Production of cell-laden hydrogel droplets as miniaturized niches for 3D cell culture provides a new route for cell-based assays. Such production can be enabled by droplet microfluidics and here we present a droplet trapping system based on bulk acoustic waves for handling hydrogel droplets in a continuous flow format. The droplet trapping system consists of a glass capillary equipped with a small

We show that the permanent of an n × n matrix over any finite ring of r ≤ n elements can be computed with a deterministic 2n−Ω(nr ) time algorithm. This improves on a Las Vegas algorithm running in expected 2n−Ω(n/(r log r)) time, implicit in [Björklund, Husfeldt, and Lyckberg, IPL 2017]. For the permanent over the integers of a 0/1-matrix with exactly d ones per row and column, we provide a deter

We consider the problem of finding solutions to systems of polynomial equations over a finite field. Lokshtanov et al. [SODA'17] recently obtained the first worst-case algorithms that beat exhaustive search for this problem. In particular for degree-d equations modulo two in n variables, they gave an O∗2(1−1/(5d))n time algorithm, and for the special case d = 2 they gave an O∗20.876n time algorith

Cortico-basal ganglia circuits are thought to play a crucial role in the selection and control of motor behaviors and have also been implicated in the processing of motivational content and in higher cognitive functions. During the last two decades, electrophysiological recordings in basal ganglia circuits have shown that several disease conditions are associated with specific changes in the tempo

AIMS: Raised blood pressure (BP) is the biggest contributor to mortality and disease burden worldwide and fewer than half of those with hypertension are aware of it. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global campaign set up in 2017, to raise awareness of high BP and as a pragmatic solution to a lack of formal screening worldwide. The 2018 campaign was expanded, aiming to include more participants an

Stars formed in clusters can encounter other stars at close distances. In typical open clusters in the Solar neighbourhood containing hundreds or thousands of member stars, 10-20 per cent of Solar-mass member stars are expected to encounter another star at distances closer than 100 au. These close encounters strongly perturb the planetary systems, directly causing ejection of planets or their capt

BACKGROUND: EndoVAC hybrid therapy for infected femoral artery reconstructions consists of endovascular relining with a stent graft, surgical debridement and vacuum-assisted wound closure (VAC), and may be considered as a bailout procedure. The aim of this study was to analyze differences in risk factors of patients receiving EndoVAC compared to standard VAC therapy for perivascular infected femor

Streptococcus pyogenes infects over 700 million people worldwide annually. Immune evasion strategies employed by the bacteria include binding of the complement inhibitors, C4b-binding protein (C4BP) and Factor H in a human-specific manner. We recently showed that human IgG increased C4BP binding to the bacterial surface, which promoted streptococcal immune evasion and increased mortality in mice.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of general and back pain in children with cerebral palsy and the relationships between scoliosis and back pain. Methods: Cross-sectional register study based on data from the Swedish Cerebral Palsy Follow-Up Programme. Descriptive analyses and logistic regression to regress age, sex, gross motor function, windswept, hip extension and source of report on the prese

Carbon pricing, including carbon taxes and emissions trading, has been adopted by different kinds of polities worldwide. Yet, beyond the increasing adoption over time, little is known about what polities–countries as well as sub- and supranational entities–adopt carbon pricing and why. This paper explores patterns of adoption (both implemented policies and those scheduled to be) through cluster an

The common human pathogen Group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes superficial as well as invasive, life-threatening diseases. An increase in the occurrence of invasive GAS infection by strains of the M1 and M89 serotypes has been correlated with increased expression of the genetically and functionally linked virulence factors streptolysin O (SLO) and β-NAD+-glycohydrolase (NADase). NADase affects host

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) as primary treatment for aplastic anemia (AA) is being increasingly used. Yet, age, stem cell source, and donor type are important outcome factors. We have recently performed a nationwide cohort study of all patients with AA in Sweden diagnosed from 2000 to 2011 and now present outcome data on SCT patients. In total, 68 patients underwent SCT, and 63% of

The brain tissue has only a limited capacity for generating new neurons. Therefore, to treat neurological diseases, there is a need of other cell sources for brain repair. Different sources of cells have been subject of intense research over the years, including cells from primary tissue, stem cell-derived cells and reprogrammed cells. As an alternative, direct reprogramming of resident brain cell

Second-generation fuel ethanol is typically researched using one type of raw material as feedstock. However, the variability in the supply and quality of biomass calls for an expansion of the feedstock base to ensure sufficient supply for commercial-scale production. By expanding the feedstock base and using mixtures in the conversion process, the biomass supply can be improved and associated econ

Calculations of excited-state potential energy surfaces (PESs) are useful to predict key properties relating to the deactivation cascade of transition-metal complexes. Here, we first perform full free optimizations of the relevant excited-state minima, followed by extensive two-dimensional PES calculations based on the minima of interest. Maps of the lowest triplet excited-state surfaces of two bi