Electroactive polymers with time-dependent behavior are considered in the present paper by way of a new physics-based micromechanical model; such viscoelastic response is described by the internal evolution of the polymer network, providing a new viewpoint on the stress relaxation occurring in elastomers. The main peculiarity of such internally rearranging materials is their capacity to locally re

Objectives Poisoning is a frequent cause of admission to the emergency department (ED) and may involve drugs known to prolong the QT interval. This study aims to describe the prevalence of QTc prolongation among ED patients with suspected poisoning and to calculate the absolute and relative risk of mortality or cardiac arrest associated with a prolonged QTc interval. Methods We performed a registe

Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are common Gram-negative pathogens associated with an array of pulmonary diseases. All three species have multiple adhesins in their outer membrane, i.e. surface structures that confer the ability to bind to surrounding cells, proteins or tissues. This mini-review focuses on proteins with high affinity for the components of t

The theory of quantum thermodynamics predicts fundamental bounds on work extraction from quantum states. As these bounds are derived in a very general and abstract setting, it is unclear how relevant they are in an experimental context, where control is typically limited. Here we address this question by showing that optimal work extraction is possible for a realistic engine. The latter consists o

We devise an algorithm that approximately computes the number of paths of length k in a given directed graph with n vertices up to a multiplicative error of 1 ± . Our algorithm runs in time −24k(n + m) poly(k). The algorithm is based on associating with each vertex an element in the exterior (or, Grassmann) algebra, called an extensor, and then performing computations in this algebra. This connect

Purpose: This study aims to identify antecedents to noncompliance behavior influenced by decision contexts where investments in time, effort and resources are devoted to a task – referred to as a task unlikely to be completed without violating the organization’s information security policy (ISP). Design/methodology/approach: An empirical test of the suggested relationships in the proposed model wa

Many ships today rely on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), for their navigation, where GPS (Global Positioning System) is the most well-known. Unfortunately, the GNSS systems make the ships dependent on external systems, which can be malfunctioning, be jammed or be spoofed. There is today some proposed techniques where, e.g., bottom depth measurements are compared with known maps using B

Objective: To monitor longitudinal changes of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in synovial fluid (sf) and serum (s) over 5 years after acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, and to compare results from two commercial COMP immunoassays. Design: Bio-fluids were collected from 121 patients on six occasions over 5 years after acute ACL injury, and from 25 knee healthy reference subj

Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Introduction: The shape-texture-identification (STI) test (Össur Nordic AB, Sweden) is used to evaluate one aspect of tactile gnosis in nerve disorders, and it has proven good methodological properties. Purpose of the Study: A new version of the STI test was recently introduced—STI2 (www.sensory-test.com). The purpose of this study was to test the concurrent va

Background: Residual tumor volume (RTV) and extent of resection (EOR) have previously been shown to affect survival in glioblastoma (GB) patients. Quantitative radiological assessment (QRA) of these factors could potentially affect clinical decision-making in the postoperative period. Purpose: The first aim was to evaluate the reproducibility of different volume estimation methods of RTV and EOR b

The purpose of the paper is to analyse informal collaboration in the public transport sector. Two Swedish case studies, Living lab Uddevalla and Guidelines for Regional BRT are analysed and compared concerning what kind of learning occurred and what lessons regarding informal collaboration to draw from the two cases. For both cases the analysis indicates that individual, single loop learning is th

Symptom-free bacterial colonization of the lower urinary tract in an otherwise healthy individual was long misunderstood. Our current understanding is based on solid research proving that asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) is harmless and even protective against symptomatic urinary tract infection episodes. Thus, ABU should not be treated in patients with the exception of before endosurgery and, until

Laminin α2 chain-deficient muscular dystrophy, or LAMA2-CMD, is a very severe disease caused by mutations in the LAMA2 gene. Skeletal muscle is the most affected tissue, with patients presenting symptoms such as hypotonia at birth, joint contractures and progressive muscle wasting. Changes in the central nervous system include white matter abnormalities, delayed motor milestones and compromised ac

Energy intensive industries (EIIs), producing the basic materials and products needed in society, contribute significantly to global emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Motivated by the fear of carbon leakage, climate policy has so far treated the EIIs leniently with e.g. low carbon prices and/or free allocation of emission allowances. This has not resulted in more than marginal emission abatemeEnergy intensive industries (EIIs), producing the basic materials and products needed in society, contributesignificantly to global emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Motivated by the fear of carbon leakage, climatepolicy has so far treated the EIIs leniently with e.g. low carbon prices and/or free allocation of emissionallowances. This has not resulted in more than marginal emission abatement.

We introduce a memory model for robots that can account for many aspects of an inner world, ranging from object permanence, episodic memory, and planning to imagination and reveries. It is modeled after neurophysiological data and includes parts of the cerebral cortex together with models of arousal systems that are relevant for consciousness. The three central components are an identification net

The need to decrease emissions from the transport sector is getting urgent and public transport can play an important role in the transition to low emission fuels. To a large extent, public transport in Europe is provided by regional authorities who controls the traffic to a varying degree, from complete public monopoly to competitive tendering. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to analyse how t