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Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs), comprised of two or more independent crosslinked networks in which the individual networks are interlaced, can be used to enhance material properties and increase functionality for applications such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, and biofabrication. IPNs can be formed by either simultaneous or sequential crosslinking, with sequential crosslinking being complicated by the need to infiltrate the constituents of the second network into the first network. Herein, the study reports the first simultaneous IPN based on the cationic ring-opening polymerization (CROP) of 2-methyl-2-oxazoline (MeOx) with bis(butyl-2-oxazoline) (BBOx) crosslinker and the reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization of N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAAm) with N,N`-methylene bis(acrylamide) (BAM) crosslinker. Specifically, the compatibility of the synthesis techniques is demonstrated for the preparation of simultaneous IPNs, and it is shown that, by varying the amounts of the two crosslinkers and comparing to single-component networks, the equilibrium degree of swelling (EDS) in water and compressive modulus can be tuned. The results reported demonstrate the utility of CROP and RAFT for preparing IPNs and suggest that with appropriate optimization the technique can be expanded to other monomer pairs which are polymerizable via CROP and RAFT.

Föreliggande studie syftar till att undersöka hur ett urval enhetschefer på sjukhus inom Västra Götalandsregionen upplever ledningens kommunikation och vilka förutsättningarkommunikationsinsatsen ger enhetschefer att kommunicera med sina medarbetare. Studien undersöker kommunikation i en förändringsprocess under 2023 och utgår från organisationskommunikationens begrepp meningsskapande, meningsgivande samt transparent kommunikation. För att tillhandahålla kvalitativ kännedom genomfördes materialinsamlingen med hjälp av sju individuella semi-strukturerade intervjuer. Reflexiv tematisk analys används som analysmetod för att identifiera mönster, kategorier och teman från empirin. Resultatet belyser betydelsen av tvåvägskommunikation, exempelvis dialoger, i en hierarkiskt styrd organisation och hur det skapar möjligheter att kommunicera utökad meningsskapande och meningsgivande. Resultatet visar även huruvida ett tolkningsbaserat kommunikationsuppdrag lämpar sig inom Västra Götalandsregionens sjukhus. Analysens resultat påvisar att det faktum att media hinnerrapportera om förändringen innan enhetscheferna kan samtala med sina medarbetare är ett hinder och resulterar i avsaknaden av förtroendegivande kommunikation., This study aims to examine how a sample of unit managers at hospitals within Västra Götalandsregionen experience the organizational managements communication and what prerequisites to communication efforts the unit managers conceive to communicate with their employees. The study examines communication during a change process during 2023 and is based on organizational communications concepts sensemaking, sensegiving and transparent communication. In order to provide qualitative knowledge, the empirical material was collected through seven individual semi-structured interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis is used as a method to identify patterns, categories and themes from the empirical data. The results highlight the importance of two-way communication, such as dialogues, in a hierarchical organization and how it creates opportunities to communicate extended sensemaking and sensegiving. The result also reflects on whether an interpretation-based communication mission is suitable in the hospitals of Västra Götalandsregionen. The study’s results clarify that the fact that the media reporting about the change before unit managers can communicate with their employees is an obstacle and leads to lack of trustworthy communication

This project set out to develop a new waterless separating toilet in order to improve the toilet sanitation situation in Bwaise, Uganda. Harvest Moon AB, a Swedish company developing waterless toilet systems for the Scandinavian market, and IKARE Ltd, a venture philanthropy operated UK charity engaged in WASH activities in Bwaise, joined forces to create this Master-thesis project. Bwaise is an informal settlement area in Kampala suffering from poverty, disease spreading and floodings. The goal was to develop a toilet solution, build a prototype and test it at the end of the project. The project began with a literature study focusing mainly on the technical principles for waterless separating toilets, human-centered design and intercultural design. This was followed by a field study in Bwaise, which included observations, interviews and workshops with local tenants, landlords, community leaders and the KCCA. The research concluded that that the solution would include two products; one shared toilet and a potty for when people cannot safely access the shared toilet. During the second trip to Bwaise, a prototype of the shared toilet was built on site and tested by 10 users for a week in the upper part of Bwaise. The feedback was positive, leading to believe that the shared toilet, consisting of a platform for which the owner builds the superstructure, has potential of improving the toilet sanitation situation in environments similar to the onewhere the test was conducted. However, further testing needs to be done to conclude whether the solution has the potential to substantially improve the toilet sanitation situation in Bwaise at large., Syftet med detta projekt var att utveckla en ny vattenfri separerande toalett för att förbättra toalettsanitetssituationen i Bwaise, Uganda. Harvest Moon AB, ett svenskt företag som utvecklar vattenfria toalettsystem för den skandinaviska marknaden, och IKARE Ltd, ett brittiskt filantropiskt riskkapitalbolag verksamt i Bwaise, gick samman för att skapa detta examensarbete. Bwaise är ett informellt bosättningsområde i Kampala som lider av fattigdom, sjukdomsspridning och översvämningar. Målet var att utveckla en lösning, bygga en prototyp och testa den i slutet av projektet. Projektet inleddes med en litteraturstudie med fokus främst på de tekniska principerna för vattenfria separerande toaletter, human-centered design och interkulturell design. Detta följdes av en fältstudie i Bwaise som inkluderade observationer, intervjuer och workshops med lokala hyresgäster, hyresvärdar, lokala ledare och KCCA. Slutsatsen blev att lösningen skulle omfatta två produkter; en delad toalett och en potta för när människor inte på ett säkert vis kan komma åt den delade toaletten. Under den andra resan till Bwaise byggdes en prototyp av den delade toaletten på plats och testades av 10 användare under en vecka i den övre delen av Bwaise. Återkopplingen var positiv, vilket ledde till att tro att den delade toaletten, som består av en plattform för vilken ägaren konstruerar huset, har potential att förbättra toalettsanitetssituationen i miljöer liknande den där testet genomfördes. Ytterligare tester måste dock göras för att komma fram till om lösningen har potential att avsevärt förbättra toalettsaneringssituationen i Bwaise i stort.

This study investigates how the fashion company NA-KD responded to a crisis situation that led to an attempted boycott. The main focus is on how the company’s image and trust were affected within the industry. The study also aims to review the company’s strategies to identify any shortcomings and areas for improvement in their crisis communications as part of their long-term brand strategy. The goal is to analyze how NA-KD strategically utilizes corporate apologia and ethos in its crisis management to restore its image and maintain trust. By examining how NA-KD addressed its image problem, we gain insights into their strategies during the corporate apologia. Analyzing how they communicate their ethos and brand trust provides a deeper understanding of how they want to be perceived by their target audience and how they position themselves in the market. The study's main purpose is to emphasize the importance of crisis management in protecting an organization’s reputation and credibility in today's fast paced digital world. In conclusion, a company's credibility with stakeholders is crucial, forming the cornerstone of its image and success. Losing trust risks undermining the entire operation, highlighting the need for corporate apologia and ethos in crisis communication.

BACKGROUND: There is an inconsistency in treatment outcomes used in clinical trials for provoked vestibulodynia (PVD), which makes it impossible to compare the effects of different interventions. AIM: In this study, we completed the first step in creating a core outcome set (COS), defining what outcomes should be measured in clinical trials for PVD. METHODS: Identification of outcomes used in studies was done by extracting data from clinical trials in a recently published systematic review and via review of clinical trials for PVD registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The COS process consisted of 2 rounds of Delphi surveys and a consensus meeting, during which the final COS was decided through a modified nominal group technique. OUTCOMES: Consensus on what outcomes to include in a COS for PVD. RESULTS: Forty scientific articles and 92 study protocols were reviewed for outcomes. Of those, 36 articles and 25 protocols were eligible, resulting in 402 outcomes, which were then categorized into 63 unique outcomes. Participants consisted of patients, relatives/partners of patients, health care professionals, and researchers. Out of 463 who registered for participation, 319 and 213 responded to the first and second surveys, respectively. The consensus meeting consisted of 18 members and resulted in 6 outcomes for the COS to be measured in all treatment trials regardless of intervention: insertional pain (nonsexual), insertional pain (sexual), provoked vulvar pain by pressure/contact, pain-related interference on one's life, pain interference on sexual life, and sexual function. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Critical outcomes to be measured in clinical trials will allow for accurate comparison of outcomes across treatment interventions and provide solid treatment recommendations. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: The major strengths of the study are the adherence to methodological recommendations and the intentional focus on aspects of diversity of participating stakeholders (eg, status such

I artikeln presenteras och diskuteras förskoleklasselevers förmåga att se och använda talstrukturer för att bestämma antal, samt hur förmågan utvecklas efter att de deltagit i interventioner under ett läsår. Totalt intervjuades 361 elever som deltagit i interventionerna alternativt i vanlig förskoleklassundervisning. Intervjuerna gjordes under tidig hösttermin samt vid förskoleklassårets slut. En specifik uppgift innehållande ett spatialt mönster i intervjumaterialet utgör underlag för att synliggöra hur eleverna erfar och använder talstrukturer, både kvantitativt och kvalitativt. Analysen tar vidare avstamp i en variationsteoretisk syn på lärande, där sättet att erfara ett fenomen, i detta fall tal och strukturer så som de framträder i en figur ordnad i ett spatialt mönster, har betydelse för vad eleven kan göra med tal, till exempel på vilket sätt man kan bestämma antal. Särskilt diskuteras vilka implikationer resultaten har för utvecklingen av matematikundervisning i förskoleklass och elevers fortsatta aritmetiklärande., Developing mathematics education contributing to equity in preschool class In the article, we present and discuss preschool class students’ ability to see and use number structures to determine number and how this ability develops after participating in interventions during one academic year. A total of 361 students who participated in the interventions or in regular preschool class teaching were interviewed early in the autumn term and at the end of the preschool class year. One task containing a spatial pattern in the interview material forms the basis for identifying how students experience and use number structures, quantitatively and qualitatively. The analysis is further based on a variation theory view of learning, where the way of experiencing a phenomenon, in this case numbers and structures as they appear in a figure arranged in a spatial pattern, has significance for what the student can do with numbers, e.g., how to determine numbers. In particular, implications of the results for developing mathematics teaching in preschool class and students continued arithmetic learning are discussed.

In this paper, we present what 361 preschool class students discern of number structures in a task containing a spatial pattern. The analysis, grounded in the variation theory of learning, focuses on the students’ discernment of composite units as parts of a larger whole. To discern a task as a structure of parts and whole is presumed to be significant for what the student can do with numbers, e.g. to determine the exact number of objects in a spatial pattern. The results reveal four different ways in which students discern structures, each one with implications for the students’ abilities to determine the number of the pattern. The results induce implications for the development of mathematics teaching in preschool classes and also raise further questions for research about students’ arithmetic learning.

Under hösten 2021 gjordes en kartläggning av matematikundervisningen i 95 förskoleklasser i syfte att bidra med kunskap om vad kvalitet i undervisning kan innebära och vad elever ges möjligheter att lära om tal, tals egenskaper och dess användning. Analysverktyget "Mediating Primary Mathematics" användes för att identifiera skillnader i undervisningens kvalitet, det vill säga hur ett matematiskt innehåll behandlades och medierades i undervisningen. Resultatet visar på en variation i hur innehållet medieras och därmed vad elever ges möjligheter att lära. Goda undervisningsexempel har observerats, samtidigt som utvecklingsområden identifierats. Artefakter förekommer ofta, men används inte alltid på sätt som synliggör matematiska samband och innebörder. Lösningsmetoder får sällan stå i centrum för undersökning, jämförelse och värdering i undervisningen. Elevinspel bekräftas ofta, samtidigt som det blir tydligt att undervisningen sällan erbjuder utveckling och bearbetning av dessa., Mapping of Preschool Class Mathematics Teaching about Numbers - Qualitative Differences and Learning Opportunities During the autumn of 2021, an observational study was conducted in 95 Swedish preschool classes with the aim of mapping and describing the quality of teaching. The framework "Mediating Primary Mathematics" was utilized to identify and assess variations in the quality of teaching about numbers, their properties, and usage, that is, how the mathematical content was treated and mediated in the teaching situation. The result revealed variations in how the mathematical content was mediated, which impacted the learning opportunities provided to students. While several examples of high-quality mathematics teaching were observed, areas for improvement were also identified. Artifacts were frequently used in teaching, although their usage did not consistently emphasize mathematical relationships and meanings. Furthermore, teaching rarely emphasized comparison and evaluation of different solution methods. Student contributions were often acknowledged, but it became evident that their input was rarely elaborated upon.

Ancient DNA (aDNA) obtained from human remains is typically fragmented and present in relatively low amounts. Here we investigate a set of optimal methods for producing aDNA data by comparing silica-based DNA extraction and aDNA library preparation protocols. We also test the efficiency of whole-genome enrichment (WGC) on ancient human samples by modifying a number of parameter combinations. We find that the Dabney extraction protocol performs significantly better than alternatives. We further observed a positive trend with the BEST library protocol indicating lower clonality. Notably, our results suggest that WGC is effective at retrieving endogenous DNA, particularly from poorly-preserved human samples, by increasing human endogenous proportions by 5x. Thus, aDNA studies will be most likely to benefit from our results.

A great deal of nanocarriers have been applied to induce ferroptosis in cancer research, yet there are limited examples of nanocarrier formulations to rescue ferroptosis, which can be applied to neurodegeneration, inflammation, liver damage, kidney disease, and more. Here, we present the synthesis, characterization, and in vitro evaluation of pH-responsive, core-cross-linked micelle (CCM) ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) conjugates with amine, valproic acid, and biotin surface chemistries. Fer-1 release from stable and defined CCM Fer-1 conjugates was quantified, highlighting the sustained release for 24 h. CCM Fer-1 conjugates demonstrated excellent ferroptosis rescue by their antilipid peroxidation activity in a diverse set of cell lines in vitro. Additionally, CCMs showed tunable cell association in SH-SY5Y and translocation across an in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) model, highlighting potential brain disease applications. Overall, here, we present a polymeric Fer-1 delivery system to enhance Fer-1 action, which could help in improving Fer-1 action in the treatment of ferroptosis-related diseases.

Boken Note To Self rymmer ett urval och en överblick av bildkonstnären Fredrik Hofwanders verk från det senaste decenniet fram till idag. Bilderna går i dialog med nyskrivna texter av författaren och mångåriga vännen Mats Kempe. Boken gavs ut i samband med vernissagen till Fredrik Hofwanders utställning En förgylld evighet, med verk som alla har staden Malmö som tema.

The bacterial cell-wall peptidoglycan is made of glycan strands crosslinked by short peptide stems. Crosslinks are catalyzed by DD-transpeptidases (4,3-crosslinks) and LD-transpeptidases (3,3-crosslinks). However, recent research on non-model species has revealed novel crosslink types, suggesting the existence of uncharacterized enzymes. Here, we identify an LD-transpeptidase, LDTGo, that generates 1,3-crosslinks in the acetic-acid bacterium Gluconobacter oxydans. LDTGo-like proteins are found in Alpha- and Betaproteobacteria lacking LD3,3-transpeptidases. In contrast with the strict specificity of typical LD- and DD-transpeptidases, LDTGo can use non-terminal amino acid moieties for crosslinking. A high-resolution crystal structure of LDTGo reveals unique features when compared to LD3,3-transpeptidases, including a proline-rich region that appears to limit substrate access, and a cavity accommodating both glycan chain and peptide stem from donor muropeptides. Finally, we show that DD-crosslink turnover is involved in supplying the necessary substrate for LD1,3-transpeptidation. This phenomenon underscores the interplay between distinct crosslinking mechanisms in maintaining cell wall integrity in G. oxydans.

In the era of exceptionally data-hungry models, careful selection of the training data is essential to mitigate the extensive costs of deep learning. Data pruning offers a solution by removing redundant or uninformative samples from the dataset, which yields faster convergence and improved neural scaling laws. However, little is known about its impact on classification bias of the trained models. We conduct the first systematic study of this effect and reveal that existing data pruning algorithms can produce highly biased classifiers. At the same time, we argue that random data pruning with appropriate class ratios has potential to improve the worst-class performance. We propose a "fairness-aware" approach to pruning and empirically demonstrate its performance on standard computer vision benchmarks. In sharp contrast to existing algorithms, our proposed method continues improving robustness at a tolerable drop of average performance as we prune more from the datasets. We present theoretical analysis of the classification risk in a mixture of Gaussians to further motivate our algorithm and support our findings.