| 1. |
- Frost, Hanna, et al.
(författare)
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Electrospun nerve guide conduits have the potential to bridge peripheral nerve injuries in vivo.
- 2018
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 8:Article number: 16716
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Electrospinning can be used to mimic the architecture of an acellular nerve graft, combining microfibers for guidance, and pores for cellular infiltration. We made electrospun nerve guides, from polycaprolactone (PCL) or poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), with aligned fibers along the insides of the channels and random fibers around them. We bridged a 10 mm rat sciatic nerve defect with the guides, and, in selected groups, added a cell transplant derived from autologous stromal vascular fraction (SVF). For control, we compared to hollow silicone tubes; or autologous nerve grafts. PCL nerve guides had a high degree of autotomy (8/43 rats), a negative indicator with respect to future usefulness, while PLLA supported axonal regeneration, but did not outperform autologous nerve grafts. Transplanted cells survived in the PLLA nerve guides, but axonal regeneration was not enhanced as compared to nerve guides alone. The inflammatory response was partially enhanced by the transplanted cells in PLLA nerve grafts; Schwann cells were poorly distributed compared to nerve guide without cells. Tailor-made electrospun nerve guides support axonal regeneration in vivo, and can act as vehicles for co-transplanted cells. Our results motivate further studies exploring novel nerve guides and the effect of stromal cell-derived factors on nerve generation.
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| 2. |
- Ahrné, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Tillstånd och trender för arter och deras livsmiljöer – rödlistade arter i Sverige 2015
- 2015
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- 2015 års upplaga av den svenska rödlistan är den fjärde i ordningen. Den är baserad på IUCN:s rödlistningskriterier och revideras vart femte år. I rödlistan bedöms risken som enskilda arter av djur, växter och svampar löper att försvinna från Sverige. Bedömningen utförs av ArtDatabankens medarbetare i samverkan med över 100 externa experter, indelade i 14 expertkommittéer för olika organismgrupper. Under arbetet med 2015 års rödlista har tillstånd och trender bedömts för 21 600 arter och 1 318 lägre taxa (apomiktiska arter, underarter och varieteter), sammanlagt ca 22 900 taxa. Av de bedömda arterna klassificerades 2 029 som hotade (kategorierna CR, EN och VU) och 4 273 som rödlistade (inkluderar även kategorierna NT, RE och DD). Förhållandet mellan antalet rödlistade och antalet bedömda arter ar 19,8 %, vilket är ungefär samma värde som 2010 och 2005. I denna rapport jämförs antalet och andelen rödlistade arter mellan olika organismgrupper, biotoper, substrat och påverkansfaktorer. Texten ar indelad i en allmän del och åtta kapitel inriktade på olika landskapstyper. Landskapstyperna utgör en grov indelning av landets miljöer enligt följande kategorier: Skog, Jordbrukslandskap, Urbana miljöer, Fjäll, Våtmarker, Sötvatten, Havsstränder och Havsmiljöer. Skogen och jordbrukslandskapet är de artrikaste landskapstyperna med 1 800 respektive 1 400 arter som har en stark anknytning dit, och ytterligare flera hundra arter som förekommer där mer sporadiskt. De faktorer som påverkar flest rödlistade arter i Sverige är skogsavverkning och igenväxning, som båda utgör ett hot mot vardera ca 30 % av de rödlistade arterna. Avverkning minskar arealen av skog där naturliga strukturer och naturlig dynamik upprätthålls, och den orsakar därmed förlust av livsmiljöer. Igenväxning orsakas av ett antal faktorer, bland annat upphörande hävd (bete och slåtter), gödsling, trädplantering och brist på naturliga störningsregimer som t.ex. regelbundna översvämningar kring vattendrag och sjöar. Andra viktiga påverkansfaktorer är fiske, torrläggning av våtmarker, tillbakagång hos värdarter (främst alm och ask som drabbats av invasiva svampsjukdomar), klimatförändringar och konkurrens från invasiva arter. IUCN:s rödlisteindex beräknas för ett urval av de bedömda organismgrupperna. Rödlisteindex visar att skillnaderna mellan rödlistorna från 2000, 2005, 2010 och 2015 är små. Ett par undantag finns dock. Groddjur och stora däggdjur har fått en något förbättrad situation sedan 2000. Totalt förefaller det ändå som att trycket mot Sveriges artstock har förblivit relativt konstant under de senaste 15 åren.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Bauer, Patrik Maximilian, et al.
(författare)
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Inflamed In Vitro Retina : Cytotoxic Neuroinflammation and Galectin-3 Expression
- 2016
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 11:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Disease progression in retinal neurodegeneration is strongly correlated to immune cell activation, which may have either a neuroprotective or neurotoxic effect. Increased knowledge about the immune response profile and retinal neurodegeneration may lead to candidate targets for treatments. Therefore, we have used the explanted retina as a model to explore the immune response and expression of the immune modulator galectin-3 (Gal-3), induced by the cultivation per se and after additional immune stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and how this correlates with retinal neurotoxicity. Methods Post-natal mouse retinas were cultured in a defined medium. One group was stimulated with LPS (100 ng/ml, 24 h). Retinal architecture, apoptotic cell death, and micro- and macroglial activity were studied at the time of cultivation (0 days in vitro (DIV)) and at 3, 4 and 7 DIV using morphological staining, biochemical- and immunohistochemical techniques. Results Our results show that sustained activation of macro- and microglia, characterized by no detectable cytokine release and limited expression of Gal-3, is not furtherinducing apoptosis additional to the axotomy-induced apoptosis in innermost nuclear layer. An elevated immune response was detected after LPS stimulation, as demonstrated primarily by release of immune mediators (i.e. interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-6, KC/GRO (also known as CLCX1) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)), increased numbers of microglia displaying morphologies of late activation stages as well as Gal-3 expression. This was accompanied with increased apoptosis in the two additional nuclear layers, and damage to retinal gross architecture. Conclusion We demonstrate that an immune response characterized by sustained and increased release of cytokines, along with an increase in Gal-3 expression, is accompanied by significant increased neurotoxicity in the explanted retina. Further investigations using the current setting may lead to increased understanding on the mechanisms involved in neuronal loss in retinal neurodegenerations. © 2016 Bauer et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Bolind, Pia, 1953, et al.
(författare)
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Histologic evaluation of Branemark clinic oral implants retrieved from grafted sites
- 2006
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Ingår i: Clinical implant dentistry and related research. - Hamilton, Ont. : Wiley. - 1523-0899 .- 1708-8208. ; 8:1, s. 44-53
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: The aim of this report is to quantitatively and qualitatively describe the bone tissue response to Branemark implants retrieved from grafted sites in patients. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The material consists of consecutively received Branemark implants retrieved from grafted sites. Thirty-five of these implants, retrieved from 16 patients, were suitable for the histologic evaluation of undecalcified sections in the light microscope. RESULTS: The unloaded implants were mainly lined with soft tissue, and sparse bone-implant contact was observed only in some sections. The loaded implants, with the exception of one implant removed due to mobility, had mature and new bone-implant contact. Resorption of graft through cutting cone structures was detected. Cement lines were found separating bone-like tissue albeit no cellular content and bone tissue with detectable osteocytes. CONCLUSION: In this heterogeneous group of implants from grafted sites, the unloaded implants showed limited bone-implant contact. The autografts showed seemingly mixed viability as judged by the cell content in the osteocyte lacunae and cement lines separating areas with filled and empty lacunae.
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| 7. |
- Bolind, Pia, 1953, et al.
(författare)
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Retrieved implants from irradiated sites in humans: a histologic/histomorphometric investigation of oral and craniofacial implants
- 2006
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Ingår i: Clinical implant dentistry and related research. - Hamilton, Ont. : Wiley. - 1523-0899 .- 1708-8208. ; 8:3, s. 142-50
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: The aim of this report was to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the tissue response to bone-anchored implants retrieved from irradiated sites in patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The material consists of 23 consecutively received Branemark implants (Nobel Biocare AB, Goteborg, Sweden) placed in pre- or postoperatively irradiated sites. Twenty-two of the 23 implants were suitable for histologic evaluation of undecalcified sections in the light microscope. RESULTS: The oral implants with shorter time in situ demonstrated sparse bone to implant contact with mainly dense connective tissue in the interface. However, for implants with longer time in situ, high amounts of bone-implant contact and bone fill of threads were noted. The mean values of bone-implant contact and bone area within the thread were calculated to 40% (16-94) and 70% (13-96), respectively. The craniofacial implants, with the exception of two implants lined with a capsular formation, demonstrated mature and newly formed bone at the bone-implant interface. The mean value for bone-metal contact was calculated to 45 and 53% for two specimens. The mean value for bone area within the thread ranged from 65 to 88% for three specimens. CONCLUSION; The possibility to achieve bone anchorage of implants in irradiated tissue was supported by the findings in this study. However, due to limited material, conclusions with regard to radiation dose and bone tissue response to implants cannot be stated.
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| 8. |
- Brandao, Miguel, et al.
(författare)
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RED, PEF, and EPD: Conflicting rules for determining the carbon footprint of biofuels give unclear signals to fuel producers and customers
- 2022
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Climate. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2624-9553. ; 4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Biofuel producers and other commodity suppliers are increasingly affected by conflicting rules for life cycle assessment (LCA). They may get multiple requests for LCAs to be used in various contexts, which require the application of different methodological approaches that vary in scope, system boundaries, data demand, and more. This results in increased cost and competence requirements for producers, as well as confusion among other actors including their customers. Differences in methodologies might also lead to various outcomes, conclusions and conflicting guidance regarding which fuels to prioritize or develop. We have analyzed the actual differences when applying three different frameworks: the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED), the EU framework for Product Environmental Footprints (PEF), and the framework of Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), which have different modeling requirements. We analyzed the methods from a conceptual point of view and also applied the methods to estimate the carbon footprint on a wide range of biofuel production pathways: (i) ethanol from corn, (ii) fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) from rapeseed oil, (iii) biogas from food waste, (iv) hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) from rapeseed oil, and (v) HVO from used cooking oil. Results obtained for a specific fuel could differ substantially depending on the framework applied and the assumptions and interpretations made when applying the different frameworks. Particularly, the results are very sensitive to the modeling of waste management when biofuel is produced from waste. Our results indicate a much higher climate impact for, e.g., biogas and HVO produced from used cooking oil when assessed with the PEF framework compared to the other frameworks. This is because PEF assigns at least part of the production of primary materials and energy to the use of recycled material and recovered energy. Developing Category Rules for biofuels for PEF and EPD ought to help clarifying remaining ambiguities.
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| 9. |
- Ebeling Barbier, Charlotte, et al.
(författare)
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Clinically unrecognized myocardial infarction detected at MR imaging may not be associated with atherosclerosis
- 2007
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Ingår i: Radiology. - : Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). - 0033-8419 .- 1527-1315. ; 245:1, s. 103-110
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: To prospectively investigate whether there is support for the hypothesis that clinically unrecognized myocardial infarctions (UMIs) detected at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging have an atherosclerotic pathogenesis similar to that of recognized myocardial infarctions (RMIs). Materials and Methods: After ethics committee approval and informed consent were obtained, gadolinium-enhanced whole-body MR angiography and late-enhancement MR imaging were performed in 248 randomly chosen 70-year-old subjects (123 women, 125 men). Imaging included the aorta and the carotid, renal, and lower limb arteries to the ankle, but not the coronary arteries. Subjects with myocardial infarction (MI) scars at late-enhancement MR imaging were classified as having RMI (n = 11) (those with a diagnosis of MI at the hospital) or UMI (n = 49) (those without a diagnosis of MI at the hospital). The presence of 50% or higher luminal narrowing in any vessel at whole-body MR angiography was considered to represent significant atherosclerosis. Intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery was measured with ultrasonography. C-reactive protein level was measured, and coronary heart disease risk was estimated. Observers were blinded to any previous results. The chi(2) test analysis of variance, and Bonferroni correction were used for statistical analyses. Results: None of the measured parameters differed significantly between the group without MI scars and the UMI group, but parameters were significantly increased in the RMI group (P < .05) compared with those in the group without MI scars. Forty-two of 49 UMIs and nine of 11 RMIs were located within inferolateral segments of the left ventricle. Conclusion: MR imaging-detected UMIs might have a different pathogenesis from that of RMIs or may have the same pathogenesis but may manifest at an earlier stage.
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| 10. |
- Egeblad, Louise, et al.
(författare)
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Structural and functional studies of the human phosphoribosyltransferase domain containing protein 1
- 2010
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Ingår i: The FEBS Journal. - : Wiley. - 1742-464X .- 1742-4658. ; 277:23, s. 4920-30
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Human hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) (EC 2.4.2.8) catalyzes the conversion of hypoxanthine and guanine to their respective nucleoside monophosphates. Human HPRT deficiency as a result of genetic mutations is linked to both Lesch-Nyhan disease and gout. In the present study, we have characterized phosphoribosyltransferase domain containing protein 1 (PRTFDC1), a human HPRT homolog of unknown function. The PRTFDC1 structure has been determined at 1.7 Å resolution with bound GMP. The overall structure and GMP binding mode are very similar to that observed for HPRT. Using a thermal-melt assay, a nucleotide metabolome library was screened against PRTFDC1 and revealed that hypoxanthine and guanine specifically interacted with the enzyme. It was subsequently confirmed that PRTFDC1 could convert these two bases into their corresponding nucleoside monophosphate. However, the catalytic efficiency (k(cat)/K(m)) of PRTFDC1 towards hypoxanthine and guanine was only 0.26% and 0.09%, respectively, of that of HPRT. This low activity could be explained by the fact that PRTFDC1 has a Gly in the position of the proposed catalytic Asp of HPRT. In PRTFDC1, a water molecule at the position of the aspartic acid side chain position in HPRT might be responsible for the low activity observed by acting as a weak base. The data obtained in the present study indicate that PRTFDC1 does not have a direct catalytic role in the nucleotide salvage pathway.
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
- Ellegård, Kajsa, 1951, et al.
(författare)
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Reflective Production in the Final Assembly of Motor Vehicles - An Emerging Swedish Challenge
- 1992
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Ingår i: International Journal of Operations and Production Management. - 1758-6593 .- 0144-3577. ; 12:7/8, s. 117-133
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Presents some theoretical principles and empirical evidence relating to the new Swedish production systems for final assembly of motor vehicles. Contends that in these production systems it is possible simultaneously to enhance efficiency and quality of working life. Briefly sketches three production forms as they apply to the final assembly of automobiles and discusses the societal environments in which these different forms of production have evolved. It focuses on Volvo Uddevalla plant as one of the main examples so far of a reflective production system for final assembly of automobiles. Amplifies the analysis of different production flow patterns for final assembly and in particular addresses the issue of semi‐parallel mechanistic production flow and parallel organic production flow as alternatives to serial flow on a conventional line assembly. A comment: This publication is authored together with e.g. senior research competencies (1) within vocational learning and training as well as (2) within time-geography with whom Engström have had long time cooperation procedures. But also personal at our department/research group (Mats Johansson) well as our knowledgeable contact person (Bertil Johansson) within Volvo contributed (he has really helped us out for decades and was responsible for the continuous contacts with Volvo in most any matter).
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| 15. |
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| 16. |
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| 17. |
- Johansson, DM, et al.
(författare)
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Synthesis of soluble phenyl-substituted poly(p-phenylenevinylenes) with a low content of structural defects
- 2002
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Ingår i: Macromolecules. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0024-9297 .- 1520-5835. ; 35:13, s. 4997-5003
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The synthesis and characterization of two new soluble poly(p-phenylenevinylenes) (PPVs) are reported. The polymers are poly(2-2',5'-bis(octyloxy)benzene)-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (BOP-PPV) and poly(2-(2',5'-bis(octyloxy)benzene)-5-methoxy-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (BOPM-PPV). Both polymers have been polymerized at high and low temperatures to study the formation of structural defects. It is shown that both methoxy groups as side chains and low polymerization temperatures decrease the content of defects in the final polymer. As a consequence, the polymers with lower concentration of defects exhibit higher electroluminescence yields in light-emitting diodes. In addition to this, the polymers with a low content of defects exhibited longer operational lifetimes in these devices. The highest photoluminescence quantum yield in the solid state and electroluminescence efficiency were found to be 72% and 1.74%, respectively.
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
- Johansson Hanse, Jan, 1954, et al.
(författare)
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Musculoskeletal Symptoms, Ergonomic Aspects and Psychosocial Factors in Two Different Truck Assembly Concepts
- 1993
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Ingår i: International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics. - 1872-8219 .- 0169-8141. ; 12:1-2, s. 35-48
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The project was carried out as a multidisciplinary correlational study of two truck-axle assembly systems (System A and B). System A (the old system) could be characterized as an unpaced line assembly system, whereas the change to the new system, System B, involved a parallelized system with longer job cycle time. The study included all permanent assembly workers in the two systems (System A 17 workers, System B 28 workers). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the two systems with respect to ergonomic factors, psychosocial factors and self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms. The job cycles were studied by means of video observation. Each subject answered a questionnaire regarding musculoskeletal symptoms and physical and psychosocial environment. The assemblers in System B were more satisfied with the physical work environment (e.g. noise, air), but less satisfied with the psychosocial environment, and the period prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms was not lower, compared with the assemblers in System A. Video observation techniques showed that deep forward flexion was less common, but that the work was more hand intense in System B. In System B, neck/shoulder symptoms were associated principally with physical work (load) variables, whereas low back symptoms were associated with psychosocial variables.
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| 20. |
- Johansson, Malin B., et al.
(författare)
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From Quantum Dots to Micro Crystals : Organolead Triiodide Perovskite Crystal Growth from Isopropanol Solution
- 2016
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Ingår i: ECS JOURNAL OF SOLID STATE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. - : Electrochemical Society. - 2162-8769 .- 2162-8777. ; 5:10, s. P614-P620
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The growth mechanism and dependence on precursor conditions are vital for creation of high quality crystalline materials in many fields. Here the growth from nano sized quantum dots to micro crystalline methyl ammonium lead tri-iodide (MAPbI(3)) perovskites prepared from isopropanol solution are reported. Isopropanol is more environmental friendly compared to the commonly used solvents DMF or DMSO, both with relatively high toxicity and the proposed method can be a useful new route to prepare hybrid perovskites. Three different molar ratios of MAPbI3 perovskite solution (MAI:PbI2 of 1: 1, 2: 1 and 0.5: 1) were applied to give insights in the crystal formation mechanism also under non-stoichiometric conditions. Perovskite crystal growth is followed by TEM. From XRD powder diffraction the lattice constants have been determined and compared with results from electron diffraction (ED). Interestingly, there seems to be an occurrence of the cubic phase besides the common tetragonal phase at room temperature. (C) 2016 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.
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| 21. |
- Johansson, Malin B., 1972-, et al.
(författare)
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Highly crystalline MAPbI3 perovskite grain formation by irreversible poor-solvent diffusion aggregation, for efficient solar cell fabrication
- 2020
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Ingår i: Nano Energy. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 2211-2855 .- 2211-3282. ; 78
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Energy efficient synthesis providing high quality crystalline thin films are highly desired in many applications. Here we devise a non-toxic solvent approach for production of highly crystalline MAPbI3 perovskite by exploiting diffusion aggregation processes. Isopropanol solution based methylammonium lead triiodide (MAPbI3) is used in this context, where the crystal growth initiation starts in an unstable suspension far from equilibrium and the subsequent crystallization is driven by the solubility parameters. The crystal formation is monitored by scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM), observing small crystallization centers growing as time evolves to large grains with high crystal purity. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) in STEM mode revealed a Pb rich core-shell structure in newly formed grains. Nano-beam Electron Diffraction (NBED) scan defined PbI2 crystallites in the Pb rich shell with a single crystal MAPbI3 core in newly formed grains. After a week stirring, the same aggregated suspension exhibited grains with only single crystal MAPbI3 structure. The NBED analysis shows a kinetically slow transition from a core shell structure to a single crystal grain. This research presents an impactful insight on the factors that may cause sub-stoichiometric grain boundary effects which can influence the solar cell performance. In addition, the structure, morphology and optical properties of the perovskite grains have been presented. A powder of highly crystalline particles was subsequently prepared by evaporation of the solvent in a low-vacuum oven. Thin film MAPbI3 solar cells were fabricated by dissolving the powder and applying it in a classical fabrication route. The MAPbI3 solar cells gave a champion efficiency of 20% (19.9%) and an average efficiency at approximately 17% with low hysteresis effects. Here a strategy to manufacture the material structure without toxic solvents is highlighted. The single-crystal growth devised here opens both for shelf storage of materials as well as a more flexible manufacturing of devices. The process can likely be extended to other fields, where the intermediate porous framework and large surface area would be beneficial for battery or super capacitor materials.
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| 22. |
- Johansson, Malin, 1972-, et al.
(författare)
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Nano crystals to micro crystals : Organolead triiodide perovskite crystal growth from isopropanol solution
- 2016
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Ingår i: High Purity and High Mobility Semiconductors 14. - : Electrochemical Society. - 9781607685395 - 9781607687214 ; , s. 161-178
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The growth mechanism and dependence on precursor conditions are vital for creation of high quality crystalline materials in many fields. Here the growth from nano sized quantum dots to micro crystalline methyl ammonium lead tri-iodide (MAPbI3) perovskites prepared from isopropanol solution are reported. Isopropanol is more environmental friendly compared to the commonly used solvents DMF or DMSO, both with relatively high toxicity and the proposed method can be a useful new route to prepare hybrid perovskites. Three different molar ratios of MAPbI3 perovskite solution (MAI:PbI2 of 1:1, 2:1 and 0.5:1) were applied to give insights in the crystal formation mechanism also under nonstoichiometric conditions. Perovskite crystal growth is followed by TEM. From XRD powder diffraction the lattice constants have been determined and compared with results from electron diffraction (ED). Interestingly, there seems to be an occurrence of the cubic phase besides the common tetragonal phase at room temperature.
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| 23. |
- Johansson, Tomas, 1970-
(författare)
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Samarbete mellan gymnasieskolan och näringslivet : en studie av lokala partnerskap i fyra kommuner
- 2004
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The national curriculum and the School Act emphasize the importance of establishing partnerships between schools and local businesses. The formation of partnerships was expected to be facilitated by the decentralization reforms that took place in the beginning of the 1990’s. These reforms gave schools and municipalities greater scope for adjusting education to meet local circumstances. However, central government has not made financial resources available for stimulating the establishment of school-business partnerships, nor does it penalize municipalities that do not set up such partnerships. The questions in focus in this study are: why do partnerships arise, how are they organised and what factors are important in achieving a partnership which can function in practice? Urban regime theory is applied to explain why collaborations occur and policy network theory is used to analyse how they are organised. A further aim of the study is to examine whether the partnerships can be defined as urban regimes. The study was based on case studies of four upper secondary schools in Sweden, each in a different municipality. These municipalities are all industrialized, but the structure of their industrial base varies. Two are dominated by one or a few major companies whereas the others are characterized by the predominance of many small businesses. The study focuses on how three vocational study programmes – industry, electricity and building - collaborate with local businesses. The study shows that the main explanation of why a partnership arises is that both partners believe that they can gain something by collaborating. For schools, the main reason for establishing a partnership with business is a belief that this will make the vocational education programmes more attractive for pupils. Through partnerships, schools can get access not only to practical experience for their pupils, but also help from business with developing the content of courses and some financial contributions. However, the economic benefits are of limited importance compared with the perceived gains in terms of the development of the educational content of the courses. This goes against results from studies in other countries. For business, it is particularly important to be able to influence decisions about the content of local education. By doing so, they hope to ensure that the pupils, after having completed their education, will enter the local labour market with more relevant qualifications. My research shows that several requirements have to be present for a successful partnership to be established. First, there must be a commitment and firm intentions from both partners. Second, size of the businesses involved in the partnerships is important for how they are organized. Larger businesses tend to see the partnership from a more long term perspective. However, it is also possible to organize collaborations with smaller businesses if they can be united under a common organisation. Third, specific actors make a difference in the partnerships. Devoted and interested key actors who are closely associated with the partnership are very important for the continuity of the partnership The study suggests that urban regime theory and policy network theory are useful for understanding why and how partnerships between schools and businesses are established and retained. However, it can not be concluded that these collaborations in themselves are urban regimes at a more local level. This would require that their focus was much more long-term.
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| 24. |
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| 25. |
- Klockar, Tomas, et al.
(författare)
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Usability of mobile phones
- 2003
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 19th International Symposium on Human Factors in Telecommunications. ; , s. 197-204
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)
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