Climate impact of willow grown for bioenergy in Sweden

Short-rotation coppice willow (SRCW) is a fast-growing and potentially high-yielding energy crop. Transition to bioenergy has been identified in Sweden as one strategy to mitigate climate change and decrease the current dependency on fossil fuel. In this study, life cycle assessment was used to evaluate and compare the climate impacts of SRCW systems, for the purpose of evaluating key factors influencing the climate change mitigation potential of SRCW grown on agricultural land in Sweden. Seven different scenarios were defined and analysed to identify the factors with the most influence on the climate. A carbon balance model was used to model carbon fluxes between soil, biomass and atmosphere under Swedish growing conditions. The results indicated that SRCW can act as a temporary carbon sink and therefore has a mitigating effect on climate change. The most important factor in obtaining a high climate change-mitigating effect was shown to be high yield. Low yield gave the worst mitigating effect of the seven scenarios, but it was still better than the effect of the reference systems, district heating produced from coal or natural gas

Climate impact and energy efficiency from electricity generation through anaerobic digestion or direct combustion of short rotation coppice willow

Short rotation coppice willow is an energy crop used in Sweden to produce electricity and heat in combined heat and power plants. Recent laboratory-scale experiments have shown that SRC willow can also be used for biogas production in anaerobic digestion processes. Here, life cycle assessment is used to compare the climate impact and energy efficiency of electricity and heat generated by these measures. All energy inputs and greenhouse gas emissions, including soil organic carbon fluxes were included in the life cycle assessment. The climate impact was determined using time-dependent life cycle assessment methodology. Both systems showed a positive net energy balance, but the direct combustion system delivered ninefold more energy than the biogas system. Both systems had a cooling effect on the global mean surface temperature change. The cooling impact per hectare from the biogas system was ninefold higher due to the carbon returned to soil with the digestate. Compensating the lower energy production of the biogas system with external energy sources had a large impact on the result, effectively determining whether the biogas scenario had a net warming or cooling contribution to the global mean temperature change per kWh of electricity. In all cases, the contribution to global warming was lowered by the inclusion of willow in the energy system. The use of time-dependent climate impact methodology shows that extended use of short rotation coppice willow can contribute to counteract global warming

Consumption of bilberries controls gingival inflammation

Bioactive molecules in berries may be helpful in reducing the risk of oral diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of bilberry consumption on the outcome of a routine dental clinical parameter of inflammation, bleeding on probing (BOP), as well as the impact on selected biomarkers of inflammation, such as cytokines, in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in individuals with gingivitis. Study individuals who did not receive standard of care treatment were allocated to either a placebo group or to groups that consumed either 250 or 500 g bilberries daily over seven days. The placebo group consumed an inactive product (starch). A study group, receiving standard of care (debridement only) was also included to provide a reference to standard of care treatment outcome. Cytokine levels were assayed using the Luminex MagPix system. The mean reduction in BOP before and after consumption of test product over 1 week was 41% and 59% in the groups that consumed either 250 or 500 g of bilberries/day respectively, and was 31% in the placebo group, and 58% in the standard of care reference group. The analysis only showed a significantreduction in cytokine levels in the group that consumed 500 g of bilberries/day. A statistically significant reduction was observed for IL-1β (p = 0.025), IL-6 (p = 0.012) and VEGF (p = 0.017) in GCF samples in the group that consumed 500 g of bilberries daily. It appears that berry intake has an ameliorating effect on some markers of gingival inflammation reducing gingivitis to a similar extent compared to standard of care

Synthesis of Tetrahydrofuran and Pyrrolidine Derivatives Utilising Radical Reactions : Organochalcogenides in Reductive, Carbonylative and Group-Transfer Cyclisation

This thesis describes free-radical reactions for the construction of tetrahydrofuran and pyrrolidine derivatives. The studies are concerned with (i) diastereoselectivity in radical cyclisation, (ii) construction of tetrahydrofuran-3-ones and pyrrolidin-3-ones via radical carbonylation/cyclisation and (iii) synthesis of tetrahydrofuran derivatives via group-transfer cyclisation of organochalcogen compounds. (i) Diastereoselectivity in the synthesis of tetrahydrofuran derivatives via radical cyclisation was controlled by addition of Lewis acids. In the synthesis of 2,4-disubstitued tetrahydrofurans, the trans-isomer was formed as the major product in the unperturbed reaction. Upon addition of trialkylalumiums the diastereoselectivity was reversed. In a similar fashion, exo/endo-diastereoselectivity in the synthesis of bicyclic 2,3,4-trisubstituted tetrahydrofurans could also be controlled. (ii) Procedures for construction of tetrahydrofuran-3-ones and pyrrolidin-3-ones were presented. Epoxides were ring-opened with benzeneselenolate or benzenetellurolate and the resulting β-hydroxyalkyl phenyl chalcogenides were vinylated using ethyl propiolate/NMM or E-1,2-bis(phenylsulfonyl)ethylene/NaH. The corresponding nitrogen analogues were accessed by N-vinylation of aziridines followed by benzeneselenolate ring-opening. The two types of organochalcogen radical precursors were then treated with TTMSS/AIBN under an atmosphere of carbon monoxide (80 atm) to afford tetrahydrofuran-3-ones and pyrrolidin-3-ones, respectively, in high yields. (iii) Microwaves were found to induce group-transfer cyclisation of β-allyloxyalkyl aryl chalcogenides. Short time heating (3-10 min) at 250 oC in ethylene glycol was required to obtain tetrahydrofuran derivatives in 60-91% yield

Möjligheternas problematik – En studie av IKT-användningen inom skolämnet Idrott och Hälsa

Sammanfattning Syftet med uppsatsen var att utifrån ett sociokulturellt perspektiv undersöka om, hur och varför lärare i Idrott och Hälsa väljer att använda IKT i undervisningen. Studiens avser att fylla en kunskapslucka som finns i forskningsfältet för att på så sätt kunna vidareutveckla och förbättra fortbildningen för pedagogerna. Därigenom hoppas vi på att bidra till att ämnet, Idrott och Hälsa, utvecklas i takt med samhällsutvecklingen. Studien genomfördes med hjälp av enkäter och intervjuer. Studien visar att det finns en användning av IKT inom ämnet Idrott och Hälsa. Det framkom även att förutsättningarna i skolorna ser olika ut, men det finns vissa gemensamma hinder för användning av IKT. De vanligast använda digitala redskapen visade sig vara dator och mobil, både separat och som kombination. Det kan bero på att flertalet av de deltagande respondenterna arbetade på en skola som ingår i En-till-en projektet. De digitala redskapen används framförallt som en form av visuellt stöd i dialogen mellan lärare och elever, som en motivation för eleverna samt för att underlätta för lärarnas arbete. Att hålla sig själva och eleverna uppdaterade i den samhälleliga utvecklingen var ytterligare ett skäl, som respondenterna uppgav till användandet av de digitala redskapen. Det övergripande syftet med de digitala redskapen blir att använda dem som ett medierande redskap i dialogen med eleverna för att stötta dem i sitt arbete inom sin proximala utvecklingszon

Synthesis of Tetrahydrofuran and Pyrrolidine Derivatives Utilising Radical Reactions : Organochalcogenides in Reductive, Carbonylative and Group-Transfer Cyclisation

This thesis describes free-radical reactions for the construction of tetrahydrofuran and pyrrolidine derivatives. The studies are concerned with (i) diastereoselectivity in radical cyclisation, (ii) construction of tetrahydrofuran-3-ones and pyrrolidin-3-ones via radical carbonylation/cyclisation and (iii) synthesis of tetrahydrofuran derivatives via group-transfer cyclisation of organochalcogen compounds. (i) Diastereoselectivity in the synthesis of tetrahydrofuran derivatives via radical cyclisation was controlled by addition of Lewis acids. In the synthesis of 2,4-disubstitued tetrahydrofurans, the trans-isomer was formed as the major product in the unperturbed reaction. Upon addition of trialkylalumiums the diastereoselectivity was reversed. In a similar fashion, exo/endo-diastereoselectivity in the synthesis of bicyclic 2,3,4-trisubstituted tetrahydrofurans could also be controlled. (ii) Procedures for construction of tetrahydrofuran-3-ones and pyrrolidin-3-ones were presented. Epoxides were ring-opened with benzeneselenolate or benzenetellurolate and the resulting β-hydroxyalkyl phenyl chalcogenides were vinylated using ethyl propiolate/NMM or E-1,2-bis(phenylsulfonyl)ethylene/NaH. The corresponding nitrogen analogues were accessed by N-vinylation of aziridines followed by benzeneselenolate ring-opening. The two types of organochalcogen radical precursors were then treated with TTMSS/AIBN under an atmosphere of carbon monoxide (80 atm) to afford tetrahydrofuran-3-ones and pyrrolidin-3-ones, respectively, in high yields. (iii) Microwaves were found to induce group-transfer cyclisation of β-allyloxyalkyl aryl chalcogenides. Short time heating (3-10 min) at 250 oC in ethylene glycol was required to obtain tetrahydrofuran derivatives in 60-91% yield

To incorporate safe sexual and reproductive health : - An observational study using ethnographic approach

Bakgrund: Alla individer innehar grundläggande rättigheter just i egenskap av att vara människa. Rätten till hälsa är en av dessa, och ska bland annat inkludera säker sexuell och reproduktiv hälsa. I den georgiska utbrytarprovinsen Abchazien tillgodoses inte hela befolkningen denna rättighet. Gali-distriktet är beläget nära gränsen till övriga Georgien och anses som ett lågprioriterat område. Kvinnors position beskrivs där extra utsatt, då exempelvis våld i nära relationer är vanligt förekommande. Inom Abchazien finns icke-statliga organisationer som arbetar för att tillgodose människors grundläggande rättigheter. Avangard är en av dessa och arbetar med sexuell och reproduktiv hälsa för kvinnor i Gali-distriktet. Syfte: Studiens syfte var att belysa hur vårdpersonalen på en icke-statlig organisation kan möjliggöra säker sexuell och reproduktiv hälsa för kvinnor i Gali, Abchazien. Metod: Empirisk studie med kvalitativ metod, baserad på deltagande observationer med etnografisk ansats. Materialet har bearbetats genom innehållsanalys, där kategorier samt teman arbetats fram. Resultat: Framkomna fynd presenteras utifrån tre teman med totalt sex inkluderande kategorier: Kompetens – Utbildad personal och Engagemang, Sammanhang - Undervisning i sexuell och reproduktiv hälsa och gynekologisk vård, Resurser – Miljö och Material. Slutsats: Studien belyser hur flertalet komponenter möjliggjorde den sexuella och reproduktiva hälsan. Genom utbildad och lokalt förankrad personal, kunde Avangard bidra till att hälso- och sjukvård samt kunskapsförmedling genomfördes trots vissa hinder. Klinisk betydelse: Denna studie kan bidra till ökad förståelse i hur rättigheter inom sexuell och reproduktiv hälsa kan möjliggöras. Vidare förhoppning är att sjuksköterskan ska reflektera över kvinnors situation världen över, för att kunna bidra till ökad sexuell och reproduktiv hälsa.Background: Everyone has fundamental rights just of being human. The right to health is one of these, which includes safe sexual and reproductive health. In the Georgian breakaway region Abkhazia, all the people can’t claim the right to health. Gali district, near the border to the rest of Georgia, is considered as a low priority area. Domestic violence is common in the region and women’s positions are described as extra vulnerable. In Abkhazia several non-governmental organizations operates to incorporate people's basic rights. Avangard is one of them, and they’re working with women’s sexual and reproductive health in Gali district. Aim: The aim of this study was to illuminate how the staff of a non-governmental organization incorporate safe sexual and reproductive health for women in Gali, Abkhazia. Method: An empirical study using a qualitative method, based on participant observations with ethnographic approach. The data were processed through content analysis, which ended up in categories and themes. Results: The presented findings are collected in three themes, including total six categories: Competence – Educated staff and Engagement, Context - Training in sexual and reproductive health and gynecological care, Resources - Environment and Materials. Conclusion: The study illuminated how several components incorporated safe sexual and reproductive health. By local and educated staff, Avangard created opportunities that made the work possible, despite some obstacles. Implications for practice: This study may contribute to an increased understanding of how fundamental rights in sexual and reproductive health can be made possible. Furthermore, there is a hope that nurses should reflect on women's situations worldwide, to improve the sexual and reproductive health.Röda Korsets sjuksköterskeförening stipendium 2013</p

Preschool teacher`s role in physical activites : An interview study of preschool teacher`s perspective on physical activites in their work

Det här examensarbetet handlar om förskollärarens roll i fysiska aktiviteter. Syftet medstudien är att undersöka hur förskollärarna förhåller sig till barns fysiska aktiviteter iförskolan. Det insamlade datamaterialet består av semistrukturerade intervjuer med elvalegitimerade förskollärare på sex förskolor i Mellansverige. Examensarbetets teoretiskautgångspunkt är baserat på den psykomotoriska teorin.Resultatet visar på att förskollärarnas förhållningssätt har en avgörande faktor på hurundervisning utvecklas och hur stimulerade den blir för barnen. Förskollärarna behöverinta barns intresse för att tillgodose barns rörelsebehov. Resultatet synliggör även attförskollärarna behöver utbildning och kunskap inom fysiska aktiviteter för att stärkabarns hälsa, lärande och utveckling