Natural killer (NK) cells are involved both in control of virus infections and in elimination of tumor cells. Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) either activate or inhibit NK cell-mediated cytolysis, protecting healthy cells from destruction while enabling killing of abnormal cells. To investigate whether KIR genes or genotypes are associated with cervical carcinogenesis, a nested case-co

We directly image the interior of GaAs/AlGaAs axial and radial nanowire heterostructures with atomic-scale resolution using scanning tunneling microscopy. We show that formation of monolayer sharp and smooth axial interfaces are possible even by vapor-phase epitaxy. However, we also find that instability of the ternary alloys formed in the Au seed fundamentally limits axial heterostructure control

Abstract in Norwegian Bakgrunn. Fallulykker er et viktig helseproblem hos eldre. Både balansetesting og registrering av egenrapportert funksjon kan være måter å forutse fremtidige ulykker på. Materiale og metode. I en kohortstudie ble egenrapportert gangfunksjon kartlagt hos 307 tilfeldig utvalgte hjemmeboende kvinner 75 år og eldre. Kvinnene gjennomgikk også testing av balanse og gangfunksjon, oBACKGROUND: Falls represent an important health problem among the elderly. Balance testing as well as registration of self-reported balance problems may be appropriate in order to predict the risk of future falls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Self-reported walking was assessed in 307 randomly selected women 75 years or older living at home. The women underwent testing of gait and balance and were follow

Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) and Thermomyces lanuginosa lipase (TLL) were evaluated as catalysts in different reaction media using hydrolysis of tributyrin as model reaction. In o/w emulsions, the enzymes were used in the free form and for use in monophasic organic media, the lipases were adsorbed on porous polypropylene (Accurel EP-100). In monophasic organic media, the highest specific act

We used validated outcome instruments to measure symptoms, disability, and health-related quality of life in 58 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The patients completed the CTS instrument before and 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery and the Short Form-36 (SF-36) before and 3 months after surgery. The size of clinical change detected by each outcome measure was estimated by th

In this technical note the ability to estimate surface soil moisture (theta) from soil color using image analysis is evaluated. Four natural soils and uniform fine sand were used. Calibration soil samples with theta varying from 0 to 0.40 m(3) m(-3) in 0.05 m(3) m(-3) increments were prepared and photographed. The variations in soil color with theta were investigated in both the RGB (red, green, a

Software inspection is an effective method to detect faults in software artefacts. Several empirical studies have been performed on reading techniques, which are used in the individual preparation phase of software inspections. Besides new experiments, replications are needed to increase the body of knowledge in software inspections. This paper presents a replication of an experiment, which compar

The 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 gene (HSD17B1) encodes 17HSD1, which catalyzes the final step of estradiol biosynthesis. Despite the important role of HSD17B1 in hormone metabolism, few epidemiologic studies of HSD17B1 and breast cancer have been conducted. This study includes 5,370 breast cancer cases and 7,480 matched controls from five large cohorts in the Breast and Prostate Cancer

The aim of the paper is to critically review the notion of social capital and review empirical literature on the association between social capital and health across countries. The methodology used for the review includes a systematic search on electronic databases for peer-reviewed published literature. We categorize studies according to level of analysis (single and multilevel) and examine wheth

Self-desiccation occurs in all types of concrete due to the chemical shrinkage that takes place when water is attached to the cement. In High Performance Concrete the low porosity makes the effect of self-desiccation much more pronounced. This paper presents a summary of a Nordic Seminar on Self-Desiccation in Concrete held in Lund. For this purpose aspects of mix design, curing conditions, desicc

Articles about the value of literature, based on lectures given at the conference "The Value of Literature. The contribution of literature, literary history and theory to cultural, ethical and social development", held at Vitterhetsakademien, Stockholm Nov 2004.

Double-tagged interactions of photons with virtualities Q(2) between 10 GeV2 and 200 GeV2 are studied with the data collected by DELPHI at LEPII from 1998 to 2000, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 550 pb(-1). The gamma*gamma* -> mu(+)mu(-) data agree with QED predictions. The cross-section of the reaction gamma*gamma* -> hadrons is measured and compared to the LO and NLO BFKL calculati

Background: Pancreatic cancer is generally associated with a poor prognosis and often diagnosed in an advanced stage. The aim of the present study was to evaluate gemcitabine treatment concerning prognostic factors, clinical benefit, tolerance/ toxicity and survival. Methods: Patients with surgically nonresectable, locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer treated with gemcitabine were incl

Resonant Auger spectra of O-2 clusters excited at the O1s edge are reported. After excitation to the repulsive 1s(-1)3 sigma* state, the resulting resonant Auger spectrum displays features that remain constant in kinetic energy as the photon energy is detuned. The shift between known atomic fragment features and these features is consistent with that observed for atoms and clusters in singly charg

Abstract in French Cet article pose la question de savoir s’il existe une corrélation entre le niveau grammatical et le niveau lexical dans la production écrite d’apprenants de français langue étrangère. Nous avons appliqué un certain nombre d’indices quantitatifs et lexicaux et un indice grammatical à 40 textes en français, écrits par deux groupes d’apprenants adultes suédophones se situant à desThe paper addresses the question of whether there is a correlation between the grammatical developmental level and the lexical developmental level in the written production of learners of French as a foreign language. We have applied a number of quantitative and lexical measures and one grammatical measure to 40 texts in French written by two groups Swedish adults with different proficiency levels

The phase behavior over the entire concentration range for the system didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB)-sodium taurodeoxycholate (STDC)-water, at 25 degrees C, has been investigated, with emphasis on the DDAB-rich part. Polarizing microscopy, SAXS, H-2 NMR and H-1 self-diffusion NMR have been used in combination as probing techniques for phase behavior and microstructure. The system forms f