In this paper we empirically test the role of firm-specific financial characteristics as drivers of international investment and production. We hypothesize that financial strength generates advantages that can be exploited through cross-border investment activity. The hypothesis is tested in a series of binary-response models, using a sample of 1379 European non-financial firms' international acqu

Variants of the hammerhead ribozyme with high in trans (intermolecular) cleavage activity at low Mg2- concentrations were in vitro selected from a library with 78 nucleotides randomised in the core and in helix II. The most active hammerhead ribozyme selected had e sequence as the consensus ribozyme in the core but only two base pairs in stem II, G(10.1)-C(11.1) and U(10.2)-A(11.2), and a tetrauri

Objective. Our hypothesis states that the reactivity of the cutaneous microcirculation is reduced in patients with hypertension compared with healthy subjects. The objective was to verify the hypothesis by measuring microvascular function in hypertensive patients. Design. The study was a controlled trial with two arms: 15 hypertensives and 15 normotensives were enrolled, aged 30-60 years, and in h

Speakers were asked to provide quantitative data on the performance of different xylose- (or, in one instance, arabinose-) fermenting strains in laboratory media and, where possible, in "industrial" media prepared by hydrolysis of native lignocellulosic substrates. The data provided are presented in Table 1, which gives an indication of the performance of the various strains but should not be take

We used a series of CO5BOLD hydrodynamical model atmospheres covering stellar objects from white dwarfs to red giants to derive theoretical estimates of the photometric and photocentric stellar variability in wavelength-integrated light across the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. We validated our models against solar measurements from the SoHO/VIRGO instrument. Within our set of models we find a syste

Many universities have experienced an increase in the intake of students and at the same time cuts in the budgets for teaching. Many teachers have experienced, for a number of reasons, they have to adjust their teaching or a course with short notice. These facts pose a challenge to the teachers agility in adapting to changes - and in doing it in a cost efficient way. We propose eXtreme Teaching a

The potential of measuring temperature and multiple species concentrations (N-2, O-2, CO) by use of combined vibrational coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) and pure rotational CARS has been investigated. This was achieved with only one Nd:YAG laser and one dye laser together with a single spectrograph and CCD camera. From measurements in premixed sooting C2H4-air flames it was possible

Decomposition of unpolluted Scots pine needle litter was studied in two heavy-metal-pollution gradients in Sweden; one near a brass mill and the other around a primary smelter. In the latter area locally collected polluted Scots pine needle litter was also incubated. Decomposition rates were strongly influenced by the metal pollution and a decrease in the rate of mass-loss occurred. In the brass-m

Steam treatment of an industrial process stream, denoted starch-free wheat fiber, was investigated to improve the formation of monomeric sugars in subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis for further bioconversion into ethanol. The solid fraction in the process stream, derived from a combined starch and ethanol factory, was rich in arabinose (21.1%), xylose (30.1%), and glucose (18.6%), in the form of poly

Knowledge of moisture storage capacity above the hygroscopic range is essential when calculating moisture, especially when different materials are to be connected. Generally, the storage capacity is represented by water retention curves, in which suction is plotted against the moisture content. In a number of laboratories in Europe and North America, the pressure plate and pressure membrane techni

The microbial degradation of a number of "4C-labeled, recalcitrant, aromatic pollutants, including trichloroguaiacol and di-, tri-, and pentachlorophenol, was investigated in aquatic model systems in the laboratory. Natural, mixed cultures of microorganisms in the water from a brown-water lake with a high content of humic compounds mineralized all of the tested substances to a higher degree than d

Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be defined symptomatically or by healthcare contacts, yet the relationship between these events is unknown. Data were collected during a 1-yr study of the budesonide/formoterol combination in COPD patients, where exacerbations, defined by increases in treatment, were compared with daily records of respiratory symptoms, rescue medica

Two items are commensurable in value if and only if one of them is better than the other or if they are equally as good. They are incommensurable if none of these relations obtains. Given incommensurability, not even a purely ordinal measure is available for comparison: We cannot represent the relationship between the items by assigning a number to each that specifies the position of that item in

Large phytochrome ((P) from Avena sativa) immobilized via anti-phytochrome immunoglobulin bound to Sepharose beads was irradiated to saturation with unpolarized far-red (fr) light. The apparent absorbance level was recorded in a dual wavelength spectrophotometer with both measuring beams set to either 600 or 730 nm and polarized perpendicular to each other. The sample was then irradiated with red

Planned Extremely Large Telescopes will rely oil availability of large Deformable Mirror in the 2-3m class. Design and construction of such mirrors are challenging and call for powerful simulation tools. We present an evaluation model which is used to study performance of a large deformable mirror for three: actuator topologies. Back sensors topologies are discussed from the point of view of senso

Background: Symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis may vary greatly. Hence, for research purposes, there is a need for disease-like models of allergic rhinitis. In a preliminary study, involving 7 days' challenge with allergen, promising symptom consistency was obtained and dose-response to a glucocorticosteroid could, in part, be demonstrated. Objective: To establish this model of seasonal allerg