Developing human-centred framework and guidelines for disc golf application design

Abstract. Disc golf is an increasingly popular sport, especially in Finland and the USA. The disc golf industry and Professional Disc Golf Association have proceeded in the digital transformation; therefore, disc golf applications have penetrated the markets. There is a need for evaluating and developing the current quality of disc golf application design and looking for general guidelines for designing comprehensive applications. This thesis aims to study what kind of framework is hidden behind the disc golf application design from a human-centred perspective when also several stakeholders are concerned. The study is based on theoretical and empirical research. Theoretical research is conducted by literary review of existing disc golf application design guidelines, together with human-centred design, user-centred design, and stakeholder-centred design theory and methodologies in general. Nevertheless, a research gap is found as far as disc golf, golf, and sports application design are concerned. Thus, the review expands to study field practitioners and mobile health context. The literary review also examines disc golf as a sport and in numbers, together with current disc golf applications. Empirical research adapts human-centred design methods by studying users’ expectations, needs, and wishes in the mean of questionnaires, and interviews. Also, the context of use is identified and visited, user requirements are mapped, disc golf personas are created, and the disc golf application’s stakeholders are identified. Then, the method adapted from service-dominant logic is used for preparing value proposals for all disc golf application users, and other stakeholders. By adapting the design guidelines from the literature and empirical findings, the human-centred guidelines for disc golf application design (HGDG) framework is presented as the first main finding of the thesis. The HGDG framework can be used for disc golf application design and ensuring the usage of the human-centred approach. The second main finding, 15 design guidelines and instructions for disc golf application design reinforces the HGDG framework. The third main finding suggests using 15 design guidelines as a metric for evaluating if the designed application achieves an ideal win-win-…-win situation between of application provider, users, and other stakeholders

Maastopyörien runkogeometria

Tiivistelmä. Tämän työn tarkoituksena oli tutkia polkupyörien runkogeometriaa ja sen vaikutusta maastopyörien käyttäytymiseen. Työ on rajattu koskemaan rungon rakenteita, toiminnallisia mittoja ja niiden yhteyksiä. Työssä keskityttiin rungon mitoituksen terminologian määrittämiseen ja kuvaamaan eri suunnitteluratkaisujen hyötyjä ja erityispiirteitä. Työssä perehdyttiin myös maastopyörän geometrian vaikutukseen sen dynamiikkaan jousitusratkaisujen ja ohjausdynamiikan osalta. Työtä varten aiheeseen perehdyttiin alan kirjallisuuden sekä verkkolähteiden pohjalta. Työn perusteella voidaan todeta, että rungon suunnittelu on täynnä kompromisseja ja tasapainoilua eri ominaisuuksien välillä, ja että suunnittelijan tehtäväksi jää painottaa haluttuja ominaisuuksia saadakseen rungon, joka soveltuu käyttötarkoitukseensa mahdollisimman hyvin.Mountain bike frame geometry. Abstract. The aim of this bachelor’s thesis was to research bicycle frame geometry and the effect it has on mountain bikes. The scope of this study includes frame design regarding the key measurements of the frame and their relations to each other. This thesis focuses on defining the terminology of mountain bike frames and explaining the characteristics and advantages of different types of designs. This thesis also looks at suspension linkage design and steering dynamics specific to a mountain bike. Research for this thesis was conducted through literature and web sources. It was found that frame design is full of compromise and balancing between different features and that it is up to the designer to highlight these features to end up with a product that is most capable of fulfilling its purpose

Maantieajoneuvojen kuormanvarmistusvälineiden testausjärjestelmän kehittäminen

Tiivistelmä. Tämän diplomityön aiheena oli kehittää työn toimeksiantajan Global Boiler Works Oy:n asiakkaalle Fibroc Oy:lle järjestelmä maantieajoneuvojen kuormanvarmistuksen kiinnityspisteiden ja sidontavälineiden testaamiseen. Järjestelmä suunniteltiin olemassa olevaa kuormituskehää hyödyntäen. Työn motiivina oli uusien kuormanvarmistussäädösten johdosta muuttuneet testaustarpeet kuormanvarmistusvälineille. Tavoitteena oli suunnitella testausympäristö, jolla voidaan suorittaa standardin SFS-EN 12195 mukaisia testejä sekä luoda toimintaedellytykset kuormituskehän tulevaan monipuoliseen testaustoimintaan. Tutkimus alkoi muuttuneisiin kuormanvarmistuksen määräyksiin ja lainsäädäntöön perehtymisellä. Tätä seurasi tilaajan tarpeiden sekä standardien vaatimusten kartoittaminen, jonka jälkeen suunniteltiin ja valmistettiin testeissä vaaditut kiinnittimet sekä suoritettiin kuormituskehän muun laitteiston käyttöönotto. Edellä mainittujen lisäksi työhön sisältyi mittaus- ja tiedonkeruujärjestelmän kehittäminen, standardinmukaisten testaus- ja raportointimenettelyjen määrittäminen sekä koneturvallisuuden parantaminen. Lopputuloksena syntyi monipuolinen järjestelmä, jolla voidaan suorittaa tähän työhön liittyviä standardisoituja testejä tarkasti ja toistettavasti, ja joka soveltuu tehokkaasti myös muuhun materiaalin testaukseen.Development of a test system for load securing equipment. Abstract. The subject of this thesis was to develop a test system for load securing equipment used in road transportation. This thesis was commissioned by Global Boiler Works Oy for their client Fibroc Oy. The system was designed around an existing load frame. The main driver behind this work was the change in test demands concerning lashing equipment due to changes in road safety legislation. The aim was to design a test environment to be used in testing according to standard SFS-EN 12195 and also to lay the groundwork for future testing activities. Research for this project started with reading up on the changed regulations and legislation concerning load securing. This was followed by mapping out the needs of the client and the requirements of the standards. After this the required fixtures for the tests were designed and manufactured and the rest of the equipment put to use. Scope of the project also included the development of a measurement and data acquisition system, specifying the proper testing and reporting procedures and improving the overall safety of the system. The result is a versatile system that can be reliably and repeatably used in standardized testing of equipment presented in this thesis and accommodates other types of material testing as well

Piilevien aiheuttamat kalanpyydysten likaantumisongelmat - Pyhäjärven eteläosa, Kulovesi ja Roine

Kalanpyydysten likaantuminen on ongelma eräissä säännöstellyissä reittivesistöissä, missä se haittaa kalastusta avovesikauden lisäksi jääpeitteisenä aikana. Myös joillain suuremmilla säännöstelemättömillä järvillä, esimerkiksi Roineella ilmiön on koettu pahentuneen. Pirkanmaalla talvista kalanpyydysten likaantumista on raportoitu enenevässä määrin 1900-luvun lopulta lähtien. Kalastajien havaintojen mukaan pääasiallinen syy säännöstellyissä vesistöissä olisi nk. kevätkuopan tekoon liittyvät juoksutukset, mutta syy-seuraussuhteita ei ole voitu osoittaa aikaisemmissa tutkimuksissa selvästi. Tässä tutkimuksessa kalanpyydysten likaantumista ja sen syitä tarkasteltiin kolmella Pirkanmaan järvellä: Pyhäjärvellä, Kulovedellä ja Roineella. Tutkimus on jatkoa aiemmille Pirkanmaan ympäristökeskuksen ja Suomen ympäristökeskuksen toteuttamille likaantumis-selvityksille, jotka on tehty osana alueen keskeisten järvien säännöstelyn kehittämistä. Tutkimuksen ensimmäisessä osiossa kalanpyydysten likaantumista tarkasteltiin kirjanpito-kalastajien merkintöjen avulla. Toisessa osiossa likaantumista tarkasteltiin havaskokeiden tulosten perusteella. Tutkimuksen pääasiallisena tarkoituksena oli lisätä ymmärrystä vedenkorkeuden ja virtaaman vaihtelujen merkityksestä kalanpyydysten likaantumisessa. Tutkimuksen tulokset tukevat kalastajien havaintoihin pohjautuvaa lähtöoletusta, että havasten likaantuminen voimistuu kevätkuoppajuoksutusten aikaan kasvavien virtaamien ja vedenkorkeuden alenemisen seurauksena. Likaantuminen on selvästi voimakkain Pyhäjärven päävirtausalueella, Kirkkojärvi-Toutosenselän ja Säijänselän-Sorvanselän alueella, kun taas päävirtausalueen ulkopuolella sijaitsevalla Huhtaanselällä piilevien aiheuttamaa talvista likaantumisongelmaa ei havaittu. Syksyinen likaantumishaitta ajoittuu samoihin aikoihin syyskierron kanssa, jolloin alle 10−12 °C lämpötilassa esiintyvä rihmamainen Aulacoseira islandica -piilevä oli selvästi merkittävin kalanpyydyksiä likaava tekijä. Syyskierron aikainen piilevien aiheuttama verkkohavasten likaantuminen oli selvästi havaittavissa paitsi Pyhäjärven päävirtausalueella sijaitsevilla Aniansaaren ja Salonsaaren alueilla myös Roineella molemmilla havaskoealueilla

Water level regulation in winter triggers fouling of fishing nets by the diatom Aulacoseira islandica in a boreal lake

Water level regulation related to hydroelectric power production and flood prevention is an important hydro-morphological pressure on many watercourses around the world. Fouling of fishing nets in autumn during the open water period and in winter under the ice is a common phenomenon in large Finnish lakes where the water level is regulated. This fouling of fishing nets can sometimes be so extensive that fishing has to be stopped. Based on the practical experiences of fishermen, the main cause for the under-ice fouling has been proposed to be the winter draw-down of water causing low water level and stronger currents in lakes, but no conclusive relationship between fouling and water level regulation has yet been demonstrated. Here we show, using long-term winter data from a boreal lake and short-term netting experiments, that fouling of fishing nets results from increased water draw-down during winter (January–March). Our results also show that fouling of fishing nets takes place only if the high water flow rates are accompanied by an intensive lowering of the water level. We also discuss the relevance of our results to other regulated lakes with ice cover.peerReviewe

Early diagenetic transformation stages revealed by micro-analytical studies of shelly phosphorites, Rakvere region

FurongianâTremadocian phosphorites of Estonia are sandstone rich in biogenic apatite, represented by brachiopod detritus. The study focuses on the mineralogical and micro-analytical characterisation of phosphorites from the Aseri, Toolse, and Kabala deposits based on FE-SEM and EPMA analyses. The shell fragments are composed of alternating compact and porous laminae, but with considerably poor preservation of pristine textures, superseded by the formation of authigenic CAF-apatite during the early diagenesis. In all settings, the shells showed preferential uptake of Sr into the porous cryptocrystalline laminae. The altered areas are composed of massive apatite crystallites with Mn-enriched layers. They are frequently covered with pyrite, indicating progressive recrystallisation under the influence of interstitial fluids and fluctuations in redox gradients in coastal environments

A comprehensive model for measuring real-life cost-effectiveness in eyecare : automation in care and evaluation of system (aces-rwm (TM))

This paper describes a holistic, yet simple and comprehensible, ecosystem model to deal with multiple and complex challenges in eyecare. It aims at producing the best possible wellbeing and eyesight with the available resources. When targeting to improve the real-world cost-effectiveness, what gets done in everyday practice needs be measured routinely, efficiently and unselectively. Collection of all real-world data of all patients will enable evaluation and comparison of eyecare systems and departments between themselves nationally and internationally. The concept advocates a strategy to optimize real-life effectiveness, sustainability and outcomes of the service delivery in ophthalmology. The model consists of three components: (1) resource-governing principles (i.e., to deal with increasing demand and limited resources), (2) real-world monitoring (i.e., to collect structured real-world data utilizing automation and visualization of clinical parameters, health-related quality of life and costs), and (3) digital innovation strategy (i.e., to evaluate and benchmark real-world outcomes and cost-effectiveness). The core value and strength of the model lies in the consensus and collaboration of all Finnish university eye clinics to collect and evaluate the uniformly structured real-world outcomes data. In addition to ophthalmology, the approach is adaptable to any medical discipline to efficiently generate real-world insights and resilience in health systems.Peer reviewe

Halo observations provide evidence of airborne cubic ice in the Earth’s atmosphere

An ice crystal halo display that contains several previously unknown halo phenomena was observed in Northern Chile. Analysis of computer simulations of the halos demonstrates that most of the new halo arcs in the display can be explained by the presence of airborne and preferentially oriented crystals of cubic ice. These observations therefore provide evidence of the existence of the cubic phase of ice in the Earth's atmosphere

When does the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) predict autism spectrum disorders in primary school-aged children?

The aims of this study were, firstly, to study the association between parents’ and teachers’ ratings for the Finnish version of the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ), secondly, to find out whether the original cut-off scores of the ASSQ identify primary school-aged children with Asperger syndrome (AS) or autism by using the Finnish ASSQ, and thirdly, to evaluate the validity of the ASSQ. Parents and/or teachers of higher-functioning (full-scale intelligence quotient ≥ 50) 8-year-old total population school children (n = 4,408) and 7–12-year-old outpatients with AS/autism (n = 47) completed the Finnish version of the ASSQ. Agreement between informants was slight. In the whole total population, low positive correlation was found between parents’ and teachers’ ratings, while in the sample of high-scoring children the correlation turned out to be negative. A cut-off of 30 for parents’ and teacher's summed score and 22 for teachers’ single score is recommended. A valid cut-off for parents’ single score could not been estimated. The clinicians are reminded that the ASSQ is a screening instrument, not a diagnosing instrument. The importance of using both parents’ and teachers’ ratings for screening in clinical settings is underlined

A comprehensive model for measuring real-life cost-effectiveness in eyecare: automation in care and evaluation of system (aces-rwm™)

This paper describes a holistic, yet simple and comprehensible, ecosystem model to deal with multiple and complex challenges in eyecare. It aims at producing the best possible wellbeing and eyesight with the available resources. When targeting to improve the real-world cost-effectiveness, what gets done in everyday practice needs be measured routinely, efficiently and unselectively. Collection of all real-world data of all patients will enable evaluation and comparison of eyecare systems and departments between themselves nationally and internationally. The concept advocates a strategy to optimize real-life effectiveness, sustainability and outcomes of the service delivery in ophthalmology. The model consists of three components: (1) resource-governing principles (i.e., to deal with increasing demand and limited resources), (2) real-world monitoring (i.e., to collect structured real-world data utilizing automation and visualization of clinical parameters, health-related quality of life and costs), and (3) digital innovation strategy (i.e., to evaluate and benchmark real-world outcomes and cost-effectiveness). The core value and strength of the model lies in the consensus and collaboration of all Finnish university eye clinics to collect and evaluate the uniformly structured real-world outcomes data. In addition to ophthalmology, the approach is adaptable to any medical discipline to efficiently generate real-world insights and resilience in health systems