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- Barth, Henrik, et al.
(författare)
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A cross-linked hyaluronic acid hydrogel (Healaflow(®)) as a novel vitreous substitute
- 2016
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Ingår i: Graefe's Archives for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. - : Springer. - 0721-832X .- 1435-702X. ; 254:4, s. 697-703
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: Vitrectomy requires the substitution of the natural vitreous, as well as tamponading of retinal breaks. Clinically available alternatives such as gas and silicone oil have side effects such as inflammation, secondary glaucoma, cataract, and a need for head posturing. In this study, a hydrogel of cross-linked sodium hyaluronic acid (Healaflow(®)) is evaluated for use as a novel vitreous substitute.Methods: A combined 25-20-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with posterior vitreous detachment was performed in the right eye of twelve pigmented rabbits, with subsequent injection of approximately 1 ml Healaflow(®). Clinical evaluation, measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP), and full-field ERG were performed postoperatively. The rabbits were sacrificed at different time-points between 42 and 105 days. After enucleation, the eyes were examined macroscopically, photographed, and prepared for histological examination with routine microscopy and immunohistochemistry.Results: Healaflow(®) was successfully used with standard surgical procedures and remained translucent but did lose most of its viscosity during the postoperative period. One rabbit was lost due to unrelated causes. In two eyes iatrogenic partial retinal detachments were seen, and in two eyes significant cataract developed due to intra-operative complications. ERG-recordings revealed no toxic effect on rod or cone function. Routine microscopy and immunohistochemistry demonstrated normal morphology with some Müller cell activation (up-regulation of glial acidic fibrillary protein, GFAP) compared to unoperated eyes and no significant DNA-fragmentation (TUNEL-assay).Conclusions: Healaflow® did not affect retinal morphology or function negatively during long-term use as a vitreous substitute, making it highly interesting in this setting. An estimated retention time of a few weeks suggests potential for use as a short-term tamponade. Future work will include an increased ratio of cross-linking to prolong the structural integrity of the gel.
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- Barth, Henrik, 1971-, et al.
(författare)
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A Green Lean approach to global competition and climate change in the agricultural sector – A Swedish case study
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Cleaner Production. - Amsterdam : Elsevier. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 204, s. 183-192
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Increased global competition in the agricultural sector is rapidly changing the structure of farms and farming. As the number of small and diversified farms (often family-owned) decreases, the number of large and specialized farms (often corporate-owned) is increasing. In this transformation, the agricultural sector is more and more concerned with strategy, innovation, and competition in the effort to be more productive and more profitable. At the same time, the sector faces demands that it become more environmentally responsible in its policies and practices. This paper proposes a Lean Implementation Framework that small and mid-size farms can use as they aim to increase production and profit and yet support environmental sustainability. This case study takes an action-oriented research approach that focuses on the implementation of a Green Lean approach at 34 Swedish farms using various Lean tools. The paper describes how training sessions, farm visits, workshops, and counseling were used to introduce the farmers to the benefits and risks of the implementation of a new business model that added Green elements to the traditional business model design. The paper concludes with recommendations for adaptations to the Framework and suggestions for future research. © 2018
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- Barth, Henrik, 1971-, et al.
(författare)
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Busniess values and motives of immigrant agricultural entrepreneurs in Sweden
- 2019
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the 2019 International Conference "Economic science for rural development 2019" No 50. - Jelgava : University of Latvia Press. - 9789984483207 ; , s. 21-28
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The agri-food sector in Sweden, as in much of Europe, faces dramatic pressure to promote entrepreneurship, especially in rural areas where population aging and population decline pose grave economic threats to local communities. One solution is the government policy of supporting the entrepreneurial ambitions of newly arrived immigrants. The policy is seen as doubly beneficial: support for rural areas and support for immigrants not yet prepared to enter the regular workforce. Immigrant entrepreneurship seems to have the potential to lessen the harmful effects of current socio-economic challenges. This paper examines the immigrant entrepreneurship experience in the agri-food sector in Sweden. A qualitative research approach is used to evaluate interviews with 25 immigrant entrepreneurs on the various factors that motivated them to become self-employed entrepreneurs. The main factors are the lack of other employment opportunities, the desire for work autonomy and flexibility, and the chance for a better standard of living. The results show that personal characteristics and previous entrepreneurship experience are the best predictors of business success. The paper concludes with a call for a model for immigrant entrepreneurship and for more government reforms and policies aimed at supporting the immigrant entrepreneur.
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- Barth, Henrik, 1971-
(författare)
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Diversity as a competitive advantage? A case study of Immigrant Labour in Swedish Agriculture
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Leadership, Accountability and Ethics. - West Palm Beach, FL : North American Business Press. - 1913-8059. ; 15:4, s. 130-137
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper investigates cultural diversity as means to business sustainability and competitive advantage for entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector. 80 agricultural entrepreneurs have been addressed in this study, which include face-to-face meetings between entrepreneurs and candidates for employment.While supportive of the idea of cultural diversity as a beneficial element of business sustainability, most farmers stated they lacked both the time and the resources to manage the issues associated with immigrant workers. However, lack of organisational changes and managerial skills can also be a potential barrier for integration when the farm address growth and employment ambitions.
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- Barth, Henrik
(författare)
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Experimental Vitreous Substitution
- 2018
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Blindness and visual disability are common following vitreoretinal pathologies such as open globe injury, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). These conditions often necessitate surgical intervention using vitrectomy with a tamponading vitreous substitute. However, current tamponades are all associated with complications such as inflammation, cataract, glaucoma, and optic nerve atrophy. Translation of new vitreous substitutes into clinical use has proven to be challenging, due to a lack of a comprehensive methodology and numerous requirements; bio-compatibility and clinical.In this thesis, we explore several novel vitreous substitutes using newly developed methods with the ultimate goal of clinical translation.First, in an in vitro adult rat retinal explant culture assay, polyethylene glycol, and Bio-Alcamid® gels provoked retinal degeneration, while a cross-linked hyaluronic acid hydrogel, Healaflow®, matched, and even surpassed the preservation of structure when compared with medium only. Secondly, Healaflow® used as a vitreous substitute in an in vivo rabbit vitrectomy model revealed practical usability and favorable bio- compatibility. In a third study, vitreous substitutes with disparate biocompatibility profiles (silicone oil, Healaflow®, Bio-Alcamid®, and BSS) elicited different patterns of intrinsic and extrinsic retinal inflammation in vivo. Finally, a new rabbit repeat vitrectomy RRD-model revealed excellent tamponading effect of the Healaflow® gel.The combination of the presented in vivo and in vitro methods comprise a new paradigm in translational development of novel vitreous substitutes. Healaflow® stands out as a promising candidate for future clinical use as a vitreous substitute.
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- Barth, Henrik, 1971-
(författare)
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Fabrication Laboratory as the Learning Environment for Higher Education
- 2019
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Ingår i: The 10th International Multi-Conferences on Complexity, Informatics and Cybernetics. March 12-15, Orlando, Florida, USA. - Orlando : International Institute of Informatics and Systemics. - 9781950492039 ; , s. 194-196
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- There is a growing trend of using digital production, such as additive manufacturing, in direct consumer markets. Digital production enables new and advanced tools, which provide shorter development time and lower cost for manufacturing. In this paper we focus on the education and learning environment for digital production and prototyping at a fabrication laboratory (FabLab). FabLab (Fabrication Laboratory) is a small-scale innovation space offering digital fabrication and production. A FabLab is, among many things, a platform for learning and exchanging experience when experimenting and developing new solutions. FabLabs bring together students, researchers and teachers as well as industrial partners in a single physical location for the purposes of designing, prototyping, and do-it-yourself manufacturing. This explorative and creative environment provide insights to knowledge creation, based on the constructive learning theory, which address active involvement by the participants. To take full advantage of this creative learning environment, aspects such as student characteristics, the nature of the subject matter, and the teaching carried out by the staff, also needs to be addressed. © 2019 International Institute of Informatics and Systemics
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