381 research outputs found

    Can Theories of Skill-Biased Technological Change Explain the Evolution of Wage Inequality in Finland since 1970?

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    Wage inequality has increased in many OECD countries since the 1970s. Many have explained this development in terms of skill-biased technological change. According to theories of skill-biased technological change, wage inequality is the result of a technology-induced increase in the demand for skills which has not been met by equal increases in the supply of skills. This paper explores the relationship between supply and demand for skills in Finland since 1970. The main finding is that changes in the supply of education can explain the bulk of changes in the skill premium and that technological change provides added explanatory power in periods when the simple supply-based framework falls short. The results also suggest an increasing within-group inequality of workers with equivalent educational levels. The cause of the within-group inequality is less clear, but both technological and institutional factors are likely to play roles in this development

    VÀlbefinnande i arbetet? Erfarenheter av det finlÀndska arbetslivet utifrÄn ett perspektiv av ekologiskt hÄllbart vÀlbefinnande

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    Due to the ecological sustainability crisis threatening human and nonhuman life, a radical and rapid transformation of ecologically unsustainable societies, including the Finnish society, is needed. Under present circumstances, continuous growth of the Finnish economy is unlikely to be compatible with safe planetary boundaries. Despite this, Finnish governmental institutions still maintain a growth policy, postulating that economic growth is fundamental for Finnish well-being. Growth- centric conceptualisations of well-being are particularly prominent in work-related contexts which impacts how well-being is defined and operationalised in working life. In particular, Finnish working life institutions tend to overemphasise economic aspects of well-being while overlooking vital ecological dimensions of well-being. Consequently, it is important to promote alternative, ecologically sustainable visions of well-being and situate them in Finnish working life. Hence, it may be possible to support an ecological transformation of institutions and ideologies governing work in the Finnish society. This thesis draws on research on sustainable well-being and needs to advance an understanding of well- being as ecologically embedded, exploring underacknowledged intersections of work, well-being and nature. The empirical results illustrate ways in which ecological dimensions of well-being are experienced by workers as they navigate Finnish working life conditions in a time of ecological sustainability crisis. A variety of obstacles as well as possibilities for ecologically sustainable well-being are identified, spanning work practices, work purposes and the search for work. The findings are analysed with reference to conflicting paradigms: the human exemptionalism paradigm, which sees humans as separate from nature, and the relational paradigm, which sees humans as interconnected with nature and well-being as relational. In particular, relational well-being is conceptualised as consisting of needs in the dimensions of Having, Doing, Loving and Being. The findings show how ecological (un)sustainability affects the fulfillment of needs in working life and beyond, thereby challenging predominant ideas of “well-being through work”. Importantly, the findings indicate clear shifts in emphasis from material dimensions of well-being (Having) to well-being in the dimensions of Doing, Loving and Being. The thesis concludes that ecologically sustainable well-being, conceptualised in terms of ecologically embedded needs, ought to replace the purpose of economic growth in Finnish working life and society at large.På grund av den ekologiska hållbarhetskris som hotar mänskligt och icke- mänskligt liv behövs en radikal och snabb transformering av ekologiskt ohållbara samhällen, inklusive det finländska samhället. Under nuvarande omständigheter är det osannolikt att en fortsatt tillväxt av den finländska ekonomin kan kombineras med säkra planetära gränser. Trots det håller de finländska statliga institutionerna fortfarande fast vid en tillväxtpolitik och hävdar att ekonomisk tillväxt är nödvändig för det finländska välbefinnandet. Tillväxtcentrerade konceptualiseringar av välbefinnande är särskilt vanliga i arbetsrelaterade sammanhang, vilket har en inverkan på hur välbefinnande definieras och tillämpas i arbetslivet. I synnerhet tenderar de finländska arbetslivsinstitutionerna att överbetona ekonomiska aspekter av välbefinnande och förbise grundläggande ekologiska dimensioner av välbefinnande. Därför är det viktigt att främja alternativa, ekologiskt hållbara visioner av välbefinnande och anknyta dem till det finländska arbetslivet. På så sätt kan det vara möjligt att stödja en ekologisk transformering av de institutioner och ideologier som styr arbete i det finländska samhället. Den här magisteravhandlingen utgår från forskning om hållbart välbefinnande och behov för att bidra till en förståelse av välbefinnande som ekologiskt förankrat, samt belysa ouppmärksammade kopplingar mellan arbete, välbefinnande och natur. De empiriska resultaten illustrerar hur ekologiska dimensioner av välbefinnande upplevs av personer som navigerar det finska arbetslivet under en pågående ekologisk hållbarhetskris. Olika hinder och möjligheter för ekologiskt hållbart välbefinnande rörande arbetsmetoder, arbetssyften och jobbsökning identifieras. Resultaten analyseras med hänvisning till motstridiga paradigmer: paradigmet om mänsklig exemptionalism, som ser människan och naturen som skilda, och det relationella paradigmet, som ser människan som sammankopplad med naturen och välbefinnande som relationellt. Vidare konceptualiseras relationellt välbefinnande genom behov i dimensionerna Having, Doing, Loving och Being. Resultaten visar hur ekologisk (o)hållbarhet påverkar uppfyllandet av behov i och utanför arbetslivet, och utmanar därmed rådande idéer om arbetsrelaterat välbefinnande. Resultaten visar på tydliga förskjutningar i tyngdpunkter från materiella dimensioner av välbefinnande (Having) till välbefinnande i dimensionerna Doing, Loving och Being. I avhandlingen dras slutsatsen att ekologiskt hållbart välbefinnande, bestående av ekologiskt förankrade behov, bör prioriteras istället för ekonomisk tillväxt av finländska arbetslivsinstitutioner och samhället i stort

    Radiostereometric analysis in total hip arthroplasty and hip fracture patients

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    Complications related to primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) are relatively rare but still impose a significant burden on the recovery of individual patients and incur significant costs to the healthcare system. Research aimed at improving the results of THA is challenging as complications can take up to decades to manifest clinically. However, radiostereometric analysis (RSA) can, in some cases, be used to predict the long-term revision rates of THA with only a two-year follow-up. The purpose of this doctoral thesis was to examine the causes of RSA-measured micromotion and to further develop the methodology for the research of THA and hip fracture patients. The first study examined whether preoperative systemic bone mineral density (BMD) had an effect on the early RSA-measured micromotion of a cementless acetabular cup in female patients with osteoarthritis. The second study considered tha suitability of model-based RSA (MBRSA) for the analysis of a cementless femoral stem using both a phantom model and a clinical cohort. The third study validated differentially-loaded RSA (DLRSA) for the study of internally-fixated femoral neck fractures in a clinical cohort of 16 patients. The final study examined if RSA data analysis would benefit from the use of a multivariate three-dimensional analytical method. Low systemic BMD was associated with increased proximal migration of the cementless acetabular cups. The MBRSA proved to have comparable accuracy and precision compared to conventional RSA thereby validating the method for future clinical studies using the examined femoral stem. The deployed DLRSA methodology could be used to detect inducibile micromotion of femoral neck fractures. A multivariate linear mixed-effects model could provide a more robust and sensitive method for the analysis of three-dimensional RSA data.   Radiostereometrinen analyysi lonkan kokotekonivelen ja lonkkamurtumien tutkimuksessa Lonkan kokotekonivelleikkauksen komplikaatiot ovat harvinaisia mutta aiheuttavat merkittĂ€vÀÀ haittaa yksittĂ€isille potilaille sekĂ€ merkittĂ€viĂ€ taloudellisia kustannuksia terveydenhuollolle. Tutkimustyö lonkan kokotekonivelleikkauksien tuloksien parantamiseksi on haastavaa, koska komplikaatioiden ilmenemiseen voi kulua jopa vuosikymmeniĂ€ ja silloinkin harvinaisten komplikaatioiden todentamiseksi tarvittaisiin suuria potilasjoukkoja. RadiostereometrisellĂ€ analyysillĂ€ (RSA) voidaan tietyissĂ€ tapauksissa kuitenkin ennakoida uusintaleikkauksen riskiĂ€ jo kahden vuoden seuranta-ajalla. TĂ€mĂ€n vĂ€itöskirjan tavoitteena oli laajentaa nykyistĂ€ tietoa RSA:lla mitattavan mikroliikkeen syistĂ€ ja merkityksestĂ€ sekĂ€ kehittÀÀ RSAmenetelmÀÀ lonkan kokotekonivel- ja lonkkamurtumapotilailla. EnsimmĂ€isessĂ€ osatyössĂ€ tutkittiin, onko luuntiheydellĂ€ merkitystĂ€ sementittömĂ€n lonkan kokotekonivelen kuppiosan RSA:lla mitattuun mikroliikkeeseen nivelrikkoa sairastaneilla naispotilailla. Toisessa osatyössĂ€ tutkittiin kolmiulotteiseen mallinnukseen perustuvan RSA-menetelmĂ€n (MBRSA) soveltuvuutta sementittömĂ€n lonkan tekonivelen varren tutkimukseen. MBRSA menetelmÀÀ tutkittiin ensin fantomia kĂ€yttĂ€en ja myöhemmin tulokset varmistettiin lonkan kokotekoniveltutkimukseen osallistuneilla potilailla. Kolmannessa osatyössĂ€ selvitettiin kuormituksen aiheuttaman RSA-mikroliikkeen (DLRSA) kĂ€yttöÀ reisiluun kaulan murtumien tutkimuksessa. NeljĂ€nnessĂ€ osatyössĂ€ selvitettiin, hyötyisivĂ€tkö RSA-tutkimukset moniulotteisesta tilastollisesta menetelmĂ€stĂ€. SementittömĂ€n lonkan kokotekonivelen kuppiosan varhainen mikroliike olisuurentunutta potilailla, joiden luuntiheys oli alentunut. MBRSA menetelmĂ€ soveltuu tutkitun tekonivelen varren seurantaan ja kĂ€yttöön tulevissa tutkimuksissa. KehitettyĂ€ DLRSA-menetelmÀÀ voidaan kĂ€yttÀÀ reisiluun kaulan murtumien tutkimuksessa. Kolmiulotteisella tilastollisella mallintamisella voidaan havaita yksiulotteisia menetelmiĂ€ herkemmin ja spesifisemmin eroja RSA-mikroliikkeessĂ€

    Hedge fund performance persistence after weak markets

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    Abstract. Our aim for this thesis is to study whether hedge fund performance persists after weak markets, and do the results differ from performance persistence after strong markets. We are interested in overall market situations’ impact on performance persistence of hedge funds. Our data is from Lipper TASS hedge fund database, with 18891 hedge funds and 1261782 observations from December 1993 to June 2013. The data is modified so that we’ve cleared out non-USD funds, non-monthly filing funds, and funds with unknown strategy. We’ve also excluded the first 18 months of returns for every fund to control the backfill bias. This leaves us with 9107 funds. We divide the time series into periods of recessions and expansions based on the overall stock market situation. The main recession periods are the dot-com bubble from 31st May 2000 to 30th September 2002 and the financial crisis from 31st August 2007 to 28th February 2009. Otherwise the time periods between 30th June 1997 to 30th June 2013 are considered as expansion periods. The main steps after cleaning our data are: First we calculate the logarithmic excess returns of the funds. Then we use the Fung and Hsieh seven factor model over the past 12 months’ returns to estimate the time-varying t-value of alpha for each fund. Next we sort the funds into decile portfolios based on their t-values of alpha. After that we calculate the monthly equal-weighted returns for the decile portfolios using three-month and twelve-month holding periods. We also calculate the monthly equal weighted returns for the spread portfolio between the top and bottom portfolios. Next, we calculate for the decile portfolios the annualized mean, standard deviation, Sharpe ratio, t value of Sharpe ratio, p-value of Sharpe ratio, annualized Fung-Hsieh seven-factor alpha, t value of alpha and p-value of alpha. The null-hypothesis is that there is no difference in performance persistence after recession and expansion periods. What we can conclude from our results is that badly performing portfolios likely keep on performing badly despite the overall market situation, and even though there is some indications that the very best portfolios can make at least short-term profit even in bust periods, the performance is not persistent. We cannot identify the skilled fund managers from others by looking at hedge fund’s performance during market crisis. For further studies, the Lipper TASS database’s information of the hedge fund strategy categories could be used to identify the underlying factors in conditional performance persistence of hedge funds

    Expertise and decision making among clinicians in investigations of alleged child sexual abuse

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    The purpose of the present thesis was to explore different aspects of decision making and expertise in investigations of child sexual abuse (CSA) and subsequently shed some light on the reasons for shortcomings in the investigation processes. Clinicians’ subjective attitudes as well as scientifically based knowledge concerning CSA, CSA investigation and interviewing were explored. Furthermore the clinicians’ own view on their expertise and what enhances this expertise was investigated. Also, the effects of scientific knowledge, experience and attitudes on the decision making in a case of CSA were explored. Finally, the effects of different kinds of feedback as well as experience on the ability to evaluate CSA in the light of children’s behavior and base rates were investigated. Both explorative and experimental methods were used. The purpose of Study I was to investigate whether clinicians investigating child sexual abuse (CSA) rely more on scientific knowledge or on clinical experience when evaluating their own expertise. Another goal was to check what kind of beliefs the clinicians held. The connections between these different factors were investigated. A questionnaire covering items concerning demographic data, experience, knowledge about CSA, selfevaluated expertise and beliefs about CSA was given to social workers, child psychiatrists and psychologists working with children. The results showed that the clinicians relied more on their clinical experience than on scientific knowledge when evaluating their expertise as investigators of CSA. Furthermore, social workers possessed stronger attitudes in favor of children than the other groups, while child psychiatrists had more negative attitudes towards the criminal justice system. Male participants held less strong beliefs than female participants. The findings indicate that the education of CSA investigators should focus more on theoretical knowledge and decision making processes as well as the role of beliefs In Study II school and family counseling psychologists completed a Child Sexual Abuse Attitude and Belief Scale. Four CSA related attitude and belief subscales were identified: 1. The Disclosure subscale reflecting favoring a disclosure at any cost, 2. The Pro-Child subscale reflecting unconditional belief in children's reports, 3. The Intuition subscale reflecting favoring an intuitive approach to CSA investigations, and 4. The Anti Criminal Justice System subscale reflecting negative attitudes towards the legal system. Beliefs that were erroneous according to empirical research were analyzed separately. The results suggest that some psychologists hold extreme attitudes and many erroneous beliefs related to CSA. Some misconceptions are common. Female participants tended to hold stronger attitudes than male participants. The more training in interviewing children the participants have, the more erroneous beliefs and stronger attitudes they hold. Experience did not affect attitudes and beliefs. In Study III mental health professionals’ sensitivity to suggestive interviewing in CSA cases was explored. Furthermore, the effects of attitudes and beliefs related to CSA and experience with CSA investigations on the sensitivity to suggestive influences in the interview were investigated. Also, the effect of base rate estimates of CSA on decisions was examined. A questionnaire covering items concerning demographic data, different aspects of clinical experience, self-evaluated expertise, beliefs and knowledge about CSA and a set of ambiguous material based on real trial documents concerning an alleged CSA case was given to child mental health professionals. The experiment was based on a 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 (leading questions: yes vs no) x (stereotype induction: yes vs no) x (emotional tone: pressure to respond vs no pressure to respond) x (threats and rewards: yes vs no) between-subjects factorial design, in which the suggestiveness of the methods with which the responses of the child were obtained were varied. There was an additional condition in which the material did not contain any interview transcripts. The results showed that clinicians are sensitive only to the presence of leading questions but not to the presence of other suggestive techniques. Furthermore, the clinicians were not sensitive to the possibility that suggestive techniques could have been used when no interview transcripts had been included in the trial material. Experience had an effect on the sensitivity of the clinicians only regarding leading questions. Strong beliefs related to CSA lessened the sensitivity to leading questions. Those showing strong beliefs on the belief scales used in this study were even more prone to prosecute than other participants when other suggestive influences than leading questions were present. Controversy exists regarding effects of experience and feedback on clinical decision making. In Study IV the impact of the number of handled cases and of feedback on the decisions in cases of alleged CSA was investigated. One-hundred vignettes describing cases of suspected CSA were given to students with no experience with investigating CSA. The vignettes were based on statistical data about symptoms and prevalence of CSA. According to the theoretical likelihood of CSA the children described were categorized as abused or not abused. The participants were asked to decide whether abuse had occurred. They were divided into 4 groups: one received feedback on whether their decision was right or wrong, one received information about cognitive processes involved in decision making, one received both, and one did not receive feedback at all. The results showed that participants who received feedback on their performance made more correct positive decisions and participants who got information about decision making processes made more correct negative decisions. Feedback and information combined decreased the number of correct positive decisions but increased the number of correct negative decisions. The number of read cases had in itself a positive effect on correct positive decision.Siirretty Doriast

    Nuorten henkistÀ hyvinvointia tukevia ja estÀviÀ tekijöitÀ sekÀ nuorten odottama tuki kouluterveydenhoitajalta henkiseen hyvinvointiin liittyvissÀ asioissa : Kyselytutkimus SeinÀjoella lukioiden 2. vuoden opiskelijoille

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    TĂ€mĂ€n opinnĂ€ytetyön tarkoituksena oli selvittÀÀ SeinĂ€joella lukion toista vuotta opiskelevien nuorten henkistĂ€ hyvinvointia tukevia voimavaroja, henkistĂ€ hyvin-vointia estĂ€viĂ€ tekijöitĂ€ ja odotuksia kouluterveydenhoitajan tuesta henkiseen hy-vinvointiin liittyvissĂ€ asioissa. OpinnĂ€ytetyön tavoitteena oli, ettĂ€ SeinĂ€joella lukiolaisten kanssa työskentelevĂ€t terveydenhoitajat voivat tuotetun tiedon avulla antaa nuorille sellaista tukea, jota he itselleen toivovat. OpinnĂ€ytetyö toteutettiin pÀÀosin kvantitatiivista tutkimusmenetelmÀÀ kĂ€yttĂ€en. Aineisto kerĂ€ttiin kyselylomakkeen avulla, joka suunniteltiin opinnĂ€ytetyön tarkoi-tusta varten. Kyselylomakkeen kysymykset olivat strukturoituja ja osin avoimia. Tiedonantajina olivat Ylistaron ja PerĂ€seinĂ€joen lukioiden kaikki 2. vuoden opiskelijat ja Nurmosta yksi 2. vuoden opiskelijoista koostuva ryhmĂ€. Kyselyyn vastasi yhteensĂ€ 48 opiskelijaa. Aineisto kerĂ€ttiin joulukuussa 2010 ja tammikuussa 2011. KerĂ€tty aineisto kĂ€siteltiin pÀÀosin tilastollisin menetelmin. Avointen kysymysten vastaukset purettiin kĂ€yttĂ€mĂ€llĂ€ soveltaen induktiivista sisĂ€llönanalyysia. OpinnĂ€ytetyön tulokset osoittivat, ettĂ€ eniten opiskelijoiden henkistĂ€ hyvinvointia tukivat ystĂ€vĂ€t, perhe ja harrastukset. Suurimmiksi henkistĂ€ hyvinvointia estĂ€viksi asioiksi koettiin koulu, ihmissuhdeongelmat ja stressi. OpinnĂ€ytetyön tulosten mukaan opiskelijat purkivat pahaa oloaan mieluiten puhumalla toisen henkilön kanssa. Pojat työstivĂ€t ajatuksiaan melko usein myös olemalla yksin. Ainoastaan tytöt purkivat pahaa oloaan myös kirjoittamalla. Suurin osa opiskelijoista vastasi pÀÀsevĂ€nsĂ€ purkamaan pahaa oloaan tavalla tai toisella. Kuitenkin 9% koki, ettei pÀÀse purkamaan pahaa oloaan mitenkÀÀn. Opiskelijat toivoivat terveydenhoitajan tukevan pahaa oloa tuottavissa asioissa kuuntelemalla, antamalla tietoa ja olemalla rohkaiseva. Henkilö, jolle opiskelijat kertovat mieltÀÀn painavista asioista, tulisi opiskelijoiden mielestĂ€ olla luotettava, ymmĂ€rtĂ€vĂ€inen ja sellainen, joka kuuntelee opiskelijaa. OpinnĂ€ytetyön tulosten mukaan suurin osa opiskelijoista voi henkisesti hyvin. Kuitenkin yksittĂ€iset opiskelijat voivat henkisesti huonosti.The purpose of this thesis is to find out second year of upper secondary students resources of mental welfare in SeinĂ€joki. The purpose is also to find out which are the issues that hinder mental welfare and student’s expectations of public health nurse’s support to mental welfare. The aim of this thesis is that public health nurses can use information of this thesis at upper secondary schools of SeinĂ€joki and give that kind of support what students hope for. The quantitative approach was used in this thesis. The material was collected by questionnaire which was planned for the purpose of this thesis. The questionnaire was structured and unlimited. The target group was second year upper secondary school students in Ylistaro, PerĂ€seinĂ€joki and Nurmo. 48 students answered the questionnaire. The material was collected in December 2010 and January 2011. The analysis and the material were made with statistical methods. The unlimited questions were made using inductive content analysis. The results showed that friends, family and hobbies were the most important re-sources of students’ mental welfare. The issues that compromise students’ mental welfare were school, problems in relationships and stress. The results showed that students mostly talked to somebody when they were feeling down. The boys often dealt with their feelings by being alone and the girls by writing things down. Most students answered that they could deal with their bad feelings in some way or another. However, 9% of students felt that they can’t deal with their bad feelings in any way. The students hoped that public health nurse would support them by listening, giving information and being encouraging. The students also hoped that the person whom they talk about problems should be reliable, understanding and a good listener. The results of this thesis showed that most students felt good in mental way. However, some students had negative views of their metal wellbeing

    Terveysriskit ja toimijuus suomalaisissa iltapÀivÀlehdissÀ

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    RiskillĂ€ on keskeinen rooli modernissa yhteiskunnassa. Tiede, teollisuus ja pÀÀtöksenteko perustuvat riskien arviointiin ja hallintaan. Kansanterveystyön painopiste on siirtynyt terveysriskien arvioinnin ja kontrolloinnin kautta tapahtuvaan ennaltaehkĂ€isyyn ja terveyden edistĂ€miseen, jossa korostuu yksilön toimijuus. Samalla terveysriskejĂ€ koskeva viestintĂ€ on lisÀÀntynyt huomattavasti valtavirtamediassa, ja viestinnĂ€lle on tyypillistĂ€ korostaa terveyttĂ€ koskevia uhkia. TĂ€ssĂ€ pro gradu -tutkielmassa selvitettiin, miten terveyteen liittyviĂ€ riskejĂ€ kuvataan iltapĂ€ivĂ€lehtien terveysaiheisissa julkaisuissa. LisĂ€ksi selvitettiin, millaista toimijuutta iltapĂ€ivĂ€lehtien terveyteen liittyviĂ€ riskejĂ€ koskeva viestintĂ€ rakentaa lukijan kannalta. Tutkimuksen aineisto koostui kahden Suomen suurimman iltapĂ€ivĂ€lehden, Iltalehden ja Ilta-Sanomien, verkkosivustoilla aikavĂ€lillĂ€ 1.2.–13.3.2016 julkaistuista terveysaiheisista artikkeleista. TutkimusmenetelmĂ€nĂ€ kĂ€ytettiin kriittistĂ€ diskurssianalyysiĂ€. IltapĂ€ivĂ€lehtien terveysaiheisissa jutuissa korostuvat terveysriskien kokonaisvaltaisuus sekĂ€ aktiivinen, terveyttĂ€ edistĂ€vĂ€ toimijuus. IltapĂ€ivĂ€lehdissĂ€ nostetaan esille runsaasti yksittĂ€isiĂ€, elintapoihin liittyviĂ€ riskitekijöitĂ€, joista palstatilaa saavat erityisesti sydĂ€n- ja verisuonitauteihin sekĂ€ syöpiin liittyvĂ€t riskitekijĂ€t. Muut kansanterveydellisesti merkittĂ€vĂ€t sairaudet, kuten mielenterveyden ongelmat sekĂ€ tuki- ja liikuntaelinten sairaudet, eivĂ€t saa yhtĂ€ paljon nĂ€kyvyyttĂ€. Riski itsessÀÀn nĂ€yttĂ€ytyy merkityksellisenĂ€ riippumatta siitĂ€, mihin tai millaiseen terveystapahtumaan on yhteydessĂ€. Riskien tiedostaminen ja niihin varautuminen sekĂ€ aktiivisuus terveyden suhteen nĂ€yttĂ€ytyy tĂ€rkeĂ€nĂ€ riippumatta siitĂ€, millainen mahdollisuus yksilöllĂ€ todellisuudessa on vaikuttaa vaaran toteutumisen todennĂ€köisyyteen. IltapĂ€ivĂ€lehtien terveysaiheisten juttujen rakentamassa todellisuudessa terveysriskit ovat lĂ€snĂ€ kaikkialla ja riski liittyy koko elĂ€mÀÀn. Riskin hallitsemisen suhteen korostuu yksilön aktiivisuus. Riskin ja toimijuuden kuvaamisen tapojen voidaan nĂ€hdĂ€ kytkeytyvĂ€n riskiyhteiskuntateorioihin sekĂ€ teorioihin lÀÀketieteen kehitykseen liittyvĂ€stĂ€ biopoliittisesta vallasta ja terveysriskien kautta tapahtuvasta hallinnasta. ABSTRACT Health risks and agency in Finnish tabloids In modern societies, many societal practices are based on the notion of risk. Science, industry and policy-making are based on risk assessment and risk management. The key strategies of public health, disease prevention and health promotion, are performed through assessment and controlling of health risks, and thus highlight the agency of an individual. The volume of health risk communication has considerably increased in the mass media, and it is typically characterized by highlighting various threats to health. The aim of this Master’s Thesis was to examine how health-related risks are presented in health-related articles published in Finnish tabloids. Another aim was to examine how the agency of the reader is constructed in these articles. The empirical material of this study consisted of health-related articles published in the websites of the two most read Finnish tabloids, Iltalehti and Ilta-Sanomat, during a six-week time period, from February 1st to March 13th 2016. The material was analysed by critical discourse analysis. The pervasiveness of risk and the importance of an active agency, targeted to health promotion, are emphasized in the health risk communication of Finnish tabloids. Individual, lifestyle-related risk factors receive substantial attention, especially those related to cardiovascular disease and cancer. Other diseases that are important for public health, such as mental health problems and musculoskeletal disorders, in turn, do not receive as much attention. Risk itself seems to be important despite of what disease or health status it relates to. Being aware of and prepared for health risks seems to be important despite of the actual chances of an individual to influence on the probability of the realization of the danger or threat on health. In the health-related communication of tabloids, health risks are omnipresent and risk is related to everything in everyday life. The activity of an individual is crucial in the management of these risks. Presentations of risk and agency reflect important aspects of risk society theories, as well as theories about biopower and control performed through health risks, that relate to the development of modern medicine

    A colorimetric multivariable feedback control system for test environment ambient light control

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    Kasvanut informaatiovirran mÀÀrÀ, uudet kÀyttötarkoitukset sekÀ kehittyneet nÀyttöteknologiat ovat luoneet tarpeen matkapuhelimien nÀyttöjen toimivuudelle ja nÀin ollen myös testaukselle eri ympÀristönvalaistusolosuhteissa. Laajamittaisessa vertailukelpoisuuteen tÀhtÀÀvÀssÀ subjektiivisessa testauksessa avainsanoja ovat toistettavuus ja helppous, jonka takia jo aiemmin oli kehitetty erilaisten valaistusominaisuuksien toistamiseksi lampuilla varustettu testitila. TÀstÀ laitteistosta kuitenkin puuttui toimiva sÀÀtöjÀrjestelmÀ. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli suunnitella ja toteuttaa tÀhÀn testitilaan toimiva robusti takaisinkytketty kolorimetrinen ohjausjÀrjestelmÀ joka pystyisi kompensoimaan virhelÀhteitÀ. LÀhtökohtana pidettiin havainnoitsijana toimivaa ihmistÀ, tavoitteena havaitun vÀrivaikutelmaeron minimointi. TyössÀ sovellettiin tÀhÀn liittyvÀÀ aiempaa tutkimusta, tÀrkeimpinÀ CIEDE2000 vÀrierolaskenta ja kolorimetria. PÀÀpaino oli uuden sÀÀtöalgoritmin kehittÀmisellÀ ja implementoinnilla. Valaistuksen sÀÀtö pohjautuu metameriaan ja sen tarkoitus oli kyetÀ tuottamaan haluttu vÀrikoordinaatti ja valaistusvoimakkuus sekÀ mahdollistaa nÀiden reaaliaikainen korjaaminen. TakaisinkytkentÀ systeemin tilasta saatiin miniatyyrispektroradiometrin avulla. SÀÀtöalgoritmissa yhdistettiin sekÀ klassinen PID-sÀÀdin ettÀ massapisteisiin perustuva sÀÀtö jossa jokainen valonlÀhde mallinnettiin vÀridiagrammiin sen vÀrikoordinaatin perusteella. Algoritmin taustalla oli idea siitÀ, ettÀ jokainen lamppu toimisi nÀin erÀÀnlaisena työntÀvÀnÀ tai vetÀvÀnÀ kromaattisena painovoimapisteenÀ. Tutkimuksen tavoite saatiin tÀytettyÀ ja toimiva sÀÀdin sekÀ kehitettyÀ ettÀ implementoitua. Vaikeuksia olivat lamppujen ristikkÀisvaikutukset, ympÀristön ainutlaatuisuus, ihmisen nÀköjÀrjestelmÀn monimutkaisuus ja adaptoituminen. TyössÀ korostui erityisesti alkuarvauksen tÀrkeys, kohteen sijainti vÀriavaruudessa ja valitun lamppukokoonpanon oikeellisuus. Ilmenneet kehitysehdotukset keskittyivÀt laitteiston kehittÀmiseen, ÀlykkÀÀseen sÀÀtöparametrien virittÀmiseen ja alkuarvauksen tarkentamiseen.Increased information flow, new use cases and developed display technologies have created a need for mobile phone display functionality and thus also for testing those all in different ambient light conditions. In extensive subjective tests aiming to test comparability, reproducibility and easiness are the key figures. This is why a test room for illumination reproduction equipped with different light sources had been previously developed. The goal of this thesis was to develop and implement a robust colorimetric feedback control system for this test environment that would be functional and capable of compensating error sources. The starting point was a human observer and color difference minimization the goal. Also previous studies were applied, CIEDE2000 color difference calculation and colorimetry being most important. Emphasis was on the development and implementation of a new controlling algorithm. Light controlling is based on metamerism and the target was to achieve the ability to produce wanted chromaticity coordinate and illuminance and control them in real-time. The feedback from the system state was received using a miniature spectroradiometer. The controlling combined both classis PID controller and gravity based controlling where every light source was modeled into a chromaticity diagram according to its color coordinate. The idea behind the algorithm was that each lamp would work as a pushing or a pulling chromatic gravity point. The goal of the study was fulfilled and a working controller was both developed and implemented. The difficulties were lamps' cross effects, a unique environment, human vision complexity and adaptation. Initial guesses importance, target's location in a color gamut and chosen lamp configuration were emphasized. Development proposals focused on test environment development, intelligent controller parameter tuning and initial state guess specifying

    Data sources and methods for assessment of chemicals risks in environmental crime processes

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    KemikaalipÀÀstöjen ympĂ€ristörikosten tutkintaan osallistuu ympĂ€ristöviranomaisia, esitutkintaviranomaisia sekĂ€ syyttĂ€jiĂ€. Tutkinnassa poliisien ja syyttĂ€jien on varmistettava, onko tapauksessa kyse rikoksesta. Asiantuntijalausunnoissa on arvioitava kemikaalipÀÀstöstĂ€ aiheutuvaa ympĂ€ristörikoksen tunnusmerkit tĂ€yttĂ€vÀÀ ympĂ€ristön pilaantumista tai sen vaaraa. Arviointi on samankaltainen kuin pilaantuneen maa-alueen toksikologinen riskien arviointi. Tutkintaan osallistuvat viranomaiset eivĂ€t aina tunne kemikaalien ominaisuuksiin ja ympĂ€ristöriskeihin liittyvÀÀ kĂ€sitteistöÀ, mikĂ€ voi vaikeuttaa asiantuntijalausuntojen tulkintaa. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli selvittÀÀ viranomaisten nykyisiĂ€ kĂ€ytĂ€ntöjĂ€ sekĂ€ tuen ja tiedon tarvetta, mitĂ€ tulee kemikaalitiedon tulkintaan ja ympĂ€ristöriskien tunnistamiseen. Tutkimus koostui kyselytutkimuksesta ja haastattelututkimuksesta, joissa kohdejoukkoina olivat kuntien ja valtion ympĂ€ristöviranomaiset, esitutkintaviranomaiset sekĂ€ syyttĂ€jĂ€t. Kyselytutkimus toteutettiin webropol-kyselynĂ€ ja haastattelututkimus toteutettiin teemahaastatteluna. Tutkimuksen perusteella luotettavalle kemikaalitiedolle ja yhdenmukaiselle ympĂ€ristöriskien tunnistamismenetelmĂ€lle on tarvetta. YmpĂ€ristöviranomaisilla ei ole kĂ€ytössÀÀn vakiintunutta kemikaalitietokantaa, ja kemikaalipÀÀstön aiheuttamien ympĂ€ristöriskien tunnistamisessa kĂ€ytetyt menetelmĂ€t vaihtelevat. Esitutkintaviranomaiset ja syyttĂ€jĂ€t ovat tyytyvĂ€isiĂ€ nykyisten tutkintapyyntöjen ja asiantuntijalausuntojen laatuun, mutta tunnistavat tarvitsevansa koulutusta kemikaalitiedon ja ympĂ€ristöriskien tulkinnassa. Tutkimuksen tulokset osoittivat, ettĂ€ ympĂ€ristöviranomaisten mielestĂ€ heillĂ€ ei ole riittĂ€vĂ€sti resursseja tulkita kemikaalitietoja ja tunnistaa ympĂ€ristöriskejĂ€. Ulkopuo-lisen asiantuntijaorganisaation tukea kaivataan tulkintaan ja ympĂ€ristöriskien tunnistamiseen. Tulosten perusteella suositellaan, ettĂ€ listataan luotettavat kemikaalien tietokannat, ja asiantuntijoiden yhteystiedot sekĂ€ yhdenmukaistetaan ympĂ€ristöriskien tunnistamismenetelmĂ€t.The environmental authorities, the police and prosecutors are the key actors in environmental crime investigations. In the investigation the police and the prosecutor must ascertain whether a crime has taken place. Experts’ statements should include an assessment of environmental pollution or its potential. This assessment resembles the risk assessment of contaminated sites. The police and prosecutors do not necessarily know the terminology of chemicals and environmental risks which can complicate their interpretations of experts’ statements. The aim of the study was to explore the authorities’ current practices, experiences and the need for support in the interpretation of chemical information and identification of the environmental risks. The study has been conducted with a survey and interviews targeted at environmental authorities, the police and prosecutors. The survey was implemened as a Webropol –survey and thematic interviews. The results show the need for reliable information on chemicals and for a harmonized risk assessment method. The environmental authorities do not use any established chemical database, and the methods for assessing environmental risks. The police and prosecutors are satisfied with the quality of the requests of investigations and experts’ statements but they recognize the need for education in the interpretation of chemical data and environmental risks. The results clearly indicate that the environmental authorities have a lack personnel resources and knowledge for the interpretation of chemical data and identification of the environmental risks in environmental crime investigations. They wish for external support in these tasks. Based on the results, compilation of a list of reliable chemical databases and a contact list of chemical experts, as well as harmonization of risk assessment methods are recommended
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