Centimetre-sized single crystals of high-quality CaBaCo2Fe2O7 were synthesized by the optical floating zone technique. The metal-to-metal stoichiometry and oxygen content were confirmed by spectroscopy and thermal reduction experiments. The hexagonal symmetry P6(3)mc (No. 186) well describes the powder X-ray and neutron diffraction as well as single-crystal neutron diffraction at all measured temp

The gene encoding beta-mannanase (EC 3.2.1.78) BaMan26A from the bacterium Bifidobacterium adolescentis (living in the human gut) was cloned and the gene product characterized. The enzyme was found to be modular and to contain a putative signal peptide. It possesses a catalytic module of the glycoside hydrolase family 26, a predicted immunoglobulin-like module, and two putative carbohydrate-bindin

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is first-line treatment for metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists are the most commonly used ADT but have several theoretical physiologic disadvantages (e.g. initial testosterone surge, potential microsurges upon repeat administration). Testosterone surge delays the intended serologic endpoint of testosterone suppressio

Removal of organic micropollutants in a hybrid biofilm-activated sludge process was investigated through batch experiments, modeling, and full-scale measurements. Batch experiments with carriers and activated sludge from the same full-scale reactor were performed to assess the micropollutant removal rates of the carrier biofilm under oxic conditions and the sludge under oxic and anoxic conditions.

Qualitative comparison of bird and bat wakes has demonstrated significant differences in the structure of the far wake. Birds have been found to have a unified vortex wake of the two wings, while bats have a more complex wake with gradients in the circulation along the wingspan, and with each wing generating its own vortex structure. Here, we compare quantitative measures of the circulation in the

The aim of the study was to establish whether the duration of anticoagulant (AC) therapy can be tailored, on an objective basis, by using ventilation/perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (V/P SPECT) and to assess the extent of residual perfusion defects over time. In particular, we addressed the following: (a) is the extent of perfusion recovery at 3 months of initial pulmonary emb

We report on a comprehensive study of electrical and optical properties of efficient near-infrared p(+)-i-n(+) photodetectors based on large ensembles of self-assembled, vertically aligned i-n(+) InP nanowires monolithically grown on a common p(+) InP substrate without any buffer layer. The nanowires have a polytype modulated crystal structure of wurtzite and zinc blende. The electrical data displ

Winter acclimatization in birds is a complex of several strategies based on metabolic adjustment accompanied by long-term management of resources such as fattening. However, wintering birds often maintain fat reserves below their physiological capacity, suggesting a cost involved with excessive levels of reserves. We studied body reserves of roosting great tits in relation to their dominance statu

Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) have an increased risk of fractures. On the basis of small numbers, patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) have been reported to have an increased fracture risk. Using population-based data from Sweden, we assessed the risks of fractures in 5326 MGUS patients diagnosed from 1958 to 2006, compared with 20 161 matched controls. MGU

In this study, principles of Cognitive Systems Engineering are used to better understand the human–machine interaction manifesting in the use of anaesthesia alarms. The hypothesis is that the design of the machine incorporates built-in assumptions of the user that are discrepant with the anaesthesiologist's self-assessment, creating ‘user image mismatch’. Mismatch was interpreted by focusing on th

Globalization discourse is deeply flawed in its very conception, expressing a gratuitous assumption of the emergence of a new era that is discontinuous with the past and whose conflicts are primarily the product of those who resist this development: nationalists, racists, localists. This discourse is itself an ideological product of a cosmopolitan elite identity that has emerged (again) in recent

For the past several decades, we have been able to directly probe the motion of atoms that is associated with chemical transformations and which occurs on the femtosecond (10(-15)-s) timescale. However, studying the inner workings of atoms and molecules on the electronic timescale(1-4) has become possible only with the recent development of isolated attosecond (10(-18)-s) laser pulses(5). Such pul

Quinoline-3-carboxamide compounds (Q compounds) have demonstrated efficacy in treating autoimmune disease in both humans and mice. However, the mode of action of these compounds is poorly understood. Here, we show that preventive treatment with the Q compound paquinimod (ABR-215757) during the first 5 days after induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis is sufficient to significantly

Three incommensurately modulated gamma-brass-related composite structures in the Ni-Zn system have been solved from Xray single crystal diffraction data using a 3+1 dimensional super space description. The compounds at the end points of the compositional domain NiZn3-delta (-0.09

Evidence from clinic-based studies suggests that the fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is associated with impairment in cognitive function though the mechanism is unclear. The aim of this analysis was to determine whether there is a similar association between chronic widespread pain (CWP), a cardinal feature of FMS, and impaired cognition in a community setting. Men (n = 3369, 40-79 years) were recruit

The purpose of this study was to contribute to the knowledge of how manufacturer brands choose and can choose to defend themselves vis-à-vis introduction of private brands by retailers. The study adopts the same research approach as a Dutch empirical study (Verhoef, P. C., E. J. Nijssen, and L. M. Sloot. 2002. “Strategic Reactions of National Brand Manufacturers Towards Private Labels – An Empiric

It is widely believed that the light induced degradation of crystalline silicon solar cells is due to the formation of a BsO2i recombination center created by the optically excited migration of the oxygen dimer (charge-state-driven motion). In this letter the concentration dependence of the neutral state of O-2i on [O-i] in p- and n-type Cz-Si has been determined using infrared absorption. A syste