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Developing a European aquatic macrophyte transfer function for reconstructing past lake-water chemistry
No full textAbstract
Quantitative paleoecological reconstructions using biological proxies, such as diatoms, Cladocera, and chironomids, have revolutionized paleolimnology and have greatly contributed to the understanding of the past local and regional environmental changes, as well as to nature conservation. While macrophytes are good ecological indicators, they have rarely been used to reconstruct past lake-water chemistry. The present study investigates which environmental variable best explains aquatic plant community composition in Finnish, Polish, and Swedish lakes for its further use in quantitative paleoenvironmental reconstructions. The method involved the creation of a modern macrophyte-environment calibration dataset, calculation of modern calibration functions using simple averaging regression, and final reconstruction of past environmental conditions in Lake Linówek (NE Poland) from a fossil assemblage using weighted averaging calibration. The data demonstrate that conductivity and alkalinity best explained macrophyte community composition in our dataset. Species “optima” for alkalinity were influenced by the presence/absence of carbon concentrating mechanisms (CCMs), enabling the utilization of HCO3− as a carbon source. Quantitative paleoenvironmental reconstruction indicates that past water conductivity and alkalinity fluctuated depending on internal lake processes and the supply of basic ions to the lake from the catchment related to climate and soil development in the watershed during the late Glacial (∼14,500–11,700 calibrated years before the present; cal BP) and the Holocene (11,700 cal BP–recent). We conclude that macrophytes can be successfully used for past lake-water chemistry reconstruction. Furthermore, calculated modern calibration functions for conductivity and alkalinity can be used in nature conservation for determining habitat requirements of numerous endangered macrophyte species as a basis for successful (re)introductions.Abstract
Quantitative paleoecological reconstructions using biological proxies, such as diatoms, Cladocera, and chironomids, have revolutionized paleolimnology and have greatly contributed to the understanding of the past local and regional environmental changes, as well as to nature conservation. While macrophytes are good ecological indicators, they have rarely been used to reconstruct past lake-water chemistry. The present study investigates which environmental variable best explains aquatic plant community composition in Finnish, Polish, and Swedish lakes for its further use in quantitative paleoenvironmental reconstructions. The method involved the creation of a modern macrophyte-environment calibration dataset, calculation of modern calibration functions using simple averaging regression, and final reconstruction of past environmental conditions in Lake Linówek (NE Poland) from a fossil assemblage using weighted averaging calibration. The data demonstrate that conductivity and alkalinity best explained macrophyte community composition in our dataset. Species “optima” for alkalinity were influenced by the presence/absence of carbon concentrating mechanisms (CCMs), enabling the utilization of HCO3− as a carbon source. Quantitative paleoenvironmental reconstruction indicates that past water conductivity and alkalinity fluctuated depending on internal lake processes and the supply of basic ions to the lake from the catchment related to climate and soil development in the watershed during the late Glacial (∼14,500–11,700 calibrated years before the present; cal BP) and the Holocene (11,700 cal BP–recent). We conclude that macrophytes can be successfully used for past lake-water chemistry reconstruction. Furthermore, calculated modern calibration functions for conductivity and alkalinity can be used in nature conservation for determining habitat requirements of numerous endangered macrophyte species as a basis for successful (re)introductions
AI-driven framework for text neck syndrome detection using non-contact software-defined RF sensing and sequential deep learning
No full textAbstract
Text neck syndrome is a rapidly growing health concern in today’s society, largely caused by the excessive use of mobile devices. Text neck syndrome has a significant impact on the musculoskeletal health of the broader population, particularly among frequent users of mobile devices. These types of health issues require treatment at an early stage, as they tend to worsen over time and become more difficult to manage. To address this issue, this study presents an innovative non-contact posture monitoring system using software-defined radio (SDR) technology to detect and analyse postural patterns associated with text neck syndrome for early interventions. The non-contact software-defined radio sensing system is developed using Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) devices equipped with antennas. The experiments are conducted in a controlled lab environment to collect a dataset of distinct neck tilt angles (0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, and 60°). The collected dataset is processed using advanced signal processing techniques to clean and smooth the postural patterns. The machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) algorithms are used to categorise postural patterns and identify deviations indicative of text neck syndrome. The performance of these models was subsequently evaluated. The results demonstrate the ML and DL model’s ability to detect healthy and unhealthy postures with a maximum accuracy of 99.97% by using the random forest ML model and 99.89% by using the Bidirectional Long-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM) DL model. This system represents an accessible, contactless, and portable solution with the potential to revolutionise the early detection of text neck syndrome.Abstract
Text neck syndrome is a rapidly growing health concern in today’s society, largely caused by the excessive use of mobile devices. Text neck syndrome has a significant impact on the musculoskeletal health of the broader population, particularly among frequent users of mobile devices. These types of health issues require treatment at an early stage, as they tend to worsen over time and become more difficult to manage. To address this issue, this study presents an innovative non-contact posture monitoring system using software-defined radio (SDR) technology to detect and analyse postural patterns associated with text neck syndrome for early interventions. The non-contact software-defined radio sensing system is developed using Universal Software Radio Peripheral (USRP) devices equipped with antennas. The experiments are conducted in a controlled lab environment to collect a dataset of distinct neck tilt angles (0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, and 60°). The collected dataset is processed using advanced signal processing techniques to clean and smooth the postural patterns. The machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) algorithms are used to categorise postural patterns and identify deviations indicative of text neck syndrome. The performance of these models was subsequently evaluated. The results demonstrate the ML and DL model’s ability to detect healthy and unhealthy postures with a maximum accuracy of 99.97% by using the random forest ML model and 99.89% by using the Bidirectional Long-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM) DL model. This system represents an accessible, contactless, and portable solution with the potential to revolutionise the early detection of text neck syndrome
Estonian in Finland
No full textAbstract
Drawing on Finnish statistical data and the results of previous research projects, this article provides a historical overview of the development of the Estonian-speaking population in Finland and describes its past and present sociolinguistic situation.Abstract
Drawing on Finnish statistical data and the results of previous research projects, this article provides a historical overview of the development of the Estonian-speaking population in Finland and describes its past and present sociolinguistic situation
Fatigue Properties of MEX Manufactured 316L and The Effect of Severe Shot Peening
No full textAbstract
Additive manufacturing using material extrusion (MEX) for metals has been available for years, but limited studies have been conducted on the fatigue strength of metal materials manufactured using this method. This study investigates the fatigue properties of austenitic stainless steel 316L manufactured using MEX, including the influence of severe shot peening (SSP) on reducing the impact of porosity. Samples were subjected to axial and flexural bending loading conditions, and the mechanical strength and microstructure of the material were investigated. The results of the study show that MEX-manufactured 316L exhibits improved material properties, including grain refinement and martensite transformation, compared to traditional sheet metal materials. Furthermore, SSP processing significantly enhanced both mechanical strength and fatigue life. The fatigue limit was over 60% greater compared to the as-built condition in bending loading, even exceeding the level of sheet metal materials in the low cycle range. This study demonstrates the potential of MEX as a viable additive manufacturing method for metal materials, particularly in applications where fatigue properties are critical. The results suggest that SSP can be an effective post-processing technique to reduce the impact of porosity and improve the fatigue properties of MEX-manufactured 316L.Abstract
Additive manufacturing using material extrusion (MEX) for metals has been available for years, but limited studies have been conducted on the fatigue strength of metal materials manufactured using this method. This study investigates the fatigue properties of austenitic stainless steel 316L manufactured using MEX, including the influence of severe shot peening (SSP) on reducing the impact of porosity. Samples were subjected to axial and flexural bending loading conditions, and the mechanical strength and microstructure of the material were investigated. The results of the study show that MEX-manufactured 316L exhibits improved material properties, including grain refinement and martensite transformation, compared to traditional sheet metal materials. Furthermore, SSP processing significantly enhanced both mechanical strength and fatigue life. The fatigue limit was over 60% greater compared to the as-built condition in bending loading, even exceeding the level of sheet metal materials in the low cycle range. This study demonstrates the potential of MEX as a viable additive manufacturing method for metal materials, particularly in applications where fatigue properties are critical. The results suggest that SSP can be an effective post-processing technique to reduce the impact of porosity and improve the fatigue properties of MEX-manufactured 316L
Geopolitics and Memorialisation of Borders
No full textAbstract
Geopolitics pervades memorialisation of borders worldwide. Border heritage sites commonly form powerful geopolitical bordering by creating myths of division and difference to serve the nation-state, and secure hegemonic narratives. Attention to multiplicity and polyphony of border memorialisation voices reveals coincidence and collision of memories and spatial orders to form resistance to the illusionary hegemonic border. Multiple temporalities may accrue in different settings, and borders of memory occur where different understandings and ideas of national heritage sites or everyday border memorialisations meet. The memoryscapes shaped and enabled in processes of heritage making extend beyond time-bound renditions of linearity to open a wider conversation around the politics of border heritage, approach border memorialisation as spaces of encounter, possibility and hope and confront the touristic fascination and engagement with dark border heritage. In this Geopolitical Forum, 13 scholars of border heritage studies explore the global dimensions of border memorialisation and debate its impact.Abstract
Geopolitics pervades memorialisation of borders worldwide. Border heritage sites commonly form powerful geopolitical bordering by creating myths of division and difference to serve the nation-state, and secure hegemonic narratives. Attention to multiplicity and polyphony of border memorialisation voices reveals coincidence and collision of memories and spatial orders to form resistance to the illusionary hegemonic border. Multiple temporalities may accrue in different settings, and borders of memory occur where different understandings and ideas of national heritage sites or everyday border memorialisations meet. The memoryscapes shaped and enabled in processes of heritage making extend beyond time-bound renditions of linearity to open a wider conversation around the politics of border heritage, approach border memorialisation as spaces of encounter, possibility and hope and confront the touristic fascination and engagement with dark border heritage. In this Geopolitical Forum, 13 scholars of border heritage studies explore the global dimensions of border memorialisation and debate its impact
Towards One Health Impact Assessments in Urban Planning
No full textAbstract
This chapter addresses the question of how health impact assessment procedures in urban planning could be levelled up to better respond to One Health challenges. Based on a thematic literature review, a brief background on the development of health-oriented evaluations in urban planning processes is presented. Current practices are reflected, especially within Finnish urban planning practices. From this standpoint, the possibilities for improved practices in the era of Artificial Intelligence are speculated.Abstract
This chapter addresses the question of how health impact assessment procedures in urban planning could be levelled up to better respond to One Health challenges. Based on a thematic literature review, a brief background on the development of health-oriented evaluations in urban planning processes is presented. Current practices are reflected, especially within Finnish urban planning practices. From this standpoint, the possibilities for improved practices in the era of Artificial Intelligence are speculated
Very Late-Onset Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation Associated with Mild Chorea: A Clinicopathological Case
No full textAbstract
Background:
Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation (NBIA) rarely manifests after the age of 50 years. The phenotype in these cases is most often parkinsonism.
Objectives:
To present the case with the oldest age of NBIA onset reported so far.
Methods:
Clinico-pathological case.
Results:
A female patient presented at 84 years of age with wobbling of the head that had started approximately 2 years ago. Choreiform movements of the head and upper body were observed and these abated when she focused on doing something else or lay down but started again when she was talking or moving. There were no cerebellar signs, abnormal reflexes or sensory disturbance. Cognitive screening tests were abnormal but significant cognitive symptoms absent. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed extensive iron accumulation in the basal ganglia and upper pons. Extensive analyses yielded no genetic diagnosis. She died suddenly 19 months after her first appointment. In neuropathological analysis the basal ganglia, especially the lenticular nuclei, were macroscopically darker than normal with notable iron accumulation in the arterial walls in these areas. Prominent axonal ballooning was observed especially in the internal globus pallidus. Globus pallidus displayed iron accumulation, observed to a slightly lesser extent also in the substantia nigra pars reticulata. The neuropathological phenotype resembled classical pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN). Concomitant beta-amyloid, hyperphosphorylated tau protein (consistent with primary age-related tauopathy, or PART) and TDP-43 (consistent with LATE-NC) pathologies were also evident.
Conclusions:
NBIA may manifest at a very advanced age with a mild phenotype, likely influenced by coexisting neuropathology.Abstract
Background:
Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation (NBIA) rarely manifests after the age of 50 years. The phenotype in these cases is most often parkinsonism.
Objectives:
To present the case with the oldest age of NBIA onset reported so far.
Methods:
Clinico-pathological case.
Results:
A female patient presented at 84 years of age with wobbling of the head that had started approximately 2 years ago. Choreiform movements of the head and upper body were observed and these abated when she focused on doing something else or lay down but started again when she was talking or moving. There were no cerebellar signs, abnormal reflexes or sensory disturbance. Cognitive screening tests were abnormal but significant cognitive symptoms absent. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed extensive iron accumulation in the basal ganglia and upper pons. Extensive analyses yielded no genetic diagnosis. She died suddenly 19 months after her first appointment. In neuropathological analysis the basal ganglia, especially the lenticular nuclei, were macroscopically darker than normal with notable iron accumulation in the arterial walls in these areas. Prominent axonal ballooning was observed especially in the internal globus pallidus. Globus pallidus displayed iron accumulation, observed to a slightly lesser extent also in the substantia nigra pars reticulata. The neuropathological phenotype resembled classical pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN). Concomitant beta-amyloid, hyperphosphorylated tau protein (consistent with primary age-related tauopathy, or PART) and TDP-43 (consistent with LATE-NC) pathologies were also evident.
Conclusions:
NBIA may manifest at a very advanced age with a mild phenotype, likely influenced by coexisting neuropathology
Scientism, Pseudoscience and the Territorial Distinction Between Humanistic and Scientific Knowledge
No full textAbstract
The advance of science is often depicted as the onward march of an army onto land that was previously farmed by the humanities. If this analogy were to be taken literally, it would imply that scientism, understood as the view that there is no corner of reality that is beyond the reach of scientific knowledge, is the inevitable outcome of scientific progress. This paper argues that the analogy of territorial expansionism can be misleading insofar as it suggests that the domain of inquiry of the humanities shrinks as science progresses. It argues that the progress of science poses no threat to humanistic understanding because more scientific knowledge is simply more knowledge of the same kind. Scientific and humanistic inquiries address and seek to answer not different questions, but different kinds of questions, and therefore do not compete with one another. It is not the progress of science that poses a threat to humanistic understanding, but the mistaken philosophical assumption that scientific and humanistic inquiries seek to answer the same kinds of questions. Having established that humanistic and scientific inquiry address and answer different kinds of questions, the paper proceeds to fend off the objection that the attempt to place limits onto what science can know (by claiming that there are questions science cannot answer) must be motivated by the attempt to make room for transcendent entities or for dubious alternative forms of knowledge of the kind that Karl Popper criticized as pseudoscientific. The paper argues that claiming that humanistic inquiry is concerned with different kinds of questions, questions which call for distinctive explanations, explanations which relieve one’s curiosity by bringing to light the point of what happened, is not the same as defending folk beliefs in the face of scientific evidence. One cannot, as a result, dismiss the idea that humanistic understanding addresses questions that are different in kind from those which science seeks to answer as an attempt to rehabilitate impostor sciences of the sort Popper critiqued.Abstract
The advance of science is often depicted as the onward march of an army onto land that was previously farmed by the humanities. If this analogy were to be taken literally, it would imply that scientism, understood as the view that there is no corner of reality that is beyond the reach of scientific knowledge, is the inevitable outcome of scientific progress. This paper argues that the analogy of territorial expansionism can be misleading insofar as it suggests that the domain of inquiry of the humanities shrinks as science progresses. It argues that the progress of science poses no threat to humanistic understanding because more scientific knowledge is simply more knowledge of the same kind. Scientific and humanistic inquiries address and seek to answer not different questions, but different kinds of questions, and therefore do not compete with one another. It is not the progress of science that poses a threat to humanistic understanding, but the mistaken philosophical assumption that scientific and humanistic inquiries seek to answer the same kinds of questions. Having established that humanistic and scientific inquiry address and answer different kinds of questions, the paper proceeds to fend off the objection that the attempt to place limits onto what science can know (by claiming that there are questions science cannot answer) must be motivated by the attempt to make room for transcendent entities or for dubious alternative forms of knowledge of the kind that Karl Popper criticized as pseudoscientific. The paper argues that claiming that humanistic inquiry is concerned with different kinds of questions, questions which call for distinctive explanations, explanations which relieve one’s curiosity by bringing to light the point of what happened, is not the same as defending folk beliefs in the face of scientific evidence. One cannot, as a result, dismiss the idea that humanistic understanding addresses questions that are different in kind from those which science seeks to answer as an attempt to rehabilitate impostor sciences of the sort Popper critiqued
SunVid: A Curated Online Video Database for Sundown Syndrome Research
No full textAbstract
Sundown Syndrome (SS) is a condition characterized by cognitive, emotional, and behavioral disturbances, primarily affecting individuals with dementia in the late afternoon and evening. Despite being long recognized, research on SS remains limited due to the lack of standardized diagnostic criteria and the limited availability of structured multimodal datasets. To address this gap, we present SunVid, a curated online video database specifically designed for SS research. This dataset includes 74 SS-related videos from online platforms and 405 annotated segments labeled with SS states, affective states, symptoms, and context. To assess the effectiveness of SunVid, we perform three evaluation experiments using facial features, Emonet-extracted emotional features, and body gesture features, employing state-of-the-art benchmark models to establish baseline performance. For facial feature analysis, the Swin Transformer model achieves the highest accuracy of 69.03% in SS vs. non-SS classification. Emonet-extracted emotional features, including emotion category, valence, and arousal, produce slightly better results with an accuracy of 72.85%. Body gesture analysis across different models further confirms that movement patterns contribute to SS identification, although with lower predictive accuracy than facial features. Despite limitations such as class imbalance and variations in video quality, our findings demonstrate the feasibility of AI-assisted SS detection. This study also highlights the potential of video data as a novel avenue for SS analysis and underscores the promise of AI-driven methods in supporting SS detection and intervention.Abstract
Sundown Syndrome (SS) is a condition characterized by cognitive, emotional, and behavioral disturbances, primarily affecting individuals with dementia in the late afternoon and evening. Despite being long recognized, research on SS remains limited due to the lack of standardized diagnostic criteria and the limited availability of structured multimodal datasets. To address this gap, we present SunVid, a curated online video database specifically designed for SS research. This dataset includes 74 SS-related videos from online platforms and 405 annotated segments labeled with SS states, affective states, symptoms, and context. To assess the effectiveness of SunVid, we perform three evaluation experiments using facial features, Emonet-extracted emotional features, and body gesture features, employing state-of-the-art benchmark models to establish baseline performance. For facial feature analysis, the Swin Transformer model achieves the highest accuracy of 69.03% in SS vs. non-SS classification. Emonet-extracted emotional features, including emotion category, valence, and arousal, produce slightly better results with an accuracy of 72.85%. Body gesture analysis across different models further confirms that movement patterns contribute to SS identification, although with lower predictive accuracy than facial features. Despite limitations such as class imbalance and variations in video quality, our findings demonstrate the feasibility of AI-assisted SS detection. This study also highlights the potential of video data as a novel avenue for SS analysis and underscores the promise of AI-driven methods in supporting SS detection and intervention
Thermal decomposition, fire reaction properties and smoke characteristics of carbon/epoxy sandwich laminate
No full textAbstract
Carbon/epoxy sandwich laminate (CESL) have been extensively employed in civil aircraft load-bearing structures. Nevertheless, the inherent flammability of their epoxy resin matrix poses critical aviation safety challenges, particularly given that most fire-related fatalities in confined spaces stem from smoke-induced disorientation. To systematically evaluate these risks, a comprehensive experimental investigation and theoretical analysis were conducted to characterize the thermal decomposition, fire reaction properties, and smoke characteristics of CESL. The thermal decomposition, heat release, and mass loss processes were analyzed, with typical pyrolysis kinetic and smoke dynamic parameters calculated. Additionally, the effect of combustion conditions (flaming versus smoldering) on smoke characteristics was explored. It was determined that the thermal decomposition and combustion reactions of CESL consist of four steps and three phases, respectively. More importantly, both forming process and combustion condition has a significantly effect on smoke production and density properties. These experimental data, combined with theoretical analysis, offer insight for investigating fire accidents and provide useful guidance for enhancing the reliability of structural composites and the effectiveness of fire protection systems in aircraft.Abstract
Carbon/epoxy sandwich laminate (CESL) have been extensively employed in civil aircraft load-bearing structures. Nevertheless, the inherent flammability of their epoxy resin matrix poses critical aviation safety challenges, particularly given that most fire-related fatalities in confined spaces stem from smoke-induced disorientation. To systematically evaluate these risks, a comprehensive experimental investigation and theoretical analysis were conducted to characterize the thermal decomposition, fire reaction properties, and smoke characteristics of CESL. The thermal decomposition, heat release, and mass loss processes were analyzed, with typical pyrolysis kinetic and smoke dynamic parameters calculated. Additionally, the effect of combustion conditions (flaming versus smoldering) on smoke characteristics was explored. It was determined that the thermal decomposition and combustion reactions of CESL consist of four steps and three phases, respectively. More importantly, both forming process and combustion condition has a significantly effect on smoke production and density properties. These experimental data, combined with theoretical analysis, offer insight for investigating fire accidents and provide useful guidance for enhancing the reliability of structural composites and the effectiveness of fire protection systems in aircraft