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  • Public defence: 2024-11-01 13:15 9C203, Karlstad
    Vedin, Sofi
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Political, Historical, Religious and Cultural Studies (from 2013).
    Avlönat hushållsarbete i Sverige 1890–1939: Kvinnor, klass och hierarkier i en brytningstid2024Doctoral thesis, monograph (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    The aim of this dissertation is to examine how the practices of paid domestic work (including advertising for labor) constructed, maintained, challenged or transformed hierarchies in relations between women in Sweden 1890–1939. The study thus contributes to our understanding of female labor and class relations: a less researched area compared to male work outside the home. 

    Domestic workers were one of the largest female occupational groups during the period. Until the 1920s, domestic workers were subjected to a live-in system, where the employee lived in the employer’s home. The study analyzes over 13 000 work advertisements and nearly 300 questionnaire responses written by former domestic workers and employers, focusing on how class, gender and labor relationships were performed, and everyday practices in the household. The analysis is grounded on theories on practices, performative practices, class, gender, and theories on how work is valued. 

    The study shows that previously established titles and divisions of labor among domestics (such as naming domestics working alone as ‘ensamjungfru’ or assuming ‘barnjungfrur’ only worked with child care) were performative. Both employers and employees constructed domestic work as a calling for working class women, making class relations seem innate. It divided women into categories of important (made to be served) and non-important (made to serve). Domestic workers were subjected to the idea that it was their natural, moral duty to serve middle- and upper class women. 

    As ideas of equality began to emerge in Swedish politics, employers attempted to integrate paid domestic work in a modern society by portraying the class relations as leveled and equal in the advertisements. However, when domestic workers abandoned the live in-system in the 1920’s, their numbers declined in the 1930’s, employers showed a desire to retain the live-in system, thereby preserving the anachronistic features of domestic work. 

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  • Public defence: 2024-11-04 14:15 Fryxellsalen, 1B 306, Karlstad
    Akil, Mahdi
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (from 2013).
    Privacy-Preserving Authentication in VANETs2024Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs) are transforming urban transportation by addressing challenges like traffic congestion, road safety, and vehicular pollution. They enable real-time communication between vehicles and infrastructure, improving traffic flow, reducing accidents, and lowering emissions through optimized route planning and reduced idle times. With advanced sensors and data analytics, VANETs adapt dynamically to traffic conditions and facilitate efficient navigation for emergency vehicles, enhancing urban mobility amid growing transportation demands.

    The continuous broadcasting of vehicle information raises privacy concerns, as this data can be exploited to track and identify drivers. These concerns become even more complex in the context of privacy-preserving vehicle rentals, where existing protocols do not adequately protect the security needs of owners and renters, especially when vehicles are shared. Addressing these privacy and security issues is crucial for the widespread adoption of VANETs.

    This thesis presents a comprehensive framework that enhances privacy and security in VANETs through novel authentication schemes. The proposed protocols ensure secure, privacy-preserving communications and allow vehicles to be shared among multiple drivers without compromising network security. Additionally, the thesis analyzes the underlying security requirements and proposes robust, scalable solutions compatible with future transportation advancements. These contributions lay the foundation for broader VANET adoption, supporting the transition to smarter, more efficient, and more secure urban transportation systems.

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  • Asplund, Stig-Börje
    et al.
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Educational Studies (from 2013).
    Kilbrink, Nina
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Educational Studies (from 2013).
    Enochsson, Ann-Britt
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Educational Studies (from 2013).
    Editorial: Vocational classroom research with a focus on teaching and learning in vocational education subjects2024In: Nordic Journal of Vocational Education and Training, E-ISSN 2242-458X, Vol. 14, no 2, p. iii-ixArticle in journal (Other academic)
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  • Public defence: 2024-10-31 13:15 Nyquistsalen 9C203, Karlstad
    Padden, Michaela
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Political, Historical, Religious and Cultural Studies (from 2013).
    Governing Surveillance: Digitalisation, data protection and democracy2024Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    In an era of rapid digital transformation, we are increasingly subject to surveillance practices, despite acknowledgement of their anti-democratic effects. How is it that surveillance practices, once condemned as corrosive to democratic rights and freedoms, are now prevalent in democratic states? 

    This thesis explores this question by asking how surveillance practices are governed in regulation, policy and practice. Drawing on governmentality studies and using Carol Bacchi’s WPR (What’s the Problem Represented to Be?) approach to policy analysis, the thesis identifies ‘problem representations’ in EU/EEA digitalisation and data protection regulation. The thesis finds that data protection and digitalisation policies are shaped by neoliberal rationalities, often prioritising economic growth over fundamental rights. Moreover, surveillance practices are normalised through risk-based regulation, which legitimises practices such as profiling and scoring when deemed to have met a threshold of ‘trustworthiness’. 

    To highlight the contingency of our present model of digitalisation, the thesis traces representations of surveillance practices over time, highlighting a shift from outright rejection of surveillance practices as anti-democratic to a nuanced acceptance, re-branded in terms of economic progress, public interest and individual customisation. The thesis challenges the perceived neutrality and inevitability of surveillance technologies coupled to our current model of digitalisation, opening up possibilities for resistance and alternative models.

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  • Augustsson, Christian
    et al.
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Educational Studies (from 2013).
    Högman, Johan
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Educational Studies (from 2013).
    Löfdahl, Annica
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Educational Studies (from 2013).
    Teachers’ experiences with physically inactive children and their strategies to promote physical activity in early childhood education settings2024In: Health Education Journal, ISSN 0017-8969, E-ISSN 1748-8176Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Objective: As an increasing number of children are identified as insufficiently physically active, the school environment has been targeted for efforts to promote physical activity (PA) among inactive children. While research has highlighted teachers’ role in promoting generic school-based daily PA, less is known about the early childhood education teachers’ experiences of physically inactive children and the strategies they use to promote PA. This study’s aim was to explore early childhood education teachers in Sweden’s experiences of physically inactive children and their strategies to promote PA among members of this group in their everyday school settings. Design: Qualitative interview study. Setting: Four small municipalities in Midwest Sweden. Method: Ten teachers working in early childhood education settings participated in individual semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed with a focus on teacher agency and the social, material and cultural resources teachers used to promote PA. Result: Findings indicated that teachers shoulder the worry and unarticulated responsibility for inactive children. This resulted in their use of strategies that varied and which were largely subjective in character. At the same time, teachers expressed how their agency was limited by insufficient resources. Conclusion: Teachers used social, material and cultural resources to promote PA, but their strategies were not informed by evidence or formal guidelines. None of the resources they used were specifically designed for inactive children. Instead, teachers used general resources which they adapted to inactive children’s interests and needs.

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  • Aoshima, Koji
    et al.
    Komatsu Ltd., Japan; Umeå University, Sweden.
    Fälldin, Arvid
    Umeå University, Sweden.
    Wadbro, Eddie
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (from 2013). Umeå University, Sweden.
    Servin, Martin
    Umeå University, Sweden; Algoryx Simulation AB, Sweden.
    World Modeling for Autonomous Wheel Loaders2024In: Automation, ISSN 2673-4052, Vol. 5, no 3, p. 259-281Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This paper presents a method for learning world models for wheel loaders performing automatic loading actions on a pile of soil. Data-driven models were learned to output the resulting pile state, loaded mass, time, and work for a single loading cycle given inputs that include a heightmap of the initial pile shape and action parameters for an automatic bucket-filling controller. Long-horizon planning of sequential loading in a dynamically changing environment is thus enabled as repeated model inference. The models, consisting of deep neural networks, were trained on data from a 3D multibody dynamics simulation of over 10,000 random loading actions in gravel piles of different shapes. The accuracy and inference time for predicting the loading performance and the resulting pile state were, on average, 95% in 1.2 ms and 97% in 4.5 ms, respectively. Long-horizon predictions were found feasible over 40 sequential loading actions. 

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  • Persson Kylen, Jessica
    et al.
    University West, Sweden; Public Dental Service, Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Bjorns, Sara
    University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Hagglin, Catharina
    Public Dental Service, Gothenburg, Sweden; University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Gronbeck-Linden, Ingela
    Public Dental Service, Gothenburg, Sweden; University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Piper, Laurence
    University West, Sweden; University of Western Cape, South Africa.
    Wårdh, Inger
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Health Sciences (from 2013). Karolinska Institute, Sweden; Academic Centre for Geriatric Dentistry, Sweden.
    Decisional needs for older adults, home health care nurses and dental hygienists during team-based oral health assessments in ordinary home settings - a qualitative study2024In: BMC Geriatrics, E-ISSN 1471-2318, Vol. 24, no 1, article id 779Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    BackgroundParticipation by all actors involved in health planning is a prerequisite for person-centred care and healthy ageing. Understanding the multiple knowledge needs and the values that shape oral health assessments in home settings is important both to enable participation in oral health planning and to contribute to healthy ageing.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate decisional needs during oral health assessments in ordinary home settings from the perspectives of older adults, home health care nurses and dental hygienists.MethodsData was collected in ordinary home settings through 24 team-based oral assessments and 39 brief, semi-structured interviews including older adults (n = 24), home health care nurses (n = 8) and dental hygienists (n = 7). Data was analysed using content analysis with a deductive approach. The analysis was guided by the Ottawa Decision Support Guide.ResultsThe analysis revealed that all participants considered participation in decision-making important but until now, older adults might not have participated in making decisions regarding oral health issues. The older adults considered participation important because the decisions had a strong impact on their lives, affecting their health. The professionals considered decision-making important for knowing what step to take next and to be able to follow up and evaluate previous goals and treatments. Organizational and personal barriers for shared decision-making among home health care nurses and dental hygienists were identified. Of the 24 older adults, 20 had different oral health conditions that objectively indicated the need for treatment. An initial important decision concerned whether the older adult wanted to make an appointment for dental care, and if so, how. Another decisional conflict concerned whether and how assisted oral care should be carried out.ConclusionIt is important for key participants in ordinary home settings to participate in interprofessional teams in home health care. To further anchor this in theory, conceptual models for professionals from different care organizations (municipal care, dental care) need to be developed that also involve older adults as participants. Future research could bridge theory and practice by including theories of learning while exploring interorganizational oral health planning in home settings.

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  • Wahlberg, Sara
    et al.
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences (from 2013).
    Haglund, Jesper
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Physics (from 2013). Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Center for Societal Risk Research, CSR (from 2020).
    Gericke, Niklas
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Environmental and Life Sciences (from 2013). Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Science, Mathematics and Engineering Education Research.
    Metaphors on Protein Synthesis in Swedish Upper Secondary Chemistry and Biology Textbooks - A Double-Edged Sword2024In: Research in science education, ISSN 0157-244X, E-ISSN 1573-1898Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This study provides insights into the use of metaphors in protein synthesis descriptions in upper secondary chemistry and biology textbooks. Data were collected from seven Swedish textbooks and analyzed with the Metaphor Identification Protocol and categorized within the framework of Conceptual Metaphor Theory. The results reveal two main parallel metaphor systems of construction-based metaphors and information-based metaphors. Five sub-systems with different emphasis on the usage of construction and information related metaphors emerged in the analysis: the location, translocation, transportation, cryptography and publishing sub-metaphor systems. These metaphors can function as double-edged swords for students' learning. On the positive side, the construction-based metaphors (location, translocation and transportation) meet the educational need to describe where the processes of the protein synthesis occur and how these take place, while the information-based metaphors (cryptography and publishing) describe how the different sub-processes of the protein synthesis are linked via the interflow of information between them. On the negative side, the identified metaphors are presented implicitly without explanations, thus making it difficult for the students to identify them. Also, textbook sentences often contain metaphors drawn from several of the five sub-systems, requiring students not only to differentiate between them, but also to connect the source and target domain of the different metaphors correctly. The results highlight the important role of the teacher in supporting students' learning by explaining what metaphors are and how they are used in textbooks. To further this end, authors of biology and chemistry textbooks are recommended to introduce metaphors early and explicitly.

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  • Nilstomt, Anna
    et al.
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Service Research Center (from 2013).
    Gustavsson, Johanna
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Political, Historical, Religious and Cultural Studies (from 2013). Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Center for Societal Risk Research, CSR (from 2020).
    Beckman, Linda
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Health Sciences (from 2013). University of Florida, USA.
    Bäccman, Charlotte
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Service Research Center (from 2013).
    Nilson, Finn
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Political, Historical, Religious and Cultural Studies (from 2013). Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Center for Societal Risk Research, CSR (from 2020).
    Wagnsson, Stefan
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Educational Studies (from 2013).
    Wästlund, Erik
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Service Research Center (from 2013).
    Physical activity from the perspective of older adults: a convergent mixed-method study2024In: BMC Geriatrics, E-ISSN 1471-2318, Vol. 24, no 1, article id 768Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background Older adults are insufficiently physically active, despite its importance for healthy aging. To develop appropriate physical activity interventions, it is necessary to understand their physical activity. This study applies a theoretical perspective, the COM-B model, and a mixed-method design to examine what influences older adults' physical activity levels with three questions: (1) What individual and external factors predict older adults' physical activity levels? (2) What do older adults perceive as influencing their levels of physical activity? (3) To what extent do the quantitative results on older adults' physical activity levels agree and disagree with the qualitative findings on older adults' physical activity levels? Methods A convergent mixed-method design was used with questionnaire (n = 334) and interview (n = 14) data from adults 65 years and older. Regression analyses were used for quantitative measurements: physical activity, age, subjective socioeconomic status, health status, capability, opportunity, motivation, and depression. Content analysis was applied to the qualitative data. The two forms of data were then integrated to provide greater insights than would be obtained by either dataset separately. Results The regression analyses showed that previous physical activity, current motivation, health status, and age significantly predicted older adults' physical activity levels. The content analysis revealed that participants addressed all subcomponents of the COM-B model, indicating its pertinence in understanding how older adults discuss their current physical activity levels. The integrated findings showed convergent and divergent results. Overall results indicated that previous physical activity engagement, present motivation, capability, and opportunity influenced older adults' physical activity levels. Conclusions This study is the first to use this mixed-methods design to examine factors influencing physical activity levels among older adults living in rental apartments with community hosts. The integrated result reveals convergence for findings on motivation and physical capability but divergence on psychological capability, opportunity, and previous physical activity. The findings underscore a complex interplay of factors influencing older adults' physical activity levels and indicate relevance for the COM-B model. The results can guide future research on theoretically informed interventions to promote physical activity and healthy aging. Future research should clarify the role of opportunity for older adults' physical activity.

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  • Alam, Meraj
    et al.
    Mahindra University, India.
    Muntean, Adrian
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (from 2013).
    Sekhar, G. P. Raja
    Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India.
    Non-linear biphasic mixture model: Existence and uniqueness results2024In: European journal of applied mathematics (Print), ISSN 0956-7925, E-ISSN 1469-4425, p. 1-25Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This paper is concerned with the development and analysis of a mathematical model that is motivated by interstitial hydrodynamics and tissue deformation mechanics (poro-elasto-hydrodynamics) within an in-vitro solid tumour. The classical mixture theory is adopted for mass and momentum balance equations for a two-phase system. A main contribution of this study is we treat the physiological transport parameter (i.e., hydraulic resistivity) as anisotropic and heterogeneous, thus the governing system is strongly coupled and non-linear. We derived a weak formulation and then formulated the equivalent fixed-point problem. This enabled us to use the Galerkin method, and the classical results on monotone operators combined with the well-known Schauder and Banach fixed-point theorems to prove the existence and uniqueness of results.

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  • Hassler, Sven
    et al.
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Health Sciences (from 2013).
    Störe, Siri Jakobsson
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Social and Psychological Studies (from 2013). Örebro University, Sweden.
    Persson, Louise
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Health Sciences (from 2013).
    Beckman, Linda
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Health Sciences (from 2013). University of Florida, USA.
    Children's and adolescents' views of health and mental health concepts - A qualitative group interview study2024In: BMC Public Health, E-ISSN 1471-2458, Vol. 24, no 1, article id 2506Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    BackgroundDefinitions and perceptions of health and mental health have not remained static over time. This is also true for statistics over Swedish children's and adolescents' health and mental health status. The majority of Swedish school-aged children and adolescents report good physical health and good life satisfaction. However, there are some warning signs when it comes to children's and adolescents' health and mental health status, for instance, an increased overweight or obesity in children and adolescents, as well as a higher proportion reporting psychological problems and stress. There is also a need for knowing more about the younger population's voices in this matter. The aim was therefore to explore children's and adolescent's conceptualizations and perceptions of health in general, and mental health in particular.MethodsOpen semistructured group interviews with 44 Swedish children and adolescents (10-14 years old) recruited from four schools were conducted. The interviews were conducted between April 2022 and January 2023. Data were analyzed with qualitative content analysis.ResultsChildren's and adolescents' conceptualizations of health included aspects of both the body and the mind, with a focus on the latter. Mental health was expressed as a state of being, illustrated by various lived experiences of emotions, moods, and thoughts. The social world was ever present in their understanding of health, e.g., through the lenses of social and gender norms.ConclusionsThis study revealed children's and adolescents' recognition of health terms and their ability to observe nuances between mental health problems and everyday struggles. The participants discussed mental health problems to a greater extent than positive mental health. An implication of this study is the highlighted need to focus more on mental health promotion in future preventive programs. These findings might potentially influence how school staff and student health teams communicate with children and adolescents about these concepts.

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  • Kuai, Joanne
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Geography, Media and Communication (from 2013).
    Unravelling Copyright Dilemma of AI-Generated News and Its Implications for the Institution of Journalism: The Cases of US, EU, and China2024In: New Media and Society, ISSN 1461-4448, E-ISSN 1461-7315, Vol. 26, no 9, p. 5150-5168Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This study adopts a multiple-case study design to address 'Does copyright law protect automated news, and if so, how' in three jurisdictions: the United States, the European Union and China. Through doctrinal legal analysis of the copyright laws and document analysis of policy reports, corporate responses and other empirical evidence, this study has found that the three copyright regimes differ substantively with regard to both formal texts and informal enforcement of copyright claims to artificial intelligence (AI)-generated news. In the United States, there has been a policy silence. In the European Union (EU), eager regulators have rushed to enact premature laws and failed policy patchwork. In China, the state is instrumentalising both laws and journalism to further its own interests. These findings suggest that current regulatory frameworks in all cases have led to a weakening of the institution of copyright, which, in turn, has contributed to the deinstitutionalisation of journalism and the institutionalisation of algorithms.

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  • Coe, Anna-Britt
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Social and Psychological Studies (from 2013).
    Time as a Resource for Constructing Long-term Visions among Two Generations of Feminist Activism in Peru and Ecuador2024In: Sociological perspectives, ISSN 0731-1214, E-ISSN 1533-8673Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Time is a central dimension to the study of long-term visions and political generations in social movements. Yet, missing from both concepts is theorizing of activist groups' own agency in using time as a resource. I address this problem through two main contributions. First, drawing on the findings of a Grounded Theory study among two generations of feminist activism in Ecuador and Peru, I show how these constructed long-term visions through four stages: interrupting the course of gender hierarchies, getting policy change put into practice, making feminist practices accessible, and repoliticizing feminist activism. Second, I employ David Maines and colleagues' retrieval of G.H. Mead's theory of time to analyze how the two generations used time as a source of power differently in each stage, producing a shift regarding which generation was the driving force of the construction of long-term visions across the stages.

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  • Jalan, Ishita
    et al.
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences (from 2013).
    Ericsson, Leif
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Physics (from 2013).
    Moons, Ellen
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Physics (from 2013).
    van Stam, Jan
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences (from 2013).
    AFM-IR Spectromicroscopy Unveils Hidden Phase Separation in Polymer-Polymer Blend Films for Photovoltaic Applications2024In: ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS, ISSN 2637-6105, Vol. 6, no 18, p. 11312-11319Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Conjugated polymers belong to a class of organic semiconductors that are used in a broad range of optoelectronic applications such as organic solar cells and organic light-emitting diodes. Thin films of two or more conjugated polymers or small molecules are coated from a solution that undergoes phase separation during drying and forms multiscale structures. In state-of-the-art bulk heterojunction organic solar cells, electron-donating and electron-accepting molecules form a network of donor-rich and acceptor-rich phases, whose domain sizes, composition, and interconnectivity play an important role in their power conversion efficiency. While these mesoscale structures formed in bulk heterojunction blend films under some circumstances can be observed by conventional scanning probe microscopy techniques, the task of mapping the film morphology becomes increasingly difficult when the donor and acceptor molecules are more chemically similar. Here we use AFM-IR, a combination of AFM (atomic force microscopy) and IR (infrared) spectroscopy, to image, with nanometer resolution, the morphology of a blend film of a donor polymer, TQ1, and an acceptor polymer, N2200, by using their distinct chemical composition contrast. These composition maps expose an interpenetrating network of the polymers that could not be distinguished by topography or phase imaging. Moreover, the dependence of the film structures, visualized by AFM-IR, on the molecular weight of the N2200 acceptor and the donor:acceptor blend ratio could be rationalized using Hansen solubility parameters (HSP).

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  • Spaiser, Viktoria
    et al.
    University of Leeds, England.
    Juhola, Sirkku
    University of Helsinki, Finland.
    Constantino, Sara M.
    Stanford University, USA.
    Guo, Weisi
    Cranfield University, England.
    Watson, Tabitha
    University of Exeter, England.
    Sillmann, Jana
    Hamburg University, Germany.
    Craparo, Alessandro
    International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Colombia.
    Basel, Ashleigh
    Alliance Biodivers CIAT, South Africa.
    Bruun, John T.
    University of Exeter, England.
    Krishnamurthy, Krishna
    Meru Labs, Panama.
    Scheffran, Juergen
    Hamburg University, Germany..
    Pinho, Patricia
    Amazon Environm Res Inst, Brazil.
    Okpara, Uche T.
    University of Greenwich, England.
    Donges, Jonathan F.
    Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Germany; Stockholm University, Sweden.
    Bhowmik, Avit Kumar
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Political, Historical, Religious and Cultural Studies (from 2013).
    Yasseri, Taha
    University College Dublin, Ireland.
    de Campos, Ricardo Safra
    University of Exeter, England.
    Cumming, Graeme S.
    University of Western Australia, Australia.
    Chenet, Hugues
    University of Lille, France.
    Krampe, Florian
    Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Sweden.
    Abrams, Jesse F.
    University of Exeter, England.
    Dyke, James G.
    University of Exeter, England.
    Rynders, Stefanie
    National Oceanography Centre, England.
    Aksenov, Yevgeny
    National Oceanography Centre, England.
    Spears, Bryan M.
    UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, UK.
    Negative social tipping dynamics resulting from and reinforcing Earth system destabilization2024In: Earth System Dynamics, ISSN 2190-4979, E-ISSN 2190-4987, Vol. 15, no 5, p. 1179-1206Article, review/survey (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In recent years, research on normatively positive social tipping dynamics in response to the climate crisis has produced invaluable insights. In contrast, relatively little attention has been given to the potentially negative social tipping processes that might unfold due to an increasingly destabilized Earth system and to how they might in turn reinforce social and ecological destabilization dynamics and/or impede positive social change. In this paper, we discuss selected potential negative social tipping processes (anomie, radicalization and polarization, displacement, conflict, and financial destabilization) linked to Earth system destabilization. We draw on related research to understand the drivers and likelihood of these negative tipping dynamics, their potential effects on human societies and the Earth system, and the potential for cascading interactions (e.g. food insecurity and displacement) contributing to systemic risks. This first attempt to provide an explorative conceptualization and empirical account of potential negative social tipping dynamics linked to Earth system destabilization is intended to motivate further research into an under-studied area that is nonetheless crucial for our ability to respond to the climate crisis and for ensuring that positive social tipping dynamics are not averted by negative ones.

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  • Moll, Jonas
    et al.
    Örebro University, Sweden.
    Scandurra, Isabella
    Örebro University, Sweden.
    Barkas, Annika
    Uppsala University, Sweden; Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden.
    Blease, Charlotte
    Uppsala University, Sweden; Harvard Medical School, USA.
    Hagglund, Maria
    Uppsala University, Sweden; Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden.
    Horhammer, Iiris
    Aalto University, Finland.
    Kane, Bridget
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Karlstad Business School (from 2013). Uppsala University, Sweden.
    Kristiansen, Eli
    University Hospital of North Norway, Norway.
    Ross, Peeter
    Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia; East Tallinn Central Hospital, Estonia.
    Ahlfeldt, Rose-Mharie
    University of Skövde, Sweden.
    Klein, Gunnar O.
    Örebro University, Sweden.
    Sociotechnical Cross-Country Analysis of Contextual Factors That Impact Patients'Access to Electronic Health Records in 4 European Countries:Framework Evaluation Study2024In: Journal of Medical Internet Research, E-ISSN 1438-8871, Vol. 26, article id e55752Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: The NORDeHEALTH project studies patient-accessible electronic health records (PAEHRs) in Estonia, Finland,Norway, and Sweden. Such country comparisons require an analysis of the sociotechnical context of these services. Althoughsociotechnical analyses of PAEHR services have been carried out in the past, a framework specifically tailored to in-depthcross-country analysis has not been developed. Objective: This study aims to develop and evaluate a method for a sociotechnical analysis of PAEHRs that advances a frameworkfor sociotechnical analysis of eHealth solutions first presented by Sittig and Singh. This first article in a series presents thedevelopment of the method and a cross-country comparison of the contextual factors that enable PAEHR access and use. Methods: The dimensions of the framework for sociotechnical analysis were thoroughly discussed and extended in a series ofworkshops with international stakeholders, all being eHealth researchers focusing on PAEHRs. All countries were representedin the working group to make sure that important national perspectives were covered. A spreadsheet with relevant questionsrelated to the studied services and the various dimensions of the sociotechnical framework was constructed and distributed to the4 participating countries, and the project participants researched various national sources to provide the relevant data for thecomparisons in the 10 sociotechnical dimensions. Results: In total, 3 dimensions were added to the methodology of Sittig and Singh to separate clinical content from featuresand functions of PAEHRs and demonstrate basic characteristics of the different countries regarding national and regional steeringof health care and information and communications technology developments. The final framework contained the following dimensions: metadata; hardware and software computing infrastructure; features and functions; clinical content shared withpatients; human-computer interface; people; workflow and communication; the health care organization's internal policies,procedures, and culture; national rules, regulations, and incentives; system measurement and monitoring; and health care systemcontext. The dimensions added during the study mostly concerned background information needed for cross-country comparisonsin particular. Several similarities were identified among the compared countries, especially regarding hardware and softwarecomputing infrastructure. All countries had, for example, one national access point, and patients are provided a PAEHRautomatically. Most of the differences could be identified in the health care system contextdimension. One important differenceconcerned the governing of information and communications technology development, where different levels (state, region, andmunicipality) were responsible in different countries. Conclusions: This is the first large-scale international sociotechnical analysis of services for patients to access their electronichealth records; this study compared services in Estonia, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. A methodology for such an analysis wasdeveloped and is presented to enable comparison studies in other national contexts to enable future implementations and evaluations of PAEHRs.

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  • Henrekson, Ebba
    et al.
    Marie Cederschiöld University, Sweden; Stockholm School of Economics, Sweden.
    Andersen, Rebecka
    Marie Cederschiöld University, Sweden.
    Turesson, Kenny
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Political, Historical, Religious and Cultural Studies (from 2013).
    Nilson, Finn
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Political, Historical, Religious and Cultural Studies (from 2013). Marie Cederschiöld University, Sweden; Lund University, Sweden.
    Fire Safety Disparities in Sweden: Sociodemographic Influences and the Impact of Societal Protection on Personal Fire Prevention Measures2024In: Fire technology, ISSN 0015-2684, E-ISSN 1572-8099Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Previous research has identified sociodemographic inequalities in fire prevention measures. This study examined whether sociodemographic differences persist in the Swedish population concerning fire prevention measures and particularly whether there remains an inverted u-curve related to age in protection habits. Additionally, it investigated whether fire protection practices are influenced by the level of societal protection. The research utilised survey data and register data from The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency and Statistics Sweden. A latent class analysis was conducted, dividing respondents into four latent classes, followed by two binomial regression analyses. The study revealed three key findings regarding fire protection measures. First, certain demographic groups, namely the young, women, single and childfree households, low-income and low-education individuals, immigrants, and urban residents, are disproportionately lacking optimal fire safety measures. Second, although a safety maturity curve is still observed, older adults in Sweden today are considerably more protected compared to 15-20 years ago, indicating that safety practices employed during middle age continue into old age. Third, a trend is observed where individuals living in areas with more efficient professional rescue services tend to have lower levels of personal fire protection, suggesting a rational choice based on the perceived level of societal protection.

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  • Özel, Fatih
    et al.
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Health Sciences (from 2013). Uppsala University, Sweden.
    Stratmann, Marlene
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Health Sciences (from 2013).
    Papadopoulos, Fotios C.
    Uppsala University, Sweden.
    Rüegg, Joëlle
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Health Sciences (from 2013). Uppsala University, Sweden.
    Bornehag, Carl-Gustaf
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Health Sciences (from 2013). Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, USA.
    Gender-specific play behavior in relation to autistic traits and behavioral difficulties at the age of seven in the SELMA study2024In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 19, no 8, article id e0308605Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background Childhood gender nonconformity is related to psychological distress and behavioral difficulties. Similarly, there is evidence for a link between gender nonconformity, or gender dysphoria in some studies, and autism spectrum disorder and related traits. Our knowledge on those associations mostly originates from clinical populations, which might lead to overestimation. Thus, this study aimed to assess associations between gender nonconformity and behavioral difficulties in a population-based study.Methods In the Swedish Environmental Longitudinal, Mother and Child, Asthma and Allergy (SELMA) study, cross-sectional associations between gender-specific play behavior and behavioral outcomes and autistic traits were investigated among 718 children at 7-years of age. Play behavior was measured using the Preschool Activities Inventory; behavioral outcomes and autistic traits were measured with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Social Responsiveness Scale, respectively. Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed.Results Higher composite play behavior scores (indicating either increased masculine or decreased feminine play behavior) were associated with increased autistic trait scores in girls (beta = 0.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.00, 0.26). Furthermore, higher composite scores were shown to be associated with behavioral difficulties in both girls (beta = 0.11; 95% CI = 0.04, 0.18) and boys (beta = 0.10; 95% CI = 0.02, 0.19). Additionally, higher feminine scores were related with increased problems in peer relationships in boys (beta = 0.04; 95% CI = 0.00, 0.07).Conclusions This study suggests a link between gender nonconforming play behavior and autistic traits as well as behavioral difficulties among children in a non-clinical population, which calls attention to the necessity of supporting children with gender nonconformity from early ages.

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  • Nordberg, Kenneth
    et al.
    Åbo akademi University, Finland.
    Narbutaité Aflaki, Inga
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Political, Historical, Religious and Cultural Studies (from 2013).
    Public sector readiness for value co-creation: the diffusion of a governance innovation2024In: Public Money & Management, ISSN 0954-0962, E-ISSN 1467-9302Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Public services, particularly in sparsely populated areas, are increasingly required to demonstrate their value-especially in terms of the public benefits they provide to local communities. In Scandinavia, local civil society organizations have long been overlooked as key partners in creating public value together with municipalities. Since 2010, Sweden has been experimenting with collaborative co-creation models that involve both municipal and third sector service providers. This article explores the specifics and reception of such models in rural areas of Finland and identifies the key lessons learned. It delves into the impact of legal frameworks and entrenched public sector norms on the success of these initiatives. The aim is to enhance the understanding of the prerequisites for applying this model among public and civil society actors. The article explores the spread of an innovative model for state-third sector partnerships used in Sweden among local governments in Finland. The study employed action-based research to generate and analyse data from four self-selected municipalities. The study reveals major facilitators and obstacles in spreading and adopting collaborative cross-sector models as they go beyond simple methodological or legal issues and require a shift in public sector logics and identities. The results suggest that resistance is more 'in the heads' of municipal managers and politicians and engrained in administrative traditions than in legal paragraphs or financial shortages.

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  • Åsberg, Mikael
    et al.
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Physics (from 2013).
    Lin, Fengxiang
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Physics (from 2013).
    Karlsson, Patrik
    Örebro University, Sweden.
    Oikonomou, Christos
    Uddeholms AB, Sweden.
    Strandh, Emil
    Swerim AB, Sweden.
    Uhlirsch, Markus
    Swerim AB, Sweden.
    Krakhmalev, Pavel
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Physics (from 2013).
    A Comparative Study of the As-Built Microstructure of a Cold-Work Tool Steel Produced by Laser and Electron-Beam Powder-Bed Fusion2024In: Metals, ISSN 2075-4701, Vol. 14, no 8, article id 934Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    A high-alloy (Cr-Mo-V) cold-work tool steel was manufactured by laser powder-bed fusion (PBF-LB) without preheating and by electron-beam powder-bed fusion (PBF-EB) with the build temperature set at 850 degrees C. The solidification rates, cooling, and thermal cycles that the material was subjected to during manufacturing were different in the laser powder-bed fusion than electron-beam powder-bed fusion, which resulted in very different microstructures and properties. During the solidification of the PBF-LB steel, a cellular-dendritic structure was formed. The primary cell size was 0.28-0.32 mu m, corresponding to a solidification rate of 2.0-2.5 x 106 degrees C/s. No coarse primary carbides were observed in the microstructure. Further rapid cooling resulted in the formation of a martensitic microstructure with high amounts of retained austenite. The high-retained austenite explained the low hardness of 597 +/- 38 HV. Upon solidification of the PBF-EB tool steel, dendrites with well-developed secondary arms and a carbide network in the interdendritic space were formed. Secondary dendrite arm spacing was in the range of 1.49-3.10 mu m, which corresponds to solidification rates of 0.5-3.8 x 104 degrees C/s. Cooling after manufacturing resulted in the formation of a bainite needle-like microstructure within the dendrites with a final hardness of 701 +/- 17 HV. These findings provide a background for the selection of a manufacturing method and the development of the post-treatment of a steel to obtain a desirable final microstructure, which ensures that the final tool's performance is up to specification.

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  • Prasad, Suraj
    et al.
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Physics (from 2013).
    Genene, Zewdneh
    Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden.
    Marchiori, Cleber
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Physics (from 2013).
    Singh, Shivam
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Physics (from 2013).
    Ericsson, Leif
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Physics (from 2013).
    Wang, Ergang
    Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden.
    Araujo, Moyses
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Physics (from 2013).
    Moons, Ellen
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Physics (from 2013).
    Effect of molecular structure on the photochemical stability of acceptor and donor polymers used in organic solar cells2024In: Materials Advances, E-ISSN 2633-5409, Vol. 5, p. 7708-7720Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The limited operational lifetime of organic solar cells remains an obstacle to their commercial development and is largely due to the poor intrinsic photostability of the conjugated molecules that constitute the photoactive layer. Here, we selected a series of state-of-the-art donor and acceptor materials including PBDB-T, Y5, PF5-Y5, and PYT to study their photostability under AM1.5 simulated sunlight in ambient conditions. Their properties are monitored over time, using various spectroscopy techniques, including UV-Vis absorption, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS and UPS). We found that the absorption spectra of Y5 and PYT films remain almost intact even after 30 hours of light exposure in air, while the PF5-Y5 and PBDB-T films undergo rapid photobleaching. The absorption losses observed in blend films of PBDB-T with Y5 and with PF5-Y5 can be understood as composed of contributions from the separate blend components that are similar to the absorption losses in neat films. The new peaks emerging in the FTIR spectra of PBDB-T, PF5-Y5, and their blend films witness the formation of new carbonyl groups, while these are absent in the spectra of the Y5 and PYT films. The XPS C 1s spectra of the PF5-Y5 and PBDB-T films confirm this carbonyl formation and the S 2p spectra reveal that sulphone groups are formed after 30 hours of exposure of these films. These results confirm that films of Y5 and the copolymer PYT are significantly more resistant to photooxidation, compared to the copolymer PF5-Y5. The comparison of these results suggests that the benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b ']dithiophene moiety with alkylated thiophenes as side chains (BDT-T) accelerates the photodegradation of PBDB-T and PF5-Y5. The replacement of the BDT-T unit by thiophene contributes to the enhanced stability of PYT, demonstrating that the nature of the co-monomer has a significant effect on the intrinsic photostability of Y5-based copolymers. These new insights are expected to stimulate the design of stable donors and acceptor polymers for the development of long-lived OPV devices. Absorption spectra show the photobleaching of acceptor copolymer PF5-Y5. The replacement of BDT-T by thiophene strongly improves the photostability.

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  • Jansson, André
    et al.
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Geography, Media and Communication (from 2013).
    Ritter, Christian
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Geography, Media and Communication (from 2013).
    Mapping Geomedia Studies: Origins, Trajectories, and Future Directions2024In: Media and Communication, E-ISSN 2183-2439, Vol. 12, article id 8215Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This article explores the formation of and future avenues for geomedia studies. Drawing on a citation network analysis, we map the development of the interdisciplinary research terrain from its origins and identify central citation clusters. The term "geomedia" has been used in the humanities and social sciences since at least the early 2010s. Subsequently, geomedia studies have been advanced through an interdisciplinary scholarship from human geography, media and communication studies, and other related research areas, assessing the increasingly complex interplay between media technologies and the production of space. To detect the origins and growth of geomedia studies as an emerging field, we conduct a bibliographic citation and keyword analysis of 57 references from the Web of Science core collection. The generated charts and network graphs reveal that research on geomedia has mainly evolved within media and communication studies. A citation cluster analysis shows how two sub-communities and approaches have emerged, tentatively called "visual geomedia studies" and "urban-sociological geomedia studies." A keyword cluster analysis reveals how the approaches are entangled with different theoretical perspectives. Given the societal relevance and the growing vitality of present-day geomedia studies, this article discusses the prospects of both approaches.

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  • Skålén, Per
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Karlstad Business School (from 2013). Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Service Research Center (from 2013).
    A Framework of Services-as-Practices2024In: Journal of Service Research, ISSN 1094-6705, E-ISSN 1552-7379Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The idea of conceptualizing services as a type of discrete entity that are different from goods provided the initial conceptual foundation of service research. Today, this foundation has been denounced and replaced by the service-dominant logic (SDL), which suggests that service is a logic reffering to how resources are integrated by actors in order to cocreate value-in-use. However, researchers and practitioners still commonly refer to services as a type of discrete entity. To facilitate the understanding of services, this paper develops a services-as-practices (SaP) framework consisting of six propositions. Key to the SaP framework is the fact that services are conceptualized as bundles of value cocreation practices (VCPs). These VCPs are organized and recurring activities that are intended to cocreate value, but they can also codestroy (i.e., diminish) value when performed. The SaP framework contributes to service research by developing: (1) a novel conceptualization of services that realizes the long-lasting opportunity to understand services-as-activities, (2) a novel conceptualization of value that aligns theoretically with this understanding of services, and (3) the service research discipline as a whole. The latter contribution is accomplished by revising the notion of services as a type of discrete entity in such a way that a fruitful alternative perspective to focusing on service as a logic along the lines of the SDL is achieved. The SaP framework also provides practitioners with a novel perspective as regards understanding, managing, and developing services.

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  • Örnebring, Henrik
    et al.
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Geography, Media and Communication (from 2013).
    Van Couvering, Elizabeth
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Geography, Media and Communication (from 2013).
    Regin Öborn, David
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Karlstad Business School (from 2013).
    MacKenzie, Robert
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Karlstad Business School (from 2013). Karlstad Univ, Karlstad Business Sch, Working Life Sci, Karlstad, Sweden..
    The mediatization of work?: Gig workers and gig apps in Sweden2024In: New Media and Society, ISSN 1461-4448, E-ISSN 1461-7315Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This article presents a study of how and to what extent gig workers in Sweden experience a mediatization of work. We contend that previous mediatization research has assumed extensive and unified effects of mediatization, and that previous gig work research has focused on users of large-scale, transnational platforms. We conducted a set of qualitative, semi-structured interviews (N = 28) with Swedish users of four different gig apps (all produced by very small companies active only in Sweden). We analyzed their experiences of mediatization along five dimensions: extension, substitution, amalgamation, accommodation, and datafication. We found that our respondents had much more varied, far less all-encompassing, experiences of mediatization than indicated in previous research. We also found respondents' experiences clearly framed by the smaller size of the local, Swedish gig work companies.

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  • Wu, Jingnan
    et al.
    Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden; Aalborg University, Denmark.
    Sun, Fengbo
    Jianghan University, China.
    Wang, Xunchang
    Jianghan University, China.
    Chen, Qiaonan
    Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden.
    Franco, Leandro R.
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Physics (from 2013).
    Zheng, Xufan
    Jianghan University, China.
    Araujo, Moyses
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Physics (from 2013).
    Yang, Renqiang
    Jianghan University, China.
    Yu, Donghong
    Aalborg University, Denmark; Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research, Denmark.
    Wang, Ergang
    Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden.
    Unveiling the Influence of Linkers on Conformations of Oligomeric Acceptors for High-Performance Polymer Solar Cells2024In: Advanced Science, E-ISSN 2198-3844, article id 2406772Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Conformational isomerism of organic photovoltaic materials has a profound impact on their molecular packing and therefore performance of polymer solar cells (PSCs). However, the conformations of oligomeric acceptors (OAs) are mostly predicted by simulations rather than experimental determinations. Herein, the stereochemical S-shaped structure of two dimeric-type acceptor molecules, V-DYIC and V-DYIC-4F, is first confirmed with different end groups (IC for V-DYIC and IC-2F for V-DYIC-4F), incorporating vinylene linkage for connecting the distinct state-of-the-art small molecule acceptor Y-segments. Through the synthetic control of fluorination sites adjacent to the vinyl-linker, S-shaped the conformation by NMR experiments is validated. Compared to the O-shaped dimer, S-shaped conformation results in enhanced lamellar order and reduced nonradiative recombination losses. The optimal acceptor, V-DYIC-4F, achieved a champion efficiency of 18.10% with the lowest energy loss of 0.556 eV in its devices paired with PM6 due to their efficient carrier transport, and suppressed recombination compared to other devices, being attributed to the synergistic effect of conformation and end group fluorination. The insights gained in this work contribute valuable knowledge of both synthetic control and structural determination of OAs, providing strategic design guidelines for the future development of dimeric acceptors toward high-efficiency PSCs. Two dimeric-type acceptors, namely V-DYIC and V-DYIC-4F with vinylene linkage, are synthesized and reported to have a rigid and coplanar S-shaped conformation via NMR and DFT calculations. The S-shaped V-DYIC-4F-based solar cell demonstrated an excellent PCE of 18.10% with lower nonradiative recombination loss when compared to DIBP3F-S with an O-shaped conformation. 

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  • Bååth, Carina
    et al.
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Health Sciences (from 2013). Østfold University College, Norway.
    Carlsson, Annika
    Central Hospital, Karlstad, Sweden.
    Wilde-Larsson, Bodil
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Health Sciences (from 2013).
    Sving, Eva
    Region Gävleborg, Sweden; Uppsala University, Sweden; Universityof Gävle, Sweden.
    Preventive care for individuals with deep pressure ulcers in Sweden living at home: A cross-sectional study2024In: Health Science Reports, E-ISSN 2398-8835, Vol. 7, no 9, article id e70038Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background and AimsSeveral factors exist regarding the risk for, healing and prevention of pressure ulcers (PUs). A mobile PU team with an individualized holistic approach adapted to the home or outpatient clinic setting could be beneficial for the prevention, and management of PUs.AimsTo describe the mobile PU team's interventions among individuals who had deep PUs and were living at home. Another aim was to describe the patients' perceptions of the quality of the care and having a deep PU.MethodsA quantitative study with a cross-sectional design. At an outpatient clinic, a mobile PU team was established to perform and follow up PU prevention interventions and advanced wound care treatment at home and at the outpatient clinic. All adult patients with existing deep category four PUs remitted to the outpatient clinic were asked to participate, and 16 out of 24 individuals consented. Instruments used for data collection were "Quality from the Patient's Perspective," "Wound-Quality of Life," "Modified Norton Scale," and a study developed protocol for the mobile team's PU interventions.ResultsThe patients chose home visits 20 times and outpatient clinic visits 89 times. In total, 8-13 interventions per participant were performed by the mobile team. The results show that having PUs affected the participants' perceptions of care and general well-being. The PUs did not heal completely but they did improve, six patients underwent flap surgery.ConclusionWhen organizing care regarding patient safety for patients with deep PUs, it is important to consider the patient's perspective and well-being and to involve patients in their care plans. Home care is perhaps not the only way of caring; other aspects, in addition to telemedicine, could be an option.

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  • Hassel, John-Erik
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Service Research Center (from 2013).
    Third actor introductions to interaction episodes aiming at fast-forwarding new firm relationship development2024In: Journal of business & industrial marketing, ISSN 0885-8624, E-ISSN 2052-1189, Vol. 39, no 13, p. 200-215Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    PurposeThis paper aims to address third actor introductions to interaction episodes aiming at fast-forwarding the continuous development of business relationships of new firms.Design/methodology/approachThe study is qualitative, collecting data from 30 interviews from 28 informants associated with creation of new ventures and business network development in the context of a novel type of third actor called venture builder. Venture builders are privately owned organizations devoted to new firm creation in a factory-like mode, collaborating with individual entrepreneurs.FindingsThe findings suggest that interaction episodes, central to the development of new relationships, may be triggered by introductions managed by third actors using different types of involvement depending on the location and focus of the potential relationship. A framework is presented including four types of introductions to interaction episodes, aiming at saving time by removing the perceived distance between new firms and their counterparts in the initiation of business relationships. The framework describes four types of introductions of interaction episodes: Managed, Advised, Facilitated and Monitored.Originality/valueTriggers and introductions of interaction episodes for new firms has previously been sparsely addressed. This paper presents how third actor involvement, by the introductions of interaction episodes with internal and external counterparts is managed with an aim of fast-forwarding relationship development.

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  • Wikström, Fredrik
    et al.
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences (from 2013). Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Service Research Center (from 2013).
    Williams, Helén
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences (from 2013). Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Service Research Center (from 2013).
    Förpackningsutvecklarens guide för minskat matsvinn i hushållen2024Report (Other (popular science, discussion, etc.))
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  • Public defence: 2024-10-18 13:15 Agardhsalen, 11D 257, Karlstad
    Regin Öborn, David
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Karlstad Business School (from 2013).
    The indeterminate position in-between: Work relations amongst university administrators2024Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    This workplace-based mixed methods case study at a Swedish university explores the changed roles and positions of departmental administrators due to changes in internal work processes and organization, influenced by new public management doctrines and gender. It finds them to be in an indeterminate position in between different actors, expectations and organisational logics, which brings tensions as well as increased room for agency.

    This compilation thesis consists of four research papers, deploying different conceptual lenses to explore the position of the departmental administrators and how they relate to other actors in the organisation. The individual papers highlight different aspects of the relations within organisations, contributing to different debates within worklife science and sociology of work. Paper 1 focuses on loyalties, paper 2 on the impact of new technology 2, paper 3 focuses on the role of belongings in an organisation and paper 4 discusses the effects of workplace visibility in terms of recognition and control.

    While the four papers highlight different aspects of the departmental administrators’ job and workplace relations, they provide a picture of an indeterminate position in-between different actors, expectations and logics. This position comes with both risks related to tension between management and professionals and the different expectations of what the job should be, and possibilities in terms of increased agency as individuals and as a group.

    This case study is situated within broader trends in society, such as new public management, and the transformation of gendered occupations. While set within a university, the transformation of management doctrines and administrative work is also well known to be occurring in other sectors, such as healthcare, education, and law enforcement (Forssell & Westberg, 2014; Hall, 2012; Hasenfeld, 2009), making the findings in this study relevant to other settings.

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  • Persson, Helén
    Lunds universitet.
    The historical past och the practical past: Om ett utvecklat lärande i historia på gymnasie- och högskolenivå2024In: Nordidactica: Journal of Humanities and Social Science Education, ISSN 2000-9879, Vol. 14, no 2024:2, p. 128-150Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In the spring of 2018 a study by Stefan Sellbjer at Linnaeus University showed on one hand that several professors did not believe they could meet the school's knowledge requirements in their own subjects. Parents, on the other hand, thought that the knowledge requirements were so abstract and complex that they could no longer question their children about the homework. The purpose of this study is to provide a theory-testing and tentative explanation of the professors’ and parents’ experiences with the help of interviews. How do teachers in history view the relevance of the subject of history and its goals? A hypothesis, that is confirmed in the interviews, is that teachers at the university level to a greater extent describe the relevance of the history subject in terms of the historical past and that the teachers at the upper secondary level to a greater extent describe the relevance of the history subject in terms of the practical past. The teachers’ answers can be described in terms of four different learning processes. According to both upper secondary school and university teachers, knowing history is about something qualitatively different from learning about history. A hybrid form of learning history in history can be discerned in the upper secondary school teachers’ answers: that a developed learning is about learning history in the present.

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  • Axinder, Emma
    et al.
    Linköpings universitet.
    Larsen, Pontus
    Linköpings universitet.
    Knowledge of Life and Death! A Classroom Study of Gender Negotiations among Pupils and Teachers in Primary School History Education2024In: Nordidactica: Journal of Humanities and Social Science Education, ISSN 2000-9879, Vol. 14, no 2024:2, p. 110-127Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In this article, we analyse how gendered subject positions during the Middle Ages are talked about in the history education classroom in primary school. Discourses about gender norms in the past were followed by discourses about how to interpret these differences and injustices, where we see that: i) the interpretations are constructed as being linked to biology, ii) teacher and pupils construct a present ‘us’ who understand better than a past ‘they’, an us who have greater freedom of action to choose for ourselves how to live our lives, and where iii) this is explained by the view that mediaeval people did not understand very well. It is between these discourses that the negotiation of how to interpret gender norms and gendered positions takes place. Negotiations result in a discourse that stresses today’s society as one of equality and equity. These discourses also enable various counter-discourses in which pupils challenged the constructions of women in the past offered by the teacher and textbook in the classroom.

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  • Børhaug, Kjetil
    et al.
    Universitetet i Bergen.
    Neby, Simon
    Universitetet i Bergen.
    Politisk handlingskompetanse for berekraftig utvikling2024In: Nordidactica: Journal of Humanities and Social Science Education, ISSN 2000-9879, Vol. 14, no 2024:2, p. 88-109Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    An important question is what to teach concerning how students may influence and contribute to a sustainable future. At the Nordic level we have several important contributions that elaborate on this. The research question for this theoretical article is to what extent these contributions define an action competence that may facilitate and help students to engage politically for a sustainable future. Such competence includes taking a stand in policy issues and an ability to work politically for preferred policies. The literature is more concerned with taking a stand on policy issues than on working politically, but also the policy assessment part is problematic because it is not sufficiently related to the political system and how policies are developed.  In the article, core Nordic contributions are discussed and some possible developments of the sustainability didactics are suggested, in order to make it more politically relevant. 

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  • Eide, Thomas Ringen
    Universitetet i Bergen.
    Verdifulle ferdigheiter. Ulike perspektiv på samfunnskunnskap2024In: Nordidactica: Journal of Humanities and Social Science Education, ISSN 2000-9879, Vol. 14, no 2024:2, p. 55-87Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    School subject skills have been increasingly actualized in the past years, believed to make subjects more useable. In social studies didactics, there are problems understanding and operationalizing skills in research, curricula, and teaching. To get a better understanding on this topic, I use Luc Boltanski og Laurent Thévenot’s theory to look at how pupils’ skills are understood and valued. I analyse perspectives in the Nordic research literature, and identify three traditions: Citizenship Education, Bildung, and Literacy, and discuss ten facets. Although skills are sparsely discussed in the literature, I find a variety of skills related to opinions about what an ideal pupil must be able to do which are heterogeneous despite commonalities. While analysing theory, in practice one can imagine that students are presented with several ideal student dispositions and choose approaches that suit them. Different perspectives have limitations and problems that are important to consider, because choice of subject facilities has academic and political implications. The article contributes to a broader understanding of subject-specific skills.

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  • Kosberg, Eva
    Oslo Metropolitan University.
    Sources of Internal Political Efficacy in the Social Studies Classroom: A Qualitative Investigation of Norwegian Lower Secondary Students’ Perceptions2024In: Nordidactica: Journal of Humanities and Social Science Education, ISSN 2000-9879, Vol. 14, no 2024:2, p. 30-54Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This article explores lower secondary students’ perceptions of how their experiences in the social studies classroom might affect their sense of internal political efficacy (IPE). The qualitative data underlying the research are group interviews with 13- and 14-year-old Norwegian students, which were analyzed using a constant-comparative method. The students’ responses indicate that there are three obstacles to IPE facing the students in the social studies classroom: (1) the reactions of their peers in political discussions, (2) the perception that adolescents are not respected due to their young age, and (3) a view of opinions as fixed and hence unchangeable. The possible solutions given by the students are to work to enhance the level of respect and support that they experience in the classroom, to practice politics through carefully structured discussions, and to work in smaller groups. In analyzing the findings, Albert Bandura’s theory of how efficacy develops as a consequence of experiences in a person’s environment has been useful. The article also draws on Gert Biesta’s framework, describing how one central aim of education is to enable students to function as subjects in a world that brings both possibilities and limitations to their preferred actions. The main implication is that the social studies teacher should aim for critical analysis and raising awareness of different perspectives instead of focusing solely on the students' personal opinions. 

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  • Sooniste, Aleksandra
    University of Tartu.
    Measuring the instrumental aspects of religious literacy of Estonian basic school graduates2024In: Nordidactica: Journal of Humanities and Social Science Education, ISSN 2000-9879, Vol. 14, no 2024:2, p. 1-29Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This paper presents findings from a 2022 survey that assessed the religious literacy of Estonian basic school graduates. The goal was to explore their attitudes toward various religious phenomena and their ability to navigate situations related to religious matters. The study involved 392 participants from large urban and small rural schools across Estonia. To conduct the survey, an original instrument was developed, taking into account the Estonian religious landscape, the National Curriculum for Basic Schools, the educational model of religious literacy by Matthew Francis and Adam Dinham, the characterization of religious literacy by Diane Moore, Francis, and Dinham, and Robert Jackson’s definition of religious competence. The results highlight the state of religious literacy in Estonia, one of the world’s least religious countries, with minimal public education on religions and worldviews. The survey indicates that part of Estonian basic school graduates lack the competencies to operate in situations requiring religious literacy.

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  • Straube, Wibke
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Centre for Gender Studies (from 2013). Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Social and Psychological Studies (from 2013).
    Molecular Rebellions: Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Aesthetics of Contamination in Trans Performance Art2024In: NORA: Nordic Journal of Feminist and Gender Research, ISSN 0803-8740, E-ISSN 1502-394X, Vol. 32, no 3, p. 253-265Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Hormones are molecular messengers in the body?s metabolism. They regulate, for instance, reproduction, digestion, organ systems and gene expression. The past century brought with it a proliferation of synthetic substances and other industrial chemical compounds, generally referred to as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). These chemicals interfere with the hormonal systems of human and animal bodies alike and are able to, among other things, fundamentally disrupt, mimic or block the functioning of the hormonal system. In this article I investigate the forces of chemical toxicity and its impact on all living bodies on this planet from a queer and trans perspective. EDCs and specifically EDC discourses have a particular effect on queer- and transness. Applying queer reading and autoethnography, I want to think here with two performances by Finnish artist Teo Ala-Ruona about the impact of EDCs on our human bodies, our planet and the relations and imaginaries that emerge in Ala-Ruona?s work, blending transness and endocrine disruptors in ways different to those currently being suggested by life science and populist discourses. In my engagement with Ala-Ruona?s work I consider that his work not only materializes a new imaginary of embodiment but also demonstrates a multi-molecular, rebellious becoming with and through toxins that intervenes in the risk narratives commonly flanking EDC discourses.

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  • Falk, Petter
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Political, Historical, Religious and Cultural Studies (from 2013).
    Assemble Care // Align Data: An Ethnographic Study of Datafication in Swedish Public Care2024Doctoral thesis, monograph (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    In the contemporary landscape of public care, digital data has emerged as a fundamental prerequisite, increasingly influencing not only the operational practices of care providers but also the very subjects of those receiving care. 

    This study delves into the intricate process of datafication within Swedish public care, focusing on how data is produced, processed, and utilized across various care environments. The research adopts an ethnographic approach, rooted in the theoretical framework of assemblage as articulated by Deleuze and Guattari, to investigate the multifaceted and socio-technical dimensions of datafication. By closely examining the daily, often unnoticed practices related to data and data-driven system, this study uncovers how seemingly minor actions collectively contribute to broader socio-political ramifications within Swedish public care. 

    The findings highlight the pivotal role that data plays in shaping the structure and delivery of care, and emphasize the need for a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the broader consequences of datafication in public health and social services. This research thus contributes to the ongoing discourse on the impact of digital technologies on public care systems, offering critical insights into the balance between technological advancement and the human aspects of care.

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  • Olsson, Jakob
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Language, Literature and Intercultural Studies (from 2013).
    Sladdbarn, vuxennätverk och digitala spänningar: Digitalisering och mediestrid i barn- och ungdomslitteraturen i Sverige 2000–20192024Doctoral thesis, monograph (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    This thesis aims to explore how 21st-century children’s and young adult literature published in Sweden represents and frames digital technology, as well as how this literature relates to contemporary digital discourse. Theoretically, the thesis brings together ideas and concepts from various fields of study, such as media discourse analysis, intermedial studies, the teaching of literature and research in children’s and young adult literature. Literature for these age groups is understood as being shaped by and actively shaping the technological situation and discourse of its time, as well as expressing adult ideas about what young people want and should read about digital technology.

    Combining quantitative methods with literary analysis, a primary material of 249 books featuring digital technology from the period 2000–2019 has been gathered and analysed. The results are presented in four main chapters. In the first chapter, the primary material is inventoried using bibliographic records to discern general tendencies. These tendencies are explored further in the following chapters by focusing on three prominent figures in the books that highlight central aspects of what it is to be a young digital citizen in the 21st century: the digitally competent child, the gaming child, and the child using social media.

    The ways in which digital technology is represented and framed throughout the period reflect the ever-changing technology landscape and the tensions within digital discourse. Both in the material as a whole and in individual texts, digital technology is associated with both possibilities and problems. Digital technology can have a positive impact on young people and their relationships to technology, other people, society, and the world – but can also cause many forms of conflict.

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  • Backius, Stefan
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Political, Historical, Religious and Cultural Studies (from 2013).
    Den mångfacetterade avindustrialiseringen2024In: Historisk Tidskrift, ISSN 0345-469X, E-ISSN 2002-4827, Vol. 144, no 3, p. 527-535Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [sv]

    I denna artikel beskrivs de svenska ”nedläggningsstudierna” under 1970- och 1980-talen i relation till det internationella forskningsläget inom Deindustrialisation Studies.

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  • Subasic, M.
    et al.
    KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden.
    Ireland, A.
    KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden.
    Mansour, R.
    KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden; Aarhus University, Denmark.
    Enblom, P.
    KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden.
    Krakhmalev, Pavel
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Physics (from 2013). Karlstads Univ, Dept Engn & Phys, SE-65188 Karlstad, Sweden..
    Åsberg, Mikael
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Engineering and Physics (from 2013). Karlstads Univ, Dept Engn & Phys, SE-65188 Karlstad, Sweden..
    Fazi, A.
    Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden.
    Gardstam, J.
    Quintus Technol AB, Sweden.
    Shipley, J.
    Quintus Technol AB, Sweden.
    Waernqvist, P.
    Ringhals AB, Sweden.
    Forssgren, B.
    Ringhals AB, Sweden.
    Efsing, P.
    TH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden; Ringhals AB, Sweden.
    Experimental investigation and numerical modelling of the cyclic plasticity and fatigue behavior of additively manufactured 316 L stainless steel2024In: International journal of plasticity, ISSN 0749-6419, E-ISSN 1879-2154, Vol. 176, article id 103966Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This study addresses the critical need for a constitutive model to analyze the cyclic plasticity of additively manufactured 316L stainless steel. The anisotropic behavior at both room temperature and 300 degrees C is investigated experimentally based on cyclic hysteresis loops performed in different orientations with respect to the build direction. A comprehensive constitutive model is proposed, that integrates the Armstrong-Frederick nonlinear kinematic hardening, Voce nonlinear isotropic hardening and Hill's anisotropic yield criterion within a 3D return mapping algorithm. The model was calibrated to specimens in the 0 degrees and 90 degrees orientations and validated with specimens in the 45 degrees orientation. A single set of hardening parameters successfully represented the elastoplastic response for all orientations at room temperature. The algorithm effectively captured the full cyclic hysteresis loops, including historical effects observed in experimental tests. A consistent trend of reduced hardening was observed at elevated temperature, while the 45 degrees specimen orientation consistently exhibited the highest degree of strain hardening. The applicability of the model was demonstrated by computing energy dissipation for stabilized hysteresis loops, which was combined with fatigue tests to propose an energy-based fatigue life prediction model.

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  • Sinanan, Jolynna
    et al.
    University of Manchester, UK.
    Ritter, Christian
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Geography, Media and Communication (from 2013).
    Emerging media technologies in the tourist encounter2024In: Tourism Geographies, ISSN 1461-6688, E-ISSN 1470-1340, Vol. 26, no 4, p. 587-598Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Digital technologies and the practices that follow, from reviews and recommendations on websites to content on social media platforms characterised by real-time connectivity are now inseparable from tourist experiences. Further, the technological, and infrastructural configurations that underpin digital practices in tourism are increasingly impinged upon by non-human actors (such as algorithms and data governance and regulatory measures). This special issue considers the ways in which data in the form of content, digital infrastructures and algorithmic governance shape and transform knowledge generated within and about tourism destinations and the populations who inhabit them. We focus on digital technologies as part of emerging media technologies to emphasise the material and regulatory assemblages that are increasingly inseparable from automated processes that facilitate the collection and appropriation of data on behalf of digital platform corporations. Emerging media technologies in the tourist encounter consider such engagements across different sensory exchanges, where tourists experience other places, landscapes, weather, people, sights and knowledge. Significant issues related to the role of digital technologies such as the inequalities they may perpetuate through the platformization of tourist destinations, the impacts of ‘smartness’ and the ways in which digital infrastructures are embedded in wider geopolitical relations of territorialization and contestation have been increasingly recognised in tourism geographies, yet comparative regional studies are still limited. We establish a research agenda to call for further, comparative research into the unfolding consequences of the role of digital infrastructures and algorithmic governance in the shaping of tourism destinations and the practices that follow.

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  • Halabowski, Dariusz
    et al.
    University of Lodz, Poland.
    Sousa, Ronaldo
    University of Minho, Portugal.
    Lopes-Lima, Manuel
    The University of Porto, Portugal.
    Killeen, Ian
    123 Rathdown Park, Ireland.
    Aldridge, David C
    University of Cambridge, UK.
    Zając, Katarzyna
    Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland.
    Mageroy, Jon Hamner
    Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Norway.
    Cossey, Daniel Alan
    University of Cambridge, UK.
    Urbańska, Maria
    Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poland.
    Österling, Martin
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Environmental and Life Sciences (from 2013).
    Prié, Vincent
    The University of Porto, Portugal; University of the Antilles, France; SPYGEN, France .
    Off the conservation radar: the hidden story of Europe’s tiny pea clams (Bivalvia: Sphaeriidae)2024In: Biodiversity and Conservation, ISSN 0960-3115, E-ISSN 1572-9710Article, review/survey (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This study highlights the conservation problems faced by the tiny freshwater bivalves of the family Sphaeriidae, also known as pea, pill, or fingernail clams (or mussels) in Europe. Despite their global distribution, assumed ecological importance, and potential uses, basic knowledge about their taxonomy, biology, and ecology is very limited and much lower than for the larger freshwater bivalve taxa. Immediate scientific priorities are required to fill knowledge gaps regarding their taxonomy, genetic diversity, distribution, reproductive cycle, ecosystem functions, and population trends. Such fundamental knowledge is necessary to identify specific threats and develop appropriate conservation actions. Deploying environmental DNA analysis at a large scale could be a valuable way to fill gaps in distribution and strengthen monitoring in areas where local taxonomic knowledge is lacking. Until taxon-specific management plans can be developed, we recommend that efforts concentrate on the general protection and restoration of wetland habitats, implementing pollution control measures, and managing invasive species. These actions should be complemented by community engagement through citizen science initiatives. Additionally, prioritising data collection to fill existing knowledge gaps and updating conservation statuses (Red Lists) based on comprehensive assessments will be crucial. Implementing these actions will provide a starting point for the broader protection of freshwater ecosystems, thus benefiting pea clams and other interconnected species within these habitats.

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  • Fahlgren, Maria
    et al.
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (from 2013).
    Barana, Alice
    University of Turin, Italy.
    Brunström, Mats
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (from 2013).
    Conte, Marina Marchisio
    University of Turin, Italy.
    Roman, Fabio
    University of Turin, Italy.
    Sacchet, Matteo
    University of Turin, Italy.
    Vinerean-Bernhoff, Mirela
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (from 2013).
    Wondmagegne, Yosief
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Mathematics and Computer Science (from 2013).
    Example-Generation Tasks for Computer-Aided Assessment in University Mathematics Education: Insights From A Study Conducted in Two Educational Contexts2024In: International Journal of Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, ISSN 2198-9745, E-ISSN 2198-9753Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In recent decades, there has been rapid development in digital technologies for automated assessment. Through enhanced possibilities in terms of algorithms, grading codes, adaptivity, and feedback, they are suitable for formative assessment. There is a need to develop computer-aided assessment (CAA) tasks that target higher-order mathematical skills to ensure a balanced assessment approach beyond basic procedural skills. To address this issue, research suggests the approach of asking students to generate examples. This study focuses on an example-generation task on polynomial function understanding, proposed to 205 first-year engineering students in Sweden and 111 first-year biotechnology students in Italy. Students were encouraged to collaborate in small groups, but individual elements within the tasks required each group member to provide individual answers. Students’ responses kept in the CAA system were qualitatively analyzed to understand the effectiveness of the task in extending the students’ example space in diverse educational contexts. The findings indicate a difference in students’ example spaces when performing the task between the two educational contexts. The results suggest key strengths and possible improvements to the task design. 

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  • Norlund Shaswar, Annika
    et al.
    Umeå University, Sweden.
    Ljung Egeland, Birgitta
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Language, Literature and Intercultural Studies (from 2013).
    Rosén, Jenny
    Stockholm University, Sweden.
    Wedin, Åsa
    Dalarna University, Sweden.
    Ethical dilemmas of translanguaging pedagogy in L2 and basic literacy education for adults: social justice and ethics of care2024In: Ethnography and Education, ISSN 1745-7823, E-ISSN 1745-7831Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This paper explores the ethical challenges and possibilities of conducting responsible and transformative translanguaging pedagogy in adult education for second language learners with limited previous experience of schooling. We identify and explore ethical dilemmas in teachers’ interaction and multilingual teaching practices. The data was produced in a linguistic ethnography and action research project. It consists of classroom observations and interviews with teachers who teach in the programme Swedish for Immigrants (SFI). The teachers express and embody ambivalence in relation to the students’ use of their whole linguistic repertoires and the students are not always treated as competent to make informed decisions about their own use of linguistic repertoires. This touches on issues of citizenship and democracy and here the framework ethics of care offers context-specific ways of understanding and responding to the ethical challenges of multilingual teaching. 

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  • Sarid, A.
    et al.
    Beit Berl College, Israel.
    Boeve-de Pauw, J.
    Utrecht University, Netherlands.
    Christodoulou, A.
    University of Southampton, United Kingdom.
    Doms, M.
    Research Centre Future-driven Education, Belgium.
    Gericke, Niklas
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Environmental and Life Sciences (from 2013).
    Goldman, D.
    Beit Berl College, Israel.
    Reis, P.
    Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal.
    Veldkamp, A.
    Utrecht University, Netherlands.
    Walan, Susanne
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Health, Science and Technology (starting 2013), Department of Environmental and Life Sciences (from 2013).
    Knippels, M. C. P. J.
    Utrecht University, Netherlands.
    Reconceptualizing open schooling: towards a multidimensional model of school openness2024In: Journal of Curriculum Studies, ISSN 0022-0272, E-ISSN 1366-5839Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    ‘Open schooling’ has become in recent years a burgeoning theme in the discourse on how to rethink education for the 21st century. This paper addresses a gap between calls for implementing an open schooling approach in policy papers and international reports and the scarcity of rigorous academic discourse on what open schooling theoretically means and practically entails in terms of school organization and curriculum. To this end, the paper presents an ecological model of school openness that is composed of eight interrelated dimensions: shared governance, ‘open’ curriculum, inner-school communities, learning communities, student participation, social engagement, parental involvement, and community collaborations. These dimensions are organized into three categories, accounting for organizational, pedagogical and communal aspects of school openness. The multidimensional nature of the model presented here provides a more intricate and nuanced account of open schooling that acknowledges the complexities and challenges that the movement towards greater openness yields for school communities. From an educational research perspective, this model functions to inform the understanding and examination of the multidimensionality of opening schools to their community. From an educational practice perspective, it can instigate in-depth and meaningful dialogue within school teams on what open schooling is and its ensuing merits. 

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  • Wojnicka, Katarzyna
    et al.
    University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Priori, Andrea
    Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Germany.
    Mellström, Ulf
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Centre for Gender Studies (from 2013). Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Social and Psychological Studies (from 2013).
    Henriksson, Andreas
    Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (starting 2013), Department of Social and Psychological Studies (from 2013).
    He leads a lonely life: single men’s narratives of dating and relationships in the context of transnational migration2024In: Journal of ethnic and migration studies, ISSN 1369-183X, E-ISSN 1469-9451Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    This paper presents findings from a qualitative research project examining the dating narratives of single migrant men residing in Sweden and Italy. The study, analyzing 48 interviews with individuals from Syrian, Polish, Bangladeshi and Romanian backgrounds, along with ethnographic observations, employs a theoretical framework rooted in sexual capital theory and critical studies on men and masculinities. The analysis sheds light on the challenges faced by heterosexual single migrant men in their pursuit of intimate partners, attributing these difficulties to lower levels of social, economic and cultural capital, as well as the influence of their specific masculinities, which may be perceived as less attractive within the host societies. The paper argues that the migrant experience can be viewed as a distinctive sexual field wherein individuals encounter unique dynamics and obstacles in the realm of intimate relationships. The implications of these findings extend beyond the personal experiences of migrant men, offering insights into the broader socio-cultural landscape of host societies and the complex interplay between migration, masculinity and intimate relationships. 

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