Aim: Palivizumab (Synagis(R)(R)) was registered in Sweden in 1999 for prophylaxis against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in premature infants. The high costs and the limited knowledge of the efficacy of this substance have led to debate about how and when it should be used. National guidelines for the use of palivizumab in Sweden were constructed in the year 2000. The aim of this study was to e

This paper reviews decision support methodologies that can be applied to treatment plants. Case studies of decision support systems (DSS) that have been developed and used or trialled are presented below. These include rule-based systems and systems based on digraphs of cause-and-effect relationships. Detection examples on real plant data are presented, in one case using direct measurements and si

Both DNA ploidy and S-phase ploidy are promising prognostic factors for node-negative breast cancer patients. Based largely on the analysis of one large study, much of the reported problems with these factors have been caused by some unappreciated complexities in categorizing DNA ploidy into low- and high-risk groups and the lack of some necessary adjustments to eliminate unwanted correlations bet

Exposure of L. acidophilus CRL 639 cells to sublethal adaptive acid conditions (pH 5.0 for 60 min) was found to confer protection against subsequent exposure to lethal pH (pH 3.0). Adaptation, which only occurred in complex media, was dependent on de novo protein synthesis and was inhibited by amino acid analogues. There was no modification in the protein synthesis rate during adaptation, but the

Various examinations of sealant joints show that there are many problems with leakage, even in fairly new buildings. Two main reasons have been that the sealant properties are overrated and that the joint design or workmanship is poor due to lack of knowledge about the basic requirements and the material properties. The failure mechanism of an elastic sealant is described. This serves as a basis

In order to reduce the total enzyme consumption in high-solids static hydrolysis of nonwashed steam-exploded willow Salix caprea by mixed cellulase of Trichoderma reesei + Aspergillus foetidus, two different approaches were proposed. In the first case, the enzyme activity adsorbed on residual solids after extended hydrolysis was used for hydrolysis of the newly added substrate. The initial mixing

In a consecutive series of hip revisions due to mechanical loosening, using impacted morselized allografts and cement, we followed 21 acetabular components by radiostereometric analysis (RSA) during 2 years. All but 1 acetabular component migrated in the proximal direction (median 2.1 (0.5-6.4) mm). 6 components migrated in the medial direction (median 0.8 (0.4-1.2) mm) and 6 in the lateral (media

The present article provides current opinion on studies of the interfacial dynamics, adsorption, and structure of surfactant layers. The physical principles and applications of physicochemical methods such as tensiometry, ellipsometry, photon correlation spectroscopy, and neutron reflectivity techniques, as well as relevant theoretical aspects related to the adsorption and desorption kinetics, int

In the beginning of 1990s preparations were underway in Sweden to enact a law aimed at making accounting on personnel in the annual reports compulsory. An official investigation resulted in a special report on how to design and report on it. The expectations and the discussions that followed resulted in considerable voluntary implementation of “personnel economics reports” or “human resources acco

A new find of the rare and red-listed lichen Heppia lutosa was made near Tornrör on the NE part of the Great Alvar during a lichenological excursion to Öland in april 2001. A few weeks later, another find was made on the NW part of the Great Alvar near Lilla Vickleby. Only one other recent find has been made of this species, which in Sweden is only known from the Baltic islands of Öland and Gotlan

A cheap value-added product, the protein fraction of barley spent grains is proposed as a source of a potential and economical cultivation medium. We showed that medium composed of protein fraction extract allows the isolation of actinobacteria, especially Streptomyces, from soil samples, and enhances the sporulation. It was used for the screening and production of the biologically active substanc