The use of incremental and repeated exposures regimens have been put forth as effective means to mitigate visually induced motion sickness based on the Dual Process Theory (DPT) (Groves & Thompson, 1970) of neural plasticity. In essence, DPT suggests that by incrementing stimulus intensity the depression opponent process should be allowed to exert greater control over the net outcome than the sensitization opponent process, thereby minimizing side-effects. This conceptual model was tested by empirically validating the effectiveness of adaptation, incremental adaptation, habituation, and incremental habituation regimens to mitigate side-effects arising from exposure to an optokinetic drum. Forty college students from the University of Central Florida participated in the experimentation and were randomly assigned to a regimen. Efforts were taken to balance distribution of participants in the treatments for gender and motion sickness susceptibility. Results indicated that overall, the application of an incremental regimen is effective in reducing side-effects (e.g. malaise, dropout rates, postural instabilities, etc.) when compared to a non-incremented regimen, whether it be a one-time or repeated exposure. Furthermore, the application of the Motion History Questionnaire (MHQ) (Graybiel & Kennedy, 1965) for identifying high and low motion sickness susceptible individuals proved effective. Finally, gender differences in motion sickness were not found in this experiment as a result of balancing susceptibility with the gender subject variable. Findings from this study can be used to aid effective design of virtual environment (VE) usage regimens in an effort to manage cybersickness. Through pre-exposure identification of susceptible individuals via the MHQ, exposure protocols can be devised that may extend limits on exposure durations, mitigate side-effects, reduce dropout rates, and possibly increase training effectiveness. This document contains a fledgling set of guidelines form VE usage that append those under development by Stanney, Kennedy, & Kingdon (In press) and other previously established guidelines form simulator use (Kennedy et al., 1987). It is believed that through proper allocation of effective VE usage regimens cybersickness can be managed, if susceptible individuals are identified prior to exposure.

No / In the present study we evaluated the role of 5-HT1A receptors in mediating the inhibitory action of 8-OH-DPAT, a 5-HT1A receptor agonist, in motion sickness in Suncus murinus. 8-OH-DPAT (0.1 mg/kg, i. p) attenuated motion-induced emesis which was associated with an increase in the latency of the onset to the first emetic episode. Pre-treatment with methysergide (a 5-HT1/2/7 receptor antagonist, 1.0 mg/kg, i. p.), WAY-100635 (a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, 1.0 mg/kg, i. p.), SB269970A (a 5-HT7 receptor antagonist, 1.0 and 5.0 mg/kg, i. p.), ondansetron (a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, 1.0 mg/kg, i. p) or GR13808 (a 5-HT4 receptor antagonist, 0.5 mg/kg, i. p) failed to modify the inhibitory action of 8-OH-DPAT on motion sickness. Furthermore, the application of either methysergide, WAY-100635, SB269970A, ondansetron or GR13808 alone had no effect on motion sickness in its own right. These data indicate that neither 5-HT1A nor any 5-HT2 receptor subtypes, 5-HT3, 5-HT4 and 5-HT7 receptors are likely to be involved in the inhibition of motion-induced emesis mediated by 8-OH-DPAT.

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African horse sickness virus (AHSV) is a ten-segmented, dsRNA virus, classified as a distinct species within the genus Orbivirus, family Reoviridae. There are nine serotypes of AHSV, any of which can cause African horse sickness (AHS), an extremely severe ‘transboundary’ and notifiable disease of horses, listed by OIE. AHS is currently restricted to sub-Saharan Africa, but has occasionally emerged causing major outbreaks in other geographic regions. Complete genome nucleotide sequences were determined for nine reference-strains of AHSV (different serotypes). The selection-pressure on each genome-segment and its encoded proteins, in relation to protein function were analysed in phylogenetic comparisons. This initial AHSV sequence database also provided a basis for molecular-epidemiology studies. In particular, the role of the Seg-2 in determination of virus-serotype was used to identify viruses involved in a multi-serotype outbreak, identifying Ethiopia as an important area of AHSV circulation. Phylogenetic-relationships were also investigated between different isolates of AHSV serotypes 2, 4, 6, 8 and 9, from various locations in Africa. Two real-time RT-PCR assays were developed for detection of the highly conserved genome segments 1 and 3, and molecular diagnosis of AHSV. Real-time RT-PCR assays were also developed, targeting Seg-2, for detection and identification of the nine AHSV serotypes. These assays are suitable for ‘high throughput’ characterisation of AHSV outbreak-strains, from either endemic or AHSV-free zones. The results obtained would facilitate rapid design and implementation of appropriate virus control measures. Cross-contamination was detected in four of the original AHSV reference-strains. A new set of plaque-cloned and monotypic reference-strains was therefore identified and characterised, and is available through the Orbivirus Reference Collection (http://www.reoviridae.org/dsRNA_virus_proteins/ReoID/AHSV-Nos.htm). Serological relationships were analysed using antibodies against VP2 of AHSV-9 (expressed by recombinant MVA) and the nine monotypic reference-strains, showing neutralisation of both AHSV-9 and AHSV-6, in agreement with their closer phylogenetic relationship within Seg-2/VP2.

<p>Bakgrunden till vårt examensarbete var att Försäkringskassan hade som mål att sänka sjukfrånvaron hos personalen. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka de anställdas uppfattning om vilka faktorer som ligger till grund för hög respektive låg sjukfrånvaro vid FK:s avdelning för aktivitetsstöd. Våra frågeställningar var:</p><ul><li>Varför har vissa enheter inom nationellt försäkringscenter på Försäkringskassan låg sjukfrånvaro och andra enheter hög sjukfrånvaro?</li><li>Hur påverkar ledarskapet anställdas sjukfrånvaro?</li><li>Hur påverkar arbetsmiljön sjukfrånvaron?</li><li>Hur uppfattar personalen inom aktivitetsstöd arbetsplatsens fysiska och psykosociala arbetsmiljö?</li></ul><p>Som fallstudieorganisation valdes Försäkringskassan/Nationellt försäkringscenter/aktivitetsstöd i Östersund.</p><p> </p><p>Vi valde en kvantitativ undersökning med tvärsnittsdesign. Våra resultat visade att oavsett om man arbetade på en enhet med låg eller hög sjukfrånvaro, upplevde många anställda brister i arbetsmiljön, höga krav och ett svagt ledarskap. Ett stort antal anställda kände olust när de gick till arbetet och av dessa var det ett stort antal som misströstade på grund av de svårigheter som de ställs inför på arbetsplatsen. Kände man stöd från chefen hade man mindre sömnsvårigheter, kände mindre olust och mindre muskuloskeletala smärtor.</p> / <p>The background of our thesis is that the Department of Social Insurance (Försäkringskassan) should lower their absenteeism amongst staff. There is a risk of high absenteeism at several units at the Försäkringskassan and a risk of high costs causes by illness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the employees´ perception on the basis of high and low sick leave at the Försäkringskassan/ activity benefit. The research questions we asked ourselves were;</p><ul><li>Why do certain units at the Nationellt försäkringscenter/department of Social Insurance have low absenteeism and other units’ high absenteeism?</li><li>How does leadership affect the employees’ absenteeism?</li><li>How much does the satisfaction of work environment affect the employees’ absenteeism?</li><li>How do employees at Nationellt försäkringscenter/activity benefit perceive their physical and psychosocial work environment?</li></ul><p>As a case study organization, the Department of Social Insurance/Nationellt försäkringsccenter/activity benefit has been selected. The results, based on a quantitative survey and a cross-sectional design, show that whether you are working at a unit with low or high absenteeism, many employees have ailments such as pain and stress. This is because the work- environment, requirements and leadership does affect employees’ health. A large number of the employees´ feel dissatisfaction when they go to work and there are many who despair because of the difficulties they face at the workplace. With supported management the employees´ had less insomnia, dissatisfaction and less musculoskeletal disorders.</p>

Bakgrunden till vårt examensarbete var att Försäkringskassan hade som mål att sänka sjukfrånvaron hos personalen. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka de anställdas uppfattning om vilka faktorer som ligger till grund för hög respektive låg sjukfrånvaro vid FK:s avdelning för aktivitetsstöd. Våra frågeställningar var: Varför har vissa enheter inom nationellt försäkringscenter på Försäkringskassan låg sjukfrånvaro och andra enheter hög sjukfrånvaro? Hur påverkar ledarskapet anställdas sjukfrånvaro? Hur påverkar arbetsmiljön sjukfrånvaron? Hur uppfattar personalen inom aktivitetsstöd arbetsplatsens fysiska och psykosociala arbetsmiljö? Som fallstudieorganisation valdes Försäkringskassan/Nationellt försäkringscenter/aktivitetsstöd i Östersund.   Vi valde en kvantitativ undersökning med tvärsnittsdesign. Våra resultat visade att oavsett om man arbetade på en enhet med låg eller hög sjukfrånvaro, upplevde många anställda brister i arbetsmiljön, höga krav och ett svagt ledarskap. Ett stort antal anställda kände olust när de gick till arbetet och av dessa var det ett stort antal som misströstade på grund av de svårigheter som de ställs inför på arbetsplatsen. Kände man stöd från chefen hade man mindre sömnsvårigheter, kände mindre olust och mindre muskuloskeletala smärtor. / The background of our thesis is that the Department of Social Insurance (Försäkringskassan) should lower their absenteeism amongst staff. There is a risk of high absenteeism at several units at the Försäkringskassan and a risk of high costs causes by illness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the employees´ perception on the basis of high and low sick leave at the Försäkringskassan/ activity benefit. The research questions we asked ourselves were; Why do certain units at the Nationellt försäkringscenter/department of Social Insurance have low absenteeism and other units’ high absenteeism? How does leadership affect the employees’ absenteeism? How much does the satisfaction of work environment affect the employees’ absenteeism? How do employees at Nationellt försäkringscenter/activity benefit perceive their physical and psychosocial work environment? As a case study organization, the Department of Social Insurance/Nationellt försäkringsccenter/activity benefit has been selected. The results, based on a quantitative survey and a cross-sectional design, show that whether you are working at a unit with low or high absenteeism, many employees have ailments such as pain and stress. This is because the work- environment, requirements and leadership does affect employees’ health. A large number of the employees´ feel dissatisfaction when they go to work and there are many who despair because of the difficulties they face at the workplace. With supported management the employees´ had less insomnia, dissatisfaction and less musculoskeletal disorders.

The sickness insurance benefits system Abstract This diploma thesis deals with sickness insurance benefits, which create a comprehensive system, whose main goal is to provide social security to economically active people, especially in the case of short term loss of income, due to social incidents, such as sickness, sickness attendance, pregnancy or maternity. This thesis analyses conditions of entitlement of the particular benefits, as well as the calculation of their sum. Due to significant complexity of certain calculations related to sickness insurance benefits, this thesis also contains practical examples. Attention is also paid to some specific areas of sickness insurance, because of their relatively new legislation. The text of the thesis, except for the introduction and conclusion, is divided into four chapters. The first chapter does not deal with the sickness insurance benefits, but rather introduces the concerns of the sickness insurance; outline its development and basic principles. The second chapter focuses on participation in sickness insurance in both employees and self-employed people. The subject of participation in sickness insurance is significant in terms of the assessment of the conditions of entitlement to insurance benefits; due to the participation in sickness insurance being one of...