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  • 1.
    Andres, Britta
    et al.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Engström, Ann-Christine
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Blomquist, Nicklas
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Forsberg, Sven
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Dahlström, Christina
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Chemical Engineering.
    Olin, Håkan
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Electrode Mass Balancing as an Inexpensive and Simple Method to Increase the Capacitance of Electric Double-Layer Capacitors2016In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 11, no 9, p. 1-12, article id e0163146Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Symmetric electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) have equal masses of the same active material in both electrodes. However, having equal electrode masses may prevent the EDLC to have the largest possible specific capacitance if the sizes of the hydrated anions and cations in the electrolyte differ because the electrodes and the electrolyte may not be completely utilized. Here we demonstrate how this issue can be resolved by mass balancing. If the electrode masses are adjusted according to the size of the ions, one can easily increase an EDLC's specific capacitance. To that end, we performed galvanostatic cycling to measure the capacitances of symmetric EDLCs with different electrode mass ratios using four aqueous electrolytes-Na2SO4, H2SO4, NaOH, and KOH (all with a concentration of 1 M)-and compared these to the theoretical optimal electrode mass ratio that we calculated using the sizes of the hydrated ions. Both the theoretical and experimental values revealed lower-than-1 optimal electrode ratios for all electrolytes except KOH. The largest increase in capacitance was obtained for EDLCs with NaOH as electrolyte. Specifically, we demonstrate an increase of the specific capacitance by 8.6% by adjusting the electrode mass ratio from 1 to 0.86. Our findings demonstrate that electrode mass balancing is a simple and inexpensive method to increase the capacitance of EDLCs. Furthermore, our results imply that one can reduce the amount of unused material in EDLCs and thus decrease their weight, volume and cost.

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  • 2. Bali, A. O.
    et al.
    Halbusi, H. A.
    Ahmad, A. R.
    Lee, Ka Yiu
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences (HOV).
    Public engagement in government officials' posts on social media during coronavirus lockdown2023In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 18, no 1, article id e0280889Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    BACKGROUND: Social media has been a common platform to disseminate health information by government officials during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little is known about the determinants of public engagement in officials' posts on social media, especially during lockdown. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate how the public engages in officials' posts about COVID-19 on social media and to identify factors influencing the levels of engagement. METHODS: A total of 511 adults aged 18 or over completed an online questionnaire during lockdown in Iraq. Levels of engagement in officials' posts on social media, trust in officials and compliance of government instructions were assessed. RESULTS: Fear of COVID-19 and trust in officials were positively associated with compliance of government instructions. Trust in officials was also associated with active engagement in officials' posts on social media, including commenting, posting and sharing of the posts. CONCLUSIONS: Trust in government has been established during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public engagement in officials' posts is crucial to reinforce health policies and disseminate health information. 

  • 3.
    Beaven, C. Martyn
    et al.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    Ekstrom, Johan
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Psychology.
    A Comparison of Blue Light and Caffeine Effects on Cognitive Function and Alertness in Humans2013In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 8, no 10, p. e76707-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The alerting effects of both caffeine and short wavelength (blue) light have been consistently reported. The ability of blue light to enhance alertness and cognitive function via non-image forming neuropathways have been suggested as a non-pharmacological countermeasure for drowsiness across a range of occupational settings. Here we compare and contrast the alerting and psychomotor effects of 240 mg of caffeine and a 1-h dose of similar to 40 lx blue light in a non-athletic population. Twenty-one healthy subjects performed a computer-based psychomotor vigilance test before and after each of four randomly assigned trial conditions performed on different days: white light/placebo; white light/240 mg caffeine; blue light/placebo; blue light/240 mg caffeine. The Karolinska Sleepiness Scale was used to assess subjective measures of alertness. Both the caffeine only and blue light only conditions enhanced accuracy in a visual reaction test requiring a decision and an additive effect was observed with respect to the fastest reaction times. However, in a test of executive function, where a distraction was included, caffeine exerted a negative effect on accuracy. Furthermore, the blue light only condition consistently outperformed caffeine when both congruent and incongruent distractions were presented. The visual reactions in the absence of a decision or distraction were also enhanced in the blue light only condition and this effect was most prominent in the blue-eyed participants. Overall, blue light and caffeine demonstrated distinct effects on aspects of psychomotor function and have the potential to positively influence a range of settings where cognitive function and alertness are important. Specifically, despite the widespread use of caffeine in competitive sporting environments, the possible impact of blue light has received no research attention.

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  • 4.
    Beaven, Martyn
    et al.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    Willis, Sarah
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    Cook, Christian
    School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, United Kingdom.
    Holmberg, Hans-Christer
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    Physiological comparison of concentric and eccentric arm cycling in males and females2014In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 5, no 9, p. Art. no. e112079-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Lower body eccentric exercise is well known to elicit high levels of muscular force with relatively low cardiovascular and metabolic strain. As a result, eccentric exercise has been successfully utilised as an adaptive stressor to improve lower body muscle function in populations ranging from the frail and debilitated, to highly-trained individuals. Here we investigate the metabolic, cardiorespiratory, and energy costs of upper body eccentric exercise in a healthy population. Seven men and seven women performed 4-min efforts of eccentric (ECC) or concentric (CON) arm cycling on a novel arm ergometer at workloads corresponding to 40, 60, and 80% of their peak workload as assessed in an incremental concentric trial. The heart rate, ventilation, cardiac output, respiratory exchange ratio, and blood lactate concentrations were all clearly greater in CON condition at all of the relative workloads (all p<0.003). Effect size calculations demonstrated that the magnitude of the differences in VO2 and work economy between the ECC and CON exercise ranged from very large to extremely large; however, in no case did mechanical efficiency (ηMECH) differ between the conditions (all p>0.05). In contrast, delta efficiency (ηΔ), as previously defined by Coyle and colleagues in 1992, demonstrated a sex difference (men>women; p<0.05). Sex differences were also apparent in arteriovenous oxygen difference and heart rate during CON. Here, we reinforce the high-force, low cost attributes of eccentric exercise which can be generalised to the muscles of the upper body. Upper body eccentric exercise is likely to form a useful adjunct in debilitative, rehabilitative, and adaptive clinical exercise programs; however, reports of a shift towards an oxidative phenotype should be taken into consideration by power athletes. We suggest delta efficiency as a sensitive measure of efficiency that allowed the identification of sex differences.

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  • 5.
    Bhatara, Anjali
    et al.
    CNRS, UMR 8242, Lab Psychol Percept, Paris, France.
    Laukka, Petri
    Stockholm Univ, Dept Psychol, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
    Boll-Avetisyan, Natalie
    Univ Potsdam, Dept Linguist, Potsdam, Germany.
    Granjon, Lionel
    CNRS, UMR 8242, Lab Psychol Percept, Paris, France.
    Elfenbein, Hillary Anger
    Washington Univ, John M Olin Sch Business, St Louis, MO 63130 USA.
    Bänziger, Tanja
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Psychology.
    Second Language Ability and Emotional Prosody Perception2016In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 11, no 6, article id e0156855Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The present study examines the effect of language experience on vocal emotion perception in a second language. Native speakers of French with varying levels of self-reported English ability were asked to identify emotions from vocal expressions produced by American actors in a forced-choice task, and to rate their pleasantness, power, alertness and intensity on continuous scales. Stimuli included emotionally expressive English speech (emotional prosody) and non-linguistic vocalizations (affect bursts), and a baseline condition with Swiss-French pseudo-speech. Results revealed effects of English ability on the recognition of emotions in English speech but not in non-linguistic vocalizations. Specifically, higher English ability was associated with less accurate identification of positive emotions, but not with the interpretation of negative emotions. Moreover, higher English ability was associated with lower ratings of pleasantness and power, again only for emotional prosody. This suggests that second language skills may sometimes interfere with emotion recognition from speech prosody, particularly for positive emotions.

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  • 6. Birko, S.
    et al.
    Dove, E. S.
    Azdemir, V.
    Dalal, Koustuv
    Evaluation of nine consensus indices in delphi foresight research and their dependency on delphi survey characteristics: A simulation study and debate on delphi design and interpretation2015In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 10, no 8Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The extent of consensus (or the lack thereof) among experts in emerging fields of innovation can serve as antecedents of scientific, societal, investor and stakeholder synergy or conflict. Naturally, how we measure consensus is of great importance to science and technology strategic foresight. The Delphi methodology is a widely used anonymous survey technique to evaluate consensus among a panel of experts. Surprisingly, there is little guidance on how indices of consensus can be influenced by parameters of the Delphi survey itself. We simulated a classic three-round Delphi survey building on the concept of clustered consen-sus/dissensus. We evaluated three study characteristics that are pertinent for design of Delphi foresight research: (1) the number of survey questions, (2) the sample size, and (3) the extent to which experts conform to group opinion (the Group Conformity Index) in a Delphi study. Their impacts on the following nine Delphi consensus indices were then examined in 1000 simulations: Clustered Mode, Clustered Pairwise Agreement, Conger’s Kappa, De Moivre index, Extremities Version of the Clustered Pairwise Agreement, Fleiss’ Kappa, Mode, the Interquartile Range and Pairwise Agreement. The dependency of a consensus index on the Delphi survey characteristics was expressed from 0.000 (no dependency) to 1.000 (full dependency). The number of questions (range: 6 to 40) in a survey did not have a notable impact whereby the dependency values remained below 0.030. The variation in sample size (range: 6 to 50) displayed the top three impacts for the Interquartile Range, the Clustered Mode and the Mode (dependency = 0.396, 0.130, 0.116, respectively). The Group Conformity Index, a construct akin to measuring stubbornness/flexibility of experts’ opinions, greatly impacted all nine Delphi consensus indices (dependency = 0.200 to 0.504), except the Extremity CPWA and the Interquartile Range that were impacted only beyond the first decimal point (dependency = 0.087 and 0.083, respectively). Scholars in technology design, foresight research and future(s) studies might consider these new findings in strategic planning of Delphi studies, for example, in rational choice of consensus indices and sample size, or accounting for confounding factors such as experts’ variable degrees of conformity (stubbornness/flexibility) in modifying their opinions. © 2015 Birko 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.

  • 7. Biswas, A.
    et al.
    Rahman, F.
    Eriksson, C.
    Halim, A.
    Dalal, Koustuv
    Facility death review of maternal and neonatal deaths in Bangladesh2015In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 10, no 11Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objectives To explore the experiences, acceptance, and effects of conducting facility death review (FDR) of maternal and neonatal deaths and stillbirths at or below the district level in Bangladesh. Methods This was a qualitative study with healthcare providers involved in FDRs. Two districts were studied: Thakurgaon district (a pilot district) and Jamalpur district (randomly selected from three follow-on study districts). Data were collected between January and November 2011. Data were collected from focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and document review. Hospital administrators, obstetrics and gynecology consultants, and pediatric consultants and nurses employed in the same departments of the respective facilities participated in the study. Content and thematic analyses were performed. Results FDR for maternal and neonatal deaths and stillbirths can be performed in upazila health complexes at sub-district and district hospital levels. Senior staff nurses took responsibility for notifying each death and conducting death reviews with the support of doctors. Doctors reviewed the FDRs to assign causes of death. Review meetings with doctors, nurses, and health managers at the upazila and district levels supported the preparation of remedial action plans based on FDR findings, and interventions were planned accordingly. There were excellent examples of improved quality of care at facilities as a result of FDR. FDR also identified gaps and challenges to overcome in the near future to improve maternal and newborn health. Discussion FDR of maternal and neonatal deaths is feasible in district and upazila health facilities. FDR not only identifies the medical causes of a maternal or neonatal death but also explores remediable gaps and challenges in the facility. FDR creates an enabled environment in the facility to explore medical causes of deaths, including the gaps and challenges that influence mortality. FDRs mobilize health managers at upazila and district levels to forward plan and improve healthcare delivery. © 2015 Biswas 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.

  • 8.
    Blomquist, Nicklas
    et al.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Engström, Ann-Christine
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Hummelgård, Magnus
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Andres, Britta
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Forsberg, Sven
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Olin, Håkan
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Large-Scale Production of Nanographite by Tube-Shear Exfoliation in Water2016In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 11, no 4, article id e0154686Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The number of applications based on graphene, few-layer graphene, and nanographite is rapidly increasing. A large-scale process for production of these materials is critically needed to achieve cost-effective commercial products. Here, we present a novel process to mechanically exfoliate industrial quantities of nanographite from graphite in an aqueous environment with low energy consumption and at controlled shear conditions. This process, based on hydrodynamic tube shearing, produced nanometer-thick and micrometer-wide flakes of nanographite with a production rate exceeding 500 gh-1 with an energy consumption about 10 Whg-1. In addition, to facilitate large-area coating, we show that the nanographite can be mixed with nanofibrillated cellulose in the process to form highly conductive, robust and environmentally friendly composites. This composite has a sheet resistance below 1.75 Ω/sq and an electrical resistivity of 1.39×10-4 Ωm and may find use in several applications, from supercapacitors and batteries to printed electronics and solar cells. A batch of 100 liter was processed in less than 4 hours. The design of the process allow scaling to even larger volumes and the low energy consumption indicates a low-cost process.

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  • 9.
    Buxton, Jessica L.
    et al.
    Univ London Imperial Coll Sci Technol & Med, Dept Med, Sect Investigat Med, London, England.
    Das, Shikta
    Univ London Imperial Coll Sci Technol & Med, Sch Publ Hlth, Ctr Environm & Hlth, MRC,Publ Hlth England,Dept Epidemiol & Biostat, London, England.
    Rodriguez, Alina
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Psychology. Univ London Imperial Coll Sci Technol & Med, Sch Publ Hlth, Ctr Environm & Hlth, MRC,Publ Hlth England,Dept Epidemiol & Biostat, London, England.
    Kaakinen, Marika
    Univ London Imperial Coll Sci Technol & Med, Sch Publ Hlth, Ctr Environm & Hlth, MRC,Publ Hlth England,Dept Epidemiol & Biostat, London, England.
    Alves, Alexessander Couto
    Univ London Imperial Coll Sci Technol & Med, Sch Publ Hlth, Ctr Environm & Hlth, MRC,Publ Hlth England,Dept Epidemiol & Biostat, London, England.
    Sebert, Sylvain
    Univ Oulu, Inst Hlth Sci, Oulu, Finland.
    Millwood, Iona Y.
    Univ Oxford, Clin Trial Serv Unit, Oxford, England.
    Laitinen, Jaana
    Finnish Inst Occupat Hlth, Helsinki, Finland.
    O'Reilly, Paul F.
    Kings Coll London, Inst Psychiat, MRC, Social Genet & Dev Psychiat Ctr, London, England.
    Jarvelin, Marjo-Riitta
    Natl Inst Hlth & Welf, Dept Children & Young People & Families, Oulu, Finland.
    Blakemore, Alexandra I. F.
    Univ London Imperial Coll Sci Technol & Med, Dept Med, Sect Investigat Med, London, England.
    Multiple Measures of Adiposity Are Associated with Mean Leukocyte Telomere Length in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 19662014In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 9, no 6, p. Art. no. e99133-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Studies of leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and adiposity have produced conflicting results, and the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and telomere length throughout life remains unclear. We therefore tested association of adult LTL measured in 5,598 participants with: i) childhood growth measures (BMI and age at adiposity rebound (AR)); ii) change in BMI from childhood to adulthood and iii) adult BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body adiposity index (BAI). Childhood BMI at AR was positively associated with LTL at 31 years in women (P = 0.041). Adult BMI and WHR in both men (P = 0.025 and P = 0.049, respectively) and women (P = 0.029 and P = 0.008, respectively), and BAI in women (P = 0.021) were inversely associated with LTL at 31 years. An increase in standardised BMI between early childhood and adulthood was associated with shorter adult LTL in women (P = 0.008). We show that LTL is inversely associated with multiple measures of adiposity in both men and women. Additionally, BMI increase in women from childhood to adulthood is associated with shorter telomeres at age 31, potentially indicating accelerated biological ageing.

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  • 10.
    Bänziger, Tanja
    et al.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Psychology. Mid Sweden University.
    Hosoya, Georg
    Free Univ Berlin, Dept Educ Sci & Psychol, Berlin, Germany..
    Scherer, Klaus R.
    Univ Geneva, Swiss Ctr Affect Sci, Geneva, Switzerland..
    Path Models of Vocal Emotion Communication2015In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 10, no 9, article id e0136675Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    We propose to use a comprehensive path model of vocal emotion communication, encompassing encoding, transmission, and decoding processes, to empirically model data sets on emotion expression and recognition. The utility of the approach is demonstrated for two data sets from two different cultures and languages, based on corpora of vocal emotion enactment by professional actors and emotion inference by naive listeners. Lens model equations, hierarchical regression, and multivariate path analysis are used to compare the relative contributions of objectively measured acoustic cues in the enacted expressions and subjective voice cues as perceived by listeners to the variance in emotion inference from vocal expressions for four emotion families (fear, anger, happiness, and sadness). While the results confirm the central role of arousal in vocal emotion communication, the utility of applying an extended path modeling framework is demonstrated by the identification of unique combinations of distal cues and proximal percepts carrying information about specific emotion families, independent of arousal. The statistical models generated show that more sophisticated acoustic parameters need to be developed to explain the distal underpinnings of subjective voice quality percepts that account for much of the variance in emotion inference, in particular voice instability and roughness. The general approach advocated here, as well as the specific results, open up new research strategies for work in psychology (specifically emotion and social perception research) and engineering and computer science (specifically research and development in the domain of affective computing, particularly on automatic emotion detection and synthetic emotion expression in avatars).

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  • 11.
    Carrasco-Marginet, Marta
    et al.
    Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
    Castizo-Olier, Jorge
    Rodríguez-Zamora, Lara
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    Iglesias, Xavier
    Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
    Rodríguez, Ferran A.
    Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
    Chaverri, Diego
    Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
    Brotons, Daniel
    Government of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain.
    Irurtia, Alfredo
    Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
    Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) for measuring the hydration status in young elite synchronized swimmers2017In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 12, no 6, article id e0178819Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Purpose The assessment of body hydration is a complex process, and no measurement is valid for all situations. Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) has emerged as a relatively novel technique for assessing hydration status in sports. We applied BIVA a) to determine hydration changes evoked by an intense synchronized swimming (SS) training session; b) to characterize the sample of young elite swimmers in relation with a nonathletic reference population; and c) to generate its 50%, 75% and 95% percentiles of the bioelectrical variables. Methods Forty-nine elite SS female swimmers of two age categories, comen (Co: 13.9 ± 0.9 years, n = 34) and junior (Jr: 16.3 ± 0.6 years, n = 15), performed a long, high intensity training session. Body mass (BM) and bioelectrical variables (R, resistance; Xc, reactance; PA, phase angle; and Z, impedance module) were assessed pre-and post-Training. BIVA was used to characterize 1) the distribution pattern of the bioelectrical vector (BIA vector) for both age groups, and 2) pre-To post-Training BIA vector migration. Bioelectrical variables were also correlated with BM change values. Results Most swimmers were mostly located outside the 75% and some beyond the 95% percentile of the bioelectrical tolerance ellipses of the general population. The BIA vector showed statistically significant differences in both Co (T2= 134.7, p = 0.0001) and Jr (T2 = 126.2, p &lt; 0.001). Both groups were also bioelectrically different (T2= 17.6, p &lt; 0.001). After the training session, a decrease in BM (p = 0.0001) and an increase in BIA variables (p = 0.01) was observed. BIVA also showed a significant pre-post vector migration both in Co (T(T2 = 82.1; p &lt; 0.001) and Jr (T2 = 41.8; p &lt; 0.001). No correlations were observed between BM changes and bioelectrical variables. Conclusions BIVA showed specific bioelectrical characteristics in young elite SS athletes. Considering the decrease in BM and the migration of the BIA vector, we conclude that the homeostatic hydration status of these young elite female swimmers was affected by the execution of intense training sessions. From a methodological perspective, BIVA appears to be sensitive enough to detect subtle hydration changes, but further research is needed to ensure its validity and reliability. Moreover, these findings highlight the importance of ensuring adequate fluid intake during training in young SS athletes.

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  • 12.
    Collste, Olov
    et al.
    Departments of Clinical Sciences and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Tornvall, Per
    Departments of Clinical Sciences and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Sundin, Örjan
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Psychology.
    Alam,l, Mahbubul
    Departments of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden .
    Frick, Mats
    Departments of Clinical Sciences and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
    No Myocardial Vulnerability to Mental Stress in Takotsubo Stress Cardiomyopathy2014In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 9, no 4, p. Art. no. e93697-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objectives: Due to the frequent use of coronary angiography the awareness of Takotsubo stress cardiomyopathy (TSC) has increased although the exact pathophysiology of TSC is still largely unknown. Our objective was to investigate the effects of mental stress on myocardial function, heart rate variability (HRV) and salivary cortisol (SC) in TSC patients. Design: This study is a case-control study and a sub-study of the Stockholm Myocardial Infarction with Normal Coronaries (SMINC) study. Setting: Mental stress test was performed more than 6 months after the acute event in TSC patients and age- and sex-matched controls. Standard echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) - derived time-phases of cardiac cycle were recorded to calculate myocardial performance index (MPI) to assess ventricular function before and during mental stress. Holter-ECG recording was made to estimate HRV before, during and after mental stress. SC was measured at baseline, before and 20 minutes after mental stress. Subjects: Twenty-two TSC patients and 22 sex-and age- matched controls were recruited from the SMINC-study and investigated with a mental stress test. All TSC patients had a previous normal cardiovascular magnetic resonance investigation. Results: There were no significant differences at rest or during mental stress for left and right ventricular MPI or other standard diastolic variables between TSC patients and controls. HRV did not differ between TSC patients and controls. There was a trend towards less increase in SC after mental stress in TSC patients compared to controls. Conclusion: Mental stress did not induce a significant difference in myocardial function or HRV response between TSC and controls. Moreover, no significant difference could be seen in SC response at baseline, during or after mental stress. This study indicates that myocardial vulnerability to mental stress does not persist in TSC patients.

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  • 13. Costache, Mădălina Elena
    et al.
    Frick, Andreas
    Månsson, Kristoffer
    Engman, Jonas
    Faria, Vanda
    Hjorth, Olof
    Hoppe, Johanna M
    Gingnell, Malin
    Frans, Örjan
    Björkstrand, Johannes
    Rosén, Jörgen
    Alaie, Iman
    Åhs, Fredrik
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Psychology and Social Work.
    Linnman, Clas
    Wahlstedt, Kurt
    Tillfors, Maria
    Marteinsdottir, Ina
    Fredrikson, Mats
    Furmark, Tomas
    Higher- and lower-order personality traits and cluster subtypes in social anxiety disorder.2020In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 15, no 4, article id e0232187Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Social anxiety disorder (SAD) can come in different forms, presenting problems for diagnostic classification. Here, we examined personality traits in a large sample of patients (N = 265) diagnosed with SAD in comparison to healthy controls (N = 164) by use of the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) and Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP). In addition, we identified subtypes of SAD based on cluster analysis of the NEO-PI-R Big Five personality dimensions. Significant group differences in personality traits between patients and controls were noted on all Big Five dimensions except agreeableness. Group differences were further noted on most lower-order facets of NEO-PI-R, and nearly all KSP variables. A logistic regression analysis showed, however, that only neuroticism and extraversion remained significant independent predictors of patient/control group when controlling for the effects of the other Big Five dimensions. Also, only neuroticism and extraversion yielded large effect sizes when SAD patients were compared to Swedish normative data for the NEO-PI-R. A two-step cluster analysis resulted in three separate clusters labelled Prototypical (33%), Introvert-Conscientious (29%), and Instable-Open (38%) SAD. Individuals in the Prototypical cluster deviated most on the Big Five dimensions and they were at the most severe end in profile analyses of social anxiety, self-rated fear during public speaking, trait anxiety, and anxiety-related KSP variables. While additional studies are needed to determine if personality subtypes in SAD differ in etiological and treatment-related factors, the present results demonstrate considerable personality heterogeneity in socially anxious individuals, further underscoring that SAD is a multidimensional disorder.

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  • 14.
    Darlow, Hanna
    et al.
    University of Essex.
    Dylman, Alexandra
    University of Essex.
    Gherghiu, Ana
    University of Essex.
    Matthews, William
    University of Essex.
    Do changes in the pace of events affect one-off judgments of duration?2013In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 8, no 3, p. e59847-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Five experiments examined whether changes in the pace of external events influence people's judgments of duration. In Experiments 1a–1c, participants heard pieces of music whose tempo accelerated, decelerated, or remained constant. In Experiment 2, participants completed a visuo-motor task in which the rate of stimulus presentation accelerated, decelerated, or remained constant. In Experiment 3, participants completed a reading task in which facts appeared on-screen at accelerating, decelerating, or constant rates. In all experiments, the physical duration of the to-be-judged interval was the same across conditions. We found no significant effects of temporal structure on duration judgments in any of the experiments, either when participants knew that a time estimate would be required (prospective judgments) or when they did not (retrospective judgments). These results provide a starting point for the investigation of how temporal structure affects one-off judgments of duration like those typically made in natural settings.

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  • 15.
    Elwér, S.
    et al.
    Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Family Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
    Harryson, L.
    Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Family Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
    Bolin, Malin
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Social Sciences.
    Hammarström, A.
    Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Family Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
    Patterns of Gender Equality at Workplaces and Psychological Distress2013In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 8, no 1, p. Art. no. e53246-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Research in the field of occupational health often uses a risk factor approach which has been criticized by feminist researchers for not considering the combination of many different variables that are at play simultaneously. To overcome this shortcoming this study aims to identify patterns of gender equality at workplaces and to investigate how these patterns are associated with psychological distress. Questionnaire data from the Northern Swedish Cohort (n = 715) have been analysed and supplemented with register data about the participants' workplaces. The register data were used to create gender equality indicators of women/men ratios of number of employees, educational level, salary and parental leave. Cluster analysis was used to identify patterns of gender equality at the workplaces. Differences in psychological distress between the clusters were analysed by chi-square test and logistic regression analyses, adjusting for individual socio-demographics and previous psychological distress. The cluster analysis resulted in six distinctive clusters with different patterns of gender equality at the workplaces that were associated to psychological distress for women but not for men. For women the highest odds of psychological distress was found on traditionally gender unequal workplaces. The lowest overall occurrence of psychological distress as well as same occurrence for women and men was found on the most gender equal workplaces. The results from this study support the convergence hypothesis as gender equality at the workplace does not only relate to better mental health for women, but also more similar occurrence of mental ill-health between women and men. This study highlights the importance of utilizing a multidimensional view of gender equality to understand its association to health outcomes. Health policies need to consider gender equality at the workplace level as a social determinant of health that is of importance for reducing differences in health outcomes for women and men. © 2013 Elwér et al.

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    Patterns of gender equality
  • 16.
    Eslami, Bahareh
    et al.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences. University of Gävle.
    Di Rosa, Mirko
    National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy.
    Barros, Henrique
    EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
    Torres-Gonzalez, Francisco
    University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
    Stankunas, Mindaugas
    Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania; University of Griffith, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.
    Ioannidi-Kapolou, Elisabeth
    National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece.
    Lindert, Jutta
    University of Emden, Emden, Germany; Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, United States of America.
    Soares, Joaquim J. F.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    Lamura, Giovanni
    National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy.
    Melchiorre, Maria Gabriella
    National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy.
    Lifetime abuse and somatic symtoms among older women and men in Europe2019In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 14, no 8, article id e0220741Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background

    Research suggests that survivors of interpersonal violence have an increasing experience of bodily symptoms. This study aims to scrutinise the association between lifetime abuse and somatic symptoms among older women and men, considering demographics/socio-economic, social support and health variables.

    Methods

    A sample of 4,467 community-dwelling persons aged 60–84 years (57.3% women) living in seven European countries (Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, Sweden) was recruited for this cross-sectional study. Lifetime abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial and injury) was assessed on the basis of the UK study of elder abuse and the Conflict Tactics Scale-2, while somatic symptoms were assessed by the Giessen Complaint List short version.

    Results

    Women reported somatic symptoms more frequently than men. Multiple regression analyses revealed that lifetime exposure to psychological abuse was associated with higher levels of somatic symptoms among both women and men, while experiencing lifetime sexual abuse was associated with somatic symptoms only among older women, after adjusting for other demographic and socio-economic variables. Country of residence, older age, and low socio-economic status were other independent factors contributing to a higher level of somatic symptoms.

    Conclusions

    The positive association between the experience of abuse during lifetime and the reporting of higher levels of somatic symptoms, in particular among older women, seems to suggest that such complaints in later life might also be related to the experience of mistreatment and not only to ageing and related diseases. Violence prevention throughout lifetime could help to prevent somatic symptoms in later life.

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  • 17. Fonseka, R. W.
    et al.
    Minnis, A. M.
    Gomez, A. M.
    Dalal, Koustuv
    Impact of adverse childhood experiences on intimate partner violence perpetration among Sri Lankan Men2015In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 10, no 8Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In Sri Lanka, over one in three women experience intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization in their lifetime, making it a serious public health concern. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as child abuse and neglect, witnessing domestic violence, parental separation, and bullying are also widespread. Studies in Western settings have shown positive associations between ACEs and IPV perpetration in adulthood, but few have examined this relationship in a non-Western context. In the present study, we examined the association of ACEs with IPV perpetration among Sri Lankan men surveyed for the UN Multi-Country Study on Men and Violence in Asia and the Pacific. We found statistically significant positive associations between the number of ACE categories (ACE score) and emotional, financial, physical, and sexual IPV perpetration among Sri Lankan men. We analyzed the contributions of each ACE category and found that childhood abuse was strongly associated with perpetration of IPV in adulthood, with sexual abuse associated with the greatest increase in odds of perpetration (Adjusted odds ratio 2.36; 95% confidence interval: 1.69, 3.30). Witnessing abuse of one’s mother was associated with the greatest increase in the odds of perpetrating physical IPV (AOR 1.82; 95% CI: 1.29, 2.58), while lack of a male parental figure was not associated with physical IPV perpetration (AOR 0.76; 95% CI: 0.53,1.09). These findings support a social learning theory of IPV perpetration, in which children who are exposed to violence learn to perpetrate IPV in adulthood. They also suggest that in Sri Lanka, being raised in a female-headed household does not increase the risk of IPV perpetration in adulthood compared to being raised in a household with a male parental figure. The relationship between being raised in a female-headed household (the number of which increased dramatically during Sri Lanka’s recent civil war) and perpetration of IPV warrants further study. Interventions that aim to decrease childhood abuse in Sri Lanka could both protect children now and reduce IPV in the future, decreasing violence on multiple fronts. © 2015 Fonseka 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.

  • 18.
    Forsberg, Viviane
    et al.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Zhang, Renyun
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Joakim, Bäckström
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Dahlström, Christina
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Chemical Engineering.
    Andres, Britta
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Norgren, Magnus
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Chemical Engineering.
    Andersson, Mattias
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Hummelgård, Magnus
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Olin, Håkan
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences.
    Exfoliated MoS2 in Water without Additives2016In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 11, no 4, article id 0154522Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Many solution processing methods of exfoliation of layered materials have been studied during the last few years; most of them are based on organic solvents or rely on surfactants andother funtionalization agents. Pure water should be an ideal solvent, however, it is generallybelieved, based on solubility theories that stable dispersions of water could not be achievedand systematic studies are lacking. Here we describe the use of water as a solvent and thestabilization process involved therein. We introduce an exfoliation method of molybdenumdisulfide (MoS2) in pure water at high concentration (i.e., 0.14±0.01 g L−1). This was achieved by thinning the bulk MoS2by mechanical exfoliation between sand papers and dis-persing it by liquid exfoliation through probe sonication in water. We observed thin MoS2nanosheets in water characterized by TEM, AFM and SEM images. The dimensions of thenanosheets were around 200 nm, the same range obtained in organic solvents. Electropho-retic mobility measurements indicated that electrical charges may be responsible for the sta-bilization of the dispersions. A probability decay equation was proposed to compare thestability of these dispersions with the ones reported in the literature. Water can be used as asolvent to disperse nanosheets and although the stability of the dispersions may not be ashigh as in organic solvents, the present method could be employed for a number of applications where the dispersions can be produced on site and organic solvents are not desirable.

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  • 19.
    Hagström, Å.K.
    et al.
    Pheromone group, Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
    Liénard, M
    Pheromone group, Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
    Groot, A
    Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
    Hedenström, Erik
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of applied science and design.
    Löfstedt, C
    Pheromone group, Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
    Semi-selective fatty acyl reductases from four heliothine moths influence the specific pheromone composition2012In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 7, no 5, p. Art. no. e37230-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Sex pheromones are essential in moth mate communication. Information on pheromone biosynthetic genes and enzymes is needed to comprehend the mechanisms that contribute to specificity of pheromone signals. Most heliothine moths use sex pheromones with (Z)-11-hexadecenal as the major component in combination with minor fatty aldehydes and alcohols. In this study we focus on four closely related species, Heliothis virescens, Heliothis subflexa, Helicoverpa armigera and Helicoverpa assulta, which use (Z)-11-hexadecenal, (Z)-9-tetradecanal, and (Z)-9-hexadecenal in different ratios in their pheromone blend. The components are produced from saturated fatty acid precursors by desaturation, β-oxidation, reduction and oxidation. Results: We analyzed the composition of fatty acyl pheromone precursors and correlated it to the pheromone composition. Next, we investigated whether the downstream fatty-acyl reduction step modulates the ratio of alcohol intermediates before the final oxidation step. By isolating and functionally characterizing the Fatty Acyl Reductase (pgFAR) from each species we found that the pgFARs were active on a broad set of C8 to C16 fatty acyl substrates including the key pheromone precursors, Z9-14, Z9-16 and Z11-16:acyls. When presenting the three precursors in equal ratios to yeast cultures expressing any of the four pgFARs, all reduced (Z)-9-tetradecenoate preferentially over (Z)-11-hexadecenoate, and the latter over (Z)-9-hexadecenoate. Finally, when manipulating the precursor ratios in vitro, we found that the pgFARs display small differences in the biochemical activity on various substrates. Conclusions: We conclude that a pgFAR with broad specificity is involved in heliothine moth pheromone biosynthesis, functioning as a semi-selective funnel that produces species-specific alcohol product ratios depending on the fatty-acyl precursor ratio in the pheromone gland. This study further supports the key role of these in pheromone biosynthesis and emphasizes the interplay between the pheromone fatty acyl precursors and the Lepidoptera specific pgFARs in shaping the pheromone composition. © 2012 Hagström et al.

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  • 20.
    Hansson, Josefine
    et al.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences (HOV).
    Landstad, Bodil
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences (HOV). Östersund Hospital, Östersund, Sweden.
    Vinberg, Stig
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences (HOV).
    Hedlund, Marianne
    Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
    Tjulin, Åsa
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences (HOV).
    Small business managers and Covid-19—The role of a sense of coherence and general resistance resources in coping with stressors2022In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 17, no 3, article id e0265029Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background The response of small business managers to an external event such as the pandemic canhave a profound effect on the work environment, health and well-being for themselves and their employees. Previous research on small business managers during the pandemic has mainly focused on traditional pathogenic effects, and there is a lack of studies looking at the issue from a salutogenic health promotion perspective. The aim of this study is to explore whether a sense of coherence and general resistance resources were experienced by small business managers in Sweden and Norway during the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Methods A qualitative design was applied through exploratory interviews with 16 managers of small businesses in Sweden and Norway. A content analysis of the interviews was conducted using the sense of coherence concept by Aaron Antonovsky, with the three main components of comprehensibility, meaningfulness and manageability acting as a conceptual framework for the analysis process.

    Results Within the three main sense-of-coherence categories, six general resistance resources were identified as being important for the managers to handle uncertainty during the pandemic. These were understanding rules and regulations, social support, optimism, proactivity, problem-solving and flexibility and cooperation.

    Conclusions The small business managers handled the pandemic in a way that worked well in their contexts, and the pandemic generally did not have a negative effect on their businesses orthemselves. A salutogenic approach, through which the managers focused on identifying and using resources, was an important factor for managing stressors and adversity during the pandemic. Hence, the concept of salutogenesis may be used as an intervention to foster better health in small businesses, both at a personal and organisational level in order to handle future challenges effectively.

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  • 21.
    Hegge, Ann Magdalen
    et al.
    Norwegian Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Neurosci, Ctr Elite Sports Res, N-7034 Trondheim, Norway.
    Myhre, Kenneth
    North Troendelag Univ Coll, Dept Sports & Phys Educ, Levanger, NorwayNorth Troendelag Univ Coll, Dept Sports & Phys Educ, Levanger, NorwayNorth Troendelag Univ Coll, Dept Sports & Phys Educ, Levanger, NorwayNorth Troendelag Univ Coll, Dept Sports & Phys Educ, Levanger, NorwayNorth Troendelag Univ Coll, Dept Sports & Phys Educ, Levanger, NorwayNorth Troendelag Univ Coll, Dept Sports & Phys Educ, Levanger, NorwayNorth Troendelag Univ Coll, Dept Sports & Phys Educ, Levanger, NorwayNorth Troendelag Univ Coll, Dept Sports & Phys Educ, Levanger, NorwayNorth Troendelag Univ Coll, Dept Sports & Phys Educ, Levanger, NorwayNorth Troendelag Univ Coll, Dept Sports & Phys Educ, Levanger, Norway.
    Welde, Boye
    North Troendelag Univ Coll, Dept Sports & Phys Educ, Levanger, Norway.
    Holmberg, Hans-Christer
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    Sandbakk, Oyvind
    Norwegian Univ Sci & Technol, Dept Neurosci, Ctr Elite Sports Res, N-7034 Trondheim, Norway.
    Are Gender Differences in Upper-Body Power Generated by Elite Cross-Country Skiers Augmented by Increasing the Intensity of Exercise?2015In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 10, no 5, article id e0127509Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In the current study, we evaluated the impact of exercise intensity on gender differences in upper-body poling among cross-country skiers, as well as the associated differences in aerobic capacity, maximal strength, body composition, technique and extent of training. Eight male and eight female elite skiers, gender-matched for level of performance by FIS points, carried out a 4-min submaximal, and a 3-min and 30-sec maximal all-out test of isolated upper-body double poling on a Concept2 ski ergometer. Maximal upper-body power and strength (1RM) were determined with a pull-down exercise. In addition, body composition was assessed with a DXA scan and training during the previous six months quantified from diaries. Relative to the corresponding female values (defined as 100%), the power output produced by the men was 88%, 95% and 108% higher during the submaximal, 3-min and 30-sec tests, respectively, and peak power in the pull-down strength exercise was 118% higher (all P<0.001). During the ergometer tests the work performed per cycle by the men was 97%, 102% and 91% greater, respectively, and the men elevated their cycle rate to a greater extent at higher intensities (both P<0.01). Furthermore, men had a 61% higher VO(2)peak, 58% higher 1RM, relatively larger upper-body mass (61% vs 56%) and reported considerably more upper-body strength and endurance training (all P<0.05). In conclusion, gender differences in upper-body power among cross-country skiers augmented as the intensity of exercise increased. The gender differences observed here are greater than those reported previously for both lower-and whole-body sports and coincided with greater peak aerobic capacity and maximal upper-body strength, relatively more muscle mass in the upper-body, and more extensive training of upper-body strength and endurance among the male skiers.

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  • 22.
    Heikkila, Katriina
    et al.
    Finnish Inst Occupat Hlth, Helsinki, Finland.
    Nyberg, Solja T.
    Finnish Inst Occupat Hlth, Helsinki, Finland.
    Fransson, Eleonor I.
    Karolinska Inst, Inst Environm Med, S-10401 Stockholm, Sweden.
    Alfredsson, Lars
    Karolinska Inst, Inst Environm Med, S-10401 Stockholm, Sweden.
    De Bacquer, Dirk
    Univ Ghent, Dept Publ Hlth, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
    Bjorner, Jakob B.
    Natl Res Ctr Working Environm, Copenhagen, Denmark.
    Bonenfant, Sebastien
    INSERM, U1018, Ctr Res Epidemiol & Populat Hlth, Villejuif, France.
    Borritz, Marianne
    Bispebjerg Hosp, Dept Occupat Med, Copenhagen, Denmark.
    Burr, Hermann
    Ctr Maritime Hlth & Safety, Esbjerg, Denmark.
    Clays, Els
    Univ Ghent, Dept Publ Hlth, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
    Casini, Annalisa
    Univ Libre Brussels, Sch Publ Hlth, Brussels, Belgium.
    Dragano, Nico
    Univ Duisburg Essen, Inst Med Informat Biometry & Epidemiol, Essen, Germany.
    Erbel, Raimund
    Univ Duisburg Essen, W German Heart Ctr Essen, Dept Cardiol, Essen, Germany.
    Geuskens, Goedele A.
    TNO, Hoofddorp, Netherlands.
    Goldberg, Marcel
    INSERM, U1018, Ctr Res Epidemiol & Populat Hlth, Villejuif, France.
    Hooftman, Wendela E.
    TNO, Hoofddorp, Netherlands.
    Houtman, Irene L.
    TNO, Hoofddorp, Netherlands.
    Joensuu, Matti
    Finnish Inst Occupat Hlth, Helsinki, Finland.
    Joeckel, Karl-Heinz
    Univ Duisburg Essen, Inst Med Informat Biometry & Epidemiol, Essen, Germany.
    Kittel, France
    Univ Libre Brussels, Sch Publ Hlth, Brussels, Belgium.
    Knutsson, Anders
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    Koskenvuo, Markku
    Univ Helsinki, Dept Publ Hlth, Helsinki, Finland.
    Koskinen, Aki
    Finnish Inst Occupat Hlth, Helsinki, Finland.
    Kouvonen, Anne
    Wroclaw Fac, Warsaw Sch Social Sci & Humanities, Wroclaw, Poland.
    Leineweber, Constanze
    Stockholm Univ, Stress Res Inst, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
    Lunau, Thorsten
    Univ Duisburg Essen, Inst Med Informat Biometry & Epidemiol, Essen, Germany.
    Madsen, Ida E. H.
    Natl Res Ctr Working Environm, Copenhagen, Denmark.
    Hanson, Linda L. Magnusson
    Stockholm Univ, Stress Res Inst, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
    Marmot, Michael G.
    UCL, Dept Epidemiol & Publ Hlth, London, England.
    Nielsen, Martin L.
    Bispebjerg Hosp, Dept Occupat & Environm Med, Copenhagen, Denmark.
    Nordin, Maria
    Umea Univ, Dept Publ Hlth & Clin Med Occupat & Environm Med, Umea, Sweden.
    Pentti, Jaana
    Finnish Inst Occupat Hlth, Turku, Finland.
    Salo, Paula
    Finnish Inst Occupat Hlth, Turku, Finland.
    Rugulies, Reiner
    Natl Res Ctr Working Environm, Copenhagen, Denmark.
    Steptoe, Andrew
    UCL, Dept Epidemiol & Publ Hlth, London, England.
    Siegrist, Johannes
    Univ Dusseldorf, Dept Med Sociol, D-40225 Dusseldorf, Germany.
    Suominen, Sakari
    Univ Turku, Dept Publ Hlth, Turku, Finland.
    Vahtera, Jussi
    Finnish Inst Occupat Hlth, Turku, Finland.
    Virtanen, Marianna
    Finnish Inst Occupat Hlth, Helsinki, Finland.
    Vaananen, Ari
    Finnish Inst Occupat Hlth, Helsinki, Finland.
    Westerholm, Peter
    Uppsala Univ, Uppsala, Sweden.
    Westerlund, Hugo
    Stockholm Univ, Stress Res Inst, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
    Zins, Marie
    INSERM, U1018, Ctr Res Epidemiol & Populat Hlth, Villejuif, France.
    Theorell, Tores
    Stockholm Univ, Stress Res Inst, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
    Hamer, Mark
    UCL, Dept Epidemiol & Publ Hlth, London, England.
    Ferrie, Jane E.
    UCL, Dept Epidemiol & Publ Hlth, London, England.
    Singh-Manoux, Archana
    INSERM, U1018, Ctr Res Epidemiol & Populat Hlth, Villejuif, France.
    Batty, G. David
    UCL, Dept Epidemiol & Publ Hlth, London, England.
    Kivimaeki, Mika
    Finnish Inst Occupat Hlth, Helsinki, Finland.
    Job Strain and Tobacco Smoking: An Individual-Participant Data Meta-Analysis of 166 130 Adults in 15 European Studies2012In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 7, no 7, article id e35463Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Tobacco smoking is a major contributor to the public health burden and healthcare costs worldwide, but the determinants of smoking behaviours are poorly understood. We conducted a large individual-participant meta-analysis to examine the extent to which work-related stress, operationalised as job strain, is associated with tobacco smoking in working adults. Methodology and Principal Findings: We analysed cross-sectional data from 15 European studies comprising 166 130 participants. Longitudinal data from six studies were used. Job strain and smoking were self-reported. Smoking was harmonised into three categories never, ex- and current. We modelled the cross-sectional associations using logistic regression and the results pooled in random effects meta-analyses. Mixed effects logistic regression was used to examine longitudinal associations. Of the 166 130 participants, 17% reported job strain, 42% were never smokers, 33% ex-smokers and 25% current smokers. In the analyses of the cross-sectional data, current smokers had higher odds of job strain than never-smokers (age, sex and socioeconomic position-adjusted odds ratio: 1.11, 95% confidence interval: 1.03, 1.18). Current smokers with job strain smoked, on average, three cigarettes per week more than current smokers without job strain. In the analyses of longitudinal data (1 to 9 years of follow-up), there was no clear evidence for longitudinal associations between job strain and taking up or quitting smoking. Conclusions: Our findings show that smokers are slightly more likely than non-smokers to report work-related stress. In addition, smokers who reported work stress smoked, on average, slightly more cigarettes than stress-free smokers.

  • 23.
    Heikkila, Katriina
    et al.
    Finnish Inst Occupat Hlth, Helsinki, Finland.
    Nyberg, Solja T.
    Finnish Inst Occupat Hlth, Helsinki, Finland.
    Fransson, Eleonor I.
    Karolinska Inst, Inst Environm Med, S-10401 Stockholm, Sweden.
    Alfredsson, Lars
    Karolinska Inst, Inst Environm Med, S-10401 Stockholm, Sweden.
    De Bacquer, Dirk
    Univ Ghent, Dept Publ Hlth, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
    Bjorner, Jakob B.
    Natl Res Ctr Working Environm, Copenhagen, Denmark.
    Bonenfant, Sebastien
    Ctr Res Epidemiol & Populat Hlth, Inserm U1018, Villejuif, France.
    Borritz, Marianne
    Bispebjerg Hosp, Dept Occupat Med, Copenhagen, Denmark.
    Burr, Hermann
    Ctr Maritime Hlth & Safety, Esbjerg, Denmark.
    Clays, Els
    Univ Ghent, Dept Publ Hlth, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
    Casini, Annalisa
    Univ Libre Brussels, Sch Publ Hlth, Brussels, Belgium.
    Dragano, Nico
    Univ Duisburg Essen, Inst Med Informat Biometry & Epidemiol, Essen, Germany.
    Erbel, Raimund
    Univ Duisburg Essen, West German Heart Ctr Essen, Dept Cardiol, Essen, Germany.
    Geuskens, Goedele A.
    TNO, Hoofddorp, Netherlands.
    Goldberg, Marcel
    Ctr Res Epidemiol & Populat Hlth, Inserm U1018, Villejuif, France.
    Hooftman, Wendela E.
    TNO, Hoofddorp, Netherlands.
    Houtman, Irene L.
    TNO, Hoofddorp, Netherlands.
    Joensuu, Matti
    Finnish Inst Occupat Hlth, Helsinki, Finland.
    Joeckel, Karl-Heinz
    Univ Duisburg Essen, Inst Med Informat Biometry & Epidemiol, Essen, Germany.
    Kittel, France
    Univ Libre Brussels, Sch Publ Hlth, Brussels, Belgium.
    Knutsson, Anders
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    Koskenvuo, Markku
    Univ Helsinki, Dept Publ Hlth, Helsinki, Finland.
    Koskinen, Aki
    Finnish Inst Occupat Hlth, Helsinki, Finland.
    Kouvonen, Anne
    Wroclaw Fac, Warsaw Sch Social Sci & Humanities, Wroclaw, Poland.
    Leineweber, Constanze
    Stockholm Univ, Stress Res Inst, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
    Lunau, Thorsten
    Univ Duisburg Essen, Inst Med Informat Biometry & Epidemiol, Essen, Germany.
    Madsen, Ida E. H.
    Natl Res Ctr Working Environm, Copenhagen, Denmark.
    Hanson, Linda L. Magnusson
    Stockholm Univ, Stress Res Inst, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
    Marmot, Michael G.
    UCL, Dept Epidemiol & Publ Hlth, London, England.
    Nielsen, Martin L.
    Bispebjerg Hosp, Dept Occupat & Environm Med, Copenhagen, Denmark.
    Nordin, Maria
    Umea Univ, Dept Publ Hlth & Clin Med Occupat & Environm Med, Umea, Sweden.
    Pentti, Jaana
    Finnish Inst Occupat Hlth, Turku, Finland.
    Salo, Paula
    Finnish Inst Occupat Hlth, Turku, Finland.
    Rugulies, Reiner
    Natl Res Ctr Working Environm, Copenhagen, Denmark.
    Steptoe, Andrew
    UCL, Dept Epidemiol & Publ Hlth, London, England.
    Siegrist, Johannes
    Univ Dusseldorf, Dept Med Sociol, D-40225 Dusseldorf, Germany.
    Suominen, Sakari
    Univ Turku, Dept Publ Hlth, Turku, Finland.
    Vahtera, Jussi
    Finnish Inst Occupat Hlth, Turku, Finland.
    Virtanen, Marianna
    Finnish Inst Occupat Hlth, Helsinki, Finland.
    Vaananen, Ari
    Finnish Inst Occupat Hlth, Helsinki, Finland.
    Westerholm, Peter
    Uppsala Univ, Uppsala, Sweden.
    Westerlund, Hugo
    Stockholm Univ, Stress Res Inst, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
    Zins, Marie
    Ctr Res Epidemiol & Populat Hlth, Inserm U1018, Villejuif, France.
    Theorell, Tores
    Stockholm Univ, Stress Res Inst, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
    Hamer, Mark
    UCL, Dept Epidemiol & Publ Hlth, London, England.
    Ferrie, Jane E.
    UCL, Dept Epidemiol & Publ Hlth, London, England.
    Singh-Manoux, Archana
    Ctr Res Epidemiol & Populat Hlth, Inserm U1018, Villejuif, France.
    Batty, G. David
    UCL, Dept Epidemiol & Publ Hlth, London, England.
    Kivimaki, Mika
    Finnish Inst Occupat Hlth, Helsinki, Finland.
    Job Strain and Alcohol Intake: A Collaborative Meta-Analysis of Individual-Participant Data from 140 000 Men and Women2012In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 7, no 7, p. Art. no. e40101-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: The relationship between work-related stress and alcohol intake is uncertain. In order to add to the thus far inconsistent evidence from relatively small studies, we conducted individual-participant meta-analyses of the association between work-related stress (operationalised as self-reported job strain) and alcohol intake. Methodology and Principal Findings: We analysed cross-sectional data from 12 European studies (n = 142 140) and longitudinal data from four studies (n = 48 646). Job strain and alcohol intake were self-reported. Job strain was analysed as a binary variable (strain vs. no strain). Alcohol intake was harmonised into the following categories: none, moderate (women: 1-14, men: 1-21 drinks/week), intermediate (women: 15-20, men: 22-27 drinks/week) and heavy (women: > 20, men: > 27 drinks/week). Cross-sectional associations were modelled using logistic regression and the results pooled in random effects meta-analyses. Longitudinal associations were examined using mixed effects logistic and modified Poisson regression. Compared to moderate drinkers, non-drinkers and (random effects odds ratio (OR): 1.10, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.14) and heavy drinkers (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.26) had higher odds of job strain. Intermediate drinkers, on the other hand, had lower odds of job strain (OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86, 0.99). We found no clear evidence for longitudinal associations between job strain and alcohol intake. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that compared to moderate drinkers, non-drinkers and heavy drinkers are more likely and intermediate drinkers less likely to report work-related stress.

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  • 24.
    Heikkilä, Katriina
    et al.
    Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland .
    Madsen, Ida E. H.
    National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark .
    Nyberg, Solja T.
    Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland .
    Fransson, Eleonor I.
    Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden .
    Ahola, Kirsi
    Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland .
    Alfredsson, Lars
    Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden .
    Bjorner, Jakob B.
    National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark .
    Borritz, Marianne
    Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark .
    Burr, Hermann
    Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), Berlin, Germany .
    Dragano, Nico
    Institute for Medical Sociology, Medical Faculty, University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany .
    Ferrie, Jane E.
    Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom .
    Knutsson, Anders
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    Koskenvuo, Markku
    Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland .
    Koskinen, Aki
    Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland .
    Nielsen, Martin L.
    Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark .
    Nordin, Maria
    Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden .
    Pejtersen, Jan H.
    Danish National Centre for Social Research, Copenhagen, Denmark .
    Pentti, Jaana
    Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Tampere and Turku, Finland .
    Rugulies, Reiner
    National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark .
    Oksanen, Tuula
    Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Tampere and Turku, Finland .
    Shipley, Martin J.
    Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom .
    Suominen, Sakari B.
    Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland .
    Theorell, Tores
    Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden .
    Väananen, Ari
    Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland .
    Vahtera, Jussi
    Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Tampere and Turku, Finland .
    Virtanen, Marianna
    Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland .
    Westerlund, Hugo
    Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden .
    Westerholm, Peter J. M.
    Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden .
    Batty, G. David
    Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom .
    Singh-Manoux, Archana
    Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom .
    Kivimäki, Mika
    Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom .
    Job Strain and the Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Individual-Participant Meta-Analysis of 95 000 Men and Women2014In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 9, no 2, p. e88711-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background and Aims: Many clinicians, patients and patient advocacy groups believe stress to have a causal role in inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. However, this is not corroborated by clear epidemiological research evidence. We investigated the association between work-related stress and incident Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis using individual-level data from 95 000 European adults. Methods: We conducted individual-participant data meta-analyses in a set of pooled data from 11 prospective European studies. All studies are a part of the IPD-Work Consortium. Work-related psychosocial stress was operationalised as job strain (a combination of high demands and low control at work) and was self-reported at baseline. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis were ascertained from national hospitalisation and drug reimbursement registers. The associations between job strain and inflammatory bowel disease outcomes were modelled using Cox proportional hazards regression. The study-specific results were combined in random effects meta-analyses. Results: Of the 95 379 participants who were free of inflammatory bowel disease at baseline, 111 men and women developed Crohn's disease and 414 developed ulcerative colitis during follow-up. Job strain at baseline was not associated with incident Crohn's disease (multivariable-adjusted random effects hazard ratio: 0.83, 95% confidence interval: 0.48, 1.43) or ulcerative colitis (hazard ratio: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.76, 1.48). There was negligible heterogeneity among the study-specific associations. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that job strain, an indicator of work-related stress, is not a major risk factor for Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

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  • 25.
    Hillert, Lena
    et al.
    Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden .
    Jovanovic, Hristina
    Stockholm Brain Institute, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Åhs, Fredrik
    Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America .
    Savic, Ivanka
    Stockholm Brain Institute, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Women with multiple chemical sensitivity have increased harm avoidance and reduced 5-HT(1A) receptor binding potential in the anterior cingulate and amygdala2013In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 8, no 1, article id e54781Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a common condition, characterized by somatic distress upon exposure to odors. As in other idiopathic environmental intolerances, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Contrary to the expectations it was recently found that persons with MCS activate the odor-processing brain regions less than controls, while their activation of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is increased. The present follow-up study was designed to test the hypotheses that MCS subjects have increased harm avoidance and deviations in the serotonin system, which could render them intolerant to environmental odors. Twelve MCS and 11 control subjects, age 22-44, all working or studying females, were included in a PET study where 5-HT(1A) receptor binding potential (BP) was assessed after bolus injection of [(11)C]WAY100635. Psychological profiles were assessed by the Temperament and Character Inventory and the Swedish universities Scales of Personality. All MCS and 12 control subjects were also tested for emotional startle modulation in an acoustic startle test. MCS subjects exhibited significantly increased harm avoidance, and anxiety compared to controls. They also had a reduced 5-HT(1A) receptor BP in amygdala (p = 0.029), ACC (p = 0.005) (planned comparisons, significance level 0.05), and insular cortex (p = 0.003; significance level p<0.005 with Bonferroni correction), and showed an inverse correlation between degree of anxiety and the BP in the amygdala (planned comparison). No group by emotional category difference was found in the startle test. Increased harm avoidance and the observed changes in the 5-HT(1A) receptor BP in the regions processing harm avoidance provides a plausible pathophysiological ground for the symptoms described in MCS, and yields valuable information for our general understanding of idiopathic environmental intolerances.

  • 26. Holz, E.
    et al.
    Lass-Hennemann, J.
    Streb, M.
    Pfaltz, Monique C.
    Michael, T.
    Effects of acute cortisol administration on perceptual priming of trauma-related material2014In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 9, no 9Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Intrusive memories are a hallmark symptom of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They reflect excessive and uncontrolled retrieval of the traumatic memory. Acute elevations of cortisol are known to impair the retrieval of already stored memory information. Thus, continuous cortisol administration might help in reducing intrusive memories in PTSD. Strong perceptual priming for neutral stimuli associated with a "traumatic" context has been shown to be one important learning mechanism that leads to intrusive memories. However, the memory modulating effects of cortisol have only been shown for explicit declarative memory processes. Thus, in our double blind, placebo controlled study we aimed to investigate whether cortisol influences perceptual priming of neutral stimuli that appeared in a "traumatic" context. Two groups of healthy volunteers (N = 160) watched either neutral or "traumatic" picture stories on a computer screen. Neutral objects were presented in between the pictures. Memory for these neutral objects was tested after 24 hours with a perceptual priming task and an explicit memory task. Prior to memory testing half of the participants in each group received 25 mg of cortisol, the other half received placebo. In the placebo group participants in the "traumatic" stories condition showed more perceptual priming for the neutral objects than participants in the neutral stories condition, indicating a strong perceptual priming effect for neutral stimuli presented in a "traumatic" context. In the cortisol group this effect was not present: Participants in the neutral stories and participants in the "traumatic" stories condition in the cortisol group showed comparable priming effects for the neutral objects. Our findings show that cortisol inhibits perceptual priming for neutral stimuli that appeared in a "traumatic" context. These findings indicate that cortisol influences PTSD-relevant memory processes and thus further support the idea that administration of cortisol might be an effective treatment strategy in reducing intrusive reexperiencing. © 2014 Holz 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.

  • 27.
    Hummelgård, Magnus
    et al.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics.
    Zhang, Renyun
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics.
    Nilsson, Hans-Erik
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Information Technology and Media.
    Olin, Håkan
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics.
    Electrical Sintering of Silver Nanoparticle Ink Studied by In-Situ TEM Probing2011In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 6, no 2, p. Art. no. e17209-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Metallic nanoparticle inks are used for printed electronics, but to reach acceptable conductivity the structures need to be sintered, usually using a furnace. Recently, sintering by direct resistive heating has been demonstrated. For a microscopic understanding of this Joule heating sintering method, we studied the entire process in real time inside a transmission electron microscope equipped with a movable electrical probe. We found an onset of Joule heating induced sintering and coalescence of nanoparticles at power levels of 0.1-10 mW/mu m(3). In addition, a carbonization of the organic shells that stabilize the nanoparticles were found, with a conductivity of 4 10(5) Sm-1

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  • 28. Hussain, A. H. M. Enayet
    et al.
    Ferdoush, J.
    Mashreky, S. R.
    Rahman, A. K. M. F.
    Ferdausi, N.
    Dalal, Koustuv
    Epidemiology of childhood blindness: A community-based study in Bangladesh2019In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 14, no 6Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and causes of childhood blindness in a rural area of Bangladesh. We adopted a cross-sectional quantitative study design for this study, which was performed in three unions (sub-districts) located in Raiganj Upazila of the Sirajganj district in Bangladesh. Using a validated tool, a screening program was conducted at the household level. After initial screening, a team of ophthalmologists confirmed the diagnoses by clinical examinations. The prevalence of childhood blindness was observed to be 6.3 per 10,000 children, whereas the rate of uniocular blindness was 4.8 per 10,000 children. Congenital problems were the major causes of both uniocular and binocular blindness (uniocular blindness: 84% and binocular blindness: 92%). The whole globe was the site responsible for binocular blindness (28.0%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 13.1, 47.7), whereas the cornea was responsible for uniocular blindness (57.8%, 95% CI: 35.3, 78.1). Childhood blindness is a public health problem in Bangladesh and is highly prevalent, regardless of sex. The major causes of childhood blindness are congenital. © 2019 Hussain 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.

  • 29.
    Hussain, A. H. M. Enayet
    et al.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences (HOV).
    Islam, Labida
    Mashreky, Saidur Rahman
    Rahman, A. K. M. Fazlur
    Viitasara, Eija
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences (HOV).
    Dalal, Koustuv
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences (HOV).
    Barriers to the uptake of eye health services of the children in rural Bangladesh: A community-based cross-sectional survey2023In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 18, no 12, article id e0295341Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Globally, ocular morbidity and disability among children are major public health concerns.This study was designed to explore the health-seeking behaviours of parents in Bangladesh whose children have ocular problems. A cross-sectional mixed method was followed for this study. The method was designed to measure the eye health care-seeking practices of caregivers/parents with children with ocular morbidity in three unions (the lowest administrative geographical area comprising 30,000–50,000 population) of the Raiganj Upazila under the Sirajganj District of Bangladesh. The study period was from January to April 2017. Face-to face interviews using a semi-structured quantitative questionnaire with the caregivers and KI were conducted among the health service providers during the study period. This was the first community-based study conducted in Bangladesh to find out caregivers’ health-seeking behaviour with identified ocular morbidity. Among 198 confirmed cases of childhood ocular problems, only 87 (43.9%) parents sought health care for their children’s ocular morbidities. Better health-seeking behavior was found among the wealthier families. Proportions were 55.3% and 36% among wealthy and low-income families, respectively. Affluent families sought care from qualified service providers. Educated household heads chose qualified service providers for their children at a higher rate than illiterate household heads. Lack of knowledge, lack of awareness and financial constraints are significant barriers to seeking proper health care. More than half of the caregivers did not seek any eye care services for their children. Socio-demographic factors, and financial constraints play an essential role in the health-seeking behaviour of the parents.

  • 30.
    Jong, Mats
    et al.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    Lown, E Anne
    Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America.
    Schats, Winnie
    Scientific Information Service, Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands .
    Mills, Michelle L
    Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America .
    Otto, Heather R
    See you at the Summit, Portland, OR, United States of America .
    Gabrielsen, Leiv E
    Department for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Sørlandet Hospital Health Enterprise, Kristiansand, Norway.
    Jong, Miek C.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences. Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Nursing Sciences.
    A scoping review to map the concept, content, and outcome of wilderness programs for childhood cancer survivors2021In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 16, no 1, article id e0243908Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    OBJECTIVES: Systematic mapping of the concept, content, and outcome of wilderness programs for childhood cancer survivors.

    DESIGN: Scoping review.

    SEARCH STRATEGY: Searches were performed in 13 databases and the grey literature. Included studies describe participation of childhood cancer survivors in wilderness programs where the role of nature had a contextual and therapeutic premise. At least two authors independently performed screening, data extraction and analysis.

    RESULTS: Database searches yielded 1848 articles, of which 15 met the inclusion criteria. The majority of programs (73%) employed adventure therapy. Five activity categories were identified as components of wilderness programs: challenge/risk, free time/leisure, experiential learning, physical activity and psychotherapeutic activities. A majority of the participating childhood cancer survivors were female, white, aged 8-40 years, with a wide range of cancer diagnoses. Reported outcomes included increased social involvement, self-esteem, self-confidence, self-efficacy, social support, and physical activity. Key gaps identified included the absence of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), lack of studies on long-term effects, lack of information on the multicultural aspects of programs, and missing information on engagement in nature activities after the program ended.

    CONCLUSIONS: This scoping review guides childhood cancer survivors, their families, practitioners, clinicians and researchers in the development and optimization of wilderness programs for childhood cancer survivors. In addition, it informs the utilization of these programs, and identifies gaps in the evidence base of wilderness programs. It is recommended that future study reporting on wilderness programs include more detail and explicitly address the role of nature in the program. Performing RCTs on wilderness programs is challenging, as they occur in real-life contexts in which participants cannot be blinded. Creative solutions in the design of pragmatic trials and mixed method studies are thus needed for further investigation of the effectiveness and safety of wilderness programs in childhood cancer survivors.

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  • 31.
    Karlsson, Øyvind
    et al.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    Laaksonen, Marko S.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    McGawley, Kerry
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    Training and illness characteristics of crosscountry skiers transitioning from junior to senior level2021In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 16, no 5 May, article id e0250088Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objective This study aimed to describe the endurance training and incidence of illnesses reported by a group of well-trained cross-country (XC) skiers throughout their transition from junior to senior level. Methods Changes in self-reported training and performance, from 31 well-trained XC skiers, were analyzed from the start of the season they turned 16 y until the end of the season they turned 22 y, using linear mixed-effects models. Differences in the incidence of self-reported illness episodes were analyzed using incidence rate ratios, and the relationships between selfreported illness and training volumes were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models in a sub-group of 23 of the skiers. Results In total, 145 seasons of training data (including 85,846 h of endurance training) and 109 person- years of illness data (including 380 self-reported illness episodes) were analyzed. The athletes progressively increased their annual endurance training volume from age 16 to 22 y in a linear fashion, from ~ 470 to 730 h. Low- and high-intensity training volumes increased by 51.4 ± 2.4 h·y-1 (p < .001) and 4.9 ± 0.6 h·y-1 (p < .001), respectively. Sport-specific and non-specific training increased by 50.0 ± 2.2 h·y-1 (p < .001) and 4.6 ± 2.0 h·y-1 (p < .001), respectively. The athletes reported a median (range) of 3 (0-8) illness episodes and 17 (0- 80) days of illness per year, and there was an inverse relationship between self-reported illness days and annual training volume (-0.046 ± 0.013 d?h-1; p < .001). Conclusions This group of well-trained XC skiers increased their endurance training volume in a linear fashion by ~ 55 h annually. This was primarily achieved through an increase in low-intensity and sport-specific training. Furthermore, higher training volumes were associated with a lower number of self-reported illness days.

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  • 32.
    Kazior, Zuzanna
    et al.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    Willis, Sarah J.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    Moberg, Marcus
    Swedish Sch Sport & Hlth Sci, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Apro, William
    Swedish Sch Sport & Hlth Sci, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Calbet, Jose A. L.
    Univ Las Palmas Gran Canaria, Dept Phys Educ, Las Palmas Gran Canaria, Spain.
    Holmberg, Hans-Christer
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    Blomstrand, Eva
    Swedish Sch Sport & Hlth Sci, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Endurance Exercise Enhances the Effect of Strength Training on Muscle Fiber Size and Protein Expression of Akt and mTOR2016In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 11, no 2, article id e0149082Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Reports concerning the effect of endurance exercise on the anabolic response to strength training have been contradictory. This study re-investigated this issue, focusing on training effects on indicators of protein synthesis and degradation. Two groups of male subjects performed 7 weeks of resistance exercise alone (R; n = 7) or in combination with preceding endurance exercise, including both continuous and interval cycling (ER; n = 9). Muscle biopsies were taken before and after the training period. Similar increases in leg-press 1 repetition maximum (30%; P< 0.05) were observed in both groups, whereas maximal oxygen uptake was elevated (8%; P< 0.05) only in the ER group. The ER training enlarged the areas of both type I and type II fibers, whereas the R protocol increased only the type II fibers. The mean fiber area increased by 28% (P< 0.05) in the ER group, whereas no significant increase was observed in the R group. Moreover, expression of Akt and mTOR protein was enhanced in the ER group, whereas only the level of mTOR was elevated following R training. Training-induced alterations in the levels of both Akt and mTOR protein were correlated to changes in type I fiber area (r = 0.55-0.61, P< 0.05), as well as mean fiber area (r = 0.55-0.61, P< 0.05), reflecting the important role played by these proteins in connection with muscle hypertrophy. Both training regimes reduced the level of MAFbx protein (P< 0.05) and tended to elevate that of MuRF-1. The present findings indicate that the larger hypertrophy observed in the ER group is due more to pronounced stimulation of anabolic rather than inhibition of catabolic processes.

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  • 33.
    Khalife, Natasha
    et al.
    Univ London Imperial Coll Sci Technol & Med, Dept Epidemiol & Biostat, London, England.
    Glover, Vivette
    Univ London Imperial Coll Sci Technol & Med, Inst Reprod & Dev Biol, London, England.
    Hartikainen, Anna-Liisa
    Univ Oulu, Inst Clin Med, Oulu, Finland.
    Taanila, Anja
    Univ Oulu, Inst Hlth Sci, Oulu, Finland.
    Ebeling, Hanna
    Oulu Univ Hosp, Clin Child Psychiat, Oulu, Finland.
    Jarvelin, Marjo-Riitta
    Univ London Imperial Coll Sci Technol & Med, Dept Epidemiol & Biostat, London, England.
    Rodriguez, Alina
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Social Sciences.
    Placental Size Is Associated with Mental Health in Children and Adolescents2012In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 7, no 7, p. Art. no. e40534-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: The role of the placenta in fetal programming has been recognized as a highly significant, yet often neglected area of study. We investigated placental size in relation to psychopathology, in particular attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, in children at 8 years of age, and later as adolescents at 16 years. Methodology/Principal Findings: Prospective data were obtained from The Northern Finland Birth Cohort (NFBC) 1986. Placental weight, surface area and birth weight were measured according to standard procedures, within 30 minutes after birth. ADHD symptoms, probable psychiatric disturbance, antisocial disorder and neurotic disorder were assessed at 8 years (n = 8101), and ADHD symptoms were assessed again at 16 years (n = 6607), by teachers and parents respectively. We used logistic regression analyses to investigate the association between placental size and mental health outcomes, and controlled for gestational age, birth weight, socio-demographic factors and medical factors, during gestation. There were significant positive associations between placental size (weight, surface area and placental-to-birth-weight ratio) and mental health problems in boys at 8 and 16 years of age. Increased placental weight was linked with overall probable psychiatric disturbance (at 8y, OR = 1.14 [95% CI = 1.04-1.25]), antisocial behavior (at 8 y, OR = 1.14 [95% CI = 1.03-1.27]) and ADHD symptoms (inattention-hyperactivity at 16y, OR = 1.19 [95% CI = 1.02-1.38]). No significant associations were detected among girls. Conclusions/Significance: Compensatory placental growth may occur in response to prenatal insults. Such overgrowth may affect fetal development, including brain development, and ultimately contribute to psychopathology.

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    Khalife_Placental_size
  • 34.
    Khalife, Natasha
    et al.
    Univ London Imperial Coll Sci Technol & Med, Dept Epidemiol & Biostat, London, England.
    Glover, Vivette
    Univ London Imperial Coll Sci Technol & Med, Inst Reprod & Dev Biol, London, England.
    Taanila, Anja
    Univ Oulu, Inst Hlth Sci, Oulu, Finland.
    Ebeling, Hanna
    Univ Oulu, Clin Child Psychiat, Inst Clin Med, Oulu, Finland.
    Jarvelin, Marjo-Riitta
    Univ London Imperial Coll Sci Technol & Med, Dept Epidemiol & Biostat, London, England.
    Rodriguez, Alina
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Psychology. Univ London Imperial Coll Sci Technol & Med, Dept Epidemiol & Biostat, London, England.
    Prenatal Glucocorticoid Treatment and Later Mental Health in Children and Adolescents2013In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 8, no 11, p. Art. no. e81394-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Animal studies demonstrate a clear link between prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids (GC) and altered offspring brain development. We aim to examine whether prenatal GC exposure programs long-term mental health in humans. Methods: Using propensity-score-matching, children prenatally exposed to synthetic glucocorticoids (sGC), n=37, and controls, n=185, were balanced on important confounders related to sGC treatment - gestational age and pre-pregnancy BMI. We also used mixed-effects modeling to analyse the entire cohort - matching each sGC case, n=37, to all possible controls, n=6079, on gestational age and sex. We obtained data from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 at four waves - pregnancy, birth, 8 and 16 years. Data on pregnancy and birth outcomes came from medical records. Mental health was assessed at 8 years by teachers with the Rutter B2 scale, and at 16 years by parents with the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD symptoms and Normal behavior (SWAN) scale and adolescents by the Youth Self-Report (YSR) scale. Results: Prenatal sGC treatment was consistently associated with adverse mental health in childhood and adolescence, as shown by both the propensity-score method and mixed-effects model. Using the propensity-score-matched subsample, linear multiple regression showed prenatal sGC was significantly linked with general psychiatric disturbance (B=8.34 [95% CI: .23-16.45]) and inattention (B=.97 [95% CI:. 16-1.80]) at 8 years after control for relevant confounders. Similar findings were obtained at 16 years, but did not reach statistical significance. Mediation by birthweight/placental weight was not detected. Conclusions: This study is the first to prospectively investigate the long-term associations between prenatal exposure to sGC treatment and mental health in children and adolescents. We report an association between prenatal exposure to sGC and child mental health, supportive of the idea that sGC has a programming effect on the fetal brain.

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    Rodriguez_Prenatal_glucocortoid_treatment
  • 35.
    Khan, Anokhi Ali
    et al.
    Univ London Imperial Coll Sci Technol & Med, Ctr Environm & Hlth, Hlth Protect Agcy, Med Res Council,Dept Epidemiol & Biostat, London, England.
    Rodriguez, Alina
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Social Sciences.
    Sebert, Sylvain
    Univ London Imperial Coll Sci Technol & Med, Ctr Environm & Hlth, Hlth Protect Agcy, Med Res Council,Dept Epidemiol & Biostat, London, England.
    Kaakinen, Marika
    Univ Oulu, Inst Hlth Sci, Oulu, Finland.
    Cauchi, Stephane
    Univ Lille 2, Inst Pasteur, Inst Biol Lille, Ctr Natl Rech Sci,Unites Mixte Rech 8199, F-59800 Lille, France.
    Froguel, Philippe
    Univ Lille 2, Inst Pasteur, Inst Biol Lille, Ctr Natl Rech Sci,Unites Mixte Rech 8199, F-59800 Lille, France.
    Hartikainen, Anna-Liisa
    Univ Oulu, Dept Clin Sci Obstet & Gynecol, Oulu, Finland.
    Pouta, Anneli
    Natl Inst Hlth & Welf, Oulu, Finland.
    Jarvelin, Marjo-Riitta
    Univ London Imperial Coll Sci Technol & Med, Ctr Environm & Hlth, Hlth Protect Agcy, Med Res Council,Dept Epidemiol & Biostat, London, England.
    The Interplay of Variants Near LEKR and CCNL1 and Social Stress in Relation to Birth Size2012In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 7, no 6, p. Art. no. e38216-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: We previously identified via a genome wide association study variants near LEKR and CCNL1 and in the ADCY5 genes lead to lower birthweight. Here, we study the impact of these variants and social stress during pregnancy, defined as social adversity and neighborhood disparity, on infant birth size. We aimed to determine whether the addition of genetic variance magnified the observed associations. Methodology/Principal Findings: We analyzed data from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 (n = 5369). Social adversity was defined by young maternal age (<20 years), low maternal education (<11 years), and/or single marital status. Neighborhood social disparity was assessed by discrepancy between neighborhoods relative to personal socio-economic status. These variables are indicative of social and socioeconomic stress, but also of biological risk. The adjusted multiple regression analysis showed smaller birth size in both infants of mothers who experienced social adversity (birthweight by -40.4 g, 95% CI -61.4, -19.5; birth length -0.14 cm, 95% CI -0.23, -0.05; head circumference -0.09 cm 95% CI -0.15, -0.02) and neighborhood disparity (birthweight -28.8 g, 95% CI -47.7, -10.0; birth length -0.12 cm, 95% CI -0.20, -0.05). The birthweight-lowering risk allele (SNP rs900400 near LEKR and CCNL1) magnified this association in an additive manner. However, likely due to sample size restriction, this association was not significant for the SNP rs9883204 in ADCY5. Birth size difference due to social stress was greater in the presence of birthweight-lowering alleles. Conclusions/Significance: Social adversity, neighborhood disparity, and genetic variants have independent associations with infant birth size in the mutually adjusted analyses. If the newborn carried a risk allele rs900400 near LEKR/CCNL1, the impact of stress on birth size was stronger. These observations give support to the hypothesis that individuals with genetic or other biological risk are more vulnerable to environmental influences. Our study indicates the need for further research to understand the mechanisms by which genes impact individual vulnerability to environmental insults.

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  • 36.
    Kårström, Andreas
    et al.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences (HOV). Swedish Biathlon Federation, Östersund, Sweden.
    Laaksonen, Marko
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences (HOV).
    Björklund, Glenn
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences (HOV).
    School’s out for summer–Differences in training characteristics between adolescent biathletes of different performance levels2023In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 18, no 8, article id e0290408Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The purpose of this study was to retrospectively describe the longitudinal changes of training variables in adolescent biathletes based on performance level. Thirty biathletes (15 men and 15 women) were included in the study and categorized as either national level biathletes (NLB, n = 21) or national team biathletes (NTB, n = 9). Retrospective training data was collected from training diary covering the biathletes’ four years (Y1-Y4) as student-athletes at upper secondary school. Training data was divided into physical and shooting training variables. A linear mixed-effect model was used for comparing the difference of the performance group and year of upper secondary school on training characteristics. The NTB group achieved a greater annual training volume than the NLB group, especially during Y4 (594±71 h·y-1 vs 461±127 h·y-1, p < 0.001), through an increase in duration of each session and by completing more weekly training volume during the general phase (13.7±4.6 vs 10.0±4.9 h·w-1, p = 0.004). No difference was observed in relative training intensity distribution between the groups. The total number of shots fired was also greater for the NTB (9971±4716 vs 7355±2812 shots·y-1, p = 0.003). There was an equal frequency in illness and injury for both the NLB and NTB. Accordingly, the results of the present study describe longitudinal changes of biathlon training in adolescent biathletes that also may affect performance development.

  • 37.
    Landstad, Bodil J.
    et al.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences (HOV).
    Hedlund, Marianne
    Tjulin, Åsa
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences (HOV).
    Nordenmark, Mikael
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences (HOV).
    Vinberg, Stig
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences (HOV).
    Making things work–In spite of a pandemic small scale enterprise managers’ approach to business changes and health issues2023In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 18, no 7, article id e0288837Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background

    Covid-19 is one of the worst crises in modern working life with a direct negative impact on many enterprises and organizations. The aim of this study is to explore what managers in Small Scale Enterprises (SSEs) changed in their business during the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly addressing health issues.

    Methods

    A longitudinal qualitative research methodology was used, interviewing 16 managers of SSEs in the Norwegian and Swedish manufacturing and service sector both before (round 1) and during the pandemic (round 2). In this approach, time is designed into the research process, making change a key focus for analysis.

    Results

    The analysis resulted in two main themes, resilience and demanding occupational health and safety conditions, and five sub-themes. Results show how managers in SSEs changed their business during the Covid-19 pandemic and the impact of these changes. Although, the enterprises were heavily affected in the beginning of the pandemic, several managers found new solutions for their businesses to maintain and reach new customers. They applied a socially responsible management which addressed different health issues.

    Conclusion

    Crises like the Covid-19 pandemic will have future impact on SSEs making it important to understand how managers in such enterprises address business and health issues. This knowledge may have practical implications for supporting managers in SSEs in how to perform a socially responsible management and maintain occupational health and safety measures. The managerial implications from this research are that they need to be flexible, reorientable and, at the same time, be loyal to the core business. This study shows the importance of doing longitudinal studies about business and health issues among mangers in SSEs.

  • 38. Lee, M. -S
    et al.
    Zi-Pei, W.
    Svanström, L.
    Dalal, Koustuv
    Cyber Bullying Prevention: Intervention in Taiwan2013In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 8, no 5Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of the cyber bullying prevention WebQuest course implementation. Methodology/Findings: The study adopted the quasi-experimental design with two classes made up of a total of 61 junior high school students of seventh grade. The study subjects comprised of 30 students from the experimental group and 31 students from the control group. The experimental group received eight sessions (total 360 minutes) of the teaching intervention for four consecutive weeks, while the control group did not engage in any related courses. The self-compiled questionnaire for the student’s knowledge, attitudes, and intentions toward cyber bullying prevention was adopted. Data were analysed through generalized estimating equations to understand the immediate results on the student’s knowledge, attitudes, and intentions after the intervention. The results show that the WebQuest course immediately and effectively enhanced the knowledge of cyber bullying, reduced the intentions, and retained the effects after the learning. But it produced no significant impact on the attitude toward cyber bullying. Conclusions/Significance: The intervention through this pilot study was effective and positive for cyber bulling prevention. It was with small number of students. Therefore, studies with large number of students and long experimental times, in different areas and countries are warranted. © 2013 Lee et al.

  • 39.
    Liedtke, H. Christoph
    et al.
    Lund Univ, Dept Ecol, S-22362 Lund, Sweden.
    Åbjörnsson, Kajsa
    Lund Univ, Dept Ecol, S-22362 Lund, Sweden.
    Harraca, Vincent
    Lund Univ, Dept Ecol, S-22362 Lund, Sweden.
    Knudsen, Jette
    Lund Univ, Dept Ecol, S-22362 Lund, Sweden.
    Wallin, Erika
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics.
    Hedenström, Erik
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics.
    Ryne, Camilla
    Lund Univ, Dept Ecol, S-22362 Lund, Sweden.
    Alarm pheromones and chemical communication in nymphs of the tropical bed bug Cimex hemipterus (Hemiptera: Cimicidae)2011In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 6, no 3, p. e18156-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The recent resurge of bed bug infestations (Cimex spp.; Cimicidae) and their resistance to commonly used pesticides calls for alternative methods of control. Pheromones play an important role in environmentally sustainable methods for the management of many pest insects and may therefore be applicable for the control of bed bugs. The tropical bed bug, Cimex hemipterus, is a temporary ectoparasite on humans and causes severe discomfort. Compared to the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, little is known about the chemical signalling and pheromone-based behaviour of the tropical species. Here, we show that the antennal morphology and volatile emission of C. hemipterus closely resembles those of C. lectularius and we test their behavioural responses to conspecific odour emissions. Two major volatiles are emitted by male, female and nymph C. hemipterus under stress, (E)-2-hexenal and (E)-2-octenal. Notably, nymph emissions show contrasting ratios of these compounds to adults and are further characterized by the addition of 4-oxo-(E)-2-hexenal and 4-oxo-(E)-2-octenal. The discovery of this nymph pheromone in C. hemipterus is potentially the cause of a repellent effect observed in the biotests, where nymph odours induce a significantly stronger repellent reaction in conspecifics than adult odours. Our results suggest that pheromone-based pest control methods developed for C. lectularius could be applicable to C. hemipterus, with the unique nymph blend showing promising practical properties.

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  • 40.
    Lindmark, Matilda
    et al.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Science, Design, and Sustainable Development (2023-).
    Ganji, S.
    Wallin, Erika A.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Science, Design, and Sustainable Development (2023-).
    Schlyter, F.
    Unelius, C. R.
    Semiochemicals produced by fungal bark beetle symbiont Endoconidiophora rufipennis and the discovery of an anti-attractant for Ips typographus2023In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 18, no 4, article id e0283906Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Bark beetles vector symbiotic fungal species into their host trees during mass attacks. The symbiotic relationship with blue stain fungi of the Ascomycetes, including genera of Endoconidiophora (syn. = Ceratocystis), promotes successful establishment whereby the microbes help to overcome the host trees' defence and degrade toxic resins. This is the first study to evaluate both the volatile emissions from an insect-associated blue stain fungus over time and the insect response in a field trapping experiment. Volatile emissions from isolates of Endoconidiophora rufipennis (ER) were collected by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) over a period of 30 days. This virulent North American fungus is closely related to E. polonica, a symbiotic fungus known from Eurasian spruce bark beetle Ips typographus.Nine volatiles were emitted by ER in substantial amounts: isoamyl acetate, sulcatone, 2-phenethyl acetate, geranyl acetone, geranyl acetate, citronellyl acetate, (R)- and (S)-sulcatol, and (R)-sulcatol acetate. A late peaking compound was geranyl acetone. In the field trapping experiment, three of the fungal volatiles (geranyl acetone, 2-phenethyl acetate and sulcatone) were tested in combination with a synthetic aggregation pheromone for I. typographus. Traps with geranyl acetone attracted lower numbers of I. typographus compared to traps with 2-phenethyl acetate, sulcatone or the pheromone alone as a control. The results showed that geranyl acetone acts as an anti-attractant and may act naturally on I. typographus as a cue from an associated fungus to signal an overexploited host. 

  • 41. Liu, Y.
    et al.
    Dalal, Koustuv
    Stollenwerk, B.
    The Association between Health System Development and the Burden of Cardiovascular Disease: An Analysis of WHO Country Profiles2013In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 8, no 4Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background:Several risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) have been identified in recent decades. However, the association between the health system and the burden of CVD has not yet been sufficiently researched. The objective of this study was to analyse the association between health system development and the burden of CVD, in particular CVD-related disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs).Methods:Univariate and multivariate generalized linear mixed models were applied to country-level data collected by the World Bank and World Health Organization. Response variables were the age-standardized CVD mortality and age-standardized CVD DALY rates.Results:The amount of available health system resources, indicated by total health expenditures per capita, physician density, nurse density, dentistry density, pharmaceutical density and the density of hospital beds, was associated with reduced CVD DALY rates and CVD mortality. However, in the multivariate models, the density of nurses and midwives was positively associated with CVD. High out-of-pocket costs were associated with increased CVD mortality in both univariate and multivariate analyses.Conclusion:A highly developed health system with a low level of out-of-pocket costs seems to be the most appropriate to reduce the burden of CVD. Furthermore, an efficient balance between human health resources and health technologies is essential. © 2013 Liu et al.

  • 42. Lown, E. A.
    et al.
    Otto, H. R.
    Norton, C. L.
    Jong, Miek C.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences (HOV). National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM), UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
    Jong, Mats
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences (HOV).
    Program evaluation of a wilderness experience for adolescents facing cancer: A time in nature to heal, connect and find strength2023In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 18, no 10, article id e0291856Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objective Despite advances in cancer treatment and increased survival, adolescents in treatment for cancer often suffer from psychosocial distress, negative mood, and chronic health problems. Wilderness therapy is considered a promising program to address psychosocial issues among adolescents with mental or behavioral health issues. There is little research on whether it may benefit adolescents in cancer treatment. Methods This program evaluation in the form of a pilot study uses qualitative and quantitative measures to describe the feasibility, acceptability, safety, and to explore the impact of a nine-day wilderness program among adolescents aged 13-17 in treatment or who recently finished treatment for a cancer. Quantitative tracking documented recruitment, retention, safety, and participant satisfaction. PROMIS measures assessed mental and social health, positive affect, fatigue, pain interference and intensity over three time-points: pre, post, and threemonths after the nine-day wilderness experience. Mean differences were compared over time. Qualitative data collection involved participant observation and open-ended interviews. Results Study enrollment goals were met, enrolling eight adolescent participants with 100% participant retention. No serious adverse events were reported and participants described high satisfaction (9.25/10) with the wilderness experience on the final day and at three-months follow-up (9.5/10). Exploratory data analysis showed scores in a favorable direction indicating improved psychosocial outcomes in physical functioning, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and peer relations. From qualitative analysis it is suggested that program participation supported: increased self-confidence and peer connection. The program was evaluated as increasing personal accomplishment, supporting social interaction, having strong staff support, and capitalizing on the natural surroundings. Conclusion Use of a wilderness program is feasible, acceptable, and safe among this highly vulnerable adolescent cancer population. Participants described greater self-confidence and peer connection which developed as participants experienced physical competency, group leadership, and personal strength. Larger randomized controlled studies are needed to learn whether these programs can improve psychosocial outcomes. 

  • 43.
    Lönnell, Niklas
    et al.
    Plant Ecology, Department of Botany, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Hylander, Kristoffer
    Plant Ecology, Department of Botany, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Jonsson, Bengt Gunnar
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of applied science and design.
    Sundberg, Sebastian
    Swedish Species Information Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
    The Fate of the Missing Spores - Patterns of Realized Dispersal beyond the Closest Vicinity of a Sporulating Moss2012In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 7, no 7, p. e41987-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    It is well-known that many species with small diaspores can disperse far during extended temporal scales (many years). However, studies on short temporal scales usually only cover short distances (in, e.g., bryophytes up to 15 m). By using a novel experimental design, studying the realized dispersal, we extend this range by almost two orders of magnitude. We recorded establishment of the fast-growing moss Discelium nudum on introduced suitable substrates, placed around a translocated, sporulating mother colony. Around 2,000 pots with acidic clay were placed at different distances between 5 m and 600 m, in four directions, on a raised bog, with increased pot numbers with distance. The experiment was set up in April-May and the realized dispersal (number of colonized pots) was recorded in September. Close to the mother colony (up to 10 m), the mean colonization rates (ratio of colonized pots) exceeded 50%. At distances between 10 and 50 m colonization dropped sharply, but beyond 50 m the mean colonization rates stabilized and hardly changed (1-3%). The estimated density of spores causing establishments at the further distances (2-6 spores/m(2)) was realistic when compared to the estimated spore output from the central colonies. Our study supports calculations from earlier studies, limited to short distances, that a majority of the spores disperse beyond the nearest vicinity of a source. The even colonization pattern at further distances raises interesting questions about under what conditions spores are transported and deposited. However, it is clear that regular establishment is likely at the km-scale for this and many other species with similar spore output and dispersal mechanism.

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  • 44.
    Makenzius, Marlene
    et al.
    Karolinska Institutet.
    Faxelid, Elisabeth
    Gemzell-Danielsson, Kristina
    Odero, Theresa M A
    Klingberg-Allvin, Marie
    Högskolan Dalarna, Omvårdnad.
    Oguttu, Monica
    Contraceptive uptake in post abortion care-Secondary outcomes from a randomised controlled trial, Kisumu, Kenya.2018In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 13, no 8, article id e0201214Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    AIM: The aim was to explore contraceptive uptake, associated factors and satisfaction among post abortion-care (PAC) seeking women in Kenya. Due to unsafe abortions, almost 120 000 Kenyan women received PAC in 2012, and of these women, 70% did not use contraception before pregnancy.

    METHODS: This study was nested in a larger randomised controlled trial, where 859 women sought PAC at two public hospitals in Kisumu, in June 2013-May 2016. The women were randomly assigned to a midwife or a physician for PAC, including contraceptive counselling, and followed up at 7-10 days and three months. Associated factors for contraceptive uptake were analysed with binary logistic regression, and contraceptive method choice, adherence and satisfaction level were examined by descriptive statistics, using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0.

    RESULTS: Out of the 810 PAC-seeking women, 76% (n = 609) accepted the use of contraception. Age groups of 21-25 (OR: 2.35; p < 0.029) and 26-30 (OR: 2.22; p < 0.038), and previous experience of 1-2 gravidities (OR 1.939; p = 0.018) were independent factors associated with the up-take. Methods used: injections 39% (n = 236); pills 27% (n = 166); condoms 25% (n = 151); implant 7% (n = 45) and intrauterine device (IUD) 1% (n = 8). At 3-month follow-up of the women (470/609; 77%), 354 (75%) women still used contraception, and most (n = 332; 94%) were satisfied with the method. Reasons for discontinuation were side-effects (n = 44; 39%), partner refusal (n = 27; 24%), planned pregnancy (n = 27; 24%) and lack of resupplies (n = 15; 13%).

    CONCLUSIONS: PAC-seeking women seem highly motivated to use contraceptives, yet a quarter decline the use, and at 3-month follow-up a further quarter among the users had discontinued. Implant, IUD and permanent method are rarely used. Strategies to improve contraceptive counselling, particularly to adolescent girls, and to increase access to a wide range of methods, as well as provider training and supervision may help to improve contraceptive acceptance and compliance among PAC-seeking women in Kisumu, Kenya.

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    FULLTEXT01
  • 45.
    Marsland, Finn
    et al.
    Univ Canberra, ACT, Australia.
    Mackintosh, Colin
    APPSEN Pty Ltd, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
    Holmberg, Hans-Christer
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    Anson, Judith
    Univ Canberra, ACT, Australia.
    Waddington, Gordon
    Univ Canberra, ACT, Australia.
    Lyons, Keith
    Univ Canberra, ACT, Australia.
    Chapman, Dale
    Univ Canberra, ACT, Australia.
    Full course macro-kinematic analysis of a 10 km classical cross-country skiing competition2017In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 12, no 8, article id e0182262Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In this study micro-sensors were employed to analyse macro-kinematic parameters during a classical cross-country skiing competition (10 km, 2-lap). Data were collected from eight male participants during the Australian championship competition wearing a single microsensor unit (MinimaxX (TM), S4) positioned on their upper back. Algorithms and visual classification were used to identify skiing sub-techniques and calculate velocities, cycle lengths (CL) and cycle rates (CR) over the entire course. Double poling (DP) was the predominant cyclical sub-technique utilised (43 +/- 5% of total distance), followed by diagonal stride (DS, 16 +/- 4%) and kick double poling (KDP, 5 +/- 4%), with the non-propulsive Tuck technique accounting for 24 +/- 4% of the course. Large within-athlete variances in CL and CR occurred, particularly for DS (CV% = 25 +/- 2% and CV% = 15 +/- 2%, respectively). For all sub-techniques the mean CR on both laps and for the slower and faster skiers were similar, while there was a trend for the mean velocities in all sub-techniques by the faster athletes to be higher. Overall velocity and mean DP-CL were significantly higher on Lap 1, with no significant change in KDP-CL or DS-CL between laps. Distinct individual velocity thresholds for transitions between sub-techniques were observed. Clearly, valuable insights into cross-country skiing performance can be gained through continuous macro-kinematic monitoring during competition.

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  • 46.
    Melchiorre, Maria Gabriella
    et al.
    Centre of Socio-Economic Research on Ageing, Italian National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, I.N.R.C.A., Ancona, Italy.
    Chiatti, Carlos
    Italian National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, I.N.R.C.A., Ancona, Italy.
    Lamura, Giovanni
    Centre of Socio-Economic Research on Ageing, Italian National Institute of Health and Science on Aging, I.N.R.C.A., Ancona, Italy.
    Torres-Gonzales, Francisco
    Centro de Investigación Biomedica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
    Stankunas, Mindaugas
    Department of Health Management, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania.
    Lindert, Jutta
    Department of Public Health Science, Protestant University of Applied Sciences, Ludwigsburg, Germany.
    Ioannidi-Kapolou, Elisabeth
    Department of Sociology, National School of Public Health, Athens, Greece.
    Barros, Henrique
    Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical School, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
    Macassa, Gloria
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    Soares, Joaquim
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    Social Support, Socio-Economic Status, Health and Abuse among Older People in Seven European Countries: Social support and elder abuse in Europe2013In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 8, no 1, p. e54856-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background

    Social support has a strong impact on individuals, not least on older individuals with health problems. A lack of support network and poor family or social relations may be crucial in later life, and represent risk factors for elder abuse. This study focused on the associations between social support, demographics/socio-economics, health variables and elder mistreatment.

    Methods

    The cross-sectional data was collected by means of interviews or interviews/self-response during January-July 2009, among a sample of 4,467 not demented individuals aged 60–84 years living in seven European countries (Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden).

    Results

    Multivariate analyses showed that women and persons living in large households and with a spouse/partner or other persons were more likely to experience high levels of social support. Moreover, frequent use of health care services and low scores on depression or discomfort due to physical complaints were indicators of high social support. Low levels of social support were related to older age and abuse, particularly psychological abuse.

    Conclusions

    High levels of social support may represent a protective factor in reducing both the vulnerability of older people and risk of elder mistreatment. On the basis of these results, policy makers, clinicians and researchers could act by developing intervention programmes that facilitate friendships and social activities in old age.

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    Abuse among older people
  • 47.
    Melchiorre, Maria Gabriella
    et al.
    INRCA Ancona, Italian Natl Inst Hlth & Sci Aging, Ctr Socioecon Res Ageing, Ancona, Italy.
    Di Rosa, Mirko
    INRCA Ancona, Italian Natl Inst Hlth & Sci Aging, Sci Direct, Ancona, Italy.
    Lamura, Giovanni
    INRCA Ancona, Italian Natl Inst Hlth & Sci Aging, Ctr Socioecon Res Ageing, Ancona, Italy.
    Torres-Gonzales, Francisco
    Univ Granada, Ctr Invest Biomed Red Salud Mental CIBERSAM, Granada, Spain.
    Lindert, Jutta
    Univ Emden, Dept Publ Hlth, Emden, Germany.
    Stankunas, Mindaugas
    Lithuanian Univ Hlth Sci, Dept Hlth Management, Kaunas, Lithuania.
    Ioannidi-Kapolou, Elisabeth
    Natl Sch Publ Hlth, Dept Sociol, Athens, Greece.
    Barros, Henrique
    Univ Porto, Sch Med, Dept Hyg & Epidemiol, Rua Campo Alegre 823, P-4100 Oporto, Portugal.
    Macassa, Gloria
    Univ Gavle, Dept Occupat & Publ Hlth Sci, Gavle, Sweden.
    Soares, Joaquim J. F.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    Abuse of Older Men in Seven European Countries: a Multilevel Approach in the Framework of an Ecological Model2016In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 11, no 1, p. 1-28, article id e0146425Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    BackgroundSeveral studies on elder abuse indicate that a large number of victims are women, but others report that men in later life are also significantly abused, especially when they show symptoms of disability and poor health, and require help for their daily activities as a result. This study focused on the prevalence of different types of abuse experienced by men and on a comparison of male victims and non-victims concerning demographic/socio-economic characteristics, lifestyle/health variables, social support and quality of life. Additionally, the study identified factors associated with different types of abuse experienced by men and characteristics associated with the victims.MethodsThe cross-sectional data concerning abuse in the past 12 months were collected by means of interviews and self-response during January-July 2009, from a sample of 4,467 not demented individuals aged between 60–84 years living in seven European countries (Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain and Sweden). We used a multilevel approach, within the framework of an Ecological Model, to explore the phenomenon of abuse against males as the complex result of factors from multiple levels: individual, relational, community and societal.ResultsMultivariate analyses showed that older men educated to higher levels, blue-collar workers and men living in a rented accommodation were more often victims than those educated to lower levels, low-rank white-collar workers and home owners, respectively. In addition, high scores for factors such as somatic and anxiety symptoms seemed linked with an increased probability of being abused. Conversely, factors such as increased age, worries about daily expenses (financial strain) and greater social support seemed linked with a decreased probability of being abused.ConclusionsMale elder abuse is under-recognized, under-detected and under-reported, mainly due to the vulnerability of older men and to social/cultural norms supporting traditional male characteristics of stoicism and strength. Further specific research on the topic is necessary in the light of the present findings. Such research should focus, in particular, on societal/community aspects, as well as individual and family ones, as allowed by the framework of the Ecological Model, which in turn could represent a useful method also for developing prevention strategies for elder abuse.

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  • 48. Melchiorre, Maria Gabriella
    et al.
    Di Rosa, Mirko
    Macassa, Gloria
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences. University of Gävle.
    Eslami, Bahareh
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    Torres-Gonzales, Francisco
    Stankunas, Mindaugas
    Lindert, Jutta
    Ioannidi-Kapolou, Elisabeth
    Barros, Henrique
    Lamura, Giovanni
    Soares, Joaquim J.F.
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Human Sciences, Department of Health Sciences.
    The prevalence, severity and chronicity of abuse towards older men: Insights from amultinational European survey2021In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 16, no 4, article id e0250039Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background

    Elder abuse is a growing public health question among policy makers and practitioners in many countries. Research findings usually indicate women as victims, whereas male elder abuse still remains under-detected and under-reported. We aimed to investigate the prevalence, severity and chronicity of abuse (psychological, physical, physical injury, sexual, and financial) against older men, and to scrutinize factors (e.g. demographics) associated with high chronicity of any abuse.

    Methods

    Randomly selected older men (n = 1908) aged 60–84 years from seven European cities (Ancona, Athens, Granada, Kaunas, Stuttgart, Porto, Stockholm) were interviewed in 2009 via a cross-sectional study concerning abuse exposure during the past 12 months.

    Results

    Findings suggested that prevalence of abuse towards older men varied between 0.3% (sexual) and 20.3% (psychological), with severe acts between 0.2% (sexual) and 8.2% (psychological). On the whole, higher chronicity values were for injury, followed by psychological, financial, physical, and sexual abuse. Being from Sweden, experiencing anxiety and having a spouse/cohabitant/woman as perpetrator were associated with a greater “risk” for high chronicity of any abuse. For men, severity and chronicity of abuse were in some cases relatively high.

    Conclusions

    Abuse towards older men, in the light of severe and repeated acts occurring, should be a source of concern for family, caring staff, social work practice and policy makers, in order to develop together adequate prevention and treatment strategies.

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  • 49.
    Musa, Najihah
    et al.
    IFM Biology, Conservation Ecology Group, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden .
    Andersson, Klas
    Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden .
    Burman, Joseph
    Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden .
    Andersson, Fredrik
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Chemical Engineering.
    Hedenström, Erik
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Chemical Engineering.
    Jansson, Nicklas
    IFM Biology, Conservation Ecology Group, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden .
    Paltto, Heidi
    IFM Biology, Conservation Ecology Group, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden .
    Westerberg, Lars
    IFM Biology, Conservation Ecology Group, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden .
    Winde, Inis
    Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden .
    Larsson, Mattias C.
    Department of Plant Protection Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden .
    Bergman, Karl-Olof
    IFM Biology, Conservation Ecology Group, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden .
    Milberg, Per
    IFM Biology, Conservation Ecology Group, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden .
    Using Sex Pheromone and a Multi-Scale Approach to Predict the Distribution of a Rare Saproxylic Beetle2013In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 8, no 6, p. e66149-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The European red click beetle, Elater ferrugineus L., is associated with wood mould in old hollow deciduous trees. As a result of severe habitat fragmentation caused by human disturbance, it is threatened throughout its distribution range. A new pheromone-based survey method, which is very efficient in detecting the species, was used in the present study to relate the occurrence of E. ferrugineus to the density of deciduous trees. The latter data were from a recently completed regional survey in SE Sweden recording >120,000 deciduous trees. The occurrence of E. ferrugineus increased with increasing amount of large hollow and large non-hollow trees in the surrounding landscape. Quercus robur (oak) was found to be the most important substrate for E. ferrugineus, whereas two groups of tree species (Carpinus betulus, Fagus sylvatica, Ulmus glabra, vs. Acer platanoides, Aesculus hippocastanum, Fraxinus excelsior, Tilia cordata) were less important but may be a complement to oak in sustaining populations of the beetle. The occurrence of E. ferrugineus was explained by the density of oaks at two different spatial scales, within the circle radii 327 m and 4658 m. In conclusion, priority should be given to oaks in conservation management of E. ferrugineus, and then to the deciduous trees in the genera listed above. Conservation planning at large spatial and temporal scales appears to be essential for long-term persistence of E. ferrugineus. We also show that occurrence models based on strategic sampling might result in pessimistic predictions. This study demonstrates how pheromone-based monitoring make insects excellent tools for sustained feedback to models for landscape conservation management.

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  • 50. Nieberding, Caroline. M.
    et al.
    de Vos, Helena
    Schneider, Maria V.
    Lassance, Jean-Marc
    Estramil, Natalia
    Andersson, Jimmy
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics.
    Bång, Joakim
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics.
    Hedenström, Erik
    Mid Sweden University, Faculty of Science, Technology and Media, Department of Natural Sciences, Engineering and Mathematics.
    Löfstedt, Christer
    Brakefield, Paul M.
    The Male Sex pheromone of the Butterfly Bicyclus anynana: Towards an Evolutionary Analysis2008In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 3, no 7, p. e2751-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Female sex pheromones attracting mating partners over long distances are a major determinant of reproductive isolation and speciation in Lepidoptera. Males can also produce sex pheromones but their study, particularly in butterflies, has received little attention. A detailed comparison of sex pheromones in male butterflies with those of female moths would reveal patterns of conservation versus novelty in the associated behaviours, biosynthetic pathways, compounds, scent-releasing structures and receiving systems. Here we assess whether the African butterfly Bicyclus anynana, for which genetic, genomic, phylogenetic, ecological and ethological tools are available, represents a relevant model to contribute to such comparative studies.

    Methodology/Principal Findings: Using a multidisciplinary approach, we determined the chemical composition of the male sex pheromone (MSP) in the African butterfly B. anynana, and demonstrated its behavioural activity. First, we identified three compounds forming the presumptive MSP, namely (Z)-9-tetradecenol (Z9-14:OH), hexadecanal (16:Ald) and 6,10,14-trimethylpentadecan-2-ol (6,10,14-trime-15-2-ol), and produced by the male secondary sexual structures, the androconia. Second, we described the male courtship sequence and found that males with artificially reduced amounts of MSP have a reduced mating success in semi-field conditions. Finally, we could restore the mating success of these males by perfuming them with the synthetic MSP.

    Conclusions/Significance: This study provides one of the first integrative analyses of a MSP in butterflies. The toolkit it has developed will enable the investigation of the type of information about male quality that is conveyed by the MSP in intraspecific communication. Interestingly, the chemical structure of B. anynana MSP is similar to some sex pheromones of female moths making a direct comparison of pheromone biosynthesis between male butterflies and female moths relevant to future research. Such a comparison will in turn contribute to understanding the evolution of sex pheromone production and reception in butterflies.

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