In the ActivAbles and STARR projects we are developing interactive training tools for stroke survivors. Our initial user studies pointed to balance being a key ability, therefore one of the developed tools is an interactive balance pad. Equipment exists for persons with good balance (eg. Wii), but most consumer games and exercises are less suited for many stroke survivors. The development process

We enrolled 427 human immunodeficiency virus-infected children (median age, 7.3 years), 59.2% severely immunodeficient, with suspected tuberculosis in Southeast Asian and African settings. Nontuberculous mycobacteria were isolated in 46 children (10.8%); 45.7% of isolates were Mycobacterium avium complex. Southeast Asian origin, age 5-9 years, and severe immunodeficiency were independently associa

Measurement of forces exerted by a human hand while performing common gestures is a highly valuable task for assessment of neurorehabilitation and neurological disorders, but also, for control of movement that could be directly transferred to assistive devices. Even though accurate and selective multi-joint measurement of hand forces is desirable in both clinical and research applications there is

It is well established that thyroid hormones are required for cardiovascular functions; however, the molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood, especially the individual contributions of genomic and non-genomic signalling pathways. In this study, we dissected how thyroid hormones modulate aortic contractility. To test the immediate effects of thyroid hormones on vasocontractility, we use

Pressure-driven membrane processes are often used for the separation and purification of organic compounds originating from biomass. However, membrane fouling remains a challenge as these bio-based streams have a very complex composition and comprise a high fouling tendency. Conventional, the fouling is monitored based on either a decrease in flux or an increase in pressure over time. Those conven

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Dementia and cognitive impairment are common in nursing homes. Few studies have studied the impact of unnoted cognitive impairment on medical care. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of diagnostic failure of cognitive impairment in a sample of Swedish nursing home residents and to analyze whether diagnostic failure was associated with impaired medical care.METHOD: A

It is well recognized that the capacity of soils to sequester carbon (C) is strongly influenced by nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) availability because of the strong stoichiometric links between these biogeochemical cycles. Human disturbance (e.g., deposition, fertilization, and mining), has, and continue to have, caused large imbalances between the biogeochemical cycles and changing nutrient avai

To keep global warming within 1.5 °C of pre-industrial levels, there needs to be a substantial decline in the use of coal power by 20301,2 and in most scenarios, complete cessation by 2050. The members of the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA), launched in 2017 at the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties, are committed to “phasing out existing unabated coal power generation and a moratorium on new coa

PURPOSE: NODDI (Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging) and DTI (Diffusion tensor imaging) may be useful in identifying abnormal regions in patients with MRI-negative refractory epilepsy. The aim of this study was to determine whether NODDI and DTI maps including neurite density (ND), orientation dispersion index (ODI), mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) can detect st

Europe is in the midst of a generational transformation that is as much rooted in a complex constellation of socio-economic crises, as it is the product of an ideological revolution, championed by the far-right, in which the Western Balkans, in particular, have become a veritable totem for real and imagined problems confronting the EU and “the West” more broadly.

The micro-mechanisms of fracture in a laminate composed of an aluminium foil and a polyethene film are considered. The laminate as well as the freestanding layers were fracture mechanically tested. Inspection of the broken cross-sections shows that fracture occurs through necking, i.e., localised plastic deformation leading to a decreasing and eventually vanishing cross-section. This occurs ahead The micro-mechanisms of fracture in a laminate composed of an aluminium foil and a polyethene film are considered. Thelaminate as well as the freestanding layers were fracture mechanically tested. Inspection of the broken cross-sections shows thatfracture occurs through necking, i.e., localised plastic deformation leading to a decreasing and eventually vanishing cross-section.This occurs ahead of

Background: There is paucity of data regarding the significance of high percentage of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) in healthy children and their impact on left ventricular (LV) function and the risk of ventricular arrhythmias. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of LV systolic dysfunction in children with frequent PVCs and determine whether PVC characteristics were

For patients living with chronic conditions, the daily life will change due to symptoms, drug treatment, and psychosocial factors caused by the disease. Our studies show that Swedish patients with PAH or CTEPH are satisfied with the information they have received, but still have a wish for more. Therefore, it is important to repeat the information on a regular basis and to make sure that patients

The number of the X chromosome–linked genes has been previously suggested to influence immune responses and the development of autoimmune diseases. In the present study, we aimed at evaluating the level of expression of CD40L (an X-linked gene involved in adaptive immunity) and TLR7 (an X-linked gene involved in innate immunity) in a variety of different karyotypes. Those included males, females a