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In this work, the possibility of using planar droplet sizing (PDS) based on laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and Mie scattering was investigated within the framework of measuring the droplet Sauter mean diameter (SMD) of direct-injection spark-ignition (DISI) spray systems. For this purpose, LIF and Mie signals of monodisperse fuel droplets produced by a droplet generator were studied at engine re
Background: The benefit of percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) in patients with secondary MR is still debated. We aimed to compare the outcome of PMVR with optimal medical therapy (OMT) versus OMT alone in patients with secondary mitral regurgitation (MR) and to assess the role of potential effect modifiers. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of 2 randomized clinical t
Worldwide, perinatal asphyxia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among term-born children. Overactivation of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAr) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of cerebral hypoxia-ischemia, but the role of both endogenous NMDAr co-agonists d-serine and glycine remains largely elusive. We investigated d-serine and glycine concentration changes in rat gl
Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) accounts for a significant amount of death and disability worldwide and the majority of this burden affects individuals in low-and-middle income countries. Despite this, considerable geographical differences have been reported in the care of TBI patients. On this background, we aim to provide a comprehensive international picture of the epidemiological ch
This thesis analyzes blood diamonds and the human rights issues surrounding them. The problems they pose and the promises and limitations of the Kimberly Process are covered along with the development and future impact of man-made diamonds on the demand side of the blood diamond problem. There are two main sections--the first covers blood diamonds and the second man-made diamonds. The introduction
Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) with a disposable ionic liquid (IL) coating was developed for headspace extraction of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX) in paints. The SPME fiber was coated with IL prior to every extraction, then the analytes were extracted and desorbed on the injection port of gas chromatography, and finally the IL coating on the fiber was washed out with solve
This article presents reasons for undertaking "The Comparative Study of the Prevention of Crime and Violence by Mentally Ill Persons" and reasons for decisions regarding the study design and choice of measures. A brief portrait of the forensic patients that have been recruited is also presented. Community treatment programs could offer long-term cost-effective care for offenders with major mental
Elater ferrugineus is a threatened click beetle inhabiting old hollow trees. Its larvae consume larvae of other saproxylic insects including the threatened scarab beetle Osmoderma eremita. Recently, (R)-(+)-gamma-decalactone was identified as a male-produced sex pheromone of O. eremita. Here we present evidence that E. ferrugineus adults use this odor as a kairomone for location of their prey. In
The purpose of this study is to contrast the forecasting performance of two non-linear models, a regime-switching vector autoregressive model (RS-VAR) and a recurrent neural network (RNN), to that of a linear benchmark VAR model. Our specific forecasting experiment is U.K. inflation and we utilize monthly data from 1969 to 2003. The RS-VAR and the RNN perform approximately on par over both monthly
A method for the determination of hexahydrophthalic acid, a metabolite of hexahydrophthalic anhydride, in human urine has been developed. The urine was worked-up by liquid-solid extraction, esterified with boron trifluoride-methanol, and analysed by capillary gas chromatography and selected-ion monitoring. Hexadeuterium-labelled hexahydrophthalic acid was used as the internal standard. The precisi
A new method for rapid determination of ethanol was developed, using alcohol dehydrogenase as recognition element for the SIRE (R) (sensors based on injection of the recognition element) Biosensor, which is an amperometric biosensor. The method was simple, fast, accurate, specific and cost-effective. The recognition element solution used was stable at least for 24h in room temperature, and at leas
A 5-year follow-up study of 476 type I adult diabetic patients previously studied cross sectionally revealed that, during the observation period, 19 patients died and 30 developed cardiovascular or renal disease, such as myocardial infarction (n = 8), cerebrovascular disease (n = 3), amputation (n = 6), and renal insufficiency (n = 13). The patients were registered by one and the most-severe event
Management control in professional service organizations is fundamentally different from the control in classical industrial and producing corporations. This is mainly due to the special context a professional service firm has to face, as the value creation is knowledge intensive, demands a high level of education, and the professional employees have different expectations concerning their work. H
The thesis attempts to assess the role of the OECD Commentaries in tax treaty interpretation process concluded between Non-OECD and OECD states. In order to reach the goal of the thesis the thesis discusses the legal status of the OECD Commentaries under public international law, in particular the interrelation of the Commentaries with the Articles of 31 and 32 of the Vienna Convention. The thesis
The main goal of this thesis is to determine to what degree can there be observed indications for an overvaluation of Internet companies, which in turn may lead to the next asset price bubble in the Internet industry. By conducting an ex-ante analysis, the current study sets out to add additional knowledge in regards to whether and how well the emergence of a bubble can be determined in advance. T
OECD and other organizations argues in favor of the implementation of regulations on conflict of interest for higher civil servants and public officials, often including quarantine time for these employees when changing jobs. They do this with the argument that it will increase the population’s confidence in their governments, which again is claimed to be a cornerstone of the functioning of the st
