1. |
- Andersson, Niklas, 1970, et al.
(författare)
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A variant near the interleukin-6 gene is associated with fat mass in Caucasian men
- 2010
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Ingår i: International Journal of Obesity. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0307-0565 .- 1476-5497. ; 34:6, s. 1011-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- CONTEXT: Regulation of fat mass appears to be associated with immune functions. Studies of knockout mice show that endogenous interleukin (IL)-6 can suppress mature-onset obesity. OBJECTIVE: To systematically investigate associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the IL-6 (IL6) and IL-6 receptor (IL6R) genes with body fat mass, in support for our hypothesis that variants of these genes can be associated with obesity. DESIGN AND STUDY SUBJECTS: The Gothenburg Osteoporosis and Obesity Determinants (GOOD) study is a population-based cross-sectional study of 18- to 20-year-old men (n=1049), from the Gothenburg area (Sweden). Major findings were confirmed in two additional cohorts consisting of elderly men from the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Sweden (n=2851) and MrOS US (n=5611) multicenter population-based studies. MAIN OUTCOME: The genotype distributions and their association with fat mass in different compartments, measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Out of 18 evaluated tag SNPs near the IL6 and IL6R genes, a recently identified SNP rs10242595 G/A (minor allele frequency=29%) 3' of the IL6 gene was negatively associated with the primary outcome total body fat mass (effect size -0.11 standard deviation (s.d.) units per A allele, P=0.02). This negative association with fat mass was also confirmed in the combined MrOS Sweden and MrOS US cohorts (effect size -0.05 s.d. units per A allele, P=0.002). When all three cohorts were combined (n=8927, Caucasian subjects), rs10242595(*)A showed a negative association with total body fat mass (effect size -0.05 s.d. units per A allele, P<0.0002). Furthermore, the rs10242595(*)A was associated with low body mass index (effect size -0.03, P<0.001) and smaller regional fat masses. None of the other SNPs investigated in the GOOD study were reproducibly associated with body fat. CONCLUSIONS: The IL6 gene polymorphism rs10242595(*)A is associated with decreased fat mass in three combined cohorts of 8927 Caucasian men.
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2. |
- Andersson, Niklas, 1970, et al.
(författare)
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Variants of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene are associated with fat mass in men
- 2009
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Ingår i: International Journal of Obesity. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0307-0565 .- 1476-5497. ; 33:5, s. 525-533
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Context: Immune functions seem to have connections to variations in body fat mass. Studies of knockout mice indicate that endogenous interleukin (IL)-1 can suppress mature-onset obesity. Objective: To systematically investigate our hypotheses that single- nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and/or haplotypes variants in the IL-1 gene system are associated with fat mass. Subjects: The Gothenburg osteoporosis and obesity determinants (GOOD) study is a population-based cross-sectional study of 18-20 year-old men (n = 1068), from Gothenburg, Sweden. Major findings were confirmed in elderly men (n = 3014) from the Swedish part of the osteoporotic fractures in men (MrOS) multicenter population-based study. Main Outcome Measure: The genotype distributions and their association with body fat mass in different compartments, measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Results: Out of 15 investigated SNPs in the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN) gene, a recently identified 30 untranslated region C4T (rs4252041, minor allele frequency 4%) SNP was associated with the primary outcome total fat mass (P = 0.003) and regional fat masses, but not with lean body mass or serum IL-1 receptor 1 (IL1RN) levels. This SNP was also associated with body fat when correcting the earlier reported IL1RN_2018 T4C (rs419598) SNP (in linkage disequilibrium with a well-studied variable number tandem repeat of 86 bp). The association between rs4252041 SNP and body fat was confirmed in the older MrOS population (P = 0.03). The rs4252041 SNP was part of three haplotypes consisting of five adjacent SNPs that were identified by a sliding window approach. These haplotypes had a highly significant global association with total body fat (P < 0.001). None of the other investigated members of the IL-1 gene family displayed any SNPs that have not been described previously to be significantly associated with body fat. Conclusions: The IL1RN gene, shown to enhance obesity by suppressing IL-1 effects in experimental animals, have no previously described gene polymorphisms and haplotypes that are associated with fat, but not lean mass in two populations of men. International Journal of Obesity (2009) 33, 525-533; doi: 10.1038/ijo.2009.47; published online 17 March 2009
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3. |
- Roos, Magnus, et al.
(författare)
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A three-level analysis of values related to socially responsible retirement investments
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2043-0795 .- 2043-0809.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim is to investigate the value basis of Socially Responsible Retirement Investments (SRRI) in a study of Swedish pension investors in the age range 18 to 65 years (N=1005). Logistic regression analyses were performed with self-reported SRRI choice as dependent variable and different levels of values as independent variables. On a higher level of analyses, self-transcendent values, especially universalism (e.g., equality, protecting the environment, and social justice), have the most important influences on SRRI choice. In contrast, on a lower-level analysis, SRRI choice is influenced by self-enhancement values with high priority for authoritarian power and low priority for wealth. The three-level analysis of values (self-transcendence vs self-enhancement value orientation, motivational domain, and value) questions the contradiction between dimension poles of values and the structuring of values in interrelated motivational domains. The results thereby clarify some previous findings and increase the understanding of the value basis of SRRI.
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4. |
- Teumer, A., et al.
(författare)
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Genomewide meta-analysis identifies loci associated with IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels with impact on age-related traits
- 2016
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Ingår i: Aging Cell. - : Wiley. - 1474-9718 .- 1474-9726. ; 15:5, s. 811-824
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis can be manipulated in animal models to promote longevity, and IGF-related proteins including IGF-I and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) have also been implicated in risk of human diseases including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. Through genomewide association study of up to 30884 adults of European ancestry from 21 studies, we confirmed and extended the list of previously identified loci associated with circulating IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations (IGF1, IGFBP3, GCKR, TNS3, GHSR, FOXO3, ASXL2, NUBP2/IGFALS, SORCS2, and CELSR2). Significant sex interactions, which were characterized by different genotype–phenotype associations between men and women, were found only for associations of IGFBP-3 concentrations with SNPs at the loci IGFBP3 and SORCS2. Analyses of SNPs, gene expression, and protein levels suggested that interplay between IGFBP3 and genes within the NUBP2 locus (IGFALS and HAGH) may affect circulating IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations. The IGF-I-decreasing allele of SNP rs934073, which is an eQTL of ASXL2, was associated with lower adiposity and higher likelihood of survival beyond 90years. The known longevity-associated variant rs2153960 (FOXO3) was observed to be a genomewide significant SNP for IGF-I concentrations. Bioinformatics analysis suggested enrichment of putative regulatory elements among these IGF-I- and IGFBP-3-associated loci, particularly of rs646776 at CELSR2. In conclusion, this study identified several loci associated with circulating IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations and provides clues to the potential role of the IGF axis in mediating effects of known (FOXO3) and novel (ASXL2) longevity-associated loci. © 2016 The Authors. Aging Cell published by the Anatomical Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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5. |
- Berlin, Johan, 1975, et al.
(författare)
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Involuntary backsourcing in the public sector ‐ From conflict to collaboration
- 2022
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Ingår i: Public Administration. - : Wiley. - 0033-3298 .- 1467-9299. ; 100:3, s. 674-691
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study is to contribute to the literature on how involuntary backsourcing in public organisations is performed in practice and how it affects the relationship between principal and agent. The study focuses on two questions; 1) Which stages characterise the process when public contracts are involuntary terminated? 2) How does involuntary backsourcing affect the relationship between principal and agent during the transfer period? The study's case concerns public backsourcing in Sweden, in particular, how a metropolitan municipality manages involuntary backsourcing. This study provides in‐depth insights into backsourcing and its practice, as well the degree to which the conflict dimension between the parties is affected. The study shows ‐ paradoxically ‐ that the relationship between principal and agent during the transition phase is characterised by dependence, mutual exchange of information, collaboration and less conflict. The study contributes to developing the theory of backsourcing, particularly the behaviour that is played out between principal and agent in the transition stage. The findings identify the need for public organisations which make outsourcing decisions to have contingency plans for bringing operations back in‐house.
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6. |
- Biel, Anders, 1948, et al.
(författare)
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Behavioural Impediments to Sustainable Investment.
- 2007
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Ingår i: Paper presented at the 32nd IAREP Conference, Ljubljana, Slovenia..
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The present study investigates impediments to sustainable investment (SI) that reside within the organizations of institutional investors. A questionnaire was addressed to 35 institutional investors with board directors, senior investment managers or portfolio managers acting as respondents. The respondents represented SI as well as non-SI funds. Presently, little is known about how variations in the endorsement of values and norms among members in an organisation affect decision making. We tested the hypothesis that to the extent that a SI policy has been adopted, members of the organisation share a norm to advance SI, driven by an adherence to social and environmental values, together with beliefs about potential benefits of SI. We also examined an alternative model assuming a direct link between beliefs about financial outcomes of SI and SI practices in the organisation.
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7. |
- Carlström, Eric, 1957, et al.
(författare)
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Quasi-backsourcing in the Public Sector : The Challenge of Withdrawing from an Intertwined and Long-standing Relationship
- 2021
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Ingår i: International Journal of Public Administration. - : Taylor & Francis Group. - 0190-0692 .- 1532-4265. ; 46:4, s. 302-311
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study is to map the process involved in terminating a long-standing business relationship in a public context. It employed an exploratory study to interview 35 politicians, senior- and middle managers, ambulance- and dispatch centre staff and representatives of a regional alliance of patients. Growing criticism from a county council towards a contractor ended in a decision to bring services back in-house. However, terminating the contract failed and instead a state of quasi-backsourcing emerged. Only parts of the services were taken back in-house, with few reported benefits. The study suggests that caution is needed in relation to backsourcing services from a closely intertwined contractor.
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8. |
- Coviello, Andrea D, et al.
(författare)
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A genome-wide association meta-analysis of circulating sex hormone-binding globulin reveals multiple Loci implicated in sex steroid hormone regulation.
- 2012
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Ingår i: PLoS genetics. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1553-7404 .- 1553-7390. ; 8:7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is a glycoprotein responsible for the transport and biologic availability of sex steroid hormones, primarily testosterone and estradiol. SHBG has been associated with chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes (T2D) and with hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast and prostate cancer. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis of 21,791 individuals from 10 epidemiologic studies and validated these findings in 7,046 individuals in an additional six studies. We identified twelve genomic regions (SNPs) associated with circulating SHBG concentrations. Loci near the identified SNPs included SHBG (rs12150660, 17p13.1, p=1.8×10(-106)), PRMT6 (rs17496332, 1p13.3, p=1.4×10(-11)), GCKR (rs780093, 2p23.3, p=2.2×10(-16)), ZBTB10 (rs440837, 8q21.13, p=3.4×10(-09)), JMJD1C (rs7910927, 10q21.3, p=6.1×10(-35)), SLCO1B1 (rs4149056, 12p12.1, p=1.9×10(-08)), NR2F2 (rs8023580, 15q26.2, p=8.3×10(-12)), ZNF652 (rs2411984, 17q21.32, p=3.5×10(-14)), TDGF3 (rs1573036, Xq22.3, p=4.1×10(-14)), LHCGR (rs10454142, 2p16.3, p=1.3×10(-07)), BAIAP2L1 (rs3779195, 7q21.3, p=2.7×10(-08)), and UGT2B15 (rs293428, 4q13.2, p=5.5×10(-06)). These genes encompass multiple biologic pathways, including hepatic function, lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism and T2D, androgen and estrogen receptor function, epigenetic effects, and the biology of sex steroid hormone-responsive cancers including breast and prostate cancer. We found evidence of sex-differentiated genetic influences on SHBG. In a sex-specific GWAS, the loci 4q13.2-UGT2B15 was significant in men only (men p=2.5×10(-08), women p=0.66, heterogeneity p=0.003). Additionally, three loci showed strong sex-differentiated effects: 17p13.1-SHBG and Xq22.3-TDGF3 were stronger in men, whereas 8q21.12-ZBTB10 was stronger in women. Conditional analyses identified additional signals at the SHBG gene that together almost double the proportion of variance explained at the locus. Using an independent study of 1,129 individuals, all SNPs identified in the overall or sex-differentiated or conditional analyses explained ∼15.6% and ∼8.4% of the genetic variation of SHBG concentrations in men and women, respectively. The evidence for sex-differentiated effects and allelic heterogeneity highlight the importance of considering these features when estimating complex trait variance.
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9. |
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10. |
- Gärling, Tommy, 1941, et al.
(författare)
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Behavioural impediments to sustainable investment.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Paper presented at the 16th annual conference of European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (EARE), University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden..
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Institutional investors are large and powerful owners of corporate equity and have, through their investment decisions, the potential to influence company behaviour in a more sustainable direction. How can institutional investors be influenced? There are many obstacles to overcome before such influences will become more widespread. The present study investigates impediments to sustainable investment (SI) that reside within and between organizations of institutional investors. A questionnaire was addressed to 37 institutional fund companies with board directors, senior investment managers, and portfolio managers acting as respondents. A main impediment within the organizations is that top and portfolio management differs in their view on SI. Although they have similar beliefs about short- and long-term returns of SI funds, top management has a more positive view on intangibles associated with SI. This includes to what extent one believes that members of the own organization support a norm that SI should be implemented and that the share of SI in the own company will increase in the future. The main impediment to SI practice may also be traced to incentives and rules that through imitation are adopted across organisations, potentially underlying the frequently observed herding behaviour among institutional investors. We therefore also present evidence for the hypothesis that herding is caused by interdependence between institutional investors, for instance, that leading investors or a critical mass of investors influence many others to follow suit.
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11. |
- Gärling, Tommy, 1941, et al.
(författare)
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Perceived Influences on Adoption of Socially Responsible Investment Among Swedish Institutional Investors
- 2008
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Ingår i: "Emerging Markets, Currencies, and Financial Stability", University of Rome, December.
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Institutional investors are large and powerful owners of corporate equity and have, through their investment decisions, the potential to influence company behaviour in a more sustainable direction. How can institutional investors be influenced? There are many obstacles to overcome before such influences will become more widespread. The present study investigates impediments to sustainable investment (SI) that reside within and between organizations of institutional investors. A survey questionnaire was answered by 37 institutional fund companies with board directors, senior investment managers, and portfolio managers acting as respondents. It was found that a main impediment within the organizations is that top and portfolio management differs in their view on SI. Although they have similar beliefs about short-term and long-term returns of SI funds, top management has a more positive view on intangibles associated with SI. This includes to what extent one believes that members of the own organization support a norm that SI should be implemented and that the share of SI in the own company will increase in the future. The main impediment to SI practice may also be traced to incentives and rules that through imitation are adopted across organisations, potentially underlying the frequently observed herding behaviour among institutional investors.
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12. |
- Gärling, Tommy, 1941, et al.
(författare)
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Risk management by novice investors in stock markets
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Progress in Economics Research, Vol 49. - New York : Nova Science Publishers. - 1549-1552 .- 1549-1552. - 9781685079444 ; , s. 129-149
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The chapter contextualizes, summarizes and integrates research on novice stock investors’ risk management conducted by the authors in collaboration with colleagues. The stage is set by recognizing that judgmental biases to which investors are prone account for three observed anomalies of stock markets: under- and overreaction to news; selling winners too early and holding losers too long; and ineffective portfolio diversification. The chapter then reviews studies of biases in portfolio diversification including over-investment in popular stocks, neglect of covariation of returns expected from stocks in the portfolio, and failure to rebalance portfolios by selective monitoring of changes in stock prices. Thereafter follows reviews of correlational and experimental studies showing that if novice investors perceive that financial advisors in banks are trustworthy, they increase risk taking in the banks’ actively managed funds. It is also found that the financial advisors are perceived to be trustworthy if appearing to be competent, acting in the interest of the investor, and open and transparent in their communication. Trustworthiness of the financial advisors furthermore spills over to trust in the banks in which they work. The last part of the chapter asks whether finance professionals (e.g., mutual fund managers, financial analysts) provide valid advice and whether novice (and other) investors benefit from these. Answers are given to both these questions based on the reviewed research.
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13. |
- Jansson, Kristina, 1970, et al.
(författare)
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Evolutionary loss of 8-oxo-G repair components among eukaryotes
- 2010
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Ingår i: Genome Integrity. - 2041-9414. ; 1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background We have examined the phylogenetic pattern among eukaryotes of homologues of the E. coli 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxo-G) repair enzymes MutY, MutM, and MutT. Results: These DNA repair enzymes are present in all large phylogenetic groups, with MutM homologues being the most universally conserved. All chordates and echinoderms were found to possess all three 8-oxo-G repair components. Likewise, the red and green algae examined have all three repair enzymes, while all land-living plants have MutY and MutM homologues, but lack MutT. However, for some phyla, e.g. protostomes, a more patchy distribution was found. Nematodes provide a striking example, where Caenorhabditis is the only identified example of an organism group having none of the three repair enzymes, while the genome of another nematode, Trichinella spiralis, instead encodes all three. The most complex distribution exists in fungi, where many different patterns of retention or loss of the three repair components are found. In addition, we found sequence insertions near or within the catalytic sites of MutY, MutM, and MutT to be present in some subgroups of Ascomycetes. Conclusion The 8-oxo-G repair enzymes are ancient in origin, and loss of individual 8 oxo G repair components at several distinct points in evolution appears to be the most likely explanation for the phylogenetic pattern among eukaryotes.
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14. |
- Jansson, Magnus, 1970, et al.
(författare)
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Drivers of outsourcing and backsourcing in the public sector : From idealism to pragmatism
- 2021
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Ingår i: Financial Accountability and Management. - : Wiley. - 0267-4424 .- 1468-0408. ; 37:3, s. 262-278
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Local governments are bringing previously outsourced services back in‐house. Research into explanations for sourcing decisions in the public sector is growing, however, few researchers have investigated drivers of both outsourcing and backsourcing in local public‐governance organizations. In this study we utilize transaction cost economic theory (TCE) and political ideology to investigate underlying motives of sourcing in local public governance organizations. Based on a 2018 survey of chief financial officers (CEO) in all of Sweden's 290 municipalities, this study shows that backsourcing is strongly associated with outsourcing and that outsourcing and backsourcing should not be understood as opposite phenomena, rather as interdependent phenomena in a dynamic sourcing strategy. Outsourcing and backsourcing are driven in part by different factors: Outsourcing by political ambitions and economic factors relating to TCE, while managerial and pragmatic concerns are foregrounded for backsourcing.
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15. |
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16. |
- Jansson, Magnus, 1970, et al.
(författare)
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Investment beliefs and portfolio risk-taking - a comparison between industry professionals and non-professionals
- 2020
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Ingår i: Behavioral Finance. - : World Scientific. - 9789811229251 ; , s. 239-266
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Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Investment beliefs, serving as a bridge between high-level objectives and practical decision-making, are increasingly implemented in the investment industry. The present web-based study compares the beliefs of Swedish professional (N = 64) and non-professional (N = 278) investors, testing the links between investment beliefs and portfolio risk-taking in both samples. The results expose significant differences between the beliefs of professionals and others, also showing that the portfolio risktaking of non-professionals is susceptible to self-confidence and emotional effects while the professionals respond to investment beliefs and risk attitude. The results confirm that disclosure of investment beliefs may reduce tensions between stakeholders and investment managers for the industry’s benefit. © 2021 World Scientific Publishing Company.
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17. |
- Jansson, Magnus, 1970, et al.
(författare)
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Investment institutions' beliefs about and attitudes toward Socially Responsible Investment (SRI): A comparison between SRI and Non-SRI management
- 2014
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Ingår i: Sustainable Development. - : Wiley. - 0968-0802 .- 1099-1719. ; 22:1, s. 33-41
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper investigates psychological drivers and financial motives that may influence major Swedish investments institutions to adopt socially responsible investment (SRI). Based on an instrument that captures concepts in the Value-Belief-Norm theory, and potential financial beliefs that may influence the SRI intentions of investors, a survey was addressed to all major Swedish investments institutions. Fifty-eight respondents from 17 different investment institutions participated in the survey of whom 31 were conventional (non-SRI) investors and 27 were socially responsible investors. Our results show that conventional and SRI investors share similar beliefs about short-term and long-term performance on SRI investments in that SRI gives less return in the short term but slightly more than conventional investments in the longer term. However, SRI investors express significantly more interest in increasing their future SRI investments than conventional investors do. We discover that future SRI is not influenced by social and environmental concerns. Rather, financial beliefs about risk and beliefs about increased market shares drive SRI forward. The business case for SRI seems therefore to be the only reason for major investment institutions to adopt SRI. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
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18. |
- Jansson, Magnus, 1970, et al.
(författare)
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Investment style and perceived drivers of adoption of socially responsible investment among Swedish institutional investors
- 2011
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Ingår i: The Journal of Investing. - : Pageant Media US. - 1068-0896 .- 2168-8613. ; 20:3, s. 118-123
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A survey was conducted to investigate investment style and drivers of socially responsible investment (SRI) among institutional investors. Respondents were 60 professionals working as SRI or non-SRI investors in 19 different Swedish banks, pension funds, or mutual fund companies. The results showed that non-SRI investors perceived market regulations to be a strong driver of SRI, while SRI investors perceived others’ behavior to be a strong driver. No differences were found between SRI and non-SRI investors with respect to short-term versus long-term or active versus passive investment styles.
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19. |
- Jansson, Magnus, 1970, et al.
(författare)
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Motives to engage in sustainable investment: A comparison between institutional and private investors
- 2011
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Ingår i: Sustainable Development. - : Wiley. - 0968-0802. ; 19:2, s. 135-142
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The current study compares motives to invest in accordance with socially responsible criteria among different groups of investors. In total, 60 employees from 19 investment institutions, 453 private investors and 71 institutional investors participated in a questionnaire study. While socially responsible investment (SRI) among private and institutional investors was guided by self-transcendent values (environmental and social values), this was not the case among fund managers working in investment institutions. Fund managers in investment institutions were affected by beliefs about long-term returns of SRI. Private investors were, in addition, influenced by beliefs about long-term returns, whereas institutional investors were motivated by an effort to reduce financial risks. Finally, investment institutions tended to overrate the importance of financial returns among their beneficiaries (private and institutional beneficiaries) and underestimate the importance of ethical, environmental and social aspects for beneficiaries. The results indicate that private and institutional investors/beneficiaries give a wider interpretation of fiduciary duty than investment institutions do.
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20. |
- Jansson, Magnus, 1970, et al.
(författare)
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Outsourcing and backsourcing in a time of crisis–experiences of double opportunism
- 2024
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Ingår i: International Review of Public Administration. - 1229-4659 .- 2331-7795. ; , s. 1-21
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This article addresses the question of how public organizations with limited capacity manage to handle large scale crises. The case analyzed in this article is the sourcing of accommodation during the migration crisis in Sweden of 2015–2016. The event was a game-changer in Swedish migration policy following a more hesitant policy than before, even though new and substantial migration crisis have followed since then. Results show how the legal framework for procurements was not adapted for extraordinary events. The Swedish state was forced to pay exaggerated prices as private contractors took advantage of the acute demand. The study develops our theoretical understanding of the sourcing process during crises and show how the short-term perspective and uncertainties that characterize crises encourage both suppliers and procurers of services to act opportunistically.
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21. |
- Jansson, Magnus, 1970
(författare)
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Psychological influences on adoption of socially responsible investment
- 2011
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This dissertation examines psychological factors that motivate and impede different types of investors to integrate social and environmental considerations when investing. Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) may cover several associated concepts such as ethical investments, sustainable investments, responsible investments and any other investment processes that combine investors´ financial objectives with concerns about environmental and social issues. The main bulk of research on SRI has been focused on comparing the financial aspects of SRI to conventional investments, as concern about the financial return on SRI have been regarded as the major obstacle toward SRI. This dissertation, however, also considers psychological factors that in previous research have been shown to explain altruistic and environmental behaviour. First and foremost we have adopted factors from the Value-Belief-Norm theory (VBN-theory) by Stern and colleagues. In the first study a sample of professional investors (n=58) working at different Swedish investment institutions such as banks and fund companies, either as conventional investors (n=31) or as SRI investors (n=27), were recruited to participate in a survey study. The aim was to test if self-transcendent (altruistic) values, a positive attitude toward SRI and financial beliefs about SRI would promote SRI among professional investors. In accordance with VBN-theory we hypothesize that the influence of values and attitudes on investment behaviour would be mediated by norms. Results showed, surprisingly, that self-enhancement values such as ambition and success drive SRI investors to increase their SRI investments. Among non-SRI investors no such value influence was established. Contrary to what the VBN theory posits, the intention to promote SRI among SRI investors is not a value-expressive behaviour. Rather, egoistic values and beliefs about market and long-term financial benefits support SRI. It was also found that both groups of investors had similar beliefs about the financial performance of SRI funds, that SRI is not financially beneficial in the short term but probably financially sound in the longer term. To further examine what promotes SRI among professional investors, study II investigated professional investors own views on what promotes SRI, while comparing if SRI and non-SRI investors attached different importance to different types of drivers. Results indicated that non-SRI investors attach more importance factors associated with market regulation while SRI investors perceive the examples of others as a more important driver of SRI. To understand what influence different types of investors SRI intentions, In the third study, professional investors (n=60), private investors (n=457) and institutional investors (n=71) were recruited to participate in a comparative study of motives to engage in SRI. Result revealed that while socially responsible investment (SRI) among private and institutional investors was guided by altruistic values, this was not the case among professional investors. Rather, professional investors were motivated by beliefs about financial return. Private investors were, in addition, also highly influenced by beliefs about return, while institutional asset owners were motivated by an effort to reduce financial risks. Finally, it was shown that professional investors overrated the importance of financial returns and underestimated the importance beneficiaries (private and institutional investors) attach to social, environmental and ethical issues when investing. This indicates that investment institutions could underestimate the market for socially responsible products. In the final study, the aim was to investigate socially responsible investments among active stock- investors. A sample of member representatives (n=724) of the Swedish association for shareholders (Aktiespararna) was recruited to participate in a survey study to test if the VBN-theory could explain socially responsible investments in this group of active investors. Results showed that the model could account for the mixed motive of egoistic financial beliefs and altruistic concerns that motivate SRI among active private stock-investors. Taken together, the four studies enrich the understanding of motives that guide different groups of investors to become socially responsible investors.
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22. |
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23. |
- Jansson, Magnus, 1970, et al.
(författare)
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Should pension funds´ fiduciary duty be extended to include social, ethical and environmental concerns? A study of beneficiaries´preferences
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2043-0795 .- 2043-0809. ; 4:3, s. 213-229
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Many fund managers, lawyers and academics assume that pension funds' legal responsibility to manage assets in the best interests of their beneficiaries (their fiduciary duty) rules out including social, ethical and environmental concerns in investments. A counter-argument is that beneficiaries' best interests can be interpreted more broadly to also encompass such concerns. We seek to contribute to resolving this controversy by measuring preferences for social responsible investment (SRI) among beneficiaries of pension funds. The data from a survey questionnaire answered by 1119 future beneficiaries of the Swedish pension system show that beneficiaries on average prefer their pension funds to go beyond financial concerns and engage in SRI. Analysing the determinants of the preferences, we find support for a model including both financial motives (beliefs about financial risk and returns) and values-based motives (self-transcendent value priorities). Our results give unique insights into the psychological drivers of beneficiaries' preferences that are highly pertinent to present attempts at rethinking the aims of pension investments.
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24. |
- Jansson, Magnus, 1970
(författare)
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The contested significance of financial expertise in predicting short- and long-term risk and return on the stock market
- 2019
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Ingår i: The Journal of Prediction Markets. - : University of Buckingham Press. - 1750-676X .- 1750-6751. ; 13:2, s. 15-31
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study investigates whether the influence of financial expertise on stock investors’ ability to predict risk and return is contingent on the length of the forecast horizon. In a quasi-experimental design, stock market professionals (N1= 63, N2=36), private shareholders (N1=155, N2=172), and students (N1= 124, N2=90) twice provided their short- (3-month) and long-term (2-year) risk and return predictions on stock indices. The results show that in general, experts did not outperform students or private shareholders in their return predictions. However, the level of financial expertise positively influenced the accuracy of risk predictions. An interaction effect between financial expertise and the length of the forecast horizon suggests that more knowledgeable and experienced investors performed better in the long term compared to the short term than inexperienced investors did.
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25. |
- Jansson, Magnus, 1970, et al.
(författare)
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The occurrence and importance of pension fund managers’ investment beliefs
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Finance and Investment Analysis. - 2241-0996. ; 7:4, s. 1-17
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper examines the investment beliefs held by fund managers who run and analyse public and commercial pension funds. Previous research has shown that investment beliefs explain investment policies, strategies, and decisions. Using both quantitative web survey data (n=64) and qualitative interview data (n=22) based on the critical incident technique, this research analyses the importance of six investment beliefs that are generally assumed relevant to investment decisions. This research finds that both public and commercial pension fund managers attach significant importance to six investment beliefs: Rationality, Diversification, Long-term investment, Risk and return, Expertise, and Ability to control risk. However, public fund managers show stronger support for Diversification and Risk and return beliefs than commercial fund mangers. Evidence for these beliefs is particularly revealed in interviews on critical investment decisions. The paper concludes with a discussion on the relevance of this research to pension beneficiaries.
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26. |
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27. |
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28. |
- Johansson, Magnus, 1976-, et al.
(författare)
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Prolactin treatment improves engraftment and function of transplanted pancreatic islets
- 2009
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Ingår i: Endocrinology. - : The Endocrine Society. - 0013-7227 .- 1945-7170. ; 150:4, s. 1646-1653
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Transplantation of pancreatic islets is clinically used to treat type 1 diabetes, but requires multiple donors. Previous experimental studies have demonstrated that transplanted islets have a low blood vessel density, which leads to a hypoxic microenvironment. The present study tested the hypothesis that experimental prolactin pretreatment, a substance which seems to stimulate angiogenesis in endogenous islets, would increase graft blood vessel density, thereby improving transplantation outcome. Pancreatic islets from C57BL/6 mice were incubated with prolactin (500 ng/ml) or vehicle during the last 24 h of culture before syngeneic transplantation beneath the renal capsule, or recipients were injected with prolactin or vehicle for the first 7 days after transplantation. One month post-transplantation, graft vascular density, blood flow, oxygen tension, endocrine volume and function was evaluated. Also human islets were incubated with prolactin or vehicle before experimental transplantation and investigated for vascular engraftment. Vascular engraftment of syngeneically transplanted mouse islets was improved by both in vivo and in vitro prolactin pretreatment. Moreover, prolactin pretreatment in vitro of islets used for transplantation improved recovery from diabetes in a minimal islet mass model. Interestingly, also human islets subjected to prolactin treatment before experimental transplantation demonstrated improved revascularization, blood perfusion and oxygen tension when evaluated one month post-transplantation. We conclude that prolactin may improve engraftment of transplanted pancreatic islets. The protocol with pretreatment of islets ex vivo could minimize the risk of side effects when used in the clinical setting.
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29. |
- Justice, A. E., et al.
(författare)
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Genome-wide meta-analysis of 241,258 adults accounting for smoking behaviour identifies novel loci for obesity traits
- 2017
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Few genome-wide association studies (GWAS) account for environmental exposures, like smoking, potentially impacting the overall trait variance when investigating the genetic contribution to obesity-related traits. Here, we use GWAS data from 51,080 current smokers and 190,178 nonsmokers (87% European descent) to identify loci influencing BMI and central adiposity, measured as waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio both adjusted for BMI. We identify 23 novel genetic loci, and 9 loci with convincing evidence of gene-smoking interaction (GxSMK) on obesity-related traits. We show consistent direction of effect for all identified loci and significance for 18 novel and for 5 interaction loci in an independent study sample. These loci highlight novel biological functions, including response to oxidative stress, addictive behaviour, and regulatory functions emphasizing the importance of accounting for environment in genetic analyses. Our results suggest that tobacco smoking may alter the genetic susceptibility to overall adiposity and body fat distribution.
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30. |
- Karasik, D., et al.
(författare)
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Disentangling the genetics of lean mass
- 2019
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Ingår i: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. - : Elsevier BV. - 0002-9165 .- 1938-3207. ; 109:2, s. 276-287
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Lean body mass (LM) plays an important role in mobility and metabolic function. We previously identified five loci associated with LM adjusted for fat mass in kilograms. Such an adjustment may reduce the power to identify genetic signals having an association with both lean mass and fat mass. Objectives: To determine the impact of different fat mass adjustments on genetic architecture of LM and identify additional LM loci. Methods: We performed genome-wide association analyses for whole-body LM (20 cohorts of European ancestry with n = 38,292) measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) or bioelectrical impedance analysis, adjusted for sex, age, age(2), and height with or without fat mass adjustments (Model 1 no fat adjustment; Model 2 adjustment for fat mass as a percentage of body mass; Model 3 adjustment for fat mass in kilograms). Results: Seven single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in separate loci, including one novel LM locus (TNRC6B), were successfully replicated in an additional 47,227 individuals from 29 cohorts. Based on the strengths of the associations in Model 1 vs Model 3, we divided the LM loci into those with an effect on both lean mass and fat mass in the same direction and refer to those as "sumo wrestler" loci (FTO and MC4R). In contrast, loci with an impact specifically on LMwere termed "body builder" loci (VCAN and ADAMTSL3). Using existing available genome-wide association study databases, LM increasing alleles of SNPs in sumo wrestler loci were associated with an adverse metabolic profile, whereas LM increasing alleles of SNPs in "body builder" loci were associated with metabolic protection. Conclusions: In conclusion, we identified one novel LM locus (TNRC6B). Our results suggest that a genetically determined increase in lean mass might exert either harmful or protective effects on metabolic traits, depending on its relation to fat mass.
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31. |
- Kilpeläinen, Tuomas O, et al.
(författare)
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Genetic variation near IRS1 associates with reduced adiposity and an impaired metabolic profile.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Nature genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1546-1718 .- 1061-4036. ; 43:8, s. 753-60
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Genome-wide association studies have identified 32 loci influencing body mass index, but this measure does not distinguish lean from fat mass. To identify adiposity loci, we meta-analyzed associations between ∼2.5 million SNPs and body fat percentage from 36,626 individuals and followed up the 14 most significant (P < 10(-6)) independent loci in 39,576 individuals. We confirmed a previously established adiposity locus in FTO (P = 3 × 10(-26)) and identified two new loci associated with body fat percentage, one near IRS1 (P = 4 × 10(-11)) and one near SPRY2 (P = 3 × 10(-8)). Both loci contain genes with potential links to adipocyte physiology. Notably, the body-fat-decreasing allele near IRS1 is associated with decreased IRS1 expression and with an impaired metabolic profile, including an increased visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, risk of diabetes and coronary artery disease and decreased adiponectin levels. Our findings provide new insights into adiposity and insulin resistance.
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32. |
- Kilpeläinen, Tuomas O, et al.
(författare)
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Genome-wide meta-analysis uncovers novel loci influencing circulating leptin levels
- 2016
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Leptin is an adipocyte-secreted hormone, the circulating levels of which correlate closely with overall adiposity. Although rare mutations in the leptin (LEP) gene are well known to cause leptin deficiency and severe obesity, no common loci regulating circulating leptin levels have been uncovered. Therefore, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of circulating leptin levels from 32,161 individuals and followed up loci reaching P<10(-6) in 19,979 additional individuals. We identify five loci robustly associated (P<5 × 10(-8)) with leptin levels in/near LEP, SLC32A1, GCKR, CCNL1 and FTO. Although the association of the FTO obesity locus with leptin levels is abolished by adjustment for BMI, associations of the four other loci are independent of adiposity. The GCKR locus was found associated with multiple metabolic traits in previous GWAS and the CCNL1 locus with birth weight. Knockdown experiments in mouse adipose tissue explants show convincing evidence for adipogenin, a regulator of adipocyte differentiation, as the novel causal gene in the SLC32A1 locus influencing leptin levels. Our findings provide novel insights into the regulation of leptin production by adipose tissue and open new avenues for examining the influence of variation in leptin levels on adiposity and metabolic health.
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33. |
- Larsson, Simon, 1982, et al.
(författare)
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Attitudes towards nanomaterials and nanotechnology among Swedish expert stakeholders: Risk, benefit and regulation
- 2017
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The aim of this study is to investigate attitudes towards nanomaterials and nanotechnology among Swedish expert stakeholders. The study explores the views of these experts on a number of topics in connection to nanotechnology innovation with a focus on perceived risk, perceived benefits, risk regulation, and risk management. In January 2017, we distributed a web-based questionnaire to 237 individual experts at government agencies, business corporations, and other relevant organisations. The experts had a self-rated interest in, or connection to, nanomaterials and nanotechnology in their work at their organisation. This study contributes to a multidisciplinary research field addressing questions about innovation and foresight, risk perception, and regulation of nanomaterials and nanotechnology in the public domain. This study makes several claims. 1. The topic of nanomaterials and nanotechnology engages a broad range of Swedish stakeholders in many different ways, including, but not limited to, research and research funding, risk assessment, product development, as well as regulation and legislation. 2. Experts generally emphasize the benefits of nanotechnology and nanomaterials, but perceived benefit and perceived risk varies with educational background and organizational affiliation. 3. How experts assess risk and benefit varies depending on area of application (for example medicine, cosmetics, coatings, electronics, agriculture and food). 4. Experts are generally supportive of further regulation of nanomaterials and nanotechnology. They are relatively negative to taxation and self-regulation as regulatory measures and relatively positive to selective prohibition. There is also disagreement over appropriate regulatory measures among respondents. 5. High perceived risk correlates with a more positive attitude to regulation, and high perceived benefit correlates with lower support for regulation. 6. A common and shared belief is that regulation should be based on science, and that public involvement is undesirable.
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34. |
- Larsson, Simon, 1982, et al.
(författare)
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Expert stakeholders’ perception of nanotechnology: risk, benefit, knowledge, and regulation
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of nanoparticle research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1388-0764 .- 1572-896X. ; 21:57
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study is positioned in a multidisciplinary research field addressing questions of innovation, foresight, risk perception, regulation, and the role of stakeholder experts as regards nanomaterials and nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is an innovative scientific field with many potential societal benefits but also high uncertainty about risks to human health and the environment. This study is based on a survey distributed to a sample of 237 expert stakeholders in Sweden working in the field of nanotechnology innovation and regulation. The sample comprises experts in both industry and government organizations. The paper explores the expert’s assessment of benefits, risks, and their views of nanotechnology regulation. The experts generally agreed on the need for further regulation of nanotechnology, although they differed in their support for different regulatory measures. Support for government regulation was increased by greater perceived risk and by ethical concerns, while perceived benefit decreased support for government regulation. If nanotechnology was important for the respondent’s organization of affiliation, support for government regulation decreased. Experts in government organizations were more in favor of stronger government regulation, perceived higher risks, and were more concerned about the ethical implications of nanotechnology than were the industry experts. While previous research has discussed views of experts, as well as comparing the attitudes of the general public with experts, this study contributes to the field by analyzing and identifying differences between industry experts and experts working in government.
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35. |
- Ohlsson, Claes, 1965, et al.
(författare)
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Genetic determinants of serum testosterone concentrations in men.
- 2011
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Ingår i: PLoS genetics. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1553-7404 .- 1553-7390. ; 7:10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Testosterone concentrations in men are associated with cardiovascular morbidity, osteoporosis, and mortality and are affected by age, smoking, and obesity. Because of serum testosterone's high heritability, we performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association data in 8,938 men from seven cohorts and followed up the genome-wide significant findings in one in silico (n=871) and two de novo replication cohorts (n=4,620) to identify genetic loci significantly associated with serum testosterone concentration in men. All these loci were also associated with low serum testosterone concentration defined as <300 ng/dl. Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms at the sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) locus (17p13-p12) were identified as independently associated with serum testosterone concentration (rs12150660, p=1.2×10(-41) and rs6258, p=2.3×10(-22)). Subjects with ≥ 3 risk alleles of these variants had 6.5-fold higher risk of having low serum testosterone than subjects with no risk allele. The rs5934505 polymorphism near FAM9B on the X chromosome was also associated with testosterone concentrations (p=5.6×10(-16)). The rs6258 polymorphism in exon 4 of SHBG affected SHBG's affinity for binding testosterone and the measured free testosterone fraction (p<0.01). Genetic variants in the SHBG locus and on the X chromosome are associated with a substantial variation in testosterone concentrations and increased risk of low testosterone. rs6258 is the first reported SHBG polymorphism, which affects testosterone binding to SHBG and the free testosterone fraction and could therefore influence the calculation of free testosterone using law-of-mass-action equation.
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36. |
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37. |
- Skoglundh, Magnus, 1965, et al.
(författare)
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Cobalt-promoted palladium as three-way catalyst
- 1996
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Ingår i: Applied Catalysis B: Environmental. - : Elsevier BV. - 0926-3373 .- 1873-3883. ; 7:3-4, s. 299-319
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Fifteen catalysts were prepared by intermittently impregnating alumina washcoats with water solutions containing La3+, Co2+ and PdCl42- ions/complex and calcining them at 550-820 degrees C. The catalysts were evaluated with respect to light-off performance, at stationary and transient feed gas stoichiometry, respectively, and redox characteristics, using NO/CO/C3H6/O-2/N-2 gas mixtures to simulate car exhaust. Alumina supported Pd exhibited three-way activity, i.e., simultaneous oxidation of CO and C3H6 and reduction of NO in a narrow interval around stoichiometric composition of the feed gas. Compared to Pd alone, addition of La or Co caused a widening of the interval under net reducing conditions. Addition of Co to Pd caused a significant increase in the activities for oxidation of CO and C3H6 under stoichiometric conditions. The conversions of CO and C3H6 started at about 100 degrees lower temperatures over Co-promoted Pd compared to unpromoted Pd. A marked increase in the activity for the reduction of NO at transient conditions was observed over Co-promoted Pd compared to unpromoted Pd. The catalysts were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and specific surface area measurements. Only Co2+ could be detected by XPS in the surface layers of the Co-containing sample. A significant part of the cobalt is present in forms which can be oxidized and reduced under synthetic car exhaust conditions. These oxidizable/reducible cobalt sites are predominantly active for oxidation of CO and C3H6, hence promoting the reduction of NO over Pd by initiating these exothermic reactions in the catalyst.
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38. |
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39. |
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40. |
- Zillikens, M. C., et al.
(författare)
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Large meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies identifies five loci for lean body mass
- 2017
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 8:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Lean body mass, consisting mostly of skeletal muscle, is important for healthy aging. We performed a genome-wide association study for whole body (20 cohorts of European ancestry with n = 38,292) and appendicular (arms and legs) lean body mass (n = 28,330) measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry or bioelectrical impedance analysis, adjusted for sex, age, height, and fat mass. Twenty-one single-nucleotide polymorphisms were significantly associated with lean body mass either genome wide (p < 5 x 10(-8)) or suggestively genome wide (p < 2.3 x 10(-6)). Replication in 63,475 (47,227 of European ancestry) individuals from 33 cohorts for whole body lean body mass and in 45,090 (42,360 of European ancestry) subjects from 25 cohorts for appendicular lean body mass was successful for five single-nucleotide polymorphisms in/ near HSD17B11, VCAN, ADAMTSL3, IRS1, and FTO for total lean body mass and for three single-nucleotide polymorphisms in/ near VCAN, ADAMTSL3, and IRS1 for appendicular lean body mass. Our findings provide new insight into the genetics of lean body mass.
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