Components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), when exposed to body fluids may promote local complement activation and inflammation. Pathologic complement activation at the glomerular basement membrane and at the Bruch’s membrane is implicated in renal and eye diseases, respectively. Binding of soluble complement inhibitors to the ECM, including factor H (FH), is important to prevent excessive comp

This paper investigates how right-wing populist voting following the 2015 refugee wave was affected by regional characteristics, using data from a quasi-natural experiment in Sweden. The results suggest that voting outcomes are heavily dependent on pre-influx municipal characteristics. In localities with strong anti-immigration sentiments during the 1990s refugee wave, as well as in areas with hig

This paper reports on a one-to-one relation between articulation and acoustics. It explains how segment boundaries are a result of rapid movements of the articulators. In the acceleration profile, this is identified as peak acceleration, which can be measured. A previous study found that rapid movements of an active articulator - peak acceleration - correlate with the acoustic segment boundary in

During the last two decades, molecular methods to study mitochondrial DNA sequence variation have become an important part in the studies of avian haemosporidians. Up until recently, these methods have primarily been used for identification of the parasites and for tentative phylogenetic reconstructions, allowing researchers not trained in traditional parasitology to compare data across the globe.During the last two decades, molecular methods to study mitochondrial DNA sequence variation have become an important part in the studies of avian haemosporidians. Up until recently, these methods have primarily been used for identification of the parasites and for tentative phylogenetic reconstructions, allowing researchers not trained in traditional parasitology to compare data across the globe.

BACKGROUND: Avian beta-defensins (AvBDs) represent a group of innate immune genes with broad antimicrobial activity. Within the chicken genome, previous work identified 14 AvBDs in a cluster on chromosome three. The release of a second bird genome, the zebra finch, allows us to study the comparative evolutionary history of these gene clusters between from two species that shared a common ancestor

Allelic variation in immune genes might result from, and contribute to, host-pathogen evolution. Functional allelic variation in the innate immune system has received little attention. Here, we investigate whether naturally occurring allelic variation within the avian innate immune system (β-defensins) is associated with variation in antimicrobial activity. We tested differences in in vitro antimi

During a parasite survey, we collected data on the presence and distribution of feather mites, intestinal parasites, and blood parasites of small ground finches (Geospiza fuliginosa) from 4 islands in the Galapagos. We recorded 4 species of feather mites, with the most common species, Trouessartia geospiza, present on the majority (77% 308/400) of individuals. Birds with high loads of T. geospiza

Ground source heat pump systems, operating in conjunction with vertical ground heat exchangers, will play a key role in decarbonising heating and cooling of buildings. Design of traditional borehole heat exchangers relies on tools which implement routine analytical relationships between heat transferred and the temperature change in the ground and circulating thermal fluid. However, for novel pile

Can artificial entities be worthy of moral considerations? Can they be artificial moral agents (AMAs), capable of telling the difference between good and evil? In this essay, I explore both questions—i.e., whether and to what extent artificial entities can have a moral status (“the machine question”) and moral agency (“the AMA question”)—in light of Kazuo Ishiguro’s 2021 novel Klara and the Sun. I

Ethics is always at stake in qualitative health and nursing research. The article examines and discusses research ethical dilemmas in qualitative health research, with a special focus on collaborative research. Firstly, the article discusses challenges with gatekeepers influencing the recruitment of informants when planning and executing interviews and participant observations. Secondly, the artic

Chronic kidney disease and osteoporosis commonly co-exist in aged patients. Chronic kidney disease affects bone health because of its effect on mineral metabolism in the syndrome, Chronic Kidney Disease Mineral and Bone Disorder, resulting in an increased risk of fractures. Hip fracture risk may be as much as four-fold higher in the worst affected. Tools to estimate fracture risk such as FRAX® and

Since it is currently not understood how changes in 14C production rate (Q), and in the carbon cycle, can be combined to explain the reconstructed atmospheric Δ14C record, we discuss possible reasons for this knowledge gap. Reviewing the literature, we exclude that changes in the content of atoms in the atmosphere, which produce cosmogenic 14C after being hit by galactic cosmic rays, might be resp

A large share of health-related information is today sought and communicated via the internet, including in social media. Questions have been raised about how this may affect health perceptions and behaviors, not least by enabling the communication of claims that contradict information from established medical authorities. As an example, knowledge claims about systemic side effects of the contrace

Apart from many social and economic problems worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic has also led to sudden halt in face-to-face climate-related meetings. Moreover, it has also negatively influenced the works related to the preparations for the sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and organizing the 26th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention o