We present a new multivariate technique for testing the significance of individual terms in a multifactorial analysis-of-variance model for multispecies response variables. The technique will allow researchers to base analyses on measures of association (distance measures) that are ecologically relevant. In addition, unlike other distance-based hypothesis-testing techniques, this method allows ...

Maternal nutritional problems remain as one of the public health problems in Sri Lanka. This study was designed to assess the nutritional status of pregnant women in a rural area. A total of 133 pregnant women in their second trimester was recruited from Maternal and Child Health clinics. A pre-tested general assessment questionnaire, validated food frequency questionnaire and anthropometric me...

BACKGROUND Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by itching and eczema-like skin lesions, and its symptoms alleviate with age. Recently, the prevalence of AD has increased among adolescents and adults. The increasing prevalence of AD seems to be related to westernized lifestyles and dietary patterns. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary patterns and nutrient intake of...

Detection of differentially regulated genes has been severely hampered by technical limitations. In an effort to overcome these problems, the PCR-coupled subtractive process of representational difference analysis (RDA) [Lisitsyn, N. et al. (1993) Science 259, 946-951] has been adapted for use with cDNA. In a model system, RAG-1 and RAG-2, the genes responsible for activating V(D)J recombinatio...

From its inaugural value in 1941, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for adults for vitamin D has remained close to 400 IU (10 g) level. This original recommended intake was based on the observation that the amount of vitamin D activity in a teaspoon of cod liver oil was sufficient to prevent rickets in infants. Since that time until 1997, determination of vitamin D requirements and status...

Sensor networks generate enormous amounts of redundant sensing data. Data aggregation techniques are required to gather and aggregate these sensor data, by which the aggregator nodes forward to the base station only the aggregate results. When a Cluster-based Wireless Sensor Network (CWSN) is deployed in an unattended environment, the sensor nodes and aggregators become highly vulnerable to var...