Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) are generally designed to avoid negative differential conductivity (NDC) in the vicinity of the operation point in order to prevent instabilities. We demonstrate that the threshold condition is possible under an inhomogeneous distribution of the electric field (domains) and leads to lasing at an operation point with a voltage bias normally attributed to the NDC region

Highly oxygenated multifunctional compounds (HOMs) play a key role in new particle formation (NPF), but their quantitative roles in different environments of the globe have not been well studied yet. Frequent NPF events were observed at two flagship stations under different environmental conditions, i.e. a remote boreal forest site (SMEAR II) in Finland and a suburban site (SORPES) in polluted eas

Background: In order to save potable water, this study aims to evaluate the contamination of soil and Capsicum annuum L. (chilli) watered with urban wastewater (sewage) pre-treated by various wetland systems. Methods: The appropriateness of wetland outflow for irrigation when applying reused wastewater with high contamination of minerals and pathogens was assessed. The impact of wastewaters pre-tr

Despite of having no explicit shape model, multi-atlas approaches to image segmentation have proved to be a top-performer for several diverse datasets and imaging modalities. In this paper, we show how one can directly incorporate shape regularization into the multi-atlas framework. Unlike traditional multi-atlas methods, our proposed approach does not rely on label fusion on the voxel level. Inst

INTRODUCTION: Female sex hormones have vasorelaxing effects in non-pregnant and pregnant women. We aimed to investigate the effect of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for in vitro fertilization (IVF), and early pregnancy, on arterial stiffness as assessed by digital pulse wave analysis (DPA), hypothesizing reduced arterial stiffness as an effect of increased estrogen levels.MATERIAL AND M

By using detailed ownership data from Sweden, we investigate the factors associated with corporate investment decisions in family firms compared to nonfamily firms. We find that the family owner's portfolio diversification level is to some extent, and the use of dual-class share mechanism by the family owner is strongly, associated with reduced corporate investment. We further demonstrate where en

Most microalgal species are geographically widespread, but little is known about how they are dispersed. One potential mechanism for long-distance dispersal is through birds, which may transport cells internally (endozoochory) and deposit them during, or in-between, their migratory stopovers. We hypothesize that dinoflagellates, in particular resting stages, can tolerate bird digestion; that bird

The field of Empirical Software Engineering has undergone a much-needed expansion the last decade, and papers of all shapes and sizes are more or less mandated to have an "empirical" part to be published in premiere venues. The positive trend has researchers realizing the benefits, but also the investments needed, inherent to industry collaboration. That is, real practitioners, involved in the dev

The use of manufactured nanomaterials is rapidly increasing, while our understanding of the consequences of releasing these materials into the environment is still limited and many questions remain, for example, how do nanoparticles affect living organisms in the wild? How do organisms adapt and protect themselves from exposure to foreign materials? How does the environment affect the performance

Introduction: The aim was to assess cost-effectiveness of expanding the Swedish HPV-vaccination program to include preadolescent boys, by comparing health-effects and costs of HPV-related disease, with a sex-neutral vaccination program versus only vaccinating girls. Methods: We used a dynamic compartmental model to simulate the burden of HPV16/18-related disease in Sweden, accounting for indirect

Technology and knowledge have been recognized as main sources of competitive advantage of corporations, industries and nations, particularly in the software domain. They have led to the creation of local ecosystems devoted to development and transfer activities, which ensure not only personal and institutional motivation/recognition, but also social and economic gains. An open (ended) debate panel

Elements of traditional public behavior tend to fall precariously close to what in Western/Weberian terms are percieved as corrupt practices. More specifically, the paper focuses on a number of themes borrowed from our earlier works on corruption in India and Indonesia. To counter possible interpretations that developing countries are per se corrupt, we draw upon the anthropological ob- servations

Many important scientific questions in physics, chemistry and biology require effective methodologies to spectroscopically probeultrafast intra- and inter-atomic/molecular dynamics. However, current methods that extend into the femtosecond regime arecapable of only point measurements or single-snapshot visualizations and thus lack the capability to perform ultrafast spectroscopicvideography of dynMany important scientific questions in physics, chemistry and biology require effective methodologies to spectroscopically probe ultrafast intra- and inter-atomic/molecular dynamics. However, current methods that extend into the femtosecond regime are capable of only point measurements or single-snapshot visualizations and thus lack the capability to perform ultrafast spectroscopic videography of

A palliative cancer diagnosis in a parent has a major impact on many aspects of patients’ children. This article aims to explore how doctors and social workers met children as relatives of a parent with cancer in order to understand the possibilities and difficulties in supporting children in specialised palliative homecare in Sweden. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews of doctors and social w

INDEPENDENCE DAY is a furious and poetic performance that dissolves, destroys and liberates the theatre and the music, the chronology and the linear narratives, letting the world unfold by carefully cutting it apart without putting it together again. October 9, 2002: Aileen Wuornos’s last words before her execution: I'd just like to say I'm sailing with the Rock, and I'll be back like Independence

These proceedings provide an overview of the new results obtained with the ATLAS detector at the LHC, which were presented in the Quark Matter 2017 conference. These results were covered by twelve parallel talks, one flash talk and eleven posters. These proceedings group these results into five areas: initial state, jet quenching, quarkonium production, longitudinal flow dynamics, and collectivity

Abstract: This article summarises the information that should be provided to women and referring physicians about breast ultrasound (US). After explaining the physical principles, technical procedure and safety of US, information is given about its ability to make a correct diagnosis, depending on the setting in which it is applied. The following definite indications for breast US in female subjec