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- Nyström, Christina Amcoff
(författare)
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Designing Intranets for Viability : Approaching Organizational Empowerment and Participation
- 2006
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Intranets appeared in the mid-1990s and were perceived as the answer to the need for the integration of existing Information Systems into organisations. Despite the fact that there has been extensive research regarding implementation, development processes, policies standardisation vs. creativity and so forth, the potentiality of Intranets has not been fully exploited. Intranets offer many advantages in the form of working networks that support and enable empowered employees to participate in the development of the organisation, to enable the measurement of essential functions and to monitor undesired conditions and find suitable functions that support daily work. The research approach in this thesis has alternated between analysis empirical studies, and design. Current literature, research findings in the form of articles, etc., are analysed, an empirical study of five organisations is conducted and finally a design of possible functions is accomplished. In the analysis of the state-of-the-art, current research can be grouped into four topics partly overlapping each other; questions concerning informatics, organisation theory, knowledge management, and design. Urgent issues for further research are identified as mainly belonging to the topics informatics and organisation theory; management and strategy, empowerment, further development processes, use, and roles. Findings from a study of five Swedish organisations show a need for identifying the philosophy of technology in the organisations in order to make an organisation’s view of technology common throughout the organisation. Furthermore, functions supporting daily work are lacking to a high degree. Further lacks and demands are identified, as well as potential functions and new possibilities. In the next section, the Philosophy of Technology is related to an Intranet. The discussion is based on a model which consists of the concepts Conception, Use, Technology, and Policy. Making the Philosophy of Technology common in organisations is connected to the empowerment of employees and is a guarantor, along with the influence of the VSM on the design, for the impact on and participation in the processes of an organisation. The next part deals with possible advantages of combining the cybernetic model, the Viable System Model, by Stafford Beer, and an Intranet. It is found that the VSM can support the design of Intranets according to essential functions such as Early Warning Systems connected to production units and levels that are to be made aware of undesired conditions in the organisation. Furthermore, functions for amplifying and attenuating information – both between parts of the organisation and between the organisation and the environment – are to be designed. Further examples of functions supporting the organisation, in order to make it viable, are given. The main contribution of the thesis is the identification of core functions in an Intranet as establishing functions for supervision (Early Warning Systems), attenuating and amplifying information between the organisation and the environment and between subparts in the organisation. Furthermore, the interface is to be designed so the underlying technology is “visible:” Where are the different parts of the Intranet located physically? Who delivers information to the different parts? Who uses the functions? Who is responsible? The transparency of the interface makes the philosophy of technology visible throughout the organisation; the concepts are the same, the actual use is the same as the intended use, and policy is active and well known and finally, the possibilities and the limitations with/inherent to an Intranet are known among the users.Finally, examples of further research are given – both as regards the implementation of Intranets based on the VSM design and as regards making the interface transparent.
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| 2. |
- O'Reilly, Ciarán J.
(författare)
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Acoustic propagation in a lined duct using a wave expansion method
- 2012
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Ingår i: 41st International Congress and Exposition on Noise Control Engineering, INTER-NOISE. - : Institute of Noise Control Engineering (INCE). - 9781627485609 ; , s. 6577-6587
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Acoustic liners are used extensively in engineering applications, particularly in aero-engines. Liners are characterised by a complex impedance, which is dependent on the grazing flow velocity and acoustic pressure spectrum at the liner surface. The acoustic propagation through a lined duct is examined in this paper using a wave expansion method. This is a highly efficient full domain discretisation method, based on interpolation of plane wave functions, which is suitable for solving a convected Helmholtz equation. For a potential flow, the boundary layer and the lined wall are included in the numerical scheme by the Myers boundary condition. This assumes that the acoustic pressure and particle velocity are continuous across a thin boundary layer. The acoustic propagation through a flow-impedance tube is computed in order to validate the implementation of the impedance boundary condition in this scheme. Good agreement with the experimental data from the literature is shown.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Lundahl, Mats, et al.
(författare)
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Economic Challenges for East Timor
- 2020
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The situation in East Timor is turbulent and future growth prospects are indeterminate. This paper discusses the economic challenges facing East Timor. Most inhabitants depend on subsistence farming and there is a need to both modernize agriculture and to foster a modern sector that can generate employment for the growing population. Public expenditures play an important role in this development and East Timor is fortunate to have a large petroleum fund to utilize for economic growth and development. Unfortunately, the fund is about to dry up. There are also clear signs that a large part of investments and development efforts are misplaced. Political conflicts and weak institutions are explaining some of the failures to generate a more growth enhancing economic environment.
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| 7. |
- Becs, Artis, et al.
(författare)
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How do different thinning methods influence spatial tree diversity in mixed forest stands of planted Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) and naturally regenerated birch (Betula spp.) in southern Sweden?
- 2024
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Ingår i: Canadian Journal of Forest Research. - 0045-5067 .- 1208-6037.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Forest biomass has become a viable alternative energy source for replacing fossil fuels, particularly after the European Union acknowledged its sustainability status. To reach zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 in Sweden, new efficient methods of biomass extraction, such as geometrical biomass thinnings, are being explored and tested. These machine-based methods involve the extraction of above-ground biomass in narrow, 1-2 m-wide strips between extraction racks. While evidence-based optimization of biomass extraction mostly focuses on time- and cost-efficiency and on stand growth, criteria such as tree diversity are often overlooked. However, with ongoing climate change, tree diversity is crucial to strengthening the resilience and productivity of future forests, which also enhance the provision of ecosystem services and overall biological diversity. Therefore, we studied the effects of different biomass thinning strategies on spatial tree diversity in southern Sweden using nearest-neighbour summary statistics. We found scientific evidence that different geometrical designs of biomass thinning, especially in 1 or 2 m-wide strips, resulted in higher spatial tree diversity compared to conventional biomass thinning. Hence, in mixed conifer-broadleaved forests, biomass thinning in 1 or 2 m-wide strips is recommended for maintaining spatial tree diversity.
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| 8. |
- Cäker, Mikael
(författare)
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Coordination in interorganizational relations : perspective of dominated suppliers
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This article relates to the debate on control in interorganizational relations. The article aims at providing an understanding of how bureaucratic mechanisms interrelate with market and social mechanisms in this setting, and the perspective of a dominated supplier is especially focused. The article is based on observation with complementary interviews of relations between an industrial customer and two of its suppliers.The study shows restrictions put on the dominated suppliers from the customer, restrictions which from the suppliers' perspective motivate to question the efficiency of interorganizational, bureaucratic control. The suppliers' perceived need to adapt to the customers' routines is more motivated by a fear of challenging the customer than a concern for overall efficiency in the supply chain. The different mechanisms of governance operate in relation to each other. Mainly, market dominance creates space for hierarchical coordination. However, bureaucratic mechanisms do not suit every situation and social mechanisms enter - in some cases even to overrule bureaucratic mechanisms.
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| 9. |
- Dahl, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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The host defense peptide LL-37 triggers release of nucleic acids from human mast cells
- 2018
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Ingår i: Peptides. - : Elsevier BV. - 0196-9781 .- 1873-5169. ; 109, s. 39-45
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The human host defense peptide LL-37 possesses antimicrobial activity but also affects host cell function and viability. Mast cells are involved in innate immunity but no data have been presented on effects of LL-37 on human mast cell viability and export of nucleic acids. Here, we demonstrated by immunofluorescence microscopy that synthesized LL-37 was internalized by human LAD2 mast cells and detected both in cytoplasm and nucleus. Treatment with high (4 and 10 μM) but not low (1 μM) concentrations of LL-37 for 4 h reduced cell viability assessed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Stimulation with 10 μM LL-37 for 4 h enhanced export of nucleic acids, total protein and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), suggesting that both nuclear and plasma membranes are permeabilized by LL-37. Although LL-37 triggered release of nucleic acids, no extracellular trap-like structures were observed by laser scanning confocal microscopy of cells incubated with the plasma membrane impermeable nucleic acid fluorophore SYTOX-Green, indicating that LL-37 promotes export of nucleic acids but not formation of extracellular traps. On the other hand, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), which is a well-known inducer of extracellular traps, stimulated export of nucleic acids and also formation of extracellular trap-like structures. However, PMA had no effect on export of either total protein or LDH. Hence, LL-37 and PMA seem to stimulate export of nucleic acids from LAD2 mast cells through different pathways. In conclusion, we demonstrate that LL-37 triggers release of nucleic acids from human mast cells but not the formation of extracellular trap-like structures.
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| 10. |
- Gentile, AJ, et al.
(författare)
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Internet-based, therapist-guided, cognitive-behavioural therapy for body dysmorphic disorder with global eligibility for inclusion: an uncontrolled pilot study
- 2019
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Ingår i: BMJ open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 9:3, s. e024693-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) has been shown to be an effective treatment for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), but access to treatment around the world is limited. One way to increase access is to administer CBT remotely via the internet. This study represents the first effort to remotely deliver a therapist-supported, internet-based CBT treatment with no restrictions on enrolment based on geographical location, and it aims to assess whether this treatment can be delivered safely across international borders, with outcomes comparable to previous BDD-NET trials.DesignUncontrolled clinical trial.ParticipantsPatients (n=32) in nine different countries were recruited primarily through internet advertisements.InterventionBDD-NET is a 12-week treatment, consisting of eight treatment modules previously shown to be effective in a Swedish version.SettingTherapists based at a single, secondary care centre in Sweden provided active guidance and feedback throughout the treatment via asynchronous electronic messages.Main outcome measureThe clinician-administered Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale for BDD (BDD-YBOCS). Symptom severity was assessed pretreatment, mid-treatment (6 weeks), post-treatment and at the 3-month follow-up.ResultsThere were significant improvements on BDD-YBOCS scores (F(3, 71.63)=31.79, p<0.001), that were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Mean differences from baseline in BDD-YBOCS scores were −8.12 (week 6), –12.63 (post-treatment) and −11.71 (3-month follow-up). 47% and 50% of participants were considered treatment responders at post-treatment and 3-month follow-up, respectively. Additionally, remission rates were 28% at post-treatment and 44% at 3-month follow-up. The treatment was also deemed acceptable by patients.ConclusionsThe results suggest that BDD-NET can be safely and effectively delivered across international borders to a culturally diverse sample. Larger scale randomised controlled trials with more participants from non-Western cultures are warranted to further validate the cross-cultural generalisability of this treatment.Trial registration numberNCT03517384.
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