| 1. |
- Aliu, E., et al.
(författare)
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Constraints on Very High Energy Emission from GRB 130427A
- 2014
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Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal Letters. - 2041-8205 .- 2041-8213. ; 795:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Prompt emission from the very fluent and nearby (z = 0.34) gamma-ray burst GRB 130427A was detected by several orbiting telescopes and by ground-based, wide-field-of-view optical transient monitors. Apart from the intensity and proximity of this GRB, it is exceptional due to the extremely long-lived high-energy (100 MeV to 100 GeV) gamma-ray emission, which was detected by the Large Area Telescope on the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope for ~70 ks after the initial burst. The persistent, hard-spectrum, high-energy emission suggests that the highest-energy gamma rays may have been produced via synchrotron self-Compton processes though there is also evidence that the high-energy emission may instead be an extension of the synchrotron spectrum. VERITAS, a ground-based imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope array, began follow-up observations of GRB 130427A ~71 ks (~20 hr) after the onset of the burst. The GRB was not detected with VERITAS; however, the high elevation of the observations, coupled with the low redshift of the GRB, make VERITAS a very sensitive probe of the emission from GRB 130427A for E > 100 GeV. The non-detection and consequent upper limit derived place constraints on the synchrotron self-Compton model of high-energy gamma-ray emission from this burst.
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| 2. |
- Iwaya, Leonardo H, et al.
(författare)
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Mobile health in emerging countries : a survey of research initiatives in Brazil.
- 2013
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Ingår i: International Journal of Medical Informatics. - : Elsevier BV. - 1386-5056 .- 1872-8243. ; 82:5, s. 283-298
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To conduct a comprehensive survey of mobile health (mHealth) research initiatives in Brazil, discussing current challenges, gaps, opportunities and tendencies.METHODS: Systematic review of publicly available electronic documents related to mHealth, including scientific publications, technical reports and descriptions of commercial products. Specifically, 42 projects are analyzed and classified according to their goals. This analysis considers aspects such as security features provided (if any), the health condition that are focus of attention, the main providers involved in the projects development and deployment, types of devices used, target users, where the projects are tested and/or deployed, among others.RESULTS: The study shows a large number (86%) of mHealth solutions focused on the following categories: health surveys, surveillance, patient records and monitoring. Meanwhile, treatment compliance, awareness raising and decision support systems are less explored. The main providers of solutions are the universities (56%) and health units (32%), with considerable cooperation between such entities. Most applications have physicians (55%) and Community Health Agents (CHAs) (33%) as targeted users, the latter being important elements in nation-wide governmental health programs. Projects focused on health managers, however, are a minority (5%). The majority of projects do not focus on specific diseases but rather general health (57%), although solutions for hearth conditions are reasonably numerous (21%). Finally, the lack of security mechanisms in the majority of the surveyed solutions (52%) may hinder their deployment in the field due to the lack of compliance with general regulations for medical data handling.CONCLUSION: There are currently many mHealth initiatives in Brazil, but some areas have not been much explored, such as solutions for treatment compliance and awareness raising, as well as decision support systems. Another research trend worth exploring refers to creating interoperable security mechanisms, especially for widely explored mHealth categories such as health surveys, patient records and monitoring. Challenges for the expansion of mHealth solutions, both in number and coverage, include the further involvement of health managers in the deployment of such solutions and in coordinating efforts among health and research institutions interested in the mHealth trend, possibly exploring the widespread presence of CHAs around the country as users of such technology.
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| 3. |
- Langerak, A. W., et al.
(författare)
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EuroClonality/BIOMED-2 guidelines for interpretation and reporting of Ig/TCR clonality testing in suspected lymphoproliferations
- 2012
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Ingår i: Leukemia. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0887-6924 .- 1476-5551. ; 26:10, s. 2159-2171
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- PCR-based immunoglobulin (Ig)/T-cell receptor (TCR) clonality testing in suspected lymphoproliferations has largely been standardized and has consequently become technically feasible in a routine diagnostic setting. Standardization of the pre-analytical and post-analytical phases is now essential to prevent misinterpretation and incorrect conclusions derived from clonality data. As clonality testing is not a quantitative assay, but rather concerns recognition of molecular patterns, guidelines for reliable interpretation and reporting are mandatory. Here, the EuroClonality (BIOMED-2) consortium summarizes important pre- and post-analytical aspects of clonality testing, provides guidelines for interpretation of clonality testing results, and presents a uniform way to report the results of the Ig/TCR assays. Starting from an immunobiological concept, two levels to report Ig/TCR profiles are discerned: the technical description of individual (multiplex) PCR reactions and the overall molecular conclusion for B and T cells. Collectively, the EuroClonality (BIOMED-2) guidelines and consensus reporting system should help to improve the general performance level of clonality assessment and interpretation, which will directly impact on routine clinical management (standardized best-practice) in patients with suspected lymphoproliferations.
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| 4. |
- Besharat Pour, M, et al.
(författare)
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Effect of parental migration background on childhood nutrition, physical activity, and body mass index
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of obesity. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2090-0716 .- 2090-0708. ; 2014, s. 406529-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background. Poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, and obesity in children have important public health implications but, to date, their effects have not been studied in the growing population of children in Sweden with immigrant parents.Methods. We estimated the association between parental migration background and nutrition, physical activity, and weight in 8-year-old children born in Stockholm between 1994 and 1996 of immigrants and Swedish parents (n=2589). Data were collected through clinical examination and questionnaires filled out by parents. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using multivariable logistic regression.Results. Children of immigrants complied more closely with Nordic Nutrition Recommendations compared with those of Swedes (OR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.11–1.64). They had higher intake of dietary fibre, vitamins C, B6, and E, folic acid, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6) reflecting higher consumption of foods of plant origin, but lower intake of vitamins A and D, calcium, and iron reflecting lower consumption of dairy products. Children of immigrants had higher intake of sucrose reflecting higher consumption of sugar and sweets. Furthermore, these children had a higher risk of having low physical activity (OR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.06–1.62) and being overweight (OR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.06–1.65) compared with children of Swedish parents. The odds of having low physical activity and being overweight were even higher in children whose parents were both immigrants. A low level of parental education was associated with increased risk of low physical activity regardless of immigration background.Conclusions. Culturally appropriate tools to capture the diverse range of ethnic foods and other lifestyle habits are needed. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the low levels of physical activity, increased weight, and lack of consumption of some important vitamins among children of immigrants.
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| 5. |
- Ahmadi, Ahmad, et al.
(författare)
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Association of a protective paraoxonase 1 (PON1) polymorphism in Parkinson's disease
- 2012
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Ingår i: Neuroscience Letters. - : Elsevier BV. - 0304-3940 .- 1872-7972. ; 522:1, s. 30-35
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Pesticide exposure has been suggested to increase the risk to develop Parkinson's disease (PD). The arylesterase paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is mainly expressed in the liver and hydrolyzes organophosphates such as pesticides. The polymorphism Leu54Met (rs854560) in PON1, impairing enzyme activity and leading to decreased PON1 expression levels, has been reported to be associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). PON1 is part of a cluster on chromosome 7q21.3 together with PON2 and PON3. We investigated the occurrence of four additional polymorphisms in PON1 and two in PON2 in a Swedish PD case-control material. We found a significant association (p = 0.007) with a PON1 promoter polymorphism, rs854571. The minor allele was more common among controls than PD cases which suggest a protective effect. This is strengthened by the fact that rs854571 is in strong linkage disequilibrium with another PON1 promoter polymorphism, rs854572, reported to increase PON1 gene expression. Our findings support the hypothesis that PON1 is involved in the etiology of PD and that higher PON1 levels are reducing the risk for PD. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 6. |
- Granlund, Margareta, et al.
(författare)
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Antimicrobial resistance in colonizing group B Streptococci before the implementation of a Swedish intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis program.
- 2010
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Ingår i: European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1435-4373 .- 0934-9723. ; 29:10, s. 1195-201
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The prevalence of antibiotic resistance and their genetic determinants in colonizing group B streptococci (GBS) sampled in a Swedish nationwide survey was examined. In five GBS isolates (1.3%), kanamycin/amikacin resistance and the presence of the aphA-3 gene was identified. Three of these isolates carried the aad-6 gene and were streptomycin-resistant. Screening with kanamycin and streptomycin 1,000-μg disks enabled a rapid and easy detection of these isolates. In all, 312/396 (79%) GBS were tetracycline-resistant and 95% of the examined isolates harbored the tetM gene. Among the 22 (5.5%) GBS resistant to erythromycin and/or clindamycin, the ermB gene was detected in nine isolates (41%) and erm(A/TR) in ten isolates (45%). A high level of erythromycin and clindamycin resistance with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) >256mg/L was found in four serotype V isolates that harbored ermB. The erythromycin/clindamycin resistance was distributed among all of the common serotypes Ia, Ib, II, III, IV, and V, but was not present in any of the 44 serotype III isolates associated to clonal complex 17. Screening for penicillin resistance with 1-μg oxacillin disks showed a homogenous population with a mean inhibition zone of 20mm. A change in the present oxacillin breakpoints for GBS is suggested.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Toledano, C., et al.
(författare)
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Overview of sun photometer measurements of aerosol properties in Scandinavia and Svalbard
- 2012
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Ingår i: Atmospheric Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 1352-2310 .- 1873-2844. ; 52, s. 18-28
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An overview on the data of columnar aerosol properties measured in Northern Europe is provided. Apart from the necessary data gathered in the Arctic, the knowledge of the aerosol loading in nearby areas (e.g. sub-Arctic) is of maximum interest to achieve a correct analysis of the Arctic aerosols and transport patterns. This work evaluates data from operational sites with sun photometer measurements belonging either to national or international networks (AERONET, GAW-PFR) and programs conducted in Scandinavia and Svalbard. We enumerate a list of sites, measurement type and periods together with observed aerosol properties. An evaluation and analysis of aerosol data was carried out with a review of previous results as well. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) and Angstrom exponent (AE) are the current parameters with sufficient long-term records for a first evaluation of aerosol properties. AOD (500 nm) ranges from 0.08 to 0.10 in Arctic and sub-Arctic sites (Ny-Alesund: 0.09; Andenes: 0.10; Sodankyla: 0.08), and it is somewhat higher in more populated areas in Southern Scandinavia (AOD about 0.10-0.12 at 500 nm). On the Norwegian coast, aerosols show larger mean size (AE = 1.2 at Andenes) than in Finland, with continental climate (AE = 1.5 at Sodankyla). Columnar particle size distributions and related parameters derived from inversion of sun/sky radiances were also investigated. This work makes special emphasis in the joint and collaborative effort of the various groups from different countries involved in this study. Part of the measurements presented here were involved in the IPY projects Polar-AOD and POLARCAT.
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| 9. |
- Viluksela, Matti, et al.
(författare)
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Toxicological profile of ultrapure 2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-heptachlorbiphenyl (PCB 180) in adult rats.
- 2014
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Ingår i: PloS one. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 9:8, s. e104639-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PCB 180 is a persistent non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl (NDL-PCB) abundantly present in food and the environment. Risk characterization of NDL-PCBs is confounded by the presence of highly potent dioxin-like impurities. We used ultrapure PCB 180 to characterize its toxicity profile in a 28-day repeat dose toxicity study in young adult rats extended to cover endocrine and behavioral effects. Using a loading dose/maintenance dose regimen, groups of 5 males and 5 females were given total doses of 0, 3, 10, 30, 100, 300, 1000 or 1700 mg PCB 180/kg body weight by gavage. Dose-responses were analyzed using benchmark dose modeling based on dose and adipose tissue PCB concentrations. Body weight gain was retarded at 1700 mg/kg during loading dosing, but recovered thereafter. The most sensitive endpoint of toxicity that was used for risk characterization was altered open field behavior in females; i.e. increased activity and distance moved in the inner zone of an open field suggesting altered emotional responses to unfamiliar environment and impaired behavioral inhibition. Other dose-dependent changes included decreased serum thyroid hormones with associated histopathological changes, altered tissue retinoid levels, decreased hematocrit and hemoglobin, decreased follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels in males and increased expression of DNA damage markers in liver of females. Dose-dependent hypertrophy of zona fasciculata cells was observed in adrenals suggesting activation of cortex. There were gender differences in sensitivity and toxicity profiles were partly different in males and females. PCB 180 adipose tissue concentrations were clearly above the general human population levels, but close to the levels in highly exposed populations. The results demonstrate a distinct toxicological profile of PCB 180 with lack of dioxin-like properties required for assignment of WHO toxic equivalency factor. However, PCB 180 shares several toxicological targets with dioxin-like compounds emphasizing the potential for interactions.
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
- Bejger, M., et al.
(författare)
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Collisional Penrose Process near the Horizon of Extreme Kerr Black Holes
- 2012
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Ingår i: Physical Review Letters. - 0031-9007 .- 1079-7114. ; 109:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Collisions of particles in black hole ergospheres may result in an arbitrarily large center-of-mass energy. This led recently to the suggestion [M. Banados, J. Silk, and S. M. West, Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 111102 (2009)] that black holes can act as ultimate particle accelerators. If the energy of an outgoing particle is larger than the total energy of the infalling particles, the energy excess must come from the rotational energy of the black hole and hence, a Penrose process is involved. However, while the center-of-mass energy diverges, the position of the collision makes it impossible for energetic particles to escape to infinity. Following an earlier work on collisional Penrose processes [T. Piran and J. Shaham, Phys. Rev. D 16, 1615 (1977)], we show that even under the most favorable idealized conditions the maximal energy of an escaping particle is only a modest factor above the total initial energy of the colliding particles. This implies that one should not expect collisions around a black hole to act as spectacular cosmic accelerators.
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Bäcklund, A., et al.
(författare)
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Cystatin C influences the autoimmune but not inflammatory response to cartilage type II collagen leading to chronic arthritis development
- 2011
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Ingår i: Arthritis Research & Therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1478-6362. ; 13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is a mouse model for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is induced after immunization with type II collagen (CII). CIA, like RA, is an autoimmune disease leading to destruction of cartilage and joints, and both the priming and inflammatory phases have been suggested to be dependent on proteases. In particular, the cysteine proteases have been proposed to be detrimental to the arthritic process and even immunomodulatory. A natural inhibitor of cysteine proteases is cystatin C. METHODS: Cystatin C-deficient, sufficient and heterozygous mice were tested for onset, incidence and severity of CIA. The effect of cystatin C-deficiency was further dissected by testing the inflammatory effector phase of CIA; that is, collagen antibody-induced arthritis model and priming phase, that is, T cell response both in vivo and in vitro. In addition, in order to determine the importance of T cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs), these cell populations were separated and in vitro T cell responses determined in a mixed co-culture system. Finally, flow cytometry was used in order to further characterize cell populations in cystatin C-deficient mice. RESULTS: Here, we show that mice lacking cystatin C, develop arthritis at a higher incidence and an earlier onset than wild-type controls. Interestingly, when the inflammatory phase of CIA was examined independently from immune priming then cystatin C-deficiency did not enhance the arthritis profile. However, in line with the enhanced CIA, there was an increased T cell and B cell response as delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction and anti-CII antibody titers were elevated in the cystatin C-deficient mice after immunization. In addition, the ex vivo naive APCs from cystatin C-deficient mice had a greater capacity to stimulate T cells. Interestingly, dendritic cells had a more activated phenotype in naive cystatin C-deficient mice. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of cystatin C enhances CIA and primarily affects in vivo priming of the immune system. Although the mechanism of this is still unknown, we show evidence for a more activated APC compartment, which would elevate the autoimmune response towards CII, thus resulting in an enhanced development of chronic arthritis.
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
- Epstein, Mara M, et al.
(författare)
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Dietary fatty acid intake and prostate cancer survival in Örebro county, Sweden
- 2012
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Ingår i: American Journal of Epidemiology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0002-9262 .- 1476-6256. ; 176:3, s. 240-252
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although dietary fat has been associated with prostate cancer risk, the association between specific fatty acids and prostate cancer survival remains unclear. Dietary intake of 14 fatty acids was analyzed in a population-based cohort of 525 Swedish men with prostate cancer in Örebro County (1989-1994). Multivariable hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for time to prostate cancer death by quartile and per standard deviation increase in intake were estimated by Cox proportional hazards regression. Additional models examined the association by stage at diagnosis (localized: T0-T2/M0; advanced: T0-T4/M1, T3-T4/M0). Among all men, those with the highest omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid and total marine fatty acid intakes were 40% less likely to die from prostate cancer (P(trend) = 0.05 and 0.04, respectively). Among men with localized prostate cancer, hazard ratios of 2.07 (95% confidence interval: 0.93, 4.59; P(trend) = 0.03) for elevated total fat, 2.39 (95% confidence interval: 1.06, 5.38) for saturated myristic acid, and 2.88 (95% confidence interval: 1.24, 6.67) for shorter chain (C4-C10) fatty acid intakes demonstrated increased risk for disease-specific mortality for the highest quartile compared with the lowest quartile. This study suggests that high intake of total fat and certain saturated fatty acids may worsen prostate cancer survival, particularly among men with localized disease. In contrast, high marine omega-3 fatty acid intake may improve disease-specific survival for all men.
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| 16. |
- Epstein, Mara M., et al.
(författare)
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Dietary zinc and prostate cancer survival in a Swedish cohort
- 2011
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Ingår i: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. - : Elsevier BV. - 0002-9165 .- 1938-3207. ; 93:3, s. 586-593
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Zinc is involved in many essential cellular functions, including DNA repair and immune system maintenance. Although experimental evidence supports a role for zinc in prostate carcinogenesis, epidemiologic data are inconsistent; no data on cancer-specific survival have been reported. Objective: Our objective was to determine whether dietary zinc assessed near the time of prostate cancer diagnosis is associated with improved disease-specific survival. Design: This population-based cohort consists of 525 men aged < 80 y from Orebro County, Sweden, with a diagnosis of prostate cancer made between 1989 and 1994. Study participants completed self-administered food-frequency questionnaires, and zinc intake was derived from nutrient databases. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate multivariate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for time to death from prostate cancer as well as death from all causes through February 2009 by quartile (Q) of dietary zinc intake. Models were also stratified by disease stage at diagnosis (localized or advanced). Results: With a median follow-up of 6.4 y, 218 (42%) men died of prostate cancer and 257 (49%) died of other causes. High dietary zinc intake was associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer-specific mortality (HRQ4 vs Q1: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.44, 0.94; P for trend = 0.05) in the study population. The association was stronger in men with localized tumors (HR: 0.24; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.66; P for trend = 0.005). Zinc intake was not associated with mortality from other causes. Conclusion: These results suggest that high dietary intake of zinc is associated with lower prostate cancer-specific mortality after diagnosis, particularly in men with localized disease.
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| 17. |
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
- Hamedi, Mahiar M., et al.
(författare)
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Highly Conducting, Strong Nanocomposites Based on Nanocellulose-Assisted Aqueous Dispersions of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes
- 2014
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Ingår i: ACS Nano. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1936-0851 .- 1936-086X. ; 8:3, s. 2467-2476
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- It is challenging to obtain high-quality dispersions of single-wall nanotubes (SWNTs) in composite matrix materials, in order to reach the full potential of mechanical and electronic properties. The most widely used matrix materials are polymers, and the route to achieving high quality dispersions of SWNT is mainly chemical functionalization of the SWNT. This leads to increased cost, a loss of strength and lower conductivity. In addition full potential of colloidal self-assembly cannot be fully exploited in a polymer matrix. This may limit the possibilities for assembly of highly ordered structural nanocomposites. Here we show that nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) can act as an excellent aqueous dispersion agent for as-prepared SWNTs, making possible low-cost exfoliation and purification of SWNTs with dispersion limits exceeding 40 wt %. The NFC:SWNT dispersion may also offer a cheap and sustainable alternative for molecular self-assembly of advanced composites. We demonstrate semitransparent conductive films, aerogels and anisotropic microscale fibers with nanoscale composite structure. The NFC:SWNT nanopaper shows increased strength at 3 wt % SWNT, reaching a modulus of 133 GPa, and a strength of 307 MPa. The anisotropic microfiber composites have maximum conductivities above 200 S cm(-1) and current densities reaching 1400 A cm(-2).
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| 20. |
- Håkansson, Krister, 1952-, et al.
(författare)
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Depressive signs in midlife : A risk factor for cognitive impairment in later life?
- 2010
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Ingår i: International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD) 2010. - Chicago, USA : Alzheimer's Association.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Although depression has been associated with dementia, the nature of this relation is still unclear. Establishing causality from previous studies has been complicated by the typical use of a short follow-up and participants aged over 70 already at baseline. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate if depressive signs already in midlife are related to cognitive impairment in later life. Methods: Participants were derived from random, population-based samples previously investigated in 1972, 1977, 1982, or 1987. Their mean age at baseline was 50.4 years (SD 6.0). After an average follow-up of 21 years, 1449 individuals (73%) aged 65 to 79 years were re-examined in 1998. At the re-examination some form of cognitive impairment was diagnosed in 139 of the participants: 82 with mild cognitive impairment and 57 with dementia (48 of these with Alzheimer’s disease). Signs of depression were estimated through responses to three questions concerning the perception of a hopeless future, impossible life goals and loneliness. The relation between depressive signs in midlife and cognitive impairment in later life was analyzed with logistic regression with adjustments for age, gender, apolipoprotein e4 status and a number of midlife health and lifestyle indicators, including blood pressure, cholesterol and marital status. Results: Depressive signs in midlife, as measured in this study, were significantly related to general cognitive impairment in later life, but also separately to both mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. When dichotomized into high versus low levels of depressive signs the odds ratios were 2.19 (1.1 to 4.3) for mild cognitive impairment and 3.81 (1.3 to 11.5) for Alzheimer’s disease. Significant associations were also found between the separate measures of hopelessness and loneliness on the one hand and the separate outcomes of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease on the other. Conclusions: The results support a causal relation between depressive signs relatively early in life and cognitive function in later life. Clinical relevance includes the long-term health implications of depressive signs in midlife also for the risk of dementia.
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| 21. |
- Håkansson, Karl M. O., et al.
(författare)
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Measurement of width and intensity of particle streaks in turbulent flows
- 2013
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Ingår i: Experiments in Fluids. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0723-4864 .- 1432-1114. ; 54:6, s. 1555-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Fibre streaks are observed in experiments with fibre suspensions in a turbulent half-channel flow. The preferential concentration methods, most commonly used to quantify preferential particle concentration, are in one dimension found to be concentration dependent. Two different new streak quantification methods are evaluated, one based on Voronoi analysis and the other based on artificial particles with an assigned fixed width. The width of the particle streaks and a measure of the intensity of the streaks, i.e. streakiness, are sought. Both methods are based on the auto-correlation of a signal, generated by summing images in the direction of the streaks. Common for both methods is a severe concentration dependency, verified in experiments keeping the flow conditions constant while the (very dilute) concentration of fibres is altered. The fixed width method is shown to be the most suitable method, being more robust and less computationally expensive. By assuming the concentration dependence to be related to random noise, an expression is derived, which is shown to make the streak width and the streakiness independent of the concentration even at as low concentrations as 0.05 particles per pixel column in an image. The streakiness is obtained by applying an artificial particle width equal to 20 % of the streak width. This artificial particle width is in this study found to be large enough to smoothen the correlation without altering the streakiness nor the streak width. It is concluded that in order to make quantitative comparisons between different experiments or simulations, the evaluation has to be performed with care and be very well documented.
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| 22. |
- Khan, Imran, et al.
(författare)
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Enhancement of remotely controlled laboratory for Active Noise Control and acoustic experiments
- 2014
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Ingår i: 2014 11th International Conference on Remote Engineering and Virtual Instrumentation (REV). - : IEEE. - 9781479920242 - 9781479920266 ; , s. 285-290
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The latest important developments in the remotely controlled Active Noise Control (ANC) and Acoustics laboratory at Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH), Sweden, are introduced. The remotely controlled laboratory is based on the Virtual Instruments Systems in Reality (VISIR) concept, and concerns multi-channel measurement and control of the sound field in a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) duct. Originally the ventilation duct was equipped with a fixed number of microphones at fixed spatial locations in the duct. A microphone positioning system has been designed and implemented. It enables control of the spatial positions of a number of microphones inside the HVAC duct using a suitable web interface for controlling stepper motors via a National Instruments (NI) PXI system. With the new developments, the spatial number of selectable positions for the microphones have been extended substantially. The new microphone positioning control system is presented and to enhance the user interaction with the laboratory equipment, an audio and visual system is also proposed.
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| 23. |
- Lenninger, Sara M.
(författare)
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When similarity qualifies as a sign : a study in picture understanding and semiotic development in young children
- 2012
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The general goal of this thesis is to elucidate children’s early understandings of pictorial meanings, and how one can know anything about them. My central aim is to explore how picture comprehension develops during children’s first 3 years of life, through semiotic-theory-derived analyses of meaning relations. In so doing, I hope to contribute to the study of both semiotic theory’s psychological basis and the role of semiotic processes in cognitive development: specifically, in children’s experiences of pictorial meanings.In an experimental object retrieval test, including pictures, I show the importance of studying concrete instances of children’s experiences. Among its key results is that, for a group of children who are close to the threshold of being able to use the picture to solve the retrieval task, indexical cuing assists their understanding. One central claims is that the picture sign reflects a dual semiotic process: on the one hand, picture understanding relies on recognition of perceptual similarities; on the other, it draws on communicative processes that are intrinsic to all sign constructions. This duality is particularly interesting when it comes to looking at children’s development of picture understanding. Through similarity relations, children perceive accurate – but initially private, and semiotically premature – understanding of pictures. At the same time though, children are alert to communicative meanings from the start.
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| 24. |
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| 25. |
- Maethger, Lydia M., et al.
(författare)
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The W-shaped pupil in cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis): Functions for improving horizontal vision
- 2013
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Ingår i: Vision Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 1878-5646 .- 0042-6989. ; 83, s. 19-24
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The eyes of cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) have a modified horizontal slit-pupil with a distinctive W-shape in bright light, while in darkness the pupil is circular. Two suggestions have previously been made for a function of the W-shape: (1) camouflaging the eye; (2) providing distance information. Since neither of these suggestions can fully explain the function of this pupil across the entire visual field, particularly the frontal and caudal periphery, we re-addressed the question of its functional significance. We took infra-red images of the eyes of live S. officinalis at different light intensities and from different viewing angles. This allowed us to determine the shape and light-admitting area of the pupil for different parts of the visual field. Our data show that the W-shaped pupil projects a blurred "W" directly onto the retina and that it effectively operates as vertical slits for the frontal and caudal parts of the visual field. We also took images of the natural habitat of S. officinalis and calculated the average vertical brightness distribution in the visual habitat. Computing a retinal illumination map shows that the W-shaped pupil is effective in balancing a vertically uneven light field: The constricted pupil reduces light from the dorsal part of the visual field significantly more than it reduces light from the horizontal band. This will cut the amount of direct sunlight that is scattered by the lens and ocular media, and thus improve image contrast particularly for the dimmer parts of the scene. We also conclude that the pupil provides even attenuation along the horizontal band, whereas a circular pupil would attenuate the image relatively more in the important frontal and caudal periphery of the visual field. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 26. |
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| 27. |
- Permyakov, Sergei E, et al.
(författare)
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Oleic acid is a key cytotoxic component of HAMLET-like complexes
- 2012
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Ingår i: Biological Chemistry. - 1437-4315. ; 393:1-2, s. 85-92
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- HAMLET is a complex of α-lactalbumin (α-LA) with oleic acid (OA) that selectively kills tumor cells and Streptococcus pneumoniae. To assess the contribution of the proteinaceous component to cytotoxicity of HAMLET, OA complexes with proteins structurally and functionally distinct from α-LA were prepared. Similar to HAMLET, the OA complexes with bovine β-lactoglobulin (bLG) and pike parvalbumin (pPA) (bLG-OA-45 and pPA-OA-45, respectively) induced S. pneumoniae D39 cell death. The activation mechanisms of S. pneumoniae death for these complexes were analogous to those for HAMLET, and the cytotoxicity of the complexes increased with OA content in the preparations. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration for HEp-2 cells linearly decreased with rise in OA content in the preparations, and OA concentration in the preparations causing HEp-2 cell death was close to the cytotoxicity of OA alone. Hence, the cytotoxic action of these complexes against HEp-2 cells is induced mostly by OA. Thermal stabilization of bLG upon association with OA implies that cytotoxicity of bLG-OA-45 complex cannot be ascribed to molten globule-like conformation of the protein component. Overall, the proteinaceous component of HAMLET-like complexes studied is not a prerequisite for their activity; the cytotoxicity of these complexes is mostly due to the action of OA.
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| 28. |
- Poulin, Lionel F., et al.
(författare)
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DNGR-1 is a specific and universal marker of mouse and human Batf3-dependent dendritic cells in lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues
- 2012
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Ingår i: Blood. - : American Society of Hematology. - 1528-0020 .- 0006-4971. ; 119:25, s. 6052-6062
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mouse CD8 alpha(+) dendritic cells (DCs) in lymphoid organs and CD103(+) CD11b(-) DCs in nonlymphoid tissues share phenotypic and functional similarities, as well as a unique shared developmental dependence on the transcription factor Batf3. Human DCs resembling mouse CD8 alpha(+) DCs in phenotype and function have been identified in human blood, spleen, and tonsil. However, it is not clear whether such cells are also present in human nonlymphoid organs, and their equivalence to mouse CD8 alpha(+) DC has recently b een questioned. Furthermore, the identification of "CD8 alpha(+) DC-like" cells across different tissues and species remains problematic because of the lack of a unique marker that can be used to unambiguously define lineage members. Here we show that mouse CD8 alpha(+) DCs and CD103(+) CD11b(-) DCs can be defined by shared high expression of DNGR-1 (CLEC9A). We further show that DNGR-1 uniquely marks a CD11b(-) human DC population present in both lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues of humans and humanized mice. Finally, we demonstrate that knockdown of Batf3 selectively prevents the development of DNGR-1(+) human DCs in vitro. Thus, high expression of DNGR-1 specifically and universally identifies a unique DC subset in mouse and humans. Evolutionarily conserved Batf3 dependence justifies classification of DNGR-1(hi) DCs as a distinct DC lineage. (Blood. 2012; 119(25): 6052-6062)
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| 29. |
- Rath, Emma M, et al.
(författare)
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Small-angle X-ray scattering of BAMLET at pH 12 : a complex of α-lactalbumin and oleic acid
- 2014
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Ingår i: Proteins. - : Wiley. - 0887-3585. ; 82:7, s. 8-1400
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BAMLET (Bovine Alpha-lactalbumin Made LEthal to Tumors) is a member of the family of the HAMLET-like complexes, a novel class of protein-based anti-cancer complexes that incorporate oleic acid and deliver it to cancer cells. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was performed on the complex at pH 12, examining the high pH structure as a function of oleic acid added. The SAXS data for BAMLET species prepared with a range of oleic acid concentrations indicate extended, irregular, partially unfolded protein conformations that vary with the oleic acid concentration. Increases in oleic acid concentration correlate with increasing radius of gyration without an increase in maximum particle dimension, indicating decreasing protein density. The models for the highest oleic acid content BAMLET indicate an unusual coiled elongated structure that contrasts with apo-α-lactalbumin at pH 12, which is an elongated globular molecule, suggesting that oleic acid inhibits the folding or collapse of the protein component of BAMLET to the globular form. Circular dichroism of BAMLET and apo-α-lactalbumin was performed and the results suggest that α-lactalbumin and BAMLET unfold in a continuum of increasing degree of unfolded states. Taken together, these results support a model in which BAMLET retains oleic acid by non-specific association in the core of partially unfolded protein, and represent a new type of lipoprotein structure.
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| 30. |
- Roos, Robert, et al.
(författare)
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Hepatic effects of a highly purified 2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-heptachlorbiphenyl (PCB 180) in male and female rats.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Toxicology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0300-483X .- 1879-3185. ; 284:1-3, s. 42-53
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PCB 180 (2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-heptachlorobiphenyl) is a persistent and accumulating polychlorinated biphenyl abundantly present in food and the environment. In this study, we used highly purified PCB 180 (dioxinlike impurities: 2.7 ng TEQ(WHO)/g PCB 180) in a 28-day toxicity study in young adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Male and female rats were given total doses of 3, 10, 30, 100, 300, 1000 or 1700 mg/kg b.w. PCB 180 by gavage. Increased liver weights were observed at ≥ 300 mg/kg b.w. in males and females. No increases in serum ALT or ALP activities were found. A significant increase in liver pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase (PROD) activity was found in males at ≥ 10 mg/kg b.w. and in females at ≥ 30 mg/kg b.w. In both genders, a significant induction of hepatic 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity was also observed in males at ≥ 10 mg/kg b.w. and in females at ≥ 300 mg/kg b.w. Western blotting showed that mainly cytochromes P450 (CYPs) 2B1/2 and 3A1 were induced while slight effects were seen on CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1. However, no induction of CYP1A1, 1A2 and 1B1 was found on the mRNA level, except for a slight effect in females at 1000 mg/kg b.w. Furthermore, hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) 1A1 and 1A6 were markedly induced in males and slightly induced in females. The hepatic concentrations of apolar retinoids were decreased in males at ≥ 30 mg/kg b.w. and in females at ≥ 300 mg/kg b.w. Taken together our findings show that pure PCB 180 leads to hepatic changes in a dose range which did not cause CYP1A1 induction but causes centrilobular liver hypertrophy, affects drug-metabolizing enzymes involved in the metabolism of exogenous and endogenous substrates and leads to changes in liver retinoid levels. A benchmark dose (BMD) approach is presented in order to model lowest effective dose levels for these effects. Comparison of PCB 180 liver level related to BMDL₅ for hepatic hypertrophy in rats with human data on 'total' hepatic PCB levels in individuals without history of specific exposure suggests a relatively small margin of tissue burden in the range of 37-fold. Our results show that the highly pure non dioxin-like PCB 180 exerted strong effects different to dioxin-like compounds and that the low TEQ contamination allowed a characterization of the PCB as non-dioxinlike.
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| 31. |
- Rubin, Johanna, et al.
(författare)
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Use of intrathecal chemoprophylaxis in children after SCT and the risk of central nervous system relapse
- 2011
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Ingår i: Bone Marrow Transplantation. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0268-3369 .- 1476-5365. ; 46:3, s. 372-378
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Conflicting conclusions can be drawn from the available data concerning antileukemic efficacy and risks of intrathecal (i.t.) chemoprophylaxis to children after hematopoietic SCT (HSCT). To address this, we enrolled six transplantation centers with similar treatment and patient material. Of the 397 children included, 136 patients had received post-HSCT i.t. treatment (i.t. group) and 261 had not (non-i.t. group). The two groups were, apart from the i.t. therapy given or not given, at equal risk of post-HSCT central nervous system (CNS) relapse, which was the primary endpoint studied. Isolated CNS relapses were observed in 2 (1.5%) patients from the i.t. group and 2 (1%) from the non-i.t. group. Combined relapses, including CNS, involved 4 (3%) patients from the i.t. group and 6 (2%) from the non-i.t. group. Overall survival and the occurrence of neurological side effects did not differ significantly between the groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of isolated or mixed CNS relapses between the two groups, suggesting little or no benefit from i.t. therapy post-HSCT in children.
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| 32. |
- Sandmark, Helene, et al.
(författare)
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“I just kept running and running until I hit the wall"- Working men seeking care due to stress-related problems.
- 2014
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Ingår i: Work. - 1051-9815 .- 1875-9270. ; 49:2, s. 297-306
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Stress problems are major public health problems.OBJECTIVE: To gain an increased understanding of howworking men seeking care due to minor metal dysfunctions related to stress recognize their symptoms, what triggers them, and how this impacts their everyday life.PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen men of working age, consecutively seeking care due to minor mental dysfunctions indicating stress problems, at two clinics in the Stockholm area in Sweden during 2009 and 2010.METHODS: A qualitative methodology was chosen, and interviews were performed and analyzed using qualitative content analysis.RESULTS: In the manifest content, categories such as difficulties in setting limits, low socialsupport, high work demands, and mental and physical dysfunctions were identified. Three themes finally emerged (latent content) and indicated that in this group of informants there are stressors both within the individual himself, in working life, and a lack of recovery.CONCLUSIONS: Based on our findings it would be possible to implement measures to prevent stress-related problems by promoting coping strategies on an individual level, encouraging social networks, and regular physical exercise. By implementing work policies and workplace modifications, and also providing individual support at the workplace, supervisors and human resources managers could prevent, or modify stress problems among employees.
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| 33. |
- Silberman, Six M, et al.
(författare)
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Next steps for sustainable HCI
- 2014
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Ingår i: Interactions. - : Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). - 1072-5520 .- 1558-3449. ; 21:5, s. 66-69
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Experts share their views on how steps are being taken to develop sustainable human-computer interfaces (SHCI). The SIGCHI HCI ∧ Sustainability Community (HCI ∧ S) has organized a workshop at CHI 2014 to address the issues and disputes of researchers and professionals from the field. The workshop also aims at finding concrete ways to support work that builds on existing sustainability knowledge within and beyond HCI and finding ways for HCI to contribute to achieving sustainability. Participants of the workshop have mean by the term. Participants agreed that SHCI research should articulate clear study- or design-specific sustainability goals and metrics on a project-by-project basis, without being restricted to HCI criteria such as usability, efficiency, or user satisfaction. SHCI researchers also need to evaluate their work with sustainability criteria derived from relevant natural and social scientific research and the communities within which they work.
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| 34. |
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| 35. |
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| 36. |
- Zhu, Jianqiang, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of cathode grain size and substrate fixturing on the microstructure evolution of arc evaporated Cr-cathodes and Cr-N coating synthesis
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. A. Vacuum, Surfaces, and Films. - : American Vacuum Society. - 0734-2101 .- 1520-8559. ; 32:2, s. 021515-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The influence of the cathode grain size and the substrate fixturing on the microstructure evolution of the Cr cathodes and the resulting Cr-N coating synthesis is studied. Hot isostatic pressed Cr cathodes with three different grain sizes were arc evaporated in a nitrogen atmosphere and Cr-N coatings were deposited on cemented carbide substrate at 2 and 4 Pa nitrogen pressure, respectively. The Cr cathodes before and after arc discharging are composed of polycrystalline α-Cr regardless of the grain size. A converted layer forms on the Cr cathode surface and its microstructure differs with the cathode grain size. A stationary substrate fixturing results in ditches covering the cathode surface while a single rotating fixturing does not. The increased grain size of the virgin Cr cathodes enhances the quantities of the ditches. The possible causes are addressed. At 2 Pa nitrogen pressure, the Cr-N coatings deposited with the single rotating fixturing comprise only cubic CrN phase while the ones deposited with the stationary fixturing contain a mixture of hexagonal Cr2N and cubic CrN phases. By the increasing grain size of the Cr cathode, the droplet density of the Cr-N coatings increase somewhat while the hardness decreases for the Cr-N coatings deposited with stationary fixturing at 2 Pa nitrogen pressure.
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