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The Eyjafjallajokull volcanic eruption in 2010 illustrated the threat that Icelandic volcanoes can pose to global air transportation and connected economy. It highlighted the necessity for crisis management and contingency planning that crosses borders. This research obtained insights into how the European aviation volcanic risk management has progressed since 2010. It developed escalating volcanic scenarios to investigate the robustness of the aviation sector and to identify improved mitigation measures. This paper presents a multi-level methodology to build a lasting relationship with, and between, stakeholders and to obtain relevant data. The first step consisted of establishing a face-to-face interaction with stakeholder representatives on an individual basis. Subsequently the group was invited to a one-day participatory stakeholder workshop where extreme volcanic events and their effects on aviation were investigated using scenario narratives. The workshop’s set-up proved successful in enabling discussions and obtaining information. The stakeholders’ positive response to the invitation, as well as their feedback after the workshop, illustrate their interest in this type of workshop. The feedback showed that the stakeholders appreciated the opportunity to meet and specifically to discuss aviation contingency issues. The workshop raised awareness and facilitated information flow between the stakeholders. The paper describes this case and provides generalized guidance on how to build a fruitful interaction between interviewees in a study, sheds light on the resulting impact on the results, and presents opportunities to create value beyond the study.

Introduction To date, increased attention has focused on how early psychological support after trauma may reduce suffering and limit the chronicity of psychological problems such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, few studies have assessed the reach or effectiveness of post-disaster interventions. The population of Iceland is frequently exposed to natural disasters and since 1995 extensive psychosocial support has been provided to disaster survivors in the country. The aim of this study is to assess the implementation, utilization, and perception of psychosocial support offered in the wake of three natural disasters in Iceland and to assess the association between utilization of support and PTSD symptoms. Method Three population-based studies on inhabitants affected by avalanches in 1995 (n = 399), an earthquake in 2008 (n = 1301) and a volcanic eruption in 2010 (n = 1615) were utilized. Follow-up time varied from 2 months post-disaster (earthquake) to 16 years post-disaster (avalanches). Questionnaire data was used in all three cohorts to assess utilization of psychosocial support and psychological morbidity. Response rate in the studies ranged from 71% to 82%. PTSD symptoms were assessed with validated measurement tools in all studies. Pearson's chi-square tests were used to compare utilization and perception of psychosocial support with regard to PTSD symptoms. Results Utilization of psychosocial support varied between disaster cohorts (16% after the 2008 earthquake; 26% after the 2010 eruption and 37% after 1995 avalanches). Satisfaction with support increased over the years, with 53% of respondents reporting being satisfied or very satisfied with the support after the 1995 avalanches; 68% after the 2008 earthquake and 82% after the 2010 eruption. Only in the disaster cohort with the shortest follow-up time (2 months) were PTSD symptoms negatively associated with utilization of psychosocial support (earthquake cohort; p Conclusions The Icelandic national plan for psychosocial support has developed considerably since services were first formally offered in 1995. Results indicate that satisfaction with received psychosocial support has increased among disaster-affected populations from 1995, when services were first offered, to the year 2010, after the psychosocial plan had undergone substantial improvements. Furthermore, utilization of psychological support appears to be contingent on the severity of the disaster. Further studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of coordinated empirically informed assistance.

The eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in April–May 2010 (hereafter E2010) revealed the fragility of air traffic in the case of an ash-producing volcanic eruption. This study examines developments since E2010 of cooperation between science and aviation-sector service providers toward efforts for improved resilience against a new volcanic eruption. The research builds on literature and interviews with representatives from research and regulatory institutes, air traffic managers, aircraft operators, and engine manufacturers across Europe. The article describes how scientific advice was requested to revise the regulatory precautionary approach and reopen airspace during E2010. The paper depicts the increased effort of scientific advancement in the understanding of ash characterization, modeling of the volcanic ash plume, and atmospheric environment. Furthermore, cross-disciplinary workshops and the memorandum of understanding between Icelandic and British institutions are examined to document increased cooperation between scientists and aviation-sector service providers to provide support to decision makers. However, the science needed for improved risk management is complex and depends on the effects of volcanic ash on jet engines. The concentration levels decided on over the course of a few days in 2010 have not been revised, and the aviation industry does not seem to prioritize research into these issues. A dialogue is needed between science, governance, and engine manufacturers, as well as more collective research funding to test jet engines to improve informed decision making, rather than leaving such research only to the manufacturers and internal political agendas.

Publisher's version (útgefin grein), Background: More than 500 million people worldwide live within exposure range of an active volcano and children are a vulnerable subgroup of such exposed populations. However, studies on the effects of volcanic eruptions on children’s health beyond the first year are sparse. Objective: To examine the effect of the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption on physical and mental health symptoms among exposed children in 2010 and 2013 and to identify potential predictive factors for symptoms. Method: In a population-based prospective cohort study, data was collected on the adult population (N = 1615) exposed to the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption and a non-exposed group (N = 697). The exposed group was further divided according to exposure level. All participants answered questionnaires assessing their children´s and their own perceived health status in 2010 and 2013. Results: In 2010, exposed children were more likely than non-exposed children to experience respiratory symptoms (medium exposed OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.07–2.03; high exposed OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.03–2.24) and anxiety/worries (medium exposed OR 2.39; 95% CI 1.67–3.45; high exposed OR 2.77; 95% CI 1.81–4.27). Both genders had an increased risk of symptoms of anxiety/worries but only exposed boys were at increased risk of experiencing headaches and sleep disturbances compared to non-exposed boys. Within the exposed group, children whose homes were damaged were at increased risk of experiencing anxiety/worries (OR 1.62; 95% CI 1.13–2.32) and depressed mood (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.07–2.24) than children whose homes were not damaged. Among exposed children, no significant decrease of symptoms was detected between 2010 and 2013. Conclusions: Adverse physical and mental health problems experienced by the children exposed to the eruption seem to persist for up to a three-year period post-disaster. These results underline the importance of appropriate follow-up for children after a natural disaster., The data collections were funded by a grant from the Icelandic government in 2010. The preparation of this paper was also supported by the Nordic Centre of Excellence for Resilience and Societal Security (NORDRESS) which is funded by the NordForsk (grant number 68825)

Aim: Volcanic eruptions and other natural disasters may affect survivor’s physical and mental health. The aim of this study was to examine the mental health effects of the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull volcanic eruption in Iceland on nearby residents, by exposure level and experience. Methods: This population-based study included 1615 residents living in an area close to the Eyjafjallajökull volcano at the time of the eruption and a sample of 697 residents from a non-exposed area. All participants received a questionnaire 6–9 months after the eruption assessing mental health (GHQ-12, PSS-4 and PC-PTSD). The exposed group also received questions related to the experience of the eruption. Results: Replies were received from 1146 participants in the exposed group (71%) and 510 participants in the non-exposed group (73%). Compared to the non-exposed group, participants living in the high-exposed area were at increased risk of experiencing mental distress (GHQ) 6–9 months following the eruption (odds ratio (OR) 1.45%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11–1.90). High-exposed participants were furthermore at increased risk of experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to those living in the low-exposed area (OR 3.71; 95% CI 1.34–15.41). We further found that those who had direct experience of the eruption were more likely to suffer from symptoms of mental distress, PTSD symptoms and perceived stress, compared to those less exposed. Conclusions: The findings indicate that screening for these factors (e.g. experience of the event) could potentially aid in identifying those most vulnerable to developing psychological morbidity after this unique type of disaster.

Adaptation to climate change in geographically isolated, peripheral coastal communities holds particular challenges. In the CoastAdapt project a common approach was applied to support climate change adaptation in study sites in peripheral regions of Northwest Europe (Scotland, Ireland, Norway and Iceland). This involved a series of workshops at each site to describe the nature of future climate change, identify site-specific climate-change-related issues and explore adaptation options. While there are common issues related to the impacts of sea level rise, other aspects tend to be site and time-specific. The occurrence of recent high impact events (storms or floods), in particular, exert a strong influence on community perceptions. The studies reveal that availability of resources, knowledge of options (and their implications), and the particular governance framework in operation are major determinants of the adaptation options selected.

Objectives: This study aims at getting a comprehensive view of the incidence, nature and circumstances leading up to injuries in Icelandic waters in 2001-2005. Material and methods: The NOMESCO database at Landspitali University Hospital registers prospectively accidents at sea treated in the Emergency Department, including circumstances leading to the accident, vessel type, experience, task being performed, weather conditions etc. The Icelandic Marine Accident Investigation Board provided data on fatal injuries, and additional information on injuries at sea was collected from the Social Insurance Administration (SIA). Results: Of 17 fatal accidents occurring in 2001-2005 14 were work related which amounts to 54/100.000 seamen/year. The SIA received 1787 injury reports (7% of registered seamen), 826 sought assistance at Landspitali, 52 were admitted with an average injury severity score of 5.5 (1-16) and no ensuing fatalities. Most accidents occurred on fishing vessels (87%), 51% thereof on trawlers. Experienced fishermen are most commonly injured, working on deck in daylight and stable weather. Conclusions: Fatalities have declined steadily in the last two decades, yet 7% of registered fishermen sustain injuries each year. These occur amongst experienced fishermen in good external conditions, which calls for revision of safety procedures on board. Language: is

Background. Injury prevention in fishing is one of the most important occupational health challenges. The aim was to describe and compare internationally the trends of the fatal injury incidence rates and to discuss the impact of the implemented safety programs. Methods. The review is based on journal articles and reports from the maritime authorities in Poland, UK, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, US and Alaska and Canada. The original incidence rates were recalculated as per 1000 person-years for international comparison. Results. The risk of fatal accidents in fishing in the northern countries has been reduced by around 50% to an average of about 1 per 1000 person-years. Norway and Canada keep the lowest rates with around 0.5 and 0.25 per 1000 person-years. About half of the fatal injuries are related to vessel disasters and drowning. The safety programs seem to have good effects still the risk is about 25 to 50 times higher than for onshore workers. Conclusions. The rates of the fatal injuries decreased by around fifty percent most probably as result of the implemented safety programs. However the high risk in fishing compared to onshore workers calls for continued and intensified safety programs. BACKGROUND: Injury prevention in fishing is one of the most important occupational health challenges.AIM: The aim was to describe and compare internationally the trends of the fatal injury incidence rates and to discuss the impact of the implemented safety programs.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The review is based on journal articles and reports from the maritime authorities in Poland, United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, United States and Alaska and Canada. The original incidence rates were recalculated as per 1,000 person-years for international comparison of the trends.RESULTS: The risk of fatal accidents in fishing in the northern countries has been reduced by around 50% to an average of about 1 per 1,000 person-years. Norway and Canada keep the lowest rates with around 0.5 and 0.25 per 1,000 person-years. About half of the fatal injuries are related to vessel disasters and drowning. The safety programs seem to have good effects, but the risk is still about 25 to 50 times higher than for onshore workers.CONCLUSIONS: The overall fatal injury rates in the European and North American studies decreased by around 50% most probably as result of the implemented safety programs. However the high risk in fishing compared to onshore workers calls for continued and intensified safety programs.

Objectives To examine the long-term development of physical and mental health following exposure to a volcanic eruption. Design Population-based prospective cohort study. Setting In spring 2010, the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull erupted. Data were collected at 2 time points: in 2010 and 2013. Participants Adult residents in areas close to the Eyjafjallajokull volcano (N=1096), divided according to exposure levels, and a non-exposed sample (n=475), with 80% participation rate in 2013. Main outcome measures Physical symptoms in the previous year (chronic) and previous month (recent), and psychological distress (General Health Questionnaire-12-item version, GHQ-12), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale, PSS-4) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (Primary Care PTSD, PC-PTSD). Results In the exposed group, certain symptoms were higher in 2013 than in 2010, for example, morning phlegm during winter (OR 2.14; 95% CI 1.49 to 3.06), skin rash/eczema (OR 2.86; 95% CI 1.76 to 4.65), back pain (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.03 to 2.05) and insomnia (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.01 to 2.30), in addition to a higher prevalence of regular use of certain medications (eg, for asthma (OR 2.80; 95% CI 1.01 to 7.77)). PTSD symptoms decreased between 2010 and 2013 (OR 0.33; 95% CI 0.17 to 0.61), while the prevalence of psychological distress and perceived stress remained similar. In 2013, the exposed group showed a higher prevalence of various respiratory symptoms than did the non-exposed group, such as wheezing without a cold (high exposure OR 2.35; 95% CI 1.27 to 4.47) and phlegm (high exposure OR 2.81; 95% CI 1.48 to 5.55), some symptoms reflecting the degree of exposure (eg, nocturnal chest tightness (medium exposed OR 3.09; 95% CI 1.21 to 10.46; high exposed OR 3.42; 95% CI 1.30 to 11.79)). Conclusions The findings indicate that people exposed to a volcanic eruption, especially those most exposed, exhibit increased risk of certain symptoms 3–4 years after the eruption.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to determine whether exposure to a volcanic eruption was associated with increased prevalence of physical and/or mental symptoms. DESIGN: Cohort, with non-exposed control group. SETTING: Natural disasters like volcanic eruptions constitute a major public-health threat. The Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull exposed residents in southern Iceland to continuous ash fall for more than 5 weeks in spring 2010. This study was conducted during November 2010-March 2011, 6-9 months after the Eyjafjallajökull eruption. PARTICIPANTS: Adult (18-80 years of age) eruption-exposed South Icelanders (N=1148) and a control population of residents of Skagafjörður, North Iceland (N=510). The participation rate was 72%. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physical symptoms in the previous year (chronic), in the previous month (recent), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) measured psychological morbidity. RESULTS: The likelihood of having symptoms during the last month was higher in the exposed population, such as; tightness in the chest (OR 2.5; 95% CI 1.1 to 5.8), cough (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.7 to 3.9), phlegm (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.3 to 3.2), eye irritation (OR 2.9; 95% CI 2.0 to 4.1) and psychological morbidity symptoms (OR 1.3; 95% CI 1.0 to 1.7). Respiratory symptoms during the last 12 months were also more common in the exposed population; cough (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.6 to 2.9), dyspnoea (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.3), although the prevalence of underlying asthma and heart disease was similar. Twice as many in the exposed population had two or more symptoms from nose, eyes or upper-respiratory tract (24% vs 13%, p

The paper describes how the Icelandic fleet increased from 1980 to 2005, as well as the number of fishermen employed in the various sections of the fleet. All categories of the fleet have increased considerably in tonnage, while the number of fishermen has declined. At the same time the catch per man-year at sea has increased, rendering the Icelandic fisheries among the most efficient in the world in terms of catch and value per manpower. The number of fatalities in the Icelandic fisheries has declined steadily in this period. In absolute numbers these accidents are most common on decked vessels under 45m, but when weighed against man-years, fishermen on open boats are in greatest danger of losing their lives. The most common cause of fatalities is foundering of the vessel, which may cause multiple fatalities, then is man-over-board, followed by drowning in harbour and miscellaneous accidents. The reduction in the number of fatal accidents at sea may have several reasons. Mandatory safety and survival training of all fishermen, improved working conditions at sea, better telecommunications, constant VMS surveillance and a 24hr availability of airborne rescue teams have all helped to reduce fatalities in the Icelandic fishing fleet from 1980 until 2005.

The organization of vestibulo-ocular projections and their spatial relationship to vestibulo-spinal projections were ascertained in the 11-day chicken embryo through retrograde tracing experiments. An in vitro preparation of the brainstem facilitated precisely localized application of tracers. Unilateral labelling of the ascending medial longitudinal fascicle (MLF), just caudal to the trochlear nucleus, labelled coherent groups of vestibular neurons that had an asymmetrical distribution on the two sides of the brainstem. Axons originating from either side followed one of four trajectories, and the groups of neurons could therefore be identified on the basis of their position and their projection pathway. Labelling each side of the MLF with a different tracer showed that although neurons projecting in the ipsi- and contralateral MLF were intermingled in some areas, individual neurons projected on one side only. Labelling the ascending MLF and the high cervical spinal cord with different tracers showed that vestibulo-ocular neurons had a wider rostro-caudal distribution than vestibulospinal neurons. Some vestibulospinal and vestibulo-ocular groups were spatially segregated, others were intermingled. Very few (in most preparations no) neurons were found to project to both targets. Together with our previous study on vestibulospinal projections in the 11-day chicken embryo (Glover and Petursdottir, J. Comp. Neurol. 270:25-38, '88) the results show that vestibular neurons in different regions project in characteristic subsets of the available pathways.

The regional mapping of reticulospinal, vestibulospinal, and vestibulo–ocular neuron groups onto specific axonal pathways was determined in the chicken embryo by retrograde axonal tracing. Experiments were performed on in vitro preparations of the brain stem to allow for precisely localized tracer injections combined with selective lesions of axon tracts. Brain-stem neuron groups were labelled from 3 days of embryonic development, when the first reticulospinal axons reached the cervical spinal cord, to 9 days of embryonic development, when each of the three systems studied had acquired a relatively mature organization. A striking feature at all stages was the spatial segregation of many neuron groups that projected along different trajectories. Examples of such segregation were found for neuron groups projecting in the same tract on different sides of the brain stem, in different tracts on the same side of the brain stem, and rostrally versus caudally. The occurrence of this segregation from early stages suggests that the choice of projection pathway by many brain-stem neurons is in some way linked to cell position. In some regions of the brain stem, neuron groups projecting along different pathways are intermingled. At least some of this intermingling, however, appars to occur subsequent to the initial establishment of axon projection patterns. Comparison of the mapping patterns at progressively older stages, and with previous mapping in the 11-day-old embryo (Glover and Petursdottir, 1988; Petursdottir, 1990) suggests that these projections are established with little error. The one obvious example of remodelling involved the pontine reticulospinal projection, in which an early contralateral axon population appeared to retract from spinal to medullary levels over the course of a few days. A similar phenomenon may be involved in the elimination of part of the contralateral reticulospinal projection from the midmedulla.

We have used recently developed fluorescein- and rhodamine-conjugated dextran-amines as axonal tracers in in vitro preparations of the nervous system of the chicken embryo. These substances are efficiently taken up by injured axons and transported rapidly to the cell bodies. They are also, albeit to a lesser degree, taken up by intact nerve terminals in skeletal muscle. They reveal the dendritic and axonal structure of labelled neurons, and are well suited for use in double-labelling experiments.

The organization of the axonal pathways of reticulospinal and vestibulospinal projections in the 11-day chicken embryo was ascertained through retrograde tracing experiments. An in vitro preparation of the brainstem and cervical spinal cord facilitated precisely localized tracer applications. Single- and double-labelling experiments involving high cervical injections of tracers in combination with selective lesions defined the specific pathways by which different brainstem neurons project to the spinal cord. Coherent, and in many cases distinct, groups of reticulospinal and vestibulospinal neurons could thus be identified on the basis of their position and projection pathway. The organization of these groups and their projections in the 11-day chicken embryo is similar to that in avian and other vertebrate adults and therefore serves as a reference point for studies of pathfinding by bulbospinal axons during early development.

The influence of innovative management alternatives (participatory governance, effort management, decision rules) on biological robustness (BR) in various fisheries relevant to the EU (Baltic, Western Shelf, Faroe Islands, North Sea), was investigated with a numerical simulation model developed in the EU projects EFIMAS (2004–2008) and COMMIT (2004–2007). The index for BR was set as the percentage of years in which standard biological reference points (Bpa, Fpa) were met. The results suggest that new information obtained through participatory governance may affect BR by reducing bias rather than increasing precision, implying that participatory governance should rather focus on potential sources of bias than on (perceived) low sampling efforts. Further analyses suggest that effort-based regimes combined with catch quota restrictions improve BR. However, the relative effect of catch quotas versus effort management on BR varies with circumstances, implying that careful and case-specific analyses are needed to weigh one against the other. This requires more detailed data than generally available at present, including electronic surveillance, detailed catch data, environmental/productivity data, recruitment and misreporting. Finally we analysed a decision rule consisting of a two-step management system, which allows TAC adjustment according to the state of the stock monitored during the fisheries season. Such measures may improve the BR.