Mid Sweden University
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IDE-Projektet : En studie om inflytande, delaktighet och empowerment bland unga med intellektuell funktionsnedsättning
No full textEquvance : Design av benskydd för hästar
No full textHästsport är en av Sveriges största sporter och spelar en viktig roll i många människors liv. Hästar är stora och känsliga djur som lätt skadar sig, särskilt på benen där de saknar skyddande muskler. För att minska risken för skador används ibland benskydd. Syftet med detta examensarbete är att utveckla ett designkoncept för ett benskydd till hästens framben, avsett för ridning och med fokus på att optimera temperaturen för att undvika senskador. Målet var att säkerställa god temperatur och förbättra passform, komfort och hållbarhet samt utforma produkten i linje med PS of Swedens formspråk. Hästens ben är känsliga för överhettning. Trots att dagens benskydd skyddar mot slag och stötar, saknar många tillräcklig ventilation och temperaturreglerande egenskaper. Projektet har genomförts i samarbete med PS of Sweden och utgått från designprocessen Double Diamond. Genom litteraturstudier, enkät, intervjuer, observationer och användartester identifierades användarnas behov och marknadens brister. Resultatet visade att överhettning, dålig justerbarhet och låg hållbarhet är vanligt förekommande problem. Det slutgiltiga designförslaget, Equvance, är ett funktionellt och estetiskt tilltalande benskydd som med hjälp av temperaturreglerande material i kombination med en ventilationslösning minskar risken för överhettning. Skyddet har även justerbara spännen för flexibel passform och storleksanpassning, utbytbara delar och en konstruktion som skyddar hästens mest utsatta områden. Designkonceptet förenar funktion, komfort, hållbarhet och estetik och är anpassad för både hästens välmående och ryttarens användarupplevelse.Equestrian sport is one of Sweden’s largest sports and plays an important role in many people’s lives. Horses are large and sensitive animals and can easily be injured, especially on their legs where they lack protective muscles. To reduce the risk of injury, leg protectors are sometimes used. This thesis aims to develop a design concept for a leg protector for horses’ front legs, intended for riding and focusing on optimising the temperature to prevent tendon injuries. The objective was to ensure optimal temperature and improve the fit and comfort and enhance durability of the product, while designing the product in line with the PS of Sweden design language. Horses’ legs are sensitive to overheating. Despite the fact that today’s leg protectors protect against impacts and shocks, many lack sufficient ventilation and temperature-regulating properties. The project was carried out in collaboration with PS of Sweden and was based on the Double Diamond design process. Through literature reviews, surveys, interviews, observations and user tests, were used to identify user needs and market gaps. The results showed that overheating, poor adjustability and low durability are common problems. The final design proposal, the Equvance, is a functional and aesthetically pleasing leg protector that uses temperature-regulating materials combined with a ventilation solution to reduce the risk of overheating. It also features adjustable buckles for a flexible fit and sizing, interchangeable parts and a design that protects the horse’s most vulnerable areas. The design concept combines function, comfort, durability and aesthetics, and is customized for the well-being of the horse and the riders’ user experience
Tenets of Disinformation : A Qualitative Case Study of Russian Influence Campaigns on Social Media
No full textThis is a qualitative case study about Russian influence campaigns on social media. It concerns the case of the Tenet Media scandal, in which several popular American right-wing influencers were revealed to be paid by the Russian government to produce videos spreading messages beneficial to the interests of the Kremlin. The purpose of the thesis was to identify the general political views expressed by the influencers. The study was conducted using a frame analysis method of their 10 most popular YouTube videos; 2 from each of the influencers, wherein each video’s message was determined by identifying what was presented as a problem, who were presented as actors in the problem, who/what was presented as the cause of the problem, and what solutions were presented to the problem. The study concluded that the influencers’ political views primarily played into a wider anti-transgender moral panic, followed by concerns about immigration varying from border security to white supremacist conspiracy theories, and a strong distrust of government, academia and scientific- and medical institutions. The views of the influencers were almost completely uniform; differing only in their trust or distrust of the police.2025-08-22</p
Peatland trees record strong and temporally stable hydroclimate information in tree-ring δ13C and δ18O
No full textPeatland trees are valuable archives of paleoclimatic information; however, gaps persist in understanding the relationships between tree growth, peatland hydrology, and hydroclimate variables. While previous research in peatlands has mainly focused on tree-ring widths (TRW), yielding inconclusive results, the potential of stable carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotopes in tree rings remains unexplored. In this study, we develop TRW, δ13C, and δ18O chronologies of Scots pine trees located in a Swedish peatland and a reference site on bedrock with a mineral soil layer. We assess their responses to hydroclimate conditions and evaluate their potential for reconstructing hydroclimate variations. Our findings show significant differences in mean TRW and δ13C values between the peatland and reference sites. Moreover, while TRWs do not exhibit distinct common patterns between sites, both δ13C and δ18O site chronologies show uniform year-to-year variations across all sites. Some discrepancies for TRW and δ13C site chronologies emerge, however, regarding multi-decadal trends. While the climate sensitivity of TRW is weak and non-homogenous, the δ13C and δ18O peatland and reference chronologies contain robust and consistent signals, with a maximum sensitivity to water table, precipitation, and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) variations during summer. Both δ13C and δ18O chronologies show stable relationships with three key hydroclimate variables over time. In conclusion, while TRWs from living peatland pines at our sites have limited potential to record high-frequency hydroclimate information, δ13C and δ18O chronologies can serve as excellent proxies for the reconstruction of past hydroclimate changes.
A perspective on competitive freeride skiing and snowboarding
No full textFreeride skiing and snowboarding-collectively termed competitive freeriding-have evolved from niche extreme sports into formally recognized disciplines under the International Ski & Snowboard Federation (FIS). Unlike traditional alpine or freestyle events, competitive freeriding emphasizes creative line selection, technical execution, fluidity, style, and aerial maneuvers on natural, ungroomed mountain terrain. Athletes descend complex slopes based solely on visual inspection, without practice runs, facing unique physical and psychological challenges. This perspective article outlines the competition format and judging system, identifies key physiological and biomechanical demands, and reviews essential equipment and safety considerations. Despite growing popularity and institutional recognition, scientific research remains limited-primarily focused on avalanche risk and injury incidence-while other dimensions, such as psychological resilience, creative expression, and environmental connectedness, remain underexplored. Physiologically, competitive freeriders require high levels of eccentric and explosive strength, core stability, reactive control, and anaerobic endurance to navigate variable terrain and absorb impact during aerial maneuvers. Lower-extremity injuries-particularly anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures-are a major concern. Technological advances in drone-based filming, athlete monitoring, and protective equipment are reshaping freeride competition and broadcasting. As the sport moves toward potential Olympic inclusion, the central challenge lies in embracing innovation without compromising the core values of freedom, improvisation, and connection to the mountain environment
Dari version of Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) in a sample of Afghan students
No full textSuicide is one of the leading causes of death in countries experiencing widespread social and psychological crises. In recent years, Afghanistan has faced numerous challenges that have severely affected individuals' mental health. However, there has been no reliable and validated self-report tool with sufficient sensitivity and specificity to identify Afghans at risk of suicidal behavior. This study aimed to translate and validate the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) in a sample of Afghan university students using a descriptive and validation-based design. The study included 230 undergraduate students from Herat University during the 2024-2025 academic year, selected through convenience sampling, who completed an online Qualtrics survey. To assess test-retest reliability, 40 participants completed the SBQ-R again after two weeks. The SBQ-R and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) were administered. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good fit for the one-factor model (chi(2)/df=1.23, CFI=0.99, RMSEA=0.03). Criterion validity showed significant positive correlations between the SBQ-R and depression, anxiety, and stress (P<0.05). Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were both satisfactory. Overall, the Dari version of the SBQ-R demonstrated strong psychometric properties and is recommended as a reliable instrument for research and clinical assessment among Afghan populations
Retorisk narrativ analys av Ann-Helén Laestadius roman Straff : Utifrån en didaktisk läsart
No full textIdag har samisk litteratur mer plats inom littertaurvärlden och en av de mest framgångsrika samiska författarna i moderna tid är Ann-Helén Laestadius. I denna uppsats analyseras hennes roman Straff (2023) och i analysen har teorierna retorisk narrativ teori och postkolonialism använts. Syftet med uppsatsen var att identifiera vilka retoriska resurser som författaren använt för att kommunicera kritik mot majoritetssamhället. Vidare var syftet att se vilka möjligheter romanen har i arbetet med ämnesplanen för svenska på gymnasialnivå och skolans värdegrund. I analysen framkommer det att karaktärer, aktörer, händelser, miljö, gaps, språk och kultur har använts som retoriska resurser av författaren för att kommunicera kritik mot det svenska majoritetssamhället. Detta leder även till att läsaren får ett kritiskt ställningstagande till majoritetssamhället. Till sist visar analysen på att roman har goda möjligheter i arbetet med skolans värdegrund och undervisningen i svenska på gymnasiet. Romanen går att använda i undervisningen i alla tre nivåer i svenskämnet, samt visar analysen att det finns möjligheter att använda romanen i ämnesöverskridande undervisning.Slutgiltigt godkännandedatum: 2025-06-04</p
An evaluation of parents' perceptions of the quality of care of an intervention provided for children with mild to moderate health problems
No full textBackground Mental health problems are increasing among children and adolescents. Parents play a pivotal role in care, and intervention programmes have been introduced directed towards children with mild to moderate mental health problems. Due to long waiting times for specialised psychiatric care, such programmes could serve as means to ease the burden on mental health clinics for children 6-14 years. The aim of this study was to evaluate parents' assessments of the quality of care of an intervention programme and associations with the children's physical and mental health after treatment. Methods Parents' assessment of the quality of care was investigated through a questionnaire. Outcome variables were parents' perceptions of the children's physical and mental health after treatment. Explanatory variables were background factors, care organisation and the content of care. Findings 31% of the parents assessed their child's physical health as less than good, and 46% their child's mental health as less than good, after treatment. Long waiting times (OR 2.50; 1.17-5.30), parents' ability to have private conversations with the therapist (OR 0.45; 0.22-0.94), and deficiencies in the content of care were associated with less good physical health after treatment. Less good mental health after treatment was associated with older age of children (OR 2.01; 1.01-3.99) and deficiencies in care content. Conclusion Age of the child, long waiting time, and perceived deficiencies in the content of care were associated with less physical and mental well-being of the child after the intervention. These findings call for improvement of care
”Since why is difficult to handle, one must take refuge in how” : Hur berättandet påverkas av traumat i The bluest eye
No full textIn her debut novel, Toni Morrison describes the tragic course of events where a father sexually abuses his daughter and the whole society abandons her. By examining the novel based on the theory of broken narrative, an increased understanding can be achieved for how Morrison chooses to tell the story, focusing on how trauma influences the narrative in content, form and thematic. A study of the kernel (i.e. central event), which is the father’s rape, shows how the trauma permeates the novel: the fragmented, disorganized, ambiguous structure are symptoms of the trauma, which causes the narrative to break the temporal, causal and thematic coherence. The characters are complex and show occasionally unpredictable behavior in their search for purpose. Morrison’s intention in writing the novel this way is interpretated, via the theory, to activate the readers and enable them to use their own experience and imagination when deciphering the novel’s underlying message. By choosing to keep gaps of untold and uncertainty in the story, Morrison facilitates reflections and questioning of the guilt and responsibility of why we humans discriminate each other. The broken narrative helps to show how The bluest eye touches its readers, making it more human but also self-examining, due to being broken and not despite of it.Slutgiltigt godkännandedatum: 2025-06-26</p
Vem är det som är galen? : En sociologisk studie om populärkultur & analys av sociala förväntningar och normer
No full textSyftet med denna studie är att undersöka det populärkulturella fenomenet Jokern och hur denna karaktär kan agera som en plattform för normförskjutning och kulturell kritik. Studiens teoriram är George Herbert Meads socialpsykologi och Baumans samtidsteori om den flytande moderniteten och individualism. Metoden är multimodal analys av audiovisuell kommunikation för att undersöka audiovisuella symboliska uttryck ur vissa scener från filmerna Joker (2019) och Joker Folie a´ Deux. Studiens resultat betonar två centrala slutsatser: (1) sociala normer och förväntningars implikationer för relationen samhälle – individ, (2) autenticitet kontra samhällelig identitet. Detta belyser hur karaktären Arthur Fleck/the Jokers identitet representerar en kollision mellan individens önskan om autenticitet och samhällets fostrande verktyg i form av normer och institutionella strukturer. Vidare belyser studien hur individens identitet inte värderas utifrån vem man är utan på vilket sätt individen kan vara till gagn för samhället. Individualismen i filmerna framstår som en form av överlevnadsstrategi i ett samhälle, där gemenskapen har försvunnit. Studien bidrar således med förståelse för hur marginaliserade grupper framställs och skapar föreställningar om hur dessa individer ska vara.2025-10-13</p