The main study purposes were to determine: whether antidepressant (AD) use increases the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus; and whether results differ when using different methodological designs: retrospective cohort design and nested case-control design. A retrospective Texas Medicaid database analysis of new AD (exposed cohort) and benzodiazepine (unexposed cohort [BZ]) users from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2009 was conducted. Patients aged 18-64 years without diabetes at cohort entry were included. The primary outcome was incident diabetes and the main independent variable was AD vs. BZ use. Covariates included age, gender, race/ethnicity, medication adherence, persistence, number of concomitant diabetogenic medications, Chronic Disease Score, treatment duration, year of cohort entry, and use of both AD and BZ at index. Regression analyses (adjusted) were used to address the study purposes. Of the study cohort (N=44,715), 35,552 (79.5%) were AD users and 9,163 (20.5%) were BZ users. Patients were followed for an average of 2.3±1.9 years (Median=1.8 years), were on average 38.6±14.2 years old, and 69.3% were female. Using the retrospective cohort design, AD use was associated with a 48.9% increase (logistic regression) and 60.0% increase (Cox regression) in the risk of diabetes compared to BZ use (logistic regression analysis: RR[subscript adj]. =1.489; 95% CI: 1.331-1.667; Cox regression analysis: HR[subscript adj]. =1.600; 95% CI: 1.437 - 1.783). Using a nested case-control design within the entire study cohort, AD use was associated with a 54.1% increase in the risk of diabetes compared to BZ use (OR[subscript adj]. =1.541; 95% CI: 1.368 - 1.735). Using a nested case-control design within the exposed cohort, current AD use was associated with a two-fold higher risk of diabetes compared to former AD use (OR[subscript adj]. =1.995; 95% CI: 1.759 - 2.264). Among antidepressant classes, TCAs, SSRIs, SNRIs, and Other ADs were associated with a higher diabetes risk compared with BZs. The results from the present study suggest that AD use is associated with an increased risk of diabetes. Clinicians may need to take this into account when choosing treatment for depression in patients at high risk of diabetes. / text

Bovine adenovirus (BAdV)-3, a Mastadenovirus was isolated from the healthy and sick cattle (Darbyshire et al., 1965; Zhu et al., 2011). Like other adenoviruses, BAdV-3 replication is characterized by the temporally regulated expression of genes characterized by early, intermediate and late gene expression. Genus-common, non-structural protein 100K is encoded by late region L6 of BAdV-3. The objective of the present study was to characterize the BAdV-3 100K protein and identify cellular and viral proteins interacting with 100K. Although BAdV-3 100K encoded as 850 amino acid polypeptide (Reddy et al., 1998), rabbit antisera raised against peptides representing N-terminus or C-terminus recognized a protein of 130 kDa at 12-24 hrs post infection, and proteins of 130 kDa, 100 kDa, 95 kDa and 15 kDa at 36-48 hrs post infection. The 100K appeared to be localized to the nucleus and cytoplasm of BAdV-3 infected cells. In contrast, 100K localized predominantly to cytoplasm of transfected cells. However, BAdV-3 infection of cells transfected with 100K-EYFP expressing plasmid detected fluorescent protein in nucleus of the cells suggesting that another viral protein may be required for the nuclear localization of 100K. Using yeast two-hybrid and GST pull-down assays, 100K protein was shown to interact with BAdV-3 33K protein. These results were validated using bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay. Although, 100K protein interacts with 33K protein, co-expression of both proteins in transfected cells did not alter the cytoplasmic localization of 100K. Using GST-pull down assay and BiFC assay, 33K interacting region of 100K was localized to a stretch of 13 amino acids (624-637). Repeated attempts were not successful in rescuing a recombinant BAdV-3 expressing mutant 100K (containing deletion of amino acids 624-637). The interaction of cellular protein(s) with 100K was determined by mass spectrometric analysis of immunoprecipitated 100K. Mass spectrometry of immunoprecipitate obtained by immunoprecipitating 100K protein from BAdV-3 infected cells harvested at 48 hrs post infection identified six proteins including dynein light chain (DYNLT)1. The initial identified interaction of 100K with DYNLT1 was confirmed by the yeast two-hybrid assay, co-immunoprecipitation assay and BiFC assays. Furthermore, DYNLT1 interacting domain of 100K protein of BAdV-3 was found to be located between 499-587 amino acids. Co-expression of BAdV-3 100K-EY fusion protein with myc epitope tagged DYNLT1 protein did not alter the localization of 100K-EY fusion protein. The investigation into the differences in the subcellular localization of the 100K protein in the transfected and infected cells lead to identification of the cleavage by adenoviral protease. Subsequent analysis suggested that BAdV-3 protease cleaves 100K at two identified potential protease cleavage sites (amino acid 740-745 and 781-786) in transfected or BAdV-3 infected cells. Although protease encoded by human adenovirus (HAdV)-5 or porcine adenovirus (PAdV)-3 also cleaved BAdV-3 100K at potential identified protease cleavage sites, no such cleavage of 100K encoded by HAdV-5 or PAdV-3 could be detected in cells expressing virus specific protease. Successful isolation of recombinant BAdV-3 expressing mutant protease (substitution of alanine for glycine in potential protease cleavage site) suggested that cleavage of BAdV-3 100K by viral protease is not essential for viral replication. However, further analysis observed less virus in the supernatant of cells infected with mutant BAdV-3 compared to WT BAdV-3 suggesting a possible role for cleaved C-terminal fagment in lysis of infected cells. Co-expression of BAdV-100K with other late viral proteins suggested that the 100K-EYFP fusion protein localized to the nucleus in cells co-expressing BAdV-3 protease-DsRed fusion protein. Interestingly, only C-terminal cleaved fragment of 100K localizes to the nucleus in BAdV-3 protease expressing cells. Further analysis suggested that C-terminal fragment localizing to the nucleus contains a bipartite nuclear localization signal, which is recognized by importin α3. Our results suggest that the N-terminal part of 100K may be retained in the cytoplasm by interaction with Tctex1 (DYNLT1). Our study provides for the first time a plasmid co-transfection system for the study of the protease cleavage of viral proteins. Moreover, this is the first report of cleavage of any non-structural viral proteins by adenoviral protease in infected cells.

Phonotactics are the restrictions on sound sequences within a word or syllable. They are an important cue for speech segmentation and a guiding force in the creation of new words. By studying phonotactics, we stand to gain a better understanding of why languages and speakers have phonologies. Through a series of four experiments, I will present data that sharpen our theoretical and empirical perspectives of what phonotactics are and how they are acquired.The methodology is similar to that used in studies of infant perception: children are familiarized with a set of words that contain either a few or many examples of a phonotactic sequence. The participants here are four-year-olds, and the test involves producing a target phonotactic sequence in a new word. Because the test words have not been encountered before, children must generalize what they learned in the familiarization phase and apply it to their own speech. By manipulating the phonetic and phonological characteristics of the familiarization items, we can determine which factors are relevant to phonotactic learning. In these experiments, the phonetic manipulation was the number of talkers who children heard produce a familiarization word. The phonological manipulation was the number of familiarization words that shared a phonotactic pattern.The findings include instances where learning occurs and instances where it does not. First, the data show that the well-studied correlation between phonotactic probability and production accuracy in child speech can be attributed, at least partly to perceptual learning, rather than a practice effect attributable to repeated articulation. Second, the data show that perceptual learning is a process of abstraction and learning about those abstractions. It is not about making connections between stored, unelaborated exemplars because learning from the phonetic manipulation alone was insufficient for a phonotactic pattern to generalize. Furthermore, perceptual learning is not about reorganizing pre-existing symbolic knowledge, because learning from words alone is insufficient. I argue that a model which learns abstract word-forms from direct phonetic experience, then learns phonotatics from the abstract word-forms, is the most parsimonious explanation of phonotactic learning.

Sammanfattning Syfte Syftet med studien var att utvärdera effekten av lektioner på en teoretisk patientskola, utifrån patienters skattade huvudvärk, huvudvärkshanteringsförmåga, aktivitetsbegränsning samt medicinkonsumtion vid huvudvärk. I syftet ingick även att undersöka hur deltagarnas kunskap, tankar och känslor om sin huvudvärk förändrats genom deltagandet i patientskolan. Syftet var även att undersöka deltagarnas förväntningar på lektionerna och om de uppfyllts. Metod Metoden som användes var av deskriptiv design samt single-subject experimentell design med ABA-format. Sammanlagt tre deltagare följdes före, under och efter interventionen. Antal mättillfällen varierade mellan 27 och 64 tillfällen. För samtliga deltagare var både pre- och postinterventionen en vecka lång, medan interventionen varade mellan 13 och 50 dagar. Deltagare fyllde dagligen i dagboksenkäter där de svarade på frågor bland annat gällande sin huvudvärk. Resultat Den första deltagaren försämrades genom studiens gång, utifrån skattad huvudvärk, huvudvärkshanteringsförmåga, aktivitetsbegränsning samt medicinkonsumtion. Tankar och känslor rörande huvudvärk hade inte förändrats mellan studiestarten och studiens avslut men hennes förväntningar hade ändå uppfyllts. Den andra deltagaren visade ingen minskning av huvudvärk under studien. Aktivitetsbegränsningen relaterat till huvudvärk sjönk i samband med att huvudvärkshanteringsförmågan ökade. Medicinkonsumtionen var genom hela studien hög och minskade inte. Den sista deltagaren visade en tydlig minskning av huvudvärk samt grad av aktivitetsbegränsning. Huvudvärkshanteringsförmågan påverkades inte nämnvärt av deltagandet. Slutsats Då uppföljningen på studieperioden var kort blev utvärderingen av deltagandet svår att göra. En längre uppföljning på studieperioden hade varit att föredra för att kunna visa på tydligare effekter av interventionen, eftersom beteendeförändringar kan ta tid att genomföras. / Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of lectures on a theoretic patient education program, regarding patients estimated headache, pain coping ability, activity limitation and drug consumption when experiencing headache. The purpose was also to investigate if the participant’s knowledge, thoughts and feelings about their headache changed through participation in the patient education program. The purpose also included to examine the participants expectations of the lectures and if these where fulfilled. Method The method used was a descriptive design as well as a single subject experimental design with an ABA-format. A total of three participants’ were monitored before, during and after the intervention. The number of measured occasions varied between 27 and 64. Pre- and postintervention was for all participants one week long, while the intervention varied between 13 and 50 days. Participants have daily filled out questionnaire diaries in which they answered questions about their headache. Results The first participant got worse throughout the study, regarding perception of headache, pain coping ability, activity limitation and drug consumption. Thoughts and feelings regarding headache did not change from the beginning of the study to its end, but her expectations was fulfilled. The second participant showed no decrease in headache during the study. Activity limitation related to headache decreased meanwhile the pain coping ability was increased. Medication consumption throughout the study was high and did not decrease. The last participant showed a distinct decrease of headache and level of activity limitation. The pain coping ability was not notably affected by the participation. Conclusion Because of the study follow up period being short the evaluation of participation was difficult to do. A longer follow up period would have been preferred to be able to show a more distinct effect of the intervention, because behavioural change often may take time to be carried out.

The algebra of matrices M with entries in an abelian von Neumann algebra is a C*-module. C*-modules were originally defined and studied by Kaplansky and we outline the foundations of the theory and particular properties of M. Furthermore, we prove a structure theorem for ultraweakly closed submodules of M, using techniques from the theory of type I finite von Neumann algebras. By analogy with the classical join in topology, the join for operator algebras A and B acting on Hilbert spaces H and K, respectively, was defined by Gilfeather and Smith. Assuming that K is finite dimensional, Gilfeather and Smith calculated the Hochschild cohomology groups of the join. We assume that M is the algebra of matrices with entries in a maximal abelian von Neumann algebra U, A is an operator algebra acting on a Hilbert space K, and B is an ultraweakly closed subalgebra of M containing U. In this new context, we redefine the join, generalize the calculations of Gilfeather and Smith, and calculate the cohomology groups of the join.

Påverkar personligheten lönesättningen? Kan chefen vara objektiv eller belönar chefen omedvetet dem som liknar honom/henne själv? Det saknas tidigare forskning om hur personligheten påverkar lön och lönesättning. Syftet med denna uppsats är att undersöka om det föreligger ett samband mellan hög lön och en personlighet som liknar den lönesättande chefen. Studien är genomförd hos 4 chefer och 55 medarbetare inom handikapp-omsorgen i Ängelholms kommun. Undersökningen genomfördes med hjälp av Myers-Briggs standardiserade frågeformulär, intervjuer samt egna enkäter. Vi hittar inga klara bevis för att cheferna premierar medarbetare som liknar dem själva. Däremot finner vi ett samband mellan hög lön och upplevelsen av att lönen är rättvis samt att ett gott samarbete med chefen också ger en uppfattning av en rättvis lön, dock inte nödvändigtvis hög. Dessutom fann vi att utbildning och lång erfarenhet inom yrket ger högre lön. Lite förvånande fann vi att personer med introverta personlighetsdrag hade signifikant högre lön än extraverta personer, trots att cheferna uppgett att de framförallt uppskattar egenskaper som korrelerar med extraversion. Vi tror att Introverta egenskaper inte har lika positiv klang som Extraverta egenskaper. Det är intressant att chefernas egen uppfattning om personlighetens betydelse vid lönesättning inte stämde överens med våra resultat. Vi har i vår studie inte gjort några mätningar på vare sig vad eller hur arbetet utförs av den enskilde medarbetaren. Personligheten behöver inte nödvändigtvis vara kopplad till prestationen.

Entanglement is one of the fundamental features of quantum information science. Though bipartite entanglement has been analyzed thoroughly in theory and shown to be an important resource in quantum computation and communication protocols, the theory of entanglement shared between more than two parties, which is called multipartite entanglement, is still not complete. Specifically, the classification of multipartite entanglement and the transformation property between different multipartite states by local operators and classical communications (LOCC) are two fundamental questions in the theory of multipartite entanglement. In this thesis, we present results related to the LOCC transformation between multipartite entangled states. Firstly, we investigate the bounds on the LOCC transformation probability between multipartite states, especially the GHZ class states. By analyzing the involvement of 3-tangle and other entanglement measures under weak two-outcome measurement, we derive explicit upper and lower bound on the transformation probability between GHZ class states. After that, we also analyze the transformation between N-party W type states, which is a special class of multipartite entangled states that has an explicit unique expression and a set of analytical entanglement monotones. We present a necessary and sufficient condition for a known upper bound of transformation probability between two N-party W type states to be achieved. We also further investigate a novel entanglement transformation protocol, the random distillation, which transforms multipartite entanglement into bipartite entanglement ii shared by a non-deterministic pair of parties. We find upper bounds for the random distillation protocol for general N-party W type states and find the condition for the upper bounds to be achieved. What is surprising is that the upper bounds correspond to entanglement monotones that can be increased by Separable Operators (SEP), which gives the first set of analytical entanglement monotones that can be increased by SEP. Finally, we investigate the idea of a new class of multipartite entangled states, the Absolutely Maximal Entangled (AME) states, which is characterized by the fact that any bipartition of the states would give a maximal entangled state between the two sets. The relationship between AME states and Quantum secret sharing (QSS) protocols is exhibited and the application of AME states in novel quantum communication protocols is also explored.

Human enteroviruses (HEVs), particularly Coxsackie B viruses (CVBs), might trigger the onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D), either by direct infection of the insulin-producing beta-cells or by an indirect inflammatory response. The overall aim of this thesis was to study the tropism of HEVs in isolated human pancreatic cell clusters in vitro including virus effects on islet function, gene-expression and ultrastructure. Furthermore, the expression of the major CVB-receptor, CAR, was investigated in pancreatic tissue from T1D-related subjects and CVB-infected islets. Also, tissues and isolated islets from two adult organ-donors who died close to disease onset were studied.The results showed that beta-cells were destroyed through lytic infections with different strains of CVBs and that islets function did not depend on replication per se but on the degree of islet destruction. Virus particles were observed in beta-cells in association with insulin granules, however no virus replication or particles could be observed in the exocrine cell clusters, as opposed to in mice models. The virus-infected islets had a decreased expression of insulin mRNA and CAR mRNA/protein, possibly reflecting virus-killed beta-cells. Infected beta-cells contained a high number of insulin granules, which might indicate an impaired function.The in vivo studies showed presence of virus proteins in the islets of both donors who died close to onset of T1D and elevated expression of innate immunity genes, potentially indicating viral infection, but direct evidence is lacking. Both donors were immune-reactive for insulin but the isolated islets had an impaired or completely lacking glucose response. Ultrastructural analysis showed both damaged beta-cells and normal-looking beta-cells, indicating that the latter might still have the potential to function but were blocked. CAR-expression was significantly increased in T1D-related subjects which might indicate tissue damage and/or inflammation in these subjects.To conclude, these results showed that CVBs could infect human primary beta-cells, likely by binding to CAR and lead to functional abnormalities, indicating that they could cause T1D in vivo. Exocrine cells were not permissive to CVB, which raises the question if mice-models should be used to study human pancreatitis. Also, unique materials from two T1D organ-donors were described.

Entanglement is one of the fundamental features of quantum information science. Though bipartite entanglement has been analyzed thoroughly in theory and shown to be an important resource in quantum computation and communication protocols, the theory of entanglement shared between more than two parties, which is called multipartite entanglement, is still not complete. Specifically, the classification of multipartite entanglement and the transformation property between different multipartite states by local operators and classical communications (LOCC) are two fundamental questions in the theory of multipartite entanglement. In this thesis, we present results related to the LOCC transformation between multipartite entangled states. Firstly, we investigate the bounds on the LOCC transformation probability between multipartite states, especially the GHZ class states. By analyzing the involvement of 3-tangle and other entanglement measures under weak two-outcome measurement, we derive explicit upper and lower bound on the transformation probability between GHZ class states. After that, we also analyze the transformation between N-party W type states, which is a special class of multipartite entangled states that has an explicit unique expression and a set of analytical entanglement monotones. We present a necessary and sufficient condition for a known upper bound of transformation probability between two N-party W type states to be achieved. We also further investigate a novel entanglement transformation protocol, the random distillation, which transforms multipartite entanglement into bipartite entanglement ii shared by a non-deterministic pair of parties. We find upper bounds for the random distillation protocol for general N-party W type states and find the condition for the upper bounds to be achieved. What is surprising is that the upper bounds correspond to entanglement monotones that can be increased by Separable Operators (SEP), which gives the first set of analytical entanglement monotones that can be increased by SEP. Finally, we investigate the idea of a new class of multipartite entangled states, the Absolutely Maximal Entangled (AME) states, which is characterized by the fact that any bipartition of the states would give a maximal entangled state between the two sets. The relationship between AME states and Quantum secret sharing (QSS) protocols is exhibited and the application of AME states in novel quantum communication protocols is also explored.

Le présent mémoire nous présente le profil des citoyens écotouristes et détermine les facteurs clés de succès d'une stratégie marketing centrée sur l'écotourisme. L'analyse de la littérature fait ressortir six principes internationaux de l'écotourisme. Le premier principe est la protection et la conservation de l'environnement, qui inclue l'eau, les aliments, la nature, la flore et la faune. Le deuxième principe est le processus d'apprentissage de la culture de la communauté locale, de sa nature et ses coutumes, ce qui comprend également la sensibilisation environnementale. Le troisième principe est la visite durable par les touristes et la communauté locale. Le quatrième principe est l'avantage économique pour la communauté locale. Le cinquième est la minimisation de l'impact des visites touristiques sur l'environnement, et finalement la protection des droits de l'homme. Le cadre conceptuel présenté identifie les variables qui caractérisent l'identification des profils des écotouristes et le comportement écotouristique au Québec. En outre, ce cadre conceptuel présente les variables modératrices, il s'agit des facteurs socio-psychologiques, tels que les motivations et les freins; des facteurs sociodémographiques comme le sexe et l'âge; des facteurs situationnels et des préoccupations environnementales, qui modèrent positivement ou négativement l'impact du niveau de préoccupations écotouristiques sur le niveau d'intérêt pour les voyages écotouristiques et le degré de cette préoccupation dans le comportement écotouristique (aller à une destination écotouristique). Les hypothèses de cette recherche sont : H1.a: Le niveau de la préoccupation écotouristique a un impact sur le niveau d'intérêt pour un voyage écotouristique; H1.b: Le niveau de la préoccupation écotouristique a un impact sur le comportement écotouristique (participation à un voyage écotouristique); H2.a: Les variables socio-psychologiques (motivations et freins) modèrent positivement ou négativement l'impact du niveau des préoccupations écotouristiques sur le niveau d'intérêt pour un voyage écotouristique; H2.b: Les variables socio-psychologiques (motivations et freins) modèrent positivement ou négativement l'impact du niveau des préoccupations écotouristiques sur le comportement écotouristique (participation à un voyage écotouristique); H3.a: Les variables sociodémographiques modèrent positivement ou négativement l'impact du niveau des préoccupations écotouristiques sur le niveau d'intérêt pour un voyage écotouristique; H3.b: Les variables sociodémographiques modèrent positivement ou négativement l'impact du niveau des préoccupations écotouristiques sur le comportement écotouristique (participation à un voyage écotouristique); H4.a: Les facteurs situationnels du voyage modèrent positivement ou négativement l'impact du niveau des préoccupations écotouristique sur le niveau d'intérêt pour un voyage écotouristique; H4.b: Les facteurs situationnels du voyage modèrent positivement ou négativement l'impact du niveau des préoccupations écotouristiques sur le comportement écotouristique (participation à un voyage écotouristique); H5.a: Le niveau des préoccupations environnementales modèrent positivement ou négativement l'impact du niveau des préoccupations écotouristiques sur le niveau d'intérêt pour une voyage écotouristique; H5.b: Le niveau des préoccupations environnementales modèrent positivement ou négativement l'impact du niveau des préoccupation écotouristiques sur le comportement écotouristique (participation à un voyage écotouristique). Pour réaliser cette étude, nous avons administré un questionnaire en ligne sur la page Facebook de l'Observatoire de la consommation responsable (http://www.facebook.com/OCResponsable), sur le site Web du partenaire de l'étude GaïaPresse (http://gaiapresse.ca/), et via sa newsletter. L'échantillon de cette étude est de 287 participants. D'après les résultats de cette étude, nous pouvons déduire que trois principes doivent être utilisés par les entreprises pour supporter les activités écotouristiques. Il s'agit principalement du processus d'apprentissage, la visite durable et l'avantage économique pour la communauté locale. En outre, les résultats de cette recherche permettent la validation des hypothèses H1a, H1b, H2a, H2b, H5a, and H5b. Par contre, les hypothèses H3a et H3b ont été partiellement confirmées. Cela signifie que les facteurs sociodémographiques, comme le sexe, l'âge et le niveau d'éducation, influencent le niveau d'intérêt pour les voyages écotouristiques et le comportement écotouristique (aller à une destination écotouristique). En plus, les hypothèses H4a et H4b ont aussi été partiellement confirmées. Cela signifie que les facteurs situationnels, tels que le compagnon du voyage et sa durée, n'ont pas un effet modérateur sur la relation entre les préoccupations écotouristiques et nos deux variables dépendantes principales : le niveau d'intérêt pour le voyage écotouristique et le comportement écotouristique. Grâce à cette étude, nous pouvons conclure que les écotouristes ont un niveau d'éducation supérieur, puisque le niveau d'éducation augmente le niveau des préoccupations environnementales. Les écotouristes aiment avoir le contact avec la nature. Ils estiment que l'écotourisme est une source pour découvrir de nouveaux amis et explorer la nature. Finalement, les écotouristes sont probablement motivés à choisir une destination écotouristique pour une expérience touristique, dans le cas où le voyage inclut la rencontre des gens qui ont le même intérêt. ______________________________________________________________________________ MOTS-CLÉS DE L’AUTEUR : environnement, écotouristes, écotourisme principles, et visite durable.