Cellular and synaptic properties in the lamprey striatum

The striatum is the main input structure of the basal ganglia, a group of subcortical nuclei that are central to the control of different patterns of motor behaviours and for the selection of actions, a fundamental problem facing all animals. The main focus of this thesis has been to characterize the cellular and synaptic mechanisms of the striatum and its relation to other basal ganglia nuclei in the lamprey. To understand how the basal ganglia input structure, the striatum, processes motor related information we first needed to understand the basic architecture of the striatal microcircuitry. Individual neurons were characterized based on their electrophysiological properties and we showed that there are two main types of striatal neurons: inwardly rectifying neurons (IRNs) that are distinguished by a prominent rectification due to a Kir type K+ conductance, and non-IRNs. IRNs are in this and other respects very similar to the mammalian medium spiny projection neurons (MSNs). IRNs are projection neurons of two types, those that express substance P, dopamine receptors of D1 type and GABA, or enkephaline and D2 receptors and GABA. Non- IRNs are a mixed group of neurons and contain neurons similar to the fast-spiking type found in mammals. We then investigated how the striatum is activated by the main excitatory inputs from the lateral pallium (the homolog of the cortex) and from thalamus. As recently demonstrated in mammals, the pallium and thalamus in lamprey provide synaptic inputs with very different dynamic properties to the striatum, as evoked by extracellular stimulation of the respective pathway. Repetitive activation of the synapses from the lateral pallium result in a progressive facilitation over several hundred milliseconds due to a low presynaptic release probability. In contrast, activation of thalamic afferents instead evokes strongly depressing synapses throughout a stimulus train due to a high presynaptic release probability. The conserved difference between the thalamic and pallial inputs most likely has functional implications for processing within striatum. The lamprey striatum receives prominent dopaminergic innervation that, when depleted, leads to hypokinetic symptoms. As dopamine is thought to bias the striatal networks towards selecting actions by differentially modulating the excitability of D1 and D2 receptor expressing striatal projection neurons, we investigated this in lamprey. We cloned the lamprey D2 receptor and demonstrated that it was expressed in striatum. We showed that the neurons that project directly to the basal ganglia output nuclei (the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) and the globus pallidus interna (GPi)) express dopamine D1 receptors, while separate populations that project to the mixed GPi/GPe nucleus express either dopamine D1 or D2 receptors. As in mammals, activation of D1 receptors furthermore leads to an increase in the excitability, whereas D2 activation decreases the excitability of IRNs. Lastly, we identified the SNr and pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) in lamprey and showed that the SNr provides tonic inhibition to downstream motor centers while the cholinergic neurons of the PPN modulates basal ganglia nuclei. In summary, the organization of striatum and the properties of the synaptic input, cellular properties and molecular markers are conserved throughout vertebrate evolution

Authenticating coins of the ‘Roman emperor’ Sponsian

The ‘Roman emperor’ Sponsian is known only from an assemblage of coins allegedly found in Transylvania (Romania) in 1713. They are very unlike regular Roman coins in style and manufacture, with various enigmatic features including bungled legends and historically mixed motifs, and have long been dismissed as poorly made forgeries. Here we present non-destructive imaging and spectroscopic results that show features indicative of authenticity. Deep micro-abrasion patterns suggest extensive circulation-wear. Superficial patches of soil minerals bound by authigenic cement and overlain by oxidation products indicate a history of prolonged burial then exhumation. These observations force a re-evaluation of Sponsian as a historical personage. Combining evidence from the coins with the historical record, we suggest he was most likely an army commander in the isolated Roman Province of Dacia during the military crisis of the 260s CE, and that his crudely manufactured coins supported a functioning monetary economy that persisted locally for an appreciable period

MeV-range velocity-space tomography from gamma-ray and neutron emission spectrometry measurements at JET

We demonstrate the measurement of a 2D MeV-range ion velocity distribution function by velocity-space tomography at JET. Deuterium ions were accelerated into the MeV-range by third harmonic ion cyclotron resonance heating. We made measurements with three neutron emission spectrometers and a high-resolution γ-ray spectrometer detecting the γ-rays released in two reactions. The tomographic inversion based on these five spectra is in excellent agreement with numerical simulations with the ASCOT-RFOF and the SPOT-RFOF codes. The length of the measured fast-ion tail corroborates the prediction that very few particles are accelerated above 2 MeV due to the weak wave-particle interaction at higher energies

An Ancient Duplication of Exon 5 in the Snap25 Gene Is Required for Complex Neuronal Development/Function

Alternative splicing is an evolutionary innovation to create functionally diverse proteins from a limited number of genes. SNAP-25 plays a central role in neuroexocytosis by bridging synaptic vesicles to the plasma membrane during regulated exocytosis. The SNAP-25 polypeptide is encoded by a single copy gene, but in higher vertebrates a duplication of exon 5 has resulted in two mutually exclusive splice variants, SNAP-25a and SNAP-25b. To address a potential physiological difference between the two SNAP-25 proteins, we generated gene targeted SNAP-25b deficient mouse mutants by replacing the SNAP-25b specific exon with a second SNAP-25a equivalent. Elimination of SNAP-25b expression resulted in developmental defects, spontaneous seizures, and impaired short-term synaptic plasticity. In adult mutants, morphological changes in hippocampus and drastically altered neuropeptide expression were accompanied by severe impairment of spatial learning. We conclude that the ancient exon duplication in the Snap25 gene provides additional SNAP-25-function required for complex neuronal processes in higher eukaryotes

Designers of the future : Generative methods within graphic design

The workflow and process of graphic design is today streamlined by the usage of our tools such as softwares. However, this doesn’t mean that designers must restrict themselves from working outside an established practice largely determined by such software. Implementing programming and generative design as a method in the development of graphic design can lead to new insights and different perspectives. Proven to be an asset in the creation of visual material the method falls short as generative design is co-dependent on both the designer and user. Though complicated and expensive, generative design proves useful when working with realtime data and as a tool for generating new ideas. Working experimentally with under-utilized tools can help the development of new trends and methods within the field of graphic design

To act across the borders of authorities : A qualitative study of intraorganizational collaboration against intimate partner crime

Studiens syfte var att undersöka hur tjänstemän hos socialtjänsten och polisen uppfattar samverkan mellan de olika organisationerna, mer specifikt samverkan som metod i arbetet mot brott i nära relationer. Studien ämnade även undersöka hur de uppfattar myndigheternas roller i ett sådant samarbete. För att undersöka detta genomfördes semistrukturerade intervjuer med tjänstemän från båda myndigheterna, i både förstadiet och efter genomförandet av ett samverkansprojekt mot brott i nära relationer. Studiens resultat visade att idén om att samverka mot brott i nära relationer har ett starkt stöd bland tjänstemännen hos båda myndigheterna. De faktorer som uppfattades som viktigast för en effektiv samverkan är en tydlig ansvarsfördelning mellan aktörerna, att förankra metoden i hela organisationen, en administrativ samordning och att samverkan får tillräckliga resurser. Resultatet visade också att tjänstemännen hos de båda myndigheterna hade en tydlig bild av den egna yrkesrollen, men att en osäkerhet hos aktören kan dyka upp när hen förväntas agera på ett vis som inte är i linje med den egna uppfattningen om rollen.The aim of the study was to investigate how officials of the social services and the police perceived inter-organizational collaboration. More specifically inter-organizational collaboration as a method in the work against intimate partner violence. The study also aimed to examine how they perceive the authorities' roles in such cooperation. In order to investigate this, semi-structured interviews have been carried out with officials from both authorities. The interviews were conducted both in the preliminary stage and after a collaborative project against intimate partner violence. The study's result showed that the idea of cooperating against this type of problems has a strong support among the officials of both authorities. Factors that are perceived as the most important for effective collaboration are a clear division of responsibilities between the actors; to have the collaboration on an institutional level, instead of interpersonal, administrative coordination and ensuring that the collaboration has sufficient resources. The result also showed that the officials of the two authorities had a clear conception what constitutes as their professional role. That clear conception can create an uncertainty within the actor when he or she is expected to act in a manner that is not in line with his or her perception of the role

Warantia : A non-slip shoe grip for quality shoes

Denna rapport behandlar ett examensarbete där ett halkskydd för kvalitetsskor tagits fram. Halkolyckor bland fotgängare är vanligt förekommande i Sverige då tusentals personer skadas varje år, främst under vintertid på grund av is och snö. För att minska risken för halka kan man bland annat använda halkskydd på skorna, men befintliga lösningar ansågs brista gällande utseende och användarvänlighet. Syftet med projektet var att minska halkolyckor genom att konstruera ett halkskydd för kvalitetsskor som var diskret och stilrent men även enkelt att ta på och av. Projektet avgränsades till promenad i stadsmiljö där målgruppen var stilmedvetna personer i alla åldrar. Projektet inleddes med en förstudie som la grunden till identifiering av problemområden samt fastställande av krav och önskemål på produkten. Fem olika koncept togs fram som utvärderades och testades och som till sist ledde till ett slutgiltigt koncept. Det slutgiltiga konceptet Warantia är ett halkskydd bestående av en gummiskydd som omfamnar skons sula och klack, samt 10 friktionskomponenter som motverkar halka. Friktionskomponenterna finns i fyra olika modulvarianter med olika material och användningsområden vilket gör att halkskyddet kan användas året runt. Material och tillverkning analyserades i programmet CES EduPack och sulan valdes att tillverkas genom gjutning av syntetiskt gummi och friktionskomponenterna genom formsprutning av plasten polyvinylklorid. En enklare kostnadsanalys av produkten gjordes med 1-3-9 metoden där försäljningspriset beräknades till 60 kr. Slutligen tillverkades en presentationsmodell av halkskyddet som presenterades på KEXpomässan.This report covers a bachelor’s degree project in which a concept of a non-slip shoe grip for quality shoes was developed. Every year, thousands of people in Sweden get injured due to fall and slip accidents during winter. To avoid slipping, one can use non-slip shoe grips on their shoes, but existing products lack in terms of design and usability. The purpose of the project was to prevent fall and slip accidents by constructing a non-slip shoe grip for quality shoes. These were supposed be discreet and easy to put on and take off from the shoe. The project was limited to an urban environment and walking pace, and the target audience was people with style in all ages. The project started with an information search in order to identify the main problems and thereby set requirements and requests on the product. From these requirements and requests, a number of ideas and solutions were generated and led to five different concepts. Before choosing the final concept, all concepts were tested and evaluated. The final concept, named Warantia, is a non-slip shoe grip for quality shoes that consists of a sole and 10 friction components that prevent the user from slipping. The friction components are divided into four kinds of modules with different materials and fields of application. Hence, the non-slip shoe grip can be used all year round. Material and manufacturing method were analyzed in the program CES EduPack and the sole decided to be manufactured by molding synthetic rubber and the friction components by injection molding of the plastic polyvinylchloride. A brief calculation of the manufacturing costs was made with the 1-3-9 method, and the selling price was estimated to 60 SEK. Finally a presentation model was constructed and presented at the KEXpo-exhibit

Warantia : A non-slip shoe grip for quality shoes

Denna rapport behandlar ett examensarbete där ett halkskydd för kvalitetsskor tagits fram. Halkolyckor bland fotgängare är vanligt förekommande i Sverige då tusentals personer skadas varje år, främst under vintertid på grund av is och snö. För att minska risken för halka kan man bland annat använda halkskydd på skorna, men befintliga lösningar ansågs brista gällande utseende och användarvänlighet. Syftet med projektet var att minska halkolyckor genom att konstruera ett halkskydd för kvalitetsskor som var diskret och stilrent men även enkelt att ta på och av. Projektet avgränsades till promenad i stadsmiljö där målgruppen var stilmedvetna personer i alla åldrar. Projektet inleddes med en förstudie som la grunden till identifiering av problemområden samt fastställande av krav och önskemål på produkten. Fem olika koncept togs fram som utvärderades och testades och som till sist ledde till ett slutgiltigt koncept. Det slutgiltiga konceptet Warantia är ett halkskydd bestående av en gummiskydd som omfamnar skons sula och klack, samt 10 friktionskomponenter som motverkar halka. Friktionskomponenterna finns i fyra olika modulvarianter med olika material och användningsområden vilket gör att halkskyddet kan användas året runt. Material och tillverkning analyserades i programmet CES EduPack och sulan valdes att tillverkas genom gjutning av syntetiskt gummi och friktionskomponenterna genom formsprutning av plasten polyvinylklorid. En enklare kostnadsanalys av produkten gjordes med 1-3-9 metoden där försäljningspriset beräknades till 60 kr. Slutligen tillverkades en presentationsmodell av halkskyddet som presenterades på KEXpomässan.This report covers a bachelor’s degree project in which a concept of a non-slip shoe grip for quality shoes was developed. Every year, thousands of people in Sweden get injured due to fall and slip accidents during winter. To avoid slipping, one can use non-slip shoe grips on their shoes, but existing products lack in terms of design and usability. The purpose of the project was to prevent fall and slip accidents by constructing a non-slip shoe grip for quality shoes. These were supposed be discreet and easy to put on and take off from the shoe. The project was limited to an urban environment and walking pace, and the target audience was people with style in all ages. The project started with an information search in order to identify the main problems and thereby set requirements and requests on the product. From these requirements and requests, a number of ideas and solutions were generated and led to five different concepts. Before choosing the final concept, all concepts were tested and evaluated. The final concept, named Warantia, is a non-slip shoe grip for quality shoes that consists of a sole and 10 friction components that prevent the user from slipping. The friction components are divided into four kinds of modules with different materials and fields of application. Hence, the non-slip shoe grip can be used all year round. Material and manufacturing method were analyzed in the program CES EduPack and the sole decided to be manufactured by molding synthetic rubber and the friction components by injection molding of the plastic polyvinylchloride. A brief calculation of the manufacturing costs was made with the 1-3-9 method, and the selling price was estimated to 60 SEK. Finally a presentation model was constructed and presented at the KEXpo-exhibit

Logistics in construction work

Logistik inom byggbranschen genomgår ständigt utveckling. Nya teorier testas och logistiken utvecklas i takt med att byggnadsmaterial och produktionsmetoder förändras. Tidigare studier visar att 30-35 % av ett projekts produktionskostnad består av slöseri som är direkt kopplat till bristfällig logistik. Större maskiner som grävmaskin och hjullastare utnyttjas endast 28 % av arbetstiden till värdeskapande aktiviteter. Arbetsplatstillskottstid (APL-tid) vilket är tiden för väntan, störningar, hinder och avbrott beskrivs ta upp ca 33 % av arbetarnas arbetstid (Josephson & Saukkoriipi, 2005).  Syftet med denna fallstudie är att genom observationer och intervjuer granska logistiken inom anläggningsarbeten. Vidare belysa de problem och ekonomiska förluster som uppstår kopplat till APL-tid samt redovisa förslag på åtgärder för dessa. Detta examensarbete har som avsikt att bidra till utveckling inom området logistik och leverans inom anläggningsarbeten. I studien framgår det att flertalet av de problem som leder till APL-tid uppstår ur bristande kommunikation, obefintligt utnyttjande av tillgängliga logistikverktyg, och personlighetsbaserade faktorer. Resultat visar att ca 45 % av arbetstiden för grävmaskiner och yrkesarbetare i genomsnitt går till APL-tid. Detta innebär ett, i genomsnitt, icke-utnyttjat värde/år på ca 990 000 kr/grävmaskin samt 275 000 kr/yrkesarbetare. Utöver detta visar fallstudien att APL-tid kopplat till leveranser och överskridna raster innebär ett, i genomsnitt, icke-utnyttjat värde/år på ca 197 000 kr för leveranser och ca 19 000 kr/person för överskridna raster.  Sju rekommendationer gavs för att minska kostnader kopplat till APL-tid. Dessa bestod av att utnyttja befintliga verktyg, konkreta exempel på hur kommunikation kan förbättras och förslag på införande av stämpelklocka för att minska andelen överskriden rast.Logistics in the construction industry is constantly evolving. New theories are tested and logistical solutions are developed as building materials and production methods change. Previous studies show that a large proportion of a worker's labor is spent onnon-valuable activities. Workplace supplement time which includes waiting, interruption, disturbances and obstacles is described as approximately a third of a worker's labor.The purpose of this case study is to review logistics in civil engineering work through observations and interviews on ongoing projects for Skanska AB. Furthermore, highlight the problems and financial losses that are connected to workplace supplement time and present measure proposals for these. This report is intended to contribute to development in the area of logistics and delivery in civil engineering.This case study shows that most of the problems occur due to poor communication, non-existent use of logistics tools and factors based on personality such as attitude and work ethic. The result shows that the average cost spent on workplace supplement time per year in civil engineering is approximately 990 000 sek/excavator, 275 000 sek/professional worker, 197 000 sek/truck and 19 000 sek/worker for the amount of exceeded breaktime.Recommendations to reduce the cost connected to workplace supplement time based on the results were to take advantage of the logistics tools that are available, introduce new ways to improve the communication and install a stamp clock to reduce the amount of exceeded breaktime among workers