Radiative lifetimes of nine levels in Eu II (4f(7)6p, 4f(6)5d6s and 4f(6)5d(2)) and Eu III (4f(6)5d) have been measured using time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy on a laser-produced europium plasma. Oscillator strengths for a number of Eu II lines have been derived by combining the lifetimes with branching ratios measured in the emission spectrum of a hollow-cathode lamp.

The Nordic countries Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark have formed a deregulated power market. Electricity bought and sold on this market is dominated by hydro power. However, hydro power generation is restricted by the amount of water in reservoirs. The inflow to these reservoirs shows a yearly cycle and seasonal planning of the production is necessary. Seasonal planning for a fictive power pr

In patients with advanced heart failure, morbid obesity is a relative contraindication to heart transplantation due to higher morbidity and mortality in these patients.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are well recognized beneficial host-associated members of the microbiota of humans and animals. Yet LAB-associations of invertebrates have been poorly characterized and their functions remain obscure. Here we show that honeybees possess an abundant, diverse and ancient LAB microbiota in their honey crop with beneficial effects for bee health, defending them against micro

Objective: Recent study showed high chemokine CXC ligand 5 (CXCL5) is thought to be associated with insulin resistance in humans. However, evidence from large-scale populations about the relationship between serum CXCL5 level and metabolic phenotypes is scarce. Here we sought to evaluate serum CXCL5 distribution and its association with metabolic phenotypes among middle-aged and older Chinese. Res

Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a pathogen that causes severe local and life-threatening invasive diseases, which are associated with high mortality rates. Pneumococci have evolved several strategies to evade the host immune system, including complement to disseminate and to survive in various host niches. Thus, pneumococci bind complement inhibitors such as C4b-binding protein (C4BP) a

The estrogen receptor coactivator Amplified in Breast Cancer 1 (AIB1) has been associated with an improved response to adjuvant tamoxifen in breast cancer, but also with endocrine treatment resistance. We hereby use metachronous contralateral breast cancer (CBC) developed despite prior adjuvant tamoxifen for the first tumor as an "in vivo"-model for tamoxifen resistance. AIB1-expression in the pre

Osteoporosis is a common complex disorder in postmenopausal women leading to changes in the micro-architecture of bone and increased risk of fracture. Members of the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) gene family regulates the development and physiology of bone through the Wnt/β-catenin (Wnt) pathway that in turn cross-talks with the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway. In

A relatively short overview on fascism and nazism in contemporary Europe.

Abstract Conclusions: Recurrences were seen in 5% of all patients with acute mastoiditis (AM). Mastoidectomy had been performed in the majority of the patients with recurrences at their first episode of AM. Compared with the group with a single episode of AM, the recurrent group exhibited more subperiosteal and ear canal abscesses, although they were not more severely ill. It appears from this stu

Platelets contribute to blood coagulation at sites of vascular injury and to the recruitment of leukocytes at sites of inflammation. Under pathological conditions, platelets are involved in numerous diseases and clinical complications, such as deep venous thrombosis, embolism and atherosclerosis. But so far, little is known about the mechanisms of inflammation in large veins and the role of platel