This paper describes the development of a novel modelling tool for evaluation of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) performance. An artificial neural network (ANN) is trained with a reduced amount of data generated by a validated cell model, and it is then capable of learning the generic functional relationship between inputs and outputs of the system. Once the network is trained, the ANN-driven simulat

Inbreeding increases the level of homozygosity, which in turn might depress fitness. In addition, individuals having the same inbreeding coefficient (e.g. siblings) vary in homozygosity. The potential fitness effects of variation in homozygosity that is unrelated to the inbreeding coefficient have seldom been examined. Here, we present evidence from wild birds that genetic variation at five micros

The degradation of hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) using sodium persulfate (NaPS) as free radical generator was studied at 60, 70 and 80 degrees C with different NaPS/HEC ratios. During the degradation reaction samples were withdrawn at regular intervals. The amount of persulfate remaining was analyzed by titration and the evolution of the HEC molecular weight distribution and viscosity was followed

Transfer of N-15 between interacting mycelia of a wood-decomposing fungus (Hypholoma fasciculare) and an ectomycorrhizal fungus (Tomentellopsis submollis) was studied in a mature beech (Fagus sylvatica) forest. The amount of N-15 transferred from the wood decomposer to the ectomycorrhizal fungus was compared to the amount of N-15 released from the wood-decomposing mycelia into the soil solution as

The i-motif tetrameric structure is built up from two parallel duplexes intercalated in a head-to-tail orientation, and held together by hemiprotonated cytosine pairs. Two topologies exist for the i-motif structure, one with outermost 3' extremities and the other with outermost 5' extremities, called the 3'E and 5'E topology, respectively. Since the comparison of sugar and phosphate group interact

Sudden idiopathic unilateral loss of vestibular function without other signs or symptoms is called acute vestibular neuritis. It has been suggested that reactivation of human herpes simplex virus 1 could cause vestibular neuritis, Bell palsy, and sudden unilateral hearing loss. Enhancement of the facial nerve on gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a common finding in Bell palsy

Background: The incidence of Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) in hospitalised patients is increasing. Critically ill patients are often treated with antibiotics and are at high risk of developing CDAD. Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (Lp299v) has been found to reduce recurrence of CDAD. We investigated intensive care unit (ICU) patients regarding the impact of Lp299v on C. difficile co

The paper describes a novel extraction procedure for lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica (PCM 2266). Process parameters for the extraction of LPS from bacterial mass were optimized by carrying out a two-level fractional design experiment. Four parameters, namely temperature, CO2 flow rate, pressure and co-solvent composition were analyzed. The best crude extract yiel

In birds and mammals with sexual size dimorphism (SSD), the larger sex is typically more sensitive to adverse environmental conditions, such as food shortage, during ontogeny. However, some recent studies of altricial birds have found that the larger sex is less sensitive, apparently because large size renders an advantage in sibling competition. Still, this effect is not an inevitable outcome of

Hematopoiesis is a highly regulated process resulting in the formation of all blood lineages. Aberrant regulation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling has been observed in hematopoietic malignancies, suggesting that regulated PI3K signaling is critical for regulation of blood cell production. An ex vivo differentiation system was used to investigate the role of PI3K and its downstream

The interactions between chelating agents and metal oxide particles play important roles for the distribution and availability of metal ions in aquatic environments. In this work, the adsorption of ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) onto goethite (alpha-FeOOH) was studied as a function of pH, time, and background electrolyte concentration at 25.0 degrees C, and the molecular structures of the surf

A method for the observation of the three-dimensional structure of intact ectomycorrhizal rhizomorphs is described. The method is based on a combination of clearing the material with KOH followed by staining with congo red and subsequent imaging under a laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM). The images obtained are of a much higher three-dimensional resolution than those obtained previously by

gamma-Carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) is an unusual amino acid that is synthesized post-translationally from glutamate in a vitamin K-dependent reaction. The dicarboxylic side chain of Gla chelates Ca(2+), a property important for the biological activity of vitamin K-dependent proteins. To date, Gla-containing polypeptides have been identified in venom from two groups of organisms: elapid snakes, and s

Several models have been proposed in the literature for numerical simulations of pulverised wood drying, pyrolysis, gasification and combustion processes. These models are based on different assumptions and they yield fairly different results. In the present study a pulverised wood flame in a laboratory vertical furnace is chosen as the test case to evaluate the different sub-models including, dry

Animal models greatly facilitate understanding of transmission, pathogenesis and immune responses in HIV and SIV infection and provide models for studies on the effect of candidate drugs or vaccines. However, there are several aspects that one should consider when drawing conclusions from results obtained from animal models. First, the genetic relationship of primate lentiviruses cannot be disrega

This study deals with changes in the plant cover and its net carbon sequestration over 30 years on a subarctic Sphagnum-mire with permafrost near Abisko, northernmost Sweden, in relation to climatic variations during the same period. Aerial colour infrared images from 1970 and 2000 were compared to reveal changes in surface structure and vegetation over the whole mire, while the plant populations

GRACILE syndrome (Fellman syndrome, MIM 603358), an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder of the Finnish disease heritage, has been diagnosed in 25 infants of 18 families. The incidence is at least 1/47,000 in Finland. The main findings are fetal growth retardation, Fanconi type aminoaciduria, cholestasis, iron overload (liver hemosiderosis, hyperferritinemia, hypotransferrinemia, increased trans