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Kerfislíffræðileg efnaskiptagreining á brjóstaþekjufrumum við bandvefsumbreytingu
No full textBreast cancer is a heterogenous disease in which the mechanism for signalling, gene expression, metabolism and growth in breast tissue is deranged. Breast cancer is responsible for the death of over 600,000 people worldwide on a yearly basis. By investigating cellular processes in normal breast tissue, one may gain further insight into the pathophysiology of breast cancer. In this thesis, the main focal point was a developmental process called epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which has been shown to be fundamental for cancer dissemination. More specifically, the metabolic alterations following this process in breast epithelial cells were investigated. This thesis is in three parts. In the first part,13C isotope tracer analysis was used to characterize the metabolic differences that occur following EMT of the breast epithelial cell line D492. The results showed that following EMT, the breast cell line reduced its glycolytic activity and enhanced the reductive carboxylation of glutamine. Furthermore, the redox metabolism was affected, with glutathione synthesis being decreased significantly, which was found to affect the drug sensitivity of the cells. In the second part of the thesis, the capability of genome-scale metabolic models (GSMMs) to predict the metabolic alterations following EMT of the D492 cell line was investigated. Different types of omics data were used to constrain the GSMM, where the results showed that the models constrained with proteomic data were the most accurate in metabolic flux predictions when compared to results from a 13C isotope tracer analysis. The proteomic GSMMs were analysed in more detail to identify metabolic vulnerabilites of the cells, which were confirmed in vitro. Finally, proteomic data from breast cancer patients werre used to constrain the GSMM, which helped to identify subtype-specific prognostic markers of breast cancer patient survival. In the third and final part of the thesis, the role of the enzyme GFPT2 in EMT and breast tumourigenesis was investigated. A proteomic analysis of the D492 cell line (i) before EMT, (ii) after EMT and (iii) after overexpression of the HER2 oncogene revealed that protein levels of GFPT2 were highly correlated with the EMT status of the cell lines. Further molecular biology experiments and bioinformatic analyses revealed that GFPT2 was important for glycan metabolism and the oxidative stress response of the cells during EMT and tumourigenesis.
In summary, the results presented in this thesis increase our knowledge about the metabolic reprogramming that occurs following EMT in breast cells, and how it relates in part to the altered drug sensitivity of the cells. It was also demonstrated how useful omics data-constraned GSMMs may be in studying the metabolism of both normal and tumourigenic breast tissueBrjóstakrabbamein er margþættur sjúkdómur þar sem boðskiptaferli, genatjáning, efnaskiptaferli og vaxtarferli í brjóstavef eru gölluð. Sjúkdómurinn veldur dauða yfir 600,000 manns í heiminum á ári hverju. Með því að rannsaka líffræðileg ferli í eðlilegum brjóstavef fæst betri innsýn í meinafræði brjóstakrabbameins. Í þessari ritgerð var einblínt á þroskunarfræðilegt ferli sem nefnist bandvefsumbreyting sem talin er nauðsynlegt fyrir myndun meinvarpa. Sérstaklega var einblínt á efnaskiptabreytingar samhliða þessu ferli í brjóstaþekjufrumum. Ritgerðin skiptist í þrjá hluta. Í fyrsta hlutanum var 13C samsætugreiningu notuð til að skilgreina efnaskiptabreytingar sem gerast samhliða bandvefsumbreytingu D492 brjóstaþekjufrumulínunnar. Niðurstöður sýndu að frumulínan minnkaði sykurrofsvirkni og jók afoxandi karboxýleringu amínósýrunnar glútamíns. Aukinheldur breyttust efnaskipti oxun/afoxunarhvarfa, þar sem meðal annars myndun glútaþíóns minnkaði umtalsvert sem hafði bein áhrif á lyfjanæmni frumnanna. Í öðrum hluta ritgerðarinnar var notkunargildi efnaskiptalíkana til að spá fyrir um efnaskipti D492 frumulínunnar fyrir og eftir bandvefsumbreytingu skoðuð. Mismunandi mengjagögn voru notuð til að skorða líkönin. Líkön skorðuð með próteinmengjagögnum reyndust nákvæmust í spám á flæðigildum efnahvarfa, samanborið við niðurstöður úr 13C samsætugreiningum. Frekari greining á líkönum skorðuð með próteinmengjagögnum sýndi fram á nýtanlega veiklun í efnaskiptum frumnanna sem staðfest voru með frumulíffræðitilraunum. Að lokum voru próteinmengjagögn úr brjóstakrabbameinsæxlum úr sjúklingum notuð til að skorða efnaskiptalíkanið, sem sýndi fram á mögulega lífvísa fyrir lifun brjóstakrabbameinssjúklinga í mismunandi undirflokkum. Í þriðja og síðasta hluta ritgerðarinnar var hlutverk GFPT2 ensímsins í bandvefsumbreytingu og æxlismyndun í brjóstavef rannsakað. Greining á próteinmengi D492 frumulínunnar (i) fyrir bandvefsumbreytingu, (ii) eftir bandvefsumbreytingu og (iii) eftir oftjáningu æxlisgensins HER2 leiddi í ljós jákvætt samband milli próteinmagns GFPT2 ensímsins og bandvefsumbreytingarstöðu frumulínanna. Frekari sameindalíffræðilegar og lífupplýsingafræðilegar rannsóknir bentu á að GFPT2 var mikilvægt fyrir fjölsykruefnaskipti og svörun frumnanna við oxunarálagi við bandvefsumbreytingu og æxllismyndun.
Niðurstöður verkefnisins hafa aukið skilning okkar á þeim efnaskiptabreytingum sem eiga sér stað við bandvefsumbreytingu brjóstaþekjufrumna og hvernig þær hafa áhrif á lyfjanæmni þeirra. Einnig er hér sýnt fram á hve gagnsöm efnaskiptalíkön skorðuð af mengjagögnum geta verið þegar kemur að því að rannsaka efnaskipti bæði eðlilegs brjóstaþekjuvefs og brjóstakrabbameins.Rannís, Göngum Sama
Að flétta saman skapgerðarmenntun og mikilvægi gilda innan umhverfis- og sjálfbærnimenntunar: Þverfræðileg rannsókn á sameiginlegum flötum, átakapólum og möguleikum
No full textThis doctoral thesis contributes to the discussion on teaching the values aspect of environmental and sustainability education (ESE). Although fostering values is promoted within ESE, and a shift in values seen as essential for a sustainable future, many educators appear uncertain or conflicted about whether, or how, to approach values education. The intention of this pragmatic, multi-method, interdisciplinary research was to explore what insights the field of character education (CE) might offer into teaching the values aspect of ESE. To accomplish this, three studies were conducted each exploring a different, yet interconnected, angle: theory, practice, and feasibility. Study 1 was a philosophical inquiry integrating virtue ethics and ESE theory. Study 2 was an instrumental case study carried out at an independent, all-ages, holistic-oriented school in Scotland, exploring how ESE and CE might intersect in theory and practice, through examining the school’s approach to ESE and analysing if and how it relates to CE theory and practice. Study 3 was a Delphi study exploring ESE and CE experts’ perceptions regarding the feasibility of integrating insights from ESE and CE.
The theoretical background of the research draws on several theories and concepts. These are Repko & Szostak’s (2017) Interdisciplinary Research Process; Vare & Scott’s (2007) theory of ESD 1 and ESD 2; Krathwohl et al.’s (1964/1973) theory of affective learning; the concept of a head-hands-heart approach to learning and ESE (e.g. see Sipos et al., 2008; Tilbury, 1995); and virtue ethics and environmental virtue ethics (Aristotle, ca. 335–332 BCE/1985; Hursthouse, 2007).
Data were gathered 2014–2019. Study 1 is a philosophical inquiry into the integration of CE and the values aspect of ESE from an Aristotelian virtue ethics standpoint, virtue ethics being one of the main approaches of CE. The study was an interdisciplinary collaboration between myself, coming from the ESE field, and Kristján Kristjánsson, a character educationist. Together, we critically analysed and integrated knowledge from the ESE and CE fields to explore how virtue ethics can address sustainability. Study 2 case study data were gathered via seven teacher interviews, school observations, field notes and document analysis. Thematic analysis according to Braun & Clarke (2006) was used to analyse the data. The findings were then re- analysed from a CE perspective to establish if ESE and CE intersection took place at the school. Study 3 data were gathered via an email-based Delphi study, essentially a facilitated group discussion, involving 12 ESE and CE experts. Experts rated their agreement and made comments on 41 statements relating to ESE-CE integration.
Overall, the findings indicate existing common ground between ESE and CE via school climate/ethos and role-modelling; service-learning; interdisciplinarity, real-world and holistic learning; taking a whole-person or head-hands-heart approach to education; the need to address the human- nature relationship; and the need to examine and redress the purpose of education, particularly in regard to challenging the instrumental approach to, and influence of neoliberalism on, education. The findings also reveal points of tension between ESE and CE: friction between the need for democracy and pluralism, and the normativity inherent in ESE and CE; and the perceived individualism of CE versus the communitarianism (or extending one’s concern outward from the self to the community, and to the environment) of ESE. In terms of the feasibility of future ESE-CE integration, the areas of common ground and points of tension suggest possibilities for, and barriers to integration respectively. In particular, the findings imply the CE field needs to actively emphasise a societal and environmental focus. The findings also have implications for the way ESE researchers and practitioners view values education and affective learning by challenging the view that they conflict with critical thinking or an ESD 2/emancipatory approach to ESE, and instead suggests these are different yet crucial aspects of learning that need to be held in balance.
The exploratory nature of the research lays the ground for future research e.g. action research bringing together ESE and CE practitioners would provide valuable insight into how integration might function in practice; and collaborative research on the aim of education and the challenge of neoliberalism in education.
By identifying and critically examining a range of possibilities for integration of ESE and CE; by revealing commonalities and indicating where differences could be bridged and tensions addressed; and by indicating new avenues for research, this research contributes to our understanding of teaching the values aspect of ESE, and conversely the environmental and sustainability aspect of CEÞessi doktorsritgerð fjallar um gildakennslu innan umhverfis- og sjálfbærnimenntunar. Þótt lögð sé rækt við gildi innan slíkrar menntunar, og breytt gildismat talið forsenda sjálfbærrar framtíðar, hafa kennarar oft óljósar eða mótsagnakenndar hugmyndir um hvort og hvernig ætti að vinna með gildi í menntun. Markmiðið með þessari hagnýtu og þverfræðilegu rannsókn, sem byggir á ólíkum aðferðum, var að skoða hvaða hugmyndir skapgerðarmenntun gæti lagt til gildakennslu innan umhverfis- og sjálfbærnimenntunar. Rannsóknin skiptist í þrjá hluta og í hverjum þeirra er viðfangsefnið skoðað út frá eigin sjónarhorni: kennilegu sjónarhorni, sjónarhorni skólastarfs og sjónarhorni möguleika. Fyrsti hlutinn var heimspekileg greining þar sem dygðasiðfræði og umhverfis- og sjálfbærnimenntun voru tengd saman. Annar hlutinn var tilviksrannsókn sem unnin var í grunnskóla í Skotlandi sem vinnur í anda heilstæðrar menntunar. Þriðji hlutinn var Delfí-rannsókn þar sem sérfræðingar í umhverfis- og sjálfbærnimenntun og skapgerðarmenntun greindu fýsileika þess að flétta saman hugmyndir úr dygðasiðfræði annars vegar og umhverfis- og sjálfbærnimenntun hins vegar.
Fræðilegur grunnur rannsóknarinnar er byggður á margvíslegum kenningum og hugtökum. Hér má nefna þverfræðilegt rannsóknarsnið frá Repko og Szostak (2017); kenningar Vare og Scotts um ESD1 og ESD2 (2007); kenningar um þátt tilfinninga í námi frá Krathwohl og fleirum (1964/1973); hugmyndina um höfuð-hendur-hjarta nálgun í sjálfbærni- og umhverfismenntun (sjá t.d. Sipos o.fl., 2008; Tilbury, 1995); og hefðbundna dygðasiðfræði sem og umhverfis-dygðasiðfræði (Aristóteles, um 335–332 f.Kr./1985; Hursthouse, 2007).
Gagna var aflað árin 2014 til 2019. Fyrsti hluti rannsóknarinnar er heimspekileg greining á snertiflötum skapgerðarmenntunar og áherslu á gildi innin umhverfis- og sjálfbærnimenntunar út frá sjónarhóli aristótelískrar dygðasiðfræði, enda byggir skapgerðarmenntun gjarnan á þeim fræðigrunni. Þessi hluti rannsóknarinnar var unninn í þverfaglegu samstarfi á milli mín, með bakgrunn í umhverfis- og sjálfbærnimenntun, og Kristjáns Kristjánssonar, sem er sérfróður um skapgerðarmenntun og aristótelíska dygðasiðfræði. Samstarf okkar beindist að því að greina og samþætta þekkingu frá umhverfis- og sjálfbærnimenntun, annars vegar, og skapgerðarmenntun, hins vegar, til að varpa ljósi á hvernig dygðasiðfræði gæti stutt við sjálfbærni. Annar hluti rannsóknarinnar er tilviksrannsókn þar sem ég safnaði gögnum með viðtölum við sjö kennara, með vettvangsathugunum í skóla, og greiningu skjala. Gögnin voru fyrst þemagreind eftir aðferðum Braun og Clark (2006) en síðan greind upp á nýtt út frá sjónarhóli skapgerðarmenntunar til að leiða í ljós hvort umhverfis- og sjálfbærnimenntun og skapgerðarmenntun væru samþætt í skólanum. Í þriðja hluta rannsóknarinnar var gagna aflað með aðferðum Delfí- rannsókna í gegnum tölvupóst þar sem 12 sérfræðingar á sviðum umhverfis- og sjálfbærnimenntun og skapgerðarmenntunar tóku þátt í hópsamræðu. Sérfræðingarnir mátu samhljóm eða samþykki og gerðu athugasemdir við 41 staðhæfingu sem tengdist samþættingu sviðanna tveggja.
Niðurstöður benda til að leggja megi sameiginlegan grunn að umhverfis- og sjálfbærnimenntun og skapgerðarmenntun með því að vinna með skólamenningu og fyrirmyndir, menntun í tengslum við sjálfboðaliðastarf, nota reynslunám, líta á manneskjuna sem eina heild (höfuð, hönd og hjarta), beina athygli að tengslum manns og náttúru, og með því að taka markmið menntunar til gagnrýninnar skoðunar, ekki síst í andófi gegn áhrifum tæknihyggju og nýfrjálshyggju. Niðurstöður leiða einnig í ljós átakapóla á milli umhverfis- og sjálfbærnimenntunar og skapgerðarmenntunar. Sjá má að áhersla á lýðræði og fjölhyggju valdi núningi við gildagrunn sviðanna tveggja auk þess sem einstaklingshyggja, sem oft virðist einkenna skapgerðarmenntun, stangast á við samfélagsáherslur (eða útvíkkun einstaklingsbundinna hagsmuna til hins víðara samhengis samfélags og umhverfis) í umhverfis- og sjálfbærnimenntun. Sameiginlegir fletir vísa til möguleika á samþættingu á meðan átakapólarnir skapa hugsanlegar hindranir. Niðurstöðurnar gefa sérstaklega til kynna að innan skapgerðarmenntunar verði að leggja ríka áherslu á atriði er varða samfélag og umhverfi. Niðurstöðurnar hafa einnig afleiðingar fyrir það hvernig litið er á gildamenntun og menntun tilfinninga innan umhverfis- og sjálfbærnimenntunar, bæði meðal rannsakenda og kennara, með því að ögra því sjónarmiði að gildamenntun stangist á við gagnrýna hugsun eða valdeflandi sjálfbærnimenntun, og leggja í staðinn til að um sé að ræða ólík en nauðsynleg sjónarmið sem verði að vera í jafnvægi í menntun.
Rannsóknin í heild er opin og gefur tilefni til frekari rannsókna, t.d. starfendarannsóknar þar sem fólk sem starfar innan umhverfis- og sjálfbærnimenntunar og skapgerðarmenntunar ynni saman en slíkt samstarf gæti gefið mikilvægar vísbendingar um hvernig samþætting sviðanna tveggja gæti átt sér stað í verki; og samstarfsrannsókn um markmið menntunar og þær áskoranir sem nýfrjálshyggja í menntun hefur skapað.
Með því að benda og skoða með gagnrýnum augum ólíka möguleika á að tengja saman umhverfis- og sjálfbærnimenntun og skapgerðarmenntun, með því draga fram ólíka snertifleti, benda á hvar brúa megi bil og bregðast við átakapólum; og með því að vísa á nýjar rannsóknalendur, eflir þessi rannsókn skilning okkar á kennslu gilda innan umhverfis- og sjálfbærnimenntunar, um leið og hún vísar á leiðir til að takast á við mál tengd umhverfi og sjálfbærni innan skapgerðarmenntunar.The research was financially supported by the Icelandic Centre for Research/Rannís [grant number: 141,878-051]
Sustainable energy supply in rural arctic areas
Get PDFThe dissertation is a collection of the three leading publications, which result from
the doctoral research project ‘Sustainable Energy Supply in Remote Arctic Areas -
Analysis of resources, technology and policies for developing energy systems’. The
research focuses on which energy resources are available in the Arctic and how the
various resources can be harvested with different mature energy technology options
for remote Arctic communities. Mature energy generation technology means that
the operation under harsh and cold climatical conditions is well proven.
Furthermore, the current energy situation among remote Arctic communities will be
mapped out, with an analysis of which energy sources are used, the share of the
different sources, and the energy demand of remote communities. After explaining
the different energy generation options and main drivers for using renewable energy
in remote Arctic communities, three case studies have been conducted. The case
studies examine the viability of a potential energy transition for Arctic communities.
The case studies also share some insights from field visits in remote communities
on generating electricity with renewables and potential energy saving potentials.
The last part elaborates on different integration strategies for renewable energy
options. The focus lies on how to finance the energy transition in remote Arctic
communities, which can help to structure the energy transition process financially.
The dissertation finishes with an overall conclusion on the importance of renewable
energy for Arctic communities. The research shows that renewable energy can be
vital for remote communities to become more energy independent and lower the
energy cost burden.Iceland Research Fund, Grant Nr. 195846-053; e Landsvirkjun Energy Fund, Grants NÝR-10 – 2019, NÝR-17 – 2020, NÝR-15 - 202
The voices of children and young people during COVID-19: A critical review of methods
Get PDFAim: Critically review research methods used to elicit children and young people's views and experiences in the first year of COVID-19, using an ethical and child rights lens.Methods: A systematic search of peer- reviewed literature on children and young peo-ple's perspectives and experiences of COVID-19. LEGEND (Let Evidence Guide Every New Decision) tools were applied to assess the quality of included studies. The critical review methodology addressed four ethical parameters: (1) Duty of care; (2) Children and young people's consent; (3) Communication of findings; and (4) Reflexivity.Results: Two phases of searches identified 8131 studies; 27 studies were included for final analysis, representing 43,877 children and young people's views. Most studies were from high-income countries. Three major themes emerged: (a) Whose voices are heard; (b) How are children and young people heard; and (c) How do research-ers engage in reflexivity and ethical practice? Online surveys of children and young people from middle-class backgrounds dominated the research during COVID-19. Three studies actively involved children and young people in the research process; two documented a rights- based framework. There was limited attention paid to some ethical issues, particularly the lack of inclusion of children and young people in re-search processes.Conclusion: There are equity gaps in accessing the experiences of children and young people from disadvantaged settings. Most children and young people were not in-volved in shaping research methods by soliciting their voicesThe Icelandic Research Fund, grant no. 217579-051Pre-print (óritrýnt handrit
Structural and magnetic changes in CoAlZr thin films upon post annealing
Get PDFWe present a study of the effect of
annealing amorphous ferromagnetic thin films of
Co0.85(Al0.7Zr0.3)0.15, post deposition. The annealing was
done in vacuum with no applied magnetic field. We find
that already at a relatively low annealing temperature
of 130 ◦C there is crystallite formation that introduces
both structural and magnetic inhomogeneity. This does not
affect the saturation magnetization strongly, but strongly
affects the switching behavior and the overall effective
anisotropy of the films. Further, there is a dramatic
increase in magnetization damping. Thus, the annealing
has a profound effect on both static and dynamic magnetic
properties of the material. This is important to keep in
mind for potential applications using these materials.Icelandic Research Fund Grants No. 228951, 218029 and 217843.Peer Reviewe
EEG-based investigation of cortical activity during Postural Control
Get PDFThe postural control system regulates the ability to maintain a stable upright stance and to react to changes in the external environment. Although once believed to be dominated by low-level reflexive mechanisms, mounting evidence has highlighted a prominent role of the cortex in this process. Nevertheless, the high-level cortical mechanisms involved in postural control are still largely unexplored. The aim of this thesis is to use electroencephalography, a widely used and non-invasive neuroimaging tool, to shed light on the cortical mechanisms which regulate postural control and allow balance to be preserved in the wake of external disruptions to one’s quiet stance.
EEG activity has been initially analysed during a well-established postural task - a sequence of proprioceptive stimulations applied to the calf muscles to induce postural instability – traditionally used to examine the posturographic response. Preliminary results, obtained through a spectral power analysis of the data, highlighted an increased activation in several cortical areas, as well as different activation patterns in the two tested experimental conditions: open and closed eyes.
An improved experimental protocol has then been developed, allowing a more advanced data analysis based on source reconstruction and brain network analysis techniques. Using this new approach, it was possible to characterise with greater detail the topological structure of cortical functional connections during the postural task, as well as to draw a connection between quantitative network metrics and measures of postural performance.
Finally, with the integration of electromyography in the experimental protocol, we were able to gain new insights into the cortico-muscular interactions which direct the muscular response to a postural challenge.
Overall, the findings presented in this thesis provide further evidence of the prominent role played by the cortex in postural control. They also prove how novel EEG-based brain network analysis techniques can be a valid tool in postural research and offer promising perspectives for the integration of quantitative cortical network metrics into clinical evaluation of postural impairment.Kerfi stöðustjórnunar er afturvirkt stýrikerfi sem vinnur stöðugt að því að viðhalda uppréttri stöðu líkamans og bregðast við ójafnvægi. Vaxandi þekking á undanförnum árum hefur lýst því að úrvinnsla þessara upplýsinga á sér stað á öllum stigum miðtaugakerfisins, þá sérstaklega barkarsvæði heilahvela. Engu að síður, er nákvæmu hlutverk heilabarkar við stöðustjórnun enn óljóst að mörgu leyti. Tilgangur þessa verkefnis var að rannsaka nánar hlutverk heilabarkar við truflun og áreiti á kerfi stöðustjórnarinnar, með notkun hágæða heilarafrits (EEG).
Við byrjuðum á því að mæla heilarit einstaklinga meðan á þekktri líkamsstöðu-æfingu stóð, til þess að skoða svörun líkamans við röð titringsáreita sem beitt var á kálfavöðvana til að framkalla óstöðugleika. Bráðabirgðaniðurstöður fengnar með PSD-aðferð (power spectral analysis) leiddu í ljós aukna virkni á ákveðnum svæðum í heilaberki og sérstakt viðbragðsmynstur við að framkvæma æfinguna, annars vegar með lokuð augu og hins vegar opin augu.
Rannsókn okkar hélt áfram með nýrri og þróaðari tækni sem gerði okkur kleift að framkvæma fullkomnari greiningaraðferðir til að túlka, greina og skilja merki frá heilaritnu. Með fullkomnari greiningaraðferðum var hægt að lýsa með nákvæmari hætti staðfræðilega uppbyggingu starfrænna tenginga í heilaberki meðan á líkamsstöðu æfingunni stóð, sem og að draga tengsl á milli megindlegra netmælinga og mælinga á líkamsstöðu.
Að lokum bætist við vöðvarafritsmæling við aðferðafræðina, sem gaf okkur innsýn inn í samskipti heilabarka og vöðvana sem stýra vöðvaviðbrögðum og viðhalda líkamsstöðu við utanaðkomandi áreiti.
Á heildina litið gefa niðurstöðurnar sem settar eru fram í þessari ritgerð enn sterkari vísbendingar um það áberandi hlutverk sem heilabörkurinn gegnir við stjórnun líkamsstöðu. Niðurstöðurnar sanna einnig hvernig ný aðferð á greiningu á tengslaneti heilans sem byggir á heilariti getur verið gilt tæki í líkamsstöðu rannsóknum og er nytsamlegt tól fyrir mælingar á heilakerfisneti í klínískt mat á skerðingu líkamsstöðu
Optimization-based modeling of Kenya’s energy system for pathways towards access to secure, affordable, and sustainable energy services
Get PDFGlobal climate change is one of the most significant challenges that need urgent action in this century. Energy production and consumption, particularly for heat and electricity generation, account for the highest GHG emissions from anthropogenic activities. The world energy demand is projected to increase as the population grows and efforts double to bridge the demand-supply gap in countries yet to achieve universal access to modern energy services. Currently, out of the 770 million people who lack access to electricity worldwide, 580 million live in Africa, predominantly in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. Using advanced energy planning tools to guide national energy objectives and decisions will be critical in addressing energy poverty while shifting to low-carbon fuels in Sub-Saharan Africa. Advanced energy planning tools have a detailed technological representation, account for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and cost, and assess low-carbon policies optimally. This work aims to develop a quantitative energy system planning model for Kenya to evaluate pathways towards access to secure, affordable, and sustainable energy services for the 2020 to 2050 period. This thesis is composed of three journal articles that describe the outcome of this work. The first article reviews the existing integrated energy modeling studies done for the Sub-Saharan Africa region at a country or regional level. The reviewed studies show that the models, based on different mathematical approaches and assumptions, inadequately addressed some fundamental energy themes, such as low-carbon policies and energy cost. It is recommended that the SSA countries develop national-scale energy planning models using advanced planning tools, which could be expanded into a regional model. The second article develops a national-scale energy model for Kenya using the advanced bottom-up energy optimization Integrated MARAKAL-EFOM (TIMES) framework. Using the developed Kenya-TIMES model, the study assesses the environmental and techno-economic assessment of power system expansion for three projected demand levels for Kenya for the 2020 to 2045 period. The results indicate that the government will not meet its nationally determined contribution (NDC) GHG reduction targets in the vision demand scenario without implementing low-carbon policies. The third article develops the Kenya-TIMES model further to assess the low-carbon development strategies for Sub-Saharan Africa, using the case of Kenya. This study evaluates the implication of the carbon tax, renewable energy subsidy, renewable portfolio standards, and a hybrid of renewable subsidy and carbon tax policy instruments on Kenya’s power generation expansion for 2020 to 2050 under vision demand level. The GHG emissions are evaluated against Kenya’s NDC emission reduction targets. The results indicate the evaluated low-carbon policy instruments could help achieve emission cuts below the government’s NDC targets. Overall, this work sets a benchmark for developing a national-scale energy planning model using advanced energy planning tools and using it to guide the national energy objectives and decisions that Sub-Saharan Africa countries could adopt.Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen)
GRO-Geothermal Training Programme
Reykjavik UniversityThesi
Effect of VN buffer layer on the magnetic anisotropy of epitaxial Ni<sub>80</sub>Fe<sub>20</sub>thin films deposited on MgO (001) substrates
No full textThis study incorporates the structural and magnetic characterization of epitaxial Ni80Fe20 films grown by direct current magnetron sputtering on MgO(001) and MgO(001)||VN(001) substrates. A series of samples grown with different N2 flow settings for the deposition of VN and similar permalloy deposition parameters was utilized to investigate the effect of morphological evolution and buffer layer induced strain on the magnetic properties of Ni80Fe20. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals an epitaxial nature of the VN(001) and Py(001) films grown on MgO substrates. Angular dependent magneto-optical Kerr effect characterization reveals a cubic anisotropy for Ni80Fe20 on MgO with a coercivity of ∼0.8 Gauss along the easy directions. Incorporating an epitaxial VN buffer, the structures showed a transition from a cubic to isotropic magneto-crystalline anisotropy with coercivity varying from 2.5 to 25 Gauss for Ni80Fe20 deposition on VN (with N2 varying from 5 to 12 sccm). The variation is attributed to the microstructural evolution of the Ni80Fe20 to 3D structures along with an induced structural strain.This work was supported by funding from the Icelandic Research Fund Grant Nos. 218029–051, 228951–051 and 207111–051.Peer Reviewe
Kynjað og kerfisbundið ofbeldi: Orðræðan um ofbeldi í nánum samböndum á Íslandi: Kerfislæg vandamál og þróun sjálfsmyndar
No full textThis research is a contribution to critical feminist scholarship on intimate partner violence (IPV). The project adopts the framework of affective–discursive practices to understand how violence thrives and is discursively maintained in Icelandic society, with a special focus on the project of heterosexuality and men who have been violent towards women. The research questions guiding the work are as follows: How do men who have committed violent acts against their female partners make sense of their actions, and how does the experience influence and contribute to the formation of the self, ideas on masculinity and perception of violence? How are normative heterosexual identities constructed and regulated in the context of Iceland, and how does the process relate to violence? How are hidden power relations, produced by (and inherent in) heterosexuality and IPV, maintained, and how do they become part of one’s identity?
Critical feminist scholarship points out that IPV must be understood in relation to its gendered context and gender power imbalances, emphasising the importance of an intersectional lens. The mainstream discussion on IPV is generally focused on how well the violent act in question fits normative ideas about such violence, enforcing a stereotypical idea how ‘real’ or commonly recognised violence is manifested. Furthermore, the discursive framing of violence shapes the experiences of perpetrators and victims/survivors alike. This research draws on Liz Kelly’s and Linda Alcoff’s understanding of violence as spanning a spectrum where the impact of the violent act on the victim/survivor is central.
The theoretical lens of affective–discursive practices highlights how accepted norms (e.g., violence and gender norms) draw one in, both affectively and discursively. In other words, the research takes interest in both the discursive/cultural/social context of IPV and the affective logic embedded in the participants’ understanding. The research data consist of a total of 35 hours of individual interviews with perpetrators of IPV, victims/survivors of IPV and group interviews with young people about relationships and consent.
The results of the research project show, first, that young people draw heavily on heteronormative discourses and gendered norms in their understanding of consent in intimate relationships. Second, the research exposes the differences between the perpetrators’ and the victims/survivors’ perspectives and understandings of IPV. The perpetrators focus on the individual acts of violence that are unlawful, whereas the victims/survivors experience their relationships as characterised by abuse. The relationship itself becomes an affective–discursive practice informing their experience of violence. Shame also figures strongly in their narratives, traceable through its regulatory role in sustaining heteronormative practices. Finally, the discursive construction of the violent man as a monster is frequently brought up by the participants who identify themselves as perpetrators. The monster is a sticky category, representing the unknown Other; it attracts emotions such as fear and anxiety, affecting how others relate to the monstrous subject, as well as how the subject relates to oneself. Consequently, it discourages perpetrators from reflecting on their actions and masculinity and accepting responsibility for their violent behaviour. The participants’ experience of being identified as monsters does have a clear intersectional angle as it figures differently in their stories, depending on their social status and life histories.
The research project highlights the latent power structures and gendered dynamics of heterosexual relationships and IPV in a country often regarded as a frontrunner in gender equality. The results contribute to the ongoing empirical and theoretical conversations about perpetrators of violence and masculinity, increasing the understanding of the subject matter by approaching IPV from the perspective of affective–discursive practices. The findings may further advise policymakers and inform the public debate on IPV in Iceland, as well as have a beneficial impact on the work of those concerned with the prevention of gender-based violence and the implementation of intervention measures.Rannsókn þessi er framlag höfundar til krítískra feminískra fræða um ofbeldi í nánum
samböndum (ONS). Verkefnið byggir á aðferðum hrif- og orðræðugreiningar með
áherslu á gjörninga (e. affective discursive practices) til þess að öðlast skilning á því
hvernig ofbeldi þrífst og er viðhaldið í íslensku samfélagi, en sjónum er sérstaklega beint
að hinu gagnkynhneigða regluverki og karlkyns gerendum ofbeldis.
Rannsóknarspurningarnar sem reynt er að svara eru eftirfarandi: Hvernig skilja menn sem
beitt hafa maka sinn ofbeldi verk sín og hvernig mótar reynslan sjálfsmynd þeirra,
karlmennskuhugmyndir og viðhorf til eigin verka? Hvernig mótast hið normatífa,
gagnkynhneigða sjálf í íslensku samfélagi, hvernig er því viðhaldið og hvernig tengist
það ferli ofbeldi? Hvernig er duldum valdatengslum – sem sköpuð eru af (og rótgróin í)
gagnkynhneigðu regluverki og ONS – viðhaldið og hvernig verða þau hluti af
sjálfsmyndinni?
Krítísk feminísk fræði benda á að ONS verði að skoða í samhengi við valdatengsl og
kynjaðar víddir ofbeldisins, með áherslu á samtvinnun (e. intersectionality). Almenn
umræða um ONS snýst gjarnan um það hversu vel tiltekið ofbeldisatvik fellur að
viðteknum hugmyndum samfélagsins um slíkt ofbeldi, sem um leið rennir frekari stoðum
undir steríótýpískar hugmyndir um hvað felist í „alvöru“ (þ.e. samfélagslega viðurkenndu)
ofbeldi. Þessi orðræða um ofbeldi mótar bæði reynslu gerenda og þolenda ONS. Þessi
rannsókn byggir á skilningi Liz Kelly og Lindu Alcoff á ofbeldi sem skala, þar sem áhrif
obeldisverknaðarins á þolanda eru í forgrunni.
Verkefnið byggir á aðferðum hrif- og orðræðugreiningar sem beinir sjónum okkar að því
hvernig fyrirframgefnar hugmyndir um ofbeldi, kyngervi o.fl. móta skilning okkar og vekja
með okkur ólíkar tilfinningar. Með öðrum orðum þá beinir rannsóknin sjónum að þeim
orðræðum og hrifum sem birtast í frásögnum þátttakenda, og þeir nýta sér til þess að
skilja og greiða úr reynslu sinni, en rannsóknin leggur áherslu á að skoða menningarlegt
og samfélagslegt samhengi ONS. Rannsóknin byggir á yfir 35 klukkustundum af
einstaklingsviðtölum við gerendur ofbeldis, þolendur ofbeldis og hópviðtölum við ungt
fólk um sambönd og samþykki.
Niðurstöður rannsóknaverkefnisins sýna í fyrsta lagi að skilningur ungs fólks á samþykki
í kynlífi í nánum samböndum litast af kynjuðum viðmiðum og normatífri gagnkynhneigðri
orðræðu. Í öðru lagi sýnir rannsóknin skýran mun á upplifun og skilningi gerenda og
þolenda á ONS. Gerendur einblína gjarnan á einstök (ólögleg) ofbeldisatvik á meðan
þolendur greina frá sambandi sem einkennist af stöðugu ofbeldi. Sambandið sjálft verður þannig að hrif- og orðræðugjörningi sem reynsla þátttakenda af ofbeldi byggir á. Í
frásögnum þátttakenda skein skömmin í gegn, en stýrandi mátt hennar mátti skýrt greina
í því regluverki sem viðheldur normatífri gagnkynhneigð. Að lokum kom orðræðan um
menn sem beita ofbeldi í nánum samböndum sem „skrímsli“ ítrekað fram hjá
þátttakendum sem skilgreina sig sem gerendur ofbeldis. Skrímslið er klístruð vera, það
er fulltrúi hins óþekkta og verður því fyrir öðrun. Utan á það hlaðast tilfinningar á borð
við ótta og kvíða, sem hefur svo áhrif á það hvernig aðrir nálgast og tengja við hina
skrímslavæddu sjálfsveru, sem og hvernig sjálfsveran upplifir sig. Þetta gerir það að
verkum að gerendur eru tregir til að líta í eigin barm og ígrunda gjörðir sínar, horfast í
augu við hugmyndir sínar um karlmennsku og taka ábyrgð á ofbeldisfullri hegðun sinni.
Reynsla viðmælenda af því að sýna af sér hegðun sem fellur undir viðteknar hugmyndir
um „skrímslið“ ber skýr merki samtvinnunar þar sem það birtist okkur á ólíkan hátt í
frásögnum þátttakenda, eftir félagslegri stöðu og lífshlaupi viðkomandi.
Rannsóknarverkefnið sýnir glöggt dulin valdatengsl og kynjaðar víddir gagnkynhneigðra
sambanda og ONS í landi sem gjarnan er álitið skara fram úr í kynjajafnrétti.
Niðurstöðurnar eru þekkingarlegt og fræðilegt framlag til umræðunnar um gerendur
ofbeldis og karlmennsku, en þær auka og dýpka skilning okkar á vandanum með því að
nálgast ONS frá sjónarhorni hrif- og orðræðukenninga. Þá gagnast niðurstöðurnar
stjórnvöldum og í stefnumótun, þær eru gagnlegar þeim sem vinna að forvörnum og
meðferðarúrræðum í tengslum við kynbundið ofbeldi, auk þess að auðga samfélagslega
umræðu um ONS á Íslandi.This work was supported by the Icelandic Centre for Research and the University of Iceland (grant: Gender Equality Fund and Eimskip Fund)
A novel region within a conserved domain in ATG7 emerged in vertebrates
Get PDFThe E1-like enzyme ATG7 belongs to a group of ATG proteins that mediate the autophagy process. Autophagy is a highly conserved degradation pathway important for maintaining homeostasis in eukaryotic cells. Here, we study the evolution of E1 enzymes and specifically describe a region of ATG7 that emerged early in vertebrates. This vertebrate-specific region (VSR) is situated within the adenylation domain of the protein, which is the most conserved domain of E1 enzymes and is of prokaryotic origin. A comparative analysis revealed that ATG7 is unique in this respect, as in other E1 enzyme family members this domain is highly conserved from yeast to humans and has not experienced insertions of extra amino acids. The function of the VSR domain is unknown, but two residues within the region, D522 and S531 have been linked with cancer in humans. Analysis of natural selection indicates positive selection on S531 only on the mammalian clade. Notably, this was the only residue in ATG7 showing this signal. Interestingly, structural analysis of ATG7 predicted that the VSR may be intrinsically disordered and could harbor a macro-molecular binding site. Analysis of cells expressing ATG7 lacking the VSR indicated that these cells are unable to facilitate the lipidation of LC3, suggesting an important role of this region in autophagy.The Icelandic Cancer Society Research Fund and The Icelandic Research FundPeer Reviewe