| 1. |
- Poulikidou, Sofia, 1984, et al.
(författare)
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Impacts on fuel producers and customers of conflicting rules for life cycle assessment
- 2022
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The use of life cycle assessment (LCA) as a tool for estimating the environmental performance of a product or service in a holistic and systematic manner is increasing. Fuel producers may need to apply different methodological frameworks to be used in different contexts; internally for product development activities as well as externally for communication with customers or authorities. Different LCA frameworks may vary in scope, system boundaries (i.e. life cycle stages to be considered) or modelling requirements (such as data demands but also more detailed methodological features). They may also vary in terms of information they can provide in relation to the environmental performance of the product. Those variations could lead to conflicting outcomes and conclusions and may also increase complexity for the LCA practitioner leading to high competence and resource requirements. Within the research project: Impacts on fuel producers and customers of conflicting rules for LCA , the requirements of different LCA frameworks and their implications to fuel producers are investigated. Focus has been given on three specific frameworks that are identified as relevant or potentially relevant for fuel producers, namely: the recast of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (referred to here as RED II), the EU framework for Product Environmental Footprint (PEF), and the framework of Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). The aim of the project is to increase understanding on the different LCA frameworks available and identify whether the multitude of such frameworks gives conflicting recommendations for environmental improvements and fuel choices. The three LCA frameworks listed above were applied in case studies. To illustrate the potential differences that the different frameworks may lead to, a variation of production pathways and feedstocks were selected including first generation as well as advanced biofuels. Based on the results obtained it can be concluded that applying all three frameworks is not a straightforward task. The methods contain fundamental differences and are at different levels of development, maturity, and adoption. In certain situations, they can lead to diverging conclusions as a result of different quantitative outcomes for a specific production pathway, thus influencing decision making processes in different directions. Understanding those differences and underlying assumptions is important for understanding the variations in outcome. The result for a specific fuel could differ substantially depending on the framework applied and the assumptions and interpretations made when applying this framework. Certain methodological parameters were identified to have a greater impact on the results than others: • The three frameworks diverge in the methods applied for modelling waste management, which can be very important for the results when the biofuel is produced from waste. • The frameworks diverge in what approaches are allowed for modelling processes with multiple products. This can be very important for the results when the fuel is co-produced with other products. • The frameworks also diverge in how the electricity supply is modelled. This is not very important for the results in most of our case studies, because the production of these biofuels does not require a lot of electricity. The study confirms that applying a framework like EPD or PEF in addition to RED II would require significant supplementary efforts. Not only because of different rules which were often contradicting or difficult to interpret but also because of additional data and reporting requirements. The need for expertise and resources is increasing for fuel producers to be able to provide EPD and PEF compliant assessments. To enhance the development and harmonization of LCA approaches this project stresses the need for product specific rules (in the form of Product Environmental Category Rules (PEFCR) and Product Category Rules (PCR)) for renewable fuels. Future versions of all three studied frameworks should be clearer on how specific methodological choices are to be applied (e.g., when it comes to allocation and multifunctional processes) as well as when it comes to model electricity supply. RED for example shall be clearer on how to define the electricity region while EPD guidelines on how to define the electricity market. Although it is not realistic to aim for a single unified LCA framework, the biofuel PCR and PEFCR can be developed with RED in mind. Some aspects of the PEF methodology can perhaps also be integrated into RED III that is currently under development. This would enhance the broader adoption of the frameworks among fuel producers. Finally, the involvement and engagement of the industry, and fuel producers themselves is very important. Industry initiatives are essential for the development of biofuel PCR and PEFCR while the general development of the three frameworks can also be influenced. In this study, we also investigated the relationship between the LCA frameworks and schemes for chain of custody certification (CoCC), in particular schemes for mass balance certifications (MBC) to investigate to what extent these schemes complement or overlap with LCA. The purpose of MBC schemes and LCA are different, in the sense that the first aim at verifying the sources and sustainability of total amounts of raw materials used by tracking them throughout the value chain, while the second at quantifying specific environmental impact. The system boundaries are similar, since both cover the entire value chain, but may be applied differently depending on the detailed frameworks applied and choices made in applying the MBC schemes. By identifying and clearly illustrating the variations among the studied frameworks the study enhances application, development, and harmonization of LCA, in a broader perspective, informs LCA practitioners but also decision makers and provides insights on how the identified challenges can be addressed.
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| 2. |
- Herlin, Anders Henrik, et al.
(författare)
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Animal welfare implications of digital tools for monitoring and management of cattle and sheep on pasture
- 2021
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Ingår i: Animals. - : MDPI AG. - 2076-2615. ; 11:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The opportunities for natural animal behaviours in pastures imply animal welfare benefits. Nevertheless, monitoring the animals can be challenging. The use of sensors, cameras, positioning equipment and unmanned aerial vehicles in large pastures has the potential to improve animal welfare surveillance. Directly or indirectly, sensors measure environmental factors together with the behaviour and physiological state of the animal, and deviations can trigger alarms for, e.g., disease, heat stress and imminent calving. Electronic positioning includes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for the recording of animals at fixed points. Positioning units (GPS) mounted on collars can determine animal movements over large areas, determine their habitat and, somewhat, health and welfare. In combination with other sensors, such units can give information that helps to evaluate the welfare of free-ranging animals. Drones equipped with cameras can also locate and count the animals, as well as herd them. Digitally defined virtual fences can keep animals within a predefined area without the use of physical barriers, relying on acoustic signals and weak electric shocks. Due to individual variations in learning ability, some individuals may be exposed to numerous electric shocks, which might compromise their welfare. More research and development are required, especially regarding the use of drones and virtual fences. © 2021 by the authors.
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| 3. |
- Marseglia, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Metabolic Syndrome Is Associated With Poor Cognition : A Population-Based Study of 70-Year-Old Adults Without Dementia
- 2021
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Ingår i: The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1079-5006 .- 1758-535X. ; 76:12, s. 2275-2283
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Individual conditions of metabolic syndrome (MetS) have been related to dementia; however, their combined impact on the preclinical stage is unknown. We investigated the associations between MetS and domain-specific cognitive function as well as the role of sociodemographic, cardiovascular, and genetic factors.Methods: Within the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Study-Birth cohort 1944, 1131 dementia-free participants (aged 70 years) were examined during 2014-2016. MetS (central obesity plus at least 2 factors [reduced HD11.-cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, blood pressure, or blood glucose]) was identified according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Five cognitive domains (memory, attention/perceptual speed, executive function, verbal fluency, visuospatial abilities) were generated after z-standardizing raw scores from 10 neuropsychological tests. Education, heart disease, claudication (indicating peripheral atherosclerosis), and apolipoprotein genotype were ascertained by trained staff. Data were analyzed with linear regression models.Results: Overall, 618 participants (55%) had MetS. In multiadjusted linear regressions, MetS was related to poorer performance in attention/ perceptual speed (beta -0.14 [95% CI -0.25, -0.02]), executive function (beta -0.12 [95% CI -0.23, -0.01]), and verbal fluency (beta -0.19 [95% CI -0.30, -0.08]). These associations were present only among individuals who did not carry any APOE-epsilon 4 allele or were highly educated. However, among those with MetS, high education was related to better cognitive performance. MetS together with comorbid heart disease or claudication was associated with even worse cognitive performance than each alone.Conclusions: MetS is associated with poor attention/perceptual speed, executive function, and verbal fluency performance. Education, apolipoprotein E-epsilon 4 allele, and comorbid cardiovascular disease influenced the observed associations.
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| 4. |
- Abbasi, Abdul G, et al.
(författare)
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Towards a verifiable and secure data sharing platform for livestock supply chain
- 2022
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 2022 IEEE International Conference on Dependable, Autonomic and Secure Computing, International Conference on Pervasive Intelligence and Computing, International Conference on Cloud and Big Data Computing, International Conference on Cyber Science and Technology Congress, DASC/PiCom/CBDCom/CyberSciTech 2022. - : Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. - 9781665462976
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The digitization of a supply chain involves satisfying several functional and non-functional context specific requirements. The work presented herein builds on efforts to elicit trust and profit requirements from actors in the Swedish livestock supply chain, specifically the beef supply chain. Interviewees identified several benefits related to data sharing and traceability but also emphasized that these benefits could only be realized if concerns around data security and data privacy were adequately addressed. We developed a data sharing platform as a response to these requirements. Requirements around verifiability, traceability, secure data sharing of potentially large data objects, fine grained access control, and the ability to link together data objects was realized using distributed ledger technology and a distributed file system. This paper presents this data sharing platform together with an evaluation of its usefulness in the context of beef supply chain traceability.
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| 5. |
- Ahlner, Felicia, 1987, et al.
(författare)
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Patterns of Alcohol Consumption and Associated Factors in a Population-Based Sample of 70-Year-Olds: Data from the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Study 2014-16
- 2022
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Ingår i: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI AG. - 1660-4601 .- 1661-7827. ; 19:14
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Older adults of today consume more alcohol, yet knowledge about the factors associated with different consumption levels is limited in this age group. Based on the data from a population-based sample (n = 1156, 539 men and 617 women) in The Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Study 2014-16, we examined sociodemographic, social, and health-related factors associated with alcohol consumption levels in 70-year-olds, using logistic regression. Total weekly alcohol intake was calculated based on the self-reported amount of alcohol consumed. Alcohol consumption was categorized as lifetime abstention, former drinking, moderate consumption (<= 98 g/week), and at-risk consumption (>98 g/week). At-risk consumption was further categorized into lower at-risk (98-196 g/week), medium at-risk (196-350 g/week), and higher at-risk (>= 350 g/week). We found that among the 1156 participants, 3% were lifetime abstainers, 3% were former drinkers, 64% were moderate drinkers, and 30% were at-risk drinkers (20% lower, 8% medium, 2% higher). Among several factors, former drinking was associated with worse general self-rated health (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.08-2.51) and lower health-related quality of life (measured by physical component score) (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.91-0.97), higher illness burden (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.07-1.27), and weaker grip strength (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.98). Higher at-risk drinkers more often had liver disease (OR 11.41, 95% CI 3.48-37.37) and minor depression (OR 4.57, 95% CI 1.40-14.95), but less contacts with health care (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.11-0.92). Our findings demonstrate the importance of classifications beyond abstinence and at-risk consumption, with implications for both the prevention and clinical management of unhealthy consumption patterns in older adults.
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| 6. |
- Andersson, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Lean-inspired development work in agriculture : Implications for the work environment
- 2020
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Ingår i: Agronomy Research. - : Eesti Pollumajandusulikool. - 1406-894X .- 2228-4907. ; 18:2, s. 324-345
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Farmers operate in a turbulent environment that includes international competition, weather conditions and animal behaviour, for example, and is difficult for them to control. However, economy and productivity always have a high priority. As a consequence, farms have started to implement lean-inspired work systems. At the same time, health and safety are of urgent concern in the sector. This article explores how famers apply lean-inspired work processes. It identifies work environment changes during and after a lean implementation, as well as possible developments in the work environment following implementation of the lean philosophy. Data were collected from three groups: lean, lean-light and development-inclined reference farms (in total 54 farms), using a questionnaire and interviews. The results indicate that a majority of the lean farms were applying several lean principles and tools, and the lean philosophy. The lean-light farms applied parts of the lean concept, while the reference farms applied some of the more general tools, used in lean and elsewhere, such as visualisation in various forms and to various extents. The results showed positive effects of lean on the psychosocial work environment, better work structure and improved information, communication and co-operation. The physical work environment was improved to some extent by lean, where advantages such as a more structured and practical work environment with less physical movements and locomotion could be noticed. The lean concept provided a more structured and systematic approach to dealing with work and production environmental issues, for managers as well as for employees.
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| 7. |
- Andréasson, Sven, et al.
(författare)
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Behandling av alkohol- och narkotikaproblem : En evidensbaserad kunskapssammanställning
- 2001
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Utvärderingens syfteMissbruk och beroende av alkohol är ett av de största folkhälsoproblemen. Narkotikamissbruk är mindre vanligt men har stora medicinska konsekvenser för de berörda. De sociala och juridiska aspekterna är betydande. En kritisk genomgång av litteraturen vad avser behandling av abstinens, protraherad abstinens, behandling i syfte att förhindra återfall, psykologiska och sociala behandlingar för att minska återfallsrisken, behandlingsprogram och institutionsvårdens roll, samt behandling av missbruk under graviditet. Dessutom en granskning av mini-intervention i primärvård och annan vård vars syfte är att minska konsumtionen hos högkonsumenter av alkohol. Nyligen gjorda meta-analyser inom området värderas och särskild vikt fästs vid interventioner som finns eller lätt kan introduceras i den svenska vårdorganisationen. Behandlingsprogram för patienter med samtidig annan psykisk störning värderas.Så kallat lågdosberoende av bensodiazepiner och andra lugnande medel eller sömnmedel behandlas inte. Inte heller belyses effekten av behandlingar vars primära mål är kroppsliga komplikationer av missbruket, och inte heller granskas metoder att minska tillgänglighet.TillvägagångssättStrukturerad översikt, kostnadsanalyser.Insamling av primärdataSystematisk sökning i relevanta databaser, litteraturlistor i påträffade studier samt i aktuella monografier. Ingen bakre tidsbegränsning och sökning i databaser till och med februari 1999.Utgångspunkt för urval av dataHuvudsakligen randomiserade, kontrollerade, dubbelblinda studier, samt metaanalyser som baseras på sådana studier. Vad gäller långtidsförlopp och ekonomiska analyser även kohortstudier och andra naturalistiska studier.Genomgång av publikationenSamtliga studier värderas med hjälp av en i gruppen utarbetad, och med övriga psykiatriprojekt gemensam, kvalitetsmall. Alla centrala studier läses av minst två i gruppen.Färdiga manuskript värderas av styrelse, expertgrupp samt externa granskare.
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| 8. |
- Arvidsson Rådestig, Maya, et al.
(författare)
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Subtle Differences in Cognition in 70-Year-Olds with Elevated Cerebrospinal Fluid Neurofilament Light and Neurogranin: A H70 Cross-Sectional Study
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Alzheimers Disease. - : IOS Press. - 1387-2877 .- 1875-8908. ; 91:1, s. 291-303
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Most research on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurofilament light protein (NfL) as a marker for neurodegeneration and neurogranin (Ng) for synaptic dysfunction has largely focused on clinical cohorts rather than population-based samples. Objective: We hypothesized that increased CSF levels of NfL and Ng are associated with subtle cognitive deficits in cognitively unimpaired (CU) older adults. Methods: The sample was derived from the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies and comprised 258 CU 70-year-olds, with a Clinical Dementia Rating score of zero. All participants underwent extensive cognitive testing. CSF levels of NfL and Ng, as well as amyloid beta(1-42), total tau, and phosphorylated tau, were measured. Results: Participants with high CSF NfL performed worse in one memory-based test (Immediate recall, p = 0.013) and a language test (FAS, p = 0.016). Individuals with high CSF Ng performed worse on the memory-based test Supra Span (p = 0.035). When stratified according to CSF tau and A beta(42) concentrations, participants with high NfL and increased tau performed worse on a memory test than participants normal tau concentrations (Delayed recall, p = 0.003). In participants with high NfL, those with pathologic A beta(42) concentrations performed worse on the Delayed recall memory (p = 0.044). In the high Ng group, participants with pathological A beta(42) concentrations had lower MMSE scores (p = 0.027). However, in regression analysis we found no linear correlations between CSF NfL or CSF Ng in relation to cognitive tests when controlled for important co-variates. Conclusion: Markers of neurodegeneration and synaptic pathology might be associated with subtle signs of cognitive decline in a population-based sample of 70-year-olds.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Bengtsson, Karin, 1980, et al.
(författare)
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Comparisons between comorbid conditions and health care consumption in rheumatoid arthritis patients with or without biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs : a register-based study
- 2016
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Ingår i: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2474. ; 17:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Symptoms and prognosis of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have improved with more intensive therapy, including the biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). Real life data concerning how comorbidities are distributed among patients treated or not treated with bDMARDs are scarce. Our objective was to investigate differences in comorbidity and health care consumption in RA patients, with and without bDMARDs.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed in the Southwestern part of Sweden. Patients, aged ≥ 18 years and diagnosed with RA in secondary health care during 2009-2010, were identified in the regional health care database. Aggregated data of comorbidity and health care consumption were retrieved between 2006 and 2010. RA patients treated with bDMARDs on 31st December 2010 were identified in the Swedish Rheumatology Quality Register (SRQ), which includes the biologics register Anti-Rheumatic Therapy in Sweden (ARTIS). Descriptive, comparative, univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with bDMARDs.RESULTS: Seven thousand seven hundred and twelve (7712) RA patients were identified (age 64.8 ± 14.9 years, women 74.3%), of whom 1137 (14.7%) were treated with bDMARDs. Overall, the most common comorbidities were infections (69.2%), hypertension (41.1%), chronic respiratory disease (15.3%), ischemic heart disease (14.0%) and malignancy (13.7%). Patients without bDMARDs were older and had more comorbidity. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, older age, cerebrovascular and chronic respiratory disease, heart failure, depression and malignancy were all associated with no present bDMARDs. Infections were associated with bDMARDs. Patients treated with bDMARDs consumed more secondary outpatient care but less visits in primary health care compared to patients without bDMARDs.CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated with bDMARDs versus no bDMARDs were younger and had significantly lower period prevalence for most common comorbidities, with the exception of infections. Differences in comorbidities between RA patients with or without bDMARDs should be taken into consideration when evaluating effectiveness and safety of bDMARDs in ordinary care.
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