Intercultural Teacher Education alumni conceptions on their university education and the qualification demands in the world of work

Abstract. This qualitative master’s thesis aims at finding out the conceptions the Intercultural Teacher Education (ITE) alumni have on the ITE programme but also on the qualification demands posed by the world of work. The empirical data are collected from the ITE alumni through an online questionnaire, consisting of open-ended questions. Based on the work experiences, the alumni were divided into three categories: teachers, teacher-generalists, and generalists. The theoretical background of the study first describes the transition from higher education to the world of work from the perspective of teachers and generalists. In the second part, the nature of work in the 21st century is discussed by defining the role and relationship between expert knowledge, competences, and qualifications. Väärälä’s (1995) qualification model and Stewart and Knowles’ (1999) categorisation of skills are theories chosen to guide the data analysis. The 46 responses of the ITE alumni were analysed using phenomenographical approach. According to the findings, the alumni groups had needed all the qualification categories of Väärälä (1995) in their working life, especially the sociocultural qualifications. The generalists’ and teachers’ conceptions differed as teachers valued productive and technical qualifications, whereas generalists had needed abundance of innovative qualifications. All the groups reported hoping to have more education on both vocational, teaching related skills and in key skills. Generalists and teacher-generalists sometimes viewed the ITE programme to lack support for other than teaching related posts. Several alumni reported being satisfied with the programme due to high quality and chances to shape own studies. The results are in line with previous studies conducted on other programmes, which all suggest the strong need for higher education graduates and teachers to have sociocultural qualifications. However, the ITE programme slightly differs from other programmes because less graduates are working as teachers. The results may be useful for the students of the programme and for giving ideas on curriculum development, although not being conclusive on the topic.Tiivistelmä. Tämä laadullinen pro gradu -tutkielma pyrkii selvittämään Intercultural Teacher Education (ITE) alumnien käsityksiä ITE -koulutusohjelmasta sekä työelämän asettamista kvalifikaatiovaatimuksista. Empiirinen aineisto kerättiin alumneilta käyttäen avoimista kysymyksistä koostuvaa sähköistä kyselylomaketta. Vastausten perusteella ITE alumnit jaettiin kolmeen ryhmään heidän työkokemuksensa perusteella: opettajiin, opettajageneralisteihin ja generalisteihin. Teoreettinen viitekehys käsittelee siirtymiä korkeakoulusta työelämään opettajien sekä generalistien näkökulmasta. Viitekehyksen toisessa osassa käsitellään työn luonnetta 2000- luvulla määrittelemällä asiantuntijataito, kompetenssi ja kvalifikaatio sekä pohtimalla näiden keskinäistä suhdetta ja rooleja. Väärälän (1995) kvalifikaatioiden luokitusjärjestelmä ja Stewartin ja Knowlesin (1999) taitojen luokittelu valikoituivat aineiston analyysiä ohjaaviksi teorioiksi. 46:n alumnin vastaukset analysoitiin teoriaohjaavasti käyttäen fenomenografista tutkimusotetta. Tulosten perusteella alumniryhmät olivat työssään tarvinneet kaikkia Väärälän (1995) kvalifikaation tyyppejä, erityisesti sosiokulttuurisia kvalifikaatioita. Generalistien ja opettajien käsitykset kuitenkin erosivat siten, että opettajat kokivat tuotannollis-tekniset kvalifikaatiot erityisen tärkeiksi, kun taas generalistien käsitysten mukaan innovatiivisten kvalifikaatioiden rooli korostui. Kaikki ryhmät vastasivat toivovansa lisää tukea opettajan ammattiin liittyviin teemoihin sekä avaintaitoihin. Generalistit ja opettaja-generalistit kokivat toisinaan, että koulutusohjelma ei tukenut heidän uravalintaansa. Usea alumni kuitenkin kertoi, että ei jäänyt kaipaamaan mitään erityistä koulutusohjelmalta, sillä se oli laadukas ja tarjosi esimerkiksi mahdollisuuksia muokata tutkintoa omien kiinnostusten mukaisesti. Tulokset ovat linjassa aikaisempien tutkimusten kanssa, vaikkakin ITE koulutusohjelmana poikkeaa muista, sillä verrattain yleistä pienempi osuus valmistuneista työskentelee opettajan ammatissa. Tutkielman tuloksista voisi olla hyötyä tuleville ja nykyisille opiskelijoille sekä mahdollisesti koulutuksen opetussuunnitelmatyötä tehdessä

Regulation of cargo transfer between ESCRT-0 and ESCRT-I complexes by flotillin-1 during endosomal sorting of ubiquitinated cargo

Ubiquitin-dependent sorting of membrane proteins in endosomes directs them to lysosomal degradation. In the case of receptors such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), lysosomal degradation is important for the regulation of downstream signalling. Ubiquitinated proteins are recognised in endosomes by the endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) complexes, which sequentially interact with the ubiquitinated cargo. Although the role of each ESCRT complex in sorting is well established, it is not clear how the cargo is passed on from one ESCRT to the next. We here show that flotillin-1 is required for EGFR degradation, and that it interacts with the subunits of ESCRT-0 and -I complexes (hepatocyte growth factor-regulated tyrosine kinase substrate (Hrs) and Tsg101). Flotillin-1 is required for cargo recognition and sorting by ESCRT-0/Hrs and for its interaction with Tsg101. In addition, flotillin-1 is also required for the sorting of human immunodeficiency virus 1 Gag polyprotein, which mimics ESCRT-0 complex during viral assembly. We propose that flotillin-1 functions in cargo transfer between ESCRT-0 and -I complexes

Effects of prolonged anoxia on electrical activity of the heart in Crucian carp (Carassius carassius)

The effects of sustained anoxia on cardiac electrical excitability were examined in the anoxia-tolerant Crucian carp (Carassius carassius). The electrocardiogram (ECG) and expression of excitation-contraction coupling genes were studied in fish acclimatised to normoxia in summer (+18°C) or winter (+2°C), and in winter fish after 1, 3 and 6 weeks of anoxia. Anoxia induced a sustained bradycardia from a heart rate of 10.3±0.77 to 4.1±0.29 bpm (P<0.05) after 5 weeks, and heart rate slowly recovered to control levels when oxygen was restored. Heart rate variability greatly increased under anoxia, and completely recovered under re-oxygenation. The RT interval increased from 2.8±0.34 s in normoxia to 5.8±0.44 s under anoxia (P<0.05), which reflects a doubling of the ventricular action potential (AP) duration. Acclimatisation to winter induced extensive changes in gene expression relative to summer-acclimatised fish, including depression in those coding for the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump (Serca2-q2) and ATP-sensitive K(+) channels (Kir6.2) (P<0.05). Genes of delayed rectifier K(+) (kcnh6) and Ca(2+) channels (cacna1c) were up-regulated in winter fish (P<0.05). In contrast, the additional challenge of anoxia caused only minor changes in gene expression, e.g. depressed expression of Kir2.2b K(+) channel gene (kcnj12b), whereas expression of Ca(2+) (cacna1a, -c and -g) and Na(+) channel genes (scn4a and scn5a) were not affected. These data suggest that low temperature pre-conditions the Crucian carp heart for winter anoxia, whereas sustained anoxic bradycardia and prolongation of AP duration are directly induced by oxygen shortage without major changes in gene expression

Kultasepän huvila:1920-luvun asuinrakennuksen uudelleenkäyttösuunnitelma

Tiivistelmä. Diplomityö ”Kultasepän huvila — 1920-luvun asuinrakennuksen uudelleenkäyttösuunnitelma” on suunnitelmapainoitteinen työ, jossa esitetään uudelleenkäyttösuunnitelma siirrettävälle vanhalle hirsirakenteiselle asuinrakennukselle. Suunnitelman tärkein tavoite on löytää uusi käyttötarkoitus vanhalle arvokkaalle rakennukselle, minkä kautta sen uudet käyttäjät ovat valmiita huolehtimaan rakennuksesta. Pelkkä siirtäminen ei pelasta rakennusta, vaan rakennuksen aktiivinen käyttö edesauttaa rakennuksen säilymistä jatkossakin. Työ koostuu kahdesta osasta. Ensimmäisessä osassa käsitellään kohderakennuksen sekä rakennuksen alkuperäisen tontin historiaa ja eri vaiheita vuosien aikana. Sen lisäksi arvotetaan kohderakennus ja perustellaan siirtämisen ja säilyttämisen tarve. Toisessa osassa esitetään uudelleenkäyttösuunnitelma siirrettävälle rakennukselle uudella tontilla ja ympäristössä. Työn ensimmäisessä osassa käytetään lähteinä valmiita aineistoja kohderakennuksen historian selvittämisessä ja arvottamisen tukena. Työn toisessa osassa hyödynnetään 3D-mallinnusta uudelleenkäyttösuunnitelman havainnollistamiseksi. Kohderakennus on Oulun Hollihaassa sijaitseva lähes satavuotias asuinrakennus, jonka ulkoarkkitehtuuri edustaa ajalleen hyvin tyypillistä 1920-luvun klassismia. Rakennuksen tontilla on hyväksytty asemakaavamuutos, joka mahdollistaa tontille asuinkerrostalon rakentamisen. Ehtona rakentamiselle on, että kohderakennus siirretään. Merkittävän kohderakennuksesta tekee se, että se on säilynyt poikkeuksellisen hyvin, ja se edustaa harvinaista osaa oululaisesta rakennuskannasta. Kohderakennus on kulttuurihistoriallisesti arvokas, ja sen säilyttämiselle on perusteensa. Asemakaavamuutoksen jälkeen siirtäminen on yksi tavoista säilyttää kohderakennus. Toimenpiteenä siirtäminen on kuitenkin vaativa, joten tärkeäksi tekijäksi muodostuu huolellisesti laadittu uudelleenkäyttösuunnitelma. Uudelleenkäyttösuunnitelma on diplomityön suunnitelmapainoitteinen osio. Suunnitelmassa esitellään siirretty kohderakennus sen uudella tontilla. Vuokrattavana tapahtumatilana toimivan kohderakennuksen ulkoarkkitehtuuri säilytetään ennallaan, mutta sisätiloihin tehdään muutoksia niin, että tilat soveltuvat erilaisten tapahtumien järjestämiseen. Uudelle tontille suunnitellaan lisäksi piharakennus, joka lisää vuokratoiminnan monipuolisuutta, ja auttaa yhdessä päärakennuksen kanssa luomaan uudelle alueelle tyypillisen pihapiirin. Pihapiiriin on suunniteltu lisäksi muita uutta käyttöä tukevia toimintoja.Goldsmith’s villa : reuse plan of a 1920s residential building. Abstract. The master’s thesis ‘Goldsmith’s villa — reuse plan of a 1920s residential building’ is a plan-oriented study that presents a reuse plan for a relocated, old timberframed residential building. The primary objective of the plan is to discover a new purpose for this valuable historical structure, encouraging its new occupants to care for and maintain the building. Mere relocation alone does not guarantee its preservation; instead, active utilization of the building plays a crucial role in safeguarding it for the future. The thesis comprises two parts. The first part delves into the history and different stages of the building and its original plot throughout the years. Moreover, it evaluates the building and justifies the need for relocation and preservation. The second part outlines a reuse plan for the relocated building, situated on a new plot in a different environment. Existing materials serve as sources in the first part to investigate the building’s history and support the evaluation, while the second part employs 3D modelling to illustrate the reuse plan. The building itself is a nearly century-old residential structure located in Hollihaka, Oulu. Its exterior architecture epitomizes the typical classicism of the 1920s. An approved change to the city plan allows for the construction of a residential apartment building on the original plot. The condition for this new construction is the relocation of the existing timberframed residential building. The building’s significance lies in its exceptional preservation and its representation of a rare component of Oulu’s housing stock. It possesses cultural and historical value, justifying the need for its preservation. Following the change to the city plan, relocation becomes an option to conserve the building. However, relocation is a demanding undertaking, emphasizing the importance of a meticulously prepared reuse plan. The reuse plan constitutes the plan-oriented section of the master’s thesis. It showcases the relocated building on its new plot. The building will be transformed into a rentable event space, and while the exterior architecture remains intact, alterations are made to the interior to suit various events. Additionally, a separate structure is planned for the new plot, augmenting the versatility of the rental operation, and assisting in the creation of a typical courtyard in conjunction with the main building. Further supporting functions for the courtyard are also planned to accommodate various uses

Inhibition of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptors 1 and 2 Attenuates Natural Killer Cell and Innate Immune Responses in an Experimental Model for Obliterative Bronchiolitis

Funding Information: Supported by the Helsinki University Hospital , the Sigrid Juselius Foundation , the Academy of Finland , Finska Läkaresällskapet , the Research and Science Foundation of Farmos , The Paulo Foundation , Jalmari and Rauha Ahokas Foundation , Aarne Koskelo Foundation , Päivi and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation , Finnish Pulmonary Association , Biomedicum Helsinki Foundation , Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation , and the University of Helsinki . Funding Information: Supported by the Helsinki University Hospital, the Sigrid Juselius Foundation, the Academy of Finland, Finska L?kares?llskapet, the Research and Science Foundation of Farmos, The Paulo Foundation, Jalmari and Rauha Ahokas Foundation, Aarne Koskelo Foundation, P?ivi and Sakari Sohlberg Foundation, Finnish Pulmonary Association, Biomedicum Helsinki Foundation, Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, and the University of Helsinki. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 American Society for Investigative PathologyObliterative bronchiolitis (OB) after lung transplantation is a nonreversible, life-threatening complication. Herein, the role of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (Vegfr)-1 and -2 was investigated in the development of obliterative airway disease (OAD), an experimental model for OB. The nonimmunosuppressed recipients underwent transplantation with fully major histocompatibility complex mismatched heterotopic tracheal allografts and received Vegfr1 and -2-specific monoclonal antibodies either alone or in combination, or rat IgG as a control. The treatment with Vegfr1- or -2-blocking antibody significantly decreased intragraft mRNA expression of natural killer cell activation markers early after transplantation. This was followed by reduced infiltration of Cd11b thorn cells and Cd4 thorn T cells as well as down-regulated mRNA expression of proinflammatory chemokines and profibrotic growth factors. However, blocking of both Vegfr1 and -2 was necessary to reduce luminal occlusion. Furthermore, concomitant inhibition of the calcineurin activation pathway almost totally abolished the development of OAD. This study proposes that blocking of Vegf receptors blunted natural killer cell and innate immune responses early after transplantation and attenuated the development of OAD. The results of this study suggest that further studies on the role of Vegfr1 and -2 blocking in development of obliterative airway lesions might be rewarding. (Am J Pathol 2022, 192: 254-269; https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.ajpath.2021.10.018)Peer reviewe

Asthma, allergies and respiratory symptoms in different activity groups of swimmers exercising in swimming halls

Background Respiratory symptoms are common in competitive swimmers. However, among these and in swimmers at other activity levels the swimming distance, the total spent time in swimming halls and their medical background varies. Our objectives were, first, to assess their medical histories and the associations with respiratory symptoms among swimmers in different activity groups and then second, to study the pulmonary function findings and related medications in competitive swimmers who exercise in swimming hall environments the most. Methods First, 1118 participants consisting of 133 competitive-, 734 fitness- and 251 occasional swimmers answered questionnaires concerning their medical background, their respiratory symptoms in connection to swimming distance and their amount of time spent in swimming halls. Secondly, in 130 competitive swimmers, pulmonary function was tested by spirometry and a specific questionnaire was used to assess respiratory symptoms, medical histories and prescribed medication. Results Respiratory symptoms were reported by 18% of the studied swimmers. Competitive swimmers had significantly more symptoms than fitness- and occasional swimmers. Naturally competitive swimmers swum more than 2000 m and stayed by the pool more than 90 min, longer than the other activity groups of swimmers. Spirometry testing showed airway obstruction in 15 swimmers, which was 12% of the 130 competitive swimmers. 21 of them, had physician-diagnosed asthma and 16 of these individuals had prescribed medication for it. Conclusions Competitive swimmers had the highest swimming hall exposure and reported significantly more respiratory symptoms. A high prevalence of airway obstruction findings in competitive swimmers with asthma and allergies suggests a need for future recommendations for regular testing and special medical care for competitive swimmers.Peer reviewe

Vasopeptidase inhibition attenuates the progression of renal injury in subtotal nephrectomized rats

Vasopeptidase inhibition attenuates the progression of renal injury in subtotal nephrectomized rats.BackgroundVasopeptidase inhibitors are a new class of cardiovascular compounds that inhibit both angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and neutral endopeptidase (NEP). The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of omapatrilat, a vasopeptidase inhibitor, on renal function and pathology in subtotally nephrectomized (STNx) rats.MethodsSTNx rats were randomized to four groups and treated for 12 weeks: no treatment (N = 14); omapatrilat at a low dose of 10 mg/kg (L, N = 12) and at a high dose of 40 mg/kg (H, N = 10); or an ACE inhibitor, fosinopril, at a dose of 10 mg/kg (N = 12). Sham-operated rats were used as control animals (N = 12).ResultsElevated blood pressure in STNx rats (174 ± 9mm Hg) was reduced by omapatrilat in a dose-dependent manner (L, 121 ± 3mm Hg; H, 110 ± 3mm Hg) and by fosinopril (149 ± 5mm Hg). Proteinuria in STNx rats (246 ± 73 mg/day) was reduced by treatment with fosinopril (88 ± 21 mg/day) and was normalized by treatment with omapatrilat (L, 30 ± 4 mg/day; H, 20 ± 2 mg/day vs. control 25 ± 1 mg/day). Decreased glomerular filtration rates, elevated plasma urea and creatinine and glomerulosclerosis, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis were ameliorated by omapatrilat and fosinopril to a similar degree. Compared with fosinopril, omapatrilat treatment was associated with increased plasma renin activity and decreased renal ACE and NEP binding in a dose-dependent manner.ConclusionThese findings suggest that vasopeptidase inhibition may provide a useful strategy for the treatment of progressive renal disease

Balancing profitability of energy production, societal impacts and biodiversity in offshore wind farm design

The global demand for renewable energy is on the rise. Expansion of onshore wind energy is in many parts of the world limited by societal acceptance, and also ecological impacts are a concern. Here, pragmatic methods are developed for the integration of high-dimensional spatial data in offshore wind energy planning. Over 150 spatial data layers are created, which either oppose or support offshore wind energy development, and represent ecological, societal, and economic factors. The method is tested in Finland, where interest in developing offshore wind energy is growing. Analyses were done using a spatial prioritization approach, originally developed for the prioritization of high dimensional ecological data, and rarely used in planning offshore wind energy. When all criteria are integrated, it is possible to find a balanced solution where offshore wind farms cause little disturbance to biodiversity and society, while at the same time yielding high profitability for wind energy production. Earlier proposed areas for offshore wind farms were also evaluated. They were generally well suited for wind power, with the exception of a couple of areas with comparatively high environmental impacts. As an outcome, new areas well suited for large scale wind power deployment were recognized, where construction costs would be moderate and disturbance to biodiversity, marine industries and people limited. A novel tradeoff visualization method was also developed for the conflicts and synergies of offshore energy deployment, which could ease the dialogue between different stakeholders in a spatial planning context. Overall, this study provides a generic and transparent approach for well-informed analysis of offshore wind energy development potential when conflict resolution between biodiversity, societal factors and economic profits is needed. The proposed approach is replicable elsewhere in the world. It is also structurally suitable for the planning of impact avoidance and conflict resolution in the context of other forms of construction or resource extraction.Peer reviewe