1. |
- Shu, Xiang, et al.
(author)
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Associations of obesity and circulating insulin and glucose with breast cancer risk : a Mendelian randomization analysis
- 2019
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In: International Journal of Epidemiology. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 0300-5771 .- 1464-3685. ; 48:3, s. 795-806
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: In addition to the established association between general obesity and breast cancer risk, central obesity and circulating fasting insulin and glucose have been linked to the development of this common malignancy. Findings from previous studies, however, have been inconsistent, and the nature of the associations is unclear. Methods: We conducted Mendelian randomization analyses to evaluate the association of breast cancer risk, using genetic instruments, with fasting insulin, fasting glucose, 2-h glucose, body mass index (BMI) and BMI-adjusted waist-hip-ratio (WHRadj BMI). We first confirmed the association of these instruments with type 2 diabetes risk in a large diabetes genome-wide association study consortium. We then investigated their associations with breast cancer risk using individual-level data obtained from 98 842 cases and 83 464 controls of European descent in the Breast Cancer Association Consortium. Results: All sets of instruments were associated with risk of type 2 diabetes. Associations with breast cancer risk were found for genetically predicted fasting insulin [odds ratio (OR) = 1.71 per standard deviation (SD) increase, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.26-2.31, p = 5.09 x 10(-4)], 2-h glucose (OR = 1.80 per SD increase, 95% CI = 1.3 0-2.49, p = 4.02 x 10(-4)), BMI (OR = 0.70 per 5-unit increase, 95% CI = 0.65-0.76, p = 5.05 x 10(-19)) and WHRadj BMI (OR = 0.85, 95% CI = 0.79-0.91, p = 9.22 x 10(-6)). Stratified analyses showed that genetically predicted fasting insulin was more closely related to risk of estrogen-receptor [ER]-positive cancer, whereas the associations with instruments of 2h glucose, BMI and WHRadj BMI were consistent regardless of age, menopausal status, estrogen receptor status and family history of breast cancer. Conclusions: We confirmed the previously reported inverse association of genetically predicted BMI with breast cancer risk, and showed a positive association of genetically predicted fasting insulin and 2-h glucose and an inverse association of WHRadj BMI with breast cancer risk. Our study suggests that genetically determined obesity and glucose/insulin-related traits have an important role in the aetiology of breast cancer.
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2. |
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3. |
- Hallberg, David
(author)
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Fruits of our labour [video]
- 2015
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Other publication (film/video) (pop. science, debate, etc.)abstract
- An experimental, collective docudrama about food and nutrition supported by SIANI. Shot in city regions of Venezuela and Sweden. A collective docudrama by David Hallberg in collaboration with the Swedish Red Cross University College and Swedish International Agricultural Network Initiative, Venezuela.
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4. |
- Lawrenson, Kate, et al.
(author)
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Functional mechanisms underlying pleiotropic risk alleles at the 19p13.1 breast-ovarian cancer susceptibility locus
- 2016
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In: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A locus at 19p13 is associated with breast cancer (BC) and ovarian cancer (OC) risk. Here we analyse 438 SNPs in this region in 46,451 BC and 15,438 OC cases, 15,252 BRCA1 mutation carriers and 73,444 controls and identify 13 candidate causal SNPs associated with serous OC (P=9.2 × 10-20), ER-negative BC (P=1.1 × 10-13), BRCA1-associated BC (P=7.7 × 10-16) and triple negative BC (P-diff=2 × 10-5). Genotype-gene expression associations are identified for candidate target genes ANKLE1 (P=2 × 10-3) and ABHD8 (P<2 × 10-3). Chromosome conformation capture identifies interactions between four candidate SNPs and ABHD8, and luciferase assays indicate six risk alleles increased transactivation of the ADHD8 promoter. Targeted deletion of a region containing risk SNP rs56069439 in a putative enhancer induces ANKLE1 downregulation; and mRNA stability assays indicate functional effects for an ANKLE1 3′-UTR SNP. Altogether, these data suggest that multiple SNPs at 19p13 regulate ABHD8 and perhaps ANKLE1 expression, and indicate common mechanisms underlying breast and ovarian cancer risk.
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5. |
- Zeng, Chenjie, et al.
(author)
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Identification of independent association signals and putative functional variants for breast cancer risk through fine-scale mapping of the 12p11 locus
- 2016
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In: Breast Cancer Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1465-5411 .- 1465-542X. ; 18
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Multiple recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs10771399, at 12p11 that is associated with breast cancer risk. Method: We performed a fine-scale mapping study of a 700 kb region including 441 genotyped and more than 1300 imputed genetic variants in 48,155 cases and 43,612 controls of European descent, 6269 cases and 6624 controls of East Asian descent and 1116 cases and 932 controls of African descent in the Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC; http://bcac.ccge.medschl.cam.ac.uk/), and in 15,252 BRCA1 mutation carriers in the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2 (CIMBA). Stepwise regression analyses were performed to identify independent association signals. Data from the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements project (ENCODE) and the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were used for functional annotation. Results: Analysis of data from European descendants found evidence for four independent association signals at 12p11, represented by rs7297051 (odds ratio (OR) = 1.09, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.06-1.12; P = 3 x 10(-9)), rs805510 (OR = 1.08, 95 % CI = 1.04-1.12, P = 2 x 10(-5)), and rs1871152 (OR = 1.04, 95 % CI = 1.02-1.06; P = 2 x 10(-4)) identified in the general populations, and rs113824616 (P = 7 x 10(-5)) identified in the meta-analysis of BCAC ER-negative cases and BRCA1 mutation carriers. SNPs rs7297051, rs805510 and rs113824616 were also associated with breast cancer risk at P < 0.05 in East Asians, but none of the associations were statistically significant in African descendants. Multiple candidate functional variants are located in putative enhancer sequences. Chromatin interaction data suggested that PTHLH was the likely target gene of these enhancers. Of the six variants with the strongest evidence of potential functionality, rs11049453 was statistically significantly associated with the expression of PTHLH and its nearby gene CCDC91 at P < 0.05. Conclusion: This study identified four independent association signals at 12p11 and revealed potentially functional variants, providing additional insights into the underlying biological mechanism(s) for the association observed between variants at 12p11 and breast cancer risk.
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6. |
- Couch, Fergus J., et al.
(author)
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Identification of four novel susceptibility loci for oestrogen receptor negative breast cancer
- 2016
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In: Nature Communications. - : NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. - 2041-1723. ; 7:11375, s. 1-13
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Common variants in 94 loci have been associated with breast cancer including 15 loci with genome-wide significant associations (P<5 x 10(-8)) with oestrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer and BRCA1-associated breast cancer risk. In this study, to identify new ER-negative susceptibility loci, we performed a meta-analysis of 11 genome-wide association studies (GWAS) consisting of 4,939 ER-negative cases and 14,352 controls, combined with 7,333 ER-negative cases and 42,468 controls and 15,252 BRCA1 mutation carriers genotyped on the iCOGS array. We identify four previously unidentified loci including two loci at 13q22 near KLF5, a 2p23.2 locus near WDR43 and a 2q33 locus near PPIL3 that display genome-wide significant associations with ER-negative breast cancer. In addition, 19 known breast cancer risk loci have genome-wide significant associations and 40 had moderate associations (P<0.05) with ER-negative disease. Using functional and eQTL studies we implicate TRMT61B and WDR43 at 2p23.2 and PPIL3 at 2q33 in ER-negative breast cancer aetiology. All ER-negative loci combined account for similar to 11% of familial relative risk for ER-negative disease and may contribute to improved ER-negative and BRCA1 breast cancer risk prediction.
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7. |
- Hellström, Ann, 1959, et al.
(author)
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Insulin-like growth factor 1 has multisystem effects on foetal and preterm infant development.
- 2016
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In: Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992). - : Wiley. - 1651-2227 .- 0803-5253. ; 105:6, s. 576-86
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Poor postnatal growth after preterm birth does not match the normal rapid growth in utero and is associated with preterm morbidities. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) axis is the major hormonal mediator of growth in utero, and levels of IGF-1 are often very low after preterm birth. We reviewed the role of IGF-1 in foetal development and the corresponding preterm perinatal period to highlight the potential clinical importance of IGF-1 deficiency in preterm morbidities.
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8. |
- Ollila, Hanna M., et al.
(author)
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Narcolepsy risk loci outline role of T cell autoimmunity and infectious triggers in narcolepsy
- 2023
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In: Nature Communications. - : Springer Nature. - 2041-1723. ; 14
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is caused by a loss of hypocretin/orexin transmission. Risk factors include pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza A infection and immunization with Pandemrix (R). Here, we dissect disease mechanisms and interactions with environmental triggers in a multi-ethnic sample of 6,073 cases and 84,856 controls. We fine-mapped GWAS signals within HLA (DQ0602, DQB1*03:01 and DPB1*04:02) and discovered seven novel associations (CD207, NAB1, IKZF4-ERBB3, CTSC, DENND1B, SIRPG, PRF1). Significant signals at TRA and DQB1*06:02 loci were found in 245 vaccination-related cases, who also shared polygenic risk. T cell receptor associations in NT1 modulated TRAJ*24, TRAJ*28 and TRBV*4-2 chain-usage. Partitioned heritability and immune cell enrichment analyses found genetic signals to be driven by dendritic and helper T cells. Lastly comorbidity analysis using data from FinnGen, suggests shared effects between NT1 and other autoimmune diseases. NT1 genetic variants shape autoimmunity and response to environmental triggers, including influenza A infection and immunization with Pandemrix (R).
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10. |
- Aguilar, Ximena, et al.
(author)
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Myofibroblasts in the normal conjunctival surface.
- 2010
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In: Acta ophthalmologica. - : Wiley. - 1755-3768 .- 1755-375X. ; 88:4, s. 407-12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE: To investigate the occurrence of myofibroblasts (MFBs) in the normal conjunctival surface and to evaluate any anatomical and time-related variations. METHODS: MFBs were screened among healthy individuals (35 eyes) by collecting impression cytology (IC) samples from the bulbar conjunctiva. A cohort of volunteers (12 eyes) was followed for 1 year by taking two to five imprints every month. MFBs were identified by immunohistochemical localization of the MFB marker alpha-smooth-muscle actin (alpha-SMA). RESULTS: Using a filter imprint technique, MFBs were found consistently in 94% of samples from the conjunctival surface of participating individuals. The overall MFB levels, expressed as percentage of all cells on the filter, were highest in March-May [mean 4.1%, standard deviation (SD) +/- 1.5] and lowest in December-February (mean 1.2%, SD +/- 0.5). The difference was statistically significant [p < 0.0005, Friedman test, one-way repeated measures analysis of variance (anova)]. Moreover, there was a clear divergence of MFB density between the nasal, temporal, superior and inferior bulbar conjunctiva (mean 1.7%, 1.9%, 22% and 9.7%, respectively). CONCLUSION: MFBs, known as a cellular constituent of granulation tissue in wound healing, occur in the normal conjunctival surface, which is a novel finding. Our results also show that MFB level follows a seasonal variation pattern in a temperate climate, increasing in April-September and decreasing in October-March. This variation might reflect a degree of a transient or ongoing state of tissue repair after conjunctival trauma or stress caused by exposure to environmental factors.
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12. |
- Balgoma, David, et al.
(author)
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Anabolic androgenic steroids exert a selective remodeling of the plasma lipidome that mirrors the decrease of the de novo lipogenesis in the liver
- 2020
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In: Metabolomics. - : SPRINGER. - 1573-3882 .- 1573-3890. ; 16:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: The abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) is a source of public concern because of their adverse effects. Supratherapeutic doses of AASs are known to be hepatotoxic and regulate the lipoproteins in plasma by modifying the metabolism of lipids in the liver, which is associated with metabolic diseases. However, the effect of AASs on the profile of lipids in plasma is unknown.Objectives: To describe the changes in the plasma lipidome exerted by AASs and to discuss these changes in the light of previous research about AASs and de novo lipogenesis in the liver.Methods: We treated male Wistar rats with supratherapeutic doses of nandrolone decanoate and testosterone undecanoate. Subsequently, we isolated the blood plasma and performed lipidomics analysis by liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry.Results: Lipid profiling revealed a decrease of sphingolipids and glycerolipids with palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, and oleic acids. In addition, lipid profiling revealed an increase in free fatty acids and glycerophospholipids with odd-numbered chain fatty acids and/or arachidonic acid.Conclusion: The lipid profile presented herein reports the imprint of AASs on the plasma lipidome, which mirrors the downregulation of de novo lipogenesis in the liver. In a broader perspective, this profile will help to understand the influence of androgens on the lipid metabolism in future studies of diseases with dysregulated lipogenesis (e.g. type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and hepatocellular carcinoma).
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13. |
- Bremer, Patrick, et al.
(author)
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Informal and formal care : Substitutes or complements in care for people with dementia? Empirical evidence for 8 European countries
- 2017
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In: Health Policy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0168-8510. ; 121:6, s. 613-622
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: In order to contain public health care spending, European countries attempt to promote informal caregiving. However, such a cost reducing strategy will only be successful if informal caregiving is a substitute for formal health care services. We therefore analyze the effect of informal caregiving for people with dementia on the use of several formal health care services. Study design: The empirical analysis is based on primary data generated by the EU-project ´RightTimePlaceCare` which is conducted in 8 European countries. 1223 people with dementia receiving informal care at home were included in the study.
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14. |
- Choularton, T. W., et al.
(author)
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The Great Dun Fell Cloud Experiment 1993 : An overview
- 1997
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In: Atmospheric Environment. - 1352-2310. ; 31:16, s. 2393-2405
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The 1993 Ground-based Cloud Experiment on Great Dun Fell used a wide range of measurements of trace gases, aerosol particles and cloud droplets at five sites to study their sources and sinks especially those in cloud. These measurements have been interpreted using a variety of models. The conclusions add to our knowledge of air pollution, acidification of the atmosphere and the ground, eutrophication and climate change. The experiment is designed to use the hill cap cloud as a flow-through reactor, and was conducted in varying levels of pollution typical of much of the rural temperate continental northern hemisphere in spring-time.
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15. |
- Chung, Jou Ku, et al.
(author)
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Development and verification of a pharmacokinetic model to optimize physiologic replacement of rhIGF-1/rhIGFBP-3 in preterm infants
- 2017
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In: Pediatric Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0031-3998 .- 1530-0447. ; 81:3, s. 504-510
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background:rhIGF-1/rhIGFBP-3 is being investigated for prevention of retinopathy of prematurity in extremely preterm infants.Methods:A population pharmacokinetic model was developed using data from phase I/II (Sections A-C) trials of rhIGF-1/rhIGFBP-3 and additional studies in preterm infants to predict optimal dosing to establish/maintain serum IGF-1 within physiological intrauterine levels. In Section D of the phase II study, infants (gestational age (GA) (wk+d) 23+0 to 27+6) were randomized to rhIGF-1/rhIGFBP-3, administered at the model-predicted dose of 250 μg/kg/d continuous i.v. infusion up to postmenstrual age (PMA) 29 wk+6 d or standard of care. An interim pharmacokinetic analysis was performed for the first 10 treated infants to verify dosing.Results:Serum IGF-1 data were reviewed for 10 treated/9 control infants. Duration of therapy in treated infants ranged 1-34.5 d. At baseline (before infusion and <24 h from birth), mean (SD) IGF-1 was 19.2 (8.0) μg/l (treated) and 15.4 (4.7) μg/l (controls). Mean (SD) IGF-1 increased to 45.9 (19.6) μg/l at 12 h in treated infants, and remained within target levels for all subsequent timepoints. For treated infants, 88.8% of the IGF-1 measurements were within target levels (controls, 11.1%).Conclusion:Through the reported work, we determined appropriate rhIGF-1/rhIGFBP-3 dosing to achieve physiological intrauterine serum IGF-1 levels in extremely preterm infants.
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17. |
- Costa, Nadège, et al.
(author)
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Costs of Care of Agitation Associated With Dementia in 8 European Countries : Results From the RightTimePlaceCare Study
- 2018
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In: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. - : Elsevier BV. - 1525-8610 .- 1538-9375. ; 19:1, s. 1-95
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective To estimate the additional societal costs for people living with dementia (PwD) with agitation in home care (HC) and institutional long-term care (ILTC) settings in 8 European countries. Design Cross-sectional data from the RightTimePlaceCare cohort. Setting HC and ILTC settings from 8 European countries (Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and England). Participants A total of 1997 PwD (1217 in HC group and 780 lived in an ILTC) and their caregivers. Main Outcome Measures Medical care, community care, and informal care were recorded using the Resource Utilization in Dementia (RUD) questionnaire. Agitation was assessed based on the agitation symptoms cluster defined by the presence of agitation and/or irritability and/or disinhibition and/or aberrant motor behavior items of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q). Results Total monthly mean cost differences due to agitation were 445€ in the HC setting and 561€ in the ILTC setting (P =.01 and.02, respectively). Informal care costs were the main driver in the HC group (73% of total costs) and institutional care costs were the main driver in the ILTC group (53% of total costs). After adjustments, the log link generalized linear mixed model showed an association between agitation symptoms and an increase of informal care costs by 17% per month in HC setting (P <.05). Conclusion This study found that agitation symptoms have a substantial impact on informal care costs in the community care setting. Future research is needed to evaluate which strategies may be efficient by improving the cost-effectiveness ratio and reducing the burden associated with informal care in the management of agitation in PwD.
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18. |
- Fager, Christian, 1974, et al.
(author)
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Design of linear and efficient power amplifiers by generalization of the Doherty theory
- 2017
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In: Proceedings of the 2017 IEEE Topical Conference on Power Amplifiers for Wireless and Radio Applications. - 9781509034574 ; , s. 29-32
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Doherty power amplifier (PA) is now established as one the most widely adopted architectures for enhancement of energy efficiency in wireless communication transmitters. More than 80 years after its invention, most of today's implementations still rely on the original circuit topology. This paper describes a new Doherty solution continuum that is revealed when the original λ/4 combiner is replaced by a generic, analytically derived, lossless combiner network. As a result, novel Doherty PA solutions that in practice are both more efficient and more linear are enabled. A variety of practical design examples are included to illustrate how the presented techniques can enable enhanced performance in both traditional and emerging mm-wave 5G wireless communication transmitter applications.
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20. |
- Giebel, Clarissa M, et al.
(author)
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Depressive symptomatology in severe dementia in a European sample: prevalence, associated factors and prescription rate of antidepressants.
- 2015
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In: International Psychogeriatrics. - 1741-203X. ; 27:4, s. 657-667
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- ABSTRACT Background: Depression is a common comorbid disorder of dementia. This study explores the prevalence of and factors associated with depressive symptomatology, and antidepressant prescription rates in severe dementia across eight European countries. Methods: In total, 414 people with severe dementia completed measures of cognition and quality of life (QoL), whilst carers completed proxy measures of activities of daily living (ADLs), depression, neuropsychiatric symptoms, QoL and comorbidity. Results: Findings indicated that 30% of the sample had depression, whilst the highest and lowest prevalence of depression was reported in Germany and Finland, respectively. Lower QoL, the presence of pain and more frequent neuropsychiatric symptoms were associated with depressive symptomatology, whilst no significant relationship between impairment of ADLs, comorbidity, and depression emerged. Spain and Estonia had the highest and lowest rates of antidepressant prescribing, respectively, whilst Germany had the highest discrepancy between depressive symptomatology and prescription. Conclusions: The study highlights variations across countries in the prevalence of depressive symptomatology in severe dementia and prescription of antidepressants. Information about factors associated with depressive symptomatology may help to better identify and manage depression.
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21. |
- Hallberg, David, 1978-
(author)
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A way forward : language policies in enhancing bi-regional cooperation in science and technology
- 2010
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In: The CAAST-Net Bulletin. - South Africa : Research Africa. - 2073-610X. ; December, s. 8-9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This article illustrates potential ways to take account of the use of languages in international conferences and in transnational cooperation, and may be fruitful for readers delving into efforts to promote global cooperation. It communicates research notes and documents from CAAST-Net’s stakeholders’ conference, entitled “Africa-Europe Cooperation in Science and Technology: Status and Way Forward”, on the 10th to 11th November 2009. The conference was held in Mombasa, Kenya.
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22. |
- Hallberg, David, 1978-, et al.
(author)
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Case studies of Kenyan digital villages with a focus on women and girls
- 2011
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In: Journal of Language, Technology & Entrepreneurship in Africa. - : African Journals Online (AJOL). - 1998-1279 .- 2309-5814. ; 3:1, s. 255-273
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The present article refers to a case study on the Kenyan Government’s Digital Villages Project (DVP). The Kenyan Government, together with external stakeholders and private contractors, is increasing their ICT investments to provide the entire population with information and communication regardless of demographic factors. In the Kenyan context, digital villages are what normally other countries refer to as telecentres, i.e. a centre that provides services with regard to Internet and telecommunication. In this case, the digital villages also offer education, learning, and e-Government. The present study wants to learn whether DVP is accessible, and appropriate to women and girls in resource-poor environments and, thus, successful. The following questions guided the study: 1. Who are the users of Pasha Centres? 2. How and for what purposes are Pasha Centres used? 3. In what way do Pasha Centres consider local needs (e.g. education, literacy, job, and diversity)? 4. What do users and managers do to encourage female users? The study is built upon observations and interviews. The results show that male users generally believe that women have a lack of knowledge and understanding of ICT. The results also show that what is said by the government is not fully implemented at the local levels. The authors believe, despite this, that DVP has the potential to serve the population in vulnerable areas and that the government should continue focusing on similar projects.
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23. |
- Hallberg, David
(author)
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Community gardens as multipurpose, technological systems
- 2018
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In: Journal of Sociology and Social Anthropology. - : Kamala-Raj Enterprises. - 0976-6634 .- 2456-6764. ; 9:2, s. 38-48
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper introduces the notion of community gardens as multipurpose, technological systems with dynamic boundaries. It also strives to revise the notion of food security and health in regards to such systems. This is a cross-cultural project where twelve community gardens located in urban regions within three different countries were examined. This paper explores common tendencies rather than diversities or differences. The paper describes a behavioural chain that depends on various factors and affects various types of health. It is suggested that a community garden has the potential to serve as a link between the past and the present. While a community garden may provide food, it is suggested that it may also encourage social interactions, knowledge sharing, and relaxation. The cultivation of food occurs, but it may not always be the sole purpose.
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24. |
- Hallberg, David, 1978-, et al.
(author)
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Constraints of ICT in lifelong learning on disadvantaged women
- 2014
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In: The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries. - Hongkong : Wiley. - 1681-4835. ; 61:8, s. 1-14
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper draws attention to the urgency of taking into consideration women’s genderspecific needs and interests in the implementation of community-based ICT projects in lifelong learning. We set out this research to understand the constraints of information and communications technology (ICT) in lifelong learning on disadvantaged women. National statistics and data from field studies were used. The constraints and their consequences at national level are often a result of national policies and regulations – or lack thereof – while the constraints and their consequences at local/regional level involve everyday-life occurrences that are present in women's immediate surroundings. Hence, an understanding of both levels is critical. This research is valuable for stakeholders delving into issues of development intervention using ICTs, not only in Kenya but in a broader, global perspective.
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25. |
- Hallberg, David, 1978-, et al.
(author)
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Empowering rural women in Kenya with literacy skills using web 2.0 : experiences of language & communication barriers in learning
- 2010
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In: ICIA 2010 Proceedings. ; , s. 100-110
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Abstract. The purpose of this paper is to illuminate ways in which language and communication relatedbarriers may be experienced in learning. Because of increased ICT usage, Project Africa’s Women’sAcademy, that is in focus of the research, felt that some issues regarding language and communicationappeared in another way than before without using ICT. The research was conducted in Lunga-Lunga,Kenya, November 2009 and through Internet communication (e.g. logs, letters stored in a socialnetworking site). The paper mainly draws on literature on ICT and Joseph Kaipayil’s ontology to collectindividual ‘experiences’. The results show that many barriers arise because of cultural diversities amongthe learners; e.g. difference ways of employing concepts and regard the objects in the world. In makingpolicies, therefore, account must be taken on a local and individual level as well as on a transnationaland collective level.
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