| 1. |
- Bolic Baric, Vedrana, et al.
(författare)
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The effectiveness of weighted blankets on sleep and everyday activities : A retrospective follow-up study of children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and/or autism spectrum disorder
- 2023
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy. - : Taylor & Francis Ltd. - 1103-8128 .- 1651-2014. ; 30:8, s. 1357-1367
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are often accompanied by sleep problems influencing social, emotional and cognitive functioning in everyday activities. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate whether the use of a weighted blanket has a positive impact on sleep and everyday activities in individuals with ADHD and/or ASD. Material and methods The study included 85 individuals diagnosed with ADHD and/or ASD, 48 children aged <= 17 (57%) and 37 adults >= 18 years (44%), who were prescribed with a weighted blanket. The participants responded via a telephone interview. Results Findings demonstrated that a weighted blanket improved abilities related to falling asleep, sleeping the whole night, and relaxing during the day. Using a weighted blanket improved morning/evening daily routine, including preparing/going to sleep and waking up in the morning. Conclusions Weighted blankets showed positive impact on falling asleep, sleeping the whole night, and relaxing during the day, and they were used frequently by children and adults with ADHD and/or ASD. Findings indicate that a weighted blanket improved morning/evening routine, however this research area needs further investigation using both subjective and objective parameters.
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| 2. |
- Pettersson, Malin
(författare)
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Biobased Combined Heat and Power Production in Sweden – Opportunities for and Challenges to Sustainability from the Plant Operator Perspective
- 2023. - 1
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Although combined heat and power (CHP) production in Sweden is already largely decarbonised, this technology has further potential to alleviate pressing environmental concerns. Today, biobased CHP plants connected to district heating (DH) grids dominate the Swedish residential heating sector. The societal context in which CHP plants operate is, however, subject to continuous change. New aims and requirements concerning decarbonisation and resource efficiency are being discussed and implemented in the political arena to promote the shift towards a sustainable energy system. These include the cascading use of biomass, bioenergy carbon capture, support schemes for innovative investments, life-cycle-based climate performance regulations, and circularity demands. Such shifts affect the operation of CHP plants and can provide new opportunities and challenges that have not yet been investigated. Neither are the consequences fully understood in the scientific or political community. This thesis presents an investigation of the opportunities and challenges facing CHP plant operators within the context of a shift towards a sustainable energy system. Issues of environmental relevance were investigated through a case study of a Swedish wood-fuelled CHP plant. The recycling of wood ash to forest soils after logging residue outtake is recommended to close the loop for forest nutrients and ensure forest production. However, co-incineration of waste wood and forest fuels in the Swedish DH sector was found to inhibit wood ash recycling, due to pollutants in the ash from waste wood. It was also found to be an overlooked challenge in the transition to a circular bioeconomy, where waste wood is utilised to produce energy. Other important issues in a circular bioeconomy are the efficient use of biomass and the production of high-value biobased products. CHP plants are dependent on a stable heat demand to operate efficiently. The addition of a pyrolysis unit, a heat-demanding process, to produce liquid biofuels that could increase the uptime and open up an additional market for CHP plants as biorefineries was studied. Life-cycle analysis showed this to be technically feasible at the CHP plant studied, and to substantially improve the overall greenhouse gas (GHG) benefits. Negative GHG emissions have been deemed by the IPCC to be an important complement in achieving net zero GHG emissions. Biobased CHP plants can contribute to negative emissions through the implementation of carbon capture. However, these technologies are energy-demanding, and thus reduce the energy efficiency of the plant. It was shown that the carbon mitigation potential of installing equipment for carbon capture or liquid biofuel production was highly dependent on which energy sources compen-sate for the changes in the value chains, which is in turn dependent on the decarbonisation of the surrounding energy system. An important outcome of the work presented in this thesis is the identification of existing and emerging opportunities and challenges related to sustainability in biobased CHP plants, which can contribute to, or hamper, the fulfilment of environmental goals. The studies on these opportunities and challenges can prove valuable knowledge for other countries and regions that are planning to develop biobased CHP plants with DH grids. Successful navigation of these opportunities and challenges by policy makers and CHP plant stakeholders will be instrumental in ensuring a decarbonised and resource-efficient energy system.
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| 3. |
- Pettersson, Malin Lindell, et al.
(författare)
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Perceived social support in solo women seeking treatment with donor gametes and in women in heterosexual couples seeking IVF-treatment with own gametes
- 2023
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Nature. - 2045-2322. ; 13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Solo motherhood is a family constellation that is becoming increasingly common in high income countries. The demographic characteristics of solo women entering treatment with donated sperm or embryo have been shown to be different from that of cohabiting women. The general importance of perceived social support is frequently amplified when health and quality of life are concerned, and positively affects mental health status, experienced stress, perceived self-efficacy during the transition to parenthood and during parenthood itself. The objective of the present study was to compare demographic characteristics, social network and perceived social support among solo women and cohabiting women awaiting fertility treatment. This objective was explored with a study-specific demographic and background questionnaire as well as through questions on access to practical support and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) assessing different sources of support. This study is a part of a longitudinal prospective multicenter study of solo women who awaited donation treatment in six Swedish public and private fertility clinics and a comparison group of women who were cohabiting/married to male partner and awaited in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment with the couple's own gametes. A total of 670 women were invited and 463 accepted participation (69% response rate); 207 solo women (study group) and 256 cohabiting women (comparison group). The results show significant differences in age, education, and employment between the groups. Solo women were on average 3.6 years older, had a higher level of education, a higher-income profession, and were more frequently working full time. Solo women perceived an equally high degree of social support from their families, significantly higher levels of support from friends and significantly lower support from a significant other compared to cohabiting women. Solo women expected their mother to be the most supportive person in future parenthood, while cohabiting women most often stated their cohabiting partner to fill that role. The study adds to the body of knowledge of solo women as a sociodemographic distinct group going at motherhood alone, stating a high degree of currently perceived and expected social support. The previously studied negative impact that lack of a co-parent might have, may be attenuated by the expected and perceived social support from family and friends.
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| 4. |
- Lindell Pettersson, Malin, 1979-
(författare)
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Women giving birth at an advanced age and their children : obstetric and neonatal outcomes, health and social support
- 2022
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Postponement of parenthood is an increasing trend in Western societies today. Delaying motherhood to a later time in life increases the use of assisted reproduction technology (ART), and the risk for adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Along with postponement of motherhood, the number of women requesting treatment to become solo mothers has increased. The aim of the present thesis was to evaluate the obstetric outcomes and morbidity among mothers and their children, and the association of these outcomes with advanced maternal age, single status and the use of ART.Data from the Medical Birth Register (MBR) pertaining to pregnancy, childbirth and neonatal outcomes were retrieved. In total, 37,558 mothers aged ≥ 40 years formed the index group, which was divided into two subgroups, mothers 40-44 years of age and mothers aged ≥ 45, and compared to a control group of 71,472 mothers age ≤ 39 years (Study I). To investigate the mothers’ morbidity up to five years prior to, and up to five years after childbirth (study II), and their children’s morbidity up to five years of age (study III), data from the MBR and the National Patient Register (NPR) on Swedish women giving birth during 2007-2008 and their children were retrieved. The index group comprised 8203 mothers ≥ 40 years, and the control group comprised 15,569 mothers ≤ 39 years and their children. Diagnosis and number of inpatient and outpatient visits in hospital specialized care units were studied as well as mode of conception i.e., using ART or spontaneously conceived. Civil status, defined as single or cohabiting/married, was also investigated. In study IV, 207 single women accepted for treatment with donor sperm were compared with 256 cohabiting women treated with IVF with their own gametes. The women’s sociodemographic data, their descriptions of their social networks, as well as self-assessment of their social support were investigated through a questionnaire.The results showed an increased risk for an adverse pregnancy outcome in older mothers and the children were more often born preterm, with low birthweight or were small-for-gestational age. In addition, the older mothers had more often used ART, and were more likely to be single, to use less tobacco and to have a higher BMI compared to younger women. Also, the results indicated an increased risk for morbidity among older women, both before and after pregnancy, compared to the younger women. Women of both age groups who had used ART to conceive also had higher morbidity than women who conceived spontaneously. Among mothers and children, morbidity was significantly higher in both mother and child when the mother was single at the time of pregnancy. Children born to older mothers were more often diagnosed with conditions diagnosed in the perinatal period and with congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities compared with children born to younger mothers.Solo women who were to be treated with sperm donation were older compared to cohabiting women. Solo women more often had a higher level of education and full-time employment, and were in a profession with a higher salary compared with cohabiting women. Solo women expected to receive much help, primarily from a parent but also from friends.The significantly increased risk for adverse outcomes in pregnancy and childbirth associated with advanced maternal age and the diagnoses their children were more likely to receive during the first five years of life is perhaps small but will have an impact on the individual. Single parenthood is historically associated with social and economic disadvantages. The results are in part promising concerning the sociodemographic characteristics of solo-mothers-to-be and their high levels of perceived social support. However, the potential risk for long-term morbidity in children born to advanced aged mothers, in combination with maternal single civil status and use of ART, is important to follow closely to provide proper and adequate support and health care to these mothers and their children.
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| 5. |
- Pettersson, Malin Lindell, et al.
(författare)
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Maternal advanced age, single parenthood, and ART increase the risk of child morbidity up to five years of age
- 2022
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Ingår i: BMC Pediatrics. - : BioMed Central. - 1471-2431. ; 22:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Advanced maternal age, single status and use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) are increasing in mothers in high-income countries, and all are known risk factors for negative obstetric outcomes. Less is known about their long-term consequences for childhood morbidity. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate morbidity up to five years of age, in the children of older, single, and/or ART-treated mothers.Methods: A cross-sectional using Swedish registers was performed comprising 23 772 children. The prevalence of diagnosis and the number of hospital visits for specialist care, were compared and analyzed in relation to maternal age at childbirth, maternal civil status, and mode of conception. The odds ratio for specialized care within each ICD-chapter were estimated using single and multiple logistic regression.Results: Children born to single mothers and children conceived using ART had significantly more outpatient visits for specialist care and significantly more diagnoses compared to children with married/cohabiting mothers, and spontaneously conceived children. Children born to mothers of advanced maternal age (≥40) had fewer in- and outpatient visits. However, they were significantly more often diagnosed within ICD-chapters XVI, XVII i.e., they experienced more morbidity in the neonatal period.Conclusion: The results indicate that children born to single mothers and children of ART-treated mothers have a higher morbidity and consume more specialist care than children of married/cohabiting and spontaneously pregnant mothers. We conclude that the use of ART, maternal single status and advanced maternal age are risk factors of importance to consider in pediatric care and when counseling women who are considering ART treatment.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Pettersson, Malin, et al.
(författare)
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Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through innovative co-production of bio-oil in combined heat and power plants
- 2022
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Ingår i: Applied Energy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0306-2619. ; 324
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Integrating fast pyrolysis into existing biomass-based combined heat and power (CHP) plants offers an innovative opportunity for plant operators to acquire an additional heat sink and produce a renewable transport fuels feedstock. This technology is particularly interesting in Sweden, where biobased heat and power constitute an important part of the energy system. It is important to establish the GHG emissions reduction of the production, through e.g. substitution effects in the transport sector, to ensure coherence with climate ambitions. In this study, the GHG emission avoidance methodology in the newly introduced EU Innovation Fund (IF) was adapted to determine whether integrating bio-oil production into an existing wood-fuelled CHP plant through fast pyrolysis would lead to a significant reduction in GHG emissions compared to the status quo. The results showed a reduction in GHG emissions of up to 0.24 MtCO2-eq per year, due mainly to the replacement of fossil fuels in the transport sector. A potential production volume in existing Swedish CHP plants was estimated to be 6.8–8.1 Mt of bio-oil annually, leading to a GHG emission avoidance of 8.6–10.3 MtCO2-eq/y, requiring a wood fuel input of 181–185 PJ/y. Sensitivity analysis indicated a significant potential for the reduction using input parameters for heating, electricity and hydrogen production whether pre-defined in the IF methodology or determined from case-specific conditions. However, the detailed results indicate that case-specific conditions should be used to reflect the fact that different European countries are at different stages in the transition to a fossil-free energy system. In conclusion, according to IF-based calculations, commercialisation of combined heat, power and bio-oil technology could lead to significant GHG emission avoidance across multiple sectors.
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| 8. |
- Björnsson, Lovisa, et al.
(författare)
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Bioolja från befintliga kraftvärmeverk-en systemstudie : Sammanfattning av ett forskningssamarbete mellan Lunds Tekniska Högskola, Karlstad universitet och Kraftringen Energi
- 2021. - Rapport 123
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Rapport (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- Samhällets pågående omställning mot minskade utsläpp av växthusgaser kräver bland annat stora mängder fasta biobränslen och flytande biodrivmedel. Den svenska biobränslepotentialen domineras av bi- och restprodukter från skogen, som sågspån från sågverken och grenar och toppar (sk grot) från avverkning av skog. Att omvandla trä till flytande bränslen med hög omvandlingseffektivitet är utmanande, och kräver kommersialisering av ny och innovativ teknik. Behovet av flytande biodrivmedel i transportsektorn har därför hittills framför allt tillgodosetts genom import. Ett utökat och resurseffektivt utnyttjande av den inhemska potentialen av biomassa från skogen skulle kunna vara en viktig komponent i att nå både målet om ett fossilfritt samhälle och mål om miljömässig hållbarhet och spårbarhet för råvaran. Kraftvärmesektorn är i stora delar redan fossilfri och hanterar redan idag inhemska fasta bio-bränslen från skogen. I befintliga kraftvärmeverk finns potential för ökad nyttjandegrad av anläggningen, en befintlig infrastruktur för bränslehantering och möjlighet till värmeavsättning i fjärrvärmenät. Detta skapar förutsättningar för att i tillägg till el och värme komplettera med processer för produktion av flytande energibärare från inhemska, spårbara och hållbara biobränslen från skogen.I denna skrift sammanfattas ett forskningsprojekt där möjligheten att vidareutveckla en befintlig kraftvärmeanläggning genom integrerad produktion av pyrolysolja undersökts. Vi har ställt oss frågor som: Kan vi åstadkomma inhemsk produktion av flytande bränsle från skogsbaserade fasta biobränslen genom att kraftvärmeproduktion kombineras med pyrolysoljeproduktion? Kan detta förbättra konkurrenskraften för kraftvärmeverket vid ett framtida vikande behov av fjärrvärme inom bostadssektorn? Vad innebär möjligheten att bli producent av pyrolysolja både för egen förbrukning och för andra marknader som transportsektorn, för kraftvärmeverket och för klimatet?
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| 9. |
- Björnsson, Lovisa, et al.
(författare)
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Integrating bio-oil production from wood fuels to an existing heat and power plant - evaluation of energy and greenhouse gas performance in a Swedish case study
- 2021
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Ingår i: Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments. - : Elsevier. - 2213-1388 .- 2213-1396. ; 48
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Combined heat and power (CHP) production in combination with a district heating (DH) grid gives an energy efficient use of wood fuels. The heat demand in the DH grid will, however, decline in the coming decades, and operators are seeking additional heat sinks. In this case study, the integration of a pyrolysis unit into an existing CHP plant was investigated as a possible solution. The retrofitted pyrolysis unit makes use of excess heat and yields a liquid bio-oil. Pyrolysis integrated with CHP production was shown to give a net energy yield of at least 80%, and to decrease the net heat output to the DH grid. The carbon footprint of the delivered heat was very low at maximum 1.6 g CO(2)eq/MJ. Prolonging the operation of the pyrolysis unit to periods without heat delivery to the DH grid would increase the use of existing installations, but at the cost of energy yields decreasing to 63-70%. Up to 2.8 PJ(LHV)/yr crude bio-oil could be produced at the investigated CHP plant. The bio-oil was shown to have a low carbon footprint, 1.7-4.0 g CO(2)eq/MJ(LHV), which makes it attractive for the rapidly expanding transport biofuel market.
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| 10. |
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