| 1. |
- Särhammar, Erik, et al.
(författare)
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Mechanisms for compositional variations of coatings sputtered from a WS2 target
- 2014
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Ingår i: Surface & Coatings Technology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0257-8972 .- 1879-3347. ; 252, s. 186-190
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Magnetron sputtering fromcompound targets is widely used for the deposition of compound films since it is easyto scale up and it exhibits a high reproducibility. Controlling film stoichiometry is crucial for obtaining filmswithdesired properties. However, the process is rather complex and sputtering from a compound target frequentlyresults in film compositions that deviate significantly from that of the target. This is due to a number of effectsrelated to the nature of the sputtering process which include preferential re-sputtering due to energetic particlebombardment at the substrate, different take-off angles, scattering in the gas phase, and different stickingcoefficients.In this work, we have investigated how sputtering from aWS2 target results in different film compositions as afunction of the position in the chamber, for different processing conditions. Hence, the films have not been characterizedwith respect to structural or morphological properties. A Monte-Carlo based software, accounting fordifferent take-off angles and scattering in the gas phase, was developed to simulate the compositional variationsat various positions in the chamber. Further, a number of experimentswere performed by varying the target voltage,process pressure, as well as the location of the substrate (on and off axis). Simulations and experiments revealsignificant compositional variations for different processing conditions. Experiments show that thesevariations are only slightly affected by the target voltage, while the most significant variations result from theprocessing pressure and position on the chamber. From the qualitatively good agreement between experimentsand simulations it is clear that gas phase scattering must be taken into account to explain the observed compositionaltrends, while the other effects are less important and sticking coefficients effectsmay even be negligible.It is therefore concluded that themajor effect responsible for the compositional variation of the film is the differentscattering behaviour of S andWin the gas phase.
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| 2. |
- Ademuyiwa, Adesoji O., et al.
(författare)
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Determinants of morbidity and mortality following emergency abdominal surgery in children in low-income and middle-income countries
- 2016
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Ingår i: BMJ Global Health. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 2059-7908. ; 1:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Child health is a key priority on the global health agenda, yet the provision of essential and emergency surgery in children is patchy in resource-poor regions. This study was aimed to determine the mortality risk for emergency abdominal paediatric surgery in low-income countries globally.Methods: Multicentre, international, prospective, cohort study. Self-selected surgical units performing emergency abdominal surgery submitted prespecified data for consecutive children aged <16 years during a 2-week period between July and December 2014. The United Nation's Human Development Index (HDI) was used to stratify countries. The main outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality, analysed by multilevel logistic regression.Results: This study included 1409 patients from 253 centres in 43 countries; 282 children were under 2 years of age. Among them, 265 (18.8%) were from low-HDI, 450 (31.9%) from middle-HDI and 694 (49.3%) from high-HDI countries. The most common operations performed were appendectomy, small bowel resection, pyloromyotomy and correction of intussusception. After adjustment for patient and hospital risk factors, child mortality at 30 days was significantly higher in low-HDI (adjusted OR 7.14 (95% CI 2.52 to 20.23), p<0.001) and middle-HDI (4.42 (1.44 to 13.56), p=0.009) countries compared with high-HDI countries, translating to 40 excess deaths per 1000 procedures performed.Conclusions: Adjusted mortality in children following emergency abdominal surgery may be as high as 7 times greater in low-HDI and middle-HDI countries compared with high-HDI countries. Effective provision of emergency essential surgery should be a key priority for global child health agendas.
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| 3. |
- Cederwall, Bo, et al.
(författare)
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Evidence for a spin-aligned neutron-proton paired phase from the level structure of 92Pd
- 2011
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Ingår i: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 469:7328, s. 68-71
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Shell structure and magic numbers in atomic nuclei were generally explained by pioneering work(1) that introduced a strong spin-orbit interaction to the nuclear shell model potential. However, knowledge of nuclear forces and the mechanisms governing the structure of nuclei, in particular far from stability, is still incomplete. In nuclei with equal neutron and proton numbers (N = Z), enhanced correlations arise between neutrons and protons (two distinct types of fermions) that occupy orbitals with the same quantum numbers. Such correlations have been predicted to favour an unusual type of nuclear superfluidity, termed isoscalar neutron-proton pairing(2-6), in addition to normal isovector pairing. Despite many experimental efforts, these predictions have not been confirmed. Here we report the experimental observation of excited states in the N = Z = 46 nucleus Pd-92. Gamma rays emitted following the Ni-58(Ar-36,2n)Pd-92 fusion-evaporation reaction were identified using a combination of state-of-the-art high-resolution c-ray, charged-particle and neutron detector systems. Our results reveal evidence for a spin-aligned, isoscalar neutron-proton coupling scheme, different from the previous prediction(2-6). We suggest that this coupling scheme replaces normal superfluidity (characterized by seniority coupling(7,8)) in the ground and low-lying excited states of the heaviest N = Z nuclei. Such strong, isoscalar neutron-proton correlations would have a considerable impact on the nuclear level structure and possibly influence the dynamics of rapid proton capture in stellar nucleosynthesis.
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| 4. |
- Frykholm, Erik, 1985-
(författare)
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The relevance and assessment of limb muscle function in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- 2021
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a disease that is characterised by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. Consequences beyond the airways and lungs are common, and include limb muscle dysfunction. Limb muscle dysfunction is treated with exercise training, and should be preceded by assessments to individualise prescriptions. Guidelines recommend assessment of quadriceps strength, but limb muscle dysfunction affects more than strength. Other less investigated assessments may be of interest. During training, direct physiological (cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and biomechanical) and symptomatic responses are important, since they can affect training effectivity, and they may differ depending on whether arms or legs are used. The main aims of this thesis were to investigate the relevance of assessments of quadriceps function, feasibility and reliability of methods to assess quadriceps endurance, and to compare the direct physiological and symptomatic responses during arm and leg activities in people with COPD.Method: This thesis is based on four papers. These include one systematic review with a meta-analysis of studies comparing direct physiological and symptomatic responses to activities performed with the arms versus the legs, and three papers based on an international cross-sectional multicentre study investigating reliability, feasibility, and relevance of three leg extension assessments of quadriceps endurance. Relative and absolute reliability were determined via interclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV %), and limits of agreement (LoA %) for measures of isokinetic total work, isokinetic fatigue index, isometric time to exhaustion, and isotonic repetitions to exhaustion. The relevance of the measures of quadriceps endurance and other quadriceps functions were determined by the association to functional capacity and physical activity with Pearson correlation analyses (r) and multiple linear regression models (R2, adjusted R2, Δ R2, and Δ adjusted R2).Results: Results from the meta-analyses show that leg-cycle ergometer resulted in greater tidal volume (137 mL), minute ventilation (4.8 L/min), and oxygen consumption (164 mL/min) compared to arm cycle ergometer, while symptomatic responses were similar. Physiological responses (e.g., minute ventilation and oxygen consumption) during arm compared to leg resistance training exercises were similar. Results from studies on functional activities depend on the type and intensity of the activity performed. Isokinetic total work was the measurement with the highest relative reliability (ICC = 0.98) and the smallest absolute reliability (e.g., CV% = 6.5). Isokinetic fatigue index, isometric, and isotonic measures demonstrated low-to-high relative reliability (ICC = 0.64, 0.88, 0.91), and absolute reliability was larger (e.g., CV% = 20.3, 14.9, and 15.8%). Participants performed better on the retest for isokinetic total work and isometric measurements (4.8 and 10%, p < 0.001). The feasibility was similar across protocols, with an average time consumption of< 7.5 minutes, limited perceived dyspnoea compared to leg fatigue, and no major adverse advents. The measures of quadriceps function had mostly similar (r = +/- 0.07–0.45) levels of correlations to the functional capacity and physical activity. In multiple regression analyses improved quadriceps power the models to predict functional capacity the most (Δ adjusted R2= 0.10, 0.15, adjusted R2 = 0.60, 0.39). Isotonic endurance was the only muscle function that improved all physical activity models (ΔR2 = 0.04–0.07, p < 0.05, R2 = 0.38–0.49).Conclusions: The results indicate that if the goal of an activity is to maximise physiological responses such as minute ventilation and oxygen consumption, activities involving the legs should be preferred. Symptomatic responses seems task and intensity dependent, which suggest that strategies used to reduce symptoms should be based on relative intensity. In the assessment of quadriceps endurance, isokinetic, isometric and isotonic protocols present low to very high relative reliability. Differences in reliability and the better performance at retest might reflect differences in ability to detect true change. Quadriceps power seems to be more relevant to functional capacity, and isotonic quadriceps endurance seems to be more relevant to physical activity.
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| 5. |
- Nyberg, Harald, et al.
(författare)
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Extreme friction reductions during inital running-in of W-S-C-Ti low-friction coatings
- 2013
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Ingår i: Wear. - : Elsevier. - 0043-1648 .- 1873-2577. ; 302:1-2 SI, s. 987-997
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The disulphides of tungsten and molybdenum are known for their low friction properties when used as solid lubricants. Due to their low hardness, their load bearing capacity when used as thin films is poor. When carbon is added to a WS2 coating, both of these shortcomings are improved, and a structure consisting of nanocrystals of WS2, and possibly tungsten carbide, in a matrix of amorphous carbon is formed. In this study, an attempt is made for further increasing the hardness of such coatings, by addition of Ti, a strong carbide former. A number of W–S–C(–Ti) coatings were deposited using magnetron co-sputtering, and characterised with regard to chemical composition, structure and tribological properties. It was seen that addition of Ti significantly increased the hardness of the coatings, while maintaining their excellent low friction properties in dry atmosphere. However, the coatings with Ti showed extremely high initial friction, a feature not seen for the coatings without Ti. The mechanisms behind this running-in behaviour were investigated by studying surfaces at early stages of wear. It was observed that tribofilms formed during sliding for the coatings containing Ti consisted mainly of TiO2, with platelets of WS2 appearing in the contact only after prolonged sliding. For the pure W–S–C coatings, WS2 was observed in the sliding interface almost instantly at the onset of sliding.
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| 6. |
- Nyberg, Harald, et al.
(författare)
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Tribochemical formation of sulphide tribofilms from a Ti-C-S coating sliding against different counter surfaces
- 2014
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Ingår i: Tribology letters. - : Springer Science+Business Media B.V.. - 1023-8883 .- 1573-2711. ; 56:3, s. 563-572
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Tribochemically active Ti-C-S coatings are nanocomposite coatings containing a S-doped titanium carbide, from which S can be released in a tribological contact. This work studies tribochemical reactions between a Ti-C-S coating and various counter surface materials, and their effect on the tribological performance. Tribological tests were performed in a ball-on-disc set-up, using balls of five different materials as sliding partners for the coating: 100Cr6 steel, pure W, WC, 316-L steel and Al2O3. For W balls, a WS2 tribofilm was formed, leading to low friction (down to A mu = 0.06). Furthermore, increasing normal load on the W balls was found to lead to a strong decrease in A mu and earlier formation of the low-friction WS2 tribofilm. Similar WS2 and MoS2 tribofilms were, however, not formed from WC- and Mo-containing 316-L balls. The performance when using WC and Al2O3 balls was significantly worse than for the two steel balls. It is suggested that this is due to sulphide formation from Fe, analogous to formation of anti-seizure tribofilms from S-containing extreme pressure additives and steel surfaces. The tribochemical activity of Ti-C-S coatings, with the possibility of S release, is thus beneficial not only for pure W counter surfaces, but also for Fe-based sliding partners.
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| 7. |
- Nyberg, Lena, 1979, et al.
(författare)
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Rapid identification of intact bacterial resistance plasmids via optical mapping of single DNA molecules
- 2016
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322 .- 2045-2322. ; 6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The rapid spread of antibiotic resistance - currently one of the greatest threats to human health according to WHO - is to a large extent enabled by plasmid-mediated horizontal transfer of resistance genes. Rapid identification and characterization of plasmids is thus important both for individual clinical outcomes and for epidemiological monitoring of antibiotic resistance. Toward this aim, we have developed an optical DNA mapping procedure where individual intact plasmids are elongated within nanofluidic channels and visualized through fluorescence microscopy, yielding barcodes that reflect the underlying sequence. The assay rapidly identifies plasmids through statistical comparisons with barcodes based on publicly available sequence repositories and also enables detection of structural variations. Since the assay yields holistic sequence information for individual intact plasmids, it is an ideal complement to next generation sequencing efforts which involve reassembly of sequence reads from fragmented DNA molecules. The assay should be applicable in microbiology labs around the world in applications ranging from fundamental plasmid biology to clinical epidemiology and diagnostics.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Sundberg, Jill, 1986-, et al.
(författare)
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Influence of composition, structure and testing atmosphere on the tribological performance of W-S-N coatings
- 2014
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Ingår i: Surface & Coatings Technology. - : Elsevier. - 0257-8972 .- 1879-3347. ; 258, s. 86-94
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- W-S-N coatings deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering offer the possibility of ultra-low friction in unlubricated sliding. In this work, W-S-N coatings of different composition and structure have been deposited, characterised and evaluated with respect to the tribological performance and tribofilm formation. The composition was varied by changing the flow of N-2 into the deposition chamber, leading to N contents ranging from 0 to 47 at.%. W-S-N coatings deposited without substrate heating are amorphous, while substrate heating results in coatings containing nanocystalline tungsten sulphide (WSx) for low N contents, and nanocrystalline tungsten nitride (WyN) at a high N content. The coatings were tribologically tested against steel balls in four different atmospheres dry N-2, dry air, humid N-2 and humid air to study the effects of atmospheric O-2 and H2O both separately and simultaneously. In dry N-2, all coatings exhibited an excellent performance with very low friction (mu approximate to 0.02) and wear. Notably, this included the N-richest and hardest coating, containing nanocrystalline WyN and only 13 at.% of S. The friction and wear increased on changing the atmosphere, in the order of dry air-humid N-2-humid air. In these three non-inert atmospheres, the friction and wear also increased with increasing N content of the coating. It is thus concluded that the presence of O-2, the presence of H2O, and a high N content (i.e., low Wand S contents) are three factors increasing the risk of high friction and wear, especially when occurring together. Raman spectroscopy mapping of the contact surfaces on the coatings and the balls showed that low friction and wear is connected to the presence of WS2 tribofilms in the contact, and that the three previously mentioned factors affect the formation and function of this tribofilm.
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| 10. |
- Sundberg, Jill, et al.
(författare)
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Influence of Ti addition on the structure and properties of low-friction W–S–C coatings
- 2013
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Ingår i: Surface & Coatings Technology. - : Elsevier. - 0257-8972 .- 1879-3347. ; 232, s. 340-348
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Transition metal dichalcogenides, such as WS2 and MoS2, are known for their layered structure and lubricating properties. When deposited as thin coatings, however, their use as solid lubricants is limited by their low hardness and load-bearing capacity. The addition of another element, such as carbon, can improve the mechanical properties, although the hardness of for example W-S-C coatings is still rather low. In this work, Ti has been added to W-S-C coatings in order to further increase the hardness by carbide formation. W-S-C and W-S-C-Ti coatings were deposited by non-reactive magnetron sputtering, and characterized with regard to composition, structure and mechanical and tribological properties. It was found that the addition of Ti leads to the formation of a new carbide phase, and a significant increase in hardness for coatings with moderate carbon contents. The friction properties of W-S-C-Ti coatings were found to be comparable to that of W-S-C coatings, with friction coefficients down to mu approximate to 0.02 and similar wear rates against steel in a dry atmosphere. Formation of WS2 in the wear track of W-S-C-Ti was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. It has thus been shown that the addition of Ti to W-S-C coatings can increase the hardness, while still maintaining WS2 lubrication.
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