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Multilingual learning environments in early childhood education in Finland
Get PDFIncreasing linguistic diversity creates a need to construct early learning environments as spaces where children’s whole multilingual repertoires are represented. The purpose of these spaces is to support the crossing of linguistic boundaries during collaborative, play-based activities. In Finland, the language policies of the National Core Curriculum for Early Childhood Education and Care have been changed to promote multilingualism. This study focuses on data provided by early childhood education and care (ECEC) staff, documenting changing language policies in learning environments through the management of space and practice. The study analyzes what ECEC staff (N = 81 participant groups) report on constructing multilingual learning environments and what type of barriers and enablers are described as present in such environments. Theoretically, the analysis draws on pedagogical translanguaging. The data were collected using the LangPeda tool, and the participant groups’ textual documents were scrutinized via qualitative content analysis. The findings suggested that although most of the groups’ textual documents reflected either pre-planned or spontaneous pedagogical translanguaging, not all the groups were eager to change their monolingual practices. Linguistic hierarchies were found, and the development of children’s linguistic repertoires appeared to be hindered by misconceived understanding of language learning. Enabling pedagogical translanguaging to become part of ECEC institutions’ (spatial) practices requires sufficient resources, materials, and systematic education for ECEC staff.</p
High-throughput DNA extraction strategy for fecal microbiome studies
Get PDFMicrobiome studies are becoming larger in size to detect the potentially small effect that environmental factors have on our gut microbiomes, or that the microbiome has on our health. Therefore, fast and reproducible DNA isolation methods are needed to handle thousands of fecal samples. We used the Chemagic 360 chemistry and Magnetic Separation Module I (MSMI) instrument to compare two sample preservatives and four different pre-treatment protocols to find an optimal method for DNA isolation from thousands of fecal samples. The pre-treatments included bead beating, sample handling in tube and plate format, and proteinase K incubation. The optimal method offers a sufficient yield of high-quality DNA without contamination. Three human fecal samples (adult, senior, and infant) with technical replicates were extracted. The extraction included negative controls (OMNIgeneGUT, DNA/RNA shield fluid, and Chemagic Lysis Buffer 1) to detect cross-contamination and ZymoBIOMICS Gut Microbiome Standard as a positive control to mimic the human gut microbiome and assess sensitivity of the extraction method. All samples were extracted using Chemagic DNA Stool 200 H96 kit (PerkinElmer, Finland). The samples were collected in two preservatives, OMNIgeneGUT and DNA/RNA shield fluid. DNA quantity was measured using Qubit-fluorometer, DNA purity and quality using gel electrophoresis, and taxonomic signatures with 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing with V3V4 and V4 regions. Bead beating increased bacterial diversity. The largest increase was detected in gram-positive genera Blautia, Bifidobacterium, and Ruminococcus. Preservatives showed minor differences in bacterial abundances. The profiles between the V3V4 and V4 regions differed considerably with lower diversity samples. Negative controls showed signs from genera abundant in fecal samples. Technical replicates of the Gut Standard and stool samples showed low variation. The selected isolation protocol included recommended steps from manufacturer as well as bead beating. Bead beating was found to be necessary to detect hard-to-lyse bacteria. The protocol was reproducible in terms of DNA yield among different stool replicates and the ZymoBIOMICS Gut Microbiome Standard. The MSM1 instrument and pre-treatment in a 96-format offered the possibility of automation and handling of large sample collections. Both preservatives were feasible in terms of sample handling and had low variation in taxonomic signatures. The 16S rRNA target region had a high impact on the composition of the bacterial profile.Importance: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a widely used method for determining the composition of the gut microbiota. Due to the differences in the gut microbiota composition between individuals, microbiome studies have expanded into large population studies to maximize detection of small effects on microbe-host interactions. Thus, the demand for a rapid and reliable microbial profiling is continuously increasing, making the optimization of high-throughput 96-format DNA extraction integral for NGS-based downstream applications. However, experimental protocols are prone to bias and errors from sample collection and storage, to DNA extraction, primer selection and sequencing, and bioinformatics analyses. Methodological bias can contribute to differences in microbiome profiles, causing variability across studies and laboratories using different protocols. To improve consistency and confidence of the measurements, the standardization of microbiome analysis methods has been recognized in many fields.</p
Reflecting on the Impact of Generative AI for Sustainability Accounting Scholarship
Get PDFOur yearly editorial is dedicated to reflections concerning two recent digitalisation-based developments, both of which are currently radically transforming the publishing arena. We begin by considering the rapid emergence of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) models known as Large Language Models (LLMs), which have already had tremendous effects on academic knowledge production. In this context, we clarify our stance on the use of AI in articles submitted to Social & Environmental Accountability Journal (SEAJ) and reviews conducted for the journal. We then continue by taking a closer look at the proliferation of systematic literature reviews, in their multiple versions, e.g. bibliometric-based reviews, which are submitted to the journal in increasing numbers. We use this editorial to revisit our editorial policy and outline the kind of submissions welcomed at SEAJ.</p
Effect of the Roast Level on Lipophilic and Hydrophilic Compounds in Pot and Filter Coffee Beverages
Get PDFRoast levels may affect the profile and content of phytochemicals in coffee. The composition of potentially bioactive compounds was investigated in pot coffee (PC) and filter coffee (FC) beverages prepared from light, medium, medium-dark, and dark roasted coffee using UHPLC-QTOF/MS. The metabolites affected by roast level (ANOVA, p < 0.05) included deoxycarnitine, tyrosine, and sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. Compounds such as dehydrosalsolidine, deoxycarnitine, and adenosine 3,5-cyclic monophosphate were identified in coffee for the first time. The intensities of chlorogenic acid, trigonelline, choline, and rosmarinic acid in the beverages decreased with a higher roast level. In contrast, the level of quinic acid, theobromine, and N,N-dimethylpiperidinium, a Maillard reaction product, increased. The caffeine content was relatively stable from light to dark roast, while cholesterol-elevating diterpenes decreased. This study provides information on the optimal coffee roast level for several potentially bioactive compounds and aroma precursors to maximize coffee quality, especially in terms of its potential health benefits
Lainvalmisteluasiakirjat kritiikin lähteenä
Get PDFEduskunnassa käsitellään joka vuosi satoja hallituksen esityksiä lainsäädännöksi. Jokaisen hallituksen esityksen lainvalmistelun aikana syntyy runsaasti julkista asiakirja-aineistoa, kuten arviomuistioita, selvityksiä ja hallituksen esityksen eri vaiheissa olevia luonnosversioita sekä lausuntopyyntöjä, lausuntoja ja niiden yhteenvetoja. Lainsäätämisen yhteydessä, eli sen jälkeen, kun hallitus on antanut esityksen eduskunnalle, syntyy myös viljalti kiinnostavaa aineistoa, esimerkiksi valiokuntien mietintöjä ja niissä kuultujen asiantuntijoiden lausuntoja. Näihin asiakirjoihin on dokumentoitu keskeinen yhteiskunnallinen vallankäytön muoto, lakien säätäminen. Kaikkiaan lainvalmisteluasiakirjoja on huomattava määrä: yhteen lakihankkeeseen liittyy tyypillisesti kymmeniä tai satoja asiakirjoja, ja esimerkiksi viime hallituskaudella annettiin lähes tuhat hallituksen esitystä. Tätä kirjoittaessa, kesällä 2024, on Orpon hallituskautena annettu 179 hallituksen esitystä.Lainvalmisteluaineistot ovat harmillisen alikäytettyjä, vaikka ne tarjoavat lukemattomia tutkimusmahdollisuuksia eri tieteenaloille. Toisenlaiset lähestymistavat mahdollistavat oikeutta kriittisesti tarkastelevia näkökulmia, joissa ei olla sidottuja lainopin sisäiseen näkökulmaan ja oikeuden koherenssin ylläpitämiseen. Todettakoon tässä yhteydessä, että kriittisiä, oikeuden koherenssin kyseenalaistavia lähestymistapoja oikeuteen löytyy toki runsaasti oikeustieteessä, koska kaikki oikeustieteilijät eivät tutki oikeutta vain yllä kuvatulla tavalla perinteisen lainopin sisäiseen näkökulmaan rajautuen. Mutta myös monien muiden tieteenalojen tutkijat, esimerkiksi sosiologit, politologit ja lingvistit, voisivat hyödyntää lainvalmistelutekstejä enemmän. Lainvalmisteluasiakirjat mahdollistavat mielenkiintoisia tutkimusasetelmia, koska ne tarjoavat näköalapaikan poliittisiin, taloudellisiin, yhteiskunnallisiin, oikeudellisiin ja kielellisiin kamppailuihin.</p
Biodiversity, leadership, and resilience in a national sustainable tourism program
Get PDFThis study addresses the complex relationship between biodiversity, leadership, and resilience in the tourism industry. We apply case study methodology to examine the potential of Visit Finland’s Sustainable Travel Finland program to increase the resilience of the Finnish tourism sector concerning sustainability challenges. The qualitative research data consists of interviews and secondary data analysed with content analyses. According to the results, the program offers support and proactive leadership to the Finnish tourism industry in meeting the rising sustainability demands on biodiversity protection. However, the first biodiversity steps have been small-scale and instrumental, corresponding to a narrow perception of nature’s value. Therefore, the program does not yet fully meet the scale and scope of current biodiversity challenges. Although it is a good start, biodiversity-respectful leadership and resilience building require a strategic approach that also recognizes intrinsic, relational, and ecosystemic biodiversity values accruing broadly to tourists, nature, and humankind
New graduate registered nurses' professional competence and the impact of preceptors' education intervention: a quasi-experimental longitudinal intervention study
Get PDFAims and objectives: The aim of this quasi-experimental longitudinal intervention study was to investigate new graduate nurses' professional competence development after preceptors' participation in an education intervention.Background: New graduate registered nurses are expected to be competent in many areas of nursing. Expectations that are sometimes unrealistic may cause a sense of inadequacy and stress, and this may in turn prevent them from fully deploying their competencies. Competence development is related to practice environment, occupational commitment, empowerment, and work experience. Orientation or transition programs have been designed to ensure new graduate nurses' competence, and preceptors and preceptorship could also have significant influence on their competence development.Design: A quasi-experimental longitudinal intervention study.Methods: The data was collected from October 2015 to November 2017. Participating wards were randomized into intervention and control groups. The intervention group preceptors had an eight-hour education intervention that focused on new employees' orientation, particularly from new graduates' point of view. Wards in the control group continued to precept as before. The Nurse Competence Scale was used for new graduates' self-assessment at baseline and at three-month and nine-month follow-up. This study is reported in accordance with the TREND Statement Checklist.Results: The education intervention aimed at preceptors did not have impact on the intervention group NGRNs' competence development. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups and effect size remained small.Conclusions: The preceptors' education intervention was not effective enough to develop new graduates' professional competence so that it would have differed from that of the graduates receiving conventional orientation at the university hospital. This study confirmed that competence development is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon and organizations should invest in new graduate registered nurses' competence development during their early career. Preceptors' education and development of preceptorship and transition programs are an important part of overall competence development in complex health care environments.</p
Phase analysis of gated PET in the evaluation of mechanical ventricular synchrony: A narrative overview
No full textNoninvasive imaging modalities offer the possibility to dynamically evaluate cardiac motion during the cardiac cycle by means of ECG-gated acquisitions. Such motion characterization along with orientation, segmentation preprocessing, and ultimately, phase analysis, can provide quantitative estimates of ventricular mechanical synchrony. Current evidence on the role of mechanical synchrony evaluation is mainly available for echocardiography and gated single-photon emission computed tomography, but less is known about the utilization of gated positron emission tomography (PET). Although data available are sparse, there is indication that mechanical synchrony evaluation can be of diagnostic and prognostic values in patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease-related myocardial ischemia, prediction of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy, and estimation of risk for adverse cardiac events in patients’ heart failure. As such, the evaluation of mechanical ventricular synchrony through phase analysis of gated acquisitions represents a value addition to modern cardiac PET imaging modality, which warrants further research and development in the evaluation of patients with cardiovascular disease.</p
Virtual Reality Immersive Simulations for a Forensic Molecular Biology Course-A Quantitative Comparative Study
No full textMolecular biology is a complex, abstract, subject that can be challenging for higher education students to comprehend. The current manuscript describes the design, implementation, and evaluation of two immersive VR simulations of a DNA lab and a crime scene investigation (CSI) for a forensic molecular biology course in the context of the "TESLA" Erasmus+ project. It illustrates the instructional design and technical aspects of the VR simulations' development. The experimental study employed a comparative quantitative research design. The guiding research questions examined how instructional modalities (online vs. face-to-face) affect learners' perceptions of VR-based training in higher education and the key factors influencing learners' intention for their adoption. Forty-six (n = 46) undergraduate students completed a 17-item questionnaire, which served as the main data collection instrument. Results demonstrate that both online and face-to-face VR-based instruction can effectively convey core concepts, thus challenging the traditional notion that face-to-face interaction is inherently superior. Its implications underscore the potential of VR simulations to supplement or even substitute traditional teaching methods, particularly for complex science subjects