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Learn, Teach, Heal: Articulations of Indigeneity and Spirituality in Indigenous Tourism in British Columbia, Canada
No full text‘Learn, Teach, Heal’ encapsulates what seems to be occurring in Indigenous Tourism on Vancouver Island and the Haida Gwaii in British Columbia, Canada. Operating as a ‘Tourist-researcher’ in 2017 and 2018, I was there at a time when Indigenous Tourism was booming, partly facilitated by the political movement of Truth & Reconciliation. Tourism is often seen as a shallow, commercial and artificial activity, yet such a view risks speaking over the various reasons why hosts choose to engage in the industry. This dissertation offers a case study based on tours, performances and interviews with six people. The research foregrounds the voices and experiences of: Andy Everson, Tana Thomas, Roy Henry Vickers, Tsimka Martin, K’odi Nelson and Alix Goetzinger. In listening to how they present their work, I study how indigeneity and spirituality were being articulated in ways that relate to processes of decolonisation. Whilst they were all engaged in tourism for their own different reasons, a common theme that emerged was the goal to use tourism to learn, teach and heal, both for themselves and for their guests. Learning how to be guides and performers, their languages, traditional practices, histories and politics, they were able to explore with tourists aspects of their indigeneity and spirituality, illustrate diversity of peoples and practices, and teach about their values and hopes for the future. Healing is gained through having a space to learn and to teach, and to restore pride to the communities by taking control of the narratives. It is my contention that Indigenous Tourism is offering these six people sites of ‘becoming’ and ‘reclaiming’ in a way that puts decolonisation into practice
Toxicity Assessment of Resveratrol Liposomes-in-Hydrogel Delivery System by EpiVaginal Tissue Model
No full textThe natural polyphenol resveratrol (RES) has shown great potential as an antimicrobial,
including against microbes associated with vaginal infections. To fully exploit the activities of RES,
an all-natural ingredients formulation for RES delivery at vaginal site has been developed, namely
liposomes loaded with RES, incorporated into a chitosan hydrogel as secondary vehicle. Although
considered non-toxic and safe on their own, the compatibility of the final formulation must be evaluated for its biocompatibility and non-irritancy to the vaginal mucosa. As a preclinical safety assessment, the impact of RES formulation on the tissue viability, the effect on barrier function and
cell monolayer integrity, and cytotoxicity were evaluated using the cell-based vaginal tissue model,
the EpiVaginal™ tissue. RES liposomes-in-hydrogel formulations neither affected the mitochondrial activity, nor the integrity of the cell monolayer in RES concentration up to 60 µg/mL. Moreover, the barrier function was maintained to a greater extent by RES in formulation, emphasizing the
benefits of the delivery system. Additionally, none of the tested formulations expressed an increase
in lactate dehydrogenase activity compared to the non-treated tissues. The evaluation of the RES
delivery system suggests that it is non-irritant and biocompatible with vaginal tissue in vitro in the
RES concentrations considered as therapeutic
Structural differences in brain structure after trauma An analysis based on The Tromsø Study
No full textResearch conducted on trauma patients has shown that the local brain regions in patients diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is smaller than in people who are not diagnosed with PTSD. Therefore, the research question we address in this master thesis is: Are there structural brain differences in participants that have experienced traumatic incidents in their lives? We also use anxiety and depression as a mediating variable to distinguish whether brain-volume reductions associated with PTEs may be caused by depression/anxiety rather than the potentially traumatic incidents themselves. We have analyzed data from the Tromsø Study and studied a sub-sample of 1864 participants (age span 40-87 years) that underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We used structural equational model (SEM) with a sum-score of childhood PTEs and volumetric measurements of the hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus and corpus callosum controlled for by intracranial volume. We found no direct effect of PTEs on structural changes in the hippocampus, amygdala or thalamus. In the corpus callosum on the other hand, we found a significant decrease in brain volume in the participants that had experienced PTEs. There was no evidence for indirect effects mediated by depression or anxiety on any of the brain structures. Our findings suggests that the participants from the Tromsø study that have experienced PTEs have structural brain changes in the corpus callosum and not in the investigated areas of the subcortex. It would be interesting to investigate this further to see what impact this can have on the development of other mental illnesses
Placenta-derived proteins across gestation in healthy pregnancies—a novel approach to assess placental function?
No full textBackground
Placenta-derived proteins in the systemic maternal circulation are suggested as potential biomarkers for placental function. However, the identity and longitudinal patterns of such proteins are largely unknown due to the inaccessibility of the human placenta and limitations in assay technologies. We aimed to identify proteins derived from and taken up by the placenta in the maternal circulation. Furthermore, we aimed to describe the longitudinal patterns across gestation of placenta-derived proteins as well as identify placenta-derived proteins that can serve as reference curves for placental function.
Methods
We analyzed proteins in plasma samples collected in two cohorts using the Somalogic 5000-plex platform. Antecubital vein samples were collected at three time points (gestational weeks 14–16, 22–24, and 30–32) across gestation in 70 healthy pregnancies in the longitudinal STORK cohort. In the cross sectional 4-vessel cohort, blood samples were collected simultaneously from the maternal antecubital vein (AV), radial artery (RA), and uterine vein (UV) during cesarean section in 75 healthy pregnancies. Placenta-derived proteins and proteins taken up by the placenta were identified using venoarterial differences (UV-RA). Placenta-derived proteins were defined as placenta-specific by comparison to the venoarterial difference in the antecubital vein-radial artery (AV-RA). These proteins were described longitudinally based on the STORK cohort samples using a linear mixed effects model per protein. Using a machine learning algorithm, we identified placenta-derived proteins that could predict gestational age, meaning that they closely tracked gestation, and were potential read-outs of placental function.
Results
Among the nearly 5000 measured proteins, we identified 256 placenta-derived proteins and 101 proteins taken up by the placenta (FDR < 0.05). Among the 256 placenta-derived proteins released to maternal circulation, 101 proteins were defined as placenta-specific. These proteins formed two clusters with distinct developmental patterns across gestation. We identified five placenta-derived proteins that closely tracked gestational age when measured in the systemic maternal circulation, termed a “placental proteomic clock.”
Conclusions
Together, these data may serve as a first step towards a reference for the healthy placenta-derived proteome that can be measured in the systemic maternal circulation and potentially serve as biomarkers of placental function. The “placental proteomic clock” represents a novel concept that warrants further investigation. Deviations in the proteomic pattern across gestation of such proteomic clock proteins may serve as an indication of placental dysfunction
Role and Important Properties of a Membrane with Its Recent Advancement in a Microbial Fuel Cell
No full textMicrobial fuel cells (MFC) are an emerging technology for wastewater treatment that
utilizes the metabolism of microorganisms to generate electricity from the organic matter present in
water directly. The principle of MFC is the same as hydrogen fuel cell and has three main components
(i.e., anode, cathode, and proton exchange membrane). The membrane separates the anode and
cathode chambers and keeps the anaerobic and aerobic conditions in the two chambers, respectively.
This review paper describes the state-of-the-art membrane materials particularly suited for MFC and
discusses the recent development to obtain robust, sustainable, and cost-effective membranes. Nafion
117, Flemion, and Hyflon are the typical commercially available membranes used in MFC. Use of nonfluorinated polymeric membrane materials such as sulfonated silicon dioxide (S-SiO2) in sulfonated
polystyrene ethylene butylene polystyrene (SSEBS), sulfonated polyether ether ketone (SPEEK) and
graphene oxide sulfonated polyether ether ketone (GO/SPEEK) membranes showed promising
output and proved to be an alternative material to Nafion 117. There are many challenges to selecting
a suitable membrane for a scaled-up MFC system so that the technology become technically and
economically viable
Effect of packaging materials and storage conditions on development on tip rot in carrot
No full textTuppråte er eit aukande problem ved lagring av norske gulrøter, og fører til mykje svinn og tap av god
Gulrot er ein av dei viktigaste grønsakene dyrka i Noreg. I 2020 vart det produsert 54 000 tonn gulrot som utgjer ein handelsverdi på 465 000 norske kroner. Også dei siste 10 åra har produksjonen av gulrot vore aukande. Ei stor menge gulrøter som vert produsert med tanke på matforbruk går derimot tapt under lagring. I samband med lagringa, er svinnet av gulrøter estimerte til å vere om lag 25%. I pakkeria vert om lag 10 000 tonn sortert vekk årleg, og lagringssjukdommar fører til halvparten av denne utsorteringa. Tuppråte har vorte eit aukande problem gjennom det siste tiåret. Auka kunnskap om korleis lagringsforhalda påverkar utviklinga av tuppråte vil vere viktige for å redusere svinn av gulrot gjennom distribusjonskjeda og bidra til ein meir berekraftig produksjon.
Tuppråte skuldast ikkje berre eit enkelt patogen åleine, men av fleire ulike patogen som enten opptrer åleine eller saman som eit kompleks. Soppane Mycocentrospora acerina og Cylindrocarpon destructans synes å vere sentrale i sjukdommen.
I denne oppgåva har effekten av korleis emballasjen og lagringstilhøva påverkar utviklinga av tuppråte vorte studert. Dei fire gulrotsortane ‘Brillyance’, ‘Dailyane’, ‘Namdal’ og ‘Romance’ vart enten lagra som friske kontrollar eller smitta av tuppråte og inokulert med enten Mycocentrospora acerina eller Cylindrocarpon destructans, og lagra i 3 ulike emballasjevariantar. Emballasjane hadde enten høg perforering som gav høg CO2 – og låg O2-konsentrasjon eller ei låg perforering som gav låg O2 og høg CO2-konsentrasjon. Pakkane vart lagra i ein periode på 21 dagar for å simulere lagring i distribusjonskjeda. Gjennom denne perioda, vart pakkane anten lagra ved 4°C i 3 dagar og deretter i 18 dagar ved 6°C, eller ved 4°C i 3 dagar, 20° i 3 dagar og deretter 6°C i 15 dagar. Dette simulerer lagring i daglegvarebutikk der gulrøtene ofte vert lagra i romtemperatur.
Gulrøter som vart lagra i kjølege omgjevnader gjennom heile lagringsperioden synte redusert roteutvikling samanlikna med gulrøter som vart lagra 3 dagar ved romtemperatur. Pakkane med låg perforering fekk raskare høg CO2 konsentrasjon ved romtemperatur og den auka CO2 reduserte roteutviklinga. Patogenet M.acerina gav djupare og meir alvorleg tupprote symptom enn C.destructans. Patogenet C vart observert å auke CO2 konsentrasjonen i pakken. I gulrot infisert med patogen fann ein at TPS innhaldet vart høgare
“Ungen kom med denne lille intervensjonen – en amniotomi i rette tida, på riktig måte, på rett sted”. En kvalitativ intervjustudie om jordmødres holdning til og erfaringer med amniotomi under fødsel
No full textHensikt: Innsikt i jordmødres erfaringer og praktisering av amniotomi under fødsel, samt deres holdning til tiltaket.
Problemstilling: Jordmødres holdning til og erfaring med bruk av amniotomi under fødsel.
Metode: Kvalitativt design. Semistrukturerte individuelle intervju av syv jordmødre. Datamateriale ble analysert med systematisk tekstkondensering (STC) inspirert av Malterud.
Resultater: Den første kategorien beskrev hvordan jordmødrene erfarte faglig trygghet ved å følge prosedyrer og samarbeid i form av rådføring med kollegaer. Jordmødrene kjente på et faglig ansvar for fødselen og barnet i magen, og fødekvinnen hadde liten autonomi i beslutningen om amniotomi. Den andre kategorien beskrev hvordan jordmorfaglig skjønn ble anvendt ved beslutninger om å gjøre amniotomi og hvordan det ble utviklet gjennom erfaringer. Den siste kategorien beskrev jordmødrenes holdning til amniotomi, samt ulik aksept og praktisering innad i kulturen og fødenivåene.
Konklusjon: Jordmødrenes praktiserte amniotomi basert på erfaringsbasert- og forskningsbasert kunnskap. Brukermedvirkning ble mindre vektlagt i vurderingen, som ikke er i tråd med kunnskapsbasert praksis. Samtidig hadde de både en restriktiv og liberal holdning til amniotomi, og kan beskrives som en blanding av sosial og medisinsk modell - som blir ansett som best egnet modell for fødselsomsorg for å ivareta fødekvinnen.
Nøkkelord: Amniotomi, jordmorfaglig skjønn, holdning, kunnskapsbasert praksis, medisinsk og sosial model
Interrelationship of daily hassles, daily uplifts, coping strategies and stressrelated symptoms, reported by female survivors of sexual abuse: An exploratory mixed-methods approach
No full textThe impact of stress on health depends on the frequency or level of stress during a given period and the presence of repeated daily hassles of psychological importance. Women who have experienced sexual abuse may experience an array of stressful demands and conditions that are perceived as irritating, frustrating, or stressful events that force them to act upon these conditions. The overall aim of this thesis was to develop new knowledge of how adult women who have experienced sexual abuse experience and cope with stress, associated with daily hassles and daily uplifts, in everyday life, and how these processes are related to health.
The results highlight that disclosure and social support contribute to fewer daily hassles, more daily uplifts, and more adaptive coping strategies. Stress-related symptoms and symptoms indicating PTSD were strongly related to perceived daily hassles, fewer daily uplifts, and the use of more maladaptive coping strategies.
The results reveal the importance of healthcare professionals gaining knowledge of what daily hassles comprise. Being able to uncover maladaptive coping strategies and focusing on changing stress appraisals and stress-response behavior
A 15-year follow-up study of hip bone mineral density and associations with leisure time physical activity. The Tromsø Study 2001-2016
No full textAims The aim was to investigate the long-term association between leisure time physical activity and hip areal bone mineral density (aBMD), in addition to change in hip aBMD over time, in 32–86 years old women and men. Methods Data were retrieved from the 2001, 2007–2008, and 2015–2016 surveys of the Tromsø Study, a longitudinal population study in Norway. Leisure time physical activity was assessed by the four-level Saltin-Grimby Physical Activity Level Scale which refers to physical exertion in the past twelve months. Hip aBMD was assessed by Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. Linear Mixed Model analysis was used to examine long-term associations between physical activity and hip aBMD (n = 6324). In addition, the annual change in hip aBMD was analyzed in a subsample of 3199 participants. Results Physical activity was significantly and positively associated with total hip aBMD in the overall cohort (p2 higher aBMD than those who were inactive (95% CI 14.71; 41.69, controlled for confounders), and even light physical activity was associated with higher aBMD than inactivity (8.32 mg/cm2 , 95% CI 4.89; 11.76). Associations between physical activity and femoral neck aBMD yielded similar results. Hip aBMD decreased with age in both sexes, although more prominently in women. From 2001 to 2007–2008, aBMD changed by –5.76 mg/cm2 per year (95% CI – 6.08; –5.44) in women, and –2.31 mg/cm2 (95% CI –2.69; –1.93), in men. From 2007–2008 to 2015–2016, the change was –4.45 mg/cm2 per year (95% CI –4.84; –4.06) in women, and –1.45 mg/cm2 (95% CI –1.92; –0.98) in men. Conclusions In this cohort of adult men and women, physical activity levels were positively associated with hip aBMD in a dose-response relationship. Hip aBMD decreased with age, although more pronounced in women than men
Justice sensitivity is undergirded by separate heritable motivations to be morally principled and opportunistic
No full textAbstract Injustice typically involves some people benefitting at the expense of others. An opportunist might then be selectively motivated to amend only the injustice that is harmful to them, while someone more principled would respond consistently regardless of whether they stand to gain or lose. Here, we disentangle such principled and opportunistic motives towards injustice. With a sample of 312 monozygotic- and 298 dizygotic twin pairs (N = 1220), we measured people’s propensity to perceive injustice as victims, observers, beneficiaries, and perpetrators of injustice, using the Justice Sensitivity scale. With a biometric approach to factor analysis, that provides increased stringency in inferring latent psychological traits, we find evidence for two substantially heritable factors explaining correlations between Justice Sensitivity facets. We interpret these factors as principled justice sensitivity (h 2 = 0.45) leading to increased sensitivity to injustices of all categories, and opportunistic justice sensitivity (h 2 = 0.69) associated with increased sensitivity to being a victim and a decreased propensity to see oneself as a perpetrator. These novel latent constructs share genetic substrate with psychological characteristics that sustain broad coordination strategies that capture the dynamic tension between honest cooperation versus dominance and defection, namely altruism, interpersonal trust, agreeableness, Social Dominance Orientation and opposition to immigration and foreign aid