EU TEN-T MonaLisa Activities in the Baltic Sea

The wider benefit European Union Trans European Network - Transport (TEN-T) Motorways of the Sea (MoS) project MonaLisa (2010 – 2013) aims at contributing to the promotion of continuous improvement and the development of efficient, safe and environ-mentally sound maritime transport in the Baltic Sea. This is accomplished by the implemen-tation of a series of measures which are also in line with the EU's Baltic Sea Region Strategy. This article concentrates on Activity 3 dealing with hydrographic re-surveys on shipping routes. Some future plans are also described.El objetivo del Proyecto de interés general MonaLisa (2010-2013) de Autopistas del Mar (MoS) de la Red de Transporte Transeuropea de la Unión Europea es contribuir a la promoción de una mejora continua y al desarrollo de un transporte marítimo eficiente, seguro y respetuoso del medio ambiente en el Mar Báltico. Esto se consigue mediante la implementación de una serie de medidas que están también en conformidad con la Estra-tegia de la UE para la Región del Mar Báltico. Este artículo se concentra en la Actividad 3 que trata sobre la repetición de los levantamientos hidrográficos en las rutas de navegación. Se describen también algunos planes futuros.Le projet MonaLisa (2010 – 2013) des « autoroutes de la mer » du programme de l’Union européenne (UE) « réseau transeuropéen de transport » (RTE-T) vise à contribuer à la promotion de l’amélioration continue et au développement d’un transport maritime efficace, sûr et écologique dans la mer Baltique. Ceci est réalisé grâce à la mise en oeuvre d’une série de mesures qui sont également alignées sur la stratégie de l’UE dans la région de la mer Baltique. Cet article se concentre sur l’activité 3 qui traite des nouveaux levés hydrographiques sur les routes maritimes. Certains plans pour l’avenir sont également décrits

Amphiphilic Phthalocyanines in Polymeric Micelles: A Supramolecular Approach toward Efficient Third-Generation Photosensitizers

In this paper we describe a straightforward supramolecular strategy to encapsulate silicon phthalocyanine (SiPc) photosensitizers (PS) in polymeric micelles made of poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) (PCL–PEG) block copolymers. While PCL–PEG micelles are promising nanocarriers based on their biocompatibility and biodegradability, the design of our new PS favors their encapsulation. In particular, they combine two axial benzoyl substituents, each of them carrying either three hydrophilic methoxy(triethylenoxy) chains (1), three hydrophobic dodecyloxy chains (3), or both kinds of chains (2). The SiPc derivatives 1 and 2 are therefore amphiphilic, with the SiPc unit contributing to the hydrophobic core, while lipophilicity increases along the series, making it possible to correlate the loading efficacy in PCL–PEG micelles with the hydrophobic/hydrophilic balance of the PS structure. This has led to a new kind of third-generation nano-PS that efficiently photogenerates 1O2, while preliminary in vitro experiments demonstrate an excellent cellular uptake and a promising PDT activity.final draftpeerReviewe

Effect of remdesivir post hospitalization for COVID-19 infection from the randomized SOLIDARITY Finland trial

We report the first long-term follow-up of a randomized trial (NCT04978259) addressing the effects of remdesivir on recovery (primary outcome) and other patient-important outcomes one year after hospitalization resulting from COVID-19. Of the 208 patients recruited from 11 Finnish hospitals, 198 survived, of whom 181 (92%) completed follow-up. At one year, self-reported recovery occurred in 85% in remdesivir and 86% in standard of care (SoC) (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.47-1.90). We infer no convincing difference between remdesivir and SoC in quality of life or symptom outcomes (p > 0.05). Of the 21 potential long-COVID symptoms, patients reported moderate/major bother from fatigue (26%), joint pain (22%), and problems with memory (19%) and attention/concentration (18%). In conclusion, after a one-year follow-up of hospitalized patients, one in six reported they had not recovered well from COVID-19. Our results provide no convincing evidence of remdesivir benefit, but wide confidence intervals included possible benefit and harm.Peer reviewe

VEGFR-3 controls tip to stalk conversion at vessel fusion sites by reinforcing Notch signalling

Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels, involves specification of endothelial cells to tip cells and stalk cells, which is controlled by Notch signalling, whereas vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-2 and VEGFR-3 have been implicated in angiogenic sprouting. Surprisingly, we found that endothelial deletion of Vegfr3, but not VEGFR-3-blocking antibodies, postnatally led to excessive angiogenic sprouting and branching, and decreased the level of Notch signalling, indicating that VEGFR-3 possesses passive and active signalling modalities. Furthermore, macrophages expressing the VEGFR-3 and VEGFR-2 ligand VEGF-C localized to vessel branch points, and Vegfc heterozygous mice exhibited inefficient angiogenesis characterized by decreased vascular branching. FoxC2 is a known regulator of Notch ligand and target gene expression, and Foxc2(+/-);Vegfr3(+/-) compound heterozygosity recapitulated homozygous loss of Vegfr3. These results indicate that macrophage-derived VEGF-C activates VEGFR-3 in tip cells to reinforce Notch signalling, which contributes to the phenotypic conversion of endothelial cells at fusion points of vessel sprouts

In situ remediation of metal(loid)-contaminated lake sediments with alkali-activated blast furnace slag granule amendment:a field experiment

Abstract Purpose: Adsorbent amendment to contaminated sediments is one in situ remediation method to decrease the bioaccessibility of pollutants from the sediments. In this work, alkali-activated blast furnace slag (BFS) granules were used in a field experiment at Lake Kivijärvi (Finland). The lake was heavily affected by a mining accident in 2012, which released a significant peak load of metals and sulfate. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the performance of the novel amendment material for in situ remediation in real conditions with a preliminary cost estimation. Methods: Alkali-activated BFS granules were prepared and characterized for composition, microstructure, and surface properties. Two mesocosms were placed in the lake: one with granule dosing and another without. Sediment and pore water samples were collected after a two-week period. Similar small-scale experiment was performed in laboratory with a three-month duration. Bioaccessibility of metals from sediments was assessed with a three-stage leaching procedure. Results: The granules were effective in decreasing the mobility of Fe, Zn, Ni, and Cr in all leaching stages by approximately 50–90% in comparison with unamended sediment in the mesocosm experiment. Laboratory-scale incubation experiments also indicated decreased release of Ba, Co, Ni, Al, Fe, Mg, Mn and S. The estimated material costs were lower than the removal of the contaminated sediments with dredging and off-site treatment. Conclusion: The results showed preliminarily the effectiveness of alkaline-activated BFS in the remediation of metal-contaminated sediments in a field experiment. However, topics requiring further study are the leaching of trace elements from the material and impact on the sediment pH

Social-pragmatic inferencing, visual social attention and physiological reactivity to complex social scenes in autistic young adults

Abstract This study examined social-pragmatic inferencing, visual social attention and physiological reactivity to complex social scenes. Participants were autistic young adults (n = 14) and a control group of young adults (n = 14) without intellectual disability. Results indicate between-group differences in social-pragmatic inferencing, moment-level social attention and heart rate variability (HRV) reactivity. A key finding suggests associations between increased moment-level social attention to facial emotion expressions, better social-pragmatic inferencing and greater HRV suppression in autistic young adults. Supporting previous research, better social-pragmatic inferencing was found associated with less autistic traits

Seasonal regulation of metabolism:the effect of wintertime fasting and autumnal fattening on key central regulators of metabolism and the metabolic profile of the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes Procyonoides)

Abstract Investigations into the mechanisms regulating obesity are frantic and novel translational approaches are needed. The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) is a canid species representing a promising model to study metabolic regulation in a species undergoing cycles of seasonal obesity and fasting. To understand the molecular mechanisms of metabolic regulation in seasonal adaptation, we analyzed key central nervous system and peripheral signals regulating food intake and metabolism from raccoon dogs after autumnal fattening and winter fasting. Expressions of neuropeptide Y (NPY), orexin-2 receptor (OX2R), pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and leptin receptor (ObRb) were analyzed as examples of orexigenic and anorexigenic signals using qRT-PCR from raccoon dog hypothalamus samples. Plasma metabolic profiles were measured with ¹H NMR-spectroscopy and LC-MS. Circulating hormones and cytokines were determined with canine specific antibody assays. Surprisingly, NPY and POMC were not affected by the winter fasting nor autumn fattening and the metabolic profiles showed a remarkable equilibrium, indicating conserved homeostasis. However, OX2R and ObRb expression changes suggested seasonal regulation. Circulating cytokine levels were not increased, demonstrating that the autumn fattening did not induce subacute inflammation. Thus, the raccoon dog developed seasonal regulatory mechanisms to accommodate the autumnal fattening and prolonged fasting making the species unique in coping with the extreme environmental challenges

Maassa, puussa ja ilmassa : Janne Vilkunan juhlakirja

Kirja on kunnianosoitus Janne Vilkunalle hänen saavutuksistaan museologian professorin työssään, joka on linkittynyt monenlaisin sitein kotiseututyöhön. Samalla kirja on onnittelu ja kiitos ansiokkaasta toiminnasta arkeologian, museologian, museoiden ja kotiseututyön parissa. Juhlakirja sisältää 19 artikkelia liittyen Vilkunan työn ja harrastusten eri teemoihin. Teksteissä kerrotaan kotiseututyöstä sen alkujuurilta aina nykyilmentymiin saakka. Kirjassa kerrotaan esineistä, jotka kertovat jotain olennaista meistä ihmisinä, miten linnavuoren rinteen jäädytyskoe liittyy arkeologiaan ja Ural-moottoripyörä museologiaan.nonPeerReviewe