Göteborgs universitets publikationer - e-publicering och e-arkiv
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Restored Wetlands in the Landscape: The influence of landcover on biochemical properties of restored wetlands in southern Sweden
No full textRestoring lost wetlands is an important step in recreating sensitive ecological systems, which
also contributes to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, making it an important environmental
and climate benefit. Although efforts to restore wetlands have been ongoing for some time,
research on their properties in relation to the surrounding landscape is limited. This study
examined 38 restored wetlands, half on peat and half on mineral soil, with the aim of
understanding how land cover in the surrounding catchment area as well as a closer 1 km
buffer might influence key biochemical properties as measured in situ in these wetlands. A
random forest regression model was used to investigate whether a connection could be
demonstrated between biochemical properties, catchment area and land cover characteristics.
The result showed that for the catchment area of the wetlands, the model had an explanatory
power of R2 = 0.865 for dissolved organic carbon (DOC) taken nearest the wetland intake and
R2 = 0.897 for pH, indicating a strong relationship between these biochemical properties and
the catchment area. For neighboring 1 km land cover of the wetlands, the random forest
regression model had an R2 = 0.845 for DOC taken nearest the wetland intake. In these cases,
the land cover type showing the highest influence on the DOC model was “Pine forest on
wetland” and “Mixed forest on wetland”, respectively for the catchment and 1 km areas. On
the pH model, the highest land cover type influence was “Arable land” for both catchment
and 1 km area. The DOC 02 and pH parameters also demonstrated significant difference
between restored wetlands on peat and mineral soil. Additionally, the “Pine forest on
wetland” land cover showed the clearest distinction between peat and mineral soil
FROM GOVERNANCE TO GROWTH How institutional quality and EU funding shape regional innovation across Europe
No full textInstitutions have often been ignored in economic development research as a driving force for
innovation. Nonetheless, high-quality institutions are described as playing a vital role in
innovative activities. Within Europe, there are large regional discrepancies in innovation
capacity, and the European Union is continuously working toward a more innovative and more
coherent Union. Therefore, this thesis seeks to investigate whether higher institutional quality
and EU funding increase innovation, as well as the interaction between institutions and funding.
To examine the effect of these variables, a quantitative analysis is conducted, more specifically,
a panel regression using fixed and random effects. Data recovered from the Quality of
Government Institute, OECD, the European Commission, and Eurostat spanning from 2010 to
2021 across 138 EU regions. The findings of the analysis indicate that, depending on the
methods used, institutions (using random effects) and funding (using fixed effects) significantly
increase innovation in EU regions. However, there is not enough evidence to determine the
effect that the interaction between institutions and funding has on innovation. The results
demonstrate that factors such as institutions have a positive effect on innovation, proving that
economic development is not merely dependent on other economic factors, for instance, high
GDP per capita. Furthermore, the results highlight that there is more to be done if the EU want
to reach its goals of a more coherent and innovative Union
Cerebrospinal Fluid - Composition and Dynamics Across Contexts
No full textCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) offers a rare vantage point into the hidden chemistry of the brain. Its composition arises from a finely tuned balance of production, circulation, and interstitial exchange, regulated by ion homeostasis, transporter activity, and physiological states such as sleep. This thesis explores CSF not only as a source of biomarkers but as a dynamic reporter of brain physiology.
Paper I establishes reference values for CSF ion concentrations in healthy adults and shows that they differ markedly from serum, reflecting a CNS-specific ionic environment that stabilises neuronal excitability. These levels appear tightly regulated, largely unaffected by age, sex, or blood–brain barrier integrity, but modestly influenced by hydration.
Paper II tests how deviations from this physiological profile affect human neuronal networks in vitro. BrainPhys™, despite its intent to mimic CSF, induces epileptiform activity likely due to elevated K+; raising K+ alone reproduces much of this effect, suggesting that serum-like media may drive hyperexcitation.
Paper III examines sleep-dependent changes in CSF composition. Molecules associated with synaptic activity decline after sleep, whereas structural cell components remain unchanged. This pattern supports the idea of selective rather than bulk clearance during sleep and adds nuance to the glymphatic hypothesis.
Paper IV investigates CSF in patients with opioid use disorder, showing elevated inflammatory markers and signs of ion dilution. By normalising to Aβ40 as a reference for dilution, group differences became clearer, highlighting the importance of accounting for fluid dynamics in CSF studies.
Together, these studies illustrate how CSF composition varies across physiological and pathological contexts. Rather than providing definitive answers, these findings open new perspectives on how ion homeostasis, excitability, sleep, and inflammation intersect, and highlight the need for careful interpretation when linking CSF chemistry to brain function
Determinants of Out-of-Pocket Payments for Healthcare in Sri Lanka
No full textIntroduction: Sri Lanka’s healthcare system, though providing free public services, remains heavily reliant on out-of-pocket payments (OOPP), which accounted for about 40% of current health expenditure in 2022. The 2019 economic crisis worsened poverty and strained public services. Therefore, this study re-examines the determinants of OOPP using 2019 HIES data to understand changes in spending patterns.
AIM: This study aims to identify the determinants of out-of-pocket healthcare payments in Sri Lanka using 2019 HIES data, while also analysing the distribution of OOPP across healthcare categories and income quintiles.
Method: This study used a quantitative design with secondary data from the 2019 HIES in Sri Lanka, covering 19,911 households. A two-part model was applied: logistic regression to assess the likelihood of incurring OOPP and a Tweedie model to estimate its magnitude. Household-level variables were selected based on Andersen’s behavioural model.
Results: Of the 19,911 households, 52% reported out-of-pocket healthcare payments, mainly for private medical services, medicines, and hospital charges. The relative burden of OOPP is similar across the first four quintiles. Higher income reduced both the likelihood and burden of OOPP, while members with chronic illness, economic engagement, and household expenditure were key drivers of higher likelihood and spending of OOPP.
Conclusion: The study found that higher income reduces both the likelihood and burden of out-of-pocket healthcare payments. The presence of members with chronic illness and limited access to public care increases costs, highlighting the need for policies that enhance financial protection for vulnerable households
Cross-cultural adaptation of Chinese students in Swedish higher education. A case study within an international master’s program
No full textThis thesis investigates the cross-cultural adaptation experiences of Chinese international students in
Swedish higher education, with a particular focus on those enrolled in a two-year international master’s
program in Sweden (Program X). Through a qualitative case study based on semi-structured interviews
with eight participants, the study uncovers the everyday challenges these students encounter and the
strategies they develop to adjust and thrive in a new academic and cultural environment. Guided by the
Theory of Practice Architectures (TPA) and Ward’s cross-cultural adaptation framework, the study
shows how students’ practices of adaptation are shaped and constrained by cultural-discursive, materialeconomic,
and social-political arrangements. Key findings highlight the challenges in academic
experiences, language barriers, and social integration, as well as students’ agency in adjusting learning
strategies and negotiating cultural identity. By focusing on a non-English-speaking context often
overlooked in international student research, this study aims to offer insights into the dynamics of
mobility and adaptation and highlights the potential value of fostering more inclusive and responsive
academic environments in the context of an increasingly globalized higher education landscape
Between rule and reality: A qualitative study of accounting for intangible assets according to IAS 38
No full textBackground and problematization: The accounting for intangible assets according to IAS 38 is characterized by complexity, especially in the case of business acquisitions. The principle-based nature of the standard leaves a large margin for interpretation, which risks leading to variation in application and reduced comparability between companies.
Purpose: The purpose of the study is to examine how companies apply IAS 38 when accounting for intangible assets, and to identify practical challenges.
Method: Qualitative method based on semi-structured interviews with accounting experts and auditors. The analysis is supported by existing theories and previous research.
Results and conclusion: The study shows that there are difficulties in interpreting and applying IAS 38, especially regarding the concept of control. The lack of clear guidance leads to varying practices. The study also shows a need for modernization of the standard and more qualitative disclosures to accurately reflect the economic phenomena in an increasingly changing business environment.Bakgrund och problematisering: Redovisningen av immateriella tillgångar enligt IAS 38 präglas av komplexitet, särskilt vid företagsförvärv. Standardens principbaserade karaktär lämnar ett stort tolkningsutrymme, vilket riskerar att leda till variation i tillämpning och minskad jämförbarhet mellan företag.
Syfte: Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur företag tillämpar IAS 38 vid redovisning av immateriella tillgångar, samt att identifiera praktiska utmaningar.
Metod: Kvalitativ metod baserad på semistrukturerade intervjuer med redovisningsexperter och revisorer. Analysen stöds av redan befintliga teorier och tidigare forskning.
Resultat och slutsats: Studien visar att det finns svårigheter i att tolka och tillämpa IAS 38, särskilt avseende kontrollbegreppet. Bristen på tydlig vägledning leder till varierande praxis. Studien visar även ett behov av modernisering av standarden och mer kvalitativa upplysningar för att korrekt återspegla de ekonomiska fenomenen i ett allt mer föränderligt företagsklimat
Inductive Biases for Efficient Deep Learning in Microscopy
No full textDeep learning has become an indispensable tool for the analysis of microscopy data, yet its integration into routine research remains uneven. Several factors contribute to this gap, including the limited availability of well-annotated datasets and the high computational demands of modern architectures. Microscopy introduces further challenges, as it spans diverse modalities and scales, from proteins to tissues, producing heterogeneous data that defy standardization. Generating reliable annotations also requires expertise and time, while unequal access to high-performance computing further widens the divide between well-resourced institutions and smaller laboratories.
This dissertation argues that the prevailing paradigm of scaling models with ever-larger datasets and computational resources yields diminishing returns for microscopy. Instead, it explores the role of inductive biases as a foundation for building models that are more data-efficient, computationally accessible, and scientifically meaningful. Inductive biases are structural assumptions embedded in model design that guide learning toward patterns aligned with the underlying problem. The first part of this work examines their central role in the advancement of modern deep learning and the diverse ways they shape model behavior.
This potential is demonstrated through three case studies. First, MAGIK employs graph neural networks to analyze biological dynamics in time-lapse microscopy, uncovering local and global properties with high precision, even when trained on limited data. Next, MIRO leverages recurrent graph neural networks to process single-molecule localization datasets, improving the efficiency and reliability of clustering for variable biological structures and scales while retaining strong generalization with minimal supervision. Finally, GAUDI introduces a representation learning framework for characterizing biological systems, providing a physically meaningful representation space for interpretable and transferable analysis.
The findings presented here demonstrate that the integration of inductive biases provides a cohesive strategy to extend the reach of deep learning in the life sciences, enhancing accessibility and ensuring scientific utility under resource constraints
Advanced phenotyoing of cardiovascular risk in children with chronic disease- Children with type 1 diabetes and kidney transplant recipients
No full textAbstract
This thesis aim to determine the presence of early vascular changes in two paediatric
cohorts with chronic disease and highly elevated cardiovascular risk, children with
kidney transplants (Paper I) and children with type 1 diabetes (Papers II-IV). With
sensitive assessment of vascular morphology- and function, as well as cardiac
autonomic regulation in the type 1 diabetes cohort, we identified signs of early vascular
remodelling reflecting impact on both the intimal- and medial layers of the arterial wall
in both study cohorts, as well as signs of subclinical cardiac dysregulation in children
with type 1 diabetes. Associated disease specific and/or metabolic variables were also
detected, especially in the type 1 diabetes group where both morphological- and
functional- vascular variables as well cardiac autonomic regulation showed connections
with type 1 diabetes duration, HbA1c and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)
metrics.
In papers I and II, ultra-high frequency ultrasound was used to scan the radial, dorsal
pedal and carotid arteries and both children with kidney transplants and children with
type 1 diabetes had impact on vascular wall thickness compared to age- and sex
matched healthy controls. In paper III cardiac autonomic regulation was assessed in
children with type 1 diabetes and there was an increased presence of cardiac
autonomic dysregulation in those with both type 1 diabetes and overweight. In paper
IV ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) measurements were performed at baseline and 2-
year follow-up with a decrease across all ABP- variables over two years of follow-up,
associated with increased time in normoglycemia.
To summarize, the identified signs of early morphological- and functional vascular
changes in both study groups indicate a need for further optimization of both
traditional- and disease specific cardiovascular risk-factors. Our methods are
applicable in various kinds of paediatric chronic conditions and may be considered to
further improve cardiovascular risk-factor monitoring in clinical settings
Modern Christian mission – a non-colonial endeavor? A thematic case study of Interact’s mission in sub-Saharan Africa
No full textThis study has its background in the neocolonial critique of Western aid organizations and the
colonial critique of Christian mission. Many Christian organizations are very active within the
international field today, but few studies have been made on modern mission and how these
Christian organizations have handled the critique that their early mission in Africa is tightly
bound with the progress of colonial actors (See for instance Inayatullah 2019, Rieger 2004),
as well as the neo-colonial critique that colonial dynamics may remain today (ibid). Against
this backdrop, I wanted to investigate how modern missionary organizations handle this
critique, and if there is such a thing as non-colonial mission.
Therefore, I conducted a qualitative case study on Interact, a Swedish Christian denomination
which has dispatched missionaries in Africa for more than a hundred years. I conducted indepth
interviews with some key actors in Interact’s work in Africa and analyzed some of
Interact’s web data and policies to find out how they have navigated the colonial critique and
what they do today to maintain equal power relations to their African partner organizations, as
well as prevent neocolonial risks. These findings are later discussed using postcolonial and
neocolonial theory, as well as the white savior complex.
This paper argues that Interact is embracing some of the historic postcolonial critique, but that
they need to address it more to generate implications in their operations today. They address
many neocolonial challenges on their website and in person, but some of their ambitions
regarding mutuality and local ownership are not institutionalized enough. I propose that
Interact should draw from Rieger’s notion of “mission as inreach” (2004, p. 219-22) and
Inayatullah’s notions of propose rather than impose (2019, p. 432), give more space to selfevaluation
and joint evaluation, as well as invest more in international missionaries coming to
Sweden
En kvalitativ studie om unga vuxnas friluftsutövande och upplevelser av friluftslivet i skolan
No full textExamensarbete: 15 hp. Avancerad nivå. Ämneslärarprogrammet, Idrott och hälsa. Kurs: LGID2A.
Termin/år: VT 2025. Handledare: Peter Korp. Examinator: Beatrix Algurén.Vid undersökningar av friluftslivet i skolan framställs det som bristfälligt samtidigt som
intresset för friluftslivet generellt ökar i samhället. Men varför unga vuxna väljer friluftslivet
är relativt outforskat. Syftet med denna kvalitativa intervjustudie är således att undersöka och
tematisera vad friluftsliv är för unga vuxna, vilka motiv och inspirationskällor de har till
friluftsliv samt hur undervisningen i friluftsliv sett ut och påverkat dem. Resultatet visar att
friluftslivet är under ständig förändring men innefattar oftast fysisk aktivitet i naturliga
miljöer med vissa krav på utrustning, men betraktas även bland vissa som en känsla. Det som
framförallt inspirerat unga vuxna till friluftsliv är familj, vänner, förebilder, sociala medier
och fint väder. I linje med tidigare forskning och riksdagens mål är motiven till friluftsliv
välmående, andlig välfärd, personlig utveckling och sökandet efter något ursprungligt. Unikt
med denna studie är att gemenskap framträder som ett starkt motiv för friluftslivet.
Friluftsundervisningen i ämnet idrott och hälsa karaktäriseras av sin frånvaro för
informanterna men när den väl bedrevs hade den inslag av orientering, prestation och
instrumentellt användande av utrustning. Undervisningen har inte varit en inspirationskälla till
att informanterna bedrev friluftsliv idag, eftersom utevistelse bland annat ansågs som töntigt
under skolåren och att tillhöra gruppen var viktigare än att bedriva sitt friluftsintresse. För att
undervisningen i friluftsliv ska nå fler behöver det sannolikt bli en del av elevernas habitus.
Studien utgör ett kunskapsbidrag till lärare i idrott och hälsa genom en vidare förståelse av
friluftslivets mångfald och faktorer till att bedriva det. Genom synliggörande av
inspirationskällor och motiv kan studien skina ljus på nya former och idéer för
friluftsundervisningen i ämnet idrott och hälsa och således ge inspiration till lärare för att
bidra till utvecklingen av undervisning i friluftsliv