| 1. |
- Pugliatti, M, et al.
(author)
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A questionnaire for multinational case-control studies of environmental risk factors in multiple sclerosis (EnvIMS-Q)
- 2012
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In: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0001-6314 .- 1600-0404 .- 0065-1427 .- 1600-5449. ; 126:SI, s. 43-50
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives - The increasing incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) worldwide, especially in women, points to the crucial role of environmental and lifestyle risk factors in determining the disease occurrence. An international multicentre case-control study of Environmental Risk Factors In Multiple Sclerosis (EnvIMS) has been launched in Norway, Sweden, Italy, Serbia and Canada, aimed to examine MS environmental risk factors in a large study population and disclose reciprocal interactions. To ensure equivalent methodology in detecting age-related past exposures in individuals with and without MS across the study sites, a new questionnaire (EnvIMS-Q) is presented. Materials and methods - EnvIMS-Q builds on previously developed guidelines for epidemiological studies in MS and is a 6-page self-administered postal questionnaire. Participants are de-identified through the use of a numerical code. Its content is identical for cases and controls including core and population-specific questions as proxies for vitamin D exposure (sun exposure, dietary habits and supplementation), childhood infections (including infectious mononucleosis) and cigarette smoking. Information on possible confounders or effect modifiers is also obtained. EnvIMS-Q was initially drafted in English and subsequently translated into Italian, Serbian, Norwegian, Swedish and French-Canadian. EnvIMS-Q has been tested for acceptability, feasibility and reliability. Results and Conclusions - EnvIMS-Q has shown cross-cultural feasibility, acceptability and reliability in both patients with MS and healthy subjects from all sites. EnvIMS-Q is an efficient tool to ensure proper assessment of age-specific exposure to environmental factors in large multinational population-based case-control studies of MS risk factors.
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| 4. |
- Armerin, Fredrik, 1971-, et al.
(author)
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Competitive investment with varying risk premia
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Other publication (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This paper considers a model with a time-varying risk premium. The risk premium is driven by a continuous time Markov chain, representing the state in the economy, and the stochastic process generating the cash flows is a Markov-modulated geometric Brownian motion. An existing firm is facing the possibility of competitors entering the market, and due to this, cash flows are limited at levels which are dependent on the state of the economy. This results in a regulated Markov-modulated geometric Brownian motion, and the resulting accumulated supply can have jumps, something that is not possible in a model with only one regime.
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| 5. |
- Fernández de Salas, Pablo, et al.
(author)
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Dark matter local density determination : recent observations and future prospects
- 2021
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In: Reports on progress in physics (Print). - : IOP Publishing. - 0034-4885 .- 1361-6633. ; 84:10
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This report summarises progress made in estimating the local density of dark matter (ρDM,⊙), a quantity that is especially important for dark matter direct detection experiments. We outline and compare the most common methods to estimate ρDM,⊙ and the results from recent studies, including those that have benefited from the observations of the ESA/Gaia satellite. The result of most local analyses coincide within a range of , while a slightly lower range of is preferred by most global studies. In light of recent discoveries, we discuss the importance of going beyond the approximations of what we define as the ideal Galaxy (a steady-state Galaxy with axisymmetric shape and a mirror symmetry across the mid-plane) in order to improve the precision of ρDM,⊙ measurements. In particular, we review the growing evidence for local disequilibrium and broken symmetries in the present configuration of the Milky Way, as well as uncertainties associated with the galactic distribution of baryons. Finally, we comment on new ideas that have been proposed to further constrain the value of ρDM,⊙, most of which would benefit from Gaia's final data release.
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| 6. |
- Rose, Jeremy, et al.
(author)
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The Architecture Of Algorithm-Driven Persuasion
- 2021
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In: Journal of Information Architecture. - : Copenhagen Business School Press. - 1903-7260. ; 6:1, s. 7-40
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Persuasion is a process that aims to utilize (true or false) information to change people’s attitudes in relation to something, usually as a precursor to behavioural change. Its use is prevalent in democratic societies, which do not, in principle, permit censorship of information or the use of force to enact power. The transition of information to the internet, particularly with the rise of social media, together with the capacity to capture, store and process big data, and advances in machine learning, have transformed the way modern persuasion is conducted. This has led to new opportunities for persuaders, but also to well-documented instances of abuse: fake news, Cambridge Analytica, foreign interference in elections, etc. We investigate large-scale technology-based persuasion, with the help of three case studies derived from secondary sources, in order to identify and describe the underlying technology architecture and propose issues for future research, including a number of ethical concerns.
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| 8. |
- Basnet, A., et al.
(author)
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Donepezil provides positive effects to patients treated with gabapentin for neuropathic pain : an exploratory study
- 2014
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In: Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 0001-5172 .- 1399-6576. ; 58:1, s. 61-73
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundThe first-line medication gabapentin and the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor donepezil represent a new promising combination to improve treatment outcomes for patients with severe neuropathic pain. The drugs have previously shown synergism following co-administration in nerve-injured rats. MethodsThe clinical relevance of adding donepezil to existing gabapentin treatment in patients with post-traumatic neuropathic pain was explored in this open-label study. The study comprised two consecutive periods of minimum 6 weeks: (1) titration of gabapentin to the highest tolerable dose or maximum 2400mg daily, and (2) addition of donepezil 5mg once daily to the fixed gabapentin dose. Efficacy and tolerability were assessed by ratings of pain intensity, questionnaires for pain and health-related quality of life, and reporting of adverse events. Pain scores were also analysed using mixed-effects analysis with the software NONMEM to account for intersubject variability. ResultsEight patients commenced treatment with donepezil, of which two withdrew because of adverse events. Addition of donepezil resulted in clinically relevant reductions of pain (>11 units on a 0-100 scale) and improved mental wellness in three of six patients. The remaining three patients had no obvious supplemental effect. Mixed-effects analysis revealed that pain scores were significantly lower during co-administration (P<0.0001 combination vs. monotherapy). ConclusionDonepezil may provide additional analgesia to neuropathic pain patients with insufficient pain relief from gabapentin as monotherapy. The promising results support controlled clinical trials of the drug combination. The usefulness of mixed-effects analysis in small-scale trials and/or for data with high intersubject variability was also demonstrated.
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- Leiler, Anna, et al.
(author)
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Suicidal ideation and severity of distress among refugees residing in asylum accommodations in Sweden
- 2019
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In: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI AG. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 16:15
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Refugees worldwide suffer high levels of distress and are at increased risk for death by suicide. The Refugee Health Screener (RHS) was developed to screen for emotional distress among refugees and can be used to assess distress severity. This paper examines the association between distress severity and suicidal ideation in a sample of refugees residing in asylum accommodations. Data from the RHS and item 9 on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was analyzed. Results showed that individuals at moderate and severe levels of distress were much more likely to exhibit suicidal ideation than individuals with low levels of distress. Even though we cannot conclude that individuals with low levels of distress do not have thoughts of ending their lives, further suicide assessment is warranted in asylum seekers with moderate to severe distress on the RHS.
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