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The degree of climate instability on the continent during the warmer-than-present Eemian Interglacial (around ca. 123 kyr ago) remains unsolved. Recently published high-resolution proxy data from the North Atlantic Ocean suggest that the Eemian was punctuated by abrupt events with reductions in North Atlantic Deep Water formation accompanied by sea-surface temperature cooling. Here we present multi-proxy data at an unprecedented resolution that reveals a major cooling event intersecting peak Eemian warmth on the North European continent. Two independent temperature reconstructions based on terrestrial plants and chironomids indicate a summer cooling of the order of 2–4 °C. The cooling event started abruptly, had a step-wise recovery, and lasted 500–1000 yr. Our results demonstrate that the common view of relatively stable interglacial climate conditions on the continent should be revised, and that perturbations in the North Atlantic oceanic circulation under warmer-than-present interglacial conditions may also lead to abrupt and dramatic changes on the adjacent continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We test and analyse a new calibration method, boosted regression trees (BRTs) in palaeoclimatic reconstructions based on fossil pollen assemblages. We apply BRTs to multiple Holocene and Lateglacial pollen sequences from northern Europe, and compare their performance with two commonly-used calibration methods: weighted averaging regression (WA) and the modern-analogue technique (MAT). Using these calibration methods and fossil pollen data, we present synthetic reconstructions of Holocene summer temperature, winter temperature, and water balance changes in northern Europe. Highly consistent trends are found for summer temperature, with a distinct Holocene thermal maximum at ca 8000–4000 cal. a BP, with a mean T jja anomaly of ca +0.7 °C at 6 ka compared to 0.5 ka. We were unable to reconstruct reliably winter temperature or water balance, due to the confounding effects of summer temperature and the great between-reconstruction variability. We find BRTs to be a promising tool for quantitative reconstructions from palaeoenvironmental proxy data. BRTs show good performance in cross-validations compared with WA and MAT, can model a variety of taxon response types, find relevant predictors and incorporate interactions between predictors, and show some robustness with non-analogue fossil assemblages. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We present a new pollen–climate calibration data-set from northern Europe consisting of 583 modern pollen samples and high-resolution, GIS-based modern climate data. The pollen data are characterised by high taxonomic resolution (167 taxa) and homogenous taphonomy (all samples are from small-to-medium-sized lakes). To assess the potential of this calibration set for the reconstruction of different climatic parameters, we use novel regression tree methods to analyse the effect on pollen composition and variability of four parameters: summer temperature, winter temperature, water balance, and continentality index. We use multivariate regression trees to analyse the variation in pollen assemblages in modern climate space, while boosted regression trees are used to analyse the relative influence of different climatic parameters on each taxon. We find taxon responses to be relatively individualistic. While most taxa (65%) are most responsive to summer temperature, other parameters are either primary determinants or significant secondary determinants for many taxa. At the assemblage level, significant variation is found in assemblages from similar summer temperature regimes, with distinct clusters of assemblages also identified along the continentality gradient. As a multivariate method, we consider boosted regression trees highly effective in describing and modelling modern climate–taxon relationships. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of caspofungin in patients treated in Finland during the period 2001–2004. The medical records of 78 adult patients treated with caspofungin in five major hospitals were reviewed retrospectively. Fifty-nine (76%) patients had proven invasive fungal infection, of whom 22 (28%) had aspergillosis and 37 (47%) had candidiasis. Nineteen (24%) patients were treated empirically; only 13 (17%) patients received caspofungin as primary therapy. A favourable response was achieved in 52 (67%) patients. The response rate was 78% in patients with candidiasis, and 50% in patients with aspergillosis. At the end of the study period, 40 (51%) patients remained alive; of the 38 deaths, nine (24%) were caused by fungal infection. The response rates were lower, although not significantly, for patients with high (>20) vs. low (≤20) Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE II) scores (response rate 50% vs. 68%, p 0.48, respectively), and were also lower in patients with long-term (>20 days) vs. shorter duration (≤20 days) neutropenia (55% vs. 73%, p 0.32, respectively), and in those with an underlying haematological malignancy vs. patients with other diseases (59% vs. 73%, p 0.2, respectively). In five (6%) patients, caspofungin therapy was discontinued prematurely because of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) (elevated liver enzyme values in three patients, neuropathic pain in one, and skin rash in one). Serious ADRs occurred in two (3%) patients (severe hepatic insufficiency with consequent death, and eosinophilia with elevated alkaline phosphatase levels), and laboratory abnormalities, mostly mild and reversible, in 24 (31%) patients. In this unselected patient population, caspofungin was safe, well-tolerated, and had an efficacy comparable to that in previous reports from prospective trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A simple humidity sensor based on thermally carbonized porous silicon has been used to detect low moisture contents in gaseous atmosphere. Thermal carbonization of porous silicon changes the surface to hydrophilic and improves the sensitivity and the stability of the sensor. The capacitive sensitivity (C/C 0 −1) over 6% in a range of 0–1RH% was obtained. The resolutions for capacitive and resistive measurements were found to be 0.45 and 0.35ppm, respectively. The resolution was limited by noise level and with a simple data averaging it was improved down to 0.20ppm. The response time was observed to be good and it varied from 0.5 to 2.6min. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Mesoporous silicon (PSi) microparticles were produced using thermal carbonization (TCPSi) or thermal oxidation (TOPSi) to obtain surfaces suitable for oral drug administration applications. The loading of five model drugs (antipyrine, ibuprofen, griseofulvin, ranitidine and furosemide) into the microparticles and their subsequent release behaviour were studied. Loading of drugs into TCPSi and TOPSi microparticles showed, that in addition to effects regarding the stability of the particles in the presence of aqueous or organic solvents, surface properties will affect compound affinity towards the particle. In addition to the surface properties, the chemical nature of the drug and the loading solution seems to be critical to the loading process. This was reflected in the obtained loading efficiencies, which varied between 9% and 45% with TCPSi particles. The release rate of a loaded drug from TCPSi microparticles was found to depend on the characteristic dissolution behaviour of the drug substance. When the dissolution rate of the free/unloaded drug was high, the microparticles caused a delayed release. However, with poorly dissolving drugs, the loading into the mesoporous microparticles clearly improved dissolution. In addition, pH dependency of the dissolution was reduced when the drug substance was loaded into the microparticles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nanostructured silicon interference filters have been thermally carbonized by acetylene decomposition at different temperatures in order to passivate their high internal surface area. Stability has been studied by periodically measuring the optical spectrum of treated and untreated porous silicon filters stored in oxidizing environments. Experimental results show that thermal carbonization stabilizes the structures against oxidation, since treated samples show no significant shift of their optical spectra after storage in either ambient air or ethanol for up to two months. Moreover, the thermal carbonization process has no significant effect on the optical performance of the filters. Results show that thermal carbonization by acetylene decomposition provides an effective way to produce chemically stable porous silicon optical devices for biological and chemical sensing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The recent advancements of new quantitative tools compatible with plant macrofossil proxy data have revived its potential for paleoclimate research. Plant macrofossils are commonly used in so-called indicator-species approaches, using methodologies that are typically built on known observations linking modern plant distributions with climate. This allows complementary paleoclimate reconstructions using an approach that is not limited by the spatial availability of calibration samples obtained from surface sediments (e.g., pollen or chironomids). We aim to evaluate the impact that various methodological choices have on the plant-macrofossil based reconstructions of January and July temperature patterns for the Lateglacial (14–11 ka BP) period. We use a variety of classic and novel quantitative climate reconstruction algorithms with plant macrofossil assemblages from 13 sites of the Baltic States. We use unfiltered plant data to evaluate the ability of each method to also handle the presence of plants that might have a weak sensitivity to temperature. Additionally, we test the influence of another methodological choice – the choice of modern calibration region – on the reconstructed climate. Our findings indicate that, with no prior filtering of summer and winter-sensitive plants, temporal temperature variations can be reconstructed with methods that implement probability density functions. Although some disparities in reconstructions are seen between the tested algorithms, we note that the choice of calibration region bears a greater influence on the results. A calibration region that best represents the past environment should be chosen rather than one representing the same spatial extent as the fossil site(s). Moreover, for long-term reconstructions, a "dynamic calibration set" approach should be considered in future studies by using a range of calibration regions and mirroring the continuously changing broadscale environmental regime of the past. • Seasonal temperature reconstructions vary across climate reconstruction algorithms. • Calibration region impact is greater in January temperature reconstructions than July. • Proper calibration region evaluation is crucial before reconstructions. • Calibration regions should be based on environmental instead of geographical fit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A prospective, observational, multicentre study of invasive candidosis (IC) in surgical patients in intensive care units (ICUs) was conducted from 2006 to 2008 in 72 ICUs in 14 European countries. A total of 779 patients (62.5% males, median age 63 years) with IC were included. The median rate of candidaemia was 9 per 1000 admissions. In 10.8% the infection was already present at the time of admission to ICU. Candida albicans accounted for 54% of the isolates, followed by Candida parapsilosis 18.5%, Candida glabrata 13.8%, Candida tropicalis 6%, Candida krusei 2.5%, and other species 5.3%. Infections due to C. krusei (57.9%) and C. glabrata (43.6%) had the highest crude mortality rate. The most common preceding surgery was abdominal (51.5%), followed by thoracic (20%) and neurosurgery (8.2%). Candida glabrata was more often isolated after abdominal surgery in patients ⩾60 years, and C. parapsilosis was more often isolated in neurosurgery and multiple trauma patients as well as children ⩽1 year of age. The most common first-line treatment was fluconazole (60%), followed by caspofungin (18.7%), liposomal amphotericin B (13%), voriconazole (4.8%) and other drugs (3.5%). Mortality in surgical patients with IC in ICU was 38.8%. Multivariate analysis showed that factors independently associated with mortality were: patient age ⩾60 years (hazard ratio (HR) 1.9, p 0.001), central venous catheter (HR 1.8, p 0.05), corticosteroids (HR 1.5, p 0.03), not receiving systemic antifungal treatment for IC (HR 2.8, p <0.0001), and not removing intravascular lines (HR 1.6, p 0.02). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Carbon incorporated silicon oxide layers were fabricated by carbonization of porous silicon layer in acetylene atmosphere followed by oxidation in wet argon. The resulting porous SiO2:C material exhibited a strong white photoluminescence. Subsequent thermal treatment in oxygen at 600°C significantly decreased the green–yellow part of photoluminescence band while blue shoulder remained unchanged. Annealing at the same temperature in pure argon did not change light-emission properties indicating that the green–yellow light-emission sites originate from the surface. This study focuses on the interface of silicon oxide matrix and carbon inclusions by high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) combined with electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). It is confirmed by EELS and STEM that the green–yellow emission band is associated with the carbonized interface in the porous layer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Last Interglacial warm period, the Eemian (ca. 130–116 thousand years ago), serves as a reference for projected future climate in a warmer world. However, there is a limited understanding of the seasonal characteristics of interglacial climate dynamics, especially in high latitude regions. In this study, we aim to provide new insights into seasonal trends in temperature and moisture source location, linked to shifts in atmospheric circulation patterns, for northern Fennoscandia during the Eemian. Our study is based on the distribution and stable hydrogen isotope composition (δD) of n -alkanes in a lake sediment sequence from the Sokli paleolake in NE Finland, placed in a multi-proxy framework. The δD values of predominantly macrophyte-derived mid-chain n -alkanes are interpreted to reflect lake water δD variability influenced by winter precipitation δD (δD prec), ice cover duration and deuterium (D)-depleted meltwater. The δD values of terrestrial plant-derived long-chain n -alkanes primarily reflect soil water δD variability modulated by summer δD prec and by the evaporative enrichment of soil and leaf water. The δD prec variability in our study area is mostly attributed to the temperature effect and the moisture source location linked to the relative dominance between D-depleted continental and polar air masses and D-enriched North Atlantic air masses. The biomarker signal further corroborates earlier diatom-based studies and pollen-inferred January and July temperature reconstructions from the same sediment sequence. Three phases of climatic changes can be identified that generally follow the secular variations in seasonal insolation: (i) an early warming trend succeeded by a period of strong seasonality (ii) a mid-optimum phase with gradually decreased seasonality and cooler summers, and (iii) a late climatic instability with a cooling trend. Superimposed on this trend, two abrupt cooling events occur in the early and late Eemian. The Sokli δD variability is generally in good agreement with other North Atlantic and Siberian records, reflecting major changes in the atmospheric circulation patterns during the Eemian as a response to orbital and oceanic forcings. • Terrestrial and aquatic n -alkanes δD reflect temperature and moisture source seasonality. • Orbital-driven changes in atmospheric circulation influence the δD variability. • δD records reveal changes in the dominance between oceanic and polar/continental air masses. • Colder winters occur in the early Eemian and colder summers in the late Eemian. • Two abrupt cooling events are linked to disturbances in the North Atlantic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The damage mechanisms affecting engineering steels at high-temperatures include creep cavitation and cracking that can form the path for final failure in susceptible locations such as welds. The evolution of observed damage is widely used in condition monitoring, timing of inspections and support of life management. However, the damage evolution is material dependent, and requires confirmation from inspection data. For most low-alloy steels, compilations of inspection data have been applied to establish guidelines for this purpose. Useful experience of the in-service damage is less easily available from newer steels, and infrequently reported from e.g. the 9–11% chromium (Cr) steels that are used in hot steam lines of power plants. However, even then the expected damage evolution can be characterised by using high tensile multi-axiality for damage acceleration. This approach is also useful for ductile steels with relatively slow development of creep cavitation in conventional creep testing. The inspection experience shows very modest creep cavitation in the conventional 11% Cr steel X20CrMoV11-1 even after long-term service. This is of particular interest also because early creep failures have been reported from steam systems made of P91 (X10CrMoVNb9-1). The differences between these steels appear to be largely related to the extent precipitation hardening is utilized in providing creep strength. With more efficient precipitation hardening, P91 and other new high chromium steels are more susceptible than X20 to deviations in e.g. heat treatments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a chronic, incurable, and progressive blood cancer; treatment requires regular hospital visits and extensive follow-up. Travel distances to/from healthcare visits for MM treatment and related costs were calculated per patient for a sub-group diagnosed with active MM and attending at least one healthcare visit in 2015-2016. Drug costs represented the greatest proportion of total HCRU-related costs across all lines of therapy in a sample of patients diagnosed with and treated for active MM in Finland. [Extracted from the article]