Contact allergy in Swedish adolescents : results from the BAMSE cohort study

Background: Contact allergy affects about 20-25% of adults in the general population, but it is not completely clear how common it is among children and adolescents. Contact allergy is caused by skin contact to sensitizing substances. Knowledge about the relation between skin exposures, related skin symptoms and contact allergy among children and adolescents is limited. Atopic dermatitis (AD) and filaggrin gene (FLG) mutations have been suggested as risk factors for contact allergy, though this needs to be further explored. Aims: To determine the prevalence of contact allergy at age 16 in a population-based cohort. To determine the prevalence of self-reported skin exposures and skin symptoms at age 16, and assess their association with contact allergy. To assess the association between AD at preschool age and contact allergy at age 16, and the association between FLG mutations and contact allergy, self-reported hand eczema and dry skin at 16 years. Methods: We used data from a Swedish population-based birth cohort (BAMSE), followed from birth to age 16. Adolescents answered questions about skin exposures and skin symptoms at age 16 years. Their parents completed questionnaires at baseline, when the child was 2 months old and then regarding AD at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 years. Information about contact allergy was collected by patch test (n=2,285), and FLG mutation status was determined from blood samples at age 16. Results: Contact allergy prevalence was 15.3% among adolescents and higher among girls than boys (17.0% versus 13.4%, p=0.018). Nickel was the most frequent cause of contact allergy (7.5%), followed by fragrance mix I (FM I) (2.1%). Nickel allergy was more common among girls (9.8% versus 4.9%, p<0.001). Many adolescents reported piercing (55.4%) and hair dyeing (50.1%), and girls frequently reported related skin symptoms. Reports of piercing and itchy rash from metal items were associated with increased OR for nickel allergy (adjusted OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.04-3.03 and adjusted OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.57-3.23, respectively). Reported itchy rash from use of makeup or personal hygiene products was associated with increased OR for fragrance allergy (adjusted OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.02-4.35). AD at preschool age was associated with fragrance allergy (adjusted OR 3.10, 95%CI 1.66-5.80), but not with nickel allergy. This association was present among individuals with AD at preschool age with IgE sensitization, but not among individuals with AD at preschool age without. FLG mutations appeared unassociated with contact allergy and hand eczema, but were associated with dry skin at age 16 (adjusted OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.02-2.15). Conclusions: Contact allergy prevalence is high among adolescents in Sweden. Nickel allergy is the most common contact allergy, affecting more girls than boys. Piercing and hair dyeing were reported by the majority at 16 years. More girls than boys reported skin symptoms related to skin exposures. AD at preschool age may be associated with contact allergy to fragrance at 16 years. No association was observed between AD at preschool age and nickel allergy. FLG mutations were associated with dry skin, but not with contact allergy or hand eczema at age 16 years

rBCG Induces Strong Antigen-Specific T Cell Responses in Rhesus Macaques in a Prime-Boost Setting with an Adenovirus 35 Tuberculosis Vaccine Vector

BACKGROUND: BCG vaccination, combined with adenoviral-delivered boosts, represents a reasonable strategy to augment, broaden and prolong immune protection against tuberculosis (TB). We tested BCG (SSI1331) (in 6 animals, delivered intradermally) and a recombinant (rBCG) AFRO-1 expressing perfringolysin (in 6 animals) followed by two boosts (delivered intramuscullary) with non-replicating adenovirus 35 (rAd35) expressing a fusion protein composed of Ag85A, Ag85B and TB10.4, for the capacity to induce antigen-specific cellular immune responses in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Control animals received diluent (3 animals). METHODS AND FINDINGS: Cellular immune responses were analyzed longitudinally (12 blood draws for each animal) using intracellular cytokine staining (TNF-alpha, IL-2 and IFN-gamma), T cell proliferation was measured in CD4(+), CD8alpha/beta(+), and CD8alpha/alpha(+) T cell subsets and IFN-gamma production was tested in 7 day PBMC cultures (whole blood cell assay, WBA) using Ag85A, Ag85B, TB10.4 recombinant proteins, PPD or BCG as stimuli. Animals primed with AFRO-1 showed i) increased Ag85B-specific IFN-gamma production in the WBA assay (median >400 pg/ml for 6 animals) one week after the first boost with adenoviral-delivered TB-antigens as compared to animals primed with BCG (<200 pg/ml), ii) stronger T cell proliferation in the CD8alpha/alpha(+) T cell subset (proliferative index 17%) as compared to BCG-primed animals (proliferative index 5% in CD8alpha/alpha(+) T cells). Polyfunctional T cells, defined by IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha and IL-2 production were detected in 2/6 animals primed with AFRO-1 directed against Ag85A/b and TB10.4; 4/6 animals primed with BCG showed a Ag85A/b responses, yet only a single animal exhibited Ag85A/b and TB10.4 reactivity. CONCLUSION: AFRO-1 induces qualitatively and quantitatively different cellular immune responses as compared with BCG in rhesus macaques. Increased IFN-gamma-responses and antigen-specific T cell proliferation in the CD8alpha/alpha+ T cell subset represents a valuable marker for vaccine-take in BCG-based TB vaccine trials

En jämförelse mellan fyra modelleringsmetoder för simulering av en fyrbent mjuk robot

A soft quadruped robot is being developed at the Department of Machine Design and Department of Production Engineering at KTH. The legs of the robot consist of four continuum actuators that can achieve complex movements. In order to efficiently develop gaits for the robot, reinforcement learning will be used. The learning process will use data from simulation instead of directly from the real robot to save time and resources. However, it is significantly more computationally expensive to simulate soft robotics than rigid, because the physical laws of flexible materials are inherently complex. Because of this, soft robot simulations tend to be slower which limits their usability for reinforcement learning. This thesis explores simulation modelling options in Matlab Simscape for the soft quadruped robot, that can be used in reinforcement learning. Four simulation models of the soft actuator were implemented in order to be tested and compared. Two actuation methods and two build options were chosen based on the literature study and related works, and were then permuted for the different combinations. The tested combinations are: lumped-parameter method actuated by internal force, flexible beam actuated by internal force, lumped-parameter method actuated by cable/pulley network and flexible beam actuated by cable/pulley network. The four actuators were built and tested separately. Computational time and simulation-to-reality gap were used for evaluating the modeling methods. The results show that the best option when modelling the soft actuator for reinforcement learning in Matlab Simscape is to use the lumped-parameter method in combination with a cable and pulley network. High accuracy level can still be achieved despite not keeping the true number of attachment points between the cable and actuator. The number of pulleys in the model is linearly correlated to the time cost required to simulate the model.En mjuk fyrbent robot är under utveckling vid institutionen för maskinkonstruktion och institutionen för industriell produktion på KTH. Robotens ben består av fyra kontinuerligt deformerbara ställdon som kan åstadkomma komplexa rörelser. För att effektivt utveckla gångstilar till roboten kommer förstärkt inlärning att användas. Inlärningsprocessen kommer att använda data från simulering istället för från den fysiska roboten för att spara tid och resurser. Det är dock betydligt dyrare beräkningsmässigt att simulera mjuk robotik än styv, eftersom flexibla material är mer komplexa. På grund av detta tenderar simuleringar av mjuka robotar att vara långsammare, vilket begränsar deras användbarhet för förstärkt inlärning. Detta examensarbete utforskar därför alternativ för modellering och simulering av den mjuka fyrbenta roboten i Matlab Simscape, med målet att den ska kunna användas med förstärkt inlärning. Fyra olika simuleringsmodeller av det mjuka ställdonet implementerades för att testas och jämföras. Två aktiveringsmetoder och två konstruktionsalternativ valdes baserat på litteraturstudien och relaterade arbeten, och permuterades sedan till möjliga versioner. De testade versionerna är således: klumpparametermetod som aktiveras av intern kraft, flexibel balk som aktiveras av intern kraft, klumpparametermetod som aktiveras av kabelnätverk och flexibel balk som aktiveras av kabelnätverk. De fyra ställdonen byggdes och testades separat. Beräkningstid och grad av verklighetstrogenhet, användes för att jämföra resultaten av dessa tester. Resultaten visar att det bästa alternativet vid modellering av det mjuka ställdonet för förstärkt inlärning i Matlab Simscape är att använda klumpparametermetoden i kombination med ett kabelnätverk. Hög noggrannhetsnivå kan uppnås trots att man inte bibehåller det verkliga antalet fästpunkter mellan kabeln och ställdonet. Antalet fästpunkter för kabeln i modellen är linjärt korrelerat till den tidskostnad som krävs för att simulera modellen

En jämförelse mellan fyra modelleringsmetoder för simulering av en fyrbent mjuk robot

A soft quadruped robot is being developed at the Department of Machine Design and Department of Production Engineering at KTH. The legs of the robot consist of four continuum actuators that can achieve complex movements. In order to efficiently develop gaits for the robot, reinforcement learning will be used. The learning process will use data from simulation instead of directly from the real robot to save time and resources. However, it is significantly more computationally expensive to simulate soft robotics than rigid, because the physical laws of flexible materials are inherently complex. Because of this, soft robot simulations tend to be slower which limits their usability for reinforcement learning. This thesis explores simulation modelling options in Matlab Simscape for the soft quadruped robot, that can be used in reinforcement learning. Four simulation models of the soft actuator were implemented in order to be tested and compared. Two actuation methods and two build options were chosen based on the literature study and related works, and were then permuted for the different combinations. The tested combinations are: lumped-parameter method actuated by internal force, flexible beam actuated by internal force, lumped-parameter method actuated by cable/pulley network and flexible beam actuated by cable/pulley network. The four actuators were built and tested separately. Computational time and simulation-to-reality gap were used for evaluating the modeling methods. The results show that the best option when modelling the soft actuator for reinforcement learning in Matlab Simscape is to use the lumped-parameter method in combination with a cable and pulley network. High accuracy level can still be achieved despite not keeping the true number of attachment points between the cable and actuator. The number of pulleys in the model is linearly correlated to the time cost required to simulate the model.En mjuk fyrbent robot är under utveckling vid institutionen för maskinkonstruktion och institutionen för industriell produktion på KTH. Robotens ben består av fyra kontinuerligt deformerbara ställdon som kan åstadkomma komplexa rörelser. För att effektivt utveckla gångstilar till roboten kommer förstärkt inlärning att användas. Inlärningsprocessen kommer att använda data från simulering istället för från den fysiska roboten för att spara tid och resurser. Det är dock betydligt dyrare beräkningsmässigt att simulera mjuk robotik än styv, eftersom flexibla material är mer komplexa. På grund av detta tenderar simuleringar av mjuka robotar att vara långsammare, vilket begränsar deras användbarhet för förstärkt inlärning. Detta examensarbete utforskar därför alternativ för modellering och simulering av den mjuka fyrbenta roboten i Matlab Simscape, med målet att den ska kunna användas med förstärkt inlärning. Fyra olika simuleringsmodeller av det mjuka ställdonet implementerades för att testas och jämföras. Två aktiveringsmetoder och två konstruktionsalternativ valdes baserat på litteraturstudien och relaterade arbeten, och permuterades sedan till möjliga versioner. De testade versionerna är således: klumpparametermetod som aktiveras av intern kraft, flexibel balk som aktiveras av intern kraft, klumpparametermetod som aktiveras av kabelnätverk och flexibel balk som aktiveras av kabelnätverk. De fyra ställdonen byggdes och testades separat. Beräkningstid och grad av verklighetstrogenhet, användes för att jämföra resultaten av dessa tester. Resultaten visar att det bästa alternativet vid modellering av det mjuka ställdonet för förstärkt inlärning i Matlab Simscape är att använda klumpparametermetoden i kombination med ett kabelnätverk. Hög noggrannhetsnivå kan uppnås trots att man inte bibehåller det verkliga antalet fästpunkter mellan kabeln och ställdonet. Antalet fästpunkter för kabeln i modellen är linjärt korrelerat till den tidskostnad som krävs för att simulera modellen

Following Best Practices in Microfinance: The case of Disabled People’s Organisations in Nepal

Microfinance has generally been acclaimed as one way to reduce poverty through the provision of financial services targeting the previously “unbankable” poor. Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are amongst society’s most excluded groups financially and the absence of PWDs within mainstream Microfinance urges Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) to directly engage in Microfinance. The practices by such alternative actors are suggested to be generally rejected because they risk being inefficient and failing. The objective of this study is to analyse examples of how DPOs in Nepal practice Microfinance and whether they generally follow recommended best practices. The correlation with what is perceived as best practices provide evidence to suggest whether the DPOs’ practices should be generally rejected or motivated as plausible and justified accordingly. To accomplish this, a well-justified analytical framework of recommended best practices for DPOs engaged in Microfinance is created, and field research is undertaken in Nepal, April-May 2014. It can be concluded that recommended best practices are followed at a general level; however, the extent varies within and between the analysed practices. The results provide sufficient evidence to suggest that the practices are plausible and justified accordingly, and should not be generally rejected.

Kina i Afrika: Bistånd eller ekonomiskt samarbete? : En jakt på förklaringar av Kinas ökande närvaro i den Afrikanska kontexten

Det råder en intensiv debatt vad de alltmer tilltagande utvecklingspartnerskapen mellan Kina och afrikanska stater är ett utryck för och kan förklaras. Syftet är att nå närmare en rimlig förklaring. Frågeställningarna är huruvida det är bistånd eller utvecklingssamarbete i ekonomiska termer som kan observeras. Och hur kan man på basis av relevanta antaganden hos Ekonomisk Nationalism samt Marxism/beroendeteori förklara den kinesiska verksamheten utifrån dess orsaker, form samt konsekvenser. Metoden för denna forskningsuppgift har varit att utifrån tidigare forskning som källor samt de teoretiska antagandena finna relevanta indikatorer i linje med syftet. Slutsatserna är att det primärt är statens (Kinas) eller eliters intressens som styr. För säkra sin egen utveckling bedriver Kina en resurs- och marknadsorienterad approach. Men det kan också vara den ekonomiska och politiska eliten – i Kina samt i Afrika -som strävar efter bibehållandet av maktpositioner och en ökad ackumulation av kapital. De kinesiska instrumenten/medlen tar villkorande former som faciliterar fortsatt kinesiska intressenters närvaro; genom frånvaron av politiska men närvaron av ekonomiska konditionaliteter. Detta tenderar att reproducera exploaterande och utnyttjande strukturer/beroendeförhållanden. Man bör vara kritiskt mot det kinesiska engagemanget men detta är inte möjligt utifrån premissen om att de Sino-Afrikanska samarbetena är av traditionell biståndskaraktär

Hur bemöts Kina i Afrika? : En mångdimensionell idealtypsanalys av Sydafrikas, Zambias och Zimbabwes bemötande av Kinas ökande ekonomiska intresse

The outset of this study is to contribute to the literature concerning China’s increasing economic interest to engage in the African context, its economies and resource abundandce. The overarching research problem is that the approaches held by the respective African state entities may facilitate increasing development gains for the recipient state of this economic interest in principle. To adress this research problem the study is undertaken by conducting a comparative case study where three cases/states, with presumably diverging economic and political status, are likely to effect their overall state approaches differently. Research questions, which are addressed by the creation of an idealtype analytic matrix, concern whether the states of South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe take on a more ‘permissive’ or ‘restrictive’ approach towards China’s economic interst and whether the approaches can be looked upon on both aggratege and case/area-specific levels. The main findings are that a clear tendency of the ‘permissive approach’ may be noted on a aggregate level for all cases. Further, the cases’ economic and poltical status does not necessarily effect this aggregate tendency but but rather the dynamics in case-specific areas deemed relevant in this analysis. The desire to grasp the interest seems greater than internal dynamics. 

Hur bemöts Kina i Afrika? : En mångdimensionell idealtypsanalys av Sydafrikas, Zambias och Zimbabwes bemötande av Kinas ökande ekonomiska intresse

The outset of this study is to contribute to the literature concerning China’s increasing economic interest to engage in the African context, its economies and resource abundandce. The overarching research problem is that the approaches held by the respective African state entities may facilitate increasing development gains for the recipient state of this economic interest in principle. To adress this research problem the study is undertaken by conducting a comparative case study where three cases/states, with presumably diverging economic and political status, are likely to effect their overall state approaches differently. Research questions, which are addressed by the creation of an idealtype analytic matrix, concern whether the states of South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe take on a more ‘permissive’ or ‘restrictive’ approach towards China’s economic interst and whether the approaches can be looked upon on both aggratege and case/area-specific levels. The main findings are that a clear tendency of the ‘permissive approach’ may be noted on a aggregate level for all cases. Further, the cases’ economic and poltical status does not necessarily effect this aggregate tendency but but rather the dynamics in case-specific areas deemed relevant in this analysis. The desire to grasp the interest seems greater than internal dynamics. 

Around the clock : A literature review of shift work’s consequences on nurses and their work

Bakgrund: Skiftarbete är en vanlig arbetsmodell för sjuksköterskor runt om i världen. Skiftarbete är dock förknippat med negativa konsekvenser så som dygnsrytmsstörning och ohälsa. Det är därför viktigt att tydligare belysa hur skiftarbete påverkar sjuksköterskor och den vård som ges. Syfte: Att beskriva skiftarbetes konsekvenser på sjuksköterskor och deras arbete. Metod: En litteraturöversikt baserad på 14 kvantitativa studier hämtade från PubMed. Använda sökord var: shift work, nurse, patient safety och fatigue. Översikten har gjorts enligt Friberg (2012a), där likheter och teman skapats utifrån studiernas resultat. Resultat: Långa och snabbroterande skift kan bidra till utbrändhet, sömnsvårigheter, fatigue och ökad misstagsfrekvens. Långa skift är trots detta uppskattat av många sjuksköterskor då det innebär kortare arbetsvecka. Det är dock av stor vikt att man får möjlighet att återhämta sig ordentligt. Diskussion: Resultatet knyts an till Kims (1987) teori om omvårdnadens domäner och skiftarbetets konsekvenser på sjuksköterskan, interaktionen och miljön diskuteras. Utformandet av hälsosamma arbetsmiljöer där sjuksköterskans och patientens säkerhet prioriteras är av stor vikt för att förebygga skiftarbetets konsekvenser.Background: Shift work is common among nurses all over the world. It has been related to negative consequences like circadian rhythm disorders and health issues. Hence it is important to illustrate how shift work is affecting nurses and the care they are giving. Aim: To describe the consequences shift work has on nurses and their work. Method: A literature review based on 14 quantitative studies, collected from PubMed. The search terms were: shift work, nurse, patient safety and fatigue. The studies have been investigated and analyzed with influence by Friberg (2012a), where similarities and themes were identified. Results: Extended and quickly rotating shifts contributes to burnout, sleep disturbances, fatigue and elevated frequency of errors. Despite this, many nurses are satisfied with working extended shifts since it shortens their workweek. A central aspect is the opportunity to recover between shifts. Discussions: The authors discuss the results based on Kim’s (1987) theory on nursing domains, and the consequences of shift work on nurses, client-nurse interaction and environmental factors. Forming healthful work environments where the safety of both nurses and patients are prioritized are crucial to prevent negative consequences of shift work