Objective: To conduct a replication study to investigate whether the 2945 CTGF genetic variant is associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc) susceptibility or specific SSc phenotype. Methods: The study population comprised 1180 patients with SSc and 1784 healthy controls from seven independent case-control sets of European ancestry (Spanish, French, Dutch, German, British, Swedish and North American

Excited states in the T-z = -1 nucleus V-44 have been observed for the first time. The states have been identified through recoil-gamma-gamma coincidences and comparison with analogue states in the mirror nucleus Sc-44. Mirror energy differences have been extracted and compared to state-of-the-art fp shell-model calculations which include charge symmetry breaking forces.

The aim of the present study is to cast some light on the realisation of sj- and tj-sounds (/ɧ/ and /ɕ/) in Estonian Swedish. These sounds are said not to occur in this variety of Swedish, or to have a different realisation as compared to Standard Swedish (Lagman, 1979). Our analysis, based on repetitions of elicited words produced by five elderly speakers of Estonian Swedish, shows that sj- and t

Biologically derived hydrogen (biohydrogen) from lignocellulosic biomass has the potential to be an ideal renewable fuel as its combustion does not produce carbon-based emissions and it can be derived from sources which do not affect food production. Moreover, the by-products of biohydrogen production can be fed to an anaerobic digester producing biogas. Thus, a two-step process involving biohydro

Abstract in UndeterminedThis paper describes a methodology for the optimization of portable parallel signal processing applications specified by dataflow programs. The use of dataflow as a programming model for signal processing applications targeting parallel platforms provides an important advantage versus the traditional sequential programming paradigm: the portability of parallelism. The paper

In this paper, we consider both algebraic crossed products of commutative complex algebras A with the integers under an automorphism of A, and Banach algebra crossed products of commutative C (*)-algebras A with the integers under an automorphism of A. We investigate, in particular, connections between algebraic properties of these crossed products and topological properties of naturally associate

It is being increasingly recognized that the Saussurean dictum of "the arbitrariness of the linguistic sign" is in conflict with the pervasiveness of the phenomenon commonly known as "sound symbolism". After first presenting a historical overview of the debate, however, we conclude that both positions have been exaggerated, and that an adequate explanation of sound symbolism is still lacking. How

GIS (Geographical Information System) has become a valuable tool in air pollution exposure assessment studies due to its abilities to accurately model and estimate exposure for large populations and areas. The general aim of the work presented in this thesis was to investigate the factors that affect the validity and precision in the assessment of human exposure to airborne pollution using GIS. Th

The crystalline lens in the cichlid fish Aequidens pulcher undergoes a transformation of its optical properties every dawn and dusk as the eye adapts to changes in light conditions. During dusk the transformation result in an increase of the refractive power in the lens cortex, the outermost 40 percent. The change is thought to match the optical properties of the lens to the requirements of the re

Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are chronic inflammatory bowel diseases that have a remitting, relapsing nature. During relapse, they are treated with drugs and surgery. The present study was based on individual data from patients diagnosed with CD or UC at Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark, during 1991 to 1993. The data were aggregated over calendar years; for each

In the solar system giant planets come in two flavours: gas giants (Jupiter and Saturn) with massive gas envelopes, and ice giants (Uranus and Neptune) with much thinner envelopes around their cores. It is poorly understood how these two classes of planets formed. High solid accretion rates, necessary to form the cores of giant planets within the life-time of protoplanetary discs, heat the envelop

Objectives: We evaluated a method for gas monitoring in the mastoid cavity using tunable diode laser spectroscopy by comparing it to simultaneously obtained computed tomographic (CT) scans. Methods: The presented optical technique measures free gases, oxygen (O2), and water vapor (H2O) within human tissue by use of low-power diode lasers. Laser light was sent into the tip of the mastoid process

This paper presents numerical simulations and laser diagnostic experiments of a swirling lean premixed methane/air flame with an aim to compare different Large Eddy Simulations (LES) models for reactive flows. An atmospheric-pressure laboratory swirl burner has been developed wherein lean premixed methane/air is injected in an unconfined low-speed flow of air. The flame is stabilized above the bur

Biomass derived gases produced via gasification, pyrolysis, and fermentation are carbon neutral alternative fuels that can be used in gas turbines, furnaces, and piston engines. To make use of these environmentally friendly but energy density low fuels the combustion characteristics of these fuels have to be fully understood. In this study the structure and laminar burning velocity of biomass deri

Contagious yawning has been reported for humans, dogs and several non-human primate species, and associated with empathy in humans and other primates. Still, the function, development and underlying mechanisms of contagious yawning remain unclear. Humans and dogs show a developmental increase in susceptibility to yawn contagion, with children showing an increase around the age of four, when also e

Introduction: In former studies from North America early Do-Not-Resuscitate orders (DNR orders) in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) had negative prognostic impact on mortality. The influence of DNR orders on functional outcome and whether DNR orders are grounded on relevant patient characteristics is unknown. We aimed to determine the frequency and predictive factors of DNR-orders and

The vibrational properties of the CO/Cu(100) surface adsorbate system have been explored by infrared spectroscopy and DFT cluster calculations. We show that all four fundamental, FT(x,y), FR(x,y), FT(z) and ν(C-O), vibrational modes are very well reproduced with respect to experiments by the present calculations and they are at the highest level reported to date. Our work demonstrates that it is e