| 1. |
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| 2. |
- Björkman, Christina, et al.
(författare)
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Gender and IT Goes Second Millennium
- 2006
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Ingår i: E-CAP 2006 European Computing and Philosophy Conference. - Trondheim.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Where does feminist research on gender and IT stand today? What are the possibilities now and for the future? How does today’s research both build on and break with earlier approaches? In this article, we make a journey, where the starting point is taken in re-visiting two positions, liberal feminism and radical feminism, in the history of gender and (information) technology. We make a historical exposé to highlight some of the questions feminist technology research has been engaged in, in order to relate, inspire, challenge and partly also provoke future research. We then link these approaches to our own position in feminist technoscience research. This perspective opens up the world of information technology as a world of networks, relations, and negotiations going on within localised and situated practices, where IT and gender are continuously co-constructing each other. Feminist technoscience research challenges much of the present understandings, interpretations and even experiences of information technology and it demands re-thinking the foundations of computing. We discuss concepts and figurations developed within feminist technoscience research, that encourage us to imagine, think and do things differently, and we ask: “How do we make a difference?”
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| 3. |
- Gamble, Carrol, et al.
(författare)
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Timing of Primary Surgery for Cleft Palate.
- 2023
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Ingår i: The New England journal of medicine. - : Massachusetts Medical Society. - 1533-4406 .- 0028-4793. ; 389:9, s. 795-807
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Among infants with isolated cleft palate, whether primary surgery at 6 months of age is more beneficial than surgery at 12 months of age with respect to speech outcomes, hearing outcomes, dentofacial development, and safety is unknown.We randomly assigned infants with nonsyndromic isolated cleft palate, in a 1:1 ratio, to undergo standardized primary surgery at 6 months of age (6-month group) or at 12 months of age (12-month group) for closure of the cleft. Standardized assessments of quality-checked video and audio recordings at 1, 3, and 5 years of age were performed independently by speech and language therapists who were unaware of the trial-group assignments. The primary outcome was velopharyngeal insufficiency at 5 years of age, defined as a velopharyngeal composite summary score of at least 4 (scores range from 0 to 6, with higher scores indicating greater severity). Secondary outcomes included speech development, postoperative complications, hearing sensitivity, dentofacial development, and growth.We randomly assigned 558 infants at 23 centers across Europe and South America to undergo surgery at 6 months of age (281 infants) or at 12 months of age (277 infants). Speech recordings from 235 infants (83.6%) in the 6-month group and 226 (81.6%) in the 12-month group were analyzable. Insufficient velopharyngeal function at 5 years of age was observed in 21 of 235 infants (8.9%) in the 6-month group as compared with 34 of 226 (15.0%) in the 12-month group (risk ratio, 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.36 to 0.99; P=0.04). Postoperative complications were infrequent and similar in the 6-month and 12-month groups. Four serious adverse events were reported (three in the 6-month group and one in the 12-month group) and had resolved at follow-up.Medically fit infants who underwent primary surgery for isolated cleft palate in adequately resourced settings at 6 months of age were less likely to have velopharyngeal insufficiency at the age of 5 years than those who had surgery at 12 months of age. (Funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research; TOPS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00993551.).
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| 4. |
- Mörtberg, Christina, 1950-, et al.
(författare)
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Agential realism – something for gender and IT research?
- 2008
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Ingår i: The 4th European Gender & ICT Symposium, The 3rd Christina Conference on Women´s Studies.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- People´s everyday lives have changed and are continuously changing depending on thetechnologically mediated world we live in. Feminist researchers have explored the relationshipsbetween gender and information technology (IT), the gendering of IT and the co-construction ofgender and IT. This research has contributed to and created critical approaches towards pluralisticunderstandings of the relationships between gender and (information) technology. There exists abody of knowledge concerning not only gender, but also epistemological and ontological issues.However, explorations are ongoing processes in order to “encourage us to do this differently.”(Schneider 2005:21)In this exploratory paper we will use Karen Barad’s agential realism together with Haraway’sdiffraction to discuss systems development, the importance of materiality and its role in thedevelopment of IT-systems. While diffraction maps “where the effects of differences appear”(Haraway 1992:300), agential realism invites us to discuss systems development as materialdiscursivepractices. The focus is moved from interactions between humans/non-humans to intraactions(togetherness) in practices/doings/actions.We address the following questions: Does the approach of agential realism with intra-actions,apparatuses, and cuts help to find new fruitful understandings of gender and IT? Does theapproach help feminist researchers in developing future directions of gender and IT, creatingalternatives and acting accountably in the world of becoming, where agency remains at the heartof feminist practices?We are here in particular concerned with the design and construction of IT-systems and artefacts.In building these, different actors and practices can be involved, such as for example systemsdevelopers, programmers, specifications, design models, operating systems, programminglanguages, computers, protocols, managers, time, money, workplace culture, division of labour,gender and so on. In specific performances of material-discursive practices these are included orexcluded. Those included constitute the specific apparatus involved in boundary-making inmaterial-discursive practices. With a diffracted reading of various development practices we willmap the chosen apparatus and how it comes to participate in and enact a particular world ofbecoming. Due to the particular apparatus, categories and classifications, such as subjects andobjects, experts and non-experts, gender, information technology etc. are constituted.Consequently, what is included or excluded in the enactment orders the world differently sincedifferent realities (worlds) are sedimented out of particular practices/doings/actions. Beingaccountable means to ask if we need other kinds of practices and enactments, with newconfigurations of agency that work for change?
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| 5. |
- Mörtberg, Christina, 1950-, et al.
(författare)
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Agential Realism – Something for Gender and IT Research?
- 2007
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Ingår i: The 3rd Christina Conference on Women´s Studies/The 4th European. - Helsinki.
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- People´s everyday lives have changed and are continuously changing depending on the technologically mediated world we live in. Feminist researchers have explored the relationships between gender and information technology (IT), the gendering of IT and the co-construction of gender and IT. This research has contributed to and created critical approaches towards pluralistic understandings of the relationships between gender and (information) technology. There exists a body of knowledge concerning not only gender, but also epistemological and ontological issues. However, explorations are ongoing processes in order to “encourage us to do this differently.” (Schneider 2005:21) In this exploratory paper we will use Karen Barad’s agential realism together with Haraway’s diffraction to discuss systems development, the importance of materiality and its role in the development of IT-systems. While diffraction maps “where the effects of differences appear” (Haraway 1992:300), agential realism invites us to discuss systems development as material-discursive practices. The focus is moved from interactions between humans/non-humans to intra-actions (togetherness) in practices/doings/actions. We address the following questions: Does the approach of agential realism with intra-actions, apparatuses, and cuts help to find new fruitful understandings of gender and IT? Does the approach help feminist researchers in developing future directions of gender and IT, creating alternatives and acting accountably in the world of becoming, where agency remains at the heart of feminist practices? We are here in particular concerned with the design and construction of IT-systems and artefacts. In building these, different actors and practices can be involved, such as for example systems developers, programmers, specifications, design models, operating systems, programming languages, computers, protocols, managers, time, money, workplace culture, division of labour, gender and so on. In specific performances of material-discursive practices these are included or excluded. Those included constitute the specific apparatus involved in boundary-making in material-discursive practices. With a diffracted reading of various development practices we will map the chosen apparatus and how it comes to participate in and enact a particular world of becoming. Due to the particular apparatus, categories and classifications, such as subjects and objects, experts and non-experts, gender, information technology etc. are constituted. Consequently, what is included or excluded in the enactment orders the world differently since different realities (worlds) are sedimented out of particular practices/doings/actions. Being accountable means to ask if we need other kinds of practices and enactments, with new configurations of agency that work for change?
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Björkman, Christina
(författare)
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Challenging Canon : The Gender Question in Computer Science
- 2002
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The gender question in computer science is often presented as: "Why are there so few women in computer science and what can be done about that?" This question usually focuses on women. Sometimes 'men' or 'gender' enter the discussions. However, it is not common that the second part of the sentence - computer science - is considered. The papers in this thesis challenge, in different ways, how the gender question is usually perceived and discussed within the community of computer scientists, and where solutions are looked for. The approach taken is to move focus from women/gender to the discipline of computer science itself. This means the question is raised towards a more general level, towards "the science question", discussing the discipline, its paradigms and knowledge processes. Theories and methodologies from gender research, used within computer science, offer new possibilities to develop broader and more complex understandings of "the gender question in computer science".
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| 8. |
- Björkman, Christina
(författare)
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Computer Science, Gender and Knowledge : Situated Readings
- 2003
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Ingår i: How do we make a difference?. - Luleå : Division Gender and Technology, Luleå University of Technology. - 9197256897 ; , s. 157-174
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A text is read, interpreted and comprehended in different ways, depending on for example the perspectives of the reader. As a reader I take an active part in the creation of meaning when I interact with the text and so also, indirectly, with the author(s). In this paper I explore what I call situated readings, using the concept of partial perspectives in reading a text. I will read a text on women and computer science, an article from Communications of the ACM 1997. This article has gained a lot of attention and is still frequently cited within the community of computer scientists. This reading exercise reflects my own development, in that I explicitly try to make use of my background and experiences. I am a lecturer in computer science, and for a number of years I have been interested in questions and issues surrounding the under-representation of women within computer science and in the various different attempts to define, describe and suggest solutions to this ‘problem’. I have gone from taking part in, and actively leading, projects targeting women within CS, to an interest in trying to gain a complex understanding of this issue and challenging existing frameworks and explanations. The reading will reflect how my questions mainly concerning the low number of women in CS have evolved, as a result of experience and later from feminist studies, into other questions, approaching “the science question” (Harding 1986).
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| 9. |
- Björkman, Christina
(författare)
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Crossing Boundaries, Focusing Foundations, Trying Translations : Feminist Technoscience Strategies in Computer Science
- 2005
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In this thesis I explore feminist technoscience strategies in computer science, starting in “the gender question in computer science”, and ending up in communication and translation between feminist technoscience research and computer science educational practice. Necessary parts in this work concern issues of boundary crossings between disciplines, and focusing on the foundations of computer science: what it means to “know computer science”. The point of departure is in computer science (CS), in particular CS education. There are at this starting point two intertwined issues: the gender question in computer science (often formulated as “what to do about the situation of women in computer science?”) and the foundation question: “what does it mean to know computer science?”. These are not primarily questions looking for answers; they are calls for action, for change and transformation. The main focus and goal of this thesis concerns how to broaden the meaning of “knowing computer science”; to accommodate epistemological pluralism and diversity within the practices and among the practitioners of CS. I have identified translation as fundamental, to make feminist research and epistemological perspectives communicable into the community of computer science practitioners. In this, questions of knowledge and how knowledge is perceived and talked about are central. Communication and translation also depend on the ability and willingness to cross boundaries, to engage in “world- travelling” (Lugones). Additional issues of importance are asking questions open enough to invite to dialogues, and upholding critical (self) reflection. An important goal for feminist research is transformation. Because of this, interventions have been part of my research, interventions in which I myself am implicated. The work has been based in feminist epistemological thinking, where the concepts of positioning and partial perspectives (Haraway) have been of particular importance. After an introduction, the thesis consists of three parts, each part relating to one of the three issues in the title, issues identified as important for feminist technoscience work in computer science. In part A, I investigate and discuss what it means to be simultaneously an engineer/computer scientist and a feminist technoscience researcher. What boundary crossings, challenges, conflicts, negotiations and issues of being inside and outside are involved? This part also focuses on what the implications of these boundary crossings and different “mind-sets” are for transformatory work in science and engineering education, as well as a discussion of what feminist technoscience research can be and how it can be used for interventions and transformations. Part B focuses on foundations of computer science. This part consists of studies of texts, which I critically read and query from a feminist technoscience perspective, in order to challenge existing approaches and concepts within computer science. The texts are about the gender question in computer science; foundational topics of “what is computer science”, as well as epistemological questions concerning approaches to knowledge in computer science: “what does it mean to know computer science”? Part C deals with a concrete intervention project aiming at establishing conversations with computer science faculty. In this project, the issues of communication and translation appear as central. The focus in this part is communication between computer science educational practice and feminist technoscience research, language as a carrier of epistemology, and a discussion of translation.
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| 10. |
- Björkman, Christina
(författare)
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Crossing Boundaries, Focusing Foundations, Trying Translations: Feminist Technoscience Strategies in Computer Science
- 2005
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In this thesis I explore feminist technoscience strategies in computer science, starting in “the gender question in computer science”, and ending up in communication and translation between feminist technoscience research and computer science educational practice. Necessary parts in this work concern issues of boundary crossings between disciplines, and focusing on the foundations of computer science: what it means to “know computer science”. The point of departure is in computer science (CS), in particular CS education. There are at this starting point two intertwined issues: the gender question in computer science (often formulated as “what to do about the situation of women in computer science?”) and the foundation question: “what does it mean to know computer science?”. These are not primarily questions looking for answers; they are calls for action, for change and transformation. The main focus and goal of this thesis concerns how to broaden the meaning of “knowing computer science”; to accommodate epistemological pluralism and diversity within the practices and among the practitioners of CS. I have identified translation as fundamental, to make feminist research and epistemological perspectives communicable into the community of computer science practitioners. In this, questions of knowledge and how knowledge is perceived and talked about are central. Communication and translation also depend on the ability and willingness to cross boundaries, to engage in “world-travelling” (Lugones). Additional issues of importance are asking questions open enough to invite to dialogues, and upholding critical (self) reflection. An important goal for feminist research is transformation. Because of this, interventions have been part of my research, interventions in which I myself am implicated. The work has been based in feminist epistemological thinking, where the concepts of positioning and partial perspectives (Haraway) have been of particular importance.
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| 11. |
- Björkman, Christina
(författare)
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Feminist Research and Computer Science : Starting a Dialogue
- 2005
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Ingår i: Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society. - Harborough : Troubador Publishing. - 1477-996X. ; 3:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this paper I discuss how feminist research focusing epistemological issues can be used within computer science (CS). I approach and explore epistemological questions in computer science through a number of themes, which I believe are important to the issues of what knowledge is produced as well as how it is produced and how knowledge is perceived in CS. I discuss for example paradigms and metaphors in computer science, the role of abstractions and the concept of naturalisation. In order to illustrate epistemological views in CS and how these can be questioned from the viewpoints of feminist epistemology, I also do a close reading and commenting of a recent book within the philosophy of computing.
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Björkman, Christina, et al.
(författare)
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Feminist Technoscience Rearranging in the Black Box of Information Technology
- 2007
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Ingår i: Gender Designs IT. - : Springer Berlin/Heidelberg. - 9783531148182 ; , s. 79-94
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Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- What kind of focus will feminist research develop at a technical university, where information technology (IT)38 constitutes the overarching research field? In this article we want to illustrate this question with the core issues that we have identified, as well as to animate these with the authors’ stories. Finally, we want to propose a short agenda of issues and challenges for future feminist technoscience research.
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| 14. |
- Björkman, Christina
(författare)
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Invitation to Dialogue : Feminist Research meets Computer Science
- 2005
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Ingår i: The Gender Politics of ICT. - Enfield : Middlesex University Press. - 190475046X ; , s. 223-236
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this paper I discuss how feminist research focusing epistemological issues can be used within computer science (CS). I approach and explore epistemological questions in computer science through a number of themes, which I believe are important to the issues of what knowledge is produced as well as how it is produced and how knowledge is perceived in CS. I discuss for example paradigms and metaphors in computer science, the role of abstractions and the concept of naturalisation. In order to illustrate epistemological views in CS and how these can be questioned from the viewpoints of feminist epistemology, I also do a close reading and commenting of a recent book within the philosophy of computing
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| 15. |
- Björkman, Christina, et al.
(författare)
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Social Sciences and Humanities Engage and Motivate Engineering Students
- 2006
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Ingår i: SEFI 2006 - 34th Annual Conference: Engineering Education and Active Students. - Uppsala.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- In the year 2000 a new interdisciplinary M.Sc. Engineering Programme started at Uppsala University, Sweden. The programme, named Systems in Technology and Society, combines science and technology with studies in humanities and social science. Of the 4.5 year long programme (all MSc Engineering education in Sweden are 4.5 years), one third (a total of 1.5 year, spread over the first 4 years) of the curricula consists of courses in humanities and social science. The courses are based in different disciplines such as economic history, social and economic geography, business studies, political science, philosophy, history and history of ideas and science. The courses are integrated with each other, in order to stimulate a deeper knowledge within the interdisciplinary academic field of Science and Technology Studies (STS). The students of this new programme are more active in discussing the relevance of different content, in order to understand why they should study this. We see this as a result of the training in critical analysis and reflection that they obtain in the courses within humanities and social science.
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| 16. |
- Björkman, Christina, et al.
(författare)
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What does it mean to Know Computer Science? Perspectives from Gender Research
- 2006
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Ingår i: tripleC. - : http://triplec.uti.at/articles.php. - 1726-670X. ; 4:2, s. 316-327
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The epistemological basis for computer science (CS), on which research and education as well as development of applications are founded, are fundamental for its production of knowledge. In this paper we raise the issue of how gender research developed within science and technology can be used within computer science, to approach and discuss foundations of the discipline, and what the implications of this reflection are for CS education. After an introduction, which serves to motivate the questions raised, we discuss issues concerning the foundations of computer science. We then introduce gender research, as we use it, and present some points where this type of research can contribute to the question “What does it mean to know CS?”.
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| 17. |
- Björkman, Christina
(författare)
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Women in Computing in Sweden
- 2007
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Ingår i: Wiley Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Engineering. - London : John Wiley & Sons Inc.
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
- Björkman, Hans, et al.
(författare)
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Angels and demons – The religion of Innovation?
- 2013
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Ingår i: The Proceedings of The XXIV ISPIM Conference - Innovating in Global Markets. - : ISPIM. - 9789522654212
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- History anticipates a link between religion and innovation, and religious aspects could be expected to impact also current innovation activities, positive or negative. This paper describes and discusses the relations between innovation and religion by means of a systematic literature review. The review points to six different causal claims between religion and innovation: (i) the Church as a platform for innovation and entrepreneurship; (ii) religion enabling or inhibiting innovation adaptation and diffusion; (iii) spirituality and ethics, and their relation to innovation, organisational development and human relation management; (iv) creation and utilisation of innovations in religious settings; (v) doctrinal innovation; and (vi) religion as scientific underpinning. This evokes an initiative for further studies on religion and innovation, and contributes to current understanding through providing a first-of-its kind literature review.
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| 20. |
- Björkman, Jan-Arne, et al.
(författare)
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Cardiac sympathetic nerve stimulation triggers coronary t-PA release.
- 2003
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Ingår i: Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology. - 1524-4636. ; 23:6, s. 1091-7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine whether stimulation of sympathetic cardiac nerves induces release of the thrombolytic enzyme tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) in the coronary vascular bed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Anesthetized pigs were studied in an open chest model. Bilateral vagotomy was performed, and sympathetic cardiac nerves were activated by electrical stimulation (1 and 8 Hz). To evaluate possible mediating effects of increased heart rate and enhanced local blood flow, tachycardia was induced by pacing and hyperemia by local infusion of sodium nitroprusside and clevedipine. Furthermore, to study the effects of alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation, phenylephrine and isoprenaline were infused locally. In response to low- and high-frequency sympathetic stimulation, mean coronary net release of total t-PA increased approximately 6- and 25-fold, respectively. Active t-PA showed a similar response pattern. Neither tachycardia nor coronary hyperemia stimulated t-PA release. In contrast, beta-adrenergic stimulation by isoprenaline induced an approximately 6-fold increase in coronary t-PA release, whereas no significant change in release rates occurred in response to alpha-adrenergic stimulation by phenylephrine. CONCLUSIONS: Stimulation of cardiac sympathetic nerves induces a marked coronary release of t-PA, and part of this response may be mediated through stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors.
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| 21. |
- Björkman, Jan-Arne, et al.
(författare)
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Release of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) in the splanchnic circulation of the anaesthetised pig during high sympathetic tone.
- 2010
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Ingår i: Thrombosis research. - : Elsevier BV. - 1879-2472 .- 0049-3848. ; 125:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: There is a substantial local release of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) in the splanchnic vascular bed, and this release is increased at high sympathetic tone. Coronary t-PA release is also significant, and this release increases during cardiac nerve stimulation and during reperfusion after 10 min of local myocardial ischemia. However, by repeated cycles of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion coronary t-PA release progressively declines. OBJECTIVES: Accordingly, we hypothesised that splanchnic t-PA release might decrease after an initial peak during maintained and long-lasting sympathetic stimulation. METHODS: In 6 anaesthetised pigs sympathetic tone was augmented by bleeding (20-25 mL/kg over 30 minutes). During the subsequent 2 hours period portal vein (draining the splanchnic vascular bed) - and arterial blood samples were drawn every 20 min and portal vein blood flow was recorded continuously in order to estimate t-PA release in the splanchnic vascular bed. RESULTS: Relatively stable haemodynamic conditions were obtained after bleeding with mean arterial blood pressure at 50 to 65 mmHg and a portal vein flow at about the 50% of baseline value. Net splanchnic t-PA release rose to a peak 40 min after bleeding, but subsequently declined towards baseline values. Arterial t-PA activity rose after the bleeding period and to a peak value at end of the observation period. CONCLUSIONS: Net splanchnic t-PA release increased only transiently during the period with increased sympathetic stimulation, whereas the arterial t-PA level remained elevated. During a strong and longlasting sympathetic stimulation the lack of a continuously augmented splanchnic t-PA release might increase the risk for intravenous splanchnic thrombosis.
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| 22. |
- Brännmark, Cecilia, et al.
(författare)
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FIND Stroke Recovery Study (FIND): rationale and protocol for a longitudinal observational cohort study of trajectories of recovery and biomarkers poststroke
- 2023
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Ingår i: Bmj Open. - 2044-6055. ; 13:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ntroduction Comprehensive studies mapping domain-specific trajectories of recovery after stroke and biomarkers reflecting these processes are scarce. We, therefore, initiated an exploratory prospective observational study of stroke cases with repeated evaluation, the FIND Stroke Recovery Study. We aim to capture trajectories of recovery from different impairments, including cognition, in combination with broad profiling of blood and imaging biomarkers of the recovery. Methods and analysis We recruit individuals with first-ever stroke at the stroke unit at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden, to FIND. The inclusion started early 2018 and we aim to enrol minimum 500 patients. Neurological and cognitive impairments across multiple domains are assessed using validated clinical assessment methods, advanced neuroimaging is performed and blood samples for biomarker measuring (protein, RNA and DNA) at inclusion and follow-up visits at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 5 years poststroke. At baseline and at each follow-up visit, we also register clinical variables known to influence outcomes such as prestroke functioning, stroke severity, acute interventions, rehabilitation, other treatments, socioeconomic status, infections (including COVID-19) and other comorbidities. Recurrent stroke and other major vascular events are identified continuously in national registers. Ethics and dissemination FIND composes a unique stroke cohort with detailed phenotyping, repetitive assessments of outcomes across multiple neurological and cognitive domains and patient-reported outcomes as well as blood and imaging biomarker profiling. Ethical approval for the FIND study has been obtained from the Regional Ethics Review Board in Gothenburg and the Swedish Ethics Review Board. The results of this exploratory study will provide novel data on the time course of recovery and biomarkers after stroke. The description of this protocol will inform the stroke research community of our ongoing study and facilitate comparisons with other data sets.
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| 23. |
- Bökberg, Christina, et al.
(författare)
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Caring and Health of Close Family Members of Frail Older Persons Recently Discharged from Acute Hospital Care : A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study
- 2024
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Ingår i: Nursing Reports. - : MDPI. - 2039-439X .- 2039-4403. ; 14:2, s. 901-912
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Multimorbidity in older people is strongly linked to the need for acute hospital care, and caregiving activities usually become more complex after patients are discharged from hospital. This may negatively impact the health of close family members, although this has not been comprehensively investigated. This study aimed to explore the general and mental health of close family members caring for frail older (>65) persons recently discharged from acute hospital care, making assessments in terms of gender, relationship to the older person, and aspects of caring. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted involving 360 close family members caring for frail older persons recently discharged from hospital. The statistical analyses included subgroup comparisons and associations to caring were examined. Half of the family members reported that their general and mental health was poor, with spouses reporting the poorest health. Female participants had significantly more severe anxiety, while males had significantly more severe depression. Providing care for more than six hours per week was associated with poor general health (OR 2.31) and depression (OR 2.59). Feelings of powerless were associated with poor general health (OR 2.63), anxiety (6.95), and depression (3.29). This knowledge may provide healthcare professionals with better tools in order to individualise support, preventing family members from exceeding their resources during these demanding periods.
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| 24. |
- Bökberg, Christina, et al.
(författare)
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Caring and Health of Close Family Members of Frail Older Persons Recently Discharged from Acute Hospital Care : A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study
- 2024
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Ingår i: Nursing Reports. - 2039-439X. ; 14:2, s. 901-912
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Multimorbidity in older people is strongly linked to the need for acute hospital care, and caregiving activities usually become more complex after patients are discharged from hospital. This may negatively impact the health of close family members, although this has not been comprehensively investigated. This study aimed to explore the general and mental health of close family members caring for frail older (>65) persons recently discharged from acute hospital care, making assessments in terms of gender, relationship to the older person, and aspects of caring. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted involving 360 close family members caring for frail older persons recently discharged from hospital. The statistical analyses included subgroup comparisons and associations to caring were examined. Half of the family members reported that their general and mental health was poor, with spouses reporting the poorest health. Female participants had significantly more severe anxiety, while males had significantly more severe depression. Providing care for more than six hours per week was associated with poor general health (OR 2.31) and depression (OR 2.59). Feelings of powerless were associated with poor general health (OR 2.63), anxiety (6.95), and depression (3.29). This knowledge may provide healthcare professionals with better tools in order to individualise support, preventing family members from exceeding their resources during these demanding periods.
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| 25. |
- Carlsson, Håkan, et al.
(författare)
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Efficacy and feasibility of SENSory relearning of the UPPer limb (SENSUPP) in people with chronic stroke: A pilot randomized controlled trial
- 2022
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Ingår i: PM&R. - : Wiley. - 1934-1482 .- 1934-1563. ; 14:12, s. 1461-1473
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Sensorimotor impairments of the upper limb (UL) are common after stroke, but there is a lack of evidence-based interventions to improve functioning of UL. Objective To evaluate (1) the efficacy of sensory relearning and task-specific training compared to task-specific training only, and (2) the feasibility of the training in chronic stroke. Design A pilot randomized controlled trial. Setting University hospital outpatient clinic. Participants Twenty-seven participants (median age; 62 years, 20 men) were randomized to an intervention group (IG; n = 15) or to a control group (CG; n = 12). Intervention Both groups received training twice weekly in 2.5-hour sessions for 5 weeks. The training in the IG consisted of sensory relearning, task-specific training, and home training. The training in the CG consisted of task-specific training. Main Outcome Measures Primary outcome was sensory function (touch thresholds, touch discrimination, light touch, and proprioception). Secondary outcomes were dexterity, ability to use the hand in daily activities, and perceived participation. A blinded assessor conducted the assessments at baseline (T1), post intervention (T2), and at 3-month follow-up (T3). Nonparametric analyses and effect-size calculations (r) were performed. Feasibility was evaluated by a questionnaire. Results After the training, only touch thresholds improved significantly from T1 to T2 (p = .007, r = 0.61) in the IG compared to the CG. Within the IG, significant improvements were found from T1 to T2 regarding use of the hand in daily activities (p = .001, r = 0.96) and movement quality (p = .004, r = 0.85) and from T1 to T3 regarding satisfaction with performance in meaningful activities (p = .004, r = 0.94). The CG significantly improved the performance of using the hand in meaningful activities from T1 to T2 (p = .017, r = 0.86). The training was well tolerated by the participants and performed without any adverse events. Conclusions Combined sensory relearning and task-specific training may be a promising and feasible intervention to improve UL sensorimotor function after stroke.
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| 26. |
- Carlsson, H., et al.
(författare)
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Experiences of SENSory Relearning of the UPPer Limb (SENSUPP) after Stroke and Perceived Effects: A Qualitative Study
- 2022
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Ingår i: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI AG. - 1660-4601 .- 1661-7827. ; 19:6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Recently, it was shown that sensory relearning of the upper limb (SENSUPP) is a promising intervention to improve sensorimotor function after stroke. There is limited knowledge, however, of how participants perceive the training. Here, we explored how persons with sensory impairments in the upper limb experienced the SENSUPP protocol (combined sensory- and motor training and home exercises for 5 weeks) and its effect. Fifteen persons (mean age 59 years; 10 men; >6 months post-stroke) were individually interviewed, and data were analyzed with qualitative content analysis. An overall theme 'Sensory relearning was meaningful and led to improved ability to perform daily hand activities' and two categories with six subcategories emerged. The outpatient training was perceived as meaningful, although the exercises were demanding and required concentration. Support from the therapist was helpful and training in small groups appreciated. The home training was challenging due to lack of support, time, and motivation. Small improvements in sensory function were perceived, whereas increased movement control and ability in performing daily hand activities were reported. In conclusion, the SENSUPP protocol is meaningful and beneficial in improving the functioning of the UL in chronic stroke. Improving compliance to the home training, regular follow-ups, and an exercise diary are recommended.
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| 27. |
- Carlsson, Håkan, et al.
(författare)
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SENSory re-learning of the UPPer limb after stroke (SENSUPP) : Study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial
- 2018
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Ingår i: Trials. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1745-6215. ; 19:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Many stroke survivors suffer from sensory impairments of their affected upper limb (UL). Although such impairments can affect the ability to use the UL in everyday activities, very little attention is paid to sensory impairments in stroke rehabilitation. The purpose of this trial is to investigate if sensory re-learning in combination with task-specific training may prove to be more effective than task-specific training alone to improve sensory function of the hand, dexterity, the ability to use the hand in daily activities, perceived participation, and life satisfaction. Methods/design: This study is a single-blinded pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) with two treatment arms. The participants will be randomly assigned either to sensory re-learning in combination with task-specific training (sensory group) or to task-specific training only (control group). The training will consist of 2.5 h of group training per session, 2 times per week for 5 weeks. The primary outcome measures to assess sensory function are as follows: Semmes-Weinstein monofilament, Shape/Texture Identification (STI™) test, Fugl-Meyer Assessment-upper extremity (FMA-UE; sensory section), and tactile object identification test. The secondary outcome measures to assess motor function are as follows: Box and Block Test (BBT), mini Sollerman Hand Function Test (mSHFT), Modified Motor Assessment Scale (M-MAS), and Grippit. To assess the ability to use the hand in daily activities, perceived participation, and life satisfaction, the Motor Activity Log (MAL), Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) participation domain, and Life Satisfaction checklist will be used. Assessments will be performed pre- and post-training and at 3-month follow-up by independent assessors, who are blinded to the participants' group allocation. At the 3-month follow-up, the participants in the sensory group will also be interviewed about their general experience of the training and how effective they perceived the training. Discussion: The results from this study can add new knowledge about the effectiveness of sensory re-learning in combination with task-specific training on UL functioning after stroke. If the new training approach proves efficient, the results can provide information on how to design a larger RCT in the future in persons with sensory impairments of the UL after stroke.
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| 28. |
- Carlsson, Håkan, et al.
(författare)
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SENSory re-learning of the UPPer limb (SENSUPP) after stroke : development and description of a novel intervention using the TIDieR checklist
- 2021
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Ingår i: Trials. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1745-6215. ; 22:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Sensorimotor impairments of upper limb (UL) are common after stroke, leading to difficulty to use the UL in daily life. Even though many have sensory impairments in the UL, specific sensory training is often lacking in stroke rehabilitation. Thus, the aim of this paper is to provide a detailed description of the novel intervention “SENSory re-learning of the UPPer limb after stroke (SENSUPP)” that we have developed to improve functioning in the UL in persons with mild to moderate impairments after stroke. Methods: The SENSUPP protocol was designed using information from literature reviews, clinical experience and through consultation of experts in the field. The protocol integrates learning principles based on current neurobiological knowledge and includes repetitive intensive practice, difficulty graded exercises, attentive exploration of a stimulus with focus on the sensory component, and task-specific training in meaningful activities that includes feedback. For reporting the SENSUPP protocol, the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist was used. Results: The essential features of the SENSUPP intervention comprise four components: applying learning principles based on current neurobiological knowledge, sensory re-learning (exercises for touch discrimination, proprioception and tactile object recognition), task-specific training in meaningful activities, and home-training. The training is performed twice a week, in 2.5-h sessions for 5 weeks. Conclusion: Since there is close interaction between the sensory and motor systems, the SENSUPP intervention may be a promising method to improve UL functioning after stroke. The TIDieR checklist has been very useful for reporting the procedure and development of the training. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.govNCT03336749. Registered on 8 November 2017.
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| 29. |
- Daniels, Mats, et al.
(författare)
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RUNESTONE, an International Student Collaboration Project
- 1998
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Ingår i: IEEE Frontiers in Education conference.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Our students will eventually work in a global market; what better preparation can we provide for international collaboration than … international collaboration? The RUNESTONE project is developing and evaluating the notion of incorporating international group projects into the undergraduate Computer Science curriculum. RUNESTONE adds new dimensions to student teamwork, requiring students to handle collaboration that is remote, cross-cultural, and linguistically challenging. RUNESTONE is a three year project, with the prototype version running in winter 1998 with students at Uppsala University, Sweden, and Grand Valley State University, Michigan, USA. The 1998 pilot study will be followed by a full-scale implementation in 1999 and another in 2000.
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| 30. |
- Elfving, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
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Real-time PCR threshold cycle (Ct) cut-offs help to identify agents causing acute childhood diarrhea in Zanzibar.
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of clinical microbiology. - 1098-660X. ; 52:3, s. 916-923
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Molecular assays might improve identification of causes of acute diarrheal disease, but may lead to more frequent detection of asymptomatic infections. In the present study real-time PCR targeting 14 pathogens was applied on rectal swabs from 330 children aged 2-59 months in Zanzibar, 165 with acute diarrhea and 165 asymptomatic controls. At least one pathogen was detected in 94% of patients and 84% of controls, with higher rates in patients for norovirus genogroup II (20% vs. 2.4%, p<0.0001), rotavirus (10% vs. 1.8%, p=0.003) and Cryptosporidium (30% vs. 11%, p<0.0001). Detection rates did not differ significantly for enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC)-estA (33% vs. 24%), ETEC-eltB (44% vs. 46%), Shigella (35% vs. 33%), and Campylobacter (35% vs. 33%), but for these agents Ct (threshold cycle) values were lower (pathogen loads were higher) in sick children than in controls. In multivariate analysis, Ct values for norovirus genogroup II, rotavirus, Cryptosporidium, ETEC-estA and Shigella were independently associated with diarrhea. We conclude that this real-time PCR allows convenient detection of essentially all diarrheagenic agents, and provides Ct values that may be critical for interpretation of results for pathogens with similar detection rates in patients and controls. The results indicate that assessment of pathogen load may improve identification of agents causing gastroenteritis in children.
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| 31. |
- Elvstam, Olof, et al.
(författare)
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Associations between HIV viremia during antiretroviral therapy and cardiovascular disease
- 2022
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Ingår i: AIDS (London, England). - 1473-5571. ; 36:13, s. 1829-1834
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between HIV viremia exposure during antiretroviral therapy (ART) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.DESIGN: Nationwide observational cohort.METHODS: Participants (age > 15 years) from the Swedish nationwide InfCareHIV register initiating ART 1996-2017 were categorized in a time-updated manner into four viremia categories, starting from 12 months after ART initiation: suppression (<50 copies/ml), low-level viremia (50-199 copies/ml and 200-999 copies/ml, respectively), and high-level viremia (≥1000 copies/ml). In addition, cumulative viremia was estimated as the area under the log viral load (VL) curve. Proportional subhazard models adjusted for sex, age, pre-ART CD4 and VL, injection drug use, and country of birth were used to analyze the association between viremia exposure and CVD risk (ischemic heart disease, stroke, and heart failure; data obtained by linkage to national registers), accounting for the competing risk of non-CVD death.RESULTS: In all, 337 cases of CVD were observed during 44 937 person-years of follow-up (n = 6562). Higher viremia exposure was associated with CVD, both when parameterized as cumulative viremia (adjusted subhazard ratio [aSHR] per 1 log10 copy × year/ml, 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.05) and as viremia category (aSHR for high-level viremia versus suppression, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.03-2.05). We observed no association between CVD and low-level viremia compared with those with suppression.CONCLUSIONS: Higher exposure to HIV viremia was linked to CVD in ART recipients, whereas no increased risk was detected for people with low-level viremia compared with viral suppression. Causal inference is limited by the observational nature of this study.
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| 32. |
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| 33. |
- Gürer, D., et al.
(författare)
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Women in Computing
- 2009
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Ingår i: Wiley Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Engineering. - Hoboken, NJ, USA : John Wiley & Sons. - 9780470050118 ; , s. 3099-3122
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Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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| 34. |
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| 35. |
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| 36. |
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| 37. |
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| 38. |
- Nilsson, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Clinical severity of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection is associated with bacterial load in oropharyngeal secretions but not with MP genotype.
- 2010
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Ingår i: BMC Infectious Diseases. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2334. ; 10:39
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Disease severity in Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection could potentially be related to bacterial factors such as MP genotype (MP1 or MP2; distinguished by different adhesions proteins) or bacterial load in airway secretions. We have compared these parameters in patients who were hospitalized for MP pneumonia, with outpatients with mild MP disease. METHODS: MP bacterial load was measured by real-time PCR in 45 in- and outpatients ("clinical study group") in whom MP DNA had been detected in oropharyngeal secretions by PCR. In addition, genotype and phylogenetic relationships were determined. The phylogenetical assessment was done by partial DNA sequencing of the P1 gene on isolates from 33 patients in the clinical study-group where sufficient DNA was available. The assessment was further extended to isolates from 13 MP-positive family members and 37 unselected MP positive patients from the two subsequent years and two different geographical locations. In total 83 strains were molecular characterized. RESULTS: Mean MP loads were significantly higher in 24 hospitalized patients than in 21 outpatients (1600 vs. 170 genomic equivalents/microL, p = 0.009). This difference remained significant after adjustment for age and days between disease onset and sampling. Hospitalized patients also had higher C-reactive protein levels. Mean levels were 188 vs 20 mg/L (p = 0,001). The genotype assessment showed MP genotype 1 in 17 of the 33 sequenced strains from the clinical study-group, and type 2 in 16 of these patients. Within each genotype, sequence differences were minimal. No association between disease severity and MP genotype was observed. In the extended genotype assessment, MP1 was found in similar proportions. In family contacts it was found in 53% and among patients from the two subsequent years 53% and 40%. CONCLUSIONS: A higher MP bacterial load in throat secretions at diagnosis was associated with more advanced respiratory disease in patients, but MP genotype did not influence disease severity. Both MP genotypes co-circulated during recent outbreaks in Sweden.
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| 39. |
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| 40. |
- Tunón, Håkan, et al.
(författare)
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Forskare: Skapa inte mer polarisering mellan människa och natur, Moderaterna
- 2024
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Ingår i: Alltinget.
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Tidskriftsartikel (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- Viljan att skydda växter och djur får ibland orimliga effekter. Det skriver flera företrädare för Moderaternas arbetsgrupp för en kommande miljöpolitik på DN debatt.Farlig polariseringDe tar bland annat upp viktiga frågor om ”människans plats i naturen”. Men konflikten mellan utveckling och miljö är en återkommande missuppfattning. Frågan om naturvården främst bör utgå från människans eller naturens behov bidrar till en farlig polarisering. I själva verket är vi beroende av biologisk mångfald för mat, energi, kläder, byggnadsmaterial, rent vatten, fungerande jordbruksmark, ren luft, skydd mot epidemier, pandemier, andra katastrofer och framtida läkemedel.
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| 41. |
- Windmark, Christina, et al.
(författare)
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A Business Case Tool as Decision Support in Early Production Location Project Stages
- 2014
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 6th Swedish Production Symposium. - 9789198097412
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Globalisation makes companies enter the global market both in sale and production. Previous studies have shown that one of the main reasons for relocation and outsourcing is cost saving. There are also studies showing that companies today may benefit from a decision support model based on costs. This paper provides a business case tool to be used in the scoping phase where different location alternatives are to be roughly analysed for further investigation. The tool is to be used together with strategic analyses and more extensive risk analyses to make a solid information platform for decisions.
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| 42. |
- Zeiske, Stefan, et al.
(författare)
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On the Impact of Cadmium Sulfide Layer Thickness on Kesterite Photodetector Performance
- 2023
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Ingår i: Advanced Photonics Research. - : Wiley-VCH Verlagsgesellschaft. - 2699-9293. ; 4:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Kesterites are currently viewed as one of the most promising candidates for earth abundant and benign elements to substitute critical raw materials in photovoltaic technologies and may also be suitable for low-noise, room-temperature, self-powered photodetectors. However, while the impact of buffer layers on kesterite solar cell efficiency has been an active area of investigation, links between photodetector performance and intermediate layers are yet to be addressed. Herein, the impact of cadmium sulfide buffer layers on the performance of kesterite (Cu2ZnSnS4) photodetectors is probed. Specifically, the effect of buffer layer thickness on various photodetector performance metrices is clarified, including noise current, spectral responsivity, noise equivalent power, frequency response, and specific detectivity. Devices with a 100 nm cadmium sulfide layer perform the best, achieving a linear dynamic range of 180 dB and frequency responses in the range of tens of kHz. The key loss mechanisms are identified, and it is found that the photodetector performance to be primarily limited by shunt resistance-induced thermal noise and defect-induced nonradiative losses. Furthermore, we estimate the upper radiative limit of specific detectivity to be approximately 1019 Jones. Our results highlight the potential of kesterites to be used as an interesting earth abundant candidate for photodetection applications.
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| 43. |
- Zetterberg, Pär, 1975-
(författare)
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Engineering Equality? : Assessing the Multiple Impacts of Electoral Gender Quotas
- 2009
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The driving question of this compilation thesis is whether quotas for political assemblies represent an effective tool for breaking down gender inequality in the political sphere. To put it differently, focus is on the possibilities for policy-makers to engineer equality. As a response to persistent patterns of male dominance in political decision-making, approximately 100 countries, both democratic and authoritarian, have adopted these affirmative action measures.The introductory section presents an argument as to why we should focus on certain impacts in order to be able to answer the question about the effectiveness of quotas. It suggests that the point of departure for empirical assessments of quota policies should be the normative arguments for supporting the reform, and the effects that normative theorists and quota advocates expect from these measures.The three studies that make up the core of the thesis build on previous empirical research on quotas, and examine some of their possible effects at both the elite level and mass level. Study I theoretically scrutinizes how the procedures for selecting women to political office shape these women's legislative autonomy, and thereby their possibilities to substantively represent women. The study identifies mainly two factors as important: a large body selecting the candidates and a rule-bound and thus bureaucratized selection procedure.Study II empirically tests the claim that women elected through quotas are more likely to suffer from institutional constraints in the legislature, and thereby have a harder time working for the benefit of women, than other female representatives. By conducting a comparative case-study of two Mexican state legislatures, no support is found for this hypothesis.Quotas have also been justified because of their likely impacts on female citizens' perceptions about politics. Study III addresses this issue by performing a statistical analysis on the impacts of quotas on Latin American women's political attitudes and behavior. In contrast to previous research on the topic, the study finds little proof of positive impacts of quotas on women's political engagement.Taken together, the thesis does not provide a clear-cut answer to the question as to whether it is possible to engineer equality within politics. However, it sheds new light on the complexities of quota impacts, and it qualifies and nuances the picture for those who expect quotas to be an overall solution for problems of gender inequality.
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