It is well known that in the context of the classical regression model with heteroskedastic errors, while ordinary least squares (OLS) is not efficient, the weighted least squares (WLS) and quasi-maximum likelihood (QML) estimators that utilize the information contained in the heteroskedasticity are. In the context of unit root testing with conditional heteroskedasticity, while intuition suggests

We have studied the production of neutral high-Rydberg (HR) fragments from the CH4 molecule at the C 1s -> 3p excitation and at the C 1s ionization threshold. Neutral fragments in HR states were ionized using a pulsed electric field and the resulting ions were mass-analyzed using an ion time-of-flight spectrometer. The atomic fragments C(HR) and H(HR) dominated the spectra, but molecular fragments

Objective: Cancer quality registers are attracting increasing attention as important, but still underutilized sources of clinical data. To optimize the use of registers in quality assurance and improvement, data have to be rapidly collected, collated and presented as actionable, at-a-glance information to the reporting departments. This article presents a dashboard performance report on select qua

tThe PID controller is by far the most common controller, and to ensure good behavior under all circumstances, a PID implementation must consider many practical aspects such as integrator windup,derivative kick, and bumpless parameter and mode changes. In this paper, an entirely new issue for the derivative part is introduced and has been named derivative backoff. It occurs when the process value

Abstract in UndeterminedInformation fusion via multimodal inverse problems and different sensors is addressed using a Fisher information analysis approach. The Fisher information measure is inherently additive, and it facilitates an appropriate weighting of the measurement data that is statistically optimal and can hence be useful with reconstruction algorithms in geophysical sensing. Given that t

Knowledge of a patient's perception of her medical needs and urgency may make it possible for emergency nurses to communicate the triage decision and make the patient understand the assessment and triage category. The aim of this study was to compare the patients' own assessments of their acuity to the triage nurse's assessment, as well as describe patient satisfaction and levels of anxiety.

Purpose To present a single center outcome from an initial series of gynecological robotic cases with a special reference to obese patients. Methods A retrospective evaluation of 116 women, undergoing elective gynecologic robot-assisted surgery from February 2011 to December 2012. Procedures included hysterectomy (HE), radical HE, adnexectomy, myomectomy, pelvic lymphadenectomy and paraaortic lymp

Abstract Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) with regard to non-vocational outcomes among individuals with severe mental illness. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was carried out, comparing IPS with traditional vocational rehabilitation. The Empowerment Scale, the Worker Role Interview, the Profile of Occupational Engagement, and the Manchest

Volatile compounds isolated from the African medlar (Vangueria infausta L.) were identified by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The volatile components identified in the extract were: hexanoic acid (5600 mu g/g, dry matter, DM), octanoic acid (240 mu g/g, DM), methyl hexanoate (15 mu g/g, DM), ethyl hexanoate (44 mu g/g, DM), methyl octanoate (12 mu g/g, DM) and ethyl o

Biokinetic data are important when calculating the absorbed dose to the patients and can also be used to find the optimal time between injection and imaging. To the authors' knowledge, there are no published biokinetic data in humans for (18)F-choline, except some distribution data at single time points. Four patients with suspicion of metastases due to biochemical recurrence (measurable prostate-

The potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to differentiate into functional bone forming cells provides an important tool for bone regeneration. The identification of factors capable of promoting osteoblast differentiation in MSCs is therefore critical to enhance the osteogenic potential of MSCs. Using microarray analysis combined with biochemical and molecular approach, we found that FGF18, a

There is a growing evidence that neuropeptides may be involved in the pathophysiology of suicidal behavior. A critical review of the literature was conducted to investigate the association between neuropeptides and suicidal behavior. Only articles from peer-reviewed journals were selected for the inclusion in the present review. Twenty-six articles were assessed for eligibility but only 22 studies

The importance of having correct structural descriptions is becoming ever clearer, not only in drug discovery research, but also in the development of new advanced materials. Here the key to optimizing properties lies in understanding the structure-property relationships. Without a correct description theoretical calculations will inevitably fail to describe and explain any experimental observatio

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

The biosphere emits volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) which, after oxidation in the atmosphere, can partition on the existing aerosol population or even form new particles. The large quantities emitted provide means for a large potential impact on both aerosol direct and indirect effects. Biogenic responses to atmospheric temperature change can establish feedbacks even in rather short timescales.

Animals with color vision use color information in intra- and interspecific communication, which in turn may drive the evolution of conspicuous colored body traits via natural and sexual selection. A recent study found that the transparent wings of small flies and wasps in lower-reflectance light environments display vivid and stable structural color patterns, called "wing interference patterns" (

Certain purified indigestible carbohydrates such as inulin have been shown to stimulate gut-derived hormones involved in glycaemic regulation and appetite regulation, and to counteract systemic inflammation through a gut microbiota-mediated mechanism. Less is known about the properties of indigestible carbohydrates intrinsic to food. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility to affe