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Microplastics (MPs) in biosolids used as soil amendments are of growing concern. The purpose of this study was to improve the characterization of MPs in complex biosolid matrices by optimizing sample preparation for morphological and chemical analyses with different spectroscopic techniques. We compared extraction procedures involving Fenton oxidation (F), Fenton plus sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS),
None of the global targets for protecting nature are currently met, although humanity is critically dependent on biodiversity. A significant issue is the lack of data for most biodiverse regions of the planet where the use of frugal methods for biomonitoring would be particularly important because the available funding for monitoring is insufficient, especially in low-income countries. We here dis
This study explored the relationship between the glucose dose and insulin response from beta cells in vivo and in vitro in mice. Glucose was administered intravenously at different dose levels (from 0 to 0.75 g/kg) in anesthetized C57BL/6J mice, and the glucose and insulin concentrations were determined in samples taken after 50 min. Furthermore, freshly isolated mouse islets were incubated for 60
Background and purpose — Hip dysplasia in adults is a deformity in which the acetabulum inadequately covers the femoral head. The prevalence is sparingly described in the literature. We investigated the prevalence in Malmö (Sweden) and assessed whether the condition was recognized in the radiology reports. Subjects and methods — All pelvic radiographs performed in Malmö during 2007–2008 on subject
Despite their detrimental circumstances, the number of refugee-owned businesses is on the rise—a situation referred to as “the paradox of refugee entrepreneurship.” However, a key question is how refugees, having undergone extreme life disruption due to war, conflict, and forced displacement, fare as entrepreneurs in their host country. Extant studies do not address this question, as they primaril
Understanding microbes in nature requires consideration of their microenvironment. Here, we present a protocol for quantifying biomass and nutrient degradation of bacterial and fungal cultures (Pseudomonas putida and Coprinopsis cinerea, respectively) in microfluidics. We describe steps for mask design and fabrication, master printing, polydimethylsiloxane chip fabrication, and chip inoculation an
Background: Stingless bees are vital pollinators and honey producers in the tropics. Research on stingless bees is generally underrepresented compared to the western honeybees, and while stingless bee studies from some regions are reported, there is a particular lack of reports on the species endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa. Since conventional entomological methods such as mark-recapture and radar h
Fossil fuel subsidies continue to be a considerable barrier to meeting the targets of the Paris Agreement. It is thus crucial to understand the political economy of fossil fuel subsidies and their reform. To understand these mechanisms in the developed world, we use a database of different types of fossil fuel subsidy reforms among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) coun
Intensification of forest management to increase production of biomass has resulted in considerable habitat degradation with negative impacts on insect biodiversity, including beneficial insect groups such as pollinators. Yet, little is known about how reliant forest understory plants, such as bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), are on insect pollinators for reproduction. Here, we quantified the struc
Children's interactions with nature are important mediators of health benefits and future relationships with nature and conservation. However, there are growing concerns that children are becoming disconnected from nature as societal changes make natural environments and their affordances less accessible. There is now a need to explore ways to reconnect children to nature. We evaluated bird feedin
Forestry is raising concern about the outbreaks of European spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus, causing extensive damage to the spruce forest and timber values. Precise monitoring of these beetles is a necessary step towards preventing outbreaks. Current commercial monitoring methods are catch‐based and lack in both temporal and spatial resolution. In this work, light scattering from beetles is c
Understanding metabolic processes of soil fungi is essential for elucidating their ecological roles in biogeochemical cycles and responses to emergent environmental stressors. Here, we demonstrate the potential of using stable isotope probing Raman (SIP-Raman) microspectroscopy in microfluidics technology-based soil chips to trace glucose metabolism rates and stress responses in laboratory grown f
The aim of this project was to determine the consequences of the large-scale introduction of wood-based biofuels in the road transport sector. Therefore a model has been developed to project the demand for wood in Sweden in the period from 2007 to 2050. The wood-using sectors that were taken into account are: the sawmill industry; the paper and pulp industry, which was split in three: integrated c
This thesis examines how local residents in rural Japan navigate the phenomenon of vacant houses (akiya), to understand the impact it has on their sense of place. The study is based on fieldwork conducted in Kochi prefecture, and relies on data from interviews, documents, photographs, and participant observation. The theoretical framework consists of sense of place theory and ideas of non-human ag
The aim of this study was to examine how the Swedish news media portrays children, their next of kin and social services in articles related to child care. To conduct the study we examined five different newspapers from 2017 until 2018. From those five we selected 18 different articles. To select these articles we used keywords such as “child care”, “social services'', “report of concern”
The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how the ownership structure covering ownership concentration, managerial ownership and state-owned shares can affect the quality of CSR reporting in SMEs in China.
This project is about developing and testing a method of how old places can be given new purpose and use through architectural transformation. There are plenty of abandoned factories spread around the country, often in small towns and villages in the countryside. Finding a way to reuse old industrial buildings is a key to further sustainable development. The history and identity of existing build
Nutritional ecology is a key determinant of bee health, yet species-specific preferences and how bees respond nutritionally to real-world pesticide exposure remain unclear. We collected pollen stores from three managed bee species in 128 sites across two widespread agro-ecosystems (i.e., oilseed rape fields and apple orchards) in eight European countries. We measured protein content, lipid content
