We propose an optical method for non-invasive characterisation of wood samples based on two optical techniques: time-resolved diffuse optical spectroscopy and gas in scattering media absorption spectroscopy. While the latter is sensitive to gases present inside wood pores, the former extracts information on the bulk material regarding light scattering and absorption. Measurements on spruce samples

Osteoarthritis is a widespread disease leading to physical disability affecting quality of life. It is primarily regarded as a cartilage disease but affect all tissues of a joint. Osteoarthritis can be regarded as an organ failure. Knee osteoarthritis is common in Kuwait, especially in women. The main symptoms are pain, stiffness and weakness affecting knee function. The diagnosis is made by histo

The Baltic Sea is one of many aquatic ecosystems that show long-term declines in dissolved silicate (DSi) concentrations due to anthropogenic alteration of the biogeochemical Si cycle. Reductions in DSi in aquatic ecosystems have been coupled to hydrological regulation reducing inputs, but also with eutrophication, although the relative significance of both processes remains unknown for the observ

WHO has expressed that people with intellectual disabilities (ID) often are disadvantaged when it comes to accessing healthcare. However, a more solid evidence base is needed to determine if, and in which parts of the health system people with ID have lower access.

We present a new analysis of J/psi production yields in deuteron-gold collisions at root s(NN) =200 GeV using data taken from the PHENIX experiment in 2003 and previously published in S. S. Adler [Phys. Rev. Lett 96, 012304 (2006)]. The high statistics proton-proton J/psi data taken in 2005 are used to improve the baseline measurement and thus construct updated cold nuclear matter modification fac

In this paper I argue that EPP effects are of two different types, NP-movement and the Filled Left Edge Effect. While NP-movement is driven in Narrow Syntax by the computation of Person, some Filled Left Edge phenomena, including Icelandic Stylistic Fronting, seem to take place in PF. Even so, these phenomena also reflect the clausal computation, that is, the matching processes that value clause i

The release of soluble dietary fiber is a prerequisite for viscous effects and hence beneficial health properties. A simple in vitro method was adapted to follow the release during gastrointestinal digestion, and the percentage of solubilized fiber was measured over time. beta-Glucan from oat bran was mainly released during gastric digestion while the release of pectin from sugar beet fiber contin

The species-area relationship (SAR) is one of the most thoroughly investigated empirical relationships in ecology. Two theories have been proposed to explain SARs: classical island biogeography theory and niche theory. Classical island biogeography theory considers the processes of persistence, extinction, and colonization, whereas niche theory focuses on species requirements, such as habitat and

Alkaline solutions containing polyhydroxy carboxylates and Ca(II) are typical in cementitious radioactive waste repositories. Gluconate (Gluc(-)) is a structural and functional representative of these sugar carboxylates. In the current study, the structure and equilibria of complexes forming in such strongly alkaline solutions containing Ca2+ and gluconate have been studied. It was found that Gluc

The present work is based on the Kantian (AaO) axiom and conceptualised as a textbook. As scientific in the true sense of the notion science, the Vertex version of Perspective Text Analysis (PTA) represents a completely new approach to text-based studies. The inter-lingual character of Vertex has been tested and established in the context of six different languages, four belonging to the German fa

Although rapid evolution of body size on islands has long been known, the ecological mechanisms behind this island phenomenon remain poorly understood. Diet is an important selective pressure for morphological divergence. Here we investigate if selection for novel diets has contributed to the multiple independent cases of island gigantism in the Skyros wall lizard (Podarcis gaigeae) and if diet, p

Background: To study the diabetes related CVD risk between men and women of different ages. Methods: Hazards ratios (HRs) (95%CI) for acute CHD and ischaemic stroke events were estimated based on data of Finnish and Swedish cohorts of 5111 women and 4167 men. Results: 182 (3.6%) women and 348 (8.4%) men had CHD and 129 (2.5%) women and 137 (3.3%) men ischaemic stroke events. The multivariate adjus

This dissertation deals with the conflict between the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) - the worldwide Reformed movement - and the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa (DRC) regarding the latter's support for and theological legitimizing of apartheid. One of the strongest measures possible was taken when the issue in 1982 was declared a Status Confessionis and the Dutch Reformed Church

In this work the design of an experimental test Platform analysis of the mechanical behavior of car seats during passenger ingress and egress is presented. This development has been performed in two steps: the first Step is data acquisition. by means of a mat sensorized with a pressure gauge net and a photogrammetry system so as to acquire the movements performed by a human during ingress and egre