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The focus of this thesis is to examine how the civic identity of the second-generation migrants in Italy is constructed through media representations of migration, citizenship, and national belonging. Previous studies focused on migrants’ integration, which was based on their socio-economic situation, mobility, and assimilation process. I argue that these approaches are insufficient to explain how
Urban pluvial flooding threatens transport accessibility, yet the spatial factors such as elevation, vegetation, and road density associated with accessibility loss remain insufficiently understood. This study assessed changes in nearest-facility travel time to hospitals, clinics, schools, supermarkets, and fire stations under a 100-year return period flood scenario in Stockholm, Sweden, for both
Protein recovery from fermentation broths remains a challenge in downstream bioprocessing due to the complex composition of fermentation media. This study investigated a cascade microfiltration–ultrafiltration (MF–UF) process for protein clarification and concentration from a whey protein-based model fermentation broth. The work evaluated membrane performance, fouling behavior, cleaning efficiency
Purpose: Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction is the key prognostic factor in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Progression to RV failure involves dilatation, systolic and diastolic impairment, fibrosis, and metabolic changes. Lung transplantation (LTx) normalizes RV afterload, but the extent of recovery and its relation to immunosuppressive therapy remain unclear. We aimed to assess RV functio
Background: Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is one of the major long-term complications in patients after heart transplantation (HTx) limiting allograft function and longevity. CAV can be studied non-invasively by evaluating myocardial perfusion (MP). Aspirin is re--ed after Htx, but it is unclear whether it affects the development of CAV. The aim of this study was to investigate the associat
Some political parties employ clientelist practices to gain voter support. Yet as more citizens now vote from abroad, little is known about parties engaging in clientelism domestically versus transnationally. We propose parties adopt either a replication or differentiation approach, meaning they apply similar or different campaigning strategies abroad. Using a large-N sample of voter turnout in So
ObjectiveTo determine whether the genetic disorder severe α1-antitrypsin deficiency, which has a known association with increased risk for development of lung and liver diseases, is also associated with increased risk for development of gastrointestinal diseases.Patients and MethodsWe conducted a national, longitudinal, registry-based study of individuals with severe α1-antitrypsin deficiency (phe
Purpose: Reduced rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep has been linked to increased mortality in the general population. We investigated whether diminished REM sleep is associated with higher mortality in adults with coronary artery disease (CAD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods: This secondary analysis of the RICCADSA trial included 356 revascularized CAD patients with OSA (apnea–hypopnea inde
Background: Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and its virulence factor Cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) have been linked to myocardial infarction (MI), but the mechanisms are unknown. This study aims to test if Hp infection and CagA are associated with pre-specified inflammatory and vascular biomarkers in patients with MI and to explore whether a broader biomarker panel can predict infection. Furthermore
Urban meteorology, the study of atmospheric phenomena in urban areas, is vital for understanding the dynamic interactions between rapid urbanization and environmental changes. Over the past two decades (2004–2024), urban heat islands (UHIs), extreme rainfall, pollution, and temperature anomalies have intensified, adversely affecting human health, infrastructure, and ecosystems worldwide. The prese
High-efficiency single-photon detection in the microwave domain is a key enabling technology for various quantum applications. However, the extremely low energy of microwave photons presents a fundamental challenge, preventing direct photon-to-charge conversion as achieved in optical systems using semiconductors. Here, we demonstrate continuous microwave photon detection with an efficiency approac
Abstract – Introduction: – Spinal disorders are among the biggest contributors to health care utilization (HCU).Objective: – To develop and externally validate a prediction model for high all-cause HCU (75th percentile during 1 year after the index date) among patients with spinal disorders visiting multidisciplinary secondary care clinics.Methods: – We developed and internally validated the model
Background Carotid and coronary atherosclerosis are critical determinants of cardiovascular risk, yet their interrelationship in middle-aged populations is incompletely understood. This study assessed carotid plaque composition, risk-factor associations, coronary disease, and sex differences in a subclinical cohort. Methods Within the Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study, 533 asymptomatic indivi
Background Drug use disorder (DUD) clusters in families due partly to shared environment, including sibling influences. Low academic achievement (AA) in adolescence increases DUD risk. This study examined whether low AA in an older sibling causally increases DUD risk in younger siblings. Methods We studied all Swedish full sibling pairs (n = 309,666) born 1972–1985 and ≤ 5 years apart. Older sibli
Background: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a serious vector-borne neurological disease in Europe, with a complex transmission cycle involving ticks of genus Ixodes, animal hosts, environmental and climatic determinants. Methods: We modelled annual Geocoded Swedish TBE case data for the period 2005–2023 as a log-Gaussian Cox process in relation to population, environmental and climate data, and w
Background: Quantitative fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is widely used for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, with substantial variation in positivity thresholds across countries. This study examines how these thresholds affect FIT's diagnostic performance for detecting CRC and advanced precancerous lesions (APCL). Methods: We analyzed data from a single round screening of 7398 men and women aged
ObjectiveSputum cultures can guide antibiotic therapy, particularly in severe pneumonia or when resistant pathogens are suspected. However, data on how prior and ongoing antibiotic exposure affects microbial detection are limited. This study aimed to evaluate this impact, stratified by timing and route of administration.MethodsIn- and outpatients from nine hospitals in Skåne, Sweden, who submitted
Acute dyspnoea is one of the most common presenting symptoms in the emergency department (ED) and has a variety of underlying causes. Calprotectin is a neutrophil activation marker associated with adverse outcomes in acute cardiovascular and infectious diseases. However, the usefulness of calprotectin in the risk stratification of patients with acute dyspnoea is unknown. The objectives were to, in
Purpose: Myocardial infarctions (MIs) can occur in underlying obstructive coronary artery disease (MI-CAD) or in non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA). The primary objectives of the study were to investigate the prevalence of MI-CAD and MINOCA in people with CAL, and to explore if CAL is an independent risk factor for MI-CAD and MINOCA. Secondary objectives were to explore these research ques
