Properties of spherical and deformed nuclei using regularized pseudopotentials in nuclear DFT

We developed new parameterizations of local regularized finite-range pseudopotentials up to next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order ((NLO)-L-3), used as generators of nuclear density functionals. When supplemented with zero-range spin-orbit and density-dependent terms, they provide a correct single-reference description of binding energies and radii of spherical and deformed nuclei. We compared the obtained results to experimental data and discussed benchmarks against the standard well-established Gogny D1S functional.Peer reviewe

Towards a Novel Energy Density Functional for Beyond-mean-field Calculations with Pairing and Deformation

We take an additional step towards the optimization of the novel finite-range pseudopotential at a constrained Hartree–Fock–Bogolyubov level and implement an optimization procedure within an axial code using harmonic oscillator basis. We perform the optimization using three different numbers of the harmonic oscillator shells. We apply the new parameterizations in the O–Kr part of the nuclear chart and isotopic chain of Sn, and we compare the results with experimental values and those given by a parameterization obtained using a spherical code.Peer reviewe

Regularized pseudopotential for mean-field calculations

We present preliminary results obtained with a finite-range two-body pseudopotential complemented with zero-range spin-orbit and density-dependent terms. After discussing the penalty function used to adjust parameters, we discuss predictions for binding energies of spherical nuclei calculated at the mean-field level, and we compare them with those obtained using the standard Gogny D1S finite-range effective interaction. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.Peer reviewe

Estradiol Valerate Vs. Ethinylestradiol In Combined Oral Contraceptives : Effects On The Pituitary-Ovarian Axis

Context There are limited studies comparing the effects of combined oral contraceptives (COCs) containing natural estrogens and synthetic ethinylestradiol (EE) on reproductive hormones. Objective To compare estradiol valerate (EV)+dienogest (DNG), EE+DNG, and DNG alone (an active control) on levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone, Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), ovarian steroids, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and the Free Androgen Index (FAI). Design Spin-off study from a randomized trial. Setting Outpatient setting at Helsinki and Oulu University Hospitals, Finland. Participants 59 healthy, 18-35-year-old ovulatory women were enrolled. Three women discontinued. The groups were comparable as regards age and body mass index. Interventions EV 2mg+DNG 2-3mg (n=20), EE 0.03mg+DNG 2mg (n=20) and DNG 2mg (n=19) were used continuously for nine weeks. Blood samples were drawn at baseline, and at 5 and 9 weeks. Main Outcome Measures EV+DNG suppressed FSH by -27% (-51:-3) (median [95%CI]) vs. EE+DNG, -64% (-78: -51), P=0.04, but AMH levels decreased similarly by -9% (-18: -0.1) vs. -13% (-28:0.2), P=0.38, respectively. EV+DNG increased SHBG levels by 56% (30:82) and EE+DNG by 385% (313:423), PPeer reviewe

Ethinylestradiol in combined hormonal contraceptive has a broader effect on serum proteome compared with estradiol valerate : a randomized controlled trial

STUDY QUESTION: Does an estradiol-based combined oral contraceptive (COC) have a milder effect on the serum proteome than an ethinylestradiol (EE)-based COC or dienogest (DNG) only?SUMMARY ANSWER: The changes in serum proteome were multifold after the use of a synthetic EE-based COC compared to natural estrogen COC or progestin-only preparation.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: EE-based COCs widely affect metabolism, inflammation, hepatic protein synthesis and blood coagulation. Studies comparing serum proteomes after the use of COCs containing EE and natural estrogens are lacking.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This was a spin-off from a randomized, controlled, two-center clinical trial. Women (n = 59) were randomized to use either EE thorn DNG, estradiol valerate (EV) thorn DNG or DNG only continuously for 9 weeks.PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Participants were healthy, young, white volunteer women. Serum samples were collected before and after 9 weeks of hormonal exposure. Samples from 44 women were available for analysis (EE thorn DNG n = 14, EV thorn DNG n = 16 and DNG only n = 14). Serum proteins were analyzed by quantitative, discovery-type label-free proteomics.MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Altogether, 446 proteins/protein families with two or more unique peptides were detected and quantified. The number of proteins/families that altered over the 9-week period within the study groups was 121 for EE thorn DNG and 5 for EV thorn DNG, while no changes were detected for DNG only. When alterations were compared between the groups, significant differences were detected for 63 proteins/protein families, of which 58 were between the EE thorn DNG and EV thorn DNG groups. The most affected functions during the use of EE thorn DNG were the complement system, acute phase response signaling, metabolism and the coagulation system. The results were validated by fetuin-B and cortisol-binding globulin ELISA and sex hormone-binding globulin immunoassay.LARGE SCALE DATA: Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifiers PXD033617 (low abundance fraction) and PXD033618 (high abundance fraction).LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: The power analysis of the trial was not based on the proteomic analysis of this spin-off study. In the future, targeted proteomic analysis with samples from another trial should be carried out in order to confirm the results.WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The EE-based COC exerted a broader effect on the serum proteome than the EV-based COC or the DNG-only preparation. These results demonstrate that the effects of EE in COCs go far beyond the established endpoint markers of estrogen action, while the EV combination is closer to the progestin-only preparation. The study indicates that EV could provide a preferable option to EE in COCs in the future and signals a need for further studies comparing the clinical health outcomes of COCs containing EE and natural estrogens.Peer reviewe

Using Biographical Texts as Linked Data for Prosopographical Research and Applications

This paper argues that representing texts as semantic Linked Data provides a useful basis for analyzing their contents in Digital Humanities research and for Cultural Heritage application development. The idea is to transform Cultural Heritage texts into a knowledge graph and a Linked Data service that can be used flexibly in different applications via a SPARQL endpoint. The argument is discussed and evaluated in the context of biographical and prosopographical research and a case study where over 13 000 life stories form biographical collections of Biographical Centre of the Finnish Literature Society were transformed into RDF, enriched by data linking, and published in a SPARQL endpoint. Tools for biography and prosopography, data clustering, network analysis, and linguistic analysis were created with promising first results.Peer reviewe

Evaluating housing quality, health and safety using an Internet-based data collection and response system: a cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Typically housing and health surveys are not integrated together and therefore are not representative of population health or national housing stocks. In addition, the existing channels for distributing information about housing and health issues to the general public are limited. The aim of this study was to develop a data collection and response system that would allow us to assess the Finnish housing stock from the points of view of quality, health and safety, and also to provide a tool to distribute information about important housing health and safety issues.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The data collection and response system was tested with a sample of 3000 adults (one per household), who were randomly selected from the Finnish Population Register Centre. Spatial information about the exact location of the residences (i.e. coordinates) was included in the database inquiry. People could participate either by completing and returning a paper questionnaire or by completing the same questionnaire via the Internet. The respondents did not receive any compensation for their time in completing the questionnaire.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>This article describes the data collection and response system and presents the main results of the population-based testing of the system. A total of 1312 people (response rate 44%) answered the questionnaire, though only 80 answered via the Internet. A third of the respondents had indicated they wanted feedback. Albeit a majority (>90%) of the respondents reported being satisfied or quite satisfied with their residence, there were a number of prevalent housing issues identified that can be related to health and safety.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The collected database can be used to evaluate the quality of the housing stock in terms of occupant health and safety, and to model its association with occupant health and well-being. However, it must be noted that all the health outcomes gathered in this study are self-reported. A follow-up study is needed to evaluate whether the occupants acted on the feedback they received. Relying solely on an Internet-based questionnaire for collecting data would not appear to provide an adequate response rate for random population-based surveys at this point in time.</p

Healthy people in healthy premises: the Finnish Indoor Air and Health Programme 2018-2028

Clean and fresh indoor air supports health and well-being. However, indoor air can contain pollutants that can cause a variety of symptoms and reduce well-being. Individual exposure agents can also increase the risk of certain diseases. Finns have taken major steps to improve the quality of indoor air for several decades. The primary focus of these activities has been the prevention and reduction of exposure to poor indoor air quality through guidance and regulation directing remediation of damaged buildings. Nevertheless, reported symptoms related to poor indoor air quality are common in Finland. In addition to exposure to indoor air pollutants, this may be partly due to the lively public discussion on the health risks caused by poor indoor air quality, conflicting views between experts, and mistrust towards public authorities, building owners and builders. Because of the scale of the indoor air problems in Finland, people's needs for reliable information and support, and the major costs involved, there is a call for new evidence-based methods, perspectives and solutions. Therefore, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare initiated the Finnish Indoor Air and Health Programme 2018-2028 together with a number of collaborators and stakeholders. The primary, long-term objective of the programme is to reduce hazards to health and well-being linked to indoor environments in Finland. To fulfill this objective, the programme will focus on the promotion of human health and well-being, the prevention of hazards, improved communication and engage the whole health-care sector to manage better patients ' symptoms and complaints. The 10-year Finnish Indoor Air and Health Programme consists of four areas that aim (1) to increase understanding of the effects of indoor environments on health and well-being; (2) to develop the management of problems linked to indoor environments; (3) to improve the treatment and working and functional capacity of people with symptoms and illnesses; and (4) to strengthen the competence in matters related to indoor environments. The progress of the programme and reaching the predefined, quantitative goals will be monitored throughout the programme

On magnetometer heading updates for inertial pedestrian navigation system

A magnetometer is often used to aid heading estimation of a low-cost Inertial Pedestrian Navigation System (IPNS) without which the latter will not be able to accurately estimate heading for more than a few seconds, even with the help of Zero Velocity Update (ZVU). Heading measurements from the magnetometer are typically integrated with gyro heading in an estimation filter such as Kalman Filter (KF) — to best estimate the true IPNS heading, resulting in a better positioning accuracy. However indoors the reliability of these measurements is often questionable because of the magnetic disturbances that can disrupt the measurements. To solve this problem, a filtering method is often used to select the best measurements. However, the importance of the frequency of these measurement updates has not been highlighted. In this paper, the impact of frequency of magnetometer updates on the overall accuracy of the navigation system is presented. The paper starts by discussing the use of a magnetometer in a low-cost IPNS. An exemplary filter to extract reliable heading measurements from the magnetometer is then described. From real field trial results, it will be shown that even if reliable heading measurements may be obtained indoors, it is still insufficient to increase the positioning accuracy of the low-cost IPNS unless it is reliable on every epoch