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Improving the ensemble square root filter (EnSRF) in the Community Inversion Framework: a case study with ICON-ART 2024.01
No full textThe Community Inversion Framework (CIF) brings together methods for estimating greenhouse gas fluxes from atmospheric observations. While the analytical and variational optimization methods implemented in CIF are operational and have proved to be accurate and efficient, the initial ensemble method was found to be incomplete and could hardly be compared to other ensemble methods employed in the inversion community, mainly owing to strong performance limitations and absence of localization methods. In this paper, we present and evaluate a new implementation of the ensemble mode, building upon the initial developments. As a first step, we chose to implement the serial and batch versions of the ensemble square root filter (EnSRF) algorithm because it is widely employed in the inversion community. We provide a comprehensive description of the technical implementation in CIF and the useful features it can provide to users. Finally, we demonstrate the capabilities of the CIF-EnSRF system using a large number of synthetic experiments over Europe with the flexible and scalable high-performance atmospheric transport model ICON-ART, exploring the system’s sensitivity to multiple parameters that can be tuned by users. As expected, the results are sensitive to the ensemble size and localization parameters. Other tested parameters, such as the number of lags, the propagation factors, or the localization function, can also have a substantial influence on the results. We also introduce and provide a way of interpreting a set of metrics that are automatically computed by CIF and that can help assess the success of inversions and compare them. This work complements previous efforts focused on other inversion methods within CIF. While ICON-ART has been used for testing in this work, the integration of these new ensemble algorithms enables any atmospheric transport model to perform inversions, fully leveraging CIF's robust capabilities
Kastikepohja cashewpähkinästä: Afrikkalaisten olosuhteiden huomiointi elintarvikkeen tuotekehityksessä ja säilyvyydessä
No full textThe UN Sustainable Development Goals include ensuring access to nutritious food for all, and the HealthyFoodAfrica project aims to address the challenges of food insecurity and nutritional quality in Africa. Due to Africa’s hot and humid climate, hygiene challenges, lack of an uninterrupted cold chain and limited resources, long food shelf-life is challenging to accomplish. Due to their properties and locality, cashew nuts and tapioca starch are well suited raw materials for a sauce base. The aim of the study was to develop a sauce base from cashew nuts that can be stored for a long time in African conditions without refrigeration.
The sauce recipe was based on three main principles: simple preparation conditions, cost-effectiveness and a creamy consistency. The product was stored for eight weeks under tropical conditions (38 °C, 50% RH). During storage, the samples were monitored for weight and color changes, viscosity, separation, particle size, oxidation and microbial count.
The fresh sauce had a viscosity of 115.8 ± 5.9 mPa×s and was light and slightly yellow in color. During storage, the viscosity decreased and the color became darker and more yellow. No measurable amounts of hexanal were found, even though the color change indicated oxidation. The weight of the product decreased due to water evaporation. The product showed sedimentation and creaming, which was due to a heterogeneous particle size distribution and could be slowed down by stabilizers. The particle size decreased during storage. The microbial count of the fresh product was 4.4×10^3 ± 6.3×10^3 CFU/ml, which is below the recommendation by Finnish Food Industries Association. There was growth on PEMBA plates that did not express as Bacillus cereus. Over the course of eight weeks, the microbial count first increased and decreased and finally stabilized.
The product did not meet the criteria for long-term shelf-life at room temperature. The main problem was decrease in viscosity. Further development should use stronger heat treatment to ensure product has shelf-life for long periods at room temperature, while considering manufacturing area limitations, such as packaging materials and additives.YK:n kestävän kehityksen tavoitteisiin kuuluu ravintorikkaan ruoan saatavuuden takaaminen kaikille ja HealthyFoodAfrika-projekti pyrkii ratkaisemaan ruokaepävarmuuden ja ravinnon laadun ongelmia Afrikassa. Afrikan lämpimästä ja kosteasta ilmastosta, hygienian haasteista, kylmäketjun puutteesta ja resurssien vähyydestä johtuen elintarvikkeiden säilyvyys on haasteellista. Ominaisuuksiensa ja paikallisuutensa vuoksi cashewpähkinä ja tapiokatärkkelys soveltuvat hyvin kastikepohjan raaka-aineiksi. Tutkielman tavoitteena oli kehittää cashewpähkinästä kastikepohja, joka säilyy pitkään Afrikan olosuhteissa ilman kylmäsäilytystä.
Kastikeresepti perustui kolmeen pääperiaatteeseen: yksinkertaiset valmistusolosuhteet, kustannustehokkuus ja kermankaltainen koostumus. Tuotetta säilytettiin kahdeksan viikkoa trooppisissa olosuhteissa (38 °C, 50 % RH). Säilytyksen aikana seurattiin näytteiden painon ja värin muutosta, viskositeettia, erottumista, partikkelikokoa, hapettumista ja mikrobimäärää.
Tuore kastike oli viskositeetiltaan 115,8 ± 5,9 mPa×s ja väriltään vaalea ja hieman kellertävä. Säilytyksen aikana viskositeetti laski ja väri muuttui tummemmaksi ja keltaisemmaksi. Heksanaalia ei löytynyt mitattavia määriä, vaikka värinmuutos viittasi hapettumiseen. Tuotteen paino laski veden haihtumisen vuoksi. Tuotteessa esiintyi sedimentaatiota ja kermoittumista, mikä johtui heterogeenisestä partikkelikokojakaumasta ja jota olisi mahdollista hidastaa stabilointiaineilla. Partikkelikoko pieneni säilytyksen aikana. Tuoreen tuotteen mikrobimäärä oli 4,4×10^3 ± 6,3×10^3 pmy/ml, mikä on alle Elintarviketeollisuusliiton suosituksen. PEMBA levyillä oli kasvua, joka ei ilmentänyt Bacillus cereusta. Kahdeksan viikon aikana mikrobimäärä ensin kasvoi ja laski ja lopulta tasaantui.
Tuote ei täyttänyt pitkäaikaisen säilyvyyden kriteerejä huoneenlämmössä. Suurimpana ongelmana oli viskositeetin lasku. Jatkokehityksessä tulisi käyttää voimakkaampaa lämpökäsittelyä, jotta voidaan taata tuotteen säilyminen pitkiä aikoja huoneenlämmössä, sekä huomioida valmistusalueen rajoitukset, kuten pakkausmateriaalit ja lisäaineet
William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and Hamlet: The Lutheran Perspective
No full textThis thesis examines William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar (1599) and Hamlet (1601) from the perspective of Lutheran resistance theory, as outlined in the treatise Temporal Authority: To What Extent It Should Be Obeyed (1523) by Martin Luther. By using the method of close reading, along with historical criticism, this thesis will present a unique Lutheran interpretation of Shakespeare’s epic masterpieces, proposing that Martin Luther had a profound influence on William Shakespeare in the context of the Protestant Reformation and that both plays expound an identical central message in accordance with Lutheran resistance theory, as part of a wider propaganda effort meant to prevent Catholic rebellion against the Protestant monarch Queen Elizabeth.
According to the Lutheran value system, temporal rulers are divinely appointed for the sake of keeping order and as such they should not be resisted, or divine retribution will ensue – a notion similarly manifested in Elizabethan homilies issued by the Church of England, such as the Homily Against Disobedience and Willful Rebellion (1570). This thesis shows that the very same notion is presented as the central narratological element in Julius Caesar (1599) and Hamlet (1601) in the way Shakespeare equally depicts Julius Caesar and King Claudius as the divinely appointed sovereigns with identical stylistic techniques, highlighting the catastrophic consequences of resistance, thus using the theatrical stage to protect the political interests of the Protestant establishment
Tiineen emän mikrobilääkitysten vaikutus jälkeläisten suolistoon ja immuniteettiin
No full textTämä tutkielma käsittelee tiineen emän mikrobilääkitysten vaikutuksia sikiön suolistoon ja immuunijärjestelmään. Tutkielma on toteutettu kirjallisuuskatsauksena ja kokoaa yhteen ajankohtaisen tiedon antibioottien sikiövaikutuksista eri mekanismien kautta. Eläinlääketieteessä on käytössä useita antibioottiryhmiä, joilla voi olla sikiöön joko suoria tai epäsuoria vaikutuksia. Antibioottien suorat vaikutukset liittyvät istukan läpäisevyyteen ja siihen, kuinka lääkeaineet voivat päätyä suoraan sikiöön aiheuttaen mahdollisia kehityshäiriöitä. Epäsuorat vaikutukset puolestaan ilmenevät emon suolistomikrobiston muutosten kautta, mikä voi vaikuttaa sikiön kehitykseen metaboliittien välityksellä.
Tutkielman tavoitteena on koostaa yhteen antibioottien suoria haittavaikutuksia sekä tarkastella, miten emon suolistomikrobiston muutokset vaikuttavat sikiön kehittyvään suolistoon ja immuunijärjestelmään. Aihe on keskeinen, sillä antibioottihoitojen käyttö edellyttää eläinlääkäriltä tarkkaa riskiarviota. Antibioottien on havaittu vaikuttavan emän suolistomikrobiston monimuotoisuuteen ja aineenvaihduntatuotteisiin, jotka ovat olennaisia sikiön immuunijärjestelmän kehittymiselle. Tämä voi lisätä riskiä muun muassa tulehduksellisille suolistosairauksille tai immuunivälitteisille sairauksille jälkeläisen myöhemmässä elämässä.
Tämän kirjallisuuskatsauksen tuloksia voidaan hyödyntää erityisesti eläinlääkärin kliinisessä päätöksenteossa. Tiedon lisääminen antibioottien sikiövaikutuksista voi auttaa kehittämään turvallisempia antibioottikäytäntöjä tiineille eläimille ja luoda tarkempia suosituksia antibioottien käytöstä eri tiineyden vaiheissa. Lisäksi tutkimuksessa korostetaan, että nykyinen tieto antibioottien pitkäaikaisvaikutuksista sikiöön on vielä puutteellista, ja tarvitaan lisää tutkimusta siitä, kuinka eri antibiootit vaikuttavat eri eläinlajeilla sekä siitä, kuinka emon suolistomikrobiston palautumista voitaisiin tukea antibioottihoidon jälkeen
Indirect costs constitute a major part of the total economic burden of obesity: a Finnish population-based cohort study
No full textAbstract Background The growing prevalence of overweight and obesity (OB) poses a considerable economic burden worldwide. However, nationally representative, detailed analyses estimating the total burden of OB are few. We characterized direct, indirect, and total costs of overweight and obesity in a population-based cohort of Finnish adult individuals and evaluated the additional total costs attributed to overweight and obesity. Methods The study cohort included 5,587 randomly-selected individuals (≥18 years of age) who participated in the national FinHealth 2017 health examination survey. The main study group consisted of working-age individuals (18–64 years of age; n = 3,914). Individual-level data were collected from the nationwide registers by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (healthcare resource utilization), Social Insurance Institution of Finland (prescription medications, sick leaves, disability pensions, rehabilitation periods), and Statistics Finland (deaths). Indirect costs were calculated using the Human Capital Approach, and direct costs were based on the medication purchases and healthcare resource use. Results The mean annual indirect costs were €1,683 (SD, €6,395) per person for the working-age individuals with normal-weight (NW), €2,957 (€8,797) for individuals with overweight (OW), €4,488 (€11,607) for individuals with class I obesity (OBI), and €4,654 (€11,383) for individuals with class II–III obesity (OBII–III). The mean annual total (direct + indirect) costs were €3,314 (SD, €8,358) per person in the NW, €4,902 (€10,747) in the OW, €7,129 (€14,313) in the OBI, and €7,372 (€14,423) in the OBII–III groups. Compared with individuals with NW, OW was associated with 31% (rate ratio, RR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.09–1.58; p = 0.005), OBI with 83% (RR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.46–2.28; p < 0.001), and OBII–III with 95% (RR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.48–2.55; p < 0.001) higher total costs in working-age individuals. When adjusted for age and sex, the predicted total annual cost difference per person was €1,124 for OW, €3,002 for OBI, and €3,443 for OBII–III compared with a person with NW. Conclusions Indirect costs constitute a major part of the total costs of obesity in the working-age population. Compared with NW, the total costs are significantly higher not only for severe obesity, but also for OW and OBI
In situ Secondary Organic Aerosol Formation from Ambient Air in the Eastern Tibetan Plateau Using an Oxidation Flow Reactor
No full textSecondary organic aerosols (SOA) are fine particulate matter formed through gas-phase chemical reactions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere. They are widely present in the global atmosphere and play significant roles in climate change, air quality, and human health. However, the formation mechanisms of SOA over the Tibetan Plateau remain poorly understood, particularly regarding the sources of precursor substances, transformation pathways, and aging processes. To address the lack of observational studies on SOA in this region, this study focuses on the Zoige Wetland in Maqu County, located in the eastern Tibetan Plateau, and for the explores the characteristics of SOA formation during autumn, along with an in-depth analysis of the potential sources of precursors.
An oxidation flow reactor (OFR) was employed to simulate atmospheric aging processes with equivalent aging times ranging from several hours to several days. The relationship between organic aerosol enhancement and equivalent aging time was analyzed and compared with previous studies. Based on this, a volatility basis set (VBS) model was applied to further evaluate the relative contributions of different VOC species to SOA formation. To better understand the formation mechanisms of SOA during the observation period, case studies covering four distinct time periods (Period 1–4) were conducted. The evolution characteristics of SOA during each period were compared, and a multiple linear regression (MLR) model was used to predict SOA formation, helping to identify potential precursor sources and key driving factors.
The results show that SOA formation peaked at an equivalent atmospheric aging time of approximately 2–3 days, with a concentration of 1.4 µg/m³. Overall, SOA formation in this region was relatively limited, lower than that observed in urban or roadside environments, but comparable to biogenic forested areas. However, during certain periods (e.g., Period 2), SOA concentrations surged significantly, exceeding 10 µg/m³. According to the VBS model, monoterpenes made the largest estimated contribution to the explained SOA, accounting for 39.1% during the daytime and 55.4% at night.
Based on 72-hour backward trajectory analysis, Period 1 was influenced by both long-range transport from the west and local emissions, leading to a lower SOA formation potential. In contrast, local emissions were the dominant influence during Periods 2 to 4. Multiple linear regression analysis of the maximum organic aerosol enhancement during Periods 1, 2, and 4 showed that the correlation (R²) between predicted and observed values was 0.49 for Period 1 and 0.35 for Period 4. The primary contributor to SOA during Period 1 was emissions related to monoterpene, while SOA formation in Period 4 was influenced by both monoterpene-related emissions and biomass burning processes. Further analysis of methane and monoterpene concentration patterns suggests that the monoterpene may originate from wetland processes.
In Period 2, we focused on the episode of rapid SOA concentration increase. Multiple linear regression results indicate that biomass burning processes were the primary contributors to the SOA surge. Meteorological analysis further revealed that pollutant accumulation under specific weather conditions also played a role in the observed SOA spikes.
This study represents the first attempt to simulate the aging processes of SOA over the eastern Tibetan Plateau using an oxidation flow reactor, providing new insights into SOA formation characteristics and the sources of potential precursors. The results indicate that monoterpene-related emissions and biomass burning processes were the dominant contributors to SOA formation during the observation period. Additionally, transport processes and meteorological conditions played important roles in modulating SOA formation. Future pollution control strategies should focus on reducing emissions from burning sources by promoting clean energy, improving combustion efficiency, enforcing stricter emission standards, and establishing robust regional joint prevention and control mechanisms to effectively reduce the emissions of SOA precursors. It should be noted that this study focused on specific time periods and a limited geographical area, which may not fully represent the aerosol characteristics across the entire Tibetan Plateau. Therefore, future research should expand the spatial and temporal scope and further explore the influence mechanisms of SOA under varying seasonal and geographic conditions
Combination of Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Machine Learning Reveals Structural Characteristics of Stereochemistry-Specific Interdigitation of Synthetic Monomycoloyl Glycerol Analogs
No full textSynthetic monomycoloyl glycerol (MMG) analogs possess robust immunostimulatory activity and are investigated as adjuvants for subunit vaccines in preclinical and clinical studies. These synthetic lipids consist of a glycerol moiety attached to a corynomycolic acid. Previous experimental studies have shown that the stereochemistry of the lipid acid moiety affects whether the MMG analogs self-assemble into interdigitated or noninterdigitated structures below the main phase transition temperature (T m). In this study, we elucidated possible thermodynamic mechanisms governing the phase behavior of MMG analogs by exploring their conformations, interactions, and dynamics using a combination of machine learning (ML) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We compared two analogs, MMG-1 and MMG-6, which differ only by the stereochemistry of the lipid acid moiety; the former has a configuration different from the natural MMG, and the latter displays a native-like stereochemistry. Three different membrane states were simulated: (1) a noninterdigitated single bilayer, (2) a noninterdigitated double bilayer, and (3) a fully interdigitated double bilayer. Our results indicate that the propensity for interdigitation of the MMG analogs in a bilayer is linked to the degree to which their hydrocarbon chains are ordered and oriented. This study demonstrates how combining MD simulations with ML can enhance the molecular understanding of lipid-based pharmaceutical formulations.Peer reviewe
Ilmastonmuutos Rovaniemellä
No full textRovaniemelle kohdennettua ilmastotietoa tuotettiin erityisesti strategisen yleiskaavan 2050 prosessia varten, mutta tietoja voidaan hyödyntää myös muilla toimialoilla pidemmän aikavälin suunnittelussa.
Havaintojen perusteella Rovaniemen vuosikeskilämpötila on kohonnut noin 1,3 ℃ ja vuoden sademäärä kasvanut noin 60 mm kahden peräkkäisen 30 vuoden mittaisen ilmastollisen vertailukauden välillä. Muuttunut ilmasto näkyy laajasti myös muissa Rovaniemen havaintoihin perustuvissa bioilmaston indikaattoreissa.
Kaupungin lämpösaareketta simuloitiin säämallin avulla nykyisessä kaupunkirakenteessa sekä kesäisen helleaallon että talvisen pakkaspäivän tilanteessa. Simulointien mukaan Rovaniemen lämpösaareke on voimakkain kaupungin keskustassa tiiviimmin rakennetulla alueella ja suuruudeltaan muutaman asteen luokkaa.
Ilmastonmuutosarviot Rovaniemelle tuotettiin pääosin tuoreimpien CMIP6-mallisukupolven skenaarioiden pohjalta, mutta runsaiden sateiden skenaarioita tuotettiin myös edeltävän sukupolven mallien pohjalta. Tulevina vuosikymmeninä Rovaniemellä tulee varautua talvien lauhtumiseen ja rankkasateiden voimistumiseen. Lumikausi lyhenee ja talven suurimmat lumikuormat todennäköisesti hieman pienentyvät. Rakennusten lämmitystarve pienenee, mutta toisaalta kesäisin on tarpeen varautua myös jäähdytystarpeeseen
Familial clustering of diabetic kidney disease and retinopathy in offspring of parents with type 1 diabetes: a population-based study
No full textBackground Familial clustering of diabetic kidney disease and diabetic retinopathy has been reported among siblings with type 1 diabetes. We aimed to further unveil the phenomenon among parent-offspring pairs. Methods Among all individuals diagnosed with type 1 diabetes between 1965 and 1979 in Finland (n = 5144) with at least one child with the same disease and a diabetes duration of 15 years or more, we compiled a population-based study cohort comprising 221 parent-offspring pairs. The original cohort was compiled by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, and their offspring identified from the Finnish Central Population Register. The status of diabetic kidney disease and severe diabetic retinopathy (defined as retinal laser treatment) was determined by systematically reviewing the participants' medical records. The follow-up ranged from the diabetes onset until 31 December 2020. Findings In total, 56 (32%) parents developed severe albuminuria and 84 (51%) severe diabetic retinopathy during follow-up. Among the offspring of parents free of kidney disease, 23 (18%) developed moderate albuminuria, 10 (8%) developed severe albuminuria, and 1 (1%) developed kidney failure, while among offspring of parents with kidney disease, 20 (34%) developed moderate albuminuria, 10 (17%) developed severe albuminuria, and 1 (2%) developed kidney failure during follow-up. Among the offspring of parents free of severe diabetic retinopathy, 8 (9%) developed severe diabetic retinopathy, whereas the corresponding proportion was 29 (33%) among the offspring of parents with severe diabetic retinopathy. The presence of severe albuminuria in the parent increased the risk of offspring moderate albuminuria 2.27-fold (95% confidence interval 1.25-4.14, p = 0.0075) and offspring severe albuminuria 2.41-fold (1.00-5.83, p = 0.049), as compared to offspring of parents without kidney disease. The presence of kidney failure in the parent further increased the risk of offspring moderate albuminuria to 2.60-fold (1.33-5.07, p = 0.0051) and offspring severe albuminuria to 3.04-fold (1.21-7.65, p = 0.019). Severe diabetic retinopathy in the parent increased the risk of the same complication in the offspring 4.34-fold (1.98-9.50, p = 0.00024). Interpretation Offspring of parents with diabetic kidney disease or severe diabetic retinopathy have a several-fold risk of developing the corresponding complication compared with offspring of parents without the complications. This observation highlights the importance of family history when assessing the complication risk among individuals with type 1 diabetes. Funding Folkh & auml;lsan Research Foundation, Medical Society of Finland, Wilhelm and Else Stockmann Foundation, Finnish Diabetes Research Foundation, Waldemar von Frenckell Foundation, Liv och H & auml;lsa Society, Academy of Finland (grant number 316664), Novo Nordisk Foundation (grant number NNF OC0013659). Copyright (c) 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Peer reviewe
