Telemark County Research Articles

Errors associated with moose-hunter counts of occupied beaver Castor fiber lodges in Norway

In Norway, Sweden and Finland moose Alces alces hunting teams are often employed to survey occupied beaver (Castor fiber and C. canadensis) lodges while hunting. Results may be used to estimate population density or trend, or for issuing harvest permits. Despite the method’s increasing popularity, the errors involved have never been identified. In this study we 1) compare hunting-team counts of occupied lodges with total counts, 2) identify the sources of error between counts and 3) evaluate the method’s management potential. The study was conducted in Bø Township (266 km2), Telemark County, Norway during 1995. Hunters reported the number of occupied lodges seen daily while hunting moose (25 September - 31 October). Teams (n = 12) under-counted occupied lodges in the township by 62% because 1) the probability of observing an occupied lodge within areas actually hunted on was 0.77, 2) 37% of the moosehunting units were not hunted on and 3) 21% of the occupied lodges occurred in cultivated landscapes outside of moose-hunting units. Hunters had difficulty distinguishing between occupied and unoccupied lodges. Measures of precision and bias should be determined before using the method for practical management. Moose-hunting team surveys may be better suited for obtaining indexes of population change than estimates of occupied lodge number.

Eurasian Goshawk nesting in relation to prey numbers in Telemark, southern Norway

Cover photo: Eurasian Goshawk Accipiter gentilis eating a Hooded Crow Corvus cornix. Photo: Kjetil Salomonsen. In southern Norway, the breeding density of Eurasian Goshawk Accipiter gentilis has typically ranged between 2–4 pairs per 100 km2. However, not all territorial pairs attempt to nest each year. In a ca. 2000 km2 forest-dominated study area in central parts of Telemark County, the highest number of nesting attempts recorded per year during 1991–2022 was 46, and the highest number of successful nesting attempts was 40. The nesting success of Goshawks increased with age and was 66.7% for juveniles (n = 12), 79.3% for subadults (n = 82) and 89.4% for adult females (n = 736). The annual proportion of young Goshawk females (juveniles and subadults) depended on the annual proportion of recorded replacements of old females and was positively related to mean temperatures in April. The annual proportion of recorded substitutions was positively correlated with population indices of several important prey species, particularly forest grouse, and without a time-lag. In a multiple regression model, the relative change in the recorded number of Goshawk nesting attempts, compared to the previous year, was positively correlated with a population index for thrush spp. and a combined index for Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus and Hooded Crow Corvus cornix, without a time-lag, and with a combined index for Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus and Black Grouse Lyrurus tetrix, with a one-year time-lag. The one-year time-lag with grouse was most evident when only successful nesting attempts were considered. We conclude that the breeding densities of Goshawk in Telemark are rather stable, and we conclude that annual variation in the number of recorded nesting attempts to a large extent reflects the effects of variation in prey density on the body condition of female Goshawks.

Early-stage application of process mineralogy methodologies for mineral tracking in flotation of rare earth elements (REE)-bearing minerals from a deposit in Norway

The Fen carbonatite complex, situated in Vestfold and Telemark County, South Norway, is one of the largest known rare earth elements (REE) deposits in Europe with ongoing exploration drilling. Literature regarding the complex processing of the Fen ore is lacking, and thus, the present work investigates for the first time its beneficiation potential and applies process mineralogy studies to understand in a sound manner the performance variations during the processing of REE ore. Flotation kinetics studies revealed that (i) high concentration of total REE-oxide (TREO) can be achieved during rougher flotation; (ii) the high concentration of sulphur (in form of pyrite as main sulphide) can be achieved at the beginning of flotation; (iii) the highest concentration of TREO can be reached after flotation of S. Further processing (i.e., by the addition of cleaning stages and grinding) has a potential to improve the overall recovery of TREO and S. However, the decision of further processing will depend, among other factors, on the definition of following hydrometallurgical routes (e.g., leaching, solvent extraction) and the economic aspects of the overall process. So far, the reported results show that a rather flexible process can be achieved for the material from the Fen deposit.

Loss to 5-year follow-up in the population-based Telemark Study: risk factors and potential for bias

ObjectivesThis study aimed to characterise participants lost to follow-up and identify possible factors associated with non-participation in a prospective population-based study of respiratory health in Norway. We also aimed to...

Objects, traditions, and the hermeneutics of Viking heritage

This article discusses the work that Vestfold and Telemark County in Norway has performed to consolidate its heritage actors and institutions under the umbrella of “Viking Age heritage” and the role digital tools have played in this effort. The article’s focus revolves around an analysis of an introductory digital installation at the Midgard Viking Centre at Borre in Horten municipality and how that installation communicates ideas about the Vikings and the Viking Age in terms of Viking heritage. The article argues that at the Borre site, Viking Age heritage is explained using interpretive registers assumed by the visitors, which in turn the visitors use to renegotiate the value of Vikings and the Viking Age through a hermeneutical process. This, in turn, frames the Viking and the Viking Age as heritage. The article further argues that this process hinges on registers of both material archaeological artifacts and immaterial “tradition,” two relations to the past that activate different registers of historical knowledge and that are sought to be conflated in the Viking Age effort.

Chronic rhinosinusitis associated with chronic bronchitis in a five-year follow-up: the Telemark study

BackgroundChronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is associated with generalised airway inflammation. Few studies have addressed the relationship between CRS and chronic bronchitis (CB).MethodsThis prospective study over a five-year period aims to investigate the risk of developing CB in subjects reporting CRS at the beginning of the study. A random sample of 7393 adult subjects from Telemark County, Norway, answered a comprehensive respiratory questionnaire in 2013 and then 5 years later in 2018. Subjects reporting CB in 2013 were excluded from the analyses. New cases of CB in 2018 were analysed in relation to having CRS in 2013 or not.ResultsThe prevalence of new-onset CB in 2018 in the group that reported CRS in 2013 was 11.8%. There was a significant increase in the odds of having CB in 2018 in subjects who reported CRS in 2013 (OR 3.8, 95% CI 2.65–5.40), adjusted for age, sex, BMI, smoking and asthma.ConclusionIn this large population sample, CRS was associated with increased odds of developing CB during a five-year follow-up. Physicians should be aware of chronic bronchitis in patients with CRS.

Influence of lifestyle risk factors on work ability and sick leave in a general working population in Norway: a 5-year longitudinal study

ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to assess (1) whether lifestyle risk factors are related to work ability and sick leave in a general working population over time, and (2)...

Automated mapping of cultural heritage in Norway from airborne lidar data using faster R-CNN

The existing cultural heritage mapping in Norway is incomplete. Some selected areas are mapped well, while the majority of areas only contain chance discoveries, often with bad positional accuracy. The goal of this research was to develop automated tools for improving the cultural heritage mapping in Norway, thus enabling detailed mapping of large areas within realistic budgets and time frames. The focus was on three types of cultural heritage that occur frequently in many types of Norwegian landscape: grave mounds, pitfall traps in deer hunting systems and charcoal kilns.A recent development in deep neural networks for object detection in natural images is the region-proposing convolutional neural network (R-CNN), which may also be used for cultural heritage detection in local relief model (LRM) visualizations of airborne laser scanning (ALS) data. Python code for ‘Simple Faster R-CNN’ was downloaded from Github.On 737 test images (16.6 km2) not seen during training, 87 % of the true cultural heritage objects were correctly identified, while 24 % of the predicted cultural heritage locations were false. However, all test images were small (150 m × 150 m) and contained at least one cultural heritage object, meaning that the false positive rate may be higher for an entire landscape. In Larvik municipality, Vestfold and Telemark County, on a 67 km2 area not seen during training, the R-CNN correctly identified 38 % of the true grave mounds, with 89 % false positives. On a 937 km2 area covering Øvre Eiker municipality, Viken County, the R-CNN correctly identified 90 % of the charcoal kilns, with 38 % false positives.In conclusion, we have demonstrated that Faster R-CNN is well suited for semi-automatic detection of cultural heritage objects such as charcoal kilns, grave mounds and pitfall traps in high resolution airborne lidar data. However, it is desirable to reduce the false positive rate in order to limit the amount of visual inspection needed when the method is applied to large areas for detailed archaeological mapping.

Low prevalence of tick-borne encephalitis virus antibodies in Norwegian blood donors

Background Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) constitutes a public health concern in Europe. Certain coastal municipalities in southern Norway are considered TBE risk areas and in the last two years, there have been increasing numbers of TBE cases. Since the majority of infections are claimed to be asymptomatic, the aim of the current study was to assess the seroprevalence of antibodies to tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) among unvaccinated adults living in a TBE endemic area in Norway. Methods One thousand one hundred and twenty-three blood donors living in Vestfold and Telemark county were included and associated sera were analysed for TBEV IgG antibodies. Information regarding tick bites, previous flavivirus exposure and knowledge regarding TBE and TBE prevention were obtained through a questionnaire. Results Fifty-eight samples were reactive by ELISA, of which 21 (36.2%) were confirmed by a TBEV-specific serum neutralization test. Of the 21 blood donors with neutralizing TBEV antibodies detected, 17 reported previous TBE vaccination. Thus, only four blood donors (0.4%) had TBEV neutralizing antibodies consistent with previously undergone TBEV infection. Regarding TBE awareness, half of the blood donors were familiar with TBE, but only 35% were aware of a preventive TBE vaccine. Conclusions Our study indicates low prevalence of subclinical TBEV infections among blood donors living in Vestfold and Telemark county and there is a lack of awareness among general public.

Prevalence of multiple sclerosis in rural and urban districts in Telemark county, Norway

ObjectiveTo explore the trends in prevalence and incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Telemark, Norway (latitude 58.7-60.3˚N), over the past two decades, with focus on differences between rural and urban areas. MethodsData from all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of MS in Telemark since 1993 were prospectively recorded and collected in a retrospective chart review. Prevalence estimates on January 1st 1999, 2009 and 2019, and incidence rates at five-year intervals between 1999 and 2018 were calculated and all results were adjusted to the European Standard Population. The study population was divided into urban and rural residency using a Norwegian governmental index. ResultsWe registered 579 patients with MS in Telemark between 1999 and 2019. The adjusted prevalence estimates for January 1st 1999, 2009 and 2019 were 105.8/105, 177.1/105 and 260.6/105, respectively. In 2019, the prevalence estimates were 250.4/105 in urban and 316.2 /105 in rural areas. Between 1999 and 2018, the yearly incidence increased from 8.4/105 to 14.4/105. ConclusionsThe prevalence of MS in Telemark is among the highest ever reported in Norway, consistent with an increasing incidence in the county over the past twenty years. The even higher prevalence in the rural areas is unlikely to be explained by possible risk factors like latitude, exposure to sunlight and diet. Further studies on differences between urban and rural areas are required to reveal possible new risk factors.

CHANGES IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, PHYSICAL FITNESS AND WELL-BEING FOLLOWING A SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAM

PURPOSE: School-based physical activity (PA) has mostly been examined in a preventive perspective. The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in physical activity, physical fitness and psychosocial well-being in early adolescents after the implementation of a school-based health promotion program in secondary school. METHODS: Four municipalities with 15 secondary schools in Telemark County, Norway, were recruited into an intervention or a control group. A total of 644 pupils participated in the study (response rate: 79%). The schools in the intervention group implemented the Active Healthy Kids program, where the physical activity component consisted of: (1) 120 min/week of physically active lessons (PAL), (2) 25 min/week of physical active breaks during classroom lessons and (3) 135 min/week of curriculum based normal physical education. Primary outcome was physical activity assessed by accelerometer and expressed as counts per minutes. Secondary outcomes were sedentary time, physical fitness, vitality, school effort and health-related quality of life in the five domains; physical health, psychological wellbeing, parent, peers and school environment. RESULTS: There was a Group X Time effect for school-based, but not full-day, physical activity (p=0.005), and for cardiorespiratory fitness (p=0.02) and vitality (p=0.008). A Group effect was found for the perceived exerted effort in class (p<0.001) and the health-related quality of life domains “psychological well-being” (p=0.04) and “school environment” (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: A multi-component, school-based, health-promotion intervention with emphasis on the use of PAL led to positive changes in school-based physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, vitality and health-related quality of life among early adolescents in a county with poor public health profile. This might have implications for the development and promotion of general health and well-being throughout adolescence. Trial registration: Approved by the Norwegian Data Protection Services (ID 54327), and registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, (ID NCT03906851).

Possible risk factors for poor asthma control assessed in a cross-sectional population-based study from Telemark, Norway.

This cross-sectional study of the general population of Telemark County, Norway, aimed to identify risk factors associated with poor asthma control as defined by the Asthma Control Test (ACT), and to determine the proportions of patients with poorly controlled asthma who had undergone spirometry, used asthma medication, or been examined by a pulmonary physician. In 2014-2015, the study recruited 326 subjects aged 16-50 years who had self-reported physician-diagnosed asthma and presence of respiratory symptoms during the previous 12 months. The clinical outcome measures were body mass index (BMI), forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), immunoglobulin E (IgE) in serum and serum C-reactive protein (CRP). An ACT score ≤ 19 was defined as poorly controlled asthma. Overall, 113 subjects (35%) reported poor asthma control. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors associated with poorly controlled asthma were: self-reported occupational exposure to vapor, gas, dust, or fumes during the previous 12 months (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.1-3.6), body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.2-4.1), female sex (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.5-4.7), current smoking (OR 2.8; 95% CI 1.5-5.3), and past smoking (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.3-4.0). Poor asthma control was also associated with reduced FEV1 after bronchodilation (β -3.6; 95% CI -7.0 to -0.2). Moreover, 13% of the participants with poor asthma control reported no use of asthma medication, 51% had not been assessed by a pulmonary physician, and 20% had never undergone spirometry. Because these data are cross-sectional, further studies assessing possible risk factors in general and objectively measured occupational exposure in particular are needed. However, our results suggest that there is room for improvement with regards to use of spirometry and pulmonary physician referrals when a patient's asthma is inadequately controlled.

Lifestyle, sick leave and work ability among Norwegian employees with asthma-A population-based cross-sectional survey conducted in Telemark County, Norway.

To investigate whether physician-diagnosed asthma modifies the associations between multiple lifestyle factors, sick leave and work ability in a general working population. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Telemark County, Norway, in 2013. A sample of 16 099 respondents completed a self-administered questionnaire. We obtained complete data on lifestyle, work ability and sick leave for 10 355 employed persons aged 18-50 years. We modelled sick leave and work ability using multiple logistic regression, and introduced interaction terms to investigate whether associations with lifestyle factors were modified by asthma status. Several lifestyle risk factors and a multiple lifestyle risk index were associated with sick leave and reduced work ability score among persons both with and without physician-diagnosed asthma. A stronger association between lifestyle and sick leave among persons with asthma was confirmed by including interaction terms in the analysis: moderate lifestyle risk score * asthma OR = 1.4 (95% CI 1.02-2.1); high lifestyle risk score * asthma OR = 1.6 (95% CI 1.1-2.3); very high lifestyle risk score * asthma OR = 1.6 (95% CI 0.97-2.7); obesity * asthma OR = 1.5 (95% CI 1.02-2.1); past smoking * asthma OR = 1.4 (95% CI 1.01-1.9); and current smoking * asthma OR = 1.4 (95% CI 1.03-2.0). There was no significant difference in the association between lifestyle and work ability score among respondents with and without asthma. In the present study, we found that physician-diagnosed asthma modified the association between lifestyle risk factors and sick leave. Asthma status did not significantly modify these associations with reduced work ability score. The results indicate that lifestyle changes could be of particular importance for employees with asthma.

Sted, trivsel og skoleavbrudd - individuelle og strukturelle mekanismer i skolen synliggjort gjennom ungdoms fortellinger

The aim of this article is to examine young people’s narratives about place in the dropout process and how they make sense of everyday practices in social places. Studying young people’s experiences about place can provide insight of how change and continuity can influence decisions and practices. This article is based on preliminary findings from the longitudinal ethnographic study [Name of project] in which 71 youths from the county of Telemark are regularly interviewed. The article presents excerpts from the stories, which give us insight into everyday practices, relationships and experiences from school activities. The French professor, philosopher and sociologist Henri Lefebvre, known to city planners and architects, was also engaged in education and teaching. However, in the Nordic countries, his work has largely been ignored by the pedagogical and educational science. In this article, we want to highlight his critical thinking on education where he introduces pedagogical concepts, principles and mind-sets that might have a significant importance when analyzing the young people’s narratives, trying to understand their everyday practice. The results in this study indicate that young people struggle in different ways with their everyday school practice, social space and the place they grow up, which again influence their endeavors in completing their education. Hence, it is imperative for educators to comprehend the influence the extended meaning of place, space and relationships have on young people’s opportunities to succeed in completing school.

Self-reported traffic-related air pollution and respiratory symptoms among adults in an area with modest levels of traffic.

Health effects of traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) concentrations in densely populated areas are previously described. However, there is still a lack of knowledge of the health effects of moderate TRAP levels. The aim of the current study, a population-based survey including 16 099 adults (response rate 33%), was to assess the relationship between TRAP estimates and respiratory symptoms in an area with modest levels of traffic; Telemark County, Norway. Respondents reported respiratory symptoms the past 12 months and two TRAP exposure estimates: amount of traffic outside their bedroom window and time spent by foot daily along a moderate to heavy traffic road. Females reported on average more symptoms than males. Significant relationships between traffic outside their bedroom window and number of symptoms were only found among females, with the strongest associations among female occasional smokers (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.75, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.16–2.62] for moderate or heavy traffic compared to no traffic). Significant relationship between time spent daily by foot along a moderate to heavy traffic road and number of symptoms was found among male daily smokers (IRR 1.09, 95% CI [1.04–1.15] per hour increase). Associations between traffic outside bedroom window and each respiratory symptom were found. Significant associations were primarily detected among females, both among smokers and non-smokers. Significant associations between time spent by foot daily along a moderate to heavy traffic road (per hour) and nocturnal dyspnoea (odds ratio (OR) 1.20, 95% CI [1.05–1.38]), nocturnal chest tightness (OR 1.13 [1.00–1.28]) and wheezing (OR 1.14 [1.02–1.29]) were found among daily smokers, primarily men. Overall, we found significant associations between self-reported TRAP exposures and respiratory symptoms. Differences between genders and smoking status were identified. The findings indicate an association between TRAP and respiratory symptoms even in populations exposed to modest levels of TRAP.

The Listafjorden–Drangedal Fault Complex of the Agder–Telemark Lineament Zone, southern Norway. A structural analysis based on remote sensing and potential field data

ABSTRACTThe Listafjord–Drangedal Fault Complex is a central structure in the NE-SW-trending Agder–Telemark Lineament Zone that dominates the structural grain and topography of southernmost tip of Norway. The fault can be followed for a distance of more than 170 km from the shelf area off Listafjorden–Fedafjorden in Vest Agder county to Drangedal in Telemark county. It has been analyzed by the use of digital topographic, remote sensing and potential field data, supported by field investigations. At least seven separate left-stepping fault segments have been identified. These are characterized by numerous internal fault lenses, separate fault strands and fault splays, partly displaying contrasting fault attitude and style of deformation. The northeastern termination of the Listafjord–Drangedal Fault Complex consists of fanning fault branches (horse-tailing), whereas its southwestern termination is buried below sediments in the continental shelf and remains obscure. The fault rocks of the various fault segments include cataclasites and mylonites that in places are interlayered with zones of fault gouge. By tentative correlation to the Hunnedalen dyke system in Rogaland, the age of initiation for the Listafjord–Drangedal Fault Complex is suggested to be Late Proterozoic. Parts of the fault complex were affected by at least two stages of faulting including (dextral?) shear and top-to-the-SE extension. The latter stage is assumed to be of post-Caledonian age, and recent seismic activity suggests that this ancient structural grain is still seismically active.

Lifestyle and work ability in a general working population in Norway: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the association between multiple lifestyle-related risk factors (unhealthy diet, low leisure-time physical activity, overweight/obesity and smoking) and self-rated work ability in a...

Museums as narrators: heritage trails in a digital era

ABSTRACTIn today’s tourism industry, merely offering tourists a variety of cultural events is not enough. Fully understanding their desire for an experience is the key. The attraction value increases if tourists can become personally involved and be affected by the narratives involved in place-making. This article examines the connections and cooperation among museums in a region where an important heritage trail is operating. When the old Telemark Canal was active (1892–1990), this enabled important products to be shipped from the upper mountainous areas to the coastal urban region in Telemark County, Norway. Shortly after being closed, the canal was transformed into a heritage trail and tourist attraction through renovation initiatives. Based on a closer examination of two of the attraction clusters along the heritage trail of the canal, we ask whether there is a key narrative that can link the local museums and cultural centres in the canal region. The discussion will consider how the widespread use of the internet has created new options for museums and cultural centres to benefit from neighbouring tourist attractions such as heritage trails.

Sleep problems and mental health among young Norwegian adolescents

Purpose: The present study investigated the associations between the aspects of sleep problems and mental health in Norwegian young adolescents.Materials and methods: Adolescents (12–13 years) were recruited from the primary schools in Telemark County, Norway. Sleep related problems were assessed by asking parents three questions related to their childrens’ sleep quality, sleep sufficiency, and daytime sleepiness. Parents reported data on mental health by the extended version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and information on the child’s physical activity, screen time, eating pattern, gender, and background variables. Height and weight were objectively measured. Complete data were obtained for 690 adolescents.Results: Multiple logistic regressions were used. Bivariate analyses indicated important associations between the sleep aspects and mental health. When adjusting the sleep variables for each other, lifestyle factors and background variables, sleep quality problems were associated with any psychiatric problem (ORadj: 4.0, CI: 2.0-8.2), emotional problems (ORadj: 15.1, CI: 3.4-66.8), and hyperactivity-inattention problems (ORadj: 5.1, CI: 2.2-12.1). Daytime sleepiness problems were associated with any psychiatric problem (ORadj: 2.3, CI: 1.2-4.4), and hyperactivity-inattention problems (ORadj: 2.5, CI: 1.1-5.5). Bivariate associations between problems with sufficient sleep and mental health problems lost the significance when adjusted for other sleep variables.Conclusions: The results indicate that different aspects of sleep problems may be important underlying factors for mental health problems in adolescents, independently of lifestyle factors, BMI-category, gender, and background variables. This highlights the importance of examining specific sleep problems when investigating associations between sleep and mental health.

Exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke and respiratory symptoms in non-smoking adults: cross-sectional data from the general population of Telemark, Norway

BackgroundIn Norway, data on the association between second-hand tobacco smoke (SHS) exposure at home and respiratory symptoms in adults are limited.MethodsWe assessed the association between self-reported exposure to SHS and the prevalence of respiratory symptoms among never-smokers aged 16 to 50 years from the general population who were included in a cross-sectional population-based study in Telemark County, Norway. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratios of symptoms among 8850 never-smokers who provided an affirmative response to questions regarding SHS; 504 (5.7%) of these reported that they lived in a home with daily or occasional indoor smoking.ResultsProductive cough and nocturnal dyspnoea were statistically associated with daily SHS exposure (ORs 1.5 [95% CI 1.04–2.0] and 1.8 [1.2–2.7], respectively). In analyses stratified by gender, nocturnal dyspnoea was associated with SHS among women (OR 1.8 [1.1–3.1]), but not among men (OR 0.93 [0.49–1.8]). Symptoms were not associated with occasional SHS exposure in the entire group, but infrequent exposure among men only was associated with increased prevalence of chronic cough; (OR 1.6; [1.04–2.6]) and was negatively associated with wheeze; (OR 0.44 [0.21–0.92)].ConclusionsDaily SHS exposure in private homes was associated with productive cough and nocturnal dyspnoea. Our results suggest that preventive measures may be needed to reduce the respiratory effects of SHS at home.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02073708 Registered February 27. 2014.