In Oceania, there is a strong linguistic link between terms for marine resource exploitation and the division of life forms. Aspects of this relationship (especially in Cook Islands and Tonga) are described and discussed in this paper from a cross-cultural perspective. A Polynesian response to the question of why the shark is not an animal shows that modern science, which is a "science of the abst

Particles with functional groups on their surface were immobilized on premade cryogels through covalent bonding to maximize the accessibility of the target molecules to the surface of the particles. The physical properties of the composite cryogel were characterized by SEM, texture analysis and nitrogen adsorption. Different key factors affecting immobilization were also investigated, e.g., recirc

The face of science has changed. Women now feature alongside men at the forefront of many fields, and this is particularly true in evolutionary biology. This special issue celebrates the outstanding achievements and contributions of women in evolutionary biology, by highlighting a sample of their research and accomplishments. In addition to original research contributions, this collection of artic

Epigenetics may play a role in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes (T2D), and increased DNA methylation of the metabolic master regulator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PPARGC1A) has been reported in muscle and pancreatic islets from T2D patients and in muscle from individuals at risk of T2D. This study aimed to investigate DNA promoter methylation and gen

BackgroundImprovement of traditional methods for dietary assessment is necessary, especially in rural areas where it is more difficult to succeed with self-reporting methods. This study presents and validates a method for improving accuracy when measuring food and nutrient intake of individuals in rural areas. It is called the “Food photography 24-h recall method” (FP 24-hR) and is a modified

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is present in approximately 25% of the general population. PFO is characterized by intermittent shunting of blood from the right to the left atrium, especially in the context of increased right-sided filling pressures, with risk of paradoxical embolism. We describe a 69-year-old woman presenting with acute chest pain, severe dyspnoea, and acute inferolateral ST-segment e

OBJECTIVES: To analyze pulse pressure (PP) as a risk predictor for coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke and cardiovascular disease (CVD; CHD and/or stroke) in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: A total of 11,128 female and male type 2 diabetic patients with known baseline PP values and no CVD, aged 50-74 years, were followed for a mean duration of 5.6 years (1998-2003). A subgroup of 5521 patients

Emerging as well as the most frequently used optical microscopy techniques are reviewed and image contrast generation methods in a microscope are presented, focusing on the nonlinear contrasts such as harmonic generation and multiphoton excitation fluorescence. Nonlinear microscopy presents numerous advantages over linear microscopy techniques including improved deep tissue imaging, optical sectio

Seventeen Lactobacillus strains were tested for cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH) using the salt aggregation test (SAT) and Congo red binding (CRB) assay. CRB was pH and ionic strength dependent and protease sensitive and in the presence of 100 μg/ml cholesterol, the CRB was significantly reduced. Autoaggregating (AA) L. crispatus strains showed 50% more CRB than the reference strain, the curli-pr

The complex structure-activity correlation of the CO oxidation on ruthenium has been studied in a batch reactor by using in situ surface X-ray diffraction (SXRD) and on-line mass spectrometry. Two distinct active phases are identified at higher pressures in the mbar range depending on the reaction conditions: a non-oxidic phase and a RuO2(1 1 0) layer of variable thickness ranging from 1.5 nm to 1

In late fall and early winter > 2,000 Common Coots (Fulica atra) may gather on the small, shallow Lake Krankesjon in southern Sweden, where they dive for submerged plants. Casual observations indicated that intraspecific kleptoparasitism was common throughout these flocks. Kleptoparasitic attacks mostly occurred shortly after a Common Coot surfaced with food and before it had ingested much of it.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The conditions for steam pretreatment of sugar cane bagasse and leaves were studied using CO2 as an impregnating agent. The following conditions were investigated: time (5 to 15 min) and temperature (190 to 220 degrees C). The pretreatment was assessed in terms of glucose and xylose yields after enzymatic hydrolysis and inhibitor formation (furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural)