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It is a generally accepted theory that ecological functions are enhanced with increased diversity in plant communities due to species complementarity effects. We tested this theory in a mesocosm study using freshwater submerged plant beds to determine if increasing species number caused overyielding and species complementarity. We applied a maximum of four species in the plant beds corresponding to the typical species number in natural freshwater plant beds. We found no clear effects of species number (1–4) on biomass production and thus no conclusive overyielding and complementarity effect. This may be explained by low species differentiation among the four species in plant traits relevant for resource acquisition in freshwater, or that other species interactions, e.g. allelopathy, were inhibiting overyielding. The existing knowledge on species complementarity in aquatic plant communities is sparse and inconclusive and calls for more research.

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Sn impurity defect structures in germanium have been investigated by Mossbauer emission spectroscopy on the 24 keV 7-radiation of l19Sn. The defects have been created by ion implantation of radioactive l191n+ and I19Sb+ which both populate the Mossbauer level of lI9Sn in their decays. From the Mossbauer parameters (hyperfine. structure and Debye-Waller factor) determined, the Sn atoms are concluded to be incorporated in a number of different defect structures. For both implantations of l191n and l19Sb, large substitutional fractions are found. An interstitial fraction, which is attributed to non-bonding interstitial sites of the Sn atoms, is identified. Three further defect structures, each found for either 1191n or '19Sb implantations only, are attributed to different Sn-vacancy complexes. For l191n implantations, one complex is proposed to be a (substitutional) Sn-vacancy pair characterized by a dangling bond at the Sn atom. For l19Sb implantations, more than one vacancy is associated to the impurity atoms, which is proposed to result in a structurally different defect. A third impurity-vacancy defect type found for Ii91n implantations is modelled to consist of interstitial Sn atoms in the center of a divacancy. The three vacancy complexes anneal at different annealing temperatures.

Background: The incidence of obstetric anal sphincter rupture (OASR) is increasing. It may cause anal incontinence and dyspareunia, leading to reduced quality of life and wellbeing. Qualitative studies are lacking. The aim was to describe experiences of living with ongoing severe consequences of an OASR ≥ 8 weeks after childbirth.Method: Twenty women with ongoing severe consequences of an OASR ≥ 8 weeks after delivery were interviewed using qualitative content analysis.Results: The experience of complications of an OASR is described in the overall theme "Feeling old in a young body" and four categories: The body as injured; isolation; inability to function sexually, and anxiety for the future. Participants described how the consequences of OASR totally occupied their lives, making them feel old in a young body. They told of repercussions for their physical, psychological, sexual and social lives; how it affected their roles of mothers and partners, making them fear future childbirths. Diet, use of medicines, coal filters in incontinence pads, timing of toilet visits, use of the environment and mobile phones to conceal flatus and/or feces were strategies participants described.Conclusions: This study can contribute to increased understanding of how women can be affected by an OASR, and may enable healthcare personnel and authorities to meet their needs and organize care so that adequate support is available. It would also be beneficial if the women's physical strategies were integrated into the information provided by health caregivers involved in follow-up. However, more research in this area is warranted.