Biofilm formation by Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) in model systems mimicking the respiratory tract is poorly documented. Most studies have been conducted on abiotic surfaces, which poorly represent human tissues. We have previously shown that GAS forms mature and antibiotic-resistant biofilms on physiologically relevant epithelial cells. However, the role of the substratum, extracellular matrix (E

In this study, the photoelectrochemical behavior of electrodeposited FeNiOOH/Fe2O3/graphene nanohybrid electrodes is investigated, which has precisely controlled structure and composition. The photoelectrode assembly is designed in a bioinspired manner where each component has its own function: Fe2O3 is responsible for the absorption of light, the graphene framework for proper charge carrier trans

How predators select on conspicuous prey traits is not well understood. We used a laboratory setup to investigate the role of learning in predator choice of conspicuous visual traits. We used a generalist predator, the great tit, and coloured wings of males of two species of damselflies as prey. Wing pigmentation differs between the species in colour (green vs. blue) and size (large vs. small). Wi

Public procurement is widely used in order to incorporate competition into public services. Competition in procurement often leads to efficiency but the process can also raise some problems. While providing the procurement documents you do not know who will be your upcoming partner. Another aspect is how flexibility can be managed in contract design while maintaining a high service quality. The ai

In high-income countries, parental age at first birth has increased and this postponement increases the risk of involuntary childlessness or having fewer children than desired. This interview study was conducted in Denmark and Sweden among childless men (n = 29) in their last year of an education. The aim was to explore the role of individual and societal factors on fertility decision-making and m

In this work, compliant mechanisms are designed by using multi-objective topology optimization, where maximization of the output displacement and minimization of the strain are considered simultaneously. To quantify the strain, we consider typical measures of strain, which are based on the p-norm, and a new class of strain quantifying functions, which are based on the variance of the strain. The t

Efficient mitigation of power amplifier (PA) nonlinear distortion in multi-user hybrid precoding based broadband mmWave systems is an open research problem. In this article, we carry out detailed signal and distortion modeling in broadband multi-user hybrid MIMO systems, with a bank of nonlinear PAs in each subarray, while also take the inevitable crosstalk between the antenna/PA branches into acc

The aim was to explore informal carers’ perceptions of supporting the everyday life of a relative who has a psychiatric disability and resides in supported housing (SH). A qualitative study based on interviews with 12 informal carers was performed, and the data was analyzed with qualitative content analysis. The theme “Navigating in a misty landscape when striving to support a relative with a psyc

Grasslands are among the most threatened terrestrial biomes, and habitat conservation alone will be insufficient to meet biodiversity goals. While restoration of indigenous grasslands is a priority, conflict with economic objectives means that incorporation of alternative habitats is necessary to offset grassland loss. With up to 800,000 km2 of land affected by mining globally, there is an opportu

Introduction: Dilute Russell viper venom time (dRVVT) assays can be affected by direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), which may cause false-positive results. However, there are conflicting results indicating significant differences between different reagents and DOACs. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of DOACs on dRVVT assays. Material and Methods: Samples were prepared by adding DOAC (dabigatran,

Several species of migratory swifts breed in the Western Palearctic, but they differ in reproductive traits and nonbreeding areas explored in Africa. We examined survival and recapture probabilities of two species of swifts by capture–mark–recapture data collected in northern Italy (Pallid Swift Apus pallidus in Carmagnola, Turin, and Common Swift Apus apus in Guiglia, Modena) in the breeding seas

Purpose: To characterize pre- and perioperative factors associated with treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) after cataract surgery. Methods: This register-based cohort study with data from the Swedish National Cataract Register (NCR) and the Swedish Macula Register (SMR) from 2010 to 2017 compared eyes with and without preoperative AMD that had undergone cataract surgery a

The evaluation of simulated disasters (for example, exercises) and real responses are important activities. However, little attention has been paid to how reports documenting such events should be written. A key issue is how to make them as useful as possible to professionals working in disaster risk management. Here, we focus on three aspects of a written evaluation: how the object of the evaluat

Smart vehicles are emerging as a possible solution for multiple concerns in road traffic, such as mobility and safety. This work presents radio localization methods based on simultaneous direction of arrival (DOA), time-delay, and range estimation using the SAGE algorithm. The proposed methods do not rely on external sources of information, such as global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). The p

Background: The lack of access to essential surgical care in low-income countries is aggravated by emigration of locally-trained surgical specialists to more affluent regions. Yet, the global diaspora of surgeons, obstetricians, and anesthesiologists from low-income and middle-income countries has never been fully described and compared with those who have remained in their country of origin. It i

Objective: This study aims to test a Chinese cross-cultural adaptation of the English version of the Person-Centred Care Assessment Tool (P-CAT)and evaluate its psychometric properties. Design: P-CAT was translated/back-translated using established procedures before the psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version was made. Setting: Two hospitals covering urban and suburban areas of Kunming in tOBJECTIVE: This study aims to test a Chinese cross-cultural adaptation of the English version of the Person-Centred Care Assessment Tool (P-CAT) and evaluate its psychometric properties.DESIGN: P-CAT was translated/back-translated using established procedures before the psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version was made.SETTING: Two hospitals covering urban and suburban areas of Kunming in th

Introduction: Chronic breathlessness is associated with poorer quality of life (QoL). This population study aimed to define dimensions of QoL and duration and dominant causes of breathlessness that most diminished QoL. Methods: This cross-sectional, population-based, and randomized survey of adults (n = 2977) in South Australia collected data on demographics, modified Medical Research Council (mMR

The search for mates and food is mediated by volatile chemicals. Insects sense food odorants and sex pheromones through odorant receptors (ORs) and pheromone receptors (PRs), which are expressed in olfactory sensory neurons. Molecular phylogenetics of ORs, informed by behavioral and functional data, generates sound hypotheses for the identification of semiochemicals driving olfactory behavior. Stu

Background: ECG changes after revascularization predicts improved outcome for patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Worst lead residual (WLR) ST deviation and resolution of worst lead ST elevation (rST elevation) are simple measures that can be obtained early after PCI. The objective of the current study was to investigate whether simple ECG measures, obtained one hour followin