| 1. |
- Smith, Jennifer A, et al.
(author)
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Genome-wide association study identifies 74 loci associated with educational attainment
- 2016
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In: Nature (London). - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1476-4687 .- 0028-0836. ; 533:7604, s. 539-542
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Educational attainment is strongly influenced by social and other environmental factors, but genetic factors are estimated to account for at least 20% of the variation across individuals. Here we report the results of a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for educational attainment that extends our earlier discovery sample of 101,069 individuals to 293,723 individuals, and a replication study in an independent sample of 111,349 individuals from the UK Biobank. We identify 74 genome-wide significant loci associated with the number of years of schooling completed. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with educational attainment are disproportionately found in genomic regions regulating gene expression in the fetal brain. Candidate genes are preferentially expressed in neural tissue, especially during the prenatal period, and enriched for biological pathways involved in neural development. Our findings demonstrate that, even for a behavioural phenotype that is mostly environmentally determined, a well-powered GWAS identifies replicable associated genetic variants that suggest biologically relevant pathways. Because educational attainment is measured in large numbers of individuals, it will continue to be useful as a proxy phenotype in efforts to characterize the genetic influences of related phenotypes, including cognition and neuropsychiatric diseases.
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| 2. |
- Andersson, Annica, et al.
(author)
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Paths to a sustainable food sector guided by LCA – exemplified by pork production
- 2014
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- To describe a more sustainable food sector, a supply chain approach is needed. Changing supply chains inevitably means that a range of attributes of the product and its system will change. This project will take on this challenge and deliver detailed descriptions of supply chains of six commodities from a Swedish region in 2012; Milk, cheese, beef, pork, chicken and bread. The set-up of the project was that experts on production along the supply chain design environmentally improved systems. The next step was to challenge the improvements considering their possible consequences on products and systems from different perspectives: food safety, sensory qualities, animal welfare, and consumer appreciation and (only for primary production) costs. The final supply chains were quantified by life cycle assessment (LCA), and they were again assessed from the perspectives mentioned above. Results will be generated during August 2014 and comprise both single-product LCA and region-wide impacts of the future scenarios.
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| 3. |
- Andersson, Bengt Olof, et al.
(author)
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The reference step method for DC voltage at 1 mV and 10 mV
- 2014
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In: CPEM Digest (Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements). - : Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. - 9781479952052 ; , s. 520-521
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We have investigated the performance of a method called the Reference Step Method at low voltage levels. The method has been evaluated earlier at voltage levels from 0.1 V to 1 kV with excellent results. The advantages of this method are that it uses commonly available equipment and can be fully automated. We have made comparisons with three other low-voltage methods and the differences show that the uncertainties can be less than 30 μV/V at 1 mV and 3 μV/V at 10 mV, making it possible to use this method to perform automated calibration of calibrators with sufficient accuracy for calibration of high-end instruments.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Clay, L, et al.
(author)
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Effect of an elastic girdle on lung function, intra-abdominal pressure, and pain after midline laparotomy : a randomized controlled trial
- 2014
-
In: International Journal of Colorectal Disease. - : Springer Berlin/Heidelberg. - 0179-1958 .- 1432-1262. ; 29:6, s. 715-721
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE: Girdles and abdominal binders may reduce pain and stabilize the abdominal wall after laparotomy, but a risk for increased intra-abdominal pressure and decreased lung function is also hypothesized. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an abdominal girdle after midline laparotomy in a randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Twenty-three patients undergoing laparotomy were randomized to wear an elastic girdle postoperatively and 25 were randomized to no girdle. Pulmonary function was evaluated with; forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume during one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and cough PEF. Pain was recorded using a visual analog scale (VAS). All patients completed the ventral hernia pain questionnaire (VHPQ) before surgery and at the end of the study. Intra-abdominal pressure was measured via an indwelling urinary catheter. Wound healing was assessed from photographs. RESULTS: FVC, FEV1, PEF, and cough PEF were reduced by about 30 % after surgery, but there were no differences between patients with or without a girdle (ANOVA). Intra-abdominal pressure and wound healing were the same in both groups. Pain was significantly lower on day 5 in the girdle group (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: An individually fitted elastic girdle used after midline laparotomy was found to be safe, as this did not affect lung function, coughing, intra-abdominal pressure, or wound healing. The immediate decline in lung function after surgery is restrictive and due to anesthesia and the surgical procedure. Pain was significantly decreased in the girdle group. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01517217.
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| 7. |
- Early, Murray, et al.
(author)
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A simple build-up method for the DC voltage scale of a source
- 2012
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In: Proc of Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements, CPEM 2012. ; , s. 498-499
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report on the performance of a simple method, known as the Reference Step Method, to build up the dc voltage scale of a source. The key advantages of this method are that it relies on equipment that is readily available in most high-level laboratories and can be fully automated. The Type A uncertainties achieved by this approach can be less than 0.1 μV/V. This performance is achieved because of the excellent differential linearity of the DMM used in the method. We are validating the accuracy of the method by directly comparing this approach with more traditional resistive divider techniques.
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| 8. |
- Early, Murray, et al.
(author)
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A Simple Build-Up Method for the DC Voltage Scale of Source
- 2013
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In: IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement. ; 62:6, s. 1600-1607
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report on the performance of a simple method, known as the reference step method, to build up the dc voltage scale of a source. The key advantages of this method are that it relies on equipment that is readily available in most high-level laboratories and can be fully automated. The Type A uncertainties achieved by this approach can be less than 0.1 μV/V. This performance is achieved because of the excellent differential linearity of the DVM used in the method. We have validated the overall accuracy of the method by directly comparing this approach with more traditional resistive divider techniques and have established that the expanded uncertainty is better than 0.2 μV/V up to 1000 V, limited only by the performance of the instruments used.
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| 9. |
- Gilbert, F., et al.
(author)
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Sediment reworking by the burrowing polychaete Hediste diversicolor modulated by environmental and biological factors across the temperate North Atlantic. A tribute to Gaston Desrosiers
- 2021
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In: Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-0981. ; 541
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Particle mixing and irrigation of the seabed by benthic fauna (bioturbation) have major impacts on ecosystem functions such as remineralization of organic matter and sediment-water exchange. As a tribute to Prof. Gaston Desrosiers by the Nereis Park association, eighteen laboratories carried out a collaborative experiment to acquire a global snapshot of particle reworking by the polychaete Hediste diversicolor at 16 sites surrounding the Northern Atlantic. Organisms and soft sediments were collected during May - July at different geographical locations and, using a common laboratory protocol, particulate fluorescent tracers (`luminophores') were used to quantify particle transport over a 10-day period. Particle mixing was quantified using the maximum penetration depth of tracers (MPD), particle diffusive coefficients (D-b), and non-local transport coefficients (r). Non-local coefficients (reflecting centimeter scale transport steps) ranged from 0.4 to 15 yr(-1), and were not correlated across sites with any measured biological (biomass, biovolume) or environmental parameters (temperature, grain size, organic matter). Maximum penetration depths (MPD) averaged similar to 10.7 cm (6.5-14.5 cm), and were similar to the global average bioturbation depth inferred from short-lived radiochemical tracers. MPD was also not correlated with measures of size (individual biomass), but increased with grain size and decreased with temperature. Bio-diffusion (D-b) correlated inversely with individual biomass (size) and directly with temperature over the environmental range (Q(10) similar to 1.7; 5-21 degrees C). The transport data were comparable in magnitude to rates reported for localized H. diversicolor populations of similar size, and confirmed some but not all correlations between sediment reworking and biological and environmental variables found in previous studies. The results imply that measures of particle reworking activities of a species from a single location can be generally extrapolated to different populations at similar conditions.
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| 10. |
- Gunnarsson, Cecilia, 1970-, et al.
(author)
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Amplification of HSD17B1 has prognostic significance in postmenopausal breast cancer
- 2008
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In: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0167-6806 .- 1573-7217. ; 108:1, s. 35-41
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In situ synthesis of estrogens is believed to be of great importance for the progression of breast cancer. In postmenopausal women most estrogens are synthesized in peripheral hormone-target tissues from circulating precursor steroids, by the enzymes involved in formation of active estrogens. One of the enzymes involved in this process is 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) type 1. This enzyme catalyzes the interconversion of estrone (E1) to the biologically more potent estradiol (E2). The gene coding for 17β-HSD type 1 (HSD17B1) is located at 17q12-21. The aim of this study was to investigate altered gene copy number of HSD17B1 in breast cancer. We used real-time PCR and examined 387 postmenopausal breast tumors for amplification of HSD17B1, and if an increased mRNA level of this enzyme is associated with amplification of the gene. We also investigated whether amplification of HSD17B1 has a prognostic value. There was a significant correlation between gene copy number of HSD17B1 and mRNA expression level (P = 0.00002). ER-positive patients with amplification of HSD17B1 showed lower breast cancer survival than patients without amplification (P = 0.025). Among ER-negative patients there was no significant correlation between increased gene copy number of HSD17B1 and prognosis. Furthermore, we found that amplification of the gene had prognostic significance in multivariate analysis adjusting for other clinicopathological variables. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.
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| 11. |
- Gunnarsson, Frida, et al.
(author)
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Comagotchi - a social toy
- 2001
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In: Reprints from the PCC Summer School.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)
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| 12. |
- Gunnarsson, Karl, et al.
(author)
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Review of the diet specialisation of the Blue-cheeked bee-eater (Merops persicus)
- 2019
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In: Journal of Ornithology. - : SPRINGER HEIDELBERG. - 2193-7192 .- 2193-7206. ; 160:1, s. 275-279
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ecological specialisation, e.g. in terms of prey preferences, can have important implications for population biology. Bee-eaters are considered diet specialists; they hunt aerial insects, particularly hymenopterans. However, the Blue-cheeked bee-eater (Merops persicus) has been considered a special case, as it preferentially feeds upon dragonflies (Odonata). Here we review current literature on the diet of the Blue-cheeked bee-eater, and conclude that this species is not as restricted to dragonflies as previously suggested. Instead, populations in different parts of the breeding and wintering ranges seem to specialise on various types of insects (such as wasps, bees, dragonflies, butterflies and mosquitoes).
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| 13. |
- Gunnarsson, Karl, et al.
(author)
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The brown alga Fucus radicans suffers heavy grazing by the isopod Idotea baltica
- 2012
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In: Marine Biology Research. - : Taylor & Francis Group. - 1745-1000 .- 1745-1019. ; 8:1, s. 87-89
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In 2005, a perennial brown alga in the Baltic Sea was recognized as a species on its own and named Fucus radicans (Bergström & Kautsky). This fucoid forms belts like does bladderwrack, Fucus vesiculosus L., its closest relative. These seaweeds are inhabited by many small animals, for example the isopod Idotea baltica (Pallas, 1772). Along the Swedish coasts of the Baltic Sea, F. radicans is found primarily in the northern half, i.e. the Gulf of Bothnia. I. baltica is common in the seaweeds of the southern half of the Baltic Sea, the Baltic proper, but is uncommon further north in the Bothnian Sea and nonexistent in the northernmost Bay of Bothnia. I. baltica is well able to graze down seaweeds in an area. In a field experiment, we here show that I. baltica, given a choice between the two algae species, prefers to graze on F. radicans rather than on F. vesiculosus. This may be one of the most important factors restricting F. radicans to the northern areas of the Baltic, where I. baltica is uncommon.
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| 14. |
- Gunnarsson, Mattias, 1979-
(author)
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Mobilisera, passivisera eller vinna : har skandinaviska partiers tävlan om röster förändrats?
- 2019
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Licentiate thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Denna licentiatuppsats lägger grunden för att undersöka om skandinaviska partiers tävlan om röster har förändrats så som den uttrycks i partiernas valmanifest. Därigenom testas dels om det finns en förändrad partitävlan i Skandinavien, dels om en eventuell förändring i partitävlan drivs av en existerande tävlansstruktur ärvd från 1970-talet, om partiernas tävlan om röster helt eller delvis försvunnit eller om partiernas tävlan snarast handlar om konkurrens om väljarnas rösterInom partiforskningen har den så kallade kartellpartitesen haft ett mycket stort genomslag. I korthet innebär denna att partier snarast försöker passivisera väljare genom att inte erbjuda alternativ vare sig i policy eller ideologi till skillnad från tidigare då partier i första hand försökt mobilisera sina kärnväljare och erbjudit tydliga skillnader i såväl policy som ideologi. Mot dessa två beskrivningar kan även ställas en tredje baserad på ett antagande om skärpt partikonkurrens där det gäller att vinna alltmer rörliga väljare. För att testa dessa tre hypoteser studeras valmanifest från 1970 till 2010 från agrara, konservativa och socialdemokratiska partier i Danmark, Norge och Sverige.Resultatet visar snarast på stark konkurrens inom samtliga partisystem oavsett vilken partifamilj som studeras. Valmanifesten blir tydligare och tendera att mer och mer betona policytävlan, men det finns även en konstant närvaro av värderingar i valmanifesten. Detta talar framförallt mot att tävlans bortdöende, men för att slutgiltigt utvärdera resultaten krävs närmare studier av vilka policys och vilka värderingar som presenteras och om dessa förskjuts eller förändras över tid.
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| 15. |
- Gunnarsson, O., et al.
(author)
-
A method for calibration of partial discharge calibrators
- 1999
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In: IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement. - : Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). - 0018-9456 .- 1557-9662. ; 48:2, s. 453-456
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A method for calibration of partial discharge calibrators has been developed based on passive integration of the induced charge. The voltage over a known capacitor is measured by a calibrated digital sampling voltmeter and the charge is calculated as the voltage multiplied by the capacitance. The best achieved uncertainty is ±2% with a coverage factor k = 2. © 1999 IEEE.
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| 16. |
- Gunnarsson, O., et al.
(author)
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Method for calibration of partial discharge calibrators
- 1998
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In: CPEM Digest (Conference on Precision Electromagnetic Measurements). ; , s. 205-206
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A method for calibration of partial discharge calibrators has been developed based on passive integration of the induced charge. The voltage over a known capacitor is measured by a calibrated digital sampling voltmeter and the charge is calculated as the voltage multiplied by the capacitance. The best achieved uncertainty is ±2% for a coverage factor k = 2.
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| 17. |
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
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| 22. |
- Holm, Åsa, et al.
(author)
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Protein C α regulates phagocytosis actin dynamics and phagosomal maturation in macrophages
-
Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Protein kinase C α (PKCα) participates in F-actin remodeling during phagocytosis and phagosomal maturation in macrophages. Promastigotes of the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani cause an accumulation of periphagosomal F-actin instead of the normal decrease seen with other prey [1]. This accumulation is dependent on promastigote lipophosphoglycan (LPG), which has several detrimental effects on the cell including inhibition of PKCα activity.To directly address the role of PKCα and LPG for actin remodeling in macrophages, we investigated F-actin dynamics in RAW 264.7 macrophages overexpressing a dominant-negative mutant of PKCα (DN PKCα). We found that DN PKCα-overexpressing cells displayed increased levels of cortical F-actin and decreased phagocytic capacity, which was augmented when the cells were subjected to LPG-coated prey. The DN PKCα-overexpressing cells also showed defective breakdown of periphagosomal F-actin and inhibition of phagosomal maturation. The level of periphagosomal F-actin was similar to that of controls subjected to LPG-coated prey. Our results show that PKCα regulates phagocytosis and F-actin turnover in macrophages, and that PKCα-dependent breakdown of periphagosomal F-actin is required for normal phagosomal maturation.
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| 23. |
- Holm, Åsa, et al.
(author)
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Role of protein kinase C α for uptake of unopsonized prey and phagosomal maturation in macrophages
- 2003
-
In: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications - BBRC. - 0006-291X .- 1090-2104. ; 302:4, s. 653-658
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Protein kinase C α (PKCα) participates in F-actin remodeling during phagocytosis and phagosomal maturation in macrophages. Leishmania donovani promastigotes, which inhibit phagosomal maturation, cause accumulation of periphagosomal F-actin instead of the dissassembly observed around other prey [Cell. Microbiol. 7 (2001) 439]. This accumulation is induced by promastigote lipophosphoglycan (LPG), which has several effects on macrophages including inhibition of PKCα. To investigate a possible connection between PKCα and LPG’s effects on actin dynamics, we utilized RAW264.7 macrophages overexpressing dominant-negative PKCα (DN PKCα). We found increased cortical F-actin and decreased phagocytic capacity, as well as defective periphagosomal F-actin breakdown and inhibited phagosomal maturation in the DN PKCα-overexpressing cells, effects similar to those seen in controls subjected to LPG-coated prey. The results indicate that PKCα is involved in F-actin turnover in macrophages and that PKCα-dependent breakdown of periphagosomal F-actin is required for phagosomal maturation, and endorse the hypothesis that intracellular survival of L. donovani involves inhibition of PKCα by LPG.
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| 24. |
- Höjer, Mattias, et al.
(author)
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Experiences of the development and use of scenarios for evaluating Swedish environmental quality objectives
- 2011
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In: Futures. - : Elsevier. - 0016-3287 .- 1873-6378. ; 43:4, s. 498-512
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper presents and evaluates a method for encouraging long-term thinking and for considering a variety of scenarios in environmental policy processes. The Swedish environmental policy is based on 16 environmental quality objectives (EQOs) that national authorities are obliged to observe. These objectives are reviewed annually and evaluated in depth every four years. Here we describe and explore a futures study project for introducing more long-term thinking into work on the EQOs, which we tested in the in-depth evaluation in 2008. We found it difficult to design a collective scenario for a case with a wide variety of objectives and individuals with different backgrounds. However, this difficulty makes it even more important to incorporate futures studies into the work of the relevant authorities. Scenario work is often subcontracted, leading to a constant lack of futures studies expertise and thinking within authorities. Despite the difficulties, we found that experts within the authorities did begin to recognise the opportunities provided by futures studies. The project revealed an interest and need for futures studies within the authorities in charge of Swedish environmental quality objectives and our findings show that the authorities need to build up their own skills in futures studies.
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| 25. |
- Höjer, Mattias, et al.
(author)
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Experiences of the development and use of scenarios for evaluating Swedish national environmental objectives
- 2011
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In: Futures. - : Elsevier BV. - 0016-3287 .- 1873-6378. ; 43:1, s. 1-15
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of the present paper is to present and evaluate a method for encouraging long-term thinking and considerations of a variety of scenarios in environmental policy processes. The Swedish environmental policy is based on 16 environmental objectives that national authorities are responsible for. They are evaluated annually and also in-depth every fourth year. Here we describe and explore a futures study project for introducing a more long-term thinking in the work with the environmental objectives, tested in the in-depth evaluation 2008. An experience was that it is difficult to design a collective scenario work in a case with a wide variety of objectives and with individuals with different backgrounds. However, this difficulty makes it even more important to incorporate futures studies in authorities work. Scenario work is often subcontracted, leading to a constant lack of futures studies competence and thinking at the authorities. Another experience is that despite the difficulties, experts at the authorities did start thinking more in terms of opportunities with futures studies. A general conclusion from the work was that there is an interest and need for futures studies at the authorities in charge of the environmental objectives. The possibly most important conclusion from this project was that the authorities need to build up their own competences in futures studies.
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| 26. |
- Höjer, Mattias, et al.
(author)
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Experiences of the development and use of scenarios for evaluating Swedish national environmental objectives (vol 43, pg 1, 2011)
- 2011
-
In: Futures. - : Elsevier BV. - 0016-3287 .- 1873-6378. ; 43:4, s. 497-512
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper presents and evaluates a method for encouraging long-term thinking and for considering a variety of scenarios in environmental policy processes. The Swedish environmental policy is based on 16 environmental quality objectives (EQOs) that national authorities are obliged to observe. These objectives are reviewed annually and evaluated in depth every four years. Here we describe and explore a futures study project for introducing more long-term thinking into work on the EQOs, which we tested in the in-depth evaluation in 2008. We found it difficult to design a collective scenario for a case with a wide variety of objectives and individuals with different backgrounds. However, this difficulty makes it even more important to incorporate futures studies into the work of the relevant authorities. Scenario work is often subcontracted, leading to a constant lack of futures studies expertise and thinking within authorities. Despite the difficulties, we found that experts within the authorities did begin to recognise the opportunities provided by futures studies. The project revealed an interest and need for futures studies within the authorities in charge of Swedish environmental quality objectives and our findings show that the authorities need to build up their own skills in futures studies.
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| 27. |
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| 28. |
- Peters, Bjorn, et al.
(author)
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A study of clinical complications and risk factors in 1001 native and transplant kidney biopsies in Sweden
- 2014
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In: Acta Radiologica. - : SAGE Publications. - 0284-1851 .- 1600-0455. ; 55:7, s. 890-896
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: In Sweden, native and transplant kidney biopsies are usually performed in major renal medical centers. Purpose: To clarify risk factors in native and transplant kidney biopsies to improve patient safety. Material and Methods: A total of 1001 biopsies (in 352 women and 565 men) were included. The median age was 54 years (range, 16-90 years). Data were derived from 826 native kidney biopsies (640 prospective and 186 retrospective) and 175 transplant kidney biopsies (170 prospective and 5 retrospective). Various factors and complications were registered while performing native and transplant kidney biopsies, focusing on major (e. g. blood transfusions, invasive procedures) and minor complications. The prospective protocol was used at six centers and at one center data were obtained retrospectively. Results: Women were at greater risk of overall complications than men (12.2% vs. 6.5%; P = 0.003; odds ratio [OR], 2.0; confidence interval [CI], 1.3-3.1) as well as of major complications (9.6% vs. 4.5%; P = 0.002; OR, 2.2, CI 1.3-3.7). Major complications occurred more commonly after biopsies from the right kidney, in women than in men (10.8% vs. 3.1%; P = 0.005; OR, 3.7; CI, 1.5-9.5), and in patients with lower BMI (25.5 vs. 27.3, P = 0.016) and of younger age (45 years vs. 52.5 years; P = 0.001). Lower mean arterial pressure in transplant kidney biopsies indicated a risk of major complications (90 mmHg vs. 98 mmHg; P = 0.039). Factors such as needle size, number of passes, serum creatinine, and eGFR did not influence complication rates. Conclusion: The present findings motivate greater attention being paid to the risk of major side-effects after right-side biopsies from women's kidneys, as well as after biopsies from younger patients and patients with lower BMI.
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| 29. |
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| 30. |
- Risacher, C., et al.
(author)
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A 279-381 GHz SIS Receiver for the APEX Telescope
- 2006
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In: Proceedings of the 16th International Symposium on Space Terahertz Technology, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden, May 2-4, 2005. ; , s. 432-437
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)
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| 31. |
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| 32. |
- Skarphéðinsdóttir, Halldóra, et al.
(author)
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Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification of Organochlorines in a Marine Food Web at a Pristine Site in Iceland
- 2010
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In: Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0090-4341 .- 1432-0703. ; 58:3, s. 800-809
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Organochlorine (OC) bioaccumulation and biomagnification were studied in a marine food web at a pristine site in Iceland. The species studied were the gastropod and grazer chink shell (Lacuna vincta), the filter feeding bivalve blue mussel (Mytilus edulis), the predators butterfish (Pholis gunnellus), and the seabird black guillemot (Cepphus grylle), all sampled and analysed in 1996-1997. Individual OC levels were generally low in chink shell and blue mussels, somewhat elevated in the fish, and an order of a magnitude higher in the top predator black guillemot, except for SigmaHCH (hexachlorocyclohexane isomers) and Sigmachlordane levels, which were similar in all organisms, ranging from 10 to 36 ng/g lipid weight (lw). In the molluscs and fish, mean concentrations of SigmaPCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) ranged from 111 to 377 ng/g lw, SigmaDDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) ranged from 19 to 65 ng/g lw, and HCB (hexachlorobenzene) ranged from 21 to 30 ng/g lw. The levels of same OCs in the black guillemot were on average 2352, 361, and 283 ng/g lw, respectively. The OC tissue concentrations in blue mussel and black guillemot are comparable to levels in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, but OC levels in blue mussel tissue were an order of magnitude lower than found in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The relative composition of OCs were generally similar among species with the PCB congeners emerging as the most abundant compounds with levels an order of magnitude higher than the other compounds in all species. Food web magnification factors (FWMFs) were determined for the OCs by using trophic levels determined from delta(15)N. FWMFs >1, indicating biomagnification, were found for SigmaPCB, penta- or higher chlorinated PCBs (e.g., PCB 101, 118, 138, 153, 180), beta-HCH, HCB, SigmaDDT, p,p-DDE, and transnonachlor. The highest FWMF was observed for PCB 180 at FWMF = 5.8.
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| 33. |
- Sonesson, Ulf, et al.
(author)
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Paths to a sustainable food sector: integrated design and LCA of future food supply chains : the case of pork production in Sweden
- 2016
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In: The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. - : Springer Ferlag. - 0948-3349 .- 1614-7502. ; 21:5, s. 664-676
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: To describe a more sustainable food sector, a supply chain approach is needed. Changing a supply chain inevitably means that various attributes of the product and its system will change. This project assumed this challenge and delivered detailed descriptions, life cycle assessment (LCA) evaluations, and consequence assessments of the supply chains of six commodities, i.e., milk, cheese, beef, pork, chicken, and bread, from a Swedish region. This paper presents results for the pork supply chain. Methods: In the project setup, experts on production along supply chains designed three scenarios for environmentally improved systems. These scenarios, i.e., the ecosystem, plant nutrients, and climate scenarios, were intended to address different clusters of environmental goals. The next step was to challenge these scenarios by considering their possible consequences for products and systems from the food safety, sensory quality, animal welfare, consumer appreciation, and (for primary production only) cost perspectives. This led to changes in production system design to prevent negative consequences. The final supply chains were quantified using LCA and were again assessed from the three perspectives. Results and discussion: The scenario design approach worked well, thoroughly and credibly describing the production systems. Assessment of consequences bolstered the credibility and quality of the systems and results. The LCA of pig production and smoked ham identified large potentials for improvement by implementing available knowledge: global warming potential (GWP) could be reduced 21–54 % and marine eutrophication by 14–45 %. The main reason for these improvements was improved productivity (approaching the best producers’ current performance), though dedicated measures were also important, resulting in increased nitrogen efficiency, more varied crop rotations for crop production and better production management, and improved animal health and manure management for animal production. Reduced post-farm wastage contributed as did reduced emissions from fertilizer production. Conclusions: The working approach applied was successful in integrating LCA research with food system production expertise to deliver results relevant to supply chain decision-makers. The consequence assessments brought considerable value to the project, giving its results greater credibility. By introducing constraints in the form of “no negative consequences and no increased costs,” the work was “guided” so that the scenario design avoided being hampered by too many opportunities.
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| 34. |
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| 35. |
|
|
