| 1. |
- Limpens, J., et al.
(författare)
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Climatic modifiers of the response to nitrogen deposition in peat-forming Sphagnum mosses : a meta-analysis
- 2011
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Ingår i: New Phytologist. - : Wiley. - 0028-646X .- 1469-8137. ; 191:2, s. 496-507
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Peatlands in the northern hemisphere have accumulated more atmospheric carbon (C) during the Holocene than any other terrestrial ecosystem, making peatlands long-term C sinks of global importance. Projected increases in nitrogen (N) deposition and temperature make future accumulation rates uncertain. Here, we assessed the impact of N deposition on peatland C sequestration potential by investigating the effects of experimental N addition on Sphagnum moss. We employed meta-regressions to the results of 107 field experiments, accounting for sampling dependence in the data. We found that high N loading (comprising N application rate, experiment duration, background N deposition) depressed Sphagnum production relative to untreated controls. The interactive effects of presence of competitive vascular plants and high tissue N concentrations indicated intensified biotic interactions and altered nutrient stochiometry as mechanisms underlying the detrimental N effects. Importantly, a higher summer temperature (mean for July) and increased annual precipitation intensified the negative effects of N. The temperature effect was comparable to an experimental application of almost 4 g N m(-2) yr(-1) for each 1 degrees C increase. Our results indicate that current rates of N deposition in a warmer environment will strongly inhibit C sequestration by Sphagnum-dominated vegetation.
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| 2. |
- Limpens, J., et al.
(författare)
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Glasshouse vs field experiments : do they yield ecologically similar results for assessing N impacts on peat mosses?
- 2012
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Ingår i: New Phytologist. - : Wiley. - 0028-646X .- 1469-8137. ; 195:2, s. 408-418
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Peat bogs have accumulated more atmospheric carbon (C) than any other terrestrial ecosystem today. Most of this C is associated with peat moss (Sphagnum) litter. Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition can decrease Sphagnum production, compromising the C sequestration capacity of peat bogs. The mechanisms underlying the reduced production are uncertain, necessitating multifactorial experiments. We investigated whether glasshouse experiments are reliable proxies for field experiments for assessing interactions between N deposition and environment as controls on Sphagnum N concentration and production. We performed a meta-analysis over 115 glasshouse experiments and 107 field experiments. We found that glasshouse and field experiments gave similar qualitative and quantitative estimates of changes in Sphagnum N concentration in response to N application. However, glasshouse-based estimates of changes in production even qualitative assessments diverged from field experiments owing to a stronger N effect on production response in absence of vascular plants in the glasshouse, and a weaker N effect on production response in presence of vascular plants compared to field experiments. Thus, although we need glasshouse experiments to study how interacting environmental factors affect the response of Sphagnum to increased N deposition, we need field experiments to properly quantify these effects.
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| 3. |
- Brown, A. R., et al.
(författare)
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Assessing variation in the potential susceptibility of fish to pharmaceuticals, considering evolutionary differences in their physiology and ecology
- 2014
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Ingår i: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences. - : The Royal Society. - 0962-8436 .- 1471-2970. ; 369:1656
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Fish represent the planet's most diverse group of vertebrates and they can be exposed to a wide range of pharmaceuticals. For practical reasons, extrapolation of pharmaceutical effects from 'model' species to other fish species is adopted in risk assessment. Here, we critically assess this approach. First, we show that between 65% and 86% of human drug targets are evolutionarily conserved in 12 diverse fish species. Focusing on nuclear steroid hormone receptors, we further show that the sequence of the ligand binding domain that plays a key role in drug potency is highly conserved, but there is variation between species. This variation for the oestrogen receptor, however, does not obviously account for observed differences in receptor activation. Taking the synthetic oestrogen ethinyloestradiol as a test case, and using life-table-response experiments, we demonstrate significant reductions in population growth in fathead minnow and medaka, but not zebrafish, for environmentally relevant exposures. This finding contrasts with zebrafish being ranked as more ecologically susceptible, according to two independent life-history analyses. We conclude that while most drug targets are conserved in fish, evolutionary divergence in drug-target activation, physiology, behaviour and ecological life history make it difficult to predict population-level effects. This justifies the conventional use of at least a 10x assessment factor in pharmaceutical risk assessment, to account for differences in species susceptibility.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- DAWODY, JAZAER, 1959, et al.
(författare)
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E4-Mistra, a research program for the development of an energy efficient low emission exhaust aftertreatment system for heavy duty vehicles
- 2012
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Ingår i: World Renewable Energy Forum, WREF 2012, Including World Renewable Energy Congress XII and Colorado Renewable Energy Society (CRES) Annual Conference. - : American Solar Energy Society. - 9781622760923 ; , s. 4530-4536
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper presents a unique system approach applied in a joint academic - industrial research program, E4 Mistra, to reach the goals of energy efficiency and low emissions exhaust aftertreatment system for heavy duty vehicles. The high energy efficiency is achieved by heat recuperation, on-board hydrogen production for use in both an auxiliary power unit and for NOx reduction and by finding new solutions for making the after-treatment system active at low exhaust temperatures. To reach low particulate emissions a mechanical filter using a sintered metal filter is developed. Low NOx emissions are achieved by an efficient NOx reduction catalyst. The system is based on four technological advances: Thermoelectric material s for heat recuperation, catalytic reduction of NOx over innovative catalyst substrates using hydrocarbons from the fuel and H2 from a high efficiency fuel reformer, and particulate filtration over a porous metal filter.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Faure, B., et al.
(författare)
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2D to 3D crossover of the magnetic properties in ordered arrays of iron oxide nanocrystals
- 2013
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Ingår i: Nanoscale. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 2040-3364 .- 2040-3372. ; 5:3, s. 953-960
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The magnetic 2D to 3D crossover behavior of well-ordered arrays of monodomain γ-Fe2O3 spherical nanoparticles with different thicknesses has been investigated by magnetometry and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Using the structural information of the arrays obtained from grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering and scanning electron microscopy together with the experimentally determined values for the saturation magnetization and magnetic anisotropy of the nanoparticles, we show that MC simulations can reproduce the thickness-dependent magnetic behavior. The magnetic dipolar particle interactions induce a ferromagnetic coupling that increases in strength with decreasing thickness of the array. The 2D to 3D transition in the magnetic properties is mainly driven by a change in the orientation of the magnetic vortex states with increasing thickness, becoming more isotropic as the thickness of the array increases. Magnetic anisotropy prevents long-range ferromagnetic order from being established at low temperature and the nanoparticle magnetic moments instead freeze along directions defined by the distribution of easy magnetization directions.
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| 10. |
- Folkesson, Joakim, et al.
(författare)
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Randomised multicentre trial of circular stapling devices
- 2012
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Ingår i: International Journal of Colorectal Disease. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0179-1958 .- 1432-1262. ; 27:2, s. 227-232
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: In a register study, the risk of anastomotic leakage correlated to the choice of circular stapling device with a 4% difference between the two brands used. Based on those data, a randomised multicentre study was started to explore the risk of an anastomotic leakage based upon the surgical device. METHODS: Patients above 18 years with a rectal cancer, able to give informed consent, and scheduled for an anterior resection were eligible for the study. Perioperative randomisation was to Ethicon™ PROXIMATE™ ILS™ or Autosuture™ Premium Plus CEEA™. Anastomotic leakage was defined as a clinically manifest leak. RESULTS: Five hundred twenty-nine patients were randomised (58% male). A leak occurred in 8.3%. The anastomoses created by PROXIMATE™ ILS™ leaked in 25/265 (9.4%) anastomoses, and the Premium Plus CEEA™ leaked in 19/260 (7.3%), p = .419. CONCLUSION: No difference in the leak rate could be revealed. Several centres replaced one of the staplers by a new product, and the study was ended before the stipulated number of patients was reached. In the future, surgical devices may have to prove superiority in randomised trials or be monitored in quality registers before they can be introduced into day to day surgical practice.
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| 11. |
- Gunnarsson, Gunnar, et al.
(författare)
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Disease Dynamics and Bird Migration – Linking Mallards Anas platyrhynchos and subtype diversity of Influenza A Virus in Time and Space
- 2012
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science. - 1932-6203. ; 7:4, s. 1-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The mallard Anas platyrhynchos is a reservoir species for influenza A virus in the northern hemisphere, with particularly high prevalence rates prior to as well as during its prolonged autumn migration. It has been proposed that the virus is brought from the breeding grounds and transmitted to conspecifics during subsequent staging during migration, and so a better understanding of the natal origin of staging ducks is vital to deciphering the dynamics of viral movement pathways. Ottenby is an important stopover site in southeast Sweden almost halfway downstream in the major Northwest European flyway, and is used by millions of waterfowl each year. Here, mallards were captured and sampled for influenza A virus infection, and positive samples were subtyped in order to study possible links to the natal area, which were determined by a novel approach combining banding recovery data and isotopic measurements (d2 H) of feathers grown on breeding grounds. Geographic assignments showed that the core natal areas of studied mallards were in Estonia, southern and central Finland, and northwestern Russia. This study demonstrates a clear temporal succession of latitudes of natal origin during the course of autumn migration. We also demonstrate a corresponding and concomitant shift in virus subtypes. Acknowledging that these two different patterns were based in part upon different data, a likely interpretation worth further testing is that the early arriving birds with more proximate origins have different influenza A subtypes than the more distantly originating late autumn birds. If true, this knowledge would allow novel insight into the origins and transmission of the influenza A virus among migratory hosts previously unavailable through conventional approaches.
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
- Hagemann, Urs B., et al.
(författare)
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Fully Human Antagonistic Antibodies against CCR4 Potently Inhibit Cell Signaling and Chemotaxis
- 2014
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - San Francisco, USA : Public Library Science. - 1932-6203. ; 9:7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) represents a potentially important target for cancer immunotherapy due to its expression on tumor infiltrating immune cells including regulatory T cells (Tregs) and on tumor cells in several cancer types and its role in metastasis.Methodology: Using phage display, human antibody library, affinity maturation and a cell-based antibody selection strategy, the antibody variants against human CCR4 were generated. These antibodies effectively competed with ligand binding, were able to block ligand-induced signaling and cell migration, and demonstrated efficient killing of CCR4-positive tumor cells via ADCC and phagocytosis. In a mouse model of human T-cell lymphoma, significant survival benefit was demonstrated for animals treated with the newly selected anti-CCR4 antibodies.Significance: For the first time, successful generation of anti-G-protein coupled chemokine receptor (GPCR) antibodies using human non-immune library and phage display on GPCR-expressing cells was demonstrated. The generated anti-CCR4 antibodies possess a dual mode of action (inhibition of ligand-induced signaling and antibody-directed tumor cell killing). The data demonstrate that the anti-tumor activity in vivo is mediated, at least in part, through Fc-receptor dependent effector mechanisms, such as ADCC and phagocytosis. Anti-CC chemokine receptor 4 antibodies inhibiting receptor signaling have potential as immunomodulatory antibodies for cancer.
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| 16. |
- Hellström, Anders R., et al.
(författare)
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Sex-linked barring in chickens is controlled by the CDKN2A/B tumour suppressor locus
- 2010
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Ingår i: Pigment Cell and Melanoma Research. - : Blackwell Publishing Group. - 1755-1471 .- 1755-148X. ; 23:4, s. 521-530
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Sex-linked barring, a common plumage colour found in chickens, is characterized by black and white barred feathers. Previous studies have indicated that the white bands are caused by an absence of melanocytes in the feather follicle during the growth of this region. Here we show that Sex-linked barring is controlled by the CDKN2A/B locus, which encodes the INK4b and ARF transcripts. We identified two non-coding mutations in CDKN2A that showed near complete association with the phenotype. Also identified were two missense mutations at highly conserved sites, V9D and R10C, and every bird tested with a confirmed Sex-linked barring phenotype carried one of these missense mutations. Further work is required to determine if one of these or a combined effect of two or more CDKN2A mutations is causing Sex-linked barring. This novel finding provides the first evidence that the tumour suppressor locus CDKN2A/B can affect pigmentation phenotypes and sheds new light on the functional significance of this gene.
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| 17. |
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| 18. |
- Lyons, Paul A, et al.
(författare)
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Genetically Distinct Subsets within ANCA-Associated Vasculitis
- 2012
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Ingår i: New England Journal of Medicine. - : Massachusetts Medical Society. - 0028-4793 .- 1533-4406. ; 367:3, s. 214-223
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanAntineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis is a severe condition encompassing two major syndromes: granulomatosis with polyangiitis (formerly known as Wegeners granulomatosis) and microscopic polyangiitis. Its cause is unknown, and there is debate about whether it is a single disease entity and what role ANCA plays in its pathogenesis. We investigated its genetic basis. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMETHODS less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanA genomewide association study was performed in a discovery cohort of 1233 U. K. patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis and 5884 controls and was replicated in 1454 Northern European case patients and 1666 controls. Quality control, population stratification, and statistical analyses were performed according to standard criteria. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanRESULTS less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanWe found both major-histocompatibility-complex (MHC) and non-MHC associations with ANCA-associated vasculitis and also that granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis were genetically distinct. The strongest genetic associations were with the antigenic specificity of ANCA, not with the clinical syndrome. Anti-proteinase 3 ANCA was associated with HLA-DP and the genes encoding alpha(1)-antitrypsin (SERPINA1) and proteinase 3 (PRTN3) (P = 6.2x10(-89), P = 5.6x10(-12), and P = 2.6x10(-7), respectively). Anti-myeloperoxidase ANCA was associated with HLA-DQ (P = 2.1x10(-8)). less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanCONCLUSIONS less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanThis study confirms that the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated vasculitis has a genetic component, shows genetic distinctions between granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis that are associated with ANCA specificity, and suggests that the response against the autoantigen proteinase 3 is a central pathogenic feature of proteinase 3 ANCA-associated vasculitis. These data provide preliminary support for the concept that proteinase 3 ANCA-associated vasculitis and myeloperoxidase ANCA-associated vasculitis are distinct autoimmune syndromes. (Funded by the British Heart Foundation and others.)
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| 19. |
- Neuen, B. L., et al.
(författare)
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Factors Associated with Patency Following Angioplasty of Hemodialysis Fistulae
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1051-0443. ; 25:9, s. 1419-1426
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: Patency after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of native hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs) is highly variable. This study aimed to identify predictors of patency following angioplasty in native AVFs. Materials and Methods: All endovascular procedures performed in native AVFs between 2005 and 2013 at two institutions were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical, anatomic, biochemical, and medication variables Were subjected to univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis to identify predictors of postintervention primary and secondary patency. Results: During the study period, 207 patients underwent first angioplasty of their AVF. Follow-up ranged from 14 days to 8 years, during which another 247 endovascular interventions were performed to maintain patency. Postintervention primary patency rates at 6, 12, and 24 months were 66%, 49%, and 29%, respectively. Postintervention secondary patency rates at 6, 12, and 24 months were 94%, 84%, and 79%, respectively. On multivariate adjusted Cox regression analysis, upper-arm AVFs (P = .00072), AVFs less than 6 months of age (P = .0014), presence of multiple stenoses (P = .019), and degree of initial stenosis (P = .016) were significantly associated with shorter postintervention primary patency. A previously failed AVF was the only significant predictor of postintervention secondary patency loss (P = .0053). Conclusions: Anatomic factors related to the AVF location, AVF age, and the extent of the lesion are important predictors of restenosis after balloon angioplasty. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors, metabolic and inflammatory markers, and medications were not associated with postintervention potency.
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| 20. |
- Neuen, B. L., et al.
(författare)
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Predictors of Patency after Balloon Angioplasty in Hemodialysis Fistulas: A Systematic Review
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1051-0443. ; 25:6, s. 917-924
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is an established treatment for dysfunctional hemodialysis fistulas. This article systematically reviews evidence for predictors of patency after PTA. Outcomes assessed were primary, assisted primary, and secondary patency after intervention, and findings were summarized descriptively. This review included 11 nonrandomized observational studies of 965 fistulas in 939 patients. Follow-up ranged from 0 days to 10 years. Study quality was overall Suboptimal. Newer fistulas and longer lesion length may be associated with primary potency loss after PTA. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings, to identify potentially modifiable factors, and to guide the testing of new endovascular devices.
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| 21. |
- Ouacha, Aziz, et al.
(författare)
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Wideband multibeam antenna for integration in small platforms in EuCAP 2010 - The 4th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation, vol , issue , pp 5505825
- 2010
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Ingår i: EuCAP 2010 - The 4th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- A wideband multibeam antenna for integration in small platforms such as UAVs has been demonstrated. The demonstration was performed on a single facet comprising an 8×4 bowtie antenna elements array and a beamforming network which includes both transmitter and receiver chains and can therefore be used in multifunction systems for EW and communication. The operating frequency band chosen for this demonstrator is 6 - 15 GHz. Due to the modularity of the concept, the demonstrated facet can either be used stand alone or forming a faceted array depending on the required field of coverage and/or platform structure. A compact and lightweight phased array concept for 360o coverage is also discussed.
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| 22. |
- Persson, Johan, et al.
(författare)
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Spin-Torque Oscillator in an Electromagnet Package
- 2012
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Ingår i: IEEE Transactions on Magnetics. - : Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). - 0018-9464 .- 1941-0069. ; 48:11, s. 4378-4381
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Spin-torque oscillators (STO) hold promise for multi-octave frequency operation at very high frequencies and modulation speeds. STO operation is typically demonstrated using large electromagnets and probe stations, and has so far not been packaged with a portable form factor. For STOs to be utilized in real applications, a smaller packaging solution is needed. We integrate STOs with packages originally developed for YIG oscillators, modified to incorporate permanent magnets and to achieve a compact portable oscillator based on the STO.
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| 23. |
- Peter, Borenstein, et al.
(författare)
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Cognitive symptoms, cervical range of motion and pain as prognostic factors after whiplash trauma
- 2010
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Ingår i: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. - : Hindawi Limited. - 0001-6314. ; 122:4, s. 278-285
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives - To evaluate pain, cervical range of motion (CROM) and cognitive symptoms as predictors for poor prognosis defined as sick leave 3 years later. Material and methods - In 97 patients CROM, pain intensity and cognitive symptoms were measured immediately following trauma, at 6 months and 3 years. Patients were also asked at 3 years if they had been on sick leave the last 6 months. Results - Pain intensity and reduced CROM were not clinically useful as predictors of later sick leave. The best predictors were presence within 96 h after injury of the two cognitive symptoms 'being easily distracted' (odds ratio 8.7-50) and 'easily irritated' (odds ratio 5.3-31). Conclusions - Initial pain and reduced CROM may be related to minor tissue damage which often heals while late functionality is more dependent on other factors such as cognitive dysfunction. For patients with whiplash-associated disorders two simple questions should be asked; 'Are you currently easily irritated?' and 'Are you currently easily distracted (e.g. is it difficult for you to follow a conversation if several people are talking in the room at the same time)?'. An affirmative answer to any of these questions indicates an increased risk for poor prognosis defined as sick leave 3 years later. © 2009 Blackwell Munksgaard.
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| 24. |
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| 25. |
- Sandling, Johanna K., et al.
(författare)
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A candidate gene study of the type I interferon pathway implicates IKBKE and IL8 as risk loci for SLE
- 2011
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Ingår i: European Journal of Human Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1018-4813 .- 1476-5438. ; 19:4, s. 479-484
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease in which the type I interferon pathway has a crucial role. We have previously shown that three genes in this pathway, IRF5, TYK2 and STAT4, are strongly associated with risk for SLE. Here, we investigated 78 genes involved in the type I interferon pathway to identify additional SLE susceptibility loci. First, we genotyped 896 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in these 78 genes and 14 other candidate genes in 482 Swedish SLE patients and 536 controls. Genes with P<0.01 in the initial screen were then followed up in 344 additional Swedish patients and 1299 controls. SNPs in the IKBKE, TANK, STAT1, IL8 and TRAF6 genes gave nominal signals of association with SLE in this extended Swedish cohort. To replicate these findings we extracted data from a genomewide association study on SLE performed in a US cohort. Combined analysis of the Swedish and US data, comprising a total of 2136 cases and 9694 controls, implicates IKBKE and IL8 as SLE susceptibility loci (P(meta)=0.00010 and P(meta)=0.00040, respectively). STAT1 was also associated with SLE in this cohort (P(meta)=3.3 × 10(-5)), but this association signal appears to be dependent of that previously reported for the neighbouring STAT4 gene. Our study suggests additional genes from the type I interferon system in SLE, and highlights genes in this pathway for further functional analysis.
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| 26. |
- Stepantsov, E.A., et al.
(författare)
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Investigation into the growth and structure of thin-film solid solutions of iron-based superconductors in the FeSe0.92-FeSe0.5Te0.5 system
- 2013
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Ingår i: Crystallography reports (Print). - 1063-7745 .- 1562-689X. ; 58:5, s. 735-738
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Thin films of FeSe0.92 and FeSe0.5Te0.5 iron chalcogenide superconductors and solid solutions containing these components in different ratios have been grown on the surface of LaAlO3 (10 1¯ 2) crystals by pulsed laser deposition. Films of solid solutions have been deposited by simultaneous laser ablation from two targets of the FeSe0.92 and FeSe0.5Te0.5 stoichiometric compositions onto one substrate. An X-ray diffraction study of the film structure shows that the films grown are epitaxial and their lattice parameters regularly vary with the ratio of the deposited components, which was controllably varied by changing the ablation intensities from the targets.
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| 27. |
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| 28. |
- Wang, Chuan, et al.
(författare)
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Genes identified in Asian SLE GWASs are also associated with SLE in Caucasian populations
- 2013
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Ingår i: European Journal of Human Genetics. - : Nature Publishing Group: Open Access Hybrid Model Option B. - 1018-4813 .- 1476-5438. ; 21:9, s. 994-999
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs) conducted in Asian populations have identified novel risk loci for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Here, we genotyped 10 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in eight such loci and investigated their disease associations in three independent Caucasian SLE case–control cohorts recruited from Sweden, Finland and the United States. The disease associations of the SNPs in ETS1, IKZF1, LRRC18-WDFY4, RASGRP3, SLC15A4, TNIP1 and 16p11.2 were replicated, whereas no solid evidence of association was observed for the 7q11.23 locus in the Caucasian cohorts. SLC15A4 was significantly associated with renal involvement in SLE. The association of TNIP1 was more pronounced in SLE patients with renal and immunological disorder, which is corroborated by two previous studies in Asian cohorts. The effects of all the associated SNPs, either conferring risk for or being protective against SLE, were in the same direction in Caucasians and Asians. The magnitudes of the allelic effects for most of the SNPs were also comparable across different ethnic groups. On the contrary, remarkable differences in allele frequencies between Caucasian and Asian populations were observed for all associated SNPs. In conclusion, most of the novel SLE risk loci identified by GWASs in Asian populations were also associated with SLE in Caucasian populations. We observed both similarities and differences with respect to the effect sizes and risk allele frequencies across ethnicities.
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