The predictive validity of multiple-item versus single-item measures of the same constructs

This study compares the predictive validity of single-item and multipleitem measures of attitude toward the ad (AAd) and attitude toward the brand (ABrand), which are two of the most widely measured constructs in marketing. The authors assess the ability of AAd to predict ABrand in copy tests of four print advertisements for diverse new products. There is no difference in the predictive validity of the multiple-item and single-item measures. The authors conclude that for the many constructs in marketing that consist of a concrete singular object and a concrete attribute, such as AAd or ABrand, single-item measures should be used

Frostkänslighet hos matärt, foderärt och sojaböna vid tre tidiga utvecklingsstadier

I denna studie undersöktes frostkänsligheten hos matärt (Pisum sativum var. sativum), foderärt (Pisum sativum var. arvense) och sojaböna (Glycine max) vid tre olika stadier i plantans tidiga utveckling. Syftet med studien är att öka kunskapen kring hur kulturerna påverkas av låga temperaturer, och genom detta bidra till en ökad odlingssäkerhet, som i sin tur kan optimera avkastning och kvalitet i fält. Plantorna utsattes för en simulerad frost (-2 ⁰C, 10 h) i klimatkammare vid tre olika tidiga utvecklingsstadier. Resultaten visade att det för sojaböna finns en risk för att frost leder till en tillväxthämning i form av mindre bladyta om frostangreppet sker innan dikotyledoner är fullt utvecklade. Foderärtsplantornas vikt var signifikant mindre vid jämförelse med kontroll då köldbehandling skett innan tre bladpar var fullt utvecklade. Ingen skillnad i bladyta vid något av de tre utvecklingsstadierna för foderärt kunde iakttas. Plantor av matärt uppvisade en tillväxtminskning i form av en mindre bladyta vid jämförelse med kontroll vid köldbehandling innan 3 fullt utvecklade bladpar

Growth and timber quality evaluation of 33 European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) provenances from a site in Southern Sweden

This study aims to shed more light on the differences in growth and timber quality characteristics between European beech provenances at its northern distribution margin. Data was collected from a provenance trial established in 1998 in southern Sweden to determine the growth and development of 33 provenances of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) originating from within Europe. A generalized linear mixed model with a post-hoc Tukeys' test was used to analyze survival, growth and tree structural traits that define timber quality in plantation forestry. Several provenances performed well with re- spect to height increment, stem crookedness, mortality, and the tendency to produce double stems and lateral branches in the lower or upper part of the stem. Results showed higher survival rates for 'Brumov-Sidonie' and ‘Val di.Sella’ from Czech Republic and Italy respectively. No difference was found be- tween provenances in basal area increment (or diameter), but a good perfor- mance for native provenance ‘Torup’ from Sweden in height increment was found. The Austrian provenance ‘Hinterstoder’ showed the lowest stem crookedness. ‘Perche’ provenance fromFrance and ‘Alsted F.413’ from Den- mark had the lowest tendency to develop double stems below 4,5 m. Prove- nances 'Farchau (SH)' and 'Urach (BW)' both showed the lowest tendencyto develop double stems above 4,5 m on the stem. Tree tendency to develop lateral branches below 4,5 m was lowest for 'Farchau (SH)' provenance from Germany. No significant differences were found between provenances for the frequency of lateral branch divisions above 4,5 m on the stem. The results show that even though beech can be considered a plastic species with a good adaptive response to varying environmental conditions, the genetic background has an important role in shaping stand development. Establishment of specific beech provenances can lead to better quality development in Southern Sweden and should be considered

Antisemitismens gensvar - En undersökning av judars utsatthet och otrygghet

Denna uppsats undersöker svenska judars utsatthet, trygghet och upplevda risk. Undersökningen har gjorts genom en kombination av kvantitativ och kvalitativ metod. Syftet med uppsatsen är att presentera deskriptiv statistisk dataanalys och att nyansera och få djupare förståelse för denna genom kvalitativa utsagor. Det empiriska materialet har teoretiserats utifrån en kombination av konventionella trygghets- och stigmatiseringsteorier. Vi har funnit att utsatthet för hot och trakasserier bland våra respondenter är väsentligt högre än bland det nationella genomsnittet. Fyra av fem respondenter uppger dessutom att de känner oro inför att bära judiska symboler och ungefär två av fem uppger att de undvikit en religiös tillställning på grund av deras oro. Beteendeanpassningarna tycks avse att fungera som riskminimeringsstrategier för att undvika att bli utsatt för oönskade handlingar med antisemitiska förtecken. Ur det kvalitativa materialet kunde vi utläsa att våra respondenter skyler sin judiska identitet för att undvika stigmatisering. I praktiken inskränker dessa konsekvenser av otryggheten de judiska respondenternas religions- och yttrandefrihet och utgör ett hot mot den svenska konstitutionen och FN:s deklaration om mänskliga rättigheter

Modelling managed forest ecosystems in Sweden : Poster presentation:

In this work, the forestry-enabled dynamic vegetation model LPJ-GUESS was used to simulate forest standing volume for the three main regions of Sweden. At the regional scale, the model results were evaluated against observational data from the Swedish National Forest Inventory. Carbon fluxes of net ecosystem exchange (NEE), gross primary productivity (GPP), and ecosystem respiration (Reco) were simulated at the local scale on a daily time step for two sites in Sweden and results were evaluated against data from the Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS). The model produced adequate results of standing volume in monocultures of Norway spruce and Scots pine for southern and central Sweden, after an updated parameterization of the species. Stand-scale simulations of carbon fluxes produced mixed results after an evaluation against EC data from ICOS

Hormone-replacement therapy influences gene expression profiles and is associated with breast-cancer prognosis: a cohort study

BACKGROUND: Postmenopausal hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) increases breast-cancer risk. The influence of HRT on the biology of the primary tumor, however, is not well understood. METHODS: We obtained breast-cancer gene expression profiles using Affymetrix human genome U133A arrays. We examined the relationship between HRT-regulated gene profiles, tumor characteristics, and recurrence-free survival in 72 postmenopausal women. RESULTS: HRT use in patients with estrogen receptor (ER) protein positive tumors (n = 72) was associated with an altered regulation of 276 genes. Expression profiles based on these genes clustered ER-positive tumors into two molecular subclasses, one of which was associated with HRT use and had significantly better recurrence free survival despite lower ER levels. A comparison with external data suggested that gene regulation in tumors associated with HRT was negatively correlated with gene regulation induced by short-term estrogen exposure, but positively correlated with the effect of tamoxifen. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that post-menopausal HRT use is associated with a distinct gene expression profile related to better recurrence-free survival and lower ER protein levels. Tentatively, HRT-associated gene expression in tumors resembles the effect of tamoxifen exposure on MCF-7 cells

A Molecular and Co-Evolutionary Context for Grazer Induced Toxin Production in Alexandrium tamarense

Marine dinoflagellates of the genus Alexandrium are the proximal source of neurotoxins associated with Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning. The production of these toxins, the toxin biosynthesis and, thus, the cellular toxicity can be influenced by abiotic and biotic factors. There is, however, a lack of substantial evidence concerning the toxins' ecological function such as grazing defense. Waterborne cues from copepods have been previously found to induce a species-specific increase in toxin content in Alexandrium minutum. However, it remains speculative in which context these species-specific responses evolved and if it occurs in other Alexandrium species as well. In this study we exposed Alexandrium tamarense to three copepod species (Calanus helgolandicus, Acartia clausii, and Oithona similis) and their corresponding cues. We show that the species-specific response towards copepod-cues is not restricted to one Alexandrium species and that co-evolutionary processes might be involved in these responses, thus giving additional evidence for the defensive role of phycotoxins. Through a functional genomic approach we gained insights into the underlying molecular processes which could trigger the different outcomes of these species-specific responses and consequently lead to increased toxin content in Alexandrium tamarense. We propose that the regulation of serine/threonine kinase signaling pathways has a major influence in directing the external stimuli i.e. copepod-cues, into different intracellular cascades and networks in A. tamarense. Our results show that A. tamarense can sense potential predating copepods and respond to the received information by increasing its toxin production. Furthermore, we demonstrate how a functional genomic approach can be used to investigate species interactions within the plankton community

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries