Publikationer från Uppsala Universitet
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Modelling PFAS transport in Lake Ekoln : Implications for drinking water safety in the stockholm region
No full textPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are found frequently in both groundwater and surface water sources across Sweden posing challenges to drinking water supply. Lake Ekoln is located south of Uppsala and is the basin of Lake Ma<spacing diaeresis>laren; Lake Ma<spacing diaeresis>laren is the third largest lake in Sweden and is the drinking water source for more than two million people. The aim of this study was to simulate the fate and transport of PFAS in Lake Ekoln during the period 2017-2020 using three-dimensional hydrodynamic modelling. The simulated water temperatures were in agreement with the observed water temperatures. The simulated PFAS concentrations were generally in agreement with the available measurements, but the lack of measurements made the comparison uncertain. The modelling results described the seasonal variations of PFAS in Lake Ekoln informing the operation of the drinking water treatment plants located downstream. The modelling results confirmed that the main inflow to the lake - the river Fyris & aring;n - is the main source of PFAS to Lake Ekoln, highlighting the importance of mitigating this source in the context of ensuring safe drinking water supply in the Stockholm region. Regular monitoring of PFAS in the river Fyris & aring;n is needed, and additional measurements in Lake Ekoln would facilitate further model development
Synthesis of BaZrS3 perovskite thin films for photovoltaic applications
No full textBaZrS3 has emerged as a promising lead-free perovskite with optoelectronic properties well-suited for photovoltaic applications. This thesis aims to develop a processing method for fabricating BaZrS3 thin films for integration into solar cells, as well as to investigate the optoelectronic properties of this novel material. A two-step approach was adopted, beginning with the sputter deposition of precursors followed by thermal treatment to induce crystallization. Various synthetic routes were explored. Initially, amorphous Ba-Zr-S precursors were grown via reactive co-sputter deposition and subsequently annealed in an inert atmosphere. This process resulted in one of the first reports of BaZrS3 thin films. The synthesized material exhibited strong photoluminescence, with both the peak position and intensity dependent on the annealing temperature. The strongest signal was observed at 900 °C, with an emission peak centered at 1.84 eV. X-ray diffraction confirmed that the highest degree of crystallinity was also achieved at approximately 900 °C. To decrease the synthesis temperature and facilitate the integration of BaZrS3 into solar cells, alternative approaches were explored. Ultimately, sulfurization of co-sputter deposited Ba-Zr precursors—capped with SnS for protection against excessive oxidation—resulted in the formation of the perovskite at temperatures below 600 °C, enabling the fabrication of the first BaZrS3 film grown on conductive substrates. Furthermore, the chemical reactions leading to perovskite formation at moderate temperatures were examined in detail. It was demonstrated that the intermediate solid phase BaS3 accelerates BaZrS3 crystallization compared to BaS2, which in turn is more beneficial than BaS. During the process, the first pressure-temperature phase diagram for the Ba-S system was constructed, providing a valuable framework for synthesizing not only BaZrS3 but also a variety of Ba-containing sulfides. The synthesis methods developed in this thesis enabled the fabrication of high-quality BaZrS3 films suitable for optoelectronic characterization. Notably, the carrier concentration could be tuned from intrinsic to metallic levels—a highly desirable attribute for device fabrication, including photovoltaics. Looking forward, future work should focus on identifying a compatible semiconductor partner to from an effective p-n junction, as well as on increasing grain size to enhance carrier collection in BaZrS3-based solar cells
Short-term outcomes from the 'Watch and Wait' (WoW) study : prospective cohort study
No full textBackground Despite absence of level 1 evidence on the long-term oncological safety of non-operative management for rectal cancer (watch and wait), increased implementation has occurred globally over the past decades. In Sweden, a pan-national prospective non-randomized study was initiated in 2017 to assess its implementation. Method Patients with biopsy-proven rectal cancer receiving neoadjuvant therapy according to national guidelines in whom a clinical complete response was detected at reassessment were eligible for inclusion following informed consent. Only patients with an opportunistic watch-and-wait approach were included. Inclusion and follow-up, according to the study protocol, was managed at the participating study centres. The primary outcome measure of the study is 3-year disease-free survival. Here, the secondary short-term outcomes local regrowth rate, distant metastasis rate and outcomes after surgery for regrowth, at 6 months follow-up, are reported. Results Between January 2017 and February 2023, 211 patients with a clinical complete response were included in the study. Thirty-three (16%) patients developed suspicious regrowth within 6 months of inclusion. Thirty-two of 33 patients had abdominal resectional surgery for regrowth. The curative intention rate was 94% for patients with regrowth. Three patients (1.4%) developed distant metastases within 6 months of inclusion. Conclusion This Swedish national study on watch and wait reports regrowth rates after 6 months are in line with previous reports in the literature. Nearly all patients with early regrowth could be treated with salvage surgery and curative intent
Mellan ideal och praktik : En studie om policydokument och hur dessa påverkar social integration bland anställda hos RFSU.
No full textSyngap1 promotes cognitive function through regulation of cortical sensorimotor dynamics
No full textPerception, a cognitive construct, emerges through sensorimotor integration (SMI). The genetic mechanisms that shape SMI required for perception are unknown. Here, we demonstrate in mice that expression of the autism/intellectual disability gene, Syngap1, in cortical excitatory neurons is required for the formation of somatomotor networks that promote SMI-mediated perception. Cortical Syngap1 expression was necessary and sufficient for setting tactile sensitivity, sustaining tactile object exploration, and promoting tactile learning. Mice with deficient Syngap1 expression exhibited impaired neural dynamics induced by exploratory touches within a cortical-thalamic network that promotes attention and perception. Disrupted neuronal dynamics were associated with circuit-specific long-range synaptic connectivity abnormalities. Our data support a model where autonomous Syngap1 expression in cortical excitatory neurons promotes cognitive abilities through the assembly of long-range circuits that integrate temporally-overlapping sensory and motor signals, a process that promotes perception and attention. These data provide systems-level insights into the robust association between Syngap1 expression and cognitive ability
Barns rättigheter i svensk och norsk planerings-lagstiftning : en komparativ studie
No full textBarns och ungas livsvillkor påverkas av hur våra städer och byggda miljöer utformas. När barnkonventionen inkorporerades 2020 lyftes därför bland annat vikten av att beakta barns rättigheter och intressen i planläggning av mark- och vattenanvändning. I samband med inkorporeringen betonades därtill att det även efter att barnkonventionen blivit lag fanns ett behov av fortsatt vägledning och ett systematiskt transformeringsarbete av konventionens artiklar i svensk lagstiftning. Trots detta har några initiativ till att införa bestämmelser om barns rättigheter i den svenska plan- och bygglagstiftningen inte tagits. Till skillnad från den svenska lagstiftningen innehåller den norska plan- och bygglagstiftningen krav på beaktande av barns rättigheter och intressen. Mot denna bakgrund undersöks och jämförs i artikeln hur barns rättigheter reglerats i svensk respektive norsk plan- och bygglagstiftning. Därtill diskuteras om den svenska regleringen bör influeras av den norska regleringen. I artikeln visas att det råder oklarheter kring om och hur barns rättigheter ska beaktas vid planering i Sverige medan den norska lagstiftaren tydligt tagit ställning till att barns och ungas rättigheter och intressen ska beaktas vid planering i Norge. Den norska lagstiftningen, som består av allmänt hållna bestämmelser, kompletteras med nationella riktlinjer och vägledningar, vilket innebär att förväntningarna på den kommunala planeringen är betydligt tydligare i Norge än i Sverige. För att tydliggöra intentionerna med hur barnkonventionen ska förstås vid planläggning bör därför den svenska lagstiftaren överväga att införa bestämmelser om barns och ungas rättigheter och intressen i plan- och bygglagstiftningen. Den norska lagstiftningen kan med fördel fungera som inspiration
Subcortical Brain Regions Associated With Seizure Risk in Patients With IDH Mutated Diffuse Gliomas
No full textIntro: Seizure incidence in diffuse glioma ranges between 60% and 90%. This study aimed to investigate the association between seizures and diffuse glioma in subcortical and cortical brain regions, including white matter tracts. Methods: Adult patients with diffuse glioma at Uppsala University Hospital from 2005 to 2021 were analysed retrospectively. The relationship between tumour location in specific brain voxels and preoperative seizures was examined concerning white matter tract involvement. Tumour volumes were segmented based on T2-weighted or FLAIR MRI after spatial normalisation to standard space (MNI) and combined to create a location-specific frequency map. Results: Of the 93 patients meeting the inclusion criteria, 70 (75%) experienced seizures. A significant decreased risk was found in tumours present within the left fronto-mesial and dorsal voxel (A3C1S1). Increased seizure risk was found in tumours located in the left supramarginal and posterior insular voxel (A4C2S3). The voxels differed in terms of type and extent of white matter networks. Additionally, there was a difference in seizure risk and voxel associations between oligodendrogliomas and astrocytoma, with specific voxels associated with seizures identified in both groups. Conclusion: The study provides new insights into the epileptogenic potential of diffuse gliomas in relation to their spatial distribution, highlighting the need to analyse both cortical and subcortical localisation of tumours. The observed differences in seizure risks across brain regions underscore the need for personalised post-surgery treatment strategies and further research to understand the pathophysiology of brain tumour-related epilepsy, BTRE
Facilitators and barriers to medication self-management for patients with multiple long-term conditions transitioning from hospital to home
No full textBackground Being a patient with multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) often entails a need for complex medication treatment, which poses a challenge to medication self-management. Medication self-management during transition of care is often hindered by challenges such as inadequate communication, which increases the risk of medication errors and adverse outcomes. Aim Identify facilitators and barriers to medication self-management for patients with MLTCs transitioning from hospital to home. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted in patient's homes 1–2 weeks after hospital discharge. Interviews were transcribed and analysed by qualitative deductive content analysis using the Taxonomy of Every Day Self-management Strategies (TEDSS) framework. The data collection continued until enough information power and meaning saturation was reached. Results Twenty-one patients and three next of kin participated. Numerous facilitators and barriers to medication self-management were identified within all seven TEDSS domains, which varied extensively between individuals. Resource and process strategies were the most frequently discussed domains, while health behaviour and social interaction strategies were less frequently discussed. Key facilitators identified were access to resources that support medication self-management and knowing the medication's purpose. Key barriers included patients perceiving medications as burdensome or not recognising the importance of their medications. Conclusions This study highlights the complex and wide spectre of facilitators and barriers to medication self-management for patients with MLTCs transitioning from hospital to home. In clinical practice, patients' medication self-management could be supported through a holistic approach adapted to the individual patient's daily life, including improved care coordination and patient empowerment
Ventilation-induced acute kidney injury in acute respiratory failure : Do PEEP levels matter?
No full textAcute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among critically ill patients, and mechanical ventilation (MV) plays a critical role in its management. One of the key parameters of MV is the level of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), which helps to maintain an adequate lung functional volume. However, the optimal level of PEEP remains controversial. The classical approach in clinical trials for identifying the optimal PEEP has been to compare "high" and "low" levels in a dichotomous manner. High PEEP can improve lung compliance and significantly enhance oxygenation but has been inconclusive in hard clinical outcomes such as mortality and duration of MV. This discrepancy could be related to the fact that inappropriately high or low PEEP levels may adversely affect other organs, such as the heart, brain, and kidneys, which could counteract its potential beneficial effects on the lung. Patients with ARDS often develop acute kidney injury, which is an independent marker of mortality. Three primary mechanisms have been proposed to explain lung-kidney crosstalk during MV: gas exchange abnormalities, such as hypoxemia and hypercapnia; remote biotrauma; and hemodynamic changes, including reduced venous return and cardiac output. As PEEP levels increase, lung volume expands to a variable extent depending on mechanical response. This dynamic underlies two potential mechanisms that could impair venous return, potentially leading to splanchnic and renal congestion. First, increasing PEEP may enhance lung aeration, particularly in highly recruitable lungs, where previously collapsed alveoli reopen, increasing lung volume and pleural pressure, leading to vena cava compression, which can contribute to systemic venous congestion and abdominal organ impairment function. Second, in lungs with low recruitability, PEEP elevation may induce minimal changes in lung volume while increasing airway pressure, resulting in alveolar overdistension, vascular compression, and increased pulmonary vascular resistance. Therefore, we propose that high PEEP settings can contribute to renal congestion, potentially impairing renal function. This review underscores the need for further rigorous research to validate these perspectives and explore strategies for optimizing PEEP settings while minimizing adverse renal effects
Planar Magnetic Metamaterials : An Additive Approach
No full textIn this thesis, we present an additive fabrication process for arrays of planar sub-µm magnetic elements and investigate the properties of the resulting building blocks and arrays. In this fabrication process, electron-beam lithography technique is combined with ion-implantation, yielding interacting single-domain ferromagnetic elements with minimal surface roughness, embedded within a medium. The implanted elements exhibit intrinsic compositional and magnetic inhomogeneities, enabling temperature-dependent tunability of their magnetic thickness. The magnetic ordering emerged in these arrays is investigated in two different configurations: a quasi-infinite mesoscopic magnetic chain and a square artificial spin ice lattice. In the quasi-infinite mesoscopic magnetic chain, the magnetic ordering is tailored by modulating the long-range interactions through geometrical modifications to the lattice, whereas in square artificial spin ice lattice, the magnetic ordering is designed by leveraging the fabrication method itself. The findings of this study demonstrate the feasibility of controlling magnetic properties at the mesoscale for implanted lattices, expanding the design possibilities for magnetic metamaterials