Aerodynamic performance and energetic savings for flight in ground effect are theoretically maximized during hovering, but have never been directly measured for flying animals. We evaluated flight kinematics, metabolic rates and induced flow velocities for Anna's hummingbirds hovering at heights (relative to wing length R 5.5 cm) of 0.7R, 0.9R, 1.1R, 1.7R, 2.2R and 8R above a solid surface. Flight

Introduction. To study whether the frequently reported association between depressive symptoms and the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its individual components are secondary to the use of antidepressant medication and to established diabetes or cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Patients and methods. A population-based, random sample of 4,967 women and men aged 18-75 years. MetS was defined according t

The solution of the forward problem in fluorescence molecular imaging strongly influences the successful convergence of the fluorophore reconstruction. The most common approach to meeting this problem has been to apply the diffusion approximation. However, this model is a first-order angular approximation of the radiative transfer equation, and thus is subject to some well-known limitations. This

The polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) mixture Aroclor 1254 alters bone tissue properties. However, the mechanisms responsible for the observed effects have not yet been clarified. This study compared the effect of Aroclor 1254 on the expression of osteoblast differentiation markers in MC3T3-E1 cells with the corresponding effect of the dioxin reference compound 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TC

The original version and an evaluatively neutralized version (with items rephrased to reduce popularity) of a personality inventory were compared. The results revealed A) Similar criterion validity across three different sets of self-rated behaviors, B) Stronger relations to the rated social desirability of criteria for the original version, and C) Less correlation between factors for the neutrali

Health-related quality of life (HRQL) was evaluated in 94 patients undergoing allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) after myeloablative (MAC, n = 18) or reduced intensity conditioning (RIC, n = 76). HRQL was assessed with the EORTC QLQ C-30 during the inpatient period as well as during the following 3 years, i.e. at baseline and 12 times thereafter. Functional status and globa

Currently, we are experiencing biodiversity loss on different spatial scales. One of the best studied taxonomic groups in decline is the butterflies. Here, we review evidence for such declines using five systematic studies from southern Sweden that compare old butterfly surveys with the current situation. Additionally, we provide data on butterfly and burnet moth extinctions in the region’s counti

Background: The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by the persistent presence of auto-antibodies against β(2) -Glycoprotein I (β(2) -GPI). β(2) -GPI can exist in two conformations. In plasma it is a circular protein, whereas it adopts a fish-hook shape after binding to phospholipids. Only the latter conformation is recognized by patient antibodies. β(2) -GPI has been shown to interac

Many small passerines regularly fly slowly when catching prey, flying in cluttered environments or landing on a perch or nest. While flying slowly, passerines generate most of the flight forces during the downstroke, and have a 'feathered upstroke' during which they make their wing inactive by retracting it close to the body and by spreading the primary wing feathers. How this flight mode relates

As Cooren and Sandler note in their paper, communication studies has largely received Bakhtin as a theorist of dialogue, but such a framing limits his potential contributions to our thinking. They argue that when we seek to understand the communicative constitution of reality, Bakhtin's work can lead us in novel and fruitful directions. I find their claims compelling, and thus this response is mor

To assess the possible effect of a stiff right ventricle on the coronary flow (CF) in patients with post-operative Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF).

Aims To investigate efficacy and safety of dual therapy with liraglutide and metformin in comparison to glimepiride and metformin, and metformin monotherapy over 2?years in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods In the 26-week the Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes (LEAD)-2 core trial, patients (n?=?1091) were randomized (2?:?2?:?2?:?1:?2) to liraglutide (0.6, 1.2 or 1.8?mg once-daily), pla

Although small round gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) possess only a small degree of shape anisotropy, they support localized surface plasmon resonances and exhibit intrinsic optical anisotropy. These inherent features promote depolarized light scattering, whose temporal fluctuations carry information about rotational Brownian dynamics, and thus can be used to describe the size distribution of round Au

We report on the origin of the anomalous temperature dependence of coercivity observed in some soft ferromagnets by studying the magnetic and electronic properties of FeZr films doped using ion implantation by H, He, B, C, and N. The anomalous increase of the coercivity with temperature was observed only in the C- and B-doped samples. Using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we show that the anomal

Thigh tourniquet is commonly used in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) but may contribute to pain and muscle damage. Consequently, the reduction in knee-extension strength after TKA may be caused by quadriceps muscle ischaemia underneath the cuff.

Life expectancy for patients with haemophilia (PWH) has significantly increased in the last decades, due to improvement of clotting factor replacement therapy. However, despite a lower cardiovascular mortality rate and contrasting prevalence for non-fatal ischaemic heart disease (IHD), cardiovascular diseases are increasing in PWH. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in PWH is as prevale

Introduction. In contrast to research findings describing the localization of nitric oxide synthases (NOS), guanylyl cyclases, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)- and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-degrading phosphodiesterase isoenzymes in the human vagina, the distribution of proteins known as major targets for cyclic nucleotides has not yet been evaluated. cAMP- and cGMP-dependent

Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) isodensity maps indicate important regions in an animal's visual field. These maps can also be combined with measures of focal length to estimate the theoretical visual acuity. Here we present the RGC isodensity maps and anatomical spatial resolving power in three budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) and two Bourke's parrots (Neopsephotus bourkii). Because RGCs were st