The effect of the procedural variability in image acquisition on the quantitative assessment of bone scan is unknown. Here, we have developed and performed preanalytical studies to assess the impact of the variability in scanning speed and in vendor-specific γ-camera on reproducibility and accuracy of the automated bone scan index (BSI). Methods: Two separate preanalytical studies were performed:

The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) initiative commenced during a World Health Organization workshop in 1999. The initial goals were (1) to propose a new allergic rhinitis classification, (2) to promote the concept of multi-morbidity in asthma and rhinitis and (3) to develop guidelines with all stakeholders that could be used globally for all countries and populations. ARIA - dis

Observationally, the galactic chemical evolution of sulphur shows a complex pattern. Some studies find no correlation between [S/Fe] and [Fe/H] at halo metallcities, which is typical for alpha -elements, others find [S/Fe] increasing towards lower metallicities, and still others find a combination of the two. Each scenario has different implications for the Galactic chemical evolution of sulphur.

Increasing security in transports without negatively affecting the logistical flow makes efficiency a critical factor. To achieve a viable end-to-end security solution in a supply chain, with complex network of dependencies, a holistic perspective is required. With focus on dual use measures this pilot project, performed in close cooperation between Volvo Technology and Saab, involves important st

Increasing security in transports without negatively affecting the logistical flow makes efficiency a critical factor. To achieve a viable end-to-end security solution in a supply chain, with complex network of dependencies, requires a holistic perspective. The pilot project was driven by Volvo Technology and it involved important stakeholders in the supply chain and port domain focusing on the PoIncreasing security in transports without negatively affecting the logistical flow makes efficiency a critical factor. To achieve a viable end-to-end security solution in a supply chain, with complex network of dependencies, requires a holistic perspective. The pilot project was driven by Volvo Technology and it involved important stakeholders in the supply chain and port domain focusing on the Po

Although the importance of New Institutional Economics and the institutional approach for understanding pre-industrial economic development and the early growth of markets are widely accepted, it has proven to be difficult to assess more directly the effects of institutions on the functioning of markets. This paper uses empirical research on the rise of markets in late medieval Holland to illumina

In this paper, we analyse the functioning of private capital markets in Holland in the late medieval period. We argue that in the absence of banks and state agencies involved in the supply of credit, entrepreneurs' access to credit was determined by two interrelated factors. The first was the quality of property rights protection and the extent to which properties could be used as collateral. The

In the second half of the fifteenth century the largest towns in the county of Holland created substantial public debts. This article puts forward the hypothesis that towns speculated on sovereign monetary policy in the process. They exposed themselves and their creditors to fluctuations in the exchange rates between silver and gold coins, which initially caused the reduction of their real 'intere

Background: Being a family caregiver for a person with Parkinson s disease (PD) can negatively impact health and wellbeing, but it appears less clear to what extent caregivers health/social service needs are met. Objective: We explored the extent to which PD family caregivers experience sufficient access to health/social services, as compared to age-matched controls; and the associations between t

The value of a Quality-Adjusted Life-Year (QALY) and the Value of a Statistical Injury (VSI) are important measures within health economics and transport economics. Several studies have therefore estimated people’s WTP for these estimates, but most results show problems with scale insensitivity. The Chained Approach (CA) is a method developed to reduce this problem. The objective of this study was

Differences in strategic decision making between CEOs and other people are interesting since CEOs make important economic decisions and impact values and norms in society. Our study combines a large stratified random sample of 199 CEOs of medium-size firms with a carefully selected control group of 200 comparable people. All subjects participated in three different incentivized strategic games — P

Purpose: To report on the distribution and test-retest reliability of Antonovsky’s 13-item Sense of Coherence (SOC-13) Scale in patients with hand-related disorders (HRD). Links between the SOC-13 score and factors such as age, number of days between date of injury and start of rehabilitation, gender and educational level were explored. Method: Survey with test–retest, using self-administered ques

The compressive sensing algorithm BPDN applied to RCS ISAR measurements is investigated in this paper. It is used to acquire ISAR images from data sets that are incomplete if conventional back projection is used to process images. The aim of the study is to determine if the algorithm can be used to extract accurate RCS values for parts of the measured objects when there are azimuth angle gaps in t

Purpose We compared clinical characteristics and cancer specific mortality in men diagnosed with prostate cancer before vs after age 50 years. Materials and Methods A total of 919 men 35 to 49 years old and 45,098 men 50 to 66 years old who were diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1998 and 2012 were identified in PCBaSe (Prostate Cancer data Base Sweden). Cancer specific mortality was compared

Purpose: The aim of the study was to explore patients’ long-term experience of a congenital hand problem, and the consequences for daily life. Method: Fifteen participants with a median age 24 years (17–55 years), born with thumb hypoplasia/aplasia or thumb duplication were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were subjected to qualitative content analysis. Results: