Medium versus difficult visual search: How a quantitative change in the functional visual field leads to a qualitative difference in performance

The dominant theories of visual search assume that search is a process involving comparisons of individual items against a target description that is based on the properties of the target in isolation. Here, we present four experiments that demonstrate that this holds true only in difficult search. In medium search it seems that the relation between the target and neighbouring items is also part of the target description.We used two sets of oriented lines to construct the search items. The cardinal set contained horizontal and vertical lines, the diagonal set contained left diagonal and right diagonal lines. In all experiments, participants knew the identity of the target and the line set used to construct it. In difficult search this knowledge allowed performance to improve in displays where only half of the search items came from the same line set as the target (50% eligibility), relative to displays where all items did (100% eligibility). However, in medium search, performance was actually poorer for 50% eligibility, especially on target-absent trials.This opposite effect of ineligible items in medium search and difficult search is hard to reconcile with theories based on individual items. It is more in line with theories that conceive search as a sequence of fixations where the number of items processed during a fixation depends on the difficulty of the search task: When search is medium, multiple items are processed per fixation. But when search is difficult only a single item is processed

Lätta och lika tv-nyheter? : En studie i mångfald och tabloidisering inom och mellan public service och det kommersiella

Mångfald i nyhetsmedier är ett brett område som flitigt debatteras och forskas. Ämnet är högaktuellt i tider då mediefältet och samhället i snabb takt förändras och nyhetsmedier i allt hårdare grad tävlar om läsare, lyssnare och tittare samtidigt som lönsamheten sjunker och uppsägningar och nedskärningar är vardag på redaktionerna. Mångfald kan mätas på flera olika sätt med hjälp av variabler som till exempel ämnesmångfald och geografisk mångfald. Det finns många förutfattade meningar som florerar i den allmänna debatten om nyhetsmångfalden, eller närmare bestämt brister i den, och vad de bristerna kan leda till. Målet med denna avhandling är att vetenskapligt, både kvantitativt och kvalitativt undersöka flera mångfaldsindikatorer i tv-nyheterna både inom och mellan public service och det kommersiella på ett allt hårdare konkurrensutsatt finländskt mediefält. I denna avhandling undersöks tv-nyheternas mångfald bland annat med hjälp av begrepp som ämnesmångfald, geografisk mångfald och genom mätning och jämföring av ett mångfaldsindex. Frågan om följderna av hårdare konkurens och eventuell mindre mångfald innefattar naturligt också forskning och diskussion kring politicotainment och en kommersialisering eller tabloidisering av nyheter på tv. Också TV-Nytts speciella roll som ända svenskspråkiga nyhetsmedium på tv behandlas. Betydelsen av minoritetsmedia överlag diskuteras och TV-Nytts position och funktion granskas genom en undersökning av om mediet uppfyller sin roll och sina målsättningar som minoritetsmedia och genom det ytterligare bidrar till mångfalden i nyhetsutbudet. Resultaten av en mer omfattande kvantitativ innehållsanalys med stöd av en begränsad kvalitativ forskningskomponent påvisar en förhållandevis hög mångfald i de finländska tv-nyheterna. Det finns skillnader i nyhetsutbudet rent ämnesmässigt men också andra mått på mångfald som form och presentationssätt tyder på variation också i graden av kommersialisering mellan TV-Nytt, TV-Uutiset och MTV3-Uutiset. Resultaten påvisar också mönster som tyder på att graden av kommersialisering av nyheterna är högre på MTV3 än på Yle. Intressant är TV-Nytts roll som enda svenska nyhetsmedium på tv i Finland och uppfyllandet av kraven som ställs på mediet som minoritetsmedium med tanke på fosrkningresultatet. Medan ämnesfördelningen bland de unika nyheterna huvudsakligen följer samma mönster som fördelningen ämnesområden totalt i de enskilda medierna är det värt att notera på vilket sätt det svenska i Finland lyfts fram. Föga överraskande var det TV-Nytt som stod för svenskan, förutom vad gäller rapporteringsspråk också innehållsmässigt. Men desto intressantare är att svenskan eller nyheter med anknytning till det finlandssvenska inte fick någon plats alls i de övriga medierna

Aquaculture effluents as fertilizer in hydroponic cultivation

This paper evaluates the prospects for utilizing aquaculture effluents as a nutrient source in organic hydroponic, as is the case in aquaponics. The development of organic hydroponics is dependent on replacing synthetic fertilizers with organically derived nutrients, such as those found in aquaculture effluents. Also, in hydroponic cultivation the establishment of a plant pathogen suppressive micro flora is part of the plant protection strategy. Therefore, both nutritional and microbial qualities of aquaculture water and organic hydroponic nutri-ent solution were analyzed and compared. Results showed both aquaculture water and or-ganic hydroponic solution to be deficient in a number of essential elements, although or-ganic hydroponic solution was closer to recommendations. The organic nutrient solution had the highest densities of aerobic bacteria as well as fluorescent pseudomonades. Levels of fluorescent pseudomonades in aquaculture water were significantly lower after passing through the biofilter. Qualitative analysis of microorganisms in an actual aquaponic farm would help to better understand the composition of the micro flora in this unique environ-ment and its implications for nutrient cycling as well as plant health.Detta arbete utvärderar möjligheterna att använda vattnet från fiskodlingar som näringskäl-la i ekologisk hydroponisk odling, så som är fallet i akvaponiska odlingssystem. Att ersätta syntetiska gödselmedel med organiska är avgörande för utvecklingen av ekologisk hydro-ponisk odling. Dessutom ingår etablering av en sjukdomsundertryckande mikroflora som en del av växtskyddsstrategin i moderna hydroponiska odlingar. Därför analyserades och jämfördes både näringsmässiga och mikrobiella egenskaper hos fiskodlingsvatten med de från en ekologisk hydroponisk näringslösning. Resultaten visade att både den hydroponis-ka näringslösningen och fiskodlingsvattnet hade brist på flertalet essentiella västnärings-ämnen, dock var den ekologiska näringslösningen mest optimal. Den ekologiska närings-lösningen hade högst densitet av aeroba bakterier, så väl som av fluorescerande pseudo-monader. Nivån av svampar var likvärdig. Halten av fluorescerande pseudomonader var märkbart mindre efter att fiskodlingsvattnet passerat anläggningens biofilter. En kvalitativ analys av mikrofloran i en akvaponisk odling skulle kunna öka förståelsen av mikroorganismers uppträdande i denna unika miljö samt potentiell inverkan på växt-skydd och växtnäringscykeln

Clinical studies in multiple myeloma

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is an incurably disease of the bone marrow. It is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of clonal plasma cells (PCs) and leads to production of non-functional gammaglobulin. Clinical features include loss of normal bone marrow function, defect bone structure and kidney failure. The first historical cases were described as “mollities ossium” in the 1840s. Atypical urine samples were described already in the 1840s but the specific pattern on electrophoresis of serum from MM patients was described in 1939. PCs are highly specialized cells derived from B-lymphocytes. Every single PC produces a single class of antibody - one heavy chain (IGH) of IgG, IgA, IgD or IgE class and one light chain (IgL) κ or λ. Current evidence suggests MM evolves from a non-malignant state – MGUS, Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance. Assessment of chromosomal abnormalities is powerful in predicting outcome and there are also data suggesting that different treatment modalities are more efficient in treating MM with certain abnormalities. The first modern treatment attempts were performed in the 1940s with urethane. Combination therapy of melphalan and prednisone (MP) was invented in 1969 and remained standard therapy until early 2000s when Thalidomide and Bortezomib was introduced. Stem cell transplant as treatment for younger patients were evolved in the 1980s and is still standard therapy. Paper I is based upon a retrospectively collected database of all 1837 MM patients diagnosed at 15 Swedish between the years 2000 to 2011. From this material, we selected all patients treated with melphalan and prednisone (MP) or MP with added thalidomide (MPT) in 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th lines of treatment, a total number of 888. A meta-analysis of six previous clinical studies comparing MP to MPT in previously untreated MM could show a 6 months benefit to MPT. In our study median OS from beginning of 1st line of treatment was 2.2/4.2 years after MP/MPT respectively, and in 2nd, 3rd and 4th line of treatment 1.8/2.9, 1.4/1.6 and 1.1/1.9 years (P < 0.0001, 0.003, 0.74 and 0.235). The benefit of MPT over MP was bigger in our study compared to the randomized clinical studies. Minor differences in patient characteristics could partly explain the difference, though the difference still remained after adjusting for these markers. In paper II, we show, in a pan-Nordic collaborative study, with patients from Sweden, Norway and Denmark, the impact of chromosomal abnormality of gain 1q21. From a cohort of in total 930 patients, 347 patients, with known 1q21 status, were studied and divided into 3 groups; gain 1q21, other chromosomal abnormalities (del (13q), del (17p), t(4;14) and/or t(14;16)) (OA) and no chromosomal abnormalities (NA). We observed the most dismal outcome from the gain 1q21 group and best outcome in NA with OA in between, treating with conventional cytostatic drugs. Adding Thal, Bor or Len to treatment could overcome poor prognosis in the NA group, but not for patients with gain 1q21. Paper III and IV were both based on a prospective clinical study on Lenalidomide (Len) naïve relapsed or refractory MM patients, starting at the second line of treatment, in two parts, studying Len in combination with Dexamethasone (Dex). The first part, an observational study on LenDex in standard dosing up to 9 cycles with 133 participating patients showed a good response rate (79% ≥PR) and a median time to progression (TTP) of 19 months. At response, PR or better, and two more consolidating cycles, patients were offered to enter a randomized phase II study, randomizing between continuous LenDex treatment and Len as single drug. There was a statistically insignificant trend to better progression free survival (PFS) in the LenDex group. No difference in overall survival (OS) could be shown. In the fourth study we looked upon whether different single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ATP-binding cassette sub-family B member ABCB1 gene, encoding P-glycoprotein (P-gp) could have clinically effect on response rate and survival in the same patient cohort. P-glycoprotein is a transmembrane transport protein that is responsible for the extrusion of several drugs over the cell membrane. It is localized, among others, in the intestinal mucosa and the kidney tubules and this protein could both affect uptake and excretion of several drugs. ABCB1 is known as a marker for resistance to different chemotherapeutic agents. In our study we could show no significant differs in response or survival data between groups with different SNPs in the ABCB1 gene in the whole population, but in the low risk group according to cytogenetics, there was a significant difference in time to progression from difference in SNP in 1199G>A genotype, favoring patients with G/A over G/G genotype

In and out of slavery:The penal labourers of the early modern Danish-Norwegian state

I tidligt moderne Danmark-Norge blev mandlige forbrydere ofte dømt til hårdt arbejde i institutioner kendt som slaverier. Arbejdet kom både hæren og flåden til gode. De største af denne type institutioner var Trunken (1620-1741), der var placeret på Københavns flådeværft, og Stokhuset (1741-1860), der lå i det nordlige København. Om natten var fangerne spærret inde i disse fængsler. Om dagen arbejdede de i større slæng på havnen eller rundtomkring i byen. Arbejdets primære funktion var opbyggelse og vedligeholdelse af statens militære infrastruktur, såsom skibe og fæstningsværker. Denne artikel bruger fængslernes fangeprotokoller i perioden 1690-1790 (4.300 fanger i alt) til at identificere de mange forskellige veje, som ledte mænd ind og ud af dette strafarbejde. Med inspiration fra Marcel van der Lindens arbejder med tvangsarbejdets globalhistorie bliver livet som straffefange undersøgt som tre momenter: indgang, selve udnyttelsen af arbejdskraften og udgang. Hvert af disse momenter kunne tage mange forskellige former. I mange tilfælde kunne straffefangens liv endda forme loops, hvor udgangen af én form for tvangsarbejde blot var begyndelsen på en anden. To individuelle livshistorier udforskes i artiklen for at vise den kompleksitet, dette i praksis kunne medføre

Labour market attachment among parents and self-rated health of their offspring:an intergenerational study

Background Unemployment influences the individual’s health, whether this effect passes through generations is less studied. The aim of this intergenerational study was to investigate whether parents’ labour market attachment (LMA) were associated with self-rated health (SRH) among adolescents using preceding labour market events. Methods The study was performed using questionnaire data from the Danish Future Occupation of Children and Adolescents cohort (the FOCA cohort) of 13 100 adolescents (mean age 15.8 years) and their accompanying parents identified through registers. Adolescents’ SRH was measured using one item from SF-36. Information on parents’ LMA was obtained from a national register, analyzed on a weekly basis in a 5-year period before the adolescents completed the questionnaire. An integration indicator was calculated from an initial sequence analysis to determine how well the parents were integrated in the labour market. The association between the adolescents’ SRH and parents’ LMA was examined by logistic regression and an extended sequence analysis stratified on adolescents’ SRH. Results Totally, 29.1% of the adolescents reported moderate SRH. The adjusted odds ratios (OR) of moderate SRH was higher among adolescents of parents with low labour market integration (OR: 1.5 95% CI: 1.3–1.6 for fathers and OR: 1.4 95% CI: 1.2–1.5 for mothers). Also, adolescents with moderate SRH had parents who were less integrated in the labour market and had more weeks on non-employment benefits compared with the adolescents, who reported high SRH. Conclusions Unstable LMA among parents affected SRH among their adolescent children, indicating a negative effect of labour market marginalization across generations.publishedVersio