From 2013 onward, Sweden and Finland gradually distinguish themselves from all other NATO partners in order to meet the growing challenge how to defend the Baltics. In the analysis, the concept of ‘informal ally’, in contrast to ‘formal ally’, is introduced. A synthesized analytical framework is used to evaluate the process of ever closer partner cooperation and its shifting focus from cooperative

This paper introduces an integrated approach for evacuation assessment of nuclear physics research facilities exposed to fire risk. The approach combines the use of a simplified egress modelling method and advanced agent-based simulations of evacuation. An integrated multi-model approach is proposed here given the varying level of complexity concerning evacuation safety in underground physics faci

A bond wire to microstrip line transition, featuring two impedance transformers, is presented for a mm-wave microstrip antenna and power amplifier (PA) integration using conventional bond wires. Simulated return loss bandwidth for the transition is 4 GHz with a minimum insertion loss of 1 dB. Measurement results for the designed active antenna are compared with measurements for a passive antenna a

Avian haemosporidian parasites are particularly diverse and widespread. To date, more than 3,000 distinct cytochrome b lineages have been recorded, of which some present extremely wide geographical distributions, even including multiple continents. Whether these isolates represent one or several cryptic species remains unknown. Here we carried out a case study of SISKIN1, a common haemosporidian p

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Follow-up studies of children and young adults born very-to-moderately preterm show persistent and significant lung function deficits. The aim of the study was to determine lung function and airway mechanics in school-aged children born in 2004 to 2007 and extremely preterm (after 22-26 weeks of gestation).METHODS: In a population-based cohort of children born extremely

Introduction Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a subset of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) associated vasculitis with distinct pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical features and treatment responses. Rituximab is a licensed therapy for granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis but there is limited experience of rituximab in EGPA. Methods EGPA

OBJECTIVE: To discover common genetic variants associated with poststroke outcomes using a genome-wide association (GWA) study. METHODS: The study comprised 6,165 patients with ischemic stroke from 12 studies in Europe, the United States, and Australia included in the GISCOME (Genetics of Ischaemic Stroke Functional Outcome) network. The primary outcome was modified Rankin Scale score after 60 to

Background: In addition to the established association between general obesity and breast cancer risk, central obesity and circulating fasting insulin and glucose have been linked to the development of this common malignancy. Findings from previous studies, however, have been inconsistent, and the nature of the associations is unclear.Methods: We conducted Mendelian randomization analyses to evalu

Schwann cells myelinate selected axons in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and contribute to fast saltatory conduction via the formation of compact myelin, in which water is excluded from between tightly adhered lipid bilayers. Peripheral neuropathies, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) and Dejerine-Sottas syndrome (DSS), are incurable demyelinating conditions that result in pain, decrea

Background: Coffee consumption has been shown to be associated with various health outcomes in observational studies. However, evidence for its association with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is inconsistent and it is unclear whether these associations are causal.Methods: We used single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with (i) coffee and (ii) caffeine consumption to perform Mendelian randomiz

Sugar esters (SEs), value-added products derived from inexpensive renewable feedstocks (sugars and fatty acids), are biobased and biocompatible surfactants employed in foods, personal care products, and pharmaceuticals. They also possess antimicrobial and other biological activities. Their market size is projected to be $74.6 million by 2020. SEs are difficult to synthesize due to the poor miscibi

Background: The bladder exstrophy-epispadias complex (BEEC) is a congenital malformation of the bladder and urethra. The underlying causes of this malformation are still largely unknown; however, aside from environment, genetics is thought to play an essential role. The recurrent 22q11.2 microduplication is the most persistently detected genetic aberration found in BEEC cases. Methods: We performe

BACKGROUND: Oral contraceptives are known to reduce the incidence rate of endometrial cancer, but it is uncertain how long this effect lasts after use ceases, or whether it is modified by other factors.METHODS: Individual participant datasets were sought from principal investigators and provided centrally for 27 276 women with endometrial cancer (cases) and 115 743 without endometrial cancer (cont

Background and purpose. Sensorimotor stroke (SMS) is often included among the lacunar syndromes, although the underlying cause of this stroke-subtype is less well documented. To this end we analysed 32 patients presenting with a sensorimotor syndrome. Methods. The study protocol included vascular risk factors, echocardiography, Doppler sonography of carotid arteries, CT scan and MRI of the brain.

The ability of echocardiography to diagnose sources of embolism and the role of the examination in the prediction of thromboembolism are reviewed. In addition, the yield of transthoracic (TTE) and transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is analysed in patients with suspected embolism and guidelines are proposed for performing echocardiography in this setting. In general, echocardiography is reliab