CD14 is a coreceptor of Toll-like receptors 7 and 9

CD14 interacts with and is essential for the functions of endosomal TLR7 and TLR9 in mice

The Inexorable Spread of a Newly Arisen Neo-Y Chromosome

A newly arisen Y-chromosome can become established in one part of a species range by genetic drift or through the effects of selection on sexually antagonistic alleles. However, it is difficult to explain why it should then spread throughout the species range after this initial episode. As it spreads into new populations, it will actually enter females. It would then be expected to perform poorly since it will have been shaped by the selective regime of the male-only environment from which it came. We address this problem using computer models of hybrid zone dynamics where a neo-XY chromosomal race meets the ancestral karyotype. Our models consider that the neo-Y was established by the fusion of an autosome with the ancestral X-chromosome (thereby creating the Y and the ‘fused X’). Our principal finding is that sexually antagonistic effects of the Y induce indirect selection in favour of the fused X-chromosomes, causing their spread. The Y-chromosome can then spread, protected behind the advancing shield of the fused X distribution. This mode of spread provides a robust explanation of how newly arisen Y-chromosomes can spread. A Y-chromosome would be expected to accumulate mutations that would cause it to be selected against when it is a rare newly arrived migrant. The Y can spread, nevertheless, because of the indirect selection induced by gene flow (which can only be observed in models comprising multiple populations). These results suggest a fundamental re-evaluation of sex-chromosome hybrid zones. The well-understood evolutionary events that initiate the Y-chromosome's degeneration will actually fuel its range expansion

Municipal opportunity to utilize Smart City technology to improve industry development in the bluegreen sector

Master's thesis in Industrial economicsJanuary 1st 2020 three municipalities will become one. Finnøy, Rennesøy and Stavanger municipality as they are known today will cease to exist, and a new municipality, New Stavanger, will emerge. The merger is an effort to increase robustness and improve municipal servitization of citizens. This thesis has focuses on how the new municipality will operate the bluegreen sector, and how smart city technology can contribute to the new municipal management of these. The thesis has collected information and discussed the municipal room for negotiation and analyzed the new municipality’s ability to achieve a well-functioning municipal structure for these industries. How can Smart City technology help improve the municipal management of Agriculture and Aquaculture in New Stavanger Municipality? As the societal challenges grow more complex, Stavanger municipality saw a need to develop a more collaborative method to operate. To accomplish this, they created a smart city office, which works on encouraging industrial entrepreneurship through collaboration, citizen involvement, and technology. The thesis shows that New Stavanger has great potential for achieving the expert committee’s criteria for a well-functioning municipal structure. The thesis also shows that the municipal room for negotiation is limited, especially concerning aquaculture. Within the municipal room for negotiation, their main room for improvement is within the optimization of processes, and through focused strategies and holistic planning. The agricultural sector benefits more from a close cooperation with the municipality, but are perceived as very adaptable. The findings of this thesis point to the agriculture industry benefitting from better information about possible opportunity for industrial entrepreneurship and actions. Aquaculture is not subsidized and the industry has a high degree of technology and development. It is also managed through the county and governmental agencies. The industry will still reap great dividend from increased transparency into planning processes, and that the management office for bluegreen sector will have greater capacity to utilize their competence in hearings and professional foundation towards political processes. New Stavanger can be subject to unintended and possibly harmful silo structuring, which in turn will lead to waste of competence and resources. The findings in this thesis show that technology can contribute to create overview and focus, which will help New Stavanger increase their degree of collaboration within and citizen involvement. This will strengthen the industry development for the sector, both in terms of increased profitability and concerning reducing emissions from the sector

A quality indicator set for use in rehabilitation team care of people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases; development and pilot testing

Background Systems for monitoring effectiveness and quality of rehabilitation services across health care levels are needed. The purpose of this study was to develop and pilot test a quality indicator set for rehabilitation of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. Methods The set was developed according to the Rand/UCLA Appropriateness Method, which integrates evidence review, in-person multidisciplinary expert panel meetings and repeated anonymous ratings for consensus building. The quality indicators were pilot-tested for overall face validity and feasibility in 15 specialist and 14 primary care rehabilitation units. Pass rates (percentages of “yes”) of the indicators were recorded in telephone interviews with 29 unit managers (structure indicators), and 164 patients (process and outcome indicators). Time use and participants’ numeric rating of face validity (0–10, 10 = high validity) were recorded. Results Nineteen structure, 12 process and five outcome indicators were developed and piloted. Mean (range) sum pass rates for the structure, process and outcome indicators were 59%(84%), 66%(100%) and 84%(100%), respectively. Mean (range) face validity score for managers/patients was 8.3 (8)/7.9 (9), and mean answering time was 6.0/5.5 min. The final indicator set consists of 19 structure, 11 process and three outcome indicators. Conclusion To our knowledge this is the first quality indicator set developed for rehabilitation of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. Good overall face validity and a feasible format indicate a set suitable for monitoring quality in rehabilitation. The variation in pass rates between centers indicates a potential for quality improvement in rheumatic and musculoskeletal rehabilitation in Norway

A quality indicator set for use in rehabilitation team care of people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases; Development and pilot testing

Background: Systems for monitoring effectiveness and quality of rehabilitation services across health care levels are needed. The purpose of this study was to develop and pilot test a quality indicator set for rehabilitation of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. Methods: The set was developed according to the Rand/UCLA Appropriateness Method, which integrates evidence review, in-person multidisciplinary expert panel meetings and repeated anonymous ratings for consensus building. The quality indicators were pilot-tested for overall face validity and feasibility in 15 specialist and 14 primary care rehabilitation units. Pass rates (percentages of “yes”) of the indicators were recorded in telephone interviews with 29 unit managers (structure indicators), and 164 patients (process and outcome indicators). Time use and participants’ numeric rating of face validity (0–10, 10 = high validity) were recorded. Results: Nineteen structure, 12 process and five outcome indicators were developed and piloted. Mean (range) sum pass rates for the structure, process and outcome indicators were 59%(84%), 66%(100%) and 84%(100%), respectively. Mean (range) face validity score for managers/patients was 8.3 (8)/7.9 (9), and mean answering time was 6.0/5.5 min. The final indicator set consists of 19 structure, 11 process and three outcome indicators. Conclusion: To our knowledge this is the first quality indicator set developed for rehabilitation of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. Good overall face validity and a feasible format indicate a set suitable for monitoring quality in rehabilitation. The variation in pass rates between centers indicates a potential for quality improvement in rheumatic and musculoskeletal rehabilitation in Norway. Keywords: Rehabilitation, Musculoskeletal diseases, Quality indicators, Health care, Delphi techniqu