Context: When using the Case Method in teaching situations, problem-solving is emphasized and taught, in order to acquire the skills and later be able to apply them in new situations. The basis of the learning process is the students’ own activity in the situation and is built on critical appraisal and discussion. Objectives: To explain what the Case Method is, what it is not and to describe when

This article presents a method for measuring individual cutting forces during bandsawing. Methods for detecting errors in cutting edge positions, tool dynamics during machining and geometry changes due to wear have also been developed. The experimental studies that we have conducted show that the cutting forces vary during the tool engagement. These variations in force were then quantified using a

In this review, I focus on three key questions in avian comparative immunoecology: variation in immune responses in relation to sex; latitude (and pace-of-life); and the annual cycle. I present hypotheses and evaluate the so far rather scanty and heterogenic data to test them. Sex differences in immune responses have been hypothesized to be caused by inferior immune responses in the heterogametic

Germline mutations in the MEN1 gene predispose to the multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN1) syndrome; however, approximately 10-20% of patients with MEN1 do not have a detectable MEN1 mutation. A rat strain with multiple endocrine tumours, a phenotypic overlap of both MEN1 and MEN2, has been reported to have a homozygous germline p27 (CDKN1B) mutation. Recently, two MEN1 mutation-negative MEN1 syndr

Multiconfiguration second-order perturbation theory, including relativistic effects and spin-orbit coupling, has been employed to investigate the nature of the chemical bonding in the ground state of Tc-2 and Re-2. The Tc-2 ground state is found to be a 0(g)(+) state, with an effective bond order (EBO) of 4.4, and a dissociation energy of 3.25 eV. The Re-2 ground state is a 1(g) state, with EBO =

In recombinant, xylose-fermenting Saccharomyces cerevisiae, about 30% of the consumed xylose is converted to xylitol. Xylitol production results from a cofactor imbalance, since xylose reductase uses both NADPH and NADH, while xylitol dehydrogenase uses only NAD(+). In this study we increased the ethanol yield and decreased the xylitol yield by lowering the flux through the NADPH-producing pentose

The long-term advance in the timing of bird spring migration in the Northern Hemisphere is associated with global climate change. The extent to which changes in bird phenology reflect responses to weather conditions in the wintering or breeding areas, or during migration, however, remains to be elucidated. We analyse the relationships between the timing of spring migration of 9 species of trans-Sa

With Euro50 as a convenient telescope laboratory, the Euro50 team has continued development aiming at a European extremely large telescope (ELT). Here, we give a progress report. The needs of science and instrumentation are briefly discussed as is the importance of photometric stability and precision. Results are reported from work on integrated modelling. Details are given concerning point-spread

Providing "always-on" Internet connectivity is crucial for mobile networks in automobiles and personal area networks. The Network Mobility (NEMO) protocol provides such a support involving a bi-directional tunnel between a gateway for the mobile network and a Home Agent. However, the routing path between them is hardly optimal. In this paper, we investigate the use of ad-hoc routing protocols for

Good phylogenetic trees are required to test hypotheses about evolutionary processes. We report four new avian mitochondrial genomes, which together with an improved method of phylogenetic analysis for vertebrate mt genomes give results for three questions in avian evolution. The new nit genomes are: magpie goose (Anseranas semipalmata), ail owl (morepork, Ninox novaeseelandiae); a basal passerine

KinMutBase (http://www.uta.fi/laitokset/imt/KinMutBase. html) is a registry of mutations in human protein kinases related to disorders. Kinases are essential cellular signalling molecules, in which mutations can lead into diseases including, e.g., immunodeficiencies, cancers and endocrine disorders. The first release of KinMutBase contains information for nine protein tyrosine kinases. There are a

Introduction Radionuclide therapy has distinct similarities to, but also profound differences from external radiotherapy. Review This review discusses techniques and results of previously developed dosimetry methods in thyroid carcinoma, neuro-endocrine tumours, solid tumours and lymphoma. In each case, emphasis is placed on the level of evidence and practical applicability. Although dosimetry has

Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy is used increasingly to probe molecular motions at the aqueous interfaces of biological macromolecules and membranes. By recording the time variation of the fluorescence frequency, thermal atomic fluctuations in the vicinity of the chromophore can be probed. From such fluorescence Stokes shift (FSS) experiments, it has been inferred that water motions in the

Background: Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is a standard staging procedure in early breast cancer. Its suitability for larger tumours has been questioned. This study evaluated the reliability of SNB in women with invasive breast cancer larger than 3 cm in diameter who were clinically axillary node negative. Methods: Some 109 women with a turnout larger than 3 cm on pathological analysis were identifie

We report the growth of ultrathin diamond nanorods (DNRs) by a microwave plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition method using a mixture gas of nitrogen and methane. DNRs have a diameter as thin as 2.1 nm, which is not only smaller than reported one-dimensional diamond nanostructures (4-300 nm) but also smaller than the theoretical value for energetically stable DNRs. The ultrathin DNR is encapsu