Behavioral Responses in Mice Selectively Bred for High and Low Levels of Open-Field Thigmotaxis

In animal psychology, the open-field (OF) test is a traditional method for studying different aspects of rodent behavior, with thigmotaxis (i.e., wallseeking behavior) being one of the best validated OF parameters employed to measure emotionality. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the selection response in mice selectively bred for high and low levels of OF thigmotaxis (the HOFT and LOFT lines, respectively). The mice (N = 2048) were selected for 23 generations, resulting in bidirectional phenotypic divergence between the two lines; that is, the HOFT mice were more thigmotactic (i.e., more emotional) than the LOFT mice across the different generations. The origin of the line difference in thigmotaxis was further investigated by using the crossfostering paradigm, with the results suggesting that the divergence between the two lines was primarily innate in origin and not influenced by differing maternal behavior. The stability of the selection trait was examined by testing the animals at different ages as well as in varying conditions. The results indicated that the line difference in thigmotaxis was not affected by age at the time of testing, and it also persisted in the different OF testing situations as well as during pregnancy and lactation. The examination of a possible coselection of other characteristics revealed that the more thigmotactic HOFT mice lived longer than the less thigmotactic LOFT mice. In addition, the HOFT mice tended to rear and explore less than the LOFT mice, supporting the general assumption that emotionality and exploration are inversely related. The two lines did not generally differ in ambulation and defecation, that is, in the traditional OF indexes of emotionality, conforming to the suggestion that emotionality is a multidimensional construct. The effects of sex on different OF parameters were also assessed, with the results suggesting that among the HOFT and LOFT lines, the female mice were more emotional than the male mice. The examination of the temporal changes in the HOFT and LOFT lines’ OF behavior revealed some contradictory findings that also partially conflicted with general assumptions. Although this study did not show prominent differences in maternal responsiveness between the HOFT and LOFT mothers, the results suggested that the line divergence in emotionality was more pronounced in the presence of a pup after parturition than during pregnancy. The present study clearly demonstrates that OF thigmotaxis is a strong characteristic for producing two diverging lines of mice. The difference in thigmotaxis between the selectively bred HOFT and LOFT mice seemed to be a stable and robust feature of these animals, and it appeared to stem from a genetic background.Siirretty Doriast

Nachspiel mit dem Tod : En konsert. Dess skapelseberättelse

Det här är en studie om att skapa en konsert kring ett tabubelagt men alltid så närvarande tema, döden. Processen som beskrivs sträcker sig över ett års tid och baserar sig på anteckningar och minnen från händelseförloppet. Rapporten belyser de tankar som ligger bakom musiken och andra betydande val. Verket åskådliggör ett sätt att närma sig ett aktuellt och känsligt ämne med hjälp av musiken. Profilkonserten byggdes upp och utfördes av skribenten samt dennas kollega, och grundar sig på nyare musik med pianokompositioner i fokus. Konserten hölls i mars 2011 under Ajassa! 2011, festivalen för ny musik. Till arbetet hör en DVD-inspelning från konserten. I arbetet beskrivs olika skeden av den händelserika processen. I början behandlas bakgrund och samlade intryck, som fungerade som inspirationskälla för konsertens uppbyggnad. Temat döden överblickas genom litteratur och konst, från historia till nutid. Vidare skildras konsertens estetiska och praktiska utformning. Musikvalen motiveras i korthet och kopplas till temat, scenplanering och marknadsföring tangeras. Konsertens musik och karaktär beskrivs och knyts samman med motiven. I slutet reflekteras över helheten och processen från konsertidé till skriftlig rapport. Detta slutarbete som helhet blir lik en reseskildring, och kan användas av någon som vill ge sig på en liknande utmaning eller få en glimt bakom kulisserna. Likväl kan det användas som inspirationskälla eller som en upplevelse. Under förloppet kommer det fram att musiken är ett ypperligt redskap för att inspirera till reflektion över känsloladdade ämnen. Många gåtor förblir ändå olösta och ämnets ofattbara vidd uppfattas först på slutrakan.Tämä tutkielma osoittaa miten aina ajankohtaisesta, mutta tabuksi julistetusta teemasta kuolemasta, voi luoda konsertin. Kuvailtu prosessi pohjautuu muistiinpanoihin ja muistoihin yhden vuoden ajalta. Raportti valaisee ajatuksia teeman, musiikin sekä muiden tärkeiden valintojen takana. Teos havainnollistaa tapaa lähestyä ajankohtaista ja arkaluontoista aihetta musiikin avulla. Profiilikonsertti pohjautuu uuteen musiikkiin ja keskittyy pianosävellyksiin. Konsertti pidettiin maaliskuussa 2011 Ajassa! musiikkifestivaalin yhteydessä. Opinnäytetyö sisältää taltioinnin konsertista. Työssä kuvaillaan tapahtumarikkaan prosessin eri vaiheita. Alussa tarkastellaan niitä vaikutelmia, jotka toimivat inspiraationa konserttia varten; kuolema-teemaa käsitellään kirjallisuuden ja taiteen kautta, historiasta nykypäivään. Lisäksi kuvataan taiteellisia sekä itse konsertin toteuttamiseen koskevia ratkaisuja. Musiikkivalinnat perustellaan lyhyesti ja yhdistetään teemaan. Lavasuunnitelma ja markkinointi esitellään lyhyesti. Konsertin musiikki ja karaktäärit kuvaillaan ja solmitaan yhteen motiiveihin. Lopussa pohditaan kokonaisuutta ja koko prosessia konsertti ideasta kirjalliseen raporttiin. Opinnäytetyö on kokonaisuudessaan matkakertomuksen kaltainen ja sitä voi käyttää samankaltaisten haasteiden oppaana tai mahdollisuutena kurkistaa lavasteiden taakse. Yhtälailla työtä voi käyttää myös inspiraation lähteenä tai elämyksenä. Prosessin aikana musiikki osoittautui oivalliseksi tavaksi inspiroida tunnepitoisten aiheiden pohtimista. Moni arvoitus jää kuitenkin ratkaisematta ja tämän aiheen käsittämätön laajuus ymmärretään vasta loppusuoralla.This thesis presents a process undertaken in creating a concert about death, a taboo to many and inevitable for all. It is based on notes and memoirs over a one-year period. The thesis depicts the music and other production choices along the way. The study shows how death can be addressed with the help of music, despite being a continually present and emotional burdened theme. The concert is built up of mainly contemporary classical music, in particular for piano. Along with colleagues, the author’s performance takes centre stage as the profile concert of “Ajassa!” music festival in March of 2011. A DVD recording of the concert is included. The thesis is built up of distinct stages that make up the process. First the background and impressions are introduced, as inspiration for the concert. Through literature and art spanning history to present-day the study presents impressions surrounding the theme of death. This is followed by aesthetic and practical solutions of the concert. Choice of music, planning of stage scenery and promotion of concert are also explained briefly. Musical character is linked to the atmosphere of the theme. In the end the process as a whole is analysed, from concert idea to written report. The thesis can be viewed as a travelogue to help guide others when undertaking a similar challenge. It is also an opportunity to glimpse behind the scenes of making a concert. The study can be used as a source of inspiration or read as an experience in itself. The process reveals how music can inspire to reflect on emotional subjects. Many riddles remain unsolved and the unconceivable extent of the subject is not understood until the finale.Opinnäytetyö sisältää taltioinnin konsertista

Nachspiel mit dem Tod : En konsert. Dess skapelseberättelse

Det här är en studie om att skapa en konsert kring ett tabubelagt men alltid så närvarande tema, döden. Processen som beskrivs sträcker sig över ett års tid och baserar sig på anteckningar och minnen från händelseförloppet. Rapporten belyser de tankar som ligger bakom musiken och andra betydande val. Verket åskådliggör ett sätt att närma sig ett aktuellt och känsligt ämne med hjälp av musiken. Profilkonserten byggdes upp och utfördes av skribenten samt dennas kollega, och grundar sig på nyare musik med pianokompositioner i fokus. Konserten hölls i mars 2011 under Ajassa! 2011, festivalen för ny musik. Till arbetet hör en DVD-inspelning från konserten. I arbetet beskrivs olika skeden av den händelserika processen. I början behandlas bakgrund och samlade intryck, som fungerade som inspirationskälla för konsertens uppbyggnad. Temat döden överblickas genom litteratur och konst, från historia till nutid. Vidare skildras konsertens estetiska och praktiska utformning. Musikvalen motiveras i korthet och kopplas till temat, scenplanering och marknadsföring tangeras. Konsertens musik och karaktär beskrivs och knyts samman med motiven. I slutet reflekteras över helheten och processen från konsertidé till skriftlig rapport. Detta slutarbete som helhet blir lik en reseskildring, och kan användas av någon som vill ge sig på en liknande utmaning eller få en glimt bakom kulisserna. Likväl kan det användas som inspirationskälla eller som en upplevelse. Under förloppet kommer det fram att musiken är ett ypperligt redskap för att inspirera till reflektion över känsloladdade ämnen. Många gåtor förblir ändå olösta och ämnets ofattbara vidd uppfattas först på slutrakan.Tämä tutkielma osoittaa miten aina ajankohtaisesta, mutta tabuksi julistetusta teemasta kuolemasta, voi luoda konsertin. Kuvailtu prosessi pohjautuu muistiinpanoihin ja muistoihin yhden vuoden ajalta. Raportti valaisee ajatuksia teeman, musiikin sekä muiden tärkeiden valintojen takana. Teos havainnollistaa tapaa lähestyä ajankohtaista ja arkaluontoista aihetta musiikin avulla. Profiilikonsertti pohjautuu uuteen musiikkiin ja keskittyy pianosävellyksiin. Konsertti pidettiin maaliskuussa 2011 Ajassa! musiikkifestivaalin yhteydessä. Opinnäytetyö sisältää taltioinnin konsertista. Työssä kuvaillaan tapahtumarikkaan prosessin eri vaiheita. Alussa tarkastellaan niitä vaikutelmia, jotka toimivat inspiraationa konserttia varten; kuolema-teemaa käsitellään kirjallisuuden ja taiteen kautta, historiasta nykypäivään. Lisäksi kuvataan taiteellisia sekä itse konsertin toteuttamiseen koskevia ratkaisuja. Musiikkivalinnat perustellaan lyhyesti ja yhdistetään teemaan. Lavasuunnitelma ja markkinointi esitellään lyhyesti. Konsertin musiikki ja karaktäärit kuvaillaan ja solmitaan yhteen motiiveihin. Lopussa pohditaan kokonaisuutta ja koko prosessia konsertti ideasta kirjalliseen raporttiin. Opinnäytetyö on kokonaisuudessaan matkakertomuksen kaltainen ja sitä voi käyttää samankaltaisten haasteiden oppaana tai mahdollisuutena kurkistaa lavasteiden taakse. Yhtälailla työtä voi käyttää myös inspiraation lähteenä tai elämyksenä. Prosessin aikana musiikki osoittautui oivalliseksi tavaksi inspiroida tunnepitoisten aiheiden pohtimista. Moni arvoitus jää kuitenkin ratkaisematta ja tämän aiheen käsittämätön laajuus ymmärretään vasta loppusuoralla.This thesis presents a process undertaken in creating a concert about death, a taboo to many and inevitable for all. It is based on notes and memoirs over a one-year period. The thesis depicts the music and other production choices along the way. The study shows how death can be addressed with the help of music, despite being a continually present and emotional burdened theme. The concert is built up of mainly contemporary classical music, in particular for piano. Along with colleagues, the author’s performance takes centre stage as the profile concert of “Ajassa!” music festival in March of 2011. A DVD recording of the concert is included. The thesis is built up of distinct stages that make up the process. First the background and impressions are introduced, as inspiration for the concert. Through literature and art spanning history to present-day the study presents impressions surrounding the theme of death. This is followed by aesthetic and practical solutions of the concert. Choice of music, planning of stage scenery and promotion of concert are also explained briefly. Musical character is linked to the atmosphere of the theme. In the end the process as a whole is analysed, from concert idea to written report. The thesis can be viewed as a travelogue to help guide others when undertaking a similar challenge. It is also an opportunity to glimpse behind the scenes of making a concert. The study can be used as a source of inspiration or read as an experience in itself. The process reveals how music can inspire to reflect on emotional subjects. Many riddles remain unsolved and the unconceivable extent of the subject is not understood until the finale.Opinnäytetyö sisältää taltioinnin konsertista

Computational Thinking as an Emergent Learning Trajectory of Mathematics

n the 21st century, the skills of computational thinking complement those of traditional math teaching. In order to gain the knowledge required to teach these skills, a cohort of math teachers participated in an in-service training scheme conducted as a massive open online course (MOOC). This paper analyses the success of this training scheme and uses the results of the study to focus on the skills of computational thinking, and to explore how math teachers expect to integrate computing into the K-12 math syllabus. The coursework and feedback from the MOOC course indicate that they readily associate computational thinking with problem solving in math. In addition, some of the teachers are inspired by the new opportunities to be creative in their teaching. However, the set of programming concepts they refer to in their essays is insubstantial and unfocused, so these concepts are consolidated here to form a hypothetical learning trajectory for computational thinking.Peer reviewe

Work-up of globus : assessing the benefits of neck ultrasound and videofluorography

Globus patients with normal ear, nose, and throat ( ENT) status are a diagnostic challenge. The symptom may be long lasting and cause concern about malignancy, leading to possibly unnecessary further investigation. The aim of the study was to assess whether radiological examinations are useful in globus diagnostics, how often patients suffer from persistent globus, and whether globus patients with normal ENT status develop a malignancy during a follow-up. We reviewed medical records of all 76 globus patients referred to Helsinki University Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in 2009. Patient history and findings in physical and radiological examinations were registered. A questionnaire concerning patients' present pharyngeal symptoms was sent 3 and 6 years after their initial visit. Data from the Finnish Cancer Registry revealed whether patients developed malignancies within a 3-year follow-up. Based on medical records, neck ultrasound was performed for 37 (49 %) and videofluorography for 22 patients (29 %), with nonsignificant findings. After a 3- and 6-year follow-up, half patients indicated that they were asymptomatic or had fewer symptoms, whereas the rest had persistent symptoms. The Finnish Cancer Registry data confirmed that globus patients developed no head and neck malignancies during a 3-year follow-up. In the present study, neck ultrasound and videofluorography showed no additional benefit to evaluate the globus etiology in patients whose ENT status was normal. Half the globus patients suffered from persistent symptoms after a 3- and 6-year follow-up, indicating that globus may cause discomfort chronically. However, no patients developed malignancies during a 3-year follow-up.Peer reviewe

Finnish Version of the Eating Assessment Tool (F-EAT-10) : A Valid and Reliable Patient-reported Outcome Measure for Dysphagia Evaluation

Our aim was to validate a Finnish version of the Eating Assessment Tool (F-EAT-10) for clinical use and to test its reliability and validity in a multicenter nationwide study. Normative data were acquired from 180 non-dysphagic participants (median age 57.0 years, 62.2% female). Dysphagia patients (n = 117, median age 69.7 years, 53.0% female) referred to fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) completed F-EAT-10 before the examination and after 2 weeks. Patients underwent the 100-ml water swallow test (WST) and FEES was evaluated using the following three scales: the Yale Pharyngeal Residue Severity Rating Scale, Penetration-Aspiration Scale, and the Dysphagia Outcome Severity Scale. An operative cohort of 19 patients (median age 75.8 years, 57.9% female) underwent an endoscopic operation on Zenker's diverticulum, tight cricopharyngeal muscle diagnosed in videofluorography, or both. Patients completed the F-EAT-10 preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. The cut-off score for controls was = 3 is abnormal. Re-questionnaires for test-retest reliability analysis were available from 92 FEES patients and 123 controls. The intraclass correlation coefficient was excellent for the total F-EAT-10 score (0.93, 95% confidence interval 0.91-0.95). Pearson correlation coefficients were strong (p < 0.001) for each of the questions and the total score. Internal consistency as assessed by Cronbach's alpha was excellent (0.95). Some correlations between findings in FEES and 100-ml WST with F-EAT-10 were observed. The change in subjective symptoms of operative patients paralleled the change in F-EAT-10. F-EAT-10 is a reliable, valid, and symptom-specific patient-reported outcome measure for assessing dysphagia among Finnish speakers.Peer reviewe

A preliminary study on the ecotoxic potency of wastewater treatment plant sludge combining passive sampling and bioassays

Highlights • The passive samplers collected bioavail able and bioaccessible chemicals from the WWTP sludge samples. • The sampler extracts were acutely and chronically toxic to water flea. • The sampler extracts were cytotoxic and genotoxic. • The sludge treatment such as composting and digesting diminished the toxicity. • Effect-based methods should be part of the risk assessment of sludge recycling.Sewage sludge is an inevitable byproduct produced in wastewater treatment. Reusing nutrient-rich sludge will diminish the amount of waste ending in soil dumping areas and will promote circular economy. However, during sewage treatment process, several potentially harmful organic chemicals are retained in sludge, but proving the safety of processed sludge will promote its more extensive use in agriculture and landscaping. Environmental risk assessment of sludge requires new methods of characterizing its suitability for various circu lar economy applications. Bioavailable and bioaccessible fractions are key variables indicating leaching, transport, and bioaccumulation capacity. Also, sludge treatments have a significant effect on chemical status and resulting environmental risks. In this study, the concentrations of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), triclosan (TCS), triclocarban (TCC), methyl triclosan (mTCS), and selected active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) were deter mined in different sludge treatments and fractions. Passive samplers were used to characterize the bioavailable and bioaccessible fractions, and the sampler extracts along the sludge and filtrate samples were utilized in the bioassays. The TCS and PAH concentrations did not decrease as the sludge was digested, but the contents diminished after composting. Also, mTCS concentration decreased after composting. The API concentrations were lower in digested sludge than in secondary sludge. Digested sludge was toxic for Aliivibrio fischeri, but after composting, toxicity was not observed. However, for Daphnia magna, passive sampler extracts of all sludge treatments were either acutely (immobility) or chronically (reproduction) toxic. Secondary and digested sludge sampler extracts were cytotoxic, and secondary sludge ex tract was also genotoxic. The measured chemical concentration levels did not explain the toxicity of the samples based on the reported toxicity thresholds. Bioassays and sampler extracts detecting bioavailable and bioaccessible contaminants in sludge are complementing tools for chemical analyses. Harmonization of these methodswill help establish scientifically sound regulative thresholds for the use of sludge in circular economy applications

Short and long-term effects of hVEGF-A(165) in cre-activated transgenic mice

We have generated a transgenic mouse where hVEGF-A(165) expression has been silenced with loxP-STOP fragment, and we used this model to study the effects of hVEGF-A(165) over-expression in mice after systemic adenovirus mediated Cre-gene transfer. Unlike previous conventional transgenic models, this model leads to the expression of hVEGF-A(165) in only a low number of cells in the target tissues in adult mice. Levels of hVEGF-A(165) expression were moderate and morphological changes were found mainly in the liver, showing typical signs of active angiogenesis. Most mice were healthy without any major consequences up to 18 months after the activation of hVEGF-A(165) expression. However, one mouse with a high plasma hVEGF-A(165) level died spontaneously because of bleeding into abdominal cavity and having liver hemangioma, haemorrhagic paratubarian cystic lesions and spleen peliosis. Also, two mice developed malignant tumors (hepatocellular carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma), which were not seen in control mice. We conclude that long-term uncontrolled hVEGF-A(165) expression in only a limited number of target cells in adult mice can be associated with pathological changes, including possible formation of malignant tumors and uncontrolled bleeding in target tissues. These findings have implications for the design of long-term clinical trials using hVEGF-A(165) gene and protein.We have generated a transgenic mouse where hVEGF-A(165) expression has been silenced with loxP-STOP fragment, and we used this model to study the effects of hVEGF-A(165) over-expression in mice after systemic adenovirus mediated Cre-gene transfer. Unlike previous conventional transgenic models, this model leads to the expression of hVEGF-A(165) in only a low number of cells in the target tissues in adult mice. Levels of hVEGF-A(165) expression were moderate and morphological changes were found mainly in the liver, showing typical signs of active angiogenesis. Most mice were healthy without any major consequences up to 18 months after the activation of hVEGF-A(165) expression. However, one mouse with a high plasma hVEGF-A(165) level died spontaneously because of bleeding into abdominal cavity and having liver hemangioma, haemorrhagic paratubarian cystic lesions and spleen peliosis. Also, two mice developed malignant tumors (hepatocellular carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma), which were not seen in control mice. We conclude that long-term uncontrolled hVEGF-A(165) expression in only a limited number of target cells in adult mice can be associated with pathological changes, including possible formation of malignant tumors and uncontrolled bleeding in target tissues. These findings have implications for the design of long-term clinical trials using hVEGF-A(165) gene and protein.We have generated a transgenic mouse where hVEGF-A(165) expression has been silenced with loxP-STOP fragment, and we used this model to study the effects of hVEGF-A(165) over-expression in mice after systemic adenovirus mediated Cre-gene transfer. Unlike previous conventional transgenic models, this model leads to the expression of hVEGF-A(165) in only a low number of cells in the target tissues in adult mice. Levels of hVEGF-A(165) expression were moderate and morphological changes were found mainly in the liver, showing typical signs of active angiogenesis. Most mice were healthy without any major consequences up to 18 months after the activation of hVEGF-A(165) expression. However, one mouse with a high plasma hVEGF-A(165) level died spontaneously because of bleeding into abdominal cavity and having liver hemangioma, haemorrhagic paratubarian cystic lesions and spleen peliosis. Also, two mice developed malignant tumors (hepatocellular carcinoma and lung adenocarcinoma), which were not seen in control mice. We conclude that long-term uncontrolled hVEGF-A(165) expression in only a limited number of target cells in adult mice can be associated with pathological changes, including possible formation of malignant tumors and uncontrolled bleeding in target tissues. These findings have implications for the design of long-term clinical trials using hVEGF-A(165) gene and protein.Peer reviewe