Separate physical tests of lower extremities and postural control are associated with cognitive impairment. Results from the general population study Good Aging in Skåne (GÅS-SNAC).

PURPOSE: To investigate whether separate physical tests of the lower extremities, that assess movement speed and postural control, were associated with cognitive impairment in older community-dwelling subjects. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this population-based, cross-sectional, cohort study, the following items were assessed: walking speed, walking 2 × 15 m, Timed Up and Go (TUG) at self-selected and fast speeds, one-leg standing, and performance in step- and five chair-stand tests. The study comprised 2115 subjects, aged 60-93 years, with values adjusted for demographics, health-related factors, and comorbidity. Global cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and cognitive impairment was defined by the three-word delayed recall task of the MMSE. Subjects who scored 0/3 on the three-word delayed recall task were defined as cases (n = 328), those who scored 1/3 were defined as intermediates (n = 457), and the others as controls (n = 1330). RESULTS: Physical tests performed rapidly were significantly associated with cognitive impairment; this was the case in increased time of five chair stands (P = 0.009, odds ratio [OR] = 1.03), TUG (P < 0.001, OR = 1.11) and walking 2 × 15 m (P < 0.001, OR = 1.05). Inability to stand on one leg for 10 seconds was associated with increased risk of being a case (P < 0.001, OR = 1.78), compared to those able to stand for 30 seconds or longer. More steps during the step test (P < 0.001, OR = 0.95) and higher fast walking speed (P < 0.001, OR = 0.51) were associated with lower risk of being a case. CONCLUSION: Slower movements and reduced postural control were related to an increased risk of being cognitively impaired. All tests that were performed rapidly were able to separate cases from controls. These findings suggest that physical tests that are related to lower extremity and postural control, emphasizing velocity, might be useful in investigating relationships between physical and cognitive function; furthermore, they can be used to complement cognitive impairment diagnoses

Differences in the relationship of heart rate and blood lactate values between running on track versus inclined treadmill : Improving laboratory testing to accurately prescribe exercise intensities

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the generalisability of the heart rate-blood lactate relationship determined in laboratory testing in comparison to running over ground. This plays a crucial role to prescribe exercise intensity from laboratory results. Ten well trained runners performed a maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) pre-test and an incremental submaximal test performed at a two degrees inclined treadmill and a running track. Statistical analysis included student’s t-test of heart rate at interpolated blood lactate levels and comparison of second order polynomial regression lines. VO2max was 60,4 ± 6 ml/kg/min for men and 56,3 ± 4,3 ml/kg/min for women. There was no significant difference in heart rate at interpolated blood lactate of 3 and 4 mmol/L. There was no significant difference between heart rate values at any running velocity. A significant difference between blood lactate values was observed 14km/h (p=0,04). When considering blood lactate values up to 6mmol/L, heart rate-blood lactate relationships were similar. In conclusion, lactate threshold testing on treadmill through incremental test protocols on a two degrees incline gives similar heart rate- blood lactate relationship as running over ground and may be used to prescribe intensity in training performed over ground.

M&amp;A acticity and the macroeconomic environment : A quantitative study on the impact of the macroeconomic environment on aggregate merger and acquisition activity in the US.

Title: M&amp;A activity and the macroeconomic environment - a quantitative study on the impact of the macroeconomic environment on aggregate merger and acquisition activity in the US Background: There is a lack of established theories on what drives M&amp;A activity. A subject that has received much attention in literature but produced few compelling results. The full explanation of the dynamics of aggregate M&amp;A activity has yet to be captured. An explanation which could provide useful insights for central banks, corporate managers and any other parties affected by this prominent feature of the US economy which have come to shape and dominate the corporate landscape. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the relationship between the dynamics of aggregate M&amp;A activity and macroeconomic variables representing the state of the economy in the US. Method: The methodology that is used in the thesis is based on a deductive research approach with a quantitative research design. In addition, the thesis has also made use of a longitudinal panel research. The thesis hypotheses have been formulated using earlier research and existing theories about the subject of mergers and acquisitions as well as macroeconomic factors. Further on, the data set that has been analyzed consisted of 73137 transactions during the time period January 1, 1980 - January 1, 2020. Conclusion: The study finds that there are signs of relationships between macroeconomic variables and aggregate M&amp;A activity, although the precise characteristics of these relationships has not been established. The result of the study indicates that the macroeconomic environment as a whole affects aggregate M&amp;A activity and that it can be an important part of the explanation for the dynamics of aggregate M&amp;A activity. It cannot be established that macroeconomic variables can be used to predict M&amp;A activity, however there are interesting indications suggesting this might be the case

Vilhelm Moberg tar ställning. En studie av hans journalistik och tidsaktuella diktning.

Vilhelm Moberg (1898-1973) is one of the most well-known Swedish writers of the 20th century. In this dissertation attention is directed to his extensive journalism, a less well-known side of his authorship. The dissertation brings out and sheds light on a large number of his newspaper articles. An equally important part of his writing is his short controversial pamphlets. He also gave a large number of public speeches on various issues. In the present dissertation, theses texts are analysed and put in relation to some of his most important works of fiction. The purpose of the dissertation is to investigate Moberg´s achievements as a journalist and opinion maker. His texts, irrespective of genre, form a continuum, in which the same themes and issues recur, but in different shapes, and with a number of links between the different texts. The main method of interpretation is rhetoric. By bringing out persuasive elements in the texts, the dissertation make visible their opinion-forming character, discuss their themes and structures, and illustrate how the material is arranged stylistically. The texts are also related to their contemporary context. A critical outlook on society and a constant struggle for democratic justice epitomizes Moberg´s authorship. His journalism and topical fiction resound with an authorative voice. The various forms of expression that he used run as parallell lines in his opinion-making strategies. He was not educated in classical rhetoric, but he learned from the persuasive public speaking that he met in the popular movements and from his experiences at small-town newspapers in the 1920´s. He had a distinctive ability to draw attention to his contributions to the public debate. He constantly made attempts to make himself heard and stated an obligation to take part in the debate. He had a keen interest in the moulding of public opinion, which characterized his whole authorship

M&amp;A acticity and the macroeconomic environment : A quantitative study on the impact of the macroeconomic environment on aggregate merger and acquisition activity in the US.

Title: M&amp;A activity and the macroeconomic environment - a quantitative study on the impact of the macroeconomic environment on aggregate merger and acquisition activity in the US Background: There is a lack of established theories on what drives M&amp;A activity. A subject that has received much attention in literature but produced few compelling results. The full explanation of the dynamics of aggregate M&amp;A activity has yet to be captured. An explanation which could provide useful insights for central banks, corporate managers and any other parties affected by this prominent feature of the US economy which have come to shape and dominate the corporate landscape. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the relationship between the dynamics of aggregate M&amp;A activity and macroeconomic variables representing the state of the economy in the US. Method: The methodology that is used in the thesis is based on a deductive research approach with a quantitative research design. In addition, the thesis has also made use of a longitudinal panel research. The thesis hypotheses have been formulated using earlier research and existing theories about the subject of mergers and acquisitions as well as macroeconomic factors. Further on, the data set that has been analyzed consisted of 73137 transactions during the time period January 1, 1980 - January 1, 2020. Conclusion: The study finds that there are signs of relationships between macroeconomic variables and aggregate M&amp;A activity, although the precise characteristics of these relationships has not been established. The result of the study indicates that the macroeconomic environment as a whole affects aggregate M&amp;A activity and that it can be an important part of the explanation for the dynamics of aggregate M&amp;A activity. It cannot be established that macroeconomic variables can be used to predict M&amp;A activity, however there are interesting indications suggesting this might be the case

Värdeinvestering på Stockholmsbörsen : En kvantitativ studie om den effektiva maknadshypotesen och värdeinvesteringsstrategier på Stockholmsbörsen

This study examines the total cumulative return and the total risk-adjusted return for OMXSPI and the two investment strategies The Magic Formula and The Acquirer’s Multiple. The aim is to find out if it’s possible to beat the market over time in contradiction to the efficient market hypothesis. Data has been collected to cover a 15-year period between 2005 and 2020. The results end up challenging the efficient market hypothesis with higher total cumulative returns, but also fairly convincingly higher risk-adjusted returns from the strategies. The study also found that the Acquirer’s Multiple outperformed the Magic Formula with regards to both measures

Older women with dementia can perform fast alternating forearm movements and performance is correlated with tests of lower extremity function.

The purpose of this work was to study the performance and reliability of a test of fast alternating forearm movements and its relationship with measures of lower extremity function in older women with dementia