Subchronic toxicity of Baltic herring oil and its fractions in the rat II: Clinical observations and toxicological parameters

This study aimed to increase the knowledge about the toxicity of fish-derived organohalogen pollutants in mammals. The strategy chosen was to separate organohalogen pollutants derived from Baltic herring (Clupea harengus) fillet, in order to obtain fractions with differing proportions of identified and unidentified halogenated pollutants, and to perform a subchronic toxicity study in rats, essentially according to the OECD guidelines, at three dose levels. Nordic Sea Iodda (Mallotus villosus) oil, with low levels of persistent organohalogen pollutants, was used as an additional control diet. The toxicological examination showed that exposure to Baltic herring oil and its fractions at dose levels corresponding to a human intake in the range of 1.6 to 34.4 kg Baltic herring per week resulted in minimal effects. The spectrum of effects was similar to that, which is observed after low-level exposure to pollutants such as chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (CDD/F) and chlorinated biphenyls, despite the fact that these contaminants contribute to a minor part of the extractable organically bound chlorine (EOC1). The study confirmed previous findings that induction of hepatic ethoxyresorufin deethylase (EROD) activity takes place at daily intake levels 0.15 ng fish-derived CDD/F-TEQs/kg body weight. The study also demonstrated that hepatic vitamin A reduction takes place at somewhat higher daily exposure levels, i.e. 0.16-0.30 ng fish-derived CDD/F-TEQs/kg body weight. Halogenated fatty acids, the major component of EOC1, could not be linked to any of the measured effects. From a risk management point of view, the study provides important new information of effect levels for Ah-receptor mediated responses following low level exposure to organohalogen compounds from a matrix relevant for human exposure

Statement on Advancing the Assessment of Chemical Mixtures and their Risks for Human Health and the Environment

The number of anthropogenic chemicals, manufactured, by-products, metabolites and abiotically formed transformation products, counts to hundreds of thousands, at present. Thus, humans and wildlife are exposed to complex mixtures, never one chemical at a time and rarely with only one dominating effect. Hence there is an urgent need to develop strategies on how exposure to multiple hazardous chemicals and the combination of their effects can be assessed. A workshop, “Advancing the Assessment of Chemical Mixtures and their Risks for Human Health and the Environment” was organized in May 2018 together with Joint Research Center in Ispra, EU-funded research projects and Commission Services and relevant EU agencies. This forum for researchers and policy-makers was created to discuss and identify gaps in risk assessment and governance of chemical mixtures as well as to discuss state of the art science and future research needs. Based on the presentations and discussions at this workshop we want to bring forward the following Key Messages: We are at a turning point: multiple exposures and their combined effects require better management to protect public health and the environment from hazardous chemical mixtures. Regulatory initiatives should be launched to investigate the opportunities for all relevant regulatory frameworks to include prospective mixture risk assessment and consider combined exposures to (real-life) chemical mixtures to humans and wildlife, across sectors. Precautionary approaches and intermediate measures (e.g. Mixture Assessment Factor) can already be applied, although, definitive mixture risk assessments cannot be routinely conducted due to significant knowledge and data gaps. A European strategy needs to be set, through stakeholder engagement, for the governance of combined exposure to multiple chemicals and mixtures. The strategy would include research aimed at scientific advancement in mechanistic understanding and modelling techniques, as well as research to address regulatory and policy needs. Without such a clear strategy, specific objectives and common priorities, research, and policies to address mixtures will likely remain scattered and insufficient

Why Peace Where War Prevails? : Comparing Puntland and Somaliland

For long the discipline of peace studies have investigated causes of war, rather than causes of peace, in an African context. In the northern peripheries of Somalia, a nation ravaged by civil war and conflict, two apparent peace zones have emerged following the complete state collapse of 1991: Somaliland and Puntland. The study explores whether or not these two realities of peace can be defined and characterised as Zones of Peace, or sanctuaries, amidst a civil war. Utilising the analytical tools of Zones of Peace – hitherto applied on conflictual contexts elsewhere but the Horn of Africa – this study suggests that both Somaliland and Puntland are, despite the territorial conflict between them, peace zones granting shelter from the civil war. Suggestively, peace has prevailed in both Puntland and Somaliland due to Somalia’s deteriorated situation, not in spite of it. The study concludes that in order to optimise research concerning Somaliland’s and Puntland’s peace(s), the framework of Zones of Peace can offer in-depth insights on local everyday milieus. The framework partially explains why these local peace(s) has lasted despite lacking external attention and allow for thorough comparison between two homogenous cases. Lastly, both Puntland’s and Somaliland’s inviolability and durability remain unchallenged and rigorous, possibly because of the civil war’s status quo, and since the international community’s foci on south- and central Somalia persists

Why Peace Where War Prevails? : Comparing Puntland and Somaliland

For long the discipline of peace studies have investigated causes of war, rather than causes of peace, in an African context. In the northern peripheries of Somalia, a nation ravaged by civil war and conflict, two apparent peace zones have emerged following the complete state collapse of 1991: Somaliland and Puntland. The study explores whether or not these two realities of peace can be defined and characterised as Zones of Peace, or sanctuaries, amidst a civil war. Utilising the analytical tools of Zones of Peace – hitherto applied on conflictual contexts elsewhere but the Horn of Africa – this study suggests that both Somaliland and Puntland are, despite the territorial conflict between them, peace zones granting shelter from the civil war. Suggestively, peace has prevailed in both Puntland and Somaliland due to Somalia’s deteriorated situation, not in spite of it. The study concludes that in order to optimise research concerning Somaliland’s and Puntland’s peace(s), the framework of Zones of Peace can offer in-depth insights on local everyday milieus. The framework partially explains why these local peace(s) has lasted despite lacking external attention and allow for thorough comparison between two homogenous cases. Lastly, both Puntland’s and Somaliland’s inviolability and durability remain unchallenged and rigorous, possibly because of the civil war’s status quo, and since the international community’s foci on south- and central Somalia persists

Den mindre av nationella minoriteter : En kvalitativ intervjustudie om judarnas upplevelser av antisemitism i Umeå

This paper aimed at understanding anti-Semitism and how it is perceived by Jewish inhabitants of Umeå municipality. Considerable research has previous been conducted, mainly by historians, and has proven invaluable to further enhance our understanding of anti-Semitism. The purpose of this paper was thus to explore how three Jewish swedes, residing in Umeå, underwent the process of awareness and understanding of anti-Semitism. The theoretical framework was based on Christopher MacDonald-Dennis previous qualitative study on Jewish undergraduates, and how the process toward awareness unfolds. This paper conducted its research through semi-structured interviews, and operationalization of the theory for analysis was characterized by inductive recognition of phases in a five-stage process. The results show that one respondent has faced anti-Semitism previously and is continually experiencing exposure because she is Jewish and originates from Israel. Another respondent has formerly been exposed to anti-Semitism but perceives today no anti-Semitism directed at her. The third respondent distinguish no anti-Semitism directed at him personally ever since he moved to Umeå but has formerly experienced anti-Semitism in other cities. The results show that the respondents have all gone through the first three phases of the five-stage process, but not the fourth nor the fifth. Although all respondents showed anticipation for a new constellation of a Jewish community, only one of them seemed ready to redefine the structures which are enabling anti-Semitism; which in turn is holding a larger Jewish community back. This paper concludes its finding with an appeal for more qualitative research on anti-Semitism in its local context

Den mindre av nationella minoriteter : En kvalitativ intervjustudie om judarnas upplevelser av antisemitism i Umeå

This paper aimed at understanding anti-Semitism and how it is perceived by Jewish inhabitants of Umeå municipality. Considerable research has previous been conducted, mainly by historians, and has proven invaluable to further enhance our understanding of anti-Semitism. The purpose of this paper was thus to explore how three Jewish swedes, residing in Umeå, underwent the process of awareness and understanding of anti-Semitism. The theoretical framework was based on Christopher MacDonald-Dennis previous qualitative study on Jewish undergraduates, and how the process toward awareness unfolds. This paper conducted its research through semi-structured interviews, and operationalization of the theory for analysis was characterized by inductive recognition of phases in a five-stage process. The results show that one respondent has faced anti-Semitism previously and is continually experiencing exposure because she is Jewish and originates from Israel. Another respondent has formerly been exposed to anti-Semitism but perceives today no anti-Semitism directed at her. The third respondent distinguish no anti-Semitism directed at him personally ever since he moved to Umeå but has formerly experienced anti-Semitism in other cities. The results show that the respondents have all gone through the first three phases of the five-stage process, but not the fourth nor the fifth. Although all respondents showed anticipation for a new constellation of a Jewish community, only one of them seemed ready to redefine the structures which are enabling anti-Semitism; which in turn is holding a larger Jewish community back. This paper concludes its finding with an appeal for more qualitative research on anti-Semitism in its local context

Why Peace Where War Prevails? : Comparing Puntland and Somaliland

For long the discipline of peace studies have investigated causes of war, rather than causes of peace, in an African context. In the northern peripheries of Somalia, a nation ravaged by civil war and conflict, two apparent peace zones have emerged following the complete state collapse of 1991: Somaliland and Puntland. The study explores whether or not these two realities of peace can be defined and characterised as Zones of Peace, or sanctuaries, amidst a civil war. Utilising the analytical tools of Zones of Peace – hitherto applied on conflictual contexts elsewhere but the Horn of Africa – this study suggests that both Somaliland and Puntland are, despite the territorial conflict between them, peace zones granting shelter from the civil war. Suggestively, peace has prevailed in both Puntland and Somaliland due to Somalia’s deteriorated situation, not in spite of it. The study concludes that in order to optimise research concerning Somaliland’s and Puntland’s peace(s), the framework of Zones of Peace can offer in-depth insights on local everyday milieus. The framework partially explains why these local peace(s) has lasted despite lacking external attention and allow for thorough comparison between two homogenous cases. Lastly, both Puntland’s and Somaliland’s inviolability and durability remain unchallenged and rigorous, possibly because of the civil war’s status quo, and since the international community’s foci on south- and central Somalia persists

Health risk assessment of dioxin-like compounds in complex samples

There are several scientific as well as political and economic reasons why the risk assessment of dioxins in complex samples needs to be further refined. Today, there seems to be no margin of safety between doses that cause suspected effects and exposure. Therefore, uncertainties and gaps in the knowledge have to be minimized. This thesis work aims to provide novel scientific data on the toxicity of dioxin-like pollutants with focus on complex samples which address some of the present data gaps. Fish is a major source of human dioxin exposure. There is a concern that high intake of fish could cause adverse health effects. In addition to dioxin exposure, there is a concern as yet unidentified pollutants, other than dioxin, could pose a significant hazard to man. To further investigate the relevance of these issues to human health a study investigating the subchronic toxicity of Baltic herring oil or fractions was performed in rats (Study I and II). No adverse effects were observed after exposure of up to 34.4 kg fish/week (expressed as corresponding human intake). No effects could be linked to any unidentified organohalogens. Importantly, dioxin-like biochemical effects were observed at a daily intake of 0. 15 pg TEQ/kg and above. Kinetic data are essential for extrapolation from laboratory animals to humans; these aspects are not adequately addressed in most assessments. To deliver congener specific kinetic data on PCBs in a low dose range, a kinetic study was performed (Study III). Half-lives and partition coefficients were reported for several PCBs, as well as concentration data of one major PCB- metabolite. Briefly, the results showed that halflives seem to be longer than previously reported and that PCB77 has a liver specific retention. Today, the concept of toxic equivalency factors (TEF) in combination with chemical analysis is used to summarize some of the dioxin-like potency of a sample. However, this concept has many drawbacks. There is a need for efficient biological screening tools for dioxin-like compounds to complement the chemical analysis. In this thesis, the MH1C1-EROD-assay was shown to readily assess dioxin-like potency in various complex samples (Study IV). In addition, the use of a clean-up procedure with sulphuric acid was shown to be important for result interpretation. Finally, a study was performed to investigate how light can influence AhR mediated EROD- activity in vitro (Study V). A photoproduct of tryptophan, which has been suggested as the endogenous ligand, namely formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ) was identified as a causative mediator

LEADERSHIP AND PERSONALITY IN SPORTS : Preferred leadership in relation to personality of team athletes on elite junior level

Syftet med studien var att studera sambandet mellan elitjuniorers ledarskapspreferenser och deras personlighet. Urvalsgruppen bestod av 167 elitjuniorer, i åldrarna 16-20 år (M=17,29). Försökspersonerna var av både manligt (116 st) och kvinnligt (51 st) kön, vilka var aktiva inom interaktiva bollsporter. Deltagarna fick svara på tre olika frågeformulär (1) Demografisk fakta (2) Leadership Scale for Sports (LSS) (3) NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Efterföljande korrelationsanalyser visade signifikanta samband mellan Extraversion, Demokratiskt ledarbeteende och Positiv Feedback, samt mellan Neuroticism och Socialt stödjande ledarbeteende. Resultatet visade även ett signifikant samband mellan personlighetsdraget Trevlighet och Autokratiskt- och Socialt stödjande ledarbeteende. En slutsats utifrån resultatet är att prefererat ledarskap formas av olika personlighetsdrag, och varierar bland individer genom dess personlighet. I diskussionsdelen föreslås att ledarskapet inom idrotten bör präglas av en flexibilitet och anpassas till enskilda individer i större utsträckning. Exempel på praktiska implikationer och framtida forskning ges.The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between elite junior athlete’s   leadership preferences and their personality. Study participants consisted of 167 elite juniors, aged 16-20 years (M = 17,29). Subjects were both male (116) and female (51), and active in interactive sports. Participants were asked to answer three questionnaires (1) Demographic facts (2) Leadership Scale for Sports (LSS) (3) NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Subsequent correlation analyses showed significant associations between Extraversion, Democratic behavior and Positive Feedback, and between Neuroticism and social supportive behavior. The results also showed a significant correlation between the personality trait Agreeableness and Autocratic and Social support behavior. One conclusion from the results is that preferred leadership is a function of the athlete’s personality traits. This suggests that leadership in sports should be characterized by flexibility and adaptation to athlete’s individual differences to a greater extend. Examples of practical implications and future research are presented

CSR as a tool for startups to gain external financing : A qualitative study in a Swedish context

Previous studies show that firms, in general, die young, and that they are in dire needs for capital injections. However, for various reasons, startups are sometime not able to gain financing, and in certain cases one prefer a certain type of capital, which has led to the pecking-order theory, which assumes that internal capital is preferred over external, and debt is issued rather than equity. Furthermore, business angels and venture capitalists have very stringent criteria for investing in a startup, making the conditions very harsh. To remedy this problem, this study aims to see if startups can utilize Corporate Social Responsibility efforts to enhance their odds of gaining capital from business angels and venture capitalists, since it during the last decades has become increasingly popular to integrate in the businesses. Thus, we intend to see if Corporate Social Responsibility can be a new investment criterion that previous studies have not expressed. We identified a research gap in the literature, that investments can be made on other premises than economical, making us wonder whether or not this can be exploited through CSRactivities. This led us to the research questions of this qualitative study: How does CSR-activities within a startup affect the business angel or venture capitalist’s willingness to invest in the firm? To fulfill the purposes of this study, we concluded it would be best to conduct a mono-method qualitative study, wherein we intended to answer the question using data from semi-structured interviews. We gained invaluable information through eight semi-structured interviews, which were thematically analyzed into three global themes; investment criteria, networking and communication, and sustainable undertakings. From the themes we identified different characteristics which are important for both the startup and entrepreneur, as well as found evidence that ethical and environmental efforts of startups indeed increase the willingness of business angels and venture capitalists to invest, especially in economically strong organizations. However, the investors did not try to make the business model more sustainable post investment. These findings are very exciting, as they disclose Swedish investors to be following a triple bottom line approach when investing, meaning that the findings of Carol (1991, p. 42) and other researchers can be adopted when studying Swedish investment decisions. This cements social entrepreneurship as a strong contender to the classic notions of entrepreneurship