| 1. |
- Koskiniemi, Sanna, 1980-
(författare)
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Dynamics of the Bacterial Genome : Rates and Mechanisms of Mutation
- 2010
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Bacterial chromosomes are highly dynamic, continuously changing with respect to gene content and size via a number of processes, including deletions that result in gene loss. How deletions form and at what rates has been the focus of this thesis. In paper II we investigated how chromosomal location affects chromosomal deletion rates in S. typhimurium. Deletion rates varied more than 100-fold between different chromosomal locations and some large deletions significantly increased the exponential growth rate of the cells. Our results suggest that the chromosome is heterogeneous with respect to deletion rates and that deletions may be genetically fixed as a consequence of natural selection rather than by drift or mutational biases. In paper I we examined in a laboratory setting how rapidly reductive evolution, i.e. gene loss, could occur. Using a serial passage approach, we showed that extensive genome reduction potentially could occur on a very short evolutionary time scale. For most deletions we observed little or no homology at the deletion endpoints, indicating that spontaneous deletions often form through a RecA independent process. In paper III we examined further how large spontaneous deletions form and, unexpectedly, showed that 90% of all spontaneous chromosomal deletions required error-prone translesion DNA polymerases for their formation. We propose that the translesion polymerases stimulate deletion formation by allowing extension of misaligned single-strand DNA ends. In paper IV we investigated how the translesion DNA polymerase Pol IV, RpoS and different types of stresses affect mutation rates in bacteria. Derepression of the LexA regulon caused a small to moderate increase in mutation rates that was fully dependent on functional endonucleases but only partly dependent on translesion DNA polymerases. RpoS levels and growth stresses had only minor effects on mutation rates. Thus, mutation rates appear very robust and are only weakly affected by growth conditions and induction of translesion polymerases and RpoS.
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| 2. |
- Ancillotti, Mirko, 1981-
(författare)
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Antibiotic Resistance: A Multimethod Investigation of Individual Responsibility and Behaviour
- 2021
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The rapid development of antibiotic resistance is directly related to how antibiotics are used in society. The international effort to decrease and optimise the use of antibiotics should be sustained by the development of policies that are sensitive to social and cultural contexts.The overarching aim of the thesis was to explore and discuss the Swedish public’s beliefs, values and preferences influencing engagement in judicious antibiotic behaviour.Study I explored through focus group discussions lay people’s perceptions and beliefs about antibiotics and antibiotic resistance. The Health Belief Model was used to identify factors that could promote or hinder engagement in judicious antibiotic behaviour. Participants found antibiotic resistance to be a serious problem but were not equally worried about being affected by it. There was a tension between individual and collective reasons for engaging in judicious behaviour.Study II explored lay people’s views on the moral challenges posed by antibiotic resistance through focus group discussions. Participants identified in the decreasing availability of effective antibiotics a problem of justice, which involves individual as well as collective moral responsibility. Different levels of policy demandingness were discussed in light of these results.Study III investigated, through an online Discrete Choice Experiment, public preferences regarding antibiotic treatment and the relative weight of antibiotic resistance in decision-making. Public behaviour may be influenced by concerns over the rise of antibiotic resistance. Therefore, stressing individual responsibility for antibiotic resistance in clinical and societal communication may affect personal decision-making.Study IV clarified the notions of collective and individual moral responsibility for antibiotic resistance and suggested a virtue-based account thereof. While everyone is morally responsible for minimising his/her own contribution to antibiotic resistance, individuals do or do not engage in judicious antibiotic behaviour with different degrees of voluntariness.The findings suggest that people could change their behaviour due to concerns over their own contribution to antibiotic resistance. Effective health communication should be developed from an appraisal of people’s attitudes, beliefs and social norms that influence antibiotic resistance related behaviours. Policy demandingness should take into account socioeconomic factors characterising local realities.
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| 3. |
- Isaksson, Karin
(författare)
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Logistics Service Providers going green : insights from the Swedish market
- 2012
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- During recent years pressures on the logistics and transport industry to involve and engage more in environmental work have increased. Governmental awareness of environmental impact has led to an increased pressure on the logistics and transport industry to reduce the emissions incurred by their operations. In addition, customers have become more interested and demanding regarding green initiatives in their purchasing of transport services. Although logistics service providers (LSPs) are becoming more aware of environmental problems, the development of green initiatives in the logistics and transport industry is described in the literature as being in its infancy phase. Considering the scarcity of studies on LSPs’ green initiatives, a study that reveals potential factors influencing the adoption of green initiatives may be helpful to fill the knowledge gap and provide opportunities for further research in this field.The purpose of this licentiate thesis is therefore to describe how different factors can affect the adoption of green initiatives among LSPs, and how the adoption of green initiatives can be reflected in the service offering. This includes identifying different kinds of triggers, drivers and barriers, as well as firm characteristics and describing how these factors can affect the adoption of green initiatives. Furthermore, ways in which the adoption of green initiatives can be reflected in the service offering are exemplified in order to answer the second part of the purpose.The theoretical base in this licentiate thesis can be linked to general environmental logistics literature, sustainable service, and product development research. The research in this study is in its nature explorative and empirical data have been obtained from a cross case study of six companies, and a survey study investigating LSPs active on the Swedish market.Based on the findings from the analysis, the LSPs studied have commenced to adopt green initiatives since they experience the pressure to adapt to future expectations and, understand the consequences. This will enable the LSPs to respond to the increasing and more global competition. Although increased competiveness seems to act as a trigger, the role of competitors as a driver affecting the adoption of green initiatives among LSPs are neither stressed in the case study nor singled out in the survey study as a significant driver. Increased, interest from customers and decisions from top management are both highlighted as triggers for LSPs to start adopting green initiatives, in the literature as well as among the LSPs studied.The role of customers and top management also seem to be prominent drivers in the further green development. By adopting green initiatives, LSPs strive to win new customers and there is also a desire to improve customer relationships. Furthermore, the engagement and support from top management can be crucial for how successfully the adoption of green initiatives is integrated into the company and received by the employees. In addition, among the LSPs studied, their employees can be considered as an essential driver and a resource when adopting green initiatives.
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| 4. |
- Kremel, Anna
(författare)
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Heterogeneity in the level and handling of the Liability of Newness : Female and immigrant entrepreneurs’ need for and use of business advisory service
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In the start-up entrepreneurs face the Liability of Newness when problems and challenges often threaten business survival. Business advisory service, provided by public and private supplier contacts, can offer important knowledge and information, accompanied by various forms of assistance, and thereby decrease the entrepreneurs’ risk of failure and reduce their Liability of Newness. However, it is difficult to match the entrepreneurs’ need for such advice with the available advice. The support must meet the need. Most nations in the European Union have programs and projects that provide such support for entrepreneurs and SMEs. Special programs often support female entrepreneurs and/or immigrant entrepreneurs.This thesis examines the level and handling of the Liability of Newness with special focus on female entrepreneurs and immigrant entrepreneurs in Sweden. The four papers of this thesis take the perspective of these entrepreneurs. The research is based on a sample of 2 832 entrepreneurs who were interviewed (in a telephone survey) on their impressions and recollections on their need for and use of business advisory service in the start-up processes of their companies. Fulfilment of need is achieved when the need for business advisory service is matched with the right use of business advisory service.Heterogeneities as far as the level and handling of the Liability of Newness exist related to female entrepreneurs (vs. male entrepreneurs) and immigrant entrepreneurs (vs. non-immigrant entrepreneurs). Female entrepreneurs have a higher need for business advisory service than male entrepreneurs and also use more business advisory service than male entrepreneurs. As a result, female entrepreneurs can decrease the hazard rate for their companies and also reduce the Liability of Newness as their companies move toward the standard risk in their industry. Immigrant entrepreneurs also have a higher need for business advisory service than non-immigrant entrepreneurs. However, because immigrant entrepreneurs use business advisory service to the same extent that non-immigrant entrepreneurs do, immigrant entrepreneurs are unable to decrease the hazard rate for their companies or to reduce the Liability of Newness.The thesis makes both theoretical, methodological and practical contributions.The thesis may be of interest to government policy makers with its attention to the need and use of business advisory service by female entrepreneurs and immigrant entrepreneurs.
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| 5. |
- Wetterborg, Dan, et al.
(författare)
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Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Men With Borderline Personality Disorder and Antisocial Behavior : A Clinical Trial
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Personality Disorders. - : GUILFORD PUBLICATIONS INC. - 0885-579X .- 1943-2763. ; 34:1, s. 22-39
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In addition to suicidal behaviors, men with borderline personality disorder (BPD) often display antisocial behavior that could impair contacts with mental health services. While research has established effective treatments for women with BPD, this is not yet the case for men. The authors evaluated 12 months of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for 30 men with BPD and antisocial behavior, using a within-group design with repeated measurements. The authors found moderate to strong, statistically significant pre-to posttreatment reductions of several dysfunctional behaviors, including self-harm, verbal and physical aggression, and criminal offending (rate ratios 0.17-0.39). Symptoms of BPD and depression were also substantially decreased. The dropout rate was 30%, and completing participants reported high satisfaction with treatment and maintained their improvements at 1-year follow-up. The authors conclude that DBT could be an effective treatment alternative for men with BPD and antisocial behavior, and it merits future studies with more rigorous design.
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| 6. |
- Guan, Wei
(författare)
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Developments in Distribution Channels : A Case Study of a Timber Product Distribution Channel
- 2010
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis describes and analyses the trends and developments of actors along distribution channel. In particular, the study focuses on resellers and manufacturer based on the empirical material from one particular case study. The study has three main goals: (1) to investigate the challenges arising from channel actor developments, the effects of these developments on the structure of the retailer supply chain and their implications for manufacturers and suppliers, (2) to identify explanations for manufacturer’s vertical integration of distribution and the resulting impacts and, (3) to conduct a preliminary customer value analysis relating to the distribution channel of solid wood products.The study has taken an exploratory and qualitative research approach with an abductive reasoning process. A case study strategy was adopted, which studied a distribution channel consisting of a Sweden-based timber manufacturer that vertically integrated a distributor in the UK. Semi-structured interviews comprised the primary data collection technique in this study. A two-step data collection process was conducted between May 2009 and April 2010, including 29 interviews with 24 interviewees from eight organizations, representing the manufacturer, distributor and reseller in the distribution channel. Non-participating observations were carried out by attending sales meeting and joining account managers on store visits. All interviews were documented and transcribed and the information was collated into case units, along with any supporting secondary data, such as company magazines, web resources, annual reports, sales reports, meeting presentations, etc.This thesis has produced several findings. Reseller developments have promoted the formation of reseller demands, such as integrated solutions with respects to logistics, marketing, merchandising, innovation, etc. Retailer developments have driven the change of a retailer supply chain structure, and have opened up a number of new questions to be posed on manufacturer and its positioning in the supply chain. The most important factors driving the manufacturer’s vertical integration of distribution are customer demands, the manufacturer’s repositioning strategy with regard to its business focus and its positioning in the supply chain. The vertical integration of distribution transforms the manufacturer into a direct supplier to large timber product resellers. It also offers the supplier a great opportunity to enhance offerings and establish strategic relationship with customers. The output of suppliers has expanded from solely manufacturing goods to also include services and knowledge associated with goods. In practice, it can be complicated for a supplier to create and communicate value. A full understanding of what timber product customers seek in terms of value elements has not yet been achieved. This study has assisted in terms of understanding the differing value that channel actors place on a range of product, physical distribution, service and supplier value elements by developing a value analysis framework. Suppliers can use this framework when designing, customizing and marketing offerings for customers.
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| 7. |
- Jansson, Stefan P.O. 1959-
(författare)
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A Longitudinal Study of Diabetes Mellitus : With Special Reference to Incidence and Prevalence, and to Determinants of Macrovascular Complications and Mortality
- 2014
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Objectives. To investigate diabetes prevalence, incidence, mortality trends, the effects of hyperglycaemia and blood pressure, diabetes and hypertension treatment, and the effect of screening detection on total and cardiovascular disease (CVD), myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke incidence.Study population and methods. Between 1972 and 2001 all patients with diabetes, some detected clinically and some by case-finding procedures (screening), were entered in a diabetes register at Laxå Primary Health Care Center in Sweden. The register included information on medical treatment and laboratory data as well as information on mortality and morbidity from National Registers. The register was supplemented with five non-diabetic subjects, matched to each diabetes patients by age, sex, and year of detection.Results. During the study period 776 new diabetes cases was found, 36 type 1 diabetes mellitus and 740 type 2 diabetes mellitus. Age standardised incidence and prevalence rates for type 1 and type 2 diabetes did not increase over time. Diabetic patients had 17% higher mortality rate than non-diabetic persons, 22% in women and 13% in men. The corresponding over-mortality in CVD was 33%, 41% in women and 27% in men. CVD mortality decreased across time in non-diabetic subjects and in diabetic men but not in diabetic women. Results regarding coronary heart disease (CHD) were similar. CVD incidence increased with fasting blood glucose (FBG), body mass index (BMI), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), and decreased with metformin treatment and sulfonylurea. Myocardial infarction incidence increased with FBG, BMI and MABP, and decreased with metformin treatment. Stroke incidence increased with MABP. There was no difference in prognoses between those detected by screening or clinically.Conclusions. Diabetes prevalence and incidence did not change over time. The over-mortality according to diabetes was moderate. CVD and MI during follow up were negatively affected by hypertension and hyperglycaemia, and positively by pharmacological diabetic treatment. For stroke no pharmacological protective effect was seen. Screening did not improve prognosis.
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| 8. |
- Johansson, Carolina, 1976-
(författare)
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Mechanisms and DNA Specificity in Site-specific Recombination of Integron Cassettes
- 2007
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has become a serious problem. This is due to the remarkable ability of bacteria to respond and rapidly adapt to environmental changes. Integrons are elements with the capacity for gene capture by an integron-encoded site-specific recombinase called IntI. IntI binds and acts at the recombination sites, attI and attC resulting in excision and integration of short DNA elements called gene cassettes carrying an attC site in the 3’ end. Several families of antibiotic resistance genes are borne on gene cassettes in integrons connected to mobile elements. Other cassettes reside in the larger and ancestral superintegrons located on chromosomes in both pathogenic and environmental bacteria. Due to their close connection with lateral gene transfer systems, it is possible that integrons are functionally dependent on those networks. This work presents arguments for such connections. The attC of the aadA1-qacE cassette junction in Tn21 was characterized in detail. Like other attC sites, it contains two pairs of inverted repeats and is almost palindromic. By using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, this study showed that IntI1 binds only to the bottom strand of attC. Upon folding the strand into a hairpin, a few chiral hairpin distortions define both the strand choice and also the appropriate orientation of the highly symmetrical site. Structural recognition also explains the wide sequence variation among attC sites. We have documented the initial cleavage step in recombination in IntI extracts and integrase levels in extracts were evaluated by a new method. Mutagenesis and homology modelling were performed to find amino acid residues in IntI1 that are important for recognition of attC hairpin-DNA. Comparisons were made with other tyrosine family members to explain how integron integrases differ in site-recognition and also in their mechanism of strand exchange.
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| 9. |
- Karlsson, Johan, 1990-
(författare)
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Essays on Family Firms and Firm Growth Barriers
- 2020
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis concerns the implications of family ownership and perceived growth barriers for firm decision-making and performance. The first article examines the inclusion of family business in economics doctoral programs in the United States and Sweden, as well as the views of professors and textbook authors and research on family business. It is found that family business is not included in the examined curricula. Furthermore, professors and authors do not publish research on family business and generally do not see a need to incorporate it into economic theory. The article concludes by discussing the causes of this omission, as well as strategies to overcome them in order to further our understanding of economic action. The second article presents a novel strategy for identifying domiciled family firms using total population data. By applying this strategy to Swedish data, family firms are found to contribute to one-third of Swedish employment and gross domestic product, and a significant share of Sweden’s largest firms are family-owned. In general, family firms are found to be smaller than their non-family equivalents, although they are more profitable. Meanwhile, differences between family firms and nonfamily firms are found to diminish with firm size. The third article examines whether family firms have a comparative employment growth advantage over nonfamily firms in regions with relatively low population density. As a group, family firms are found to be the main source of job creation in rural regions, largely as a result of their large numbers. Nevertheless, the average family firm is found to grow more slowly than the average non-family firm. Meanwhile, in line with the study’s conjecture, this difference is found to decrease across the urban-rural context, i.e., across metropolitan, urban and rural regions. The fourth paper examines the representation of women in top management teams1 in family firms and non-family firms. Moreover, the share of women in a firm’s top management team is found to be positively associated with the additional appointment of female managers. Lastly, kinship bonds between the owning families and prospective managers are found to be positively associated with the appointment of women on top management teams. The fifth paper aims to capture the relationship between perceived growth barriers and firm size, which is achieved by developing a novel data-driven strategy for identifying firm size groups. It is found that smaller firms typically face accessibility constraints on equity financing, whereas larger firms generally face barriers related to competition and accessibility to qualified staff. These results are benchmarked against those using prevailing strategies for measuring firm size, whereby it is suggested that there may be a need for methodological rethinking in the field regarding its treatment of firm size.
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| 10. |
- Norrmén, Gunilla, 1944-
(författare)
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To be or not to be Sick Certified with Special Reference to Physician and Patient Related Factors
- 2010
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Objectives The aim of this thesis was to assess the importance of general practitioners (GP) and patient related factors for the GPs’ decision to sick certify or not to sick certify the patients. Study population and methods The data were obtained from a cross-sectional questionnaire study of GP-patient consultations. 65 GPs responded to one questionnaire about themselves and one questionnaire about each of the altogether 642 consultations. The patients responded to a questionnaire about themselves and the consultation, altogether 521 consultations. Various combinations of the three questionnaires were used in the four papers on which this thesis is based. Results Among GPs, long experience of family medicine and working part-time were significant determinants for issuing more sick leave certificates. Complaints perceived as clearly somatic by the physician decreased the chance of sick certifications, and complaints resulting in severe limitation of occupational work capacity, as assessed by the patient as well as the physician, increased the chance of sick certification, as did appointments for loco-motor complaints. Among work related factors, high ‘authority over decisions’ and high ‘social support’ were associated with reduced sickness certification probability. Worrying about illness or injury risks from work increased sickness certification. GPs and their patients took a fairly similar view to statements on health related and insurance system related matters. GPs’ opinions seem to have a greater impact than patients’ on the GPs’ decision to sickness certify a patient or not. Conclusions A number of patient and GP related factors were associated with the probability of getting sick certified. The patient’s own judgement of impaired work ability was important for sickness certification, but a shared judgement and decision between the GP and the patient appears probable in most cases.
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