Publikationer från Uppsala Universitet
Not a member yet
127603 research outputs found
Sort by
Integrating wastewater surveillance and meteorological data to monitor seasonal variability of enteric and respiratory pathogens for infectious disease control in Dhaka city
No full textBackground: Seasonal meteorological variations influence the spread of infectious diseases. Wastewater surveillance helps understanding pathogen transmission dynamics, particularly in urban areas of climate-vulnerable countries like Bangladesh. Methods: We analysed 54 weeks of wastewater surveillance, clinical surveillance, and meteorological data from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Samples from 11 sites were tested for Vibrio cholerae (V. cholerae), SARS-CoV-2, Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi), and Group A rotavirus. Diarrhoeal Disease Surveillance data were sourced from icddr,b, and meteorological data from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. Regression models adjusted for site and time variations were used for statistical analysis. Results: Proportion of confirmed cholera cases among the diarrhoeal disease surveillance recruits were highest during post-monsoon (coef: 2.53; 95 % CI: 0.41 to 4.67; p = 0.029). V. cholerae log10 concentrations in wastewater were positively associated with pre-monsoon (coef: 0.93; 95 % CI: 0.26 to 1.58; p = 0.010), while SARS-CoV-2 peaked during monsoon (coef: 1.85; 95 % CI: 0.96 to 2.73; p < 0.001). S. Typhi and rotavirus log10 concentrations showed negative associations with pre-monsoon (coef: -0.96; 95 % CI: -1.68 to -0.27; p = 0.011, and -0.84; 95 % CI: -1.17 to -0.50; p < 0.001, respectively). Temperature positively influenced log10 concentrations of V. cholerae (adj. coef: 0.09; 95 % CI: 0.02 to 0.15; p = 0.014) and SARS-CoV-2 (adj. coef: 0.19; 95 % CI: 0.10 to 0.27; p < 0.001), but negatively associated with rotavirus (adj. coef: -0.06; 95 % CI: -0.10 to -0.03; p < 0.001). Similar associations were found between pathogen-positive samples and temperature. Conclusion: Our study shows that seasonal, and meteorological factors (particularly temperature) influence the patterns and abundance of pathogens in wastewater and help in understanding disease transmission across different weather patterns
Women's mobilisation and patriarchal backlashes: investigating diverse effects at the micro-level
No full textThis study explores the relationship between women’s mobilisation and patriarchal backlash in post-conflict settings, with a focus on the micro-level. While previous literature has predominantly examined women's mobilisation as a dependent variable or causal mechanism, little attention has been paid to its role as an independent variable and the variation it may exhibit across cases. Addressing this gap, the paper investigates why some women’s mobilisations are met with higher levels of patriarchal backlash, defined as a resurgence of gender-based violence and regressive attitudes toward gender at the household level. To do so, the study conceptualises women’s mobilisation in two dimensions: (1) content of demands and scope of action, and (2) level of mobilisation. It posits that mobilisations oriented toward gender justice are more likely to provoke backlash than those with a narrower gender scope. In addition, national-level mobilisation may mitigate the backlash effect. The underlying causal mechanism revolves around the perception of a challenge to gender norms. Using a structured focused comparison of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Liberia, and Sri Lanka, the analysis offers some support for the idea that broader gender demands trigger backlash by challenging gender norms, while no evidence was found for the moderating effect of mobilisation level. These findings contribute to ongoing debates about post-conflict gender dynamics and call for greater empirical attention to the micro-level experiences of violence against women and gender norms
Future outlook of Swedish hydropower capability to provide flexibility services with a 15 minute trade and settlement period
No full textThis thesis evaluates the future outlook of Swedish hydropower’s capability to provide flexibility services, particularly mFRR, under changing market conditions. Hydropower has over the years emerged as an important flexibility provider but new market changes have raised concerns. The market change includes that the Imbalance Settlement Period (ISP) and Market Time Unit (MTU) have been changed from 60 to 15 minutes on mFRR-EAM as well as the implementation of an Activation Optimisation Function (AOF). This thesis therefore investigates how the market change and an intermittent operating pattern (including more start and stop cycles, ramping events and operation outside the optimal operating range) affects hydropower production, BSPs (Balance Service Providers) and BRPs (Balance Responsible Parties). The findings show that the market change affects several aspects of hydropower which have been categorised as technical, market, hydrological and operational. In some cases, the affected aspects are driven by short-term regulation itself, while the market change can amplify the negative consequences. In other cases, the market change introduces new implications. One implication of the market change and intermittent operation is its impact on the local environment and communities. Another aspect is the wear and degradation the intermittent operation causes. By calculations of the related average and marginal cost, indications of how the degradation caused by intermittent operations can be priced in mFRR-EAM are given. However, as intermittent operation of hydropower units significantly shortens the rehabilitation interval, it increases the demand for internal and external resources and can lead to loss of income during standstill. A more intermittent operating pattern followed by the market change also affects the operational aspects as it requires more up- and downregulations of the unit’s production. This, along with a potentially higher financial risk due to higher imbalance prices followed by the market change, affects the capability of providing mFRR services. The question is how hydropower producers should and can act upon the market change or whether it may become necessary to withdraw capacity from the mFRR market
Enhancing Forklift Safety in Warehouse Operations : Designing a blind spot detection system for forklifts to enhance visibility and safety
No full textRethinking Peacekeeping: The Complexities of Stabilization and State Formation in Hybrid Political Orders : an evaluating case study of UN peacekeeping missions MINUSMA and MONUSCO
No full textThis thesis examines the effect that UN peacekeeping stabilization missions have on state formation processes. The research addresses the general research gap that is inherent to the concept of stabilization within the UNPK, and takes use of the method of structured focused comparison to perform two case studies of stabilization missions MINUSMA in Mali and MONUSCO in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The study has contributed to the development of an alternative understanding of state formation in states that have a fragmented state apparatus, and the findings suggest that while stabilization can lead to short-term state formation, it lacks the ability to foster broad political reform and unity between actors that can lead to long-term state formation and stability. The study concludes that the UN must reevaluate their understanding of statehood and state formation, and that future peacekeeping missions must better adapt to local, regional and national political contexts of host countries, by enhancing their strategies and incorporating more effective implementation plans.
Values vs Strategy : Exploring the EU’s enlargement policy before and after the Russia-Ukraine war
No full textThis study examines whether the European Union’s (EU) decision to grant candidate status toUkraine and Moldova in 2022 marks a broader shift in its enlargement policy. Traditionally,enlargement has been framed as a process driven by a set of core values outlined in theCopenhagen criteria, which set the conditions that candidates and potential applicants must meetto become full members of the EU. However, as the geopolitical climate in Europe has shiftedfollowing Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, questions have been raised whether securityand strategic interests now outweigh the EU’s traditional emphasis on promoting democracy.Applying a comparative case study design together with a theoretical framework based on liberalinstitutionalism and neorealism, this study analyzes two recent candidates, Ukraine and Moldova,alongside two long-standing ones, Serbia and Albania. It examines four key dimensions of EUenlargement policy: values, accession criteria, security and strategic influence. The findingsshow that while democratic values and the strict conditions of the Copenhagen criteria remaincentral to the enlargement process, there is no doubt that the importance of geopolitical alignmenthas grown. Instead of replacing its traditional enlargement framework, the EU seems to beincreasingly taking strategic factors into account as well. This development can also be observedacross both recent and long-standing candidates, where aligning with EU geopolitical objectivesis becoming much more prominent in the accession rhetoric. Overall, the study concludes thatenlargement is evolving into a hybrid instrument that balances between democratic ideals andrising geopolitical factors
Towards a one health approach to WASH to tackle zoonotic disease and promote health and wellbeing
No full textThere is increasing awareness that exposure to animal faeces contributes to the global burden of diarrheal disease, as well as other zoonotic diseases. This recognition has prompted a re-evaluation of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions to address animal-related transmission pathways. However, current efforts focus primarily on animal faeces within household environments, neglecting other critical human-animal interactions that favour contamination such as animal handling. We advance growing efforts to link One Health and WASH from a risk perspective, reviewing implications for humans, animals, as well as the environment, which has been overlooked. We then discuss how a comprehensive OH-WASH approach can move beyond risks to also enable opportunities to promote health, equity, climate resilience, and other benefits. This framing offers possibilities to reduce disease transmission and enhance biosecurity, while addressing interconnected challenges facing low- and middle-income countries including food insecurity and agricultural livelihoods, animal health and welfare, and ecosystem degradation from excessive nutrients found in excreta
Kosten i de blå zonerna: Nyckeln till långt liv? : En scoping review
No full textIntroduktion: Den globala livslängden har de senaste 150 åren ökat avsevärt och det antas ofta att en ökad livslängd automatiskt innebär fler år med god hälsa, detta samband är inget befintlig forskning kan styrka. Denna utveckling har bidragit till ett växande intresse för att förstå varför vissa populationer i olika delar av världen uppnår en högre livslängd, därav har begreppet blå zoner vuxit fram. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att sammanfatta, analysera och kritiskt granska studier som undersökt kostmönster i de blå zonerna. Metod: En scoping review genomfördes i enlighet med en systematisk process baserat på fem metodologiska riktlinjer för översiktsstudier. Litteratursökningen genomfördes i databasen PubMed och resulterade i 301 träffar. Åtta studier inkluderades för vidare analys. Inklusionskriterierna var studier på engelska, artiklar som innehåller data om kost och begreppet Blå zoner. Studierna analyserades och sammanställdes i tabeller baserat på framarbetade extraktionsvariabler. Resultat: Resultatet visar att de fyra studerade zonerna har en kosthållning som består av ett högt intag av växtbaserade livsmedel som baljväxter, grönsaker och frukt. Kosten har också ett högt innehåll av fibrer och ett generellt lågt intag av animaliska produkter. Resultatet visar även en variation i typen av livsmedel mellan zonerna vilket indikerar att det inte är specifika livsmedel, utan det övergripande kostmönstret som leder till bättre hälsa och längre livslängd. Slutsats: Kosten i de studerade zonerna visar ett stort intag av växtbaserade livsmedel samt att det är närproducerat. Vidare är kostmönstret inte statiskt utan förändras över tid. De blå zonerna är komplexa fenomen och påverkas av många faktorer utöver kosten
The Meat of the Future : Consumer Attitudes Toward 3D-Printed Meat Based on the Technology Acceptance Model
No full textA growing global population makes it increasingly difficult to supply the world with sustainably produced meat. One possible solution is to produce meat by 3D-printing different types of meat pastes. The aim of this study is to map the general attitudes toward 3D-printed meat and how these attitudes positively or negatively affect the future of the market. This has been done through a semi-systematic literature review of previous research in the field of 3D-printed meat, structured using the TAM (Technology Acceptance Model) framework. The results showed that external factors were found to have a significant impact on attitudes, where consumer perceptions are influenced by knowledge, age, gender, price, environmental concerns, and cultural values. The perceived usefulness of the technology lies mainly in its health benefits, sustainability, and potential for personalization, while barriers such as feelings of disgust, lack of information, and high costs reduce interest in its use. Previous exposure, social norms, and transparency in production also affect the willingness to try the product. The study concludes that increasing acceptance requires improved knowledge and clear communication about the benefits of the technology, lower prices, and continued development to improve aspects such as taste and appearance. Moreover, targeted communication is essential, as attitudes vary greatly across different consumer groups