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Purpose: To compare the 12-month outcomes of cataract surgery combined with iStent Inject W or Kahook Dual Blade Glide versus cataract surgery alone.

Design: A prospective, randomized controlled trial conducted at a single center in Sweden.

Participants: Adult patients with cataract and medically treated ocular hypertension or mild to advanced primary open-angle glaucoma or pseudoexfoliative glaucoma.

Methods: Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to cataract surgery with iStent Inject W (cataract-iStent group, n = 40), cataract surgery with Kahook Dual Blade Glide (cataract-KDB group, n = 40), or cataract surgery alone (cataract group, n = 40), and followed for 12 months.

Main Outcome Measures: The primary effectiveness endpoints were surgical success, defined as a reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) of ≥20% or a reduction of ≥1 medication, and change in IOP and ocular hypotensive medications at 12 months. Secondary endpoints included threshold IOP levels and adverse events.

Results: At 12 months, the rate of surgical success was higher in the cataract-iStent and cataract-KDB groups compared to the cataract group (87.5% vs. 52.5%, P < 0.001). Mean reduction in IOP was similar between groups (–3.0, –3.5, and –2.8 mmHg, P = 0.755), while reduction in medication was higher in the cataract-iStent and cataract-KDB groups compared to the cataract group (–0.8 and –0.9 vs. –0.4, P = 0.01). The main adverse events were transient hyphema (15% in the cataract-KDB group) and IOP spikes (37.5% in the cataract group, 10% in the cataract-iStent group, and 15% in the cataract-KDB group, P = 0.006). Additional glaucoma surgery was required in 1 eye (in the cataract group), and added therapy or selective laser trabeculoplasty was required in 4 eyes (3 in the cataract group and 1 in the cataract-KDB group).

Conclusions: Combined cataract surgery with iStent Inject W or Kahook Dual Blade Glide achieved significantly greater surgical success compared to cataract surgery alone, and this was due to a greater reduction in number of hypotensive medications.

Financial Disclosures: Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

This study aims to investigate if landscape variables differ between areas with presence/absence of Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) in Västerbotten county, Sweden, and to analyze whether the variables included in the study can be used to investigate the habitat selection of the otter with data based on observations of spraint from Länsstyrelsen Västerbotten. Different studies from Europe have shown that variables such as road density, width and depth of the stream/river, surrounding vegetation and access to food can influence habitat selection of the Eurasian otter. The habitat selection in this study is analyzed with presence/absence data of otter spraints by including land cover data in six categories, road density and slope, using a generalized linear model with a binary distribution of the dependent variables. A positive relationship was detected for road density, which was unexpected. The conclusion is that the landscape variables analyzed in this study could not explain the habitat preferences of the Eurasian otter in Västerbotten County. Potentially the data used in this study were too coarse, and cannot explain the habitat selection of otters which might depend on variables reflected only in analyses at finer spatial scales. 

This study investigates the effects of forestry on sporocarp production of red-listed and indicator species of ectomycorrhiza (ECM) fungi in Pinus sylvestris forest stands on sandy soils in Västerbotten County, Sweden. A field study on sporocarp production of 15 species was conducted in 10 forest stands in August-September 2024. The forests were categorized into three age classes: old growth forests, 65-year-old forests and 50-year-old forests. Species richness and sporocarp production of red-listed ECM fungi was compared between different aged stands. The difference in sporocarp frequency of four species: Hydnellum ferrugineum, Hydnellum peckii, Hydnellum caeruleum and Hydnellum aurantiacum between the different aged forests stand was also compared. The study showed a significantly lower species richness and sporocarp production in the 50-year-old forests and the 65-year-old forests compared to old growth forests. The study also showed a significantly lower frequency of Hydnellum ferrugineum in young forests compared to old growth forests. The study showed that Hydnellum caeruleum and Hydnellum aurantiacum had a significantly lower sporocarp frequency in 50-year-old forests compared to the old growth forests, but no difference in abundance could be seen between the 65-year-old forests and old growth forests. The dataset for Hydnellum peckii was too small to draw any conclusions about the species’ preference.

Organic matter in boreal soils make up a large part of the global carbon pool. When soils are disturbed, it is possible for carbon sinks to instead become emission sources due to changes in the balance of soil respiration. This study compares the heterotrophic microbial soil CO₂ emissions caused by clearcutting to those caused by wildfires through the measurement of 36 disturbed plots of different ages in boreal Sweden. The factors of disturbance type, time since disturbance as well as the interaction between them are analysed using ANCOVA, multiple linear interactions and a Welch two sample t-test. The study finds no significant difference between any of the measured factors when adjusting for time but does find possible evidence for disturbance type affecting heterotrophic soil CO₂ emissions when not adjusting for time.

Background: Pulmonary nodules (PNs) are clinically challenging because differentiation between benign and malignant PNs is not possible at CT detection; recurring CT examinations and invasive procedures are often required in PN follow-up.

Purpose: To investigate PN prevalence in a middle-aged population and the risk factors associated with these nodules.

Materials and Methods: In this secondary analysis of the cross-sectional population-based Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study (known as SCAPIS, from November 2013 to November 2018), participants aged 50-64 years with chest CT data were analyzed. Risk factors such as smoking history, occupational exposure (vapor, dust, gas, and fumes), and lung diseases were derived from comprehensive questionnaires. Robust Poisson regression was used to evaluate associations, adjusted for age and sex, between potential risk factors and the binary outcome of nodule presence or absence. Prevalence ratios (PRs), adjusted for age and sex, and 95% CIs were estimated.

Results: Among 29 574 participants (median age, 57.4 years; IQR, 53.7-61.2 years; 15 168 women), solid nodules sized 100-300 mm3, part-solid, and ground-glass nodules were found in 1420 (4.8%), 199 (0.7%), and 430 (1.5%), respectively. The prevalence of solid nodules among participants who never, formerly, and currently smoked was 32.5% (4713 of 14 515), 34.5% (3602 of 10 437), and 37.9% (1381 of 3644), respectively. Solid nodules sized 100-300 mm3 were associated with current smoking (PR, 1.38; 95% CI: 1.19, 1.60), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (PR, 1.72; 95% CI: 1.17, 2.53), occupational exposure (PR, 1.31; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.54), emphysema (PR, 1.56; 95% CI: 1.31, 1.86), reticulation (PR, 1.96; 95% CI: 1.47, 2.61), and bronchiectasis (PR, 2.03; 95% CI: 1.64, 2.50). In participants who had never smoked, associations were found between solid nodules at least 100 mm3 and reticulation (PR, 2.28; 95% CI: 1.55, 3.36), reported lung disease other than asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (PR, 2.26; 95% CI: 1.49, 3.43), and bronchiectasis (PR, 2.17; 95% CI: 1.60, 2.94).

Conclusion: PN prevalence was approximately the same in a middle-aged population regardless of smoking history. In participants who had never smoked, nodules were linked to reported lung disease, reticulation, and bronchiectasis. 

Background: Dietary choices are shaped by both genetic predisposition and environmental exposures, yet the relative influence of these factors remains insufficiently understood across populations and age groups. Young adulthood represents a critical period when long-term eating habits take form, and clarifying the determinants of dietary behavior in this life stage may inform strategies to promote sustained health.

Objectives: This twin study aimed to estimate genetic and environmental contributions to food, energy, and nutrient intakes, and taste preferences in young adults in Sweden.

Methods: The study included 2832 Swedish twins (858 monozygotic and 1974 dizygotic; mean age 24 y; 59.5% female). Participants completed a validated dietary questionnaire assessing food intake frequencies and taste preferences. Additive genetic (A), shared environmental (C), and nonshared environmental (E) influences on a priori dietary indices, specific food and nutrient intakes, and taste preferences were estimated using classical ACE twin models and nested models fitted in OpenMx.

Results: Heritability estimates across dietary traits ranged from 20% to 61%. Genetic influences on overall dietary pattern indices exceeded 40%. Heritability varied across food groups (e.g., 61% for venison; 24% for potatoes) and nutrient intakes (50% for fiber; 20% for sodium), indicating differing degrees of genetic impact across dietary components. Taste preferences also showed substantial genetic contributions (21%–61%), with the strongest effects observed for bitter foods (e.g., black coffee, grapefruit), followed by sweet foods (e.g., jam/marmalade).

Conclusions: This large-scale twin study provides a comprehensive overview of genetic and environmental influences on dietary behavior in young adults, showing substantial genetic and nonshared environmental contributions across diverse dietary traits. These results provide a foundation for future research on diet–disease relationships and may support the development of prevention and intervention strategies, including emerging precision-nutrition approaches.

This article critically examines the challenges of trade union “just transition” (JT) policies in the context of the ecological crisis. While JT policies have grown in prominence, especially in the Global North, they do not adequately address the ecological crisis since they focus exclusively on decarbonisation without recognising that Green Growth, by reducing emissions increases environmental destruction created by the extraction of ever more minerals and metals. JT policies are further constrained by national boundaries and by a policy centred on jobs only, without acknowledging the broader needs for dignified lives and a regenerative relationship between labour and nature. Research into workers’ visions for the future shows that workers long for cooperation, democratisation from below, a connection of local and global solidarity, and more time to care for themselves and others. The author suggests that unions could connect with such visions to develop transformative, globally coordinated JT strategies that centre on cooperation and self-determination, allowing them to move away from growth imperatives towards a regenerative economy that centres on care for both, people and nature.

The study examines the impact of financial education and financial experience on thefinancial Literacy Development of Sri Lanka. Financial literacy is significantlyrecognised as a vital capability for individuals to manage personal finances effectively,particularly in developing economies such as Sri Lanka. While prior studies haveexamined financial literacy from demographic, behavioural, and digital perspectives,limited attention has been given to the combined influence of financial education andfinancial experience on the financial literacy development of Sri Lanka. Therefore, thisstudy seeks to address this gap. Although the concepts of financial education, financialexperience are broad and multifaceted, this study adopts a focused scope to ensureanalytical clarity and empirical validity. Financial education may be acquired throughboth formal and informal channels. However, this study conceptualizes financialeducation specifically as formal financial education, through individuals’ participation instructured initiatives such as academic courses, degree programs, professional trainingprograms, including workshops and seminars. Similarly. Financial experienceencompasses various learning opportunities arising from individuals’ day-to-day financialinteractions. While such experience may be gained informally, this study focusesspecifically on financial experience derived from the frequent products such as bankaccounts, credit facilities, savings and investment instruments, insurance schemes,pension funds, and digital financial products.The study adopts a quantitative, deductive research approach based on Human CapitalTheory and Experiential Learning Theory. Primary data were collected through astructured survey questionnaire using- 5-point Likert scale and distributed via onlineplatforms. The target population consisted of individuals who studied in the Commercestream for their Advanced Level examination in schools within the Gampaha area of SriLanka. Convenience sampling combined with snowball sampling was employed due tothe absence of a comprehensive sampling frame. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS,incorporating descriptive statistics, reliability and validity tests, correlation analysis, andmultiple regression analysis to test proposed hypotheses.The empirical findings indicate that financial education has a significant positive impacton financial literacy, supporting the views that structured learning enhances individuals'financial knowledge and decision-making capabilities. Similarly, financial experience,measured through the frequency and variety of financial product usage, was found tosignificantly develop financial literacy by enhancing learning through real-life financialengagement. Furthermore, the findings indicate that individuals express a high level ofsatisfaction with the structured financial education they have received, recognising itseffectiveness in improving their financial literacy. In addition, respondents stronglyacknowledge that active and frequent usage of financial products serves as an effectivemeans of acquiring practical financial experience. Most importantly, the findings revealthat the joint effect of financial education and financial experience produces a greater andmore sustainable improvement in financial literacy than either variable alone.This study contributes to the existing literature by providing evidence on the integratedrole of financial education and financial experience in the financial literacy developmentof Sri Lanka. The findings offer practical implications for policymakers, educationalinstitutions, and financial service providers by highlighting the need to combine formalfinancial education with experiential, practical–based learning to foster financiallycapable individuals and support long-term economic stability.

The accounting profession is undergoing rapid digitalization. Digitalization is very broad in this industry and refers to a collective set of technologies, including artificial intelligence, big data, blockchain, cloud computing, machine learning, and robotic process automation. Cloud-based systems are the central tools for performing day-to-day tasks and are integrated with other technological infrastructures. This thesis mainly focuses on a specific accounting technology, cloud-based accounting systems. Prior research on cloud-based systems has mainly focused on adoption factors, firm-level outcomes, and skills gaps in education. However, there is limited knowledge at the practitioners’ level of how they experience task and role changes and which competences they consider significant.

This thesis follows an exploratory, inductive, and interpretivist research design and is based on six semi-structured interviews with practitioners who work in cloud-based accounting systems in Sweden. The interview material is analysed using MAXQDA for thematic analysis.

The findings from participants are organized into four main themes: working in cloud-based accounting systems, cloud-based systems and changes in tasks and roles, competencies in cloud-based accounting systems, and learning and adaptation to change. The results demonstrate that routine and manual tasks are largely automated, while practitioners’ tasks are shifting toward meaningful work, where human engagement is more required. This shift has led to changes in the practitioner role toward controller, analyser, and advisor. Advanced accounting knowledge remains fundamental, but must be combined with system and technology competencies and strong communication and collaboration skills. All the competences are developed through a combination of formal education and workplace learning rather than a single source, where willingness to learn and self-directed learning support them to develop those competences.

These findings contribute by adding a practitioner-level perspective to prior digitalization and cloud-based accounting models, thereby extending the theoretical and competence framework. Practically, the findings highlight the necessity for continuous learning and closer alignment between university and workplace learning, for instance, by suggesting the inclusion of a mandatory internship programme in the accounting curriculum.

The purpose of this study was to examine how journalists and police officers understand “openness” and to identify the problems and challenges that arise from their differing understandings. Through qualitative semi-structured interviews with five local journalists and five police officers in Police Region North conducted in December 2025, the study explores: 1) how the actors understand “openness” in relation to each other, 2) what strategies are used to negotiate openness, and 3) what tensions occur in the interaction between the two groups. The theoretical framework comprises public sphere theory, mediatization, legitimacy, and branding.

The results show that journalists tend to view openness as an unconditional concept, whereas police officers define openness as conditional and limited by confidentiality, primarily regarding preliminary investigations. Another key finding concerns the different strategies used by the actors. Journalists rely on informal contacts and trust-building measures, while police officers employ strategies such as “no comment” responses, branding, and reassurance communication. Additionally, the tensions identified were described as inevitable and characterized by antagonism. While these findings suggest that the Swedish Police Authority faces structural problems regarding transparency, we suggest further studies to examine the extent of these issues within the Swedish police force specifically, as well as in the public sector at large.

This paper studies the motif of artificial bodies in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and William Gibson’s Neuromancer, as well as its effects on the characters. By exploring Frankenstein’s Monster and the cyborg Molly Millions through the lens of mainly Donna Haraway’s ”A Cyborg Manifesto”, I have detected the ways in which each character acts like a cyborg or not. In Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein creates his monster with parts from corpses and carcasses which makes his appearance grotesque. Whereas his body scares people, Molly’s artificial parts are technological enhancements which help her fight against obstacles in her and the other main character’s hunt for the AI Wintermute. I have looked into how, and by whom, each character’s artificial body is constructed, how their bodies trap them, as well as how they attempt to flee their realities. My conclusion is that whilst Molly’s artificial parts help her be free, her female body traps her in a patriarchal position as a woman. The Monster’s artificial body, however, traps him by making him different from biological humans and his only chance at fleeing is by being invisible. Haraway emphasizes that a cyborg challanges dualities such as mind/body, maker/made and active/passive, which both characters do, albeit with varying success. I have therefore found that Haraway’s cyborg-concept is applicable on both Molly and the Monster, despite the fact that they both at times contradict the theory in different ways.

Background: The Rhododendron genus (Rhododendron L.), recognized as the most extensive woody plant genus in the Northern Hemisphere, captivates with its strikingly beautiful corollas and variety of flower colors. In addition, the Rhododendron genus exhibits a complex evolutionary history and substantial species diversification. To comprehensively understand the genomic complexity and flower color diversity within this genus, comparative genomics has emerged as a promising approach, enabling analysis at a super-species level.

Results: Here, we collected whole-genome data from seven rhododendrons of different subgenera to investigate the patterns of interspecific genomic and sequence divergence, as well as evolutionary dynamics of gene family related to flower color. We discovered that approximately 50% of Rhododendron genomes are composed of transposable elements (TEs), with over half of them being long terminal repeat retrotransposons (LTR-RTs). TEs significantly associate with genomic differentiation and structural variances within the genus. Additionally, the duplication and loss of genes associated with flower color and their corresponding expression over time are potentially driven by TEs.

Conclusion: Our comparative genomic analysis accentuates the critical role of TEs in genome divergence within the Rhododendron genus, highlighting their potential role as a key factor governing speciation and interspecific variability within the genus.

Background/objectives: Metabolic alterations, physical activity, and dietary pattern together can explain why smoking cessation (SC) often results in weight gain. We studied changes in weight and changes in cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors after an intervention that included an exercise program, dietary advice, and stress management.

Subjects/methods: The patient population (n = 1,782) attended the Vindeln Patient Education Centre (VPE-center) for a 4-week comprehensive lifestyle intervention program, which included the option of smoking cessation. The data were collected before and after, at either the 6- or 12-month follow-up on 247 smokers, 95 former smokers, and 1,440 non-smokers.

Results: A high CVD-risk population lost weight and had decreased serum triglyceride (S-TG) and increased serum phosphate (S-P) at the 6- or 12-month follow-up. At baseline, smokers and former smokers had higher S-TG and lower systolic blood pressure (SBP) than non-smokers. Smokers had higher S-P at baseline and higher S-TG at follow-up than non-smokers. A daily energy intake of around 6,300 kJ (1,500 kcal) and a schedule of physical activity resulted in weight loss, but to a significantly lesser extent in patients who quit smoking compared to patients who continued to smoke or stayed as non-smokers. With SC, a decrease in S-P was associated with weight gain, whereas an increase in S-P was associated with weight loss.

Conclusion: An interaction between smoking habits, body mass index (BMI), and S-P may express a metabolic change that contributes to the degree of weight loss. Differences in changed metabolic response according to smoking habits express effects from smoking cessation, besides differences in the amount of weight change.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of initial mono- versus multitherapy on the ocular surface and related quality of life after 5 years follow-up in the Glaucoma Intensive Treatment Study (GITS).

Method: The study included patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma who completed 5-year follow-up in GITS. Assessment of ocular surface disease (OSD) symptoms was done using a Swedish Translation of the OSD Index (OSDI). Signs of OSD were assessed with tear break-up time (BUT), Schirmer I test and staining using Lissamine green. Rasch analysis was used to analyse OSDI results.

Results: Data on OSD symptoms were available at 5 years in 90% (219/242) of all participants initially included in GITS. Subjective or objective OSD findings did not differ significantly between mono- and multitherapy. More than 90% of patients in both arms reported no or little subjective ocular surface problems and showed no or minimal staining with Lissamine green at the 60-month visit. Furthermore, 46% had normal BUT and 60% normal Schirmer tests. Use of preservative-free drops or need for additive lubricating tear drops did not differ between the arms.

Conclusion: We found no differences in objective or subjective impact on ocular surface between the two randomization arms. However, a subgroup of glaucoma patients had more severe OSD irrespective of the amount of topical glaucoma treatment received, and this should be considered when choosing glaucoma therapy treatment in this subgroup by considering laser treatment or non-preserved eye drops.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) evasion and downstream export of carbon (C) from headwater streams represent important fluxes in the global C cycle. Yet, these fluxes are generally studied in isolation, leaving gaps in the understanding of the overall role of streams in the C cycle. In this study, we carried out high resolution measurements of dissolved inorganic and organic C to estimate CO₂ evasion and C export along a 400 m reach of a boreal headwater stream to assess the magnitude and control of the C evasion:export ratio. Higher downstream C export (3.1–74.0 kg C d⁻¹) compared to CO2 evasion rates (0.53–2.56 kg C d⁻¹) for the full stream network over the open water season resulted in an average C evasion:export ratio of 0.23, which corresponds to a 17% loss of C entering the stream through CO2 evasion. The temporal variation in C evasion:export ratios (0.03–0.60) was mainly driven by stream discharge, largely through its strong influence on downstream C export. Further, CO₂ evasion showed high spatial variability, and we demonstrate that using only data of a subset of the stream reach would lead to a wide range in the overall C evasion:export ratios upscaled to the whole stream network. Resolving the processes controlling spatial and temporal variation in C fluxes and understanding the importance of discharge for the fate of C routed through streams is crucial for predicting the terrestrial C sink capacity at high latitudes under a changing climate.

Denna magisteruppsats undersöker gymnasieelevers självrapporterade användning av generativ AI i skolarbetet i en specifik skolkontext, med fokus på hur AI används i olika ämnen, vilka strategier elever uppger att de använder för att kvalitetssäkra och avgränsa AI-stöd samt hur skolans riktlinjer och lärarstöd samspelar med den faktiska användningen. Syftet är att inom den studerade kontexten öka kunskapen om användningsmönster, kvalitetssäkring och upplevda effekter på lärande, samt att synliggöra eventuella glapp mellan policy och praktik.Studien genomfördes som en kombinerad enkät- och intervjustudie på en gymnasieskola. Den kvantitativa delen utgörs av en webbenkät med 530 elever. För att fördjupa och nyansera enkätsvaren genomfördes även tolv semistrukturerade elevintervjuer med variation mellan program och årskurser. Enkätdata analyserades deskriptivt (bl.a. med sammanslagna andelar) och intervjudata analyserades tematiskt. Resultaten tyder på att generativ AI är etablerat i skolarbetet bland de elever som ingår i denna studie: 74 % uppger att de använder AI minst varje vecka och 89 % minst en gång i månaden; 86 % skattar sin AI-vana som medel till mycket hög. AI används främst som kognitivt stöd i lärprocesser: exempelvis för begreppsförklaringar, sammanfattningar, struktur- och skrivstöd samt för att komma vidare när elever fastnar.Elevernas kvalitetssäkring framstår i detta material, som relativt aktiv i stunden men svagare före och efter användning: 45,7 % uppger att de sällan planerar sin AI-användning i förväg och 45,5 % att de sällan utvärderar i efterhand, medan 44,3 % ofta/alltid övervakar om AI-stödet hjälper under arbetets gång. På upplevelsenivå dominerar positiva effekter: 80 % anger att AI ofta/alltid hjälper dem att förstå svåra begrepp och 75,5 % att AI sparar tid utan att försämra förståelsen. Samtidigt beskriver elever risker som felaktig information, ytligare lärande och minskad egen tankeaktivitet vid genvägsanvändning.I relationen mellan riktlinjer och praktik framträder, i den studerade skolkontexten, ett tydligt policy-praktik-glapp: 44,8 % uppger låg kännedom om skolans AI-regler, 45,1 % upplever reglerna som otydliga och 55,1 % anser att de i låg grad fått undervisning/genomgång om hur AI får användas och redovisas. Sammantaget pekar resultaten mot behov av mer samordnade arbetssätt som stärker elevers planering, transparens och reflektion kring AI-stöd.

Career education has received increased attention in international research, where it is highlighted to strengthening student´s career decision-making competence in preparation for future educational and occupational choices, increasing motivation for school, and promoting social justice. Finland is often regarded as a forerunner due to its long-term and preventive approach to career education. It is aimed at strengthening future skills supply from a societal perspective. Despite indications that the future of guidance is shifting from an individual-based perspective toward a more societal-oriented approach, research within a Swedish context remains limited. The aim of this study was to identify opportunities, barriers and competenciesrelated to career education in the classroom from the perspective of student guidance and counselling professionals. Qualitative interviews were conducted with practicing study and career counsellors within the school system. The results show that most of the counsellors engage in some form of career education in the classroom, despite it not being explicitly included in their formal assignment. Career education is described as a goal oriented, preventive and long-termeffort to strengthen students’ decision-making competence and motivation. At the same time several challenges are identified, including organizational constraints, lack of support from school leadership, limited opportunities for collaboration with teachers, insufficient awareness of counsellor’s professional competences and a lack of relevant professional development. The study also shows that the competence to deliver career education in the classroom exists; however, it is unevenly distributed due to differences in educational background and local conditions. The conclusion is that career education as teaching has potential but requires clearer governance and improved conditions to develop within the school context.

The aim of this study is to examine how upper secondary school students and teachers assess feedback in teaching, with a particular focus on clarity, usefulness, and its relation to student motivation. The study is grounded in a sociocultural perspective on learning and draws on Hattie and Timperley’s feedback model, in which feed up, feedback, and feedforward constitute the main analytical dimensions. The research was conducted as a quantitative case study at one upper secondary school and is based on survey data from 128 students and 21 teachers. The questionnaires consisted of Likert-scale items linked to the three components of the feedback model, as well as one open-ended question used as a complementary source of information. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and methods, including t-tests, ANOVA, correlation, and regression analyses. The results indicate that both students and teachers generally perceive feedback as relatively clear and useful; however, the forward-looking dimension of feedback (feedforward) is rated lower than the other components. Differences were identified between study programmes, while gender differences were largely non-significant. Overall, the findings suggest that the educational potential of feedback is strengthened when it is clear, actionable, and explicitly connected to future learning steps, and when students are supported in understanding and using the feedback they receive.

Policymakers face unprecedented challenges in navigating the global politics of  artificial intelligence (AI) and healthcare. While AI offers transformative potential, it can exacerbatehealth inequities and contribute to negative health outcomes along its opaque, transnational value chain. This paper provides an overview of the most pressing global political concerns related to AI and healthcare that warrant policymakers’ attention. These are 1. Defining artificial intelligence, 2. The scales of global political discourse on AI and healthcare, 3. AI and the global political economy of healthcare, 4. The emerging global governance landscape, 5. Security and conflict, 6. Global political risks and limitations of AI (mis)use, 7. The global politics of health data in the age of AI, and 8. The environmental impacts of AI. By doing so the paper offers a currently under-represented global political perspective on the responsible adoption of AI in healthcare, to support policy makers the responsible adoption of AI in healthcare.

School bullying is a widespread problem with reports indicating that 54% of all pupils in Sweden have once been subjected to it. Being subjected to bullying can lead to several serious consequences för pupils' schooling, well-being and future. Study and career counselors play a central role in helping pupils with crucial educational and career choices. This study therefore aims to increase knowledge of how study and career counselors in compulsory school perceive that pupils' experiences of being subjected to bullying affect their future career choices. The study is based on a qualitative method, in which eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with practicing study and career counselors at various compulsory schools in Sweden. The results indicate that study and career counselors perceive that pupils subjected to bullying have lower self-esteem, confidence in their abilities, ability to identify alternatives, motivation and school performance. The results have been analyzed using thematic analysis as well as the theories of hope theory and self-efficacy to understand how pupils' hope and self-confidence are affected by bullying. The main conclusion of the study is that study and career counselors perceive that pupils subjected to bullying experience a negative impact on their future career choices.

Bakgrund Historiskt sett har sjuksköterskeyrket varit kvinnodominerat med en uttalat feminin kontext, där yrkesrollen setts som varm och moderlig. Denna stereotypa bild lever kvar ännu idag, och viss forskning har visat att könsroller påverkar sjuksköterskors arbete i positiv och negativ riktning. I Sverige har sjuksköterskeutbildningen examinerat män sedan 1950-talet men yrkestiteln har trots debatt förblivit feminin.

Syfte Syftet i denna litteraturstudie var att beskriva sjuksköterskors upplevelse av könsroller och analysera detta i relation till etablerade genusteorier för att skapa förståelse för sjuksköterskors arbetssituation.

Metod Denna studie var en beskrivande litteraturstudie. Databaserna PubMed, Cinahl och Scopus användes för att finna artiklar, med ett totalt utfall av 12 stycken. Dess data analyserades genom en innehållsanalys.

Huvudresultat Studien presenterar sjuksköterskors upplevelse av könsroller enligt fyra kategorier: Inställning till yrkesidentitet och yrkestitel, Genusarbetsdelnings inverkan på arbetssituationen, Könsroller, genusrelaterade fördomar och förväntningar i yrkesrollen samt Känsla av skuld och otillräcklighet.

Slutsats Sjuksköterskor påverkades av könsroller. Manliga sjuksköterskor upplevde uppskattad kroppslig styrka, men även exkludering från samtal med arbetskamrater och utförandet av arbetsuppgifter de nekades utföra relaterat till fördomar om mäns sexualitet. Kvinnliga sjuksköterskor upplevde att könsrollers inverkan i hemmet kunde påverka deras arbetssituation såsom att ansvar för barn och hushåll kunde inverka menligt på deras återhämtning mellan arbetspass, eller att kvinnorna blev frånvarande från arbetet. Resultatet vittnar om att genusstrukturer påverkar arbete och hemmiljö, vilket finner stöd i Raewyn Connells maskulinitetsteori.Nyckelord:

Abstract 

Background: Globally, trauma constitutes the leading cause of mortality among individuals up to 45 years of age. Traumatic injuries can profoundly alter an individual´s life trajectory and give rice to enduring health consequences. The management of trauma patients within emergency hospital settings is frequently characterized by substantial workload demands and high expectations regarding nurses´ clinical competence, factors that may ultimately compromise patient safety. 

Aim: To describe nurses´ experiences of providing trauma care in hospital settings. 

Methods: A literature review based on nine qualitative studies. Systematic database searches were conducted in Cinahl and PubMed. The analysis process followed Friberg´s five – step model. 

Results: Four themes were identified: the experiences of job satisfaction and professional pride, requiring education and clinical experience, experiencing mixed emotions in the context of trauma care and experiencing varied needs and approaches to coping. 

Conclusion: Trauma care Nurses report experiencing a range of negative emotional responses when caring for trauma patients in hospital settings, with these emotional burdens affecting both their professional environment and personal lives. Concurrently, positive dimensions of trauma care contribute to sustained motivation and professional pride. Despite these motivating factors, a substantial and ongoing need for further education and training persists. 

When the Market Meets the StateRent Regulations, Market Reforms and Housing construction in Sweden and Finland, 1990-2020

This thesis examines the long-term determinants of housing construction in Sweden and Finland with a particular focus on the role of institutional frameworks and path dependence. While conventional economic theory emphasizes market variables such as rent and interest rates as key drivers of housing supply previous research has produced mixed results. This study argues that historical institutional arrangements provide a more robust explanation for persistent differences in housing construction between the two countries. 

Drawing on historical institutionalism this thesis analyses how critical policy shifts during the early 1990s reshaped housing systems in Sweden and Finland in divergent ways. The study combines a qualitative institutional analysis with exploratory quantitative methods, including bivariate OLS regressions, to assess the relationship between housing construction and key market variables. To enhance comparability the analysis employs relative measures rather than absolute levels. 

The results indicate that traditional market variables have limited explanatory power for housing construction outcomes. Instead, the finding suggest that institutional legacies, policy continuity, and path-dependent development play a decisive role in shaping national housing capacity. The study concludes that incremental policy adjustments within hybrid institutional frameworks are unlikely to resolve structural housing shortages, highlighting the importance of coherent and long-term institutional reform.

Denna studie har vuxit fram ur ett långvarigt intresse för frågor om likvärdighet i skolan och hur undervisning formas i praktiken. Genom några års erfarenhet inom skolans värld har jag uppmärksammat stora variationer i elevers förutsättningar och i hur undervisning organiseras, vilket väckt frågor om hur läroplanen tolkas och omsätts av lärare. Ett särskilt intresse har funnits för hur sådana tolkningar påverkar planering och likvärdighet inom bildämnet.Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka vilka faktorer som påverkar bildlärares planering i årskurs 7–9 och hur dessa kan få betydelse för likvärdigheten i bildundervisningen. Studien fokuserar särskilt på hur läroplanen Lgr22 tolkas och omsätts i undervisningspraktiken. Undersökningen bygger på semistrukturerade intervjuer med sex bildlärare verksamma i olika skolkontexter, och materialet har analyserats genom tematisk analys med utgångspunkt i ett lärarkognitivt perspektiv.Resultaten visar att bildlärare i huvudsak uppfattar Lgr22 som ett ramverk som kräver aktiva tolkningar i planeringsarbetet. Planeringen påverkas i hög grad av organisatoriska villkor såsom tid, gruppstorlek, resurstillgång och bedömningskrav. Likvärdighet förstås främst som något som skapas i praktiken genom didaktiska avvägningar snarare än som likformig undervisning. Studien visar även att skillnader i lokala förutsättningar bidrar till variation i hur bildundervisningen utformas mellan skolor.

This thesis examines whether an individual investor can morally justify profiting from investment in a company engaged in serious wrongdoing by claiming that their individual action makes no difference. The discussion focuses on the no-difference argument as articulated by Jonathan Glover and on Adam Elga’s critique of that argument. According to no-difference reasoning, an individual investment may be morally permissible if it does not alter outcomes and does not make anyone worse off. Elga challenges this view, arguing that moral permissibility does not require difference-making and that an action may be impermissible even when it has no causal impact on outcomes.

By applying Elga’s objection to cases of morally problematic investment, this thesis argues that the no-difference argument fails to justify profiting from wrongdoing, even when individual investments do not affect market outcomes or corporate behaviour. In such cases, profiting from wrongdoing may still be morally impermissible, since refraining from such profit is a morally preferable alternative. The analysis concludes that appeals to no-difference reasoning underestimate the moral responsibility of individual investors and fail to provide a convincing moral defense of such investment decisions.

This thesis develops a two-part argument about moral obligation in a digitally connected world. In Part I, I update Peter Singer’s distance argument by shifting the focus from physical distance to epistemic distance. Whereas Singer claims that geographical distance does not weaken our duty to prevent serious harm when we can do so without sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance, contemporary global media and connectivity change the moral landscape by making far more distant suffering and wrongdoing visible, continuously present, and intelligible to ordinary agents. I argue that this reduction in epistemic distance expands the moral horizon: more morally significant states of affairs become knowable and therefore enter the field of considerations that can reasonably demand moral attention and deliberation.

In Part II, I address the guiding research question of the thesis: if a morally significant state of affairs is knowable, is it always morally actionable? Here I depart from Singer’s standard conditional framing and defend a stronger claim. Drawing on the ethics of belief tradition (inspired by W. K. Clifford) and contemporary work on the norms of assertion (the idea that public claims are governed by epistemic standards), I argue that awareness of morally significant harm generates responsibilities even when direct physical intervention or reliable outcome-control is unavailable. The reason is that moral agency is not limited to direct material aid; it also operates through what I call epistemic–social action: responsible participation in the shared informational environment through attention, belief, assertion, repetition, and restraint. This move is further supported by speech act theory (inspired by J. L. Austin), which treats saying as a form of doing, and by social epistemology (inspired by Alvin Goldman) and discourse-oriented political philosophy (inspired by Jürgen Habermas), which highlight how public communication shapes collective understanding and coordination. On this basis, I argue that epistemic–social actions help shape the public “information state”—what is treated as credible, which explanations become dominant, and what options appear feasible—and thereby condition how collective responses and material resources are later mobilized. Through an illustrative case analysis of everyday discourse about distant conflict, I show how low-cost epistemic choices can either obstruct or support the background conditions for effective harm reduction. I conclude by responding to objections concerning excessive demandingness, individual inefficacy, and informational uncertainty, and I propose bounded epistemic–social duties—such as avoiding unwarranted claims, marking uncertainty, and prioritizing reliable sources—that preserve the “always actionable” thesis without implying unlimited responsibility for all global suffering.

This thesis investigates the influence of financial literacy on investment decision making among retail investors in Sri Lanka. As retail participation in financial markets increases and investment choices become more complex, investors’ ability to understand financial information and apply it in practice becomes increasingly important for making rational and sustainable investment decisions. Against this background, the thesis addresses two research questions: What is the influence of financial literacy on investment decisions among retail investors in Sri Lanka and, Which dimension of financial literacy has the most significant effect on investment decisions among retail investors in Sri Lanka

A deductive and quantitative research design was adopted. Primary data were collected using a structured online questionnaire based on five point Likert scale items. The survey targeted retail investors in Sri Lanka and produced 103 usable responses. Financial literacy was operationalized as a multidimensional construct consisting of financial knowledge, financial attitude, and financial behavior. Investment decision making was measured using items reflecting key decision related practices, including return consideration, risk evaluation, time horizon orientation, and the use of prior market information. The collected data were coded and analyzed using SPSS. The analysis included descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, assumption testing, correlation analysis, and regression analysis to test the hypothesized relationships.

The empirical findings show that financial literacy has a positive and statistically significant influence on investment decision making among Sri Lankan retail investors. In the simple regression model, overall financial literacy explained 38.7% of the variance in investment decisions making(R = .622; R² = .387), and financial literacy was a significant predictor of investment decisions making (β = .622, p < .001). In the multiple regression model, the three dimensions jointly explained 44.1% of the variance in investment decisions making (R = .664; R² = .441). Among the dimensions, financial knowledge emerged as the strongest and most statistically significant predictor of investment decisions.

This study contributes Sri Lanka specific evidence to the literature on financial literacy and retail investor decision making. Practically, the results suggest that investor education programs and stakeholder initiatives should prioritize strengthening investors’ financial knowledge while also supporting attitudes and behaviors that encourage disciplined, risk aware, and information driven investment decisions making.

What makes a tree a tree?

The capacity to form and maintain woody tissue has been key for the ecological success and economic relevance of forest trees. While fundamental cell types and developmental processes are common to most trees, there are significant differences between the two main tree lineages: angiosperms and gymnosperms.

Comparative genomic research has dramatically expanded our understanding of plant genome evolution, with several studies demonstrating that the transcriptional programmes underlying xylogenesis are largely conserved between lineages. Modern research suggests that both speciation and intraspecific variation are often the result, not only of coding sequence mutations, but also of shifts in gene expression regulation.

The aim of this thesis was to elucidate how genomic architecture and regulatory programmes govern wood development and secondary growth evolution. By combining comparative genomics with high-resolution spatial transcriptomics across angiosperm and gymnosperm species, this research establishes a multi-layered regulomic and evolutionary framework for studying wood formation.

The results identified multiple regulatory gene groups linked to wood evolution and development and generated significant genomic resources. In particular, chromosome-scale reference genomes were generated for two conifer species and an "evo-devo" resource for wood was established using a high-resolution comparative regulomic framework across wood differentiation layers in six tree species. Furthermore, a modified DNA Affinity Purification sequencing (DAP-seq) protocol was developed and optimised for mature woody tissues.

These resources can facilitate the identification of conserved and lineage-specific regulators, providing a critical blueprint for precision breeding and targeted genome engineering. Ultimately, these findings can contribute to the development of advanced materials and the transition toward a carbon-neutral bioeconomy.

Maternal distress is repeatedly reported to have negative impacts on the cognitive development in children and is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g. attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder). However, studies examining the associations between maternal distress and the development of attention in infancy are few. This study investigated the longitudinal relationships between maternal distress (depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and exposure to childhood trauma) and the development of focused attention in infancy in 118 mother-infant dyads. We found that maternal exposure to non-interpersonal traumatic events in childhood was associated with the less focused attention of the infants to audio-visual stimuli at 6, 10, and 18 months. In addition, exposure to interpersonal traumatic events in childhood was identified as a moderator of the negative effect of maternal anxiety during the 2nd trimester on the development of focused attention in infants. We discuss the possible mechanisms accounting for these cross-generational effects. Our findings underscore the importance of maternal mental health to the development of focused attention in infancy and address the need for early screening of maternal mental health during pregnancy.

Insufficient physical activity is now a global pandemic. Problematic social media use (PSMU) has been reported to be associated with physical activity levels, and nomophobia can be one of the co-existing psychological conditions of PSMU. Additionally, physical activity avoidance has been reported to be associated with lower physical activity levels. Therefore, the present study examined nomophobia and physical activity avoidance as underlying factors potentially explaining the association between PSMU and physical activity among Taiwanese young adults. A cross-sectional online survey comprising the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMPQ), Tendency to Avoid Physical Activity and Sport Scale (TAPAS), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire – short form (IPAQ-SF) was completed by 885 participants (36% male, mean age = 28.8 ± 6.06 years) between September and December 2023. The structural equational modeling results indicated a negative direct association between PSMU and physical activity (standardized coefficient [β] = 0.040, p = 0.004). PSMU was also associated with higher nomophobia (β = 0.601, p < 0.001), which was associated with higher physical activity avoidance (β = 0.354, p < 0.001), which negatively correlated to physical activity (β = -0.114, p < 0.001). Moreover, the association between PSMU and physical activity was significantly mediated through the sequence of nomophobia and PA avoidance (β = -0.024, 95% bootstrap confidence interval = -0.071, -0.024). The results suggested that PSMU may be associated with lower physical activity through the mediation of nomophobia and physical activity avoidance. Corresponding strategies may aim to reduce PSMU and enhance physical activity engagement. Other approaches, such as motivational interviewing or cognitive behavioral therapy, can be adopted to reduce nomophobia and physical activity avoidance, thereby improving the individuals’ physical activity participation.

Background: Extensive research suggests that peripartum depression is a risk factor for children's early language development. Yet, previous research on this association shows mixed results, often lacking information on the persistence of depression and the social context. This population-based cohort study addresses this gap by investigating the longitudinal influence of peripartum depressive symptoms on toddlers' expressive language. Specifically, we systematically examined the influences of timing, severity, and persistence of depressive symptoms during pregnancy and the first 6 months postpartum on child expressive language development, while accounting for important social and environmental factors.

Methods: This study is part of a prospective, population-based investigation conducted within the follow-up Uppsala Birth Cohort study in Uppsala, Sweden. The final analysis included 2176 mother-infant dyads (1122 boys, mean age = 18.3 months, SD = 0.7). Perinatal depressive symptoms were assessed at gestational weeks 17 and 32 and at postpartum six weeks and six months, using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (cut-off >12). At 6 months postpartum, mothers were also invited to fill out the Postnatal Bonding Difficulty Questionnaire. At 18 months postpartum, mothers completed the Language Development Survey, which assessed expressive vocabulary and word combinations. Multivariable linear regression models were applied to examine the associations between peripartum depressive symptoms and child language development. Adjusted models incorporated background and social context variables to account for potential confounding factors.

Results: Depressive symptoms during prenatal and postnatal periods were not significantly associated with language outcomes. Our final model identified negative associations with second-born status, family history of late talkers, countryside residence, and maternal age at childbirth. Positive correlations were found for sex (girl) and pregnancy length. The final model explained 8.4% of the variance (F(22, 1566) = 6.525, p < 0.001). Furthermore, we found that persistent depressive symptoms were not significantly related to language outcomes (Kruskal-Wallis test: H = 2.227, df = 2, p = 0.21).

Conclusions: Our findings found no negative link between peripartum depressive symptoms and expressive language in toddlers, even after considering timing, severity, and persistence. While no immediate direct negative influence of peripartum depressive symptoms was observed, the long-term cumulative effects later in life remain unclear.

Purpose: The current U-BIRTH cohort (Uppsala Birth Cohort) extends our previous cohort Biology, Affect, Stress, Imaging and Cognition (BASIC), assessing the development of children up to 11 years after birth. The U-BIRTH study aims to (1) assess the impact of exposure to peripartum mental illness on the children’s development taking into account biological and environmental factors during intrauterine life and childhood; (2) identify early predictors of child neurodevelopmental and psychological problems using biophysiological, psychosocial and environmental variables available during pregnancy and early post partum.

Participants: All mothers participating in the previous BASIC cohort are invited, and mother–child dyads recruited in the U-BIRTH study are consecutively invited to questionnaire assessments and biological sampling when the child is 18 months, 6 years and 11 years old. Data collection at 18 months (n=2882) has been completed. Consent for participation has been obtained from 1946 families of children having reached age 6 and from 698 families of children having reached age 11 years.

Findings to date: Based on the complete data from pregnancy to 18 months post partum, peripartum mental health was significantly associated with the development of attentional control and gaze-following behaviours, which are critical to cognitive and social learning later in life. Moreover, infants of depressed mothers had an elevated risk of difficult temperament and behavioural problems compared with infants of non-depressed mothers. Analyses of biological samples showed that peripartum depression and anxiety were related to DNA methylation differences in infants. However, there were no methylation differences in relation to infants’ behavioural problems at 18 months of age.

Future plans: Given that the data collection at 18 months is complete, analyses are now being undertaken. Currently, assessments for children reaching 6 and 11 years are ongoing.

This thesis examines how rituals among shift workers at an industrial factory are created, maintained, and transformed over time, and analyzes their significance for community and identity. The empirical material is based on ethnographic fieldwork conducted in November 2025 and consists of participant observation and interviews with female and male shift workers aged 25–65. Drawing was also used as a method of documentation and analysis. The analysis primarily builds on ritual theory combined with gender theory, actor-network theory (ANT), and phenomenology. The findings show how everyday work tasks, breaks, and shift-related practices become ritualized and function as resources for creating order, belonging, and continuity within the work team. The thesis further demonstrates how rituals change in relation to generational shifts and how they are used to manage uncertainty, disruptions, and power relations between management and shift workers. The study contributes a contemporary ethnological perspective on industrial labor and highlights the factory as a social and cultural space where meaning is continuously negotiated through ritualized practices

Is it ethical to motivate moral acts by the belief in a divine entity? I question if something divine would be satisfactory as a metaethical source for motivating moral actions, by examining the core of principles of a divine metaethical source through Divine Command theory or Divine Command Metaethics. First, I argue that the divine’s own authority is not enough for it to command or will what is moral. Second, I argue that the nature of the divine can’t be what is good and how such a claim is semantical. Through this I show that there are many problems with the concept of the divine as a metaethical source, which would make the act of motivating moral actions on the belief in the divine likely unethical.

The light-emitting electrochemical cell (LEC) is an area-emitting device and apromising technology with future uses in large-scale area lighting. One promisingfeature of LECs is that the active layer can be deposited from a solution, howeverthis also means that the active layer needs to be dried. Currently, the lab-scale ap-proach to drying the active layer is by thermal conduction using a hotplate, which isa time-consuming process and not compatible with large-scale fabrication processeslike roll-to-roll. Another drying process suitable for a scalable and high-throughputfabrication is infrared (IR) heating.

This thesis aimed at investigating if IR heating could be an appropriate method tospeed up the drying process of the active layer. The approach was developed usingattenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR)to measure the solvent content in the active layer. The active layer was definedas dry when the cyclohexanone-related signal reached the dry-reference level withinmeasurement uncertainty and showed no further systematic decrease with longerdrying time. We found that using IR heating, the solvent signal reached the dry-reference level after 45 s. Meanwhile, the active layer was dry after < 16 min at70 °C, < 15 min at 80 °C, and 5 min at 90 °C using hotplate drying. Furthermore,photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) measurements indicate that IR drying can achieve PLQY comparable to the 70 °C hotplate reference within experimentaluncertainty, while substantially reducing drying time.

This thesis aims to improve the simulation model of a hydraulic active suspension systemused in rigid-body vehicle simulations. The study focuses on reducing the mismatch of thesimulation model compared to the real-world damper-station pressure dynamics. The currently implemented first order transfer function is shown to be overly responsive, producingunrealistic output. Four alternative approaches are evaluated: first order models with increased time constants, a tuned second order transfer function including a time delay, asigmoid based model, and a physics-based hydraulic model built in AGX Dynamics. Modelperformance is quantified by comparing model output to measurements via shared-area andovershoot-area metrics in 10% pressure intervals across the terrain dataset. Where realstep-response tests and a terrain driving dataset are used as benchmarks. Increasing thefirst order time constant is shown to not provide a viable improvement. The second orderand sigmoid models reduce some errors but still struggle to reproduce the wanted behavioracross the entire pressure range. The AGX Dynamics model achieves the lowest overshootoverall and better agreement in all pressure ranges making it the most suitable candidate forimplementation. Remaining limitations includes sensitivity at very low pressures and valvecontrol during pressure decreases, motivating future refinement of valve dynamics for betteralignment to the real world suspension system.

Syftet med detta examensarbete är att öka kunskapen om pedagogers förhållningssätt under den pedagogiska måltiden i förskolan. Detta förhållningssätt inbegriper hur pedagoger beskriver den pedagogiska måltiden och vilka värden som anses viktiga att förmedla till barn under måltidssituationen. Det synliggörs även inom pedagogiska atmosfärer (som präglas av olika barnsyn) vid måltiden. Studiens teori baseras på Johanssons (2011) pedagogiska atmosfärer, där pedagogers barnsyn/närhet respektive distans till barns livsvärld studeras (Johansson, 2003). Studien är av kvalitativ ansats med metodval av semistrukturerade intervjuer och observationer av måltider med observationsprotokoll. Studien innehåller fyra intervjuer (förskollärare och barnskötare) och två observationer. Resultatet visade att båda observationerna skattade högst på samspelande atmosfär och intervjuerna visar på att pedagoger har en demokratisk barnsyn där ”barn är medmänniskor” och i vissa fall ”vuxna vet bäst”. Slutsatserna är att tidigare forskning och denna studie förenas i att pedagoger finner bordsskick som en viktig del för träning av barns sociala kompetens. Vidare upptäcktes att barns reella inflytande och delaktighet gällande utformning av måltidssituationen var låg och att det saknades kunskap om de nationella riktlinjer som finns för måltidspedagogik i förskolan (Livsmedelsverkets riktlinjer, 2016).

This thesis aims to improve the simulation model of a hydraulic active suspension systemused in rigid-body vehicle simulations. The study focuses on reducing the mismatch of thesimulation model compared to the real-world damper-station pressure dynamics. The cur-rently implemented first order transfer function is shown to be overly responsive, producingunrealistic output. Four alternative approaches are evaluated: first order models with in-creased time constants, a tuned second order transfer function including a time delay, asigmoid based model, and a physics-based hydraulic model built in AGX Dynamics. Modelperformance is quantified by comparing model output to measurements via shared-area andovershoot-area metrics in 10% pressure intervals across the terrain dataset. Where realstep-response tests and a terrain driving dataset are used as benchmarks. Increasing thefirst order time constant is shown to not provide a viable improvement. The second orderand sigmoid models reduce some errors but still struggle to reproduce the wanted behavioracross the entire pressure range. The AGX Dynamics model achieves the lowest overshootoverall and better agreement in all pressure ranges making it the most suitable candidate forimplementation. Remaining limitations includes sensitivity at very low pressures and valvecontrol during pressure decreases, motivating future refinement of valve dynamics for betteralignment to the real world suspension system.

Background: Perioperative nursing is characterised by advanced technical competence, substantial responsibility, and extensive collaboration within the surgical team. In the context of increasing demands on workforce sustainability and challenging working conditions, understanding the factors that promote long-term retention in the profession is essential. 

Motive: Previous research has primarily focused on stress, burnout, and intentions to leave the nursing profession, whereas knowledge about factors that motivate operating room nurses to remain is comparatively limited. Enhanced understanding of these factors is essential for sustainable workforce planning within perioperative care. 

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore factors influencing perioperative nurses’ motivation and decisions to remain in the profession over time. 

Method: A web-based questionnaire containing both open-ended and closed-ended questions was distributed to perioperative nurses in Sweden. In total, 104 participants completed the survey. Open-ended responses were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis in accordance with Braun and Clarke, while quantitative data were analysed descriptively.

Result: Five main themes were identified, reflecting both intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with professional retention. Meaningfulness, patient-centered responsibility, and the opportunity to make a tangible difference for patients emerged as central motivational drivers. The profession was perceived as dynamic and technically advanced, with variation, continuous learning, and professional competence contributing to job satisfaction and professional pride. Collegial support and effective teamwork were described as essential for motivation and well-being. Organizational challenges including insufficient recognition, low salary, and high workload were identified as factors negatively influencing motivation. 

Conclusion: Retention among perioperative nurses is shaped by a complex interplay between individual motivational factors and organisational conditions. To ensure sustainable competence within perioperative care, healthcare organisations should provide supportive leadership, recognise the profession’s specialised expertise, and promote sustainable and supportive working conditions.

I-motifs are non-canonical, four-stranded DNA structures in cytosine-rich genomic regions, yet their protein-mediated regulation remains underexplored. Here, we identify PCBP1 (Poly(rC)-binding protein 1) as a selective i-motif-binding protein that unfolds specific i-motifs depending on their protonation and hairpin-forming propensities. Systematic truncation reveals that individual K-homology (KH) domains of PCBP1 cannot selectively bind or unfold i-motifs, but their coordinated actions restore wild-type PCBP1 functions. Using biochemical, biophysical, and molecular dynamics studies, we demonstrate that KH1+2 domains remodel i-motifs, recruiting KH3 to facilitate unfolding and efficient DNA replication. Chromatin and cell-based investigations reveal that PCBP1-knockdown increases i-motif formation at specific genomic loci, coinciding with G₁/S arrest and elevated ϒH2AX, indicative of genomic instability. During G₁/S transition, PCBP1 occupancy peaks at these i-motif loci, ensuring i-motif resolution in early S phase. These findings establish PCBP1 as a critical regulator of i-motif dynamics, directly linking its unfolding activity to G₁/S transition and genome stability.

The increasing prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and rising pollution from micro- and nanoplastic (MNP) particles has prompted investigations on their potential interconnection. To elucidate the complex relationship between IBD and exposure to MNPs, we induced colitis in mice using dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) and orally administered a mixture of polystyrene (PS) MNPs (diameter 10, 1, and 0.29 µm). These particles enabled a detailed examination of MNP biodistribution, innate immune cell response and gut microbiome alterations under inflammatory conditions. Specifically, the nanosized PS particles predominantly accumulated in the bloodstream and excretory organs, with enhanced accumulation in the inflamed gut/colon. Proteomic analysis of the colon revealed alterations in molecular pathways related to protein transport, metabolism, and immune responses. Specifically, we found macrophage proteome signatures with pro-inflammatory polarization, highlighting the intricate effects of MNPs on inflammation and immune cell behavior. Moreover, MNPs significantly disrupted the gut microbiome, reducing microbial diversity and shifting bacterial populations towards pro-inflammatory and potentially pathogenic species. These changes suggest that MNP exposure could exacerbate colitis through complex interactions involving MNPs, immune responses, and microbial dynamics. The widespread presence of MNPs underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address MNP pollution, its implications for disease, and potential impacts on public health.

Abstrakt

Bakgrund: Preoperativ oro och ångest är vanligt hos vuxna patienter som ska

genomgå kirurgiska ingrepp och handlar ofta om osäkerhet inför det som ska hända.

Trots att kirurgiska ingrepp och anestesi idag genomförs med hög säkerhet kvarstår

oro och ångest som ett vanligt och betydelsefullt fenomen i samband med operation.

Motiv: Tidigare forskning inom området har i stor utsträckning bestått av kvantitativ

forskning med fokus på att mäta ångestnivåer, kartlägga riskfaktorer och analyser

samband mellan ångest och kliniska utfall. Kvalitativ forskning bidrar med en

fördjupad förståelse av patientens upplevelse och kan ge viktig kunskap för omvårdnad

i den preoperativa fasen.

Syfte: Syftet var att i en litteraturstudie belysa vuxna patienters upplevelser av

preoperativ oro och ångest inför kirurgiska ingrepp.

Metod: Studien har en kvalitativ design med metasyntes som metodologisk ansats.

Datainsamlingen genomfördes i sex databaser: APA PsychInfo, Cinahl, MEDLINE,

PubMed, Scopus och Web of Science, vilket resulterade i 14 inkluderade studier.

Analysen genomfördes i en fyra stegs metod enligt SBU:s rekommendationer för

syntes av studier med kvalitativ analysmetodik.

Resultat: Analysen resulterade i tre huvudteman samt sex underteman.

Huvudtemana var Existentiell utsatthet och oro för det okända, Omgivningens och

vårdorganisationens påverkan på oro och ångest samt trygghetsskapande resurser.

Konklusion: Preoperativ oro och ångest visar sig grunda sig i flera olika faktorer och

det finns inte ett självklart sätt att möta och hantera känslorna för patienterna. Ett

stort stöd ligger hos vårdaren, där personcentrerad vård, god kommunikation, ett

tryggt vårdklimat och ett gott bemötande tillsammans kan bidra till ökad trygghet

inför kirurgiska ingrepp.

Bakgrund: I Sverige arbetar anestesisjuksköterskan med ett omfattande kliniskt ansvar och självständighet i den perioperativa vården. Luftvägshantering innefattar en central arbetsuppgift där extubering utgör ett kritiskt moment där upp till en tredjedel av luftvägskomplikationer uppstår.  Anestesisjuksköterskan bedömer, utvärderar och utför extubering av patienter dagligen. Klinisk intuition har beskrivits som en omedveten tankeprocess som stärks av erfarenhet och kan fungera som stöd i det kliniska beslutsfattandet. 

Motiv:  Det finns etablerade objektivt bedömningsbara kriterier för att en extubering ska utföras så säkert som möjligt. Emellertid är det i forskning etablerat att sjuksköterskan i det kliniska arbetet använder sin intuitiva förmåga. Kombinationen mellan objektiva parametrar och klinisk intuition är inte alltid så tydligt definierat och därför kan det finnas ett behov att fördjupa kunskapen inom ämnet. 

Syfte: Att undersöka hur anestesisjuksköterskor använder och kombinerar objektiva kriterier och klinisk intuition i beslutsfattandet inför extubering av patienter efter anestesi.

Metod: Individuella semistrukturerade intervjuer med specialistsjuksköterskor inom anestesi (n=8) genomfördes. Intervjuer analyserades med kvalitativ innehållsanalys. 

Resultat: Resultatet visade att anestesisjuksköterskorna kombinerade objektiva mätbara parametrar och den kliniska intuitionen i beslutsfattandet inför extubering. Klinisk erfarenhet spelade en stor roll för hur intuitionen upplevdes och användes i beslutsfattandet. Mindre erfarna anestesisjuksköterskor upplevde den kliniska intuitionen som subjektiv och tenderade att förlita sig mer på de objektivt mätbara kriterierna i sin beslutsprocess. I resultatet lyftes teamarbete och patientsäker vård fram som viktiga i beslutsprocessen och organisatoriska faktorer hade viss inverkan på medveten och omedveten stress. I slutändan var extuberingsbeslutet grundat i patientsäker vård.

Konklusion: Den kliniska intuitionen utvecklas över tid och blir mer framträdande genom ökad yrkeserfarenhet. Anestesisjuksköterskorna tar beslut efter patienten bästa för att skapa en patientsäker vård, vilket möjliggörs av öppet arbetsklimat, trygghet till sin kunskap och kollegialt stöd. 

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease and a global health problem that is becoming increasingly common. Self-care is a central and lifelong strategy for maintaining good health outcomes in T2DM and, among other things, reduces the risk of complications. Self-care requires effort from individuals, so it is important that they take responsibility with the right support from healthcare professionals. Being newly diagnosed can involve difficulties in adapting to the disease and the lifestyle changes that come with it.

Aim: The aim of the study is to describe experiences of self-care among people with newly diagnosed T2DM.

Methods: This literature study aims to compile existing research with a qualitative design. Eight qualitative articles were identified and researched in the databases Cinahl and PubMed.

Results: The results from the articles revealed different experiences in self-care and two main categories with five subcategories were identified. The defined categories are: 1) The importance of support and promoting factors for self-care, 2) Challenges in adapting to lifestyle changes.

Conclusion: People with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes find self-care challenging. The literature review highlights the need for person-centered support, taking well-being into account, individualized education, and guidance from healthcare services to reduce the risk of limitations in self-care and future complications.

Bakgrund: Den mobila intensivvårdsgruppen (MIG) har som syfte att identifiera, granska och behandla patienter med ökad risk att utveckla kritisk sjukdom. Kärnan i MIG- funktionen är tidig identifiering och behandling vid klinisk försämring med målet att förbättra patientutfall. Det standardiserade bedömningsinstrumentet National Early Warning Score (NEWS) utgör grunden till MIG- aktivering och baseras på fysiologiska vitalparametrar. När dessa avviker från fastställda tröskelvärden finns skäl för aktivering av MIG- funktionen. Aktivering kan även ske utifrån ett bekymmerskriterium som baseras på allvarlig oro hos vårdande personal på avdelning trots adekvata fysiologiska tröskelvärden. Motiv: För specialistsjuksköterskan inom intensivvård är det centralt att kunna ge stöd till kollegor i tidig handläggning. Genom att studera orsaker till MIG-aktivering samt analysera skillnader mellan patienter som kvarstannar på avdelning och de som överförs till intensivvård kan ökad förståelse erhållas för hur MIG- funktionen kan utvecklas och optimeras. Syfte: Att undersöka orsaker till aktivering av den mobila intensivvårdsgruppen på vårdavdelning, kartlägga ordinerade åtgärder samt jämföra personalens skattning av NEWS- poäng och symtom mellan patienter som kvarstannade på avdelning respektive förflyttades till intensivvårdsavdelning. Metod: Studien genomfördes på Sunderby sjukhus och hade en retrospektiv kvantitativ tvärsnittsdesign baserad på 212 insamlade MIG- protokoll. Data överfördes och kodades i Excel och analyserades i statistikprogrammet Jamovi. Resultaten presenterades med deskriptiv statistik i form av medianer och procentsatser samt med jämförande analyser genom Mann Whitney U- test och Chi- två test för oberoende grupper. Resultat: Den vanligaste fysiologiska orsaken till aktivering av MIG var andningspåverkan (37,6%) följt av cirkulationspåverkan (24,8%) och medvetandegrad (9,6%). Dessutom utgjorde allmän oro 23,0% av MIG-aktivering. Av ordinerade åtgärder som riktades till patienter som kvarstannande på avdelning var 24,9% relaterade till andning och 26,2% till cirkulation. Det fanns en signifikant skillnad i NEWS- poäng mellan patienter som kvarstannade på avdelning och patienter som förflyttades till intensivvård (p= 0,003). Vid jämförelse av symtom mellan patienter som kvarstannade på avdelning och de som förflyttades till IVA sågs inga statistiskt signifikanta skillnader. Konklusion: Majoriteten av patienterna kvarstannade på avdelning efter MIG- bedömning. Skillnader i NEWS- poäng mellan grupperna indikerar att ingen enskild symtomkategori var signifikant associerad med förflyttning. Den höga andelen ordinerade åtgärder riktade till patienter som kvarstannade, samt en hög grad av klinisk stabilisering visar att MIG- funktionen bidrar till att förebygga utveckling av kritisk sjukdom.  

Bakgrund: Vattenfödslar sägs ha utövats i över tusentals år, är något som erbjuds världen över och innebär att barnet föds fram helt under vattnet. Vattnet agerar smärtlindrande vilket minskar behovet av annan smärtlindring och krystningen blir mer spontan vid en vattenfödsel, dessutom ses inga risker för barnet vid en vattenfödsel. De kvinnor som fött i vatten upplever att de hade en mer aktiv roll i sin förlossning. Barnmorskorna upplever vattenfödslar som fridfulla där hon är med kvinnan och att en vattenfödsel gav en mer kvinnocentrerad vård. 

Motiv: Vattenfödsel har under de senaste åren blivit något som allt fler kvinnor önskar. Handläggningen vid en vattenfödsel ser annorlunda ut och är ett nytt arbetssätt för barnmorskan. Därför är det av vikt att belysa barnmorskans syn och erfarenhet av vattenfödsel för att få ny kunskap och kunna erbjuda vattenfödslar i större utsträckning inom regionerna. 

Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att belysa barnmorskors syn på och erfarenheter av vattenfödslar i de norra regionerna i Sverige.

Metod: Kvalitativ design med induktiv ansats användes. Semistrukturerade intervjuer med sju barnmorskor på fyra förlossningsavdelningar genomfördes. Materialet analyserades med kvalitativ innehållsanalys. 

Resultat: Resultatet i studien omfattar tre huvudkategorier: “Ett fysiologisk födande till gagn för både kvinnan och barnmorskan”, “Barnmorskans förhållningssätt vid vattenfödsel” och “Utmaningar med att erbjuda vattenfödsel”. 


Konklusion: Vattenfödslar bidrar till ett fysiologiskt födande med mindre interventioner och en kvinnocentrerad vård. Vattenfödsel är ett nytt arbetssätt för barnmorskan som sätter högre krav på kompetensen.

Sedation with benzodiazepines (BZs) has eventual side-effects increasing the risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) (e.g. immunity alterations and nervous/mechanical responses), but there are some knowledge gaps on the topic. For instance, whether BZs could cause a modulation of bacterial virulence, and/or influence the host-pathogen interaction in neglected contexts to facilitate VAP. Consequently, we analyzed relevant in vitro and in vivo infection-related parameters to decipher whether they could be affected by BZs to increase the success for infection of the top VAP-causing pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. While most variables were unaltered, an attenuated pathogenic impact on lung A549 cells (invasion, cytotoxicity and inflammation reduced up to ≈ 50%) appeared upon BZs exposure at high therapeutic concentrations, potentially because of effects mostly on the cultured cells. These facts could entail a BZs-associated stealth pathogen-like behavior of P. aeruginosa consisting of a weak immune activation proportional to the mild damage caused, perhaps favoring VAP onset. BZs also triggered a significantly increased biofilm formation (up to ≈ 2-fold > controls) on plastic plates and endotracheal tubes (supported by the upregulation of biofilm-related genes/KEGG pathways and increased c-di-GMP accumulation), suggesting the BZ-dependent boosted formation of these sessile reservoirs which could potentially increase bacterial release to low airways and thus VAP progression.