Poly(lactic acid), PLA, was blended with monomeric and oligomeric plasticizers in order to enhance its flexibility and thereby overcome its inherent problem of brittleness. Differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and tensile testing were used to investigate the properties of the blends. Monomeric plasticizers, such as tributyl citrate, TbC,

Complex circuits involving both local intrinsic neurones (i.e. enteric nervous system; ENS) and extrinsic neurones achieve nervous control of digestive functions. The ENS is comprised of many functionally different types of neurons: sensory neurons, interneurons and secreto-motor neurons. Each neuronal population is required to manifest local reflex behavior and is central to the regulation of bot

Optimization of hexyl-beta-glycoside synthesis from lactose in hexanol at low water activity and high temperature was investigated using beta-glycosidases from hyperthermophilic organisms: Sulfolobus solfataricus (LacS) and Pyrococcus furiosus (CelB). The method for water activity adjustment by equilibration with saturated salt solutions was adapted for use at high temperature. The influence of en

A currently popular hypothesis states that the expression of carotenoid-dependent sexual ornaments and immune function may be correlated because both traits are positively affected by carotenoids. However, such a correlation may arise for another reason: it is well known that immune function is dependent on nutritional condition. A recent study has suggested that the expression of ornaments may to

After reactions of uranium atoms with NF3 and PF3 to form the N UF3 and P UF3 molecules, the analogous reaction with AsF3 produced the novel terminal arsenide As UF3. This first molecule with a uranium-arsenic bond was identified from matrix infrared spectra through comparison with spectra of the uranium nitride and phosphide species, with spectra using other metals, and with frequencies computed

We relate variation in the timing of arrival by migrating birds breeding at northerly latitudes to individual differences in the prior accumulation of energy stores. Balancing starvation risks early in the season against the almost universal declining trend in reproductive prospects with advancing date is seen as an individual decision with fitness consequences. We review three studies implicating

The consequences of inbreeding for host immunity to parasitic infection have broad implications for the evolutionary and dynamical impacts of parasites on populations where inbreeding occurs. To rigorously assess the magnitude and the prevalence of inbreeding effects on immunity, multiple components of host immune response should be related to inbreeding coefficient (f) in free-living individuals.

Forest soil from an experimental Norway spruce forest with four levels of wood ash addition (0, 1, 3 and 6 tonnes ha(-1)) was used to inoculate pine (Pinus sylvestris) seedlings with indigenous ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi. Uptake of P-32 and Rb-86 in a root bioassay was used to estimate the demand for P and K by seedlings grown in the different soils. Utilisation of P from apatite was tested in a l

Fused-silica capillaries chemically derivatized with silane/poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) or dynamically modified with plexiglas [poly(methyl methacrylate)] were prepared and evaluated with regard to column stability and separation performance for capillary isoelectric focusing of standard proteins. The PVP coating showed the better stability and was good for at least 100 runs while the plexiglas c

The notion of proportional fairness has recently gained considerable interest as a potential means for a fair allocation of bandwidth between the end nodes of demands in the networks carrying elastic traffic. The issue of proportionally fair allocation of bandwidth for the nominal state of the network has been studied before, both in the capacitated (link capacities given) and the uncapacitated (l

The aim of the study was to compare the subjective quality of life of persons with severe mental illness in inpatient settings and two types of supported housing, small congregate community residences and independent living with support. Seventy-six persons living in three types of housing were interviewed using the Lancashire Quality of Life Profile. Analysis showed no differences in subjective a

An anti-ERBB2 antibody, trastuzumab, has been shown to be highly efficient in the treatment of metastatic breast cancers overexpressing the ERBB2 gene. It has been suggested that overexpression and even amplification of ERBB2 may play a role in the development of prostate cancer. Here, we have analyzed gene copy number and expression of the ERBB2 gene in both androgen-dependent primary and metasta

Emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from mountain birches were measured in Abisko, northern Sweden. Mountain birches make up the majority of the tree biomass in Scandinavian high latitudes, a region subject to significant climate warming. The measurements were carried out in two growing seasons. The emissions of four branches, each from a different individual tree, were measured in June