| 11. |
- Engelkes, Torbjörn, et al.
(author)
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Loyal to the End (?) : Examining the Meaning of Loyalty among High-Ranking Military Officers
- 2023
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In: Res Militaris. - 2265-6294. ; 13:3, s. 936-953
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Loyalty is a desirable but possibly destructive virtue which is seen as an important trait in many contexts. In strongly vocational professions, loyalty to certain core values seems especially important. As senior leadership within an organization set the expectations of organizational behaviour, it is important to explore their perception of loyalty. The overall purpose of this study is to broaden understanding of the meaning of loyalty within the military by exploring how high-ranking officers in the Swedish Armed Forces give meaning to their own personal experiences of loyalty. Data was collected through nine interviews with senior military generals and admirals and was analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The results describe a strong normative virtue, creating a strong professional identity which at the same time gives rise to dilemmas and ambiguous choices. The most dilemmatic experience raised was between the norms of, on the one hand, being compliant and adaptable, and on the other, of questioning irrational decisions or opinions. The results were discussed in terms of contradictions or dilemmas concerning the individual´s choice of loyalties. This study contributes to a greater understanding of personal experiences concerning loyalty within a profession characterized by strong professional norms.
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| 12. |
- Engelkes, Torbjörn, 1971-
(author)
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Loyal until death (?) : The nature, measurement and predictors of loyalty in a military context
- 2024
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The overall aim of this thesis was to broaden the understanding of the concept of loyalty within a military context, by focusing on how the nature of loyalty is experienced, how it can be measured and how it can be predicted. To achieve this, the thesis was structured in three interrelated studies, which initially aimed to examine the content of loyalty within the Swedish Armed Forces (SAF), then to develop and validate a scale to measure loyalty, and finally to examine possible predictors of loyalty.The aim of Study I was to examine how loyalty is experienced within the SAF. To achieve this, Study I examined how high-ranking officers – presumed to have a large influence on professional ethics within the SAF – gave meaning to their experiences of loyalty. The results showed that although the nature of loyalty in the military organization is based on a strong identification with the profession, loyalty is a multifaceted phenomenon which requires the individual to manage competing and sometimes counteracting domains (objects) of loyalty.The aim of Study II was to develop a psychometric scale for measuring loyalty in a military context, based on the findings of Study I. Given the complex and varying nature of loyalty and dealing with different domains of loyalty in the military, the scale was developed to consider several domains for an individual’s loyalty (e.g., workgroup, mission, nation). Additionally, there was a focus on the overall nature of loyalty involving sacrifice and action to protect the domain of loyalty. To achieve this, three independent samples, consisting of military personnel (in training and on overseas mission), were invited to answer a questionnaire based on the results from Study I. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses resulted in a scale measuring loyalty, denoted the Swedish Military Loyalty Scale (SMiLS). The SMiLS was found to consist of a four-dimensional representation of the willingness to act loyally. The dimensions are sectioned in loyal sacrifice and loyal action, further divided into moderate and extreme loyal sacrifice and loyal action, respectively.The aim of Study III was to examine how individuals’ willingness to act loyally to certain domains (the closest workgroup, the unit, and the unit mission) can be predicted by social identity fusion and developmental leadership. To achieve this, a sample consisting of military personnel serving on an overseas mission in Mali, took part in a survey, using the SMiLS as the dependent variable. Demographic factors, such as rank and gender, were also examined, taking the outcome of loyalty into consideration. The results show that social identity mainly predicted the sacrificial dimensions of loyalty, while developmental leadership predicted all dimensions of loyalty for all domains.In conclusion, the present thesis broadens the understanding of loyalty within a military context. It also contributes with a scale for measuring loyalty and identifies two predictors for loyalty. Further research should focus on a deepened understanding of loyalty within the military and in the context of total defense organizations, further validation of the SMiLS and the examination of additional possible predictors for loyalty.
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| 13. |
- Gard Timmerfors, Jessica, 1989-, et al.
(author)
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The impact of using different wood qualities and wood species on chips produced using a novel type of pilot drum chipper
- 2021
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In: Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal. - : De Gruyter Open. - 0283-2631 .- 2000-0669. ; 36:2, s. 214-226
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Resource-efficient wood chipping for forest-industrial processes demands large fractions of accept chips and small fractions of small-sized material, such as pin chips and fines. In Kraft pulping, a narrow distribution of wood chip thickness is important for even impregnation and for making high-quality pulp. Using newly developed forest-industrial drum-chipping technology, the investigation covered wood of varying moisture content, frozen versus unfrozen wood, and the use of different wood species. Using conventional techniques for analyzing wood chip dimensions, fast-grown spruce wood with high moisture content gave 4.2 % pin chips and fines, which was less than half of the fractions obtained with spruce wood with lower moisture content. A comparison between frozen and unfrozen pine resulted in slightly thinner and shorter chips for the frozen wood, but in both cases accept yields of up to ∼85 % were achieved. A comparison of different tree species (aspen, birch, pine, and spruce) resulted in larger accept fractions (∼90 %) for the hardwood species, even though the average length of these wood chips was as low as 17 mm. The results provide a first indication of how basic wood log properties affect the yields of accept chips and small-sized material when using modern industrial drum-chipping technology.
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| 14. |
- Hidman, Josefin, et al.
(author)
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Increased plasma endostatin and GDF15 in indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- 2023
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In: Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences. - : Upsala Medical Society. - 0300-9734 .- 2000-1967. ; 128
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Increased microvascular density correlates with more advanced disease and unfavorable overall survival in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), suggesting that angiogenesis is important for disease progression. However, studies of anti-angiogenic agents in NHL patients, have generally not shown favorable outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether plasma levels of a subset of angiogenesis-associated proteins are increased in indolent B-cell derived NHL (B-NHL) and to investigate whether the levels differ between patients with asymptomatic versus symptomatic disease.METHODS: Plasma levels of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), endostatin, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), long pentraxin 3 (PTX3), and galectin 3 (GAL-3) were measured by ELISA in 35 patients with symptomatic indolent B-NHL, 41 patients with asymptomatic disease, and 62 healthy controls. Bootstrap t-tests were used to assess the relative differences in biomarker levels between groups. Group differences were visualized using a principal component plot.RESULTS: Mean plasma endostatin and GDF15 levels were significantly higher in symptomatic and asymptomatic lymphoma patients than in controls. Symptomatic patients had higher mean MMP9 and NGAL than controls.CONCLUSIONS: The finding of increased plasma endostatin and GDF15 in patients with asymptomatic indolent B-NHL suggests that increased angiogenic activity is an early event in indolent B-NHL disease progression.
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| 15. |
- Hidman, Josefin, et al.
(author)
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Increased Plasma GDF15 Is Associated with Altered Levels of Soluble VEGF Receptors 1 and 2 in Symptomatic Multiple Myeloma.
- 2022
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In: Acta Haematologica. - : S. Karger AG. - 0001-5792 .- 1421-9662. ; 145:3, s. 326-333
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: In multiple myeloma, there is an increase in bone marrow microvascular density and enhanced renal lymphangiogenesis. Increased levels of the proangiogenic protein growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF15) have previously been reported to be associated with poor prognosis in myeloma. A possible association between GDF15 and the soluble forms of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (sVEGFR) 1 and 2 has not yet been investigated, and a role for these receptors in pathological angiogenesis in myeloma is still to be defined.METHODS: Plasma levels of GDF15 and sVEGFR1 and 2 were determined by ELISA in patients with smouldering multiple myeloma (sMM), patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma (abbreviated as MM), and healthy controls. The levels were compared between the three groups, and correlation coefficients were calculated, as were Kaplan-Meier curves for GDF15 and sVEGFR1 and sVEGFR2.RESULTS: Levels of GDF15 were significantly higher in MM than in both patients with sMM and controls. A gradual decrease in mean sVEGFR1 concentration was observed, with MM > sMM > controls. Mean sVEGFR2 was lower in patients with MM than in controls. There was a positive correlation between GDF15 and sVEGFR1, and GDF15 correlated negatively with sVEGFR2. High GDF15 (>3 ng/mL) was associated with poor prognosis.CONCLUSION: In multiple myeloma, increased expression of GDF15 correlates positively with sVEGFR1 and negatively with sVEGFR2. It is possible that the altered levels of sVEGFR1 and 2 contribute to the increased angio- and lymphangiogenesis observed in myeloma.
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| 16. |
- Isomura, Kayoko, et al.
(author)
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Insomnia in Tourette Syndrome and Chronic Tic Disorder
- 2022
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In: Movement Disorders. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0885-3185 .- 1531-8257. ; 37:2, s. 392-400
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Insomnia is common in Tourette syndrome (TS) and chronic tic disorder (CTD), but precise prevalence estimates are lacking.OBJECTIVE: In this Swedish register-based cohort study, we estimated the prevalence of insomnia in TS/CTD and quantified the magnitude of this association, accounting for familial confounders and relevant somatic and psychiatric comorbidities.METHODS: Of 10,444,702 individuals living in Sweden during the period from 1997 to 2013, 5877 had a diagnosis of TS/CTD and were compared to unexposed individuals from the general population on the presence of insomnia using logistic regression models.RESULTS: Individuals with TS/CTD had a period prevalence of insomnia of 32.16%, compared to 13.70% of the unexposed population. This translated into a 6.7-fold increased likelihood of insomnia in TS/CTD (odds ratio adjusted [aOR] for sex, birth year, birth country, and somatic disorders = 6.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.37-7.15). A full sibling comparison, designed to adjust for shared familial factors, attenuated the estimates (aOR = 5.41; 95% CI, 4.65-6.30). When individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and pervasive developmental disorders were excluded, the association was also attenuated, whereas exclusion of other psychiatric comorbidities had minimal impact. Having persistent TS/CTD, comorbid ADHD, and taking ADHD medication greatly increased the likelihood of insomnia.CONCLUSIONS: Insomnia is significantly associated with TS/CTD, independently from somatic disorders, familial factors or psychiatric comorbidities, although familial factors, neurodevelopmental comorbidities, and ADHD/ADHD medication may explain part of the association. Insomnia should be routinely assessed and managed in TS/CTD, particularly in chronic patients and in those with comorbid ADHD. Other sleep disorders require further study. © 2021 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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| 17. |
- Karlsson, Pernilla Rose-Marie, et al.
(author)
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Swelling of Cellulose-Based Fibrillar and Polymeric Networks Driven by Ion-Induced Osmotic Pressure
- 2020
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In: Langmuir. - : American Chemical Society. - 0743-7463 .- 1520-5827. ; 36:41, s. 12261-12271
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cellulose-based model materials in the form of fibrillar networks and macromolecular hydrogels were used to investigate the ion-induced swelling in relation to the elasticity and structure of the network. Both networks were charged by the introduction of carboxyl groups onto the cellulose surface, and the dimensions of the networks in aqueous solution were measured as a function of pH. The use of cellulose-model materials that contained either noncrystalline cellulose or cellulose I fibrils made it possible to model the effect of the ion-induced osmotic pressure of a delignified wood fiber wall. The noncrystalline hydrogels represented the noncrystalline domains of the fiber wall and the fibrillar network represented the supramolecular network of cellulose I fibrils of the fiber wall. The experimental results were compared to swelling potentials computed using the Donnan theory, and it was found that the ion-induced water uptake within the cellulose networks followed the theoretical predictions to a large extent. However, fibrillar networks were found to plastically deform upon swelling and deviated from the ideal Donnan theory for polyelectrolyte gel networks. Upon addition of salt to the aqueous phase surrounding the cellulose materials, both hydrogels and fibrillar networks deviated from the Donnan theory predictions, suggesting that structural differences between the networks impact their swelling. ©
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| 18. |
- Larsson, Anders, et al.
(author)
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Falsely elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone results dueto Interference by M-component of IgG-lambda type
- 2020
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In: Case Reports in Oncology. - : S. Karger. - 1662-6575. ; 13:2, s. 680-682
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Heterophilic antibodies but also M-components can interfere with laboratory tests causing erroneous results. We report the case of a 75-year-old man with myeloma and a monoclonal immunoglobulin component (M-component) that caused elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) results. The M-component was of the IgG-lambda type. Thyroid markers were analyzed repeatedly, and there was a clear association between IgG concentrations and TSH values (R 2 = 0.724). The highest TSH value was 75 mIU/L. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation of intact immunoglobulins was used to investigate if there was an antibody-related interference problem. The PEG treatment normalized the TSH value, showing that the cause of the elevated TSH result was due to interference caused by the M-component. In conclusion, it is important to remember that both heterophilic antibodies and M-components may cause erroneous results.
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| 19. |
- Larsson, Diane, et al.
(author)
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Intrathecal immunoglobulins and neurofilament light after autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple sclerosis
- 2020
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In: Multiple Sclerosis Journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 1352-4585 .- 1477-0970. ; 26:11, s. 1351-1359
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Oligoclonal bands (OCB) are widely believed to be stable over time and rarely affected by disease-modifying treatment in MS. It is presently unknown how intrathecal immunoglobulin production and other cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers are impacted by a highly efficacious procedure such as autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT).OBJECTIVE: To describe the evolution of intrathecal immunoglobulin and neurofilament light (NFL) over time in MS patients treated with aHSCT.METHODS: In this retrospective study, available data from previously made CSF investigations in 46 patients treated with aHSCT were analysed.RESULTS: After a median follow-up time of 745 days, immunoglobulin G (IgG) OCB remained detectable in 74% of patients, the proportion of patients with a pathological IgG index went down from 70% to 46%, and the proportion of patients with a pathological NFL went down from 72% to 24%. In patients with follow-up time >1500 days, IgG OCB were detectable in 50% of patients, 14% had a pathological IgG index and none a pathological NFL.CONCLUSIONS: Intrathecal immunoglobulin production and NFL were lower after treatment with aHSCT, decreased over time and were normalised in a significant portion of patients. This challenges the notion that OCB are unaffected by therapeutic intervention in MS.
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| 20. |
- Larsson, Erik, 1983, et al.
(author)
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The Influence of KCl and HCl on the High-Temperature Oxidation of a Fe-2.25Cr-1Mo Steel at 400 °C
- 2020
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In: Oxidation of Metals. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1573-4889 .- 0030-770X. ; 93:1-2, s. 29-52
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The influence of alkali- and chlorine-containing compounds on the corrosion of superheater alloys has been studied extensively. The current paper instead investigates the corrosive effects of KCl and HCl under conditions relevant to waterwall conditions. A low-alloy (Fe-2.25Cr-1Mo) steel was exposed to KCl(s), 500 vppm HCl(g) and (KCl + HCl) in the presence of 5%O2 and 20% H2O at 400 °C. The results indicate that alloy chlorination by KCl occurs by an electrochemical process, involving cathodic formation of chemisorbed KOH on the scale surface and anodic formation of solid FeCl2 at the bottom of the scale. The process is accompanied by extensive cracking and delamination of the iron oxide scale, resulting in a complex, convoluted scale morphology. Adding 500 vppm HCl to the experimental environment (KCl + HCl) initially greatly accelerated the formation of FeCl2 at the scale/alloy interface. The accelerated alloy chlorination is attributed to HCl reacting with KOH at the scale surface, causing the cathodic process to be depolarized. A rapid slowing down of the rate of chlorination and corrosion in KCl + HCl environment was observed which was attributed to the electronically insulating nature of the FeCl2 layer which forms at the bottom of the scale, disconnecting the anodic and cathodic regions.
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