Kandidat examenskatalog 2008 Valands konsthögskola

This project had the aim to produce an exhibition catalogue for the Valand School of fine Arts (BA level). The purpose was to give the student a professional frontage and to visualize there exhibition concept through the catalogue. What elements, typography and shapes should be used for this purpose? How important is the physical format that the catalogue has? Through a massive sketch phase I came to see the difficulties in creating an exhibition catalogue. What type of images, shapes and expressions that could represent the concept behind this specific art exhibition was hard to find. What shape should the catalogue have? The work became more than just making an exhibition catalogue, the catalogue had to communicate the specific concept in a clear way. Therefore a strong and different identity had to be made. That was done firstly through the format of the catalogue, and the placement of the student work. The result is a catalogue that is looking a bit different than the most common catalogues. Another aim with this project was to develop a deeper overview of how things are working at a practical level at the printer studio

Colour and form

This article investigates how expressions of vocational knowing regarding colour and form changed in Swedish upper secondary floristry education between 1990 and 2015. An analytical approach is used which falls within the framework of a sociocultural interpretation of educational activity. During the period studied, subject matter related to colour and form became increasingly formalised. Empirical data was obtained from multiple sources, including two interviews with an experienced senior teacher, which helped to reveal the local history of a leading Swedish floristry school. The findings of the article are as follows: (i) conceptualisation, verbal analysis and reflection have gained prominence in Swedish floristry education since the 1990s, and (ii) these tools have increasingly served to help participants in education make and express aesthetic judgements. Through a discussion of various aspects of contemporary Swedish floristry education, the article illuminates the complexity of long-term changes in vocational knowing

The role of O-linked sugars in determining the very low density lipoprotein receptor stability or release from the cell

AbstractThe very low density lipoprotein receptor is a member of the low density lipoprotein receptor supergene family for which two isoforms have been reported, one lacking and the other containing an O-linked sugar domain. In order to gain insight into their functionality, transient and stable transformants separately overexpressing previously cloned bovine variants were analyzed. We report evidence that the variant lacking the O-linked sugar domain presented a rapid cleavage from the cell and that a large amino-terminal very low density lipoprotein receptor fragment was released into the culture medium. As only minor proteolysis was involved in the other very low density lipoprotein receptor variant, the clustered O-linked sugar domain may be responsible for blocking the access to the protease-sensitive site(s). To test this hypothesis, a mutant Chinese hamster ovary cell line, ldlD, with a reversible defect in the protein O-glycosylation, was used. The instability of the O-linked sugar-deficient very low density lipoprotein receptor on the cell surface was comparable to that induced by the proteolysis of the variant lacking the O-linked sugar domain. Moreover, our data suggest that the O-linked sugar domain may also protect the very low density lipoprotein receptor against unspecific proteolysis. Taken together, these results indicate that the presence of the O-linked sugar domain may be required for the stable expression of the very low density lipoprotein receptor on the cell surface and its absence may be required for release of the receptor to the extracellular space. The exclusive expression of the variant lacking the O-linked sugar domain in the bovine aortic endothelium opens new perspectives in the physiological significance of the very low density lipoprotein receptor

Thymidine Kinase 2 Deficiency-Induced mtDNA Depletion in Mouse Liver Leads to Defect beta-Oxidation

Thymidine kinase 2 (TK2) deficiency in humans causes mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion syndrome. To study the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease and search for treatment options, we previously generated and described a TK2 deficient mouse strain (TK2(-/-)) that progressively loses its mtDNA. The TK2(-/-) mouse model displays symptoms similar to humans harboring TK2 deficient infantile fatal encephalomyopathy. Here, we have studied the TK2(-/-) mouse model to clarify the pathological role of progressive mtDNA depletion in liver for the severe outcome of TK2 deficiency. We observed that a gradual depletion of mtDNA in the liver of the TK2(-/-) mice was accompanied by increasingly hypertrophic mitochondria and accumulation of fat vesicles in the liver cells. The levels of cholesterol and nonesterified fatty acids were elevated and there was accumulation of long chain acylcarnitines in plasma of the TK2(-/-) mice. In mice with hepatic mtDNA levels below 20%, the blood sugar and the ketone levels dropped. These mice also exhibited reduced mitochondrial beta-oxidation due to decreased transport of long chain acylcarnitines into the mitochondria. The gradual loss of mtDNA in the liver of the TK2(-/-) mice causes impaired mitochondrial function that leads to defect beta-oxidation and, as a result, insufficient production of ketone bodies and glucose. This study provides insight into the mechanism of encephalomyopathy caused by TK2 deficiency-induced mtDNA depletion that may be used to explore novel therapeutic strategies

To be an immigrant and a patient in Sweden: A study with an individualised perspective

The aim is to describe how experiences of being an immigrant can influence the situation when becoming a patient in Swedish health care. A hermeneutic approach was used. Sixteen persons born in non-Nordic countries were interviewed. The data was analysed with an empirical hermeneutical method. The findings indicate that positive experiences (i.e., establishing oneself in a new home country) enhance the possibilities of taking part in caring situations and vice versa. Hence, there is a need for individually adapted care that takes one's whole life situation into consideration. Consequently, it is suggested that the concept, “cultural competence” merely serves the purpose of illuminating caregivers' need for categorisation. It does not illuminate individual needs in a caring situation

Blood flow and metabolism in the corpus luteum of the rat : in vivo and in vitro studies on the ovarian luteal and follicular compartment of the rat

The ovary undergoes cyclic changes in follicular growth and luteogenesis due to the action of gonadotropins and steroids. The ovary and especially the corpus luteum has an exteremely high blood flow. There is a gap in our knowledge about the physiological role of the high blood flow of the corpus luteum. The production of lactate, progesterone and cyclic AMP of follicles and corpora lutea incubated in vitro was analyzed and related to the tissue content of ATP to elucidate possible connections between oxygen and substrate levels and energy consumption, steroid output and LH responsiveness in vitro. It was also considered of interest to investigate if the oxygen tensions needed for ATP and progesterone production of the follicle and the corpus luteum differed. A corpus luteum model using adult pseudopregnant rats was developed and characterized according to criteria for identification of corpora lutea as well as levels of plasma steroids and gonadotropins. In vitro progesterone production was compared to plasma progesterone levels. The absolute blood flow of corpora lutea of different ages and the response to injection of hCG, noradrenaline and antidiuretic hormone was investigated with the microsphere technique. Relative blood flow changes of follicles and corpora lutea during follicular growth and luteogenesis in vivo were studied by injecting radiolabelled microspheres to anaesthetized immature rats at different time periods after injection of an ovulatory dose of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin. This approach was chosen to investigate the possible relation between follicular/luteal blood flow, steroid output and morphology in relation to the endogenous gonadotropin surge, ovulation and luteogenesis. Hormonal stimulation by injection of hCG and noradrenaline increased total ovarian blood flow but no evidence was found for a parallelism between luteotropism and blood flow. The increasing effect of hCG on ovarian blood flow was partly due to a shunting of blood from the uterus towards the ovary. The antidiuretic hormone potently decreased ovarian and uterine blood flow by 80-90% while blood flow of some other organs (e.g. kidney and spleen) were hardly affected. The corpus luteum of pseudopregnancy was found to produce 15“ 20 times more progesterone in vitro as compared to the preovulatory follicle. The steroidogenesis and energy production of corpora lutea was found to be more sensitive to decreases in oxygen tension in terms of tissue ATP levels and LH responsiveness of progesterone production while the follicle could compensate by increasing glycolysis. A parallelism between follicular/luteal blood flow and progesterone production in vivo was found. It was shown that the formation, growth and progesterone production of the corpus luteum was accompanied by an increase in blood flow as well as vascularization as seen under the light microscope. The endogenous gonadotropin surge did not change follicular blood flow due to the development of a follicular oedema. We hypothesize that the corpus luteum function in vivo and in vitro is dependent on higher energy levels than the preovulatory follicle and that the transformation of the follicle to a corpus luteum is supported by a high nutritive blood flow possibly to support a high demand for energy-rich substrates.Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 1987, härtill 7 uppsatser.digitalisering@um

Educated Gaze on Flowers : The Formation of Vocational Knowing in Floristry Education

This article-based thesis focuses on the formation of vocational knowing within adult and upper secondary floristry education in Sweden. Three articles explore classroom interaction and assessment actions; a fourth considers changes in vocational subject matter during the period 1990–2015. While the first three articles draw on empirical data in the form of video and audio recordings in combination with participant observation, the fourth is based primarily on material-based interview data. All four articles share a sociocultural perspective on educational practice (Wertsch, 1998; Säljö, 2011, 2013) and a relational view of knowing (e.g., Carlgren, 2015; Molander, 1996), in combination with the use of conversation analysis (Goodwin &amp; Heritage, 1990; Sahlström &amp; Melander, 2010) as a tool to illuminate the formation of vocational knowing. The interaction between teacher, student, and floral arrangement is foregrounded to facilitate analysis of the formation of vocational knowing. The results contribute to our understanding of the schooling of the gaze (Goodwin, 1994; Grasseni, 2009, 2011) as appropriated by participants in the interaction. Floristry vocational knowing is shown to evolve in the temporal dimension, encompassing (a) financial and aesthetic values, (b) verbal and non–verbal communication, (c) botanical material and tools, and (d) making. The respective roles and interrelations of these four components of vocational knowing in floristry are discussed. The contribution of the thesis is twofold. First, these articles contribute to the understanding of vocational education through close appraisal of the formation of vocational knowing. Second, in exploring the previously under-researched field of Swedish floristry vocational education, the thesis bridges a gap in existing knowledge of the evolution of Swedish vocational education. As floristry education is little researched internationally, the thesis also contributes to the wider body of international research. At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 3: Submitted. Paper 4: Submitted. </p

Blood flow and metabolism in the corpus luteum of the rat : in vivo and in vitro studies on the ovarian luteal and follicular compartment of the rat

The ovary undergoes cyclic changes in follicular growth and luteogenesis due to the action of gonadotropins and steroids. The ovary and especially the corpus luteum has an exteremely high blood flow. There is a gap in our knowledge about the physiological role of the high blood flow of the corpus luteum. The production of lactate, progesterone and cyclic AMP of follicles and corpora lutea incubated in vitro was analyzed and related to the tissue content of ATP to elucidate possible connections between oxygen and substrate levels and energy consumption, steroid output and LH responsiveness in vitro. It was also considered of interest to investigate if the oxygen tensions needed for ATP and progesterone production of the follicle and the corpus luteum differed. A corpus luteum model using adult pseudopregnant rats was developed and characterized according to criteria for identification of corpora lutea as well as levels of plasma steroids and gonadotropins. In vitro progesterone production was compared to plasma progesterone levels. The absolute blood flow of corpora lutea of different ages and the response to injection of hCG, noradrenaline and antidiuretic hormone was investigated with the microsphere technique. Relative blood flow changes of follicles and corpora lutea during follicular growth and luteogenesis in vivo were studied by injecting radiolabelled microspheres to anaesthetized immature rats at different time periods after injection of an ovulatory dose of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin. This approach was chosen to investigate the possible relation between follicular/luteal blood flow, steroid output and morphology in relation to the endogenous gonadotropin surge, ovulation and luteogenesis. Hormonal stimulation by injection of hCG and noradrenaline increased total ovarian blood flow but no evidence was found for a parallelism between luteotropism and blood flow. The increasing effect of hCG on ovarian blood flow was partly due to a shunting of blood from the uterus towards the ovary. The antidiuretic hormone potently decreased ovarian and uterine blood flow by 80-90% while blood flow of some other organs (e.g. kidney and spleen) were hardly affected. The corpus luteum of pseudopregnancy was found to produce 15“ 20 times more progesterone in vitro as compared to the preovulatory follicle. The steroidogenesis and energy production of corpora lutea was found to be more sensitive to decreases in oxygen tension in terms of tissue ATP levels and LH responsiveness of progesterone production while the follicle could compensate by increasing glycolysis. A parallelism between follicular/luteal blood flow and progesterone production in vivo was found. It was shown that the formation, growth and progesterone production of the corpus luteum was accompanied by an increase in blood flow as well as vascularization as seen under the light microscope. The endogenous gonadotropin surge did not change follicular blood flow due to the development of a follicular oedema. We hypothesize that the corpus luteum function in vivo and in vitro is dependent on higher energy levels than the preovulatory follicle and that the transformation of the follicle to a corpus luteum is supported by a high nutritive blood flow possibly to support a high demand for energy-rich substrates.Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 1987, härtill 7 uppsatser.digitalisering@um

Searching Web Feeds from a Functional Database Management System

Web feeds are a popular technique to distribute information about contents of web pages. RSS and Atom are two standards used to syndicate web contents as web feeds. This project investigates how to make different kinds of Internet web feeds searchable by implementing a general wrapper for web feeds in an extensible and functional DBMS, Amos II. The system, RSS-Amos, makes it possible to search the contents of any RSS or Atom based web feed using the query language AmosQL. New web feeds simply have to be declared to the system in order to make them searchable. The system guarantees that added feeds always are up to date when queries are made. The wrapper is implemented in Java using the ROME API from java.net. The project includes an evaluation of the performance of the system. Due to the fact that the actual data sources are located on the Internet, a cache of read feeds has been implemented to improve performance. The cache makes queries over 150 times faster