Crystallography is frequently used as follow-up method to validate hits identified by biophysical screening cascades. The capacity of crystallography to directly screen fragment libraries is often underestimated, due to its supposed low-throughput and need for high-quality crystals. We applied crystallographic fragment screening to map the protein-binding site of the aspartic protease endothiapeps

The Latvian and Estonian inland dunes belong to the north-eastern part of the 'European Sand Belt' (ESB). These dunes are widely distributed over broad glaciolacustrine plains and Late Glacial alluvial deltas, considered to be potential sources for the aeolian material. Little is known about these aeolian sediments and their substratum; here we present a detailed sedimentary structural and textura

Background: Secondary hyperparathyroidism in elderly fragile patients presents clinical difficulties due to severity of symptoms and related comorbidity. The optimal surgical approach for this group of patients is still debated. Aim: The aim of the study was to define the optimal technique of parathyroidectomy in elderly patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. Methods: Retrospective analysis

Rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations accompanied by global warming and altered precipitation patterns calls for assessment of long-term effects of these global changes on carbon (C) dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems, as changes in net C exchange between soil and atmosphere will impact the atmospheric CO2 concentration profoundly. In many ecosystems, including the heath/grassland system studied h

Mesocrystals composed of crystallographically aligned nanocrystals are present in biominerals and assembled materials which show strongly directional properties of importance for mechanical protection and functional devices. Mesocrystals are commonly formed by complex biomineralization processes and can also be generated by assembly of anisotropic nanocrystals. Here, we follow the evaporation-indu

This paper highlights the potential for basing participatory action research on priorities identified by communities. The case builds on a research project by the Social Science Medicine Africa Network (Soma-net) focusing on AIDS prevention among school youth in Kajiado in Kenya during 2003–2006. It became clear from that study just how complex it is to promote open communication on issues of sexu

Dagens arbetsliv präglas på många arbetsplatser av ökad exponering för konkurrens, en ökning av osäkert arbete och ett skifte i maktbalansen på arbetsplatsen till arbetsgivarens fördel. Aktionsforskning är en ansats där praktiker och forskare kan arbeta tillsammans för att förbättra arbetslivet. Denna ansats har haft en stark tradition i Sverige som medel för organisationsutveckling som inte enbarDagens arbetsliv präglas på många arbetsplatser av ökad exponering för konkurrens, en ökning av osäkert arbete och ett skifte i maktbalansen på arbetsplatsen till arbetsgivarens fördel. Aktionsforskning är en ansats där praktiker och forskare kan arbeta tillsammans för att förbättra arbetslivet. Denna ansats har haft en stark tradition i Sverige som medel för organisationsutveckling som inte enbar

For practical electronic device applications of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), it is essential to have abrupt and well-defined contacts between the ribbon and the adjacent metal lead. By analogy with graphene, these contacts can induce electron or hole doping, which may significantly affect the I/V characteristics of the device. Cu is among the most popular metals of choice for contact materials. In

Elucidating the ultimate and proximate mechanisms of melanistic color pattern formation has become an important focus of evolutionary biology. There are relatively few studies, however, examining the composition and architecture of pigment cells in melanistic reptiles. The typical color pattern of the skink Plestiodon latiscutatus, which inhabits the Izu Islands and Izu Peninsula of Japan, consist

The avian genus Calandrella (larks) was recently suggested to be non-monophyletic, and was divided into two genera, of which Calandrella sensu stricto comprises 4–5 species in Eurasia and Africa. We analysed mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) and nuclear Restriction-site Associated DNA (RAD) sequences from all species, and for cytb we studied 21 of the 22 recognised subspecies, with the aim to clar

After mating, spermatophores of signal crayfish are stored on the body of the female for a period before fertilization. This study compared the post-mating protein profile and pattern of protein tyrosine phosphorylation of the signal crayfish spermatophore to that of the freshly ejaculated spermatophore and found substantial differences. Two major bands of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins of molec

1. The biogenic amines dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA), octopamine (OA), serotonin (5-HT) and the amino acid dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) have been identified and quantitatively measured in the crayfish nervous system and in haemolymph employing high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).2. The substances occurred in the nervous system in amounts ranging between 0.1 and 0.7 μg/g w/w.3. The h

Electron microscopy of normal human epidermiscomprising very large series of sections in combination withtilting of the sections has revealed that all "indeterminatecells" carry the specific markers of either melanocytes orLangerhans cells. The term "indeterminate cells" can thusbe abandoned. In addition, it is suggested that an epidermaldendritic cell lacking specific markers in the section under

When the Langerhans cells (LC) are prepared forelectron microscopy with an osmotically balanced prefixative,they display their classical criteria, but in additionthey are provided with numerous microvilli and containpinocytotic vesicles. In cross-sections the specific discshapedgranules are visualized as rod-like profiles limited bya trilaminar membrane similar to the cell membrane. Inface-on proj

The basement membrane of the compound eye of four insect species and three crustacean species was investigated employing electron microscopy. The basement membrane consists of an extracellular (basal lamina) and a cellular portion, the latter being composed of the flattened terminal extensions of cone cells and accessory pigment cells in insects and distal pigment cells in crustaceans. Other cells

The amphipod species Haploops tubicola has an unusual compound eye that is divided into three separate parts, each with one common cuticular lens. The dorso-frontal eyepair has, in addition to the lens, a so-called vitreous body, which is constructed like a dioptric lens and is inserted in the ray-path. The ‘vitreous body’ is actually — and for which evidence is presented — a secretory product for