Publikationer från Linköpings universitet
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Development and evaluation of a Register-Based Organ Damage Index in systemic lupus erythematosus: a nationwide, population-based study from Sweden
No full textObjective To develop a Register-Based Organ Damage Index (RBODI) in SLE, and evaluate its accuracy in estimating Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (SLICC/ACR) Damage Index (SDI) scores. Additionally, to describe organ damage accrual and associations with mortality in a Swedish population-based nationwide cohort. Methods SDI items were translated into diagnosis, treatment and procedural codes retrieved from Swedish health registers. RBODI was calculated using the same rules as the SDI and its accuracy was evaluated using SDI data from the Clinical Lupus Register in North-Eastern Gothia cohort as the gold standard. Among newly diagnosed patients with SLE from Sweden (2005-2021), we estimated 5-year risks of organ damage, and adjusted HRs of first RBODI-based organ damage accrual associated with patient characteristics. Lastly, we estimated the association between RBODI-based organ damage within 5 years of diagnosis and mortality. Results The evaluation cohort included 271 prevalent cases (65.3% developed organ damage). RBODI had a positive predictive value of 90%, sensitivity 80% and specificity 83%. Among 4441 newly diagnosed patients with SLE, 40% developed organ damage within 5 years. Males had a 30% higher risk of developing damage compared with females (HR 1.3) and older individuals (&gt;45 years old compared with younger) had more than threefold higher risk (HR 3.3). Early development of organ damage was associated with a 2.1-fold higher risk of mortality. Conclusion Our novel RBODI accurately estimates SDI scores and describes long-term trends in damage accrual in the largest cohort of incident SLE to date. The strong association between early damage accrual and mortality highlights the need for efficient prevention strategies.Funding Agencies|Swedish Rheumatism Association (Reumatikerforbundet) [994250]; King Gustaf V's 80-year Foundation (Stiftelsen Konung Gustaf V:s 80-arsfond) [FAI-2023-0971]; Swedish Rheumatism Association [R-995882, R-993724]; King Gustaf V's 80-year Foundation [FAI-2020-0741, FAI-2022-0877]; Swedish Society of Medicine [SLS-974449]; Nyckelfonden [OLL-1000881]; Professor Nanna Svartz Foundation [2021-00436]; Ulla and Roland Gustafsson Foundation [2021-26, 2023-36]; Region Stockholm [FoUI-955483, FoUI-977096]; Karolinska Institutet [FoUI-964139]; Swedish Rheumatism Association; Swedish Research Council for Medicine and Health [2023-02256]; King Gustaf V's 80-year Foundation; Region Ostergotland ALF Grants [RO-981263]; Swedish Society of Medicine; Nyckelfonden; King Gustaf V and Queen Victoria's Freemasons' Foundation; Professor Nanna Svartz Foundation; Ulla and Roland Gustafsson Foundation; Region Stockholm; Karolinska Institutet; Swedish Research Council for Medicine and Health; Region Ostergotland ALF Grants; King Gustaf V and Queen Victoria's Freemasons' Foundation</p
Benchmarking the Elastic Modulus of Conjugated Polymers with Nanoindentation
No full textThe elastic modulus is a critical parameter for the design of conjugated polymers for wearable electronics and correlates with electrical and thermal transport. Yet, widely different values have been reported for the same material because of the influence of processing and measurement conditions, including the temperature, mode, direction, and time scale of deformation. Thus, results obtained via different methods are usually not considered to be comparable. Here, disparate techniques from nanoindentation to tensile testing of free-standing films or films on water, buckling analysis, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, oscillatory shear rheometry, and atomic force microscopy are compared. Strikingly, elastic modulus values obtained for the same batch of regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) differ by a factor of less than four, which suggests that an approximate comparison is possible. Considering the small amount of material that is typically available, nanoindentation in combination with creep analysis is identified as a reliable method for probing the elastic modulus of films with widely different elastic moduli ranging from less than 0.1 GPa in the case of a polythiophene with oligoether side chains to several GPa for polymers without side chains. Since films can display anisotropic elastic modulus values, it is proposed that nanoindentation is complemented with an in-plane technique such as tensile testing to ensure a full characterization using different modes of deformation.Funding Agencies|National Science Foundation [955837]; European Union [2020.0187, 2022.0034]; Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation [101043417]; European Research Council (ERC); Swedish Research Infrastructure for Micro and Nano Fabrication (Myfab) [DMR-2047689]; National Science Foundation</p
Study on Metal-Oxide Field Effect Transistors of ß-Gallium Oxide with AlGaO Spacer Layer Grown on Sapphire for High-Power Device Applications
No full textThis study utilized metal-organic chemical vapor deposition technology to grow beta-Ga2O3 epitaxial layers on sapphire substrates and fabricate lateral beta-Ga2O3 field-effect transistors (FETs). To enhance the performance of these FETs, a beta-Ga2O3/(Al0.33Ga0.67)(2)O-3 structure was incorporated. The resulting FETs demonstrated high on-state current (I-on), low on-state resistance (R-on), and a high on-off ratio of drain current, indicating excellent two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) characteristic offered by beta-Ga2O3/(Al0.33Ga0.67)(2)O-3 structure. By optimization of the thickness and doping concentration of beta-Ga2O3, high-performance 2DEG beta-Ga2O3 FETs were achieved, which satisfied the stringent requirements for power devices. Notably, the heavily doped beta-Ga2O3/(Al0.33Ga0.67)(2)O-3 structure led to a significant improvement in performance, with the saturation current (I-D,I-sat) increasing from 0.16 to 11.4 mA/mm, a remarkable 6925% increase, and the breakdown voltage rising from 331 to 687 V, an increase of 107.25%. The relative performance of the device with and without AlGaO was also simulated. These enhancements were primarily due to the effective reduction of leakage current density and 2DEG formation by the beta-Ga2O3/(Al0.33Ga0.67)(2)O-3 layer, which was grown by the importance of precise growth parameters and structural design in advancing the performance of beta-Ga2O3 FETs, making them highly promising for high-power applications.Funding Agencies|Industrial Technology Research Institute; Higher Education Sprout Project of the National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University [2024 MOE UI-UAAT]; Ministry of Education (MOE), Taiwan; Industrial Technology Research Institute</p
Intersectional analysis of visual generative AI: the case of stable diffusion
No full textSince 2022, Visual Generative AI (vGenAI) tools have experienced rapid adoption and garnered widespread acclaim for their ability to produce high-quality images with convincing photorealistic representations. These technologies mirror society's prevailing visual politics in a mediated form, and actively contribute to the perpetuation of deeply ingrained assumptions, categories, values, and aesthetic representations. In this paper, we critically analyze Stable Diffusion (SD), a widely used open-source vGenAI tool, through visual and intersectional analysis. Our analysis covers; (1) the aesthetics of the AI-generated visual material, (2) the institutional contexts in which these images are situated and produced, and (3) the intersections between power systems such as racism, colonialism, and capitalism-which are both reflected and perpetuated through the visual aesthetics. Our visual analysis of 180 SD-generated images deliberately sought to produce representations along different lines of privilege and disadvantage-such as wealth/poverty or citizen/immigrant-drawing from feminist science and technology studies, visual media studies, and intersectional critical theory. We demonstrate how imagery produced through SD perpetuates pre-existing power systems such as sexism, racism, heteronormativity, and ableism, and assumes a default individual as white, able-bodied, and masculine-presenting. Furthermore, we problematize the hegemonic cultural values in the imagery that can be traced to the institutional context of these tools, particularly in the tendency towards Euro- and North America-centric cultural representations. Finally, we find that the power systems around SD result in the continual reproduction of harmful and violent imagery through technology, challenging the oft-underlying notion that vGenAI is culturally and aesthetically neutral. Based on the harms identified through our qualitative, interpretative analysis, we bring forth a reparative and social justice-oriented approach to vGenAI-including the need for acknowledging and rendering visible the cultural-aesthetic politics of this technology and engaging in reparative approaches that aim to symbolically and materially mend injustices enacted against social groups.Funding Agencies|Royal Institute of Technology; Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program - Humanities and Society (WASP-HS) - Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation grant [QC 20230614]; European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant [955422]</p
Australian fathers' experiences of caring for their preterm infants
No full textFathers and/or non-birthing partners are now actively involved in child-rearing globally; however some experience emotional difficulties during the perinatal period. With the birth of a preterm infant, parents experience additional stress beyond that normally engendered by having a baby, which can impact on parent-infant relationship and infant development. In Australia, there is limited evidence on fathers' experiences of preterm birth. Thus, this study aimed to explore the experiences of Australian fathers of preterm infants including their emotional and physical wellbeing when they have a preterm infant. Narrative inquiry guided the study; 13 fathers whose preterm infant was admitted to Australian neonatal units participated in in-depth interviews lasting 22-72 min. Data analysis generated four themes: (i) emotional response, (ii) fathers' wellbeing, (iii) fathering in neonatal unit and during transition home (iv) fathers' needs in the neonatal unit. The findings revealed that fathers felt emotionally overwhelmed, had specific needs but their role in the neonatal unit was not well defined and they felt mothers were given more attention. Despite feeling excluded, many continued to support their partner and infant. Health professionals must be aware of their unconscious biases toward gender roles in the neonatal unit and utilize strategies to actively include fathers and non-birthing partners.Funding Agencies|Edith Cowan University Early and Mid-Career Researcher Grant [G1004461]; Edith Cowan University</p
Abandonment - Ownership, Risk Allocation, and Legal Effects of Abandonment. : – An Analysis within Swedish Insolvency Law
No full textAbandonering utgör en ensidig disposition varigenom konkursboet avstår från viss egendom till förmån för gäldenären, trots att egendomen initialt omfattas av konkursbeslaget. Rättsinstitutet har historiska rötter i svensk rätt och har erkänts av Högsta domstolen bland annat i NJA 2004 s. 777, men är samtidigt varken tydligt eller heltäckande reglerat i lag. I praktiken innebär abandonering att gäldenären återfår rådigheten över egendomen, medan konkursboet befrias från skyldigheten att förvalta eller bära ansvaret för densamma. Detta är aktuellt när egendomen saknar ekonomiskt värde eller medför kostnader som överstiger det förväntade nettovärdet. Trots att abandonering kan förefalla ändamålsenligt, inte minst ur ett effektivitetsperspektiv, framträder flera problem. Bland annat riskerar återkallelsen av abandonering att föranleda strategiska överväganden från konkursförvaltaren, som tillfälligt kan avstå egendom med osäker nytta för att senare återkalla beslutet om omständigheterna förändras. Rättspraxis har bekräftat att abandonering kan återkallas under pågående konkurs, vilket exempelvis skapar oönskade konsekvenser för tredje man som i god tro eventuellt förvärvat egendomen. Därtill kan särskilda svårigheter uppstå när den övergivna egendomen är belastad med offentligrättsliga förpliktelser, exempelvis miljörättsligt ansvar, eftersom Mark- och miljööverdomstolen fastslagit (MÖD 2015:19) att konkursboet inte kan undandra sig offentligrättsligt ansvar enbart genom att abandonera egendomen. På samma sätt framstår situationen som särskilt komplicerad eftersom gäldenären kan vara en upplöst juridisk person; formellt sett ägs egendomen fortfarande av konkursbolaget, men någon faktisk företrädare som kan förfoga över eller ansvara för egendomen finns inte, vilket kan leda till vad som i praktiken framstår som herrelös egendom. Denna ordning aktualiserar behovet av en tydligare lagreglering som definierar abandoneringens räckvidd, oåterkallelighet och rättsverkningar, inte minst för att förutse vilka ansvarsfrågor och vilka ekonomiska intressen som står på spel. I flera utländska rättsordningar, exempelvis norsk och amerikansk rätt, återfinns mer uttryckliga regler eller en stadgad praxis som begränsar konkursförvaltarens möjligheter att återkalla ett avstående och klargör under vilka förutsättningar egendom får överges. I svensk rätt har frågan aktualiserats i såväl rättsvetenskaplig doktrin som i statliga utredningar (SOU 2010:2), där många förordar en kodifiering av abandoneringsrätten eller rentav ett nytt paradigm
Disclosure of changes in shareholdings on multilateral trading facilities - A necessary step or an unnecessary burden? : A study of how transparency and investor protection can co-exist with the need of lighter regulation for small and medium-sized enterprises.
No full textFlaggningsskyldigheten på värdepappersmarknaden innebär att större aktieägare är skyldiga att rapportera väsentliga förändringar i sitt innehav när andelen aktier eller rösträtter i ett bolag uppnår eller passerar vissa fastställda tröskelvärden. Flaggningsskyldigheten regleras i Europaparlamentet och rådets direktiv 2004/109/EG (öppenhetsdirektivet) och har implementerats i svensk rätt i 4 kap. 5 § lagen (1991:980) om handel med finansiella instrument (LHF). Syftet med reglerna är att främja öppenhet och investerarskydd samt att bidra till en välfungerande och förtroendeingivande värdepappersmarknad. Flaggningsskyldigheten gäller däremot endast bolag noterade på en reglerad marknad och det innebär att det inte finns någon skyldighet att flagga för bolag vars aktier är upptagna till handel på en multilateral handelsplattform, trots att de utgör en betydande del av kapitalmarknaden. Den distinktionen kan medföra risker för investerarskyddet och transparensen på marknaden eftersom marknadsaktörer på multilaterala handelsplattformar inte ges samma insyn i ägarstrukturer och kontrollförändringar som på en reglerad marknad. I uppsatsen granskas konsekvenserna av flaggningsskyldighetens icke-existens på multilaterala handelsplattformar och de potentiella risker som avsaknaden innebär för marknadens stabilitet och investerarnas förtroende. En diskussion förs angående hur en förändring av den svenska regleringen skulle kunna genomföras och vilka effekter som kan uppstå för olika aktörer på marknaden. Utvecklingen på nationell och unionsrättslig nivå tyder på att multilaterala handelsplattformar allt mer omfattas av samma regelverk som reglerade marknader. Därmed är det inte är en orimlig framtidsutsikt att flaggningsskyldigheten kan utvidgas från att endast omfatta reglerade marknader till andra handelsplatser, såsom multilaterala handelsplattformar. En utvidgad flaggningsskyldighet innebär å ena sidan en större transparens och starkare investerarskydd på multilaterala handelsplattformar, å andra sidan kan en sådan utökning innebära att multilaterala handelsplattformas syfte undermineras. I uppsatsen vägs fördelarna mot nackdelarna med en sådan reglering med hänsyn till behovet av en välbalanserad lagstiftning som både skyddar investerare och främjar små och medelstora företags tillgång till kapitalmarknaden. Slutsatserna i uppsatsen belyser att svaret huruvida flaggningsskyldighet ska föreligga på multilaterala handelsplattformar eller inte är avhängigt vilket perspektiv som åläggs och att det speglar den bredare debatten avseende balansgången mellan investerarskydd och marknadstillväxt
The effect and cost-effectiveness of a group-based parenting intervention for parents of preschool children with subclinical neurodevelopmental disorders and mental health problems: protocol for a multiple-baseline single-case experimental design (SCED) with a pre-, post and follow-up
No full textYoung children with subclinical neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and concurrent emotional and behavioral problems (EBP) are at significant risk of negative short- and long-term outcomes. Although early parenting support interventions are recommended and requested, there is a lack of interventions specifically designed for this group and adapted to the Swedish context. Based on this gap, a parenting support intervention for parents with children aged 2–6 years with subclinical NDDs and EBP has been co-created with clinicians and parents. The project described in this study protocol aims to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of this new group-based parenting intervention.Funding Agencies|Uppsala University; Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare [2023-01023]; Sunnerdahl Disability Fund Foundation [F10/23]</p
An aging population? A century of change among Swedish forest trees
No full textWe describe a century of change in Swedish forest using trees sampled for age, diameter, volume and species by the Swedish National Forest Inventory (NFI). Changes in the structure of the tree population since 1923 are described and related to changes in policy. During the first part of the study period, policy aimed at restoring the growing stock and productivity of forest areas, but with methods that changed over time. In the last 30 years, a new forestry policy was introduced, which included restoring the diversity of tree populations, on the assumption that this will also promote biodiversity. Over the last century, and on a national scale, the volume of timber had doubled, tree sizes had increased, older trees had become more common, even more so for broadleaf species in southern Sweden. The volume of today's protected forests has almost tripled, indicating reduced light, water, and nutrients for understory vegetation. We also considered two regional cases. The sparsely populated county of Norrbotten, which was the last region in Sweden to be exploited for forestry in the 1890s, had many old pines and many old but small spruces in 1926. These were reduced in the following decades, first by selective highgrading and then by extensive clear-cutting. After a change in policy around 1990, the negative trends levelled out. In densely populated south-central Sweden, forests have long been used for grazing, timber, fuelwood and charcoal production. During the last century, the volume of timber had tripled, older trees and broadleaves have become more abundant.Funding Agencies|Skogssallskapet; Swedish Research Council (VR) [825-2009]; [2023-1128-Steg 2 2022]</p
The Patronization of Pluvial Flood Risk and Adaptation Among Tenant-Owned Housing Associations in Sweden
No full textPluvial floods are increasingly affecting urban areas worldwide. Despite growing media attention and clear owner responsibility for reducing climate-related risk for buildings in Swedish national adaptation policy, adaptation action remains slow. Understanding how different property owner categories view and act on flood risks is key for developing better incentive structures and support for accelerating adaptation action. While tenant-owned housing is a common form of housing tenure in Sweden, studies are lacking. This study enhances understanding of pluvial flood risk and adaptation views and actions by tenant-owned housing associations in two Swedish cities. It is based on assessments of 69 apartment buildings within eleven tenant-owned associations and semi-structured interviews with their eleven chairpersons. The study indicates that tenant-owned associations grossly underestimate their flood risks and responsibilities for climate adaptation, even though many buildings studied are at significant risk, and most associations have been impacted by floods, some severely and recurrently. The patronization of flood risk and responsibility for adaptation is attributed to several factors: underestimating risks and consequences, devaluing the benefit of one’s own adaptation actions, lacking knowledge about climate adaptation measures for buildings, and (overly) generous insurance terms. The findings confirm low adaptation action among housing associations, even those with recurring floods, which is concerning given the strong reliance on property-owner adaptation in national adaptation policy.Stöd för aktörssamverkan och mångfunktionell anpassning av bostadsområden, Länsförsäkringars forskningsfond P1.19