Plant litter represents an important source of nutrients and energy for soil microorganisms, but will also selectively affect which organism group, fungi or bacteria, that will be favoured during decomposition. The balance of fungal to bacterial growth will furthermore be affected by soil chemistry like pH. A laboratory experiment was carried out using two different Mediterranean forest soils diff

Maintaining regular physical activity (PA) can be challenging for persons with late effects of polio. This qualitative study of ambulatory persons with late effects of polio explored their perceptions of PA, and facilitators of and barriers to PA. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 persons and analyzed with content analysis using the International Classification of Functioning, Disab

Rodent models of L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID) are essential to investigate pathophysiological mechanisms and treatment options. Ratings of abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) are used to capture both qualitative and quantitative features of dyskinetic behaviors. Thus far, validated rating scales for the mouse have anchored the definition of severity to the time during which AIMs are present.

Dissociation of vasomotor and metabolic responses to levodopa has been observed in human subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD) studied with PET and in autoradiograms from 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) rat. In both species, acute levodopa administration was associated with increases in basal ganglia cerebral blood flow (CBF) with concurrent reductions in cerebral metabolic rate (CMR) for glucose in t

Leukotrienes (LTs) initiate a cascade of reactions that cause bronchoconstriction and inflammation in asthma. LT-modifying drugs have been proved very effective to reduce inflammation and associated exacerbation however despite some illustrious clinical trials the usage of these drugs remains overlooked because the evidence to support their utility in asthma management has been mixed and varied be

Adult skeletal tissue is composed of heterogeneous population of cells that constantly self-renew by means of a controlled process of activation and proliferation of tissue-resident stem cells named satellite cells. Many growth factors, cytokines and myokines produced by skeletal muscle cells play critical roles in local regulation of the inflammatory process and skeletal muscle regeneration durin

Background: Neurogenic inflammation has for decades been considered an important part of migraine pathophysiology. In the present study, we asked the question if administration of a novel kynurenic acid analogue (SZR72), precursor of an excitotoxin antagonist and anti-inflammatory substance, can modify the neurogenic inflammatory response in the trigeminal ganglion. Methods: Inflammation in the tr

B4C coatings for 10B-based neutron detector applications were deposited using high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) and direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMS) processes. The coatings were deposited on Si(001) as well as on flat and macrostructured (grooved) Al blades in an industrial coating unit using B4C compound targets in Ar. The HiPIMS and DCMS processes were conducted at subst

The extent and type of nutrient limitation will affect soil microorganism activity and may change the balance between organism groups, like fungi and bacteria. Limiting nutrients have traditionally been measured as increased respiration after adding nutrients, but this will not differentiate between fungal or bacterial responses. We compared respiration, bacterial and fungal growth after alleviati

Surveys and socio-professional studies carried out at national and international levels contribute to a better understanding of the lighting retrofit process. Within the framework of the International Energy Agency Task 50 - Advanced lighting solutions for retrofitting buildings- and its subtask C1 focusing on the analysis of workflows and needs, an online survey on lighting retrofit was initiated

Purpose The aim of this study was to illuminate parents' lived experiences of losing a child to cancer. Method Interviews and a narrative about parents' experiences of losing a child to cancer were gathered from six parents of children whom had participated in a longitudinal study across the child's illness trajectory. The analysis of the data was inspired by van Manen's hermeneutic phenomenologic

Fusobacterium necrophorum is a gram-negative anaerobic bacterium that is the causative agent of the invasive disease Lemierre's syndrome. In addition, it is also associated with peritonsillar abscess formation and otitis media in small children. Recent research has shown that F. necrophorum may be involved in pharyngotonsillitis especially in adolescent and young adults and that it may be the seco

This report presents a literature review about energy-efficient retrofit of electric lighting and daylighting systems in buildings. The review, which covers around 160 research articles, discusses the following energy retrofit strategies: replacement of lamp, ballast or luminaire; use of task-ambient lighting design; improvement in maintenance; reduction of maintained illuminance levels; improveme

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine psychometric properties of three translated versions of the Trust in Nurses Scale (TNS) and cancer patients’ perceptions of trust in nurses in a sample of cancer patients from four European countries. Methods A cross-sectional, cross-cultural, multi-site survey design was used. The data were collected with the Trust in Nurses Scale from patients wit

This document presents a monitoring protocol to assess the overall performance of a lighting and/or daylighting retrofit of a building. This protocol covers four key aspects:1. Energy use;2. Retrofit costs;3. Photometric assessment;4. User assessment.This document develops each aspect in detail, presenting the required measurements and necessary equipment as well as providing guidelines for data a

This report presents the general lessons learned from the investigated 24 case studies from 10 countries.

Cation release rates to catchment runoff from chemical weathering were assessed using an integrated catchment model that included the soil's unsaturated, saturated and riparian zones. In-situ mineral dissolution rates were calculated in these zones as a function of pH, aluminum and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations along a hillslope in Northern Sweden where soil water was monitored ove

For drug delivery, characterization of liposomes regarding size, particle number concentrations, occurrence of low-sized liposome artefacts and drug encapsulation are of importance to understand their pharmacodynamic properties. In our study, we aimed to demonstrate the applicability of nano Electrospray Gas-Phase Electrophoretic Mobility Molecular Analyser (nES GEMMA) as a suitable technique for