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  • 1.
    Berg Junker, Maria Constance
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience.
    Neural correlates of romantic love and romantic attachment2018Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 10 credits / 15 HE creditsStudent thesis
    Abstract [en]

    In the field of neuroscience, being in love and feeling romantically attached to a partner is described as a dynamic process. Romantic love may be viewed as a motivational system, changing throughout time and place, fluctuating on the interest and motivation of the individual. Early memories and attachment towards a caregiver, lay the foundation for later attachment behavior, also known as attachment styles. In this thesis, an exploratory approach is present. The thesis aims to introduce and describe the neural correlates of romantic love and romantic attachment. Brain regions concerned with reward, emotion and thought processing, such as the reward circuitry network of the brain and the limbic system, are being investigated. So are other brain areas involved in romantic love and romantic attachment. Research findings suggest that brain areas responsible for affection, emotional control, learning, memory and social judgment are all involved in the complex processes of being in love and feeling romantically attached. These findings are represented by the involvement of the frontal lobe, cerebral cortex, limbic system, orbitofrontal cortex, and hippocampus, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), ventral tegmental area (VTA), caudate tail, including the reward pathways of the brain. Distribution and regulation of neurotransmitters such as; vasopressin, oxytocin, dopamine, corticosterone and serotonin are all present in the state of romantic  attachment and romantic love. Overlapping evidence confirms the involvement of the reward circuitry network, together with the limbic system as crucial in the formation and maintenance of a romantic relationship.

  • 2.
    Cinarli, Pembe
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience.
    Strategy to tag Actin II in Plasmodium berghei2018Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (One Year)), 20 credits / 30 HE creditsStudent thesis
    Abstract [en]

    Malaria is a disease that is caused by parasite called Plasmodium spp. and trasmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes to the host. The disease has great impact around the world and there are half a million deaths and several hundred million infections every year. Studies revealed that there are two actin isoforms in the parasite, actin I and actin II. Absence of actin II has severe effect on the development of the parasite in the mosquito but the molecular function is still unknown. Identification of interacting proteins is of great importance to understand further the function of the protein. To achieve this goal actin II has to be enriched and this required a tagged version of the protein. In this project purification of the protein was to be achieved through biotinylation. In this method the protein of interest is biotinylated by BirA ligase in the cell and is then purified by , streptavidin. The project involved transfection of vector for Plasmodium berghei, containing the BirA gene and a stage-specific promoter (cdpk4). The construct was integrated in the chromosomal locus Sil6 and introduced to wild-type and actin II knock out parasites. Genotyping by PCR revealed integration of the insert in wild type parasites and phenotypic anaylsis showed no difference between BirA wild type and wild type control parasites. The expression of the BirA ligase in the parasite was investigated with Western blot but no signal was detected.

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  • 3.
    Ekelund Ugge, Gustaf Magnus Oskar
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, Systems Biology Research Environment. Department of Biology, Lund University, Sweden.
    Jonsson, Annie
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, Systems Biology Research Environment.
    Olsson, Björn
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, Systems Biology Research Environment.
    Sjöback, Robert
    TATAA Biocenter, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Berglund, Olof
    Department of Biology, Lund University, Sweden.
    Transcriptional and biochemical biomarker responses in a freshwater mussel (Anodonta anatina) under environmentally relevant Cu exposure2020In: Environmental Science and Pollution Research, ISSN 0944-1344, E-ISSN 1614-7499, Vol. 27, no 9, p. 9999-10010Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Molecular biomarkers, like gene transcripts or enzyme activities, are potentially powerful tools for early warning assessment of pollution. However, a thorough understanding of response and baseline variation is required to distinguish actual effects from pollution. Here, we assess the freshwater mussel Anodonta anatina as a biomarker model species for freshwater ecosystems, by testing responses of six transcriptional (cat, gst, hsp70, hsp90, mt, and sod) and two biochemical (AChE and GST) biomarkers to environmentally relevant Cu water concentrations. Mussels (n = 20), collected from a stream free from point source pollution, were exposed in the laboratory, for 96 h, to Cu treatments (< 0.2 mu g/L, 0.77 +/- 0.87 mu g/L, and 6.3 +/- 5.4 mu g/L). Gills and digestive glands were extracted and analyzed for transcriptional and biochemical responses. Biological and statistical effect sizes from Cu treatments were in general small (mean log(2) fold-change <= 0.80 and Cohen's f <= 0.69, respectively), and no significant treatment effects were observed. In contrast, four out of eight biomarkers (cat, gst, hsp70, and GST) showed a significant sex:tissue interaction, and additionally one (sod) showed significant overall effects from sex. Specifically, three markers in gills (cat, mt, GST) and one in digestive gland (AChE) displayed significant sex differences, independent of treatment. Results suggest that sex or tissue effects might obscure low-magnitude biomarker responses and potential early warnings. Thus, variation in biomarker baselines and response patterns needs to be further addressed for the future use of A. anatina as a biomarker model species.

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  • 4.
    Ekelund Ugge, Gustaf Magnus Oskar
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, Systems Biology Research Environment. Department of Biology, Lund University, Sweden.
    Jonsson, Annie
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, Systems Biology Research Environment.
    Walstad, Anders
    ALS Scandinavia Toxicon AB, Härslöv, Sweden.
    Berglund, Olof
    Department of Biology, Lund University, Sweden.
    Evaluation of transcriptional biomarkers using a high-resolution regression approach: Concentration-dependence of selected transcripts in copper-exposed freshwater mussels (Anodonta anatina)2022In: Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, ISSN 1382-6689, E-ISSN 1872-7077, Vol. 90, article id 103795Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    We tested concentration-dependence of selected gene transcripts (cat, gst, hsp70, hsp90, mt and sod) for evaluation as biomarkers of chemical stress. Contrary to the common approach of factorial designs and few exposure concentrations, we used regression across a high-resolution concentration series. Specifically, freshwater mussels (Anodonta anatina) were acutely (96 h) exposed to Cu (13 nominal concentrations, measuring 0.13–1 600 µg/L), and transcripts were measured by RT-qPCR. In digestive glands, cat, hsp90 and mt decreased with water Cu (p < 0.05), but response magnitudes saturated at < 2-fold decreases. In gills, gst, hsp70, hsp90 and mt increased with water Cu (p < 0.05). While hsp70, hsp90 and mt exceeded 2-fold increases within the exposure range, high Cu concentrations were required (38–160 µg/L). Although gill responses were generally more robust compared to digestive glands, overall small response magnitudes and moderate sensitivity may set limit for potential application as general biomarkers of chemical stress.

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  • 5.
    Ekelund Ugge, Gustaf Magnus Oskar
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, Systems Biology Research Environment. Department of Biology, Lund University, Sweden.
    Sahlin, Ullrika
    Centre for Environmental and Climate Science, Lund University, Sweden.
    Jonsson, Annie
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, Systems Biology Research Environment.
    Berglund, Olof
    Department of Biology, Lund University, Sweden.
    Transcriptional Responses as Biomarkers of General Toxicity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Metal-Exposed Bivalves2023In: Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, ISSN 0730-7268, E-ISSN 1552-8618, Vol. 42, no 3, p. 628-641Article, review/survey (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Through a systematic review and a series of meta-analyses, we evaluated the general responsiveness of putative transcriptional biomarkers of general toxicity and chemical stress. We targeted metal exposures performed on bivalves under controlled laboratory conditions, and selected six transcripts associated with general toxicity for evaluation: catalase (cat), glutathione-S-transferase (gst), heat shock proteins 70 and 90 (hsp70, hsp90), metallothionein (mt) and superoxide dismutase (sod). Transcriptional responses (n = 396) were extracted from published scientific articles (k = 22) and converted to log response ratios (lnRRs). By estimating toxic units (TUs), we normalized different metal exposures to a common scale, as a proxy of concentration. Using Bayesian hierarchical random effect models, we then tested the effects of metal exposure on lnRR, both for metal exposure in general and in meta-regressions using TU and exposure time as independent variables. Corresponding analyses were also repeated with transcript and tissue as additional moderators. Observed patterns were similar for general as for transcript- and tissue-specific responses. The expected overall response to arbitrary metal exposure was a lnRR of 0.50, corresponding to a 65 % increase relative a non-exposed control. However, when accounting for publication bias, the estimated ‘true’ response showed no such effect. Furthermore, expected response magnitude increased slightly with exposure time, but there was little support for general monotonic concentration-dependence with regards to TU. Altogether, this work reveals potential limitations that need consideration prior to applying the selected transcripts as biomarkers in environmental risk assessment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;00:0–0. 

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  • 6.
    Eldblom, Hans
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience.
    Facial width-to-height ratio as a cue of threat: An ERP study2018Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (One Year)), 20 credits / 30 HE creditsStudent thesis
    Abstract [en]

    The late positive potential (LPP) is an event-related potential (ERP) component associated with increased affective processing. Studies have shown that stimuli with high evolutionary significance (e.g. a threatening face) induce increased activity over centro-parietal areas of the brain. In an electrophysiological context, this is hypothesized to be indexed by greater LPP amplitudes. The facial width-to-height ratio (fWHR) is a facial-masculinity metric which refers to cheekbone width, divided by upper facial height (top of the lip to between the brows). For the first time, LPP amplitudes were examined in subjects upon observing faces with high vs. low facial fWHRs. Prior studies suggest that faces with high fWHRs are perceived as more threatening than faces with low fWHRs. Consequently, fWHR has by some researchers been proposed to serve as a cue of threat. Two separate tasks in the present study were used to investigate this. In the aggression task, males with high fWHRs were judged as more aggressive. Moreover, when put in a threatening context, high fWHR faces also elicited greater LPP amplitudes in subjects compared to faces with low fWHRs. Conversely, in the self-regulation task, differences in LPP amplitudes did not reach significance. In this task, statistical power was low due to few blocks/trials in the ERP experiment and subjects were not primed on threat, which may explain the non-significant results. Taken together, the results provide modest support to the theory that fWHR serve as a cue of threat. Future studies will need to take the present study’s limitations into consideration

  • 7.
    Elhakim, Rawan
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience.
    Urbana blomytor i Mariestads tätort: Kunskapsunderlag för tillämpad planering2019Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 20 credits / 30 HE creditsStudent thesis
    Abstract [en]

    The number of species has decreased, and our planet is at the beginning of a sixth mass extinction, mainly due to anthropogenic effects. Research shows, among other things, on an insect population collapse, as 41% of the world's insects have fallen, and one-third of which are heading towards extinction. This can lead to a catastrophic breakdown in nature's ecosystem. Government agencies shall develop guidelines for the implementation of an action plan regarding green infrastructure, acting as a basis for the county administrative board's sustainability work. In collaboration with the municipality of Mariestad, simple and cost-effective means shall create a basis for practical commitments, thereby increasing the biodiversity in limiting habitat areas. This is done through the reinforcement of the transition environment in urban environments, and the examination of favourable distribution links for pollinators. In this project, good-, improvement- and potential flower areas have been analysed to theoretically increase connectivity for different pollinators. Sub-results show that there is, 896991-m2 deficiency areas to manage for pollinators with 50 m proliferation distance in Mariestad ́s urban area. Connectivity can then be expected to increase, by 41% overall for these pollinators, and by 37% for the closest possible proliferation. Through measures such as planting of flowering plants, mowing, the use of organic plant soil, growing seedballs, and implementation of green infrastructure, deficiency areas can be converted into oases for pollinating insects. Zoning plans can be changed for anthropogenic purposes, but balancing between what is beneficial to man or nature should not be exclusive of each other. Therefore, this report is a current description, but will eventually be misleading. It would therefore be excellent to supplement with a probability analysis, and a specific management plan for each deficiency area, with emphasis on species significance.

  • 8.
    Gyltman, Frida
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience.
    Kan man förutsäga biologisk mångfald i en livsmiljö utifrån livsmiljöns fördelning i ett landskap?: En teoretisk variabels förmåga att uppskatta biologisk mångfald testad mot empirin2019Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 20 credits / 30 HE creditsStudent thesis
    Abstract [en]

    Biodiversity is a prerequisite for the delivery of ecosystem services, which constitute an important resource for man. Today, there are several threats to biodiversity, of which loss and fragmentation of habitats are among the largest. Models for estimating biodiversity at the landscape level are thus important tools in conservation biology and in green infrastructure planning. This thesis is a study linked to an ongoing research project at the University of Skövde, which is financed by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. The aim is to develop a new biodiversity indicator at the landscape level; Landscape Biodiversity Capacity Index (LBCI). In this thesis, one of LBCI's theoretical variables was tested whether it correlates with empirical data from the pastoral land in Sweden in order to test its ability to make theoretical estimates against the empiric. The variable tested was Biotope Functional Capacity (BFC). It was done by sampling 20 replicates in southern and central Sweden from which empirical data were obtained from pastures through the National Inventory of the Landscape in Sweden (NILS), compiled into four diversity indexes; species richness, Shannon's index, Simpson's index of diversity and Simpson's reciprocal index. Lastly, statistical correlation analyzes were performed which did not show any correlation between the variable and the various diversity indices. Reasons for this may be due to how the empirical data has been analyzed and compiled or deficiencies in the BFC variable. Nevertheless, this study has contributed to important viewpoints in the continued development of the new biodiversity indicator LBCI and method development to further investigate the relationship between the BFC variable and empirical values.

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  • 9.
    Jonsson, Annie
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, The Systems Biology Research Centre.
    Vetenskaplig utvärdering av åtgärdseffekter mot almsjukan inom projektet LifeELMIAS: Rapport till Naturvårdsverket 2017-10-312017Report (Other academic)
    Abstract [sv]

    EU-projektet ”LifeELMIAS - Saving wooded Natura 2000 habitats from invasive alien fungi species on the Island of Gotland, Sweden” startade i augusti 2013 och avslutas under 2018. Projektet har haft sitt fokus på att bekämpa och i bästa fall utrota almsjukan på Gotland, samt långsiktigt skydda och bevara den biologiska mångfalden som är speciellt knuten till alm och även ask. Projektet drivs av Skogsstyrelsen med flera samarbetspartners bland annat Naturvårdsverket. Från 2013 har bekämpningsåtgärderna finansierats i projektet LifeElmias och det kostar i medeltal 5 miljoner kronor per år. För att kunna ta ställning till hur almsjukan ska hanteras på Gotland efter projektavslut har Naturvårdsverket beställt följande utvärdering. I uppdraget har det ingått att sammanställa vad som genomförts i LifeElmias och vilka slutsatser man kan göra, samt en diskussion om framtida möjligheter.

     

    Så snart almsjukan upptäcktes på Gotland 2005 sattes bekämpningsåtgärder in som har pågått fram till idag. Till och med 2009 spred sig sjukdomen mycket snabbt på ön. Därefter har den stoppats upp och dess spridningstakt har inte ökat signifikant sedan dess. Det finns tyvärr inget som tyder på att det skulle vara möjligt att utrota sjukdomen på Gotland. Ett uppehåll i bekämpningen kommer att innebära att almsjukan återigen går in i en starkt växande fas. Då skulle upp till 90% av almbeståndet kunna slås ut på bara några år. Fram till idag har endast 3% av beståndet på 1 miljon almar insjuknat. Almarterna dör inte ut helt om man slutar med bekämpningen men förekomsterna kommer till största delen bestå av unga träd och buskartade bestånd. Vilken total effekt det har på den biologiska mångfalden generellt går inte att förutsäga. Artsammansättningen kommer dock att förändras och populationsstorlekar påverkas i både negativ och positiv riktning.

     

    Den hittills mest effektiva metoden att bekämpa almsjukan har varit att upptäcka sjuka träd och destruera dem. Nya möjligheter med fjärranalys för att inventera finns inom räckhåll och med hjälp av ekologisk geografisk modellering skulle man kunna finna strategier för att effektivisera kontrollen eller upprätta skyddszoner för specifikt bevarande av almbestånden inom Natura 2000-områdena. Både fjärranalys och ekologisk modellering kräver dock ett utvecklingsarbete med anpassningar för de specifika situationerna med almsjuka, Gotlands geografi, klimat med flera faktorer. Men dessa metoder skulle långsiktigt kunna effektivisera arbetet och minska kostnaderna för ett fortsatt kontrollprogram.

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  • 10.
    Kallio, Sakari
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, The Systems Biology Research Centre.
    Koivisto, Mika
    University of Turku, Finland.
    Seeing Blue As Red: A Hypnotic Suggestion Can Alter Visual Awareness of Colors2016In: International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis, ISSN 0020-7144, E-ISSN 1744-5183, Vol. 64, no 3, p. 261-284Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Some highly hypnotizable individuals have reported changes in objects' color with suggestions given in normal waking state. However, it is not clear whether this occurs only in their imagination. The authors show that, although subjects could imagine colors, a posthypnotic suggestion was necessary for seeing altered colors, even for a hypnotic virtuoso. She reported posthypnotic color alterations also selectively in response to specific target shapes in briefly presented object arrays. Surprisingly, another highly hypnotizable person showed a very different pattern of results. The control participants could not simulate virtuosos' results by applying cognitive strategies. The results imply that hypnosis can alter the functioning of automatic visual processes but only in some of the most hypnotizable individuals.

  • 11.
    Koivisto, Mika
    et al.
    Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland / Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
    Salminen-Vaparanta, Niina
    Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland / Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
    Grassini, Simone
    Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland / Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
    Revonsuo, Antti
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, The Systems Biology Research Centre. Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland / Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
    Subjective visual awareness emerges prior to P32016In: European Journal of Neuroscience, ISSN 0953-816X, E-ISSN 1460-9568, Vol. 43, no 12, p. 1601-1611Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Studies on the neural basis of visual awareness, the subjective experience of seeing, have found several potential neural corre- lates of visual awareness. Some of them may not directly correlate with awareness but with post-perceptual processes, such as reporting one’s awareness of the stimulus. We dissociated potential electrophysiological correlates of visual awareness from those occurring during response selection and thus co-occurring with post-perceptual processing. The participants performed two GO-NOGO conditions. In the aware-GO condition they responded with a key press when they were aware of the stimulus and withheld responding when they were unaware of it. In the unaware-GO condition they withheld responding when they were aware and responded when they were not aware of the stimulus. Thus, event-related potentials could be measured to aware and una- ware trials when responding was required and when not required. The results revealed that the N200 amplitude (180–280 ms) over the occipital and posterior temporal cortex was enhanced in aware trials as compared with trials without awareness. This effect (visual awareness negativity, VAN) did not depend on responding. The amplitude of P3 (350–450 ms) also was enhanced in aware trials as compared with unaware trials. In addition, the amplitudes in the P3 time window depended on responding: they were greater when awareness was mapped to GO-response than when not, suggesting that P3 reflects post-perceptual process- ing, that is, it occurs after awareness has emerged. These findings support theories of visual awareness that assume a relatively early onset of visual awareness before P3. 

  • 12.
    Lawenius, Tove
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience.
    Sambandet mellan fetch och förekomst av stormusslor: En studie i Vänern2018Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 20 credits / 30 HE creditsStudent thesis
    Abstract [en]

    Freshwater bivalves are important organisms in the ecosystems they live, they also function as an ecosystem service for the human society. Swedish freshwater bivalves are divided into two groups; one with freshwater clams Sphaeriidae, and freshwater mussel with polyphile bivalves that are larger. Freshwater mussel lives in lakes and rivers, in Lake Vänern four species of the Swedish freshwater mussel have been observed. Fetch is the length of the open water from a point on shore to the nearest land or island. The structure of the lake bottom sediment can vary dependent on what value of fetch a shore has. In this report the freshwater mussel’s relation to the shore fetch is presented. More knowledge of the freshwater mussel is needed to develop a more suitable conservation work for them.   

    Inventory of mussel have been done on 20 different places in the southeast area of Lake Vänern. The results in this study shows a trend towards a relation between presence of freshwater mussel and shore fetch. Analysis on the highest density of mussel when the fetch data is divided in different classes shows a statistic significance for reduced density of mussel with increased fetch. Previous research shows similar results. However, more variables seem to be dependent factors for how and if fetch affect mussel.

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  • 13.
    Lidén, Josefin
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience.
    Intrinsic Motivation and its Neural Correlates2019Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 15 credits / 22,5 HE creditsStudent thesis
    Abstract [en]

    Why is motivation important? The answer is simple to most of us: it is what makes people push forward and act. Intrinsic motivation is the kind of motivation that arises from within a person, making her or him strive towards a goal for no other reward than the feeling it will bring. Additionally, this kind of motivation has shown correlations with enhanced learning, creativity, performance, optimal development, and well-being. While intrinsic motivation has long been a topic within the field of psychology, the neural correlates underlying it have only recently become of interest for researchers, and studies have shown some interesting but also contradictory findings. Therefore, the aim of this literature review thesis is to investigate the neural correlates of intrinsic motivation further. Firstly, a background review of motivation in general and intrinsic motivation in particular is presented, focusing on concepts such as the self-determination theory, flow, and cognitive evaluation theory. This is followed by a chapter on motivation- and intrinsic motivation from a neuroscientific perspective, concerning concepts such as the reward system, the undermining effect, and studies examining the neural correlates of intrinsic motivation. These studies show that there was activity in several different areas when participants were intrinsically motivated. However, a frequent pattern of activity in dopaminergic pathways involving the striatum and the prefrontal cortex (PFC) was detected in most studies, indicating the involvement of these areas in particular when a person is intrinsically motivated.

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  • 14.
    Liljebjer, Mattias
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience.
    Mental Visualisering i Ledarskap2016Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 10 credits / 15 HE creditsStudent thesis
    Abstract [en]

    This paper will examine the link between mental visualization and leadership. As times change so will also the role for a good leader change. I will first examine what distinguishes such a leadership and which qualities characterize a good leader. Futhermore, I will examine the possible problems  that might occur with using modern neuroscience techniques to identify the characteristics that are considered relevant for a good leadership. One such feature that I will examine closer is mental visualization. Where and how is this property active in the brain? Finally, I will try to answer how or if,  visualization is a critical characteristic of good leadership.

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  • 15.
    Lindersson, Carl
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience.
    Threatening Measures, at Face Value: Electrophysiology Indicating Confounds of the Facial Width-to-Height Ratio2019Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 15 credits / 22,5 HE creditsStudent thesis
    Abstract [en]

    Previous studies support that the relative width of the upper face (facial width-to-height ratio; fWHR) has evolved to signal threat, but these studies rely greatly on subjective facial ratings and measurements prone to confounds. The present study objectively quantifies threat perception to the magnitude of the observers’ electrophysiological reaction, specifically the event-related potential (ERP) called the late positive potential (LPP), and investigate if brow height and jaw width could have confounded previous fWHR studies. Swedish and international students (N = 30, females = 11, Mage = 24 years, SDage = 2.9) were shown computer-generated neutral faces created with the underlying skeletal morphology varying in brow ridge height, cheekbone width and jaw width. Participants first rated how threatening each face was and then viewed 12 blocks of 64 faces while their electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded. The results supported that the LPP could be used to index threat perception and showed that only brow height significantly affected both facial ratings (p < .001, ɳp2 = .698) and magnitude of the LPP within the 400 to 800 ms latency (p = .02, d = .542). Hence, brow height, not facial width, could explain previous findings. The results contradict the hypothesis that fWHR is an evolved cue of threat and instead support the overgeneralisation hypothesis in that faces with similar features to anger will be perceived as more threatening.

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  • 16.
    Lund, Mathilda
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience.
    Hur lokala väderförhållanden påverkar flygaktiviteten hos honungsbin Apis mellifera: Prediktiv modellering & flygbeteende2020Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 20 credits / 30 HE creditsStudent thesis
    Abstract [en]

    Bees have been named the most important and irreplaceable living species on the planet. One in 10 wild bee species (Apiformes) in Europe are threatened and 84 wild species are redlisted in Sweden 2020. Reduced flight activity and survival of honey bees (Apis) as a result of climate change have consequences for pollination and therefore also for biodiversity. Understanding how bees are affected by and adapt to a changing climate is crucial to the work of preserving the world's bee populations. The EU-project Sweden-Norway INTERREG "BIstånd till nordiska bin- unik resurs för framtidens ekosystemtjänster", studies Nordic bees' adaptation to environment and climate. Using activity data from the research project, this study aims to analyze how local weather conditions affect the flight activity of the Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), examine behavioral patterns and evaluate the potential in using weather conditions as a basis for predictive modeling. Two starting models of simple and combined weather parameters as independent variables with flight activity/individual as response variable were analyzed with automated multiple regression analyzes using three methods of Stepwise selection with AIC (Akaike Information Criterion) to find the simplest regression model that best describes the data. No statistical significant linear relationship between flight activity and additive/combined local weather conditions was found based on data from all methods. Of all combinations tested, wind had the most impact on the response variable. A total of 52 individuals registered 2880 flight activities during the collection period, of which a unique individual performed 38% of all registered activities. Wind showed no significant impact, however, for days with winds above 4 m/s, the flight activity decreased significantly. Individual variations within the population, small amount of data and uncertain weather data may have affected the result.

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  • 17.
    Nilsson, Jessica
    University of Skövde, School of Life Sciences.
    Dynglevande skalbaggar i Västra Götalands län: En jämförelse av dyngbaggefaunan på två olika habitat2010Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 10 credits / 15 HE creditsStudent thesis
    Abstract [sv]

    De dynglevande skalbaggarna är en stor tillgång för naturen och för människan. Dyngbaggarna lever både i skogen och på öppna marker och bryter ner spillning från såväl vilda som tama djur. En stor del av de dynglevande skalbaggarna tillhör gruppen bladhorningar (Scarabaeidae) och hela 29 arter av totalt 61 är med på den svenska rödlistan. För att ta reda på hur dyngbaggefaunan ser ut på en ekologisk gård i Tämta, Västra Götalands län, gjordes inventeringar vid tre tidpunkter under sommaren 2009. Varje inventeringstidpunkt bestod av två delinventeringar, en på öppen betesmark och en på betesmark i skog, detta för att se om det fanns några skillnader i artantal och om det var samma arter på de olika habitaten. De båda habitaten betades under perioden av nötkreatur. Samtliga skalbaggar samlades in för att sedan artbestämmas på labb och sammanlagt påträffades 13 olika arter varav en av dem, streckdyngbaggen (Aphodius merdarius), finns med på rödlistan som starkt hotad.

    Av de 13 arter som hittades återfanns 11 av dem på den öppna betesmarken jämfört med skogsmarkens 9 arter. Antalet individer varierade vid de olika tidpunkterna och även om skogsbetesmarken hade fler arter under augustiinventering var det fler individer vid motsvarande inventering på den öppna betesmarken, vilket tyder på en större täthet på de öppna markerna. Flest individer var det på den öppna betesmarken under juli månad. Slutsatsen jag drar av resultaten, med stöd från tidigare studier, är att lokalernas utformning och läge har stor betydelse för dyngbaggarna, men kanske än viktigare för deras levnad och överlevnad är tillgången på bra substrat för boplats och föda och hur platsen i fråga är solexponerad.

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  • 18.
    Nyström, Niclas
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience.
    Bottensubstrat och djupets betydelse för ärt- och klotmusslors förekomst: En studie av fyra insjöar i Västra Götalands län2020Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 20 credits / 30 HE creditsStudent thesis
    Abstract [en]

    By filtering the water in streams and lakes, clams make waters cleaner and clearer and this inturn contributes to a healthier ecosystem and provides ecosystem services for humans.Freshwater clams also play an important role as food for other animals. In Sweden there are 24different species of pea clams (Sphaeriidae). Not much is known about pea clams and theconsequences if they would disappear from the ecosystem are so far unclear. Relatively smallamounts of research have been done about them and this study is meant to contribute toincreased understanding of pea clams. In this report the significance of sediments for pea clamswere studied. Differences in water depth was also studied. Four lakes in the area aroundSkaraborg was investigated. The study showed that there was no correlation between presenceand water depth. The studied depths were 20cm and 100cm. The study found that there exists asignificant difference between soft and other types of sediments. Previous research showedsimilar results. Depending on the species the habitat may differ since pea clams have a widespectrum of ecological niches. Most clams were found in soft sediments, but they were alsodetected in other sediment types (middle and hard). Their occurrence also depended on the flowproperties of the water (calm vs. flowing).

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  • 19.
    Oguntuyi, Adesola
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience.
    Novel Therapy against Malaria Resistance using Meta-analysis2022Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (One Year)), 20 credits / 30 HE creditsStudent thesis
    Abstract [en]

    Malaria causes severe illness and death in some cases if not treated on time. The most vulnerable people are children and pregnant women in areas where it is rampant. The causative agent of the most severe malaria is Plasmodium falciparum this parasite is transmitted by the female anopheles mosquito when infected with Plasmodium parasites. Southeast Asia and sub Saharan Africa have the highest malaria death rate. Meta-analysis is one of the statistical tools used for estimating the mean and variance of underlying effects of a population under study from a collection of data from empirical studies addressing same research question. Meta-analysis has become an increasing valuable tool in research. This study describes the meta-analysis of novel antimalarial drugs. It involved selection of eligible articles based on certain inclusion criteria, calculating effect sizes, conducting the actual analysis using a popular software such as IBM SPSS and thus, estimating the effects of publication bias. This study identified three novel therapies used to treat Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) resistant malaria. The resistance against ACT is developed in malaria due to mutation in K13 gene. It is evident that these different novel therapies in combination with ACT treatment can be used to treat resistant malaria and reduce the mortality rate. 

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  • 20.
    Olubode, Aderemi
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience.
    Detection of root borne pathogen causing pea root rot by using minion sequencing2023Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (One Year)), 20 credits / 30 HE creditsStudent thesis
    Abstract [en]

    Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is the most cultivated pulse in the temperate zone, economically important with high nutritional value (high protein content of 20-30%) and relatively low cost. Root rot is its predominant disease, it is referred to as root rot complex because it involves many pathogens. The most important pathogens of pea root rot are fungi and oomycetes. The aim of this project is to assess the possibility of using root samples with known disease severity index (DSI) to identify pea root rot causing pathogens using a MinION device from Oxford Nanopore technologies. DNA barcoding is the use of a standardized segment or region of the DNA to identify the organism to species level by comparison with a reference library. The ITS region is the barcode sequence marker of fungi. In this study, extracted DNA from pea plant roots of six naturally infected pea fields were sequenced. Two different primer pairs; ITS1Catta & ITS4ngsUni (fungi targeted) and ITS1OO & ITS4ngs (oomycota targeted) were used for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Taxonomic identification was done using Kraken2 bioinformatics tool and UNITE reference database. Organisms from fungal phyla Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and Oomycota were recovered from all the samples, but none of the pea rot root specific pathogens (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Pythium ultimum, Thielaviopsis basicola, Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Ascochyta pinodella, Aphanomyces euteiches and Rhizoctonia solani) were identified. This project could not validate the use of nanopore sequencing using a MinIon device for the identification of specific pathogens causing pea root rots.

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  • 21.
    Rahman, Aminur
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, The Systems Biology Research Centre. Örebro University.
    Bioremediation of Toxic Metals for Protecting Human Health and the Ecosystem2016Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Heavy metal pollutants, discharged into the ecosystem as waste by anthropogenic activities, contaminate drinking water for millions of people and animals in many regions of the world. Long term exposure to these metals, leads to several lethal diseases like cancer, keratosis, gangrene, diabetes, cardio- vascular disorders, etc. Therefore, removal of these pollutants from soil, water and environment is of great importance for human welfare. One of the possible eco-friendly solutions to this problem is the use of microorganisms that can accumulate the heavy metals from the contaminated sources, hence reducing the pollutant contents to a safe level.

    In this thesis an arsenic resistant bacterium Lysinibacillus sphaericus B1-CDA, a chromium resistant bacterium Enterobacter cloacae B2-DHA and a nickel resistant bacterium Lysinibacillus sp. BA2 were isolated and studied. The minimum inhibitory concentration values of these isolates are 500 mM sodium arsenate, 5.5 mM potassium chromate and 9 mM nickel chloride, respectively. The time of flight-secondary ion mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy analyses revealed that after 120 h of exposure, the intracellular accumulation of arsenic in B1-CDA and chromium in B2-DHA were 5.0 mg/g dwt and 320 μg/g dwt of cell biomass, respectively. However, the arsenic and chromium contents in the liquid medium were reduced to 50% and 81%, respectively. The adsorption values of BA2 when exposed to nickel for 6 h were 238.04 mg of Ni(II) per gram of dead biomass indicating BA2 can reduce nickel content in the solution to 53.89%. Scanning electron micrograph depicted the effect of these metals on cellular morphology of the isolates. The genetic composition of B1-CDA and B2-DHA were studied in detail by sequencing of whole genomes. All genes of B1-CDA and B2-DHA predicted to be associated with resistance to heavy metals were annotated.

    The findings in this study accentuate the significance of these bacteria in removing toxic metals from the contaminated sources. The genetic mechanisms of these isolates in absorbing and thus removing toxic metals could be used as vehicles to cope with metal toxicity of the contaminated effluents discharged to the nature by industries and other human activities.

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  • 22.
    Rahman, Aminur
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, The Systems Biology Research Centre. Örebro universitet, Institutionen för naturvetenskap och teknik.
    Nahar, Noor
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, The Systems Biology Research Centre.
    Olsson, Björn
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, The Systems Biology Research Centre.
    Jass, Jana
    Örebro universitet, Institutionen för naturvetenskap och teknik.
    Nawani, Neelu N.
    Dr. D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Tathawade, Pune-411033, India.
    Ghosh, Sibdas
    Iona College, New Rochelle, NY, USA.
    Saha, Ananda K.
    University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh.
    Hossain, Khaled
    University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.
    Mandal, Abul
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, The Systems Biology Research Centre.
    Genome analysis of Enterobacter cloacae B2-DHA: A bacterium resistant to chromium and/or other heavy metalsManuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
  • 23.
    Revonsuo, Antti
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, The Systems Biology Research Centre. Turun yliopisto, Turku, Finland.
    Tuominen, Jarno
    Turun yliopisto, Turku, Finland.
    Valli, Katja
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, The Systems Biology Research Centre. Turun yliopisto, Turku, Finland.
    The Avatars in the Machine: Dreaming as a Simulation of Social Reality2016In: Open MIND: Philosophy and the Mind Sciences in the 21st Century / [ed] Thomas Metzinger & Jennifer M. Windt, MIT Press, 2016, p. 1295-1322Chapter in book (Refereed)
  • 24.
    Revonsuo, Antti
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, The Systems Biology Research Centre. Turun yliopisto, Turku, Finland.
    Tuominen, Jarno
    Turun yliopisto, Turku, Finland.
    Valli, Katja
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, The Systems Biology Research Centre. Turun yliopisto, Turku, Finland.
    The Simulation Theories of Dreaming: How to Make Theoretical Progress in Dream Science2016In: Open MIND: Philosophy and the Mind Sciences in the 21st Century / [ed] Thomas Metzinger & Jennifer M. Windt, MIT Press, 2016, p. 1341-1348Chapter in book (Refereed)
  • 25.
    Schön, Martin
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience.
    Miljövariablers påverkan på variationer i fångst av öring (Salmo trutta) från provfisken i vattendrag: En undersökning i Västra Götalandsvattendrag2019Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 20 credits / 30 HE creditsStudent thesis
    Abstract [en]

    With climate changes ecosystems are believed to be affected. Anthropogenic emissions have led to altered temperatures, intense heat periods and acid deposition. In water streams, these factors have tendencies to further alter the chemical and physics properties of water. A more acid water, higher water temperatures and higher concentrations of aluminum in the water are expected. Species of fish are affected by altered water properties and especially brown trout (Salmo trutta) by the variables mentioned. To analyse whether these factors had an impact on the catch of brown trout in 10 water streams in the county of Västra Götaland, data has been gathered from the databases Svenskt ElfiskeRegiSter (SERS) and Mark-, Vatten-, och Miljödata (MVM). With multiple linear regression, the data was subject to statistical tests with the aim to derive models which with the use of environmental factors, or if the water stream itself or year would explain a response in catch of brown trout. Factors were modelled to have independent influences on brown trout, or in simple interactions with another. The best model was derived from tests from Akaike’s Information Criterion (AIC) and the model which was deemed the best (R2adj = 0.5304, p < 0.05) was dependent on water stream itself as a variable rather than an environmental factor. Year as variable was deemed weaker than water stream. To imply a prediction of the catch of brown trout with the best model from this study was therefore one which included water streams. Despite this, the use of environmental factors when constructing analyses must not be set aside in future work. When using data dependent on databases such as SERS and MVM, it is important to determine whether the water streams in use are appropriate for comparison. Aspects such as water stream width, depth, nearby vegetation and sun exposure may vary and affect the chemical and physical properties of the water accordingly. Additionally, future work should consider the importance of modeling trustworthy variables as simple constructions of them may not justify the complexity of reality.

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  • 26.
    Sernland, Emma
    University of Skövde, School of Life Sciences.
    Optimal strategies and information in foraging theory2005Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    In this thesis, I present both theoretical and empirical work where we have studied how humans and animals use information in situations where they need to continually update their information on the density of a resource. We have found that the amount of information, and the way the information is presented, are important factors for how well decisions are adapted to current circumstances. In an empirical study on humans, we found that humans seem to have a default idea of the distribution of a resource. This default idea seems to be plastic, i.e. it is adjusted according to incoming information. The way additional information was presented, as well as the information content, was important for how well the default idea was adjusted to current circumstances.

    By using mathematical models, we have also studied whether access to information from group members, so called public information, is one of the reasons why some species live in groups. When group members aim to maximize its intake rate of food and share both information and food items found equally, and when each individual has to pay all the cost for travelling between foraging patches, the intake rate of food will decrease with increasing group size. The animals will spend a larger proportion of the time on travelling between patches and less time on foraging the larger the group size. In this case, information sharing on food density in patches is not a reason why animals live in groups.

    We have also used mathematical models to study the information dynamics in a group of foraging animals that cannot both search for food and information at the same time. The animals aim to maximize their survival, and are given three behavioural choices in each time step: stay and search for food, stay and scan for information, or leave the current patch. The results show that the choice of behaviour depends on the energy reserves of the individual. An animal with low energy reserves searches for food and leaves the patch if its assessment of potential patch quality decreases to a certain level. An animal with high energy reserves chooses to stay in the patch and scan for information. In our model we assume that when one individual leaves the patch, the rest of the group also leaves. This means that it is those individuals that have low energy reserves that will make the leaving decisions for the group.

    In the end, we use these theories on Bayesian foraging, information updating and decision-making in order to develop a new type of effort-based quota for sustainable fisheries management: an effort-based dynamic quota (EDQ). We show that by using information from ongoing fishing combined with fishing data from earlier years, we can reach a higher maximum sustainable yield compared to using a total allowable catch (TAC).

  • 27.
    Sikka, Pilleriin
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, The Systems Biology Research Centre. Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Finland.
    Revonsuo, Antti
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, The Systems Biology Research Centre. University of Turku, Finland.
    Valli, Katja
    Methodological Issues in Measuring Dream Emotions2016Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Emotions are central in dreams, specifically in rapid eye movement sleep dreams. Despite a wealth of research on the emotional content of dreams, there is little consensus about the overall emotionality and predominant valence of dreams or about the prevailing specific emotions in dreams. Previous contradictory findings are arguably due to unresolved methodological issues. However, studies that have directly investigated these methodological issues are scarce. In this presentation three studies that investigated the effect of study methodology on the frequency, valence and phenomenological content of dream emotions are discussed. The studies demonstrate that the use of different methods for rating dream emotions (participants who experience the dream vs external judges who analysed the respective dream report) and for collecting dream reports (home vs laboratory setting) leads to very different results and conclusions about the emotional content of dreams. As such, these studies highlight the importance of carefully considering study methodology when conducting and interpreting dream (emotional) content studies.

  • 28.
    Sikka, Pilleriin
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, The Systems Biology Research Centre. Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Finland.
    Valli, Katja
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, The Systems Biology Research Centre. Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Finland.
    Virta, Tiina
    Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Finland.
    Revonsuo, Antti
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, The Systems Biology Research Centre.
    I know how you felt last night, or do I?: Self- and external ratings of emotions in REM dreams2014In: Consciousness and Cognition, ISSN 1053-8100, E-ISSN 1090-2376, Vol. 25, p. 51-66Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    We investigated whether inconsistencies in previous studies regarding emotional experiencesin dreams derive from whether dream emotions are self-rated or externally evaluated.Seventeen subjects were monitored with polysomnography in the sleep laboratoryand awakened from every rapid eye movement (REM) sleep stage 5 min after the onsetof the stage. Upon awakening, participants gave an oral dream report and rated their dreamemotions using the modified Differential Emotions Scale, whereas external judges rated theparticipants’ emotions expressed in the dream reports, using the same scale. The twoapproaches produced diverging results. Self-ratings, as compared to external ratings,resulted in greater estimates of (a) emotional dreams; (b) positively valenced dreams;(c) positive and negative emotions per dream; and (d) various discrete emotions representedin dreams. The results suggest that this is mostly due to the underrepresentationof positive emotions in dream reports. Possible reasons for this discrepancy are discussed.

  • 29.
    Sikka, Pilleriin
    et al.
    University of Skövde, School of Humanities and Informatics. Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Finland.
    Valli, Katja
    University of Skövde, School of Humanities and Informatics. Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Finland.
    Virta, Tiina
    Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Finland.
    Revonsuo, Antti
    University of Skövde, School of Humanities and Informatics. Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Finland.
    Subjective and objective measures of affective states in REM sleep dreams2012Conference paper (Refereed)
  • 30.
    Skenderija, Tea
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience.
    Emotion regulation and its influence on decision making: Emotion regulation and decision making2018Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 15 credits / 22,5 HE creditsStudent thesis
    Abstract [en]

    One thing that may affect our decision making is emotions, and emotions are something we can regulate, this is referred to as emotion regulation. the use of emotion regulation strategies influence our decision making how this process out at the neural level The findings within this will suggest that the emotion regulation strategy reappraisal, compared to suppression, our decision making At the neural level, findings within this will indicate that neural changes may occur when individuals regulate their emotions in relation to making decisions. For instance, decreased activity within the striatum was associated with making less risky decisions when using the emotion regulation strategy reappraisal. On the other hand, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex may be important in mediating the neural systems of emotional states and working memory in order to enable decision making. This will also cover some prominent theories of emotion and decision making. Emotion regulation, as well as strategies for emotion regulation, will be explained.

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  • 31.
    Sturesson, André
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience.
    Exercise-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis and the effect of exercise and adult hippocampal neurogenesis on spatial learning and memory2018Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 15 credits / 22,5 HE creditsStudent thesis
    Abstract [en]

    It was long believed within the scientific community that the adult brain was unable to generate new neurons. In the end of the 1990s the consensus changed and it is since believed that the adult brain can and does generate new neurons after birth, a process referred to as adult neurogenesis. Adult neurogenesis takes place in two places in the adult brain: the subventricular zone (SVZ) in close proximity to the olfactory bulb and the subgranular zone (SGZ) in the hippocampus. The level of adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) can be upregulated and one part of the aim was to examine the effect of voluntary chronic aerobic exercise (VCAE) on AHN. It is clear that voluntary chronic aerobic exercise reliably increases AHN. Still, the function of these new brain cells is under debate. Spatial learning and memory are among the main abilities that have been focused on. The other part of the aim was to examine the effect of VCAE and AHN on spatial learning and memory. The reviewed literature suggests that both AHN and spatial learning and memory increase together from VCAE, although it does not show causation, that an increase of AHN from VCAE causally effects spatial learning and memory. More studies are needed to investigate if a causal relationship exists. 

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  • 32.
    Svensson, Andreas
    University of Skövde, Health and Education.
    In vitro study of the antiproliferative properties of Digitoxin glycosides and Keytruda on BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer2019Independent thesis Basic level (degree of Bachelor), 20 credits / 30 HE creditsStudent thesis
    Abstract [en]

    In the early 1900s, cancer patients were often treated by inducing a bacterial infection that stimulated an immune response which lead to a spontaneous passive cancer regression. This discovery lead to today’s modern cancer immunotherapy – an approach in which medical interventions stimulate the body’s own immune system to fight cancer cells. Digitoxin glycosides, a sodium pump inhibitor used mainly to treat heart-related diseases has been reviewed in clinical trials for its anti-tumor like properties. Moreover, A new drug to aid in the war against progressive inoperable metastatic cancers was approved 2014 by FDA. Keytruda was the first monoclonal non-chimeric human IgG4 antibody drug to restore the immune response to activated T-cells by interfering with the tumours’ programmed death ligands (PD-L1) and (PD-L2). Cancer cells express an increased level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that promote cancer cell proliferation and development. However, in too low or high levels, ROS promote oxidative damage in favour of anti-tumor properties. This study evaluated Digitoxin glycosides and Keytruda as potential anti-tumor therapies and any eventual synergic effects. Digitoxin, as mono-therapy, promoted apoptotic behaviour in pancreatic cancer cells when administrated in the mid- to high-end dosage range. Respectively, this study suggests a combination-therapy using a sub-physiological Keytruda-concentration together with a relatively high Digitoxin concentration produce a significant antiproliferative effect.

  • 33.
    Wootton, Kate L.
    et al.
    Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Ecology, Uppsala, Sweden ; BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States of America.
    Curtsdotter, Alva
    Insect Ecology Lab, Zoology, The University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia ; EkoMod SpA, Comunade Concon, Region de Valparaiso, Chile.
    Jonsson, Tomas
    University of Skövde, School of Bioscience. University of Skövde, Systems Biology Research Environment. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Ecology, Uppsala, Sweden.
    Banks, H. T.
    Center for Research in Scientific Computation, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America.
    Bommarco, Riccardo
    Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Ecology, Uppsala, Sweden.
    Roslin, Tomas
    Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Ecology, Uppsala, Sweden.
    Laubmeier, Amanda N.
    Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States of America.
    Beyond body size-new traits for new heights in trait-based modelling of predator-prey dynamics2022In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 17, no 7 July, article id e0251896Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Food webs map feeding interactions among species, providing a valuable tool for understanding and predicting community dynamics. Using species' body sizes is a promising avenue for parameterizing food-web models, but such approaches have not yet been able to fully recover observed community dynamics. Such discrepancies suggest that traits other than body size also play important roles. For example, differences in species' use of microhabitat or non-consumptive effects of intraguild predators may affect dynamics in ways not captured by body size. In Laubmeier et al. (2018), we developed a dynamic food-web model incorporating microhabitat and non-consumptive predator effects in addition to body size, and used simulations to suggest an optimal sampling design of a mesocosm experiment to test the model. Here, we perform the mesocosm experiment to generate empirical timeseries of insect herbivore and predator abundance dynamics. We minimize least squares error between the model and time-series to determine parameter values of four alternative models, which differ in terms of including vs excluding microhabitat use and non-consumptive predator-predator effects. We use both statistical and expert-knowledge criteria to compare the models and find including both microhabitat use and non-consumptive predatorpredator effects best explains observed aphid and predator population dynamics, followed by the model including microhabitat alone. This ranking suggests that microhabitat plays a larger role in driving population dynamics than non-consumptive predator-predator effects, although both are clearly important. Our results illustrate the importance of additional traits alongside body size in driving trophic interactions. They also point to the need to consider trophic interactions and population dynamics in a wider community context, where non-trophic impacts can dramatically modify the interplay between multiple predators and prey. Overall, we demonstrate the potential for utilizing traits beyond body size to improve traitbased models and the value of iterative cycling between theory, data and experiment to hone current insights into how traits affect food-web dynamics. © 2022 Wootton et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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