BACKGROUND Spondylolytic (or lytic) spondylolisthesis is often associated with disc degeneration at the index-level; however, it is not clear if disc degeneration is the cause or the consequence of lytic spondylolisthesis. The main objective of this computed tomography based finite element modelling study was to examine the role of different grades of disc degeneration in the progression of a b...

The increase of the sensitivity of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) refractometers was studied experimentally by forming a periodic relief in the form of a grating with submicron period on the surface of the Au-coated chip. Periodic reliefs of different depths and spatial frequency were formed on the Au film surface using interference lithography and vacuum chalcogenide photoresists. Spatial fre...

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Cultured pear (Pyrus communis L. cv Passe Crassane) cells were subjected to temperatures of 39, 42, and 45[deg]C. Heat-shock protein (hsp) synthesis was greater at 30[deg]C than at temperatures above 40[deg]C and continued for up to 8 h. Both cellular uptake of radiolabeled methionine and total protein synthesis were progressively lower as the temperature was increased. Polysome levels decrease...

The swimming kinematics of prey capture was studied in short-horned sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius L.) acclimated for 6­8 weeks to either 5 °C or 15 °C (12 h:12 h light:dark) using 15 °C-acclimated shrimps as prey. Fish acclimated to 5 °C remained interested in feeding following an acute rise in temperature to 15 °C over 12 h. Prey capture was a stereotyped behaviour co...

Live fibre bundles were isolated from the fast myotomal muscle of short-horned sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius L.) and isometric contractile properties and the force­velocity (P­V) relationship determined at 5, 10 and 15 °C. Experiments were carried out on winter- and summer-caught sculpins and on individuals acclimated for 6­8 weeks to either 5 or 15 °C (12 h:12 h light:dar...