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During spring and autumn migrations, 468 fecal samples from 57 different species of migratory birds were collected in Sweden. In total, Yersinia spp. were isolated from 12.8% of collected samples. The most commonly found species was Yersinia enterocolitica, which was isolated from 5.6% of all collected samples, followed by Y. intermedia (3.8%), Y. frederiksenii (3.0%), Y kristensenii (0.9%), Y. ps

Cellobiose dehydrogenases (CDHs, EC 1.1.99.18) contain a larger flavin-associated (dehydrogenase) domain and a smaller heme-binding (cytochrome) domain. CDHs from basidiomycete fungi oxidize at an appreciable level cellobiose, cellodextrins, and lactose, and those from ascomycetes may additionally oxidize some monosaccharides to their corresponding lactones at the flavin domain. CDHs are able to c

We present a new and simple definition of the Rain Flow Cycle count method for the analysis of a random load process. It is combined with the Palmgren-Miner damage rule, and a stochastic model for the fatigue life and fatigue limit variability. Algorithms are presented which make it possible to calculate the RFC-amplitude distribution, based on a Markov Chain approximation of local maxima and mini

Magnesium chelatase catalyses the insertion of Mg2+ into protoporphyrin and is found exclusively in organisms which synthesise chlorophyll or bacteriochlorophyll. Soluble protein preparations containing >10 mg protein/ml, obtained by gentle lysis of barley plastids and Rhodobacter sphaeroplasts, inserted Mg2+ into deuteroporphyrin IX in the presence of ATP at rates of 40 and 8 pmoles/mg protein pe

Copolymers of N-acryloyl-m-aminophenylboronic acid (NAAPBA) with acryamide (AA), N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAA), and N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) were found to adsorb on cross-linked agarose gel (Sepharose CL-6B) in the pH range from 7.5-9.2, due to specific boronate-sugar interactions. The molar percentages of phenylboronic acid (PBA) groups in the boronate-containing copolymers (BCCs), as estima

To determine which chemokine receptors might be involved in T lymphocyte localization to the intestinal mucosa, we examined receptor expression on human intestinal lamina propria lymphocytes (LPL), intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) and CD45RO+beta7hi gut homing peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). Virtually all LPL and IEL expressed CXCR3 and CCR5, receptors that have been associated with Th1(Tc1)/

Autoionization rates of the 1s2s2p4P5/2 level are computed for He-, Li I, and Be II, using the golden-rule formalism in the multiconfiguration Hartree-Fock approximation. The main objective is to clarify ambiguities concerning the metastable 4P5/2 component in He-, whose lifetimes differ significantly in various works. The present calculations reveal a much shorter lifetime, 345 mus, than predicte

Previous work suggests N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activation may be involved in degeneration of medium-sized spiny striatal neurons in Huntington's disease (HD). Here we show that these neurons are more vulnerable to NMDAR-mediated death in a YAC transgenic FVB/N mouse model of HD expressing full-length mutant huntingtin, compared with wild-type FVB/N mice. Excitotoxic death of these ne

Portfolio choice by full-scale optimization applies the empirical return distribution to a parameterized utility function, and the maximum is found through numerical optimization. Using a portfolio choice setting of three UK equity indices we identify several utility functions featuring loss aversion and prospect theory, under which full-scale optimization is a substantially better approach than t

To estimate Holocene changes in organic carbon mass accumulation rates (C-org MARs) in the southeastern Swedish Baltic Sea two sediment cores were studied in combination with biogeochemical modelling. Prior to 11300 cal. BP, C-org MARs were extremely low, indicating low organic matter production on the catchment of the Baltic Ice Lake. Following a brief regression, the Ancylus Lake stage occurred

One of the outstanding challenges for evolutionary biologists is to understand how developmental plasticity can influence the evolutionary process. Developmental plasticity frequently involves parental effects, which might enable adaptive and context-dependent transgenerational transmission of phenotypic strategies. However, parent-offspring conflict will frequently result in parental effects that

Objective: Several variables related to increased risk of placental abruption are also risk factors for venous thromboembolism. Prior second trimester-, third trimester, and repeated fetal loss are reported to be associated to thrombophilias. However, it is yet not known if they are also related to placental abruption. Study design: A retrospective case-control study of 161 women with placental ab

Organically managed agroecosystems rely in part on biological control to prevent pest outbreaks. Generalist predators (Araneae, Carabidae and Staphylinidae) are a major component of the natural enemy community in agroecosystems. We assessed the seasonal dynamics of major generalist predator groups in conventionally and organically managed grass–clover fields that primarily differed by fertilisatio

Complement is part of the innate immune defence and not only recognizes microbes but also unwanted host molecules to enhance phagocytosis and clearance. This process of opsonisation must be tightly regulated to prevent immunopathology. Endogenous ligands such as dying cells, extracellular matrix proteins, pentraxins, amyloid deposits, prions and DNA, all bind the complement activator C1q, but also