Electroencephalography in Evaluating Mental Workload of Gaming.

The feasibility of electroencephalography (EEG) analysis in evaluating mental workload of gaming was studied by carrying out a proof-of-concept type experiment on a set of EEG recordings, with a bespoke tool developed for the purpose. The EEG recordings (20 recordings in total) that were used in the experiment had been acquired by groups of students and staff of Tampere University during n-back gaming sessions, as part of course projects. The ratio of theta and alpha power, calculated over the EEG signal segments that were time-locked to game events, was selected as EEG metrics for mental load evaluation.

Biofiltration of airborne VOCs with green wall systems-Microbial and chemical dynamics.

Botanical air filtration is a promising technology for reducing indoor air contaminants, but the underlying mechanisms need better understanding. Here, we made a set of chamber fumigation experiments of up to 16 weeks of duration, to study the filtration efficiencies for seven volatile organic compounds (VOCs; decane, toluene, 2-ethylhexanol, α-pinene, octane, benzene, and xylene) and to monitor microbial dynamics in simulated green wall systems. Biofiltration functioned on sub-ppm VOC levels without concentration-dependence.

Genome sequencing and population genomic analyses provide insights into the adaptive landscape of silver birch.

Silver birch (Betula pendula) is a pioneer boreal tree that can be induced to flower within 1 year. Its rapid life cycle, small (440-Mb) genome, and advanced germplasm resources make birch an attractive model for forest biotechnology. We assembled and chromosomally anchored the nuclear genome of an inbred B.

Low vapor pressure deficit reduces glandular trichome density and modifies the chemical composition of cuticular waxes in silver birch leaves.

Cuticular wax layer is the first barrier against the outside environment and the first defense encountered by herbivores and pathogens. The effects of environmental factors on cuticular chemistry, and on the formation of glandular trichomes that account for the storage and secretion of lipophilic compounds to the leaf surface are poorly understood. Low vapor pressure deficit (VPD) has shown to reduce the nitrogen (N) status of plants.