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Sexual selection has traditionally been used to explain exaggerated sexual traits in male animals. Today the concept has been developed and various other sexually related traits have been suggested to evolve in the same manner. In nearly all new areas where the theory of sexual selection has been applied, there has been an intense debate as to whether the application is justified. Is it the case t
Matriptase is a type II transmembrane protease which is characterized by an N-terminal transmembrane and multiple extracellular domains, in addition to the conserved extracellular serine protease catalytic domain. The expression pattern of matriptase suggests that this protease may play broad roles in the biology of surface lining epithelial cells. In this study we report that alpha1-antitrypsin (
Ad hoc networks, being able to organize themselves without user intervention, can easily provide their users with mobility, multimedia support and group communication. However, they have to combine quality of service (QoS) and multicast routing strategies. This article defines the resource management and admission control components of the ad hoc QoS multicast (AQM) routing protocol, which achieve
Most structured latex particles are formed in the nonequilibrium state as a result of the reaction kinetics proceeding faster than the phase separation kinetics. Of the many factors controlling such morphologies, the polarity and glass transition temperature (Tg) of the seed polymer are important. In order to study the direct effect of the seed polymer Tg on morphology, we produced a series of pol
The scientific community has gratefully embraced floating-point arithmetic to escape the close attention for accuracy and precision required in fixed-point computational styles. Though its deficiencies are well known, the role of the floating-point system as standard has kept other number representation systems from coming into practice. The paper discusses the relation between fixed and floating-
Adsorption of thymine on a defined Cu(110) surface was studied using reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS), temperature programmed desorption (TPD), and scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM). In addition, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were undertaken in order to further understand the energetics of adsorption and self-assembly. The combination of RAIRS, TPD, and DFT res
Preventing creaming or sedimentation by the addition of thickeners is an important industrial challenge. We study the effect of the addition of a "free" nonadsorbing polymer (xanthan gum) on the stability against creaming of sterically stabilized O/W emulsions. Therefore, we analyze our samples using microscopy and rheological measurements. At low xanthan concentrations, the emulsions cream. Howev
The radiocarbon concentration of different atherosclerotic plaque fragments obtained from 20 patients in Portugal, operated in 2000-2001, has been measured in order to define the year of plaque formation. A difference of 1.8-15 yr was observed, with the mean and median both 9 yr, between the bomb-pulse date estimated with the CALIBomb software and the operation date. Stable isotope (delta C-13 and
The silicone nerve regeneration chamber is a useful model to investigate the cellular and molecular events underlying successful regeneration in the peripheral nervous system. In this model a transected rat sciatic nerve with a 10-mm interstump gap, is repaired with a silicone chamber. The spatial-temporal sequence of regeneration in the silicone chamber has been examined in detail. The chamber ra
Partially Premixed Combustion (PPC) is a promising advanced combustion mode for future engines. In order to investigate the sensitivity of PPC to exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rate, intake gas temperature, intake gas pressure, and injection timing, these parameters were swept individually at three different loads in a single cylinder diesel engine with gasoline-like fuel.A factor of sensitivity
In an effort to strengthen midwifery students’ learning process, written reflections during the students’ clinical practice at birth units have been applied. The aim of this study was to examine how students of midwifery experienced the writing of daily reflections on their practice at birthing units. An interview study was carried out using an inductive method with descriptive design. During 2013
Single-phase niobium is used in superconducting accelerator components in particle accelerating facilities. Functionality of such accelerator components is placing high demands on the surface quality. Single-phase niobium, as opposed to niobium alloys, is a highly ductile metal, which in a cutting process normally leads to such surface defects as adhesion, built-up edges, side flow, and burr forma
All cities face a pressing challenge - how can they provide economic prosperity and social cohesion while achieving environmental sustainability? In response, new collaborations are emerging in the form of urban living labs - sites devised to design, test and learn from social and technical innovation in real time. The aim of this volume is to examine, inform and advance the governance of sustaina
It is widely known that there is a discrepancy between educational policy on the one side, and teaching and learning practices on the other. Most studies have been focusing on the sociocultural and micropolitical frames that shape teachers’ understandings and enactments of teaching, and that cause the vast diversity of classroom practices around the world. This article wants to draw attention to t
Overall survival of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has significantly improved with platinum-based salt treatments and recently with targeted therapies and immunotherapies. However, treatment failure occurs due to acquired or emerging tumor resistance. We developed a monoclonal antibody against the proform of neurotensin (LF-NTS mAb) that alters the homeostasis of tumor
The oxidation of soot is a complex process due to the heterogeneous structure of the material. Several mechanisms have been hypothesized based on ex situ studies, but need confirmation from in situ observation; furthermore, deeper insight is needed to develop and validate structure-dependent reaction mechanisms. In this work, soot oxidation was for the first time observed at atomic scale in situ,
The aim of this chapter is to discuss global environmental change (GEC) through the social construction of nature and notions of authenticity. We will discuss the social construction of nature in a specific context, namely that of different kinds of nature-based tourism. The argument will revolve around what we perceive as a shift in focus from the image of nature as thing to nature as experience,
The purpose of this article is to present and analyse gender sensitive interpretations of Islam in Indonesia and a reform of fiqh from a gender perspective. These interpretations can be seen as an expression of Islamic feminism, a discursive framework that has grown from the Islamisation processes of Muslim societies in the 1980s. Another aim is to depict the specific Indonesian environment where
