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| 2. |
- Ruiz-Puerta, Emily J., et al.
(author)
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Holocene deglaciation drove rapid genetic diversification of Atlantic walrus
- 2023
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In: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. - 1471-2954. ; 290:2007, s. 1-11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Rapid global warming is severely impacting Arctic ecosystems and is predicted to transform the abundance, distribution and genetic diversity of Arctic species, though these linkages are poorly understood. We address this gap in knowledge using palaeogenomics to examine how earlier periods of global warming influenced the genetic diversity of Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus), a species closely associated with sea ice and shallow-water habitats. We analysed 82 ancient and historical Atlantic walrus mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes), including now-extinct populations in Iceland and the Canadian Maritimes, to reconstruct the Atlantic walrus’ response to Arctic deglaciation. Our results demonstrate that the phylogeography and genetic diversity of Atlantic walrus populations was initially shaped by the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), surviving in distinct glacial refugia, and subsequently expanding rapidly in multiple migration waves during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene. The timing of diversification and establishment of distinct populations corresponds closely with the chronology of the glacial retreat, pointing to a strong link between walrus phylogeography and sea ice. Our results indicate that accelerated ice loss in the modern Arctic may trigger further dispersal events, likely increasing the connectivity of northern stocks while isolating more southerly stocks putatively caught in small pockets of suitable habitat.
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- Sharma, Sapna, et al.
(author)
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Long-term ice phenology records spanning up to 578 years for 78 lakes around the Northern Hemisphere
- 2022
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In: Scientific Data. - : Springer Nature. - 2052-4463. ; 9:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In recent decades, lakes have experienced unprecedented ice loss with widespread ramifications for winter ecological processes. The rapid loss of ice, resurgence of winter biology, and proliferation of remote sensing technologies, presents a unique opportunity to integrate disciplines to further understand the broad spatial and temporal patterns in ice loss and its consequences. Here, we summarize ice phenology records for 78 lakes in 12 countries across North America, Europe, and Asia to permit the inclusion and harmonization of in situ ice phenology observations in future interdisciplinary studies. These ice records represent some of the longest climate observations directly collected by people. We highlight the importance of applying the same definition of ice-on and ice-off within a lake across the time-series, regardless of how the ice is observed, to broaden our understanding of ice loss across vast spatial and temporal scales.
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| 4. |
- Villarroel-Schneider, J., et al.
(author)
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Techno-Economic Study of a Biogas-Based Polygeneration Plant for Small Dairy Farms in Central Bolivia
- 2020
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In: Renewable Energy and Sustainable Buildings. - Cham : Springer. - 9783030184872 - 9783030184889 ; , s. 675-687
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Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper presents a techno-economic feasibility study of a polygeneration plant proposed for an association of dairy farmers in Bolivia. The systems have been designed in an integrated approach and are based on the resource recovery utilizing available cow dung. The production of biogas is proposed using “low cost” tubular digesters. The biogas is used for the production of electricity and heat in a 40 kWel internal combustion engine. Heat from the exhaust gas is recovered to drive an absorption cooling system for milk refrigeration and for a bio-slurry drying system. The final services are biogas, electricity, cooling and fertilizers. The techno-economic analysis focuses on determining the levelized cost of the services and compare them with the subsidized and non-subsidized prices of other competitive services in the market. Sensitivity analyses for the services prices are carried out to see the influence of the feedstock handling cost and the subsidies on investment capital. Once the selling prices of the services are defined, the payback period of investment capital is determined. The results show that the biogas and electricity costs were found lower than the subsidized prices of similar services in the market while the cost of cooling was found slightly higher. From the sensitivity analysis we have that the feedstock handling cost can be increased from 10 to 18 USD/ton while maintaining the biogas price below the subsidized LPG price, and applying subsidies to the investment capital allows reducing the rest of the services costs. The payback period is around 3.5 years when a subsidy of 15% is applied in the investment capital and the services are sold at the subsidized prices of the conventional services. Our study has shown that under the conditions of the Bolivian market it is feasible the installation of a polygeneration plant. On the other hand, a market without or with reduced subsidies for the conventional services makes the proposed system more feasible and competitive.
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| 5. |
- Grundström, Hanna, et al.
(author)
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Translation and validation of the Swedish version of the Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised (BSS-R)
- 2023
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In: Midwifery. - : ELSEVIER SCI LTD. - 0266-6138 .- 1532-3099. ; 124
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Optimizing womens childbirth experience is essential for development of quality mother infant relationships. The Birth Satisfaction Scale-Revised ( BSS-R ) can be used to measure birth satisfaction. Aim: The current investigation sought to translate and validate a Swedish version of the BSS-R. Method: Following translation, a comprehensive psychometric validation of the Swedish - BSS-R ( SW-BSS-R ) was carried out using a multi-model, cross-sectional, between- and within-subjects design. Participants: A total of 619 Swedish-speaking women participated, from which 591 completed SW-BSS-R and were eligible for analysis. Data analysis: Discriminant, convergent, divergent and predictive validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and factor structure were evaluated. Results: The SW-BSS-R was found to have excellent psychometric properties and hence is a valid translation of the original UK(English)-BSS-R . Important insights into relationships between mode of birth, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and postnatal depression (PND) were observed. Conclusions and implications for practice: The SW-BSS-R is a psychometrically valid translation of the original BSS-R and is suitable for use in a Swedish-speaking population of women. The study has also highlighted important dynamics between birth satisfaction and areas of significant clinical concern (i.e., mode of birth, PTSD and PND) in Sweden.
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| 7. |
- Villarroel-Schneider, Johnny, et al.
(author)
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Biogas based polygeneration plant options utilizing dairy farms waste : A Bolivian case
- 2020
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In: Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments. - : Elsevier. - 2213-1388 .- 2213-1396. ; 37
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study presents a comparative techno-economic feasibility analysis for two polygeneration plant solutions, applied to low-income dairy farms in Bolivia. The first option considers an internally fired microturbine (IFMT) and, the second, an internal combustion engine (ICE). They are integrated with an absorption refrigeration system and a fertilizer dryer. Biogas, produced with farms waste, fuels these power generators. The levelized costs of biogas for cooking, electricity, cooling and fertilizers were determined. The cost of biogas, for both options, was found to be 0.020 USD/kWh, which is lower than the subsidized price of LPG. The most competitive cost of electricity was determined for the ICE plant option; it was found to be 0.082 USD/kWh and is lower than the subsidized cost of fossil fuel-based electricity. The cost of cooling was found to be around 0.082 USD/kWh, which is slightly higher than the cost of cooling supplied by using grid electricity. In a realistic scenario, the shorter payback period was found to be 4.4 years for the ICE plant option. From this, the ICE-based plant was found as the most feasible option. Additionally, if no subsidies are applied to the fossil fuel-based services, the proposed polygeneration systems are a highly competitive alternative.
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| 8. |
- Villarroel-Schneider, Johnny, et al.
(author)
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Energy self-sufficiency and greenhouse gas emission reductions in Latin American dairy farms through massive implementation of biogas-based solutions
- 2022
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In: Energy Conversion and Management. - : Elsevier BV. - 0196-8904 .- 1879-2227. ; 261, s. 115670-115670
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The transition towards sustainable economies with improved resource efficiency is today’s challenge for all productive sectors. The dairy sector in Latin America is growing without considering a clear path for sustainable energy and waste management solutions. This study proposes integrated solutions through a waste-to-energy approach. The solutions consider biogas production (via cow manure) as the main energy conversion pathway; technology solutions include biodigesters, power generators, and combined heat and power systems that supply not only the energy services demanded by dairy farms (for cooking gas, electricity, refrigeration and hot water) but also provide organic fertilizers. Biogas’ potential was estimated to verify whether it can cover the energy demands of the farms, while the levelized costs of producing biogas and electricity were the indicators for the techno-economic evaluation of the solutions. Greenhouse gas emission reductions were estimated by following IPCC guidelines. Specifically, the proposed solutions lead to energy self-sufficiency in most dairy farms with relevant biogas and electricity costs in the range of 1.7–3.7 and 6–12 USD cents/kWh, respectively. In addition, implementing the proposed solutions in Latin American dairy farms would allow annual greenhouse gas emission reductions of 32.8 Mton CO2 eq. with an additional 17 Mton if widespread use of the supplied organic fertilizers is achieved.
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