High reactivity of deep biota under anthropogenic CO injection into basalt.

Basalts are recognized as one of the major habitats on Earth, harboring diverse and active microbial populations. Inconsistently, this living component is rarely considered in engineering operations carried out in these environments. This includes carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies that seek to offset anthropogenic CO emissions into the atmosphere by burying this greenhouse gas in the subsurface.

Rapid carbon mineralization for permanent disposal of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) provides a solution toward decarbonization of the global economy. The success of this solution depends on the ability to safely and permanently store CO2 This study demonstrates for the first time the permanent disposal of CO2 as environmentally benign carbonate minerals in basaltic rocks. We find that over 95% of the CO2 injected into the CarbFix site in Iceland was mineralized to carbonate minerals in less than 2 years.

Bacterial and fungal colonization and decomposition of submerged plant litter: consequences for biogenic silica dissolution.

We studied bacterial and fungal colonization of submerged plant litter, using a known Si-accumulator (Equisetum arvense), in experimental microcosms during one month. We specifically addressed the microbial decomposer role concerning biogenic silica (bSiO2) dissolution from the degrading litter. To vary the rates and level of microbial colonization, the litter was combined with a range of mineral nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) supplements.

Beliefs about intimate partner violence: A survey of the Swedish general public.

Public interventions are considered to be an important means of preventing intimate partner violence (IPV). What people believe about the nature of IPV is likely to determine their propensity to intervene, but little is known at present about IPV beliefs among the general public. In a survey of 650 Swedish citizens, beliefs about the prevalence and causes of IPV, and viable means of intervention were assessed.

Motivational and Cognitive Predictors of the Propensity to Intervene Against Intimate Partner Violence.

A survey using a community-based sample (N = 650) was conducted to identify motivational and cognitive predictors of individuals' propensity to intervene against intimate partner violence (IPV). A hierarchical regression analysis showed that motivational factors accounted for the greatest proportion of the variance in self-reported propensity. Specifically, personal norm (i.

Characterization of Eyjafjallajokull volcanic ash particles and a protocol for rapid risk assessment.

On April 14, 2010, when meltwaters from the Eyjafjallajökull glacier mixed with hot magma, an explosive eruption sent unusually fine-grained ash into the jet stream. It quickly dispersed over Europe. Previous airplane encounters with ash resulted in sandblasted windows and particles melted inside jet engines, causing them to fail.

Oesophageal perforations in Iceland: a whole population study on incidence, aetiology and surgical outcome.

Background: Oesophageal perforation is a rare but life-threatening condition with a significant morbidity and mortality. In this retrospective, nationwide study, the results of oesophageal perforation are reported for a well defined cohort, with special emphasis on the incidence, aetiology and results of surgical treatment.

Material And Methods: 29 consecutive patients (16 males) were diagnosed with perforation of the oesophagus at Landspitali University Hospital between 1980 and 2007.

Qualitative assessment of the diet of European eel larvae in the Sargasso Sea resolved by DNA barcoding.

European eels (Anguilla anguilla) undertake spawning migrations of more than 5000 km from continental Europe and North Africa to frontal zones in the Sargasso Sea. Subsequently, the larval offspring are advected by large-scale eastward ocean currents towards continental waters. However, the Sargasso Sea is oligotrophic, with generally low plankton biomass, and the feeding biology of eel larvae has so far remained a mystery, hampering understanding of this peculiar life history.

[Results of pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer in Iceland].

Objective: Study the indications, complications and surgical outcome of pneumonectomy for non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Iceland

Material And Methods: A retrospective study of all pneumonectomies performed for NSCLC in Iceland from 1988 to 2007. Information was obtained from medical records and data on operative indications, postoperative TNM stage, complications, survival and survival predictors was analysed.

Results: 77 patients (64% males) with mean age of 62.

Active control of oscillatory thermocapillary convection.

Active control of oscillatory thermocapillary flow was applied in an open cylindrical container filled with silicone oil. Thermocapillary convection was driven by imposing a radial temperature gradient on a flat free surface. The control was realized by locally heating the surface at a single position using the local temperature signal at a different position fed back through a simple algorithm.

[A giant epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum in a patient with history of Zenker's diverticulum.].

A sixty-three years old man, post Zenker's diverticulectomy, presented with a giant epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum. The diverticulum, which was symptomatic and progressively enlarging, was successfully removed by simple excision.

Bacterial colonisation with Xanthomonas maltophilia--a retrospective study in a cystic fibrosis patient population.

Xanthomonas maltophilia was isolated from 25 of 150 patients with cystic fibrosis during a period of 10 years (1983-1992). Twelve patients harboured X. maltophilia chronically, i.

Purification of Shiga toxin by alpha-D-galactose-(1----4)-beta-D-galactose-(1----4)-beta-D-glucose-(1- ---) receptor ligand-based chromatography.

A simple and rapid method for Shiga toxin purification based on specific binding to the Gal alpha 1----4Gal beta 1----4Glc globotrioside trisaccharide covalently linked to polyacryl/polyvinyl (Fractogel) has been developed. A cell-free sonicate-filtrate of Shigella dysenteriae type 1, strain 114Sd was passed over the globotrioside-Fractogel column, and bound toxin eluted with 6 M guanidine-HCl. A yield of 36 mg pure toxin/1 sonicate-filtrate was obtained, i.

N-acetylcysteine and 2-mercaptoethane sulphonate inhibit anti-pseudomonas activity of antibiotics in vitro.

The in vitro activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was investigated for serial dilutions of eight anti-Pseudomonas antibiotics in combination with serial dilutions of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and 2-mercaptoethane sulphonate (MES). The results indicated that addition of NAC and MES to the antibiotics increased the MIC values for tobramycin, netilmicin, piperacillin, azlocillin, cefsulodin, ceftazidime and imipenem but not for colistin. The decrease of MIC found in high concentrations of NAC and MES was probably due to the bacteriostatic effect of the drugs per se and not to synergism with the antibiotics.

Azlocillin in cystic fibrosis.

The combination of azlocillin and gentamicin or tobramycin, in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infection due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with cystic fibrosis, was evaluated. Twenty patients, 10 boys and 10 girls (mean age 13 1/2 years) who had lower respiratory tract infection with positive sputum culture for P. aeruginosa, were given azlocillin i.

Azlocillin and gentamicin in respiratory tract infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Azlocillin, 200 mg/kg bodyweight every 8 h, and gentamicin, 2.5-4 mg/kg bodyweight every 12 h, in combination were given intravenously to 10 patients with cystic fibrosis for at least 10 days. The patients were colonized with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and were hospitalized due to symptoms of lower respiratory tract infections.

The use of bacteria for the functional characterization of human lymphocyte subpopulations in various lymphoid organs.

In a haemolytic plaque assay staphylococcal strain Cowan 1 was shown to induce polyclonal antibody secretion in human blood lymphocytes, whereas Haemophilus influenzae and Escherichia coli gave low responses. Diplococcus pneumoniae and haemolytic streptococci generally did not activate blood cells. All five bacteria could activate spleen, tonsil and adenoid cells both to polyclonal Ig secretion and increased DNA synthesis.

Penicillin combinations against multi-resistant urinary pathogens as an alternative to gentamycin treatment.

A total of 42 multi-resistant urinary pathogens, sensitive to gentamycin only, were investigated with regard to the effects of dicloxacillin and ampicillin or cloxacillin/flucloxacillin and amoxycillin in combination. A synergistic antibiotic effect with resulting low MIC levels was demonstrated for 81% of the strains. It was also found that a further increase in sensitivity might be achieved by adjustment of the pH level.