The paper presents numerical results for a two-scale damage model accounting for mixed-mode propagation of micro-cracks. A time-dependent propagation criterion is assumed for microcrack growth and a kinking direction criterion based on the maximum of the energy-release rate is used. The macroscopic damage evolution laws are obtained by homogenization based on asymptotic developments. A numerical p

Chronic degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) with left atrial (LA) enlargement is predictive of adverse cardiovascular events including stroke, atrial fibrillation (AF), and impaired survival. Mitral valve surgery (MVS) initiates left atrial reverse remodeling (LARR) characterized by LA volume reduction and improved function. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of LARR on clinical

In this article we present a survey of routing methods in Optical Burst Switching (OBS) networks We begin with a description of routing approaches and follow the discussion with a detailed classification of routing algorithms in OBS. Afterwards, we discuss common OBS network loss models that are frequently used in routing optimization. As examples of such application, we present a linear and a non

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) have been suspected to adversely affect human reproductive health. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between PFC exposure and male semen quality. PFCs were measured in serum from 588 partners of pregnant women from Greenland, Poland and Ukraine who provided a semen sample, using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Perfluorooctane

To compare the changes in microvascular blood flow in the small intestinal wall, wound contraction and fluid evacuation, using the established V.A.C. abdominal dressing (VAC dressing) and a new abdominal dressing, the ABThera open abdomen negative pressure therapy system (ABThera dressing), in negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). Midline incisions were made in 12 pigs, which were subjected to t

Iron deficiency is common, especially among young women. Adding probiotics to foods could be one way to increase iron absorption. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that non-haem iron absorption from a fruit drink is improved by adding Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v). Iron absorption was studied in healthy women of reproductive age using a single-blind cross-over design in two

We attempt to provide experimental and theoretical evidence that information of chemical reaction can propagate with plasmonic waveguide along the nanowire and be detected at the remote terminal of nanowire, where the chemical reaction is the surface catalyzed reaction of DMAB produced from PATP assisted by surface plasmon polaritons.

To improve cardiovascular research, there is a growing need for arterial characterization in small animals. We developed a method, ARTIC (arterial characterization) for measuring lumen diameter, distension and intima media thickness (IMT). In this study ARTIC was used to automatically characterize the aorta of premature rabbit pups. Automatic measurements were compared with manual measurements, bo

To determine factors associated with the antipsychotic (AP) prescription for people with dementia (PwD) recently admitted to institutional long-term care facilities (LTCFs) and to ascertain differences in the use of this medication in 8 European countries.

The aim of this study is to analyse longitudinally, the annual effects of age group and birth cohort on smoking in the Swedish population during a 24-year period and to analyse the smoking trends for different levels of education.

Sediment cores from the Kriegers Flak area in the southwestern Baltic Sea show a distinct lithological succession, starting with a lower diamict that is overlain by a c. 10 m thick clay unit that contains peat, gyttja and other organic remains. On top follows an upper diamict that is inter-layered with sorted sediments and overlain by an upward-coarsening sequence with molluscs. In this paper we f

To determine viral load of human papillomavirus type 6 (HPV6), physical state of HPV6-DNA, and transcription level of HPV6 E7-mRNA in laryngeal papilloma and in adjacent healthy mucosa.

Weight-loss interventions generally improve lipid profiles and reduce cardiovascular disease risk, but effects are variable and may depend on genetic factors. We performed a genetic association analysis of data from 2,993 participants in the Diabetes Prevention Program to test the hypotheses that a genetic risk score (GRS) based on deleterious alleles at 32 lipid-associated single-nucleotide polym

We report a new set oftheoretical transition probabilities in Y II, obtained using a multiconfiguration relativistic Hartree-Fock method including core polarization. The overall quality of the calculations is assessed by comparisons with new and previous lifetime measurements. In this paper, we report new measurements of five lifetimes in the 4d5p and 5s5p configurations, in the energy range of 32

The formation of an odour trail can be broken down into a chain of events: first, the emission of the attractant from the bait, second, a turbulent mixing into the immediate surroundings and third, a downstream advection and dispersion of the attractant by the current flowing past the bait. In this work, a simple analysis of the physical processes governing the first two stages shows that the release

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest has an overall poor prognosis. We sought to identify what temporal trends and influencing factors existed for this condition in one region.

Migration researchers have long known that the motives for changing place of residence vary over migration distance. Typically, short-distance moves are regarded as motivated by housing considerations and longer-distance moves primarily by employment considerations. Using a large-scale survey on migration motives, this paper explores how migration motives change over migration distance. Particular

One of the largest sources of uncertainties in modelling of the future global climate is the response of the terrestrial carbon cycle. Studies have shown that it is likely that the extant land sink of carbon will weaken in a warming climate. Should this happen, a larger portion of the annual carbon dioxide emissions will remain in the atmosphere, and further increase global warming, which in turn

In this article, I depart from the factual difficulties of undocumented migrants to access a state’s protection mechanisms for avowedly universal human rights. I relate this aporia to two competing conceptions of territorial jurisdictions. Drawing on the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Migrant Workers Convention, I separate the sphere of the political community (the polis) and that o