The NOAA NCEI marine microplastics database.

Microplastics (<5 mm) pollution is a growing problem affecting coastal communities, marine ecosystems, aquatic life, and human health. The widespread occurrence of marine microplastics, and the need to curb its threats, require expansive, and continuous monitoring. While microplastic research has increased in recent years and generated significant volumes of data, there is a lack of a robust, open access, and long-term aggregation of this data. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) now provides a global open access to marine microplastics data on an easily discoverable and accessible GIS web map and data portal ( https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/microplastics ). The objective of this data portal is to develop a repository where microplastics data are aggregated, archived, and served in a user friendly, consistent, and reliable manner. This work contributes to NCEI's efforts towards data standardization, integration, harmonization, and interoperability among national and international collaborators for monitoring global marine microplastics. This paper describes the NOAA NCEI global marine microplastics database, its creation, quality control procedures, and future directions.

The Ocean Carbon and Acidification Data System.

The Ocean Carbon and Acidification Data System (OCADS) is a data management system at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). It manages a wide range of ocean carbon and acidification data, including chemical, physical, and biological observations collected from research vessels, ships of opportunity, and uncrewed platforms, as well as laboratory experiment results, and model outputs. Additionally, OCADS serves as a repository for related Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) biogeochemistry Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs), e.g., oxygen, nutrients, transient tracers, and stable isotopes. OCADS endeavors to be one of the world's leading providers of ocean carbon and acidification data, information, products, and services. To provide the best data management services to the ocean carbon and acidification research community, OCADS prioritizes adopting a customer-centric approach and gathering knowledge and expertise from the research community to improve its data management practices. OCADS aims to make all ocean carbon and acidification data accessible via a single portal, and welcomes submissions from around the world: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/ocean-carbon-acidification-data-system/.

Late delivery of exotic chromium to the crust of Mars by water-rich carbonaceous asteroids.

The terrestrial planets endured a phase of bombardment following their accretion, but the nature of this late accreted material is debated, preventing a full understanding of the origin of inner solar system volatiles. We report the discovery of nucleosynthetic chromium isotope variability (µ54Cr) in Martian meteorites that represent mantle-derived magmas intruded in the Martian crust. The µ54Cr variability, ranging from -33.1 ± 5.4 to +6.8 ± 1.5 parts per million, correlates with magma chemistry such that samples having assimilated crustal material define a positive µ54Cr endmember. This compositional endmember represents the primordial crust modified by impacting outer solar system bodies of carbonaceous composition. Late delivery of this volatile-rich material to Mars provided an exotic water inventory corresponding to a global water layer >300 meters deep, in addition to the primordial water reservoir from mantle outgassing. This carbonaceous material may also have delivered a source of biologically relevant molecules to early Mars.

Timing of hip hemiarthroplasty and the influence on prosthetic joint infection.

INTRODUCTION: Previous research suggested that patients have increased risk of infection with increased time from presentation with a femoral neck fracture to treatment with a hip hemiarthroplasty (HHA). The purpose of this study was to determine if rates of prosthetic joint infections within 3 months of surgery was affected by the time from patient presentation with a femoral neck fracture to the time of treatment with HHA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acute hip fractures treated with HHA between 2005 and 2017 at three centres in Norway were enrolled in the study. Multi-trauma patients were excluded. Univariable analysis was performed to determine any significant effect of pre-operative waiting time on infection rate. Two pre-planned analyses dichotomizing pre-operative waiting time cut-offs were performed. RESULTS: There were 2300 patients with an average age of 82 (range, 48-100) years included of which 3.4% experienced a prosthetic joint infection within 3 months. The primary analysis found no significant difference in infection rate depending on time to surgery (OR = 1.06 (95% CI 0.94-1.20, p = 0.33)). The secondary analyses showed no significant differences in infection rates when comparing pre-operative waiting time of <24 hours vs ≥24 hours (OR = 0.92 (95% CI 0.58-1.46, p = 0.73)) and <48 hours vs ≥48 hours (OR = 1.39 (95% CI 0.81-2.38, p = 0.23)). CONCLUSION: Based off of a large retrospective Norwegian database of hip fractures there did not appear to be a significant difference in infection rate based on pre-operative wait time to surgery.

Isotopic evidence for primordial molecular cloud material in metal-rich carbonaceous chondrites.

The short-lived (26)Al radionuclide is thought to have been admixed into the initially (26)Al-poor protosolar molecular cloud before or contemporaneously with its collapse. Bulk inner Solar System reservoirs record positively correlated variability in mass-independent (54)Cr and (26)Mg*, the decay product of (26)Al. This correlation is interpreted as reflecting progressive thermal processing of in-falling (26)Al-rich molecular cloud material in the inner Solar System. The thermally unprocessed molecular cloud matter reflecting the nucleosynthetic makeup of the molecular cloud before the last addition of stellar-derived (26)Al has not been identified yet but may be preserved in planetesimals that accreted in the outer Solar System. We show that metal-rich carbonaceous chondrites and their components have a unique isotopic signature extending from an inner Solar System composition toward a (26)Mg*-depleted and (54)Cr-enriched component. This composition is consistent with that expected for thermally unprocessed primordial molecular cloud material before its pollution by stellar-derived (26)Al. The (26)Mg* and (54)Cr compositions of bulk metal-rich chondrites require significant amounts (25-50%) of primordial molecular cloud matter in their precursor material. Given that such high fractions of primordial molecular cloud material are expected to survive only in the outer Solar System, we infer that, similarly to cometary bodies, metal-rich carbonaceous chondrites are samples of planetesimals that accreted beyond the orbits of the gas giants. The lack of evidence for this material in other chondrite groups requires isolation from the outer Solar System, possibly by the opening of disk gaps from the early formation of gas giants.

Sculpting with people--An experiential learning technique.

At Department of Nursing, University College Lillebaelt in Denmark we use an experiential technique called sculpting in our simulation program. Sculpting is a kind of non-verbal role play in which participants are given a certain character and create a 'sculpture' by arranging family members, social circles and professionals in ways which reflect the quality of the relationships of the people involved. The aim of this study is to further describe the sculpting exercise and present a small scale evaluation study using a qualitative descriptive design. An evaluation sheet was formulated by the authors and filled out by 114 Danish third-year nursing students. The results show that sculpting is experienced as emotionally demanding, but in a good way. It is experienced as an eye-opener that helps to identify the possible complex and emotional dynamics in a family experiencing critical illness and impending death. Sculpting seems to increase nursing students' personal knowing related to palliative care. An experiential learning technique like sculpting can be introduced in other parts of nursing education to raise students' awareness of what they themselves bring into a situation and how this may affect their clinical judgments.

Third-wave cognitive therapy versus mentalisation-based treatment for major depressive disorder: a randomised clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the benefits and harms of third-wave cognitive therapy versus mentalisation-based therapy in a small sample of depressed participants. SETTING: The trial was conducted at an outpatient psychiatric clinic for non-psychotic patients in Roskilde, Denmark. PARTICIPANTS: 44 consecutive adult participants diagnosed with major depressive disorder. INTERVENTIONS: 18 weeks of third-wave cognitive therapy (n=22) versus 18 weeks of mentalisation-based treatment (n=22). OUTCOMES: The primary outcome was the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HDRS) at end of treatment (18 weeks). Secondary outcomes were: remission (HDRS <8), Beck's Depression Inventory, Symptom Checklist 90 Revised and The WHO-Five Well-being Index 1999. RESULTS: The trial inclusion lasted for about 2 years as planned but only 44 out of the planned 84 participants were randomised. Two mentalisation-based participants were lost to follow-up. The unadjusted analysis showed that third-wave participants compared with mentalisation-based participants did not differ significantly regarding the 18 weeks HDRS score (12.9 vs 17.0; mean difference -4.14; 95% CI -8.30 to 0.03; p=0.051). In the analysis adjusted for baseline HDRS score, the difference was favouring third-wave cognitive therapy (p=0.039). At 18 weeks, five of the third-wave participants (22.7%) were in remission versus none of the mentalisation-based participants (p=0.049). We recorded no suicide attempts or suicides during the intervention period in any of the 44 participants. No significant differences were found between the two intervention groups on the remaining secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Third-wave cognitive therapy may be more effective than mentalisation-based therapy for depressive symptoms measured on the HDRS. However, more randomised clinical trials are needed to assess the effects of third-wave cognitive therapy and mentalisation-based treatment for depression. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Registered with Clinical Trials government identifier: NCT01070134.

Prevalence of IgE sensitization in Danish children with suspected asthma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article was to estimate the prevalence of IgE sensitization in Danish children with suspected asthma and to characterize the pattern of sensitization. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a cross-sectional study including 1744 children from 0 to 15 yr suspected of asthma who were referred to pediatric outpatient clinics in the region of southern Denmark from 2003 to 2005. The children were subjected to an extensive questionnaire-based interview, clinical examination, and both skin prick testing (SPT) and IgE measurements for 17 allergens. RESULTS: Asthma was confirmed in 1024 of the 1744 children. Among the children in whom the asthma diagnosis was confirmed, sensitization to one or more of the 17 allergens tested was found in 67.5% by either SPT or s-IgE ≥ class 2. Sensitization to any food allergen was found in 31.1%, to any outdoor allergen in 36.2%, and to any indoor allergen in 51.8%. Sensitization to cockroach and latex was rare. We found a weak correlation between SPT and s-IgE among food allergens and a more distinct correlation among inhalant allergens. Surprisingly, 30.1% of children in whom the asthma diagnosis was disproven used inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). On the contrary, 32.5% of the children for whom the asthma diagnosis was verified were not treated with ICS. CONCLUSION: We have found a high prevalence of sensitization among children with verified asthma. Our study supports relevant allergy testing in all children with verified asthma and emphasizes the importance of a thorough asthma diagnosis before prescribing continuous inhaled corticosteroids to children.

182Hf-182W age dating of a 26Al-poor inclusion and implications for the origin of short-lived radioisotopes in the early Solar System.

Refractory inclusions [calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions, (CAIs)] represent the oldest Solar System solids and provide information regarding the formation of the Sun and its protoplanetary disk. CAIs contain evidence of now extinct short-lived radioisotopes (e.g., (26)Al, (41)Ca, and (182)Hf) synthesized in one or multiple stars and added to the protosolar molecular cloud before or during its collapse. Understanding how and when short-lived radioisotopes were added to the Solar System is necessary to assess their validity as chronometers and constrain the birthplace of the Sun. Whereas most CAIs formed with the canonical abundance of (26)Al corresponding to (26)Al/(27)Al of ∼5 × 10(-5), rare CAIs with fractionation and unidentified nuclear isotope effects (FUN CAIs) record nucleosynthetic isotopic heterogeneity and (26)Al/(27)Al of <5 × 10(-6), possibly reflecting their formation before canonical CAIs. Thus, FUN CAIs may provide a unique window into the earliest Solar System, including the origin of short-lived radioisotopes. However, their chronology is unknown. Using the (182)Hf-(182)W chronometer, we show that a FUN CAI recording a condensation origin from a solar gas formed coevally with canonical CAIs, but with (26)Al/(27)Al of ∼3 × 10(-6). The decoupling between (182)Hf and (26)Al requires distinct stellar origins: steady-state galactic stellar nucleosynthesis for (182)Hf and late-stage contamination of the protosolar molecular cloud by a massive star(s) for (26)Al. Admixing of stellar-derived (26)Al to the protoplanetary disk occurred during the epoch of CAI formation and, therefore, the (26)Al-(26)Mg systematics of CAIs cannot be used to define their formation interval. In contrast, our results support (182)Hf homogeneity and chronological significance of the (182)Hf-(182)W clock.

'Third wave' cognitive therapy versus mentalization-based therapy for major depressive disorder. A protocol for a randomised clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Most interventions for depression have shown small or no effects. 'Third wave' cognitive therapy and mentalization-based therapy have both gained some ground as treatments of psychological problems. No randomised trial has compared the effects of these two interventions for patients with major depression. METHODS/DESIGN: We plan a randomised, parallel group, assessor-blinded superiority clinical trial. During two years we will include 84 consecutive adult participants diagnosed with major depressive disorder. The participants will be randomised to either 'third wave' cognitive therapy versus mentalization-based therapy. The primary outcome will be the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression at cessation of treatment at 18 weeks. Secondary outcomes will be the proportion of patients with remission, Symptom Checklist 90 Revised, Beck's Depression Inventory, and The World Health Organisation-Five Well-being Index 1999. DISCUSSION: Interventions for depression have until now shown relatively small effects. Our trial results will provide knowledge about the effects of two modern psychotherapeutic interventions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials: NCT01070134.

Physical activity (PA) and the disablement process: a 14-year follow-up study of older non-disabled women and men.

Few studies have explored the associations of reported PA (RPA) with the processes underlying the development of disability. The present study was performed to explore RPA among older persons and its association with onset of functional dependence and mortality. Among a probability sample of 1782 community-living persons, aged 75-83 years, we evaluated the 1021 who reported no disability in basic activities of daily living. Participants were followed for a median of 8.34 years in public registers to determine onset of disability and mortality. RPA predicted mortality in older women (HR=1.77, 95%CI=1.42-2.19) and men (HR=1.65, 95%CI=1.27-2.14) over long time intervals. The effect of RPA persisted among permanently disabled older women, after adjusting for age, baseline vulnerability and grade of disability. Low RPA was independently associated with risk of incident disability (HR=1.56, 95%CI=1.10-2.23) in men. Among older women, the association between RPA and incidence of disability was attenuated in analyses that controlled for baseline mobility function. Thus, the association between physical activity and mortality reflected processes different from those underlying a simple relation between physical activity, disability and mortality. Physical activity was an ubiquitous predictor of longevity, but only for women.

Number of teeth and fatigue in older adults.

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether tooth loss at age 70 is associated with fatigue in a nondisabled community-dwelling population cross-sectionally at age 70 and with onset of fatigue longitudinally at 5-, 10-, and 15-year follow-ups. SETTING: Community-based population in Copenhagen. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred seventy-three nondisabled 70-year-old individuals in 1984. MEASUREMENTS: Data from interviews and a medical and oral examination. Oral health was measured according to number of teeth (0, 1-9, 10-19, ≥ 20). Fatigue was measured using the Avlund Mobility-Tiredness Scale on six mobility activities. Covariates, all measured at baseline, were sex, education, income, comorbidity, and smoking. RESULTS: Bivariate logistic regression analyses showed significant cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between number of teeth at age 70 and onset of fatigue at 5- and 10- but not 15-year follow-up. The associations between having no teeth and fatigue were attenuated when adjusted for socioeconomic position and smoking. CONCLUSION: Tooth loss is associated with onset of fatigue in old age, but the estimates are attenuated when adjusting for socioeconomic position and smoking. Tooth loss may be an early indicator of frailty.

Comorbidities and cognitive functioning: implications for nursing research and practice.

Optimal cognitive functioning is necessary to successfully negotiate one's environment, yet medical conditions can interfere with brain health, thus negatively impacting cognitive functioning. Such comorbidities include hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, depression, and HIV, as well as others. The physiological properties of these comorbidities can reduce one's cognitive reserve and limit one's cognitive efficiency. This article provides an overview of a few common comorbidities known to affect cognitive functioning and addresses ways in which cognitive functioning may be ameliorated and protected or mitigated in lieu of cognitive declines in such clinical populations. Implications for nursing practice and research are posited.

Climate change adaptation at the intersection of food and health.

Nutritious, safe, affordable, and enjoyable food is a fundamental prerequisite for health. As a nation, Australia is currently classified as food secure with the domestic production exceeding domestic consumption of most major food groups. The domestic system is almost self-sufficient in terms of nutritious plant foods, although these foods have seen steady higher price increases relative to other foods, with nutrition equity implications. However, the viability of Australia's food security sits counter to the continued presence of a stable and supportive climate. This article reviews the current state of science concerning the interface between climate change, food systems, and human health to reveal the key issues that must be addressed if Australia is to advance human health and sustainable food systems under a changing climate.

Compatibility testing of two types of pen needles with a range of injection pens for diabetes medication.

Compatibility of two types of needles with a variety of durable and prefilled injection pens for diabetes medication was tested by attaching the needles according to ISO 11608-2 and verifying penetration into the cartridge using air shots and two-dimensional X-rays. NovoFine* and NovoFine Autocover† attached correctly to 20 and 19 out of 21 pen types, respectively. Neither needle type attached to Diapen 3.1/3.2, while NovoFine Autocover attached to most, but not all of OptiSet pens.

Eosinophilic oesophagitis in infants and children in the region of southern Denmark: a prospective study of prevalence and clinical presentation.

OBJECTIVE: Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EE) is a clinical entity characterised by a set of symptoms and eosinophilic infiltration of the oesophageal epithelium. Recent reports indicate that EE is increasingly diagnosed in paediatric patients. We aimed to evaluate the epidemiology of paediatric EE in a European population. DESIGN: Infants and children in the Region of Southern Denmark were prospectively referred for further evaluation of symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after treatment failure with a proton pump inhibitor. The evaluation included endoscopy, 24-hour oesophageal pH-metry, histology of oesophageal biopsies, and investigations for food allergy (double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge, skin prick test, S-IgE antibodies, atopy patch test). RESULTS: Of the 78 referred patients, 28 qualified for a diagnosis of GERD. Six children had >15 eosinophils per high-power field in biopsies from the oesophageal mucosa and qualified for the diagnosis of EE. The median age at diagnosis was 9.6 years. In 4 of the 6 patients, food allergy was confirmed by double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge. In the Region of Southern Denmark with a paediatric population of 256,164 between 0 and 16 years of age, a yearly incidence of EE of 0.16/10,000 was estimated. CONCLUSION: We report a European prospective study of EE. It was documented in 6 of 78 patients with symptoms of GERD corresponding to an annual incidence of 0.16/10,000 infants and children.

Multidimensional intervention and sickness absence in assistant nursing students.

BACKGROUND: When handling patients, nursing assistant (NA) students and nurse students are frequently exposed to risk factors for low back pain (LBP) including sudden loads and twisting and bending of the spine. Furthermore, LBP is a major cause of sickness absence. AIMS: To ascertain if a multidimensional prevention programme combining physical training, patient transfer technique and stress management prevents sickness absence and LBP in NA students. METHODS: The study was a 14-month cluster randomized controlled study. The participants were NA students from 37 randomly selected classes located at two schools of health and social care in Copenhagen, Denmark. The participants completed a comprehensive questionnaire regarding sickness absence, LBP and psychosocial factors on commencement and after completion of the study. RESULTS: Of 766 female NA students, 668 (87%) completed the baseline questionnaire. Sickness absence during the study period increased in both groups but the increase was significantly lower in the intervention group than the control group, mean (standard deviation) number of days 12 (20) versus 18 (34), P < 0.05. The intervention group reported no change in the mean level of general health perception, energy/fatigue or psychological well-being at follow-up, while the control group reported a decline on those scales. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of LBP at follow-up between the intervention and control group. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the control group, the intervention group had significantly less sickness absence. The intervention had no preventive effect on LBP prevalence.

Barriers to participation in a hospital-based falls assessment clinic programme: an interview study with older people.

AIMS: To gain new knowledge about barriers to participation in hospital-based falls assessment. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with 20 older people referred to falls assessment at a hospital-based clinic were conducted. A convenience sample of 10 refusers and 10 accepters was collected. Those who refused referral were recruited in relation to a systematic falls screening programme performed by preventive home visitors. Accepters were selected among 72 participants successively completing the falls assessment clinic programme. The time between the interviews was 12 months; different levels of knowledge were expected, owing to accepters' participation in the programme. Interview transcriptions were thematically analysed. The analysis was directed towards identification of barriers to falls assessment. RESULTS: Barriers to participation were categorized as being either within or outside the falls clinic, and included administration, time, communication, attitudes to fall prevention, and expected future costs. Accepters completing the programme expressed a feeling of being ''met'' in the system and maintaining authority over their own life, while the refusers expressed concern about the healthcare system taking over their life. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that older at-risk patients acknowledge their falls problem, but refuse to participate in hospital-based assessment programmes because they expect to lose their authority and to be caught up in the healthcare system. In order to transform the findings of this study to a public health message, we have to consider moving the focus of falls prevention strategies from disease control to the domain of health promotion in order to engage older adults in preventive healthcare.

Effect of inflammation in the periodontium in early old age on mortality at 21-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze whether inflammatory processes in the periodontium in early old age are related to subsequent mortality during 21 years of follow-up in a nondisabled 70-year-old population. SETTING: Community-based population in Copenhagen. DESIGN: The study was based on the Glostrup Aging Study of the 1914 population, with baseline in 1984 when the participants were 70 years old and follow-up 21 years later. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred thirty-five dentate men and women participated in the clinical oral health examination. MEASUREMENTS: Severe periodontal inflammation was measured for all teeth present as the number of teeth with inflammation and periodontal pockets 6 mm deep or more. Mortality data were obtained from the Danish Death Register at 21-year follow-up. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used. Covariates were measured at baseline and included number of teeth, caries, sex, education, income, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, arteriostenosis, myocardial infarction, comorbidity, fatigue, and ability to brush teeth. RESULTS: The analyses showed that severe periodontal inflammation in at least three teeth at age 70 was marginally related to mortality during 21-year follow-up (crude hazard ratio (HR)=1.17, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.91-1.78). The estimate increased slightly when adjusted for sex, income, fatigue, and smoking (adjusted HR=1.37, 95% CI=0.97-1.92). The estimates were attenuated when adjusted for the specific diseases, especially arteriostenosis and osteoarthritis. CONCLUSION: Inflammation in the periodontium in early old age tends to be associated with mortality in older age.