How temperature influences development has direct relevance to ascertaining the impact of climate change on natural populations. Reptiles have served as empirical models for understanding how the environment experienced by embryos can influence phenotypic variation, including sex ratio, phenology and survival. Such an understanding has important implications for basic eco-evolutionary theory and c

Objectives: To determine meniscal extrusion and cartilage coverage on magnetic resonance (MR) images and factors associated with these parameters in knees of middle-aged and elderly persons free from radiographic tibiofemoral osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: Seven hundred eighteen persons, free of radiographic tibiofemoral OA, aged 50–90 years from Framingham, MA, USA, were included. We measured meni

1. Outbreaks of herbivorous insects can have large impacts on regional soil carbon (C) storage and nutrient cycling. In northernmost Europe, population outbreaks of several geometrid moth species regularly cause large-scale defoliation in subarctic birch forests. An improved understanding is required of how leaf C and nutrients are processed after ingestion by herbivores and what this means for th

Aims: Subclinical systemic inflammation may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes, but its association with early progression of glycaemic deterioration in persons without diabetes has not been fully investigated. Our primary aim was to assess longitudinal associations of changes in pro-inflammatory (leukocytes, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)) and anti-inflammatory (adipone

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in innovation studies towards grand challenges, and in how demand-side policy instruments can supplement traditional supply-side policy measures. To contribute to an improved understanding of how demand-side policy requires new governance responses, this article presents a case study of trialling assisted living technologies to address the gra

Purpose: To report five novel genetic variants in seven unrelated consanguineous families with achromatopsia (ACHM). Methods: Patients were examined with multimodal retinal imaging and full-field electroretinography (ffERG). Genetic testing was conducted using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Results: Three novel homozygous variants were detected in CNGA3: a missense c.967G > C (p.Ala323Pro) vari

Surface–atmosphere energy exchange is strongly ecosystem-specific. At the same time, as the energy balance constitutes responses of an ecosystem to environmental stressors including precipitation, humidity and solar radiation, it results in feedbacks of potential importance for the regional climate. Northern peatlands represent a diverse class of ecosystems that cover nearly 6 × 106 km2 in the Bor

Coexistence between great tits Parus major and blue tits Cyanistes caeruleus, but also other hole-nesting taxa, constitutes a classic example of species co-occurrence resulting in potential interference and exploitation competition for food and for breeding and roosting sites. However, the spatial and temporal variations in coexistence and its consequences for competition remain poorly understood.

Objective: There are few guidelines for clinical trials of interventions for prevention of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA), reflecting challenges in this area. An international multi-disciplinary expert group including patients was convened to generate points to consider for the design and conduct of interventional studies following acute knee injury. Design: An evidence review on acute knee

Improving the efficiency of the powertrain system is of great importance to reduce the greenhouse gas CO2. Advanced combustion engine with Partially Premixed Combustion (PPC) is one of the best solutions. It is proved to have a high engine efficiency and low emission level. Using multiple injections is a good way to achieve PPC. The efficiencies using multiple injections were evaluated on a metal

This report presents an integrated biorefinery concept in which wheat straw hydrolysate was treated with co-cultures of osmotolerant thermophilic bacterial strains, Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus and C. owensensis to obtain hydrogen, while the liquid effluent containing acetate and residual glucose was used as feed for polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production by Ralstonia eutropha. The Caldicell

Research on stem-cell transplantation has indicated that the success of transplantation largely depends on synchronizing donor cells into the G0/G1 phase. In this study, we investigated the profile of embryonic stem (ES) cell synchronization and its effect on the formation of embryonic bodies (EBs) using cell culture with serum deprivation. The D3 cell line of ES cells was used, and parameters suc

The xyn1 encoded 5 domain xylanase from the thermophilic bacterium Rhodothermus marinus binds specifically to xylan, β-glucan and amorphous but not crystalline cellulose. Our results show that the binding is mediated by the full length xylanase, but not by the catalytic domain only. Based on similarities concerning both predicted secondary structure and binding specificity found with one cellulose

Background: Borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) are a subgroup of ovarian malignancies with low malignant potential. Very limited earlier data are available on familial clustering of BOTs with other cancers. We aim to explore histology-specific familial associations among BOTs and associations between BOTs and any invasive cancers.Methods: On the basis of 16.1 million individuals in the Swedish Famil

Electroactive microorganisms possess the unique ability to transfer electrons to or from a solid phase electron conductor, e.g., electrodes or minerals, through various physiological mechanisms. The processes are commonly known as extracellular electron transfer and broadly harnessed in microbial electrochemical systems, such as microbial electrosynthesis or microbial fuel cells. Except for a few Electroactive microorganisms possess the unique ability to transfer electrons to or from a solid phase electron conductor, e.g., electrodes or minerals, through various physiological mechanisms. The processes are commonly known as extracellular electron transfer and broadly harnessed in microbial electrochemical systems, such as microbial electrosynthesis or microbial fuel cells. Except for a few

Objectives: The authors sought to compare reclassification of treatment strategy following instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) and fractional flow reserve (FFR). Background: iFR was noninferior to FFR in 2 large randomized controlled trials in guiding coronary revascularization. Reclassification of treatment strategy by FFR is well-studied, but similar reports on iFR are lacking. Methods: The iFR-

Background: Current EU directives demand increased use of renewable fuels in the transportation sector but restrict governmental support for production of biofuels produced from crops. The use of intercropped lucerne and wheat may comply with the directives. In the current study, the combination of ensiled lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) and wheat straw as substrate for hydrogen and methane productio