Inviwo -- A Visualization System with Usage Abstraction Levels

The complexity of today's visualization applications demands specific visualization systems tailored for the development of these applications. Frequently, such systems utilize levels of abstraction to improve the application development process, for instance by providing a data flow network editor. Unfortunately, these abstractions result in several issues, which need to be circumvented through an abstraction-centered system design. Often, a high level of abstraction hides low level details, which makes it difficult to directly access the underlying computing platform, which would be important to achieve an optimal performance. Therefore, we propose a layer structure developed for modern and sustainable visualization systems allowing developers to interact with all contained abstraction levels. We refer to this interaction capabilities as usage abstraction levels, since we target application developers with various levels of experience. We formulate the requirements for such a system, derive the desired architecture, and present how the concepts have been exemplary realized within the Inviwo visualization system. Furthermore, we address several specific challenges that arise during the realization of such a layered architecture, such as communication between different computing platforms, performance centered encapsulation, as well as layer-independent development by supporting cross layer documentation and debugging capabilities

Erythrocytes as Biomarkers of Virus and Bacteria in View of Metal Ion Homeostasis

The erythrocyte contributes to the immune system in several ways. It sequesters interferons, interleukins or chemokines and by binding nucleic acid. It binds virus and bacteria and may deliver bacteria to macrophages for phagocytosis. It may also kill bacteria directly with oxygen. For proper function of the erythrocyte, homeostasis of reactive oxygen species, selenium, metal ions and trace elements is important. Erythrocytes display morphological and metabolic changes in diseases like sepsis, and in several genetic diseases. Patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), giving rise to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), show many erythrocyte changes as compared to healthy controls. The erythrocyte responds to hemolysins by purinergic signaling leading to hemolysis or phosphatidylserine exposure on the plasma membrane. Phosphatidylserine marks erythrocytes for clearance by spleen macrophages. Regulated erythrocyte cell death, also called eryptosis, can be induced by oxidative stress, pathogen infection, and certain diseases like sepsis. Erythrocytes may, in the future, contribute more to diagnosis based on research and diagnostic technological development

Erythrocytes as Messengers for Information and Energy Exchange between Cells

Evolution has created a hierarchy of systems for information and energy using different cells according to messages generated from DNA, RNA, and other sources. Erythrocytes are formed in high speed at about 2 × 106/s to balance dying or not working erythrocytes to maintain optimal energy and information transfer. Important information is handled by nucleotides and distribution of metal ions and phosphates when starting synthesis process. Handling of these processes needs kinases known to be magnesium-dependent. Oxygen delivered by erythrocytes is used by other cells to synthesize ATP and to increase reaction capacity. Complex signals to bone marrow balance erythroblasts before developing into reticulocytes and erythrocytes. We discuss some aspects of erythrocyte communication with other cells of the body with special focus on magnesium and selenium in this process

Tvärvetenskapligt samarbete i träbyggande

Träbyggandet i Sverige förutsätter nya kunskaper, attityder, affärsmodeller och en fortsatt utveckling av träbyggnadstekniken. Olika utbildningar som handlar om träbyggande måste också samarbeta mer tvärfunktionellt. I en exjobbsskola genomfördes våren 2015 tre examensarbeten, som belyser olika utmaningar för träbyggandet. Medverkande parter: Svenskt Trä, Moelven Byggmodul AB, Linköpings Universitet, KTH och SLU. En träbyggnadsteknisk aspekt, fuktsäkerhetsdimensionering av väggelement, utforskades av Carl Dahlström and Emma Giesen, KTH. Attityder till och kunskaper om träbyggande bland konstruktörer studerades av Anders Gräns, SLU. Anders Roos, Lotta Woxblom, Tomas Nord, Andreas Falk och Johan Larsson Affärsmodeller och outsourcing av de expanderande industriella träbyggandets värdekedjor var temat för exjobbet av Viktor Widmark och Kim Zemrén, LiU. Seminarier och möten organiserades under arbetets gång där exjobbarna redovisade sina framsteg, utbytte erfarenheter och diskuterade frågeställningar inbördes och med branschföreträdare. Projektet visar på styrkan i att skapa plattformar för samarbete och utbyte mellan olika expertområden och marknadsaktörer, och att sådana samarbeten är speciellt värdefulla för unga yrkespersoner, som ska verka i träbyggsektorn

Migrating Birds and Tickborne Encephalitis Virus

During spring and autumn 2001, we screened 13,260 migrating birds at Ottenby Bird Observatory, Sweden, and found 3.4% were infested with ticks. Four birds, each a different passerine species, carried tickborne encephalitis virus (TBEV)–infected ticks (Ixodes ricinus). Migrating birds may play a role in the geographic dispersal of TBEV-infected ticks