Characterisation of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the freshwater bryozoan Fredericella sultana

Eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from massively parallel next-generation sequencing data and tested in three populations (74 individuals) of the colonial freshwater bryozoan Fredericella sultana. Up to 13 alleles per locus were found and all loci were polymorphic in all populations. Minimum of three loci were sufficient to distinguish all unique multilocus genotypes. These highly variable markers are suitable for clonal identity assignment based on unique multilocus genotypes and provide tools for resolving fine scale population structure in a species characterised by clonal, vegetative growth and asexual reproductio

Magnetic effects in a holographic Fermi-like liquid

We explore the magnetic properties of the Fermi-like liquid represented by the D3-D7' system. The system exhibits interesting magnetic properties such as ferromagnetism and an anomalous Hall effect, which are due to the Chern-Simons term in the effective gravitational action. We investigate the spectrum of quasi-normal modes in the presence of a magnetic field and show that the magnetic field mitigates the instability towards a striped phase. In addition, we find a critical magnetic field above which the zero sound mode becomes massive.Comment: 18 pages, 15 figure

Striped instability of a holographic Fermi-like liquid

We consider a holographic description of a system of strongly-coupled fermions in 2+1 dimensions based on a D7-brane probe in the background of D3-branes. The black hole embedding represents a Fermi-like liquid. We study the excitations of the Fermi liquid system. Above a critical density which depends on the temperature, the system becomes unstable towards an inhomogeneous modulated phase which is similar to a charge density and spin wave state. The essence of this instability can be effectively described by a Maxwell-axion theory with a background electric field. We also consider the fate of zero sound at non-zero temperature.Comment: 16 pages, 9 figures; v2: added discussion and one figure. Typos correcte

The varying burden of depressive symptoms across adulthood : Results from six NHANES cohorts

Background: Depressive symptoms differ from each other in the degree of functional impairment they cause. The incidence of depression varies across the adult lifespan. We examined whether age moderates the impairment caused by depressive symptoms. Methods: The study sample (n = 21,056) was adults drawn from six multistage probability samples from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey series (NHANES, years 2005-2016) conducted in the United States using cross-sectional, representative cohorts. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). We used regression models to predict high functional impairment, while controlling for sociodemographic variables and physical disorders. Results: Age moderated the association between depressive symptoms and functional impairment: middle-aged adults perceived moderate and severe symptoms as more impairing than did others. Older adults reported slightly higher impairment due to mild symptoms. The individual symptoms of low mood, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, and concentration difficulties were more strongly related to high impairment in mid-adulthood as compared to early and late adulthood. Limitations: Cross-sectional data allows only between-person comparisons. The PHQ-9 is brief and joins compound symptoms into single items. There was no information available concerning comorbid mental disorders. Co-occurring physical disorders were self-reported. Conclusions: Symptoms of depression may imply varying levels of impairment at different ages. The results suggest a need for age adjustments when estimating the functional impact of depression in the general population. Additionally, they show a need for more accurate assessments of depression-related impairment at older ages. Evidence-based programs may generally benefit from symptom- and age-specific findings.Peer reviewe

At-risk and problem gambling among Finnish youth : The examination of risky alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, mental health and loneliness as gender-specific correlates

AIMS - The aims were to compare past-year at-risk and problem gambling (ARPG) and other at-risk behaviours (computer gaming, risky alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking) by age and gender, and to explore how ARPG is associated with risky alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, poor mental health and loneliness in males and females. DESIGN - Data from respondents aged 15-28 (n = 822) were derived from a cross-sectional random sample of population-based data (n = 4484). The data were collected in 2011-2012 by telephone interviews. The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI, score >= 2) was used to evaluate ARPG. Prevalence rates for risk behaviours were compared for within gender-specific age groups. Regression models were gender-specific. RESULTS - The proportion of at-risk and problem gamblers was higher among males than females in all age groups except among 18-21-year-olds, while frequent computer gaming was higher among males in all age groups. The odds ratio (95% CI) of being a male ARPGer was 2.57 (1.40-4.74) for risky alcohol consumption; 1.95 (1.07-3.56) for tobacco smoking; 2.63 (0.96-7.26) for poor mental health; and 4.41 (1.20-16.23) for feeling lonely. Likewise, the odds ratio (95% CI) of being a female ARPGer was 1.19 (0.45-3.12) for risky alcohol consumption; 4.01 (1.43-11.24) for tobacco smoking; 0.99 (0.18-5.39) for poor mental health; and 6.46 (1.42-29.34) for feeling lonely. All 95% CIs of ARPG correlates overlapped among males and females. CONCLUSIONS - Overall, past-year at-risk and problem gambling and computer gaming seem to be more common among males than females; however, for risky alcohol consumption similar gender differences were evident only for the older half of the sample. No clear gender differences were seen in correlates associated with ARPG.Peer reviewe

Integrating Cover Crops in High Tunnel Crop Production

High tunnels are plastic-covered, passively ventilated and heated structures where crops are grown directly in soil. They have become important tools for Iowa specialty crop producers to increase production of quality crops, extend the season, and increase profitability. The environment in a high tunnel, without rainfall, limited space, and potential climate control requires a unique set of crop management skills. High tunnel production is primarily dominated by tomatoes. Interest among growers focuses on year-round production in high tunnels. A cohesive and focused approach is needed to tackle issues that arise due to continuous production under these structures. One emerging issue is the intensive use of fertilizers to manage crop nutrient demand and the lack of crop rotation within high tunnels. This could lead to problems such as high salt build up, resurgence of soil-borne and foliar diseases, poor soil structure, lack of microbial diversity, and reduced crop yields

Associations between specific depressive symptoms and psychosocial functioning in psychotherapy

Background: Psychotherapy for depression aims to reduce symptoms and to improve psychosocial functioning. We examined whether some symptoms are more important than others in the association between depression and functioning over the course of psychotherapy treatment.Methods: We studied associations between specific symptoms of depression (PHQ-9) and change in social and occupational functioning (SOFAS), both with structural equation models (considering liabilities of depression and each specific symptom) and with logistic regression models (considering the risk for individual patients). The study sample consisted of adult patients (n symbolscript 771) from the Finnish Psychotherapy Quality Registry (FPQR) who completed psychotherapy treatment between September 2018 and September 2021.Results: Based on our results of logistic regression analyses and SEM models, the baseline measures of depression symptoms were not associated with changes in functioning. Changes in depressed mood or hopelessness, problems with sleep, feeling tired, and feeling little interest or pleasure were associated with improved func-tioning during psychotherapy. The strongest evidence for symptom-specific effects was found for the symptom of depressed mood or hopelessness. Limitations: Due to our naturalistic study design containing only two measurement points, we were unable to study the causal relationship between symptoms and functioning. Conclusions: Changes in certain symptoms during psychotherapy may affect functioning independently of un-derlying depression. Knowledge about the dynamics between symptoms and functioning could be used in treatment planning or implementation. Depressed mood or hopelessness appears to have a role in the dynamic relationship between depression and functioning.Peer reviewe

”Kun kaikki on hiljaa tai vähän puhutaan niin on hyvä työrauha”:oppilaiden näkökulma työrauhaan kirjoitelmien perusteella

Tiivistelmä. Tutkimuksessa selvitettiin kuudesluokkalaisten oppilaiden käsityksiä hyvästä ja huonosta työrauhasta kirjoitelmien avulla. Tarkoituksena oli kartoittaa, miten oppilaiden käsitykset työrauhasta suhteutuvat työrauhaan liittyvään teoriaan ja aiemmin tehtyihin tutkimuksiin. Nykykäsitys työrauhasta on syntynyt jo 80-luvulla. Sen mukaan työrauhan kokeminen on subjektiivista ja määrittely tilannesidonnaista. Työrauhan tavoitteena on luoda hyvät lähtökohdat oppimiselle ja työskentelylle. Työrauha nähdään nykyään pikemminkin tavoitteiden saavuttamisena kuin hiljaisuuden vaatimuksena. Oppiminen ei välttämättä edes onnistu parhaiten hiljaisessa luokassa, vaan työskentelyn äänet voivat olla luokassa suotavia. Tutkimukseen osallistui erään Oulussa sijaitsevan koulun kaksi kuudetta luokkaa. Aineisto koostui yhteensä 35 oppilaan kirjoitelmasta. Tutkimus oli laadullinen ja lähestymistavaltaan fenomenografinen. Tutkimus kohdistui yhteen kouluun, joten kyseessä oli tapaustutkimus. Aineisto analysoitiin teoriaohjaavasti sisällönanalyysin menetelmällä. Aikaisempien tutkimusten mukaan useilla eri tekijöillä on vaikutusta työrauhaan ja monet eri syyt voivat aiheuttaa työrauhahäiriöitä. Keskeisiä työrauhaan vaikuttavia tekijöitä ovat opettaja, oppilas, opettaja-oppilas-suhde ja ilmapiiri. Tärkeimmät välineet työrauhan ylläpitämiseen ovat niitä, joita opettaja käyttää jo ennen kuin mitään ongelmia ehtii syntyä. Opettajan auktoriteetin rakentuminen on tärkeä työrauhan ylläpitämisessä. Opettajan auktoriteetin perustana ovat opettajan virka-asema, hyvät suhteet oppilaisiin ja hyvä opetus. Oppilailla on oltava myös mahdollisuus osallistua ja vaikuttaa heitä koskeviin asioihin. Kun oppilaiden annetaan tehdä valintoja ja nähdä myös niiden seuraukset, samalla heidän itsehallintataitonsa kehittyvät. Työrauhahäiriöiden syitä voidaan etsiä yhteiskunnasta, koulusta, kodista, opettajista, tovereista ja oppilaista itsestään. Työrauhahäiriöiden yleisimpiä aiheuttajia ovat opettajan puutteelliset opetus- ja ryhmänhallintataidot, heikot oppilaiden väliset suhteet, oppilaiden ja opettajan väliset ristiriidat ja mielekkään työskentelyn puuttuminen. Oppilaskohtaisia syitä työrauhahäiriöiden synnyssä ovat koulumenestys, sukupuoli, asenteet ja persoonallisuuden piirteet. Myös tässä tutkimuksessa nousi esille useita työrauhaan vaikuttavia tekijöitä, kuten opettaja, oppiaine ja työmuodot. Kuitenkin oppilaiden käsitys siitä, mitä hyvä työrauha tarkoittaa, vaikutti melko suppealta aineiston perusteella. Oppilaat liittivät hyvään työrauhaan tyypillisesti rauhallisuuden, hiljaisuuden ja keskittymisen. Oppilaiden mukaan hyvä työrauha toteutuu usein silloin, kun he työskentelevät yksin. Opettajan rooli korostui huonoon työrauhaan liittyvissä kirjoitelmissa. Tutkimuksen tulokset osoittivat, että oppilaat odottavat opettajan huolehtivan työrauhan ylläpitämisestä. Tämä näkyi esimerkiksi siinä, että opettajan hetkellinen poistuminen luokasta saattoi oppilaiden mukaan johtaa työrauhan heikkenemiseen. Tutkimuksen tarkoituksena ei ollut pyrkiä tilastolliseen yleistettävyyteen, vaan nostaa esille oppilaiden erilaisia käsityksiä hyvästä ja huonosta työrauhasta. Tutkimuksen luotettavuutta lisäsi se, että sen eteneminen kuvattiin tarkasti ja tulokset raportoitiin huolellisesti

Preoperative hemoglobin count and prognosis of esophageal cancer, a population-based nationwide study in Finland

BackgroundThe prognostic value of preoperative hemoglobin in patients undergoing esophagectomy is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine whether preoperative hemoglobin is associated with prognosis in patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer.Materials and methodsThis was a population-based nationwide retrospective cohort study in Finland, using Finnish National Esophago-Gastric Cancer Cohort (FINEGO). Esophagectomy patients with available preoperative hemoglobin measurement were included. Multivariable cox regression provided hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusted for calendar period of surgery, age at surgery, sex, comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index), tumor histology, tumor stage, neoadjuvant therapy, type of surgery (minimally invasive or open) and annual hospital volume.ResultsOf the 1313 patients, 932 (71.0%) were men and 799 (60.9%) had esophageal adenocarcinoma. Overall all-cause mortality was significantly higher in the lowest hemoglobin count tertile (HR 1.26 (1.07–1.47)) compared to the highest tertile, but this association was attenuated after adjustment for confounding. No differences were found between the preoperative hemoglobin groups in the adjusted analyses of 90-day all-cause, 5-year all-cause, and 5-year cancer-specific mortality.ConclusionIn this population-based nationwide study, preoperative hemoglobin count had no independent prognostic significance in esophageal cancer.KeywordsHemoglobin; Esophageal cancer; Esophagectomy; Mortality; Prognosis</p

Gene Duplication and Gain in the Trematode Atriophallophorus winterbourni Contributes to Adaptation to Parasitism.

Gene duplications and novel genes have been shown to play a major role in helminth adaptation to a parasitic lifestyle because they provide the novelty necessary for adaptation to a changing environment, such as living in multiple hosts. Here we present the de novo sequenced and annotated genome of the parasitic trematode Atriophallophorus winterbourni and its comparative genomic analysis to other major parasitic trematodes. First, we reconstructed the species phylogeny, and dated the split of A. winterbourni from the Opisthorchiata suborder to approximately 237.4 Ma (±120.4 Myr). We then addressed the question of which expanded gene families and gained genes are potentially involved in adaptation to parasitism. To do this, we used hierarchical orthologous groups to reconstruct three ancestral genomes on the phylogeny leading to A. winterbourni and performed a GO (Gene Ontology) enrichment analysis of the gene composition of each ancestral genome, allowing us to characterize the subsequent genomic changes. Out of the 11,499 genes in the A. winterbourni genome, as much as 24% have arisen through duplication events since the speciation of A. winterbourni from the Opisthorchiata, and as much as 31.9% appear to be novel, that is, newly acquired. We found 13 gene families in A. winterbourni to have had more than ten genes arising through these recent duplications; all of which have functions potentially relating to host behavioral manipulation, host tissue penetration, and hiding from host immunity through antigen presentation. We identified several families with genes evolving under positive selection. Our results provide a valuable resource for future studies on the genomic basis of adaptation to parasitism and point to specific candidate genes putatively involved in antagonistic host-parasite adaptation