The damping ratio is a key performance measure in systems that can be modelled as networks of masses and springs. We derive a lower bound on this quantity that applies to such networks when the masses are subject to viscous damping. The result allows the size of the damping ratio to be understood as a function of the system parameters. We use this to derive a decentralised criterion which, if sati

An efficient synthetic route to the mono-endo-6- and bis-endo,endo-6,12-N,N-diethylcarbamoyl derivatives of Tröger’s base (TB), endo-7 and endo-8, is reported. Studies of reaction time, proton source, and additive allowed establishment of optimized conditions for the conversion of exo-7 into the corresponding isomer endo-7. With a longer reaction time, the exo,exo-6,12 bis-carbamoyl derivative exo

We present a young male patient with breast cancer having several risk factors likely acting in consort: irradiation of the breast for gynecomastia in adolescence and a life-long administration of phenothiazine for schizophrenia from the age of 16 years, with elevated serum prolactin level resulting in breast cancer development 24 years after irradiation.

We study the problem of determining the Boolean product of two n × n Boolean matrices in an unconventional computational model allowing for mechanical operations. We show that O(n2 ) operations are sufficient to compute the product in this model.

Giant Cell Tumour of Bone (GCTB) is a rare bone tumour. Locally aggressive and recurrent, it might evolve into pulmonary metastases. Our present work is aimed at investigating the involvement of the epidermal growth factor receptor (ErbB) family and its downstream effectors in the development and recurrence of GCTB. For this purpose, we used a cohort of 32 GCTB patients and we evaluated the clinic

Objective: To describe the clinical and ultrasound characteristics of urinary bladder malignancies diagnosed on transvaginal ultrasound in women presenting with suspected gynecological problems. Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective study of women with a histological diagnosis of urinary bladder malignancy that was suspected on transvaginal ultrasound examination. The cases were collected

This study focuses on the experiences of tenants in renovation projects of public housing rental apartments in Sweden. Tenants’ perspectives are under-researched in the context of energy efficiency renovation projects, which is a considerable oversight given the many ways in which such projects impact their lives. The aim of the paper is to reveal rare qualitative insights into tenants’ experience

Genomic instability is a characteristic of a majority of human malignancies. Chromosomal instability is a common form of genomic instability that can be caused by defects in mitotic checkpoint genes. Chromosomal aberrations in peripheral blood are also indicative of genotoxic exposure and potential cancer risk. We evaluated associations between inherited genetic variants in 33 mitotic checkpoint g

Fan worms (Annelida: Sabellidae) possess compound eyes and other photoreceptors on their radiolar feeding tentacles. These eyes putatively serve as an alarm system that alerts the worm to encroaching threats, eliciting a rapid defensive retraction into their protective tube. The structure and independent evolutionary derivation of these radiolar eyes make them a fascinating target for exploring th

AIM: Schizophrenia is associated with high cardiovascular mortality predominantly as a result of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The aim of this study is to analyze time trends of coronary procedures, guideline-based therapy, and all-cause mortality in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia.METHODS AND RESULTS: This Danish nationwide register-based study analyzed 734 patients with a baseline diagnos

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), causing Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19), emerged at the end of 2019 and quickly spread to cause a global pandemic with severe socio-economic consequences. The early sequencing of its RNA genome revealed its high similarity to SARS, likely to have originated from bats. The SARS-CoV-2 non-structural protein 10 (nsp10) displays high sequ

The current threats of climate change are driving attention away from the petrochemical industry towards more sustainable and bio‐based production processes for fuels and speciality chemicals. These processes require suitable low‐cost starting material. One potential material assessed here is the oat hull. Its overall chemical composition has so far not been fully characterized. Furthermore, it is

The parameters necessary for the reliable design of PEEK gears were determined. The effect of a steel gear's surface on the polymer gear's wear was investigated. Values for the wear coefficient of a steel/PEEK gear pair in dry and lubricated conditions are proposed. Testing showed that, on average, grease lubrication extends the lifespan of PEEK gears by a factor of 1.23, while the additional trea

Beliefs, expectations and values are often assumed to drive decisions about climate change adaptation. We tested hypotheses based on this assumption using survey responses from 508 European forest professionals in 10 countries. We used the survey results to identify communication needs and the decision strategies at play, and to develop guidelines on adequate communications about climate change adBeliefs, expectations and values are often assumed to drive decisions about climate change adaptation. We tested hypotheses based on this assumption using survey responses from 508 European forest professionals in 10 countries. We used the survey results to identify communication needs and the decision strategies at play, and to develop guidelines on adequate communications about climate change ad

ABSTRACT Increased competition in the global market has forced companies to diversify their product ranges to meet the customers? changing needs and adopt product development strategies for mass customization or even one-of-a-kind production, which inevitably requires designing modular products. Product modularity is achieved via platform-based systems, in which various combinations of different m

The advent of microfluidics in the 1990s promised a revolution in multiple industries from healthcare to chemical processing. Deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) is a continuous-flow microfluidic particle separation method discovered in 2004 that has been applied successfully and widely to the separation of blood cells, yeast, spores, bacteria, viruses, DNA, droplets, and more. Deterministic

BACKGROUND: The ubiquitously expressed dipeptidyl peptidase 3 (DPP3) is involved in protein metabolism, blood pressure regulation, and pain modulation. These diverse functions of DPP3 are attributed to the degradation of bioactive peptides like angiotensin II. However, because of limitations in currently available assays for determination of active DPP3 in plasma, the exact physiological function