Publikationer från Högskolan i Jönköping
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Optimization of ddPCR and Comparison of Analytical Sensitivity with Real-Time PCR for the Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato
No full textNeuroborrelios diagnostiseras i första hand med serologi, men metoden har låg sensitivitet i ett tidigt skede då antikroppar ännu inte utvecklats. Realtids-PCR används som komplement, men begränsas av låg bakteriehalt i cerebrospinalvätska . En alternativ metod är droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), som möjliggör absolut kvantifiering och kan ge högre känslighet vid låga koncentrationer. Syftet med denna studie var att optimera ddPCR samt jämföra dess analytiska sensitivitet med realtids-PCR för detektion av Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Optimeringen omfattade fastställande av annealing-temperatur och utvärdering av restriktionsenzym. En temperatur på 60 °C gav bäst separation mellan positiva och negativa droppar. Tillsatt restriktionsenzym visade däremot sämre droppseparation. För att jämföra metodernas sensitivitet analyserades en spädningsserie med B. garinii Lu59 med cDNA som mall och en syntetisk tillverkad DNA-kontroll. Båda metoder kunde detektera ned till 100 celler/mL i den biologiska serien och 2 molekyler/µL i den syntetiska. ddPCR och realtids-PCR uppvisade därmed likvärdig analytisk sensitivitet inom ramen för studiens upplägg. För att stärka resultatens tillförlitlighet och möjligheten att generalisera krävs ytterligare optimering och fler replikat.Lyme neuroborreliosis is primarily diagnosed using serology, but its sensitivity is limited in early stages due to delayed antibody response. Real-time PCR serves as a complementary method, though its diagnostic utility is restricted by low bacterial load in cerebrospinal fluid. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) has emerged as an alternative, enabling absolute quantification and potentially improved sensitivity at low concentrations. The aim of this study was to optimize ddPCR and evaluate its analytical sensitivity compared to real-time PCR for detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Optimization included determining the optimal annealing temperature and assessing the effect of restriction enzyme treatment. A temperature of 60 °C provided the best droplet separation. In contrast, addition of restriction enzyme negatively affected droplet clarity. Analytical sensitivity was assessed using two dilution series: one with B. garinii Lu59 (cDNA template), and one with a synthetic DNA control. Both methods detected down to 100 cells/mL in the biological series and 2 molecules/µL in the synthetic control. Within the limits of this study, ddPCR and real-time PCR demonstrated comparable analytical sensitivity. However, further optimization and increased replicates are required to improve the reliability and generalizability of the findings
”The relationship with legal guardians is equally important as the relationship with the children” : A qualitative study about the importance of relationships and relational work between pre-school teachers and legal guardians
No full textSyftet med studien är att bidra med kunskap om vilken betydelse relationsskapandet har för förskollärare och vårdnadshavare, med utgångspunkt i förskollärares beskrivningar. Frågeställningar som besvarats är: På vilket sätt beskriver förskollärare att relationerna till vårdnadshavare är betydelsefulla för deras arbete? Hur beskriver förskollärare sitt relationella arbete för att främja relationer till vårdnadshavare? Studien har genomförts med en kvalitativ metod, med hjälp av individuella semistrukturerade intervjuer med fem förskollärare. Studien och analysen har genomförts med en fenomenologisk ansats, enligt Bengtssons (2001) tolkning. Fenomenet som har undersökts är relationerna mellan förskollärare och vårdnadshavare. Resultatet visar på att relationen mellan förskollärare och vårdnadshavare kan underlätta förskollärares arbete eftersom det påverkar både deras egen motivation och barnens delaktighet i verksamheten. Att anpassa sig och sitt relationella arbete till olika vårdnadshavare, har i studien identifierats som en central aspekt i förskollärares relationella arbete. Utöver att anpassa sig ingår det i detta att vara medmänsklig och att dela på ansvaret för det relationella arbetet, såväl med kollegor som med vårdnadshavare.
From Hype to Hate : Understanding consumers participation in Cancel Culture against fashion brands
No full textBackground: The cognitive and social motivations that motivate Generation Z to engage in cancel culture are examined in this study, with a focus on fashion brands. Through combining Social Identity Theory (SIT) and Attribution Theory (AT), the study seeks to understand the dynamics that drive group action, guilt assignment, and the impact of social media on consumer activism. Previous studies showed that there is an increasing trend of digital consumer activism,in which people, particularly younger generations, utilize online forums to express their dissatisfaction with corporations that do not share their values. Purpose: The major goal of this study is to investigate the underlying variables affecting Generation Z's engagement in cancel culture, specifically with fashion businesses. The study uses SIT and AT to investigate how group connections, blame attribution, and social media influence or prevent consumer action. Furthermore, the study seeks to discover gender disparities in engagement with cancel culture and to provide strategic insights for fashion firms on how to approach consumer activism, particularly during times of crisis. Method: To explore what drives Generation Z to participate in cancel culture against fashion brands, this study used a quantitative survey approach. Drawing on concepts from SIT and AT, we developed three testable hypotheses focused on group identity, brand accountability, and the role of social media. Data was gathered through an online questionnaire, shared on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, and completed by 180 participants. The survey included a series of Likert-scale questions designed to capture attitudes, motivations, and behaviors related to cancel culture. The researchers analyzed the responses using SPSS, applying a mix of descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests to explore patterns and relationships in the data. Conclusion: The results show that among Generation Z, canceling actions are significantly influenced by perceived brand accountability and in-group identity. Individuals are encouraged to join activism movements via social media, which is recognized as a powerful amplifier of collective action. Differences by gender were also studied: women were more inclined than men to join in online activism and canceling brands as opposed to males. The study also revealed a disconnect between people's real involvement in cancel culture and their ethical intentions, underscoring the influence of belief of control on activism. These results highlight the significance of moral behavior and efficient crisis management, providing fashion firms with insightful advice on how to respond to consumer activism. Additionally, the study advances scholarly knowledge about digital consumers
The complexity of interculturality : A qualitative study on perceptions of interculturality in preschool
No full textSyftet med studien är att analysera hur förskollärare och rektorer uppfattar interkulturalitet i förskolan. Studien utgår från en kvalitativ metod med fenomenografi som teoretisk utgångspunkt. Teorin hjälper oss att synliggöra hur interkulturalitet uppfattas. Det empiriska materialet samlades in genom två fokusgruppsintervjuer, två individuella samt två par intervjuer. Totalt har sex intervjuer genomförts med åtta yrkesverksamma förskollärare och fyra rektorer. Resultatet visar både liknade och skilda uppfattningar kring interkulturalitet. Förskollärarna och rektorerna uppfattar interkulturalitet som en del av förskolans uppdrag och lyfter vikten av att belysa olika kulturella bakgrunder. Förskollärarna beskriver att interkulturalitet sker oftast vid spontana situationer än genom planerade aktiviteter och rektorerna betonar att interkulturalitet ska genomsyra hela verksamheten oavsett om det finns kulturella skillnader eller inte. Vidare lyfts samverkan med vårdnadshavare som betydelsefull men utmanande, speciellt på grund av språkbarriärer. Resultatets teman synliggör att interkulturalitet kan förstås som pedagogik, värde eller en yttre omständighet
Navigating Inflation and the Housing Market : Exploring Young Swedish Adults' Perceptions, Financial Decisions, and the Media's Influence
No full textProblematization: Young adults face significant problems when trying to enter the housing market amidst rising inflation, fluctuating interest rates, and the media's portrayal of economic conditions. While inflation’s effect on the housing market is recognized, there is limited research exploring how young adults perceive the implications of monetary decision made by the central bank. Central to this is oversimplified assumptions and media narratives misinterpreting economic realities, obscuring the correct impact of inflationary policies. As existing literature has limited research on the issue of individual perception and understanding of monetary policy, further research is needed to explore how these factors impact economic outlook and housing market entry. Purpose: The thesis aims to explore how young adults perceive the implications of inflationary decision making by the central bank and how it impacts their entry into the housing market. Additionally, the study seeks to delve into how media and social discourse impact and shape their perceptions. Method: An exploratory qualitative multiple-case study approach was used. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with young Swedish adults across the ages of 18-26. The data were analyzed using a systematic method and triangulated for credibility. Conclusion: The results emphasize that young adult’s express considerable scepticism towards the central bank and its policies, as it significantly impacts their ability to enter the housing market. They are highly influenced by media narratives and the media’s framing heightened stress and anxiety regarding these issues. High entry costs, economic uncertainty, and loan accessibility emerged as the main barriers for entry to the housing market. A distinct financial literacy gap was observed, highlighting the urgent need for improved financial literacy, better and more transparent communication from institutions, and policy changes to reduce the impact of the entry barriers
Students as Consumers: A Comparative Study of National and International Undergraduates' Decision-Making Processes at Jönköping University : A qualitative exploratory case study analyzing international and national students’ perspectives and experiences with the university decision making processes
No full textBackground: Higher education institutions face growing consumer-oriented trends because students base their university choices on academic performance and social and cultural aspects as well as financial considerations. The rising power of digital information together with global competition has made it essential to study how students from different nations and countries evaluate expectations against real experiences when choosing their degree programs Purpose: The research investigates how national and international undergraduate students at Jönköping University make their decisions and evaluates their pre-enrollment expectations against their actual university experiences through the five-stage consumer decision-making model. Method: The research design used a qualitative thematic approach with semi-structured interviews to collect data from both national and international students. The research team performed thematic analysis to discover major themes and patterns which emerged from student motivations and information search activities and alternative evaluation and post-enrollment experiences. Conclusion: The research investigates the selection process and university life experiences of both national and international students at Jönköping University. The research reveals significant discrepancies between what students expect and what they actually experience in their academic work and social connections and financial management. Students appreciated the university's reputation and international atmosphere yet struggled with theoretical teaching methods and social divisions and expensive living expenses. The research demonstrates that students function as knowledgeable consumers who pursue academic worth alongside authentic experiences through the application of the consumer decision-making model
"A voice in society – not a bystander” : Teachers work with conversational skills in the Swedish subject for grades F-3
No full textDenna studie befinner sig inom ämnesområdet svenskdidaktik med fokus på samtalsförmågan i årskurs F-3. Eftersom samtalsförmågan är mindre utforskat är det nödvändigt att belysa lärares arbete med denna del av språkutvecklingen. Syftet är att undersöka hur lärare i F-3 främjar elevers samtalsförmåga i svenskundervisningen samt vilka möjligheter och utmaningar de möter. Studien utgår från dialogisk undervisning i vilket samtal ses som en pedagogisk hållning för att stimulera elevers lärande. Metoden består av kvalitativa, semistrukturerade intervjuer med fem verksamma lärare från olika skolor i Sverige. Resultatet visar att lärare använder strategier som EPA-modellen, samtalsbörjor och öppna frågor samt betonar vikten av trygga klassrumsmiljöer. Utmaningar som lyfts är brist på tid, stora elevgrupper och språkliga variationer. Studien drar slutsatsen att elevers samtalsförmåga gynnas av många och varierade möjligheter till muntlig interaktion i undervisningen.This study is within the subject area of Swedish didactics with a focus on conversation skills in grades F-3. As conversation skills are less explored, it is necessary to shed light on teachers' work with this part of language development. The aim is to investigate how teachers in grades F-3 promote students' conversational skills in Swedish teaching and what opportunities and challenges they encounter. The study is based on dialogic teaching in which conversation is seen as a pedagogical approach to stimulate students' learning. The method consists of qualitative, semi-structured interviews with five active teachers from different schools in Sweden. The results show that teachers use strategies such as the EPA model, conversation starters and open questions, and emphasize the importance of safe classroom environments. Challenges highlighted are lack of time, large student groups and language variations. The study concludes that students' conversational skills benefit from many and varied opportunities for oral interaction in the classroom.
Sustainability-Oriented Innovation as a Sustained Competitive Advantage Within Fashion Industry : A Study of Scandinavian Slow Fashion Companies
No full textBackground:As sustainability becomes increasingly central to business discourse, companies are under growing pressure to integrate sustainability into their core operations. While many fashion firms address sustainability through surface-level initiatives or marketing, slow fashion brands have emerged as an alternative to the dominant fast fashion model. In Scandinavia, where consumer awareness of sustainability is high, these firms present a unique opportunity to examine how sustainability-oriented innovation (SOI) can function not only as a value-driven approach, but also as a strategic tool for achieving long-term competitive success. Purpose:The purpose of this research is to explore whether SOI leads to a sustained competitive advantage (SCA) among slow fashion firms operating within the Scandinavian fashion industry. This study investigates how deeply integrated sustainability practices contribute to value creation, and whether they meet the conditions outlined in the VRIO framework: value, rarity, inimitability, and organizational support. Method:This thesis adopts a qualitative research design, drawing on both primary and secondary data. One open-ended Email questionnaire and three semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives from Scandinavian slow fashion firms. The data was analyzed thematically and interpreted through the lenses of the SOI framework and the VRIO model. Secondary data on fast fashion firms was also incorporated to provide a strategic contrast. Conclusion:The study concludes that by integrating SOI in a Scandinavian fashion firm, it can contribute meaningfully to SCA. The findings highlight that when aligning SOI with internal values and operations, it is not only ethically driven but also strategically effective. While its SCA may be challenged by industry shifts and imitation, the depth and consistency of implementation remain key differentiators for the studied firms
Regional Investment Drivers in Residential Construction : Impact of Population Growth, GDP Growth, and Interest Rates on Residential Construction Investments (2008-2023)
No full textThis thesis examines the regional factors influencing residential construction investments in Sweden from 2008 to 2023, focusing on the role of population growth, regional economic performance (GDP growth), and interest rates. Utilizing location theory as the main theory, together with land use theory, and the location choice model, all as the frame of reference in this study. The study uses quantitative methodology for the data analysis and employs correlation analysis, reliability testing (Cronbach’s alpha), and multiple linear regression to analyze data sourced from Statistics Sweden and Sveriges Riksbank. Findings showed that population growth and regional GDP significantly drive residential construction, explaining approximately 85% of the variation in housing activity across Swedish regions. Surprisingly, the central bank interest rate showed no statistically significant impact, likely due to construction companies transferring interest costs to homebuyers. This study highlights regional disparities, identifying metropolitan regions such as Stockholm, Västra Götaland, and Skåne as primary areas of investment. These insights provide valuable guidance for policymakers and real estate investors seeking to understand and capitalize on regional housing trends. Future research is recommended to explore additional influential factors like infrastructure development and regulatory conditions
Institutionella påverkan på den svenska detaljhandeln : En studie av små konceptbutiker och second hand-franchiser i Jönköping
No full text This study investigates institutional pressures’ influence on Swedish retail stores in Jönköping and how they navigate them while maintaining their current practices. With this objective, we interviewed six owners and managers from small fashion retail stores in Jönköping, Sweden, including independent and franchise-operated businesses. The reported challenges for implementing sustainable strategies were normative pressures, coercive pressures, and barriers such as the tension between sustainability and economic efficiency, a lack of governmental support, and insufficient financial incentives - especially prominent among independent retailers. Moreover, it was found that normative and mimetic pressures appeared to be the strongest drivers of sustainable efforts from the store owners and managers. When navigating their sustainability efforts, they would do so through internal drivers, aligning with internal and customer eco-values, and adopting circular practices such as reuse, repair, or product lifecycle extension. Our main findings support institutional theory by identifying a significant gap in coercive pressure from governmental institutions and a need for increased financial support to make sustainable transitions more realistic for retail stores. Moreover, we contribute new insights into the conflict between sustainability objectives and economic efficiency. This paper has significant implications for managers, store owners, and policymakers, highlighting the need to strengthen regulatory standards and financial incentives to support better sustainable and circular practices in the fashion retail sector