Search

Sustainability action at universities is complex and requires engaging multiple competences that reside on different levels outside and inside the organisation. In addition to individual competences, social communities also possess collective resources and characteristics that do not translate into a sum of individual abilities. Based on a qualitative small-n comparative study of four universities in Spain, Portugal, Finland and Romania, this paper explores the concept of collective sustainability competences as enablers and constraints of sustainability action at universities. Drawing from institutional theory and nestedness in organisations, the article poses the following research question: How can the collective sustainability competences of universities be conceptualised? The article develops a conceptual understanding of regulative, normative and cultural-cognitive elements of collective sustainability competences as a nested institutional space. In so doing, the article contributes to the discussion on the capacity of universities to act as key organisations in sustainability transitions.

Several lines of evidence indicate the involvement of neuroinflammatory processes in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia (SCZ). Microglia are brain resident immune cells responding toward invading pathogens and injury-related products, and additionally, have a critical role in improving neurogenesis and synaptic functions. Aberrant activation of microglia in SCZ is one of the leading hypotheses for disease pathogenesis, but due to the lack of proper human cell models, the role of microglia in SCZ is not well studied. We used monozygotic twins discordant for SCZ and healthy individuals to generate human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived microglia to assess the transcriptional and functional differences in microglia between healthy controls, affected twins and unaffected twins. The microglia from affected twins had increased expression of several common inflammation-related genes compared to healthy individuals. Microglia from affected twins had also reduced response to interleukin 1 beta (IL1β) treatment, but no significant differences in migration or phagocytotic activity. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) showed abnormalities related to extracellular matrix signaling. RNA sequencing predicted downregulation of extracellular matrix structure constituent Gene Ontology (GO) terms and hepatic fibrosis pathway activation that were shared by microglia of both affected and unaffected twins, but the upregulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II receptors was observed only in affected twin microglia. Also, the microglia of affected twins had heterogeneous response to clozapine, minocycline, and sulforaphane treatments. Overall, despite the increased expression of inflammatory genes, we observed no clear functional signs of hyperactivation in microglia from patients with SCZ. We conclude that microglia of the patients with SCZ have gene expression aberrations related to inflammation response and extracellular matrix without contributing to increased microglial activation.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, design education has been gaining momentum across disciplines as a means to equip students with skills relevant in the job market as well as to tackle wicked problems. One of the core assumptions behind integrating design education to other disciplines focuses on the need for hands-on and experiential opportunity exploration and collaborative learning, often prevalent in studio-based settings. However, as the Covid-19 pandemic has shown, physically accessing the campus or the studio is not always feasible, so how might this impact multidisciplinary design education? Acknowledging the notion that we no longer can take face-to-face learning for granted, this paper ask what aspects of design (thinking) education could be delivered in blended environments. I contribute to this body of knowledge by investigating students' perceptions of their learning about design methods and processes in a problem-based blended learning course focusing on design and multidisciplinary teamwork. Visual learning diaries of forty-seven students were analyzed to better understand how blended learning can support or hinder learning about applying design to societal issues. Data analysis revealed three aspects -- triggers for personal development, exploring ambiguity, and technology as providing structure -- that form the concept learning frame. This concept sheds light on how the students perceived blended learning elements influencing their learning about how design could be applied to societal issues. Findings contribute to further dissolving the physical-digital dichotomy in design studio and education. Pedagogical implications focus on how blended learning can promote student agency in design education across disciplines.

Abstract Since 2004, marine biodiversity inventory data have been systematically collected with diving, video, and benthic sampling methods in Finland. To date, this collection of data consists of more than 194 000 spatially explicit observations, covering more than 280 aquatic genera, representing mainly macroalgae, vascular plants, water mosses, and invertebrates. We describe the data collection and storage methods, data extraction from national databases, and provide potential users a curated, open-access version of the inventory data. Additionally, examples of data applications and discussion on potential limitations are provided. This extensive dataset can be used in ecological and biogeographical studies to provide general descriptions of biodiversity patterns and species distributions, as well as in more applied studies to support marine management, conservation, and sustainable use of marine areas. The sampling strategy and high spatial and taxonomic resolution allow for statistical modelling, which further increases the usability of the data in research, for instance in identifying key biodiversity areas, estimating biodiversity loss, and assessing efficiency of conservation.

Abstract Background Pericytes play a crucial role in controlling inflammation and vascular functions in the central nervous system, which are disrupted in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Still, there is a lack of studies on the impact of pericytes on neurodegenerative diseases, and their involvement in the pathology of PD is unclear. Our objective was to investigate the molecular and functional differences between healthy pericytes and pericytes with the LRRK2 G2019S mutation, which is one of the most common mutations associated with PD. Methods Our study employed pericyte-like cells obtained from induced pluripotent stem cells produced from PD patients with the LRRK2 G2019S mutation as well as from healthy individuals. We examined the gene expression profiles of the cells and analyzed how the alterations reflect on their functionality. Results We have shown differences in the expression of genes related to inflammation and angiogenesis. Furthermore, we observe modified migration speed in PD pericyte-like cells as well as enhanced secretion of inflammatory mediators, such as soluble VCAM-1 and MCP-1, in these pericyte-like cells following exposure to proinflammatory stimuli. Conclusions In summary, our findings support the notion that pericytes play a role in the inflammatory and vascular changes observed in PD. Further investigation of pericytes could provide valuable insight into understanding the pathogenesis of PD.

Abstract The challenges facing active distribution networks have highlighted the position of the distribution system state estimation (DSSE) process in the distribution management systems as its most important function. Here, regarding the extensive scale of distribution networks and the weaknesses of centralized methods, the decentralized implementation of the DSSE process has received considerable attention. However, predefined network partitioning is supposed in previous works and zone size effects on the performance of the DSSE process have not been assessed. In response, a method for finding the optimal number of network zones and their size is proposed here. For this purpose, initially, an algorithm is used to partition the network into all possible configurations with different sizes. Subsequently, performance metrics affected by zone sizes, such as execution time, accuracy of the DSSE results, and reliability in achieving the results at the control centre, are modelled. Finally, by applying the decentralized DSSE method across all partitioning scenarios and calculating performance metrics, the most efficient and cost‐effective partitioning scenario can be identified. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated using the modified 77‐bus UK distribution network as an active test case, and the findings are subsequently presented and analysed.

Abstract In this paper, the study of the homogeneous resistivity and two‐layer soil influences on the performance of the electrodes of grounding systems subjected to lightning strikes is carried out considering soil ionization. The study is done on the behaviour of the ground electrodes while the resistivity of the soil is altered from small to high value in the case of homogeneous soil, while the study is obtained on two‐layer soils in the case of diverse values of the reflection factor. In the suggested algorithm for two‐layer soils, each layer has its resistivity and dielectric constant, where the dielectric constant and soil resistivity depend on the lightning frequency. The field resulting from lightning strikes, which causes soil ionization, has been studied, and the results have been used to understand the behaviour of ground rods under the influence of lightning strikes. The credibility of the results has been strengthened by comparing it with what others have obtained recently. The article's novelty can be summarized in the investigation of the performance of the electrodes of grounding grids that are installed in high soil resistivity of uniform and two‐layer soils containing the impacts of soil ionization, lightning frequency, soil resistivity, and permittivity variations.

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects millions of people worldwide and represents the most prevalent form of dementia. Treatment strategies aiming to interfere with the formation of amyloid β (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), the two major AD hallmarks, have shown modest or no effect. Recent evidence suggests that ferroptosis, a type of programmed cell death caused by iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation, contributes to AD pathogenesis. The existing link between ferroptosis and AD has been largely based on cell culture and animal studies, while evidence from human brain tissue is limited. Here we evaluate if Aβ is associated with ferroptosis pathways in post-mortem human brain tissue and whether ferroptosis inhibition could attenuate Aβ-related effects in human brain organoids. Performing positive pixel density scoring on immunohistochemically stained post-mortem Brodmann Area 17 sections revealed that the progression of AD pathology was accompanied by decreased expression of nuclear receptor co-activator 4 and glutathione peroxidase 4 in the grey matter. Differentiating between white and grey matter, allowed for a more precise understanding of the disease’s impact on different brain regions. In addition, ferroptosis inhibition prevented Aβ pathology, decreased lipid peroxidation and restored iron storage in human AD iPSCs-derived brain cortical organoids at day 50 of differentiation. Differential gene expression analysis of RNAseq of AD organoids compared to isogenic controls indicated activation of the ferroptotic pathway. This was also supported by results from untargeted proteomic analysis revealing significant changes between AD and isogenic brain organoids. Determining the causality between the development of Aβ plaques and the deregulation of molecular pathways involved in ferroptosis is crucial for developing potential therapeutic interventions.

Abstract Ensuring power system safety involves effective arc fault detection and localization. Existing devices struggle to differentiate between normal and abnormal conditions, especially in confined spaces, posing precision challenges. Strategically placing antennas around the arc helps detect electromagnetic radiation, even in limited areas, enabling valuable data collection for real-time monitoring. To address these challenges, this paper proposes integrating experimental work using a compact multi-square microstrip antenna and signal processing techniques. The study compares the effectiveness of two signal processing approaches: Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT), and Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT). These techniques separate genuine arc signals from background noise by identifying unique characteristics and isolating the dominant frequency. The Time of Arrival (ToA) is measured and used in Least Square and Gauss-Jordan Elimination methods to calculate the arc source location. The outcomes illustrate the precision of the proposed model in detecting and pinpointing arc source signals, with error margins ranging from 0.0615 to 0.0713 m for the CWT technique, 0.0688 to 0.0789 m for the DWT technique, and 0.0799 to 0.0844 m from the actual signal captured. These results hold promise for enhancing the integration of experimental approaches in assessing arcing conditions, thereby addressing challenges in insulation systems.

Sexuality education is important for children's well-being, peer relationships and safety, yet pre-teenagers and their diverse experiences have remained largely overlooked within the field. In Finland, the national curriculum obliges schools to prevent sexual harassment and homo- and transphobic violence, to provide knowledge on gender diversity, and to support children and youth in developing their sexuality and gender identities. However, there are severe deficiencies in sexuality education that reinforce heteronormativity and leave pre-teenage children to cope with the pressures of normative cultures on their own. Drawing on our creative praxis with Northern-Finnish pre-teenage schoolchildren aged 10-13 years, we explore the ways in which pre-teenagers' knowledge of age, sexuality and gender, including their diversity, are negotiated and how pre-teenagers disseminate this knowledge to their peers. We also analyse pre-teenagers' political expression with respect to non-normative genders and sexualities via our arts-based Friendship Workshops. Based on our analysis, we discuss ways in which to develop sexuality education that takes into account pre-teenage children, their diversity, and their safety.

Purpose: Calculating an organization's carbon footprint is crucial for assessing and implementing emission reductions. Although Finnish higher education institutions (HEIs) aim for carbon neutrality by 2030, limited research exists on plans to reach a similar target in any country. This paper aims to address the shared and individual challenges Finnish HEIs have with carbon footprint calculations, reductions, resources and offsetting. Design/methodology/approach: A survey was targeted to sustainability experts in all 38 HEIs in Finland to identify key patterns and trends in the focus fields of the study. SWOT analysis was used to classify main strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats, based on which a series of policy recommendations was drafted. Findings: Finnish HEIs are committed to carbon footprint tracking (97%, annually by 87%). The lack of standardization and the number of external stakeholders complicate accounting indirect emissions, impeding comparability and reliability. Only 39% had set separate emission reduction targets, suggesting a preference for carbon footprint over other environmental impact indicators. Insufficient monetary and human resources emerged in 23% of institutions, especially those smaller in size. Only 52% had clear offsetting plans, with shared concerns over trust and responsibility. Originality/value: By including both research universities and universities of applied sciences, the findings provide an unprecedented outlook into the entire Finnish HEI sector. The policy recommendations guide HEIs both locally and globally on how to improve their transparency and scientific integrity, reflect on core successes and weaknesses and how they complete their objectives of education, research and social impact while promoting stronger sustainability.

This study examined longitudinal associations between parental psychological distress (stress and depression) when the child was 2 to 4 years and a child's emotional and behavioural problems at ages 3 to 4, and social functioning (loneliness and social competence) at age 11 in very preterm born children. The participants were Finnish families of 172 very preterm infants (gestational age < 32 weeks and/or birth weight [less than or equal to] 1500 g). In girls, higher levels of maternal depression were associated with higher levels of social and emotional loneliness. Furthermore, higher levels of maternal stress and children's externalizing problems were associated with lower levels of experienced empathy. In boys, higher levels of paternal depression were associated with lower levels of social loneliness and impulsive behaviour. In conclusion, early parental psychological distress is associated with early socioemotional development and the later experienced social functioning in former very preterm infants. The sex of the child moderates these associations.