| 1. |
- Ahlgren, Sara, et al.
(author)
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Radionuclide molecular imaging using affibody molecules
- 2010
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In: Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology. - : Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.. - 1389-2010 .- 1873-4316. ; 11:6, s. 581-589
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The current way to increase efficacy of cancer therapy is the use of molecular recognition of aberrantly expressed gene products for selective treatment. However, only a fraction of the patients have tumors with a particular molecular target. Radionuclide imaging of molecular targets might help to stratify patient for cancer treatment. Affibody molecules are scaffold proteins, which can be selected for high affinity recognition of proteinaceous molecular targets. The capacity to re-fold under physiological conditions allows labeling of Affibody molecules in a broad range of pH and temperatures with preserved binding properties. Peptide synthesis or introduction of a unique cysteine enables site-specific labeling of Affibody molecules, resulting in uniform conjugates with well-defined pharmacological characteristics. The small size (7 kDa) of Affibody molecules provides rapid extravasation, rapid tumor penetration, and rapid clearance of unbound tracer from healthy organs and tissues. In combination with sub-nanomolar affinity, this results in high contrast in vivo imaging a few hours after injection. Excellent targeting has been demonstrated in pre-clinical studies with HER2-targeting Affibody molecules labeled with (99m)Tc and (111)In for single photon computed tomography (SPECT), and (18)F, (64)Cu, (124)I and (68)Ga for positron emission tomography (PET). Pilot clinical data confirm the high potential of Affibody molecules.
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| 2. |
- Isarankura-Na-Ayudhya, Chartchalerm, et al.
(author)
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Engineering of a novel chimera of superoxide dismutase and Vitreoscilla hemoglobin for rapid detoxification of reactive oxygen species
- 2010
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In: Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering. - : Elsevier BV. - 1347-4421 .- 1389-1723. ; 110:6, s. 633-637
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The genes encoding human manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb) were fused inframe to generate a bifunctional enzyme that possessed MnSOD and peroxidase-like activities. At neutral pH, the coupling of the SOD and peroxidase reactions revealed that the bifunctional enzyme exhibited a 2.5 times shorter transient period and a 1.67 times higher reaction rate at steady-state conditions. Furthermore, the catalytic rate of the bifunctional enzyme was not affected as much by the external H2O2 scavenger catalase. This indicates that the bifunctional protein possesses a greater antioxidant capability, which is possibly due to the close proximity between the active site of MnSOD and the heme moiety of VHb. Our findings not only provide insight into the synergistic functions of SOD and peroxidase but also could potentially be used to develop novel therapeutic agents with more efficient O-2 carrying capability. (C) 2010, The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. All rights reserved.
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| 3. |
- Lee, Hyang-Won, et al.
(author)
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Distributed Max-Min Flow Control for Multi-rate Overlay Multicast
- 2010
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In: Computer Networks. - : Elsevier. - 1389-1286 .- 1872-7069. ; 54:11, s. 1727-1738
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present a distributed algorithm to compute bandwidth max-min fair rates in an overlay multicast network supporting multi-rate data delivery. The proposed algorithm is scalable in that it does not require each logical link to maintain the saturation status of all sessions and virtual sessions traveling through it, stable in that it converges asymptotically to the desired equilibrium satisfying the minimum plus max-min fairness even in the presence of heterogeneous round-trip delays, and has explicit link buffer control in that the buffer occupancy of every bottlenecked link in the network asymptotically converges to the pre-defined value. The algorithm is based on PI (proportional integral) control in the feedback control theory and by appealing to the Nyquist stability criterion, a usable stability condition is derived in the presence of sources with heterogeneous round-trip delays. In addition, we propose an efficient feedback consolidation algorithm which is computationally simpler than its hard-synchronization based counterpart and eliminates unnecessary consolidation delay by preventing it from awaiting backward control packets that do not directly contribute to the session rate. Through simulations we further verify the analytical results and the performance of the proposed multi-rate multicast flow control scheme based on these two algorithms.
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| 4. |
- Eksvärd, Karin
(author)
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Facilitating Systemic Research and Learning and the Transition to Agricultural Sustainability
- 2010
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In: The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension. - 1389-224X .- 1750-8622. ; 16, s. 265-280
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This article focuses on how a facilitated process of triple loop learning can enable transition toward more sustainable forms of farming. The article is a case-based study of Participatory Learning and Action Research with organic tomato growers in Mälardalen, Sweden. The importance of negotiating learning and action, capacity building, and creating a systemic process is highlighted. Practical insights are developed into the process of facilitated learning, and the development of capacity for this. The article adds to existing knowledge of responsive approaches to the flux of system change and adds to the understanding of facilitation for scale-compatible decisions on transitions toward sustainable development.
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| 5. |
- Simonsen, Rune, et al.
(author)
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Profitability of measures to increase forest growth
- 2010
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In: Forest Policy and Economics. - : Elsevier BV. - 1389-9341 .- 1872-7050. ; 12, s. 473-482
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Linear programming was used to determine the optimal mix of measures with varying budgets. At present the company's silvicultural budget is around 100 million SEK annually. Increasing the silvicultural budget by 5 million SEK would result in an increase in net present value of almost 24.2 million SEK. This represents 48% of the increase of net present value if all the profitable measures are carried out. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 6. |
- Andersson, Mats, et al.
(author)
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Risk preferences, risk perceptions and timber harvest decisions - An empirical study of nonindustrial private forest owners in northern Sweden
- 2010
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In: Forest Policy and Economics. - : Elsevier BV. - 1389-9341 .- 1872-7050. ; 12, s. 330-339
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A mail survey of nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) owners in two counties in northern Sweden was conducted to investigate the risk preferences of NIPF owners and their perceptions of the return and risk of timber investment relative to investment alternatives outside forestry. We also used the data collected from the survey to examine the relationship between the stated preferences, subjective judgements, and the observed and planned timber fellings. Our aim was to determine as to what extent the NIPF owners' harvesting behaviour was consistent with their preferences and subjective judgments.The result shows that a majority of the NIPF owners who responded to the survey were risk-neutral or risk-prone. There were no statistically significant correlations between a forest owner's attitudes toward risk and the size of forest property. However, risk preferences have significant impacts on the decision to fell: the more a forest owner likes to take risks, the more likely it is that he/she conducts final felling. The result also shows large variations among NIPF owners with respect to the subjective judgements of the return and risk of the alternative investments. For each respondent we elicited the most preferred investment alternative based on the stated risk preferences and the subjective judgements of the return and risk of the alternative investments. Owners whose preferred investment alternative is the mature forest are on average significantly less active in harvesting than owners with other preferred investment alternatives. However, there are no significant differences in the felling intensity and the growing stock of timber among the different groups of NIPF owners. The examination of NIPF owners' harvesting behaviour, risk preferences and subjective judgments reveals strong indications of the difficulties for NIPF owners to make rational decisions when faced with uncertainties. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 7. |
- Nordström, Eva-Maria, et al.
(author)
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Integrating multiple criteria decision analysis in participatory forest planning: Experience from a case study in northern Sweden
- 2010
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In: Forest Policy and Economics. - : Elsevier BV. - 1389-9341 .- 1872-7050. ; 12, s. 562-574
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Forest planning in a participatory context often involves multiple stakeholders with conflicting interests. A promising approach for handling these complex situations is to integrate participatory planning and multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA). The objective of this paper is to analyze strengths and weaknesses of such an integrated approach, focusing on how the use of MCDA has influenced the participatory process. The paper outlines a model for a participatory MCDA process with five steps: stakeholder analysis, structuring of the decision problem, generation of alternatives, elicitation of preferences, and ranking of alternatives. This model was applied in a case study of a planning process for the urban forest in Lycksele, Sweden. In interviews with stakeholders, criteria for four different social groups were identified. Stakeholders also identified specific areas important to them and explained what activities the areas were used for and the forest management they wished for there. Existing forest data were combined with information from interviews to create a map in which the urban forest was divided into zones of different management classes. Three alternative strategic forest plans were produced based on the zonal map. The stakeholders stated their preferences individually by the Analytic Hierarchy Process in inquiry forms and a ranking of alternatives and consistency ratios were determined for each stakeholder. Rankings of alternatives were aggregated; first, for each social group using the arithmetic mean, and then an overall aggregated ranking was calculated from the group rankings using the weighted arithmetic mean. The participatory MCDA process in Lycksele is assessed against five social goals: incorporating public values into decisions, improving the substantive quality of decisions, resolving conflict among competing interests, building trust in institutions, and educating and informing the public. The results and assessment of the case study support the integration of participatory planning and MCDA as a viable option for handling complex forest-management situations. Key issues related to the MCDA methodology that need to be explored further were identified: 1) the handling of place-specific criteria, 2) development of alternatives, 3) the aggregation of individual preferences into a common preference, and 4) application and evaluation of the integrated approach in real case studies. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 8. |
- Ahmadian, Zahra, et al.
(author)
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Security Enhancement of UMTS-GSM Interworking Attacks
- 2010
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In: Elsevier Journal of Computer Networks. - : Elsevier BV. - 1389-1286. ; 54:18, s. 2256-2270
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this paper we first present three new attacks on Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) in access domain. We exploit the interoperation of UMTS network with its predecessor, Global System for Mobile communications (GSMs). Two attacks result in the interception of the entire traffic of the victim UMTS subscriber in the GSM access area of UMTS network. These attacks are applicable, regardless of the strength of the selected GSM encryption algorithm. The third attack is an impersonation attack and allows the attacker to impersonate a genuine UMTS subscriber to a UMTS network and fool the network to provide services at the expense of the victim subscriber. Then, we propose some countermeasures to strengthen the UMTS network against the mentioned attacks with emphasis on the practicality in present networks. The proposed solutions require limited change of the network elements or protocols, insignificant additional computational load on the network elements and negligible additional bandwidth consumption on the network links.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Benediktsdottir, Bryndis, et al.
(author)
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Prevalence of restless legs syndrome among adults in Iceland and Sweden : Lung function, comorbidity, ferritin, biomarkers and quality of life
- 2010
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In: Sleep Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1389-9457 .- 1878-5506. ; 11:10, s. 1043-1048
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: This study investigates the prevalence and the association between restless legs syndrome (RLS) and a large variety of health variables in two well-characterized random samples from the general population in Reykjavik, Iceland, and Uppsala, Sweden. Methods: Using the national registries of inhabitants, a random sample from adults aged 40 and over living in Reykjavík, Iceland (n= 939), and Uppsala, Sweden (n= 998), were invited to participate in a study on the prevalence of COPD (response rate 81.1% and 62.2%). In addition, the participants were asked to answer the following questionnaires: International RLS Rating Scale, Short Form-12, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and questions about sleep, gastroeosophageal reflux, diabetes and hypertension, as well as pharmacological treatment. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP) and ferritin were measured in serum. Results: RLS was more commonly reported in Reykjavik (18.3%) than in Uppsala (11.5%). Icelandic women reported RLS almost twice as often as Swedish women (24.4 vs. 13.9% p= 0.001), but there was no difference in prevalence of RLS between Icelandic and Swedish men. RLS was strongly associated with sleep disturbances and excessive daytime sleepiness. Subjects with RLS were more likely to be ex- and current smokers than subjects without RLS (p< 0.001). Respiratory symptoms and airway obstruction were more prevalent among those reporting RLS and they also estimated their physical quality of life lower than those without RLS (p< 0.001). RLS was not associated with symptoms of the metabolic syndrome like hypertension, obesity, markers of systemic inflammation (IL-6 and CRP) or cardiovascular diseases. Ferritin levels were significantly lower in RLS participants (p= 0.0002), but not (p= 0.07) after adjustment for center, age, sex and smoking history. Conclusion: Restless legs syndrome was twice as common among Icelandic women compared to Swedish women. No such difference was seen for men. RLS was strongly associated with smoking and respiratory symptoms, decreased lung function, sleep disturbances, excessive daytime sleepiness, and physical aspects of life quality. RLS was not associated with markers of the metabolic syndrome like hypertension, obesity, cardiovascular diseases or biomarkers of systemic inflammation.
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