| 1. |
- Bergström, Dan, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of raw material particle size distribution on the characteristics of Scots pine sawdust fuel pellets
- 2008
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Ingår i: Fuel processing technology. - Amsterdam : Elsevier. - 0378-3820 .- 1873-7188. ; 89:12, s. 1324-1329
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In order to study the influence of raw material particle size distribution on the pelletizing process and the physical and thermomechanical characteristics of typical fuel pellets, saw dust of Scots pine was used as raw material for producing pellets in a semi industrial scaled mill (similar to 300 kg h(-1)). The raw materials were screened to a narrow particle size distribution and mixed into four different batches and then pelletized under controlled conditions. Physical pellet characteristics like compression strength, densities, moisture content, moisture absorption and abrasion resistance were determined. In addition, the thermochemical characteristics, i.e. drying and initial pyrolysis, flaming pyrolysis, char combustion and char yield were determined at different experimental conditions by using a laboratory-scaled furnace. The results indicate that the particle size distribution had some effect on current consumption and compression strength but no evident effect on single pellet and bulk density, moisture content, moisture absorption during storage and abrasion resistance. Differences in average total conversion time determined for pellet batches tested under the same combustion conditions was less than 5% and not significant. The results are of practical importance suggesting that grinding of saw dust particle sizes below 8 mm is probably needless when producing softwood pellets. Thus it seem that less energy could be used if only over sized particles are grinded before pelletizing.
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| 2. |
- Boström, Magnus, 1972-, et al.
(författare)
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Conditions for Transformative Learning for Sustainable Development : A Theoretical Review and Approach
- 2018
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Ingår i: Sustainability. - : MDPI. - 2071-1050. ; 10:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Continued unsustainability and surpassed planetary boundaries require not only scientific and technological advances, but deep and enduring social and cultural changes. The purpose of this article is to contribute a theoretical approach to understand conditions and constraints for societal change towards sustainable development. In order to break with unsustainable norms, habits, practices, and structures, there is a need for learning for transformation, not only adaption. Based on a critical literature review within the field of learning for sustainable development, our approach is a development of the concept of transformative learning, by integrating three additional dimensions—Institutional Structures, Social Practices, and Conflict Perspectives. This approach acknowledges conflicts on macro, meso, and micro levels, as well as structural and cultural constraints. It contends that transformative learning is processual, interactional, long-term, and cumbersome. It takes place within existing institutions and social practices, while also transcending them. The article adopts an interdisciplinary social science perspective that acknowledges the importance of transformative learning in order for communities, organizations, and individuals to be able to deal with global sustainability problems, acknowledging the societal and personal conflicts involved in such transformation.
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| 3. |
- Figueira, Joao, et al.
(författare)
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NMR analysis of the human saliva metabolome distinguishes dementia patients from matched controls
- 2016
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Ingår i: Molecular Biosystems. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1742-206X .- 1742-2051. ; 12:8, s. 2562-2571
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Saliva is a biofluid that is sensitive to metabolic changes and is straightforward to collect in a non-invasive manner, but it is seldom used for metabolite analysis when studying neurodegenerative disorders. We present a procedure for both an untargeted and targeted analysis of the saliva metabolome in which nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is used in combination with multivariate data analysis. The applicability of this approach is demonstrated on saliva samples selected from the 25 year prospective Betula study, including samples from dementia subjects with either Alzheimer's disease (AD) or vascular dementia at the time of sampling or who developed it by the next sampling/assessment occasion five years later, and age-, gender-, and education-matched control individuals without dementia. Statistically significant multivariate models were obtained that separated patients with dementia from controls and revealed seven discriminatory metabolites. Dementia patients showed significantly increased concentrations of acetic acid (fold change (fc) = 1.25, p = 2 x 10(-5)), histamine (fc = 1.26, p = 0.019), and propionate (fc = 1.35, p = 0.002), while significantly decreased levels were observed for dimethyl sulfone (fc = 0.81, p = 0.005), glycerol (fc = 0.79, p = 0.04), taurine (fc = 0.70, p = 0.007), and succinate (fc = 0.62, p = 0.008). Histamine, succinate, and taurine are known to be important in AD, and acetic acid and glycerol are involved in related pathways. Dimethyl sulfone and propionate originate from the diet and bacterial flora and might reflect poorer periodontal status in the dementia patients. For these seven metabolites, a weak but statistically significant pre-diagnostic value was observed. Taken together, we present a robust and general NMR analysis approach for studying the saliva metabolome that has potential use for screening and early detection of dementia.
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| 4. |
- Figueira, Joao, et al.
(författare)
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Serum Metabolite Markers of Dementia Through Quantitative NMR Analysis : The Importance of Threonine-Linked Metabolic Pathways
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. - : IOS Press. - 1387-2877 .- 1875-8908. ; 69:3, s. 763-774
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- There is a great need for diagnostic biomarkers of impending dementia. Metabolite markers in blood have been investigated in several studies, but inconclusive findings encourage further investigation, particularly in the pre-diagnostic phase. In the present study, the serum metabolomes of 110 dementia or pre-diagnostic dementia individuals and 201 healthy individuals matched for age, gender, and education were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in combination with multivariate data analysis. 58 metabolites were quantified in each of the 311 samples. Individuals with dementia were discriminated from controls using a panel of seven metabolites, while the pre-diagnostic dementia subjects were distinguished from controls using a separate set of seven metabolites, where threonine was a common significant metabolite in both panels. Metabolite and pathway alterations specific for dementia and pre-diagnostic dementia were identified, in particular a disturbed threonine catabolism at the pre-diagnostic stage that extends to several threonine-linked pathways at the dementia stage.
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| 5. |
- Hofman-Bang, Claes, et al.
(författare)
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Two year results of a controlled study of a residential rehabilitation for patients treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty : A randomized study of a multifactorial programme
- 1999
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Ingår i: European Heart Journal. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 20:20, s. 1465-1474
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims In a multifactorial lifestyle behaviour programme, of 2 years duration, to study the maintenance of achieved behaviour and risk factor-related changes. Methods and Results Out of a consecutive population of 151 patients treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty under 65 years of age, 87 were randomly allocated to an intervention group (n=46) or to a control group (n=41). The programme started with a 4 week residential stay, which was focused on health education and the achievement of behaviour change. During the first year of follow-up, a maintenance programme included regular contacts with a nurse, while no further rehabilitative efforts were offered during the second year. One patient died (control). During the second year the proportion of hospitalized patients was lower in the intervention group (4% vs 20%;P<0·05). Patients in the intervention group improved several lifestyle dependent behaviours: diet (index at 0, 12 and 24 months): 10·5±3·4, 12·9±2·5 and 12·4±2·6 in the intervention group (I) vs 10·1±3·2, 10·7±3·0 and 11·8±3·2 in the control group (C);P<0·05, exercise sessions per week: 2·5±2·3, 4·5±1·9 and 4·4±2·1 (I) vs 3·1±2·2, 3·5±2·3 and 3·7±2·7 (C);P<0·05, and smoking; 18%, 6% and 9% (I) vs 12%, 21% and 18% (C);P<0·05. This corresponded to improvement in exercise capacity (0, 12 and 24 months): 156±42, 174±49 and 165±47W (I) vs 164±40, 163±49 and 156±48 watts (C);P<0·05. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to serum cholesterol levels at 0 and 24 months: 5·4±0·8 and 5·2±0·9mmol.l–1(I) vs 5·4±1·0 and 4·9±0·9mmol.l–1(C); ns, low density lipoprotein cholesterol level: 3·6±0·8 and 3·4±0·8mmol.l–1(I) vs 3·7±0·9 and 3·3±0·7mmol.l–1(C); ns, triglyceride level: 2·2±1·6 and 1·8±1·3mmol.l–1(I) vs 2·2±1·4 and 1·6±0·6mmol.l–1(C); ns, body mass index (0, 12 and 24 months): 27·5±4·5, 27·0±4·3 and 27·4± 4·5kg.m–2(I) vs 26·8±2·8, 26·9±2·7 and 26·9± 3·2kg.m–2(C); ns, waist/hip ratio or blood pressure. The two groups did not differ in quality of life, or psychological factors. Return to work after 12 and 24 months was 74% and 78% (I) vs 68% and 61% (C); ns. Conclusion This rehabilitation programme influenced important lifestyle behaviour and reduced some, but not all, important risk factors Key Words: Rehabilitation, risk factors
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| 6. |
- Holgerson, Pernilla L, et al.
(författare)
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Oral microbial profile discriminates breast-fed from formula-fed infants
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition - JPGN. - 0277-2116 .- 1536-4801. ; 56:2, s. 127-136
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: Little is known about the effect of diet on the oral microbiota of infants, although diet is known to affect the gut microbiota. The aims of the present study were to compare the oral microbiota in breast-fed and formula-fed infants, and investigate growth inhibition of streptococci by infant-isolated lactobacilli.Methods: A total of 207 mothers consented to participation of their 3-month-old infants. A total of 146 (70.5%) infants were exclusively and 38 (18.4%) partially breast-fed, and 23 (11.1%) were exclusively formula-fed. Saliva from all of their infants was cultured for Lactobacillus species, with isolate identifications from 21 infants. Lactobacillus isolates were tested for their ability to suppress Streptococcus mutans and S sanguinis. Oral swabs from 73 infants were analysed by the Human Oral Microbe Identification Microarray (HOMIM) and by quantitative polymerase chain reaction for Lactobacillus gasseri.Results: Lactobacilli were cultured from 27.8% of exclusively and partially breast-fed infants, but not from formula-fed infants. The prevalence of 14 HOMIM-detected taxa, and total salivary lactobacilli counts differed by feeding method. Multivariate modelling of HOMIM-detected bacteria and possible confounders clustered samples from breast-fed infants separately from formula-fed infants. The microbiota of breast-fed infants differed based on vaginal or C-section delivery. Isolates of L plantarum, L gasseri, and L vaginalis inhibited growth of the cariogenic S mutans and the commensal S sanguinis: L plantarum >L gasseri >L vaginalis.Conclusions: The microbiota of the mouth differs between 3-month-old breast-fed and formula-fed infants. Possible mechanisms for microbial differences observed include species suppression by lactobacilli indigenous to breast milk.
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| 7. |
- Lisspers, Jan, et al.
(författare)
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Behavioral effects of a comprehensive, multifactorial program for lifestyle change after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty : A prospective, randomized, controlled study
- 1999
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Ingår i: Journal of Psychosomatic Research. - 0022-3999. ; 46:2, s. 143-154
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A group of 93 coronary patients recently treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) were randomly assigned to either an intervention or a control group. Subjects in the intervention group participated in a comprehensive behaviorally oriented program aimed at achieving significant long-term changes in risk factor–related lifestyle behavior. Assessments of lifestyle behaviors, psychological factors, biological risk factors, and rehabilitation as well as secondary prevention endpoints were carried out, at inclusion and after 12 months. Results showed that the intervention patients, as compared with controls, improved significantly on measures assessing smoking, exercise, and diet habits. These self-rated changes were confirmed by weight reductions and improved exercise capacity, as well as by between-group differences in subclinical chest pain during an exercise test. However, few effects were found on the different psychological variables, as well as on morbidity or return to work.
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| 8. |
- Lisspers, Jan, et al.
(författare)
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Multifactorial evaluation of a program for lifestyle behavior change in rehabilitation and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease
- 1999
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Cardiovascular Journal. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1401-7431 .- 1651-2006. ; 33:1, s. 9-16
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A comprehensive, multifactorial lifestyle behavior change program was developed for rehabilitation and secondary prevention of subjects with coronary artery disease. The purpose of the present report is to describe this intervention model and to analyze results achieved in a first group of consecutive participants. Main inclusion criteria for the 292 subjects were a recent history of acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass surgery, or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The program commenced with a 4-week residential stay, with the focus on health education and the achievement of behavior change in major lifestyle areas. During the year of follow-up a systematic maintenance program included regular contact with a nurse. Morbidity and mortality was low. Self-reported quality of life improved and there were significant improvements in blood lipids, exercise capacity and body mass index. There were also significant changes both in psychological variables such as Type A behavior, anger, hostility, and in major lifestyle areas such as stress reactions, diet, exercise and smoking. These changes compared favorably with data from relevant samples from the Swedish normal population. This program had a considerable effect on a number of important factors for rehabilitation and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease.
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| 9. |
- Ludvigsson, David
(författare)
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The Historian-Filmmaker's Dilemma : Historical Documentaries in Sweden in the Era of Häger and Villius
- 2003
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This dissertation investigates how history is used in historical documentary films, and argues that the maker of such films constantly negotiates between cognitive, moral, and aesthetic demands. In support of this contention is discussed a number of historical documentaries by Swedish historian-filmmakers Olle Häger and Hans Villius. Other historical documentaries supply additional examples. The analyses take into account both the production process and the representations themselves. The history culture and the social field of history production together form the conceptual framework for the study, and one of the aims is to analyse the role of professional historians in public life. The analyses show that different considerations compete and work together in the case of all documentaries, and figure at all stages of pre-production, production, and post-production. But different considerations have particular influence at different stages in the production process and thus they are more or less important depending on where in the process the producer puts his emphasis on them. In the public service television setting, the tendency to make cognitive considerations is strong. For example, historical documentarists often engage historians as advisors, and work long and hard interpreting visual source materials such as photographs. The Häger and Villius case also indicates that the influence exerted on programmes by aesthetic considerations grows as the filmmaker learns about the medium. Among general conclusions are that it is not always important that the producer be a trained historian. What is crucial is that whoever is to succeed in making fine historical programmes must learn both history and filmmaking, must learn to balance the demands of content and form. Previously, researchers have suggested that historical documentaries function as entertainment, orientation, and restoration; this study adds the functions of interpretation and legitimisation. Finally, the study submits that typically historical documentaries attempt to convey cognitive and moral insights about the past.
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| 10. |
- Rhén, Christofer, et al.
(författare)
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Effect of raw material composition in woody biomass pellets on combustion characteristics
- 2007
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Ingår i: Biomass and Bioenergy. - Oxford : Pergamon Press. - 0961-9534 .- 1873-2909. ; 31:1, s. 66-72
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Char yield, char combustion time and char combustion rate of pellets made from different tree parts of Norway spruce and industrially made stem wood pellets of Norway spruce and Scots pine were studied. The pellets were incinerated in a laboratory scale oven at various temperatures, gas flows and oxygen concentrations. It was found that the combustion time for a single pellet mostly depended on the raw material composition and to a minor extent on the density. Pellets made of bark had up to a 50% longer char combustion time compared to that of stem wood pellets, due to differences in char yield. Industrially made stem wood pellets of pine and spruce sawdust were found to have small differences in combustion characteristics. The variations in combustion characteristics of pellets are discussed in relation to composition of raw material.
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