Background Sarcopenia and poor physical function are common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Our aim was to investigate the relationships between muscle mass and measured glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and between muscle mass and strength and balance, respectively, in patients with CKD stages 3–5. Methods This is a baseline data analysis of a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Forested countries in the global south that have agreed to engage in REDD+, a policy mechanism for addressing climate change, are receiving support to improve laws, policies, systems and structures. As a mechanism initiated at the global level and seeking to use forests to address a global commons crisis (atmospheric carbon concentration), understanding how REDD+ translates into implementation at

We present the initial results from the development of an instantaneous multispectral microscopy technique exploiting spatially modulated light. Fluorescence from two excitation sources is recorded in a single exposure and separated in the Fourier domain.

In heterogeneous catalysis the reactions occur on the surface of a catalyst. To understand the reaction pathways, a detailed understanding on an atomic level is critical. However, the gas atmosphere surrounding the surface dictates the interaction between the surface and the gas. At low pressures this is often neglected, but as the community turns to higher pressures it becomes important to consid

Structured illumination is an imaging method most commonly employed within the field of microscopy. However, recently the technique has spread into other scientific fields, such as for combustion research, where it has revealed new measurement opportunities. This paper describes how structured illumination can be employed for spray- and combustion research and highlights some of the recent progres

We focused an intense attosecond pulse train into a neon gas target and observed Ne2+ resulting from two-photon double ionization. By modifying the photon spectrum we find that the process is dominated by the sequential ionization via the Ne+ ion.

The lack of a standardized database of eddy covariance observations has been an obstacle for data-driven estimation of terrestrial CO2 fluxes in Asia. In this study, we developed such a standardized database using 54 sites from various databases by applying consistent postprocessing for data-driven estimation of gross primary productivity (GPP) and net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE). Data-driven est

Long-lived coherences have been observed in various biological complexes and their origin is debated. We used polarization-controlled 2D electronic spectroscopy to reveal a photophysical process of coherence shift, explaining coherences in bacterial reaction centers.

Time-resolved XPS is used to monitor charge carrier dynamics in bare and dyesensitized ZnO nanoparticle films upon sub-bandgap excitation. Results are discussed in the context of impurity-related bandgap states and electron transfer from the chromophore.

The line shape of an absorption line from molecular oxygen enclosed in the pores of a ceramic material has been studied at different temperatures. By evaluating the line width it is feasible to extract temperature information of the gas inside porous scattering materials.

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by hippocampal atrophy. Other factors also influence the hippocampal volume, but their interactive effect has not been investigated before in cognitively healthy individuals. The aim of this study is to evaluate the interactive effect of key demographic and clinical factors on hippocampal volume, in contrast to previous studies frequently investigating these fa

Partially premixed combustion using gasoline-like fuels on compression ignition engines shows great potentials to break the soot-nitrogen oxides trade off and reduce both emissions simultaneously. By simply adjusting the dilution strategies and injection events, the control of partially premixed combustion is relatively easier compared to other low-temperature combustion concepts. However despite

The impact of climate variability on water demand and availability in drylands is substantial. Establishing methods to analyse precipitation (P) and evapotranspiration data sets may generate useful tools that assist in drought recognition and regional variations therein. The authors developed an index that simultaneous integrates both these variables in climate variability analysis. This study pro

This chapter provides an overview of the main concepts in mechanobiology and touches upon the experimental models that are most frequently used to study mechanobiology on a cell and tissue level. It focuses on the use of computational techniques and algorithms to simulate mechanobiological processes, and their prospective potential in clinical applications. It covers how computational algorithms h

In this paper I discuss the work of two French authors who advocate a "scientific" exegesis of sacred scriptures: physician Maurice Bucaille (1922-1998) and religious leader Claude Vorilhon (alias Raël, b. 1946). Bucaille argues that the Qur'an's divine origin is demonstrated by its accuracy about natural phenomena and "scientific facts," whereas the Bible does not stand up to "scientific" examina