Purpose: To develop a completely automated method based on image processing techniques and artificial neural networks for the interpretation of combined [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) images for the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer. Methods: A total of 87 patients who underwent PET/CT examinations due to suspected lung cancer comp

Purpose The aim of this paper is to analyse the marketing strategy in China of the furnishing retailer IKEA in the context of standardisation and adaptation of marketing activities. IKEA’s strategy in China is compared to its corporate strategy throughout the rest of the world. Design/methodology/approach The four P classifications are used as a framework to compare the central marketing strateg

Cerebral ischemia results in enhanced expression of smooth muscle cell endothelin and angiotensin receptors in cerebral arteries. We hypothesise that this phenomenon may be detrimental and that acute treatment with a combined non-hypotensive dose of the angiotensin AT, receptor inhibitor candesartan and the endothelin ETA receptor antagonist ZD 1611 reduces the infarct in experimental ischemic str

We report on magnetoresistance (MR) studies on Co/AlOX/Au and Co/AlOX/Ni/Au magnetic tunnel junctions. In spite of the fact that the difference between the two samples is merely a 3 nm thick Ni layer, there is a sharp contrast in MR behavior indicating that the electronic structure at the interface between the ferromagnetic electrodes and the insulating barrier dominates the MR signal. The former

We have observed radiation from highly charged molybdenum ions in the JET tokamak plasmas. Spectra were recorded in the wavelength range 70-110 Angstrom, resulting in the classification of 15 new n = 3. Deltan = 0 transitions in Mo XXIV-Mo XXVIII.

The influence of shock waves, driven by amplified spontaneous emission (ASE), on laser-accelerated proton beams is investigated. A local deformation, produced by a cold shock wave launched by the ablation pressure of the ASE pedestal, can under oblique laser irradiation significantly direct the proton beam toward the laser axis. This can be understood in the frame of target normal sheath accelerat

Water-soluble hemicelluloses were extracted from spruce chips by microwave heat-fractionation. The galactoglucomannan (GGM) extraction was evaluated on the basis of weight-average molecular weight (MW), yield and carbohydrate composition of the GGM. The MW was determined by size-exclusion chromatography with column calibration using off-line MALDI-MS analysis, and determination of mannan content i

The H-1 NMR Fast Field Cycling relaxometry was applied to study the molecular dynamics of the human protein HC (alpha(1)-microglobulin), its hydration and aggregation in solution state. The H-1 NMRD data have revealed the complex nature of the water/protein HC system resulting from the co-existence of monomer and dimer forms of the protein in solution as well as the presence of oligosaccharides li

The mechanisms by which gestational infections, blood incompatibility, birth weight, mother's age and other prenatal or neonatal events increase the risk for type 1 diabetes are not understood. Studies so far have been retrospective, and there is a lack of population-based prospective studies. The possibility identifying children at type 1 diabetes risk among first-degree relatives has resulted in

The phylogenetic positions of the 4 clades, Euarchontoglires, Laurasiatheria, Afrotheria, and Xenarthra, have been major issues in the recent discussion of basal relationships among placental mammals. However, despite considerable efforts these relationships, crucial to the understanding of eutherian evolution and biogeography, have remained essentially unresolved. Euarchontoglires and Laurasiathe

A numerical investigation to determine the velocity and heat transfer characteristics of multiple impinging slot jets in rib-roughened channels in the presence of cross-flow has been carried out. Fluid flow is modeled using an explicit algebraic stress model. A simple eddy diffusivity and a generalized gradient diffusion hypothesis are applied for the modeling of turbulent heat fluxes. The computa

The global socially engaged Buddhist movement emphasis Buddhism’s engagement with society. It is a socially and politically active form of Buddhism that came into being in the twentieth century. Engaged Buddhism is a non-centralized movement that emerged in response to multiple crises in modern Asia. It has been described as a modern form of Buddhism, influenced by; modern, social, economic, psych

The objective of this paper is to analyse the Constructive Dialogue, an initiative for collaborative and integrated urban governance for a sustainable built environment. The dialogue processes, implemented in six Swedish cities in 2004-2009, involved various actors and many types of initiative. Designed as a meta-analysis based on existing evaluations and supplementary interviews, this study exami

Double-stranded DNA in many bacterial viruses (phage) is strongly confined, which results in internal genome pressures of tens of atmospheres. This pressure is strongly dependent on local ion concentration and distribution within the viral capsid. Here, we have used electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), energy-filtered TEM (EFTEM) and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy to provide such chemic

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of various echocardiographic markers in predicting a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in need of treatment. Methods: Forty-five preterm infants with a mean (SD) gestational age of 27.7 (1.9) weeks underwent echocardiography at a postnatal age of 24 +/- 6 and 72 +/- 6 h. Four echocardiographic markers were studied: ductus diameter, ductal flow Doppler curves, the left at

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm that, if not treated, will progress into blast crisis (BC) of either myeloid or B lymphoid phenotype. The BCR-ABL1 fusion gene, encoding a constitutively active tyrosine kinase, is thought to be sufficient to cause chronic phase (CP) CML, whereas additional genetic lesions are needed for progression into CML BC. To generate a humanize