Developmental instability and fluctuating asymmetry (FA) describe the inability of organisms to correct for random accidents under development and has become a major but controversial topic in evolutionary biology. Theoretical models predict that the level of FA should increase as a result of inbreeding, but empirical results are ambiguous. Moreover, the relationship between fitness and FA is stil

Although the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time-series data, derived from NOAA/AVFIRR, SPOT/VEGETATION, TERRA or AQUA/MODIS, has been successfully used in research regarding global environmental change, residual noise in the NDVI time-series data, even after applying strict pre-processing, impedes further analysis and risks generating erroneous results. Based on the assumptions tha

A BCR/ABL-negative chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with t(12;14) (p12;q11-13) as the sole chromosomal abnormality was investigated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), which disclosed a cryptic insertion of ETV6 (previously called TEL), located at 12p12, into ABL at chromosome band 9q34. ETV6/ABL fusion was confirmed by RT-PCR, revealing that the first five exons of ETV6 were fused in fram

In this paper the joint density of waveheight and half-wavelength is considered for waves observed at a fixed time point and encountering waves that are overtaking a ship from behind. The densities for these two cases are related by a Doppler shift, expressed in terms of the relative velocity of the waves and the ship. Based on this observation, an approximation of the encountered density is propo

Forty-six patients (48 hips), operated on with cemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) because of arthrosis, were examined radiographically and sonographically at 10-year follow-up. Polyethylene wear of acetabular cups was measured on conventional non-weight-bearing pelvic radiographs, and the volume of polyethylene debris was calculated. Radiographic signs of loosening were identified. The capsular

Characteristics and origin of the aerosol in the lowermost stratosphere at northern midlatitudes were studied using measurements from a passenger aircraft ( Civil Aircraft for Regular Investigation of the Atmosphere Based on an Instrument Container, or CARIBIC). Aerosol samples were collected during 60 intercontinental flights during 1999 - 2002 and analyzed for elemental composition with particle

BACKGROUND: High blood pressure contributes to organ damage. However, during the past two decades there have been great advances in the medical treatment of hypertension. Technical progress has also made it easier to visualize organ damage. Hence we found it of interest to examine heart, brain and retina in a group of middle-aged treated hypertensives, comparing the results with those from a group

As a consequence of heightened concern for the greenhouse effect, depleting oil reserves and skyrocketing oil prices, renewable fuels, Such as bioethanol, are becoming increasingly important. Cellulosic biomass like wood, agricultural residue and herbaceous material is a huge, cheap natural resource that can be used for ethanol production. Decreasing production costs through technological developm

Interactions between transmembrane helices play a key role in almost all cellular processes involving membrane proteins. We have investigated helix-helix interactions in lipid bilayers with synthetic tryptophan-flanked peptides that mimic the membrane spanning parts of membrane proteins. The peptides were functionalized with pyrene to allow the self-association of the helices to be monitored by py

Background: Gallstone ileus is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Enterolithotomy as a single procedure is recommended to minimize complications. The trauma could potentially be reduced further by using a laparoscopic technique. Methods: Thirty-two consecutive patients with gallstone ileus operated by a laparoscopic or open approach between 1992 and 2004 were studied retrospective

The capacity of regenerating nerve fibres to grow through a perforated silicon chip was tested using the silicone chamber model for nerve regeneration. The chips were fabricated as circular membranes, 4 mm in diameter, thickness 60 microns, with a perforated area, 2 mm in diameter, in the centre. Three types of chips were fabricated utilizing anisotropic etching. The chips were glued with silicone

BACKGROUND: After a myocardial infarction (MI), many patients and their partners experience problems with marital and sexual life. METHODS: A Swedish national survey was carried out to obtain knowledge on the information provided by cardiac health care professionals on the subject of sexual function and coexistence after an MI. It consisted of a questionnaire that was designed, tested, and sent to

Samples from the Boda Limestone and immediately overlying strata at Osmundsberget in de Siljan region have produced an excellent Hirnantian isotope excursion (HICE) curve, in which the excursion interval is about 22 m thick and the HICE reaches maximum delta C-13 values of between +5 parts per thousand and +6 parts per thousand. Both the HA and HB stratigraphic unconformities are recognized in the

The aim of this study was to optimize the use of BMD measurements in case finding strategies. The use of clinical risk factors with and without BMD was explored in a random sample of the Sheffield female population greater than or equal to75 years of age. The use of clinical risk factors alone could identify women well above or well below a threshold of fracture risk. BMD assessment can be confine

The prevalence of swallowing impairment increases with age and is a major health care problem in the elderly. It has been assumed that age-related changes in nerves and muscles hamper muscle strength and coordination of swallowing. However, it is unclear what impairment is related to primary aging and what is the consequence of diseases prevalent in the elderly (secondary aging). In order to quant

Major efforts to develop antibody microarray technology to enable global proteome analysis to be performed in a facile manner are under way. In this process, the design and the properties of the substrate will play crucial roles. In the present study, we have developed novel, highly biocompatible solid supports for microarrays, using adsorbed recombinant human single-framework antibody fragments a

The local structure of Cd(II) surface complexes adsorbed onto manganite (gamma-MnOOH) has been investigated by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. Adsorption experiments were carried out within the pH range 7.4-9.8 and with surface coverage from 2.2 to 8.9 mu mol/m(2). Quantitative analysis of the EXAFS spectra shows little difference in the local coordination environmen