Microsphere-based constitutive models are a helpful tool in the modelling of materials with a microstructure composed of contributing elements directionally arranged. This is the case, for instance, for fibred soft tissues. In these models, the macroscopic mechanical behaviour is obtained from the integration of the micro-structural contribution of each component (e.g. each fibre) over the surface

Emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels contribute to the greenhouse effect around the globe. It is therefore of great interest to reduce the use of fossil fuels and revert to some form of biofuel. Lignin, extracted from kraft black liquor, has the potential to become a significant contributor to the biofuel market. A modern pulp mill has an energy surplus that can amount to 7 GJ per tonne o

Shoot uptake of mineral nutrients (Ca, Cu, Fe, K, mg, Mn, P, S, Zn) by Agrostis stolonifera L. was compared with Festuca ovina L. under wet and dry cycles. Such conditions are typical for A. stolonifera sites, whereas F. ovina is growing mostly on consistently drier and better-drained soils. Plants were grown in a glasshouse, at controlled temperature and light conditions, using two moisture regim

Complex scaling of the Schrodinger equation on the halfaxis with a nontrivial boundary condition at the origin is investigated. A self-adjoint dilation of the corresponding dissipative operator is constructed. The relations between the scattering problems for the operator and it's dilation are clarified

1. With the aim to assess the combined and separate effects of waterfowl and fish on submerged vegetation and macroinvertebrates, we performed a replicated selective exclosure study in a shallow, eutrophic lake in southern Sweden. Our results are presented together with a literature review of the effects of fish and waterfowl on macroinvertebrates and submerged vegetation. 2. Based on our experime

We identify three semiclassical parameters in the QCD Dirac operator. Mutual coupling of the different types of degrees of freedom (translational, colour and spin) depends on how the semiclassical limit is taken. We discuss various semiclassical limits and their potential to describe spectrum and spectral statistics of the QCD Dirac operator close to zero virtuality. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rig

Nitric oxide (NO) is a multifunctional signalling molecule, acting as a vasodilator, neurotransmitter, and modulator of inflammatory processes. It also participates in killing parasites, virus-infected cells, and tumor cells by formation of peroxynitrite, one of the most important initiators of the free radical damage. Uncontrolled production of NO can lead to nitrosative stress, causing damages t

This is the first attempt to budget average current annual carbon (C) and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) exchanges and transfers in a subarctic landscape, the Lake Torneträsk catchment in northern Sweden. This is a heterogeneous area consisting of almost 4000 km2 of mixed heath, birch and pine forest, and mires, lakes and alpine ecosystems. The magnitudes of atmospheric exchange of carbon in the

Thirteen isidiate taxa in the Teloschistales are briefly discussed, i.e. Letrouitia corallina (Müll. Arg.) Hafellner, L. leprolyta (Nyl.) Hafellner, Caloplaca bassiae (Ach.) Zahlbr., C. granulosa (Müll. Arg.) Jatta, C. herbidella (Hue) H. Magn., C. isidiigera Vězda, C. isidiosa (Vainio) Zahlbr., C. littorea Tavares, C. namibensis Kärnef., C. ochraceofulva (Müll. Arg.) Jatta, C. verruculifera (Vain

Anthropogenic N deposition may change soil conditions in forest ecosystems as demonstrated in many studies of coniferous forests, whereas results from deciduous forests are relatively scarce. Therefore the influence of N deposition on several variables was studied in situ in 45 oak-dominated deciduous forests along a N deposition gradient in southern Sweden, where the deposition ranged from 10 to

BACKGROUND: Recently, it has been shown that infusion of the CCK-A receptor antagonist devazepide induced proliferation of hepatocytes and bile duct epithelium in the rat liver. The aim of this study was to further evaluate the influence of devazepide and sulfated cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8S) on the intact rat liver and rat liver after resection. METHODS: In the first experiment, either saline or de

The ultimate goal in the treatment of high-responding inhibitors in congenital haemophilia is to induce immune tolerance (IT). Since the advent of highly purified factor VIII products, especially recombinant ones, the issue has been raised of whether the type of product has an impact on treatment success. It is clear that IT induction is possible to achieve with both recombinant products and human

We demonstrate that the a. chain of human C4b binding protein (C4BP) binds directly to CD40 on human B cells at a site that differs from that used by CD40 ligand. C4BP induces proliferation, upregulation of CD54 and CD86 expression, and IL4-dependent IgE isotype switching in normal B cells but not in B cells from patients with CD40 or IKKgamma/NEMO deficiencies. Furthermore, C4BP colocalized with

Precipitation and runoff data from several controlled experiments (with dry and wet initial conditions) on a Sedum album green-roof have been analysed by means of linear programming in order to estimate a unit hydrograph (UH). The obtained UH was able to accurately predict peak flows and runoff volumes for any rain input. Results from the experiments indicated that roof slope had no effect on the

This article reflects on theory in social work. With a starting point in the contemporary discussion of evidence-based social work, we raise questions about the role of theory. To understand empirical data, we need theory. The arena of social work is an open field for many academic disciplines, and theories used for understanding social work are mostly imported from general social science. Theory

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the increased incidence of myocardial infarction and death associated with smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and diabetes varies significantly between groups defined in terms of occupation, education and marital status. SETTING: Malmo, Sweden. PARTICIPANTS: 9351 women, aged 28-55, with a mean follow up of 10.7 years. MAIN RESULTS: Smoking, hypertension (> or