| 1. |
- Larsson, Stefan, et al.
(författare)
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Characteristics of anadromous whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus (L.)) rivers in the Gulf of Bothnia
- 2013
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Ingår i: BIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF COREGONID FISHES - 2011. - 9783510470662 ; 64, s. 189-201
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- In order to study anadromous whitefish spawning river requirements, we sampled 41 rivers in the Gulf of Bothnia for newly hatched whitefish larvae for one to three consecutive years. Chemical and morphological data (e.g. flow rate, topography, pH, estuary fetch and distance to coastal sandy areas) were collected for each river. Newly-hatched whitefish were caught in 19 rivers whereas whitefish were not confirmed present in 22 rivers. By applying partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), data for rivers confirmed to support whitefish were contrasted with data for rivers in which whitefish were not found. The single most important factor was annual average water flow rate. Whitefish larvae were observed in 93% of the rivers with annual mean flow rate > 5 m(3) s(-1) (N = 14). In contrast, newly-hatched whitefish were only found in 22% of the smaller rivers (N = 27).
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| 2. |
- Agar, David, et al.
(författare)
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A systematic study of ring-die pellet production from forest and agricultural biomass
- 2018
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Ingår i: Fuel Processing Technology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-3820 .- 1873-7188. ; 180, s. 47-55
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Continuous global growth in the pellet production industry and renewable energy policy targets have driven interest in under-utilised lignocellulosic biomass. In this comprehensive study, pelleting trials were systematically carried out using a pilot-scale ring-die pellet press with eight different biomass feedstock; logging residues, pine bark, wheat straw, reed canary grass, coppiced willow, poplar and beech. A standard spruce/pine sawdust blend was pelleted as a reference material.Pellets were produced from feedstock at four different moisture content levels, through two press channel lengths and three replicate steady-state sampling periods. A total of 192 batches of 8 mm diameter pellets were produced within a press channel length and moisture content range of 30-60 mm and 9-17% respectively. Pellet production had a range of 141-206 kg h(-1) and relatively good pellet quality was achieved for a majority of the studied feedstock. The best pellet batches had a mechanical durability and bulk density range of 91-99% and 532-714 kg m(-3) respectively, corresponding to an energy density range of 8.3-12.5 GJ m(-3) (as received). The extruded pellet temperature ranged between 99 and 131 degrees C and was correlated to pellet bulk density for hardwoods, pine bark and forest residues. The normalised energy (reference value of 1) used in pelleting all materials varied between 0.76 and 1.3 being highest for the hardwoods and lowest for straw and forest residues.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Agar, David, et al.
(författare)
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Pelleting torrefied biomass at pilot-scale – Quality and implications for co-firing
- 2021
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Ingår i: Renewable Energy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0960-1481. ; 178, s. 766-774
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The co-firing of solid biofuels in coal plants is an attractive and fast-track means of cutting emissions but its potential is linked to biomass densification. For torrefied materials this topic is under-represented in literature. This pilot-scale (121–203 kg h−1) pelleting study generated detailed knowledge on the densification of torrefied biomass compared to untreated biomass. Four feedstock with high supply availability (beech, poplar, wheat straw and corn cob) were studied in their untreated and torrefied forms. Systematic methods were used to produce 180 batches of 8 mm dia. pellets using press channel length (PCL) and moisture content (MC) ranges of 30–60 mm and 7.3–16.6% (wet basis) respectively. Analysis showed that moderate degrees of torrefaction (250–280 °C, 20–75 min) strongly affected pelleting behaviour. The highest quality black pellets had a mechanical durability and bulk density range of 87.5–98.7% and 662–697 kg m−3 respectively. Pelleting energy using torrefied feedstock varied from −15 to +53 kWh t−1 from untreated with increases in production fines. Optimal pelleting MC and PCL were reduced significantly for torrefied feedstock and pellet quality was characterised by a decrease in mechanical durability and an increase in bulk density. Energy densities of 11.9–13.2 GJ m−3 (as received) were obtained.
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| 5. |
- Björkman Björkelund, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Factors at admission associated with 4 months outcome in elderly patients with hip fracture.
- 2009
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Ingår i: AANA Journal. - 0094-6354. ; 77:1, s. 49-58
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The purpose of this descriptive cohort study was to describe patients with hip fracture on the basis of ASA physical status and to identify preoperative risk factors associated with postoperative outcome up to 4 months after surgery. Data were collected prospectively through the Swedish National Hip Fracture and Anesthetic registers and retrospectively from medical and nursing records. The 428 patients (aged > or = 65 years) with hip fracture were consecutively included. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors predicting each of 4 outcomes. Risk factors for a poorer 4-month survival after hip fracture were ASA physical status 3 and 4, more extensive fractures, 85 years or older, male sex, and dependency in living. Mortality within 4 months was significantly associated with ASA physical status 3 and 4, age 85 years or older, male sex, dementia diagnosis, fewer than 8 correct answers on the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire, 4 or more prescribed drugs, hemoglobin level less than 100 g/L, creatinine level more than 100 micromol/L, dependency in living, inability to walk alone, and fracture other than undisplaced intracapsular. Elderly patients with hip fracture should be identified immediately at admission regarding risk factors leading to a poorer survival and more complications.
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| 6. |
- Björkman Björkelund, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Reducing delirium in elderly patients with hip fracture: a multi-factorial intervention study.
- 2010
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Ingår i: Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 0001-5172 .- 1399-6576. ; Apr 7, s. 678-688
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: There is an evident need for improved management of elderly patients with trauma in order to avoid common and troublesome complications such as delirium. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an implementation of a multi-factorial program including intensified pre-hospital and perioperative treatment and care could reduce the incidence of delirium in elderly patients with hip fracture, cognitively intact at admission to the hospital. In addition, we explored the factors that characterize patients who developed delirium. Methods: A prospective, quasi-experimental design was used. A total of 263 patients with hip fracture (>/=65 years), cognitively intact at admission, were consecutively included between April 2003 and April 2004. On 1 October 2003, a new program was introduced. All patients were screened for cognitive impairment within 30 min after admission to the emergency department using The Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ). To screen for delirium, patients were tested within 4 h of admission and thereafter daily, using the Organic Brain Syndrome scale. Results: The number of patients who developed delirium during hospitalization was 74 (28.1%), with a decrease from 34% (45 of 132) in the control group to 22% (29 of 131) in the intervention group (P=0.031). Patients who developed delirium were statistically older, more often had >4 prescribed drugs at admission and scored less well in the SPMSQ test. Conclusion: The use of a multi-factorial intervention program in elderly hip fracture patients, lucid at admission, reduced the incidence of delirium during hospitalization by 35%.
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| 7. |
- Björkman Björkelund, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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The influence of perioperative care and treatment on the 4-month outcome in elderly patients with hip fracture.
- 2011
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Ingår i: AANA Journal. - 0094-6354. ; 79:1, s. 51-61
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The purpose of this descriptive cohort study was to identify perioperative risk factors associated with postoperative outcome up to 4 months after surgery in elderly patients with hip fracture. Data were collected prospectively through the Swedish National Hip Fracture, the local Acute and Emergency, and Anesthesia registers, and retrospectively from medical and nursing records. The 428 patients (aged > or = 65 years) with hip fracture were consecutively included. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors predicting each of 4 outcomes. Perioperative risk factors predicting death within 4 months after surgery were fasting time of 12 or more hours and blood transfusion of 1 U or more. Risk factors predicting postoperative confusion were postoperative oxygen saturation less than 90% and fasting time 12 hours or longer. Risk factors predicting in-hospital complications were transfusion of 1 or more units of blood, preoperative oxygen saturation less than 90%, and fasting time 12 hours or more. Risk factor predicting length of stay longer than 10 days was blood transfusion of 1 U or more. To minimize morbidity and mortality, providers should increase efforts to optimize the patients' oxygen saturation and hemoglobin level and reduce fasting time and waiting time for surgery.
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| 8. |
- Björkman Björkelund, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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The Organic Brain Syndrome (OBS) scale: a systematic review.
- 2006
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Ingår i: International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. - : Wiley. - 1099-1166 .- 0885-6230. ; 21:3, s. 210-222
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background/Objective The Organic Brain Syndrome (OBS) Scale was developed to determine elderly patients' disturbances of awareness and orientation as to time, place and own identity, and assessment of various emotional and behavioural symptoms appearing in delirium, dementia and other organic mental diseases. The aim of the study was to examine the OBS Scale, using the eight criteria and guidelines formulated by the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Medical Outcomes Trust (SAC), and to investigate its relevance and suitability for use in various clinical settings. Method Systematic search and analysis of papers (30) on the OBS Scale were carried out using the criteria suggested by the SAC. Results: The OBS Scale in many aspects satisfies the requirements suggested by the SAC: conceptual and measurement model, reliability, validity, responsiveness, interpretability, respondent and administrative burden, alternative forms of administration, and cultural and language adaptations, but there is a need for additional evaluation, especially with regard to different forms of reliability, and the translation and adaptation to other languages. Conclusions The OBS Scale is a sensitive scale which is clinically useful for the description and long-term follow-up of patients showing symptoms of acute confusional state and dementia. Although the OBS Scale has been used in several clinical studies there is need for further evaluation. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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| 9. |
- Borén, Eleonora, et al.
(författare)
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Off-gassing from 16 pilot-scale produced pellets assortments of torrefied pine : impact of torrefaction severity, storage time, pelletization parameters, and pellet quality
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Off-gassing from wood pellets poses risks in large scale handling chains - yet little is known on off-gassing from pellets of torrefied wood. This study reports CO, CO2, and O2 concentrations in off-gases during storage of 16 torrefied and two untreated pellets assortments. According to an experimental design, pellets were produced in pilot scale from pine chips torrefied at five different set points. Off-gassing was assessed in relation to storage conditions, torrefaction and pelletization parameters, and pellet quality. Pellets from the most severely torrefied pine formed CO, CO2, and consumed O2 similarly to untreated pellets. Off-gassing was positively correlated to pellet moisture content; however, the most severely torrefied also retained the least moisture. Open air storage (20–270 days) of torrefied chips prior to pelletization did not affect off-gassing levels. Results are important for safe handling; torrefied pellets can cause comparable levels as untreated pellets of CO, CO2, and O2.
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| 10. |
- Borén, Eleonora, et al.
(författare)
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Off-gassing from pilot-scale torrefied pine wood chips : impact of torrefaction severity, cooling technology, and storage time
- 2020
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Ingår i: Fuel processing technology. - : Elsevier. - 0378-3820 .- 1873-7188. ; 202
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- During handling and storage of conventional wood pellets, O2 depletion as well as CO and CO2 off-gassing can reach acutely hazardous levels and certain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) may reach concerning levels from an occupational health and safety perspective. With new thermally pre-treated biomass commodities entering consumer markets, corresponding knowledge is needed on these assortments' off-gassing behaviour. In this study, relative concentrations of VOCs, CO, CO2, and O2 in the closed storage space of five different pilot-scale torrefied pine wood chip assortments were monitored over 12 days. The VOCs composition in the storage space differed between torrefaction treatment settings; terpenes decreased while furans and lignin degradation products peaked at narrow ranges with increased torrefaction severity, indicating that VOC off-gassing composition of individual compounds is highly specific. Generally, VOC amounts decreased with storage time, but for the mildest torrefied chips certain VOCs increased, predominantly compounds of higher volatility such as hexanal, acetone, and 2-pentylfuran. Also, the newly produced torrefied chips were cooled with two different post-process technologies: i) heat exchanging, and ii) heat exchanging with additional water spraying. Water spraying resulted in higher VOC concentrations, stronger O2 depletion, and factor four higher concentration of CO2 in the storage headspace.
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