Characterization of polycyclic aromatic compounds in historically contaminated soil by targeted and non-targeted chemical analysis combined with in vitro bioassay

Soil samples from a contaminated site in Sweden were analyzed to identify the presence of 78 polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The target analysis revealed large contributions not only from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), but also from alkylated- and oxygenated-PAHs (alkyl- and oxy-PAHs, respectively), and N-heterocyclics (NPACs). PAC profiles indicated primarily pyrogenic sources, although contribution of petrogenic sources was also observed in one sample as indicated by a high ratio of alkylated naphthalene compared to naphthalene. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-activity of the soil extracts was assessed using the H4IIe-pGudluc 1.1 cells bioassay. When compared with the calculated total AhR-activity of the PACs in the target list, 35-97% of the observed bioassay activity could be explained by 62 PACs with relative potency factors (REPs). The samples were further screened using GC coupled with OrbitrapTM high resolution MS (GC-HRMS) to investigate the presence of other PACs that could potentially contribute to the AhR-activity of the extracts. 114 unique candidate compounds were tentatively identified and divided into four groups based on their AhR-activity and environmental occurrence. Twelve substances satisfied all the criteria, and these compounds are suggested to be included in regular screening in future studies, although their identities were not confirmed by standards in this study. High unexplained bio-TEQ fractions in three of the samples may be explained by tentatively identified compounds (n = 35) with high potential of being toxic. This study demonstrates the benefit of combining targeted and non-targeted chemical analysis with bioassay analysis to assess the diversity and effects of PACs at contaminated sites. The applied prioritization strategy revealed a number of tentatively identified compounds, which likely contributed to the overall bioactivity of the soil extracts

Effect of particle size on functional and mechanical properties of single crystals of iron-based FeNiCoAlNb alloy

It is shown that [001]-single crystals Fe-28%Ni-17%Co-11.5%Al-2.5Nb (at. %) alloy aged at T=973 K, 1−20 hours are observed γ'-phase particle size of 3-25 nm, which give rise to thermoelastic of the γ-α′ martensitic transformation. The effect of size of γ'-phase particle on the critical stress of high temperature phase, the temperature range of superelasticity and the mechanical hysteresis are investigated

Parents' experiences of an abnormal ultrasound examination - vacillating between emotional confusion and sense of reality

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>An ultrasound examination is an important confirmation of the pregnancy and is accepted without reflection to any prenatal diagnostic aspects. An abnormal finding often comes unexpectedly and is a shock for the parents. The aim was to generate a theoretical understanding of parents' experiences of the situation when their fetus is found to have an abnormality at a routine ultrasound examination.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixteen parents, mothers and fathers, whose fetus had been diagnosed with an abnormality during an ultrasound scan in the second or third trimester, were interviewed. The study employed a grounded theory approach.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The core category <it>vacillating between the emotional confusion and sense of reality </it>is related to the main concern <it>assessment of the diagnosis impact on the well-being of the fetus</it>. Two other categories <it>Entering uncertainty </it>and <it>Involved in an ongoing change and adaptation </it>have each five sub-categories.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Parents are aware of that ultrasound examination is a tool for identifying abnormalities prenatally. The information about the abnormality initially results in broken expectations and anxiety. Parents become involved in ongoing change and adaptation. They need information about the ultrasound findings and the treatment without prolonged delay and in a suitable environment. The examiner who performs the ultrasound examination must be aware of how anxiety can be intensified by environmental factors. All parents should to be offered a professional person to give them <it>s</it>upport as a part of the routine management of this situation.</p

Sustainable large-scale aquaculture of the northern hemisphere sea lettuce, ulva fenestrata, in an off-shore seafarm

The growing world population demands an increase in sustainable resources for biorefining. The opening of new farm grounds and the cultivation of extractive species, such as marine seaweeds, increases worldwide, aiming to provide renewable biomass for food and non-food applications. The potential for European large-scale open ocean farming of the commercial green seaweed crop Ulva is not yet fully realized. Here we conducted manipulative cultivation experiments in order to investigate the effects of hatchery temperature (10 and 15◦C), nutrient addition (PES and 3xPES) and swarmer density (500 and 10,000 swarmers ml−1 ) on the biomass yield and biochemical composition (fatty acid, protein, carbohydrate, pigment and phenolic content) of off-shore cultivated Ulva fenestrata in a Swedish seafarm. High seedling densities were optimal for the growth of this northern hemisphere crop strain and significantly increased the mean biomass yield by ~84% compared to low seedling densities. Variations of nutrients or changes in temperature levels during the hatchery phase were not necessary to increase the subsequent growth in an open-water seafarm, however effects of the factors on the thallus habitus (thallus length/width) were observed. We found no significant effect of the environmental factors applied in the hatchery on the total fatty acid or crude protein content in the off-shore cultivated Ulva. However, low seedling density and low temperature increased the total carbohydrate content and furthermore, high temperature in combination with high nutrient levels decreased the pigment content (chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids). Low temperature in combination with high nutrient levels increased the phenolic content. Our study confirms the successful and sustainable potential for large-scale off-shore cultivation of the Scandinavian crop U. fenestrata. We conclude that high seedling density in the hatchery is most important for increasing the total biomass yield of sea-farmed U. fenestrata, and that changing temperature or addition of nutrients overall does not have a large effect on the biochemical composition. To summarize, our study contributes novel insights into the large-scale off-shore cultivation potential of northern hemisphere U. fenestrata and underpins suitable pre-treatments during the hatchery phase of seedlings to facilitate a successful and cost-efficient large-scale rope cultivation

Some strategic national initiatives for the Swedish education in the geodata field

This paper describes national cooperation in Sweden launched by its universities and authorities, aimed at improving geodata education. These initiatives have been focused upon providing common access to geodata, the production of teaching materials in Swedish and organizing annual meetings for teachers. We argue that this type of cooperation is vital to providing high quality education for a poorly recognized subject in a country with a relatively small population

Innovative three-dimensional models for understanding mechanisms underlying lung diseases: powerful tools for translational research

Chronic lung diseases result from alteration and/or destruction of lung tissue, inevitably causing decreased breathing capacity and quality of life for patients. While animal models have paved the way for our understanding of pathobiology and the development of therapeutic strategies for disease management, their translational capacity is limited. There is, therefore, a well-recognised need for innovative in vitro models to reflect chronic lung diseases, which will facilitate mechanism investigation and the advancement of new treatment strategies. In the last decades, lungs have been modelled in healthy and diseased conditions using precision-cut lung slices, organoids, extracellular matrix-derived hydrogels and lung-on-chip systems. These three-dimensional models together provide a wide spectrum of applicability and mimicry of the lung microenvironment. While each system has its own limitations, their advantages over traditional two-dimensional culture systems, or even over animal models, increases the value of in vitro models. Generating new and advanced models with increased translational capacity will not only benefit our understanding of the pathobiology of lung diseases but should also shorten the timelines required for discovery and generation of new therapeutics. This article summarises and provides an outline of the European Respiratory Society research seminar "Innovative 3D models for understanding mechanisms underlying lung diseases: powerful tools for translational research", held in Lisbon, Portugal, in April 2022. Current in vitro models developed for recapitulating healthy and diseased lungs are outlined and discussed with respect to the challenges associated with them, efforts to develop best practices for model generation, characterisation and utilisation of models and state-of-the-art translational potential. </p

What did they learn in school today? A method for exploring aspects of learning in physical education

What did they learn in school today?: A method for exploring aspects of learning in physical education. Abstract This paper outlines a method for exploring learning in educational practice. The suggested method combines an explicit learning theory with robust methodological steps in order to explore aspects of learning in school physical education. The design of the study is based on sociocultural learning theory, and the approach adds to previous research within the field, both in terms of the combination of methods used and the claims made in our studies. The paper describes a way of collecting and analysing the retrieved data and discusses and illustrates the results of a study using this combination of explicit learning theory and robust methodological steps. European Physical Educatio

Patient participation: A qualitative study of immigrant women and their experiences

Patient participation in healthcare is a neglected area of interest in the rather extensive amount of research on immigrant so-called Selma patients in Swedish health care as well as worldwide. The aim is to explore the phenomenon “patient participation” in the context of the Swedish health care from the perspective of immigrants non-fluent in Swedish. A phenomenological lifeworld approach was chosen. Data were collected from patients within a municipal home care setting in Sweden. Eight women agreed to participate. In seven interviews, an interpreter was necessary for the translation of the interview. Five authorized interpreters were used. Data were analysed in accordance to a descriptive phenomenological method for caring research. The analysis led to an essence of the phenomenon with three constituents, “to experience participation,” “to refrain from participation,” and “to be deprived of participation.” Patient participation from the perspective of immigrant women means that patients are involved and active in their own health and caring processes. For these women, it is particularly important to have the opportunity to express themselves. Patient participation presupposes professional caregivers who act in a way that increases the patients' opportunities to take part. A skilled interpreter is often necessary in order to enable the patient participation

BETWEEN BROADCASTING POLITICAL MESSAGES AND INTERACTING WITH VOTERS

Politicians across Western democracies are increasingly adopting and experimenting with Twitter, particularly during election time. The purpose of this article is to investigate how candidates are using it during an election campaign. The aim is to create a typology of the various ways in which candidates behaved on Twitter. Our research, which included a content analysis of tweets (n = 26,282) from all twittering Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat candidates (n = 416) during the 2010 UK General Election campaign, focused on four aspects of tweets: type, interaction, function and topic. By examining candidates' twittering behaviour, the authors show that British politicians mainly used Twitter as a unidirectional form of communication. However, there were a group of candidates who used it to interact with voters by, for example, mobilizing, helping and consulting them, thus tapping into the potential Twitter offers for facilitating a closer relationship with citizens