| 1. |
- Berndt, Sonja I., et al.
(författare)
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Genome-wide meta-analysis identifies 11 new loci for anthropometric traits and provides insights into genetic architecture
- 2013
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Ingår i: Nature Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1061-4036 .- 1546-1718. ; 45:5, s. 501-U69
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Approaches exploiting trait distribution extremes may be used to identify loci associated with common traits, but it is unknown whether these loci are generalizable to the broader population. In a genome-wide search for loci associated with the upper versus the lower 5th percentiles of body mass index, height and waist-to-hip ratio, as well as clinical classes of obesity, including up to 263,407 individuals of European ancestry, we identified 4 new loci (IGFBP4, H6PD, RSRC1 and PPP2R2A) influencing height detected in the distribution tails and 7 new loci (HNF4G, RPTOR, GNAT2, MRPS33P4, ADCY9, HS6ST3 and ZZZ3) for clinical classes of obesity. Further, we find a large overlap in genetic structure and the distribution of variants between traits based on extremes and the general population and little etiological heterogeneity between obesity subgroups.
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| 2. |
- Benrick, Anna, 1979, et al.
(författare)
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Autonomic nervous system activation mediates the increase in whole-body glucose uptake in response to electroacupuncture
- 2017
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Ingår i: Faseb Journal. - : Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. - 0892-6638 .- 1530-6860. ; 31:8, s. 3288-3297
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A single bout of low-frequency electroacupuncture (EA) causing muscle contractions increases whole-body glucose uptake in insulin-resistant rats. We explored the underlying mechanism of this finding and whether it can be translated into clinical settings. Changes in glucose infusion rate (GIR) were measured by euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp during and after 45 min of low-frequency EA in 21 overweight/obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and 21 controls matched for age, weight, and body mass index (experiment 1) and in rats receiving autonomic receptor blockers (experiment 2). GIR was higher after EA in controls and women with PCOS. Plasma serotonin levels and homovanillic acid, markers of vagal activity, decreased in both controls and patients with PCOS. Adipose tissue expression of pro-nerve growth factor (proNGF) decreased, and the mature NGF/proNGF ratio increased after EA in PCOS, but not in controls, suggesting increased sympathetic-driven adipose tissue metabolism. Administration of alpha-/beta-adrenergic receptor blockers in rats blocked the increase in GIR in response to EA. Muscarinic and dopamine receptor antagonist also blocked the response but with slower onset. In conclusion, a single bout of EA increases whole-body glucose uptake by activation of the sympathetic and partly the parasympathetic nervous systems, which could have important clinical implications for the treatment of insulin resistance.
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| 3. |
- Briggert, Andreas, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of three dimensional fibre orientation in Norway spruce using a laboratory laser scanner
- 2016
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Ingår i: WCTE 2016. - Vienna : Vienna University of Technology. - 9783903039001
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper addresses laser scanning and utilization of the tracheid effect for determination of local fibre orientation, which is decisive for strength and stiffness of timber. A newly developed laboratory laser scanner that can be used for high resolution and high precision scanning of wood surfaces is used for in-depth assessment of a single Norway spruce specimen that contains a knot. It is assumed that the specimen has a plane of symmetry, through the knot, and by splitting the specimen in two parts it is possible to determine fibre orientation on orthogonal planes. Hence, by relying on the assumption of symmetry, the fibre orientation in 3D space can also be determined. The results are used to evaluate the possibility of utilizing the tracheid effect for determination of the out-of-plane fibre angle of an investigated surface. Furthermore, the results are used for verification of a theoretical fibre orientation model that has often been used by researchers.
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| 4. |
- Briggert, Andreas, 1984-, et al.
(författare)
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Tracheid effect scanning and evaluation of in-plane and out-of-plane fibre direction in Norway spruce using
- 2018
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Ingår i: Wood and Fiber Science. - : Society of Wood Science and Technology. - 0735-6161. ; 50:4, s. 411-429
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Local fiber direction is decisive for both strength and stiffness in timber. In-plane fiber direction on surfaces of timber can be determined using the so-called tracheid effect which is frequently used in both research and industry applications. However, a similar established method does not exist for measuring the out-of-plane angle, also known as diving angle. The purposes of this article were to evaluate if the tracheid effect can also be used to determine, with reasonable accuracy, the out-of-plane angle in Norway spruce and to verify an existing mathematical model used to calculate the fiber direction in the vicinity of knots. A newly developed laboratory laser scanner was applied for assessment of fiber directions in a single Norway spruce specimen containing a knot. It was assumed that the specimen had a plane of symmetry through the center of the knot, and by splitting the specimen through this plane into two parts, it was possible to make measurements on orthogonal planes. The results showed that the out-of-plane angle could not be determined with very high accuracy and the difficulties related to this objective were analyzed. Regarding the mathematical model of fiber direction in the vicinity of a knot, fiber directions calculated on the basis of this model agreed well with experimentally obtained fiber directions, but successful application of the model requires that the geometry of the knot is known in detail.
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| 5. |
- Fornes, R., et al.
(författare)
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The effect of androgen excess on maternal metabolism, placental function and fetal growth in obese dams
- 2017
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are often overweight or obese. To study the effects of maternal androgen excess in obese dams on metabolism, placental function and fetal growth, female C57Bl6J mice were fed a control (CD) or a high fat/high sucrose (HF/HS) diet for 4-10 weeks, and then mated. On gestational day (GD) 15.5-17.5, dams were injected with dihydrotestosterone (CD-DHT, HF/HS-DHT) or a vehicle (CD-Veh, HF/HS-Veh). HF/HS dams had higher fat content, both before mating and on GD18.5, with no difference in glucose homeostasis, whereas the insulin sensitivity was higher in DHT-exposed dams. Compared to the CD groups, the livers from HF/HS dams weighed more on GD18.5, the triglyceride content was higher, and there was a dysregulation of liver enzymes related to lipogenesis and higher mRNA expression of Fitm1. Fetuses from HF/HS-Veh dams had lower liver triglyceride content and mRNA expression of Srebf1c. Maternal DHT exposure, regardless of diet, decreased fetal liver Pparg mRNA expression and increased placental androgen receptor protein expression. Maternal diet-induced obesity, together with androgen excess, affects maternal and fetal liver function as demonstrated by increased triglyceride content and dysfunctional expression of enzymes and transcription factors involved in de novo lipogenesis and fat storage.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Hu, Min, 1979-, et al.
(författare)
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Assessment of a Three-Dimensional Fiber Orientation Model for Timber
- 2016
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Ingår i: Wood and Fiber Science. - 0735-6161. ; 48:4, s. 271-290
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Wood is an orthotropic material with very different properties along and across fibers, and every board has its own pattern of knots and fiber deviations. Therefore, detailed knowledge of the three-dimensional (3D) fiber orientation of individual boards would enable more accurate assessment of properties such as stiffness, strength, and shape stability. This paper presents a method for modeling 3D fiber orientation of side boards of Norway spruce. The method is based on dot laser scanning and utilization of the tracheid effect, and it is verified by a comparison between strain fields calculated on the basis of the fiber orientation model and corresponding strains determined using digital image correlation (DIC) technique. By means of the method, it is possible to identify knots and to reproduce the fiber orientation in clear wood in the vicinity of knots. Fiber orientation models of side boards including traversing edge knots were established and integrated in finite element models of boards used for simulation of four-point bending tests. The same boards were also tested in laboratory and displacement fields of the wide faces were recorded at different load levels using DIC technique. Comparisons of strain fields from measurements and simulations showed close agreement, regarding both strain patterns and strain levels. Local strain concentrations caused by very small defects were detected using the models and also found from the laboratory test results. The modeling approach may be used both to achieve improved accuracy of existing machine strength grading methods and, after further development, also for more advanced analysis of eg crack propagation and strength of timber.
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| 8. |
- Hu, Min, 1979-, et al.
(författare)
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Comparison of local variation of modulus of elasticity determined on basis of scanned fiber angles and full strain field measurements
- 2013
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Ingår i: The 18th International Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation of Wood Symposium. - Madison, WI, USA.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Strength grading methods are normally based on relationships between one measured value of modulus of elasticity (MOE), regarded as being valid for the whole board, and bending strength. Studies have shown, however, that with a detailed knowledge of local variation of MOE within boards, a highter coefficient of determination (R2) with respect to bending strength can be obtained. Measurements of fiber angles from laser scanning has shown to be a powerful tool to establish MOE profile along boards in a speed that cooresponds to the production speed at a sawmill. The present study aims at investigating the accuracy of the local MOE profile determined on basis of fiber angles from laser scanning. The study was carried out on a board of Norway spruce of dimension 50 by 150 by 3,900 mm. First the fiber angles on all four surfaces were identified using a WoodEye scanner and on the basis of these measurements, a MOE profile was calculated. Thereafter, the board was subjected to a constant bending moment and suring loading an image correlation system, Aramis, was employed for detection of the strain field with high resolution along the whole board. This strain field was then used to estanlish a 'true' MOE profile along the board. The MOE profiles determined in two different ways were compared and they show a close compliance. However, some difference were found and these were used for calibration of the method for MOE determination on the basis of scanning results. The present research thus contributes further improvement of a newly suggested grading method.
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| 9. |
- Hu, Min, 1979-, et al.
(författare)
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Fibre directions at a branch-stem junction in Norway spruce : a microscale investigation using X-ray computed tomography
- 2022
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Ingår i: Wood Science and Technology. - : Springer Nature. - 0043-7719 .- 1432-5225. ; 56, s. 147-169
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The connection between branch and trunk in a tree must be strong enough to transfer all loads acting on the branch, and it is well known that such branch-stem connections are indeed very strong. In this paper, X-ray computer tomography is employed to investigate the local fibre orientation in the close surrounding of a knot in a Norway spruce specimen to better understand the origins of the mechanical strength of the branch-trunk connection. First, a wood specimen containing an entire knot from pith to bark was imaged with a voxel size of 52 mu m. Subsequently, smaller specimens were cut from this original specimen and imaged again with increasingly higher resolution over four levels. With the highest resolution level (2.6 mu m voxel size), the tracheids with smallest lumen were successfully traced. The results revealed how the direction of the fibre paths that start below the knot curve around it as the paths progress upwards to the region just above the knot, where the paths divide into two: one set of paths integrating with the knot on its top side and the other set continuing up along the trunk. Fibres that integrate with the knot at its top follow paths just before they continue into the knot, with a radius of curvature of only about 1 mm in both vertical and horizontal directions. No abrupt change of fibre pattern between latewood and earlywood is observed; rather, a continuous change of fibre direction across annual layers can be seen. The detailed characterisation of the local fibre structure around the knot provides new data that can explain the remarkable strength of the branch-trunk connection.
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| 10. |
- Hu, Min, 1979-, et al.
(författare)
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Grading of sawn timber using the vibration technique : locating imperfections based on flexural mode shapes
- 2011
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Ingår i: 17th international nondestructive testing and evaluation of wood symposium. - Sopron, Hungary : University of West Hungary. - 9789639883819 ; , s. 269-276
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The present study aims at investigating the potential of using mode shape or mode shape curvature (MSC) for detecting defects in wooden beams. It includes modal analysis, Finite Element (FE) modeling and visual scanning. An FE model was created to investigate the effect of defects of different size and location on the mode shape/MSC. The mode shape/MSC showed a good potential to be used for finding defects. An experimental study on 17 boards of Norway spruce, dimensions of 50×150×3900 mm, was conducted using experimental modal analysis. The findings reveal that: (1) the mode shape/MSC studied in the FE-model could be used to locate defects, (2) the method is very sensitive to measurement noise and it requires an accurately measured mode shape, (3) an error analysis shows that it is not possible to achieve the accuracy needed using accelerometers.
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