351 research outputs found
Foreword
This users manual introduces the basic ideas of the PGT - Path Generation Toolbox for Matlab. The main features of the toolbox is to givethe user the possibility to 1) build paths in Cartesian (3DOF) space, 2) transform the Cartesian paths into jointspace. All the most important functions are explained and examples of how to use them are also included
Development of a cell model for studies of the secretion of xenobiotics into milk
Milk is produced in the mammary gland in small structures called alveoli. The lumen in the center of these alveoli is surrounded by alveolar epithelial cells and milk production takes place in these cells. HC11 is a murine mammary epithelial cell line deriving from non-tumorigenic mammary epithelial cells that showed normal morphology and function, such as casein induction, in vitro after several sub-cultures. The overall aim of the project is to develop an in vitro model for investigating the transport of toxic compounds into milk by using HC11 cells. In the first part of the project the optimal time for differentiation of the HC11 cells into a milk protein synthesizing phenotype was determined. In the second part transport studies were performed across the HC11 cells to examine the function of breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). The optimal time for maximum differentiation was determined by measuring the expression of the milk proteins, whey acidic protein (WAP) and ÎČ-casein, through Real-Time PCR , after having cultured HC11 cells in differentiating medium. Immunohistochemistry was also performed to examine the morphology and localization of ÎČ-casein in the differentiated cells. The transport study was performed in transwells using the BCRP substrate mitoxantrone, measuring both transport across, as well as uptake into the HC11 cells. The results from quantifying the expression of WAP and ÎČ-casein, indicate that the optimal time for maximum differentiation of the HC11 cells is 72h. Immunohistochemistry also showed that at this differentiation period the HC11 cells start to form structures resembling alveoli. ÎČ-casein expression was predominantly detected in the differentiated HC11 cells closest to the alveolar lumen. The transport experiments gave no useful results concerning mitoxantrone transport across the cells but the results obtained in the uptake experiment indicate that BCRP is upregulated and active in differentiated HC11 cells. In conclusion, the results obtained in this project demonstrate that HC11 cells is not suitable for studies of transport of toxic compounds across the alveolar epithelium but seems to be a promising model for functional studies of transport proteins such as BCRP
Social capital and the decline in HIV transmission - A case study in three villages in the Kagera region of Tanzania.
We present data from an exploratory case study characterising the social capital in three case villages situated in areas of varying HIV prevalence in the Kagera region of Tanzania. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews revealed a range of experiences by community members, leaders of organisations and social groups. We found that the formation of social groups during the early 1990s was partly a result of poverty and the many deaths caused by AIDS. They built on a tradition to support those in need and provided social and economic support to members by providing loans. Their strict rules of conduct helped to create new norms, values and trust, important for HIV prevention. Members of different networks ultimately became role models for healthy protective behaviour. Formal organisations also worked together with social groups to facilitate networking and to provide avenues for exchange of information. We conclude that social capital contributed in changing HIV related risk behaviour that supported a decline of HIV infection in the high prevalence zone and maintained a low prevalence in the other zones
Directing Paths Into Adulthood: Newly Arrived Students and the Intersection of Education and Migration Policy
This article is centred on the tendency to align education for newly arrived students with migration policy. Drawing on an in-depth analysis of interviews with four adult migrant students, we aim to investigate how the participantsâ experiences of studying and how they imagine their future intersect with their immigration status. The interviews were conducted when they were first studying a language introduction programme, and then three years later. We focus on the participantsâ narratives about transitions within the education system and later into the labour market. Using Sara Ahmedâs approach to the orientation of subjects in time and space, the analysis shows that all students expressed a desire to âbe in line,â meaning finishing their studies and finding employment. Students with temporary and conditional residence permits were directed towards specific vocational tracks and sectors of the labour market. Migrant students are a heterogenous group and, based on the findings presented, we argue that immigration status constitutes a crucial part of this heterogeneity, influencing how students imagine their future in a new society
Alueellisen PEFC-ryhmÀsertifioinnin toteutus ja kehitys Suomessa
Alueellisen PEFC-ryhmĂ€sertifioinnin piirissĂ€ on valtaosa Suomen yksityismetsistĂ€ ja se on ollut pÀÀasiallinen metsĂ€sertifioinnin toteutustapa Suomessa vuosina 1999-2020. Suomessa jĂ€rjestelmĂ€ perustuu siihen, ettĂ€ metsĂ€nomistajien lisĂ€ksi metsĂ€nomistajille ja metsÀÀn palveluita tarjoavat tahot ovat sitoutuneet noudattamaan toi-minnassaan PEFC-vaatimuksia ja vastaavat nĂ€in merkittĂ€viltĂ€ osin vaatimusten toteutumisesta. TĂ€mĂ€n työn tavoitteena on tarkastella alueellisen PEFC-ryhmĂ€sertifioinnin toteutusta ko. aikajaksona ja tulevaisuuden kehitystĂ€ laadullisin menetelmin. TyössĂ€ kuvataan ensin jĂ€rjestelmĂ€, jolla sertifiointia kĂ€ytĂ€nnössĂ€ toteutetaan ja tuotetaan tietoa vaatimusten toteutumisesta riittĂ€vĂ€llĂ€ tasolla PEFC FI 1002 -metsĂ€sertifioinnin- kuin PEFC FI 1001 -ryhmĂ€sertifioinnin standardiin nĂ€hden. JĂ€rjestelmĂ€ kuvataan niin, ettĂ€ saadaan kokonaisymmĂ€rrys tĂ€mĂ€nhetkisestĂ€ sertifioinnin toteutuksesta. TĂ€mĂ€n jĂ€lkeen kuvataan ISO 9001:2015 âstandardi, missĂ€ esitetÀÀn laadunhallinnan keskeiset kĂ€sitteet ja periaatteet, jolla organisaatio voi varmistaa, ettĂ€ sen toimintajĂ€rjestelmĂ€ vastaa sille asetettuja vaatimuksia.
Aikajakson 1999-2020 poikkeamia tarkastellessa tulivat esille kriteerit, joihin tulee kiinnittÀÀ jatkossakin erityistÀ huomiota pyrittÀessÀ jatkuvaan parantamiseen. Sosiaalisten, työn tekemiseen liittyvien kriteereiden huomioiminen on edistynyt sertifiointikausien aikana, mutta kriteerit ovat edelleen sÀÀnnöllisesti poikkeamien kohteena. Puutteet vesiensuojeluun kohdistuvissa toimenpiteissÀ ovat myös esiintyneet poikkeamina sÀÀnnöllisesti.
Valmisteilla olevat uudet PEFC ST 2018 âsertifioinnin edellyttĂ€mĂ€t muutokset lisÀÀvĂ€t jĂ€rjestelmĂ€n tuottaman tiedon uskottavuutta. Jatkossa toiminnan lĂ€pinĂ€kyvyys pitÀÀ pystyĂ€ osoittamaan entistĂ€ tarkemmin. Toteuttamalla laadunhallintaa ISO-9001:2015 standardin mukaisesti vastaa toiminta kansainvĂ€lisesti hyvĂ€ksyttyĂ€ tasoa, jossa toimintaa tarkastellaan kokonaisuutena toisiinsa linkittyvinĂ€ asioina ja toiminnalle on olemassa selkeĂ€ rakenne. Tarkastelua voidaan myös hyödyntÀÀ uuden PEFC FI 1001:20xx -standardin edellyttĂ€mĂ€n jatkomÀÀrittelyn tukena. TĂ€mĂ€ työ tarjoaa hyvĂ€n lĂ€htökohdan uuden toimintamallin laadinnalle ja auttaa sitomaan uudet toiminnot yhtenĂ€iseksi kokonaisuudeksi. JĂ€rjestelmÀÀn kohdistuvat vaatimukset parantavat toiminnan laatua siten, ettĂ€ toimintaa seurataan kattavammin ja se antaa työkaluja siihen, ettĂ€ ei-toivottuun toimintaan voidaan paremmin puuttua.
Työn tuloksena on kattava kuvaus alueellisen PEFC-ryhmĂ€sertifioinnin toteutuksesta ja nĂ€kemyksiĂ€ toiminnan kehittĂ€miseksi. Työ voi osaltaan toimia oppaana PEFC-sertifioinnin kĂ€ytĂ€ntöihin perehtymisessĂ€ ja pohjana, kun luodaan osin ISO 9001:2015 âstandardiin perustuvaa uutta toimintamallia PEFC-standardien pĂ€ivittyessĂ€
Extra dimensions in all aspects of lifeâthe meaning of life with bipolar disorder
Living with Bipolar Disorder (BD) greatly affects the whole life; still the meaning of it is poorly explored from the perspective of the individuals actually living with it. The aim of this study is thus to explore the existential meaning of life with BD. Ten persons, six women and four men, (aged 30â61), diagnosed with BD were interviewed. A reflective lifeworld perspective based on phenomenological philosophy was used. The findings show that living with BD entails experiencing extra dimensions in all aspects of life, expressed in terms of a magnitude and complexity beyond that which is perceived as pertaining to normal life. The essential meaning of the phenomenon is further described by its constituents: âa specific intensityâ, âa struggle to understandâ, âan illness that is intertwined with one's whole beingâ. Living with BD means more for the individual than having episodes of depression and mania and must therefore be understood from a holistic perspective. Adequate care for persons with BD, therefore, includes places for safe and profound reflecting about existential issues, such as identity, trust and self-confidence. The present study recommends the caring services to change their ways to explain and talk about the BD illness
James A. Martin
Den hÀr rapporten visar resultat frÄn simuleringar av en industrirobots rörelse. Banorna roboten följer Àr uppbyggda av linjer och cirkeldelar. Kring de punkter dÀr bandelarna möts, dvs i hörnen, lÀggs s.k. zoner. I dessa görs banan mjukare för att en referenshastighet ska kunna hÄllas. I kartesiska koordinater sker detta genom interpolering mellan bandelarna som bildar hörnet eller genom att zonbanan byggs upp av olika typer av splinefunktioner. I ett andra steg transformeras den kartesiska banan till en bana i motorvinkelkoordinater. I motorvinkelkoordinater byggs banan upp av kubiska splinefunktioner. Endast den geometriska delen av banplaneringsproblemet studeras hÀr, vilket innebÀr att inga tidsaspekter Àr medtagna. Vidare har ingen hÀnsyn tagits till robotens orientering
Western diet enhances intestinal tumorigenesis in Min/ plus mice, associating with mucosal metabolic and inflammatory stress and loss of Apc heterozygosity
Western-type diet (WD) is a risk factor for colorectal cancer, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We investigated the interaction of WD and heterozygous mutation in the Apc gene on adenoma formation and metabolic and immunological changes in the histologically normal intestinal mucosa of Apc(Min/+) (Min/ +) mice. The diet used was high in saturated fat and low in calcium, vitamin D, fiber and folate. The number of adenomas was twofold higher in the WD mice compared to controls, but adenoma size, proliferation or apoptosis did not differ. The ratio of the MM to wild-type allele was higher in the WD mice, indicating accelerated loss of Apc heterozygosity (LOH). Densities of intraepithelial CD3 epsilon(+) T lymphocytes and of mucosal FoxP3(+) regulatory T cells were higher in the WD mice, implying inflammatory changes. Western blot analyses from the mucosa of the WD mice showed suppressed activation of the ERK and AKT pathways and a tendency for reduced activation of the mTOR pathway as measured in phosphoS6/S6 levels. The expression of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 was up-regulated in both mRNA and protein levels. Gene expression analyses showed changes in oxidation/reduction, fatty acid and monosaccharide metabolic pathways, tissue organization, cell fate and regulation of apoptosis. Together, our results suggest that the high-risk Western diet primes the intestine to tumorigenesis through synergistic effects in energy metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress, which culminate in the acceleration of LOH of the Apc gene. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe
A bridge between a lonely soul and the surrounding world: A study on existential consequences of being closely related to a person with aphasia
This study illuminates existential consequences of being closely related to a person suffering from aphasia. Seventeen close relatives were interviewed and their narratives were interpreted with inspiration from Ricoeur, Levinas, Husserl, Winnicot, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty. The emerging interpretations resulted in four themes that illuminate a life characterized by lost freedom, staying, a new form of relationship, and growing strong together with others. An overarching theme suggests that a life together with an aphasic person means being used as a bridge between the aphasic person and the surrounding world. Moreover, it illuminates that a close relative to a person with aphasia is a person who does not leave, despite a heavy burden of lonely responsibility. It is concluded that community services need to fulfill their responsibility of providing support to informal caregivers as suggested by the Swedish lawmakers
Results from the Sweden 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth
Background: The Sweden 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity (PA) for Children and Youth is a unique compilation of the existing physical and health related data in Sweden. The aim of this paper is to summarize the procedure and results from the report card. Methods: Nationally representative surveys and individual studies between 2005-2015 were included. Eleven PA and health indicators were graded using the Active Healthy Kids Canada grading system. Grades were assigned based on the percentage of children/youth meeting a defined benchmark (A: 81-100%, B: 61-80%, C: 41-60%, D: 21-40%, F: 0-20%, or incomplete (INC). Results: The assigned grades were: Overall Physical Activity, D; Organized Sport Participation, B+; Active Play, INC; Active Transportation, C+; Sedentary Behaviors, C; Family and Peers, INC; School, C+; Community and the Built Environment, B; Government Strategies and Investments, B; Diet, C-; and Obesity, D. Conclusion: The included data provides some support that overall PA is too low and sedentary behavior is too high for almost all age groups in Sweden, even with the many national policies as well as an environment that is favorable to the promotion of PA
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