Let 0 < a < b < ∞, and for each edge e of Zd let ωe = a or ωe = b, each with probability 1/2, independently. This induces a random metric distω on the vertices of Z d, called first passage percolation. We prove that for d > 1 the distance distω(0, v) from the origin to a vertex v, |v| > 2, has variance bounded by C |v|/ log |v|, where C = C(a, b, d) is a constant which may only depend on a, b a...

Let 0 < a < b < ∞, and for each edge e of Zd let ωe = a or ωe = b, each with probability 1/2, independently. This induces a random metric distω on the vertices of Z d, called first passage percolation. We prove that for d > 1 the distance distω(0, v) from the origin to a vertex v, |v| > 2, has variance bounded by C |v|/ log |v|, where C = C(a, b, d) is a constant which may only depend on a, b a...

The Drake Passage, as the narrowest passage around Antarctica, exerts significant influences on physical, chemical, and biological interactions between Pacific Atlantic Ocean. Here, we identify terrigenous sediment sources transport pathways in Passage region over past 140 ka BP (thousand years before present), based grain size, clay mineral assemblages, geochemistry mass-specific magnetic susc...

Adherence to mucus may influence bacterial colonization of the respiratory tract. Clinical isolates of nontypable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) from the respiratory tract are often fimbriated. We wondered whether fimbriated strains have a different adherence from related nonfimbriated strains. A microtitre plate assay has been developed to study adherence of nontypable H. influenzae to mucus. W...

In his article "On Naipaul's Cultural Positions in The Middle Passage" Shizen Ozawa discusses V.S. Naipaul's first travel writing. An account of his "returning" journey to the five Caribbean "colonial societies," The Middle Passage constitutes a major turning point in Naipaul's literary career. Whereas his earlier novels depict his homeland of Trinidad ironically, although with a certain warmth...

BACKGROUND Congenital nasolacrimal obstruction is usually the result of failure of canalisation of the distal end of the nasolacrimal duct. The most common outcome is spontaneous resolution, but some children do require surgical treatment by probing. Probing is a blind procedure with a recognised failure rate. METHODS In 52 lacrimal systems of 40 children nasal endoscopy was combined with a "...

BACKGROUND Occasionally, difficulty with standard urethral catheterization is encountered. OBJECTIVE We conducted a pilot study to evaluate whether transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS) showed the tip of a urethral catheter and whether TAUS-guided catheterization with transrectal pressure is successful in male patients in whom performing standard catheterization is difficult. METHODS The eligibl...

v:* {behavior:url(#default#vml);} o:* {behavior:url(#default#vml);} w:* {behavior:url(#default#vml);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#vml);} introduction: sleeping is one of the important biological needs of human beings which has an important role in maintaining health and quality of life. driving is one of the occupational groups in which the quality of sleep is of a great importance for job pe...