| 1. |
- Ahl, Astrid, 1943-
(author)
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Läraren och läsundervisningen : En studie av åldersintegrerad pedagogisk praktik med sex- och sjuåringar
- 1998
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This dissertation is about reading instruction in six mixed-aged classes, called child schools, with six and seven year old children. The overall questions of this study were: How did the teachers in child schools organise work in general and reading instruction in particular? How did they handle for example the increasing range of variation concerning knowledge and skills that goes together with increasing variation of age? With respect to reading the investigation also examined the content of reading instruction and the extent to which teachers took into account those factors that, according to reading research, are important for the acquisition of reading skills? Overall the research aimed to examine how the reading ability of the pupils developed during their first years at school. Six child schools were included in the study. The data collection extended over three years and contained field studies, interviews with the staff and reading tests with the pupils. Reading theories were used to analyse the form of the reading instruction and Basil Bernstein's theory of visible and invisible pedagogy was used to analyse pedagogical practice in its context. With one exception a visible pedagogy dominated in all the child schools. During lessons designated "my own work" the pupils were allowed to plan their work. This weak framing allowed the pupils to sort themselves into groups of more or less successful learners. In reading instruction, elements of two different models for instruction were combined, e.g. the whole language and the basal reading approach. My conclusion is that this combination is effective in a mixed-age group. Pupils at different competence levels benefit from different approaches. The reading comprehension of the child school pupils did not differ from the levels obtained with comparable pupils in national surveys. The test results, like the learning conditions varied between the schools. In my view the test results were not merely a consequence of the instruction, but also of other circumstances that interacted with the pedagogy.
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| 2. |
- Ahlm, Clas, 1956-, et al.
(author)
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Central nervous system and ophthalmic involvement in nephropathia epidemica (European type of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome)
- 1998
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In: Journal of Infection. - 0163-4453 .- 1532-2742. ; 36:2, s. 149-155
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Central nervous system (CNS) - related symptoms occur in haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). To study the CNS and ophthalmic involvement in nephropathia epidemica (NE), the European type of HFRS, we included 26 patients in a prospective study. Most common CNS-related symptoms were headache (96%), insomnia (83%), vertigo (79%), nausea (79%), and vomiting (71%). Ophthalmic symptoms were reported by 82% of patients; 41% had photophobia and 50% had impaired vision. A transient loss of vision was recorded in one patient, who also had a generalized seizure. Minor white matter lesions were found in about half of the patients investigated with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Electroencephalography (EEG) showed severe alterations in only one patient, and slight and reversible patterns in another two patients. Neopterin, interleukin-6 and interferon-gamma levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were elevated, which may indicate immune activation. However, we found no evidence of intrathecal NE virus replication. We conclude that CNS-related symptoms are common in NE, and transient ophthalmic involvement can be demonstrated in about half of the patients.
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| 3. |
- Ahlm, Clas, 1956-, et al.
(author)
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Prevalence of antibodies specific to Puumala virus among farmers in Sweden
- 1998
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - : Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. - 0355-3140 .- 1795-990X. ; 24:2, s. 104-108
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Serological evidence confirmed that the exposure of humans to Puumala virus is firmly restricted to the northern and central parts of Sweden. In addition the evidence indicated that, in this region, farming is associated with an increased risk of contracting hantavirus infection.
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| 4. |
- Ahlqvist, Jan, et al.
(author)
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Bone demarcation of the temporomandibular joint. Validity of clinical assessment of bone thickness by means of CT.
- 1998
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In: Acta Radiologica. - 0284-1851 .- 1600-0455. ; 39:6, s. 649-55
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE: To study the CT depiction of bone demarcations in the temporomandibular joint, using conventional window level and window width; and to evaluate observer performance in estimating bone thickness in these images.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seven joint specimens were imaged by CT and then cryosectioned. The measurements of bone wall thickness in the images were compared to the true bone thickness at each cutting level. In addition, 4 experienced radiologists estimated the thickness of the bone walls in the images.RESULTS: The relative difference between the CT reproduction and the true bone thickness was small for bone walls thicker than 2 mm. This difference increased with the decrease in bone thickness and the increase in the inclination of the bone wall from the perpendicular to the image plane. Bone walls thinner than 1 mm were reproduced as considerably thicker than their true thickness. This resulted in a clinical overestimation of bone thickness.CONCLUSION: Both the CT representation and the interpretation of bone demarcation in the temporomandibular joint may constitute a problem. Partial volume averaging effects can result in an overestimation of bone dimensions amounting to 200% for thin bones. The central white zone in images of thin bone walls obtained with the parameters described here could serve as an indicator that could help to reduce the risk of overestimating bone thickness.
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| 5. |
- Ahlqvist, Jan, et al.
(author)
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Sources of radiographic distortion in conventional and computed tomography of the temporal bone.
- 1998
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In: Dento-Maxillo-Facial Radiology. - 0250-832X .- 1476-542X. ; 27:6, s. 351-7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To identify those bony regions of the glenoid fossa where, due to the inclination, there is an increased risk of radiographic distortion in conventional and computed tomography (CT).METHODS: The inclination of the roof and posterior wall of the glenoid fossa was determined relative to established imaging planes. Measurements were performed on 50 corrected coronal MR and 50 axial CT images and 200 sagittal cryosections of 50 temporomandibular joints (TMJs). The location of regions with unfavourable bone wall inclination was identified using the condyle as a reference.RESULTS: The inclination of parts of the fossa roof exceeded the limit for reliable depiction in corrected sagittal and coronal planes in 40% and 8% of the joints respectively. The inclination of parts of the posterior wall of the fossa exceeded the limit for reliable depiction in corrected sagittal and in true sagittal planes in 100% and 84% of the joints respectively. In 84% of the joints the inclination exceeded the limit for reliable depiction in the axial plane. For both bone walls the regions with unfavourable inclination were in the medial part of the joint.CONCLUSIONS: The angulation of parts of the roof and posterior wall of the glenoid fossa in relation to established imaging planes makes them highly susceptible to distortion. The oblique coronal projection is well suited for depiction of the roof of the fossa and preferable to a sagittal projection. An oblique axial projection is required for the posterior wall.
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| 6. |
- Ahlqvist, Jan, 1952-
(author)
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The temporomandibular joint : Tomopraphic and CT assesment of its bone demarcations with reference to adjacent organs
- 1998
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The wall of the temporal bone separating the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) from surroundings organs, can be very thin and also have development defects. Distortion effects in the radiographic reproduction of these bone walls can result in misinterpretations when exanimating suspected pathologic changes in the region. These areas need to be radiographic identified prior to taking any invasive measures. Incorrect assessment of bone thickness may lead to serious sequelae due to the risk of penetration injury during invasive investigation or treatment of the TMJ or ear. The purpose of this project was to gain more detailed knowledge about the anatomy and topography of the TMJ with special reference to its bone demarcations regarding adjacent organs and to evaluate the tomographic and computed tomographic (CT) depiction of these bone walls. To obtain a basic analysis of the tissue anatomy and tomographic and CT reproduction of the TMJ region, autopsy specimens were studied. After CT and conventional tomography, the specimens were sectioned in a microtom. Three- dimensional orientation systems allowed identification of section depth in the radiograms and in the histologic sections, allowing the radiograms in turn to be correlated with the true anatomy. The angle of inclination relative to the perpendicular to established imaging planes the bone walls studied was examined in three projections in order to identify regions where the bone demarcation showed an unfavorable inclination regarding the possibility of valid radiographic representation. The thickness of the bone wall between the TMJ and the middle cranial fossa, measured in the thinnest part, varied between 0.08 and 3.62 mm, averaging 1.14 mm. The bone wall between the TMJ and the middle ear showed less variation in thickness ranging from 0.00 to 1.80 mm. The thickness of the bone wall separating the TMJ from the external auditory canal varied between 1.50 mm (lateral part) and 1.21 mm (central part), with a range of between 0.21 and 4.10 mm. Development defects of this bone wall were found in 5.2 % of the examined joints. The validity in tomographic depiction of these walls was highly dependent on an optimal orientation of the bone wall in relation to the image plane. The variations in the anatomy and sagittal dimension of the external auditory canal led to variations in tomographic blurring, and suggested the need for examinations after patient repositioning in cases of suspected bone resorbing lesions so that image aberration due to unfavorable inclination of the bone wall relative to the image plane may be excluded. CT of these bone walls was valid (± 10 %) for walls thicker than approximately 1 mm, forming an angle of less than 35® with the perpendicular to the scan plane when the bone wall thickness was determined as the full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM). For bone walls thinner than 1 mm, and for those thicker than 1 mm and at an angle exceeding 35®, partial volume averaging effects resulted in a progressively increasing magnification of bone dimensions. Observer estimations of bone thickness from images obtained using conventional bone window settings (c=400, W=2000) showed good agreement for bone walls thicker than 1 mm and with an angle of inclination relative to the perpendicular to the image plane of less than approximately 25®. For bone walls thinner than 1 mm and for thicker than 1 mm with an inclination exceeding approximately 25®, the estimations resulted in a progressively increasing overestimation amounting 200% for gracile bone walls with an inclination of 45® to 50®. Determination of width or absence of the central white zone in images obtained with the described parameters could help to reduce the risk of overestimation of bone thickness. A considerable part of the bone walls separating the TMJ from the middle cranial fossa and the external auditory canal/middle ear, respectively, have dimensions and inclinations to established imaging planes used at TMJ examinations that make the depiction of these walls highly susceptible to image distortion.
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| 7. |
- Alatalo, Marita, 1958-, et al.
(author)
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Salmon angling as a resource in regional development in the Swedish counties Norrbotten and Västerbotten
- 1998
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In: Recreational Fisheries. - Oxford : Fishing News Books Ltd. - 0852382480 - 9780852382486 ; , s. 142-149
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Around the world, sportfishing for salmon is a major industry. Rivers attracting salmon anglers can make a big contribution to the local economy. As a result of exploitation and environmental impacts most of the approximately 70 former salmon rivers in the Baltic basin have been damaged and lost their spawning capacity. There is, however, a big potential for salmon angling in the remaining salmon rivers entering the Baltic sea, especially in the Swedish counties of Norrbotten and Västerbotten in north Sweden. The chapter aims to describe the effects of a possible future situation with full scale sportfishing for salmon in northern Sweden. An assessment was made of the aggregate economic effects based on the hypothetical future scenario taking into account the potential amount of salmon returning to the rivers included in our study. The economic estimate is based on a catch amounting to 300 tonnes per year. This return may support an angling activity with approximately 300 000 days in the whole region. Transformed into economic terms this could lead to a total economic impact of about SEK200 million per annum, economic multipliers included.
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| 8. |
- Aleman, J, et al.
(author)
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Saving more neonates in hospital : an intervention towards a sustainable reduction in neonatal mortality in a Nicaraguan hospital
- 1998
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In: Tropical doctor. - 0049-4755 .- 1758-1133. ; 28:2, s. 88-92
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A process of change was initiated in a Nicaraguan regional hospital in order to achieve a sustainable reduction of early neonatal mortality. A series of organizational, educational and hygienic measures was introduced, involving all staff in antenatal care, delivery care and neonatal care. Neonatal mortality decreased from 56/1000 live births in 1985 to 11/1000 in 1993. A commission of maternal and child health, a weekly perinatal audit, the active involvement of all staff and dedicated work of key individuals, as well as national policy decisions, are considered important determinants of the process. Keeping neonatal mortality in focus through continuous analysis of care routines, and through external exchange of ideas is important in order to sustain improvements and to decrease further the mortality.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Alfredson, Håkan, et al.
(author)
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Achilles tendinosis and calf muscle strength : the effect of short-term immobilization after surgical treatment
- 1998
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In: American Journal of Sports Medicine. - 0363-5465 .- 1552-3365. ; 26:2, s. 166-71
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We prospectively studied calf muscle strength in 7 men and 4 women (mean age, 40.9 +/- 10.1 years) who had surgical treatment for chronic Achilles tendinosis. Surgery was followed by immobilization in a weightbearing below-the-knee plaster cast for 2 weeks followed by a stepwise increasing strength training program. Strength measurements (peak torque and total work) were done preoperatively (Week 0) and at 16, 26, and 52 weeks postoperatively. We measured isokinetic concentric plantar flexion strength at 90 and 225 deg/sec and eccentric flexion strength at 90 deg/sec on both the injured and noninjured sides. Preoperatively, concentric and eccentric strength were significantly lower on the injured side at 90 and 225 deg/sec. Postoperatively, concentric peak torque on the injured side decreased significantly between Weeks 0 and 16 and increased significantly between Weeks 26 and 52 at 90 deg/sec but was significantly lower than that on the noninjured side at all periods and at both velocities. The eccentric strength was significantly lower on the injured side at Week 26 but increased significantly until at Week 52 no significant differences between the sides could be demonstrated. It seems, therefore, that the recovery in concentric and eccentric calf muscle strength after surgery for Achilles tendinosis is slow. We saw no obvious advantages in recovery of muscle strength with a short immobilization time (2 weeks) versus a longer (6 weeks) period used in a previous study.
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