| 1. |
- Alm Bergvall, Ulrika, et al.
(author)
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Vigilance adjustments in relation to long- and short term risk in wild fallow deer (Dama dama)
- 2016
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In: Behavioural Processes. - : Elsevier BV. - 0376-6357 .- 1872-8308. ; 128, s. 58-63
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The risk allocation hypothesis predicts that vigilance should be adjusted to the temporal variation in risk. We test this hypothesis in wild fallow deer exposed to short term (disturbance) and long term (presence of a fawn after parturition) changes in risk. We recorded the proportion, frequency and type of vigilance and size of used area before and after parturition, in GPS-collared wild female fallow deer. Vigilance was divided in two main groups: non-grazing vigilance and grazing vigilance. The latter group was divided into grazing vigilance while chewing and a grazing vigilance when chewing was interrupted. By recording external disturbance in form of passing cars, we were able to investigate if this altered the amount, and type of vigilance. We found that females increased the proportion and frequency of grazing vigilance stop chewing after parturition. The grazing vigilance chewing was unaffected, but non-grazing vigilance decreased. Disturbance increased the proportion grazing vigilance stop chewing to the same extent before and after parturition. We found a clear decrease in female home range size after parturition as a possible behavioural adjustment. The increase in grazing vigilance stop chewing after parturition is a rarely described but expected cost of reproduction.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Alm, Håkan, et al.
(author)
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The alarm problem – The real problem?
- 2011
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In: Proceedings Nordic Ergonomic Society (NES) Conference 2011, Sept 19-21, Oulu, Finland.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this paper is to make a review of studies concerning problems with alarm systems and to make a theoretical analysis of these problems. Using research results from dynamic decision making a number of suggestions for further development of alarm systems are presented. Recommendations include providing operators of complex systems feedback that can support mental models and situational awareness. Furthermore a recommendation is to design alarm systems that can learn from experience.
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| 4. |
- Alm, Håkan, et al.
(author)
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The alarm system and a possible way forward
- 2012
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In: Work. - 1051-9815 .- 1875-9270. ; 41:Suppl. 1, s. 2840-2844
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this paper is to make a review of studies concerning problems with alarm systems and to make a theoretical analysis of these problems. The aim is also to show some general design ideas to improve alarm presentation in process descriptions. Using research results from situation awareness and decision making a number of suggestions for further development of alarm systems are presented. Recommendations include providing operators of complex systems feedback that can support their mental models and situational awareness. Furthermore a recommendation is to design alarm systems that can learn from experience.
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| 5. |
- Alm, Håkan, et al.
(author)
-
The alarm system and a possible way forward
- 2012
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In: Work. - 1051-9815 .- 1875-9270. ; 41:Supplement 1/ 2012, s. 2840-2844
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this paper is to make a review of studies concerning problems with alarm systems and to make a theoretical analysis of these problems. The aim is also to show some general design ideas to improve alarm presentation in process descriptions. Using research results from situation awareness and decision making a number of suggestions for further development of alarm systems are presented. Recommendations include providing operators of complex systems feedback that can support their mental models and situational awareness. Furthermore a recommendation is to design alarm systems that can learn from experience.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Gotcheva, Nadezhda, et al.
(author)
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Managing safety culture in design activities: evidence from the Nordic nuclear power domain
- 2014
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In: 7th international conference of WOS.net (Workingonsafety.net), Glasgow, Scotland, UK, Sept 30-Oct 3, 2014.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The importance of safe and functional design is growing with the new nuclear builds across the globe. The existing literature on design emphasises the typical tensions of design activity but pays little attention to their relation to safety. The functional requirements can be met in many different ways, some safer than others. This conceptual paper aims at understanding how designers as humans affect safety in the nuclear industry. Rather than merely evaluating the quality of the design outcome, we argue for the need to study design processes from organizational perspective as they pose a variety of nuclear safety implications. We carried out a follow up study and content analysis of interview data with designers in the Nordic nuclear domain to shed more light on the specific cultural features, assumptions and norms that guide designers’ work processes. These cultural assumptions seem to be well in line with the six safety culture criteria of the DISC model. Managing the overall design project and understanding the big picture is seen as one of the main issues as the networked aspects of the design work are gradually acknowledged. This paper provides new insights on managing overall system safety and thus safety culture in design, suggesting that organizational culture can be systematically affected by management and organizational solutions.
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| 8. |
- Gotchevaa, Nadezhda, et al.
(author)
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Cultural features of design and shared learning for safety: A Nordic nuclear industry perspective
- 2016
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In: Safety Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0925-7535 .- 1879-1042. ; 81, s. 90-98
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Safe and functional nuclear industry design is a topic of growing interest due to new builds and modernization projects in the operating nuclear power plants. Provided that good design of components and systems is critical for safe operation of the plants, understanding what influences the process of learning for safety in design activities is of utmost importance. The existing literature emphasizes tensions of design activity but pays insufficient attention to the culture of design and its relation to safety and learning. This paper aims at identifying cultural features of design organizations, such as shared conceptions, assumptions, norms, beliefs, and exploring their influence on the process of shared learning for safety. Case studies were carried out in Finland and Sweden to generate insights on cultural characteristics of design in the nuclear domain. The paper indicates the importance of requirements as a media for sharing knowledge and learning in nuclear industry design projects. As the networked aspects of the design work are gradually acknowledged, the need to learn how to systematically manage the requirements and understand the big picture of the overall design project are highlighted.
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| 9. |
- Grönwall, Caroline, et al.
(author)
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A Comprehensive Evaluation of the Relationship Between Different IgG and IgA Anti-Modified Protein Autoantibodies in Rheumatoid Arthritis
- 2021
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In: Frontiers in Immunology. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1664-3224. ; 12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by the presence of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein autoantibodies (ACPA) with different fine-specificities. Yet, other serum anti-modified protein autoantibodies (AMPA), e.g. anti-carbamylated (Carb), -acetylated (KAc), and malondialdehyde acetaldehyde (MAA) modified protein antibodies, have been described. In this comprehensive study, we analyze 30 different IgG and IgA AMPA reactivities to Cit, Carb, KAc, and MAA antigens detected by ELISA and autoantigen arrays in N=1985 newly diagnosed RA patients. Association with patient characteristics such as smoking and disease activity were explored. Carb and KAc reactivities by different assays were primarily seen in patients also positive for anti-citrulline reactivity. Modified vimentin (mod-Vim) peptides were used for direct comparison of different AMPA reactivities, revealing that IgA AMPA recognizing mod-Vim was mainly detected in subsets of patients with high IgG anti-Cit-Vim levels and a history of smoking. IgG reactivity to acetylation was mainly detected in a subset of patients with Cit and Carb reactivity. Anti-acetylated histone reactivity was RA-specific and associated with high anti-CCP2 IgG levels, multiple ACPA fine-specificities, and smoking status. This reactivity was also found to be present in CCP2+ RA-risk individuals without arthritis. Our data further demonstrate that IgG autoreactivity to MAA was increased in RA compared to controls with highest levels in CCP2+ RA, but was not RA-specific, and showed low correlation with other AMPA. Anti-MAA was instead associated with disease activity and was not significantly increased in CCP2+ individuals at risk of RA. Notably, RA patients could be subdivided into four different subsets based on their AMPA IgG and IgA reactivity profiles. Our serology results were complemented by screening of monoclonal antibodies derived from single B cells from RA patients for the same antigens as the RA cohort. Certain CCP2+ clones had Carb or Carb+KAc+ multireactivity, while such reactivities were not found in CCP2- clones. We conclude that autoantibodies exhibiting different patterns of ACPA fine-specificities as well as Carb and KAc reactivity are present in RA and may be derived from multireactive B-cell clones. Carb and KAc could be considered reactivities within the "Cit-umbrella" similar to ACPA fine-specificities, while MAA reactivity is distinctly different.
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| 10. |
- Hedberg Alm, Ylva, et al.
(author)
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Clinical features and treatment response to differentiate idiopathic peritonitis from non-strangulating intestinal infarction of the pelvic flexure associated with Strongylus vulgaris infection in the horse
- 2022
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In: BMC Veterinary Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1746-6148. ; 18
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Peritonitis in horses secondary to non-strangulating infarction (NSII) has a guarded prognosis, even after intestinal resection. In contrast, horses with idiopathic peritonitis respond well to medical treatment. Affected horses in both cases often show signs of both colic and systemic inflammation, but early diagnosis is crucial for optimal treatment and an accurate prognosis. One cause of NSII is thrombus formation secondary to Strongylus vulgaris larval migration. There has been a documented increase in S. vulgaris prevalence in Sweden since the implementation of selective anthelmintic treatment in 2007, which subsequently could result in a rise in NSII cases. In a retrospective clinical study, medical records from cases diagnosed with NSII of the pelvic flexure or idiopathic peritonitis from three equine referral hospitals in Sweden during 2017-2020 were reviewed. Information including demographic data, relevant medical history, and clinical- and laboratory parameters were obtained from patient records. To facilitate the differentiation between cases of idiopathic peritonitis and cases with confirmed NSII of the pelvic flexure, the aim of the study was to compare clinical and laboratory parameters, clinical progression and initial response to antimicrobial treatment. A secondary aim was to compare survival-rates. Results Horses with NSII (n = 20) were significantly more likely to present during the winter months with a poorer response to medical treatment within 48 h. Cases of idiopathic peritonitis (n = 107) had a 100% survival rate with medical treatment, although one case required surgical correction of a colon displacement. In comparison, all confirmed NSII cases were non-responsive to antimicrobial treatment, with a survival rate to discharge of 50% after colon resection. Specific rectal findings and peripheral blood neutropenia were strongly associated with NSII. Conclusions In Sweden, idiopathic peritonitis cases still predominate over S. vulgaris associated NSII cases and have an excellent survival rate with antimicrobial treatment. However, horses presenting with septic peritonitis during the winter months with a palpable rectal mass and displaying fever and colic signs beyond 48 h of medical treatment are likely to suffer from NSII of the pelvic flexure and should be considered for abdominal surgery.
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| 11. |
- Hober, Andreas, et al.
(author)
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Rapid and sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection using quantitative peptide enrichment LC-MS analysis
- 2021
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In: eLIFE. - : eLIFE SCIENCES PUBL LTD. - 2050-084X. ; 10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Reliable, robust, large-scale molecular testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is essential for monitoring the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We have developed a scalable analytical approach to detect viral proteins based on peptide immuno-affinity enrichment combined with liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). This is a multiplexed strategy, based on targeted proteomics analysis and read-out by LC-MS, capable of precisely quantifying and confirming the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) swab media from combined throat/nasopharynx/saliva samples. The results reveal that the levels of SARS-CoV-2 measured by LC-MS correlate well with their correspondingreal-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) read-out (r = 0.79). The analytical workflow shows similar turnaround times as regular RT-PCR instrumentation with a quantitative read-out of viral proteins corresponding to cycle thresholds (Ct) equivalents ranging from 21 to 34. Using RT-PCR as a reference, we demonstrate that the LC-MS-based method has 100% negative percent agreement (estimated specificity) and 95% positive percent agreement (estimated sensitivity) when analyzing clinical samples collected from asymptomatic individuals with a Ct within the limit of detection of the mass spectrometer (Ct <= 30). These results suggest that a scalable analytical method based on LC-MS has a place in future pandemic preparedness centers to complement current virus detection technologies.
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Linander, Ida, 1987-
(author)
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“It was like I had to fit into a category” : people with trans experiences navigating access to trans-specific healthcare and health
- 2018
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: Trans issues have received increased attention over the last couple of years and important changes have been made in the legislation relating to gender reassignment and in trans-specific healthcare practices. At the same time, many people with trans experiences report poor mental health, bad experiences when encountering the healthcare and a tendency to postpone seeking care due to being badly treated. Previous research has also shown that gender norms guide the evaluation that precedes access to gender-confirming medical procedures. Critical studies examining practices within trans-specific healthcare in the Swedish context and health among people with trans experiences are limited, especially qualitative interview studies involving people with trans experiences.Aim: To analyse how constructions of trans experiences and gender can affect trans-specific healthcare practices, experiences of navigating access to gender- confirming medical procedures, inhabitancy of different spaces and, ultimately, health.Conceptual framework: Three areas of theory are used for the conceptual framework: trans studies, queer phenomenology and Foucauldian theories of power and governmentality.Methods: The thesis includes three sub-studies (generating four articles): two interview studies that build on interviews with 18 people with trans experiences, and a policy analysis of the guidelines for trans-specific healthcare published by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare. For the interview studies, grounded theory and thematic analysis were used as the analytical method. The guidelines were analysed using Bacchi’s method: “What’s the problem represented to be?”.Results: The participants experienced trans-specific healthcare as difficult to navigate due to waiting times, lack of knowledge and/or support and relationships of dependency between healthcare users and providers. In the evaluation, gender is reconstructed as linear – stereotypical, binary and stable – and the space for action available to care-seekers is affected by discourses existing both inside and outside trans-specific healthcare. The difficulties in navigating access to care were experienced as creating ill-health. In order to negotiate access to gender-confirming medical procedures, the participants took responsibility for the care process by, for example, ordering hormones from abroad, acquiring medical knowledge and finding alternative support. The linear gendered positioning was variously resisted, negotiated and embraced by the participants.The analysis of the guidelines showed that gender identity is constructed as a fixed linear essence but that the guidelines also open up space for a non-linear embodiment. Gender dysphoria is closely constructed in relation to psychiatric knowledge and mental health and the gate-keeping function among mental healthcare professionals is reconstituted in the guidelines. Hence, care-seekers are constructed as not competent enough to make decisions concerning access to gender-confirming medical procedures.The participants experienced several different spaces, such as bars, public toilets and changing rooms, gyms and cafés, as unsafe and as contributing to ill-health. In order to overcome the barriers to comfortably inhabiting spaces, the participants performed a kind of labour; for example, preparing in order to visit public baths and to answer transphobic comments and questions. Some spaces, such as trans-separatist, feminist and queer spaces, were experienced as safer and contributed to improved health through experiences of belonging, being able to share bad experiences and being able to relax.Conclusions: Trans-specific healthcare practices need to become more affirming and change so that care-seekers have more space for self- determination. Trans-specific healthcare needs more resources in order to decrease waiting times, improve knowledge and support, and hence to improve access to gender-confirming medical procedures. Actions need to be initiated to make spaces safer in order to improve the health of people with trans experiences.
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| 14. |
- Linander, Ida, et al.
(author)
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'It was like I had to fit into a category': Care-seekers' experiences of gender regulation in the Swedish trans-specific healthcare.
- 2019
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In: Health (London, England : 1997). - : SAGE Publications. - 1461-7196 .- 1363-4593. ; 23:1, s. 21-38
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The few previous studies investigating regulation of gender in trans-specific healthcare are mainly based on text material and interviews with care-providers or consist solely of theoretical analyses. There is a lack of studies analysing how the regulation of gender is expressed in the care-seeker's own experiences, especially in a Nordic context. The aim of this study is to analyse narratives of individuals with trans experiences (sometimes called transgender people) to examine how gender performances can be regulated in trans-specific care in Sweden. The conceptual framework is inspired by trans studies, a Foucauldian analysis of power, queer phenomenology and the concept of cisnormativity. Fourteen interviews with people with trans experiences are analysed with constructivist grounded theory. The participants' experiences indicate that gender is constructed as norm-conforming, binary and stable in trans-specific healthcare. This gendered position is resisted, negotiated and embraced by the care-seekers. Norms and discourses both inside and outside trans-specific care contribute to the regulation and limit the room for action for care-users. We conclude that a trans-specific care that has a confirming approach to its care-users, instead of the current focus on gender norm conformity, has the potential to increase the self-determination of gender performance and increase the quality of care.
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| 15. |
- Linander, Ida, et al.
(author)
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Negotiating the (bio)medical gaze - Experiences of trans-specific healthcare in Sweden
- 2017
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In: Social Science & Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0277-9536 .- 1873-5347. ; 174, s. 9-16
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In Sweden as well as in other western countries persons with trans experiences have to go through a clinical evaluation in order to get access to gender-confirming medical procedures. The aim of this study is to analyse care-users' experiences of navigating and negotiating access to gender-confirming medical procedures in Sweden. Biomedicalisation is used as a theoretical framework in order to analyse how technoscientific and neoliberal developments are parts of constructing specific experiences within trans specific care. Constructivist grounded theory was used to analyse 14 interviews with persons having experiences of, or considering seeking, trans-specific healthcare. The participants experienced trans-specific healthcare as difficult to navigate because of waiting times, lack of support, provider ignorance and relationships of dependency between healthcare-users and providers. These barriers pushed the users to take responsibility for the care process themselves, through ordering hormones from abroad, acquiring medical knowledge and finding alternative support. Based on the participants' experiences, it can be argued that the shift of responsibility from care-providers to users is connected to a lack of resources within trans-specific care, to neoliberal developments within the Swedish healthcare system, but also to discourses that frame taking charge of the care process as an indicator that a person is in need of or ready for care. Thus, access to gender-confirming medical procedures is stratified, based on the ability and opportunity to adopt a charge-taking role and on economic and geographic conditions. Based on the results and discussion, we conclude that trans-specific care ought to focus on supporting the care-seekers throughout the medical process, instead of the current focus on verifying the need for care. There is also a need for increased knowledge and financial resources. A separation between legal and medical gender reassignment could contribute to a better relationship between care-providers and care-users and increase the quality of care. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 16. |
- Linander, Ida, 1987-, et al.
(author)
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(Un)safe spaces, affective labour and perceived health among people with trans experiences living in Sweden
- 2019
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In: Culture, Health and Sexuality. - : Routledge. - 1369-1058 .- 1464-5351. ; 21:8, s. 914-928
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Lack of safe space has been connected to ill health among people with trans experiences. This study analyses trans people’s experiences of being in public, semi-public and community spaces using the analytical concept of safety/unsafety in relation to perceived health. The analytic framework draws on the concepts of cisgenderism, orientation, lines and comfort. The material analysed consisted of 18 individual interviews with people with trans experiences, which were analysed using constructivist thematic analysis. The analysis resulted in the identification of three themes: straightening devices creating limited living space, orienting oneself in (cis)gendered spaces and creating safer (?) community spaces for healing. Experiences of unsafety ranged from incidents and fear of different kinds of violence in public and semi-public spaces to the lack of a transpolitically informed agenda in, for example, feminist spaces. Safer spaces helped participants to feel a sense of belonging, to share their experiences and to heal. Experiences of unsafety and discomfort are important as they will help us to understand the health situations of people with trans experiences. It is important to facilitate the creation of safer spaces to improve the health of members of this group.
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| 17. |
- Lind, Ulrika, et al.
(author)
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Analysis of aquaporins from the euryhaline barnacle Balanus improvisus reveals differential expression in response to changes in salinity
- 2017
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In: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 12:7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Barnacles are sessile macro-invertebrates, found along rocky shores in coastal areas worldwide. The euryhaline bay barnacle Balanus improvisus (Darwin, 1854) (= Amphibalanus improvisus) can tolerate a wide range of salinities, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the osmoregulatory capacity of this truly brackish species are not well understood. Aquaporins are pore-forming integral membrane proteins that facilitate transport of water, small solutes and ions through cellular membranes, and that have been shown to be important for osmoregulation in many organisms. The knowledge of the function of aquaporins in crustaceans is, however, limited and nothing is known about them in barnacles. We here present the repertoire of aquaporins from a thecostracan crustacean, the barnacle B. improvisus, based on genome and transcriptome sequencing. Our analyses reveal that B. improvisus contains eight genes for aquaporins. Phylogenetic analysis showed that they represented members of the classical water aquaporins (Aqp1, Aqp2), the aquaglyceroporins (Glp1, Glp2), the unorthodox aquaporin (Aqp12) and the arthropod-specific big brain aquaporin (Bib). Interestingly, we also found two big brain-like proteins (BibL1 and BibL2) constituting a new group of aquaporins not yet described in arthropods. In addition, we found that the two water-specific aquaporins were expressed as C-terminal splice variants. Heterologous expression of some of the aquaporins followed by functional characterization showed that Aqp1 transported water and Glp2 water and glycerol, agreeing with the predictions of substrate specificity based on 3D modeling and phylogeny. To investigate a possible role for the B. improvisus aquaporins in osmoregulation, mRNA expression changes in adult barnacles were analysed after long-term acclimation to different salinities. The most pronounced expression difference was seen for AQP1 with a substantial (>100-fold) decrease in the mantle tissue in low salinity (3 PSU) compared to high salinity (33 PSU). Our study provides a base for future mechanistic studies on the role of aquaporins in osmoregulation. © 2017 Lind et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
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| 18. |
- Lind, Ulrika, et al.
(author)
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Molecular Characterization of the alpha-Subunit of Na+/K+ ATPase from the Euryhaline Barnacle Balanus improvisus Reveals Multiple Genes and Differential Expression of Alternative Splice Variants
- 2013
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In: Plos One. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 8:10
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The euryhaline bay barnacle Balanus improvisus has one of the broadest salinity tolerances of any barnacle species. It is able to complete its life cycle in salinities close to freshwater (3 PSU) up to fully marine conditions (35 PSU) and is regarded as one of few truly brackish-water species. Na+/K+ ATPase (NAK) has been shown to be important for osmoregulation when marine organisms are challenged by changing salinities, and we therefore cloned and examined the expression of different NAKs from B. improvisus. We found two main gene variants, NAK1 and NAK2, which were approximately 70% identical at the protein level. The NAK1 mRNA existed in a long and short variant with the encoded proteins differing only by 27 N-terminal amino acids. This N-terminal stretch was coded for by a separate exon, and the two variants of NAK1 mRNAs appeared to be created by alternative splicing. We furthermore showed that the two NAK1 isoforms were differentially expressed in different life stages and in various tissues of adult barnacle, i.e the long isoform was predominant in cyprids and in adult cirri. In barnacle cyprid larvae that were exposed to a combination of different salinities and pCO(2) levels, the expression of the long NAK1 mRNA increased relative to the short in low salinities. We suggest that the alternatively spliced long variant of the Nak1 protein might be of importance for osmoregulation in B. improvisus in low salinity conditions.
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| 19. |
- Loisel, Julie, et al.
(author)
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A database and synthesis of northern peatland soil properties and Holocene carbon and nitrogen accumulation
- 2014
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In: The Holocene. - : SAGE Publications. - 0959-6836 .- 1477-0911. ; 24:9, s. 1028-1042
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Here, we present results from the most comprehensive compilation of Holocene peat soil properties with associated carbon and nitrogen accumulation rates for northern peatlands. Our database consists of 268 peat cores from 215 sites located north of 45 degrees N. It encompasses regions within which peat carbon data have only recently become available, such as the West Siberia Lowlands, the Hudson Bay Lowlands, Kamchatka in Far East Russia, and the Tibetan Plateau. For all northern peatlands, carbon content in organic matter was estimated at 42 +/- 3% (standard deviation) for Sphagnum peat, 51 +/- 2% for non-Sphagnum peat, and at 49 +/- 2% overall. Dry bulk density averaged 0.12 +/- 0.07 g/cm(3), organic matter bulk density averaged 0.11 +/- 0.05 g/cm(3), and total carbon content in peat averaged 47 +/- 6%. In general, large differences were found between Sphagnum and non-Sphagnum peat types in terms of peat properties. Time-weighted peat carbon accumulation rates averaged 23 +/- 2 (standard error of mean) g C/m(2)/yr during the Holocene on the basis of 151 peat cores from 127 sites, with the highest rates of carbon accumulation (25-28 g C/m(2)/yr) recorded during the early Holocene when the climate was warmer than the present. Furthermore, we estimate the northern peatland carbon and nitrogen pools at 436 and 10 gigatons, respectively. The database is publicly available at https://peatlands.lehigh.edu.
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| 20. |
- Luigi, Macchi, et al.
(author)
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Improving design processes in the nuclear domain–Insights on organisational challenges from safety culture and resilience engineering perspectives
- 2014
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In: NKS (Nordic Nuclear Safety Research) Article Series. ; NKS-301
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Design flaws have been contributing to major industrial accidents. However, design activities are understudied in human and organisational factors studies. In the nuclear power domain, both pre-operational design and design of modifications depend on a network of organizations, and aim at developing solutions which meet different criteria. Nuclear power companies often outsource the design work to organisations, which might not be hitherto familiar with the safety requirements of nuclear industry. The final phase of SADE project focused on testing and evaluating the results of the first two phases through in depth analysis of case studies conducted in Finland and Sweden. The study aimed at providing insights on the inter-organizational challenges related to design activities, which could potentially affect safety of the Nordic nuclear power plants. In 2013 we carried out 14 semi-structured interviews with representatives of power plant organisations, design organisations and regulators. Interviews of the Finnish case studies were complemented by one group interview each. The study indicated that design-related challenges in the nuclear domain are mainly inter-organizational. This implies that safety management and safety culture approaches should take better into account the inter-organisational nature of work processes. For some of the challenges (e.g. coordination) many coping practices exist throughout the network, whereas for others (e.g. shared understanding) just a few were mentioned. This signifies that design organisations have learned the consequences of insufficient coordination in previous projects, while reaching a shared understanding proves to be challenging. The design process involves both rational and creative approaches to deal with real-life problems. In nuclear industry, designers face the need to balance between fulfilling requirements and doing an extensive amount of paperwork, and creating new, safe and functional solutions. To better manage safety culture in design activities in a networked context, nuclear power companies and design supply chains need to reach a shared understanding on achieving this balance. Finally, the study provides a set of recommendations to support and improve the design process and to help anticipate emerging risks in the nuclear industry.
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| 21. |
- Nyberg, Andre, 1984-, et al.
(author)
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The accuracy of using elastic resistance bands to evaluate muscular strength
- 2014
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In: Advances in Physiotherapy. - : Informa Healthcare. - 1403-8196 .- 1651-1948. ; 16:2, s. 104-112
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Elastic resistance as a tool for evaluation of muscular strength has rarely been addressed even though it is commonly used in exercise and rehabilitation regimens involving the shoulder muscles. The aim was therefore to investigate the relationship and potential difference between development of force during maximal isokinetic (maximum peak force, maximum mean force and peak mean force) and elastic (one-repetition maximum (1 RM)) concentric shoulder fl exion in healthy older adults. A total of 30 voluntary adults over the age of 50 (15 women, 15 men) were included. Intraclass correlation coefficient absolute agreement was 0.85, 0.43 and 0.48 for the isokinetic values respectively, when all subjects were analysed together. No difference was found between the isokinetic maximum peak force value and the elastic 1 RM for all participants (0.15 kg, p 0.791), for men (0.80 kg, p 0.121) or women ( 0.49 kg, p 0.135). Variations at an individual level, i.e. 95% limits of agreement, were 3.3 kg for all participants, 2.8 kg for women and 3.2 kg for men. These results imply that elastic resistance could be used to evaluate shoulder fl exion strength in both older men and women. However, thevariation on an individual level and the lower agreement among women is important to consider.
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| 22. |
- Osvalder, Anna-Lisa, 1961, et al.
(author)
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Förbättrad arbetsmiljö i kontrollrum genom fokus på ökad människa-maskininteraktion
- 2011
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In: FALF 2011, forskningskonferensen för arbetslivsforskning, 16-17 juni, Luleå.
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- För att vara konkurrenskraftig ställs dagens processindustri inför krav på ständig utveckling för effektivt utnyttjande av resurser, både tekniska och mänskliga. I takt med att komplexiteten i anläggningarna ökar, ökar även utmaningen att styra processerna snabbt, säkert och effektivt i kontrollrummen. Speciellt är detta kännetecknade för säkerhetskritiska och komplexa domäner, som kärnkraft, värmekraft, pappers- och massaindustri, gruvdrift, raffinaderi och kemikalieindustrin. Fjärrstyrning av anläggningar samt ökande automatisering bidrar till att andelen arbete i form av kontrollrumsbaserad övervakning stiger samtidigt som personalstyrkan ofta reduceras. Ett viktigt steg i utvecklingen är att skapa användbara tekniska lösningar, vilket medför att krav på funktionalitet och användarvänlighet måste uppfyllas. Idag används en allt större mängd informationsteknologi i processövervakningssystem för att visualisera anläggningens status, vilket medfört att tekniken tenderat till att bli alltmer svårförstålig och hanteringsmässigt komplicerad, efter som processer, samband och logik inte är enkelt iakttagbara. För att motverka denna problematik har god människa-maskininteraktion blivit en allt viktigare kvalitetsaspekt i teknikutvecklingen såväl som i arbetsmiljöarbetet. För operatören är det till exempel viktigt med ökad transparens av tekniken, samt reducerad och adekvat informationsmängd att hantera, vilket kan minska osäkerhet och stress. Det finns flera områden som kan utvecklas för att uppnå god människa-maskininteraktion i kontrollrum. Tre huvudområden är skärmbildspresentation, larmsystem och fysisk utformning av arbetsmiljön.För att stödja beslutsfattande, och därmed effektivisera övervakning och styrning behövs ändamålsenlig visualisering av anläggningens status för olika driftssituationer. Detta innebär utveckling av skärmbildspresentationer utformade efter operatörernas perceptiva och kognitiva förutsättningar att ta in och bearbeta visuell information. Trenden inom skärmbildsbaserad gränssnittsdesign för kontrollrum går idag mer och mer mot att öka förståelsen om processens tidigare, nuvarande och kommande tillstånd. Det handlar till exempel om ekologiska, funktionsorienterade och uppgiftsorienterade gränssnitt, samt informationstäta skärmbilder.Larmsystem är en viktig komponent i anläggningens säkerhetssystem. Bristande utformning kan leda till fel som potentiellt kan förvärra uppkomna incidenter och göra dessa svårhanterade. I en larmsituation påverkas operatörens arbetsbelastning av mentala krav, tidskrav och krav på korrekt utförande. Operatörens prestation i en larmsituation är mycket beroende på vilket stöd och vägledning larmsystemet ger, t ex i form av checklistor, larmprioritering, larmundertryckning, och reducering av distraherande stimuli. Tidig upptäckt av avvikelser och mönsterigenkänning är viktigt för säkerhetskritiska larm, och att säkerställa att varje larm kräver en respons av operatören. God fysisk ergonomisk utformning av kontrollrum innebär korrekt placering av teknisk utrustning, monitorer, arbetsytor, sittplatser, ljuskällor och ventilation, samt möjligheter till att justerbara bord, stolar, skärmar, belysning, ljudkällor etc efter individuella önskemål. Även organisatoriska aspekter påverkar operatörens prestation och arbetsmiljö i kontrollrum. Till exempel arbetstider, skiftlagen sammansättning och arbetsuppgifternas utformning och omfattning påverkar. Ofta arbetar operatörerna i team, både med medarbetare inne i kontrollrummet och ute i anläggningen. Att utnyttja kunskap, erfarenhet och stöd från teamet är en viktig aspekt vid problemlösning i kritiska situationer. Även effektivitetstänkande och säkerhetskulturen på anläggningen spelar roll. Slutsatsen är att genom att fokusera på förbättrad människa-maskininteraktion vid förändringsarbete, modernisering och nyutveckling av kontrollrum medför detta inte bara möjligheter till ökad effektivitet och säkerhet för anläggningen utan också som ett led i arbetsmiljöarbetet att utforma bättre förutsättningar för ökad prestation och tillfredsställelse hos operatörerna att driva anläggningen optimalt och säkert.
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| 23. |
- Osvalder, Anna-Lisa, 1961, et al.
(author)
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Human-Machine Systems
- 2018
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In: Handbook of Safety Principles. - 9781118950692 ; , s. 305-330
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Process control has changed dramatically after the industrial revolution. Processes have today become more and more complex and impossible to perceive directly. The increased complexity has implications for how the interfaces between the process to be controlled and the operators should be designed. To design the user interfaces in an optimal way it is important to understand the behavior of complex systems and the necessary conditions that must be fulfilled to achieve control of the system. The demands on the operators’ cognitive resources and factors that affect these resources, e.g. stress, motivation and fatigue, are of vital importance as well as the impact of the physical and social environment. Of importance are also different strategies that can be used to control complexity. The aim of this chapter is to discuss and suggest some tentative answers to the question on how to improve operator’s chances to control complex human machine systems.
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| 24. |
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| 25. |
- Osvalder, Anna-Lisa, 1961, et al.
(author)
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Impact of Physical Ergonomics Design of Process Control Rooms on Operator Experience of Comfort, Stress and Emotions
- 2013
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In order to control different industrial production processes in an optimal manner, operators need well-designed control room environments that support them in all phases of process control. Operators need access to relevant information, presented at the right time, in a way that is possible to understand and get suitable support to adequate actions. Research in ergonomics has indicated that a supportive physical comfortable environment makes it possible for operators to focus on the task to be performed without being occupied with properties in the environment that interfere with plans to be executed.The purpose of this study was to examine how differences in physical ergonomic design of the working environment in a process control room effects operator work experience. The aim was to evaluate if a high-end control room concept including the latest ergonomic features had any effects on operator comfort and arousal in terms of perceived discomfort, stress-energy and emotions during process control, compared to a standard traditional control room. In the experimental study two types of control rooms were evaluated and compared: one high-end control room with an optimised physical working environment including the latest ergonomic features and one standard traditional control room as found in industry. Twelve operators from various process industries participated in the experiments by running a simulation of a fictive paint factory for half a day in the two control rooms respectively. The operators’ comfort, stress and emotions were measured regularly via questionnaires during the experiments.Student’s t-test and also the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyse the hypotheses if there were any significant differences between the operators’ perceived discomfort, stress-energy and emotions respectively in the two control room concepts.The general conclusion from this study gave support for the benefits of a supporting ergonomic control room environment on operator experience in terms of comfort and arousal. In a longer perspective it seems reasonable to assume that increased comfort during process work should have a positive impact upon operator alertness, wellbeing and productivity.
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| 26. |
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| 27. |
- Osvalder, Anna-Lisa, 1961, et al.
(author)
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Organisational Challenges Associated with Design and Implementation of Technology in Re-design Projects in the Nuclear Domain
- 2014
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In: 11th International Symposium on Human Factors in Organisational Design and Management (ODAM), Aug 17-20, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A complex socio-technical system needs to optimize on safety when designing the human-machine systems. The purpose of this study was to learn about organisational challenges in redesign projects in the nuclear domain. Interview results showed that stakeholders had focus on either technology driven or human factors driven design. A conclusion was that all project members need knowledge and understanding of human factors aspects; these need to be highlighted both in planning and during the whole iterative design process, where also operator involvement is crucial. If organisational challenges can be solved the resilience of the nuclear power domain may improve.
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| 28. |
- Osvalder, Anna-Lisa, 1961, et al.
(author)
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The alarm problem - Some ideas for improvement
- 2011
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In: Proceedings Nordic Ergonomic Society (NES) Conference 2011, 19-21 Sept, Oulu, Finland.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A number of general problems with alarm systems have been identified in literature for decades and more recently in-site studies of alarm systems in process industries show that the same pattern of problems The aim of this paper is to show some principle user interface design ideas for improvement of alarm systems adapted to operators’ needs of adequate alarm information. Prioritising, guidance, fast detection and interpretation of anomalies are significant to improve process safety. Pattern recognition is efficient and visual aids enhance detection of process changes. There are still much to do in the design of efficient alarm systems, one idea is to develop learning systems.
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| 29. |
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| 30. |
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| 31. |
- Salomonsson, Eva, 1980, et al.
(author)
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Requirements on Human Factors Methods for Evaluating Safety in Future Nuclear Power Plant Control Rooms
- 2013
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In: Enlarged Halden Programme Group Meeting - Proceedings of the Man-Technology-Organisation (MTO) Sessions; 10-15 Mars, 2013, Storefjell, Norge.. ; HPR-379, vol. 1, C2.4
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is an on-going process of modernisation of Swedish nuclear power plants, and also new plants are being built around the world. When control rooms are modified it is highly significant to maintain safe operation of the plant. Therefore it is important to evaluate the control room from a human factors perspective.The purpose of this study was to provide input to assess the suitability of present human factors methods to evaluate if future Swedish nuclear control rooms support safe operation. The aim was to suggest requirements that human factors evaluation methods must fulfill to be useful in this matter. The requirements were based on presumptive usability problems important to attend to, which were found from an interview study regarding future control room changes with seven professionals from the Swedish nuclear business.The resulting requirements on human factors evaluation methods found were: an ability to evaluate cooperation within the shift team, operator workload and the design and use of digital operating procedures; an ability to identify usability problems that may lower operator situation awareness, inconsistencies between operator interfaces, work tasks that create extreme levels in mental workload, inefficient and/or conflicting work tasks, information and control devices necessary for various work tasks and users, usability problems connected automation, and inconsistencies between the operators’ mental model of the system and the system itself.To conclude, the requirements set on human factors methods for evaluation of safety in control rooms can be used to assess if existing human factors evaluation methods are appropriate. This in turn will give input to study if and how the existing methods can be improved.
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| 32. |
- Schmidt, Lisa, 1958-
(author)
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Samarbete mellan kund och företagshälsovård : Mekanismer av betydelse för förebyggande arbetsmiljöarbete
- 2017
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Enligt arbetsmiljölagen ska arbetsgivare när det saknas kunskap och kompetens i det systematiska arbetsmiljöarbetet (SAM) anlita en företagshälsovård (FHV) eller liknande resurs. Detta bygger på en programteori där FHV förväntas vara den externa resurs som behövs för arbetsgivare och arbetsplatser i arbetsmiljöarbetet. Samarbetet och FHVs stöd ska generera god arbetsmiljö och hälsa hos kunderna. Forskning om hur detta samarbete fungerar är begränsad. Avhandlingens syfte är att utforska om FHV fungerar som stöd i kundens förebyggande arbetsmiljö-arbete och att identifiera mekanismer som har betydelse för samarbetet mellan FHV och kund. Mer precist har avhandlingen syftat till att öka kunskap och förståelse för om lagens intention uppfylls. Datainsamlingen i de fyra kvalitativa fallstudierna utfördes med hjälp av semistrukturerade och tematiska intervjuer, telefonintervjuer och gruppintervjuer. Empirin samlades in i små- och stora företag samt inom den offentliga sektorn och fokuserade även på vilken betydelse avtalet har för samarbetet. Intervjuerna har genomförts med ledning, chefer och skyddsombud samt HR-personal i deltagande verksamheter samt FHV professioner i kundens FHV. Intervjuerna har analyserats med kvalitativ innehållsanalys och det sammanlagda resultatet analyserades med hjälp av realistisk utvärdering. Resultatet visar att samarbete och FHVs stöd i förebyggande SAM brister. Förändrade styrformer i offentlig sektor; New Public Management och HR transformationen identifieras som kontextuella förutsättningar som påverkar samarbetet. I den realistiska utvärderingen identifierades mekanismer som positivt eller negativt påverkar samarbetet mellan FHV och kund. Mekanismer som påverkar samarbete positivt är; att det finns en fungerande samverkan och SAM hos kunden och att FHV får information och tillgång till kundens inre processer. Att FHV har en oberoende ställning med kontakter på flera nivåer i verksamheten är andra mekanismer som påverkar samarbete positivt. Att ledningen är engagerad i samarbetet med FHV och att avtalen stöder samarbetet bidrar också positivt till ett framgångsrikt samarbete. Ytterligare mekanismer som gynnsamt påverkar samarbete är att det finns kontinuerliga uppföljningar där tjänster och service kontinuerligt stäms av och anpassas efter kundens behov. En viktig mekanism som påverkar samarbetet positivt är att HR stöder samverkan och SAM i kundföretaget. Identifierade mekanismer som påverkar samarbete negativt är att SAM och samverkan på arbetsplatsen mellan arbetsgivare och arbetstagare brister. Andra mekanismer som negativt påverkar är att ledningen inte är engagerad i samarbetet och att FHV inte får ta del av kundens SAM. Samarbetet påverkas även negativt när HR definierar avtalsinnehåll och är enda kontakt med FHV. En ytterligare mekanism som påverkar samarbetet negativt är att kunden upplever ett bristande förtroende; att FHV saknar kompetens. Ett antal mekanismer har även identifierats som påverkar samarbete negativt mellan FHV och småföretag. Bland annat saknas samverkan mellan arbetsgivare och arbetstagare i stor utsträckning och småföretagen arbetar inte systematiskt med sin arbetsmiljö. Detta innebär att FHV inte fungerar som stöd i SAM utan de tjänster som används består framför allt av hälsoundersökningar. Samma mekanismer som påverkar samarbetet negativt framkommer i den offentliga sektorn; när samverkan och SAM saknas på arbetsplatsen, används FHV främst till individuella hälsofrämjande tjänster och rehabilitering. Andra mekanismer som påverkar samarbetet negativt i den offentliga sektorn är bristen på kunskap om samverkan och SAM hos både HR och skyddsombud. Det finns en otydlighet kring varandras roller som påverkar samarbetet negativt. Även kundens föreställning om FHV; att de uppfattas sakna kompetens och vara en efterhjälpande resurs, påverkar samarbetet negativt. Slutsatserna från avhandlingen visar att samarbetet mellan FHV och kund i stor utsträckning inte stöder förebyggande SAM. I analysen identifieras ett antal mekanismer som påverkar samarbetet mellan FHV och kund, både positivt och negativt. Framför allt kunskap om arbetsmiljö, en fungerande samverkan och SAM identifieras som viktiga mekanismer som på ett positivt sätt bidrar till att nå ett framgångsrikt samarbete.
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| 33. |
- Wrange, Anna-Lisa, 1981, et al.
(author)
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The Story of a Hitchhiker: Population Genetic Patterns in the Invasive Barnacle Balanus (Amphibalanus) improvisus Darwin 1854
- 2016
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In: Plos One. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 11:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Understanding the ecological and evolutionary forces that determine the genetic structure and spread of invasive species is a key component of invasion biology. The bay barnacle, Balanus improvisus (= Amphibalanus improvisus), is one of the most successful aquatic invaders worldwide, and is characterised by broad environmental tolerance. Although the species can spread through natural larval dispersal, human-mediated transport through (primarily) shipping has almost certainly contributed to the current global distribution of this species. Despite its worldwide distribution, little is known about the phylogeography of this species. Here, we characterize the population genetic structure and model dispersal dynamics of the barnacle B. improvisus, and describe how human-mediated spreading via shipping as well as natural larval dispersal may have contributed to observed genetic variation. We used both mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I: COI) and nuclear microsatellites to characterize the genetic structure in 14 populations of B. improvisus on a global and regional scale (Baltic Sea). Genetic diversity was high in most populations, and many haplotypes were shared among populations on a global scale, indicating that longdistance dispersal (presumably through shipping and other anthropogenic activities) has played an important role in shaping the population genetic structure of this cosmopolitan species. We could not clearly confirm prior claims that B. improvisus originates from the western margins of the Atlantic coasts; although there were indications that Argentina could be part of a native region. In addition to dispersal via shipping, we show that natural larval dispersal may play an important role for further colonisation following initial introduction.
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