Plastic policies: Contemporary opportunities and challenges in public libraries’ enactment of cultural policy

This study explores how democracy—often understood as an abstract concept or a location- transcending, intangible phenomenon—is produced, shaped and continuously reshaped through local library practices in certain places and under local conditions at a specific point in time. To better understand potential conflicts and/or tensions that might arise between the three levels of Swedish library policy at a time when values enshrined in the Swedish democratic model are being challenged by political right-wing populism, we explored the potential influence on and enactment of policy documents in public libraries day-to-day practice. We did so by conducting an ethnographic study of five municipalities in Sweden’s Skåne County. Our study was theoretically informed by practice theory and the view of democracy as an ongoing process and a plurality. Our findings showed that policy documents are often internalized by library staff. The influence of the democratic mission established in the Swedish Library Act , in particular, was evident in the way library staff carried out their work. One tension created by the “democratic paradox” (i.e., the requirement that a democracy allow opponents of the democratic form of rule a voice) was evident in library policy enactments, inasmuch as librarians adopted different stances towards the neutrality norm. Thus, in practice, what appear to be rigid, inflexible policy documents are in fact plastic and mouldable. This plasticity allows room for librarians to legitimately promote democracy. Although public librarians spend much time engaging with various policy documents, they consider it time well spent and value the result. Public libraries appear as locations where different levels of cultural policy interconnect. In their role as public institutions, they also have a mission to fulfil in honoring the democratic paradox via a praxis that includes support for democracy as one of their goals

Nitrogen uptake and assimilation during Norway spruce somatic embryogenesis

Sweden is currently experiencing shortage of Norway spruce (Picea abies) seeds due to e.g. irregular flowering and the recent year’s outbreaks of pests and pathogens destroying cones and seeds. Therefore, the forest sector is investigating alternative ways of propagating Norway spruce plants to secure Norway spruce regeneration and sustain the genetic diversity. Somatic embryogenesis (SE) is a vegetative method that can be used for in vitro propagation of Norway spruce plants. Plants produced through the SE technique could potentially lead to; i) shorter time from recent tree breeding improvements to reforestation. ii) preserving genetic diversity in managed forests, while maintaining genetic gains from the tree breeding. SE can also be used as a mean to cryo-preserve valuable genetic material and to study embryo development. Unlike the seed embryo development, which is dependent on the surrounding tissue for nutrients, the entire SE development is undeniably dependent on the culture conditions; light, temperature, gaseous environment, media amendments and nutrient composition. I have used SE as a research tool to generate material for studying uptake, and utilization of carbon and nitrogen during Norway spruce embryo development. My research has contributed new evidence that media supplied glutamine is essential for growth during the process of Norway spruce somatic embryogenesis. I found that media supplied with glutamine is important for maintaining the pool of free amino acids, the building blocks of e.g. DNA, proteins and chlorophyll. In addition, glutamine present in the growth medium assisted in alleviating stress-related metabolic pathways - the alanine aminotransferase pathway and the GABA shunt. Furthermore, the findings from my work can aid the on-going development for an industrial production system for Norway spruce plants through SE. My research project has been a collaboration between Swedish university of agricultural science (SLU) and the forest company Sveaskog, specifically the seed and plant division Svenska Skogsplantor

Limiting livestock production to pasture and by-products in a search for sustainable diets

A method was developed for designing ‘fair’ diets (not using more than globally available arable land percapita) and for assessing the sustainability of such diets. The diets were based on the principle of ‘ecological leftovers’ for livestock production, i.e. raising livestock on pasture and by-products not suitable for or wanted by humans. The method was applied to Sweden using three different scenarios for livestock production, all taking the starting point that semi-natural pastures should be grazed by ruminants for reasons of biodiversity conservation. The scenarios also included differing use of by-products (from crop production and food processing) to either boost milk production (I-Milk scenario) or produce eggs and pig meat (E-Milk and Suckler scenarios). In I-Milk, milk and meat were produced in intensive systems in which dairy cows and their offspring only grazed to a limited extent, resulting in the human diet containing recommended levels of dairy products (350 ml milk per day) and meat twice a week. Milk could also be exported. In E-Milk, pasture was used more for dairy cows and their offspring, resulting in fewer animals and less milk (150 ml milk per day) and four servings of meat per week. In the Suckler scenario, pasture was grazed by suckler herds providing no milk but meat four times per week. The environmental impacts of the diets were assessed using the planetary boundaries framework. The results showed substantially lower environmental impacts compared with the average current Swedish diet, but the strict absolute climate boundary and the N and P input boundaries were still exceeded for all diets. The approach adopted, of letting the ecological resource capacity act as the constraining factor for livestock production, is in line with agroecology principles and efficient use of land to improve food security,and could be useful in discussions about sustainable consumption of animal products

Porosity prediction of calcium phosphate cements based on chemical composition

The porosity of calcium phosphate cements has an impact on several important parameters, such as strength, resorbability and bioactivity. A model to predict the porosity for biomedical cements would hence be a useful tool. At the moment such a model only exists for Portland cements. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a first porosity prediction model for calcium phosphate cements. On the basis of chemical reaction, molar weight and density of components, a volume-based model was developed and validated using calcium phosphate cement as model material. 60 mol% beta-tricalcium phosphate and 40 mol% monocalcium phosphate monohydrate were mixed with deionized water, at different liquid-to-powder ratios. Samples were set for 24 h at 37 degrees C and 100 % relative humidity. Thereafter, samples were dried either under vacuum at room temperature for 24 h or in air at 37 degrees C for 7 days. Porosity and phase composition were determined. It was found that the two drying protocols led to the formation of brushite and monetite, respectively. The model was found to predict well the experimental values and also data reported in the literature for apatite cements, as deduced from the small absolute average residual errors (<2.0 %). In conclusion, a theoretical model for porosity prediction was developed and validated for brushite, monetite and apatite cements. The model gives a good estimate of the final porosity and has the potential to be used as a porosity prediction tool in the biomedical cement field.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Kött och mjölk från djur uppfödda på bete och restprodukter - ger det en hållbar kost?

Våra matvanors miljöpåverkan Har du funderat på våra matvanors miljöpåverkan? Hur ska du välja för att matproduktionen ska uppfylla så många miljömål som möjligt? Och vad är egentligen viktigast – att äta kött – att dricka mycket mjölk – stor biologisk mångfald – att maten är hälsosam – att maten räcker till många – att djuren har det bra – att landskapet är vackert – att många får jobb på landsbygden? Idag används drygt 30 procent av jordens isfria yta till jordbruk och bete. Odling av grödor till mat och foder innebär oundvikligen att jordens naturliga ekosystem utsätts för negativ miljöpåverkan. Jordbruket är den största orsaken till att den biologiska mångfalden på jorden minskar och att både djur och växter utrotas. När jordbruksmarken gödslas med kväve omvandlas en del av detta kväve till lustgas som är en kraftig växthusgas. Metangas som bildas i matsmältningen hos kor och andra idisslare orsakar också klimatpåverkan. Till detta kommer utsläpp av koldioxid från traktorer och från senare led i kedjan när livsmedel förädlas, lagras och transporteras. Besprutning av grödor för att motverka ogräs samt skadliga insekter och svampar riskerar att drabba organismer i naturliga ekosystem. Jordbruk orsakar också övergödning av sjöar och hav genom att kväve och fosfor läcker ut från åkermarken

Deactivation of a Vanadium-Based SCR Catalyst Used in a Biogas-Powered Euro VI Heavy-Duty Engine Installation

We have investigated how the exhaust gases from a heavy-duty Euro VI engine, powered with biogas impact a vanadium-based selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst in terms of performance. A full Euro VI emission control system was used and the accumulation of catalyst poisons from the combustion was investigated for the up-stream particulate filter as well as the SCR catalyst. The NO(x)reduction performance in terms of standard, fast and NO2-rich SCR was evaluated before and after exposure to exhaust from a biogas-powered engine for 900 h. The SCR catalyst retains a significant part of its activity towards NO(x)reduction after exposure to biogas exhaust, likely due to capture of catalyst poisons on the up-stream components where the deactivation of the oxidation catalyst is especially profound. At lower temperatures some deactivation of the first part of the SCR catalyst was observed which could be explained by a considerably higher surface V4+/V(5+)ratio for this sample compared to the other samples. The higher value indicates that the reoxidation of V(4+)to V(5+)is partially hindered, blocking the redox cycle for parts of the active sites

Deactivation of a Pd/Pt Bimetallic Oxidation Catalyst Used in a Biogas-Powered Euro VI Heavy-Duty Engine Installation

The reduction of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to avoid further warming of the planet. We investigated how effluent gases from a biogas powered Euro VI heavy-duty engine impact the performance of a bimetallic (palladium and platinum) oxidation catalyst. Using synthetic gas mixtures, the oxidation of NO, CO, and CH4\ua0before and after exposure to biogas exhaust for 900 h was studied. The catalyst lost most of its activity for methane oxidation, and the activity loss was most severe for the inlet part of the aged catalyst. Here, a clear sintering of Pt and Pd was observed, and higher concentrations of catalyst poisons such as sulfur and phosphorus were detected. The sintering and poisoning resulted in less available active sites and hence lower activity for methane oxidation

Food safety in the East African Community countries: Perceptions of key stakeholders in the food value chain

Introduction: Five of the six countries in the East Africa Community are classified by the WHO under the AFR-E sub-region. This sub-region is the second highest in foodborne disease burden with 1,200 DALYs per 100,000 inhabitants. Unsafe food has serious impacts on health and livelihoods of the people, as well as trade and economic development. Addressing food safety gaps requires participation of all stakeholders in the food value chain. Objectives: The objective of this study is to analyse the perceptions of relevant stakeholders on status of food safety, food safety gaps in informal markets and discuss opportunities to improve food safety in the region. Materials and methods: This is a qualitative study involving the use of participatory methods. Burundi and Kenya have purposely been selected for the study, with defined informal market settings. The protocols to guide data collection will be developed in English and translated to Swahili (for Kenya) and Kirundi (for Burundi), and pre-tested before use in the field. Ethical approvals in line with requirements in each country will be sought. Informed consent will also be obtained from all participants prior to their involvement in the study. Data will be summarized and synthesized thematically. Statistical methods for handling non-normal data will be considered. Results: The perceptions of stakeholders on status of food safety in informal markets and suggestions on priority value chains that should be considered for food safety intervention will be discussed. Conclusions: This study will provide in-depth understanding of food safety status in both countries, as perceived by the stakeholders. The findings are expected to guide future research work and further inform decision making for policy development and donor investment

STudy of Antithrombotic Treatment after IntraCerebral Haemorrhage (STATICH): Protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background and aims: Many patients with prior intracerebral haemorrhage have indications for antithrombotic treatment with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs for prevention of ischaemic events, but it is uncertain whether such treatment is beneficial after intracerebral haemorrhage. STudy of Antithrombotic Treatment after IntraCerebral Haemorrhage will assess (i) the effects of long-term antithrombotic treatment on the risk of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage and occlusive vascular events after intracerebral haemorrhage and (ii) whether imaging findings, like cerebral microbleeds, modify these effects. Methods: STudy of Antithrombotic Treatment after IntraCerebral Haemorrhage is a multicentre, randomised controlled, open trial of starting versus avoiding antithrombotic treatment after non-traumatic intracerebral haemorrhage, in patients with an indication for antithrombotic treatment. Participants with vascular disease as an indication for antiplatelet treatment are randomly allocated to antiplatelet treatment or no antithrombotic treatment. Participants with atrial fibrillation as an indication for anticoagulant treatment are randomly allocated to anticoagulant treatment or no anticoagulant treatment. Cerebral CT or MRI is performed before randomisation. Duration of follow-up is at least two years. The primary outcome is recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. Secondary outcomes include occlusive vascular events and death. Assessment of clinical outcomes is performed blinded to treatment allocation. Target recruitment is 500 participants. Trial status: Recruitment to STudy of Antithrombotic Treatment after IntraCerebral Haemorrhage is on-going. On 30 April 2020, 44 participants had been enrolled in 31 participating hospitals. An individual patient-data meta-analysis is planned with similar randomised trials