Delamination of Cross-laminated timber and its impact on fire development | Focusing on different types of adhesives

In the recent decade, the interest of building taller all-timber structures using engineered timber materials such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) has increased substantially. On the other hand, there’s also a significant resistance and fear concerning the fire safety of buildings with wood-based load-bearing structures. In this report, the aim is to investigate the potential deviations of the fire performance of CLT. More specifically the occurrence of losing entire layers due to fire exposure, delamination, and how this might affect the fire development. Fire tests were performed in a standard testing furnace with specimens of CLT manufactured with five different adhesives. For these tests, the fire conditions of a previous full-scale test were attempted to be replicated. After evaluating the results, it was concluded that the type of adhesive used, could have a significant impact on whether a CLT-element delaminates or not. Furthermore, delamination also has a severe impact on the fire development, increasing the temperatures and extending the duration of the fire. CLT as a future building material still faces a lot of challenges, and further research is needed to optimise the composition of the material and investigate complications other than fire performance as well.För framtidens träkonstruktioner är limträprodukter, så som korslimmat trä, helt avgörande för utvecklingen. Korslimmat trä kan tillämpas som prefabricerade element i såväl bärande väggar, som bjälklag och öppnar upp för helt nya möjligheter för snabbt, hållbart byggande. Samtidigt finns det ett kraftigt motstånd från många håll mot det ökande användandet av trä i bärande konstruktioner, inte minst ur ett brandsäkerhetsperspektiv. Tidigare forskning om brandbeteendet hos solitt trä är omfattande, men när det gäller eventuella avvikelser hos modernare limträprodukter, är beteendet mindre känt

The Era of Artificial Intelligence in Swedish Banking : Exploring Customer Attitudes Towards AI as a Substitute to Brick and Mortar Offices

Background: The wave of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is marching on, replacing jobs and traditional services, and is predicted to be one of the biggest marketing trends in the close future. Four of the major Swedish banks have started to implement AI as a customer service channel. Simultaneously, the Swedish banking industry is experiencing an all-time low in customer satisfaction, where one of the main reasons is the diminishing number of local branches. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to explore the attitudes that customers have towards AI in customer service, as a substitute to local brick and mortar offices within the Swedish bank industry, as well as uncover any significant factors that could influence these attitudes. Method: This is a qualitative study of exploratory nature where five focus groups have been used to collect empirical data. A total sample of 26 participants, ranging from 20-55 years old, have partaken in the focus groups.  Conclusion: Findings show that there mainly exists a negative attitude towards AI as a substitute to brick-and-mortar offices, but positive attitudes towards it as a complement. Factors that influence the attitudes were found to be Convenience, Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, Trust, Risk and Social influence. Awareness and Prior Technological Experience were found to not have great influence on customer attitudes

Brandteknisk riskvärdering av Pilängshallen

The purpose of this report is to evaluate and assess the fire safety at the sports center Pilängshallen located in Lomma. The report is only focused on personal safety and no consideration has been taken concerning economic or environmental damage. Pilängshallen is used on a daily basis for several different sport and workout activities by both local sport clubs and the public, as well as by schools for PE classes. The highest number of visitors occurs during swimming and basketball competitions. A number of possible fire scenarios was considered and the three thought to be the worst credible scenarios were analyzed in depth. The aim of the analysis was to estimate whether safe evacuation from the building was possible before critical conditions arose and the safety of people inside became jeopardized. The analysis was performed with analytical calculations as well as computer software and assumptions based in available literature. The main conclusion of the report is that in case of fire, people within the facility will be able to evacuate before critical conditions are present. Proper training of staff and regular maintenance of fire equipment such as automatic fire doors and fire extinguishers should be performed on regular basis to further ensure the safety of people at the facility

Safety and tolerability of intracerebroventricular PDGF-BB in Parkinson's disease patients

BACKGROUND. Recombinant human PDGF-BB (rhPDGF-BB) reduces Parkinsonian symptoms and increases dopamine transporter (DAT) binding in several animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD). Effects of rhPDGF-BB are the result of proliferation of ventricular wall progenitor cells and reversed by blocking mitosis. Based on these restorative effects, we assessed the safety and tolerability of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) rhPDGF-BB administration in individuals with PD. METHODS. We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase I/IIa study at two clinical centers in Sweden. Twelve patients with moderate PD received rhPDGF-BB via an implanted drug infusion pump and an investigational i.c.v. catheter. Patients were assigned to a dose cohort (0.2, 1.5, or 5 mu g rhPDGF-BB per day) and then randomized to active treatment or placebo (3:1) for a 12-day treatment period. The primary objective was to assess safety and tolerability of i.c.v.-delivered rhPDGF-BB. Secondary outcome assessments included several clinical rating scales and changes in DAT binding. The follow-up period was 85 days. RESULTS. All patients completed the study. There were no unresolved adverse events. Serious adverse events occurred in three patients; however, these were unrelated to rhPDGF-BB administration. Secondary outcome parameters did not show dose-dependent changes in clinical rating scales, but there was a positive effect on DAT binding in the right putamen. CONCLUSION. At all doses tested, i.c.v. administration of rhPDGF-BB was well tolerated. Results support further clinical development of rhPDGF-BB for patients with PD

Pathophysiology of L-dopa-induced motor and non-motor complications in Parkinson's disease

Involuntary movements, or dyskinesia, represent a debilitating complication of levodopa (L-dopa) therapy for Parkinson’s disease (PD). L-dopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) are ultimately experienced by the vast majority of patients. In addition, psychiatric conditions often manifested as compulsive behaviours, are emerging as a serious problem in the management of L-dopa therapy. The present review attempts to provide an overview of our current understanding of dyskinesia and other L-dopa-induced dysfunctions, a field that dramatically evolved in the past twenty years. In view of the extensive literature on LID, there appeared a critical need to re-frame the concepts, to highlight the most suitable models, to review the central nervous system (CNS) circuitry that may be involved, and to propose a pathophysiological framework was timely and necessary. An updated review to clarify our understanding of LID and other L-dopa-related side effects was therefore timely and necessary. This review should help in the development of novel therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing the generation of dyskinetic symptom