Predicting the impact and duration of persistent and mobile organic compounds in groundwater systems using a contaminant mass discharge approach.

This study investigated methods for predicting the duration and impact on groundwater quality from persistent and mobile organic compounds (PMOCs) at a drinking water well field affected by multiple contaminant sources. The fungicide metabolite N,N-dimethylsulfamide (DMS), which frequently occurs above the Danish groundwater quality criterion (0.1 µg/L), was used as an example. By combining contaminant mass discharge (CMD) estimations, modeling, and groundwater dating, a number of important discoveries were made. The current center of contaminant mass was located near the source area. The CMD at the well field was predicted to peak in 2040, and an effect from the investigated sources on groundwater quality could be expected until the end of the 21st century. A discrepancy in the current CMD at the well field and the estimated arrival time from the studied source area suggested an additional pesticide source, which has not yet been thoroughly investigated. The presence of the unknown source was supported by model simulations, producing an improved mass balance after inclusion of a contaminant source closer to the well field. The approach applied here was capable of predicting the duration and impact of DMS contamination at a well field at catchment scale. It furthermore shows potential for identification and quantification of the contribution from individual sources, and is also applicable for other PMOCs. Predicting the duration of the release and impact of contaminant sources on abstraction wells is highly valuable for water resources management and authorities responsible for contaminant risk assessment, remediation, and long-term planning at water utilities.

Small-Scale Irregularities Within Polarization Jet/SAID During Geomagnetic Activity.

We study the spatial structure of a polarization jet/Sub-Auroral Ion Drift (PJ/SAID) based on data from the NorSat-1 and Swarm satellites during a geomagnetic storm. Observations of plasma parameters inside the PJ/SAID are obtained with NorSat-1 using a system of Langmuir probes with a nominal sampling rate of up to 1 kHz, which allowed measurements with such a high temporal resolution for the first time. A comparative analysis of plasma parameters and electron density spectra inside PJ according to the data from both satellites is presented. Our results show that fluctuations of plasma parameters inside the PJ increase at all scales with increasing geomagnetic activity. Small-scale irregularities in the PJ are measured in situ down to hundreds of meters. The role of large-scale effects in the PJ increases in comparison with the small-scale ones during high geomagnetic activity. The PJ consists of structures ∼0.2° latitude in size within which small-scale irregularities are present.

Transfer Learning Aurora Image Classification and Magnetic Disturbance Evaluation.

We develop an open source algorithm to apply Transfer learning to Aurora image classification and Magnetic disturbance Evaluation (TAME). For this purpose, we evaluate the performance of 80 pretrained neural networks using the Oslo Auroral THEMIS (OATH) data set of all-sky images, both in terms of runtime and their features' predictive capability. From the features extracted by the best network, we retrain the last neural network layer using the Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm to distinguish between the labels "arc," "diffuse," "discrete," "cloud," "moon" and "clear sky/ no aurora". This transfer learning approach yields 73% accuracy in the six classes; if we aggregate the 3 auroral and 3 non-aurora classes, we achieve up to 91% accuracy. We apply our classifier to a new dataset of 550,000 images and evaluate the classifier based on these previously unseen images. To show the potential usefulness of our feature extractor and classifier, we investigate two test cases: First, we compare our predictions for the "cloudy" images to meteorological data and second we train a linear ridge model to predict perturbations in Earth's locally measured magnetic field. We demonstrate that the classifier can be used as a filter to remove cloudy images from datasets and that the extracted features allow to predict magnetometer measurements. All procedures and algorithms used in this study are publicly available, and the code and classifier are provided, which opens possibility for large scale studies of all-sky images.

Randomized, controlled, superiority study of extended duration of therapy with an intramammary antibiotic for treatment of clinical mastitis.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of therapy of clinical mastitis following intramammary infusion of 2 durations of intramammary antibiotic therapy and to analyze clinical and microbiology data at enrollment or within 4 d of commencement of treatment as potential predictors of subsequent clinical and bacteriological cure. A total of 304 glands were randomly assigned to intramammary treatment with a combination of amoxicillin, clavulanic acid, and prednisolone either 3 times at 12-h intervals (3×12, n = 156) or 5 times at 12-h intervals (5×12 hourly, n = 148). At enrollment (d 0), assessments were made of the cow's demeanor, rectal temperature, teat-end hyperkeratosis, presence of heat or swelling of the gland, presence of clots in the milk, and California Mastitis Test (CMT) score. Cows were revisited on d 4, 14, and 21 and assessed for rectal temperature, the presence of clots in milk, heat or swelling of the gland, and CMT score. Milk samples were collected from enrolled glands for bacteriology (d 0, 4, 14, and 21) and for somatic cell count (d 14 and 21). Data were analyzed using generalized linear models. Treatment group was the key independent variable, but herd was included in the models. Other potentially confounding variables were included where associated at the bivariate level. A second series of analyses were undertaken to predict likelihood of clinical and bacteriological cure using the clinical signs cow age and days in milk, as well as bacteriological results at d 0 and 4. Although we found a higher clinical failure rate in the 3×12 than 5×12 hourly treatment group (28.2 ± 5.0 vs. 13.4 ± 3.6%, respectively), we noted no difference in bacteriological cure percentage (73.3 ± 7.8 vs. 72.0 ± 7.4%, respectively). The presence of heat or swelling at d 4, days in milk at initiation of treatment, age of the cow, and change in CMT score between d 0 and 4 were predictive of clinical and bacteriological cure. We concluded that increasing the duration of treatment resulted in significantly fewer clinical failures, but had no effect on cure proportion, somatic cell count, or new infection rate. Knowledge of cow age and days in milk and clinical signs were predictive of clinical and bacteriological cure proportion and may provide guidance for producers, under veterinary direction, as to when to extend or recommence therapy.

A Danish register-based study on involuntary treatment in anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: Involuntary treatment is controversial and widely debated, but remains a significant component of treatment for severe anorexia nervosa. Given how little is known about this topic, we describe the frequency of various involuntary measures in a national cohort of all patients diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. In a subsample of patients, we explored predictors of the first involuntary measure recorded. METHOD: Descriptive statistics and Cox proportional hazard analyses were conducted using the national registers of Denmark covering the total population. Data from the National Patient Register and the Psychiatric Central Research Register including all psychiatric visits from 1969 onwards were merged with data from the National Register on Coercion covering 1999 onward. Involuntary measures registered between 2000 and 2013 were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 4,727 patients with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa representing 16,592 admissions were included. Eighteen percent experienced at least one involuntary measure. A variety of measures were used with tube feeding being the most frequent followed by mechanical restraint, involuntary medication, physical restraint, constant observation, and sedative medication. A subsample of 2% of AN patients had more than 100 involuntary measures recorded. The first recorded involuntary measure was predicted by most but not all psychiatric comorbidities, especially schizophrenia, autism spectrum, and personality disorders, older age at first diagnosis, and previous admissions. DISCUSSION: It is important to develop a more granular understanding of patients at risk of requiring involuntary treatment and to determine how best to treat them effectively with minimal use of involuntary measures.

Joint inversion of satellite-detected tidal and magnetospheric signals constrains electrical conductivity and water content of the upper mantle and transition zone.

We present a new global electrical conductivity model of Earth's mantle. The model was derived by using a novel methodology, which is based on inverting satellite magnetic field measurements from different sources simultaneously. Specifically, we estimated responses of magnetospheric origin and ocean tidal magnetic signals from the most recent Swarm and CHAMP data. The challenging task of properly accounting for the ocean effect in the data was addressed through full three-dimensional solution of Maxwell's equations. We show that simultaneous inversion of magnetospheric and tidal magnetic signals results in a model with much improved resolution. Comparison with laboratory-based conductivity profiles shows that obtained models are compatible with a pyrolytic composition and a water content of 0.01 wt% and 0.1 wt% in the upper mantle and transition zone, respectively.

The impact of bariatric surgery on quality of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aims to review the obesity literature in order to assess the impact of bariatric surgery on quality of life and the between-study variation by examining the standardized mean magnitude of effect in change in the levels of quality of life. The following databases EMBASE, PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science were systematically searched for studies examining change in quality of life in adults receiving bariatric surgery for obesity. Seventy-two studies were included with a total of 9,433 participants treated for obesity with bariatric surgery. The average impact of bariatric surgery on quality of life corresponded to an effect size of 0.88 (95% CI: 0.80-0.96), indicating that bariatric surgery has a significant positive influence on quality of life in general. The impact varied considerably across studies with bariatric surgery showing a significantly greater positive influence on physical quality of life compared to mental quality of life. Bariatric surgery is effective in improving quality of life, especially when looking at physical well-being. Greater focus on the psychological well-being of the person undergoing surgery for obesity may lead to a better post-surgery prognosis for more people.

Effect of spatial differences in growth on distribution of seasonally co-occurring herring Clupea harengus stocks.

The mechanisms most likely to determine the distribution of the two major herring Clupea harengus stocks in their common early summer feeding ground in the eastern North Sea, Skagerrak and Kattegat were investigated through analysis of acoustic survey data from six consecutive years. No change was detected in biomass of North Sea autumn spawning C. harengus (NSAS) over time, whereas the biomass of western Baltic spring spawning C. harengus (WBSS) declined severely. Analyses of centre of abundance by stock showed no change in NSAS distribution, whereas the WBSS changed to a more western distribution over time. Contrary to previous perception of the juvenile migration, NSAS were found to leave the study area at the age between 1 and 2 years and WBSS 1 year olds were encountered in the Skagerrak. The estimated parameters of von Bertalanffy growth equations showed marked differences between areas with fish in the eastern part of the area having the lowest size at age at all ages. Further, their growth conditions appeared to deteriorate progressively over the period studied. Both NSAS and WBSS showed the highest condition in the North Sea and Skagerrak while condition was substantially lower in age Kattegat. The westward movement of spring spawners over time suggests that growth rate and possibly density of conspecifics influence the migration pattern and distribution of C. harengus in the area. In contrast, there was no evidence to suggest that distribution was constant over time within stocks or that distribution reflected size-dependent limitations on migration distance.

Change in cannabis use, clinical symptoms and social functioning among patients with first-episode psychosis: a 5-year follow-up study of patients in the OPUS trial.

BACKGROUND: Several studies indicate that cannabis use among patients with psychotic disorders is associated with worse outcome, but only a few studies have controlled for baseline condition and medication. METHOD: At 5-year follow-up, interviews were carried out with 314 first-episode psychosis patients included in the OPUS trial. The patients included were in the age range of 18 to 45 years old and 59% were male. Cannabis use was extracted from the Schedule for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry. At follow-up, the patients were divided into different groups according to the variable cannabis use: abstainers, stoppers, starters and continuers. Psychotic, negative and disorganized dimensions (ranging from zero to five) were calculated for each of the four groups based on the Schedule for the Assessment of Positive and Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia. RESULTS: Cannabis users were younger (24.6 years v. 27.4 years, p < 0.001) and had a lower level of education. At the 5-year follow-up, users of cannabis had higher scores on the psychotic dimension [difference 0.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.41-1.53, p = 0.001] and lower levels of the Global Assessment of Functioning (difference 8.26, 95% CI 2.13-14.39, p = 0.01). Those who stopped using cannabis between entry and 5-year follow-up had a significantly lower level of psychotic symptoms at 5-year follow-up even after controlling for baseline level of psychotic symptoms and for insufficient antipsychotic medication (adjusted difference in psychotic dimension -1.04, 95% CI -1.77 to -0.31, p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Continuous cannabis use was associated with higher levels of psychotic symptoms after 5 years, and this association was only partly explained by insufficient antipsychotic medication.

Genetic variation in toll-like receptors and retinoic acid-inducible gene I and outcome of hepatitis C virus infection: a candidate gene association study.

We evaluated the effects of genetic variation in toll-like receptors (TLR), retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) and their signalling pathways on spontaneous hepatitis C virus (HCV) resolution. We screened 95 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 22 genes. SNPs significantly associated with resolution in the discovery cohort were genotyped in a validation cohort. Multivariate logistic regression adjusted for sex, hepatitis B surface antigen, HIV infection and the interleukin-28B rs12979860 SNP was performed in the combined cohort. Haplotype reconstruction and linkage disequilibrium analysis were performed. srs2233437, rs730775 and rs28362857 in Inhibitor of NF-kB ε (IkBε) and rs352140 in TLR9 were associated with spontaneous HCV resolution (P ≤ 0.05) in the discovery cohort (n = 308). In the validation cohort (n = 216), we replicated a significant association with HCV resolution for two SNPs in the IkBε, rs2233437 and rs730775. Presence of one or two of the variant allele in rs2233437 had more than twofold higher odds of resolution in adjusted logistic regression (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 2.6; (95% CI, 1.4, 4.8) P = 0.002). We identified polymorphisms in the IkBε gene associated with spontaneous HCV resolution in two independent cohorts.

Interleukin-28B polymorphisms are associated with hepatitis C virus clearance and viral load in a HIV-1-infected cohort.

Twenty-five per cent of individuals infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are able to clear HCV spontaneously. Differences in host genetics are believed to affect the outcome of HCV infection. We analysed an exonic, a promoter and an intronic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the interferon-λ3 coding interleukin (IL)-28B gene to study the relationship between IL28B SNPs and outcome of HCV infection. Among 206 HIV-1-infected Europeans with evidence of HCV infection, 47 (23%) individuals had cleared HCV and 159 (77%) had developed chronic infection. The exonic rs8103142 CT, the promoter rs12979860 CT and the intronic rs11881222 AG genotypes were associated with a decreased HCV clearance rate with adjusted odds ratios (aOR) of 0.3 (95% CI, 0.1-0.7), 0.4 (95% CI, 0.2-0.8) and 0.4 (95% CI, 0.2-0.8), respectively. The haplotype block TCG CTA was associated with a decreased HCV clearance rate (aOR 0.4, 95% CI, 0.2-0.8). Further, we found significant differences in HCV RNA levels among individuals chronically infected with HCV genotype 1 for rs8103142 and rs12979860 (P ≤ 0.05). Chronically infected individuals with HCV genotype 3 and with the favourable haplotype block CTA CTA had higher median HCV RNA levels than individuals with unfavourable haplotype blocks (P ≤ 0.05). Our findings suggest that IL28B may account for some differences in HCV outcome but that other factors including the viral genotype, host genetics and the host-virus interaction are likely to influence the outcome of HCV infection.

Empirical support for a reclassification of eating disorders NOS.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the empirical support for a reclassification of the eating disorders NOS (EDNOS) category. METHODS: In a cross-sectional design eight specific subgroups of EDNOS were compared to anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) on interview-based data and questionnaire measures. The sample consisted of 965 patients in the age 13-54 years admitted to treatment for an eating disorder. RESULTS: According to the DSM-IV 176(18%) presented with AN, 290(30%) with BN and 499(52%) with EDNOS. Of all EDNOS cases 34% could be reclassified as AN or BN. Three specific subgroups emerged as separate diagnostic entities. A heterogeneous subgroup of 122 patients (13% of all) was proposed as 'true' EDNOS. Implications of the results on the DSM-V are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The results support a broader definition of AN and BN and suggest subgroups of EDNOS as separate diagnostic entities. This results in a substantial reduction of the heterogeneous EDNOS group.

Diagnosis and treatment of subclinical mastitis in early lactation in dairy goats.

The objectives of the study were to define the sensitivity and specificity of the California Mastitis Test (CMT) in determining the presence of intramammary infection in postpartum dairy goats and to determine whether antibiotic therapy increased bacteriological cure rate and lowered somatic cell count (SCC) compared with untreated controls. A CMT was performed and milk samples were collected for bacteriology from 211 glands of 106 does between 0 and 10 d after kidding. From a population of 3,239 glands from goats in 4 commercial herds, goats with one or both glands with a CMT score of >1 and from which bacteria were isolated were either assigned to be treated with 3 intramammary infusions at 12-h intervals of 75 mg of sodium ampicillin and 250 mg of sodium cloxacillin (n=57 glands) or left as untreated controls (n=49 glands). Milk samples were collected again 14 ± 3 and 21 ± 3 d later for bacteriology and SCC determination. Composite milk yield, goat SCC, length of lactation, and survival data were collected. A partial budget was constructed to assess the cost effectiveness of treatment. At a cut point of greater than trace, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the CMT were 0.74, 0.74, 0.42, and 0.92, respectively. Treatment increased the bacteriological cure rate compared with no treatment [30/57 (53%) vs. 6/49 (12%)], but there was a pathogen by treatment interaction whereby treatment increased cure proportion in glands infected with minor, but not major, pathogens. Treatment reduced the foremilk gland-level SCC [1,595 (95% CI=1,106-2,300) vs. 3,028 (95% CI=2,091-4,385) geometric mean (× 1,000) cells/mL] but not the SCC at goat level [1,596 (95% CI=1,219-2,090) vs. 1,488 (95% CI=1,132-1,955) geometric mean (× 1,000) cells/mL] compared with no treatment. Milk yield, risk of removal from the herd, and length of lactation were not altered by treatment. Treatment resulted in a loss of NZ$20.39/doe. It was concluded that use of the CMT as a screening test resulted in a higher likelihood of finding a gland that would be infected than selecting a gland at random. Treatment increased bacteriological cure rate and reduced SCC at gland level compared with no treatment. However, at goat level, milk yield, SCC, and survival were not altered, resulting in no economic benefit of treatment.

Trans-diagnostic outcome of eating disorders: A 30-month follow-up study of 629 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the 30-month outcome and predictors of outcome in a cohort of patients with any eating disorder (ED). METHOD: A naturalistic design was used to determine time to remission, predictors of remission, relapse, diagnostic cross-over and mortality of 629 patients. RESULTS: At follow-up (FU) 312 patients attended, 42% obtained full remission and 72% partial remission. No differences were found between diagnostic groups for adolescents. Adult patients with anorexia-like eating disorder not otherwise specified-anorexia nervosa (EDNOS-AN) had the poorest outcome. Bulimia-like EDNOS was the most frequent relapse diagnosis. Bingeing/purging behaviour predicted a poorer outcome for individuals with bulimic disorders. Desired low BMI predicted a poorer outcome for individuals with anorexia. Comorbid personality disorder was a common predictor of a worse outcome. CONCLUSION: Adults with EDNOS-AN had the poorest prognosis. Bulimic symptoms emerged frequently during FU regardless of diagnosis. Remission rates and outcome predictors were similar to previous findings.

Expression of leptin receptor isoforms and effects of leptin on the proliferation and hormonal secretion in human pituitary adenomas.

OBJECTIVE: To pursue whether leptin regulates anterior pituitary cells, we studied the ex vivo expression of several isoforms of the leptin receptor (OB-R) as well as the in vitro effects of leptin administration in human pituitary adenomas. METHODS: OB-R mRNA expression and in vitro response to leptin were studied in 39 pituitary macroadenomas. RESULTS: All 4 OB-R subtypes were expressed in most adenomas. The expression was significantly more pronounced in GH-secreting adenomas as compared to non-functioning tumor cells (p < 0.05). Leptin administration in vitro did not significantly influence cell proliferation or the secretion of GH, FSH, LH or alpha-subunit. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Several isoforms of the OB-R, including the signal transducing full-length receptor, are expressed in most human pituitary adenomas. (2) This expression ex vivo is not associated with significant effects of leptin in vitro.

Adsorption of pesticides onto quartz, calcite, kaolinite, and alpha-alumina.

The fate of pesticides in aquifers is influenced by the small but not insignificant adsorption of pesticides to mineral surfaces. Batch experiments with five pesticides and four minerals were conducted to quantify the contributions to adsorption from different mineral surfaces and compare adsorption characteristics of selected pesticides. Investigated mineral phases included quartz, calcite, kaolinite, and alpha-alumina. Selected pesticides comprised atrazine (6-chloro-N2-ethyl-N4-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine), isoproturon [3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea)], mecoprop [(RS)-2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)propionic acid], 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), and bentazone [3-isopropyl-1H-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4-(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide]. Specific surface area and mineral surface charge proved to be important for the adsorption of these pesticides. Detectable adsorption of the anionic pesticides (mecoprop, 2,4-D, and bentazone) was only measured when positive sites were present on the mineral surface. However, when CaCl2 was added as an electrolyte, a detectable adsorption of mecoprop and 2,4-D was also measured on kaolinite (which exhibits a negative surface charge), probably due to formation of Ca-pesticide--surface complexes. Adsorption of the uncharged pesticides (atrazine and isoproturon) was detected only on kaolinite. The lack of adsorption on alpha-alumina indicates that the uncharged pesticides have a greater affinity for the silanol surface sites (=SiOH) than for the aluminol surface sites (=AlOH) in kaolinite. No measurable effect of ionic strength was found for the uncharged pesticides. The results indicate that quartz and calcite play a smaller role than clay minerals.

Atrazine, isoproturon, mecoprop, 2,4-D, and bentazone adsorption onto iron oxides.

Iron oxides are important components influencing the adsorption of various inorganic and organic compounds in soils and sediments. In this study the adsorption on iron oxides of nonionic and ionic pesticides was determined as a function of solution pH, ionic strength, and pesticide concentration. The investigated iron oxides included two-line ferrihydrite, goethite, and lepidocrocite. Selected pesticides comprised atrazine (6-chloro-N2-ethyl-N4-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine), isoproturon [3-(4-isopropylphenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea)], mecoprop [(RS)-2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)propionic acid], 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), and bentazone [3-isopropyl-1H-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4(3H)-one 2,2-dioxide]. The adsorption of the nonionic pesticides (atrazine and isoproturon) was insignificant, whereas the adsorption of the acidic pesticides (mecoprop, 2,4-D, and bentazone) was significant on all investigated iron oxides. The adsorption capacity increased with decreasing pH, with maximum adsorption reached close to the pKa values. The addition of CaCl2 in concentrations from 0.0025 to 0.01 M caused the adsorption capacity to diminish. The adsorption of bentazone was significantly lower than the adsorption of mecoprop and 2,4-D, illustrating the importance of a carboxyl group in the pesticide structure. The adsorption capacity on the iron oxides increased in the order: lepidocrocite < goethite < two-line ferrihydrite. The maximum adsorption capacities of meco-prop and 2,4-D on goethite were found to be equivalent to the site density of singly coordinated hydroxyl groups on the faces of the dominant (110) form, suggesting that singly coordinated hydroxyl groups are responsible for adsorption. Differences in adsorption capacities between iron oxides can be explained by differences in the surface site density of singly coordinated hydroxyl groups. The maximum measured adsorption capacity of mecoprop on two-line ferrihydrite was equivalent to 0.2 mol/mol Fe.

BET Measurements: Outgassing of Minerals.

Outgassing minerals at elevated temperatures prior to BET measurements can lead to phase changes, especially in the case of amorphous and poorly crystalline materials. In order to evaluate the applicability of the BET method when low outgassing temperatures are required, selected aquifer minerals were outgassed at different temperatures and for different times. The studied minerals are 2-line ferrihydrite, goethite, lepidocrocite, quartz, calcite, alpha-alumina, and kaolinite. The results demonstrate that measured specific surface areas of iron oxides are strongly dependent on outgassing conditions because the surface area increased by 170% with increasing temperature. In the poorly crystalline minerals, phase changes caused by heating were observed at temperatures lower than 100 degrees C. Therefore low outgassing temperatures are preferable for minimizing phase changes. As demonstrated in this study, stable BET values can be obtained by increasing the outgassing time without heating iron oxides. For quartz, calcite, alpha-alumina, and kaolinite, stable BET values were obtained after outgassing the minerals at 100 to 250 degrees C for 2 h. However, outgassing these minerals at room temperature (20 degrees C) only resulted in minor errors, implying that aquifer sediments containing poorly crystalline materials can be outgassed at low temperatures if the outgassing time is increased. Scanning electron microscopy of the studied minerals demonstrated that the particle size as calculated from BET data compares well with particle size observed by scanning electron microscopy images. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Influence of cuff size on blood pressure among schoolchildren.

In 236 schoolchildren aged 7-15 years arm blood pressure was measured using a semiautomatic technique. Three different cuffs were chosen among four cuffs with bladder sizes of either 6 x 20 cm, 9 x 27 cm, 12 x 35 cm or 15 x 43 cm. Ideal cuff size in each pupil was defined as the one in which the width of the bladder was closest to 40% of arm circumference. In all subjects ideal cuffs were tested along with two cuffs bigger or smaller than the ideal one. The study showed that "normal blood pressure" in relation to age depended on the cuff used. Using the ideal one, systolic blood pressure increased from 105 mmHg at 7 years of age to 117-119 mmHg at age 11, with no further increase at higher ages, while diastolic blood pressure was almost unchanged in the different age groups. Normal blood pressure curves constructed using the same cuff in all children showed a steeper increase in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in relation to age compared to the curve based on the ideal cuff in all children. It is strongly recommended that future studies should take the best-suited cuff problem into consideration when planning studies among children. Some of the differences between previous published studies may be explained by the differences introduced by different cuff sizes.