Attracting more international talents to work in Finland – mixed-method user research

This thesis investigates the mixed-method user research throughout the Work in Finland website redesign project, aiming to enhance Finland's visibility and attractiveness to international specialists. The study employs qualitative and quantitative data analysis, including semi-structured interviews, thematic analysis, web analytics, tree testing, usability testing, and User Acceptance Testing. The project follows the "double diamond" design framework, comprising four key phases: Discovery, Describe, Design, and Build. Initially, user research was conducted to gain insights into the needs, preferences, and pain points of international talent working in Finland. Based on the findings, a comprehensive design solution was developed, incorporating Promotional, Call-to-action, and Informational user journeys. Subsequently, user testing was conducted to evaluate and validate the solution, gathering feedback from target users on various aspects, including structure, design, and implementation. The outcomes of these user tests demonstrated a positive reception of the Work in Finland project. The utilization of mixed-method user research proved instrumental in facilitating effective communication between the Work in Finland project team and the target audience. It established a user-friendly foundation for the concept and design, contributing to the project's widespread acceptance

Comparison of single cell sequencing data between two whole genome amplification methods on two sequencing platforms

Abstract Research based on a strategy of single-cell low-coverage whole genome sequencing (SLWGS) has enabled better reproducibility and accuracy for detection of copy number variations (CNVs). The whole genome amplification (WGA) method and sequencing platform are critical factors for successful SLWGS (<0.1 × coverage). In this study, we compared single cell and multiple cells sequencing data produced by the HiSeq2000 and Ion Proton platforms using two WGA kits and then comprehensively evaluated the GC-bias, reproducibility, uniformity and CNV detection among different experimental combinations. Our analysis demonstrated that the PicoPLEX WGA Kit resulted in higher reproducibility, lower sequencing error frequency but more GC-bias than the GenomePlex Single Cell WGA Kit (WGA4 kit) independent of the cell number on the HiSeq2000 platform. While on the Ion Proton platform, the WGA4 kit (both single cell and multiple cells) had higher uniformity and less GC-bias but lower reproducibility than those of the PicoPLEX WGA Kit. Moreover, on these two sequencing platforms, depending on cell number, the performance of the two WGA kits was different for both sensitivity and specificity on CNV detection. The results can help researchers who plan to use SLWGS on single or multiple cells to select appropriate experimental conditions for their applications

Rapid Discovery of the Potential Toxic Compounds in Polygonum multiflorum by UHPLC/Q-Orbitrap-MS-Based Metabolomics and Correlation Analysis

The dry roots of Polygonum multiflorum (PM), involving both the raw and processed materials, are widely used as the traditional Chinese medicine for treating various diseases in China. Hepatotoxicity has been occasionally reported in patients who consume PM. Unfortunately, no definite criteria are currently available regarding the processing technology of PM for reduction the toxicity. In this work, we aimed to investigate the variations of PM metabolite profiles induced by different processing technologies by UHPLC/Q-Orbitrap-MS and multivariate statistical analysis, and to discover the potential toxic compounds by correlating the cytotoxicity of L02 cell with the contents of metabolites in raw and processed PM samples. We could identify two potential toxic compounds, emodin-8-O-glucoside and torachrysone-O-hexose, which could be selected as the toxic markers to evaluate different processing methods. The results indicated all processed PM samples could decrease the cytotoxicity on L02 cell. The best processing technology for PM process was to steam PM in black soybean decoction (BD-PM) for 24 h

Cellular automaton modeling of peritectic transformation

A two-dimensional multiphase cellular automaton (CA) model is proposed for the prediction of growth kinetics and microstructural evolution during peritectic transformation of Fe-C alloys. The proposed model is validated by comparing the simulation results with the experimental measurements and analytical predictions for the growth kinetics of the $\gamma$ -phase and the concentration distributions. The simulated time evolution of the $\gamma$ -phase thickness and the concentration distribution in the $\gamma$ -phase agree well with the experimental data, demonstrating the quantitative capabilities of the proposed model. The influences of the holding temperature and $\gamma$ -phase thickness on the $\gamma$ -phase growth behavior are analyzed based on the simulation results. The $\gamma$ -phase growth velocity is found to decrease with increasing the $\gamma$ -phase thickness and holding temperature. Simulations are also performed for the microstructural evolution during isothermal peritectic transformation of Fe-C alloys with the primary $\delta$ -phase being an equiaxed dendrite under different holding temperatures. It is found that the driving force for $\gamma$ -phase growth increases with decreasing temperature

Simulation of the Peritectic Phase Transition in Fe-C Alloys

In this work, a multi-phase cellular automaton (CA) model is extended for the quantitative simulation of peritectic phase transition. First, the effects of cooling rate/supersaturation and temperature on the peritectic transformation kinetics in Fe-C alloys are investigated by utilizing the present CA model. The CA simulations show that supersaturations in the parent phases (liquid and &delta;-ferrite) increase the L/&gamma; interface growth velocity remarkably, but tinily for the &delta;/&gamma; interface migration velocity. There exists a transition supersaturation for isothermal transformations, at which the growth rates of the two interfaces are equal. The transition supersaturation is found to increase with decreasing temperature. Microstructural evolution at different cooling rates during peritectic transformation is simulated using the experimental conditions. At low cooling rates, the &delta;/&gamma; interface propagates at a higher velocity than the L/&gamma; interface. At high cooling rates, however, the &gamma;-phase grows more into the L-phase with a cellular morphology. Then, the proposed CA model is applied to simulate the microstructural evolution during peritectic reaction. It is observed that the &gamma;-phase propagates along the L/&delta; interface and finally encircles the &delta;-phase. Meanwhile, the intervenient &gamma;-phase grows in thickness through peritectic transformation. The CA simulations are compared reasonably well with the experimental data and analytical calculations

A potential model of systemic sclerosis with pulmonary hypertension induced by monocrotaline plus bleomycin

Objective The lack of a well-established animal model limits the clarification of the detailed mechanisms of the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis with pulmonary hypertension (SSc-PH) and the development of effective treatments for it. Methods In this study, New Zealand rabbits were injected with monocrotaline (MCT), bleomycin (BLM), and MCT plus BLM, respectively. Three and six weeks after the first injection, the mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was measured. Skin and lung samples were isolated and the histological changes were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining or Masson’s trichrome staining. Results All groups of rabbits showed an increased mean mPAP compared with the saline-injected rabbits. The high mPAP persisted until week six only in the MCT and MCT + BLM groups. Furthermore, persistent high Fulton’s indices were found in the MCT and MCT + BLM groups, indicating that these treatments successfully induced right ventricular hypertrophy. The rabbits in the MCT + BLM group developed severe lung inflammation, as evidenced by a high level of neutrophil infiltration in the pulmonary interstitium. Importantly, pathological changes of the skin in the MCT + BLM group were observed, and further damage to the skin was caused by additional exposure to MCT plus BLM. Meanwhile, an excessive production of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), were detected in the MCT + BLM group. Conclusion These data indicate that SSc-PH induced by co-injection with MCT plus BLM shows persistent fibrosis and progressive PH, constituting a potential study model for SSc-PH

Degradation of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Organic Matter in Urban River Sediments by Adding Microorganisms

Reducing and remediating endogenous sediment pollution in urban rivers using appropriate microbiological remediation technology is regarded as a safe, effective, and environmentally sustainable mechanism. In this study, the pollutant removal efficiency of three microorganism types at different dosages was studied in the laboratory. To optimize the microbial restoration scheme, a comprehensive analysis of their effectiveness in removing total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total organic matter (OM), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was conducted, and associated structural changes in the sediment bacteria were analyzed. The results showed that using nitrifying bacteria and Bacillus as microbial agents resulted in superior removal efficiencies of TN and TP in sediments, whereas yeast was not as effective. The removal rates of TN reached 27.65% and 20.88% when 5 mg nitrifying bacteria and 10 mg Bacillus respectively, were used. A comparative analysis showed that nitrifying bacteria exhibited a better TN removal effect; however, Bacillus exhibited a better TP removal effect. The results of high-throughput sequencing revealed no significant changes to the microbial community structures when optimal microorganisms or beneficial microorganisms that thrive using OM as a source of C and energy were added. This study provides insights into the processes and mechanisms involved in the microorganism degradation of black and odorous sediment, and the results can be used as a basis for developing endogenous pollution control policies and methods for urban rivers

The effect of basicity of modified ground granulated blast furnace slag on its denitration performance

Blast furnace slag (BFS), a large amount of industrial solid waste, is currently used to make mainly concrete and building bricks. There is no doubt that it is a waste of rich elements and oxides in the slag. In order to increase the utilization and use value of BFS, this article prepared it as a denitration catalyst. The alkaline oxides CaO, MgO and the acidic oxides Al2O3, SiO2 were used to modify the ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS). And it investigated the effect of the modified GGBS and alkalinity on denitration performance. Combining X-Ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) characterization, the results showed that: Alkaline oxides modified GGBS had good denitration performance, which benefited from -OH generated during the modification process. While acidic oxides modified GGBS hardly improved the denitration performance, because the acidic oxides would absorb the f-CaO in the slag. According to the calculation formula of slag alkalinity, the quaternary, ternary and binary alkalinity of 9 wt% MgO modified GGBS were 0.901,1.262 and 1.089 respectively, and the denitration performance of the modified GGBS improved with the increase of alkalinity. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd

Oral feeding of nanoplastics affects brain function of mice by inducing macrophage IL-1 signal in the intestine

Summary: Nanoplastics (NPs) as contaminants in food and water have drawn increasing public attention. However, little is known about how NPs shape the gut immune landscape after injection. In this study, we fabricate NPs (∼500 nm) and microplastics (MPs) (∼2 μm) and evaluate their in vivo effects by feeding them to mice. The results suggest that NPs show a better ability to induce gut macrophage activation than MPs. In addition, NPs trigger gut interleukin-1 (IL-1)-producing macrophage reprogramming via inducing lysosomal damage. More importantly, IL-1 signaling from the intestine can affect brain immunity, leading to microglial activation and Th17 differentiation, all of which correlates with a decline in cognitive and short-term memory in NP-fed mice. Thus, this study provides insight into the mechanism of action of the gut-brain axis, delineates the way NPs reduce brain function, and highlights the importance of fixing the plastic pollution problem worldwide