Evaluation of a Swedish parental prevention program : youth drunkenness, alcohol-specific parenting and gender differences

Background Research suggests that alcohol-specific parenting and parental prevention programs can be effective in the efforts to prevent underage drinking. The Örebro prevention program (ÖPP) is based on principles of alcohol-specific parenting and encourages parents to maintain restrictive attitudes towards underage drinking, with the aim to reduce youth drinking and drunkenness. A trial conducted in 1999-2001 when the program was recently developed has indicated that ÖPP leads to maintained restrictive attitudes and reduces youth drunkenness. Since then, ÖPP has been widely disseminated in Swedish schools. Aim The primary aim of the present thesis was to increase the knowledge about the preventive influence of alcohol-specific parenting on youth drinking and drunkenness, more specifically to study effects of ÖPP when delivered under real-world conditions. Further aims were to study parents’ use of program components and possible gender differences in alcohol-specific parenting and in the relation between alcohol-specific parenting and youth drunkenness. Method The data used in the present thesis was collected within a cluster-randomized trial of ÖPP, conducted between 2007 and 2010, comprising 40 schools in 13 Swedish counties. The participating youth and their parents answered questionnaires at three occasions, in the 7th (baseline), 8th (T2) and 9th grade (T3). The thesis comprises three papers. Paper I has a cluster-randomized design with schools randomized to ÖPP (n=20) and control group (n=20), including baseline, T2 and T3 data analysed using two-level logistic regression. Paper II has a cross-sectional design including T2 data from parent-youth dyads analysed using non-parametric tests. Paper III has a longitudinal design including baseline, T2 and T3 data analysed using two-level logistic regression. Results The results indicated no statistically significant program effects on youth drunkenness onset, frequent drunkenness or weekly drinking in the 9th grade (I). However, the program had an effect on alcohol-specific parenting, i.e. ÖPP parents reported more restrictive attitudes and fewer adolescents in the ÖPP group reported being served alcohol at home (I, II). Furthermore, parental servings of alcohol to youth at home in the 7th grade increased the likelihood of drunkenness onset for both 9th grade girls and boys, and general parental control decreased the likelihood of both drunkenness onset and frequent drunkenness for both girls and boys. Some gender differences were identified, adolescent girls were more likely to be served alcohol by parents at home while restrictive attitudes and parental warmth decreased the likelihood of frequent drunkenness among girls only (III). Discussion and conclusion The results of the present thesis suggest that ÖPP, when delivered under real-world conditions, has no effects on youth drinking or drunkenness. This is inconsistent with the first Swedish study, and the divergent results can be explained not only by that effects tend to decrease when programs are evaluated under real-world conditions, but also by methodological differences, that the evaluated programs are not identical and by a higher level of restrictive attitudes among Swedish parents in general. Furthermore, the results provide additional empirical support to the associations between alcohol-specific parenting and youth drunkenness and thus lend further support to the theoretical framework of ÖPP. Future research needs to address the family context of alcohol-specific parenting for instance by studying parental provision of alcohol to youth and the quality of the parent-youth communication about alcohol, and further to address the possible benefits of targeting both youth and parents in preventive interventions. Future preventive interventions and research would also benefit from the inclusion of a gender perspective

Genetic variation in competition traits at different ages and time periods and correlations with traits at field tests of 4-year-old Swedish Warmblood horses

For many years, the breeding value estimation for Swedish riding horses has been based on results from Riding Horse Quality Tests (RHQTs) of 4-year-olds only. Traits tested are conformation, gaits and jumping ability. An integrated index including competition results is under development to both get as reliable proofs as possible and increases the credibility of the indexes among breeders, trainers and riders. The objectives of this study were to investigate the suitability of competition data for use in genetic evaluations of horses and to examine how well young horse performance agrees with performance later in life. Competition results in dressage and show jumping for almost 40 000 horses from the beginning of the 1960s until 2006 were available. For RHQT data of 14 000 horses judged between 1988 and 2007 were used. Genetic parameters were estimated for accumulated competition results defined for different age groups (4 to 6 years of age, 4 to 9 years of age and lifetime), and for different birth year groups. Genetic correlations were estimated between results at RHQT and competitions with a multi-trait animal model. Heritabilities were higher for show jumping than dressage and increased with increasing age of the horse and amount of information. For dressage, heritabilities increased from 0.11 for the youngest group to 0.16 for lifetime results. For show jumping corresponding values increased from 0.24 to 0.28. Genetic correlations between competition results for the different age groups were highly positive (0.84 to 1.00), as were those between jumping traits at RHQT and competition results in show jumping (0.87 to 0.89). For dressage-related traits as 4-year-old and dressage competition results the estimated genetic correlations were between 0.47 and 0.77. We suggest that lifetime results from competitions should be integrated into the genetic evaluation system. However, genetic parameters showed that traits had changed during the over 35-year period covered due to the development of the sport, which needs to be considered in future genetic evaluations

Performance of insulation materials for historic buildings: case-studies comparing super insulation materials and hemp-lime

There is a challenge to reduce the energy use of historic buildings while preserving their cultural values. New materials and solutions are being developed that could contribute to improving the energy performance of historic buildings without altering their character defining elements. The aim of this paper is to technically evaluate and compare a ‘high-tech’ material (VIP) with a ‘low-tech’ material (hemp-lime) for adding insulation to historical fa\ue7ades. This comparison was made with respect to thermal properties and moisture performance, as well as available environmental impact data. The VIPs are characterised by reaching a high level of insulation although they are thin, which means they do not alter the proportions of the building the way thick layers of insulation do. Hemp-lime on the other hand has the advantage of being in line with the traditional materials already present in historic buildings

Changes in genomic inbreeding and diversity over half a century in Swedish Red and Swedish Holstein dairy cattle

Swedish Red (SR) and Swedish Holstein (SH) are the dominating commercial dairy cattle breeds in Sweden. Both breeds have undergone substantial changes during the last half century due to intensive selection for breeding goal traits, but also resulting from increased international exchange of breeding animals and genetic drift. The aim of this study was to learn more about changes in genomic diversity and inbreeding in these two breeds over time. Therefore, semen samples from old bulls were genotyped using the 150K Genomic Profiler SNP array and combined with 50K SNP array genotype data, obtained for more recent bulls from the Nordic Cattle Genetic Evaluation. Different measures of level of homozygosity, genomic inbreeding, relatedness and changes in allele frequency were estimated for bulls born during different time periods from the 1950s until 2020. In total, more than 33,000 SNPs for 9737 SR and 5041 SH bulls were included in the analysis using PLINK v1.9. The results showed higher average homozygosity for SR than for SH bulls up to around 2000, but the difference was very small after that. The average inbreeding coefficients based on deviation from expected homozygosity as well as on runs of homozygosity decreased until the early 1980s in both breeds, whereafter they started to increase again for SH, but stayed more stable for SR. From the 1990s onwards, SH displayed higher average inbreeding coefficients than SR. In the last studied birth year group (2015-2020), the mean inbreeding coefficient based on runs of homozygosity was 5.9% for SH and 3.7% for SR. A principal component analysis showed a pattern of genetic relationships related to the birth year period of the bulls, illustrating the gradual change of the genetic material within each breed. The change in allele frequency over time was generally larger for SH than for SR. The results show that the inbreeding level was higher half a century ago than at present, and the inbreeding levels were lower than in some other studied populations. Still, the increase seen for inbreeding coefficients and homozygosity, especially in SH during recent years, should be considered in future breeding strategies

Does Mechanical Screening of Contaminated Forest Fuels Improve Ash Chemistry for Thermal Conversion?

The effect of mechanical screening of severely contaminated forest fuel chips was investigated, focusing on main ashforming elements and slagging tendency and other properties with relevance for thermal conversion. In this study, screening operations were performed according to practice on an industrial scale by combining a star screen and a supplementary windshifter in six different settings and combinations. Mechanical screening reduced the amount of ash and fine particles in the accept fraction. However, the mass losses for the different screening operations were substantial (20−50 wt %). Fuel analyses of the non-screened and the screened fuels showed that the most significant screening effect was a reduction of Si and Al, indicating an effective removal of sand and soil contaminations. However, the tested fuel’s main ash-forming element’s relative concentration did not indicate any improved combustion characteristics and ash-melting behavior. Samples of the accept fractions and non-screened material were combusted in a single-pellet thermogravimetric reactor, and the resulting ashes’ morphology and elemental composition were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy−energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry and the crystalline phases by powder X-ray diffraction. Results from both these analyses confirmed that screening operations had no, or minor, effects on the fuels’ ash chemistry and slagging tendencies, i.e., the fuels’ proneness to ash melting was not improved. However, the reduction of ash and fine particles can reduce slagging and other operational problems in smaller and more sensitive combustion units

Chronic wounds in dogs and cats : wound treatment, causes and complications

Sårvård är ett viktigt område för djursjukskötare då de har regelbunden patientkon-takt och ansvar för utförandet av sårvården. För att uppnå optimal sårvård är kunskap om allmän sårläkning, hur sårbedömning utförs samt sårvårdsåtgärder för olika typer av sår viktigt för en djursjukskötare. Fokus bör även vara på att skapa god compliance från djurägaren. Målet med optimal sårvård är att skapa bra förutsättningar för sårläkning, förebygga uppkomst av infektion, minska smärta hos djuret samt återfå ursprunglig funktion i vävnaden. Sår som inte visar tecken på läkning inom 3–6 veckor trots adekvat behandling definieras som kroniska eller svårläkta sår. Syftet med studien var att beskriva uppkomsten av och läkningsförloppet vid kroniska sår hos hund och katt samt behandlingsstrategier utifrån tillgänglig vetenskap-lig litteratur. Studien har även för avsikt att klargöra vilka sårvårdsåtgärder som används på Universitetsdjursjukhusets smådjursklinik i Uppsala (UDS) vid kroniska sår och huruvida det finns vetenskaplig evidens för sårvårdsåtgärderna. Inledningsvis gjordes en granskning av vetenskaplig litteratur inom området för att få en bakgrund till ämnet. En retrospektiv journalsökning UDS utfördes. Utifrån de-finitionen ”svårläkta sår som inte visat tecken på läkning inom 3–6 veckor trots sårvårdsåtgärder” valdes totalt fem patientfall ut och innefattade tre hundar och två katter. De parametrar som studerades var de sårvårdsåtgärder som vidtagits vid respektive fall, bakomliggande orsaker till det kroniska sårets uppkomst samt eventuella komplikationer som uppstod. Sårläkningsprocessen består av tre olika faser som är inflammationsfas, reparationsfas samt remodelleringsfas. Kroniska sår har en tendens att stanna i inflammat-ionsfasen. Stadierna i sårläkningen gynnas av olika typer av förband, därför är det viktigt att göra en ny bedömning vid varje såromläggning. Förbanden bör ha egen-skaper som förebygger infektion och skapar en fuktig sårmiljö för optimal sårläkning. Kroniska sår på hund och katt är ovanligt. Såren kan uppkomma var som helst på kroppen och kan associeras med främmande kroppar, neoplasi, lokala infektioner samt immunosuppression. Även metaboliska sjukdomar såsom diabetes mellitus och hypotyroidism kan leda till kroniska sår. Hög ålder och övervikt kan vara bidragande faktorer. Orsaken till ett kroniskt sårs fördröjda läkning är viktigt att fastställa för att kunna behandla såret på ett korrekt sätt. Journaltexterna visade på varierade sårvårdsåtgärder. De behandlingsstrategier som det hittades evidens för i litteraturen var vakuumterapi, sårgel (Hydrogel), hyd-rokolloidförband, antimikrobiellt förband (medicinsk manukahonung) samt icke vid-häftande skumförband (Allevyn). Vid kroniska sår som inte läker trots lämpliga be-handlingsåtgärder kan amputation eller avlivning vara nödvändigt.Wound management is an important area of knowledge for the veterinary nurse due to regular contact with patients and responsibility for wound care. To achieve optimal wound care, the veterinary nurse should be knowledgeable about general wound management, how to evaluate wounds and how to properly care for different types of wounds. Focus should also be on achieving good compliance. The aim of wound management is to create the optimal conditions for wound healing, prevent infection, reduce pain and regain the original function of the tissue. Wounds that not show signs of healing for 3-6 weeks despite adequate wound treatment are defined as chronic or slow-healing ulcers. The aim of this study was to describe the cause and healing process of chronic ulcers in dogs and cats as well as treatment strategies based on available studies. Another aim of this study is to clarify which wound management protocols are used in the University Small Animal Hospital (UDS) in the management of chronic ulcers and if there is scientific evidence for these protocols. Initially a review of the scientific literature available was performed in order to obtain background information about the subject. A retrospective search of medical records from UDS was carried out. Based on the definition “slow-healing wounds that has not shown signs of healing for 3-6 weeks despite adequate wound treatment”, five cases were selected, including three dogs and two cats. Variables studied in each case included wound management, underlying causes of the chronic ulcers and com-plications. The wound healing process consist of the inflammatory phase, the proliferative phase and the remodelling phase. Chronic ulcers usually stay in the inflammatory phase. The stages of wound healing benefit from different types of dressings and a new evaluation of the wound should be made every time the dressing is changed. The dressing should prevent infection and provide a moist environment to achieve opti-mal wound healing. Chronic ulcers are rare, can occur anywhere on the body and can be associated with foreign bodies, neoplasia, local infections and immunosuppression. Metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism can also cause chronic ulcers. Old age and obesity can be contributing factors. The reason behind the delayed wound healing need to be established to achieve optimal wound healing. The medical records showed various wound management procedures. Procedures supported by scientific evidence were vacuum therapy, wound gel (Hydrogel), hy-drocolloid dressings, antimicrobial dressing (manuka honey) and non-adhesive foam dressing (Allevyn). If the chronic wound does not show signs of healing despite ad-equate treatment, amputation or euthanasia could be necessary

Enzymatisk nedbrytning av arabinoxylan och fytinsyra som metod för att öka utbytet och biotillgängligheten av näringsämnen i flytande havrebas

This project (Enzymatic degradation of arabinoxylan and phytic acid as a method to increase yield and bioavailability of nutrients in liquid oat base) evaluates the degradation of phytic acid, of the insoluble fraction from Oatly’s existing production process, with the aim of increasing available nutrients such as minerals and proteins. Previous studies have shown that phytic acid from this fraction is hard to disassemble and one possible theory is that the phytic acid is tightly bound to the fibers and hence hard to access. A fiber degrading enzyme, a xylanase, was studied for degradation of the fibers with 6 % dry weight. Three phytases were studied separately and in combination with the xylanase. The xylanase was expected to break up part of the fibers that the phytic acid is believed to be attached to, and the anticipation was that the degradation of the phytic acid would be more effective in the presence of xylanase. The optimal concentration of the xylanase Pentopan® Mono Conc. BG (16,1 µg/ml), which degrades the oat cell wall fiber arabinoxylan to oligosaccharides, was determined and combined with the determined optimal concentrations for the phytases Phytase® 5000 L (1,39 µg/ml) and Quantum™ TR 5000 L (1,60 µg/ml). The third phytase, Sternzym PHY 21097, was not further investigated since it did not show reasonable activity within the applicable time and temperature intervals. No apparent synergistic effect between the xylanase and the phytases could be determined with the optimized amounts of xylanase. However, a free phosphorous analysis showed a higher amount of free phosphorous with 100 times the optimized amount of the xylanase added. This indicates that more phytic acid had been degraded but which also resulted in xylose release. This result supports the hypothesis that the phytic acid is more easily degraded when the insoluble fibers have been detached and other treatments for the degradation of the fiber structure are recommended to further evaluate. The results showed that Phytase® 5000 L was a better alternative in terms of increasing available nutrients. 20 % of the iron content and 19 % of the proteins in the fiber material, after 120 minutes enzyme treatment in 60°C, were found in the fraction to be returned to Oatly’s process. On the other hand, the results from the free phosphorus analysis showed that more free phosphorus, which was used to evaluate the degradation of phytic acid, was obtained with Quantum™ TR 5000 L than with Phytase® 5000 L. A potential theory was that the Phytase® 5000 L only partially degrades phytic acid while Quantum™ TR 5000 L fully degrades phytic acid into inositol. A degradation of IP6 to IP4 is enough to decrease the binding strength of ions. A hydrolysis profile, an IP6 - IP1 analysis, could have confirmed this theory but was not performed within the project. An alternative treatment for the degradation of phytic acid that used germinated oat grains was studied in parallel in this project. The germination was expected to cause a lower amount of phytic acid and increase the amount of soluble minerals and proteins. However the opposite was shown since the amount of solvent minerals and proteins decreased with an increase in time of the germination

A randomized study on the effect of extended voluntary waiting period in primiparous dairy cows on milk yield during first and second lactation

Extending the voluntary waiting period (VWP) for primiparous cows can have a positive impact on fertil-ity without a negative impact on milk production per day in the calving interval (CInt). We investigated the effect of extended VWP during first lactation on milk yield (MY) during 2 consecutive lactations in primipa-rous cows. The study involved 16 commercial herds in southern Sweden. A total of 533 Holstein and Red dairy cattle (Swedish Red, Danish Red, Ayrshire) dairy cows were randomly assigned to a conventional 25 to 95 d VWP (n = 252) or extended 145 to 215 d VWP (n = 281). Data on calvings, inseminations, and test-day yields were retrieved from the Swedish Milk Record -ing System. Cows with VWP according to plan and completing 1 or 2 CInt with a second or third calving were included in the data analysis. Whole lactation and 305-d energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield were higher for the extended VWP group than the conventional VWP group in both the first lactation (12,307 vs. 9,587 and 9,653 vs. 9,127 kg ECM) and second lactation (12,817 vs. 11,986 and 11,957 vs. 11,304 kg ECM). We found no difference between the VWP groups in MY per day during the first CInt or during the first and second CInt combined, although MY per day during the second CInt was around 1.5 kg higher for cows with extended VWP than for cows with conventional VWP. Thus extended VWP for primiparous cows can be used as a management tool without compromising MY

Conservation of a native dairy cattle breed through terminal crossbreeding with commercial dairy breeds

Farmers play a key role in conserving native livestock breeds, but without economic support, farms with native breeds may not be viable. We hypothesized that terminal crossbreeding can improve herd economy and decrease the economic support needed from society. Three scenarios were simulated using SimHerd Crossbred: a herd of purebred Swedish Polled Cattle, a herd of purebred Swedish Red, and a herd of 75% Swedish Polled Cattle and 25% F1 crossbreds. The results showed annual contribution margin per cow in the herd can be increased by euro181 by crossbreeding compared with pure-breeding with the native breed, giving a 13.6% growth in contribution margin. However, the needed cost in subsidies paid by the government will remain unchanged if the population size of the native breed is to be maintained. Combining a crossbreeding strategy with the marketing of niche products may facilitate the conservation of native cattle

Iäkkään poikkeava tyreotropiinipitoisuus

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