Zirconia coated titanium for implants and their interactions with osteoblast cells.

The anodic plasma-electrochemical oxidation in aqueous electrolytes of Zr(SO4)2 was used to prepare new zirconia/titania-based surfaces M1 (Ti, Zr and O: 7-10, 22-27 and 65-69 at.%) and M2 (Ti, Zr and O: 11-13, 20-23 and 64-69 at.%).

First titanium dental implants with white surfaces: preparation and in vitro tests.

Objectives: To evaluate first white titanium surfaces developed for improvement of existing clinically used titanium-based implants Ticer.

Methods: The anodic plasma-electrochemical oxidation in aqueous solutions of sodium hydroxide and calcium dihydrogen phospate was used to prepare three novel anodic conversion layers with white titanium oxide surfaces. The surfaces have been characterized by the means of scanning electron microscopy, surface microanalysis and X-ray diffraction.

Preparation and characterization of selenium incorporated anodic conversion coatings on titanium surfaces for biomedical applications.

An anodic spark deposition process was used for preparation of inorganic, glass-ceramic like conversion coatings. The microstructure of the layers was characterized by surface and solid state techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis and Raman spectroscopy. The porous coatings, typically up to 8 mum thick, consist mainly of titanium oxides and amounts of incorporated electrolyte constituents like Se, Ca or P.

Power law rank-abundance models for marine phage communities.

Metagenomic analyses suggest that the rank-abundance curve for marine phage communities follows a power law distribution. A new type of power law dependence based on a simple model in which a modified version of Lotka-Volterra predator-prey dynamics is sampled uniformly in time is presented. Biologically, the model embodies a kill the winner hypothesis and a neutral evolution hypothesis.

2nd to 4th digit ratio (2D:4D) and number of sex partners: evidence for effects of prenatal testosterone in men.

The number of sexual partners per individual (NSP) is an important component of sexual behaviour. Here, we report two studies concerning the relationship between a probable negative correlate of prenatal testosterone, the ratio of the length of 2nd and 4th digits (2D:4D), and NSP in men. The right hand 2D:4D ratio appears to be more strongly related to prenatal testosterone than does the left hand.

Characterization of anodic spark-converted titanium surfaces for biomedical applications.

The aim of the present study was to characterize the surface morphology, microstructure and the chemical composition of anodic spark-converted titanium surfaces. The coatings were prepared in an electrochemical cell by the anodic spark deposition technique in an aqueous solution of Ca(H2PO4)2. The coatings were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD).

Self reported physical activity, public health, and perceived environment: results from a comparative European study.

Study Objective: The focus of physical activity promotion is moving from methods for increasing health enhancing physical activity on the individual level to higher level strategies including environmental and policy approaches. Scientific inquiry, traditionally related to individual-based strategies, requires adaptation and refinement when environmental and policy changes become more relevant. The objective of this study is to investigate the significance for behaviour and health of community-based environments that encourage physical activity.