Opin vísindi

 

Nýlega bætt við

Verk
Longitudinal investigation of sleep and circadian rest-activity rhythms in non-small cell lung cancer patients during immunotherapy and associations with fatigue, depression, and perceived stress
(2025-10) Strøm, Louise; Zachariae, Robert; Wu, Lisa M.; Meldgaard, Peter; Ancoli-Israel, Sonia; Lekander, Mats; Mroczek, Daniel; Amidi, Ali; Department of Psychology
Background: Patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) face poor prognosis. However, new therapies like immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved survival. Nevertheless, ICIs act through immune activation – a proposed underlying mechanism of frequently reported symptoms such as sleep and circadian disturbances. The objective of this study was to longitudinally investigate sleep and circadian rest-activity rhythms and associations with psychological symptoms in NSCLC during ICI treatment. Methods: Newly diagnosed NSCLC patients were included in this prospective study, assessing insomnia severity, total sleep time, circadian rest-activity rhythms, and psychological symptoms (fatigue, depression, and stress) during the first five months of ICI treatment, using validated questionnaires, sleep diaries and actigraphy. Results: Forty-nine patients were included. Prior to treatment, patients slept on average 5.8 hours/night and 49 % reported clinical levels of insomnia. Spontaneous improvements in insomnia severity and total sleep time were observed, along with marginal but non-significant improvements in circadian rest-activity rhythm robustness. Insomnia severity was significantly associated with higher levels of fatigue (p = .004), depression (p = .007), and perceived stress (p = .033). Moreover, lower circadian rest-activity robustness was associated with more fatigue (p = .021). At baseline, mean levels of fatigue, depression, and perceived stress were below clinical levels and declined further over time. Conclusion: Sleep disturbances, circadian disruption, and psychological symptom burden in NSCLC patients were greatest prior to and shortly after initiation of ICI treatment, with gradual improvement over the first five months. However, inter-individual differences in sleep and circadian disturbances were evident and linked to psychological symptoms.
Verk
From Farm to Fork : The Role of AI in Advancing Sustainable Business Practices
(2025-07-31) Sigurjonsson, Throstur Olaf; Wendt, Stefan; Department of Business and Economics
This study examines how artificial intelligence (AI) supports environmental and social sustainability in the Icelandic food industry across the full value chain—from production to retail. Using a qualitative design, five semi-structured interviews were conducted with senior executives from food production, processing, and distribution firms. Thematic analysis revealed that AI is primarily applied for automation, quality control, energy efficiency, and workplace safety. Although not initially adopted for sustainability purposes, AI delivers indirect benefits such as reduced material use, lower energy and water consumption, and minimized food waste. For instance, AI-based quality control improved efficiency in meat and fish processing, while predictive tools enhanced inventory accuracy in retail. Importantly, no evidence was found of rebound effects or increased resource use. Instead, AI contributes to sustainability mainly through operational improvements. Its adoption is largely driven by external factors such as labor shortages, regulatory pressures, and consumer expectations. Despite its promise, challenges remain, particularly in data-sharing, implementation costs, and public trust. The study highlights the importance of embedding AI in broader ethical and sustainability frameworks to ensure its long-term contribution to responsible food system transformation.
Verk
Psychological Intervention for Patients with Biopsychosocial Late Effects Following Surgery for Colorectal Cancer with Peritoneal Metastases—A Feasibility Study
(2025-04) Balachandran, Rogini; Thaysen, Henriette Vind; Christensen, Peter; Nissen, Eva Rames; O’Toole, Mia Skytte; Knutzen, Sofie Møgelberg; Buskbjerg, Cecilie Dorthea Rask; Wu, Lisa Maria; Tauber, Nina; Amidi, Ali; Danielsen, Josefine Tingdal Taube; Zachariae, Robert; Iversen, Lene Hjerrild; Department of Psychology
Background: Up to 80% of patients experience late effects (LE) one year after surgery for peritoneal metastases (PM) from colorectal cancer (CRC). We tested the feasibility and outcome of a treatment strategy to address LEs. Methods: During January 2021–May 2023, patients who had undergone surgery for CRC-PM in Denmark were screened for biopsychosocial LEs (anxiety, depression, fear of cancer recurrence, insomnia, cognitive impairment, pain, fatigue). Patients scoring according to clinical cut-offs were referred to a Multi-Disciplinary Team conference (MDT). The patients, surgeon(s), nurse(s), and psychologists participated in the MDT, identified key concerns and proposed a personalized intervention. Pre- and post-intervention, patients completed a “Measure Yourself Concerns and Wellbeing” (MYCaW) questionnaire, rating the two most distressing LEs and general wellbeing on a 7-point Likert scale. Results: Of 28 eligible patients, 13 (59 years (mean), 85% women) accepted referral, participated in the MDT, and were offered a personalized intervention. The intervention was completed by 11 patients. Improvement in MYCaW score was observed 1 month postintervention for all three items: (1) the primary LE (p = 0.003, Hedges’s g 1.54), (2) the secondary LE (p < 0.001, Hedges’s g 1.65), and (3) general wellbeing (p = 0.005, Hedges’s g 1.09). This improvement was sustained 6 months postintervention. The 15 non-participants were, in general, older (66 years (mean), men 73%). Conclusions: Screening for LEs and conducting an MDT can provide a personalized intervention plan, which patients are able to complete and may benefit from.
Verk
Cognitive impairment in patients with melanoma before adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy and associations with brain gray matter, catechol-O-methyltransferase genotype, and psychological factors
(2025-01-15) Danielsen, Josefine T.; Zachariae, Robert; Schmidt, Henrik; Kallehauge, Jesper F.; Thomadsen, Julie K.; Wefel, Jeffrey S.; Wu, Lisa M.; Amidi, Ali; Department of Psychology
Background: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a significant concern in patients with cancer but understanding its prevalence and risk factors in patients with malignant melanoma (MMPs) remains limited. This study explores CRCI via a multifaceted approach integrating neurobiological, genetic, and psychological assessments. Methods: Cognitive functioning across multiple domains was assessed via neuropsychological tests in 47 MMPs before adjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, compared with 53 matched healthy controls (HCs). Self-reported cognitive complaints, brain gray matter (GM) properties, catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genotype, and psychological and behavioral factors were evaluated. Between-group differences were analyzed with t-tests and χ2 tests, and associations were explored with correlation analyses. GM properties were assessed in a subset of 23 MMPs and 47 HCs. Results: MMPs exhibited significantly lower cognitive functioning across multiple tests (all p <.05), with a high CRCI prevalence (68.1% vs. 26.4% in HCs). MMPs reported higher fatigue, anxiety, and insomnia severity and poorer sleep quality and quality of life (all p <.01). Self-reported cognitive complaints in MMPs were associated with some cognitive test scores (all p <.05), fatigue (p <.001), and anxiety (p =.045). GM analyses revealed a smaller left cuneus volume in MMPs and significant associations between MMPs' processing speed and cortical thickness (right precentral and left inferior parietal regions) and between delayed verbal memory and right postcentral GM volume (all p <.01). Conclusions: These findings underscore the need for comprehensive assessments in MMPs to better understand and address CRCI. A multifaceted approach would provide valuable insights that could inform future interventions and improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Verk
SUSTAINABILITY REPORTS, CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, AND ORGANIZATIONAL UNITS
(2026) Claessen, Arni; Sigurjonsson, Throstur Olaf; Wendt, Stefan; Department of Business and Economics
This study examines how Icelandic companies disclose sustainability-related governance practices and evaluates the impact of the new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) (European Commission, 2025) on future disclosure practices. Building on Claessen’s (2023) approach and using qualitative methodology, the research combines document analysis of sustainability reports from ten leading Icelandic firms with semi-structured interviews with company representatives. The study finds that current governance disclosures cover only 20–30 percent of ESRS minimum requirements. Key challenges include limited knowledge of ESRS among board members and consultants, weak communication structures, insufficient metrics and verification procedures, and resource constraints. The recent changes introduced by the 2025 Omnibus Act (European Council, 2025) further complicate compliance, intensifying the urgency for firms to adapt. The findings underscore the need for Icelandic companies to invest in training, enhance internal governance systems, and build robust reporting frameworks to meet regulatory demands. Without such efforts, companies risk legal and reputational repercussions. This research provides timely, country-specific insights into governance disclosure gaps and offers practical recommendations for aligning with the European Union’s (EU’s) evolving sustainability reporting landscape.

Flokkar í Opnum vísindum

Veldu flokk til að skoða.

Niðurstöður 1 - 9 af 9

Öll gögn í Opnum vísindum eru vernduð af ákvæðum höfundalaga og með öllum réttindum áskildum, nema annað sé tekið fram.