Northern European Regions Research Articles

Multilayered Borders as a Method for Studying Tourism Destinations: A Case of Northern European Border Regions

ABSTRACT The article problematizes tourism destination development in the European borderlands of Denmark–Germany, Sweden–Denmark and Sweden–Finland, where border crossing has been relatively free for decades, except for the time of Covid-19 pandemic border restrictions in 2020–2021. The research contributes to border studies and tourism studies by developing a framework for analyzing tourism destinations through the prism of the multilayered border, with a focus on destination images, attractions, and hosts. The reseach complements previous studies on tourism development and cross-border partnership in the European Union territory by investigating multiple tourism destinations in the border regions and by contemplating to what extent borders form a resource for destination promotion in the aftermath of the pandemic. The examination of regional tourism development through the prism of borders informs us about the compatibility of the idea of a “borderless” Europe with border region “realities.”

Eco-Innovation: Analysis of EU Member States Performance in the EU Eco-Innovation Index 2013–2022

Sustainability is about intergenerational solidarity in finding solutions to ensure the continued growth that allows organizations and companies to be proactive. In the context of contemporary technology, the fourth industrial revolution, i.e., the widely accepted notion of Industry 4.0, and swift corporate growth; the effects of industry, transportation, and urbanization on climate change; and the preservation of the environment in its entirety are becoming more and more significant. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the eco-innovation performance of European nations, comparing their evolution from 2013 to 2022, in order to identify patterns, leaders, and opportunities for improvement in the implementation of eco-innovation strategies. This study includes the analysis of the Eco-Innovation Index as well as other studies carried out at the European Union level in the field of sustainability and sustainable innovation through the graphic maps, cluster analysis, and correspondence analysis in the statistical program SPSS. Different approaches to development are taken by the EU’s member states. Even though some countries have achieved significantly lower results than the average of the Eco-Innovation Index or significantly higher results than the average, overall, all countries (except Romania) have improved their point evaluations when compared to the year 2013 when the Eco-Innovation Index started to be reported. The nations in the Northern European region produce consistent, long-term outcomes, and these countries have emerged as leaders in innovation in recent years. The countries of Luxembourg, Austria, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark have the best long-term outcomes. On the contrary, Bulgaria has ranked last for a long time, with the least-rated eco-innovation activities.

User acceptance of strategic planning: Evidence from Northern European municipalities

AbstractStrategic planning is core to public administration at all governmental levels. Evidence suggests that when conducted well strategic planning impacts several performance outcomes. Yet, public administration and strategy scholars have argued that strategic planning is not only a technical procedure. Its success is contingent upon the people involved in strategic planning. This study investigates strategic planning using user acceptance theory. It identifies whether formal and participatory strategic planning associate with ease of use and usefulness of strategic planning and, in turn, whether ease of use and usefulness associate with commitment to strategic plans. Results from PLS‐SEM analysis of survey data from 327 municipalities in three Northern European countries or regions (Flanders, Finland, Norway) corroborate the perspective of strategic planning as organizational behavior where design choices shape attitudes and behaviors. These findings support calls to consider strategic planning from a 3Ps perspective, namely connecting people–process–plan, to achieve outcomes.

Environmental impacts and scale-up efficiency of four carbon capture and storage scenarios

Capture, transportation, and permanent storage of CO2 is considered pivotal in reaching global net-zero emission targets. Conceptualization and deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) value chains require substantial resources with current CCS projects trailing behind expectations. To date few studies address the environmental impacts related to introducing CCS into existing value chains, and even fewer focus on the environmental efficiency of scaling-up CCS projects, despite the need for acceleration. Four scenarios were studied, resembling CCS projects at different capture capacities of 0.3, 1.5, 3.5 and 10 million tonnes of CO2 per year (mtpa) deployed within a Northern European region. Using attributional life cycle assessment, we demonstrate that permanent carbon storage today may furnish a 47–91% CO2 net-abatement potential depending on the CO2 source and geographical location of CCS projects. Despite limited operational data, results appear robust with general low uncertainty. Our environmental assessment show that capturing, conditioning and liquefaction account for the largest emission shares of the studied CCS value chains, ranging from 70 to 80%, which is heavily fluctuated by the carbon emission intensity of regional electricity production. Impacts related to permanent storage activities, such as offshore monitoring and well drilling are limited to less than 2% across all scenarios. Moreover, our study suggests that expanding the spatial geographical scope to accumulated 5000 km has a low influence on the efficiency of CCS value chains regardless of capture rate. Freshwater eutrophication shows the highest burden across the assessed environmental impact categories caused by the electricity production for capture processes. Lastly, we identify net-abatement improvement potential for post-combustion CCS projects at capturing capacities between 1.5 and 10 million tonnes per annum ranging from 10 to 20% for transport-related activities, and 60–68% for capturing processes when assuming net-zero energy scenarios.

Host tree availability shapes potential distribution of a target epiphytic moss species more than direct climate effects

Climate change significantly impacts the distribution of woody plants, indirectly influencing the dynamics of entire ecosystems. Understanding species' varied responses to the environment and their reliance on biotic interactions is crucial for predicting the global changes' impact on woodland biodiversity. Our study focusses on Dicranum viride, a moss of conservation priority, and its dependence on specific phorophytes (host trees). Using species distribution modelling (SDM) techniques, we initially modelled its distribution using climate-only variables. As a novel approach, we also modelled the distribution of the main phorophyte species and incorporated them into D. viride SDM alongside climate data. Finally, we analysed the overlap of climatic and geographic niches between the epiphyte and the phorophytes. Inclusion of biotic interactions significantly improved model performance, with phorophyte availability emerging as the primary predictor. This underscores the significance of epiphyte-phorophyte interactions, supported by substantial niche overlap. Predictions indicate a potential decline in the suitability of most of the current areas for D. viride, with noticeable shifts towards the northern regions of Europe. Our study underscores the importance of incorporating biotic interactions into SDMs, especially for dependent organisms. Understanding such connections is essential to implement successful conservation strategies and adapt forest management practices to environmental changes.

Media discourses of migration: A focus on Europe

AbstractWith a focus on the post‐2015 period in the western and northern regions of Europe, the research examined here shows prominent media discourses of othering, threat and deservedness of migrants. This spatial and temporal frame lends itself to the study of how discourses reflect the impact of the so‐called ‘refugee crisis’ in these regions of Europe. Since there was also continued immigration related to increased opportunities for work, education, quality of life and family togetherness which have long brought migrants to these European countries, examining the research in this period allows us to discover how these discourses might distinguish between different migrant experiences. There is some evidence for the differentiation of certain types of people of migration background in the media discourses, despite a strong tendency to stereotype and essentialise regardless of the actual background of migrants or their descendants. Another key aspect in the research to date is how professional versus participatory media can be compared in the discourses of migration they reproduce, and how these different types of media play a role in society. The article ends with a call for a more intersectional perspective on migration which incorporates critical perspectives on racialisation, and further examination of the voices of migrants in the media.

Impact of temperature and season on ant foraging activity of two invasive species in a Mediterranean urban area

Abstract Invasive species often have harmful effects on human activities and biodiversity. The Tapinoma nigerrimum complex includes three species that exhibit invasive traits and the ability to form supercolonies, including Tapinoma magnum and Tapinoma darioi. While these species are native to the Mediterranean basin, they have recently been reported as invasive in more northern regions of Europe. However, T. magnum and T. darioi show different invasion patterns in Europe, suggesting differences in thermal preferences between these species. We aimed to determine whether there was any difference in activity pattern depending on temperature or season between the two Tapinoma species and between Tapinoma and co‐occurring native Mediterranean ants. We measured ambient temperature and ant foraging activity around the nest entrances of T. darioi and T. magnum in urbanised sites around Montpellier, southern France, over almost 1 year. We did not detect differences in activity between the two species according to temperature, but T. magnum was more active than T. darioi in winter. Compared to the co‐occurring native species, the two Tapinoma species were more active at low temperatures and earlier in the year. These results suggest that the difference in invasion success between T. magnum and T. darioi may not be explained by temperature preference. The difference in activity between native Mediterranean species and invasive Tapinoma suggests a coexistence through niche partitioning. In addition, our results suggest that control measures against invasive Tapinoma species would be more effective if applied at the end of winter.

Annual winter crop distribution from MODIS NDVI timeseries to improve yield forecasts for Europe

Crop yield forecasts allow policy makers to anticipate market behaviour and regulate prices. Annual updates on which crops are grown where can improve crop yield forecast accuracy. Existing efforts to map crops across the European Union resulted in late-season map availability or short time series that do not meet forecasting requirements. We propose a new approach to retrieve annual winter crop maps and improve forecasting efforts by identifying pixels with dominant winter crop signals using moderate resolution imagery. These pixels are distinguished from summer crop signals based on their senescence date. When this date precedes the theoretical maturity date of a winter crop, expressed in GDD, the pixel is labelled as having a dominant winter crop signal. Our 2018 map accurately identified 77% and 83% of dominantly winter-crop area, when compared to farmers’ declaration data and a high-resolution crop map for Europe, respectively. While the resulting annual winter crop maps underestimated winter crop area, derived region-specific annual NDVI profiles better described winter crop phenology as compared to the use of static maps. Regression analysis between these regional NDVI profiles and statistical wheat yield data indicates that our annual maps help explain more yield variability than static maps, with an RMSE reduction of 3% for the EU27 as whole. The proposed approach is applicable to long historical timeseries and provides maps before the end of the agricultural season. Those maps positively impact crop yield description, notably in eastern, northern, and northeastern European regions.

Harmonizing the Development of Local Socioeconomic Scenarios: A Participatory Downscaling Approach Applied in Four European Case Studies

Scenario analysis is a widely employed method for addressing uncertainties when assessing the physical and socio-economic impacts of climate change. Global scenarios have been extensively used in this context. However, these scenarios are in most cases not suitable for supporting local analyses. On the other hand, locally developed scenarios may lack the global context, thus having limited comparability with or transferability to other locations. The Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP), which have been primarily developed for climate impact research, provide the possibility to extend the existing global narratives and adapt them to local characteristics in order to develop locally relevant scenarios. Here, we propose a methodological framework for producing harmonized scenarios across different case studies. This framework was developed in the EVOKED project and combines elements of top-down and bottom-up approaches to develop local scenarios for four regions in northern Europe. We employ the SSP as boundary conditions and, in cooperation with stakeholders from these four regions, develop local scenarios for a range of SSP. The developed sets of scenarios are consistently informed by global developments and are therefore comparable with other downscaled scenarios developed in different regions. At the same time, they have been based on local participatory processes, thus being locally credible and relevant to the needs of stakeholders. The local scenarios constitute a climate service per se as they can raise stakeholder awareness of the processes that will drive risk, exposure, and adaptive capacity in the future and inform discussions on mitigation strategies and adaptation pathways.

Estimation and bio-valorisation of food industry by-products in Northern Europe

AbstractThe lack of quantitative data regarding the geographical availability of secondary bioresources hinders the exploration of regional valorisation opportunities within the context of circular bioeconomy. The study aimed to identify the main by-products of the food processing and manufacturing industry in eight Northern European countries, including Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden, and propose potential bio-valorisation solutions for these by-products to derive value-added products. By analysing available Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) statistics for the period between 2015 and 2020 and reviewing the scientific literature, by-product volumes were estimated and respective bio-valorisation methods were summarised in two separate databases. The first database lists the processed food products, their by-products and estimated volumes, while the second details the bio-valorisation methods applicable to these by-products. Estimated by-product volumes provide an understanding of their availability in the Northern European region. Our findings revealed that fresh whey is the predominant by-product in the region, with Denmark generating the highest average volume of 2318.3 kt/year. Similarly, sugar beet pulp, also highest in Denmark, averaged 1421.3 kt/year. Among the bio-valorisation methods studied, whey and brewer’s spent grain were the most used substrates, with xylanases, ethanol, and acetic acid being the primary value-added products. This research offers valuable data-driven insights to support the circular bioeconomy in Northern Europe while demonstrating an approach to estimating food industry by-product volumes using commonly reported statistical data. Graphical Abstract

Awareness increases acceptance and willingness to pay for low-carbon fuels amongst marine passengers

One of the main applications discussed in decarbonising the marine sector is via alternative fuels, such as methanol and ammonia, produced from renewable hydrogen. These alternative, low-carbon fuels often come with increased prices and operational expenses for the vessel operators, which are ultimately reflected in the passengers' costs. Therefore, it is important to assess passengers' familiarity with expressions linked to decarbonisation and their willingness to pay this ‘green premium’ for alternative fuels. To assess these, we ran a survey-based study and collected close to 2000 answers through different channels from marine passengers, specifically from those travelling in the Northern European region on roll-on/roll-off passenger (RoPax) vessels. We found that most of the passengers prioritise environmental friendliness in marine fuels and are concerned about environmental issues. However, there seems to be a lack of knowledge about fuels and fuel technologies. Familiarity with certain alternative fuel-related expressions results in a more positive view of them. The observed willingness to pay is affected by the level of education, income, and place of residence, in addition to the level of concern about environmental issues, frequency of travel and spending on trips. Close to 80% of passengers are willing to increase their spending if the vessel is powered by a low-carbon, alternative fuel. As the results indicate that the more passengers know about alternative fuels and their benefits, the more willing they are to pay for them, it is recommended that RoPax operators invest in educating them.

No change in 24-h sodium intake estimated from spot urine in Norwegian adults from 2006 to 2019: the population-based Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT).

Monitoring time trends in salt consumption is important for evaluating the impact of salt reduction initiatives on public health outcomes. There has so far not been available data to indicate if salt consumption in Norway has changed during the previous decade. We aimed to assess whether average 24-h salt intake estimated from spot urine samples in the adult population of mid-Norway changed from 2006-2008 to 2017-2019 and to describe variations by sex, age and educational level. Repeated cross-sectional studies. The population-based Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT). In each of two consecutive waves (HUNT3: 2006-2008 and HUNT4: 2017-2019), spot urine samples were collected from 500 men and women aged 25-64 years, in addition to 250 men and women aged 70-79 years in HUNT4. Based on spot urine concentrations of Na, K and creatinine and age, sex and BMI, we estimated 24-h Na intake using the International Cooperative Study on Salt and Blood Pressure (INTERSALT) equation for the Northern European region. Mean (95 % CI) estimated 24-h salt intakes in men were 11·1 (95 % CI 10·8, 11·3) g in HUNT3 and 10·9 (95 % CI 10·6, 11·1) g in HUNT4, P = 0·25. Corresponding values in women were 7·7 (95 % CI 7·5, 7·9) g and 7·7 (95 % CI 7·5, 7·9) g, P = 0·88. Mean estimated salt intake in HUNT4 decreased with increasing age in women, but not in men, and it did not differ significantly across educational level in either sex. Estimated 24-h salt intake in adult men and women in mid-Norway did not change from 2006-2008 to 2017-2019.

Genome-wide association study reveals 18 QTL for major agronomic traits in a Nordic-Baltic spring wheat germplasm.

Spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) remains an important alternative to winter wheat cultivation at Northern latitudes due to high risk of overwintering or delayed sowing of winter wheat. We studied nine major agronomic traits in a set of 299 spring wheat genotypes in trials across 12-year-site combinations in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Norway for three consecutive years. The dataset analyzed here consisted of previously published phenotypic data collected in 2021 and 2022, supplemented with additional phenotypic data from the 2023 field season collected in this study. We combined these phenotypic datasets with previously published genotypic data generated using a 25K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array that yielded 18,467 markers with a minor allele frequency above 0.05. Analysis of these datasets via genome-wide association study revealed 18 consistent quantitative trait loci (QTL) replicated in two or more trials that explained more than 5% of phenotypic variance for plant height, grain protein content, thousand kernel weight, or heading date. The most consistent markers across the tested environments were detected for plant height, thousand kernel weight, and days to heading in eight, five, and six trials, respectively. No beneficial effect of the semi-dwarfing alleles Rht-B1b and Rht-D1b on grain yield performance was observed across the 12 tested trials. Moreover, the cultivars carrying these alleles were low yielding in general. Based on principal component analysis, wheat genotypes developed in the Northern European region clustered separately from those developed at the southern latitudes, and markers associated with the clustering were identified. Important phenotypic traits, such as grain yield, days to heading, grain protein content, and thousand kernel weight were associated with this clustering of the genotype sets. Interestingly, despite being adapted to the Nordic environment, genotypes in the Northern set demonstrated lower grain yield performance across all tested environments. The results indicate that spring wheat germplasm harbors valuable QTL/alleles, and the identified trait-marker associations might be useful in improving Nordic-Baltic spring wheat germplasm under global warming conditions.

High Species Diversity but Low Specificity to Ectomycorrhizal Tree Partners Exhibited by Native Truffle Species (Tuber spp., Pezizales) in Poland, Central Europe

Truffles represent one of the most expensive edible fungi. About two-thirds of all known truffle records originate from Europe. Historically, the Mediterranean region in Southern Europe is associated with truffle cultivation and it is widely regarded as a center of truffle distribution in Europe. On the contrary, little is known about truffles in the central and northern regions of Europe. Here, native truffle species in Poland, their symbiotic ectomycorrhizal (ECM) tree partners, and their continental-scale distribution were studied. Altogether, 16 truffle species were identified based on the sequences of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) rDNA, a barcode region for fungi. Truffle species were associated with deciduous tree species of Fagales (Fagaceae, Betulaceae, Juglandaceae), Malvales (Malvaceae), Malpighiales (Salicaceae), and coniferous trees of Pinales (Pinaceae). Fagales trees constituted 70% of ECM associations formed by truffle species. Three genera of the order Fagales, Quercus, Fagus, and Corylus formed 50% of all ECM associations. Coniferous trees of Pinales formed 16% of associations. Two other orders of deciduous trees, Malvales and Malpighiales, together formed 14% of ECM associations. All but three identified truffle species exhibited low specificity to their ECM tree partners. Two-thirds of truffle species formed ECM symbiosis with both coniferous and deciduous tree species, but the share of coniferous tree partners was considerably lower than that of deciduous trees, reaching up to 30% for T. anniae, T. puberulum, and T. borchii (clade/puberulum). All the identified truffles were noted in both Central Europe and the Mediterranean region. Among them, about 80% of truffle species were widely distributed across the continent and represented by similar or higher numbers of records in Northern Europe, i.e., above the 48th parallel north, than in Southern Europe. This study showed higher taxa richness of native truffle species in Poland, but low specificity to their ECM tree partners. However, further studies on the regional-scale distribution of truffles in Poland are needed to improve the knowledge of the patterns of truffle distribution in forest ecosystems and the potential productivity of edible truffle species with high economic value.

Mental health of older parents with migrant adult-children in Europe

Abstract Background As migration patterns continue to shift across Europe, an increasing number of older parents are experiencing the departure of their adult children. This phenomenon has been linked to higher levels of stress, isolation, and loneliness among left-behind parents, which may lead to poor mental and physical health. This study aimed to investigate whether adult children's outmigration is associated with the mental health of older parents in different regions of Europe. Methods The Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) Wave 8 was used to investigate the impact of adult child migration on depression of older parents in four European regions: Western, Northern, Southern, and Central and Eastern Europe. Results A total study sample was 23,185 older parents composed of Western (5,458), Central and Eastern (10,397), Southern (4,063), and Scandinavian (3,267) Europe. Preliminary results showed that there was a regional difference in the health effects of adult children outmigration in Europe. From the bivariate analysis, older parents in Central and Eastern (F = 4.756, p = 0.003) and Southern (F = 4.675, p = 0.003) regions showed significant differences according to their adult children's migration status while Western and Northern Europe regions did not show the difference in depression levels. According to a multiple regression model, compared to those having no migrant child or all children lives within 500km, those in Central and Eastern Europe region with all (p < 0.001, β = 0.423) or some (p < 0.001, β = 0.309) of adult children were over 500km away were statistically more depressed even after considering extensive other factors. Conclusions The outmigration of adult children can profoundly affect the mental health of older parents left-behind in Central and Eastern Europe, emphasizing the need to recognize left-behind parents as a vulnerable population at risk for developing mental health issues.

Human-beaver cohabitation in the Early and Mid-Holocene of Northern Europe: Re-visiting Mesolithic material culture and ecology through a multispecies lens

The Eurasian beaver ( Castor fiber) was an important member of Early and Mid-Holocene landscapes and animal communities in Northern Europe. Previous zooarchaeological research has established the alimentary roles of beavers for Mesolithic societies and their importance for fur procurement. In this paper, we develop an integrated biocultural approach to human-beaver interactions, examining the position of humans and beavers in Mesolithic and Early Neolithic multispecies systems. We contextualize beaver landscape agency in hydroactive environments with human behaviour, synthesizing currently available data on mammalian assemblages, ichtyofauna and beaver-related material culture across Northern Europe. This cross-cultural, diachronic analysis reveals previously overlooked facilitations of human behaviour by beaver practices and ecological legacies. We show that long-term trajectories of human-beaver cohabitation differed between northern European regions. While in Southern Scandinavia, human-beaver intersections witnessed major re-organizations during the Mid-Holocene, beavers retained a key role for human societies across Northeastern Europe throughout much of the Holocene and played an important part at the Mesolithic-Neolithic transition in the Dutch wetlands. Divergent pathways are also evidenced by Mesolithic beaver-related material culture, highlighting the cultural keystone status of Castor fiber in higher latitude European landscapes. We argue that this keystone status is grounded in the supply of human hunting, fishing, and gathering affordances by the animals, pointing to the generative commensality between Mesolithic foragers and their beaver neighbours. Taken together, our findings demonstrate the importance of the beaver in the making of Early and Mid-Holocene forager societies in Northern Europe and illustrate the fruitfulness of deploying an integrated multispecies approach.

Whole-genome sequence and mass spectrometry study of the snow blight fungus Phacidium infestans (Karsten) DSM 5139 growing at freezing temperatures

Phacidium infestans (synonym Gremmenia infestans) is a significant pathogen that impacts Pinus species across the northern regions of Europe and Asia. This study introduces the genome sequence of P. infestans Karsten DSM 5139 (Phain), obtained through Pacbio technology. The assembly resulted in 44 contigs, with a total genome size of 36,805,277 bp and a Guanine–Cytosine content of 46.4%. Genome-mining revealed numerous putative biosynthetic gene clusters that code for virulence factors and fungal toxins. The presence of the enzyme pisatin demethylase was indicative of the potential of Phain to detoxify its environment from the terpenoid phytoalexins produced by its host as a defense mechanism. Proteomic analysis revealed the potential survival strategies of Phain under the snow, which included the production of antifreeze proteins, trehalose synthesis enzymes, desaturases, proteins related to elongation of very long-chain fatty acids, and stress protein responses. Study of protein GH11 endoxylanase expressed in Escherichia coli showed an acidic optimum pH (pH 5.0) and a low optimum temperature (45 °C), which is reflective of the living conditions of the fungus. Mass spectrometry analysis of the methanol extract of Phain, incubated at − 3 °C and 22 °C, revealed differences in the produced metabolites. Both genomic and mass spectrometry analyses showed the ability of Phain to adapt its metabolic processes and secretome to freezing temperatures through the production of osmoprotectant and cryoprotectant metabolites. This comprehensive exploration of Phain's genome sequence, proteome, and secretome not only advances our understanding of its unique adaptive mechanisms but also expands the possibilities of biotechnological applications.

Analysis of precipitation-related climatic conditions in European plain regions

Significant increases of extreme precipitation and drought events have been detected in Europe in the past few decades. In this study, 16 selected climate indices (11 recommended by the Expert Team of Climate Change and Indices) were used for the analysis of the temporal changes and spatial distribution of precipitation patterns in European plain regions during 1950–2022.Using an objective, two-step method, 14 plain regions were selected across Europe representing different climatic conditions. Precipitation time series were used from the E-OBS v.27 dataset on a 0.1° regular grid. The dataset is based on station measurements, which are available from 1950 onwards with daily temporal resolution.Our results suggest a general intensification of precipitation events over the continent, as 11 regions show a significant increase in the indices related to the intensity of extreme precipitation, and the frequency of these events increased in 10 regions. Extreme indices related to dry periods changed significantly in only a few cases. An increase may only be observed in the southern part of the continent, while a significant decrease can be seen in three regions in northern Europe.

Influencing Factors to mHealth Uptake With Indigenous Populations: Qualitative Systematic Review.

The advancements and abundance of mobile phones and portable health devices have created an opportunity to use mobile health (mHealth) for population health systems. There is increasing evidence for the feasibility and acceptance of mHealth with Indigenous populations. Providing a synthesis of qualitative findings of mHealth with Indigenous populations will gain insights into the strengths and challenges to mHealth use in Indigenous populations. This review aimed to identify and synthesize qualitative data pertaining to the experiences and perceptions of mHealth from the perspectives of end users (patients and service providers) living in the colonial settler democracies of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, the Pacific Islands, and the Sápmi region of northern Europe. In May 2021, systematic searches of peer-reviewed, scientific papers were conducted across the 5 databases of PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Qualitative or mixed method studies were included where a mHealth intervention was the primary focus for responding to health challenges with Indigenous populations. Two authors independently screened papers for eligibility and assessed the risk of bias using a modified version of the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. A meta-aggregative approach was used to analyze the findings of included studies. Seventeen papers met the eligibility criteria, 8 studies with patients, 7 studies with service providers, and 2 studies that included both patients and service providers. Studies were conducted in Australia (n=10), Canada (n=2), New Zealand (n=2), Papua New Guinea (n=1), the United States (n=1), and Samoa (n=1). Our interpretation of these qualitative findings shows commonalities between Indigenous patients' and service providers' perceptions of mHealth. We summarize our findings in six themes: (1) mHealth literacy, (2) mHealth as a facilitator for connection and support, (3) mHealth content needed to be culturally relevant, (4) mHealth security and confidentiality, (5) mHealth supporting rather than replacing service providers, and (6) workplace and organizational capacity. This research suggests that mHealth can meet the needs of both patients and service providers when the mHealth intervention is culturally relevant, accounts for digital and health literacy, incorporates interactive components, is supported by workplaces, fits into health provider workflows, and meets security and confidentiality standards. Future mHealth research with Indigenous populations should partner with key representatives (eg, patients, service providers, and executive leaders) in the mHealth design appropriate to the purpose, people, setting, and delivery.

Nutritional and Physicochemical Properties of Wild Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.)-Effects of Geographic Origin.

In recent years, much attention has been devoted to Vaccinium L. berries because of their substantial potential to be adapted for the development of innovative food and pharmaceutical applications. The accumulation of plant secondary metabolites is extremely dependent on climate and other environmental conditions. In order to increase the reliability of the findings, this study was conducted with samples collected in four regions in Northern Europe (Norway, Finland, Latvia, and Lithuania) and analyzed in a single laboratory using a standardized methodology. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the nutritional (biologically active compounds (phenolic (477-775 mg/100 g fw), anthocyanins (20-57 mg/100 g fw), pro-anthocyanidins (condensed tannins (141-269 mg/100 g fw)) and antioxidant activity in different systems (ABTS•+, FRAP). Physicochemical properties (acidity, soluble solids, color) of wild Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. were also evaluated. The results may contribute to the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals with potential health benefits in the future. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive report on the evaluation of the biologically active compounds of wild lingonberries from different Northern European countries based on one laboratory's validated methods. The results indicated a geomorphological influence on the biochemical and physicochemical composition of wild Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. depending on their place of geographical origin.