La present Tesi Doctoral s’emmarca dins d’una línia d’investigació dedicada a l’estudi de les bases genètiques del metabolisme dels greixos en relació a la producció de carn de porcí d’alta qualitat i saludable. L’objectiu final és la identificació de polimorfismes i mecanismes de regulació responsables de la variabilitat genètica d’aquests caràcters complexes en l’espècie porcina. En aquest context, s’han utilitzat mètodes de genòmica estructural (mapes de QTL d’expressió (eQTL); estudis de gens candidats) i funcional (estudis d’expressió gènica) a més a més d’anàlisis proteics i cel·lulars en mostres de múscul i greix de porcs seleccionats per les seves característiques de qualitat de carn. Així, mitjançant la tècnica de microarrays s’ha analitzat el patró d’expressió d’ARNm en mostres de múscul gluteus medius obtingudes a partir de porcs d’una població comercial Duroc amb fenotips divergents per diversos paràmetres relacionats amb la deposició dels lípids. Com a resultat, s’han observat nombrosos gens diferencialment expressats entre els animals amb perfils divergents d’engreixament. Un estudi ontològic/funcional va revelar que aquests gens estaven particularment relacionats amb el metabolisme lipídic, el creixement i la diferenciació muscular, la immunitat i la captació de glucosa en la ruta de la insulina. D’altra banda, les anàlisis d’eQTL han revelat l’existència de regions genòmiques responsables de la variació de l’expressió gènica en el múscul gluteus medius porcí; algunes de les quals mostren una concordança posicional amb varis QTL per caràcters de qualitat de cran i engreixament detectats prèviament a la mateixa població Duroc. Complementàriament, s’ha realitzat un estudi més exhaustiu de quatre gens candidats (ACACA, HMGCR, SCD i 6D), directament implicats en caràcters relacionats amb la qualitat de la carn al ser els principals responsables de la síntesis i dessaturació d’àcids grassos i colesterol. Combinant els resultats de l’anàlisi d’expressió gènica, mapes d’eQTL i els gens candidats estudiats s’ha elaborat una llista de gens candidats funcionals i posicionals que serà la base de futures investigacions cap a l’establiment de les xarxes gèniques i els mecanismes moleculars implicats en el metabolisme dels lípids musculars i els caràcters relacionats amb la qualitat de la carn en porcí. / La presente Tesis Doctoral se enmarca en una línea de investigación dedicada al estudio de las bases genéticas del metabolismo de las grasas en relación a la producción de carne de porcino de alta calidad y saludable. El objetivo final es la identificación de polimorfismos y mecanismos de regulación responsables de la variabilidad genética de estos caracteres complejos en porcino. Para ello se han utilizado métodos de genómica estructural (mapas de QTL de expresión (eQTL); estudio de genes candidatos) y funcional (estudios de expresión génica) y también de análisis proteico y celular en muestras de músculo y grasa de cerdos seleccionados por sus características de calidad de carne. Así, mediante la técnica de microarrays se ha analizado el patrón de expresión de ARNm en muestras de músculo gluteus medius obtenidas a partir de cerdos de una población comercial Duroc con fenotipos divergentes para varios parámetros relacionados con la deposición de los lípidos. Como resultado, se han observado numerosos genes diferencialmente expresados entre los animales con perfiles divergentes de engorde. Un estudio ontológico/funcional mostró que estos genes estaban particularmente relacionados con el metabolismo lipídico, el crecimiento y la diferenciación muscular, la inmunidad, y la captación de glucosa en la ruta de la insulina. Por otra parte, un análisis de eQTL ha revelado la existencia de regiones genómicas responsables de la variación de la expresión génica en el músculo gluteus medius porcino, algunas de las cuales muestran una concordancia posicional con varios QTL para caracteres de calidad de carne y engorde detectados previamente en la misma población Duroc. Complementariamente, se ha realizado un estudio más exhaustivo de cuatro genes candidatos (ACACA, HMGCR, SCD y 6D) directamente implicados en caracteres relacionados con la calidad de la carne al ser los principales responsables de la síntesis y desaturación de ácidos grasos y colesterol. Combinando los resultados del análisis de expresión génica, mapas de eQTL y los genes candidatos estudiados se ha elaborado una lista de genes candidatos funcionales y posicionales que será la base de futuras investigaciones hacia el establecimiento de las redes génicas y los mecanismos moleculares implicados en el metabolismo de los lípidos musculares y los caracteres relacionados con la calidad de la carne en porcino. / This PhD is part of a line of research devoted to studying the genetic basis of lipid metabolism and fat deposition in pigs with a view to producing healthy and high quality meat. The main objective is the identification of polymorphisms and regulatory mechanisms responsible for the genetic variability of these complex characters in pigs. In this sense, we have used several methods in the fields of structural (expression QTL (eQTL) maps; candidate genes studies) and functional (gene expression studies) genomics and also protein and cell studies in muscle and fat samples from pigs selected by meat quality parameters. In this context, using microarrays we analyzed the mRNA expression pattern in gluteus medius muscle samples obtained from a commercial Duroc pig population with divergent phenotypes for several parameters related to lipid deposition. As a result, we have obtained a list of genes differentially expressed between animals with divergent profiles related to lipid deposition. The ontological/functional study showed that these genes were particularly related to lipid metabolism, growth and muscle differentiation, immunity and glucose uptake in the insulin pathway. Moreover, analysis of eQTL has revealed the existence of genomic regions responsible for the variation of gene expression in porcine gluteus medius muscle. Some of these eQTL show positional concordance with several QTL related to meat quality and fat deposition previously identified in the same Duroc population. Additionally, we have performed a comprehensive study of four candidate genes (ACACA, HMGCR, SCD and 6D) directly involved in traits related to meat quality, playing an important role in fatty acids and cholesterol synthesis and desaturation. Combining the results of gene expression analysis, eQTL maps and candidate genes studied have resulted in a list of functional and positional candidate genes representing a valuable contribution to the understanding of the genetic regulation of skeletal muscle individual gene expression in swine species. This is a first step towards disentangling gene networks and molecular mechanisms involved in muscular lipid metabolism and meat quality traits in pigs.

Older people should have a life with a sense of value and should feel confident. These ethical values, which are expressed in normative ethics, are expected to prevail in empirical ethics. Central components of nursing are the ethical issues of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and the principles of justice. The general aim of this thesis is to identify and describe the ethical values that are apparent in the caring encounter and their influence on the people involved. This is done from the perspective of the older person in study (I), next of kin in study (II) and nurses in study (III). In study (IV) the aim was to synthesize the concepts from empirical studies (I- III) and analyze, compare and interrelate them with normative ethics. Studies (I, III) were empirical observational studies including follow-up interviews. Twenty-two older people participated voluntarily in study (I), and in study (III) 20 nurses participated voluntarily. In study (II) fourteen next of kin were interviewed. In studies (I- III) constant comparative analysis, the core foundation of grounded theory, was used. Five concepts were used in the analysis in study (IV); three from the grounded theory studies (I- III) and two from the theoretical framework on normative ethics i.e. the ICN code and SFS law. Five categories; being addressed, receiving respect, desiring to participate, increasing self-determination and gaining self-confidence formed the basis for the core category ‚Approaching‛ in study (I). ‘Approaching’ indicates the ethical values that guide nurses in their caring encounters with older people. These ethical values are noted by the older people and are greatly appreciated by them, and also lead to improved quality of care. Four categories were identified in study (II): Receiving, showing respect, facilitating participation and showing professionalism. These categories formed the basis of the core category ‚Being amenable‛, a concept identified in the next of kin’s description of the ethical values that they and the older patients perceive in the caring encounter. In study (III), three categories were identified: showing consideration, connecting, and caring for. These categories formed the basis of the core category ‚Corroborating‛. Corroborating deals with support and interaction. Empirical ethics and normative ethics are intertwined, according to the findings of this study (IV). Normative ethics influence the nurse’s practical performance and could have a greater influence in supporting nurses as professionals. Criteria of good ethical care according to this thesis are: showing respect, invitation to participation, allowing self-determination, and providing safe and secure care. These criteria are elements of the concept of being professional. Professionalism of nurses is shown by: the approach nurses adapt to the performance of their duties, and their competence and knowledge, but also how they apply laws and professional codes

The welfare of the elderly population is one of the most important goals of the public health services. At macro level the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare state that the premier goal is for elderly people to have dignified and comfortable lives. They should have a life with a sense of value and feel confident. These ethical values which are expressed on macro level or as normative ethics are expected to prevail at micro level. In our study the micro level is the caring encounter between the elderly patient, next of kin and nurses. Ethical values and morals are important aspects that influence the quality of care, videlicet in empiric ethics. The aim of study (I) was to identify and describe the ethical values experienced by the older person in the daily interaction with nurses in a ward for older people during caring encounters. In study (II) the aim was to identify and describe the governing ethical values that next of kin experience in interaction with nurses who care for elderly patients at a geriatric clinic. Study (I) which was an empirical observational study included follow-up interviews. Twenty-two older people participated voluntarily. In study (II) interviews with fourteen next of kin were conducted. In both studies Constant comparative analysis, the core foundation of grounded theory was used. Five categories; Being addressed, receiving respect, desiring to participate, increasing self-determination and gaining self-confidence formed the basis for the core category in study (I): Approaching. Approaching concerns the way people become closer to each other in a physical space .It also includes how people become closer to each other in a dialogue, which involves verbal or bodily communication. Approaching indicates the ethical values that guide nurses in their caring encounters with older people. This ethical value is noted by the older person and has an individual value, as well as leading to improved quality of their care. The older person will be confident and satisfied with the caring encounter if the desired components in the nurse’s approaching are exhibited. Four categories were identified in study (II): Receiving, showing respect, facilitating participation and showing professionalism. These categories formed the basis of the core category: “Being amenable”, a concept identified in the next of kin’s description of the ethical values that they and the elderly patients perceive in the caring encounter. Being amenable means that the nurses are guided by ethical values; taking into account the elderly patient and next of kin. Nurses who focus on elderly patients’ well-being as a final principle will affect next of kin and their experience of this fundamental situation.

No description available.

Bakgrund: Antalet personer som vårdas palliativt i hemmet har ökat det senaste decennierna. Den palliativa vården innebär en helhetsvård av den sjuke i livets slutskede. Den skall samtidigt vara ett stöd för de närstående som har en betydelsefull roll för den sjuke. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att belysa upplevelser av att vårda en närstående med cancer sjukdom. Metod: En innehållsanalys genomfördes i denna litteraturstudie enligt Friberg (2006). Artikelsökningarna gjordes via Cinahl och PubMed. I resultatet användes sammanlagt elva kvalitativa vetenskapliga studier som granskats. Sex utav studierna var från Sverige och övriga var från Australien, Italien, Kanada, Hong Kong och Nederländerna. Resultat: Resultatet utmynnade i tre huvudkategorier, närståendes upplevelser av en ny roll, närståendes upplevelser i samband med vårdandet och närståendes upplevelser av vårdteamet. Varje kategori består av underkategorier. Närståendes upplevelser av en ny roll som beskriver om förändringar och utmanade situationer där närstående genomgick en rollförändring från att vara närstående till att  vara vårdare. De ställde höga krav på sig själva när det gällde omvårdnadsansvaret av den sjuke. Likaså trodde de att människorna i deras omgivning hade samma krav på dem. Upplevelser av att vårda en närstående i hemmiljö visade att det var både den sjukes och närståendes önskan om att den sjuke skulle vårdas hemma. Närstående begränsade sina aktiviteter för att vårda den sjuke vilket hade inverkan på deras liv. Detta kunde leda till att närstående drabbades av fysiska och psykiska belastningar på grund av de påfrestningarna de upplevde när den sjuke blev sämre eller de påfrestningarna som förekom i relation till de professionella vårdarna. Närståendes upplevelser av vården tar upp att närstående upplevde att de ville vara mer delaktiga i omvårdnaden av den sjuke och behöver information samt bättre kommunikation från de professionella vårdarna. Diskussion: Övergångsprocessen som närstående går igenom när de vårdar den sjuke i livets slutskede kunde ses som en utmaning för de. Trots att det kunde påverka deras liv negativt eftersom närstående ville ge den sjuke en god omvårdnad men upplevde att de inte alltid lyckades med detta. För att underlätta närståendes övergångsprocess är det viktigt att sjuksköterskan får dem att känna sig delaktiga i omvårdnaden genom att etablera en bra relation med närstående och ge dem kontinuerlig individuell anpassad information.

Background: Since the end of the 1990`s the self-harm among adolescents have increased. Research is needed on how to improve the ability to care for these patients. That is why it is important to investigate how patients who self-harm and the next of kin are encountered by the caregivers. Aim: The aim of this study was to illuminate the experiences of encounters with caregivers at self-harm. Method: The study was based on narratives, which in this case means analysis of autobiographies. Five autobiographies were analyzed in accordance with a description by Dahlborg-Lyckhage. Four of these were written by self-harmers and one by a next of kin. Results: Three themes and twelve subthemes emerged which describe both negative and positive experiences of encounters with caregivers. The themes were resignation, impotence and consideration. Negative attitudes and unprofessional manners were often experienced by both the self-harmers and the next of kin. This led to experiences of disappointment, disrespect and powerlessness. When the caregivers confirmed and displayed understanding, the self-harmers and next of kin experienced consideration in the encounter. Conclusion: As a caregiver it is very important to keep in mind that all patients and their next of kin are individuals. The caregivers need to be professional, display understanding and support. More research increase knowledge and understanding and results hopefully in caring encounters. Keywords: adolescents, autobiography, next of kin, nursing staff, self-injury.

Bakgrund: Att få kunna vårdas och dö hemma i en familjär och välkänd miljö innebär för de allra flesta en känsla av trygghet. För många anhöriga är det självklart att leva nära den döende och ta ansvar för omvårdnaden. Ur ett systemteoretiskt perspektiv kan familjen liknas vid en mobil, vid obalans påverkas alla familjemedlemmar. Syftet med studien var att belysa patientens, anhörigas och sjuksköterskors erfarenheter av palliativ vård i hemmet för att få en ökad förståelse för sjuksköterskors roll i detta sammanhang. Metod: Litteraturstudie där tidigare forskning i ämnet undersökts och sammanställts. Studien består av tolv artiklar från olika vetenskapliga tidskrifter. Resultat: Att få vårdas och dö hemma hade stor betydelse för patientens livskvalitet. Sjuksköterskans stöd och engagemang kan i många fall ha avgörande betydelse för om patienten avlider i hemmet, på hospice eller på sjukhus. Viljan för anhöriga att vårda kunde vara större än förmågan att orka med. Sjuksköterskans uppgift var att försöka läsa av och möta patientens och anhörigas behov. Att skapa en god relation till familjen visade sig vara av största vikt inom palliativ hemsjukvård. Slutsats: En god kommunikation med familjens medlemmar skapar förutsättningar för en god relation. Det är en svår men viktig balansgång för sjuksköterskan att kunna identifiera och tillfredsställa behoven hos varje enskild familj. / Background: To be cared for and to die at home in a familiar and well-known environment implicates for the vast majority a sense of security. For many families, it is obvious to live close to the dying and take responsibility for nursing care. From a systems theory perspective, the family can be likened to a mobile, the imbalance affects every member of the family. The purpose of this study was to illuminate the patient's, next of kin's and nurses' experiences of palliative care at home to get a better understanding of nurses' role in this context. Method: Literature study in which previous research on this subject were examined and compiled. The study consists of twelve articles from various scientific journals. Results: to be cared for and die at home had a significant impact on patient quality of life. Nurse's support and commitment can often be crucial if the patient dies at home, in hospice or in hospital. The willingness of relatives to care could be greater than the ability to cope with. Nurse's task was to try to read and respond to patients 'and next of kin's needs. Building a good relationship with the family proved to be of paramount importance in palliative home care. Conclusion: A good communication with family members creates the conditions for a good relationship. It is a difficult but important balance for the nurse to identify and meet the needs of each family.

The revolutionary advances in the wireless communication technologies are inspiring the researchers to envision the next generation wireless networking architectures, i.e., Next Generation Wireless Internet (NGWI), InterPlaNetary (IPN) Internet, and Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN). There exist significant technological challenges for the realization of these envisioned next generation network architectures. NGWI will be the convergence of the Internet and heterogeneous wireless architectures, which have diverse characteristics and hence pose different sets of research challenges, to achieve anywhere, anytime seamless service to the mobile users. Similarly, the unique characteristics and challenges posed by deep space communications call for novel networking protocols to realize the IPN Internet objective. Furthermore, in order to realize the potential gains of WSN, it is imperative that communication challenges imposed by resource constraints of sensor nodes must be efficiently addressed with novel solutions tailored to the WSN paradigm. The objective of this research is to develop new advanced transport protocols for reliable data transport and real-time multimedia delivery in the next generation heterogeneous wireless network architectures. More specifically, the analytical rate control (ARC) protocol for real-time multimedia delivery is first proposed for wired/wireless hybrid networks. Next, a new rate control scheme (RCS) is proposed to achieve high throughput performance and fairness for real-time multimedia traffic over the satellite links. The unified adaptive transport layer (ATL) suite and its protocols for both reliable data transport (TCP-ATL) and real-time multimedia delivery (RCP-ATL) are introduced for the NGWI. A new reliable transport protocol for data transport in the IPN Internet (TP-Planet) is then proposed to address the unique challenges of the IPN Internet backbone links. A new integrated tranmission protocol (ITP) is then proposed for reliable data transport over multihop IPN Internet paths. Finally, the event-to-sink reliable transport (ESRT) protocol is proposed to achieve reliable event transport with minimum energy expenditure in WSN.

Torque and drag (T&D) modeling is regarded as extremely helpful in well planning because it helps to predict and prevent drilling problems that might occur during the drilling process. Although T&D software has existed since the 1990s, some confusion still exists over the validity of the models that are used to characterize drilling operations, especially as we extend the length of modern horizontal wells. Moreover, it seems that only minimal improvements have been made to the underlying mathematical models over the last two decades. For normal planning on extended-reach and other challenging wells, T&D modeling provides a guideline for performance. Better modeling is especially important in complex three-dimensional wellbores. To optimize well design, T&D modeling needs to be incorporated into the planning of each well. The following factors should be evaluated: - Optimizing the well planning design - Adapting casing or tubular designs - Changing annulus fluids; for example, oil-based mud lubricates are better than water-based mud - Adjusting operating drilling processes such as reducing sliding distances or rotating to the bottom This project develops software that will give more accurate 3D T&D calculations. Moreover, this research is also widely beneficial in handling wellbore tortuosity which is explained in detail in the text. The new software will optimize the wellbore path and assist significantly in torque and drag calculation in well design.

Gene-fusions are a prevalent class of genetic variants that are often employed as cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In recent years, high-throughput sequencing of the cellular genome and transcriptome have emerged as a promising approach for the investigation of gene-fusions at the DNA and RNA level. Although, large volumes of sequencing data and complexity of gene-fusion structures presents unique computational challenges. This dissertation describes research that first addresses the bioinformatics challenges associated with the analysis of the massive volumes of sequencing data by developing bioinformatics pipeline and more applied integrated computational workflows. Application of high-throughput sequencing and the proposed bioinformatics approaches for the breast and ovarian cancer study reveals unexpected complex structures of gene-fusions and their functional significance in the onset and progression of cancer. Integrative analysis of gene-fusions at DNA and RNA level shows the key importance of the regulation of gene-fusion at the transcription level in cancer.