Nano and micro structured thin (μ m-scale) foils were designed, fabricated and irradiated with the high intensity laser system operating at LLC (Lund Laser Centre, Sweden) in order to systematically study and improve the main proton beam parameters. Nano-spheres deposited on the front (laser irradiated) surface of a flat Mylar foil enabled a small enhancement of the maximum energy and number of th

The effects of diazepam and thiopental on voluntary saccades and pursuit eye movements were tested in 9 volunteers, with an interval of at least 2 weeks between tests. One, 4 and 8 h after intravenous injection of diazepam (0.3 mg/kg) or thiopental (6.0 mg/kg), voluntary saccades and pursuit eye movements were tested and blood samples taken for analysis of drug concentration. As compared to result

The effect of intravenous administration of two sedatives, diazepam (0.3 mg/kg) and thiopental (6.0 mg/kg), on the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) in man was investigated on 9 volunteers. The VOR was evoked with a velocity step rotation test and gain and time constant of prerotatory and postrotatory nystagmus were measured. Both drugs reduced VOR gain. Diazepam-induced reduction lasted 8 h and thiop

Postural control is maintained by sensory feedback from visual, vestibular and somatosensory receptors. Recently several methods for evaluating postural control have been devised, utilizing an imposed perturbation. Most of these methods use stimuli which simultaneously affect more than one of the sensory feedback loops. In the present paper a posturographic technique is presented with specific loa

In recent years, we have witnessed an intensive scholarly discussion about the limitations of traditional inward looking regional innovation strategies. New policy approaches put more emphasis on promoting the external connectedness of regions. However, the institutional preconditions for collaboration across borders have received little attention so far. The aim of this paper is to investigate bo

Background: Smoking is reported to affect the risk of a number of chronic disorders, including rheumatic diseases. Previous cross-sectional studies have shown a lower frequency of smoking in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of smoking and socioeconomic status on the risk of subsequent diagnosis of pSS in a nested case-control study

Stars in open clusters are expected to share an identical abundance pattern. Establishing the level of chemical homogeneity in a given open cluster deserves further study as it is the basis of the concept of chemical tagging to unravel the history of theMilkyWay.M67 is particularly interesting given its solar metallicity and age as well as being a dense cluster environment.We conducted a strictly

Respiratory tract infections are one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide urging better understanding of interactions between pathogens causing these infections and the host. Here we report that an extracellular matrix component proline/arginine-rich end leucine-rich repeat protein (PRELP) is a novel antibacterial component of innate immunity.We detected the presence of PRELP in human bron

BACKGROUND: Autonomic disorders of the cardiovascular system, such as orthostatic hypotension and elevated resting heart rate, predict mortality and cardiovascular events in the population. Low-energy-fractures constitute a substantial clinical problem that may represent an additional risk related to such autonomic dysfunction.AIMS: To test the association between orthostatic hypotension, resting

The effects on renal sodium excretion of giving lithium chloride (LiCl; 0.75 mmol per kg body mass) by gavage or intravenously were investigated. The experiments were carried out on Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) or spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats in metabolic cages. The rats had been on a low-salt diet for 4 days. Urine excretion of water, sodium and potassium was followed before and for 24 h after giv

The extent of the hypoxic area in the Baltic Sea has rapidly expanded over the past century. Two previous phases of widespread hypoxia, coinciding with the Holocene Thermal Maximum (HTM; 8–4ka before present; BP) and the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA; 2–0.8ka BP), have been identified. Relatively little is known about bottom water redox conditions in the coastal zone of the Baltic Sea during the H

Resistance to neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) is problematic as these drugs constitute the major treatment option for severe influenza. Extensive use of the NAI oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) results in up to 865 ng/L of its active metabolite oseltamivir carboxylate (OC) in river water. There one of the natural reservoirs of influenza A, dabbling ducks, can be exposed. We previously demonstrated that an i