| 1. |
- Colding, Johan, 1958-, et al.
(författare)
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Applying a Systems Perspective on the Notion of the Smart City
- 2020
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Ingår i: Smart Cities. - : MDPI AG. - 2624-6511. ; 3:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper focuses on the need for a widened definition of the notion of technology within the smart city discourse, with a particular focus on the “built environment”. The first part of the paper describes how current tendencies in urban design and architecture are inclined to prioritize high tech-solutions at the expense of low-tech functionalities and omits that information and communication technology (ICT) contrasts the art of building cities as an adaptable and habitually smart technology in itself. It continues with an elaboration on the need for expanding the limits of system boundaries for a better understanding of the energy and material telecouplings that are linked to ICT solutions and account for some perils inherent in smart technologies, such as rebound effects and the difficulty of measuring the environmental impacts of ICT solutions on a city level. The second part of the paper highlights how low-tech technologies and nature-based solutions can make cities smarter, representing a new technology portfolio in national and international policies for safeguarding biodiversity and the delivery of a range of ecosystem services, promoting the necessary climate-change adaption that cities need to prioritize to confer resilience.
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| 2. |
- Jonasson, Karl, 1978, et al.
(författare)
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Environmental Assessment of Emerging Technologies: The Case of Alternative Transport Fuels
- 2005
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- There are several methods to evaluate the environmental performance of new technologies. The purpose of this thesis is to contribute to the methodological development of environmental assessments, with contributions from life-cycle assessment (LCA), theories on technical change and socio-technical scenarios.LCA, or well-to-wheel studies, is a widely used tool for evaluating the environmental performance of alternative transport fuels. However, the methodology is usually not adapted to answer questions regarding strategic technology choice. Suggestions are presented that could increase the usefulness of LCA in this respect. A net output approach is used, where fuels are used for their own production and distribution. Background system changes and the size of byproduct markets are studied, and it is shown that these factors can have a large influence on the results. Studies of LCA type can be used to give information on which fuels that have a low environmental impact today, and which are promising in the long run. However, it is suggested that also dynamic processes of technical changed need to be taken into account in the selection of technologies.In a study of the history of alternative transport fuels in Sweden, we show that also short-term options can contribute to the development towards more promising long-term options. Investments in alternative fuels during the years have not only resulted in physical artefacts and new explicit knowledge, but have also created dedicated actors and changed tacit knowledge and normative rules. Positive feedback loops related to actors, knowledge and rules have created more actors and changed regulation, and an ability of alternatives to survive. At the same time, the growth of some alternatives has favoured others, due to overlaps in socio-technical systems.However, the growth of alternatives is still very much dependent on exogenous factors and policy. The balance between short-term and long-term options in the transition of the transport system is illustrated through the use of socio-technical scenarios. These show that there is a risk that any policy could result in a negative development for renewable alternatives, but they also suggest that there are opportunities for growth. Policy could balance the development in different parts of the system, and make use of short-term options to contribute to more radical changes in the transport system.
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| 3. |
- Andersen, Niklas, et al.
(författare)
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Wind turbines’ end-of-life : Quantification and characterisation of future waste materials on a national level
- 2016
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Ingår i: Energies. - : MDPI AG. - 1996-1073. ; 9:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Globally, wind power is growing fast and in Sweden alone more than 3000 turbines have been installed since the mid-1990s. Although the number of decommissioned turbines so far is few, the high installation rate suggests that a similarly high decommissioning rate can be expected at some point in the future. If the waste material from these turbines is not handled sustainably the whole concept of wind power as a clean energy alternative is challenged. This study presents a generally applicable method and quantification based on statistics of the waste amounts from wind turbines in Sweden. The expected annual mean growth is 12% until 2026, followed by a mean increase of 41% until 2034. By then, annual waste amounts are estimated to 240,000 tonnes steel and iron (16% of currently recycled materials), 2300 tonnes aluminium (4%), 3300 tonnes copper (5%), 340 tonnes electronics (<1%) and 28,000 tonnes blade materials (barely recycled today). Three studied scenarios suggest that a well-functioning market for re-use may postpone the effects of these waste amounts until improved recycling systems are in place.
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| 4. |
- Arfan, Muhammad, et al.
(författare)
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The geography of technological innovation systems - The case of forest-based biofuels in a Swedish region
- 2024
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Ingår i: Innovation and Green Development. - : Elsevier. - 2949-7531. ; 3:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Geographical proximity exerts a substantial influence on structural evolution, developmental trajectory, and pace of sociotechnical system growth. This study explores this aspect within the context of the development of forest biomass-based biofuel technology, employing a Technological Innovation System (TIS) framework with the lens of geographical proximity utilization of system components. The research employed a combination of document analysis and interviews with key system stakeholders as data collection methods. The analysis reveals that the close geographical proximity of the system components and technologies, encompassing both technical aspects and sectors, did not result in synergetic effects, in contrast to prior TIS research findings. Rather than fostering collaboration, it has engendered a competitive dynamic, partially driven by actors vying for knowledge leads and funding from both regional and national agencies. Consequently, the potential benefits of geographical proximity of system components remain largely untapped. In light of these results, this study offers practical recommendations for exploiting untapped opportunities, advocating for more strategic use of geographical proximity to foster system technology development and enhance its role in national TIS development. This case study enriches sustainability transition literature by providing valuable insights into the role of geographical proximity in innovation processes.
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| 5. |
- Blom, Lisa, et al.
(författare)
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Havsbaserad vindkraft - beskrivning av samhällsnytta : Uppdragsforskningsrapport
- 2020
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- One of the biggest challenges of our time is the climate crisis. If we humans are unable to cope with the climate crisis, we risk to not fulfilling many of the 17 global sustainability goals. The climate crisis is a consequence of carbon dioxide emissions, which are largely due to the combustion of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels globally account for over 60 % of the fuel supply for electricity. In Sweden, the domestic electricity supply is almost fossil-free, but electricity is both exported and imported that marginally affects the use of fossil fuels. A change of energy supply in the industry and transport sectors points to an increasing need for electricity in the future. In order for Sweden to meet its climate commitments and achieve the goal of having no territorial emissions of carbon dioxide by 2045, more renewable electricity needs to be supplied. Wind power is one of the types of power needed in the transition to a fossil-free society. To build wind power on a large scale, an environ-mental assessment is required according to the Environmental Code. The permit application to the environmental court describes the impact on the local environment through an environmental impact assessment (miljökonsekvensbeskrivning) with associated investigations. However, offshore wind power must also be examined as a water activity, in which case the societal benefits must also be described.The purpose of this report has been to make a general compilation of existing knowledge about offshore wind power with regard to the societal benefits it constitutes or may constitute from a local, regional and national perspective. The report is based on a literature study based on scientific papers as well as reports, statistics and other facts from authorities and industry organisations. The results are reported in five different areas: energy systems; energy and environmental assessment; business; public activities and civil society. Svea Vind Offshore's offshore wind power projects Utposten 1, Utposten 2 and Greta's klackar 2 have been mentioned as examples. They can generate almost 5 TWh of electricity, which corresponds to the target for 2030 in the County Administrative Board's Gävleborg's energy and climate strategy. For comparison, electricity supply in the county was 4,617 GWh and electricity use 5,034 GWh in 2017 according to the same source.The study shows that more electricity supply capacity is needed and electricity supply from offshore wind power largely follows the need for electricity. Offshore wind power can assist in meeting the power demand and can also be part of a hydrogen expansion. The energy payback period for wind power is about 1 year (comparable to solar cells) and has a lower total environmental impact than the alternatives (comparable to hydropower).Green energy and power from offshore wind power can attract business start-ups. Reef effects and a ban on bottom trawling at an offshore wind farm are positive for the fishing environment. Offshore wind power can contribute to a stronger hospitality industry and related business and can provide both direct and indirect increase in jobs. Annual income arises at local, regional and national level during design, construction, operation and maintenance of wind farms. Establishment of wind power contributes to technical learning and often leads to improved infrastructure. Anchoring, dialogue and distribution of income from offshore wind power can lead to a positive development in the ci-rest society.
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| 6. |
- Börjeson, Fia Christina, et al.
(författare)
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Ger koppling av kunskapsinlärning och färdighetsövning ökad djupinlärning? : "Utveckling av kursmoment i ”Miljö- och resursanalys för hållbar utveckling V2”
- 2007
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Kursen ”Miljö- och resursanalys för hållbar utveckling V2”, som är en av de obli-gatoriska kurserna under andra året i civilingenjörsutbildningen (Väg och Vat-ten) vid Chalmers tekniska högskola har omfattats av ett pedagogiskt utveck-lingsarbete. Utgångspunkten till de förändringar som prövats har varit grundade i och inspirerade av Experiential Learning Theory1. Lärarlaget utvecklade, med stöd av en gemensamt producerad begreppsmodell, metoder för att intervenera på olika stadier, och på olika sätt, i studenternas lärprocess. Arbetet har handlat om att skapa goda förutsättningar för att förstärka studenternas lärande. Ett så-dant lärande innebär att studenterna tillägnar sig en ökad förståelse och fördju-pade kunskaper, genom att koppla samman färdigheter som reflektion och kommunikation med tillägnandet av ett relativt abstrakt stoff (miljö- och resurs-analys). Detta har skett med hjälp av att modifiera kursens organisation och struktur, genom att utveckla återkommande och varierande typer av reflektions-övningar samt genom att arbeta fram återkommande och varierande former för olika typer av återkoppling till studenterna. En viktig del av arbetet har också va-rit att försöka utvärdera utfallet av de förändringar som genomförts i kursen. Ut-ifrån de begränsningar som det empiriska materialet innebär är det inte helt klart om titelns fråga besvarats i undersökningen, men studenternas resultat liksom deras utvärdering av kursen pekar tydligt på positiva effekter ifråga om lärandet.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Danevad, Daniel
(författare)
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Energy and Environmental Factors in Food and Beverage Production Systems : An Analysis of Tomatoes, Whisky, and Beer
- 2024
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Given the anticipated global population of approximately 10 billion by 2050, the task of ensuring adequate sustenance for all within the constraints of Earth's limited resources presents a significant challenge. The production of food and beverages demands considerable energy investment, as well as other essential resources such as water and nutrients. In addition to this, food production is associated with different kinds of environmental impact, such as global warming, eutrophication, acidification, and biodiversity loss.This thesis analyzes energy and environmental factors in food and beverage production systems, focusing on tomatoes, whisky, and beer production. It aims to identify energy and environmental hotspots in these systems while also exploring the potential benefits of selected waste management practices, such as anaerobic digestion, for improving system circularity and environmental performance. The thesis uses several methods for energy and environmental systems analysis, including life cycle assessment and material flow analysis, as well as energy system simulation and optimization.A key finding is the role of local resources, such as renewable energy and access to waste treatment facilities, in determining the environmental impact. Additionally, electricity use and production methods significantly influenced the environmental impact of the studied systems. The importance of transportation varied across the systems, due to differences in transport requirements of both inputs and outputs. Furthermore, this study evaluates various alternatives for increased circularity, particularly through waste treatment and improved resource efficiency. The results contribute to increased understanding of environmental performance across several production systems, offering insights for decision-makers aiming to enhance environmental sustainability of food and beverage production.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Danevad, Daniel, et al.
(författare)
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Life cycle assessment of greenhouse tomatoes for the Swedish market
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : Elsevier. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 431
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The food supply chain is responsible for a large share of the anthropogenic contribution to global warming, as well as being a major contributor to several other impact categories such as acidification and eutrophication. Therefore, it is necessary to find ways of limiting the impact from food production and the food supply chain. Many crops are not adapted to growing in regions with cold climate, which creates the need to either import them or to use production methods such as greenhouses to artificially create good conditions for the crops. Sweden is currently reliant on imports for many different crops, including tomatoes where most of the consumption is covered by import from the Netherlands. This study uses life cycle assessment to analyze the potential environmental impact of Swedish tomato consumption, by comparing several year-round domestic production scenarios with scenarios representing import from the Netherlands. This is done by using a greenhouse simulation software to simulate a theoretical greenhouse placed in both countries, and then using the simulation results in combination with data from the database EcoInvent to perform a life cycle assessment. The results showed that Swedish domestic production has the potential to decrease the environmental impact of tomatoes consumed in Sweden, when compared to import from the Netherlands. There were a couple of combinations of production scenarios and impact categories where the Dutch production performed better, but the Swedish production scenarios performed better in general. The results also clearly showed that scenarios using LED lighting systems consistently had a lower impact than similar production scenarios using high-pressure sodium lighting systems. The choice of energy sources was identified as a crucial factor when it comes to the environmental impact of the studied systems.
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| 11. |
- Eriksson, Ola, et al.
(författare)
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Life cycle assessment of Swedish single malt whisky
- 2016
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Ingår i: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : Elsevier BV. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 112:1, s. 229-237
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Agricultural production and further processing to food and drink have large impacts on the environment. However, there are still few examples of LCA studies on beverages such as whisky. This paper presents a life cycle assessment of Swedish single malt whisky and different environmental improvements of the production chain are discussed. The functional unit is one bottle (70cl) of whisky and results are obtained for global warming potential (GWP), Acidification Potential (AP), Eutrophication potential (EP) and primary energy (PE). The contribution to GWP is dominated by CO2 emissions from transport of stillage. When avoided emissions from use of biogas are included, the net result is 2.1tonnes CO2-eq. Acidification is mainly due to emissions of SO2 from bottle production, transport and barley cultivation which ends up to 14.6kgSO2-eq. Eutrophication results are totally dominated by barley cultivation, in total 8.6kgPO43-The total use of primary energy is 53.5MJ/FU with a 50/50 distribution in renewable and non-renewable. Non-renewables emanate from fossil fuels used for transports and in glass production, whereas renewables are mostly used for heating in the distillery. Improvement analysis of transports included; (1) decreasing need of transport, (2) change of fuel and (3) change of transport mode. Decreasing transport of stillage is an efficient measure to reduce GWP and use of non-renewable energy. Substituting diesel with biodiesel for all road transports is an even more efficient measure for these categories, but increases other environmental impact. For all impact categories except use of renewable energy a scenario combining all improvements is the most efficient measure to reduce environmental impact. The results can be used by the manufacturer, but an improved and expanded LCA on product level can be used for a more specific eco-labelling of the different whisky editions.
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| 12. |
- Fridriksson, Steen, 1961-, et al.
(författare)
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Intraoperative complications in aneurysm surgery : a prospective national study
- 2002
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Ingår i: Journal of Neurosurgery. - : Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group (JNSPG). - 0022-3085 .- 1933-0693. ; 96:3, s. 515-522
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Object. With increasing use of endovascular procedures, the number of aneurysms treated surgically will decline. In this study the authors review complications related to the surgical treatment of aneurysms and address the issue of maintaining quality standards on a national level.Methods. A prospective, nonselected amalgamation of every aneurysm case treated in five of six neurosurgical centers in Sweden during 1 calendar year was undertaken (422 patients; 7.4 persons/100,000 population/year). The treatment protocols at these institutions were very similar. Outcome was assessed using clinical end points. In this series, 84.1% of the patients underwent surgery, and intraoperative complications occurred in 30% of these procedures. Poor outcome from technical complications was seen in 7.9% of the surgically treated patients. Intraoperative aneurysm rupture accounted for 60% and branch sacrifice for 12% of all technical difficulties. Although these complications were significantly related to aneurysm base geometry and the competence of the surgeon, problems still occurred apparently at random and also in the best of hands (17%). The temporary mean occlusion time in the patients who suffered intraoperative aneurysm rupture was twice as long as the temporary arrest of blood flow performed to aid dissection.Conclusions. The results obtained in this series closely reflect the overall management results of this disease and support the conclusion that surgical complications causing a poor outcome can be estimated on a large population-based scale. Intraoperative aneurysm rupture was the most common and most devastating technical complication that occurred. Support was found for a more liberal use of temporary clips early during dissection, regardless of the experience of the surgeon. Temporary regional interruption of arterial blood flow should be a routine method for aneurysm surgery on an everyday basis. A random occurrence of difficult intraoperative problems was clearly shown, and this factor of unpredictability, which is present in any preoperative assessment of risk, strengthens the case for recommending neuroprotection as a routine adjunct to virtually every aneurysm operation, regardless of the surgeon's experience.
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
- Hadin, Åsa, et al.
(författare)
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A review of potential critical factors in horse keeping for anaerobic digestion of horse manure
- 2016
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Ingår i: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews. - : Elsevier BV. - 1364-0321 .- 1879-0690. ; 65, s. 432-442
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Keeping horses causes environmental impacts through the whole chain from feed production to manure. According to national statistics, the number of horses in Sweden is currently 360,000 and is continuing to increase. This result in increasing amounts of horse manure that has to be managed and treated, which is currently done using practices that cause local, regional, and global environmental impacts. However, horse manure and its content of nutrients and organic material could be a useful fertiliser for arable land and a substrate for renewable energy production as biogas. The aim of the paper is to identify and describe potentially critical factors in horse keeping determining the amount (total mass) and characteristics (nutrient content and biodegradability) of horse manure, and thus the potential for anaerobic digestion. A systematic combining approach is used as a structural framework for reviewed relevant literature. All factors identified are expressed as discrete choices available to the horse keeper. In all, 12 different factors were identified: type and amount of feed, type and amount of bedding, mucking out regime, residence time outdoors, storage type and residence time of manure in storage, spreading and soil conditions, and transport distance and type of vehicle fuel used. Managing horses in terms of these factors is of vital importance in reducing the direct environmental impacts from horse keeping and in making horse manure attractive as a substrate for anaerobic digestion. The results are also relevant to environmental systems analysis, where numerical calculations are employed and different biogas system set-ups are compared to current and other treatments. In such assessments, the relevance and importance of the critical factors identified here and corresponding conditions can be examined and the most promising system set-up can be devised.
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| 15. |
- Hadin, Åsa
(författare)
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Anaerobic digestion of horse manure : renewable energy and plant nutrients in a systems perspective
- 2016
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In horse keeping horse manure is produced, which can be utilized as a fertilizer or considered a waste. Horse manure constitutes a resource in terms of both plant nutrients and energy. In addition energy policies and objectives aim at replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources. The interest to improve resource recovery of horse manure increases due various incentives for renewable vehicle fuels, legal requirements on management of manure, and environmental impact from current horse manure management.This thesis aims at describing horse manure management in a life cycle perspective. This is made by (1) identifying factors in horse keeping affecting the possibility to use horse manure as a biogas feedstock and to recycle plant nutrients, (2) analysing factors in anaerobic digestion with influence on methane potential and biofertilizer nutrient content and (3) comparing the environmental impact from different horse manure treatment methods. Literature reviews, systematic combining, and simulations have been used as research methods.The results show that horse keeping activities such as feeding, indoor keeping, outdoor keeping and manure storage affect the amount and characteristics of horse manure and thereby also the possibilities for anaerobic digestion horse manure. Transport affects the collected amount and spreading affects loss of nutrients and nutrient recycling. Simulation results indicate the highest methane yield and energy balance from paper bedding, while straw and peat gave a higher nutrient content of the biofertilizer. The highest methane yield was achieved with a low rate of bedding, which in the cases of woodchips and paper is also preferable for plant nutrient recycling. Still, results indicate the best energy balance from anaerobic digestion with a high ratio of bedding. The environmental impact assessment indicates a reduction in global warming potential for anaerobic digestion compared to incineration or composting.
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| 16. |
- Hadin, Åsa
(författare)
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From waste problem to renewable energy resource : exploring horse manure as feedstock for anaerobic digestion
- 2018
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- A sustainable energy system requires, according to energy policies, reduced emissions of greenhouse gases, increased ratio of renewable sources of energy and more efficient use of energy. Horse manure could be regarded as waste, but also as a resource for renewable energy and plant nutrients. This thesis explores the potential of horse manure as a renewable energy source, and its possibilities to support and contribute to energy and environmental objectives. To do this, data was collected from literature, simulations, study visits and interviews.A number of horse keeping activities were identified in the assessment of horse manure as a feedstock for energy and as a plant resource: feeding, indoor housing, outdoor keeping, manure storage, fertilizing and transport, all with effect on amount and content of horse manure. Results indicated that choice and amount of bedding are important for both energy performance and plant nutrient content in the biofertilizer. Operational conditions such as long hydraulic retention time and high temperature had less impact for horse manure as a biogas feedstock. Anaerobic digestion resulted in the lowest global warming potential compared to incineration and composting, while large-scale incineration reduced primary energy demand, acidification potential and eutrophication potential. In a subsequent simulation, anaerobic digestion had lower potential environmental impact than unmanaged composting, regarding all chosen environmental impact categories in the study. Experiences from energy companies suggest that horse manure can be used in small quantities in co-incineration, with suitable incineration technology, but odor was mentioned as a problem. Farm-scale incineration required continuous maintenance and monitoring and mixing with pellets. As a feedstock for anaerobic digestion horse manure was regarded as suitable for plug-flow processes while stirred processes experienced more technical problems leading to increased cost for plants. With adaption of horse manure to the energy recovery technology to be used, and adaption at energy conversion plants to homogenous materials, this not yet fully utilized bioenergy resource has potential to contribute with renewable energy to the energy system, and thereby also reduce environmental impact from horse manure treatment
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| 17. |
- Hadin, Åsa, et al.
(författare)
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Prospects for Increased Energy Recovery from Horse Manure : A Case Study of Management Practices, Environmental Impact and Costs
- 2017
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Ingår i: Energies. - : MDPI. - 1996-1073. ; 10:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A transition to renewable energy sources and a circular economy has increased interest in renewable resources not usually considered as energy sources or plant nutrient resources. Horse manure exemplifies this, as it is sometimes recycled but not often used for energy purposes. The purpose of this study was to explore horse manure management in a Swedish municipality and prospects for energy recovery. The case study includes a survey of horse manure practices, environmental assessment of horse manure treatment in a biogas plant, including associated transport, compared to on-site unmanaged composting, and finally a simplified economic analysis. It was found that horse manure management was characterized by indoor collection of manure most of the year and storage on concrete slabs or in containers, followed by direct application on arable land. Softwood was predominantly used as bedding, and bedding accounted for a relatively small proportion (13%) of the total mix. Anaerobic digestion was indicated to reduce potential environmental impact in comparison to unmanaged composting, mainly due to biogas substituting use of fossil fuels. The relative environmental impact from transport of manure from horse facilities to anaerobic digestion plant was small. Results also indicate a relatively high cost for horse keepers to change from composting on site to anaerobic digestion in a centralized plant.
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| 18. |
- Hillman, Jan, 1952-, et al.
(författare)
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Immediate administration of tranexamic acid and reduced incidence of early rebleeding after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage : a prospective randomized study
- 2002
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Ingår i: Journal of Neurosurgery. - : Journal of Neurosurgery Publishing Group (JNSPG). - 0022-3085 .- 1933-0693. ; 97:4, s. 771-778
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Object. By pursuing a policy of very early aneurysm treatment in neurosurgical centers, in-hospital rebleeds can be virtually eliminated. Nonetheless, as many as 15% of patients with aneurysm rupture suffer ultraearly rebleeding with high mortality rates, and these individuals are beyond the reach of even the most ambitious protocol for diagnosis and referral. Only drugs given immediately after the diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) has been established at the local hospital level can, in theory, contribute to the minimization of such ultraearly rebleeding. The object of this randomized, prospective, multicenter study was to assess the efficacy of short-term antifibrinolytic treatment with tranexamic acid in preventing rebleeding.Methods. Only patients suffering SAH verified on computerized tomography (CT) scans within 48 hours prior to the first hospital admission were included. A 1-g dose of tranexamic acid was given intravenously as soon as diagnosis of SAH had been verified in the local hospitals (before the patients were transported), followed by doses of 1 g every 6 hours until the aneurysm was occluded; this treatment did not exceed 72 hours. In this study, 254 patients received tranexamic acid and 251 patients were randomized as controls. Age, sex, Hunt and Hess and Fisher grade distributions, as well as aneurysm locations, were congruent between the groups. Outcome was assessed at 6 months post-SAH by using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Vasospasm and delayed ischemic neurological deficits were classified according to clinical findings as well as by transcranial Doppler (TCD) studies. All events classified as rebleeding were verified on CT scans or during surgery.Conclusions. More than 90% of patients reached the neurosurgical center within 12 hours of their first hospital admission after SAH; 70% of all aneurysms were clipped or coils were inserted within 24 hours of the first hospital admission. Given the protocol, only one rebleed occurred later than 24 hours after the first hospital admission. Despite this strong emphasis on early intervention, however, a cluster of 27 very early rebleeds still occurred in the control group within hours of randomization into the study, and 13 of these patients died. In the tranexamic acid group, six patients rebled and two died. A reduction in the rebleeding rate from 10.8 to 2.4% and an 80% reduction in the mortality rate from early rebleeding with tranexamic acid treatment can therefore be inferred. Favorable outcome according to the GOS increased from 70.5 to 74.8%. According to TCD measurements and clinical findings, there were no indications of increased risk of either ischemic clinical manifestations or vasospasm that could be linked to tranexamic acid treatment. Neurosurgical guidelines for aneurysm rupture should extend also into the preneurosurgical phase to guarantee protection from ultraearly rebleeds. Currently available antifibrinolytic drugs can provide such protection, and at low cost. The number of potentially saved lives exceeds those lost to vasospasm.
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| 19. |
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Hillman, Karl, et al.
(författare)
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Climate Benefits of Material Recycling : Inventory of Average Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Denmark, Norway and Sweden
- 2015
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The purpose of this project is to compare emissions of greenhouse gases from material recycling with those from virgin material production, both from a material supply perspective and from a recycling system perspective. The method for estimating emissions and climate benefits is based on a review, followed by a selection, of the most relevant publications on life cycle assessment (LCA) of materials for use in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The proposed averages show that emissions from material recycling are lower in both perspectives, comparing either material supply or complete recycling systems. The results can be used by companies and industry associations in Denmark, Norway and Sweden to communicate the current climate benefits of material recycling in general. They may also contribute to discussions on a societal level, as long as their average and historic nature is recognised.
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| 22. |
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| 23. |
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| 24. |
- Hillman, Karl, 1978, et al.
(författare)
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Cumulative causation in biofuels development: a critical comparison of the Netherlands and Sweden
- 2008
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Ingår i: Technology Analysis and Strategic Management. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0953-7325 .- 1465-3990. ; 20:5, s. 593-612
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Supporting the development and diffusion of sustainable innovations has become a dominant topic on the political agenda of many countries. However, this has proven to be a difficult task. To increase insight in such processes, this paper takes biofuel technologies in the mobility sector as the topic of a comparative case study. Various national governments have supported innovation trajectories around biofuels. We analyse, assess and compare two such trajectories as they have developed so far: one in the Netherlands and one in Sweden. A Technological Innovation System (TIS) approach is applied. A TIS is constituted by actors, networks and institutions, that are to be gradually constructed around a technology. We analyse whether governments and entrepreneurs have succeeded in developing seven key processes, or system functions, necessary for the development and diffusion of biofuel technologies. By analysing the build-up of system functions over time we identify virtuous and vicious forms of cumulative causation. The Dutch and Swedish TISs for biofuels are followed from 1990 to 2005. Our comparison shows that, due to a variety in function fulfilment and the emergence of cumulative causation, the Swedish TIS has reached a market expansion and broad social implementation of biofuels, whereas the Dutch TIS has established considerably less.
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| 25. |
- Hillman, Karl
(författare)
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Environmental Assessment and Strategic Technology Choice : The Case of Renewable Transport Fuels
- 2008
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The scale of the required changes is huge, and time is limited if we are to avoid the most severe effects of climate change. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions from road transport, several fuels and electricity originating from renewable energy sources have been proposed, all of them in different stages of development and with various and shifting environmental impacts. This thesis aims at increasing the usefulness of environmental assessments of emerging technologies as a basis for strategic technology choice. Recommendations for the design and interpretation of such assessments are presented, with a special focus on life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. A long time perspective, the possibility of system change, and the inclusion of socio–technical change processes allows for the revision of methodological assumptions normally made in LCA of current products. To guide the selection of technologies, there is need for assessment both of technology and of interventions. For the assessment of technology, an attributional approach is applied. Paper I discusses and tests the feasible futures and future performance to be considered in attributional LCAs. The results indicate that the environmental impact attributable to a number of selected fuels, as well as the ranking of them, largely depend on assumptions regarding background systems and by-product use. For the assessment of interventions, a consequential approach is applied. Extensive studies of socio–technical change processes contribute insight into relevant cause–effect chains that can be included in environmental assessments of emerging technologies. A comparison between the Swedish and the Dutch innovation systems for renewable fuels reveals the unfolding of dynamics influenced by shared background factors (Paper II). An investigation of the Swedish history of alternative fuels is used in developing a framework for analysing interaction between emerging technological systems (Paper III). Insights into socio–technical change processes are then used to elaborate scenarios for the future development of renewable fuels in Sweden resulting from current policy choices (Paper IV). In a final paper (Paper V), historical and future cause–effect chains are taken into account in a consequential LCA of ethanol of varying origins in Sweden for the 1990–2020 period. It is concluded that for emerging technologies in an early stage of development, the contribution of an intervention to system change may be more important than the direct change in environmental impact. Finally, it is suggested that all aspects of socio–technical change and the resulting environmental impact may not have to be included in quantitative environmental assessments, such as LCA. ‘Environmental assessment’ could very well include a group of parallel studies that illuminate different cause–effect chains resulting in changed environmental impact, and that are part of a society-wide learning process.
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