| 1. |
- Alriksson, Björn, et al.
(author)
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Overexpression of Saccharomyces cerevisiae transcription factor and multidrug resistance genes conveys enhanced resistance to lignocellulose-derived fermentation inhibitors
- 2010
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In: Process Biochemistry. - : Elsevier. - 1359-5113 .- 1873-3298. ; 45:2, s. 264-271
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The presence of fermentation inhibitors in lignocellulose hydrolysates is an obstacle for achieving efficient fermentation of lignocellulose hydrolysates to ethanol and other commodities. In this investigation, the possibility of generating more inhibitor-resistant Saccharomyces cerevisiae by genetic engineering was explored. Based on previous results from studies of deletion mutants, three S. cerevisiae genes (ATR1, FLR1, YAP1) involved in multidrug resistance and stress response of yeast were selected for overexpression in three S. cerevisiae strains. The resistance of the transformed strains to lignocellulose-derived fermentation inhibitors and a dilute-acid spruce hydrolysate was evaluated in fermentation experiments. Overexpression of FLR1 resulted in enhanced resistance to the phenolic inhibitor coniferyl aldehyde and the furan aldehyde HMF (5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde). Overexpression of ATR1 conferred increased resistance to coniferyl aldehyde. Strains overexpressing YAP1, which encodes a transcription factor, displayed increased resistance to coniferyl aldehyde, HMF, and the spruce hydrolysate. An ethanol productivity of 0.17 g ethanol × l−1 × h−1 was achieved for a YAP1-overexpressing transformant cultivated in spruce hydrolysate, whereas a control transformant, which did not overexpress YAP1, only reached a productivity of 0.05 g ethanol × l−1 × h−1.
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| 2. |
- Cassland, Pierre, et al.
(author)
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Evaluation of Oxalate Decarboxylase and Oxalate Oxidase for Industrial Applications
- 2010
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In: Applied biochemistry and biotechnology. - : Humana Press. - 1559-0291 .- 0273-2289. ; 161:1-8, s. 255-63
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Increased recirculation of process water has given rise to problems with formation of calcium oxalate incrusts (scaling) in the pulp and paper industry and in forest biorefineries. The potential in using oxalate decarboxylase from Aspergillus niger for oxalic acid removal in industrial bleaching plant filtrates containing oxalic acid was examined and compared with barley oxalate oxidase. Ten different filtrates from chemical pulping were selected for the evaluation. Oxalate decarboxylase degraded oxalic acid faster than oxalate oxidase in eight of the filtrates, while oxalate oxidase performed better in one filtrate. One of the filtrates inhibited both enzymes. The potential inhibitory effect of selected compounds on the enzymatic activity was tested. Oxalate decarboxylase was more sensitive than oxalate oxidase to hydrogen peroxide. Oxalate decarboxylase was not as sensitive to chlorate and chlorite as oxalate oxidase. Up to 4 mM chlorate ions, the highest concentration tested, had no inhibitory effect on oxalate decarboxylase. Analysis of the filtrates suggests that high concentrations of chlorate present in some of the filtrates were responsible for the higher sensitivity of oxalate oxidase in these filtrates. Oxalate decarboxylase was thus a better choice than oxalate oxidase for treatment of filtrates from chlorine dioxide bleaching.
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| 3. |
- Chatterjee, Robin, et al.
(author)
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Evaluation of the potential of fungal and plant laccases for active-packaging applications
- 2011
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In: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. - WASHINGTON : American Chemical Society. - 0021-8561 .- 1520-5118. ; 59:10, s. 5390-5395
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Laccases from Trametes versicolor (TvL), Myceliophthora thermophila (MtL), and Rhus vernicifera (RvL) were investigated with regard to their potential utilization as oxygen scavengers in active packages containing food susceptible to oxidation reactions. The substrate selectivity of the laccases was investigated with a set of 17 reducing substrates, mainly phenolic compounds. The temperature dependence of reactions performed at low temperatures (4-31 °C) was studied. Furthermore, the laccases were subjected to immobilization in a latex/clay matrix and drying procedures performed at temperatures up to 105 °C. The results show that it is possible to immobilize the laccases with retained activity after dispersion coating, drying at 75-105 °C, and subsequent storage of the enzyme-containing films at 4 °C. TvL and, to some extent, MtL were promiscuous with regard to their reducing substrate, in the sense that the difference in activity with the 17 substrates tested was relatively small. RvL, on the other hand, showed high selectivity, primarily toward substrates resembling its natural substrate urushiol. When tested at 7 °C, all three laccases retained >20% of the activity they had at 25 °C, which suggests that it would be possible to utilize the laccases also in refrigerated food packages. Coating and drying resulted in a remaining enzymatic activity ranging from 18 to 53%, depending on the drying conditions used. The results indicate that laccases are useful for active-packaging applications and that the selectivity for reducing substrates is an important characteristic of laccases from different sources.
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| 4. |
- Eckstein, Rolf Lutz, et al.
(author)
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Predicted changes in vegetation structure affect the susceptibility to invasion of bryophyte-dominated subarctic heath
- 2011
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In: Annals of Botany. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0305-7364 .- 1095-8290. ; 108:1, s. 177-183
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and Aims A meta-analysis of global change experiments in arctic tundra sites suggests that plant productivity and the cover of shrubs, grasses and dead plant material (i.e. litter) will increase and the cover of bryophytes will decrease in response to higher air temperatures. However, little is known about which effects these changes in vegetation structure will have on seedling recruitment of species and invasibility of arctic ecosystems. Methods A field experiment was done in a bryophyte-dominated, species-rich subarctic heath by manipulating the cover of bryophytes and litter in a factorial design. Three phases of seedling recruitment (seedling emergence, summer seedling survival, first-year recruitment) of the grass Anthoxanthum alpinum and the shrub Betula nana were analysed after they were sown into the experimental plots. Key Results Bryophyte and litter removal significantly increased seedling emergence of both species but the effects of manipulations of vegetation structure varied strongly for the later phases of recruitment. Summer survival and first-year recruitment were significantly higher in Anthoxanthum. Although bryophyte removal generally increased summer survival and recruitment, seedlings of Betula showed high mortality in early August on plots where bryophytes had been removed. Conclusions Large species-specific variation and significant effects of experimental manipulations on seedling recruitment suggest that changes in vegetation structure as a consequence of global warming will affect the abundance of grasses and shrubs, the species composition and the susceptibility to invasion of subarctic heath vegetation.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Fejes, Andreas, 1977-, et al.
(author)
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Employability : Significant Signs of the Present
- 2010
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In: Arbetsmarknad & Arbetsliv. - Karlstad Universitet : Karlstads universitet. - 1400-9692 .- 2002-343X. ; 16:2, s. 11-23
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Employability has gained renewed attention in contemporary political discussions during the last ten years. The concept has emerged as a signifier which has replaced the previous way of describing the workforce, thereby producing different kinds of pictures of whom is a desirable worker. This article aims to gain a broader understanding of how discourses on employability position care workers in elderly care as responsible for their own employability. Drawing on the Foucauldian concept of governmentality, transnational policy texts and interview transcripts from interviews with care workers are analysed and compared. The main questions are: How are care workers in elderly care made responsible for their own employability and how does this relate to the responsibility assigned to entities such as employers and the state?
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| 7. |
- Greve, Jens, et al.
(author)
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Einleitung
- 2011. - 1
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In: Emergenz. - Berlin : Suhrkamp. - 9783518295175 ; , s. 7-36, s. 9-18
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)
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| 8. |
- Gustafsson, Henrik, et al.
(author)
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Are athletes burning out with passion?
- 2011
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In: European Journal of Sport Science. - Campaign, Ill. : Human Kinetics. - 1746-1391 .- 1536-7290. ; 11:6, s. 387-395
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Passion is a strong motivational force towards an activity considered very important, possibly to the extent that the activity forms a part of an individual’s identity. Two forms of passion, harmonious and obsessive, are thought to lead to different cognitive and affective responses. Although being passionate about sport appears to be important from a motivational perspective, it possibly also increases the risk for burnout, which is a negative consequence blamed partly on too much training and inadequate recovery. The question voiced in this study is whether harmonious passion and obsessive passion pose equal risks for burnout. Participants were 94 female and 164 male competitive athletes from 21 sports. The results, analysed using partial correlation and multivariate analyses of variance, showed that athletes with an obsessive passion scored higher on a burnout inventory than did harmoniously passionate athletes. Obsessively passionate athletes also scored higher on perceived stress and negative affect, and lower on positive affect. These findings support the assumption that even though the two forms of passion may be an integral part of elite sports, athletes scoring high on obsessive passion may be at greater risk of developing burnout than more harmoniously passionate athletes. Burning bright and burning out can thus be seen as two potential consequences for athletes driven by passion. Athletes and coaches who are aware of this may be better equipped to avoid the potential negative consequences associated with too much stress and too little recovery.
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| 9. |
- Gustafsson, Henrik, et al.
(author)
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Athlete burnout : an integrated model and future research directions
- 2011
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In: International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology. - : Routledge Taylor and Francis Group. - 1750-984X .- 1750-9858. ; 4:1, s. 3-24
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Athlete burnout is a multifaceted phenomenon. As a consequence, several attempts have been made to describe it from both a process and a state perspective. A number of theories and models exist that deal with the process of burning out and/or its antecedents. When viewed separately, the presented findings may be perceived as contradicting each other, or at best as confusing. To advance the field, we offer a comprehensive review of what is presently known within the area of athlete burnout and what new knowledge is needed. Furthermore, we suggest an integrated model of athlete burnout. This model includes major antecedents, early signs, consequences, and factors related to personality, coping and the environment. Our purpose is not to present the definitive model but to create a conceptual understanding of the field as it is seen today, and thereby stimulate empirical research to further advance the knowledge base.
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| 10. |
- Gustavsson, Anders, et al.
(author)
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Cost of disorders of the brain in Europe 2010.
- 2011
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In: European Neuropsychopharmacology. - Amsterdam : Elsevier BV. - 0924-977X .- 1873-7862. ; 21:10, s. 718-79
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The spectrum of disorders of the brain is large, covering hundreds of disorders that are listed in either the mental or neurological disorder chapters of the established international diagnostic classification systems. These disorders have a high prevalence as well as short- and long-term impairments and disabilities. Therefore they are an emotional, financial and social burden to the patients, their families and their social network. In a 2005 landmark study, we estimated for the first time the annual cost of 12 major groups of disorders of the brain in Europe and gave a conservative estimate of €386 billion for the year 2004. This estimate was limited in scope and conservative due to the lack of sufficiently comprehensive epidemiological and/or economic data on several important diagnostic groups. We are now in a position to substantially improve and revise the 2004 estimates. In the present report we cover 19 major groups of disorders, 7 more than previously, of an increased range of age groups and more cost items. We therefore present much improved cost estimates. Our revised estimates also now include the new EU member states, and hence a population of 514 million people.AIMS: To estimate the number of persons with defined disorders of the brain in Europe in 2010, the total cost per person related to each disease in terms of direct and indirect costs, and an estimate of the total cost per disorder and country.METHODS: The best available estimates of the prevalence and cost per person for 19 groups of disorders of the brain (covering well over 100 specific disorders) were identified via a systematic review of the published literature. Together with the twelve disorders included in 2004, the following range of mental and neurologic groups of disorders is covered: addictive disorders, affective disorders, anxiety disorders, brain tumor, childhood and adolescent disorders (developmental disorders), dementia, eating disorders, epilepsy, mental retardation, migraine, multiple sclerosis, neuromuscular disorders, Parkinson's disease, personality disorders, psychotic disorders, sleep disorders, somatoform disorders, stroke, and traumatic brain injury. Epidemiologic panels were charged to complete the literature review for each disorder in order to estimate the 12-month prevalence, and health economic panels were charged to estimate best cost-estimates. A cost model was developed to combine the epidemiologic and economic data and estimate the total cost of each disorder in each of 30 European countries (EU27+Iceland, Norway and Switzerland). The cost model was populated with national statistics from Eurostat to adjust all costs to 2010 values, converting all local currencies to Euro, imputing costs for countries where no data were available, and aggregating country estimates to purchasing power parity adjusted estimates for the total cost of disorders of the brain in Europe 2010.RESULTS: The total cost of disorders of the brain was estimated at €798 billion in 2010. Direct costs constitute the majority of costs (37% direct healthcare costs and 23% direct non-medical costs) whereas the remaining 40% were indirect costs associated with patients' production losses. On average, the estimated cost per person with a disorder of the brain in Europe ranged between €285 for headache and €30,000 for neuromuscular disorders. The European per capita cost of disorders of the brain was €1550 on average but varied by country. The cost (in billion €PPP 2010) of the disorders of the brain included in this study was as follows: addiction: €65.7; anxiety disorders: €74.4; brain tumor: €5.2; child/adolescent disorders: €21.3; dementia: €105.2; eating disorders: €0.8; epilepsy: €13.8; headache: €43.5; mental retardation: €43.3; mood disorders: €113.4; multiple sclerosis: €14.6; neuromuscular disorders: €7.7; Parkinson's disease: €13.9; personality disorders: €27.3; psychotic disorders: €93.9; sleep disorders: €35.4; somatoform disorder: €21.2; stroke: €64.1; traumatic brain injury: €33.0. It should be noted that the revised estimate of those disorders included in the previous 2004 report constituted €477 billion, by and large confirming our previous study results after considering the inflation and population increase since 2004. Further, our results were consistent with administrative data on the health care expenditure in Europe, and comparable to previous studies on the cost of specific disorders in Europe. Our estimates were lower than comparable estimates from the US.DISCUSSION: This study was based on the best currently available data in Europe and our model enabled extrapolation to countries where no data could be found. Still, the scarcity of data is an important source of uncertainty in our estimates and may imply over- or underestimations in some disorders and countries. Even though this review included many disorders, diagnoses, age groups and cost items that were omitted in 2004, there are still remaining disorders that could not be included due to limitations in the available data. We therefore consider our estimate of the total cost of the disorders of the brain in Europe to be conservative. In terms of the health economic burden outlined in this report, disorders of the brain likely constitute the number one economic challenge for European health care, now and in the future. Data presented in this report should be considered by all stakeholder groups, including policy makers, industry and patient advocacy groups, to reconsider the current science, research and public health agenda and define a coordinated plan of action of various levels to address the associated challenges.RECOMMENDATIONS: Political action is required in light of the present high cost of disorders of the brain. Funding of brain research must be increased; care for patients with brain disorders as well as teaching at medical schools and other health related educations must be quantitatively and qualitatively improved, including psychological treatments. The current move of the pharmaceutical industry away from brain related indications must be halted and reversed. Continued research into the cost of the many disorders not included in the present study is warranted. It is essential that not only the EU but also the national governments forcefully support these initiatives.
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