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Background: DT1 is a chronic autoimmune disease that often debuts in childhood and demands advanced self-care around the clock. The treatment entails risk of both acute and long-term complications, which makes the parents' role essential for the child´s care. The disease affects the entire family's everyday life and involves practical and emotional challenges. 

Aim: The aim of this study is to compile and describe parent´s experiences of living with a child with DT1 

Methods: The study was conducted as a literature review based on ten qualitative studies. The analysis followed Friberg´s five-step model, and database searches were performed in CINAHL and Pupmed. 

Results: The results are presented in one main theme, Balancing control and adaptation, comprising four themes: Life-changing transitions and emotional crises, Constant and exhausting care responsibilities, Affected family relationships and lack of understanding, and Creating and accepting a new normality, with ten associated subthemes.  

Conclusion: Being a parent of a child with DT1 involves a process that requires continuous adaptation to balance control and responsibility. The diagnosis entails a life-changing transition that often leads to emotional crisis, sleep deprivation, and extensive care responsibilities. By recognizing parents' burdens and strengthening their ability to adapt, healthcare can contribute to a more sustainable everyday life for the entire family. 

Background: Tumor multiplicity is a negative prognostic factor in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) and the role of surgical resection in multiple iCCA remains unclear.

Patients and Methods: Data were extracted from the Swedish quality registry for cancers of the liver and biliary tract, for all patients undergoing surgery for iCCA (2010–2021). Validation was performed with all Swedish hepatobiliary referral centers, including a comparison cohort of patients with liver-only multiple iCCA and nonsurgical therapy. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS).

Results: Out of 338 patients operated for iCCA, 284 had resectable tumors and 54 (16.0%) unresectable disease at exploration. In the resection and exploration groups, 46 (16.2%) and 11 patients (20.4%), respectively, had multiple lesions. A majority of patients with resection for multiple iCCA had two or three lesions (63.0%), with median OS 27.1 months (95% CI 18.8–35.5), compared with 5.3 months (95% CI 3.8–6.8) for patients with unresectable disease (P < 0.001). For patients with four or more lesions, OS with resection was similar as with unresectable disease (P = 0.922). In multiple iCCA, resection was associated with better performance status (P = 0.007), negative lymph nodes (P = 0.028), and smaller tumors (P = 0.004). With adjustment including these factors, resection was not significantly associated with OS (P = 0.090).

Conclusions: Resection for multiple iCCA with four or more lesions was not associated with a survival benefit compared with exploration. With selection to surgery for patients with good performance status, smaller tumors and no signs of lymph node metastasis, resection for two or three lesions yielded median OS above 2 years.

Tropical montane cloud forests (TMCFs) are globally important ecosystems, acting as large carbon sinks and supporting exceptional biodiversity. However, climate-driven declines in rainfall threaten these forests, but their responses to long-term soil moisture deficit remain poorly understood. We implemented a 5-year throughfall exclusion (TFE) experiment in a Peruvian TMCF, reducing soil moisture by 69.1% across a 0.09 ha plot. We compared the full carbon cycle budget, and surveyed tree physiological traits linked to hydraulics, metabolism and nutrients in the TFE plot and an adjacent, unmodified control (CON) plot. Soil drought reduced gross primary productivity by 4.24 ± 1.97 Mg C ha−1 year−1 but did not change net primary productivity because of an equivalent 3.38 ± 1.42 Mg C ha−1 year−1 decline in autotrophic respiration. Net ecosystem exchange also remained unchanged over 5 years of soil drought. Trees did not change xylem conductivity, hydraulic safety margins or photosynthetic capacity in the TFE, but did have 0.027 ± 0.011 g cm−3 denser wood and 4.58% ± 1.03% higher trunk starch concentrations. These results suggest that trees in TMCF avoid hydraulic failure and carbon starvation under sustained soil moisture drought via metabolic downregulation, resource conservation and non-structural carbohydrate storage. However, reduced uptake of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium) and 90.6% ± 29.8% decline in fruit production may impact future growth and demography. Our findings demonstrate surprising resilience of TMCFs to sustained, severe soil drought but highlight potential impacts on nutrient cycling and reproduction under climate change. Understanding the impacts of soil drought in conjunction with other climatic changes (e.g., fog reduction, temperature increases) is needed to fully assess the resilience of TMCFs to climate change.

Today’s global situation serves as a reminder that conflict and war, ranging from tribal fights to international hostilities, are seemingly inescapable social facts woven throughout the course of human history. In all their shapes and forms, conflict and war have an existential impact on society, as both individual and collective existence are at stake (Grimell, 2025). The cost of survival can be extremely high and often leaves long[1]lasting effects, pointing to the depth of actual and potential wounds—from the individual to the societal levels.

The contributions to this Research Topic reflect a wide geographical range, underscoring that the societal and individual costs of war unfold across cultures and nations. The articles are authored by scholars based in, and engage empirically or analytically with, a diverse set of regional contexts, including the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Italy, Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland/Ireland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Israel, Australia, and the United States. Taken together, this breadth reinforces the opening assertion that conflict and war are woven throughout human history, while highlighting their enduring and transnational impact across contemporary societies.

Conflict and war inflict both visible and invisible wounds that can negatively affect an individual’s health and wellbeing. From our combined research and professional experiences, clinically diagnosable conditions and non-clinical/non-diagnosable illnesses or conditions typically co-exist, with direct consequences to the individual and unintended consequences to their family and their broader community. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be regarded as a prototypical psychiatric and clinical diagnosis. Its precursors became visible in various forms during the First and Second World Wars, and the diagnosis was later formally codified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in the 1980s. More recent hypothesized constructs have since emerged. Constructs such as moral injury encompass experiences grounded in a distinct etiology and possibly also in specific neurobiological processes.

A deteriorating security environment has led to a renewed interest in understanding individuals’ willingness to fight for their country. This study examines how attitudes towards military conscription service differ between native-born youth and those with an immigrant background in Sweden, with a specific focus on differences between first- and second-generation immigrants. Using population-wide data linking responses from a mandatory survey with high-quality administrative registers, the analysis covers nearly all Swedish citizens born between 2000 and 2004. The results show that first and second-generation immigrants have very different attitudes towards military service. While first-generation immigrants are equally, or even slightly more, willing than natives to serve in the military, second-generation immigrants are considerably less positive. These differences persist even after adjusting for socioeconomic background and migration origin, challenging a common assumption in migration research that children of immigrants converge towards majority-group attitudes across generations. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind second-generation immigrants’ lower willingness to serve.

Since the modernisation of agriculture, modified varieties of grains have emerged and taken over the market. Older varieties have been neglected, forgotten, and eradicated. One example is the Swedish wheat variety “Dala lantvete”, which originally appeared in the region of Dalarna. The wheat manages well in extreme weather and climate conditions, requires fewer pesticides, and has a good nutritional value.

Dala lantvete was used in product development to investigate consumer acceptance and the possibility of re-establishing heritage cereals. A consumer test was performed with 66 consumers that evaluated three types of pasta (100% wholegrain Dala lantvete, 50/50 wholegrain Dala lantvete and Durum wheat, and 100% commercial Durum wheat) regarding texture, taste, appearance, and entireness on a hedonic scale (1-9). Attitudes regarding cultured grains, wholegrains, sustainability, and plant-based food have also been investigated using a Likert scale (1-5). Data have been analysed in SPSS with Friedman’s, Wilcoxon signed ranks, and Mann-Whitney U test.

The result shows that consumers do not like whole wheat pasta as much as durum wheat pasta, however, there is potential for improvement. Consumer attitudes differ especially between individuals who reduce meat in their diets, compared to omnivores.

Understanding the potential impact of policy changes before implementation is vital, and can be achieved through modelling and simulation. To adequately model stakeholders and regulative constraints, we propose the use of Institutional Grammar to facilitate institutional modelling in Agent-based Social Simulations. We present an early-stage case study exploring the Swedish organ donation system.

Background. According to the National Agency for Education's curriculum for Home and Consumer Studies, “recipes and instructions and how they can be read and followed” is included as part of the core content. The grading criteria emphasize that students should be able to prepare simple meals with some adaptation, which requires that they understand and be able to interpret recipes. A clear understanding of instructions is central to students being able to plan and organize their work in the kitchen. Therefore, it is important to study how students perceive and interpret instructions and recipes, not least because cooking is an essential part of the subject and an important skill in students' everyday lives.

Aim. This study investigates teachers' perceptions of students' interpretation of instructions and recipes in the subject of Home and Consumer Studies. How is a recipe structured? What difficulties arise in recipe use? What adaptations and strategies are available? 

Method. The study has fulfilled its purpose through a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews with Home and Consumer Studies teachers. The collected data has been analyzed through content analysis, which has enabled the identification of coders and categories in the teachers' responses. The samples are six qualified Home and Consumer Studies teachers who share their perceptions and experiences about students' use of recipes. Interviews were recorded in the program Teams. The same program is used for transcription.

Results. The results from the teachers experience several difficulties in the students. Many students lack sufficient prior understanding of cooking-related concepts and work steps, which makes it difficult to interpret recipes. The teachers also emphasized that large amounts of text and limited time for review are challenging factors in teaching. The teachers use different strategies to meet the students' needs. Visual support, such as pictures and filmed instructions, are mentioned as important tools to make the recipes more accessible. Practical demonstrations and joint reviews of the work steps are also used to support understanding. It also emerged that students with IF often require special adaptations, for example, using simplified recipes, fewer steps at a time and clear visual support points to facilitate understanding of the recipes.

Conclusion. This study has highlighted students' recipe use in Home and Consumer Studies. From the teachers' perspective, we learn about the difficulties and challenges that students encounter and through various strategies and adaptations, these challenges are handled to better support students' learning. This clearly ties into the purpose of the study by showing how students' conditions for understanding recipes can be improved, which is crucial to achieving the goals of the subject.

In recent years, the discussion surrounding the causes of Islamic terrorism have intensified. There is a plethora of studies examining this phenomenon and offering different explanations as to why this phenomenon occurs. This study aims to provide another perspective of the phenomenon of Islamic terrorism and to investigate if terrorism is caused by religious factors or socio-political factors, by comparing Christian activists and resistance fighters in Nigeria and Israel-Palestine, with Muslim terrorist organizations Boko Haram and Hamas, and Muslim activists in Western Sahara. This study concludes that while socio-political grievances initiate the radicalization process, it is discourses surrounding religion and identity that lead to the extreme violence of Islamic terrorism.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women and is often treated with mastectomy. Mastectomy can affect women’s physical and psychological health. Nurses play a central role in postoperative care by providing support, education, and promoting recovery, which is crucial for improving quality of life and self-image in women after surgery.

Aim: The aim of this literature study was to illuminate women’s experiences after undergoing a mastectomy. 

Methods: A literature review based on eight qualitative empirical studies was conducted. Database searches were conducted in PubMed and CINAHL, and the articles were published between 2017 and 2025, and all participants were over 18 years old. The selected studies were quality-assessed using the Olsson and Sørensen’s review model and analysed using Friberg’s five-step model.

Results: The analysis resulted in three themes: “Facing changes,” “Interacting with others,” and “Recovering” the themes were further divided into eight subthemes.

Conclusion: All women were affected by mastectomy. The changed body perception led to loss of sexual relationships and impacted female identity, which in turn negatively affected physical, psychological, and social well-being. Support systems from friends, family, partners, nurses and healthcare professionals were perceived as crucial for successful recovery. Therefore, it is important that nurses provide individual care for each womens needs. 

To manage the increasing prevalence of glaucoma, we need access to effective and safe medical and surgical treatments that can lower the intraocular pressure (IOP) – so far the only proven strategy to slow disease progression. Treatment typically starts with eye drops or a laser procedure, but many patients will eventually require surgery. Traditional surgery is time-consuming and carries significant risks, whereas microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) has emerged as a safer, earlier option that could potentially prevent or delay more invasive procedures such as a trabeculectomy. Additionally, many patients with glaucoma develop cataract, and MIGS procedures can be conveniently performed together with the cataract operation. Although MIGS is now widely adopted, concerns about bias remain as many studies are industry-funded. The benefit of combining MIGS with cataract surgery is also debated, especially in advanced glaucoma. Moreover, research is scarce for pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG), common in the Nordic countries and harder to treat, with a poorer prognosis than other open-angle glaucoma types.

In this thesis, we evaluate the efficacy and safety of the trabecular MIGS procedures iStent inject® (iStent) and Kahook Dual Blade® (KDB) across various stages and subtypes of glaucoma. We show that KDB is effective and safe when combined with cataract surgery, whereas its efficacy as a stand-alone procedure is lower. Therefore, we do not recommend the stand-alone approach in patients with advanced or uncontrolled glaucoma.

Furthermore, iStent and KDB demonstrate comparable outcomes, showing effectiveness not only in mild to moderate disease but also in advanced stages and in PEXG. Our results show that trabecular MIGS combined with cataract surgery is effective even in patients with markedly elevated IOP and/or on maximum tolerated therapy. These patients, previously considered candidates for bleb-forming surgery, may instead begin with trabecular MIGS combined with cataract surgery. Many patients undergoing trabecular surgery have previously received laser trabeculoplasty (LTP), and we show that LTP does not seem to negatively affect the surgical outcomes of cataract surgery combined with KDB.

Finally, surgical success can be enhanced if iStent or KDB is added to the cataract operation, and in stable glaucoma patients this will mainly be due to greater medication reductions. Postoperative IOP spikes can also be reduced by more than half by adding iStent or KDB.

In summary, this thesis demonstrates that trabecular MIGS as a stand-alone procedure offered only moderate success and often required further interventions. Therefore, we do not recommend the stand-alone approach in patients with advanced or uncontrolled glaucoma. When performed together with cataract surgery, our data show that trabecular MIGS is both effective and safe – even in patients with markedly elevated IOP and/or on maximum tolerated therapy. In more stable glaucoma patients with lower preoperative IOP levels and a low rate of progression, combining trabecular MIGS with cataract surgery can be considered when medication reduction is a clinical goal. This approach also lowers the risk of early IOP spikes, and both iStent and KDB perform equally well, with comparable outcomes in PEX and non-PEX eyes.

The purpose of the study is to shed light on how both teachers and special needs teachers in grades 4-6 describe the use of compensatory (corrective) tools for students with reading and writing difficulties. The study examines how these tools are used, the opportunities and challenges experienced, and the conditions considered important to support learning. A qualitative method was employed, involving eight semi-structured interviews with teachers and special needs teachers. The results illustrate that the tools are primarily used in theoretical subjects where the volume of text and text production is substantial in scope. Students have difficulty using the tools independently, which places demands on the technical competence of teachers and special needs teachers. Many teachers and special needs teachers express a need for professional development and point to a lack of structure for collaboration regarding implementation and follow-up. According to the teachers and special needs teachers, an accessible learning environment requires that compensatory tools are used in a way that enables fair assessment and allows students with reading and writing difficulties to demonstrate their knowledge. 

Background: Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological condition affecting women of reproductive age, characterized by pain that impacts daily life. Globally, approximately 10 % of women are estimated to live with the condition, corresponding to 190 million women, and in Sweden, around 250,000 women are affected. Nurses play a central role in providing support, information, and person-centered care.

Aim: The aim of this literature study was to explore women’s experiences of living with endometriosis.

Methods: Searches were conducted in CINAHL and PubMed, and eight empirical qualitative studies were included in the literature review. Analysis was conducted following Friberg’s five-step model.

Results: The analysis identified three main themes reflecting women’s experiences: experiencing inner vulnerability, feeling excluded from social connections, and encountering healthcare services.

Conclusion: Endometriosis affects women's physical, psychological, and social health, as well as their experiences of healthcare. The literature review highlights the need for increased knowledge, empathetic care, and person-centered approaches, as well as the importance of further research to promote more individualized and equitable healthcare.

Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 8-13% of women and is due to a disturbed hormonal balance in the ovaries. The symptoms can vary and there is an increased risk of complications. There is currently no cure for the syndrome, but according to previous research, changing dietary habits has an effect on symptoms of PCOS and can also affect the risk of complications such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Objective To investigate women's experiences and opinions about the impact of diet on PCOS symptoms.

Method A quantitative study in the form of a web-based survey was conducted in February 2025. The survey was aimed at women who have a confirmed PCOS diagnosis and are over 18 years of age. The survey was shared on social media, where it was primarily distributed in selected groups on Facebook. A total of 67 women answered the survey, of which 59 met the inclusion criteria. The collected data was processed and analyzed in SPSS. To analyze differences between groups, the chi-square test was used.

Results Women who had stronger opinions that diet affects symptoms of PCOS had also followed a dietary pattern to a greater extent or made other dietary changes. Most had eaten a low-carbohydrate diet, anti-inflammatory diet or ketogenic diet. The women who changed their dietary pattern experienced changes in weight, menstrual pattern and perceived fatigue compared to before the dietary change. Furthermore, few people had received information from the health care system about how to manage their symptoms and more of the respondents had obtained information on the internet, especially via social media.

Conclusion Most of the women believed to a high extent that diet can affect the symptoms of PCOS, but it is they themselves who have obtained information about the diagnosis and diet as a treatment option. One suggestion is therefore clearer guidelines on how to inform about lifestyle changes in PCOS, as well as the role of diet in symptom management.

Objectives: This study examines the influence of social and demographic factors on the utilization of trained midwives in Sweden during the latter half of the nineteenth century. It also examines differences in neonatal, post-neonatal, and child mortality between births attended by trained midwives and those without such assistance.

Methods: The analysis is based on population data covering 116,597 births. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between midwifery, background characteristics, and mortality outcomes.

Results: The findings reveal substantial regional variation in the use of trained midwives throughout the study period. Births attended by trained midwives were more common among high-risk births and among married women compared to unmarried women. Regarding mortality, the results show an increased risk of post-neonatal mortality during the first period (1860-1869), and a decreased risk of neonatal mortality during the final period (1890-1894).

Conclusion: The study highlights the evolving role of trained midwives in childbirth practices in 19th-century Sweden and their contribution to reducing infant mortality, which coincided with the introduction of antiseptic methods from 1880 onward.

Military weaker participants can often resort to more alternative strategies to counter the military superiority of the stronger player in a war. This is evident through asymmetric and hybrid warfare, but also more non-conventional strategies. This thesis uses a comparative case study of two different wars, the Vietnam War (1954-1975) and the war that’s going on in Ukraine (2014-present). These cases illustrate how a weaker military participant can compensate for their military inferiority, and effectively employ strategies connected to asymmetric and hybrid warfare.

The theoretical framework is based on André Beaufre’s and Ivan Arreguín-Toft’s theories on how a weaker military power can act in a war. These theories focus on the strategies often used by military weaker participants during a conflict.

Using a qualitative method with a document based analysis, this thesis is based on combinations of scholarly literature, propaganda material and official reports. The findings show that military weaker participants, such as Viet Cong and Ukraine, can use indirect strategies based on their limited resources to counter the stronger opponents’s superiority. This study contributes to a broader understanding of the strategies within wars and conflicts characterized by a power imbalance, and to Peace and Conflict studies in general.

This study aims to gain knowledge and understanding of how we can better utilize volunteer resources and what factors create and promote the building of local resilience. Finally, the study aims to investigate what mechanisms promote or hinder collaboration between public actors, and volunteer and non-profit organizations. This is a single qualitative case study that examines the preparedness project Stark socken on the island of Gotland within the framework of civil defense. Semi-structured interviews are used as a method in the study to gather empirical data. The results show that there is a perception of a lack of clarity in governance and communication, which created challenges for the project. At the same time, the project has enabled and promoted dialog and cooperation between actors, further developing home preparedness on the island. It is difficult to draw conclusions about the extent to which cultural heritage and geography have been significant in the project, or how they can be seen as a resource in building local resilience. However, based on the interviews, there are signs that the islands’ historical cultural heritage has contributed to the arrangements, especially in matters relating to preparedness. The results show the need for more research into how we can utilize and work with volunteering, especially related to social capital and local resilience. Furthermore, the results show a need for more research on shared governance between different organizations that are planning and implementing measures in preparedness projects, especially at local level.

Studien handlar om hedersrelaterat våld samt förtryck (HRV) där fokuset ligger på hur socialarbetare i Sverige upplever sitt arbete med dessa typer av ärenden. Studien belyser även hur socialtjänsten men även polisen hanterar hedersrelaterat våld och förtryck samt vilka arbetsmetoder, utmaningar och vilka strategier som används i praktiken. Arbetet tar upp hur kultur, kön och makt samverkar samt hur dessa faktorer påverkar de utsatta individerna men även dem yrkesverksamma. Studien bygger på tidigare litteratur samt forskning om polisens och socialarbetares erfarenheter av att arbeta med hedersrelaterat våld och förtryck i en svensk kontext. Fokuset ligger särskilt på socialtjänstens roll men domstolarnas arbete och polisens analyseras utifrån befintliga studier. Metoden är en litteraturstudie där böcker, rapporter och vetenskapliga artiklar har sammanställts samt analyserats. Resultatet visar att socialarbetare ofta upplever osäkerhet i hanteringen av HRV-ärenden på grund av bristande kulturell kompetens och utbildning. Hedersrelaterat våld och förtryck skiljer sig från annat våld i nära relationer eftersom det är hedersbaserat och kollektivt, detta gör det ännu mer invecklat och komplext att hantera. Arbetet inom socialtjänsten varierar mellan olika kommuner och behovet av samverkan mellan myndigheter, obligatorisk utbildning och intersektionella perspektiv har lyfts som centralt. Studien visar även att domstolar samt polis möter svårigheter med att bevisa och identifiera hedersmotiv. Studien drar slutsatsen att hedersrelaterat våld och förtryck kräver ett långsiktigt samarbete mellan olika yrkesgrupper där man tar hänsyn till kulturella, sociala och juridiska faktorer för att ha möjlighet att ge de utsatta ett bra stöd samt skydd. För att skyddet ska bli effektivt krävs det även att de yrkesverksamma har tillräckligt mycket förståelse, utbildning samt kunskap gör dessa sociala samt kulturella faktorer som påverkar situationen.

Artificiell intelligens (AI) lyfts ofta fram som en lösning på flera av de strukturella utmaningar som svensk sjukvård står inför, men implementeringen av teknologin har visat sig komplex och förenad med både organisatoriska och mänskliga hinder. Denna studie syftar tillatt bidra med lärdomar för framtida AI-implementering genom att undersöka hur vårdpersonal och beslutsfattare uppfattar AI:s påverkan i praktiken samt vilka strategier som används för att hantera upplevda utmaningar. Studien bygger på tio semistrukturerade intervjuer med nyckelpersoner inom olika vårdverksamheter i Sverige där AI har implementerats. Analysen har genomförts med tematisk analys och resulterat i två övergripande teman: AI:s konsekvenser och Implementeringsprocessen, med fem underteman. Resultaten visar att AI kan bidra med konkreta förbättringar, men att effekterna i hög grad påverkas av hur teknologin upplevs, förstås och integreras i befintliga strukturer. Lyckade implementeringar kännetecknas av ett pragmatiskt förhållningssätt, användarcentrering, tvärfunktionellt samarbete och tydligt ledarskap. Brist på samordning, oklara ansvarsförhållanden och kompetensgap utgör centrala hinder. Studien visar att AI inte bör förstås som en isolerad teknisk innovation utan som en del av en större organisatorisk förändringsprocess. Studien ger även praktiska implikationer för hur vårdverksamheter kan stärka sin förmåga att realisera AI:s potential på ett hållbart och meningsfullt sätt. 

Gynecological cancers comprise a heterogeneous group of malignancies arising from the female reproductive tract, most commonly involving the uterus, ovaries, and cervix. Together, they accounted for more than 1.47 million new cases and 680,000 deaths worldwide in 2022, with substantial global disparities in incidence and mortality. Their development reflects a multifactorial interplay of genetic susceptibility, hormonal and metabolic dysregulation, and lifestyle influences. Gynecologic malignancies are biologically heterogeneous diseases, and despite advances in molecular profiling, reliable biomarkers for prognostic evaluation and therapeutic stratification remain limited.

Leucine-rich repeats and immunoglobulin-like domains protein 1 (LRIG1) is a transmembrane protein that functions as a tumor suppressor by regulating receptor tyrosine kinases and promoting bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. Elevated LRIG1 expression has been linked to favorable prognosis in various human cancers, though its prognostic role in gynecologic malignancies remains under investigation.

Ovarian carcinoma represents the eighth leading cause of cancer-related death among women worldwide, largely due to late-stage diagnosis, high recurrence rates, and treatment resistance. To investigate the role of LRIG1 in biologic fluids, a quantitative LRIG1-specific single-molecule array assay was developed. LRIG1 plasma levels were measured in 486 patients with suspected ovarian masses. Elevated LRIG1 levels correlated with poor prognosis and independently predicted outcomes in stage III ovarian carcinoma, indicating its potential as a biomarker. To further validate its role, a novel monoclonal anti-LRIG1 antibody, named 10C8, was developed. Immunohistochemical analyses across three independent ovarian carcinoma cohorts revealed an inverse correlation between tumor immunoreactivity and plasma levels, and higher LRIG1 expression in malignant versus benign or borderline tumors. However, prognostic significance varied by histological subtype and disease stage, suggesting a context-dependent clinical utility.

Cervical cancer is a major global health concern, with early-stage disease (FIGO IA2–IB1) carrying a risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in approximately 15% of patients. The presence of LNM often necessitates combined surgical and radiotherapeutic treatment, which substantially increases morbidity and adverse effects. Current preoperative diagnostic tools lack sufficient sensitivity to accurately predict nodal involvement prior to surgery. In this context, the ability of LRIG1 immunoreactivity to predict LNM was evaluated among 67 early-stage cervical carcinoma cases. This analysis revealed that high LRIG1 expression correlated with risk of LNM (odds ratio 9.5), suggesting a potential role as a predictive and prognostic biomarker in cervical cancer.

In endometrioid endometrial carcinoma, a subset of early-stage patients experience relapse, underscoring the need for improved prognostic indicators. Transcriptomic analysis of TCGA cases showed that elevated expression of several BMP signal-promoting genes correlated with poorer survival, whereas one BMP signal-suppressing gene was linked to improved outcome. Based on these findings, a tissue microarray of 241 stage I tumors was constructed to evaluate the prognostic relevance of LRIG1 tumor immunoreactivity. No significant association was observed between LRIG1 tumor immunoreactivity and relapse-free survival, though higher LRIG1 staining correlated with increased estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and Ki-67 expression.

To identify genes mediating resistance to platinum-taxane based chemotherapy in ovarian carcinoma, a series of human-mouse xenograft models were investigated. Genetic barcode experiments revealed that approximately 500-5,000 tumor-initiating cells contributed to tumor formation in the OVCAR3, OVCAR4, OVCAR8, and OVSAHO xenograft models. These results will guide future efforts to genetically screen for potential treatment targets in chemotherapy-resistant ovarian carcinoma.

Together, these studies provide new insights into the biological and prognostic roles of LRIG1 across major gynecologic cancers.

BACKGROUND: Social connection comprises distinct but related aspects of human social relationships. Positive aspects of social connection are associated with better health and, in long-term care (LTC) homes, represent a key component of quality of life, quality of care and sense of home. Despite its importance, research and reporting on social connection in this setting is limited by a lack of good quality instruments with which to measure it. Our objective was to develop and test a measure of social connection for LTC homes.

METHOD: We conducted this study in Canada and the UK. We developed a conceptual model based on research literature and existing measures. We conducted and thematically analysed qualitative interviews with residents, families and staff to identify important aspects of social connection. We created and refined a list of candidate items that we piloted and field-tested with LTC residents and staff. We examined descriptive statistics (e.g., missing data), dimensionality and internal consistency to further refine the measure. We evaluated the final resident (self-report) and staff (proxy-report) measures' feasibility, acceptability, reliability and validity. We worked with patient and public involvement (PPI) partners in developing our methods and the Social Connection in LTC homes (SONNET) measure.

RESULT: We prioritized social engagement and social connectedness (loneliness) from our conceptual model of social connection, based on priorities identified from qualitative interviews (n = 67) and PPI partners. We developed 58 candidate items for self-report and proxy-report which we then reduced to 20 items based on feedback from academic experts and PPI partners and pilot testing (n = 9). We further reduced this to 12 items based on field-testing (n = 111 resident-staff dyads) results. We tested the measurement properties with 52 resident-staff dyads, including 33 (65%) residents with dementia. Findings supported the hypothesised two factor structure; that the SONNET scale correlated with related constructs; and good/ acceptable and reliability (internal consistency, test-retest and inter-rater).

CONCLUSION: The SONNET scale assesses social engagement and social connectedness (loneliness) for LTC home residents, with resident and staff-reported versions. It is feasible and acceptable to LTC residents and staff with promising reliability and validity, although we recommend further testing.

BACKGROUND: Various studies have reported an association between physical activity and grey matter volumes. Some studies have suggested that this relationship may be moderated by sex, yet the direction is still under debate.

METHOD: Focusing on hippocampus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), we tested whether the association between regional grey matter volumes and self-reported physical activity differs between women and men. We examined this interaction in five European cohorts from the Lifebrain consortium (n = 1,809; age range: 18 - 88 years). Effect sizes were first determined by linear models run separately for each cohort, then pooled across datasets in a random-effects meta-analysis.

RESULT: Contrary to our hypotheses, there was no evidence of a relationship between physical activity and hippocampal or dlPFC volumes, nor was there a moderation by sex.

CONCLUSION: Our null findings raise the question of whether self-report questionnaires of physical activity, which commonly feature in big datasets, are sufficiently sensitive to capture a - presumably modest - association between physical activity levels and grey matter outcomes. We conclude that the reliance on self-report questionnaires of physical activity is sub-optimal for brain-behaviour analyses.

Democratisation, economic development and academic achievement are significant social dimensions which are potentially interrelated. The current article aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the relations between these three dimensions by taking advantage of data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), including the 2018 and 2022 surveys. The regression and mediation models were based on both individual level data (eight countries across diverse regime types) and cross-country level data (N = 77 in 2018, 81 in 2022). The results suggest that there were direct effects between income and democratisation across both surveys and analytical levels. The role of academic achievement is less definitive but does not mediate the relations between income and democratisation, although it predicts country-level income.

Abstract

The aging of cheese has long been a central aspect of Swedish food culture, gaining increased importance in Sweden during the 18th century. This study investigates how aging influences consumers’ perception of the sensory characteristics of cheese, and how these characteristics relate to consumer preferences.

The study was conducted using quantitative sensory testing on two types of Herrgårdsost: one mildly aged and one more extensively aged.To collect data, the Rate All That Apply (RATA) method was used. The collected data was then analyzed using PCA (Principal Component Analysis), where biplots, scatterplots, and Student’s t-tests were used to visualize the results of the PCA analysis.

The results showed that the two cheeses differ in their sensory attributes, and that consumer preferences varied with both gender and age. Participants under the age of 30 preferred the mildly aged cheese, while those over 30 favored the taste of the aged variety. Women preferred the mildly aged cheese, whereas men showed no difference in acceptance between the two cheeses. 

Keywords: Gastronomy, Rate All That Apply (RATA), Principle Component Analysis (PCA), biplots, aged cheese, Student’s t-test.

The current thesis aimed to explore if a more automatic process of cognitive reappraisal(EAKO) is as effective in reducing arousal as the frequently studied controlled process(EKKO), and if there are any correlations with the Big Five personality domains or locus ofcontrol (LOC). The current study used a within-groups experimental design with 42participants (21-80 years). The number of women was (n=18) and men (n=24). Theparticipants’ task was to view emotional images, followed by a cue to either reappraise or acontrol stimulus. To automate reappraisal, they were trained to associate a visual cue (a square)to reappraise. A verbal cue (the word reappraise) was used for controlled reappraising, and acounting task was used for the control stimulus. Efficacy was measured through a before- andafter arousal rating scale and reaction time. Personality was measured through the Ten Item

Personality Scale (TIPI), while locus of control was measured through Rotter’s internal-external locus of control scale. The results showed no significant difference in efficacy between

the cues, nor were there any correlations with personality or locus of control. This implies thatautomatic cognitive reappraisal can be effective for a wide range of populations. Limitationsprimarily regard sample characteristics and study design, and further research is needed toaddress those concerns. Finally, research on clinical populations is of utmost importance.

Syftet med denna litteraturöversikt har varit att kartlägga och analysera hur barn och unga rekryteras till kriminella nätverk. Vidare ämnade studien att kartlägga riskfaktorer som sammantaget kan öka barnets benägenhet att involveras i brottslighet. Utgångspunkten i en litteraturstudie är att presentera befintlig forskning inom ett komplext och mångfacetterad forskningsområde. Som ett resultat av detta genomfördes systematiska sökningar på diverse databaser. Det insamlade materialet analyserades vidare genom en tematisk dataanalys. Resultaten i studien visar att barnets benägenhet att involveras i brottslighet har ett samband med tre områden. Förhållanden som råder i hemmet, skola och i barnets omgivning ökar risken för brottslighet och rekrytering till kriminella nätverk. Resultatet visar att bristande föräldrarelationer, ekonomiskt utsatthet och förekomsten av kriminalitet inom familjen utgör riskfaktorer som ökar barnets benägenhet att söka sig till kriminella grupperingar. När det gäller skolmiljön visar studiens resultat att svaga skolprestationer, låg motivation och exkludering ökar barnets benägenhet att söka bekräftelse och status hos kriminella aktörer. Ytterligare ogynnsam omständighet återfinns i barnets omgivningsmiljö. Resultatet visar att barn som växer upp i områden som råder en omfattande nivåer av brottslighet blir exponerade för kriminella aktörer. Studiets resultat beträffande rekryteringsprocessen till kriminella nätverk visar att processenär stegvis. I litteraturen beskrivs att äldre ungdomar och ung vuxna med kriminell bakgrundinitierar kontakten genom att vara tillgängliga för uppsökning i närområdet. Vidareframkommer att barnet lockas med löften om ekonomiska, sociala, och materiella fördelar. Resultatet i studien ses i ljuset av strain - teorin och teorin om sociala band. Tillämpning av teorin om strain visar att ojämlika livsvillkor och begränsade möjligheter kan leda till att unga söker sig till illegitima vägar till framgång. Å andra sidan visar tillämpning av teorin om sociala band teorin att svaga relationer till familj, skola och samhälle ökar barnets benägenhet att involveras i brottslighet.

Background

Unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as nutrient-poor diet, physical inactivity, and long-term stress,can lead to negative health effects, including obesity, metabolic syndrome, and mental healthissues, posing a growing threat to public health. Interventions that promote lifestyle changesthrough a combination of dietary modification, physical activity, and stress management canplay a central role in preventive public health efforts.

Objective

The aim of this study was to examine lifestyle habits and perceived well-being amongindividuals who had participated in lifestyle intervention programs at a health center.

Method

An online survey was published on a health center ́s social media accounts during the springof 2025. A total of 143 individuals responded to the survey, of which 117 met the inclusioncriteria. Inclusion criteria for participation in the survey were: being 18 years or older, havingcompleted one of the following one-year programs: individual, stress, weight, or painmanagement. Data were analyzed using SPSS Lifestyle changes before and after participationin the health centers program were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Thesignificance level was set at 0.05.

Results

The majority of the respondents reported improved well-being, better dietary habits andincreased physical activity after their stay at the health center. Respondents reported morefrequent consumption of breakfast (p<0.001), lunch (p<0.001) and dinner (p<0.002) after theprogram. They also reported increased intake of healthy foods and decreased intake ofunhealthy foods after the program (p<0.001 for all foods items). Most respondents reportedengaging in physical activity for at least 30 minutes per session as part of their daily routine,among them, 78% reported being physically active at least three times per week, and 27%reported that they were active on a daily basis. Most respondent reported that their stresslevels had reduced to some extent after the program, and more than half reported that theirwell-being had improved significantly, while slightly less respondents reported that their well-being had improved a little. Only 3% answered that their well-being had worsened after theprogram. Several respondents expressed a need for more feedback and follow-up to maintainroutines after completing the program.

Conclusion

The study showed that the respondent’s well-being improved after attending the health centerprograms, with positive changes in dietary habits, increased physical activity, and recovery.Respondents expressed a desire for continued support and follow-up to help sustain thesechanges in the long term.  

Studiens syfte har varit att analysera och granska de domar som följt efter att barnäktenskapsbrottet instiftades som ett självständigt brott år 2020. Avsikten med studien har varit att identifiera gemensamma faktorer samt granska vilken argumentation som används i målen. Barnäktenskapsbrottets utformning bygger på att kriminalisera handlingar som tillåter ett barn under 18 år att ingå äktenskap eller äktenskapsliknande förbindelse. Brottet är undantaget från principen om dubbel straffbarhet och kriminaliserar därigenom handlingar som sker utomlands - oberoende av handlingens legalitet i landet där handlingen utförs. De mål som studerats är avgjorda i tingsrätter och hovrätter mellan åren 2021 och 2025. Antalet fastställda domar är begränsat, vilket huvudsakligen beror på att få anmälningar har lett till åtal. Trots materialets ringa omfattning framträder flera återkommande mönster i målen. Den främsta gemensamma nämnaren är att hedersrelaterat våld och förtryck, hederskultur och olika former av hederskontexter är avgörande för domstolarnas resonemang. Av förarbeten och utredningar framgår det att just det varit lagstiftarens intention med den nya lagen. Ytterligare gemensamma nämnare som framkommer i denna studie är vikten somrespektive domstol lägger vid att resonera kring vad som är - och inte är - enäktenskapsliknande förbindelse. Domstolarna fäster stor vikt vid vilka belägg det finns för atten äktenskapsliknande förbindelse kan anses ha ingåtts, samt vilken roll barnetsvårdnadshavare haft i detta. Det blir tydligt att en diskussion kring kulturella normer ochseder får en stor betydelse i avgörandet kring hur olika situationer ska tolkas och vilket värde som ska tillskrivas olika handlingars betydelse. Det går också att konstatera att undantaget från dubbel straffbarhet har en central roll för att lagstiftningen kring barnäktenskapsbrott ska kunna prövas i svenska domstolar eftersom samtliga granskade mål innefattar handlingar som skett utanför Sveriges gränser.

Metabolism disrupting chemicals (MDCs) elicit negative effects on metabolically active organs such as the liver and the pancreas, altering normal metabolic processes. Chemicals that are known, or suspected MDCs include compounds found in everyday consumer products and food, making low-dose, continuous exposure inevitable for humans. Through the discovery of chemically induced metabolic disruption, a concern has surfaced whether and how MDCs impact human health and the development of metabolic diseases. This has accelerated research around the topic, and it has been found that exposure to MDCs is linked to increased incidence of metabolic diseases including obesity and liver steatosis. Effective regulatory action is hindered by the lack of accurate methods to identify MDCs. The NEMESIS project addresses this regulatory gap by investigating the mechanisms through which MDCs cause metabolic disruption. The project aims at identifying novel biomarkers of exposure and link exposure to disease outcomes. As chemical toxicity testing is rapidly moving towards new approach methodologies (NAMs), NEMESIS promotes non-animal methodologies by employing state-of-the-art in vitro methods, epidemiological data, systems biology approaches, and seeks to replace mammalian in vivo experiments with alternative models. By understanding mechanisms of MDC-induced metabolic health effects, and through the development of reliable effect biomarkers and testing strategies, the NEMESIS project aims to facilitate more effective regulatory measures to improve and protect the health and well-being of EU citizens. The project is particularly focused on maximizing its impact through effective dissemination and communication efforts, to ensure that the project’s message and results reach a broad audience and are tailored to different population groups. These actions will improve the risk assessment of MDCs and ensure that the EU citizens are informed and protected from the harmful effects of MDCs and can adapt their consumer patterns and behaviors to prevent exposure.

Background: Nurses in the emergency department often experience anxiety and uncertainty when caring for children in acute situations. This is mainly due to limited experience and education in paediatric emergency care. Children are a vulnerable patient group that requires an understanding of their physiology and communication needs. The lack of specialist competence within Swedish emergency departments may affect both the quality of care and patient safety. 

Aim: This literature study aimed to describe nurses’ experiences of caring for children in acute situations at the emergency department. 

Methods: The study was based on eight qualitative studies and one mixed-method study. The databases CINAHL and PubMed were used for the literature search. The data was analysed using Friberg's five-step model.

Results: Four categories and ten subcategories were identified: “Emotional dimensions”, “Readiness to act under stress”, “Communication and participation during stress”, and “Coping strategies”. 

Conclusion: Nurses working in emergency departments experience that caring for children in acute situations is both emotionally and theoretically demanding, as well as stressful. Nurses require emotional and theoretical support to provide high-quality and safe patient care. The healthcare organisation should evaluate workplace conditions to better prepare nurses for these situations. 

This study examines the discursive and ideological construction of elite multilingualism in the national language policy regarding Swedish for Immigrants (SFI), using the theoretical frames of discourse, language orientations and language ideologies. Informed by a poststructurally-informed critical perspective on language, this study is methodologically framed within critical discourse analysis. The results of this study show how elite multilingualism is constructed as a result of discursive struggle, wherein some languages are positioned as problems in order to position other languages as rights and/or resources. In spite of the complexity manifested in this discursive positioning, an essentialized view of languages as bounded entities prevails as an expression of monolingual nationalist ideologies. Further, an instrumentalized view of language is expressed in a partly neoliberal sense. Considering that a bounded view of language, alongside monolingual nationalist ideologies, implies the hierarchization of languages, it is important for educational stakeholders, such as policy authorities, to understand who are systematically excluded by what languages in what ways. This should be undertaken at the intersection of competing discourses associated with languages that are simultaneously, yet differentially positioned as problems, rights and/or resources.

This document is the preface of the Computational Linguistics Workshop of the 8th International Conference on Computational Linguistics and Intelligent Systems (CoLInS 2025), May 15-16, 2025, held in Kharkiv, Ukraine (https://colins.in.ua/workshops/computational-linguistics-workshop/).

Text analytics of frequency, context, and media portrayal of individuals in war reporting provides insights into key figures, biases, and socio-political narratives. However, due to named entity ambiguity, the number of unique individuals mentioned does not always align with the total number of PERSON entities identified in the dataset, which leads to reduced accuracy in the text analysis. To address this challenge and improve the accuracy of individual identification while ensuring a more reliable analysis of the dataset, we applied the Damerau-Levenshtein distance metric and machine learning techniques to identify and consolidate mentions of personal named entities in news coverage of the Russian-Ukrainian war in 2022. As a result, we created a comprehensive personal names dictionary containing 6,414 entries, with each entry grouping name variants that refer to the same individual.

Syftet med denna litteraturstudie är att undersöka hur civilsamhällets fotbollsinitiativ i Sverige bidrar till sociala funktioner genom att främja hälsa, stärka gemenskap och integration samt fungera som ett förebyggande verktyg mot utanförskap och kriminalitet. Studien avser även att belysa vilka mekanismer och förutsättningar som möjliggör eller begränsar dessa processer. Studien genomfördes som en systematisk litteraturstudie baserad på vetenskapligt granskade artiklar från databasen “Web of Science” identifierade genom Umeå universitetsbiblioteks söktjänst. Totalt 11 studier publicerade mellan 2020 och 2025 inkluderades utifrån uppställda inklusions- och exklusionskriterier. Litteraturen analyserades genom tematisk analys, vilket möjliggjorde identifiering av återkommande mönster och analytiska teman relaterade till hälsa, gemenskap, integration och brottsförebyggande arbete. Resultatet visar att civilsamhällets fotbollsinitiativ har fler funktioner än enbart idrottslig aktivitet. På individnivå kan deltagandet främja fysisk och psykisk hälsa genom rörelse, struktur och socialt stöd. Gemenskap framträder som en central drivkraft där fotbollen skapar känslor av tillhörighet, identitet och socialt kapital, både inom och mellan olika samhällsgrupper. Vidare framträder fotbollen som en integrationsarena där unga och vuxna möts över kulturella och socioekonomiska gränser, samtidigt som utmaningar uppstår när deltagande blir beroende av resurser, normer och institutionellt stöd. Fotbollsbaserade initiativ spelar även en roll i brottsförebyggande arbete genom att erbjuda meningsfull fritid, positiva förebilder och relationella skyddsfaktorer för ungdomar i riskzon. Resultatet belyser dock en dubbelhet: samma initiativ som erbjuder empowerment och delaktighet kan samtidigt fungera som ett disciplinerande och normerande verktyg. Sammanfattningsvis visar studien att civilsamhällets fotbollsinitiativ bidrar med sociala funktioner genom att kombinera rörelse, relationer och delaktighet i sammanhang som upplevs som meningsfulla för deltagarna. Fotbollens sociala potential uppstår dock inte automatiskt, utan kräver medvetet arbete för att säkerställa inkluderande, jämlika och relationellt hållbara miljöer. Effekterna beror således på hur verksamheterna leds och organiseras, särskilt gällande ledarskap, långsiktighet och strukturella förutsättningar. Utan medvetna arbetssätt riskerar initiativen att reproducera normer snarare än att främja hälsa, stärka gemenskap och integration samt fungera som ett förebyggande verktyg mot utanförskap och kriminalitet.

Kriminalitet utgör ett komplext samhällsproblem som påverkar både individ och samhälle. Forskning visar enligt Jämställdhetsmyndigheten (2025) att traditionella maskulinitetsnormer, psykisk ohälsa och socialt utanförskap bidrar till att män är överrepresenterade i brottsstatistiken. Varaktiga avhopp från kriminalitet möjliggörs genom helhetssynindividuella och strukturella faktorer beaktas.

Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur yrkesverksamma inom en kommunal avhopparverksamhet i Sverige beskriver sitt arbete med att stödja personer i processen att lämna kriminalitet. Studien utgår från en kvalitativ metod och bygger på semistrukturerade intervjuer med två socionomer verksamma inom en kommunal avhopparverksamhet. Det insamlade materialet analyserades med reflexiv tematisk analys.

Resultatet tyder på att arbetet präglas av individanpassade och relationellt grundade insatser där trygghet, motivation, vilja och samverkan mellan socialtjänst och polis utgör centrala framgångsfaktorer. Respondenterna betonar vikten av ett helhetsperspektiv där praktiskt stöd, psykologisk behandling och social inkludering integreras för att skapa hållbara förändringsprocesser. 

Motivation beskrivs såsom en föränderlig drivkraft som kräver kontinuerlig uppföljning, relationsbyggande och förtroende, medan viljan framhålls som individens faktiska förmåga att genomföra och upprätthålla förändringen. Arbetet beskrivs vidare som beroende av strukturella förutsättningar, såsom fungerande samverkan mellan myndigheter och långsiktiga resurser.

Slutsatsen är att framgångsrikt avhoppararbete kräver en kombination av trygghet, relationellt stöd och strukturella möjligheter till delaktighet och inkludering. Yrkesverksamma uttrycker en stark tilltro till individens förmåga till förändring, men framhåller samtidigt behovet av samordning och resurser för att möjliggöra långsiktiga resultat. Studien bidrar därmed med kunskap om den professionella praktiken inom avhopparverksamheter och belyser det sociala arbetes centrala roll i att möjliggöra vägar bort från kriminalitet.

Ungas involvering i gängkriminalitet har ökat markant i Sverige under de senaste åren och utgör en växande samhällsutmaning med långtgående konsekvenser för trygghet och social sammanhållning. Syftet med denna scoping review är att sammanställa och kartlägga befintlig forskning om unga personer i eller på väg in i gängkriminalitet, med fokus på vilka risk- och skyddsfaktorer som identifieras i litteraturen. Studien syftar också till att undersöka hur dessa faktorer beskrivs i relation till socialt arbete och förebyggande insatser. Studiens huvudfokus är risk- och skyddsfaktorer samt förebyggande faktorer. Studiens genomfördes som en litteraturöversikt. I studien analyserades sju vetenskapligt granskade artiklar publicerade mellan 2014 och 2025. Analysen identifierade tre huvudsakliga teman: (1) Familj och uppväxtmiljö, där låg grad avtillsyn, instabila familjeförhållanden och bristande föräldraengagemang ökade risken för gänginträde; (2) Strukturella och socioekonomiska faktorer, där låg socioekonomisk status, bostadssegregation och marginalisering visade sig bidra till ökad sårbarhet bland unga; samt(3) Psykosociala faktorer. Resultaten indikerar att sociala nätverk, familj och skola fungerar både som risk- och skyddsfaktorer. Forskningen stödjer systemteoretiska och strainteoretiskaperspektiv, där gängkriminalitet kan förstås som ett resultat av interaktionen mellan individ,social miljö och strukturella påfrestningar. Studien betonar vikten av tidiga insatser som inkluderar familj, skola och samhällsstrukturer för att förebygga ungdomars inträde i gängkriminalitet.

In the analysis of metabolomics data, selecting the appropriate statistical approach is crucial for maximizing model interpretation, predictivity and reliability. This study evaluates the effectiveness of Orthogonal Partial Least Squares (OPLS) models, specifically comparing OPLS-DA (assuming sample independence) and OPLS-EP (assuming sample dependency) in datasets of bacterial samples under different experimental conditions. OPLS-EP consistently demonstrates superior predictive performance, evidenced by higher predictive ability by means of cross-validation (Q2) compared to OPLS-DA, indicating greater model significance. Our findings prove the advantages of the paired statistical approach. This approach ensures that treatment effects are accurately measured by minimizing inter-sample variation and enhancing signal detection. Previous research in metabolomics has demonstrated the benefits of this method for biomarker sensitivity, particularly in matched case–control studies. The present study extends this understanding by applying paired statistical approaches to bacterial isolate treatments, offering novel insights into their utility. Overall, the findings emphasize the importance of OPLS-EP in enhancing biomarker sensitivity and model reliability in metabolomics research.

Äldres ofrivilliga ensamhet utgör ett växande samhällsproblem och kopplas till både psykiska och fysiska hälsorisker. Trots förekommande sociala insatser är dessa ofta otillräckliga, och det finns begränsad forskning om hur kommunala aktörer upplever sina möjligheter att arbeta förebyggande.

Genom en semistrukturerad intervju har biståndshandläggare fått besvara frågor kring hur de upplever sitt handlingsutrymme för att kunna vidta förebyggande åtgärder för att minska äldre medborgares ensamhet och sociala utsatthet. De har även fått besvara frågor kring hur ensamhet kan ta sig i uttryck hos äldre samt hur de beaktar ensamhet vid behovsbedömning. Empirin har bearbetats genom tematisk analys samt kopplats till handlingsutrymme, ålderism, Kolbs lärandecirkel och tidigare forskning. 

Resultatet visar att ensamhetens konsekvenser kommer till uttryck på flera sätt och att äldres behov generellt ges för låg prioritet i samhället. Biståndshandläggarna beskriver ett begränsat handlingsutrymme, vilket försvårar möjligheten att möta de komplexa behov som ensamhet medför och bidrar till att riskerna för ohälsa kvarstår eller förvärras. Resultatet betonar behovet av fördjupad forskning om äldres sociala utsatthet, en förändrad samhällssyn på äldre samt en revidering av biståndshandläggares handlingsutrymme i arbetet med att förebygga ensamhet.

Background The extent to which airflow obstruction, a key feature of COPD, can be already present in early adulthood is unclear. We investigated the prevalence of airflow obstruction in young adults across European populations.

Methods We identified 48 612 individuals aged 20–40 years across eight population-based European cohorts in the Chronic Airway Diseases Early Stratification (CADSET) collaboration and applied two commonly used definitions of airflow obstruction: pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) <0.70 and below the lower limit of normal (LLN). We explored how the prevalence of airflow obstruction according to both criteria was related to age, sex and smoking.

Results Airflow obstruction prevalence increased with increasing age from 2.3% in those aged 20–24.9 years to 6.3% in those aged 35–39.9 years according to FEV1/FVC <0.70, and from 7.3% to 8.3% according to FEV1/FVC <LLN. The corresponding increase in airflow obstruction prevalence was up to 8.8% in males versus 7.5% in females, and up to 9.0% in ever-smokers versus 6.9% in never-smokers. Difference in prevalence of airflow obstruction between FEV1/FVC <0.70 and <LLN was highest for females and ever-smokers. Active smoking ranged from 19% to 28% and ever-smoking from 37% to 51%. The prevalence of airflow obstruction increased with pack-years, plateauing at ∼5 pack-years.

Conclusion Up to 8% of young adults across Europe have airflow obstruction; its cause and its role in prior, concurrent and future airway disease merit further investigation.

Otitis Media (OM) is a prevalent condition in children that can lead to hearing impairment and significant healthcare costs. Inaccuracy in primary care and equipment cost in developing countries are concerning issues in OM diagnostics. Acoustic Reflectometry (AR) offers a low-cost, non-invasive diagnostic alternative, though it has fallen short on accuracy in previous studies. The primary aim of this study was to establish a computational simulation and an experimental model able to reproduce AR performed on human individuals to enable further research and accuracy improvement. The secondary aim was to perform a sensitivity analysis on AR instrument user error. Simulations and experiments were validated against measurements from human individuals with OM and normal ears, respectively. The results reveal that the simulation sufficiently reproduces human AR measurements and distinguishes an ear with OM from a healthy ear. The experiment delivered satisfying measurements on OM but underperformed in a normal ear scenario. The simulations and experiments overpredicted sound reflection in OM. The sensitivity study showed promising robustness of AR, concluding that computational simulation is a viable tool and complement to an experimental approach in research of AR. Future efforts should focus on paediatric models and partially filled middle ear simulations to promote clinical relevance.

Climate change poses significant risks to children, particularly in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), where geographic isolation, limited resources, and reliance on climate-sensitive sectors intensify vulnerabilities. This study pilots the Children’s Climate Risk Index – Disaster Risk Model (CCRI-DRM) to assess child-specific vulnerability to environmental hazards in Saint Kitts and Nevis at the parish level. Using a cross-sectional, subnational risk assessment approach, the model integrates locally sourced and global datasets to evaluate both exposure to climate and environmental hazards and underlying socio-economic vulnerabilities. The CCRI-DRM is structured around two pillars: Exposure to Climate and Environmental Hazards, Shocks, and Stresses, encompassing nine hazard components such as drought, flooding, tropical winds, vector-borne diseases, extreme heat, and air pollution; and Vulnerability to Climate and Environmental Shocks, captured through indicators of child health, education, and poverty. Normalized and aggregated risk scores from both pillars form a composite index that provides fine-grained insight into spatial disparities across the country’s 14 parishes. Results reveal substantial geographic variation, with Saint Paul Capisterre and Saint George Basseterre identified as the highest-risk areas due to the combined effects of extreme hazard exposure and systemic socio-economic vulnerabilities. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions that address both environmental risks and the structural conditions that amplify child vulnerability. This study demonstrates the utility of the CCRI-DRM in a SIDS context, showing how a refined, granular model can translate high-level climate policy frameworks into actionable, locally relevant adaptation and disaster risk reduction measures. By identifying where and why risks are highest, the CCRI-DRM offers a scalable approach for improving child-centered climate risk assessment in understudied, climate-vulnerable regions and for bridging the gap between policy and implementation.

Integrating cell segmentation with tracking is critical for achieving a detailed and dynamic understanding of cellular behavior. This integration facilitates the study and quantification of cell morphology, movement, and interactions, offering valuable insights into a wide range of biological processes and diseases. However, traditional methods rely on labor-intensive and costly annotations, such as full segmentation masks or bounding boxes for each cell. To address this limitation, we present SAT: Segment and Track Anything for Microscopy, a novel pipeline that leverages point annotations in the first frame to automate cell segmentation and tracking across all subsequent frames. By significantly reducing annotation time and effort, SAT enables efficient and scalable analysis, making it well-suited for large-scale studies. The pipeline was evaluated on two diverse datasets, achieving over 80% Multiple Object Tracking Accuracy (MOTA), demonstrating its robustness and effectiveness across various imaging modalities and cell types. These results highlight SAT’s potential to streamline biomedical research and enable deeper exploration of cellular behavior.

The aim of this study is to explore how teachers in grades 3 and 4 describe their implementation of reading instruction for pupils with decoding difficulties, the support they receive from special needs teachers, and the transition to middle school for these pupils. The study examines teachers' experiences of teaching methods, collaboration and transition routines. A qualitative approach was used with eight semi-structured interviews. Findings highlight the need to develop teachers' competence in decoding instruction across both lower and middle school to enhance teaching quality. Collaboration between teachers and special needs teachers should be strengthened to support decoding instruction effectively. Furthermore, special needs teachers' expertise should be integrated into both individual and whole-class instruction to benefit not only pupils with decoding difficulties but all pupils. Finally, a more organized communication strategy is needed between teachers and special needs teachers during the transition to middle school to ensure continuity for pupils with decoding difficulties.

In both reality and fiction, we have lived with imaginaries of artificial life and automation. Those we are currently caught in are not new. In ancien tEgypt, humans were already consulting with statues. Homeros’s work on automata, self-moving machines using internal energy, is another example, and the Greek mathematician Hero of Alexandria presented the Aeolipilemachine (Hero engine) in the first century CE. Being in a relationship with a technological, artificial social object seems to be an easy part of what it isto be human and perhaps a way for us to understand ourselves, who we are, and what it means to be human. Over and over, we try to create an image ofourselves, or something or someone that acts on our behalf.

This chapter will discuss the relationship between human and robot, and the emotions, thoughts, and experiences such a relationship might evoke and involve. To access a human’s feelings and understandings of robots, anintrospective method is engaged, collecting my thoughts and responses to robots over a five-month period. Using inner dialogue and thoughts, three examples will be presented that show how past experiences impact new experiences of technology and demonstrate how an understanding of someone’s (my) relationship to robots is iteratively developed and shaped by the past, present, and future

Fungal necromass is increasingly recognized as a major component of soil organic matter, and identifying the factors that govern its formation is critical for understanding and predicting the global carbon cycle. Among these factors, the biochemical composition of mycelial residues at senescence, particularly melanin content, has been consistently identified as a key determinant of the fraction of fungal necromass that persists in soils. However, even non-melanized mycelial residues exhibit a recalcitrant fraction that resists microbial decomposition, and the reasons for this persistence are not well understood. To address this gap, we asked whether the growth stage at which a single non-melanized fungal species dies governs the decay of its necromass in soil. Using Neurospora crassa , we produced seven necromass types that ranged from early exponential growth to prolonged starvation and decomposed them in forest soil. Necromass derived from biomass experiencing net growth at the time of harvest decomposed up to ten times faster than necromass from starved cultures, which were undergoing biomass loss. By the end of decomposition, only about 10 % of necromass from early-growth-stage biomass remained, while nearly 65 % of necromass from starved biomass persisted. Differences in mycelial biochemical traits, particularly C:N ratio and the degree of branching of glucans, which varied with fungal growth stage at death, explained variation in both decay rates and the size of the persistent fractions. Our findings suggest that the growth stage of fungi at death is a key factor driving fungal necromass decay profiles, with potentially large consequences for the contribution of fungal necromass to soil organic matter stocks.

Inter-arm blood pressure differences (IABPDs) can be caused by atherosclerosis. We investigated 29 921 men and women aged 50-64 years from the nationwide population-based Swedish CArdio Pulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS) to evaluate if IABPD is related to risk factors for atherosclerosis and can be used as a marker of atherosclerosis as evaluated by coronary artery calcium score, arterial segment involvement score on computed tomography, carotid ultrasound, and ankle-brachial index (ABI).

The overall prevalence of systolic IABPD at least 10 mmHg was 2110/29 921 (7.1%). Individuals with IABPD at least 10 mmHg were significantly ( P  < 0.001) older, more often women, had higher BMI, nonhigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, SBP and DBPs, and were more likely to have diabetes. In unadjusted analyses, IABPD at least 10 mmHg was associated with presence of coronary atherosclerosis, with more carotid arteries with plaque, and with pathological ABI. These associations were largely attenuated after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors (age, sex, nonhigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systolic BP, smoking, diabetes, and the use of BP lowering drugs). Only ABI retained significance after these adjustments.

In conclusion, a systolic IABPD of at least 10 mmHg in middle aged men and women is common in the general population, and can be used as a screening tool for subclinical atherosclerotic changes in coronary, carotid, and lower extremity arteries. However, these relationships were largely explained by correlations between IABPD and traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

If a technological agent treats people unequally, it may be perceived as “being unfair.” But in what sense can fairness be considered an attribute of a nonhuman entity – a thing? This paper addresses this question through an exploratory study combining an experiment and a focus group. In the experiment, implemented as a quiz game hosted by an agent, two levels of participants’ Treatment by the agent (Fair/Unfair) were combined with two levels of agents’ Anthropomorphism (High/Low). Data about participants’ perceptions of the agents were collected through Likert scales and post-session interviews. A subset of participants took part in a follow-up focus group study, in which they shared their thoughts and reflections on intelligent agents’ fairness, grounded in their prior quiz game experience. The results suggest that while perceived fairness of an agent is a key aspect of human-agent interaction, operationalizing it is complicated by its ambiguity, context dependence, and entanglement with other aspects of interaction.