Objective: The glucose stimulation of insulin secretion (GSIS) by pancreatic β-cells critically depends on increased production of metabolic coupling factors, including NADPH. Nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (NNT) typically produces NADPH at the expense of NADH and δpH in energized mitochondria. Its spontaneous inactivation in C57BL/6J mice was previously shown to alter ATP production, Ca

Background: It has been observed that mice lacking the sulfatase modifying factor (Sumf1) developed an emphysema-like phenotype. However, it is unknown if SUMF1 may play a role in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in humans. The aim was to investigate if the expression and genetic regulation of SUMF1 differs between smokers with and without COPD. Methods: SUMF1 mRNA was investigated in

The identification of causal links between microbial community structure and ecosystem functions are required for a mechanistic understanding of ecosystem responses to environmental change. One of the most influential factors affecting plants and microbial communities in soil in managed ecosystems is the current land-use. In forestry, wood ash has been proposed as a liming agent and a fertilizer,

This article addresses the future of Brazil's bioethanol sector, focusing on its capabilities to innovate, its efforts toward producing cellulosic ethanol, and on recently implemented policies. Contrary to what has been argued in the literature, Brazil may not be prepared to face the technological and market challenges now emerging in the biofuels domain worldwide. Important productive investments

Objective: Oxygen enhanced pulmonary MRI is a promising modality for functional lung studies and has been applied to a wide range of pulmonary conditions. The purpose of this study was to characterize the oxygen enhancement effect in the lungs of healthy, never-smokers, in light of a previously established relationship between oxygen enhancement and diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide in the lun

Experience in the classroom influences how teachers interpret classroom events. This article investigated differences between expert and novice teachers' interpretations of authentic, problematic classroom events. Two types of videos presented problematic events, displaying either unrelated problems, such as disengaged, off-task students, or interrelated problems leading to a flagrant disruption.

Growing concerns regarding the vulnerability of communities to natural disasters and climate-related hazards and risks have caused attention to be increasingly directed towards adaptation and resilience as important policy prescriptions. These two concepts are commonly becoming normative when used in this context and seen as intrinsically linked to each other, i.e. adaptation leads to resilience a

In rubber materials, both natural rubber and synthetic rubber, several different contact allergenic chemicals are added to the batch before vulcanization. These compounds are relevant for investigation of rubber allergy of workers in rubber factories. The number of workers in the rubber industry has declined, owing to increased automation of the process; however, the number of users of rubber prod

Eight European plants, used traditionally against diseases of the respiratory system, have been assayed for in vitro spasmolytic activity on guinea-pig trachea. The plants were collected or cultivated in the south of Sweden, and both water and 67% methanol extracts of the parts reported to be used in the traditional medicine were prepared and assayed. Five of the species did not show any significa

Investigation of contaminant sources is indispensable for developing effective countermeasures against nitrate (NO3 −) pollution in groundwater. Known major nitrogen (N) sources are chemical fertilizers, livestock waste, and domestic wastewater. In general, scatter diagrams of δ18O and δ15N from NO3 − can be used to identify these pollution sources. However, this method can be difficult to use for

Laser-induced photofragmentation fluorescence has been investigated for the imaging of alkali compounds in premixed laminar methane–air flames. An ArF excimer laser, providing pulses of wavelength 193 nm, was used to photodissociate KCl, KOH, and NaCl molecules in the post-flame region and fluorescence from the excited atomic alkali fragment was detected. Fluorescence emission spectra showed disti

We prove sufficient and necessary conditions for the compactness of Calderón-Zygmund operators on the endpoint from L∞ (R) into CMO(R). We use this result to prove the compactness on Lp (R) with 1 < p < ∞ of a certain perturbation of the Cauchy integral on curves with normal derivatives satisfying a CMO-condition.

Oavsett vilket scenario det blir ställer söndagens folkomröstning många saker på sin spets. En viktig fråga är om en fredlig samlevnad överhuvudtaget är möjligt i ett land där drygt hälften av befolkningen inte är redo att försonas. En annan aspekt är hur det internationella samfundet agerar. Hittills har det stött fredsprocessen såväl genom medling som ekonomiskt. Bland annat har Sverige erbjudit

Spatially and temporally resolved measurements are of great importance in turbulent premixed flame studies, especially when investigating rapid processes such as when flame local extinction, re-ignition, or flashback occur in a reacting flow. Here, an experimental approach for simultaneously probing two different species at high frame rates (50 kHz) is presented by employing a multi-YAG laser syst

A previous survey on the practice of diagnostic patch testing among representatives of member societies of the World Allergy Organization (WAO) has, in some countries, not addressed those stakeholders actually involved in patch testing, mainly dermatologists. The need for further standardisation is acknowledged and has been addressed e.g. by publication of a patch test guideline by the European So

Rickshaws are a common form of transportation in many cities in the world. However, rickshaw transportation is often a service provided informally and drivers lack a license to operate. Consequently, drivers experience harassment and the confiscation of their vehicles by the police. Local governments also argue about the need to formalize (legalize) urban transportation and recover control over “c