Assessing risk discourses: Nano S&T in the Global South

Nano science and technology (nano S&T) has potential to change our lives for the better, but at the same time, it causes also a significant amount of concern in terms of related health, environmental, ethical and societal risks. It is increasingly recognized that addressing these concerns requires appropriate governance of nano S&T, which should arguably involve a number of different stakeholders, including various publics. Nano S&T is seen as having particular positive and negative implications in the Global South, and it appears that discourses around such issues in the South have not yet been systemically researched. This paper will therefore investigate nano S&T discourses in South Africa, India, Hong Kong and Kenya by analysing newspaper media in these countries. Most nano S&T media studies done previously in the Global North have looked at the risk-opportunity dichotomy, but here a somewhat different approach is taken by testing concepts such as risk actions and complexity in the context of media discourse analysis. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, this paper will examine which risk actions are prominent in the newspaper stories, analyse the complexities included in the discourse, as well as the general framing of nano S&T. Trends over the last decade will also be investigated. Finally, the results from the included countries will be compared with each other, as well as with similar studies done in the North. This paper will argue, firstly, that, although they share some features, media discourses around nano S&T in the South and the North vary considerably. Secondly, a more methodological argument will also be made. Looking at risk actions and complexities included in various discourses is potentially an interesting analytical method, which could contribute to analysing risk discourses and to successful and inclusive risk governance in general, also regarding other global risk issues.nano S&T, governance, Global South, risk assessment, risk awareness, risk

Environmental innovation: Using qualitative models to identify indicators for policy

Environmental innovation is an essential part of a knowledge based economy, as environmental innovation makes economies more efficient by encouraging and facilitating the use of fewer material or energy inputs per unit of output. In this respect, environmental innovation replaces material inputs with knowledge. Environmental innovation should also result in fewer externalities, or negative environmental impacts, which affect our health and well-being, also in terms of global climate change. Technology shifts caused by technological breakthroughs, rapid changes in demand for resources, or environmental imperatives could also impel societies to invest more heavily in research on how to use energy and other resources more efficiently. The main goal of this paper is to explore and identify relevant indicators for environmental innovation that could be used to develop innovation policy for all economic sectors, as well as for the field of environmental technologies. This is done firstly with the help of a qualitative model presenting the eco-innovation chain. Based on both literature and our data analysis, our chosen key indicators include measures on: environmental regulations and venture capital for the eco-industry; environmental publications, patents and business R&D; eco-industry exports and FDI; sales from environmentally beneficial innovation across sectors; and environmental impacts related to energy intensity and resource productivity of economies. Finding key eco-innovation indicators related to such factors is important for policy makers, as environmental innovation policy is required to counter the two market failures associated with environmental pollution and the innovation and diffusion of new technologies.Environmental innovation, environmental goods and services, innovation indicators, CIS, environmental impacts, European Union

The role of discourses in a transformation of social practices towards sustainability : the case of meat eating related practices

Social practice theories help challenge the often hidden paradigms, worldviews and values at the basis of many unsustainable practices. However, practice theoretical research can also struggle to provide useful results for policymaking. Connected to social practices, discourses and their boundaries define what is seen as possible, what the range of issues and their solutions are. By exploring the connections between practices and discourses - where paradigms, worldviews and values are represented through cognitive frames a this thesis develops, firstly, a conceptual approach to help enable purposive change in unsustainable social practices. This is done in an interdisciplinary manner integrating different literatures. Secondly, the thesis takes the current meat system as a central theme. Radical transformation towards new meatways is arguably necessary, yet complex psychological, ideological and power related mechanisms currently inhibit change. Discourses are explored for answers

Varhaisten matemaattisten taitojen harjoittaminen: matematiikkaspesifiä vai yleistä kognitiivista harjoitusta?

Peer reviewe

Factors limiting microbial N2O and CO2 production in a cultivated peatland overlying an acid sulphate subsoil derived from black schist

Factors limiting the production of the greenhouse gases nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) were investigated in three incubation experiments conducted with soil from top- and subsoil horizons of a peatland which had an acid sulphate mineral subsoil derived from black schists. The effect of moisture was investigated by equilibrating undisturbed soil samples from three horizons (H-2, Cg and Cr) at -10, -60 or -100 cm matric potential and measuring the gas production. In the second experiment, the effects of temperature and various substrates were studied by incubating disturbed soil samples in aerobic conditions at 5 or 20 degrees C, and measuring basal respiration and N2O production before and after adding water, glucose or ammonium into the soil. In the third experiment, the effects of added glucose and/or nitrate on the denitrification in soil samples from four horizons (H1, H2, Cg and Cr were investigated by acetylene inhibition and monitoring of N2O production during a 48-h anaerobic incubation. The production of CO2 in the topmost peat horizon was largest at -10 cm matric potential, and it was larger than those in the mineral subsoil also at -60 and -100 cm potentials. In contrast, drainage seemed to increase N2O production, whereas in the wettest condition the production of N2O in the mineral subsoil was small and the peat horizon was a sink of N2O. Lowering of temperature (from 20 degrees C to 5 degrees C) decreased CO2 production, as expected, but it had almost no role in the production of N2O in aerobic conditions. Glucose addition increased the aerobic production of CO2 in peat, but it had a minor effect in the mineral horizons. Lack of C source (glucose) was limiting anaerobic N2O production in the uppermost peat horizon, while in all other horizons, nitrate proved to be the most limiting factor. It is concluded that peatlands with black schist derived acid sulphate subsoil horizons, such as in this study, have high microbial activity in the peaty topsoil horizons but little microbial activity in the mineral subsoil. These findings are contrary to previous results obtained in sediment-derived acid sulphate soils.Peer reviewe

Working memory resources in children: stability and relation to subsequent academic skills

This study aimed to investigate the extent to which WM measured in kindergarten predictsWM measured in second grade (stability of individual WM progress), and the extent to whichWM measured at kindergarten predicts academic performance at second grade (N = 94). Theresults showed that WM skills significantly increase during the time span from Finnishkindergarten to second grade. Verbal (VWM) and visuospatial WM (VSWM) resources seemto develop quite independently, whereas individual progress showed some stability. WMresources measured just before the start of formal school predicted later academicperformance, and VWM acted as more powerful predictor than VSWM resources. The resultshave two important educational implications: first, individual or group-based interventiondesigned to enhance children’s WM skills would be most important even before the start ofschool, and second, poor WM skills should be addressed when planning the learningenvironment beginning in kindergarten.</p

Oncograms Visualize Factors Influencing Long-Term Survival of Cancer Patients Treated with Adenoviral Oncolytic Immunotherapy

The first US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)- and EMA-approved oncolytic virus has been available since 2015. However, there are no markers available that would predict benefit for the individual patient. During 2007-2012, we treated 290 patients with advanced chemotherapy-refractory cancers, using 10 different oncolytic adenoviruses. Treatments were given in a Finnish Medicines Agency (FIMEA)-regulated individualized patient treatment program (the Advanced Therapy Access Program [ATAP]), which required long-term follow-up of patients, which is presented here. Focusing on the longest surviving patients, some key clinical and biological features are presented as "oncograms." Some key attributes that could be captured in the oncogram are suggested to predict treatment response and survival after oncolytic adenovirus treatment. The oncogram includes immunological laboratory parameters assessed in peripheral blood (leukocytes, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, interleukin-8 [IL-81, HMGB1, antiviral neutralizing antibody status), features of the patient (gender, performance status), tumor features (histological tumor type, tumor load, region of metastases), and oncolytic virus-specific features (arming of the virus). The retrospective approach used here facilitates verification in a prospective controlled trial setting. To our knowledge, the oncogram is the first holistic attempt to identify the patients most likely to benefit from adenoviral oncolytic virotherapy.Peer reviewe

Biodistribution Analysis of Oncolytic Adenoviruses in Patient Autopsy Samples Reveals Vascular Transduction of Noninjected Tumors and Tissues

In clinical trials with oncolytic adenoviruses, there has been no mortality associated with treatment vectors. Likewise, in the Advanced Therapy Access Program (ATAP), where 290 patients were treated with 10 different viruses, no vector-related mortality was observed. However, as the patient population who received adenovirus treatments in ATAP represented heavily pretreated patients, often with very advanced disease, some patients died relatively soon after receiving their virus treatment mandating autopsy to investigate cause of death. Eleven such autopsies were performed and confirmed disease progression as the cause of death in each case. The regulatory requirement for investigating the safety of advanced therapy medical products presented a unique opportunity to study tissue samples collected as a routine part of the autopsies. Oncolytic adenoviral DNA was recovered in a wide range of tissues, including injected and noninjected tumors and various normal tissues, demonstrating the ability of the vector to disseminate through the vascular route. Furthermore, we recovered and cultured viable virus from samples of noninjected brain metastases of an intravenously treated patient, confirming that oncolytic adenovirus can reach tumors through the intravascular route. Data presented here give mechanistic insight into mode of action and biodistribution of oncolytic adenoviruses in cancer patients.Peer reviewe

Case-Control Estimation of the Impact of Oncolytic Adenovirus on the Survival of Patients With Refractory Solid Tumors

Peer reviewe

STRN-ALK rearranged pediatric malignant peritoneal mesothelioma - Functional testing of 527 cancer drugs in patient-derived cancer cells

Genetic rearrangements involving the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene create oncogenic drivers for several cancers, including malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPeM). Here, we report genomic and functional precision oncology profiling on a rare case of a 5-year old patient diagnosed with wide-spread and aggressive MPeM, driven by STRN-ALK rearrangement. We established genomically representative patient-derived cancer cells (PDCs) from the tumor sample and performed high-throughput drug sensitivity testing with 527 oncology compounds to identify potent inhibitors. As expected, the PDCs were overall sensitive to the ALK inhibitors, although the eight different inhibitors tested had variable efficacy. We also discovered other effective inhibitors, such as MEK/ERK inhibitors and those targeting pathways downstream of ALK as well as Bcl-xl inhibitors. In contrast, most cytotoxic drugs were not very effective. ALK inhibitors synergized with MEK and PI3K/mTOR inhibitors, highlighting potential combinatorial strategies to enhance drug efficacy and tackle drug resistance. Based on genomic data and associated functional validation, the patient was treated with the ALK inhibitor crizotinib in combination with conventional chemotherapy (cisplatin and gemcitabine). A complete disease remission was reached, lasting now for over 3 years. Our results illustrate a rare pediatric cancer case, and highlight the potential of functional precision oncology to discover pathogenetic drivers, validate dependency on driver signals, compare different inhibitors against each other and potentially enhance targeted treatments by drug combinations. Such real-time implementation of functional precision oncology could pave the way towards safer and more effective personalized cancer therapies for individual pediatric cancer patients with rare tumors.Peer reviewe