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In adopting highly integrated Product-Service Systems (PSS), incentive structures change and the value attainable for providers throughout the lifecycle becomes an issue of growing complexity. Nonetheless, value for PSS providers has up to now not been considered in a multidimensional fashion. In an effort to move towards a characterization of provider's value, an offering in the information communication technology sector was examined through an investigation with ten staff-members of Ericsson, Sweden. This led to a value-categorization, which can be utilized in the PSS design process to enhance the value captured throughout the lifecycle beyond immediate monetary benefit. In an effort to provide general learnings, the results are discussed with a focus on PSS business models, PSS design and management communication. Overall, the results presented provide a more comprehensive picture of what a provider has to gain from a PSS offering throughout its entire lifecycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facing the potential advantages and specific challenges of IPSS business model development we refer to a critical field for its succession: the hindering and supporting influence of managerial cognition. Related to microfoundations in dynamic capability research, we analyze for the development of IPSS how managerial cognitions influence a firms’ capability to realize new business model opportunities and to seize and reorganize its resources in order to take advantage from these opportunities. We apply the research on managerial cognition to the field of IPSS. Our empirical exploration is based on a qualitative case study analysis, comprising of interviews and cognitive mapping. We discover managers’ cognitions concerning new market opportunities, their perception of the necessity to change and their coping patterns for resource allocation. Our key finding is that IPSS are nor primarily considered as opportunities but rather threats with different strategies of coping mechanisms. There is a high consciousness for increasing sensemaking activities inside and outside the organization to adopt to new ways of value creation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Trends of basal area growth and mean height were studied in the period 1983–2020. • The study was made for 20 to 60 year old pines and spruces in Sweden. • On average, mean height at a given age of both species has increased by 2 m. • The basal area growth level was stable in the period. • Current trees are becoming taller and slenderer in Swedish forests. Changes over time in annual basal area growth and mean height for Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) over the period, 1983–2020 were studied using sample tree data from temporary plots recorded in the Swedish National Forest Inventory. The annual basal area growth was derived from the last measured full ring on increment cores. Using 20 to 60-year-old dominant trees, the mean height and annual basal area growth were examined as functions of tree, stand and site conditions, and trends were assessed mainly using residual analyses over time. A significant increase in mean height at a given age was found for both species, but the annual basal area growth level remained stable over the 38-year period. Currently, at a given age of 50 annual rings at breast height, the mean heights of pines and spruces increased on average by 10.1% (i.e. ∼2 m), compared to 50 year-old pines and spruces in the 1980s, and the increase was similar in the different regions. The results suggest that trees have become taller and slenderer in Swedish forests. Increasing tree height over time at a given age in Northern Europe has been documented in several reports and many causes have been suggested, such as changed forest management, increasing temperatures and nitrogen deposition. We suggest that elevated CO 2 in the air and improved water-use efficiency for the trees might also be strong drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing number of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) are realizing that their products, earlier the foundation of their success, no longer stand alone in satisfying customer requirements. Customers now demand integration of services and bundling as well as increased active participation of OEMs during the use phase. Ericsson, a Swedish multinational OEM of communications technology and services, is an example of such a company. The objective of this paper is to describe, compare and discuss Ericsson's journey from a product provider to a PSS provider, e.g. by comparison with other industry examples. Furthermore, the paper highlights future challenges and opportunities for instance regarding business models, trends and product design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Continuity models of care is 'best evidence' although not implemented to a large extent in Sweden. • There might be a gap between women's birth expectations and experiences. Hence, it is important to investigate and follow up the fulfilment of birth expectations. • Pregnant women's expectations about continuity and postnatal home visits are largely unmet. The fulfilment of birth expectations is important to women and strongly related to birth satisfaction. The aim of this study was to investigate women's expectations and experiences of birth and the postnatal period and associated factors. An additional aim was to explore if women's expectations were fulfilled. A longitudinal cohort study of 280 women where 226 were followed up two months after birth. Data were collected using questionnaires. Odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval were calculated between the explanatory background variables and expectations/experiences. The majority (79%) rated continuity as important, but few (32%) actually had a known midwife assisting during birth. Positive birth expectations were found in 37% and a positive birth experience in 66%. Many women (56%) preferred a short postnatal stay, and 63% went home within 24 h. Thirty-six percent preferred postnatal home visits, but only eight women (3.5%) received this. Breastfeeding expectations were high with 86% rating it as important but after birth 63% reported exclusively breastfeeding. Only a few background factors were associated with women's expectations and experiences. Most likely to be fulfilled were women's expectations for a vaginal birth (83%), a positive birth experience (71%) and short length of postnatal stay (67%). Postnatal home visits (96%) and continuity of care (73%) were not fulfilled. Pregnant women's expectations about continuity are fulfilled only to a minor degree. The fulfilment of postnatal expectations varied and the preference for a short postnatal stay was fulfilled whereas home visits were not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many ICT companies are transforming, going from a product focus towards more service focused business approaches. This transformation process has been on-going for a couple of decades now and places high demands, not only on the technological development and business models but also on the companieś ability to mature and transform the organizational setup, leadership capabilities, and the need for different types of competencies. This paper analyzes the servitization process within the ICT industry by presenting a case study that addresses the organizational challenges and gives tentative answers on how to cope with them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Approximately 8% of clear cell renal cell carcinoma cases contain regions of radically different morphology, demonstrating a mesenchymal appearance histologically resembling sarcomas. These biphasic neoplasms are called sarcomatoid clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Patients diagnosed with sarcomatoid clear cell renal cell carcinoma face a considerably worse prognosis due to an increased propensity for metastasis. In the present study we investigate whether the sarcomatoid conversion of clear cell renal cell carcinoma could be interpreted as linked to the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Using 6 biphasic clear cell renal cell carcinoma cases we show that sarcomatoid clear cell renal cell carcinoma shares characteristic markers associated with loss of von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor with conventional clear cell renal cell carcinoma and also exhibits a markedly higher proliferative index. Furthermore the sarcomatoid elements demonstrate an enhanced expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition related mesenchymal markers as compared with the clear cell renal cell carcinoma counterparts. We further selected a representative case, clinically demonstrating direct overgrowth of the sarcomatoid component into the liver and colon, for extended immunohistochemical characterization, resulting in a further set of positive and negative epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers as well as pronounced transforming growth factor β positivity, indicating that sarcomatoid clear cell renal cell carcinoma may be associated to epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Transforming growth factor β1 exposure of in vitro cultured primary clear cell renal cell carcinoma cells resulted in cells adopting a mesenchymal morphology similar to sarcomatoid clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Corresponding changes in RNA levels for key epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers were also seen. We therefore suggest that sarcomatoid clear cell renal cell carcinoma morphologically and immunohistochemically may represent a completed epithelial-mesenchymal transition and that transforming growth factor β1 could be an important driving force during the sarcomatoid transdifferentiation of clear cell renal cell carcinoma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Self-assessment of puberty has been reported to correlate well with staging by a physician. No previous study has evaluated the use of an orchidometer to assess testicular size in boys. Study design: This study included 44 girls and 56 boys, 10-16 years old, with assessed Tanner staging. The boys also used an orchidometer. The correlation with a professional's staging was analyzed using percentage agreement (PA). Results: For girls, the PA for breast development was 52%, and for pubic hair, 64%. There was no case of the difference being greater than one stage. For boys, the PA for pubic hair was 75%. For testicular volume, the PA was 36%; in 95%, the difference was only one size. Conclusions: We found pubertal self-assessment, including the use of an orchidometer for boys, to be a useful method. However, if the purpose is to determine exact pubertal onset, the assessment should be made by a trained professional. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We tested hypotheses on the effect of growing space and biomechanics on tree growth, using data from two field experiments where Scots pine seedlings had been planted in a fixed but systematically irregular pattern. After 16 or 18 years, respectively, stem diameter was measured at 1.3m (d 1.3) and 0.3m above ground (d 0.3). Total tree height, length and diameter of the crown, and height to crown gravity point were also measured. Analyses were split in two parts: influence of growing space on tree and crown dimensions, and biomechanical influence of the crown on stem diameter. The results showed that crown size was closely related to tree height, and that there was a small but statistically significant effect of growing space on both crown size and shape. The biomechanical model explained about 85% of the variation in stem diameter, but growing space had no influence on this relationship, indicating that the wind load absorbed by a given crown size was not affected by growing space. The results were discussed in relation to future growth modelling and new ways of estimating site productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Natural mortality in a 30-year period was examined in thinning and fertilisation experiments with 48 blocks in Scots pine (Pinus sylvstris L.) and 23 blocks in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) with up to 12 different treatments. Of about 90,000 living trees at start of the experiments 18.7% were registered as dead by natural mortality in the 30-year observation period. In non-thinned stands about 20% of the volume growth disappeared by natural mortality, in thinned stands about 10%. In normally thinned pine stands (repeated thinning from below with moderate intensity) the annual mortality of the basal area at start of an average 7-year period was 0.34%. In spruce stands, on more fertile sites, the corresponding figure was about 0.6%. In an effort to model the mortality, severe damage not leading to final felling was identified in 1.7% of the observation periods. It was assumed that this part of the mortality, representing 24% of the total volume mortality, could be recovered by active thinning. The probability for severe damage increased sharply with stand top height, as shown in a logistic regression. The more sparse mortality was expressed as a function of site fertility, stand density, disturbance by thinning and form of treatment (thinned from above or below or non-thinned). The naturally dead trees were approximately of mean size in normally thinned stands while the self-thinning in non-thinned stands tended to occur amongst smaller than average trees. Diagrams were presented for basal area development and stem number reduction in the non-thinned stands. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common female dysfunction, affecting women in all ages. Experienced physiotherapists and experts on low back pain (LBP) have since long observed and discussed the empirical association between LBP and UI. The aim of this study was to describe the occurrence of UI in women with LBP and to compare this group with a reference group of comparable age, language, culture and parity. The authors of this study had previously collected all original data from the reference group. A validated questionnaire concerning UI was answered by 200 consecutive women with LBP visiting specialised physiotherapy clinics in the area of Stockholm. Inclusion criteria were LBP, female, not pregnant, Swedish speaking, age between 17 and 45 years. Seventy-eight percent of the women with LBP reported UI. In comparison with the reference group, the prevalence of UI and signs of dysfunctional pelvic floor muscles (PFM) were greatly increased (p<0.001) in the LBP group. Logistic regression analysis showed that the condition LBP and PFM dysfunction i.e. inability to interrupt the urine flow (p<0.001) were risk factors for UI irrespective of parity. Physiotherapists treating patients with LBP should be aware of possible incontinence problems in this patient group. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: This study examines the influence of posture on the range of axial rotation of the thorax and the range and direction of the coupled lateral flexion. Methods: The ranges of mid thoracic axial rotation and coupled lateral flexion were measured in 52 asymptomatic subjects (aged 18-43 years) using an optical motion analysis system. To examine the influence of posture on primary and coupled motion, we initiated axial rotation from a neutral sitting posture and from end- range thoracic flexion and extension. Results: There was a significant decrease in the range of thoracic rotation in flexion compared with the neutral and extended postures (P <.001). The mean range of coupled lateral flexion was 8.9% of the axial rotation range in the neutral posture and increased to 14.3% and 23.2% in the extended and flexed postures, respectively. Patterns of coupled motion varied between subjects, but an ipsilateral pattern was more common in the flexed posture, whereas a contralateral pattern was more common in the neutral and extended postures. Conclusions: The ranges and patterns of coupled motion of the thorax appear to be strongly influenced by the posture from which the movement is initiated. This has important implications in relation to the interpretation of clinical tests of thoracic motion and in consideration of mechanisms of development of thoracic pain disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two field experiments, located in Central and Northern Sweden, were used to study the influence of standing volume on volume increment and ingrowth in uneven-aged Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stands subjected to different thinnings. Each experiment had a 3×2 factorial block design with two replications. Treatments were thinning grade, removing about 45, 65, and 85% of pre-thinning basal area, and thinning type, removing the larger or the smaller trees, respectively. Each site also had two untreated control plots. Plot size was 0.25ha. Volume increment was 0.5–6.8m3 ha−1 year−1 for the plots, and significantly positively (p <0.01) correlated with standing volume. Within treatment pairs, plots thinned from Above had consistently higher volume increment than plots thinned from Below. Ingrowth ranged from 3 to 33stemsha−1 year−1, with an average of 14 and 21stemsha−1 year−1 at the northern and southern site, respectively. At the southern site ingrowth was significantly negatively (p <0.01) correlated with standing volume, but not at the northern site. Mean annual mortality after thinning was 2 and 7stemsha−1 year−1at the northern and southern site, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Retention of live and dead trees in harvested stands has become a common practice in Scandinavian forestry. We examined how retained Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris L.) grow and to what extent they compete with the new generation. In a mixed stand of about 5 ha in Northern Sweden, 44 retained pines and adjacent growth of the new stand was measured for the last 90 years. After liberation in 1912, the pines, then with a mean age of 180 years, doubled their annual ring width to a culmination after about 30 years. The trees below mean height showed the biggest response to liberation. The lower part of the stem (0.5–1.3 m) showed the largest growth relative to the decade before release during the first two decades after release. In the last decade the relative growth was largest at 6 m height. Growth of the new generation was measured on 9.5 m radius plots, centred on the retained pines. The growth of the new stand was reduced by 20% in the inner third of the plot area. With 10 evenly dispersed retained pines per hectare the production loss in the new generation was estimated at 2.5% over one rotation. The growth of retained trees more than compensated for this loss. The volume of the new stand was positively correlated with retained tree size and negatively correlated with retained tree growth. Of 17 species and species groups identified in the forest floor vegetation, only lichen occurrence correlated with distance to retained trees. Lichen was more common close to small and fast-growing retained trees. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Woody growth at five sites, covering a range of precipitation (620–785 mm) and soil conditions in North Sudan zone in Burkina Faso was investigated 5–14 years after clear-cutting. Woody growth ranged from 0.7 to 1.7 Mg ha−1 per year, corresponding to 1.0–2.4 m3 ha−1 per year in terms of green volume when species-specific basic densities were applied. Trunks (girth more than 10 cm), branches and stemlets made up about a third each of the yield and about one-third of the trunk was bark. Thus, the actual trunk wood production ranged from 0.2 to 0.7 Mg ha−1 per year corresponding to 0.3–0.9 m3 ha−1 per year. Woodfuel yield was reduced to about a fourth of the total yield, when excluding small dimensions and trunk-bark, species with low calorific value or multiple use, e.g. fruit bearing or forage. Each site was dominated by some few species in terms of percentage of dry mass: Sclerocarya birrea (13%), Anogeissus leiocarpus (57%), Acacia seyal (38%), Combretum glutinosum (17%) and Combretum nigricans (37%). Mean stool growth per site ranged from 0.5 to 1.7 kg per year. Largest stool growth was recorded for S. birrea and A. leiocarpus with 4.1 and 3.6 kg per stool per year, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Describes the large-scale introduction of exotic lodgepole pine Pinus contorta in Sweden after reviewing its species-specific properties and environmental requirements in native environment. Area covered by the lodgepole pine plantations in Sweden; Discussion on experiences of silvicultural practices; Analysis of ecological and environmental consequences of management alternatives.

Studies the ecological effects and management aspects of an exotic North American lodgepole pine tree Pinus contorta in Sweden. Area covered by the lodgepole pine tree plantation in Sweden; Suggestion on management of the plantations of these species to minimize the harmful effects of their introduction on ecosystem; Strategy to observe the adverse effects from the plantations for better Pinus contorta management.

Examines the effects of thinning and nitrogen fertilization on growth of 56-year-old Scots pine trees in northern Sweden. Measurement of response to treatments through dry weight biomass change in above and below ground components; Response to fertilization in radial and volume growth.

Examines the stand structure and fire trends in twelve virgin boreal forest reserves in Sweden. Average fire intervals in forests of the country; Standing volume of living trees and dead trees in forests; Effect of fire on spruce and sparse regeneration of pioneer species; Management practices to increase species diversity within forest reserves.

Examines three general methods for construction of site index equations for Pinus sylvestris using permanent plot data in Sweden. Comparison of growth functions with the construction methods; Results of the difference equation method; Indications of a changed growth pattern.

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