| 1. |
- Andersson, Elina, et al.
(author)
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Avslutning : det personliga är politisk-ekologiskt
- 2017. - 1
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In: Politisk ekologi : Om makt och miljöer - Om makt och miljöer. - 9789144110134 ; 1, s. 361-368
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Avslutningskapitel till antologi om politisk ekologi
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Jönsson, Erik, et al.
(author)
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Politisk ekologi : en produktiv spretighet?
- 2017. - 1
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In: Politisk ekologi : Om makt och miljöer - Om makt och miljöer. - 9789144110134 ; 1, s. 13-43
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Introduktionskapitel till antologi om politisk ekologi, redigerad av Erik Jönsson och Elina Andersson.
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| 4. |
- Mäkeläinen, Suvi, et al.
(author)
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Deletion in the Bardet-Biedl Syndrome Gene TTC8 Results in a Syndromic Retinal Degeneration in Dogs
- 2020
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In: Genes. - : MDPI. - 2073-4425. ; 11:9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In golden retriever dogs, a 1 bp deletion in the canineTTC8gene has been shown to cause progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), the canine equivalent of retinitis pigmentosa. In humans,TTC8is also implicated in Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS). To investigate if the affected dogs only exhibit a non-syndromic PRA or develop a syndromic ciliopathy similar to human BBS, we recruited 10 affected dogs to the study. The progression of PRA for two of the dogs was followed for 2 years, and a rigorous clinical characterization allowed a careful comparison with primary and secondary characteristics of human BBS. In addition to PRA, the dogs showed a spectrum of clinical and morphological signs similar to primary and secondary characteristics of human BBS patients, such as obesity, renal anomalies, sperm defects, and anosmia. We used Oxford Nanopore long-read cDNA sequencing to characterize retinal full-lengthTTC8transcripts in affected and non-affected dogs, the results of which suggest that three isoforms are transcribed in the retina, and the 1 bp deletion is a loss-of-function mutation, resulting in a canine form of Bardet-Biedl syndrome with heterogeneous clinical signs.
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| 5. |
- Adman, Per, et al.
(author)
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171 forskare: ”Vi vuxna bör också klimatprotestera”
- 2019
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In: Dagens nyheter (DN debatt). - Stockholm. - 1101-2447.
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Journal article (pop. science, debate, etc.)abstract
- DN DEBATT 26/9. Vuxna bör följa uppmaningen från ungdomarna i Fridays for future-rörelsen och protestera eftersom det politiska ledarskapet är otillräckligt. Omfattande och långvariga påtryckningar från hela samhället behövs för att få de politiskt ansvariga att utöva det ledarskap som klimatkrisen kräver, skriver 171 forskare i samhällsvetenskap och humaniora.
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| 6. |
- Alden-Joyce, Tara, et al.
(author)
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Tanzanian Nursing Students' Experiences of Student Exchange in Sweden : A Qualitative Case Study
- 2023
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In: Sage Open Nursing. - : Sage Publications. - 2377-9608. ; 9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- IntroductionNeeds within healthcare are changing and nurses require new skills and knowledge in global nursing. Student exchange programs in global contexts provide an opportunity to develop the necessary skills. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to describe Tanzanian nursing students' experiences of student exchange in Sweden. MethodsA qualitative design was used for this empirical study. Semistructured interviews were conducted with six Tanzanian nursing students who had participated in student exchange in Sweden. The participants were recruited by purposeful sampling. Inductive reasoning and qualitative content analysis were applied. ResultsFour main themes were formed; new roles, experience a new culture, establish new competencies, and global work ambitions. The findings revealed that the students experienced new approaches in Sweden, giving them new competencies and understanding. Furthermore, they increased their global perspectives on nursing and interest in working with global health issues, but they also experienced challenges in the new environment. ConclusionThe present study showed that Tanzanian nursing students benefitted from their student exchange, both personally, as well as for their future careers as nurses. More research is needed in examining nursing students from low-income countries participating in student exchange in high-income countries.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Andersson, Elina, et al.
(author)
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'Because of poverty, we had to come together': collective action for improved food security in rural Kenya and Uganda
- 2012
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In: International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1473-5903 .- 1747-762X. ; 10:3, s. 245-262
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Agricultural productivity in East African smallholder systems is notoriously low and food production faces multiple challenges, including soil degradation, decreasing land availability, poor market integration, disease burdens and climate change impacts. However, recent evidence from an in-depth study from two sites in Kenya and Uganda shows signs of new social dynamics as a response to these multiple stressors. This paper focuses on the emergence of local social institutions for collective action, in which particularly women farmers organize themselves. Although previous research on collective action has largely focused on common-pool resource management, we argue that collective action is one potential pathway to livelihood and sustainability improvements also in a setting of private land ownership. Trust building, awareness raising and actions to improve livelihood security through risk sharing and pooling of labour and other limited assets have given people more time and resources available for diversification, preventative activities, experimentation and resource conservation. It thereby strengthens farmers' capacity to cope with and adapt to change, as well as contributes to the agency at the local level.
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| 10. |
- Andersson, Elina
(author)
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Fertile grounds? : Collective strategies and the political ecology of soil management in Uganda
- 2014
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Proceeding from land degradation and soil fertility decline in sub-Saharan African smallholder agriculture and drawing on empirical research with smallholder farmers in Tororo district in south-eastern Uganda (2010-2012), this thesis identifies local collective strategies in response to changing livelihood conditions. In an attempt to co-produce knowledge with a transformative potential, the thesis also illustrates how action research can be employed to envision, implement and evaluate a locally anchored practice to improve soil fertility, namely the use of human urine as a crop fertilizer. The research shows that effective responses to land degradation must acknowledge the multiple stressors of smallholder farming and thus go beyond current technocratic and managerial approaches. To do this, soil fertility decline is best understood as a socially, politically and agro-ecologically integrated issue. Collective action mediated by farmer groups, in which women in particular engage, can be a significant response to everyday constraints and vulnerabilities, not only for overcoming barriers that may obstruct individual coping strategies but also for enhancing farmers’ capacities to manage land sustainably. However, findings also indicate that collective action is no universal remedy; the ability to participate in and benefit from collective action is socially differentiated and numerous structural barriers limit the type of change that can be achieved through local self-organisation. In support of sustainability science and sustainability alike, the thesis makes three contributions to ways of ‘thinking and doing’ political ecology: by engaging critically with narratives on land degradation; by advancing understandings of the merits and limits of collective action in the context of rural livelihoods; and by providing insights on solutions-oriented research.
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| 11. |
- Andersson, Elina, et al.
(author)
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Gambling in the garden: Pesticide use and risk exposure in Ugandan smallholder farming
- 2021
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In: Journal of Rural Studies. - : Elsevier BV. - 0743-0167. ; 82, s. 76-86
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The use and promotion of pesticides is on the increase in many sub-Saharan African countries, including in the smallholder sector. This paper stems from placed-based research in Uganda and aims at advancing current knowledge on smallholder farmers' motivations for pesticide use, the extent and character of such use, as well as on lived experiences regarding the impacts of pesticides. Data was generated through a household survey, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with farmers, complemented by field observations and interviews with local agricultural actors. Conceptually, we draw on political ecology to link local practice to broader conditions and processes and their social-environmental outcomes. Our findings demonstrate that a large majority of farmers have resorted to pesticides as their primary strategy for pest control. Current practices entail substantial human health and environmental risks which tend to be socially differentiated, including along gender lines. Many farmers are concerned about the impacts and uncertainties surrounding pesticides, but face numerous barriers to behavioral change. While intensifying pest pressure is one such immediate barrier, our findings also suggest that deep structural forces shape farmers' adoption of pesticides and prevent adequate protective measures. Rapid market liberalization combined with poor regulation enforcement have resulted in widespread promotion of agro-chemicals and a large informal market for cheap, poor-quality products, including counterfeits. Low public spending on the agricultural sector, a malfunctioning extension system and systematic lack of development and promotion of strategies not centered on synthetic pesticides furthermore severely constrain farmers’ access to support on, and indeed options for, pest control. This lacking capacity and effort to adequately protect smallholders from pesticide exposure and ensure their ability to make informed decisions on pest management clearly places the burden of risk disproportionately on an already vulnerable group.
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| 12. |
- Andersson, Elina, et al.
(author)
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Making Research Matter More—Working with Action Research and Film in Sustainability Science
- 2017
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In: Challenges in Sustainability. - : Librello. - 2297-6477. ; 5:1, s. 24-25
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Advocacy for both critical analysis of social and environmental change and a more solutions-oriented agenda has been a central mission of sustainability science since its inception [1]. To this end, integration of knowledge across disciplinary divides and inclusion of non-academic actors into the research process have been widely promoted (e.g. [2–4]). Aspirations to link knowledge to action do not only bear on processes of knowledge generation, but also on strategies for research outreach.
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| 13. |
- Andersson, Elina, et al.
(author)
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The first RT-qPCR confirmed case of tick-borne encephalitis in a dog in Scandinavia
- 2020
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In: Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0044-605X .- 1751-0147. ; 62
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a zoonotic neurological disease caused by tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), a flavivirus endemic in parts of Europe and Asia. Seroconversion without signs of clinical disease is common in dogs and most of the cases previously described have been tentatively diagnosed by combining neurologic signs with serum antibody titres. Here, the first Scandinavian RT-qPCR-confirmed clinical case of TBE in a dog is reported. Case presentation A 4-year old castrated male Pointer Labrador cross was presented with acute-onset ataxia. During hospitalisation, the dog developed seizures. Despite aggressive treatment with steroids, antimicrobials and sedation/anaesthesia, there was continued deterioration during the following 24 h after admission and the dog was euthanised and submitted for necropsy. Histopathological changes in the brain were consistent with lymphoplasmacytic and histiocytic meningoencephalomyelitis. RT-qPCR examination of the brain was positive for TBEV, confirming infection. Conclusions Meningoencephalomyelitis caused by TBEV should be a diagnostic consideration in dogs presenting with clinical signs of central nervous system disease such as acute-onset ataxia and seizures in areas where TBEV-positive ticks are endemic. Clinical TBE may be underdiagnosed in dogs due to lack of specific testing.
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| 14. |
- Andersson, Elina, et al.
(author)
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The Political Ecology of Land Degradation
- 2011
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In: Annual Review of Environment and Resources. - : Annual Reviews. - 1545-2050 .- 1543-5938. ; 36, s. 295-319
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Land degradation, as a threat to smallholders in the tropics, attracts less attention than other global challenges. In addition, gaps between scientific understandings of land degradation and international policy regimes are problematic. We identify the three most significant debates including their different policy implications: desertification in the Sahel, nutrient depletion in Africa, and rural reforms in China. Using a political ecology frame across disciplines, scales of inquiry, and regional experiences, we nuance the often polarized scientific debate while seeking to bridge the gap between science and policy. Three main findings emerge: State-led rural reforms in China represent an important approach to land degradation; a renewed focus on agriculture and sustainability in development discourses opens new ways for tackling nutrient depletion with combined sociotechnological reforms; and a policy void in Africa paves the way for market mechanisms, such as payment for environmental services, that are insufficiently understood and put fairness at risk.
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| 15. |
- Andersson, Elina
(author)
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Turning waste into value: using human urine to enrich soils for sustainable food production in Uganda
- 2014
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In: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : Elsevier BV. - 0959-6526. ; 96, s. 290-298
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This article builds on an action research process involving Ugandan smallholder farmers in collaborative experimentation on the use of human urine as a crop fertilizer. The aim is to explore farmers' perceptions and evaluation of the practice as a potential and partial solution to soil productivity problems. Findings show that urine fertilization is valued as a low-cost and low-risk practice contributing to significant yield increases, suggesting important contributions to food security and income, especially for those who have few options in soil nutrient management. Weaknesses identified by farmers relate mainly to limitations in collection and storage capacity rather than to inherent traits of the practice. In conclusion, urine fertilization should be acknowledged as a valuable strategy for supporting sustainable agricultural intensification. Furthermore, the importance of social norms and cultural perceptions should be recognized but not treated as absolute barriers to diffusion of the practice. Collective action, where groups of farmers jointly develop new procedures and adapt practices, serves as an important arena for social change and negotiation of norms and taboos, which can otherwise limit the acceptance and diffusion of alternative soil management practices. The research finally illustrates that transdisciplinary research can guide pathways towards sustainability through locally anchored and solutions-oriented knowledge generation.
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| 16. |
- Andersson, Håkan S., et al.
(author)
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The alpha-defensin salt-bridge induces backbone stability to facilitate folding and confer proteolytic resistance
- 2012
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In: Amino Acids. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0939-4451 .- 1438-2199. ; 43:4, s. 1471-1483
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Salt-bridge interactions between acidic and basic amino acids contribute to the structural stability of proteins and to protein-protein interactions. A conserved salt-bridge is a canonical feature of the alpha-defensin antimicrobial peptide family, but the role of this common structural element has not been fully elucidated. We have investigated mouse Paneth cell alpha-defensin cryptdin-4 (Crp4) and peptide variants with mutations at Arg(7) or Glu(15) residue positions to disrupt the salt-bridge and assess the consequences on Crp4 structure, function, and stability. NMR analyses showed that both (R7G)-Crp4 and (E15G)-Crp4 adopt native-like structures, evidence of fold plasticity that allows peptides to reshuffle side chains and stabilize the structure in the absence of the salt-bridge. In contrast, introduction of a large hydrophobic side chain at position 15, as in (E15L)-Crp4 cannot be accommodated in the context of the Crp4 primary structure. Regardless of which side of the salt-bridge was mutated, salt-bridge variants retained bactericidal peptide activity with differential microbicidal effects against certain bacterial cell targets, confirming that the salt-bridge does not determine bactericidal activity per se. The increased structural flexibility induced by salt-bridge disruption enhanced peptide sensitivity to proteolysis. Although sensitivity to proteolysis by MMP7 was unaffected by most Arg(7) and Glu(15) substitutions, every salt-bridge variant was degraded extensively by trypsin. Moreover, the salt-bridge facilitates adoption of the characteristic alpha-defensin fold as shown by the impaired in vitro refolding of (E15D)-proCrp4, the most conservative salt-bridge disrupting replacement. In Crp4, therefore, the canonical alpha-defensin salt-bridge facilitates adoption of the characteristic alpha-defensin fold, which decreases structural flexibility and confers resistance to degradation by proteinases.
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| 17. |
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| 18. |
- Andersson, Maria, et al.
(author)
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Transport av dräktiga djur, transport av unga djur och åldersbestämning av foster
- 2023
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- De flesta lantbruksdjur transporteras endast enstaka gånger i livet och har därför sällan möjlighet att vänja sig vid transporter på ett sätt som skulle förebygga stress och bidra till en god transportupplevelse. Att skapa förutsättningar som minimerar påverkan på djuren och underlättar drivning av djuren är därför av stor vikt. Livdjurstransport eller transport till slakt kan vara en mycket stressfylld situation för djur. EFSA har under 2022 publicerat tre olika utlåtanden om transport av nötkreatur, små idisslare och gris. EFSA har i sina utlåtanden identifierat följande relevanta välfärdsrisker: social stress i samband med omgruppering, stress då djuren hanteras av ovarsamma människor eller av människor som de inte är vana vid, stress på grund av värme eller kyla, skador, rörelsestress (orsakat av fordonets rörelser), predationsstress (specifikt hos får som drivs med hund), hunger, törst, respiratoriska problem (specifikt hos nötkreatur), begränsade rörelsemöjligheter, svårigheter att vila och sensorisk överstimulering. Sammantaget kan dessa välfärdsrisker leda till ackumulerad och hög stress, rädsla, smärta, obehag och utmattning hos djuren.Nötkreatur, grisar och får är sociala djur som lätt stressas om de separeras från sin grupp. Att ta hänsyn till deras naturliga flockbeteende genom att t.ex. inte driva djur enskilt utan i grupp (undantag för vuxna handjur som ofta behöver hanteras enskilt) är därför viktigt både före, under och efter transport. Omgrupperingar och social stress riskerar att leda till aggressioner och oönskade beteenden då djuren kan komma att skada sig själva eller varandra.Djurs tidigare erfarenheter av att bli hanterade av människor påverkar deras upplevelse och stressnivå vid hantering i samband med transport. En mer vänlig hantering av djuren tidigt i livet kan underlätta hanteringen i samband med transport. Djurens rädsla utgör en välfärdsrisk, både för djuren själva och för den transportör som ska hantera dem. Utlastningsutrymmen och drivvägar behöver vara väl designade för att få ett bra flöde när djuren lastas respektive lastas av och den som hanterar djuren behöver ha god kunskap om djurens naturliga beteenden.Hunger och törst kan uppstå hos djur under tiden från lastning till transport och urlastning. Risken för att djuren ska uppleva hunger och törst ökar med längre transporttider. Unga djur har ett naturligt tätare födointag vilket man kan behöva ta hänsyn till vid transport genom att erbjuda djuren möjlighet att äta och dricka oftare än äldre djur. I nuläget finns det inga optimala lösningar på hur man ska kunna tillgodose behovet av vatten eller annan utfodring på transport då intaget även påverkas av stress och sociala faktorer utöver vana vid utrustningen.Djurtätheten på transportfordonet är en viktig faktor som påverkar djurens möjligheter att hålla balansen och att kunna ligga ned och vila, men även risken för skador och död. Behovet av att kunna ligga ned under transport ökar med transportens längd och huruvida djuren ligger ned är kopplat till vilket utrymme som ges, där större utrymme leder till att fler djur ligger ned.Sen dräktighet räknas som ett tillstånd då det inte är lämpligt att transportera ett djur eftersom transport under denna period kan leda till negativa konsekvenser för djurets välfärd och risker för avkomman. Dräktighet innebär ökad sårbarhet både fysiskt och fysiologiskt. För dräktiga djur innebär därför den stress som förflyttning, lastning, ny miljö, okända människor, rörlig och ostabil transport, transportfordonets förutsättningar, samt avsaknad av foder och vatten under längre perioder, en större påfrestning med en ökad risk för negativa konsekvenser, än för icke-dräktiga djur. Dräktiga djur har en ökad metabolism och värmeproduktion, framförallt under sen dräktighet, vilket gör dräktiga djur mer känsliga för värmestress än icke-dräktiga djur. Vidare blir fysisk ansträngning jobbigare för det dräktiga djuret beroende både på den ökade tyngden och dess påverkan på rörelseapparaten. Även cirkulationssystemet blir mer ansträngt med en förhöjd hjärtfrekvens som följd. Vid värmestress ökar dessutom andningsfrekvensen påtagligt.Kortisol har en viktig roll i slutet av dräktigheten och för att initiera förlossning. I slutet av dräktigheten stiger kortisolnivåerna i moderdjurets blod till följd av att fostrets kortisolproduktion ökar. Förhöjda kortisolnivåer till följd av stress och fysisk ansträngning i samband med lastning, hantering, omgruppering, transport och nya miljöer kan orsaka abort eller för tidig igångsättning av förlossningen. Flera studier visar att det även finns risker under andra delar av dräktigheten. Transport ökar till exempel risken för embryonala förluster under tidig dräktighet hos gris, framför allt under vecka två till fyra, vilket är en kortisolkänslig period. För nötkreatur finns det risk för embryonala förluster vid transporter under dräktighetens första två månader och studier på får har visat på negativa effekter på lamm och ökad risk för fosterdöd vid förhöjda kortisolnivåer hos tackan. Det finns även en risk för epigenetiska effekter hos fostren vid stress hos moderdjuret, vilka kan komma att påverka avkomman senare i livet.När hondjuren ökar i vikt genom fostertillväxt och ökad volym av fostervätskor, påverkas deras rörlighet och förmåga att hålla balansen vilket kan göra att både lastning och transport försvåras samt innebära en ökad risk för halkskador och fläkningsskador. Eventuella led- och klövproblem kan dessutom förvärras eller försvåra rörelsemöjligheterna, även om uppenbar hälta inte alltid kan ses. Den ökade storleken gör att dräktiga djur kräver större plats under transporten, både för att djuren i sig är större, men också för att de ska kunna parera rörelser och hålla balansen. Dräktiga grisar minskar sin aktivitetsnivå och har större behov av att ligga ned och vila vilket behöver tillgodoses under transport.I slutet av dräktigheten, oklart exakt när, sker en uppmjukning av vävnaderna i bäckenregionen vilket är mer påtagligt för nötkreatur än för små idisslare och suggor. Uppmjukningen kvarstår även en tid efter förlossningen. Uppmjukningen ger försämrad stabilitet vid rörelse, vilket innebär risker vid både lastning och transport. Det är därför viktigt att man tar hänsyn till detta och har god tidsmarginal vid transport av dräktiga eller nyförlösta djur, så att djuren inte riskerar att transporteras under den tid som bäckenet är instabilt.Den vetenskapliga evidensen för EU:s regel om 90 % av den förväntade dräktighetstiden som gräns för transport av dräktiga djur förefaller oklar. Rådet ställer sig bakom konklusionen i EFSA:s utlåtande om transport av nötkreatur, små idisslare och gris, om att vetenskapliga belägg för den exakta nu gällande gränsdragningen saknas, samtidigt som det är tydligt att långt gången dräktighet är en riskfaktor för negativ djurvälfärd under transport. I de aktuella utlåtandena finns dock flera studier citerade som visar på sårbarhet för de dräktiga djuren och deras foster under en period som i många fall är längre än de sista 10 % av dräktighetstiden samt att det finns en ökad sårbarhet även under andra delar av dräktigheten och att både moderdjur och foster kan påverkas negativt av att transporteras.Det finns risk för att den stress som en transport innebär kan leda till att det sent dräktiga djuret aborterar eller att förlossningen sätts igång under eller strax efter transport. Då det således föreligger risker för foster och moderdjur vid transport av dräktiga djur under stora delar av dräktighetsperioden anser Rådet att transport av dräktiga djur (nötkreatur, får och gris) om möjligt bör undvikas.Vid transport av unga kalvar, smågrisar och lamm måste hänsyn tas till flera faktorer, såsom ålder, immunförsvarets utveckling, djurens allmänna hälsostatus, huruvida djuren är avvanda eller inte, social stress, etc. Unga djur är generellt känsligare än vuxna djur, och påverkas än mer av att utsättas för hunger och törst, kalla och varma transporter, och begränsade möjligheter att vila under transport. Under perioden då det passiva immunförsvaret går ned samtidigt som det aktiva immunförsvaret är under uppbyggnad är djuren extra känsliga för infektioner.Hur väl ett ungt djur klarar en transport beror bl.a. på längden på transporten (ju längre transport desto större risk för djurens välfärd), samt djurets ålder och vikt. Tiden mellan två och fyra veckor är en känslig ålder för transport av kalvar. Enligt EFSA bör inte kalvar transporteras tidigare än vid fem veckors ålder och de bör väga minst 50 kg. För lamm rekommenderas att djuren transporteras först efter avvänjning. Vidare behöver hänsyn tas till djurens behov av foder och vatten, så att deras närings- samt vätskebehov tillgodoses. Hänsyn behöver även tas till på vilket sätt de är vana vid att inta foder och vatten, och om djuret hålls på liknande sätt i transporten som de är vana vid, exempelvis i samma grupp eller tillsammans med sin mamma. Det kan vara klokt att utfodra djuren innan transport för att minska risken för hunger under transporten. Vid mjölkgiva till kalv behöver tid ges för digestion innan transport för att minska risken för diarré.Icke avvanda djur upplever en större stress runt transport än avvanda djur (vid transport utan moderdjur) och det är därför bättre att företrädesvis transportera djuren efter avvänjning. Unga djur är heller inte motoriskt färdigutvecklade, vilket kan påverka deras balans under transport samt vid på- och avlastning. Yngre djur ligger ned oc
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| 19. |
- Andersson Norlén, Elina, et al.
(author)
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Blood cultures with one venipuncture instead of two : a prospective clinical comparative single-center study including patients in the ICU, haematology, and infectious diseases departments
- 2023
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In: Infectious Diseases. - : Taylor & Francis. - 2374-4235 .- 2374-4243. ; 55:9, s. 591-598
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: Blood culture is a key method for diagnosing bloodstream infections. In this prospective study, we aimed to investigate whether blood cultures collected with the one-puncture method results in fewer contaminants, i.e. microorganisms from the skin or the environment, and the same detection of relevant pathogens compared to the two-puncture method. Further, we aimed to investigate if the time to blood culture positivity could be useful in evaluating contaminants.Methods: Patients planned for blood cultures were asked to participate in the study. From each recruited patient, six blood culture bottles were drawn, bottles 1–4 from the first venipuncture and bottles 5–6 from the second venipuncture. Within each patient, bottles 1–4 were compared to bottles 1, 2, 5, and 6 for contaminants and relevant pathogens. A sub-analysis was conducted on patients admitted to the ICU and those in the haematology department. We also assessed time-to-positivity for coagulase-negative staphylococci.Results: In the final analysis, 337 episodes from 312 patients were included. Relevant pathogens were identified in 62/337 (18.4%) episodes in both methods. Contaminants were detected in 12 (3.6%) and 19 episodes (5.6%) using the one-puncture and two-puncture method (p =.039), respectively. Corresponding results were observed in the sub-analysis. Notably, relevant coagulase-negative staphylococci demonstrated a shorter time-to-positivity compared to contaminant coagulase-negative staphylococci.Conclusion: Blood cultures obtained using the one-puncture method resulted in significantly fewer contaminants and detected relevant pathogens equally to the two-puncture method. Time-to-positivity may be a useful additive indicator for predicting coagulase-negative staphylococci contamination in blood cultures.
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| 20. |
- Andersson, Ulrika, 1977, et al.
(author)
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Sprickor i fasaden (inledningskapitel)
- 2018
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In: Sprickor i fasaden. - Göteborg : Göteborgs iniversitet. - 0284-4788. ; , s. 11-40
-
Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Det råder på sina håll en oro och ett mörker i debatten och föreställningarna om samhällets tillstånd. Bilder målas av en värld av kollapsande system och spruckna fasader, där de folkvalda fattar beslut som utarmar människors trygghet och livsvillkor. Det talas om det förljugna etablissemanget, om politisk korrekthet som ödelägger och förstör. Andra ser hur antidemokratiska krafter, likt början av förra seklet, växer sig större och tar allt mer plats på gator och torg. Somliga beskriver en demokrati i kris, om obönhörligt växande sprickbildningar i samhällsbygget. Och i spåren av dessa skeenden berättas hur otrygghetens och rädslans landskap breder ut sig. Världen som vi en gång kände den tycks långsamt glida ur våra händer. Den välputsade fasaden spricker. Samtidigt finns indikationer på att beskrivningen av samhällets förestående krackelering har chimäriska drag, en illusion framvuxen i en tid då det som tidigare varit etablerade normer och ideal på olika sätt utmanas och ifrågasätts. Kanhända är det så att samhällets palett skiftar i långt fler nyanser än mörkaste grått? Kanhända spirar det mitt ibland oss en värld fylld av möjligheter och förutsättningar för människor att leva, bo och utvecklas – tillsammans och sida vid sida? För i konstrast till bilden av samhällets rämnande grundvalar, kan skymtas skriftningar i den gemensamma värdegrunden i riktning mot ökad tolerans, öppenhet och jämlikhet. Kanske är dessa skiftningar tecken på att det förekommer en hel del sprickor också i föreställningen om den spruckna fasaden? Sprickor i fasaden är den sjuttioandra forskarantologin från SOM-institutet vid Göteborgs universitet. Titeln refererar till den sprickbildning i samhällsbygget som på olika håll har lyfts fram i den allmänna debatten. En del av de frågor som analyseras i boken påvisar också tydliga sprickor och polariseringstendenser – inte sällan i frågor som sträcker sig bortom den klassiska vänsterhögerdimensionen. Det är inte längre bara frågor som rör skatter, välfärdsstatens finansiering eller förhållandet mellan offentligt och privat som står för den största sprickbildningen. I många fall handlar det också om sociala och kulturella frågor som skapar skiljelinjer i befolkningen.
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| 21. |
- Baiocchi, B., et al.
(author)
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Transport analysis and modelling of the evolution of hollow density profiles plasmas in JET and implication for ITER
- 2015
-
In: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP PUBLISHING LTD. - 0029-5515 .- 1741-4326. ; 55:12
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The density evolution during the transient phase just after the L-H transition is investigated using theoretical transport models. Cases characterized by core densities which evolve in longer timescales than the edge densities, leading to hollow density profiles (R/L-n = -R del n/n < 0) are modelled. This density evolution is particularly interesting because it has been shown to be beneficial in the view of the access to burning plasma conditions in ITER (Loarte et al 2013 Nucl. Fusion 53 083031). Self-consistent simulations of the JET discharge 79676 of the density-only, and of the density and the temperatures are carried out using a quasilinear gyrokinetic code, QuaLiKiz (Bourdelle et al 2007 Phys. Plasmas 14 112501), coupled with a transport code CRONOS (Artaud et al 2010 Nucl. Fusion 50 043001). The slow evolution of the hollow density, associated with the self-consistently calculated hollow NBI particle deposition, is well reproduced in the plasma core. Indeed, QuaLiKiz is shown to reproduce nonlinear gyrokinetic heat and particle fluxes well for both positive and negative R/L-n. That gives a theoretical and general basis for the persistence of the hollowness, laying the groundwork for the extrapolation to ITER.
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| 22. |
- Baiocchi, B., et al.
(author)
-
Turbulent transport analysis of JET H-mode and hybrid plasmas using QuaLiKiz and Trapped Gyro Landau Fluid
- 2015
-
In: Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 0741-3335 .- 1361-6587. ; 57:3
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The physical transport processes at the basis of JET typical inductive H-mode scenarios and advanced hybrid regimes, with improved thermal confinement, are analyzed by means of some of the newest and more sophisticated quasi-linear transport models: trapped gyro Landau fluid (TGLF) and QuaLiKiz. The temporal evolution of JET pulses is modelled by CRONOS where the turbulent transport is modelled by either QuaLiKiz or TGLF. Both are first principle models with a more comprehensive physics than the models previously developed and therefore allow the analysis of the physics at the basis of the investigated scenarios. For H-modes, ion temperature gradient (ITG) modes are found to be dominant and the transport models are able to properly reproduce temperature profiles in self-consistent simulations. However, for hybrid regimes, in addition to ITG trapped electron modes (TEM) are also found to be important and different physical mechanisms for turbulence reduction play a decisive role. Whereas E x B flow shear and plasma geometry have a limited impact on turbulence, the presence of a large population of fast ions, quite important in low density regimes, can stabilize core turbulence mainly when the electromagnetic effects are taken into account. The TGLF transport model properly captures these mechanisms and correctly reproduces temperatures.
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| 23. |
-
Barnlitteraturanalyser
- 2008
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Editorial collection (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Barnlitteratur handlar om barn, men speglar på olika sätt vuxnas bild av vad barndomen innebär. Böckerna blir en arena där begrepp som barn och barndom definieras, omförhandlas och ifrågasätts.I denna antologi lyfter några av de ledande forskarna inom fältet fram den mångfald av barn och barndomar som gestaltas i barnlitteraturen, men problematiserar också hur barn skildras. De olika artiklarna diskuterar barnböcker ur bland annat klass-, etnicitets- och genusperspektiv. I antologin behandlas barnlitteraturklassiker som Elsa Beskows bilderböcker sida vid sida med de moderna berättelserna om Alfons, Sparvel och Gittan. Huvudfokus ligger på det sena 1900-talets barnlitteratur, men några av bidragen gör också kopplingar såväl bakåt i tiden som utanför Sveriges gränser.
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| 24. |
- Baron-Wiechec, A., et al.
(author)
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First dust study in JET with the ITER-like wall : sampling, analysis and classification
- 2015
-
In: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP Publishing. - 0029-5515 .- 1741-4326. ; 55:11
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Results of the first dust survey in JET with the ITER-Like Wall (JET-ILW) are presented. The sampling was performed using adhesive stickers from the divertor tiles where the greatest material deposition was detected after the first JET-ILW campaign in 2011-2012. The emphasis was especially on sampling and analysis of metal particles (Be and W) with the aim to determine the composition, size, surface topography and internal dust structure using a large set of methods: high-resolution scanning and transmission electron microscopy, focused ion beam, electron diffraction and also wavelength and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The most important was the identification of beryllium dust both in the form of flakes and droplets with dimensions in the micrometer range. Tungsten, molybdenum, inconel constituents were identified along with many impurity species. The particles are categorised and the origin of the various constituents discussed.
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| 25. |
- Barrio, Isabel C., et al.
(author)
-
Background invertebrate herbivory on dwarf birch (Betula glandulosa-nana complex) increases with temperature and precipitation across the tundra biome
- 2017
-
In: Polar Biology. - : Springer. - 0722-4060 .- 1432-2056. ; 40:11, s. 2265-2278
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Chronic, low intensity herbivory by invertebrates, termed background herbivory, has been understudied in tundra, yet its impacts are likely to increase in a warmer Arctic. The magnitude of these changes is however hard to predict as we know little about the drivers of current levels of invertebrate herbivory in tundra. We assessed the intensity of invertebrate herbivory on a common tundra plant, the dwarf birch (Betula glandulosa-nana complex), and investigated its relationship to latitude and climate across the tundra biome. Leaf damage by defoliating, mining and gall-forming invertebrates was measured in samples collected from 192 sites at 56 locations. Our results indicate that invertebrate herbivory is nearly ubiquitous across the tundra biome but occurs at low intensity. On average, invertebrates damaged 11.2% of the leaves and removed 1.4% of total leaf area. The damage was mainly caused by external leaf feeders, and most damaged leaves were only slightly affected (12% leaf area lost). Foliar damage was consistently positively correlated with mid-summer (July) temperature and, to a lesser extent, precipitation in the year of data collection, irrespective of latitude. Our models predict that, on average, foliar losses to invertebrates on dwarf birch are likely to increase by 6-7% over the current levels with a 1 degrees C increase in summer temperatures. Our results show that invertebrate herbivory on dwarf birch is small in magnitude but given its prevalence and dependence on climatic variables, background invertebrate herbivory should be included in predictions of climate change impacts on tundra ecosystems.
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| 26. |
- Barrio, Isabel C., et al.
(author)
-
Publisher Correction to : Background invertebrate herbivory on dwarf birch (Betula glandulosa-nana complex) increases with temperature and precipitation across the tundra biome (vol 40, pg 2265, 2017)
- 2018
-
In: Polar Biology. - : Springer. - 0722-4060 .- 1432-2056. ; 41:8, s. 1653-1654
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The above mentioned article was originally scheduled for publication in the special issue on Ecology of Tundra Arthropods with guest editors Toke T. Hoye . Lauren E. Culler. Erroneously, the article was published in Polar Biology, Volume 40, Issue 11, November, 2017. The publisher sincerely apologizes to the guest editors and the authors for the inconvenience caused.
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| 27. |
- Bettini, Giovanni, et al.
(author)
-
Sand Waves and Human Tides: Exploring Environmental Myths on Desertification and Climate-Induced Migration
- 2014
-
In: The Journal of Environment & Development. - : SAGE Publications. - 1552-5465 .- 1070-4965. ; 23:1, s. 160-185
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In spite of the growing attention to climate-induced migration, a coherent understanding of the matter is lackingas any articulated governance strategy. Although such an impasse relates to the unprecedented socioecological processes involved, we argue that many of the challenges posed by climate-induced migration are not unique in the history of global environmental governance. Proceeding from this, we compare climate migration with the issue of desertification. Drawing upon the concept of environmental myth developed in Political Ecology, we identify common themes such as scientism, vagueness, and ambiguities in the definitions, and a tendency to envision one-fits-all solutions that overlook the multiscalar phenomena involved. We discuss how these traits have contributed to the failure of the desertification regime. Consequently, we propose that climate migration debates should move beyond such deficiencies, to avoid the consolidation of policy responses reproducing the same problems that have characterized the regime on desertification.
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| 28. |
- Björk, Albin, et al.
(author)
-
Protein and DNA methylation-based scores as surrogate markers for interferon system activation in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome
- 2020
-
In: RMD Open. - : BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP. - 2056-5933. ; 6:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Standard assessment of interferon (IFN) system activity in systemic rheumatic diseases depends on the availability of RNA samples. In this study, we describe and evaluate alternative methods using plasma, serum and DNA samples, exemplified in the IFN-driven disease primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS).Methods: Patients with pSS seropositive or negative for anti-SSA/SSB and controls were included. Protein-based IFN (pIFN) scores were calculated from levels of PD-1, CXCL9 and CXCL10. DNA methylation-based (DNAm) IFN scores were calculated from DNAm levels at RSAD2, IFIT1 and IFI44L. Scores were compared with mRNA-based IFN scores measured by quantitative PCR (qPCR), Nanostring or RNA sequencing (RNAseq).Results: mRNA-based IFN scores displayed strong correlations between B cells and monocytes (r=0.93 and 0.95, p<0.0001) and between qPCR and Nanostring measurements (r=0.92 and 0.92, p<0.0001). The pIFN score in plasma and serum was higher in patients compared with controls (p<0.0001) and correlated well with mRNA-based IFN scores (r=0.62-0.79, p<0.0001), as well as with each other (r=0.94, p<0.0001). Concordance of classification as 'high' or 'low' IFN signature between the pIFN score and mRNA-based IFN scores ranged from 79.5% to 88.6%, and the pIFN score was effective at classifying patients and controls (area under the curve, AUC=0.89-0.93, p<0.0001). The DNAm IFN score showed strong correlation to the RNAseq IFN score (r=0.84, p<0.0001) and performed well in classifying patients and controls (AUC=0.96, p<0.0001).Conclusions: We describe novel methods of assessing IFN system activity in plasma, serum or DNA samples, which may prove particularly valuable in studies where RNA samples are not available.
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| 29. |
- Bonanomi, N., et al.
(author)
-
Trapped electron mode driven electron heat transport in JET : experimental investigation and gyro-kinetic theory validation
- 2015
-
In: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP PUBLISHING LTD. - 0029-5515 .- 1741-4326. ; 55:11
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The main purpose of this work is to study the dependence of trapped electron modes (TEM) threshold and of electron stiffness on the most relevant plasma parameters. Dedicated transport experiments based on heat flux scans and T-e modulation have been performed in JET in TEM dominated plasmas with pure ICRH electron heating and a numerical study using gyrokinetic simulations has been performed with the code GKW. Using multilinear regressions on the experimental data, the stabilizing effect of magnetic shear predicted by theory for our plasma parameters is confirmed while no significant effect of safety factor was found. Good quantitative agreement is found between the TEM thresholds found in the experiments and calculated with linear GKW simulations. Non-linear simulations have given further confirmation of the threshold values and allowed comparison with the values of stiffness found experimentally. Perturbative studies using RF power modulation indicate the existence of an inward convective term for the electron heat flux. Adding NBI power, ion temperature gradient (ITG) modes become dominant and a reduction of vertical bar del T-e vertical bar/T-e with respect to pure ICRH, TEM dominant discharges has been experimentally observed, in spite of increased total electron power. Possible explanations are discussed.
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| 30. |
- Buitrago, Elina, et al.
(author)
-
High Throughput Screening of a Catalyst Library for the Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of Heteroaromatic Ketones : Formal Syntheses of (R)-Fluoxetine and (S)-Duloxetine
- 2012
-
In: ChemCatChem. - : Wiley. - 1867-3880 .- 1867-3899. ; 4:12, s. 2082-2089
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A total of 21 amino acid based ligands including hydroxy amide, thioamide, and hydroxamic acid functionalities, respectively, were combined with [Ru(p-cymene)Cl2]2 and [RhCp*Cl2]2, and used as catalysts for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of four different heteroaromatic ketones in 2-propanol. The reactions were performed on a Chemspeed automated high-throughput screening robotic platform. Optimal catalysts were identified for the individual heterocyclic substrate classes. Based on these results, the formal syntheses of the antidepressant drugs (R)-fluoxetine and (S)-duloxetine were conducted by using the found catalysts in the key reaction step, which results in high isolated yields (94?%) and excellent product enantioselectivities (>99?% ee) of the formed 1,3-amino alcohols.
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| 31. |
- Buitrago, Elina, et al.
(author)
-
Selective reduction of heteroaromatic ketones: A combinatorial approach
- 2011
-
Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The enantioselective reduction of prochiral ketones is a most productiveway towards enantio enriched secondary alcohols used in the preparation of biologically active compounds. There are numerous transition metal catalyzed methods for this transformation, particularly based on Ru(II)-and Rh(I)-complexes, but there is a demand for a larger substrate scope. Heteroaromatic ketones are traditionally more challenging substrates. Normally a catalyst is developed for one benchmark substrate, and asubstrate screen is made with the best performing catalyst. Using this methodology, there is a high probability that for different substrates, another catalyst could outperform the one used. We have executed a multiple screen, containing a variety of different ligands together with both Ru and Rh, and heteroaromatic ketones to fine-tune, and find the optimum catalyst depending on the substrate. The acquired information was used to synthesize known, biologically active compounds, where the key reduction steps were performed with high enantioselectivities and yields.
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| 32. |
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| 33. |
- Carralero, D., et al.
(author)
-
Experimental Validation of a Filament Transport Model in Turbulent Magnetized Plasmas
- 2015
-
In: Physical Review Letters. - : AMER PHYSICAL SOC. - 0031-9007 .- 1079-7114. ; 115:21
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In a wide variety of natural and laboratory magnetized plasmas, filaments appear as a result of interchange instability. These convective structures substantially enhance transport in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field. According to filament models, their propagation may follow different regimes depending on the parallel closure of charge conservation. This is of paramount importance in magnetic fusion plasmas, as high collisionality in the scrape-off layer may trigger a regime transition leading to strongly enhanced perpendicular particle fluxes. This work reports for the first time on an experimental verification of this process, linking enhanced transport with a regime transition as predicted by models. Based on these results, a novel scaling for global perpendicular particle transport in reactor relevant tokamaks such as ASDEX-Upgrade and JET is found, leading to important implications for next generation fusion devices.
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| 34. |
- Carton, Wim, et al.
(author)
-
Recognizing Carbon Forestry’s Uneven Geography: A Response to Purdon and the Structure-Agency Dichotomy That Never Was
- 2018
-
In: Society and Natural Resources. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0894-1920 .- 1521-0723. ; 31:9, s. 1094-1102
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We here respond to the critique by Purdon of an article on carbon forestry that we published in this journal last year (Carton and Andersson). While we welcome critical engagements with our work, Purdon’s argument is wide of the mark and appears based largely on misconceptions regarding our theoretical entry point and empirical findings. Underlying this are fundamental disagreements about the nature of carbon forestry, structure-agency dynamics, and how to understand environmental interventions in the global South more broadly. We argue that we are unlikely to “find common ground” in our respective analyses of the Trees for Global Benefits project unless we share a common understanding of the unequal power relations and fundamental geographical unevenness within which carbon projects operate. Contrary to what Purdon argues, this position has nothing to do with ignoring local benefits, nor with denying the agency of the smallholder farmers who participate in the project. We see no contradiction between an analysis that does justice to the various structural conditions that frame carbon forest projects, and a recognition of local agency.
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| 35. |
- Carton, Wim, et al.
(author)
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Where Forest Carbon Meets Its Maker: Forestry-Based Offsetting as the Subsumption of Nature
- 2017
-
In: Society and Natural Resources. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0894-1920 .- 1521-0723. ; 30:7, s. 829-843
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The “subsumption of nature” framework focuses on productivity increases and extractive innovations in nature-based industries. In this article, we argue that it can also be employed beyond that context in order to capture the convoluted dynamics of market environmentalism. To substantiate our argument, we draw on recent fieldwork on “Trees for Global Benefits,” a forestry-based offsetting project in western Uganda. Like industrial tree plantations, this project relies on the subsumption of carbon sequestration to market imperatives in order to guarantee the quality of its carbon credits. The ecological and socioeconomic difficulties this process engenders give rise to unintended consequences and set in motion the disciplining of the carbon offset producers themselves. The application of the subsumption framework to nonindustrial sectors in this way calls attention to the interlinked socioecological dynamics involved in the subsumption of nature, and highlights potential synergies with previous work on the subsumption of labor.
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| 36. |
- Challis, C. D., et al.
(author)
-
Improved confinement in JET high beta plasmas with an ITER-like wall
- 2015
-
In: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP PUBLISHING LTD. - 0029-5515 .- 1741-4326. ; 55:5
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The replacement of the JET carbon wall (C-wall) by a Be/W ITER-like wall (ILW) has affected the plasma energy confinement. To investigate this, experiments have been performed with both the C-wall and ILW to vary the heating power over a wide range for plasmas with different shapes. It was found that the power degradation of thermal energy confinement was weak with the ILW; much weaker than the IPB98(y,2) scaling and resulting in an increase in normalized confinement from H-98 similar to 0.9 at beta(N) similar to 1.5 to H-98 similar to 1.2 - 1.3 at beta(N) similar to 2.5 - 3.0 as the power was increased (where H-98 = tau(E)/tau(IPB98(y, 2)) and beta(N) = beta B-T(T)/aI(P) in %T/mMA). This reproduces the general trend in JET of higher normalized confinement in the so-called 'hybrid' domain, where normalized beta is typically above 2.5, compared with 'baseline' ELMy H-mode plasmas with beta(N) similar to 1.5-2.0. This weak power degradation of confinement, which was also seen with the C-wall experiments at low triangularity, is due to both increased edge pedestal pressure and core pressure peaking at high power. By contrast, the high triangularity C-wall plasmas exhibited elevated H-98 over a wide power range with strong, IPB98(y,2)-like, power degradation. This strong power degradation of confinement appears to be linked to an increase in the source of neutral particles from the wall as the power increased, an effect that was not reproduced with the ILW. The reason for the loss of improved confinement domain at low power with the ILW is yet to be clarified, but contributing factors may include changes in the rate of gas injection, wall recycling, plasma composition and radiation. The results presented in this paper show that the choice of wall materials can strongly affect plasma performance, even changing confinement scalings that are relied upon for extrapolation to future devices.
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| 37. |
- Chapman, I. T., et al.
(author)
-
The merits of ion cyclotron resonance heating schemes for sawtooth control in tokamak plasmas
- 2015
-
In: Journal of Plasma Physics. - : Cambridge University Press. - 0022-3778 .- 1469-7807. ; 81:06
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- JET experiments have compared the efficacy of low-and high field side ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) as an actuator to deliberately minimise the sawtooth period. It is found that low-field side ICRH with low minority concentration is optimal for saw tooth control for two main reasons. Firstly, low-field side heating means that any toroidal phasing of the ICRH (-90 degrees, +90 degrees or dipole) has a destabilising effect on the sawteeth, meaning that dipole phasing can be employed, since tins is preferable due to less plasma wall interaction from Resonant Frequency (RI) sheaths. Secondly, the resonance position of the low field side ICRH does not have to be very accurately placed to achieve saw tooth control, relaxing the requirement for real-time control of the RF frequency. These empirical observations have been confirmed by hybrid kinetic-magnetohydrodynamic modelling, and suggest that the ICRH antenna design for ITER is well positioned to provide a control actuator capable of having a significant effect on the sawtooth behaviour.
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| 38. |
- Doring, Nora, et al.
(author)
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Primary prevention of childhood obesity through counselling sessions at Swedish child health centres : design, methods and baseline sample characteristics of the PRIMROSE cluster-randomised trial
- 2014
-
In: BMC Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2458. ; 14:335
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Childhood obesity is a growing concern in Sweden. Children with overweight and obesity run a high risk of becoming obese as adults, and are likely to develop comorbidities. Despite the immense demand, there is still a lack of evidence-based comprehensive prevention programmes targeting pre-school children and their families in primary health care settings. The aims are to describe the design and methodology of the PRIMROSE cluster-randomised controlled trial, assess the relative validity of a food frequency questionnaire, and describe the baseline characteristics of the eligible young children and their mothers. Methods/Design: The PRIMROSE trial targets first-time parents and their children at Swedish child health centres (CHC) in eight counties in Sweden. Randomisation is conducted at the CHC unit level. CHC nurses employed at the participating CHC received training in carrying out the intervention alongside their provision of regular services. The intervention programme, starting when the child is 8-9 months of age and ending at age 4, is based on social cognitive theory and employs motivational interviewing. Primary outcomes are children's body mass index and waist circumference at four years. Secondary outcomes are children's and mothers' eating habits (assessed by a food frequency questionnaire), and children's and mothers' physical activity (measured by accelerometer and a validated questionnaire), and mothers' body mass index and waist circumference. Discussion: The on-going population-based PRIMROSE trial, which targets childhood obesity, is embedded in the regular national (routine) preventive child health services that are available free-of-charge to all young families in Sweden. Of the participants (n = 1369), 489 intervention and 550 control mothers (75.9%) responded to the validated physical activity and food frequency questionnaire at baseline (i.e., before the first intervention session, or, for children in the control group, before they reached 10 months of age). The food frequency questionnaire showed acceptable relative validity when compared with an 8-day food diary. We are not aware of any previous RCT, concerned with the primary prevention of childhood obesity through sessions at CHC that addresses healthy eating habits and physical activity in the context of a routine child health services programme.
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| 39. |
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| 40. |
- Ferreira, Diogo R., et al.
(author)
-
Robust regression with CUDA and its application to plasma reflectometry
- 2015
-
In: Review of Scientific Instruments. - : AIP Publishing. - 0034-6748 .- 1089-7623. ; 86:11
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In many applications, especially those involving scientific instrumentation data with a large experimental error, it is often necessary to carry out linear regression in the presence of severe outliers which may adversely affect the results. Robust regression methods do exist, but they are much more computationally intensive, making it difficult to apply them in real-time scenarios. In this work, we resort to graphics processing unit (GPU)-based computing to carry out robust regression in a time-sensitive application. We illustrate the results and the performance gains obtained by parallelizing one of the most common robust regression methods, namely, least median of squares. Although the method has a complexity of O(n(3) log n), with GPU computing, it is possible to accelerate it to the point that it becomes usable within the required time frame. In our experiments, the input data come from a plasma diagnostic system installed at Joint European Torus, the largest fusion experiment in Europe, but the approach can be easily transferred to other applications.
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| 41. |
- Fredlund, Elina, et al.
(author)
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MOXD1 is a lineage-specific gene and a tumor suppressor in neuroblastoma
- 2024
-
In: Science Advances. - 2375-2548. ; 10:25
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Neuroblastoma is a childhood developmental cancer; however, its embryonic origins remain poorly understood. Moreover, in-depth studies of early tumor-driving events are limited because of the lack of appropriate models. Herein, we analyzed RNA sequencing data obtained from human neuroblastoma samples and found that loss of expression of trunk neural crest–enriched gene MOXD1 associates with advanced disease and worse outcome. Further, by using single-cell RNA sequencing data of human neuroblastoma cells and fetal adrenal glands and creating in vivo models of zebrafish, chick, and mouse, we show that MOXD1 is a determinate of tumor development. In addition, we found that MOXD1 expression is highly conserved and restricted to mesenchymal neuroblastoma cells and Schwann cell precursors during healthy development. Our findings identify MOXD1 as a lineage-restricted tumor-suppressor gene in neuroblastoma, potentiating further stratification of these tumors and development of novel therapeutic interventions.
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| 42. |
- Gerasimov, S. N., et al.
(author)
-
JET and COMPASS asymmetrical disruptions
- 2015
-
In: Nuclear Fusion. - : IOP PUBLISHING LTD. - 0029-5515 .- 1741-4326. ; 55:11
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Asymmetrical disruptions may occur during ITER operation and they may be accompanied by large sideways forces and rotation of the asymmetry. This is of particular concern because resonance of the rotating asymmetry with the natural frequencies of the vacuum vessel (and other in-vessel components) could lead to large dynamic amplification of the forces. A significant fraction of non-mitigated JET disruptions have toroidally asymmetric currents that flow partially inside the plasma and partially inside the surrounding vacuum vessel ('wall'). The toroidal asymmetries (otherwise known as the appearance of 3D structures) are clearly visible in the plasma current (I-p) and the first plasma current moments. For the first time we present here the asymmetries in toroidal flux measured by the diamagnetic loops and also propose a physical interpretation. The presented data covers the period of JET operation with a C-wall (JET-C from 2005 until late 2009) and with an ITER-like wall (JET-ILW from 2011 until late 2014), during which pick-up coil and saddle loop data at four toroidally orthogonal locations were routinely recorded. The observed rotations of the Ip asymmetries are in the range from -5 turns to +10 turns (a negative value is counted to the negative plasma current). Initial observations on COMPASS of asymmetric disruptions are presented, which are in line with JET data. The whole of the JET-ILW disruption database and the limited number of COMPASS disruptions examined confirm that the development of the toroidal asymmetry precedes the drop to unity of q95. It is shown that massive gas injection (MGI), which is routinely used to mitigate disruptions, significantly reduces the I-p asymmetries in JET. However, MGI produces fast plasma current quench and consequently high vessel eddy currents, which expose the machine to additional stresses. The effect of the large gas quantity used during the injection is of particular concern as well.
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| 43. |
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| 44. |
- Haghighi, Mona, et al.
(author)
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A Comparison of Rule-based Analysis with Regression Methods in Understanding the Risk Factors for Study Withdrawal in a Pediatric Study
- 2016
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In: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 6
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Regression models are extensively used in many epidemiological studies to understand the linkage between specific outcomes of interest and their risk factors. However, regression models in general examine the average effects of the risk factors and ignore subgroups with different risk profiles. As a result, interventions are often geared towards the average member of the population, without consideration of the special health needs of different subgroups within the population. This paper demonstrates the value of using rule-based analysis methods that can identify subgroups with heterogeneous risk profiles in a population without imposing assumptions on the subgroups or method. The rules define the risk pattern of subsets of individuals by not only considering the interactions between the risk factors but also their ranges. We compared the rule-based analysis results with the results from a logistic regression model in The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) study. Both methods detected a similar suite of risk factors, but the rule-based analysis was superior at detecting multiple interactions between the risk factors that characterize the subgroups. A further investigation of the particular characteristics of each subgroup may detect the special health needs of the subgroup and lead to tailored interventions.
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| 45. |
- Hajizadeh, Roghayeh, 1986-
(author)
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Optimization of Snow Removal in Cities
- 2023
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Removing snow in a city is an unavoidable task in Nordic countries like Sweden. A number of streets in an area need to be cleared of snow by a limited number of vehicles and the tours for the vehicles must be planned in order to minimize the time and/or cost. Since the amount of snow can vary significantly from one year to another, the plans/tours of one year cannot be used for the next year. Hence, new tours need to be planned each time. Snow removal can be done in rural or urban areas and in addition during snowfall or after a snowfall. In this thesis, we study urban snow removal after a snowfall. There are different relevant specifics of the urban snow removal problem. For instance, there are different types of streets which need different numbers of sweeps in order to remove the snow. In addition, some tasks must be done before other tasks can be started. This leads to precedence constraints. Furthermore, each vehicle needs a certain time to switch from a task to another task. The problem can be formulated as a huge time-indexed mixed integer programming which often is not directly solvable in practice. The contributions of this thesis include the study of different relaxations and heuristics to find feasible solutions and improve the bounds on the optimal objective function values which are discussed in five papers. Paper I deals with single vehicle snow removal. A branch-and-dive heuristic based on branch-and-bound principles is given in order to improve the solutions and bounds. In Paper II, feasible solutions for the snow removal problem with a limited number of identical vehicles are obtained. First, the work is broken down into smaller parts, one for each vehicle. Based on the obtained allocation, a feasible tour for each single vehicle snow removal is obtained. Finally, combined solution approaches and co-ordination of the vehicles to find a feasible solution for the original problem are discussed. In order to improve the computational efficiency, one can take advantage of the tree structure, since modern real life city networks often contain parts that are trees. In Paper III, tree parts are studied and a tree elimination procedure is given for the snow removal problem, to be used before searching for optimal tours. Two variations encountered in practice for normal streets are compared in Paper IV. The first variant is doing a middle sweep before the two side sweeps and the second one is doing only side sweeps. Paper V studies the problem from modeling perspective. The problem is formulated as a mixed integer programming model and different relaxations of it are investigated. Finally, Lagrangian relaxation of the problem is studied in Paper VI. Different possibilities for Lagrangian relaxations are investigated and subgradient optimization is used to solve the Lagrangian dual.
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| 46. |
- Hesser, Hugo, 1982-, et al.
(author)
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A Randomized Controlled Trial of Internet-Delivered Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in the Treatment of Tinnitus
- 2012
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In: Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. - Washington, DC, USA : American Psychological Association (APA). - 0022-006X .- 1939-2117. ; 80:4, s. 649-661
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective:Our aim in this randomized controlled trial was to investigate the effects on global tinnitus severity of 2 Internet-delivered psychological treatments, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), in guided self-help format.Method: Ninety-nine participants (mean age 48.5 years; 43% female) who were significantly distressed by tinnitus were recruited from the community. Participants were randomly assigned to CBT (n 32), ACT (n 35), or a control condition (monitored Internet discussion forum; n 32), and they were assessed with standardized self-report measures (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; Quality of Life Inventory; Perceived Stress Scale; Tinnitus Acceptance Questionnaire) at pre-, posttreatment (8 weeks), and 1-year follow-up.Results: Mixed-effects linear regression analysis of all randomized participants showed significant effects on the primary outcome (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory) for CBT and for ACT compared with control at posttreatment (95% CI [17.03, 2.94], d 0.70, and 95% CI [16.29, 2.53], d 0.68, respectively). Within-group effects were substantial from pretreatment through 1-year-follow-up for both treatments (95% CI [44.65, 20.45], d 1.34), with no significant difference between treatments (95% CI [14.87, 11.21], d 0.16).Conclusions: Acceptance-based procedures may be a viable alternative to traditional CBT techniques in the management of tinnitus. The Internet can improve access to psychological interventions for tinnitus.
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| 47. |
- Horikoshi, Momoko, et al.
(author)
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New loci associated with birth weight identify genetic links between intrauterine growth and adult height and metabolism.
- 2013
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In: Nature Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1061-4036 .- 1546-1718. ; 45:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Birth weight within the normal range is associated with a variety of adult-onset diseases, but the mechanisms behind these associations are poorly understood. Previous genome-wide association studies of birth weight identified a variant in the ADCY5 gene associated both with birth weight and type 2 diabetes and a second variant, near CCNL1, with no obvious link to adult traits. In an expanded genome-wide association meta-analysis and follow-up study of birth weight (of up to 69,308 individuals of European descent from 43 studies), we have now extended the number of loci associated at genome-wide significance to 7, accounting for a similar proportion of variance as maternal smoking. Five of the loci are known to be associated with other phenotypes: ADCY5 and CDKAL1 with type 2 diabetes, ADRB1 with adult blood pressure and HMGA2 and LCORL with adult height. Our findings highlight genetic links between fetal growth and postnatal growth and metabolism.
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| 48. |
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| 49. |
- Isgren, Ellinor, et al.
(author)
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An Environmental Justice Perspective on Smallholder Pesticide Use in Sub-Saharan Africa
- 2021
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In: The Journal of Environment & Development. - : SAGE Publications. - 1552-5465 .- 1070-4965. ; 30:1, s. 68-97
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Pesticide use is increasing in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, and many smallholders purchase, handle, and apply toxic pesticides with inadequate equipment, knowledge, and technical support. Through the frame of environmental justice, this literature-based study analyzes characteristics, impacts, and drivers of smallholder pesticide use in sub-Saharan Africa, with particular attention to Uganda as a case. We find that market liberalization, poor regulation enforcement, and persistent neglect of agricultural extension place the burden of risk largely on farmers, while perceived necessity of pesticides and the elusive nature of impacts (especially under conditions of insufficient monitoring) likely delay social mobilization around pesticides. The environmental justice frame, which has seen limited application in smallholder contexts, importantly helps delineate future directions for research and practice. It is particularly effective for redirecting focus from highly limited managerial solutions for “safe use” toward deeper problem drivers and solutions capable of tackling them.
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| 50. |
- Isgren, Ellinor, 1987, et al.
(author)
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Are agricultural extension systems ready to scale up ecological intensification in East Africa? A literature review with particular attention to the Push-Pull Technology (PPT)
- 2023
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In: Food Security. - 1876-4517. ; 15, s. 1399-1420
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Agricultural extension, or advisory services, have a key role to play in supporting farmers' learning and adoption of new practices and technologies. This paper analyses gaps and needs which require addressing in order for extension systems to more effectively contribute to the upscaling of ecological intensification approaches in East African smallholder agriculture. Our starting point is the push-pull technology (PPT), a promising approach. PPT originated in East Africa and is being continuously improved through cycles of interdisciplinary and participatory experimentation. Despite well-documented benefits to farmers and the environment, more institutional support from agricultural extension systems (AES) is needed for PPT to realise significant impact on poverty reduction, food security, and sustainability. Departing from this assessment, we review literature on AES in five East African countries. After clarifying the AES characteristics that ecological intensification requires, emphasising the capacity to embrace complexity, we identify four thematic areas that are in urgent need of attention: first, widely recognised problems with access and inclusiveness have seen welcome innovation but remain substantial. Second, information and communication technologies provide many benefits and new possibilities, but expectations must be tempered. Third, pluralistic AES present coordination challenges that risk undermining and misdirecting extension. Finally, the political-economic underpinnings of extension require critical scrutiny and strategic interventions. While many challenges threaten extension effectiveness broadly, we highlight implications for ecological intensification approaches like PPT. Our insights thus speak to the broader question of how to design and implement extension for sustainable agricultural development in East Africa.
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