We have developed a straightforward technique for fabricating user-friendly and biomimetic microfluidic devices out of a gelatin/agar gel cross-linked with 1,1′-carbonyldiimidazole. The fabrication procedure requires only inexpensive starting materials such as glass capillaries and wires to mold 3D cylindrical channels into the gel with the possibility of achieving channel diameters of 375 μm and

Effects of the fungicide propiconazole on soil microorganisms were tested using [3H] leucine incorporation and [14C] acetate in ergosterol incorporation to measure bacterial and fungal growth inhibition, respectively. Growth was compared to basal respiration (BR) and substrate-induced respiration (SIR) in soil microcosms established according to the OECD 217 guideline. Fungal growth was most sensi

Wild aquatic birds are recognized as the natural reservoir of avian influenza A viruses (AIV), but across high and low pathogenic AIV strains, scientists have yet to rigorously identify most competent hosts for the various subtypes. We examined 11,870 GenBank records to provide a baseline inventory and insight into patterns of global AIV subtype diversity and richness. Further, we conducted an ext

PURPOSE: Although many previous studies have indicated that the acute inflammatory response following traumatic brain injury (TBI) is detrimental, inflammation may also positively influence outcome in the more chronic post-injury recovery period. We evaluated the effects of monoclonal antibodies (mAB), neutralizing either IL-6 (IL-6 mAB) or TNF-alpha (TNF mAB), administered intracerebroventricular

BACKGROUND: The neurological wake-up test (NWT) is used to monitor the level of consciousness in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, it requires interruption of sedation and may elicit a stress response. We evaluated the effects of the NWT using cerebral microdialysis (MD), brain tissue oxygenation (PbtiO2), jugular venous oxygen saturation (SjvO2), and/or arterial-venous differen

In this article, we briefly identify three main challenges/issues that should be taken into consideration in the institutionalization of entrepreneurship research: (1) recognizing the complexity of the phenomenon under study; (2) producing interesting, relevant and useful research results for all stakeholders; and (3) developing a critical posture in research. Following the discussion of these cha

Purpose: Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common pediatric renal tumor. Treatment planning under International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) protocols is based on staging and histologic assessment of response to preoperative chemotherapy. Despite high overall survival (OS), many relapses occur in patients without specific risk factors, and many successfully treated patients are exposed to trea

This dissertation deals with the effects of nuclear structure on the α-decay properties, and on the fission-yielddistributions from the decay of heavy nuclei. The nuclear-structure and decay properties of superheavynuclei is one of the central topics for investigation. α decay is treated in a microscopic approach employingSkyrme-Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov wave functions to describe the formation of aThis dissertation deals with the effects of nuclear structure on the α-decay properties, and on the fission-yielddistributions from the decay of heavy nuclei. The nuclear-structure and decay properties of superheavynuclei is one of the central topics for investigation. α decay is treated in a microscopic approach employingSkyrme-Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov wave functions to describe the formation of a

Recent research has shown that poverty directly impeded cognitive functions because the poor could be easily distracted by monetary concerns. We argue that this effect may be limited to functions relying on working memory. For functions that rely on proceduralized processes however, monetary concerns elicited by reminding of financial demands would be conducive rather than harmful. Our results sup

An experiment was conducted to concentrate on the rainfall interception process of individual trees for four common species in Beijing, China, which included needle species (Platycladus orientalis and Pinus tabulaeformis) and broadleaf species (Quercus variabilis and Acer truncatum). Two types of interception storages, the maximum (Cmax) and the minimum interception storage (Cmin), were examined a

Background: Many clinicians believe that preparedness before surgery for possible post-surgery side effects reduces the level of bother experienced from urinary incontinence and decreased sexual health after surgery. There are no published studies evaluating this belief. Therefore, we aimed to study the level of preparedness before radical prostatectomy and the level of bother experienced from uri

Whereas the characterization of B lymphoid progenitors has been facilitated by the identification of lineage-and stage-specific surface markers, the continued identification of differentially expressed proteins increases our capacity to explore normal and malignant B cell development. To identify novel surface markers with stage-specific expression patterns, we explored the reactivity of CD19+ B c

Morphogenesis in plants and animals involves large irreversible deformations. In plants, the response of the cell wall material to internal and external forces is determined by its mechanical properties. An appropriate model for plant tissue growth must include key features such as anisotropic and heterogeneous elasticity and cell dependent evaluation of mechanical variables such as turgor pressur

In their 2006 article on innovation in China in this journal, Gu and Lundvall pointed to some weaknesses and challenges for China’s growth and they also outlined ideas for policy action to overcome those. In this short note, written in collaboration with Sylvia Schwag Serger, they go back and assess China's social and economic development in the 10 years that followed in the light of their origina