| 1. |
- Pennells, Lisa, et al.
(author)
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Equalization of four cardiovascular risk algorithms after systematic recalibration : individual-participant meta-analysis of 86 prospective studies
- 2019
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In: European Heart Journal. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 40:7, s. 621-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims: There is debate about the optimum algorithm for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk estimation. We conducted head-to-head comparisons of four algorithms recommended by primary prevention guidelines, before and after ‘recalibration’, a method that adapts risk algorithms to take account of differences in the risk characteristics of the populations being studied.Methods and results: Using individual-participant data on 360 737 participants without CVD at baseline in 86 prospective studies from 22 countries, we compared the Framingham risk score (FRS), Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE), pooled cohort equations (PCE), and Reynolds risk score (RRS). We calculated measures of risk discrimination and calibration, and modelled clinical implications of initiating statin therapy in people judged to be at ‘high’ 10 year CVD risk. Original risk algorithms were recalibrated using the risk factor profile and CVD incidence of target populations. The four algorithms had similar risk discrimination. Before recalibration, FRS, SCORE, and PCE over-predicted CVD risk on average by 10%, 52%, and 41%, respectively, whereas RRS under-predicted by 10%. Original versions of algorithms classified 29–39% of individuals aged ≥40 years as high risk. By contrast, recalibration reduced this proportion to 22–24% for every algorithm. We estimated that to prevent one CVD event, it would be necessary to initiate statin therapy in 44–51 such individuals using original algorithms, in contrast to 37–39 individuals with recalibrated algorithms.Conclusion: Before recalibration, the clinical performance of four widely used CVD risk algorithms varied substantially. By contrast, simple recalibration nearly equalized their performance and improved modelled targeting of preventive action to clinical need.
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| 2. |
- Lund Ohlsson, Marie
(author)
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New methods for movement technique development in cross-country skiing using mathematical models and simulation
- 2009
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Licentiate thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This Licentiate Thesis is devoted to the presentation and discussion of some new contributions in applied mathematics directed towards scientific computing in sports engineering. It considers inverse problems of biomechanical simulations with rigid body musculoskeletal systems especially in cross-country skiing. This is a contrast to the main research on cross-country skiing biomechanics, which is based mainly on experimental testing alone. The thesis consists of an introduction and five papers. The introduction motivates the context of the papers and puts them into a more general framework. Two papers (D and E) consider studies of real questions in cross-country skiing, which are modelled and simulated. The results give some interesting indications, concerning these challenging questions, which can be used as a basis for further research. However, the measurements are not accurate enough to give the final answers. Paper C is a simulation study which is more extensive than paper D and E, and is compared to electromyography measurements in the literature. Validation in biomechanical simulations is difficult and reducing mathematical errors is one way of reaching closer to more realistic results. Paper A examines well-posedness for forward dynamics with full muscle dynamics. Moreover, paper B is a technical report which describes the problem formulation and mathematical models and simulation from paper A in more detail. Our new modelling together with the simulations enable new possibilities. This is similar to simulations of applications in other engineering fields, and need in the same way be handled with care in order to achieve reliable results. The results in this thesis indicate that it can be very useful to use mathematical modelling and numerical simulations when describing cross-country skiing biomechanics. Hence, this thesis contributes to the possibility of beginning to use and develop such modelling and simulation techniques also in this context.
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| 3. |
- Adolfsson, Emelie, 1985-
(author)
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Lithium formate EPR dosimetry for accurate measurements of absorbed dose in radiotherapy
- 2014
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Lithium formate has shown to be a material with properties suitable for electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) dosimetry, among them up to 7 times higher sensitivity compared to alanine, which is a well-established EPR detector material for dose determinations in radiotherapy.The aim of this thesis was to further investigate the properties of lithium formate and develop the dosimetry system towards applications in radiotherapy. The intrinsic efficiency for energies of relevance to brachytherapy and the signal stability were investigated. The dosimetry system was expanded to include a smaller dosimeter model, suitable for measurements in dose gradient regions. An individual sensitivity correction method was applied to the smaller dosimeters to be able to perform dose determinations with the same precision as for the larger ones. EPR dosimetry in general is time consuming and effort was spent to optimize the signal readout procedure regarding measurement time and measurement precision.The system was applied in two clinical applications chosen for their high demands on the dosimetry system: 1) a dosimetry audit for external photon beam therapy and 2) dose verification measurements around a low energy HDR brachytherapy source.The conclusions drawn from this thesis were: dose determinations can be performed with a standard uncertainty of 1.8-2.5% using both the original size dosimeters and the new developed smaller ones. The dosimetry system is robust and useful for applications when high measurement precision and accuracy is prioritized. It is a good candidate for dosimetry audits, both in external beam therapy and brachytherapy.
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| 4. |
- Afzal, Muhammad
(author)
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Semiconductor-ionic Materials for Low Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
- 2019
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is considered as an attractive candidate for energy conversion within the fuel cell (FC) family due to several advantages including environment friendly, use of non-noble materials and fuel flexibility. However, due to high working temperatures, conventional SOFC faces many challenges relating to high operational and capital costs besides the limited selection of the FC materials and their compatibility issues. Recent SOFC research is focused on how to reduce its operational temperature to 700 ºC or lower. Investigation of new electrolytes and electrode materials, which can perform well at low temperatures, is a comprehensive route to lowering the working temperature of SOFC. Meanwhile, semiconductor-ionic materials based on semiconductors (perovskite/composite) and ionic materials (e.g. ceria based ion conductors) have been identified as potential candidates to operate in low temperature range with adequate SOFC power outputs.This investigation focuses on the development of semiconductor-ionic materials for low temperature solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and electrolyte-layer free fuel cell (EFFC). The content of this work is divided into four parts:First part of the thesis consists of the work on conventional SOFC to build knowledge and bridge from conventional SOFC to the new EFFC. Novel composite electrode (semiconductor) materials are synthesized and studied using established electrochemical and analytical methods such as x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The phase structure, morphology and microstructure of the composite electrodes are studied using XRD and SEM, and the weight loss is determined using TGA. An electrical conductivity of up to 143 S/cm of as-prepared material is measured using DC 4 probe method at 550 ºC. An electrolyte, samarium doped ceria (SDC) is synthesized to fabricate a conventional three component SOFC device. The maximum power density of 325 mW/cm2 achieved from the conventional device at 550 ºC.In the second part of the thesis, semiconductor-ionic materials based on perovskite and composite materials are prepared for low temperature SOFC and EFFC devices. Semiconductor-ionic materials are prepared via nanocomposite approach based on two-phase semiconductor electrode and ionic electrolyte. This semiconductor-ionic functional component was shown to integrate all fuel cell components anode, electrolyte and cathode functions into a single component, i.e. “three in one”, resulting in enhanced catalytic activity and improved SOFC performance.The third part of the thesis addresses the development and optimization of the EFFC technologies by studying the Schottky junction mechanism in such semiconductor-ionic type devices. Perovskite and functional nanocomposites (semiconductor-ionic materials) are developed for EFFC devices. Materials characterizations are performed using a number of standard experimental and analytical techniques. Maximum power densities from 600 mW/cm2 up to 800 mW/cm2 have been achieved at 600 ºC.Fourth part of the thesis describes the theoretical simulation of EFFCs. In this work, an updated numerical model is applied in order to study the EFFC device, which introduces some modifications to the existing relations for traditional fuel cell models. The simulated V-I and P-I curves have been compared with experimental curves, and both types of curves show a good consistency.
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| 5. |
- Dahlqvist Leinhard, Olof
(author)
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Quantitative Magnetic Resonance in Diffuse Neurological and Liver Disease
- 2010
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Introduction: Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is one of the most important diagnostic tools in modern medicine. Compared to other imaging modalities, it provides superior soft tissue contrast of all parts of the body and it is considered to be safe for patients. Today almost all MR is performed in a nonquantitative manner, only comparing neighboring tissue in the search for pathology. It is possible to quantify MR-signals and relate them to their physical entities, but time consuming and complicated calibration procedures have prevented this being used in a practical manner for clinical routines. The aim of this work is to develop and improve quantification methods in MRspectroscopy (MRS) and MR-imaging (MRI). The techniques are intended to be applied to diffuse diseases, where conventional imaging methods are unable to perform accurate staging or to reveal metabolic changes associated with disease development.Methods: Proton (1H) MRS was used to characterize the white matter in the brain of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Phosphorus (31P) MRS was used to evaluate the energy metabolism in patients with diffuse liver disease. A new quantitative MRI (qMRI) method was invented for accurate, rapid and simultaneous quantification of B1, T1, T2, and proton density. A method for automatic assessment of visceral adipose tissue volume based on an in- and out-ofphase imaging protocol was developed. Finally, a method for quantification of the hepatobiliary uptake of liver specific T1 enhancing contrast agents was demonstrated on healthy subjects.Results: The 1H MRS investigations of white matter in MS-patients revealed a significant correlation between tissue concentrations of Glutamate and Creatine on the one hand and the disease progression rate on the other, as measured using the MSSS. High accuracy, both in vitro and in vivo, of the measured MR-parameters from the qMRI method was observed. 31P MRS showed lower concentrations of phosphodiesters, and a higher metabolic charge in patients with cirrhosis, compared to patients with mild fibrosis and to controls. The adipose tissue quantification method agreed with estimates obtained using manual segmentation, and enabled measurements which were insensitive to partial volume effects. The hepatobiliary uptake of Gd-EOB-DTPA and Gd-BOPTA was significantly correlated in healthy subjects.Conclusion: In this work, new methods for accurate quantification of MR parameters in diffuse diseases in the liver and the brain were demonstrated. Several applications were shown where quantitative MR improves the interpretation of observed signal changes in MRI and MRS in relation to underlying differences in physiology and pathophysiology.
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| 6. |
- Hedström, Lars
(author)
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Fuel Cells and Biogas
- 2010
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This thesis concerns biogas-operated fuel cells. Fuel cell technology may contribute to more efficient energy use, reduce emissions and also perhaps revolutionize current energy systems. The technology is, however, still immature and has not yet been implemented as dominant in any application or niche market. Research and development is currently being carried out to investigate whether fuel cells can live up to their full potential and to further advance the technology. The research of thesis contributes by exploring the potential of using fuel cells as energy converters of biogas to electricity. The work includes results from four different experimental test facilities and concerns experiments performed at cell, stack and fuel cell system levels. The studies on cell and stack level have focused on the influence of CO, CO2 and air bleed on the current distribution during transient operation. The dynamic response has been evaluated on a single cell, a segmented cell and at stack level. Two fuel cell systems, a 4 kW PEFC system and a 5 kW SOFC system have been operated on upgraded biogas. A significant outcome is that the possibility of operating both PEFCs and SOFCs on biogas has been established. No interruptions or rapid performance loss could be associated with the upgraded biogas during operation. From the studies at cell and stack level, it is clear that CO causes significant changes in the current distribution in a PEFC; air bleed may recover the uneven current distribution and also the drop in cell voltage due to CO and CO2 poisoning. The recovery of cell performance during air bleed occurs evenly over the electrode surface even when the O2 partial pressure is far too low to fully recover the CO poisoning. The O2 supplied to the anode reacts on the anode catalyst and no O2 was measured at the cell outlet for air bleed levels up to 5 %. Reformed biogas and other gases with high CO2 content are thus, from dilution and CO-poisoning perspectives, suitable for PEFC systems. The present work has enhanced our understanding of biogas-operated fuel cells and will serve as basis for future studies.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Munkhammar, Joakim, 1982-
(author)
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Distributed Photovoltaics, Household Electricity Use and Electric Vehicle Charging : Mathematical Modeling and Case Studies
- 2015
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Technological improvements along with falling prices on photovoltaic (PV) panels and electric vehicles (EVs) suggest that they might become more common in the future. The introduction of distributed PV power production and EV charging has a considerable impact on the power system, in particular at the end-user in the electricity grid.In this PhD thesis PV power production, household electricity use and EV charging are investigated on different system levels. The methodologies used in this thesis are interdisciplinary but the main contributions are mathematical modeling, simulations and data analysis of these three components and their interactions. Models for estimating PV power production, household electricity use, EV charging and their combination are developed using data and stochastic modeling with Markov chains and probability distributions. Additionally, data on PV power production and EV charging from eight solar charging stations is analyzed.Results show that the clear-sky index for PV power production applications can be modeled via a bimodal Normal probability distribution, that household electricity use can be modeled via either Weibull or Log-normal probability distributions and that EV charging can be modeled by Bernoulli probability distributions. Complete models of PV power production, household electricity use and EV home-charging are developed with both Markov chain and probability distribution modeling. It is also shown that EV home-charging can be modeled as an extension to the Widén Markov chain model for generating synthetic household electricity use patterns. Analysis of measurements from solar charging stations show a wide variety of EV charging patterns. Additionally an alternative approach to modeling the clear-sky index is introduced and shown to give a generalized Ångström equation relating solar irradiation to the duration of bright sunshine.Analysis of the total power consumption/production patterns of PV power production, household electricity use and EV home-charging at the end-user in the grid highlights the dependency between the components, which quantifies the mismatch issue of distributed intermittent power production and consumption. At an aggregate level of households the level of mismatch is shown to be lower.
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| 9. |
- Wang, Xiaodi, 1981-
(author)
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Dual-ion Conducting Nanocompoiste for Low Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell
- 2012
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are considered as one of the most promising power generation technologies due to their high energy conversion efficiency, fuel flexibility and reduced pollution. There is a broad interest in reducing the operating temperature of SOFCs. The key issue to develop low-temperature (300~600 °C) SOFCs (LTSOFCs) is to explore new electrolyte materials. Recently, ceria-based composite electrolytes have been developed as capable alternative electrolyte for LTSOFCs. The ceria-based composite electrolyte has displayed high ionic conductivity and excellent fuel cell performance below 600 °C, which has opened up a new horizon in the LTSOFCs field. In this thesis, we are aiming at exploring nanostructured composite materials for LTSOFCs with superior properties, investigating the detailed conduction mechanism for their enhanced ionic conductivity, and extending more suitable composite system and nanostructure materials.In the first part, core-shell samarium doped ceria-carbonate nanocomposite (SDC/Na2CO3) was synthesized for the first time. The core-shell nanocomposite was composed of SDC particles smaller than 100 nm coated with amorphous Na2CO3 shell. The nanocomposite has been applied in LTSOFCs with excellent performance. A freeze dry method was used to prepare the SDC/Na2CO3 nanocomposites, aiming to further enhance its phase homogeneity. The ionic conduction behavior of the SDC/Na2CO3 nanocomposite has been studied. The results indicated that H+ conductivity in the nanocomposite is predominant over O2- conductivity with 1-2 orders of magnitude in the temperature range of 200-600 °C, indicating the proton conduction in the nanocomposite mainly accounts for the enhanced total ionic conductivity. The influence of Na2CO3 content to the proton and oxygen ion conductivity in the nanocomposite was studied as well.In the second part, both the proton and oxygen ion conduction mechanisms have been studied. It is suggested that the interface in the nanocomposite electrolyte supplies high conductive path for the proton, while oxygen ions are probably transported by the SDC grain interiors. An empirical “Swing Model” has been proposed as a possible mechanism of superior proton conduction, while oxygen ion conduction is attributed to oxygen vacancies through SDC grain in nanocomposite electrolyte.In the final part, a novel concept of non-ceria-salt-composites electrolyte, LiAlO2-carbonate composite electrolyte, has been investigated for LTSOFCs. The LiAlO2-carbonate electrolyte exhibits good conductivity and excellent fuel cell performances below 650 °C. The work not only developed a more stable composite material, but also strongly demonstrated that the high ionic conductivity is mainly related to interface effect between oxide and carbonate. As a potential candidate for nanocomposite, uniform quasi-octahedral CeO2 mesocrystals was synthesized in this thesis work as well. The CeO2 mesocrystals shows excellent thermal stability, and display potential for fuel cell applications.
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| 10. |
- Boström, Tobias, 1975-
(author)
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Solution-Chemically Derived Spectrally Selective Solar Absorbers : With System Perspectives on Solar Heating
- 2006
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This thesis consists of two parts, one dominating part concerning spectrally selective solar absorbers and one dealing with thermal solar systems. The appended papers I to VIII concern the solar absorber part, papers dealing with the systems part have not been included in the thesis.A new spectrally selective absorber derived from a novel solution-chemistry method has been developed and optimized. The main objective was to investigate the potential of the spectrally selective surface. Some of the questions at issue were; would it be possible to create a suitable absorber composite using this method, how high selectivity could be obtained, could the performance be enhanced by using anti-reflection coatings, which was the optimal layer composition, would the thin films be durable and what was the structure and morphology like on a nano scale? The absorber consists of absorbing thin films of nickel nano-particles embedded in a dielectric matrix of alumina and an overlying anti-reflection film consisting of one of the following materials silica, hybrid-silica, alumina or silica-titania. Solution and sol-gel chemistry were used in the process. The thin films were spin-coated onto an aluminum substrate followed by a heat-treatment that generated the multi layer selective solar absorber. The optical constants for the thin film materials in question were determined. An optimal three layer structure was modeled using the experimentally determined optical constants. The theoretical three layer stack was experimentally confirmed and achieved a solar absorptance of 0.97 and a thermal emittance of 0.05 which definitely are commercially competitive values. The configuration of the three layer stack is: an 80%nickel-20%alumina film at the base, a 40%nickel-60%alumina film in the middle and a silica or hybrid-silica film at the top. The three layer absorber was subjected to high temperature and condensation accelerated ageing tests designed by IEA Task 27. The condensation test did not degrade the absorber whatsoever but the high temperature test did reveal some oxidation of the nickel particles. The oxidation occurs initially and then stops. A formed nickel-oxide layer hinders further oxidation. The level of oxidation is small and the absorber is qualified according to the IEA Task 27 test procedure.
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