This paper provides a snapshot of the permafrost thermal state in the Nordic area obtained during the International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2009. Several intensive research campaigns were undertaken within a variety of projects in the Nordic countries to obtain this snapshot. We demonstrate for Scandinavia that both lowland permafrost in palsas and peat plateaus, and large areas of permafrost in the

A senescent phenotype in endothelial cells is associated with increased apoptosis, reduced endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and inflammation, which are implicated in arterial dysfunction and disease in humans. We tested the hypothesis that changes in microRNAs are associated with a senescent phenotype in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC). Compared with early-passage HAEC, late-passage

Subject-specific finite element models have been proposed as a tool to improve fracture risk assessment in individuals. A thorough laboratory validation against experimental data is required before introducing such models in clinical practice. Results from digital image correlation can provide full-field strain distribution over the specimen surface during in vitro test, instead of at a few pre-de

Aim: To determine how accurately and confidently examiners with different levels of ultrasound experience can classify adnexal masses as benign or malignant and suggest a specific histological diagnosis when evaluating ultrasound images using pattern recognition. Methods: Ultrasound images of selected adnexal masses were evaluated by 3 expert sonologists, 2 senior and 4 junior trainees. They were

Centimetre-sized single crystals of high-quality CaBaCo2Fe2O7 were synthesized by the optical floating zone technique. The metal-to-metal stoichiometry and oxygen content were confirmed by spectroscopy and thermal reduction experiments. The hexagonal symmetry P6(3)mc (No. 186) well describes the powder X-ray and neutron diffraction as well as single-crystal neutron diffraction at all measured temp

The gene encoding beta-mannanase (EC 3.2.1.78) BaMan26A from the bacterium Bifidobacterium adolescentis (living in the human gut) was cloned and the gene product characterized. The enzyme was found to be modular and to contain a putative signal peptide. It possesses a catalytic module of the glycoside hydrolase family 26, a predicted immunoglobulin-like module, and two putative carbohydrate-bindin

Objective. To identify subgroups or phenotypes of knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients based on similarities of clinically relevant patient characteristics, and to compare clinical outcomes of these phenotypes. Methods. Data from 842 knee OA patients of the Osteoarthritis Initiative were used. A cluster analysis method was performed, in which clusters were formed based on similarities in 4 clinically

In Rabinowicz (2008), I considered how value relations can best be analysed in terms of fitting pro-attitudes. In the formal model of that paper, fitting pro-attitudes are represented by the class of permissible preference orderings on a domain of items that are being compared. As it turns out, this approach opens up for a multiplicity of different types of value relationships, along with the stan

To examine the association between perceived environmental barriers to and facilitators for outdoor mobility with life-space among older people.

Background Estimating attributable mortality of ventilator-associated pneumonia has been hampered by confounding factors, small sample sizes, and the difficulty of doing relevant subgroup analyses. We estimated the attributable mortality using the individual original patient data of published randomised trials of ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention. Methods We identified relevant studies th

Previous research has shown that firms identified as derivative users tend to be valued at a premium relative to non-users. In this paper I develop the hypothesis that the derivative premium' is higher in firms with centralised FX exposure management, compared to a decentralised approach in which subsidiaries retain bank contacts and/or decision-making authority. This study benefits from unique su

We have previously shown that the use of a combination of antioxidants delayed the degeneration process in rd1 mouse retina. In an effort to understand the mechanism of action of these substances (zeaxanthin, lutein, alpha-lipoic acid, glutathione, and Lycium barbarum extract) the changes in the levels of several proteins and oxidative stress markers in the rd1 retina have been studied. The treatm

In this work, we demonstrate the fabrication of bilayer metal wire-grid polarizers and the characterization of their performance. The polarizers with 200 nm period were fabricated on flexible plastic substrates by nanoimprint lithography (NIL), followed by aluminum deposition. Transmission efficiency over 0.51 and extinction ratio higher than 950 can be achieved in the visible range when the alumi

Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) of the M2 phenotype are present in the stroma of many tumours and are frequently associated with the progression of several types of cancer. We investigated the role of M2 macrophages in colon cancer progression and found that human colon cancer tissue had elevated numbers of CD68(+) (macrophage marker) cells and CD206(+) (M2 macrophage marker) cells and increa

Abstract: Urban densification increases exposure to noise, light, odour, and vibration in urban dwellings. Exposure from combined environmental stressors intruding into the home could increase the risk of adverse effects on wellbeing, even when the exposure is at a relatively low level. This study assesses the prevalence of annoyance with a combination of potential environmental stressors common i

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is first-line treatment for metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists are the most commonly used ADT but have several theoretical physiologic disadvantages (e.g. initial testosterone surge, potential microsurges upon repeat administration). Testosterone surge delays the intended serologic endpoint of testosterone suppressio