Automatisk reglering av färgnyans på pappret i en pappersmaskin

This paper deals with design and implementation of a regulator to control the tint of the paper on Stora Enso Nymölla AB’s paper machines. The paper industry is a major industrial area in Sweden with continuous processes running around the clock with as short downtime as possible, which places special demands on the running and testing of controllers. The paper machine is in many cases the bottleneck of production so small improvements often have great effect. To improve the overall efficiency of the paper machine a regulator has been made to reduce the downtime at grade changes. The controller is designed for programmable logic controllers in Metso DNA system’s fbCAD and a GUI has been designed for the machine operators. Tests on the paper machines show that an Otto-Smith predictor and associated controller can make grade changes significantly shorter with the result that less paper must be discarded than with the previous manual control strategy. A sufficient number of tests to ensure statistically how much the downtime decreases have not been made but the few that have been made show a decrease of downtime by 50 % at color grade changes compared to when they are done manually

Characterization of non-coding RNAs in cancer

While originally though to only code for proteins, it now stands clear that RNA is a multifunctional molecule involved in a great variety of molecular processes. Recent advances in genome-wide platforms have revealed underappreciated roles of non-protein coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Thousands of ncRNAs have been characterized using these novel techniques but functional investigations are still very limited. Pseudogenes constitute one group of non-coding DNA. These genes represent duplications of protein-coding genes that have lost their protein-coding potential through various molecular events. Pseudogenes litter the human genome and it was not until recently it was found that many pseudogenes are actively transcribed. One of those is the PTEN pseudogene, PTENpg1. PTEN is a tumor suppressor gene, which is frequently dysregulated in cancers by epigenetic inactivation. In paper I, we characterized a previously unknown long ncRNA, PTENpg1 antisense RNA (asRNA). We identified two different isoforms that are involved in regulating expression of PTEN at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level. While one isoform recruits the chromatin remodelers DNMT3a and EZH2 to the PTEN promoter, the other isoform is involved in microRNA-mediated regulation of PTEN mRNA. In paper II, we investigated the role of PTENpg1 asRNA in drug resistance mechanisms to the BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib in melanoma. BRAF is a proto-oncogene commonly mutated in melanoma, resulting in its constitutive activation. Therapies that specifically target the mutated BRAF have been developed and vemurafenib is one of those drugs. However, the development of resistance during treatment is a major problem. We found that the PTENpg1 asRNA is involved in resistance to vemurafenib and that gain in expression of PTENpg1 asRNA promotes silencing of PTEN in melanoma cells. Moreover, we revealed that the expression of PTENpg1 asRNA is a promising marker for clinical outcome in melanoma patients. In paper III, we investigated the expression of microRNAs in Swedish and Egyptian patients with ABC DLBCL (Acute B-cell diffuse large B-cell lymphoma). We found that differences in environmental exposure alter the expression of microRNAs and that miR-1234 targets the proto-oncogene STAT3. The expression of miR-1234 was elevated in the Egyptian patients and STAT3 was consequently suppressed in these patients. Additionally, we also showed that ectopic expression of miR-1234 in cell line models mediates suppression of STAT3. Taken together, the findings in this thesis reveal intriguing molecular functions of ncRNAs, which are relevant for cancer development. The characterization of PTENpg1 asRNA and miR-1234 may prove important for the development of therapies and for predicting clinical outcome in various cancers

Fallstudie av nuvärdet för olika trädslag och rörflen på åkermark

The purpose of this case study was to obtain information about possible differences in yield and economic revenue when farmland is planted with different tree species or energy crops. The species included were Norway spruce, poplar, hybrid aspen, birch and reed canary grass. The field study sites were located in southeast Sweden and consisted of a limited number of measured stands. The calculations of net present values were based on a 50 year rotation. Data for the production of reed canary grass were obtained from earlier studies in Finland and Umeå. Based on a rotation period of 50 years and with a 2 percent imputed rate of interest, reed canary grass and hybrid aspen showed the highest financial returns of approximately 200 000 sek per hectare during one rotation. In this case, poplar had a higher net present value when compared to birch and Norway spruce

On the dependence of the laser-induced incandescence (LII) signal on soot volume fraction for variations in particle size

“The laser-induced incandescence (LII) signal is proportional to soot volume fraction” is an often used statement in scientific papers, and it has – within experimental uncertainties – been validated in comparisons with other diagnostic techniques in several investigations. In 1984 it was shown theoretically in a paper by Melton that there is a deviation from this statement in that the presence of larger particles leads to some overestimation of soot volume fractions. In the present paper we present a detailed theoretical investigation of how the soot particle size influences the relationship between LII signal and soot volume fraction for different experimental conditions. Several parameters have been varied; detection wavelength, time and delay of detection gate, ambient gas temperature and pressure, laser fluence, level of aggregation and spatial profile. Based on these results we are able, firstly, to understand how experimental conditions should be chosen in order to minimize the errors introduced when assuming a linear dependence between the signal and volume fraction and secondly, to obtain knowledge on how to use this information to obtain more accurate soot volume fraction data if the particle size is known

Klinički značaj hipoglikemije, s prikazom slučajeva

The clinical significance of hypoglycemia is important to understand as there are many etiologies and, if not treated, can have devastating consequences, such as coma or even death. Etiologies range from tumors to iatrogenic hypoglycemia, from postprandial hypoglycemia to renal failure. The majority of those who are at risk of getting hypoglycemia are patients treated with insulin or insulin secretion stimulating drugs. However, there are many other causes of hypoglycemia, but the most of them are rare. To diagnose hypoglycemia, Whipple’s triad must be met: symptoms of hypoglycemia, low blood glucose measured at the time of symptoms and relief of symptoms after the blood glucose level is corrected. The cases discussed in this thesis will explore a more common cause of hypoglycemia, sulfonylurea induced (iatrogenic), and a rare cause, insulinoma. In the first case, an elderly patient with renal insufficiency developed hypoglycemia due to the use of glimepiride, a second generation sulfonylurea. By simply taking the medicine out of her regimen the patient did not experience any further hypoglycemic attacks. In the second case, a middle aged woman presented with episodes of lightheadedness and tremors for years with occasional loss of consciousness and weight. These attacks happened at any time, even during fasting, and were relieved by a sweet drink. These signs and symptoms lead to the suspicion of an insulinoma, which was later confirmed with laboratory testing and diagnostic imaging. The tumor was resected, and since, the patient has not had any further hypoglycemic attacks.Kako neki oblici hipoglikemije mogu imati ozbiljne posljedice i neliječene mogu biti smrtonosne, važno je razlučiti etiologiju hipoglikemije. Ona je vrlo različita: od tumora do jatrogene hipoglikemije, od postprandijalne hipoglikemije do zatajenja bubrega. Većina pacijenata, koji su u riziku od hipoglikemija, su osobe sa šećernom bolešću liječenom inzulinom ili lijekovima koji stimuliraju sekreciju inzulina. Međutim, brojni su drugi uzroci pojedinačno rijetki. Glavni kriterij za dijagnozu hipoglikemije je Whippleova trijada: simptomi, izmjerena niska glikemija u vrijeme simptoma i nestanak simptoma kada se glikemija korigira. U ovom radu će se prikazati jedan primjer uobičajenog slučaja hipoglikemije: jatrogene, uzrokovane sulfonilurejom - i jedan rijedak uzrok - inzulinom. U prvom prikazu, starija žena s renalnom insuficijencijom razvija hipoglikemiju uz glimepirid, sulfonilureju druge generacije. Nakon izostavljanja lijeka iz terapije pacijentica nije imala više napada hipoglikemije. U drugom prikazu sredovječna žena je godinama imala epizode omaglica i tremora s povremenim nesvjesticama i porastom težine. Napadi su se događali u bilo koje vrijeme, pa i natašte, i ublažavani su slatkim napitcima. Ovi znakovi i simptomi su pobudili sumnju na inzulinom, što je dokazano laboratorijskim i slikovnim tehnikama. Tumor je nađen u repu pankreasa i nakon resekcije istog više nije bilo hipoglikemijskih napada

Power Efficiency for Software Algorithms running on Graphics Processors

Abstract in UndeterminedPower efficiency has become the most important consideration for many modern computing devices. In this paper, we examine power efficiency of a range of graphics algorithms on different GPUs. To measure power consumption, we have built a power measuring device that samples currents at a high frequency. Comparing power efficiency of different graphics algorithms is done by measuring power and performance of three different primary rendering algorithms and three different shadow algorithms. We measure these algorithms’ power signatures on a mobile phone, on an integrated CPU and graphics processor, and on high-end discrete GPUs, and then compare power efficiency across both algorithms and GPUs. Our results show that power efficiency is not always proportional to rendering performance and that, for some algorithms, power efficiency varies across different platforms. We also show that for some algorithms, energy efficiency is similar on all platforms

Drug costs and benefits of medical treatments in high-unmet need solid tumours in the Nordic countries

Abstract Regional and hospital decision-makers increasingly require analyses assessing the cost-benefit profile of new cancer drugs. This analysis evaluates the cost-benefit profile of nano albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) in pancreatic cancer, versus other drugs indicated in high-unmet need solid tumour indications in Nordic countries (Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden). For a selected number of cancer dugs, approved for metastatic cancer or non-curable treatment intention patients by the European Medicine Agency (EMA) after 2000, and indicated in high-unmet need solid tumours (defined as OS in first line for trial comparator ≤12 months), a regression analysis was conducted. Overall treatment costs of cancer drugs, divided by OS and PFS months, were related to the clinical improvement offered versus trial comparator. Eleven of 42 drugs (26.2%) with at least one indication in solid tumours met inclusion criteria. On average, a good (R2=0.5359) fit between costs per OS month and OS relative benefit versus trial comparator was observed. Nab-paclitaxel offered an OS improvement of +27% versus trial comparator (average improvement: +31%), at a cost per OS month of €1,684 (average cost: €2,247). Correlation between costs per PFS month and relative PFS benefit versus trial comparator was still observed, but the goodness of fit was lower (R2=0.1853) than for the OS analysis. Treatment costs of new cancer therapies should reflect their clinical value, consistently among different indications with comparable characteristics. Nab-paclitaxel, recently approved in pancreatic cancer, showed a similar cost per OS or PFS month ratio compared to other drugs for high-unmet need solid tumours.Peer reviewe

Singleshot polychromatic coherent diffractive imaging with a high-order harmonic source

© 2020 Optical Society of America. Users may use, reuse, and build upon the article, or use the article for text or data mining, so long as such uses are for non-commercial purposes and appropriate attribution is maintained. All other rights are reserved.Singleshot polychromatic coherent diffractive imaging is performed with a high-intensity high-order harmonic generation source. The coherence properties are analyzed and several reconstructions show the shot-to-shot fluctuations of the incident beam wavefront. The method is based on a multi-step approach. First, the spectrum is extracted from double-slit diffraction data. The spectrum is used as input to extract the monochromatic sample diffraction pattern, then phase retrieval is performed on the quasi-monochromatic data to obtain the sample’s exit surface wave. Reconstructions based on guided error reduction (ER) and alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) are compared. ADMM allows additional penalty terms to be included in the cost functional to promote sparsity within the reconstruction

Attosecond pulse trains generated using two color laser fields

We investigate the spectral and temporal structure of high harmonic emission from argon exposed to an infrared laser field and its second harmonic. For a wide range of generating conditions, trains of attosecond pulses with only one pulse per infrared cycle are generated. The synchronization necessary for producing such trains ensures that they have a stable pulse-to-pulse carrier envelope phase, unlike trains generated from one color fields, which have two pulses per cycle and a pi phase shift between consecutive pulses. Our experiment extends the generation of phase stabilized few cycle pulses to the extreme ultraviolet regime