Gene Expression in Embryos From Norwegian Red Bulls With High or Low Non Return Rate: An RNA-Seq Study of in vivo-Produced Single Embryos

publishedVersio

The microbiota of uterine biopsies, cytobrush and vaginal swabs at artificial insemination in Norwegian red cows

acceptedVersio

A many-analysts approach to the relation between religiosity and well-being

The relation between religiosity and well-being is one of the most researched topics in the psychology of religion, yet the directionality and robustness of the effect remains debated. Here, we adopted a many-analysts approach to assess the robustness of this relation based on a new cross-cultural dataset (N=10,535 participants from 24 countries). We recruited 120 analysis teams to investigate (1) whether religious people self-report higher well-being, and (2) whether the relation between religiosity and self-reported well-being depends on perceived cultural norms of religion (i.e., whether it is considered normal and desirable to be religious in a given country). In a two-stage procedure, the teams first created an analysis plan and then executed their planned analysis on the data. For the first research question, all but 3 teams reported positive effect sizes with credible/confidence intervals excluding zero (median reported β=0.120). For the second research question, this was the case for 65% of the teams (median reported β=0.039). While most teams applied (multilevel) linear regression models, there was considerable variability in the choice of items used to construct the independent variables, the dependent variable, and the included covariates

A Many-analysts Approach to the Relation Between Religiosity and Well-being

The relation between religiosity and well-being is one of the most researched topics in the psychology of religion, yet the directionality and robustness of the effect remains debated. Here, we adopted a many-analysts approach to assess the robustness of this relation based on a new cross-cultural dataset (N = 10, 535 participants from 24 countries). We recruited 120 analysis teams to investigate (1) whether religious people self-report higher well-being, and (2) whether the relation between religiosity and self-reported well-being depends on perceived cultural norms of religion (i.e., whether it is considered normal and desirable to be religious in a given country). In a two-stage procedure, the teams first created an analysis plan and then executed their planned analysis on the data. For the first research question, all but 3 teams reported positive effect sizes with credible/confidence intervals excluding zero (median reported β = 0.120). For the second research question, this was the case for 65% of the teams (median reported β = 0.039). While most teams applied (multilevel) linear regression models, there was considerable variability in the choice of items used to construct the independent variables, the dependent variable, and the included covariates

In vivo Pharmacokinetic Interactions of Finasteride and Identification of Novel Metabolites

The general aim of this thesis was to improve the understanding of the in vivo pharmacokinetics and, in particular, the metabolism of finasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor used in the treatment of enlarged prostate glands and male pattern baldness. CYP3A4 has been identified as the major enzyme involved in the sequential metabolism of finasteride to ω-OH finasteride (M1) and ω-COOH finasteride (M3). The consequences of induced and inhibited metabolism on the pharmacokinetics of finasteride and its metabolites were investigated in humans and pigs. Both studies included bile collection. The collected human and pig samples were used for the metabolite identification. As expected, induced metabolism led to reduced plasma exposure of finasteride and inhibited metabolism had the opposite effect. The interactions were investigated in detail and included examination of the biliary pharmacokinetics of finasteride and its metabolites. In pigs, the study included monitoring of the hepatic extraction over time, deconvolution and the development of a semi-physiological model for comparison of the effects on the gut wall and liver metabolism. For M3, the concentration ratios of bile to plasma and the renal clearance indicated that carrier-mediated processes are involved in the biliary and urinary excretion. This was not, however, the case for finasteride. The metabolite, M1, could not be quantified either in humans or pigs. Instead, two other OH metabolites, M1 isomers, were identified in humans. These metabolites were found to undergo glucuronide conjugation. In humans, one glucuronide was identified intact and in pigs, both glucuronides were identified intact in bile and in urine. In addition, a glucuronide of M3 was identified in human bile. In conclusion, advances have been made in the understanding of the pharmacokinetics of finasteride, in particular in relation to the metabolism. Hopefully, the findings of this comprehensive investigation can be applied to other drugs and novel chemical entities

In vivo Pharmacokinetic Interactions of Finasteride and Identification of Novel Metabolites

The general aim of this thesis was to improve the understanding of the in vivo pharmacokinetics and, in particular, the metabolism of finasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor used in the treatment of enlarged prostate glands and male pattern baldness. CYP3A4 has been identified as the major enzyme involved in the sequential metabolism of finasteride to ω-OH finasteride (M1) and ω-COOH finasteride (M3). The consequences of induced and inhibited metabolism on the pharmacokinetics of finasteride and its metabolites were investigated in humans and pigs. Both studies included bile collection. The collected human and pig samples were used for the metabolite identification. As expected, induced metabolism led to reduced plasma exposure of finasteride and inhibited metabolism had the opposite effect. The interactions were investigated in detail and included examination of the biliary pharmacokinetics of finasteride and its metabolites. In pigs, the study included monitoring of the hepatic extraction over time, deconvolution and the development of a semi-physiological model for comparison of the effects on the gut wall and liver metabolism. For M3, the concentration ratios of bile to plasma and the renal clearance indicated that carrier-mediated processes are involved in the biliary and urinary excretion. This was not, however, the case for finasteride. The metabolite, M1, could not be quantified either in humans or pigs. Instead, two other OH metabolites, M1 isomers, were identified in humans. These metabolites were found to undergo glucuronide conjugation. In humans, one glucuronide was identified intact and in pigs, both glucuronides were identified intact in bile and in urine. In addition, a glucuronide of M3 was identified in human bile. In conclusion, advances have been made in the understanding of the pharmacokinetics of finasteride, in particular in relation to the metabolism. Hopefully, the findings of this comprehensive investigation can be applied to other drugs and novel chemical entities

Umgänge - för barnets bästa? : En kvalitativ studie utifrån nio socialarbetares erfarenheter om umgänge.

Umgängesfrågan är en komplex del i arbetet med familjehemsplaceringar. Syftet med denna uppsats är att skapa förståelse för hur socialarbetarna ser på sitt handlingsutrymme i umgängesfrågan och vilka hinder och möjligheter de beskriver påverkar umgänget. Studiens analysmaterial består av nio stycken kvalitativa intervjuer med socialarbetare där de delar med sig av sina upplevelser kring umgängesfrågan utifrån sin professionella roll. Den insamlade empirin analyserades utifrån begreppet gräsrotsbyråkrati, handlingsutrymme och barnperspektivet. Resultatet redogör fem framträdande teman i intervjuerna som sammankopplas med uppsatsen frågeställningar. Resultatet av studien visade att socialarbetarna utgår från ett barnperspektiv där barnets bästa är i fokus men att de genom lagstiftningen inte alltid endast kan fokusera på barnet utan måste samtidigt förhålla sig till andra påverkande aktörer, främst föräldrar men även familjehemmet. Resultatet visade också att ett barnperspektiv inte alltid kan utgå från barnets bästa i stunden utan att eventuella framtida konsekvenser också måste tas hänsyn till. Platsen för umgänge lyftes av socialarbetarna fram som viktig och en brist i kommunen de arbetar i är avsaknad av lokal att ha umgängena i. Biologiska föräldrar och familjehemmet kan både möjliggöra och hindra umgänget beroende på deras inställning och beteende. Resultatet visade också att samarbete och ett tredelat föräldraskap mellan biologiska föräldrar, familjehemsföräldrar och socialtjänst möjliggör umgänge.

Vi är ju ändå designade att vara sociala varelser : En kvalitativ studie om medarbetares upplevelser av distansarbete under coronapandemin

Title: “After all, we are designed to be social beings” - A qualitative study on employees’experience of teleworking during the corona pandemic Authors: Anna Bengtsson & Liselotte Lundahl Abstract The aim of this study is to examine how employees in the white-collar sector experience their work situation during mandatory teleworking caused by the corona pandemic. The aim is to answer four questions concerning self-discipline, employer control, work requirements, decision-making space, social support and impact on well-being. The empirical material comprises semi-structured interviews with eight officials who share the experience ofteleworking. The theoretical framework includes Karasek's & Theorell's demand-control-support model and Foucault's theory of power. The results show that self-discipline varies and changes among the employees, with the exception of a few, who continue to have a high level of self-discipline. Great self-discipline is also required to maintain social relations during teleworking. Further, the results show a reduced level of employer's control; there was an uncertainty among the employees about the extent of the employer's supervision. The results also show increased demands for independence, self-determination and decision-making space. There are experiences of reduced decision-making space in connection with difficulties in getting help from colleagues during remote work. Social support has decreased during teleworking, which also affects well-being.The main reason for reduced well-being is the feeling of loneliness and isolation. The conclusions are that teleworking primarily changes communication from being personal to becoming work-related during the corona pandemic. Furthermore, it appears that digital gatherings cannot replace the physical ones. Keywords: Krav, Kontroll, Stöd, Självdisciplin, Teleworking, Telecommuting, Distansarbete,Covid-19, Job demands, Self-control, Self-discipline, Emotional support, Wellbeing, Flexiblework.Sammanfattning Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur medarbetare inom tjänstemannasektorn upplever sin arbetssituation under tvingande distansarbete orsakat av coronapandemin. Syftet är att besvara fyra frågeställningar om självdisciplin, arbetsgivarens kontroll, arbetskrav ochbeslutsutrymme, socialt stöd samt påverkan på välbefinnande. Det empiriska materialet består av semistrukturerade intervjuer med åtta tjänstemän som delar med sig av sina upplevelser. Det teoretiska ramverket innefattar Karaseks & Theorells krav-kontroll-stöd-modell och Foucaults maktteori.Resultaten visar att självdisciplinen varierar och förändras hos informanterna med undantag av ett fåtal som har fortsatt hög självdisciplin. En hög självdisciplin krävs även för att bibehålla de sociala relationerna under distansarbetet. Resultaten visar en minskad kontroll från arbetsgivaren. Dock råder en osäkerhet kring omfattningen av arbetsgivarens övervakning. Resultaten visar ökade krav på självständighet och självbestämmande och ökat beslutsutrymme. Likväl framkommer upplevelser av minskat beslutsutrymme i samband med svårigheter att få hjälp från kollegor under distansarbetet. Det sociala stödet har minskat under distansarbetet, vilket även påverkar välbefinnandet i någon form. Den främsta orsaken till minskat välbefinnande är känslan av ensamhet och isolering. Slutsatserna blir att distansarbetet under särskilda omständigheter framför allt förändrar kommunikationen från att vara personlig till att bli arbetsrelaterad under coronapandemin. Vidare framkommer att digitala sammankomster inte kan ersätta de fysiska. Sökord: Krav, Kontroll, Stöd, Självdisciplin, Teleworking, Telecommuting, Distansarbete,Covid-19, Job demands, Self control, Self discipline, Emotional support, Wellbeing, Flexiblework