Much is known about the geoepidemiology of defined autoimmune diseases (AD); however, there is currently limited data regarding the prevalence of autoantibodies among healthy populations of different geographical areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate a large profile of autoantibodies in healthy adults from distinct global regions as well as the prevalence of anti-infectious agents antibodie

The calculation of absorbed dose from internally incorporated radionuclides is based on the so-called specific absorbed fractions (SAFs) which represent the fraction of energy emitted in a given source region that is absorbed per unit mass in a specific target organ. Until recently, photon SAFs were calculated using MIRD-type mathematical phantoms. For electrons, the energy released was assumed to

Abstract is not available

We investigate a family of protograph based rate-compatible LDPC convolutional codes. The code family shows improved thresholds close to the Shannon limit compared to their uncoupled versions for the binary erasure channel as well as the AWGN channel. In fact, the gap to Shannon limit is almost uniform for all members of the code family ensuring good performance for all subsequent incremental redu

Particle number and mass concentrations of submicrometer aerosol particles were determined for the upper troposphere over the mid-latitude North Atlantic within the Civil Aircraft for Regular Investigation of the Atmosphere Based on an Instrument Container project (CARIBIC, http://www.caribic-atmospheric.com). Between May 2001 and April 2002, 22 flights from Germany to the Caribbean were conducted

Purpose: This paper illustrates the social and economic impact of services delivered by a small charity to families affected by post-natal depression (PND). It highlights challenges and offers insights to the meaning of ‘value for money’ for commissioners of public health services. Design/methodology/approach: The analysis is based on a social return on investment (SROI) approach. Evidence was g

Abstract is not available

The modifier effect is the reduction in perceived likelihood of a generic property sentence, when the head noun is modified. We investigated the prediction that the modifier effect would be stronger for mutable than for central properties, without finding evidence for this predicted interaction over the course of five experiments. However Experiment 6, which provided a brief context for the modifi

Schizophrenic-spectrum patients commonly display deficits in preattentive information processing as evidenced, for example, by disrupted prepulse inhibition (PPI), a measure of sensorimotor gating. Similar disruptions in PPI can be induced in rodents and primates by the psychotomimetic drug phencyclidine (PCP), a noncompetitive inhibitor of the NMDA receptor. Mounting evidence suggests that the hu

Planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) and Rayleigh scattering measurements were used for the study of turbulence/combustion interactions in distributed reaction regimes including flameless or MILD combustion. A novel laboratory scale burner (Distributed and Flameless Combustion Burner - DFCB) was used to reach uniquely high Karlovitz numbers, presently reported up to 14,400. It consists of a hi

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are root symbionts that enhance plant growth and improve soil fertility and soil structure in drylands. Even though AM fungi are obligate biotrophs, organic matter (OM) can stimulate their growth, but the mechanisms behind this are still unknown. Here, we compared the effect of nutrient patches of different OM sources to intrinsic components of OM such as inorgani

In recent decades, Skylark (Alauda arvensis) populations in Europe have declined sharply due to agricultural intensification. Insufficient reproduction rates are one reason. Increased winter mortality may also be important, but studies outside the breeding season are scarce and mostly limited to the UK. We studied habitat selection of wintering Skylarks in an agricultural area in the Netherlands.

The microRNAs (miRNAs) miR-132 and miR-212 have been found to regulate synaptic plasticity and cholinergic signaling and recent work has demonstrated roles outside of the CNS, including in smooth muscle. Here, we examined if miR-132 and miR-212 are induced in the urinary bladder following outlet obstruction and whether this correlates with effects on gene expression and cell growth. Three to seven

Economical grade changes are considered for a Borealis Borstar polyethylene plant model, incorporating two slurry-phase reactors, one gas-phase reactor and a recycle area with three distillation columns. The model is constructed in the Modelica language and the JModelica.org platform is used for opti- mization. The cost function expresses the economical profit during a grade change and is formulat

Neural stem cells (NSCs) in the embryo generate neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, the principal cells of the central nervous system (CNS), which contribute to the full diversity of the brain. Some NSCs persist in the adult brain and ensures neurogenesis throughout adult life in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and the subgranular zone (SGZ). NSCs in the SGZ generates neurons in the granule ce

To improve gas turbine performance, the operating temperature has been increased continuously. However, the heat transferred to the turbine blade is substantially increased as the turbine inlet temperature is increased. Cooling methods are therefore much needed for the turbine blades to ensure a long durability and safe operation. The blade tip region is exposed to the hot gas flows and is difficu

Silver behenate, a salt of the behenic acid, known mostly for its applications in photothermographic imaging and use as a diffraction reference material, was studied by X-ray diffraction under pressures up to 11.4 GPa. Diffraction patterns were collected using a diamond anvil cell and synchrotron radiation at the 1711 beamline (MAXlab, Lund). The variation of the d spacing with pressure is determi