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Depending on the maximum amplitude of externally applied cyclic electric fields, ferroelectric ceramics show minor or major hysteresis. The materials also show asymmetric butterfly hysteresis in a prepoled material. Aiming at capturing these behaviour in a phenomenological constitutive model, a multi-surface modelling approach for ferroelectrics is introduced. In this paper, with the note on the m

Nonparametric efficiency analysis has become a widely applied technique to support industrial benchmarking as well as a variety of incentive-based regulation policies. In practice such exercises are often plagued by incomplete knowledge about the correct specifications of inputs and outputs. Simar and Wilson (Commun Stat Simul Comput 30(1):159–184, 2001) and Schubert and Simar (J Prod Anal 36(1):5

In this work we present the quasi-steady state simulation of a regenerative organic Rankine cycle (ORC) integrated in a passenger vessel, over a standard round trip. The study case is the M/S Birka Stockholm cruise ship, which covers a daily route between Stockholm (Sweden) and Mariehamn (Finland). Experimental data of the exhaust gas temperatures, engine loads, and electricity demand on board wer

Mental health problems affect the patients and their families, who may also need therapeutic interventions. Mindfulness interventions have shown beneficial health effects for clinical and healthy populations. A web-based mindfulness intervention was tailored to address families' needs of support and tested in a pilot intervention study. The aim of this study was to explore the participants' experi

Elements of the Ordovician conodont genus Protopanderodus have been investigated in order to provide a model of reconstruction for its oral apparatus. In total, 4202 elements from the five named species representing this genus in the Swedish Middle Ordovician are included in this study; P. rectus, P. parvibasis, P. graeai, P. robustus, and P. calceatus. The well-preserved specimens were studied in

Neural transplantation is over a century old, but the modern era encompasses only the last 30-40 years. For most of this time period, research has focused on reversing disability engendered by neurologic disease and brain damage. Only recently was it recognized that the underlying neurological disease itself might negatively impact the grafted neurons. We have found that a subset of neurons within

A power-series expansion method for rigorous analysis of the guided modes in a cylindrical, radially inhomogeneous, dielectric waveguide is presented. The method is developed for an arbitrary piece-wise polynomial permittivity profile. The field solutions of the inhomogeneous core are constructed by a sequence of power-series expansions. Convergence is ensured and accuracy maintained by regulating

Radiative lifetimes for the levels of the 3s(2)3p(2)4p configuration in neutral phosphorus have been determined experimentally for the first time and also theoretically. Experiments were performed by using two-photon UV laser excitation and subsequent fluorescence detection in a laser-produced plasma. In relativistic Hartree-Fock calculations, the Cowan code extended to 42 configurations was used.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate safe orthotopic transplantation of porcine donor hearts harvested 24 hours after brain death and preserved for 24 hours before transplantation.

Segmental defects of long bones are notoriously difficult to treat. This study evaluates eight cases in which the Masquelet technique of induced membranes was used. The primary purpose was to assess the results compared to other types of bone reconstruction and share our tips and tricks to improve the outcome.

A prototype to a water-cooled applicator to be used in transurethral laser-induced thermotherapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia was developed. The flexible applicator was made of Teflon(TM) tubes except for the distal outer part which was made of glass, providing a transparent medium for laser radiation and enabling efficient cooling of the surrounding tissue. For heating, laser light from a Nd:Y

Background/aim: People with profound cognitive disabilities are not expected to learn powered mobility use. The Driving to Learn project focussed on what this population could achieve from practising in a joystick-operated powered wheelchair. By means of using grounded theory methodology an eight-phase process 'growing consciousness of joystick-use' was identified. In addition, a tool for assessme

Objectives. BMD in the hand, as evaluated by digital X-ray radiogrammetry (DXR), has been suggested to be a predictor for joint damage in RA. A predictor for long-term prognosis might also predict increased mortality in RA. The aim of the present study was to evaluate BMD in the hand as a predictor for all-cause mortality. Methods. In 1978, 152 consecutive patients (78% women, mean disease duratio

Two-tone frequency modulation spectroscopy (TTFMS) is applied to the determination of water activity using an 820-nm GaAlAs diode laser. By measuring the relative light absorption of water vapor over a solution and over a pure water reference, the water activity in the solution is determined. Fast, nonintrusive, and selective measurements are demonstrated. The detection limit for measuring a relat

The function of the immune system requires coordinated expression and action of many genes and proteins. With the emergence of high throughput technologies it has become possible to target human immunity from a systems biology point of view. To perform systems biology studies with comparable results we need not just a reference gene and protein set but also useful and descriptive reference categor

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Previous reports concerning sex-related differences in stroke management and outcome are inconsistent and are sometimes difficult to interpret. We used data from a national stroke register to further explore possible differences between men and women in baseline characteristics, stroke treatment, and outcome. METHODS: This study included 24 633 stroke events registered in R