Ecological and evolutionary change is generated by variation in individual performance. Biologists have consequently long been interested in decomposing change measured at the population level into contributions from individuals, the traits they express and the alleles they carry. We present a novel method of estimating individual contributions to population growth and changes in distributions of

This paper presents a study of the pre-history and evolution of a regional innovation system initiative supporting activities at the intersection of traditional food production and modern biotechnology. Drawing on established ideas on the triple helix of industry, university and government and its impact on innovative capacity (as they are formulated in the regional innovation systems approach) an

Four flavonols with spasmolytic activity have been isolated from a methanol extract of Artemisia abrotanum L. (Asteraceae), as the principles primarily responsible for the smooth muscle relaxing activity of this plant. The flavonols show a dose-dependent relaxing effect on the carbacholine-induced contraction of guinea-pig trachea, the EC50 values for compounds 1-3 are 20-30 mumol/l while compound

Anesthetized, paralyzed and mechanically ventilated pigs were hypoventilated to extreme hypercapnia (PaCO2 approximately 20 kPa) at FiO2 0.5, and allotted to a hypothermic group (31.5 +/- 0.1 degrees C, n = 6) or a control group (39.6 +/- 0.2 degrees C, n = 6). Compared with the controls, the hypothermic animals had higher PaO2 (19.2 vs 15.6 kPa, P < 0.05), SaO2 (97.2 vs 89.3%), SvO2 (78.7 vs 68.2

Articulated polychaete jaw apparatuses and scolecodonts from the uppermost Llandovery-lower Wenlock Ireviken Event strata of Gotland, Sweden, are illustrated and discussed and one new species, Kalloprion kilmisteri, that disappears at datum 2 of the Ireviken Event is described.

Objectives: To compare a laparoscopic (totally extraperitoneal patch (TEP)) and an open technique (Lichtenstein) for inguinal hernia repair regarding recurrence rate and possible risk factors for recurrence. Summary Background Data: Laparoscopic hernia repair has been introduced as an alternative to open repair. Short-term follow-tip suggests benefits for those patients operated with a laparoscopi

A prospective, randomized study comparing the compression hip screw with the Gamma nail in the treatment of 426 intertrochanteric fractures is reported. The median patient age was 80 years, and 71 % were women The compression hip screw operation took less time except in Evans Type 5 fractures. Blood loss generally was less in the compression hip screw group except in patients with Type 5 fractures

Neutron-rich, radioactive Zn isotopes were investigated at the Radioactive Ion Beam facility REX-ISOLDE (CERN) using low-energy Coulomb excitation. The energy of the 2(1)(+) state in Zn-78 could be firmly established and for the first time the 2(+)-> 0(1)(+) transition in Zn-80 was observed at 1492(1) keV. B(E2,2(1)(+)-> 0(1)(+)) values were extracted for Zn-74,Zn-76,Zn-78,Zn-80 and compared to la

To reduce the examination time for dark adaptometry, which including preadaptometry normally takes 30 minutes for an eye, a computerized adaptometer was constructed allowing monocular examination of both eyes simultaneously. The total examination time was thereby reduced from 60 to 30 minutes. This improvement was achieved by the use of electronically monitored transparent shutters that were alter

We investigate vascular changes during Photodynamic therapy (PDT) of skin tumors using optical Doppler tomography (ODT). The effect of vascular shut down on tumor destruction is currently not known, and to optimize treatment it is relevant to investigate this issue further. Optical Doppler tomography is capable of measuring blood flow in biological tissue down to 1-2 mm with sub-mm/s velocity sens

Tumour angiogenesis and the levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor type I (PAI-I) are both informative prognostic markers in breast cancer. In cell cultures and in animal model systems, PAI-I has a proangiogenic effect. To evaluate the interrelationship of angiogenesis and the PAI-I level in breast cancer, we have evaluated the prognostic value of those factors in a total of 228 patients with p

Mycorrhizal short roots of Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud colonized by Suillus variegatus (Sow. ex Fr.) O. Kuntze or Paxillus involutus (Batsch) Fr. were collected 1->60 days after fungal contact. The proteins of the inoculated roots were extracted, electrophoretically separated, blotted and immunostained for alpha-tubulin and actin. The development of the mycorrhiza was also followed microscopical

Total oxidation of propane with oxygen in the absence and the respective presence of SO2 in the feed gas was studied over 1 wt% Pt on gamma -Al2O3 using transient experiments with TAP (temporal analysis of products) and in situ DRIFT spectroscopy. The TAP experiments confirm the promoting role of SO2 on the conversion of propane and, moreover, show an inhibiting effect from SO2 on the conversion o

Cartilage sections were cut from the middle zone of pig knee articular cartilage and attached to substrates in two different kinds of newly designed 'pressure cells', one for fluorescence the other for NMR measurements, The fluorescence cell was filled with buffer solution containing fluorescently marked 70 kDa dextran which was allowed to diffuse into the cartilage pores. A second glass surface w

Nitric oxide (NO) can modulate both tumor growth and antitumor immune responses. In order to elucidate the mechanism of curative therapeutic immunization with IFNgamma-producing glioma cells, we examined the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in tissue sections from immunized animals. There was a significantly enhanced iNOS expression both intratumorally and at the immunization s