Abatement costs for agricultural nitrogen and phosphorus loads: a case study of crop farming in south-western Finland

Designing efficient agri-environmental policies for agricultural nutrient load reductions calls for information on the costs of emission reduction measures. This study develops an empirical framework for estimating abatement costs for nutrient loading from agricultural land. Nitrogen abatement costs and the phosphorus load reductions associated with nitrogen abatement are derived for crop farming in south-western Finland. The model is used to evaluate the effect of the Common Agricultural Policy reform currently underway on nutrient abatement costs. Results indicate that an efficiently designed policy aimed at a 50% reduction in agricultural nitrogen load would cost € 48 to € 35 million, or € 3756 to € 2752 per farm

Abatement costs for agricultural nitrogen and phosphorus loads: a case study of South-Western Finland

Designing efficient agri-environmental policies for agricultural nutrient load reductions calls for information on the costs of emission reduction measures. This study develops an empirical framework for estimating abatement costs for nutrient loading from agricultural land. Nitrogen abatement costs and the phosphorus load reductions associated with nitrogen abatement are derived for crop farming in southern Finland. The model is used to evaluate the effect of the Common Agricultural Policy reform currently underway on nutrient abatement costs. Results indicate that an efficiency designed policy aimed at a 50 % reducton in agricultural nitrogen load would cost 25 to 28 million euro, or 1995 to 2197 euro per farm

Image databases in medical applications

The number of medical images acquired yearly in hospitals increases all the time. These imaging data contain lots of information on the characteristics of anatomical structures and on their variations. This information can be utilized in numerous medical applications. In deformable model-based segmentation and registration methods, the information in the image databases can be used to give a priori information on the shape of the object studied and the gray-level values in the image, and on their variations. On the other hand, by studying the variations of the object of interest in different populations, the effects of, for example, aging, gender, and diseases on anatomical structures can be detected. In the work described in this Thesis, methods that utilize image databases in medical applications were studied. Methods were developed and compared for deformable model-based segmentation and registration. Model selection procedure, mean models, and combination of classifiers were studied for the construction of a good a priori model. Statistical and probabilistic shape models were generated to constrain the deformations in segmentation and registration so that only the shapes typical to the object studied were accepted. In the shape analysis of the striatum, both volume and local shape changes were studied. The effects of aging and gender, and also the asymmetries were examined. The results proved that the segmentation and registration accuracy of deformable model-based methods can be improved by utilizing the information in image databases. The databases used were relatively small. Therefore, the statistical and probabilistic methods were not able to model all the population-specific variation. On the other hand, the simpler methods, the model selection procedure, mean models, and combination of classifiers, gave good results also with the small image databases. Two main applications were the reconstruction of 3-D geometry from incomplete data and the segmentation of heart ventricles and atria from short- and long-axis magnetic resonance images. In both applications, the methods studied provided promising results. The shape analysis of the striatum showed that the volume of the striatum decreases in aging. Also, the shape of the striatum changes locally. Asymmetries in the shape were found, too, but any gender-related local shape differences were not found.reviewe

Luonnonmukaisen ja tavanomaisen viljelyn suhteellinen kannattavuus

This article deals with the relative profitability when converting to ecological farming. The results are presented according to production lines. The production lines are dairy farms, cattle farms, grain cultivation farms, pig farms and vegetable farms (carrot). Results are also grouped according to the EU-support area. The conventional farm income of different lines of farms is compared to the situation in the ecological farming. The main cost differences are also included in the calculations. The calculation period is five year (1995-1999). It is assumed that yields are 30 % lower in ecological farming and production prices are the same in both farming methods. Of the different types of farms, cereal farms and cattle farms are more profitable in ecological farming at this support level. For big farms and vegetable farms, the ecological production without a premium price seems rather unattractive.vokMTT Taloustutkimus (MTTL)Relatively profitability between ecological and conventional farmin

Maatalouspolitiikan uudistus vaikuttaa luomun kannattavuuteen

EU:n maatalouspolitiikkaan on ehdotettu muutoksia. Niiden mukaan EU:n kassasta tuleva maatalouden tukiosuus määräytyisi jatkossa muilla kuin tuotannollisilla perusteilla. Muutosehdotukset ovat aiheuttaneet vastustusta maataloustoimijoiden piirissä. Ehdotusten perustelut ja tavoitteet kyllä hyväksytään lähes yksimielisesti, mutta esitettyihin keinoihin suhtaudutaan hyvinkin kriittisesti ja varauksellisesti. Luomutuotannon kehitykseen uudistukset saattavat kuitenkin vaikuttaa positiivisesti.vo

Serial migrants and one-time migrants : The transnational lives of highly skilled Finns working in Europe

Europe is home to a globally unique area, where it is possible for the majority of Europeans to study, work, or retire in a wide geographical area. Based on two consecutive online surveys and 18 biographical interviews, the article examines the experiences of young, highly educated Finns living abroad in 12 EU countries. The article focuses on two types of migrants: one-time migrants with limited previous international experience and serial migrants with mobility capital accumulated during previous international experiences. The article concludes that this mobility capital, is a major factor influencing the likelihood of onward migration. The article also contributes to the understanding of Europe as a transnational area where various forms of mobility coexist as mobile Europeans look for study and career opportunities and suitable lifestyles abroad.Peer reviewe

Nordic Ties and British Lives? : Migrant Capital and the Case of Nordic Migrants Living in London

As a hub of finance, art, design and science, the city of London has long attracted migrants interested in study and career opportunities or simply excited about living in an open, global city. Over the last few decades, it has also been a key migration destination for Europeans originating from the Nordic countries. Based on survey data gathered through an online questionnaire, this article focuses on Nordic migrants currently living in London. Since the June 2016 referendum, the Brexit process has forced these voluntary and rather privileged migrants to question their inclusion in British society. This article discusses the role of migrant capital, i.e., the skills and resources created as a result of migration, at a time of uncertainty brought on by Brexit. It examines how these migrants see their position within the social hierarchy of the city and its job market, as well as within the local and transnational networks they maintain to their countries of origin. Their Nordic background is valuable thanks to the cultural capital embodied in their habitus as well as the social capital available via the Nordic networks in UK and transnationally.As a hub of finance, art, design and science, the city of London has long attracted migrants interested in study and career opportunities or simply excited about living in an open, global city. Over the last few decades, it has also been a key migration destination for Europeans originating from the Nordic countries. Based on survey data gathered through an online questionnaire, this article focuses on Nordic migrants currently living in London. Since the June 2016 referendum, the Brexit process has forced these voluntary and rather privileged migrants to question their inclusion in British society. This article discusses the role of migrant capital, i.e., the skills and resources created as a result of migration, at a time of uncertainty brought on by Brexit. It examines how these migrants see their position within the social hierarchy of the city and its job market, as well as within the local and transnational networks they maintain to their countries of origin. Their Nordic background is valuable thanks to the cultural capital embodied in their habitus as well as the social capital available via the Nordic networks in UK and transnationally.Peer reviewe

Making it abroad : experiences of highly skilled Finns in the European Union labour markets

Tutkimuksen maantieteellinen konteksti on Euroopassa, jossa on viimeisten 60 vuoden ajan poistettu työvoiman liikkuvuuden esteitä tiettyjen maiden väliltä. Suuri osa eurooppalaisista voi nykyään opiskella, työskennellä, tai viettää eläkepäiviään missä tahansa 28 Euroopan unionin (EU) jäsenmaasta tai asettua asumaan Sveitsiin, Norjaan, Islantiin tai Liechtensteiniin. Euroopassa sijaitseekin globaalisti ainutlaatuinen vapaan liikkuvuuden alue, jonka merkitys näkyy myös Suomesta muihin Euroopan maihin suuntautuvan muuttoliikkeen kasvuna Suomen liityttyä Euroopan talousalueen jäseneksi vuonna 1994 ja EU:n jäseneksi vuonna 1995. Tämä sosiologian tieteenalaan kuuluva tutkimus käsittelee yhden Euroopan sisällä muuttavan ryhmän, EU15 maihin muuttaneiden korkeasti koulutettujen suomalaisten, työmarkkinakokemuksia. Tutkimus pohjaa kahteen Working in Europe (2008 ja 2010) verkkokyselyyn sekä 18 ulkomaille muuttaneen suomalaisen haastatteluihin. Tutkimus pyrkii vastaamaan kolmeen empiiriseen kysymykseen: ”Miksi korkeasti koulutetut osaajat muuttavat ulkomaille?”, ”Kuinka korkeasti koulutetut osaajat löytävät töitä ulkomailta?”, ja ”Minkälaiset taidot ja kvalifikaatiot edesauttavat tai vaikeuttavat kohdemaan työmarkkinoille siirtymistä ja minkälaisissa työpaikoissa nämä suomalaiset työskentelevät?”. Olemassa olevien taitojen, koulutuksen ja aikaisemman työkokemuksen tunnustaminen on tärkeää erityisesti korkeasti koulutetuille muuttajille, jotka hakevat töitä ulkomailta. Tässä tutkimuksessa näihin tietoihin ja taitoihin viitataan kulttuurisen pääoman käsitteellä ja tutkimuksen teoreettinen tutkimuskysymys käsittelee tuon pääoman siirtymistä eurooppalaisten rajojen yli. Tutkimuksessa käytetty lähdekirjallisuus käsittelee kolmea teemaa: korkeasti koulutettujen osaajien muuttoliikettä, Euroopan sisällä tapahtuvaa liikkuvuutta sekä kulttuurista pääomaa ja muuttoliiketutkimusta. Tutkimus tarkastelee korkeasti koulutettujen suomalaisten työmarkkinakokemuksia ulkomailla. Vaikka tutkimuksen fokus on siten yksittäisten muuttajien tasolla, myös monet historialliset prosessit, kuten globalisaatio ja Euroopan integraatiokehitys, sekä kulttuuriset ja taloudelliset ilmiöt, vaikuttavat ulkomaille muuttoa harkitsevan päätöksentekoon. Siten myös yksilöä itseään laajemmat rakenteelliset ilmiöt osaltaan vaikuttavat siihen, miksi Suomesta muutetaan ulkomaille, milloin muutto tapahtuu sekä minne se suuntautuu. Tutkimuksessa todetaan, että kansainvälisesti suuntautuneille, suhteellisen nuorille ja hyvin koulutetuille Euroopan kansalaisille muutto EU:n sisällä on yksi mahdollinen väylä työmarkkinoille. Ulkomaille muutto nähdään usein kokeiluna, jota motivoivat erilaiset elämäntapaan ja henkilökohtaiseen kasvuun liittyvät tekijät eivätkä pelkästään urakehitys tai mahdollisuus parempiin ansioihin. Tutkimuksessa käytetään status-siirtymän käsitettä kuvaamaan sitä aikaa, jolloin koulutettu osaaja työskentelee koulutustaan vastaamattomissa töissä, opiskelee, on työttömänä tai hakee ulkomailta töitä Suomesta käsin. Status-siirtymää, jonka jälkeen muuttaja työllistyy koulutustaan ja/tai kokemustaan vastaaviin tehtäviin, tarkastellaan sekä sen ajallisen keston että työpaikan saamiseksi vaadittavien ponnistelujen kautta. Valtaosalle tämän tutkimuksen osallistujista tuo status-siirtymä oli ollut lyhytkestoinen ja sopivan työpaikan löytäminen ulkomailta oli ollut suhteellisen helppoa. Tutkimuksen osallistujat olivatkin hyvin tyytyväisiä työmarkkinatilanteeseensa ulkomailla. Osa tutkimukseen osallistuneista oli siirtynyt ulkomaille työnantajansa lähettäminä, ja osa oli rekrytoitu Suomesta suoraan johonkin tehtävään. Itsenäisesti ulkomailta töitä hakeneiden kokemuksissa oli yhtäläisyyksiä, vaikka tutkimukseen osallistuneet suomalaiset edustavatkin kovin erilaisia ammatteja ja koulutustaustoja. Työnhakutilanteissa esimerkiksi seuraavilla tekijöillä on ollut merkitystä: 1) tutkimukseen osallistuvien hyvä kielitaito oli auttanut heidän kulttuurisen pääomansa arvon määrittelyssä, 2) osallistujien suomalaisuus ja skandinaavisuus oli nähty positiivisen stereotypian kautta, 3) osallistujat olivat hakeneet työtä kansainvälisistä yrityksistä tai järjestöistä, joissa muutkin työntekijät ovat ulkomaalaisia ja 4) osa osallistujista oli löytänyt kilpailuetua siitä, että he kuuluvat pieneen muuttajaryhmään, joka osaa harvinaisia kieliä (suomi ja ruotsi). Tutkimuksen tulosten perusteella voidaan todeta, että korkeasti koulutettujen osaajien kulttuurinen pääoma siirtyy eurooppalaisten rajojen yli suhteellisen helposti, ainakin jos muuttaja on kotoisin Suomen kaltaisesta Pohjoismaasta. Ulkomailta töitä hakevan täytyy kuitenkin olla joustava ja valmis mukautumaan kohdemaan olosuhteisiin. Tähän tutkimukseen osallistuneet suomalaiset käyttivät kolmea eri strategiaa pyrkiessään kohdemaan työmarkkinoille: sopeutumista, erottautumista ja uudelleen orientaatiota. Tutkimuksen mukaan korkeasti koulutetut suomalaiset osaajat eivät kohtaa ylitsepääsemättömiä esteitä hakiessaan työtä muista EU-maista, mutta osaamista ja koulutusta vastaavan työpaikan löytäminen vaatii sopeutumista, määrätietoisuutta ja joskus jopa hakeutumista kokonaan toiselle ammattialalle.The geographical context of the study lies in Europe, where over the past 60 years a progressive lessening of restrictions on labour mobility between certain countries has taken place. It is possible for the majority of Europeans to study, work, or retire in any of the 28 European Union (EU) member states, as well as in Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein. Europe is thus a unique area, where sovereign states have given parts of their legislative power to supranational institutions and have given up one of the fundamental rights that define a nation state – that of deciding who can cross its borders. Increased mobility to other EU member states after Finland joined the European Economic Area (EEA) in 1994 and the EU in 1995 testifies to the fact that also Finns are taking advantage of the free movement regime. This sociological study examines the labour market experiences of one intra- European migrant group: highly skilled Finns who have moved to other EU15 countries. Based on two consecutive Working in Europe online surveys (2008, 2010) and 18 migrant interviews, this study addresses three empirical questions: “Why do highly skilled Finns move abroad?”, “How do highly skilled Finns find work in the EU15 countries?”, and “What kinds of skills and qualifications ease or impede labour market access and what kinds of jobs do these Finns work in?” The recognition of skills, educational qualifications and work experience, i.e. one’s cultural capital, is a key question for any migrant and especially so for highly educated professional migrants. The main theoretical question asked therefore is: “How does the cultural capital of the highly skilled migrants transfer across intra-European borders?” The study engages with three related literatures focusing on highly skilled migration, intra-European mobility, and cultural capital during migration. The study examines the personal experiences of highly skilled Finns and thus the main focus of the study is on the micro level of international mobility. Yet also various historical processes, such as globalisation and Europeanisation, cultural phenomena, and economic developments outside the control of individual migrants influence the reasons why particular individuals decided to move, where they moved to and when they moved. The study concludes that for internationallyminded, relatively young and well-educated European citizens mobility in the EU area is one possible path among many, and experimenting with living abroad may be motivated by a range of different reasons related to lifestyle and personal growth that are not directly linked with one’s professional career or the possibility of earning a better salary. The concept of status passage, i.e. a transitional period that is spent doing lowskilled jobs, studying, in unemployment, or continuing to work in Finland while applying for highly skilled jobs abroad, is used to describe how the Finns of the study entered the labour market of their destination country. It is examined through two dimensions: as the effort required in finding a job and in terms of its duration in time. The duration of the status passage had been short for most participants of the study and finding a highly skilled job had been relatively easy. The respondents were therefore quite content with their labour market situation in the new country. While many of the highly skilled Finns of the study moved abroad to continue on their professional career as intra-company transferees or because they were headhunted to a particular company, the study also notes four interrelated reasons for the experienced labour market success of those, who had looked for work on their own. First, their good language competence helped negotiate the value of their cultural capital abroad; second, participants were often seen through a positive Finnish or Scandinavian stereotypic image; third, the ease of finding work had often been based on applying for jobs in international workplaces; and fourth, the participants had found advantages from belonging to a small national group with skills in rather rare languages, Finnish and Swedish. Based on the results of this study it can be concluded that the cultural capital of highly skilled intra-European migrants’ transfers across national borders rather smoothly, at least when they originate from a Scandinavian country such as Finland. Yet transnationally mobile individuals, however highly skilled and educated they are, must be willing and able to adapt to the situation in the local labour market. The Finns of this study used three strategies to facilitate labour market entry: adaptation, distinction, and re-orientation. The results of this study demonstrate that highly skilled Finns do not face insurmountable barriers when they enter the labour market of another EU country, but they are also not welcomed with open arms as brains gained: finding a highly skilled job in the country of destination demands adaptation, perseverance, and sometimes even a total re-orientation of one’s career

Book review of Povrzanović Frykman, Maja & Öhlander, Magnus (eds.) (2018) Högutbildade migranter i Sverige, Lund: Arkiv förlag. 232 pp.

Non peer reviewe