Peers as Teachers in Physical Education Hip Hop Classes in Finnish High School

In this case study, theoretically rooted in peer-assisted learning (PAL), ten female high school students, acting as peer teachers, taught hip hop dance in a voluntary physical education course. The data, derived from questionnaires and interviews with the peer teachers, were analysed using content analysis. The results showed that the peer teachers considered dance an important subject in the weekly curriculum. On the one hand, peer teachers enjoyed the freedom of making the class look like their own, the fast learning of their students, and the increased self-confidence acquired over the course. On the other hand, most of them were self-critical and felt ashamed when making mistakes. They also felt uncomfortable teaching same-aged or slightly older peers, and were surprised at the unwelcoming and rather arrogant attitude of their students. This article illustrates not only the difficulties that a peer-teaching experiment can encounter, but also the value of peer teaching in offering positive experiences and engaging students in school PE through urban youth culture

Athletic identity affects prevalence and disclosure of emotional abuse in Finnish athletes

The present study offers novel insight into the topic of experienced and observed emotional abuse by researching factors that affect athletes' responses to emotional abuse by coaches. The research aimed to explore three main questions: (1) whether athletic identity was associated with the prevalence of emotionally abusive coaching practices, and (2) disclosure of emotional abuse, and (3) whether demographic variations existed in the frequency of emotional abuse, athletic identity, and disclosure of the abuse. Study participants who filled in an anonymous digital survey consisted of athletes from elite to leisure levels living in Finland (N = 3687, aged 12–80, gender 61% female, 37.7% male, 0.8% other genders). The research findings highlighted three key insights. Firstly, Pearson correlations revealed that a salient athletic identity was related to a higher prevalence of emotional abuse. Secondly, ANOVA/Kruskal-Wallis tests between-groups indicated that particularly children were susceptible to the abuse. Thirdly, a mediation analysis showed that self-identity (aspect of athletic identity) influenced the relationship between experienced emotional abuse and disclosure, by reducing disclosure. As a result, holistic identity development is recommended for athletes and particularly children in sports

Cultivation of forage maize in boreal conditions – assessment of trade-offs between increased productivity and environmental impact

The cultivation of whole crop forage maize (Zea mays L.) for cattle feed has a potential for increased forage yield while reducing nitrogen (N) fertilization compared to perennial grass-based systems. However, the possible environmental trade-offs of forage maize cultivation remain unknown in the boreal region due to the short growing season which limits cultivation practices. The aim of this study was to compare the environmental impact of forage maize with more widely cultivated forage crops in Finland that include perennial silage grass mixtures and whole crop spring cereal harvested as silage. The use of plastic mulch film in forage maize cultivation was included in the assessment as well. A life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted including impact categories for global warming potential; marine and freshwater eutrophication; terrestrial acidification; freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecotoxicity; land use; and fossil resource depletion. Additionally, soil organic carbon (SOC) stock changes under long-term cultivation of the studied forage crops were simulated with the C-TOOL and Yasso20 models with methodological comparisons. The only clear differences between the studied crops were that the land use was lower (-26–48%) for forage maize, and the freshwater eutrophication (+59–67%) and terrestrial acidification (+10–57%) were higher for perennial grasses compared with other forages. A risk for decreased SOC stock under continuous forage maize cultivation was observed. Forage maize could be used to supplement perennial grass cultivation without major associated environmental risks. Future research shall be conducted on the effect of forage choices on the environmental impact of boreal dairy milk production and on decreasing the current high uncertainty associated with nitrous oxide (N2O) emission factors and SOC stock modelling choices

The Effects of Intensive Weight Reduction on Body Composition and Serum Hormones in Female Fitness Competitors

Worries about the potential negative consequences of popular fat loss regimens for aesthetic purposes in normal weight females have been surfacing in the media. However, longitudinal studies investigating these kinds of diets are lacking. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of a 4-month fat-loss diet in normal weight females competing in fitness-sport. In total 50 participants finished the study with 27 females (27.2 +/- 4.1 years) dieting for a competition and 23 (27.7 +/- 3.7 years) acting as weight-stable controls. The energy deficit of the diet group was achieved by reducing carbohydrate intake and increasing aerobic exercise while maintaining a high level of protein intake and resistance training in addition to moderate fat intake. The diet led to a similar to 12% decrease in body weight (P <0.001) and a similar to 3550% decrease in fat mass (DXA, bioimpedance, skinfolds, P <0.001) whereas the control group maintained their body and fat mass (diet x group interaction P <0.001). A small decrease in lean mass (bioimpedance and skinfolds) and in vastus lateralis muscle cross-sectional area (ultrasound) were observed in diet (P <0.05), whereas other results were unaltered (DXA: lean mass, ultrasound: triceps brachii thickness). The hormonal system was altered during the diet with decreased serum concentrations of leptin, triiodothyronine (T3), testosterone (P <0.001), and estradiol (P <0.01) coinciding with an increased incidence of menstrual irregularities (P <0.05). Body weight and all hormones except T3 and testosterone returned to baseline during a 34 month recovery period including increased energy intake and decreased levels aerobic exercise. This study shows for the first time that most of the hormonal changes after a 3550% decrease in body fat in previously normal-weight females can recover within 34 months of increased energy intake.Peer reviewe

4D Flow Versus 2D Phase Contrast MRI in Populations With Bi- and Tricuspid Aortic Valves

Aim: To compare 4D flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 2D phase contrast (PC) MRI when evaluating bicuspid (BAV) and tricuspid (TAV) aortic valves. Materials and Methods: A total of 83 subjects (35 BAV, 48 TAV) were explored with 4D flow and 2D PC MRI. Systolic peak velocity, peak flow and regurgitation fraction were analysed at two pre-defined aortic levels (aortic root, mid-tubular). Furthermore, the two methods of 4D flow analysis (Heart and Artery) were compared. Results: Correlation between the 2D PC MRI and 4D flow MRI derived parameters ranged from moderate (R=0.58) to high (R=0.90). 4D flow MRI yielded significantly higher peak velocities in the tubular aorta in both groups. Regarding the aortic root, peak velocities were significantly higher in the TAV group with 4D flow MRI, but in the BAV group 4D flow MRI yielded non-significantly lower values. Findings on peak flow differences between the two modalities followed the same pattern as the differences in peak velocities. 4D flow MRI derived regurgitation fraction values were lower in both locations in both groups. Interobserver agreement for different 4D flow MRI acquired parameters varied from poor (ICC=0.07) to excellent (ICC=1.0) in the aortic root, and it was excellent in the tubular aorta (ICC=0.8-1.0). Conclusion: 4D flow MRI seems to be accurate in comparison to 2D PC MRI in normal aortic valves and in BAV with mild to moderate stenosis. However, the varying interobserver reproducibility and impaired accuracy at higher flow velocities should be taken into account in clinical practice when using the 4D flow method.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Sosiaali-, terveys- ja kuntoutusalan opettajien osaaminen ja sen kehittäminen

Johdanto: Sosiaali-, terveys- ja kuntoutusalan (soteku) toimintaympäristö on jatkuvasti muuttuva ja kehittyvä. Jotta pätevien opettajien saatavuus turvataan myös tulevaisuudessa, tarvitaan jatkuvaa terveystieteiden opettajakoulutuksen uudistamista ja systemaattista sosiaali-, terveys- ja kuntoutusalan opettajien osaamisen kehittämistä.Tarkoitus: TerOpe-hankkeen tarkoituksena oli kehittää valtakunnalliset ja kansainvälisesti vertailukelpoiset soteku-opettajien osaamisvaatimukset, ja luoda osaamisen kehittämisen malli opettajien suunnitelmalliselle, uran aikaiselle osaamisen kehittymiselle. Lisäksi hankkeessa kehitettiin digipedagogiikan verkko-opintojakso ja digitaalinen osaamisverkosto alan opettajille, opettajankouluttajille ja opiskelijoille.Menetelmät: TerOpe-hanke oli kuuden yliopiston ja yhden ammatillisen opettajakorkeakoulun valtakunnallinen kärkihanke, jota rahoitti Opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriö vuosina 2017–2019. Hanke toteutettiin neljässä vaiheessa: 1) Opettajien osaamismallin ja osaamisvaatimusten kehittäminen; 2) Opettajien osaamisen kehittämismallin rakentaminen; 3) ”Digipedagogiikan perusteet sosiaali-, terveys- ja kuntoutusalan koulutuksessa 2 op” -verkko-opintojakson kehittäminen ja pilotointi; 4) Digitaalisen osaamisverkoston kehittäminen ja pilotointi.Tulokset: Hankkeessa kehitettiin näyttöön perustuvasti soteku-opettajien osaamismalli, osaamisvaatimukset, opettajien osaamisen kehittämisen malli, digipedagogiikan verkko-opintojakso sekä digitaalinen osaamisverkosto alan opettajille, opettajankouluttajille ja opiskelijoille. Lisäksi hankkeessa kehitettiin kolme itsearviointimittaria: Sosiaali-, terveys- ja sekä kuntoutusalan opettajan osaaminen (HeSoEduCo), Opettajan jatkuva ammatillinen kehittyminen (EduProDe) ja Opettajan digitaalinen osaaminen (DigCompEduF).Johtopäätökset: Soteku-opettajan osaamismallia ja osaamisvaatimuksia voidaan hyödyntää terveystieteiden opettajankoulutuksen opetussuunnitelmien uudistamisessa valtakunnallisesti, ja yhteisopetuksen ja ristiinopiskelun kehittämisessä terveystieteiden opettajankoulutuksessa. Opettajien osaamisen kehittämismallissa kuvataan monitasoinen lähestymistapa, jonka pohjalta opettajien osaamisen kehittäminen tapahtuu opettajankoulutuksessa, koulutuspoliittisessa päätöksenteossa, koulutusorganisaatioiden strategisella tasolla, opettajien osaamisen lähijohtamisessa sekä yksittäisten opettajien ja opettajatiimien osaamista kehittävässä toiminnassa.</p

Biallelic loss-of-function P4HTM gene variants cause hypotonia, hypoventilation, intellectual disability, dysautonomia, epilepsy, and eye abnormalities (HIDEA syndrome)

Purpose: A new syndrome with hypotonia, intellectual disability, and eye abnormalities (HIDEA) was previously described in a large consanguineous family. Linkage analysis identified the recessive disease locus, and genome sequencing yielded three candidate genes with potentially pathogenic biallelic variants: transketolase (TKT), transmembrane prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4HTM), and ubiquitin specific peptidase 4 (USP4). However, the causative gene remained elusive. Methods: International collaboration and exome sequencing were used to identify new patients with HIDEA and biallelic, potentially pathogenic, P4HTM variants. Segregation analysis was performed using Sanger sequencing. P4H-TM wild-type and variant constructs without the transmembrane region were overexpressed in insect cells and analyzed using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blot. Results: Five different homozygous or compound heterozygous pathogenic P4HTM gene variants were identified in six new and six previously published patients presenting with HIDEA. Hypoventilation, obstructive and central sleep apnea, and dysautonomia were identified as novel features associated with the phenotype. Characterization of three of the P4H-TM variants demonstrated yielding insoluble protein products and, thus, loss-of-function. Conclusions: Biallelic loss-of-function P4HTM variants were shown to cause HIDEA syndrome. Our findings enable diagnosis of the condition, and highlight the importance of assessing the need for noninvasive ventilatory support in patients.Peer reviewe

Biallelic loss-of-function P4HTM gene variants cause hypotonia, hypoventilation, intellectual disability, dysautonomia, epilepsy, and eye abnormalities (HIDEA syndrome)

Purpose: A new syndrome with hypotonia, intellectual disability, and eye abnormalities (HIDEA) was previously described in a large consanguineous family. Linkage analysis identified the recessive disease locus, and genome sequencing yielded three candidate genes with potentially pathogenic biallelic variants: transketolase (TKT), transmembrane prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4HTM), and ubiquitin specific peptidase 4 (USP4). However, the causative gene remained elusive. Methods: International collaboration and exome sequencing were used to identify new patients with HIDEA and biallelic, potentially pathogenic, P4HTM variants. Segregation analysis was performed using Sanger sequencing. P4H-TM wild-type and variant constructs without the transmembrane region were overexpressed in insect cells and analyzed using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blot. Results: Five different homozygous or compound heterozygous pathogenic P4HTM gene variants were identified in six new and six previously published patients presenting with HIDEA. Hypoventilation, obstructive and central sleep apnea, and dysautonomia were identified as novel features associated with the phenotype. Characterization of three of the P4H-TM variants demonstrated yielding insoluble protein products and, thus, loss-of-function. Conclusions: Biallelic loss-of-function P4HTM variants were shown to cause HIDEA syndrome. Our findings enable diagnosis of the condition, and highlight the importance of assessing the need for noninvasive ventilatory support in patients.Peer reviewe