Different neuroinflammatory profile in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia is linked to the clinical phase

Objective To investigate the role of neuroinflammation in asymptomatic and symptomatic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) mutation carriers. Methods The neuroinflammatory markers chitotriosidase 1 (CHIT1), YKL-40 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood samples from asymptomatic and symptomatic ALS/FTD mutation carriers, sporadic cases and controls by ELISA. Results CSF levels of CHIT1, YKL-40 and GFAP were unaffected in asymptomatic mutation carriers (n=16). CHIT1 and YKL-40 were increased in gALS (p<0.001, n=65) whereas GFAP was not affected. Patients with ALS carrying a CHIT1 polymorphism had lower CHIT1 concentrations in CSF (-80%) whereas this polymorphism had no influence on disease severity. In gFTD (n=23), increased YKL-40 and GFAP were observed (p<0.05), whereas CHIT1 was nearly not affected. The same profile as in gALS and gFTD was observed in sALS (n=64/70) and sFTD (n=20/26). CSF and blood concentrations correlated moderately (CHIT1, r=0.51) to weak (YKL-40, r=0.30, GFAP, r=0.39). Blood concentrations of these three markers were not significantly altered in any of the groups except CHIT1 in gALS of the Ulm cohort (p<0.05). Conclusion Our data indicate that neuroinflammation is linked to the symptomatic phase of ALS/FTD and shows a similar pattern in sporadic and genetic cases. ALS and FTD are characterised by a different neuroinflammatory profile, which might be one driver of the diverse presentations of the ALS/FTD syndrome

Development of new method for flow computations in vehicle ventilation ducts

It is desired by the CFD-engineers of the Climate team at Volvo Cars to be able to estimate the accuracy of the computed pressure drop over ventilation ducts in cars. It is also of interest to be able to accurately predict the velocity distribution in the ducts for a better prediction of the distribution in the car compartment. The present method of creating computational models of the ducts involves the use of `Wall Functions' in order to model the near wall region. An alternative method has been developed in this thesis work in which the boundary layer is fully resolved. This implies a different grid in the computational domain, different turbulence models have also been tested with the alternative method. The ventilation duct chosen for this study is the B-pillar duct. Unfortunately no test data are available for this duct and an academic experimental case has been used in order to investigate the impacts of the alternative method and also to investigate the accuracy of the present method. The results from the academic case study were used as input when models of the B-pillar duct were created. From the study of the academic case it was shown that the grid resolution of a model is of great importance in order to accurately predict the velocity distribution. A much higher grid resolution than what is generally obtained in the B-pillar duct models when using the present method must be achieved if it is desired to predict the velocity field in the ducts. Due to differences between the academic case and the B-pillar duct case and since no test data are available for the B-pillar duct, the accuracy of the computed pressure drop over the ventilation duct is difficult to estimate. Commonly for both cases were however that simulations with models created according to the alternative method resulted in a higher pressure drop than simulations with models created according to the present method.Validerat; 20101217 (root

Talutveckling vid läpp-käk-gomspalt : Samband mellan konsonantproduktion vid 18 månader och 3 år

Bakgrund En gomspalt påverkar oftast ett barns talutveckling. Barn med läpp-käk-gomspalt är dock en heterogen grupp, vilket innebär att det finns stora skillnader på hur talet kommer att utvecklas. Tidigare studier har funnit mönster som förefaller kunna predicera fonologiska nedsättningar i en äldre ålder. Fler studier behövs för att styrka resultaten.     Syfte Studiens huvudsyfte är att undersöka om det finns samband mellan konsonantproduktionen vid 18 månader och 3 års ålder.   Metod Nio barn med unilateral läpp-käk-gomspalt (ULKG) födda inom norra sjukvårdsregionen identifierades. Ljudinspelningar av ULKG-gruppen vid 18 månader och 3 år transkriberades av författarna för talbedömning. En referensgrupp om 12 deltagare utan läpp-käk-gomspalt åldersmatchades med ULKG-gruppen vid 3 års ålder. Vid 18 månaders ålder analyserades spontana yttranden, vid 3 år användes ordbenämning från SVANTE. Vid 18 månader analyserades antalet etablerade konsonanter, antal olika främre konsonanter och antal olika klusiler. Variabler som analyserades vid 3 år var: PCC-A, talavvikelser framför och bakom velofarynx, antal konsonantprocesser och antal etablerade konsonanter.   Resultat Korrelationsanalys mellan 18 månader och 3 år fann signifikans mellan antalet främre konsonanter och PCC-A samt antalet främre konsonanter och antal etablerade konsonanter. Jämförelse mellan ULKG-gruppen och referensgruppen vid 3 år visade på signifikanta skillnader för alla variabler.   Slutsatser Resultatet visar att vissa mönster kan ses vid 18 månader som kan användas för att predicera den fortsatta fonologiska utvecklingen vid 3 år. Vid 3 års ålder finns det skillnader i talutvecklingen mellan barn med LKG och referensgrupp. Ytterligare studier med fler deltagare föreslås

Development of driver environment in crane cabin

This report is the result of a master thesis performed at MacGREGOR (SWE) AB (Crane Division), Örnsköldsvik. MacGREGOR (SWE) AB (Crane Division) is the world’s leading marine cargo crane supplier with cranes designed for operation in harbor and sheltered water environments. The project aimed to identify and investigate needs and problem areas in the crane cabin with the purpose to design an ergonomic and user-friendly driver environment. Besides ergonomics and user interaction, sturdiness, comfort and safety have been keywords throughout the project. It has not been possible to observe drivers at work because of the world wide location of the cranes. Therefore needs and problem areas were identified through interviews with personnel at MacGREGOR (SWE) AB (Crane Division) and analysis through different methods and softwares such as I- deas, Jack and RULA. The project group has also been given the opportunity to drive a crane and observe the relations between regulators, indicators and driver. To investigate new solutions and designs, competitors and related technologies were thoroughly analyzed. Four concepts were created after the design specification was established. To see how well the concepts fulfilled the identified needs they were evaluated in a merit calculation table. Concept 1 “Rotate all” and concept 4 “Office chair” were then compared in a weak-point analysis. After consultation with the instructors at MacGREGOR (SWE) AB (Crane Division) it was decided that “Rotate all” was to be further developed. The final solution is a combination of new ideas and ideas from the four concepts in the concept design phase. Aspects considering function and form have been carefully thought out using theoretical guidelines in ergonomics, semiotics and gestalts. The new crane cabin emphasizes quality and a feeling for the company through colors, shape and placement. The new crane cabin is based on an adjustable interior suited for drivers between the 5th and 95th percentile. A major improvement is the rotating chair with integrated control levers on the armrests. The indicators and regulators are separated and now placed on the walls. The visual field is improved with a larger front window and a tilted floor window.Validerat; 20101217 (root

Miljöjournalistikens David och Goliat : En kvantitativ innehållsanalys av hur Greta Thunberg och Donald Trump har gestaltats i klimatfrågan i svenska tidningar under 2019

Syfte: Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur två av klimatdebattens största opinionsledare, Greta Thunberg och Donald Trump, har gestaltats i svenska tidningar under 2019. Frågeställningar: I vilken utsträckning finns det en relation mellan om Greta Thunberg och Donald Trump framställs positivt och negativt i förhållande till tidningens politiska färg? Vilka, om några, skillnader finns det i hur Greta Thunberg och Donald Trump har gestaltats i klimatfrågan i svenska tidningar under 2019? Teoretiskt ramverk: Det polariserade medielandskapet, gestaltningsteorin, dagordningsteorin och personifiering. Metod: I denna studie har vi använt oss av en kvantitativ innehållsanalys. Vi har sammanlagt kodat 200 artiklar i svenska tidningar, som är hämtade från mediearkivet Retriever. Artiklarna är publicerade mellan den 1 januari 2019 och den 13 november 2019. Efter att vi kodat artiklarna bearbetades datan i SPSS där deskriptiv statistik och korrelationsanalys genomfördes. Resultat och slutsats: I slutsatsen framkommer det att de svenska tidningarnas politiska orientering inte spelar någon roll för gestaltningen av Greta Thunberg och Donald Trump under 2019. Resultatet tyder snarare på att det kan finnas andra faktorer som påverkar journalisternas gestaltningar. Vidare ser vi att det finns en markant skillnad i hur Greta Thunberg och Donald Trump har gestaltats i de svenska tidningarna under 2019. Skillnaderna blir speciellt tydliga när man ser till vilka attribut journalisterna använder sig av i samband med gestaltningen av dem, samt hur ofta de blir visualiserade i bilder och rubriker

Whose feedback is mostimportant for employees in elderly care to experience job satisfaction?

Syftet med studien var att undersöka om det fanns skillnader i uppfattning av feedback (positiv, negativ och kvalité) beroende på om den kom från chef, medarbetare, vårdtagare eller anhörig inom äldreomsorgen. Ett ytterligare syfte var att undersöka vilken feedbackkälla som bäst predicerar generell arbetstillfredsställelse. Studien genomfördes på sju äldreboenden där 87 anställda deltog. De mätinstrument som användes i studien var FES-skalan som mätte de olika aspekterna av feedback, samt Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) som mätte arbetstillfredsställelse. Resultatet visade att källan chef predicerade generell arbetstillfredsställelse bäst av de fyra källorna, samt att det var aspekten kvalité som bidrog mest i modellen. Positiv feedback från vårdtagare och negativ feedback från chef skattades högst. Resultatet visade även att den interna reliabiliteten för samtliga feedbackaspekter inom varje källa var god. Avslutningsvis visade resultatet att inre arbetstillfredsställelse skattades högre än yttre arbetstillfredsställelse.The purpose with this study was to examine whether there were differences in the perceptions of feedback (positive, negative and quality) depending on whether it came from the supervisor, co-workers, patients, or family members in nursing homes. A further aim was to examine which feedback-source that best predicts job satisfaction. The study was conducted on seven nursing homes where 87 employees participated. The instruments used in the study were FES-scale that measured the different scales of feedback, and the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) which measured job satisfaction. The results showed that the source supervisor predicted overall job satisfaction best of the four sources, and that the aspect quality contributed most to the model. Positive feedback from patients and negative feedback from supervisor was rated highest. The results also showed that the internal reliability for all the feedback aspects of each source was good. In conclusion, the results showed that internal job satisfaction was rated higher than external job satisfaction

Processorientering : En undersökning av samarbetet mellan process- och resursägare

År 2011 startade SDC, skogsnäringens IT-företag, arbetet med att övergå från en funktionsorganisation till en processorganisation. Detta har medfört förändringar i ledarskapet då tidigare avdelningschefer har ersatts med process- och resursägare. Syftet med denna undersökning har varit att identifiera förbättringsförslag för samarbetet mellan process- och resursägare vid SDC. Studien har en kvalitativ ansats då samarbetet mellan process- och resursägare har studerats. En kvalitativ ansats har valts då målet är att uppfatta informanternas upplevelser kring samarbetet mellan process- och resursägare så nära verkligheten som möjligt. En litteraturstudie har genomförts av webbaserade och skriftliga källor för att skapa en teoretisk bakgrund. Intervjuer har genomförts för att skapa en bild av hur samarbetet mellan process- och resursägare fungerar idag, hur andra processorienterade organisationers process- och resursägare samarbetar samt för att skapa en ytterligare teoretisk synvinkel. En enkät har utförts på samtliga medarbetare vid SDC som berörts av processinförandet i syfte att tydliggöra deras syn på det förändrade ledarskapet. Resultatet har visat på möjligheter till att förbättra resursägarens rollbeskrivning, kommunikationen mellan process- och resursägare och den gemensamma prioriteringsbilden. Resultatet har också visat på vikten av att anskaffa tid för att arbeta med dessa frågor. För att förbättra samarbetet mellan process- och resursägare och för att skapa en ökad tydlighet i organisationen bör SDC se över ovanstående förbättringsförslag.In 2011 SDC, the forestry IT-company started the process of transition from a functional organization to a process organization. This has resulted in changes in the leadership, with a former department head being replaced by a process owner and a resource owner. The aim of this survey was to identify a proposal for improvements in relation to the cooperation between the process owner and the resource owner at the company SDC. The survey was conducted using a qualitative approach. This approach has been chosen as the goal to understanding the informants' experiences around the cooperation between the process owner and the resource owner as close to reality as was possible. The investigation consists of literature studies to create a theoretical back-ground. The interviews were held to create an image in relation to how cooperation between process owners and resource owners are working today, how this cooperation works in other process oriented organizations and to create an additional theoretical point of view. An inquiry has been conducted into all employees affected by the organizational change in order to clarify their views on the changed leadership. The results have demonstrated the ability to improve the description roles for both the process owner and the resource owner, the communication between them and the common priorities. The results have also shown the importance of time being made available to work on these issues. In order to improve the cooperation between the process owner and the resource owner and to create greater transparency in the organization, SDC should review the above suggestions

Obalans mellan arbetet och privatlivet bland offentliganställda : betydelsen av kontroll och socialt stöd på arbetsplatsen

Obalans mellan arbetet och privatlivet kan leda till ohälsa och sjukfrånvaro. Det finns visst stöd i forskning för att kontroll och socialt stöd i arbetet var för sig relaterar till individers upplevelse av balans. I denna studie undersöks relationen mellan socialt stöd, kontroll och  obalans mellan arbete och privatliv. Vidare studeras additiva och multiplikativa effekter. Data är hämtad från en undersökning som gjorts inom offentlig sektor (vård, omsorg och skola) i mellersta Sverige. Enkäten skickades ut till 743 anställda och svarsfrekvensen var 51 procent. En linjär regression genomfördes med obalans som utfall. Resultatet visar att kontroll och socialt stöd i arbetet är skyddande faktorer mot obalans. Det finns en additiv effekt, och kontroll och socialt stöd har tillsammans en högre förklaringsgrad än var för sig.Perceived imbalance between work and private life might lead to ill health and sickness absenteeism at work. Research support the fact that two factors: job control and social support can reduce individuals’ perception of imbalance. In this study we investigate the relationships between job control, social support and imbalance between work and private life focusing on additive and mul-tiplicative effects. Data is collected in public sector (care and school) in mid Sweden. The questionnaire was send to 743 employees and response rate was 51 per cent. A linear regression was conducted.Results show that job control and social support buffer against imbalance bet-ween work and private life. There exist an additive effect, social support and job control jointly has a higher effect on imbalance and the two factors separately

SLC38A10 knockout mice display a decreased body weight and an increased risk-taking behavior in the open field test

The solute carrier 38 family (SLC38) is a family of 11 members. The most commonsubstrate among these are alanine and glutamine, and members are present in a widerange of tissues with important functions for several biological processes, such as liverand brain function. Some of these transporters are better characterized than others and,in this paper, a behavioral characterization of SLC38A10−/− mice was carried out. Abattery of tests for general activity, emotionality, motor function, and spatial memorywere used. Among these tests, the elevated plus maze, Y-maze, marble burying, andchallenging beamwalk have not been tested on the SLC38A10−/− mice previously, whilethe open field and the rotarod tests have been performed by the International MousePhenotyping Consortium (IMPC). Unlike the results from IMPC, the results from this studyshowed that SLC38A10−/− mice spend less time in the wall zone in the open field testthan WT mice, implying that SLC38A10-deficient mice have an increased explorativebehavior, which suggests an important function of SLC38A10 in brain. The present studyalso confirmed IMPC’s data regarding rotarod performance and weight, showing thatSLC38A10−/− mice do not have an affected motor coordination impairment and havea lower body weight than both SLC38A10+/− and SLC38A10+/+ mice. These resultsimply that a complete deficiency of the SLC38A10 protein might affect body weighthomeostasis, but the underlying mechanisms needs to be studied further

The influence of health-risk perception and distress on reactions to low-level chemical exposure

The general aim of the current study was to investigate how perceived health risk of a chemical exposure and self-reported distress are related to perceived odor intensity and odor valence, symptoms, cognitive performance over time as well as reactions to blank exposure. Based on ratings of general distress, 20 participants constituted a relatively low distress group, and 20 other participants a relatively high distress group. Health risk perception was manipulated by providing positively and negatively biased information regarding n-butanol. Participants made repeated ratings of intensity, valence and symptoms and performed cognitive tasks while exposed to 4.7 ppm n-butanol for 60 min (first 10 min were blank exposure) inside an exposure chamber. Ratings by the positive and negative bias groups suggest that the manipulation influenced perceived health risk of the exposure. The high distress group did not habituate to the exposure in terms of intensity when receiving negative information, but did so when receiving positive information. The high distress group, compared with the low distress group, rated the exposure as significantly more unpleasant, reported greater symptoms and performed worse on a cognitively demanding task over time. The positive bias group and high distress group rated blank exposure as more intense. The main findings suggest that relatively distressed individuals are negatively affected by exposures to a greater degree than non-distressed