The human cathelicidin peptide LL-37 has antimicrobial and anti-biofilm functions, but LL-37 may also damage the host by triggering inflammation and exerting a cytotoxic effect, thereby reducing host cell viability. Human plasma mitigates LL-37-induced host cell cytotoxicity but the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) is a plasma protein endowed with at

Gasoline Partially Premixed Combustion (PPC) is a promising alternative combustion concept that can offer both high indicated efficiency and low exhaust emissions in terms of NOx and soot, compared to conventional diesel combustion (CDC). Previous research has shown that PPC can operate with gasoline-like fuels of varying RON numbers. Some of the most promising results come with the use of gasolin

Hanöbukten in SE Sweden (including Blekinge archi-pelago) is an important wintering and staging area for a number of waterbird species. The inshore parts have been covered by counts from the shore during the International Waterbird Counts (IWC) since 1969. In the present study we analyze these counts for the period 1969–2014. When the counts started the total number of wintering waterbirds varied

During 1984–2009, Greylag Geese Anser anser were neck-banded at two lakes six kilometres apart in southwest Scania, southernmost Sweden: 2308 at lake Yddingen and 633 at Klosterviken (part of lake Bör-ringe). Through 2013 we recorded 51 132 and 29 937 re-sightings, respectively. We analyse the distribution patterns within Scania during the post-breeding months July–March. In spite of the short dis

This paper deals with a two-echelon spare parts inventory system with one central warehouse and a number of local warehouses facing Poisson demand. Normally, the local warehouses replenish stock from the central warehouse. However, if a demand cannot be satisfied within a pre-determined time window, an emergency shipment is requested from an outside supplier. Moreover, as in practice, this outside

Ascorbate-induced release of heparan sulfate from S-nitrosylated heparan sulfate proteoglycan glypican-1 takes place in endosomes. Heparan sulfate penetrates the membrane and is transported to the nucleus. This process is dependent on copper and on expression and processing of the amyloid precursor protein. It remains unclear how exogenously supplied ascorbate can generate HS-anMan in endosomes an

The likelihood that females will breed or how much they invest in reproduction can depend on the characters of their male partners. Such differential allocation may enhance or limit gene flow between hybridizing lineages, in particular when the lineages have diverged in sexually selected characters. Populations of the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) in some regions of Italy exhibit striking

Although sexual selection and sexual conflict are important evolutionary forces in animals, their significance in plants is uncertain. In hermaphroditic organisms, such as many plants, sexual conflict may occur both between mating partners (interlocus conflict) and between male and female sex roles within an individual (intralocus conflict). We performed experimental evolution, involving lines tha

We have seen a considerable effort in colloid sciences to copy Nature’s successful strategies to fabricate complex functional structures through self-assembly. This includes attempts to design colloidal building blocks and their intermolecular interactions, such as creating the colloidal analogs of directional molecular interactions, molecular recognition, host-guest systems, and specific binding.

We describe the synthesis of hybrid magnetic ellipsoidal nanoparticles that consist of a mixture of two different iron oxide phases, hematite (α-Fe2O3) and maghemite (γ-Fe2O3), and characterize their magnetic field-driven self-assembly. We demonstrate that the relative amount of the two phases can be adjusted in a continuous way by varying the reaction time during the synthesis, leading to strongl

Terpene emissions from the top-canopy layer (at 20 m) of one 118-year-old Norway spruce tree were measured between June and September 2013 using a branch chamber. Total terpene emissions varied from 0.05 to 332.5 μg gdw -1 h-1 with a peak in August. Monoterpenes dominated throughout the summer and on average accounted for 65% of the total terpene mass, followed by sesquiterpenes (29%) and isoprene

Purpose: A well-functioning curbside system must consider several properties, such as the location of collection points, from a logistical standpoint to ensure efficient hauling and transportation. The collection point itself should also promote a good working Environment for the collection personnel. However, many older urban areas were not designed with modern logistical and environmental aspect

Purpose: Construction waste is one of the larger waste streams in the developed world. Its environmental impact can be reduced by increased waste sorting. Waste sorting efficiency, however, is influenced by the characteristics of an evolving construction site with space limitation, changing layout, different waste streams over time, and the many different actors involved. This study explores facto

Background Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) has conceptually been known since the late 1970s and commercially available as dual-source CT (DSCT) systems since 2006; however, the technique has not yet seen widespread implementation in routine protocols. Part of the cause for this is likely due to misconceptions about radiation dose and/or image quality when using DECT. Purpose To compare imag

A model-based predictive controller known as Dynamic Matrix Control with Linear Programming optimizer (DMC-LP) is applied to a nonlinear multivariable laboratory process which consists of four interconnected water tanks. Experimental results show that DMC-LP is a powerful constrained model predictive controller. Based upon simple step response model, it can provide improved control performance and

Globally, waste volumes are increasing rapidly and the World Bank estimates a 70% global increase in municipal solid waste until 2025. Waste may have serious environmental consequences and there is a strong correlation between solid waste generation rates and greenhouse gas emissions. These two observations alone indicate that this development is not sustainable. Recycling is one of the most impor