The 2000–2006 achievements in the field of synthesis, property examination, and application of proton-exchange membranes are reviewed on the basis of more than 120 papers.

Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) is tyrosine-phosphorylated in response to insulin resulting in association with and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase), thereby initiating some of the effects of insulin. We have recently shown that the insulin-like effects of growth hormone (GH) in adipocytes can be inhibited by the selective PI 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin (Ridderstral

For large classes of vorticities we prove that a steady periodic gravity water wave with a monotonic profile between crests and troughs must be symmetric. The analysis uses sharp maximum principles for elliptic partial differential equations.

Nine spouses of people who had suffered from acute leukemia or highly malignant lymphoma were interviewed about their everyday life experiences throughout their partner's illness and treatment, and concerning their view of the professional care provided. The transcribed texts were subjected to phenomenological-hermeneutic analysis. The spouses felt they were in a situation of overall severe crisis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of a questionnaire and medical anamnesis to identify persons with dermatitis in an occupational setting. The design was a clinical epidemiological cross-sectional study. The study was performed between the second and fourth week of January 2001. A questionnaire was followed a week later by a medical occupational interview and a clinical dermatolog

Objectives: Regarding the recent attention to develop policies regarding the provision of clinical genetic testing services, access to, acceptance, utilisation and regulation of genetic services was investigated in selected European countries as well as one non-European country. Methods: Data were collected on the basis of relevant international reports and sources accessible via the internet, fro

This study was performed to investigate the glomerular permeability alterations responsible for the microalbuminuria occurring in endotoxemia and during anaphylactic shock. In anaesthetized Wistar rats, the left ureter was catheterized for urine collection, while simultaneously, blood access was achieved. Endotoxemia was induced by Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E. Coli, and glomerular permeability

Today, environmental issues play an important role in the viability of modern low-emission power plants. As a consequence, gas turbine combustors need to be operated at lean premixed conditions. However, successful designs require a detailed knowledge of the combustion process under realistic operating conditions. The present study focuses on nonreacting and reacting jets at operating pressures fr

Secretory granules of insulin-secreting cells are used to store and release peptide hormones as well as low-molecular-weight compounds such as nucleotides. Here we have compared the rate of exocytosis with the time courses of nucleotide and peptide release by a combination of capacitance measurements, electrophysiological detection of ATP release and single-granule imaging. We demonstrate that the

Nonstoichiometric CuOx/CeO2 nanocomposite particles have been synthesized by inert gas condensation (IGC) over the whole compositional range (2 to 98 at.% Cu). The composition influences greatly the formation of various nanostructures, such as core-shells. A wide range of techniques were used to characterize the catalysts: high-resolution TEM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, as well as high-e

The interaction between cytoskeletal filaments (e.g., actin filaments) and molecular motors (e.g., myosin) is the basis for many aspects of cell motility and organization of the cell interior. In the in vitro motility assay (IVMA), cytoskeletal filaments are observed while being propelled by molecular motors adsorbed to artificial surfaces (e.g., in studies of motor function). Here we integrate id

Relativistic heavy ions are copious sources of virtual photons. The large photon flux gives rise to a substantial photonuclear interaction probability at impact parameters where no hadronic interactions can occur. Multiple photonuclear interactions in a single collision are possible. In this Letter, we use mutual Coulomb excitation of both nuclei as a tag for moderate-impact-parameter collisions.

The GARCH model is misspecified if applied to returns calculated from discrete prices. We propose a modification of the above model for handling such cases. We find large differences between the standard and the extended model estimates, although the results sometimes are obscured by large standard errors.

One of the most important research interests in the field of organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs) is the development of new materials which can serve as light-absorbing electron donors and hole-conducting (p-type) semiconductors. In this context, 1,3-polyazulenes were synthesized chemically and electrochemically. Their spectroscopic and electrochemical properties are compared with those of the 1,3-

This paper discusses different design techniques for stated preference surveys in health economic applications. In particular, we focus on different design techniques, i.e. how to combine the attribute levels into alternatives and choice sets, for choice experiments. Design is a vital issue in choice experiments since the combination of alternatives in the choice sets will determine the degree of