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The microbial use of resources to sustain life and reproduce influences for example, decomposition and plant nutrient provisioning. The study of “limiting factors” has shed light on the interaction between plants and their environment. Here, we investigated whether carbon (C), nitrogen (N), or phosphorus (P) was limiting for soil microorganisms in a subarctic tundra heath, and how changes in resou
Context The context of this research is software process improvement (SPI) success factors for small and medium Web companies. Objective The primary objective of this paper is to propose a theoretical framework of SPI success factors for small and medium Web companies. Method The theoretical framework presented in this study aggregated the results of three previous research phases by applying prin
Advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by motor fluctuations including unpredictable oscillations remarkably impairing quality of life. Effective management and development of novel therapies for these response fluctuations largely depend on clinical rating instruments such as the widely-used PD home diary, which are associated with biases and errors. Recent advancements in digital hea
Self-assembly gold nanostructured membranes are created to mechanically stabilize the catalyst movement during metal assisted chemical etching. This results in an improved vertical control of the etching profile for high aspect ratio silicon microstructures. The new method is a robust and cheap microfabrication for dense micro-patterns on a large area, such as diffraction gratings for hard X-ray p
Recent developments in European energy policy reveal an increasing interest in implementing the so-called ‘Tradable White Certificate’ (TWC) schemes to improve energy efficiency. Based on three evaluation criteria (cost-effectiveness, environmental effectiveness and distributional equity) this paper analyses the implications of implementing a European-wide TWC scheme targeting the household and co
The A rabidopsis thaliana protein kinase AtPDK1 was identified as a homologue of the mammalian 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK1), which is involved in a number of physiological processes including cell growth and proliferation. We now show that AtPDK1 expressed in E. coli as a recombinant protein, undergoes autophosphorylation at several sites. Using mass spectrometry, three pho
This paper develops a theoretical model of the family as producer of health- and social capital. There are both direct and indirect returns on the production and accumulation of health- and social capital. Direct returns (the consumption motives) result since health and social capital both enhance individual welfare per se. Indirect returns (the investment motives) result since health capital incr
The burden of disease/cost-effectiveness analysis (BoD/CE) was introduced as a method for detailed planning and budgeting in 13 districts of Uganda. This endeavor can be seen as a “natural experiment”, attempting to pursue policy implementation by means of a heavy focus on rationalistic/technical arguments as a main supportive factor. However, modern theory of policy implementation, e.g. the new i
The procoagulant function of activated factor V (FVa) is inhibited by activated protein C (APC) through proteolytic cleavages at Arg(306), Arg(506), and Arg(679). The effect of APC is potentiated by negatively charged phospholipid membranes and the APC cofactor protein S. Protein S has been reported to selectively stimulate cleavage at Arg(306), an effect hypothesized to be related to reorientatio
Strong antioxidants, 5,8-dihydroxycoumarin and 5-hydroxy-8-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-benzopyranone were extracted from sweet grass (Hierochloe odorata L.) by using Soxhlet (SE), microwave-assisted (MAE) and supercritical fluid carbon dioxide (SFE) extractions at different extraction schemes and parameters. One-step MAE gave the most concentrated extract with 8.15% of 5,8-dihydroxycoumarin (extract y
An amperometric enzyme electrode based on laccase for determining phenolic compounds is proposed. The following three types of polymer materials were used for enzyme immobilization on the surface of a glassy-carbon electrode: positively charged cetyl ethyl poly (ethyleneimine) (CEPEI) and negatively charged commercial Nafion and Eastman AQ 29D polymers. The advantages and disadvantages of each of
RILEM Technical Committee 50—Fracture Mechanics of Concrete, has put forward a proposal for a recommendation for the determination of the fracture energy GF of mortar and concrete. In connection with the above three comparative test series were arranged in order to collect information and experience regarding the proposed method. 14 laboratories from 9 countries were involved and about 700 beams w
Since the discovery of neuropeptide Y which is co-stored and co-operate with noradrenaline (NA) in sympathetic nerve fibers, several scientific groups have searched for structures with neuropeptide Y antagonistic properties. Research has mainly focused on various peptide fragments which originate from or are related to the neuropeptide Y sequence. Some non-peptide antagonists have been proposed bu
1. We examined the response to chemical cues from fish and crayfish, two predators with contrasting feeding modes, and their single and combined effect on shell morphology in the freshwater snail Radix balthica. 2. Snails were subjected to four treatments: tench (Tinca tinca), signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), a combination of tench and signal crayfish and no predators (control). Shell
A simple electrospinning method is developed to introduce signal transduction ability into molecularly imprinted nanofibers.
Web sites are exposed to high rates of incoming requests. Since web sites are sensitive to overload, admission control mechanisms are often implemented. The purpose of such a mechanism is to prevent requests from entering the web server during high loads. This paper presents how admission control mechanisms can be designed and implemented with a combination of queueing theory and control theory. S
Objective Uveal melanoma is a rare disease with poor prognosis and largely unknown etiology. We studied potential occupational risk factors. Methods A population based case-control study was undertaken during 1995-1997 in nine European countries using population and colon cancer controls with personal interviews. Occupational exposure to sunlight and artificial UV radiation was assessed with a job
The effects of environmental stress on the physiology and behaviour of higher vertebrates has become an important avenue of research in recent years. Evidence from recent studies has suggested that the avian stress-related hormone corticosterone (CORT) may play a role in immunocompetence and sexual selection. We tested whether CORT is immunosuppressive by studying humoral and cell-mediated immune
Cell proliferation and long-term production of monoclonal antibody IgG(2b) by M2139 hybridoma cells immobilized in macroporous gel particles (MGPs) in packed-bed reactor were studied for a period of 60 days. The MGPs were made of supermacroporous gels produced in frozen conditions from crosslinked polyacrylamide and modified with gelatin which were housed in special plastic carriers (7 x 9 mm(2)).
A general model of linearized species interactions, essentially Lotka–Volterra theory, applied to questions of biodiversity has previously been shown to be a powerful tool for understanding local species–abundance patterns and community responses to environmental change for a single trophic level. Here this approach is extended to predict community composition and responses to environmental change
