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The cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is a critical effector of the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We used oligonucleotide microarray (OM) analysis to assess TNF-alpha-modulated gene expression in cultured primary human synoviocytes in vitro. Genes identified include cytokines and inflammatory mediators, extracellular matrix and adhesion molecules, cell cycle and prolife

In this study, user participation is suggested as a means, a process and role-playing between system users and developers in systems development. User participation in object-oriented contexts is observed from methodological and practical perspectives as a combined field of study. From the methodological perspective, three object-oriented methods are assessed according to NIMSAD, a method evaluati

We have studied nanowires with a GaAs core, covered by an AlGaAs shell, using low temperature cathodoluminescence. The main emission from the core is due carbon acceptors, though we observe a weak emission from excitons. A general observation is that the emission is much stronger from the top half of the nanowire. This emission is also more well-defined. The AlGaAs shell emission varies in emissio

A solid phase radio-immunoassay (SPRIA) was developed for the detection of anti-HBc IgM. The assay proved sensitive and easy to perform and rheumatoid factor did not affect the test results. Anti-HBc IgM titres were followed in consecutive samples from 15 patients after uncomplicated acute hepatitis B. In the acute phase anti-HBc IgM titres ranged from 10(-5) to 10(-7) (mean 10(-6.4)). One year af

The kinetics of the alpha-chymotrypsin catalysed transesterification of N-acetyl-l-phenylalanine ethyl ester with 1-butanol and the competing hydrolysis were evaluated at fixed water activity in two ionic liquids and two non-ionic organic solvents. In most respects the four solvents behaved similarly. However, at a water activity of 0.33, higher catalytic activity was observed in the ionic liquid,

Direct electron transfer (DET) reactions and bio(electro)catalytic reduction of H2O2 catalysed by native and recombinant forms of tobacco peroxidase (nTOP and rTOP) were studied in homogeneous-phase catalysis and when TOPs were adsorbed on graphite electrodes. Non-glycosylated wild type and Glu141 -> Phe mutant forms of rTOP were produced using an Escherichia coli expression system. Mutation was i

Polysulfones (PSUs) carrying short pendant alkyl side-chains with terminal sulfonic acid units have been prepared and studied as proton-conducting membrane materials. The first step in the preparation involved quenching of lithiated PSU with SO2 gas, resulting in sulfinated PSU. In the second step, the lithium sulfinate units on the polymer were reacted with sodium 2-bromoethanesulfonate, sodium 3

The diagnosis of tree nutrient demand for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) is possible using a root bioassay with excised roots, to measure the rate of uptake of the corresponding isotope. In this study, Norway spruce (Picea abies) roots were used to test the uptake response in roots of different diameter. The 15 N bioassay has been developed to test for nitrogen demand by plants, w

One of the major challenges in the fields of computer vision and computer graphics is the construction and representation of life-like virtual 3D scenarios within a computer. The VISIRE project attempts to reconstruct photo-realistic 3D models of large scenarios using as input multiple freehand video sequences, while rendering the technology accessible to the non-expert. VISIRE is application orie

The focus of this paper will be engineering students’ experiences of their 2nd, 3rd and 4th years of their program. In 1999 the implementation of the CDIO curriculum started and in 2002 the first project based course, which was compliant with the CDIO philosophy, was introduced during the 1st and 3rd study year. Results are based on responses from three questionnaires given to all registered stude

Background. Autologous dermal fibroblasts may be useful in the treatment of skin wounds and for the enhancement of keratinocyte proliferation. This paper addressed the following questions: (1) can cultured fibroblasts (CF) be transplanted as suspensions to full-thickness skin wounds and do they influence wound healing; (2) will the transplanted CF be integrated into the new dermis; (3) can a trans

The popularity of Norwegian first names 1880-2000 can be studied thanks to official Norwegian statistics. The most common curve shows a fast rise and slow fall, which can be approximated by a mathematical gamma function. The curve presumably reflects the parents' changing enthusiasm for at particular name.

The effects of an electrostatic precipitator and a flue gas condenser on size resolved fly ash particle concentration and composition were studied in a 6 MW biomass combustion unit, fired with moist forest residue. The boiler was of moving grate type. The fly ash particles were sampled upstream and downstream of the electrostatic precipitator and flue gas condenser, respectively. Fine particle num

We suggest a physical picture of the catalytic act combining together the energy transfer and the synchronisation of the best electron density in the reactant and active site as a consecutive sequence of events. Activity and selectivity at molecular level are defined. Geometry requirements seem to be linked to energy and time requirements. Our proposal for developing new catalysts at the molecular

it can let the committee members vote on each sub-question and then use the outcomes as premises for its conclusion on the main issue (premise based-procedure, pbp), or it can let the members directly vote on the conclusion (conclusion-based procedure, cbp). The procedures can lead to different results, but which of them is a better truth-tracker? On the basis of Condorcet's jury theorem, we show