| 1. |
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| 2. |
- Hudson, Lawrence N, et al.
(author)
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The database of the PREDICTS (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems) project
- 2017
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In: Ecology and Evolution. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2045-7758. ; 7:1, s. 145-188
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The PREDICTS project-Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (www.predicts.org.uk)-has collated from published studies a large, reasonably representative database of comparable samples of biodiversity from multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity of human impacts relating to land use. We have used this evidence base to develop global and regional statistical models of how local biodiversity responds to these measures. We describe and make freely available this 2016 release of the database, containing more than 3.2 million records sampled at over 26,000 locations and representing over 47,000 species. We outline how the database can help in answering a range of questions in ecology and conservation biology. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most geographically and taxonomically representative database of spatial comparisons of biodiversity that has been collated to date; it will be useful to researchers and international efforts wishing to model and understand the global status of biodiversity.
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| 6. |
- Schillemans, T., et al.
(author)
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Conflictual Accountability: Behavioral Responses to Conflictual Accountability of Agencies
- 2021
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In: Administration & Society. - : SAGE Publications. - 0095-3997 .- 1552-3039. ; 53:8, s. 1232-1262
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In contemporary public governance, leaders of public organizations are faced with multiple, and oftentimes conflictual, accountability claims. Drawing upon a survey of CEO's of agencies in seven countries, we explore whether and how conflictual accountability regimes relate to strategic behaviors by agency-CEO's and their political principals. The presence of conflictual accountability is experienced as a major challenge and is associated with important behavioral responses by those CEO's. This article demonstrates empirically how conflictual accountability is related to (a) controlling behaviors by principals, (b) constituency building behaviors by agencies, and (c) a general pattern of intensified contacts and information processing by both parties.
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| 17. |
- Muscarella, Robert, et al.
(author)
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The global abundance of tree palms
- 2020
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In: Global Ecology and Biogeography. - : Wiley. - 1466-822X .- 1466-8238. ; 29:9, s. 1495-1514
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AimPalms are an iconic, diverse and often abundant component of tropical ecosystems that provide many ecosystem services. Being monocots, tree palms are evolutionarily, morphologically and physiologically distinct from other trees, and these differences have important consequences for ecosystem services (e.g., carbon sequestration and storage) and in terms of responses to climate change. We quantified global patterns of tree palm relative abundance to help improve understanding of tropical forests and reduce uncertainty about these ecosystems under climate change.LocationTropical and subtropical moist forests.Time periodCurrent.Major taxa studiedPalms (Arecaceae).MethodsWe assembled a pantropical dataset of 2,548 forest plots (covering 1,191 ha) and quantified tree palm (i.e., ≥10 cm diameter at breast height) abundance relative to co‐occurring non‐palm trees. We compared the relative abundance of tree palms across biogeographical realms and tested for associations with palaeoclimate stability, current climate, edaphic conditions and metrics of forest structure.ResultsOn average, the relative abundance of tree palms was more than five times larger between Neotropical locations and other biogeographical realms. Tree palms were absent in most locations outside the Neotropics but present in >80% of Neotropical locations. The relative abundance of tree palms was more strongly associated with local conditions (e.g., higher mean annual precipitation, lower soil fertility, shallower water table and lower plot mean wood density) than metrics of long‐term climate stability. Life‐form diversity also influenced the patterns; palm assemblages outside the Neotropics comprise many non‐tree (e.g., climbing) palms. Finally, we show that tree palms can influence estimates of above‐ground biomass, but the magnitude and direction of the effect require additional work.ConclusionsTree palms are not only quintessentially tropical, but they are also overwhelmingly Neotropical. Future work to understand the contributions of tree palms to biomass estimates and carbon cycling will be particularly crucial in Neotropical forests.
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| 20. |
- Sefidari, H., et al.
(author)
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The effect of co-firing coal and woody biomass upon the slagging/deposition tendency in iron-ore pelletizing grate-kiln plants
- 2020
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In: Fuel Processing Technology. ; 199
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Woody biomass is being considered a potential co-firing fuel to reduce coal consumption in iron-ore pelletizing rotary kilns. An important consideration is the slagging inside the kiln caused by ash deposition that can lead to process disturbances or shutdowns. In terms of ash chemistry, co-firing woody biomass implies the addition of mainly Ca and K to the Si- and Al-dominated coal-ash (characteristic of high-rank coals) and Fe from the iron-ore that are both inherent to the process. An alkali-laden gaseous atmosphere is also present due to the accumulation of alkali via the recirculation of flue gas in the system. The slagging propensity of blending woody biomass with coal in the grate-kiln process was studied based on the viscosity of the molten phases predicted by global thermochemical equilibrium modeling. This was carried out for variations in temperature, gaseous KOH atmosphere, and fuel blending levels. Results were evaluated and compared using a qualitative slagging indicator previously proposed by the authors where an inverse relationship between deposition tendency and the viscosity of the molten fraction of the ash was established. The results were also compared with a set of co-firing experiments performed in a pilot-scale (0.4 MW) experimental combustion furnace. In general, the co-firing of woody biomass would likely increase the slagging tendency via the increased formation of low-viscosity melts. The fluxing behavior of biomass-ash potentially reduces the viscosity of the Fe-rich aluminosilicate melt and intensifies deposition. However, the results also revealed that there are certain conditions where deposition tendency may decrease via the formation of high-melting-point alkali-containing solid phases (e.g., leucite).
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| 21. |
- Togo, S, et al.
(author)
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PDE4 inhibitors roflumilast and rolipram augment PGE2 inhibition of TGF-{beta}1-stimulated fibroblasts
- 2009
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In: American journal of physiology. Lung cellular and molecular physiology. - : American Physiological Society. - 1040-0605 .- 1522-1504. ; 296:6, s. L959-L969
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fibrotic diseases are characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix together with distortion and disruption of tissue architecture. Phosphodiesterase (PDE)4 inhibitors, by preventing the breakdown of cAMP, can inhibit fibroblast functions and may be able to mitigate tissue remodeling. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, a mediator of fibrosis, can potentially modulate cAMP by altering PGE2 metabolism. The present study assessed whether PDE4 inhibitors functionally antagonize the profibrotic activity of fibroblasts stimulated by TGF-β1. The PDE4 inhibitors roflumilast and rolipram both inhibited fibroblast-mediated contraction of three-dimensional collagen gels and fibroblast chemotaxis toward fibronectin in the widely studied human fetal lung fibroblast strain HFL-1 and several strains of fibroblasts from adult human lung. Roflumilast was ∼10-fold more potent than rolipram. There was a trend for PDE4 inhibitors to inhibit more in the presence of TGF-β1 (0.05 < P < 0.08). The effect of the PDE4 inhibitors was mediated through cAMP-stimulated protein kinase A (PKA), although a PKA-independent effect on gel contraction was also observed. The effect of PDE4 inhibitors depended on fibroblast production of PGE2 and TGF-β1-induced PGE2 production. PDE4 inhibitors together with TGF-β1 resulted in augmented PGE2 production together with increased expression of COX mRNA and protein. The present study supports the concept that PDE4 inhibitors may attenuate fibroblast activities that can lead to fibrosis and that PDE4 inhibitors may be particularly effective in the presence of TGF-β1-induced fibroblast stimulation.
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| 22. |
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| 23. |
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| 24. |
- Ahmadi, Ahmad, 1964-, et al.
(author)
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GSTM1 and mEPHX polymorphisms in Parkinson's disease and age of onset
- 2000
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In: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications - BBRC. - : Elsevier BV. - 0006-291X .- 1090-2104. ; 269:3, s. 676-680
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Both environmental and genetic factors are involved in the development of PD and biotransformation of exogenous and endogenous compounds and may play a role in inter-individual susceptibility. Therefore, we investigated the presence of null genotypes of GSTM1, GSTT1, and two polymorphisms of mEPHX in subjects with Parkinson's disease and in a reference population. The study included 35 male PD patients and a male control group including 283 subjects. Homozygosity of the histidine (H) 113 isoform of mEPHX was significantly increased in PD patients (odds ratio = 3.8 CI 95% 1.2–11.8) and analysis of allele frequencies displayed an increased frequency of the H-allele among PD patients (odds ratio = 1.9 CI 95% 1.1–3.3). However, a significantly elevated median age for the onset of PD was found among GSTM1 gene carriers (median age = 68 years) compared to PD patients being GSTM1 null genotypes (median age = 57 years). Our observations suggest that (H) 113 isoform of mEPHX, which has been suggested as a low activity isoform, is overrepresented in PD patients and that inherited carriers of the GSTM1 gene postpone the onset of PD. These detoxification pathways may represent important protective mechanisms against reactive intermediates modifying the susceptibility and onset of PD.
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| 25. |
- Al-Sabri, Mohamed H., et al.
(author)
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Fluvastatin-induced myofibrillar damage is associated with elevated ROS, and impaired fatty acid oxidation, and is preceded by mitochondrial morphological changes
- 2024
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In: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Nature. - 2045-2322. ; 14:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Previously, we showed that fluvastatin treatment induces myofibrillar damage and mitochondrial phenotypes in the skeletal muscles of Drosophila. However, the sequential occurrence of mitochondrial phenotypes and myofibril damage remains elusive. To address this, we treated flies with fluvastatin for two and five days and examined their thorax flight muscles using confocal microscopy. In the two-day fluvastatin group, compared to the control, thorax flight muscles exhibited mitochondrial morphological changes, including fragmentation, rounding up and reduced content, while myofibrils remained organized in parallel. In the five-day fluvastatin treatment, not only did mitochondrial morphological changes become more pronounced, but myofibrils became severely disorganized with significantly increased thickness and spacing, along with myofilament abnormalities, suggesting myofibril damage. These findings suggest that fluvastatin-induced mitochondrial changes precede myofibril damage. Moreover, in the five-day fluvastatin group, the mitochondria demonstrated elevated H2O2 and impaired fatty acid oxidation compared to the control group, indicating potential mitochondrial dysfunction. Surprisingly, knocking down Hmgcr (Drosophila homolog of HMGCR) showed normal mitochondrial respiration in all parameters compared to controls or five-day fluvastatin treatment, which suggests that fluvastatin-induced mitochondrial dysfunction might be independent of Hmgcr inhibition. These results provide insights into the sequential occurrence of mitochondria and myofibril damage in statin-induced myopathy for future studies.
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| 26. |
- Al-Sabri, Mohamed H., et al.
(author)
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Statins Induce Locomotion and Muscular Phenotypes in Drosophila melanogaster That Are Reminiscent of Human Myopathy : Evidence for the Role of the Chloride Channel Inhibition in the Muscular Phenotypes
- 2022
-
In: Cells. - : MDPI. - 2073-4409. ; 11:22
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The underlying mechanisms for statin-induced myopathy (SIM) are still equivocal. In this study, we employ Drosophila melanogaster to dissect possible underlying mechanisms for SIM. We observe that chronic fluvastatin treatment causes reduced general locomotion activity and climbing ability. In addition, transmission microscopy of dissected skeletal muscles of fluvastatin-treated flies reveals strong myofibrillar damage, including increased sarcomere lengths and Z-line streaming, which are reminiscent of myopathy, along with fragmented mitochondria of larger sizes, most of which are round-like shapes. Furthermore, chronic fluvastatin treatment is associated with impaired lipid metabolism and insulin signalling. Mechanistically, knockdown of the statin-target Hmgcr in the skeletal muscles recapitulates fluvastatin-induced mitochondrial phenotypes and lowered general locomotion activity; however, it was not sufficient to alter sarcomere length or elicit myofibrillar damage compared to controls or fluvastatin treatment. Moreover, we found that fluvastatin treatment was associated with reduced expression of the skeletal muscle chloride channel, C1C-a (Drosophila homolog of CLCN1), while selective knockdown of skeletal muscle C1C-a also recapitulated fluvastatin-induced myofibril damage and increased sarcomere lengths. Surprisingly, exercising fluvastatin-treated flies restored C1C-a expression and normalized sarcomere lengths, suggesting that fluvastatin-induced myofibrillar phenotypes could be linked to lowered C1C-a expression. Taken together, these results may indicate the potential role of C1C-a inhibition in statinassociated muscular phenotypes. This study underlines the importance of Drosophila melanogaster as a powerful model system for elucidating the locomotion and muscular phenotypes, promoting a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying SIM.
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| 27. |
- Albinsson, Anton, 1989, et al.
(author)
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Design of tyre force excitation for tyre–road friction estimation
- 2017
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In: Vehicle System Dynamics. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1744-5159 .- 0042-3114. ; 55:2, s. 208-230
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Knowledge of the current tyre–road friction coefficient is essential for future autonomous vehicles. The environmental conditions, and the tyre–road friction in particular, determine both the braking distance and the maximum cornering velocity and thus set the boundaries for the vehicle. Tyre–road friction is difficult to estimate during normal driving due to low levels of tyre force excitation. This problem can be solved by using active tyre force excitation. A torque is added to one or several wheels in the purpose of estimating the tyre–road friction coefficient. Active tyre force excitation provides the opportunity to design the tyre force excitation freely. This study investigates how the tyre force should be applied to minimise the error of the tyre–road friction estimate. The performance of different excitation strategies was found to be dependent on both tyre model choice and noise level. Furthermore, the advantage with using tyre models with more parameters decreased when noise was added to the force and slip ratio.
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| 28. |
- Almén, Markus Sällman, et al.
(author)
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The obesity gene, TMEM18, is of ancient origin, found in majority of neuronal cells in all major brain regions and associated with obesity in severely obese children
- 2010
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In: BMC Medical Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2350. ; 11, s. 58-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: TMEM18 is a hypothalamic gene that has recently been linked to obesity and BMI in genome wide association studies. However, the functional properties of TMEM18 are obscure. METHODS: The evolutionary history of TMEM18 was inferred using phylogenetic and bioinformatic methods. The gene's expression profile was investigated with real-time PCR in a panel of rat and mouse tissues and with immunohistochemistry in the mouse brain. Also, gene expression changes were analyzed in three feeding-related mouse models: food deprivation, reward and diet-induced increase in body weight. Finally, we genotyped 502 severely obese and 527 healthy Swedish children for two SNPs near TMEM18 (rs6548238 and rs756131). RESULTS: TMEM18 was found to be remarkably conserved and present in species that diverged from the human lineage over 1500 million years ago. The TMEM18 gene was widely expressed and detected in the majority of cells in all major brain regions, but was more abundant in neurons than other cell types. We found no significant changes in the hypothalamic and brainstem expression in the feeding-related mouse models. There was a strong association for two SNPs (rs6548238 and rs756131) of the TMEM18 locus with an increased risk for obesity (p = 0.001 and p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: We conclude that TMEM18 is involved in both adult and childhood obesity. It is one of the most conserved human obesity genes and it is found in the majority of all brain sites, including the hypothalamus and the brain stem, but it is not regulated in these regions in classical energy homeostatic models.
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| 29. |
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| 30. |
- Andersson, Martin, et al.
(author)
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Verification of a blind mismatch error equalization method for randomly interleaved ADCs using a 2.5V/12b/30MSs PSAADC
- 2003
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In: Proceedings of the 29th European Solid-State Circuits Conference (IEEE Cat. No.03EX705). - 0780379950 ; , s. 473-476
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A 2.5V/12b/30MS/s randomly time interleaved ADC system has been implemented. Using this circuit an earlier presented [6] blind gain error equalization method has been verified. It is verified that the gain in each ADC unit can be found and equalized by using the blind estimation method, since the randomization assures that there is no correlation between the ADC unit used and the input data. It has been found that the blind gain error equalization attenuates the energy of the gain distortion tones by up to 72 dB. The SNDR of the random time interleaved ADC system was improved by 10.1 [dB] after the amplitude offset and gain equalization was performed. The measured system SNDR is only 2.1 [dB] worse than the measured SNDR of a single ADC unit
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| 31. |
- Andersson, R, et al.
(author)
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Reducing Logistic Variations by Quality Management.
- 2005
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In: Proceedings of the <em>QMOD Conference, Quality Management for organisational and regional development</em>. Palermo, Italy, 29 June – July 1, 2005.. ; , s. 457-464
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)
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| 32. |
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| 33. |
- Arai, Y., et al.
(author)
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In-situ observed dynamics of peritectic solidification and delta/gamma transformation of Fe-3 to 5 At. Pct Ni alloys
- 2005
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In: Metallurgical and Materials Transactions. A. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1073-5623 .- 1543-1940. ; 36A:11, s. 3065-3074
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The characteristics of liquid -> delta ferrite and delta ferrite -> gamma austenite transformation in Fe-3.50 at. pct Ni alloy, and of the peritectic solidification of Fe-4.83 and 5.01 at. pct Ni alloys, have been dynamically observed in situ with a confocal scanning laser microscope (CSLM) combined with an infrared image furnace (IIF). The unique sequence, morphologies, and rates of these transformations have been determined at a temperature gradient of 4 K/mm and growth rates of 2 to 3 mu m/s, in unidirectional solidification experiments. These observations have been discussed in terms of the constitutional undercooling description of solidification theory.
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| 34. |
- Arnberg, Lars, et al.
(author)
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Solvent refining of silicon for solar cells –some practical aspects
- 2020
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In: Journal of Crystal Growth. - : Elsevier B.V.. - 0022-0248 .- 1873-5002. ; 531
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Solvent refinement has been suggested as an energy- and cost-efficient process to produce high purity silicon for photovoltaic solar cells. In this process, metallurgical grade silicon is dissolved in a liquid metal e.g. Al at high temperature. High purity silicon crystals can then be precipitated by decreasing the temperature and extracted from the melt. Residual aluminium is then removed by leaching, and after remelting and directional solidification, the purified silicon can be used as silicon for solar cells. Metallurgical grade silicon (99 wt%Si) with iron as the main impurity has been dissolved to 40 wt% in liquid aluminium at 1000 °C. Silicon crystals have been extracted slightly above the eutectic temperature. The crystals have then been leached in 10% hydrochloric acid at room temperature. Silicon crystal have been sorted into three size fraction which have been melted separately and thereafter analyzed by light optical- and electron microscopy with EDS analysis. After leaching, extracted material has been remelted together with silicon oxide in order to oxidize residual aluminium. The extracted material contains significant amounts of residual Al-Si eutectic. The aluminium has not been removed completely by the leaching and insoluble metal rich intermetallic compounds have been found in the smallest size fraction. The residual aluminium can be further reduced by oxidation by silicon oxide and sedimentation of the aluminium oxide.
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| 35. |
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| 36. |
- Avazkonandeh-Gharavol, M. H., et al.
(author)
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Analysis of phase diagram and diffusion coefficient for modeling of microsegregation
- 2017
-
In: Journal of Materials Science. - : Springer-Verlag New York. - 0022-2461 .- 1573-4803. ; 52:3, s. 1446-1460
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Thermodynamic description of phase diagram and diffusion data are required to model microsegregation during solidification of metallic alloys. Knowledge about non-equilibrium phase diagrams is essential for modeling of microsegregation in practical situations. Therefore, the aim of this study is to theoretically analyze phase diagram and diffusion data for calculation of microsegregation. For this purpose, aluminum-rich part of the Al-Cu phase diagram was recalculated under non-equilibrium conditions. Effect of excess vacancies formed during solidification was considered on both the phase diagram and diffusion coefficient. The results show that by modifying the phase diagram, the calculated results have better consistency with the experimental results, but there is still room for improvement. When the effect of excess vacancies on diffusion coefficient is considered, the modeling results show a much better correlation with the experimental results. The origin of discrepancies between the calculations and experiments are deeply discussed using current theories in solidification.
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| 37. |
- Avazkonandeh-Gharavol, M. H., et al.
(author)
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Effect of partition coefficient on microsegregation during solidification of aluminium alloys
- 2014
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In: International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1674-4799 .- 1869-103X. ; 21:10, s. 980-989
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In the modeling of microsegregation, the partition coefficient is usually calculated using data from the equilibrium phase diagrams. The aim of this study was to experimentally and theoretically analyze the partition coefficient in binary aluminum-copper alloys. The samples were analyzed by differential thermal analysis (DTA), which were melted and quenched from different temperatures during solidification. The mass fraction and composition of phases were measured by image processing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) unit. These data were used to calculate as the experimental partition coefficients with four different methods. The experimental and equilibrium partition coefficients were used to model the concentration profile in the primary phase. The modeling results show that the profiles calculated by the experimental partition coefficients are more consistent with the experimental profiles, compared to those calculated using the equilibrium partition coefficients.
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| 38. |
- Avazkonandeh-Gharavol, M. H., et al.
(author)
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Experimental analysis of partition coefficient in Al-Mg alloys
- 2016
-
In: Iranian Journal of Materials Science and Engineering. - : Iran University of Science and Technology. - 1735-0808. ; 13:2, s. 62-72
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Because the partition coefficient is one of the most important parameters affecting microsegregation, the aim of this research is to experimentally analyse the partition coefficient in Al-Mg alloys. In order to experimentally measure the partition coefficient, a series of quenching experiments during solidification were carried out. For this purpose binary Al-Mg alloys containing 6.7 and 10.2 wt-% Mg were melted and solidified in a DTA furnace capable of quenching samples during solidification. Cooling rates of 0.5 and 5 KJmin were used and samples were quenched from predetermined temperatures during solidification. The fractions and compositions of the phases were measured by quantitative metallography and SEM/EDX analyses, respectively. These results were used to measure the experimental partition coefficients. The resultant partition coefficients were used to model the concentration profile in the primary phase and the results were compared with equilibrium calculations and experimental profiles. The results of calculations based on the experimental partition coefficients show better consistency with experimental concentration profiles than the equilibrium calculations.
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| 39. |
- Avazkonandeh-Gharavol, M. H., et al.
(author)
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On the microsegregation of Al-Mg alloys by thermal analysis and numerical modeling
- 2014
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In: Journal of Alloys and Compounds. - : Elsevier BV. - 0925-8388 .- 1873-4669. ; 610, s. 462-471
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Knowledge about solid fraction versus temperature during solidification is crucial for the control of solidification processes. In the present paper solidification sequence and path of Al-Mg binary alloys containing 6.7 and 10.2 wt.% Mg was investigated by a series of DTA and quenching experiments and numerical modeling in 0.5 and 5 K min(-1) cooling rates. Experimental results show that at both cooling rates, Al-6.7 wt.% Mg solidifies with a single phase structure, but Al-10.2 wt.% Mg solidifies with a two phase structure. According to the results of numerical modeling, good agreement between calculated solidification curves and experimental solid fractions, but poor correlation with concentration profiles. The source of discrepancies is discussed according to different theories of microsegregation.
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| 40. |
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| 41. |
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| 42. |
- Berman, Anne H., et al.
(author)
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Mobile phone apps for university students with hazardous alcohol use : study protocol for two consecutive randomized controlled trials
- 2015
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In: JMIR Research Protocols. - : JMIR Publications. - 1929-0748. ; 4:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: About 50% of university students overconsume alcohol, and drinking habits in later adulthood are to some extent established during higher educational studies. Several studies have demonstrated that Internet-based interventions have positive effects on drinking habits among university students. Our recent study evaluated two mobile phone apps targeting drinking choices at party occasions via personalized feedback on estimated blood alcohol concentration (eBAC) for students with hazardous drinking. No changes in drinking parameters were found over a seven-week period apart from an increase in number of drinking occasions among men for one of the apps tested. Up to 30% of the study participants drank at potentially harmful levels: higher than the national recommended number of standard drinks per week (a maximum of 9 for women and 14 for men) in Sweden. Objective: (1) To evaluate improved versions of the two mobile phone apps tested in our prior trial, in a new, 3-armed randomized controlled trial among university students with at least hazardous drinking habits according to the Alcohol Use Disorders Identifications Test (AUDIT; Study 1). (2) After 6 weeks, to target study participants showing alcohol consumption higher than the national recommended levels for standard drinks per week by offering them participation in a second, 2-armed randomized trial evaluating an additional mobile phone app with skill enhancement tasks (Study 2). (3) To follow participants at 6, 12 and 18 weeks after recruitment to Study 1 and at 6 and 12 weeks after recruitment to Study 2. Methods: Two randomized controlled trials are conducted. Study 1: Students are recruited at four Swedish universities, via direct e-mail and advertisements on Facebook and student union web sites. Those who provide informed consent, have a mobile phone, and show at least hazardous alcohol consumption according to the AUDIT (≥6 for women; ≥8 points for men) are randomized into three groups. Group 1 has access to the Swedish government alcohol monopoly’s app, Promillekoll, offering real-time estimated eBAC calculation; Group 2 has access to a Web-based app, PartyPlanner, developed by the research group, offering real-time eBAC calculation with planning and follow-up functions; and Group 3 participants are controls. Follow-up is conducted at 6, 12 and 18 weeks. Study 2. Participants who at the first 6-week follow-up show drinking levels higher than 9 (W) or 14 (M) standard drinks (12 g alcohol) per week, are offered participation in Study 2. Those who consent are randomized to either access to a skills training app, TeleCoach or to a wait-list control group. Results: Latent Markov models for Study 1 and mixed models analyses for Study 2 will be performed. Study 2 data will be analyzed for publication during the spring of 2016; Study 1 data will be analyzed for publication during the fall of 2016. Conclusions: If mobile phone interventions for reducing hazardous alcohol use are found to be effective, the prospects for positively influencing substance use-related health among university students can considerably improve.
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| 43. |
- Berman, Anne H, et al.
(författare)
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Mobile phone brief intervention applications for risky alcohol use among university students : Three randomized controlled studies
- 2015
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Ingår i: The 13th International Conference on Treatment of Addictive Behaviors, 31st of May-4th of June 2015, Odense, Denmark. - : The University of New Mexico, CASAA. ; , s. 17-17
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Introduction: Most university students overconsume alcohol and have smartphones. Brief online interventions reduce students’ alcohol intake. Delivering brief interventions to students via smartphone apps should be investigated. Method: Students at several Swedish universities were invited to the 3 studies described via e-mails and online ads. Students with a smartphone and risky alcohol consumption according to the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) were included, following informed consent. Three apps were tested, two targeting individual drinking choices on party occasions (Promillekoll and PartyPlanner), and one targeting high-risk users (TeleCoach™). Study 1 offered randomization into 3 groups: Promillekoll (1), offering real-time estimated blood alcohol concentration (eBAC) calculation; PartyPlanner (2), a web-based app with real-time eBAC calculation and additional planning/follow-up functions; a control group (3). Follow-up occurred at 7 weeks. Study 2 replicated Study 1; changes included improved apps based on Study 1 results, and follow-up times extended from 7 to 14 and 21 weeks (T1, T2 & T3). Study 3 offered participants at T1 from Study 2, who drank over 9 (women) and 14 (men) standard drinks/week, randomization into an intervention group (TeleCoach™) and a wait-list control group (intervention offered at T2). Results: For Study 1, 1932 fulfilled eligibility criteria for randomization. Attrition was 22.7–39.3 percent, higher among heavier drinkers and highest in Group 2. Per-protocol analyses revealed one significant timeby- group interaction, where Group 1 participants increased the frequency of their drinking occasions compared to controls (p = 0.001). Among all participants, 29 percent showed high-risk drinking, over the recommended weekly drinking levels of 9 (women) and 14 (men) standard glasses. Preliminary results will be reported for Studies 2 and 3. Discussion: Mobile phone apps offer a huge potential for making brief interventions available to more university students than ever before. Research is needed to identify effective app content.
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| 44. |
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| 45. |
- Björn (Fredriksson), Annika, 1972-, et al.
(författare)
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Feasibility of OFMSW co-digestion with sewage sludge for increasing biogas production at wastewater treatment plants
- 2017
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Ingår i: Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration. - : Springer. - 2365-6433 .- 2365-7448. ; 2:21
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Sweden has the ambition to increase its annual biogas production from the current level of 1.9 to 15 TWh by 2030. The unused capacity of existing anaerobic digesters at wastewater treatment plants is among the options to accomplish this goal. This study investigated the feasibility of utilizing the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) as a co-substrate, with primary and waste-activated sewage sludge (PWASS) for production of biogas, corresponding to 3:1 ratio on volatile solid (VS) basis. The results demonstrated that co-digestion of OFMSW with PWASS at an organic loading rate of 5 gVS l−1 day−1 has the potential to increase the biogas production approximately four times. The daily biogas production increased from 1.0 ± 0.1 to 3.8 ± 0.3 l biogasl−1 day−1, corresponding to a specific methane production of 420 ± 30 Nml methane gVS−1 during the laboratory experiment. Co-digestion of OFMSW with PWASS showed a 50:50 distribution of hydrogenotrophic and aceticlastic methanogens in the digester and enhanced the turnover kinetics of intermediate products (acetate, propionate, and oleate). Practical limitations potentially include the need for sludge dewatering to maintain a sufficient hydraulic retention time (17 days in this study), as well as additional energy consumption for mixing due to an increased sludge apparent viscosity (from 1.8 ± 0.1 to 45 ± 4.8 mPa*s in this study) at elevated OFMSW-loading rates.
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| 46. |
- Björn (Fredriksson), Annika, 1972-, et al.
(författare)
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Interimreport 1 for the project on natural formation, degradation and occurrence of methyltins in different habitats. : Common project between Rohm and Haas, former Morton Plastics Additive (MPA), Cincinnati, Ohio, USA and the Department of Water and Environmental Studies (DWES), Linköping Univeristy, Sweden
- 1998
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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| 47. |
- Björn (Fredriksson), Annika, 1972-, et al.
(författare)
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Interimreport 2 for the project on natural formation, degradation and occurrence of methyltins in different habitats. : Common project betweenRohm and Haas, former Morton Plastics Additive (MPA), Cincinnati, Ohio, USA and the Department of Water and Environmental Studies (DWES), Linköping Univeristy, Sweden.
- 2000
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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| 48. |
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| 49. |
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| 50. |
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