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Urban heat island research at high latitudes — utilising Finland as an example
No full textThe effects of a built environment on its climate, i.e., the urban heat island (UHI), has been under extensive research for more than 200 years. However, most of the research has focused on cities and regions at low and mid-level latitudes, while cities positioned at high latitudes have gained much less interest. In this article, we focus on summarising a total of 22 Finnish UHI research studies from 1961 to 2021 in cities located between the 60° and 65° north latitude. In these research studies, statements are made about UHI intensity and extent, and about the utilised analysis methods and techniques. Nine of the studies refer to the Finnish capital Helsinki, while the others concern the larger cities Turku, Oulu, and Lahti, as well as the medium-sized municipalities Hyvinkää and Joensuu. Our paper presents the previous studies in chronological order, thereby illustrating the methodological development of UHI research in Finland. One of the most important findings is that the past Finnish studies show a high level of scientific understanding and similar scientific practices to those in corresponding international research. However, the study also shows the challenges of comparing UHI characteristics between different cities because the specific local features (such as topography, water proximity, green infrastructure, etc.) typically play a significant role in local climatological conditions. The results of our investigation show that, firstly, there is a significant difference between the intensity of the summer and winter urban heat island. The UHI intensity can reach up to 14 K under the influence of local conditions. Secondly, the urban heat island intensity, where it could be studied over a longer period of time, has not essentially increased. However, there have been initial indications of an increase in recent studies. Thirdly, the research methods and results show a consistency in content over time, so that early research results can serve as the basis of further investigations. This study highlights the challenging nature of observing urban climate in high spatial-temporal detail and the different methods that have been traditionally used for UHI examinations: the conclusions are that all of these methods are also needed at present in order to grasp the full picture of urban climatic characteristics.</p
Tweeting and retweeting scientific articles: implications for altmetrics
No full textDespite differences in extent of engagement of users, original tweets and retweets to scientific publications are considered as equal events. Current research investigates quantifiable differences between tweets and retweets from an altmetric point of view. Twitter users, text, and media content of two datasets, one containing 742 randomly selected tweets and retweets (371 each) and another with 5898 tweets and retweets (about 3000 each), all linking to scientific articles published on PLoS ONE, were manually categorized. Results from analyzing the proportions of tweets and retweets indicated that academic and individual accounts produce majority of original tweets (34% and 55%, respectively) and posted significantly larger proportion of retweets (41.5 and 81%). Bot accounts, on the other hand, had posted significantly more original tweets (20%) than retweets (2%). Natural communication sentences prevailed in retweets and tweets (63% vs. 45%) as well as images (41.5% vs. 23%), both showing a significant rise in usage overtime. Overall, the findings suggest that the attention scientific articles receive on Twitter may have more to do with human interaction and inclusion of visual content in the tweets, than the significance of or genuine interest towards the research results.</p
Impaired fin regeneration and angiogenesis in aged zebrafish and turquoise killifish
No full textImpaired wound healing is associated with aging and has significant effects on human health on an individual level, but also on the whole health-care sector. Deficient angiogenesis appears to be involved in the process, but the underlying biology is still poorly understood. This is at least partially being explained by complexity and costs in using mammalian aging models. To understand aging-related vascular biology of impaired wound healing, we used zebrafish and turquoise killifish fin regeneration models. The regeneration of caudal fin after resection was significantly reduced in old individuals in both species. Age-related changes in angiogenesis, vascular density and expression levels of angiogenesis biomarker VEGF-A were observed. Furthermore, the anti-angiogenic drug vascular endothelial growth factor receptor blocking inhibitor SU5416 reduced regeneration, indicating a key role for angiogenesis in the regeneration of aging caudal fin despite aging-related changes in vasculature. Taken together, our data indicate that these fish fin regeneration models are suitable for studying aging-related decline in wound healing and associated alterations in aging vasculature
NEB mutations disrupt the super-relaxed state of myosin and remodel the muscle metabolic proteome in nemaline myopathy
No full textNemaline myopathy (NM) is one of the most common non-dystrophic genetic muscle disorders. NM is often associated with mutations in the NEB gene. Even though the exact NEB-NM pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear, histological analyses of patients' muscle biopsies often reveal unexplained accumulation of glycogen and abnormally shaped mitochondria. Hence, the aim of the present study was to define the exact molecular and cellular cascade of events that would lead to potential changes in muscle energetics in NEB-NM. For that, we applied a wide range of biophysical and cell biology assays on skeletal muscle fibres from NM patients as well as untargeted proteomics analyses on isolated myofibres from a muscle-specific nebulin-deficient mouse model. Unexpectedly, we found that the myosin stabilizing conformational state, known as super-relaxed state, was significantly impaired, inducing an increase in the energy (ATP) consumption of resting muscle fibres from NEB-NM patients when compared with controls or with other forms of genetic/rare, acquired NM. This destabilization of the myosin super-relaxed state had dynamic consequences as we observed a remodeling of the metabolic proteome in muscle fibres from nebulin-deficient mice. Altogether, our findings explain some of the hitherto obscure hallmarks of NM, including the appearance of abnormal energy proteins and suggest potential beneficial effects of drugs targeting myosin activity/conformations for NEB-NM.</p
Hopes over fears: Can democratic deliberation increase positive emotions concerning the future?
No full textDeliberative mini-publics have often been considered to be a potential way to promote futureorientedthinking. Still, thinking about the future can be hard as it can evoke negative emotionssuch as stress and anxiety. This article establishes why a more positive outlook towards thefuture can benefit long-term decision-making. Then, it explores whether and to what extentdeliberative mini-publics can facilitate thinking about the future by moderating negative emotionsand encouraging positive emotions. We analyzed an online mini-public held in the region ofSatakunta, Finland, organized to involve the public in the drafting process of a regional planextending until the year 2050. In addition to the standard practices related to mini-publics, theCitizens’ Assembly included an imaginary time travel exercise, Future Design, carried out withhalf of the participants. Our analysis makes use of both survey and qualitative data. We found thatdemocratic deliberation can promote positive emotions, like hopefulness and compassion, andlessen negative emotions, such as fear and confusion, related to the future. There were, however,differences in how emotions developed in the various small groups. Interviews with participantsshed further light onto how participants felt during the event and how their sentiments concerningthe future changed.</p
Kohti oppimisyhteiskuntaa : Koulutuspolitiikan uusi suunta ja korkeakoulutuksen muuttuva maisema
No full text
Korkeakoulutuksen ylikansallistumisen ja
uusliberalistisen koulutuspolitiikanleviämisen myötä suomalaisissa
yliopistoissa onkolmen viime vuosikymmenen aikana alettu soveltaa yksityiseltäsektorilta
omaksuttuja hallinnon ja johtamisen tapoja (Rinne,Jauhiainen, Simola, Lehto,
Jauhiainen & Laiho 2012). Tutkijatovat puhuneet ”yritysparadigman”
noususta, jolla on viitattupaitsi yliopistojen samankaltaistumiseen yritysten
kanssa myöselinkeinoelämäyhteyksien tiivistymiseen (Etzkowitz, Webster,Gebhardt
& Cantisano Terra 2000; Rinne & Koivula 2005). Uuden paradigman myötä
yliopistot on alettu mieltää innovaatioidentuottajina ja taloudellisen
kilpailukyvyn avittajina.Suomessa tämä on näkynyt valtiovallan tahtona lähentää
korkeakoulutustaja elinkeinoelämää ja lisätä koulutuksen työelämärelevanssia(Tervasmäki
& Tomperi 2018; VNK 2015). Myös elinkeinoelämän edustajat ovat omaksuneet
roolin yliopistokoulutuksen asiantuntijoina esittämällä visioitaan ja teesejään
korkeakoulujärjestelmänuudistamiseksi (esim. Suomen Yrittäjät 2017).
Yritysyhteistyön vahvistuminen ilmentää yhteiskunnallisenvuorovaikutustehtävän
vakiintumista yliopiston perinteistentehtävien, tutkimuksen ja opetuksen,
rinnalla.
</p
The future in a bubble: Supporting Finnish early childhood professionals working in diverse settings
No full textThe purpose of this study was to contribute to the knowledge about early childhood education and care (ECEC) personnel's perception of the support structures that are most effective in assisting them in their work with culturally and linguistically diverse children. This qualitative case-based study examined one of Finland's most culturally diverse regions, near the capital Helsinki. The thematic analysis of interviews with 18 ECEC personnel working across five ECEC professional teams indicated that the support structures in place for ECEC personnel to work with children from immigrant and minority groups consist of a complex network of interconnected areas within the Finnish educational ecosystem, such as the national curriculum or the regional formalities and procedures. These interconnected factors are rooted in cultural and educational frameworks, local initiatives and unit-level interventions. Individuals' personal experiences (living abroad, teaching in multicultural childcare settings) and willingness to engage in professional learning as part of a team influence the effectiveness of these support structures aimed at providing in-service training and pedagogical support for the staff working in culturally diverse settings. The study contributes to the literature by utilising the voices of ECEC professional teams to identify the most beneficial and the most needed support mechanisms for educators to work effectively with cultur-ally and linguistically diverse children. The study also highlights the critical role of reflection in uncoveringeducators' intentions to promote issues of equity and equality in their settings.</p
Identification and analysis of educational needs for naval architects and marine engineers in relation to the foreseen context of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS)
No full text We are enduring the introduction of rapid digitalization, smart technologies, and digital connectivity in all industrial domains including maritime under the scope of the industry 4.0 revolution. At the same time, a plethora of challenges need to be faced during this digital transition in the maritime cluster targeting the maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS). Therefore, this report aims at a holistic analysis and identification of the educational needs and competencies required in the maritime domain by the naval architects and marine engineers in relation to MASS and at deriving recommendations for the study program in relation to MASS at Finnish Universities (Aalto University, Abo Akademi University and the University of Turku). To identify current and future education needs, first, the technologies that are/can be employed on MASS have been specified. Then the impact of MASS on the various maritime organisations and job skills has been identified. The study programs offered at other universities in Finland and internationally in relation to MASS have been additionally analysed. Based on the analysis results, recommendations for the study program have been derived. Agile framework to keep Finnish university programs corresponding with the maritime industry needs was also proposed. The analysis results have demonstrated that an increased number of systems employing information and communication technologies will be employed on MASS. The new systems development will increase the demand for maritime professionals who are proficient both in the realm of maritime and computer engineering. Some occupations will remain largely unaffected such as hydrodynamic and structural experts, whilst some others will be slightly altered, such as the jobs of ship designer. Several jobs will be burdened with additional required skill sets, such as the jobs of ship managers. New job types such as remote pilots and surveyors, and maritime cybersecurity experts will also emerge. Universities in Finland and globally have responded to the new demands by either updating their study programs or by providing dedicated master's programs, alone or in cooperation with other universities. They have included courses on advanced robotics or artificial intelligence in their study curriculum along with many others.The investigated universities (Aalto University, Abo Akademi University and the University of Turku) offered courses already include MASS as part of their course's material. However, this material needs to be enhanced by including more aspects in relation to the systems being installed on MASS, digital twins, design challenges associated with MASS, and machine learning techniques used in maritime and maritime cybersecurity.To keep up with the developments in the maritime, it is recommended to organise small biannual workshops in cooperation with industry which can be used to update the study curriculum. </p
Genetic predictors of unexpected recurrence in low-risk endometrial cancer: A comprehensive genomic analysis reveals FGFR2 as a risk factor and a rare fatal POLE-mutated recurrence
No full textObjective: Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological malignancy in high-income countries. While early-stage endometrial cancer generally has a favorable prognosis, a small proportion of low-risk patients experience unexpected recurrence. This study aimed to identify molecular factors contributing to recurrence in stage 1 A grade 1-2 low-risk endometrioid endometrial cancer.Methods: We performed next-generation sequencing (NGS) on tumor samples from 19 patients who experienced recurrence despite favorable clinicopathological features and compared them with six control patients without recurrence. Results were also compared to a matched cohort of low-risk endometrial cancers from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database.Results: Mutations in PTEN, PIK3CA, ARID1A, and FGFR2 were the most frequent in the recurrence group. FGFR2 mutations were exclusive to the recurrence group (9/19, 47.4 %) and absent in the non-recurrent group (0/6), a difference approaching statistical significance (p = 0.0571). FGFR2 mutations were also significantly more prevalent in the recurrence cohort compared to the TCGA low-risk cohort (p = 0.0039). Prominent FGFR2 missense mutations included S252W, K659E, and N549K, which may drive oncogenesis and tumor progression. Among the recurrence group, a rare POLE-mutated tumor recurred unexpectedly and proved fatal, highlighting the potential for poor outcomes even in typically favorable molecular subtypes.Conclusion: FGFR2 mutations may play a role in tumor recurrence in a subset of low-risk endometrial cancers, underscoring the importance of molecular profiling in identifying patients at risk. FGFR2 represents a potential therapeutic target, warranting further validation in larger cohorts to establish its clinical utility.</p