Mid Sweden University
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Valorization of Arbutus unedo L. Pomace : Exploring the Recovery of Bioactive Phenolic Compounds from Distillation By-Products
No full textThis 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.
An examination of the ways in which prompting readers to attach a new meaning to nature enables them to reconceive the meaning of nature from an ecocritical perspective : Ecocriticism and perception in Richard Adams’ Watership Down
No full textThis study explores how readers of Richard Adams' Watership Down are prompted to rethink their relationship with nature through an ecocritical lens. Narratology, narrative structure, focalization, and point of view will be analyzed in the study which highlights how the novel uses sensory impressions, textual mood, and ambient resonances to evoke emotional responses and guide readers to engage with its environmental themes. The narrative's anthropomorphized perspective, coupled with vivid descriptions of the natural world, fosters empathy for nonhuman characters and challenges anthropocentric worldviews. Readers of the novel are encouraged to appreciate the interconnectedness of all living beings and reconsider their role in preserving and protecting the environment by the detailed portrayal of nature and exploration of environmental ethics in the book. This study contributes to ecocritical discourse by examining how literary techniques can inspire a sustainable and ethical relationship with the natural world
Assessing the social impacts of event portfolios through non-use value
No full textEvent 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.Partly funded by Östersunds Kommun</p
Experiences of Continuity of Care Among Registered Nurses Caring for Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Primary Care: A Qualitative Study
No full textAim: 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
Financial Capability, Behavior, Well-Being, and Stress Among Financial Advisors
No full textFinancial 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
Sight (Un)seen : learning experiences from fieldwork using qualitative visual methods
No full textPurpose: 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.
Performance indicators in women’s and men’s biathlon relay
No full textThis study aimed to investigate how different legs as well as cross-country skiing and shooting performances, associate to final rankings in biathlon relay competitions for both women and men. Data including rank, finish/leg time (LT), course (CT), range (RT) and penalty (PT) times, as well as number of shots (NS) and penalty loops (NPL), were collected from the International Biathlon Union’s database over two seasons, comprising 12 competitions for all teams ranked 1–20. Teams were categorized as G3 (rank 1–3), G10 (rank 4–10) and G20 (rank 11–20). Kruskal-Wallis’ test was used to compare the variables between the groups in total for an entire relay competition, and for each leg. For women, LT was longer for G20 across all four legs due to longer CT, and for G10 during legs 2 and 4 due to longer RT compared to G3 (p < 0.05). For men, LT was longer for G20 during all legs due to longer CT and RT (legs 2–4), and for G10 during legs 3 and 4 due to longer CT compared to G3 (p < 0.05). The present results suggest therefore that the shooting performance for women (especially shorter RT) during legs 2 and 4, and skiing performance for men during legs 3 and 4, are most decisive for final performance during a biathlon relay
Leveraging social networks as an optimization approach
No full textMetaheuristic 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.
Where, when and what? : A national support centre scenario for victims of gender-based violence
No full textBackground: Gender-based violence (GBV) is a serious issue that remains highly prevalent in South Africa. However, real-time statistics regarding the number, timing, and location of emergency calls made by victims are limited. Therefore, this study aims to examine the spatial and temporal characteristics of GBV-related emergency calls made to the Help-at-Your-Fingertips (HAYFT) helpline, a national online support centre, from 2020 to 2023. The goal is to identify the regions where these incidents are more frequent and how their incidence is changing over time, particularly concerning social and economic factors and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Deidentified data from HAYFT was used and analysed. This study used the time, geographic, and temporal patterns of emergency calls by the GBV victims to the helpline. Descriptive statistics were employed to examine call frequency with respect to region, temporal, and socioeconomic factors, while geographic pattern analysis helped identify the areas with high concentrations of GBV within regions. Results: Upon examining 53,004 verified calls, it was elucidated that some provinces, such as Limpopo and the North West (104 and 103 calls per 100,000 population), had the highest call rates. Call peaks also occurred in September, November, and December, while call peaks were more likely, though not exclusively associated with public or school holidays, which are thought to be risk periods. Such trends suggest that there are existing limitations in the interpretation of statistics on GBV, which often associate the phenomenon’s incidence and prevalence with certain culture-driven times. Besides, while the number of risk calls in poorer areas was greater, the research also detected significant risk calls coming from higher socio-economic regions, particularly during the pandemic, suggesting wider security risks. Conclusions: The results illustrate the need for focused and data-informed intervention approaches for victims of gender-based violence. In addition, they suggest that better systems are needed to facilitate monitoring and the timely use of such information for resource and intervention planning. This research serves an important purpose for decision-makers and non-governmental organizations that seek to improve the response to gender-based violence across South Africa.
Zero Waste for All? Sustainable Practices in a Small-Scale Zero Waste Community from a Universal Design Perspective
No full textSince 2003, Kamikatsu in Japan has established a sustainable zero-waste practice that has achieved a recycling rate exceeding 80%. By exploring how the community has shaped itself around the zero-waste concept, this paper aims to enhance our understanding of zero waste in practice from a universal design perspective. Interviews and photo documentation were used to gather data. The zero-waste concept was not driven by technical solutions. Instead, the results highlight what initiatives contributed to the design of the zero-waste concept. Key themes presented include fostering a lifestyle shift, changing norms, creating co-located experiences, establishing an incentive system, and developing self-awareness routines. The paper also addresses the challenges and opportunities from a universal design perspective when applying zero waste, emphasizing the importance of designing for diverse needs while promoting long-term environmental sustainability. This research contributes to the understanding of zero waste practices, combining the ecological dimension with the social dimension of sustainable development