Avoimuus Ilmavoimien lentäjien rekrytoinneissa

Lentäjien rekrytointi on yksi tärkeimmistä Ilmavoimien viestinnän osa-alueista. Rekrytointiviestintään panostaminen potentiaalisten hakijoiden tavoittamiseksi on tärkeää. Rekrytointiin ei kannata kuitenkaan luottaa sokeasti tai pohtia rekrytoinnin vaikutuksia liian tarkasti yksittäiseen hakijaan. Vaikka Ilmavoimallisesti rekrytoinnissa tehtäisiin kaikki perustellen ja monella mittarilla oikein, voi ulkopuolisten tekijöiden merkitys olla yksilölle suurempi kuin rekrytoinnin välittämä viesti. 19–29 -vuotiaille Ilmavoimien lentäjille laaditun kyselyn vastauksista on kuitenkin havaittavissa toistuvuuksia. Tulkitsemalla näitä toistuvuuksia tämän tutkimuksen tuloksia voidaan käyttää osana rekrytoinnin kehitystyötä. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli selvittää Ilmavoimien rekrytoinnin informatiivisuutta sekä Ilmavoimien kykyä vastata rekrytointiviestinnän asettamiin odotuksiin Ilmavoimista työnantajana. Tutkimusaineisto kerättiin strukturoidulla kyselylomakkeella tammikuussa 2023 ja siihen saatiin 39 vastausta. Kyselylomakkeen strukturoituja väittämiä täydennettiin vapaaehtoisilla avoimilla vastausvaihtoehdoilla, jotta vastaajat saisivat halutessaan perustella vastauksiaan tarkemmin tai tarkentaa vastaustaan annettujen vastausvaihtoehtojen ulkopuolelta. Kysely jaettiin kuuteen osakokonaisuuteen. Vastaukset analysoitiin ja tulkittiin faktorianalyysillä. Menetelmän tarkoituksena on löytää tietyn osakokonaisuuden muuttujien joukosta piileviä yhdenmukaisuuksia. IBM SPSS Statistics Data Editor -ohjelman pääkomponenttianalyysi muodosti aineiston muuttujista 9 faktoria eli summamuuttujaa. Tutkimustulosten mukaan Ilmavoimien rekrytointi on riittävän informatiivista hävittäjälentäjän päätoimiseen työnkuvaan. Rekrytointiviestinnän välittämä informaatio kuitenkin jättää hakijoiden vastuulle paljon selvitettävää lentoupseerin työstä. Mikäli hakija ei oma-aloitteisesti ole perehtynyt hakiessaan tai lentoreserviupseerikurssin aikana saatavilla olevaan tietoon, saattavat työuran tai opintojen aikana vastaan tulevat käännekohdat aiheuttaa negatiivisa tunteita. Tutkimustulokset osoittavat Ilmavoimien lentäjien rekrytoinnissa olevan kehitettävää. Rekrytoinnin välittämä viesti ei vastaa niitä odotuksia, joita Maanpuolustuskorkeakoulu ja aktiivisen lentouran jälkeiset työtehtävät Ilmavoimien lentäjille asettavat. Mikäli halutaan antaa hakijalle mahdollisimman realistinen kuva koulutuksen ja lentoupseerin työn kokonaisuudesta, on muutettava MPKK:n koulutuksen ja Ilmavoimien lentoupseerin kokonaistyönkuvan vaatimuksia tai lisättävä niistä ajankohtaista tietoa osaksi rekrytointiviestintää. Ilmavoimien lentäjärekrytointi on toteutettu tarkasteltavalla ajanjaksolla monella tuloksissa esitellyllä mittarilla erinomaisesti. Nykyinen malli palvelee vain työuran ensimmäistä viittätoista vuotta ja sitäkin muutamilla poikkeuksilla. Poikkeuksia ovat koulutuksen ja työuran ensimmäisille vuosille ajoittuvat muutot sekä pakkosiirtouhka. Lentoreserviupseerikurssille halutaan hakeutuvan työn vaatimien henkilökohtaisten ominaisuuksien omaavia yksilöitä. Ilmasotakoulun johtama varusmiesten rekrytointi luo heroistisia mielikuvia hävittäjälentäjän työstä. Lentoreserviupseerikurssin aikana toteutettu jatkokoulutukseen tähtäävä rekrytointi lisää hakijoiden ymmärrystä työn kokonaiskuvasta, mutta vähentää tai poistaa kokonaan kurssilaisten alkuperäisiä käsityksiä mahdollisesta työurasta

Sensitivity of idealised baroclinic waves to mean atmospheric temperature and meridional temperature gradient changes

The sensitivity of idealised baroclinic waves to different atmospheric temperature changes is studied. The temperature changes are based on those which are expected to occur in the Northern Hemisphere with climate change: (1) uniform temperature increase, (2) decrease of the lower level meridional temperature gradient, and (3) increase of the upper level temperature gradient. Three sets of experiments are performed, first without atmospheric moisture, thus seeking to identify the underlying adiabatic mechanisms which drive the response of extra-tropical storms to changes in the environmental temperature. Then, similar experiments are performed in a more realistic, moist environment, using fixed initial relative humidity distribution. Warming the atmosphere uniformly tends to decrease the kinetic energy of the cyclone, which is linked both to a weaker capability of the storm to exploit the available potential energy of the zonal mean flow, and less efficient production of eddy kinetic energy in the wave. Unsurprisingly, the decrease of the lower level temperature gradient weakens the resulting cyclone regardless of the presence of moisture. The increase of the temperature gradient in the upper troposphere has a more complicated influence on the storm dynamics: in the dry atmosphere the maximum eddy kinetic energy decreases, whereas in the moist case it increases. Our analysis suggests that the slightly unexpected decrease of eddy kinetic energy in the dry case with an increased upper tropospheric temperature gradient originates from the weakening of the meridional heat flux by the eddy. However, in the more realistic moist case, the diabatic heating enhances the interaction between upper- and low-level potential vorticity anomalies and hence helps the surface cyclone to exploit the increased upper level baroclinicity.Peer reviewe

The characteristics and structure of extra-tropical cyclones in a warmer climate

Peer reviewe

The extratropical transition of Hurricane Ophelia (2017) as diagnosed with a generalized omega equation and vorticity equation

Hurricane Ophelia was a category 3 hurricane which underwent extratropical transition and made landfall in Europe as an exceptionally strong post-tropical cyclone in October 2017. In Ireland, Ophelia was the worst storm in 50 years and resulted in significant damage and even loss of life. In this study, the different physical processes affecting Ophelia’s transformation from a hurricane to a mid-latitude cyclone are studied. For this purpose, we have developed software that uses OpenIFS model output and a system consisting of a generalized omega equation and vorticity equation. By using these two equations, the atmospheric vertical motion and vorticity tendency are separated into the contributions from different physical processes: vorticity advection, thermal advection, friction, diabatic heating, and the imbalance between the temperature and vorticity tendencies. Vorticity advection, which is often considered an important forcing for the development of mid-latitude cyclones, is shown to play a small role in the re-intensification of the low-level cyclone. Instead, our results show that the adiabatic upper-level forcing was strongly amplified by moist processes, and thus, the diabatic heating was the dominant forcing in both the tropical and extratropical phases of Ophelia. Furthermore, we calculated in more detail the diabatic heating contributions from different model parameterizations. We find that the temperature tendency due to the convection scheme was the dominant forcing for the vorticity tendency during the hurricane phase, but as Ophelia transformed into a mid-latitude cyclone, the microphysics temperature tendency, presumably dominated by large-scale condensation, gradually increased becoming the dominant forcing once the transition was complete. Temperature tendencies caused by other diabatic processes, such as radiation, surface processes, vertical diffusion, and gravity wave drag, were found to be negligible in the development of the storm.Hurricane Ophelia was a category 3 hurricane which underwent extratropical transition and made landfall in Europe as an exceptionally strong post-tropical cyclone in October 2017. In Ireland, Ophelia was the worst storm in 50 years and resulted in significant damage and even loss of life. In this study, the different physical processes affecting Ophelia's transformation from a hurricane to a mid-latitude cyclone are studied. For this purpose, we have developed software that uses OpenIFS model output and a system consisting of a generalized omega equation and vorticity equation. By using these two equations, the atmospheric vertical motion and vorticity tendency are separated into the contributions from different physical processes: vorticity advection, thermal advection, friction, diabatic heating, and the imbalance between the temperature and vorticity tendencies. Vorticity advection, which is often considered an important forcing for the development of mid-latitude cyclones, is shown to play a small role in the re-intensification of the low-level cyclone. Instead, our results show that the adiabatic upper-level forcing was strongly amplified by moist processes, and thus, the diabatic heating was the dominant forcing in both the tropical and extratropical phases of Ophelia. Furthermore, we calculated in more detail the diabatic heating contributions from different model parameterizations. We find that the temperature tendency due to the convection scheme was the dominant forcing for the vorticity tendency during the hurricane phase, but as Ophelia transformed into a mid-latitude cyclone, the microphysics temperature tendency, presumably dominated by large-scale condensation, gradually increased becoming the dominant forcing once the transition was complete. Temperature tendencies caused by other diabatic processes, such as radiation, surface processes, vertical diffusion, and gravity wave drag, were found to be negligible in the development of the storm.Peer reviewe

OZO v.1.0 : software for solving a generalised omega equation and the Zwack-Okossi height tendency equation using WRF model output

A software package (OZO, Omega-Zwack-Okossi) was developed to diagnose the processes that affect vertical motions and geopotential height tendencies in weather systems simulated by the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. First, this software solves a generalised omega equation to calculate the vertical motions associated with different physical forcings: vorticity advection, thermal advection, friction, diabatic heating, and an imbalance term between vorticity and temperature tendencies. After this, the corresponding height tendencies are calculated with the Zwack-Okossi tendency equation. The resulting height tendency components thus contain both the direct effect from the forcing itself and the indirect effects (related to the vertical motion induced by the same forcing) of each physical mechanism. This approach has an advantage compared with previous studies with the Zwack-Okossi equation, in which vertical motions were used as an independent forcing but were typically found to compensate the effects of other forcings. The software is currently tailored to use input from WRF simulations with Cartesian geometry. As an illustration, results for an idealised 10-day baroclinic wave simulation are presented. An excellent agreement is found between OZO and the direct WRF output for both the vertical motion and the height tendency fields. The individual vertical motion and height tendency components demonstrate the importance of both adiabatic and diabatic processes for the simulated cyclone. OZO is an open-source tool for both research and education, and the distribution of the software will be supported by the authors.Peer reviewe

Somatic MED12 Nonsense Mutation Escapes mRNA Decay and Reveals a Motif Required for Nuclear Entry

MED12 is a key component of the transcription-regulating Mediator complex. Specific missense and in-frame insertion/deletion mutations in exons 1 and 2 have been identified in uterine leiomyomas, breast tumors, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Here, we characterize the first MED12 5 end nonsense mutation (c.97G > T, p.E33X) identified in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and show that it escapes nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) by using an alternative translation initiation site. The resulting N-terminally truncated protein is unable to enter the nucleus due to the lack of identified nuclear localization signal (NLS). The absence of NLS prevents the mutant MED12 protein to be recognized by importin- and subsequent loading into the nuclear pore complex. Due to this mislocalization, all interactions between the MED12 mutant and other Mediator components are lost. Our findings provide new mechanistic insights into the MED12 functions and indicate that somatic nonsense mutations in early exons may avoid NMD. (C) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Peer reviewe

Long-Term Survival After Transhiatal Versus Transthoracic Esophagectomy : A Population-Based Nationwide Study in Finland

Background No population-based studies comparing long-term survival after transhiatal esophagectomy (THE) and transthoracic esophagectomy (TTE) exist. This study aimed to compare the 5-year survival of esophageal cancer patients undergoing THE or TTE in a population-based nationwide setting. Methods This study included all curatively intended THE and TTE for esophageal cancer in Finland during 1987-2016, with follow-up evaluation until 31 December 2019. Cox proportional hazard models provided hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of 5-year and 90-day mortality. The results were adjusted for age, sex, year of operation, comorbidities, histology, neoadjuvant treatment, and pathologic stage. Results A total of 1338 patients underwent THE (n = 323) or TTE (n = 1015). The observed 5-year survival rate was 39.3% after THE and 45.0% after TTE (p = 0.072). In adjusted model 1, THE was not associated with greater 5-year mortality (HR 0.99; 95% CI 0.82-1.20) than TTE. In adjusted model 2, including T stage instead of pathologic stage, the 5-year mortality hazard rates after THE (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.72-1.05) and TTE were comparable. The 90-day mortality rate for THE was higher than for TTE (adjusted HR 0.72; 95% CI 0.45-1.14). In subgroup analyses, no differences between THE and TTE were observed in Siewert II gastroesophageal junction cancers, esophageal cancers, or pN0 tumors, nor in the comparison of THE and TTE with two-field lymphadenectomy. The sensitivity analysis, including patients with missing patient records, who underwent surgery during 1996-2016 mirrored the main analysis. Conclusions This Finnish population-based nationwide study suggests no difference in 5-year or 90-day mortality after THE and TTE for esophageal cancer.Peer reviewe

Preoperative hemoglobin count and prognosis of esophageal cancer, a population-based nationwide study in Finland

Publisher Copyright: © 2021Background: The prognostic value of preoperative hemoglobin in patients undergoing esophagectomy is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine whether preoperative hemoglobin is associated with prognosis in patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer. Materials and methods: This was a population-based nationwide retrospective cohort study in Finland, using Finnish National Esophago-Gastric Cancer Cohort (FINEGO). Esophagectomy patients with available preoperative hemoglobin measurement were included. Multivariable cox regression provided hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusted for calendar period of surgery, age at surgery, sex, comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index), tumor histology, tumor stage, neoadjuvant therapy, type of surgery (minimally invasive or open) and annual hospital volume. Results: Of the 1313 patients, 932 (71.0%) were men and 799 (60.9%) had esophageal adenocarcinoma. Overall all-cause mortality was significantly higher in the lowest hemoglobin count tertile (HR 1.26 (1.07–1.47)) compared to the highest tertile, but this association was attenuated after adjustment for confounding. No differences were found between the preoperative hemoglobin groups in the adjusted analyses of 90-day all-cause, 5-year all-cause, and 5-year cancer-specific mortality. Conclusion: In this population-based nationwide study, preoperative hemoglobin count had no independent prognostic significance in esophageal cancer.Peer reviewe

Digital Gaming for Improving the Functioning of People With Traumatic Brain Injury: Randomized Clinical Feasibility Study

Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major health problem that often requires intensive and long-term rehabilitation. Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether rehabilitative digital gaming facilitates cognitive functioning and general well-being in people with TBI. Methods A total of 90 Finnish-speaking adults with TBI (18-65 years) were recruited from an outpatient neuroscience clinic. The participants were randomly allocated to one of the three groups: a rehabilitation gaming group (n=29, intervention), an entertainment gaming group (n=29, active control), or a passive control group (n=32). The gaming groups were instructed to engage in gaming for a minimum of 30 min per day for 8 weeks. Primary and secondary outcomes were measured at three time points: before the intervention, after the intervention, and 3 months following the intervention. The primary outcome was cognitive status measured by processing speed and visuomotor tasks (The Trail Making Test; Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition, WAIS-IV, symbol search, coding, and cancellation tasks). Secondary outcomes were attention and executive functions (Simon task), working memory (WAIS-IV digit span and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test, PASAT), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), self-efficacy (General Self-efficacy Scale), and executive functions (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version). Feasibility information was assessed (acceptability, measurement instruments filled, dropouts, adherence, usability, satisfaction, and possible future use). Cognitive measurements were conducted in face-to-face interviews by trained psychologists, and questionnaires were self-administered. Results The effects of rehabilitation gaming did not significantly differ from the effects of entertainment gaming or being in a passive control group. For primary outcomes and PASAT tests, the participants in all three groups showed overall improvement in test scores across the three measurement points. However, depression scores increased significantly between baseline and after 8 weeks and between baseline and after 3 months in the rehabilitative gaming group. No differences were found in patients’ self-efficacy between the three measuring points in any of the groups. Participants did use the games (rehabilitation group: 93%, 27/29; entertainment group 100%, 29/29). Games were seen as a usable intervention (rehabilitation group: 70%, 14/29; entertainment group: 83%, 20/29). The rehabilitation group was less satisfied with the gaming intervention (68%, 13/29 vs 83%, 20/29), but they were more willing to use the game after the intervention period (76%, 16/29 vs 63%, 15/29). Total time spent on gaming during the intervention period was low (15.22 hour rehabilitation gaming group, 19.22 hour entertainment gaming group). Conclusions We did not find differences between the groups in improvement in the outcome measures. The improvements in test performance by all three groups may reflect rehearsal effects. Entertainment gaming had elements that could be considered when rehabilitative games are designed for, implemented in, and assessed in larger clinical trials for persons with TBI.</p