| 4161. |
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| 4162. |
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| 4163. |
- Nedelkova, Zuzana, 1987
(författare)
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Optimization of truck tyres selection
- 2018
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis, which consists of an introduction and five appended papers, concerns the optimal selection of tyres for a variety of vehicle configurations as well as operating environments. The selection problem stems from a project cooperation between Chalmers University of Technology and Volvo Group Trucks Technology. We analyze the selection problem from a mathematical optimization point of view. The overall purpose is to reduce the tractive energy required to run the vehicle. We develop a computationally efficient vehicle dynamics model of the vehicle, the tyres, and the operating environment. The tyres are represented by a surrogate model of the rolling resistance coefficient, which measures the energy losses caused by the tyres. The properties of the surrogate model called for a methodology for connecting expert knowledge about a general simulation-based function with its radial basis function interpolation. An algorithm for the solution of a large set of instances of a simulation-based optimization problem with continuous variables has been developed and tested on a set of problem instances. This algorithm enables an efficient computation of approximately optimal tyre designs (represented by continuous variables) for each vehicle configuration and operating environment specification. A splitting algorithm for simulation-based optimization problems with categorical variables has been developed and evaluated on a set of test problems. This algorithm outperforms all algorithms applicable to this class of optimization problems, and finds an approximately optimal tyres configuration. Since each execution of this algorithm requires many computationally expensive evaluations of the simulation-based objective function, it cannot be used to solve the full tyres selection problem. The two latter algorithms are then combined to enable the efficient solution of many instances of a simulation-based optimization problem with categorical variables. The resulting algorithm is applied to a couple of instances of the tyres selection problem. Our experiments show that the optimization methodology developed enables a computationally efficient solution of the truck tyres selection problem, in the combinatorial domain of possible vehicle configurations and operating environment specifications. Putting our methodology into practice will involve many challenges besides the problems studied in this thesis; however we have shown that our methodology can be utilized in the sales tool at Volvo.
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| 4164. |
- Neequaye, David Amon, 1988
(författare)
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Eliciting information in intelligence interviews through priming: An examination of underlying mechanisms
- 2018
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- An emerging body of research in human intelligence interviewing suggests that subtle influence tactics, such as priming, could be used to increase informants’ disclosure of sensitive information. However, the mechanisms that elicit such subtle influences on disclosure are not fully understood. To contribute to this field of research, the present thesis sought to map out when and how priming tactics impact information disclosure. The work was based on a synthesis of current theoretical perspectives that generally explain how primes affect behavior. It was proposed that priming helpfulness motivations would facilitate information disclosure because previous research findings have indicated that activating individuals’ helpfulness motivations increase their cooperation in various domains. In three studies with seven experiments (and two pilot tests) consisting of 1, 347 participants, the underlying mechanisms of helpfulness priming and the processes that elicit the potential influence of helpfulness priming on disclosure were examined. Study I investigated the theoretical proposition that behavioral assimilation to helpfulness priming occurs because a helpfulness prime increases cognitive accessibility to helpfulness-related content, which in turn mediates the impact of the prime on helping behavior (Experiments 1, 2, and 3). In addition, Experiments 1 and 3 investigated the role of the potential moderators, perspective taking and suitability affordances, respectively. The results indicated that helpfulness priming reliably increases helpfulness accessibility. However, no main effects of priming on behavior, nor interactions between priming and any of the moderators, emerged. Mediation analyses results were consistent with the hypothesis that helpfulness priming indirectly increases helping behavior by heightening helpfulness accessibility, but only in two of the five experiments, where participants subjectively perceived more suitable or relevant affordance to enact helpfulness. Taken together, the results of Study I suggested that variability in helpfulness accessibility and suitable affordances may promote the enactment of helping behavior. These findings were extended to an intelligence interview context (Study II and Study III) to explore the underlying mechanisms that engender the potential influence of helpfulness priming on information disclosure. Participants assumed the role of an informant with information about an upcoming mock terror attack. Subsequently, an interviewer solicited information about the attack using an interview style that displayed either high (helpfulness-focused) or low (control) fit with helpfulness. Before the interview, in a seemingly unrelated experiment, half of the participants were primed with helpfulness-related content and the other half were not primed. After the priming, the cognitive helpfulness accessibility of all the participants was assessed. Study II explored the proposition that a helpfulness-focused interview style, which draws on interviewees’ primed helpfulness accessibility, would function as a high-suitability affordance and thus promote disclosure. Unexpectedly, the results revealed that the helpfulness-focused interview style decreased disclosure when helpfulness accessibility was low. Study III, which drew on the findings of Study II, examined the theoretical proposition that consistency between interviewees’ primed helpfulness dispositions and an interviewer’s (helpfulness-focused) interpersonal approach when soliciting information would facilitate disclosure. Providing some support for the proposition, the results indicated that helpfulness priming increased disclosure when the helpfulness-focused approach was used but not when the control approach was used. In all, regarding the underlying processes of information elicitation using priming tactics, this thesis suggests that implementing an interview style that does not match an interviewee’s primed dispositions could counteract the goal of increasing disclosure. The findings also hint at the possibility that an interview approach that complements an interviewee’s primed dispositions may work in concert with the previous priming to increase disclosure.
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| 4165. |
- Nehez, Jaana, 1974-
(författare)
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Rektorers praktiker i möte med utvecklingsarbete : Möjligheter och hinder för planerad förändring
- 2015
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis focuses on how principals’ practices in improvement work are formed and how these practices affect principals’ possibilities to work with planned change. The study takes its departure from ten Upper Secondary School principals’ improvement work concerning enterprise education. The study has an action research approach and was carried out between June 2009 and September 2010. The aim of the study is to generate knowledge about principals’ practices in improvement work and of action research as a strategy for principals in planned change in relation to these practices. The theoretical framework is based on practice theories (Kemmis & Grootenboer, 2008; Schatzki, 2002). According to these theories, a practice is formed in a project that shows what the practice is aiming for by practitioners’ sayings, doings and relatings. Furthermore, Kemmis and Grootenboer (2008) claim that practices are shaped by arrangements outside the practitioners; cultural-discursive, material-economic and social-political arrangements. Findings show that what becomes meaningful for principals to engage in is not formed only by the aim of the planned improvement work, but also by already existing practices competing for space and by arrangements constraining principals’ possibilities to work with planned change. Many practices and projects were competing on the arena where the improvement work was planned to proceed. Some of the projects, ‘leading the improvement work’, ‘understanding what enterprise education is about’ and ‘making changes for enterprise education’ promoted the planned change. Others, projects like ‘organizing the daily work’, ‘avoiding dispute with teachers’ and ‘pretending to succeed’, constrained the planned change. Furthermore, cultural-discursive arrangements like abstract ideas of what the principals were supposed to create conditions for, as well as social-political arrangements like asymmetric relationships between the principals, and expectations from the local school board for quick solutions, enabled practices that constrained the planned change. Practices and arrangements like those in the study made it difficult for the principals to engage in action research as a strategy for change. Based on the results, principals’ possibilities to work with planned change are discussed in relation to the matter of context, dialogue as an improvement strategy, the aim for the improvement work and demands for quick solutions. The thesis contributes with knowledge about planned change and it contributes to the discussion about what kind of arrangements could support principals to initiate and lead school improvement. It also shows the importance of practice analyses in school improvement processes.
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| 4166. |
- Nelander, Sven, 1974
(författare)
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A genomic approach to smooth muscle differentiation and diversity
- 2005
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are a broad class of contractile cells that are found in a number of organs systems, including the vasculature, the urogenital system, the bronchi and the gastrointestinal tract. The two main functions exerted by SMCs are to provide contractile force and to synthesize structural components of the extracellular matrix. SMCs are not terminally differentiated, but have a capacity to adjust their cellular phenotype to meet crucial physiological needs. Examples include repair of blood vessels, and uterine growth during pregnancy. In addition, SMC plasticity may be important in human diseases such as asthma, pre-term delivery, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. A great challenge in smooth muscle biology is therefore to identify molecular mechanisms that mediate SMC phenotypic differences. The aim of the present study is to examine SMC differentiation and diversity in terms of global gene expression. In general terms, we ask how genome sequences and large-scale observations of gene expression patterns together can be used to define and understand SMC differentiation and diversity. Three lines of investigation are followed. First, we examine gene expression patterns of SMC subpopulations using gene chip technology, which results in a transcription atlas of SMC diversity (I, IV). Second, we propose a general approach to the functional and regulatory interpretation of such data, based on the biological concept of gene batteries defined as sets of genes that are co-regulated and functionally linked (II, III). This approach is general, and applicable beyond SMC biology. Third, we use this framework to interpret our exploration of SMC phenotypes, and to postulate regulators of SMC phenotypic diversity (III, IV). We find evidence that that several gene batteries are synchronously regulated during vascular SMC maturation and neointima formation, suggesting that distinct features of the vascular SMC phenotype are encoded by individual gene batteries (IV). Among regulated gene batteries, a lipid metabolism battery and a vascular-selective extracellular matrix battery are found. Regulatory sequence analysis was performed on a whole-genome scale with respect to 266 DNA-binding transcription factors, and results were used to predict cis regulatory elements of importance for gene batteries and vascular SMC marker genes (III, IV). Specific findings include novel SMC differentiation markers, including LPP, a potential SMC-selective transcriptional regulator (II). In summary, the work provides a genomic formulation of the SMC differentiation and diversity problem, and proposes a model for the SMC phenotype which is based on explicitly defined groups of genes.
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| 4167. |
- Nelhans, Gustaf, 1973
(författare)
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Citeringens praktiker: Det vetenskapliga publicerandet som teori, metod och forskningspolitik : The practices of the citation: Scientific publication as theory, method and research policy
- 2013
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The thesis investigates the scientific citation and its various functions in the scientific community and develops it as a tool for research in theory of science, scientometrics and science studies. Based on empirical and theoretical studies that utilize both qualitative and quantitative methods the citation’s history, method, as well as its use in research policy is examined. Through a historical study the thesis shows three stages of development as required for the construction of the citation as an indicator of intrinsic aspects of science. These consisted of a) citations as technology, within the citation index, b) the citation as a research method as theorised within Mertonian sociology of science, and c) the citation as a research subject. Following this the “citation debate” in Science and Technology Studies (STS) is described and analysed, which questions the use of generalized quantitative methods. Inspired by an STS approach a performative model of “the mangle of the citation practice” is developed. This aims to understand the citation existing in a context where researchers, articles and the citation index are mutually creating and recreating each other. The thesis uses the HistCite scientometrics tool to develop a novel methodology that highlights local dynamics of citation practices between scientific authors and texts using a visual approach of identifying configurations of citations in graphic representations of articles and their citation patterns. For this a “citation typology” is created to identify specific patterns and phenomenon in HistCite graphic representations. The last empirical study examines the introduction of quantitatively based performance-based models for funding of research in Norwegian and Swedish research policy 2003-2010 which problematizes the part played by the citation in a research policy setting as “unobtrusive” indicators of scientific practice. The thesis demonstrates the significance of the citation in research through its design as a reflection of the scientific reference, and result of it being constructed – and used – as an indicator of scientific quality. Furthermore, it shows an emerging awareness in the scientific community that quantifiable indicators of scientific achievement – of which the citation is perhaps the main element – has gained a prominent role in both internal and external domains of scientific practice.
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| 4168. |
- Nelson, Karin, 1960
(författare)
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Improvisation and Pedagogy through Heinrich Scheidemann's Magnificat Settings
- 2010
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- ABSTRACT Doctoral dissertation in musicology, artistic-creative programme, University of Gothenburg, Sweden 2010, 302 pages Author: Karin Nelson Title: Improvisation and Pedagogy through Heinrich Scheidemann’s Magnificat Settings. Language: English Department: Department of Cultural Scienses Series: Skrifter från musikvetenskap, Göteborgs universitet, Nº 96 ISBN 978-91-85974-12-2. ISSN 1654-6261. © Karin Nelson, 2010 Keywords: Alternatim, Amsterdam, composition, Hamburg, improvisation, Luther, Magnificat, notation, Paumann, pedagogy, Scheidemann, St. Catharinen, Sweelinck, Weckmann. The general topic of this thesis concerns the purpose of musical notation in an historical period during which organists were famous predominantly for their improvisational abilities. The aim of the study is to determine how the 17th century organist in North Germany learned to improvise, and to compare this method to our method today. As a case study, Heinrich Scheidemann’s Magnificat settings from the 17th-century manuscript Ze1 have been analyzed. The verses in Scheidemann’s Magnificat settings demonstrate a variety of improvisational techniques, and they have a clear structure that is easy to copy. It is proposed in the thesis that these verses were meant to be used pedagogically, in contrast to the two anonymous settings which lack this regular structure. The process of teaching improvisation and a musical style by means of notated compositions was common in the 17th century. Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck’s keyboard composi¬tions also are advanced in the study as possible educational materials. Different uses of notation are considered, including the practice of a number of prominent com¬posers to begin their creative process by departing from the notated score of another composer. The history of the Magnificat, its context and use in the early Lutheran church is also discussed. Different approaches to improvisation are described, both from a historical perspective and from the author’s point of view, including her collaboration with other musicians. The conclusion of this study is that Scheidemann’s Magnificat settings in Ze1 were intended as pedagogical models, which could be used to demonstrate improvisational techniques over the Magnificat theme as well as improvisation in general. It is also concluded that the two anonymous Magnificat settings in Ze1, which until now have been attributed to Scheidemann, are not written by him. The study shows several similarities and differences between the way organists in the 17th century in North Germany learned to improvise in comparison with contemporary improvisers.
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| 4169. |
- Nemes, Szilard, 1977
(författare)
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Integrative genomic and survival analysis of breast tumors
- 2012
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- With the continued accumulation of genomic data at ever increasing resolution the challenge ahead lies in reading out meaningful clinical/biological information form the data that can contribute to a better understanding of the cancerous process. The need for novel approaches, new statistical methods is therefore strong. The present thesis aims to contribute to the field with three problem specific applications that that expectantly will aid researchers in a better understanding of genomic data. The first paper exemplifies the adaptation of a piecewise-linear regression framework to integrative analysis of DNA copy number aberrations and gene expression (mRNA) data. The methods allows it helps identify the association between copy number and gene expression but it takes a further step and allows detection of changing patterns and changepoints could serve as a proxy for the degree of genomic instability that causes disruptions in feedback-mechanisms. The second paper advocates the adaptation of a mediation analysis for a concomitant analysis of DNA copy number aberrations, mRNA and survival data. The paper offers ways of statistical inference by the means of Delta-method applicable concomitantly on a large number of genes. If a mediation effect is observed for a specific gene, we hypothesize that the specific gene is a driver gene. If no mediation effect is observed then possible associations between DNA copy number aberrations and the outcome are likely to indicate passenger genes. The third paper is a more applied/clinical work and using applied statistics identified a novel panel of 12-genes that can serve prognostic toll for breast cancer specific survival. The thesis concludes with a methodological description in which we describe an easy permutation based approach for testing the clonal origins of multiple tumors. The main assumption of the proposed method is that if two tumors that share a common origin or if the alleged secondary tumor is clonally related to the primary tumor then they share a higher and tumor specific amount of matching chromosomal aberrations (gains or deletions) than recurrent chromosomal aberrations can explain.
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| 4170. |
- Nenonen, Nancy P, 1943
(författare)
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Norovirus Tracing in Environmental and Outbreak Settings - Experiences of waterborne, foodborne and nosocomial transmission
- 2015
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Noroviruses (NoV), a major cause of acute gastroenteritis in hospital settings, also occur as sporadic infections or periodic non-seasonal community outbreaks. Human NoV replicates to high concentration in the intestinal tract, is readily transmitted by the faecal-oral route, hand-to-hand contact, contaminated food and water, and by aerosols. Large numbers of NoV are discharged into wastewaters and, despite sewage treatment, can cause problems when recycled river waters are used as source of drinking water. Two major groups of NoV are associated with human infections, genogroups (G) GI and GII. Epidemiological studies indicate association of GI with non-seasonal food- and waterborne infections, and GII with person-to-person transmission, particularly nosocomial spread of NoV. As NoV detection in filter-feeding bivalves may have a sentinel role in tracing NoV in environmental waters, molecular tools were used to detect and characterize NoV in mussels from Fotö near the plume of sewage effluents from Gothenburg wastewater treatment plant. Sequence analyses of NoV RNA from Fotö mussels revealed GI.1 strains with high similarity (99%, 3.1kb) to strains detected in patients infected in nonseasonal, waterborne outbreaks linked to bathing in Lake Delsjö. Comparative sequence analysis of NoV strains from mussels and patients indicated that human NoV outbreak strains circulate in wastewaters, and can be traced in bivalves. Molecular methods were used to characterize NoV detected in oysters implicated in a gastroenteric outbreak where only those guests who ate oysters were affected. Mixed human NoV GI and GII strains were found in the oysters, evidence of faecal contamination of the bivalves, held for several weeks in Strömstad harbour waters. NoV GI.1 strains from the oysters showed high similarity (≥ 99%, 285 nt) to the GI.1 detected in faeces obtained from one of the oyster-eating patients. Phylogenetic analyses of GI.1 strains from patient and oysters indicated the contaminated bivalves as point source of infection. The similarity (99%, 3.1kb) of NoV GI.1 detected in Fotö mussels, patient samples from Delsjö waterborne outbreak, and the Strömstad oyster outbreak, was remarkable. High similarity held also when strains were compared with GenBank references; 96% with L23828, from an oyster outbreak, Japan 1989; 87% with the original Norwalk strain M87661, 1968, point source well water. These findings indicate genomic stability of NoV GI.1 strains over a period greater than 20 years, and dispersal of GI.1 in environmental waters. Association of NoV GI strains with outbreaks related to sewage-contaminated water was emphasized in the molecular epidemiology of a large, non-seasonal waterborne outbreak affecting Lilla Edet, situated on the River Göta. Molecular studies revealed marked genomic diversity of NoV GI strains in patient samples. Cloning was used to confirm mixed GI infections including a new genotype, proposed NoV GI.9. Upstream sewage contamination of recycled river water and disinfection problems at the municipal drinking water treatment plant precipitated the outbreak. In contrast study of NoV infections in hospital settings showed predominance of GII.4 strains in symptomatic patients and their environment. High similarity (≥99.5%, 1040 nt) was found between GII.4 variant strains from patients, and strains from dust, air, and surfaces in the patient's room. GII.4 strains detected in symptomatic patients in 8 wards during the 5-month study clustered on 11 sub-branches of the phylogenetic tree. One of the wards, a control, was not affected by nosocomial spread of NoV GII.4. High similarity of GII.4 strains from patients and their hospital room environment, in a given ward at a given time, confirmed nosocomial transmission and indicated the need for interventional cleaning studies. To summarize, NoV tracing provided strong evidence of bioaccumulation of outbreakrelated NoV strains in mussels growing near sewage effluents. High similarity of NoV strains from oysters implicated in a NoV outbreak and from an infected patient, indicated transmission of NoV from oysters to humans, confirming high stability of GI.1 strains in oysters, water and mussels. Cloning confirmed mixed NoV GI infections in patients from a waterborne outbreak, strengthening indices of an outbreak caused by sewage-contaminated drinking water. High similarity of NoV GII.4 strains detected in patients and their hospital room environment, confirmed local nosocomial transmission.
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