Cylinder Volume Deviation for Heavy Duty Combustion Engines

The automotive industry is a field of enormous competition. Customers and regulations demand economical and sustainable products. To achieve maximum efficiency, engine systems require detailed control. To increase the accuracy of the models that describe the combustion process, a demand has arisen at Scania for an exact prediction of the combustion chamber volume. During engine operation, the components surrounding the combustion chamber are exposed thermal forces, pressure forces and mass forces from the reciprocating components. Due to these forces, the components will deform and the volume of the combustion chamber will deviate from its ideal volume. During this master thesis, simulations have been carried out to calculate the mechanical deformations and approximate the combustion chamber volume deviation. The impact from production variations on the combustion chamber volume have been investigated. Based on the results from the simulations, a model has been implemented that approximates the combustion chamber volume based on linearized relations. The finished model gives reasonable results that are well in accordance with the time consuming simulations. The production variations have a relatively large impact on the combustion chamber volume and define the tolerances of the model

Facial conformation characteristics in Persian and Exotic Shorthair cats

ObjectivesThe primary objectives of the study were to examine the diversity in facial conformation characteristics within a group of Persian (PER) and Exotic Shorthair (EXO) show cats, and to contrast the results to findings within a group of non-purebred domestic shorthair (DSH) and domestic longhair (DLH) cats. The secondary objectives were to determine the PER/EXO show cat owners' perceptions of the breathing status of their cats, and to evaluate if remarks from the cat show judges concerning the cats' head and facial conformation were exclusively related to the aesthetic features of the cats.MethodsSixty-four PER and 12 EXO show cats were prospectively examined at five international cat shows, and 20 DSH/DLH cats were examined at an animal hospital. Facial conformation characteristics were evaluated by examining photos of the cats. Owners of the PER/EXO show cats answered a questionnaire concerning their cats' health status, and they were encouraged to send in the judges' score sheets from the cat shows.ResultsThe PER/EXO show cats had higher diversity in facial conformation characteristics than the DSH/DLH cats, and high incidences of hypoplasia of the nose leather (95%), the nose leather top positioned above the level of the lower eyelid (93%), moderate-to-severe stenotic nares (86%), epiphora (83%) and entropion (32%). Owners of 6/76 PER/EXO show cats stated that their cat had increased respiratory sounds and/or trouble breathing at least once a week. The cat show judges' written comments were exclusively related to aesthetic features of the cats' head and facial conformation details.Conclusions and relevanceHypoplasia of the nose leather, high position of the nose leather top, stenotic nares, epiphora and entropion were common findings in the PER/EXO show cats but not in the DSH/DLH cats. Few of the cat owners perceived that their cat had problems related to the airways

Persistent Exposure to Mycoplasma Induces Malignant Transformation of Human Prostate Cells

Recent epidemiologic, genetic, and molecular studies suggest infection and inflammation initiate certain cancers, including those of the prostate. The American Cancer Society, estimates that approximately 20% of all worldwide cancers are caused by infection. Mycoplasma, a genus of bacteria that lack a cell wall, are among the few prokaryotes that can grow in close relationship with mammalian cells, often without any apparent pathology, for extended periods of time. In this study, the capacity of Mycoplasma genitalium, a prevalent sexually transmitted infection, and Mycoplasma hyorhinis, a mycoplasma found at unusually high frequency among patients with AIDS, to induce a malignant phenotype in benign human prostate cells (BPH-1) was evaluated using a series of in vitro and in vivo assays. After 19 weeks of culture, infected BPH-1 cells achieved anchorage-independent growth and increased migration and invasion. Malignant transformation of infected BPH-1 cells was confirmed by the formation of xenograft tumors in athymic mice. Associated with these changes was an increase in karyotypic entropy, evident by the accumulation of chromosomal aberrations and polysomy. This is the first report describing the capacity of M. genitalium or M. hyorhinis infection to lead to the malignant transformation of benign human epithelial cells and may serve as a model to further study the relationship between prostatitis and prostatic carcinogenesis

Mycoplasma genitalium: An Emerging Cause of Sexually Transmitted Disease in Women

Mycoplasma genitalium is an emerging sexually transmitted pathogen implicated in urethritis in men and several inflammatory reproductive tract syndromes in women including cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and infertility. This comprehensive review critically examines epidemiologic studies of M. genitalium infections in women with the goal of assessing the associations with reproductive tract disease and enhancing awareness of this emerging pathogen. Over 27,000 women from 48 published reports have been screened for M. genitalium urogenital infection in high- or low-risk populations worldwide with an overall prevalence of 7.3% and 2.0%, respectively. M. genitalium was present in the general population at rates between those of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Considering more than 20 studies of lower tract inflammation, M. genitalium has been positively associated with urethritis, vaginal discharge, and microscopic signs of cervicitis and/or mucopurulent cervical discharge in seven of 14 studies. A consistent case definition of cervicitis is lacking and will be required for comprehensive understanding of these associations. Importantly, evidence for M. genitalium PID and infertility are quite convincing and indicate that a significant proportion of upper tract inflammation may be attributed to this elusive pathogen. Collectively, M. genitalium is highly prevalent in high- and low-risk populations, and should be considered an etiologic agent of select reproductive tract disease syndromes in women

Constructing the Rainbow Nation : Migration and national identity in Post-Apartheid South Africa

Post-Apartheid South Africa has seen xenophobic sentiments towards migrants increase, culminating in several deadly riots. The words of equality and diversity, nurtured during the fight for independence seem to be far away. Building on Micheal Neocosmos theories on South African Xenophobia as a political discourse, this thesis examines how nationalist discourse creates and sustains negative perceptions of migrants. Using theories on national identity to undertake a critical discourse analysis of South African parliament proceedings, it illustrates how the perception of a civic and democratic nation, naturalizes a dichotomy between migrants and citizens. How the narrative of an equal and free South Africa, relies on the opposite perception of neighboring countries, as chaotic, undemocratic and un-free, resulting in a negative view of migrants. It argues that the opposing discourse of Pan-Africanism provides an opportunity in which a more inclusive identity can be built. Finally this thesis wishes to contribute to further research on national identity construction, by proposing a four-dimensional framework of exclusion that provides a reference point for contrasting national discourses

The case of Sarafu-credits : Examining how a community currency can contribute to sustainable livelihood in informal settlements

Residents of informal settlements (slums) are vulnerable to various disturbances; e.g. diseases spreading and fluctuations in food prices and local access to credits. The lack of credits derives from the continuous outflow of money from communities. This study examines a financial innovation called Sarafu-credits (SC) implemented in Kenyan informal settlements by the organization Grassroots Economics (GE). SC is a community currency (CC), more particularly vouchers only used within a network of micro-businesses, which aim to complement scarcity of conventional money. In addition, GE have initiated community activities, e.g. tree planting, trash collection, food gardens and cultural events, where residents can be paid in SC to improve the community socially and environmentally. This study examines the design and practice of SC, and the activities, using mainly semi-structured interviews with SC-network-members and GE key persons, to understand how a CC can contribute to sustainable livelihood. The concepts specified and general resilience are used to understand the links between SC and the various social-ecological disturbances facing slum-dwellers. The results suggest that SC-members who are actively trading with SC are able to increase their sales, savings and access to basic goods and services thanks to SC. The results also suggest the networks and community activities are strengthening social contacts in the neighbourhood, and constitute examples of how a CC can help finance management of local environmental problems, where SC paid for community services also support local trade. The identified challenges are related to local leadership, where trust, communication and consistency of rules are lacking. In one of the networks, the confidence in the usefulness of the currency is lacking, due to these challenges. GE have experimented with different designs where one successful innovation is the ability to exchange SC to conventional money at certain occasions, which seem to strengthen the confidence in SC

To talk about oneself or not : Forensic psychiatry caregivers’ perspective

Bakgrund: Vårdrelationen beskrivs som grunden till främjande hälsoprocesser. Relationen är ömsesidig men vårdaren har ansvaret och tar del av patientens berättelse för att vårda tillsammans med snarare än åt patienten. Det dubbla uppdraget samhällsskydd och vård komplicerar vårdrelationen i rättspsykiatrisk vård. Att vårda en patient som begått brott är inte lika självklart som att vårda en skuldfri. Viktigt inom rättspsykiatri är vardagligt umgänge där vårdaren hittar balansen mellan personligt och privat. Negativa känslor som rädsla kan göra vårdare inskränkta och kompromisslösa. En oväntad åtgärd utanför ramarna visas vara betydelsefull för återhämtning. Rättspsykiatriska patienter beskriver längtan efter trygga, vårdande relationer men kan mötas av maktutövande, nonchalans, hot och våld som ger en känsla av förvaring och icke-vård. Syfte: Att beskriva vårdares tankar om att berätta om sig själva och det privata för patienter i rättspsykiatrisk vård. Metod: Kvalitativ design med fokusgruppsintervjuer för datainsamling. Två fokusgruppsintervjuer med vårdare inom rättspsykiatrisk vård genomfördes. Materialet analyserades med kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Resultat: Resultatet genererade fyra huvudkategorier och tio subkategorier. Påverkande omständigheter: patientens behov och brottets karaktär, tidsaspekter och informationsflöde. Medvetenhet i vårdarrollen: beakta vem som hör och hantera konsekvenser, förmåga till gränsdragning och kommunikation. Nyckel till relation: att ge för att få, ärlighet, mänsklig kontakt och förtroende. Indifferens och lidande: lögner och distansering, negativa konsekvenser, varken behov eller mening. Diskussion: Resultatet diskuteras mot den teoretiska referensramen: Vårdandets symfoni som avhandlar vårdrelationen. Här återfinns många tankar som framkommer i denna studie.Background: The care relationship is described as the cornerstone of nursing processes. This relationship is mutual but the caregiver carries the responsibility and shares the patient's story in order to nurse together with rather than only nursing the patient. The dual mission, civil protection and nursing, complicates the relationship in forensic care. Nursing a patient who committed a crime is not as intuitive as relieving the suffering of an innocent patient. Important in forensic psychiatry is everyday socializing where the caregiver finds a balance between personal and private. Negative emotions such as fear can make carers narrow-minded and uncompromising while an unexpected action beyond the daily work routines can prove to be important for patient recovery. The forensic psychiatric patients express a desire for safe, caring relationships but can be met by an exercise of power, negligence, intimidation and violence that create a feeling of containment and non-care. Aim: To describe nurses' thoughts concerning their privacy and what to reveal about themselves to patients in forensic psychiatric care. Method: Qualitative design with focus group interviews for data collection. Two focus group interviews with caregivers in forensic psychiatry were conducted. The material was analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The results generated four main categories and ten subcategories. Influencing factors: the patient's needs and the nature of the crime, timing and information flow. Awareness of caring role: consider who hears and deals with the consequences, ability to set boundaries and communication. Key to relationship: giving in order to receive, honesty, human contact and trust. Indifference and suffering: lies and distance, negative consequences, neither need nor meaning. Discussions: The results are discussed within the theoretical framework of ‘The Symphony of Care’, which discusses the phenomenon of the care relationship. Many caregivers’ reflections that emerge in the results can be identified within this context