The convergence of the physical, mental and virtual

This editorial introduces a special issue of Studies in Ethics, Law, and Technology, centring on the convergence of the physical, mental and virtual. The idea of publishing a special issue on this matter came about at a conference, ICT that makes the difference, organised by the consortium of a FP7-funded project, ICTethics. In particular, we wanted to foreground some of the material presented and debated in sessions on the role of assistive robotics, the use of RFIDs and other implants for brain/body-device interactions, and issues surrounding ‘medical access to the brain’. The special issue takes as its point of departure the gap that exists between the visionary work and experimentation undertaken by scientists, and the results of theoretical and practical reflection on issues of ethical, legal and social relevance. One of the objectives of the ICTethics project is to investigate how ELSA studies can be operationally embedded in the early stages of ICT design and development, as well as in agenda setting for S&T research. But to what extent do scientists, policy-makers, ELSA scholars and other stakeholders network and communicate to bring about improved conditions for good governance and professional accountability? The special issue brings together cutting-edge experimenters, philosophers and ELSA scholars, as both authors and commentators, to explore some of the latest developments that manifest convergence of the physical, mental and virtual, and relate them specifically to issues of selfhood, identity and responsibility, empathy, medical ethics, social robustness and accountability. In doing this, we hope to set an example of how radically different disciplines can communicate and complement each other’s work

Hirschsprung´s Disease & Gastroesophageal Reflux. Aspects on Two Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders in Childhood

Gastrointestinal motility disorders are common in childhood and in this thesis we look at two of them, i.e. Hirschsprung´s Disease (HD) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in five different studies. HD is a congenital disease characterized by an abscence of ganglion cells in myenteric and submucous ganglia, most commonly in the distal part of the large bowel. In Paper I, we have studied the CART peptide (cocaine-and amphetamine regulated transcript), in human bowel prepararions and were able to show for the first time that the CART peptide is localized in normal human bowel. It is primarily expressed in the myenteric ganglia with high colocalization with the neurotransmitters VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) and NO (nitric oxide) indicating a functional role in the intestinal wall. CART-IR (immunoreactive) neurons were not found in the aganglionic part of the bowel indicating an intrinsic origin of the peptide. In Paper II the quality of life (QoL) of adults operated on for HD in their childhood was studied. For that, two validated questionnaires were used, SF-36 health survey and GIQLI (gastrointestinal quality of life index). We found that the adults operated on for HD in childhood, had generally normal QoL. The women, however, had worse general and mental health when compared to the normal population. It was also noted that the longer the aganglionic segment was, the more affected the QoL of the patient. In Paper III we compared the outcome, after two year follow-up, of the Duhamel pull-through operation for rectosigmoid HD and the TERPT (transanal endorectal pull-through) method which we introduced in 2005 in Lund. The study showed that patients operated on with the TERPT-method recovered significantly faster and required fewer interventions during follow-up time, without compromising the functional results. Also the cosmetic results were far better for TERPT group. Our result support the use of the TERPT method in favor of the Duhamel pull-through for rectosigmoid HD. PH-monitoring is valuable in the diagnosis of GERD and the gold standard has been catheter-based monitoring. In Paper IV-V we have shown that a wireless esophageal pH-monitoring system is feasible for use and well-tolerated by children, and is to be recommended. Our result found no clear advantage of esophageal pH-monitoring for 48 hours compared to 24 hours in the diagnosis of GERD in children. It was also shown that it is the combination of symptoms, endoscopic findings, pH-monitoring results and pathological examination that gives the most reliable diagnosis of GERD in children

Investigating Risk Factors of Underground Power Cables in Iceland

In designing, installing and managing an underground electric power cable system in Iceland, efficient thermal dissipation in the soil surrounding the cable is critical in preventing thermal breakdown due to high temperatures at cable jackets. Two underground power cables extend from the Nesjavellir geothermal plant to Reykjavik. Previous work has shown that the thermal conductivity of soil is dependent on soil water content. There are various environmental factors that may affect soil water content, causing the soil to dry up. This study identified the various factors that should be considered when dealing with underground power cables, particularly with regard to Icelandic environmental conditions. Data on temperature and moisture around cables collected in the field at several sites, as well as a compilation of published meteorological information, and power production at Nesjavellir over a 90 day period, were used to determine relationships among these factors. A mineral analysis was performed on soil samples from sites, and the backfill material. Maps of the cable route, weighing different environmental factors that could possibly affect the soil water content were evaluated. These maps show the risk areas for cable failure to coincide with drier areas. There is a strong correlation between thermal conductivity and soil water content, supporting previous research. The backfill material surrounding the cable needs to have certain physical properties that allow for a consistent unrestricted thermal dissipation from the cable jacket. Due to environmental conditions in Iceland, the risk of cable failure is generally minimal. An exception is extended droughts in the summer, due to decreased soil moisture causing decreased thermal conductivity in the surrounding soil. The risk maps indicate that the area between the Nesjavellir power plant and Reykjavik is of relatively low risk. These results support the hypothesis that the soil surrounding an underground cable needs to have high enough water-holding properties for the thermal conductivity not to be affected by decreased soil moisture, thereby allowing for unrestricted thermal dissipation from the cable jacket

Relationship between growth and feeding in infancy and body mass index at the age of 6 years

To access publisher full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links fieldOBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between size and growth measurements in infancy to body mass index (BMI) at 6 y. DESIGN: A longitudinal observation study on randomly chosen infants' growth and consumption in infancy. Follow-up until the age of 6 y. SUBJECTS: A total of 90 children who were born healthy and full-term. MEASUREMENTS: Weight and height were measured at maternity wards and healthcare centers in Iceland throughout infancy and at 6 y. Food records were made every month during infancy. At 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months, food was weighed to calculate food and nutrient intake. RESULTS: Weight gain from birth to 12 months as a ratio of birth weight was positively related to BMI at the age of 6 y in both genders (B=2.9+/-1.0, P=0.008, and B=2.0+/-0.9, P=0.032 for boys and girls, respectively). Boys in the highest quartile of protein intake (E%) at the age of 9-12 months had significantly higher BMI (17.8+/-2.4 kg/m(2)) at 6 y than the lowest (15.6+/-1.0 kg/m(2), P=0.039) and the second lowest (15.3+/-0.8 kg/m(2), P=0.01) quartile. Energy intake was not different between groups. Together, weight gain at 0-12 months and protein intake at 9-12 months explained 50% of the variance in BMI among 6-y-old boys. CONCLUSION: Rapid growth during the first year of life is associated with increased BMI at the age of 6 y in both genders. In boys, high intake of protein in infancy could also contribute to childhood obesity

Iodine status of adolescent girls in a population changing from high to lower fish consumption

To access publisher full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links fieldObjectives:During the last decades, fish and milk consumption has decreased considerably in Iceland, especially among adolescents. As these food items are important dietary iodine (I) sources, the aim of the study was to assess the iodine status and dietary pattern of adolescent girls in a population changing from a high to lower consumption of milk and fish.Subjects/Methods:Subjects were randomly selected adolescent girls (16-20 years old, n=112). A validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was used to evaluate food consumption and compare it with food-based dietary guidelines for milk and dairy products (2-3 portions/day) and fish (>/=2 times/week). Urine samples were collected for measuring urinary iodine (U-I) and creatinine (Cr) and blood samples for measuring serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).Results:Milk and dairy products provided 43% and fish provided 24% of the total dietary I. More than 65% of the girls consumed fish less than twice a week, and 40% consumed less than two portions of milk and dairy products per day. The median U-I concentration was 200 mug/l and the U-I/Cr ratio 138 mug I/g Cr. High intake of milk was associated with higher urinary iodine concentration, but fish intake was not found to be directly associated with urinary iodine concentration.Conclusions:Iodine status of Icelandic adolescent girls is within the optimal range defined by the World Health Organization. It is important to monitor both iodine status and the iodine concentration of important sources of iodine, as both dietary habits and composition of food might change with time

Separate counselling services in Norwegian upper secondary schools. A possibility for a collective holistic approach?

Guidance counsellors hold an important role in youth’s educational and vocational choices, well-being and future careers. Central Norwegian policy documents recommend dividing counselling practices in schools into two functions: (1) career guidance and (2) educational welfare guidance. Policy documents also promote a holistic view of the pupil and the value of safeguarding the pupils’ best interest. This study explores how counsellors interpret these potentially conflicting recommendations for counselling practice. Our findings indicate that counsellors act as street-level bureaucrats and interpret the recommendations in relation to professional values and local contexts. Our analysis reveals three perspectives on how separate forms of counselling can be practised. The first view suggests an integrated, holistic approach. The second suggests a collective holistic approach. The third view indicates a reductionistic approach to career guidance. Counsellors appear to base their views on occupational professionalism, with the ideal of guarding the pupils’ best interest at its centre. Hence, the different understandings of separate counselling services, a holistic approach and of what is in the pupils’ best interest appear significant for implementing the policy recommendations in schools.publishedVersio

Iodine intake and status in Iceland through a period of 60 years

Iodine deficiency is considered to be one of the most common nutrition disorders in the world and the world's greatest single cause of preventable brain damage. Despite a worldwide application of successful iodine supplementation programs over the last four decades, iodine deficiency remains a major public health problem throughout the world. All European countries except Iceland have experienced this health and socioeconomic threat to a greater or lesser extent. The fact that mild to severe iodine deficiency persists in many European countries may have important public health consequences, including impaired intellectual development of infants and children. Iceland has in the past been known for its high iodine status, based on results from studies of iodine status from 1939, 1988, and 1998 suggested to be due to high fish consumption. Fish together with milk and other dairy products are the main sources of iodine in the Icelandic diet, but iodized salt is not commonly used. In recent years fish and dairy intake has decreased, especially among young people. In this paper, historical data on iodine status and iodine intake in Iceland is reviewed and the need for further studies as well as possible need for public health actions evaluated