The present work investigates the occurrence and significance of aberrant DNA methylation patterns during early stages of atherosclerosis. To this end, we asked whether the genetically atherosclerosis-prone APOEnull mice show any changes in DNA methylation patterns before the appearance of histologically detectable vascular lesion. We exploited a combination of various techniques: DNA fingerprinti

The burden of disease/cost-effectiveness analysis (BoD/CE) was introduced as a method for detailed planning and budgeting in 13 districts of Uganda. This endeavor can be seen as a “natural experiment”, attempting to pursue policy implementation by means of a heavy focus on rationalistic/technical arguments as a main supportive factor. However, modern theory of policy implementation, e.g. the new i

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to define the scales and test the validity, reliability, and sensitivity of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ)-H&N35, a questionnaire designed to assess the quality of life of head and neck (H&N) cancer patients in conjunction with the general cancer-specific EORTC QLQ-C30. PATIENTS AND

We simulate interactions between adsorbing and nonadsorbing surfaces immersed in solutions containing monodisperse semiflexible chains. Apart from the nature of the surfaces, we investigate responses to changes of the intrinsic chain stiffness, the degree of polymerization, and the bulk concentration. Our simulations display a sufficient accuracy and precision to reveal free-energy barriers that a

The framework for an implicit implementation of the Bodner-Partom material model is presented. All equations needed for using a Newton-Raphson algorithm to solve the stress and hardening equations at the integration points are derived. In addition, the algorithmic tangential stiffness tensor, ensuring quadratic convergence in the global loop is presented.

Soot formation in a turbulent jet diffusion flame is modeled using an unsteady flamelet approach in post-process. In the present work, we apply a detailed kinetic soot model with a sectional method, and study the evolution of the particle size distribution. Detailed information on the evolution of the soot particle size distribution function is acquired. It is found that the particle size distribu

We compared 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) derived with an improved transformation matrix from EASI leads and standard 12-lead ECGs in the detection of acute myocardial ischemia and old infarction (MI). For the ischemia test, we used ECGs of 40 patients recorded prior to and at peak inflation during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, and for old MI we used test ECGs of 382 non-MI s

A case study is presented that evaluates the impact of partial automation strategies on productivity and ergonomics. A company partly automated its assembly and transportation functions while moving from a parallel-batch to a serial line-based production system. Data obtained from company records and key informants were combined with detailed video analysis, biomechanical modelling data and field

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the risk for vascular morbidity or death and retinopathy in relation to urinary albumin concentration. To that end, we performed a 5-year follow-up study of all type 2 diabetic patients attending the outpatient-clinic. A total of 444 (98.4%) out of 451 adult patients initially studied were evaluated for the degree of retinopathy and levels of HbA1c bloo

The problem studied in this paper is how to distribute computingresources over a set of realtime control loops in order to optimizethe total control performance. Two subproblems are investigated: howthe control performance depends on the sampling interval, and how arecursive resource allocation optimization routine can be designed.Linear quadratic cost functions are used as performance indicators.

The phase behavior of the three-component PEO-PPO-PEO/dextradwater system has been studied. Pluronic L64, P105, and F68 were used, and they are members of a family of triblock copolymers with the structure PEO-PPO-PEO, where PEO is poly(ethy1ene oxide) and PPO poly- (propylene oxide). Moreover, these triblock copolymers tend to self-aggregate in aqueous solution at increasing temperature. The phas

A model of pleural fluid turnover, based on mass conservation law, was developed from experimental evidence that 1) pleural fluid filters through the parietal pleura and is drained by parietal lymphatics and 2) lymph flow increases after an increase in pleural liquid volume, attaining a maximum value 10 times greater than control. From the differential equation describing the time evolution of ple

Abstract in UndeterminedBackgroundReliable, valid and easily administered screening instruments would greatly facilitate large-scale neuropsychiatric research.Aims To test a parent telephone interview focused on autism – tics, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other comorbidities (A–TAC).MethodParents of 84 children in contact with a child neuropsychiatric clinic and 27 control c