| 1. |
- Aghanavesi, Somayeh, 1981-, et al.
(författare)
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A multiple motion sensors index for motor state quantification in Parkinson's disease
- 2020
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Ingår i: Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0169-2607 .- 1872-7565. ; 189
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aim: To construct a Treatment Response Index from Multiple Sensors (TRIMS) for quantification of motor state in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) during a single levodopa dose. Another aim was to compare TRIMS to sensor indexes derived from individual motor tasks. Method: Nineteen PD patients performed three motor tests including leg agility, pronation-supination movement of hands, and walking in a clinic while wearing inertial measurement unit sensors on their wrists and ankles. They performed the tests repeatedly before and after taking 150% of their individual oral levodopa-carbidopa equivalent morning dose.Three neurologists blinded to treatment status, viewed patients’ videos and rated their motor symptoms, dyskinesia, overall motor state based on selected items of Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS) part III, Dyskinesia scale, and Treatment Response Scale (TRS). To build TRIMS, out of initially 178 extracted features from upper- and lower-limbs data, 39 features were selected by stepwise regression method and were used as input to support vector machines to be mapped to mean reference TRS scores using 10-fold cross-validation method. Test-retest reliability, responsiveness to medication, and correlation to TRS as well as other UPDRS items were evaluated for TRIMS. Results: The correlation of TRIMS with TRS was 0.93. TRIMS had good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.83). Responsiveness of the TRIMS to medication was good compared to TRS indicating its power in capturing the treatment effects. TRIMS was highly correlated to dyskinesia (R = 0.85), bradykinesia (R = 0.84) and gait (R = 0.79) UPDRS items. Correlation of sensor index from the upper-limb to TRS was 0.89. Conclusion: Using the fusion of upper- and lower-limbs sensor data to construct TRIMS provided accurate PD motor states estimation and responsive to treatment. In addition, quantification of upper-limb sensor data during walking test provided strong results. © 2019
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| 2. |
- Andersen, Martin, 1985-, et al.
(författare)
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Economic Analysis of Heat Distribution Concepts for a Small Solar District Heating System
- 2022
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Ingår i: Energies. - : MDPI. - 1996-1073. ; 15:13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- One challenge in today’s district heating systems is the relatively high distribution heat loss. Lowering distribution temperatures is one way to reduce operational costs resulting from high heat losses, while changing the distribution system from steel pipes to plastic pipes and changing the heat distribution concept can reduce investment costs. The result is that the overall life cycle cost of the district heating system is reduced, leading to the improved cost competitiveness of district heating versus individual heating options. The main aim of this study was to determine the most cost-efficient distribution system for a theoretical solar district heating system, by comparing the marginal life cycle cost of two different distribution systems. A secondary aim was to determine the influence of the employed pipe type and insulation level on the marginal life cycle cost by comparing detailed economic calculations, including differences in pipe installation costs and construction costs, among others. A small solar-assisted district heating system has been modeled in TRNSYS based on a real system, and this “hybrid” model is used as a basis for a second model where a novel distribution system is employed and the heating network operating temperature is changed. Results indicate that a novel distribution concept with lower network temperatures and central domestic hot water preparation is most efficient both from an energy and cost perspective. The total life cycle costs vary less than 2% for a given distribution concept when using different pipe types and insulation classes, indicating that the investment costs are more significant than operational costs in reducing life cycle costs. The largest difference in life cycle cost is observed by changing the distribution concept, the novel concept having approximately 24% lower marginal life cycle cost than the “hybrid” system. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
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| 3. |
- Andersen, Martin, 1985, et al.
(författare)
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Heat distribution concepts for small solar district heating systems – Techno-economic study for low line heat densities
- 2022
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Ingår i: Energy Conversion and Management: X. - : Elsevier BV. - 2590-1745. ; 15
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The high operating temperatures in today's district heating networks combined with the low energy demand of new buildings lead to high relative network heat losses. New networks featuring lower operating temperatures have reduced relative heat losses while enabling an increase in the use of solar heat. The primary aim of this study was to determine if a particular district heating system can be made more effective with respect to heat losses and useful solar energy, by considering different distribution concepts and load densities. A small solar assisted district heating system with a novel hybrid distribution system has been modelled based on a real case study. This model serves as a basis for two other models where the distribution system and heating network operating temperature is changed. A secondary aim of the study was to determine the economic implications of making these changes, by using costs estimates to calculate the contribution of essential system components to total system cost. Results indicate that a novel distribution concept with lower network temperatures and central domestic hot water preparation is most energy efficient in a sparse network with a heat density of 0.2 MWh/m∙a and a performance ratio of 66%, while a conventional district heating system performs worst and has a performance ratio of less than 58% at the same heat density. In an extremely sparse network with heat density of 0.05 MWh/m∙a, the performance ratio is 41% and 30% for these systems, respectively. A simple economic analysis indicates that the novel distribution concept is also best from an economic point of view, reducing the initial investment cost by 1/3 compared to the conventional concept, which is the most costly. However, more detailed calculations are needed to conclude on this.
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| 4. |
- Andersson, Joel Håkan, 1981, et al.
(författare)
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Solidification of alloy 718, ati 718Plus® and waspaloy
- 2014
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Ingår i: 8th International Symposium on Superalloy 718 and Derivatives 2014. - Hoboken, NJ, USA : John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. - 9781634396424 ; , s. 181-192
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Alloy 718, ATI 718Plus® and Waspaloy have been investigated in terms of what their respective solidification process reveals. Differential thermal analysis was used to approach the task together with secondary electron and back scattered electron detectors equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy detector. These experimental methods were used to construct pseudo binary phase diagrams that could aid in explaining solidification as well as liquation mechanisms in processes such as welding and casting. Furthermore, it was seen that Waspaloy has the smallest solidification range, followed by Alloy 718, and finally ATI 718Plus® possessing the largest solidification interval in comparison.
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| 5. |
- Anåker, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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A comparative study of patients' activities and interactions in a stroke unit before and after reconstruction-The significance of the built environment
- 2017
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Ingår i: PLoS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203 .- 1932-6203. ; 12:7, s. Article no e0177477-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Early mobilization and rehabilitation, multidisciplinary stroke expertise and comprehensive therapies are fundamental in a stroke unit. To achieve effective and safe stroke care, the physical environment in modern stroke units should facilitate the delivery of evidence-based care. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore patients' activities and interactions in a stroke unit before the reconstruction of the physical environment, while in a temporary location and after reconstruction. This case study examined a stroke unit as an integrated whole. The data were collected using a behavioral mapping technique at three different time points: in the original unit, in the temporary unit and in the new unit. A total of 59 patients were included. The analysis included field notes from observations of the physical environment and examples from planning and design documents. The findings indicated that in the new unit, the patients spent more time in their rooms, were less active, and had fewer interactions with staff and family than the patients in the original unit. The reconstruction involved a change from a primarily multi-bed room design to single-room accommodations. In the new unit, the patients' lounge was located in a far corner of the unit with a smaller entrance than the patients' lounge in the old unit, which was located at the end of a corridor with a noticeable entrance. Changes in the design of the stroke unit may have influenced the patients' activities and interactions. This study raises the question of how the physical environment should be designed in the future to facilitate the delivery of health care and improve outcomes for stroke patients. This research is based on a case study, and although the results should be interpreted with caution, we strongly recommend that environmental considerations be included in future stroke guidelines.
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| 6. |
- Anåker, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Design quality in the context of healthcare environments: a scoping review
- 2017
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Ingår i: Health Environments Research & Design Journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 1937-5867 .- 2167-5112. ; 10:4, s. 136-150
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective:We explored the concept of design quality in relation to healthcare environments. In addition, we present a taxonomy that illustrates the wide range of terms used in connection with design quality in healthcare.Background:High-quality physical environments can promote health and well-being. Developments in healthcare technology and methodology put high demands on the design quality of care environments, coupled with increasing expectations and demands from patients and staff that care environments be person centered, welcoming, and accessible while also supporting privacy and security. In addition, there are demands that decisions about the design of healthcare architecture be based on the best available information from credible research and the evaluation of existing building projects.Method:The basic principles of Arksey and O’Malley’s model of scoping review design were used. Data were derived from literature searches in scientific databases. A total of 18 articles and books were found that referred to design quality in a healthcare context.Results:Design quality of physical healthcare environments involves three different themes: (i) environmental sustainability and ecological values, (ii) social and cultural interactions and values, and (iii) resilience of the engineering and building construction. Design quality was clarified herein with a definition.Conclusions:Awareness of what is considered design quality in relation to healthcare architecture could help to design healthcare environments based on evidence. To operationalize the concept, its definition must be clear and explicit and able to meet the complex needs of the stakeholders in a healthcare context, including patients, staff, and significant others.
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| 7. |
- Anåker, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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“It’s Lonely”: Patients’ Experiences of the Physical Environment at a Newly Built Stroke Unit
- 2019
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Ingår i: HERD. - : SAGE Publications. - 2167-5112 .- 1937-5867. ; 12:3, s. 141-152
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: The aim of this study was to explore patients’ experiences of the physical environment at a newly built stroke unit. Background: For a person who survives a stroke, life can change dramatically. The physical environment is essential for patients’ health and well-being. To reduce infections, a majority of new healthcare facilities mainly have a single-room design. However, in the context of stroke care, knowledge of how patients experience the physical environment, particularly their experience of a single-room design, is scarce. Method: This study used a qualitative design. Patients (n = 16) participated in semistructured individual interviews. Data were collected in December 2015 and February 2017 in Sweden; interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using content analysis. Results: Two main themes were identified: (i) incongruence exists between community and privacy and (ii) connectedness with the outside world provides distraction and a sense of normality. In single rooms, social support was absent and a sense of loneliness was expressed. Patients were positively distracted when they looked at nature or activities that went on outside their windows. Conclusions: The physical environment is significant for patients with stroke. This study highlights potential areas for architectural improvements in stroke units, primarily around designing communal areas with meeting places and providing opportunities to participate in the world outside the unit. A future challenge is to design stroke units that support both community and privacy. Exploring patients’ experiences could be a starting point when designing new healthcare environments and inform evidence-based design.
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| 8. |
- Anåker, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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The physical environment and multi-professional teamwork in three newly built stroke units
- 2020
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Ingår i: Disability and Rehabilitation. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1464-5165 .- 0963-8288. ; , s. 1-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: To explore multi-professional teamwork in relation to the physical environment in three newly built or renovated stroke units. Materials and methods: An observational study was undertaken. The participants were all staff members of a multi-professional team working in the reviewed stroke units. The data were collected using behavioural mapping and semi-structured observations, and they were analysed by content analysis and descriptive statistics. Results: Out of all the observations in the behavioural mapping, very few were of two or more members from the team together with a patient. None of the included stroke units had a co-location for all the members of the multi-professional team. Three main categories emerged from the analysis of the interviews: (i) the hub of the unit; (ii) the division of places; and (iii) power imbalance. All the categories reflected the teamwork in relation to parts of the physical environment. Conclusion: The design of the physical environment is important for multi-professional teamwork. Emphasis must be placed on better understanding the impact of the physical environment and on incorporating the evidence related to multi-professional teamwork during the design of stroke units.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Understanding the link between the physical environment and effective teamwork can lead to more tailored and supportive design solutions. The design of the physical environment should be considered as a vital part of effective teamwork in stroke units. The physical environment should include shared workstations, allowing team members to meet and communicate face to face.
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| 9. |
- Anåker, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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The physical environment and patients' activities and care. A comparative case study at three newly built stroke units
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Advanced Nursing. - : Wiley. - 0309-2402 .- 1365-2648. ; 74
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIM: To explore and compare the impact of the physical environment on patients' activities and care at three newly built stroke units.BACKGROUND: Receiving care in a stroke unit instead of in a general ward reduces the odds of death, dependency and institutionalized care. In stroke units, the design of the physical environment should support evidence-based care. Studies on patients' activities in relation to the design of the physical environment of stroke units are scarce.DESIGN: This work is a comparative descriptive case study.METHOD: Patients (N=55) who had a confirmed diagnosis of stroke were recruited from three newly built stroke units in Sweden. The units were examined by non-participant observation using two types of data collection: behavioral mapping analyzed with descriptive statistics and field note taking analyzed with deductive content analysis. Data were collected from April 2013 - December 2015.RESULTS: The units differed in the patients' levels of physical activity, the proportion of the day that patients spent with health professionals and family presence. Patients were more physically active in a unit with a combination of single and multi-bed room designs than in a unit with an entirely single room design. Stroke units that were easy to navigate and offered variations in the physical environment had an impact on patients' activities and care.CONCLUSIONS: Patients' activity levels and interactions appeared to vary with the design of the physical environments of stroke units. Stroke guidelines focused on health status assessments, avoidance of bed-rest and early rehabilitation require a supportive physical environment.
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| 10. |
- Bales, Chris, et al.
(författare)
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Seven Phd Studies on Solar District Heat
- 2014
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Ingår i: Proceedings EuroSun 2014 / ISES Conference Proceedings (2014). - : ISES. ; , s. 652-661
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The Solar Heat Integration NEtwork (SHINE) is a European research school in which 13 PhD students in solar thermal technologies are funded by the EU Marie-Curie program. It has five PhD course modules as well as workshops and seminars dedicated to PhD students both within the project as well as outside of it. The SHINE research activities focus on large solar heating systems and new applications: on district heating, industrial processes and new storage systems. The scope of this paper is on systems for district heating for which there are six PhD students, three at universities and two at companies. In addition there is a seventh PhD in a Swedish national research school focused on energy efficiency within district heating networks (Reesbe). The initial work has concentrated on literature studies and on setting up initial models and measurement setups to be used for validation purposes. Some results of these studies are presented in the paper. The PhD students will complete their studies in 2017-18.
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