| 1. |
- Larsson, Stefan, et al.
(author)
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Characteristics of anadromous whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus (L.)) rivers in the Gulf of Bothnia
- 2013
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In: BIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF COREGONID FISHES - 2011. - 9783510470662 ; 64, s. 189-201
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In order to study anadromous whitefish spawning river requirements, we sampled 41 rivers in the Gulf of Bothnia for newly hatched whitefish larvae for one to three consecutive years. Chemical and morphological data (e.g. flow rate, topography, pH, estuary fetch and distance to coastal sandy areas) were collected for each river. Newly-hatched whitefish were caught in 19 rivers whereas whitefish were not confirmed present in 22 rivers. By applying partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), data for rivers confirmed to support whitefish were contrasted with data for rivers in which whitefish were not found. The single most important factor was annual average water flow rate. Whitefish larvae were observed in 93% of the rivers with annual mean flow rate > 5 m(3) s(-1) (N = 14). In contrast, newly-hatched whitefish were only found in 22% of the smaller rivers (N = 27).
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| 2. |
- Björkman Björkelund, Karin, et al.
(author)
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Reducing delirium in elderly patients with hip fracture: a multi-factorial intervention study.
- 2010
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In: Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 0001-5172 .- 1399-6576. ; Apr 7, s. 678-688
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: There is an evident need for improved management of elderly patients with trauma in order to avoid common and troublesome complications such as delirium. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an implementation of a multi-factorial program including intensified pre-hospital and perioperative treatment and care could reduce the incidence of delirium in elderly patients with hip fracture, cognitively intact at admission to the hospital. In addition, we explored the factors that characterize patients who developed delirium. Methods: A prospective, quasi-experimental design was used. A total of 263 patients with hip fracture (>/=65 years), cognitively intact at admission, were consecutively included between April 2003 and April 2004. On 1 October 2003, a new program was introduced. All patients were screened for cognitive impairment within 30 min after admission to the emergency department using The Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ). To screen for delirium, patients were tested within 4 h of admission and thereafter daily, using the Organic Brain Syndrome scale. Results: The number of patients who developed delirium during hospitalization was 74 (28.1%), with a decrease from 34% (45 of 132) in the control group to 22% (29 of 131) in the intervention group (P=0.031). Patients who developed delirium were statistically older, more often had >4 prescribed drugs at admission and scored less well in the SPMSQ test. Conclusion: The use of a multi-factorial intervention program in elderly hip fracture patients, lucid at admission, reduced the incidence of delirium during hospitalization by 35%.
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| 3. |
- Björkman Björkelund, Karin, et al.
(author)
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The influence of perioperative care and treatment on the 4-month outcome in elderly patients with hip fracture.
- 2011
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In: AANA Journal. - 0094-6354. ; 79:1, s. 51-61
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The purpose of this descriptive cohort study was to identify perioperative risk factors associated with postoperative outcome up to 4 months after surgery in elderly patients with hip fracture. Data were collected prospectively through the Swedish National Hip Fracture, the local Acute and Emergency, and Anesthesia registers, and retrospectively from medical and nursing records. The 428 patients (aged > or = 65 years) with hip fracture were consecutively included. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors predicting each of 4 outcomes. Perioperative risk factors predicting death within 4 months after surgery were fasting time of 12 or more hours and blood transfusion of 1 U or more. Risk factors predicting postoperative confusion were postoperative oxygen saturation less than 90% and fasting time 12 hours or longer. Risk factors predicting in-hospital complications were transfusion of 1 or more units of blood, preoperative oxygen saturation less than 90%, and fasting time 12 hours or more. Risk factor predicting length of stay longer than 10 days was blood transfusion of 1 U or more. To minimize morbidity and mortality, providers should increase efforts to optimize the patients' oxygen saturation and hemoglobin level and reduce fasting time and waiting time for surgery.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Falk, Joel, et al.
(author)
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Particle properties and feeding characteristics of biomass powders
- 2013
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In: European Biomass Conference and Exhibition. - : ETA-Florens Renewable Energies. - 9788889407530 ; , s. 1160-1163
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Milling of biomass is a necessary step in the use of fuel powders and also in fuel pre-treatment. Milled biomass powders are often cohesive, have low bulk density and have poor flowability leading to costly problems in fuel handling. In this study, two different milling methods (knife mill and hammer mill) and four different biomass powders (Norway spruce, torrefied Norway spruce, charcoal and reed canary grass) were tested in order to find correlations between particle properties and feeding characteristics. The powders were analyzed for size distribution using both mechanical and optical sieveless particle size analysis. Loose and tapped bulk densities were measured to calculate the Hausner ratio, an indicator of flowability. The different powders were tested for feeding characteristics in a screw feeder at constant rpm. Hammer milling produced powders with more fines and lower densities than knife milling. Feeding performance varied between materials with two materials better when hammer milled and two better when knife milled. However, hammer milled materials had better initial feeding stability. Due to large differences in bulk density there was a large difference in feeding rates. Also, two fuels showed good agreement with the theoretical feeding rate when assuming feeding at loose bulk density while the other two showed better agreement with a flow calculated at tapped bulk density indicating different packing behaviors.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Hermansson, Sven, et al.
(author)
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Testbädd Mellanskalig Biorbränsleförbränning - en förstudie
- 2014
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Conversion of biomass to heat and power plays an important role in the transition of the Swedish energy system from fossil based to renewables. For manufacturers and users of medium scale combustion plants (0.5 – approx. 15 MWth), a spectrum of challenges are accounted with both today’s and future flexible use of modern biomass fuels. Such challenges are e.g. fuel handling and processing together with combustion instabilities caused by new fuels with resulting ware-and-tear and elevated emission levels. However, the possibilities to test and try out new innovations is very limited, which is why a Test Bed has the potential to significantly contribute to the innovation growth within the sector. The purpose of this feasibility study therefore to investigate the prerequisites for the establishment of a Test Bed for Medium Scale Biomass Combustion. The fundament of the feasibility study is a survey of the existing infrastructure for testing and innovation development of medium scale biomass combustion, which could be further developed and interconnected. Furthermore, a broad inquiry has been performed among market actors, focusing on the present and future need together with existing conditions for taking part in the development of a test bed. These first two steps has then been synthesized into recommendations on how a test bed should be developed and exploited by relevant actors. The major conclusions and recommendations of the feasibility study are: A cost efficient and innovative Test Bed system for medium scale biomass combustion could be developed by enhanced cooperation between passive test-bed like plants and systems, industrial testing plants and research activities, Development of a test bed system is hindered by the fact that there is no clear receiver of such system on the market. Stake holder cooperation is today weak, which makes common investments and financing impossible There is no economic support for the erection of new, dedicated test bed facilities for medium scale biomass combustion, Pre-treatment of biomass raw material with the purpose of enhancing fuel quality simultaneously refining products from the biomass has been found to show good potential for further development of test beds. This study therefore recommends that such investigation should be taken under consideration.
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| 8. |
- Huerta Buitrago, B., et al.
(author)
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Hazard assessment of sediments from a wetland system for treatment of landfill leachate using bioassays
- 2013
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In: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. - Maryland Heights, MO : Elsevier BV. - 0147-6513 .- 1090-2414. ; 97, s. 255-262
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Four bioassays were used in this study for the hazard assessment of sediments from sediment traps and several ponds in a treatment wetland for landfill leachate at Atleverket, Sweden. In the 6-day solid phase microbiotest with the sediment-dwelling crustacean Heterocypris incongruens both acute and chronic effects were observed with a gradual decrease and loss of toxicity with treatment in the wetland system. Some samples showed a low toxicity in porewater and only one sample was weakly toxic in the whole sediment test when assessed with Aliivibrio fischeri (Vibro fischeri). No genotoxicity was detected in the umu test. The toxicity response in the H4IIE- luc test evaluating the presence of dioxin-like compounds was considerably higher in the samples from the sediment traps. The hazard of the sediment therefore appears to be highest in the sediment traps and pond 1 with the methods employed. The result indicates that the wetland system has a design supporting the concentration and sequestration of toxic substances in the first part of the wetland. Based upon the results we suggest that hazard assessment of sediments from other treatment wetlands for landfill leachate should be conducted.
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| 9. |
- Ivarsson, Bodil, et al.
(author)
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Serious complications in connection with cardiac surgery-Next of kin's views on information and support.
- 2011
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In: Intensive and Critical Care Nursing. - : Elsevier BV. - 1532-4036 .- 0964-3397. ; 27:6, s. 331-337
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Next of kin (NoK) to patients undergoing cardiac surgery expect successful outcomes but sometimes serious complications occur and this affects their NoK. To describe NoK's experiences of information and support when serious complications occur during the first 30 days after cardiac surgery. METHODS: A qualitative, critical incident technique was used. Forty-two NoK were asked to describe their experiences of information and support. RESULTS: Three main areas emerged from the analysis. The first main area, Confidence during the waiting period, described how NoK could not participate in the forthcoming operation and how the NoK were informed. The second main area, Involvement during the hospital stay, described how the NoK feel trust in the healthcare professionals and dissatisfaction with the care in relation to the operation. The third main area, Sense of abandonment, described problems with the rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show the importance of pre- and post operative contacts between healthcare professionals, patients and NoK. When the NoK and the patients are well informed it constitutes a basis for fruitful conversations between them and the healthcare professionals, and everyone can be better prepared if complications occur.
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