A measurement of the reduced transition probability for the excitation of the ground state to the first 2(+) state in Sn-104 has been performed using relativistic Coulomb excitation at GSI. Sn-104 is the lightest isotope in the Sn chain for which this quantity has been measured. The result is a key point in the discussion of the evolution of nuclear structure in the proximity of the doubly magic n

Female birds may adjust their offspring phenotype to the specific requirements of the environment by differential allocation of physiologically active substances into yolks, such as androgens. Yolk androgens have been shown to boost embryonic development, growth rate and competitive ability of nestlings, but they can also entail immunological costs. The balance between costs and benefits of androg

This pilot study aimed to investigate whether mammographic compression procedures might cause shedding of tumor cells into the circulatory system as reflected by circulating tumor cell (CTC) count in peripheral venous blood samples. From March to October 2012, 24 subjects with strong suspicion of breast malignancy were included in the study. Peripheral blood samples were acquired before and after

Several factors contribute to mycophenolic acid (MPA) between-patient variability. Here we characterize the metabolic pathways of MPA and quantify the effect of combining genetic polymorphism of multidrug-resistant-associated protein-2, demographics, biochemical covariates, co-medication (cyclosporine (CsA) vs. macrolides), and renal function on MPA, 7-O-MPA-glucuronide (MPAG), and acyl-glucuronid

Haemoproteus (Haemosporida, Haemoproteidae) is the largest genus of avian haemosporidian parasites, some species of which cause lethal diseases in birds. Subgenera Parahaemoproteus and Haemoproteus are usually accepted in this genus; these parasites are transmitted by biting midges (Ceratopogonidae) and hippoboscid flies (Hippoboscidae), respectively. As of yet, species of Parahaemoproteus have no

Super-obesity, a body mass index>50 kg/m(2), is difficult to treat. Many studies have focused on the anatomic changes of the intestines; the physiologic background is not clearly identified. It is established that Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) augments secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY), and insulin, but other aspects of gut hormone cell function in the

The perennial herbs Silene vulgaris and S. uniflora are closely related, partially sympatric and interfertile, yet morphologically distinct. We used nuclear (allozyme) and plastid (polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism) DNA markers to investigate whether these species have a shared history of postglacial colonization and hybridization in Europe, as inferred from large-

An extensive variety of THAP1 sequence variants have been associated with focal, segmental and generalized dystonia with age of onset ranging from 3 to over 60 years. In previous work, we screened 1114 subjects with mainly adult-onset primary dystonia (Neurology 2010; 74:229-238) and identified 6 missense mutations in THAP1. For this report, we screened 750 additional subjects for mutations in cod

Thrips (Thysanoptera) are tiny insects that produce anal secretions whenthreatened. Several studies have shown that, depending on the species,the droplets may contain alarm pheromones and/or repellents againstenemies. In the eusocial gall-inducing thrips Kladothrips intermedius bothlarvae and adults produce such droplets. There are two castes of adults inthis species, soldiers (the sub-fertile and

Six-membered cyclic carbonates with hydroxyl and/or alkoxycarbonyloxy groups, as potential monomers for polyurethanes and polycarbonates, were prepared by the reaction between trimethylolpropane (TMP) with dimethyl carbonate (DMC) or diethylcarbonate (DEC) mediated by immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B, NovozymR (R) 435 in a solvent-free medium. The dialkyl carbonate served as a solvent for t

It has been suggested that plants are able to increase radiative heat dissipation from their leaves by depositing near-surface silica, in this way increasing emissivity of infrared radiation and lowering leaf temperature. In order to test this theory, we have compared emissivity and radiative dissipation over the mid-infrared range 2.5–22.3 lm of leaves of plants that accumulate silica and plants

Micro or even nano-scale solid particles are applied in porous structures in different energy systems, such as fuel cells, for the objectives to enhance the catalytic reaction activities and improve the fuel utilization efficiency or/and reduce the pollutants. In addition to the charge transport and reactions, heat transfer processes in fuel cell porous electrodes are strongly affected by the smal

In order to increase the understanding of how students assimilate the knowledge they need to carry out their professional duties, knowledge about the experience of the nursing education in the light of the first year of employment is important. The aim of this study was to describe nurses' views of their education, one year after their graduation. Interviews with eight nurses, aged 24 to 40 years,

Pressure on healthcare budgets is increasing, while at the same time patent protection for many branded inhaled medications has expired, leading to the development and growing availability of generic inhaled medicines. Generic inhaled drugs are therapeutically equivalent to original branded options but may differ in their formulation and inhalation device. This new situation raises questions about

The protective effect of a multi-strain probiotic and synbiotic formulation was evaluated in C57BL/6 mice infected with Clostridium difficile (CD) NAP1/027. Antibiotic treated mice were divided into four groups. Group 1, fed with a synbiotic formulation consisting of Lactobacillus plantarum F44, L. paracasei F8, Bifidobacterium breve 46, B. lactis 8:8, galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), isomalto-olig

The climatic conditions inside nuclear reactor containments are continuously monitored by the plant owners in order to e.g. maintain a suitable climate for the mechanical and electrical equipment. Due to the high temperatures, during operation, the concrete within the containment may act as a moisture source contributing to the humidity. To evaluate if, and to what extent, the concrete inside the

A measurement is reported of the production cross section of top-quark pairs (t (t) over bar) in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Candidate events have a signature consistent with containing two isolated leptons, large missing transverse momentum, and at least two jets. Using a data sample corresponding to an integrated lumin