Detection of CI line emission from the detached CO shell of the AGB star R Sculptoris

Stars on the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) lose substantial amounts of matter, to the extent that they are important for the chemical evolution of, and dust production in, the universe. The mass loss is believed to increase gradually with age on the AGB, but it may also occur in the form of bursts, possibly related to the thermal pulsing phenomenon. Detached, geometrically thin, CO shells around carbon stars are good signposts of brief and intense mass ejection. We aim to put further constraints on the physical properties of detached CO shells around AGB stars. The photodissociation of CO and other carbon-bearing species in the shells leads to the possibility of detecting lines from neutral carbon. We have therefore searched for the CI(^3P_1-\,^3P_0) line at 492 GHz towards two carbon stars, S Sct and R Scl, with detached CO shells of different ages, about 8000 and 2300 years, respectively. The CI(^3P_1-\,^3P_0) line was detected towards R Scl. The line intensity is dominated by emission from the detached shell. The detection is at a level consistent with the neutral carbon coming from the full photodissociation of all species except CO, and with only limited photoionisation of carbon. The best fit to the observed $^{12}$CO and $^{13}$CO line intensities, assuming a homogeneous shell, is obtained for a shell mass of about 0.002 $M_\odot$, a temperature of about 100 K, and a CO abundance with respect to H$_2$ of 10$^{-3}$. The estimated CI/CO abundance ratio is about 0.3 for the best-fit model. However, a number of arguments point in the direction of a clumpy medium, and a viable interpretation of the data within such a context is provided

Pulse wave analysis by digital photoplethysmography to record maternal hemodynamic effects of spinal anesthesia, delivery of the baby, and intravenous oxytocin during cesarean section

Objective: To investigate changes in maternal ECG ST index, blood pressure (BP), cardiac left ventricular (LV) ejection function and vascular tone/stiffness in large and small arteries occurring during elective cesarean section (CS) in spinal anesthesia. Material and methods: Twenty-six women were monitored with photoplethysmographic digital pulse wave (PW) analysis (DPA) before and after spinal anesthesia, after delivery of the baby, after 5 IU oxytocin bolus IV, and 5 min later. Statistics with Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank and Friedman tests at a

Low umbilical artery vascular flow resistance and fetal outcome.

Background. An abnormally high [above mean + 2 standard deviations (SD)] umbilical artery (UA) pulsatility index (PI) indicates impaired fetal outcome, whereas the impact of an "abnormally" low (below mean -2 SD) PI is unknown. Methods. Perinatal outcome was compared between cases with a UA PI less than mean -2 SD (group A: high-risk cases selected from a database, n = 330; group B: unselected cases, n = 39) and unselected controls (group C) with a PI within mean ± 2 SD (n = 863) at Doppler velocimetry. Groups B and C were retrieved from a population-based sample. The unpaired t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, chi2-test and Fisher's exact probability test were used for statistical comparisons with a two-tailed p < 0.05 being significant. Results. No significant differences were found between group A vs. group C and group B vs. group C regarding perinatal mortality, Apgar scores at 1, 5 or 10 min, or arterial or venous cord blood pH. Postterm pregnancy in group A carried no additional risk. For obvious reasons, operative delivery and neonatal intensive care were more common in group A than in group C, but no such differences were found between groups B and C. The mean birthweight was 3.7% higher in group B than in group C (p = 0.049). Conclusions. Deeming a UA PI below the lower reference limit as "abnormally" low is a statistical definition that was not reflected by a biological imperfection. Instead, a low UA PI promoted fetal growth

Successful spruce regenerations - impact of site preparation and the use of variables from digital elevation models in decision-making?

Various site preparation methods are used in Swedish forestry. However, some methods can lead to unnecessary disturbance, which could be avoided by using variables from digital elevation models in management decisions. The current study aimed to investigate how different site preparation methods, and their intensities, affect Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) regeneration. Additional aims were to clarify how these methods affect soil disturbance and vegetation development, along with how variables from digital elevation models could be used in silvicultural decision-making. Experimental sites were established in southern Sweden to assess five different site preparation treatments with different planting densities: (1) conventional disc trenching 2500 seedlings/ha (DT2500); (2) low intensity disc trenching 1250 seedlings/ha (LDT1250); (3) low intensity disc trenching 2500 seedlings/ha (LDT2500); (4) low-intensity patch-wise 1250 seedlings/ha (PW1250); and (5) patch-wise 2500 seedlings/ha (PW2500). Site preparation intensity had no effect on seedling growth and, survival or vegetation development; the tested treatments differed in terms of soil disturbance. Planting spot properties and weather conditions influenced the seedling performance. DTW and slope could not substantially explain either seedling growth or survival. The results indicate that the choice of site preparation method should consider flexibility when planting while adapting the level of disturbance accordingly

Evolution of multi-stage dormancy in temporally autocorrelated environments.

Question: Under what circumstances does a capacity for multi-stage dormancy (i.e. dormancy in more than one life-stage) evolve? Mathematical methods: Optimization in stochastic environments. Results are derived both analytically and by simulations. Key assumption: There exists some trade-off between resources allocated to reproduction and adult dormant survival. Different shapes of this trade-off are investigated. Major conclusions: Multi-stage dormancy can evolve in an environment with low serial autocorrelation. However, a slowly changing environment, with high positive autocorrelation, will prevent the evolution of dormancy in several life-stages. In general, a high positive environmental autocorrelation will separate the evolution of life parameters associated with active life from that of parameters associated with dormant life

Är Rättviseförmedlingen rättfärdigad? En normativ analys av Rättviseförmedlingen utifrån tre liberala författare

In recent years private initiatives have been founded in Sweden to try to increase the amount of individuals from marginalized groups that participate in the labor market. One private initiative called Rättviseförmedlingen has recently been hired by the Swedish Ministry of Culture to increase their diversity which has led to both praise and criticism, with a specific focus on how their practice relates to liberal notions of individual rights. By examining different normative standpoints within liberalism and constructing three ideal types based on the works of Ronald Dworkin, John Rawls and Robert Nozick, the purpose of this study is to examine how these different normative standpoints can justify Rättviseförmedlingens method. By explaining the implications of different interpretations of key concepts of liberalism – such as equality, liberty, justice – and how those interpretations affect the authors view on affirmative action, the results of this study shows that Dworkin’s and Rawl’s view of a liberalism with a commitment to fair opportunity of equality provides a normative standpoint which can justify the actions of Rättviseförmedlingen