| 1. |
- Ahrén-Moonga, Jennie, et al.
(author)
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Levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in severely ill patients with eating disorders
- 2011
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In: Neuropsychobiology. - : S. Karger AG. - 0302-282X .- 1423-0224. ; 63:1, s. 8-14
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The underlying pathophysiology of eating disorders (ED) is dependent on complex interactions between psychological, biological and social factors. The purpose of the present study was to examine a possible increase in cytokines indicating inflammation, as measured by tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in ED patients, and to explore possible relationships between cytokines and self-reported personality traits. Methods: Female patients with severe ED (n = 26) were recruited consecutively from an inpatient clinic and were compared to age-matched healthy females (n = 12). Commercial ELISA tests developed for the measurement of serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were employed. Personality traits were measured using Karolinska Scales of Personality. Results: The patient group displayed increased levels of the cytokine TNF-α and a tendency towards increased IL-6 levels. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to examine possible relationships between levels of cytokines and personality traits. The results showed that IL-6 levels were positively related to both somatic and psychic anxiety and to aggression scales, such as irritability and suspicion. Increased levels of TNF-α, in turn, were significantly correlated with high scores on the depression-related anxiety scale Inhibition of Aggression. However, increased levels of cytokines in the ED group did not seem to be mainly associated with symptoms of depression. Conclusion: We cannot rule out the possibility that comorbid conditions in the group contribute to the higher cytokine values. Further studies need to explore the possible influence of cytokines on the severity of ED and whether this might be mediated or moderated by specific personality traits.
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| 2. |
- Cantos-Soto, María Elena, et al.
(author)
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Solar Reflectors Degradation Caused by Simulated Solar Radiation
- 2012
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In: Solar PACES 2012.
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The feasibility of concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies strongly depends on the material used toachieve a suitable solar reflector. A very relevant issue nowadays is to find a cost-effective reflector materialwith appropriate optical properties, able to resist the environmental stress and, therefore, extending itslifetime. This research work is focused on evaluating the thick silvered-glass reflector’s degradation causedby solar radiation onto different solar reflector samples, exposed to both experimental settings, simulatedsunlight under accelerated conditions and solar radiation at real outdoor conditions. The experiments havebeen performed in the optical characterization and durability of solar reflectors laboratory at the PlataformaSolar de Almeria (PSA). Three different chambers were used to reproduce the entire or specifics ranges ofthe solar radiation spectrum. Samples from 6 different manufacturers were placed inside of every sunlightchamber during 2000 hours. The outdoor exposure in the PSA precincts lasted for 4000 hours.
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| 3. |
- Hansson, Monika, et al.
(author)
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Validation of a multiplex chip-based assay for the detection of autoantibodies against citrullinated peptides
- 2012
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In: ARTHRITIS RESEARCH & THERAPY. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1478-6354 .- 1478-6362. ; 14:5, s. R201-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Autoantibodies directed against citrullinated proteins/peptides (ACPAs) are highly specific and predictive for the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Different subgroups of RA patients, which have different prognoses and may require different treatments, are characterized by different autoantibody profiles. The objective of this study was to develop a microarray for the detection of multiple RA-associated autoantibodies, initially focusing on responses against citrullinated epitopes on candidate autoantigens in RA. Methods: The microarray is based on Phadia's ImmunoCAP ISAC system, with which reactivity to more than 100 antigens can be analyzed simultaneously, by using minute serum volumes (<10 mu l). Twelve citrullinated peptides, and the corresponding native arginine-containing control peptides, were immobilized in an arrayed fashion onto a chemically modified glass slide, allowing a three-dimensional layer with high binding capacity. The assay was optimized concerning serum dilution and glass surface, whereas each individual antigen was optimized concerning coupling chemistry, antigen concentration, and selection of spotting buffer. The performance of each peptide in the ImmunoCAP ISAC system was compared with the performance in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Serum from 927 RA patients and 461 healthy controls from a matched case-control study were applied onto reaction sites on glass slides, followed by fluorescent-labeled anti-human immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody. Fluorescence intensities were detected with a laser scanner, and the results analyzed by using image-analysis software. Results: Strong correlations between the ImmunoCAP ISAC system and ELISA results were found for individual citrullinated peptides (Spearman rho typically between 0.75 and 0.90). Reactivity of RA sera with the peptides was seen mainly in the anticyclic citrullinated peptide 2 (CCP2)-positive subset, but some additional reactivity with single citrullinated peptides was seen in the anti-CCP2-negative subset. Adjusting for reactivity against arginine-containing control peptides did not uniformly change the diagnostic performance for antibodies against the individual citrullinated peptides. Conclusions: The multiplexed array, for detection of autoantibodies against multiple citrullinated epitopes on candidate RA autoantigens, will be of benefit in studies of RA pathogenesis, diagnosis, and potentially as a guide to individualized treatment.
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| 4. |
- Joudi, Ali, et al.
(author)
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Energy Efficient Buildings with Functional Steel Cladding
- 2011
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In: World Renewable Energy Congress. - Linköping : Linköping University Electronic Press. - 9789173930703 ; , s. 2004-2009
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of the study is to develop a model for the energy balance of buildings that includes the effect from the radiation properties of interior and exterior surfaces of the building envelope. As a first step we have used ice arenas as case study objects to investigate the importance of interior low emissivity surfaces. Measurements have been done in two ice arenas in the north part of Sweden, one with lower and one with higher ceiling emissivity. The results show that the low emissivity ceiling gives a much lower radiation temperature interacting with the ice under similar conditions. The dynamic modelling of the roof in ice arenas shows a similar dependence of the roof-to-ice heat flux and the ceiling emissivity. A second part of the study focus on how to realise paints with very low thermal emissivity to be used on interior building surfaces.
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| 5. |
- Joudi, Ali, et al.
(author)
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Energy efficient surfaces on building sandwich panels : a dynamic simulation model
- 2011
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In: Energy and Buildings. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-7788 .- 1872-6178. ; 43:12, s. 3736-3736
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The choice of building envelope is critical for the energy performance of buildings. The major part of the energy used by a building during its lifetime is used for maintaining a suitable interior thermal climate under varying exterior conditions. Although exterior heat radiation properties (i.e. total solar reflectivity and long wave thermal emissivity) have been well accepted to have a large impact on the need for active cooling in warmer climate, the effect of a reduced thermal emissivity on interior surfaces on the building thermal energy flux is rarely studied. This paper addresses the sensitivity of the thermal energy flux through a sandwich panel, by systematically varying the surface thermal emissivity (both interior and exterior) and total solar reflectance of exterior surface, for three geographical locations: southern, middle and northern Europe. A model is introduced for calculating the effect of both interior and exterior optical properties of a horizontal roof panel in terms of net energy flux per unit area. The results indicate potential energy saving by the smart choice of optical properties of interior and exterior surfaces.
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| 6. |
- Joudi, Ali, et al.
(author)
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Highly reflective coatings for interior and exterior steel cladding and the energy efficiency of buildings
- 2011
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In: Applied Energy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0306-2619 .- 1872-9118. ; 88:12, s. 4655-4666
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The effect of surface heat-radiation properties of coil-coated steel cladding material on the energy efficiency of buildings in Nordic climate is addressed by parallel temperature and energy usage measurements in a series of test cabins with different exterior solar reflectivity and interior thermal reflectivity. During one year, a number of one- or two-week experiments with air conditioner cooling and electrical floor heating were made while logging air-, radiation- and surface temperatures, energy consumption and weather conditions. Measurements show significant energy savings in the test cabins by the use of high thermal reflectivity interior surfaces both during heating and cooling and a strongly reduced cooling demand by the use of high solar reflectivity exterior surfaces. Results are interpreted within the context of a steady-state energy flux model, to illuminate the importance of surface resistance properties (radiation and convective heat dissipation).
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| 7. |
- Joudi, Ali, et al.
(author)
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Reflective coatings for interior and exterior of buildings and improving thermal performance
- 2013
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In: Applied Energy. - Oxford : Elsevier. - 0306-2619 .- 1872-9118. ; 103, s. 562-570
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The importance of reducing building energy usage and thriving for more energy efficient architectures, has nurtured creative solutions and smart choices of materials in the last few decades. Among those are optimizing surface optical properties for both interior and exterior claddings of the building. Development in the coil-coating steel industries has now made it possible to allocate correct optical properties for steel clad buildings with improved thermal performance. Although the importance of the exterior coating and solar gain are thoroughly studied in many literatures, the effect of interior cladding are less tackled, especially when considering a combination of both interior and exterior reflective coatings. This paper contemplates the thermal behavior of small cabins with reflective coatings on both interior and exterior cladding, under different conditions and climates with the aim to clarify and point out to the potential energy saving by smart choices of clad coatings.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Rönnelid, Mats, 1961-, et al.
(author)
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Passive crosslaminated timber buildings : Final report Cerbof-project no. 76
- 2013
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In this project, Stora Enso’s newly developed building system has been further developed to allow building to the Swedish passive house standard for the Swedish climate. The building system is based on a building framework of CLT (Cross laminated timber) boards. The concept has been tested on a small test building. The experience gained from this test building has also been used for planning a larger building (two storeys with the option of a third storey) with passive house standard with this building system.The main conclusions from the project are: It is possible to build airtight buildings with this technique without using traditional vapour barriers. Initial measurements show that this can be done without reaching critical humidity levels in the walls and roof, at least where wood fibre insulation is used, as this has a greater capacity for storing and evening out the moisture than mineral wool. However, the test building has so far not been exposed to internal generation of moisture (added moisture from showers, food preparation etc.). This needs to be investigated and this will be done during the winter 2013-14. A new fixing method for doors and windows has been tested without traditional fibre filling between them and the CLT panel. The door or window is pressed directly on to the CLT panel instead, with an expandable sealing strip between them. This has been proved to be successful. The air tightness between the CLT panels is achieved with expandable sealing strips between the panels. The position of the sealing strips is important, both for the air tightness itself and to allow rational assembly. Recurrent air tightness measurements show that the air tightness decreased somewhat during the first six months, but not to such an extent that the passive house criteria were not fulfilled. The reason for the decreased air tightness is not clear, but can be due to small movements in the CLT construction and also to the sealing strips being affected by changing outdoor temperatures. Long term measurements (at least two years) have to be carried out before more reliable conclusions can be drawn regarding the long term effect of the construction on air tightness and humidity in the walls. An economic analysis comparing using a concrete frame or the studied CLT frame for a three storey building shows that it is probably more expensive to build with CLT. For buildings higher than three floors, the CLT frame has economic advantages, mainly because of the shorter building time compared to using concrete for the frame. In this analysis, no considerations have been taken to differences in the influence on the environment or the global climate between the two construction methods.
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| 10. |
- Rönnelid, Mats, et al.
(author)
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Reserapport Plataforma SolarAlmeria, 5-8/6 2011
- 2012
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Reserapporten beskriver verksamheten vid Plataforma Solar Almeria (PSA) i Spanien och diskuterar tänkta samarbetsmöjligheter mellan PSA och Högskolan Dalarna
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
- Vestlund, Johan, et al.
(author)
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Design of gas filled solar collectors
- 2010
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In: Eurosun 2010. - Graz.
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- With a suitable gas filling used between cover glass and absorber in a flat plate solar collector, it is possible achieving better thermal performance at the same time as the distance between absorber and glass can be reduced. Though, even if there is no vacuum inside the box, there will be potential risks for exhaustion due to stresses depending on the gas volume varies as the temperature varies. This study found out that it is possible build such a collector with less material in the absorber and the tubes and still getting better performance, without risks for exhaustion.
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| 13. |
- Vestlund, Johan, et al.
(author)
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Movement and mechanical stresses in sealed, flat plate solar collectors
- 2012
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In: Solar Energy. - : Elsevier. - 0038-092X .- 1471-1257. ; 86:1, s. 339-350
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This article describes movements and mechanical stresses in sealed, gas-filled, flat plate solar collectors. The advantage of a sealed space between a collector absorber and glass cover is that it (i) eliminates the influence of humidity condensation and dust and (ii) it lowers the heat losses when the enclosed space is filled with a suitable gas at normal pressure. However as the solar collector temperature varies, volume and pressure changes cause movement and mechanical stresses. In this study, the finite element method was used to determine movements and mechanical stresses. Several geometries were analyzed and it was found that the stresses in the investigated collectors are a factor 2–4 below the critical stress levels. Furthermore, it was found to be possible to reduce the stresses and improve the factor of safety by (i) using a larger area and/or reducing the distance between the glass and the absorber and/or (ii) changing the length and width so the tubes are longer.
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| 14. |
- Vestlund, Johan, et al.
(author)
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STUDIES OF GAS-FILLED FLAT PLATE SOLAR COLLECTORS
- 2010
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In: Proceedings Eurosun 2010. - 9783901425134
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- With a suitable gas filling used between cover glass and absorber in a flat plate solar collector, it is possible achieving better thermal performance at the same time as the distance between absorber and glass can be reduced. Though, even if there is no vacuum inside the box, there will be potential risks for exhaustion due to stresses depending on the gas volume varies as the temperature varies. This study found out that it is possible build such a collector with less material in the absorber and the tubes and still getting better performance, without risks for exhaustion.
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| 15. |
- Vestlund, Johan, et al.
(author)
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Thermal and mechanical performance of sealed, gas-filled, flat plate solar collectors
- 2012
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In: Solar Energy. - : Elsevier. - 0038-092X .- 1471-1257. ; 86:1, s. 13-25
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The study includes calculations for both the thermal performance and the mechanical behaviour of a gas-filled, flat plate solar collector without external gas expansion, i.e., a collector with varying gas volume and gas pressure and movement in both cover glass and absorber. Classical theories for the thermal performance are combined with a finite-element method to investigate which factors have an impact from the mechanical stress point of view. This article describes major results for collectors with copper and aluminium absorbers combined with different inert gases. It is shown that a collector may be designed which uses less material than a standard collector but achieves at least the same thermal performance, by using a thinner collector and a thinner absorber and a suitable gas filling other than air. If copper is used in absorber and tubes, a 0.15 mm thick absorber together with a tube-to-tube distance of 103 mm results in the same performance as a 0.3 mm absorber with a 144 mm tube-to-tube distance, but the former will use 25% less material. The use of copper can be further reduced if the absorber is made of aluminium and the tubes are made of copper. The factor of safety for thick (>0.5 mm) aluminium absorbers is, however, not as large as it is for copper absorbers.
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