| 1. |
- Alimohammadzadeh, Rana, et al.
(författare)
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Improving the mechanical properties of CTMP fibers by combining synergistic organocatalytic/polyelectrolyte complex surface engineering with sulfite pretreatment
- 2022
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the International Mechanical Pulping Conference. ; , s. 149-
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Fabrication of paper-based packaging materials is increasing and the challenge is developing a sustainable process to manufacture the materials that can compete with plastics. Employing stronger fiber in production of fiber-based materials improves the efficiency of fabrication process by using a reduced amount of biomass. Cationic starch is a well-known polysaccharide that has been introduced to paper and paperboard fibers to improve the mechanical properties of lignocellulosic fibers. The polyelectrolyte (PE) multilayer method has been popularized as a new and interesting technique to enhance the adsorption of cationic starch on the fiber for improving the strength properties of chemi-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP), chemical and kraft pulps. We have shown in our previous work that the synergistic combination of organocatalysis and PE complexes improved the mechanical properties of CTMP and TMP. In this work, we chose to expand this concept by integrating it with low-dose sulfite pretreatment of wood chips in preparation of CTMP. Thus, CTMP produced by initial sulfite pre-treatment was next surface engineered by synergistic combination of organocatalysis and PE complexes using organic acids as catalysts. The CTMP pulps, which contains 0.1-0.24 wt.% sulfur, produced by our novel pulp-engineering strategy shows a dramatic strength increase (Z- strength: up to 100 %) as compared to no surface engineering. While only sulfite pre-treatment and PE-complex surface engineering were able to improve the strength properties, it was only when the organic catalysts was present that the highest strength improvements were reached. Thus, a clear synergistic effect of the catalyst was observed.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Bergerson, Emma, et al.
(författare)
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Superior Outcome of Early ACL Reconstruction versus Initial Non-reconstructive Treatment With Late Crossover to Surgery A Study From the Swedish National Knee Ligament Registry
- 2022
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Ingår i: American Journal of Sports Medicine. - : SAGE Publications. - 0363-5465 .- 1552-3365. ; 50:4, s. 896-903
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Although comparable clinical and functional outcomes have been reported after nonsurgical and surgical anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) treatment, few studies have investigated the effects of early versus late ACL reconstruction with initial rehabilitation. Purpose: To determine patient-reported knee function in patients who initially undergo nonreconstructive treatment after an ACL injury but who later choose to undergo ACL reconstruction as compared with (1) patients undergoing ACL reconstruction close to the index injury and (2) patients treated nonreconstructively at 1 to 10 years of follow-up. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Results from the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) were extracted from the Swedish National Knee Ligament Registry for patients treated with nonreconstruction, early ACL reconstruction, and initial nonreconstruction but subsequent ACL reconstruction (crossover group). The KOOS4 (a mean of 4 KOOS subscales) was analyzed cross-sectionally at baseline and at the 1-, 2-, 5-, and 10-year follow-ups. Additionally, the Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS) was applied to all KOOS subscales from baseline to the 10-year follow-up. Results: A total of 1,074 crossover, 484 nonreconstruction, and 20,352 early ACL reconstruction cases were included. The crossover group reported lower KOOS4 values than the group undergoing early ACL reconstruction at baseline and at all follow-ups (mean difference [95% CI]): baseline, -6.5 (-8.0 to -5.0); 1 year, -9.3 (-10.9 to -7.7); 2 years, -4.8 (-6.3 to -3.2); 5 years, -6.1 (-8.8 to -3.4); and 10 years, -10.9 (-16.3 to -5.2). Additionally, a smaller proportion of the crossover cohort achieved a PASS on KOOS subscales at baseline and through the 1-, 2-, 5-, and 10-year follow-ups as compared with the early ACL reconstruction cohort. No differences were observed between crossover and nonreconstruction cases on either the KOOS4 or the PASS at any follow-up. Conclusion: A greater proportion of patients treated with early ACL reconstruction reported acceptable knee function and superior overall knee function as compared with patients who decided to cross over from nonreconstructive treatment to ACL reconstruction.
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| 4. |
- Boman, Christoffer, et al.
(författare)
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Development of innovative small(micro)-scale biomass-based CHP technologies
- 2017
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- To enhance the overall efficiency of the use of biomass in the energy sector in Europe, the large electricity production potential from small-scale biomass heating systems should be utilised. So far, no technologically sound (in terms of efficiency and reliability) and economically affordable micro- and small-scale biomass CHP technologies are, however, available. Therefore, the present ERA-NET project (MiniBioCHP) aimed at the further development and test of new CHP technologies based on small-scale biomass combustion in the electric capacity range between some W and 100 kW. Within the project, an international consortium consisting of 12 partners from 4 countries, including university institutions, institutes and industry (both engineering and manufacturing), collaborated closely to perform high level R&D on three promising micro/small-scale biomass based CHP technologies which are covering a broad range of applications in the residential heating sector. The Austrian engineering company BIOS, coordinated the international project. The project was based on earlier basic research and development work related to these promising new technologies and aimed at the achievement of a technological level which allows a first (commercial) demonstration after the end of the project. The three CHP concepts included in the MiniBioCHP project were;1. Pellet stoves with a thermoelectric generator (TEG)2. Small-scale biomass boilers (10-30 kWth) with a micro-ORC process3. High temperature heat exchanger (HT-HE) for an externally fired gas turbine (EFGT)The Swedish part of the project was focused on the development of the concept of biomass based EFGT with dedicated R&D activities related to the development of the HT-HE system. The Swedish project consisted of the research partners Umeå University (project leader), Luleå University of Technology, Chalmers University of Technology and RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, together with the industrial partners Enertech AB/Osby Parca and Ecergy. The expertise of the Swedish partners regarding ash related problems, grate boiler combustion and modelling, deposit formation and high temperature corrosion, were combined with the know-how of a Polish partner regarding HT-HE design, construction, testing and optimisation.The HT-HE is the most crucial component in EFGT processes significantly influencing the investment costs, availabilities as well as the efficiencies that can be achieved. With a thermal capacity from several hundred kW up to 2-3 MWth) the CHP technology based on a biomass boiler and an EFGT is suitable for district heating systems, or process heat consumers. The electricity produced by the gas turbine (up to some 100 kWel) can be used to cover the own electricity consumption of a company and/or fed into the grid. Even though the concept of biomass based EFGT has been an interesting alternative for small-scale CHP production for some decades, and R&D activities have been undertaken, tackling both economic and technical aspects, only a few pilot-plants have been in operation and no initiative has so far reached the level of commercial implementation. Thus, the concept of EFGT fed with biomass is still considered to be in a rather early development stage and the main technical challenges are related to alkali deposit induced corrosion and thermal stress of the HT-HE material, turbine design/operation and system integration.Within the present project, a HT-HE prototype aimed for an EFGT system was therefore designed, constructed and successfully tested at flue gas temperatures up to 900°C. Thus, appropriate guidelines for a compact design of the HT-HE and recommendations have been worked out to minimize thermal stresses as well as ash related problems regarding ash deposit formation and high temperature corrosion in a biomass boiler system. Furthermore, different concepts for the overall biomass based EFGT system have been worked out and evaluated. The outcome of the project will hopefully be used in the further development work and form the basis for a first testing and demonstration plant within the coming years.
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| 5. |
- Bäcklund, Kajsa, et al.
(författare)
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Intensive care nurses’ experiences of caring for intubated patients under light sedation : a qualitative study
- 2018
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Ingår i: Open Journal of Nursing. - Wuhan : Scientific Research Publishing. - 2162-5336 .- 2162-5344. ; 8:7, s. 473-484
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Previous studies have shown that a light sedation level is beneficial for intubated patients in the Intensive care unit (ICU). Aim: This study aimed to describe intensive care nurses’ experiences of caring for intubated patients under light sedation. Methods: This study was an explorative descriptive qualitative study. Data were collected from 12 intensive care nurses by three focus group interviews and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Findings: Five categories emerged from the data: 1) the importance of verbal communication and the nurses’ presence, 2) feelings of frustration and heavy workload, 3) assessment of patients’ pain and anxiety, 4) the nurses’ desire for the development of guidelines, and 5) being inspired by the care. Conclusion: The study found that intensive care nurses were positive towards light sedation care but the organization of care did not support them as the patients cared for with light sedation treatments demanded their physical presence at patients’ bed site.
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| 6. |
- Börjesson Axén, Jenny, 1986-, et al.
(författare)
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A Structural Investigation into the OCV Hysteresis of the Ni(OH)2 Electrode
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Powder X-ray diffraction (XRPD), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (EXAFS and XANES) and Raman spectroscopy were used to study chemical changes in the polycrystalline nickel hydroxide positive electrode material of a NiMH battery at four states of charge: 0%, 50% and 100% charged, and 50% discharged. The two 50% samples were at the same state of charge but in different hysteresis states, manifested by differences in the open circuit potential. The nickel hydroxide electrodes consist of particles in the µm size range, and all measurements were performed ex situ. The material studied was taken from commercial batteries and as such contained both metallic nickel particles, cobalt, and zinc dopants in the active Ni(OH)2 material as well as a cobalt oxide surface layer. Combining the results from all the characterization methods was necessary to better understand the chemistry behind the physio-chemical hysteresis behavior in this complex system. Our results show that there are structural differences between the two 50% samples. Comparison of the XRPD results and the EXAFS results on the nickel edge indicate a presence of the kinetically favored TP2-NiOOH phase in the transition between β-Ni(OH)2 and β-NiOOH and that the amount differs between the two hysteresis states. The measurements on the zinc edge using EXAFS and XANES suggest short range differences in the active material bulk that stems from disorder. Raman spectroscopy measurements show a difference in degree of lithium intercalation in the LiCoO2 surface layer between the hysteresis states. As electrochemistry takes place on the surface of the particles, it is likely that differences in the surface structure are responsible for the open circuit voltage hysteresis. However, due to the coherence of the structure differences detected, it is probable that they are all connected and have a part in the observed behavior.
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| 7. |
- de Moor, Joost, et al.
(författare)
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Country reports: Sweden
- 2019
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Ingår i: Protest for a future. - Bryssel : Confederation Syndicat European Trade Union. ; , s. 19-31, s. 96-111
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Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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| 8. |
- Ericson Lindquist, Kajsa, et al.
(författare)
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Immunohistochemical Loss of the DNA Mismatch Repair Proteins MSH2 and MSH6 in Malignant Fibrous Histiocytomas.
- 2004
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Ingår i: Sarcoma. - 1357-714X. ; 8:4, s. 123-127
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) account for less than 1% of all malignancies and constitute a heterogeneous tumor entity in which malignant fibrous histiocytomas (MFH) represent one-third and are characterized by a lack of type-specific differentiation. A defective mismatch repair (MMR) system cause the familial cancer syndrome hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), and since occasional MFH have been described in HNPCC patients we assessed the contribution of defective MMR to the development of MFH.Methods: MMR status was characterized in a series of 209 histopathologically reviewed MFH. Tissue microarray sections from the tumors were immunohistochemically stained for the MMR proteins MLH1, MSH2 and MSH6, and cases with aberrant staining were further characterized for microsatellite instability.Results and Discussion: Two of the 209 STS-a storiform-pleomorphic MFH and a myxofibrosarcoma-showed concomitant loss of MSH2 and MSH6, but retained staining for MLH1 on both cases. The myxoid tumor also had a microsatellite unstable phenotype. These findings, together with previous observations of defective MMR in pleomorphic STS, indicate that these tumors may be part of the HNPCC-associated tumor spectrum and demonstrate that MMR defects occur in a small subset of STS.
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| 9. |
- Eriksson, Fredrik, et al.
(författare)
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Tumor-Specific Bacteriophages Induce Tumor Destruction through Activation of Tumor-Associated Macrophages
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of Immunology. - : The American Association of Immunologists. - 0022-1767 .- 1550-6606. ; 182:5, s. 3105-3111
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We recently reported that administration of tumor-specific bacteriophages initiates infiltration of neutrophilic granulocytes with subsequent regression of established B16 tumors. The aim of the current study was to investigate the mechanism of action of bacteriophage-induced tumor regression and to examine possible stimulatory effects of bacteriophages on macrophages. We observed that the mechanism of phage-induced tumor regression is TLR dependent as no signs of tumor destruction or neutrophil infiltration were observed in tumors in MyD88(-/-) mice in which TLR signaling is abolished. The microenvironment of bacteriophage-treated tumors was further analyzed by gene profiling through applying a low-density array preferentially designed to detect genes expressed by activated APCs, which demonstrated that the M2-polarized tumor microenvironment switched to a more M1-polarized milieu following phage treatment. Bacteriophage stimulation induced secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in both normal mouse macrophages and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and increased expression of molecules involved in Ag presentation and costimulation. Furthermore, mouse neutrophils selectively migrated toward mediators secreted by bacteriophage-stimulated TAMs. Under these conditions, the neutrophils also exhibited increased cytotoxicity toward 1316 mouse melanoma target cells. These results describe a close interplay of the innate immune system in which bacteriophages, located to the tumor microenvironment due to their specificity, stimulate TAMs to secrete factors that promote recruitment of neutrophils and potentiate neutrophil-mediated tumor destruction.
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| 10. |
- Eriksson, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles with Entrapped Gadolinium for High T-1 Relaxivity and ROS-Scavenging Purposes
- 2022
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Ingår i: ACS Omega. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 2470-1343. ; 7:24, s. 21337-21345
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Gadolinium chelates are employed worldwide today as clinical contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging. Until now, the commonly used linear contrast agents based on the rare-earth element gadolinium have been considered safe and well-tolerated. Recently, concerns regarding this type of contrast agent have been reported, which is why there is an urgent need to develop the next generation of stable contrast agents with enhanced spin-lattice relaxation, as measured by improved T-1 relaxivity at lower doses. Here, we show that by the integration of gadolinium ions in cerium oxide nanoparticles, a stable crystalline 5 nm sized nanoparticulate system with a homogeneous gadolinium ion distribution is obtained. These cerium oxide nanoparticles with entrapped gadolinium deliver strong T-1 relaxivity per gadolinium ion (T-1 relaxivity, r(1) = 12.0 mM(-1) s(-1)) with the potential to act as scavengers of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The presence of Ce3+ sites and oxygen vacancies at the surface plays a critical role in providing the antioxidant properties. The characterization of radial distribution of Ce3+ and Ce4+ oxidation states indicated a higher concentration of Ce3+ at the nanoparticle surfaces. Additionally, we investigated the ROS-scavenging capabilities of pure gadolinium-containing cerium oxide nanoparticles by bioluminescent imaging in vivo, where inhibitory effects on ROS activity are shown.
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