Engineering of novel carbohydrate-binding proteins that can be utilized in various biochemical and biotechnical applications would benefit from a deeper understanding of the biochemical interactions that determine protein-carbohydrate specificity. In an effort to understand further the basis for specificity we present the crystal structure of the multi-specific carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) X-

This article is a largely constructivist revisit to the crisis of confidence between Iran and the West. It strives to investigate the chief historical, cultural, ideological, and identity-related, as well as geostrategic factors, involved in postrevolutionary Iran-West relations, and how they have caused an almost solidified sense of fear, suspicion, and mistrust between the two. The contemporary

This essay discusses language uniformity and diversity in the light of recent development of the minimalist program (Hauser et al. 2002, Chomsky 2008, Berwick and Chomsky 2011, and much related work). It pursues two leading ideas. First, Universal Grammar (UG) is maximally minimal: hence early internal language (I-language) is largely uniform across individuals, language variation being mainly or

Blanket peatlands are rain-fed mires that cover the landscape almost regardless of topography. The geographical extent of this type of peatland is highly sensitive to climate. We applied a global process-based bioclimatic envelope model, PeatStash, to predict the distribution of British blanket peatlands. The model captures the present areal extent (Kappa = 0.77) and is highly sensitive to both te

Socio-culturally formed collegial contexts in the midlevel of higher education organizations have attracted increased attention from higher education researchers. It is assumed that development, change and stability are dependent on norms, habits and traditions in these contexts. This text introduces a framework useful for identifying and investigating these collegial contexts. The framework is ap

It has recently been demonstrated that superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles can be used as magnetomotive ultrasound contrast agents. A time-varying external magnetic field acts to move the particles and, thus, the nanoparticle-laden tissue. However, the difficulty of distinguishing this magnetomotive motion from undesired movement induced in regions without nanoparticles or other motion arti

Background: The frequency and prognostic importance of atrial fibrillation (AF) in asymptomatic mild-to-moderate aortic stenosis (AS) has not been well described. Methods: Clinical examination, electrocardiography and echocardiography were obtained in asymptomatic patients with mild-to-moderate AS and preserved left ventricular (LV) systolic function, randomized to simvastatin/ezetimibe combinatio

pH is an important factor determining bacterial community composition in soil and water. We have directly determined the community tolerance (trait variation) to pH in communities from 22 lakes and streams ranging in pH from 4 to 9 using a growth based method not relying on distinguishing between individual populations. pH in the water samples was altered to up to 16 pH values, covering in situ pH

Pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) of the South American straw material Paja Brava were investigated. Suitable process conditions for an SO(2)-catalyzed steam pretreatment of the material were determined and assessed by enzymatic digestibility of obtained fiber slurries for 72h at a water insoluble solids (WIS) content of 2%. The best pretre

Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) is a rare pharmacogenetic disorder, triggered by halogenated anesthetics and/or succinylcholine. In susceptible individuals, these drugs can activate an explosive life threatening clinical reaction. Leading symptoms are hypercarbia, muscle rigidity, and metabolic acidosis. MH is inherited in an autosomal-dominant manner and linked to mutations in the large ryanodine 1 g

Question Can we reliably estimate grazing intensity, indicators of grazing intensity (i.e. field-layer height and shrub-cover), and vascular plant species richness in semi-natural grasslands from high spatial resolution satellite data? Location The Baltic Island of Oland (Sweden). Methods Fieldwork included the on-site description of grazed and ungrazed areas and shrub-cover within 107 semi-natura

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a common indication for lumbar spine surgery. The proportion of patients having a second surgery within 2 years varies in the literature between 0.5% and 24%, with recurrent herniation being the most common cause. Several studies have not found any relevant outcome differences between patients undergoing surgery for primary LDH and patients undergoing reoperation fo

The quality of spatial analyses of biodiversity is improved by (i) utilizing study areas with well defined physiogeographical boundaries, (ii) limiting the impact of widespread species, and (iii) using taxa with heterogeneous distributions. These conditions are typically met by ecosystems such as oceanic islands or ancient lakes and their biota. While research on ancient lakes has contributed sign

We have attached quaternary ammonium (QA) groups to poly(phenylene oxide) via flexible and stable heptyl side chains by using a straightforward synthetic route involving bromoalkylation and quaternization. Membranes based on these polymers showed efficient phase separation, significantly enhanced hydroxide ion conductivity and far superior alkaline stability in relation to corresponding polymers w

Rapid characterization of unknown biological samples is under the focus of many current studies. Here we report a method for screening of biological samples by optical mapping of their DNA. We use a novel, one-step chemo-enzymatic reaction to covalently bind fluorophores to DNA at the four-base recognition sites of a DNA methyltransferase. Due to the diffraction limit of light, the dense distribut

Von Economo neurons (VEN) are bipolar neurons located in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the frontoinsular cortex (FI), areas affected early in behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), in which VEN may constitute a selectively vulnerable cellular population. Aim A previous study has shown a selective loss of VEN in FTD above other neurons in the ACC of FTD. The aim of this stud

The aim of the present study was to examine demographic and socioeconomic differences and time trends of bariatric surgery in Sweden during 1990-2010.

Aims/hypothesis We aimed to investigate the risk of cancer mortality in relation to the glucose tolerance status classified according to the 2 h OGTT. Methods Data from 17 European population-based or occupational cohorts involved in the DECODE study comprising 26,460 men and 18,195 women aged 25-90 years were collaboratively analysed. The cohorts were recruited between 1966 and 2004 and followed