Population structure and genetic diversity in the nannandrous moss Homalothecium lutescens: does the dwarf male system facilitate gene flow?

Nannandry is a sexual system where males ("dwarf males") are much smaller than the conspecific females. Dwarf males occur in a wide range of unrelated organisms but the evolutionary advantages of this condition are poorly understood. The dwarf male sexual system results in differences in the mode of dispersal and establishment as well as the life span between males and females. Such differences must have profound effects on the population dynamics and genetic structures. We have studied four populations of the nannandrous moss Homalothecium lutescens in southern Sweden. We genotyped dwarf males and female shoots with the aim of describing the genetic diversity and structure of the populations

Open access-böcker som vetenskapligt kommunikationsmedel i en svensk kontext : forskares attityder till den fritt tillgängliga digitala boken

Scholarly books still play an important role in some scientific disciplines, mainly the humanities and some social sciences. Publication in open access format is still not a requirement when it comes to scholarly books in Sweden, but will likely be in the near future. Academic libraries often play an important role when it comes to supporting researchers in scholarly communication and it is likely that this role will become even more prominent. Because of this, it is important from a library and information studies perspective that the libraries have a clear idea of the problems that face researchers in the context of open access book publishing. The aim of this master’s thesis is to study researcher’s perceptions of the ongoing technology shift within scholarly communication from printed books to openly accessible digital books, and also to investigate to what extent open access is established as the solution for the problems that researchers face in the context of scholarly communication through books. To study these questions, we have used the social construction of technology (SCOT) framework in combination with the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT). The SCOT-framework allows us to examine how open access is constructed as the solution to certain problems experienced by the relevant social group researchers. UTAUT has functioned as a tool to measure acceptance and identify central problems experienced by the researchers. We conducted a survey among researchers at a Swedish university about experience of and attitudes towards open access book publishing. In addition, we interviewed five researchers about attitudes and strategies towards publishing, the future of the academic book and open access. The study revealed four main problem areas associated with open access scholarly communication: 1) accessibility and dissemination, 2) quality control, 3) merit and prestige, 4) skepticism towards technology. In addition, we identified two more factors that are highly relevant in the context of open access book publishing: how digitization affects the book format, and other relevant social groups. Open access can only really be seen as a solution to the first problem, that of accessibility and dissemination, but is still generally accepted among researchers as the only way forward. Master’s thesis in library and information studies

Mutational and gene fusion analyses of primary large cell and large cell neuroendocrine lung cancer.

Large cell carcinoma with or without neuroendocrine features (LCNEC and LC, respectively) constitutes 3-9% of non-small cell lung cancer but is poorly characterized at the molecular level. Herein we analyzed 41 LC and 32 LCNEC (including 15 previously reported cases) tumors using massive parallel sequencing for mutations in 26 cancer-related genes and gene fusions in ALK, RET, and ROS1. LC patients were additionally subdivided into three immunohistochemistry groups based on positive expression of TTF-1/Napsin A (adenocarcinoma-like, n = 24; 59%), CK5/P40 (squamous-like, n = 5; 12%), or no marker expression (marker-negative, n = 12; 29%). Most common alterations were TP53 (83%), KRAS (22%), MET (12%) mutations in LCs, and TP53 (88%), STK11 (16%), and PTEN (13%) mutations in LCNECs. In general, LCs showed more oncogene mutations compared to LCNECs. Immunomarker stratification of LC revealed oncogene mutations in 63% of adenocarcinoma-like cases, but only in 17% of marker-negative cases. Moreover, marker-negative LCs were associated with inferior overall survival compared with adenocarcinoma-like tumors (p = 0.007). No ALK, RET or ROS1 fusions were detected in LCs or LCNECs. Together, our molecular analyses support that LC and LCNEC tumors follow different tumorigenic paths and that LC may be stratified into molecular subgroups with potential implications for diagnosis, prognostics, and therapy decisions

On the diversity and richness of understory bryophytes at Nectandra Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica

A survey of the understory bryophytes in the Nectandra Cloud Forest Preserve yielded 1083 specimens distributed among 55 families, represented by 74 genera of mosses, 75 genera of liverworts and 3 of hornworts. We studied and analyzed the bryophytic distribution on six types of substrates: 1) corticolous, 2) epiphyllous, 3) saxicolous, 4) terricolous, 5) aquatic and 6) lignicolous. The richness and composition of bryophyte genera are compared to those of other previous bryophyte surveys from 4 other sites with different oceanic exposures, climatic and geographic conditions in Costa Rica

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms

Genetic variation and sexual reproduction in a moss with dwarf males, Homalothecium lutescens

Dwarf males occur in many unrelated groups of organisms. Among land plants they are unique to mosses. Moss dwarf males originate from male spores that land and germinate on the female where their final size is restricted to a few mm. Fertilization in mosses occur over short distances with swimming spermatozoids. Having the males growing as tiny epiphytes on the females facilitates fertilization, as the male and female sexual organs are positioned more closely together. Many things are unknown about the moss dwarf males. In this thesis we investigate dispersal and establishment of dwarf males and female shoots within populations of a moss with dwarf males, Homalothecium lutescens. We also investigate regulation of spore germination on the female shoots. Finally, we investigate population genetic variation and structure as well as gene flow and levels of inbreeding in populations with high abundance of dwarf males. Our results confirm that the presence of dwarf males increase the level of fertilization. Dwarf males are often more closely related to their host shoot, which indicates that spores are mostly dispersed locally. In accordance, we showed that inbreeding levels were generally high. However, polyandry together with sporadic fertilization of dwarf males originating from non-host females appears to maintain the genetic variation on relatively high levels. We could not find any mechanisms that prevent or limit inbreeding, but as the significance of inbreeding depression in mosses is unclear, it is difficult to draw any conclusions regarding potential consequences. Dwarf males and females appear to follow two different recruitment models. Female shoots follow a repeated recruitment model where new females are rarely but continuously recruited from spores. Dwarf males on the other hand, follow a metapopulation or source-sink dynamics. Local dwarf male populations may occasionally go extinct (as a result of their individual short life span and drought sensitivity), but the high dispersal potential of spores and the ability of dwarf males to establish in high numbers in mature colonies, enables re-colonization when conditions improve. We also showed that spores from the moss Isothecium alopecuroides (another moss with dwarf males) could not develop into dwarf males on shoots of H. lutescens. Prevention of spore germination in mature colonies has been shown before and could be a mechanism to prevent hybridization or reduce competition. In contrast, spores from the sister species Homalothecium sericeum were able to develop into fertile dwarf males on shoots of H. lutescens. This result suggests a previously unexplored hybridization pathway between closely related species and could alter the way we view reproductive isolation in mosses

Kursplanen - läraren - slöjdundervisningen

Syftet med denna studie är att bidra till kunskapsutvecklingen angående ämnet slöjd. Studien består av två delar. I den första delen jämförs kursplanen i slöjd i Lgr11 med Kpl2000 i en kvalitativ dokumentstudie. I den andra delen undersöks hur lärare i slöjd ser på kursplanen i Lgr11 och om de anser att dokumentet används, samt hur de motiverar ämnet slöjd i dagens grundskola. Detta genomförs genom kvalitativa forskningsintervjuer av åtta slöjdlärare. Studien visar att lärarna anser att delar i kursplanen i slöjd i Lgr11 är otydliga, samt att det råder stor spridning i hur mycket och på vilka sätt dokumentet används. Studien visar också att lärarna har svårt att motivera ämnet

The adaptive background of nannandry: dwarf male distribution and fertilization in the moss Homalothecium lutescens

Dwarf males (nannandry) occur in many unrelated, mostly aquatic, groups of organisms. Among land plants they are unique to bryophytes. In this study our aim was to explain variation in frequency of dwarf males and fertilization within populations in the moss Homalothecium lutescens. We compared parameters related to dwarf male presence and sporophyte production in 90 colonies from three localities. Dwarf male density was positively associated with colony moisture at two of the localities, suggesting increased spore germination and dwarf male survival with moist conditions. At one of these localities, dwarf male density was also positively associated with the presence of perichaetia (female sexual branches). Dwarf male density and fertilization frequency were positively associated in two of the localities. Furthermore, in one population, fertilization was also positively associated with canopy cover, which could be attributed to improved nutrient status as a result of throughfall, increased sperm-dispersal efficiency because of larger water drops, or more favourable moisture conditions as a result of shading. Nannandry thus appears to strongly reduce the problem of short fertilization distances in bryophytes, but the presence of water is still critical because the dwarf males are dependent on a certain level of humidity for recruitment and/or development. (C) 2014 The Linnean Society of London

"Jag vill ta en bild på det som jag önskar mig"

”Jag vill ta en bild på det som jag önskar mig” En fallstudie om barns möjlighet att styra dokumentationstillfällen på en förskola. Under de senaste åren har det skett stora förändringar i den Svenska förskolan. Läroplanen för förskolan reviderades år 2010 där strävansmål och riktlinjer togs bort respektive lades till. I samband med detta betonade utbildningsdepartementet (2010) syftet med användning av dokumentation, uppföljning och utvärdering, även känt som pedagogisk dokumentation. Pedagogisk dokumentation ska synliggöra händelser samt hjälpa pedagoger att få en förståelse för vad som sker i en verksamhet. Vår studie fokuserar på barns perspektiv som enligt Sommer, Pramling Samuelsson och Hundeide (2011) utgår från barns erfarenheter, tankar samt förståelse av sin egen omvärld. Syftet är att undersöka hur barns perspektiv synliggörs vid dokumentationer samt hur olika faktorer kan påverka barns möjlighet att styra en dokumentation. Syftet undersöks med hjälp av insamlad empiri från en förskola där vi har utfört intervjuer, samtal med barn under promenader samt observationer. Genom detta har vi fått ta del av både vuxnas och barns erfarenheter och tankar kring den dokumentation som är en del av deras vardag i förskolan. Analysen visar att barns perspektiv respektive barns möjlighet att styra dokumentationer förekommer vid vissa tillfällen. I samtal med både vuxna och barn blev det tydligt att barnen är inkluderade i reflektionsarbetet. Barnen får även en möjlighet att bestämma samt styra över hur pärmar och dokument utformas på avdelningarna. Vårt resultat visar också att barnen gärna vill ta egna bilder men att det nästan alltid är de vuxna som fotograferar. Under analysarbetets gång har det synliggjorts mönster och dilemman, vid två intervjuer diskuterade personalen att de känner av en viss tidsbrist när de arbetar med dokumentation. Detta upplevde vi även som en möjlig faktor som kan påverka barns möjlighet att styra dokumentationer

Fragmented game narrative

Förutom en del analepsis existerar inte icke-kronologi i någon större utsträckning i majoriteten av nutida datorspel. Och trots att icke-kronologi förekommer i andra medier finns det de som knappt vet vad begreppet innebär. Denna studie ämnar därför titta på hur man kan göra icke-kronologiska spel där spelaren kan påverka berättelsen, för att undersöka hur ett icke-kronologiskt och icke-linjärt datorspel upplevs. Efter att ha skapat en visual novel som sedan testades återgav deltagarna att den icke-kronologiska berättelsen var lite förvirrande initialt, men att icke-kronologin överlag uppskattades och att de ville se mer av det i datorspel. Deltagarna kände att de kunde påverka olika mycket och det verkar hänga samman med hur mycket de kände att de kunde påverka slutet. För att ta det här vidare bör gränserna på interaktivitet i icke-kronologiska datorspel testas, samt undersöka ifall icke-kronologi är bra för att utveckla den kognitiva förmågan