Isolated Ca2+-binding EF-hand peptides have a tendency to dimerize. This study is an attempt to account for the coupled equilibria of Ca2+-binding and peptide association for two EF-hands with strikingly different loop sequence and net charge. We have studied each of the two separate EF-hand fragments from calbindin D-9k. A series of Ca2+-titrations at different peptide concentrations were monitor

Hyperplasia of middle-ear mucosa (MEM) during otitis media (OM) is thought to be partially mediated by the actions of growth factors and their receptors. The intracellular pathway leading from the small G-protein Ras to the extracellular regulated kinases (Erks) often links growth factor stimulation to cellular proliferation. This study assessed whether this pathway is involved in MEM hyperplasia

This chapter focuses on the use of different methods for isolation of alkylresorcinols. Alkylresorcinols are members of a lipid group called non-isoprenoid phenolic lipids. Different aspects of the extraction by classical methods and supercritical CO2 are discussed. Supercritical CO2 extraction of alkylresorcinols from rye bran is discussed for the first time. As compared to the classical extracti

In-conservation biology it is necessary to make management decisions for endangered and threatened species under severe uncertainty. Failure to acknowledge and treat uncertainty can lead to poor decisions. To illustrate the importance of considering uncertainty, we reanalyze a decision problem for the Sumatran rhino, Dicerorhinus sumatrensis, using information-gap theory to propagate uncertainties

In-situ nutrient sensors are now a proven technology. Having ion membranes eliminates the need for ultrafiltration, and consequently the sensors can be located at suitable places in any of the reactors. This gives the potential for new control structures for the control of nitrification, denitrification, and phosphorus removal. In the paper some examples of such controllers are demonstrated as use

We outline here a simple method to prepare polymeric surfaces of controlled surface topography on the micrometer scale, via assembly and arrest of microgel particles, for use in a range of biological applications to modify cell adhesion and spreading. In previous work by other groups, it has transpired that topography on the nanoscale is unlikely to be useful for this purpose, as roughness on this

The thesis concerns modeling, simulation and numerical analysis of heat and mass transport, and fluid flow in ducts of both solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The unique fuel cell boundary conditions (thermal, mass) for the flow ducts in fuel cells are identified and applied. Various duct configurations have been studied, such as rectangular and trapez

Popular Abstract in Swedish Bildundervisningen i grundskolans tidigare år uppfyller inte de i Sverige uppsatta målen. De nationella utvärderingarna (NU 89) och (NU92) bekräftar detta. Lärarna säger att de saknar ämneskunskaper och utvärderingarna visar att inslag från äldre läroplaner präglar undervisningen. För att ge en bild av hur nuvarande problem kan ha uppstått presenteras i studien en histoThe art education in Swedish primary and secondary schools is far from perfect and as a result pupils seldom reach the desired standard. National evaluations in 1989 and 1992 confirm this. Teachers admit that they lack specific subject knowledge and evaluation reveals that many aspects of older curricula still prevail. The way in which the present problems may have arisen is described through the

Quantitative RT-PCR (QRT-PCR) enables the sensitive and specific detection of mRNA with a small copy number. We used the QRT-PCR method and dual-label analysis of amplification products for the detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) mRNA. The QRT-PCR assay employed a PSA-like internal standard (IS) mRNA, which was used to quantify the PSA mRNA copies and to control the variations during the

BACKGROUND: The characteristic feature of Goodpasture disease is the occurrence of an autoantibody response to the noncollagenous domain of the alpha3 chain of type IV collagen [alpha3(IV)NC1] in the alveolar and glomerular basement membrane. These antibodies are associated with the development of a rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, with or without lung hemorrhage, whereas autoantibodies spe