An aging population? A century of change among Swedish forest trees

We describe a century of change in Swedish forest using trees sampled for age, diameter, volume and species by the Swedish National Forest Inventory (NFI). Changes in the structure of the tree population since 1923 are described and related to changes in policy. During the first part of the study period, policy aimed at restoring the growing stock and productivity of forest areas, but with methods that changed over time. In the last 30 years, a new forestry policy was introduced, which included restoring the diversity of tree populations, on the assumption that this will also promote biodiversity. Over the last century, and on a national scale, the volume of timber had doubled, tree sizes had increased, older trees had become more common, even more so for broadleaf species in southern Sweden. The volume of today's protected forests has almost tripled, indicating reduced light, water, and nutrients for understory vegetation. We also considered two regional cases. The sparsely populated county of Norrbotten, which was the last region in Sweden to be exploited for forestry in the 1890s, had many old pines and many old but small spruces in 1926. These were reduced in the following decades, first by selective high-grading and then by extensive clear-cutting. After a change in policy around 1990, the negative trends levelled out. In densely populated south-central Sweden, forests have long been used for grazing, timber, fuelwood and charcoal production. During the last century, the volume of timber had tripled, older trees and broadleaves have become more abundant

Arbetarkollektivet i dag – ny studie och teoretisk utveckling

[The worker collectivity today – replication and theoretical development]Sverre Lysgaard’s theory of the worker collectivity is still an influential classic in Scandinavian working life research. The study was carried out in a pulp and paper mill in the late 1950s and Jonas Axelsson, Jan Ch. Karlsson and Egil J. Skorstad have now returned to the plant to find out what has happened to the worker collectivity. Through observations at the workplace and interviews with workers, engineers and managers, as well as having access to data from the 1950s and 1980s, the authors are able to map the development of technology, work organization and the collectivity. On this basis, they suggest two changes to Lysgaard’s theory. One is to conceptually split what Lysgaard called the “technical-economic system” into two relatively autonomous systems – the technical and the economic, respectively. The other is to analyse the way in which the collectivity has infiltrated the technical, but not the economic system.Publication history: A translation of “Arbeiderkollektivet i dag – replikasjon og teoretisk utvikling” in Tidsskrift for samfunnsforskning, volume 57,issue 2 2016 (DOI: https://doi.org/10.18261/issn.1504-291X-2016-02-01).(Published 28 May 2019)Citation: Axelsson, Jonas, Jan Ch. Karlsson & Egil J. Skorstad (2019) “Arbetarkollektivet i dag – ny studie och teoretisk utveckling”, in Arkiv. Tidskrift för samhällsanalys, issue 10, pp. 113–143. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13068/2000-6217.10.5Sverre Lysgaards teori om arbetarkollektivet är fortfarande en inflytelserik klassiker inom skandinavisk arbetslivsforskning. Lysgaards studie genomfördes i en massa- och pappersfabrik på 1950-talet och Jonas Axelsson, Jan Ch. Karlsson och Egil J. Skorstad har nu återvänt till fabriken för att ta reda på vad som hänt med arbetarkollektivet sedan dess. Genom observationer på arbetsplatsen och intervjuer med arbetare, ingenjörer och chefer, i tillägg till att de har haft tillgång till data från 1950-talet och 1980-talet, kan författarna kartlägga den teknologiska och arbetsorganisatoriska utvecklingen och dess påverkan på arbetarkollektivet. Utifrån denna analys föreslår de två förändringar i Lysgaards teori. Den ena är att dela upp det han omtalar som det ”tekniskt-ekonomiska systemet” i två relativt autonoma system, det tekniska och det ekonomiska. Det andra är att analysera hur kollektivet har infiltrerat det tekniska, men inte det ekonomiska systemet.Publiceringshistorik: Översättning av artikeln ”Arbeiderkollektivet i dag – replikasjon og teoretisk utvikling” i Tidsskrift for samfunnsforskning, volym 57, nr 2 2016 (DOI: https://doi.org/10.18261/issn.1504-291X-2016-02-01).(Publicerad 28 maj 2019)Förslag på källangivelse: Axelsson, Jonas, Jan Ch. Karlsson & Egil J. Skorstad (2019) ”Arbetarkollektivet i dag – ny studie och teoretisk utveckling”, i Arkiv. Tidskrift för samhällsanalys, nr 10, s. 113–143. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13068/2000-6217.10.

Arbeiderkollektivet i dag - replikasjon og teoretisk utvikling

Sverre Lysgaards teori om arbetarkollektivet är fortfarande en inflytelserik klassiker inom skandinavisk arbetslivsforskning. Lysgaards studie genomfördes i en massa- och pappersfabrik på 1950-talet och Jonas Axelsson, Jan Ch. Karlsson och Egil J. Skorstad har nu återvänt till fabriken för att ta reda på vad som hänt med arbetarkollektivet sedan dess. Genom observationer på arbetsplatsen och intervjuer med arbetare, ingenjörer och chefer, i tillägg till att de har haft tillgång till data från 1950-talet och 1980-talet, kan författarna kartlägga den teknologiska och arbetsorganisatoriska utvecklingen och dess påverkan på arbetarkollektivet. Utifrån denna analys föreslår de två förändringar i Lysgaards teori. Den ena är att dela upp det han omtalar som det ”tekniskt-ekonomiska systemet” i två relativt autonoma system, det tekniska och det ekonomiska. Det andra är att analysera hur kollektivet har infiltrerat det tekniska, men inte det ekonomiska systemet.Lysgaards teori om arbeiderkollektivet er fortsatt en innflytelsesrik klassiker i skandinavisk arbeidslivsforskning. Studien ble gjennomført i en masse- og papirfabrikk på 1950-tallet, og vi har returnert til fabrikken for å finne ut hva som har skjedd med arbeiderkollektivet. Gjennom observasjoner på arbeidsplassen og intervjuer med arbeidere, ingeniører og sjefer, i tillegg til at vi har hatt tilgang til data fra 1950- og 1980-tallet, kan vi kartlegge den teknologiske og arbeidsorganisatoriske utviklingen og dens påvirkning på arbeiderkollektivet. På basis av dette foreslår vi to typer endringer av Lysgaards teori. Den ene er å dele opp det Lysgaard omtaler som det teknisk/økonomiske system i to relativt autonome system, det tekniske respektive det økonomiske systemet. Den andre er å analysere hvordan kollektivet har infiltrert det tekniske, men ikke det økonomiske systemet.Lysgaard’s theory of the worker collectivity is still an influential classic in Scandinavian working-life research. The study was carried out in a pulp and paper mill in the late 1950s and we have returned to the plant to find out what has happened to the worker collectivity. Through observations at the workplace and interviews with workers, engineers and managers, as well as having access to data from the 1950s and 1980s, we are able to map the development of technology, work organization and the collectivity. On this basis, we suggest two changes to Lysgaard’s theory. One is to conceptually split what Lysgaard called the technical/economic system into two relatively autonomous systems – the technical and the economic, respectively. The other is to analyse the way in which the collectivity has infiltrated the technical, but not the economic system.publishedVersio

Campylobacter jejuni Colonization in Wild Birds: Results from an Infection Experiment

Campylobacter jejuni is a common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in most parts of the world. The bacterium has a broad host range and has been isolated from many animals and environments. To investigate shedding patterns and putative effects on an avian host, we developed a colonization model in which a wild bird species, the European Robin Erithacus rubecula, was inoculated orally with C. jejuni from either a human patient or from another wild bird species, the Song Thrush Turdus philomelos. These two isolates were genetically distinct from each other and provoked very different host responses. The Song Thrush isolate colonized all challenged birds and colonization lasted 6.8 days on average. Birds infected with this isolate also showed a transient but significant decrease in body mass. The human isolate did not colonize the birds and could be detected only in the feces of the birds shortly after inoculation. European Robins infected with the wild bird isolate generated a specific antibody response to C. jejuni membrane proteins from the avian isolate, which also was cross-reactive to membrane proteins of the human isolate. In contrast, European Robins infected with the human isolate did not mount a significant response to bacterial membrane proteins from either of the two isolates. The difference in colonization ability could indicate host adaptations

Avelsvärdering för svensk lammproduktion

Syftet med detta projekt var att utveckla avelsvärderingen av får genom samlade avelsvärden som innefattar flera egenskaper, däribland de nya egenskaperna lammöverlevnad och tackans livslängd, att identifiera skillnader och likheter mellan får på konventionella och ekologiska gårdar ur ett avelsperspektiv samt att utveckla en bioekonomisk modell för att kombinera flera egenskaper i ett avelsvärde med ekonomiska vikter. Information om djuren kom från databasen Elitlamm och från KRAV kom information om besättningar i ekologisk produktion. Vi skattade genetiska parametrar för produktions- och reproduktionsegenskaper. Vi fann en tydlig skillnad mellan djur i ekologisk och konventionell produktion: tackorna i ekologiska besättningar får fler kullar. Baggarnas avelsvärde grundat på information från avkommor i ekologisk produktion skiljde sig från avelsvärdet grundat på information från avkommor i konventionell produktion. Den bioekonomiska modellen gav olika ekonomiska vikter för olika raser och för de två produktionssystemen

Sustained Yield Forestry in Sweden and Russia: How Does it Correspond to Sustainable Forest Management Policy?

This paper analyzes how sustained yield (SY) forestry is defined and implemented in Sweden and Russia, two countries with different forest-industrial regimes. We first compare definitions of SY forestry in national legislation and policies. Then we study forest management planning in two large forest management units with respect to: delivered forest products and values, how the harvest level of timber is defined, where the harvest takes place, and what treatments are used to sustain desired forest products and values. In Sweden SY forestry is maximum yield based on high-input forest management, and in Russia it is forestry based on natural regeneration with minimum investments in silviculture. We conclude that how SY forestry contributes to SFM depends on the context. Finally, we discuss the consequences of SY forestry as performed in Sweden and Russia related to its ability to support diverse forest functions, as envisioned in sustainable forest management policy

Proconvertase Furin Is Downregulated in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.

Background: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a cardiovascular autonomic disorder characterized by orthostatic intolerance and high prevalence among young women. The etiology of POTS is uncertain, though autoimmunity and inflammation may play an important role. We aimed to identify novel inflammatory biomarkers associated with POTS. Methods and Results: In the Syncope Study of Unselected Population in Malmö (SYSTEMA) cohort, we identified 396 patients (age range, 15-50 years) with either POTS (n = 113) or normal haemodynamic response during passive head-up-tilt test (n = 283). Blood samples were analyzed using antibody-based Proximity Extension Assay technique simultaneously measuring 57 inflammatory protein biomarkers. The discovery algorithm was a sequential two-step process of biomarker signature identification by supervised, multivariate, principal component analysis and verification by univariate ANOVA with Bonferroni correction. POTS patients were younger (26 vs. 31 years; p < 0.001) and there was no significant difference in sex distribution (74% vs. 67% females, p = 0.24). PCA and Bonferroni-adjusted ANOVA identified proconvertase furin as the most robust biomarker signature for POTS. Plasma level of proconvertase furin was lower (6.38 vs. 6.58 of normalized protein expression units (NPX); p < 0.001 in POTS, compared with the reference group. Proconvertase furin met Bonferroni-adjusted significance criteria in both uni- and multivariable regression analyses. Conclusion: Patients with POTS have lower plasma level of proconvertase furin compared with individuals with normal postural hemodynamic response. This finding suggests the presence of a specific autoimmune trait with disruption of immune peripheral tolerance in this hitherto unexplained condition. Further studies are needed for external validation of our results.This study was supported by grants from the Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation, the Swedish Heart and Lung Association, the Medical Faculty of Lund University, ALF funds, Skne University Hospital Funds, Crafoord Foundation, Ernhold Lundstrms Research Foundation, Region Skåne, Hulda and Conrad Mossfelt Foundation, and Anna-Lisa and Sven Eric Lundgrens Foundation for Medical Research

Characterization of a double-sided silicon strip detector autoradiography system

The most commonly used technology currently used for autoradiography is storage phosphor screens, which has many benefits such as a large field of view but lacks particle-counting detection of the time and energy of each detected radionuclide decay. A number of alternative designs, using either solid state or scintillator detectors, have been developed to address these issues. The aim of this study is to characterize the imaging performance of one such instrument, a double-sided silicon strip detector (DSSD) system for digital autoradiography. A novel aspect of this work is that the instrument, in contrast to previous prototype systems using the same detector type, provides the ability for user accessible imaging with higher throughput. Studies were performed to compare its spatial resolution to that of storage phosphor screens and test the implementation of multiradionuclide ex vivo imaging in a mouse preclinical animal study

Cholesterol not particle concentration mediates the atherogenic risk conferred by apolipoprotein B particles: a Mendelian randomization analysis

Background and aims The causal contribution of apolipoprotein B (apoB) particles to coronary artery disease (CAD) is established. We examined whether this atherogenic contribution is better reflected by non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) or apoB particle concentration. Method and results We performed Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using 235 variants as genetic instruments; testing the relationship between their effects on the exposures, non-HDL-C and apoB, and on the outcome CAD using weighted regression. Variant effect estimates on the exposures came from the UK Biobank (N = 376 336) and on the outcome from a meta-analysis of five CAD datasets (187 451 cases and 793 315 controls). Subsequently, we carried out sensitivity and replication analyses. In univariate MR analysis, both exposures associated with CAD (beta(non-HDL-C) = 0.40, P = 2.8 x 10(-48) and beta(apoB) = 0.38, P = 1.3 x 10(-44)). Adding effects on non-HDL-C into a model that already included those on apoB significantly improved the genetically predicted CAD effects (P = 3.9 x 10(-5)), while adding apoB into the model including non-HDL-C did not (P = 0.69). Thirty-five per cent (82/235) of the variants used as genetic instruments had discordant effects on the exposures, associating with non-HDL-C/apoB ratio at P &lt; 2.1 x 10(-4) (0.05/235). Fifty-one variants associated at genome-wide significance. Conclusion Many sequence variants have discordant effects on non-HDL-C and apoB. These variants allowed us to show that the causal mechanism underlying the relationship between apolipoprotein B particles and CAD is more associated with non-HDL-C than apoB particle concentration.Background The causal contribution of apolipoprotein B (apoB) particles to coronary artery disease (CAD) is established. We exam- and aims ined whether this atherogenic contribution is better reflected by non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) or apoB particle concentration. Method We performed Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using 235 variants as genetic instruments; testing the relationship be- and results tween their effects on the exposures, non-HDL-C and apoB, and on the outcome CAD using weighted regression. Variant effect estimates on the exposures came from the UK Biobank (N= 376 336) and on the outcome from a meta-analysis of five CAD datasets (187 451 cases and 793 315 controls). Subsequently, we carried out sensitivity and replication analyses. In univariate MR analysis, both exposures associated with CAD (β non-HDL-C = 0.40, P= 2.8 × 10 −48 and β apoB = 0.38, P= 1.3 × 10 −44). Adding effects on non-HDL-C into a model that already included those on apoB significantly improved the genetically predicted CAD effects (P= 3.9 × 10 −5), while adding apoB into the model including non-HDL-C did not (P= 0.69). Thirty-five per cent (82/235) of the variants used as genetic instruments had discordant effects on the exposures, associating with non-HDL-C/apoB ratio at P&lt; 2.1 × 10 −4 (0.05/235). Fifty-one variants associated at genome-wide significance. Conclusion Many sequence variants have discordant effects on non-HDL-C and apoB. These variants allowed us to show that the causal mechanism underlying the relationship between apolipoprotein B particles and CAD is more associated with non-HDL-C than apoB particle concentration.</p