Digitala Vetenskapliga Arkivet - Academic Archive On-line
Not a member yet
734120 research outputs found
Sort by
Prevalence of refractive error among school-aged children in Sylhet division of Bangladesh
No full textBackground: According to recent statistics from WHO, 150 million people globally have visual impairments caused by uncorrected refractive errors. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence rate of refractive error in Bangladesh's urban, rural, and marginalized populations (tea gardens). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among all school-going children (Class I-X) aged 5 to 18. The study adopted the stratified cluster sampling method to recruit study subjects. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used for face-to-face interviews. Trained optometrists carried out vision screening and refraction to identify children with vision impairment. Results: The prevalence of refractive error is 5.3 per 100 population in which myopia is the most common form of refractive error found in 125 (78.6%, 95% CI: 77.1–80.1), followed by astigmatism in 20 (12.6%, 95% CI: 11.4–13.8) and the rest of the cases are hyperopia among 14 (8.8%, 95% CI: 7.8–9.8) children. At the time of the vision screening, only 25 (15.7%) children using spectacles were found. The study findings also showed that urban areas had the highest percentage of refractive error (9.9%), and rural and tea gardens had 3.9% and 2.1% refractive error, respectively. Refractive error was relatively higher among girls’ (AOR = 1.5, p < 0.01, 95%CI: 1.07–2.11) in comparison with boys’ and the percentage of refractive error was three times higher within the secondary school-going children (AOR = 3.2, p < 0.01, 95%CI: 1.23–8.08) compared to primary school children. Conclusion: The prevalence of refractive error was higher in the above-ten-year-old age group and significantly lower in rural and tea garden populations. To resolve these challenges, an assortment of comprehensive strategies must be implemented.
Uppskalning av avfall till bioplast : Ökad produktion av Poly(3-hydroxybutyrat) (PHB) från Cupriavidus necator med hjälp av brödavfall
No full textPoly(3-hydroxybutyrat) är en biologiskt nedbrytbar polymer som produceras av olika bakteriearter och betraktas som ett lovande alternativ till konventionella fossilbaserade plaster. Under de senaste åren har forskningen i allt större utsträckning fokuserat på att utveckla genomförbara och hållbara metoder för PHB-produktion i linje med hållbar utvecklings tre pelare: miljömässig, ekonomisk och social hållbarhet. Bland de bakteriestammar som undersökts har C. necator framträtt som en nyckelorganism på grund av dess naturliga förmåga att ackumulera PHB. I denna studie odlades C. necator DSM 545 på enzymatiskt hydrolyserat brödavfall med varierande kol- och kväveinnehåll. Syftet var att undersöka möjligheten att använda livsmedelsavfall som ett kostnadseffektivt och hållbart substrat för bioplastproduktion. Inledande karakterisering av brödhydrolysatet visade på en hög kol-till-kväve-kvot (C:N), med ett genomsnitt på cirka 40:1. För att främja mikrobiell tillväxt och biomassaproduktion3justerades kväveinnehållet genom tillsats av ammoniumnitrat, vilket möjliggjorde jämförande fermentationsförsök under olika näringsförhållanden. Resultaten visade att C. necator framgångsrikt kunde odlas på det förbehandlade brödavfallet, med biomassautbyten upp till 0,12 g/g (Yx/S). Dessutom ackumulerade bakterien PHB effektivt, med polymerutbyten på 0,53 g/g (Yp/X) samt 0,063g/g (Yp/S), en produktivitet på 0,03 g/L/h och ett intracellulärt PHB-innehåll på cirka 50 %. Dessa resultat stödjer potentialen för hydrolyserat brödavfall som ett lämpligt substrat för hållbar PHB-produktion och bidrar till pågående insatser inom livsmedelsavfallsvalorisering och cirkulär bioekonomi.Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) is a biodegradable polymer produced by bacteria, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil-based plastics. C. necator has emerged as a key strain for its natural ability to accumulate PHB. In this study, C. necator DSM 545 was cultivated on enzymatically hydrolysed bread waste, with varying carbon and nitrogen compositions. The aim was to explore the feasibility of using food waste as a low-cost, sustainable substrate for bioplastic production. Initial characterisation of the bread hydrolysate revealed a high carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio, averaging around 40:1. To enhance microbial growth and biomass formation, the nitrogen content was adjusted through supplementation with ammonium nitrate, enabling comparative fermentation trials under different nutrient conditions. Results demonstrated that C. necator was successfully cultivated on the pretreated bread waste without any nutrient supplementation, with biomass yields reaching 0,12 g/g (Yx/S). Moreover, the bacterium efficiently accumulated PHB, achieving polymer yields of 0,53 g/g (Yp/x) and 0,063 g/g (Yp/S), a productivity of 0,03 g/L/h, and an intracellular PHB content of approximately 50%. These findings support the potential of hydrolysed bread waste as a viable feedstock for the sustainable production of PHB and contribute to ongoing efforts in food waste valorisation and circular bioeconomy strategies
External costs, policy instruments and efficient measures for sustainable shipping
No full textThis report summarizes the results from the project EXIT – external costs, policy instruments and cost-effective measures for sustainable shipping. We assess the impact on society of emissions from shipping using external costs. Policy instruments for sustainable shipping are analyzed for cost efficiency from a ship-owner's perspective. We also discuss how policy analysis and external costs can be combined in scenarios analyzing the impact of shipping in future years. We assess how various pressures from shipping degrade marine ecosystems, air quality, and human welfare. This framework enables the quantification of the societal damage costs of shipping by linking environmental degradation to human welfare losses. The framework is based on the DAPSIR (Drivers, Pressures, State, Impact, and Response) approach, which structures the pressures from different emission sources in shipping to evaluate their environmental impact and translate these effects into human welfare losses. Additionally, it incorporates Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) to compare the impacts of different emissions in different impact categories and finally assess the monetary costs of shipping-related environmental degradation. A main focus has been on estimating emissions of hazardous substances from shipping and the impact category marine ecotoxicity. The external costs are calculated for all large merchant ships (>5 000 GT) that operate in European waters and quantified for marine ecotoxicity and human health. Global efforts to reduce GHG emissions from shipping are analyzed. They are primarily driven by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The IMO 2023 GHG Strategy aims for net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping by or around 2050. Midterm-measures to reach the IMO ambitions are under discussion and include a technical element and an economic element. The two major policy measures on European level with a potential impact on Swedish GHG emissions from shipping are the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the FuelEU Maritime. EU ETS has been extended to cover CO₂ emissions from large ships entering EU ports. FuelEU Maritime Regulation mandates the gradual uptake of renewable and low-carbon fuels and the use of onshore power supply in ports from 2030 onwards
BroadVoice - Broadening the spectrum of employee voice in workplace innovation : National Report - Sweden, Deliverable 3.1
No full textDisruption-induced changes in syntrophic propionate and acetate oxidation: flocculation, cell proximity, and microbial activity
No full textBackground Syntrophic propionate- and acetate-oxidising bacteria (SPOB and SAOB) play a crucial role in biogas production, particularly under high ammonia conditions that are common in anaerobic degradation of protein-rich waste streams. These bacteria rely on close interactions with hydrogenotrophic methanogens to facilitate interspecies electron transfer and maintain thermodynamic feasibility. However, the impact of mixing-induced disruption of these essential syntrophic interactions in biogas systems remains largely unexplored. This study investigates how magnetic stirring and orbital shaking influence degradation dynamics, microbial community composition, and gene expression in syntrophic enrichment communities under high-ammonia conditions. Results Stirring significantly delayed the initiation of propionate degradation in one culture and completely inhibited it in the other two parallel cultures, whereas acetate degradation was less affected. Computational fluid dynamics modelling revealed that stirring generated higher shear rates (similar to 20 s(-1)) and uniform cell distribution, while shaking led to lower shear rates and cell accumulation at the bottom of the culture bottle. Visual observations confirmed that stirring inhibited floc formation, while shaking promoted larger flocs compared to the static control condition, which formed smaller flocs and a sheet-like biofilm. Microbial community analysis identified substrate type and degradation progress as primary drivers of community structure, with motion displaying minimal influence. However, metatranscriptomic analysis revealed that motion-induced gene downregulation was associated with motility, surface sensing, and biofilm formation in SAOB and another bacterial species expressing genes for the glycine synthase reductase pathway. Stirring also suppressed oxalate-formate antiporter expression in SPOB, suggesting its dependence on spatial proximity for this energy-conserving mechanism. The strongest gene expression changes of stirring were observed in methanogens, indicating a coupling of the first and last steps of hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis, likely an adaptive strategy for efficient energy conservation. Other downregulated genes included ferrous iron transporters and electron transfer-associated enzymes. Conclusions This study highlights that stirring critically disrupts the initial syntrophic connection between SPOB and methanogens, whereas SAOB communities exhibit greater tolerance to shear stress and disruptive conditions that inhibits aggregate formation. These findings emphasize the importance of carefully managing mixing regimes, especially when attempting to reactivate ammonia-tolerant syntrophic propionate degraders in biogas systems experiencing rapid propionate accumulation under high-ammonia conditions.Funding Agencies|Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; HR2020 ERC- Grant European Research Council [948138]; Swedish Research Council (VR) [2019-03846]; Novo Nordisk Foundation [NNF23OC0081830]</p
The influencing factors on life space mobility among older people living in community with cognitive impairment : A descriptive literature review
No full textBackground: With the improvement of living standards and the development of medical technology, the number of elderly people is increasing, and the trend of aging is irreversible. The risk of cognitive decline increases with age. There is a high risk of reduced mobility in older communities due to physical and cognitive decline. Life space mobility (LSM) is an important indicator of personal social participation. The mobility of older people living in community is affected by many factors. Therefore, we wanted to explore the factors that influence life space mobility among older people living in community with cognitive impairment.Aim: To describe the influencing factors on life space mobility among older people living in community with cognitive impairment. Design: Descriptive review of quantitative studies.Methods: Conduct literature search in PubMed & Cinahl with Boolean term, extract useful results, and analyze and discuss the results.Results: A total of ten articles were included in the review. The results of this study were divided into three themes: Physiological factors (age, gender, gait speed, exercise and personal strength); Psychological factors (degree of depression and cognitive impairment, fear of falling and the risk of falling); Social factors (social event, education level, auxiliary tool, environment).Conclusions: The factors influencing LSM among older people living in community with cognitive impairment found in this study provide a reference for nursing staff to take targeted interventions, so as to optimize LSM among older people living in community with cognitive impairment
Population pharmacokinetics and exposure-response relationship of the antituberculosis drug BTZ-043
No full textIntroduction: BTZ-043 is a first-in-class benzothiazinone for the treatment of TB with demonstrated early bactericidal activity. BTZ-043 is metabolized into two major metabolites: M1 and M2. The aim of this study was to characterize the pharmacokinetics (PK) and early exposure-response (pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic, PK/PD) relationship for BTZ-043. Methods: A population PK/PD model for BTZ-043 and its metabolites was developed using data from a sequential Phase 1b/2a, randomized, controlled clinical trial in participants with pulmonary TB. BTZ-043 was administered in daily doses ranging from 250 to 1750 mg over 14 days. The decrease in bacterial load was determined by culture of sputum samples to quantify cfu on solid medium, and time to positivity in liquid medium. Results: In total, 77 participants received the experimental treatment. PK were best described by two-compartment disposition models for BTZ-043 and M2, and a one-compartment disposition model for M1. When given without food, the bioavailability was 54% (95% CI: 43%-65%) lower than with food. The decrease in bacterial load was described by a bilinear model with estimated node at 48 h. Participants in the highest dose group in Stage 2 (1000 mg) had a 2-fold faster decrease in mycobacterial load during the initial 2 days compared with participants in the lowest dose group (250 mg), driven by an Emax relationship to the BTZ-043total exposure (BTZ-043 + M2). Conclusions: We characterized the population PK/PD of BTZ-043 in trial participants with pulmonary TB. An exposure-response relationship was only apparent for the first 2 days on treatment, indicating the need for further dose-finding studies
Durable all-inorganic perovskite tandem photovoltaics
No full textAll-inorganic perovskites prepared by substituting the organic cations (for example, methylammonium and formamidinium) with inorganic cations (for example, Cs+) are effective concepts to enhance the long-term photostability and thermal stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs)1,2. Hence, inorganic perovskite tandem solar cells (IPTSCs) are promising candidates for breaking the efficiency bottleneck and addressing the stability issue, too3,4. However, challenges remain in fabricating two-terminal (2T) IPTSCs due to the inferior film formation and deep trap states induced by tin cations5, 6-7. Here a ligand evolution (LE) strategy with p-toluenesulfonyl hydrazide (PTSH) is used to regulate film formation and eliminate deep traps in inorganic narrow-bandgap (NBG) perovskites, enabling the successful development of 2T IPTSCs. Accordingly, the 1.31 eV CsPb0.4Sn0.6I3:LE device delivers a record efficiency of 17.41%. Combined with the 1.92 eV CsPbI2Br top cell, 2T IPTSCs exhibit a champion efficiency of 22.57% (certified, 21.92%). Moreover, IPTSCs are engineered to deliver remarkable durability under maximum power point (MPP) tracking, maintaining 80% of their initial efficiency at 65 degrees C for 1,510 h and at 85 degrees C for 800 h. We elucidate that LE deliberately leverages multiple roles for inorganic NBG perovskite growth and anticipate that our study provides an insightful guideline for developing high-efficiency and stable IPTSCs.Funding Agencies|National Natural Science Foundation of China [U2001217]; Guangdong Science and Technology Program [2019ZT08L075, 2019QN01L118, 2024A1515011154]; National Key Research and Development Program of China [2022YFB3803300]; International Training Program for Young Talents of Guangdong Province and Guangzhou Science and Technology Planning Project [2023A04J1697]; Zhejiang Jusheng Solar ST [2023440002001153]</p
Rapport 2025 års redovisning av trafiksäkerhetsarbetet inom vägtrafiken
No full textGenom Nystart för Nollvisionen beslutade regeringen 2016 att ge Trafikverket i uppdrag att leda övergripande samverkan i trafiksäkerhetsarbetet för vägtrafik (N2016/05493/TS). Därutöver har Trafikverket också i uppdrag att genomföra medborgar- och trafikantinformation för ökad trafiksäkerhet i vägtrafiken (N2019/01343/TIF). Denna rapport utgör Trafikverkets redovisning av dessa två nämnda regeringsuppdrag. Båda uppdragen ska redovisas till Regeringskansliet senast den 31 maj varje år. Rapporten redovisar vad som skett inom ramen för uppdragen sedan föregående redovisning. Den samverkan som beskrivs i denna rapport sker inom ramen för de uppdrag, ansvar och befogenheter som olika myndigheter och aktörer har i dag. Det finns dock relevanta frågor som berörda myndigheter och aktörer inte har rådighet över eller saknar ett tydligt uppdrag för, som i denna rapport lyfts för att belysa områden som kan behöva analyseras och utredas i syfte att öka effektiviteten i trafiksäkerhetsarbetet. Trafikverket har för avsikt att återkomma i särskild ordning med eventuella förslag på fortsatt arbete
Comping Bebop : Ett arbete om de stilistiska elementen av ackompanjatörer från Bebop-eran.
No full textThis artistic bachelor's thesis explores the stylistic elements of comping within the bebop tradition, focusing on the harmonic, rhythmic, and melodic aspects of accompaniment. While bebop is often discussed in terms of its groundbreaking improvisation, this work emphasizes the equally innovative role of the accompanist, particularly for guitarists influenced by pianists such as Bud Powell, Barry Harris, and Duke Jordan.Through transcription and analysis of historical recordings, with a particular focus on Pasquale Grasso and the aforementioned figures, I investigate how harmonic motion, rhythmic placement and the use of melodic lines contribute to a more interactive and expressive style of comping. These findings were then applied in the creation of etudes and tested in a final concert performance, where I evaluated the practical impact of these techniques on my own playing.The results suggest that bebop comping offers a rich vocabulary that remains highly relevant today, both as a foundation for improvisation and as a dynamic tool for musical dialogue. This work has deepened my understanding of the role of accompaniment in bebop and provided a framework for further artistic development as a jazz guitarist.Repertoar:Hanid - Coleman HawkinsThat's Earl, Brother - Dizzy GillespieYou - Harold Adamson, Walter DonaldsonAutumn in New York - Vernon DukeBarry's Bop - Fats NavarroUna Noche Con Francis - Bud PowellMedverkande: Simon Kolmodin - GitarrHannibal Jarrah - KlarinettJonathan Jessen - KontrabasFabian Berencreutz - Trummor</p