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Imbalance of intestinal microbiota is called dysbiosis. Signs of dysbiosis are altered abundance of different bacterial species and reduced diversity together with altered interactions between bacterial species and microbiota and the host. Dysbiosis of intestinal microbiota is connected to many intestinal diseases and today many studies are focused to find so called “next generation” probiotics to be used for the alleviation of dysbiosis instead of traditional antibiotic treatments. The study was made in the Human Microbiome Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki. Aim of the study was to isolate spore-forming bacterial species for the treatment of intestinal inflammation and infections with bacterial therapy. For this purpose, feces from a healthy adult who had acted as a donor for fecal microbiota transplantation was used to isolate spore-forming commensal bacteria. The isolated bacteria were identified and their ability to adhere into intestinal epithelium and strengthen it was investigated. Also anti-inflammatory potential of these isolated bacterial strains was investigated. For isolating bacteria three different heat treatments and ethanol and methanol treatments were used as a pre-treatment step. Pre-treated samples were cultivated on YCFA-media and isolates were picked from plates at different growth points for further cultivation. Selected isolates were purified, their DNA was isolated and they were identified by partial 16S rRNA -gene sequencing. From these identified isolates four isolates were chosen for further investigation and their full length 16S rRNA -gene was sequenced. These isolates were studied also by using API and aerotolerance tests. Potential anti-inflammatory and adhesion properties of the isolates were investigated by attenuation, adhesion and TER-experiments. In the isolation, the effect of different pre-treatments on the recovery of isolates was clear and based on sequencing isolates that were spore-forming anaerobic bacteria were selected for further investigation. Three of the isolates were Clostridium butyricum and one Blautia wexlerae species. Anti- and pro-inflammatory properties of these isolates were very different depending on isolate and one of them was potentially anti-inflammatory. Isolates also adhered differentially and two of them possibly strengthened gut epithelial barrier so they are promising for further research and in the future investigation with these isolates continues. Experience and results with different cultivation methods can be used to for further development of cultivation for anaerobic intestinal bacteria.

Embedded systems are everywhere. The variety of different types of embedded systems and purposes are wide. Yet, many of these systems are islands in an age where more and more systems are being connected to the Internet. The ability to connect to the Internet can be taken advantage in multiple ways. One is to take advantage of the resources cloud computing can offer. Currently, there are no comprehensive overviews how embedded systems could be enhanced by cloud computing. In this thesis we study what cloud enhanced embedded systems are and what their benefits, risks, typical implementation methods, and platforms are. This study is executed as an extended systematic mapping study. The study shows that the interest from academia and practice in cloud enhanced embedded systems has been growing significantly in recent years. The most prevalent research area is wireless sensor networks followed by the more recent research area Internet of things. Most of the technology is available for implementing cloud enhanced embedded systems but comprehensive development tools such as frameworks or middlewares are scarce. Results of the study indicate that existing embedded systems and other non-computing devices would benefit from connectivity and cloud resources. This enables the development of new applications for consumers and industry that would not be possible without cloud resources. As an indication of this we see several systems developed for consumers such as remotely controlled thermostats, media players that depend on cloud resources, and network attached storage systems that integrate with cloud access and discovery. The academic literature is full of use cases for cloud enhanced embedded systems and model implementations. However, the actual integration process as well as specific engineering techniques are rarely explained or scrutinized. Currently, the typical integration process is very custom to the application. There are few examples of efforts to create specific development tools, more transparent protocols, and open hardware to support the development of ecosystems for cloud enhanced embedded systems.

As the data traffic, as well as the speed demands, increases, the mobile networks require means for economically fulfil these demands. The solution comes from the cloud. In order to move the processing to the cloud, it must be carefully dimensioned to know how much resources each situation requires. This means there must be a way to calculate from the traffic the virtual machines required and the hardware resources the virtual machines need, when the cloud infrastructure used is OpenStack. This thesis provides two methods for calculating the virtual machines from the traffic profile. The first one is based on performance testing of the virtual network functions and the second one is based on machine learning technique called multiple linear regression analysis. Furthermore in this work, approximation algorithms are being used in order to solve multidimensional variates of classical optimization problems such as bin packing problem and subset sum problem. These algorithms are used to dimension required resources from the virtual machines to hardware and vice versa. The algorithms are bundled to a program with a graphical user interface to make as user friendly as possible.

In the world of globalization immigration processes represent consequence of the search for better life. Every year more immigrants are coming to stay and live in Finland. Understanding patterns of living, spatial locations and clustering of this specific population becomes important and integral step towards integration of immigration population in society. Studies of immigration population conducted in Finland and Helsinki Metropolitan Area are mostly done with descriptive statistical methods mostly employed for describing social patterns and participation of immigrant population within the whole population. Employment of inferential statistical methods, spatial statistical methods, precisely Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA methods), specifically Global and Local Moran's Index is becoming extremely important because of the quantitative and qualitative results which can be gained. This thesis is consisted of analysis of immigrant population patterns, conducted by Global and Local Moran's Index used by ArcGIS and GeoDa software. ArcGIS is a market leading, commercial GIS package for computation, analysis and production of different sorts of GIS analysis and results. Spatial statistic toolbox, as integral part of ArcGIS software package is used for interpretation of spatial statistics results (maps, graphs, reports etc.), which can be obtained, by use of several different methods. GeoDa is non-commercial software, relatively new in GIS practice in Finland, focusing specifically in spatial statistics analysis. It is used for manipulation and operationalization of spatial data analysis, designed for implementation of different and unique (Bivariate Moran's I, etc.) ESDA techniques. Both software are computing comparable but different results, quantitatively and visually. For global measurements of spatial autocorrelation and presence of clustering within analyzed area Global Moran's Index is employed. Local measurements and for mapping of possible cluster and outlier occurrences (Anselin Local Moran's Index) is being used. Employment of weight matrix produced in ArcGIS and GeoDa is allowing creation of conceptualization of spatial weight matrix on the same principles in ArcGIS and GeoDa. Conceptualization of weight matrix in the case of lattice data with shared border is contiguity concept. Contiguity concept is using queen concept for defining neighbors, because it allows bigger analyzing capacity. Both software are using same statistical equations but outcome results are showing variety of differences, because of the differences in computing, presenting and visual displaying of the results. GeoDa is producing more significant statistical and visual results. The task is to test and compare computational, visual and analytical capabilities and possibilities of both software and analyze quality of outcome results (maps, diagrams, box plots, etc.) Data on immigration population is provided by HSY (Helsingin Seudun Ympäristö) with the lattice grid level size (1x1km, 500x500m, 250x250m). Purpose of my thesis is also to analyze lattice data with new square grid sizes (50x50m), which are inputting more specific local area inputs for location of local spatial autocorrelation and hot spot activities. Creation of new lattice size is motivated by conceptualizing of the data which is aggregated on the building level (Pks_vaki). Main motive is to try to detect new trends in development of clustering and clusters of immigrant population in Greater Helsinki, formulate and impose scale and area size from a different perspective. Results are informing about undetected process of clustering in the central areas of Helsinki not noticed in the previous studies of immigration population. They are offering different perspective on the problem of clustering of immigration population in Helsinki Metropolitan area.

Programming courses often receive large quantities of program code submissions to exercises which, due to their large number, are graded and students provided feedback automatically. Teachers might never review these submissions therefore losing a valuable source of insight into student programming patterns. This thesis researches how these submissions could be reviewed efficiently using a software system, and a prototype, CodeClusters, was developed as an additional contribution of this thesis. CodeClusters' design goals are to allow the exploration of the submissions and specifically finding higher-level patterns that could be used to provide feedback to students. Its main features are full-text search and n-grams similarity detection model that can be used to cluster the submissions. Design science research is applied to evaluate CodeClusters' design and to guide the next iteration of the artifact and qualitative analysis, namely thematic synthesis, to evaluate the problem context as well as the ideas of using software for reviewing and providing clustered feedback. The used study method was interviews conducted with teachers who had experience teaching programming courses. Teachers were intrigued by the ability to review submitted student code and to provide more tailored feedback to students. The system, while still a prototype, is considered worthwhile to experiment on programming courses. A tool for analyzing and exploring submissions seems important to enable teachers to better understand how students have solved the exercises. Providing additional feedback can be beneficial to students, yet the feedback should be valuable and the students incentivized to read it.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by degeneration of motor neurons in brain and spinal cord. The degeneration of motor neurons leads to muscle atrophy and paralysis. Currently there is no cure for ALS. Available drugs for ALS can lengthen the survival time by a couple of months. Several factors involve the pathophysiology of ALS, such as endoplasmic reticulum stress and neuroinflammation. Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is a protein which has shown neuroprotective effects on animal models of Parkinson disease and brain ischemia. C-terminal fragment of MANF can cross the blood-brain barrier, allowing it to be administered subcutaneously instead of injected directly into the brain. The experimental part consists of two parts. The aim of the first part was to study the pharmacokinetic properties of next generation MANF (C-MANF). The aim of the second part was to elucidate the effect of twice a week administered subcutaneous injection of C-MANF in genetic SOD1-G93A mouse model and its neuroprotective effects by assessing protection of lumbar motor neurons. Pharmacokinetic properties of C-MANF were determined in wild type mice after a single subcutaneous injection of C-MANF at different time points by using indirect ELISA assay. The effects of C-MANF in SOD1-G93A mouse model were assessed by subcutaneous injection of either C-MANF or PBS twice a week and by monitoring clinical score and motor behavior of mice from 10 weeks of age to clinical endpoint. Hematoxylin eosin staining was used to study neuroprotective effects of C-MANF. C-MANF administered subcutaneously is absorbed into the blood circulation and the highest serum concentration of C-MANF is after 60 minutes of dosing. Subcutaneously injected C-MANF also crosses the blood-brain barrier and reach the brain in 120 minutes. C-MANF did not preserve motor function or ameliorated ALS symptoms in SOD1-G93A mouse model. In this study C-MANF did not increase the survival of SOD1-G93A mice. C-MANF did not significantly protect motor neurons from degeneration even though there was a slight trend between the groups. No beneficial effects were observed with C-MANF in SOD1-G93A mouse model and therefore the dose and frequency of administration of C-MANF were not optimal. Subcutaneously injected C-MANF provides a safer dosing option for neurodegenerative disorders.

CNGB1-geenin virheet aiheuttavat verkkokalvon perinnöllistä pigmenttirappeumaa, retinitis pigmentosaa, joka periytyy autosomaalisesti ja peittyvästi. CNGB1-geenin poikkeamaan kytkeytyvä verkkokalvorappeuma alkaa useimmiten lapsuusiässä hämäräsokeutena. Näkökenttäpuutokset kehittyvät myöhemmin ja kaikkien potilaiden näöntarkkuus säilyy normaalina aikuisikään saakka. Tyypillisiä silmänpohjan muutoksia ovat ohentuneet verkkokalvon päävaltimot, verkkokalvon pigmenttiepiteelin ohentuma, vahamainen näköhermon pää sekä verkkokalvon pigmenttimuutokset. Tässä kuvattavaan tutkimukseen osallistui yksitoista potilasta, joilla kaikilla on todettu sama CNGB1-geenin tautia aiheuttava variantti c.2957A>T. Kaikille potilaille on suoritettu laaja silmätautiopillinen kliininen tutkimus. Tutkimusta varten potilastietojärjestelmästä kerättiin potilaiden oireiden alkamisikä sekä laatu niiden alkaessa, lasein korjattu näöntarkkuus, näkökenttien ja silmäpohjakuvien kehitys seurannan aikana, verkkokalvon muutokset valokerroskuvissa sekä autofluoresenssikuvien löydökset. Kaikkien potilaiden ensioire oli hämäräsokeus, joka kymmenellä potilaalla ilmeni jo lapsuudessa. Näöntarkkuuden, näkökentän laajuuden ja iän välillä todettiin olevan yhteys, siten, että sekä näöntarkkuus että näkökentän laajuus pienenivät potilaan vanhetessa. Mediaani-ikä sille, että näkö oli huonompi kuin normaalinäkö, oli 50,8 vuotta (keskihajonta 11,7 vuotta). Mediaani-ikä, jolloin potilaiden näkökenttä supistui oireisesti oli 52,0 vuotta (keskihajonta 13,9 vuotta). Silmänpohjakuvissa todettiin retinitis pigmentosalle tyypillisiä muutoksia, kuten retinopatiaa, atrofiaa, luusoluja, pääsuonikaarten ohenemista sekä kalpeat ja vahamaiset näköhermon päät. Myös näitä muutoksia oli sitä enemmän, mitä vanhemmasta potilaasta oli kyse. CNGB1-geenin variantin c.2957A>T aiheuttamaa verkkokalvon pigmenttirappeumaa sairastavilla potilailla tarkka näkö sekä näkökentän laajuus säilyvät pitkälle aikuisuuteen siitä huolimatta, että ensioireet alkavat jo lapsuudessa. Tauti etenee hitaasti, mahdollistaen laajan aikaikkunan taudin hoidolle.

Static floating chamber (FC) measurements of CH₄ and CO₂ fluxes from northern boreal river Kitinen were analyzed for this thesis. Measurements were carried out in summer 2018. Spatiotemporal variability was measured in the fluxes by comparing three chamber measuring locations: the opposite river banks and the middle of the river. Mean CO₂ flux estimate was 0.83±0.54 μmol CO₂ m⁻² s⁻¹ (mean ± SD, n = 73), consistent with other estimates for similar systems, with a corresponding k₆₀₀ CO₂ gas transfer velocity estimate of 17±9 cm h⁻¹ . Nonlinear modelling of CO₂ flux was found useful for analyzing floating chamber data from a river. The mean CH₄ flux was 0.0084±0.0047 μmol CH₄ m⁻² s⁻¹ , slightly lower than the median for different river systems in literature. The flux estimates were compared with eddy covariance measurements (EC). FC measurements are expected to give larger results, but additionally chambers are known to overestimate fluxes in flowing water. The comparison yielded chamber fluxes 3.3 and 2.9 times the EC median values for CO₂ and CH₄ respectively. Fluxes were similar between the three locations, and they peaked in late July for both gases in all loca- tions. Some differences over the river cross-section were observed. Discharge was significantly correlated to fluxes in the middle of the river, which could be explained by inhomogeneous flow. On two measuring days in early August, the mid-river CO₂ fluxes were three times those observed near the banks. The difference was also measured in methane. No clear cause was determined, but measuring spatial variation in surface water gas concentrations and flow could clarify the causes of similar observations in further studies.

The aim of this study is to examine coaching from an adult learning perspective and to form an understanding what kind of adult learning processes are involved in coaching. In addition, the purpose is also to form an understanding of potential elements that contribute to learning and elements that can slow down, or even hinder learning. Related to this is the exploration of methods and tools used by coaches to facilitate the learning experience. The research data for this qualitative research was collected by interviewing seven ICF coach practitioners. Theory-guided content analysis was used to analyse the interview mate-rial. Andragogy, experiential learning and transformative learning were used as reference theories that could possible explain the findings from the research material. The findings show that the adult learning processes that are at play in coaching are related to reflective activity, which create awareness that then trigger action. An action with successful outcome, a tested hypothesis proves effective, creates a durable and concrete change, or transformation, in the way of thinking and or acting in the person. All three adult learning theories, that provided the framework for this study, were found to be relevant in one way or the other. None of the theories could alone explain the learning processes that happen in coaching. Andragogy provides a good framework for the overall practical process steps in coaching. Experiential learning provides a good framework in explaining the process of reflective thought, hypothesis testing and action. Transformative learning, on the other hand, provide an understanding of the processes that happen when the testing of hypothesis succeed and transformation occurs in the learner. The fundamentals elements contributing to a positive coaching experience were found to be several. Client’s aptitude for coaching, coach's professionality, a good dyadic relation based on trust and external support from manager and organization were among the important contributing factors.

Tropical coral reefs are amongst the most biodiverse and productive ecosystems on Earth. In recent decades, coral reefs have suffered an unprecedented decline in habitat-forming hard coral cover due to anthropogenic stressors, with severe impacts on ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services. Some of the pressing issues that coral reefs are facing can be mitigated through active reef restoration, such as coral transplantation, which aims to increase the hard coral cover, biodiversity, and structural complexity of a reef site. Studies on the passive benefits that increase the natural recovery potential and resilience of coral reefs following active restoration efforts remain scarce. In collaboration with Indo Ocean Project, this study aimed to compare benthic recruitment patterns between three coral sites located within the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area, Indonesia. The reef sites included a restoration site with gardened Acropora corals, a natural site, and a rubble site that could serve as a restoration site. The experiment was conducted using standardized settlement tiles to measure and observe various response variables as indicators for the natural recovery potential and resilience capacity of the reef. The sites were also surveyed for their benthic reef cover, structural complexity, and fish abundance and community composition. The research objective was to find out how benthic recruitment patterns differ between restoration and natural reef sites, and why. The results confirm that active coral reef restoration efforts induce co-benefits in the benthic environment through enhanced structural complexity, leading to subsequent increases in overall fish abundance and particularly the number of herbivorous fish, and thus to a lower density of turf algae. These are promising findings for the later development of the reef site. The results do not imply that restoration efforts directly translate into enhanced coral recruitment or increases in crustose coralline algae abundance. However, the plentiful supply of spats observed at the restoration site indicates that local coral recruitment can improve over time after the transplanted corals have healed from transplantation stress and become fecund. Finally, the current rubble area can be expected to function as a restoration area in the future, as it appears to be within the reach of coral recruits. This study demonstrates that active coral reef restoration can yield benefits for the whole benthic ecosystem, and thereby aid recovery and strengthen resilience at localized scales. Given the accelerated rate of coral reef degradation, regular monitoring of restoration success is crucial to avoid loss of information regarding the benefits of active coral reef restoration for the fragile benthic ecosystem.