Electrostrictive polyurethane (PU) elastomers belong to the class of materials commonly referred to as electroactive polymers (EAP). These materials have their use in a variety of applications, including biomimetics and microrobotics where traditional engineering components may fall short. PU is one of the materials considered for so called dielectric actuators, where the electromechanical respons

BACKGROUND: Injuries are second to cardiovascular diseases, the main cause of hospital care in Sweden. The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between medication with psychotropic drugs and injuries from two types of accidents, i.e. falling accidents and transportation accidents, respectively, in the whole population aged ≥18 years in the county of Scania, Sweden. METHODS:

Natural radiative lifetimes have been measured for three odd-parity levels of neutral lead using time-resolved UV laser-induced fluorescence from a laser-produced plasma. These new lifetimes, as well as additional recent values obtained by laser spectroscopy, combined with theoretical branching ratios deduced from a relativistic Hartree-Fock calculation taking core polarization effects into accoun

Two major high-penetrance breast cancer genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, are responsible for approximately 20% of hereditary breast cancer (HBC) cases in Finland. Additionally, rare mutations in several other genes that interact with BRCA1 and BRCA2 increase the risk of HBC. Still, a majority of HBC cases remain unexplained which is challenging for genetic counseling. We aimed to analyze additional mutatio

Gene fusions have been described in approximately one-third of soft tissue tumors (STT); of the 142 different fusions that have been reported, more than half are recurrent in the same histologic subtype. These gene fusions constitute pivotal driver mutations, and detailed studies of their cellular effects have provided important knowledge about pathogenetic mechanisms in STT. Furthermore, most fus

PURPOSE: The development of tumor-specific markers to select targeted therapies and to assess clinical outcome remains a significant area of unmet need. We evaluated the association of baseline circulating tumor cell (CTC) number with clinical characteristics and survival in patients with castrate metastatic disease considered for different hormonal and cytotoxic therapies. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: CT

As robot control systems are traditionally closed, it is difficult to add supplementary intelligence. Accordingly, as based on a new notion of user views, a layered system architecture is proposed. Bearing in mind such industrial demands as computing efficiency and simple factory-floor operation, the control layers are parameterized by means of functional operators consisting of pieces of compiled

The cognitive- and neuro-sciences have supposed that the perceptual world of the individual is dominated by vision, followed closely by audition, but that olfaction is merely vestigial. Aslian-speaking communities (Austroasiatic, Malay Peninsula) challenge this view. For the Jahai — a small group of rainforest foragers — odor plays a central role in both culture and language. Jahai ideology revolv

This paper reviews friction phenomena and friction models of interest for automatic control. Particular emphasis is given to two recently developed dynamic friction models, the Bliman-Sorine model and the LuGre model. These models capture many frictional phenomena observed in laboratory experiments. The behaviors of the models in different situations are discussed in detail. Methods for friction c

ObjectivesThe aims of the study were to investigate the prevalence of impaired sensation after minor salivary gland biopsy (MSGB) in two Swedish centres [Karolinska University Hospital (KUH) and Skåne University Hospital (SUH)] and to assess its impact on quality of life (QoL) and associated risk factors.MethodA questionnaire including questions regarding the presence of impaired sensation, impact

Background: The outcome in patients after surgery for acute type A aortic dissection without replacement of the part of the aorta containing the primary tear is undefined. Methods: Data of 1122 patients who underwent surgery for acute type A aortic dissection in 8 Nordic centers from January 2005 to December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients with primary tear location unfound, unkno