The effect of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and biostimulating algae extract on establishment, growth and development of Vitis vinifera

About 23% of total global net anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) come from agricultural and forestry related activities. One of the largest contributors of GHG is the usage of nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) fertilizers, causing eutrophication and contributing to global warming. Agriculture needs to become more productive, but with a reduced environmental impact. The solution might be usage of plant biostimulators. Biostimulators are fairly new within the agricultural sector and are used in order to improve plant growth. They can neither be classified as a fertilizer, nor plant protection. Biostimulators increase availability and uptake of macro- and micronutrients and the most famous plant biostimulator is Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AMF). AMF and a biostimulating algae extract were inoculated on bare root Vitis vinifera plants. During a period of 8 weeks they were phenologically assessed with a BBCH-scale, soil samples were taken and roots extracted and analyzed in microscope. The result showed no increased growth of vine shoot, when inoculated with biostimulator. An increase in vegetative growth of axillary shoot was observed for plants inoculated with AMF in comparison to a control, suggesting increased uptake of N and P. Factors possibly affecting the result might have been abiotic factors, amount of inoculum applied prior to planting, damage to the vine apex or levels of P in the soil. Future studies would have to investigate whether other concentrations of inoculum would generate a different result as well as if symbiosis is viable over time and not only for one season.Ungefär 23% av totala växthusgaser, från mänsklig aktivitet, kommer från jordbruks- och skogsindustrin. En av de största bidragande faktorerna till växthusgasutsläpp är användandet av kväve- (N) och fosfor- (P) mineralgödningsmedel, vilka bidrar till övergödning och global uppvärmning. Jordbrukssektorn behöver bli mer produktiv för att kunna upprätthålla jordens befolkning, men till en reducerad inverkan på miljön. En del av lösningen kan vara att använda växtbiostimulatorer. Växtbiostimulatorer är relativt nya inom jordbrukssektorn och används i syfte att öka grödors tillväxt. De kan varken klassificeras som gödnings- eller växtskyddsmedel. Biostimulatorerna ökar tillgänglighet samt upptag av mikro- och makronäringsämnen, den mest använda växtbiostimulatorn är Arbuskulär mykorrhiza (AMF). AMF och biostimulerande algextrakt inokulerades på Vitis vinifera barrotsplantor. Under en period på 8 veckor utvärderades plantornas tillväxt enligt en BBCH-skala, jordprov togs på försöksfältet samt rötter extraherades och analyserade i mikroskop. Resultatet visade ingen signifikant skillnad i vegetativ tillväxt på vinplantans skott för plantor inokulerade med biostimulator. En ökning i vegetativ tillväxt observerades för sidoskotten på plantor inokulerade med AMF i jämförelse med en kontroll, vilket kan tyda på ökat upptag av N och P. Faktorer som potentiellt kan ha påverkat resultatet var abiotiska faktorer, mängd inokulum av biostimulatorerna som tillsattes på rötterna innan plantering, mekaniska skador på plantans skott samt mängd P i jorden. Framtida studier skulle behöva undersöka huruvida andra koncentrationer av inokulum skulle generera ett annorlunda resultat samt om symbios är livskraftig över tid och inte under endast en säsong

Miljöbaserad berikning - Humboldtpingviner (Spheniscus humboldti)

Increased activity in the pool environment is, according to previous studies on similar aquatic birds, a clear indicator of good welfare. The welfare of animals in captivity is something many researchers and animal keepers are constantly striving to improve. The aim of the study was to develop and evaluate forms of environmental enrichment that urges the Humboldt Penguin (Spheniscus Humboldti) at Slottsskogen Zoo in Gothenburg to use the pool section of their habitat more frequently. The purpose of the study was to test and compare the different forms of enrichment to see how they possibly affect the pool utilization and thus promote the penguins' natural behavior, namely to swim. Two forms of environmental enrichment were developed and evaluated. The barrel - which was an enrichment Slottsskogen had used before. This barrel was filled with food to enhance the penguins’ interest in the enrichment. The second form of enrichment was the artificial kelp and was created to imitate their natural habitat. The observations lasted for 10 days over two weeks, with the barrel as enrichment the first week and then the artificial kelp the second week. While the enrichments were offered, observations were made on both the penguins’ habitat use and behavior. This was registered via behavioral sampling. The results showed that the pool activity of the Humboldt penguins decreased by 9% when the barrel form of enrichment was introduced. Behavior that indicates calmness, such as lying down and resting, also decreased by 9%. With the enrichment placed in the pool water, the penguins went from 3.10% of their time spent in water to 0.6%. With the enrichment form of artificial kelp the activity in the water increased from 2.7% to 15.3%. More research is needed in this area to more reliably determine which forms of environmental enrichment are most likely to increase the penguins' activity in water

Makroalger i foderstat för reduktion av metangasutsläpp hos nötkreatur : Översikt av nuvarande kunskap och potentiella Nordiska arter

Climate change is a fact and production systems are in need of modernization and sustainable development. Methane is a problematic and potent greenhouse gas and is emitted as a natural byproduct from livestock metabolism. Asparagopsis taxiformis is an exotic alga that has been found to reduce methane production in livestock rumen by 99% when ingested with everyday feed, at as low inclusion rates as 2% of total organic matter. The biochemical mechanism behind the methane emission reduction is an inhibition of methanogens in the final enzymatic step of methanogenesis in the rumen. This inhibition is conducted by algae secondary metabolites, especially bromoform. Algae species found in Swedish watercourses are plenty, however only few species contain the desired secondary metabolites of interest. Red algae seem to be the most potent producers of antimethanogenic secondary metabolites. These algae can potentially be produced in open or closed systems and thus be used as supplements in livestock feed for methane reduction. However, the possibility for sustainable largescale algae production and effects on animal health has to be investigated properly before algae can be used commercially. A possible future product has to be accepted by the farmers and be easily integrated with the basal feed. The market in Sweden has few actors that work with algae. Because of this there is need of further research and development of this sector. Nevertheless, this can mean the rise of a potential new niche on the countryside.Just nu är klimatförändringen ett faktum och detta medför att produktionssystem är i behov av modernisering och hållbar utveckling. Metan är en problematisk och potent växthusgas och emitteras som en naturlig biprodukt i nötkreaturs metabolism. Asparagopsis taxiformis är en exotisk alg som i vetenskapliga försök har kunnat reducera metangasproduktion med 99% vid så låg inblandning som 2% av totala organiska materialet av fodret. Den biokemiska mekanismen bakom denna metangasreduktion är inhibering av metanogener i det sista enzymatiska steget av metanogenes i vommen. Denna inhibering sker med hjälp av algens sekundära metaboliter, speciellt bromoform. Algarter i de svenska vattendragen är många men få arter innehåller de sekundära metaboliterna av intresse. Röda alger verkar vara de alger som är mest potenta producenter av sekundära metaboliter som reducerar metangasbildning. Dessa alger kan produceras i öppna eller stängda system och användas som supplement i nötkreaturs foder för reduktion av metangasbildning. Riskerna med storskalig produktion av alger samt inverkan på djurets hälsa måste undersökas grundligt innan alger kan användas kommersiellt. En möjlig framtida produkt måste accepteras av bönderna på marknaden och vara lätt att integrera i foderstat. Marknaden i Sverige innehåller få aktörer som arbetar med alger. På grund av detta finns det behov av fortsatta studier och utveckling inom sektorn. Icke desto mindre kan detta betyda startskottet för en potentiell ny nisch på landsbygden

Views on primary prevention of cardiovascular disease - an interview study with Swedish GPs

Background: General practitioners (GPs) have gradually become more involved in the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), both through more frequent prescribing of pharmaceuticals and by giving advice regarding lifestyle factors. Most general practitioners are now faced with decisions about pharmaceutical or non-pharmaceutical treatment for primary prevention every day. The aim of this study was to explore, structure and describe the views on primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in clinical practice among Swedish GPs. Methods: Individual interviews were conducted with 21 GPs in southern Sweden. The interview transcripts were analysed using a qualitative approach, inspired by phenomenography. Results: Two main categories of description emerged during the analysis. One was the degree of reliance on research data regarding the predictability of real risk and the opportunities for primary prevention of CVD. The other was the allocation of responsibility between the patient and the doctor. The GPs showed different views, from being convinced of an actual and predictable risk for the individual to strongly doubting it; from relying firmly on protection from disease by pharmaceutical treatment to strongly questioning its effectiveness in individual cases; and from reliance on prevention of disease by non-pharmaceutical interventions to a total lack of reliance on such measures. Conclusions: The GPs' different views, regarding the rationale for and practical management of primary prevention of CVD, can be interpreted as a reflection of the complexity of patient counselling in primary prevention in clinical practice. The findings have implications for development and implementation of standard treatment guidelines, regarding long-time primary preventive treatment

Discrepancies between prescribed and defined daily doses: a matter of patients or drug classes?

International audienc

Diabetes Mellitus Increases the Risk of Active Tuberculosis: A Systematic Review of 13 Observational Studies

In a systematic review and meta-analysis including more than 17,000 tuberculosis cases, Christie Jeon and Megan Murray find that diabetes mellitus is associated with an approximately 3-fold increased risk of tuberculosis

An evaluation of family physicians' educational needs and experiences in health promotion and disease prevention in Poland and Lithuania - a qualitative study

Reikšminiai žodžiai: Ligų prevencija; Sveikatos stiprinimas; Šeimos gydytojai; Šeimos gydytojų rengimas; Šeimos gydytojų švietimo poreikiai; Disease prevention; Family physicians; Family physicians educational needs; Health promotion; Training of family physician

Public Health Aspects of Pharmaceutical Prescription Patterns : Exemplified by treatments for prevention of cardiovascular disease

Public health aspects of pharmaceutical prescription patterns: Exemplified by treatments for prevention of cardiovascular disease. Louise Silwer. ISBN: 978-91-85721-18-4 ISSN: 0283-1961Main aim:To study patterns and trends of dispensed prescriptions, to explore what proportion of the population is exposed to some of the more prevalently prescribed pharmaceuticals, and to find possible ways of measuring drug-induced adverse symptoms in the population. Further, to illuminate conditions surrounding prescribing in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Methods: In three descriptive studies of prescription patterns, prescription data at aggregate level from a Swedish county were analysed retrospectively, and proportions were calculated. Data from the first ten years of the studies were obtained from a local prescription study, and data from another five years were local data from a national prescription survey. Data from a Danish database (OPED), with data at the individual level, were used for a prescription sequence symmetry analysis, and when Swedish national prescription data at the individual level became accessible, they were used for calculations of drug prevalence in the entire Swedish population. In a qualitative analysis of interview data, a phenomenographic approach was used. Main results: The purchase of pharmaceuticals on prescription almost doubled in the studied county in the period 1988-2002. Some common pharmaceuticals that increased to a great extent among the older part of the population were cardiovascular preventive drugs, such as antihypertensive and lipid modifying agents, and also hormone replacement therapy for women. In 2005, over half of all Swedish citizens, aged 60 or over, purchased antihypertensive or lipid modifying preparations during a six-month period. The different views that were found among GPs, regarding beliefs and practical management of primary prevention of CVD, could be interpreted as a reflection of the complexity of patient counselling in primary prevention in practice. Conclusion: The increase in dispensed prescriptions over the 15 years and the magnitude of the prevalence of the studied pharmaceuticals, such as antihypertensive, lipid modifying and hormonal treatments, which to a great extent are used by ‘healthy’ people, point to the need of following-up both beneficial and harmful consequences on public health. The prevalence of preventive treatments together with the variation in views of administration of primary prevention of cardiovascular disease, also point to the need of clarification of guidelines regarding pharmaceutical primary prevention and encouragement of therapy discussions among GPs

Supermänniskor? : Krav och kravhantering för konsulter på ett bemanningsföretag

Dagens situation för företagen innebär ständiga förändringar vilket ställer särskilda krav på deras anställda. Arbetet för personal på bemanningsföretag innehåller typiska egenskaper för det nya arbetslivet. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka vilka krav som ställs på personal som arbetar via bemanningsföretag samt hur dessa personer hanterar kraven. Denna studie bygger på kvalitativ metod där semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med en konsultchef och sex stycken konsulter på ett bemanningsföretag. Resultatet från en tematisk analys visade att krav som ställdes på konsulterna var anställningsbarhet, anpassning samt hanterande av rollen som konsult. Kraven hanterades både med hjälp av aktivt närmande av problemet som att ställa frågor samt passiva strategier som undvikande av problemet. Konsulterna i studien anses stöta på kraven från det nya arbetslivet i en hög utsträckning. Resultatet som gäller konsulternas kravhantering tycks gå i linje med tidigare forskning om coping

Elevperspektiv på specialpedagogiskt stöd och inflytande

Syftet med denna studie är att kartlägga hur elever i behov av särskilt stöd upplever de special-pedagogiska insatserna, om de upplever eget inflytande över sin situation och hur eleverna upplever den specialpedagogiska miljön där insatserna sker.Den insamlingsmetod som använts är kvalitativa ostrukturerade intervjuer. Sex grundskoleele-ver i behov av särskilt stöd från två olika skolor, år 3, 4 och 5 har djupintervjuats. Studien be-handlar tidigare forskning om elever i behov av särskilt stöd, styrdokument och riktlinjer, spe-cialpedagogisk historik, dilemma och utmaningar samt inflytande, delaktighet och samspel. Bronfenbrenners utvecklingsekologiska teori utgör den teoretiska ramen.Resultatet visar att eleverna upplever de specialpedagogiska insatserna positivt. Relationen mellan elev och specialpedagog upplevs som god och välfungerande. Om inflytande uttrycker eleverna nöjsamhet i undervisningssammanhang. De känner sig nöjda med det som specialpe-dagogen utformar och erbjuder. Samtidigt säger eleverna att de inte riktigt vet om vad de kan bestämma och/eller påverka. Vidare visar resultatet ett mindre aktivt elevinflytande vid upprät-tandet av specialpedagogiska insatser. Flertalet elever är villigt inställda till att behöva lämna klassrummet i syfte att arbeta hos specialpedagogen