Impacts of drainage, restoration and warming on boreal wetland greenhouse gas fluxes.

Northern wetlands with organic soil i.e., mires are significant carbon storages. This key ecosystem service may be threatened by anthropogenic activities and climate change, yet we still lack a consensus on how these major changes affects their carbon sink capacities. We studied how forestry drainage and restoration combined with experimental warming, impacts greenhouse gas fluxes of wetlands with peat. We measured CO2 and CH4 during two and N2O fluxes during one growing season using the chamber method. Gas fluxes were primarily controlled by water table, leaf area and temperature. Land use had a clear impact of on CO2 exchange. Forestry drainage increased respiration rates and decreased field layer net ecosystem CO2 uptake (NEE) and leaf area index (LAI), while at restoration sites the flux rates and LAI had recovered to the level of undrained sites. CH4 emissions were exceptionally low at all sites during our study years due to natural drought, but still somewhat lower at drained compared to undrained sites. Moderate warming triggered an increase in LAI across all land use types. This was accompanied by an increase in cumulative seasonal NEE. Restoration appeared to be an effective tool to return the ecosystem functions of these wetlands as we found no differences in LAI or any gas flux components (PMAX, Reco, NEE, CH4 or N2O) between restored and undrained sites. We did not find any signs that moderate warming would compromise the return of the ecosystem functions related to C sequestration.

Effects of alertness management training on sleepiness among long-haul truck drivers: A randomized controlled trial.

Education is a frequently recommended remedy for driver sleepiness in occupational settings, although not many studies have examined its usefulness. To date, there are no previous on-road randomized controlled trials investigating the benefits of training on sleepiness among employees working in road transport. To examine the effects of an educational intervention on long-haul truck drivers' sleepiness at the wheel, amount of sleep between work shifts, and use of efficient sleepiness countermeasures (SCM) in association with night and non-night shift, a total of 53 truck drivers operating from southern Finland were allocated into an intervention and a control group using a stratified randomization method (allocation ratio for intervention and control groups 32:21, respectively). The intervention group received a 3.5-hour alertness management training followed by a two-month consultation period and motivational self-evaluation tasks two and 4-5 months after the training, while the control group had an opportunity to utilize their usual statutory occupational health care services. The outcomes were measured under drivers' natural working and shift conditions over a period of two weeks before and after the intervention using unobtrusive data-collection methods including the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale measuring on-duty sleepiness, a combination of actigraphy and a sleep-log measuring sleep between duty hours, and self-report questionnaire items measuring the use of SCMs while on duty. The data analysis followed a per-protocol analysis. Results of the multilevel regression models showed no significant intervention-related improvements in driver sleepiness, prior sleep, or use of SCMs while working on night and early morning shifts compared to day and/or evening shifts. The current study failed to provide support for a feasible non-recurrent alertness-management training being effective remedy for driver sleepiness in occupational settings. These results cannot, however, be interpreted as evidence against alertness management training in general but propose that driver education is not a sufficient measure as such to alleviate driver sleepiness.

The co-developmental dynamic of sport and school burnout among student-athletes: The role of achievement goals.

Student-athletes who strive for success in high-level sports while pursuing upper secondary education may be prone to sport and school burnout. This study examined the co-developmental dynamic of sport and school burnout in Finnish adolescent student-athletes (Ntime 1  = 391; Ntime 2  = 373) across the first year of upper secondary school using cross-lagged structural equation modeling (SEM). Furthermore, we used sport and school-related achievement goals as predictors of sport and school burnout, namely sport and school-related exhaustion, cynicism, and feelings of inadequacy. The results showed that burnout dimensions in a particular domain were substantially stable within the same domain during the first year of upper secondary school and that school-related exhaustion at the beginning of upper secondary school predicted sport-related exhaustion at the end of the school year. Mastery goals in sport and school were negatively associated with cynicism and feelings of inadequacy within the same domain. Furthermore, performance goals in school were positively associated with school-related cynicism. The results can be used by healthcare professionals for early prevention of student-athletes' burnout.

TIA model is attainable in Wistar rats by intraluminal occlusion of the MCA for 10min or shorter.

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) has received only little attention in the experimental research field. Recently, we introduced a TIA model for mice, and here we set similar principles for simulating this human condition in Wistar rats. In the model: 1) transient nature of the event is ensured, and 2) 24h after the event animals are free from any sensorimotor deficit and from any detectable lesion by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Animals experienced varying durations of ischemia (5, 10, 12.5, 15, 25, and 30min, n=6-8pergroup) by intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Ischemia severity and reperfusion rates were controlled by cerebral blood flow measurements. Sensorimotor neurological evaluations and MRI at 24h differentiated between TIA and ischemic stroke. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and apoptotic cell counts revealed pathological correlates of the event. We found that already 12.5min of ischemia was long enough to induce ischemic stroke in Wistar rats. Ten min or shorter durations induced neither gross neurological deficits nor infarcts visible on MRI, but histologically caused selective neuronal necrosis. A separate group of animals with 10min of ischemia followed up to 1week after reperfusion remained free of infarction and any MRI signal change. Thus, 10min or shorter focal cerebral ischemia induced by intraluminal MCAO in Wistar rats provides a clinically relevant TIA the rat. This model is useful for studying molecular correlates of TIA.

The associations of indoor environment and psychosocial factors on the subjective evaluation of Indoor Air Quality among lower secondary school students: a multilevel analysis.

Subjective evaluation of Indoor Air Quality (subjective IAQ) reflects both building-related and psychosocial factors, but their associations have rarely been studied other than on the individual level in occupational settings and their interactions have not been assessed. Therefore, we studied whether schools' observed indoor air problems and psychosocial factors are associated with subjective IAQ and their potential interactions. The analysis was performed with a nationwide sample (N = 195 schools/26946 students) using multilevel modeling. Two datasets were merged: (i) survey data from students, including information on schools' psychosocial environment and subjective IAQ, and (ii) data from school principals, including information on observed indoor air problems. On the student level, school-related stress, poor teacher-student relationship, and whether the student did not easily receive help from school personnel, were significantly associated with poor subjective IAQ. On the school level, observed indoor air problem (standardized ß = -0.43) and poor teacher-student relationship (standardized ß = -0.22) were significant predictors of poor subjective IAQ. In addition, school-related stress was associated with poor subjective IAQ, but only in schools without observed indoor air problem (standardized ß = -0.44).

Physical activity, heart rate variability-based stress and recovery, and subjective stress during a 9-month study period.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between physical activity (PA) and objective heart rate variability (HRV)-based stress and recovery with subjective stress in a longitudinal setting. Working-age participants (n = 221; 185 women, 36 men) were overweight (body mass index, 25.3-40.1 kg/m2 ) and psychologically distressed (≥3/12 points on the General Health Questionnaire). Objective stress and recovery were based on HRV recordings over 1-3 work days. Subjective stress was assessed with the Perceived Stress Scale and PA level with a questionnaire. Data were collected at three time points: baseline, 10 weeks post intervention, and at the 36-week follow-up. We adopted a latent growth model to investigate the initial level and change in PA, objective stress and recovery, and subjective stress at the three measurement time points. The results showed that initial levels of PA (P < 0.001) and objective stress (P = 0.001) and recovery (P < 0.01) were associated with the change in subjective stress. The results persisted after adjustment for intervention group. The present results suggest that high PA and objectively assessed low stress and good recovery have positive effects on changes in subjective stress in the long-term.

Etiology of first-ever ischaemic stroke in European young adults: the 15 cities young stroke study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Risk factors for IS in young adults differ between genders and evolve with age, but data on the age- and gender-specific differences by stroke etiology are scare. These features were compared based on individual patient data from 15 European stroke centers. METHODS: Stroke etiology was reported in detail for 3331 patients aged 15-49 years with first-ever IS according to Trial of Org in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) criteria: large-artery atherosclerosis (LAA), cardioembolism (CE), small-vessel occlusion (SVO), other determined etiology, or undetermined etiology. CE was categorized into low- and high-risk sources. Other determined group was divided into dissection and other non-dissection causes. Comparisons were done using logistic regression, adjusting for age, gender, and center heterogeneity. RESULTS: Etiology remained undetermined in 39.6%. Other determined etiology was found in 21.6%, CE in 17.3%, SVO in 12.2%, and LAA in 9.3%. Other determined etiology was more common in females and younger patients, with cervical artery dissection being the single most common etiology (12.8%). CE was more common in younger patients. Within CE, the most frequent high-risk sources were atrial fibrillation/flutter (15.1%) and cardiomyopathy (11.5%). LAA, high-risk sources of CE, and SVO were more common in males. LAA and SVO showed an increasing frequency with age. No significant etiologic distribution differences were found amongst southern, central, or northern Europe. CONCLUSIONS: The etiology of IS in young adults has clear gender-specific patterns that change with age. A notable portion of these patients remains without an evident stroke mechanism according to TOAST criteria.

Stanniocalcin 1 is important for poststroke functionality, but dispensable for ischemic tolerance.

Stanniocalcin 1 (STC1), originally described as an antihypercalcemic hormone in fish, is highly expressed in differentiated mammalian neurons. Mild hypoxic treatment and focal cerebral ischemia induce upregulation of STC1 in the brain. These findings prompted us to investigate whether STC1 contributes to neuroprotection after ischemia and whether STC1 is required for development of ischemic tolerance. We induced 60 minutes of temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion in wild type (WT) and STC1-deficient mice (STC1(-/-)) with or without prior hypoxic preconditioning (HPC, 8% oxygen for 6 hours followed by reoxygenation for 24 hours). Infarct sizes, neurological scores, and Stc1, Stc2, and Il-6 mRNA brain levels were measured 24 hours after ischemia. Additionally, we examined blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity (Evans Blue fluorescence) under normal conditions and 0 and 24 hours after hypoxia. STC1(-/-) and WT mice developed brain infarcts of similar size. In both strains, HPC triggered ischemic tolerance with similar reduction in infarct size. However, STC1(-/-) mice had worse neurological scores in both scenarios. HPC induced upregulation of STC1 and STC2 in WT mice and of STC2 in STC1(-/-) mice. Ischemic STC1(-/-) mice showed significantly lower Il-6 mRNA expression than ischemic WT mice. Evans Blue fluorescence levels showed no difference in between WT and STC1(-/-) mice under evaluated conditions, thus BBB integrity is preserved despite STC1 deficiency. STC1 was not crucial for the development of ischemic tolerance triggered by HPC or for preserving BBB integrity but may be involved in functional recovery after stroke.

Comparing the impacts of hiking, skiing and horse riding on trail and vegetation in different types of forest.

Nature-based tourism in protected areas has increased and diversified dramatically during the last decades. Different recreational activities have a range of impacts on natural environments. This paper reports results from a comparison of the impacts of hiking, cross-country skiing and horse riding on trail characteristics and vegetation in northern Finland. Widths and depths of existing trails, and vegetation on trails and in the neighbouring forests were monitored in two research sites during 2001 and 2002. Trail characteristics and vegetation were clearly related to the recreational activity, research site and forest type. Horse trails were as deep as hiking trails, even though the annual number of users was 150-fold higher on the hiking trails. Simultaneously, cross-country skiing had the least effect on trails due to the protective snow cover during winter. Hiking trail plots had little or no vegetation cover, horse riding trail plots had lower vegetation cover than forest plots, while skiing had no impact on total vegetation cover. On the other hand, on horse riding trails there were more forbs and grasses, many of which did not grow naturally in the forest. These species that were limited to riding trails may change the structure of adjacent plant communities in the long run. Therefore, the type of activities undertaken and the sensitivity of habitats to these activities should be a major consideration in the planning and management of nature-based tourism. Establishment of artificial structures, such as stairs, duckboards and trail cover, or complete closure of the site, may be the only way to protect the most sensitive or deteriorated sites.

Genetic effects in common on maximal walking speed and muscle performance in older women.

The purpose was to examine whether maximal walking speed, maximal isometric knee extensor strength, and leg extensor power share genetic or environmental effects in common. The data was collected from 103 monozygotic and 114 dizygotic female twin pairs aged 63-76 years. Maximal walking speed over 10 m was measured in the laboratory corridor using photocells for timing. Isometric knee extensor strength and leg extensor power were measured using an adjustable dynamometer. The genetic models showed that strength, power, and walking speed had a genetic effect in common which accounted for 52% of the variance in strength, 36% in power, and 34% in walking speed. Strength and power had a non-shared environmental effect in common explaining 13% of variation in strength and 14% in power. The remaining variance was accounted for by trait-specific effects. Some people may be more prone to functional limitation in old age due to their genetic disposition, but this does not rule out that changes in the lifestyle of predisposed subjects may also have a major effect. Approximately half of the variation in each trait was explained by environmental effects, which suggests the importance of the physical activity to improve performance and prevent functional limitation.

Event-related potentials in newborns with and without familial risk for dyslexia: principal component analysis reveals differences between the groups.

Differences revealed by factor scores extracted by principal component analysis (PCA) from event-related potential (ERP) data of newborns with and without familial risk for dyslexia were examined and compared to results obtained by using original averaged ERPs. ERPs to consonant-vowel syllables (synthetic /ba/, /da/, /ga/; and natural /paa/, /taa/, /kaa/) were recorded from 26 at-risk and 23 control 1-7 day-old infants. The stimuli were presented equiprobably and with interstimulus intervals varying at random from 3,910 to 7,285 ms. Statistically significant between-group differences were found to be relatively similar irrespective of the methods of analysis (original ERPs vs. factor scores from PCA). Responses to /ga/ differed from those to /ba/ and /da/ between the groups in the right hemisphere at the latencies of 50-170 ms (Factor 4) and 540-630 ms (Factor 3). The groups differed also in their responses to /da/ in the posterior electrode sites at 740-940 ms (Factor 2). There were no group differences in the natural stimulus set. These results demonstrate that brain activation differences may be implicated in risk for dyslexia immediately after birth. The results also show that the PCA-ANOVA procedure is an effective way of identifying the group-related variance in the ERP-data when the component structure, such as those of infants, is not well-known in advance.

Acoustic emission from paper fracture.

We report tensile failure experiments on paper sheets. The acoustic emission energy and the waiting times between acoustic events follow power-law distributions. This remains true while the strain rate is varied by more than 2 orders of magnitude. The energy statistics has the exponent beta approximately 1.25+/-0.10 and the waiting times the exponent tau approximately 1.0+/-0.1, in particular, for the energy roughly independent of the strain rate. These results do not compare well with fracture models, for (brittle) disordered media, which as such exhibit criticality. One reason may be residual stresses, neglected in most theories.

Chiral HPLC separation and CD spectra of the enantiomers of the alkaloid tacamonine and related compounds.

The HPLC enantiomeric separation of racemic indole alkaloids tacamonine, 17 alpha-hydroxytacamonine, deethyleburnamonine, and vindeburnol was accomplished using Chiralpak AD and Chiralcel OD as chiral stationary phases. Small structural differences affect the enantioselectivity ability of these phases. Single enantiomers of tacamonine and vindeburnol were isolated by semipreparative HPLC and their CD spectra and optical rotations were measured.

Practice effects on visuomotor and problem-solving tests by children.

Practice effects on a visuomotor test (the Developmental Test of Visuo-Motor Integration), a timed visual discrimination test (the Underlining Test), and two problem-solving tests (the Porteus Mazes Test and the Tower of Hanoi Test) were analyzed. Children of two age groups (Ms: 7.7 and 11.6 yr.) were chosen to study the effect of age on practice effects. The tests were repeated nine times with test-retest intervals of 2 mo. The Developmental Test of Visuo-Motor Integration showed no practice effects, while the Porteus Mazes Test, the Underlining Test, and the Tower of Hanoi Test showed significant practice effects. Practice effects were larger for the older age group on all the tests, except the Developmental Test of Visuo-Motor Integration. The Developmental Test of Visuo-Motor Integration and the Underlining Test showed good reliability, but those of the problem-solving tasks were less satisfactory. The stability of all the tests, except the Tower of Hanoi Test, was good.

Working memory structure and intellectual disability.

The working memory of people with intellectual disability has been found to generally lag behind their mental age. However, studies concerning the structure of working memory or its connections to other cognitive functions are rare. The present study employs a versatile battery of tests for the evaluation of working memory structure in adults with intellectual disability of unknown aetiology. In addition, connections between working memory and cognitive skills valid for everyday functioning are evaluated. Working memory performance in the study participants was found to stem from two distinct components which could be regarded to represent phonological and general working memory. General working memory was closely related to intelligence, whereas phonological working memory was not. The subjects in the study group differed in their working memory profiles. These distinct profiles were significantly related to academic skills (e.g. reading, writing and mathematics) and sentence comprehension because the profile of the working memory predicted these abilities even when the intelligence and educational background of the participants was taken into consideration.

Repeated assessment of the Tower of Hanoi test: reliability and age effects.

The purpose of this research was to analyze the effects of repeating an executive function test. Three versions of the Tower of Hanoi (TOH) test were repeated three times each, with test-retest intervals of 2 months. Two groups of children participated in the research (7.7 and 11.6 years, n = 22 and n = 28). Repeating the assessment improved the performance and decreased the total performance time in both of the groups. The older participants improved their performance faster than the younger ones. The reliability of all the scores, besides the error scores, seemed to be satisfactory after the first few assessments. The stability of the scores was maintained through all the assessments. The planning time did not explain the variations of the achieved score. The reasons for the initially low reliabilities are discussed, and modifications for the test administration and scoring are suggested.

Two-year group treatment for children with learning difficulties: assessing effects of treatment duration and pretreatment characteristics.

The results of a 2-year treatment study of children with learning problems are reported. During the first treatment year, half of the children participated in a multifaceted neurocognitive treatment and the other half in a treatment that provided supervision of school tasks and peer group support. During the second treatment year, all children participated in the neurocognitive treatment. The participants were 74 Chilean children 6 to 11 years old. The issues under investigation were the effect of treatment duration, and the relationship between pretreatment neurocognitive and behavioral characteristics and academic treatment outcome. The results indicated that significant gains occurred during both the first and the second treatment year. No major differences were found between the treatment groups. Pretreatment negative behavioral traits were associated with lesser academic growth in the group participating in the homework supervision treatment but not in the neurocognitive treatment group.

Comparing efficacies of neurocognitive treatment and homework assistance programs for children with learning difficulties.

The purpose of the study was to analyze the relative efficacies of two treatments for children with learning difficulties. The first treatment consisted of multiple training components targeting specific cognitive and behavioral factors; the second treatment provided emotional support and supervision of school tasks. The participants were 94 Chilean schoolchildren (6 to 11 years of age). The efficacies were compared on (a) neurocognitive tests, (b) school achievement tests, and (c) behavior in school and at home. The results indicated that both groups improved on most of the outcome measures. The first group showed best results in parents' rating of home behavior, and the second group in reading. The findings also emphasized the importance of emotional support and the inclusion of a parents' group in treatment for children with learning difficulties.