A 2 MV Van de Graaff accelerator as a tool for planetary and impact physics research.

Investigating the dynamical and physical properties of cosmic dust can reveal a great deal of information about both the dust and its many sources. Over recent years, several spacecraft (e.g.

[Does morphine have a life-shortening effect?].

Morphine is a standard medication in pain therapy; opioids are grouped in step two and three of the WHO analgesic ladder. In palliative medicine, morphine is the preferred drug and is used for alleviating pain and reducing anxiety. When dosed correctly, a life-shortening effect can be definitely excluded today.

[Early recognition of brain death--a contribution to organ explantation].

The criteria for brain death are presented and reference is made to the legally required observation period. To shorten the observation period, the Federal Medical Council (Bundesärztekammer) set out in 1986 possible aids to making decisions. The time at which extensive additional investigations should start makes it necessary to approximately determine the moment of brain death.

Interactions of liposomes with human erythrocyte ghosts.

Interactions between human erythrocyte ghosts and small unilamellar vesicles consisting of various lipids and containing high intravesicular concentrations of calcein were studied. The entrapped marker leaked out under the influence of erythrocyte ghost in dependence on ghost and vesicle concentration, phospholipid composition as well as cholesterol content of the liposomes. Small unilamellar vesicles composed of sphingomyelin/cholesterol mixtures at a molar ratio of 1:1 are less permeable than those prepared from other phospholipids in the presence of erythrocyte ghosts.

[Conflicting decisions in the border zone of dying and death].

Due to the success of reanimation, intensive medicine and organ transplants, new decision criteria and situations in medical care have arisen which can be determined legally and ethically, but without sufficiently considering related traditional human behavior. A particular aspect, the determination of brain death in connection with organ transplants, requires a further and better clarification. The current stage of dialogue is critically examined and recommendations for medical care and decisions are given.