| 1. |
- Holmstedt, Janna, 1972-
(författare)
-
Are you ready for a wet live-in? : explorations into listening
- 2017
-
Konstnärligt arbete (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Listen. If I ask you to listen, what is it that I ask of you—that you will understand, or perhaps obey? Or is it some sort of readiness that is requested? What occurs with a body in the act of listening? How do sound and voice structure audio-visual-spatial relations in concrete situations?This doctoral thesis in fine arts consists of six artworks and an essay that documents the research process, or rather, acts as a travelogue as it stages and narrates a series of journeys into a predominantly sonic ecology. One entry into this field is offered by the animal “voice” and attempts to teach animals to speak human language. The first journey concerns a specific case where humanoid sounds were found to emanate from an unlikely source—the blowhole of a dolphin. Another point of entry is offered by the acousmatic voice, a voice split from its body, and more specifically, my encounter with the disembodied voice of Steve Buscemi in a prison in Philadelphia. This listening experience triggered a fascination with, and an inquiry into, the voices that exist alongside us, the parasitic relation that audio technology makes possible, and the way an accompanying voice changes one’s perceptions and even one’s behavior. In the case of both the animal and the acousmatic, the seemingly trivial act of attending to a voice quickly opens up a complex space of embodied entanglements with the potential to challenge much of what we take for granted. At the heart of my inquiry is a series of artworks made between 2012 and 2016, which constitute a third journey: the performance Limit-Cruisers (#1 Sphere), the praxis session Limit-Cruisers (#2 Crowd), the installations Therapy in Junkspace, Fluorescent You, and “Then, ere the bark above their shoulders grew,” and the lecture performance Articulations from the Orifice (The Dry and the Wet).The relationship between what is seen and heard is being explored and renegotiated in the arts and beyond. We are increasingly addressed by prerecorded and synthetic voices in both public and private spaces. Simultaneously, our notions of human communication are challenged and complicated by recent research in animal communication. My work attempts to address the shifts and complexities embodied in these developments. The three journeys are deeply entwined with theoretical inquiries into human-animal relationships, technology, and the philosophy of sound. In the essay, I consider as well how other artistic practices are exploring this same complex space. What I put forward is a materialist and concrete approach to listening understood as a situated practice. Listening is both a form of co-habitation and an ecology. In and through listening, I claim, one could be said to perform in concert with the things heard while at the same time being changed by them.
|
|
| 2. |
- Nilsson, Andreas, 1974-
(författare)
-
Patient-controlled sedation in procedural care
- 2014
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The need for procedural sedation is extensive and on the increase in numbers of patients. Minor treatments or diagnostic procedures are being performed with inadequate sedation or even without any sedatives or analgesics. Also, sedation techniques that support advanced, high-quality, in-patient care procedures representing easy performance and rapid recovery are requested for increased effectiveness. In this doctoral thesis, patient-controlled sedation (PCS) using propofol and alfentanil for surgical and diagnostic procedures was studied. The overall aim was to study aspects of safety, procedural feasibility and patients’ experiences. The main hypothesis was that PCS using only propofol is a safe and effective method for the induction and maintenance of moderate procedural sedation. The studies included were prospective, interventional, and in some cases, randomized and double-blinded.Data on cardiopulmonary changes, level of conscious sedation (bispectral index and Observer’s assessment of alertness/sedation [OAA/S]), pain, discomfort, anxiety, nausea (visual analogue scales), interventions performed by nurse anaesthetists, surgeons’ evaluation of feasibility, procedure characteristics, recovery (Aldrete score) and pharmacokinetic simulation of concentrations of drugs at the effect site supported the analysis and comparison between PCS and anaesthetist-controlled sedation and propofol PCS with or without alfentanil.PCS can be adjusted to cover a broad range of areas where sedation is needed, which, in this thesis, included burn care, gynaecological out-patient surgery and endoscopic procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the bile ducts (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography [ERCP]). PCS for burn wound treatment demands the addition of alfentanil, but still seems to be safe. PCS was preferred by the patients instead of anaesthetist-controlled sedation. The addition of alfentanil to PCS as an adjunct to gynaecological surgical procedures also using local anaesthesia increases the surgeon’s access to the patients, but impairs safety. Apnoea and other such conditions requiring interventions to restore respiratory function were seen in patients receiving both alfentanil and propofol for PCS. Patients’ experiencing perioperative pain and anxiety did not explain the effect-site concentrations of drugs. Different gynaecological procedures and patients’ weights seemed to best explain the concentrations. For discomfort and pain during the endoscopic procedure (ERCP), propofol PCS performs almost the same as anaesthetist-performed sedation. Overall, as part of the pre-operative procedures, PCS does not seem to be time-consuming. In respect to the perioperative perspective, PCS supports rapid recovery with a low incidence of tiredness, pain, and post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV).The data suggest that PCS further needs to be adapted to the patient, the specific procedure and the circumstances of sedation for optimal benefit and enhanced safety.
|
|
| 3. |
- Nilsson, Marie, 1966-
(författare)
-
Salutogenetic resources in the everyday lives of teachers : promoting workplace learning and well-being
- 2017
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The aim of this thesis was to explore salutogenic resources in the everyday lives of teachers, and toinvestigate how an intervention of collegial reflection influences their work-related learning and their being.The thesis includes two parts, a needs assessment and an intervention, performed between 2009 and2016. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches have been used in the process of the thesis. Methods used for data generation have been multistage focus groups interviews, individual interviews, questionnaire, open mail questions, and digital recordings of the reflection meetings. Four different methods have been used For the analyses: content analysis, hermeneutic analysis, multiple linear regression, and thematic analysis.The findings indicate that the caring relationships with pupils, but also colleagues, were important for the teachers’ finding meaning in their work. The caring relationships and the sense of meaningfulness were important resources for the teachers well-being.Collegial reflection was a health promoting resource in that it contributed with social support from colleagues, a sense of belonging, a consensus regarding shool issues, and recovery. This recovery occurred while the teachers were having their collegial reflection, indicating that they still felt recovered even though they were reflecting on work-related issues.The thesis also indicates that teachers’ experiences of time pressure at work was the variable with the strongest associaton to their experience of work-life balance. The integration of work and private lives is an important part of being a teacher. Certain aspects of work was considered as positive and salutogenic when integrated with their private lives, such as the creative aspect of teaching. However, other aspects, such as ruminating over abused pupils, were affecting their well-being in a detrimental way when integrated in their private lives.In a time when much focus is put on teachers’ increasing workload, documentation and psychosocial risks, it is important to pay more attention to the salutogenic and the enhancing aspects of teacher's work. By doing that, teachers’ well-being may be enhanced, as well as supporting teacher retention.
|
|
| 4. |
- Elbagir, Sahwa, 1983-
(författare)
-
Autoimmunity in Africa: Comparing Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Anti-phospholipid Antibodies in Sudan and Sweden
- 2020
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic immune complex (IC)-mediated disease with variable prevalence worldwide, reported to be more common in Africans, Hispanics and Asians than in Caucasian populations. Expression of autoantibodies might vary between different ethnic populations due to environmental and genetic factors. Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) react with several antigenic targets of negatively charged phospholipids and/or associated plasma proteins. In this thesis we have studied the immunological and clinical characteristics of SLE in patients from Sudan and Sweden using an identical methodology. We have also investigated the occurrence of aPL during healthy pregnancies in both countries.Sudanese patients with SLE were younger, had shorter disease duration and suffered from more organ damage compared to Swedish patients. Neurological involvement, predominantly in young patients, was the main contributor to organ damage among the Sudanese patients. When comparing anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) specificities in IC between Sudanese and Swedish patients, different results from ANA detected in serum was observed. While serum ANA levels were mainly higher in Swedish SLE patients, levels of most ANA specificities in IC, particularly anti-chromatin specificities, were increased in Sudanese patients. In both cohorts, ANA in IC associated with more active SLE. Sudanese SLE patients had a higher prevalence of IgA aPL using common assay cut-off points. However, aPL levels among controls were also higher in Sudan, and when cut-offs were adjusted based on national controls the difference in prevalence between the patient groups was no longer evident. A more recently defined test measuring antibody against the phosphatidylserine/prothrombin complex was the best aPL predictor of thrombosis in Swedish SLE patients, independent of cardiovascular risk factors and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome criteria tests. Levels of IgA aPL, particularly anti-β2 glycoprotein I, were higher in normal pregnancies of healthy women from Sudan. This was not observed in Swedish pregnancies, and it was not due to reactivity against domain 1 of the β2 glycoprotein I molecule.Levels of autoantibodies differed both for patients and healthy individuals from Sudan and Sweden, and the occurrence of antibodies among patients depended on the cut-offs used. Adjustments to national cut-offs revealed more associations between autoantibody occurrence and clinical manifestations in Sudan. We recommend that the evaluation of autoantibody prevalence and clinical significance in autoimmune diseases in populations of African origin should rely on cut-offs based on controls from the same population, both in research and clinical contexts.
|
|
| 5. |
- Eriksson, Fredrik
(författare)
-
Det reglerade undantaget : högerns jordbrukspolitik 1904-2004
- 2004
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Agricultural policy and protectionism were major forces behind the foundation of the Swedish Conservative Party (AVF, later Högerpartiet and now Moderata samlingspartiet). Agriculture was seen as a traditional way of life and as such agriculture was deemed important enough to be protected by tariffs. The party also had a strong agrarian phalange in its ranks. The thesis deals with the agricultural policy of the party and its predecessors during the 20th century. The main focus is to explain how the party has dealt with agricultural policy during the period. Due to the reasons mentioned above agricultural policy became a regulated exception of the party. This meant that the party accepted protectionism and other exceptions when it came to agriculture. Things that would not have been accepted in other areas. The main reason for this agricultural exceptionalism was the power of the farmers within the party structure. This, in combination with the Swedish neutrality and preparedness for war, lay behind this view on agriculture . Through neutrality agriculture became a factor in Swedish defense policy and as such ruled by consensus. For the conservatives agriculture and the farmers were seen as an important group within the electorate. Agriculture was also ideologically important through its traditionalism. In combination with strong groups of farmers within the party and the issue of preparedness led to a party policy where agriculture was something particular and an exception from normal policy. The agricultural policy of the party is studied on the ideological level, the internal party level and on the level of non-socialist party cooperation. The party policy during the century showed a remarkable continuity and the party in general defended agriculture from all threats of deregulation up until 1990 when a broad political decision was taken and agriculture was deregulated. The question of Swedish membership in the European Union is also adressed since it meant that agriculture had to be regulated once more.
|
|
| 6. |
- Nilsson, Marie I
(författare)
-
Psychosocial situation and work after breast cancer surgery : women's experiences
- 2013
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Nowadays, most women survive the disease, and many working women continue in paid employment. Nevertheless, there is little scientific knowledge of working after breast cancer surgery and of how various stakeholders support women after a breast cancer diagnosis. Aim: The aim of this thesis is to explore women’s work situation after breast cancer surgery, with special focus on how women experience interactions with different stakeholders, and on women’s reflections and actions with regard to work. Methods: Four studies, based on information about women aged 26-63, living in Stockholm, who had had breast cancer surgery, were conducted. In studies I and II, data from four focus group interviews with 23 women, who had had breast cancer surgery three to thirteen months previously, were analyzed by means of qualitative content analysis and thematic analysis, respectively. For studies III and IV, questionnaire and treatment registry data on 605 women working at time of diagnosis were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics, and univariate and multivariable logistic regressions. Results: Study I revealed that the women had encountered many different stakeholders regarding issues of paid employment. These encounters involved information exchange and adjustments, and reflected attitudes towards sickness absence and the women themselves. Examples concern the issues of job retention or sickness absence, e.g., of an inflexible interpretation of sickness absence regulations, and of a lack of information on the side-effects of treatment. Study II focused on women’s reflections and actions with regard to work. Several of the women had worked, at least to some extent, during the cancer trajectory. The following three action themes were identified: returning to work or not, asking for adjustments or not, and disclosing one’s disease or not. Five themes with regard to reflections were found: health and function, the value of work, self-esteem and integrity, social circumstances, and relationships at work. Women who continued to work throughout the treatment period tended to refer to work as a normalizing factor, but others wanted to focus on rehabilitation and were on sick leave. At the time of breast cancer were the vast majority of women working full-time and when answering the questionnaire were 61% sickness absent, whereof the majority on full-time. The results of Study III furthermore showed that women shortly after breast cancer surgery valued their paid work highly, and found it to be one of the most important aspects of life. Low job satisfaction and younger age were associated with being on sick leave. Social support at work and adjustment of work was explored in Study IV. It was found that many women received social support from their colleagues and supervisors. Low perceived social support from supervisors and low work-adjustment opportunities were associated with being on sick leave, even after controlling for socio-demographic factors, work posture, axillary surgery, and planned adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusion: All stakeholders involved in women’s circumstances after breast cancer surgery need to pay great attention to psychosocial factors, such as being flexible in providing support, solutions and information, and taking into account women’s preferences and perceived competence. These are considerations of essential importance to the women, and may have a bearing on being sickness absent or returning to work.
|
|
| 7. |
- Nilsson, Rickard, 1968-
(författare)
-
On wear in rolling/sliding contacts
- 2005
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The aim of this thesis is to increase the understanding of wear in rolling/sliding contacts such as the wheel-rail contact for railroads and the roller-washer contact for roller bearings. The Stockholm commuter train network has been the subject of papers A and B in this thesis in which the wear and surface cracks on rails has been observed for a period of three years. By comparing the wear depth with the crack length, equilibrium between these two damage mechanisms was found for a lubricated rail. By using a lubricant with friction modifiers the stresses was low enough to prevent crack propagation; at the same time, the rail was hard enough to reduce the wear rate. This is probably the most favourable state in terms of rail maintenance cost. Roller bearings subjected to lubricant borne particles have been the subject of papers C, D and E in this thesis. Particles in the lubricating oil can have a significant impact on the wear in lubricated contacts. Even at low concentration levels can self-generated particles cause significant wear. The here presented results shows that filtration during run-in can significantly reduce both the mass loss and the number of self generated particles. A series of experiments has been carried out to study the wear of roller bearings by ingested lubricant borne hard particles. The form of the worn profile and the length of wear scratches correspond closely to the sliding within the contact. A count of the number of wear scratches on the rolling element surface indicates that the contact concentrates particles. A novel wear model based on the observation of a single point on the contacting surface when a concentration of particles passes through it has been developed and the necessary data for the model has been determined from the experiments. Comparison of the simulation results with the experimental results shows good qualitative agreement for the form change of the washer surfaces.
|
|
| 8. |
- Torra i Fernàndez, Èric, 1979-
(författare)
-
The influence of tyre air cavities on vehicle acoustics
- 2006
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The tonal character of the low frequency internal noise in cars is often due to energy transmission through the tyre at the first few eigenfrequencies of the air cavity of the tyre. The first acoustic mode in the air cavity of a typical stationary car tyre is approximately 224 Hz. At this frequency the tyre is comparatively stiff resulting in a high transmission of energy from the road wheel contact to the car body itself. In order to investigate possible means of reducing this effect, the acoustic field inside a tyre is modelled. Theoretically it is found that the pressure inside a tyre and the energy transmission through the tyre to the wheel axle and the car body can be reduced by adding a sound absorbing material inside the tyre. This was confirmed by measurements on stationary as well as rotating tyres with and without added sound absorption. For a rotating tyre there is a split of the natural frequency depending on the rotational speed of the tyre. Measurements in a standard passenger car reveal that the noise level inside the car is rather high in a fairly wide frequency range around 224 Hz at normal velocities. This tonal noise can be reduced by adding sound absorption inside a tyre. Models for the prediction and the reduction of the tonal noise are presented. Measured and predicted results are compared and the agreement is found to be good. It is found that the tonal noise can be reduced by up to 9 dB. The effects of the air cavity resonances on the external noise have also been studied. It is estimated that external tyre noise can be reduced 1 dB by adding a sound absorbing material inside tyres. For a car travelling on a road a strong acoustic field is induced between the floor of the car and the road. The impact of this acoustic field can be reduced by mounting a sound absorbing material underneath the car. It is estimated that the A-weighted sound pressure level close to a running car could be reduced by 3 dB by adding this type sound absorption. It is found that aluminium foam could be a suitable sound absorbing material which could be mounted inside tyres and underneath cars. The acoustic and dynamic properties of various types of aluminium foams are discussed. In particular measurement techniques for determining sound absorption at grazing incidence are investigated.
|
|
| 9. |
- Ödalen, Malin, 1982-
(författare)
-
Model analysis of ocean carbon storage and transport across climate states
- 2019
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The ocean carbon cycle plays a fundamental role in the Earth’s climate system, on decadal to multi-millennial timescales. Of the carbon held in the ocean, the atmosphere, and the terrestrial biosphere combined, more than 90% resides in the ocean. Carbon enters the surface ocean through air-sea gas exchange and from terrestrial sources. It is transported to the deep ocean with the ocean circulation and through the so-called biological pump, where carbon is taken up in the surface ocean by photosynthetic organisms that fall down and decompose at depth. This thesis contributes to the understanding of the processes involved in ocean carbon storage and transport. It examines how these processes respond to model perturbations, and how this response influences our attempts to simulate glacial-interglacial fluctuations in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2).The thesis investigates the response of the simulated ocean carbon storage, and distribution of the isotopic tracer δ13C, to changes in physical and biological parameters. In the included studies, we use observational as well as proxy records of oceanic properties to evaluate our model simulations. In addition, we use a climate model to interpret proxy evidence of glacial-interglacial changes in ocean δ13C. By using a separation framework, we identify the origin of the carbon in the model ocean, and attribute observed changes to the processes involved.The results indicate a strong link between ocean carbon storage and the strength of the global ocean overturning circulation. Stronger circulation leads to less carbon storage through a weakening of the biological pump, and through reduced solubility due to an increase in global ocean average temperature.In simulations of glacial climate, we find that biological adaptability to the surrounding nutrient conditions, through a flexible carbon-to-phosphorus ratio (C/P) in ocean photosynthesis, increases the ocean carbon storage compared to simulations where fixed C/P is applied. The biological flexibility improves the model’s ability to reproduce glacial atmospheric CO2. In line with previous research, we find freshwater input to the North Atlantic to be an important factor for reproducing glacial proxy records. The ensemble of simulations that achieve a good representation of glacial-interglacial δ13C indicates a deglacial whole-ocean change in δ13C of 0.28 ± 0.06‰.The thesis underlines the importance of the initial state, and the choice of model parameterisations, for the outcome of model ensemble, and intercomparison studies. Finally, it proposes a new method for estimation of ocean carbon transport, and attribution of this transport to different water masses and carbon system processes.
|
|
