A cohesive crack model is used to analyse failure of wood in mode I along the grain. Several configurations of the gradual fracture softening behaviour of an interface, meshed with joint-elements located on the potential crack path, are investigated. Different constitutive laws, obtained from a single normalized polynomial function, are tested in order to estimate the influence of parameters such

We consider the following clustering problems: given an undirected graph, partition its vertices into disjoint clusters such that each cluster forms a clique and the number of edges within the clusters is maximized (Max-ECP), or the number of edges between clusters is minimized (Min-ECP). These problems arise naturally in the DNA clone classification. We investigate the hardness of finding such pa

PURPOSE: The use of conformal radiation therapy has grown substantially during the last years since three-dimensional (3D) treatment planning systems with beams-eye-view planning has become commercially available. We studied the degree of conformity reached in clinical routines for some common diagnoses treated at our department by calculating a radiation conformity index (RCI). METHODS AND MATERI

Background. The conventional treatment for poststernotomy mediastinitis usually involves surgical revision, closed irrigation, or reconstruction with omentum or pectoral muscle flaps. Recently, vacuum-assisted closure has been successfully used in poststernotomy mediastinitis. The aim of the present study was to compare the clinical outcome and survival in 101 patients undergoing vacuum-assisted c

An efficient technique for enzymatic digestion of proteins in nanovial arrays and identification by peptide mass fingerprinting using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI-MS) is presented in this work. Through dispensing of a protein solution with simultaneous evaporation the protein (substrate) is concentrated up to 300 times in-vial. At higher substrate concentrations the catalytic

The experimental information on the observed nearly degenerate bands in the N = 75 isotones, in particular Pr-134 and Pm-136, which are often considered as the best candidates for chiral bands, is critically analyzed. Most properties of the bands, in particular, the recently measured branching ratios and lifetimes, are in clear disagreement with the interpretation of the two bands as chiral bands.

Lactose-limited fermentations of 49 dairy Streptococcus thermophilus strains revealed four distinct fermentation profiles with respect to galactose consumption after lactose depletion. All the strains excreted galactose into the medium during growth on lactose, except for strain IMDOST40, which also displayed extremely high galactokinase (GalK) activity. Among this strain collection eight galactos

CK2, an acronym derived from the misnomer "casein kinase 2", denotes a ubiquitous and extremely pleiotropic Ser/Thr protein kinase, the holoenzyme of which is composed of two catalytic (alpha and/or alpha') and two noncatalytic beta subunits acting as a docking platform and the multifarious functions of which are still incompletely understood. By combining affinity chromatography and mass spectrom

Microalbuminuria is an early sign of diabetic nephropathy. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the changes of the glomerular filtration barrier in early experimental diabetes are due to size- or charge-selective alterations. Wistar rats, made diabetic by streptozotocin (STZ) and having their blood glucose maintained at similar to 20 mM for 3 or 9 wk, were compared with age-matc

Background: Only a few intervention studies aiming to change high-risk drinking behavior have involved university students with heredity for alcohol problems. This study evaluated the effects after 2 years on drinking patterns and coping behavior of intervention programs for students with parents with alcohol problems. Method: In total, 82 university students (57 women and 25 men, average age 25 y

The purpose of this work was to develop a contrast-detail phantom that can be used to evaluate image quality in breast tomosynthesis (BT) and as a first step use it to evaluate in-plane artifacts with respect to object size and contrast. The phantom was constructed using a Polylite [registered trademark] resin as bulk material, as it has x-ray mass attenuation properties similar to polymethyl meth

For meeting stringent emission restrictions, a modern solution is to operate in or close to the flameless mode. It implies a copious dilution of the reactants with vitiated gas resulting in low oxidant or fuel concentration and consequently low volumetric heat-release rate. On the contrary to traditional flames where heat release is occurring in very thin fronts, the flameless operation lies in th

A method based on three-phase hollow fiber liquid phase microextraction was developed and successfully applied to aerosols for the analysis of lignin pyrolysis acids such as syringic acid, vanillic acid and p-salicylic acid. Important parameters related to extraction process like organic solvent for membrane phase, tri-n-octylphosphine (TOPO) oxide contents in organic solvent, stirring speed, extr

Objectives: To develop evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis of hand osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: The multidisciplinary guideline development group, representing 15 European countries, generated 10 key propositions regarding diagnosis using a Delphi consensus approach. For each recommendation, research evidence was searched for systematically. Whenever possible, the sensitivity, specif

Dietary prevention strategies are increasingly recognized as essential to combat the current epidemic of obesity and related metabolic disorders. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the potential prebiotic effects of indigestible carbohydrates in Swedish brown beans (Phaseolus vulgaris var. nanus) in relation to cardiometabolic risk markers and appetite regulating hormones.

Problem baserat lärande (PBL) är sedan en tid tillbaka en vanligt förekommande studerandeaktiv arbetsform inom vård- och läkarutbildningar. PBL har i utvärderingsforskningen befunnits ge likvärdiga faktakunskaper och förbättrade färdigheter hos de studerande jämfört med andra arbetsformer. Viss forskning har också bedrivits kring vilka faktorer som främjar studenters lärande i sambad med PBL. Utgå

Target normal measurements of proton energy spectra from ultrathin (50-200 nm) planar foil targets irradiated by 10(19) W cm(-2) 40 fs laser pulses exhibit broad maxima that are not present in the energy spectra from micron thickness targets (6 mu m). The proton flux in the peak is considerably greater than the proton flux observed in the same energy range in thicker targets. Numerical modelling o