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An important criterion for the selection of a probiotic bacterial strain is its ability to adhere to the mucosal surface. Adhesion is usually mediated by proteins or other components located on the outer cell surface of the bacterium. In the present study we characterized the adhesive properties of two classical intracellular enzymes glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and enolase (EN

To test the hypothesis that dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) is important for sustaining primary production by the microphytobenthos (MPB) in nitrogen-limited conditions, we measured the uptake of (15)N-labelled urea, the amino acids glycine (GLY) and glutamic acid (GLU), and nitrate and ammonium under simulated in situ light and temperature conditions. Microphytobenthic primary production and chl

The issue of indirect land use changes (ILUC) caused by the promotion of transport biofuels has attracted considerable attention in recent years. In this paper, we reviewed the current literature on modelling work to estimate emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) caused by ILUC of biofuels. We also reviewed the development of ILUC policies in the EU. Our review of past modelling work revealed that m

We explore how two community-based reform models align with the World Bank's World Development Report 2004 accountability framework. Using a qualitative case study of rural Guatemalan primary schools, we examine local governance through interviews with a range of stakeholders. While both reforms appear appropriate according to the World Bank's accountability framework, especially the model giving

Amyloid deposits from several human diseases have been found to contain membrane lipids. Co-aggregation of lipids and amyloid proteins in amyloid aggregates, and the related extraction of lipids from cellular membranes, can influence structure and function in both the membrane and the formed amyloid deposit. Co-aggregation can therefore have important implications for the pathological consequences

This work investigates the way humans plan their paths in a goal-directed motion, assuming that a person acts as an optimal controller that plans the path minimizing a certain (unknown) cost function. Taking this viewpoint, the problem can be formulated as an inverse optimal control one, i.e., starting from control and state trajectories one wants to figure out the cost function used by a person w

This dissertation explores intervention practices for children and young persons with developmental disabilities. It focuses especially health and medically related services provided by the local children habilitation centres (CHC: s), where everyday services are carried out by interprofessional teams of habilitation specialists.The objective was to critically examine the CHC as a human service or

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine the double locked-in phenomenon at work (i.e., being in a non-preferred occupation and non-preferred work place), and its associations to psychological health, physical health and job satisfaction. METHODS: A total of 136 municipal employees who visited a career coaching center (response rate 59%) participated in the questionnaire study. RESULTS: The

In this paper we look at opportunities to support the creation of value for all through the use of end-user-owned Virtual Personal Assistant. We use a chat-bot as example of technology with a possibility for transferring and diffusing new functionality, features and capabilities. This category of software can create potential value through its AI and natural language processing combined with emula

We report on the synthesis of non-tapered wurtzite (WZ) GaP nanowires by use of in-situ etching and the structural and optical characterization thereof. HCl was evaluated as an in-situ etchant in order to impede the onset of radial growth since the WZ crystal phase in GaP nanowires preferentially grows at relatively high growth temperatures around 600 degrees C, at which strong radial growth typic

Background Alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) deficiency is the only recognised genetic risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Since A1AT is the major inhibitor of neutrophil elastase (NE), this enzyme has become widely implicated in the pathogenesis of COPD in general; however, there is currently no specific biomarker for its pr

To compare 2D transperineal ultrasound assessment of cervical dilatation with vaginal examination and to investigate intra-observer variability of the ultrasound method.

Inclusive charm and beauty cross sections are measured in e (-) p and e (+) p neutral current collisions at HERA in the kinematic region of photon virtuality 5a parts per thousand currency signQ (2)a parts per thousand currency sign2000 GeV2 and Bjorken scaling variable 0.0002a parts per thousand currency signxa parts per thousand currency sign0.05. The data were collected with the H1 detector in

Objective: This study evaluated the tolerability and efficacy of inhaled AZD4818, a CCR1 antagonist, in patients with COPD. Methods: This double-blind, placebo-controlled study (NCT00629239) randomised patients with moderate to severe COPD to AZD4818 300 mu g or placebo twice daily via Turbuhaler (R) for 4 weeks. Safety, lung function, functional capacity and health status measures were measured.

Interannual variations in CO2 exchange across Amazonia, as deduced from atmospheric inversions, correlate with El Nino occurrence. They are thought to result from changes in net ecosystem exchange and fire incidence that are both related to drought intensity. Alterations to net ecosystem production (NEP) are caused by changes in gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (R-eco). Her