The landscape architect as a communicator : mains and means in communication through design of environments

Detta arbete har undersökt landskapsarkitektens möjligheter och utmaningar att kommunicera genom formgivning av miljöer med utgångspunkt i en undersökning av Skogskyrkogårdens symboliskt gestaltade landskap. Genom en litteraturöversikt undersöktes arkitekternas visioner med Skogskyrkogårdens gestaltning och hur deras visioner förmedlats till mottagaren genom visuella upplevelser. En analys av gestaltningen genomfördes genom Jay Appletons (1996) analysmodell med utgångspunkt ur teorierna om The Prospect and Refuge och The Habitat Theory. Målet var att undersöka vilka delar av gestaltningen som en majoritet av platsens besökare uppfattar och vilka som i stället inte kunnat anses vara allmängiltiga. Resultaten landade i en diskussion som belyste svårigheterna att i ett pluralistiskt samhälle använda sig av formgivning baserat på kulturella och historiska symboler, där formgivning som i stället baseras på miljöpsykologins kunskaper om människans uppfattningar av miljöer, ansågs mer allmängiltiga.This essay investigates how landscape architects are able to communicate through design and what mains and means they may confront in their practice. The subject of the investigation is the Woodland Cemetery in southern Stockholm, known to be a landscape designed with symbolic impact. A literature summary has been the main method of investigation with the purpose to visualize the visions of the creators of the Woodland Cemetery and their chosen design. An analysis has also been applied to examine what areas of the landscape of the Woodland Cemetery that communicate with the main part of the visitors through its design. Two theories by Jay Appleton (1996) called The Prospect and Refuge and The Habitat Theory have been applied to the investigation as well as an analytical model that derives from the two theories. The investigation ended up in a discussion about difficulties to communicate through design that use cultural or historical symbolism in a pluralistic society. The use of design based on knowledge in environmental psychology showed instead itself to be an area of more possibilities

Greenblue cloudburst management : a case study on cloudburst protection for already existing buildings in Stockholm

På senare år har skyfall skapat översvämningar globalt, och mer frekvent i Sverige än tidigare. Dessa översvämningar har orsakat stora skador på hus och infrastruktur. Det har blivit viktigare att skapa klimatresilienta städer och det händer mycket inom området. När nya byggnader uppförs är det numera vanligt att inkorporera lösningar som skyddar mot översvämningar redan i planeringsstadiet. På grund av förtätning av städer och överbelastade ledningssystem kan äldre byggnader vara mer utsatta gällande dagvattenproblematik än nybyggda hus. Detta arbete ämnade presentera förslag på metoder för att skydda befintliga byggnader i äldre urban miljö, på sätt som är kostnadseffektiva, socialt- och miljömässigt hållbara samt enkla att sköta. Som framgår i fallstudien har en plats givna förutsättningar stor betydelse för hur åtgärder kan utformas. Idag finns digitala verktyg som underlättar översikt av skyfallsrisker, men det är viktigt att utföra platsbesök för att minska risken för felkällor. Det har länge funnits en grundprincip att inte bebygga mark som kan bli översvämmad vid skyfall, men denna regel efterlevs inte alltid. Trots de utmaningar dagvattenhantering kan innebära finns det potentiellt stora nyttor och möjligheter. Tydligare lagstiftning och krav på dagvattenhantering skulle kunna ha en positiv inverkan. Det skulle också vara fördelaktigt om dagvatten övergripande hanterades som en gemensam utmaning och ansvar. Om varje stad var förberedd att hantera 20 mm regn, skulle ett skyfalls följder mildras avsevärt. Öppen dagvattenhantering är effektivt för att snabbt ta omhand stora regnmängder och ger ökade förutsättningar för biodiversitet och miljömässiga nyttor.n recent years cloudbursts have caused floods globally and more frequently in Sweden than before, causing a lot of damage to houses and infrastructure. The need for resilience in the cities has become more urgent, and there are a lot of things happening on the subject. When new buildings are constructed, ways of protecting the buildings against floods are more common than before. Older buildings are in some cases worse off considering water management due to the densification of cities and old sewage systems, however they are seldomly the focus of flooding investments. In this thesis we aimed to propose methods to protect older buildings in urban environments regarding economics, environmental sustainability and maintenance. As shown in the case study, given conditions dictates how changes can be implemented. Today there are digital tools that facilitates pluvial flood risk assessments, however it is still important to visit the site to eliminate potential errors. It has long been a fundamental rule not to build in areas prone to flooding, although this rule is sometimes overlooked. Despite the challenges presented by urban water management there are also possibilities and benefits. Stricter laws and demands concerning water management could have positive effects. Another positive effect would come from handling the challenges and responsibilities regarding water management collectively. If each city was individually prepared to handle 20 mm of rain the consequences of a cloudburst would be significantly mitigated. Open water management is efficient in rapidly handling large amounts of rain and also presents opportunities for biodiversity and other environmental benefits

Comparative study of two tools intended for ecosystem service analyses

Det nuvarande stadsplaneringsidealet leder till att många städer blir allt tätare och att urbana grönytor går förlorade i en accelererande takt. Förtätningen bidrar därmed till att livsviktiga ekosystemtjänster utarmas eller elimineras totalt, vilket i sin tur resulterar i ett flertal negativa konsekvenser på samhällelig nivå. Att ekosystemtjänster utarmas extensivt påverkar exempelvis den allmänna folkhälsan, den biologiska mångfalden och städers förmåga att hantera skadliga naturfenomen. Med anledning av detta är det viktigare än någonsin tidigare att medvetenheten kring ekosystemtjänster ökar, och att deras bevarande prioriteras. För att bevarandet överhuvudtaget ska vara möjligt krävs det att ekosystemtjänster kan synliggöras och identifieras på ett korrekt vis. På grund av detta är syftet med uppsatsen att undersöka och jämföra två olika analysmetoder som används för att identifiera ekosystemtjänster. Anledningen till att denna undersökning genomförs är för att ta reda på om valet av analysmetod har någon signifikant påverkan på resultatet, det vill säga om samma plats kan få varierande värden beroende på vilken analysmetod som nyttjas. Analysmetoderna som valdes för jämförelsen är Boverkets ESTER 2.0, samt Ekologigruppens EKOguide. För att kunna jämföra dessa analysverktyg applicerades de på Siegbahnsparken i centrala Uppsala, där ekosystemtjänster haft en nyckelroll i utformningen. Det kunde konstateras att båda analysverktygen har fördelar och nackdelar, samt styrkor och svagheter. Det fastställdes även att samma plats kan få varierande värden beroende på vilken analysmetod som används. Utifrån detta kunde ett flertal slutsatser dras, bland annat att det är problematiskt att analysverktygen inte producerade likvärdiga resultat eftersom detta är en förutsättning för att ekosystemtjänster ska kunna bevaras. De skilda resultaten kan även få konsekvenser för städers förmåga att uppnå FN:s globala mål på lång sikt.The current urban planning ideal causes cities to become increasingly dense and urban green spaces to be lost at an accelerating rate. Therefore, the densification contributes to the degradation or total elimination of vital ecosystem services, which in turn results in a number of negative consequences on a societal level. The extensive reduction of ecosystem services affects, for example, general public health, biological diversity, and cities ability to manage harmful natural phenomena. Due to this, it is more important than ever before that the awareness of ecosystem services increases, and that their conservation is prioritized. In order for the conservation to be possible, it is required that ecosystem services can be made visible and identified correctly. Because of this, the purpose of this paper is to examine and compare two different analysis methods used to identify ecosystem services. The reason why this subject is being examined is to determine whether the choice of analysis method has any significant influence on the result, as in, if the same location can get varying values depending on which analysis method is used. The analysis methods chosen for this comparison are Boverket’s ESTER 2.0 and Ekologigruppen’s EKOguide. In order for the comparison to be possible, the analysis methods were applied to the Siegbahns-park in central Uppsala, where ecosystem services played a key role in the design. It could be established that both analysis methods have advantages and disadvantages, as well as strengths and weaknesses. It was also determined that the same location can get varying values depending on which analysis method is used. Based on this, a number of conclusions could be drawn, including that it is problematic that the analysis methods did not produce equivalent results, since this essential for ecosystem services to be preserved. The different results can also have consequences for cities’ ability to achieve the UN:s global goals in the long term

Journal Staff

Discoba (Excavata) is an ancient group of eukaryotes with great morphological and ecological diversity. Unlike the other major divisions of Discoba (Jakobida and Euglenozoa), little is known about the mitochondrial DNAs(mtDNAs) of Heterolobosea. We have assembled a complete mtDNA genome from the aggregating heterolobosean amoeba, Acrasis kona, which consists of a single circular highly AT-rich (83.3%) molecule of 51.5 kb. Unexpectedly, A. kona mtDNA is missing roughly 40% of the protein-coding genes and nearly half of the transfer RNAs found in the only other sequenced heterolobosean mtDNAs, those of Naegleria spp. Instead, over a quarter of A. kona mtDNA consists of novel open reading frames. Eleven of the 16 protein-coding genes missing from A. kona mtDNA were identified in its nuclear DNA and polyA RNA, and phylogenetic analyses indicate that at least 10 of these 11 putative nuclear-encoded mitochondrial (NcMt) proteins arose by direct transfer from the mitochondrion. Acrasis kona mtDNA also employs C-to-U type RNA editing, and 12 homologs of DYW-type pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins implicated in plant organellar RNA editing are found in A. kona nuclear DNA. A mapping of mitochondrial gene content onto a consensus phylogeny reveals a sporadic pattern of relative stasis and rampant gene loss in Discoba. Rampant loss occurred independently in the unique common lineage leading to Heterolobosea + Tsukubamonadida and later in the unique lineage leading to Acrasis. Meanwhile, mtDNA gene content appears to be remarkably stable in the Acrasis sister lineage leading to Naegleria and in their distant relatives Jakobida

Formation of the inhibitory KIR repertoire in human natural killer cells

Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes of the innate immune system that are able to secrete cytokines and detect virus infected and transformed cells. Contrary to T cells, NK cells recognize targets that lack expression of MHC class I molecules at the cell surface, a phenomenon referred to as “missing self” recognition. The process is dependent on a NK cell receptor family termed killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) and their interaction with MHC class I. However, although we have gained insights into the molecular specificity of NK cell responses, several fundamental questions relating to the generation of human NK cell repertoires remain elusive. Some studies imply that there is a minor effect of HLA on KIR expression frequencies, but it is unclear to what extent this leads to a bias for expression of self-KIRs in the total repertoire. In this thesis we sought to investigate how inhibitory KIR repertoires are formed and whether selection is required to preserve self tolerance and maximize the ability of NK cells to detect abnormal expression of MHC class I. Here, we have used a unique platform for multi-parameter flow cytometry and performed a detailed evaluation of complete inhibitory KIR repertoires in healthy donors. We compared observed experimental data with theoretical data obtained under random sequential KIR acquisition in the presence and absence of selection. We found that co-expression of multiple KIRs was more frequent than expected by the product rule and that the probability of KIR acquisition increased with cellular expression of other KIRs. Presence or absence of self MHC class I molecules did not influence the total KIR repertoire, neither with respect to the number of receptors expressed nor the type (self versus non-self) of KIR. In parallel with the acquisition of KIRs we also noticed a gradual downregulation of NKG2A and appearance of CD57. Hence, we propose that the expression patterns of the receptors define different stages in a differentiation process of the CD56dim NK cell population. Our data provide new insights into the formation of human KIR repertoires and revisit prevailing models of NK cell selection. The combination of KIR and HLA genes influence outcomes of human diseases and treatment thereof. In hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), it is sometimes necessary to search for unrelated partially HLA-mismatched donors. In such situations, a potential beneficial role for NK cell alloreactivity may occur based on missing KIR ligands in the recipient. Prediction of NK cell alloreactivity in allogeneic HSCT is currently determined by HLA and KIR genotyping. However in this thesis we demonstrate that although a particular donor is mismatched to the recipient on a genetic level, the frequency of alloreactive NK cells may range from 0 to 62%. The results demonstrate a vast variability of the functional and alloreactive NK cell repertoire and have implications for donor selection in HSCT and adoptive NK cell-based immunotherapy

Role of Ubiquitination in IGF-1 Receptor Signaling and Degradation

BACKGROUND: The insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) plays numerous crucial roles in cancer biology. The majority of knowledge on IGF-1R signaling is concerned with its role in the activation of the canonical phosphatidyl inositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathways. However, the role of IGF-1R ubiquitination in modulating IGF-1R function is an area of current research. In light of this we sought to determine the relationship between IGF-1R phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and modulation of growth signals. METHODOLOGY: Wild type and mutant constructs of IGF-1R were transfected into IGF-1R null fibroblasts. IGF-1R autophosphorylation and ubiquitination were determined by immunoprecipitation and western blotting. IGF-1R degradation and stability was determined by cyclohexamide-chase assay in combination with lysosome and proteasome inhibitors. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: IGF-1R autophosphorylation was found to be an absolute requirement for receptor ubiquitination. Deletion of C-terminal domain had minimal effect on IGF-1 induced receptor autophosphorylation, however, ubiquitination and ERK activation were completely abolished. Cells expressing kinase impaired IGF-1R, exhibited both receptor ubiquitination and ERK phosphorylation, however failed to activate Akt. While IGF-1R mutants with impaired PI3K/Akt signaling were degraded mainly by the proteasomes, the C-terminal truncated one was exclusively degraded through the lysosomal pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest important roles of ubiquitination in mediating IGF-1R signaling and degradation. Ubiquitination of IGF-1R requires receptor tyrosine kinase activity, but is not involved in Akt activation. In addition we show that the C-terminal domain of IGF-1R is a necessary requisite for ubiquitination and ERK phosphorylation as well as for proteasomal degradation of the receptor

Testing the Resolving Power of 2-D K^+ K^+ Interferometry

Adopting a procedure previously proposed to quantitatively study two-dimensional pion interferometry, an equivalent 2-D chi^2 analysis was performed to test the resolving power of that method when applied to less favorable conditions, i.e., if no significant contribution from long lived resonances is expected, as in kaon interferometry. For that purpose, use is made of the preliminary E859 K^+ K^+ interferometry data from Si+Au collisions at 14.6 AGeV/c. As expected, less sensitivity is achieved in the present case, although it still is possible to distinguish two distinct decoupling geometries. The present analysis seems to favor scenarios with no resonance formation at the AGS energy range, if the preliminary K^+ K^+ data are confirmed. The possible compatibility of data with zero decoupling proper time interval, conjectured by the 3-D experimental analysis, is also investigated and is ruled out when considering more realistic dynamical models with expanding sources. These results, however, clearly evidence the important influence of the time emission interval on the source effective transverse dimensions. Furthermore, they strongly emphasize that the static Gaussian parameterization, commonly used to fit data, cannot be trusted under more realistic conditions, leading to distorted or even wrong interpretation of the source parameters!Comment: 11 pages, RevTeX, 4 Postscript figures include

Långsiktig utveckling av vedartad vegetation på skolgårdar i urban miljö

Projektet Gröna skolgårdar Malmö har öppnat upp för en unik möjlighet att nu tio år senare följa upp förgröningen på två urbana skolor i Malmö. Skolgården är en utmanande växtplats där markkompaktering, torka och slitage utgör vanliga företeelser och den minskande lekbara friytan på skolgården gör det problematiskt att etablera vegetation. Arbetets huvudsakliga syfte har varit att öka förståelsen kring etablering, utformning, artval och placering och dess betydelse för vegetationens utveckling och överlevnad, samt vilka faktorer som är viktiga för en god etablering. Den första teoretiska delen av uppsatsen behandlar skolgårdens problematik och förutsättningar, vegetationens betydelse och funktion samt faktorer som påverkar slitage och etablering. I arbetets andra del redovisas en fallstudie på de två skolgårdarna genom en nulägesbeskrivning. Vegetationsutvecklingen dokumenterades genom foto och videodokumentation och noteringar av brytskador, trampskador, torkskador och vitalitet vilka mynnade ut i en nulägesbeskrivning. Antal plantor räknades och illustrerades i en detaljerad plan för varje delområde. De faktorer som visat sig ha störst betydelse för vegetationens tillväxt och fortsatta överlevnad har varit markens beskaffenhet och artsammansättning. Artsammansättning av buskar och träd, i täta bestånd i väl tilltagna mått, har visat sig klara slitaget bättre vilket varit avgörande. Arter som inte är lika attraktiva i lek fyller trots det en synnerligen viktig funktion som att ge skugga, skapa rumslighet samt generera estetiska värden som blomning och höstfärger. Ett stort plantbortfall belyser behovet av att plantera rikligt med vegetation och att utforma kantzoner med robusta arter samt inspringsskydd från flera håll.The Green school grounds project has opened up a unique opportunity to follow up the greenery at two urban schools in Malmö, ten years later. A schoolyard is a challenging growing place where soil compaction, drought and wear are common phenomena and the declining playable free surface of the schoolyard makes it problematic to establish vegetation. The main purpose of the study has been to increase the understanding of establishment, design, species choice and location and its importance for vegetation development and survival, and what factors are important for the result of a good establishment. The first theoretical part of the thesis addresses the problems and conditions of the schoolyard, the importance and function of vegetation, as well as factors that affect wear and establishment. In the second part, a case study of the vegetation at the two school yards is presented. The vegetation development was documented through photo and video documentation and notations of breakage, trampling, drought damage and vitality. The number of plants was counted and each existing plant was illustrated in a detailed plan showing its position. The factors that have been found to be most important for vegetation growth and continued survival have been the soil properties and species composition. Species composition of shrubs and trees, with species in dense stands of large dimensions have proven to cope with wear and tear and have been more decisive than the placement in the school yard. However, species that are not as attractive in play fulfill a particularly important function such as providing shade, creating spatiality as well as generate aesthetic values such as flowering and autumn colors. A major plant fallout highlights the need to plant abundant vegetation and to design edge zones with robust species as well as low wooden fences from several directions

Får man ta en sup till sillamackan här på hemmet? En kvalitativ studie om personal inom äldreomsorgens syn på äldres alkoholvanor

The society’s population is growing older and it is more common with alcohol related prob-lems. Because of that, our purpose with this study was to describe how staff in municipal el-derly care perceives, manage and treat older people with alcohol use and abuse. We have cho-sen to interview staff in three retirement homes and three assisted living groups in three dif-ferent places, a total of six interviews. The theories that we have chosen to analyze the results with are Tornstams theory of gerontology and Goffmans theory of stigma. Our finding was that there are no common policies that the staff knew about, but all informants talked about unwritten rules even if the retirement homes and assisted living groups did not have official policies. Regarding the elder’s autonomy all the interviewees agreed that it was a base in their work. Considering the elderly’s alcohol habits and the medication it was individual how the staff should treat elderly with an alcohol use or abuse. To some extent is it different depend-ing on which retirement home, assisted living group or place the staff working in

Föräldrars behov och önskemål av föräldrastöd : en enkätundersökning i Landskrona kommun

The aim of the work was to gather information on parents' reflections on their own need for parental support in their role as parents. Where a need was expressed we investigated what form of support was desired and who should provided it. We also wished to find out if there were any differences or similarities in the needs and wishes expressed by the parents. The questions posed were: Did the parents feel that they needed support in their roles as parents? If so, what sort of support did they want? Who should provide this support? What differences or similarities were expressed in the parents needs and wishes for support? A questionnaire study was carried out within Landskrona. The results showed that a majority of parents expressed a limited need for some form of support in their parental role. First and foremost, the parents expressed a wish for informal support from friends and family and also from nursery or primary schools. The parents who declared that they had no need of support nevertheless often still expressed a wish for some form of support and, in fact, often had themselves experience of such support