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Climate change research on seabirds has so far focused mainly on indirect effects acting via impacts at lower trophic levels. However, seabirds that breed in exposed sites may also be vulnerable to direct impacts from extreme weather events such as heatwaves, which are projected to increase in both severity and frequency with climate change. Yet there are relatively few field studies of how breeding seabirds respond to heatwaves. Here, we used video footage from a breeding colony of common guillemotsUria aalgein the Baltic Sea over 4 consecutive breeding seasons (2019-2022) to explore responses to air temperature and sun exposure. We found a positive relationship between temperature and 2 thermoregulatory behaviours: panting and postural changes. In addition, we show that as temperatures increase, breeding partners spend less time together at the colony. At the highest temperatures, some birds even temporarily abandon their eggs and chicks. Of 48 breeding failures recorded on video over 4 breeding seasons, we documented 13 cases directly associated with heat stress (corresponding to ca. 9% of all 150 breeding attempts recorded); 11 of these occurred during 2 periods with sunshine and particularly high temperatures in 2020 and 2022. Using a larger data set (>500 breeding attempts over 12 seasons), we also identified a clear increase in the probability of egg loss at higher temperatures. As such, the responses of breeding seabirds to heatwaves could have important demographic consequences in some populations, especially as heatwaves continue to increase in frequency and magnitude.

An unbroken digital data flow would save substantial resources in the built environment process. In this study, which is part of a larger Swedish project, data delivery specifications and methods to integrate BIM and geodata are developed and tested with the aim to facilitate such an unbroken data flow. The main focus areas of the study are: (1) specifications that enables building permission applications based on BIM data to automate the building permission process, (2) reuse of as-built BIM models to update geodata when a building is constructed and (3) a national Swedish CityGML ADE for buildings. The study shows that building permission applications can be partly automated even though the delivery specifications were in the early stages of development at the time of a performed test case. With fully implemented delivery specifications more regulations can be checked. Furthermore, the study demonstrates how a BIM model can be georeferenced with a standard deviation of the transformation of 3 cm compared to field measurements performed with a total station. The georeferenced BIM model can then be converted to a LOD2 geodata building model to update existing geodata. Finally, a proposal for a national Swedish CityGML ADE for buildings is presented.

Cloning, through somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), has the potential for a large expansion of genetically favorable traits in a population in a relatively short term. In the present study we aimed to produce multiple cloned camels from racing, show and dairy exemplars. We compared several parameters including oocyte source, donor cell and breed differences, transfer methods, embryo formation and pregnancy rates and maintenance following SCNT. We successfully achieved 47 pregnancies, 28 births and 19 cloned offspring who are at present healthy and have developed normally. Here we report cloned camels from surgical embryo transfer and correlate blastocyst formation rates with the ability to achieve pregnancies. We found no difference in the parameters affecting production of clones by camel breed, and show clear differences on oocyte source in cloning outcomes. Taken together we demonstrate that large scale cloning of camels is possible and that further improvements can be achieved.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the impact of implementing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography fusion technology on biopsy and prostate cancer (PCa) detection rates in men presenting with clinical suspicion for PCa in the clinical practice setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS We performed a review of 1 808 consecutive men referred for elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level between 2011 and 2014. The study population was divided into two groups based on whether MRI was used as a risk stratification tool. Univariable and multivariable analyses of biopsy rates and overall and clinically significant PCa detection rates between groups were performed. RESULTS The MRI and PSA-only groups consisted of 1 020 and 788 patients, respectively. A total of 465 patients (45.6%) in the MRI group and 442 (56.1%) in the PSA-only group underwent biopsy, corresponding to an 18.7% decrease in the proportion of patients receiving biopsy in the MRI group (P < 0.001). Overall PCa (56.8% vs 40.7%; P < 0.001) and clinically significant PCa detection (47.3% vs 31.0%; P < 0.001) was significantly higher in the MRI vs the PSA-only group. In logistic regression analyses, the odds of overall PCa detection (odds ratio [OR] 1.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29-2.35; P < 0.001) and clinically significant PCa detection (OR 2.04, 95% CI 1.48-2.80; P < 0.001) were higher in the MRI than in the PSA-only group after adjusting for clinically relevant PCa variables. CONCLUSION Among men presenting with clinical suspicion for PCa, addition of MRI increases detection of clinically significant cancers while reducing prostate biopsy rates when implemented in a clinical practice setting.

It is projected that forest disturbances, such as insect outbreaks, will have an increasingly negative impact on forests with a warmer climate. These disturbance events can have a substantial impact on forests' ability to absorb atmospheric CO2, and may even turn forests from carbon sinks into carbon sources; hence, it is important to develop methods both to monitor forest disturbances and to quantify the impact of these disturbance events on the carbon balance. In this study we present a method to monitor insect-induced defoliation in a subarctic birch forest in northern Sweden, and to quantify the impact of these outbreaks on gross primary productivity (GPP). Since frequent cloud cover in the study area requires data with high temporal resolution and limits the use of finer spatial resolution sensors such as Landsat, defoliation was mapped with remote sensing data from the MODIS sensor with 250 m × 250 m spatial resolution. The impact on GPP was estimated with a light use efficiency (LUE) model that was calibrated with GPP data obtained from eddy covariance (EC) measurements from 5 years with undisturbed birch forest and 1 year with insect-induced defoliation. Two methods were applied to estimate the impact on GPP: (1) applying a GPP reduction factor derived from EC measured GPP to estimate GPP loss, and (2) running a LUE model for both undisturbed and defoliated forest and deriving the differences in modelled GPP. In the study area of 100 km2 the results suggested a substantial setback to the carbon uptake: an average decrease in regional GPP over the three outbreak years (2004, 2012, and 2013) was estimated to 15 ± 5 Gg C yr−1, compared to the mean regional GPP of 40 ± 12 Gg C yr−1 for the 5 years without defoliation, i.e. 38 %. In the most severe outbreak year (2012), 76 % of the birch forests were defoliated, and annual regional GPP was merely 50 % of GPP for years without disturbances. The study has generated valuable data on GPP reduction, and demonstrates a potential for mapping insect disturbance impact over extended areas.

Background Elderly patients with multiple diagnoses and drug use consume a lot of primary care. A healthcare centre in a city with a high proportion of elderly people, started a geriatric team including physician, nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, dietitian, counsellor and a pharmacist to provide team-based care for these patients. Purpose The purpose of the study was to evaluate the involvement of a pharmacist in a team-based care for elderly patients in primary care. The role of the pharmacist was to provide medication reconciliation (MR), appropriate medication and identify drug-related problems prior to the patient’s visit to the physician. Material and methods The pharmacist met the patient in the health centre and the patient was asked to either bring drugs or a medication list to the visit. The pharmacist conducted a medication review, and evaluated medication adherence and compliance. The patient was allowed to ask the pharmacist about the drugs. The pharmacist prepared a written report for the physician with findings and recommendations concerning the medicine managements for the patient. The findings were also forwarded to the geriatric team during a team conference once-weekly. Patients and physicians were asked to evaluate the meeting with the pharmacist through a questionnaire. Results During 2016, the pharmacist met 60 patients, aged 61 to 94, 70% females. Thirty-three patients received the questionnaire (aged 61 to 93, 70% females), and 31 responded. Eighty-six per cent of patients were satisfied with the visit to the pharmacist, and 85% stated they had received answers for their questions. Doctors were asked to evaluate the pharmacist’s intervention prior to the meeting between patient and physician on a scale from 1 to 5, (5 referring to ‘very satisfied’ and 1 to ‘not satisfied’). The mean value of 19 responding physicians was 4.3. Conclusion The involvement of a pharmacist in a geriatric team at a healthcare centre is appreciated by the patients and the doctors. The results such as drug appropriateness for each patient, and adherence and number of drug-related problems needs to be further evaluated. References and/or Acknowledgements Special thanks to colleagues at the healthcare centre; Dr Cedric Arrive and nurse Marina Vestberg Kahlson. No conflict of interest

This study analyzed predictors of psychiatric hospitalization in ex-prisoners with substance use problems ( N = 4,081) assessed with the Addiction Severity Index and followed post-release for hospitalizations with psychiatric diagnoses (including suicide attempts). Thirty-four percent were hospitalized, and in Cox regression, several substance-related variables predicted hospitalization, including use of heroin, sedatives, and polysubstance. A secondary analysis, with a psychiatric non-substance focus, excluded hospitalizations involving only substance-related disorders or only a personality disorder in addition to a substance-related disorder. With this definition, 10% were hospitalized, and significant baseline predictors were previous psychiatric hospitalization (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.83), previous suicide attempt (HR = 1.91), depression (HR = 1.33), anxiety (HR = 1.37), sedative use (HR = 1.46), and, negatively, amphetamine use (HR = 0.71). Substance-related variables may predict all-cause psychiatric hospitalizations in prisoners with substance use problems, whereas non-substance-related psychiatric hospitalization may be predicted by baseline psychiatric problems, which calls for attention to psychiatric problems in this setting.

We tested whether the presence of plant roots would impair the uptake of ammonium ([Formula: see text]), glycine, and glutamate by microorganisms in a deciduous forest soil exposed to constant or variable moisture in a short-term (24-h) experiment. The uptake of (15)NH4 and dual labeled amino acids by the grass Festuca gigantea L. and soil microorganisms was determined in planted and unplanted soils maintained at 60% WHC (water holding capacity) or subject to drying and rewetting. The experiment used a design by which competition was tested in soils that were primed by plant roots to the same extent in the planted and unplanted treatments. Festuca gigantea had no effect on microbial N uptake in the constant moist soil, but its presence doubled the microbial [Formula: see text] uptake in the dried and rewetted soil compared with the constant moist. The drying and rewetting reduced by half or more the [Formula: see text] uptake by F. gigantea, despite more than 60% increase in the soil concentration of [Formula: see text]. At the same time, the amino acid and [Formula: see text]-N became equally valued in the plant uptake, suggesting that plants used amino acids to compensate for the lower [Formula: see text] acquisition. Our results demonstrate the flexibility in plant-microbial use of different N sources in response to soil moisture fluctuations and emphasize the importance of including transient soil conditions in experiments on resource competition between plants and soil microorganisms. Competition between plants and microorganisms for N is demonstrated by a combination of removal of one of the potential competitors, the plant, and subsequent observations of the uptake of N in the organisms in soils that differ only in the physical presence and absence of the plant during a short assay. Those conditions are necessary to unequivocally test for competition.

Background. Nonmedical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) is a growing problem and tramadol has been suggested as an emerging problem in young treatment-seeking individuals. The aim of the present study was to investigate, through hair analysis, NMPOU in this group and, specifically, tramadol use. Methods. In a study including 73 treatment-seeking adolescents and young adults at an outpatient facility for young substance users, hair specimens could be obtained from 59 subjects. Data were extracted on sociodemographic background variables and psychiatric diagnoses through MINI interviews. Results. In hair analysis, tramadol was by far the most prevalent opioid detected. Thirty-two percent screened positive for opioids, and of those, all but one were positive for tramadol. Ninety-eight percent reported problematic cannabis use. Significantly more opioid-positive patients also screened positive for other (noncannabis) drugs, compared to nonopioid users. Sixty-four percent fulfilled criteria of DSM-IV psychiatric disorders, other than substance use disorders according to MINI. Fifty-three percent met the symptom criteria count of ADHD above cut-off level. Conclusion. In the present setting, tramadol, along with high rates of cannabis use, may represent a novel pattern of substance use among young treatment-seeking subjects with problematic substance use and high rates of concurrent psychiatric problems.

Purpose Substance use disorders and problematic substance use are common problems in adolescence and young adulthood. Brief personalized feedback has been suggested for treatment of alcohol and drug problems and poor mental health. This repeated measurement randomized controlled trial examines the effect of an interactive voice response (IVR) system for assessing stress, depression, anxiety and substance use. Methods The IVR system was used twice weekly over 3 months after treatment initiation, with or without addition of a personalized feedback intervention on stress and mental health symptoms. Both IVR assessment only (control group) and IVR assessment including feedback (intervention group) were provided as an add-on to treatment-as-usual procedures (TAU) in outpatient treatment of substance use problems in adolescents and young adults (N = 73). Results By using a mixed models approach, differences in change scores were analyzed over the three-month assessment period. Compared to the control group, the intervention group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in the Arnetz and Hasson stress score (AHSS, p = 0.019), the total Symptoms Checklist 8 score (SCL-8D, p = 0.037), the SCL-8D anxiety sub-score (p = 0.017), and on a summarized feedback score (p = 0.026), but not on the depression subscale. There were no differences in global substance use scores between the intervention group (feedback on mental health symptoms) and the control group. Conclusion In conclusion, IVR may be useful for follow-up and repeated interventions as an add-on to regular treatment, and personalized feedback could potentially improve mental health in adolescents and young adults with problematic substance use.

Study Hypothesis Recently, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified several common variants associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI) by 10% to 30%. The authors state that these loci explain only a small proportion of the predicted genetic risk and that all of the current loci for CAD and MI by GWAS have been discovered in European populations. The authors hypothesized that discovery of new susceptibility loci of smaller effect sizes would be aided by conducting much larger studies in addition to an emphasis on early-onset CAD and clearly defined clinical end points. Therefore, they assembled the Coronary Artery Disease (C4D) Genetics Consortium.1 ### How Was the Hypothesis Tested? The authors performed a meta-analysis of 4 large GWAS of CAD, 2 of European ancestry (PROCARDIS and HPS) and 2 of South Asian ancestry (PROMIS and LOLLIPOP), with ≈575 000 genotyped single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a discovery data set comprising 15 420 individuals with CAD (cases) (8424 Europeans and 6996 South Asians) and 15 062 control subjects. They observed little evidence for ancestry-specific associations, supporting the use of combined analyses. Furthermore, the authors state that because all individuals were genotyped on the same platform (whole-genome Illumina BeadChips), a meta-analysis of actual genotypes rather than imputed data enabled analysis of low-frequency variants (1% to 5%), which have been excluded from GWAS either because of sample size or because imputation has been required to combine data from different genotyping platforms. After the meta-analysis, they selected 59 SNPs from 50 loci that showed potential new associations from the meta-analysis of the European and South Asian studies (41 SNPs; P

The option, for practical and ethical reasons, to replace animal plasma with human plasma for calibration standards was successfully applied to 73 analytical methods developed in our laboratory during the last years. The animals used for obtaining blank plasma could then be reduced with a number corresponding to about 25% of mice or 5% of rats in ordinary one-month toxicology studies. This is of important public concern and also in accordance with the 3R-strategy. The methods were successfully validated for determination of drug concentrations in plasma from rat, dog, mouse, rabbit and cynomolgus monkey. Reproducibility of study samples from dosed animals was established, showing a mean accuracy of 100.8% with a CV of 7.2% ( n = 1339). The purpose of this paper is to present a scientific basis for the alternative approach to adopt human plasma matrix for calibration standards, which will reduce animal use, without compromising the quality of appropriately validated assays. Additional advantages are cheaper and simplified plasma maintenance and the possibility to validate methods for several species in the same analytical batch.

Background Pyrethroid insecticides are the most commonly used residential insecticides in the United States. Objectives Our objective was to assess human exposure via biomonitoring to pyrethroid insecticides in a representative sample of the general U.S. population ≥ 6 years of age. Methods By using isotope-dilution high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray chemical ionization/tandem mass spectrometry, we measured five urinary metabolites of pyrethroid insecticides in 5,046 samples collected as a part of the 1999–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Univariate, multivariate, and Pearson correlation analyses were performed using SUDAAN and SAS software, incorporating the appropriate sample weights into the analyses. Multivariate analyses included age, sex, race/ethnicity, creatinine, fasting status, and urine collection time as covariates. Results We detected 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3PBA), a metabolite common to many pyrethroid insecticides, in more than 70% of the samples. The least-squares geometric mean (LSGM) concentration (corrected for covariates) of 3PBA and the frequency of detection increased from 1999–2000 (0.292 ng/mL) to 2001–2002 (0.318 ng/mL) but not significantly. Non-Hispanic blacks had significantly higher LSGM 3PBA concentrations than did non-Hispanic whites and Mexican Americans in the 2001–2002 survey period and in the combined 4-year survey periods but not in the 1999–2000 survey period. Children had significantly higher LSGM concentrations of 3PBA than did adolescents in both NHANES periods and than adults in NHANES 1999–2000. Cis- and trans-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid were highly correlated with each other and with 3PBA, suggesting that urinary 3PBA was derived primarily from exposure to permethrin, cypermethrin, or their degradates. Conclusions Pyrethroid insecticide exposure in the U.S. population is widespread, and the presence of its metabolites in the urine of U.S. residents indicates that children may have higher exposures than adolescents and adults.

Twenty-four hour profiles of free insulin and blood glucose were determined in 12 healthy controls and 10 insulin-dependent diabetics treated with insulin regimens based on intermediate-acting insulin injected subcutaneously once or twice a day. The diabetics were ambulatory and in a good glycemic control, i.e. without hyperglycemic symptoms or frequent hypoglycemias and with HbA1 less than 9% (reference value 5.9-7.8%). Body weight was normal and median age (32 years) was the same in both groups. Free insulin was determined after polyethylene glycol precipitation of antibody-bound insulin. The controls had a low basal insulin level (median fasting value 3.9 mU/l) and postprandial peaks with a maximum within 30-60 min. There was no rise in plasma free insulin or blood glucose in the early morning hours. The free insulin profiles in the diabetics were highly unphysiological with hyperinsulinemia between the meals and during the night. The highest plasma free insulin value during the 24 hours was reached before lunch (approximately 5-fold compared to normals, p less than 0.01). Postprandially the free insulin concentrations did not reach the peak levels of the normals. After breakfast, blood glucose rose considerably in the diabetics (p less than 0.02 compared to normals) while the rise after lunch and dinner was not higher than in the healthy controls. The difficulties in glycemic control in the diabetic group, i.e. a blood glucose rise after breakfast and hypoglycemias in some patients, could largely be explained by the unphysiological insulin profiles.

Because of increasing concern about widespread use of insecticides and fungicides, we have developed a highly sensitive analytical method to quantify urine-specific urinary biomarkers of the organophosphorus pesticides acephate, methamidophos, omethoate, dimethoate, and two metabolites from the fungicides alkylenebis-(dithiocarbamate) family: ethylenethiourea and propylenethiourea. The general sample preparation included lyophilization of the urine samples followed by extraction with dichloromethane. The analytical separation was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and detection by a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source in positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis. Two different Thermo-Finnigan (San Jose, CA, USA) triple quadrupole mass spectrometers, a TSQ 7,000 and a TSQ Quantum Ultra, were used in these analyses; results are presented comparing the method specifications of these two instruments. Isotopically labeled internal standards were used for three of the analytes. The use of labeled internal standards in combination with HPLC-MS/MS provided a high degree of selectivity and precision. Repeated analysis of urine samples spiked with high, medium and low concentration of the analytes gave relative standard deviations of less than 18%. For all compounds the extraction efficiency ranged between 52% and 63%, relative recoveries were about 100%, and the limits of detection were in the range of 0.001-0.282 ng/ml.

Background Risk factors for suicide and fatal accidental intoxication are extensively studied, while risk factors for intoxications/injuries of undetermined intent are less well known. The latter have shown an overlap with suicides, but also with fatal accidental intoxications. The objective was to analyze potential differences and similarities in the patterns of risk factors for accidental intoxications, injuries/intoxications with undetermined intent, and suicides, respectively. Methods A follow-up register study was conducted, using data from ASI interviews with clients in the criminal justice system in Sweden (n = 6744), followed in the National Causes of Death Register. A set of risk factors from the ASI interview were tested in bivariate analysis with the respective cause of death, yielding significant risk factors further analyzed in three Cox regression models. Results In Cox regression analyses, death from fatal accidental intoxication was associated with male gender (HR 4.09), use of heroin (HR 2.86), and use of cannabis (HR 1.94), and death from intoxication/injury of undetermined intent was associated with use of heroin (HR 3.48), binge drinking of alcohol (HR 2.46) and previous psychiatric hospitalization (HR 2.41), while negatively associated with depression (HR 0.33). Death from suicide was associated with previous suicide attempts (HR 2.78) and use of sedatives (HR 2.17). Conclusions In this population of criminal justice clients with reported substance use problems, fatal injuries/intoxications with undetermined intent – like fatal accidental intoxications – appear to be associated with substance use variables, and cannot readily be assumed to represent the same background factors as suicide.

The mortality of 8,964 heifer calves born in 122 dairy herds in southwest Sweden in 1998 to 2000 was monitored from January 1998 until December 2000. Farmers were requested to send carcasses for necropsy from animals that died from 1 d of age to first calving. Age and seasonal patterns of mortality were investigated using Kaplan-Meier curves. The median herd-level mortality risk was 2.1%. In total, 3.1% of the animals died before 90 d of age, 0.9% between d 91 and 210, and 2.2% between d 211 and first calving or d 810 (27 mo of age). The median age at death was 50 d and the risk of dying was highest during the first week of life. Of the 421 dead animals, 236 (56%) were subjected to either postmortem examination or were diagnosed as having died from trauma based on information from the farmers. In total, pneumonia was the most common cause of death (27%). However, in calves less than 31 d old, enteritis was the most common cause of death; in young stock 211 to 450 d old, trauma dominated; and in young stock more than 450 d old, trauma and calving-related diseases accounted for a majority of the mortality. The largest proportion of deaths was observed from January to March, and in June. Kaplan-Meier curves suggested that housing in small-group pens was associated with the lowest mortality (other housing systems were single pens and large-group pens with automatic milk feeders), but the association was not significant.

We report population-based concentrations (stratified by age, sex, and composite race/ethnicity variables) of selective metabolites of chlorpyrifos (3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol; TCPY), chlorpyrifos methyl (TCPY), malathion (malathion dicarboxylic acid; MDA), diazinon (2-isopropyl-4-methyl-6-hydroxypyrimidine; IMPY), methyl parathion (para-nitrophenol; PNP), and parathion (PNP). We measured the concentrations of TCPY, MDA, IMPY, and PNP in 1997 urine samples from participants, aged 6-59 years, of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2000. We detected TCPY in more than 96% of the samples tested. Other organophosphorus pesticide metabolites were detected less frequently: MDA, 52%; IMPY, 29%; and PNP, 22%. The geometric means for TCPY were 1.77 microg/L and 1.58 microg/g creatinine. The 95th percentiles for TCPY were 9.9 microg/L and 8.42 microg/g creatinine. The 95th percentiles for MDA were 1.6 microg/L and 1.8 microg/g creatinine. The 95th percentiles for IMPY and PNP were 3.7 microg/L (3.4 microg/g creatinine) and 5.0 microg/L (4.2 microg/g creatinine), respectively. Multivariate analyses showed that children aged 6-11 years had significantly higher concentrations of TCPY than adults and adolescents. Similarly, adolescents had significantly higher TCPY concentrations than adults. Although the concentrations between sexes and among composite racial/ethnic groups varied, no significant differences were observed.

We have developed a method for measuring 17 sulfonylurea (SU) herbicides in human urine. Urine samples were extracted using solid phase extraction (SPE), pre-concentrated, and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using turboionspray atmospheric pressure ionization. Carbon 13-labeled ethametsulfuron methyl was used as an internal standard. Chromatographic retention times were under 7 minutes. Total throughput was estimated as >100 samples per day. Because only one labeled internal standard was available for the analysis, we were forced to reconsider and restructure the validation process to include stringent stability tests and analyses of urine matrices of differing compositions. We describe our restructured validation process and the critical evaluation it provides for the method developed. The limits of detection (LOD) ranged from 0.05 microg/L to 0.10 microg/L with an average LOD of 0.06 microg/L. Average total relative standard deviations were 17%, 12% and 8% at 0.1 microg/L, 3.0 microg/L and 10 microg/L, respectively. Average extraction efficiencies of the SPE cartridges were 87% and 86% at 2.5 microg/L and 25 microg/L, respectively. Chemical degradation in acetonitrile and urine was monitored over 250 days. Estimated days for 10% and 50% degradation in urine and acetonitrile ranged from 0.7 days to >318 days. The influence of matrix effects on precision and accuracy was also explored.

The ability to estimate low-dose human exposure to commonly used pesticides often is requested in epidemiologic studies. Therefore, fast and robust methods are necessary that can measure many analytes in the same sample. We have developed a method for high-throughput analysis of 19 markers of commonly used pesticides in human urine. The analytes were seven specific metabolites of organophosphorus pesticides, five metabolites of synthetic pyrethroids, six herbicides or their metabolites, and one insect repellant. Human urine (2 mL) was spiked with stable isotopically labeled analogues of the analytes, enzymatically hydrolyzed, extracted using solid-phase extraction, concentrated, and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The sample was divided into two portions and analyzed on two different mass spectrometers, one using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and the other using turbo ion spray atmospheric pressure ionization (TIS). All analytes except the pyrethroid metabolites were analyzed using APCI. The detection limits for all analytes ranged from 0.1 to 1.5 ng/mL of urine, with the majority (17) below 0.5 ng/mL. The analytical precision for the different analytes, estimated as both the within-day and between-day variation, was 3-14 and 4-19%, respectively. The extraction recoveries of the analytes ranged from 68 to 114%. The throughput, including calibration standards and quality control samples, is approximately 50 samples a day. However, the analysis time with the TIS application is much shorter, and if only pyrethroid metabolite data are of interest, the throughput can be increased to 100-150 samples/day.

The aim of this study was to investigate the oxidation of two different engine oils: a mineral and a synthetic engine oil. The mineral oil was a CEC 3 reference oil often used in the CEC fuel tests. The synthetic oil was biologically degradable often used for fuel tests. The oils were analyzed by liquid-state 13 C NMR, 1 H NMR and cyclic fast neutron activation analysis (cFNAA) and were oxidized at about 550 °C at atmospheric pressure in an oxidizer with constant airflow. The amount of oxygen in the condensed oil after oxidation and soot produced was measured using cFNAA. The soot produced by the mineral oil at 550 °C was studied by solid-state 13 C NMR. The amount of oxygen in the mineral oil was estimated to 1.6±0.2 wt.% and in the synthetic oil it was 10.1±0.1 wt.%. After oxidation at 550 °C, the synthetic oil produced almost 25% more soot than the mineral oil. The amount of oxygen in the soot produced by the mineral oil was 24.9±0.5 wt.% and in the soot derived by the synthetic oil it was 23.4±0.5 wt.%. Seemingly, the degradation of the mineral engine oil goes via the formation of oxidized aliphatics. Interestingly, the soot derived from the mineral oil at 550 °C was similar to combustion chamber deposits (CCDs) derived from the same oil in a previous study in terms of oxygen content and chemical composition.

The nitrate reductase activity (NRA) was measured during spring, early summer and late summer in three deciduous forests, where the tree layer was dominated by oak. The nitrate assimilation capacities of the compartments of the above-ground and below-ground biomass of the understory and of the leaves and roots of the tree layer were calculated as NRA per unit biomass and NRA per unit area. The NRA per unit biomass in the above-ground parts of the understory ranged from 0.56 to 13.6 mumol NO2- g(-1) dw h(-1) and was highest in the spring at all sites. The NRA per unit below-ground biomass ranged from 0.12 to 0.94 mumol NO2- g(-1) dw h(-1). For leaves, the NRA per unit biomass varied between 0.27 and 3.51 mumol NO2- g(-1) dw h(-1), and for the roots between 0.14 and 0.91 mumol NO2- g(-1) dw h(-1). Over 90% of the total nitrate uptake (measured as NRA m(-2)) was performed by the understory in the spring, when the nitrification is high, but the unleafed trees showed little activity. Measurements during other periods than spring are scarce in the literature, but results reported here demonstrate the importance of the understory also during the summer, as the NRA per unit biomass of the understory layer was quite high. Fifteen to 50% of the total NRA m(-2) was found in the understory. The capability of the understory and the tree layer to change NRA with nitrate availability and thereby prevent nitrate leaching is further discussed. (Less)

Organophosphorus pesticides are commonly used in both agricultural and residential settings. The widespread use of these chemicals makes it almost impossible for humans to avoid exposure. In order to determine background human exposure, there is a need for fast, reliable, and sensitive analytical methods. We have developed a sensitive method to quantify specific biomarkers of the organophosphorus pesticides acephate, azinphos, chlorpyrifos, coumaphos, diazinon, isazofos, malathion, methamidophos, parathion and pirimiphos or their O,O-dimethyl analogues in human urine, as their selective metabolites or as the intact pesticide. Isotopically labeled internal standards were used for eight of the analytes. The use of labeled internal standards in combination with high-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry provided a high degree of specificity. Repeated analysis of urine samples fortified with high and low concentrations of the analytes gave relative standard deviations (RSD) of less than 10% for the analytes with an isotopically labeled standard. Analytes without isotopically labeled standards had higher RSD. For all compounds except methamidophos and acephate, the recoveries were greater than 70%. The limits of quantification for most of the analytes were in the range of 0.1 to 1 ng/mL. We detected concentrations of most of these pesticides and/or their metabolites in urine samples from non-occupationally exposed persons using our method. Our frequencies of detection for the analytes measured ranged from 1% to 98%.

The twin hook has been developed as an alternative to the conventional lag screw to be combined with a barrelled side-plate in the treatment of trochanteric hip fractures. With two oppositely directed apical hooks introduced into the subchondral bone of the femoral head, the twin hook provides different stabilising properties to the lag screw. The femoral head purchase of the twin hook and the lag screw were compared in a biomechanical study using artificial cancellous bone, and responses to axial and torsional loading was determined. A distinct yield point in load and torque was noted for the lag screw, representing failure of the laminas supporting the threads. For the twin hook, gradual increase of load and torque occurred during impaction of the bone supporting the hooks. The peak loads and torques were higher for the lag screw, but were similar for both devices after 8 mm deformation. The stiffness was higher for the lag screw, but in counter-clockwise rotation the stiffness for the lag screw was negligible. The twin hook appeared to provide fixation stability comparable to that offered by the lag screw, but with conceivable advantages in terms of a deformation response involving bone impaction and gradually increasing stability.

We compared 54 patients treated by a Medoff sliding plate (MSP) with 60 stabilised by a compression hip screw (CHS) in a prospective, randomised study of the management of intertrochanteric femoral fractures. Four months after the operation femoral shortening was determined from radiographs of both femora. In unstable fractures the mean femoral shortening was 15 mm with the MSP and 11 mm with the CHS (p = 0.03). A subgroup in which shortening was classified as large, comprising one-third of the patients in each group, had a similar extent of shortening, but more medialisation of the femoral shaft occurred in the CHS (26%) than in the MSP (12%) group (p = 0.03). Five postoperative failures of fixation occurred with the CHS and none with the MSP (p = 0.03). The marginally greater femoral shortening seen with the MSP compared with the CHS appeared to be justified by the improved control of impaction of the fracture. Biaxial dynamisation in unstable intertrochanteric fractures is a safe principle of treatment, which minimises the rate of postoperative failure of fixation.

The paper analyzes the appearance of knowledge in growth theory in relation to some fundamental notions in epistemology and the philosophy of science. Based on a brief account of epistemological theory, I discuss the treatment of knowledge in growth models starting from Solow (1956). My results suggest that although some important insights have been made - for instance the distinction between propositional and procedural knowledge and between knowledge gained by experience and by education - there are still confusions in the literature regarding the vital difference between the known and the knowing. Growth theorists have also largely overlooked that knowledge tends to be uncertain and evolves in a discontinuous fashion. Future growth modeling might benefit from empirical patent research at the micro level.

The preferences of some woodland understorey species for ammonium and nitrate were investigated by measuring the potential nitrification (conversion of ammonium to nitrate) in the rhizosphere compared with the bulk soil. Less acid-tolerant species, which usually prefer nitrate or a mixture of ammonium and nitrate in hydroponic culture, should have a higher potential nitrification in the rhizosphere compared to the bulk soil due to a low uptake of ammonium (since ammonium is relatively immobile). Acid-tolerant species should have a high uptake of ammonium and thereby lower or equal potential nitrification in the rhizosphere compared to the bulk soil. The hypothesis was tested in a field investigation of five understorey herb species, Deschampsia flexuosa, Convallaria majalis, Poa nemoralis, Geum urbanum and Aegopodium podagraria performed in oak forests in southern Sweden. Overall, the two less acid-tolerant species, Geum urbanum and Aegopodium podagraria, had high potential nitrification in the rhizosphere compared to the bulk soil (indicating a relatively low uptake of ammonium), whilst the acid tolerant species, Deschampsia flexuosa and Convallaria majalis, had approximately equal potential nitrification in the rhizosphere compared to the bulk soil (indicating a relatively high uptake of ammonium). In the case of Poa nemoralis, a species which grows in both acid and less acid soils, we found the potential nitrification in the rhizosphere and in the bulk soil to be similar at low inorganic nitrogen concentrations, but the difference (rhizosphere > bulk) increased when nitrification in the bulk soil was enhanced (i.e. when the nitrogen availability increased). The potential nitrification in the bulk soil varied between 0 and 16 nmol g(-1) h(-1) and was positively correlated with pH. When species occurred at the same site, the potential nitrification in the bulk soil tended to be lower for the acid tolerant species. Despite a large variation in potential nitrification, the method offers a possibility of measuring the preference of plants for ammonium/nitrate in a soil system, under natural conditions. (C) 2000 Annals of Botany Company. (Less)

Our objective was to investigate the usefulness of human ultralente insulin as basal substitution overnight in patients with Type 1 diabetes treated with multiple insulin injection therapy by evaluating the free insulin and glucose profiles, the day-to-day variability and the impact of the time of injection. Methods: Ten patients with Type 1 diabetes and with good metabolic control (mean HbAlc 6.0%), treated with regular human insulin before breakfast, lunch and dinner and human ultralente (Ultratard«) before dinner or at bedtime, were studied. Plasma profiles of blood glucose and free insulin were measured on three occasions from 16.00 h until noon the next day. On two of these occasions Ultratard« was injected before dinner and once it was injected at bedtime in randomized order. Results: Injection of regular insulin before dinner resulted in a high insulin peak during the evening but no insulin peak was found that could be attributed to ultralente. The plasma concentration of free insulin at 03.00 h was 11.0▒1.9 mU/L and it slowly decreased to 6.4▒1.4 at 12.00 h after administration of ultralente at 17.00 h. There were no differences in the mean plasma insulin profiles compared to the other occasion when insulin was given at 17.00 h or at 22.00 h. On the other hand, the intra-individual day-to-day variability of mean insulin concentration during the night was considerable, often exceeding 50%. No differences were noted in the mean blood glucose profiles between the three occasions. Conclusion: Human ultralente insulin gives an insulin profile suitable for overnight substitution, but the great day-to-day variability limits its usefulness. It can be injected before dinner or at bedtime without any change in the insulin profile during the night.

A premixed laminar n-heptane/air flame (1 atm and φ = 1. 0 ± 0.05) was investigated experimentally (using on-line GC/MS) and computationally. Ethene, propene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, and 1-heptene showed broad peaks with maxima at a distance around 1000 μm from the burner. Methane, ethane, and propane showed more narrow peaks and maxima around 1075 μm. The following compounds with their maxima were found (mol %): ethene (0.99), methane (0.069), propene (0.127), ethyne (0.103), ethane (0.080), 1-butene (0.040), 1-pentene (0.021), and 1,3-butadiene (0.014). Concentrations of less than 0.01 mol % were detected for the components 1-heptene, propyne, propadiene, methanol, and acetaldehyde. The flame was modeled using the semiempirical mechanism by Held et al.1 The model produced peaks of the organic intermediates at about 400−500 μm. Important measured species not present in the mechanism were propane, propyne, methanol, isobutene, 2-butene, and 1-heptene. The computed maxima of 1-butene, 1,3-butadiene...

Small samples (15–150 mg) of wood and bark from basket willow ( Salix viminalis ) clone Jorr were pyrolysed at 550°C. Samples from pure wood of European White (Silver) Birch ( Betula pendula (alba) ) and Norway Spruce ( Picea abies ) were used as references. The compounds produced during pyrolysis were analysed using gas chromatographic (GC) methods: direct injection with GC/FTIR/FID, direct injection with GC/MS, and pre-concentration with GC/MS. The samples from salix, birch and spruce all produced a range of low molecular weight compounds: aliphatic acids, esters, aldehydes, and ketones as well as furans. Commonly, these samples also formed aromatic compounds: phenol, methyl-phenols, and the guiacol (2-Methoxyphenol) series of compounds. Salix and birch both produced the syringol (2,6-Dimethoxyphenol) series of compounds. Syringol derivatives were not detected from the pyrolysis of spruce.

Small samples (5 μl) of rapeseed oil, rapeseed oil methyl ester (RME) and a superior quality diesel oil according to the Swedish environmentally class 1 (SEC1) were oxidised at 550°C in a reactor. The compounds produced were analysed using a gas chromatographic (GC) method: direct gas injection with GC/MS. Rapeseed oil and RME produced factor 10 more 1-alkenes, dienes, and benzene in comparison with diesel SEC L Rapeseed oil produced high amounts of acrolein and other aldehydes. Oxidation of RME produced significant amounts of methyl acrylate (2-propenoic acid, methyl ester). The different oils produced a varying number of compounds during the oxidation. The rapeseed oil produced 72 peaks with a peak-area above 100 000-area counts and RME produced 61 peaks, in comparison the SEC 1 produced only 27 peaks.

Small samples of wood (15 – 150 mg) from 8 different species of birch (Betula) were pyrolysed at 550 °C. The compounds produced from the pyrolysis were analysed using gas chromatographic (GC) methods: direct injection with GC/FTIR/FID and pre-concentration with GC/MS. A broad distribution of oxygenated organic compounds was formed: aldehydes, acids, ketones, substituted furans and methoxylated phenols. The chromatograms were very similar for all eight species, both with direct injection and pre-concentration. Compared to similar studies for pine and spruces significantly higher amounts were formed in the molecular range 60 – 130 amu. The conifers showed more peaks with a molecular weight above 200 amu.

Experiments have been carried out to investigate the performance of a new swirl flow duct which is suitable for compact heat exchangers such as radiators. The ducts tested have rectangular cross sections with aspect ratio 1 to 8, and multiple V-shaped ribs are attached to the wide walls in a staggered arrangement such that square secondary flow cells are established. A previous investigation has shown that multiple V-shaped ribs may provide greater heat transfer enhancement than angled straight ribs and V-shaped ribs at Reynolds numbers below 2000. The data are presented as j and f factors for Reynolds numbers from 500 to 15,000, and correlations are obtained for the influence of rib height (0.1 < e/H < 0.2), rib pitch (3 < p/H < 7), and rib angle (15 deg < Φ < 45 deg). It was found that a rib angle of 45 deg provided the highest j/f ratio, while increasing the rib height or decreasing the rib pitch lowers the j/f ratio.

Small samples (10 – 150 mg) from eight pine and spruce species were pyrolysed at 550 °C. The samples were taken from Scotch pine, Austrian pine, Lodgepole pine, Ponderosa pine, Norway spruce, White spruce, Black spruce and Sitka spruce. The compounds produced from the pyrolysis were analysed with several gas chromatographic (GC) methods: direct injection with GC/MS or GC/FTER/FID and pre-concentration with GC/MS and GC/FID. The product distributions of organic compounds from the different conifers show common features. Large amounts of oxygenated organic compounds were formed: aldehydes, acids, ketones and methoxylated phenols. The pine species produced less methoxylated phenols than the spruce species.

Le developpement de l'industrie de l'architecture navale suedoise est decrit en demontrant l'influence des developpements en Allemagne et aux Etats-Unis

In carbohydrate systems which contain polar groups such as hydroxyl and carboxylic acid groups, water molecules are adsorbed in a specific way which varies with the type of polar group. Near infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) combined with multivariate statistical analysis was used to study the interactions between water molecules and carboxymethylated cellulose (CMC) with various degrees of substitution of the carboxylic acid groups, in two ionic forms (CMC-Na and CMC-Ca). The adsorbed water molecules were clearly influenced by the counterion; i.e. the nature of the ion-pair. A principle component analysis (PCA) identified variations in the registered spectra related to: the nature of the counter-ion, the degree of substitution (DS), the relative humidity (RH) and the type of polar group to which water was adsorbed. It was, possible furthermore, through the use of partial least square analysis (PLS), to extract spectral information related to the non-freezing bound water adsorbed on hydroxyl and carboxyl groups respectively. Loading spectra indicated that the obtained spectral information indeed correlated to the two kinds of polar groups studied (hydroxyl groups and carboxylic acid groups). The results support the view that, in the humidity range of 0–100%, water molecules are specifically adsorbed to individual polar groups, which characteristics are dependent on the nature of the polar group.

Background: Elevated IS response was observed in 22 out of 157 mouse plasma samples in a 3-month toxicity study. This initiated a root cause investigation. Results: Mass spectra revealed that taurocholic acid (TCA) was present in the samples, partially eluted overlapping the analyte peak. An enhanced IS response (>twofold) was reproduced by injecting TCA together with the IS. Tests with five other drug compounds showed compound dependent matrix effects on ESI; enhancement as well as suppression. The matrix effects did not affect the integrity of study results, most likely due to the use of a 13C-labeled IS. Conclusion: The variability of TCA levels in plasma as well as the observed instability of the chromatographic retention complicates the evaluation of TCA-induced matrix effects during method development. Thus, monitoring the IS response in incurred samples is a useful tool to evaluate the performance of a validated method.