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While individual data form the base for much empirical analysis in education, this is not the case for analysis of technical efficiency. In this paper, efficiency is estimated using individual data which is then aggregated to larger groups of students. Using an individual approach to technical efficiency makes it possible to carry out studies on a wide range of student constellations; e.g. entire

Time for metamorphosis and metamorph size of moor frogs Rana arvalis and common frogs R. temporaria were measured in 22 ponds for 18 years. Environmental data in these ponds were also measured. Metamorphosis of the frogs took place from the beginning of June to the beginning of August. When both species were found in one pond, the common frogs metamorphosed up to 20 days earlier than the moor frog

We present a theoretical study of vibrational and thermal effects on the dipole polarizability of methane and carbon tetrachloride. Using a fourth order Taylor expansion in rectilinear normal coordinates of the potential and property surfaces we solve the vibrational problem using vibrational structure theory, e.g., through vibrational self-consistent-field or vibrational configuration-interaction

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of smoking on the development of radiation-induced pneumonitis in patients treated for breast and oesophagus cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study on 405 females diagnosed with primary unilateral breast cancer stages 1 and 2 and 201 oesophagus carcinoma patients. The possibilities in Sweden to obtain detailed information from different m

The interaction between living groups A, C and G streptococci and IgG Fc was studied using human IgG, IgG Fc and IgG Fc-intermediate (Fci) fragments, chemically modified human IgG and fragment D of staphylococcal protein A (SPA). Diethylpyrocarbonate modification of His or N-acetylimidazole modification of Tyr of human IgG resulted in the loss of its capacity to inhibit the binding of radiolabelle

Food frequency questionnaires, major tools in epidemiologic studies, are often criticized for biased and imprecise intake estimates. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of two widely used food frequency questionnaires, a reduced 60-item Block questionnaire and a 153-item Willett food frequency questionnaire, relative to three 24-hour recalls administered by telephone. The dietary

The main concern about the technology for the production of hydrogen and transport fuels by biomass gasification is the presence of contaminants (H2S, tars, fly ash, alkali, and heavy metals, ammonia) that are poisonous for the catalysts used for upgrading the biomass-generated gas. The impact of the main contaminants on a Ni/MgAl(O) reforming catalyst was studied in a laboratory environment, by e

Objective. Type 11 collagen (01) is a candidate autoantigen implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Posttranslational glycosylation of CII could alter intracellular antigen processing, leading to the development of autoimmune T cell responses. To address this possibility, we studied the intracellular processing of CII for presentation of the arthritogenic glycosylated epitope

Extrapair fertilizations (EPFs) have been found in most socially monogamous passerine species. EPFs are generally beneficial for males because they increase the number of sired offspring. The benefit accrued by females, however, is less obvious. Maternal benefits may involve fertility insurance, increased genetic variability of the offspring, and improved offspring quality via compatible genes or

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The control of balance is vital in many sporting activities as well as in activities of daily life. In order to treat deficiencies properly valid and reliable methods are needed to evaluate different aspects of stability. Muscle fatigue has been proposed to cause a change in postural control strategy, and the use of different tools and variables might therefore elucidate th

Ensuring fatherhood is an important issue in polygamous species. In many lepidopteran species, the male inserts a large package (spermatophore) consisting of sperm, accessory gland fluids and nutrients into the female's bursa copulatrix during copulation. In most species it has been shown that a large mate donation causes females either to stop calling, or to prolong the time until re-mating, here

Interpenetrating polymer systems based on crosslinked polyurethane (PU) and polystyrene (PS) were prepared at room temperature by a one-shot (in situ) method, starting from an initial homogeneous mixture of reagents via noninterfering mechanisms. Both polymerizations were performed either simultaneously or one after the other. True simultaneity at every stages of the process is not possible. Despi

Background: Thiazolidinediones are antidiabetic agents that improve insulin sensitivity (IS). Accumulating data indicate that these agents provide beneficial effects beyond glycemic control, such as improvement in vascular function. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of rosiglitazone on urine albumin excretion (UAE) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension. Me

BACKGROUND: Treatment with heparin has been reported to interfere with lipid metabolism by release of Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) into the circulation. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects on LPL activity by anticoagulants in combination with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in the rat. In an earlier investigation we could show that TPN, per se, caused a three-fold increase o

Existing criteria recommended by ACC/ESC for identifying patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) from the 12-lead ECG perform with high specificity (SP), but low sensitivity (SE). In our previous study, we found that the SE of acute ischemia detection can be markedly improved without any loss of SP by calculating, from the 12-lead ECG, ST elevation in 3 vessel-specific leads (VSLs

Aim. We discuss technical points, the safety, and efficacy of ultrasonic bone shaver in various spinal surgeries within our own series. Methods. Between June 2010 and January 2014, 307 patients with various spinal diseases were operated on with the use of an ultrasonic bone curette with microhook shaver (UBShaver). Patients' data were recorded and analyzed retrospectively. The technique for the us

Young male rats (100 g body weight) were fed diets containing varying amounts of calcium. Body weight and bone development were studied together with various endocrine parameters, including blood levels of Ca2+, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, and gastrin, and the enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cell-related parameters gastric mucosal histidine decarboxylase activity and histamine concentr