| 1. |
- Johansson, Anna L., V, et al.
(författare)
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Were cancer patients worse off than the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic? : A population-based study from Norway, Denmark and Iceland during the pre-vaccination era
- 2023
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Ingår i: The Lancet Regional Health. - : Elsevier. - 2666-7762. ; 31
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background In a population-based setting, we investigated the risks of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 and developing severe COVID-19 outcomes among cancer patients compared with the general population.Methods In nationwide cohorts, we identified all individuals in Norway, Denmark and Iceland who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 or had a severe COVID-19 outcome (hospitalisation, intensive care, and death) from March until December 2020, using data from national health registries. We estimated standardised incidence ratios (SIRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) comparing cancer patients with the general population.Findings During the first wave of the pandemic, cancer patients in Norway and Denmark had higher risks of testing SARS-CoV-2 positive compared to the general population. Throughout 2020, recently treated cancer patients were more likely to test SARS-CoV-2 positive. In Iceland, cancer patients experienced no increased risk of testing positive. The risk of COVID-19-related hospitalisation was higher among cancer patients diagnosed within one year of hospitalisation (Norway: SIR = 2.43, 95% CI 1.89-3.09; Denmark: 2.23, 1.96-2.54) and within five years (Norway: 1.58, 1.35-1.83; Denmark: 1.54, 1.42-1.66). Risks were higher in recently treated cancer patients and in those diagnosed with haematologic malignancies, colorectal or lung cancer. Risks of COVID-19-related intensive care and death were higher among cancer patients. Interpretation Cancer patients were at increased risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the first pandemic wave when testing availability was limited, while relative risks of severe COVID-19 outcomes remained increased in cancer patients throughout 2020. Recent cancer treatment and haematologic malignancy were the strongest risk factors.
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| 2. |
- Korkalainen, Henri, et al.
(författare)
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Review and perspective on sleep-disordered breathing research and translation to clinics
- 2024
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Ingår i: SLEEP MEDICINE REVIEWS. - 1087-0792 .- 1532-2955. ; 73
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Sleep-disordered breathing, ranging from habitual snoring to severe obstructive sleep apnea, is a prevalent public health issue. Despite rising interest in sleep and awareness of sleep disorders, sleep research and diagnostic practices still rely on outdated metrics and laborious methods reducing the diagnostic capacity and preventing timely diagnosis and treatment. Consequently, a significant portion of individuals affected by sleep-disordered breathing remain undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed. Taking advantage of state-of-the-art scientific, technological, and computational advances could be an effective way to optimize the diagnostic and treatment pathways. We discuss state-of-the-art multidisciplinary research, review the shortcomings in the current practices of SDB diagnosis and management in adult populations, and provide possible future directions. We critically review the opportunities for modern data analysis methods and machine learning to combine multimodal information, provide a perspective on the pitfalls of big data analysis, and discuss approaches for developing analysis strategies that overcome current limitations. We argue that large-scale and multidisciplinary collaborative efforts based on clinical, scientific, and technical knowledge and rigorous clinical validation and implementation of the outcomes in practice are needed to move the research of sleep-disordered breathing forward, thus increasing the quality of diagnostics and treatment.
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| 3. |
- Olafsdottir, Elinborg J., et al.
(författare)
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Breast cancer survival in Nordic BRCA2 mutation carriers—unconventional association with oestrogen receptor status
- 2020
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Ingår i: British Journal of Cancer. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0007-0920 .- 1532-1827. ; 123:11, s. 1608-1615
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The natural history of breast cancer among BRCA2 carriers has not been clearly established. In a previous study from Iceland, positive ER status was a negative prognostic factor. We sought to identify factors that predicted survival after invasive breast cancer in an expanded cohort of BRCA2 carriers. Methods: We studied 608 women with invasive breast cancer and a pathogenic BRCA2 mutation (variant) from four Nordic countries. Information on prognostic factors and treatment was retrieved from health records and by analysis of archived tissue specimens. Hazard ratios (HR) were estimated for breast cancer-specific survival using Cox regression. Results: About 77% of cancers were ER-positive, with the highest proportion (83%) in patients under 40 years. ER-positive breast cancers were more likely to be node-positive (59%) than ER-negative cancers (34%) (P < 0.001). The survival analysis included 584 patients. Positive ER status was protective in the first 5 years from diagnosis (multivariate HR = 0.49; 95% CI 0.26–0.93, P = 0.03); thereafter, the effect was adverse (HR = 1.91; 95% CI 1.07–3.39, P = 0.03). The adverse effect of positive ER status was limited to women who did not undergo endocrine treatment (HR = 2.36; 95% CI 1.26–4.44, P = 0.01) and patients with intact ovaries (HR = 1.99; 95% CI 1.11–3.59, P = 0.02). Conclusions: The adverse effect of a positive ER status in BRCA2 carriers with breast cancer may be contingent on exposure to ovarian hormones.
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| 4. |
- Ågerstrand, Marlene, et al.
(författare)
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A call for action : Improve reporting of research studies to increase the scientific basis for regulatory decision-making
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Applied Toxicology. - : Wiley. - 0260-437X .- 1099-1263. ; 38:5, s. 783-785
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This is a call for action to scientific journals to introduce reporting requirements for toxicity and ecotoxicity studies. Such reporting requirements will support the use of peer-reviewed research studies in regulatory decision-making. Moreover, this could improve the reliability and reproducibility of published studies in general and make better use of the resources spent in research.
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| 5. |
- Berggren, Linda, et al.
(författare)
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Nordic children's conceptualizations of healthy eating in relation to school lunch
- 2017
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Ingår i: Health Education. - : Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - 0965-4283 .- 1758-714X. ; 117:2, s. 130-147
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: Pupils' perspective should be better taken into account when developing nutrition education at school. The purpose of this paper is to explore Nordic children's perspectives on the healthiness of meals in the context of school lunches.Design/methodology/approach: In total, 78 focus group discussions were conducted with 10-11-year-old girls and boys (n=457) from schools in Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, which were participating in the Nordic school meal project ProMeal during the school year 2013-2014. A flexible discussion guide and stimulus material in the form of 14 photographs displaying different school lunch contexts were used. The discussions were analyzed using thematic analysis.Findings: These Nordic children seem to share the adult-set aim of healthy eating in the school context as a socio-cultural norm. Although healthy eating was constructed as a rational, normative and acceptable way to eat at school, unhealthy eating was emphasized as negotiably acceptable when eaten occasionally and under certain circumstances (e.g. at special occasions). Unhealthy eating also comprised emotionally laden descriptions such as enjoyment and disgust. Practical implications: Children's conceptualizations of healthy eating are connected to nutritional, socio-cultural, emotional and normative dimensions, which should be reflected also when developing nutrition education in school.Originality/value: The need for research exploring children's experiences of, and understandings about, school lunch motivated this unique multicenter study with a large number of participating children. In the focus groups a child-oriented, photo-elicitation method was used.
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| 6. |
- Berggren, Linda, et al.
(författare)
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Perspectives about health outcomes related to food among Nordic children
- 2016
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Perspectives about health outcomes related to food among Nordic childrenLinda Berggren* 1, Sanna Talvia2, Eldbjørg Fossgard3, Unnur Björk Arnfjörð4, Agneta Hörnell 1, Anna Ólafsdóttir 4,Ingibjörg Gunnarsdóttir 5, Hege Wergedahl 3, Hanna Lagström 6, Maria Waling1, Cecilia Olsson11Umeå University, Department of food and nutrition, Umeå, Sweden, 2Child and Youth Research institute, Turku, Finland,3Faculty of Education, Bergen University College, Bergren, Norway, 4School of Education, University of Iceland, 5TheNational University Hospital of Iceland , Unit for Nutrition Research, Reykjavik, Iceland, 6University of Turku, TurkuInstitute of Child and Youth Research, Turku, FinlandPreferred presentation type: Only PosterBackground and aims: Dietary intake in school has previously been studied but little is known about Nordic children’sperspectives on food healthiness in the school lunch context. This study aims to explore 10-year-old Nordic children’sperspectives on outcomes of healthy eating in the school lunch context.Methods: Seventy-two focus groups were conducted in Sweden, Finland, Norway and Iceland with a total of 423participants. A flexible topic guide and 14 preselected photos displaying different school lunch contexts were used asstimuli material. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis.Results: Children reasoned that school lunch are and should be healthy since the food eaten at school has short andlong term outcomes related to cognitive and physical health. It was commonly expressed that food eaten in school affectsschool work and functioning in learning activities. It was also stated that food eaten in school can have negative andpositive effects on your mood, e.g. eating unhealthy food or an insufficient amount of food, puts you in a bad mood whichcan affect the rest of the school day. The discussions mainly relied on negative short term effects such as feeling ill andreduced stamina. Some food and food groups such as vegetables, milk and fish, were mentioned in a more positivesense highlighting the positive short- and long term outcomes on health. When describing the long-term outcomes ofeating, children mentioned that healthy eating helps to build muscles, grow and prevent diseases, such as cancer anddiabetes. Sugar and fat was frequently mentioned as being the cause of overweight and some other diseases.Conclusion: In general, Nordic children have an adequate understanding of established relations between food andhealth. Yet, we know that many pupils do not eat according to recommendations. This highlights the importance of takingthe complexity of food choice into consideration in nutritional education.Disclosure of Interest: None to declare
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| 7. |
- Birgisson, Helgi, et al.
(författare)
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Skimun fyrir krabbameinum í ristli og endaþarmi : Yfirlitsgrein um nýgengi, dánartíðni, kostnað og árangur
- 2021
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Ingår i: Laeknabladid. - : LAEKNAFELAG ISLANDS-ICELANDIC MEDICAL ASSOC. - 0023-7213 .- 1670-4959. ; 107:9, s. 398-405
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this article the incidence and mortality for cancer of the colon and rectum in Iceland is discussed. The two most common screening methods, faecal immunochemical test (FIT) and colonoscopy are compared and an estimate of cost and benefits for the Icelandic society will be made. The incidence of cancer of the colon and rectum has been increasing in Iceland in last decades but mortality has decreased and survival improved. However, more individuals die from cancer of the colon and rectum than from both breast-and cervical cancer added together. It is likely that screening for cancer of the colon and rectum, could prevent at least 6 of the 28 deaths related to those cancers, occurring yearly in Iceland in screening age, given a screening ages of 50-74 years. The extra cost for the Icelandic community due to the implementation of screening for cancer of the colon and rectum will be acceptable due to the lower cost of simpler treatments, lower cancer incidence and reduced mortality.
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| 8. |
- Brantsaeter, Anne Lise, et al.
(författare)
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Does milk and dairy consumption during pregnancy influence fetal growth and infant birthweight? A systematic literature review
- 2012
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Ingår i: Food & Nutrition Research. - : Co-Action Publishing. - 1654-6628 .- 1654-661X. ; 56
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- It is increasingly acknowledged that the maternal diet influences fetal development and health of the child. Milk and milk products contribute essential nutrients and bioactive substances; they are of ample supply and have a long tradition in Nordic countries. To revise and update dietary guidelines for pregnant women valid in Nordic countries, the Pregnancy and Lactation expert group within the NNR5 project identified a need to systematically review recent scientific data on infant growth measures and maternal milk consumption. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of milk and dairy consumption during pregnancy on fetal growth through a systematic review of studies published between January 2000 and December 2011. A literature search was run in June 2011. Two authors independently selected studies for inclusion from the 495 abstracts according to predefined eligibility criteria. A complementary search in January 2012 revealed 64 additional abstracts published during the period June to December 2011, among them one study of interest previously identified. Of the 33 studies extracted, eight were relevant research papers. Five were prospective cohort studies (including a retrospective chart review), one was a case-control study, and two were retrospective cohort studies. For fetal length or infant birth length, three studies reported no association and two reported positive associations with milk or dairy consumption. For birthweight related outcomes, two studies reported no associations, and four studies reported positive associations with milk and/or dairy consumption. There was large heterogeneity in exposure range and effect size between studies. A beneficial fetal growth-increase was most pronounced for increasing maternal milk intake in the lower end of the consumption range. Evidence from prospective cohort studies is limited but suggestive that moderate milk consumption relative to none or very low intake, is positively associated with fetal growth and infant birthweight in healthy, Western populations.
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| 9. |
- Forsum, Elisabet, et al.
(författare)
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Weight loss before conception: A systematic literature review
- 2013
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Ingår i: Food & Nutrition Research. - : Co-Action Publishing. - 1654-6628 .- 1654-661X. ; 57
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The prevalence of overweight and obesity in women has increased during the last decades. This is a serious concern since a high BMI before conception is an independent risk factor for many adverse outcomes of pregnancy. Therefore, dietary counseling, intended to stimulate weight loss in overweight and obese women prior to conception has recently been recommended. However, dieting with the purpose to lose weight may involve health risks for mother and offspring. We conducted a systematic literature review to identify papers investigating the effects of weight loss due to dietary interventions before conception. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of weight loss prior to conception in overweight or obese women on a number of health-related outcomes in mother and offspring using studies published between January 2000 and December 2011. Our first literature search produced 486 citations and, based on predefined eligibility criteria, 58 were selected and ordered in full text. Two group members read each paper. Fifteen studies were selected for quality assessment and two of them were considered appropriate for inclusion in evidence tables. A complementary search identified 168 citations with four papers being ordered in full text. The two selected studies provided data for overweight and obese women. One showed a positive effect of weight loss before pregnancy on the risk of gestational diabetes and one demonstrated a reduced risk for large-for-gestational-age infants in women with a BMI above 25 who lost weight before pregnancy. No study investigated the effect of weight loss due to a dietary intervention before conception. There is a lack of studies on overweight and obese women investigating the effect of dietary-induced weight loss prior to conception on health-related variables in mother and offspring. Such studies are probably lacking since they are difficult to conduct. Therefore, alternative strategies to control the body weight of girls and women of reproductive age are needed.
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| 10. |
- Hardarson, A, et al.
(författare)
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Adrenocorticotrophic hormone exerts marked lipid-lowering effects in simvastatin-treated patients
- 2001
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Ingår i: Journal of Internal Medicine. - : Wiley. - 1365-2796 .- 0954-6820. ; 250:6, s. 530-534
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective. Recently, it was reported that treatment with adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) has a strong lipid-lowering effect in healthy individuals. The mechanism behind this has not been established. The aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of ACTH on the plasma lipoprotein pattern in patients treated with a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor. Design. The ACTH treatment was given to 10 patients who were on long-term treatment with simvastatin 40 mg daily. ACTH1-24 was administered at the dose of 1 mg daily for four consecutive days. Blood samples for analyses of lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoproteins were collected before and after treatment. Second baseline was obtained 2 weeks after the end of treatment. Results. The serum concentrations of cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein(a) fell significantly by 16, 23, 23, 10 and 38%, respectively. The serum apolipoprotein E concentration increased significantly by 39%; the fraction that was not associated with apolipoprotein B increased by 47% whereas the fraction that was did not change significantly. There were no changes in the serum concentrations of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and apolipoprotein AI. At the second baseline, the lipid variables had generally returned to previous levels. Conclusions. In patients on long-term simvastatin treatment, ACTH had marked lowering effects on the lipoproteins that contain apolipoprotein B. Moreover, the serum apolipoprotein E concentration increased significantly in response to ACTH treatment.
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| 11. |
- Hörnell, Agneta, 1964-, et al.
(författare)
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School meals and health : the PROMEAL-study
- 2016
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Ingår i: Food & Nutrition Research. - : SNF Swedish Nutrition Foundation. - 1654-6628 .- 1654-661X. ; 60:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
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| 12. |
- Jonsson, Bert, et al.
(författare)
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The effect of schooling on basic cognition in selected Nordic Countries
- 2017
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Ingår i: Europe's Journal of Psychology. - : Leibniz Institute for Psychology (ZPID). - 1841-0413. ; 13:4, s. 645-666
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The present study investigated schooling effects on cognition. Cognitive data were collected as part of a research project (ProMeal) that investigated school meals and measured the intake of school lunch in relation to children’s health, cognitive function, and classroom learning in four Nordic countries, among children between 10–11 years of age. It was found that Finnish pupils attending 4th grade were not, on any measure, outperformed by Norwegian and Icelandic pupils attending 5th and Swedish pupils attending 4th grade on a task measuring working memory capacity, processing speed, inhibition, and in a subsample on response- and attention control. Moreover, boys were found to perform superior to girls on tasks measuring processing speed. However, girls were found to perform better on tasks related to attention and self-control. The results are discussed in relation to the reciprocal association between cognition and schooling and whether these results reflect quality differences between schools in the four Nordic countries; most notably in comparison to Finland.
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| 13. |
- Juniusdottir, Ragnheidur, et al.
(författare)
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Composition of school meals in Sweden, Finland and Iceland : Official guidelines and comparison with practice and availability
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of School Health. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0022-4391 .- 1746-1561. ; 88:10, s. 744-753
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Nutritious and attractive school meals can improve health equality and public health. Current official guidelines and recommendations on food and nutrient composition of school meals in 3 Nordic countries; Sweden, Finland, and Iceland, are described and compared with actual practice, ie, availability of foods and nutrients in served reference meals in 3 selected areas in each country.METHODS: A country comparison was made between official guidelines, and actual practice was studied in participating schools. Reference portions of school meals (N = 170) provided in 24 compulsory schools were photographed and weighed. Food and nutrient availability were compared with official guidelines in each country.RESULTS: Emphasis of recommendations on whole‐grain bread in Sweden, whole grains in Finland, and fish in Iceland were reflected in food availability. The energy content of the meals provided was lower than guidelines and there was a large variation in energy content between days.CONCLUSIONS: The guidelines regarding food availability were quite well followed, but the large variation in energy and nutrient content of provided school meals between days indicates a need for standardization.
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| 14. |
- Leander, Jacob, 1987, et al.
(författare)
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Parameter Estimation for Nonlinear Mixed Effects Models Implemented in Mathematica
- 2019
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In many applications within biology and medicine, measurements are gathered from several entities in the same experiment. This could for example be patients exposed to a treatment or cells measured after stimuli. To characterize the variability in response between entities, the nonlinear mixed effects (NLME) model is a suitable statistical model. An NLME model enables quantification of both within- and between subject variability. The parameter estimation in NLME models is not straightforward, due to the intractable expression of the likelihood function. In this work we present a Mathematica package for parameter estimation in NLME models where the longitudinal model is defined by differential equations. The parameter estimation problem is solved by the first-order conditional estimation (FOCE) method with exact gradients. The package is demonstrated using data from a simulated drug concentration model.
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| 15. |
- Lundgren, Ingela, 1957, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of a midwifery model of woman-centred care during childbirth – a mixed method study
- 2019
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Ingår i: NJF Congress 2019 Reykjavik Conference app.
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Midwifery models of woman-centred care have been developed in different cultural context but few have been evaluated. A theoretical Midwifery Model of woman-centred care (MiMo) based on research in Sweden and Iceland was evaluated and assessed with the overall aim to explore the applicability of the model and the impact it has on outcome of childbirth care. Aim: To evaluate the effects and the applicability of a model of woman-centred care provided by midwives during childbirth. Methods: A mixed methods, before-after controlled study at two units for normal deliveries at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden,. The intervention comprised a one-day (8 hours) education about the model together with regularly scheduled reflection groups for midwives 2015-2016. The effects were studied by evaluating delivery outcomes, and mothers’ childbirth experiences. The primary outcomes were augmentation with oxytocin (n=.1600) and mothers’ childbirth experiences assessed with the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ 2.0) (n=800). The applicability was studied by focus group interviews with a total of 43 participants: midwives (n=16), obstetricians (n = 8), assistant nurses (n= 11) and managers (n=8), before and after the intervention. Results: Findings from the study will be presented at the conference. Conclusion: A midwifery model of woman-centred care based on previous research has been evaluated in clinical practice.
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| 16. |
- Lundgren, Ingela, 1957, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of a model of woman-centred care during childbirth
- 2017
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Ingår i: 31th ICM Triennieal Congress 18-22 June 2017.
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Based on a synthesis of 12 qualitative studies on women’s and midwives’ experiences of childbearing, a model of woman-centred care has been developed. The model has three central intertwined themes: a reciprocal relationship, a birthing atmosphere, and grounded knowledge; and two overall themes: the cultural context and the balancing act. Purpose/Objective: To evaluate the use and effects of the model of woman-centred care provided by midwives during childbirth. Method: A mixed methods, before-after controlled study at two units for normal deliveries at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden, and an ethnographic actions research study at the labour ward of Landspitali, University Hospital in Iceland. The intervention in Sweden comprised a one-day (8 hours) education about the model together with regularly scheduled reflection groups for midwives. The effects are studied by evaluating delivery outcomes, mothers’ childbirth experiences and midwives’ work-related experiences. The primary outcomes are augmentation with oxytocin (n=1600) and mothers’ childbirth experiences assessed with the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ 2.0) (n=801). The secondary outcomes are midwives’ experiences, assessed by means of questionnaires, including stress, burn-out, work satisfaction, and sense of coherence before and one year after the intervention (n=120). The qualitative part will study if the model is considered applicable by midwives, obstetricians, assistant nurses and managers at delivery wards, and to the content of midwifery care. An ethnographic field study with midwives and a focus-group study with assistant nurses, obstetricians, midwives and managers have been conducted before start and will be performed after the intervention. The ethnographic action research study in Iceland is focusing on midwives’ experiences and the development of guidelines for implementing the model in practice. The study period was Mars 2015-Mars 2016. Key Findings: Findings from the study will be presented at the conference. Discussion: The findings will present knowledge about the clinical relevans of a theretical midwifery model of woman-centred care. References: Berg M, Olofsdottir O, & Lundgren I. (2012). A midwifery model of woman-centred childbirth care – In Swedish and Icelandic settings. Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, 3(2), 79-87. Bryar R, & Sinclair M. (2011). Theory for midwifery practice (andra upplagan). NY: Palgrave Macmillan Cohen S, Kamarck T, Mermelstein R. (1983). A global measure of perceived stress. Health Soc Behav, 24, 385-396. Hildingsson I, Westlund K, Wiklund I. (2013). Burnout in Swedish midwives. Sex Reprod Healthcare. 4(3), 87-91. doi: 10.1016/j.srhc.2013.07.001. Epub 2013 Jul 30. Hodnett ED, Gates S, Hofmeyr GJ, Sakala C. (2013). Continuous support for women during childbirth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Jul 15;7:CD003766. [Epub ahead of print] Karasek R, Theorell T. (1990). Healthy work: stress, productivity and the reconstruction of working life. New York: Basic Book Inc. Kristensen T, Borritz M, Villadsen E, Christensen, K. (2005). The Copenhagen burnout inventory: A new tool for the assessment of burnout. Work & Stress, 19 (3), 192-207. Morse Jm & Niehaus L (2009). Mixed Method Design: Principles and Procedures. Walnut Creek, CA, USA: Left Coast Press Inc.
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| 17. |
- Olafsdottir, Anna Hulda, 1985, et al.
(författare)
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Defining the variables for a dynamic model of quality management in the construction industry; Results from Stakeholder Group Model-Building sessions
- 2016
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Ingår i: International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management. - 1746-6482 .- 1746-6474. ; 19:2, s. 187-208
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The objective of the research is to develop a framework that can be used to gain understanding on the system and might be used to build a System Dynamic model. The results are based on the outcome from stakeholder group model-building sessions, involving stakeholders representing different groups. The sessions were held in connection with a PhD project aimed at developing a System Dynamic model to evaluate the benefits from a quality management system in the construction industry. The main findings are the definition framework of the variables that could be used as a foundation for a System Dynamic model and a suggestion of how the concept of an active quality management system in the construction industry can be defined in a causal loop form. These findings are great value for the construction engineering and management community and an important step towards a formulation of a System Dynamic model.
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| 18. |
- Olafsdottir, Anna Hulda, 1985, et al.
(författare)
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The value of Group Model Building: A stakeholder perspective
- 2017
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Ingår i: International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management. - 1746-6482 .- 1746-6474. ; 20:1, s. 99-115
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Stakeholder Group Model-Building (GMB) is often used as an approach to form a model in system dynamics (SD) and increasingly also to support strategic decisions in organizations. In this study, grounded theory approach is used to study how 8 participants in GMB experienced the process and to increase understanding of the value of the method. A number of strategies were coded and analyzed and a theoretical model was developed describing: 1) the causal conditions that underlay the development of value adding strategies, 2) phenomena that arose from these causal conditions, 3) the context that influenced strategy development, 4) intervening conditions that influenced strategy development, 5) value adding strategies, and 6) the consequences of these strategies. Subcategories of each component were identified and are illustrated and implications for GMB projects are addressed. A discussion section is presented based on the results and the authors experience of stakeholder GMB workshops.
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| 19. |
- Olafsdottir, Anna S., et al.
(författare)
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Development and Validation of a Photographic Method to Use for Dietary Assessment in School Settings
- 2016
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 11:10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective To develop and validate a photographic method aimed at making assessment of dietary intake in school canteens non-obstrusive, practical and feasible. Methods The study was conducted in two elementary schools representing two different school canteen systems; main dish being served by canteen staff (Iceland), and complete self-serving (Sweden). Food items in serving and leftovers were weighed and photographed. Trained researchers estimated weights of food items by viewing the photographs and comparing them with pictures of half and full reference portions with known weights. Plates of servings and leftovers from 48 children during five school days (n = 448 plates) and a total of 5967 food items were estimated. The researchers' estimates were then compared with the true weight of the foods and the energy content calculated. Results Weighed and estimated amounts correlated across meals both in grams and as total energy (0.853-0.977, p<0.001). The agreement between estimated energy content in school meals was close to the true measurement from weighed records; on average 4-19 kcal below true values. Organisation of meal service impacted the efficacy of the method as seen in the difference between countries; with Iceland (served by canteen staff) having higher rate of acceptable estimates than Sweden (self-serving), being 95% vs 73% for total amount (g) in serving. Iceland more often had serving size between or above the half and full reference plates compared with Sweden. Conclusions The photographic method provides acceptable estimates of food and energy intake in school canteens. However, greater accuracy can be expected when foods are served by canteen staff compared with self-serving.
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| 20. |
- Ólafsdóttir, Rannveig, et al.
(författare)
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Purism scale approach for wilderness mapping in Iceland
- 2016
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Ingår i: Mapping Wilderness: Concepts, Techniques and Applications. - Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands. - 9789401773997 - 9789401773973 ; , s. 157-176
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Coincident with increased utilization of the Icelandic highlands, its image as a unique and pristine wilderness is gradually changing. People’s perception of wilderness is influenced by a number of factors relating to their culture and socio-economic background. Furthermore, how people value pristine land or define wilderness varies depending on the location and function of the assessment. Therefore, understanding perceived wilderness is likewise of major importance in the planning and long term management of tourism within the Icelandic highlands. This paper attempts to identify and map perceived wilderness areas within the southern Icelandic highlands, using the purism scale approach. The results indicate that constructions related to power plants (i.e. plants, power lines, and dams) are considered undesirable by all four tourism market groups. The results moreover show that non-purists visiting the Icelandic highlands do not favour paved roads. Conversely, mountain huts do not affect the perceived wilderness for any of the purism groups. The perceived wilderness mapping of the southern Icelandic highlands shows that nearly the whole area, or 97.2 %, is perceived as wilderness by the nonpurism group, while less than half, or 45.4 %, is perceived as wilderness by the strong purism group. Once a wilderness area becomes known as a tourist destination, maintaining its wilderness condition becomes increasingly difficult. In order to avoid the overuse of wilderness for tourism and other economic sectors, ambitious planning and appropriate management are critical. This includes identifying limits of growth and further development. Without such limitations, the use of wilderness is simply unsustainable.
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| 21. |
- Ragnarsdottir, Kristin Vala, et al.
(författare)
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Time of scarcity horizons for technology metals, precious metals, base metals, superalloy metals, battery technology metals and infrastructure materials.
- 2017
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Ingår i: Accelerating the Resource Revolution - WRF 2017 Meeting Report : Geneva, October 24 – 25, 2017 - Geneva, October 24 – 25, 2017. - 9783906177182
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- We have built a system dynamics model, WORLD6, that takes into account population, energy extraction, production and need, aspects social behaviour, material and metals recycling and important links to the economy. The model is ground-truthed by comparing with actual supply per person from 1900 till 2015 and run until 2400. Primary scarcity metrics are supply per person and year and stock-in-use per person. Results show that technology metals (antimony, bismuth, selenium, indium, gallium and germanium) will all peak in production before 2100. Precious metals will peak in production earlier, or before 2050. The base metals (copper, zinc) will have a roughly stable supply from 2050 till 2300, whereas the production of lead will be approximately the same from 1960 till 2400 and that of nickel will peak before 2050. The superalloy metals (molybdenum, niobium) will have a stable supply from around 2050 till 2400, but cobalt will be stable from 2100 till 2300 and then decline. The battery metal lithium will peak in production 2010, cobalt will be stable (as stated above) and rare earth´s will rise in use, particularly after 2100. When considering service capital per person (concrete, iron, aluminium, copper) the model predicts steady rise throughout the 21st century, with stabilization in the 22nd century. Our dynamic WORLD6 modelling results give clear indications that for the most important metals that are used in modern technology and in societal infrastructure there are limits and therefore careful circular economy programmes are necessary at the level of every nation so that metals do not become the centre of future conflicts.
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| 22. |
- Ramos, Saioa, et al.
(författare)
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SENSE tool: easy-to-use web-based tool to calculate food product environmental impact
- 2016
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Ingår i: The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. - : Springer Ferlag. - 0948-3349 .- 1614-7502. ; 21:5, s. 710-721
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: The purpose of the European SENSE project was to define an integral system to assess and communicate the environmental impacts of food products and to develop a web-based tool for Small and Medium size Enterprises (SMEs). The tool has been tested in salmon, beef-and-dairy, and fruit juice production sectors. Methods: The SENSE project has evaluated several existing methodologies for environmental impact assessment over the life cycle including also social aspects, in order to deliver a new integral system for the environmental and social assessment of agricultural and aquaculture food products. Results and discussion: The system includes a standardization of a data gathering system, a selection of relevant key environmental performance indicators for food supply chains and a common methodology to perform simplified life cycle impact assessment. The results are based on collected information on the use of resources and emissions generated along the supply chain of food or drink products. The main result is a web-based software tool that is based on a summation of the partial impacts of the different steps in food supply chains. In this software, different actors in the supply chain can enter their own data and link them to the data of other companies. The results obtained in the tool could be used for at least six different approaches: (i) environmental impact assessment of the product, (ii) food chain hot spot identification, (iii) comparison of hypothetical or real improvement scenarios, (iv) assessment of the environmental impact development over the years, (v) benchmarking opportunity for the companies, and (vi) a business to business communication strategy. The scientific robustness of the tool has been tested comparing the obtained results with the same analysis with commercial software. Conclusions: The SENSE tool is a simplified tool designed for food and drink SMEs to assess their sustainability on their own. This cannot be fully compared to a complete LCA study. The testing with SMEs showed that they need additional support for filling in the questionnaires correctly and interpret the results. The simplified evaluation of environmental impacts based on a life cycle approach could lead to benefits to SMEs within the food industry. The future application and development of the tool will be focused on adapting the tool to the Product Environmental Footprint initiative requirements and self-assessment opportunities.
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| 23. |
- Sverdrup, Harald, et al.
(författare)
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A System Dynamics Assessment of the Supply of Molybdenum and Rhenium Used for Super-alloys and Specialty Steels, Using the WORLD6 Model
- 2018
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Ingår i: BioPhysical Economics and Resource Quality. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2366-0120 .- 2366-0112. ; 3:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The extraction, supply, market price and recycling of the metals molybdenum and rhenium were modelled using an integrated system dynamics model. The resource estimates made here resulted in significantly larger estimates than earlier studies for molybdenum. Present molybdenum resources are about 75–80 million ton and about 7 million ton has been mined to date. The ultimately recoverable resources (URR) for molybdenum are about 65 million in primary resources and about 45 million ton in secondary sources, a total of about 111 million ton, and after considering technical extractability, evaluating several hundred different geological deposits, the extractable amount is about 90 million ton. For rhenium, URR is about 21,000 ton contained in mostly in molybdenum and copper, but some come from nickel, wolfram and platinum group metal ores. The model outputs show that molybdenum and rhenium are finite resources, and that they may become exhausted unless the degree of recycling will be significantly improved. Peak production is estimated to take place in 2060 for molybdenum and rhenium, with peak in stocks-in-use around 2090. The molybdenum and rhenium recycling rates are generally low. Both market intervention mechanisms and governance incentives should be used to increase recycling. The metal extraction and ore grades were modelled with good success when tested against observed data. The model predicts a significant decline in molybdenum supply after 2100 under the present demand combined with the present regime of recycling. The supply situation for rhenium is dependent on the situation applicable for molybdenum ore availability and rhenium recycling rate.
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| 24. |
- Sverdrup, Harald, et al.
(författare)
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The WORLD6 Integrated System Dynamics Model: Examples of Results from Simulations
- 2019
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Ingår i: Progress Towards the Resource Revolution. - 9783952140987 ; , s. 68-76
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The WORLD6 model is a fully integrated dynamic world systems model. It includes a biophysical global economic model, based on first principles of physics and thermodynamics, forcing it to be fully consistent with the underlying mass- and energy balances. The WORLD6 model first creates value from extraction of natural resources, input of human labour, the efficiency effect of mechanization and automation, the effect of innovation and their use in manufacturing of goods and services, and the secondly does monetization through market mechanisms and debt financing. The model includes 7 different capital stocks for: (1) industrial resource extraction, (2) industrial manufacture, (3) social service capital, (4) agricultural capital for land use and food production, (5) military capital, (6) speculative capital tied up in derivatives, real estate, consumer credits, (7) criminal or illegal capital. There are 3 different debt pools; (1) general, (2) speculative and (3) pensions. These are all linked through a number of feedbacks in the system to resource extraction, energy production, population dynamics, food production and phosphorus extraction, manufacture of consumer goods and services. The WORLD6 model connects to environmental pollution with feedbacks and inputs to human health and climate change inside the model. The model includes money flows, stocks as well as debt dynamics and how this is connected to the capital base and the governance. The WORLD6 model has earlier been extensively tested on natural resource extraction rates, resource ore grades, supply volumes and market price for resources with very good success. The WORLD6 model system was tested in its economic aspects against observed GDP for the period 1850 to 2015 and GDP per capita, commodity prices, extraction rates and resource supply rates with good success. These results were obtained from first principles only and without calibrating the model to any type of data time-series.
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| 25. |
- Sverdrup, Harald, et al.
(författare)
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The WORLD6 model for evaluation of natural resource sustainability considering metals, materials, energy, population and food.
- 2017
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Ingår i: Accelerating the Resource Revolution : WRF 2017 Meeting Report, Geneva, October 24 – 25, 2017 - WRF 2017 Meeting Report, Geneva, October 24 – 25, 2017. - 9783906177182
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- A new model; WORLD6 was developed. WORLD6 differs from the earlier system dynamics world models in several aspects. Several modules link the economy, materials, metals, energy, population and politics in a dynamic system. The present version is a result of a dismantling of the World3 model (Meadows et al., 1972, 1992, 2004) with an extension and substitution of its resource module and economy module. The WORLD6 model has several sub-modules at present which are all dynamically linked: 1. Population and food module: The module contains the original World3 model from 1972 model and used again in 1992 and 2004. This was enhanced with a new module for phosphate rock extraction, fertilizer production and an agricultural unit of WORLD6. 2. Materials and metals module a. Materials: Phosphorus, cement, sand, gravel and cut stone. b. Metals: Copper, zinc, lead, silver, gold, Iron, chromium, manganese, nickel, aluminium, stainless steel, antimony, bismuth, cobalt, gallium, germanium, indium, cadmium, tellurium, selenium, lithium, platinum, palladium, rhodium, molybdenum, rhenium, niobium, tantalum, tin, wolfram (tungsten), titanium, zirconium, hafnium and rare earth metals.3. Economy module: The model has a new simplified global economy module, considering the major actors like households, businesses, and government. Disposable funds, investments and market price for every resource is simulated endogenously in the model for every resource: metals, materials, food and commodities. 4. Energy module: An energy model including the extraction of fossil fuels. Different types of oil, gas, and coal as well as the extraction dynamics and reprocessing of uranium and thorium, used in conventional and breeder reactor technologies, technological energy harvests and renewable energy. 5. Climate and biosphere module: A simplified CLIMATE change module, converting CO2 emissions to CO2 in the atmosphere, with increase in temperature and sea level rise.
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| 26. |
- Sverdrup, Harald U., et al.
(författare)
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How large is the global population when limited by long term sustainable global metal-, energy-and phosphate supply ?
- 2020
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Ingår i: System Dynamics Society, International Conference Proceedings.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The WORLD7 model was used to make an assessment for the sustainable metal usage and the resources available within the planetary limits to human society, in order to estimate demands on recycling and maximum metal consumption per capita for different metals. The metals were selected for their importance in society. The calculations of critical metal use show that we have substantial metal usage above the sustainable rates, needing a reduction in net use of more than 95% for many metals. Alternatively, the issue was turned around, asking, if this is how much metals that is available, how many people for how long can we support with it? A sustainability gap can be determined, alternatively, that the global population needs to come down in size to somewhere between 1.5-2 billion people, combined with improved recycling efficiencies. How a global population contraction can take place is not discussed.
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| 27. |
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| 28. |
- Thorgeirsson, Thorgeir E, et al.
(författare)
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A variant associated with nicotine dependence, lung cancer and peripheral arterial disease
- 2008
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Ingår i: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 452:7187, s. 9-638
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Smoking is a leading cause of preventable death, causing about 5 million premature deaths worldwide each year(1,2). Evidence for genetic influence on smoking behaviour and nicotine dependence (ND)(3-8) has prompted a search for susceptibility genes. Furthermore, assessing the impact of sequence variants on smoking-related diseases is important to public health(9,10). Smoking is the major risk factor for lung cancer (LC)(11-14) and is one of the main risk factors for peripheral arterial disease (PAD)(15-17). Here we identify a common variant in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene cluster on chromosome 15q24 with an effect on smoking quantity, ND and the risk of two smoking- related diseases in populations of European descent. The variant has an effect on the number of cigarettes smoked per day in our sample of smokers. The same variant was associated with ND in a previous genomewide association study that used low- quantity smokers as controls(18,19), and with a similar approach we observe a highly significant association with ND. A comparison of cases of LC and PAD with population controls each showed that the variant confers risk of LC and PAD. The findings provide a case study of a gene - environment interaction(20), highlighting the role of nicotine addiction in the pathology of other serious diseases.
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| 29. |
- Tverijonaite, Edita, et al.
(författare)
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How close is too close? Mapping the impact area of renewable energy infrastructure on tourism
- 2022
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Ingår i: Energy Research and Social Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 2214-6296. ; 90
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Estimating the spatial extent of the impacts of renewable energy infrastructure on tourism is crucial for the identification of potential locations of resource use conflict. Such a task, however, is complicated and requires inclusion of social perceptions on the spatial extent of the impacts. This study investigates perceptions of the tourism industry in Iceland regarding the impact area of existing and proposed energy projects on tourism and analyses the factors affecting its size and shape. It is based on semi-structured interviews with tourism service providers, during which participants mapped their perceived impact areas using participatory mapping software. The results revealed that the reasoning affecting the perceived spatial extent of the impacts falls into three categories: visibility of renewable energy infrastructure and related environmental impacts; tourist mobility; and changes in tourism due to energy projects. Moreover, the impacts of the proposed energy projects were perceived as more negative compared to existing ones. Energy projects were considered less suitable in wilderness areas, which were defined by the tourism service providers as an important resource for nature-based tourism, but more acceptable in developed areas. Thus, the spatial extent of the impacts and the compatibility of renewable energy infrastructure with tourism highly depend on changes in place meanings and tourism processes brought by energy infrastructure as well as affected elements of tourism networks. This emphasizes the importance of including tourism stakeholder perceptions and knowledge into the early stages of energy planning to ensure sustainable development of both the tourism and energy industries.
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| 30. |
- Tverijonaite, Edita, et al.
(författare)
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Wilderness : a resource or a sanctuary? Views of tourism service providers
- 2023
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism. - 1502-2250. ; 23:2-3, s. 195-225
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The growing popularity of nature-based tourism means that the tourism industry is increasingly utilizing wilderness areas to provide visitor experiences. However, tourism activities negatively impact wilderness quality. Tourism service providers play an important role in shaping these impacts. Therefore, this study investigates their preferences regarding wilderness use and development. It focuses on the Icelandic Central Highlands, which contain some of Europe’s largest wildernesses and are an important venue for tourism. The relationship between participants’ preferences and environmental attitudes is also investigated, providing insights into the reasoning behind these preferences. For this study an online questionnaire was distributed among day tour providers and travel agencies operating in Iceland. The results revealed that the attitudes of over 87% of the participants were pro-environmental. Accordingly, most tourism service providers preferred basic tourism infrastructure in the Central Highlands, and they did not support further energy or road developments. However, their attitudes toward the Central Highlands National Park proposal were divergent despite the positive relationship with environmental attitudes. Concerns about regulations and access restrictions to the area played an important role in shaping the attitudes toward the national park proposal, demonstrating the importance of considering tourism stakeholders’ interests for ensuring their support for wilderness conservation.
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| 31. |
- Waling, Maria, 1981-, et al.
(författare)
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School meal provision, health and cognitive function in a Nordic setting – the ProMeal-study : description of methodology and the Nordic context
- 2016
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Ingår i: Food and Nutrition Research. - : Co-Action Publishing. - 1654-661X .- 1654-6628. ; 60
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: School meals, if both nutritious and attractive, provide a unique opportunity to improve health equality and public health.Objective: To describe the study rationale, data collection, and background of participants in the study 'Prospects for promoting health and performance by school meals in Nordic countries' (ProMeal). The general aim was to determine whether overall healthiness of the diet and learning conditions in children can be improved by school lunches, and to capture the main concerns regarding school lunches among children in a Nordic context.Design: A cross-sectional, multidisciplinary study was performed in Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden on pupils (n=837) born in 2003.Results: In total 3,928 pictures of school lunches were taken to capture pupils' school lunch intake. A mean of 85% of all parents responded to a questionnaire about socioeconomic background, dietary intake, and habitual physical activity at home. Cognitive function was measured on one occasion on 93% of the pupils during optimal conditions with a Stroop and a Child Operation Span test. A mean of 169 pupils also did an Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test after lunch over 3 days. In total, 37,413 10-sec observations of classroom learning behavior were performed. In addition, 753 empathy-based stories were written and 78 focus groups were conducted. The pupils had high socioeconomic status.Conclusions: This study will give new insights into which future interventions are needed to improve pupils' school lunch intake and learning. The study will provide valuable information for policy making, not least in countries where the history of school meals is shorter than in some of the Nordic countries.
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