Greinar - HA

Varanleg URI fyrir þennan undirflokkhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/77

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Mannekla lögreglu og mjúk löggæsla í dreifbýli
(Félagsfræðingafélag Íslands, 2021-04-29) Oddsson, Guðmundur; Hill, Andrew; Félagsvísindadeild (HA); Hug- og félagsvísindasvið (HA); School of Humanities and Social Sciences (UA)
Markmið rannsóknarinnar eru að kortleggja þróun mannafla íslensku lögreglunnar frá árinu 2007, skoða lögregluna í evrópskum samanburði og greina upplifun dreifbýlislögreglumanna af helstu áskorunum þeirra og bjargráðum. Notast er við fyrirliggjandi gögn og viðtöl við 23 lögreglumenn með starfsreynslu í dreifbýli. Niðurstöðurnar sýna að starfandi lögreglumenn voru 648 árið 2017 og hafði fækkað um 9% frá 2007. Landsmönnum fjölgaði samhliða um 10%. Árið 2018 var Ísland meðal þeirra Evrópulanda sem höfðu hvað fæsta lögreglumenn (185) á hverja 100.000 íbúa. Hvergi fækkaði lögreglumönnum jafn mikið í Evrópu milli 2009 og 2018 og hérlendis (29,1%). Samhliða nær fimmfaldaðist fjöldi erlendra ferðamanna. Fólksfjölgun, fjölgun ferðamanna og fækkun lögreglumanna hafa aukið álag og komið niður á löggæslu, ekki síst í dreifbýli. Niðurstöður viðtala sýna að helstu áskoranir sem dreifbýlislögreglumenn upplifa eru mannekla, ofurálag, margþætt verkefni, lítil aðstoð og óskýr mörk vinnu og einkalífs. Helstu bjargráð dreifbýlislögreglumanna eru að þróa með sér fjölþætta kunnáttu og hugvitssemi við að virkja félagsauð nærsamfélagsins. Mikilvægust er góð samskiptahæfni sem byggist á samræðum, hæfileikanum að geta stillt til friðar og mjúkri löggæslu til að viðhalda trausti almennings og samstöðu. Félagsauður nærsamfélagsins, sem grundvallast á trausti, samvinnu og óformlegu félagslegu taumhaldi, hjálpar dreifbýlislögreglunni í þessum efnum.
Patient handover between ambulance crew and healthcare professionals in Icelandic emergency departments: A qualitative study
(Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2021-01-28) Duason, Sveinbjorn; Gunnarsson, Björn; Svavarsdóttir, Margrét Hrönn; Hjúkrunarfræðideild (HA); Faculty of Nursing (UA); Heilbrigðisvísindastofnun (HA); Research Centre for Health Science (UA); Heilbrigðisvísindasvið (HA); School of Health Sciences (UA)
Background: Ambulance services play an important role in the healthcare system when it comes to handling accidents or acute illnesses outside of hospitals. At the time of patient handover from emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to the nurses and physicians in emergency departments (EDs), there is a risk that important information will be lost, the consequences of which may adversely affect patient well-being. The study aimed to describe healthcare professionals’ experience of patient handovers between ambulance and ED staff and to identify factors that can affect patient handover quality. Methods: The Vancouver School’s phenomenological method was used. The participants were selected using purposive sampling from a group of Icelandic EMTs, nurses, and physicians who had experience in patient handovers. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted and were supported by an interview guide. The participants included 17 EMTs, nurses, and physicians. The process of patient handover was described from the participants’ perspectives, including examples of communication breakdown and best practices. Results: Four main themes and nine subthemes were identified. In the theme of leadership, the participants expressed that it was unclear who was responsible for the patient and when during the process the responsibility was transferred between healthcare professionals. The theme of structured framework described the communication between healthcare professionals before patient’s arrival at the ED, upon ED arrival, and a written patient report. The professional competencies theme covered the participants’ descriptions of professional competences in relation to education and training and attitudes towards other healthcare professions and patients. The collaboration theme included the importance of effective teamwork and positive learning environment. Conclusions: A lack of structured communication procedures and ambiguity about patient responsibility in patient handovers from EMTs to ED healthcare professionals may compromise patient safety. Promoting accountability, mitigating the diffusion of responsibility, and implementing uniform practices may improve patient handover practices and establish a culture of integrated patient-centered care.
Like a hotel, but boring: Users’ experience with short-time community-based residential aftercare
(Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2017-12-16) Roos, Eirik; Bjerkeset, Ottar; Svavarsdóttir, Margrét Hrönn; Steinsbekk, Aslak; Hjúkrunarfræðideild (HA); Faculty of Nursing (UA); Heilbrigðisvísindasvið (HA); School of Health Sciences (UA)
Background: The discharge process from hospital to home for patients with severe mental illness (SMI) is often complex, and most are in need of tailored and coordinated community services at home. One solution is to discharge patients to inpatient short-stay community residential aftercare (CRA). The aim of this study was to explore how patients with SMI experience a stay in CRA established in a City in Central Norway. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study with individual interviews and a group interview with 13 persons. The CRA aims to improve the discharge process from hospital to independent supported living by facilitating the establishment of health and social services and preparing the patients. The philosophy is to help patients use community resources by e.g. not offering any organized in-house activities. The main question in the interviews was “How have you experienced the stay at the CRA?” The interviews were analyzed with a thematic approach using systematic text condensation. Results: The participants experienced the stay at the CRA “Like a hotel” but also boring, due to the lack of organized inhouse activities. The patients generally said they were not informed about the philosophy of the CRA before the stay. The participants had to come up with activities outside the CRA and said they got active help from the staff to do so; some experienced this as positive, whereas others wanted more organized in-house activities like they were used to from mental health hospital stays. Participants described the staff in the CRA to be helpful and forthcoming, but they did not notice the staff being active in organizing the aftercare. Conclusions: The stay at the CRA was experienced as different from other services, with more freedom and focus on self-care, and lack of in-house activities. This led to increased self-activity among the patients, but some wanted more inhouse activities. To prepare the patients better for the stay at the CRA, more information about the philosophy is needed in the pre-admission process.
Xylanolytic psychotrophs from andosolic sedge fens and moss heaths in Iceland
(2018-12-21) Rickman, Olivia; Sigurbjörnsdóttir, M. Auður; Vilhelmsson, Oddur; Auðlindadeild (HA); Faculty of Natural Resource Sciences (UA); Viðskipta- og raunvísindasvið (HA); School of Business and Science (UA)
Nine xylanolytic bacterial strains were isolated from fen and heath soils in northern Iceland. They were found by 16S rRNA gene sequencing to belong to the genera Paenibacillus, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Stenotrophomonas. Using a simple, plate-based semiquantitative assay with azo-crosslinked xylan as the substrate, it was determined that although isolated from cold environments, most of the strains displayed greater xylanolytic activity under mesophilic conditions, with only the paenibacilli displaying markedly cold-active xylanolytic activity. Indeed, for one isolate, Paenibacillus castaneae OV2122, xylanolytic activity was only detected at 15°C and below under the conditions tested. Of the nine strains, Paenibacillus amylolyticus OV2121 displayed the greatest activity at 5°C. Glycohydrolase family-specific PCR indicated that the paenibacilli produced multiple xylanases of families 10 and 11, whereas a family 8 xylanase was detected in Pseudomonas kilonensis AL1515, and a family 11 xylanase in Stenotrophomonas rhizophila AL1610.
Heilbrigðisþjónusta Fjallabyggðar: Viðhorf íbúa í kjölfar mikilla samfélagsbreytinga
(Félagsfræðingafélag Íslands, 2015) Gustafsdottir, Sonja Stelly; Fenger, Kristjana; Halldorsdottir, Sigridur; Bjarnason, Thoroddur; Iðjuþjálfunarfræðideild (HA); Faculty of Occupational Therapy (UA); Hjúkrunarfræðideild (HA); Faculty of Nursing (UA); Félagsvísindadeild (HA); Faculty of Social Sciences (UA); Heilbrigðisvísindasvið (HA); School of Health Sciences (UA); Hug- og félagsvísindasvið (HA); School of Humanities and Social Sciences (UA)
The aim of this paper is to present a study on attitudes of the population in Fjallabyggð towards access to healthcare service and its diversity and quality, in an age of austerity, which the restructuring after the economic collapse of 2008 demanded, and the tunnel in Héðinsfjörður made possible. We used a mixed method with a transformational design. First, data were collected by questionnaires (response rate of 53% in 2009 and 30% in 2012), followed by ten interviews (2009 and 2014). The results were integrated and interpreted within the ecological model of Bronfenbrenner relating to the interactions between the individual and the environment. Findings show significantly less satisfaction with the availability and diversity of healthcare service in 2012, after the merger and downsizing. Solid primary healthcare, good local elderly care, some freedom in healthcare choice and reliable emergency services were considered fundamental for life in a rural area. The results indicate that improved transportation infrastructure contributed positively to the development of healthcare service and enhanced equality and human rights. The financial cutbacks to health institutes, had however, a negative impact on attitudes.
Mat leikskólabarna á þátttöku í tilviksrannsókn
(The Educational Research Institute, 2019-11-18) Hreiðarsdóttir, Anna Elísa; Dýrfjörð, Kristín; Kennaradeild (HA); Faculty of Education (UA); Hug- og félagsvísindasvið (HA); School of Humanities and Social Sciences (UA)
Greinin fjallar um mat og þátttöku leikskólabarna í rannsókn um sköpunarsmiðjur í leikskólanum þeirra og var tilgangurinn að rýna í hvernig börn upplifðu þátttöku í rannsókninni. Bakgrunnur rannsóknarinnar byggir á ákvæði í Barnasáttmála Sameinuðu þjóðanna um þátttöku barna. Gagna var aflað í mars (smiðjur) og júní (rýniviðtal) 2018. Níu fimm ára börn voru þátttakendur í sex vinnusmiðjum þar sem leikið var með stafræn tæki, legokubba og annan skapandi efnivið. Meðan á smiðjum stóð söfnuðu rannsakendur gögnum með fjölbreyttum hætti, svo sem með myndbandsupptökuvél og myndavél og héldu dagbækur, börnin öfluðu gagna með smámyndavél (GoPro), spjaldtölvu, fylltu út matsblað eftir hverja smiðju og rýniviðtal var tekið við þau eftir að smiðjum lauk. Í greininni eru matsblöð barnanna, dagbækur rannsakenda og rýniviðtal við börnin lögð til grundvallar niðurstöðum. Helstu niðurstöður sýna að börn eru verðugir þátttakendur í rannsókn og að sjónarhorn þeirra varpar nýju ljósi á gögnin í rannsókninni. Fram kom að börnin virtust vera ánægðust með þau verkefni sem þau höfðu sjálf vald yfir, hvort sem það sneri að sköpun eða tækjabúnaði, þannig heillaði smámyndavélin sem þau stýrðu sjálf, litlu stafrænu tækin og að taka viðtöl hvert við annað með spjaldtölvu. Hins vegar er vert að benda á að einn af þeim þáttum sem kom fram í niðurstöðum er að sum barnanna upplifðu viðveru rannsakenda í smiðjum stundum truflandi. Það er vert fyrir rannsakendur sem vinna rannsóknir með börnum að hafa hugfast.
Complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic analysis of willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) and rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) (Galliformes: Phasianidae: Tetraoninae)
(Informa UK Limited, 2017-07-11) Sveinsdóttir, Máney; Magnússon, Kristinn Pétur; Auðlindadeild (HA); Faculty of Natural Resource Sciences (UA); Viðskipta- og raunvísindasvið (HA); School of Business and Science (UA)
The complete mitochondrial genome sequences of the two sister species, Scandinavian willow ptarmigan Lagopus lagopus and Icelandic rock ptarmigan Lagopus muta, were characterized using next-generation sequencing. The mitogenome for willow ptarmigan was 16,677 bp long, with base composition of 30.3% A, 30.8% C, 13.3% G and 25.6% T, with a GC content of 44.1%, while for rock ptarmigan mitogenome was 16,687 bp long, with base composition of 30.2% A, 30.6% C, 13.4% G and 25.8% T, and a GC content of 44.0%. Like other Galliformes species, the mitogenomes comprised of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA, 2 rRNA and 2 non-coding regions; and control region (D-loop). All genes except ND6 and 8 tRNA were encoded on the þ strand. All protein-coding genes started with ATG, except for COX1, where a GTG codon was present in both willow ptarmigan and rock ptarmigan. Phylogenetic analysis of the two novel mitogenomes with other Galliformes species demonstrates close relationship within the Tetraoninae subfamily.
Isolation, characterization and biotechnological potentials of Thraustochytrids from Icelandic waters
(MDPI AG, 2019-07-31) Stefánsson, Magnús Örn; Baldursson, Sigurður; Magnússon, Kristinn Pétur; Eyþórsdóttir, Arnheiður; Einarsson, Hjörleifur; Auðlindadeild (HA); Faculty of Natural Resource Sciences (UA); Viðskipta- og raunvísindasvið (HA); School of Business and Science (UA)
The following study reports on the first thraustochytrid isolates identified from Iceland. They were collected from three different locations off the northern coast of the country (Location A, Skagaströnd; Location B, Hveravík; and Location C, Eyjafjörður). Using 18S rDNA sequence analysis, isolates from Locations A and B were identified within the Thraustochytrium kinnei species while other isolates within the Sicyoidochytrium minutum species when compared to other known strains. Cells isolated from Locations A ( 2.10±0.70 g/L) and B ( 1.54±0.17 g/L) produced more biomass than the ones isolated from Location C ( 0.43±0.02 g/L). This study offers the first-time examination of the utility of byproducts from fisheries as a nitrogen source in media formulation for thraustochytrids. Experiments showed that isolates produced more biomass (per unit of substrate) when cultured on nitrogen of marine ( 2.55±0.74 g/L) as compared to of commercial origin ( 1.06±0.57 g/L). Glycerol ( 2.43±0.56 g/L) was a better carbon source than glucose ( 1.84±0.57 g/L) in growth studies. Fatty acid (FA) profiles showed that the isolates from Location C (S. minutum) had low ratios of monounsaturated ( 4.21±2.96% ) and omega-6 ( 0.68±0.59% ) FAs. However, the isolates also had high ratios of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 35.65±1.73% ) and total omega-3 FAs ( 40.39±2.39% ), indicating that they could serve as a source of marine oils for human consumption and in aquaculture feeds. The T. kinnei isolates from Location A could be used in biodiesel production due to their high ratios of monounsaturated ( 18.38±6.27% ) long chain ( 57.43±8.27% ) FAs.
Breaking the vicious circle: Experiences of people in chronic pain on the pain rehabilitation journey
(Wiley, 2020-05-29) Skuladottir, Hafdis; Gunnarsdottir, Thora; Halldorsdottir, Sigridur; Sveinsdóttir, Herdís; Holden, Janean; Bjornsdottir, Amalia; Hjúkrunarfræðideild (HA); Faculty of Nursing (UA); Hjúkrunarfræðideild (HÍ); Faculty of Nursing (UI); Framhaldsnámsdeild í heilbrigðisvísindum (HA); Faculty of Graduate Studies in Health Sciences (UA); Heilbrigðisvísindasvið (HÍ); School of Health Sciences (UI); Heilbrigðisvísindasvið (HA); School of Health Sciences (UA); Menntavísindasvið (HÍ); School of Education (UI)
Aim: To explore the lived experience of individuals' in chronic pain of participating in a pain rehabilitation programme in Iceland. Design: Phenomenological research. Method: The Vancouver School of Doing Phenomenology. Eleven participants were interviewed. Results: The overarching theme was as follows: “the journey of breaking the vicious circle of chronic pain.” Before the programme, the participants felt they were in survival mode, trying to survive each day; they were stuck in a vicious circle of chronic pain, simultaneously trying to ease and conceal the pain. Reaching out for professional help was a turning point. While attending the programme, participants began deconstructing their old ways of dealing with chronic pain. After completing the programme, they were still reconstructing their daily lives. In conclusion, pain rehabilitation programmes can be the first step towards breaking the vicious circle of chronic pain.
Einkenni þeirra sem sjá sig í millistétt eða ofar í íslenska stéttakerfinu
(Félagsfræðingafélag Íslands, 2020-10-22) Oddsson, Guðmundur; Félagsvísindadeild (HA); Faculty of Social Sciences (UA); Hug- og félagsvísindasvið (HA); School of Humanities and Social Sciences (UA)
Markmið rannsóknarinnar er að greina hvaða áhrifaþættir ráða mestu um það hvar einstaklingar sjá sig í íslenska stéttakerfinu, einkum hvort viðkomandi sjái sig í millistétt eða ofar. Gögnin koma úr alþjóðlegu viðhorfakönnuninni International Social Survey Programme sem lögð var fyrir hér á landi árin 2009 og 2010. Um er að ræða fyrstu alþjóðlegu viðhorfakönnunina þar sem spurning um huglæga stéttarstöðu var lögð fyrir almenning hérlendis. Rannsóknin byggir á klassískum kenningum Karl Marx, Max Weber og Pierre Bourdieu um tengsl hlutlægrar og huglægrar stéttarstöðu. Helstu niðurstöður tvíundargreiningar (e. binomial logistic regression) eru þær að menntun, heimilistekjur og hlutlæg stéttarstaða hafa mest forspárgildi fyrir hvort einstaklingar sjá sig í millistétt eða ofar. Staða á vinnumarkaði skiptir einnig máli en öryrkjar hafa, sem dæmi, marktækt lægri gagnlíkindi (e. odds) á að sjá sig í millistétt eða ofar en þeir sem eru í fullri vinnu. Loks er mikilvægasta framlag rannsóknarinnar að mæla áhrif breyttra lífskjara í kjölfar efnahagshrunsins 2008 á huglæga stéttarstöðu. Niðurstöðurnar sýna að þeir sem upplifðu skert lífskjör eftir hrun hafa lægri gagnlíkindi á að sjá sig í millistétt eða ofar en þeir sem sögðu lífskjör sín óskert eða betri eftir hrun.
Stéttagreining og íslenskar stéttarannsóknir
(Félagsfræðingafélag Íslands, 2019) Oddsson, Guðmundur; Félagsvísindadeild (HA); Faculty of Social Sciences (UA); Hug- og félagsvísindasvið (HA); School of Humanities and Social Sciences (UA)
Stéttagreining er eitt helsta áherslusvið félagsfræði og skarast við flest sérsvið fræðigreinarinnar. Stéttagreining vísar til fræðilegs sjónarhorns sem byggir á rannsóknum á ýmsum birtingarmyndum stéttaskiptingar. Rekja má stéttagreiningu á íslensku nútímasamfélagi til miðrar 20. aldar, en sérsviðið náði ekki fótfestu hérlendis fyrr en undir lok 8. áratugarins og fram á þann níunda. Lítil gerjun var í stéttarannsóknum á íslenskum samtíma næstu tvo áratugina, en aukin áhersla hefur verið lögð á stéttagreiningu frá efnahagshruninu árið 2008. Þessi yfirlitsgrein fjallar annars vegar um stéttagreiningu sem undirgrein alþjóðlegrar félagsfræði og hins vegar um íslenskar stéttarannsóknir, einkum á sviði félagsvísinda. Ekki er um tæmandi úttekt að ræða. Þess í stað dreg ég saman margar af helstu stéttarannsóknum á íslenskum veruleika frá upphafi nútímavæðingar í kringum aldamótin 1900 og set í samhengi við stéttagreiningu og íslensk reynslugögn. Hið margþætta stéttarhugtak og helstu nálganir fræðilegrar stéttagreiningar eru í brennidepli í fyrri hlutanum. Umfjöllunin um íslenskar stéttarannsóknir í seinni hlutanum hverfist um fimm viðfangsefni: Stéttagerð, stéttastjórnmál, stéttaójöfnuð, stéttarvitund og stéttamenningu. Í niðurlaginu dreg ég saman umfjöllunina og rýni í framtíðarhorfur.
Hugmyndir um stéttleysi Íslendinga
(Félagsfræðingafélag Íslands, 2011) Oddsson, Guðmundur; Félagsvísindadeild (HA); Faculty of Social Sciences (UA); Hug- og félagsvísindasvið (HA); School of Humanities and Social Sciences (UA)
Markmið þessarar rannsóknar er að greina hvernig hugmyndir um stéttleysi Íslendinga birtast í almennri orðræðu. Gögnin sem liggja til grundvallar eru fyrst og fremst fréttir og greinar í Morgunblaðinu frá árinu 1986 til 2007. Einnig er stuðst við afleidd gögn. Ein helsta niðurstaða rannsóknarinnar er sú að hugmyndir um að Ísland sé tiltölulega stéttlaust samfélag eru útbreiddar og margþættar. Stærsti samnefnarinn er sá að Ísland sé tiltölulega stéttlaust í samanburði við flest önnur þjóðfélög. Er þá helst miðað við menningarlega stéttaskiptingu. Samt sem áður er algengt að fólk telji að meint stéttleysi Íslendinga eigi ekki við rök að styðjast, sér í lagi efnahagslegt stéttleysi. Þá telur fólk almennt að stéttaskipting hérlendis fari vaxandi samfara örum þjóðfélagsbreytingum, ekki síst vegna aukinnar markaðsvæðingar samfélagsins. Að sama skapi hefur gagnrýni á hugmyndir um stéttleysi Íslendinga aukist.
Stéttavitund Íslendinga í kjölfar efnahagshruns
(Félagsfræðingafélag Íslands, 2010) Oddsson, Guðmundur; Félagsvísindadeild (HA); Faculty of Social Sciences (UA); Hug- og félagsvísindasvið (HA); School of Humanities and Social Sciences (UA)
The purpose of this paper is to tap Icelanders' class awareness in the wake of the 2008 economic collapse, using recent Icelandic survey data and 2005 World Values Survey data. The data are analyzed using a synthesis of Weber's theory of class and reference group theory. Contrary to popular belief, Icelanders are class-aware. Most recognize and understand class terms, and are willing to assign themselves to a class. Icelanders also have fairly strong awareness of their class position, evidenced by a strong relationship between subjective class and economic class, on the one hand, and subjective class and class indicators, on the other. Consistent with reference group theory, a subjective ''middle class'' tendency is revealed across the class structure. Icelanders also have more of a ''middle class'' view of their class position and see it, on average, as higher than people in most other countries. Lastly, this article is meant to help reinvigorate class analysis in Iceland.
Bullying and Harassment in Downsized Workplaces: What Can We Learn from the 2008 Icelandic Economic Collapse?
(MDPI AG, 2020-09-30) Sigursteinsdóttir, Hjördís; Rafnsdóttir, Gudbjörg LINDA; Jonsdottir, Gudbjorg; Félagsfræði-, mannfræði- og þjóðfræðideild (HÍ); Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics (UI); Félagsvísindastofnun (HÍ); Social Science Research Institute (UI); Félagsvísindasvið (HÍ); School of Social Sciences (UI); Viðskipta- og raunvísindasvið (HA); School of Business and Science (UA)
Research shows that bullying is a significant workplace issue. A previous study showed increased sickness-related absences among municipality employees during the Icelandic economic crisis in 2008. This led to the following research questions: has bullying and/or harassment increased between the time points of the study up to seven years after the crisis? Did bullying and/or harassment change depending on downsizing? Are quantitative job demands, role conflicts and social support connected to bullying and/or harassment at work and if so, how? The study is based on a four-wave longitudinal balanced panel dataset consisting of those who work within the education and care services operated by Icelandic municipalities. It was seen that bullying and harassment had increased between the time points of the study. Furthermore, employees in downsized workplaces, workplaces with higher quantitative job demands, more role conflicts and less support were more likely to experience bullying and/or harassment than employees in other workplaces. Since the effects may prevail for several years, the study demonstrates that the consequences of downsizing need to be carefully considered and that managers must be supported in that role. As economic crises tend to occur periodically, presently due to COVID-19, the knowledge is both of theoretical and practical importance.
Pitfalls in scalp high-frequency oscillation detection from long-term EEG monitoring
(Frontiers Media SA, 2020-06-02) Gerner, Nathalie; Thomschewski, Aljoscha; Marcu, Adrian; Trinka, Eugen; Höller, Yvonne; Sálfræðideild (HA); Faculty of Psychology (UA); Hug- og félagsvísindasvið (HA); School of Humanities and Social Sciences (UA)
Aims: Intracranially recorded high-frequency oscillations (>80 Hz) are considered a candidate epilepsy biomarker. Recent studies claimed their detectability on the scalp surface. We aimed to investigate the applicability of high-frequency oscillation analysis to routine surface EEG obtained at an epilepsy monitoring unit. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed surface EEGs of 18 patients with focal epilepsy and six controls, recorded during sleep under maximal medication withdrawal. As a proof of principle, the occurrence of motor task-related events during wakefulness was analyzed in a subsample of six patients with seizure- or syncope-related motor symptoms. Ripples (80–250 Hz) and fast ripples (>250 Hz) were identified by semi-automatic detection. Using semi-parametric statistics, differences in spontaneous and task-related occurrence rates were examined within subjects and between diagnostic groups considering the factors diagnosis, brain region, ripple type, and task condition. Results: We detected high-frequency oscillations in 17 out of 18 patients and in four out of six controls. Results did not show statistically significant differences in the mean rates of event occurrences, neither regarding the laterality of the epileptic focus, nor with respect to active and inactive task conditions, or the moving hand laterality. Significant differences in general spontaneous incidence [WTS(1) = 9.594; p = 0.005] that indicated higher rates of fast ripples compared to ripples, notably in patients with epilepsy compared to the control group, may be explained by variations in data quality. Conclusion: The current analysis methods are prone to biases. A common agreement on a standard operating procedure is needed to ensure reliable and economic detection of high-frequency oscillations.
Self-reported health and quality of life outcomes of heart failure patients in the aftermath of a national economic crisis: a cross-sectional study
(Wiley, 2018-10-18) Ketilsdóttir, Auður; Ingadottir, Brynja; Jaarsma, Tiny; Hjúkrunarfræðideild (HÍ); Faculty of Nursing (UI); Heilbrigðisvísindasvið (HÍ); School of Health Sciences (UI)
Aims: There are indications that economic crises can affect public health. The aim of this study was to describe characteristics, health status, and socio-economic status of outpatient heart failure (HF) patients several years after a national economic crisis and to assess whether socio-economic factors were associated with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Methods and results: In this cross-sectional survey, PROMs were measured with seven validated instruments, as follows: self-care (the 12-item European Heart Failure Self-Care Behaviour scale), HF-related knowledge (Dutch Heart Failure Knowledge Scale), symptoms (Edmonton Symptom Assessment System), sense of security (Sense of Security in Care—‘Patients' evaluation’), health status (EQ-5D visual analogue scale), health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire), and anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Additional data were collected on access and use of health care, household income, demographics, and clinical status. The patients' (n = 124, mean age 73 ± 14.9, 69% male) self-care was low for exercising (53%) and weight monitoring (50%) but optimal for taking medication (100%). HF-specific knowledge was high (correct answers 12 out of 15), but only 38% knew what to do when symptoms worsened suddenly. Patients' sense of security was high (>70% had a mean score of 5 or 6, scale 1–6). The most common symptom was tiredness (82%); 12% reported symptoms of anxiety, and 18% had symptoms of depression. Patients rated their overall health (EQ-5D) on average at 65.5 (scale 0–100), and 33% had poor or very bad HRQoL. The monthly income per household was <€3900 for 84% of the patients. A total of 22% had difficulties making appointments with a general practitioner (GP), and 5% had no GP. On average, patients paid for six health care-related items, and >90% paid for medications, primary care, and visits to hospital and private clinics out of their own pocket. The cost of health care had changed for 71% of the patients since the 2008 economic crisis, and increased out-of-pocket costs were most often explained by a greater need for health care services and medication expenses. There was no significant difference in PROMs related to changes in out-of-pocket expenses after the crisis, income, or whether patients lived alone or with others. Conclusions: This Icelandic patient population reported similar health-related outcomes as have been previously reported in international studies. This study indicates that even after a financial crisis, most of the patients have managed to prioritize and protect their health even though a large proportion of patients have a low income, use many health care resources, and have insufficient access to care. It is imperative that access and affordable health care services are secured for this vulnerable patient population.
Effects of rubber hand illusion and excitatory theta burst stimulation on tactile sensation: A pilot study
(Hindawi Limited, 2020-04-01) Frey, Vanessa N.; Butz, Kevin; Zimmermann, Georg; Kunz, Alexander; Höller, Yvonne; Golaszewski, Stefan; Trinka, Eugen; Nardone, Raffaele; Sálfræðideild (HA); Faculty of Psychology (UA); Hug- og félagsvísindasvið (HA); School of Humanities and Social Sciences (UA)
Synchronous visuotactile stimulation on the own hidden hand and a visible fake limb can alter bodily self-perception and influence spontaneous neuroplasticity. The rubber hand illusion (RHI) paradigm experimentally produces an illusion of rubber hand ownership and arm shift by simultaneously stroking a rubber hand in view and a participant's visually occluded hand. The aim of this cross-over, placebo-controlled, single-blind study was to assess whether RHI, in combination with high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) given as intermittent (excitatory) theta burst stimulation (iTBS) applied over the hand area of the primary sensory region (S1) can enhance tactile sensation in a group of 21 healthy subjects and one patient with cervical spinal cord injury. Four sessions covered all combinations of real and sham stimulations of the RHI and the TBS: Real TBS and real RHI, real TBS and sham RHI, sham TBS and real RHI, and both conditions sham. The condition sham TBS and real RHI shows the greatest effect on the proprioceptive drift (median 2.3 cm, IQR 2) and on the score of RHI questionnaires (median 3, IQR 2) in the control group as well as in the real-real condition (median 2, IQR 2). The sham TBS and real RHI condition also shows the best results in the electrical perception test of the patient (median 1.9 mA). Conversely, the upregulation of the cortical excitability of S1 via TBS seems to impair the effect of the RHI. This might be due to a strengthening of the top-down connection between the central nervous system and the periphery, diminishing the RHI. This finding helps in understanding the mechanisms of top-down and bottom-up mechanisms in healthy subjects and patients with spinal cord injury. The RHI paradigm could represent an interesting therapeutic approach in improving tactile sensation and rTMS techniques could modulate these effects. Yet, further studies are needed, to examine the direction of the interaction effect of TMS and RH.
Dataset describing the amino acid catabolism of Thermoanaerobacter strain AK85: The influence of culture conditions on end product formation
(Elsevier BV, 2019-06) Scully, Sean; Orlygsson, Johann; Auðlindadeild (HA); Faculty of Natural Resource Sciences (UA); Viðskipta- og raunvísindasvið (HA); School of Business and Science (UA)
The dataset describes the catabolism of the 20 proteogenics amino acids and their end products by Thermoanaerobacter strain AK85 under different electron scavenging conditions with an emphasis on the branched-chain amino acids as reported in Scully and Orlygsson, 2019.
Land–ocean interactions in the coastal zone: Past, present & future
(Elsevier BV, 2015-12) Ramesh, R.; Chen, Z.; Cummins, V.; Day, J.; D’Elia, C.; Dennison, B.; Forbes, D.L.; Glaeser, B.; Glaser, M.; Glavovic, B.; Kremer, H.; Lange, M.; Larsen, Joan Nymand; Le Tissier, M.; Newton, A.; Pelling, M.; Purvaja, R.; Wolanski, E.; Félagsvísindadeild (HA); Faculty of Social Sciences (UA); Hug- og félagsvísindasvið (HA); School of Humanities and Social Sciences (UA)
The Land–ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) project was established in 1993 as a core project of the International Geosphere–Biosphere Programme (IGBP) to provide the science knowledge to answer “How will changes in land use, sea level and climate alter coastal systems, and what are the wider consequences?” In its first phase of operation (1993–2003) LOICZ began a fundamental investigation focused on biophysical dimensions, including seminal assessments of coastal seas as net sources or sinks of atmospheric CO2, river discharge to the oceans, and biogeochemical modelling. In the second generation of LOICZ (2004–2014), increased attention was paid to the human dimensions of the coast, involving the inclusion of cross-cutting themes such as coastal governance, social-ecological systems, ecological economics and activities around capacity building and the promotion of early career scientists. This paper provides a synthesis of this work and looks forward to the future challenges for the project. With the transition to Future Earth, there is a paradigm shift emerging. The new vision is to support transformation to a sustainable and resilient future for society and nature on the coast, by facilitating innovative, integrated and solutions-oriented science. Realising this vision takes LOICZ into a third generation: to be at the forefront of co-designing, co-producing and co-implementing knowledge for coastal resilience and sustainability. LOICZ as Future Earth Coasts will continue to address ‘hotspots’ of coastal vulnerability, focusing on themes of dynamic coasts, human development and the coast, and pathways to global coastal sustainability and constraints thereof.
Making regional sense of global sustainable development indicators for the Arctic
(MDPI AG, 2020-01-31) Nilsson, Annika E.; Larsen, Joan Nymand; Félagsvísindadeild (HA); Faculty of Social Sciences (UA); Hug- og félagsvísindasvið (HA); School of Humanities and Social Sciences (UA)
Since the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted in 2015, efforts are underway to identify indicators for monitoring progress. However, perceptions of sustainability are scale and place specific, and there has also been a call for Sustainable Development Goals and indicators that are more relevant for the Arctic than the global perspectives. Based on earlier and ongoing efforts to identify Arctic Social Indicators for monitoring human development, insights from scenario workshops and interviews at various locations in the Barents region and Greenland and on studies of adaptive capacity and resilience in the Arctic, we provide an exploratory assessment of the global SDGs and indicators from an Arctic perspective. We especially highlight a need for additional attention to demography, including outmigration; indigenous rights; Arctic-relevant measures of economic development; and social capital and institutions that can support adaptation and transformation in this rapidly changing region. Issues brought up by the SDG framework that need more attention in Arctic monitoring include gender, and food and energy security. We furthermore highlight a need for initiatives that can support bottom–up processes for identifying locally relevant indicators for sustainable development that could serve as a way to engage Arctic residents and other regional and local actors in shaping the future of the region and local communities, within a global sustainability context.

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