To better handle situations where additional resources are available to carry out a task, many problems from the manufacturing industry involve "optimally" dividing a task into k smaller tasks. We consider the problem of partitioning a given set S of n points (in the plane) into k subsets, S1,...,Sk that max 1leqslant i leqslant k |MST(Si) | is minimized. A variant of this problem arises in the sh

Hollow fibre (HF) membrane modules were applied in continuous mode for equilibrium sampling through membranes (ESTM) of polar organic pollutants. Phenolic compounds (chlorophenols, cresols and phenol) served as model substances and ESTM was tuned towards the measurement of freely dissolved concentrations (C(free)). HF membrane modules were constructed using thin-walled membrane, 1-m module length

The human autosomal-dominant disorder Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome presents with defects in development of the eyes, teeth, and umbilicus. The eye manifests with iris ruptures, irido-corneal adhesions, cloudy corneas, and glaucoma. Transcription factors such as PITX2 and FOXC1 have been found to carry point mutations, causing the disorder. However, for approximately 40% of the cases, the pathogenesis

Objectives. Our aim was to identify a group of patients with clinical signs of tonsillitis to whom antibiotics could be prescribed without further diagnostic actions, and to compare the outcome of clinical assessment with the result of an antigen detection test using culture as the gold standard. Methods. During two winter months, patients aged >=4 years attending for sore throat at three primary

Humans are unique among animals in cooperating in large groups of unrelated individuals, with a high degree of resource sharing. These features challenge traditional evolutionary theories built on kin selection or reciprocity. A recent theoretical model by Gavrilets and colleagues takes a fresh look at the 'egalitarian revolution' that separates humans from our closest relatives, the great apes. T

Activated protein C (APC) has potent anticoagulant and antiinflammatory properties that are mediated in part by its interactions with its cofactor protein S and the endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR). The protein C/APC Gla domain is implicated in both interactions. We sought to identify how the protein C Gla domain enables specific protein-protein interactions in addition to its conserved

Various optical techniques were used to investigate relevant parameters involved in photodynamic therapy (PDT) of human basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). The aim of the study was to compare the diagnostic and therapeutic outcome when using topically applied methyl-esterified delta -aminolevulinic acid (ALA-ME) and delta -aminolevulinic acid (ALA). A total of 35 pathologically verified BCCs in 14 patie

Hypoxia is common in many solid tumours, including breast cancer. Hypoxia triggers the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha), and HIF-1 alpha has been associated with an impaired prognosis in breast cancer and down-regulation of the oestrogen receptor (ER), potentially affecting the treatment efficiency of antioestrogens. The role of HIF-1 alpha regarding prognostic and trea

In samples from patients treated with oxazepam, beta-glucuronidase increased the immunoreactivity of urinary benzodiazepines analyzed by fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA). Increasing concentrations of beta-glucuronidase added to samples from drug-free controls did not influence the results. In the absence of beta-glucuronidase, 22 of 35 samples from patients undergoing detoxification ga

Objective: Although the incretins, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), as well as glucagon and cortisol, are known to influence islet function, the role of these hormones in conditions of insulin resistance and development of type 2 diabetes is unknown. An interesting model for the study of hormonal perturbations accompanying marked insulin resistance without

We report two new cases of liver glycogen synthase deficiency (GSD0). The first patient presented at the age of 8 months with recurrent hypoglycemic seizures. The second patient presented at 14 months with asymptomatic incidental hyperglycemia. Glucose monitoring in both patients revealed daily fluctuations from fasting hypoglycemia to postprandial hyperglycemia. Genetic analysis of the GYS2 gene

Let X-1, X-2, ... , X-k be independent n bit random variables. If they have arbitrary distributions, we show how to compute distributions like Pr{X-1 circle plus X-2 circle plus (...) circle plus X-k} and Pr{X-1 boxed plus X-2 boxed plus (...) boxed plus X-k} in complexity O(kn2(n)). Furthermore, if X-1, X-2, ... X-k are uniformly distributed we demonstrate a large class of functions F(X-1, X-2, .

Pilgrimages arranged by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden are a relatively new, but growing phenomenon. Th is study examines Swedish pilgrims’ background, motivations, and experiences. Most pilgrims are highly educated, middle-aged persons with a strong relation to the church. However, a group of religiously interested persons with weaker bonds with the church was also identifi ed. Th e pi

Using Monte Carlo methods, the properties of systemwise generalizations of the Breusch Godfrey test for autocorrelated errors are studied when there are some kinds of GARCH effects among the errors. The analysis, regarding the size of the test, reveals that the GARCH have considerable effects of the properties of the test regarding the size, especially in large systems of equations. The corrected

The action of three matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), 72- and 95-kDa gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and PUMP (MMP-7), and a cysteine proteinase, cathepsin B, were investigated on aggrecan the major proteoglycan of cartilage. All the enzymes cleaved aggrecan although the activity of the 95-kDa gelatinase was very low. Specific cleavage sites were investigated following incubation with a purified agg

Arthritis susceptibility genes were sought by analysis of differential gene expression between pristane-induced arthritis (PIA)-susceptible DA rats and PIA-resistant E3 rats. Inguinal lymph nodes of nave animals and animals 8 days after pristane injection were analyzed for differential gene expression. mRNA expression was investigated by microarray and real-time PCR, and protein expression was ana

(T)he main source of cohesion in cement paste is the nanoparticles of calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H), which are formed upon the dissolution of the original tricalcium. silicate (C3S). The interaction between highly charged C-S-H particles in the presence of divalent calcium counterions is strongly attractive because of ion-ion correlations and a negligible entropic repulsion. Traditional double-