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Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate transvaginal sonograpbic assessment of cervical length at 23 weeks as a screening test for spontaneous preterm delivery in order to define a cut-off value that could be used to select twin pregnancies at low risk of spontaneous preterm delivery. Methods In a prospective multicenter study of 383 twin pregnancies included before 14 + 6 weeks a cervical
In this paper we appraise current agricultural subsidy policy in the EU. Several sources of its inefficiency are identified: it is inefficient for supporting farmers’ incomes or guaranteeing food security, and irrational transfer payments decoupled from actual performance that may be negative for environmental protection, social cohesion, etc. Based on a simplified economic model, we prove that th
Background: Health professions education programs are tasked with designing curricula to effectively andefficiently equip their graduates with the required competences and life-long learning skills needed fortoday’s fast-paced, knowledge intensive society. Continuous monitoring and improving of educationalquality is essential to attain these goals. Quality assurance is multi-faceted and requires t
Citizen science is a powerful tool for connecting members of the public with research and for obtaining large amounts of data. However, it is far less commonly implemented in developing countries than in developed countries. We conducted a large-scale citizen-science program monitoring honey bee (Apis mellifera) colony losses in Argentina to examine how a national consortium composed of local coor
The main purpose is to analyse success factors and problems/difficulties in the implementation of Lean within three service sectors, the banking, the healthcare and the airline maintenance sector. The secondary purpose of this thesis is to analyse how Lean is being implemented in the above sectors. A qualitative method of research has been used based upon multiple case studies with Nordea, Braathe
Rules-based fiscal policy is under threat. Over the last two decades, it proved frustratingly complicated to strike the right balance between three essential properties of sound fiscal policy rules: simplicity, flexibility, and enforceability. Simplicity has been sacrificed to ensure that more contingent (i.e. flexible) rules remained enforceable. The resulting arrangements have failed to adequate
The thesis studied the localisation determinants of foreign direct investment, in order to achieve a better understanding of how developing countries may attract FDI and acquire capital and technology. The examined determinants are based on previous research and economic theories. Founded on localisation advantages, an econometric regression analysis is used as a method to test the relevant locati
The question of how to lead a happy and meaningful life has been at the heart of philosophical debate since time immemorial. Today, however, these questions seem to be addressed not by philosophers but self-help gurus, who frantically champion the individual's quest for self-expression and self-realization; the desire to become authentic. Against these new age sophistries, How to Stop Living and S
Since the 1990s, researchers have presented compelling links between reduced accessibility, transport disadvantage and social exclusion. This evidence has seen the transport equity policy agenda gain momentum in both the transport research and policy discourses. In tandem with this trend has come an increasing focus on accessibility to out-of-home activities as opposed to realised mobility in term
As a part of a democratic demand for transparency in urban development processes it is important that design professionals hold the ability to scrutinize their own work process, and at certain stages let go of predefined ideas of future realities. The work of Sandra Kopljar’s dissertation revolves around how design professionals perceive options for design in such situations. A basic assumption th
Background. Today only indirect fluorescent antibody assays (IFAs) are commercially available to detect antibodies against Babesia divergens in humans. IFA is subjective and requires highly experienced staff. We have therefore developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based method for measuring anti-B. divergens immunoglobulin G antibodies in human blood samples. Methods. Crude merozo
