| 1. |
- Andersson, Cecilia, et al.
(författare)
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Alveolar mast cells shift to an FcεRI-expressing phenotype in mild atopic asthma: a novel feature in allergic asthma pathology.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Allergy. - : Wiley. - 1398-9995 .- 0105-4538. ; 66:12, s. 1590-1597
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: A unique feature of alveolar mast cells is their low high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) expression. Recent discoveries in uncontrolled asthma suggest that the appearance of FcεRI-expressing alveolar mast cells may be a novel disease-specific feature of allergic asthma. This study investigates whether increased FcεRI-expressing alveolar mast cells are present in patients with mild allergic asthma or even in non-asthmatic allergic rhinitis patients (AR) who have developed bronchial hyperactivity (BHR). Methods: Bronchial and alveolar tissues were obtained from healthy controls, AR patients with or without BHR, and AR patients with concurrent asthma. Samples were processed for immunohistochemical identification of MC(T) and MC(TC) and expression of FcεRI and surface-bound IgE. Results: Bronchial mast cell expression of FcεRI was high in all groups. In contrast, in the alveolar tissue, the expression of FcεRI on mast cells was low in healthy controls and in the AR patient groups, whereas a high expression was present in AR patients with concurrent asthma (P = 0.006 compared to controls). The asthmatics had a 29-fold increase in numbers (P = 0.006) and a 19-fold increase in proportion (P = 0.007) of alveolar mast cells that expressed surface-bound IgE. Conclusions: The present data show that alveolar mast cells in patients with mild atopic asthma, but not atopic patients with AR, have turned into a highly FcεRI- and IgE-expressing phenotype. These data support the hypothesis that increased FcεRI expression on alveolar mast cells is a novel disease-specific feature of allergic asthma that is important for understanding asthma phenotypes and designing new therapeutic strategies.
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| 2. |
- Andersson, Cecilia, et al.
(författare)
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Mast cell-associated alveolar inflammation in patients with atopic uncontrolled asthma
- 2011
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Ingår i: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1097-6825 .- 0091-6749. ; 127:4, s. 123-905
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: A significant proportion of patients with asthma have persistent symptoms despite treatment with inhaled glucocorticosteroids. Objective: We hypothesized that in these patients, the alveolar parenchyma is subjected to mast cell-associated alterations. Methods: Bronchial and transbronchial biopsies from healthy controls (n = 8), patients with allergic rhinitis (n = 8), and patients with atopic uncontrolled asthma (symptoms despite treatment with inhaled glucocorticosteroids; mean dose, 743 mu g/d; n = 14) were processed for immunohistochemical identification of mast cell subtypes and mast cell expression of Fc epsilon RI and surface-bound IgE. Results: Whereas no difference in density of total bronchial mast cells was observed between patients with asthma and healthy controls, the total alveolar mast cell density was increased in the patients with asthma (P < .01). Division into mast cell subtypes revealed that in bronchi of patients with asthma, tryptase positive mast cells (MCT) numbers decreased compared with controls (P <= .05), whereas tryptase and chymase positive mast cells (MCTC) increased (P <= .05). In the alveolar parenchyma from patients with asthma, an increased density was found for both MCT (P <= .05) and MCTC (P <= .05). The increased alveolar mast cell densities were paralleled by an increased mast cell expression of FceRI (P < .001) compared with the controls. The patients with asthma also had increased numbers (P < .001) and proportions (P < .001) of alveolar mast cells with surface-bound IgE. Similar increases in densities, FceRI expression, and surface-bound IgE were not seen in separate explorations of alveolar mast cells in patients with allergic rhinitis. Conclusion: Our data suggest that patients with atopic uncontrolled asthma have an increased parenchymal infiltration of MCT and MCTC populations with increased expression of FceRI and surface-bound IgE compared with atopic and nonatopic controls. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2011;127:905-12.)
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| 4. |
- Bergqvist, Jonas, et al.
(författare)
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Determination of optical constants and phase transition temperatures in polymer fullerene thin films for polymer solar cells
- 2012
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Plastic photovoltaics combining semiconducting polymers with fullerene derivatives have the potentialto become the first cost efficient solar cells able to compete with fossil fuels. The maximum powerconversion efficiency is already 8.3%[1] , and new polymers arrive frequently in the search for efficienciesof 10%. As a first step in the screening of candidate materials, the optical constants of the purepolymer as well as the polymer blend with fullerenes are determined from Variable Angle SpectroscopicEllipsometry (VASE), using Tauc-Lorentz oscillator models, throughout the solar spectrum. Thesemodels are then used to predict the upper limits to photocurrent generation in devices, in transfermatrix simulations of the multilayer thin film photovoltaic devices. This forms an essential step in thechoice of materials for optimization in devices.Materials optics measurements are also used to deduce the phase diagram of polymer and polymerblend films. The glass transition temperature is very important for plastic solar cells and mustbe higher than the 80C a device can reach to avoid degradation during operation. Temperaturedependent ellipsometric measurements has proven to be a feasible way to determine phase transitionsin polymer thin films[2] . These transitions are displayed as a sudden change of the volumetricexpansion coefficient, and are manifested by an abrupt increase of thickness at the phase transitiontemperature. For thickness determination a Cauchy model is applied to the transparent infrared partof the spectra.References1. Z. He, C. Zhong, X. Huang, W-Y. Wong, H. Wu, L. Chen, S. Su, Y Cao, Advanced Materials 23, 4636(2011)2. M. Campoy-Quiles, P.G. Etchegoin, D.D.C. Bradley, Synthetic Metals 155, 279(2005)
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| 5. |
- Bergqvist, Jonas, et al.
(författare)
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In situ reflectance imaging of organic thin film formation from solution
- 2012
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The rapid progress of organic photovoltaic devices during the last decade, with power conversion efficiencies now exceeding 8%, has brought the technology close to an industrial breakthrough. For polymer solar cells, roll to roll printing is desired to gain the production advantage. The formation of the photoactive material from solutions needs to be controlled and optimized. Therefore a suitable method to monitor the deposition process is needed as deviations of drying times1 and drying rates2 during the coating process have proven to generate morphology variations causing variations in photocurrent generation.Here we demonstrate how reflectance imaging can be used to monitor the drying process, both for spin coating and blade coating deposition. A blue LED is used as light source to generate specular reflections imaged by a CMOS camera. The thinning of the wet film can then be observed by thin film interference, and can be recorded for each pixel. This enables an estimation of the evaporation rate for each pixel mapped over the substrate. For spin coating the evaporation rate is shown to increase with the distance from the rotation center, whereas the air flow is the determining parameter during blade coating. By mapping the times when interference ceases, lateral variations in drying time are visualized. Furthermore the quenching of polymer photoluminescence during the drying process can be visualized, thus creating a possibility to estimate morphological variations. Moreover lateral thickness variations of the dry film can be visualized by scanning ellipsometry. After depositing a top electrode photocurrent images can be generated by a laser scanning method. This allows for a direct comparison of drying conditions and photocurrent generation. The possibility to monitor the thin film formation as well as lateral variations in thickness in-situ by a non-invasive method, is an important step for future large scale applications where stable high performing generating morphologies have to be formed over large areas.1Schmidt-Hansberg, B.; Sanyal, M.; Klein, M.F.G.; Pfaff, M.; Schnabel, N.; Jaiser, S.; Vorobiev, A.; Müller, E.; Colsmann, A.; Scharfer, P.; Gerthsen, D.; Lemmer, U.; Barrena, E.; and Schabel, W., ACS Nano 5 , 2011, 8579-85902 Hou, L.; Wang, E.; Bergqvist, J.; Andersson, V.B.; Wang, Z.; Müller, C.; Campoy-Quiles, M.; Andersson, M.R.; Zhang, F.; Inganäs, O.,Adv. Func. Mat. 21 , 2011, 3169–3175
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Bergqvist, Jonas, et al.
(författare)
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In situ reflectance imaging of organic thin film formation from solution deposition
- 2013
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Ingår i: Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells. - : Elsevier. - 0927-0248 .- 1879-3398. ; 114, s. 89-98
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this work we present reflectance imaging as a suitable method for in situ monitoring of the drying process of film formation for organic photovoltaics (OPV) over large areas, as well as for lab-scale spin-coating. The drying wet film is illuminated with a narrow bandwidth LED with the specularly reflected light recorded by a video camera as the film dries and forms the active layer of the OPV cell. The interference fringes generated by the thinning wet film can be used to measure the rate of solvent evaporation and the drying time. Subsequent mapping elucidates variations in drying conditions over the substrate, which lead to variations in morphology formation. The technique is suitable for tracking thickness variations of the dry film, with a sensitivity of 10 nm, by comparing the intensity of the reflected light from the dry film to simulated interference conditions calculated for each thickness. The drying process is furthermore accurately simulated by an optical model considering the changes in refractive index as the amount of solvent decreases with respect to the solid content. This non-invasive in situ method represents an important monitoring tool for future large scale OPV manufacturing where high performing morphologies with uniform thickness have to be formed over very large areas.
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| 8. |
- Bergqvist, Jonas, et al.
(författare)
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Sub-glass transition annealing enhances polymer solar cell performance
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Materials Chemistry A. - : Royal Society of Chemistry. - 2050-7488. ; 2:17, s. 6146-6152
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Thermal annealing of non-crystalline polymer: fullerene blends typically results in a drastic decrease in solar cell performance. In particular aggressive annealing above the glass transition temperature results in a detrimental coarsening of the blend nanostructure. We demonstrate that mild annealing below the glass transition temperature is a viable avenue to control the nanostructure of a non-crystalline thiophene-quinoxaline copolymer: fullerene blend. Direct imaging methods indicate that coarsening of the blend nanostructure can be avoided. However, a combination of absorption and luminescence spectroscopy reveals that local changes in the polymer conformation as well as limited fullerene aggregation are permitted to occur. As a result, we are able to optimise the solar cell performance evenly across different positions of the coated area, which is a necessary criterion for large-scale, high throughput production.
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| 9. |
- Bergqvist, Rickard, 1979, et al.
(författare)
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Intermodal road-rail transport in Sweden - on the path to sustainability
- 2010
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Ingår i: The 12th WCTR Proceedings.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Intermodal road-rail freight transport has long been seen as playing a key role in reducing CO2 emissions from freight transport. The reduction of CO2 emission is of great importance to reduce the greenhouse effect and create a sustainable society. However, the full potential of intermodal transport for CO2 reduction remains to be determined. At first glance, the intermodal transport market has showed modest growth compared to other modes of transport, such as direct road. However, there are segments of the intermodal market, in particular in the road-rail segment that has shown significant growth during the last decade. This article looks at the potential for intermodal road-rail transport and describes the remarkable journey that has taken place in the hinterland road-rail segment, especially in Scandinavia. Furthermore, it includes a brief examination of how current trends affect the role and development of intermodal road-rail transport. Stakeholders currently face new challenges as a result of the current financial crisis and global recession, however, this article identifies a significant long-term potential for modal shift related to the competitiveness of the road-rail intermodal transport segment. This article also outlines the trends that are likely to realise the identified potential for modal shift and the road-rail intermodal market in Scandinavia. Based on previous research, a study has been conducted in Sweden on the potential reduction of CO2 from intermodal transport. The potential of intermodal freight transport has been determined, the associated of CO2 reduction estimated and the potential effect of future trends in the industry has been examined. Modelling has been performed using the Heuristics Intermodal Transport Model, HIT-model, on the national Swedish transport system and detailed modelling for the rail shuttles system of Dry Ports in Sweden. To elaborate on the potential identified, the Swedish segment of hinterland road-rail transport and Dry Ports are examined in more detail, as well as future trends and challenges related to intermodal transport. The current intermodal transport system in Sweden (including port related shuttles) has a 4% market share (4.1 billion tonnekm) and, thus, results in a reduction of 160 000 tonnes CO2 annually compared to if all-road transport had been used. The segment of port related hinterland road-rail transport constitutes about 25% of that CO2 reduction. The identified theoretical potentials for intermodal road-rail freight transport and modal shift is up to 50% of the long-haul transport or 1.6 million tones CO2 using current technology. The Swedish segment of hinterland road-rail transport could constitute a large part of that potential as strategic scenarios indicate possible emission reductions of up to 500 000 tonnes of CO2 within a foreseeable future. In sum, modal shift using current technology have a great potential for decreasing CO2 emissions. The growing segment of hinterland road-rail transport will most probably constitute an important role in achieving this potential. With the help of alternative rail engines, handling equipment, changed operating philosophy, new load unit types, etc. the emission reduction potential may be even greater.
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