sub-100 nm features into a high-mobility InP-based 2DEG material, we used SiO2/Si stamps made with electron beam lithography and reactive ion etching. After the NIL, the resist residues are removed in oxygen plasma follow

The deformation of round tensile bars subject to dynamic loading is studied numerically using two different plasticity theories: J(2)-flow theory and J(2)-deformation theory. Time development of neck localization is visualized and a comparison of the necking patterns obtained using the two different constitutive models is presented. The possibility of using J(2)-deformation theory as an alternativ

Intestinal lymphocytic epithelioganglionitis: a unique combination of inflammation in bowel dysmotility: a histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of 28 cases Visceral inflammatory neuropathies are enteric disorders underlying various forms of bowel dysmotility. The aim was to analyse the microscopic characteristics of a unique combination of intraepithelial lymphocytosis and myenteric

Perceptual consumer requirements are often disregarded in the product development process. The consequence of this is that products may become more attractive to the design practitioners than to the target consumers. This paper describes the development of a new internet based tool, VIPET (Visual Internet Product Emotion Tool), that can be used for global evaluation of visual product qualities by

Abstract Background: Mass-weighted aerodynamic particle-size distribution (APSD) is a key attribute for pharmaceutical products developed to deliver drugs to or through the lungs. In development and quality control, APSD is primarily determined using multistage cascade impactors. For impactor techniques, particle reentrainment is critical because it may lead to an overestimation of the respirable

The quality of the periacetabular bone might be an explanation for the increase in the rate of socket loosening seen radiographically in patients with rheumatoid arthritis as compared with patients with osteoarthrosis. Early implant micromotion, as measured by roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis, is of predictive value with regard to long time retention. For uncemented porous sockets, the init

The moth Macroglossum stellatarum can learn the color and sometimes the odor of a rewarding food source. We present data from 20 different experiments with different combinations of blue and yellow artificial flowers and the two odors, honeysuckle and lavender. The experiments show that learning about the odors depends on the color used. By training on different color—odor combinations and testing

Radio-controlled model planes are useful when carrying out photography, especially from low altitudes, and meteorological soundings (air temperatures in boundary layers). Soundings were carried out with a system which stored the measured data on board the plane pending evaluation after the flight. The payload of the plane was a camera and equipment for measuring temperature and air pressure (altit

Inbreeding increases the level of homozygosity, which in turn might depress fitness. In addition, individuals having the same inbreeding coefficient (e.g. siblings) vary in homozygosity. The potential fitness effects of variation in homozygosity that is unrelated to the inbreeding coefficient have seldom been examined. Here, we present evidence from wild birds that genetic variation at five micros

During the last 10-15 years, the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) has become an important mode of treatment for patients suffering from grave ventricular arrhythmias, but ICD implantation involves psychosocial adjustments for both patients and relatives. The aim of this pilot study was to design a plan of education and to follow a selected group of patients with interviews, observation

Widespread lesions of forebrain cholinergic or noradrenergic projections by intraventricular administration of 192 IgG-saporin or 6-hydroxydopamine, respectively, accelerate kindling epileptogenesis. Here we demonstrate both quantitative and qualitative differences between the two lesions in their effects on hippocampal kindling in rats. Epileptogenesis was significantly faster after noradrenergic