Measurement, collaborative learning and research for sustainable use of ecosystem services: landscape concepts and Europe as laboratory.

Policies at multiple levels pronounce the need to encompass both social and ecological systems in governance and management of natural capital in terms of resources and ecosystems. One approach to knowledge production and learning about landscapes as social-ecological systems is to compare multiple case studies consisting of large spaces and places. We first review the landscape concepts' biophysical, anthropogenic, and intangible dimensions. Second, we exemplify how the different landscape concepts can be used to derive measurable variables for different sustainability indicators. Third, we review gradients in the three dimensions of the term landscape on the European continent, and propose to use them for the stratification of multiple case studies of social-ecological systems. We stress the benefits of the landscape concepts to measure sustainability, and how this can improve collaborative learning about development toward sustainability in social-ecological systems. Finally, analyses of multiple landscapes improve the understanding of context for governance and management.

Protected area as an indicator of ecological sustainability? A century of development in Europe's boreal forest.

Protected area (PA) is an indicator linked to policies on ecological sustainability. We analyzed area, size, and categories of PAs in the European boreal forest biome in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia from 1900 to 2010. The PA increased from 1.5 × 10(3) ha in 1909 to 2.3 × 10(7) ha in 2010. While the total PA in the boreal biome was 10.8 %, the figures ranged from 17.2 % in the northern, 7.9 % of the middle, and 8.7 % of the southern boreal sub-regions. The median size of PAs varied from 10 to 124 ha among countries. The categories of less strictly PAs increased over time. The proportion of area occupied by PAs is an important response indicator for conservation efforts. However, the use of PA as an indicator of ecological sustainability needs to consider ecosystem representation, functional connectivity and management categories.

Social and cultural sustainability: criteria, indicators, verifier variables for measurement and maps for visualization to support planning.

Policies on economic use of natural resources require considerations to social and cultural values. In order to make those concrete in a planning context, this paper aims to interpret social and cultural criteria, identify indicators, match these with verifier variables and visualize them on maps. Indicators were selected from a review of scholarly work and natural resource policies, and then matched with verifier variables available for Sweden's 290 municipalities. Maps of the spatial distribution of four social and four cultural verifier variables were then produced. Consideration of social and cultural values in the studied natural resource use sectors was limited. The spatial distribution of the verifier variables exhibited a general divide between northwest and south Sweden, and regional rural and urban areas. We conclude that it is possible to identify indicators and match them with verifier variables to support inclusion of social and cultural values in planning.

Sustained yield forestry in Sweden and Russia: how does it correspond to sustainable forest management policy?

This paper analyzes how sustained yield (SY) forestry is defined and implemented in Sweden and Russia, two countries with different forest-industrial regimes. We first compare definitions of SY forestry in national legislation and policies. Then we study forest management planning in two large forest management units with respect to: delivered forest products and values, how the harvest level of timber is defined, where the harvest takes place, and what treatments are used to sustain desired forest products and values. In Sweden SY forestry is maximum yield based on high-input forest management, and in Russia it is forestry based on natural regeneration with minimum investments in silviculture. We conclude that how SY forestry contributes to SFM depends on the context. Finally, we discuss the consequences of SY forestry as performed in Sweden and Russia related to its ability to support diverse forest functions, as envisioned in sustainable forest management policy.

Learning about the history of landscape use for the future: consequences for ecological and social systems in Swedish Bergslagen.

Barriers and bridges to implement policies about sustainable development and sustainability commonly depend on the past development of social-ecological systems. Production of metals required integration of use of ore, streams for energy, and wood for bioenergy and construction, as well as of multiple societal actors. Focusing on the Swedish Bergslagen region as a case study we (1) describe the phases of natural resource use triggered by metallurgy, (2) the location and spatial extent of 22 definitions of Bergslagen divided into four zones as a proxy of cumulative pressure on landscapes, and (3) analyze the consequences for natural capital and society. We found clear gradients in industrial activity, stream alteration, and amount of natural forest from the core to the periphery of Bergslagen. Additionally, the legacy of top-down governance is linked to today's poorly diversified business sector and thus municipal vulnerability. Comparing the Bergslagen case study with other similar regions in Russia and Germany, we discuss the usefulness of multiple case studies.

Solving problems in social-ecological systems: definition, practice and barriers of transdisciplinary research.

Translating policies about sustainable development as a social process and sustainability outcomes into the real world of social-ecological systems involves several challenges. Hence, research policies advocate improved innovative problem-solving capacity. One approach is transdisciplinary research that integrates research disciplines, as well as researchers and practitioners. Drawing upon 14 experiences of problem-solving, we used group modeling to map perceived barriers and bridges for researchers' and practitioners' joint knowledge production and learning towards transdisciplinary research. The analysis indicated that the transdisciplinary research process is influenced by (1) the amount of traditional disciplinary formal and informal control, (2) adaptation of project applications to fill the transdisciplinary research agenda, (3) stakeholder participation, and (4) functional team building/development based on self-reflection and experienced leadership. Focusing on implementation of green infrastructure policy as a common denominator for the delivery of ecosystem services and human well-being, we discuss how to diagnose social-ecological systems, and use knowledge production and collaborative learning as treatments.

Patient empowerment in the process of sickness certificates.

A national patient portal for secure communication between the patients/citizens and primary care (Mina vårdkontakter) is available in Sweden. This system was used in a pilot project in the Stockholm County where patients were invited to prepare the visit to their physician for the discussion on the need for prolonged sickness leave by filling out a web based questionnaire on their current health status and working conditions. The opinions of the patients and their primary care physicians about the system were analyzed with positive feedback.

A Position-Control Based Approach to Haptic Rendering of Stiff Objects.

Conventional force rendering methods in haptic applications often suffer stability issues when simulating interactions with stiff objects such as a virtual wall. This paper argues that the emphasis in such scenarios is to minimize the penetration into the virtual wall instead of modeling the wall as a spring-damper system. Therefore, we propose an approach using a position controller to achieve better haptic rendering of the virtual wall. The proposed approach exploits model-based development tools to obtain the linear control system model without the need for an analytical model of the dynamics of the haptic device. A simulation-based performance comparison of two different controllers has been made for a 6-DOF parallel structure haptic device.

Application research of master-slave cranio-maxillofacial surgical robot based on force feedback.

BACKGROUND: The complex anatomical structure, limited field of vision, and easily damaged nerves, blood vessels, and other anatomical structures are the main challenges of a cranio-maxillofacial (CMF) plastic surgical robot. Bearing these characteristics and challenges in mind, this paper presents the design of a master-slave surgical robot system with a force feedback function to improve the accuracy and safety of CMF surgery. METHODS: A master-slave CMF surgical robot system based on force feedback is built with the master tactile robot and compact slave robot developed in the laboratory. Model-based master robot gravity compensation and force feedback mechanism is used for the surgical robot. Control strategies based on position increment control and ratio control are adopted. Aiming at the typical mandibular osteotomy in CMF surgery, a scheme suitable for robot-assisted mandibular osteotomy is proposed. The accuracy and force feedback function of the robot system under direct control and master-slave motion modes are verified by experiments. RESULTS: The drilling experiment of the mandible model in direct control mode shows that the average entrance point error is 1.37 ± 0.30 mm, the average exit point error is 1.30 ± 0.25 mm, and the average posture error is 2.27° ± 0.69°. The trajectory tracking and in vitro experiment in the master-slave motion mode show that the average position following error is 0.68 mm, and the maximum force following error is 0.586 N, achieving a good tracking and force feedback function. CONCLUSION: The experimental results show that the designed master-slave CMF robot can assist the surgeon in completing accurate mandibular osteotomy surgery. Through force feedback mechanism, it can improve the interaction between the surgeon and the robot, and complete tactile trajectory movements.

Moderate impact of full-term pregnancy on estimated peak oxygen uptake, physical activity and perceived health.

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of pregnancy on estimated peak oxygen uptake (VO(2 peak, est.)), physical activity and perceived health. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Maternal health centers. POPULATION: A cohort of pregnant women. Methods. Cycle ergometer test and questionnaires in early pregnancy and 5 months postpartum. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: VO(2 peak, est.), physical activity and perceived health. RESULTS: Regular physical activity was reported by a successively lower proportion of women as pregnancy advanced but the proportion was regained postpartum. Despite this the difference between average absolute VO(2 peak, est.) in early pregnancy and postpartum of 2.44 and 2.42 l/minute, respectively, was not significant. The adjusted absolute VO(2 peak, est.) in early pregnancy successively increased with age to a maximum at 35 years, after which it decreased and among women of the same age the time between 8 and 12 weeks lowered the VO(2 peak, est.) by 0.130 l/minute. With the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire in early pregnancy the women scored their mean mental health to 72.0 and mean physical health to 79.7. At the postpartum appointment these scores were higher (p < 0.0001). Absolute and relative VO(2 peak, est.) in early pregnancy were positively correlated to the variation of SF-36's mean physical health in early pregnancy (p < 0.0001) and postpartum (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy had a moderate influence on physical fitness and perceived health half a year postpartum despite less regular physical activity during pregnancy. VO(2 peak, est.) in early pregnancy was positively correlated to perceived physical health.

Low gastric acid and high plasma gastrin in high-anxiety Wistar Kyoto rats.

OBJECTIVE: Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats are more susceptible to stress-evoked ulcerations than Sprague-Dawley (SPD) rats. We have already demonstrated that gastrin cells are more active and ghrelin cells less active in WKY rats than in SPD rats. The purpose of this study was to compare endocrine cell activity and gastric acid output in WKY and SPD rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Gastric acid output was determined in conscious rats with gastric fistula. Plasma gastrin and ghrelin levels were measured after an overnight fast. Acid secretagogues (gastrin, histamine and carbachol) were given by continuous subcutaneous infusion. RESULTS: The volume of gastric juice, and the acidity and acid output were all significantly lower (p <0.05) in fasted WKY rats than in fasted SPD rats. Gastrin evoked a 4-fold (p <0.01) and 3-fold (p <0.05) increase in gastric acid output in SPD rats and WKY rats, respectively. Histamine raised the acid output 1.6-fold in SPD rats (p=0.06) and 3-fold in WKY rats (p <0.05), while carbachol failed to affect the acid output (weak increase, p >0.05). Fasting plasma ghrelin levels were 2-fold higher in SPD rats than in WKY rats (p <0.01) while fasting gastrin levels were 10-fold higher in WKY rats than in SPD rats (p <0.05). Neither the parietal-cell density nor the oxyntic mucosal thickness differed between the two strains. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that a high gastrin cell activity in WKY rats is secondary to a low gastric acidity. Whether the high gastrin cell activity is linked to susceptibility to stress ulcer in WKY rats warrants further investigation.

Effects of long term storage on secondary metabolite profiles of cannabis resin.

The structural identification and the monitoring of the relative concentrations of a wide range of major (3) and minor secondary (16) metabolites used as marker substances for profiling of cannabis resin using GC-FID at the Swedish National Forensic Centre (NFC) has facilitated the mapping of their chemical and physical behaviors over a period of 48months whilst stored under different conditions (exposure to light, exposure to air, temperature). In all cases the behavior of this group of sesquiterpenes, sesquiterpenoids, cannabinoids and waxes could be directly related to their chemical lability/functionality. In particular, the identification of homologue triads for both Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) together with a group of seemingly chemically inert substances (for example, cannabicyclol(CBL) and the waxes (n-alkanes)) has created new tools for the establishment of common origins between samples of cannabis resins aged under different conditions. Since sampling of the resin blocks in NFC's method for profiling of cannabis resin is made below the surface, the effects of light incursion were found to be negligible. The effects of exposure to air (and indirectly temperature) were found to be more significant, not unexpectedly as many of the observed transformations were based on oxidation or rearrangement processes.

Early stellate cell activation and veno-occlusive-disease (VOD)-like hepatotoxicity in dogs treated with AR-H047108, an imidazopyridine proton pump inhibitor.

Dogs treated with AR-H047108, an imidazopyridine potassium competitive acid blocker (P-CAB), developed clinical signs of hepatic dysfunction as well as morphologically manifest hepatotoxicity in repeat-dose toxicity studies. An investigative one-month study was performed, with interim euthanasia after one and two weeks. A detailed histopathological and immunohistochemical characterization of the liver lesions was conducted, including markers for fibrosis, Kupffer cell activation, apoptosis, and endothelial injury. In addition, hepatic retinoid and procollagen 1alpha2 mRNA levels in livers of dogs treated with AR-H047108 were analyzed. The results showed an early inflammatory process in central veins and centrilobular areas, present after one week of treatment. This inflammatory reaction was paralleled by activation of stellate/Ito cells to myofibroblasts and was associated with sinusoidal and centrivenular fibrosis. The early activation of stellate cells coincided with a significant decrease in retinyl ester levels, and a significant increase in procollagen 1alpha2 mRNA levels, in the liver. At later time points (three and six months), there was marked sinusoidal fibrosis in centrilobular areas, as well as occlusion of central veins resulting from a combination of fibrosis and increased thickness of smooth muscle bundles in the vessel wall. The pattern of lesions suggests a veno-occlusive-disease (VOD)-like scenario, possibly linked to the imidazopyridine chemical structure of the compound facilitated by specific morphological features of the dog liver.

Long-term effect of vaccination against gonadotropin-releasing hormone, using Improvac, on hormonal profile and behaviour of male pigs.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term effect of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) vaccine, Improvac (Pfizer Ltd.), on the levels of GnRH antibodies, testosterone, estrone sulphate (E1S) and androstenone, as well as skatole and indole in male pigs. Additionally, the long-term effect of immunocastration on social and sexual behaviour was studied. Male pigs were assigned to two treatment groups: a treatment group given two doses of Improvac (n=12) and a control group of entire male pigs (n=12). The pigs were kept either 16 or 22 weeks after vaccination. Blood samples were collected five or six times; prior to both first and second vaccination, then three or four times during the 16 or 22 week period after second vaccination. Immunocastration significantly reduced levels of testosterone and E1S in plasma, and levels of androstenone in fat (P<0.001 for all). Skatole and indole levels in plasma and fat were also lower in immunocastrated pigs than in entire male pigs. These effects lasted up to 22 weeks after the second vaccination. Testis weight and bulbourethral gland length were lower in immunocastrated pigs at slaughter and these pigs showed less social, manipulating and aggressive behaviour than entire male pigs. The immunocastrated pigs remained sexually inactive throughout the study. Our study represents a further step in the evaluation of the effectiveness of Improvac as an alternative to surgical castration of entire male pigs. It shows that Improvac may have an extended effect compared with that currently implied by the directions for use.

Mechanism of action of AZD0865, a K+-competitive inhibitor of gastric H+,K+-ATPase.

AZD0865 is a member of a drug class that inhibits gastric H(+),K(+)-ATPase by K(+)-competitive binding. The objective of these experiments was to characterize the mechanism of action, selectivity and inhibitory potency of AZD0865 in vitro. In porcine ion-leaky vesicles at pH 7.4, AZD0865 concentration-dependently inhibited K(+)-stimulated H(+),K(+)-ATPase activity (IC(50) 1.0+/-0.2 microM) but was more potent at pH 6.4 (IC(50) 0.13+/-0.01 microM). The IC(50) values for a permanent cation analogue, AR-H070091, were 11+/-1.2 microM at pH 7.4 and 16+/-1.8 microM at pH 6.4. These results suggest that the protonated form of AZD0865 inhibits H(+),K(+)-ATPase. In ion-tight vesicles, AZD0865 inhibited H(+),K(+)-ATPase more potently (IC(50) 6.9+/-0.4 nM) than in ion-leaky vesicles, suggesting a luminal site of action. AZD0865 inhibited acid formation in histamine- or dibutyryl-cAMP-stimulated rabbit gastric glands (IC(50) 0.28+/-0.01 and 0.26+/-0.003 microM, respectively). In ion-leaky vesicles at pH 7.4, AZD0865 (3 microM) immediately inhibited H(+),K(+)-ATPase activity by 88+/-1%. Immediately after a 10-fold dilution H(+),K(+)-ATPase inhibition was 41%, indicating reversible binding of AZD0865 to gastric H(+),K(+)-ATPase. In contrast to omeprazole, AZD0865 inhibited H(+),K(+)-ATPase activity in a K(+)-competitive manner (K(i) 46+/-3 nM). AZD0865 inhibited the process of cation occlusion concentration-dependently (IC(50) 1.7+/-0.06 microM). At 100 microM, AZD0865 reduced porcine renal Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activity by 9+/-2%, demonstrating a high selectivity for H(+),K(+)-ATPase. Thus, AZD0865 potently, K(+)-competitively, and selectively inhibits gastric H(+),K(+)-ATPase activity and acid formation in vitro, with a fast onset of effect.

Potassium-competitive acid blockade: a new therapeutic strategy in acid-related diseases.

Current therapies to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer disease (PUD), and other acid-related diseases either prevent stimulation of the parietal cell (H2 receptor antagonists, H2RAs) or inhibit gastric H+,K+-ATPase (e.g., proton pump inhibitors, PPIs). Of the 2 approaches, the inhibition of the final step in acid production by PPIs provides more effective relief of symptoms and healing. Despite the documented efficacy of the PPIs, therapeutic doses have a gradual onset of effect and do not provide complete symptom relief in all patients. There is scope for further improvements in acid suppressive therapy to maximize healing and offer more complete symptom relief. It is unlikely that cholecystokinin2 (CCK2, gastrin) receptor antagonists, a class in clinical trials, will be superior to H2RAs or PPIs. However, a new class of acid suppressant, the potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs), is undergoing clinical trials in GERD and other acid-related diseases. These drugs block gastric H+,K+-ATPase by reversible and K+-competitive ionic binding. After oral doses, P-CABs rapidly achieve high plasma concentrations and have linear, dose-dependent pharmacokinetics. The pharmacodynamic properties reflect the pharmacokinetics of this group (i.e., the effect on acid secretion is correlated with plasma concentrations). These agents dose dependently inhibit gastric acid secretion with a fast onset of action and have similar effects after single and repeated doses (i.e., full effect from the first dose). Animal studies comparing P-CABs with PPIs suggest some important pharmacodynamic differences (e.g., faster and better control of 24-hr intragastric acidity). Studies in humans comparing PPIs with P-CABs will help to define the place of this new class in the management of acid-related diseases.

Refined localization of the FAT1 quantitative trait locus on pig chromosome 4 by marker-assisted backcrossing.

BACKGROUND: A major QTL for fatness and growth, denoted FAT1, has previously been detected on pig chromosome 4q (SSC4q) using a Large White - wild boar intercross. Progeny that carried the wild boar allele at this locus had higher fat deposition, shorter length of carcass, and reduced growth. The position and the estimated effects of the FAT1 QTL for growth and fatness have been confirmed in a previous study. In order to narrow down the QTL interval we have traced the inheritance of the wild boar allele associated with high fat deposition through six additional backcross generations. RESULTS: Progeny-testing was used to determine the QTL genotype for 10 backcross sires being heterozygous for different parts of the broad FAT1 region. The statistical analysis revealed that five of the sires were segregating at the QTL, two were negative while the data for three sires were inconclusive. We could confirm the QTL effects on fatness/meat content traits but not for the growth traits implying that growth and fatness are controlled by distinct QTLs on chromosome 4. Two of the segregating sires showed highly significant QTL effects that were as large as previously observed in the F2 generation. The estimates for the remaining three sires, which were all heterozygous for smaller fragments of the actual region, were markedly smaller. With the sample sizes used in the present study we cannot with great confidence determine whether these smaller effects in some sires are due to chance deviations, epistatic interactions or whether FAT1 is composed of two or more QTLs, each one with a smaller phenotypic effect. Under the assumption of a single locus, the critical region for FAT1 has been reduced to a 3.3 cM interval between the RXRG and SDHC loci. CONCLUSION: We have further characterized the FAT1 QTL on pig chromosome 4 and refined its map position considerably, from a QTL interval of 70 cM to a maximum region of 20 cM and a probable region as small as 3.3 cM. The flanking markers for the small region are RXRG and SDHC and the orthologous region of FAT1 in the human genome is located on HSA1q23.3 and harbors approximately 20 genes. Our strategy to further refine the map position of this major QTL will be i) to type new markers in our pigs that are recombinant in the QTL interval and ii) to perform Identity-By-Descent (IBD) mapping across breeds that have been strongly selected for lean growth.

Early post-natal exposure to low dose oral di(2ethylhexyl) phthalate affects the peripheral LH-concentration in plasma, but does not affect mating behavior in the post-pubertal boar.

In a split-litter design experiment, boars were exposed orally three times weekly to 300 mg/kg of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) between 3 and 7 weeks of age. Post-puberty, i.e. at 6 months of age the effects on endocrinology and mating behavior were examined. The response to stimulation with a synthetic GnRH-analogue at 9 months of age resulted initially in lower concentration of LH in the exposed animals, compared to the control animals. We did not find any effects of DEHP on the mating behavior. Also, the effects of DEHP during the treatment period on the plasma concentrations of testosterone, oestradiol and LH were examined. During the exposure period there was a transient decrease in plasma concentrations of LH in the control group, which did not occur in the boars exposed to DEHP. The data suggest that DEHP in low repeated oral doses causes lasting effects on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis.

Upper-airway inflammation in relation to dust spiked with aldehydes or glucan.

OBJECTIVES: Organic dust is associated with adverse effects on human airways. This study was done to investigate whether the addition of beta-(1,3)-D glucan or aldehydes to office dust causes enhanced inflammation in human airways. METHODS: Thirty-six volunteers were exposed randomly to clean air, office dust, dust spiked with glucan, and dust spiked with aldehydes. The three dust exposures contained between 332 and 379 microg dust/m(3). Spiking with 1 gram of dust was done with 10 milligrams of glucan or 0.1 microliters of aldehydes. Acoustic rhinometry, rhinostereometry, nasal lavage, and lung function tests were applied. RESULTS: After the exposures to dust spiked with the glucan and aldehydes, the nasal volume decreased (-1.33 and -1.39 cm(3) (mean), respectively) when compared with the -0.9 cm(3) after clean air or office dust (P=0.036 for a difference in decrease between exposures). After 2-3 hours the aldehyde-spiked dust caused a 0.6-mm swelling of the inferior turbinate, and glucan-spiked dust produced a 0.7-mm swelling (P=0.039 for a difference in the swelling between the four exposures). The preexposure nasal lavage cleaned off the mucosa, and lower cytokine concentrations were found after all of the exposures. For interleukin-8, this decrease in concentration was smaller after the dust exposures spiked with glucan and aldehydes (-2.9 and -25.8 pg/ml, respectively) than after office dust or clean air (-65.9 and -74.1 pg/ml, respectively) (P=0.042). The nasal eosinophil cell concentration increased after exposure to dust spiked with glucan (P=0.045). CONCLUSIONS: beta-(1,3)-D glucan and aldehydes in office dust enhance the inflammatory effects of dust on the upper airways.

Perception of cockpit environment among pilots on commercial aircraft.

UNLABELLED: Impaired cockpit environment may influence both well-being and performance of pilots. OBJECTIVE: To study the perception of cockpit environment among pilots, in relation to demographic factors, and type of aircraft (B767-300, B737-600, DC9/21-41, MD 81/90 series). METHODS: A standardized questionnaire was mailed to all pilots in one airline company; 81% participated (n = 622). All flights were non-smoking flights and the B767 was the only aircraft operated on intercontinental flights. The DC9 was the only aircraft without air recirculation. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied, controlling for age, gender, smoking, perceived psychosocial work environment, and type of aircraft. RESULTS: Younger age and a history of atopy and stress due to excess work were the main predictors of symptom and environmental perceptions. The most common symptoms were fatigue (14%), facial dermal (10%), and nasal symptoms (9%). Common complaints on cockpit environment were dry air (53%), dust and dirt (48%), noise (46%), and inadequate illumination (34%). Using the DC9 as a reference category, Boeing 767 pilots had more fatigue (OR 19.5; p < 0.001), throat symptoms (OR = 4.40; p < 0.05), complaints on dry air (OR = 2.93; p < 0.01), stuffy air (OR = 4.60; p < 0.01), static electricity (OR = 6.39; < 0.05), and dust (OR = 2.01; p < 0.05). Boeing 737 pilots had more complaints on noise (OR = 4.01; p < 0.001) and dust (OR = 1.81; p < 0.05). MD 81/90 pilots had more complaints on dry air (OR = 1.76; p < 0.05), dust (OR = 1.92; p < 0.05), and inadequate illumination (OR = 2.08; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Complaints on the cockpit environment were common and differed between different types of aircraft. This indicates a need to optimize the cockpit environment, e.g., increase the cleaning and relative air humidity.