Previous work on the metabolism of Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 anticipated a variability in the use of organic electron acceptors as a means to relieve metabolic redox problems. Therefore, investigations focusing on this unique metabolism of L. reuteri may reveal a basis for new probiotic properties. For instance, L. reuteri may use reactive aldehydes and ketones as electron acceptors to bala

We investigated NaCl diffusion between external bulk solution atid bihydrated rhontmorilIonite interlayers using atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Two different bulk concentrations, 0.55 and 1.67 M, were tested. In both cases, the simulations showed that excess salt entered the niterlayers. Barriers for Cl- entering the interlayer were calculated from the potential of mean force using

PIV measurements are performed in a channel with periodic ribs on one wall. The emphasis of this study is to investigate the flow structures in the vicinity of a rib in terms of mean velocities, Reynolds stresses, probability density functions (PDF), and two-point correlations. The PDF distribution of u0 is bimodal in the separated shear layer downstream of the rib. The maximum Reynolds shear stre

We analyze the destructive effects of mutual coupling and spatial correlation between the separate antenna elements on a combined diversity system consisting of multiple HAPs (High-Altitude Platforms) employing various compact MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) antenna array configurations, in order to enhance the mutual information in HAP communication links. In addition, we assess the influen

Free nanoscale tin clusters in the average size range of a few tens up to similar to 500 atoms are studied by means of valence and core-level photoelectron spectroscopy. A self-consistent picture arises from comparison of the work functions derived from the 4d core-level spectra, the experimental ionization energies extracted from the 5p valence spectra, and the expectations from the metallic sphe

Cellular reprogramming is a new and rapidly emerging field in which somatic cells can be turned into pluripotent stem cells or other somatic cell types simply by the expression of specific combinations of genes. By viral expression of neural fate determinants, it is possible to directly reprogram mouse and human fibroblasts into functional neurons, also known as induced neurons. The resulting cell

Objective: The European Association of Communication in Healthcare (EACH) Early Career Researchers Network (ECRN) aims are to (1) promote international collaboration among young investigators and (2) provide a support network for future innovative communication research projects. In October 2009, Miami, USA at a workshop facilitated by the ECRN at the International Conference on Communication in H

Global environmental changes and human activity influence wildland fires worldwide, but the relative importance of the individual factors varies regionally and their interplay can be difficult to disentangle. Here we evaluate projected future changes in burned area at the European and sub-European scale, and we investigate uncertainties in the relative importance of the determining factors. We sim

For ceramics to be relevant in the Southern African Iron Age, archaeologists must broaden their theoretical base to include social and other contexts when interpreting material culture items such as pottery. Pottery remains critical in understanding cultural dynamics in the region for the past two millennia, but current usage is narrow in scope. Using ethnohistorical data and archaeological exampl

This article explores three entrepreneurial ventures that have evolved in proximity to online piracy. In reviewing the respective cases of Spotify, Skype, and The Pirate Bay, the argument outlines the radically divergent strategies with which the entrepreneurs have sought to legitimise their ventures and underlying technologies. The article concludes that 1) the context of practices labelled “pira

The concept of using pharmacokinetics for prophylactic dose tailoring with limited blood sampling in clinical practice has been demonstrated for factor VIII but not for factor IX. The pharmacokinetics of factor IX are more complicated than for factor VIII and also differ between plasma-derived and recombinant factor IX. Therefore, the pharmacokinetics of factor IX need to be further explored in cl

Based on the randomised Euro-EWING99-R1 trial, vincristine, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide (VAC) may be able to replace vincristine, adriamycin, ifosfamide (VAI) in the treatment of standard-risk Ewing sarcoma. However some heterogeneity of treatment effect by gender was observed. The current exploratory study aimed at investigating the influence of gender on treatment efficacy and acute toxicity.

The d-orbital contribution from the transition metal centers of phthalocyanine brings difficulties to understand the role of the organic ligands and their molecular frontier orbitals when it adsorbs on oxide surfaces. Here we use zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc)/TiO2(110) as a model system where the zinc d-orbitals are located deep below the organic orbitals leaving room for a detailed study of the inte

Evaluating the correctness of eyewitness statements is one of the biggest challenges for the legal system, and this task is currently typically performed by human evaluations. Here we study whether a computational method could be applied to discriminate between correct and incorrect statements. The Semantic Evaluation Method (SEM) is based on Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA, Landauer & Dumais, 1

Although previous research has suggested that the opposition’s ability to form pre-electoral coalitions (PECs) in authoritarian elections is crucial for the electoral outcome, little has been written about why and when such coalitions are formed. The aim of this article is to fill this empirical and theoretical gap. A theory that combines oppositional parties’ office- and policy-gaining potential

Physiological studies on olfaction frequently ignore the airborne quantities of stimuli reaching the sensory organ. We used a gas chromatography-calibrated photoionization detector to estimate quantities released from standard Pasteur pipette stimulus cartridges during repeated puffing of 27 compounds and verified how lack of quantification could obscure olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) affinities.

Architects can play a key role in future solar-integrated architecture as they are involved in the building process from the beginning. Solar-integrated architecture takes both passive and active use of solar energy into account. The aim of this research was to gain insight into the actual design processes of solar-integrated buildings. Therefore, semi-structured interviews were conducted with Swe

In this study, a large, farm-based, co-digestion plant in southern Sweden, using manure and various food industry wastes is investigated concerning its use of energy and its emissions of greenhouse gases from a life cycle perspective based on measured, site-specific data. The biogas is upgraded and utilized as a vehicle fuel, distributed via the natural gas grid. The case-study also includes a nov

Background: Accurate measurement of von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a critical requirement for the diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (VWD). Aim of the study: To evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of a rapid quantitative test for the measurement of VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) in type 1 VWD. Patients and methods: VWF: Ag was measured with an ELISA in a robotic instrument, as a reference method, and with a