O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o desempenho, saúde intestinal e metabolizabilidade de dietas para frangos de corte alimentados com o uso contínuo ou mudança brusca de diferentes rações à base de milho e sorgo moído ou inteiro. No Exp. 1 foi estudada a mudança no tipo de grão com as dietas: M100% (ração à base de milho); S100% (ração à base de sorgo); M:S50% (ração à base de 50% milho e 50% sorgo); PS-M (ração à base de sorgo na fase pré-inicial e milho nas demais fases); PM-S (ração à base de milho na fase pré-inicial e sorgo nas demais fases). No Exp. 2 foi estudada a mudança na forma do grão de sorgo: Sm100% (ração à base de sorgo moído); Si100% (ação à base de sorgo inteiro); PSm-Si (ração à base de sorgo moído na fase pré-inicial e inteiro nas demais fases) e PSi- Sm (ração à base de sorgo inteiro na fase pré-inicial e moído nas demais fases). Os experimentos foram conduzidos em um delineamento em blocos casualizados (blocos no tempo) para avaliar o desempenho e epitélio jejunal (r=8), microbiota intestinal (r=4) e metabolizabilidade das dietas (r=10). As mudanças entre milho e sorgo não alteraram o desempenho, epitélio jejunal nem a metabolizabilidade das rações, mas influenciaram a porcentagem de Clostridium, Weissella, Bacillus e Alkaliphilus no intestino delgado e Lactobacillus e Desulfotomaculum nos cecos. O uso de sorgo inteiro piorou o desempenho aos sete dias. Aos 40 dias, Sm100% e PSm-Si apresentaram desempenhos semelhantes, PSi-Sm apresentou menor ganho de peso, mas melhor conversão alimentar e Si100% apresentou o pior desempenho. Si100% e PSm-Si apresentaram aumento no peso relativo da moela e na metabolizabilidade das rações, assim como diminuição de Clostridium e aumento de bactérias das famílias Actinomycetales e Bacillales no intestino delgado, Si100% resultou em menor porcentagem de Alkaliphilus e Enterococcus que Sm100% nos cecos. Conclui-se que a melhor estratégia de uso do sorgo é a substituição total de milho por sorgo moído ao alojamento com posterior mudança para sorgo inteiro, pois não afeta o desempenho e epitélio jejunal das aves, melhora a metabolizabilidade das rações e potencializa a redução de Clostridium no intestino delgado de frangos de corte. / The aim of this study was to evaluate performance, intestinal health and metabolizability of diets in broilers fed different corn- or sorghum (ground or whole)- based diets, continuously or with abrupt change between the diets. Exp. 1 - Change in the type of grain: C100% (corn-based diet); S100% (sorghum-based diet); C:S50% (50% corn and 50% sorghum-based diet); PC-S (corn-based diet in pre-starter phase and sorghum-based diet in other phases); PS-C (sorghum-based diet in pre-starter phase and corn-based diet in other phases). Exp. 2 - Change in the form of sorghum grain: Gs100% (ground sorghum-based diet); Ws100% (whole sorghum-based diet); PGs-Ws (ground sorghum-based diet in pre-starter phase and whole sorghum-based diet in other phases); PWs-Gs (whole sorghum-based diet in pre-starter phase and ground sorghum-based diet in other phases). Experiments were conducted in a randomized block design for to evaluate performance and jejunal epithelium (r=8), intestinal microbiota (r=4) and metabolizabilty of diets (r=10). The changes between corn and sorghum did not affect performance, jejunal epithelium or metabolizability of the diets, but influenced the genera Clostridium, Weissella, Bacillus and Alkaliphilus in the small intestine, and Lactobacillus and Desulfotomaculum in the caecum. Whole sorghum resulted in decreased performance at seven days of age. At 40 days, Gs100% and PGs-Ws showed similar performance, PWs-Gs showed lower weight gain and the best feed conversion rate, and Ws100% showed the worst performance. Ws100% and PGs-Ws resulted in the biggest gizzard relative weight and the highest diet metabolizability values, as well as the lowest level of Clostridium and highest level of Actinomycetales and Bacillales in the small intestine. Ws100% showed lower level of Alkaliphilus and Enterococcus than Gs100% in the caecum. The best strategy to use sorghum in broilers diets is replacing 100% of corn for ground sorghum since the first day followed by change to whole sorghum, because this diet did not affect performance or jejunal epithelium, improved diet metabolizability values, and reduced Clostridium in the small intestine of broilers.

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This work deals with the preparation and measurement of an ionic conductivity of the gel polymer electrolytes prepared by various methods. In the theoretical part of the work, the types of conducting membranes, the development and the state of the art of the gel polymer electrolytes are summarized. The preparation and the results on ionic conductivity of the gels based on MMA, EMA and EOEMA are discussed in the experimental part.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder characterized by severely low bodyweight, fear of weight-gain, and a subjective believe to be “fat”. An elevated need for control and fear of losing control are considered core aspects in the development and maintenance of AN and restricting food intake is thought to function as a means to gain feelings of control (Fairburn, Shafran, & Cooper, 1999; Schmidt & Treasure, 2006). Feelings of inefficiency (i.e. lack of control regarding personal goals) have been found to predict longer duration of treatment and worse treatment outcome, underlining the relevance of the need for control in AN (Olatunji, Levinson, & Calebs, 2018; Pinto, Heinberg, Coughlin, Fava, & Guarda, 2008; Surgenor, Maguire, Russell, & Touyz, 2007). The constant striving for control could lead to rumination and negative affect – two further important symptoms associated with AN. The Goal Progress Theory of rumination (GPT; Carver & Scheier, 1990; Martin & Tesser, 1996) proposes that perceived discrepancies between desired goals (in the case of AN e.g. goals regarding lowest possible calorie intake, weight, etc.) and the current state (in the case of AN e.g. the subjective conviction of having eaten or weighing too much) trigger ruminative thoughts, which subsequently lead to negative affect. Following this theory, it could be suggested that gaining feelings of goal-progress and control could lessen the burdening repetitive thoughts and negative affect and that individuals with AN try to achieve this by restricting food intake. This dietary restriction requires self-control. However, previous research has shown that patients with AN typically not only show such elevated self-control, but also display rigid habitual behaviours and routines, struggle with set-shifting, and often display comorbid obsessive-compulsive symptoms (Treasure & Schmidt, 2013; Halmi et al., 2003). This raises the question of whether food restriction in AN is indeed an act of self-control or rather a habit. Recent scientific development has challenged the traditional dichotomy between controlled and automatic processes (Shiffrin & Schneider, 1977), instead suggesting that they are intertwined in such a way that often self-control works via the establishment of goal-serving habits and routines (Gillebaart & de Ridder, 2015; Galla & Duckworth, 2015). These theoretical considerations can generally draw support from previous research, but have not been investigated explicitly in the context of AN. It was the main goal of this thesis to analyse associations between feelings of inefficiency, rumination and negative affect, controlled and habitual behaviour, and eating behaviour to establish an empirical foundation for the proposed relationships between these aspects of AN. Study 1 (Fürtjes, Seidel, et al., 2020) employed ecological momentary assessment (EMA; data collection several times a day over a period of several days in the natural environment of the participants) to investigate associations between feelings of inefficiency, rumination, and affect in a sample of individuals with a history of AN who had recovered from the disorder in terms of eating behaviour and bodyweight and age-matched healthy control participants (HC). AN participants displayed elevated rumination about bodyweight/figure (but not food) and negative affect compared to HC, suggesting that these cognitive-affective symptoms are persistent even after recovery. Analyses investigating associations with inefficiency showed that inefficiency was associated with heightened rumination and negative affect, which is in line with the GPT. Furthermore, AN participants showed higher levels of inefficiency than HC and stronger associations between rumination and negative affect. These findings indicate that feelings of lack of goal-progress and control are a central aspect of AN, likely contributing to maintenance of the disorder by triggering dysfunctional cognitive-affective processes. The fact that these associations were still present in a sample of recovered individuals underlines the persistence of these processes, suggesting that they might not only maintain the disorder but could also present a vulnerability factor or contribute to risk of relapse. Study 2 (Fürtjes et al., 2018) made use of EMA and leptin, an endocrinological marker of undernutrition, to further investigate associations between rumination and affect in a sample of patients with acute AN, once at the beginning of treatment and again after weight-restoration. In line with Study 1, results confirmed that rumination about bodyweight/figure and negative affect are closely linked in AN and that this association persists even after weight-gain. Thoughts about food on the other hand were associated with leptin levels, declined with weight-gain, and showed weaker associations with affect. This suggests that thoughts about food may reflect a physiological symptom of the disorder, connected to undernourishment, whereas thoughts about bodyweight/figure might present a cognitive-affective symptom which could be involved in maintenance of the disorder (as suggested by Study 1). To test supporting evidence for the interaction of self-control and habits in the regulation of eating behaviour, Study 3 (Fürtjes, King, et al., 2020) employed task-based measures of controlled and automatic processing as well as self-report measures of self-control, habitual behaviour, and eating behaviour in a large female sample representative of the general population through an online study design. Results obtained via structural equation modelling (SEM) revealed that eating behaviour appears to be largely guided by habits and automatic behavioural tendencies, whereas controlled aspects have an indirect influence via this association. These findings could be interpreted as support for the proposal that self-control might work via the establishment of goal-serving habits and routines, which outlines the possibility that the restrictive eating behaviour in AN might be achieved and maintained via a combination of self-control and rigid routines and habits. Taken together, the research presented in this thesis was able to demonstrate how striving for control as a core aspect of AN might play a role in triggering dysfunctional cognitive-affective processes, likely contributing to development and maintenance of the disorder, and that self-control and habitual behaviour interact inguiding human eating behaviour, carrying implications for the mechanisms behind restrictive eating in AN. Clinical implications that can be derived from this research include addressing need for control and feelings of inefficiency in therapy to enable improvement of dysfunctional cognitive-affective processes as well as eating behaviour.

Background: Few studies have focused on the contextual influences that impact negative affect (NA) and risk for mood disorders in young adults. Research using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methods has shown that neurotypical adults with elevated social anxiety may be more sensitive to their social environment. To date, little is known about how types of social interactions impact autistic adults, who may show varying levels of social anxiety and social motivation. Aim: Our goal was to examine the heterogeneity in daily social experiences for autistic and socially anxious adults. Method: Using EMA surveys, we tracked daily self-reported face-to-face interactions and examined how these interactions influenced daily affect. We likewise examined how social anxiety (using the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale) and autism traits (using the Autism Spectrum Quotient) influenced day-to-day social experiences while controlling for potential covariates (age and biological sex). Participants consisted of 88 young adults who participated in a mental health longitudinal study. We used a multilevel model approach (MLM) to examine predictors of NA. Results: MLM analysis showed that a model with face-to-face interactions and social anxiety predictors best explained outcomes in NA. AQ scores, age, and sex covariates did not improve model fit. Social anxiety was a significant negative predictor of NA after controlling for face-to-face interaction. Conclusion: These findings highlight that autism traits do not predict NA after controlling for social anxiety, and that social anxiety interventions may improve overall moods by addressing types of interactions.

The tendency of recent years towards electrification of aircraft components and subsys-tems has opened the door for a wider usability of electro-mechanical actuators (EMAs) inthat context. EMAs are already in use in aircraft industries but mainly in civil aviation forsecondary control systems and non-critical applications. Therefore it is evident that thereexists a need for further research in the sector of utilization of EMAs for other areas withinthe aircraft manufacturing industry before they can be effectively applied. In this thesisan analysis of the power and thermal behaviour of EMAs has been done to evaluate theirapplicability in primary control systems for fighter aircrafts as compared to conventionallyused hydraulic systems. Furthermore, a method for scaling of such actuators in an initialdesign stage where few parameters are known has been developed and validated. One ofthe most substantial drawbacks against choosing EMAs for these purposes is the disadvan-tageous thermal transfer capability of electrical machines in high power applications. Aninvestigation has therefore also been made on calculation of power losses of electrical mo-tors and inverters. The results have been compared against a servo hydraulic actuator. Ascalable simulation model derived from motor data statistics has been developed in orderto simulate power losses and the thermal behaviour of these actuators. The model takesvery few parameters as input as an aircraft designer working in the preliminary stages ofthe design process often have limited knowledge of the final product, but at the same timeneed a fairly accurate view of how the actuators ought to be scaled with regard to weight,power and thermal transfer. The model shows promising results when verified against anactual electro-mechanical actuator on Iron Bird test rig. Finally, this work aims to furtherthe development of an Iron Bird situated on Linköping University, through an integrationbetween three thesis projects where the final product shall be an Hardware In The Loop(HWIL) simulation with several actuators involved.

During the last decade, substantial advances have been made in the understanding of the complex molecular, immunological and cellular disturbances involved in the initiation as well as evolution of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). In 85% of the mainly frail and older patient population, anemia is present at the time of diagnosis and is thus a major therapeutic challenge. High rates of primary resistance to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), the currently only approved standard therapy to treat anemia in lower-risk MDS, demand the development of novel and effcient drugs with a good safety profile. Luspatercept, a ligand trap of activin receptor II, is able to promote late stage erythropoiesis even in patients failing prior ESA treatment. The presence of ring sideroblastic phenotype defines a subgroup of patients with higher response rates. Additionally, recent developments in clinical research using HIF-1 or telomerase modulation by roxadustat or imetelstat are promising. Other areas of translational research involve targeting the inflammasome by anti-inflammatory drugs in order to improve anemia. These efforts will hopefully pave the way for new targeted treatment options for anemic low-risk MDS patients.

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Le craving est considéré comme une composante centrale de l’addiction, potentiellement impliquée dans les processus de rechute, et influencée par de nombreux facteurs. Les études ayant examiné le lien entre craving et rechute montrent cependant des résultats contradictoires. Ces divergences pourraient s’expliquer par les limites méthodologiques rencontrées pour évaluer le craving de façon rétrospective ou pour l’induire expérimentalement en laboratoire. La méthode EMA (Ecological Momentary Assessment) utilise des technologies mobiles afin d’évaluer les sujets dans leur environnement naturel et de récolter des données en temps réel. Cette approche est particulièrement intéressante pour étudier les fluctuations rapides du craving, capturer l’influence des variables environnementales, ainsi que pour examiner le lien prospectif entre plusieurs variables. L’objectif général de cette thèse était d’utiliser la méthode EMA afin d’examiner en vie quotidienne le craving, ses modérateurs, et son lien avec l’usage de substances chez des sujets dépendants débutant une prise en charge pour une addiction à une substance. L’analyse de la littérature révèle que la majorité des études EMA examinant le craving concerne le tabac et l’alcool, et que peu d’études ont examiné ce phénomène pour des substances illégales. La partie expérimentale de cette thèse a permis de 1) démontrer la faisabilité et la validité de la méthode EMA chez des sujets dépendants, quelle que soit la substance de dépendance (tabac, alcool, cannabis ou opiacés), 2) montrer un lien prospectif unidirectionnel entre l’intensité du craving et l’usage de substances pour les 4 groupes de substances, et 3) mettre en évidence une augmentation du craving face à des stimuli conditionnés (cues) rencontrés en vie quotidienne, augmentation d’autant plus importante qu’il s’agissait de cues individuels (personnels à chaque sujet). Cette étude démontre l’intérêt de la méthode EMA dans l’étude des addictions, souligne le rôle du craving dans les processus de rechute, et encourage le développement de protocoles d’extinction de la réactivité aux cues centrés sur des cues individuels propres à chaque sujet. / Craving is a central component of addiction, involved in relapse process and under the influence of many factors. However, studies examining the link between craving and relapse have revealed some contradictory results. These inconsistencies could be due to limits encountered to assess craving in laboratory or clinical settings. Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) methods use mobile technologies to assess subjects in their daily life, and collect data in real time. EMA is particularly well suited to assess fluctuations of craving, capture influence of environmental moderators, and examine prospective link between variables. The objective of this thesis was to use EMA to examine craving, its moderators, and its link with substance use in daily life among substance-dependent outpatients evaluated at treatment intake. Review of the literature revealed that majority of EMA studies examining craving concerned tobacco and alcohol, but only few examined illegal substances. The experimental part of this thesis 1) demonstrated that EMA methods are feasible and provide valid data in individuals with dependence for different types of substances (tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, opiates), 2) showed a prospective unidirectional association between craving and subsequent substance use in the 4 groups of substances, and 3) confirmed that conditioned stimuli (cues) encountered in daily life are associated with an increase of craving intensity, and showed that individual personalized cues elicit a more robust effect on craving compared to standard cues. These results highlight the relevance of using EMA methods to study addiction, suggest that craving has a key place in the relapse process, and encourage to develop tailorised extinction protocols centered on individual cues rather than standard non-specific cues.