Polymeric anion-exchange membranes (AEMs) are critical components for alkaline membrane fuel cells (AMFCs) which offer several attractive advantages including the use of platinum-free catalysts and a wide choice of fuel. The development of AMFCs and other electrochemical energy systems is currently severely limited by the lack of AEMs with sufficient alkaline stability. Still, significant advances

Population-based data on hospital procedure volume and outcome of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are limited.

BACKGROUND:: Childhood immunology has been suggested to play a role in development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) based on the studies of childhood vaccinations, infections, and treatment with antibiotics. Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and smallpox vaccinations were gradually phased-out in Denmark for children born between 1965 and 1976, hence allowing the study of subsequent risk of Crohn's

Modeling of loads on a vehicle through Laplace moving averages is extended to the multivariate setting and efficient methods of computing the damage indexes are discussed. Multivariate Laplace moving averages are used as statistical models of multi-axial loads represented by forces and moments measured at some locations of a cultivator. As opposed to models based on the Gaussian distribution, thes

The population of 102Zr following the β decay of 102Y produced in the projectile fission of 238U at the GSI facility in Darmstadt, Germany has been studied. 102Y is known to ß decay into 102Zr via two states, one of high spin and the other low spin. These states preferentially populate different levels in the 102Zr daughter. In this paper the intensities of transitions in 102Zr observed are compar

Randomised control trials (RCTs) do not always reflect real-life outcomes for glucose-lowering drugs. In this work we compared RCT and real-life data on the efficacy of the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-4) inhibitor vildagliptin or sulfonylureas when added to metformin.

The arterial spin-labeling method for CBF assessment is widely available, but its accuracy is not fully established. We investigated the accuracy of a whole-brain arterial spin-labeling technique for assessing the mean parenchymal CBF and the effect of aging in healthy volunteers. Phase-contrast MR imaging was used as the reference method.

Abnormal serum sodium concentrations are common in patients presenting for surgery. It remains unclear whether these abnormalities are independent risk factors for postoperative mortality.

We have implemented a visualization tool for the demonstration of a nonideal Carnot engine, operating at finite time.The cycle time can be varied using a slide bar and the pressure-volume, temperature-entropy, power-time, and efficiency-time diagrams change interactively and are shown on one screen.We have evaluated the visualization tool among engineering students at university level during an in

This paper aims to assess the spatial variability in the response of CO2 exchange to irradiance across the Arctic tundra during peak season using light response curve (LRC) parameters. This investigation allows us to better understand the future response of Arctic tundra under climatic change. Peak season data were collected during different years (between 1998 and 2010) using the micrometeorologi

Traits that increase mating success in males may come at a cost, such as an increased risk of predation. However, predator-mediated selection is challenging to document in natural populations, hampering our understanding of the trade-offs between sexual selection and predation. Here we report on a study of predator-mediated natural selection on wing traits in the damselfly Calopteryx splendens, th

This article sets out to investigate the political development and implementation of parenting support services in Sweden. The object of analysis is on how parenting support has been organised and how it has been articulated in policy debates, and also key elements of parenting support in practice. The analysis shows that parenting support builds upon a century-long tradition of for example pre-em

This paper presents simultaneous, single shot planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) imaging of four species: OH, CH, CH2O (formaldehyde) and toluene (C6H5CH3) in methane/air jet flames. The jet flames were stabilized by a flat pilot flame generated using a McKenna type burner. Both flames were operated with a stoichiometric premixed methane/air mixture at room temperature and atmospheric pressu

Iodine added to iodide-based ionic liquids leads to extraordinarily efficient charge transport, vastly exceeding that expected for such viscous systems. Using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, in conjunction with dc conductivity, diffusivity and viscosity measurements we unravel the conductivity pathways in 1-methyl-3-propylimidazolium iodide melts. This study presents evidence of the Grotthuss

The risk of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) substantially increases following joint injury. Research efforts should focus on investigating the efficacy of preventative strategies in high quality randomized controlled trials (RCT). The objective of these OARSI RCT recommendations is to inform the design, conduct and analytical approaches to RCTs evaluating the preventative effect of joint inju

During the last twenty-five years, housing policy in Sweden has radically changed. Once forming a pillar of the comprehensive welfare system, abbreviated ‘the Swedish model’, neoliberal housing politics has established market-governed housing provision with a minimum of state engagement. This shift has had consequences on the social geography of housing conditions. The research reported here analy

The aim of the present paper is to discuss strategies to minimize contrast medium (CM) doses in patients at risk of CM-induced nephropathy (CIN) after computed tomographic angiography (CTA), and percutaneous catheter angiography (PCA) and vascular interventions (PVI). In general a gram-iodine (g-I)/eGFR ratio >= 1.0 appears to be a significant and independent predictor of CIN in CTA and coronary i