Optimization models related to designing and operating complex systems are mainly focused on some efficiency metrics such as response time, queue length, throughput, and cost. However, in systems which serve many entities there is also a need for respecting fairness: each system entity ought to be provided with an adequate share of the system's services. Still, due to system operations-dependant c

The effect of two model adjuvants (benzyl benzoate and benzyl alcohol) on the structure and dynamics of three Pluronic triblock copolymers (P85, P105 and F127) was studied using small-angle neutron scattering and pulsed-field gradient NMR. The two adjuvants studied have different aqueous solubilities. It was found that both adjuvants promoted the micellisation of the Pluronic block copolymers. In

Metformin is a first-line oral agent used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but glycaemic response to this drug is highly variable. Understanding the genetic contribution to metformin response might increase the possibility of personalising metformin treatment. We aimed to establish the heritability of glycaemic response to metformin using the genome-wide complex trait analysis (GCTA) method.

AIM: Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) causes pulmonary hypertension that may lead to right heart failure. We hypothesized that the COX-2 inhibitor nimesulide and the thromboxane A (2) receptor antagonist daltroban would attenuate HPV. METHODS: Haemodynamic measurements and blood sampling were performed in 18 anaesthetized, mechanically ventilated pigs, with mean ± SEM weights of 31.3 ±

Flame stabilisation in (highly) preheated mixture is common in several industrial applications. When the reactants are injected separately in the device (usually at high-speed), the flame is lifted so that the fuel and oxidant first mix to give an ignitable mixture. If the temperature of the mixture is adequate, it auto-ignites stabilizing the flame. Here we focus on an academic lifted jet flame a

While drug abuse (DA) is strongly familial, we still have limited knowledge about the causes of its cross-generational transmission.

In this article, it is pointed out that the European Union does not have a harmonized practice when it comes to trade procedures, implying that countries in the rest of the world face different trade barriers depending on which EU country they ship their goods to. Estimating the impact of trade procedures on exports from non-EU countries, a highly statistically significant and negative effect is f

To apply and compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) metal artifact reducing sequences (MARS) including subtraction imaging after contrast application in patients with metal-on-metal (MoM) hip prostheses, investigate the prevalence and characteristics of periprosthetic abnormalities, as well as their relation with pain and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Microvascular dysfunction, characterized by edema formation secondary to increased blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and decreased blood flow, contributes to poor outcome following brain trauma. Recent studies have indicated that statins may counteract edema formation following brain trauma but little is known about other circulatory effects of statins in this setting. The objecti

Use of nutritional components from the milk and eventually from the solid feed relates to the growth and development of gastrointestinal tract (GIT). We studied the effect of pancreatic-like enzymes [porcine pancreatic enzymes (Creon) or microbial-derived amylase, protease, and lipase] on GIT morphology and lipid absorption in suckling piglets. Both enzyme preparations, in low or high dose, were f

The Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission provides multi-angular, dual-polarised brightness temperatures at 1.4 GHz, from which global soil moisture and vegetation optical depth (tau) products are retrieved. This paper presents a study of SMOS' tau product in 2010 and 2011 for crop zones of the USA. Retrieved tau values for 504 crop nodes were compared to optical/IR vegetation indices fr

Preterm birth is associated with increased rates of neonatal and infant mortality. It has been hypothesized that gestational age at birth may also be associated with increased mortality rates in adulthood, but to date, no studies have demonstrated this relationship. This national cohort study investigated the association between gestational age at birth and mortality in young adulthood. Data obtai

Purpose: Our animal model suggests that quantification of ductal flow from colour Doppler pixels is possible. We aimed to clarify whether this method can be used to determine a clinically significant ductal shunt in children. Methods: We retrospectively quantified ductal flow from saved images from 20 children who had been admitted for device occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus. Colour Doppler i

Sex differences in age-dependent mortality and reproductive success are predicted to drive the evolution of sexually dimorphic patterns of reproductive investment over life. However, this prediction has not been fully explored because it is difficult to measure primary and secondary sexual traits over the life spans of males and females. Here we studied a population of fowl, Gallus gallus, to gain

In recent decades, comprehensive rationalisations have been implemented in public dentistry in Sweden. How rationalisations affect working conditions, health and production from a long-term perspective has been poorly investigated. This study aims to analyse changes and associations in dentists' working conditions, health and productivity during a 5-year period. In 2003 and 2008, 65 dentists respo

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen that presents severe health care concerns due to the prevalence of multiple antibiotic-resistant strains. New treatment strategies are urgently needed, which requires an understanding of disease causation mechanisms. Complement is one of the first lines of defense against bacterial pathogens, and S. aureus expresses several specific complement inh