Eastern Sweden Research Articles

Obstetricians’ attitudes and opinions on sickness absence and benefits during pregnancy

In Sweden, sick leave is taken more frequently by pregnant women than by nonpregnant women. This led us to ask if the taking of sick leave during pregnancy could possibly be explained by attitudes to sickness absence held among obstetricians working in antenatal care. All obstetricians (n = 45) engaged in public antenatal care and at work in May 2001 in seven hospitals in South Eastern Sweden were asked to anonymously respond to questions/statements concerning their work; 87% participated. The results were presented as percent (the median value) on a visual analog scale. In 60% of all contacts with pregnant women issues such as working conditions, sickness absence or benefit programs were discussed besides the actual pregnancy. In 46% the obstetricians stated that they could not exactly pinpoint a correct medical diagnosis motivating a sickness certificate asked for by the pregnant woman. As the majority of the obstetricians (74%) often did not like to conform to the pregnant women's wishes, unpleasant situations were not uncommon (56%). A conflict was experienced in the dual role that the obstetrician had as the patient's confidant on the one hand and as a representative or gatekeeper for the social security system on the other. Male and female obstetricians did not differ in their opinions on their handling of pregnant women with regard to taking sick leave but for one issue, back pain. The high degree of work dealing with sickness absence and social benefits at the Antenatal Care Centers seems to have a negative effect on the obstetrician's evaluation of their work environment. The obstetricians' opinion is that pregnant women are sick-listed too frequently, but obstetricians comply as a rule to the women's wishes in order to avoid conflict.

Species richness patterns and metapopulation processes – evidence from epiphyte communities in boreo‐nemoral forests

For several epiphyte species, dispersal limitation and metapopulation dynamics have been suggested. We studied the relative importance of local environmental conditions and spatial aggregation of species richness of facultative and obligate epiphytic bryophytes and lichens within two old‐growth forests in eastern Sweden. The effect of the local environment was analyzed using generalized linear models (GLM). We tested whether species richness was spatially structured by fitting variogram models to the residuals of the GLM. In addition, we analyzed the species‐area relationship (area=tree diameter). Different environmental variables explained the richness of different species groups (bryophytes vs lichens, specialists vs generalists, sexual vs asexual dispersal). In most groups, the total variation explained by environmental variables was higher than the variation explained by the spatial model. Spatial aggregation was more pronounced in asexually than in sexually dispersed species. Bryophyte species richness was only poorly predicted by area, and lichen species richness was not explained by area at all.Spatial aggregation may indicate effects of dispersal limitation and metapopulation dynamics on community species richness. Our results suggest that species groups differ in habitat requirements and dispersal abilities; there were indications that presence of species with different dispersal strategies is linked to the age of the host tree. Separate analyses of the species richness of species groups that differ in the degree of habitat specialization and dispersal ability give insights into the processes determining community species richness. The poor species‐area relationship, especially in lichens, may indicate species turnover rather than accumulation during the lifetime of the host tree. Epiphyte species extinctions may be mainly caused by deterministic processes, e.g. changes in habitat conditions as the host tree grows, ages and dies, rather than by stochastic population processes.

Organic Geochemical Evidence for Pine Tar Production in Middle Eastern Sweden During the Roman Iron Age

Several funnel-shaped features of unknown function were discovered at excavations related to a new stretch of the highway E4 in middle Sweden during 2002–2003. These features could be sub classed into two categories: large funnel-shaped pits dated to 600–1100 AD (Vendel period – Viking Age) and small funnel-shaped pits dated to 240–540 AD (late Roman Iron Age – Migration period) respectively. Soil samples were analysed for diterpenoids derived from abietic acid (mainly retene, abietic acid, dehydroabietic acid and methyl dehydroabietate) by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) in order to test the hypothesis that the features might be connected to pine tar manufacture. For comparison, samples from historically known pine tar and charcoal production features were analysed. The resinous fraction in the larger funnel-shaped features were very similar to those of the historical pine tar and charcoal production features, while the composition in the small funnel-shaped pits was dominated by retene and methyl dehydroabietate. The biomarker, methyl dehydroabietate, could be identified in several of the soil samples from the funnel-shaped pits. We suggest that both of these features have been used for pine tar production, which makes the smaller funnel-shaped features the oldest known tar production features in Europe.

Physical activity, body composition and physical self‐esteem: a 3‐year follow‐up study among adolescents in Sweden

To measure physical activity by means of daily pedometer steps, body composition, expressed as body mass index (BMI) and bioelectrical impedance as percent body fat, and perceived physical self-esteem and additionally, to evaluate eventual predictors for a healthy lifestyle i.e., highly physically active, normal weighted and a high physical self-esteem in a follow-up group. During autumn 2000 physical activity level was assessed and BMI was calculated in 871 children aged 7-14 in south eastern Sweden and in 501 of these, physical self-esteem were also assessed. During autumn 2003 a total of 375 adolescents aged 15-18 were assessed using the same methodology and additionally percent body fat was measured. Ninety-three of these adolescents (46 girls), were also measured in 2000 and they formed the follow-up group. In the follow-up group a significant increase in BMI and stability in physical self-esteem in boys and girls, and in boys a significant decrease in daily steps was found 3 years later. Strongest predictor to be highly physically active, maintain normal BMI and high self-esteem 3 years later, i.e., to have a healthy lifestyle, was for girls increased self-esteem and for boys a decreased BMI. Consequently, for a healthy lifestyle, promoting physical self-esteem in girls and weight control in boys is of great importance in early adolescence.

Perceived Health and Well-Being in a Group of Physically Active Older Swedish People

Health promotion among older people may be considered as prevention of avoidable decline, fragility, and dependence. Risk factors that increase an individuals' level of fragility are chronic diseases, acute or subacute events, and inactivity. Benefits of physical activity among older people have been reported, and fitness training may be regarded as an important strategy for promoting health among the aged. The aim of this study was to investigate if physical activity, life situation, sense of coherence, and self-care may be associated with perceived health and well-being in a group of physically active older Swedish people. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire that was filled out by 146 conveniently chosen physically active older individuals in eastern Sweden. Statistical methods used were Student's t-test for independent samples, chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, Pearson's correlation test, and stepwise multiple regression analysis. The results showed that chronic disease/handicap and sense of coherence were significant determinants for perceived health in the study group. For well-being was sense of coherence the only significant determinant. Health promotion among older people should primarily focus on the individuals' resources to cope with life situation and events in daily life. Supportive actions related to disease, changes in life situation and daily life should also be important to emphasise in health promotion and health care for older people.

The Holocene shore displacement of Gästrikland, eastern Sweden: a contribution to the knowledge of Scandinavian glacio‐isostatic uplift

AbstractThe shore displacement in Gästrikland, east‐central Sweden, has been investigated by means of AMS radiocarbon dating of sediment cores from isolated basins. Twenty dates from 11 sites are presented. Pollen and diatom analyses, and archive material from the Geological Survey of Sweden, have been used to identify isolation intervals in the cores and as chronological support to the 14C dates. An important pollen stratigraphical time‐marker is a distinct mid‐Holocene increase in Tilia. For the mid‐Holocene, pollen stratigraphy is used rather than the 14C dates for the age determination. The deglaciation of Gästrikland, according to the new 14C dates, took place ca. 11 000 cal. yr BP (ca. 9500 14C yr BP). Through the Holocene the shore displacement is regressive. The regression was initially rapid (on average ca. 3.5 m per 100 yr 11 000–7500 cal. yr BP, probably much more rapid at the earliest stage), then slowed down considerably and was from ca. 5000 cal. yr BP (probably already from 7000 cal. yr BP) relatively constant, ca. 0.8–0.9 m per 100 yr. There are important differences between the shore level curve from Gästrikland and curves from other areas, indicating some irregularities in the regional glacio‐isostatic rebound. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy for assessment of spatial soil variation in an agricultural field

Efficient tools to measure within-field spatial variation in soil are important when establishing agricultural field trials and in precision farming. The object of the study was to investigate if a combination of two techniques, principal component analysis (PCA) and geostatistics, could reveal spatial soil variation from near infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy data and thereby replace more conventional, viz. laborious and expensive, soil analyses. NIR spectrum is known to reveal information about important soil chemical, physical and biological properties and has been used in soil science for years. Three soil variables, total carbon (Tot-C), clay content and pH, were used as reference variables. The study was carried out on one site (200×160 m) in eastern Sweden with a Eutric Cambisol soil type where a sampling grid of 20×20 m was established. From the grid nodes, 99 samples were collected to a depth of 10 cm. The soil was analyzed by NIR and the data were decomposed by PCA. The first two principal components (PC 1 and PC 2) explained 85% of the total variance and therefore these two PCs were selected for further assessment of spatial variation by variography and kriging. PC 1 showed the strongest spatial dependence with a range of 148 m and a nugget close to zero. The variogram for PC 1 was robust and the kriging map expressed a clear pattern. The range of spatial correlation varied between the three reference soil variables. Tot-C expressed a low spatial dependence with a high proportion of nugget, whereas clay content and pH expressed spatial dependence at a range of 54 and 46 m, respectively. Neither of the traditional soil variables showed as strong spatial dependence as PC 1 of NIR. The advantage of the NIR–PCA strategy is that the first PCs will capture the spectral bands that express the largest variation regardless of what the NIR bands correlate to and, hence, PC 1 will always explain the variation of the soil properties that in each specific case have the largest influence on the PCA model. In conclusion, the NIR–PCA strategy seems to be an efficient and reliable strategy to use when determining the soil spatial variation in a field.

Power Failure in Eastern Denmark and Sweden (September 23, 2003)

Power Failure in Eastern Denmark and Sweden (September 23, 2003)

Testing Antonovsky's sense of coherence (SOC) scale among Swedish physically active older people.

In Antonovsky's salutogenic theory, the major concept sense of coherence (SOC) is constituted of three core components called comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness. Several scales that are intended to measure SOC are available and used by researchers in health and caring sciences all over the world. When using a scale, evidence of its quality in different study groups is needed in order to get reliable and valid data. The aim of this study was to test reliability and construct validity of the Swedish version of Antonovsky's original 29-item sense of coherence (SOC) scale in a group of physically active older people. The scale was tested with a convenience sample of 140 physically active older individuals, who took part in different fitness-training groups in eastern Sweden. Reliability was assessed as item to total correlations and with the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Construct validity was assessed with the known groups technique, confirmatory factor analysis, and with logistic regression analysis. The results showed that in the studied group of older individuals, the instrument was a very reliable tool with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.92. Construct validity of the scale was supported by the fact that the global concept sense of coherence was found to be hierarchically organized in a model that consisted of the three core components of comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness. Furthermore, perceived health could be explained to some degree by sense of coherence, but even more by comprehensibility, in both cases independently of chronological age. The results clearly corroborated Antonovsky's theory.

Holocene shore displacement and chronology in Ångermanland, eastern Sweden, the Scandinavian glacio-isostatic uplift centre

Holocene shore displacement and chronology in Ångermanland, eastern Sweden, the Scandinavian glacio-isostatic uplift centre

Holocene shore displacement and chronology in Ångermanland, eastern Sweden, the Scandinavian glacio‐isostatic uplift centre

The shore displacement during the Holocene in southeastern Ångermanland, Sweden, has been investigated by means of radiocarbon‐dating of isolation intervals in sediment cores from a total of nine new basins. Results from earlier investigations have been used in complement. There is a forced regression in the area from c. 9300 BP (c. 10500 cal. yr BP) until c. 8000 BP (c. 9000 cal. yr BP), on average c. 8 m/100 years, after which there is a gradually slowing regression of c. 2.5–1.0 m/100 years up to the present time. The most rapid regression occurs during the later phase of the Ancylus Lake stage, 9500–9000 cal. yr BP. There is no evidence of halts in the regression. Crustal uplift in the area since deglaciation is c. 310 m. The deglaciation of southeastern Ångermanland took place c. 9300 BP (c. 10500 cal. yr BP); this is c. 900 years earlier than the age given by clay varve dating. The shore displacement curve provides a means of estimating the difference between the clay varve time scale and calibrated radiocarbon dates, by comparison with varve‐dated altitudes of alluvial deltas of the River Ångermanalven. From c. 2500 to c. 8000 cal. BP there is a deficit in clay varves of some 300 years; further back in time this discrepancy increases significantly. The main explanation for the discrepancy is most likely lacking varves in the time‐span 8500–10200 cal. yr BP, located along the upper reaches of River Ångermanalven below the highest shore level.

Colony Expansion of Neckera pennata: Modelled Growth Rate and Effect of Microhabitat, Competition, and Precipitation

We measured colony growth over a three year period in the obligate epiphytic moss Neckera pennata Hedw. in three forest sites in eastern Sweden. Increment in colony area was proportional to colony size; hence area growth was modelled with the exponential growth function. Growth was measured over four periods (ca 0.5 to 1 yr long), among these periods relative growth rate varied between 0 and 35% yr−1 with an annual growth rate of 13.6% for the whole studied period. Colony growth was correlated with precipitation during the periods and this relationship was used to calculate relative growth rate at normal precipitation. The regressed relative growth rate (18.2% yr−1) was utilized to model average colony growth over time, from establishment to a colony size of 250 cm2. The model was also used to estimate age of first reproduction, which occurred at a colony size of 12–79 cm2, corresponding to an estimated age of 19–29 yr. Precipitation was the most important variable explaining colony growth, but some other factors were also of significant importance. Cover of other epiphytes surrounding the colony had a clear negative impact on growth of the N. pennata colonies, which we interpret as interference competition. Our study suggests that N. pennata was forced up the stem by stronger competitors and that growth position up to 170 cm did not impair growth. However, neither the tree species, bark pH, soil moisture, nor forest site affected colony growth, suggesting that occurrence of N. pennata was restricted by establishment rather than by growth.

Seasonal and Diurnal Body-Mass Fluctuations for two Nonhoarding Species of Parus in Sweden Modeled Using Path Analysis

Abstract According to the hypothesis that has been invoked most frequently to explain seasonal fattening patterns for birds—the “adaptive winter-fattening hypothesis”—individuals respond to worsening foraging conditions by increasing body mass and energy reserves. Two hypotheses have been proposed equally frequently to explain daily weight gain patterns for birds: according to the “state-dependent foraging hypothesis,” energy reserves should be amassed early during the day, when starvation risk increases; according to the “mass-dependent predation-risk hypothesis,” mass gain should be delayed for as long as possible, to minimize predation risk. Those hypotheses have been tested previously, using statistical methods (e.g. multiple-regression analysis) that assume independence among environmental variables (e.g. photoperiod and temperature). We conducted path analyses that included four predictor variables (day-in-season, hour-in-day, mean daily temperature, and daily precipitation) to model body-mass fluctuations for two small, nonhoarding (noncaching) passerine species that inhabit central eastern Sweden. Data were partitioned hierarchically into species, age class, gender, and season subgroups. As reported in many small passerine species studies, body mass increased during the day and maximized at dusk; over seasons, body mass increased during autumn, maximized by midwinter, and declined toward breeding in spring. Path analysis models accounted for 9.5–49.9% (mean 26.3%) for Blue Tit (Parus caeruleus) body mass variance and 1.8–52.3% (mean 16.8%) for Great Tit (P. major) body mass variance; for both species, accountability was lowest for autumn (Blue Tit,12.2%; Great Tit, 7.3%), highest for winter (Blue Tit, 33.4%; Great Tit, 21.9%), and intermediate for spring (Blue Tit, 22.7%; Great Tit, 11.8%); for Blue Tits, it was greater for adults than for juveniles (33.2 and 21.7%); whereas negligible for Great Tits (15.9 and 17.3%) and slightly greater for males than for females (Blue Tit, 27.4 and 23.5%; Great Tit, 23.1 and 21.3%). Those results are consistent with predictions formulated on the basis of the adaptive winter-fattening, partially with state-dependent foraging, and, possibly, mass-dependent predation-risk hypothesies and reveal that body-mass fluctuations are associated to a greater extent with photoperiod than with temperature.

Imaging of groundwater resources in glacial deposits using high-resolution reflection seismics, Sweden

Two high-resolution reflection seismic profiles were acquired in the Heby area of eastern Sweden over glacial deposits for the purpose of mapping groundwater resources. The majority of shot points were located in clay resulting in good quality data along most of the profiles. On stacked and migrated sections, the uppermost clay is about 20 m thick and is characterized by its subhorizontal reflectivity. Sand/gravel deposits below it contain more dipping interfaces and have a chaotic reflectivity pattern. Depth to bedrock is interpreted to be 90 and 65 m on the respective profiles and occurs in about a 100-m-wide trough on both profiles. Reflections from the tops of sandy gravel zones generally have higher amplitudes. Clear reflections from a thin silt layer (20 cm thick) at about 10-m depth are observed on one of the profiles. Elastic finite difference modeling and the observation of this reflection in shot gathers show that the reflection is not an artifact of the acquisition nor the processing. The modeling also shows that there is no marked low-velocity waveguide in the near surface, but that an effective low Q zone may be present. Comparison with refraction profiling on the other profile shows that there is better agreement between the reflection seismic results and penetration tests than the refraction results with these tests. Both profiles allow the thickness of the overlying clay layers to be determined, as well as the thickness of the underlying sand/gravel deposits. This is important for estimating the amount of groundwater resources in an area.

Biogeographical patterns in Artomyces pyxidatus

Artomyces pyxidatus (Auriscalpiaceae) is a lignicolous, coralloid basidiomycete found throughout temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Previous studies established that populations from the eastern United States, Sweden, and China were conspecific based on mating compatibility and enzyme profiles. In this study, mating compatibility was extended to include collections from Russia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Utah. The molecular diversity of A. pyxidatus was examined by DNA sequence and restriction site analyses of the nuclear ribosomal internally transcribed spacer region (ITS1–5.8S-ITS2). A phylogenetic analysis of twelve isolates based on ITS sequences revealed a broad geographical pattern in which Eurasian isolates comprise a sister clade to North American isolates. North American isolates appear to be further subdivided into northeastern and southwestern clades. A survey of 255 A. pyxidatus isolates using restriction enzymes revealed variable RFLP patterns that follow similar geographical patterns.

Health of cows, calves and young stock on 26 organic dairy herds in Sweden

The health and housing of the stock on 26 organic dairy herds in four counties in eastern Sweden were studied for one year. The herds ranged in size from 12...

Fuel deposition and speed of early autumn migration of juvenile Bluethroats Luscinia s. svecica leaving their natal area in Swedish Lapland

The period between independence and the early phase of autumn migration is a difficult period for juvenile birds and a relatively poorly known part of the annual cycle. We present data on post-juvenile moult, fuel deposition and speed of early autumn migration of "red-spotted" Bluethroats Luscinia s. svecica, studied during 14 years (1984—1997) in Ammarnäs, Swedish Lapland. The juvenile Bluethroats leave their natal site from early August onwards, while still being in active post-juvenile moult. They do not put on any noticeable fuel stores, probably because foraging conditions are generally poor. This is reflected in a very slow initial speed of migration (11–21 km/d) between the natal area and stopover sites in eastern Sweden.

COLONIZATION SUCCESS IN ROESEL'S BUSH-CRICKETMETRIOPTERA ROESELI: THE EFFECTS OF PROPAGULE SIZE

Assessing the colonizing ability of a species is important for predicting its future distribution or for planning the introduction or reintroduction of that species for conservation purposes. The best way to assess colonizing ability is by making experimental introductions of the species and monitoring the outcome. In this study, different-sized propagules of Roesel's bush-cricket, Metrioptera roeseli, were experimentally introduced into 70 habitat islands, previously uninhabited by the species, in farmland fields in south- eastern Sweden. The areas of introduction were carefully monitored for 2-3 yr to determine whether the propagules had successfully colonized the patches. The study showed that large propagules resulted in larger local populations during the years following introduction. Probability of colonization for each propagule size was measured and showed that propagule size had a significant effect on colonization success, i.e., large propagules were more successful in colonizing new patches. If future introductions were to be made with this or a similar species, a propagule size of at least 32 individuals would be required to establish a viable population with a high degree of certainty.

Willow growers in Sweden

The number of willow plantations on Swedish farmland increased considerably between 1991 and 1996. The main driving forces behind this development were: (1) The introduction in 1991 of a new agricultural policy in Sweden which, through deregulation, created lower grain prices and simultaneously introduced compensation for set-aside land as well as subsidies for willow plantations on surplus arable land; (2) higher taxes on fossil fuels; and (3) the existence of a biofuel market in Sweden based on forest fuels. This paper presents a statistical study of willow growers in southern and central–eastern Sweden. Data about willow growers and a stratified random sample of non willow growers were acquired from the 1995 Farm Register compiled by Statistics Sweden. Willow growers are described according to geographical distribution, willow parcel sizes, farm sizes, and farm types. Comparisons are also made with the population of farmers who are not growing willow. A high concentration of willow growers is recorded for central Sweden around Lake Mälaren. Willow growers are more often in the age span 50–65 years, and as compared to non-willow growers, have larger farms. They are less often focused on animal and milk production, and more often on cereal and food crop production, when compared with other farmers. Implications of the Swedish experience for policy making in the fields of energy and agriculture are discussed.

Early Holocene shore‐displacement in southern central Sweden as recorded in elevated isolated basins

Sediment cores from seven basins in two regions, the SÖdertÖrn peninsula and central Närke in southern central Sweden, were subject to diatom analysis and radiocarbon dating of the isolation events. In the former area, the compiled shore‐displacement curve covers the time period from the deglaciation to 5700 BP. The latter area is covered from 8200 to 6500 BP. The chronology is based on combined macrofossil and bulk ages with an acknowledged correction. The most elevated sedimentary basin on the SÖdertÖrn peninsula was isolated at the end of the brackish water phase of the Yoldia Sea. During the Ancylus Lake stage of the Baltic, one minor ingression is recorded in the same area. The end of the Ancylus Lake is dated to c. 8200 BP on the SÖdertÖrn peninsula and to c. 8100 BP in central Närke. There was an interval of c. 1000 14C years when brackish water prevailed in central eastern Sweden. Mastogloia is a typical diatom genus for that period. The onset of the brackish‐marine Litorina Sea is dated to c. 7000 BP in central Närke. The amplitude for the early Litorina Sea transgression (L 1) did not exceed 2 m. L 1 is recorded 2–3 m higher in central Närke compared to the SÖdertÖrn peninsula, i.e. the former area has experienced a more intense isostatic uplift since 6500 BP.