"Generality of mis-fit"? The real-life difficulty of matching scales in an interconnected world.

A clear understanding of processes at multiple scales and levels is of special significance when conceiving strategies for human-environment interactions. However, understanding and application of the scale concept often differ between administrative-political and ecological disciplines. These mirror major differences in potential solutions whether and how scales can, at all, be made congruent. As a result, opportunities of seeking "goodness-of-fit" between different concepts of governance should perhaps be reconsidered in the light of a potential "generality of mis-fit." This article reviews the interdisciplinary considerations inherent in the concept of scale in its ecological, as well as administrative-political, significance and argues that issues of how to manage "mis-fit" should be awarded more emphasis in social-ecological research and management practices. These considerations are exemplified by the case of reindeer husbandry in Fennoscandia. Whilst an indigenous small-scale practice, reindeer husbandry involves multi-level ecological and administrative-political complexities-complexities that we argue may arise in any multi-level system.

Replacing monocultures with mixed-species stands: Ecosystem service implications of two production forest alternatives in Sweden.

Whereas there is evidence that mixed-species approaches to production forestry in general can provide positive outcomes relative to monocultures, it is less clear to what extent multiple benefits can be derived from specific mixed-species alternatives. To provide such insights requires evaluations of an encompassing suite of ecosystem services, biodiversity, and forest management considerations provided by specific mixtures and monocultures within a region. Here, we conduct such an assessment in Sweden by contrasting even-aged Norway spruce (Picea abies)-dominated stands, with mixed-species stands of spruce and birch (Betula pendula or B. pubescens), or spruce and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). By synthesizing the available evidence, we identify positive outcomes from mixtures including increased biodiversity, water quality, esthetic and recreational values, as well as reduced stand vulnerability to pest and pathogen damage. However, some uncertainties and risks were projected to increase, highlighting the importance of conducting comprehensive interdisciplinary evaluations when assessing the pros and cons of mixtures.

Possibility to implement invasive species control in Swedish forests.

Invasive alien species constitute an increasing risk to forestry, as indeed to natural systems in general. This study reviews the legislative framework governing invasive species in the EU and Sweden, drawing upon both a legal analysis and interviews with main national level agencies responsible for implementing this framework. The study concludes that EU and Sweden are limited in how well they can act on invasive species, in particular because of the weak interpretation of the precautionary principle in the World Trade Organisation and Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreements. In the Swedish case, this interpretation also conflicts with the stronger interpretation of the precautionary principle under the Swedish Environmental Code, which could in itself provide for stronger possibilities to act on invasive species.

Reducing the risk of invasive forest pests and pathogens: Combining legislation, targeted management and public awareness.

Intensifying global trade will result in increased numbers of plant pest and pathogen species inadvertently being transported along with cargo. This paper examines current mechanisms for prevention and management of potential introductions of forest insect pests and pathogens in the European Union (EU). Current European legislation has not been found sufficient in preventing invasion, establishment and spread of pest and pathogen species within the EU. Costs associated with future invasions are difficult to estimate but past invasions have led to negative economic impacts in the invaded country. The challenge is combining free trade and free movement of products (within the EU) with protection against invasive pests and pathogens. Public awareness may mobilise the public for prevention and detection of potential invasions and, simultaneously, increase support for eradication and control measures. We recommend focus on commodities in addition to pathways, an approach within the EU using a centralised response unit and, critically, to engage the general public in the battle against establishment and spread of these harmful pests and pathogens.

Social network analysis of multi-level linkages: a Swedish case study on Northern Forest-Based sectors.

Forest use in Northern Sweden is being influenced both by global trends and local situations. This results in interactions between numerous groups that may impact local forest governance. Social network analysis can here provide insight into the total pattern of positive, negative, and cross-level interactions within user group community structure (within and among groups). This study analyses interactions within selected renewable resource sectors in two northern Swedish municipalities, both with regard to whether they are positive, neutral, or negative, as well as with regard to how local actors relate to actors across levels, e.g., with regional, national, and international actors. The study illustrates that many interactions both within and outside a given sector are seen as neutral or positive, and that considerable interaction and impact are defined as national and in some cases even international. It also indicates that the impact of Sweden's only existing Model Forest may to some extent constitute a bridge between different sectors and levels, in comparison with the interactions between sectors in a municipality where such a cooperation mechanism does not exist.

Actinomycosis simulating pulmonary neoplasm in a previously healthy man. Case report.

In a 41-year-old, previously healthy man, a pulmonary opacity presented diagnostic difficulties. Thoracotomy with resection of lung and ribs revealed actinomycosis. Postoperatively the patient responded well to long-term penicillin therapy.

Surgical support of collapsing intrathoracic tracheomalacia after thyroidectomy.

Invalidating tracheal collapse occurred in a 55-year-old male farmer after extirpation of an intrathoracic goitre. The collapse was successfully treated by a new modification of supportive surgery developed by us, viz. circumferential application of heavy Marles mesh (Davol Inc., Box 8500, Cranston, R. I. 02920, USA) around the trachea.

Dental health of national servicemen in Umeå.

The aim of the study was to examine dental health in three groups of national servicemen in Umeå, Västerbotten, to compare the dental health of the groups and to evaluate need for treatment. The material consisted of 282 recruits, 79 from Stockholm County (STHLM group) 96 from the urban parts of the County of Västerbotten (V-urban group) and 107 from the rural parts (V-rural group) of that county. The examination included registration of caries and restorations, gingival status, presence of calculus, pathological pockets and alveolar bone loss. Questions about oral hygiene measures, knowledge about and attitudes to dental health were also included. The results showed that the mean values for DFT and DFS were 13.7 and 24.0 respectively. The mean DFS-value was significantly lower in the V-urban group than in the STHLM group (P less than 0.01) and the V-urban group (P less than 0.001). The mean GBI% was 38.3 in the STHLM group, 32.9 in the V-urban group and 40.4 in the V-rural group. The mean value for surfaces in need of operative treatment was 2.9, with the highest value for the STHLM group (3.5). The mean number of surfaces with initial approximal caries lesions was 2.7. A more prophylactic approach by the military dental services would be desirable, and in future planning the need for dental hygienists should be considered.

Acute coeliac artery occlusion: initial collateral blood flow from the superior mesenteric artery. An experimental study.

The collateral blood flow from the superior mesenteric artery after acute occlusion of the coeliac truck was measured in experiments in dogs. Immediately after clamping of the coeliac axis the collateral flow was about 30 % of the original coeliac blood flow. During an observation time of three hours the collateral flow increased, the corresponding value at the end of experiment being about 50 %. At the same time the blood pressure in the coeliac artery rose from a mean value of 20 mmHg to 35 mmHg. The initial collateral blood flow was evidently not sufficient, since after this short occlusion period ischaemic changes, even necrosis, were observed in the liver and stomach in some of the test animals.

The effects of beta-adrenergic agents on the contractility of transplanted canine heart.

The effects of isoprenaline and adrenalin on the myocardial contractility of transplanted heart were studied in 6 mongrel dogs which had undergone orthotopic cardiac transplantation. Isoprenaline and adrenaline produced a fall in end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, and an increase in stroke volume, cardiac output and velocity of contraction when the heart rate was increased. Similar changes were observed in 4 mongrel dogs tested as controls, with the exception of a less pronounced increase of cardiac output after administration of isoprenaline and adrenalin and a fall in stroke volume associated with a higher acceleration of heart rate after administration of isoprenaline. These minor differences between the transplanted and intact heart were thought to be a reflexion of the increased blood volume following heart transplantation.

Complications after removal of mandibular third molars with special reference to local anaesthetics with different vasoactive properties.

Nhe symptoms after surgical removal of 379 mandibular wisdom teeth when Xylocain-Exadrin 2% and Citanest-Octopressin 3% were used, were evaluated according to a three grade scale. The severity of the symptoms, which were mild and normal in 53% and severe in 47%, did not demonstrably vary with the type of anaesthetic agent used. The symptoms were, on the average, more severe among the women than among the men. The symptoms were correlated with the duration of the operation, which was most obvious in the men. For the men the frequency of symptoms also increased with age. In the men there was also a tendency to a correlation between dry socket and long duration of operation. It thus appeared as if only the men reacted in the way expected from a biologic point of view. The investigation also showed that Xylocain-Exadrin had a better anaesthetic and ischemic effect.