International evaluation of research at the University of Oulu:Research Assessment Exercise RAE2020: executive summary

Abstract At the University of Oulu (UOULU) we work as part of the international science community to produce new scientific information and science-based solutions. We also train future pioneers to build a more sustainable, intelligent and humane world. We are committed to promoting the United Nations´ goals of sustainable development with our research and education. UOULU was founded in 1958. Today, with 3400 employees and 13500 students in eight faculties, it is one of the largest and the most multidisciplinary universities in Finland, encompassing fields of a classical university as well as technology and economics and business (Fig. 1.1.). The University of Oulu is an active partner for collaboration. We collaborate in many ways with our stakeholders to meet the changing demands of information and working life, and to promote well-being and competitiveness in society. University´s experts and scientific expertise, research services and equipment are available to UOULU’s partners. To this end, this RAE2020 executive summary report provides an overview of the research in UOULU and its quality. The RAE2020 evaluation of research units (RU, organizational unit joining closely allied research groups) was performed by three international panels, consisting of 9‐11 international experts representing the relevant scientific fields of each panel. The data provided by and for each RU formed the basis for assigning each RU to one of the three evaluation panels. The information provided for the panels were a self-evaluation and scientific action plan report provided by the RUs. In addition, the panels interviewed the RUs remotely. To support RUs in their own self-assessment and the panellists in their evaluation, publications by UOULU scientists were analyzed. The publications for the 2013‐2017 period were analysed in two parts: by the Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CTWS) from Leiden University and by the Oulu University Library. Besides the university and RU level analyses, we now have for the first time a coherent view of how the RUs are related to the university´s focus areas and profiling themes, and how RUs’ scientific action plans relate to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG). The panels noted together that the RUs of the UOULU engage actively in research and achieve extremely high standards, with several being world leading. Further, the defined five focus areas of UOULU give the university a unique profile. These focus areas are directly related to the UN SDGs. The RUs are aligned very well with these focus areas and use them for developing ambitious, yet feasible strategic plans. The RAE2020 evaluation provides valuable input to re-evaluation and updating of UOULU’s strategy in the coming years. It offers for the RUs specific opportunity to plan how to achieve excellence in their fields of research and stimulate the multidisciplinary research approaches for building their excellence. UOULU’s strategic vision to target its expertise to build a more sustainable, intelligent and humane world is well justified based on the new data. Taina Pihlajaniemi, Vice Rector (research) 26.4.202

Sources of long-lived atmospheric VOCs at the rural boreal forest site, SMEAR II

In this study a long-term volatile organic compound (VOCs) concentration data set, measured at the SMEAR II (Station for Measuring Ecosystem–Atmosphere Relations) boreal forest site in Hyytiälä, Finland during the years 2006–2011, was analyzed in order to identify source areas and profiles of the observed VOCs. VOC mixing ratios were measured using proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry. Four-day HYSPLIT 4 (Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) backward trajectories and the Unmix 6.0 receptor model were used for source area and source composition analysis. Two major forest fire events in Russia took place during the measurement period. The effect of these fires was clearly visible in the trajectory analysis, lending confidence to the method employed with this data set. Elevated volume mixing ratios (VMRs) of non-biogenic VOCs related to forest fires, e.g. acetonitrile and aromatic VOCs, were observed. Ten major source areas for long-lived VOCs (methanol, acetonitrile, acetaldehyde, acetone, benzene, and toluene) observed at the SMEAR II site were identified. The main source areas for all the targeted VOCs were western Russia, northern Poland, Kaliningrad, and the Baltic countries. Industrial areas in northern continental Europe were also found to be source areas for certain VOCs. Both trajectory and receptor analysis showed that air masses from northern Fennoscandia were less polluted with respect to both the VOCs studied and other trace gases (CO, SO₂ and NO_<I>x</I>), compared to areas of eastern and western continental Europe, western Russia, and southern Fennoscandia

Root and shoot phenology and root longevity of Norway spruce saplings grown at different soil temperatures

Abstract Tree roots comprise a huge carbon pool. Their dynamics are driven by environmental factors and thereby affected by climate change. We studied the effects of soil temperature on root and shoot phenology and their linkages in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). Saplings were grown in controlled-environment rooms for three simulated growing seasons (GS1, GS2, and GS3). Soil-temperature treatments of 9, 13, 18, and 21 °C were applied during GS2. Root growth was monitored with minirhizotrons and commenced in all treatments simultaneously. Temporal growth patterns of short and long roots were usually bimodal. Root growth was very low during the coldest treatment of GS2 but increased during GS3 as an aftereffect. During GS3, growth of short roots continued later after colder treatments than warmer treatments. Reduced sink strength of roots and increased carbohydrate accumulation into needles at 9 °C during GS2 probably enabled compensatory root growth under restored temperatures during GS3. Soil temperature did not affect shoot phenology, and root and shoot phenology varied between growing seasons; thus, the linkage of root and shoot phenology was inconsistent. In warmer soil, root longevity was shorter and turnover rate was higher than in colder soil. This can further affect soil carbon dynamics and ecosystem carbon cycling in boreal forest ecosystems

Principles and open questions in functional brain network reconstruction

| openaire: EC/H2020/851255/EU//ARCTICGraph theory is now becoming a standard tool in system-level neuroscience. However, endowing observed brain anatomy and dynamics with a complex network representation involves often covert theoretical assumptions and methodological choices which affect the way networks are reconstructed from experimental data, and ultimately the resulting network properties and their interpretation. Here, we review some fundamental conceptual underpinnings and technical issues associated with brain network reconstruction, and discuss how their mutual influence concurs in clarifying the organization of brain function.Peer reviewe

Composição de ácidos graxos em raízes de sorgo sob estresse de alumínio Fatty acid composition of sorghum roots under aluminum stress

Este trabalho teve por objetivo determinar a influência do Al sobre a composição de ácidos graxos em raízes de duas cultivares de sorgo [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] com tolerância diferencial ao Al. Após exposição das plantas ao Al, raízes foram coletadas, os lipídios extraídos e determinada sua composição em ácidos graxos. O palmítico e, especialmente, o linoléico foram os principais ácidos graxos identificados nos extratos lipídicos de raízes das duas cultivares, independentemente da presença do Al. Nas plantas tratadas com Al, os teores dos ácidos esteárico e oléico aumentaram apenas na cultivar tolerante, mas os teores do ácido linolênico reduziram nas duas cultivares. Essas alterações na composição de ácidos graxos, o índice de ligações duplas para ácidos graxos contendo 18 carbonos (ILD C18) e as relações ácidos graxos saturados/ácidos graxos insaturados (AGI/AGS) e ácido linoléico/ácido palmítico (18:2/16:0) sugerem que ocorre redução na fluidez dos lipídios da cultivar tolerante, porém aumento na sensível. A redução na fluidez dos lipídios na cultivar tolerante, comparativamente à da sensível sugere ter a cultivar tolerante maior capacidade de reter íons e metabólitos essenciais e, ou limitar a entrada do Al em suas raízes.<br>The objective of this work was to determine Al effect on fatty acid composition of roots from two sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) cultivars with differential tolerance to aluminum. After exposure to Al, roots were collected, lipids extracted and the fatty acid composition determined. Palmitic and, especially, linoleic acid were the major fatty acids identified in the root lipid extracts of both cultivars, regardless of the presence of aluminum. Stearic and oleic acids contents increase only in the tolerant cultivar, while linolenic acid decreased in both cultivars after Al treatment. These changes in fatty acid composition, as well as in the C18-fatty acid double bound index (DBI C18) and in the ratios of unsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid (UFA/SFA) and linoleic acid/palmitic acid (18:2/16:0) indicated of a reduction of the lipid fluidity of the tolerant cultivar, but an increase in the sensitive one. The observed reduction in lipid fluidity in the tolerant relative to the sensitive cultivar suggests of a better capacity of the tolerant cultivar to retain essential ions and metabolites and/or to limit the entry of toxic Al ions into roots