The study aimed to study how the Relocate project is described in the media and which discourses could be identified from the reporting. This was done using critical discourse analysis as a method and theoretical framework. The study has been based on the project application, the final report and news articles. Using the discourse analytical concepts of modality and intertextuality, the analysis has revealed linguistic patterns, disagreements, and different perspectives on the project. This, together with theories about the media's role in shaping perceptions and previous studies about Swedish mobility patterns, place marketing, the impact of industrial investments on regional employment, and discourses about northern Sweden, have formed the basis of the analysis. The analysis shows that the discourse regarding the Relocate project has been predominantly negative. Some of the most central arguments were that the price tag was not considered to be on par with the project's outcome. Other recurring arguments were disagreements about the project's purpose, and that the residents' tax money has been wasted. However, motivating people to move is demonstrably very difficult, and based on previous research it can be argued that the outcome was relatively good. The study also raised new questions about how to most effectively recruit labor to locations that are in great need. Which is particularly interesting given the large industrial investment in Skellefteå and northern Sweden, as well as the history of northern Sweden as a place of industrial development.

This thesis focuses on the effects of the human papillomavirus (HPV) in tonsillar cancer, mobile tongue cancer, and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). The purpose was to characterize patients with RRP in northern Sweden in order to identify more care-intensive RRP patients and to describe the voice and quality of life aspects that follow RRP. Further aims were to confirm the expected increase of HPV-positive tonsillar cancer cases in northern Sweden, and to study the correlation between HPV, its surrogate marker p16 and HPV receptor syndecan-1 in both tonsillar cancer and mobile tongue cancer. A total of 27 consecutive patients with RRP were evaluated at 3 months postoperatively using the voice handicap index (VHI) and SF-36 questionnaires to assess the impact on life and voice in a RRP population. The values were compared to normative data. This report was further extended by examining consecutive data from 21 new patients in order to characterize RRP patients in northern Sweden. In order to study HPV DNA in tonsillar (n= 65) and mobile tongue cancer (n=109), HPV DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded biopsies and detected by polymerase chain reaction using general primers Gp5+/6+ and CpI/IIG. Expression of HPV surrogate marker p16 and the HPV receptor syndecan-1 was analysed by immunohistochemistry. Patients that underwent more than one RRP surgery per year were younger than those treated less frequently and they had significantly impaired voice quality as compared to normal subjects. Females, patients with frequent surgical treatment sessions, and patients with the high-risk HPV subtypes scored significantly lower in several domains of the quality of life assessment as compared with normal subjects. Forty-eight RRP patients had a median age of 44.5 years; 71% were men and 29% females, preferentially infected with HPV6. Patients with high surgical treatment frequency/year showed more widespread RRP in the larynx compared to the patients treated less frequently. A total of 214 tonsillar cancer cases were identified. The vast majority were men. They had a median age of 58 years at diagnosis and expressed HPV as well as p16. The incidence of tonsillar cancer revealed a 2,7-fold increase in men between the years 1990 and 2013. The study demonstrates a strong association between p16 and HPV infection in tonsillar malignancies. These findings are in contrast to the mobile tongue cancer cases, where no evidence of HPV DNA could be detected although one-third showed p16 staining. This demonstrated a poor correlation between HPV and p16 in mobile tongue cancer. There was no difference in the expression of the primary HPV receptor, syndecan-1, between tonsillar and mobile tongue cancer. In conclusion, the frequency of RRP operations, age at onset, gender and subtype of the HPV may be used as factors to predict voice disability. RRP patients with high surgical treatment frequency were significantly younger and had a more widespread laryngeal disease compared to the low-frequency treated group. This study confirms the existence of a clinical RRP group, not primarily related to HPV subtype, but to a more care-intensive RRP population. Our findings identify a 2,7-fold increase in the incidence of tonsillar cancer, HPV and p16 in men between 1990-2013. We can use p16 to detect HPV in tonsillar cancer but not in tongue cancer. The introduction of vaccination against HPV may have a role in the prevention of specific HPV-subtype positive head and neck malignancies and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis since the current vaccine protects against HPV6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58. Males will definitely benefit indirectly from vaccination of females, though males will still remain at risk of cancers associated with HPV. This highlights the need for sex-neutral vaccination strategy. Our intention is that this thesis will provide scientific data to support a gender-neutral vaccination and to develop simple tools to detect HPV in tonsillar cancer. / Syftet med avhandlingen är att beskriva effekterna av humant papillomvirus (HPV) vid cancer i halsmandlarna, cancer i tungan och vid luftvägspapillom. Totalt 27 patienter med luftvägspapillom (RRP) under åren 2004-2012 utvärderades 3 månader efter operationen med röst handikapp index (VHI) och livskvalitetformuläret SF-36. Resultaten jämfördes med normal data. Studiematerialet utökades med 21 patienter till totalt 48 RRP patienter i syfte att karakterisera patientgruppen i norra Sverige. För att studera HPV-DNA i tonsillcancer (n = 65) och i cancer i mobil del av tungan (n = 109) extraherades HPV-DNA från paraffininbäddade provbitar som sedan analyserades med PCR teknik och GP5 + / 6 + och CPI/IIG primer. Uttryck av surrogatmarkör p16 och HPV-receptorn syndekan -1 analyserades med immunhistokemi. RRP patienter hade en medianålder på 44,5 år; 71% var män och 29% kvinnor, företrädesvis infekterade med HPV6. Patienter som opererades mer än en gång per år var yngre än de som behandlats mindre ofta och hade en statistiskt sämre röstkvalitet än friska kontroller. Kvinnor, patienter med täta kirurgiska behandlingsintervall och högrisk-HPV hade signifikant sämre livskvalitet jämfört med friska kontroller. Patienter med hög kirurgisk behandlingsfrekvens per år var signifikant yngre och hade mer utbredd RRP sjukdom i luftstrupen, jämfört med gruppen med låg behandlingsfrekvens. Sammanlagt, 214 fall av halsmandelscancer identifierades i norra Sverige under åren 1990-2013; majoriteten var män, med en medianålder på 58 år och positiva för både HPV och p16. Andelen halsmandelscancer fall ökade med 2,7 gånger bland männen på 23 år. Vi fann ett starkt samband mellan uttryck av p16 och HPV infektion i halsmandelscancer men inte i HPV-negativ, delvis p16-positiv (33%) mobil tungcancer. Det fanns ingen skillnad i uttrycket av den primära HPV-receptorn, syndekan -1, jämförande tung-, och halsmandelscancer. Antalet RRP operationer, ålder vid insjuknandet, kön och genetisk variant av HPV kan användas som indikatorer för att förutsäga grad av röststörning. RRP patienter med hög kirurgisk behandlingsfrekvens var signifikant yngre och hade en mer utbredd luftvägssjukdom jämfört med RRP patienter som behandlas mindre ofta. Vi har identifierat en undergrupp av RRP patienter som inte primärt karakteriseras efter HPV virusets genetik utan av ett mer vårdintensivt förlopp. Den aktuella avhandlingen har identifierat en 2,7-faldig ökning av antalet halsmandelscancer hos män och ett starkt samband mellan p16 och HPV infektion i halsmandlar men inte i HPV-negativ tungcancer som inte korrelerar till p16 uttryck. Vi kan använda p16 för att påvisa HPV i tonsillcancer men inte i cancer i mobil tunga. Idag ingår HPV vaccination i det allmänna vaccinationsprogrammet för flickor. Vi förväntar oss en tydlig profylaktisk effekt avseende insjuknande i HPV-relaterad huvud- och hals cancer samt luftvägspapillom eftersom vaccinet skyddar mot HPV bl.a. 6, 11, 16 och 18. Män kommer definitivt att gynnas indirekt genom vaccination av kvinnor men kommer att ha fortsatt högre risk än kvinnor att insjukna i HPV relaterad cancer vilket understryker behovet av könsneutral vaccination. Vår avsikt med avhandlingen är att ge vetenskapligt stöd för könsneutralt vaccination och enkla metoder att påvisa halsmandelscancer.

By studying the frequency domain of seismic signals generated by earthquakes, the source parameters can be recovered, i.e., the seismic moment (M0) and the stress drop (Δσ). This method is an advantage especially since if the source parameters are calculated from the time domain a full waveform inversion is needed, therefore this procedure facilitates the computation. Besides, the moment magnitude (Mw) can be calculated from the seismic moment and, in turn, the local magnitude (ML) can be obtained by using an algorithm that matches different ranges of moment magnitude with their corresponding local magnitude. In the present thesis, small to moderate earthquakes in Northern Sweden have been used to develop a code that calculates the source parameters through the fitting of five different spectral models and, this way, discerns which model obtains the best determination of the parameters. These models have been chosen in a way that we can also extract information about the attenuation. The different models are; the Brune spectral model, Boatwright spectral model, Boatwright spectral model with a fixed fall-off rate, a general form of the spectral model with quality factor equal to 1000 and a general form of the spectral model with quality factor equal to 600. Among these models, the Boatwright model with fixed fall-off rate equal to 2, has been found to give the best fit to the data used in this thesis. This might be due to the regional conditions which are the low attenuation in the crust of northern Fennoscandia and the short hypocentral distances of the studied earthquakes. The earthquakes studied in the present thesis have shown a range of magnitudes from ML 4.2 to -0.2 with radius of an assumed circular fault ranging from 269 m to 66 m.

<p>Relict non-glacial surfaces occur in many formerly glaciated landscapes, where they represent areas that have escaped significant glacial modification. Frequently distinguished by blockfield mantles, relict non-glacial surfaces are important archives of long-term weathering and landscape evolution processes. The aim of this thesis is to examine the distribution, weathering, ages, and formation of relict non-glacial surfaces in the northern Swedish mountains.</p><p>Mapping of surfaces from aerial photographs and analysis in a GIS revealed five types of relict non-glacial surfaces that reflect differences in surface process types or rates according to elevation, gradient, and bedrock lithology. Clast characteristics and fine matrix granulometry, chemistry, and mineralogy reveal minimal chemical weathering of the blockfields.</p><p>Terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides were measured in quartz samples from two blockfield-mantled summits and a numerical ice sheet model was applied to account for periods of surface burial beneath ice sheets and nuclide production rate changes attributable to glacial isostasy. Total surface histories for each summit are almost certainly, but not unequivocally, confined to the Quaternary. Maximum modelled erosion rates are as low as 4.0 mm/kyr, which is likely to be near the low extreme for relict non-glacial surfaces in this landscape.</p><p>The blockfields of the northern Swedish mountains are Quaternary features formed through subsurface physical weathering processes. While there is no need to appeal to Neogene chemical weathering to explain blockfield origins, these surfaces have remained continuously regolith-mantled and non-glacial since their inception. Polygenetic surface histories are therefore indicated, where the large-scale surface morphologies are potentially older than their regolith mantles.</p>

Relict non-glacial surfaces occur in many formerly glaciated landscapes, where they represent areas that have escaped significant glacial modification. Frequently distinguished by blockfield mantles, relict non-glacial surfaces are important archives of long-term weathering and landscape evolution processes. The aim of this thesis is to examine the distribution, weathering, ages, and formation of relict non-glacial surfaces in the northern Swedish mountains. Mapping of surfaces from aerial photographs and analysis in a GIS revealed five types of relict non-glacial surfaces that reflect differences in surface process types or rates according to elevation, gradient, and bedrock lithology. Clast characteristics and fine matrix granulometry, chemistry, and mineralogy reveal minimal chemical weathering of the blockfields. Terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides were measured in quartz samples from two blockfield-mantled summits and a numerical ice sheet model was applied to account for periods of surface burial beneath ice sheets and nuclide production rate changes attributable to glacial isostasy. Total surface histories for each summit are almost certainly, but not unequivocally, confined to the Quaternary. Maximum modelled erosion rates are as low as 4.0 mm/kyr, which is likely to be near the low extreme for relict non-glacial surfaces in this landscape. The blockfields of the northern Swedish mountains are Quaternary features formed through subsurface physical weathering processes. While there is no need to appeal to Neogene chemical weathering to explain blockfield origins, these surfaces have remained continuously regolith-mantled and non-glacial since their inception. Polygenetic surface histories are therefore indicated, where the large-scale surface morphologies are potentially older than their regolith mantles.

This thesis primarily discusses the development of late Iron Age Saami settlement patterns in greater Norrland's forest area, from the establishment of the Settlements through to historical times. The Settlements are chiefly characterised by hearths, but it is also important to study Saami sacrificial sites when trying to understand the significance of the settlement patterns. Central to the thesis is how the archaeological material can be applied to questions concerning the introduction of reindeer herding. During the early Viking period a significant change in the settlement pattern of greater Norrland's inland occurs. New niches start to be exploited, moving away from the earlier shore-bound model. The Settlements are relocated to areas with good reindeer grazing land, by small streams, bogs and small lakes. The principal features are concentrations of hearths, which arise in large numbers, most often in groups of three to ten. A number of the artefacts found at the settlement sites are also found at Saami sacrificial sites from between 800 to 1350 AD, suggesting that the hearths should be studied in the context of Saami culture. A wide range of artefacts have been discovered during excavation of the Settlements, which suggests extensive contacts, mainly to the east and the Ladoga area, but also with Norway to the west. The artefacts display a continuity from the Viking period into the 1700's, and the dating of the hearths show a similar chronological spread. The study area has supported a reindeer herding forest Saami society during historical times, the settlement pattern of which has close similarities to that found under the Viking period. This implies that the settlement pattern that emerged during the Viking period can probably be related to an emergent reindeer herding system. Reindeer herding was undertaken in combination with hunting and fishing - so called semi-nomadism. It is suggested that the forest land Saami society become so dependent on reindeer herding during the Viking period, that it controlled the settlement pattern. / digitalisering@umu

Models of port development have hitherto concentrated on landward communications and the organization of maritime space in their explanation of changes in port location and activity. This study demonstrates that the level of economic development in hinterlands together with industrial and marine technology are also significant factors and indeed play leading roles in the process of port evolution. For a deeper understanding of the process of port evolution the case of Upper Norrland's ports has been investigated. An analysis of changes in port distri­bution since 1750 reveals two main processes: dispersion followed by concen­tration. The growth in the number of ports and loading places prior to 1885 was not regular but stepwise, with two rapid increases related to the relax­ation of mercantile restrictions, laissez-faire policies and the diffusion of new industrial activities. The fall in port numbers also corresponds to industrial changes and large-scale rationalizations of industry and transport systems have taken place in association with the economic changes following the two World Wars. The innovation and subsequent decline of new types of forest-based industries appear as a series of waves when their numbers are graphed. Charcoal ironworks, fine-blade water-driven sawmills, steam-powered saws, pulp mills, wallboard factories and paper mills demonstrate the succession of industrial and technological innovations. Clearly, the demand for the products of these industries, their shipping requirements and the physical needs and economics of contemporary transport have been the dominant factors in Upper Norrland's port development. On the basis of these changes, the evolution of the region's port system has been synthesized into the Upper Norrland model. Land communications have nevertheless had an important part to play in sus­taining port dominance at the mouths of the major river valleys, which have acted as corridors of penetration. This investigation shows that these gate­way ports had achieved significance long before the maximum number of scat­tered ports was reached, and it is doubtful whether the situation of a scattering of ports all of a similar status ever existed in reality. Early port dominance was sustained by later transport developments on land and in particular at sea, as river mouths provided the best sites for the construc­tion of outports and deep-water terminals. The long-term seaward migration of port activity and facilities has taken place and the Bottenhamn model demonstrates this process at the local level. The study concludes by putting the Upper Norrland and Bottenhamn models into a wider context. The world-wide influence of colonial powers and maritime nations has led to a diffusion of marine technology, and shipping require­ments must therefore have, prompted similar port developments throughout the world. / digitalisering@umu

The purpose of this study is to find datable interstadial sediments in the core area of the LateWeicheslian ice sheet extent. Based on geomorphological evidence, three coring sites wereidentified close to the Ultevis plateau in Norrbotten, northern Sweden. Sediment coring wascarried out in two pre-Late Weichselian stream channels and in a sediment basin. Stratigraphyfrom one of the sites, a 100 meter wide meltwater channel, was chosen for further analysis. Thestudied core was 5,93 m long and ended in a lower till unit. The core contained silt and sandbelow an upper till unit, indicating presence of interstadial sediments in the stratigraphy. Thecore was subsampled for luminescence dating. Two samples from above the upper till unit andtwo samples from below this unit were chosen for initial luminescence measurements onfeldspar. These preliminary measurements indicate a significant difference in paleodosebetween the upper samples and the lower. The upper samples displayed relatively highpaleodoses, possibly representing pre-Late Weichselian ages. This could imply presence of twointerstadials in the stratigraphy. The lower samples exhibited significantly higher paleodosesthan the upper ones, possibly indicating early-Weichselian or even Saalian ages for the lowersamples.

During the last four decades, acidifications has been seen as a great environmental hazard. To combat the effects of the acidification, the Swedish government is funding liming of affected areas. This practice has been questioned in northern Sweden, since there is no general agreement about the origin of the acidity there. This thesis aims to explain the administrative handling of the scientific disputes, and thereby the relation between the responsible authority, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and the research exrecised on the matter. Research findings are therefore compared with the content of interviews, performed by civil servants at SEPA. It is concluded that the liming in northern Sweden is a very complicated issue, involving many groups and individuals - so much so that it might not just be an issue of acidification science.

Background: Increasing costs and quantities of orphan drugs within the European market has led to much debate in Sweden on how they should be handled within the existing reimbursement system. Previously, there has been little research looking at local and regional handling of and implications of these issues when it comes to decision-making, financing, and access. This study aims to provide insight into these issues through perspectives and experiences obtained in interviews with representatives working for County Councils in Northern Sweden. Methods: A case study comprised of semi-structured interviews following a qualitative methodology with an inductive approach was used for this study. Five informants from three different work groups engaged with the orphan drug introduction process in Northern Sweden were interviewed. A thematic analysis was performed on the data where common themes were identified through several rounds of coding to allow cross-sectional analysis between data obtained from informants. Results: The thematic analysis identified five major themes surrounding the introduction process for orphan drugs; centralization of processes, methods &amp; standardization, ethical considerations, economics &amp; price setting, and challenges &amp; difficulties. Informants provided insights, opinions, and a deeper understanding of these themes within the introduction process for orphan drugs. Conclusion: This study confirms many of the complexities in establishing a clear and fair process for introducing orphan drugs. In line with existing literature, informants highlighted how centralization and the pooling of resources and expertise is vital in ensuring equal quality and access to care for patients suffering from rare diseases. There is broad agreement how orphan drug legislation and processes should develop, but substantial hurdles concerning the specifics as well as issues with external actors on pricing of orphan drugs. Addressing these issues could potentially have important benefits, not only for healthcare budgets and patients suffering from rare diseases, but also in setting precedents for future processes where costs and ethics will again come to a head.