Indoor air quality at a waste incineration plant in Finland

Waste has been incinerated for energy utilization for more than a hundred years, but the harmful emissions emitted from the incineration plants did not begin to cause concern until the 1980s. Many plants were shutdown and the waste incineration plant in Kyläsaari Helsinki was one of them. In later years, new landfill regulations have increased the interest in waste incineration. During the last year, four new plants were taken into operation in Finland, Westenergy in Vaasa among them. The presence of dust has been observed indoors at Westenergy waste incineration plant. Dust is defined as particles with a diameter above 10 μm, while fine particles have a diameter smaller than 2.5 μm, ultrafine under 0.1 μm and nanoparticles under 0.05 μm. In recent years, the focus of particle health research has been changed to investigate smaller particles. Ultrafine particles have been found to be more detrimental to health than larger particles. Limit values regulating the concentrations of ultrafine particles have not been determined yet. The objective of this thesis was to investigate dust and particles present inside the Westenergy waste incineration facility. The task was to investigate the potential pollutant sources and to give recommendations of how to minimize the presence of dust and particles in the power plant. The total particle number concentrations and size distributions where measured at 15 points inside the plant with an Engine Exhaust Particle Sizer (EEPS) Spectrometer. The measured particles were mainly in the ultrafine size range. Dust was only visually investigated, since the main purpose was to follow the dust accumulation. The measurement points inside the incineration plant were chosen according to investigate exposure to visitors and workers. At some points probable leakage of emissions were investigated. The measurements were carried out during approximately one month in March–April 2013. The results of the measurements showed that elevated levels of dust and particles are present in the indoor air at the waste incineration plant. The cleanest air was found in the control room, warehouse and office. The most polluted air was near the sources that were investigated due to possible leakage and in the bottom ash hall. However, the concentrations were near measured background concentrations in European cities and no leakage could be detected. The high concentrations were assumed to be a result of a lot of dust and particles present on surfaces that had not been cleaned in a while. The main source of the dust and particles present inside the waste incineration plant was thought to be particles and dust from the outside air. Other activities in the area around the waste incineration facility are ground work activities, stone crushing and traffic, which probably are sources of particle formation. Filtration of the outside air prior entering the facility would probably save personnel and visitors from nuisance and save in cleaning and maintenance costs.

Hitsaustuotannon kehittäminen tuulivoimalan tornin valmistuksessa

Tuulivoima on Euroopassa nopeimmin kasvava energian tuotantomuoto. Tuulivoimateollisuuden arvioidaan kasvavan Suomessa huomattavasti lähivuosien aikana ennakoidun syöttötariffipäätöksen myötä, jolloin kilpailu alalla tulee kasvamaan. Tavoitteena oli kehittää tuulivoimalan tornin valmistusta Levator Oy:ssä hitsaustuotantoa tehostamalla ja tuotannon ohjattavuutta parantamalla. Kehitystyöhön kuului toisen hitsauslinjan käyttöönoton suunnittelu ja ohjeiston laatiminen työnjohdolle. Toisen hitsauslinjan käyttöönoton suunnittelun tarkoituksena oli suunnitella muutokset nykyiseen tuotantoon uuden linjan käyttöönoton mahdollistamiseksi. Suunnittelu aloitettiin valitsemalla hitsausprosessit, jonka jälkeen suunniteltiin laitetarpeet työvaihe-analyysien pohjalta. Tuotantolayout muutettiin nykyisestä funktionaalisesta tuotannosta tuotantosoluista koostuvaksi tuotantolinjaksi, jolloin materiaalien virtautus parani huomattavasti. Tuotannon ohjaustavaksi valittiin kapeikko-ohjaus. Ohjeiston laatimisen tarkoituksena oli kerätä ja dokumentoida kaikki tuotannossa tarvittava tieto. Ohjeiston sisältää laadunohjaus, materiaalivirtojen ohjaus ja työnohjaus osiot, joiden tarkoituksena on helpottaa työnjohtamista. Ohjeisto määrittelee yhtenäiset tuotannon toimintatavat, jolloin tuotannon ohjattavuus helpottuu. Tavoitteet täyttyivät, kun toisen tuotantolinjan käyttöönoton vaatimat muutokset aloitettiin suunnitelmien mukaisesti syyskuussa 2009. Ohjeiston sisältö saatiin määriteltyä ja eri osioiden pilotit saatiin valmiiksi joulukuun aikana. Tuotannon ohjattavuus kehittyi huomattavasti ja samalla tuottavuus parani merkittävästi.

Coercion, Perceived Care and Quality of Life Among Patients in Psychiatric Hospitals

The goals of the study were to describe patients’ perceptions of care after experiencing seclusion/restraint and their quality of life. The goal was moreover to identify methodological challenges related to studies from the perspective of coerced patients. The study was conducted in three phases between September 2008 and April 2012. In the first phase, the instrument Secluded/ Restrained Patients’ Perception of their Treatment (SR-PPT) was developed and validated in Japan in cooperation with a Finnish research group (n = 56). Additional data were collected over one year from secluded/restrained patients using the instrument (n = 90). In the second phase, data were collected during the discharge process (n = 264). In the third phase, data were collected from electronic databases. Methodological and ethical issues were reviewed (n = 32) using systematic review method. Patients perceived that co-operation with the staff was poor; patients’ opinions were not taken into account, treatment targets collated and treatment methods were seen in different ways. Patients also felt that their concerns were not well enough understood. However, patients received getting nurses’ time. In particular, seclusion/restraint was considered unnecessary. The patients felt that they benefited from the isolation in treating their problems more than they needed it, even if the benefit was seen to be minor. Patients treated on forensic wards rated their treatment and care significantly lower than in general units. During hospitalization secluded/restrained patients evaluated their quality of life, however, better than did non-secluded/restrained patients. However, no conclusion is drawn to the effect that the better quality of life assessment is attributable to the seclusion/restraint because patients’ treatment period after the isolation was long and because of many other factors, as rehabilitation, medication, diagnostic differences, and adaptation. According to the systematic mixed studies review variation between study designs was found to be a methodological challenge. This makes comparison of the results more difficult. A research ethical weakness is conceded as regards descriptions of the ethical review process (44 %) and informed consent (32 %). It can be concluded that patients in psychiatric hospital care and having a voice as an equal expert require special attention to clinical nursing, decision-making and service planning. Patients and their family members will be consulted in plans of preventive and alternative methods for seclusion and restraint. The study supports the theory that in ethical decision-making situations account should be taken of medical indications, in addition to the patients’ preferences, the effect of treatment on quality of life, and this depends on other factors. The connection between treatment decisions and a patient’s quality of life should be evaluated more structurally in practice. Changing treatment culture towards patients’ involvement will support daily life in nursing and service planning taking into account improvements in patients’ quality of life.

Epidemiology, management and outcome of facial injuries

Dental injuries are common and the incidence of maxillofacial injuries has increased over the recent decades in Finland. Accidental injuries are the global leading cause of death among children over the age of one year and among adults under the age of 40 globally. Significant resources and costs are needed for the treatment of these patients. The prevention is the most economical way to reduce trauma rates and costs. For the prevention it is crucial to know the prevalences, incidences and risk factors related to injuries. To improve the quality of treatment, it is essential to explore the causes, trauma mechanisms and management of trauma. The above mentioned was the aim of this thesis. With a large epidemiological cohort study (5737 participants) it was possible to estimate lifetime prevalence of and risk factors for dental trauma in general population (Study I). The prevalence of dental fractures was 43% and the prevalence of dental luxations and avulsions was 14%. Male gender, a history of previous non-dental injuries, mental distress, overweight and high alcohol consumption were positively associated with the occurrence of dental injuries Study II was conducted to explore the differences in type and multiplicity of mandibular fractures in three different countries (Canada, Finland and Kuwait). This retrospective study showed that the differences in mandibular fracture multiplicity and location are based on different etiologies and demographic patterns. This data can be exploited for planning of measures to prevent traumatic facial fractures. The etiology, management and outcome of 63 pediatric skull base fracture (Study III) and 20 pediatric frontobasal fracture patients (Study IV) were explored. These retrospective studies showed that, both skull base fracture and frontobasa fracture are rare injuries in childhood and although intracranial injuries and morbidity are frequent, permanent neurological or neuropsychological deficits are infrequent. A systematic algorithm (Study V) for computer tomography (CT) image review was aimed at clinicians and radiologists to improve the assessment of patients with complex upper midface and cranial base trauma. The cohort study was cross sectional and data was collected in the Turku and Oulu University Hospitals. A novel image-reviewing algorithm was created to enhance the specificity of CT for the diagnosis of frontobasal fractures. The study showed that an image-viewing algorithm standardizes the frontobasal trauma detection procedure and leads to better control and assessment. The purpose of the retrospective subcranial craniotomy study (VI) was to review the types of frontobasal fractures and their management, complications and outcome when the fracture is approached subcranially. The subcranial approach appears to be successful and have a reasonably low complication rate. It may be recommended as the technique of choice in multiple and the most complicated frontal base fractures where the endoscopic endonasal approach is not feasible.

Enabling Change in Universities: Enhancing Education for Sustainable Development with Tools for Quality Assurance

Enabling Change in Universities: Enhancing Education for Sustainable Development with Tools for Quality Assurance This thesis deals with enabling change in universities, more explicitly enhancing education for sustainable development with tools for quality assurance. Change management is a discipline within management that was developed in the 1980s because business changed from being predictable to unpredictable. The PEST mnemonic is a method to categorize factors enabling change; such as political, economic, socio-cultural and technological factors, which all affect higher education. A classification of a change, in either hard or soft, can help understanding the type of change that an organization is facing. Hard changes are more applied to problems that have clear objectives and indicators, with a known cause of the problem. Soft changes are applied to larger problems that affect the entire organization or beyond it. The basic definition for sustainable development is: the future generations should have similar opportunities as the previous. The UN has set as a global goal an integration of education for sustainable development (ESD) at all levels of education during 2005- 2014. The goal is set also in universities, the graduates of which are future leaders for all labor markets. The objective for ESD in higher education is that graduates obtain the competence to take economic, social and environmental costs and benefits into account when making decisions. Knowledge outcomes should aim for systematic and holistic thinking, which requires cross disciplinary education. So far, the development of ESD has not achieved its goals. The UN has identified a need for more transdisclipnary research in ESD. A joint global requirement for universities is quality assurance, the aim of which is to secure and improve teaching and learning. Quality, environmental and integrated management systems are used by some universities for filling the quality assurance requirements. The goal of this thesis is to open up new ways for enhancing ESD in universities, beyond the forerunners; by exploring how management systems could be used as tools for promoting ESD. The thesis is based on five studies. In the first study, I focus on if and how tools for quality assurance could be benefitted for promoting ESD. It is written from a new perspective, the memetic, for reaching a diversity of faculty. A meme is an idea that diffuses from brain to brain. It can be applied for cultural evolution. It is a theory that is based on the evolutionary theory by Darwin, applied for social sciences. In the second Paper, I present the results from the development of the pilot process model for enhancing ESD with management systems. The development of the model is based on a study that includes earlier studies, a survey in academia and an analysis of the practice in 11 universities in the Nordic countries. In the third study, I explore if the change depends on national culture or if it is global. It is a comparative study on both policy and implementation level, between the Nordic countries and China. The fourth study is a single case study based on change management. In this study, I identify what to consider in order to enable the change: enhancing ESD with tools for quality assurance in universities. In the fifth Paper, I present the results of the process model for enhancing ESD with management systems. The model was compared with identified drivers and barriers for enhancing ESD and for implementing management systems. Finally, the process model was piloted and applied for identifying sustainability aspects in curricula. Action research was chosen as methodology because there are not already implemented approaches using quality management for promoting ESD, why the only way to study this is to make it happen. Another reason for choosing action research is since it is essential to involve students and faculty for enhancing ESD. Action based research consists of the following phases: a) diagnosing, b) planning action, c) taking action and d) evaluating action. This research was made possible by a project called Education for Sustainable Development in Academia in the Nordic countries, ESDAN, in which activities were divided into these four phases. Each phase ended with an open seminar, where the results of the study were presented. The objective for the research project was to develop a process for including knowledge in sustainable development in curricula, which could be used in the quality assurance work. Eleven universities from the Nordic countries cooperated in the project. The aim was, by applying the process, to identify and publish examples of relevant sustainability aspects in different degree programs in universities in the Nordic countries. The project was partly financed by the Nordic Council of Ministers and partly by the participating pilot universities. Based on the results of my studies, I consider that quality, environmental and integrated management systems can be used for promoting ESD in universities. Relevant sustainability aspects have been identified in different fields of studies by applying the final process model. The final process model was compared with drivers and barriers for enhancing ESD and for implementing management systems in universities and with succeeding with management systems in industry. It corresponds with these, meaning that drivers are taken into account and barriers tackled. Both ESD and management systems in universities could be considered successful memes, which can reflect an effective way of communication among individuals. I have identified that management systems could be used as tools for hard changes and to support the soft change of enhancing ESD in universities with management system. Based on the change management study I have summarized recommendations on what to consider in order to enable the studied change. The main practical implications of the results are that the process model could be applied for assessment, benchmarking and communication of ESD, connected to quality assurance, when applied. This is possible because the information can be assembled in one picture, which facilitates comparison. The memetic approach can be applied for structuring. It is viable to make comparative studies between cultures, for getting insight in special characteristics of the own culture. Action based research is suitable for involving faculty. Change management can be applied for planning a change, which both enhancing ESD and developing management systems are identified to be.

Flexible multibody dynamics and intelligent control of a hydraulically driven hybrid redundant robot machine

The assembly and maintenance of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) vacuum vessel (VV) is highly challenging since the tasks performed by the robot involve welding, material handling, and machine cutting from inside the VV. The VV is made of stainless steel, which has poor machinability and tends to work harden very rapidly, and all the machining operations need to be carried out from inside of the ITER VV. A general industrial robot cannot be used due to its poor stiffness in the heavy duty machining process, and this will cause many problems, such as poor surface quality, tool damage, low accuracy. Therefore, one of the most suitable options should be a light weight mobile robot which is able to move around inside of the VV and perform different machining tasks by replacing different cutting tools. Reducing the mass of the robot manipulators offers many advantages: reduced material costs, reduced power consumption, the possibility of using smaller actuators, and a higher payload-to-robot weight ratio. Offsetting these advantages, the lighter weight robot is more flexible, which makes it more difficult to control. To achieve good machining surface quality, the tracking of the end effector must be accurate, and an accurate model for a more flexible robot must be constructed. This thesis studies the dynamics and control of a 10 degree-of-freedom (DOF) redundant hybrid robot (4-DOF serial mechanism and 6-DOF 6-UPS hexapod parallel mechanisms) hydraulically driven with flexible rods under the influence of machining forces. Firstly, the flexibility of the bodies is described using the floating frame of reference method (FFRF). A finite element model (FEM) provided the Craig-Bampton (CB) modes needed for the FFRF. A dynamic model of the system of six closed loop mechanisms was assembled using the constrained Lagrange equations and the Lagrange multiplier method. Subsequently, the reaction forces between the parallel and serial parts were used to study the dynamics of the serial robot. A PID control based on position predictions was implemented independently to control the hydraulic cylinders of the robot. Secondly, in machining, to achieve greater end effector trajectory tracking accuracy for surface quality, a robust control of the actuators for the flexible link has to be deduced. This thesis investigates the intelligent control of a hydraulically driven parallel robot part based on the dynamic model and two schemes of intelligent control for a hydraulically driven parallel mechanism based on the dynamic model: (1) a fuzzy-PID self-tuning controller composed of the conventional PID control and with fuzzy logic, and (2) adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system-PID (ANFIS-PID) self-tuning of the gains of the PID controller, which are implemented independently to control each hydraulic cylinder of the parallel mechanism based on rod length predictions. The serial component of the hybrid robot can be analyzed using the equilibrium of reaction forces at the universal joint connections of the hexa-element. To achieve precise positional control of the end effector for maximum precision machining, the hydraulic cylinder should be controlled to hold the hexa-element. Thirdly, a finite element approach of multibody systems using the Special Euclidean group SE(3) framework is presented for a parallel mechanism with flexible piston rods under the influence of machining forces. The flexibility of the bodies is described using the nonlinear interpolation method with an exponential map. The equations of motion take the form of a differential algebraic equation on a Lie group, which is solved using a Lie group time integration scheme. The method relies on the local description of motions, so that it provides a singularity-free formulation, and no parameterization of the nodal variables needs to be introduced. The flexible slider constraint is formulated using a Lie group and used for modeling a flexible rod sliding inside a cylinder. The dynamic model of the system of six closed loop mechanisms was assembled using Hamilton’s principle and the Lagrange multiplier method. A linearized hydraulic control system based on rod length predictions was implemented independently to control the hydraulic cylinders. Consequently, the results of the simulations demonstrating the behavior of the robot machine are presented for each case study. In conclusion, this thesis studies the dynamic analysis of a special hybrid (serialparallel) robot for the above-mentioned special task involving the ITER and investigates different control algorithms that can significantly improve machining performance. These analyses and results provide valuable insight into the design and control of the parallel robot with flexible rods.

Business intelligence and management control

The purpose of this study is to explore the possibilities of utilizing business intelligence (BI)systems in management control (MC). The topic of this study is explored trough four researchquestions. Firstly, what kind of management control systems (MCS) use or could use the data and information enabled by the BI system? Secondly, how the BI system is or could be utilized? Thirdly, has BI system enabled new forms of control or changed old ones? The fourth and final research question is whether the BI system supports some forms of control that the literature has not thought of, or is the BI system not used for some forms of control the literature suggests it should be used? The study is conducted as an extensive case study. Three different organizations were interviewed for the study. For the theoretical basis of the study, central theories in the field of management control are introduced. The term business intelligence is discussed in detail and the mechanisms for governance of business intelligence are presented. A literature analysis of the uses of BI for management control is introduced. The theoretical part of the study ends in the construction of a framework for business intelligence in management control. In the empirical part of the study the case organizations, their BI systems, and the ways they utilize these systems for management control are presented. The main findings of the study are that BI systems can be utilized in the fields suggested in the literature, namely in planning, cybernetic, reward, boundary, and interactive control. The systems are used both as the data or information feeders and directly as the tools. Using BI systems has also enabled entirely new forms of control in the studied organizations, most significantly in the area of interactive control. They have also changed the old control systems by making the information more readily available to the whole organization. No evidence of the BI systems being used for forms of control that the literature had not suggested was found. The systems were mostly used for cybernetic control and interactive control, whereas the support for other types of control was not as prevalent. The main contribution of the study to the existing literature is the insight provided into how BI systems, both theoretically and empirically, are used for management control. The framework for business intelligence in management control presented in the study can also be utilized in further studies about the subject.

Warranty Prediction Using Weibull Simulation

The main objective of this master’s thesis is to examine if Weibull analysis is suitable method for warranty forecasting in the Case Company. The Case Company has used Reliasoft’s Weibull++ software, which is basing on the Weibull method, but the Company has noticed that the analysis has not given right results. This study was conducted making Weibull simulations in different profit centers of the Case Company and then comparing actual cost and forecasted cost. Simula-tions were made using different time frames and two methods for determining future deliveries. The first sub objective is to examine, which parameters of simulations will give the best result to each profit center. The second sub objective of this study is to create a simple control model for following forecasted costs and actual realized costs. The third sub objective is to document all Qlikview-parameters of profit centers. This study is a constructive research, and solutions for company’s problems are figured out in this master’s thesis. In the theory parts were introduced quality issues, for example; what is quality, quality costing and cost of poor quality. Quality is one of the major aspects in the Case Company, so understand-ing the link between quality and warranty forecasting is important. Warranty management was also introduced and other different tools for warranty forecasting. The Weibull method and its mathematical properties and reliability engineering were introduced. The main results of this master’s thesis are that the Weibull analysis forecasted too high costs, when calculating provision. Although, some forecasted values of profit centers were lower than actual values, the method works better for planning purposes. One of the reasons is that quality improving or alternatively quality decreasing is not showing in the results of the analysis in the short run. The other reason for too high values is that the products of the Case Company are com-plex and analyses were made in the profit center-level. The Weibull method was developed for standard products, but products of the Case Company consists of many complex components. According to the theory, this method was developed for homogeneous-data. So the most im-portant notification is that the analysis should be made in the product level, not the profit center level, when the data is more homogeneous.

Production planning and optimization of a pulp mill: introduction of the optimisation based scheduling software for pulp industry

The objective of this project was to introduce a new software product to pulp industry, a new market for case company. An optimization based scheduling tool has been developed to allow pulp operations to better control their production processes and improve both production efficiency and stability. Both the work here and earlier research indicates that there is a potential for savings around 1-5%. All the supporting data is available today coming from distributed control systems, data historians and other existing sources. The pulp mill model together with the scheduler, allows what-if analyses of the impacts and timely feasibility of various external actions such as planned maintenance of any particular mill operation. The visibility gained from the model proves also to be a real benefit. The aim is to satisfy demand and gain extra profit, while achieving the required customer service level. Research effort has been put both in understanding the minimum features needed to satisfy the scheduling requirements in the industry and the overall existence of the market. A qualitative study was constructed to both identify competitive situation and the requirements vs. gaps on the market. It becomes clear that there is no such system on the marketplace today and also that there is room to improve target market overall process efficiency through such planning tool. This thesis also provides better overall understanding of the different processes in this particular industry for the case company.

Quality of radiotherapy care by development of e-feedback knowledge

The aim of this three phase study was to develop quality of radiotherapy care by the e-Feedback knowledge of radiotherapy -intervention (e-Re-Know). In Phase I, the purpose was to describe the quality of radiotherapy care and its deficits experienced by cancer patients. Based on the deficits in patient education in Phase II, the purpose was to describe cancer patients’ e-knowledge expectations in radiotherapy. In Phase III, the purpose was to develop and evaluate the outcomes of the e-Re-Know among breast cancer patients. The ultimate aim was to develop radiotherapy care to support patients’ empowerment with patient e-education. In Phase I (2004-2005), the descriptive design was used, and 134 radiotherapy patients evaluated their experiences by Good Nursing Care Scale for Patients (GNCS-P) in the middle of RT period. In Phase II (2006-2008), the descriptive longitudinal design was used and 100 radiotherapy patients’ e-knowledge expectations of RT were evaluated using open-ended questionnaire developed for this study before commencing first RT, in the middle of the treatment, and concluding RT period. In Phase III, firstly (2009-2010), the e-Re-Know intervention, i.e. knowledge test and feedback, was developed in terms of empowering knowledge and implemented with e-feedback approach based on literature and expert reviews. Secondly (2011-2014), the randomized controlled study was used to evaluate the e-Re-Know. Breast cancer patients randomized to either the intervention group (n=65) receiving the e-Re-Know by e-mail before commencing first RT and standard education or the control group (n=63) receiving standard education. The data were collected before commencing first RT, concluding last RT and 3 months after last RT using RT Knowledge Test, Spielberger’s State Trait Inventory (STAI) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Breast (FACT-B) –instruments. Data were analyzed using statistical methods and content analysis. The study showed radiotherapy patients experienced quality of care high. However, there were deficits in patient education. Furthermore, radiotherapy patients’ multidimensional e-knowledge expectations through Internet covered mainly bio-physiological and functional knowledge. Thus, the e-Re-Know was developed and evaluated. The study showed when breast cancer patients’ carried out the e-Re-Know their knowledge of side effects self-care was significantly increased and quality of life (QOL) significantly improved in line with decrease in anxiety from time before radiotherapy period to three months after. In addition, the e-Re-Know has potential to have positive effects on anxiety and QOL, regardless of patient characteristics or knowledge level. The results support the theory of empowering patient education suggesting that empowerment can be supported by confirming patients’ understanding of own knowledge level. In summary, the e-Feedback knowledge of radiotherapy (e-Re-Know) intervention can be recommended in development of quality of radiotherapy care experienced by breast cancer patients. Further research is needed to assess and develop patient-centred quality of care by patient education among cancer patients.

Quality assurance of refuse derived fuel with machine vision

This thesis studies the use of machine vision in RDF quality assurance and manufacturing. Currently machine vision is used in recycling and material detection and some commer- cial products are available in the market. In this thesis an on-line machine vision system is proposed for characterizing particle size. The proposed machine vision system is based on the mapping between image segmenta- tion and the ground truth of the particle size. The results shows that the implementation of such machine vision system is feasible.

Capital investments planning and life cycle simulations for the new valves manufacturing facility in Russia

The focus of the research is on the derivation of the valid and reliable performance results regarding establishment and launching of the new full-scale industrial facility, considering the overall current conditions for the project realization in and out of Russia. The study demonstrates the process of the new facility concept development, with following perfor-mance calculation, comparative analyzes conduction, life-cycle simulations, performance indicators derivation and project`s sustainability evaluation. To unite and process the entire input parameters complexity, regards the interlacing between the project`s internal technical and commercial sides on the one hand, and consider all the specifics of the Russian conditions for doing business on the other hand, was developed the unique model for the project`s performance calculation, simulations and results representation. The complete research incorporates all corresponding data to substantiate the assigned facility`s design, sizing and output capacity for high quality and cost efficient ferrous pipe-line accessories manufacturing, as well as, demonstrates that this project could be suc-cessfully realized in current conditions in Russia and highlights the room for significant performance and sustainability improvements based on the indexes of the derived KPIs.

Psychological well-being of the parents and child development, behavior, and quality of life in very low birth weight infants

The parents of premature infants, especially the mothers, are at increased risk for distress. Infants born prematurely are at risk for developmental problems. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the psychological well-being of both parents is associated with child development in very low birth weight (VLBW, ≤1500g) children. The burden of prematurity-related morbidity to the children and to the family was also assessed. A cohort of 201 VLBW infants born during 2001–2006 in the Turku University Hospital, Finland, and their parents were studied (I–IV). One study included a control group (n=166) of full-term infants (IV). The psychological well-being of the parents was evaluated by assessments of depressive symptoms, parenting stress, the sense of coherence and general family functioning. Cognitive, behavioral, and socio-emotional development, and the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the children were determined when the children were 2 to 8 years old. The psychological well-being of the parents was associated with the cognitive, behavioral and social development of the VLBW children. The VLBW infants with prematurity-related morbidities had a poorer HRQoL and the general functioning of the family was inferior compared to the control children and their families. 64.5% of the VLBW children survived without morbidities. Most of the VLBW children did not have significant behavior problems (93%), had normal social skills (63%), had no emotional problems (64%), and had no problems in executive functioning (62%). Only 3% of the surviving VLBW infants had significant cognitive delay. In conclusion, the depressive symptoms and stress of the parents can be risk factors for disadvantageous child development, while a strong sense of coherence can be protective. Parents of the premature children with developmental delays might also experience more depressive symptoms and stress than other parents. Prematurity-related morbidities were a burden to the VLBW child as well as to the family.