Dalarna University College Electronic Archive
Not a member yet
13986 research outputs found
Sort by
Functions and Forms of Humor in Children's Literature on Blended Families : An Analysis of Three Selected Children's Books of Contemporary German-Language Literature
No full textDas Bild der Familie in der Gesellschaft hat sich von der klassischen Kernfamilie zu einer größeren Vielfalt geändert und die Patchworkfamilie wird damit in der Kinder- und Jugendliteratur immer häufiger. In dieser Arbeit betrachte ich drei Kinderbücher für Kinder im Alter von 9 bis 12 Jahren, in denen Patchworkfamilien und die damit verbundenen Konflikte ein zentrales Thema sind, und untersuche mittels textimmanenter Analyse, wie Humor in Form von Komik und Ironie verwendet wird. Es stellt sich heraus, dass hauptsächlich Komik verwendet wird und Humor oft ein Mittel ist, um schwierige Situationen aufzulockern
Recruiters’ use of the STAR Method to assess Cultural Competence in Candidates : A Qualitative Case Study within a Global Company
No full textThe aim of this master’s thesis is to examine how recruiters in a globally operating company assess candidates within a competency-based recruitment strategy and their actions in identifying cultural competence among candidates. The aim is also to assess what impacts cultural competence may have on productivity and collaboration. This study is relevant within the field of Business Administration and International Human Resource Management (IHRM) research, as there is limited research on how recruiters define and assess cultural competence within recruitment processes, indicating a knowledge gap in this area. The study adopts an organisational perspective, in which cultural competence incorporates both individual and organisational adjustments, thereby making a global organisational perspective appropriate. The study was conducted as a qualitative case study. Empirical data were collected through seven interviews and triangulated with the analysis of an internal policy document from the global company. The findings demonstrate that the recruiters assess preferred competencies using a competencybased recruitment strategy, guided by semi-structured questions aligned with the STAR method. It is evident that the recruiters identify cultural competence through the elements of cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, and cultural adaptability by asking interview questions related to frequently sought competencies such as collaboration skills, communication ability, flexibility, and adaptability. Cultural fit emerges as a natural outcome when both organisations and individuals demonstrate cultural competence, which may, in turn, lead to increased productivity, enhanced collaboration, and overall business success. The study offers a theoretical contribution to IHRM research by presenting a model developed by the author to illustrate how recruiters assess cultural competence in candidates. In this model, cultural fit, productivity, and collaboration are viewed as outcomes that may contribute to business success. The author therefore argues that the study provides both an empirically grounded and a theoretically informed contribution to future research.
Navigating Job Demands and Resources : Experiences of Neurodivergent Employees in the Workplace
No full textWorkplace inclusion of neurodivergent employees is increasingly recognised as a core component of sustainable and equitable organisational practice. However, most research has still largely considered managerial or HR professional perspectives, disregarding the lived experiences of neurodivergent employees.The aim of this research is to explore perceptions of neurodivergent employees regarding their job demands, job resources, and leadership behaviours in the workplace, and how these factors influence their occupational well-being. A qualitative research design was used, involving semi-structured interviews with eight neurodivergent employees working in organisations with established neurodiversity initiatives. Purposive sampling was conducted to select participants, and the data were analysed using template analysis guided by the Job Demands-Resources Model. The study shows that neurodivergent employees experience cognitive, emotional, organisational, and identity-related demands that affect their occupational wellbeing. At the same time, formal and informal resources like workplace accommodations, autonomy, social and peer support, clear feedback, and personal resources like internal motivation, were described by participants as essential in maintaining their performance and occupational well-being. Leadership behaviours were identified as a core influence, with supportive leadership enhancing access to resources and psychological safety, while constraining behaviours increased stress and chances for burnout. The research contributes to the existing literature by prioritising employee voices within the JD-R model and emphasises the importance of proactive, inclusive leadership and tailored support mechanisms. Future studies should continue centring neurodivergent perspectives and explore how inclusive practices can be better integrated across organisational contexts
Användningen av agila ramverk och metoder i ett IT företag : En explorativ fallstudie av teamarbete
No full textThis study explores the application of agile framework practices and methods within the teams of an IT company in Sweden. The aim is to identify which agile frameworks and methods are most commonly used, what challenges are faced in team work, and opportunities for improvement. The research focuses on two agile frameworks: SAFe and ITIL 4, and three methods: Scrum, XP, and Kanban. Data was collected through interviews, questionnaires, and observations. The findings reveal that while agile practices are widely recognized, their implementation is often adapted to suit local team contexts rather than strictly following formal frameworks. Key challenges include limited documentation, long iteration cycles, lack of automation, and difficulties aligning with clients who do not use agile methods. Despite these challenges, teams benefit from daily routines, collaborative practices, and a flexible approach to agile adoption. The study draws on theoretical models to analyze situational factors and the level of agile maturity influencing agile adoption. The study concludes that continuous learning, shared understanding, and organizational support are essential for improving agile practices and methods, as well as achieving long-term adaptability and collaboration within the teams.Denna studie undersöker tillämpningen av agila ramverksmetoder och arbetssätt inom teamen på ett IT-företag i Sverige. Syftet är att identifiera vilka agila ramverk och metoder som är vanligast förekommande, vilka utmaningar som uppstår i teamarbetet samt vilka förbättringsmöjligheter som finns. Forskningen fokuserar på två agila ramverk: SAFe och ITIL 4, samt tre metoder: Scrum, XP och Kanban. Data samlades in genom intervjuer, enkäter och observationer. Resultaten visar att även om agila arbetssätt är allmänt erkända, anpassas deras tillämpning ofta efter det lokala teamets kontext snarare än att strikt följa formellara mverk. Centrala utmaningar inkluderar begränsad dokumentation, långa iterationer, brist på automatisering och svårigheter att samordna med kunder som inte använder agila metoder. Trots dessa utmaningar drar teamen nytta av dagliga rutiner, samarbetsinriktade arbetssätt och ett flexibelt förhållningssätt till agil tillämpning. Studien bygger på teoretiska modeller för att analysera situationsfaktorer och nivån av agil mognad som påverkar tillämpning av agila metoder. Studien drar slutsatsen att kontinuerligt lärande, gemensam förståelse och organisatoriskt stöd är avgörande för att förbättra agila arbetssätt och metoder samt för att uppnå långsiktig anpassningsförmåga och samarbete inom teamen
Lärare och demokratiuppdraget : En intervjustudie om skolans dubbla uppdrag
No full textSyftet med studien är att bidra med en fördjupad förståelse för hur lärare i årskurs F-3 tolkar och genomför skolans demokratiska uppdrag, med särskilt fokus på begreppen demokrati och solidaritet. Studien utgår från skolans dubbla uppdrag – att både förmedla kunskap och fostra demokratiska medborgare. Sex kvalitativa, semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med verksamma lärare, materialet transkriberades och analyserades sedan tematiskt utifrån studiens syfte och frågeställningar. Resultat visar att lärarna uppfattar det dubbla uppdraget som sammanlänkat och centralt i deras yrkesutövning. Demokratiska värden undervisas inte genom enskilda lektioner, utan genomsyrar hela skolvardagen genom exempelvis klassråd, omröstningar och gemensamma beslut. Trygghet, tillit och relationer beskrivs som avgörande för att eleverna ska våga uttrycka sina åsikter och delta aktivt. Arbetet med solidaritet och värdegrund framträder som ett ständigt och praktiskt relationsarbete. Studien visar att demokrati och solidaritet främst lärs ut genom delaktighet och interaktion snarare än genom teoretisk undervisning, vilket understryker lärarens roll som förebild i elevernas demokratiska fostran.SO</p
الوظيفة المرجعية في أدب الأطفال تحليل الخصائص اللغوية البيئيّة في قصتي: سيرينيا وإنها زهرة واحدة : The Referential Function in Children's Literature: An Analysis of Ecolinguistic Characteristics in the Stories "Sīrīnā" and "It's Only One Flower"
No full textيعتمد هذا البحث على قراءة قصّتين مصورتين للأطفال وتحليلهما تحليلاً لغويّاً بيئياً، هما قصة: سيرينيا، لشيخة الزيارة،(2022) وقصة: إنها زهرة واحدة، لهدى الشاعر،(2024)، من خلال فحص مدى أدبية النصّين وفقاً لمعادلة سعد مصلوح، ثمّ البحث عن الوظيفة اللغوية المهيمنة على النصّين وفق نظرية وظائف اللغة لياكوبسون وربط ذلك بالأساليب البلاغية العربية، ومن ثَمّ تطبيق الأسس النظرية التي افترضها الكاتب لورنس بيول في كتابه الخيال البيئي على الأفكار البيئية المتجسدة في النصين ومدى تلائم ذلك مع الوظيفة اللغوية. إذ أصبح النقد البيئي يشكّلُ ميداناً حيويّاً خصباً في مجال الدراسات النقديّة الحديثة، وبدأ يشهد حضوراً ملحوظاً في الدراسات الأدبية والنقدية. وساهمت الأفكار البيئية التي تهتم بالبيئة والحياة ومستقبل الكون في تشكيل موضوعات أساسيّة للنصوص الأدبية شعراً ونثراً، وبما أنّ أدب الأطفال هو جزء مهم من حقل الأدب العام فقد تأثر بالأفكار البيئيّة وتوسّعت دائرة الموضوعات فيه لتتجسد في نماذج تركّز ضمناً على تنمية هذا الوعي البيئي وحضوره الدائم في عقل الطفل القارئ. توصّل البحث إلى أن مصطلح الأدبية ينطبق على النصّين وأن الوظيفة المهيمنة عليهما هي الوظيفة المرجعية حسب ياكوبسون فضلاً عن غلبة الجمل الخبرية بلاغياً عليهما لتتناسب مع الدور اللغوي للوظيفة المهيمنة، وأيضاً حضور الوعي البيئي في القصتين والتنبيه على خطرين يهددان البيئة؛ الأول يهدد الكائنات البحرية والثاني يهدد وجود النحل. This study undertakes a reading and ecolinguistic analysis of two children picture books: Sīrīnā by Shaykha Al-Ziyāra (2022) and It's Only One Flower by Hudā Al-Shā'ir (2014). The research examines the literariness of both texts according to Sa'd Maṣlūḥ's model, then investigates the dominant linguistic function in the texts according to Jakobson's theory of language functions and its relationship to Arabic rhetorical methods. Subsequently, the study applies the theoretical foundations proposed by Lawrence Buell in his work The Environmental Imagination to the environmental ideas embodied in the two texts. It then examines the extent to which these ideas align with the linguistic function. Ecocriticism has emerged as a vital and fertile field within contemporary critical studies and has begun to establish a notable presence in literary and critical scholarship. Environmental ideas concerned with the environment, life, and the future of the universe have contributed to shaping fundamental themes in literary texts, both poetry and prose. Since children's literature constitutes an important part of the broader literary field, it has been influenced by environmental ideas, and its thematic range has expanded to include works that implicitly foster environmental awareness in young readers. The research concludes that the term literariness applies to both texts and that the dominant function in them is the referential function according to Jakobson, in addition to the rhetorical predominance of declarative sentences, which corresponds to the linguistic role of the dominant function. The study also identifies the presence of environmental awareness in both stories, highlighting two environmental threats: one to marine creatures and another to existence of bees
An Exploratory Study for Proteomic-Based Markers of Joint Pain and Chronic Back Pain
No full textBACKGROUND: Joint pain and chronic back pain are highly prevalent in the aging population and have a large impact on life quality. As the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, this exploratory cross-sectional study aimed to discover proteins and pathways associated with these two pain conditions in Swedish 70-year-old men. METHODS: Plasma proteins (n = 720) were measured in participants from the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men (ULSAM; n = 931) using Olink target panels. Participants self-reported current joint pain or continuous back pain during the past year. We used logistic regression with multiple testing adjustments and RIDGE regression (selecting ~10% highest-ranking proteins) to identify proteins associated with either joint or chronic back pain, which were then investigated for clusters and pathway enrichments. RESULTS: Out of 931 subjects with protein data, 131 reported joint pain and 31 reported chronic back pain. We identified 19 (significant after multiple testing adjustment) and 25 (nominally significant) highest-ranking proteins associated with joint and chronic back pain, respectively. Enriched pathways included immune responses, inflammation, lipid, coagulation and rheumatoid arthritis pathways. Similar pathways were found for both joint and chronic back pain, even though only two proteins were associated with both these pain conditions. CONCLUSIONS: This exploratory proteomics study provides support for systemic inflammation as a common underlying mechanism for joint and chronic back pain. Although similar pathways were found for both pain conditions, the selected proteins differed. Nevertheless, caution is advised due to low sample size and validation in larger studies including both women and men is needed. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Logistic and RIDGE regression analyses indicated that joint pain and chronic back pain were associated with different proteins, which were enriched for similar inflammatory pathways
Predictive Value of Serum N-Terminal pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide and Troponin T for Incident Heart Failure : A Meta-Analysis of 9 International Cohorts
No full textBACKGROUND: Prior prediction equations for heart failure (HF) omitted cardiac biomarkers and used select populations. We assessed the added value of NT-proBNP (NT-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide) and hsTnT (high-sensitivity troponin T) as predictors of HF, across a broad population, including participants with chronic kidney disease or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Among 41 427 individuals free of HF from 9 prospective cohort studies, we performed an individual-participant data meta-analysis, quantifying the associations of NT-proBNP and hsTnT with incident HF when added to a clinical model. Changes in Harrel's C-statistic with and without NT-proBNP or hsTnT were estimated within each cohort and then pooled using random effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Over a mean of 11 years, 4599 incident HFs occurred. A 2-fold higher NT-proBNP was associated with incident HF (meta-analyzed hazard ratio [HR], 1.47 [95% CI, 1.38-1.56]), P<0.001, with no interaction between NT-proBNP and estimated glomerular filtration rate (HR, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.94-1.02], P=0.33) or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (HR, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.93-1.02], P=0.48). Adding NT-proBNP significantly increased the C-statistic by 0.030 (95% CI, 0.021-0.040, P<0.001) over the clinical model. Similar results were seen for hsTnT [meta-analyzed HR per 2-fold higher hsTnT 1.41 (95% CI, 1.30-1.54), P<0.001], but C-statistic increased by only 0.008 (95% CI, 0.005-0.011, P<0.001). In models that included NT-proBNP, addition of hsTnT had a smaller effect (change in C-statistic, 0.002 [95% CI, 0.001-0.003], P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: NT-proBNP improved risk discrimination of incident HF when added to traditional HF risk factors, even in individuals with chronic kidney disease and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The contribution of hsTnT was modest. Measurement of NT-proBNP may help identify individuals at risk of HF.Collaborators: CKD Prognosis Consortium</p
INTO THE DIVINE/COLORVISION
No full textIn memory of the Finnish Nobel Prize winner Ragnar Granit. The goal of this project is a site-specific audiovisual performance with video-mapped projections and ambient music. It will take place in The Finnish Church in Stockholm during Nobel Week Lights 2025. The project is a collaboration between Tanja La Luna Jørgensen and Finnish audiovisual artist Mikael "Mike" Södergrann. In order to investigate the relationship between projected light and ambient music, both church organ, piano and electronic instruments such as synthesizers and drum machines will be used as a control signal for shaping the video projection. Shapes and colors in the video projection will then be triggered in real time by the frequencies of the sound, to achieve harmony between sound and image. The project aims to explore the technology in such a system in order to develop and handle it in a concert context during a performance. The aim is also to investigate the spiritual place with regard to architecture and acoustics and study its influence on decisions in an artistic process with a site-specific audiovisual work. The performance is intended to be designed with inspiration from Finnish Nobel Prize winner Ragnar Granit's basic research on the eye's color vision, where electromagnetic wavelengths in the light spectrum are converted via the eye's cones and rods into electrical impulses for the brain to interpret. In a similar way, one could use electrical control signals generated by the waveforms of the sound to manipulate the appearance of the image which is then projected onto the surfaces of the room
Integrated Operation and Charging Controls for Ride-Sharing Electric Autonomous Mobility-on-Demand Systems
No full textThis study proposes an integer linear program model for ride-sharing, electric, autonomous mobility on demand (RE-AMoD) system operations and develops a model predictive control (MPC) algorithm to optimize the decisions of ride matching, vehicle routing, rebalancing, and charging. The system ensures that electric autonomous vehicles provide transportation services for up to two customers to share a ride and that they can be charged automatically during the operating period. The RE-AMoD problem is formulated as a network flow optimization problem considering ride-sharing and charging control. The objective is to minimize the customers' waiting time while minimizing the system's energy consumption. An iterative MPC is developed to compute the optimal control policy for real-time control. The case study uses real-world data from San Francisco to validate the model performance by comparing benchmark models in an RE-AMoD simulation platform and investigating the impact of ride-sharing and smart charging strategies on system performance by comparing models with no ride-sharing and heuristic charging strategies. The results show that the smart charging policy is critical for realizing ride-sharing's full advantages in RE-AMoD systems. Allowing the sharing of trips significantly improves system performance in terms of reducing fleet sizes and energy consumption while improving the customer level of service