| 1. |
- Jägerbrand, Annika K, 1972-, et al.
(author)
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Plant community responses to 5 years of simulated climate change in meadow and heath ecosystems at a subarctic-alpine site
- 2009
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In: Oecologia. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0029-8549 .- 1432-1939. ; 161:3, s. 601-610
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Climate change was simulated by increasing temperature and nutrient availability in an alpine landscape. We conducted a field experiment of BACI-design (before/after control/impact) running for five seasons in two alpine communities (heath and meadow) with the factors temperature (increase of ca. 1.5-3.0°C) and nutrients (5 g N, 5 g P per m 2) in a fully factorial design in northern Swedish Lapland. The response variables were abundances of plant species and functional types. Plant community responses to the experimental perturbations were investigated, and the responses of plant functional types were examined in comparison to responses at the species level. Nutrient addition, exclusively and in combination with enhanced temperature increase, exerted the most pronounced responses at the species-specific and community levels. The main responses to nutrient addition were increases in graminoids and forbs, whereas deciduous shrubs, evergreen shrubs, bryophytes, and lichens decreased. The two plant communities of heath or meadow showed different vegetation responses to the environmental treatments despite the fact that both communities were located on the same subarctic-alpine site. Furthermore, we showed that the abundance of forbs increased in response to the combined treatment of temperature and nutrient addition in the meadow plant community. Within a single-plant functional type, most species responded similarly to the enhanced treatments although there were exceptions, particularly in the moss and lichen functional types. Plant community structure showed BACI responses in that vegetation dominance relationships in the existing plant functional types changed to varying degrees in all plots, including control plots. Betula nana and lichens increased in the temperature-increased enhancements and in control plots in the heath plant community during the treatment period. The increases in control plots were probably a response to the observed warming during the treatment period in the region. © Springer-Verlag 2009.
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| 2. |
- Björk, Tabita, et al.
(author)
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What happened to the ones who dropped out? Outcome in eating disorder patients who complete or prematurely terminate treatment
- 2009
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In: European eating disorders review. - New York : Wiley. - 1072-4133 .- 1099-0968. ; 17:2, s. 109-119
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: There is a lack of knowledge about the outcome of eating disorder patients who terminate treatment prematurely. The present study followed-up eating disorder patients who had previously dropped out of treatment and examined clinical status 36 months after intake. METHOD: Dropouts (n = 30) were compared with treatment completers (n = 52) on diagnostic status, clinical symptoms, psychosocial adjustment and treatment satisfaction at follow-up. Patterns of change from intake to follow-up within groups, as well as between groups, were explored. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between groups at follow-up, except for more treatment dissatisfaction reported among dropouts. When patterns of change were examined between groups, patients who completed treatment were found to have made significantly greater changes (less eating disorder symptoms, less psychological problems and more positive self-image) compared to dropouts. DISCUSSION: Although no significant differences in outcome were found between dropouts and completers, greater clinical improvement was found among those who completed treatment. The dropouts examined in this study did well despite premature termination of treatment. Clinical and research implications are discussed.
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| 3. |
- Fläckman, Birgitta, et al.
(author)
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Struggling to adapt : caring for older persons while under threat of organizational change and termination notice
- 2009
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In: Nursing Inquiry. - : Wiley. - 1320-7881 .- 1440-1800. ; 16:1, s. 82-91
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- FLACKMAN B, HANSEBO G and KIHLGREN A. Nursing Inquiry 2009; 16: 82-91 Struggling to adapt: caring for older persons while under threat of organizational change and termination notice Organizational changes are common in elder care today. Such changes affect caregivers, who are essential to providing good quality care. The aim of the present study was to illuminate caregivers' experiences of working in elder care while under threat of organizational change and termination notice. Qualitative content analysis was used to examine interview data from 11 caregivers. Interviews were conducted at three occasions during a two-year period. The findings show a transition in their experiences from 'having a professional identity and self-confidence', to 'being a professional in a threatening situation caused by someone else' and to 'struggling to adapt to a changed working environment as a person and a professional'. The caregivers experienced a loss of pride and satisfaction. Previous literature indicates that this may have consequences for the quality of care and that employees may be at risk of negative health effects. However, the caregivers continued to struggle, doing their best to complete their duties. The study has implications for high-level decision-makers, managers and caregivers in similar work-life situations in that it deals with factors that facilitate or impede similar transitions.
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| 4. |
- Sundberg, Kay, et al.
(author)
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Positive and negative consequences of childhood cancer influencing the lives of young adults
- 2009
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In: European Journal of Oncology Nursing. - : Elsevier BV. - 1462-3889 .- 1532-2122. ; 13:3, s. 164-170
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of the study was to describe how young adults who have survived childhood cancer consider their present life to be influenced by the cancer experience. A cohort of 246 long-term survivors were approached a median of 16 years after diagnosis. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted based on the Swedish version of the Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life-Direct Weighting (SEIQoL-DW). Interviews were analysed using content analyses. When asked if cancer negatively or positively currently affected their lives, 68% reported at least one negative consequence and 53% at least one positive consequence. The most frequently reported negative consequences include a variety of physical impairments and limitations in participating in activities; positive consequences describe a more positive view of life and of self. Women more often than men reported negative psychological impact, a changed body appearance and positive interaction with others. CNS tumours and combined treatment were somewhat associated to a higher extent of negative consequences. Overall, the results indicate that long-term survivors of childhood cancer are getting along quite well despite shortcomings.
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| 5. |
- Dabhilkar, Mandar, et al.
(author)
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Supplier selection or collaboration? : Determining factors of performance improvement when outsourcing manufacturing
- 2009
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In: Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management. - : Elsevier BV. - 1478-4092 .- 1873-6505. ; 15:3, s. 143-153
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- An empirical study was designed to determine factors of performance improvement when outsourcing manufacturing. Findings from a survey of 136 manufacturing plants in Sweden show that most of them achieve their outsourcing motives, but not without trade-offs. Factors of performance improvements such as economies of scale or operations in low-cost countries can improve one performance dimension, such as product cost, yet negatively impact volume flexibility, speed or product innovation. The results show part characteristics and supplier operating capabilities are more important than supplier relationship strategies when outsourcing manufacturing, meaning that supplier selection trumps supplier collaboration in the make-or-buy decision.
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| 6. |
- Colding, Johan, et al.
(author)
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Golf Courses and Wetland Fauna.
- 2009
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In: Ecological Applications. - : Wiley. - 1051-0761 .- 1939-5582. ; 19:6, s. 1481-1491
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Golf courses are often considered to be chemical-intensive ecosystems with negative impacts on fauna. Here we provide evidence that golf courses can contribute to the support and conservation of wetland fauna, i.e., amphibians and macroinvertebrates. Comparisons of amphibian occurrence, diversity of macroinvetebrates, and occurrence of species of conservation concern were made between permanent freshwater ponds surveyed on golf courses around Sweden’s capital city, Stockholm, and off-course ponds in natureprotected areas and residential parklands. A total of 71 macroinvertebrate species were recorded in the field study, with no significant difference between golf course ponds and offcourse ponds at the species, genus, or family levels. A within-group similarities test showed that golf course ponds have a more homogenous species composition than ponds in natureprotected areas and ponds in residential parkland. Within the macroinvertebrate group, a total of 11 species of odonates were identified, with no difference detected between the categories of ponds, nor any spatial autocorrelation. Significant differences were found between pond categories in the occurrence of five species of amphibians, although anuran occurrence did not differ between ponds. The great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) was significantly associated with golf course ponds, but the smooth newt (Triturus vulgaris) was not. We found no evidence of any correlation between pond size and occurrence of amphibians. Among the taxa of conservation concern included in the sample, all amphibians are nationally protected in Sweden, with the internationally threatened T. cristatus more frequently found in golf course ponds. Among macroinveterbrates of conservation status, the large white-faced darter dragonfly (Leucorrhinia pectoralis) was only detected in golf course ponds, and Tricholeiochiton fagesi (Trichoptera) was only found in one off-course pond. GIS results revealed that golf courses provide over a quarter of all available permanent, freshwater ponds in central greater Stockholm. We assert that golf courses have the potential to contribute to wetland fauna support, particularly in urban settings where they may significantly contribute to wetland creation. We propose a greater involvement of ecologists in the design of golf courses to further bolster this potential.
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| 7. |
- Hedenstierna, Philip, et al.
(author)
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Design of a Framework for Inventory Control - Evaluation of Forecasting and Inventory Control Systems
- 2009
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In: Flexible Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing 2009 (FAIM 2009). - Middlesbrough, UK : Curran Associates, Inc.. - 9780956230331 - 9781615676279 ; , s. 573-580
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Managing inventories so that overall costs are kept low, while service levels are maintained is the central issue of inventory control, which only regulates two things: the size and the timing of orders. This is typically executed through a planning method, such as the reorder point system or, less frequently, the periodic order quantity system. These take into account a forecast, supposed to gauge the average future demand, and a predetermined safety stock, buffering against forecast errors and demand uncertainty. Pure demand also influences the system, as transactions affect the inventory level. It is crucial to understand how a complete system of demand, forecasts, safety stock calculations and planning methods work together to measure service level and overall cost of the system. This paper outlines a framework for the unambiguous representation of the relations between methods that interpret environmental parameters to plan orders. A number of simulations based on the framework are run to show, how the integration of the inventory control functions may affect the overall performance of the system. The usefullness of the framework lies in its ability to make a system duplicable (i.e. to transfer an inventory control system to a simulation model, or vice versa). Not only is this property important for creating simulation models that exactly depict the system being analysed, it also enables the study of a complete system for order planning, as opposed to optimising individual methods. Studying an inclusive system allow the same metrics to be used to evaluate changes to any method in the system. Another benefit of this approach is that the system's metrics directly reflect changes in the environment. Simulations based on this framework are precise and substantially easier to evaluate than models not adhering to any standard.
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| 8. |
- Hilletofth, Per, et al.
(author)
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Agent Based Decision Support in Manufacturing Supply Chain
- 2009
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In: Agent and Multi-Agent Systems: Technologies and Applications. - Berlin, Heidelberg : Springer Berlin/Heidelberg. - 3642016642 - 9783642016646 - 9783642016653 ; , s. 677-686
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Supply Chain Management (SCM) is becoming increasingly complex and an intensified competition in the end-markets has started to create a situation where co-operation requirements between companies in a Supply Chain (SC) are increasing. The old mechanistic operations management solutions are becoming obsolete and advanced decision support is increasingly needed to realize efficient and effective management of complex SCs. The objective of this research is to contribute to the understanding of how Agent Based Modeling (ABM) can advance decision making and to discuss why ABM should be regarded as method to realize Information Fusion (IF). In this research work an agent based model of SCM has been implemented in a simulation platform to provide an approach for evaluation of decision and management alternatives. Research shows that this kind of decision support system is based on IF, since it collects and fuses information from different sources into a situation image that provides effective support for human decision making
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| 9. |
- Lampic, Claudia, 1964-, et al.
(author)
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Attitudes towards gamete donation among IVF-doctors in the Nordic countries - are they in line with national legislation?
- 2009
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In: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1058-0468 .- 1573-7330. ; 26:5, s. 231-238
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE: To compare attitudes towards gamete donation between IVF doctors in the Nordic countries, and to determine whether attitudes are in correspondence with national legislation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study-specific questionnaire was used to study attitudes of 108 IVF doctors (92% response). Participants constituted 78% of all IVF doctors in Sweden, Denmark and Norway and 15% of IVF doctors in Finland. RESULTS: Despite similar legislation regarding offspring right to learn his/her donor's identity, IVF doctors from Norway reported significantly more negative attitudes towards disclosure than did Swedish physicians. A majority from all countries demonstrated positive attitudes towards embryo donation and allowing sperm donation for lesbian couples. Physicians reported strong support for anonymous donation but less support for 'known' donation. CONCLUSION: There are discrepancies between IVF doctors' attitudes towards gamete donation and national legislation in four Nordic countries. Negative attitudes towards disclosure to offspring may counteract legislative intentions.
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| 10. |
- Lidskog, Marie, et al.
(author)
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Learning through participating on an interprofessional training ward
- 2009
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In: Journal of Interprofessional Care. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1356-1820 .- 1469-9567. ; 23:5, s. 486-497
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Learning in clinical education can be understood as a process of becoming a legitimate participant in the relevant context. Interprofessional training wards (IPTWs) are designed to give students from educational programmes in health and social care a realistic experience of collaboration for the purpose of developing teamwork skills. IPTWs have been found to be appreciated by the students and to influence students' understanding of each other's professions. The aim of this study was to describe and analyse the students' learning on an interprofessional training ward in care for older persons through focusing on the students' ways of participating in the communities of practice on the ward. A case study design was chosen. Multiple data sources were used. The findings show that the students engaged as active participants in the care. At the same time there was sometimes a discrepancy between on the one hand expectations and goals, on the other hand actual participation. There were difficulties in making the training relevant for all the student groups involved. The findings indicate that in the planning of interprofessional education the choice of setting and learning situations is crucial with regard to the learning that will occur.
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