Showing papers by "Stockholm University published in 2004"
TL;DR: Improvements of the currently most popular method for prediction of classically secreted proteins, SignalP, which consists of two different predictors based on neural network and hidden Markov model algorithms, where both components have been updated.
6,492 citations
TL;DR: The development of brown adipose tissue with its characteristic protein, uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1), was probably determinative for the evolutionary success of mammals, as its thermogenesis enhances neonatal survival and allows for active life even in cold surroundings.
Abstract: Cannon, Barbara, and Jan Nedergaard. Brown Adipose Tissue: Function and Physiological Significance. Physiol Rev 84: 277–359, 2004; 10.1152/physrev.00015.2003.—The function of brown adipose tissue i...
5,470 citations
TL;DR: The ecological roles of critical functional groups (for both corals and reef fishes) that are fundamental to understanding resilience and avoiding phase shifts from coral dominance to less desirable, degraded ecosystems are reviewed.
Abstract: The worldwide decline of coral reefs calls for an urgent reassessment of current management practices. Confronting large-scale crises requires a major scaling-up of management efforts based on an improved understanding of the ecological processes that underlie reef resilience. Managing for improved resilience, incorporating the role of human activity in shaping ecosystems, provides a basis for coping with uncertainty, future changes and ecological surprises. Here we review the ecological roles of critical functional groups (for both corals and reef fishes) that are fundamental to understanding resilience and avoiding phase shifts from coral dominance to less desirable, degraded ecosystems. We identify striking biogeographic differences in the species richness and composition of functional groups, which highlight the vulnerability of Caribbean reef ecosystems. These findings have profound implications for restoration of degraded reefs, management of fisheries, and the focus on marine protected areas and biodiversity hotspots as priorities for conservation.
3,032 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an examination of similar to50 globally distributed paleoclimate records reveals as many as six periods of significant rapid climate change during the time periods 9000-8000, 6000-5000, 4200-3800, 3500-2500, 1200-1000, and 600-150 cal yr B.P.
2,255 citations
TL;DR: It is proposed that the self-organizing process of adaptive comanagement development, facilitated by rules and incentives of higher levels, has the potential to expand desirable stability domains of a region and make social–ecological systems more robust to change.
Abstract: Ecosystems are complex adaptive systems that require flexible governance with the ability to respond to environmental feedback. We present, through examples from Sweden and Canada, the development of adaptive comanagement systems, showing how local groups self-organize, learn, and actively adapt to and shape change with social networks that connect institutions and organizations across levels and scales and that facilitate information flows. The development took place through a sequence of responses to environmental events that widened the scope of local management from a particular issue or resource to a broad set of issues related to ecosystem processes across scales and from individual actors, to group of actors to multiple-actor processes. The results suggest that the institutional and organizational landscapes should be approached as carefully as the ecological in order to clarify features that contribute to the resilience of social-ecological systems. These include the following: vision, leadership, and trust; enabling legislation that creates social space for ecosystem management; funds for responding to environmental change and for remedial action; capacity for monitoring and responding to environmental feedback; information flow through social networks; the combination of various sources of information and knowledge; and sense-making and arenas of collaborative learning for ecosystem management. We propose that the self-organizing process of adaptive comanagement development, facilitated by rules and incentives of higher levels, has the potential to expand desirable stability domains of a region and make social-ecological systems more robust to change.
1,705 citations
Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research1, Stockholm University2, Saint Petersburg State University3, Russian Academy of Sciences4, University of Cambridge5, Geological Museum6, Gas Technology Institute7, Lund University8, University of Copenhagen9, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research10, University of Iceland11, University of New Hampshire12, Geological Survey of Sweden13, University of Oulu14, Aarhus University15, Ohio State University16, Geological Survey of Finland17, University of Bristol18, Leibniz Association19
TL;DR: In this paper, the maximum limits of the Eurasian ice sheets during four glaciations have been reconstructed: (1) the Late Saalian (>140 ka), (2) the Early Weichselian (100-80 ka),(3) the Middle Weichsellian (60-50 ka), and (4) the late Weichselsian (25-15 ka) based on satellite data and aerial photographs combined with geological field investigations in Russia and Siberia, and with marine seismic and sediment core data.
1,426 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examine the received wisdom of services marketing and challenge the validity and continued usefulness of its core paradigm, namely, the assertion that four specific characteristics (i.e.,
Abstract: This article examines the received wisdom of services marketing and challenges the validity and continued usefulness of its core paradigm, namely, the assertion that four specific characteristics—i...
1,282 citations
TL;DR: X-ray absorption spectroscopy and x-ray Raman scattering were used to probe the molecular arrangement in the first coordination shell of liquid water and set a strong limit for possible local structure distributions in liquid water.
Abstract: X-ray absorption spectroscopy and x-ray Raman scattering were used to probe the molecular arrangement in the first coordination shell of liquid water. The local structure is characterized by comparison with bulk and surface of ordinary hexagonal ice Ih and with calculated spectra. Most molecules in liquid water are in two hydrogen– bonded configurations with one strong donor and one strong acceptor hydrogen bond in contrast to the four hydrogen– bonded tetrahedral structure in ice. Upon heating from 25°C to 90°C, 5 to 10% of the molecules change from tetrahedral environments to two hydrogen– bonded configurations. Our findings are consistent with neutron and x-ray diffraction data, and combining the results sets a strong limit for possible local structure distributions in liquid water. Serious discrepancies with structures based on current molecular dynamics simulations are observed.
1,278 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors synthesize data on aerosol physical characteristics, which were obtained in European aerosol research activities at free-troposphere, natural, rural, near-city, urban, and kerbside sites over the past decade.
1,122 citations
TL;DR: DarkSUSY as mentioned in this paper is a publicly available advanced numerical package for neutralino dark matter calculations, which can compute the neutralino density in the universe today using precision methods which include resonances, pair production thresholds and coannihilations.
Abstract: The question of the nature of the dark matter in the Universe remains one of the most outstanding unsolved problems in basic science. One of the best motivated particle physics candidates is the lightest supersymmetric particle, assumed to be the lightest neutralino—a linear combination of the supersymmetric partners of the photon, the Z boson and neutral scalar Higgs particles. Here we describe DarkSUSY, a publicly available advanced numerical package for neutralino dark matter calculations. In DarkSUSY one can compute the neutralino density in the Universe today using precision methods which include resonances, pair production thresholds and coannihilations. Masses and mixings of supersymmetric particles can be computed within DarkSUSY or with the help of external programs such as FeynHiggs, ISASUGRA and SUSPECT. Accelerator bounds can be checked to identify viable dark matter candidates. DarkSUSY also computes a large variety of astrophysical signals from neutralino dark matter, such as direct detection in low-background counting experiments and indirect detection through antiprotons, antideuterons, gamma-rays and positrons from the galactic halo or high-energy neutrinos from the centre of the Earth or of the Sun. Here we describe the physics behind the package. A detailed manual will be provided with the computer package.
944 citations
TL;DR: This review summarizes the findings available to day concerning CoQ distribution, biosynthesis, regulatory modifications and its participation in cellular metabolism.
TL;DR: Plants can drastically reduce feed use and environmental impact of industrialized mariculture and at the same time add to its income through nutrient-assimilating photoautotrophic plants, which counteract the environmental effects of the heterotrophic fed fish and shrimp and restore water.
TL;DR: In this article, an intrinsic size effect was found to be present in nanocrystalline ceramics with grain size, extent of tetragonal distortion, and ferroelectric properties.
Abstract: A progressive reduction of tetragonal distortion, heat of transition, Curie temperature, and relative dielectric constant has been observed on dense ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$ ceramics with grain size decreasing from 1200 to $50\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$. The correlations between grain size, extent of tetragonal distortion, and ferroelectric properties strongly support the existence of an intrinsic size effect. From the experimental trends the critical size for disappearance of ferroelectricity has been evaluated to be $10--30\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$. The strong depression of the relative permittivity observed for the nanocrystalline ceramics can be ascribed to the combination of the intrinsic size effect and of the size-dependent ``dilution'' effect of a grain boundary ``dead'' layer.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors developed a voting model to investigate the effects of radio on government policies and found that U.S. counties with many radio listeners received more relief funds.
Abstract: If informed voters receive favorable policies, then the invention of a new mass medium may affect government policies since it affects who is informed and who is not. These ideas are developed in a voting model. The model forms the basis for an empirical investigation of a major New Deal relief program implemented in the middle of the expansion period of radio. The main empirical finding is that U. S. counties with many radio listeners received more relief funds. More funds were allocated to poor counties with high unemployment, but controlling for these and other variables, the effects of radio are large and highly significant.
TL;DR: It is suggested that heart rate-derived variables reflect a central pathway in cardiovascular control mechanisms (“central command”), while the blood pressure response is more influenced by local conditions in the working muscles that partly mask the effect of changes in mental workloads.
Abstract: The aim was to evaluate the cardiovascular and subjective stress response to a combined physical and mental workload, and the effect of rest. Twelve females who had no prior experience of laboratory experiments participated in the study. Computer-work-related mental stressors were either added to or removed from a standardized computer work session in the laboratory. Beat-to-beat blood pressure and electrocardiogram (ECG) were recorded continuously during the experiment. The participants reported subjective experiences of stress in six categories using an 11-point scale before and at the end of the work. Heart rate variability (HRV) variables were calculated from the ECG recordings, and a reduction in the high-frequency component of HRV and an increase in the low- to high-frequency ratio were observed in the stress situation compared to the control session. No changes were seen in the low-frequency component of HRV. The stressors induced an increase in blood pressure compared to baseline that persisted, and for the diastolic pressure it even increased in the subsequent control session. No differences were observed for subjective experience of stress with the exception of a time trend in the exhaustion scale, i.e. a progression in reported exhaustion with time. The results—and the dissociation between HRV and blood pressure variables—indicate that HRV is a more sensitive and selective measure of mental stress. It could be speculated that heart rate-derived variables reflect a central pathway in cardiovascular control mechanisms (“central command”), while the blood pressure response is more influenced by local conditions in the working muscles that partly mask the effect of changes in mental workloads. In the rest period after each work session, HRV and blood pressure variables were partly normalized as expected. However, an 8-min period of rest was insufficient to restore blood pressure to resting values.
TL;DR: These findings could lead to new uses for mesoporous silica and other chiral pore materials in, for example, catalysis and separation media, where both shape selectivity and enantioselectivity can be applied to the manufacturing of enantiomerically pure chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Abstract: Chirality is widely expressed in organic materials, perhaps most notably in biological molecules such as DNA, and in proteins, owing to the homochirality of their components (d-sugars and l-amino acids). But the occurrence of large-scale chiral pores in inorganic materials is rare1. Although some progress has been made in strategies to synthesize helical and chiral zeolite-like materials1,2,3, the synthesis of enantiomerically pure mesoporous materials is a challenge that remains unsolved4. Here we report the surfactant-templated synthesis of ordered chiral mesoporous silica, together with a general approach for the structural analysis of chiral mesoporous crystals by electron microscopy. The material that we have synthesized has a twisted hexagonal rod-like morphology, with diameter 130–180 nm and length 1–6 µm. Transmission electron microscopy combined with computer simulations confirm the presence of hexagonally ordered chiral channels of 2.2 nm diameter winding around the central axis of the rods. Our findings could lead to new uses for mesoporous silica and other chiral pore materials in, for example, catalysis and separation media, where both shape selectivity and enantioselectivity5 can be applied to the manufacturing of enantiomerically pure chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
TL;DR: In this article, a case study on product development within a leading Scandinavian software producer and its interorganizational collaborations with business partners suggest how experiential learning processes of exploitation and exploration within the organizations concerned generate inter-organizational exploitation.
Abstract: This article examines a fundamental characteristic of modern organizations: the dynamics of exploitation and exploration in intra- and interorganizational learning processes. Exploitation is about creating reliability in experience, and thrives on productivity and refinement. Exploration is concerned with creating variety in experience, and thrives on experimentation and free association. The findings of a case study on product development within a leading Scandinavian software producer and its interorganizational collaborations with business partners suggest how experiential learning processes of exploitation and exploration within the organizations concerned generate interorganizational exploitation and exploration. Conversely, the data suggest how exploitation and exploration between the organizations generate intraorganizational exploitation and exploration. A conceptual framework describing the nature of such learning dynamics is proposed. This framework emphasizes that experiential learning is a driving force behind much intra- and interorganizational change in the form of transformations between exploitation and exploration.
TL;DR: The direct catalytic asymmetric addition of unmodified carbonyl compounds to preformed or in situ-generated imines has emerged as a promising new route to optically enriched alpha- and beta-amino acid derivatives, beta-lactams, and 1,2- and gamma-aminos alcohols.
Abstract: The direct catalytic asymmetric addition of unmodified carbonyl compounds to preformed or in situ-generated imines has emerged as a promising new route to optically enriched alpha- and beta-amino acid derivatives, beta-lactams, and 1,2- and gamma-amino alcohols. The direct catalytic asymmetric Mannich reactions are mediated by small organometallic and organic amine catalysts that can achieve levels of selectivity similar to those possible with natural enzymes. The different small-molecule catalysts described here are complementary in their applications. They also complement each other in syn or anti selectivity of the direct asymmetric Mannich reaction. In this Account, we highlight the recent developments in and contributions to this research.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors suggest that landscape structure influences speci ccies loss, regionally and globally, and that landscape structures are one of the main drivers behind species loss, both locally and globally.
Abstract: Transformation of landscapes is considered to be one of the main drivers behind species loss, regionally and globally. Theory and empirical studies suggest that landscape structure influences speci ...
TL;DR: DecaBDE was photolytically labile and formeddebromination products in all matrices studied, however, the debromination rates were strongly dependent on the matrix with longer half-lives on natural matrices than artificial ones.
Abstract: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) are commonly used flame retardants. During the past years, concerns have increased due to their occurrence in the environment and humans. In general, the concentrations of lower brominated (tetra-penta) diphenyl ethers in biota exceed those of the most heavily used product, decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE). In this study, the photolytic debromination of DecaBDE has been investigated in order to study the formation of lower brominated diphenyl ethers. The time course of photolysis of DecaBDE was studied in toluene, on silica gel, sand, sediment and soil using artificial sunlight and on the natural matrices (sediment, soil, sand) also using natural sunlight. DecaBDE was photolytically labile and formed debromination products in all matrices studied. Nona- to tetraBDEs were formed as well as some PBDFs. The half-lives in toluene and on silica gel were less than 15 min, and half-lives on other matrices ranged between 40 and 200 h. No differences were seen in the debromination pattern of BDE congeners sequentially formed in the different matrices or under different light conditions. However, the debromination rates were strongly dependent on the matrix with longer half-lives on natural matrices than artificial ones.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed and compared PM characteristics of seven selected regions within the European Union (EU) and compared the results of levels and speciation studies of PM10 and PM2.5 at regional, urban background and kerbside sites.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluate the impact of a major school reform, that took place in the 1950s in Sweden, on educational attainment and earnings, and find that the reform increased both the educational attainment, and the earnings of children whose fathers had just compulsory education.
Abstract: In this paper we evaluate the impact of a major school reform, that took place in the 1950s in Sweden, on educational attainment and earnings. The reform, which has many common elements with reforms in other European countries including the UK, consisted of increasing compulsor schooling, imposing a national curriculum and abolishing selection by ability into Academic and non-academic streams at the age of 12 (comprehensive school reform). Our data combines survey data with administrative sources. We find that the reform increased both the educational attainment and the earnings of children whose fathers had just compulsory education. However the earnings of those with educated parents declined - possibly because of a dilution of quality at the top end of the education levels. The overall effect of the reform was however positive.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors establish an analytical framework for studying the impact of the open method of co-ordination (OMC) on three levels of political action within the EU, namely policy, politics and polity.
Abstract: The aim of this article is to establish an analytical framework for studying the impact of the open method of co-ordination (OMC) on three levels of political action within the EU, namely the policy, politics and polity. First, the article examines the novelties of the OMC vis-a `-vis the soft law tradition in the EU, and looks at how the three dominant logics of co-ordination are linked to diverse modes of the OMC. The subsequent sections focus on the potential impact of the OMC on the policy and politics dimensions of the EU. Theoretically inspired assumptions about policy learning and partial delegation of power are the driving forces behind the inquiry. The article then scrutinizes the potential constitutional dimension of the OMC. Finally, it discusses the theoretical challenges that the OMC poses for our understanding of the EU as a polity and the concept of integration.
TL;DR: The content of the conversation was far more important for driving and driver distraction than the type of telephone when driving on a motorway or similar type of road and the more difficult and complex the conversation the greater the possible negative effect on driver distraction.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors model the incentives of the media to deliver news to different groups and predict that this change should raise spending on government programmes used by poor and rural voters.
Abstract: If better informed voters receive favourable policies, then mass media will affect policy because mass media provide most of the information people use in voting. This paper models the incentives of the media to deliver news to different groups. The increasing-returns-to-scale technology and advertising financing of media firms induce them to provide more news to large groups, such as taxpayers and dispersed consumer interests, and groups that are valuable to advertisers. This news bias alters the tradeoff in political competition and therefore introduces a bias in public policy. The paper also discusses the effects of broadcast media replacing newspapers as the main information source about politics. The model predicts that this change should raise spending on government programmes used by poor and rural voters.
TL;DR: A new method for classification of marine benthic quality according to the European Union Water Framework Directive is developed, based on a combination of the species tolerance values, abundance and diversity, which was calculated for the assessment of environmental status at a particular station.
TL;DR: This paper investigated the effect of electoral rules and forms of government on fiscal policy outcomes in a large sample of democracies, and found that presidential regimes induce smaller governments than parliamentary democracies, while majoritarian elections lead to smaller governments and smaller welfare programs than proportional elections.
Abstract: We investigate the effect of electoral rules and forms of government on fiscal policy outcomes in a large sample of democracies. We rely on different estimation methods to address prospective problems of statistical inference, due to non-random selection of these constitutional rules. The findings are consistent with our theoretical priors: presidential regimes induce smaller governments than parliamentary democracies, while majoritarian elections lead to smaller governments and smaller welfare programs than proportional elections.
TL;DR: The mutant regulator of APX2 1-1 (rax1-1) was identified in Arabidopsis thaliana that constitutively expressed normally photooxidative stress-inducible ASCORBATE PEROXIDASE2 (APX2) and had ≥50% lowered foliar glutathione levels, suggesting that changes in glutATHione metabolism may be one means of integrating the function of several signaling pathways.
Abstract: The mutant regulator of APX2 1-1 (rax1-1) was identified in Arabidopsis thaliana that constitutively expressed normally photooxidative stress-inducible ASCORBATE PEROXIDASE2 (APX2) and had ≥50% lowered foliar glutathione levels. Mapping revealed that rax1-1 is an allele of γ-GLUTAMYLCYSTEINE SYNTHETASE 1 (GSH1), which encodes chloroplastic γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase, the controlling step of glutathione biosynthesis. By comparison of rax1-1 with the GSH1 mutant cadmium hypersensitive 2, the expression of 32 stress-responsive genes was shown to be responsive to changed glutathione metabolism. Under photo-oxidative stress conditions, the expression of a wider set of defense-related genes was altered in the mutants. In wild-type plants, glutathione metabolism may play a key role in determining the degree of expression of defense genes controlled by several signaling pathways both before and during stress. This control may reflect the physiological state of the plant at the time of the onset of an environmental challenge and suggests that changes in glutathione metabolism may be one means of integrating the function of several signaling pathways.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors reported the observation of the X(3872) in the J/psipi(+)pi(-) channel with decaying to mu(+)mu(-), in p (p) over bar collisions at roots=1.96 TeV.
Abstract: We report the observation of the X(3872) in the J/psipi(+)pi(-) channel, with J/psi decaying to mu(+)mu(-), in p (p) over bar collisions at roots=1.96 TeV. Using approximately 230 pb(-1) of data collected with the Run II D0 detector, we observe 522+/-100 X(3872) candidates. The mass difference between the X(3872) state and the J/psi is measured to be 774.9+/-3.1(stat)+/-3.0(syst) MeV/c(2). We have investigated the production and decay characteristics of the X(3872) and find them to be similar to those of the psi(2S) state.
TL;DR: It was found that highly purified LPS did not stimulate the IMD pathway, however, lipid A, the active portion of LPS in mammals, activated melanization in the silkworm Bombyx morii, and the IMd pathway was remarkably sensitive to polymeric and monomeric gram-negative peptidoglycan.