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Snobbery in academia can involve academics, general staff, students and members of the public, and can be based on degrees, disciplines, cliques and other categories. Though snobbery is seldom treated as a significant issue, it can have damaging effects on morale, research and public image. Strategies against snobbery include avoidance, private feedback, formal complaints and public challenges.

Socioeconomic differences in overall survival from childhood cancer have been shown previously, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to investigate if social inequalities were seen already for early mortality in settings with universal healthcare. From national registers, all children diagnosed with cancer at ages 0–19 years, during 1991–2014, in Sweden and Denmark, were identified, and information on parental social characteristics was collected. We estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of early mortality (death within 90 days after cancer diagnosis) by parental education, income, employment, cohabitation, and country of birth using logistic regression. For children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), clinical characteristics were obtained. Among 13,926 included children, 355 (2.5%) died within 90 days after diagnosis. Indications of higher early mortality were seen among the disadvantaged groups, with the most pronounced associations observed for maternal education (ORadj_Low_vs_High 1.65 [95% CI 1.22–2.23]) and income (ORadj_Q1(lowest)_vs_Q4(highest) 1.77 [1.25–2.49]). We found attenuated or null associations between social characteristics and later mortality (deaths occurring 1–5 years after cancer diagnosis). In children with ALL, the associations between social factors and early mortality remained unchanged when adjusting for potential mediation by clinical characteristics. In conclusion, this population‐based cohort study indicated differences in early mortality after childhood cancer by social background, also in countries with universal healthcare. Social differences occurring this early in the disease course requires further investigation, also regarding the timing of diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emphasis on competitiveness and the knowledge-based economy in European policymaking has resulted in a heightened focus on monitoring and steering the science system, particularly through metric-based instruments. Policymakers' general aims of fostering excellent research and breakthroughs are shared by researchers as well; however, below the surface is a paradox that is rarely discussed. The political system and the science system understand and pursue these concepts and objectives differently. Through two case studies on high-performing university-based research environments in Denmark and Sweden, this article uncovers the ways in which highly successful researchers often behave in ways that run counter to policy steering attempts. They do this by shielding themselves and their research group from steering pressures originating in the political system. Using Luhmann's systems theory, the cases demonstrate why the relationship between the science system and the political system needs to be understood as a horizontal rather than a vertical relationship, and using concepts from organizational theory, provides a model and terminology for identifying and analyzing the types of mechanisms and strategic responses that the science system uses to shield itself from political steering pressures.

The purpose of this study was to explore (a) to what extent male and female science teachers pose different types of questions and (b) if the type of science question posed influences the extent to which boys or girls respond to them. Transcripts of the teacher-student interaction in a whole-class situation were analysed, with attention paid to interactions that involved science questions. Closed and open questions were used. Results revealed that the percentage of closed questions posed corresponded to 87%. Results show that teachers mainly use closed questions, and responses from boys to closed questions are in the majority regardless of if the question is posed by a female teacher (56%) or a male teacher (64%). Both categories of closed questions are mainly considered lower order questions that do not facilitate higher cognitive levels in students. Thus, a direct consequence of an excessive use of this type of questions may be that both boys and girls will be given less opportunities to practise their ability to talk about science. Less access to general classroom interaction may also affect girls' attitudes to science in a negative way which could ultimately hamper the recruitment of girls to higher scientific studies.

The lethally maltreated body of Vittrup Man was deposited in a Danish bog, probably as part of a ritualised sacrifice. It happened between c. 3300 and 3100 cal years BC, i.e., during the period of the local farming-based Funnel Beaker Culture. In terms of skull morphological features, he differs from the majority of the contemporaneous farmers found in Denmark, and associates with hunter-gatherers, who inhabited Scandinavia during the previous millennia. His skeletal remains were selected for transdisciplinary analysis to reveal his life-history in terms of a population historical perspective. We report the combined results of an integrated set of genetic, isotopic, physical anthropological and archaeological analytical approaches. Strontium signature suggests a foreign birthplace that could be in Norway or Sweden. In addition, enamel oxygen isotope values indicate that as a child he lived in a colder climate, i.e., to the north of the regions inhabited by farmers. Genomic data in fact demonstrates that he is closely related to Mesolithic humans known from Norway and Sweden. Moreover, dietary stable isotope analyses on enamel and bone collagen demonstrate a fisher-hunter way of life in his childhood and a diet typical of farmers later on. Such a variable life-history is also reflected by proteomic analysis of hardened organic deposits on his teeth, indicating the consumption of forager food (seal, whale and marine fish) as well as farmer food (sheep/goat). From a dietary isotopic transect of one of his teeth it is shown that his transfer between societies of foragers and farmers took place near to the end of his teenage years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show that boys still have a greater access to the space for interaction in science classrooms, which is unexpected since in Sweden today girls perform better in these subjects than boys. Results from video-recorded verbal communication, referred to here as "interaction," show that the distribution of teacher-student interaction in the final year of lower secondary school follows the same patterns as in the 1980s. The interaction space for all kinds of talk continues to be distributed according to the two-thirds rule for communication in science classrooms as described by previous research. We also show that the overall interaction space in science classrooms has increased for both boys and girls when talk about science alone is considered. Another finding which follows old patterns is that male teachers still address boys more often than girls. This holds true both for general talk and for talk about science. If a more even distribution of teacher-student interaction is desirable, these results once again need to be considered. More research needs to be undertaken before the association between girls' attitudes and interest in science in terms of future career choice and the opportunity to participate in teacher--student interaction is more clearly understood.

Background: Cases of reported tick-borne diseases in humans have increased over the past decades. Strategies informing the public about ticks, their associated diseases, and preventive measures are often highlighted as important in limiting pathogen transfer and disease. However, knowledge about the motivation for people to apply preventative measures is sparse. Methods: The aim was to examine if Protection Motivation Theory, a model of disease prevention and health promotion, can predict the use of protective measures against ticks. Ordinal logistic regression and Chi-square tests were used on data from a cross-sectional survey with respondents from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden (n = 2658). We examined the effect of (1) the perceived seriousness of tick bites, Lyme borreliosis (LB), and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), and (2) the perceived probability of getting a tick bite, Lyme borreliosis, and tick-borne encephalitis on protection against ticks. Finally, we examined if there was an association between the use of a protective measure and the perceived efficacy of that measure. Results: The perceived seriousness of a tick bite and LB significantly predict who is more likely to apply protective measures for all three countries combined. The perceived seriousness of TBE did not significantly predict the level of adoption of protective measures applied by respondents. The perceived likelihood of getting a tick bite within the next 12 months and the perceived likelihood of getting LB if bitten by a tick significantly predicted the application of protective measures. However, the increases in the likelihood of protection were very small. The application of a certain type of protection was always correlated with the perceived efficacy of the same protective measure. Conclusion: Some variables of PMT may be used to predict the level of adoption of protection applied against ticks and tick-borne diseases. We found that the perceived seriousness of a tick bite and LB significantly predict the level of adoption protection. The perceived likelihood of getting a tick bite or LB also significantly predicted the level of adoption of protection, although the change was very small. The results regarding TBE were less clear. Lastly, there was an association between applying a protective measure and the perceived efficacy of the same measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore how Swedish and Danish leaders used framing in crisis communication to mobilize support for their Covid‐19 mitigation policies. This research note is grounded in social constructionism and framing theory, analysing how framing in crisis communication is used as a political tool to justify a chosen pandemic strategy. We employ content analysis to compare Swedish and Danish press conferences during the early stages of the Covid‐19 pandemic. Denmark and Sweden are politically and culturally similar countries; however, in March 2020, they chose radically different strategies to respond to the escalating Covid‐19 pandemic. Denmark was one of the first countries in Europe to initiate a lockdown, whereas Sweden kept much of society open. Our findings indicate that Swedish and Danish leaders strategically used framing in their communication to convey understanding of the pandemic that supported their respective agendas. Furthermore, the study contributes insight on how framing is used to justify or question the basis of decision‐making in crises. We argue that through constructing a sense of urgency and emphasizing the uncertain nature of the crisis, scientific evidence as the appropriate basis of decision‐making is challenged, prompting a discussion about the political nature and responsibilities in crisis management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to compare the use of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication among children and adolescents in Scandinavia 2010–2020. Using aggregated prescription data for individuals aged 5–19 years, we calculated annual prevalence proportions of ADHD medication (users/1000 inhabitants) for each country, overall and stratified by age and sex. Overall, use of ADHD medication increased during 2010–2020 in all countries. The increase was pronounced in Sweden reaching 35 users/1000 inhabitants in 2020 (119% increase), whereas it reached 22/1000 in Denmark and Norway (equivalent to a 38% and 16% increase, respectively). Methylphenidate was the most frequently used drug and Sweden had the highest use reaching 25/1000 in 2020 compared to 16/1000 and 18/1000 in Denmark and Norway, respectively. Lisdexamfetamine use increased steadily and was also highest in Sweden (13/1000 in 2020). In 2020, atomoxetine use was higher in Sweden (4.6/1000) and Denmark (4.5/1000) compared to Norway (2.2/1000). From 2015, use of guanfacine increased in Sweden reaching 4.4/1000 in 2020 but remained low in Denmark (0.4/1000) and Norway (0.7/1000). Use of dexamphetamine was low (ranging from 0.47 to 0.75/1000 in 2020) in the three countries. ADHD medication use was highest in Sweden across all age groups. In all countries, the prevalence was higher in males compared to females. In conclusion, use of ADHD medication among children and adolescents in Scandinavia is increasing. The prevalence of use is higher in Sweden for all drug groups compared to Norway and Denmark. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background High emotional demands at work require sustained emotional effort and are associated with adverse health outcomes. We tested whether individuals in occupations with high emotional demands, compared with low demands, had a higher future risk of all-cause long-term sickness absence (LTSA). We further explored whether the risk of LTSA associated with high emotional demands differed by LTSA diagnoses. Methods We conducted a prospective, nationwide cohort study on the association between emotional demands and LTSA (>30 days) in the workforce in Sweden (n  = 3 905 685) during a 7-year follow-up. Using Cox regression, we analyzed sex-stratified risks of all-cause and diagnosis-specific LTSA due to common mental disorders (CMD), musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and all other diagnoses. Multivariable adjusted models included age, birth country, education, living area, family situation and physical work demands. Results Working in emotionally demanding occupations was associated with a higher risk of all-cause LTSA in women [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.92, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.88–1.96] and men (HR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.21–1.25). In women, the higher risk was similar for LTSA due to CMD, MSD and all other diagnoses (HR of 1.82, 1.92 and 1.93, respectively). In men, risk of LTSA due to CMD was pronounced (HR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.92–2.11), whereas risk of LTSA due to MSD and all other diagnoses was only slightly elevated (HR of 1.13, both outcomes). Conclusions Workers in occupations with high emotional demands had a higher risk of all-cause LTSA. In women, risk of all-cause and diagnosis-specific LTSA were similar. In men, the risk was more pronounced for LTSA due to CMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association between intrauterine growth restriction and cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life might be confounded by familial factors. We conducted a binational register-based cohort study to assess associations of birth weight for gestational age (GA), a proxy for intrauterine growth restriction, and GA with CVD risk in early adulthood, before and after addressing familial factors via sibling comparison. We included 3,410,334 live nonmalformed singleton births from Sweden (1973–1996) and Denmark (1978–1998). During a median follow-up period of 10 years from age 18 years onwards, 29,742 individuals developed incident CVD (hypertension, ischemic heart disease, or cerebrovascular disease). Compared with individuals born with appropriate birth weight for GA (AGA; 10th–90th percentiles) or full term (39–40 gestational weeks), individuals born severely small for GA (SGA; ≤3rd percentile) or preterm (22–36 weeks) were at increased risk of CVD (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.38 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32, 1.45) and HR = 1.31 (95% CI: 1.25, 1.38), respectively). The association was attenuated when comparing individuals born SGA with their AGA siblings (HR = 1.11, 95% CI: 0.99, 1.25) but remained robust when comparing individuals born preterm with their term siblings (HR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.37). Our findings suggest that both SGA and preterm birth are associated with CVD risk in early adulthood, with greater familial confounding noted for SGA birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals aged 65 years and above are at increased risk of complications and death from influenza compared with any other age group. Enhanced vaccines, as the MF59®-adjuvanted quadrivalent influenza vaccine (aQIV) and the high-dose quadrivalent influenza vaccine (HD-QIV), provide increased protection for older adults in comparison to the traditional standard-dose quadrivalent influenza vaccines (SD-QIV). This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of aQIV compared to SD-QIV and HD-QIV in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden for adults aged ≥65 years. A static decision tree model was used to evaluate costs and outcomes of different vaccination strategies from healthcare payer and societal perspectives. This model projects that compared to SD-QIV, vaccination with aQIV could prevent a combined total of 18,772 symptomatic influenza infections, 925 hospitalizations, and 161 deaths in one influenza season across the three countries. From a healthcare payer perspective, the incremental costs per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained with aQIV versus SD-QIV were EUR 10,170/QALY in Denmark, EUR 12,515/QALY in Norway, and EUR 9894/QALY in Sweden. The aQIV was cost saving compared with HD-QIV. This study found that introducing aQIV to the entire population aged ≥65 years may contribute to reducing the disease and economic burden associated with influenza in these countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Workplace bullying has been suggested to increase symptoms of anxiety. A reverse relationship has also been proposed. However, so far only few earlier studies have investigated this topic and the reported associations might partly be explained by unmeasured individual characteristics. In this study, we aim to examine the temporality and directionality between workplace bullying and anxiety symptoms, taking time-invariant characteristics into account. Furthermore, we aim to examine whether leadership quality modifies these associations. Methods We included 13 491 individuals from two nationwide cohort studies in Sweden and Denmark. Using cross-lagged structural equation models (SEM) and dynamic panel models with fixed effects, we examined contemporaneous and lagged associations between self-reported workplace bullying and anxiety. Cohort-specific results were estimated and combined using fixed-effect meta-analysis. Results The cross-lagged SEM models supported contemporaneous and lagged relationships in both directions (from workplace bullying to symptoms of anxiety and vice versa). In contrast, only contemporaneous relationships remained statistically significant and of considerable magnitude in the dynamic panel models with fixed effects. Specifically, exposure to workplace bullying was related to a concurrent increase in anxiety symptoms (b=0.61, 95% confidence interval 0.32-0.90). No support of interaction with leadership quality was found. Conclusions The results indicate that onset of workplace bullying is associated with an immediate or shortterm increase in anxiety symptoms. This study provides novel insights regarding temporal aspects and causal inference of the bullying-anxiety relationship useful for managing psychological hazards and preventing mental illness at work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Post hoc analysis of the effect of introducing oral BCG in Northern Sweden, 1927–31. • BCG was voluntary and mostly not provided to sick or moribund neonates. • Receiving BCG was associated with a ~80% reduction in tuberculosis deaths. • BCG appeared to protect against death from other respiratory infections. Following the introduction of oral Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) a century ago, Albert Calmette suggested that BCG both provided protection against death from tuberculosis (TB) and other causes. The findings were not pursued. Today, there is considerable evidence that intradermal BCG have beneficial non-specific effects (NSEs). We re-analyzed data from BCG's introduction 1927–1931 in Sweden hypothesizing that BCG reduced infectious deaths. In three papers published by Dr Carl Näslund, the progress of oral neonatal BCG rollout provided free-of-charge and the effects on child mortality in the highly TB-prevalent region Norrbotten was sequentially updated. We analyzed cause-specific post-neonatal mortality by vaccination status excluding deaths from congenital conditions. Due to apparent differences in effects during study years, effects were assessed overall and separately in two periods (1927–1929, 1930–1931). According to Näslund, TB households were slightly more likely to accept vaccination; fewer newborns that were sick or had congenital problems were vaccinated. BCG coverage was 28.3% (5659/20,012); 8.7% (1746/20,012) died. The BCG/unvaccinated Risk Ratio (RR) of post-neonatal childhood death was 0.53 (0.45–0.62). BCG was associated with 80% (49–92%) reduced mortality from TB. From 1927 to 29, BCG appeared to protect strongly against deaths from all diseases, including the non-infectious, RR = 0.09 (0.02–0.36), presumably reflecting selection bias. From 1930 to 1931, there was no protection against non-infectious deaths, RR = 0.92 (0.49–1.70) indicating less bias (p = 0.004 for same effect). During 1930–1931, BCG was associated with reductions in non-TB infectious deaths (RR = 0.75 (0.58–0.97)); 2/3 were caused by respiratory infections, against which the BCG/unvaccinated RR was 0.61 (0.43–0.84). Other causes of death were less frequent and provided no clear pattern, except that BCG was associated with more meningitis deaths, RR = 6.85 (2.20–21.4). Healthy vaccinee bias, particularly in 1927–1929, resulted in strongly beneficial overall BCG effects. However, the 1930–1931 data provided some support that BCG both protected against TB deaths and deaths from respiratory infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is an adverse effect of antiresorptive treatment. This study estimated incidence proportions and incidence rates of ONJ in cancer patients with bone metastases from solid tumors treated for the prevention of skeletal‐related events in routine clinical practice. METHODS: This cohort study in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden in 2011‐2018 included 3 treatment cohorts: a denosumab inception cohort (DEIC), a zoledronic acid inception cohort (ZAIC), and a denosumab‐switch cohort (DESC). The authors estimated 1‐ to 5‐year incidence proportions and incidence rates of ONJ overall, by cancer site (breast, prostate, or other solid tumor), and by country. ONJ diagnoses were confirmed by adjudication. RESULTS: There were 1340 patients in the DEIC, 1352 in the ZAIC, and 408 in the DESC. The median ages of the 3 cohorts were 70, 69, and 70 years, respectively; the proportions of men were 72.6%, 53.8%, and 48.3%, respectively; and the median follow‐up was 19.8, 12.9, and 13.3 months, respectively. The 5‐year incidence proportions of ONJ were 5.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.4%‐7.3%) in the DEIC, 1.4% (95% CI, 0.8%‐2.3%) in the ZAIC, and 6.6% (95% CI, 4.2%‐10.0%) in the DESC. The corresponding ONJ incidence rates per 100 person‐years were 3.0 (95% CI, 2.3‐3.7), 1.0 (95% CI, 0.6‐1.5), and 4.3 (95% CI, 2.8‐6.3). Incidence proportions and incidence rates were highest in patients with prostate cancer and in Denmark. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides estimates of the risk of medically confirmed ONJ among patients initiating denosumab or zoledronic acid in routine clinical practice in 3 Scandinavian countries. The results varied by cancer site and by country. LAY SUMMARY: Denosumab and zoledronic acid reduce the risk of bone fractures, pain, and surgery in patients with advanced cancers involving bone.Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ)—death of a jawbone—is a known side effect of treatment with denosumab or zoledronic acid.The authors examined almost 2900 denosumab‐ or zoledronic acid–treated patients with cancer in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.Over the course of 5 years, ONJ developed in 5.7% of the patients whose initial treatment was denosumab, in 1.4% of the patients whose initial treatment was zoledronic acid, and in 6.6% of the patients who switched from zoledronic acid to denosumab. In this nonrandomized cohort study in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, incidence proportions and incidence rates of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) were estimated for patients with cancer initiating denosumab or zoledronic acid for the prevention of skeletal‐related events in routine clinical practice. Over 5 years after treatment initiation, the incidence proportions of ONJ are reported to be 5.7% among treatment‐naive denosumab initiators, 1.4% among treatment‐naive zoledronic acid initiators, and 6.6% among patients switching to denosumab after no more than 24 monthly bisphosphonate doses; the corresponding incidence rates are 3.0, 1.0, and 4.3 per 100 person‐years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine predictors for bone marrow biopsy (BMB) and the outcome following BMB in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (cITP). Methods: We identified patients diagnosed with cITP during 2009‐2017 and obtained information on BMB, cITP treatment and subsequent thrombotic events, hospitalized bleeding, hematological cancer, and death using data from population‐based healthcare databases and medical records in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Results: Among 4471 adults (≥18 years) with cITP, 1683 (37.6%) underwent BMB before cITP diagnosis, while cumulative BMB incidence after cITP diagnosis date was 3.1% at 1 year and 7.5% at 5 years. Predictors of having a BMB after cITP diagnosis included older age, male sex, low baseline platelet count, splenectomy, and number of cITP treatments. Compared with patients without BMB, patients with BMB had higher rates of thrombotic events (1 year adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.53 [95% CI, 0.92‐2.54]), hospitalized bleeding episodes (1 year adjusted HR 1.72 [95% CI, 1.15‐2.58]), hematological cancer (1 year adjusted HR 35.26 [95% CI 17.67‐70.34]), and all‐cause mortality (1 year adjusted HR 1.97 [95% CI, 1.44‐2.68]). Conclusion: Patients who undergo BMB after cITP diagnosis represent a subset of patients with more severe disease and increased rates of complications as well as hematological malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Most anti‐tumour necrosis factor (anti‐TNF) agents are transferred across the placenta and may increase paediatric susceptibility to infections. Aims: To assess the risk of paediatric infections after maternal anti‐TNF treatment. Methods: Population‐based cohort study in Denmark, Finland and Sweden 2006‐2013 in which 1027 children born to women with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis or inflammatory bowel disease, treated with anti‐TNF, and 9346 children to women with non‐biologic systemic treatment, were compared to 1 617 886 children of the general population. Children were followed for 3 years. Results: Adjusted by maternal age, parity, smoking, body mass index, country and calendar year, the incidence rate ratios with 95% confidence interval (CI) for hospital admissions for infection in the first year were 1.43 (1.23‐1.67) for anti‐TNF and 1.14 (1.07‐1.21) for non‐biologic systemic treatment, and 1.29 (1.11‐1.50) and 1.09 (1.02‐1.15), respectively, when additionally adjusting for adverse birth outcomes. There was a slight increase in antibiotic prescriptions in the second year for anti‐TNF, 1.19 (1.11‐1.29), and for non‐biologic systemic treatment, 1.10 (1.07‐1.13). There was no difference among anti‐TNF agents, treatment in the third trimester, or between mono/combination therapy with non‐biologic systemic treatment. Conclusions: Both anti‐TNF and non‐biologic systemic treatment were associated with an increased risk of paediatric infections. However, reassuringly, the increased risks were present regardless of treatment in the third trimester, or with combination treatment, and were not persistent during the first 3 years of life. Our findings may indicate a true risk, but could also be due to unadjusted confounding by disease severity and healthcare‐seeking behaviour. This may in turn shift the risk‐benefit equation towards continuation of treatment even in the third trimester. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present there is no validated tinnitus questionnaire available in Norway. The aim of the present study was to psychometrically evaluate and report on a Norwegian translation of the Tinnitus Sample Case History Questionnaire (TSCHQ). Furthermore, the results were compared to those of a recent Swedish validation of TSCHQ. More than two hundred (N = 218) participants with tinnitus participated in the study, of which 78% completed the Norwegian TSCHQ on two occasions so that test‐retest reliability could be evaluated. Results show that the Norwegian TSCHQ has acceptable test‐retest reliability with the exception of 10 items, which is slightly better than the recent Swedish validation of TSCHQ. At the item level, there were both similarities and differences between the Norwegian and Swedish validation studies. It is concluded that the Norwegian TSCHQ is an appropriate measure of patients' history and experience of tinnitus, and while we recommend further validation of the Norwegian TSCHQ, we encourage Norwegian researchers and clinicians to use the Norwegian translation of TSCHQ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: High birthweight may predispose children to acute lymphoid leukemia, whereas low birthweight is associated with childhood morbidity and mortality. Low and high birthweight have been inconsistently associated with mortality in children with leukemia. Material and methods: In a cohort of childhood and adolescent leukemia (0–19 years) patients from registries in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Washington State in the United States (1967–2015), five-year all-cause mortality was assessed by birthweight and other measures of fetal growth using the cumulative incidence function and Cox regression with adjustment for sex, diagnosis year, country, the presence of Down's syndrome or other malformations, and type of leukemia. Results: Among 7148 children and adolescents with leukemia (55% male), 4.6% were low (<2500 g) and 19% were high (≥4000 g) birthweight. Compared with average weight, hazard ratios (HRs) of death associated with low birthweight varied by age at leukemia diagnosis: 1.5 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.7, 3.2) for patients 0–1 year old, 1.6 (95% CI: 1.0, 2.6) for >1–2 years old; 1.0 (95% CI: 0.6, 1.5) for 3–8 years old; 1.0 (95% CI: 0.6, 1.8) for 9–13 years old; and 1.2 (95% CI: 0.7, 2.1) for 14–19 years old, and were similar for size for gestational age and Ponderal index. In analyses restricted to children born full term (37–41 weeks of gestation), results were only slightly attenuated but risk was markedly increased for infants aged ≤1 year (HR for low birthweight = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.2, 8.8). Conclusion: This cohort study does not suggest that low birthweight or SGA is associated with increased five-year all-cause mortality risk among children with any type of childhood leukemia or acute lymphoblastic leukemia, specifically, beyond infancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Campanian age (Late Cretaceous) is characterized by a warm greenhouse climate with limited land-ice volume. This makes this period an ideal target for studying climate dynamics during greenhouse periods, which are essential for predictions of future climate change due to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Well-preserved fossil shells from the Campanian (±78 Ma) high mid-latitude (50 ∘ N) coastal faunas of the Kristianstad Basin (southern Sweden) offer a unique snapshot of short-term climate and environmental variability, which complements existing long-term climate reconstructions. In this study, we apply a combination of high-resolution spatially resolved trace element analyses (micro-X-ray fluorescence – µ XRF – and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry – LA-ICP-MS), stable isotope analyses (IRMS) and growth modeling to study short-term (seasonal) variations recorded in the oyster species Rastellum diluvianum from the Ivö Klack locality. Geochemical records through 12 specimens shed light on the influence of specimen-specific and ontogenetic effects on the expression of seasonal variations in shell chemistry and allow disentangling vital effects from environmental influences in an effort to refine paleoseasonality reconstructions of Late Cretaceous greenhouse climates. Growth models based on stable oxygen isotope records yield information on the mode of life, circadian rhythm and reproductive cycle of these extinct oysters. This multi-proxy study reveals that mean annual temperatures in the Campanian higher mid-latitudes were 17 to 19 ∘ C, with winter minima of ∼13 ∘ C and summer maxima of 26 ∘ C, assuming a Late Cretaceous seawater oxygen isotope composition of - 1 ‰ VSMOW (Vienna standard mean ocean water). These results yield smaller latitudinal differences in temperature seasonality in the Campanian compared to today. Latitudinal temperature gradients were similar to the present, contrasting with previous notions of "equable climate" during the Late Cretaceous. Our results also demonstrate that species-specific differences and uncertainties in the composition of Late Cretaceous seawater prevent trace element proxies (Mg/Ca , Sr/Ca , Mg/Li and Sr/Li) from being used as reliable temperature proxies for fossil oyster shells. However, trace element profiles can serve as a quick tool for diagenesis screening and investigating seasonal growth patterns in ancient shells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When people feel they have to run faster and faster just to keep up, it is a personal experience of the acceleration that characterises late modern society. In reaction, some people attempt to escape "the rat race" by aiming to live self-sufficiently in the countryside. This article presents a text analysis of 35 letters from the magazine Åter, where people share their experiences of moving. The analysis focuses on the authors' motivations for the move, their criticism of mainstream society and their experiences of time, temporality and competing time norms in their new life. Rosa's concepts of acceleration, alienation and resonance, and Adam's concept of abstract and standardised clock time, provide the theoretical framework for the analysis. The study concludes that the authors of letters search for resonance and to a large degree they have also found it, especially since the authors experience their work as meaningful and live according to their ideological values. Self-sufficiency is an individual form of coping, but simultaneously choosing to live differently is a practice of constructive resistance to mainstream consumption and work norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In 1965 D.V. Ager highlighted the concept of morphological adaptations of Mesozoic brachiopods to different environments. Rocky shores were only indirectly included in his seven habitats, undoubtedly due their rarity in the fossil record. A diverse brachiopod fauna, comprising 19 species, lived on the late early Campanian gneissic rocky shore at the palaeo-island of Ivö, southern Sweden. The brachiopods show many different morphological adaptations to the contrasting local habitats in the turbulent and highly variable environment. They are grouped into guilds and related to preferred habitats according to their morphology, substrate strategies, mode of life and preservation. Four main local habitats are recognized, representing different energy and illumination conditions, ranging from protected areas below and between gneiss boulders and hummocks to the most exposed areas on the vertical sides of these rocks. Medium-sized delicate species preferred the protected habitats, whereas large, robust species occupied the most exposed habitats. No small-sized brachiopod species are known from Ivö Klack in marked contrast to contemporaneous faunas of the more basinal chalks. The only observed direct indication of predation on the brachiopods is boreholes after carnivorous gastropods. The brachiopod fauna is by far the richest in terms of species diversity compared not only to other Late Cretaceous rocky shore faunas worldwide, but rocky shore faunas in the entire Phanerozoic. This difference is so remarkable that it cannot be explained by taphonomic factors alone and the density and diversity of the well-preserved brachiopods at Ivö Klack and the great variety in shell morphologies gives a unique opportunity to examine the variety in attachment strategies used in such a highly variable environment. Highlights • A perfect example of Ager's habitat 'Sublittoral non-depositional sea-floors' 1965 • The best preserved and richest Cretaceous rocky shore brachiopod fauna known • The species show special adaptations to the different habitats along the rocky shore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How can researchers working both within and external to academia in all disciplines and areas of research recognize knowledge produced in other spheres and engage more ethically and collaboratively with that knowledge and those who create and circulate it? This was the central question behind the Bridging Research Praxes Across Pluralities of Knowledge conference held at Linkoping University in Sweden and on Zoom in April 2022. At the heart of the conference was the recognition that searching for answers to this question cannot be left to arbitrary and haphazard engagements and encounters but must be motivated, reflected on, and formulated clearly in ongoing discussions. This special issue of Culture Unbound continues the discussions begun at the conference. Both the conference and this special issue have served as a platform for researchers to engage in open dialogue about the challenges and opportunities of bridging research and praxes across pluralities of knowledge. Organized around three principal areas of discussion - research ethics and shared authority, citizen science/research, and metrics, value, and recognition - the conference involved researchers working both within academia and outside of the academy (such as journalists, artists, practitioners, etc.) and from a variety of disciplines, research fields, and geographical locations, with one or two moderators. Working from videos and transcripts from the conference, some of the conference participants have reflected and written on the discussions started at the conference in the contributions published in this issue. Through the unique format of this issue, the contributions reflect the continued discussions and collaboration that have taken place as other contributors have read and commented on others' contributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study investigated how a wide spectrum of body mass index (BMI) values at ages 7 to 13 years are associated with type 2 diabetes throughout adulthood, including potential modifying effects of sex and birth weight.Methods: From the Copenhagen School Health Records Register, 292,827 individuals, born between 1930 and 1989, were followed in national registers for type 2 diabetes (women, n = 7,472; men, n = 11,548). Heights and weights were measured at ages 7 to 13 years.Results: Below-average BMIs, with few exceptions, were not associated with type 2 diabetes. Above-average BMIs had positive associations that were stronger in women than men, stronger in younger birth cohorts, and weaker with older age at diagnosis. Women born 1930-1947, 1948-1965, and 1966-1983 with above-average BMIs at 13 years (≥18.2 kg/m2 ) had hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) ranging from 2.12 (1.91-2.36) to 2.84 (2.31-3.49) per z score when diagnosed at 30 to 47 years. Birth weight did not modify these associations.Conclusions: Childhood BMIs below average are not associated with type 2 diabetes, whereas childhood BMIs above average are strongly associated with type 2 diabetes in adulthood, corresponding to excess risks even at levels below international definitions of overweight. The associations are stronger in women than men but are not affected by birth weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gestational weight gain (GWG) has in numerous studies been associated with offspring birth weight (BW) and childhood weight. However, these associations might be explained by genetic confounding as offspring inherit their mother's genetic potential to gain weight. Furthermore, little is known about whether particular periods of pregnancy could influence offspring body weight differently. We therefore aimed to explore total and trimester-specific effects of GWG in monozygotic (MZ) twin mother-pairs on their offspring's BW, weight at 1 year and body mass index (BMI) at 5 and 10 years. MZ twin mothers born 1962–1975 were identified in national Swedish registers, and data on exposure and outcome variables was collected from medical records. We analyzed associations within and between twin pairs. We had complete data on the mothers’ GWG and offspring BW for 82 pairs. The results indicated that total, and possibly also second and third trimester GWG were associated with offspring BW within the twin pairs in the fully adjusted model (β = 0.08 z-score units, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.17; β = 1.32 z-score units, 95% CI: -0.29, 2.95; and β = 1.02 z-score units, 95% CI: -0.50, 2.54, respectively). Our findings, although statistically weak, suggested no associations between GWG and offspring weight or BMI during infancy or childhood. Our study suggests that total, and possibly also second and third trimester, GWG are associated with offspring BW when taking shared genetic and environmental factors within twin pairs into account. Larger family-based studies with long follow-up are needed to confirm our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Macrofossil calcite plays a central role for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions because its preservation state and geochemical signatures can be checked using a variety of screening techniques. Reconstructions of the ecology and seawater composition from such data require knowledge about species-specific compositions of well-preserved calcitic fossils. Comprehensive datasets, recording averages, intraspecimen and intraspecific variability of geochemical proxies in fossil calcite, however, are still largely lacking. Here we report δ 13 C and δ 18 O values, as well as Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca and Mn/Ca ratios of 204 aliquots sampled along transects through three rostra of the late early Campanian belemnite species Belemnellocamax mammillatus . Geochemical signatures of partially altered samples are consistent to those reported for early marine calcite cementation and show trends towards moderately higher Mn/Ca, heavier δ 13 C and lower Sr/Ca. In contrast, Mg/Ca ratios and δ 18 O values remain similar to projected original values. Median δ 18 O values of − 0.3 to 0.0‰ are comparable to the heaviest values of coeval oysters from the same localities, and internal variability of the well-preserved parts of the rostra is low. These findings suggest that B . mammillatus lived mostly in the deep part of the basin where seasonal changes were low and water temperatures cool. The δ 13 C is offset from oysters and most coeval belemnite species from the same region, and from bulk rock values of other European localities by several permil towards lighter values. This offset suggests that a strong vital effect impacted the carbon isotopes of the investigated species during calcification. Average Mg/Ca ratios of 11.5 mmol/mol and Sr/Ca ratios of 2.13 mmol/mol (n = 155) are found for the well-preserved parts of the belemnite rostra. The intraspecimen variability of Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios between 7 and 20% (2 relative standard deviations) is similar amongst the specimens, but intraspecific variability of Mg/Ca is significantly higher than for Sr/Ca. Average Sr/Ca ratios of 2.1 ± 0.2 mmol/mol and Mg/Ca of 11 ± 3 mmol/mol are proposed for the late early Campanian B . mammillatus of the Kristianstad Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New material of thoracican cirripedes, traditionally assigned to Brachylepadomorpha and basal Balanomorpha, is described from abundant isolated plates collected from sediment deposited between boulders on a rocky coastline of Late Campanian age (c. 80 Ma) at Ivö Klack in Scania, southern Sweden. Two new genera,EpibrachylepasGale gen. nov. andParabrachylepasGale gen. nov. (type speciesP. ifoensisWithers, 1935) are described, as is a new species,Epibrachylepas newmaniGale sp. nov. Pachydiadema cretaceaWithers, 1935 andBrachylepas guascoi(Bosquet, 1857) are redescribed on the basis of extensive new material. It is concluded that the long-held homologies between lateral plates of pedunculate cirripedes and balanomorphs are incorrect, and a new nomenclature is proposed for the latter group. Cladistic analysis based on 40 morphological characters of 12 species yields a consensus tree showing successiveBrachylepasspecies andPachydiademaas sister taxa to the crown group balanomorphs, which are here called Neobalanomorpha Gale suborder nov. Both ‘Brachylepadomorpha’ and ‘Brachylepadidae’ are paraphyletic, and together withP. cretaceaform a morphocline leading from pedunculate ancestors (Pycnolepas articulata), through to basal sessile forms (B. naissanti,B. guascoi) and on to taxa identified as basal balanomorphs (Parabrachylepas,Epibrachylepas,Pachydiadema). The functional significance of the progressive changes is discussed with reference to living taxa. It is suggested that the radiation of Neobalanomorpha, dominant shallow water thoracicans in the Cenozoic, postdated the K-Pg near-extinction of more basal sessile barnacle groups. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:BB41A405-C0AE-472D-AD09-77D39C6A32FC [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Gestational weight gain (GWG) is a complex trait involving intrauterine environmental, maternal environmental, and genetic factors. However, the extent to which these factors contribute to the total variation in GWG is unclear. We therefore examined the genetic and environmental influences on the variation in GWG in the first and second pregnancy in monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twin mother-pairs. Further, we explored if any co-variance existed between factors influencing the variation in GWG of the mothers’ first and second pregnancies. By using Swedish nationwide record-linkage data, we identified 694 twin mother-pairs with complete data on their first pregnancy and 465 twin mother-pairs with complete data on their second pregnancy during 1982–2010. For a subanalysis, 143 twin mother-pairs had complete data on two consecutive pregnancies during the study period. We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to assess the contribution of genetic, shared, and unique environmental factors to the variation in GWG. A bivariate Cholesky decomposition model was used for the subanalysis. We found that genetic factors explained 43% (95% CI: 36–51%) of the variation in GWG in the first pregnancy and 26% (95% CI: 16–36%) in the second pregnancy. The remaining variance was explained by unique environmental factors. Both overlapping and distinct genetic and unique environmental factors influenced GWG in the first and the second pregnancy. This study showed that GWG has a moderate heritability, suggesting that a large part of the variation in the trait can be explained by unique environmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Local governments' websites are important gateways for residents wishing to interact with public institutions online, and the establishment and development of such websites stand out among governmental initiatives to improve their performance. Drawing on domestication theory to apply a change-oriented perspective, the paper analyses how Norwegian local governments domesticate website technology to make websites and configure their users, based upon three empirical sources: a survey among information and communication technology managers in local governments, a quantitative mapping of the content of the websites of all 430 Norwegian local governments, and a qualitative in-depth content analysis of 10 websites. The findings show that domestication efforts vary a lot across local governments. However, all local governments engage in domestication. Further, we identify as potential domestication outcomes three ideal types of website assemblages:information, client,andcitizen assemblages.They point towards three respective user configurations:information consumers,clients,andcitizens.The information assemblage is the only one found in all websites. Finally, linking qualitative and quantitative methods is suggested as a way of advancing domestication studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rocky shores are rare in the fossil record due to erosion under both sea-level rise and fall. In contrast, modern rocky shores are well-studied, but little is known about the evolution of their ecosystems due to the rarity of ancient counterparts. Reconstruction of these ancient ecosystems is thus essential to get an insight into their evolution. A high-diversity Late Cretaceous (Campanian) rocky shore fauna is found in southern Sweden. The original composition of the shelly fauna cannot be interpreted by direct examination of the preserved fauna due to the effects of taphonomic processes. Life and death assemblages from a modern rocky shore fauna from Thailand have previously been analysed and a hypothetical fossil assemblage was reconstructed in order to attempt an interpretation of the Campanian life assemblage. This study shows a low taxonomic agreement between the original Campanian life assemblage and the fossil assemblage, due to taphonomic processes, and high environmental fidelity with only a few out-of-habitat species represented. The modern life assemblage showed in an earlier study, a high loss of species before onset of fossilisation. This suggests that the faunal composition of the Campanian life assemblage cannot be easily reconstructed, and time averaging by generations of death assemblages makes this even more difficult. The Campanian aragonitic fauna is poorly represented and the rarity of moulds after aragonitic species is interpreted as due to taphonomic processes and not to lower richness of aragonitic species in the Cretaceous. This is supported by comparison with the high richness of aragonitic species found on a Late Cretaceous rocky shore in Germany. An originally high-diversity gastropod fauna is thus interpreted to have dominated the intertidal zone in the Campanian example, and the rare moulds of each of the aragonitic species indicate a high taphonomic loss in spite of rapid burial. Calcitic species-richness is higher in the Campanian fauna than in the modern life, death, and constructed hypothetical fossil assemblages. This is interpreted as reflecting time averaging of generations of calcitic species and low loss of calcitic species by taphonomic processes in the Campanian fauna. It is thus assumed that the original Campanian fauna experienced a change in faunal composition from a gastropod-dominated life assemblage to a bivalve-dominated fossil assemblage due to dissolution of aragonite and excellent preservation of calcite. Reconstruction of ancient rocky shore shelly faunas can thus be considerably improved by comparison with analogous modern rocky shore faunas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The paper focuses on the use and influence of indicators in European sustainable transport policy from a ‘knowledge utilization’ research point of view. The starting point is the contrast between the widely held idea that indicators are important tools for sustainable transport policy making, versus ‘knowledge utilization’ oriented research, which has often demonstrated that formal technical knowledge is used much less, or at least differently, than expected in policy and decision making. The paper looks at two cases of indicators applied for strategic policy making within the sustainable transport agenda. The first case concerns indicators tracking the fulfillment of national transport policy objectives in Sweden. The case explores the use and influence of an annual monitoring and evaluation report produced for this purpose, within a general ‘Management-by-Objectives’ regime. The second case deals with indicators applied for the Mid-Term Review of the European Commission's transport policy White Paper ‘Time to Decide’ (issued in 2001). The focus in this case is on a particular indicator based study conducted in 2005 by a group of consultants in close collaboration with European Commission staff. It is found that several indicators in both cases are actually used in policy processes, with evidence of use found in documents as well as interviews. However, ‘use’ does not automatically mean ‘influence’ on policies or processes in more than a superficial manner. Indicators seem to play a very limited direct instrumental role, while some signs of symbolic, conceptual and process roles are found. In the EU case we identify what is called a rationalization role of indicators, meaning that indicators inform and help to rationalize a change in the position towards key objectives. Several factors that characterize the indicators, the users, and policy context are found to contribute to understand the type of use and influence observed in both cases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: During the latest early Campanian, a diverse vertebrate assemblage inhabited the shallow coastal waters of the Kristianstad Basin, southernmost Sweden. The taxon-rich fauna includes numerous species of sharks, rays, chimaeroids, bony fish, mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, aquatic birds, crocodiles, and turtles. Vertebrate fossils have been found at several localities within the basin, representing at least three different environments: near-shore waters around a rocky island, presumably murky, shallow waters adjacent to a river mouth, and more open coastal waters. Many vertebrates in the marine faunal community were high-level predators, others were piscivorous, bottom-dwellers that fed primarily on benthic invertebrates and fish, or omnivores that fed on algae and invertebrates. The fauna thus exploited a wide range of food sources and habitats. Six trophic levels, ranging from primary producers to fifth-level consumers, are recognised, indicating a high loss of energy and reflecting a mixture of shallow coastal and more open water ecosystems. The trophic structure suggests that the basin was a rich palaeoenvironment with high faunal diversity and productivity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The bivalve fauna from a late early Campanian rocky shore at Ivö Klack (southern Sweden), comprises just over sixty species, a very high diversity in comparison to other Late Cretaceous and modern rocky shore bivalve assemblages. This high diversity is here considered to represent a reliable census of the fauna; only in part can it be explained by the cumulative effect of generations of bivalves inhabiting this coastal environment. The high density and diversity and the wide range of shell morphologies allow interpretation of different modes of life in this variable environment with many contrasting habitats. Study of the functional morphology of bivalve shells and comparison with extant relatives has resulted in a subdivision of the fauna into seven guilds and five habitats. The bivalve fauna represents a within-habitat, time-averaged assemblage to which none of the species was introduced from adjacent environments. It includes some of the most northerly known, very small rudistid bivalves, in addition to the oldest known occurrences of Mytilus and Barbatia in association with rocky shores. Bivalves constituted the most important invertebrate group inhabiting the late early Campanian rocky shore at Ivö Klack, in terms of diversity, density and biomass. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A Eurobarometer survey from 2007 reports that most undeclared work in the EU 27 takes place in the three most high-trusting and non-corrupt countries—Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands. This is somewhat surprising since social trust is normally associated with economic outcomes that are beneficial to society. The aim of this paper is to test whether undeclared work is a dark side of social trust. Since the Eurobarometer data may contain inaccurate self-reports on undeclared work and social trust may affect the willingness to provide truthful answers, we use more appropriate data in our test. Specifically, we use data from one single country (Danish Values Studies, 1999/2008) and undeclared work morale as an indicator of actual undeclared work—where undeclared work morale is the degree to which a person thinks undeclared work is wrong. We find a significant negative relationship between social trust and undeclared work morale after adjusting for a number of important controls. Thus, the evidence is in line with the bivariate picture of the Eurobarometer survey and suggests a dark side of social trust. We provide some initial explanations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: For nearly three centuries the area around Gusum, in south-east Sweden, has been highly polluted with copper. An earlier study in this area showed that populations of the freeze-tolerant earthworm Dendrobaena octaedra were genetically adapted to copper. Apparently, no life-history costs to reproduction or growth were imposed by this adaptation. In the present paper we therefore investigated how laboratory raised F1-generations of these populations coped when exposed to increased copper concentrations in the soil and to sub-zero temperatures. We found that D. octaedra from polluted sites accumulated the same amount of copper as reference worms. Furthermore, earthworms from polluted sites survived equally to reference worms when exposed to freezing temperatures (−8 or −12°C). However, when simultaneously exposed to the lowest temperature and copper, the worms from polluted sites survived significantly better than reference worms. The overall conclusion of this study is that worms from polluted sites seem to be better at handling copper and accrue no costs in terms of reduced cold tolerance in connection to genetic adaptation in these populations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A gastropod fauna comprising 17 species, each represented by a limited number of specimens, is described from a Late Cretaceous, late early Campanian rocky shore at Ivö Klack, southern Sweden. The gastropod fauna is associated with the most diverse ancient rocky shore fauna ever found. However, the low gastropod species diversity compared to the faunas of modern rocky shores is ascribed to taphonomic factors, notably dissolution of the aragonitic shells, but the predominance of epifaunal herbivores is indicative of a guild structure similar to that found on modern rocky shores. The presence of drill holes assigned to the ichnospecies Oichnus simplex suggests the former presence of muricid gastropods which have not been found as body fossils. A single drill hole is referred to Oichnus paraboloides and was probably made by a naticid gastropod. The infaunal mode of life of naticids makes preservation of such drill holes difficult, since the majority of infaunal prey such as burrowing bivalves has aragonitic shells which are not preserved. The relatively high number of species in comparison to many other Late Cretaceous rocky shore faunas, offers an opportunity to compare gastropod guild structure at Ivö Klack with modern counterparts, even though taphonomic processes such as mechanical destruction and aragonite dissolution have played an important role in the fossil gastropod assemblage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A relatively low diversity coral fauna comprising eight zooxanthellate, three azooxanthellate, and one unidentified species is described from a Late Cretaceous rocky shore at Ivö Klack, southern Sweden. All species, except the solitary azooxanthellate Paracyathus? sp., are represented by one or two specimens only, indicating low preservation potential similar to the aragonite-shelled gastropod fauna from the same locality. The fauna comprises one out of two northernmost zooxanthellate forms known and adds important environmental information to the fauna and depositional conditions of the rocky shore at Ivö Klack. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Study design:Cross-sectional, mail-back questionnaire study.Objectives:To describe women's experiences of sexual functioning and sex life after spinal cord injury (SCI).Setting:Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland.Methods:All community-living SCI women treated at spinal cord centres in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Iceland meeting inclusion criteria (n=963) were mailed the study-specific SCI Women Questionnaire. Out of the 532 respondents, 392 reported having had sex after injury and were thus included in the study. The included women had a mean age of 42 years (range 18-68) and a mean time since injury of 11 years (range 2-54).Results:The SCI women reported that the injury caused many changes in their sex life and affected many aspects of their sexuality negatively. Some changes were of a physical nature (for example, decreased, lost, or changed sensation; difficulties to achieve orgasm; bladder or bowel problems; and difficulties to move and position oneself) whereas other changes were of a psychological nature (for example, feeling unattractive or less attractive, having less self-confidence, and difficulties to meet or find a partner).Conclusion:Successful SCI rehabilitation requires a holistic approach, taking into account the patient's physical, psychological, and interpersonal circumstances. Given that many women with SCI remain sexually active but often experience less satisfaction after injury, it is important that rehabilitation efforts address this aspect of the patient's life. Our results elucidating strategies applied by women with SCI to compensate for loss of genital sensation and cope with physiological impairment during sexual activity may serve to help professionals in developing rehabilitation programmes for women with SCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Well-exposed, ancient rocky shores are rare and the associated shelly faunas are normally strongly worn and fragmented due to erosion during both sea-level rise and fall. An early Campanian rocky shore with a rich fauna is preserved at Ivö Klack in the Kristianstad Basin, southern Sweden. Ivö Klack is situated on the small, hilly island of Ivö situated in lake Ivösjön with a lake level about 6m above present-day sea level. The rocky shore was formed during a major late early Campanian transgression caused by a sea-level rise up to about 100m above present sea level. An archipelago was formed along the northern basin margin during the transgression with numerous small islands and peninsulas. The steep palaeo-coast at Ivö Klack consists of gneiss overlain in the lower part by more than 30m of kaolin in places containing large boulders of gneiss with a kaolinized outer crust. The kaolin wedges out upslope and is absent above 30–35m above lake level. The kaolin is overlain by up to 5m of muddy quartz sand with highly angular grains, representing a residue of the kaolin formed during transgressive wave and current reworking. The steep gneiss coast was rapidly transgressed by the sea in the latest early Campanian and at least 25m of onlapping coarse-grained skeletal sand, gravel and whole fossils were deposited on the clean gneiss surface during the Belemnellocamax mammilatus belemnite biozone. Large boulders of gneiss are common in the carbonates and formed distinct boulder beds at some levels but these are now quarried away. The top 6m of the preserved carbonate succession are free of boulders. The rocky surface is fairly even on a large scale, but highly irregular in detail with numerous metre-sized hummocks and boulders formed during terrestrial weathering and kaolinization. The lowest part of the shore is developed as a bench, topped by a sub-horizontal irregular platform, 20–30m wide, with large hummocks and rounded boulders. The platform passes upwards into a steep boulder-strewn slope. A well-developed glauconitized hardground with Thalassinoides burrows and several incipient hardgrounds occur in the carbonates draping the bench and lower part of the platform. They dip gently outwards and probably represent a kind of beach rock. A highly diverse benthic fauna with more than 200 shell-bearing species lived between, below and on the hummocks and boulders. It comprises bivalves, brachiopods, polychaetes, gastropods, echinoids, asteroids, bryozoans and is dominated by large oysters and includes the northernmost Late Cretaceous rudists and hermatypic corals. The remaining benthic invertebrate groups are represented by only a few species each. The non-benthic invertebrate fauna comprises four belemnite species and one rare ammonite species. The lower Campanian carbonates of the small basin have yielded an unusually diverse vertebrate fauna totalling more than 60 species, including mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, crocodiles, turtles, birds, and as many as 44 species of sharks and rays. Ivö Klack thus provides information on virtually all trophic levels in the rocky shore ecosystem and represents the most diverse rocky shore fauna known from the geological record. This paper aims at providing the framework for a series of papers on the palaeoecology of the main benthic faunal groups. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The tube-dwelling polychaete fauna from a late early Campanian rocky shore at Ivö Klack, southern Sweden, comprises 10 genera and 17 species, plus eight unidentified taxa. Spirorbins predominated on the shore and are considered opportunistic forms, well adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions. Factors controlling the settlement of polychaete larvae on different kinds of hard substrate are water energy, competition for space, and substrate size and stability. Four different kinds of hard substrate, a large gneiss boulder, an oyster valve, a pectinid valve, and a bone fragment are mapped in order to document species composition, density, orientation and distribution of encrusting serpulids and sabellids. The location of tubes appears to be important because different species chose different positions on different substrates. Orientation of tube apertures, however, is random on all kinds of substrate probably reflecting that food was not a limiting factor. Very large serpulids were confined to a life encrusting boulders, which provided the only substrate which was sufficiently large and stable. Smaller species encrusted all kinds of substrate but were dependent on its stability and on the surrounding environment. The high density of tube-dwelling polychaetes which inhabited the rocky shore makes it possible to obtain an insight into settlement strategies of Late Cretaceous polychaetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nørgaard M, Larsson H, Pedersen L, Granath F, Askling J, Kieler H, Ekbom A, Sørensen HT, Stephansson O (Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, Karolinska Institutet; Karolinska University Hospital, Solna; and Karolinska Institutet, Solna; Stockholm, Sweden). Rheumatoid arthritis and birth outcomes: a Danish and Swedish nationwide prevalence study. J Intern Med 2010; 268: 329–337. Objectives. To examine the prevalence of preterm birth, infants with low Apgar score, small for gestational age (SGA) birth, stillbirth and congenital abnormalities in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared with women without RA. Design. Prevalence study. Setting. Combined Sweden and Denmark nationwide from 1994 to 2006. Subjects. We included 871 579 women with a first-time singleton birth identified through population-based healthcare databases. Main outcome measures. We compared the prevalence of preterm birth, low Apgar score (<7 at 5 min), SGA birth, stillbirth and congenital abnormalities amongst women with RA compared with women without RA using prevalence odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI), whilst controlling for maternal age, smoking, parental cohabitation and year. We stratified analyses by period of birth (1994–1997, 1998–2001 and 2002–2006). Results. Amongst 1199 women with RA, 7.8% gave birth between 32 and 36 gestational weeks (adjusted OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.14–1.82), 1.4% gave birth before gestational week 32 (adjusted OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 0.97–2.47), 1.6% had an infant with a low Apgar score (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.95–1.65), 5.9% had an SGA birth (adjusted OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.2–2.01), 0.9% experienced stillbirth (adjusted OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 0.98–4.35) and 4.3% gave birth to an infant with congenital abnormalities (adjusted OR,1.32; 95% CI, 0.98–1.79). The OR for congenital abnormalities decreased from 2.57 (95% CI, 1.59–4.16) in 1994–1997 to 1.00 (95% CI, 0.64–1.56) in 2002–2006. Conclusions. Women with RA had a high prevalence of most adverse birth outcomes. This could be due to inflammatory activity, medical treatment or other factors not controlled for. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Nordic countries have a long tradition of registry-based epidemiological research. Many population-based health registries were established in the 1960s, with use of unique personal identifiers facilitating linkage between registries. In recent years, each country has established a national database to track prescription drugs dispensed to individuals in ambulatory care. The objectives were to present an overview of the prescription databases established in the Nordic countries, as well as to elaborate on their unique potential for record linkage and cross-national comparison of drug utilization. Five Nordic countries collect drug exposure data based on drugs dispensed at pharmacies and have the potential to link these data to health outcomes. The databases together cover 25 million inhabitants (Denmark: 5.5 million; Finland: 5.3 million; Iceland: 0.3 million; Norway: 4.8 million; and Sweden: 9.2 million). In 2007, the registries encompassed 17 million prescription drug users (68% of the total population). We provide examples of how these databases have been used for descriptive drug utilization studies and analytical pharmacoepidemiological studies linking drug exposure to other health registries. Comparisons are facilitated by many similarities among the databases, including data source, content, coverage and methods used for drug utilization studies and record linkage. There are, however, some differences in coding systems and validity, as well as in some access and technical issues. To perform cross-national pharmacoepidemiological studies, resources, networks and time are needed, as well as methods for pooling data. Interpretation of results needs to account for inter-country heterogeneity and the possibility of spurious relationships. The Nordic countries have a unique potential for collaborative high-quality cross-national pharmacoepidemiological studies with large populations. This research may assist in resolving safety issues of international interest, thus minimizing the risk of either over-reacting on possible signals or underestimating drug safety issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest harvest is hypothesized to increase the mercury (Hg) load in aquatic ecosystems. The Balsjö paired catchment study examined the outputs of methylmercury (MeHg) and total mercury (Hgtot) from two boreal catchments during the 2 y following forest harvest but prior to site preparation. This enabled us to separate the effect of the two operations that followed best management practices. Hgtot concentrations increased by approximately 15%, and fluxes by 20-30%. The MeHg concentrations and fluxes either declined or increased by up to 60%, depending on whether annual MeHg peaks during summer low flows were considered to have been influenced by forest harvest. The lack of a severalfold increase in Hg outputs after forest harvest, as reported from other sites, may be the result of minimal soil disturbance during the winter forest harvest operations. If so, there may be a greater Hg response after soil scarification to prepare for planting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand how forest harvest influences the aquatic environment, it is essential to determine the changes in the flow regime. This paper presents changes in the hydrological regime during the first 2 y after harvest in two catchments of the Balsjö Catchment Study in Sweden. The changes were judged relative to a reference catchment, calibrated during an 18-mo pretreatment period starting in September 2004. From August 2006 through March 2008, there was an average of 35% more runoff from the harvested catchments relative to the reference. The flow increased most during the growing seasons and at base flows (,1 mmd-1; 58-99% increase), followed by dormant season and intermediate flows (30-43%). No significant changes were observed during the highest flows (over 5 mm d-1), except for the spring flood a few weeks after harvest, which was delayed and attenuated. Large relative changes in low flow may influence the ecosystem by altering the aquatic habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine if forestry affects stream water dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations, we conducted high frequency water sampling at a clear-cut catchment experiment in northern Sweden 1 year after harvesting. The overall finding was that harvesting significantly increased stream water DOC in these boreal forest catchments, at least during the growing season. The results indicate a DOC concentration increase of up to 50% during early summer on the two harvested catchments relative to the two control catchments. The analysis supports the hypothesis that a raised groundwater level following harvesting caused the increased DOC concentration during both hydrological episodes and low flow conditions. Harvesting resulted in a 70% increase in DOC export due to the combined effect of runoff and DOC concentration during the June-October study period. Given the extent of forestry activity in the boreal landscape, these results demonstrate that tree harvesting will affect the water quality of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of clear-cutting on stream-water chemistry in northern Sweden remain largely unexplored. Here we report data collected during a reference period and the first two years after logging in two typical partially harvested northern catchments; the objective was to compare water chemistry along the stream with and without a forest buffer. Two typical uncut reference catchments are included for comparison. Runoff was measured at the outlet of each catchment, and water samples were generally taken every second week and analyzed for 20 constituents. Logging resulted in increased runoff and increased concentrations of sodium, potassium, chloride, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and suspended material from both catchments. Nitrate (NO3-) leaching increased only from the catchment without a forest buffer. It has not yet been possible to evaluate fully the effects of the forest buffer on the NO3- leaching because the uphill clear-cut area leached minimal amounts of NO3-. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: [1.] We tested for geographical variation in heat tolerance and Hsp70 expression levels of Rana temporaria tadpoles along a 1500km long latitudinal gradient in Sweden. [2.] Temperature tolerance of the hatchling tadpoles did not differ among populations, but they tolerated stressful hot temperatures better than 2 weeks older tadpoles. [3.] Among 2-week old tadpoles, the southern population tolerated 32°C better than tadpoles from other populations. A parallel difference was found in Hsp70 expression, with the southern population showing the highest expression level. Nevertheless, at a highly stressful temperature (36°C) the northern population showed highest tolerance. [4.] The heat shock pre-treatment increased heat tolerance of the tadpoles. The possible adaptive role of Hsp70 for thermal tolerance and climatic adaptation in R. temporaria tadpoles is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Editorial. Comments on the importance of the Swedish Twin Registry to clinical, epidemiological and genetic research. History of the twin study; Differences from previous twin research; Methods of analysis of data generated in the twin study.

A characteristic etching trace, comparable to those produced by pedicles of some Recent brachiopods, was found on a Late Cretaceous, Campanian oyster shell from a mangrove-like setting in the Åsen quarry, Sweden. The trace fossil belongs to the ichnospecies Podichnus centrifugalis Bromley & Surlyk, 1973 and is, together with a single specimen of Crania craniolaris Linnæus, 1758, the only evidence of brachiopods in the mangrove-like environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]