Mid Sweden University

This article critically examines the judgments issued by the Migration Court in Stockholm, particularly focusing on cases involving adolescent asylum applicants converted from Islam to Christianity. Drawing upon Max Weber's conceptualization of substantive rationality and substantial irrationality, this research explores the interplay between these elements within the court's decision-making process and the substantive rationality of asylum seekers, particularly how each party navigates complex value systems in the context of asylum claims. In the context of assessing credibility in conversion-based asylum claims in migration courts, substantive rationality entails applying general criteria consistently to evaluate asylum applicants' credibility based on objective evidence, while also acknowledging that individuals may prioritize their values over their legal conformity, as seen in the case of asylum applicant converts. The Court's credibility assessments, while intended to determine the trustworthiness of asylum claims, can lead to substantively irrational outcomes due to subjective judgment and overemphasis on written evidence. Politically appointed lay judges further complicate the decision-making process, often resulting in dissenting opinions from professional judges. In conclusion, while the court's decision-making process may appear rationalized through administrative procedures, it often embodies substantial irrationality in its disregard for the challenges faced by asylum applicant converts and the subjective biases of decision-makers.

Child maltreatment (CM) is associated with social problems, such as loneliness and isolation. One factor that might contribute to these problems is the tendency for individuals who have experienced CM to interpret neutral facial expressions as negative (i.e., negativity bias). Previous research has shown that mental representations of an attachment figure (AF) can lead to positive evaluations of neutral stimuli. We assessed whether such representations can also counteract negativity bias among individuals who experienced CM. Adults (N = 159) with and without a CM history completed a facial emotion recognition task. Prior to that, 53 participants with a CM history imagined an AF, and the rest (n = 49), as well as controls with no CM history (n = 57), imagined a neutral person. Participants in the AF group, d = 0.36, p <.001, but not the two other groups, demonstrated increased self-reported security in response to the imagination task. However, imagining an AF did not lead to stronger vagal responses to the imagination task than imagining a neutral person nor did it counteract negativity bias; compared to controls, individuals who experienced CM interpreted neutral expressions more often as contempt, βs.46–.48; ps =.016–.019, regardless of whether they imagined an AF or a neutral person. Thus, imagining an AF may be a helpful intervention to increase momentary feelings of security in individuals with a CM history. However, alternative—possibly body-oriented—interventions and their potential to reduce socially relevant alterations (e.g., negativity bias) on a behavioral level should be explored. 

This study employs critical discourse analysis to investigate three Swedish digital food networks–Matvärn (Food Defense), Potatisuppropet (The Potato Petition), and REKO Ring–and their website and social media texts. Two prominent types of discourse emerge from the material: risk discourses and community discourses. Matvärn and Potatisuppropet used an alarmist rhetoric, highlighting crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of a culture where food production skills are transferred over generations. REKO Ring tended to focus on societal issues rather than crises, operating as an environmentalist network within conventional market trading. Both discourses were fueled by nostalgia, as the networks tended to gaze back and idealize past times and orders. Although all three networks could be described as ideological (though they differed in how explicit they were), they tended to use rational arguments rather than moral ones. Finally, though the networks have connections to the environmental movement, they differ from classical environmentalism in the sense that they highlight sustainability rather than ideals of justice and equality. 

Objective This study aimed to explore the predictive value of severe burnout complaints, symptom dimension of burnout and depressive symptoms for subsequent all-cause medically certified sickness absence (ACMCSA) during the pandemic among physicians in Sweden. Design A 1 year follow-up panel cohort observational study - the Longitudinal Occupational Health Survey for HealthCare in Sweden. At baseline (February-May 2021), a representative sample of 6699 physicians was drawn from the Swedish occupational register and invited to participate in the study. At follow-up (March-May 2022), the full sample (excluding those who died, retired, stopped working as a physician or migrated, n=94) was invited to answer the survey. Setting Swedish primary and specialist healthcare. Participants At baseline, the response rate was 41.3% (n=2761) of which 1575 also answered at follow-up. Primary and secondary outcome measures ACMCSA data came from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency. The Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT-23) was used to measure burnout, including a burnout total score and scores for the four symptom dimensions of exhaustion, mental distance, emotional impairment and cognitive impairment. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Symptom Checklist-core depression (SCL-CD6). Associations between baseline burnout and depressive symptoms and subsequent ACMCSA were estimated with logistic regression analyses. Results ACMCSA was found in 9% of the participating physicians. In the sample, 4.7% had severe burnout complaints, and 3.7% had depressive symptoms. Burnout (OR=2.57; 95% CI=1.27 to 5.23) and the burnout symptom dimensions emotional impairment (OR=1.80; 95% CI=1.03 to 3.15) and cognitive impairment (OR=2.52; 95% CI=1.12 to 5.50) were associated with a higher likelihood of subsequent ACMCSA. Depressive symptoms were not associated with ACMCSA when adjusted for severe burnout complaints and other covariates. Conclusion This study demonstrates the distinction between burnout and depressive symptoms, particularly in predicting future ACMCSA. Early intervention targeting exhaustion and burnout may mitigate symptom development and reduce the risk of ACMCSA. 

This paper begins with crises; environmental, social and democratic. And then it posits that in the midst of these crises there might be an opportunity. One that involves not so much "saving"democracy and sustaining current ways of life but shifting attentions towards potentially creating (re-creating) something different. Something we are calling eco-democracy. There have long been voices, calling for a more environmentally thoughtful form of democracy. After tracing a short discussion of this history including some of the critiques we turn to an exploration of eco-democracy in environmental education. Our argument is that some forms of environmental education are already thinking in more eco-democratic ways without necessarily naming the project as such. In order to do this, we focus on five 'seedlings' of eco-democracy that already exist in environmental education. These seedlings allow us to do two things. First, draw connections to Wild Pedagogies and second draw out four key considerations for environmental educators if they are interested in having more eco-democratic practices: voice, consent, self-determination and kindness. The paper ends with a short speculative exploration of what might happen pedagogically if environmental education were to assume an eco-democratic orientation through honouring voice, consent, self-determination, and kindness. 

Carob fruit utilization remains limited, with most of their commercial value derived from locust bean gum, which is obtained from seed endosperm. Efficient extraction requires dehusking, which is traditionally performed under harsh conditions. This study aims to develop and optimize a milder, more sustainable dehusking method while preserving seed quality for industrial applications. Various aqueous-based solvents were tested, leading to the selection of metanesulfonic acid (CH4O3S). A Box–Behnken design with response surface methodology optimized the process, using husk removal efficiency as the response variable. The optimized conditions were 24.5 g of seeds treated in 50 mL of a solvent mixture (41% CH4O3S and 59% H2SO4) at 90 °C for 10 min, followed by washing by 5 min with water (87 mL). The treated seeds were analyzed using colorimetry assays and diffusive reflectance spectroscopy and benchmarked against both pristine and dehusked seeds from a local company. The resulting seeds remained morphologically intact and exhibited appealing color characteristics comparable to commercial samples. The optimized method ensured intact seed morphology and color characteristics comparable to commercial standards, offering a viable alternative to conventional H2SO4-based dehusking. Furthermore, this study also highlights for the first time the effectiveness of diffusive reflectance spectroscopy as a rapid and straightforward tool for assessing the dehusking process. 

This study investigates a Cascaded H-Bridge converter with Electric Double-Layer Capacitors as integrated energy storage components. As the DC-link voltages are variable, the modulation index and number of submodules contributing to the active power delivery vary according to state of charge. The nearest level control algorithm for this application is studied, and expressions for the duty cycle of conventional Nearest Level Modulation are derived. A modification of the sort and select algorithm to determine which submodule is to be inserted and bypassed when using the Nearest Level Control algorithm is proposed to distribute the activation time and the experienced RMS current of the submodules. Expressions for the duty cycle of each inserted submodule for the proposed algorithm is presented and compared to the conventional. Simulation experiments of current sharing between submodules under active power delivery for the conventional and proposed Nearest Level Control is conducted for an 11- level, 41-level and 61-level converter. Simulation experiments show a reduction in RMS current for the submodule experiencing the highest thermal stress. Over the course of power delivery and increasing modulation index, the peak RMS current increase for the conventional nearest level modulation while it is kept constant for the proposed modulation scheme. 

Purpose: This purpose of this research note is to draw on “visuality” and “the right to look” − concepts which challenge authoritarian classifications of what is visualised − to critically examine the use of qualitative visual methods. Design/methodology/approach: The author expands on and discuss insights from fieldwork and interviews conducted with participants of nature-based events in Sweden. Findings: Researchers who use qualitative visual methods face ethical dilemmas in relation to the complex interactions between research participants and researchers, and therefore, ideally need to learn to balance the power dynamics between visualities. Practical implications: Researchers ideally need to recognise the absence of straightforward answers when using qualitative visual methods and carefully consider who should realistically represent the images for research. At times, the findings of such research may need to challenge the participants’ own visual intentions. Social implications: Scholars should address certain ethical considerations, as the intentions in conducting qualitative visual research may conflict with what the participants wish to have visualised. Originality/value: The insights from this research note provide insights into how ethical implications might be addressed when two visualities meet in research context. 

We are witnessing the mobilization of geographical and social peripheries as sites for change in the current industrialization and 'green' development of the sparsely populated Swedish North (Norrland). In this article, we aim to explore how objects of affection and images of the Swedish North are framed in movements both for and against the establishment of a new so-called green industry in the northern Swedish countryside. This prospect has been hotly debated in the local community, which has seen both struggles for it (because of job opportunities) and against it (because of the destruction of nature and livelihood opportunities). Combining selective digital archiving with Sara Ahmed's concept of affective economies and its application to images of place and belonging, we analyze how the region's re-industrialization both draws upon and contests traditional images of the northern countryside. Our analysis shows that the resistance to and mobilization of such ideas of renewal and escape are rooted both in nostalgia for a pre-industrial past and a desire for the prosperity brought by industrial investments. It also shows how different development goals are invoking different ideas of what is best for the local community, making visible the rural as a conflicted space.

Financial advisors are professionals with a high level of financial knowledge and skills, but do they use their own working experience to achieve financial health? In fact, little is known whether financial advisors utilize their financial capability and adopt financial behavior, and how they ensure their own financial well-being and mitigate financial stress. Based on the capability approach and previous studies, an online questionnaire was developed and sent to a sample of financial advisors in the USA. We received 232 valid responses, and the results suggest that financial advisors' capability can address financial well-being and financial stress. However, their own financial behavior, per se, does not. To solve this dilemma, the study emphasizes the effect of regularly practicing lifelong learning and physical activity. Our study also offers insights that help institutions that organize the career requirements of financial advisors.

Aim: Our primary aim was to assess how dispersal limitation affected forest changes in the Northern Hemisphere during the last glacial cycle, and especially after the last deglaciation. Location: Northern Hemisphere (between 20°N and 80°N). Time Period: 50,000–0 years before present. Major Taxa Studied: Angiosperms and gymnosperms. Methods: We used the LPJ-GM 2.0 dynamic global vegetation model to simulate the vegetation dynamics of the Northern Hemisphere over the past 50,000 years. We compared two dispersal modes by allowing establishment as soon as suitable environmental conditions were realised (free dispersal), or by additionally constraining establishment based on potential migration speed and maturation time (dispersal limitation). For both dispersal modes, we inferred (mega-)biomes and calculated the fraction of forest cover, earliest post-glacial forest establishment, and the difference between dispersal modes (dispersal lag). To evaluate our results, we compared simulated tree cover with pollen-based reconstructions of European Holocene vegetation and of North American vegetation since the Last Glacial Maximum. Results: We simulated multi-millennial dispersal lags in post-glacial establishment of temperate forests in Europe, boreal forests in Central Siberia, and scattered forest areas close to mountain chains (Rocky Mountains and north of Himalaya). Overall, the simulation with limited dispersal had lower forest extents compared to the free-dispersal simulation, especially after the Last Glacial Maximum, with greater mismatches following intervals of rapid warming, notably the onsets of GI-1 and the Holocene. Comparisons with pollen reconstructions showed that the simulation with limited dispersal better captured both the expansion of European temperate trees and the distribution of broadleaved and needleleaved trees in North America during the early Holocene. Main Conclusions: The lag in response of forests to rapid climate change has implications for past ecosystems and projections of future ecosystem services. 

Background: Medication-related problems (MRPs) are common during transitions of care and can lead to hospital readmissions. This patient safety issue is especially pronounced among geriatric patients. In a randomised controlled trial (RCT), the effect of a pharmacist-led follow-up programme after discharge from hospital for people ≥75 years in the north of Sweden was investigated. One of the components in the programme was telephone calls to study participants, to find and manage MRPs. Objective: To explore study participants' views on follow-up telephone calls by a clinical pharmacist in the RCT. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants who had received an intervention in the RCT. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Results: In total, nine participants were interviewed. Four main themes were generated: 1. Experiences of the telephone counselling by the clinical pharmacist, 2. Acceptability of receiving telephone follow-up from a clinical pharmacist, 3. Communication with health care providers, and 4. Medication management and views about medications. Conclusions: The study revealed varying perceptions of the clinical pharmacists' telephone calls, with participants expressing diverse experiences and preferences regarding the service. Most participants said they considered the content relevant and comprehensible in the conversations. The effect of the follow-up programme may have improved if the role of the clinical pharmacist had been explained in more detail to the participants and if the service would have had a more person-centred focus. More research is needed regarding how to best support geriatric patients with their medication treatment in transitions of care. 

Objective: This study investigated the association between individuals' economic situation and divorce among the population aged 60+ in Sweden, with a focus on the role of gender and potential changes across cohorts. Background: Previous research on divorce has mainly considered individuals of working age or all ages combined, although late-life divorce is increasing in several Western countries. Economic considerations regarding divorce may differ for older members of the population, who often have a more restricted economic situation and fewer possibilities to respond to the consequences of a dissolution. Method: Using Swedish population registers, this study investigated late-life divorce among cohorts born 1930–1956. Discrete-time event-history analysis was employed to study the relationship between income (recent and accumulated individual income, and spouses combined income levels) and divorce across gender and cohorts. Results: For women, the results showed a shifting pattern from a positive to a slightly negative gradient of the two individual income measures for divorce. Men had an increasingly negative income gradient in divorce across cohorts. The results for combined income levels for couples corroborate these patterns. Late-life divorce has become increasingly linked to low income over cohorts. Conclusion: The novel findings for older individuals mirror previous findings on trends in the general population, although those studies used other socioeconomic measures. As the association between income and divorce becomes increasingly negative among older women and men, and as the divorce rate increases, there is a growing need to understand different aspects of couple dynamics in later life. 

"The healing link in an errant chain of thought". Modernism, avant-garde, and the critically affirmative irony of bob hund

bob hund could be called a «post-rock band» that investigates what it really means to be a rock band – or, as they call themselves: a pop orchestra. How do you put together the given components drum, bass, guitar and keyboard in constellations that make something new appear? In trying to respond to this question, this article points to bob hund’s roots in modernist avant-garde aesthetics, and examines what such winding connections between different traditions might mean. Aesthetic practices such as decontextualization, irony, anacoluthon wordplay, and lists change when they are used in new and different historical contexts. If high modernism was reduced to form, and Duchampian neodadaism to lifestyle choices, then bob hund opens new possibilities for aesthetic practices in today's anthropocenic hypercapitalism.

Sexuality is a key aspect of life and health, and representations of historical change are a central part of sexuality education. This article examines how narratives of change are constructed in textbook content on sexuality. Its aim is to analyse narratives of change as portrayed in Swedish textbooks for early teenagers. Data were collected from Swedish textbooks and analysed using thematic analysis. Key findings included a tendency towards the use of teleological narratives of change alongside 'non-controversial' utopian goals. Change regarding sex and sexuality was commonly constructed as moving from discrimination to tolerance, and from beliefs to knowledge. The textbooks seldom discussed the political dimensions of change and were frequently marked by a consensus-orientation, obscuring underlying conflicts. These factors limit the abilities of textbooks to support the development of action competence among young people regarding sex and sexuality.

Research on determinants of fathers' parental leave use often focuses on fathers' characteristics but leave out that decisions are negotiated with the mother. This study asks how fathers' and mothers' characteristics as well as their combination are associated with fathers' leave use in Sweden, a country where parental leave sharing is encouraged. The results indicate that both fathers' and mothers' income and education matter for how long leave the father takes, albeit in gendered ways. Fathers with the lowest income tend not to use leave but if the mother also have no (or low) income, he will use long leave. Among middle-income fathers, a short leave is most common but if the mother has high income, they will instead use a long leave. Fathers' and mothers' tertiary education are positively associated with leave and two tertiary educations lead to a long leave rather than a short leave.

Introduction The pulmonary oxygen uptake is reduced during apnea, compared to eupneic baseline, preserving the pulmonary oxygen store. This study elucidates the time course for this reduction, comparing it to the time course for apnea-induced cardiovascular responses.Methods and results Experiments involved two groups, performing apneas during rest, both without and with cold-water face immersion (A and AFI). The first group (n = 18) performed A and AFI of gradually increasing durations (from 15 to 120 s, order unknown to participant), allowing analysis of the time course for apneic pulmonary gas exchange. The second group (n = 18) performed A and AFI of identical durations (mean: 137 s), allowing analysis of cardiovascular and respiratory responses. The time course for pulmonary oxygen uptake was similar to the time courses for heart rate and cardiac output, i.e., following a brief increase from eupneic baseline during the initial 15 s of A and AFI, the oxygen uptake was gradually reduced during apnea, reaching a sub-eupneic level from 30 s of apnea and onwards. Changes were augmented during AFI compared to A. Observations confirmed that cardiovascular responses to apnea, including a reduced cardiac output, reduced peripheral blood flow, and most likely a peripheralization of blood volume, preserved the pulmonary oxygen store, while the peripheral venous oxygen stores were depleted to a greater extent.Conclusions We conclude that the central, pulmonary oxygen store is preserved with augmented cardiovascular responses to apnea, at the expense of peripheral venous oxygen stores, with a time course similar to that of the cardiovascular responses.

Recovery from work stress is crucial for health and well-being. While research has strongly focused on recovery processes after the workday, there is increasing recognition of the importance of such processes during work. A challenge in investigating recovery processes at work has been the absence of validated measurement tools. This study developed and examined the psychometric properties of a work context-adapted version of the Swedish version of the Recovery Experience Questionnaire (REQ). Data were collected by means of an online survey, consisting of 481 employees at a large-sized company located in a medium-sized community in Sweden, in which the questionnaire was completed at two occasions (269 completed the questionnaire on the first or the second occasion, and 105 participants on both occasions). To determine the best-fitting model, we first conducted an exploratory factor analysis (EFA), followed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to test the a priori model. Both the EFA and the CFA supported the proposed four-factor structure of the scale, consisting of the factors Control, Relaxation, Mastery, and Psychological detachment. High reliability estimates were demonstrated for both internal consistency of the total measure and of each subscale, and test-retest consistency. Furthermore, the measure proved to have good convergent validity and discriminant validity for all factors, except some concern regarding convergent validity for Mastery. Despite the limitations discussed, the findings provide support for the use of the Swedish version of the REQ-W and suggest the development and psychometric testing of translated versions of the REQ-W in other languages.

Aim: To explore Registered Nurses' experiences of continuity of care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease inprimary care.

Design: An inductive, descriptive qualitative study.

Methods: Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 11 purposively sampled Registered Nurses of varying levels of experience from eight regions in Sweden. The audiotaped interviews were conducted over a 5-month period (December2023–April 2024), transcribed verbatim and analysed using interpretive description.

Results: Registered Nurses' experiences of continuity of care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are described by three themes (seven subthemes): Patient continuity (Building personal relationships: Being accessible and enabling trust and confirmation), Collaborator continuity (Having a colleague to lean on: Colleagues can lean on me: Feeling alone with my expertise) and Continuity with myself (Trusting my own competence: Carrying a burden alone).

Reporting Method: Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research Guidelines.

Conclusion: This study provides an understanding of Registered Nurses' experiences of continuity of care in primary care. The results may help improve future care since nurses play an essential role in the care of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease within primary care.

Implications for the Profession and Patient Care: To enhance continuity of care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the relationship between the nurse and the patient is important, as is collaboration with colleagues. This collaborative approach allows these nurses to maintain continuity with both the patients and themselves, fostering a more stable and effective care environment.

Impact: This study offers valuable insights into the experiences of Registered Nurses in maintaining continuity of care within primary care, particularly for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. By highlighting the critical role of Registered Nurses in managing these patients, the study underscores the importance of strong nurse–patient relationships and effective collaboration among healthcare professionals.

Patient or Public Contribution: No Patient or Public Contribution.

Local climate adaptation is constrained and steered along specific paths by various mechanisms, which together form a lock-in. The study focuses on Swedish local civil servants’ strategies to deal with climate adaption lock-ins and to what extent the strategies disrupt the lock-ins. Interviews were conducted with civil servants in six municipalities, complemented by interviews at regional and national public agencies. The study investigates the presence of physical infrastructural, institutional, mental/cognitive, and discursive lock-in mechanisms and finds that they together limit and steer local civil servants’ work on climate adaptation. The study shows that the lock-in mechanisms are dealt with by civil servants through two types of strategies. Influencing strategies target others to change their thinking, behavior, or decisions, while subversive strategies involve ignoring, violating, or undermining formal and informal institutions. Civil servants used influencing strategies to mitigate several types of lock-in mechanisms. The strategies had a higher impact when targeted at mental/cognitive mechanisms, as influencing others to change their mindsets and practices widened opportunity spaces. This increased the possibilities to disrupt also other types of lock-in mechanisms. Civil servants also employed subversive strategies in the form of disregarding the legislation, departmentalization, mindsets, and practices. The subversive strategies were successful in, for example, enabling decisions, but did not weaken the lock-in mechanisms. The study shows that to disrupt climate adaptation lock-ins, civil servants need to use influencing strategies to sequentially target lock-in mechanisms. 

This study explores the potential of Arbutus unedo L. pomace, a by-product of the food industry, as a natural ingredient for skincare applications. In Portugal, A. unedo L. fruits are traditionally used to produce “Aguardente de Medronho”, a spirit with a protected geographical indication. The distillation process generates pomace, comprising skins, pulp remnants, seeds, and residual alcohol rich in phenolic compounds, whose levels are significantly increased during distillation. In addition to their documented high antioxidant content, these residues also display notable antimicrobial properties. However, their potential benefits for skin health have not yet been explored. The methodology entailed the preparation of the pomace extract and a comprehensive analysis of its polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity under laboratory conditions and in preclinical cellular models. The by-products demonstrated a high polyphenol content and potent antioxidant activity, comparable to vitamin C. Bioscreening on human skin models (i.e., dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes) revealed their ability to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation under oxidative stress in skin cells, highlighting their potential to mitigate skin aging and damage caused by environmental pollutants. Moreover, bioscreens in vitro revealed a high safety profile, without any interference with cell viability at concentrations up to 100 µg/mL. These findings support the use of A. unedo L. pomace extract as a sustainable ingredient for the development of antioxidant-rich and eco-friendly cosmetic or dermatologic products. 

Metaheuristic algorithms have become powerful tools for solving complex optimization problems. Consensus-based optimization (CBO), inspired by social interactions, models a network where agents adjust their positions by learning from their neighbors. While effective, CBO relies on a fixed network structure, limiting its adaptability. To overcome this, we propose the Human Generation (HG) algorithm, which extends CBO by incorporating a two-layer influence mechanism. The first layer mimics kinship-based learning, ensuring local refinement, while the second layer models elite-following behavior, enabling efficient global exploration. This structured adaptation enhances both convergence speed and solution accuracy. We evaluate HG across unimodal, multimodal, and complex optimization problems, as well as a real-world image thresholding application. Experimental results demonstrate that HG consistently outperforms CBO and other state-of-the-art algorithms, making it a robust optimization approach. 

This review paper addresses several robust controllers and optimization procedures for developing automatic generation control (AGC) in an electrical supply system under various electrical disturbances. Since, the electrical power system is completely dynamic and non-linear in nature, frequent control over power generation is required as per the new scheduled demand. The action that promptly oversees the electricity generation as per the new scheduled demand is referred as AGC. The AGC action mostly relies over several robust controllers for creating secondary control loop in the system. These controllers sense the error signals of the power system effectively and takes remedial immediately to assure stability in the system. The error signals are the deviation in network frequency (ΔF) and diversion in inter-area power (ΔPtie), which mutually referred as the area control error (ACE). The mismatch between net electricity generation and active gross loading is the main cause of the ACE in power system. The several control schemes like, conventional PID, Fraction value ordered PID (FO-PID), Fuzzy-PID, Fuzzy- TID, Fuzzy ruled sliding mode control (F-SMC) strategy, Type-II Fuzzy controllers etc. are demonstrated to improve AGC of the power system. The proposed controllers offer improved efficiency at their optimum state. So, optimization techniques need to be incorporated in the AGC scenario to optimal design several proposed controllers. Finally, this review article has synthesized few simulation-based case studies to validate the efficacy of the proposed controller and suggested optimization techniques. Robustness of the proposed controllers are also examined through several sensitivity studies. 

Entering the labour market and conforming to the authority relations that characterize wage labour are central parts of becoming an adult. The aim of this qualitative study is to analyse desirable leadership from the perspective of young adult employees in the retail sector. Informants were asked to define what they view as leadership and describe what they desire leadership to be like. Interviews with 13 young adults (aged 18-28) in the Swedish retail sector, analysed with qualitative content analysis, revealed that desirable leadership meant participation and equal influence. This included the formal exercise of authority, provided that the authority considered the integrity and views of all subordinates. At the same time, leadership based on formal authority was desired. Two themes were identified as desired: leadership through cooperation, democracy and respect; and leadership through competence, command and objective feedback, summarized under the overarching theme of leadership based on professional competence and respect for individuals' integrity.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine knowledge development across network boundaries.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical part of this paper is based on a longitudinal case study of a Swedish regional strategic network (RSN) in a sparely populated area. Data was collected through interviews, websites and social media. The case focuses on the creation of sub-networks designed to improve collaboration among different experts. The paper analyses how knowledge evolved across these sub-networks, the RSN and social and business networks.FindingsThe case study demonstrates how RSN membership can foster knowledge development by building social networks not only among CEOs but also among other key positions within firms. These sub-networks facilitate relationship-building, which may lead to business exchanges. However, their primary value lies in the exchange of experiences, mutual support and knowledge sharing, all of which contribute to various aspects of firm development.Originality/valueThe study offers a longitudinal perspective on how RSNs in sparsely populated areas can support knowledge development by enhancing social networking among participating firms. It highlights the creation of sub-networks that strengthen connections across various firm positions.

Aims Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) and takotsubo syndrome (TS) are both characterized by lack of significant coronary artery stenoses and a higher prevalence of mental health disorders preceding the event. Currently, little is known about their pathological aetiologies and subsequent treatment plans, giving cause for concern among those affected. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of mental health status and quality of life (QoL) in MINOCA and TS patients after the acute event, compared with both cardiac and non-cardiac populations, and over time.Methods and results A systematic search was conducted via Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, ASSIA, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase from inception to May 2024. The review was registered in PROSPERO and methods, and results were reported in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Quality assessment and risk of bias were evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for cross-sectional and cohort studies. Sample sizes ranged from 13 to 5322 participants. The risk of bias was high in 18/28, medium in 7/28, and low in 3/28 studies. Across the symptoms assessed, MINOCA and TS patients reported worse mental health status or QoL than non-cardiac groups in 10/13 studies and cardiac groups in 10/20 studies. Investigating change over time, 1/5 studies found deteriorating mental health status, 3/5 reported improved mental health status or QoL, and 1/5 reported no change in MINOCA and TS patients.Conclusion Patients with MINOCA or TS seem to have worse mental health status and QoL after the acute event than non-cardiac individuals, but it is yet difficult to conclude whether mental distress and QoL are equal or worse compared with coronary heart disease patients. There is no convincing evidence that mental health status or QoL of MINOCA and TS patients naturally improve over time after the acute event. Among the studies evaluated, risk of bias was high. More high-quality studies are needed, investigating mental health status and QoL among MINOCA and TS patients. This is a systematic review of all papers reporting data on post-event mental health status and quality of life in individuals following either a MINOCA or takotsubo syndrome. Individuals who have suffered a MINOCA or takotsubo syndrome more often report worse mental health status and quality of life than healthy controls and at least as often or more often than other cardiac patients.Much of the available data had a high risk of bias, demonstrating a lack of high-quality investigation of the mental well-being of these patients, and more attention is warranted.

Event portfolios play a crucial role in regional development, fostering economic growth, community identity, and destination branding. While economic impacts of events have been extensively studied, their social impacts-especially at the portfolio level- remain underexplored. This paper addresses this gap by applying Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) to measure the non-use value of a regional event portfolio in Jämtland, Sweden. Using survey data from 414 regional residents, we assess willingness to pay (WTP) for twelve prominent events, capturing the perceived social value beyond direct participation. Findings indicate significant variation in WTP across different event types and demographic groups, with sports and cultural events eliciting distinct patterns of valuation. Results suggest that non-use value is a viable metric for assessing the social impact of event portfolios, providing policymakers and event managers with actionable insights for strategic planning. This study contributes to event portfolio research by demonstrating how CVM can be systematically applied to quantify social value, offering a framework for more informed event policy and funding decisions.

BackgroundAnxiety and depression are the most prevalent mental health disorders. The first-line treatment is antidepressants, such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, but benzodiazepines and antihistamines are also used to treat anxiety. Only one-third of patients achieve remission with first-line treatment. Identifying responders and nonresponders to monotherapy prior to treatment could increase remission rates and reduce dropout. The aim of the current study was to predict response to antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and antihistamines from polygenic risk scores (PRSs) in individuals with anxiety and/or depression symptoms.MethodsWe identified 2515 individuals in a genotyped cohort in the Swedish Twin Registry who had been prescribed drugs for anxiety and/or depression. Of these individuals, 1037 received monotherapy (555 with antidepressants, 169 with benzodiazepines, and 313 with antihistamines). The remaining 1478 individuals switched or added more drugs during the assessment period (2005–2018). The accuracy of 42 PRSs for psychiatric diagnoses as well as for nonclinical phenotypes in predicting mono- versus multitherapy was assessed using logistic regression.ResultsMonotherapy with benzodiazepines was predicted by a PRS for depressive symptoms indexed by the Patient Health Questionnaire (odds ratio [OR] = 1.29), while monotherapy with antihistamines was predicted by a PRS for lifetime anxiety disorder (OR = 1.25) and a PRS for schizophrenia (OR = 1.24). None of the investigated PRSs significantly predicted monotherapy with antidepressants.ConclusionsReal-world data suggest that monotherapy with benzodiazepines or antihistamines can be predicted from PRSs related to anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.

Public employees request a hybrid workplace solution. However, to someemployees, working from home poses challenges such as a lack of an oceinfrastructure and feelings of loneliness. To overcome these challenges andsecure decent work conditions during remote work, the private sector, andfreelancers have used local coworking spaces (CWSs).With the increase of hybridwork arrangements, the public sector needs to ensure that employees havedecent onsite and remote working conditions, in which CWSs could functionas an alternative to home-based work. Through a 1-year qualitative evaluationproject, 15 public employees tested hybrid work in which they combined workat the centralized oce, from home, and at a local CWS. Data were collectedthrough surveys with open-ended questions and semi-structured interviews.The results from the content analysis show a diverse picture of participants’perceptions regarding the use of CWSs. When there was a lack of users and adecent physical work environment, public employees preferred to work fromhome. On the contrary, when adequately designed, CWSs provided employeeswith social interactions and became an integral part of the local community.These findings suggest that introducing local CWSs can promote sustainablework if they align with employees’ needs.

This thesis is concerned with the study of sustainable mobility in rural tourism areas. In particular, it aims to: i) contribute to a better understanding of the transport challenges faced by rural tourism areas; and ii) explore how to plan for sustainable mobility in such places. The overarching research question that has guided this investigation is as follows: How can rural tourism regions promote sustainable mobility? To achieve the aim of this thesis, two main aspects of sustainable mobility are addressed. Firstly, by incorporating perspectives from various stakeholder groups, including tourists, residents, second-home owners and practitioners involved in transport planning, the study seeks to gain a comprehensive understanding of transportation challenges and the travel practices of the various groups. Secondly, the thesis explores how Public Participation Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS) – a rarely-used participatory land use planning method in tourism studies - can aid in sustainable mobility planning. The thesis draws from several concepts and a theory. The concepts include monomodalism, car dependency, wicked problems, (un)desirable transport futures, automobility and public participation in planning processes. The theory is that of social representation. The thesis is based on a case study approach, focusing on four selected locations in Sweden: Sälen; Malung-Sälen; Älvdalen; and Åre. These locations are prominent rural tourism regions that face significant transport-related challenges for which they seek to implement sustainable solutions. A mixed-methods approach is employed, integrating both qualitative and quantitative techniques to address the objectives outlined in the five papers that make up the thesis. The findings of the thesis collectively show that the main challenge to sustainable mobility in rural tourism regions is one that can be termed a crisis of uncontested poly-challenges. In other words, these regions simultaneously face a conundrum of transport challenges, including the hegemony of the private car coupled with poor public transport services as well as a shortage of policy frameworks for developing sustainable mobility. In addition, the regions included in this study have historically been marginalised when it comes to transport planning research and policy, a situation which further exacerbates their peripheral position with regard to promoting sustainable mobility. This thesis makes a theoretical contribution to the fields of tourism and transport research. It does so by applying contemporary concepts in sustainability discussions and social representation theory to inform our understanding of transport challenges. Furthermore, by investigating the potential of the PPGIS method as a tool for sustainable rural mobility planning and how to design effective PPGIS studies for such planning, this thesis makes a methodological and practical contribution to the fields.

This paper examines Swedish secondary students’ interest in science and technology from a gender perspectivein a comparative research design using quantitative data collected 2003 and 2020. National datahas been collected from 610 15-year-old students in 2020 as part of a large-scale comparative researchproject, the Relevance of Science Education - Second (ROSES) and compared with data from the Relevanceof Science Education (ROSE) study from 2003. The results empirically update the research field and showa reoccurring interest pattern with minor changes. Content related to space and unexplained phenomenaare still ranked as interesting to learn about. Girls are interested in health issues and the human body,space, dreams and the human soul. Boys favour items about space, inventions and discoveries togetherwith ABC weapons. Minor developments are that interest in learning about diets and exercise as wellas technology has declined. The least interesting things to learn are almost the same as in 2003, with several topics connected to the national science curriculum. The character of students’ interest in S&T isframed and discussed using the theoretical approach of science identity. The stable character with minorchanges is discussed as reoccurring science identities interpreted by the differentiation hypothesis of the“person-object theory of interest”. Gender differences are interpreted as collective identities shown to be‘domain specific’ not ‘subject specific’ and the content level of analysis provide specificity to ‘interest patterns’which has not been well described earlier in the research literature. Research consequences of thisconceptualization and implications for school practice is critically discussed. A research implication fromthis conceptualization is the importance for future studies to investigate varieties of collective identities.

Background: Health inequalities impact older adults and individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) significantly, increasing their barriers to a healthy lifestyle. eHealth has emerged as a promising tool for addressing these public health challenges by facilitating greater access to interventions that promote physical activity. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for 71 percent of all global deaths, many of which are preventable through adherence to physical activity guidelines. As WHO identifies older adults and individuals with disabilities as priority groups for health interventions, this dissertation aims to assess whether web-based exercise can promote physical activity and health markers in these populations. Therefore, the aim of this dissertation was to evaluate the effectiveness, feasibility, and sustainability of web-based exercise interventions in target groups that rarely meet the recommended levels of physical activity: older adults and people with ID.

Method: This dissertation includes four studies, two with mixed method design, one with quantitative design and one with qualitative design. Study I evaluated the effectiveness and user experiences of an online resistance training program for older adults with pre- sarcopenia. Study II assessed the effects of a web-based exercise, designed for individuals with ID. Study III explored the experiences of support staff in assisting individuals with ID while participating in such a web-based exercise program. Study IV provided a long-term, 12-month, follow-up on Study II, assessing effects and experiences.

Results: Both web-based exercise programs achieved high adherence rates, with 80% in Study I and 83% in Study II. The exercise improved chair stand time (95% CI: 0.8–2.3, p < 0.001) and lean muscle mass i (95% CI: 0.06–0.72, p < 0.05) for older adults (Study I) and reduced fat mass (95% CI: 0.9-2.9, P < 0.001) and waist circumference (95% CI: 0.99-5.01, P = 0.009) for individuals with ID (Study II). Additionally, older adults reported feeling more active and noticing physical improvements (Study I). Feedback from support staff (Study III) underscored the importance of communication, structure, and motivation, within support teams, to foster physical activity. Study IV observed no sustained long-term effects, though some participants reported health benefits that motivated continued exercise, while others cited low motivation or lack of post-program support.

Conclusion: The conclusion from this dissertation was that a web-based program seems effective and feasible for older adults with pre-sarcopenia and adults with ID, short-term. Adaptability and accessibility were two crucial building blocks for successful implementation for these target groups. In addition, the support structure was of high importance, affecting long-term sustainability and requiring further investigation.

O artigo examina a importância da comunicação estratégica na governança de dados indígenas, com enfoque na soberania desses dados. Por meio de uma revisão de literatura com abordagem descritiva exploratória, o estudo investiga como práticas de comunicação estratégica participativa promovem conscientização, empoderamento, diálogo e colaboração entre stakeholders. A comunicação estratégica é vista como uma ferramenta crucial para aumentar a conscientização, empoderar comunidades, facilitar o diálogo e promover práticas éticas e respeitosas na gestão de dados de povos e comunidades indígenas. Conclui-se que esse processo deve ser contínuo e adaptável às necessidades indígenas, valorizando suas vozes e avançando para uma governança de dados justa, inclusiva e equitativa.

This study’s background is the lack of research and knowledge about special education in Sweden’s School-Age Educare Centers (SAEC), focusing on extra adaptations and special support. The study is important for international educational research because it draws attention to a research area that is lacking. Additionally, out-of-school programs are beginning to question and develop the field of special education. The study aimed to determine to what extent staff of various professional groups support students in need of special support and extra adaptations in SAEC. It is based on a web survey with 412 responses from SAEC staff. The empirical material was analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. As a theoretical frame, we used the relational perspective. The result shows that various professional groups have different and distinctive perceptions of students needing special support and extra adaptations in SAEC, especially the principals. Another result was that few students have action programs in SAEC. The results suggest that the students do not receive the special educational support needed to attain sufficient development and learning in the SAEC, which does not meet the governing documents for the SAEC. This study makes an important contribution for all professionals in SAEC (or internationally similar after-school settings) because staff is predicted to receive increased importance in the SAEC to compensate and supplement schools. Implications for practice are the need to allocate resources to implement the special education reform, prioritize SAEC and support staff in the implementation.

 Syftet med studien är att bidra med kunskap om barns trivsel i relation till deltagande i fritidshemmet, med särskilt fokus på hur fritidshemmets organisering möjliggör och hindrar detta. I studien används belonging (tillhörighet) som teoretiskt begrepp för att analysera barnens beskrivningar av trivsel i fritidshemmet. Data producerades genom semistrukturerade gruppintervjuer med barn där de fick rita och berätta om sin vardag i fritidshemmet. Den analyserades med fokus på barnens huvudangelägenhet. Möjligheten att få ta del av ”roliga” aktiviteter och att få vara del av relationer lyfts genomgående fram av barnen, både i deras bilder och i deras berättelser om vardagen i fritidshemmet. Motsatsen, att inte kunna vara del av detta, beskrivs som störande i förhållande att känna tillhörighet. Resultatet visar hur barnen ”gör” trivsel genom olika gränsdragningsprocesser utifrån fritidshemmets organisering av tillhörighet i grupper och den egna individuella identifikationen och anknytningen

Objective: Few studies have investigated links between fraction exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), the home and the school environment. FeNO is a biomarker of T helper 2 (Th2) airway inflammation. We investigated associations between FeNO and airway symptoms, allergies, household and classroom exposure among pupils in ten primary schools in Stockholm (N = 415). Methods: Information on health and household environment was obtained by a questionnaire. FeNO was measured at school. Particle mass (PM1, PM2.5, PM10), carbon dioxide (CO2), temperature, and relative air humidity (RH) were measured in the classrooms. Microbial DNA and 3-hydroxy fatty acids (3-OHs) from endotoxin in Gram-negative bacteria were analysed in vacuumed dust from floors and upper surfaces. Three-level linear mixed models were used to analyse associations. Results: In total, 9.7 % of the pupils had elevated FeNO (>20 ppb), 15.2 % doctor diagnosed asthma, 10.7 % current asthma, 17.8 % reported allergy and 9.6 % doctor diagnosed allergy. Reported allergy (p = 0.02), diagnosed allergy (p = 0.002), and current asthma (p = 0.007) were associated with elevated FeNO. Children living in single-family houses with basement had higher FeNO than those in self-owned apartments (p = 0.001). In the classrooms, PM10 (p = 0.008), RH (p = 0.004) and DNA copies from Gram-negative bacteria in vacuumed floor dust (p = 0.008) were associated with higher FeNO. C16 3-OH in floor dust (p = 0.046) and C10 (p = 0.02) and C11 3-OHs (p = 0.04) in upper surface dust were associated with higher FeNO. The association between Gram-negative bacteria at school and FeNO was stronger among girls. Children with parental asthma and allergy, and among those with dampness and mould at home and in single-family houses with basement. Conclusions: FeNO is associated with reported asthma and allergy. In the school environment, PM10 and exposure to some subpopulations of Gram-negative bacteria can increase FeNO. Sex, parental asthma or allergy, dampness at home and type of housing can modify associations between classroom exposure and FeNO. 

Background

The Activity-Based Workplace (ABW) is an increasingly popular office design that aims to facilitate new ways of working. Research focusing on the effects of ABWs on various outcomes is growing but there is a lack of studies looking at how managers and employees perceive the transition to ABWs from a salutogenic health-promotion perspective. This study aims to explore how managers and employees experienced a transition period to ABWs through the lens of a sense of coherence.

Methods

A qualitative design was applied through semi-structured interviews with six managers and focus group interviews with nine employees working in the public sector in Sweden. A content analysis of the interviews was conducted using Aaron Antonovsky’s sense of coherence concept, with the three main aspects of comprehensibility, meaningfulness and manageability acting as a theoretical framework for the analysis.

Results

Six sub-categories within the three main SOC categories were identified in the material and considered important to the participants during their transition to the ABW. The sub-categories were divided into facilitating factors and barriers to obtaining a sense of coherence. The identified factors were: information and preparation, clear rules, adaptability, leadership, social relations and health and well-being.

Conclusions

The analysis showed that the managers and employees were exposed to factors which may have acted as both facilitators and barriers to a sense of coherence during the transition to the ABW. When implementing ABWs, consideration must be given to the facilitators and barriers identified in this study during the transition process. The sense of coherence framework appears valuable for gaining a deeper knowledge of managers’ and employees’ experiences during the transition to ABW.

The present study connects broad educational conceptualizations of teaching method challenges with a detailed and innovative approach to students and teacher collaboration seen in cognitive stress measurements from wearable devices. The approach encompasses variances of collaborative performance in schools through uniquely correlated variables of temporal slopes that highlight the contrast between traditional teaching methods in front and active teaching that emphasize social groups and peer tutoring support. Such contrast may inform collaborative dynamics in education settings, as a stressful environment may serve as a condition that impair student learning and make teachers job more difficult.

Each participant was given one wearable for their wrist in naturalistic setting, and a Bayesian cross-classified multilevel model building on posterior distribution between 46 teaching method clusters averaging 832s in length was utilized while accounting for within-level participant stress differences alongside contextual elements. Statistically significant results generally indicate benefits to more traditional teaching methods. Robust estimates were observed where students adapting to the teacher consequently increased their stress levels, emphasizing the importance of letting students actively dictate the mood and rhythm. The presented approach has potential to integrate with further research scaled up for automated contextualized adaptation.

This study investigates the familiarity with and application of Dynamic Assessment (DA) among Speech and Language Pathologists (SLPs) in Sweden, focusing on its use in diagnosing language disorders in children. Using a mixed-methods approach, survey data were collected from 565 SLPs, revealing that 72% were familiar with DA. However, a significant proportion rarely applied it in practice, although DA was more prevalent in areas predominantly characterized by low socioeconomic status and a high proportion of multilingual assessments. The findings underscore a gap between international guidelines from experts in the field, which recognize the potential of DA for more accurate diagnosis, particularly in children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and its actual utilization. Despite the evident need (92% of the respondents rated the need for DA as very or quite large), only a minority of the respondents had received formal DA training. These results call for enhanced training and resources to increase the integration of DA into clinical practice, aiming to bridge the gap between current practices and the benefits of utilizing DA in language assessments of children with suspected language disorders.

PurposeThis study empirically examines the nexus between central bank interest rates and profitability of commercial banks within the specific context of Sweden.Design/methodology/approachBank-level longitudinal panel data from 20 Swedish commercial banks over the period from 2007 to 2022 are analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistical techniques, including ordinary least squares (OLS), fixed-effects models and feasible generalized least-squares (FGLS) regression, to provide robust insights into the factors influencing bank profitability.FindingsContrary to common expectations, the result of this study shows no statistically significant relationship between central bank interest rate and banks profitability in Sweden. The findings of the three models indicate that the organization-level determinants such as persistent profitability, capital adequacy, size and revenue growth, are more important than the central bank interest in explaining profitability among Swedish banks.Originality/valueThe study expands our knowledge regarding the complexities of relationship between the central banks interest rate on banks' profitability particularly in the less investigated context of Sweden. The study is also notable as it finds no significant relationship between central banks interest rate and banks profitability, which may be attributed to the large database used as well as the inclusion of many organizational level variables.

Automobile dependence and its externalities pose significant sustainability issues in both urban and rural areas. However, the existing literature mainly focuses on cities, with limited evidence from cases in the countryside. Travelling in rural areas requires attention, as most tourists rely on private cars to travel to and within these places. Also, cars are still widely accepted as "the rural transport solution", which hinders the transition to more sustainable transport systems. In this paper I present empirical evidence on the extent to which domestic tourists depend on their cars for travel to and within S & auml;len, a rural destination in Sweden. According to a Public Participation GIS (PPGIS) survey conducted among tourists in S & auml;len, 89% of visitors travelled to the destination by car, while none of them used collective transport. Moreover, interviews conducted with stakeholders involved in transport planning and management in S & auml;len have revealed challenges in providing alternative mobility options, such as public transport, to the destination. Furthermore, even though the destination offers a ski bus transport system for trips within the destination, the survey results indicate that most tourists still prefer to travel by private car within S & auml;len. The use of private cars for tourist travel has resulted in externalities, particularly congestion during peak times. This view is shared by stakeholders and supported by the results of the tourist survey. These findings have implications for rural (tourism) policy, as they show that developing alternative mobility infrastructure is not enough to shift tourists' automobile dependency in rural areas.

The development of policy process theories is progressing rapidly. Scholars increasingly apply these theories originated in the US to different contexts and continents, such as Europe. Furthermore, scholars at different career stages, including junior scholars, work on and with these theories. Focusing on junior scholars, this paper poses the following question: What are the key considerations of European junior scholars engaging in policy process theory development? We present three observations: The first observation refers to the general construction of a research project contributing to theory development. The second observation investigates how teaching policy process research and public policy, in general, can advance theory development. The third observation focuses on how to bridge the science-practice gap as a junior scholar working on policy process theories. The three observations highlight the potential of making use of your own agency as a junior scholar engaging in policy process theory development in Europe.

This study examined the high-temperature stability of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) in an oxygenated environment. Both polymers were extrusion-coated onto copper wires for electrical insulation in traction motors. Accelerated testing using thermogravimetry and calorimetry showed that copper catalyzed thermal oxidation of PEEK (at very high temperature), which was accelerated by a lower molar mass of the PEEK and an increased copper-polymer contact area. Both techniques indicated a complex thermal oxidation pattern for both polymers. Notably, the presence of copper seemed to reduce/retard the degradation of PPS. Overall, both polymers demonstrated high oxidation resistance at elevated temperature in an air environment, indicating long service life in electric motor, excluding factors like moisture, oil spray cooling and Joule heating.

Basal melting of ice shelves is fundamental to Antarctic ice sheet mass loss, yet direct observations remain sparse. We present the first year-round melt record (2017-2021) from a phase-sensitive radar on Fimbulisen, one of the fastest flowing ice shelves in Dronning Maud Land, East Antarctica. The observed long-term mean ablation rate at 350 m depth below the central ice shelf was 1.0 +/- 0.5 m yr-1, marked by substantial sub-weekly variability ranging from 0.4 to 3.5 m yr-1. 36-h filtered basal melt rate fluctuations closely align with ocean velocity. On seasonal time scales, melt rates peak during austral spring to autumn (September-March), driven by both elevated ocean velocities and thermal driving near the base. The combined effect of thermal driving and current speed explains the majority of the melt rate variability (r = 0.84), highlighting the dominant role of shear-driven turbulence. This relationship enables parameterization of melt rates for the decade-long ocean record (2010-2021), although deviations appear under low and high forcing conditions. Both observed and parameterized melt rates show similar yearly mean magnitudes compared to satellite-derived melt rates but with a tenfold lower seasonal amplitude and a 3-month delay in seasonality. These detailed concurrent ice-ocean observations provide essential validation data for remote sensing and numerical models that aim to quantify and project ice-shelf response to a change in ocean forcing. In situ measurements and continued monitoring are crucial for accurately assessing and modeling future basal melt rates, and for understanding the complex dynamics driving ice-shelf stability and sea-level change.

Anxiety and depression commonly occur together resulting in worse health outcomes than when they occur in isolation. We aimed to determine whether the genetic liability for comorbid anxiety and depression was greater than when anxiety or depression occurred alone. Data from 12,792 genotyped twins (ages 38–85) were analysed, including 1,986 complete monozygotic and 1,594 complete dizygotic pairs. Outcomes were prescription of antidepressant and anxiolytic drugs, as defined by the World Health Organization Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (ATC) convention, for comorbid anxiety and depression (n = 1028), anxiety only (n = 718), and depression only (n = 484). Heritability of each outcome was estimated using twin modelling, and the influence of common genetic variation was assessed from polygenic scores (PGS) for depressive symptoms, anxiety, and 40 other traits. Heritability of comorbid anxiety and depression was 79% compared with 41% for anxiety and 50% for depression alone. The PGS for depressive symptoms likewise predicted more variation in comorbid anxiety and depression (adjusted odds ratio per SD PGS = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.43–1.63; ΔR2 = 0.031, ΔAUC = 0.044) than the other outcomes, with nearly identical results when comorbid anxiety and depression was defined by International Classification of Diseases (ICD) diagnoses (adjusted odds ratio per SD PGS = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.53–1.90; ΔR2 = 0.036, ΔAUC = 0.051). Individuals in the highest decile of PGS for depressive symptoms had over 5 times higher odds of being prescribed medication for comorbid anxiety and depression compared to those in the lowest decile. While results on a predominant role of depressive symptoms may have been biased by the size and heterogeneity of available data bases, they are consistent with the conclusion that genetic factors explain substantially more variation in comorbid anxiety and depression than anxiety or depression alone.

Mid Sweden University (MIUN) recognizes its vital role in advancing sustainability through education, research, and institutional practices: ’What we do [at Mid Sweden University] has to work not only today but also in the future’, as the University’s strategy document states (MIUN 2018/1006). To assess the current sustainability perceptions, behaviours, and attitudes among staff, the MIUN Sustainability Survey was conducted in 2024. The survey had multiple aims: i) understand sustainability competencies on campus; ii) evaluate attitudes and engagement in sustainability initiatives; iii) identify barriers to sustainable behaviours; iv) identify perceived importance of different sustainability actions, and v) collect staff suggestions for future sustainability efforts. This survey serves as a baseline for future assessments and provides insights into sustainability engagement across both university campuses.

Kompletterande skrivundervisning för sjuksköterskestudenter – Samarbete mellan skrivdidaktiker och omvårdnadslärare

 Denna text är en reflektion kring tillvalskursen Akademiskt läsande och skrivande för programstudenter, 3 hp för sjuksköterskestudenter. Efter önskemål från lärare på sjuksköterskeprogrammet utvecklades och gavs kursen av svenska språket vid Mittuniversitetet 2022–2023. Kursen syftade till att sjuksköterskestudenter skulle kunna utveckla sin akademiska litteracitet. Reflektionen tar avstamp i de utmaningar som det innebär att erbjuda kompletterande skrivundervisning vid sidan om ordinarie kursutbud. Vi har fått flera viktiga insikter under processens gång. För det första är en samsyn inom kollegiet om akademisk litteracitet avgörande för implementering och långsiktig förankring. För det andra kan samarbete mellan skrivdidaktiker och ämneslärare vara gynnsamt för att utveckla undervisningen. För det tredje krävs organisatoriska förutsättningar och tillräckliga resurser för att stödja sådana initiativ. Vi menar också att inslag om akademisk litteracitet inte ska vara valfria, utan integreras med ämnesstudier för att alla studenter ska ta del av dem. Slutligen kan vi konstatera att tillvalskurser kan vara ett komplement till arbetet som bedrivs av lärare i ämnesmiljöer, men det kan aldrig ersätta deras arbete. Lärarna är ämnesexperter och de är bäst rustade att erbjuda utbildning, bedömning och stöttning i ämnets skriftpraktiker. 

De flesta svenska lärosäten har i dag språkverkstäder med upp­draget att stötta studenterna i utvecklingen av akademiska språkliga praktiker. Trots att uppdraget har en stark koppling till universitetens kärnverksamheter utbildning och forskning organiseras verksamheterna i all­mänhet i marginalen, inom ramen för service- eller stödfunktioner. I denna studie utforskas hur verksamma språkhand­ledare från språkverkstäder vid fyra läro­säten i kollegiala grupp­samtal talar om egna exempel från verksamheten, särskilt sådana som innebär professionella dilemman. Syftet är att synliggöra det ”gränsarbete” på olika nivåer som behöver utföras för att hantera yrkesutövandet genom att förhålla sitt eget handlande till andra intressenters handlande och förväntningar och verksamhetens underliggande villkor.

Analysen visar att gränsarbete är centralt för språkhandledarnas professionella praktik, genom att många av de dilemman som deltagarna redogör för berör ansvars­relationer och frågor om vad språkhandledaren ska göra – och inte göra – i relation till studenter, universi­tetslärare och i viss mån även i relation till organisatoriska förutsättningar. En vanlig gräns­problematik är t.ex. att behöva hantera att studenter kan utgå från en avvikande uppfattning om var gränserna går för vad språkhand­ledarna kan och ska bidra med än den språkhand­ledarna har. Till problematiken hör att möta förväntningar om att, som det uttrycks i mate­rialet, ”rätta” eller ”fixa” texter.Resultaten relateras till tidigare forskning som diskuterat hur en s.k. autonom syn på litte­racitet genomsyrar akademin och skapar en förståelse av litteracitet som indi­viduell färdighet och språk som något som enkelt kan ”fixas”. Utifrån detta diskute­ras hur språkverkstädernas marginaliserade position riskerar att bidra till att reprodu­cera en sådan syn.