The morphology and molecular mechanisms of animal photoreceptor cells and eyes reveal a complex pattern of duplications and co-option of genetic modules, leading to a number of different light-sensitive systems that share many components, in which clear-cut homologies are rare. On the basis of molecular and morphological findings, I discuss the functional requirements for vision and how these have

Hypertension is a multifactorial disease in which the interplay of genetic and environmental factors that maintain blood pressure stable throughout life is altered. Cytochrome P450 (CYP)-derived metabolites of arachidonic acid such as epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE), active on vascular tone, endothelial function and renal sodium reapportion, have been

Context: Whether a healthy lifestyle may be associated with longer telomere length is largely unknown. Objectives: To examine healthy lifestyle practices, which are primary prevention measures against major age-related chronic diseases, in relation to leukocyte telomere length. Design and Setting: Cross-sectional analysis in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS). Participants: The population consisted of

We prepared alpha- and beta surface phases of GaAs(0 0 1)-c(4 x 4) reconstruction by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) using As-4 and As-2 molecular beams, respectively, and examined them by angle-resolved ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) with synchrotron radiation as an excitation source. The UPS valence band spectra and the XPS 3d core level data

This paper presents a strategy for achieving volume flexibility in assembly lines, so that varying production demands can be met. The strategy involves providing assembly lines inherent cycle-time flexibility, through creating the possibility for operators to handle multiple work stations. A basic part-cost model serves as a basis for analyzing the cost effects of different staffing alternatives,

Measurements are presented of R-b, the ratio of the b (b) over bar cross-section to the q (q) over bar cross-section in e(+)e(-) collisions, and the forward-backward asymmetry A(FB)(b) at twelve energy points in the range root s = 130-207 GeV. These results are found to be consistent with the Standard Model expectations. The measurements are used to set limits on new physics scenarios involving co

Adenocarcinoma of the periampullary region is associated with poor prognosis and new prognostic and treatment predictive biomarkers are needed for improved treatment. Membranous expression of podocalyxin-like 1(PODXL), which is a cell-adhesion glycoprotein and stem cell marker, has been found to correlate with an aggressive tumour phenotype and adverse outcome in several cancer types. The aim of t

The proposed time-to-digital converter (TDC) arranges two Vernier gated-ring-oscillator (GRO) branches in a 2-dimension (2-D) fashion. All delay differences between X-axis phases and Y-axis phases (based on 2-D definition) can be used, rather than only the diagonal line. The large latency time inherited from Vernier structure is therefore dramatically reduced. The TDC is implemented in a 90nm CMOS

Nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) is a solid-state radio frequency (RF) technique, able to detect and identify compounds containing quadrupolar nuclei, including many high explosives, narcotics and pharmaceutical compounds. In addition to being able to identify entirely different compounds, the technique is also able to distinguish between different polymorphic forms of the same compound. Analysi

There are about a hundred manikin users around the world. Some of them use the manikin such as 'Walter' and 'Tore' to evaluate the comfort of clothing ensembles according to their thermal insulation and moisture resistance. A 'Walter' manikin is made of water and waterproof breathable fabric 'skin', which simulates the characteristics of human perspiration. So evaporation, condensation or sorption

BACKGROUND: Measures of prenatal environmental exposures are important, and amniotic fluid levels may directly reflect fetal exposures during hypothesized windows of vulnerability. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to detect various phthalate metabolites and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in human amniotic fluid, to study temporal exposure trends, and to estimate potential associations with gestational we

By a selective complexation between different alkyltrimethylammonium amphiphiles (C8, C12 and C16) and three different diblock copolymer systems of poly(styrene)-b-poly(methacrylic acid) at various grafting densities X (X = number of alkyl chains per acidic group of the poly(methacrylic acid) PMAA block), a class of ionic supramolecules are successfully synthesized whose molecular architecture con

To explore the potential of grating-based x-ray phase-contrast computed tomography (CT) for preclinical research, a genetically engineered mouse model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) was investigated. One ex-vivo mouse specimen was scanned with different grating-based phase-contrast CT imaging setups covering two different settings: i) high-resolution synchrotron radiation (SR) imaging

This is a study of the spatial structure in relation to female characters within video games with Nordic mythological themes. The understanding of space and its structure starts with an under-standing of the people who are creat-ing and constructing it. The study involves their beliefs, their social relations and their urban infrastructure and their correspondence to the Nordic mythology. When lo