Polysulfones (PSUs) carrying short pendant alkyl side-chains with terminal sulfonic acid units have been prepared and studied as proton-conducting membrane materials. The first step in the preparation involved quenching of lithiated PSU with SO2 gas, resulting in sulfinated PSU. In the second step, the lithium sulfinate units on the polymer were reacted with sodium 2-bromoethanesulfonate, sodium 3

The diagnosis of tree nutrient demand for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) is possible using a root bioassay with excised roots, to measure the rate of uptake of the corresponding isotope. In this study, Norway spruce (Picea abies) roots were used to test the uptake response in roots of different diameter. The 15 N bioassay has been developed to test for nitrogen demand by plants, w

One of the major challenges in the fields of computer vision and computer graphics is the construction and representation of life-like virtual 3D scenarios within a computer. The VISIRE project attempts to reconstruct photo-realistic 3D models of large scenarios using as input multiple freehand video sequences, while rendering the technology accessible to the non-expert. VISIRE is application orie

The focus of this paper will be engineering students’ experiences of their 2nd, 3rd and 4th years of their program. In 1999 the implementation of the CDIO curriculum started and in 2002 the first project based course, which was compliant with the CDIO philosophy, was introduced during the 1st and 3rd study year. Results are based on responses from three questionnaires given to all registered stude

Background. Autologous dermal fibroblasts may be useful in the treatment of skin wounds and for the enhancement of keratinocyte proliferation. This paper addressed the following questions: (1) can cultured fibroblasts (CF) be transplanted as suspensions to full-thickness skin wounds and do they influence wound healing; (2) will the transplanted CF be integrated into the new dermis; (3) can a trans

The popularity of Norwegian first names 1880-2000 can be studied thanks to official Norwegian statistics. The most common curve shows a fast rise and slow fall, which can be approximated by a mathematical gamma function. The curve presumably reflects the parents' changing enthusiasm for at particular name.

The effects of an electrostatic precipitator and a flue gas condenser on size resolved fly ash particle concentration and composition were studied in a 6 MW biomass combustion unit, fired with moist forest residue. The boiler was of moving grate type. The fly ash particles were sampled upstream and downstream of the electrostatic precipitator and flue gas condenser, respectively. Fine particle num

We suggest a physical picture of the catalytic act combining together the energy transfer and the synchronisation of the best electron density in the reactant and active site as a consecutive sequence of events. Activity and selectivity at molecular level are defined. Geometry requirements seem to be linked to energy and time requirements. Our proposal for developing new catalysts at the molecular

it can let the committee members vote on each sub-question and then use the outcomes as premises for its conclusion on the main issue (premise based-procedure, pbp), or it can let the members directly vote on the conclusion (conclusion-based procedure, cbp). The procedures can lead to different results, but which of them is a better truth-tracker? On the basis of Condorcet's jury theorem, we show

Purpose - Aims to present general concepts and framework for increasing the flexibility in robotic arc welding with respect to use of sensors and small series production. Design/methodology/approach - Presents a conceptual model with a framework that integrates existing tools and needed developments and research to increase the usefulness of sensors in robotic arc welding. The conceptual model is

The hyperfine structures of Be-7,9(-) 2s2p(2) P-4(1/2,3/2,5/2) are investigated theoretically using the multiconfiguration Hartree-Fock and configuration interaction methods. The effects of the hyperfine mixing between the fine-structure J-levels are discussed. The feasibility of some atomic spectroscopy experiments, allowing determination of the Be-7 quadrupole moment from the observed hyperfine

A major issue in the care of terminally ill patients is communication and information provision. This paper reports the extent to which physicians in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland discuss topics relevant to end of life care with terminally ill patients and their relatives (without first informing the patient), and possible associations between physicia

OBJECTIVE—To examine the effects of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-4) inhibition on meal-related β-cell function and insulin sensitivity over 52 weeks in type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—In a 12-week core study, placebo (n = 51) or vildagliptin (n = 56; 50 mg OD) was added to metformin treatment (1.5–3.0 mg/day). A 40-week extension followed in 71 patients. Meal tests were performed at

We report on the first time-resolved small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) study of the structural relaxation from a shear-induced aligned state back to the isotropic state in a system of giant wormlike reverse micelles. The micelles are formed by lecithin and small amounts of water in cyclohexane. A liquid sample with the micellar volume fraction phi = 0.3 was exposed to a steady shear of (gamma)

Stimulation of endogenous kinin receptors promotes growth of androgen-independent prostate cancer PC3 cells via activation of the mitogenic extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. In the present study, we show that kinin-mediated mitogenic signalling and prostate-cell growth involves two subtypes of bradykinin (BK) receptors, B1R and B2R. Specific stimulation of either B1R or B2R by t

As most adults will marry at least once during their lifetime, studying marital quality and its predictors is of great importance. The current study addresses (a) the extent of agreement between husbands and wives on their marital quality, (b) genetic and environmental sources of individual differences on spouse reports of marital quality, and (c) the extent to which genetic and environmental infl

Two new alpha-pyrone derivatives, xylarone (1) and 8,9-dehydroxylarone (2) possessing cytotoxic activities, were isolated from the culture fluid of submerged cultures of the ascomycete Xylaria hypoxylon, strain A27-94. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.