Search Results (105)

Empirical approaches alone have significant limitations for accurate estimation of the fracture toughness of welds in gas line pipes being considered for repurposing to hydrogen service. These problems arise because most samples machined from ex-service welds contain a range of microstructures. The different microstructural zones have different properties and even when compact tension samples with side grooves are utilized, it is unlikely that plane strain conditions are achieved during laboratory testing. Thus, the measured toughness may not be directly relevant to assessing in-service performance. The present research has been undertaken as part of an integrated series of projects seeking to define a robust protocol for assessing the damage tolerance of piping used for the transmission of hydrogen, especially when considering repurposing existing infrastructure. The key work described in this paper involved establishing heat treatments which produced microstructures relevant to the constituents found in ex-service welds of X46 type steel. Following comprehensive microstructural characterization, these heat treatments were applied to steel sections which allowed for the fabrication of standard compact tension specimens, which were subsequently tested in hydrogen to measure fracture toughness. The results obtained showed that the fracture behavior varied for different microstructures. To identify the influence that hydrogen gas has on the performance of pipeline steels, it is important to assess microstructures relevant to the welds present, as testing only on base metal may not provide conservative information. However, the results from well-planned and carefully executed programs can be used to identify the relative performance in hydrogen. The data can also be used as critical input to models which form part of an integrated approach to structural integrity assessment. Full article

Residential exposure to radon and environmental gamma radiation poses a significant public health concern in uranium-rich regions. The Akmola Region of Kazakhstan, home to one of the world’s largest uranium tailings sites, lacks localized data on seasonal exposure variations and associated health risks. This study assessed indoor radon progeny concentrations and gamma dose rates in 62 dwellings across two settlements—Aqsu and Zavodskoy—in the Akmola Region during autumn 2023 through summer 2024. Using RAMON-02 and Alpharad Plus detectors, seasonal equivalent equilibrium volumetric activity (EEVA) of radon progeny and effective doses were calculated, stratified by presence of a cellar. In Aqsu, ambient dose equivalent rates reached up to 0.55 µSv/h, and winter median EEVA levels exceeded 130 Bq/m³ in some non-cellar homes. Seasonal effective doses peaked in spring (up to 8.82 mSv) in cellar dwellings, with annual doses reaching 23.5 mSv—substantially higher than in Zavodskoy. Although mitigation efforts have reduced exposure in some homes, several cellar dwellings in Aqsu exhibited persistently elevated EEVA, suggesting potential structural vulnerabilities or residual contamination. These findings underscore significant seasonal and structural disparities in radiation exposure and highlight the need for targeted, site-specific interventions to reduce long-term health risks in affected communities. Full article

Social changes have significantly impacted the educational system at various levels, for example, through legislative reforms, and have consequently guided the teaching–learning process. One of the emerging methodologies is Service-Learning (SL), which directly affects student competence and promotes habits related to physical activity and health. The present quasi-experimental study examined the impact of an SL program on secondary school students (n = 112). The aim of the 16-session SL program, which was part of the Physical Education course, was to improve the physical condition and health of 18 sedentary older adults. The influence of this program on motivation, the prosocial climate, and the importance that the students attribute to the subject of Physical Education was assessed. The most significant results were found to be those related to the School Prosocial Climate linked to empathy (p < 0.05) and the motivational variable of Intrinsic Motivation for Stimulating Experiences (p < 0.01). In conclusion, it was determined that the implementation of a methodology based on SL has positive effects on students’ empathy and intrinsic motivation. Full article

Background: This study aims to evaluate surgical outcomes and compares the prevalence and severity of postoperative complications and reoperations with maxillary osteotomies, focusing on the effectiveness of fixation with demineralized bone matrix (DBM) versus autogenous bone grafts (ABG) in patients with orofacial clefts and craniofacial malformations. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 138 consecutive patients treated at the Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Center, Helsinki University Hospital, from 2014 to 2022. The cohort consisted of patients with clefts (n = 113), craniosynostosis, and craniofacial syndromes (n = 25). The DBM group (n = 103) received DBX^® (Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation, Edison, NJ, USA), while the ABG group (n = 35) received autogenous bone grafts. Surgical procedures included Le Fort I and bimaxillary osteotomies. Complications involving the maxilla or both jaws were included in the analysis. Both major and minor complications, as well as reoperations, were analyzed and compared. Results: The DBM group had 13.6% of patients with complications, while the ABG group had 20.0%. Reoperation rates were 6.8% for the DBM group and 5.7% for the ABG group. There were no statistically significant differences in complication or reoperation rates between the DBM and ABG groups. Conclusions: The findings suggest that using DBM or ABG in maxillary osteotomies does not significantly affect complication or reoperation rates, supporting DBM as a viable alternative for maxillary surgeries. Full article

Cryptosporidium is a significant cause of foodborne outbreaks. The 60 kDa glycoprotein gene (gp60) is most often used for subtyping Cryptosporidium species but is not always sufficient for defining clusters and infections sources. The Multilocus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis (MLVA) scheme has been developed to better differentiate between subtypes. A cryptosporidiosis outbreak, with 35 cases, was detected in Finland in September 2022. At the same time, in Sweden, three cryptosporidiosis outbreaks, with 107 cases, were detected, leading to international collaboration. In both countries, salad mixes were suspected as being the outbreak source. In the Finnish outbreak, the suspected salad mixes were produced in Sweden. In the Swedish outbreaks, salad mixes from two different producers were suspected. Twenty-nine patient samples which were positive for Cryptosporidium parvum (11 from Finland and 18 from Sweden) were sent for MLVA. The Finnish outbreak samples had different gp60 subtypes and MLVA profiles compared to the Swedish samples. In our investigation, MLVA differentiated C. parvum subtypes in more detail than gp60 typing. MLVA suggested no connection between the Finnish and Swedish outbreaks. A traceback investigation supported this conclusion. To detect outbreaks and identify infection sources, the timely subtyping of patient samples is crucial and should be implemented in routine surveillance and outbreak investigations. Full article

This study investigates the effect of extended rye scald fermentation times (12–48 h) on its biochemical properties and rye bread’s nutritional and sensory qualities. Traditional rye bread production in Latvia involves prolonged fermentation with lactic acid bacteria (LAB), a process that influences the bread’s acidity, sugar content, and concentrations of organic acids, fructans, and phytates. Scald fermentation was analyzed at intervals of 0, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h to monitor microbial activity, particularly LAB population dynamics. Organic acids and sugar profiles were analyzed using HPLC, while phytic acid and fructan concentrations were determined using the Phytic Acid Assay Kit (K-PHYT) and Fructan Assay Kit (K-FRUC). Sensory evaluation assessed attributes including aroma, sour and sweet taste, stickiness, and floury aftertaste. A rapid pH decrease and increased total titratable acidity (TTA) after 12 h confirmed scald’s suitability as a substrate for Lactobacillus delbrueckii metabolism. Lactic acid content increased 13.8-fold after 48 h. Combined scald and dough sourdough fermentation reduced phytic acid by 20% and fructans by 49%, improving mineral bioavailability. Extending fermentation beyond 24 h showed no significant differences in physicochemical parameters, although it improved sensory quality, reduced stickiness, balanced sweet–sour flavors, enhanced aroma, and minimized floury aftertaste. Full article

With global climate change causing temperature increases, even cooler regions like Finland are facing increasing heat risks. The city of Lahti is expected to experience a higher-than-average temperature increase, making heat risk mitigation essential. This study aims to assess present and future heat risks in Lahti using exposure and social vulnerability indicators to identify heat risk hotspots and provide strategies for mitigation within the city’s urban planning framework. The method utilizes a combination of Land Surface Temperature (LST) data (2014–2024), climate projections, and microclimate analysis to identify heat risk in the city. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and ENVI-met modeling were employed to assess the relationship between land surface temperatures (LST), urban structure, and green infrastructure. Risk assessments were conducted using social and environmental vulnerability indicators, and future projections were based on a combined SSP2-4.5 scenario. The results show a significant increase in high-risk areas by 2040, rising from 9.79% to 23.65% of Lahti’s core urban area. Although the current urban planning framework of the city (Masterplan 2035) is effective in terms of maintaining exposure levels, the continued increase in projected air temperatures, as modeled based on outputs of the EC-Earth3-veg GCM, remains a concern. Microclimate modeling confirmed that urban greenery significantly reduces heat stress and improves thermal comfort. To address future heat risks, Lahti must integrate more green infrastructure into its urban design and identify seasonal heat mitigation methodologies. Additionally, the findings emphasize the need for adaptive planning strategies to mitigate rising temperatures and ensure urban resilience. Full article

Objectives: We evaluated associations between changes in dental anxiety and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in parents of the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study. Methods: Two-year dental anxiety trajectories measured with Modified Dental Anxiety Scale from gestational weeks (gw) 14 and 34, and 3 and 24 months after birth were used. OHRQoL was measured with the Oral Health Impact Profile 14-item questionnaire at gw34 and 4 years. Changes in the OHRQoL sum and dimension scores according to dental anxiety trajectories were analyzed with the Jonckheere–Terpstra test separately for mothers (n = 998) and fathers (n = 513). Results: Overall, OHRQoL decreased in all dental anxiety trajectory groups except the High decreasing group in mothers and in fathers. The decline in the overall OHRQoL was greatest in the Stable high trajectory group for both parents. In fathers, OHRQoL increased considerably but not statistically significantly in the High decreasing trajectory group. The changes in OHRQoL dimensions Psychological discomfort and Handicap differed according to dental anxiety trajectories for both of mothers and fathers, and also for the dimension Psychological disability for mothers. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions in treating high dental anxiety and in preventing the increase in dental anxiety to improve oral health outcomes such as OHRQoL. Full article

Cities face increasing heat risk due to global and local warming, and the risk is greater in the developing world. South Asia, in particular, faces increasing urban climate risk, but the translation of urban climate knowledge into sustainable climate-sensitive planning is weak. In this paper, we report on our conversations with experts from the Sri Lankan urban planning community on the barriers to and opportunities for urban climate mitigation action. We uncover six themes (insights, integrate, specify, exhort, commitment, and continuity) that best exemplify both the barriers to and opportunities for enhancing heat risk resilience in this primate city. We then map a set of agencies and actors that need to be involved in any holistic risk resilience plan and draw wider lessons to sustainably manage the urgent practical gaps in heat health planning. Full article

This study examines the perspectives of university faculty and staff regarding the influence of artificial intelligence on the higher education teaching and learning landscape following the global launch of free-to-use OpenAI ChatGPT in the autumn of 2022. The participants were 79 university faculty and staff from diverse academic fields across all campuses of a multidisciplinary university in Finland. The data were collected in two phases in May–June 2023 and in March 2024, with focus group interviews and Learning Café discussions. The results showed that AI has a broad impact on teaching and studying in higher education. Six main categories were identified: (1) the impact of AI on students’ learning processes, (2) the impact of AI on teaching, (3) the knowledge required of future employees and the impact of AI on them, (4) ethical and economic issues, (5) the development of AI or its use in the future, and (6) the nature of the change brought about by artificial intelligence. AI is already making inroads into higher education, and participants underscored its dual impact on teaching and learning, highlighting both opportunities and challenges. While teachers recognized AI’s potential to enhance teaching and assessment methods, they also acknowledged the need to adapt their courses accordingly. They expressed concerns about understanding AI’s impact on students’ learning processes and their own contributions to learning assignments. The participants emphasized the necessity of providing support and training for teachers to ensure AI is meaningfully and effectively integrated into teaching and learning practices and landscapes. Full article

The percentage of obese people is increasing worldwide, causing versatile health problems. Obesity is connected to diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, which are preceded by a state called metabolic syndrome. Diets rich in fruits and vegetables have been reported to decrease the risk of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Berries with a high polyphenol content, including lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.), have also been of interest to possibly prevent obesity-induced metabolic disturbances. In the present study, we prepared an extract from the by-product of a lingonberry juice production process (press cake/pomace) and investigated its metabolic effects in the high-fat diet-induced model of obesity in mice. The lingonberry skin extract partly prevented weight and epididymal fat gain as well as a rise in fasting glucose level in high-fat diet-fed mice. The extract also attenuated high-fat diet-induced glucose intolerance as measured by an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT). The extract had no effect on the levels of cholesterol, triglyceride or the adipokines adiponectin, leptin, or resistin. The results extend previous data on the beneficial metabolic effects of lingonberry. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms behind these effects and to develop further health-promoting lingonberry applications. Full article

Blowout fractures are common midfacial fractures in which one or several of the bones of orbital vault break. This is usually caused by a direct trauma to the eye with a blunt object such as a fist. Fracturing of the fragile orbital bones can lead to changes in the orbital volume, which may cause enophthalmos, diplopia, and impaired facial aesthetics. Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate whether there is an association between volume change of the bony orbit and age, gender, or trauma mechanism. Methods: A retrospective study of patients with unilateral blowout or blow-in fractures treated and examined in Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Lahti, Finland was conducted. Altogether, 127 patients met the inclusion criteria. Their computed tomographs (CT) were measured with an orbit-specific automated segmentation-based volume measurement tool, and the relative orbital volume change between fractured and intact orbital vault was calculated. Thereafter, a statistical analysis was performed. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: We found that relative increase in orbital volume and age have a statistically significant association (p = 0.022). Trauma mechanism and gender showed no significant role. Conclusions: Patient’s age is associated with increased volume change in fractures of the bony orbit. Full article

Qualtra, an innovative 10 MW geothermal power plant proposal, employs a closed-loop design to mitigate emissions, ensuring no direct release into the atmosphere. A thorough assessment utilizing energy and exergy analysis, life cycle assessment (LCA), exergo-economic analysis, and exergo environmental analysis (EevA) was conducted. The LCA results, utilizing the ReCiPe 2016 midpoint methodology, encompass all the spectrum of environmental indicators provided. The technology implemented makes it possible to avoid direct atmospheric emissions from the Qualtra plant, so the environmental impact is mainly due to indirect emissions over the life cycle. The result obtained for the global warming potential indicator is about 6.6 g CO₂ eq/kWh, notably lower compared to other conventional systems. Contribution analysis reveals that the construction phase dominates, accounting for over 90% of the impact for almost all LCA midpoint categories, excluding stratospheric ozone depletion, which is dominated by the impact from the operation and maintenance phase, at about 87%. Endpoint indicators were assessed to estimate the single score value using normalization and weighting at the component level. The resulting single score is then used in an Exergo-Environmental Analysis (EEvA), highlighting the well system as the most impactful contributor, constituting approximately 45% of the total impact. Other substantial contributions to the environmental impact include the condenser (21%), the turbine (17%), and the HEGeo (14%). The exergo-economic analysis assesses cost distribution across major plant components, projecting an electricity cost of about 9.4 c€/kWh. Full article

We aimed to identify parents’ dental anxiety trajectories and the association of the trajectories with the number of parents’ and their children’s oral healthcare procedures in the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study. Dental anxiety was measured with the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale at gestational weeks (gw) 14 and 34, as well as 3 and 24 months (mo) after childbirth. Oral healthcare procedures from gw14 to 24 mo were obtained from the national patient data register and categorized as preventive and treatment. Trajectories were identified with latent growth mixture modelling for 2068 fathers and 3201 mothers. Associations between trajectories and procedures adjusted for education were analyzed using unordered multinomial logit models. Fathers’ trajectories were stable low (80.1%), stable high (3.4%), stable moderate (11.0%), moderate increasing (3.9%) and high decreasing (1.6%). Mothers’ trajectories were stable low (80.7%), stable high (11.2%), moderate increasing (5.3%) and high decreasing (2.8%). Mothers with decreasing dental anxiety had a higher number of preventive and treatment procedures. Fathers with decreasing dental anxiety had a higher number of preventive and treatment procedures, while fathers with increasing dental anxiety had fewer procedures. Children of mothers with stable low dental anxiety had higher number of preventive procedures. There seems to be a two-way association between dental anxiety trajectories and oral healthcare procedures. Full article

We investigated humoral and T-cell response to a SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine in solid organ transplant recipients (SOT-Rs) and healthy donors (HDs) before (T0) and after two (T1) and twelve months (T2) since the third dose administration. SOT-Rs were stratified according to the transplanted organ and to the time elapsed since the transplant. In SOT-Rs, detectable levels of anti-S antibodies were observed in 44%, 81% and 88% at T0, T1 and T2, respectively. Conversely, anti-S antibody levels were detected in 100% of HD at all time points. Lower antibody titers were observed in SOT-Rs compared to HDs, even stratifying by transplanted organs and the time elapsed since transplant. Lower percentages of responding and polyfunctional T-cells were observed in SOT-Rs as well as in each subgroup of SOT-Rs compared to HDs. At both T0 and T1, in SOT-Rs, a predominance of one cytokine production shortly was observed. Conversely, at T2, a dynamic change in the T-cells subset distribution was observed, similar to what was observed in HDs. In SOT-Rs, the third dose increased the rate of seroconversion, although anti-S levels remained lower compared to HDs, and a qualitatively inferior T-cell response to vaccination was observed. Vaccine effectiveness in SOT-Rs is still suboptimal and might be improved by booster doses and prophylactic strategies. Full article