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To meet climate targets, a global shift away from fossil fuels is essential. For sectors where electrification is impractical, it is crucial to find sustainable energy carriers. Renewable methanol is widely considered a promising fuel for powering heavy-duty applications like shipping, freight transport, agriculture, and industrial machines due to its various sustainable production methods. While current technological efforts focus mainly on dual-fuel engines in shipping, future progress hinges on single-fuel solutions using renewable methanol to achieve net-zero goals in the heavy-duty sector. This review examines the research status of technologies enabling methanol as the sole fuel for heavy-duty applications. Three main categories emerged from the literature: spark-ignition, compression-ignition, and pre-chamber systems. Each concept's operational principles and characteristics regarding efficiency, stability, and emissions were analyzed. Spark-ignition concepts are a proven and cost-effective solution with high maturity. However, they face limitations due to knock issues, restricting power output with larger bore sizes. Compression-ignition concepts inherently do not suffer from end-gas autoignition, but encounter challenges related to ignitability due to the low cetane number of methanol. Nonetheless, various methods for achieving autoignition of methanol exist. To obtain stable combustion at all load points, a combination of techniques will be required. Pre-chamber technology, despite its lower maturity, holds promise for extending the knock limit and enhancing efficiency by acting as a distributed ignition source. Furthermore, mixing-controlled pre-chamber concepts show potential for eliminating knock and the associated size and power limitations. The review concludes by comparing each technology and identifying research gaps for future work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Microscopic colitis (MC), encompassing collagenous colitis (CC) and lymphocytic colitis (LC), is a diagnosis which relies on histopathologic criteria. This report examines the validity of having a diagnosis of MC in Swedish pathology registers. METHODS: We reviewed patient charts from 215 randomly selected individuals from 15 pathology departments in five healthcare regions in Sweden with a relevant histopathology code for MC on colon biopsies. Information on clinical symptoms and laboratory data were obtained from medical chart review. We obtained sufficient data on 211 individuals for calculating positive predictive values (PPVs) for MC. RESULTS: In total, 200/211 patients with a histopathology diagnosis of MC were confirmed as also having a clinical diagnosis of MC after chart review, yielding a PPV of 95% (95%CI =91-97%). The PPV for CC was 95% (95%CI =87-98%) and 85% for LC (95%CI =78-90%). The median age at biopsy was 67 years (range 17-90 years), and 72% (n=154) were women. The most common symptoms in patients with MC histopathology were diarrhea (96% of patients), weight loss (24%) and abdominal pain (13%). Four percent (4/111) of patients with available data on stool culture were positive for gastrointestinal pathogens (none had Clostridium difficile). In 81 patients with available celiac serology, five (6%) were positive. Twenty-six percent of all patients had at least one other autoimmune disease, the most frequent being hypothyroidism (8%) and celiac disease (6%). CONCLUSIONS: This study found a high validity for MC as recorded in Swedish pathology registers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study quantified major fluxes of carbon (C), heat and water, including uncertainty estimates, in a boreal forest in northern Sweden, using a process-based model (CoupModel) and Bayesian calibration methodology. Coupled C, water and heat fluxes were described together with estimated uncertainties for all major components of the simulated C budget. Simulated mean gross primary production was 641±74gCm−2 yr−1, total ecosystem respiration 570±55gCm−2 yr−1 and net ecosystem productivity 71±37gCm−2 yr−1. Most high-resolution measurements were well described but some interesting exceptions arose between model and measurements, e.g. latent heat flux was overestimated and field layer (understory) root litter production underestimated. Bayesian calibration reduced the assumed prior parameter ranges in 30 of 33 parameters, thus reducing the uncertainty in the estimates. There was a high degree of couplings between different sub-models and processes in the model, highlighting the importance of considering parameters not as singularities but in clusters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper presents an integrated analysis of organic carbon (C) pools in soils and vegetation, within-ecosystem fluxes and net ecosystem exchange (NEE) in three 40-year old Norway spruce stands along a north-south climatic gradient in Sweden, measured 2001–2004. A process-orientated ecosystem model (CoupModel), previously parameterised on a regional dataset, was used for the analysis. Pools of soil organic carbon (SOC) and tree growth rates were highest at the southernmost site (1.6 and 2.0-fold, respectively). Tree litter production (litterfall and root litter) was also highest in the south, with about half coming from fine roots (<1 mm) at all sites. However, when the litter input from the forest floor vegetation was included, the difference in total litter input rate between the sites almost disappeared (190–233 g C m−2 year−1). We propose that a higher N deposition and N availability in the south result in a slower turnover of soil organic matter than in the north. This effect seems to overshadow the effect of temperature. At the southern site, 19% of the total litter input to the O horizon was leached to the mineral soil as dissolved organic carbon, while at the two northern sites the corresponding figure was approx. 9%. The CoupModel accurately described general C cycling behaviour in these ecosystems, reproducing the differences between north and south. The simulated changes in SOC pools during the measurement period were small, ranging from −8 g C m−2 year−1 in the north to +9 g C m−2 year−1 in the south. In contrast, NEE and tree growth measurements at the northernmost site suggest that the soil lost about 90 g C m−2 year−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The change of current pools of soil C in Norway spruce ecosystems in Sweden were studied using a process-based model (CoupModel). Simulations were conducted for four sites representing different regions covering most of the forested area in Sweden and representing annual mean temperatures from 0.7°C to 7.1°C. The development of both tree layer and field layer (understory) was simulated during a 100-year period using data on standing stock volumes from the Swedish Forest Inventory to calibrate tree growth using different assumptions regarding N supply to the plants. The model successfully described the general patterns of forest stand dynamics along the Swedish climatic transect, with decreasing tree growth rates and increasing field layer biomass from south to north. However, the current tree growth pattern for the northern parts of Sweden could not be explained without organic N uptake and/or enhanced mineralisation rates compared to the southern parts. Depending on the assumption made regarding N supply to the tree, different soil C sequestration rates were obtained. The approach to supply trees with both mineralised N and organic N, keeping the soil C:N ratio constant during the simulation period was found to be the most realistic alternative. With this approach the soils in the northern region of Sweden lost 5 g C m−2 year−1, the soils in the central region lost 2 g C m−2 year−1, and the soils in the two southern regions sequestered 9 and 23 g C m−2 year−1, respectively. In addition to climatic effects, the feedback between C and N turnover plays an important role that needs to be more clearly understood to improve estimates of C sequestration in boreal forest ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simulation study based on recent regional climate scenarios for Sweden investigated possible changes in carbon (C) dynamics and net ecosystem exchange (NEE) of Swedish Norway spruce forest ecosystems. Four sites, representative of well-drained soils in four regions, were included. Stand development was simulated for a 100-year rotation period using a coupled model describing abiotic and biotic processes in the soil-plant-atmosphere system. Two IPCC climate change scenarios, corresponding to a mean annual temperature increase of about 2°C (A2) or 3°C (B2) from the reference period 1961–1990 to a new period 2061–2090, were considered. Annual maximum snow depth decreased with the increase in air temperature, whereas maximum soil frost depth and mean annual soil temperature showed only small changes, especially for the sites in northern Sweden. Simulations suggested that in the warmer climate, gross primary production (GPP) increased by 24–32% in northern Sweden and by 32–43% in the south. In the north, the increase was related to the combined effect of air and soil temperature extending the growing season, whereas in the south it was mainly governed by increased N availability due to increased soil temperature. NEE increased by about 20% (A2) or 25% (B2) at all sites, more or less solely due to increased accumulation of C in the tree biomass (including harvest residues), since changes in soil C were small compared with the current climate. Both light use efficiency and water use efficiency were improved in the future climate scenarios, despite increases in atmospheric CO2 not being considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Elective laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is performed with increasing frequency rather than open splenectomy (OS) because of reduced morbidity. LS is feasible also in patients with haematological diseases with splenomegaly, a group that is subject to more postoperative complications, such as bleeding, infections and portal vein thrombosis (PVT). Method: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 69 patients splenectomised for haematological diseases during a 5-yr period at a single centre with the aim of comparing the results and complications after LS and OS. Results: Thirty-nine patients underwent LS and 30 OS. The median durations of surgery were 138 and 115 min (ns) in the LS and OS groups respectively. Three conversions (7.7%) from laparoscopic surgery to open surgery were necessary because of bleeding and/or splenomegaly. Thromboembolic complications occurred in totally seven of 69 patients. PVT was diagnosed in five of 37 (13.5%) patients with haematological malignancies (three with indolent lymphoma and two with myeloproliferative disease), one after LS and four after OS. All patients with PVT had splenomegaly and had received thromboembolic prophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin of short duration. Two patients were diagnosed with deep vein thromboses in the lower leg. Both had idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and LS. Conclusions: Patients with malignant haematological diseases and splenomegaly seem to have a high risk of developing PVT after splenectomy why careful observation and prolonged thromboprophylaxis is recommended for these patients. Ultrasonography or computerised tomography should be considered in all patients with abdominal symptoms after splenectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates attitudes among educational organisations towards the use of system evaluation for quality improvement in Swedish higher education. The subject of this investigation is the evaluation of the pilot project on advanced vocational education (AVE), which was conducted between 1997 and 1999 by a research team at the Luleå Technological University. The investigation was carried out in the form of a telephone inquiry with a strategic selection of the education organisers. The investigation shows that 65% of the respondents regard the work of the research team, built on the system-evaluation model, as an instrument to inspire confidence and contribute to renewal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes experiences from creating a quality culture for continuous improvements in the Swedish school sector by using self-assessments. Concept of total quality management (TQM); Technique for TQM; Different tools for assessment; Features of the Adult Education Initiative program.

The article focuses on a study which found that conjugate vaccine produced better response in lymphoma patients than polysaccharide vaccine after 12 months of rituximab treatment. It informs that rituximab depletes malignant CD20 expressing B cells but also normal CD20+ cells. The study supported indication of immunogenic conjugate vaccines and vaccinations before rituximab or immunochemotherapy in B-cell lymphoma patients.

To counter the rising threat of bacterial infections in the post-antibiotic age, intensive efforts are invested in engineering new materials with antibacterial properties. The key bottleneck in this initiative is the speed of evaluation of the antibacterial potential of new materials. To overcome this, we developed an automated pipeline for the prediction of antibacterial potential based on scanning electron microscopy images of engineered surfaces. We developed polymer composites containing graphite-oriented nanoplatelets (GNPs). The key property that the algorithm needs to consider is the density of sharp exposed edges of GNPs that kill bacteria on contact. The surface area of these sharp exposed edges of GNPs, accessible to bacteria, needs to be inferior to the diameter of a typical bacterial cell. To test this assumption, we prepared several composites with variable distribution of exposed edges of GNP. For each of them, the percentage of bacterial exclusion area was predicted by our algorithm and validated experimentally by measuring the loss of viability of the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus epidermidis. We observed a remarkable linear correlation between predicted bacterial exclusion area and measured loss of viability (R2 = 0.95). The algorithm parameters we used are not generally applicable to any antibacterial surface. For each surface, key mechanistic parameters must be defined for successful prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "Pools and Xuxes of Carbon in Three Norway Spruce Ecosystems Along a Climatic Gradient in Sweden," by Dan Berggren Kleja and colleagues is presented.

High Nitrous Oxide (N 2 O) emissions have been identified in hemiboreal forests in association with draining organic soils. However, the specific controlling factors that regulate the emissions remain unclear. To examine the importance of different factors affecting N 2 O emissions in a spruce forest on drained organic soil, a process-based model, CoupModel, was calibrated using the generalized likelihood uncertainty estimation (GLUE) method. The calibration also aims to estimate parameter density distributions, the covariance matrix of estimated parameters and the correlation between parameters and variables information, useful when applying the model on other peat soil sites and for further model improvements. The calibrated model reproduced most of the high resolution data (total net radiation, soil temperature, groundwater level, net ecosystem exchange, etc.) very well, as well as cumulative measured N 2 O emissions (simulated 8.7 ± 1.1 kg N 2 O ha −1 year −1 ( n = 97); measured 8.7 ± 2.7 kg N 2 O ha −1 year −1 ( n = 6)), but did not capture every measured peak. Parameter uncertainties were reduced after calibration, in which 16 out of 20 parameters changed from uniform distributions into normal distributions or log normal distributions. Four parameters describing bypass water flow, oxygen diffusion and soil freezing changed significantly after calibration. Inter-connections and correlations between many calibrated parameters and variables reflect the complex and interrelated nature of pedosphere, biosphere and atmosphere interactions. This also highlights the need to calibrate a number of parameters simultaneously. Model sensitivity analysis indicated that N 2 O emissions during growing seasons are controlled by competition between plants and microbes for nitrogen, while during the winter season snow melt periods are important. Our results also indicate that N 2 O is mainly produced in the capillary fringe close to the groundwater table by denitrification in the anaerobic zone. We conclude that, in afforested drained peatlands, the plants and groundwater level have important influences on soil N availability, ultimately controlling N 2 O emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We simulated soil carbon stock dynamics of an Austrian coniferous forest stand with five soil-only models (Q, ROMUL, RothC, SoilCO2/RothC and Yasso07) and three plant–soil models (CENTURY, CoupModel and Forest-DNDC) for an 18-year period and the decomposition of a litter pulse over a 100-year period. The objectives of the study were to assess the consistency in soil carbon estimates applying a multi-model comparison and to present and discuss the sources of uncertainties that create the differences in model results. Additionally, we discuss the applicability of different modelling approaches from the view point of large-scale carbon assessments. Our simulation results showed a wide range in soil carbon stocks and stock change estimates reflecting substantial uncertainties in model estimates. The measured stock change estimate decreased much more than the model predictions. Model results varied not only due to the model structure and applied parameters, but also due to different input information and assumptions applied during the modelling processes. Initialization procedures applied with the models induced large differences among the modelled soil carbon stocks and stock change estimates. Decomposition estimates of the litter pulse driven by model structures and parameters also varied considerably. Our results support the use of relatively simple soil-only models with low data requirements in inventory type of large-scale carbon assessments. It is important that the modelling processes within the national inventories are transparently reported and special emphasis is put on how the models are used, which assumptions are applied and what is the quality of data used both as input and to calibrate the models. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aim To determine if patients with untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) benefit from vaccination with a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugated vaccine (PCV13), Prevenar13®, compared to a 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23), Pneumovax®, in terms of immune response. Background Streptococcus pneumoniae causes substantial morbidity in patients with CLL, a group known to respond poorly to polysaccharide vaccines. Comparative studies with conjugated vaccines are lacking. Methods 128 treatment naïve CLL patients from eight hematology clinics in Sweden were randomized to vaccination with PCV13 (n = 63) or PPSV23 (n = 65) after stratification by IgG level and CLL clinical stage (Rai). Blood samples for evaluation of immune response were obtained at baseline, and at one and six months after vaccination. Analyses for each of the 12 pneumococcal serotypes common for PCV13 and PPSV23 were performed by opsonophagocytic assay (OPA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results PCV13 elicited a superior immune response than PPSV23 in 10/12 serotypes one month after vaccination and in 5/12 serotypes six months after vaccination, measured as OPA geometric mean titers (GMTs). Geometric mean concentrations of serotype-specific IgG antibodies elicited by PCV13 as measured by ELISA, were higher than those elicited by PPSV23 in half of the common serotypes, both after one and six months. PPSV23 did not trigger a better immune response than PCV13 for any of the serotypes, regardless of analysis method or time point of analysis. Negative predictive factors for vaccination response were hypogammaglobulinemia and long disease duration. Both vaccines were well tolerated. Conclusions In patients with previously untreated CLL, the efficacy of PCV13 in terms of immune response is superior to PPSV23 for most serotypes common for the two vaccines. We therefore propose that PCV13 should be included in vaccination programs against Streptococcus pneumoniae for CLL patients and administered as early as possible during the course of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The symbiosis between plants and Ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM) is shown to considerably influence the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) fluxes between the soil, rhizosphere, and plants in boreal forest ecosystems. However, ECM are either neglected or presented as an implicit, undynamic term in most ecosystem models, which can potentially reduce the predictive power of models. In order to investigate the necessity of an explicit consideration of ECM in ecosystem models, we implement the previously developed MYCOFON model into a detailed process-based, soil-plant-atmosphere model, Coup-MYCOFON, which explicitly describes the C and N fluxes between ECM and roots. This new Coup-MYCOFON model approach (ECM explicit) is compared with two simpler model approaches: one containing ECM implicitly as a dynamic uptake of organic N considering the plant roots to represent the ECM (ECM implicit), and the other a static N approach in which plant growth is limited to a fixed N level (nonlim). Parameter uncertainties are quantified using Bayesian calibration in which the model outputs are constrained to current forest growth and soil C =N ratio for four forest sites along a climate and N deposition gradient in Sweden and simulated over a 100-year period. The "nonlim" approach could not describe the soil C=N ratio due to large overestimation of soil N sequestration but simulate the forest growth reasonably well. The ECM "implicit" and "explicit" approaches both describe the soil C=N ratio well but slightly underestimate the forest growth. The implicit approach simulated lower litter production and soil respiration than the explicit approach. The ECM explicit Coup-MYCOFON model provides a more detailed description of internal ecosystem fluxes and feedbacks of C and N between plants, soil, and ECM. Our modeling highlights the need to incorporate ECM and organic N uptake into ecosystem models, and the nonlim approach is not recommended for future long-term soil C and N predictions. We also provide a key set of posterior fungal parameters that can be further investigated and evaluated in future ECM studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM), the symbiosis between a host plant and mycorrhizal fungi, has been shown to considerably influence the C and N flux between soil, the rhizosphere and plant in boreal forest ecosystems. However, ECM is either neglected or presented as an implicit, non-dynamic term in most ecosystem models which can potentially reduce their predictive power. In order to investigate the necessity of an explicit consideration of ECM in ecosystem models, we implemented the previous developed MYCOFON model into a detail process-based soil-plant-atmosphere model, CoupModel. MYCOFON explicitly describes the C and N fluxes between ECM and roots. This new Coup-Mycofon model approach (ECM explicit) is compared to two simpler model approaches, of which one contains ECM implicitly as an non-dynamic N uptake function (ECM implicit) and the other represents a version where plant growth has a constant N availability (nonlim). Parameter uncertainties are quantified by using Bayesian calibration where the model outputs are constrained to current forest growth and soil conditions for four forest sites along a climate and N deposition gradient in Sweden over 100 year period. Our results show that the nonlim approach could not describe both the forest growth and soil C and N conditions properly. The ECM implicit/explicit approach is able to describe current conditions with acceptable uncertainty. The ECM explicit Coup-Mycofon model provide a more detailed description of internal ecosystems fluxes and feedbacks of C and N fluxes between plant, soil and ECM. Our modelling highlights the need of incorporating ECM in current ecosystem models. We also provide a key set of posterior fungal parameters which can be further investigated and evaluated in future ECM studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Printed electronics are considered for wireless electronic tags and sensors within the future Internet-of-things (loT) concept. As a consequence of the low charge carrier mobility of present printable organic and inorganic semiconductors, the operational frequency of printed rectifiers is not high enough to enable direct communication and powering between mobile phones and printed e-tags. Here, we report an all-printed diode operating up to 1.6 GHz. The device, based on two stacked layers of Si and NbSi2 particles, is manufactured on a flexible substrate at low temperature and in ambient atmosphere. The high charge carrier mobility of the Si microparticles allows device operation to occur in the charge injection-limited regime. The asymmetry of the oxide layers in the resulting device stack leads to rectification of tunneling current. Printed diodes were combined with antennas and electrochromic displays to form an all-printed e-tag. The harvested signal from a Global System for Mobile Communications mobile phone was used to update the display. Our findings demonstrate a new communication pathway for printed electronics within loT applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outcome for multiple myeloma patients has improved since the introduction of bortezomib, thalidomide and lenalidomide. However, studies comparing new and conventional treatment include selected patient groups. We investigated consecutive patients ( n = 1638) diagnosed in a defined period and compared survival with a gender- and age-matched cohort Swedish population ( n = 9 340 682). Median overall survival for non-high-dose treated patients was 2·8 years. The use of bortezomib, thalidomide or lenalidomide in first line therapy predicted a significantly longer overall survival (median 4·9 years) compared to conventional treatment (2·3 years). Among non-high-dose treated patients receiving at least 2 lines with bortezomib, thalidomide or lenalidomide, 69% and 63% have survived at 3 and 5 years as compared to 48% and 22% with conventional drugs and 88% and 79% in the matched cohort populations, respectively. The median overall survival in high-dose treated patients was 6·9 years. Of these patients, 84% survived at 3 years and 70% at 5 years as compared to 98% and 95% in the matched cohort population. Overall survival in the best non-high-dose treated outcome group is closing the gap with the matched cohort. Upfront use of new drugs is clearly better than waiting until later lines of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nitrogen deposition and increasing temperature are two of the major large-scale changes projected for coming decades and the effect of this change on dissolved organic matter is largely unknown. We have utilized a long-term fertilization and soil warming experiment in Northern Sweden to study the effects of increased nutrient levels and increased temperature on DOC transport under the O horizon. The site is N limited and mean annual temperature 2°C. Experimental fertilization with ammonium nitrate and a physiological mixture of other macro- and micro-nutrients has been going on for 22years and soil warming, 5°C above ambient soil temperature for 14years, prior to the study. Experimental plots have been irrigated to avoid drying and we also studied the effect of this long-term irrigation on DOC by establishing control plots receiving no irrigation. DOC concentrations and fluxes under the O horizon were approximately 50% higher in fertilized plots than in non-fertilized control plots. We did not find any statistically significant effect of soil warming. There was a statistically significant effect of long-term irrigation on DOC with higher DOC concentration and fluxes in irrigated plots than in plots without irrigation. There were no major effects on DOC quality measured by specific UV absorbance. Fertilization approximately doubled soil organic matter stocks in the O horizon, whereas there were no such effects of warming or irrigation on soil organic matter amounts. There was no statistically significant treatment effect on DOC collected from the B horizon. We hypothesize that the positive effect of fertilization on DOC is related to increased soil C stocks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]