tisdag, februari 28, 2017
Rödbetor gör susen
och det måste mätas med ett speciellt mätdon som än så länge bara finns på Sahlgrenska och Karolinska.
Kväveoxid är med och styr blodkärlen och mjukar upp dess muskler. Genom att äta nitratrika (inte nitrit!) grönsaker bildas kväveoxid (förutom det fina att få i sig antioxidanter).
Framförallt föreslås därför rödbetor, mangold, spenat och ruccola.
Själv har jag sparat ihop till en råkostcentrifug; den som visas på bilden (Bosch har lämpliga sådana till humana priser) för att kunna dricka ung. 2,5 dl rödbetsjuice varje morgon. Rekommenderas!
Skadligt debattklimat
Reaktionen från svenska politiker har varit närmast panisk när Sverige internationellt framhålls som varnande exempel. Att ge en positiv bild av vårt land har blivit viktigare än att diskutera verkligheten, skriver Jens Stilhoff Sörensen på debattsidan i dagens Svenska Dagbladet (Docent och lektor,globala studier. Göteborgs universitet.Forskare vid Utrikespolitiska institutet).
måndag, februari 27, 2017
Oscar. Nominerade och vinnare
--> www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-oscars-2017-nominees-winners-list-20170123-story.html
söndag, februari 26, 2017
Cupfinal England
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's late winner secured the EFL Cup and gave Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho his first success since his summer appointment, as brave Southampton were beaten at Wembley.
Southampton were the better side for most of this final but were left heartbroken by a controversial offside decision - and the inspiration provided by the 35-year-old Swede as he took his tally to 26 goals this season./BBC
Southampton were the better side for most of this final but were left heartbroken by a controversial offside decision - and the inspiration provided by the 35-year-old Swede as he took his tally to 26 goals this season./BBC
![[A colorful selection of fruits and vegetables]](http://cdn1.medicalnewstoday.com/content/images/articles/316/316022/a-colorful-selection-of-fruits-and-vegetables.jpg)
Researchers say eating 10 portions of fruits and vegetables daily is best for preventing disease and premature death.
From an analysis of 95 studies assessing the health benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption, researchers found that eating 800 grams of fruits and vegetables daily - or around 10 portions of 80 grams - was associated with the lowest risk of disease and premature death.
Apples, pears, green leafy vegetables, and cruciferous vegetables were found to be among the most beneficial for health.
Lead author Dr. Dagfinn Aune, of the School of Public Health at Imperial College London in the United Kingdom, and colleagues recently reported their findings in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
Current guidelines recommend that adults should aim to eat around five cups of fruits and vegetables daily - two cups of fruits and three cups of vegetables - to help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other chronic diseases.
While consuming five portions of fruits and vegetables daily is beneficial, Dr. Aune and colleagues set out to determine how many fruits and vegetables need to be consumed for maximum protection against disease and early death.
To reach their findings, the researchers analyzed the data of 95 studies that looked at the health benefits of fruit and vegetable intake.
In total, the studies involved almost 2 million participants and around 43,000 cases of heart disease, 47,000 cases of stroke, 81,000 cases of cardiovascular disease (CVD), and 94,000 deaths.
The team analyzed the fruit and vegetable intake of each participant, looking specifically at how much they consumed daily and the specific fruits and vegetables consumed.
Up to 33 percent lower risk of disease and death with 10 portions daily
One portion of fruits of vegetables was defined as 80 grams - the equivalent to a small banana, pear, or apple, or three heaped tablespoons of cooked vegetables, such as peas, broccoli, or cauliflower.
The researchers then calculated the association between fruit and vegetable intake and the risks of heart disease, stroke, CVD, cancer, and premature death.
The team found that, compared with no fruit and vegetable consumption, participants who ate just 200 grams of fruits and vegetables a day - the equivalent to around 2.5 portions - saw health benefits. These included an 18 percent reduced risk of stroke, a 16 percent reduced risk of heart disease, a 13 percent lower risk of CVD, and a 4 percent reduced risk of cancer.
Eating 200 grams of fruits and vegetables daily was also associated with a 15 percent lower risk of premature death.
However, the researchers found that the more fruits and vegetables participants ate daily, the greater the benefits.
Compared with subjects who consumed no fruits and vegetables, those who ate up to 800 grams - or 10 portions - each day were found to have a 33 percent lower risk of stroke, a 28 percent reduced risk of CVD, a 24 percent lower risk of heart disease, and a 13 percent decrease in cancer risk.
A 31 percent reduction in premature death was also associated with a daily fruit and vegetable intake of up to 800 grams.
What is more, the researchers calculated that if everyone ate 10 portions of fruits and vegetables daily, then around 7.8 million premature deaths could be prevented across the globe annually.
Which fruits and vegetables are best?
The team found that apples, pears, citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables (such as chicory and spinach), and cruciferous vegetables (such as cabbage and broccoli) were best for reducing the risk of stroke, CVD, heart disease, and premature death.
The greatest reduction in cancer risk was associated with intake of green vegetables (such as green beans), yellow vegetables (such as peppers and carrots), and cruciferous vegetables.
Consumption of raw and cooked vegetables was associated with reduced risk of premature death, but the team did not have enough data to determine which specific fruits and vegetables reduced this risk.
While the study did not investigate the mechanisms behind high fruit and vegetable intake and reduced risk of disease and death, the team notes that fruits and vegetables have been linked to lower cholesterol and improved blood vessel and immune system function.
"This may be due to the complex network of nutrients they hold," notes Dr. Aune. "For instance, they contain many antioxidants, which may reduce DNA damage, and lead to a reduction in cancer risk."
Overall, the researchers believe their findings highlight the importance of fruits and vegetables as part of a healthful diet.
"We need further research into the effects of specific types of fruits and vegetables and preparation methods of fruit and vegetables. We also need more research on the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake with causes of death other than cancer and cardiovascular disease.However, it is clear from this work that a high intake of fruit and vegetables hold tremendous health benefits, and we should try to increase their intake in our diet."Dr. Dagfinn Aune
--> Read about a study that suggests eating fruits and vegetables may lower the risk of COPD.
Eating fruits and vegetables reduces lung disease risk
Research, published this week in Thorax, finds a link between eating greater quantities of fruits and vegetables and lung health. They found it lowered the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in former and current smokers.
More --> www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315995.php
More --> www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315995.php
ANNULAR SOLAR ECLIPSE
Something strange is about to happen to sunbeams in the southern hemisphere. On Sunday, Feb. 26th, the Moon will pass in front of the sun, covering as much as 99% of the solar disk. It's an annular solar eclipse, shown here in an animation from ShadowandSubstance.com:
Annular eclipses occur when the Moon passes dead center in front of the sun, but does not completely cover it. At maximum eclipse, an intense "ring of fire" surrounds the mountainous limb of the Moon.
Annular eclipses occur when the Moon passes dead center in front of the sun, but does not completely cover it. At maximum eclipse, an intense "ring of fire" surrounds the mountainous limb of the Moon.
lördag, februari 25, 2017
The truth about refugees in Sweden
It was the early 1990s. I was prime minister of Sweden and near Christmas I was visiting our soldiers serving with the United Nations peacekeeping operation in Croatia. War was raging in Bosnia, and so I ventured down to the bridge on the border between the two countries. Bus after bus with desperate refugees was crossing over. The ethnic cleansing of western Bosnia was in its final stages.
At home we struggled with both an economic crisis and a more massive influx of refugees than we had ever had. One year brought in about 100,000 women, children and men fleeing the carnage of the Balkans. Most of them were from Bosnia, and most of them were Muslims. The combination of that inflow and increasing unemployment made for a toxic debate. Some rallied with whatever argument possible against the refugees. And, sorry to say, some even resorted to violence.
A couple of years later at a public gathering in the northernmost part of Sweden, I was approached by a young woman named Anna Ibrisagic. She was from Bosnia, and she knew that I had been there and that I had wanted to help. Her family had been forced to flee, and they went over the bridge at Bosanska Gradiska exactly when I was visiting. Not knowing what to do, they saw the Swedish flags on my vehicles and, in the absence of any other alternative, asked to go there.
That young woman’s road from Sanski Most to Luleå turned out to be only the beginning. Ibrisagic entered business and politics, was elected to Parliament and then to the European Parliament, becoming the first from Bosnia there. She served for a decade, elected from and by Sweden.
Of course, we had difficulties with the massive influx of refugees from the Balkan wars. Years later we faced organized crime gangs originating in the tight Balkan smuggling networks that grew up during the wars. There were some brutal shootouts between them in Stockholm.
Yet today, some decades later, the story is one of success. Numerous studies have shown that the Bosnian refugees have integrated well in Swedish society. On average they do as well, or even marginally better, than those born in the country. And they are everywhere: in sports, culture, business and politics. They have given an added flavor to our country — but it’s still very much Sweden. They wave the flag and sing the songs. I believe they have made Sweden a better country.
They are, of course, not the only group that has come to Sweden. No less than 17 percent of our population is from Finland. And I believe we have even more people from Persia than from Bosnia. They are as successful in Sweden as they are in California. Now, many from Syria have also come, although we have had Syrian communities for years.
Some groups have sometimes taken longer time to integrate. And the strict structures of our welfare society are more geared to protecting insiders than opening up to outsiders. We need to do better. Sometimes we see the conflicts from far away reflected also in our society, although far less so than what you might encounter in Manhattan.
I regret that President Trump is slandering our country in his attempts to find reasons for what he wants to do in closing off the United States. I suspect that his actual knowledge of the issue is extremely limited. If it were not for the massive turmoil that could ensue, I would urge him to skip one of his golfing weekends and come to us and see for himself.
He wouldn’t find paradise. Every country has its share of challenges. And, in much the same way as when we received the refugees from Bosnia, there are certainly those today with different views of how Sweden is managing the latest influx from the Middle East. But Trump would certainly find one of the more vibrant and innovative small countries of our times. He might have heard of Spotify and Minecraft. There is a lot of creativity around.
And I’m personally very proud of what my country did during some difficult years to offer a new future to some of those fleeing the horrors of the Balkan wars. That it turned out to benefit our society is, of course, also part of the good story of Sweden.
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Relativt många läsarkommentarer i WP också
fredag, februari 24, 2017
Earth-Size Planets: The Newest, Weirdest Generation
Illustration shows the seven planets orbiting TRAPPIST-1
This illustration shows the seven planets orbiting TRAPPIST-1, and ultra-cool dwarf star, as they might look as viewed from Earth using a fictional, incredibly powerful telescope.
Credits: NASA-JPL/Caltech
torsdag, februari 23, 2017
NASA Telescope Reveals Largest Batch of Earth-Size, Habitable-Zone Planets Around Single Sta
The TRAPPIST-1 star, an ultra-cool dwarf, has seven Earth-size planets orbiting it. This artist's concept appeared on the cover of the journal Nature on Feb. 23, 2017.
Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech
This artist's concept shows what each of the TRAPPIST-1 planets may look like, based on available data about their sizes, masses and orbital distances.
Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech
This 360-degree panorama depicts the surface of a newly detected planet, TRAPPIST 1-d, part of a seven planet system some 40 light years away. Explore this artist’s rendering of an alien world by moving the view using your mouse or your mobile device.
Credits: NASA
-->www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-telescope-reveals-largest-batch-of-earth-size-habitable-zone-planets-around
onsdag, februari 22, 2017
måndag, februari 20, 2017
Fr.o.m. lördag eftermiddag t.o.m. lunchtid på söndagen rapporterades ett stort antal anlagda bilbränder och andra fall av grov skadegörelse. Sammanlagt skadades/förstördes minst 30 – 35 bilar, antingen genom anlagda bränder eller genom annan skadegörelse. De mest omfattande av nattens “carbecues” skedde i Örebro, Södertälje, Norrköping och Finspång.
Mona Sahlins före detta livvakt erkänner nu att han gjort sig skyldig till brott, brukande av osann urkund.
DETTA HAR HÄNT
PS Mona Sahlins advokat Claes Borgström vill inte säga om också Mona Sahlin nu erkänner sig skyldig till de brott hon misstänks för och om hon förklarat sig beredd att godta ett strafföreläggande för att slippa en rättegång
PS
Mona Sahlin erkänner sig skyldig till brott i samband med att hon skrev ett falskt intyg till sin tidigare livvakt uppger hennes advokat Claes Borgström för Aftonbladet.
– Hon erkänner och i och med det kommer saken avslutas med ett strafföreläggande. Det blir ingen rättegång utan ett bötesbelopp.
Malmö svartmålas i rysk tv
Moskva. Malmö är mångkulturens sammanbrott. Detta enligt den statliga ryska tv-kanalen Kanal 1, som igår sände ett långt inslag där Malmö beskrevs som en stad i anarki och felaktiga siffror lades fram
Sweden announces ‘special envoy’ to Israeli-Palestinian conflict; Israel scoffs
-->www.timesofisrael.com/sweden-announces-special-envoy-to-israeli-palestinian-conflict/
söndag, februari 19, 2017
Local Weather Impacts Melting of One of Antarctica's Fastest-retreating Glaciers
Published: February 18, 2017.
Released by University of East Anglia
Go to mobile page.
Local weather plays an important part in the retreat of the ice shelves in West Antarctica, according to new research published in the journal Nature Communications.
The study led by scientists at the University of East Anglia (UEA) of the Pine Island Glacier (PIG) used a unique five-year record to study how the interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere, as well as changing currents, control how heat is transported to, and beneath, the Pine Island Ice Shelf.
Pine Island Glacier is one of the fastest melting glaciers in Antarctica with some studies suggesting that its eventual collapse is almost inevitable.
Previous research suggested more warm water was circulating under the ice shelf and melting it more rapidly, leading to an increasing contribution to sea level rise. However relatively little was known about what drives changes in ocean conditions in this remote part of Antarctica due to its inaccessibility. Some studies suggested that the ocean conditions close to Pine Island Glacier are influenced most strongly by winds at the edge of the continental shelf, some 400 km to the north, which in turn respond to changes in tropical ocean temperatures.
The study looked at the impact of shelf-edge winds and found this to be less direct than previously thought, and that local atmospheric conditions and ocean circulation are the main drivers of ocean temperature changes in the critical 350-700m depth range, over the period of observation.
Dr Ben Webber, oceanographer at UEA's School of Environmental Sciences said: "The ice shelves of the Amundsen Sea - an area of the Southern Ocean - protect much of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet from collapse. These ice shelves are rapidly losing mass and understanding the mechanisms which control ocean conditions and drive melting of these glaciers is hugely important.
"We found a strong annual cycle in the exchange of heat between the ocean and the atmosphere, which drives changes in ocean temperature. While these changes are less evident in deeper waters, through convection and mixing the heat can penetrate deeply enough to have a major impact on melting and influence the temperature of the water entering the cavity under the glacier.
"There was a colder weather period from 2012-13, however, a separate study has shown that this only led to a partial slowdown of the glacier's retreat, and many glaciers in the region have been retreating for decades and aren't slowing down."
Changes in the direction of the ocean currents also cause changes in temperature close to Pine Island Glacier. The colder period was associated with a reversal in the currents that transport heat into and around the bay.
Co-author Dr Povl Abrahamsen, oceanographer at British Antarctic Survey, said: "Most of the ocean data around Antarctica are snapshots of conditions - and many areas are only visited once every one or two years, if that. A continuous five-year time series near Pine Island Glacier, one of the fastest-melting glaciers in Antarctica, lets us see what is happening between these snapshots, giving us insights into the processes driving the melting of Pine Island Glacier."
Dr Webber continued: "It is likely that other ice shelves around Antarctica that are melting due to warm ocean conditions will also be strongly influenced by local atmospheric conditions. This would underline the importance of atmospheric and ocean monitoring close to the Antarctic coasts to give early warning of future changes in ice shelf melting and glacial retreat."
The above story is based on materials provided by University of East Anglia.
lördag, februari 18, 2017
Why should I be active?
Your heart is a muscle and needs exercise to help keep it fit so that it can pump blood efficiently around your body. Without regular physical activity, the body slowly loses its strength, stamina and ability to function well.
Lifelong physical activity, such as a brisk walk for as little as 30 minutes a day, is important for:
- Preventing heart disease
- Lowering your risk of high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke
- Helping to fight the battle to quit smoking
- Aiding cardiac rehabilitation
- Establishing good heart healthy habits in children
- Building stronger immunity
- Reducing blood pressure in people who already have high blood pressure
- Helping to reduce stress, tension, depression and anxiety
- Helping to control weight
- Improving overall health and wellbeing, prolonging your optimal health.
For each hour of regular exercise you get, you’ll gain about two hours of additional life expectancy, even if you don’t start until middle age!
Whatever type of activity you choose to do, the more you move the better.
What type of activity is good for my heart?
Walking is a great option. Nearly everyone can do it, and all you need is a pair of shoes. You could go swimming, take exercise classes or play a sport, but physical activity also includes everyday things like gardening and climbing stairs.
Remember, any increase in physical activity will be good for your health. You’ll get added benefits by including activities that help strengthen muscles twice a week, such as exercising with weights, working with resistance bands, heavy gardening or carrying shopping.
You should aim to build up to a total of 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of moderate intensity activity each week. Moderate intensity activity will make you feel warmer, breathe harder and make your heart beat faster than usual, but you should still be able to carry on a conversation. The best way to tell if the exercise you are doing is working, is to take the talk test.
Many health problems can be helped by regular physical activity, but if you do have a health problem, or have a condition that you are taking prescribed medication for, you should check the amount and type of activity that is suitable for you with your GP.
How do I get started?
It’s never too late to start. Everyone can benefit from moving more – whatever your age, size or physical condition. The good news is that inactive people that start to do moderate physical activity feel the biggest health benefits – your health risks will decrease as soon as you start to move!
Getting started is easier than you think. Changing a few daily habits can soon add up to a more active you. Be active in as many ways as possible every day. Every 10 minutes counts. And if you don’t think you can squeeze anything else into your day, see if you can reduce the time you spend sitting still and free up time to be active.
- Start in small amounts
- Find an activity that you enjoy doing
- Ask family or a friend to join you
- Set yourself a realistic target to do a little exercise each day
- Gradually increase the amount you are doing. Go for a little longer or a little further
- Build up to 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day.
What is the 'Talk Test'?
The talk test is a great way to work out if you are doing moderate exercise.
- Moderate exercise means that you will feel your heart pumping harder, but you will still be comfortable enough to hold a conversation.
- If you find you are too breathless to talk, then it's time to slow down. If you are able to sing or whistle, then step up the pace!
Att Iñaki Urdangarín, tidigare olympisk handbollsspelare och hertig av Mallorca, till slut skulle låsas in var de flesta spanjorer säkra på. Den stora frågan var om även hustrun Cristína skulle fängslas. Och om det spanska kungahusets utdragna annus horribilis – utredningen av Urdangaríns affärsverksamheter har pågått i ett halvdecennium – nu får ett slut.
Den spanska prinsessan Cristína friades av domstolen medan hennes man Iñaki Urdangarín fälldes för bland annat maktmissbruk och pengatvätt. Foto: Manu Fernandez/AP
Iñaki Urdangarín fälldes på fredagen till sex års fängelse för maktmissbruk, pengatvätt och andra ekonomiska brott av en domstol i Palma de Mallorca. Tillsammans med en affärskompanjon ska han ha överfört miljontals euro från sin stiftelse ”Nóos” till olika skatteparadis. Pengarna kom från uppblåsta statliga kontrakt.
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| Iñaki Urdangarín |
Paret och deras fyra barn har sedan skandalen briserade bott i Schweiz. Inte minst för att undgå den glödande avsky mot dem och mot hela kungahuset som fallet har väckt bland spanjorerna.Urdangarín och Cristína har fråntagits sina kungliga titlar, försvunnit från hovets hemsida och bevärdigas inte längre med ens en blick av den nye kungen, kung Felipe – Cristínas bror.Hans hustru Cristína har enträget förnekat att hon kände till makens verksamheter. Men prinsessan var både styrelseledamot i stiftelsen Nóos och dessutom delägare i makens bolag Aizóon, genom vilket de uppblåsta fakturorna skickades. Dessutom så fanns sparade mejlkonversationer mellan Urdangarín och Cristína om kontraktkarusellen.
Demonstrationer mot kungahuset i Pamplona 2013. Foto: Alvaro Barrientos/AP
Felipe tog över tronen då hans far plötsligt abdikerade för två år sedan. Stödet för monarkin var då i fritt fall på grund av både Nóos-skandalen och nya uppgifter om kungens utomäktenskapliga kärleksliv och vidlyftiga leverne med skattepengar.
Juan Carlos möttes av bu-rop på sina framträdande, något oerhört i ett land som verkligen hyllat sin kung, inte för värvet han representerar utan för att han spelade en avgörande roll i mitten av 70-talet när diktatorn Franco dog och Spanien skulle bli en demokrati. Den unge kungen lyckades då avvärja ett nytt militärt övertagande av landet.
Sedan sonen Felipe tog över tronen så har han arbetat hårt för att återupprätta kungahusets ställning hos folket. Frågan är nu om de fällande domarna mot Urdangarín och Cristína – hon bötfälls för sin inblandning – sätter punkt för monarkins kräftgång i Spanien. Fyrabarnsmamman Cristína i fångdräkt kunde kanske ha väckt lite medlidande.
Cristína (bilden t.v.) själv har däremot inte gjort mycket för att förtjäna medlidande. I december spelades hon in när hon fräste att hon för all framtid ville ”slippa sätta min fot i det här landet”.
Spanska debattörer påpekade snart att hon växt upp i ett palats, studerat på de finaste skolorna och har en förmögenhet på banken tack vare ”det här landet”.
Den före detta prinsessan kommer nu att behöva sätta sin fot i Spanien ganska ofta – för att hälsa på sin make i fängelset.
Las reacciones al juicio del caso Nóos: "La monarquía es un institución corrupta"
Nytt stöd för förändringar i hjärnan vid adhd
Publicerad: 2017-02-16 00:30 Skriven av: TT/Dagens Medicin
Den neuropsykiatriska funktionsnedsättningen adhd är ett resultat av fördröjd utveckling av fem olika områden i hjärnan och bör betraktas som en hjärnrubbning.
Den slutsatsen drar ett flertal forskare från olika länder efter att ha genomfört den hittills största bildstudien av barn, ungdomar och vuxna med adhd.
I den aktuella studien jämförde forskarna 1 713 personer med diagnosen adhd med 1 529 personer utan denna diagnos, alla mellan fyra och 63 år. Den totala hjärnvolymen mättes, samt sju olika regioner som man tidigare trott har med symtomen att göra.
Det visar sig att den totala hjärnvolymen och fem av de sju uppmätta områdena var mindre hos personer med adhd, däribland amygdala och hippocampus, jämfört med andra.
– Förändringarna är små, i storleksordningen av några få procent, så storleken på studien var helt avgörande för att vi skulle hitta dem. Liknande skillnader i hjärnvolym syns även vid andra psykiatriska rubbningar, framför allt vid svåra depressioner, säger artikelns huvudförfattare, Martine Hoogman vid Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Center i Nederländerna.
Studien visar att förändringarna var avsevärt mer tydliga hos barn och ungdomar än hos vuxna med adhd, varför forskarna föreslår att funktionsnedsättningen beror på en utvecklingsfördröjning av vissa regioner i hjärnan.
– Vår studie bekräftar att personer med adhd har förändringar av hjärnans struktur. Därför föreslår vi att adhd är en hjärnrubbning. Vi hoppas att detta ska minska stigmat, att adhd inte är en "etikett" som sätts på besvärliga barn eller att den orsakas av dåligt föräldraskap. Så är det verkligen inte och vi hoppas att detta arbete ska bidra till en ökad förståelse av denna funktionsnedsättning, säger Martine Hoogman.
Tidigare studier har visat på liknande resultat. Men på grund av att deltagarna varit för få, har forskarna inte kunnat dra några säkra resultatet från dessa undersökningar.
Läs mer i abstract:
Martine Hoogman med flera. Subcortical brain volume differences in participants with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adults: a cross-sectional mega-analysis. Lancet Psychiatry, publicerad online 15 februari 2017