The forces between hydrophobic surfaces with physisorbed DNA are markedly and irreversibly altered by exposure to DNA/cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) mixtures. In this colloidal probe atomic force microscopy study of the interactions between a hydrophobic polystyrene particle and an octadecyl-trimethylethoxysilane-modified mica surface in sodium bromide solutions, we measure distinct changes

The uptake and assimilation of 15N-labelled ammonium was followed in Pinus sylvestris L. plants infected with four different ectomycorrhizal fungi, Rhizopogon roseolus Fr. Suillus bovinus (Fr.) O. Kuntze, Pisolithus tinctorius (Fr.) Fr. and Paxillus involutus (Mich. ex Pers.) Cohen & Couch. Plants were grown in flat perspex observation chambers or in Petri dishes containing non-sterile peat; i

Mass, heat and momentum transport processes are strongly coupled by internal chemical reforming reactions in planar design solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anodes. In this paper, a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics approach is applied to simulate and analyze reforming reactions of methane and various transport processes in a duct relevant for SOFC anodes. The results show that the anode d

A miniaturised technique to analyse and detect heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAs) using micro solid-phase extraction (muSPE) coupled on-line (in-capillary) to capillary electrophoresis (CE) separation with nanospray (nESI) mass spectrometry (MS) detection has been developed. HAs are mutagenic and carcinogenic compounds formed at low levels in protein-rich food during cooking. Due to the low concen

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using 1-[C-11]-acetate positron emission tomography (ACE-PET) to detect and delineate the gross tumour volume of head and neck cancer before radiotherapy, and to compare the results with those obtained using F-18-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) PET. Methods Ten patients with histologically verified squamous cell carcinoma were investi

The initial drying of dispersion samples with varying geometries and surface areas was continuously recorded in a sorption balance at different temperatures and relative humidities. The samples were applied as small (5-20 mg) droplets on glass. We were able to show a linear dependence of the evaporation rate on the exposed surface area of the samples if the evaporative cooling was taken into accou

A recently developed ultrasound phase-locked echo-tracking system makes it possible to measure non-invasive pulsatile vessel diameter changes, and, in combination with blood-pressure measurement, to calculate pressure strain elastic modulus (Ep) and stiffness (beta). The reproducibility in measurements of pulsatile diameter changes with this system was evaluated. Also the precision of indirect blo

The process of continuous sedimentation of particles in a liquid has often been predicted by means of operating charts and mass-balance considerations, where the underlying constitutive assumption is the one by Kynch. Much more complex operating charts (concentration-flux diagrams) can be obtained from a one-dimensional model of an ideal continuous clarifier-thickener unit. The engineering concept

The aim of the present study was to investigate physiological effects of highly similar production systems with different degrees of automation by use of urinary catecholamines and cortisol as well as salivary cortisol. Furthermore, it was determined whether the physiological response was related to real-time self-reports in terms of feelings of positive and negative arousal, physical exertion, an

An overview of current status and prospects of the development of quantum computer hardware based on inorganic crystals doped with rare-earth ions are presented. Major parts of the experimental work in this area have been done in two places, Canberra, Australia and Lund, Sweden, and the present description follows more closely the Lund work. Techniques will be described that include optimal filter

Objective: Supine position may contribute to the loss of aerated lung volume in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We hypothesized that verticalization increases lung volume and improves gas exchange by reducing the pressure surrounding lung bases. Design and setting: Prospective observational physiological study in a medical ICU. Subjects and intervention: In 16 patients wi

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have demonstrated that leptin inhibits glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from isolated islets, although a lack of leptin effect on insulin secretion has also been reported. The effect of long term in vivo leptin treatment of insulin secretion has, however, not been established. Therefore, in the present study, we have evaluated the effect of long term in vivo treatme

1 A study of allozyme variation in vegetatively propagating populations of the rhizomatous sedge Carex bigelowii, revealed high levels of clonal diversity (genet diversity) within populations. The structure of allelic variation within the populations suggests that sexual reproduction has played a significant role in these C. bigelowii populations, despite present lack of seedling recruitment. The

Background: Increasing numbers of intercountry adoptees are reaching adulthood, the age of onset for most serious mental disorders. Little is known about the development of schizophrenia in intercountry adoptees, a group with potentially increased vulnerability. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of developing schizophrenia in adoptees and in non-adoptees. Methods: Utilising data fr

Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is an agonist of the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR35, which is predominantly expressed in gastrointestinal tissues. The aim of this study was to determine the content of KYNA in gastric juice, bile and pancreatic juice and intestinal content. KYNA was determined by means of high performance liquid chromatography. The mean concentrations of KYNA in human gastric juice is 9.91

High HIF-2alpha protein levels in the sympathetic nervous system-derived childhood tumour neuroblastoma as well as immature phenotype correlate to unfavourable outcome. Here we show that a small subset of perivascularly located, strongly HIF-2alpha-positive tumour cells (MYCN amplified) lacks expression of differentiation markers, but expresses neural crest and early sympathetic progenitor marker

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