Publikationer från Uppsala Universitet
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A New Heaven and an Ancient Earth : Temporality and Apocalypse in Late Seventeenth-Century England
No full textThis thesis explores various ways of working with and experiencing time in late seventeenth-century England, examining how early modern thinkers Thomas Burnet, John Ray, and William Whiston engaged with notions of the end of the world in the context of a debate regarding the past and future of the Earth. The study investigates how conceptions of the past, the future, and the End were constructed and negotiated within a physico-theological context. In dialogue with scholarly models such as Helge Jordheim’s synchronization, Achim Landwehr’s chronoference, and chronocenosis as formulated by Dan Edelstein, Stefanos Geroulanos, and Natasha Wheatley, the analysis reveals three central findings. First, that multiple and often conflicting temporalities coexisted within these texts; second, that authors actively intervened to align and direct these temporalities; and third, that these interventions take distinct shapes – either projective, aiming toward a coherent future trajectory, or prismatic, refracting time into divergent possibilities. This distinction provides the basis for a conceptual framework, developed in dialogue with above-mentioned scholarly models. The study ultimately argues that grand narratives of temporal modernization risk flattening historical specificity. Instead, situated analyses of temporal experience can illuminate the dynamic and contested ways in which time is made meaningful. The thesis concludes by reflecting on the possibilities and limits of the proposed framework and the relevance of early modern temporal interventions to our present moment
Aesthetics & Mutilation through the Lens of Abjection Theory and Creative Praxis in Horror Games
No full textThis paper aims to explore abjection within horror video games, looking at how the aesthetics of mutilation can contribute to feelings of abjection in games, both negatively and positively. Furthermore, we are looking at how to enhance feelings of abjection by using character design, environments and animations within the production of a prototype game that uses body horror and mutilation as a core mechanic. By exploring how mutilation and abjection can be used as a form of entertainment in digital games, we aim to explore the generation of unique horror experiences in games. The research was conducted by creating a prototype game called Libertine and implementing different sanity states as an experiential asset, each expressing different methods of invoking abjection. For instance, disorienting the environment and exaggerating facial expressions. Data was then collected by conducting 5 playtests and interviewing the participants, aiming to understand players' feelings about abjection in the game. A case study was also performed on the games Inscryption and Buckshot Roulette to demonstrate precedent for successful applications of abjection as elements of gameplay. The research found that enhancing feelings of abjection through the use of aesthetics is possible. On the other hand, visuals of mutilation were not as effective in contributing to feelings of abjection
A critical evaluation of the UN global governance system in decolonial conflicts : Spain’s evasion of accountability and the incomplete decolonisation of Western Sahara
No full textSince Spain’s withdrawal in 1976, Western Sahara’s self-determination process has remained on hold while Morocco continues to occupy and claim sovereignty over it. Although a widely researched case, the thesis covers a literature gap by focusing on Spain’s responsibilities towards Western Sahara, and refutes the narrative that its role as administering power ended with the Madrid Accords. Drawing from decolonial theory and the right to self-determination, this qualitative study critically evaluates the United Nations’ suitability in addressing decolonial issues. The findings show that permanent members of the Security Council count on an institutional allowance to selectively apply and interpret international law in favour of their interests. In the Western Sahara case, this means protecting Morocco and the consolidation of its authority over the territory, which in turn provokes Spain's legal role and responsibilities to be disregarded. Some recommendations are drafted in favour of a veto reform and the end of the stalemate
En knuff mot hållbar vattenanvändning?
No full textSammanfattning Syftet med den föreliggande studien är att skapa fördjupa förståelsen för och öka medvetenheten kring det psykologiska fenomenet som i den här studien benämns som en "knuff", men internationellt benämns som "nudge" eller nudging. Detta fenomen har blivit en central aspekt av både kommunikationsstrategier och marknadsföringsstrategier, där målet är att subtilt påverka individers beteenden genom att framhäva valalternativ som inte bara är fördelaktiga för individen, utan även bidrar till en hållbar utveckling. Studien har genomförts som en lokal och kontextualiserad undersökning på Gotland, med särskilt fokus på vattenanvändning. För att undersöka och få en djupgående förståelse för hur Region Gotland tillämpar knuffar i sin kommunikation, samlades empiriska data in genom semi-strukturerade intervjuer. Dessa intervjuer riktades både mot individer som blir "knuffade" samt den kommunikationsbyrå som fick uppdraget att kommunicera dessa "knuffar". Genom en grundlig tematisk analys av insamlade data har studien kunnat belysa hur Region Gotland strävar efter att motivera och uppmuntra privata husägare att anta en mer hållbar och sparsammare vattenanvändning. Denna forskning bidrar till att komplettera den befintliga litteraturen inom området beteendeekonomi, genom att undersöka hur dessa knuffar kan fungera effektivt som en kommunikationsstrategi för att åstadkomma önskvärda beteendeförändringar bland konsumenterna. För att strukturera studien har både beteendeekonomiska principer och konceptet nudging använts som teoretiska ramverk. Resultaten från studien visar följande centrala insikter: • Region Gotland arbetar för närvarande inte medvetet med knuffar som ett strategiskt verktyg inom sin kommunikationsstrategi, men har under de senaste åren genomfört olika initiativ som kan relateras till fenomenet nudging. • Den kommunikation som Region Gotland bedriver i syfte att reducera vattenförbrukningen når effektivt ut till konsumenterna, och regionens initiativ har en märkbar inverkan på förändringar i konsumentbeteendet
Coping strategies of family members in palliative care – a general literature review
No full textBakgrund: För många patienter med cancersjukdom övergår vårdens inriktning från kurativ till palliativ vård. För patient och närstående innebär det en förändrad livssituation. Det är vanligt att närstående tar på sig rollen som anhörigvårdare. För att bemästra svåra situationer i livet används olika strategier som kan kopplas till teorin om coping. Syfte: Att beskriva strategier som närstående till patienter med cancersjukdom använde sig av när vårdens inriktning övergått till palliativ vård. Metod: Allmän kvalitativ litteraturstudie med systematisk ansats. Artikelsökningar genomfördes i tre olika databaser, CINAHL, PubMed och APA PsycInfo. I resultatanalysen inkluderades18 artiklar. SBU:s granskningsmall för kvalitativa studier användes vid kvalitetsgranskningen. Resultat: Studiens resultat identifierade två kategorier med nio underkategorier vilka speglar de copingstrategier som närstående använde sig av. I första kategorin, känslomässig hantering, identifierades underkategorierna acceptans, undvikande, distraktion och distansering samt söka tröst och meningsfullhet. Identifierade underkategorier i den andra kategorin, aktiv handling, var söka information, vårda, söka stöd, förbereda inför döden och ta farväl. Slutsats: Resultatet visar att närstående till patienter med cancersjukdom använder sig av olika copingstrategier för att hantera de situationer som uppstår när vårdens inriktning övergått till palliativ vård. Kunskap om dessa strategier kan hjälpa specialistsjuksköterskor inom onkologi att möjliggöra en personcentrerad vård som möter närståendes behov vid palliativ vård. Background: For many patients with cancer, the focus of care transitions from curative to palliative care. This transition represents a changed life situation for both the patient and their family members. It is common for family members to assume the role of informal caregivers. To cope with challenging situations in life, various strategies are employed, which can be linked to the theory of coping. Aim: To describe the strategies used by family members of patients with cancer when the focus of care transitions to palliative care. Method: A general qualitative literature review with a systematic approach. Article searches were conducted in three different databases, CINAHL, PubMed, and APA PsycInfo. A total of 18 articles were included in the result analysis. The SBU´s review template for qualitative studies was used for quality assessment. Results: The results of the study identified two categories with nine subcategories which reflect the coping strategies used by family members. The first category, emotional coping, includes the subcategories acceptance, avoidance, distraction and distancing and seeking comfort and meaningfulness. The identified subcategories in the second category, active coping, were seeking information, caregiving, seeking support, preparing for death and saying goodbye. Conclusion: The results show that family members of patients with cancer use various coping strategies to manage the situations that arise when care transitions to palliative care. Knowledge of these strategies can assist oncology specialist nurses in providing personcentered care that meets the needs of family members in palliative ca
Digital learning resource use among Swedish medical students : insights from a nationwide survey
No full textBackground: Medical students navigate a complex landscape of digital tools with potential to enhance learning. The main objectives of the current study were to investigate which digital resources are being used, which background factors are associated with utilization, perceived advantages and disadvantages of different digital resources, and explore future directions. Methods: Cross-sectional, nationwide, online 25-item multiple-choice question survey and one free-text question enabling qualitative data analysis. Medical students at all seven universities with medical school programs in Sweden were invited to participate. Data were collected October - December 2024. Results: One thousand seven hundred sixty-six students responded to the survey, with an average response rate of 20.2% across sites. The five most frequently used digital resources were (percentage using at least on a weekly basis): University study platform (75.3%), videos (68.0%), flashcards (66.4%), student notes (53.4%) and external study platforms (47.3%). Flashcards were perceived to have a large to very large positive impact on development and maintenance of theoretical knowledge by 63.7% of students. Younger age (≤ 25 years) was strongly associated with higher use of flashcards (OR 1.98 (95% CI 1.54-2.54)) and generative artificial intelligence (AI) (OR 1.66 (1.29-2.15)), whereas having children at home was associated with more frequent use of videos (OR 2.32 (1.32-4.08)) and university digital platforms (OR 2.62 (1.26-5.45)), in multivariable logistic regression analyses. Most students (74.8%) reported finding their digital resources based on recommendations from more senior medical students. Perceived key advantages of digital resources in general were availability (90.9%), flexibility (80.6%), and more effective learning compared to traditional modalities (59.0%), while possible disadvantages included risk for distraction (49.6%) and uncertainty regarding reliability of content (45.4%). Qualitative data highlighted several areas of interest, including calls for universities and lecturers to provide high-quality, updated video material and flashcard decks tailored to the curriculum, and review and recommend third-party digital resources (e.g., YouTube channels). Conclusions: Medical students extensively use digital resources, with perceived large positive learning effects and benefits. Several background factors influence usage patterns. These data may support institutions, program directors and teachers in their efforts to guide and improve use of digital learning tools in medical schools
An autofocusing system for nuclear microprobes-based on real-time image processing and numerical optimization
No full textIon beam focusing for a nuclear microprobe is typically achieved by an operator adjusting the currents supplied to a series of quadrupole magnets, while observing the resulting changes in size and shape of the beam spot via an optical microscope image. This process requires an experienced operator to implement in a reasonable time frame. The present work demonstrates an automated, software-based solution to ion beam focusing. The software determines parameters describing the size and shape of the beam spot in real time, by processing images captured from the microscope. These parameters then provide feedback to a minimisation routine based on the downhill simplex algorithm, which controls the currents supplied to the quadrupole focusing magnets. The minimal beam spot size is achieved in less than three minutes, regardless of the experience of the human operator. The physical microprobe system, on which the software is demonstrated, is not presently capable of achieving spot sizes much below 3 mu m, and thus the performance of the software below this limit is still to be determined. Within the limits tested, however, the software demonstrates consistent performance, and greatly enhances the accessibility of the microprobe for less experienced users
Radio België / Radio Belgique : En studie om musik på radio i Belgien som enande eller splittrande kraft
No full textBelgiens språkliga, kulturella och geografiska uppdelning speglar sig i landets radiolandskap. Denna studie syftar till att undersöka musik på radio i regionerna i relation till enande eller splittring av landet. Det teoretiska ramverket utgår från territorialism, nationalism samt centripetala och centrifugala krafter. Frågan närmas genom metodologisk triangulering där systematisk datainsamling från radiostationer, intervjuer och en litteraturstudie kombineras. Statistik gällande musikens språk och artisternas ursprung i kombination med kvalitativa insikter från intervjupersoner samt historiska perspektiv från litteraturstudien, ämnar till att fylla en kunskapslucka inom ämnesområdet. Resultaten visar att majoriteten av musiken spelas på engelska, och därefter det lokala språket för respektive region. Då en gemensam kulturell referensram skapar samhörighet, kan musik på radio i Belgien fungera både enande och splittrande. Musik på engelska kan skapa samhörighet inom hela landet, medan den tydliga uppdelningen av lokal musik och artister tyder på att musik på radio kan splittra regionerna. Slutsatsen som dras är att frågan är komplex och att musiken som spelas på radion förmodligen inte är grundorsaken till ett eventuellt enande eller splittring
From Outsider to Insider : The Internationalization of Swedish InVitro SMEs into the U.S. Drug Development Market
No full textThis study investigates how Swedish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in in-vitro technology for pharmaceutical development take their first steps into the U.S. market. The aim is multifaceted and includes understanding (1) how these companies overcome outsidership through networks, (2) how they identify and convince their first customers, and (3) how products and organizations are adapted to U.S. regulatory and commercial requirements. The study is based on an abductive research design (Systematic Combining) and draws on 15 semi-structured interviews distributed across three stakeholder groups: seven Swedish in-vitro SMEs (Group A), three specialized actors such as legal and investment experts (Group B), and four trade and innovation promotion organizations (Group C). The analysis combines Johanson and Vahlne’s Uppsala model and network approach with Dow et al. (2018)’s Inertia & Managerial Intentionality to highlight the interaction between relationships and organizational dynamics. The findings show that close integration into both Swedish and American networks is crucial for quickly building trust, gathering market knowledge, and locating customers. The companies combine public export support with private contacts and engage local key individuals to build credibility and overcome outsidership. The empirical data also presents an internationalization chronology suggesting that Step 1 (winning the first customers) is perceived as a more complex process than Step 2 (the subsequent physical or strategic expansion). In light of this, the study provides a set of concrete actions and practical recommendations that Swedish SMEs in in-vitro pharmaceutical development can use in the early phases of their internationalization journey
Truncation Correction for Iterative CBCT Reconstruction
No full textIn image guided radiation therapy, cone beam CT images are often used to guide the treatment. Only a certain volume is covered sufficiently by the cone beam to be fully reconstructed. If the patient extends outside this field of view, truncation artifacts impact the image quality of the reconstruction. In this project, I adapted two truncation correction methods, a simple extrapolation method called symmetric mirroring and a deep learning method called latent detruncation, to iterative reconstruction of three-dimensional CBCT volumes. For comparison, I also implemented a third method called planning CT extrapolation. I tested the methods on artificially truncated data and showed that the latent detruncation method, which was originally proposed by Kabelac et al.(2024) for two-dimensional CT reconstruction, is relevant for three-dimensional CBCT reconstruction. It reconstructed volumes with significantly better image quality compared to the other methods.