| 1. |
- Abrahamsson, Thomas, 1956, et al.
(author)
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Finite element model calibration using frequency responses with damping equalization
- 2015
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In: Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing. - : Elsevier BV. - 0888-3270 .- 1096-1216. ; 62-63, s. 218-234
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Model calibration is a cornerstone of the finite element verification and validation procedure, in which the credibility of the model is substantiated by positive comparison with test data. The calibration problem, in which the minimum deviation between finite element model data and experimental data is searched for, is normally characterized as being a large scale optimization problem with many model parameters to solve for and with deviation metrics that are nonlinear in these parameters. The calibrated parameters need to be found by iterative procedures, starting from initial estimates. Sometimes these procedures get trapped in local deviation function minima and do not converge to the globally optimal calibration solution that is searched for. The reason for such traps is often the multi-modality of the problem which causes eigenmode crossover problems in the iterative variation of parameter settings. This work presents a calibration formulation which gives a smooth deviation metric with a large radius of convergence to the global minimum. A damping equalization method is suggested to avoid the mode correlation and mode pairing problems that need to be solved in many other model updating procedures. By this method, the modal damping of a test data model and the finite element model is set to be the same fraction of critical modal damping. Mode pairing for mapping of experimentally found damping to the finite element model is thus not needed. The method is combined with model reduction for efficiency and employs the Levenberg-Marquardt minimizer with randomized starts to achieve the calibration solution. The performance of the calibration procedure, including a study of parameter bias and variance under noisy data conditions, is demonstrated by two numerical examples.
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| 2. |
- Abrahamsson, Thomas R, 1968-, et al.
(author)
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Probiotics in prevention of IgE-associated eczema : a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
- 2007
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In: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0091-6749 .- 1097-6825. ; 119:5, s. 1174-1180
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: An altered microbial exposure may underlie the increase of allergic diseases in affluent societies. Probiotics may alleviate and even prevent eczema in infants. OBJECTIVE: To prevent eczema and sensitization in infants with a family history of allergic disease by oral supplementation with the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri. METHODS: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, which comprised 232 families with allergic disease, of whom 188 completed the study. The mothers received L reuteri ATCC 55730 (1 x 10(8) colony forming units) daily from gestational week 36 until delivery. Their babies then continued with the same product from birth until 12 months of age and were followed up for another year. Primary outcome was allergic disease, with or without positive skin prick test or circulating IgE to food allergens. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of eczema was similar, 36% in the treated versus 34% in the placebo group. The L reuteri group had less IgE-associated eczema during the second year, 8% versus 20% (P = .02), however. Skin prick test reactivity was also less common in the treated than in the placebo group, significantly so for infants with mothers with allergies, 14% versus 31% (P = .02). Wheeze and other potentially allergic diseases were not affected. CONCLUSION: Although a preventive effect of probiotics on infant eczema was not confirmed, the treated infants had less IgE-associated eczema at 2 years of age and therefore possibly run a reduced risk to develop later respiratory allergic disease. CLINICAL IMPLICATION: Probiotics may reduce the incidence of IgE-associated eczema in infancy.
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| 3. |
- Bahadoran, Z, et al.
(author)
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Different Pharmacokinetic Responses to an Acute Dose of Inorganic Nitrate in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
- 2021
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In: Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets. - : Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.. - 2212-3873 .- 1871-5303. ; 21:5, s. 878-886
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this study, we aimed to compare the pharmacokinetics of nitrate (NO3) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and healthy adults. Potential effects of salivary nitrate reductase (NR) activity on cardiometabolic responses to an acute dose of NO3was also assessed.Methods:Nine healthy adults and nine T2DM patients were recruited to consume a NO3-rich breakfast (~410 mg NO3). Pharmacokinetics of NO3were examined using repeated measurements of NOx (nitrate+ nitrite) concentrations of serum and saliva over 8 hours and NO3concentrations of spot and 24-h urine samples. Cardiometabolic parameters, including serum levels of glucose, insulin, and triglycerides as well as blood pressure were also measured.Results:Compared to patients with T2DM, serum NOx concentration (Δ1= 16.7 vs. 4.4 μmol/L, P=0.057) of healthy subjects sharply increased within 1 hour after NO3loading. Healthy subjects had a higher NR activity index, and higher peak salivary NO3concentration with a lower time to peak. Diabetic patients with high- compared to low-NR values had a higher whole-body NOx exposure (103±31.4 vs. 58.9±22.1 μmol.h/L); they also showed a better glycemic response and more reduction of blood pressure following ingestion of a NO3-rich meal.Conclusion:T2DM may be associated with a different pattern of NOx pharmacokinetics (especially salivary NOx metabolism). Salivary NR activity may have a critical role in postprandial metabolism of NO3, and diabetic patients with higher NR activity may take more advantages from NO3supplementation.
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| 4. |
- Bahadori, Farhad, et al.
(author)
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Design and validation of brucellosis prevention questionnaire focused on animal vaccination
- 2021
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In: BMC Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2458. ; 21:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The inadequate awareness of livestock breeders on brucellosis transmission, as well as their improper knowledge about preventing brucellosis is considered as one of the important barriers to animal vaccination against brucellosis. The present study aimed to design and validate a brucellosis prevention questionnaire focused on animal vaccination. The valid questionnaire was used to design, implement, and evaluate an interventional training program. Method: A brucellosis prevention questionnaire (BPQ) was developed in the exploratory psychometric study. In addition, face-to-face interviews were conducted to formulate its initial items, the results of which were merged with those obtained from literature review. Further, the face, content, and construct validity of the questionnaire were assessed by co-operating livestock breeders, veterinarians, and health educationists. The impact score (IS), and content validity ratio (CVR) and index (CVI) of the items were calculated, and the construct validity of the questionnaire was evaluated through factor analysis. Furthermore, the reliability of the results related to the questionnaire was measured by using Cronbach’s alpha, intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), and composite reliability, as well as the standard error of measurement (SEM). Results: The questionnaire was finalized with 53 items and its validity was confirmed by CVI (0.90), CVR (0.74), and IS (4.30). Additionally, the items were loaded into three constructs of awareness, attitude, and practice. Further, the predictive power of awareness, attitude, and practice was determined as 43.43, 15.81, and 15.78%, respectively. Furthermore, the fitness of the proposed model among the constructs was confirmed by the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) < 0.08, as well as normed chi-square (× 2/ df) < 5.0, comparative fit index (CFI) ≥ 0.90, and Tucker- Lewis index (TLI) ≥ 0.9. Conclusion: The brucellosis prevention questionnaire represented acceptable psychometric properties. The factors influencing the preventive behavior of livestock breeders can be identified by applying the questionnaire, and co-operating veterinarians and educational planners.
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| 5. |
- Chéramy, Mikael, et al.
(author)
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GAD65 autoantibody (GADA) responses in Type 1 diabetes patients participating in a phase III GAD-alum intervention trial
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Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 kDa isoform (GAD65) is a major autoantigen in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Although aluminum-formulated GAD65 (GAD-alum) induced preservation of residual insulin secretion in a previous clinical phase II trial, recent phase II and III trials failed to reach their primary end-points. The European phase III trial was therefore closed after 15 months, and the entire study period was completed only for a minority of the patients. This study aimed to characterize GAD65 autoantibodies (GADA) and Tyrosine phosphatase IA-2 autoantibody (IA-2A) levels, GADA IgG1-4 subclass distribution, B-cell frequencies/phenotypes and cytokine secretion. We also assessed whether GAD-alum preserved β-cell function in the small subgroup of Swedish patients who completed the 30 months visit. Serum samples and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were collected at baseline and after 1, 3, 9, 15 and 21 months from the 148 Swedish subjects included in the trial, and also at 30 months from the 45 patients who reached the final visit. Patients were randomly assigned to; i) 4 doses of GAD-alum (4D), ii) 2 doses of GAD-alum followed by two doses of placebo (2D), or iii) 4 doses of placebo.GADA titers were induced both in the 4D and 2D group compared to placebo, and 4D patients also displayed a higher GADA fold-change after receiving the two additional injections compared to the 2D group. The 4D group switched to a higher frequency of GADA IgG4, associated to a Th2 type response at 9 months, whereas an association between GADA fold-change and GAD65-induced in vitro cytokine secretion was observed in the 2D group. These findings suggest that the humoral response, induced by the 2D treatment, seems to be associated with a GAD65-specific cellular response, while 4D induces a distinct humoral response. Even though GADA titers were elevated, no changes in B-cell frequencies or phenotype were observed in any group. IA-2A levels declined at a similar rate in all groups during the trial.The subgroup of patients who completed the 30 month visit receiving 2 doses of GAD-alum had less decline of both fasting and stimulated C-peptide after 30 months compared to placebo. These results support the concept of GAD-alum treatment, but no specific immune markers have been identified.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Eidevall, Göran, 1955-
(author)
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Bibelns "heliga" krig?
- 2017
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In: Pilgrim. - Bjärka-Säby. - 1400-0830. ; 24:1, s. 11-17
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Journal article (pop. science, debate, etc.)
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Geppert, Barbara, et al.
(author)
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Sentinel lymph node biopsy in endometrial cancer-Feasibility, safety and lymphatic complications
- 2018
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In: Gynecologic Oncology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0090-8258. ; 148:3, s. 491-498
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To compare the rate of lymphatic complications in women with endometrial cancer undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy versus a full pelvic and infrarenal paraaortic lymphadenectomy, and to examine the overall feasibility and safety of the former. Methods: A prospective study of 188 patients with endometrial cancer planned for robotic surgery. Indocyanine green was used to identify the sentinel lymph nodes. In low-risk patients the lymphadenectomy was restricted to removal of sentinel lymph nodes whereas in high-risk patients also a full lymphadenectomy was performed. The impact of the extent of the lymphadenectomy on the rate of complications was evaluated. Results: The bilateral detection rate of sentinel lymph nodes was 96% after cervical tracer injection. No intraoperative complication was associated with the sentinel lymph node biopsy per se. Compared with hysterectomy alone, the additional average operative time for removal of sentinel lymph nodes was 33. min whereas 91. min were saved compared with a full pelvic and paraaortic lymphadenectomy. Sentinel lymph node biopsy alone resulted in a lower incidence of leg lymphedema than infrarenal paraaortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy (1.3% vs 18.1%, p = 0.0003). Conclusion: The high feasibility, the absence of intraoperative complications and the low risk of lymphatic complications supports implementing detection of sentinel lymph nodes in low-risk endometrial cancer patients. Given that available preliminary data on sensitivity and false negative rates in high-risk patients are confirmed in further studies, we also believe that the reduction in lymphatic complications and operative time strongly motivates the sentinel lymph node concept in high-risk endometrial cancer.
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| 10. |
- Geppert, Kurt, et al.
(author)
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Regional Disparities in the European Union : Convergence and Agglomeration
- 2008
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In: Papers in regional science (Print). - : The regional science association international (RSAI). - 1056-8190 .- 1435-5957. ; 87:2, s. 193-217
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Economic disparities between the regions of the European Union are of constant concern both for policy and economic research. In this paper, we examine whether there are overlapping trends of regional development in the EU: overall convergence, on the one hand, and persistent or even increasing spatial concentration (agglomeration), on the other. Kernel density estimation, Markov chain analysis and cross-sectional regressions provide evidence that convergence of regional per-capita income in the EU15 has become considerably stronger in the 1990s. The reduction of income disparities, however, is a phenomenon between nations but not between regions within the EU countries. European integration (and possibly European regional policy) fosters the catching-up of lagging countries but at the same time forces towards agglomeration of economic activities tend to increase disparities within the EU member states.
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