Long-term effects of liming on crop yield, plant diseases, soil structure and risk of phosphorus leaching

This study examined the long-term effects of applying structure lime (mixture of ~80% CaCO3 and 20% Ca(OH)2) and ground limestone (CaCO3) on soil aggregate stability and risk of phosphorus (P) losses 5–7 years after liming, incidence of soil-borne diseases and yield in winter wheat (Tritium aestivum), oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris). Lime was applied in 13 field trials in Sweden 2013–2015 and soil characteristics and crop yield were monitored until 2021. Seedbed (0–4 cm depth) aggregate (2–5 mm size) stability was improved to the same extent with both lime treatments compared to the untreated control, sampled 5–7 years after liming. Analyses and estimations of different P fractions (total P, PO4-P, and particulate P) in leachate following simulated rainfall events on undisturbed topsoil cores sampled 6–8 years after liming revealed lower total P and particulate P concentrations in both lime treatments compared to the untreated control. Two sugar beet trial sites with soil pH ≤7.2 before liming showed an increase in sugar yield for structure lime and ground limestone as an effect of increased concentration of soil potassium (K-AL) and/or lower Aphanomyces root rot potential compared to the untreated control. The yield of winter wheat was not affected by the application of either type of lime at sites with pH >7.2 but the yield of oilseed rape decreased after the application of structure lime

Liming alkaline clay soils: effects on soil structure, nutrients, barley growth and yield

Liming before cultivation of sugar beets is favourable even on alkaline soils but knowledge of response in other crops is lacking. Therefore, effects of ground limestone (GL) and structure lime (SL1 slaked lime or SL2 mix of ground limestone and slaked lime) were evaluated in southern Sweden on soil structure, growth and nutrient concentration in barley under four fertilisation strategies 1.5–2 years after application. All lime products increased aggregate stability, but with variations between locations. A lower proportion of large aggregates was found in both limed treatments, and a higher proportion of small aggregates in SL. In barley, grain yield was unaffected while shoot numbers and biomass in first node stage increased for GL and biomass increased further for SL. Structure lime increased potassium concentration in plants in first node stage, due to more potassium in the product. Both lime types increased molybdenum concentration. Ground limestone reduced zinc concentration compared with no liming. Finer seedbed tilth and increased aggregate stability may explain increased biomass for GL. Higher potassium content in SL might be a further explanation. No interactions between liming and fertilisation were found. In conclusion, on the soil types studied, no change of fertilisation strategy is needed due to liming

Long-term effects of liming on crop yield, plant diseases, soil structure and risk of phosphorus leaching

This study examined the long-term effects of applying structure lime (mixture of ~80% CaCO3 and 20% Ca(OH)2) and ground limestone (CaCO3) on soil aggregate stability and risk of phosphorus (P) losses 5–7 years after liming, incidence of soil-borne diseases and yield in winter wheat (Tritium aestivum), oilseed rape (Brassica napus) and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris). Lime was applied in 13 field trials in Sweden 2013–2015 and soil characteristics and crop yield were monitored until 2021. Seedbed (0–4 cm depth) aggregate (2–5 mm size) stability was improved to the same extent with both lime treatments compared to the untreated control, sampled 5–7 years after liming. Analyses and estimations of different P fractions (total P, PO4-P, and particulate P) in leachate following simulated rainfall events on undisturbed topsoil cores sampled 6–8 years after liming revealed lower total P and particulate P concentrations in both lime treatments compared to the untreated control. Two sugar beet trial sites with soil pH ≤7.2 before liming showed an increase in sugar yield for structure lime and ground limestone as an effect of increased concentration of soil potassium (K-AL) and/or lower Aphanomyces root rot potential compared to the untreated control. The yield of winter wheat was not affected by the application of either type of lime at sites with pH >7.2 but the yield of oilseed rape decreased after the application of structure lime

Radiation dosimetry in digital breast tomosynthesis: Report of AAPM Tomosynthesis Subcommittee Task Group 223

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/134828/1/mp2600.pd

Variation in LPA Is Associated with Lp(a) Levels in Three Populations from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

The distribution of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels can differ dramatically across diverse racial/ethnic populations. The extent to which genetic variation in LPA can explain these differences is not fully understood. To explore this, 19 LPA tagSNPs were genotyped in 7,159 participants from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). NHANES III is a diverse population-based survey with DNA samples linked to hundreds of quantitative traits, including serum Lp(a). Tests of association between LPA variants and transformed Lp(a) levels were performed across the three different NHANES subpopulations (non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks, and Mexican Americans). At a significance threshold of p<0.0001, 15 of the 19 SNPs tested were strongly associated with Lp(a) levels in at least one subpopulation, six in at least two subpopulations, and none in all three subpopulations. In non-Hispanic whites, three variants were associated with Lp(a) levels, including previously known rs6919246 (p = 1.18×10−30). Additionally, 12 and 6 variants had significant associations in non-Hispanic blacks and Mexican Americans, respectively. The additive effects of these associated alleles explained up to 11% of the variance observed for Lp(a) levels in the different racial/ethnic populations. The findings reported here replicate previous candidate gene and genome-wide association studies for Lp(a) levels in European-descent populations and extend these findings to other populations. While we demonstrate that LPA is an important contributor to Lp(a) levels regardless of race/ethnicity, the lack of generalization of associations across all subpopulations suggests that specific LPA variants may be contributing to the observed Lp(a) between-population variance

31st Annual Meeting and Associated Programs of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC 2016) : part two

Background The immunological escape of tumors represents one of the main ob- stacles to the treatment of malignancies. The blockade of PD-1 or CTLA-4 receptors represented a milestone in the history of immunotherapy. However, immune checkpoint inhibitors seem to be effective in specific cohorts of patients. It has been proposed that their efficacy relies on the presence of an immunological response. Thus, we hypothesized that disruption of the PD-L1/PD-1 axis would synergize with our oncolytic vaccine platform PeptiCRAd. Methods We used murine B16OVA in vivo tumor models and flow cytometry analysis to investigate the immunological background. Results First, we found that high-burden B16OVA tumors were refractory to combination immunotherapy. However, with a more aggressive schedule, tumors with a lower burden were more susceptible to the combination of PeptiCRAd and PD-L1 blockade. The therapy signifi- cantly increased the median survival of mice (Fig. 7). Interestingly, the reduced growth of contralaterally injected B16F10 cells sug- gested the presence of a long lasting immunological memory also against non-targeted antigens. Concerning the functional state of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), we found that all the immune therapies would enhance the percentage of activated (PD-1pos TIM- 3neg) T lymphocytes and reduce the amount of exhausted (PD-1pos TIM-3pos) cells compared to placebo. As expected, we found that PeptiCRAd monotherapy could increase the number of antigen spe- cific CD8+ T cells compared to other treatments. However, only the combination with PD-L1 blockade could significantly increase the ra- tio between activated and exhausted pentamer positive cells (p= 0.0058), suggesting that by disrupting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis we could decrease the amount of dysfunctional antigen specific T cells. We ob- served that the anatomical location deeply influenced the state of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. In fact, TIM-3 expression was in- creased by 2 fold on TILs compared to splenic and lymphoid T cells. In the CD8+ compartment, the expression of PD-1 on the surface seemed to be restricted to the tumor micro-environment, while CD4 + T cells had a high expression of PD-1 also in lymphoid organs. Interestingly, we found that the levels of PD-1 were significantly higher on CD8+ T cells than on CD4+ T cells into the tumor micro- environment (p < 0.0001). Conclusions In conclusion, we demonstrated that the efficacy of immune check- point inhibitors might be strongly enhanced by their combination with cancer vaccines. PeptiCRAd was able to increase the number of antigen-specific T cells and PD-L1 blockade prevented their exhaus- tion, resulting in long-lasting immunological memory and increased median survival

On associations between different factors and whiplash injury

The overall aim of this thesis was to evaluate associations between different factors and whiplash injury (defined as a soft tissue injury to the neck without fracture or dislocation), focusing on risk of initial and future complaints. The objectives in Paper 1 and II was to determine whether exposure to a rear-end collision, with or without whiplash injury, is associated with future neck or shoulder pain (Paper 1) and other health complaints, besides neck pain (Paper II). The purpose of the third article was to evaluate whether occupant- and crash-related factors, such as age, gender, seating position and type of motor vehicle crash (MVC) are associated with the risk of whiplash injury, given that an MVC had occurred and at least one occupant in the car has been injured. In the fourth paper, the aim was to estimate the effect of potential prognostic factors on the presence of neck pain over a 2-year period among subjects with whiplash injury. The first and the second paper were based on the same study population. Claim reports were collected from the period November 1987 to April 1988. Drivers exposed to a rear-end collision were divided into two subgroups: those with reported whiplash injury (n=232) and those without reported whiplash injury (n=204). For comparison, 3688 subjects who were unexposed to MVCs were selected, with consideration taken to the age and gender distribution in the exposed subgroups. The prevalence of different health complaints among the study subjects was estimated according to a mailed questionnaire at follow-up in 1994, 7 years after the rear-end collision. The age- and gender-adjusted relative risk (RR) of health complaints at follow-up was calculated for subjects in each exposed subgroup as compared with unexposed subjects, using the Mantel-Haenszel technique. In the third article a study of occupants in cars covered by motor insurance at one of the largest insurance companies in Sweden, was undertaken during a one-year period. The study population comprised all occupants in cars exposed to an MVC in which at least one occupant was injured (n=7120). Adjusted estimates of the relative risk of whiplash injury, associated with the different occupant- and crashrelated factors, were calculated by means of binomial regression analysis. In the fourth paper, the association between potential prognostic factors and the presence of neck pain at follow-up was estimated in subjects with whiplash injury at one month, six months, one year and two years after the MVC (n=2280), by calculating odds ratios (OR) together with 95% confidence intervals (Cl). The outcome, i.e., neck pain, was defined as a score of 60 mm and over on a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS). The simultaneous effect of several potential prognostic factors was calculated by means of logistic regression. A separate analysis was carried out for each of the four different follow-ups, respectively. In Paper I, it was shown that the relative risk of neck or shoulder pain at follow-up was 1.3 (95% Cl 0.8-2.0) in the exposed subjects without whiplash injury compared with the unexposed. The corresponding relative risk in subjects with whiplash injury was 2.7 (95% Cl 2.1-3.5). For this group, increased relative risks were also seen for headache, thoracic and low back pain, as well as for fatigue, sleep disturbances and ill health (RR in the range of 1.6- 3.7) (Paper 11). No corresponding increased risks were found among the exposed subjects without reported whiplash injury. In Paper Ill it was found that, considering different MVCs, rear-end collisions were associated with the highest relative risk of whiplash injury when compared with side impacts (1.82; 95% Cl 1.68-1.96), while drivers showed the strongest association with respect to seating position when compared with passengers in the rear seat (1.78; 95% Cl 1.60-1.97). Females had a somewhat higher risk of whiplash injury compared with males (RR 1.20; 95% Cl 1.16-1.25). No interaction between the studied factors was observed on the additive scale. In Paper IV, it was demonstrated that the most pronounced prognostic factor was neck pain intensity at baseline, with an OR in the range of 15 to 39 at the different followups, respectively. Compared with subjects with a low degree of perceived helplessness, the odds ratio increased with higher degrees of helplessness and the strength of the association remained relatively constant over time. The OR was 5.6 (95% Cl 2.8-11.2) and 5.1 (95% Cl 2.5-10.3) at the one- and twoyear follow-ups, respectively, for subjects reporting a high degree of helplessness at baseline. Females had an approximately twofold increased odds of having neck pain compared with men. The studies included in this thesis have added important knowledge regarding risk factors for whiplash injury, as well as for factors of relevance for future consequences due to whiplash injury

Clinical nursing introduction program for new graduate nurses in Sweden : Study protocol for a prospective longitudinal cohort study

Introduction High levels of nursing turnover represent a problem for healthcare organisations and patient safety. Experiences during the first years in the nursing profession have a significant impact on nurses' future decisions concerning their careers. Nurses at the start of their professional career need to practise their hands-on skills as well as their theoretical knowledge. In addition, new graduate nurses need regular support and opportunities to reflect on experiences in their new profession. The aim of the present study is to describe the Clinical Nursing Introduction Program (CNIP) and present a study design in which the programme is used to support new graduate nurses' transition into the nursing profession. Method and analysis The present study examines the CNIP at a general hospital in southwest Sweden, which lasts for 14 months. The programme has a unique profile based on a person-centred approach and consists of five components: employment and organisation, a compulsory introduction week, two placements in different clinical settings, education days and process-oriented nursing supervision. The present study presents a protocol for a prospective longitudinal cohort study, using qualitative and quantitative methods in the collection and analysis of data. Measurements will include data collection between 2019 and 2023 when the nurses start the CNIP (baseline) and then after 1 and 2 years. Ethics and dissemination This study has been approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board in Gothenburg (Dnr 1056-18). Study findings will be presented at national and international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration number 273573 (https://www.researchweb.org/is/vgr). CC BY-NC 4.0© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.Correspondence to Anita Johansson; [email protected]</p

Hållbar marknadsföring : Utmaningar som ställs inför implementering av hållbart marknadsföringsstrategier

Purpose: There is an increasing interest in sustainability, literature testifies that more and more customers are requesting sustainable products. This increasing request impacts companies that are therefore forced not only to provide sustainable alternatives but also turn their business into a more sustainable one. Due to the relatively newness of this topic there is a need to investigate how sustainable marketing strategies impact companies in the business-to-business sector. This paper is a single case study that presents how an international business-to business company is implementing sustainable marketing strategies, in their process to build a circular economy company. This research aims to describe how sustainable marketing strategies affect the implementation process of a B2B company who is moving towards a circular economy business model. Design/methodology/approach: The study has been conducted using a single case study, employing an abductive approach. Semi-structured interviews, observations, documentation and field notes were collected in a large B2B company in Sweden. Findings: The following challenges have been found to affect the implementation process of sustainable marketing strategies: terminology, communication channels, price strategy, culture, greenwashing, lack of performance measurement, lack of managerial involvement, lack of rewarding system, long decision process, poor use of cross-functional teams, lack of a clear plan, marketing strategies, proactive vs reactive. Originality/value: Since sustainability has been studied mainly in the business-to-consumer sector, this paper contributes to the existing literature because it provides an overview on how an international business-to-business company implements sustainable marketing strategies. Furthermore, the study also brings up the challenges that obstacles the implementation, giving useful insights to companies that would like to approach sustainability more or are in the process of implementing sustainability. Additionally, this paper highlights the importance of involving management and employees around the world and creating a single coherent understanding of sustainability in order to reflect such cohesiveness also in the marketing strategy. Paper type: Single case study

Hållbar marknadsföring : Utmaningar som ställs inför implementering av hållbart marknadsföringsstrategier

Purpose: There is an increasing interest in sustainability, literature testifies that more and more customers are requesting sustainable products. This increasing request impacts companies that are therefore forced not only to provide sustainable alternatives but also turn their business into a more sustainable one. Due to the relatively newness of this topic there is a need to investigate how sustainable marketing strategies impact companies in the business-to-business sector. This paper is a single case study that presents how an international business-to business company is implementing sustainable marketing strategies, in their process to build a circular economy company. This research aims to describe how sustainable marketing strategies affect the implementation process of a B2B company who is moving towards a circular economy business model. Design/methodology/approach: The study has been conducted using a single case study, employing an abductive approach. Semi-structured interviews, observations, documentation and field notes were collected in a large B2B company in Sweden. Findings: The following challenges have been found to affect the implementation process of sustainable marketing strategies: terminology, communication channels, price strategy, culture, greenwashing, lack of performance measurement, lack of managerial involvement, lack of rewarding system, long decision process, poor use of cross-functional teams, lack of a clear plan, marketing strategies, proactive vs reactive. Originality/value: Since sustainability has been studied mainly in the business-to-consumer sector, this paper contributes to the existing literature because it provides an overview on how an international business-to-business company implements sustainable marketing strategies. Furthermore, the study also brings up the challenges that obstacles the implementation, giving useful insights to companies that would like to approach sustainability more or are in the process of implementing sustainability. Additionally, this paper highlights the importance of involving management and employees around the world and creating a single coherent understanding of sustainability in order to reflect such cohesiveness also in the marketing strategy. Paper type: Single case study