Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered to be an indicator of particle-induced toxicity. We used a novel instrument, called Particle Into Nitroxide Quencher (PINQ), for real-time quantification of ROS for assessment of indoor particle sources. Of the sources tested, cigarette smoke was found to contain the highest ROS concentration, several times higher than incense smoke and secondary organi

Simultaneous digital breast tomosynthesis and mechanical imaging (DBTMI), a novel screening approach, combines anatomic DBT with functional analysis of the stress distribution on the compressed breast by mechanical imaging (MI). Preliminary studies suggest potential to reduce false positive findings. DBTMI requires to align DBT and MI images. In this study, we have analyzed robustness to alignment

In this study, we assess the impact of an image restoration pipeline, designed for digital mammography, on the detectability of microcalcifications of different sizes across varied radiation exposures. The restoration pipeline first removes the noise of the image considering a Poisson-Gaussian noise model that incorporates quantum and electronic noise. Then, it appropriately merges the noisy and d

4MOST is a new high-multiplex, wide-field spectroscopic survey facility under construction for ESO's 4m-VISTA telescope at Paranal, Chile. Its key specifications are: a large field of view of 4.4 square degrees, a high multiplex fibre positioner based on the tilting spine principle that positions 2436 science fibres in the focal surface of which 1624 fibres go to two low-resolution optical spectro

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a major public health issue causing chronic pain, impaired physical function, and reduced quality of life. As there is no cure, self-management of symptoms via exercise is recommended by all current international clinical guidelines. This review updates one published in 2015.OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the effects of land-based exercise for people with kn

Several transporter systems in the liver and intestine are known to change their expression and function during cholestatic disease states. The objective of the-present in vivo study-was to investigate the effect of biliary depletion, as a method to mimic cholestasis, on the bioavailability and disposition of digoxin in biliary and pancreatic duct cannulated pigs. The study was divided in two part

Whilst innate B1-B cells are atheroprotective, adaptive B2-B cells are considered pro-atherogenic. Different subsets of B regulatory cells (B-reg) have been described. In experimental arthritis and lupus-like disease, B-reg are contained within the CD21(hi)CD23(hi)CD24(hi) B cell pool The existence and role of B-reg in vascular disease is not known. We sought to investigate the existence, identity

How hard are geometric vision problems with outliers? We show that for most fitting problems, a solution that minimizes the num- ber of outliers can be found with an algorithm that has polynomial time- complexity in the number of points (independent of the rate of outliers). Further, and perhaps more interestingly, other cost functions such as the truncated L2 -norm can also be handled within the

The emission spectra of lithium orthosilicates (Li4SiO4) ceramics have been measured in the range of 1.8-5.8 eV under irradiation by 6-30 eV photons or 1-30 keV electrons at 6-300 K. The tunnel recombination phosphorescence, as well as luminescence, stimulated by 1.5-2.5 eV photons has been detected in the sample preliminarily irradiated at 6 or 80 K. The main peaks of thermally stimulated lumines

Objectives To develop a score for assessment of patients' symptoms in primary Sjogren's syndrome (SS): the EULAR SS Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI). Methods Dryness, pain, somatic and mental fatigue were identified as the main symptoms of patients with primary SS, in studies developing the Profile of Fatigue and Discomfort (PROFAD) and Sicca Symptoms Inventory (SSI). It was suspected that a single

Objects created by 3D printers are increasingly used in various medical applications. Today, affordable 3D printers, using Fused Deposition Modeling are widely available. In this project, a commercially available 3D printer was used to replicate a conventional radiographic contrast detail phantom. Printing materials were selected by comparing their x-ray attenuation properties. Two replicas were p

We have developed a method for simultaneous tomosynthesis and mechanical imaging, called DBTMI. Mechanical imaging measures the stress distribution over the compressed breast surface. Malignant tissue is usually stiffer than benign, which results in higher stress on the compressed breast and enables to distinguish malignant from benign findings. By combining tomosynthesis and mechanical imaging, w

Tumor growth rate estimations can provide useful information about tumor progression and aggressiveness. Understanding the breast cancer progression and aggressiveness could aid with personalized screening/follow-up, treatment options, and prognosis. This paper reports a preliminary estimation of the tumor volume doubling time (TVDT) for cancers detected during the Malmö Breast Tomosynthesis Scree

Background: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is a heterogenous autoimmune disease. While traditionally stratified into two conditions, granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), the subclassification of ANCA-associated vasculitis is subject to continued debate. Here we aim to identify phenotypically distinct subgroups and develop a da

The aim of the paper is to discuss some of the basic elements of the legal system in EC law in comparison with the EEA Agreement. The conclusions will have special reference to Icelandic law. The reason for this approach is that the EEA Agreement is closely linked with EC law. Therefore it is necessary to begin approaching the basic rules within the EC in order to better understand the EEA system

This paper reports results from two workshops organized with children with visual impairments ranging from blindness to low vision. The aim of the workshops was to suggest gestures for the interaction with a small wearable audio-bracelet. Results show a preference for mechanical buttons and touch-based gestures on the device (mainly tapping and sliding), while only one tentative suggestion is made

During the last years, numerous research projects focussed on re-examination of past excavations, giving birth to re-evaluation of their documentation and material or to new discoveries. The aim of this paper is to present an ongoing research on the digital re-assessment of the Ayia Irini sanctuary’s stratigraphy using 3D GIS, by corroborating published material with data extracted from the origin

The spatial patterns of precipitation regarding physiography and atmospheric circulations in the Lake Urmia Basin have been investigated. Daily rainfall time series for the 50 most reliable precipitation stations for the period 1980-2010 were analyzed to detect the regional precipitation pattern. To identify rainfall homogeneous regions, principal component analysis was applied to the precipitatio

When decision on repair has been taken the available repair systems/methods must be evaluated with regard to the immediate requirements. For each type and cause of damage, there are normally only a few possible repair systems. These repair systems should be evaluated with regard to following 5 basic properties, or characteristics: 1) service life/durability, 2) structural stability/safety, 3) exec

IMPORTANCE The clinical management of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers requires accurate, prospective cancer risk estimates. OBJECTIVES To estimate age-specific risks of breast, ovarian, and contralateral breast cancer for mutation carriers and to evaluate risk modification by family cancer history and mutation location. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Prospective cohort study of 6036 BRCA1 and