The subfornical organ (SFO) is an area in the brain characterized by lack of a blood-brain-barrier that contributes to interaction between the circulation and the central nervous system, and plays key roles in regulation of energy balance. The SFO has two subregions- the dorsolateral peripheral SFO (pSFO) and the ventromedial core of the SFO (cSFO). This study demonstrated the expression of voltage-gated Na+ channel 1.3 (Nav1.3) in the SFO neurons, and a higher Nav1.3 expression in the pSFO. Based on the Nav1.3 expression pattern, intrinsic electrophysiological properties were compared between cSFO and non-cSFO neurons (putative pSFO neurons) identified by a SmartFlare mRNA probe. The patch clamp results revealed a bursting firing pattern in cSFO neurons and a higher spontaneous neuronal activity in non-cSFO neurons. The higher neuronal activity might be related to a more depolarized resting membrane potential and a higher trend of Na+ current density.

The main topic of this project is to do an energy study of the Mariners’ Church, ‘Sjömanskyrkan’, placed in the Centralplan of Gävle, Sweden. This is an old building built in the late 1800’s by the evangelic-lutheran missionaries and nowadays is used to realize different cultural activities such as concerts, meetings, workshops…   Energy is one of the most important points in the actual society. The fact that common energy sources are being depleted and the use of these resources produces a lot of contaminants have brought some many international crisis and conflicts. A big use of oil fuels can influence the government behavior and condition its laws and regulations. Nowadays, the majority of the countries want to reduce their fossil energy sources dependency, e. g. Sweden designed an energy commission in 2005 to make a report on how these uses of petroleum, natural gas and ‘fossil raw materials’ can be reduced until 2020. This project wants to follow this direction, providing some energy savings through the investment and renewal of old public buildings.   The aim of this project is to know how much and in which way this building uses the energy, locating its strong and weak points, and point out some different energy efficiency measures to improve the situation.   First of all, an energy balance has been realized. In the part of the heat gains the total energy use is 274 MWh / year. On the other hand the energy losses give a quantity of 273 MWh / year. The differences between both are the losses by infiltration, 1MWh / year. Most of this energy is lost because of the transmission, about a 95% of the energy losses. The age of the building and its old materials are the main reason for this out of proportion percentage. That’s why the main efficiency measures are referred to this part.   After this first analysis, some efficiency measures have been carried out. The most important are referred to the structural elements like walls, windows, roof and floor. All of these procedures can save 45% of the energy losses. This is evidence that old buildings and this in particular, are really bad insulated and have a lot of heat leakages. Also some behavior recommendations are given, like maintenance works and lightning improvements.

The boreal forest forms a band that stretches across the continents of the northern hemisphere. Wildfire disturbances have helped transform this forest into stands of varying ages with varying soil drainage. It is well known that the boreal forest contributes greatly to the global water cycle, but less is known as to how variable these water fluxes are throughout the forest mosaic. Throughout the growing seasons of 2006 and 2007, meteorological measurements were taken during the growing season from three different aged black spruce stands near Thompson, MB. The stands that were burned in 1930 and 1964 each included upland and lowland sites with independent measurements. The stand burned in 1850 had measurements taken only from an upland site. Evapotranspiration (ET) was calculated from the residual energy after net radiation (Rn), sensible heat flux (H) and ground heat flux were measured. We sought to investigate whether ET varied with stand age and topographic location. Results indicate that there is a significant increase in Rn, H, and ET as forests age. ET levels range from being 4% to 19% lower for younger stands. It is assumed that the depth of the organic layer at older sites allows for mosses to more effectively wick up available moisture through capillary rise, and have higher transpiration levels. The larger tree density at the 1964 sites compared to the 1930 sites may account for a portion of the observed increase in ET for these ages. Differences in drainage between the 1930 and 1850 sites may also account for a portion of the increase in ET observed between these two ages. Wetland sites had H and ET that were significantly less than for the upland sites. ET rates were 11 to 20% higher at the upland sites than the wetland sites; part of this difference is thought to be due to the presence of larger trees, with an increased capacity to transpire water at upland sites. As the number of forest fires has been predicted to increase substantially in the future, the prospect of the boreal forest average stand age being younger would affect the boreal’s water and energy budgets. Our data helps to describe water and energy budgets for forest stands with different drainage capabilities, for stands between the ages of 45 and 160 years. This knowledge will be used to help predict the degree and speed of climate change that will be experienced in the boreal forest.

Nowadays in the world, energy usage effectiveness has always been an issue which blocks people’s development. How to effectively use the energy is becoming more and more important. Energy audit can appraise the energy usage condition of a building, and come up with improvement advices through systematic calculation and analysis the existing problems and reasons for energy wastes, in order to bring the object of effective usage of energy into reality. HiG student hostel 23 is situated in Gävle, a coastal city in the east of Sweden. There are three floors in Hostel 23, the first and second floor have 18 single rooms, 4 double rooms and 2 communal kitchens and the third floor is storeroom. The aim of this thesis is to explore indoor climate and energy use for this student hostel and find out the reason of the low temperature inside the room, seeking some ways to improve the thermal comfort inside the building during winter conditions. First, collect date from every part in energy balance by measurement and interview with administrator, then calculate and analyze the data. At last, the whole energy balance can be estimated. Through analyzing the whole energy balance, the suggestion is to change the window type and design a new ventilation system operating plan. Through the optimization, energy loss is reduced, and about 10% of the energy is preserved. Besides this, the building infiltration loss is too high through this energy audit; it states there still exists some problems. If these problems can be solved, it will be helpful to keep a good thermal comfort inside the building.

The objective of this research was to characterize the performance of hypolimnetic aerators with respect to oxygen transfer and water flow rate to allow the development of two comprehensive process models. The oxygen transfer model is the first model that applies discrete-bubble principles to a hypolimnetic aerator, and the water flow rate model is the first that applies an energy balance to this particular type of lake aeration device. Both models use fundamental principles to predict hypolimnetic aerator performance, as opposed to empirical correlations. The models were verified with data collected from a full-scale hypolimnetic aerator installed in Lake Prince, which is a water supply reservoir for the City of Norfolk, Virginia. Water flow rate, gas-phase holdup and dissolved oxygen profiles were measured as a function of air flow rate. The initial bubble size was calculated by the oxygen transfer model using field data. The range of bubble diameters obtained using the model was 2.3-3.1 mm. The Sauter mean diameters of bubbles measured in a laboratory system ranged from 2.7-3.9 mm. The riser and downcomer DO profiles and gas holdups predicted by the model are in close agreement with experimental results. The water flow rate model was fitted to the experimental water velocity by varying the frictional loss coefficient for the air-water separator. An empirical correlation that predicts the loss coefficient as a function of superficial water velocity was obtained. The results of the correlation were similar to those predicted by literature equations developed for external airlift bioreactors. / Master of Science

This study was designed to determine the effects of stage of lactation and subsequent energy status on metabolic and endocrine measures, follicular development, and the quality of oocytes obtained from Holstein cows. Holstein cows were selected prior to calving and assigned to the early lactation (EL) group (n=8) while, cows at d 90 postpartum were selected for the mid-lactation (ML) group (n=7). Blood samples were taken twice weekly from 4 wk prior to the start of follicular aspirations and then on through the aspiration periods for metabolite and hormone determination. Ultrasound-guided transvaginal follicular aspiration (TVFA) was conducted twice weekly for a 10-wk period on all cows. Follicular fluid samples were obtained from the largest follicle, > 10 mm in diameter, for hormone determination. All data were analyzed by ANOVA, using the general linear model procedures. Mean energy balance was positive for (2.43 ± 0.32 Mcal/kg) for ML cows and negative (-1.55 ± 0.33 Mcal/kg) for EL cows. In ML cows serum progesterone (P4) decreased rapidly from 2.7 ± 0.1 ng/ml at the first aspiration session to a nadir of 0.33 ± 0.1 ng/ml at wk 8, while follicular fluid P4 increased from 0.9 ± 0.5 to 5.6 ± 0.5 ng/ml. In the EL cows serum and follicular fluid P4 remained relatively constant over the course of aspirations. There was a linear increase in follicular fluid insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) for EL and ML cows, however the increase was more rapid for ML cows (159 ± 36 to 200 ± 36 ng/ml) than for EL cows (145 ± 36 to 164 ± 36 ng/ml). Over the aspiration period nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) declined rapidly for the EL cows (0.32 ± 0.2 to 0.22 ± 0.2 mEq/L), while serum NEFA for the ML cows were relatively stable (0.19 ± 0.2 to 0.22 ± 0.2 mEq/L). The number of follicles observed during the aspiration sessions increased linearly for both EL and ML cows (P < 0.05) over the 10-wk period. However, the increase was larger for the ML cows than for the EL cows, going from 14.2 ± 0.5 to 18.1 ± 0.5 and 14.9 ± 0.3 to 15.7 ± 0.5, respectively. These results show that cows in early lactation are physiologically under more production stress than cows in mid lactation. Furthermore, increasing levels of serum and follicular fluid IGF-I in mid lactation may reflect differences in follicle and oocyte measures. / Master of Science

MSc. Thesis, Ryan L. Rolick / Stream temperature, which influences many biogeochemical processes, is controlled by the exchange of water and energy across the stream surface, banks, and bed. A stream’s thermal sensitivity is its sensitivity to changes in air temperature and is increasingly important with projected warming in northern regions. As the thermal dynamics in permafrost underlain headwater streams are poorly documented, this study examines the thermal signals of two neighboring alpine streams (Granger Creek, GC and Buckbrush Creek, BB) within the Wolf Creek Research Basin (WCRB), Yukon Territory, and quantifies the dominant energy fluxes through an energy budget approach. A 1950 m study reach was established in each stream where water temperature, vertical streambed temperature, and stream discharge were measured. Distinct thermal heterogeneity is observed in each stream, with areas of persistent temperature decrease along their lengths, minimal downstream increase in stream temperature in GC, and an overall decrease in downstream temperature in BB. These observations are indicative of focused groundwater upwelling, low thermal sensitivity, and an increasing downstream influence of groundwater. This is inferred from increases in specific conductivity (2 μS/cm – 20 μS/cm) at locations of temperature decrease, and patterns in low (high) mean air-water linear regression slope (intercept) values. With distance downstream, regression slope (intercept) in GC went from 0.37 (1.2 ̊C) upstream to 0.33 (2.6 ̊C) at the outlet. Similarly, in BB regression slope (intercept) went from 0.37 (2.1 ̊C) upstream to 0.24 (3.3 ̊C) downstream. These patterns also indicate an overall lower thermal sensitivity and greater groundwater influence across the study reach of BB. Downwelling is observed at locations of vertical temperature profiles in each stream through efficient downward propagation of the diel temperature signal into the streambed, indicating hyporheic exchange. The energy balance indicates a large unaccounted for sink in BB, further denoting a larger groundwater influence in its study reach. These findings highlight the importance for continued study of thermal regimes and the complicated interconnections between heat exchange processes in alpine catchments in permafrost regions. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

No description available.

Mondi Dynäs is a pulp and paper producer in the north of Sweden close to the town Kramfors. Last year Mondi Dynäs produced 231,404 tons of Kraft paper. In order to increase their production to 300,000 tons of paper per year this study was done in order to investigate how the increased biomass flow would affect the generation of steam along with the steam and condensate balance. This study started with a mapping of the current steam and condensate balance for one winter period January – Mars and one summer period July – September 2015. The resulting balance is used as reference period for the development of the future steam and condensate scenario where Mondi Dynäs will achieve the targeted production of 300,000 tons of paper per year. The future model shows that the future production of paper will give an abundance of biomass since the generation of steam will be more than sufficient. For the winter period the venting of steam over roof could be derived to 11.9 tons per hour and 34.4 tons per hour during the summer period. This can be compared to the current situation where the winter period gave an average steam blow out of 8.7 tons per hour and for the summer period 13.1 tons per hour. To utilize the accumulated energy from these energy streams, three different scenarios was studied. The first scenario were a future installation of a backpressure turbine along with a condensing turbine section. The new turbine would be attached to the highest pressure level at 65.5 bar and have a backpressure exhaust at 20 bar which will give a power of 7.6 MWe. The second scenario included the implementation of a new condensing turbine with the current system design for the steam network and boilers. This turbine would be attached to the 3.5 bar network and give the electricity power of 1.9 MWe. The third scenario included the installation of a new bark dryer. This would give Mondi Dynäs the possibility to sell bark to an external actor on the energy market. From derived figures in the future scenario model it would be possible to sell 108,144 MWh of bark while running the bark boiler. Mondi Dynäs AB is recommended to add a new condensing turbine to their steam network. The new turbine would be able to produce 1.9 MWe and need a cooling water flow of 190 tons of water per hour. Derived figures for the investment shows a NPV of 0.6 MEUR and the IRR value of 31 %

Background: Daily nutrient/energy intakes are typically evaluated as a total 24-hour intake rather than as the amounts consumed per eating opportunity. Evidence suggests that smaller, frequent meals containing persistent levels of energy and protein may be more beneficial for achieving a lower body fat and higher fat-free mass than equal intakes consumed in larger and less frequent amounts. This may be due to a better-maintained energy balance (EB) that is achieved with smaller and more frequent intakes. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between hourly EB and protein intake with body composition. Methods: Using a software program that provides hourly and 24-hour energy and nutrient intakes and hourly energy expenditures, a secondary analysis of previously collected 3-day food diaries was used to examine the relationship between hourly EB and body composition. The food and activity diaries provided information on time of food/beverage consumption and hourly energy expenditure, enabling an hourly analysis of EB. Body composition, including fat mass, fat-free mass, and bone density were examined via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. SPSS was used for statistical analysis, and included descriptive statistics, correlational analyses, t-tests, and regression analyses. Results: Existing data from elite female gymnasts (N=40) were assessed using an IRB-approved protocol. Higher protein consumption was significantly associated with lower bone mineral density (BMD) in the gymnasts at the arms (r= -0.535; p< 0.001), legs (r= 0.0523; p= 0.001), trunk(r= -0.517; p=0.001), spine (r= -0.472; p=0.002), and pelvis (r= -0.539; p< 0.001). Other dietary factors assessing energy and protein intakes were not significantly associated with body composition. The assessed gymnasts spent the majority of the day in hourly energy balance deficits exceeding -400 kcal. A t-test comparing subjects with higher (n=22) vs. lower (n=18) fat-free mass (FFM), using the statistical mean as the cut point, found that higher protein intakes were significantly associated with lower FFM (p=.007). Subjects with more hours spent in an EB surplus had significantly higher FFM/kg (p=.008) and lower body fat % (p=.008). Conclusion: These findings suggest that higher protein intakes may compromise BMD, a finding likely exacerbated by the long periods of time spent in EB deficits. More hours in an EB surplus was associated with positive outcomes, including higher FFM/kg and lower body fat percent. These data suggest that higher protein intakes may be consumed by gymnasts with the greatest EB deficits, perhaps as a way of minimizing (unsuccessfully) weight and fat-mass. As virtually all hours of the assessed groups were in an EB deficit, it is possible that consumed protein was used to satisfy energy needs rather than being used anabolically to support or enlarge the muscle mass. Future studies should consider addressing this issue, perhaps by assessing more heterogeneous groups where at least a proportion of the population sustains a reasonably good EB during the assessment period.