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OBJECTIVE-Recent genome-wide association studies have revealed loci associated with glucose and insulin-related traits. We aimed to characterize 19 such loci using detailed measures of insulin processing, secretion, and sensitivity to help elucidate their role in regulation of glucose control, insulin secretion and/or action. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS-We investigated associations of loci identif

This dissertation studies the effects that the use of a word-processing program can have on pupils' writing. The study was conducted with a consideration of the context in which the writing was done. It examined not just changes in the quality of the pupils' writing but also the attitudes of pupils, teachers, and parents to computer-aided writing. In addition, it studied the functional reliability

Shippers can play a key role in addressing the environmental impact of transport by placing environmental demands on the transports they operate, or in the process of purchasing transport services. Several research studies of shippers’ environmental initiatives regarding transport have been carried out during the last few years. Research investigations have mapped out environmental actions impleme

This thesis explores the conditions to improve collaborative behaviour between organizations in crisis response management. It takes an explorative approach and begins by identifying several challenges to interorganizational collaboration. A systematic review of the international scientific literature in conjuction with semi-structured interviews with crisis management professionals in civil-milit

Multimodal transportation in the European continent is an integral part of cross border trade and in particular the use of sea and river carriers. The phenomenon of short sea shipping has reached a level of importance of which all European states must take cognisance. One of the policies associated with this issue is the development of the motorways of the sea. While Ukraine is not yet a part of t

Why is waste such an important topic for understanding the management of overflow? First, because waste is a classic symbol of overflow: to be flooded with too much stuff that demands handling, sorting, and decision-making is a feeling well known in consumer society. Facts and figures speak of the same overflow. Waste disposal is a growing problem. The downside of consumption is a growing mountain

Jobs and economic growth are created where businesses are located and investments made. A number of factors affect where firms choose to locate and where and how much that is invested. Many of these factors are hard to influence in the short run while others are governed by politicians and can be designed in order to stimulate desirable business and investment behaviour. One such factor is taxatio

Evacuation model capabilities are rapidly improving, allowing the simulation of ever more complex scenarios in different types of environments. The definition of the best evacuation modelling approach for safety assessment is a key point for optimizing engineering work and ensuring the desired safety conditions. In the present thesis, a wide comparison between modelling approaches has been provide

OBJECTIVES: The soluble epoxide hydrolase (gene name EPHX2) is responsible for metabolism of 8,9 11,12 and 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids, vasodilator and anti-inflammatory substances. There are several functional polymorphisms in the EPHX2 gene: two of them, the K55R and R287Q, showing an altered metabolic activity in vitro, were associated with coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke in prev

C-peptide in the classification of diabetes in children and adolescents. Aim: To report C-peptide results in newly diagnosed patients and the relation to clinical diagnosis of diabetes. Methods: A nation-wide cohort, the Better Diabetes Diagnosis study was used to determine serum C-peptide at diagnosis in 2734 children and adolescents. Clinical data were collected at diagnosis and follow-up. C-pep

BACKGROUND: The benefits of critical care follow-up services include increased understanding of the long-term consequences of intensive care and entail helping patients and their next of kin to come to terms with their problems and distress following critical illness and intensive care treatment. AIMS: To establish an intensive care after-care programme and to conduct a preliminary evaluation of t

Here we explore two new tree-ring parameters, derivedfrom measurements of wood density and blue intensity(BI). The new proxies show an increase in the interannualsummer temperature signal compared to establishedproxies, and present the potential to improve long-term performance.At high latitudes, where tree growth is mainlylimited by low temperatures, radiodensitometric measurementsof wood density

Background/Aims: Little is known about risk factors for acute pancreatitis other than gallstones and alcohol consumption. The aim of this study was to investigate if smoking or body mass index (BMI) are associated with acute pancreatitis and to determine relative risks (RR) for acute pancreatitis related to smoking, BMI, and alcohol consumption. Methods: From 1974 to 1992, selected birth-year coho

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Impaired glucose tolerance and impaired insulin secretion have been reported in families with PAX6 mutations and it is suggested that they result from defective proinsulin processing due to lack of prohormone convertase 1/3, encoded by PCSK1. We investigated whether a common PAX6 variant would mimic these findings and explored in detail its effect on islet function in man. METHODS