Prenatal sonographic diagnosis of intracranial haemorrhage: Report of a case with a sinusoidal fetal heart rate tracing,and review of the literature

The sinusoidal fetal heart rate pattern has been described in association with severe fetal anaemia, with fetal hypoxaemia, and with the administration of parenteral narcotics. Here, we report a case of decreased fetal movement in which a sinusoidal tracing was recorded. The sonographic diagnosis of a massive fetal intracranial haemorrhage was made. A non-interventive approach was taken and the fetus died soon after in utero. We review 28 previous cases in which the prenatal sonographic diagnosis of fetal intracranial haemorrhage was made, including the underlying maternal and fetal factors and neonatal outcomes. We propose that the sinusoidal tracing in this case was due to the intracranial bleed and suggest that fetal intracranial haemorrhage be considered in the sonographic evaluation of the fetus with a sinusoidal pattern.     

Evaluation of aerosol sources at European high altitude background sites with trajectory statistical methods

This study has investigated the influence of synoptic weather patterns and long-range transport episodes on the concentrations of several compounds related to different aerosol sources (EC, OC, SO₄^2?, Ca²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, ²¹⁰Pb, levoglucosan and dicarboxylic acids) registered in PM10 or PM2.5 aerosol samples collected at three remote background sites in central Europe. Air mass back-trajectories arriving at these sites have been analysed by statistical methods. Firstly, air mass back-trajectories have been grouped into clusters. Each cluster corresponds to specific meteorological scenarios, which were extracted and discussed. Finally, redistributed concentration fields have been computed to identify the main potential source regions of the different key aerosol components. A marked seasonal pattern is observed in the occurrence of the different clusters, with fast westerly and northerly Atlantic flows during winter and weak circulation flows in summer. Spring and fall were characterised by advection of moderate flows from northeastern and eastern Europe. Significant inter-cluster differences were observed for concentrations of receptor aerosol components, with the highest concentrations of EC, OC, SO₄^2?, K⁺ and ²¹⁰Pb associated with local and mesoscale aerosol sources located over central Europe related to enhanced photochemical processes. Emissions produced by fossil fuel and biomass burning processes from the Baltic countries, Byelorussia, western regions of Russia and Kazakhstan in spring and fall also contribute to elevated levels of EC, OC, SO₄^2?, K⁺ and ²¹⁰Pb. In the summer period long-range transport episodes of mineral dust from North-African deserts were also frequently detected, which caused elevated concentrations of coarse Ca²⁺ at sites. The baseline aerosol concentrations in central Europe at the high altitude background sites were registered in winter, with the exception of coarse Na⁺. While the relatively high concentrations of Na⁺ can be explained by sea salt advected from the Atlantic, the low levels of other aerosol components are caused by efficient aerosol scavenging associated to advections of Atlantic air masses, as well as lower emissions of these species over the Atlantic compared to those over the European continent and very limited vertical air mass exchange over the continent.     

Variation in biogenic volatile organic compound emission pattern of Fagus sylvatica L. due to aphid infection

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been the focus of interest to understand atmospheric processes and their consequences in formation of ozone or aerosol particles; therefore, VOCs contribute to climate change. In this study, biogenic VOCs (BVOCs) emitted from Fagus sylvatica L. trees were measured in a dynamic enclosure system. In total 18 compounds were identified: 11 monoterpenes (MT), an oxygenated MT, a homoterpene (C₁₄H₁₈), 3 sesquiterpenes (SQT), isoprene and methyl salicylate. The frequency distribution of the compounds was tested to determine a relation with the presence of the aphid Phyllaphis fagi L. It was found that linalool, (E)-β-ocimene, α-farnesene and a homoterpene identified as (E)-4,8-dimethyl-1,3,7-nonatriene (DMNT), were present in significantly more samples when infection was present on the trees. The observed emission spectrum from F. sylvatica L. shifted from MT to linalool, α-farnesene, (E)-β-ocimene and DMNT due to the aphid infection. Sabinene was quantitatively the most prevalent compound in both, non-infected and infected samples. In the presence of aphids α-farnesene and linalool became the second and third most important BVOC emitted. According to our investigation, the emission fingerprint is expected to be more complex than commonly presumed.     

Cocaine and other illicit drugs in airborne particulates in urban environments: a reflection of social conduct and population size

Levels of cocaine and other psychoactive substances in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) were determined in urban environments representing distinct social behaviours with regard to drug abuse: night-life, university and residential areas. Three cities (with population >1 million and <0.3 million inhabitants) were selected. Mean daily levels of drugs in PM were 11-336 pg/m³ for cocaine, 23-34 pg/m³ for cannabinoids, and 5-90 pg/m³ for heroin. The highest levels were recorded on weekends, with factors with respect to weekdays of 1-3 for cocaine, 1-2 for cannabinoids and 1.1-1.7 for heroin. Higher levels were detected in the night-life areas, pointing towards consumption and trafficking as major emission sources, and possibly ruling out drug manufacture. The similarities in temporal trends at all sites suggested a city-scale transport of psychoactive substances. Correlations were detected between cocaine and amphetamine consumption (r² = 0.98), and between heroin and cannabinoids (r²>0.82).     

Anthropogenic and natural influence on the PM(10) and PM(2.5) aerosol in Madrid (Spain). Analysis of high concentration episodes

Non-mineral carbon is the main component of PM10 and PM2.5 at an urban roadside site in Madrid accounting for more than 50% of the total bulk mass in winter pollution episodes. In these cases a 70-80% of the particle mass is anthropogenic. Particles of crustal/mineral origin contribute significantly to the observed PM10 concentrations, especially in spring and summer. They have also been found in the PM2.5 fraction although secondary particles are the next most important contributor in this size. Long-range transport particle episodes of Saharan dust significantly contribute to exceedence of the new daily limiting PM10 value in the urban network and at nearby rural background stations. This type of long-range transport event also influences PM2.5 concentrations. The crustal contribution can account for up to 67 and 53% of the PM10 and PM2.5 bulk mass in such cases.     

Interdisciplinary knowledge integration through group model building: recognizing dualities and triadizing the conversation

As part of the inquiry into managing an interdisciplinary research process on adaptive water governance, we investigated the process of group model building (GMB) and, more specifically, the role of Unified Modeling Language (UML) in this process. An analysis of group interaction reveals several tensions in the process of knowledge integration, which can be grouped into three overarching dualities: ‘simplicity versus complexity’, ‘constraining versus containing’ and ‘defining versus refining’. As group members take different positions with regard to these dualities, these represent sources of tension and potential ‘stuckness’ of the GMB. Hence the question arises how the group can manage duality in ways that take the GMB beyond its opposing forces. We suggest that knowledge integration processes may benefit from early recognition of the dualities at hand and strategies aimed at creating ‘thirdness’, including some suggestions on the concrete forms such ‘thirdness’ may take.