Time-resolved laser spectroscopy was used to measure natural radiative lifetimes of ten excited states of neutral bismuth. Four levels of the 6p(2)ns (4)p(1/2) sequence (n = 7,8,9,10) and the 6p(2)7s P-4(3/2),(5/2) and 6p(2)nd(2)D(2/3;5/2) (n = 6,7) levels were investigated. The results are compared with previous data when possible. Revised absolute transition probabilities for 26 lines are given.

A non-contact Fourier transform interferometric imaging system was used to collect hyperspectral images of the steady-state diffuse reflectance from a point source in turbid media for the spectral range of 550-850 nm. Steady-state diffuse reflectance profiles were generated from the hyperspectral images, and partial least-squares (PLS) regression was performed on the diffuse reflectance profiles t

BACKGROUND: The time from symptom onset to reperfusion in acute myocardial infarction (MI) has been shown to be a poor predictor of patient outcome. Acute electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, however, have been shown useful for estimated acuteness of myocardial ischemia using the Anderson-Wilkins ECG ischemia acuteness score (AW-acuteness score). The aim was to study whether acute ischemic ECG chan

The linkages between climate change and sustainable development are multiple and profound. Nonetheless, their respective policy regimes have so far evolved along parallel, if not competing, paths. What is lacking to date is a detailed conceptual understanding of the practicability of their integration through cross-sectoral policies and programmes. We propose a synergistic adaptive capacity (SAC)

A very high number of different types of blood cells must be generated daily through a process called haematopoiesis in order to meet the physiological requirements of the organism. All blood cells originate from a population of relatively few haematopoietic stem cells residing in the bone marrow, which give rise to specific progenitors through different lineages. Steady-state dynamics are governe

BACKGROUND: -Atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR) is a measure of atrial remodeling caused by atrial fibrillation (AF) and its acceleration negatively affects outcome of interventions for persistent AF. However, the prognostic value of AFR in patients with CHF has not been studied. We sought to evaluate whether AFR can predict outcome in patients with mild to moderate (NYHA II-III) congestive heart fail

This report builds further on OPCARE9, an EU 7th framework project aiming to identify knowledge gaps in care provision in the last days of life. This study began with curiosity about new ways of generating research questions to meet future challenges in palliative care (PC) and how to better engage disciplines not generally included in PC research. We here describe an innovative methodological app

L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID) is a common complication of the treatment of Parkinson's disease, and its precise mechanisms have long remained unknown. Rodent models of LID provide a tool to dissect the impact of specific factors on the development and expression of dyskinetic movements. This short review will summarize recent findings from rodent studies that have consolidated and considerably e

Huntington's disease (HD) is the most prevalent polyglutamine expansion disorder. HD is caused by an expansion of CAG triplet in the huntingtin (HTT) gene, associated with striatal and cortical neuronal loss. Central and peripheral metabolic abnormalities and altered insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels have been described in HD. Thus, we hypothesized that restoration of IGF-1-mediated sign

BACKGROUND: Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The present study was undertaken to examine if cigarette smoking translates into reduced relaxant responses of the peripheral microcirculation. METHODS: The cutaneous forearm blood flow was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry. The vasodilator response to the iontophorectic administration of acetylcholine (ACh), acting via an en

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have observed decreased serum CRP levels in patients with established Alzheimer's disease (AD) compared to controls or other diagnostic groups of elderly patients with mental illness. METHODS: We have investigated the relation between CRP level and the severity of AD as assessed by cognitive function, brain imaging and survival time. RESULTS: Patients with AD showed ov

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction has been associated with impaired glucometabolic status. However, studies of older subjects are lacking. We examined associations between echocardiographic indices of LV diastolic function and LV mass index (LVMI) and glucometabolic status among middle-aged and elderly subjects free from heart disease, hypothesizing that the associations woul

Elementary geometrical shape (EGS) models are useful in radiostereometric analysis (RSA) on hip stems because tantalum markers attached to the stems can be omitted. In order to create an EGS model of a femoral stem, the center of the femoral head has to be identified. The contour of the femoral head is recommended to be used. However, the contour of the femoral head cannot be detected exclusively

BACKGROUND: This cross-sectional study is aimed at describing and investigating empowerment and its relationships with level of engagement in daily activities and community life, experienced stigma, psychopathology, and quality of life among people with mental illness entering supported employment. METHOD: The following scales were administered to 120 persons: Empowerment Scale, Profiles of Occupa

Clinical studies have suggested a link between the sensory trigeminal system and the parasympathetic ganglia. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a sensory neuropeptide which plays an important role in vasodilatation and pain transmission in craniocervical structures. The present study was designed to examine if CGRP and CGRP receptor components are present in the human sphenopalatine gangli

Microtubules are characteristic components of the membrane skeleton of Euglena gracilis, but whether microfilaments are present has been controversial. We here present evidence that an actin-like protein may indeed be associated with the plasma membrane (PM) of E. gracilis. Firstly, a 47 kDa, PM-associated, polypeptide was recognized by an anti-amoeba actin antibody. Secondly, this 47 kDa protein