| 1. |
- Antacli, J. C., et al.
(författare)
-
Microplastic pollution in waters of the Antarctic coastal environment of Potter Cove (25 de Mayo Island/King George Island, South Shetlands)
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 915
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Plastic pollution in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica is a growing concern, but many areas in this vast region remain unexplored. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of marine microplastic (MPs) concentrations in Potter Cove, located near the Argentinian Carlini research station on 25 de Mayo/King George Island, Antarctica. Water samples were collected at 14 sites within the cove, representing various influences from the station's activities. Two sampling methods were used: a 5 L Niskin bottle and an in-situ filtering device called Microfilter, allowing for large water volumes to be filtered. MPs were found in 100 % of the samples. Microfilter samples ranged from 0.02 to 2.14 MPs/L, with a mean concentration of 0.44 ± 0.44 MPs/L. Niskin bottle samples showed concentrations from 0.40 to 55.67 MPs/L, with a mean concentration of 19.03 ± 18.21 MPs/L. The dominant types of MPs were anthropogenic black, transparent, and pink microfibers (MFs) measuring between 0.11 and 3.6 mm (Microfilter) and 0.06 to 7.96 mm (Niskin bottle), with a median length of 0.01 mm for both methods. Transparent and black irregular microfragments (MFRs) with diameters from 0.10 to 5.08 mm and a median diameter of 0.49 mm were also prevalent. FTIR-spectroscopy revealed the presence of 14 types of polymers. Cellulose-based materials and polyethylene terephthalate were the most abundant in MFs, while polyurethanes and styrene-based copolymers dominated in MFRs. MPs were more abundant near the Carlini station. Compared to other coastal Antarctic areas, the MPs in the cove were relatively abundant and mostly smaller than 1 mm. Local activities on the island were identified as the primary source of MPs in the cove, and the cyclonic water circulation likely affects the distribution of small-sized particles. To protect the ecosystem, reducing plastic usage, improving waste management, regulating MPs debris, and enhancing wastewater practices are essential.
|
|
| 2. |
- Bassani, Carlos L., et al.
(författare)
-
Nanocrystal Assemblies : Current Advances and Open Problems
- 2024
-
Ingår i: ACS Nano. - 1936-0851. ; 18:23, s. 14791-14840
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- We explore the potential of nanocrystals (a term used equivalently to nanoparticles) as building blocks for nanomaterials, and the current advances and open challenges for fundamental science developments and applications. Nanocrystal assemblies are inherently multiscale, and the generation of revolutionary material properties requires a precise understanding of the relationship between structure and function, the former being determined by classical effects and the latter often by quantum effects. With an emphasis on theory and computation, we discuss challenges that hamper current assembly strategies and to what extent nanocrystal assemblies represent thermodynamic equilibrium or kinetically trapped metastable states. We also examine dynamic effects and optimization of assembly protocols. Finally, we discuss promising material functions and examples of their realization with nanocrystal assemblies.
|
|
| 3. |
- Hollung, Sandra Julsen, et al.
(författare)
-
Point prevalence and motor function of children and adolescents with cerebral palsy in Scandinavia and Scotland : a CP-North study
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. - : Wiley. - 0012-1622 .- 1469-8749. ; 63:6, s. 721-728
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIM: To describe the point prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) and distribution of gross and fine motor function in individuals registered in a CP-North surveillance programme.METHOD: Aggregate data of individuals with CP aged 6 to 19 years, sex, CP subtype, and gross and fine motor function levels were collected from each programme. Overall and age-specific point prevalence of CP was calculated for each programme using 95% confidence intervals. Logistic regression was used to estimate prevalence and CP subtypes with age as the covariate variable. Pearson χ2 tests were used to compare the distributions of CP subtypes, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels, and Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) levels by age and between programmes.RESULTS: Among 3 759 138 individuals residing in Scandinavia and Scotland, 8278 had a diagnosis of CP (57-59% were males). The overall point prevalence of CP ranged from 2.13 to 2.32 per 1000 residents. Age-specific prevalence in each programme varied with the exception of Denmark. While the proportions of bilateral spastic CP were similar between programmes, there were variations in all other CP subtypes and in GMFCS and MACS levels.INTERPRETATION: While the results of this study may reflect real differences in CP populations between countries, they may not be clinically relevant. The variations may be attributable to differences in the year when each programme was first established, different data collection methods, and country-specific governmental policies.
|
|
| 4. |
- Hägglund, Gunnar, et al.
(författare)
-
Treatment of spasticity in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy in Northern Europe : a CP-North registry study
- 2021
-
Ingår i: BMC Neurology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2377. ; 21:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Spasticity is present in more than 80% of the population with cerebral palsy (CP). The aim of this study was to describe and compare the use of three spasticity reducing methods; Botulinum toxin-A therapy (BTX-A), Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) and Intrathecal baclofen therapy (ITB) among children and adolescents with CP in six northern European countries.METHODS: This registry-based study included population-based data in children and adolescents with CP born 2002 to 2017 and recorded in the follow-up programs for CP in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Scotland, and a defined cohort in Finland.RESULTS: A total of 8,817 individuals were included. The proportion of individuals treated with SDR and ITB was significantly different between the countries. SDR treatment ranged from 0% ( Finland and Iceland) to 3.4% (Scotland) and ITB treatment from 2.2% (Sweden) to 3.7% (Denmark and Scotland). BTX-A treatment in the lower extremities reported 2017-2018 ranged from 8.6% in Denmark to 20% in Norway (p < 0.01). Mean age for undergoing SDR ranged from 4.5 years in Norway to 7.3 years in Denmark (p < 0.01). Mean age at ITB surgery ranged from 6.3 years in Norway to 10.1 years in Finland (p < 0.01). Mean age for BTX-A treatment ranged from 7.1 years in Denmark to 10.3 years in Iceland (p < 0.01). Treatment with SDR was most common in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level III, ITB in level V, and BTX-A in level I. The most common muscle treated with BTX-A was the calf muscle, with the highest proportion in GMFCS level I. BTX-A treatment of hamstring and hip muscles was most common in GMFCS levels IV-V in all countries.CONCLUSION: There were statistically significant differences between countries regarding the proportion of children and adolescents with CP treated with the three spasticity reducing methods, mean age for treatment and treatment related to GMFCS level. This is likely due to differences in the availability of these treatment methods and/or differences in preferences of treatment methods among professionals and possibly patients across countries.
|
|
| 5. |
|
|
| 6. |
- Stockman, Jessica, et al.
(författare)
-
Ankle-foot orthoses among children with cerebral palsy : a cross-sectional population-based register study of 8,928 children living in Northern Europe
- 2023
-
Ingår i: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. - : BMC. - 1471-2474. ; 24:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) is an umbrella term where an injury to the immature brain affects muscle tone and motor control, posture, and at times, the ability to walk and stand. Orthoses can be used to improve or maintain function. Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are the most frequently used orthoses in children with CP. However, how commonly AFOs are used by children and adolescents with CP is still unknown. The aims of this study were to investigate and describe the use of AFOs in children with CP in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Scotland, and Denmark, and compare AFO use between countries and by gross motor function classification system (GMFCS) level, CP subtype, sex, and age.METHOD: Aggregated data on 8,928 participants in the national follow-up programs for CP for the respective countries were used. Finland does not have a national follow-up program for individuals with CP and therefore a study cohort was used instead. Use of AFOs were presented as percentages. Logistic regression models were used to compare the use of AFOs among countries adjusted for age, CP subtype, GMFCS level, and sex.RESULTS: The proportion of AFO use was highest in Scotland (57%; CI 54-59%) and lowest in Denmark (35%; CI 33-38%). After adjusting for GMFCS level, children in Denmark, Finland, and Iceland had statistically significantly lower odds of using AFOs whereas children in Norway and Scotland reported statistically significantly higher usage than Sweden.CONCLUSION: In this study, the use of AFOs in children with CP in countries with relatively similar healthcare systems, differed between countries, age, GMFCS level, and CP subtype. This indicates a lack of consensus as to which individuals benefit from using AFOs. Our findings present an important baseline for the future research and development of practical guidelines in terms of who stands to benefit from using AFOs.
|
|
| 7. |
- Yin, Yuqing, et al.
(författare)
-
Synthesis of rare-earth metal compounds through enhanced reactivity of alkali halides at high pressures
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Communications Chemistry. - : Nature Portfolio. - 2399-3669. ; 5:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Chemical stability of the alkali halides NaCI and KCI has allowed for their use as inert media in high-pressure high-temperature experiments. Here we demonstrate the unexpected reactivity of the halides with metals (Y, Dy, and Re) and iron oxide (FeO) in a laser-heated diamond anvil cell, thus providing a synthetic route for halogen-containing binary and ternary compounds. So far unknown chlorides, Y2Cl and DyCl, and chloride carbides, Y2ClC and Dy2ClC, were synthesized at -40 GPa and 2000 K and their structures were solved and refined using in situ single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Also, FeCl2 with the HP-PdF2-type structure, previously reported at 108 GPa, was synthesized at similar to 160 GPa and 2100 K. The results of our ab initio calculations fully support experimental findings and reveal the electronic structure and chemical bonding in these compounds.
|
|
| 8. |
- Yin, Yuqing, et al.
(författare)
-
Unraveling the Bonding Complexity of Polyhalogen Anions: High-Pressure Synthesis of Unpredicted Sodium Chlorides Na2Cl3 and Na4Cl5 and Bromide Na4Br5
- 2023
-
Ingår i: JACS Au. - : AMER CHEMICAL SOC. - 2691-3704. ; 3:6, s. 1634-1641
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The field of polyhalogen chemistry, specifically polyhalogenanions(polyhalides), is rapidly evolving. Here, we present the synthesisof three sodium halides with unpredicted chemical compositions andstructures (tP10-Na2Cl3, hP18-Na4Cl5, and hP18-Na4Br5), a series of isostructural cubic cP8-AX(3) halides (NaCl3, KCl3, NaBr3, and KBr3), and a trigonal potassiumchloride (hP24-KCl3). The high-pressuresyntheses were realized at 41-80 GPa in diamond anvil cellslaser-heated at about 2000 K. Single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction(XRD) provided the first accurate structural data for the symmetrictrichloride Cl-3 (-) anion in hP24-KCl3 and revealed the existence of two different typesof infinite linear polyhalogen chains, [Cl]( infinity ) ( n-) and [Br]( infinity ) ( n-), in the structures of cP8-AX(3) compounds and in hP18-Na4Cl5 and hP18-Na4Br5. In Na4Cl5 and Na4Br5, we found unusually short, likely pressure-stabilized, contactsbetween sodium cations. Ab initio calculations support the analysisof structures, bonding, and properties of the studied halogenides.
|
|
