| 1. |
- Tornberg, Åsa B.B., et al.
(författare)
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Reduced Neuromuscular Performance in Amenorrheic Elite Endurance Athletes
- 2017
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Ingår i: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 0195-9131 .- 1530-0315. ; 49:12, s. 2478-2485
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction Secondary functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (SFHA) is common among female athletes, especially in weight-sensitive sports. The aim of this study was to investigate the link between SFHA and neuromuscular performance in elite endurance athletes. Methods Sixteen eumenorrheic (EUM) and 14 SFHA athletes from national teams and competitive clubs participated. Methods included gynecological examination, body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), resting metabolic rate and work efficiency, exercise capacity, knee muscular strength (KMS) and knee muscular endurance (KME), reaction time (RT), blood sampling performed on the third to fifth days of the menstrual cycle, and 7-d assessment of energy availability. Results SFHA athletes had lower estrogen (0.12 0.03 vs 0.17 +/- 0.09 nmolL(-1), P < 0.05), triiodothyronine (T-3) (1.4 +/- 0.2 vs 1.7 +/- 0.3 nmolL(-1), P < 0.01), and blood glucose (3.8 +/- 0.3 vs 4.4 +/- 0.3 mmolL(-1), P < 0.001) but higher cortisol levels (564 +/- 111 vs 400 +/- 140 nmolL(-1), P < 0.05) compared with EUM athletes. SFHA had a lower body weight (55.0 +/- 5.8 vs 60.6 +/- 7.1 kg, P < 0.05), but no difference in exercise capacity between groups was found (56.4 +/- 5.8 vs 54.0 +/- 6.3 mL O(2)min(-1)kg(-1)). RT was 7% longer, and KMS and KME were 11% and 20% lower compared with EUM athletes. RT was negatively associated with glucose (r = -0.40, P < 0.05), T-3 (r = -0.37, P < 0.05), and estrogen (r = -0.43, P < 0.05), but positively associated with cortisol (r = 0.38, P < 0.05). KMS and KME correlated with fat-free mass in the tested leg (FFMleg; r = 0.52, P < 0.001; r = 0.58, P < 0.001) but were negatively associated with cortisol (r = -0.42, P < 0.05; r = -0.59, P < 0.001). FFMleg explained the differences in KMS, while reproductive function and FFMleg independently explained the variability in KME. Conclusions We found lower neuromuscular performance among SFHA compared with EUM athletes linked to a lower FFMleg, glucose, estrogen, T-3, and elevated cortisol levels.
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| 2. |
- Björn, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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The Dirichlet problem for p-harmonic functions with respect to arbitrary compactifications
- 2018
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Ingår i: Revista matemática iberoamericana. - : EUROPEAN MATHEMATICAL SOC. - 0213-2230 .- 2235-0616. ; 34:3, s. 1323-1360
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We study the Dirichlet problem for p-harmonic functions on metric spaces with respect to arbitrary compactifications. A particular focus is on the Perron method, and as a new approach to the invariance problem we introduce Sobolev-Perron solutions. We obtain various resolutivity and invariance results, and also show that most functions that have earlier been proved to be resolutive are in fact Sobolev-resolutive. We also introduce (Sobolev)-Wiener solutions and harmonizability in this nonlinear context, and study their connections to (Sobolev)-Perron solutions, partly using Q-compactifications.
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| 3. |
- Fraser, Magdalena, et al.
(författare)
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The stone cist conundrum : A multidisciplinary approach to investigate Late Neolithic/Early Bronze Age population demography on the island of Gotland
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Archaeological Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 2352-409X .- 2352-4103. ; 20, s. 324-337
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Late Neolithic period in Scandinavia [LN, c. 2350-1700 cal BCE] marks a time of considerable changes in settlement patterns, economy, and material culture. This shift also lays the foundation for the demographic developments in the Early Bronze Age [EBA, c. 1700-1100 cal BCE]. However, little is presently known regarding the developments from these time-periods on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea. During the Middle Neolithic period [MN, c. 3300-2350 cal BCE], Gotland was inhabited by groups associated with the Funnel Beaker culture [TRB, c. 4000-2700 cal BCE], and the sub-Neolithic Pitted Ware culture [PWC, c. 3300-2300 cal BCE]. Some indications of connections with the Bathe Axe/Corded Ware cultures [BAC/CWC, c. 2800-2300 cal BCE] have also been found, but no typical BAC/CWC burials have been located on the island to date. Here, we investigate the chronological and internal relationship of twenty-three individuals buried in four LN/EBA stone cist burials; Haffinds, Hagur, Suderkvie, and Utalskog on Gotland. We present eleven mitochondrial genomes [from 23 X to 1271 X coverage], and twenty-three new radiocarbon dates, as well as stable isotope data for diet. We examine the local Sr-baseline range for Gotland, and present new Sr-data to discuss mobility patterns of the individuals. The genetic results are compared and discussed in light of earlier cultural periods from Gotland [TRB and PWC], and CWC from the European continent, as well as contemporaneous LN secondary burials in the MN Ansarve dolmen. We find that all burials were used into the EBA, but only two of the cists showed activity already during the LN. We also see some mobility to Gotland during the LN/EBA period based on Strontium and mitochondrial data. We see a shift in the dietary pattern compared to the preceding period on the island [TRB and PWC], and the two LN individuals from the Ansarve dolmen exhibited different dietary and mobility patterns compared to the individuals from the LN/EBA stone cist burials. We find that most of the cist burials were used by individuals local to the area of the burials, with the exception of the large LN/EBA Haffinds cist burial which showed higher levels of mobility. Our modeling of ancestral mitochondrial contribution from chronologically older individuals recovered in the cultural contexts of TRB, PWC and CWC show that the best model is a 55/45 mix of CWC and TRB individuals. A 3-way model with a slight influx from PWC [5%] also had a good fit. This is difficult to reconcile with the current archaeological evidence on the island. We suggest that the maternal CWC/TRB contribution we see in the local LN/EBA individuals derives from migrants after the Scandinavian MN period, which possible also admixed with smaller local groups connected with the PWC. Further genomic analyses of these groups on Gotland will help to clarify the demographic history during the MN to EBA time periods.
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| 4. |
- Gama, Fabio, 1980-
(författare)
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Managing the Collaborative Front End of Innovation in Manufacturing Firms : Requirements, Capabilities, and Conditions
- 2018
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The front end of innovation is critical to innovative efforts in firms yet it remains to be poorly understood. This especially important since innovation efforts in the front end are becoming increasingly open in line with the era of open innovation. Although the literature on the front end of innovation is well developed, prior studies have largely focused on bilateral agreements and have overlooked conditions for collaborations with science-based partners (universities and research institutes). This is especially true for manufacturing firms, for which a continuous stream of new product ideas are a key source of competitiveness. To make things worse, the front end of innovation in this setting is often characterized by incongruent practices by partners, different magnitudes of fuzziness, and high risks in revealing new ideas. Developing new product definitions with different partners is thus a risky endeavor that may seriously compromise competitive advantages if mishandled. Therefore, there is a need for greater knowledge to facilitate the collaborative front end with different types of partners. Accordingly, the purpose of this dissertation is to understand how to manage the collaborative front end in manufacturing firms, with a particular focus on requirements, capabilities, and conditions.To fulfill this research purpose, data on manufacturing firms were collected through four case studies and one survey. In total, this dissertation is based on empirical data from 81 interviews with R&D members across 10 medium-sized and large manufacturing firms, as well as a survey of 146 small and medium-sized manufacturing firms. Respondents were based in Brazil or Sweden. The key theories and literatures covered in this dissertation include coordination modes, control mechanisms, organizational routines, the resource-based view, and appropriability mechanisms.This dissertation makes numerous theoretical contributions to the front-end literature. First, it extends the front-end literature by presenting the concepts of systematic idea generation and fuzziness assessment as a prerequisite for improving front-end performance. Second, this dissertation extends the front-end literature by listing the collaboration conditions that help firms cooperate with science-based partners. By collaborating with science-based partners, firms can access (unpublished) codified and tacit scientific knowledge, enabling them to rapidly build on the latest research findings. The findings suggest particular practices that can be applied to reduce cultural differences and diminish goal divergence among project members. Third, the findings in this dissertation enrich the front-end literature by describing a set of detailed practices to streamline the involvement of different types of partners using diverse protective practices. Fourth, it suggests a theoretical framework that describes how to manage the collaborative front end of innovation. The theoretical framework explains how manufacturing firms can use their organizational capabilities to develop new product ideas efficiently and safely. In particular, the framework discerns the capabilities that are necessary to explore mechanisms, practices, and routines in terms of divergent thinking, external expertise, and multiple opinions. Altogether, these contributions assist firms to better manage collaborative front end.
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| 5. |
- Malmström, Helena Jankovic, et al.
(författare)
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Ancient mitochondrial DNA from the northern fringe of the Neolithic farming expansion in Europe sheds light on the dispersion process
- 2015
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Ingår i: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Biological Sciences. - : The Royal Society. - 0962-8436 .- 1471-2970. ; 370:1660
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The European Neolithization process started around 12 000 years ago in the Near East. The introduction of agriculture spread north and west throughout Europe and a key question has been if this was brought about by migrating individuals, by an exchange of ideas or a by a mixture of these. The earliest farming evidence in Scandinavia is found within the Funnel Beaker Culture complex (Trichterbecherkultur, TRB) which represents the northernmost extension of Neolithic farmers in Europe. The TRB coexisted for almost a millennium with hunter-gatherers of the Pitted Ware Cultural complex (PWC). If migration was a substantial part of the Neolithization, even the northerly TRB community would display a closer genetic affinity to other farmer populations than to hunter-gatherer populations. We deep-sequenced the mitochondrial hypervariable region 1 from seven farmers (six TRB and one Battle Axe complex, BAC) and 13 hunter-gatherers (PWC) and authenticated the sequences using postmortem DNA damage patterns. A comparison with 124 previously published sequences from prehistoric Europe shows that the TRB individuals share a close affinity to Central European farmer populations, and that they are distinct from hunter-gatherer groups, including the geographically close and partially contemporary PWC that show a close affinity to the European Mesolithic hunter-gatherers.
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| 6. |
- Melin, Anna K., Assistant Professor, 1965-, et al.
(författare)
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Impact of Menstrual Function on Hormonal Response to Repeated Bouts of Intense Exercise
- 2019
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Physiology. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1664-042X. ; 10, s. 1-8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Strenous exercise stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary (HP) axis in order to ensure homeostasis and promote anabolism. Furthermore, exercise stimulates a transient increase in the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) suggested to mediate the anxiolytic effects of exercise. Athletes with secondary functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA) have been reported to have lower BDNF, and a blunted HP axis response to exercise as athletes with overtraining syndrome. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the hormonal and BDNF responses to a two-bout maximal exercise protocol with four hours of recovery in between in FHA and eumenorrheic (EUM) athletes. Methods: Eumenorrheic (n = 16) and FHA (n = 14) endurance athletes were recruited from national teams and competitive clubs. Protocols included gynecological examination; body composition (DXA); 7-day assessment of energy availability; blood sampling pre and post the two exercises tests. Results: There were no differences between groups in hormonal responses to the first exercise bout. After the second exercise bout IGFBP-3 increased more in FHA compared with EUM athletes (2.1 +/- 0.5 vs. 0.6 +/- 0.6 mu g/L, p = 0.048). There were non-significant trends toward higher increase in IGF-1 (39.3 +/- 4.3 vs. 28.0 +/- 4.6 mu g/L, p = 0.074), BDNF (96.5 +/- 22.9 vs. 34.4 +/- 23.5 mu g/L, p = 0.058), GH to cortisol ratio (0.329 +/- 0.010 vs. 0.058 +/- 0.010, p = 0.082), and decrease in IGF-1 to IGFBP-3 ratio (-2.04 +/- 1.2 vs. 0.92 +/- 1.22, p = 0.081) in athletes with FHA compared with EUM athletes. Furthermore, there was a non-significant trend toward a higher increase in prolactin to cortisol ratio in EUM athletes compared with athletes with FHA (0.60 +/- 0.15 vs. 0.23 +/- 0.15, p = 0.071). No differences in the hormonal or BDNF responses between the two exercise bouts as a result of menstrual function were found. Conclusion: No major differences in the hormonal or BDNF responses between the two exercise bouts as a result of menstrual function could be detected.
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| 7. |
- Sjödin, Carina, 1964-, et al.
(författare)
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Future Challenges for Academic-Industry Value CoCreation Through Lifelong Learning
- 2019
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 18th European Conference on e-Learning ECEL 2019. - 9781912764419 - 9781912764426 ; , s. 695-698
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The presented research aims to explore future context of e-learning, needs of professionals, and how higher education can respond to those needs. This is an empirical study with a qualitative approach. We interviewed teachers and students about their perceptions of e-learning. The interviews were semi-structured and allowed for reflections. All students interviewed were currently employed in industry and active e-learners. A web-based horizon scanning was made to identify trends in order to understand future context. The study is part of an academic development project with the intention of strengthening academic capacity and company knowledge to stay competitive in an international setting. In this paper, we present several cornerstones for creating courses that are suitable for professionals. Administrative routines and procedures need to be adjusted in order to meet challenges from other actors and the needs of stakeholders. A seamless experience would be preferred from a consumer-oriented perspective, where flexibility is a key factor. This flexibility is manifested by the need to control their own workload to adjust the work-education balance. Locus of learning needs to be problematized. Students do not identify themselves as co-creators. This is a challenge to overcome in order to design for the work-study situation. Previous studies on distance learning have mostly focused on full time students in today’s context. This study involves foresight and the situation for students in employment. The findings will be relevant for teachers in the design phase of a course intended for any type of student who is not a traditional full-time student, and for university management building a strategy for the future of e-learning.
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| 8. |
- Staal, Sarah, et al.
(författare)
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Low RMRratio as a Surrogate Marker for Energy Deficiency, the Choice of Predictive Equation Vital for Correctly Identifying Male and Female Ballet Dancers at Risk
- 2018
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Ingår i: International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism. - : Human Kinetics. - 1526-484X .- 1543-2742. ; 28:4, s. 412-418
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ballet dancers are reported to have an increased risk for energy deficiency with or without disordered eating behavior. A low ratio between measured ((m)) and predicted ((p)) resting metabolic rate (RMRratio < 0.90) is a recognized surrogate marker for energy deficiency. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of suppressed RMR using different methods to calculate pRMR and to explore associations with additional markers of energy deficiency. Female (n = 20) and male (n = 20) professional ballet dancers, 19-35 years of age, were enrolled. mRMR was assessed by respiratory calorimetry (ventilated open hood). pRMR was determined using the Cunningham and Harris-Benedict equations, and different tissue compartments derived from whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry assessment. The protocol further included assessment of body composition and bone mineral density, blood pressure, disordered eating (Eating Disorder Inventory-3), and for females, the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire. The prevalence of suppressed RMR was generally high but also clearly dependent on the method used to calculate pRMR, ranging from 25% to 80% in males and 35% to 100% in females. Five percent had low bone mineral density, whereas 10% had disordered eating and 25% had hypotension. Forty percent of females had elevated Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire score and 50% were underweight. Suppressed RMR was associated with elevated Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire score in females and with higher training volume in males. In conclusion, professional ballet dancers are at risk for energy deficiency. The number of identified dancers at risk varies greatly depending on the method used to predict RMR when using RMRratio as a marker for energy deficiency.
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