| 1. |
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Abelius, Martina S, et al.
(author)
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Th2-like chemokine levels are increased in allergic children and influenced by maternal immunity during pregnancy
- 2014
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In: Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0905-6157 .- 1399-3038. ; 25:4, s. 387-393
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The influence of the intra-uterine environment on the immunity and allergy development in the offspring is unclear. We aimed to investigate (i) whether the pregnancy magnifies the Th2 immunity in allergic and non-allergic women, (ii) whether the maternal chemokine levels during pregnancy influenced the offspring’s chemokine levels during childhood and (iii) the relationship between circulating Th1/Th2-associated chemokines and allergy in mothers and children.Methods: The Th1-associated chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and the Th2- associated chemokines CCL17, CCL18 and CCL22 were quantified by Luminex and ELISA in 20 women with and 36 women without allergic symptoms at gestational week (gw) 10–12, 15–16, 25, 35, 39 and 2 and 12 months post-partum and in their children at birth, 6, 12, 24 months and 6 yr of age. Total IgE levels were measured using ImmunoCAP Technology.Results: The levels of the Th2-like chemokines were not magnified by pregnancy. Instead decreased levels were shown during pregnancy (irrespectively of maternal allergy status) as compared to post-partum. In the whole group, the Th1-like chemokine levels were higher at gw 39 than during the first and second trimester and post-partum. Maternal CXCL11, CCL18 and CCL22 levels during and after pregnancy correlated with the corresponding chemokines in the offspring during childhood. Increased CCL22 and decreased CXCL10 levels in the children were associated with sensitisation and increased CCL17 levels with allergic symptoms during childhood. Maternal chemokine levels were not associated with maternal allergic disease.Conclusions: Allergic symptoms and sensitisation were associated with decreased Th1-and increased Th2-associated chemokine levels during childhood, indicating a Th2 shift in the allergic children, possibly influenced by the maternal immunity during pregnancy.
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| 4. |
- Agervald, Åsa, et al.
(author)
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CalA, a cyanobacterial AbrB protein, interacts with the upstream region of hypC and acts as a repressor of its transcription in the cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. strain PCC 7120
- 2010
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In: Applied and Environmental Microbiology. - 0099-2240 .- 1098-5336. ; 76:3, s. 880-890
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The filamentous, heterocystous, nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. strain PCC 7120 may contain, depending on growth condition, up to two hydrogenases directly involved in hydrogen metabolism. HypC is one out of at least seven auxiliary gene products required for synthesis of a functional hydrogenase, specifically involved in the maturation of the large subunit. In this study we present a protein, Alr0946, belonging to the transcription regulator family AbrB, which in protein-DNA assays was found to interact with the upstream region of hypC. Transcriptional investigations showed that alr0946 is co-transcribed with the downstream gene alr0947, which encodes a putative protease from the abortive infection superfamily, Abi. Alr0946 was shown to interact specifically not only with the upstream region of hypC but also with its own upstream region, acting as a repressor on both. The bidirectional hydrogenase activity was significant down-regulated when Alr0946 was over-expressed demonstrating a correlation to the transcription factor, either direct or indirect. In silico studies showed that homologues to both Alr0946 and Alr0947 are highly conserved proteins within cyanobacteria with a very similar physical organisation of the corresponding structural genes. Possible functions of the co-transcribed downstream protein Alr0947 are presented. In addition, we present a 3D model of the CyAbrB domain of Alr0946 and putative DNA-binding mechanisms are discussed.
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| 5. |
- Agervald, Åsa, et al.
(author)
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CRISPR in the extended hyp-operon of the cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. strain PCC 7120, characteristics and putative function(s)
- 2012
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In: International journal of hydrogen energy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0360-3199 .- 1879-3487. ; 37:10, s. 8828-8833
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The presence of small RNAs (sRNA) and their functions in transcriptional regulation has lately turned into a hot topic. Since cyanobacteria often face changes in the surrounding environment, they need to have a well working system for stress response. Quick adaption is necessary, and an RNA-based regulatory system is thus useful. One example of these sRNAs is CRISPRs. In this work we report the existence of a CRISPR within the hyp-operon (hyp genes encode proteins responsible for the maturation of hydrogenases) of the filamentous cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. strain PCC 7120. We present data concerning its characteristics and putative function(s) and raise the question concerning the importance of this CRISPR array and other CRISPR systems in general. In addition, we discuss the use of the CRISPR system as a potential bacterial genetic defence mechanism to achieve robust, cyanobacterial cultures in large scale, commercial production units.
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| 6. |
- Agervald, Åsa, et al.
(author)
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The CyAbrB transcription factor CalA regulates the iron superoxide dismutase in Nostoc sp. strain PCC 7120
- 2010
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In: Environmental Microbiology. - : Wiley. - 1462-2912 .- 1462-2920. ; 12:10, s. 2826-2837
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- P>In the present investigation the results of induced over-production of the CyAbrB transcription factor CalA (Cyanobacterial AbrB-like, annotated as Alr0946) in the cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. PCC 7120 were analysed. The CalA overexpression strain showed a bleaching phenotype with lower growth rate and truncated filaments 2 days after induction of overexpression. The phenotype was even more pronounced when illumination was increased from 35 to 125 mu mol m-2 s-1. Using gel-based quantitative proteomics, the induced overexpression of CalA was shown to downregulate the abundance of FeSOD, one of two types of superoxide dismutases in Nostoc sp. PCC 7120. The change in protein abundance was also accompanied by lower transcript as well as activity levels. Purified recombinant CalA from Nostoc sp. PCC 7120 was shown to interact with the promoter region of alr2938, encoding FeSOD, indicating a transcriptional regulation of FeSOD by CalA. The bleaching phenotype is in line with a decreased tolerance against oxidative stress and indicates that CalA is involved in regulation of cellular responses in which FeSOD has an important and specific function in the filamentous cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. PCC 7120.
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| 7. |
- Bergman, Karin, et al.
(author)
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Patients' satisfaction with the care offered by advanced practice nurses: a new role in Swedish primary care
- 2013
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In: International Journal of Nursing Practice. - : Wiley. - 1322-7114 .- 1440-172X. ; 19:3, s. 326-333
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study is to describe patients’ satisfaction with the new role of advanced practice nurses (APNs) in Swedish primary care. A questionnaire pertaining to patient satisfaction with the care offered by APNs was sent to respondents. Descriptive statistics, a chi-squared test and manifest qualitative content analysis were used during analysis. Although the results show an overall high level of patient satisfaction as regards APN-led care, those patients informed of the APN role prior to a consultation were significantly more satisfied. Respondents’ comments indicate that professional treatment and competence are characteristic of the care offered by APNs and also relate the concepts of increased availability of and continuity in health care to the APN role. In order to guarantee the positive development of the APN role in Sweden, continued research is needed from patient, organizational and interprofessional perspectives, including intervention studies of cost effectiveness and the quality of care.
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| 8. |
- Camsund, Daniel, et al.
(author)
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A HupS-GFP fusion protein demonstrates a heterocyst-specific localization of the uptake hydrogenase in Nostoc punctiforme
- 2011
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In: FEMS Microbiology Letters. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0378-1097 .- 1574-6968. ; 316:2, s. 152-159
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- All diazotrophic filamentous cyanobacteria contain an uptake hydrogenase that is involved in the reoxidation of H-2 produced during N-2-fixation. In Nostoc punctiforme ATCC 29133, N-2-fixation takes place in the microaerobic heterocysts, catalysed by a nitrogenase. Although the function of the uptake hydrogenase may be closely connected to that of nitrogenase, the localization in cyanobacteria has been under debate. Moreover, the subcellular localization is not understood. To investigate the cellular and subcellular localization of the uptake hydrogenase in N. punctiforme, a reporter construct consisting of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) translationally fused to HupS, within the complete hupSL operon, was constructed and transferred into N. punctiforme on a self-replicative vector by electroporation. Expression of the complete HupS-GFP fusion protein was confirmed by Western blotting using GFP antibodies. The N. punctiforme culture expressing HupS-GFP was examined using laser scanning confocal microscopy, and fluorescence was exclusively detected in the heterocysts. Furthermore, the fluorescence in mature heterocysts was localized to several small or fewer large clusters, which indicates a specificity of the subcellular localization of the uptake hydrogenase.
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| 9. |
- Carneiro, Miguel, et al.
(author)
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Rabbit genome analysis reveals a polygenic basis for phenotypic change during domestication
- 2014
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In: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 345:6200, s. 1074-1079
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The genetic changes underlying the initial steps of animal domestication are still poorly understood. We generated a high-quality reference genome for the rabbit and compared it to resequencing data from populations of wild and domestic rabbits. We identified more than 100 selective sweeps specific to domestic rabbits but only a relatively small number of fixed (or nearly fixed) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for derived alleles. SNPs with marked allele frequency differences between wild and domestic rabbits were enriched for conserved noncoding sites. Enrichment analyses suggest that genes affecting brain and neuronal development have often been targeted during domestication. We propose that because of a truly complex genetic background, tame behavior in rabbits and other domestic animals evolved by shifts in allele frequencies at many loci, rather than by critical changes at only a few domestication loci.
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| 10. |
- Devine, Ellenor, 1977-
(author)
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Cyanobacterial Hydrogen Metabolism : Regulation and Maturation of Hydrogenases
- 2011
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In times with elevated CO2 levels and global warming there is a need of finding alternatives to carbon based energy carriers. One such environmental friendly solution could be H2 produced by living organisms. Cyanobacteria are good candidates since they can produce H2 from sunlight and water through the combination of photosynthesis and H2 producing enzymes i.e. nitrogenases and/or [NiFe]-hydrogenases. This thesis investigates the maturation and transcriptional regulation of [NiFe]-hydrogenases in cyanobacteria, with a special focus on hydrogenase specific proteases. The core of all hydrogenases consists of the small and large subunit. The large subunit in which the catalytic site is located goes through an extenstive maturation process which ends with a proteolytic cleavage performed by a hydrogenase specific protease (HupW/HoxW). This thesis shows that within the maturation process of hydrogenases, the proteolytic cleavage is probably the only step that is specific with respect to different types of hydrogenases i.e. one type of protease cleaves only one type of hydrogenase. Further in-silico analysis revealed that these proteases and the hydrogenases might have co-evolved since ancient time and that the specificity observed could be the result of a conserved amino acid sequence which differs between the two types of proteases (HupW/HoxW). A number of different transcription factors were revealed and shown to interact with the promoter regions of several of the genes encoding maturation proteins. The results indicate that the hydrogenase specific proteases are regulated on a transcriptional level in a similar manner as the hydrogenases they cleave. This thesis contributes with knowledge concerning transcriptional regulation and protein regulation of hydrogenases which will be useful for designing genetically engineered cyanobacteria with an improved and adjustable H2 production.
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| 11. |
- Drögemüller, Cord, et al.
(author)
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A deletion in the N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) gene in Greyhounds with polyneuropathy
- 2010
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In: PloS one. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 5:6, s. e11258-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The polyneuropathy of juvenile Greyhound show dogs shows clinical similarities to the genetically heterogeneous Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease in humans. The pedigrees containing affected dogs suggest monogenic autosomal recessive inheritance and all affected dogs trace back to a single male. Here, we studied the neuropathology of this disease and identified a candidate causative mutation. Peripheral nerve biopsies from affected dogs were examined using semi-thin histology, nerve fibre teasing and electron microscopy. A severe chronic progressive mixed polyneuropathy was observed. Seven affected and 17 related control dogs were genotyped on the 50k canine SNP chip. This allowed us to localize the causative mutation to a 19.5 Mb interval on chromosome 13 by homozygosity mapping. The NDRG1 gene is located within this interval and NDRG1 mutations have been shown to cause hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy-Lom in humans (CMT4D). Therefore, we considered NDRG1 a positional and functional candidate gene and performed mutation analysis in affected and control Greyhounds. A 10 bp deletion in canine NDRG1 exon 15 (c.1080_1089delTCGCCTGGAC) was perfectly associated with the polyneuropathy phenotype of Greyhound show dogs. The deletion causes a frame shift (p.Arg361SerfsX60) which alters several amino acids before a stop codon is encountered. A reduced level of NDRG1 transcript could be detected by RT-PCR. Western blot analysis demonstrated an absence of NDRG1 protein in peripheral nerve biopsy of an affected Greyhound. We thus have identified a candidate causative mutation for polyneuropathy in Greyhounds and identified the first genetically characterized canine CMT model which offers an opportunity to gain further insights into the pathobiology and therapy of human NDRG1 associated CMT disease. Selection against this mutation can now be used to eliminate polyneuropathy from Greyhound show dogs.
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| 12. |
- Eber, Ernst, et al.
(author)
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Paediatrics in amsterdam.
- 2012
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In: The European respiratory journal : official journal of the European Society for Clinical Respiratory Physiology. - : European Respiratory Society (ERS). - 1399-3003 .- 0903-1936. ; 40:1, s. 215-26
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this update is to describe the paediatric highlights from the 2011 European Respiratory Society (ERS) Annual Congress in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Abstracts from all seven groups of the ERS Paediatric Assembly (Paediatric Respiratory Physiology, Paediatric Asthma and Allergy, Cystic Fibrosis, Paediatric Respiratory Infection and Immunology, Neonatology and Paediatric Intensive Care, Paediatric Respiratory Epidemiology, and Paediatric Bronchology) are presented in the context of current literature.
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| 13. |
- Gidlund- Lindblad, Katarina, et al.
(author)
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Critical Design and the creation of alternative visions : literally and metaphorically Critical
- 2014
-
Reports (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Critical design methods and thinking is gaining increasing interest during design of artefacts, applied mainly by interaction designers in order to create designs that cause reflections (on roles, norms, values, practices, cultures). It forces reflection among the users of the artefacts, since the artefact is aimed to provoke, and to support visions of alternative realities, other ways of being and living. However, ways to create such provocations, reflections and visions among the professionals (designers, researchers and practitioners) is not explored as much. If considering critical design rather as a position than an approach for design, how can we support reflection among us as professionals? Thereby, enable usage of critical design in our profession? These, and related questions, will be reflected upon and discussed during the workshop.
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
- Hansen, Karin, et al.
(author)
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Ekosystemtjänster i svenska skogar
- 2014
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Skogen är en livsviktig naturresurs som skapar förutsättningar för biologisk mångfald och människans hälsa och välstånd. I Sverige täcker skogen idag nära hälften av landarealen och är därför av stor betydelse. Den svenska skogen ger många nyttiga tjänster, som till exempel biodiversitet, färskvatten, koldioxidbindning, timmer, pappersmassa, föda och möjligheter för rekreation. Ett samlande begrepp för alla nyttigheter skogen ger oss är ekosystemtjänster (ecosystem services). Tills nyligen har man haft en tendens att ta alla ekosystemtjänster för givna men de senaste åren och särskilt efter Millennium Assessment-rapporten (MEA, 2005) har man försökt identifiera, kvantifiera, värdera och prissätta ekosystemtjänster vilket lett till att användningen av begreppet formligen har exploderat. I begreppet ligger att man önskar använda ekonomiska incitament till att främja en hållbar utveckling i skogarna. IVL redovisar i denna rapport en studie över begreppet ekosystemtjänster i svenska skogar. I rapporten klargörs begreppet ekosystemtjänster och de viktigaste ekosystemtjänster i svenska skogar identifieras och beskrivs kvalitativt. Vidare i rapporten görs en kvantitativ analys av de viktigaste ekosystemtjänster i skog och så långt som det i nuläget är möjligt görs även olika monetära värderingar av vissa ekosystemtjänster. Tidigare och pågående studier som rör ekosystemtjänster, dels i Sverige och i Norden dels utomlands, sammanfattas. Den möjliga användningen av begreppet ekosystemtjänster inom arbetet med utvärdering av miljökvalitetsmålen berörs slutligen i rapporten.
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| 16. |
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| 17. |
- Heidorn, Thorsten, et al.
(author)
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Synthetic Biology in Cyanobacteria : Engineering and Analyzing Novel Functions
- 2011
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In: Methods in Enzymology. - 0076-6879 .- 1557-7988. ; 497, s. 539-579
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cyanobacteria are the only prokaryotes capable of using sunlight as their energy, water as an electron donor, and air as a source of carbon and, for some nitrogen-fixing strains, nitrogen. Compared to algae and plants, cyanobacteria are much easier to genetically engineer, and many of the standard biological parts available for Synthetic Biology applications in Escherichia coli can also be used in cyanobacteria. However, characterization of such parts in cyanobacteria reveals differences in performance when compared to E. coli, emphasizing the importance of detailed characterization in the cellular context of a biological chassis. Furthermore, cyanobacteria possess special characteristics (e.g., multiple copies of their chromosomes, high content of photosynthetically active proteins in the thylakoids, the presence of exopolysaccharides and extracellular glycolipids, and the existence of a circadian rhythm) that have to be taken into account when genetically engineering them. With this chapter, the synthetic biologist is given an overview of existing biological parts, tools and protocols for the genetic engineering, and molecular analysis of cyanobacteria for Synthetic Biology applications.
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| 18. |
- Holmqvist, Marie, 1978-
(author)
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The Cyanobacterial Uptake Hydrogenase : Regulation, Maturation and Function
- 2010
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- With accellerating global warming and pollution problems a change of energy regime is necessary. Solar energy offers a clean and unlimited energy source of enormous potential. Due to it’s intermittenet nature solar energy must be stored - ideally in the chemical bond of a carrier molecule. Hydrogen gas, H2, an energy carrier with water as only emission when used in a fuel cell, is considered to be the choise for the future. In this context cyanobacteria show promising potential as future H2 factories since they can produce H2 from solar energy and water. The main enzymes directly involved in cyanobacterial hydrogen metabolism are nitrogenases and hydrogenases. Cyanobacterial hydrogenases are either uptake hydrogenases or bidirectional hydrogenases and their maturation requires assistance of six maturation proteins and two hydrogenase specific proteases. In this thesis the transcriptional regulation, maturation and function of the cyanobacterial uptake hydrogenases were investigated in the filamentous, heterocyst forming strains Nostoc punctiforme ATCC 29133 and Nostoc sp. strain PCC 7120. Five genes, encoding proteins putatively involved in the maturation of the uptake hydrogenase were identified upstream the known maturation genes. Two transcription factors, CalA and CalB, were found interacting with the stretch of DNA forming the upstream regions of the uptake hydrogenase structural genes and the novel maturation genes. The expression of the uptake hydrogenase were heterocysts specific and the specificity mapped to a short promoter region starting -57 bp upstream the transcription start point. In addition, the function of the uptake hydrogenase was inserted in a metabolic context. Among the proteases, a conserved region was discovered possibly involved in determining the hydrogenase specificity. This thesis has given valuable information about the transcriptional regulation, maturation and function of the uptake hydrogenase in filamentous, heterocystous cyanobacteria and identified new targets for bioengineering of mutant strains with higher H2 production rates.
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| 19. |
- Holmqvist, Marie, et al.
(author)
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Transcript analysis of the extended hyp-operons in the cyanobacteria Nostoc sp. strain PCC 7120 and Nostoc punctiforme ATCC 29133
- 2011
-
In: BMC Research Notes. - London : BioMed Central. - 1756-0500. ; 4:186
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The ability of cyanobacteria to capture solar energy, via oxygenic photosynthesis, and convert that energy to molecular hydrogen (H2) has made them an interesting group of organisms with potential as future energy producers. There are three types of enzymes directly involved in the cyanobacterial hydrogen metabolism; nitrogenases that produce H2 as a by-product when fixating atmospheric nitrogen, uptake hydrogenases that catalyze the oxidation of H2,thereby preventing energy losses from the cells, and bidirectional hydrogenases that has the capacity to both oxidize and reduce H2. Hydrogenases are complex metalloenzymes, and the insertion of ligands and correct folding of the proteins require assistance of accessory proteins, the Hyp proteins. Cyanobacterial hydrogenases are NiFe-type hydrogenases and consist of a large and a small subunit. Today, the maturation process of the large subunit has been uncovered to a large extent in cyanobacteria, mostly by analogy assumptions from studies done in other bacteria such as Escherichia coli but also from mutational analyses in cyanobacteria, while the maturation process of the small subunit is still unknown. Recently a set of genes, putatively involved in the maturation process of the small subunit, was discovered in Nostoc sp. PCC 7120 and Nostoc punctiforme ATCC 29133. These five ORFs, encoding unknown proteins, are located in between the uptake hydrogenase structural genes and the hyp-genes were shown to be transcribed together with the hyp-genes in Nostoc PCC 7120. The ORFs upstream the hyp-genes can be found in the same genomic arrangement in other filamentous, nitrogen fixing cyanobacterial strains but are interestingly missing in strains incapable of nitrogen fixation. In this study we have further investigated the function of the ORFs upstream the hyp-genes by studying their transcription pattern after nitrogen depletion in the filamentous, nitrogen fixing strains Nostoc PCC 7120 and N. punctiforme. The transcription pattern were compared to the transcription pattern of hupS and hoxY, encoding the uptake and bidirectional hydrogenase small subunits, nifD, encoding a nitrogenase subunit and hypC and hypF, encoding the maturation process accessory proteins HypC and HypF. All the five ORFs upstream the hyp-genes, in both organisms, were upregulated after nitrogen step down in accordance with the transcription pattern for hupS, nifD, hypC and hypF which support the theory that these genes might be involved in the maturation of the small subunit.
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| 20. |
- Kölbel, Tilo, et al.
(author)
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Is Increased Thrombin Activation in Patients With Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Dependent on Area or Volume of Aneurysm Thrombus Mass?
- 2010
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In: Angiology. - : SAGE Publications. - 0003-3197 .- 1940-1574. ; 61:1, s. 113-118
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: Does thrombin activation seen in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) relate to the thrombus surface area or volume within the aneurysm? Patients and methods: A total of 130 patients with AAA were analyzed regarding levels of the complex between activated protein C-protein C inhibitor (APC-PCI) and AAA morphology. Analysis of APC-PCI complex was made using a sandwich immunofluorometric method. Results: Increased APC-PCI concentrations were seen in patients with AAA (0.44 mu g/L; P < .001 compared with controls). The correlations of APC-PCI values were r = .13, P = .13 for aneurysm size, r = .08, P = .35 for thrombus surface area, and r = .13, P = .14 for thrombus volume. APC-PCI values elevated to 0.45 mu g/L in 10 patients with AAA having no or very little thrombus mass. Conclusion: Disappointingly, no correlation was found between thrombus surface area or volume and levels of the APC-PCI complex. Mechanisms other than the AAA-sac thrombus must be evaluated as cause of thrombin activation in patients with AAA.
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| 21. |
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| 22. |
- Lindblad, Maria, et al.
(author)
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Samhällsekonomisk konsekvensanalys för Sverige av ett reviderat Göteborgsprotokoll till år 2020
- 2013
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- IVL Svenska Miljöinstitutet AB har på uppdrag av Naturvårdsverket genomfört en samhällsekonomisk konsekvensanalys som syftar till att belysa effekter på svensk ekonomi av de scenarier som tagits fram till förhandlingarna inom FN:s Luftvårdskonvention (CLRTAP) angående en revision av Göteborgsprotokollet. Scenarierna analyserades i flera moment med olika fokus. Enkelt beskrivet analyserades: vilka tekniska åtgärder som inkluderades i scenarierna; hur åtgärdskostnader fördelades mellan sektorer; hur stor den monetariserade hälsonyttan skulle bli i scenarierna. Dessutom analyseras eventuell påverkan på Svenska sektorers internationella konkurrenskraft. Jämförelsen mellan de två huvudscenarier som analyserats, BL-scenariot och MID-scenariot, visade att de Europeiska utsläppsnivåerna i MID scenariot skulle innebära bland annat 300 färre antal luftföroreningsrelaterade dödsfall i Sverige år 2020. Detta och andra hälsoeffekter skulle innebära en årlig monetär samhällsnytta motsvarande ca 249 miljoner €2005. När dessa kostnader jämförs med skillnaden i åtgärdskostnad mellan BL- och MID-scenariot, 14 miljoner €2005 årligen, så ges en nettonytta på 235 miljoner €2005 per år för Sverige, och en nyttokostnadskvot på 18. De åtgärder som specificeras i MID-scenariot är endast riktade mot stationära källor och i stort sett endast utsläppsrening (viss förbränningsmodifikation tas hänsyn till). Det finns även andra åtgärder tillgängliga år 2020 som skulle kunna vara mer kostnadseffektiva än de åtgärder som ligger till grund för MID-scenariot, till exempel inom vägtransporter. Då de exportinriktade sektorerna i Sverige främst exporterar till andra CLRTAP-länder, bedömde vi att den internationella konkurrenskraften inte borde påverkas nämnvärt. Denna rapport är en reviderad version av en rapport som ursprungligen skrevs under hösten 2011, och i rapporten betraktas därför hösten 2011 som nutid.
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| 23. |
- Lindblad, Peter, et al.
(author)
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Design, Engineering, and Construction of Photosynthetic Microbial Cell Factories for Renewable Solar Fuel Production
- 2012
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In: Ambio. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0044-7447 .- 1654-7209. ; 41:Suppl 2, s. 163-168
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is an urgent need to develop sustainable solutions to convert solar energy into energy carriers used in the society. In addition to solar cells generating electricity, there are several options to generate solar fuels. This paper outlines and discusses the design and engineering of photosynthetic microbial systems for the generation of renewable solar fuels, with a focus on cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria are prokaryotic microorganisms with the same type of photosynthesis as higher plants. Native and engineered cyanobacteria have been used by us and others as model systems to examine, demonstrate, and develop photobiological H-2 production. More recently, the production of carbon-containing solar fuels like ethanol, butanol, and isoprene have been demonstrated. We are using a synthetic biology approach to develop efficient photosynthetic microbial cell factories for direct generation of biofuels from solar energy. Present progress and advances in the design, engineering, and construction of such cyanobacterial cells for the generation of a portfolio of solar fuels, e. g., hydrogen, alcohols, and isoprene, are presented and discussed. Possibilities and challenges when introducing and using synthetic biology are highlighted.
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| 24. |
- Malmberg, Filip, et al.
(author)
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Measurement of fibre-fibre contact in three-dimensional images of fibrous materials obtained from X-ray synchrotron microtomography
- 2011
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In: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A. - : Elsevier BV. - 0168-9002 .- 1872-9576. ; 637:1, s. 143-148
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A series of wood-fibre mats was investigated using high-resolution phase-contrast microtomography at the beamline ID 19 of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble, France. A method for data reduction to quantify the degree of fibre-fibre contact has been derived. The degree of fibre-fibre contact and bonding plays a fundamental role in the mechanical properties of cellulose-fibre mats, paper materials and cellulose-fibre composites. The proposed computerised automated method consists of two parts. First, fibre lumens are segmented using a watershed based method. This information is then used to identify fibre-fibre contacts in projections along the z-axis of the material. The method is tested on microtomographic images of mats made of wood pulp fibres, and is shown to successfully detect differences in the amount of fibre-fibre contact between samples. The degree of fibre-fibre contact correlates well with measured out-of-plane strength of the fibrous material.
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| 25. |
- Moirangthem, Lakshmipyari Devi, et al.
(author)
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A high constitutive catalase activity confers resistance to methyl viologen-promoted oxidative stress in a mutant of the cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme ATCC 29133
- 2014
-
In: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. - Berlin : Springer Berlin/Heidelberg. - 0175-7598 .- 1432-0614. ; 98:8, s. 3809-3818
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A spontaneous methyl viologen (MV)-resistant mutant of the nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Nostoc punctiforme ATCC 29133 was isolated and the major enzymatic antioxidants involved in combating MV-induced oxidative stress were evaluated. The mutant displayed a high constitutive catalase activity as a consequence of which, the intracellular level of reactive oxygen species in the mutant was lower than the wild type (N. punctiforme) in the presence of MV. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity that consisted of a SodA (manganese-SOD) and a SodB (iron-SOD) was not suppressed in the mutant following MV treatment. The mutant was, however, characterised by a lower peroxidase activity compared with its wild type, and its improved tolerance to externally added H2O2 could only be attributed to enhanced catalase activity. Furthermore, MV-induced toxic effects on the wild type such as (1) loss of photosynthetic performance assessed as maximal quantum yield of photosystem II, (2) nitrogenase inactivation, and (3) filament fragmentation and cell lysis were not observed in the mutant. These findings highlight the importance of catalase in preventing MV-promoted oxidative damage and cell death in the cyanobacterium N. punctiforme. Such oxidative stress resistant mutants of cyanobacteria are likely to be a better source of biofertilisers, as they can grow and fix nitrogen in an unhindered manner in agricultural fields that are often contaminated with the herbicide MV, also commonly known as paraquat.
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| 26. |
- Sefyrin, Johanna, et al.
(author)
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Representational practices in demands driven development of public sector
- 2013
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In: ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT (EGOV 2013). - Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer. - 9783642403576 - 9783642403583 ; , s. 200-211
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper concerns representational practices in demands driven development of public sector, and the problems they involve. The term demands driven development refers to a movement in public sector towards a closer cooperation with the citizens, primarily with regards to the development of public e-services. The objective with the paper is to explore representational practices through the analysis of practitioners' talk about demands driven development. There are several interrelated problems with representational practices, in this paper analysed through the discussions of practitioners who work with demands driven development of public sector. The conclusion is that these practitioners work with representational practices in a way which they at the same time seem to consider rather problematic.
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| 27. |
- Sjöstrand, Karin, et al.
(author)
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Breed Differences in Natriuretic Peptides in Healthy Dogs
- 2014
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In: Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. - : Wiley. - 0891-6640 .- 1939-1676. ; 28:2, s. 451-457
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Measurement of plasma concentration of natriuretic peptides (NPs) is suggested to be of value in diagnosis of cardiac disease in dogs, but many factors other than cardiac status may influence their concentrations. Dog breed potentially is 1 such factor. Objective To investigate breed variation in plasma concentrations of pro-atrial natriuretic peptide 31-67 (proANP 31-67) and N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in healthy dogs. Animals 535 healthy, privately owned dogs of 9 breeds were examined at 5 centers as part of the European Union (EU) LUPA project. Methods Absence of cardiovascular disease or other clinically relevant organ-related or systemic disease was ensured by thorough clinical investigation. Plasma concentrations of proANP 31-67 and NT-proBNP were measured by commercially available ELISA assays. Results Overall significant breed differences were found in proANP 31-67 (P<.0001) and NT-proBNP (P<.0001) concentrations. Pair-wise comparisons between breeds differed in approximately 50% of comparisons for proANP 31-67 as well as NT-proBNP concentrations, both when including all centers and within each center. Interquartile range was large for many breeds, especially for NT-proBNP. Among included breeds, Labrador Retrievers and Newfoundlands had highest median NT-proBNP concentrations with concentrations 3 times as high as those of Dachshunds. German Shepherds and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels had the highest median proANP 31-67 concentrations, twice the median concentration in Doberman Pinschers. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Considerable interbreed variation in plasma NP concentrations was found in healthy dogs. Intrabreed variation was large in several breeds, especially for NT-proBNP. Additional studies are needed to establish breed-specific reference ranges.
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| 28. |
- Åström, Stefan, et al.
(author)
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Compilation of data for Sweden to the GAINS model
- 2013
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The purpose with the project was to create a robust system for development of national emission scenarios in the GAINS model that are consistent with Swedish official emission inventories and emission projections. Such a system required a structured compilation of information sources as well as a systematic method for re-formatting data. The basis for the data compilation was the data used in the official Swedish emission inventory and emission projections. These data sometimes needed to be complemented for more detailed information from official sources such as the Swedish Transport Administration, Swedish Energy Agency, and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. Following this a data conversion tool was developed. After introducing Swedish data and projections into the GAINS model we could compare and analyse differences between emissions in the Swedish scenario in the GAINS model and the emissions in the official Swedish national reporting. The results showed that emissions were suitably aligned for SO2, while NOx and PM2.5 emissions differed. All in all, this project describes the process of developing a scenario for Sweden in the GAINS model based on national data. Special attention, and a systematic approach, is needed in the re-aggregation and re-allocation of fuels and sectors from a Swedish format to a GAINS model format. Further development of the approach used during re-allocation and re-aggregation of data is needed, as well as increased national knowledge regarding the current and expected use of air pollution emission control technologies in Sweden.
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| 29. |
- Åström, Stefan, et al.
(author)
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Estimating air pollution emission abatement potential in Sweden 2030
- 2013
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The two principal aims with this project was to adjust the discrepancy between Swedish official air pollution emission projections and scenarios for Sweden developed by other international institutions, and to analyse the emission abatement potential in Sweden by 2030. Data used to support the Swedish official emission projections was collected and reformatted to enable a comparison with scenario data for Swedish emissions developed by IIASA. The results of this comparison were discussed with IIASA during the bilateral consultation carried out as a part of the on-going revision of the EU Thematic Strategy for Air Pollution. In parallel to this consultation, the potential for further emission abatement in Sweden by 2030 was analysed by interviewing representatives of power plants and large industrial facilities. The comparison with IIASA emission scenarios for Sweden identified that much of the differences between Swedish projections and IIASA emission scenarios originate from the transport sector, small scale domestic combustion in households, as well as from burning of agricultural waste. The potential for NOx emission abatement was estimated for the sectors: power plants; refineries; pulp & paper industries; and the iron & steel industry. If all plants in these sectors were to use the best available technology in 2030, NOx emissions could be reduced by some 13 kton NOx, or ?38% of the 35 kton emissions projected from these sectors by 2030. Abatement costs could in this project only be estimated for 2.3 kton. For these, the abatement cost would be ?170 million Swedish crowns per year.
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